In 1910, the dead-ball era in baseball was forever changed by legendary New York Giants manager John McGraw who popularized the strategy of “small ball” which featured the stolen base, bunting and moving runners over to score runs. In fact, the 1911 New York Giants stole an incredible 347 bases; a record that still stands today. These moves physically changed the way the overall game was played, requiring upgraded equipment, new rules and a new style of managing. More than a hundred years later, thinking small is also helping to change the rules in the wide-format market as well with shops that may be considering adding small-format printing to their list of services.
1910年，传奇的纽约Giants 的经理John McGraw永远改变了棒球的沉默时代，他将那些以彩旗和移动跑者为特色印在了小球上，这些举措实际上改变了整个标识行业的发展方式，对于标识制造商来说，他们需要升级新的设备，新的规则和新的管理方式，这也同时促进了宽幅市场的规则变化，他们将考虑在服务列表中增加小幅面打印的业务，创造更多个性化定制产品。
As the digital sign industry grows and evolves, more customers are requesting customized products such as on-demand labels, T-shirts and personalized promotional items. Initially to meet this demand, sign shops began using their wide-format inkjet printers for these applications but found it in some cases to be a slow, costly and cumbersome process. In addition, these smaller jobs also tied up wide-format equipment when these machines could be better served pushing out much bigger projects.
随着数字标牌行业的发展和演变，越来越多的客户要求定制产品，如按需标签、T恤等。最初为了满足这种需求，标识制造商开始使用他们的宽幅喷墨打印机来进行工作，但是，在某些情况下，发现它是一个缓慢、昂贵的过程。另外，这些小型工作也会捆绑宽幅设备，服务于更大的项目。
As a solution, many shops have begun investing in toner-based and UV-curing small-format printers to offer numerous new applications to fill these smaller niche opportunities.
要设计一种解决方案，许多标识制造商已经开始投资于碳粉和UV固化小幅面打印机，以提供大量的新应用来填补这些机会。
“More and more we are seeing a big trend towards more full service graphics outlets rather than application specific shops. What does this mean? Businesses used to identify themselves as sign shops, screen printers, embroiderers and trophy shops,” says Don Copeland product manager – Direct to Garment (DTG) Printers and Compress UV Printers at ColDesi, Inc., Tampa, Florida.
位于佛罗里达州坦帕，ColDesi公司的产品经理Copeland说：“曾经，企业把自己定义为标牌商店，丝网印刷商，绣花商，而现在，我们看到了一个更大的趋势——更全面的服务图形网点，而不是特定的应用程序商店。”
“Now we see businesses offering multiple output options for the graphics they create, or are provided by their customers. The advent of more and more digital output solutions at more affordable prices has made it more about the graphic and less about specialty application techniques,” Copeland adds.
Copeland补充说：“现在，我们看到企业为他们创建的图形能提供多种输出选项，或者由客户提供，越来越多的数字输出解决方案能够以更实惠的价格出现，更多是关于图形的设计，而不是专业的应用技术。”
Shops Going Small
专业的定制化标识制造商
Michael Perrelli, marketing manager at Direct Color Systems (DCS), Rocky Hill, Connecticut, reports that sign shops represent one of the biggest markets for small-format UV LED printers and they are using the equipment in a myriad of ways. “For example, shops are doing away with the laborious appliqué and bead method for ADA/Braille sign production and replacing it with a digital UV LED print process that allows the operator to work on other items while the printer does its work. Others use it to digitally print full color background graphics and colors instead of paint or vinyl stickers.”
康涅狄格州洛矶，DCS公司的市场经理Michael Perrelli说：“标牌商店是小型UV -LED打印机需求的最大市场之一，他们正在以各种各样的方式使用这些设备。例如，商店正在用数字UV LED打印技术来制作ADA /盲文标牌，用数字设备来替代贴花和珠子的生产，这使操作员可以在打印工作的同时，做其他物品上进行额外的工作。此外，他们用小幅面设备来打印全彩背景图形，而不是使用的乙烯贴纸。”
Perrelli points out that there are a few trends in UV printing worth noting and they are all happening simultaneously. “The switch from analog to digital continues to grow each and every year. Companies (both big and small) are looking to replace labor intensive processes, increase profit margins by offering customization with low (or zero) minimum quantities with zero set ups, move to full color capabilities as well as leverage the versatility of the printer to build upon a current market share or be ready to enter new ones when the opportunity arises.”
Perrelli指出：“UV打印有一些值得注意的地方，并且它们都是同时发生。从模拟到数字的转换每年都在持续增长，无论大小型的公司都希望数字能取代劳动密集型技术，通过零配置提供低（或零）最小数量的定制来提高利润率，转移到全彩色能力以及利用打印机的多功能性来构建目前的市场份额。”
He says shops are also looking for versatility. “Whether it is a trophy shop looking to get into digitally printing ADA/Braille signage, a sign shop looking to enter the DTG market, or promotional product e-commerce sites that don’t want to farm out custom bottle production – UV printers are a versatile equipment option for the current book of business and the business the company hopes to attain in the future.”
无论是希望进入数字印刷ADA /盲文标牌领域，还是寻找DTG市场的标识制造商，都能通过一个多功能的设备选项——小幅面UV打印机， 为目前的业务实现利润最大化。“
Lastly, he says, applications continue to grow. “When small-format UV LED flatbed printers started, most of the capabilities centered around opaque white ink, vibrant colors, and high quality flat prints. Now they can produce remarkable TEXTUR3D prints (that can be seen and felt) in both color and clear ink, ADA/Braille signage (patented by DCS), cylindrical and conical products, flexible items like wallets, and custom T-shirts. It’s an exciting industry to be a part of going forward.”
新的应用程序不断增长，当开始使用小幅面UV- LED平板打印机时，大多数功能都以不透明的白色墨水，鲜艳的色彩和高质量的平面打印为中心。现在，他们可以通过彩色和透明的油墨来制作ADA /盲文标牌、圆柱形和圆锥形产品，还有灵活的物品（如钱包）和定制的T恤中，出色的TEXTUR3D印花也给客户带来了众多惊喜。”
He adds that sign shops are also using these printers to upsell current customers. “Now they can offer their corporate, municipal, or educational sign accounts the option of also doing their awards, practice jerseys, or promotional items. Digital, full color capability with the ability to print to many materials allows shop owners to let their creative team go wild, step out of the box, and wow customers…all with enhanced profit margins.”
标识制造商也正在使用这些打印机让他们的创意团队变得疯狂，他们向当前客户销售各种数字化、全彩色的产品，能够打印各种类型的材料。
Benchtop UV Flatbeds Gaining
台式UV平板打印机
Jay Roberts, product manager, UV Printers, Roland DGA, Irvine, California, says one of the biggest trends in small-format digital printing, and digital printing in general, is the growing demand for benchtop UV flatbed printers, such as those offered within Roland’s VersaUV LEF series. “These innovative inkjets make it quick and easy to customize and personalize just about any type of substrate or three-dimensional object with vibrant, detailed graphics. Being able to transform standard or blank products by adding unique printed designs and eye-catching dimensional effects allows for the creation of products with a higher perceived value than typical mass-produced offerings.”
加利福尼亚州Irvine市，Roland DGA公司的UV打印机产品经理Jay Roberts说：“小幅面数码打印的最大趋势之一就是，台式UV平板打印机的需求在不断增长，像VersaUV LEF系列，这些创新的喷墨打印机可以快速、轻松地定制个性化产品，包括任何类型的基板或充满活力的三维物体，通过添加独特的设计和醒目的尺寸效果，转换为标准的产品，创造出比大量生产产品更高价值的产品。”
He said their 12-inch LEF-12i and 20-inch LEF-200 UV flatbeds, which fall into the “small-format” category, are allowing our customers to cost-effectively produce a vast array of customized items, dramatically increasing sales for our customers. Roland also offers a 30-inch LEF-300 model, which offers maximum versatility and productivity.
12英寸的LEF-12i和20英寸的LEF-200UV平台属于小幅面类别，这种类别可以让客户经济高效地生产大量的定制化产品。此外，Roland 公司还推出了一个30英寸的LEF-300，它的多功能性和生产力非常强大。
“This customization/personalization trend is affecting all types of markets and buyers. Having the ability to customize everything from picture frames, shoes and cell phone covers to water bottles, hats, cases and luggage has opened a new world of opportunities. It all stems from the buyer’s natural desire to “create” objects that reflect his or her own individual look and style,” he points out.
个性化定制的趋势正在影响所有类型的市场和买家，定制从相框、鞋子、手机套、水瓶、帽子、箱子和行李的所有东西，开创了一个新的世界，这一切都源于买家所需，能反映他或她自己个人外观和风格的自然愿望。
Roberts adds what really makes UV printers different is that they’re capable of creating products that are ready for shipment as soon as the printer is stopped. “Recently, I watched one of our customers literally pick up an item he customized on an LEF-200 printer, insert it into the mailing box, and ship it out. Other than inserting an invoice or purchase order, it was ready to go.”
Roberts公司推出的新产品与其他UV打印机不同的是，一旦打印机停止准备运送，就能够创建自动创建完成选项。例如，一个客户从LEF-200打印机上拿起一个完成好的定制物品，准备发货，除了插入发票或采购订单，其余由设备自动处理。”
Upgrades in Heat Transfer Technology
传热技术的升级
Matt Davies, national sales director, New Business Development, OKI Data Americas, Irving, Texas, reports that there also has been significant technological improvement made in the heat transfer technology market segment. “As a result, we are seeing exponential growth in this market, as sign shops and other similar companies begin to realize the breathe of products that can be decorated utilizing a single base technology. They are beginning to see that there are new revenue opportunities within their existing base. They also get to utilize much of their current graphic arts capabilities.”
美国分公司OKI Data的销售总监Matt Davies说：“在传热技术细分市场上也有显着的技术改进，因此，我们看到了这个市场呈指数级增长，标识制造商和其他类似的公司开始意识到，可以使用单一的技术和图形艺术功能，获得新的收入机会。”
Davies points out that when it comes to small format, he considers two of OKI Data’s technologies, which could be applied. “The first being our 942 printing system, which has the ability to print over sized tabloid printing with a single pass white toner technology (printing white first). This allows a beautiful color on color printing technology at speeds up to 50 ppm. The other unique capability is that this is a straight path printer, which allows a wide range of substrates for both paper and polyesters, as well as other unique substrates with a wide range of colored stocks.”
Davies指出：“谈及小格式打印时，可以应用冲电气数据的两项技术，首先是我们的942打印系统，它能够通过单次打印白色墨粉技术（首先打印白色）打印小尺寸，使色彩达到极致效果，速度可达50 ppm。另一个独特的功能是，这是一种直线打印机，它可以为纸张和聚酯以及其他各种各样的有色纸张提供各种基材。”
He says the ability to print single pass white toner production is becoming more successful every day. Other manufacturers such as Xerox and Ricoh are seeing the same trends based on their product introductions over the past two years. “We are seeing a constant growth in this market segment, which we believe would also be useful in the sign market as well.”
他还说：“打印单程白色墨粉生产的能力每天都很成功。其他制造商，例如施乐和理光，在过去两年的产品介绍上，我们也都看到了同样的发展趋势，我们看到这个细分市场的持续增长，认为这对标识行业是非常有用的。”
He adds that the other technology, which the company has been excelling at within the industry is their printers designed specifically to print using heat transfer technologies, also using their single pass white technology, but now printing white last (instead of first), to allow a color on color heat transfer to other substrates. “In this technology, white needs to be printed last since it will be first color when transferred to a substrate.”
他补充说：“像这些公司一直擅长的技术是专门用于热转印的打印技术，以及单程的白色技术，现在允许有更多颜色上的热量传递到其他基材上，在这项技术中，白色需要最后打印，因为转印到基材上呈现的颜色是是第一个颜色。”
One Stop Shop
一站式打印服务商
Davies reports that with a minimal invest of just under $10,000 (printer, heat press, transfer papers and other minor items), with little to no disruption to their business work flow or creating new space issues, sign shops can now have the ability to create for a customer small format items, which their customers, may have gone to different provider to have created. “They can now add more ‘one stop shop’ ability to their existing customer base. They have the ability to produce small signs, mugs, plaques, tote bags, decorated glass items and T-shirts for more expanded advertising material to their customers.”
Davies说：“只需投入不到10,000美元（打印机、热压机、转印纸和其他小件物品），几乎就不会中断其业务的工作流程或新的空间发展。对于他们来说，现在可以为他们的客户创建不同的小格式项目与定制化产品，也可以为现有的客户群增加更多一站式的服务体验，他们有能力生产小标牌、杯子、手提袋，装饰玻璃制品和T恤衫。”
He adds that his technology has a small footprint and minimal investment but has big returns in shorter time periods. “Wide format clearly has its place in the sign market for large and powerful messaging. The small format gives shops easy, convenient, quick and versatile marketing capabilities, which could never come from a wide-format platform.”
他补充说：“宽幅打印市场在行业占有重要的地位，在较短的时间内收益很大，但是这种小格式给标识打印服务商提供了简单、方便、快捷的营销功能，这种方式绝不可能来自广泛的平台。”
“For example, a semi truck can deliver a great many products at one time over long periods of time, but a local delivery truck can deliver quickly and precisely what a customer needs for smaller and more immediate opportunities. Just like the delivery service scenario, small format and wide format can work hand in hand to meet the many changes that the market demands quickly and efficiently. This type of understanding will help the sign shops in the future to offer more services to their customers, thus giving them a more unique business service offering,” Davies concludes.
Davies总结道：“在很长一段时间内，一辆卡车可以运输一次交付大量产品，但是本地运输可以快速准确地提供给客户，获得他们所需的更小、更直接的机会，就像交付服务场景一样，小格式和宽格式可以携手合作，快速高效地满足市场需求的诸多变化。这种模式将有助于未来标识打印服务商向其客户提供更多的服务，从而形成更加独特的商业服务。”
Moving into UV Printing
进入UV打印时代
Copeland says he sees more traditional sign shops expanding into UV printing to reduce labor and material costs for output on signage such as Coroplast, aluminum and even wood. “They are also looking to expand their reach into promotional items as well such as with the very popular tumbler business from Yetis, RTIC, Ozark Mountain, etc. Secondly, they are often looking for a quick solution for doing short run T-shirts for their customers. Both DTG and full color lasers with white toner like the Digital HeatFX are becoming popular for graphics shops not already doing apparel to expand their reach.”
Copeland说：“我看到很多传统的标识打印服务商的业务扩大到UV打印这一块，以减少劳动力和材料成本，如铝、甚至木材制作的标识。同时，他们也希望扩大他们的广告范围，例如，像Yetis、RTIC、Ozark Mountain等非常受欢迎的业务。其次，他们经常在为他们的客户寻找一个快速的解决方案，例如，DTG和带有白色墨粉的全彩色激光设备Digital HeatFX正在成为打印服务商的流行应用。”
Copeland reports the most common application is 18" x 24" Coroplast signs as well as more permanent signage printed on aluminum and steel sign blanks.
Copeland报告中指出，最常见的应用是18“x 24”的Coroplast标识，以及在铝和钢上印上的永久性标识。
“UV printing opens up printing direct onto pre-assembled items. The range of items here is staggering. We have printed on wooden wine cases, sports equipment, prototype packaging, toys, baseballs, golf balls, control panels, picture frames, vehicle magnetics – the list goes on and on,” he reports.
UV打印直接打印到预先组装的物品上，这种项目的范围惊人，包括木制酒盒、运动器材、原型包装、玩具、棒球、高尔夫球、相框，以及车辆磁性元件上。
Big Benefits
益处
Perrelli at DCS reports that Z-height is an obvious benefit for the small-format printers. “Fully adjustable options up to 15-inches are unrivaled by many wide formats. Couple that with the ability to jump back and forth between jobs and products (such as signs to bottles and then to phone cases) quickly and easily, are some of things that the wide formats can’t match.”
DCS的报告说，Z型高度对于小幅面打印机是一个明显的好处，高达15英寸的完全可调选项，再加上拥有能够快速地在工作和产品之间来回切换的能力，这些都是广泛格式所无法比拟的。
He continued, “Some of our largest customers will use numerous small-format printers instead of one or two large formats for certain divisions because of the versatility and redundancy that the small formats provide in a production world. A single person shop or a small team can operate many small-format printers at the same time,” he concludes.
由于小幅面打印设备在生产领域提供的多功能性和冗余性，一些打印服务商将更多地拓展小型打印机的业务，一个人或一个小团队可以同时操作多台小幅面打印机，相互协调，呈现更好的服务。
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