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This article covers what plotters are, how they work, the benefits in sign making, and how we use them to make high-quality signs and graphics like wall graphics, decals, posters, and banners.
Plotters are a versatile tool for creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind graphics for your business. They make large format printing easy with capabilities to print on vinyl, paper, cardstock, and other materials.
At FASTSIGNS® of Sacramento - Arden-Arcade, CA, we use plotters to design and make custom graphics for our clients. Here’s a quick overview of how plotters work and how we use them to make amazing graphics for many different types of businesses in the greater Sacramento County area.
What is a Plotter and How Do They Work?
Plotters use pens, brushes, and cutting tools to draw images on paper. They also have tools for cutting the images after printing. The plotter reads the instructions from a computer file and then uses the appropriate tool to create the image. This process is similar to how a regular printer works, but with one important difference: plotters make much more complex images than printers.
Drum plotters are one of the oldest types of plotters still in use today. This machine was first introduced in the 1950s and uses a cylindrical drum to print images onto paper or other materials. The drum is coated with a light-sensitive material, and the plotter draws the picture on the drum using an electromechanical pen. The pen is controlled by a computer which moves it back and forth across the drum. When the image is complete, the drum is exposed to light, which causes the material to harden and become permanent.
Flatbed plotters are like drum plotters, but instead of using a cylindrical drum, they use a flat, rectangular surface. This plotter is often used for larger graphics like billboards.
Inkjet plotters are the most common type of plotter in use today. This machine uses a print head which sprays ink onto the paper or other material to create an image. The print head is controlled by a computer and moves back and forth across the paper as it prints.
Why Use Plotters for Custom Graphics?
Plotters are the best option for printing high-quality, custom graphics. Unlike printers, plotters produce detailed images with a wide range of colors and shading. This makes them ideal for designing logos, decals, and other dynamic graphics.
The Benefits of Using Plotters
Make detailed, high-quality images
Has a wide range of color options
Print on a variety of materials
Resize images without losing quality
Make large format prints
What Types of Graphics are Made with Plotters?
Business logos
Vehicle decals and wraps
Window graphics
Banners
Posters
And more!
At FASTSIGNS® of Sacramento - Arden-Arcade, CA, we use the latest plotter technology to create custom graphics for our clients. Come visit us at the corner of Fulton Ave. and Arden Way to get started.