The ever-changing landscape of digital printing has led to the increased importance of professional large format printers for all types of print applications. Looking into the rest of 2024, we're likely to see more innovations come along that help enhance these printers' accuracy, precision, efficiency, and quality. As a result, many professional large format printers will be able to meet the needs of many professionals, from architects and engineers to artists and graphic designers.

In this guide, we'll look at the top seven best professional printer models for large format printing projects in 2024. We organised this list based on each printer's reliability, value, and performance. We'll list each printer's key features, pros and cons, and pricing. Additionally, we'll go into what to look for when selecting a large format printer for your application, with a look into the latest innovations in inkjet technologies and the professional printing world.

The following are some of the key factors to consider when selecting the best professional printer:

First, think about the quality and resolution you need from your large format printer. Keep in mind that the best resolution for large format printing is 100 dots per inch (dpi).

Also, consider the kind of media you'll be working with for your projects. You may need to consider professional large format printers that can print on more than paper, including vinyl or other materials.

Weigh in the speed and efficiency of the printer based on your project demands. For instance, you may need a significantly faster printer when working with many high-volume projects than you would with more infrequent prints.

Based on your unique setup, think about the various connectivity options you may need to ensure your printer works cohesively with the rest of your hardware. Doing so could include checking for USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or other types of connection compatibility.

In addition to hardware connectivity, you'll need to make sure your printer works with the software you use. If you don't have compatible software, professional large format printers often allow you to download a free app to use with smartphones, desktop computers, and other devices.

You'll want to select a printer that's relatively easy to maintain and won't require frequent repairs or replacements, with durable construction.

Eco-friendliness is another big consideration when choosing the best professional printer. Check for features such as energy efficiency, minimised ink use, and other sustainable features for more environmentally friendly operation.

Need some help locating the right professional large format printers for the job? Take a look at some of our favourite options below:

The HP DesignJet T250 versatile plotter combines efficiency and innovation for home and small office environments. It offers fast printing speeds of up to 30 seconds per page on D-size prints, ensuring quick and productive printing workflows. Its compact size is a game-changer for space-conscious settings, providing a smart solution without compromising performance.

Some key features of this printer include:

• USB, Wi-Fi, and ethernet connectivity
• An automatic horizontal cutter with roll and sheet feed
• Uses 29-ml, 38-ml, or 80-ml HP Ink cartridges, providing options for different printing needs and budgets

This compact 24" inkjet plotter has various convenient features, making it ideal for many large-format applications in smaller businesses and offices. The plotter is designed to be user-friendly and has a range of features, including an intuitive user interface, a high-resolution output, and the capacity for a wide range of paper sizes. It is also cost-effective and energy-efficient, making it a great investment for any business.

You can find this particular model available for around USD 900 to USD 1,000.

This professional inkjet printer is part of the HP DesignJet T600 series. It comes in 24" and 36" models for small offices. Also, it offers fast print speeds that are ideal for high-volume print projects.

Some key features you'll find with this printer include:

• Up to 25 or 26 sec/page on D prints, with up to 82 prints per hour
• Comes with a stand, automatic sheet feeder, roll cover, and media bin
• 1 GB of internal memory

The HP DesignJet printer is an essential tool for AEC professionals, particularly the T650 series. This printer boasts impressive printing speed, allowing efficient production of high-quality prints, blueprints, and technical drawings. This, in turn, facilitates quick decision-making and project advancement.

The compact design of the T650 series makes it a perfect fit for both office spaces and job sites with limited space without compromising its performance excellence. While this printer is ideal for blueprints and architectural designs, users who require a printer for printing graphics like posters would be better off looking at the Z-series.

The price range for this printer is around USD 1,600 to USD 3,000.

If you need professional large format printers for a smaller office, the new HP DesignJet T850 is a solid option, especially for professionals in the AEC space. It is a compact and affordable printer that produces high-quality prints. It has several features that make it ideal for small offices, including the ability to print on various media types like bond, coated, and glossy paper. Not only that, but it also has a built-in scanner and copier, making it a versatile machine that can handle various tasks. It has intuitive controls, ensuring ease of use even for those with less experience in large format printing.

Features that set this printer apart include:

• Speeds up to 25 seconds/page using D paper or up to 90 D prints/hr
• Includes a stand, a B tray that can automatically switch between sheets and rolls, and an output bin
• Multifunction model also includes scan and copy capabilities

The HP DesignJet T850, equipped with innovative Flex Tech Inks, stands out as a cutting-edge solution for high-quality large-format printing needs. Prints produced with Flex Tech Inks exhibit durable performance, showcasing excellent light and water fastness, print permanence, and resistance to smudging and highlighter bleed, guaranteeing long-lasting and top-notch output quality.

It is the latest addition to the DesignJet range and is ideal for both AEC teams and graphic printing. Due to its exceptional print delivery, it is also worth noting the higher price point compared to the other technical printers.

Depending on the options selected, including the multifunction model, the price of these professional large format printers can fall anywhere from around USD 2,900 to USD 6,500.

The HP DesignJet Z6 printer combines high-definition colour precision, fast printing speeds, secure handling features, versatile media capabilities, and water and fade-resistant prints. Its HP Pixel Control and dual-drop technology ensure vibrant colours and detailed prints without light inks. The Z6 can print complex files up to 20% faster, offers robust security measures, supports easy trimming of maps, has dual-roll printing, and uses HP Vivid Photo Inks for long-lasting quality print applications.

Features you'll get with these printer models include:

• HP Thermal Inkjet system with six different inks
• Automatic cut sheet feeder, roll feed, and 500 GB HDD
• FCC Class A emissions to minimise impact in commercial environments

In terms of professional printers for graphic design general media like paper, this is one of the best options. But it may not meet your needs if you're looking to print other types of materials.

Expect to pay about USD 2,700 to USD 5,000 for these printers, depending on the specific model.

The Epson SureColor SC-T5130 is a compact, user-friendly technical printer that is perfect for printing blueprints, line drawings, graphics, and posters. It features a sleek, minimally designed body that fits into tight workspaces effortlessly and has one of the smallest footprints in its class. The SC-T5130 is also equipped with a 4.3-inch touch panel that gives you the convenience of an easy setup and a PC-less operation. With its fast print speeds and outstanding quality, the SC-T5130 is a great choice for businesses that require a reliable and efficient technical printer.

This printer model comes with some appealing features, such as:

• A large colour touchscreen
• Printing size capabilities of up to 24" wide
• Up to 2,400 dpi resolution

This printer runs fast and clean to produce high-quality prints. But it may not work with some older print software.

Depending on the model, this printer will cost you around USD 1,000 to USD 3,000.

The Canon imagePROGRAF GP-520 is a 24-inch large format printer great for creating eye-catching posters and prints. It features a 10-colour plus fluorescent ink system that delivers an expansive colour gamut and vibrant colours. The GP-520 also has an intelligent media handling system that simplifies the media loading and replacement workflow. Additionally, it supports major RIPs and has a dual roll system for high-volume printing. With its robust security features and extensive suite of software and solutions, the GP-520 is the perfect choice for professional photographers, graphic designers, and print shops.

The features you get with this printer include:

• Ten colour options and fluorescent pink ink
• Strong security
• Intelligent media handling system

In terms of quality, this printer is great for producing top-of-the-line posters. However, for businesses using this printer regularly for schematic prints, it would be too large. Also, with ten colours available, having sufficient ink capacity would be difficult to maintain.

These printers cost around USD 2,200 to USD 2,500.

The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-5250 is a 24-inch large format printer designed for high-quality printing of photos, posters, and CAD drawings. It features a 5-colour LUCIA TD pigment ink system that produces sharp lines, vibrant colours, and deep blacks. The TM-5250 also boasts a fast printing speed, thanks to its L-COA PRO II image processing engine.

You'll get the following with this printer:

• A 5-colour LUCIA TD pigment ink system
• Borderless printing
• L-COA PRO II system that allows for faster printing

The printer is a great choice for AEC firms due to its excellent functionality. However, it is important to note that this printer is only a single-function printer. Considering its price point, it might be worth exploring other printers that offer a wider range of features.

The price of this printer is around USD 1,200.

Trying to find the best professional printer for your business needs? HP can help you locate the right solution based on your project requirements. We offer a range of high-quality, reliable, professional large format printers and plotters for all types of professionals, with features that make them innovative and consistently dependable.

In addition to reliable products, we offer top-tier customer support and supplemental maintenance services. These services help ensure our customers get the most from every purchase when they turn to us.

For help identifying the best professional printer for your application, reach out to the experts at HP today.