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Which Large Format Multi-Function Printer Is Right For Me?

Which MFP is for me?Wondering which MFP is right for your needs? Here we help to point you in the right direction of the large format multi-function printer for you.

best multi function printersWhat does LFP MFP Mean?
LFP stands for Large Format Printer and MFP stands for Multi-Function Printer. Typically a multi-function printer will also have an integrated or an attached scanner, therefore offering more than just the one function ? printing. A Large Format MFP will be able to print, scan and copy.

Why an MFP?
The small A4 size MFPs have become common place in offices now and are pretty much as an integral part of the office as the computer is. Having the ability to scan, print and copy is essential in today?s fast moving and busy offices, making the MFP an essential for any business. When you are dealing with large plans, drawings and presentations, then there becomes the need for a large format MFP.

Available space in the office is also another important consideration. Why buy two separate machines when a single MFP will do the job of two. When we are thinking in terms of large format, the space savings can be pretty major. Also storage is another consideration as with an MFP you would have the ability to store your plans electronically instead of having filing cabinets and hangers to store your plans, which all take up precious room.

Large Format MFPSome of the benefits of choosing a large format MFP?

  • Single foot print ? no need for separate scanner & printer
  • Neat modern compact design ? fits seamlessly into even the smallest office space
  • Quick scanning to file, USB, copy or email
  • Quick printing and efficient ink usage
  • Affordable
  • Lower power consumption than two devices
  • Lower costs than outsourcing print and scan requirements
  • Pin protected printing and security options

HP has developed two superb fully integrated DesignJet MFPs which have made buying a wide format MFP even more affordable and accessible than ever. There is the HP DesignJet T830 (available in 24″/A1 and 36″/A0 models) and the HP DesignJet T2530.

Canon also has a range of MFPs on the market with the TX T36 MFP Series printers- the T36 TX-3000 and the T36 TX-4000 and also the Canon iPF670 L24e MFP and Canon iPF770 L36e MFP.

Which MFP is right for me?
Choosing the best machine for your office or business can be a daunting prospect.

There are a few key criteria which will help with your choice:

  • Print Size required – A1 or A0
  • Usage volume
  • Scan quality
  • Print quality
  • Speed
  • Roll capacity & media choice
  • Ink colour gamut (the range of colour you will achieve from the number of inks used)
  • Physical size

These large format MFPs are perfect for anybody wanting to scan, print and copy colour plans, maps, technical drawings, layouts, renders, 2d Layouts, client visuals, and short term display presentations. By owing an MFP you will bring so much more functionality into your office environment, increase productivity and save money, when compared to outsourcing jobs.

Lets take a look at the key points of each model.

HP DesignJet T830 MFPThe HP T830
The HP T830 is an entry level model ideal for low to mid volume users. The HP T830 is neat and slimline and fits easily into small office spaces making it perfect for small unmanaged networked workgroups in construction or office environments.

The T830 connects wirelessly or via Ethernet connection to your network.

It is a 4 colour printer (BK/C/M/Y) with integrated scanner allowing quick onsite scanning, copying or straight forward printing. The T830 inks (HP 728 cartridges) come in 130ml or 300ml capacity (Black 300ml only).

A single paper roll (standard 2 inch core) from 297mm to 610mm on 24? models and 914mm on 36? models can be loaded in lengths up to 50mt. The maximum roll diameter is 10cm. Sheets can also be loaded either individually, or via the small cassette (A3 and A4 only) for continuous feed.

The HP T830 is a non-postscript machine meaning it uses third party software to produce PDF scans and to interpret PDFs to print.

Like all HP wide format printers the T830 sits on a floor stand and has a cutter which horizontally cuts after each print allowing the print to fall into the basket below.

Drivers are available for both Mac and PC.

The T830 has a 1GB virtual processing memory.

Print speed is from 26 seconds for an A1 (Mechanical printing time. Printed in Fast mode with Economode on, using HP Bright White Inkjet Paper (bond) and Original HP inks)

Scan Speeds for the HP T830 are as follows – Colour: up to 3.81 cm/sec (1.5 in/sec); Grayscale: up to 11.43 cm/sec (4.5 in/sec)

HP DesignJet T2530 MFPThe HP T2530
The HP T2530 is a mid to high volume machine ideal for networked workgroups in small to medium businesses with print volumes up to 250 m2/month. Its neat design and integrated scanner mean it fits into most office spaces seamlessly.

The T2530 connects wirelessly or via Ethernet connection to your network.

It is a 6 colour printer (MBK/BK/C/M/Y/GY) with integrated scanner allowing super quick onsite scanning, copying or straight forward printing. The T2530 inks (HP 727 cartridges) come in 130ml or 300ml capacity. The additional Black and Grey over the standard 4 colour inks achieves more precise line accuracy, darker blacks, and truer neutral greys.

The HP T2530 is a dual roll machine, meaning that two paper rolls (standard 2 inch core) from 297mm to 914mm (max width) can be loaded in lengths up to 91mt. This is useful where you wish to have two paper grades or two different sizes loaded, or where you require continuous printing when one roll ends ? the machine can auto switch to the second roll to continue printing. Longer paper roll capacity also reduces the need to change the roll so often, saving valuable time. The maximum roll diameter is 15cm. Sheets can also be loaded individually.

The HP T2530 is available in two models ? the non-postscript model (L2Y25A) and the postscript or PS model (L2Y26A). The main difference here is that the non-PS model does not scan to PDF so the PS model is certainly the more popular. Postscript is the Adobe branded licence to read and interpret PDFs. This will always give enhanced colour and quality over the non-PS version in terms of print output. The non-PS machine will print PDF files perfectly well but it will use third party software to interpret the PDF into print language using a raster file, meaning quality and colour may be slightly compromised.

Like all HP wide format printers the T2530 sits on a sturdy floor stand and has a cutter which horizontally cuts after each print sending the finished prints to the high capacity (50 sheet) stacker. This is great for keeping flat collated prints safe, especially where multiple users are sending files.

Drivers for the HP T2530 are available for both Mac and PC.

The T2530 has a huge 128GB virtual processing memory and a 500GB on-board hard drive.

Print speed is 21 seconds for an A1 (Mechanical printing time. Printed in Fast mode using HP Bright White Inkjet Paper (bond) and Original HP inks).

Scan speed of the HP T2530 is up to 6.35 cm/sec (2.5 in/sec) in Colour and up to 19.05 cm/sec (7.5 in/sec) in Greyscale.

Canon TX-3000 T36 MFPThe Canon T36 TX-Series MFP
The Canon T36 TX-Series is ideal for print shops or mid volume work groups.

The Canon T36 TX-Series connects via Ethernet, USB or wirelessly to your network.

It is a 5 colour printer (MBK/BK/Y/M/C) with a T36 scanner added on top. The TX-Series inks come in 160ml (PFI-110), 330ml (PFI-310) or 700ml (PFI-710) capacity and use pigment inks, which provide better levels of UV fade resistance and water resistance than dye based ink systems.

Every Canon T36 TX-Series MFP has a dual roll option, meaning that two paper rolls of either 2? or 3? cores can be loaded in lengths up to 90mt. This is useful where you wish to have two paper grades or two different sizes loaded, or where you require your printed output to be re-loaded onto a take-up reel. The maximum roll diameter is 17cm. Sheets can also be loaded individually.

The Canon T36 TX-Series is available in two models ? the TX-3000 T36, which is a 36? scanner and 36? print machine and the TX-4000 T36, which is a 36? scanner and 44? print machine.

The Canon TX-Series T36 large format MFPs utilises a compact but rigid unibody design, borrowed from the automotive market to ensure minimal vibration. There is a built in cutter, allowing for trim after printing and an optional sheet stacker, should this be a requirement.

The Canon TX-Series T36 is a non-postscript machine meaning it uses third party software to produce PDF scans and to interpret PDFs to print

Drivers for the Canon TX-Series T36 MFP are available for both Mac and PC.

The TX-Series T36 has a huge 128GB virtual processing memory and a 500GB on-board hard drive.

Print speed is 37 seconds for an A0 (Printing a CAD drawing on plain paper in Fast Economy Mode).

Scan speed of the Canon TX-Series T36 is up to 6 inches/sec in Colour and up to 13 inches/sec in Greyscale. Scanning and printing can be carried out simultaneously.?

Canon iPF670 L24 MFPThe Canon L24e iPF670 MFP
The?Canon L24e iPF670 is suited for small offices and workgroups wanting to scan print and copy technical drawings and full colour presentations up to A1 size.

The Canon L24e iPF670 connects via Ethernet or USB. Can be set up offline to simply scan straight to copy.

It is a 5 colour printer (C,M,Y,BK,MBK) with a L24e scanner added on top. The Canon iPF670 inks come in 130ml sizes (PFI-107).

The L24e iPF670 can take roll media or cut sheets up to 24? in width.

The Canon L24e iPF670 is a non-postscript machine meaning it uses third party software to produce PDF scans and to interpret PDFs to print

Drivers for the Canon L24e iPF670 ?are available for both Mac and PC.

The L24e iPF670 has a 256MB virtual processing memory.

Print speed is 28 seconds for an A1 (Printing a CAD drawing on plain paper in Fast Economy Mode).

Scan speed of the Canon L24e iPF670 is up to 1 inches/sec in Colour and up to 3 inches/sec in Greyscale.

Canon iPF770 L36 MFPThe Canon L36e iPF770 MFP
The?Canon L24e iPF670 is suited for small offices and workgroups wanting to scan print and copy technical drawings and full colour presentations up to A0 size.

The Canon L24e iPF670 connects via Ethernet or USB. Can be set up offline to simply scan straight to copy.

It is a 5 colour printer (C,M,Y,BK,MBK) with a L36e scanner added on top. The Canon iPF770 inks come in 130ml sizes (PFI-107).

The L36e iPF770 can take roll media or cut sheets up to 36? in width.

The Canon L36e iPF770 ?is a non-postscript machine meaning it uses third party software to produce PDF scans and to interpret PDFs to print

Drivers for the Canon L36e iPF770 are available for both Mac and PC.

The L36e iPF770 has a 256MB virtual processing memory.

Print speed is 48 seconds for an A0 (Printing a CAD drawing on plain paper in Fast Economy Mode).

Scan speed of the Canon L36e iPF770 is up to 1 inches/sec in Colour and up to 3 inches/sec in Greyscale.

Conclusion
Choosing the correct large format MFP for your needs can add real value to your business and simplify your workflow. Even with the increase and reliance on digital documents and advances in technology, print is always going to an essential in the majority of all businesses.

By making the investment into a large format MFP you will be able to print high quality images quickly and without having to outsource, you can make considerable savings (See HERE to see how much you could save)?as well as having greater control and flexibility over your work. Whilst a purchase of a large format MFP might seem like a significant expense, the many benefits outweigh the initial investment and you will make significant savings over the life of the device.

GDS | Graphic Design Supplies Ltd have partnered with HPFS (Hewlett Packard Financial Services) to offer no fuss rental, leasing or hire purchase on any of our models. To get a quick quote call us on 01625 613548 or email sales@gds.org.uk.

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