Plotter Printer Buying Guide: Which One is Right for You?
Have you ever seen a large sign or banner and wondered how it was designed and printed? Or maybe you’ve seen blueprints and were curious how such small, precise lines were drawn so accurately. For these types of projects, you need a big, high-quality printer - a small home office printer just won’t do. Even the large multifunction printers you find in office buildings are limited in terms of paper size and detail.
You probably know by now that for large format materials like signs, posters, banners, and blueprints, you need a large format printer, or LFP. Sometimes they are referred to as “plotter printers” or simply “plotters.”
As with other types of printing technology, HP has been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to plotter printers. In fact, we were one of the earliest companies to bring consumer-level plotters to market all the way back in the 1960s. That’s why you should consider an HP DesignJet large format plotter printer, whether you’re a construction engineer or graphic designer.
What is a plotter printer?
You’re likely familiar with the two most common types of printers that exist today. Of them, inkjet printers are the most popular, especially in home or small office environments. These work by feeding a print head ink from a tank or cartridge. The printer then runs the print head over a blank page, and it deposits droplets of ink to form an image.
The second type of printers are laser printers, which operate a little differently. Instead of ink, laser printers use a fine powder called toner, which has been electrically charged. The printer then electrically charges certain areas of a blank page. When exposed to each other, the toner is attracted to the charged area of the paper, which forms the image.
Both inkjet and laser printers produce raster graphics. Raster graphics are visual elements that are made up of tiny dots, or pixels. While they are capable of printing high-quality material, there is a limit to how precise they can be. As such, inkjet and laser printers aren’t the best option for material that requires accurately producing small, precise lines.
That’s where plotter printers come in. Instead of dropping ink or toner onto a blank page, plotters traditionally run a small pen or other instrument across the material, allowing for the reproduction of vector graphics. Vector graphics utilize lines and shapes instead of pixels, so they are precise, accurate, and can be resized without the loss of quality.
That’s why plotter printers are perfect for projects that require precise, accurate lines - things like maps, plans, and blueprints. Additionally, modern plotters feature the conveniences of traditional printers, but on a much larger scale. They can be used to print out posters, banners, and other signage.
However, there is one thing to note: modern “plotter” printers aren’t really plotter printers at all. Each of the following printers feature HP thermal inkjet technology instead of the pen that is usually associated with plotter printers. That means it produces the vibrant colors and text you’ve come to expect from traditional inkjet prints, but with the precise lines and advanced features of a large-format plotter. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the large format printers that HP offers.
Types of HP Plotter Printers
Curious about what HP plotter printer is right for you? Here is a breakdown of four of our large format models. You’ll also find a summary of the industries each printer is suited for.
T830 24” Multifunction Printer: Perfect large-format printer for K-12
The HP DesignJet T830 can print images at a resolution of up to 2400 x 1200 dots per inch (DPI) at print speeds of 26 seconds per page and 81 prints per hour. It also features copy and scan functionality.
The printer is compatible with a range of media, making it incredibly versatile. It includes an input tray for paper sizes up to 13 x 19 inches, and a manual roll feed for larger prints of up to 24 x 74.4 inches. Finally, the HP DesignJet T830 features Ethernet and WiFi connectivity, so it’s perfect for mobile and wireless network printing.
While many different industries can benefit from this powerful printer, it is especially great for K-12 education. It allows for the quick and efficient printing of large educational materials like classroom posters, charts, and diagrams. It can also tackle standard format sizes for in-class worksheets, study materials, and homework.
Other specifications
- Scan speed: 1.5” per second (color); up to 4.5” per second (grayscale)
- Compatible ink types: dye and pigment-based
- Mobile printing: WiFi Direct, HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint, HP Smart app, Android, iOS
- Guaranteed minimum line width 0.0028”
- Line accuracy: ~0.1%
- Media types: Bond and coated paper (bond, coated, heavyweight coated, recycled, plain, bright white), technical paper (natural tracing, vellum), film (clear, matte), photographic paper (satin, gloss, semigloss, premium, polypropylene), self-adhesive (adhesive, polypropylene)
- Maximum media thickness: 11.8 mm
- Dimensions: 43.2” x 23.4” x 45.5”
- Weight: 103 lbs
HP DesignJet T850 Large Format Multifunction Wireless Plotter Printer: Perfect large-format printer for architecture, engineering, and construction
The HP DesignJet T850 Large Format Multifunction Wireless Plotter Printer stands out as a pinnacle of innovation and practicality, tailor-made for professionals in architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), geographic information systems (GIS), and mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD). This advanced printer not only meets but exceeds the demands for high-precision printing of maps, technical drawings, posters, and renders, making it an indispensable tool for professionals in these fields.
A standout feature of the DesignJet T850 is its unparalleled ease of use, particularly evident in its ability to seamlessly handle multi-size printing. The integrated input tray allows for hassle-free switching between different paper sizes, enhancing productivity and reducing manual intervention. This feature, combined with the high-quality output enabled by the pigment-based HP Flex Tech Inks, ensures crisp, accurate lines and vivid colors across all prints. The printer is also equipped with large 130/300-ml ink cartridges, reducing the frequency of ink interventions.
In today's interconnected world, the HP DesignJet T850 goes beyond mere printing capabilities. It comes equipped with HP Wolf Pro Security, offering robust protection against cyber threats, ensuring the safety of sensitive data and the printer itself. The printer’s connectivity features are further enhanced by the HP app, enabling users to manage their device and print tasks from virtually anywhere using mobile or tablet devices. Environmental sustainability is also a key aspect of the DesignJet T850, which is manufactured using at least 35% recycled plastics. The printer's supplies are recyclable, underscoring HP's commitment to reducing environmental impact.
Other specifications
- Print Speed: 25 sec/page on D, 90 D prints per hour.
- Ink Type: Pigment-based (C, M, Y, mK) HP Flex Tech Inks for high-quality CAD and renders.
- Print Resolution: Up to 2400 x 1200 optimized dpi for precise and detailed prints.
- Paper Handling: Input tray (50 sheet), media bin, sheet feed, roll feed, automatic horizontal cutter for versatile media management.
- Security: HP Wolf Pro Security for robust cyber protection.
- Connectivity: Real-time printing from anywhere with the HP app.
- Environmental Consideration: Made with at least 35% recycled plastics; recyclable supplies.
- Additional Features: Customizable shortcuts, front-loading scanner, energy-efficient design.
T2600 36” Multifunction Printer: Perfect large-format printer for higher education
With print, copy, and scan capabilities, the HP DesignJet T2600 is a highly capable printer that offers efficient performance and advanced features. It supports prints up to 36 x 48 inches, as well as a wide variety of paper types.
In higher education, the HP DesignJet T2600 is beneficial. It allows students and faculty to easily print technical drawings, maps, posters, and other visual materials with precise line quality and vivid colors. The collaborative features enable teams to work together seamlessly, improving productivity and facilitating group projects.
The printer's fast printing speed, automatic stacking, and horizontal cutting capabilities ensure that deadlines are met, even during peak periods. With its compact footprint and quiet operation, it fits well in educational environments without causing disruptions.
Other specifications
- Scan speed: 3” per second (color), 10” per second (greyscale)
- Compatible ink types: Dye and pigment-based
- Mobile printing: WiFi Direct, HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint, HP Smart app, Android, iOS
- Line accuracy: ~0.1%
- Media types: Bond and coated paper (bond, coated, heavyweight coated, recycled, plain, bright white), technical paper (natural tracing, vellum), film (clear, matte), photographic paper (satin, gloss, semigloss, premium, polypropylene), self-adhesive (adhesive, polypropylene)
- Dimensions: 55” x 30” x 49”
- Weight: 234 lbs
Z6 44-inch Large Format Printer: Perfect large-format printer for retail and GIS
The HP DesignJet Z6 offers a range of maximum print speeds for different types of media: 866 square feet per hour on plain media, 202 square feet per hour on coated media, and 104 square feet per hour on glossy material. With its advanced HP Thermal Inkjet technology and 6-color ink system, it produces high-definition output with precise details and vibrant colors. The printer's resolution can reach up to 2400 x 1200 optimized DPI, allowing for exceptional image quality. It can produce prints of up to 44 x 66 inches in size.
The HP DesignJet Z6 features a range of convenient functions, including an automatic roll feed, a cut sheet feeder, a 500GB HDD, and a touchscreen display for easy operation. It also supports WiFi connectivity, enabling direct printing from mobile apps on iOS, Android, and Chrome OS.
With its high print resolution and precise line accuracy, it can effectively handle intricate maps, charts, and spatial data, making it the perfect printer for geographical information systems, or GIS.
Apart from GIS, the printer's compatibility with a variety of media types, such as self-adhesive and backlit materials, enables the creation of eye-catching displays for retail environments.
It should be noted that this printer does not feature scan and copy functionality.
Other specifications
- Compatible ink types: Pigment-based.
- Mobile printing: WiFi Direct, HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint, HP Smart app, Android, iOS
- Line accuracy: ~0.1%
- Media types: Photographic, fine art printing material, self-adhesive, banner and sign, bond and coated, backlit
- Dimensions: 71” x 27.4” x 39.3”
- Weight: 189 lbs
Summary
In conclusion, when it comes to large-format printing, plotter printers are the ideal choice for projects that require precise and accurate lines. HP DesignJet large format plotter printers offer advanced features and innovative technology to meet the needs of various industries. Choose an HP plotter printer to meet your specific printing needs and achieve exceptional results.
