Home / Wide-Format Printers / HP DesignJet
HP · Wide-Format Plotter
HP DesignJet 4520 HD MFP
wide-format inkjet printer
- Model4520 HD MFP
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
Manufacturer warrantyExtendable to 3 years
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- A wide-format multifunction that prints, copies, and scans under one lid — built for the AEC scan-copy-print loop, not just plotting.
- Runs on the HP 90 ink and printhead system with a deep list of compatible bond, coated, and photo media.
- Handles everyday monochrome line work and occasional color coordination or presentation output on the right stock.
Not sure if the 4520 HD MFP is right for you?
Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.
Overview
Built for the work
HP DesignJet 4520 HD Multifunction Printer
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- A wide-format multifunction that prints, copies, and scans under one lid — built for the AEC scan-copy-print loop, not just plotting.
- Runs on the HP 90 ink and printhead system with a deep list of compatible bond, coated, and photo media.
- Handles everyday monochrome line work and occasional color coordination or presentation output on the right stock.
- This is an installed-base machine; the real buying question is whether your dealer can still supply printheads, maintenance kits, and mechanical parts.
- The newer in-family HP DesignJet T918 36-in MFP is also discontinued, so parts availability applies to it too.
- Best kept if you already own it and service is solid; not the place to start a fresh wide-format purchase.
It’s 4:15 p.m. A civil PM drops a mixed set on your desk: a stack of D-size plans, a couple of E-size profiles, and a scan-and-reprint of a marked-up as-built the field crew faxed in from a job trailer. One machine has to print it, copy it, and scan it — before the courier leaves at five. That’s the job the HP Designjet 4520 HD Multifunction was built to stand next to.
This is an older aqueous inkjet MFP that still turns up in a lot of AEC print rooms. It prints, copies, and scans wide-format documents, which is why it earned a permanent parking spot in reprographics corners for years. If you’re evaluating one today, you’re almost certainly looking at an installed-base machine, not a fresh purchase.
What it actually is
The 4520 HD is a wide-format multifunction built around the HP 90 ink and printhead system, with an integrated scanner for copy and archive work. The “MFP” part matters. A plotter prints. This thing also captures paper — old redlines, field markups, legacy drawings that only exist on media — and puts them back out as clean prints or digital files.
For an AEC shop, that scan-copy-print loop is the whole point. You are rarely just plotting fresh CAD. You are reprinting a permit set, copying a signed sheet for the file, digitizing an as-built before the paper yellows any further. A dedicated printer can’t do the middle two.
HP 90Ink systemaqueous dye/pigment cartridges and printheads
Multifunction PrinterFunctionprint, copy, and integrated wide-format scan
1 year(s)Warranty supportavailable extension coverage
Where it earns its keep
The strength here is the workflow, not the spec sheet. A machine that prints, copies, and scans under one lid keeps a small print room from juggling two boxes. On plain bond, the HP 90 aqueous system handles the everyday monochrome line work that fills a bid set — property lines, dimension strings, fine lettering. It also runs color when a coordination drawing or a survey exhibit needs it.
Feed it the right media and it behaves. The compatible roll list is deep — everyday bond like HP CG890A plotter paper for daily plotting, coated stock, and satin photo media such as HP Premium Instant-dry Satin White for the occasional presentation board. Keep an HP C6036A or HP C6019B coated roll on hand for anything that has to look sharp in a client meeting.
Where it isn't the right tool
Be honest about the age. This is an aqueous MFP from an earlier generation. If you’re chasing modern job accounting, tighter network security, current print-management hooks, or the color consistency newer engines deliver, a current single-function plotter or a newer MFP will serve you better. The failure mode on older machines is usually parts and service, not print quality — before you commit, confirm your dealer can still get printheads, an HP C6567B maintenance kit, and mechanical parts locally.
Need a newer scanner-equipped 36-in machine? A more current in-family MFP like the HP DesignJet T918 36-in is worth a look, though it’s also discontinued now — so the same parts-availability question applies. Put them side by side before you decide, and check the class ranking to see where each lands.
Keep reading
The read
The 4520 HD makes sense in exactly one situation: you already own one, it’s running, and your dealer can still feed it HP 90 supplies and parts. For that shop, it keeps doing the scan-copy-print job it always did. For anyone buying into wide-format fresh today, this is not where I’d start — the ownership risk sits in service and consumable availability, not in the prints it makes. Bottom line: a solid installed-base workhorse, but check the parts pipeline before you plan another year around it.
Spec analysis
How the specs grade
Overall performance
—Not enough data for an overall score
Individual dimensions are shown where the specs support them.
Specifications
Full technical detail
Use caseCAD / Technical
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet 4520 HD MFP
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 · 58 paper & media items · 2 accessories · 2 coverage plans
HP DesignJet 4520 HD MFP ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet 4520 HD Multifunction Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 5
Printheads 4
Paper & Media 58
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 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 Q7971A printing paper Semi-gloss 1 sheets White
HP Q7970A printing paper A3+ (330×483 mm) Semi-gloss 50 sheets White
HP Universal Bond Paper 841 mm x 91.4 m large format media 3598.4" (91.4 m)
HP Q8677A printing film
HP Universal Adhesive Vinyl 914 mm x 20 m (36 in x 66 ft)
HP Q8049A large format media 30.5 m
HP Q7990A photo paper Gloss
HP Premium Instant-dry Satin White
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 Q8910A printing paper Semi-gloss 1 sheets White
HP Prof Semi-gloss Contract Proofing Paper-914 mm x 30.5 m (36 in x 100 ft)
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 PVC-free Banner-914 mm x 15.2 m (36 in x 50 ft)
HP CG816A large format media 15.2 m Matte
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 CG889A large format media 45.7 m
HP CG890A plotter paper
HP CG891A large format media 45 mAccessories 2
Questions
Straight answers
Is the HP Designjet 4520 HD still a current product?
It’s an older wide-format MFP that remains common in AEC print rooms rather than a fresh-purchase machine. Treat any evaluation as an installed-base decision and confirm local service before committing.
What ink and printheads does it use?
It uses the HP 90 ink cartridges and printheads. Keep a maintenance kit such as the HP C6567B on hand, and verify your dealer can still source these supplies locally.
Can it scan and copy, or just print?
It’s a multifunction printer, so it prints, copies, and scans wide-format documents. That integrated scanner is the main reason it stayed useful for archiving as-builts and reprinting marked-up sets.
What media works best for daily AEC plotting?
Everyday bond like HP CG890A plotter paper covers routine plotting. For sharper client-facing output, load a coated roll such as HP C6036A or HP C6019B, or satin photo media like HP Premium Instant-dry Satin White for presentation boards.
Is there a newer machine I should compare it against?
The in-family HP DesignJet T918 36-in is a newer 36-in MFP, though it’s also discontinued. Compare the two directly and weigh parts availability for each before you decide.
What's the biggest risk in keeping one running?
Service and consumable supply, not print quality. Confirm you can get HP 90 printheads, a maintenance kit, and mechanical parts through your dealer before planning another year around it.
Ready to put the HP DesignJet 4520 HD MFP to work?
Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.