To create a beautiful image on a large poster using huge printers called plotters. They support working with A1 and A0 formats. They work as a pair with a computer on which drivers are installed, and autonomously. Perhaps a network connection and sending print tasks from multiple PCs. Depending on the company's activities, you need to be able to correctly select devices with different characteristics and operating principle, so we prepared a rating of the best plotters with inkjet cartridges, solvent, textile and UV plotters.
Top inkjet plotters
To print a bright advertising poster or billboard for a cultural event, inkjet plotters are used, the best of which are models with an economical supply of pigment and a high speed of applying paint. Inkjet technology allows you to have a variety of colors and apply them to large paper sizes.
Canon imagePROGRAF iPF670 - with intermediate ink camera
This is the best plotter for bright posters, due to the presence in the technology of an intermediate chamber that collects ink between the cartridge and the print head. This allows you to more accurately serve the amount of paint, creating a juicy drawings without stains or gaps.
The device also has compact dimensions for such large equipment, which are 698x997x507 mm. Paper is fed from the roll embedded inside.
Pros:
- the mass of the device is 43 kg;
- maximum print width is 610 mm;
- Reactive inks with bright colors are used;
- 2400х1200 dpi high resolution provides clear lines;
- connecting to a PC via USB or connecting to an internal network, and working simultaneously with several computers;
- 4 color cartridges and 1 black;
- work with A1 format;
- There are two printing modes: economical and standard;
- rolls with a diameter of 150 mm are placed;
- noise level 48 dB;
- automatic cleaning nozzles;
- the cost of 40,000 rubles;
- "Hot" replacement ink tanks eliminates downtime.
Minuses:
- fail to insert A0 size paper;
- print speed per page per 42 s;
- 256 MB own device memory;
- consumes 140 watts per hour.
Epson SureColor SC-T5200 - for complex construction drawings
This is the best plotter for creating accurate graphics from thin lines in the engineering field. This is possible thanks to the precise positioning of the ink drop and high-speed data processing algorithm.
Ink gives a deep black color for technical graphics. Supports the device and color printing, for which 4 pigment cartridges are supplied. The plotter is installed on its own stand with wheels.
Pros:
- bracket and receiving tray for large drawings are already included;
- control of the process through its own display in the right side of the case;
- the wheels allow you to move 80 kg of the device to the right place by one person;
- micro piezojet printing system with high precision lines;
- maximum creation width of the image 914 mm;
- graphics with a resolution of 2880x1440 dpi;
- A1 print in just 28 seconds;
- connection to the network via a switch or direct interaction with a PC via USB;
- work with both tracing paper 0.08 mm and drawing paper 1.5 mm thick;
- own RAM 1 GB;
- A0 format support;
- loading of a roll with a diameter of 150 mm;
- electricity consumption 65 watts;
- 320 GB hard drive;
- 1.6 GHz dual processor;
- Automatic check of nozzles every 15 seconds and cleaning as necessary.
Minuses:
- high cost of 200,000 rubles;
- very large dimensions 813x1405x1128 mm;
- 2.5 inch small screen;
- bandwidth of the Ethernet port is 100 Mb / s;
- weight 84 kg
Top Solvent Plotters
These are devices of a more expensive class with the possibility of continuous work many hours a day for the mass production of outdoor advertising, artistic posters, elements for decorating rooms, and reproductions. For this purpose, solvent inks with fast drying and high adhesion to various types of paper are used.
Mimaki JV150-160 - with uninterrupted submission
This unit is distinguished by an uninterrupted ink supply unit, where each color has two cartridges. When the ink is drained in one container, a red diode with its number lights up, and the system automatically switches to the second with the same color, and the first one can be replaced without stopping printing.
This greatly improves performance. Control without a PC is via the USB port with the Direct program and the push-button console on the right side.
Pros:
- maximum print width 1610 mm;
- creation of accurate drawings when expanding 1440x1440 dpi;
- You can change the size of the drop in the settings;
- uninterrupted ink supply;
- 8 cartridges and eight-channel head;
- piezoelectric printing technology;
- installation of rolls with an outer diameter up to 250 mm and weighing up to 40 kg;
- automatic recognition of failed nozzles;
- accurate winding of a roll with material underwind using Auto Media Feeder;
- long work without observation of the operator;
- advanced technology using orange tint as a profile color;
- print speed of 56 m2 / hour.
Minuses:
- work at air humidity not higher than 65% is allowed;
- power consumption is 1920 W;
- huge dimensions of 700x1392x2745 mm;
- a large weight of 185 kg;
- one year warranty;
- cost 800,000 rubles.
Roland VersaStudio BN-20 - with cutting function
This is a desktop compact plotter for printing small, but bright posters. It is conveniently located near the computer. The maximum possible width of the pattern is 480 mm.
The advantage of the device is the ability to evenly cut the edge thanks to the built-in knives inside the case, which significantly saves time on reconfiguring equipment and allows you to produce finished products for laminating and placement.
Pros:
- ink with high resistance to external factors for long-term color retention;
- piezo-jet printing technology;
- 6 colors are used for bright pictures;
- diameter of loaded rolls up to 150 mm;
- roll weight for a small plotter within 6 kg;
- error less than 0.3%;
- works at a humidity of 80%;
- compact dimensions 585x995x291 mm;
- weight 35 kg is convenient for rearrangement by one person.
Minuses:
- there is no continuous ink supply system;
- for printing, paper no more than 1 mm thick is needed;
- cost 486,000 rubles.
Top textile plotters
This type of equipment is used in the advertising industry to print banners and signs on large cloths made of cloth. For this dispersion ink is used. Such dyes are deeply absorbed into the fabric and retain a clear pattern for a long time.
The best plotters are able to create graphics on cotton and other canvases. The special effect is achieved with the use of special impregnation, eliminating smearing of paints.
Mimaki JV300-160 - with 9 cartridges
The device belongs to the professional equipment and has 9 embedded cartridges that can create a bright picture with colorful shades. As an option, provides uninterrupted print connection for increased productivity.
To make banners with high accuracy of the pattern in the settings, you can change the size of the supplied drops. The entire system is serviced by a raster processor RIP.
Pros:
- eco-solvent inks with high penetration and instant drying;
- maximum roll weight up to 40 kg (including fabric materials);
- the press on cloths up to 1620 mm wide;
- piezo jet technology;
- slight heating during operation up to 30 degrees;
- print speed on PVC banners up to 106 m2 / hour;
- it is allowed to use ink of different brands (SS21, BS3);
- printheads are staggered, which increases the passage area at a time;
- wave voltage on the membrane to create drops of an ideal spherical shape;
- support for high resolution printing and low resolution speed;
- use a new light black pigment to create halftones.
Minuses:
- does not connect to the internal network (it interacts with only one computer or autonomously via the USB connector);
- the cost of 1,300,000 rubles;
- high power consumption 2880 W;
- weight 173 kg is difficult to transport;
- dimensions are 2745х700х1445 mm;
- work in rooms with humidity not more than 65%.
Epson SureColor SC-F2000 - for printing on T-shirts
The model is best suited for creating vivid images and printing photos on T-shirts. Manufacturers were able to achieve the technology of deep penetration of paint, even on canvases with 50% cotton content and a thickness of 2.5 mm.
The plotter has a convenient stand for the location of the material, where you can lower the sleeves and clothing collar so that they do not interfere with printing. Stand out from under the nozzles on the rollers.
Pros:
- inkjet printing on cotton and mixed types of fabric without the need for a roll feed (refilling clothing directly into the printer);
- changing the size of the drop to adjust the clarity of the picture depending on the absorbency of the material;
- work through a PC or a network connection via a switch;
- clothing width (print area) or banner up to 406 mm;
- combining colors from a palette of 5 pigments;
- power supply of 52 watts per hour;
- automatic head cleaning system.
Minuses:
- no continuous ink supply;
- cost 882,000 rubles;
- weight 82 kg requires floor placement.
Best UV Plotters
These are devices with ultraviolet printing technology, where liquid ink is treated with UV rays and, curing, harden. The paint is not absorbed deep into, but remains on the surface, but in a solid form, resistant to washing off with water or sunlight.
This gives bright images that can be applied not only on paper and film, but also on hard surfaces, which is actively used in souvenirs or advertising products in the form of tablets.
Mimaki UJF-3042 MkII - for small signs
This is the best plotter for the manufacture of small advertising signs on solid materials. To install the workpiece has a wide hole under the print head.
Paint is supplied continuously from the bottle containers located on the right side of the case. If you use an additional device, it is possible to create patterns on cylindrical objects, even around the entire circumference.
Pros:
- despite the volumetric installation, power consumption is 1 kW;
- printing can be applied to objects with a thickness of up to 153 mm;
- dimensions of the material to the maximum are allowed 300x420 mm;
- slight heat when working up to 30 degrees;
- ultraviolet LED radiation for ink drying;
- already supplied with containers filled with paint;
- Gigabit port for switch connection and control from different computers, or printing from a USB flash drive via a USB connector;
- material weight is allowed up to 5 kg;
- high resolution of the image 1200x1200 dpi;
- the device uses three printheads at once, which are staggered to increase the area of passage at a time;
- print speed increased by 20% compared to previous versions of the device;
- stepless transition in shades;
- printing on quartz glass, metal or polymeric materials;
- UV radiation occurs without heating, which allows you to put pictures on heat-sensitive surfaces;
- printing on cylinders with the use of additional devices.
Minuses:
- the high cost of 1600000 rubles;
- can be used if the indoor humidity is not more than 65%;
- weight 135 kg is difficult to transport.
Mimaki JFX200-2531 - for huge signs
This is the best UV plotter for making huge signs and signs. The maximum print width on a solid surface is 2500 mm.To this end, the device has a large support table capable of supporting objects weighing up to 50 kg, along which the beam with the writing head moves.
Eight paint tanks are located at the bottom of the table, directly under the control panel, and are convenient for quick replacement.
Pros:
- adjustment of the position of the table using the built-in stop plates on the thread;
- two heads are installed in a staggered manner, which contributes to the acceleration of printing;
- uninterrupted supply of ink from the tanks with a volume of 1 l each;
- LED source of UV rays does not overheat the surface and contributes to baking paint;
- the function of loading media in the process of printing allows the operator to put a new object without waiting for the end of work with the previous one;
- the vacuum clamp frees the serving person from having to control the position of the product;
- it can be applied in the furniture and glass industry;
- linear ionizer removes static charge.
Minuses:
- the cost of 6,800,000 rubles;
- 1200x1200 print resolution is small for such sizes of plates, although it will be noticeable only upon close examination;
- no network connection;
- high power consumption 4.8 kW;
- the huge size of the installation is 1250x4400x4290 mm.
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