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HP DesignJet T1600
36" color graphics & photo printer
- ModelT1600
- Prints36" wide
- Score68/100
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
1-year warranty includedExtendable to 5 years
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- Six-ink thermal inkjet with two blacks, tuned for dense, legible linework on ordinary bond.
- The integrated top stacker collects sheets flat and in order, easing permit- and bid-set collation.
- Rated at 180 pph at A1 normal quality — a sustained pace, not first-page-out time.
Not sure if the T1600 is right for you?
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- Wide-format reach Prints up to 36" wide on rolls and sheets.
- Fine detail 2400 x 1200 DPI maximum resolution for crisp line work.
- Productivity Rated at 19.3 sec/page A1/D; up to 180 A1/D prints/hour.
- Ink platform Cyan, Photo black, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow, Gray.
- Connectivity Ethernet for shared team printing.
- Verified specs 8 specs checked against the manufacturer datasheet.
Overview
A 36-inch production plotter built for steady, unattended plan-set output
The HP DesignJet T1600 is a 36-inch thermal inkjet plotter aimed at architecture and engineering teams that push real volume — bid sets, permit sets, as-builts and coordination drawings, day after day. It renders at up to 2400 x 1200 dpi using a six-ink set (cyan, magenta, yellow, gray, plus photo and matte black), and HP rates it at up to 180 A1 prints per hour in normal quality. Where the eye actually judges a drawing is in the fine black linework and small text, and the separate matte and photo blacks help keep dense monochrome sheets crisp on bond without the muddy grays older single-black plotters left behind.
What sets this model apart in daily use is the top-mounted stacker, which collects finished sheets flat rather than curling them into a bin — a genuine help when print-room staff are collating multi-size sets. It runs on Gigabit Ethernet with HP JetAdvantage Security Manager and an internal HDD, so IT and job-accounting requirements are met without bolt-ons.
- Mid-to-high-volume print rooms producing daily plan sets
- Multidiscipline firms needing readable mono and color coordination drawings
- Teams that value flat, collated output over a drop bin
- Offices with IT security and chargeback requirements
If you need two rolls loaded for unattended mixed-media runs, step up to the HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in. For 44-inch width, look at the HP DesignJet T1700 44-in.
- 36″Max print width
- 1,211 ft²/hRated speed
- 6Ink channels
- 2,400 dpiMax resolution
- 12 moIncluded warranty
Spec Analysis
overall
overall
At a glance
- Print width
- 36 in (914 mm)
- Max print size
- 36" x 48" (914 x 1219 mm)
- Print technology
- Thermal inkjet, 6 inks
- Max resolution
- 2400 x 1200 dpi
- Rated speed
- Up to 180 A1 prints/hour (normal, HP-rated)
- Inks / printhead
- HP 730 inks, HP 727 printhead
- Connectivity
- Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct, HP ePrint; internal HDD
- Security / mgmt
- HP JetAdvantage Security Manager, Web Jetadmin
Ideal for: mid-to-high-volume AEC print rooms producing daily multi-size plan sets with mono and color drawings, where flat stacking and IT security matter. Not the tool for: firms needing dual-roll unattended runs (see T1600dr) or 44-inch width (see T1700).
Features
What sets it apart
Swipe to explore →
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- Six-ink thermal inkjet with two blacks, tuned for dense, legible linework on ordinary bond.
- The integrated top stacker collects sheets flat and in order, easing permit- and bid-set collation.
- Rated at 180 pph at A1 normal quality — a sustained pace, not first-page-out time.
- Single-roll design means manual media swaps; the T1600dr adds automatic dual-roll switching.
- HP Dynamic Security restricts the machine to HP-chip cartridges — plan consumables accordingly.
- Gigabit Ethernet, internal HDD and JetAdvantage Security Manager suit IT-governed print rooms.
Walk into any busy AEC print room and you’ll hear the same complaint: the plot came out fine, but it landed in a cloth bin, curled at the leading edge, and got shuffled under the next three drawings. The HP DesignJet T1600 36-in was built to answer that quieter, less glamorous problem — the one about what happens to a drawing after the ink dries.
This is a six-ink thermal inkjet plotter aimed squarely at mid-to-high-volume technical work: bid sets, permit sets, redlines and the occasional rendered site plan. It is not a photo machine wearing a hard hat. It is a workhorse, and it earns that word honestly.
180 pphRated print speedHP's rated A1-size normal-quality figure — throughput, not first-page-out
2400 x 1200 DPIMax resolutionthe class standard for crisp linework
Cyan, Photo black, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow, GrayInk setsix channels, two blacks
36" x 48"Max print sizefull E-size sheets on a 36-in roll
What the eye actually sees on bond
Most AEC output never touches glossy paper — it lives on ordinary bond, and that is where a plotter’s line quality is really judged. On the HP 730 inks and the HP 727 printhead, the T1600 lays down clean, dense linework at 2400 x 1200 DPI. The two-black arrangement matters here: the matte black is doing the heavy lifting on bond, keeping fine hatching and small annotation text legible rather than muddy.
The color story is more restrained. This is a six-ink set with a dedicated gray, which helps grayscale transitions on coordination drawings read smoothly — the difference shows up in the subtle tonal steps of a shaded GIS map rather than in saturated brochure reds. We haven’t run this specific machine through our own measured-gamut bench, so treat any vivid-color promise as a working expectation, not a verified fidelity claim. For pure technical drawing, the ink count is more than enough.
The finishing is the real argument
The feature that separates this machine from lighter plotters is the integrated top stacker. Independent AEC users consistently single it out: instead of drawings tumbling into a bin, sheets collect flat and in order, which is exactly what you want when a permit set has to walk out the door collated. HP rates this the quietest printer in its class — up to 87% quieter than competitors — and while independent observers confirm it’s far calmer than the old jet-engine plotters, it still clicks and whirs through each cut cycle. Call it office-friendly, not silent.
On the workflow side, you get Gigabit Ethernet, an internal HDD, HP-GL/2 and the usual CALS G4, TIFF and JPEG interpreters, plus HP Click for drag-and-drop PDF submission. For firms with IT governance requirements, HP JetAdvantage Security Manager and HP Web Jetadmin are bundled — and this unit carries HP Dynamic Security, which restricts it to HP-chip ink cartridges. Worth knowing before you plan consumables.
Estimate plot times for your own run lengths.
One set: – · Weekly plotting time: –
Computed from the manufacturer's rated 1,211 ft²/h. Real-world mixed sets run slower — treat this as a best case for comparing machines, not a promise.
Where it fits — and where to look elsewhere
The T1600 is the single-roll flagship of its family. If your operation regularly mixes media — a roll of bond for check sets and a roll of coated for presentation work — the dual-roll HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in earns its keep by auto-switching without an operator swapping spindles. Firms that need to RIP native PostScript should look at the HP DesignJet T1600PS 36-in instead. Need 44 inches of width for oversized civil sheets? That’s the HP DesignJet T1700 44-in. And if your volume is genuinely light, the step-down HP DesignJet T1530 36-in covers the same drawing quality with fewer production niceties.
Cross-shopping is fair, too — the Canon GP-300 36-in is the obvious rival at this width. See how the class stacks up on our 36-in plotter ranking.
Related reading
HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-inThe dual-roll sibling for mixed-media shops that hate swapping spindles.HP DesignJet T1600PS 36-inSame engine, adds native PostScript for graphics-heavy submission.T1600 vs Canon GP-300Two current 36-in technical plotters, side by side.36-in plotter class rankingWhere this machine lands against its peers.
The read
The HP DesignJet T1600 36-in is a considered, production-minded plotter for firms whose day is mostly technical output on bond — and whose real pain is collation, not color. Its linework holds up, its stacker earns its footprint, and its security and management tools suit an IT-supervised environment. The trade-offs are honest: a single roll means manual media changes for mixed jobs, Dynamic Security ties you to HP ink, and it’s a color set built for drawings, not photography. If those constraints match how you actually work, this is a machine that will quietly do its job for years. If they don’t, its own family has a version that will.
Spec analysis
How the specs grade
Overall performance
within color graphics & photo printers · 12 compared
Class best 82 — Epson SureColor T5770DR
100% spec coverage
- This printer
- Epson SureColor T5770DR
Category leaders best color graphics & photo printers, by dimension
Verified specifications
The specs that decide it
| Maximum print size | 36 in (914 mm) / A0 / E |
|---|---|
| Print speed | 19.3 sec/page A1/D; up to 180 A1/D prints/hourmanufacturer-verified |
| Maximum resolution | Up to 2400 x 1200 optimized dpi |
| Ink cartridges | 6 cartridges (130 ml and 300 ml Original HP Ink)manufacturer-verified |
| Max roll length | 300 ftmanufacturer-verified |
| Roll core diameter | 2 in (3 in only with optional accessory)manufacturer-verified |
| Ethernet / networking | Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000Base-T, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF, JPEG, CALS G4 (no PostScript) |
| Scanning / copying | No |
| Certification | EPEAT Gold with Climate+; Energy Star |
manufacturer-verified = checked against the manufacturer’s official datasheet, not aggregator data. Everything else is standards-body / catalog data we consider reliable.
Specifications
Full technical detail
Print technologyThermal inkjet
Max resolution2400 x 1200 DPI
Max print width36"
ColorColor
ConnectivityEthernet (Gigabit LAN)
Use caseCAD / Technical
Printing
| Color | Yes |
|---|---|
| Print head | 1 universal printhead |
| Printing colors | Cyan, Photo black, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow, Gray |
| Print technology | Thermal inkjet |
| Resolution color | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Number of print cartridges | 6 |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL, CALS G4 |
| Print speed (normal quality, A1) | 180 pph |
Performance
| HP segment | Business |
|---|---|
| Certification | Compliant with Class A requirements, including: USA (FCC rules), Canada (ICES), EU (EMC Directive), Australia (ACMA), New Zealand (RSM), China (CCC), Japan (VCCI), Korea (KCC) |
| Product color | Black, White |
| Storage media | HDD |
| Built-in display | Yes |
| Country of origin | China |
Paper handling
| Media thickness | 0.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Custom media sizes | 210 x 279 to 914 x 1219 mm |
| Maximum print size | 914 x 1219 mm |
| Media width (sheets) | 914 mm |
| Paper tray media types | Coated paper, Semi-glossy paper, Glossy paper, Bond paper, Photo paper, Matte paper, Heavy paper, Satin paper |
| ISO A-series sizes (A0…A9) | A0, A1, A2, A3, A4 |
Ports & interfaces
| Wi-Fi | No |
|---|---|
| USB port | No |
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Direct printing | Yes |
| Ethernet interface type | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Mobile printing technologies | HP ePrint |
Technical details
| Box contents | HP DesignJet T1600 Printer, printer stand and media bin, spindle, printheads, introductory ink cartridges, user guide, power cords |
|---|
Weight & dimensions
| Depth | 29.9" (760 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 54.7" (1390 mm) |
| Height | 42.5" (1080 mm) |
| Weight | 180.8 lbs (82 kg) |
Power
| AC input voltage | 100 – 240 V |
|---|---|
| AC input frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Power consumption (off) | 0.3 W |
| Power consumption (sleep) | 10 W |
| Power consumption (typical) | 100 W |
Operational conditions
| Storage temperature (T-T) | -25 – 55 °C |
|---|---|
| Operating temperature (T-T) | 5 – 35 °C |
| Operating relative humidity (H-H) | 20 – 80% |
Other features
| Safety | EU (LVD and EN 60950-1 compliant); Russia, Belarus, Khazakstan (EAC); Ukraine (UA) |
|---|---|
| UNSPSC-code | 43212107 |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | Compliant with Class A requirements, including: USA (FCC rules), Canada (ICES), EU (EMC Directive), Australia (ACMA), New Zealand (RSM), China (CCC), Japan (VCCI), Korea (KCC) |
Copying
| Copying | No |
|---|
Scanning
| Scanning | No |
|---|
Logistics data
| Harmonized System (HS) code | 84433210 |
|---|
Packaging data
| Manual | Yes |
|---|---|
| Package depth | 30.2" (767 mm) |
| Package width | 58.1" (1477 mm) |
| Package height | 31.5" (800 mm) |
| Package weight | 249.1 lbs (113 kg) |
| Bundled software | HP Click, HP mobile, ePrint and iOS/Android support plus the HP Smart app for mobile, HP Web Jetadmin, HP JetAdvantage Security Manager |
| Cartridge(s) included | Yes |
Sustainability
| Sustainability compliance | Yes |
|---|---|
| Sustainability certificates | ENERGY STAR |
Carbon footprint
| Total carbon footprint (kg of CO2e) | 940 |
|---|---|
| Carbon emissions, logistics (kg of CO2e) | 51 |
| Carbon emissions, end-of-life (kg of CO2e) | 126 |
| Carbon emissions, manufacturing (kg of CO2e) | 745 |
| Total carbon emissions, w/o use phase (kg of CO2e) | 13 |
Brand-specific features
| HP ePrint | Yes |
|---|---|
| HP GTIN (EAN/UPC) | 193808345562 |
| HP dynamic security | Yes |
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet T1600
The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.
12 ink cartridges · 18 paper & media items · 3 accessories · 12 coverage plans
HP DesignJet T1600 ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet T1600 36-in Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 12
HP 730 300-ml Matte Black Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Cyan Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Matte Black Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Cyan Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Gray Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Photo Black Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Yellow Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Photo Black Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Gray Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Yellow Ink CartridgePaper & Media 12
Representative image11 Mil Water-Resistant Synthetic BannerRepresentative image15 Mil Water-Resistant Econo Scrim VinylRepresentative image16 Mil WR Opaque Scrim Vinyl (3″ AC)Representative image350g Vivid Matte Poly/Cotton CanvasRepresentative image380g Premium Matte Poly/Cotton CanvasRepresentative imageWSL 24LB Simple Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (C2S) (446)Representative image5 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adh Vinyl (3" AC)Representative image6 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adhesive PolypropyleneRepresentative image24LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper Economy (714)Representative image24LB Inkjet Bond Paper (731)Representative image6.5mil Matte Coated Paper w/ PSA (746PSA)Representative image28LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (748)
Coverage & Support Plans 12
HP 1 year Post Warranty NBD Onsite HW Support w/Defective Media Retention for T1600 1 roll
Hp 3 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hw Support W/Defective Media Retention For De (UB8P0E)Hp 3 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support W/Dmr For T1600 1 (UC6M2E)Hp 3 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support W/Dmr For T1600 2 (UC6N0E)
HP 4 year Next Business Day Onsite HW Support w/Defective Media Retention for T1600 1 rollHp 4 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support W/Dmr For T1600 1 (UC6M3E)Hp 4 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support W/Dmr For T1600 2 (UC6N1E)
Hp 5 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hw Support W/Defective Media Retention For De (UB8P2E)Hp 5 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support W/Dmr For T1600 1 (UC6M4E)Hp 5 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support W/Dmr For T1600 2 (UC6N2E)
HP Preventive Maintenance Hardware Support (U1XV4E)
HP Network Installation Service for High-end and MidrangeQuestions
Straight answers
Does the T1600 handle full E-size drawings?
Yes. It prints up to 36″ x 48″, which covers full E-size sheets off a 36-inch roll.
Can I use third-party ink cartridges?
No. This model carries HP Dynamic Security, which restricts it to cartridges with an HP chip. It uses the HP 730 ink line and the HP 727 printhead.
Does it have a built-in scanner or copier?
No. The T1600 is a printer only. If you need scan and copy, HP offers separate wide-format scanners such as the HP SD Pro 44-in Scanner or HP HD Pro 42-in Scanner as accessories.
How does it differ from the T1600dr?
The T1600dr adds a second roll with automatic switching, so it can move between media types — say bond and coated paper — without an operator changing the spindle. The standard T1600 is single-roll.
Is it quiet enough for an open office?
HP rates it the quietest in its class, up to 87% quieter than competitors. Independent observers agree it’s far calmer than older plotters but note it still makes audible clicks during cutting — office-friendly, not silent.
What connectivity and management does it offer?
Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi Direct, HP ePrint and an internal HDD, plus bundled HP Click, HP Web Jetadmin and HP JetAdvantage Security Manager for fleet and security management.
Resources
Brochures, datasheets & video
Documents
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Ready to put the HP DesignJet T1600 to work?
Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.