Many people have asked to get the complete FLAAR web site wide-format-printers.org in book form. So we have rewritten the entire site in book form. Each chapter is a separate file (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format for easy download). Any three chapters are available to our readers as PDF files, sent at no cost by our university.

The more you tell us about the needs you have and what you will use wide format or professional scanner for, the easier it is for us to pinpoint which scanner and which wide format printer are ideal for your situation, we can perhaps save you from making an expensive mistake!

If you need help deciding which large format printer and/or professional scanner is optimal for your situation, or what inks are archival and long-lasting, just fill out the form below. Nicholas Hellmuth, senior review editor of the FLAAR Digital Imaging Technology Center , will do his best to answer you within 48 hours by sending the information to you in Adobe Acrobat PDF download format via e-mail. Don't worry about paying FLAAR, we are non-profit and neither ask for nor receive payment. Answering your questions is part of our public education program.

Survey Form (so you get the FLAAR evaluations in PDF format)
You can write auf Deutsch, en Español, en Français or in Italiano; reports themselves are in English
Please complete the requiered fields *


TITLES of the FLAAR REPORTS that you want. Limit of 3 titles please (we keep this service free by being cost effective).
Help, you decide which 3 reports best suit my needs
Please use your own words to describe how we can best assist you with help on wide format printers? *
What kinds of printing do you intend to accomplish? What sizes? What quality, what dpi? For indoor, outdoor, what kinds of paper or textile or ....?

The more details you provide on your needs, the easier it is for us to know which reports, and how many, to send you. You get at least three reports free at no cost from our university.
What features and options do you seek in a wide format printer? *

And why do you need these attributes?

Before you visited our site, which printer brands were you disposed to like or to consider buying? Or what other printer brands have you checked out? Where: tradeshows, manufacturer's sites, visits to other print shops, or are you just beginning Your search?

 
What problems, situations, printer quirks, inks or paper do you need to avoid?*

What aspects of digital printing are discomforting to you. Have other people warned you about certain printer makes, models, or technologies?

We read every word.The printer companies will not offer you the features you need (and will not fix the problems that irritate users) unless end-users speak out loud and clear. So here is an open platform for you to indicate what you need (and what you don't need) in a wide format printer. We send Your suggestions to the manufacturers so they will be inspired to improve their printers.
Do you already have a wide format printer? If so, which brand (and model if you know it)?*
NO
Yes, which brand(s) ? Model?
Why are you researching printers today? *
I intend to buy soon
I am researching to buy later
I just want to learn more
Which brands (and model if you know it) are you most interested in learning about today?*
When we know what you are looking for this helps us realize which reports we need to send you first.
What quality would your ideal printer be able to print? (How many DPI, Dots Per Inch)
Since no printer actually produces top quality at top speed in real life, which would you be more willing to compromise on, quality or speed:
Quality Speed, explain why
What size printer are you most interested in today?*(select one)
Undecided / Not sure 41-47 inches (Average cost US $10-12 K)
13 x 19 inches (The smallest size we cover). 48-64 inches (Average cost US $15-25 K)
24 inches (Average cost US $2-5 K) 65-73 inches (Average cost US $15-30 K)
30-40 inches (Average cost US $4-8 K) 74 inches and wider (Average cost US $20-300 K)
WHAT KIND OF INKJET MEDIA ARE YOU PRINTING ONTO OR ARE INTERESTED IN?*
Do you already have Raster Image Processing (RIP) software?
No Yes, which brand: If you are already comparing, which brands?
Do you need more information about Raster Image Processing (RIP) software?"
No Yes, information to decide whether I need a RIP Yes, information to compare brands of RIPs
What Operating System you use?
Windows
Mac
Linux
Unix
Other
NAME* 

  		TELEPHONE*
E-MAIL*
ADDRESS*
STREET CITY STATE ZIP COUNTRY
What kind of business are you?*
individual (home based , retirement business, second business)
 Educational and/or Museum (institutions)
small but growing company (several people and growing) I manufacture or resell printers, inks or media.
Business (large commercial sized company) Other, be specific
Whether large or small, we will still send you the batch of reports free. So please be honest when you describe the size and nature of your company.
COMPANY NAME (if applicable) Main Business Activity add all the detail you can, because your business activity determines what reports are most appropriate.

Do you need additional information on the following problems: mark only those you seriously have an interest in.
Help in selection of digital camera contact for info on laminating equipment contact for info on trimmers and cutters (pre and post lamination)
Help in selection of inkjet media Information about color management and ICC color profiles
Help selecting which scanner Training, seminars, courses (including our own BGSU or UFM programs), and recommended tradeshows .
Other information the more detail you provide, the easier it is to figure out what report(s) and follow-up to send you .
YES, Please have the FLAAR staff decide how many reports can best answer my queries. As a benefit for filling out this survey form, you will receive within 48 hours automatic download full-color reports via Adobe Acrobat PDF format. This is a service of Francisco Marroquin University, Digital Imaging Technology Center (FLAAR). First we send you our FLAAR report(s) on each category you have checked. Next we select which support staff person in a pertinent partner company who can best follow-up to you with additional counsel on each digital imaging aspect where you indicate that help would be appreciated.
  NO, I do not want any FLAAR reports sent to me and I do not wish any follow up information. If you select this option then we have no way to send you any information because this option voids all Your requests. We added this note because some readers were just marking every box on the entire form. If you wish follow-up (which means the FLAAR Reports and follow-up from partner companies) then click on the Send Information button, to submit the form and get information and follow-up in return.

Sorry no reviews on cheap letter-size desktop printers; we are no longer able to answer questions about small desktop printers. Please understand.

We do not currently have the means to send all 30 or more reports. We do not yet have a system to receive payment, so that is why the reports are free at present. In certain cases, at our discretion, we will do our best to send additional reports (at no cost). To get follow-up reports without having to fill out another Survey Form we are opening a new web site, www.wide-format-printers.NET. That new site will offer a system of easier access for follow-up reports but it will take a while to get this new system in place. Eventually you will be able to purchase dozens of FLAAR reports from that site. However we will always set aside a group of reports that will always be free.

Please do NOT send us e-mails asking where to repair equipment, where to get images printed, or how to handle Photoshop. For the latter questions please look under "Training" in the index to each of our sites. For other questions go to the pertinent trade magazines, usually listed in the index under "magazines".

Your inquiry form will be answered by the FLAAR staff at the university. We will send you all the pertinent reports in convenient PDF format. Since our offices are scattered around the world we can't always telephone you for a follow-up. Also, our staff of 15 people are working on evaluating equipment...or answering your e-mail. Thus to provide additional information on media, inks, RIPs, lamination, trimmers-cutters and details on printers that are of interest to you, we have found pertinent experts at the leading large format printer trade shows who can answer your questions personally. As soon as we ourselves send you the informative tips and help, we will forward your e-mail so your questionscan be answered as follow-up by our partners more thoroughly.

FLAAR digital imaging evaluation facilities at Bowling Green State University
FLAAR digital imaging evaluation and training facilities at Francisco Marroquin University.
Two museums are on our campus so we have plenty of experience with how to print museum-quality wide format output.

FLAAR currently has nine wide format inkjet printers

UPDATED: june 25 2002