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Plotters are great tools for creating professional-looking documents. From architects and engineers to construction and manufacturing professionals, plotters are the go-to tool for creating drawings, graphs, charts, and other essential diagrams that convey critical information.



In today's digital world, it's easy to forget that paper construction drawings still play a crucial role in the design and build process. That's why having access to the latest in large-format printing technology is essential. 

 


Take your drawings to the next level with the latest technical plotters designed to produce precise line drawings, aerials, schematics, and more. When investing in a blueprint plotter, consider several vital factors to ensure you make the right choice.



To help you make an informed decision, we'll explore the essential features you should look for and recommend the best plotters on the market. Before making any purchase, you must evaluate your company's workflow to ensure that you choose the best plotter for your needs.

 

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Some things to think about when picking a plotter

 

Are you looking to print CAD drawings or more high-end graphics?

Do you have a preference for Inkjet or toner-based technology?

Do you need to print color, B/W, or both?

What types of print media would you like to print on?

What is your estimated print volume? (Usually stated in either sheets or square feet)

Do you want a 36-inch output or perhaps another size?

What kind of print speed would serve you best?

How many users will access the printer?

Do you need multifunction (copy/scan) functionality?

 

This article focuses on new Canon plotter options. While there are other manufacturers, this information is dedicated to the Canon portfolio. 

 

A word about used plotters

You may feel that there are some fantastic deals on used plotters, but beware, they can be precarious investments. Often, used machines are traded by brokers who do not pack or ship these units correctly. I could tell you horror stories of some shipping damage I have seen through the years. Honestly, it is best to go through a reputable dealer. 

 

If you are considering used equipment, do your homework and ensure the manufacturer still supports it. Getting a great deal on a used plotter doesn't do you good if the machine fails six months later and you can’t find replacement parts.

 

This situation quickly relegates that “bargain plotter” to boat anchor status in a heartbeat.

How Much Do You Need to Print?

 

As with all print equipment, the duty cycle and print speed significantly improve the user experience. This brings up another great point - don’t simply decide on a new plotter based on the spec sheet.

 

Gray Button Print on Modern Computer Keyboard.

 

Reviewing system specs can give you some great insight, but they miss all of the nuances of the human interactions, like how the machine neatly stacks printed sheets, so you don’t have to hand sort a nasty mess of drawings.

 

Or you are getting a new machine only to learn that the entire system needs to be pulled away from the wall to load paper. Make sure your new system will be one the whole office will enjoy using.

 

Scanning Drawings to Digital Files

Need to scan drawings? It would be best to consider an MFP (multifunction printer) with a wide-format scanner mounted on the printer. This new single-foot print design adds extra functionality without wasting valuable floor space. 

 

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Not everyone needs scanning, but companies often default to purchasing an MFP (multifunction printer) that includes a plotter, wide-format scanner, and a dedicated controller PC.

 

You need this feature if you have physical sheets to reproduce (copy) or scan into a digital format, such as PDF.

 

One or Two Paper Rolls?

Some Canon imagePROGRAF models today allow you to have one or two media rolls. This dramatically increases the system's convenience as you can load two different-sized rolls or paper types to print on demand.

 

Often, our customers keep a roll of 36-inch paper and another roll of 30-inch paper loaded. This lets them print 24”x 36” ARCH Ds or 30”x 42” sheets without physically changing anything on the machine. How convenient is that?

 

How Wide Do You Need to Print?

Typically, technical plotters are either 24”, 36” or 44” wide. The most common size out of those is 36-inches. One reason for this is that a 36-inch plotter printer machine is capable of printing any size up to 36”x 48” (Which is now uncommon).

 

Large-Format-Printer-Plotter-Buyers-Guide-Hero-Image

 

There is a situation, such as GIS or Oil & Gas, when a 40”+ is needed, but generally speaking, a 36-inch system gets the job done 90%+ of the time.


If space is an issue or budget constraints, there are 24-inch options for both plotters and MFPs. But beware, you are limited to a max sheet size of ARCH D (24”x 36”).

 

Use Every Drop of Ink in the Tank


The exclusive Canon Sub-Ink Tank System allows virtually all available ink in a tank to be used before replacing it, helping to eliminate wasted ink.

 

Canon-PFI-Inks

 

The empty tanks can also be replaced on the fly without stopping the printer. This is extremely useful during your long print jobs. This dramatically enhances the plotter's dynamic functionality and gives you peace of mind that no ink is discarded when the ink tanks are replaced.

 

The Best Plotter Printers Available Today from Canon (Listed From Smallest to Largest)

 

Several plotter printers are available today, so we've compiled a list of Canon's top ones.

 

Canon TM-200 - 24-inch plotter

The TM-200 CAD printer is ideal for printing technical documents, CAD line drawings, GIS maps, posters, signage, and displays.

 

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The small 24-inch form factor makes the Canon TM-200 an extremely versatile printer. Since this is a 24-inch printer, you are limited to a max print size of ARCH D (24”x 36”).

This is an excellent solution for small or home offices that print 5-10 sheets daily, less than 3,000 square feet per month.

More info about Canon TM-200

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Canon TM-200 L24ei - 24-inch MFP (Plotter with scanner)

The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-200 MFP L24ei, an extensive format imaging system, is an affordable scan-to-copy/file system for low-volume and entry-level users.

 

TM-200 MFP L24ei_Right Slant

 

With a 24-inch scanner, this MFP is designed for architects, engineers, consulting firms, small offices, and K-12 schools that require a minimal learning curve for new equipment.

 

Offering more than just the scan-to-copy functionality, this imaging system gives you the ability to scan to USB, scan to copy and archive, scan to multipage PDF and send to your PC, and reduce and enlarge images.

 

This is an excellent solution for small or home offices that print 5-10 sheets daily, less than 3,000 square feet per month.

 

More info about Canon TM-200 MFP L24ei

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Canon TM-300/305 plotter

The TM Series is a superb 36-inch general-purpose printer that allows you to print everything from construction drawings to GIS maps, posters, signs, and more.

 

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The TM series is built with Canon patented technologies and is nearly 60% quieter than previous models. The new Canon LUCIA TD inks are fade-proof and water-resistant.

 

The difference between the 300 and the 305 is that the TM-305 includes an internal 500GB hard drive. This benefits spooling larger, more complex files, job spooling, and other advanced features.

 

Be advised that the TM-300 and TM-305 are only 1-roll printers. For more on-board paper capacity, you need to consider either the TX-series are the new TZ-30000.

 

The TM-300 and TM-305 are great solutions for small or home offices that print 5-50 sheets per day and less than 4,000 square feet per month.

 

More info about Canon TM-300/305

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Canon TM-300 L36ei - 36-inch MFP (Plotter with scanner)

Like the Canon TM-200 MFP L24ei, the TM-300 MFP L36ei utilizes a simple Colortrac Lei scanner. As with all Lei units, this is an affordable, entry-level scan-to-copy/file system for low-volume users.

 

TM-300 MFP L36ei_Right Slant

 

With a 36-inch scanner, this MFP is designed for users who need a “no frills” package with a minimal learning curve.

Likewise, the TM-300 Lei offers more than just the scan-to-copy functionality. This imaging system allows you to scan to USB, copy and archive, multipage PDF and scan to your PC, and reduce and enlarge images.

This is an excellent solution for small or home offices that print 5-10 sheets daily, less than 4,000 square feet per month.

More info about Canon TM MFP Lei

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Canon TM-300/305 MFP Z36 (Plotter with scanner)

The Canon TM-305 MFP T36 Scan-To-Copy/File/Share system has everything needed to copy, scan, archive, and share maps, drawings, renderings, and posters.

 

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It combines the robust and reliable TM-300 or TM-305 plotter with the latest Colortrac Z36 color scanner.

 

This multi-component system allows you to be more productive by printing and scanning simultaneously. The new Win 10 AIO (All-in-One PC) has an intuitive GUI design for simplified printer management.

 

Like the plotter-only versions of the TM-300 and TM-305, these MFP versions are perfect for small offices or home offices that print 5-50 sheets per day and less than 4,000 square feet per month.

 

More info about Canon TM-300 MFP and TM-305 MFP

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Canon TX-3100/4100 MFP (Plotter with scanner)

The Canon TX series are the models that are truly made for a shared workgroup environment. They are a little larger, more robust, and more capable than any of the TM Series.

 

Canon TX-3100 MFP - Features - TAVCO

 

Also, the Canon TX models can be configured with two paper rolls. So, you can load two different sizes and types of media to print on demand.

 

These MFPs have been upgraded with faster printing speeds, an enhanced automatic roll-loading function, and free-size borderless printing to improve productivity and efficiency.

 

It is preprocessing technology between pages and a faster cutter speed that help to achieve faster printing speeds than ever before.

 

This MFP includes a production CAD printer, a Z36 scanner, and an intuitive system controller. Like other models, the TX-Series is a powerful addition to Canon’s portfolio of large-format printers.

There are two different size units available in the TX product line - the TX-3100 MFP is a 36-inch printer/scanner combo, and the TX-4100 MFP is a 44-inch combination unit.

 

They are usually purchased as full-functioning multifunction systems with a scanner and controller PC, but the TX series is also available in a plotter-only configuration.

As a more robust platform, the TX-Series is a good fit for mid-size offices or locations that require a more dynamic printing resource.

 

These machines are reliable in printing environments that require up to 6,000 square feet per month (1000 D-size sheets per month).

More info about Canon TX-3100/4100 MFP

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Canon TZ-30000 MFP (Plotter with scanner)

Canon’s latest edition is both the fastest and most powerful. The new TZ-30000 MFP allows you to plot, copy, and scan faster than ever in full color. This innovative, extensive format system is packed with new tech, including automatic paper detection and an improved top stacker to hold up to 100 prints.

 

TZ-30000_MFP_Z36-24paper-front

 

The innovative TZ series has more in common with more expensive toner-based plotters than other inkjet systems. The single-footprint chassis holds two internal media rolls, the latest color scanner, and an attached all-in-one touchscreen PC controller (Win 10).

 

Loading paper is a breeze! You load the paper roll on the spindle, place it inside the drawer, and close the door – that’s it! The Canon TZ will automatically spin and load the paper.

 

The imagePROGRAF TZ will automatically sense the media length and width. You only must select the paper type from the printer’s touchscreen display. And, unlike the other Canon models, the TZ comes standard as a two-roll machine.

 

The Canon TZ 30000 features a new integrated Top Output Stacker that can stack up to 100 sheets of bond paper. An onboard advanced airflow separation system also helps reduce paper jams while keeping prints neatly in place. So, your days of bending over to untangle a jumbled mess of printed bond drawings from an inkjet printer catch basket are over.

 

Most TZ models tend to be multifunction plotter and scanner units. Still, like other Canons, the TZ can be bought as a plotter-only configuration without a scanner and controller computer.

 

As the most rugged Canon imagePROGRAF model, the TZ-30000 is the best plotter for a networked workgroup printer with multiple users. It is capable of printing up to 10,000 square feet per month.

 

More info

Get a custom quote.

 

Which One Should I Buy?

There is a lot to consider when investing in a new plotter printer or MFP system. It pays to do homework before simply jumping into the expensive lease option. But be careful. Don’t decide on the best plotter and printer from the information you read in the brochure and spec sheet.

 

If you're looking for a printer that's easy to use, has a large print area, and prints quickly, you should consider buying one of these plotter printers.


Speak with a trusted manufacturer’s dealer and ask questions. As they say, the Devil is in the details regarding a wide-format technical printer, workflow, and a good user experience in everything.

Which Canon plotter and printer suits you best?

 

This article was initially published in 2010 and updated in 2022. 

See the complete selection of wide-format plotters and printers.

 

You Can Count on TAVCO

In the complex landscape of AEC, you need a vendor as committed to quality and reliability as you are. TAVCO brings you just that—with high-performance tools like our durable large-format plotters, cutting-edge 3D scanners, and innovative software solutions. 

 

We build long-term relationships fortified by unwavering support and innovative solutions that keep you ahead of the curve. Plus, when you have questions or need advice—including cost-effective options—you can always speak directly with a live TAVCO specialist, not a bot or an automated attendant.

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Ready to take the next step? Chat with a TAVCO specialist today to tailor solutions for your unique needs.

🛒 Or explore our range of products at www.tavcotech.com.

 

Other notable links to check out regarding picking a plotter: 

Top 10 Best Plotter Printers For Architects

5 Best Plotter Printer 2023 | Best Wide Format Printer-Plotters for Blueprints, Architects

Kevin Vaughan
Post by Kevin Vaughan
July 5, 2022
Kevin Vaughan is the Vice President of TAVCO and heads up Sales, Digital Marketing, and E-Commerce channels. With over two decades of experience, he has received various awards for sales performance and channel growth. Published articles focus on AEC technologies including laser scanning, 3D cameras, CAD software, and large format plotters. When he is not geeking out on new technologies, you can find him hanging with his wife and kids, playing guitar, or Scuba diving.

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