Rethinking Wide Format: Why Your Print Corner Deserves an Upgrade
Rethinking Wide Format: Why Your Print Corner Deserves an Upgrade
If your office still has a “print corner,” there’s a good chance it looks less like a productivity hub and more like an archaeological dig. Layers of old devices, mystery cables, and a plotter that predates half your team. Technical workflows have evolved, but many print setups haven’t kept up. It’s time to rethink that corner.
The Cost of the Old Way (Beyond Toner and ToeStubbing)
When printing, scanning, and copying live on different islands, your team spends more time traveling than creating. We’ve all seen it:
- The designer printing A1 sets on the plotter, then trekking across the office to scan markups, then emailing a PDF that hopefully includes the right version.
- The engineer who just needs halfsize drawings—but the plotter only speaks “roll media,” so back to the desktop printer they go.
- The project manager who sends urgent changes to a repro shop because the inhouse setup taps out when deadlines hit.
Every extra device is an extra chance for something to slow down, misprint, or (let’s be honest) get accidentally recycled by an overenthusiastic coworker. Fragmented workflows cost time, introduce version risk, and frustrate teams who just want to get good work out the door.
One Device to Rule Them All
Modern wideformat MFPs are designed to collapse the chaos into one sleek, compact footprint. Think of it as replacing your print corner’s “cast of characters” with a single, capable lead actor (no drama, guaranteed).
Today’s devices:
- Handle roll and cutsheet media (A1/D and A3/B from the same queue—no magic tricks required).
- Include flat stackers and dual input trays that keep everything neat instead of “somewhere near the printer.”
- Offer longroll capacity, so no one has to change media halfway through a plan set.
It’s the difference between juggling six balls and setting one gently on your desk.
Pigment Inks: Not Just for Art Majors
When your documents live on job sites, in permit offices, or under the occasional coffee spill, pigmentbased inks make all the difference. These inks resist water, fading, and smudging. Meaning your crisp lines stay crisp, your colors stay true, and your team stays on the same page (literally).
Your New Collaboration Hub
The humble scanner is where wideformat MFPs really shine. With integrated, walkup scanning and presets that actually make sense, teams can:
- Print drawings for a coordination meeting
- Capture markups right after
- Scan directly to the correct project folder or cloud workspace
- Reprint updated sheets from the same device
No wandering. No guessing. No lost markups that mysteriously vanish like office lunch leftovers.
From Print Corner to Project Engine
Upgrading to a multifunction wideformat device isn’t just a hardware change, it’s a workflow upgrade. Consolidation simplifies processes, reduces errors, and speeds up the work your teams do every day.
If your wideformat setup still looks like a “before” picture, we can help you create the “after.” Connect with a Kelley Create wideformat expert. Let’s turn that print corner into a productivity powerhouse.
Key Takeaways
- How consolidating print, scan, and copy into one wide-format MFP eliminates device hopping and reduces workflow delays.
- How modern wide-format devices handle both roll and cut-sheet media to simplify mixed-size printing without extra hardware.
- How pigment-based inks protect technical documents from water, fading, and smudging for long-lasting clarity and accuracy.
- How integrated scanning turns your print corner into a collaboration hub for faster markups, reviews, and project updates.
- How upgrading to a multifunction wide-format device transforms your print corner into a streamlined project engine.
FAQs
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They support both roll media (A1/D) and cut-sheet formats (A3/B) in the same queue, eliminating the need for multiple printers.
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While upfront costs vary, the ROI comes from reduced delays, fewer errors, and less reliance on external repro shops, making it cost-effective over time.
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Most modern MFPs are designed with intuitive interfaces and smart presets, so teams can adopt them quickly without extensive training.
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Yes. Many models feature long-roll capacity (up to 300 feet) and flat stackers for big plan sets without constant media changes.
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Absolutely. Most devices offer direct scan-to-cloud and scan-to-network options, making it easy to integrate with project management platforms.
