Large Format Printing: 3 Creative Ways to Improve Workflow in Your Workshop

26 June 2018

 

By Guest Blogger Peter Mansfield from Healthy Handyman 

 

The introduction of digital technology into the workshop may be seen as an affront to some craftspeople. The shop is where you convert raw materials into works of function and beauty using your hands and tools. Here your skill with the tools at your disposal and mastery of the imperfections of the materials is paramount.

 

However, there is a role for technology that can improve workflow in any shop. Here are three suggestions for leveraging technology without surrendering to it.

 

(1) Have a plan and print it out

 

When it comes to moving a project through your workshop to completion, a plan simplifies the whole process. There are times for winging it and creating on the fly. But, when you are on a tighter schedule or want to reduce the time spent on a project, nothing beats a plan. A good plan shows various dimensioned views of the project, has a bill of materials, and may outline build tips, fabrication sequences, etc. With today’s technology, you can bring your plans into the shop in digital format on a tablet, smartphone, or dedicated shop PC.

 

My preference is to print them to have something physical to work from in the shop. It seems appropriate to have a plan you can hold when you are working with your hands. Unfortunately, most plans come with a limitation, size. Printing on letter-sized paper puts the information at your fingertips but having a larger; perhaps full size plan can be beneficial.

 

Enter large format printing. Printers and plotters capable of printing in just about any size you can imagine have been available for years. Many roadside billboards utilize printed strips that run top to bottom created on large format printers.

 

These remarkable pieces of technology are available in three flavors if you will. There are technical models suitable for CAD design that can print lines with +/- 0.1% accuracy! Graphic models provide an accuracy of +/- 0.2% and really deliver on colour. Finally, there are hybrid models for the best of both worlds. Whether such a printer is right for your shop depends upon your work volume. If you regularly create new designs and having a full-scale plan is essential, they are worth the investment. While deciding, consider that you can use a printer to create:

 

•  In-house plans on regular paper for review and mark up.

•  Customer presentations on coated papers for extra colour pop and crisp text.

•  Reprint designs, small or to scale, for final customer approval after that last (hopefully) design tweak.

•  Print shop templates on durable polypropylene media for reuse over several projects.

•  Create colourful, eye catching ad material like brochures, posters, banners, etc.

 

Spreading the cost of the printer over several years is an excellent way to determine if and when a purchase makes sense. Fortunately, rental and outsourcing alternatives to owning are available.

 

(2) Put software to work before you get to the shop

 

Drawing programs allow you to create plans ranging from simple 2D views to full-blown 3D models suitable for use with digital fabrication equipment. This type of software is available to purchase and for free. Free is good if you are comfortable with community forums for support and fewer features.

 

“Try before you buy” is a common marketing technique so, paid software may be available in either a free “light” version with limited features or as a time-bound trial, frequently 30 days. Depending upon the company, the trials may be fully functioning or may have limitations on what features and capabilities are accessible.

 

Software is a great way to perform design “what if” exercises letting you preview the results before cutting the first piece of material. Eliminating trial and error in the shop improves workflow. When you have your design, save it to the proper format to print it yourself or to send out.

 

(3) Cut once and minimize waste

 

An adage advises to “measure twice, cut once.” Without question, cutting a piece correctly the first time improves workflow. Just as importantly is using the materials you have to maximum effect. It can be quite aggravating to need one last piece for the job and discover that no bit of material in the shop is just the right size.

 

The third recommendation for improving workflow is the use of nifty little programs that place the pieces your project requires on the material stock in a manner that minimizes waste. You can determine at the beginning if you have enough material, avoid the expense of overbuying, and enjoy speedier workflow to boot.

 

Mix old and new for maximum benefit

 

There is a project sitting atop my floor jack calling me so I leave you with this, mixing old school techniques with current digital technology can improve the productivity and workflow of your shop. Now go make some sawdust.

 

Guest Blogger: Peter Mansfield from www.healthyhandyman.com

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