When it comes to GIS applications, the quality of output plays a vital role in the accurate representation of spatial data. Thus, choosing the right plotter printer—in charge of producing that output—is key to achieving exceptional GIS data documents. The purpose of this article is to provide tips and insights into how one should proceed with choosing a plotter printer, out of the numerous plotter models available, for their GIS operations.

It goes without saying that the factors to consider are many and must be analysed with great care and precision so that the high-quality GIS output demanded is not compromised with a low-performing plotter. By learning how to make a purchase decision in regard to a plotter printer for GIS use and contemplating the best practices, professionals will be able to maintain their GIS operations with an effective printing strategy.

GIS documents come in many styles and levels of detail. Some are charts drawn with clear and precise lines in a single colour. Others are high-detail maps representing layers of both measured and aesthetic data. Your GIS output may need to fit into a stack of printer paper or be large enough to hang on the wall. GIS output is also created through many different design programs and, therefore, saved in many different file formats.

• AutoCAD Drawings - .dwg
• ESRI Geodatabase - .gdb
• Esri Layer file - .lyr
• Esri layer package - .lpk, .lpkx
• Shapefile - .shp
• Geography Markup Language - .gml
• Digital Elevation Models - .dem, .flt, .csv, .tif, .txt, .hgt
• Keyhole Markup language - .kml
• GeoJSON - .geojson, .json

Of course, when it comes time to print, you need a file format and printer combination that can handle the high level of detail, printing quality, and paper size that your GIS project requires. You may need to convert your GIS files into vector graphics like SVGs or PNGs and choose a plotter printer with the RAM, printer quality, and output capabilities needed to create top-tier GIS output.

When you are choosing a printer for your GIS office or personal use, there are many factors to consider.

Print resolution is measured in dpi, or "dots per inch". Plotter printers typically have a higher DPI than most commercial or consumer printers and a higher level of line precision due to the printing technology used. GIS documents typically require 150 to 300 dpi to achieve document accuracy.

Colour accuracy and the printer's ability to use gradients will impact some types of GIS documents profoundly. If you need an exact colour match from your document and to use gradients as a way to convey data, colour precision is essential.

Each model of printer can have a very different paper usage profile. Large-format printers, for example, often use rollers. The size of paper is determined by width, and these printers are great map printer machines. Printers must also be able to handle heavier paper, photo paper, or even design vellum, depending on your GIS needs.

• Plain paper for simple prints
• Thick/heavy paper for durable portfolios
• Posterboard paper for presentation media
• Photo paper for glossy high-detail printing
• Vellum paper for tracing and design

GIS documents can be required in a wide range of sizes, depending on the intended use. This may range from typical letter paper to huge maps that must be printed on large-format rolls of paper and still tiled to create the full piece. Your GIS documents may be notebook-sized all the way to wall-spanning.

Depending on the nature of your GIS business, you may need the ability to create a high volume of quality GIS documents. This means optimising your choice of printer for print speed.

Printers always balance speed and quality. The fastest printers typically lose some level of precision. But highly precise printers can be selected and calibrated to print at more rapid speeds.

Networked and integrated printers can make it easier for GIS professionals to print from anywhere through their favourite GIS design software. Networked printers allow multiple GIS professionals to share a printer, while integration reduces the need for file conversion before printing.

GIS software creates complex, layered document files that often need to be converted and compressed before printing. However, printers that are compatible with GIS software integration make it easier to simply send a print job to the computer without the complex compression process. This does, however, often require high amounts of internal memory to contain the large file as it creates high-quality map prints.

Which plotter printers are best for GIS document printing? The DesignJet plotter series contains several different models that are tailored to specific printing requirements, including:

• Simple printing
• High-resolution printing
• High-productivity printing

The DesignJet T250 is a 24" plotter printer offering large prints, but it’s not the largest in the series. If you want fast, detailed prints of simpler GIS data like floor plans and circuit diagrams, the T250 is a robust, affordable, and desktop-friendly choice.

The DesignJet T650 is slightly larger and comes with a wide range of printing features. It has a 36"-capable paper roll. Also, it can handle scanning and copies with one-click printing, which can streamline certain GIS office operations.

If you need stunning photo-quality prints on photo paper, the DesignJet Z9 or Z6 Plus are excellent choices as map printer machines, depending on the size that you need. With vibrant colour gradients, your colourful GIS documents will have perfect colour accuracy and clear high-res details. Paper sizes go up to 64 inches for particularly large and high-quality map prints, as well.

The DesignJet T2600 was crafted to be the ultimate office plotter printer. It scans, provides post-editing capabilities, and has its own touch screen for quick printer setting navigation. It can print folders of documents at one time and prints in extremely high detail from dual rolls of paper for an efficient GIS printing workflow.

What else should you look for in a GIS plotter printer to enable the best quality and speed for your GIS document production?

Look for printers that have user-friendly software that makes it easy to print your documents. This includes both the printer's internal control options and compatibility with GIS design software.

Watch videos or try demos of printers to determine if you can easily navigate the internal printer settings.

Check to see if your chosen printer is compatible with the GIS software your team uses most frequently.

Look for printers that have excellent support packages and responsive teams ready to help. This will ensure that if you run into trouble, your GIS projects will not be at risk.

Check each printer's warranty and the service options that come with your plotter printer. Some printer brands offer limited to lifetime live support for your printer after purchase.

Are you looking for a plotter printer to become the primary source of printed GIS documents? HP is proud to be a favoured printer manufacturer for the GIS industry. Whether you are looking for quickly printed charts to use around the office or full-scale, high-detail GIS map printing, contact us to discuss your needs. HP pros will help you identify the perfect printer for your GIS purposes.