The large-format CAD printing industry will continue to grow in 2025, driven by advances in technology, shifting workflows, and evolving customer needs. As we’ve seen with recent forecasts and research, the market for large-format printers continues to have steady, growing demand with businesses continuously recognizing the strategic value they offer.
Businesses of all sizes are increasingly looking for accessible, customizable, and efficient printing solutions to meet the needs of changing workflows. From accessibility of premium features to the integration of advanced data analytics, understanding the coming trends in 2025 will help organizations navigate challenges, adapt to shifting industry needs, and stay competitive.
Epson SureColor T5770DM. Image source Epson.
One of the changes we’re seeing in large-format CAD printing is the increased accessibility of premium hardware features in printers. Capabilities such as scanning functionality and specialty media printing were previously limited to high-end devices with a substantial cost. Today’s printers include additional functionality at more affordable price points for seamless team collaboration.
With built-in scanner features, more compact sizes, and versatile connectivity options, this means greater flexibility in producing technical drawings, blueprints, and graphics for CAD users. A small firm can now leverage features such as high-resolution scanning to deliver high-quality blueprints, GIS maps, and renderings to important stakeholders without outsourcing.
This increased accessibility at a more affordable price will help businesses expand their service offerings, open up new revenue streams, improve turnaround times, and meet a broader range of customer demands.
In 2025, personalization will evolve from an being an optional feature and competitive edge into a necessity and industry expectation. CAD end-user workflows are becoming more dynamic, driving the demand for additional software and hardware features and tailored solutions that can adapt boxed hardware to specific workflows, project size, and design requirements.
For manufacturers and resellers, the ability to offer personalized solutions will be a critical differentiator. One-size-fits-all solutions are increasingly ineffective in meeting the diverse needs of CAD users. For example, engineering firms that require printers optimized for detailed line accuracy in large-scale plans will look for solutions that offer precise calibration tools. Successful providers will think outside the box and work in collaboration with manufacturers to find more ways to fulfill these custom requests, which will help cultivate stronger, long-term relationships.
The growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics is reshaping various industries in different ways, and large-format CAD printing is no exception. AI tools can automate repetitive, routine tasks, and help with generating renderings, digital models, and optimizing designs. There are also software solutions for managing printer efficiency and usage, tracking the ink and media usage for each print to help better estimate and understand production costs and profit margins.
In 2025, businesses will look for the same level of innovation and insight to drive informed decision-making and optimize print management. Providing actionable data and printer usage statistics will become essential. End-users are looking for tools that offer insights into their printing workflows, enabling them to make more informed decisions about resource allocation, cost management, and workflow improvements. For example, a construction company managing multiple projects simultaneously can leverage printer usage data to forecast supply needs and track costs for client billing.
Access to advanced data analytics and cloud-based dashboards that allow real-time monitoring can help businesses track vast amounts of usage data, providing the insight needed to make critical business decisions, reduce unnecessary costs, and allocate resources more effectively.
Adaptability is a critical success factor in the large-format CAD printing market. As workflows become increasingly digital and data-driven, businesses need to prioritize flexibility, collaboration, and responsiveness to market changes to stay ahead of competitors.
In this rapidly changing work environment, collaboration with partners and customers and leveraging data-driven insights becomes essential. Manufacturers will need to continue being adaptable, pair leading technologies with the right programs, and work closely with partners and customers to deliver more unique and relevant solutions.
2025 is set to be a year of rapid change, and understanding key printing needs and customer expectations will help businesses overcome any potential obstacles. Manufacturers, resellers, and end-users can focus on collaboration, personalization, adaptability, and agility to create new opportunities and position themselves for long-term success and growth.
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Viewpoint articles are tech-focused editorial written by experts from the CAD industry. This article was written by Jacob Hardin from Epson.