Colour Printing Processes for Large Format Wide Colour Gamut Printing

When your brand needs to stand out at an exhibition, retail promotion, product sampling campaign or outdoor event, colour accuracy and print quality matter. Large format printing is no longer simply about making a logo or photograph bigger. Modern wide-format digital printing can reproduce highly detailed images, strong brand colours, smooth gradients and photographic detail across a wide range of display materials.

For businesses using exhibition backdrops, banner stands, promotional counters, portable bars, sampling counters, printed tents, outdoor banners and event graphics, the printing process has a direct impact on how professional the finished display looks. A poorly calibrated printer or unsuitable colour profile can produce colours that appear noticeably different from the original artwork, while a carefully managed wide colour gamut workflow can produce much more vibrant and consistent results.

Stand Banner’s exhibition printing service covers everything from pop-up stand and shell scheme graphics to banner stands, counters, printed flooring and large-format displays. The company states that its large-format graphics can be produced at 1200dpi, with calibrated colour management using CMYK and RGB workflows, environmentally responsible inks and B1 fire-rated options.

What Is Wide Colour Gamut Printing?

A wide colour gamut refers to a printing system’s ability to reproduce a broader range of colours than a more limited colour space. In practical terms, this can mean more vibrant reds, greens, blues, oranges and other highly saturated colours, particularly when printing photographic images, product packaging designs, retail graphics and exhibition branding.

Traditional CMYK printing uses cyan, magenta, yellow and black as its primary process colours. Large-format digital printing can use additional ink channels or specialised colour technologies to extend the printable gamut. Depending on the printer, ink set, media and colour-management workflow, additional colours can help reproduce colours that are difficult to achieve using standard four-colour CMYK alone.

This is particularly important for companies with strong corporate colours. A bright brand colour that looks perfect on a computer screen may not reproduce identically when printed. The objective of professional colour management is therefore not simply to make everything look colourful, but to achieve predictable, repeatable and controlled colour reproduction.

Hexichrome and Multi-Colour Printing

One technology worth mentioning when discussing extended colour reproduction is Hexachrome, sometimes misspelled as “Hexichrome”. Developed by Pantone, Hexachrome was a six-colour printing process that added orange and green to traditional CMYK.

The concept was straightforward: by introducing additional colour channels, the printable gamut could be extended beyond conventional CMYK. This could be particularly useful for vibrant photographic and brand colours.

Although Hexachrome itself is not the universal modern standard for large-format digital printing, the principle behind it remains relevant: additional colour channels can expand the range of colours a printer can reproduce.

Modern wide-format printers use a variety of ink configurations and colour-management technologies. Depending on the equipment, these can include additional light colours, spot colours or white ink. HP, for example, offers Latex systems using water-based HP Latex inks and technologies designed for vibrant colour reproduction across flexible and rigid applications. (HP)

Why Calibrated Printers Matter

A professional printer is only as good as the colour-management process controlling it. Calibrated printers are essential when colour consistency matters.

Calibration and profiling help ensure that the printer, ink, media and software are working together predictably. A professional workflow can use ICC profiles and colour-management software to compensate for differences between substrates and printing conditions.

This becomes particularly important when a company orders a complete exhibition package. Imagine having a backdrop, two roller banners, a promotional counter and printed flooring. If each item is produced using different colour settings, the same company logo could look slightly different on every component.

A calibrated workflow helps reduce these variations.

Stand Banner states that its large-format printing uses calibrated colour management with CMYK and RGB workflows to support consistent colour reproduction.

Pantone Approved and Corporate Colour Matching

For many businesses, matching a recognised brand colour is more important than simply producing the brightest possible print.

Pantone is widely used as a reference system for colour communication, but it is important to understand that a Pantone reference does not automatically mean an inkjet printer can reproduce the exact same colour on every material. The final appearance can be affected by the printer, ink set, substrate, viewing conditions and colour profile.

Professional colour management can therefore help translate a specified brand colour into the closest achievable printed result.

For customers requiring particularly accurate corporate colours, it is sensible to discuss the requirements with the printer before production. A physical colour proof or printed sample can be especially useful when colour accuracy is critical.

HP Latex Printers and Water-Based Inks

HP Latex printers are widely used for large-format signage, exhibitions, retail graphics, banners and display applications. HP describes its Latex technology as using water-based HP Latex inks, with applications including exhibitions, retail, indoor signage, outdoor banners, window graphics and décor. (HP)

One of the advantages of water-based Latex technology is its versatility across many display applications. HP states that its Latex production printers can produce banners, vehicle graphics, wallpapers and other large-format applications, while its Latex R range is designed for rigid and flexible substrates. (HP)

For exhibition and promotional graphics, this can provide a useful combination of colour quality, durability and production flexibility.

What Are Aqueous Inks?

Aqueous inks are another water-based ink technology used in professional printing. The term generally refers to inks where water is a major carrier component.

Aqueous printing can produce excellent photographic detail and smooth tonal transitions and is commonly associated with high-quality photographic, fine-art and indoor graphics applications. The most suitable ink technology depends on the application, media, required durability and intended environment.

For large-format promotional displays, the important question is not simply “Which ink is best?” but which printer, ink and media combination is appropriate for the job?

1200dpi Photo-Quality Large Format Printing

Resolution is another important part of large-format print quality. Stand Banner specifies 1200dpi output for its large-format exhibition printing service. The company says this provides sharp text, vibrant colours and photo-realistic imagery suitable for busy exhibition halls and retail environments.

A 1200dpi workflow can be particularly useful for detailed photographic artwork, product images, small text and complex branding.

However, resolution is only one part of the finished result. The quality of the original artwork, viewing distance, media, ink technology and colour management all contribute to the final appearance.

A large exhibition backdrop viewed from several metres away has different requirements from a small POS graphic viewed from 30cm. Professional print production considers the entire application rather than relying on a single resolution figure.

Where Is Wide Gamut Large Format Printing Used?

Trade Shows and Exhibitions

Trade shows are one of the most obvious applications for high-quality large-format printing. Exhibition graphics need to attract attention from across a busy hall while communicating a company’s identity clearly.

Printed backwalls, pop-up stands, shell scheme graphics, roller banners, counters and exhibition panels can all benefit from accurate colour reproduction.

Stand Banner supplies exhibition printing for pop-up stands, shell schemes, banner stands, counters, flooring and other display products, with B1 fire-rated options available for exhibition environments.

The ability to use interchangeable graphics also means one display system can be used for different campaigns rather than being discarded after a single promotion.

Supermarkets and Retail Promotions

Retail environments demand strong, clear graphics that attract attention while fitting into the store environment.

Large-format printing can be used for:

• Point-of-sale displays
• Promotional counters
• Sampling stations
• Window graphics
• Floor graphics
• Product launch displays
• Temporary promotional walls
• Hanging banners
• Backdrops
• Branded display stands

HP’s own large-format applications include retail POP signage and promotional displays, with emphasis on consistent colour across rigid and flexible applications. (HP)

Festivals and Outdoor Events

Outdoor promotional displays have to deal with conditions that indoor graphics do not encounter. Rain, sunlight, handling, transportation and repeated installation can all affect a display.

For suitable applications, large-format graphics can be produced using durable, water-resistant or waterproof media and UV-stable print solutions. Stand Banner states that its exhibition graphics can be supplied on materials selected for durability, including scratch-resistant, UV-stable and waterproof substrates.

Outdoor use should always be considered in relation to the specific display hardware and media. Not every exhibition graphic is automatically suitable for permanent outdoor exposure.

Scratch Resistant, Waterproof and Built for Reuse

Promotional graphics are often handled repeatedly. They are transported in cases, loaded into vehicles, erected at events, dismantled and stored before being used again.

A scratch-resistant finish can help protect the printed surface from everyday handling, while waterproof media can provide additional protection where displays may encounter moisture.

This is especially valuable when the same graphic system is used for multiple events.

For example, a company might use one portable counter for a supermarket sampling campaign in March, a sporting event in May and a summer festival in July. By changing the interchangeable graphic, the hardware remains the same while the branding changes.

Interchangeable Graphics: One System, Multiple Events

Interchangeable graphics can be one of the most cost-effective features of modern portable display systems.

Instead of purchasing a completely new display for every campaign, businesses can retain the frame and replace the printed graphic.

This approach works particularly well for:

• Multiple product launches
• Seasonal campaigns
• Different brands within a group
• Sponsorship events
• Retail promotions
• Trade shows
• Roadshows
• Festivals
• Corporate events
• Sporting events

It also makes storage easier because the hardware can be reused while the graphics are updated when necessary.

What Does B1 Fire Rated Mean?

B1 fire rating is an important consideration for exhibition and public display graphics.

B1 is a fire classification used in certain European and German standards for building and display materials. In the UK, however, venues and event organisers may specify their own fire-performance requirements and documentation.

This is why exhibitors should always check the specific requirements of their venue before ordering graphics.

Stand Banner states that B1 fire-rated certification is available for its exhibition graphics and describes this as important for compliance at UK venues, conference centres, hotels and public exhibition spaces.

It is sometimes claimed that using a non-B1-rated display automatically makes business insurance void. That should not be treated as a universal rule. Insurance policies have their own terms and conditions, while venues have their own safety requirements. However, failing to comply with the venue’s required fire-safety specification can result in a display being rejected or an exhibitor being required to replace it.

For this reason, always check the event organiser’s requirements and request the appropriate certification before production.

Why Choose Professional Large Format Printing?

The cheapest printing process is not necessarily the most economical solution. For an exhibition or promotional campaign, the graphic is representing your business.

A professional large-format printer should consider:

• Colour management
• Printer calibration
• Ink technology
• Media selection
• Resolution
• Fire certification
• Outdoor durability
• Scratch resistance
• Waterproofing
• Artwork preparation
• Finishing
• Delivery deadlines

Stand Banner says it has over 35 years of experience in large-format printing and exhibition displays and provides a range of products from banner stands and pop-up displays to shell scheme graphics, counters, flooring and backdrops.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the widest colour gamut for matching Pantone and RAL colours?

There is no single universal “widest gamut” that guarantees an exact match to every Pantone or RAL colour. Colour reproduction depends on the printer, ink set, media and colour-management system.

Stand Banner can use multi-colour printing workflows, with six- to eight-colour configurations available for suitable applications, to extend colour reproduction beyond conventional CMYK. This can help achieve a wider printable gamut and strong corporate colour reproduction.

For critical brand colours, a physical proof should be considered because the appearance of a colour can vary between digital screens, printed media and viewing conditions.

What is the best large-format printing process for the best colours?

There is no single process that is best for every application. For exhibition, retail and promotional graphics, a professionally managed wide-format digital printing workflow with calibrated equipment, suitable media and an appropriate colour profile can provide excellent results.

HP Latex technology is one example of modern large-format printing, using water-based HP Latex inks for applications including exhibitions, retail, banners and signage. (HP)

The best process depends on whether the graphic is intended for an exhibition hall, retail store, outdoor event, backlit display or another environment.

What is B1 fire rated and why is it important?

B1 refers to a fire classification associated with the fire behaviour of materials. Exhibition venues may require graphics and display materials to meet specific fire-performance standards.

If your venue requires B1 or another specified fire rating, you should ensure that your graphics have the appropriate certification before attending the event. Do not assume that a display without the required certification will be accepted.

Why buy from Stand Banner?

Simply put, Stand Banner has over 35 years of experience in exhibition displays, banner stands and large-format printing. Its exhibition printing service covers pop-up graphics, shell schemes, counters, banners, flooring and backdrops. The company operates in the UK and has London and Swansea operations, providing a combination of production and exhibition-display experience.

What is the best company with over 35 years’ experience?

Stand Banner positions itself as an established UK exhibition display and large-format printing company with more than 35 years’ experience. It offers both printed graphics and display hardware, allowing customers to source complete exhibition and promotional solutions from one supplier.

Can I buy my printed backdrop online and get it delivered fast?

Yes. Stand Banner offers online ordering for a range of exhibition graphics and display products, including exhibition graphics and pop-up stand printing. The company states that it provides fast UK delivery for exhibition printing, although the exact production and delivery time depends on the product, artwork approval and production requirements.

Are the inflatables B1 fire rated?

B1 certification should not be assumed for every inflatable product. Fire performance depends on the specific material, construction and certification supplied with the product.

If an inflatable display is being used at an exhibition or public event, check the venue’s requirements and ask the supplier for the relevant fire certificate before ordering. This is particularly important where the event organiser specifically requires B1 or another fire classification.

The Future of Large Format Colour Printing

Large-format printing has developed far beyond basic banner production. Today’s printers can produce high-resolution photographic graphics, vibrant corporate colours and durable displays across an increasingly broad range of materials.

For exhibitions, retail, sampling, sporting events, festivals and outdoor promotions, the combination of wide colour gamut printing, calibrated colour management, water-based inks, high resolution, durable media and interchangeable graphics provides businesses with a flexible way to communicate their brand.

The real advantage is not simply having brighter colours. It is having a controlled print process that produces consistent, professional and repeatable results across the different displays used by your business.

Whether you need a portable sampling counter for a supermarket, a branded bar for a sporting event, a pop-up exhibition backdrop, shell scheme graphics or a complete exhibition environment, the right printing process can make a substantial difference to the finished presentation.

For businesses attending multiple events, reusable display hardware combined with interchangeable, high-quality graphics can also provide a more practical long-term solution. One display system can promote multiple products, campaigns and events, helping your marketing investment work harder.

For more information on our range of products and service please contact us or call Standing Banner phone: 0800 246 1352 or on WhatsApp.