Summary: The Business Case in Short
In retail, it’s all about visibility. A poster hanging from the ceiling must be readable from every angle. In the past, double-sided printing on large format was a drama: manually turning the roll, hoping the registration is correct, and often crooked results. The HP PageWide XL Pro series has automated this. The printer automatically recognizes the front and back and aligns them perfectly. This means you can produce hundreds of double-sided posters for a retail chain in one go, without an operator having to stand by.
The Technology: Automatic Registration
How does the printer ensure the front fits exactly on the back? The HP PageWide XL Pro prints an invisible barcode on the edge of the first side. When you turn the stack and re-enter it (or turn the roll in roll-to-roll), the sensor reads this barcode. The printer adjusts the position of the printhead in real-time to correct any skew. Result: registration accuracy within a few millimeters over the entire length of the poster.
Applications: More Than Just Posters
- Hanging Banners: Ideal for supermarkets (“Deal of the week”) and department stores. Customers see the message when they enter and when they leave.
- Window Stickers: Print on transparent double-sided media (with a block-out layer in between) so the message is readable inside and outside.
- Menu Cards: For restaurants that place large laminated menu cards on tables.
Business Fundamentals: Margin and Speed
Double-sided prints are a premium product. You can charge more for this than for two separate single-sided prints that need to be stuck together (which is also labor-intensive and looks less professional). With a print speed of up to 700 m² per hour (single-sided) or half of that (double-sided workflow), you can produce a national campaign for a retailer in a single afternoon.
Media & Supplies
Not every paper is suitable for double-sided printing (transparency!). We recommend HP Double Matte Paper or Blockout Polypropylene. These materials have high opacity (opaqueness) so that the back does not shine through the front.
Europlan Service: Test the Accuracy
Are you skeptical about the registration? Send us a file with a “crosshair” on the front and back. We will print it double-sided and send you the result. You can hold it up to the light yourself.
Conclusion: Double Your Impact
With double-sided printing, you literally use every square meter of media twice as effectively. It’s the smartest way to increase attention in the store.
Do you want to see how this works?