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In the AEC industry, every line, angle, and detail matters. Your tools influence project success; outdated printing technology can compromise even the most brilliant design.
Old, legacy plotters can run incredibly slow, eat your budget with wasted materials, and cause delays that ripple through the entire project timeline. These setbacks can be costly in a world of tight deadlines and demanding clients.
So, ensuring that you invest in a cutting-edge plotter is a wise strategic move. The latest generation of large-format printers empowers you with:
- Uncompromising precision:
- Optimized workflows:
- Increase efficiency and save time with faster printing speeds and seamless media handling.
- Presentation-ready output:
- Deliver stunning visuals and high-quality drawings that impress clients and stakeholders, strengthening your professional image.
Learn valuable tips about choosing a new Canon plotter that seamlessly integrates into your workflow, maximizes productivity, and elevates the quality of your output.
Some things to think about when picking a plotter
Are you looking to print CAD drawings or more high-end graphics?
Do you have a preference for Inkjet or toner-based technology?
Do you need to print color, B/W, or both?
What types of print media would you like to print on?
What is your estimated print volume? (Usually stated in either sheets or square feet)
Do you want a 36-inch output or perhaps another size?
What kind of print speed would serve you best?
How many users will access the printer?
Do you need multifunction (copy/scan) functionality?
This article focuses on new Canon plotter options. While there are other manufacturers, this information is dedicated to the Canon portfolio.
A word about used plotters
You may feel that there are some fantastic deals on used plotters, but beware, they can be precarious investments. Often, used machines are traded by brokers who do not pack or ship these units correctly. I could tell you horror stories of some shipping damage I have seen through the years. Honestly, it is best to go through a reputable dealer.
If you are considering used equipment, do your homework and ensure the manufacturer still supports it. Getting a great deal on a used plotter doesn't do you good if the machine fails six months later and you can’t find replacement parts.
This situation quickly relegates that “bargain plotter” to boat anchor status in a heartbeat.
How Much Do You Need to Print?
As with all print equipment, the duty cycle and print speed significantly improve the user experience. This brings up another great point - don’t simply decide on a new plotter based on the spec sheet.
Reviewing system specs can give you some great insight, but they miss all of the nuances of the human interactions, like how the machine neatly stacks printed sheets, so you don’t have to hand sort a nasty mess of drawings.
Or you are getting a new machine only to learn that the entire system needs to be pulled away from the wall to load paper. Make sure your new system will be one the whole office will enjoy using.
Scanning Drawings to Digital Files
Do you need to scan drawings? Consider an MFP (multifunction printer) with a wide-format scanner mounted on the printer. This new single-footprint design adds extra functionality without wasting valuable floor space.
Not everyone needs scanning, but companies often default to purchasing an MFP (multifunction printer) that includes a plotter, wide-format scanner, and a dedicated controller PC.
This feature is needed if you have physical sheets to reproduce (copy) or scan into a digital format, such as PDF.
One or Two Paper Rolls?
Some Canon imagePROGRAF models today allow you to have one or two media rolls. This dramatically increases the system's convenience as you can load two different-sized rolls or paper types to print on demand.
Often, our customers keep a roll of 36-inch paper and another roll of 30-inch paper loaded. This lets them print 24”x 36” ARCH Ds or 30”x 42” sheets without physically changing anything on the machine. How convenient is that?
How Wide Do You Need to Print?
Typically, technical plotters are either 24”, 36”, or 44” wide. The most common size is 36 inches. One reason for this is that a 36-inch plotter printer machine is capable of printing any size up to 36”x 48” (which is now uncommon).
There is a situation, such as GIS or Oil & Gas, when a 40”+ is needed, but generally speaking, a 36-inch system gets the job done 90%+ of the time.
If space is an issue or budget constraints are a concern, there are 24-inch options for both plotters and MFPs. But beware: You are limited to a maximum sheet size of ARCH D (24”x 36”).
Use Every Drop of Ink in the Tank
The exclusive Canon Sub-Ink Tank System allows virtually all available ink in a tank to be used before replacing it, helping to eliminate wasted ink.
The empty tanks can also be replaced on the fly without stopping the printer, which is extremely useful during long print jobs. This dramatically enhances the plotter's dynamic functionality and gives you peace of mind that no ink is discarded when the ink tanks are replaced.
The Best Plotter Printers Available Today from Canon (Listed From Smallest to Largest)
Several plotter printers are available today, so we've compiled a list of Canon's top ones.
Canon TM-250 - 24-inch plotter
The TM-250 CAD printer is ideal for printing technical documents, CAD line drawings, GIS maps, posters, signage, and displays.
The Canon TM-250's small 24-inch form factor makes it an extremely versatile printer. However, since it is a 24-inch printer, you are limited to a max print size of ARCH D (24”x 36”).
This is an excellent solution for small or home offices that print 5-10 sheets daily, less than 3,000 square feet per month.
>> More info about Canon TM-250
Canon TM-250 L24ei - 24-inch MFP (Plotter with scanner)
The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-250 MFP LM24, an extensive format imaging system, is an affordable scan-to-copy/file system for low-volume and entry-level users.
With a 24-inch scanner, this MFP is designed for architects, engineers, consulting firms, small offices, and K-12 schools that require a minimal learning curve for new equipment.
Offering more than just scan-to-copy functionality, this imaging system allows you to scan to USB, scan to copy and archive, scan to multipage PDF and send it to your PC, and reduce and enlarge images.
This is an excellent solution for small or home offices that print 5-10 sheets daily, less than 3,000 square feet per month.
>> More info about Canon TM-250 MFP LM24
Canon TM-350/355 plotter
The TM Series is a superb 36-inch general-purpose printer that can print everything from construction drawings to GIS maps, posters, signs, and more.
The TM series is built with Canon patented technologies and is nearly 60% quieter than previous models. The new Canon LUCIA TD inks are fade-proof and water-resistant.
The difference between the 350 and the 355 is that the TM-355 includes an internal 500GB hard drive. This benefits spooling larger, more complex files, job spooling, and other advanced features.
Be advised that the TM-300 and TM-305 are only one-roll printers. Consider the TX series or the new TZ-32000 for more onboard paper capacity.
The TM-350 and TM-355 are great solutions for small or home offices that print 5-50 sheets per day and less than 4,000 square feet per month.
>>More info about Canon TM-350/355
Canon TM-350 LM36 - 36-inch MFP (Plotter with scanner)
Like the Canon TM-250 MFP LM24, the TM-350 MFP LM36 utilizes a simple Colortrac LM scanner, an affordable, entry-level scan-to-copy/file system for low-volume users.
With a 36-inch scanner, this MFP is designed for users who need a “no frills” package with a minimal learning curve.
Likewise, the TM-300 Lei offers more than just the scan-to-copy functionality. This imaging system allows you to scan to USB, copy and archive, multipage PDF and scan to your PC, and reduce and enlarge images.
This is an excellent solution for small or home offices that print 5-10 sheets daily, less than 4,000 square feet per month.
>> More info about Canon TM MFP Lei
Canon TM-350/355 MFP Z36 (Plotter with scanner)
The Canon TM-350 MFP Z36 Scan-To-Copy/File/Share system has everything needed to copy, scan, archive, and share maps, drawings, renderings, and posters.
It combines the robust and reliable TM-350 or TM-355 plotter with the latest Colortrac Z36 color scanner.
This multi-component system allows you to be more productive by printing and scanning simultaneously. The Win 10 AIO (All-in-One PC) has an intuitive GUI design for simplified printer management.
Like the plotter-only versions of the TM-350 and TM-355, these MFP versions are perfect for small offices or home offices that print 5-50 sheets per day and less than 4,000 square feet per month.
>> More info about Canon TM-300 MFP and TM-305 MFP
Canon TX-3200/4200 MFP (Plotter with scanner)
The Canon TX series are the models that are truly made for a shared workgroup environment. They are larger, more robust, and more capable than any of the TM Series.
Also, the Canon TX models can be configured with two paper rolls. So, you can load two different sizes and types of media to print on demand.
These MFPs have been upgraded with faster printing speeds, an enhanced automatic roll-loading function, and free-size borderless printing to improve productivity and efficiency.
Preprocessing technology between pages and a faster cutter speed help achieve faster printing speeds than ever before.
This MFP includes a production CAD printer, a Z36 scanner, and an intuitive system controller. Like other models, the TX-Series is a powerful addition to Canon’s portfolio of large-format printers.
The TX product line offers two different-sized units: the TX-3200 MFP is a 36-inch printer/scanner combo, and the TX-4200 MFP is a 44-inch combination unit.
They are usually purchased as full-functioning multifunction systems with a scanner and controller PC, but the TX series is also available in a plotter-only configuration.
As a more robust platform, the TX-Series is a good fit for mid-size offices or locations that require a more dynamic printing resource.
These machines are reliable in printing environments that require up to 6,000 square feet per month (1000 D-size sheets per month).
>> Get a custom quote
Canon TZ-32000 MFP (Plotter with scanner)
Canon’s latest edition is both the fastest and most powerful. The new TZ-32000 MFP allows you to plot, copy, and scan faster than ever in full color. This innovative, extensive format system is packed with new tech, including automatic paper detection and an improved top stacker to hold up to 100 prints.
The innovative TZ series shares more with more expensive toner-based plotters than other inkjet systems. The single-footprint chassis holds two internal media rolls, the latest color scanner, and an attached all-in-one touchscreen PC controller (Win 10).
Loading paper is a breeze! You load the paper roll on the spindle, place it inside the drawer, and close the door – that’s it! The Canon TZ will automatically spin and load the paper.
The imagePROGRAF TZ automatically senses the media length and width. You only need to select the paper type from the printer’s touchscreen display. Unlike the other Canon models, the TZ comes standard as a two-roll machine.
The Canon TZ 32000 features an integrated Top Output Stacker that can stack 100 sheets of bond paper. An onboard advanced airflow separation system also helps reduce paper jams while keeping prints neatly in place. So, your days of bending over to untangle a jumbled mess of printed bond drawings from an inkjet printer catch basket are over.
Most TZ models tend to be multifunction plotter and scanner units. Still, like other Canons, the TZ can be bought as a plotter-only configuration without a scanner and controller computer.
As the most rugged Canon imagePROGRAF model, the TZ-32000 is the best plotter for a networked workgroup printer with multiple users. It can print up to 10,000 square feet per month.
Which One Should I Buy?
When investing in a new plotter printer or MFP system, there is a lot to consider. It pays to do homework before simply jumping into the expensive lease option. But be careful. Don’t decide on the best plotter and printer based on the information you read in the brochure and spec sheet.
If you're looking for a printer that's easy to use, has a large print area, and prints quickly, you should consider buying one of these plotter printers.
Speak with a trusted manufacturer’s dealer and ask questions. As they say, the Devil is in the details regarding a wide-format technical printer, workflow, and a good user experience.
Which Canon plotter and printer suits you best?
This article was initially published in 2010 and updated in 2024 with the latest Canon models.
You Can Count on TAVCO
In the complex landscape of AEC, you need a vendor as committed to quality and reliability as you are. TAVCO offers just that—high-performance tools like our durable large-format plotters, cutting-edge 3D scanners, and innovative software solutions.
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Ready to take the next step? Chat with a TAVCO specialist today to tailor solutions for your unique needs.
🛒 Or explore our range of products at www.tavcotech.com.
Other notable links to check out regarding picking a plotter:
Top 10 Best Plotter Printers For Architects
5 Best Plotter Printer 2023 | Best Wide Format Printer-Plotters for Blueprints, Architects
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