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HP DesignJet 1050c Plus

wide-format inkjet printer

  • Model1050c Plus
HP Designjet 1050c Plus Printer large format printer displaying a colorful architectural rendering on its output tray
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
Manufacturer warrantyExtension plans available
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers

Analyst take

  • A 36-inch legacy aqueous plotter built for line work — plans, redlines, coordination sets.
  • Fine lines and small text on bond remain its strength; it is not a photo device.
  • Runs the still-available HP 80 ink and printhead family, plus broad roll-media support.

Read the full expert analysis ↓

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Overview

Built for the work

HP Designjet 1050c Plus Printer

Expert analysis

What you should know

By Ray KowalczykSenior Technical Editor — CAD & Technical Printing

Key takeaways

  • A 36-inch legacy aqueous plotter built for line work — plans, redlines, coordination sets.
  • Fine lines and small text on bond remain its strength; it is not a photo device.
  • Runs the still-available HP 80 ink and printhead family, plus broad roll-media support.
  • Printheads clog when the machine sits idle — keep it printing and keep a spare on hand.
  • No scanner or copy function; it cannot serve as a walk-up MFP.
  • Keep it if it prints clean; move to a scanner-equipped model when your workflow needs capture.

Someone reissued a 1996 building. The as-builts are on a color-coded coordination set, and the 1050c Plus in the corner is still the machine that prints them. It has outlived two IT managers and one lease cycle. That tells you what it is.

The HP DesignJet 1050c Plus is a 36-inch aqueous inkjet plotter built for line work — plans, sections, redlines, the occasional presentation board. It’s a legacy machine. If one is sitting in your print room, this page is about keeping it useful, not about buying one new.

What it actually does well

Fine lines and small text on bond. That’s the job this class of DesignJet was built for, and the 1050c Plus does it. Column callouts, dimension strings, hatch patterns — they come out readable. For a mid-size firm running D-size and E-size sets, that’s most of the workload right there.

Color is here too, which matters when you’re printing GIS overlays or coordination drawings where the discipline colors have to survive to the field. It’s not a photo device. Nobody bought it to be one. But a color-coded MEP set reads correctly, and that’s the point.

36 inPrint widthHandles D- and E-size roll work.
HP 80Ink platformCartridges and printheads still catalog-listed.
EIO Hard Disk 3.2GBOptional storageFor job spooling on networked units.

The parts that will decide your week

Consumables are the whole story on a legacy machine. Good news: the 1050c Plus runs the HP 80 ink and printhead family, and those are still resolvable, alongside service items like the HP C3868A and HP C6036A maintenance parts. Roll media is broad — HP Matte, HP Vellum, coated bond, film. You are not orphaned yet.

Name the failure mode first: printheads on this generation clog if the machine sits idle for weeks, and a dead head takes down a color. Keep it printing. Keep a spare HP 80 printhead on the shelf. That’s the difference between a redline going out at 4:45 and a service call.

When to stop nursing it

No scanner. No copy function. If your workflow needs to scan old drawings, capture redlines, or run as a walk-up MFP, this machine can’t do it, and no amount of maintenance changes that. That’s the honest line between keeping a workhorse and holding onto an anchor.

The step you’d look at is a wider, scanner-equipped machine in the same family — the HP DesignJet T918 36-in adds MFP scanning and a newer ink set, though it’s also discontinued in our catalog. Worth a side-by-side if you’re weighing repair against replacement. And if you want to see where this generation sits overall, the class ranking puts it in context.

Related machines

HP DesignJet T918 36-in

The read

If you already own a 1050c Plus and it’s printing clean lines, keep it running — the HP 80 supplies are available and the line quality still does the job on a permit set. Don’t go hunting for one to buy new; that ship sailed years ago. The moment you need scanning, copying, or unattended dual-roll production, it’s time to plan a move. Until then, one spare printhead and a machine that never sits idle will get you to more deadlines than most people expect. Bottom line: a capable legacy line plotter — worth maintaining, not worth chasing.

Spec analysis

How the specs grade

Overall performance

—Not enough data for an overall score

Individual dimensions are shown where the specs support them.

How it scores

Media HandlingNot enough spec data
Print QualityNot enough spec data
Print CostNot enough spec data
ColorNot enough spec data
SpeedNot enough spec data
ConnectionsNot enough spec data
WorkflowNot enough spec data
Size / FitNot enough spec data
WarrantyNot enough spec data

Graded on a curve against the best published spec among the wide-format printers we track — 100 = the catalog’s gold standard for that metric (the finest droplet, the longest warranty, the fastest rated speed actually on the market). Every input is a manufacturer-published spec; rated speeds are shown as listed, not timed throughput. Ticks mark the class best. How we grade →

Specifications

Full technical detail

Use caseCAD / Technical

Everything that fits the HP DesignJet 1050c Plus

The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.

9 ink cartridges · 4 printheads · 98 paper & media items · 3 accessories

HP DesignJet 1050c Plus ink and paper →

Supplies

Compatible ink, printheads & media

Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet 1050c Plus — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.

Ink Cartridges 9

HP 80 175-ml Magenta DesignJet Ink Cartridge print head Thermal inkjetHP 80 175-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP Matte 914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft)HP Matte 914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft)Available — request a quoteHP 80 175-ml Yellow DesignJet Ink Cartridge print head Thermal inkjetHP 80 175-ml Yellow Ink Cartridge print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP 80 350-ml Cyan Ink CartridgeHP 80 350-ml Cyan Ink CartridgeAvailable — request a quoteHP 80 350-ml Magenta DesignJet Ink CartridgeHP 80 350-ml Magenta Ink CartridgeAvailable — request a quoteHP 80 350-ml Yellow Ink CartridgeHP 80 350-ml Yellow Ink CartridgeAvailable — request a quoteHP RC Matte WhiteHP RC Matte WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP 80 Yellow Value Pack-Printhead and 350 ml ink cartridge OriginalHP 80 Yellow Value Pack-Printhead and 350 ml ink cartridge OriginalAvailable — request a quoteHP 80 350-ml Black Ink CartridgeHP 80 350-ml Black Ink CartridgeAvailable — request a quote

Printheads 4

HP Cartouche d'encre cyan 80 175-ml print head Thermal inkjetHP Cartouche d'encre cyan 80 175-ml print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP 80 Yellow DesignJet Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 80 Yellow Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 80 Black DesignJet Printhead and Printhead Cleaner print head Thermal inkjetHP 80 Black Printhead and Printhead Cleaner print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP 80 Magenta DesignJet Printhead and Printhead Cleaner print head Thermal inkjetHP 80 Magenta Printhead and Printhead Cleaner print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quote

Paper & Media 98

HP Sahara Fine Art Paper 140 g/m²-36"/914 mm x 10.7 m large format mediaHP Sahara Fine Art Paper 140 g/m²-36"/914 mm x 10.7 m large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1733A printing paper Matte 1 sheets WhiteHP Q1733A printing paper Matte 1 sheets WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP C6568B large format media 45.7 mHP C6568B large format media 45.7 m$206.95BackorderHP Q1408A plotter paperHP Q1408A plotter paperAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1430A photo paper Brown, WhiteHP Q1430A photo paper Brown, WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP C3868A plotter paper 45.7 m 91.4 cmHP C3868A plotter paper 45.7 m 91.4 cmAvailable — request a quoteHP C3869A plotter paperHP C3869A plotter paper$89.95BackorderHP White Matte Polyester FilmHP White Matte Polyester FilmAvailable — request a quoteHP RC Satin Proofing Paper-914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft)HP RC Satin Proofing Paper-914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q1420A photo paper Brown, WhiteHP Q1420A photo paper Brown, WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Universal Satin WhiteHP Universal Satin WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Vellum Paper-610 mm x 45.7 m (24 in x 150 ft)HP Vellum Paper-610 mm x 45.7 m (24 in x 150 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q1760A large format media 45.7 m MatteHP Q1760A large format media 45.7 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP fine art paper,vanilla (914 mm roll) large format mediaHP fine art paper,vanilla (914 mm roll) large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Matte Film 610 mm x 38.1 m (24 in x 125 ft)HP Matte Film 610 mm x 38.1 m (24 in x 125 ft)$257.95BackorderHP C6570C large format media 30.5 mHP C6570C large format media 30.5 m$221.95BackorderHP Outdoor Paper 145 g/m²-60"/1524 mm x 30.5 m large format mediaHP Outdoor Paper 145 g/m²-60"/1524 mm x 30.5 m large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Matte Polypropylene 1372 mm x 22.9 m (54 in x 75 ft)HP Matte Polypropylene 1372 mm x 22.9 m (54 in x 75 ft)Available — request a quoteRepresentative product photograph of a roll of wide-format media beside a PlotterPrinters shipping carton. Generic image, not a photograph of this product.Representative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 36 in x 300 ft (C6810A)$91.95In stockHP C6035A large format media 45.7 mHP C6035A large format media 45.7 mAvailable — request a quoteHP C6036A printing paper Matte WhiteHP C6036A printing paper Matte WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP C6567B plotter paperHP C6567B plotter paper$157.95In stockHP Universal Semi-gloss Photo PaperHP Universal Semi-gloss Photo PaperAvailable — request a quoteHP C3860A printing paper WhiteHP C3860A printing paper White$48.95BackorderHP C6789A large format media 15.2 mHP C6789A large format media 15.2 mAvailable — request a quoteHP C6777A printing filmHP C6777A printing filmAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1712A large format media 10.6 mHP Q1712A large format media 10.6 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1718A large format media 10.7 mHP Q1718A large format media 10.7 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Clear Film 174 gsm-610 mm x 22.9 m (24 in x 75 ft)HP Clear Film 174 gsm-610 mm x 22.9 m (24 in x 75 ft)$285.95In stockHP C7950A large format media 30.5 m MatteHP C7950A large format media 30.5 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1904A printing filmHP Q1904A printing filmAvailable — request a quoteHP Matte Polypropylene 1524 mm x 22.9 m (60 in x 75 ft)HP Matte Polypropylene 1524 mm x 22.9 m (60 in x 75 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q1421A photo paper Brown, WhiteHP Q1421A photo paper Brown, WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1757A printing paper Matte YellowHP Q1757A printing paper Matte YellowAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1724A large format media 10.7 m MattHP Q1724A large format media 10.7 m MattAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1416A large format media 30.5 mHP Q1416A large format media 30.5 m$73.46BackorderHP Outdoor Paper 145 g/m²-54"/1372 mm x 30.5 m large format mediaHP Outdoor Paper 145 g/m²-54"/1372 mm x 30.5 m large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1745A large format media 10 m MatteHP Q1745A large format media 10 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP C6787A large format media 15.2 mHP C6787A large format media 15.2 mAvailable — request a quoteRepresentative product photograph of a roll of wide-format media beside a PlotterPrinters shipping carton. Generic image, not a photograph of this product.Representative imageHP Heavyweight Coated Paper, 42 in x 100 ft (C6569C)$178.95In stockHP Q1730A large format media 30.5 mHP Q1730A large format media 30.5 mAvailable — request a quoteHP White Matte Polyester Film 165 g/m²-54"/1372 mm x 15 mHP White Matte Polyester Film 165 g/m²-54"/1372 mm x 15 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1908A printing filmHP Q1908A printing filmAvailable — request a quoteHP Universal Semi-Gloss Photo PaperHP Universal Semi-Gloss Photo PaperAvailable — request a quoteHP C3861A large format media 45.7 m MatteHP C3861A large format media 45.7 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Adhesive Vinyl 914 mm x 12.2 m (36 in x 40 ft)HP Adhesive Vinyl 914 mm x 12.2 m (36 in x 40 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Productivity Gloss Photo Paper-1067 mm x 30.5 m (42 in x 100 ft)HP Productivity Gloss Photo Paper-1067 mm x 30.5 m (42 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Productivity Gloss Photo Paper-1372 mm x 30.5 m (54 in x 100 ft)HP Productivity Gloss Photo Paper-1372 mm x 30.5 m (54 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Productivity Gloss Photo Paper-1524 mm x 30.5 m (60 in x 100 ft)HP Productivity Gloss Photo Paper-1524 mm x 30.5 m (60 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Productivity Semi-gloss Photo Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft)HP Productivity Semi-gloss Photo Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Productivity Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1067 mm x 30.5 m (42 in x 100 ft)HP Productivity Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1067 mm x 30.5 m (42 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Productivity Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1372 mm x 30.5 m (54 in x 100 ft)HP Productivity Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1372 mm x 30.5 m (54 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Productivity Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1524 mm x 30.5 m (60 in x 100 ft)HP Productivity Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1524 mm x 30.5 m (60 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q1961A large format mediaHP Q1961A large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1962A large format mediaHP Q1962A large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1967A printing paper A3+ (330x483 mm) Matte 100 sheets WhiteHP Q1967A printing paper A3+ (330×483 mm) Matte 100 sheets WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1968A large format media 30.5 m MatteHP Q1968A large format media 30.5 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP C7949A large format media 30.5 m MatteHP C7949A large format media 30.5 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Universal Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1270 mm x 30.5 m (50 in x 100 ft)HP Universal Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1270 mm x 30.5 m (50 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q6579A photo paper Brown, WhiteHP Q6579A photo paper Brown, White$141.95In stockHP Q6580A photo paper MatteHP Q6580A photo paper Matte$223.95In stockHP Q6581A photo paperHP Q6581A photo paper$259.95In stockHP Q6583A photo paper Brown, WhiteHP Q6583A photo paper Brown, White$353.95In stockHP Q6578A photo paper Brown, WhiteHP Q6578A photo paper Brown, White$373.95BackorderHP Q6588A large format media MatteHP Q6588A large format media MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q6596A large format media MatteHP Q6596A large format media MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Durable Display FilmHP Durable Display FilmAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1441A large format media 45.7 mHP Q1441A large format media 45.7 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1442A large format media 45.7 mHP Q1442A large format media 45.7 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1444A printing paper MatteHP Q1444A printing paper MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1445A printing paper MatteHP Q1445A printing paper MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q7897A large format media 45.7 mHP Q7897A large format media 45.7 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Matte Proofing 458 mm x 30.5 m (18 in x 100 ft) printing paperHP Matte Proofing 458 mm x 30.5 m (18 in x 100 ft) printing paperAvailable — request a quoteHP Universal Bond Paper 841 mm x 91.4 m large format media 3598.4" (91.4 m)HP Universal Bond Paper 841 mm x 91.4 m large format media 3598.4" (91.4 m)Available — request a quoteHP Q8004A large format media 91.4 mHP Q8004A large format media 91.4 mAvailable — request a quoteHP CG490A large format media 30.5 m Semi-glossHP CG490A large format media 30.5 m Semi-glossAvailable — request a quoteHP Premium Semi-gloss Proofing Paper-50 sht/A3+/330 mm x 483 mm (13 x 19 in)HP Premium Semi-gloss Proofing Paper-50 sht/A3+/330 mm x 483 mm (13 x 19 in)Available — request a quoteHP CG459A photo paper MatteHP CG459A photo paper MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Premium Matte Photo Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft) large format mediaHP Premium Matte Photo Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft) large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP CG463A large format media 30.5 m Semi-glossHP CG463A large format media 30.5 m Semi-glossAvailable — request a quoteHP CG462A printing paper Semi-gloss WhiteHP CG462A printing paper Semi-gloss WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1446A plotter paper 45 m 42 cmHP Q1446A plotter paper 45 m 42 cmAvailable — request a quoteHP PVC-free Banner-914 mm x 15.2 m (36 in x 50 ft)HP PVC-free Banner-914 mm x 15.2 m (36 in x 50 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft)HP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-1067 mm x 30.5 m (42 in x 100 ft)HP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-1067 mm x 30.5 m (42 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP CG822A large format media 22.9 mHP CG822A large format media 22.9 mAvailable — request a quoteHP CG884A large format media 45.7 m MatteHP CG884A large format media 45.7 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP CG885A large format media 45.7 m MatteHP CG885A large format media 45.7 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Durable Banner w/ DuPont Tyvek 914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft) large format media MatteHP Durable Banner w/ DuPont Tyvek 914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft) large format media MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-610 mm x 30.5 m (24 in x 100 ft)HP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-610 mm x 30.5 m (24 in x 100 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Cockle-free Coated Paper-610 mm x 45.7 m (24 in x 150 ft)HP Cockle-free Coated Paper-610 mm x 45.7 m (24 in x 150 ft)Available — request a quoteHP CG892A large format mediaHP CG892A large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP CG889A large format media 45.7 mHP CG889A large format media 45.7 mAvailable — request a quoteHP CG890A plotter paperHP CG890A plotter paperAvailable — request a quoteHP Canvas Paper 180 g/m²-610 mm x 10.7 m (24 in x 35 ft)HP Canvas Paper 180 g/m²-610 mm x 10.7 m (24 in x 35 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Self-adhesive Indoor Paper-610 mm x 22.9 m (24 in x 75 ft)HP Self-adhesive Indoor Paper-610 mm x 22.9 m (24 in x 75 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Self-adhesive Indoor Paper-1067 mm x 22.9 m (42 in x 75 ft)HP Self-adhesive Indoor Paper-1067 mm x 22.9 m (42 in x 75 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q6620B printing filmHP Q6620B printing film$306.95Backorder

Accessories 3

HP Media SpindleHP Media SpindleAvailable — request a quoteHP C6072-60198 printer/scanner spare part/accessory BeltHP C6072-60198 printer/scanner spare part/accessory BeltAvailable — request a quoteHP C6074-60415 printer kitHP C6074-60415 printer kitAvailable — request a quote
Request a supplies quote

Questions

Straight answers

Can I still get ink and printheads for the 1050c Plus?

Yes. It uses the HP 80 ink cartridge and printhead family, which still resolves to available consumables, along with maintenance parts like the HP C3868A and HP C6036A.

Does this machine scan or copy?

No. The 1050c Plus is a printer only. If you need to scan legacy drawings or run walk-up copies, you need a scanner-equipped model such as the HP DesignJet T918 36-in.

What size drawings can it print?

It’s a 36-inch-wide roll printer, so it handles standard D- and E-size architectural and engineering sheets.

Why do the printheads keep failing?

On this generation, printheads clog when the machine sits unused for weeks. Regular printing prevents most of it; keep a spare HP 80 printhead so a clog doesn’t stop a deadline.

Should I buy one now or replace it?

If you already have a healthy unit, keep it — supplies are available and line quality holds up. Don’t buy one new; when you need scanning or unattended production, plan a move to a current or step-up model.

What media can I run through it?

A wide range: HP Matte, HP Vellum, coated and semi-gloss bond, and film. Media availability is broad enough that you won’t be stuck for stock.

Resources

Brochures, datasheets & video

Documents

BrochurePDF

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