Large format professional printer: how to choose the right one?

Also called a plotter, a large format printer is used to print graphical representations or plans on large sheets. Here are our tips for choosing the right one.

How does a large format printer work?

A large format printer looks like a traditional printer. However, the latter, equipped with a toner, prints by projecting liquid ink in the right place on the paper. Conversely, a large format A3 printer uses a special pencil, pen or other writing tool.

The large format printer remains the preferred tool for large-scale jobs. They can print large worksheets without losing resolution. Conversely, toner printer cartridges HE Tuber are less powerful.

Plotters can also print on unusual materials, such as metal, plywood or even plastic. Essential for some businesses, they however require significant storage space and cost more than traditional printers.

Many technical criteria

Before purchasing a large format printer, the first detail to check should be the print format you want to obtain. Indeed, an events agency that prints advertising banners does not have the same needs as an architectural firm that wants to put its plans down on paper.

Also pay attention to the printing speed of the plotter, as this determining factor will influence the productivity of your business. We advise you to choose a printer with an average speed of 8 to 10 sheets per second. Plotters with 2 or 3 spools are recommended for high volume printing.

Other criteria depend on what you are going to use the printer for. First, we recommend that you use equipment that can be connected to an internal hard drive if you need to print a large volume of files. This saves you time.

In the same way, adapt the choice of ink to the type of printing desired. For example, pigment inks are perfect for printing posters exposed for short periods of time. For a more eco-responsible approach, you can opt for latex inks.

The price, a factor not to be neglected

Once you have built technical specifications for your next large format printer, all you have to do is establish a forecast budget before taking action. Purchasing a plotter can actually be quite expensive. Count between 23,000 and 26,000 euros excluding tax for a large format multifunction printer with 2400 DPI resolution. A more basic plotter can cost less than 3,000 euros excluding tax, but then you benefit from lower quality. By forecasting all expenses related to the use of the large format printer (cartridges, papers, inks, maintenance costs), you gain a better idea of ​​the overall cost in the long term.