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In addition to the HP DesignJets which do a nice job I will mention that the Epson Stylus Pro (9900 model line, ) are also very good large format printers and their photo reproduction is some of the best that can be had in their price range. Of course to get the best quality, one ensures they are matching the particular inks, with the correct paper/banner stock and the right ICC color profiles. The Epson Stylus Pro 9900 Standard edition 44" model list for $5,995.00. If you want the proofing version (which includes and Epson specific version of the EFI Colorproof XF RIP) your at the high end of your price range at $9995.00 list. But from your description of typical use, I wouldn't see where the RIP version would justify it's cost and it does add a layer of complexity to it's use. Both can be purchase normally at a lower than list cost and it just so happens through 10/31/10, Epson is are offering a $1000.00 MFG mail-in rebate on the purchase of either model. http://www.epson.com/_alfresco/proimaging/promotions/printers/Q3-2010/SP79-9900-Std-1000-EA128-C33048.pdf http://www.epson.com/_alfresco/proimaging/promotions/printers/Q3-2010/SP79-9900-PE-1000-EA127-C33047.pdf A few year back, I picked up an older used 9600 model for use with my digital photography and it has worked well and reliably. - Al . >>> > The HP DesignJets are workhorses - I'd say you'd do very well with a new > one. I also believe the 60-inch DesignJet from MSU Printing Services might > still be available for purchase through Surplus Store - it's not the newest > unit ever but it was in good condition when I last worked with it and it > comes with a whole boatload of paper and UV ink. > ---- > Jack Kramer > Computer Systems Specialist > University Relations, Michigan State University > w: 517-884-1231 / c: 248-635-4955 > > > >> From: Gary Schrock <[log in to unmask]> >> Reply-To: Gary Schrock <[log in to unmask]> >> Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 12:36:00 -0400 >> To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> >> Subject: [MSUNAG] large format printer (plotter) recommendations? >> >> Ok, our old DesignJet 1050c printer has finally reached the end (after a >> temperamental last year or two), so we're looking at replacing this. >> Anyone have any thoughts on what a decent large format printer is these >> days? >> >> We're certainly not a large volume printer, I'd say we print between 100 >> and 200 posters a year, and I'd say at least 95% of what we're printing >> is posters for conferences that our faculty and grad students are >> attending. These posters tend to be largely text based, with some line >> or bar graphs on them. Sometimes they have some photos (and when they >> do, we need a fairly decent reproduction of those). We've had enough >> requests for something a little wider than 36" such that we'd like to >> get at least a 42" printer (and quite frankly, anything wider than that >> is probably out of our budget). >> >> We do know about the services offered by the library for printing these, >> but we're still interested in keeping this in house (and the library >> looks like they can only do up to 36", which while for most things is >> ok, it's still something we'd like to be able to go above >> periodically). Our last printer lasted us somewhere between 6 and 10 >> years (long enough that we honestly can't remember exactly when it was >> purchased), so over time I think we do enough printing to justify having >> it in-house. (And of course, over the years it's something that our >> users have gotten used to having available.) >> >> At this point, I've been kind of leaning towards the 44 inch models of >> either the HP T770 or T1200 printers, but I'm wondering if anyone has >> any thoughts on either these models, or other models that I should >> consider. I'd say the upper limit of what we're really looking to pay >> would be about $10k. Our secretarial staff does most of the printing >> (and changing paper, ink, etc), so something that's reasonably easy to >> work with is a plus too (the old 1050c that we had was fine, so as long >> as it wasn't worse than something like that). >> >> Any thoughts? >> >> Thanks, >> Gary