Evaluating Wide-format Printers

With approximately 65 percent of in-plants offering wide-format printing according to IPG data, managers need to be aware how they can maintain high print quality at reasonable costs. The SpencerLab Digital Color Laboratory has just conducted an independent evaluation of print quality and ink usage-based running cost for several Hewlett Packard, Canon and Epson wide-format printers, in multiple applications.

Among the printers evaluated were the HP Designjet Z5400, Z3200 and Z6200, along with the eight-color Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8400S, the 12-color Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8400 and the Epson Stylus Pro 9890. Though the study was commissioned by HP, SpencerLab, an independent test laboratory with a broad base of industry clients, stands by the integrity of its procedures and analyses.

Among the key findings:

• The HP Designjet Z5400 provided the most cost-effective option. When compared with the eight- and 12-color competitive printers, the six-color Z5400 provided overall lowest ink usage cost while rendering adequate print quality for the majority of market segment applications tested.
• The HP Designjet Z3200 provided the highest print quality option. The 12-color HP Designjet Z3200 provided the best overall print quality, rendering the largest gamut volume on all tested media types, sometimes even at a lower cost than the competitive eight- and 12-color printers.
• The HP Designjet Z6200 provided the best balance of cost-effectiveness and print quality. The eight-color HP Designjet Z6200 provided comparable or better print quality than the competitive eight- and 12-color printers, at a lower ink usage cost.
• The 12-color HP Designjet Z3200 rendered the largest gamut volume. The six-color HP Designjet Z5400 rendered a smaller gamut volume in comparison with competitive eight- and 12-color printers.