Businesses often need the best large-format printers to have their posters and flyers ready to be printed at a moment’s notice for marketing purposes.
Large format printers, also known as printer plotters, are ideal for such purposes with their ability to work with larger paper sizes. If you’re new to large format printers, choosing one can be quite difficult due to the technical aspect of these devices.
So, to make purchasing a professional large-format printer plotter easier, we’ve curated a list of the eight best A1 printer plotters on the market.
Top 8 A1 Printer Plotters Reviewed
1. Best Overall: HP DesignJet Studio 24-Inch Wireless Plotter Printer
Featuring a small footprint while being capable of large-scale printing, the HP DesignJet Studio is a 24-inch printer plotter designed for offices and home studios.
The DesignJet printer from Hewlett-Packard is capable of fast and accurate printing, being capable of printing two pages per minute. During our tests, the printing speed of this sleek plotter printer remained the same for color and monochrome prints.
This thermal inkjet printer is compatible with a range of paper sizes, ranging from A4 to A1, and 24-inch wide paper rolls. Moreover, choosing your print type is fast and simple through the touchscreen interface.
As for the printing quality, we found the results to be sharp and highly detailed in glossy photograph and ordinary papers. This may make it suitable for a gamut of colorful flyers and technical line drawings.
And to keep rolls of printed paper organized, the HP DesignJet comes with a built-in feed catch.
Something worth noting about the HP DesignJet Studio is its price, which is on the higher side. For smaller and rising businesses, the printer can be a hefty investment, which may not be ideal.
What We Like
- Sleek design
- Fast print speed
- Touchscreen-operated interface
- Sharp and detailed print quality
What We Don’t Like
2. Best Portable Wide-Format Printer Plotter: HP DesignJet T650 24-Inch Plotter Printer
One of the smallest wide-format printer plotters in the segment, the HP DesignJet T650 is geared for studios and offices with little room to spare. More specifically, it may find a home in an architect’s office or design studio.
As such, it is capable of producing high-quality prints of any technical line drawing and rendering while printing documents and posters precisely. And in addition to ordinary paper sizes, the T650 can be fed media rolls that are up to 24 inches wide.
The DesignJet printer operates on thermal inkjet technology for the production of such results. It features an automatic feed for smaller sheets like A3 and A4 papers, along with a manual A2 and A1 roll paper option. You can find an in-built automatic horizontal cutter as well.
And to further hone in on the portability, the DesignJet printer plotter includes a steel stand, helping the device occupy very little space in an office.
We did find that the printer may fail to feed the paper in properly on very rare occasions. That said, the resulting jam can be fixed quite easily.
What We Like
- Small form factor
- High print quality
- Automatic sheet feeder for small sheets
- Includes a stand
What We Don’t Like
3. Best Affordable Plotter Printer: HP DesignJet T210 24-Inch Plotter Printer
If you’re looking for a large format printer in a tight budget range, the HP DesignJet T210 may be worth looking into.
Much like the other models of the DesignJet series, the T210 is compatible with paper sizes up to A1, along with 24-inch wide media rolls. It also comes with an optional automatic sheet feeder accessory for a hands-free printing experience.
The DesignJet 210 makes it so that you don’t need to switch to a different media source manually. It is capable of printing multi-size projects automatically, making the operation simple as well.
Additionally, the plotter printer reduces operating costs by using 95% less ink for routine maintenance. Coupled with its low cost, the T210 is a highly affordable and easy-to-maintain device.
As for connectivity, the multi-function printer features Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Hi-Speed USB 2.0, making it compatible with nearly all kinds of computing devices. You may use it as a multifunction printer with a smartphone, tablet computer, or desktop computer or pair it with an Ultra-High-Definition television for previewing your prints.
This printer is covered by a one-year limited hardware warranty. You may dial the support telephone number at any time of the day throughout the year for assistance with the printer.
We did find the lack of a quick-start guide an unfortunate omission. Its inclusion would have simplified the initial startup process by a significant degree.
What We Like
- Compatible with various paper sizes
- Switches media source automatically
- Reduces operating costs by 95%
- Low price point
What We Don’t Like
4. Best Printer Plotter for Lengthy Printing Sessions: Canon imagePROGRAF TC-20 24-Inch Plotter Printer
The Canon imagePROGRAF TC-20 is yet another low-cost large format printer designed for office spaces and professional studios.
This Canon Inc. printer plotter aims to provide you with high-quality prints, supported by its decent ink capacity. You may use it to print detailed line drawings, posters, flyers, blueprints, business graphics, and more on a large variety of sheets supported by the device.
The TC-20 can print on paper that is up to 24 inches wide without outsourcing. Moreover, it is capable of automatically feeding up to 100 sheets of ordinary print paper without seeing a decline in print quality.
Further hammering in the point of continuous printing are the high-capacity cartridges that the TC-20 uses. Each ink bottle holds 70 ml of ink, making it so that you don’t have to refill the cartridges frequently. And in our experience, the TC-20 is capable of handling both large sheet sizes and volumes.
That said, there will come a time when the ink must be refilled, which is when the TC-20 may run into a hiccup. The replacement ink can be rather expensive, which may make the prospect of refilling a bit hefty on the wallet.
What We Like
- High print quality
- Can print continuously for a long time
- Automatic sheet feeder
- High-capacity ink cartridge set
What We Don’t Like
5. Best Low-Volume Plotter Printer: Epson SureColor T2170 24-Inch Wireless Inkjet Printer
Designed for freelance designers operating in a small office, the Epson SureColor T2170 24-inch printer aims to be a low-volume printing device.
The SureColor T2170 features a sleek dustproof design for a functional-yet-appealing design. It comes with a Liquid-Crystal Display touchscreen interface for simplified operation, along with easily-accessible ink cartridges. Swapping out ink bottles can be done in a matter of seconds with the T2170.
As for the ink, the Epson printer plotter uses UltraChrome XD2 colored and pigment-based black ink for smudge-free and water-resistant prints. This ink comes in four independent cartridges that can last for quite a while without requiring refills.
In our experience, the colorfulness on the prints is rich and sharp, depicting detailed scenes without any loss in quality. This aspect of the printer extends to all kinds of print paper, including standard letter-sized ones and 24-inch media rolls.
The Epson SureColor T2170 does feature an automatic media feeder tool that works with all supported print sizes. That said, we did find a slight issue that had the paper end up crooked and crumpled while being fed into the machine. This only occurs on occasion, potentially leading to inaccurate prints.
For connectivity, the T2170 printer has an Ethernet port, USB port, Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct, and Apple AirPrint compatibility. This can allow you to have access to wireless printer operation, giving you the ability to print without being in proximity of the device.
What We Like
- Sleek and dustproof design
- UltraChrome XD2 ink
- Easy-to-swap ink cartridges
- Various connectivity options
What We Don’t Like
6. Best Printer Plotter for Technical Prints: HP DesignJet T630 24″ Large Format Wireless Plotter Printer
Architects, construction professionals, and engineers require a printer for high-quality prints of technical line drawings and blueprint, poster, greeting card stock, map, and document files. And the HP DesignJet T630 was designed to fulfill this very purpose.
Capable of handling a large variety of paper and media rolls, the DesignJet T630 can handle high-volume and highly detailed prints with ease. The large format printer comes with a sheet feed, roll feed, and automatic sheet/roll switch to streamline the printing process.
Once the paper has been fed, the printer can be put to work through as few as a single click using HP Click application software. Moreover, if you want to define the very specifics of your prints, you can do so remotely through the HP Smart app.
The printer is also capable of producing multi-size prints without needing a media source switch. You may print multi-size A3/B and A1/D or A0/E projects with the automatic media source switch.
It’s important to note that the T630 may not be quick and easy to set up for the first time, especially for those not tech-savvy. This can lead to some head-scratching and a few internet searches, which we found to be a minor gripe with the printer and photocopier.
And lastly, the high-quality printer has built-in cost-efficient solutions, such as reduced ink consumption for maintenance. As such, you may save both time and money while using this device with a Microsoft Windows all-in-one PC.
What We Like
- Capable of high-volume printing
- Detailed prints
- Automatic media source switch
- Cost-efficient
What We Don’t Like
7. Quietest A1 Printer Plotter: Canon imagePROGRAF TM-200 24-Inch Printer Plotter
The compact and quiet Canon imagePROGRAF TM-200 is a printer plotter that aims to find a home in busy work environments and offices.
This device uses the LUCIA TD 5-color pigment inks that produce crisp and dense lines with very little observable noise on most media. The printing architecture enables the plotter to be used for high-quality prints on most kinds of paper, comprising cyan, magenta, and yellow. It includes several shades of matte black and photo black ink (CMYK color model) as well for added grayscale color depth.
During our tests, the printer did produce some noise on matte paper, which may not be ideal for certain applications like technical line drawings. That said, the device faces no issues while color printing on ordinary print paper, coated paper, and glossy paper.
And should the printer run out of ink, the device comes with hot-swap ink tanks behind the front panel that can replace ink cartridges rapidly. This can help you resume printing very quickly and minimize delays in office or photographer studio work.
The TM-200 is a very quiet printer plotter, ensuring that your office environment remains as free of distractions as possible. We found that the printer makes noises no louder than an ordinary office conversation, which may be ideal for work environments that demand high concentration.
What We Like
- Quiet operation
- Compact design
- High print quality
- Hot-swap ink tanks
What We Don’t Like
8. Printer Plotter With The Highest Resolution Support: Epson SureColor T3270 24-Inch Inkjet Printer
For quick prints and vibrant colors often required in studios and architect’s offices, the Epson SureColor T3270 can be an option to consider.
The large format printer can be used in a range of applications that include CAD illustrations, GIS maps, colorful retail posters, photo printing, and more. It supports a maximum image resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi (dots per inch), making it particularly suitable for technical line drawings and retail signs.
For output stacking, the single-roll printer has a horizontal catch tray that stacks media sheets once the prints are finished.
Like the other printer plotters in the Epson SureColor T-Series, the T3270 uses an UltraChrome XD pigmented ink set. The inks can further support the aforementioned applications on paper, no matter the print size or type.
Furthermore, the prints are spot and water-resistant, increasing their usability for archival prints as well.
The T3270 does share a flaw with other Epson SureColor T-Series large format printers, which is that the paper may crumple while being fed into the device. This happens sparsely and may lead to misaligned prints.
What We Like
- Various applications
- 2880 x 1440 dpi support
- Consistent print quality on different paper types
- Spot and water-resistant print
What We Don’t Like
Best A1 Printer Plotters Comparison Table
| Product | Print Speed | Paper Size | Printer Weight | Printing Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP DesignJet Studio 24-Inch Wireless Plotter Printer | 2.3 pages per minute | Up to A1 or 24-inch rolls | 74 lbs | Thermal Inkjet |
| HP DesignJet T650 24-Inch Plotter Printer | 2.3 pages per minute | Up to A1, 24-inch media rolls | 76 pounds | Thermal Inkjet |
| HP DesignJet T210 24-Inch Plotter Printer | 1.3 pages per minute | Up to A1, 24-inch media rolls | 74 lbs | Thermal Inkjet |
| Canon imagePROGRAF TC-20 24-Inch Plotter Printer | 20 ppm (black and white), 15 ppm (color) | Up to A1, 24-inch media sheets | 93 lbs | Inkjet |
| Epson SureColor T2170 24-Inch Wireless Inkjet Printer | 6 pages per minute | Up to A1, 24-inch media rolls | 80.3 lbs | Inkjet |
| HP DesignJet T630 24″ Large Format Wireless Plotter Printer | 2 pages per minute | Up to A1, 24-inch media rolls | 64 pounds | Thermal Inkjet |
| Canon imagePROGRAF TM-200 24-Inch Printer Plotter | 2.5 pages per minute | Up to A1, 24-inch media rolls | 112 lbs | Inkjet |
| Epson SureColor T3270 24-Inch Inkjet Printer | 1 page per minute | Up to A1, 24-inch media rolls | 142 lbs | Inkjet |
Best A0 Printer Plotters That Can Be Used As A1 Printer Plotters
1. Best Overall: Canon imagePROGRAF iPF780 36-Inch Printer
If you’re in need of a printer capable of handling both A0 and A1 pages, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF780 may be up for the task.
The printer plotter is capable of supporting a 500-foot roll on a 3-inch core, reducing the amount of observable curling post-printing. This can be suitable for applications that require high-quality output, such as CAD, high-quality JPEG images, and technical drawings.
You can also use the iPF780 as a regular office printer, as it supports all the common page sizes, such as A1, A2, B1, B2, and more. It is also capable of large-format printing on media sheets that are 36 inches wide for high-volume prints.
Moreover, the iPF780 has a highly-accurate large format printing nozzle set with a line error margin of 0.1% or less. Paired with its inkjet printing technology, the printer plotter can be a reliable device for both high and low-volume prints.
Of course, being a high-volume printer, the device is quite large. It requires a decent amount of space, which may not make it suitable for smaller offices and graphic designer studios. Do consider the form factor and the room available in your office before making the purchase.
What We Like
- Highly accurate prints
- Supports all common page sizes
- Low post-print curling
- Suits high-volume printing tasks
What We Don’t Like
2. Best Large Format Printer Plotter for Accurate High-Volume Prints: HP DesignJet T630 36″ Large Format Wireless Plotter Printer
The HP DesignJet T630 is the larger variant of the aforementioned 24-inch T630 plotter printer. This printer shares plenty of key features with its smaller version, albeit on a larger scale than the 24-inch model.
Designed for larger offices and studios, the T630 can be used to print renders and technical drawings that require high print and color accuracy and precision. This can make it particularly useful for larger architect and construction offices that routinely need high-line quality and crisp prints.
The T630 comes with an automatic sheet feeder accessory, which you can use to feed up to 36-inch wide print media rolls. Moreover, the device can also support 13-inch x 19-inch sheets and ordinary print paper, making it a versatile piece of office equipment.
We were able to pair the printer with the HP Click software and HP Smart mobile app software for easy and remote operation as well. This enables the device to be operated on the go, allowing you to set up large format prints without having to be near the printer.
And like its smaller counterpart, the T630 has built-in cost-saving measures like reduced ink consumption for maintenance.
Do note that it may be a little difficult to get started with the T630 when you first start it up. Without a quick start guide, operating the printer plotter may seem a little daunting at first, which can take some time to figure out.
What We Like
- Capable of high-volume prints
- Includes an automatic sheet feeder
- Pairs with mobile device apps
- Accurate and crisp prints
What We Don’t Like
Best A0 Printer Plotters Comparison Table
| Product | Print Speed | Paper Size | Printer Weight | Printing Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon imagePROGRAF iPF780 36-Inch Printer | 2 pages per minute | Up to A0, 36-inch media rolls | 239 lbs | Inkjet |
| HP DesignJet T630 36″ Large Format Wireless Plotter Printer | 2 pages per minute | Up to A0, 36-inch media rolls, 13” x 19” sheets | 77 pounds | Thermal Inkjet |
Buyer’s Guide
It’s important to note that approaching the task of purchasing a large format printer plotter is quite different from buying a home printer. There is a very simple reason for that: the printing volume.
Home printers are often impractical for large-volume printmaking, being small, desk-bound printing devices. Not only are certain printing technologies used in home printers too slow for handling such volume, but they are also incompatible with larger sheets.
Large format printers are capable of any scale of printing, from a smaller A4 page layout to much larger media rolls. Moreover, their printing speed is orders of magnitude higher than that of a home or screen-printer.
As such, you must keep a few parameters in mind while scouring the market for a new printer plotter. These are what separate home printers from office ones and help you decide which device suits your needs the best.
1. Print Technology
The kind of print technology a printer plotter uses determines how fast it will print. More importantly, it also determines the image quality of the prints, which is paramount in technical line drawings and Computer-Aided Design renders.
Typically, the best large format printers for such purposes use inkjet technology instead of laser printing, with certain models introducing variations for added effectiveness. Inkjet printers will give you sharp, crisp prints with a variety of inks like India ink, something that other print technologies like screen printing may not be able to replicate.
2. Print Speed
When printing a large number of sheets, it’s important that the printer plotter is capable of tackling the task in a speedy manner.
Inkjet printers trade speed for printing high quality images, which is preferable since reproduction quality matters more in a technical drawing. This is why such printers hover around the printing speed of 2 or 2.5 pages per minute or 120-150 pages per hour.
Any slower, and the printer plotter may be a little too sluggish to keep in an office space.
3. Cost
Large-volume printers tend to be expensive, but they come with features aplenty to compensate for it.
As such, it’s important to consider how many features and tools you get for a particular list price point. For instance, certain printers include up to a gigabyte of hard disk drive storage data to have multiple files print-ready, or an image scanner. Naturally, it’s preferable to have more features for a lower price than the opposite.
Additionally, as a consumer, you must also look at the total cost of ownership and the ink cost per print of each printer before choosing a particular printer. A printer plotter operating and ink costs should not set you back heavily post-purchase for daily office prints, after all.
4. Paper Compatibility
Is the printer compatible with the type of paper your office uses every day? If the answer is yes, then the printer may be worth looking into.
Printers ought to support a wide variety of printing media, like fine art paper, glossy and matte media, which makes them ready to be used in a variety of situations. That way, you won’t have to seek external help to print on a banner that is too large or too small for the printer to handle.
How long do printer plotters last?
An average printer plotter can last anywhere between 3 and 5 years. This length can extend or reduce based on the number of issues the device runs into, as well as how well-maintained it is.
How much ink does a printer plotter use?
You can expect a printer plotter to print about 42 foot2 of paper per milliliter of dye-based ink. This translates to about 5500 foot2 of paper for a 130 ml sub-ink tank system before requiring a refill.
What is the maximum supported print resolution for plotter printers?
The maximum supported print resolution for plotter printers is 1440 dpi, which is more than double the maximum resolution of standard wide-format printers. Other high-resolution print support includes 2400 x 1200 dpi.
Is connectivity important for plotter printers?
Connectivity is an undeniably important part of modern printing devices, especially for those being used in offices.
Printers have evolved significantly in the past few years, particularly when connectivity is concerned. Most printers can connect to various devices through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB, and more, which makes them highly versatile.
Moreover, certain printers have dedicated Android or iOS smartphone applications that enable a myriad of other features. This includes remote operation, allowing you to use the device without needing to be next to it.
As such, you can consider the printer that features the most varied connectivity options for simpler operation.
Conclusion
Based on our experience with the different devices, the HP DesignJet Studio 24-inch Wireless Plotter Printer is the best large format printer. It features fast printing speeds, is easy to operate, and offers detailed prints, which suit all kinds of office and photography studio purposes.
That said, we also found the HP DesignJet T650 and T210 printers to be close contenders for the top spot. The T650 offers a similar printing quality in a smaller package, whereas the T210 is an affordable alternative.
When it comes to printers, each office has a different requirement which is fulfilled by a different printer. As such, you should consider all the features of a printer carefully and see if it is what the office needs.
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