What is a plotter and how does it work?

29 Jul.,2024

 

What is a plotter and how does it work?

What is a plotter?

A plotter is a printer that interprets commands from a computer to make line drawings on paper with one or more automated pens. Unlike a regular printer, a plotter can draw continuous point-to-point lines directly from vector graphic files or commands.

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Types of plotters include the following:

  • Drum plotters, which draw on paper wrapped around a drum that turns to produce one direction of the plot while the pens move to provide the other direction.
  • Flatbed plotters, which draw on paper placed on a flat surface.
  • Electrostatic plotters, which draw on negatively charged paper with positively charged toner.
  • Inkjet plotters, which use inkjet printer technology and colored inkjet pens to deliver beads of ink in an assortment of colors to the drawing surface using vector graphic technology to move the pen plotters.

HP is the leading vendor of plotters worldwide. Other manufacturers in this market include Canon, Epson and Graphtec.

The Epson SureColor TD is a 44-inch, large format, dual-roll technical printer.

How are plotters used?

Plotters are also referred to as large-format printers and wide-format printers. They were the first type of output device that could print high-resolution continuous lines, text and images with color and generate graphics and full-sized engineering drawings.

Plotters are more expensive than traditional printers. They are frequently used for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) applications, such as computer-aided design or CAD drawings. Plotter uses also include generating blueprints, graphs, technical drawings and architectural drawings.

Cutting plotters can be programmed to generate an image and also cut out the image using special cutting tools or lasers. This is useful for working with materials besides paper, such as vinyl that's used to create signs and billboards.

The HP DesignJet T830 is a large-format, multifunction plotter printer.

Plotter software

The two types of plotter software on the market are the following:

  1. General-purpose software supports a range of drawing requirements.
  2. Special-purpose software is designed to help nonprogrammers use the graphics applications properly. Examples of special-purpose plotter software include CAD, painting, business systems and medical systems.

Pros and cons of using plotters

The advantages of using a plotter include the following:

  • Specialized applications. Plotters can generate high-resolution line drawing, images, graphics and text for specialized applications, such as printing on large pieces of paper on a flatbed type of printer.
  • Variety of material. Besides paper, plotters can print on other surfaces, such as cardboard, fabrics, plastic, plywood and aluminum.
  • Repetition. They can repeat the same pattern many times, with no degradation of image quality.
  • Quality. Traditional printers can generate similar images to those of a plotter printer, but often without the clarity, especially with complex line drawings.

Some drawbacks associated with plotters include the following:

  1. Size. They are typically larger than traditional printers.
  2. Cost. They usually cost more than traditional printers.

Plotter evaluation and selection

The application and its requirements will determine the type of plotter and software needed for a task. An online search can identify plotter candidates and vendors. Consider the secondary market of used and reconditioned plotters as a cost-effective alternative for obtaining a suitable device.

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Increasingly, computer hardware devices are being offered using the as-a-service model. Learn more about the device-as-a-service option.

Flatbed plotter advantages & disadvantages

A plotter printer differs from a standard, traditional printer in that it uses a pen, pencil or marker to place ink onto paper or any other material being used. Whereas a traditional printer prints in dots, the line printing of a plotter allows for much greater accuracy which makes it ideal for businesses in the architecture, construction and engineering sectors. They are also commonly referred to as Technical, CAD and GIS printers.

A plotter printer differs from a standard, traditional printer in that it uses a pen, pencil or marker to place ink onto paper or any other material being used. Whereas a traditional printer prints in dots, the line printing of a plotter allows for much greater accuracy which makes it ideal for businesses in the architecture, construction and engineering sectors. They are also commonly referred to as Technical, CAD and GIS printers.

If you&#;re in the market for a plotter printer, then you&#;ve come to the right place! We have a huge range of plotter printers available and a wealth of experience and knowledge to help you find the one you need. We specialise in large-format printers, and if this is something you don&#;t know too much about then here are the advantages and disadvantages of having a flatbed plotter printer.

The advantages of a flat-bed plotter printer

Size &#; Large plotter printers are capable of printing on material which is as large as 60 inches wide. This means that if you&#;re printing a large design or blueprint, a large-format printer is capable of putting it all onto the same page, rather than two pages. This increases the accuracy of the printing. What&#;s more, no matter what the size you are printing on, a plotter printer will maintain a high-quality resolution throughout.

Different materials &#; Many plotter printers can print onto other materials as well as paper. That might be plywood, cardboard, plastic or even aluminium. Basically, any flat sheet material! The variety of use is ideal if your business prints according to customer need as it allows you to offer a much more varied service.

Quality every time &#; The beauty of a plotter printer is that it can reproduce the same template again and again with no deterioration in the quality of the line drawing.

The disadvantages of a flat-bed plotter printer

Size &#; While the large size may be an advantage in terms of the variety of what you can print, it can be a logistical nightmare. In a busy work environment, you&#;ll need to find a large space sufficient to house not only the printer but also to allow the printed material to feed through as well. There is technology which can help with this though, with loads of large-format plotter printers coming with an in-built wi-fi connection. This means that you can place it within your office wherever it is most convenient rather than having to worry about the distance to your computer.

Price &#; The cost of a plotter printer can feel very prohibitive, particularly to new businesses or ones who haven&#;t invested in a plotter printer before. The advanced technology does mean that plotter printers are much more expensive than traditional printers but there are options to assist. Here at Perfect Colours, we offer rental options which allow you to pay a small monthly cost rather than a one-off larger cost. Alternatively, we also have a range of second-hand printers which you might consider if you want to keep costs low.

If now is the time for your business to invest in a flatbed plotter then give us a call today. Our team of experts will be able to discuss with you your business needs to ensure we find the right one for you.You can also check our range of flatbed printers or explore some popular brands, HP Flatbed, Epson Flatbed, Jetrix large format flatbed printers and Canon Océ Large Format Outdoor Printers.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of flatbed plotter cutter. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.