topic Re: New wide format plotter. in Installation & update

New wide format plotter.

Steve Jepson — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 10:49:39 GMT

I need to buy a new plotter. I want the very best quality prints possible. I am willing to trade speed for quality.
I need to make 24x36 prints.
I usually have lots of hi-res graphics in the plans.
I make .pdf's and print that.
I want the quality of my 1200 dpi LaserJet.
I would like color but not at the expense of hi-res quality.

Any recommendations or advise besides letting the local priters do it on a machine i can't afford or fit in my building?

Re: New wide format plotter.

Rakela Raul — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 13:59:35 GMT

hp 4000 just acquired, 3 times faster than hp 1050 (according to hp)
about 10,000 dls......hope as reliable as the 1050!! so far so good

Re: New wide format plotter.

Steve Jepson — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 14:19:15 GMT

i heard that you can print transparencies on that. Is that true? I can spend only about 1/2 that much. I am considering the hp 800ps 24"

Do i need ps? I don't even know what that is.

Re: New wide format plotter.

Rakela Raul — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 14:51:15 GMT

probably yes for transparencies but not sure.....if u dont print high res pictures/posters u dont need post scripts i was told (2,000 dls extra btw)
we do have ps in our 1050 which was a waste i think and we didnt get it x the 4000...(im in the middle just passing info to u, sorry)

Re: New wide format plotter.

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:24:44 GMT

It mainly depends on how much money you have available to spend on a large format printer. I'm partial to the HP Designjet Printers. I feel that you get more bang for the buck (AND, I supported HP products in the DesignJet group for over 2 years).
We are currently running a DesignJet 5500 UV, and I have not had a single problem with it. We were running our prints on a designjet 800 previously, and didn't have too much trouble with that, other than speed. Our 5500 currently will print out an ARCH D (24x36 inch) size page in a little over 2 minutes (this is printed on a 36" roll). The other reason we opted for the 5500 was for the UV ink kit. The UV inks don't run and bleed when exposed to the elements. Previously with our 800, we would need to do quite a bit of reprints here and there due to the fact that plans were left out in the rain, or got to sunbleached etc. etc.
The Designjet 800 is a reasonable printer, but it would in no way keep up with our current production. Our 5500 is usually spitting out approx 500-700 feet of 36" paper on an average day.
The 800 is quite a bit slower, but it does render some nicely done prints (graphical) as well as linear data documentation. If your budget is even tighter than the 800. . .you could go to the 500. The 500 has the exact same print engine as the 800; it just doesn't have an onboard print processor card. Effectively this means that if you want to print out data from plotmaker to a 500, you would use the PRINT function instead of the PLOT function; as your pc would handle all of the print processing with the designjet 500.

EDIT: yes you can print transparencies on both the 5500, 800, and 500. The main thing to look for is that it has a white back on the media (this is pealed away at the completion of a print job), and that it is compatible with either the dye or UV (if you have a 5500) based inks.
Sorry for the book, but I hope that helps you some.

Re: New wide format plotter.

Steve Jepson — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:56:59 GMT

thanks very much Chad for that info. It is very helpful. I do want an HP.
The 800 is the most speed I could afford. The 2400 x 1200 dpi has me drooling.

What about ps? I do like to use a lot of graphics in my plans and lots of fills with subtle differences.

I thought I had an 800ps 24" from e-bay for $2,500 but the seller pulled it from the auction about an hour before it closed saying that it had just been hit by a forklift and could no longer be sold. yea right! I was the only bidder.

Re: New wide format plotter.

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:47:23 GMT

The PS models have a bit more memory, and of course the postscript functionality with them. Now I'm not sure on the pricing, and what platform you are running on; MAC or PC. . .but in my past experience all that the PS model gives you is a bit more functionality with the older MAC OSses, and pulls a few more zeroes out of your wallet. If you are running on a current PC or MAC platform, you will NOT notice a difference in performance between the PS and standard model. The main thing to keep in mind is that with plotmaker you are actually outputting in GL/2 language and not postscript at all in the first place. So if you are mainly going to be printing from plotmaker / archicad, there won't be much reason to have the PS model. In my own opinion it's a bit much to pay for that Adobe sticker they put on the front of your printer. . .

Re: New wide format plotter.

Steve Jepson — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 23:48:06 GMT

I havent made .plt's for several years now. I just make .pdf files. I don't use the Amyuni thing. I just select the Adobe Acrobat 7.0.3 Pro. as my printer. Do you think a ps printer would make a difference printing .pdf's ? What do you make? .pdf or .plt ?

Re: New wide format plotter.

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:08:30 GMT

Steve wrote:
Do you think a ps printer would make a difference printing .pdf's ? What do you make? .pdf or .plt ?

We use both .PLTs and .PDFs, however we predominantly use .PDFs (creaded with Adobe Acrobat; I can't stand the Amiyuni converter myself. . .talk about a bloated print job). The only functionality that you would get from printing a .PDF with a postscript model printer, is the ability to FTP the .PDF directly to the printer. If all you do is what 98% of .PDF users do; open the file up in acrobat, set the print size, and hit print. . .you'd be wasting money for that PS sticker on the front of the 800.

Re: New wide format plotter.

Steve Jepson — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 04:35:01 GMT

Thanks very much for the info. Especially for he tip about the UV ink.

Re: New wide format plotter.

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 23:17:49 GMT

Again, looking for info on the smaller, cheaper HP 110plus, nr. The nr means roll feeder is included.

Thanks,

-Jay S.