Not all plotter printers have the same capabilities, so some may not meet your printing needs and expectations. Plus, plotter printers are no small investment, so you need to ensure you’re purchasing the right one. The last thing you want to do is drag a huge printer out to a return center. To help you find the type that’s perfect for your business, let’s review what you should look for when buying a plotter printer.
Quality and Color
This may go without saying, but the larger the printer, the higher the image’s quality. Not all plotters print in color either since some only print in black and white. When looking for the right plotter printer, consider your specific quality and color needs. On average, most quality images are approximately 300 dpi, but plotter printers can reach up to 1,400 dpi, depending on the model.
Print Volume
Plotter printers vary in volume. The measurement for this volume is how many square feet they can print monthly. Ideally, you should have a general notion of how much your print per month. Low-volume printers can print about 2,000 to 3,000 square feet per month. Mid-volume to high-volume printers can print around 6,000 to 10,000 square feet monthly. If you tend to print in large batches at once, it’s more cost effective to buy a large-volume printer for the output speed and capacity.
Size and Space Needs
When buying a plotter printer, one of the first things you should look at and pay close attention to is the size. As mentioned, plotter printers can take up lots of space, and the higher your printer requirements are, the bigger the printer will be. While it may be convenient to get a smaller printer to meet your space needs, it might not fulfill your sizing requirements. Ultimately, you may have to compromise and clear out a space. If not, you’ll have to downsize on quality, which isn’t an option for most businesses.
Plotter Types
There are three main categories of plotter printers: flatbed, drum, and inkjet. Drum plotters are the most common, and in this model, the drum moves while the pen stays still to create the image. However, you can only print on limited, flexible materials. Inkjet printers are the most affordable and the smallest, and while you can get rather sharp details, they’re not suitable for printing images with complex colors.
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