The plotters in this category are known in part for their ability to rapidly print large format prints. Some also have the ability to print onto a variety of materials, including fabric, and can work on several-feet-long prints.
To help you select the best wide format plotter for your needs, we’ve rounded up the top models on the market today along with their biggest selling points.
Read on for more.
Our Editor’s Best Wide Format Plotter Printers Reviews
- Ideal for: Technical line-drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, and maps. This printer is popular among architects, engineers, and construction professionals.
- Media Sizes: Up to 24-inch wide media rolls (large format), and up to 13-inch by 19-inch sheets (wide format) using the included automatic sheet feeder accessory.
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic sheet/roll switch, media bin, automatic horizontal cutter.
- 1-Click Printing from Anywhere: Save time with the world's easiest job submission tool - HP Click. Print multiple files in as little as one click. Manage your large format printing and printer virtually anywhere and anytime with the HP Smart app, from your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer. HP/GL-2 support.
- Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n.
- Ideal for: Technical-line drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, and maps. This printer is popular among architects, engineers, and construction professionals.
- Media Sizes: Up to 36-inch wide media rolls (large format), and up to 13-inch by 19-inch sheets (wide format) using the included automatic sheet feeder accessory.
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic sheet/roll switch, media bin, automatic horizontal cutter.
- 1-Click Printing from Anywhere: Save time with the world's easiest job submission tool - HP Click. Print multiple files in as little as one click. Manage your large format printing and printer virtually anywhere and anytime with the HP Smart app, from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. HP/GL-2 support.
- Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11.
- Includes 2-year Warranty Care Pack: Including onsite and remote support, HP parts, as fast as next business day device service if your issue can’t be resolved. Plotter printer epairs performed by HP technicians using 100% genuine HP parts.
- Ideal for: Technical line-drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, and maps. This printer is popular among architects, engineers, construction professionals, and high-quality wide or large format prints.
- Media Sizes: Up to 36-inch wide media rolls (large format), and up to 13-inch by 19-inch sheets (wide format) using the included automatic sheet feeder accessory.
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic sheet/roll switch, media bin, automatic horizontal cutter.
- Simple & Cost Effective: Print multi-size projects automatically, without needing to manually switching the media source. Cost saving efficiencies like using 95% less ink for routine maintenance vs. other competitor plotter printers.
- Ideal for: Technical line drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, maps, and professional sewing patterns. This printer is popular among architects, engineers, and construction professionals. Print languages-JPEG, URF
- Media Sizes: Up to 24-inch wide media rolls (large format), and up to 13-inch by 19-inch sheets (wide format) using the optional automatic sheet feeder accessory.
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic horizontal cutter.
- Simple & Cost Effective: Print multi-size projects automatically, without needing to manually switching the media source. Cost saving efficiencies like using 95% less ink for routine maintenance vs. other competitor plotter printers.
- Included Software: HP Click (for creating eye-catching posters), HP Smart app, HP Print Preview for Windows, HP Easy Start, HP DesignJet Utility for Windows, HP Support Assistant.
- Includes 2-year Warranty Care Pack: Comprehensive large format device protection with enhanced coverage including remote technical support, onsite support, and HP parts. As fast as next business day device service if your issue can’t be resolved via remote support or online virtual assistant. Plotter printer repairs performed by HP technicians using 100% genuine HP parts. HP Virtual Assistant is available 7 days a week. HP Remote and Onsite Support is available Mon-Fri. No hidden fees.
- Ideal for: Technical line drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, and maps. This printer is popular among architects, engineers, construction professionals, and general wide for large format prints.
- Media sizes: Up to 24-inch wide media rolls (large format), and up to 13-inch by 19-inch sheets (wide format) using the optional automatic sheet feeder accessory.
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic horizontal cutter.
- Included Software: HP Click (for creating eye-catching posters), HP Smart app, HP Print Preview for Windows, HP Easy Start, HP DesignJet Utility for Windows, HP Support Assistant.
- Canon imagePROGRAF iPF770 Color Large Format InkJet Printer Plotter
- Ideal for: AEC professionals who are in the office or working at the job site and want robust, dependable 36-inch printing performance
- Media Sizes: 8.3 to 36-in wide sheets; 11 to 36-in rolls
- Media Handling: Sheet feed; roll feed; input tray; media bin; automatic cutter
- Choose from 40- to 300-ml HP ink cartridges to fit your print volume, large supplies can reduce interventions
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified connector. Mobile Printing: Wi-Fi Direct and local Wi-Fi connectivity to enable mobile printing via HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint and HP All-in-One printer remote App. Supports printing from most smartphones and tablets using these operating systems: Android, iOS
- Ideal For: AEC, GIS, and MCAD professionals who want to print maps, technical drawings, posters, and renders with precise, accurate line quality and crisp text.
- Media Sizes: Up to 36-in wide media rolls. - Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic sheet/roll switch, media bin, automatic horizontal cutter.
- Free Software Included: HP Click, HP Smart app, HP Print Preview for Windows, HP Easy Start, HP DesignJet Utility for Windows, HP Support Assistant.
- Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11. - Print Speeds: Up to 25 seconds per page on A1/D size, 82 A1/D size prints size per hour.
- Save time with the world's easiest job submission tool - HP Click. Print multiple files in as little as one click. Manage your large format printing and printer virtually anywhere and anytime with the HP Smart app.
- Includes 3-year Warranty Care Pack: Comprehensive large format device protection with enhanced coverage including remote technical support, onsite support, and HP parts. As fast as next business day device service if your issue can’t be resolved via remote support or online virtual assistant. Plotter printer repairs performed by HP technicians using 100% genuine HP parts. HP Virtual Assistant is available 7 days a week. HP Remote and Onsite Support is available Mon-Fri. No hidden fees.
- Ideal for: Technical line-drawings, renders requiring precise, accurate line-quality and crisp text, posters, and maps. This printer is popular in design studios and modern offices among architects, engineers, and construction professionals with a preference for net carbon neutral products.
- Media Sizes: Up to 24-inch wide media rolls (large format), and up to 13-inch by 19-inch sheets (wide format) using the included automatic sheet feeder accessory.
- Media Handling: Sheet feed, roll feed, automatic sheet/roll switch, media bin, automatic horizontal cutter.
- 1-Click Printing from Anywhere: Save time with the world's easiest job submission tool - HP Click. Print multiple files in as little as one click. Manage your large format printing and printer virtually anywhere and anytime with the HP Smart app, from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. HP/GL-2 support
- LARGE-FORMAT PRINTING: Do-it-yourself with the imagePROGRAF TC-20. Print multi-size documents, including posters, flyers, blueprints, line drawings, office/retail signage, and more, up to 24 inches
- MEDIA HANDLING: Roll-fed to cut-sheet paper feeds let you easily print documents up to 24-inches wide directly from your home or office without outsourcing, as well as automatically feed up to 100 sheets of letter or up to 50 sheets of 11" x 17" paper for even greater print flexibility.
- EXCELLENT PRINT QUALITY: 4-color ink bottle system delivers crisp text and vibrant images at 1200 dpi with resistance to highlighter and water
- REDUCED REFILL FREQUENCY: High-capacity ink bottles provide 70ml of ink per bottle, which reduces filling frequency and supports continuous printing of large color documents, such as posters
- FAST SETUP: Intuitive touchscreen control panel and animated installation guides provide quick-and-easy printer setup so you can start printing in minutes
Best Wide Format Plotter Printers Buying Guide
Before choosing the best wide format plotter printer you should consider following options:
1. Image Quality: Before buying a wide-format printer, make sure the image quality is good enough to suit your business needs. The resolution of the printer should be considered.
It is important to note that the resolution of the image is directly proportional to the ink consumption of the printer. Higher the resolution, more is the ink consumption. Hence, it is important to strike a balance between ink consumption and image quality.
2. Ink Consumption: Wide-format printers tend to have a higher ink consumption than regular inkjet or laser printers. It is important to buy a printer that suits your business needs in terms of ink consumption. You can opt for a printer that uses dye-based or pigment-based ink for high-quality output.
3. Print Quality: The print quality of the wide-format printer will depend on the type of ink used. If you opt for a printer that uses pigment-based ink, then it will have a longer drying time.
This type of ink is recommended for high-resolution output. If you need good-quality output at a faster speed, you can opt for a printer that uses dye-based ink.
4. Cost of Ink and Maintenance: Wide-format printers have higher ink costs when compared to regular inkjet or laser printers. They have similar maintenance costs as regular inkjet or laser printers.
It is important to buy a printer based on the type of ink used. If you opt for a printer that uses dye-based ink, then the ink will have a longer drying time, but the ink costs will be lower.
On the other hand, if you opt for a printer that uses pigment-based ink, the ink drying time will be faster, but the ink costs will be higher. You can also go for a printer that uses both types of ink, which will give you an option to choose depending on the output requirements.
5. Paper Compatibility: Not all types of papers are compatible with wide-format printers. Before buying a printer, make sure the paper that you are planning to use is compatible with the printer.
The printer should support the type of media you want to print on. If you want to print on a variety of papers, then you may need to purchase multiple ink cartridges.
6. Paper Handling System: Depending on the type of ink used, the printer will have a drying time. To ensure the output is not smudged during the drying process, all wide-format printers come with a paper handling system, which is either a roll or trays.
Depending on the size of the paper, the printer can either hold one or two ink cartridges. The printer can either have one or two ink cartridges.
What else you should know about wide format plotter printers
1. What is a wide format plotter printer?
A wide format plotter printer is a type of printer that is used to print wide format documents.
2. What are the benefits of using a wide format plotter printer?
The main benefits of using a wide format plotter printer are the ability to print large documents (up to A0 size) and the high print quality. Other benefits can include the ability to print on a variety of media types (including photographic paper), and the ability to print at high resolutions (up to 2400 dpi).
3. What are the different types of wide format plotter printers?
The different types of wide format plotter printers are:
1. Large format printers
2. Wide format printers
3. Large format inkjet printers
4. Wide format inkjet printers
5. Large format laser printers
6. Wide format laser printers
4. What are the features of wide format plotter printers?
Some features of wide format plotter printers include the ability to print on a variety of media types, including paper, vinyl, and fabric; the ability to print at high resolutions; and the ability to print at high speeds.
5. How do wide format plotter printers work?
Most wide format plotter printers work by using a print head that moves back and forth across a page, laying down ink as it goes. The print head is usually mounted on a carriage that moves along a set of rails, and the page is fed through the printer so that it moves underneath the print head.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best wide format plotter printers. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best wide format plotter printers will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.