Why AEC Printing Is Going In-House

Remember Kodak? They used to be a household name in photography. Whether you wanted film for your camera or prints of your photographs, Kodak was the answer. As digital technology advanced, however, pixels took over from photo chemicals—and DIY took over from photo labs.  

If you wanted physical prints of your digital photos, you didn’t need to send them out anymore. With hi-resolution printers becoming as commonplace as fridges or TVs, consumers gained the ability to print their photographs at home, ushering in a new era of on-the-spot convenience (and bankruptcy for Kodak in 2012). 

The same is happening to wide-format printing for the AEC industry.

Traditionally, businesses in AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) would outsource their printing to specialist companies. However, as the technology needed to produce large-scale, high-resolution plans and blueprints has become cheaper, more reliable, and more portable, AEC firms are increasingly printing in-house. In this white paper, we’ll explore the reasons why in-house printing is now the preferred strategy in AEC. 

Modern wide-format printers/plotters aren’t just becoming more and more affordable, they’re also a lot more versatile. With printers like the HP DesignJet Studio 24 weighing in at 74.1 lbs, it’s about as heavy as a golden retriever. This makes it a viable on-site tool.  

Beyond the cost-effective nature of in-house printing, on-site printing allows AEC firms to produce high-quality blueprints and plans without any delays. Frequent changes from remote or off-site team members can be dealt with immediately.   

Instead of relying on small-screen PDFs that can be difficult to read, printing large-format documents on-site makes sure that updates like new measurements or design adjustments are clear and accessible to everyone. On-site printers allow AEC firms to distribute the latest project details instantly to all stakeholders, literally keeping everyone on the same page.  

The days when AEC firms needed to outsource their printing are gone, and so are the days when you needed to keep driving back to pick up revised plans.  

With the ability to print multiple copies in different colors, your team can instantly create clearer visuals for subcontractors, making it easier to communicate complex project details​.   

The increased print resolution that modern inkjet wide-format printers deliver over traditional toner wide-format printers (up to 2400 x 1200 optimized DPI) means you’re outputting vibrant, highly detailed schematics as and when you need them. A modern wide-format printer can output a high-res, full-color, D-sized print in 20-30 seconds—and often much faster. 

Instantly creating precise, detailed drawings and project visuals allows smaller firms to meet tight deadlines and client expectations—promoting them to the same operational league as the bigger players.    

More than just cutting costs and project delivery times, modern wide-format printers produce vivid, detailed prints that boost client presentations. With smaller firms having complete control over the quality and precision of their output, they can more effectively communicate their ideas and gain new business.  

Any way you look at it, in-house printing is win-win for AEC firms.   

Understanding the Key Factors:  

• Lower Costs 

Cost reduction is, of course, a major factor driving the in-house shift. Leasing options, buyback programs, and advancements in paper efficiency result in lower operational costs. In-house printing also eliminates the markup associated with outsourcing and reduces costs related to shipping, handling, and third-party service fees.  

For example, in-house printing can cut costs to as low as $1 per square foot from the $6-$8 per square foot you used to pay for outsourced prints, providing substantial long-term savings and a compelling ROI (return on investment). 

• Security Concerns 

Security is another concern for AEC firms, particularly when handling sensitive project information and proprietary designs. In-house printing reduces the risks associated with outsourcing, such as potential breaches of confidentiality and unauthorized access to sensitive data.

By managing printing internally, firms gain greater control over their documents, reducing the need for non-disclosure agreements and safeguarding intellectual property. This improved security not only maintains the integrity of confidential project information but helps keep AEC firms compliant with industry regulations. 

• Ease of Use  

Recent technological breakthroughs have made in-house wide-format printing more accessible and efficient. Innovations such as HP Click and driverless printing technologies simplify the entire printing process, allowing users to print from various devices without needing extensive technical expertise. Driverless printing technologies simplify the entire printing process, allowing users to print from various devices without needing extensive technical expertise. 

HP Click allows users to manage large print jobs easily, offering features like drag-and-drop file handling and automatic color management. With driverless printing streamlining operations by eliminating the need for complex driver installations, users can produce high-quality prints with minimal setup.  

These advances have heightened the user experience, reduced operational complexity, and improved overall efficiency. They also contribute to faster turnaround times and more reliable print outputs, further justifying the transition to in-house printing. The ease of use of these technologies means that even non-technical staff can manage and operate wide-format printers effectively, making in-house solutions a practical choice for a broader range of users. 

• Additional Technological Advances 

Recent advances have led to the consolidation of printing processes, allowing for more versatile and efficient solutions. Modern wide-format printers, such as new LED laser devices, combine the functionalities of traditional black-and-white laser printers and color inkjet printers into a single machine. 

This integration streamlines operations by eliminating the need for separate devices for different types of prints, reducing space requirements, and simplifying maintenance. The result is a more efficient and cost-effective printing solution that meets the varied needs of AEC firms without compromising on quality or versatility. 

• Sustainability Concerns 

As mentioned, sustainability is an increasing priority in the printing industry, with new machines designed to minimize environmental impact. Modern wide-format printers often feature eco-friendly technologies, such as HP’s Planet Partners program, which promotes responsible recycling and reduces waste.  

The HP Planet Partners program supports the industry’s focus on sustainability by offering convenient recycling options for print cartridges and hardware. The program has recycled over a billion pounds of hardware and print cartridges, with its goal to recycle an additional two billion pounds. Processing returned products to recover valuable materials and prevent waste, HP’s program represents a highly proactive approach to environmental stewardship.

As AEC firms adopt in-house printing, they can benefit significantly from these sustainable practices, aligning their operations with broader environmental goals and reducing their ecological impact. 

Ultimately, removing external vendors from the print equation fundamentally speeds up design iterations in the AEC sector. This allows stakeholders to review designs, mark changes, and make suggestions faster and more efficiently.  

It essentially opens the door to quicker and more effective collaboration—one of the main pillars of the AEC workflow. As a result, firms that adopt in-house printing are better positioned to keep their projects on schedule—and stay competitive along with it.  

As the only brand-neutral Managed Print Services (MPS) provider with a nationwide network, Flex Technology Group delivers all the resources needed to deploy wide-format printing quickly and easily. Our outstanding technical capabilities, supported by a vast pool of in-house technicians (over 93% of our team), mean we can handle wide-format printing implementations on any scale with unmatched precision and dependability. 

Our neutral approach allows us to offer a comprehensive suite of printing solutions, allowing you to choose from the best products across leading brands. We assess your current setup through an unbiased, data-driven lens, creating customized strategies that optimize your existing assets and meet your business-specific needs. 

Flex Technology Group has a proven record of delivering effective solutions for any sector or environment, with the trust of over 29,000 clients, including Fortune 100/500 companies, major retailers, and top law and consulting firms.  

With Flex Technology keeping you at the leading edge of print efficiency and effectiveness, we’ll keep your business from going the way of Kodak.   

To find out more about wide format printing options and how Flex Technology Group can help you benefit from an in-house setup, you can contact us here.