"Wide format" is the print industry's term for anything bigger than your office printer can handle — typically 24 inches and up on the short side. At our Ocean View shop, we run wide-format every day for shore-area marinas, retailers, trade-show vendors, schools, and anyone who needs something printed larger than letter or tabloid. Here's what's possible.
What "wide format" actually means
Standard office printers stop at 11×17. Wide-format plotters print on roll paper up to 60 inches wide, in any length you can think of. That opens up everything from movie-style posters to construction-site banners to full-wall canvas prints.
What people print at wide format around Cape May County
- Trade-show backdrops and retractable banner stands (the kind that pop up from a base)
- Large posters — restaurant menus, school presentations, conference signs, retail point-of-purchase
- Marina, beach, and trail maps for visitor centers and HOAs
- Photographic enlargements for office walls, memorial services, family events
- Canvas wall art from your shore vacation photos or commissioned artwork
- Event posters for community theaters, fundraisers, festivals
- Construction site renderings showing finished projects
- Real-estate property maps and surveys at presentable size
The materials we print on
Matte poster paper
Affordable, no glare, perfect for indoor posters and presentations. Standard 24×36 or 36×48. Lightweight, easy to roll.
Gloss photo paper
Bright, punchy, photographic. Best for full-color photo enlargements where vividness matters more than texture. Common for portraits, restaurant menu boards, marketing displays.
Premium photo / fine-art paper
Heavier weight, archival-grade inks, museum-quality. Ideal for gallery prints, professional photography, gift prints.
Canvas (stretched or rolled)
Textured, no glare, photographs beautifully. We can supply rolled or pre-stretched on wood frames ready to hang. Great for shore-vacation photos as gifts.
Adhesive vinyl
For window graphics, wall decals, floor decals (anti-slip option available). Indoor or outdoor.
Retractable banner stand material
Tear-resistant, includes the entire setup: print, base, telescoping pole, carry bag. Pops up in 30 seconds at a trade show.
Standard sizes and pricing
Common pricing
| 18×24 matte poster | $18–$28 |
| 24×36 matte poster | $28–$45 |
| 36×48 matte poster | $45–$70 |
| 24×36 gloss photo | $40–$65 |
| 16×20 canvas, stretched on frame | $65–$95 |
| 24×36 canvas, stretched | $110–$160 |
| Retractable banner stand (33×80) | $160–$240 |
| Adhesive vinyl decals — per sq ft | $8–$14 |
File requirements (the part most people get wrong)
Wide-format files trip people up. Here's the cheat sheet:
- Resolution: at least 150 DPI at final print size. A 300 DPI photo that's only 4 inches wide isn't usable at 24×36.
- Color mode: CMYK for print accuracy, though we can convert from RGB.
- Format: PDF, TIFF, or PSD ideal. JPEG works for photos.
- Bleed: add 0.25" extra on each side for any design where color or imagery goes to the edge.
- Fonts: outline all text or send the font file.
Turnaround
Most wide-format jobs are out the door in 2–3 business days. Canvas and stretched/framed work takes a day longer. Same-day is sometimes possible on simple posters — call first.
FAQs
What's the biggest you can print?
Up to 60 inches wide on the roll, in any length. Larger than 60" wide, we tile the print across panels and seam them on installation. We've done full-wall installations 12+ feet wide that way.
Will the colors match what's on my screen?
Closely, but never perfectly — screens are RGB backlit, prints are CMYK reflected light. For brand-critical color matching, ask for a small proof print before we run the full job.
Do you laminate posters?
Yes, both matte and gloss laminate are available for indoor posters that will get handled, plus UV laminate for outdoor longevity.
Ready to get started?
Call us at (609) 624-8750 or start an online quote — we'll have pricing back to you the same business day.
Start a Quote Call (609) 624-8750