[gis_info] large format printer versus plotter?

[CLINGMAN Bill W]

We have both an HP Designjet 1050C and an HP Designjet 4500PS, and both machines have proven to be extremely reliable over the years, whether they are used daily or only occasionally.  The 4500 utilizes a double-set of printheads to lay down a wider swath and therefore produces faster output.  The 4500 also has much larger capacity ink cartridges, so those don't need to be changed nearly as often.  It is also a much larger and heavier machine, however, and can be a challenge to move from one location to another, if you are contemplating anything like that.  We moved to a new building a couple of years ago, and we had the guys from A & E Imaging in Portland, from whom we also get our paper and ink, come down and get it moved over and set back up for us, and they were great.

Speaking of plotter ink and paper, I recently reviewed our purchasing over the last several years and it has been trending steadily downward.  As more and more of our spatial information is being delivered to end users through electronic means of one kind or another, we find ourselves plotting fewer and fewer large format maps.  I would expect that to be a pretty widespread trend, and perhaps there are a lot of used machines on the market these days, as a result.

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From: gis_info-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us [mailto:gis_info-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Blan, David
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 9:15 AM
To: 'Michele Long'; gis_info at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: Re: [gis_info] large format printer versus plotter?

This past year, we replaced our HP color plotters with a Canon iPF720 and an iPF8000s.  We have been extremely pleased with the quality and speed of the machines.
The iPF720 costs around $4000 and the iPF8000s was around $7500.  See the Canon web page for more specs or e-mail me if you have additional questions.

David Blan
NW Natural
GIS Supervisor
Engineering Services and
Storage Development Dept.
503-226-4211 x4375
________________________________
From: gis_info-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us [mailto:gis_info-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Michele Long
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 8:48 AM
To: gis_info at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: [gis_info] large format printer versus plotter?

I could use some feedback - I have been pushing for a plotter for our office and have now been asked to provide info on the price of a "good one" and all associated software/accessories.  My thoughts were going towards an HP Designjet brand, but not sure which series would suit best.  We would use it mostly for printing maps, signs and occasional posters.  Will not get heavy use (daily) for mapping.  We would use it for graphics that we haven't been able to do on the normal desktop printers.  We only have color on our desktop printers, so no large format color printing right now.  We may make more maps once we get a plotter, but costs are an issue.

Basically - I would like to keep paper and ink costs reasonable.  Is there much choice for map size printers with cost effectiveness on ink and paper?  I know others who have plotters and their ink costs are ridiculous and they go through a lot if both ink and paper.  Is there a printer that can print both roll and single sheet, to save on paper?

Interested in your thoughts/suggestions.

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Michele Long
ODFW North Coast Watershed District
4907 Third St., Tillamook, OR 97141
(503) 842-2741 ext 237
fax (503) 842-8385
Michele.L.Long at state.or.us

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