Large Format Printer Recommendation

[Yr Blues]

I'm using it for freelance print design. More to proof the composition than to get accurate colors. I'm looking for crisp vectors and fonts and I hate slow printers.

Large format is a must, 13x19 and up. I would like to print on newsprint sometimes (maybe even newsprint on a roll), but I'm not really into paper experimentation.

My budget is $500-$1500, but I'm willing to hear about something outside of the range.

Computers are easy to pick. Printers are impossible.

 

[OzExige]

My budget is $500-$1500, but I'm willing to hear about something outside of the range.

Computers are easy to pick. Printers are impossible.

I use an HP Designjet 120 with roll feed, unfortunately it's not compatible with Leopard at the moment but it was dirt cheap, if you can find one.

Good luck

 

[Yr Blues]

I use an HP Designjet 120 with roll feed, unfortunately it's not compatible with Leopard at the moment but it was dirt cheap, if you can find one.

Good luck

How do you like it? I'm looking at the website now. Leopard's been out for way too long already.

 

[shecky]

we use a canon pixma pro9000 for comps and proofing. love it. was less than $350 with rebate from B+H.

 

[Yr Blues]

we use a canon pixma pro9000 for comps and proofing. love it. was less than $350 with rebate from B+H.

I would go with the HP Photosmart Pro B8350 in the same price range because it isn't dye-based. The HP DesignJet 130 sounds like a winner.

 

[LeviG]

Another vote for canon and last time I checked I'm sure the iP9000 was pigment based.

 

[Yr Blues]

So my final choice(s) will be for the HP DesignJet 90 or 130, however much money I have at the time. I base my decision on the fact that HP printers are best for newsprint paper and the ink does not use dyes and the color isn't hyped. Also, I was happy with the HP LaserJet 5000 that served me for many many years. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Kwill]

Technically, large-format printers are those that accommodate rolls of at least 24". Wide-format printers utilize tabloid or super B and sometimes also accept banner through a rear slot.

For the price, what you are considering sounds nice. Here, I use a 5-tray Xerox 7750 laser printer for tabloid, HP DesignJet Z3100 PS (44") and 5000 (60") large-format printers. Reviews are available on my Web site. But, as I say, you seem to have more economical alternatives.

My advice to anyone shopping printers is to make certain it does what you require. A good price on a tabloid printer does little good if you really need to print Super B or larger. Also factor in the total cost of ownership. It is surprising how some printers have tiny 3.5-milliliter cartridges while others as much as 775 milliliters.

 

[Yr Blues]

Thanks Kwill, I'm looking at your site right now.