Overview

This guide explains how to configure and use large format Services in Printer’s Plan. Large format Services are typically used for signage, banners, posters, and rigid substrate printing. This article will explain how to use the features for large format services as well as how Large Format Medium Services and Large Format Printer Services are configured. 

• How It Works
• Configuration Archetypes
• Quantity Fields
• Common Fields
• Key Points
• Demonstration

How It Works

Large Format Medium and Large Format Printer Services in Printer's Plan are unique in the calculation options available. Large Format Services have no restriction on the Service Setup window's Quantity field  assignment but will typically take into consideration job features such as Width, Height, Total Material Length, and Total Printed Area. In the next section several common Large Format Medium and Large Format Printer configurations are explained. 

The Large Format Specs Window

The Large Format Specs window will appear anytime a Large Format Medium is added to an item on quotes or orders. This window replaces the standard Paper Specs window that a traditional Paper Service material would trigger. There are several key areas to the Large Format Specs window:

Figure 1 - The Large Format Specs Window.

• Notes: Shows relevant information such as date last modified, inventory status and any reminders present. 
• Medium: Contains material and document size finish information.
• Margin Info (in inches): The default unusable print area on the left and right side as well as lead or trail margins on top or bottom of the document. 
• Spacing (Gutter in inches): Spacing between document imposition on materials.
• Bleeds: The sides in which additional padding must be assumed due to bleeds on Top, Left, Bottom, or Right. 
• Difficulties: Increase the machine difficulty by changing Coverage or Resolution to alter the machines production rate. 

Notes

The notes section of the Large Format Specs window is used to identify important and relevant information when creating a quote or order. Being aware of outdated costs or pricing can help improve the quotation process to be more accurate and profitable. 

Figure 2 - The Notes section of a roll material service in the Large Format Specs window. 

• Header: Category: Service Name is displayed.
• Modified: The date when the service was last modified. Use this to inform cost and pricing decisions. 
• Inventory: The status and amounts of any tracked inventory for this service. 
• Reminder: A specific reminder created when using this Service on items. 

Medium

The Medium section of the Large Format Specs window is where important production information is updated such as the finish Document Size, the printing method and the number of parts or panels. The information in this section can help inform the printer's calculations. 

Figure 3 - The Medium section of the Large Format Specs window with the Print... drop-down menu options displayed. 

• Size: The size of the width of the roll. 
• Doc. Size: The final document size. 
• Multiple Parts: Options are Yes or No. Select whether this project will be completed in multiple parts or not. 
• Panels: The total required panels to produce the finish-size item. 
• #Ups: The number of ups calculated in the total imposition.
• Print...: The sides being printed and the method. The options available are:
  • No Print: Unprinted material usage. 
  • 1 Side: Print only on one side. 
  • 2 Sides (Double Sided Printing): Print on two sides at the same time. 
  • 2 Sides (Single Sided Printing): Print each unique print on the same side of the material. 
• Vendor: The default vendor assigned to this material. Vendors can be assigned within the Large Format Specs window as well. 
• Note: Any default note information important for production or usage of this material. 

Margins (in inches)

The Margins section will allow you to calibrate the maximum print area for a given print job.

Figure 4 - The Margins section of the Large Format Specs window. 

• Machine Margins: The left and right side margins where the printer cannot print. .25 represents 1/4 inch on each side. 
• Lead Margin: The spacing ahead of a print job reserved for unprintable space. Adds to the total material length used. 
• Trailing Margin: The spacing behind a print job reserved for unprintable space. Adds to the total material length used. 

Spacing (Gutter in inches)

The Spacing section will allow the layout of each document on the print material to be altered. Update the values for horizontal and vertical margins in inches to add more padding between documents. 

Figure 5 - The Spacing section of the Large Format Specs window. 

• Horizontal: The number of inches that will be added between documents on the horizontal plane of the material document imposition. 
• Vertical: The number of inches that will be added between documents on the vertical plane of the material document imposition. 

Bleeds

This section will add additional space to the document based on the size of each side's bleeds. 

Figure 6 - The Bleeds section of the Large Format Specs window.

• Top: The added spacing in inches on the top edge for each document. 
• Bottom: The added spacing in inches on the bottom edge for each document. 
• Left: The added spacing in inches on the left edge for each document. 
• Right: The added spacing in inches on the right edge for each document. 

Difficulties

Figure 7 - The Difficulties section of the Large Format Specs window with the Difficulty options for Coverage displaying. 

Coverage: Each of the 5 difficulties represented in the Coverage drop down will reference a row on the Printer's Run Table. Normal is row 1. Normal+ is row 2, Medium is row 3, Medium+ is row 4, and Difficult is row 5. 

Resolution:

Figure 8 - The Run Table of a Large Format Printer Service Setup window with 5 levels of difficulty.

Layout

The Layout section displays the calculated totals for Available Width, Yield, Material Area, Print Area and No Print Area. Below this information is an imposition diagram showing the current layout on the material based on selections made within the Large Format Specs window. 

Figure 9 - The Layout section of the Large Format Specs window. 

Available Width: This is the width that is printable based on the Machine Margins applied.

Yield: The yield of the current print output based on material selected and imposition layout. 

Configuration Archetypes

Roll Material (by Total Material Length)

Used when the material is supplied in rolls. Set the Quantity to Total Material Length Used, and configure the Divide By field to convert to linear feet (usually by 12).

• Use Price Table or Material Cost Only + Price Table for flexible pricing by square foot.
• Example Service: Vinyl Roll @ $3/sq. ft.

Figure 9 - Example of a Large Format Medium Roll showing the Service Setup Window

Figure 10 - Basic Roll Material Price Table configuration example ($3 / Sq. Ft. )

Rigid Material by Total Document Area

Used when pricing by square foot of each sheet. Set Quantity to Total Document Area and divide by 144 to calculate sq. ft.

• Use Run Table for price per sheet, or Material Cost Only + Price Column.
• Example Service: Corrugated Plastic 48x96.

Figure 11 - Example of a Rigid Substrate Service Setup window using Document Area as the Quantity assignment. 

Rigid Material by Sheet

Use Run Size Sheets quantity if selling rigid boards per sheet. No area math needed.

• Use Cost + Markup.
• Cost should be per sheet. Price is cost + markup %.
• Example Service: Foam Board 3/16"

Figure 12 - An example of rigid Large Format Material Service Setup window with Run Size Sheets as the Quantity assignment for cost tracking. 

4. Large Format Printer 

Used for the printing device. Quantity should be set to Total Printed Area. Select Time + Material Cost. Ink cost is entered per M (1000 sq in or 144 sq ft).

• Run Table speed varies by Difficulty level.
• Setup Time in minutes, hourly rate entered in Cost / Hour.
• Use either Cost + Markup or Use Price Column.

Figure 13 - a Large Format Printer Service Setup window with Cost + Markup as the price model. 

Figure 14 - A Large Format Printer Service Setup window with Use Price Column of Setup and Run Table selected as the price model. 

Quantity Fields

Figure 15 - The Quantity drop-down menu on a Service Setup window with the large format options highlighted. 

When configuring a large format service, choose a Quantity Field that reflects how the material or device is used. Common options:

• Total Printed Area = Document Width × Document Length × Quantity × Sides
• Total Material Length = Length used on a roll (includes spacing)
• Document Area = Width × Length, per sheet
• Run Size Sheets = Count per physical board or substrate

Common Fields

The General tab of a Service window contains shared fields used in all service types, including large format. These define the name, invoice appearance, default notes, and how costs are tracked.

• Service Name – How the item appears in estimates/orders.
• Invoice Name – Optional override for printouts.
• Sales Department – Links to reporting and margin tracking.
• Default Note – Auto-filled comment on work orders.

Cost and Markup

The Cost field represents raw cost for materials or time. If using Cost + Markup, add a percentage in the Markup field. This model is simple and works well for fixed materials.

Key Points

• Large format Services calculate quantity using area or length-based fields.
• Roll media uses Total Material Length; rigid substrates use Document Area.
• Setup and Run Tables are best for printer equipment tracking time and ink.
• Pricing models include markup, price tables, or difficulty-based pricing.
• Many Service fields are shared—see common fields for consistent configuration.

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