What if you could have better-printed graphics in less time?
Getting higher quality while saving time may sound too good to be true. However, it all comes down to picking the right plotter to fit your project’s graphic needs. Before you choose a plotter, define clearly the types of graphics you need to create and whether they will be able to create on the plotter that you choose. Once you know what you want to create, it is important to know what each plotter does and how big the graphics can be.
There are many different types of plotters. To help you pick the one that is best for you and your company, we have prepared a thorough guide to the three most popular plotters.
Keep on reading to learn more.
What Are the Types of Plotters?
Plotters are specialized pieces of equipment designed to print out vector graphics in a variety of colors.
Three types of plotters are most popular for their ability to allow you to create different designs.
This group includes the drum plotter, the flatbed plotter, and the inkjet plotter. Each of these types of plotters has a different specific use, therefore, you must make your choice very carefully. You must also choose your plotter supply company with equal care.
Drum Plotters
The drum plotter is a specialized output device whose name indicates its function. This device works by moving a pen on a single axis track while the paper moves on a cylindrical drum. Typically, the drum moves the paper to the right and left, while the pen or pens draw up and down. If you use more than one pen, then you can have different colors.
That drum adds another axis during printing, allowing you to create graphs up to the size of the drum itself. Being able to print graphics of any width and length adds great versatility in printing a wide variety of large documents. Some of the documents created include architectural drawings.
Flat Bed Plotters
Flatbed plotters are output devices whose name also hints at their function. They work by fixing paper on a flat surface while pens move to draw the image. The pen itself may be attached to an arm, allow it to easily move over the paper. They do not use traditional printing heads, nozzles, and ink cartridges. The bed itself is a flat vacuum bed or table meant to keep the paper still.
Part of what makes flatbed plotters attractive is that they can use many different colors of pens to create visually dazzling graphics. The bigger the bed, the bigger the plots you can create, giving you additional versatility in the types of graphics you print.
Flatbed plotters are available in larger sizes than drum plotters. That makes them an ideal choice to create even larger documents, particularly if you are consistently printing larger architectural or CAD drawings.
Ink Jet Plotters
The third most popular kind of plotter is an inkjet plotter. This device pushes beads of ink directly onto the surface of whatever you are printing on.
These inkjet plotters typically print in three- or four-color palettes. The three-color inkjets focus on cyan, magenta, and yellow and they mix colors to create darker shades, such as black.
Four-color inkjet plotters are available that have dedicated black ink. These are recommended when you want the clearest shades of black.
These inks are also often water-based, using virtually no VOC’s or hydrocarbon-based solvents, making it an environmentally-friendly printing option. Water-based inks also add less weight to the paper, making it an affordable option once those pages are ready for transport and mailing.
This type of printing option can also eliminate many elements of waste throughout the printing process. These ink jet printers can also reduce your set-up time, thus allowing you to maximize your productivity.
Inkjet plotters have a couple of unique advantages in that they are affordable and versatile. More so than any other plotter, there is certainly an inkjet to suit every individual or company and their different needs.
The Bottom Line
You now know about the three most popular types of plotters (there are obviously more, including, cutting plotters and steel cutters) and how they can help you and your business. However, do you know who can help you maximize your plotter investment?
At Simple Solutions International, we sell a variety of plotter supplies. We are here to help take your dreams and print them out so they can live forever.
To see how we can help you with your needs, browse our plotter supplies today.
Simple Solutions International offers a full selection of plotter blades and plotter pens as well as a variety of useful tools for use in plotting and sign making such as plotter adapters, masking film, spray mask, and other sign making tools and accessories.