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HP · Wide-Format Plotter

HP DesignJet 5500

60" wide-format inkjet printer

  • Model5500
  • Prints60" wide
HP Designjet 5500 Printer 60 in large format printer product image showing front view with red car displayed on output
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
Manufacturer warrantyExtension plans available
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers

Analyst take

  • A legacy 60-inch aqueous inkjet still common in AEC shops that run mixed color and monochrome work.
  • Full 60-inch width handles E-size plans and presentation boards without splitting sheets.
  • Runs dye-based HP 81 inks or a UV-pigment path via the HP 83 printheads and UV Upgrade Kits.

Read the full expert analysis ↓

Not sure if the 5500 is right for you?

Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.

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Overview

Built for the work

HP Designjet 5500 Printer (60 in)

Expert analysis

What you should know

By Ray KowalczykSenior Technical Editor — CAD & Technical Printing

Key takeaways

  • A legacy 60-inch aqueous inkjet still common in AEC shops that run mixed color and monochrome work.
  • Full 60-inch width handles E-size plans and presentation boards without splitting sheets.
  • Runs dye-based HP 81 inks or a UV-pigment path via the HP 83 printheads and UV Upgrade Kits.
  • The real risk is age: printhead and service-parts availability, not print quality.
  • No scanner or copier at the station — pair it with an MFP if you need scan-and-copy.
  • If buying new rather than repairing, the current 60-inch Canon iPF9400 and PRO-6100 are the modern replacements.

Somebody’s standing at a 60-inch machine at 4:30 with a presentation board due at five. That’s who the HP Designjet 5500 was built for. A wide-format aqueous inkjet from HP’s older DesignJet generation, sized for the full 60-inch roll, meant for the days when the big color rendering and the site-plan set came off the same box.

It’s a legacy machine now. Plenty are still running in AEC shops because they earned their keep and nobody wants to retire a plotter that still prints. If you’ve inherited one, or you’re weighing whether to keep feeding it, here’s the honest read.

60 inPrint widthfull D- and E-size plus oversized boards
HP 81Ink platformdye-based cartridges and printheads
HP 83Printhead familyUV-pigment alternative on the same chassis
Legacy wide-format aqueous inkjetClass

What it actually does well

The 5500 was a workhorse in mixed color-and-mono shops. Sixty inches means you’re not cropping a presentation board or splitting an oversized site plan. It runs a deep media catalog — bond, coated, gloss photo, backlit film, polyester — so a single machine covered the bid set and the client-facing rendering.

The ink story matters here. It shipped on the dye-based HP 81 inks and printheads, with HP Dye Upgrade Kits with Ink/42 and /60 options, plus a pigment path via HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/42 and /60 and the HP 83 printheads. Dye gives you saturated boards; UV-pigment buys you fade resistance for anything that hangs on a wall. That flexibility was the selling point, and it still is if you own one.

Where it stops making sense

Name the failure mode first: it’s the years. Printheads, tubing, and the service parts on any machine this old are the risk, not the print quality. When a head goes mid-deadline, your recovery depends entirely on parts you can still source. That’s the whole calculation on a legacy plotter.

  • Good fit if you already own one, run mixed color/mono, and have a tech who knows it.
  • Good fit for shops that need true 60-inch width for boards and oversized plans.
  • Good fit as a second machine for color work behind a newer mono plotter.
  • Poor fit if you need a scanner-copier at the same station.

If you’re buying new rather than keeping old, look at the current 60-inch field: the Canon iPF9400 60-in and the Canon PRO-6100 60-in are the modern pigment answers. Need a scan-and-copy station instead of raw width? The narrower HP DesignJet T918 36-in MFP covers that at 36 inches. Worth a side-by-side: the 5500 against the iPF9400.

Keep reading

Canon PRO-6100 60-inCurrent 60-inch pigment option if you're replacing, not repairing.Compare with the Canon PRO-4100SLegacy dye/UV chassis vs a current graphics plotter.

The read

Keep the 5500 if it runs, you have parts and a tech, and you genuinely use the 60-inch width. It still prints clean color and mono, and the dye/UV flexibility is rare. But don’t go shopping for one to buy fresh. The moment a printhead fails during a deadline and the part’s on backorder, all the good print quality in the world won’t help you. As a machine you already own: earn every roll out of it. As a purchase decision: look at the current 60-inch Canon field instead.

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 →

Verified specifications

The specs that decide it

Maximum print width60 in

Specifications

Full technical detail

Max print width60"
Use caseCAD / Technical

Everything that fits the HP DesignJet 5500

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

15 ink cartridges · 19 printheads · 139 paper & media items · 3 accessories

HP DesignJet 5500 ink and paper →

Supplies

Compatible ink, printheads & media

Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet 5500 60-in — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.

Ink Cartridges 15

HP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Light Cyan DesignJet Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetHP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Light Cyan Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Light Magenta DesignJet Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetHP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Light Magenta Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead 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 81 Value Pack 680-ml Black DesignJet Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetHP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Black Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Cyan DesignJet Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetHP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Cyan Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP RC Matte WhiteHP RC Matte WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Magenta DesignJet Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetHP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Magenta Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP RC Matte WhiteHP RC Matte WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Dye Upgrade Kits with Ink/42HP Dye Upgrade Kits with Ink/42Available — request a quoteHP 81 3-pack 680-ml Light Magenta DesignJet Dye Ink CartridgesHP 81 3-pack 680-ml Light Magenta Dye Ink CartridgesAvailable — request a quoteHP Dye Upgrade Kits with Ink/60HP Dye Upgrade Kits with Ink/60Available — request a quoteHP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/60HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/60Available — request a quoteHP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/42HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/42Available — request a quoteHP 81 680-ml Light Magenta Dye Ink CartridgeHP 81 680-ml Light Magenta Dye Ink CartridgeAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 680-ml Light Cyan DesignJet Dye Ink CartridgeHP 81 680-ml Light Cyan Dye Ink CartridgeAvailable — request a quote

Printheads 19

HP Cartouche d'encre magenta UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetHP Cartouche d'encre magenta UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP 83 Cyan DesignJet UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 83 Cyan UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 83 Yellow DesignJet UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 83 Yellow UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 83 Light Cyan DesignJet UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 83 Light Cyan UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP Cartouche d'encre cyan UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetHP Cartouche d'encre cyan UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP Cartouche d'encre cyan clair UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetHP Cartouche d'encre cyan clair UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP Cartouche d'encre magenta clair UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetHP Cartouche d'encre magenta clair UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Black DesignJet Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 81 Black Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Light Cyan DesignJet Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 81 Light Cyan Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 83 Black DesignJet UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 83 Black UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Cyan DesignJet Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 81 Cyan Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Magenta DesignJet Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 81 Magenta Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Light Magenta DesignJet Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 81 Light Magenta Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP Cartouche d'encre UV noire 83 680 ml print head Thermal inkjetHP Cartouche d'encre UV noire 83 680 ml print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP 83 Magenta DesignJet UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 83 Magenta UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 83 Light Magenta DesignJet UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 83 Light Magenta UV Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 Yellow DesignJet Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerHP 81 Yellow Dye Printhead and Printhead CleanerAvailable — request a quoteHP 81 3-pack 680-ml Light Cyan Dye Cartridges print head Thermal inkjetHP 81 3-pack 680-ml Light Cyan Dye Cartridges print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quoteHP Cartouche d'encre jaune UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetHP Cartouche d'encre jaune UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetAvailable — request a quote

Paper & Media 138

HP Q1733A printing paper Matte 1 sheets WhiteHP Q1733A printing paper Matte 1 sheets WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Two-view Cling FilmHP Two-view Cling FilmAvailable — request a quoteHP Two-view Cling FilmHP Two-view Cling FilmAvailable — 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 C6964A photo paper White GlossHP C6964A photo paper White GlossAvailable — request a quoteHP White Matte Polyester FilmHP White Matte Polyester FilmAvailable — request a quoteHP Photo Imaging Satin Paper-1524 mm x 30.5 m (60 in x 100 ft)HP Photo Imaging Satin Paper-1524 mm x 30.5 m (60 in x 100 ft)Available — 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 Q1760A large format media 45.7 m MatteHP Q1760A large format media 45.7 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP C6570C large format media 30.5 mHP C6570C large format media 30.5 m$221.95BackorderHP 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 Reverse Print Matte Backlit FilmHP Reverse Print Matte Backlit FilmAvailable — request a quoteHP 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 White Glossy Opaque Polyester Film-1067 mm x 15.2 m (42 in x 50 ft)HP White Glossy Opaque Polyester Film-1067 mm x 15.2 m (42 in x 50 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Universal Semi-gloss Photo PaperHP Universal Semi-gloss Photo PaperAvailable — request a quoteHP C6777A printing filmHP C6777A printing filmAvailable — 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)$285.95BackorderHP 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 Reverse Print Matte Backlit FilmHP Reverse Print Matte Backlit FilmAvailable — request a quoteHP Reverse Print Matte Backlit FilmHP Reverse Print Matte Backlit FilmAvailable — 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 Photo Imaging Gloss WhiteHP Photo Imaging Gloss WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1743A printing paper Matte 1 sheets WhiteHP Q1743A printing paper Matte 1 sheets WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1735A large format media 22.9 mHP Q1735A large format media 22.9 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 Photo Imaging Gloss WhiteHP Photo Imaging Gloss WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1730A large format media 30.5 mHP Q1730A large format media 30.5 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1908A printing filmHP Q1908A printing filmAvailable — request a quoteHP C6959A photo paper WhiteHP C6959A photo paper WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP C6960A photo paper SatinHP C6960A photo paper SatinAvailable — request a quoteHP RC Satin Proofing WhiteHP RC Satin Proofing WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Universal Semi-Gloss Photo PaperHP Universal Semi-Gloss Photo PaperAvailable — 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 Q1956A large format media 67.5 mHP Q1956A large format media 67.5 m$406.95In stockHP Heavyweight Coated 1524 mm x 68.5 m (60 in x 225 ft) large format media MatteHP Heavyweight Coated 1524 mm x 68.5 m (60 in x 225 ft) large format media Matte$550.95In stockHP Q1961A large format mediaHP Q1961A large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1962A large format mediaHP Q1962A large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP C7949A large format media 30.5 m MatteHP C7949A large format media 30.5 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Durable Scrim-1067 mm x 12.2 m (42 in x 40 ft)HP Durable Scrim-1067 mm x 12.2 m (42 in x 40 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-24"/610 mm x 12.2 m large format mediaHP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-24"/610 mm x 12.2 m large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q2524B large format media 12.2 mHP Q2524B large format media 12.2 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-36"/914 mm x 12.2 m large format mediaHP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-36"/914 mm x 12.2 m large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1902B large format mediaHP Q1902B large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1901B large format media 15.2 mHP Q1901B large format media 15.2 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1898B large format mediaHP Q1898B large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q1899B large format mediaHP Q1899B large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-54"/1372 mm x 12.2 m large format mediaHP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-54"/1372 mm x 12.2 m large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Universal Coated Paper-1270 mm x 45.7 m (50 in x 150 ft)HP Universal Coated Paper-1270 mm x 45.7 m (50 in x 150 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Universal Heavyweight Coated Paper 120 g/m²-50"/1270 mm x 30.5 m large format media MatteHP Universal Heavyweight Coated Paper 120 g/m²-50"/1270 mm x 30.5 m large format media MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Universal High-gloss Photo Paper-1270 mm x 30.5 m (50 in x 100 ft)HP Universal High-gloss Photo Paper-1270 mm x 30.5 m (50 in x 100 ft)Available — 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 Universal Instant-dry Gloss WhiteHP Universal Instant-dry Gloss WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP 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 Q6621A large format media 15.2 mHP Q6621A large format media 15.2 mAvailable — 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 Q6586A large format media 30.5 mHP Q6586A large format media 30.5 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Coated Paper-1524 mm x 45.7 m (60 in x 150 ft)HP Coated Paper-1524 mm x 45.7 m (60 in x 150 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Coated Paper 90 g/m²-50"/1270 mm x 45.7 m large format mediaHP Coated Paper 90 g/m²-50"/1270 mm x 45.7 m large format mediaAvailable — request a quoteHP Q7897A large format media 45.7 mHP Q7897A large format media 45.7 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Q7999A photo paperHP Q7999A photo paper$587.95BackorderHP 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 Q8677A printing filmHP Q8677A printing filmAvailable — request a quoteHP Universal Adhesive Vinyl 914 mm x 20 m (36 in x 66 ft)HP Universal Adhesive Vinyl 914 mm x 20 m (36 in x 66 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q8673A large format media 6.1 mHP Q8673A large format media 6.1 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Collector Satin Canvas-610 mm x 6.1 m (24 in x 20 ft)HP Collector Satin Canvas-610 mm x 6.1 m (24 in x 20 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q8713A photo paper MatteHP Q8713A photo paper MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q7990A photo paper GlossHP Q7990A photo paper GlossAvailable — request a quoteHP Premium Instant-dry Satin WhiteHP Premium Instant-dry Satin WhiteAvailable — request a quoteHP Q7991A photo paperHP Q7991A photo paper$232.95BackorderHP Aquarella Fine Art Paper-914 mm x 10.7 m (36 in x 35 ft)HP Aquarella Fine Art Paper-914 mm x 10.7 m (36 in x 35 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Aquarella Art Paper-610 mm x 10.7 m (24 in x 35 ft)HP Aquarella Art Paper-610 mm x 10.7 m (24 in x 35 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Hahnemühle Smooth Fine Art Paper 265 g/m²-1067 mm x 10.7 m (42 in x 35 ft)HP Hahnemühle Smooth Fine Art Paper 265 g/m²-1067 mm x 10.7 m (42 in x 35 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Hahnemühle Textured Fine Art Paper 265 g/m²-1067 mm x 10.7 m (42 in x 35 ft)HP Hahnemühle Textured Fine Art Paper 265 g/m²-1067 mm x 10.7 m (42 in x 35 ft)Available — request a quoteHP Q8749A printing filmHP Q8749A printing film$938.95BackorderHP Q8750A printing filmHP Q8750A printing film$1,035.95BackorderHP Q8748A printing filmHP Q8748A printing film$667.95BackorderHP Q8834A printing filmHP Q8834A printing filmAvailable — request a quoteHP Q8835A printing filmHP Q8835A printing filmAvailable — request a quoteHP CG490A large format media 30.5 m Semi-glossHP CG490A large format media 30.5 m Semi-glossAvailable — request a quoteHP Q8916A photo paperHP Q8916A photo paper$135.95In stockHP Q8917A photo paperHP Q8917A photo paper$207.95In stockHP Q8918A photo paperHP Q8918A photo paper$236.95In stockHP Q8919A photo paperHP Q8919A photo paper$343.95BackorderHP Q8920A photo paperHP Q8920A photo paper$135.95In stockHP Q8921A photo paperHP Q8921A photo paper$207.95In stockHP Q8922A photo paperHP Q8922A photo paper$228.95In stockHP Q8923A photo paperHP Q8923A photo paper$346.95BackorderHP 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 Vivid White Glossy Polyester FilmHP Vivid White Glossy Polyester FilmAvailable — 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 CG816A large format media 15.2 m MatteHP CG816A large format media 15.2 m MatteAvailable — request a quoteHP CG817A large format media 15.2 mHP CG817A large format media 15.2 mAvailable — request a quoteHP Vivid White Glossy Polyester FilmHP Vivid White Glossy Polyester FilmAvailable — request a quoteHP CG498A printing filmHP CG498A printing filmAvailable — 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 CG823A large format media 22.9 mHP CG823A large format media 22.9 mAvailable — 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 CG891A large format media 45 mHP CG891A large format media 45 mAvailable — 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$306.95BackorderHP C2T50A printing filmHP C2T50A printing filmAvailable — request a quote

Accessories 3

HP 42-inch SpindleHP 42-inch SpindleAvailable — request a quoteHP DesignJet 60-inch Spindle media spindle 152.4 cm (60")HP 60-inch Spindle media spindle 152.4 cm (60")Available — request a quoteHP C6087L printer kitHP C6087L printer kitAvailable — request a quote
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Questions

Straight answers

Is the HP Designjet 5500 still supported?

It’s a legacy machine. Treat parts and printhead availability as the deciding factor before you commit to keeping one running for critical deadlines.

What inks and printheads does it use?

It runs on the dye-based HP 81 inks and printheads. A UV-pigment path is available through the HP 83 printheads with the HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/42 or /60.

Can it handle both plans and color renderings?

Yes — that dual role was its purpose. It supports a wide media range from bond and coated paper to gloss photo and backlit film, so one machine covered bid sets and client-facing boards.

Does it scan or copy?

No. It’s a printer only. If you need a scan-and-copy station, pair it with an MFP such as the HP DesignJet T918 36-in, or plan for a separate wide-format scanner.

What should I buy if I'm replacing it?

Stay at 60 inches with a current pigment machine — the Canon iPF9400 60-in or the Canon PRO-6100 60-in are the direct-class options in our catalog.

Is it worth keeping if I already own one?

If it runs, you have a technician who knows it, and you actually use the full 60-inch width, keep printing. The economics turn against it once you’re buying scarce service parts.

Resources

Brochures, datasheets & video

Documents

DatasheetPDF · 439 KBBrochurePDF

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