Top 10 Wide format printers and plotters 2024

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Printers and Plotters Buyer's Shopping Guide

Printing is an expensive that nearly every business is stuck having to pay. Some might be able to get by using a copy shop to handle oversized print jobs, but it is usually a good investment to get a plotter when you regularly print blueprints and other wide documents. Such machines are capable of printing either in black and white or with color, ranging between 24 and 60 inches in width. There are two main markets for a wide format printer. The first industry is architecture, engineering and construction, which has a long history for using plotters to print blueprints and similar documents. The other industry is graphics printing, which may be used to print signs, textiles, banners, fabric orders or outdoor graphics for advertisement or retail stores.

Toner Based vs Inkjet Printers

There are two main technologies used in modern day printers: They're usually either toner-based or inkjet. A toner printer uses a drum to use heat to fuse toner to paper. Inkjet printers also use heat, but it instead sprays droplets of ink onto the paper. This may also be known as thermal inkjet. The way you plan to use the printer can help determine whether you will need inkjet or toner technology. Typically, AEC applications prefer toner-based plotters while graphics companies work better with inkjets. Basically, your decision comes down to whether you need something for better graphics or for CAD functionalities. After this, you'll need to decide the size of the printer you wish to get.

Comparing Printers

Your chosen application for the printer will ultimately influence which you buy, so make sure you know exactly how much you expect to print in volume and what kind of printing you need done. In most cases, graphics printers are color inkjets that are made to show high resolution on various kinds of media. CAD printers are monochrome toner, made to print at a higher volume. These days, more toner printers are able to print in color without sacrificing speed. Adding color to a toner printer can double its cost, however.

• Sizing - Size is the next most important thing to think about. Most wide printers range between 24 to 60 inches, though it's not common to find the full 60 inches. Most commonly, you'll find 24-, 36- and 44-inch printers that can print on papers measuring up to 300 feet long. The materials you need will help determine the printer size. Typical engineering jobs will involve 36-inch plotters, meaning a 36-inch machine can do the job. For graphic printers, it depends on what you're doing; outdoor banners will require significantly larger printers than other decor, for instance.
• Quality of Print - Resolution may be important, but buyers often put too much stock into it. It is possible to get better looking printouts with newer technology on a lower resolution. It's not as important to get more dots per inch as it is to know the droplet size. Not only that, but number the ink cartridges used can tell you the quality; the more colors, the better.
• Speed - These days, toner printers are measured in D-size prints per minute, which is 24x36 inches. Inkjet printers measure their worth in square feet per minute or hour due to the longer spooling time. As a general rule of thumb, you'll need toner if you need to print at a high volume, such as more than 2,500 prints each month. Inkjet will be suitable for low volume printing, on the other hand.

Comparing Dealers

The seller you purchase from can impact how well you're satisfied with the product. That's because support is another important part to think about. Whether you need someone to come out and make repairs or you just want to have a question answered, it's critical to get good support from a dealership. Thanks to online videos, it's not common to actually go to a dealership anymore. Nonetheless, it's still a good idea to ask what kind of support your dealer has, such as online knowledge bases, the hours of operation, discussion forums, email help and telephone help.

Pricing and Buying Tips

Because of the variation involved with printers and plotters, the price can fluctuate wildly too. Quality and size are the two big variables as higher resolutions and accurate color choice show higher price tags. Inkjets also have some dynamic pricing due to rebates and competition. It's more costly to get a toner plotter initially, but they have a lower cost per page overall, making them better for the long run -- especially since they last for years. Inkjets are cheaper but rapidly go through ink, driving up the cost you'll pay for each printed page. Not only this, but inkjets these days don't last as long as they used to. An inkjet purchased today might only last four years before falling apart; now compare that to the ten years that a quality toner printer can withstand.

• Consider the Cost of Consumables - Remember that the money you pay for the printer is just the down payment on a unit that will cost you money per page to print as well. The consumables, whether that is the toner or the ink, is all a part of the budget for the next few years. Inkjets cost more per page, since cartridges in toner printers last longer than an ink refill. Media costs can also vary.
• Service Agreements and Maintenance Option - Much like copy machines, a wide format printer must have regular maintenance to keep in top shape; that includes cleaning regularly, inspections and replacing any parts that are worn out. Keeping a printer maintained properly is the primary way to ensure the printer lasts for many years without a problem. Depending on the dealer, there may be an agreement to extend the warranty of the printer, covering its repairs. Other agreements might include all replaceable parts along with regular inspections by a trained technician. No matter the type of printer, it will be necessary to get regular software upgrades, so ensure that these are in the service plan. Typically, an agreement is priced monthly per square foot. If you're new to printing high volume or if you expect the printer will be needed on a daily basis, it's worth getting the service agreement. Make sure that the agreement you purchase will also cover labor on site, and ask about guaranteed response times. If you need parts, they should be available for delivery the very next day.

Buying Tips

Before making a purchase, ask the dealer how many wide-format printers that have personally put into the field, and request references from others within your industry. It's worth asking for a price protection period for at least three years on the service plan you purchase. For high volumes, look for five years. This will ensure that you have service at your agreed upon price. Avoid bundling a purchase with a copier at the same time. These do not have similar life cycles, which will cause problems. Similarly, don't combine the lease with the purchase if you don't want to be tied to that vendor.