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Plotter printers play an integral role in several industries, including construction, architecture, and civil engineering. In Malaysia, these sectors rely on high-performance large format printers to meet tender deadlines, produce compliant blueprints, and collaborate across diverse locations from Johor to Sabah. While many companies opt to purchase a plotter printer, others choose to lease this essential hardware. The question that is commonly asked amongst AEC professionals is how much does it cost to lease a plotter printer, and is it cheaper to lease than buy or vice versa? Both approaches come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks. The question is, how do you decide which is the best choice for your business? How much does it cost to lease a plotter?

In this article, we'll examine the benefits of leasing versus purchasing a plotter printer for your business, so you can decide on the best choice for your business.

Leasing a large format printer, such as a plotter, depends on several factors. These include the lease duration and terms, as well as the plotter's technical specifications and features.

The term is a major part of the plotter lease cost. A shorter lease will generally be more expensive per month than longer terms. This is so the leasing company recoups the cost of the printer in the reduced time frame. Shorter leases may also have higher early termination fees. As a result, it's usually more expensive to lease a printer for a shorter period of time.

The plotter lease cost also depends on the plotter's technical specifications and features. For example, plotters that handle a greater variety of media formats and have advanced features such as additional memory, faster printing speed, and multifunction capabilities will carry a higher monthly lease price tag.

With the above factors in mind, leasing a plotter printer can range from RM173.02 ($42.54) per month for an HP DesignJet T650 to several times that cost for an HP DesignJet XL 3600DR. In Malaysia, leasing costs for a plotter printer typically start from RM200 per month for an entry-level HP DesignJet T650, depending on lease terms, servicing packages, and supplier location. Costs can be significantly higher for enterprise models such as the HP DesignJet XL 3600DR, which offer faster speeds and advanced features.

To compare the cost of leasing to buying a plotter printer, consider the following scenario.

If you were to buy the HP DesignJet T650 in today’s marketplace, you would incur a one-time cost of ₹159169. However, with a 48-month equipment lease, the same printer would cost at least ₹168389.28.

While this difference may not seem like much, keep in mind that a lease carries usage restrictions. Going over these restrictions will result in added charges. There may also be additional fees for maintenance and support. You're also locked into a lease contract for at least two years with no option to upgrade your equipment.

Calculating your printing costs can help you decide whether leasing or purchasing the plotter is the best choice. In Malaysia, also consider how the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or its replacement may affect lease agreements, as well as whether your preferred supplier offers support in Bahasa Malaysia or multilingual documentation for your team. If your business typically prints high-volume jobs and utilises the printer for office copier functions, you may require a costlier lease with a higher monthly volume allowance. The frequency of ink cartridge replacement and the type of stock needed also affect your costs.

Calculating your printing costs can help you decide whether leasing or purchasing the plotter is the best choice. If your business typically prints high-volume jobs and utilises the printer for office copier functions, you may require a costlier lease with a higher monthly volume allowance. The frequency of ink cartridge replacement and the type of stock needed also affect your costs.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when deciding to lease or buy plotter printers. Additionally, having the printing function managed by a service provider offers businesses yet another option.

However, taking the discussed factors into consideration, purchasing a plotter printer clearly offers several advantages over leasing. This is most evident in the total cost of the printer as, over time, the plotter lease costs are more in the long run.

For businesses in Malaysia, HP’s local network of certified resellers and service centres makes it easier to find a leasing or purchase plan that matches your operational scale and budget. Whether you’re in construction, signage, or urban planning, our experts can help ensure your plotter meets local compliance needs and productivity goals.Contact us today to learn more about our innovative printing solutions.