Large printers
Posters are classic advertising media perfect for announcing events, shows, and new projects at a business, a local coffee shop, or on a college campus bulletin board. Besides advertisements, they’re also a popular medium to showcase art. If you’re in advertising or another graphics-heavy industry, it’s important that you find the right device to take your ideas from concept to reality.
Below, we’ll dive into what kind of HP poster printer you need to print out art, graphics, and anything else you could possibly dream up.
First, we’ll take a look at types of posters printers and paper sizes so you’ll have all the information you need to shop for the best poster printer for your needs. Then we’ll lay out some of the best HP printers for graphics and posters.


What types of printers are needed for poster printing?


In order to print poster-size graphics, you’re going to need to a large-format printer with high-color resolution capabilities. For example, HP’s DesignJet fleet are devices capable of providing users with exceptional performance and beautiful results, whether you’re printing banners or posters for education or teaching needs or POP signs for restaurants, retail, or hospitality.

While it is possible to print out posters with your run-of-the-mill printer by printing out your poster or graphic piece by piece, this method creates the issue of overlap and multiple finishing steps.

For example, when all of the pieces of your poster are printed out, you’ll have to trim the edges and place the pieces of each print perfectly side by side. In addition, if any piece of your poster is glued together slightly off-center, the seams of your poster will be obvious - which is not exactly the impact you want. For professional poster printing results you can count on every time, a large-format printer will be your best bet.


What characteristics of a printer allow it to print quality posters?


To find the best graphic design printer, you’ll want to make sure it can handle standard poster sizes - otherwise known as US press sheet sizes [1]. Here are a few common sizes:


SMALL POSTER SIZE 11 X 17 INCHES

  • Seen on flyers, street lights, bulletin boards
  • Used as advertisements in businesses


MEDIUM POSTER SIZE 18 X 24 INCHES

  • Used as small advertisements at doctor offices, construction walkways, and bulletin boards


LARGE POSTER SIZE 24 X 36 INCHES

  • The most common standard size for posters
  • Used for events, trade shows, advertisements, and small movie posters


MOVIE POSTER SIZES

  • One sheet: This size is typically 27 x 40 inches and is commonly used in movie theaters to advertise films
  • Bus stop or subway poster: Usually 40 x 60 inches in size.

Other types of standard printing sizes include international sizes:
  • A0: 33.1 x 46.8 inches
  • A1: 23.4 x 33.1 inches
  • A2: 16.5 x 23.4 inches
  • A3: 11.7 x 16.5 inches
  • A4: 8.3 x 11.7 inches
  • A5: 5.8 x 8.3 inches
  • A6: 4.1 5.8 inches
  • A7: 2.9 x 4.1 inches
  • A8: 2.0 x 2.9 inches
  • A9: 1.5 x 2.0 inches
  • A10: 1.0 x 1.5 inches

For the best all-around printing experience, you’ll want a high-quality printer with built-in standard-size capabilities and the ability to customize sizes. HP has a range of graphic design printers that check all the boxes of a superior device: rich resolution, large-format sizes, and beautifully-blended, striking hues.


Top 3 HP poster printers


1. HP DESIGNJET T1700DR 44-INCH POSTSCRIPT PRINTER


HP DesignJet T1700dr 44-in PostScript Printer

Specs:
  • Resolution: 2400 x 1200 dots per inch (dpi)
  • Number of print cartridges: 6 (Cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black, matte black, gray)
  • Memory: 128GB
  • Hard disk: 500GB self-encrypting
  • Media sizes supported: A4; A3; A2; A1; A0
  • Media types supported: Bond and coated paper, technical paper, film, photographic paper, backlit, self-adhesive
  • Software includes: HP Click, HP Utility for Mac and Windows, HP WebJet Admin, HP Embedded Web Server, HP JetAdvantage Security Manager, HP Partner Link, HP MPS

Take your computer-aided design (CAD) or GIS-color reproduction to out-of-this-world levels with this expansive HP DesignJet T1700dr 44-inch postscript printer. This HP color poster printer offers design professionals performance, power, and security to take work days from middling to amazing.

It’s the perfect answer for a variety of graphics-based professionals and creatives:
  • Architecture, engineering, and construction professionals (AEC)
  • Geographic information system professionals (GIS)
  • Mechanical computer-aided design professionals (MCAD)

Industry-standard media materials like maps, posters, or technical drawings are no match for this printer which will deliver precise, accurate lines and crisp text.

Incredible color

The HP DesignJet T1700dr6 boasts 6 different print cartridges, including cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black, matte black, and gray, so even on basic papers, you’ll still receive results rendered in a bright, rich color spectrum thanks to HP Bright Office Inks.

Adobe PDF Print Engine allows you to create transparencies, layers, color palettes, and gradients with total control and ease. High-density printheads feature 2400 nozzles per inch which deliver an incredible 0.1% line accuracy. With these kinds of numbers, your clients and customers will walk away impressed every single time.

Security options

HP SecureBoot means that your printer and data are protected from unverified access. You can easily secure your documents and keep sensitive data confidential with authentication solutions like using a PIN and card readers.

Use HP JetAdvantage Security Manager to ensure all of your devices are in compliance with security policies by providing you with continual assessments and automatic fixes. You can schedule the compliance checks of your fleet daily, weekly, or monthly.

Not around to physically change security settings? No worries, you can manage all aspects of your fleet remotely with HP Web Jetadmin.

Workflow management

Minimize printing costs with included accounting solutions so you can stay within budget month-to-month. This is especially important if your order numbers fluctuate - with our included software and support, you’ll always have fine-tuned control over your fleet.

Worried about sending large jobs from your computer and having your device freeze up as a result? Adobe PDF drivers mean your computer is immediately free after sending a job to the printer, even if you’re working with complex media files.

There are no interruptions to your productivity with a two-roll production setup. You can minimize having to pause your work to change out your roll.

Easily process complicated files with capable architecture and an incredible 128GB of memory, and 500GB of HDD storage at 116 A1/D pages per hour. You’ll never have to be chained to a printer again.

Need to print project sets and PDF documents? No problem. Simply use the HP Click printing software to get all of your documents printed out and finished.


2. HP DESIGNJET Z6 LARGE FORMAT POSTSCRIPT® GRAPHICS 24" PRINTER


HP DesignJet Z6 Large Format Printer

Specs:
  • Resolution: 2400 x 1200 optimized dpi
  • Number of print cartridges: 6 (cyan, magenta, yellow, matte black, photo black, chromatic red)
  • Memory: 128GB
  • Hard disk: 500GB self-encrypting
  • Media sizes supported: A4, A3, A2, A1
  • Media types supported: Photographic, fine art printing material, self-adhesive, banner and sign, bond and coated, backlit

With the HP DesignJet Z6 Large Format Printer, you’ll enjoy high-quality prints for everything you dream up. Six original HP inks produce a wide color spectrum perfect for all of your graphics. Need to produce premium quality black-and-white photos? That’s easily achieved with Original HP matte and photo black inks for precise line accuracy and striking contrast.

Impressive resolution

Stun with prints that stand out thanks to the professional, high-resolution graphics featured in this poster printer machine. Communicate with accuracy - produce plans, maps, and other graphics with precise, fine line quality and up to 2400 dots per inch.

Productivity

Keep everything organized and stay focused on the task at hand while empowering your workgroups. This HP poster printer is perfect for school signage, education and teaching materials, and more. Even retail needs, like point-of-sale signage and marketing, can be fulfilled by this large-format printer. With an integrated horizontal and vertical trimmer, you can adjust signage and prints to your specifications. And with dual roll support and automatic roll switching, you'll spend less time changing out and adjusting your given media.

Worried about speed? Put those fears to bed. This printer can churn out large prints up to 720 square feet per hour on plain media or for the best quality, 85 sq ft./hr on glossy media.

Connectivity and security

Print easily and effortlessly - and most importantly, securely, with HP Secure Boot and an encrypted hard drive. You'll be able to protect documents and secure your print jobs behind PIN and card reader printing options. HP JetAdvantage Security Manager expands your control of securing your printer, which is especially important for working in school or retail settings where personal information could be used.


If you're not in front of your DesignJet printer, HP Web Jetadmin to manage your HP poster printer along with your whole fleet and to track and manage printing costs. Do you have other devices within your network? This device plays well with others and efficiently integrates with other office devices.


Eco-friendly


The HP DesignJet Z6 24-inch large format printer is ENERGY STAR® certified and EPEAT® Bronze registered. So, although it’s able to create stunning graphics for poster printing that make a big impact, you won’t have to worry about the impact it’s making on the environment.

In addition, HP offers free, convenient HP ink cartridge and printhead recycling so you can close the loop and generate less waste.


3. HP DESIGNJET Z9+ 44-INCH POSTSCRIPT PRINTER


HP DesignJet Z9+ Large Format Printer

Specs:
  • Resolution: up to 2400 x 1200 optimized dpi
  • Number of print cartridges: 9 (Cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black, matte black, gray, chromatic red, chromatic green, chromatic blue)
  • Memory: 128GB
  • Hard disk: 500GB self-encrypting
  • Media sizes supported: A4; A3; A2; A1; A0
  • Media types supported: Photographic, fine art printing material, self-adhesive, banners, signs, bond, coated, and backlit
  • Software includes: Printer drivers, HP Click, HP Web Jetadmin, HP Jet Advantage Security Manager, HP DesignJet Utility including HP Color Center, HP Partner Link Pay-per-use, HP MPS

Ready to explore an entirely new world of poster printing? The HP DesignJet Z9+ 44-inch postscript printer is ready to take you there.

Superior technology

HP Pixel Control gives you fine-tuned management of the full range of colors in your projects so you’ll impress your clients with smooth transitions and striking contrasts.

High-definition HP printheads boast dual-drop technology for gorgeous prints and graphics. RGB HP vivid photo inks and embedded spectrophotometer deliver results you’ll be proud to showcase.

Superior gloss uniformity can be achieved by opting for the HP Gloss Enhancer, an upgrade worth the investment if you’re ready to go from average to extraordinary.

Cut costs and labor

This HP poster printer features speeds that’ll make your workflow more efficient and productive. Post-processing labor time can be cut up to 20% thanks to an included vertical trimmer. Plus, you can print up to 2.5 times faster without sacrificing the quality of your graphics thanks to 2400 nozzle-per-inch high-definition printheads.

Two rolls instead of one plus automatic roll switching mean you save time by not having to constantly switch out media during high-volume printing days.

Effortlessly generate a variety of media from posters to banners and canvases by taking advantage of the HP Applications Center.

There won’t be any interruption to your workflow, even when you’re away from your poster printer. You’ll enjoy advanced remote visibility and control to fine-tune your print production with HP PrintOS. In addition, one-click printing helps to reduce media waste using the HP Click printing software program.


HP graphics and poster printers mean excellence


Whether you’re looking to print out highly-detailed maps or posters for your classroom or school, or your restaurant or storefront, HP poster printers have everything you need to get the job done right. With incredible printing technology powered behind every nozzle and every drop of ink, you can enjoy reliable results every single time.

Big enough to take on your most ambitious visual ideas but with precision-enabled mechanisms to ensure that no detail is lost, these printers were built to bring your creativity to life. The best HP graphic design printers are ready to bowl you over with features to streamline your workflow, secure sensitive visual data, and most importantly, generate graphics that leave clients speechless.