Large Format Printing

[mrforgetful]

Hi,

 

Art and Media are wanting something to produce large prints, aswell as small.

 

Initially I was showing them the ICT department's A3 Colour Laser, and they're inpressed with the quality, but then I started to mention Plotters capable of up to A1 size prints.

 

A few questions.

 

Are plotters expensive to run?

Is the quality good close up?

Can they produce small images aswell, sub A4?

Does anyone have one at their school and could they send me a sample?

What are recommended models/makes?

Anything else I should know/look at?

 

Thanks.

[torledo]

Hi,

 

Art and Media are wanting something to produce large prints, aswell as small.

 

Initially I was showing them the ICT department's A3 Colour Laser, and they're inpressed with the quality, but then I started to mention Plotters capable of up to A1 size prints.

 

A few questions.

 

Are plotters expensive to run?

Is the quality good close up?

Can they produce small images aswell, sub A4?

Does anyone have one at their school and could they send me a sample?

What are recommended models/makes?

Anything else I should know/look at?

 

Thanks.

 

1) cost of ink cartridges for HP designjet large format printers are surpisingly good value compared to A4 laser toner.

 

2)Yes, but only if the original image is of sufficient quality to allow it to be scaled without pixelating....that's not a printer issue more about the graphic design process.

 

3)Yes, they can....but trust me you don't want to. Do A0/A1 only on the large format printers and leave A3, A4 etc. for you're MFP's and lasers.

 

5) Anything from the HP Designjet range.

 

6) They're expensive to purchase. And there's a wealth of paper options but check what paper roll types are compatible with you're chosen printer. A small subset may only be available if you go with a 24inch model. Also, they're the oppposite of fast.

[plexer]

But the designjets are large inkjets aren't they not actually plotters that use pens?

 

Plotters that use pens are only any good for line drawings, plans etc...

 

Ben

[torledo]

But the designjets are large inkjets aren't they not actually plotters that use pens?

 

Plotters that use pens are only any good for line drawings, plans etc...

 

Ben

 

Yes, the deisgnjets are essentialy large inkjets but the TS mentioned Large Format printers which the designjet range is....and i assumed by plotters he meant an LFP for print not specifically a CAD plotter thingy. Perhaps bad choice of work 'plotter'

TS should clarify.

Edited March 13, 2008 by torledo

[mrforgetful]

Yeh didn't mean a plotter meant a printer.