Comparison Canon imagePROGRAF iPF830 vs Epson SureColor SC-T5200

The paper size the plotter is designed to operate with. Most models use ISO 216 formats, identified by the letter A followed by a digit. These formats include the popular A4, but plotters usually work with larger paper:

• A0+. This marking means that the plotter is able to work with sheets larger than A0 (see below). The A0+ format itself provides a sheet width of 914 mm, however, in this case, support for wider media is usually provided — about 1100 mm (1050 – 1150 mm) in the most modest models of this format ( A0+ 44 ") and 1500 mm or more in the largest ( A0+ ≥ 60")
• A0. Paper of this format has a size of 1189x841 mm.
• A1. Paper size 841x594 mm — in other words, half of the A0 format.
• A2. A sheet of this format is approximately the size of a newspaper spread — 420x594 mm, half the size of A1. Considered relatively small by plotter standards.
• A3. The smallest format found in modern plotters: 297x420 mm, that is, only twice the standard A4 (in other words, with a magazine spread). Used in few desktop models (see Installation) — particularly, textile devices (see Product Type) for printing on T-shirts and other similarly sized clothes.

It is also worth noting that many models are able to work with other sizes. Moreover, we are talking not only about reduced, but also about la...rger options: the maximum media width (see below) often exceeds the standard paper size.

The highest image resolution the plotter is capable of printing on paper. It is indicated by the number of dots per inch horizontally and vertically — for example, 1440x720.

The higher the resolution, the smoother the printed image will be as a result, the less noticeable individual dots will be on it (to the point that they cannot be seen at all with the naked eye). On the other hand, the ability to print in such resolutions affects the price of the plotter accordingly. In addition, do not forget that high-quality printing requires appropriate source materials — the quality of the print cannot be higher than the quality of the original image.

Note that in this case we are talking about the maximum resolution; usually in the settings it is possible to set more modest parameters.

Approximate time taken by the plotter to print one sheet.

This indicates for the paper size that the machine was originally designed for (see "Paper Size"). And it is approximate because it is usually given for optimal or almost optimal printing conditions: low quality and resolution, relatively simple images, etc. So the actual print time of the sheet may differ from the claimed one in one direction or another, depending on the operating parameters — starting from the mentioned quality and resolution to the type of media. However, according to the figures indicated in the specs, it is quite possible to evaluate different models and compare them with each other: the difference in the claimed time, usually, will proportionally correspond to the difference in the actual printing speed.

It is also worth noting that this time is usually indicated by the duration of the printing process itself — from the capture of the sheet by the feeder to the output of the completed print from the device. Interruptions inevitably occur between printing individual sheets, so that the total printing time is longer than the printing time of a sheet multiplied by the number of sheets. For example, a device with a time consumption of 36 sec per sheet theoretically should print about 100 sheets per hour (1 h = 3600 s, 3600/36 = 100), but in fact such a plotter usually produces about 70 – 75 sheets in this time.

The smallest width of paper or other media that the plotter can handle. Such devices, by definition, are designed for large-format printing and are poorly suited for small media; therefore, if you plan to frequently print on sizes smaller than standard (see "Paper Size"), you should pay attention to this parameter and make sure that the selected plotter can work with all the necessary materials.

The largest width of paper or other media that the plotter can handle. The larger this parameter, the larger the materials that can be printed on the device; however, the dimensions, weight and cost of the plotter also increase markedly due to this.

Models of cartridges used in the plotter. With this info, you can easily find original consumables for the device.

The amount of built-in memory provided in the design of the plotter.

Such memory is used to store various service data: print tasks, settings profiles, etc. Due to this, the plotter becomes more "independent": for example, many models allow you to continue printing even when the master PC is turned off.

We emphasize that in this case we are talking about solid-state flash memory, which is used mainly for "operational" service information. The capacity of such memory is relatively low, it is measured in megabytes; but in addition to it, the design may include a larger storage capacity — usually a traditional hard drive. For more information about it, see "Drive Capacity".

The capacity of the built-in storage installed in the plotter.

First of all, we note that this drive should not be confused with the built-in memory (see above): in this case, we are talking about a storage designed for long-term storage of large amounts of data. Accordingly, such a storage differs from the mentioned memory in a larger capacity — its volume is already calculated in gigabytes. In addition, the built-in drive is usually a hard drive — this type of storage is better suited for the application described. Such a disk is intended mainly for storing various graphic files — footage, layouts for printing, data from a scanner (if available — see above), etc. The larger its volume, the more files can be simultaneously stored in the plotter's memory.

It is often more convenient to upload files into the device's memory in advance and send them to print directly from the control panel than to turn on the master PC every time — especially if you have to print often and a lot, and PCs are sometimes unavailable (for example, due to mismatched work schedules from printers and designers). On the other hand, such functionality is relevant mainly for powerful performant plotters, and the availability of a built-in drive significantly affects the cost. Therefore, this feature is found mainly in fairly advanced models.

The type of display provided in the design of the plotter.

The presence of the display significantly expands the control capabilities, makes it more convenient and with visual appearance. Such a screen can display at least various information about the operation state of the device; and in many cases it is also used for specific functions — direct control of plotter settings, selection of materials for printing from a USB-drive or card reader (see "Data transfer"), etc. Thereby, models that do not have display at all, are extremely rare nowadays; usually they are units with the most basic functionality, as like "only printing and nothing more." In other cases, the types of displays can be as follows:

— Monochrome. Single colour (usually black and white) display. Such displays usually also have a rather modest resolution, so their capabilities are severely limited compared to colour ones. However, this option is somewhat cheaper, but in this case this is its only advantage. Therefore, devices with monochrome display are not very popular nowadays.

— Colour. A display capable of rendering different colours. The specific quality of colour displays can vary from the simplest panels with a couple of hundred (or even tens) shades, to high-end solutions that are not inferior to PC monitors. However, anyway, the colour display has more extensive possibilities than monochrome. So, among other things, it can be used t...o preview images before printing, and they will look quite authentic. Such equipment costs more than monochrome panels, but this difference is usually not fundamental compared to the cost of plotters in general. So most of these devices nowadays are equipped with colour display. Such a display also often made with a touch screen(see below), although there are also traditional, non-touch colour displays.

— Touch screen. A touch screen similar to those used in modern tablets, which allows you to manage the device by touching the image on the display. Such control is often much more comfortable and functional than using a panel with traditional buttons, knobs, etc.: a variety of controls (buttons, sliders, counters, interactive menus, etc.) can be displayed on the touch screen, and for each situation, you can use your own, the most optimal set of such elements. In addition, it is convenient to view graphic information on such displays (drawings for printing, data from a scanner, etc.) — the screens themselves are usually coloured and have a fairly high resolution, and sensors make it easy to change the scale and move the image in the right direction. The presence of the touch screen affects the cost of the display, but in this case this moment is not fundamental. Such displays in modern plotters are very popular: a colour display in such a device is most likely also a touch screen.