Buyers’ Guide – Large Format Printer (Plotter)

One of the most frequently asked questions that come to me in daily basis is comparing the HP Designjet wide format printer with Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer.

Answering such questions over and over again has been quite frustrating. Hence, I started to post LFP products reviews and related applications at this Large Format Printer Blog. Whenever I received questions as such, I will refer them to this blog, or sometimes send them the direct link on the subject matter.

How to choose the right Large Format Printer/ Wide Format Printer?

One of the common mistakes made by the buyers is they are sourcing the alternative or replacement large format printer (LFP) based on the existing model of wide format printer at the office.

HP Designjet 4020

Let say HP Designjet T1100, 44-inch wide format printer is the existing LFP unit at the buyers’ office. Probably the buyer will ask questions like below while he or she is looking for a new printer:

“What is the equivalent model for HP Designjet T1100?”

 The buyer assumed that the HP Designjet T1100 is the right choice during the last purchase. He or she also assumed that the user requirements are the same for now as compared to 5 years ago.

“Please quote me a 44” large format printer model.”
The buyer thought that wide format printer is differentiate by its printable width alone. For CAD application, models at 44-inch printable width are HP Designjet T770, HP Designjet T770HD, HP Designjet T1200,  Canon iPF815, Canon iPF825. Normally 36-inch (A0 size) will be the maximum print width required for CAD drawing, the 44-inch LFP models will just take up extra foot print of the precious office space and add no value.

Unfortunately, such procurement procedure is not effective due to 2 reasons as below:
1.    The users’ requirements may have already changed since the purchase date of the existing LFP.
2.    If the decision of the earlier unit of LFP is not done proper in the past, and the new purchasing consideration is based on the said decision, it will just lead to another wrong buying.


User Requirements

Instead of specifications comparison or price analysis, buyers are recommended to go back to fundamentals of procurement which is detailed user requirements studies.

Mandatory information for large format printer selection:
1.    Print Volume per month (by size- A2, A1, A0)
2.    Maximum wide format document size (A0, A1)
3.    Workgroup size (The LFP will be shared by how many users?)
4.    Installation space (This is critical for offices at corporate towers where space is scarce)
5.    Types of media rolls (Plain Paper, Linen, Transparency, Etc)
6.    Etc (special remark from users)

With the above information, it will enable the sales consultants to propose the right large format printer model for the buyers’ consideration.

To ensure the proposed models are suitable, buyers need to ask questions focus on the result from the user requirements studies.

It will be meaningful to evaluate strength and weaknesses of  the shortlisted models such as cost per print, total cost of ownership and after sales technical support upon the buyers are cleared on the users expectations.

HP Designjet T2300 eMFP – Preliminary Review

HP Designjet T2300 eMFP and ePrint & Share is the first-ever wide format printer that comes with web-ready printing system with MFP benefits. The new HP Designjet T2300 eMFP promotes sophisticated workflows with HP ePrint & Share.

HP Designjet T2300 eMFP

Compare HP Designjet T2300 eMFP with HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP

The HP Designjet T2300 eMFP has integrated the HP Designjet wide format printer, 36-inch large format scanner and the PC that served as the connectivity interface for both scanner and printer into one single device.

HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP

Printer Specifications:

There is no significant improvement in term of print productivity. The mechanical printing time exclude file processing time is still maintain at 28 seconds per A1 size with Economode on.

In term of color images printing, the HP Designjet T2300 eMFP is able to produce 41m2/hr (445 ft2/hr) with ‘Fast’ settings under Economode as compared to 51m2/hr (549 ft2/hr) for HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP under the same settings.

But there is no improvement on printing speed for images printing with ‘Best’ settings. Both HP Designjet T2300 eMFP and HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP mechanical printing time for color images at ‘Best’ settings with Economode on is 3.1m2/hr.

The print quality of HP Designjet T2300 eMFP with Fast mode settings as compared with HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP with the same settings is questionable as the printer driver development of HP Designjet T2300 eMFP may had compromised the print quality in exchange with higher productivity.

Evaluation on this doubt will be published upon further review is done.

Optical Scanner Specifications:

Apparently HP Designjet T1200 HD Multifunction Printer comes with a better performance and more versatile scanner.

The HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP color scanning speed is at 5.1cm/sec (2 in/sec) while the HP Designjet T2300 eMFP color scanning speed has reduced to 3.81 cm/sec (1.5 in/sec).

For black and white or greyscale scanning performance, the HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP is rated to be at 15.2 cm/sec (6 in/sec) while the HP Designjet T2300 eMFP is performing at 11.43 cm/sec (4.5 in/sec).

The media thickness for the HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP is up to 15mm (0.6 in) while the thickness allowance for the new HP Designjet T2300 eMFP has reduced significantly to 0.8mm (0.03 in).

It seems like a total downgrade on the scanning capability of the HP Designjet T2300 eMFP over the previous generation, HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP. A further review on the scan quality will be posted upon scanning test is done between them because the comparison need to made to justify if the scanning speeds of both series of MFPs are done under same quality settings.

Software Versatility:

The HP Designjet T2300 eMFP is a new milestone in the wide format printer world via its software capability.

Instead of performing file opening, sharing and sending via PC, the HP Designjet T2300 eMFP users have the option to perform some of these tasks via the touch screen user interface on the HP Designjet T2300 eMFP.

The HP Designjet T2300 eMFP executable tasks via the new touch screen interface with enhanced connectivity are as below:
1.    Scan and upload content to the Web.
2.    Print and share files over the Web/ touch screen (HP ePrint & Share)
3.    Print direct from USB memory device.
4.    Print to any web-connected HP Designjet (HP ePrint & Share)
5.    Share files via email links
6.    Etc.

HP Designjet T2300 eMFP Review in a Nut Shell:

This is a preliminary review on the HP Designjet T2300 eMFP with HP ePrint & Share.  It is definitely going to bring excitement to the wide format multifunction printer industry with the evolutional interface and advanced connectivity.

But, users are advised to go back on the fundamentals prior to decision making such as defining your needs as below:
1.    Print volume
2.    Copy volume
3.    Expected print productivity (Times needed to process, print and cut the paper, do not based on the mechanical printing time alone to make justification).
4.    Expected scan productivity (Times needed to scan a document at desired scanning quality).
5.    Existing technical documents workflows.
6.    IT Compliance and securities issues with the new connectivity features offered by HP Designjet T2300 eMFP.

Last but not least, the major concern of mine would be the practicality of having the scanner and printer totally integrated into one single device.

Concerns as below:
1. A scanner, being a static device, mounted on the dynamic device (while printing, the print head is driven to left and to right, this create vibration), would it deteriorate the scanning quality in long run? An optical device is highly sensitive to vibration as it will lead to focus point misalignment.

2. A dynamic device will normally have more down times than a static device. Will the downtime of the printer affects the scanner for HP Designjet T2300 eMFP?

3.  There are minimal mechanical parts for an optical scanner. The scanner will definitely outlast a printer for many times because the printer is considered a highly wear & tear device. Take HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP as example; if the printer is aged, and going for a replacement, the company has an option to maintain the scanner of the HP Designjet T1200 HD MFP, hence the capital investment would just be on the new large format printer.

Will HP Designjet T2300 eMFP has such flexibility?

*The large format scanner cost more than 2 times than a large format printer.

It is always a smarter way to focus on functionality and fundamentals over anything else.

Canon iPF750 vs. Canon iPF710 Review – What are the differences between Canon iPF750 and Canon iPF710 A0 Size Large Format Printer?

Canon iPF710 is reckon to be the most successful wide format printer model for CAD applications which has been launch by Canon under the sub brand imagePROGRAF.  In late 2009, Canon iPF750 has been introduced to strengthen the iPF series offering at A0 size technical document applications while maintaining the A0 size flagship model, Canon iPF710.

Canon iPF750 (36-inch/ A0)

Both Canon iPF750 and Canon iPF710 are categorized at medium end* A0 size wide format printer range. The differences between Canon iPF750 and Canon iPF710 which will be explained below serve as a buying guide to the A0 size large format printer users.

 *Medium end wide format printers (A0 size) for CAD applications available in the market as of 8th December 2010 are Canon iPF710, Canon iPF750, Canon iPF755, HP Designjet T770 (44”), HP Designjet T770HD (44”) and HP Designjet T1200.


Please read below for the review of the differences between Canon iPF750 vs. Canon iPF710:

1. Productivity- Printing Speed
Canon iPF750 takes approximately 48 seconds while Canon iPF710 takes approximately 55 seconds to process, print and cut an A0 size CAD drawing.

Canon iPF750 has improved the printing speed by approximately 13% over Canon iPF710.


2. Media Handling
Canon iPF710 media roll holder is located at the rear part of the printer. Users need to access at the back of the printer for media roll replacement.

Canon iPF710 rear view

Canon iPF750 is featured with front loading design. It means users can load the paper roll at the front of the printer without the need to move the printer away from the wall for paper loading at the rear part of the printer.

A part from the above, the Canon iPF750 has enhanced the paper/media loading design with the loading guide rail which automatic perform skew correction and alignment of the paper.


3. Space Saving Design 
Canon iPF750 has significantly reduced the physical dimension of the printer length from 1,507mm (Canon iPF710) to 1,304mm.

The Canon iPF750 space-saving design with fully front-accessible operation for flush wall installation is definitely a key feature for users with limited office space such as corporate towers, project site offices and SOHO (small office home office) environment.

Large Format Printer Length Comparison (Canon iPF series vs. HP Designjet series)

The above is an illustration to scale of the printer length of Canon iPF750, Canon iPF710, Canon iPF650, HP Designjet T770 (24-inch), HP Designjet T770 (44-inch), and HP Designjet T1200 (24-inch).


4. Ink Delivery System (Sub Ink Tank Design)
Canon iPF750 is the first imagePROGRAF 36-inch models to use individual sub-tanks for each ink color within the printer. Constantly reserving a preset ink level in the sub ink tank lets users replace ink tanks without having to stop printing. Even when ink runs out unexpectedly, users can continue printing using just the subtanks. This also enables full use of ink tank contents, eliminating wasted ink.

The ink volume in the sub ink tanks is equivalent to approximately 80 sheets of A1 plain paper for monochrome drawings depending on printing condition.


5. Media Cutter
The Canon iPF750 is equipped with dual blade design with lifetime durability and it is driven by an independent motor that improve the media cutting speed. Not user replaceable. Estimated yield of the Canon iPF750 dual blade rotary cutter is at approximately 100,000 pieces of plain paper.

The Canon iPF710 comes with the user replaceable cartridge type single blade cutter. The estimated cutter life span is at approximately 20,000 pieces of plain paper.

6. Accounting Functions
The Canon iPF750 Status Monitor is enhanced with the Accounting Manager that designed and built to collect Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer job log information and calculate printing costs. This collects job logs to identify who printed what document from what printer and calculates the number of pages and sheets printed together with printing costs.


7. Maintenance Cartridge Life Span
The life span of the MC-10 Maintenance Cartridge for iPF750 is 2 times more durable than MC-07 Maintenance Cartridge for iPF710.

Read Also:

1. Canon iPF650 vs. Canon iPF605 - What are the differences between Canon iPF650 and Canon iPF605 A1 Size Large Format Printer?

2. Large Format Printer - Size Does Matter?

Accounting Functions of Canon imagePROGRAF Large Format Printer

What is the cost per square foot for wide format printing?
What is the cost per square meter for large format printing?
What is the cost per print for this wide format printing job?

How much ink is consumed for this job?
What is the paper cost for large format printing?
Who printed the most jobs with this LFP?

The above questions concerning the variable cost of the large format printer are frequently asked by the users. The cost calculation process could be tedious and inaccurate. The printing cost accounting is even more critical for print shop operators.

The Canon imagePROGRAF Status Monitor is now enhanced with the Accounting Manager* that designed and built to collect Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer job log information and calculate printing costs. This collects job logs to identify who printed what document from what printer and calculates the number of pages and sheets printed together with printing costs.

*Accounting functions is available with Canon iPF650, iPF655, iPF750, iPF755, iPF6300, iPF6350 and iPF8300 only.

Canon imagePROGRAF Status Monitor – Accounting Manager User Guide

The Canon iPF Accounting Manager step-by-step user guide is explained based on actual working environment as below:

Printer model: Canon iPF650
Connectivity: LAN
Media: Plain Paper 

Price indication for PFI-102C, PFI-104M, PFI-102Y, PFI-102Bk, PFI-102Mbk ink tanks and A1 plain paper roll 50 meter length shall served as reference only.

1.    At Canon iPF650 printer driver, ‘Printing Preferences’ window, under ‘Main’ tab, click on the ‘Status Monitor’ button.

2.    Select ‘Accounting’ tab, press on the ‘Accounting’ button.

3.    Select ‘Unit Costs’ under the ‘Settings’ drag down menu.

4.    At ‘Ink’ tab, check on the ‘Use same price of all ink’, key-in the price of the ink tank, then press ‘OK’.

5.    Move on to ‘Paper’ tab, select media type (plain paper for this step-by-step user guide), and fill up the ‘media width’, ‘length’ and ‘price’ accordingly, then press ‘OK’.

6.    Upon the ink costs data are defined, the total job cost will be available at the job log (right hand side of the Accounting Manager window screen). Total cost for job printed with ‘Coated Paper’ is not available because we have not defined the paper cost yet.

7.    By double clicking on the selected job, a pop-up menu will appear with all the detail information such as job owner, printing time, total job cost, total ink cost, total paper cost, paper consumed (ft2 in this case), ink consumed in ml, etc. Please see below for the detailed cost information for 3 different print outs.

CAD drawing

Job cost analysis for CAD drawing

 

GIS map

Job cost analysis for GIS map

Poster

Job cost analysis for Poster

The Accounting Manager of the Canon imagePROGRAF status driver is just like an intelligent print cost calculator that will be able to provide you print cost data as below:

1. Ink cost, media cost per job.
2. Paper cost based on various media type
3. Paper cost based on the per square foot or per square meter.
4. Opportunity cost,  printing yield or operation cost that will be able to derive from print time per job
5.Etc.

Further analysis via Microsof Excel is possible as the data is exportable to Miscrosoft Excel worksheet or CSV format.

Canon iPF On-site Demo Crew (Batu Pahat & Kluang)

The Canon imagePROGRAF on-site demo crew is now available in Batu Pahar and Kluang, Johor. Due to the overwhelming response by the customers in Batu Pahat and Kluang, Offix Business Centre, which is also known as OBC has decided to expand its Canon iPF large format printer business operation into Batu Pahat. 



Megamax Office Solutions, Batu Pahat, Johor (The second branch of Offix Business Centre)

A unit of Canon iPF750 is located at the Megamax Office Solutions showroom while there is also an option for wide format printer on-site demostration upon request.

Canon iPF750 (A0 Size Wide Format Printer)

If you are situated in Batu Pahat or Kluang and would like to request for an on-site demo of Canon imagePROGRAF large format inkjet printer, please contact the below:

Megamax Office SolutionsNo.25 Jalan Penjaja
83000 Batu Pahat
Johor, Malaysia

Tel: +607-433 8033
Fax: +607-434 8033
Mobile: +6013-245 5796

Read also:

Canon imagePROGRAF LFP On-site Demo Crew (Muar & Melaka, Malaysia)

HP Designjet 111 Review - Suitable for SMEs or workgroup environment?

HP Designjet 111 & HP Designjet 110 are among the most affordable A1 size desktop type wide format printer. HP DJ 111 is suitable for home user or single user working environment with very low print volume. 

HP Designjet 111 (A1 size desktop wide format printer)

There are options available to upgrade the versatility of the HP Designjet 111 to suite the requirements of the corporate users as below:

1. Roll feed: To enable printing on roll paper. This eliminate the need to feed the cut sheet for every single print. All the media cost in roll form is more economical.

2. Network Port (LAN): This option will upgrade the connectivity of the HP Designjet 111, normally it is essential for workgroup environment like SME (Small & Medium Enterprise)  or coprporate offices.

3. Printer Stand & Basket: It is a bit unpractical and not presentable to place a wide format on the desk under office environment. The basket will be very helpful for the users who print multiple copies at one go or the printer is served as a workgroup printer which is shared by a few users. 

Even though options are available to upgrade the HP Designjet 111 to cope with the corporate offices or work group environment, but yet the HP Designjet is still a desktop  A1 size wide format printer that is best suite the home user or single user environment with low print volume due to its productivity limitation.  

In short, HP Designjet T770, 24", Canon iPF605 or Canon iPF650 are more suitable for SMEs, corporate offices and workgroup environment.

Play video below to view the speed comparison between HP Designjet 110plus NR and Canon iPF605.

  

Read also:

1. HP Designjet T2300 eMFP – Preliminary Review

2. HP Designjet 111 vs Canon iPF605 Review – Functionality Comparison

Canon iPF650 vs. Canon iPF605 Review - What are the differences between Canon iPF650 and Canon iPF605 A1 Size Large Format Printer?

Many buyers would like to understand the differences between these wide format printers (Canon iPF605 vs. Canon iPF650) prior to decision making.

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF605 (A1 Size Printer)

Based on the specifications of both Canon iPF605 and Canon iPF650, both models are categorized at medium end market*. Hence, we can qualify the comparison between Canon iPF605 and Canon iPF650 in term of performance and quality is an apple to apple comparison.

*Medium end wide format printers (24 inch/ A1 size) for CAD application available in the market as of 28th September 2010 are Canon iPF605, Canon iPF650 and HP Designjet T770.

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF650 (A1 Size Printer)

After several studies and reviews on both Canon iPF605 and Canon iPF650, below are the major differences for reference:

1. Productivity- Printing Speed

Canon iPF650 takes approximately 27 seconds while Canon iPF605 takes approximately 31 seconds to process, print and cut an A1 CAD drawing. Hence, Canon iPF650’s productivity is higher than Canon iPF605 by approximately 15%.

2. Ease of use- Media Handling

Both Canon iPF605 and Canon iPF650 are featured with front loading design. It means users can load the paper roll at the front of the printer without the need to move the printer away from the wall for paper loading at the rear part of the printer.

The Canon iPF650 has enhanced the paper/media loading design with the loading guide rail which automatic perform skew correction and alignment of the paper.

3. Ink Delivery System
Canon iPF650 is the first imagePROGRAF 24-inch models to use individual sub-tanks for each ink color within the printer. Constantly reserving a preset ink level in the sub ink tank lets users replace ink tanks without having to stop printing. Even when ink runs out unexpectedly, users can continue printing using just the subtanks. This also enables full use of ink tank contents, eliminating wasted ink.

The ink volume in the sub ink tanks is equivalent to approximately 80 sheets of A1 plain paper for monochrome drawings depending on printing condition.

4. Media Cutter
The Canon iPF650 is equipped with dual blade design with lifetime durability and it is driven by an independent motor that improve the media cutting speed. Not user replaceable. Estimated yield of the Canon iPF650 dual blade rotary cutter is at approximately 100,000 pcs plain paper.

The Canon iPF605 comes with the user replaceable cartridge type single blade cutter. The estimated cutter life span is at approximately 20,000 pcs plain paper.

5. Accounting Functions

The Canon iPF650 Status Monitor is enhanced with the Accounting Manager that designed and built to collect Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer job log information and calculate printing costs. This collects job logs to identify who printed what document from what printer and calculates the number of pages and sheets printed together with printing costs.


6. Maintenance Cartridge Life Span
The life span of the MC-10 Maintenance Cartridge for iPF650 is 2 times more durable than MC-16 Maintenance Cartridge for iPF605.

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8100 for Graphic Arts & CAD Applications

The customer is a regional interior design company that take care of all aspects of interior and the exterior design covering the portfolio such as retail, hospitality, residential and commercial industries.

The company’s existing HP Designjet 500ps, 42” wide format inkjet printer has broken down and the spare parts have been obsolete. Leaving with no choice, the customer need to purchase a new large format printer for replacement.

The Canon imagePROGRAF large format printer authorized reseller; Automate System Sales & Services Sdn Bhd was invited to make a proposal on the above requirement. A detailed user requirements study has been conducted by Henry Hea, the sales consultant of Automate System with the findings as below.

In the past, the HP Designjet 500ps is used to print line drawings such as schematic layout, final scale layout and construction drawings. A part from the HP Designjet 500, the design house is also having one unit of Canon Pixma IX4000 A3 size inkjet printer which caters for design concept printing where colour color accuracy is very critical.

During the user requirement study, Henry also found that the design company is outsourcing jobs like fine arts reproduction to print studio. As quality is always to primary priority to this design company, quality control is one of the challenge to them in ensuring the color output matched the original artwork on these out source tasks.

The Canon iPF8100, 44” 12-color large format inkjet printer was proposed to meet the user requirements as below:

1. Print CAD drawings up to B0 size.

2. Produce quality prints with high color accuracy. ∆E < 2.0

3. Versatile to print on wide variation of media type for fine arts reproduction.

4. Savings by lower cost per print

5. Piece of mind- All Canon iPF series LFP are covered by 3 years on-site warranty in Malaysia.

6. Trade-in Rebate.

To ensure WYSIWYG output, both of the monitors of the graphic art designers have been calibrated with X-rite Eye-One Pro calibration tool and Profile Maker 5 calibration software.

Total of 4 PC and 2 MAC systems are connected to the Canon imagePROGRAF 8100 large format printer.  CAD and graphic arts users were trained to operate the Canon iPF8100, all of them are satisfied with the performance and user friendliness of the new Canon iPF8100, 44" large format inkjet printer.

The aged HP Designjet 500ps, 42" was parked aside and awaiting collection for trade-in rebate.

Introducing Canon iPF605 at Canon Advanced Made Simple Solutions Showcase (22nd September 2010)

The wait for a descent but affordable A1 size plan printer is over!

It has been a long wait for wide format printer users who are searching around for a medium end A1 size inkjet large format printer that offers at entry level price point.

Majority of the A1 size plotter users got to live with the low end desktop type A1 size wide format printer like Designjet 110, Designjet 111 or Designjet 500 Mono and Designjet 510plus. These 4 models are affordable in purchase price but in long term, the users are actually paying more due to the high ink cost (in term of per ml calculation) as well as low productivity (printing time of 90 seconds or more for one A1 size CAD drawing).

With the introduction of Canon iPF605, the users can now own a A1 size medium end large format printer with minimal budget without compromising on productivity and print quality.

Key features of Canon iPF605:

1. High Productivity: Approximately 30 seconds per A1 size CAD drawing print.

2. High Print Quality: Sharper, thinner lines and high black density for CAD plan production

3. LAN & USB connectivity as standard.

4. Printer Stand is bundled with no additional cost.

5. Etc

Visit the Canon Advanced Made Simple Solutions Showcase (22nd September 2010) at Westin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur to find out more!

Archidex2010 Canon Large Format Printer Sales Promotion Extended

The Archidex2010 (1-4 July 2010) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre has just ended. Likewise, Canon & HP were exhibited but not Epson where AEC market is not their focus market.

The Canon's booths were managed by Bits & Bytes Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd (booth no. 1035) and Plot-tech Services (M) Sdn Bhd (booth no. 1076 & 1078).  A total of 5 units of A0 size Canon iPF plotters were sold in this 4 days event,  it was a combination of 3 units of Canon iPF750 and 2 units of Canon iPF710. 

Visitors were witnessing the printing speed of Canon iPF750 at Bits & Bytes's counter.

James Khor, the managing director of Plot-tech Services was explaining to a print services operator on the algorithm of Canon iPF in processing the image file and followed by demonstration of the user-friendliness of Canon iPF750 in media handling. 

According to both Bits & Bytes Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd and Plot-tech Services (M) Sdn Bhd, The Canon iPF end user promotion in conjunction with the Archidex2010 show will be extended until 30th July 2010 due to the overwhelming response from the visitors.

One set of ink tanks will be giving away for the purchase of Canon iPF510, iPF650, iPF710, iPF750, iPF755, iPF810 or iPF820. On top of that, an instant cash rebate of RM2,000 (approx. USD600) is granted for old plotter trade-in. 

Canon iPF750 On-line Product Demo

A short video clip that explains the 3 key strength of Canon iPF750.

1. User friendliness- loading and unloading paper roll.

2. High productivity- Process and print an A0 size line drawing in less than a minute.

3. Change ink on the fly- Replace ink tank without interruption to the printing job.

How to calculate the printing cost per square foot for Canon iPF8100?

How to calculate the printing cost per square foot? This is a very common question from large format users in print services sector. Print services providers are concerned on the print cost as the cost per square foot will be used to determine the print services charges to their clients. Besides, cost per square foot is another important consideration factor a part from printing speed when come to choosing the right production printer for the printing business operation.

To answer this frequent asked question professional, a few declarations and assumptions has been made as below.

1. The cost per square foot calculation will only consider ink cost and print head cost.

2. Canon PFI-701, PFI-702 ink tanks and PF-03 print head cost are based on retail price in Malaysia market. (MYR750 for PFI-701, PFI-702 ink tanks and MYR970 for PF-03 print head)

3. Waste ink and paper cost are not considered in the cost calculation.

4. The print heads will be replaced in every 8,800 A1 size prints*.

* The life-span of the print heads are expected to last more than 8,800 A1 prints depending on the operating environment. All new print heads (PF-03) are eligible for warranty claim for the first 8,800 A1 page counts, hence the author is estimating the print head cost based on worst scenario.

Test Conditions

Output Image: ISO JIS SCID No.5

Media: Glossy Photo Paper

Print Quality: Standard 600dpi

Print Size: A0 Size (827mm x 1,033.8mm)

Test Results:

Total Ink Consumed: 3.827ml

Print Speed: 6.5min

Cost Per Square Foot Calculation:

Based on the the above data, ink cost per A0 size (827mm x 1,033mm)  printing is as below:

3.827ml x MYR750/700ml = MYR4.10 (USD1.24)

Assumed life span for printheads are 8,800 A1 prints, which is also equavalent to 4,400 A0 prints.

There are 2 print heads in a Canon iPF8100, hence the printhead cost per A0 size (827mm x 1,033mm) is as below:

2 units X MYR970 / 4,400 AO prints = MYR0.44 (USD0.13)

Ink Cost (per A0 print) + Print Head Cost (per A0 print)

= MYR4.10 + MYR0.44 = MYR4.54 (USD1.38)

We already have the cost per print in term of per A0 size, now what we need to do is to convert it into per square foot.

1 ft = 304.8mm

827mm x 1,033mm = 2.71ft x 3.39ft =  9.19 sqft

MYR4.54/9.19sqft = MYR0.494 (USD0.15) per square foot

Hence, the Cost Per Square Foot for Canon iPF8100 is approximately MYR0.50 (USD0.15).

Read also:
1. Accounting Functions of Canon imagePROGRAF Large Format Printer
2. Cost per print job calculation for Canon iPF Printers with Acconting Functions

HP Designjet T770 and HP Designjet T770HD vs Canon iPF750 and iPF755 Review - Print Speed Comparison Video

Canon iPF750 series and HP Designjet T770 series were introduced to the market at in early 2010. From the data sheet of both Canon iPF750 and HP Designjet T770, both models are able to print the A1 size CAD drawing in draft mode in 30 seconds.

Based on the print speed information from these data sheets, can we say both HP DJ T770/T770HD and Canon iPF750/iPF755 are equally productive?

Please view the speed comparison video between Canon iPF755 and HP Designjet T770HD for the answer.

Read also:
1. Canon iPF750 vs. Canon iPF710 – What are the differences between Canon iPF750 and Canon iPF710 A0 Size Large Format Printer?
2.  Accounting Functions of Canon imagePROGRAF Large Format Printer 
3. HP Designjet 111 - Suitable for SMEs or workgroup environment?

What large format printer consumables items should be stocked for maximum printer productivity and piece of mind?

Time is valuable. People is looking for maximum productivity at all time. Having a high productivity large format printer like Canon ImagePROGRAF iPF750 that prints A1 size CAD drawing in 28 seconds per page and A0 size CAD drawing in 46 seconds per page may not reach the desired productivity if the users are not keeping the necessary consumables and wear & tear items in place.

The printer will not be able to function if one of the ink type is running out or there is no more paper roll for replenishment. The printer may have to be at idle mode while waiting for these consumables items are ordered and delivered. The downtime could be more than a day if the incident happen at Friday evening. The impact is more damaging if the users are rushing for projects or tender fulfillment where printing operation is carried out over the weekend.

Thus, proper planning and stocking up the the right amount of consumables and wear & tear items is very critical for high productivity of the LFP.

3 Most Critical LFP Consumables and Wear & Tear Items To Be Stocked Up ( Canon imagePROGRAF / HP Designjet / Epson Stylus Pro )

1. Ink Tanks/ Ink Cartridges/ & Media Rolls

Estimate the usage of the print jobs and stock up sufficient ink cartridges. If the print jobs consists of high coverage on certain color, for example red background, extra Magenta or Red ink cartridges shall be stocked up.

For technical printing, Matte Black and Cyan inks shall be exhausted faster than Magenta, Yellow and Black inks.

2. Maintenance Cartridges/ Waste Ink Tanks

All the waste inks will be collected at the maintenance cartridge or waste ink tank. One piece of spare is sufficient in most cases.

*Canon maintenance cartridge and Epson waste ink tank are user replaceable.

**For HP Designjet, the printer will prompt a message upon the maintenance cartridge is full. It is not a user replaceable item, an authorized technician will need to conduct an on-site service, down time is unavoidable.

 

3. Print Heads

Be it Canon imagePROGRAF, Epson Stylus Pro or HP Designjet,  print head is one of the wear & tear items for large format inkjet printer.

*Canon & HP print heads are user replaceable.

**Epson print head is replaceable by authorized Epson service personnel only, down time is unavoidable.

Canon iPF9100 at Yes Printing & Advertising, Kuantan, Pahang

2 years ago, Mr. Yong YS, the director of Yes Printing & Advertising in Kuantan, Pahang had visited to Plot-tech Services (M) Sdn Bhd in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur to study the feasibility of acquiring a large format inkjet printer for his printing business expansion in East Coast Malaysia.

Below are the requirements of the desired 60 inches large format inkjet printer for premium indoor printing services:

1. Superb print quality (wide color gamut)

2. High speed for productivity.

3.Capable to print on various media such as PP Synthetic Paper (Banner Flex), Glossy Photo Paper, Semi Glossy Photo Paper,  Matte Coated Paper, Canvas Paper, etc.

HP Designjet and Canon imagePROGRAF were both in Yong's consideration. Canon iPF9100 was chosen after a thorough valuation based on the stated requirements.

Reason of choosing the Canon iPF9100 are as below:

1. Canon iPF9100 is the only 12-color inkjet printer at 60inches print width available in the market.
2. The Canon iPF9100 is able to print technical line drawings such as CAD & GIS application on top of graphics arts applications.
3. Three (3) years on-site warranty (peace of mind).

The Canon iPF9100 that installed at the Yes Printing & Advertising 1st floor print studio.

Witness and get impressed by the Canon iPF9100 superb print quality combined with the rapid  print speed at Yes Printing & Advertising in Kuantan, Pahang.

Contact:

Yes Printing & Advertising
42A Jalan Putra Square 2,
25200 Kuantan,
Pahang Darul Makmur,
East Coast Malaysia.

Tel: +609 517 3366

Fax: +609 517 3362

TRANSGRESSION- Black & White Fashion Portraits Exhibition

TRANSGRESSION- Black & White Fashion Portraits Exhibition has been successfully held at Kinokuniya Bookstore at Suria KLCC, KL  from 7th-31st January 2010.

The photographer, Vincent Paul Yong has chosen Canon imagePROGRAF as the official large format inkjet printer for  the black & white fashion portraits. According to Vincent Paul Yong, the quality of the black & white printouts produced by the Canon iPF8100 is far exceeded his expectation.

The portraits in A1 and A0 size are very impressive and can be very decorative if well placed.

The managing director of Plot-tech Services (M) Sdn Bhd, James Khor said Vincent  Paul Yong is very professional and with high expectation on the output quality of the printouts.

To ensure optimum quality of the black & white printing, James Khor has calibrated the Canon iPF8100 with the monitor and media roll a day before Vincent Paul Yong made his visit to Plot-tech Services (M) Sdn Bhd located at Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.

 Personally, the first two portraits of the above picture are my favorite.

Large Format Printer - Size Does Matter?

Office space has become an expensive resources as the office rental rate is rising drastically especially in developed cities like London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Moscow and etc.

In Malaysia, the monthly rental rate for prime offices in  Kuala Lumpur City Centre is at MYR 62 to MYR 86 (USD 18.50 to USD  25.67) per square meter. A unit of A0 size large format printer or wide format printer (plotter) is occupying approximately 1.3 meter square, hence the cost of office rental for a unit of plotter per month will be at approximately MYR 115 (USD 34.33) per month.

A part from the rental cost, the printer width is also playing an important part while selecting a large format plotter as it is always an challenging task to find a space to fit in a plotter that need almost 2 meter length for installation.

The Canon iPF650 A1 size plotter with printer width at less than 1 meter (997mm) can be easily installed in small office where space is limited.

In short, a part from comparing the plotter print speed, specifications and running cost, hidden cost such as office space occupancy which is printer size in term of width and footprint should be put into consideration especially for users in prime office area and project site office where space is limited.

Printer Width comparison between Canon iPF650 (A1 size plotter), iPF750 (A0 size plotter), iPF710 (A0 size plotter) and HP Designjet T1100 (A1 and A0 size plotters).

Have you ever consider printer's footprint (office rental rate per square meter) as part of the total cost of ownership and printer width as part of the office ergonomics feature?