The advancement and developments involving computer peripherals have not left behind printers. And, there’s no doubt that the evolution is not going to stop soon. The best plotter printers have over the years come in handy for engineering drawings and other large format printing.
What are plotter printers? Well, these are special types of printers designed to print photos and graphics that reflect engineering or architectural drawings. Hand-drawing engineering structures on large sheets of paper exposes you to less accuracy in maintaining scale and dimensions.
We take a look at some of the most functional and reliable options that you can choose from.
Top Pick
HP DesignJet T130
- Speed : 35 sec/page on A1
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, Roll feed, Input tray, Automatic horizontal cutter
- Max Page Size : 24-in Large Format Printer
Plotter Printers Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | NAME & Details | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP DesignJet T100 |
| Check The Price |
| HP DesignJet T130 |
| Check The Price |
| HP DesignJet Z9+dr 44-in PostScript Printer |
| Check The Price |
| Epson SureColor T3170 |
| Check The Price |
| HP DESIGNJET T120 |
| Check The Price |
| Canon imagePROGRAF TA-30 |
| Check The Price |
| 2PX9507 – HP Designjet T120 |
| Check The Price |
| HP DesignJet T530 |
| Check The Price |
| Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 |
| Check The Price |
| Canon Pixma iX6820 |
| Check The Price |
Best Plotter Printers Review
1. MH Series USCutter 34-inch
The MH Series USCutter 34-inch Vinyl Cutter Plotter is a decent tool for hobbyists and professionals who want to get the best ROI. The tool makes your work pretty easy and efficient. It can conveniently cut plain masks, standard vinyl, paper, and craft paper among others.
It features a 34-inch feed width and an impressive 30-inch cut width which is helpful for speed and versatility. It is a perfect way to start an in-house graphics business. You can also use it to start a small business or just produce nice graphics for your community.
It features 3 completely adjustable pin-rollers. Such a feature immensely improves versatility. The tool also features adjustable speed as well as pressure. You can control the two components independently to achieve what you need. Finally, the ballbearing dual-rollers enhance reliable vinyl feeding.
2. VEVOR Vinyl Cutter 34Inch
Plotting is about uniqueness, and that comes with customizing everything you do. Imagine being able to customize your signs and designs. Or, being able to import custom artwork, shapes, and fonts into your plotter printer? Of course, this is a convenience that every engineer wants to enjoy.
The highly efficient VEVOR Vinyl Cutter 34Inch Vinyl Cutter Machine Manual Vinyl Printer features a maximum paper feed of 34.3 inches and a cutting capacity of 30.7 inches. Thus enhances versatility. Tue fact that it also offers an incredible 0.0004-inch cutting precision is plausible.
More efficiency comes with the inclusion of topnotch additional accessories to the kit. You see, VEVOR Vinyl Cutter comes with 5 sticky note rolls of different colors. Moreover, you also get a roll of high-quality textured paper, a scraper, and a utility knife which improve functionality.
3. HP Designjet T100 24-In Printer
Do you need a high-quality plotter but you are starved of both space and budgetary allocation? Well, the HP Designjet T100 24-In Printer is your perfect choice for plotting activities. The wide format printer is compact, yet versatile, reliable, and fast.
The machine supports all cut sheets and rolls. It also features automatic document feeding ability and an auto horizontal paper cutter. It is a compact printer that you can easily set up on your desk. Therefore, it is a perfect home tool or for small offices.
The HP T100 produces sharp texts and crisp photos. Besides, it features great compatibility so you can print from an unlimited range of devices. You can enjoy versatile Ethernet, WiFi, and USB connections. Don’t you think these are some great qualities of an ideal plotter printer?
4. HP Designjet T130 24-in
If you value speed and efficiency, then the HP DesignJet T130 will certainly meet all your needs. The device features an incredible speed of 35 pages per speed and can print up to 70 A1 sheets in one hour. This is sufficient for medium and small businesses.
This piece of equipment is designed specifically for design and photography functions. It is a 6 color, a dye-based machine that gives you the quality you need for an of large format printing purposes. Well, the fact that the device allows fine-tuning to accommodate different paper sizes is more convenient.
It features an astonishingly economical footprint for a large format printer. Yet, it will conveniently print 24-inch documents. The speed is not one of the best you’ll find. However, for the price, this machine does not disappoint.
5. Epson SureColor T3170 24”
Another plotter printer that deserves a place in this review is the famous Epson SureColor T3170 24” Wireless Desktop Printer. It is a versatile machine that has a maximum print size of up to 24 inches. Even more strikingly, it features an ADF tray that accepts documents of up to 11×24″.
It boasts of an easy to use interface and a responsive 4.3″ touchscreen. You will enjoy the convenience of making commands through the touchscreen and get your prints done. Moreover, it features amazing speeds and will deliver a detailed and accurate A1 print in 30 seconds.
Versatility and speed don’t make any sense if the quality is undesirable. The T3170 combines impressive speed, versatility, and flawless quality in an incomparable way. You can count on the clarity of the prints. Also, it is important to note that the prints stay durable for a long time.
Buying Guide
Print Quality
Since plotter printing involves making a range of intricate engineering and architectural drawings, quality becomes a key factor. You can’t print out graphics using a substandard machine. This is because graphics are more detailed and complicated to produce on print media.
Therefore, look out for a best plotter printer that delivers the finest quality when printing graphics. Factors to look out for on this basis include the print resolution and color fidelity—machines with the highest resolution guarantee higher-quality printouts and vice versa.
Maximum Feed Size
You can’t talk about plotter printers and ignore their maximum feed capacity. As you probably know, plotter printers not only stand out for their impressive output on graphics but also present professionals with incredible wide-format capabilities. They have a specialty for handling extra-large media.
But even with that information, these machines come with a variety of wide-format capabilities. Choose a model that can accommodate your desired widths. If you intend to print large banners and outdoor posters, then consider a model that can take in more than a 36″ wide media.
The maximum length that a machine can accommodate is often a factor to look into, too. Interestingly, the roll feed systems of most of these specialized devices ensure that you can print media of extra-long sizes.
Maximum Cutting Size And Precision
The finest plotter printers not only print. They also provide accurate cutting functions. It is this feature that makes them often known as the plotter and cutter printers. However, like every feature of a machine, the cutting element varies from one device to another. This is often in terms of size and precision.
It is essential to note that the cutting size of a plotter printer is slightly less than the maximum feed size that the tool accommodates. The cutting size consideration is guided by the size of the final copies you intend to produce.
Finally, choose a printing machine with the least cutting precision as this enhances accuracy. Often, this will vary from as large as 0.2 mm to as small as 0.0001 mm.
Type Of Media
The type of media that you can print on is equally a significant consideration. It is vital to choose a plotter that can handle a variety of media types. Notably, the most complicated media types for plotting are vinyl and canvas.
What type of material will your client base use more frequently? That is the question that should guide your decision.
Final Word
The dramatic advancement in printer technology enables engineers and architects to perform complex tasks with more accuracy and efficiency. Inkjet printers now provide a perfect replacement for using pens to perform the demanding and extremely laborious plotter drawings.
The reason why these pretty machines continue to grow in popularity is their ability to print on bigger paper sizes. They enable engineers to furnish their clients with high-quality single-line diagrams and schematics. Besides, the best printer for plot can also print photos and graphics to scale.
