Home / Wide-Format Printers / HP DesignJet
HP · Wide-Format Plotter
HP DesignJet 5500PS
60" wide-format inkjet printer
- Model5500PS
- Prints60" wide
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
Manufacturer warrantyExtension plans available
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- A six-color, 60-inch aqueous inkjet with built-in PostScript, aimed at color boards and rendered plots.
- Runs the HP 81 ink and printhead family; ships dye-based with UV pigment available via upgrade kit.
- Discontinued — value now depends entirely on parts and consumable availability, not new sales.
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 (60 in)
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- A six-color, 60-inch aqueous inkjet with built-in PostScript, aimed at color boards and rendered plots.
- Runs the HP 81 ink and printhead family; ships dye-based with UV pigment available via upgrade kit.
- Discontinued — value now depends entirely on parts and consumable availability, not new sales.
- On-board PostScript renders graphics-heavy files without tying up a CAD workstation.
- For a current 60-inch replacement, the Canon PRO-6100 or PRO-6000S handle color work; the HP DesignJet T918 fits monochrome-heavy 36-inch shops.
- Its main operational risk is downtime on an aging platform when a deadline is on the line.
Picture the corner of the print room where the big presentation boards get made. A 60-inch roll. A rendering that has to look right in front of a client at 9 a.m. That’s the job the HP Designjet 5500PS was built for, and for years it did it well.
This is a legacy machine. If you’re reading this, you either own one and need to keep it fed, or you inherited one and want to know whether it’s worth the floor space. Both are fair questions. Let’s answer them honestly.
60 inPrint widthFull E-size-plus wide format
HP 81Ink platformDye-based; UV pigment via upgrade kit
PSPostScriptThe 'PS' in the name — built-in RIP
What it actually is
The 5500PS is a six-color, 60-inch aqueous inkjet with a built-in PostScript processor. That RIP mattered then and still matters now: it means graphics-heavy files — full-color site plans, rendered elevations, GIS maps — process on the machine instead of choking a workstation.
It runs the HP 81 ink and printhead family. Out of the box it’s dye-based, which gives you saturated color for boards and presentations. HP offered HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/60 and dye upgrade paths to move between ink chemistries. The UV pigment route trades a little pop for far better fade resistance — the difference between a rendering that survives a month in a sunny lobby and one that goes pink.
Where it still earns its keep
Nobody buys one of these new anymore. But plenty are still running, and if yours is one of them, it fits a narrow, useful set of jobs.
- Color presentation boards at full 60-inch width, where a wider sheet means fewer seams.
- Rendered plots and GIS maps that need the on-board PostScript to render without tying up a CAD seat.
- Low-to-moderate volume shops that already own the machine and have a media pipeline dialed in.
The catch is age. Parts get scarce. A dead printhead carriage on a discontinued plotter is not a same-day fix, and that’s the risk you carry every time a deadline lands.
Feeding it, and when to stop
Keeping it alive means keeping consumables flowing. Ink and printheads are the HP 81 and HP 83 families; roll stock runs the long HP coated and photo media list, from bond up through HP Premium Instant-dry Satin White for the glossy board work. As long as those stay available, the machine stays useful.
When it does die for good, the replacement conversation is about current pigment iron. On the 60-inch side, look at the Canon PRO-6100 60-in or the production-leaning Canon PRO-6000S 60-in for color-heavy work. If your real workload is monochrome bid sets at 36 inches — not 60-inch color — the in-family HP DesignJet T918 36-in with its scanner is the smarter, smaller footprint. See it against the PRO-6100 side by side.
Keep reading
The read
If you own a running 5500PS with a stable HP 81 ink supply and a media list you trust, keep printing. It still makes a clean 60-inch color board, and the PostScript RIP still earns its space. But don’t build a new workflow around it. The moment parts or downtime start eating your deadlines, move to current pigment iron. Bottom line: a good machine that already did its best years — worth running, not worth waiting on when it fails.
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 | 60 in |
|---|
Specifications
Full technical detail
Max print width60"
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 60-in — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 15
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 RC Matte White
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 120
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 Q1408A plotter paper
HP Q1430A photo paper Brown, White
HP C6964A photo paper White Gloss
HP White Matte Polyester Film
HP Photo Imaging Satin Paper-1524 mm x 30.5 m (60 in x 100 ft)
HP RC Satin Proofing Paper-914 mm x 22.9 m (36 in x 75 ft)
HP Q1420A photo paper Brown, White
HP Universal Satin White
HP Q1760A large format media 45.7 m Matte
HP C6570C large format media 30.5 m
HP Matte Polypropylene 1372 mm x 22.9 m (54 in x 75 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 White Glossy Opaque Polyester Film-1067 mm x 15.2 m (42 in x 50 ft)
HP Universal Semi-gloss Photo Paper
HP C6777A printing film
HP Clear Film 174 gsm-610 mm x 22.9 m (24 in x 75 ft)
HP C7950A large format media 30.5 m Matte
HP Q1904A printing film
HP Matte Polypropylene 1524 mm x 22.9 m (60 in x 75 ft)
HP Q1421A photo paper Brown, White
HP Q1757A printing paper Matte Yellow
HP Reverse Print Matte Backlit Film
HP Reverse Print Matte Backlit Film
HP Q1724A large format media 10.7 m Matt
HP Q1416A large format media 30.5 m
HP Photo Imaging Gloss White
HP Q1745A large format media 10 m Matte
HP Q1743A printing paper Matte 1 sheets White
HP Q1735A large format media 22.9 mRepresentative imageHP Heavyweight Coated Paper, 42 in x 100 ft (C6569C)
HP Photo Imaging Gloss White
HP Q1730A large format media 30.5 m
HP Q1908A printing film
HP C6959A photo paper White
HP C6960A photo paper Satin
HP RC Satin Proofing White
HP Universal Semi-Gloss Photo Paper
HP Adhesive Vinyl 914 mm x 12.2 m (36 in x 40 ft)
HP Q1956A large format media 67.5 m
HP Heavyweight Coated 1524 mm x 68.5 m (60 in x 225 ft) large format media Matte
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 Q2524B large format media 12.2 m
HP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-36"/914 mm x 12.2 m large format media
HP Q1902B large format media
HP Q1901B large format media 15.2 m
HP Q1898B large format media
HP Q1899B large format media
HP Durable Scrim 550 g/m²-54"/1372 mm x 12.2 m large format media
HP Universal Coated Paper-1270 mm x 45.7 m (50 in x 150 ft)
HP Universal Heavyweight Coated Paper 120 g/m²-50"/1270 mm x 30.5 m large format media Matte
HP Universal High-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)
HP Q6579A photo paper Brown, White
HP Q6580A photo paper Matte
HP Q6581A photo paper
HP Q6583A photo paper Brown, White
HP Universal Instant-dry Gloss White
HP Q6578A photo paper Brown, White
HP Q6588A large format media Matte
HP Q6596A large format media Matte
HP Q6621A large format media 15.2 m
HP Durable Display Film
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 Q6586A large format media 30.5 m
HP Coated Paper-1524 mm x 45.7 m (60 in x 150 ft)
HP Coated Paper 90 g/m²-50"/1270 mm x 45.7 m large format media
HP Q7897A large format media 45.7 m
HP Q7999A photo paper
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 Q8749A printing film
HP Q8750A printing film
HP Q8748A printing film
HP Q8834A printing film
HP Q8835A printing film
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 Q1446A plotter paper 45 m 42 cm
HP Vivid White Glossy Polyester Film
HP Vivid White Glossy Polyester Film
HP CG498A printing film
HP CG822A large format media 22.9 m
HP CG884A large format media 45.7 m Matte
HP CG823A large format media 22.9 m
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 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 Q6620B printing film
HP C2T50A printing film
Questions
Straight answers
Is the HP Designjet 5500PS still being made?
No. It’s a legacy machine with a large installed base. It’s worth running while parts and the HP 81 consumables remain available, but it’s no longer a machine you buy new.
What ink and printheads does it use?
It uses the HP 81 ink and the HP 81 and HP 83 printhead families. It ships dye-based, with UV pigment ink available through the HP UV Upgrade Kit with Ink/60.
What does the 'PS' mean?
PostScript. The machine has a built-in RIP, so graphics-heavy files like rendered elevations and GIS maps process on the printer instead of loading down a CAD workstation.
Can it handle glossy presentation media?
Yes. It supports a broad HP media list including coated and photo stock such as HP Premium Instant-dry Satin White, at the full 60-inch width.
What should I replace it with when it fails?
For 60-inch color work, current pigment machines like the Canon PRO-6100 60-in or Canon PRO-6000S 60-in. If your real need is monochrome bid sets at 36 inches, the in-family HP DesignJet T918 36-in is a smaller, scanner-equipped fit.
Is it the right machine for high-volume plain-paper bid sets?
Not really. It’s a color-and-presentation tool at 60 inches. High-volume monochrome plan-set production is better served by a dedicated modern plotter with dual rolls and faster first-page-out.
Ready to put the HP DesignJet 5500PS to work?
Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.