Are you interested in learning more about plotter paper? We’re ready to help.
Plotter paper and a plotter machine are the keys to creating extremely detailed and accurate large-scale prints.
This detailed guide will explain what plotter paper is, how it is used, and what printing tools are associated with it. We’ll also elaborate on the most common paper types.
Read on to get all your plotter paper questions answered!
What Is Plotter Paper?
Architects, designers, and engineers are the primary users of plotter paper. They use it for high-definition designs, drawings, and graphics that need to be printed in large and visually striking formats. Plotter paper enables professionals across these industries to print high-quality, crisp vector graphics at absolutely any size.
What’s The Difference Between Regular Printing and Plotter Printing?
There are a lot of differences between a wide format printer and a plotter. Large format printers (also known as wide format printers) create raster images based on a grid of pixels.
That’s also the way office and household printers work. What that means is, sometimes the pixels become visible, and image quality degrades when pictures are resized for printing purposes.
While raster files can’t be re-scaled without a loss in image quality, vector files are different. Vector files can be scaled to any size without any loss of resolution. How? Instead of being a pixel-based method of storing image information, the image data is translated into exact mathematical values.
Software and a plotter can then use those mathematical values to draw smooth, fluid continuous lines with precision. Specialized software is required to create vector files, such as Adobe Illustrator, and vector file types include AI, EPS, and SVG.
Plotter Paper Uses
Plotter paper is used along with industrial-sized devices called plotter machines.
They are machines that can produce exceptionally detailed and accurate prints. If you need to print anything from digitized fine art and billboards to large-scale architectural design plans, plotter paper might be the right medium for you.
Plotter paper rolls come in a variety of sizes, and the most common two sizes are 36 inches and 42 inches.
Printing Tools
The printing tools typically used with plotter paper are:
- An electrostatic plotter machine
- Pen and plotter machine (sometimes also known as a flatbed plotter)
- Drum plotters (wrap paper around a drum that feeds it through the machine, a pen draws the image)
- Bespoke printing machines
- Xerographic copier paper
- Recycled inkjet plotter paper
- Tools for cutting and treating the paper such as blades
In each case, usually, some software is used alongside the printer, such as AutoCAD® and other drafting and technical drawing applications. A pen and plotter machine draws the ink straight onto the plotter paper, which is wonderful fun to see in action.
Plotter Paper Types
The main paper plotter paper styles are:
- Xerographic paper (for electrostatic plotter machines)
- Translucent paper
- Matt and gloss vellum
- Vinyl paper
- Bond paper
- Recycled inkjet plotter paper
- Textured or custom paper for specialized uses
Plotter rolls are manufactured in a lot of different sizes, textures, weights, and thicknesses. Some are better for flatbed plotters, and others are better used with electrostatic plotters. Electrostatic plotters require specially treated paper because they use negative and positive electrical charges to apply the ink. This special paper is called Xerographic paper, and it’s a type of treated bond paper with a high degree of electrical resistivity.
Translucent paper isn’t fully opaque, and it’s the sort of paper a lot of us imagine when we think about engineering or architects’ plans.
Without a doubt, the most popular type of plotter paper is vellum. Architectural firms and engineering companies tend to use more vinyl and bond paper rolls than other industries because they want their final products to stand the test of time.
Bond paper is most commonly used for line drawings, photographic charts, and text. It’s often used for trade shows, business conferences, and exhibitions.
Recycled paper options provide a more environmentally friendly choice for businesses with sustainability goals and corporate responsibility (CSR) targets.
Choosing The Right Plotter Paper
To choose the right plotter paper for your use case, you might want to consider the following factors.
Roll Length
The length of a roll of plotter paper is measured in feet and inches. They can range all the way up to 500 feet, but most rolls are about 150 feet long.
Roll Width
The width of a roll of plotter paper is measured in inches. Wide-format plotters usually take widths in the following measurements:
- 11 inches
- 17 inches
- 18 inches
- 22 inches
- 24 inches
- 30 inches
- 34 inches
- 42 inches
Paper Weight
Specific plotter machines require different paper weights, but the most common paperweights for plotter devices are 24lb bond and 60lb text paper.
Core Diameter
The cardboard tube at the center of a roll of plotter paper is called the core. Considering the core diameter is important to make sure your machine and parts can correctly hold the paper.
Want To Buy Plotter Paper?
Would you like to purchase plotter paper and plotter tools, including blades, from us? Take a look at our amazing selection of brands. We also stock some environmentally friendly options.
As well as plotter paper, simple solutions international also stocks plotter blades, adapters, and pens. We hope you enjoyed reading this article.
If you still have questions, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to answer your questions about plotter paper and supplies.
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 masks, and other sign making tools and accessories.