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HP DesignJet 5500PS
42" wide-format inkjet printer
- Model5500PS
- Prints42" wide
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
Manufacturer warrantyExtension plans available
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- The HP Designjet 5500PS is a discontinued 42-inch color roll plotter aimed at AEC line and color work.
- It runs the HP 81 dye ink and printhead family, with an HP 83 UV-pigment option for longer-lasting color.
- Upgrade kits on this platform let owners switch between dye and UV ink chemistry.
Not sure if the 5500PS is right for you?
Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.
Overview
Built for the work
HP Designjet 5500PS Printer (42 in)
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- The HP Designjet 5500PS is a discontinued 42-inch color roll plotter aimed at AEC line and color work.
- It runs the HP 81 dye ink and printhead family, with an HP 83 UV-pigment option for longer-lasting color.
- Upgrade kits on this platform let owners switch between dye and UV ink chemistry.
- It still suits owners with a running unit, reliable HP 81 supply, and a technician who knows the printhead routine.
- Firms buying new should look at the in-family HP DesignJet T918 36-in or current Canon 44-inch engines instead.
- The real risk is supply-chain, not print quality — confirm ink, head, and local service availability before committing another year.
It’s 4:30 p.m. and someone needs a 30-sheet bid set plus two color coordination plots before the courier leaves. That was the job the HP Designjet 5500PS lived for, back when it did. A 42-inch aqueous workhorse from HP’s early-2000s color roll era, built to sit in a print room and grind out D- and E-size plots on bond all day.
Here’s the honest part: this machine is discontinued. If you’re reading this page, you either own one and need to keep it fed, or you inherited one and you’re wondering how long to ride it. Both are fair questions. Let’s answer them.
42 inPrint widthhandles E-size and 36-in rolls comfortably
HP 81Ink platformdye-based ink and matching printheads
HP 83Alt printhead lineUV-pigment path for longer-lasting color
What it actually is
The 5500PS is a 42-inch color inkjet plotter with a PostScript path — that’s the “PS” — aimed at architects and engineers who needed both crisp monochrome line work and presentable color from one roll-fed box. It ran on the HP 81 dye ink and printhead family, with an HP 83 UV-pigment option for people who wanted color that held up in a job trailer window instead of fading by the second site meeting.
HP also offered upgrade paths on this platform — the HP Dye Upgrade Kits with Ink/42 and HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/42 among them — so an owner could shift the machine’s ink chemistry to match the work. That flexibility was unusual then and it’s part of why so many of these are still bolted to a floor somewhere.
Where it still earns its keep — and where it doesn't
If you already own one, it’s running, and your dealer can still get you HP 81 supplies, there’s a real case for keeping it in service for internal check plots and everyday bond output. Media is not the problem — this platform accepts a long list of HP rolls, from HP Universal Semi-gloss Photo Paper to matte bond and film.
- In-house redlines and QA plots where speed matters more than archival color
- Mixed mono-and-color sets on plain bond, done in one pass through the room
- Shops with a technician who knows the printhead-swap routine cold
- A backup box behind a newer primary plotter
Where it’s the wrong tool: any firm buying new. Parts and heads for a machine this old get harder to source every year, and a single failed printhead at 4:45 on a Friday is a bad way to learn your supply chain. If you need current color quality and a scanner in the same footprint, look at the in-family HP DesignJet T918 36-in. If you want a modern 44-inch color engine, the Canon GP-4000 44-in and Canon iPF8300 44-in are the honest comparisons — line them up side by side before you commit.
The supply question you can't skip
Owning a discontinued plotter is a supply-chain decision, not a print-quality one. Before you commit another year to this machine, confirm you can still get HP 81 ink and printheads, and that a service tech within driving distance has seen one recently. The consumable list is long and the media options are broad, but availability on a platform this age is the thing that ends the relationship — usually with no warning.
Worth comparing before you decide
The read
The HP Designjet 5500PS did its job well in its day: a 42-inch color plotter that handled mono line work and presentation color from one roll. If you own a healthy one with a reliable HP 81 supply, keep running it for internal plots and treat it as a backup, not a bet. If you’re buying, buy something current — the T918 or a modern Canon 44-inch. Bottom line: this is a machine you retire on your schedule, not the day it finally jams during a deadline.
Spec analysis
How the specs grade
Overall performance
—Not enough data for an overall score
Individual dimensions are shown where the specs support them.
Verified specifications
The specs that decide it
| Maximum print width | 42 in |
|---|
Specifications
Full technical detail
Max print width42"
Use caseCAD / Technical
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet 5500PS
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 5500PS ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet 5500PS 42-in — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 14
HP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Light Cyan Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjet
HP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Light Magenta Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjet
HP Matte 914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft)
HP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Black Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjet
HP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Cyan Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjet
HP 81 Value Pack 680-ml Magenta Dye Ink Cartridge and Printhead print head Thermal inkjet
HP RC Matte White
HP Dye Upgrade Kits with Ink/42
HP 81 3-pack 680-ml Light Magenta Dye Ink Cartridges
HP Dye Upgrade Kits with Ink/60
HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/60
HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/42
HP 81 680-ml Light Magenta Dye Ink Cartridge
HP 81 680-ml Light Cyan Dye Ink CartridgePrintheads 19
HP Cartouche d'encre magenta UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjet
HP 83 Cyan UV Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 83 Yellow UV Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 83 Light Cyan UV Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP Cartouche d'encre cyan UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjet
HP Cartouche d'encre cyan clair UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjet
HP Cartouche d'encre magenta clair UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjet
HP 81 Black Dye Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 81 Light Cyan Dye Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 83 Black UV Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 81 Cyan Dye Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 81 Magenta Dye Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 81 Light Magenta Dye Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP Cartouche d'encre UV noire 83 680 ml print head Thermal inkjet
HP 83 Magenta UV Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 83 Light Magenta UV Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 81 Yellow Dye Printhead and Printhead Cleaner
HP 81 3-pack 680-ml Light Cyan Dye Cartridges print head Thermal inkjet
HP Cartouche d'encre jaune UV 83 (680 ml) print head Thermal inkjetPaper & Media 102
HP Q1733A printing paper Matte 1 sheets White
HP Two-view Cling Film
HP Two-view Cling Film
HP C6568B large format media 45.7 m
HP C6964A photo paper White Gloss
HP White Matte Polyester Film
HP RC Satin Proofing Paper-914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft)
HP Q1420A photo paper Brown, White
HP Q1760A large format media 45.7 m Matte
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 White Glossy Opaque Polyester Film-1067 mm x 15.2 m (42 in x 50 ft)
HP Universal Semi-gloss Photo Paper
HP Clear Film 174 gsm-610 mm x 22.9 m (24 in x 75 ft)
HP Q1904A printing film
HP Q1421A photo paper Brown, White
HP Q1757A printing paper Matte Yellow
HP Q1724A large format media 10.7 m Matt
HP Photo Imaging Gloss White
HP Q1745A large format media 10 m Matte
HP Q1743A printing paper Matte 1 sheets WhiteRepresentative imageHP Heavyweight Coated Paper, 42 in x 100 ft (C6569C)
HP Q1730A large format media 30.5 m
HP Q1908A printing film
HP C6959A photo paper White
HP C6960A photo paper Satin
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 Durable Scrim-1067 mm x 12.2 m (42 in x 40 ft)
HP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-24"/610 mm x 12.2 m large format media
HP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-36"/914 mm x 12.2 m large format media
HP Q1898B large format media
HP Q1899B large format media
HP Universal Semi-gloss Photo Paper-1270 mm x 30.5 m (50 in x 100 ft)
HP Q6579A photo paper Brown, White
HP Q6580A photo paper Matte
HP Q6581A photo paper
HP Q6596A large format media Matte
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 Q8673A large format media 6.1 m
HP Collector Satin Canvas-610 mm x 6.1 m (24 in x 20 ft)
HP Q8713A photo paper Matte
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 Hahnemühle Smooth 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)
HP Q8748A printing film
HP Q8834A printing film
HP Q8835A printing film
HP CG490A large format media 30.5 m Semi-gloss
HP Q8916A photo paper
HP Q8917A photo paper
HP Q8918A photo paper
HP Q8919A photo paper
HP Q8920A photo paper
HP Q8921A photo paper
HP Q8922A photo paper
HP Q8923A photo paper
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 CG498A printing 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 Canvas Paper 180 g/m²-610 mm x 10.7 m (24 in x 35 ft)
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)
HP Q6620B printing film
HP C2T50A printing film
Questions
Straight answers
Is the HP Designjet 5500PS still made?
No. It’s discontinued. It remains common in the AEC installed base, but any new purchase decision should center on current hardware and whether HP 81 supplies stay available for you.
What ink and printheads does it use?
It runs the HP 81 dye ink and printhead family. An HP 83 UV-pigment printhead path was also offered for color that resists fading better, and dye/UV upgrade kits let owners change the ink chemistry.
How wide can it print?
42 inches, which covers E-size sheets and 36-inch rolls comfortably for standard architectural and engineering plots.
What should I buy if I'm replacing one?
For a current HP option with an integrated scanner, look at the HP DesignJet T918 36-in. For a modern 44-inch color engine, the Canon GP-4000 44-in and Canon iPF8300 44-in are direct comparisons.
Can I still get media for it?
The platform accepts a broad HP roll lineup — plain bond, matte, semi-gloss photo and film. Media is generally the easy part; ink and printhead availability is the thing to verify.
Is it worth keeping as a backup?
If it’s running and you can source HP 81 supplies, yes — as a secondary plotter for internal check plots behind a newer primary machine, it can earn its floor space.
Ready to put the HP DesignJet 5500PS to work?
Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.