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HP DesignJet 4520
42" technical / CAD plotter
- Model4520
- Prints42" wide
- Score55/100
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
Manufacturer warrantyExtension plans available
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- Two automatic roll feeds and automatic roll switching are the 4520’s defining AEC production advantages.
- The printer handles roll media up to 42 inches wide and supports a broad range of technical and presentation media.
- HP rates draft A1 color line drawings on plain paper at 100 A1 prints per hour, but real set throughput also includes processing and handling time.
Not sure if the 4520 is right for you?
Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.
- Wide-format reach Prints up to 42" wide on rolls and sheets.
- Connectivity Ethernet for shared team printing.
- Analyst score Scores 55/100 in our class-relative rating.
Overview
Built for the work
HP Designjet 4520 42-in Printer, HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF, HP 90 Ink Cartridge: black (775 ml); black, cyan, magenta, yellow (400 ml); cyan, magenta, yellow…, 8 (2 each black, cyan, magenta, yellow), Bond and coated paper (bond, coated, heavyweight coated, super heavyweight plus matte), technical…, > 0.4, 6889.8" (175 m)
- 42″Max print width
- 1,000 ft²/hRated speed
- 4Ink channels
Spec Analysis
overall
overall
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- Two automatic roll feeds and automatic roll switching are the 4520’s defining AEC production advantages.
- The printer handles roll media up to 42 inches wide and supports a broad range of technical and presentation media.
- HP rates draft A1 color line drawings on plain paper at 100 A1 prints per hour, but real set throughput also includes processing and handling time.
- Its specified legacy operating-system support makes current driver and network testing essential.
- The HP DesignJet T918 36-in adds scanner/MFP capability but gives up the 4520’s 42-inch media width.
- This machine fits an established print room better than an office that now needs scanning, duplexing or modern workflow integration.
At 4:45 p.m., the print-room question is simple: can the next permit set come off the plotter without stopping to swap rolls? The discontinued HP Designjet 4520 42-in Printer was built for that kind of AEC production. It is a 42-inch thermal-inkjet printer with two automatic roll feeds, automatic roll switching and an automatic cutter—useful when bond drawings and coated presentation output are competing for the same deadline.
It remains a practical installed-base machine for firms producing CAD plans, GIS maps, color coordination drawings and large technical documents on roll media. HP rates draft A1 color line drawings on plain paper at 100 A1 prints per hour. That is a rating, not a promise that every mixed PDF set will behave like a lab test. Processing, roll changes and stacking still get their vote. Bottom line: This is a production plotter for a working print room, not a casual office printer with an optimistic résumé.
42" (1067 mm)Maximum media widthRoll media up to 42 inches wide.
100 A1 prints per hourDraft A1 line drawing speedHP-rated on plain paper.
+/- 0.1%Line accuracyRelevant to technical drawing output.
76 x 31.5 x 53.1"Machine footprintAllow room for media loading and output handling.
Where it earns its floor space
The dual-roll arrangement is the main operational advantage. Load common bond on one roll and coated paper, tracing media or another frequently used stock on the other. Automatic roll switching reduces the small interruptions that turn a straightforward bid package into an after-hours chore. The printer supports bond, coated and technical papers, films, photographic media, self-adhesive material, and banner and sign media. It accepts media from 50 to 328 g/m² and thickness up to 15.7 mil.
For drawing work, the relevant numbers are a minimum line width of 0.000787 inch and specified line accuracy of +/- 0.1%. The four-color HP Thermal Inkjet system uses dye-based cyan, magenta and yellow inks with pigment-based black. HP 90 inks, HP 90 printheads and listed maintenance supplies remain the consumable families to verify before committing to a used or retained unit. Bottom line: Two loaded rolls matter most when the queue contains both construction drawings and color review sheets.
Use the plot-time estimator as a planning aid for rated line-drawing output; leave margin for file processing, roll changes, cutting and collecting the set.
One set: – · Weekly plotting time: –
Computed from the manufacturer's rated 1,000 ft²/h. Real-world mixed sets run slower — treat this as a best case for comparing machines, not a promise.
Workflow, network and operator reality
The 4520 speaks HP-GL/2, HP-RTL and TIFF, with HP Designjet Windows and Mac drivers plus ICC profiles supplied. Gigabit Ethernet, an HP Embedded Web Server and JetDirect compatibility give print-room and IT staff a basic network-management path. There is no USB port listed. Its stated supported operating systems include Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and 2008, and Mac OS X v10.4 and v10.5. That age matters. A firm should test its present CAD, PDF and authentication workflow before assuming a legacy driver will be trouble-free.
It is also a large machine at 408 lb, and its optional stacker is worth considering where unattended output is part of the job. Without duplex capability, sets that need two-sided output belong elsewhere. The monochrome LCD panel is functional, not a modern job-console experience. Bottom line: The mechanics can still suit AEC production, but legacy driver and network fit deserve testing before the first deadline does it for you.
What to compare before keeping or replacing it
If scanning marked-up sheets and copying are now part of the same counter workflow, the narrower discontinued HP DesignJet T918 36-in is the in-family alternative listed here because it adds scanner/MFP capability. The trade-off is width: the 4520 accepts media up to 42 inches, while the T918 is a 36-inch device. Neither should be treated as a current replacement merely because it shares a badge.
For a currently cataloged wider alternative, review the Canon GP-4000 44-in alongside the actual media, application and service requirements of the site. It offers 44-inch width, but a sensible decision also needs a live test with your PDFs and paper. Use the side-by-side comparison to keep the conversation anchored to the published differences, not somebody’s fond memory of a machine that once survived a snowstorm.
Bottom line: Keep the 4520 when its two-roll 42-inch workflow still matches the work; replace it when scanning, current-platform support or a different output process has become the daily bottleneck.
Related evaluation tools
The read
The HP Designjet 4520 42-in Printer still makes sense as a retained AEC production device where dual rolls, wide technical output and established HP-GL/2 or HP-RTL workflows are doing useful work every day. It is less appropriate for teams that need integrated scanning, duplex output or confidence in current operating-system support without local testing. Before buying used or extending service, confirm the condition of the printer, availability of HP 90 consumables and maintenance supplies, network compatibility, and who will answer the phone when the plotter chooses a bid deadline for its little moment. Bottom line: It is a capable legacy production plotter, provided the workflow around it has not moved on.
Spec analysis
How the specs grade
Overall performance
- This printer
- Epson SureColor T5270DR
Category leaders best technical / CAD plotters, by dimension
Verified specifications
The specs that decide it
| Maximum print width | 42 in |
|---|---|
| Number of print cartridges | 4 |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF |
| Media thickness | > 0.4 |
| Maximum roll diameter | 7.09" (18 cm) |
| Ethernet | Yes |
Specifications
Full technical detail
Max print width42"
ConnectivityEthernet (Gigabit LAN)
Use caseCAD / Technical
Printing
| Print head | 8 (2 each black, cyan, magenta, yellow) |
|---|---|
| Print head nozzles | 524 |
| Print speed (imperial) | 1000 ft²/hr |
| Color printing technology | HP Thermal Inkjet |
| Number of print cartridges | 4 |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF |
| Print cartridge volume (metric) | HP 90 Ink Cartridge: black (775 ml); black, cyan, magenta, yellow (400 ml); cyan, magenta, yellow (225 ml) |
| Print time color line drawing (draft, A1) | 25 sec/page |
| Print speed (color image, draft quality, coated paper) | 31.6 m²/hr 339.9 ft²/hr |
| Print speed color line drawing (draft, A1 plain paper) | 100 A1 prints per hour |
| Print time black and white line drawing (draft, metric A1 plain paper) | 25 sec/page |
Performance
| Certification | WEEE, EU RoHS, REACH, EuP |
|---|---|
| Built-in processor | Intel® Celeron® |
| Processor frequency | 2000 MHz |
Paper handling
| Media handling | Two automatic roll feeds, automatic roll switching, automatic cutter, optional stacker |
|---|---|
| Paper handling | Two automatic roll feeds, automatic roll switching |
| Media thickness | > 0.4 |
| Roll top margin | 0.197" (5 mm) |
| Print margin roll | 0.197" (5 mm) |
| Custom media sizes | Rolls up to 1067 mm width |
| Maximum media width | 1067 mm |
| Maximum paper trays | Up to 2 roll feed input slots |
| Maximum roll length | 6889.8" (175 m) |
| Duplex print options | None (not supported) |
| Maximum roll diameter | 7.09" (18 cm) |
| Media types supported | Bond and coated paper (bond, coated, heavyweight coated, super heavyweight plus matte), technical paper (natural tracing, translucent bond, vellum), film (clear, matte, polyester), photographic paper (satin, gloss, semi-gloss, matte, high-gloss), proofing paper (semi-gloss, semi-gloss contract), self-adhesive (indoor paper, polypropylene, vinyl), banner and sign material (outdoor paper, blue back billboard paper) |
| Recommended media weight | 50 – 328 g/m² |
| Media weights by paper path | 50 to 328 g/m² |
| Media thickness (by paper path) | Up to 15.7 mil |
| Non-printable area roll media (imperial) | 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2 in |
Ports & interfaces
| USB port | No |
|---|---|
| I/O ports | slot |
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| RJ-45 ports quantity | 1 |
| Ethernet interface type | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Firewire (IEEE 1394) ports | 1 |
Weight & dimensions
| Weight | 407.9 lbs (185 kg) |
|---|---|
| Size (imperial) | 76" |
| Weight (imperial) | 408 lb |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 76 x 31.5 x 53.1" (1930 x 800 x 1350 mm) |
| Maximum dimensions (W x D x H) | 76 x 31.5 x 53.1" (1930 x 800 x 1350 mm) |
| Product dimensions when open (LxWxD) | 76" |
Power
| Power requirements | Input voltage (auto ranging) 100 to 127 VAC (+/- 10%), 6 A; 220 to 240 VAC (+/- 10%), 3 A; 50/60 Hz (+/- 3 Hz) |
|---|---|
| Power consumption (off) | 1 W |
Operational conditions
| Storage temperature (T-T) | -20 – 55 °C |
|---|---|
| Operating temperature (T-T) | 59 – 86 °F |
| Operating altitude (imperial) | 10,000 ft |
| Storage relative humidity (H-H) | 0 – 95% |
| Operating relative humidity (H-H) | 20 – 80% |
| Recommended operating temperature range (T-T) | 15 – 30 °C |
Other features
| Safety | EU (LVD and EN60950-1 compliant), Russia (GOST) |
|---|---|
| Ink drop | 5 pl (C, M, Y), 15 pl (K) |
| Driver LAN | Novell NetWare 5.x/6.x clients |
| Control panel | Monochrome, illuminated and graphical LCD display area; 2 LEDs: Power, Status; 8 keys: Power, Reset, Form Feed and Cut, Cancel, Up, Down, Back, Select; 1 basic On/Off buzzer |
| Line accuracy | +/- 0.1% |
| Driver updates | Latest driver upgrade information available on http:///go/4520/drivers |
| Line width minimum | 0.003 in |
| Minimum line width | 0.000787" (0.0200 mm) |
| Printer management | HP Embedded Web Server |
| Roll maximum input | 2 |
| Embedded web server | Yes |
| Acoustic power emissions | 7 B(A) (active), 5.7 B(A) (standby) |
| Minimum system requirements | Microsoft Windows, Linux: Intel Pentium 4 (1 GHz), 512 MB RAM, 2 GB available hard disk space Microsoft Windows, Linux: Intel Pentium 4 (1 GHz), 1 GB RAM, 2 GB available hard disk space Mac OS X v10.4 or higher: PowerPC G4, G5, or Intel Core Processor, 1 GB RAM, 2 GB available hard disk space |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | Compliance for Class A ITE products: EU (EMC Directive) |
| JetDirect Compatible Products | Y |
| Compatible ink types, supplies | Dye-based (C, M, Y), pigment-based (K) |
| Maximum print length (imperial) | 575 ft (operating system and application dependent) |
| Acoustic power emissions (standby) | 57 dB |
| Print quality (black, best quality) | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Print quality (color, best quality) | 2400 DPI |
| Print quality (black, draft quality) | 1200 DPI |
| Acoustic pressure emissions (standby) | 38 dB(A) |
| Media sizes standard (imperial rolls) | Up to 42-in rolls |
| Print quality (black, normal quality) | 1200 DPI |
| Minimum system requirements for Macintosh | Mac OS X v10.4 or higher: PowerPC G3 or Intel Core Processor, 512 MB RAM, 1 GB available hard disk space |
Packaging data
| Package weight | 501.1 lbs (227.3 kg) |
|---|---|
| Bundled software | HP Designjet Windows drivers, HP Designjet Mac drivers, ICC profiles |
| Package weight (imperial) | 600 lbs |
| Package dimensions (WxDxH) | 83.9 x 30.5 x 52" (2130 x 775 x 1320 mm) |
| Package dimensions (W x D x H) | 83.9 x 30.5 x 74.4" |
Sustainability
| Sustainability certificates | ENERGY STAR |
|---|
System requirements
| Compatible operating systems | Windows Vista (32/64-bit), Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (32/64-bit), XP Home and Professional (32/64-bit), Server 2003 (32/64 bit), Mac OS X v10.4, v10.5 |
|---|
Input & output capacity
| Total number of input trays | 2 |
|---|
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet 4520
The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.
5 ink cartridges · 4 printheads · 63 paper & media items · 2 accessories
HP DesignJet 4520 ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet 4520 42-in Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 5
Printheads 4
Paper & Media 63
HP Q1733A printing paper Matte 1 sheets White
HP C3868A plotter paper 45.7 m 91.4 cm
HP C3869A plotter paper
HP Q1420A photo paper Brown, White
HP Matte Film 610 mm x 38.1 m (24 in x 125 ft)
Representative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 36 in x 300 ft (C6810A)
HP Reverse Print Matte Backlit Film
HP C6035A large format media 45.7 m
HP C6036A printing paper Matte White
HP C6567B plotter paper
HP Universal Semi-gloss Photo Paper
HP Clear Film 174 gsm-610 mm x 22.9 m (24 in x 75 ft)
HP Q1421A photo paper Brown, WhiteRepresentative imageHP Heavyweight Coated Paper, 42 in x 100 ft (C6569C)
HP Q1730A large format media 30.5 m
HP Adhesive Vinyl 914 mm x 12.2 m (36 in x 40 ft)
HP Q1956A large format media 67.5 m
HP Q1961A large format media
HP Q1962A large format media
HP C7949A large format media 30.5 m Matte
HP Q6579A photo paper Brown, White
HP Q6580A photo paper Matte
HP Q6581A photo paper
HP Q1441A large format media 45.7 m
HP Q1442A large format media 45.7 m
HP Q1444A printing paper Matte
HP Q1445A printing paper Matte
HP Q7897A large format media 45.7 m
HP Universal Bond Paper 841 mm x 91.4 m large format media 3598.4" (91.4 m)
HP Q8004A large format media 91.4 m
HP Q8677A printing film
HP Universal Adhesive Vinyl 914 mm x 20 m (36 in x 66 ft)
HP Q7991A photo paper
HP Aquarella Fine Art Paper-914 mm x 10.7 m (36 in x 35 ft)
HP Aquarella Art Paper-610 mm x 10.7 m (24 in x 35 ft)
HP Q8751A large format media 175 m
HP Q8834A printing film
HP Q8835A printing film
HP CG490A large format media 30.5 m Semi-gloss
HP Premium Semi-gloss Proofing Paper-50 sht/A3+/330 mm x 483 mm (13 x 19 in)
HP CG459A photo paper Matte
HP Premium Matte Photo Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft) large format media
HP CG463A large format media 30.5 m Semi-gloss
HP CG462A printing paper Semi-gloss White
HP Q1446A plotter paper 45 m 42 cm
HP Vivid White Glossy Polyester Film
HP PVC-free Banner-914 mm x 15.2 m (36 in x 50 ft)
HP CG816A large format media 15.2 m Matte
HP Vivid White Glossy Polyester Film
HP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft)
HP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-1067 mm x 30.5 m (42 in x 100 ft)
HP CG822A large format media 22.9 m
HP CG884A large format media 45.7 m Matte
HP CG885A large format media 45.7 m Matte
HP Durable Banner w/ DuPont Tyvek 914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft) large format media Matte
HP Cockle-free Heavyweight Coated Paper-610 mm x 30.5 m (24 in x 100 ft)
HP Cockle-free Coated Paper-610 mm x 45.7 m (24 in x 150 ft)
HP CG892A large format media
HP CG889A large format media 45.7 m
HP CG890A plotter paper
HP CG891A large format media 45 m
HP Self-adhesive Indoor Paper-610 mm x 22.9 m (24 in x 75 ft)
HP Self-adhesive Indoor Paper-1067 mm x 22.9 m (42 in x 75 ft)
Questions
Straight answers
Is the HP Designjet 4520 42-in Printer still suitable for AEC drawings?
Yes, where the need is wide roll-fed CAD, GIS, technical and color coordination output. Its specified minimum line width of 0.000787 inch and line accuracy of +/- 0.1% are relevant to technical drawing work.
Why does the two-roll setup matter?
Two automatic roll feeds let the operator keep two commonly used media types loaded, and automatic roll switching reduces manual intervention. This is useful when plain-paper plan sets and coated review output are both moving through the queue.
What consumables should a buyer confirm?
Confirm access to HP 90 inks, HP 90 printheads and the applicable listed maintenance supplies. Consumable availability should be checked before purchasing a used unit or extending its working life.
Can it be used on a modern network?
The printer includes Gigabit Ethernet, an HP Embedded Web Server and JetDirect compatibility. However, the stated supported operating systems are from an older generation, so current CAD, PDF, driver and authentication workflows should be tested locally.
Does the 4520 scan or copy drawings?
The supplied specifications describe the 4520 as a printer and do not list an integrated scanner or copier. Firms needing those functions should consider whether the HP DesignJet T918 36-in’s scanner/MFP format better matches the workflow.
What should be checked before acquiring one?
Verify printer condition, the two-roll feed operation, cutter function, network connection, driver behavior with your files, consumable access and available service support. Also allow space for a 76 x 31.5 x 53.1-inch, 408 lb machine and its output handling.
Ready to put the HP DesignJet 4520 to work?
Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.