Anyone know anythign about large-format printers?

[Newc]

Not printing companies, but actual hardware printers.

I'm kinda-sorta looking for/at something like the HP DesignJet line - plotters and such - but am specifically interested in those that can print in color on photo or poster-quality paper.

I know that the better printers do a better job, and nothing beats an offset press, but if I can get something that's "close enough for guvmint work" for about $1500 or less....

[Venomboy]

I have a big HP plotter at work. The quality is good. We print on a cheap roll of paper for test prints then we use some nice glossy paper when we need high quality prints. You gotta be real careful when loading the glossy stuff...your fingerprints never leave and the prints come out a bit wet so you gotta let them dry a bit.

One thing about many printers, depending on the application you print from, your color results may vary. I've printed InDesign and files and a PDF from an InDesign file and there was a noticeable difference in color. Not a bad difference, but they weren't exact matches to each other. So if you're interested in spot-on accuracy, you'll need to learn about calibrating your monitor and using color profiles in your files/images that you print.

I'm not sure if you can get archival inks for these type of plotters. The prints will fade over time, especially if exposed to a lot of light, especially sunglight.

What do you want to use it for? Other than big prints

[Newc]

Mostly so I can do artist proofs for my brother - www.myspace.com/newcombart

If I can get it to print in good enough quality, I may be able to do sellable prints, and/or other items, depending on what I can make the printer do.

I know a little about color profiles and monitor+printer calibration, and I've got a good eye for details (colors and such). I can usually set up printing preferences manually after doing a few test prints to check the color differences between the monitor and printer.

My employer replaced one of their plotters a couple of years ago and dumped the old one - an HP DesignJet 350C IIRC - in a storage closet. I've offered to buy it from them for what I've seen them go for on Ebay, but since the shipping would be well over $100 for one from Ebay....

They're still "looking into it".

[Rich#6]

What size are you looking for? We only have bought HP at work for those type printers. There are a few small ones for that price, but for larger posters we just spent $7,000 on a low end model.

[Newc]

Fortunately all the ones he's done so far have been fairly narrow in actual width, so I may be able to get by with a tabletop model. I looked at the Epson Stylus 3800 but it can only do cut-sheet, not rolls, and has a length limit of 22". I would need at least 30" length capacity. Width would be 17" at most, which the Stylus can handle, unless he decides to do a wider format, which isn't likely at this time.

[Firebird V]

We have a 3800 here at work. nice unit. Also have a 4800 too. Both work very nice. We have the newer k3 ink system on the 4800. We got the 4800 about 3 months ago. We use it for proofing out work for customers that are going to have work done flexo and letter press. We also use it to proof out work that will be run on digital presses like the indigo so we know what to match for color.

[Rich#6]

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/p...Q6656A%2523A2L
check this one out. 18" width and it can handle rolls for $1K.

[Newc]

Thanks. I tried browsing the HP site earlier this morning but every link I clicked was a dead end.

I was watching a DesignJet 130 on Ebay for $650 BIN but it's gone now.
I just saw that HP has a spindle add-on for it, which is when I decided to buy that particular one. It woulda been cheap enough that I could get into it without going too deep.

[Newc]

Found a refurbished-by-HP Designjet 90 on Ebay. Warranty and all standard accessories (cartridges and heads) for $720 total. Ordered some paper from HP and the roll feed, so we'll see how that goes.