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HP DesignJet T1600dr
36" color graphics & photo printer
- ModelT1600dr
- Prints36" wide
- Score79/100
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
2-year warranty includedExtendable to 5 years
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- The six-color system includes photo black, matte black and gray for technical documents and broader color work.
- PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, HP-RTL and CALS G4 support aligns with mixed AEC file environments.
- Its 36-inch custom-media limit fits common full-size plan output but not routine 44-inch work.
Not sure if the T1600dr is right for you?
Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.
- 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 180 A1/hr, 19.3 sec/A1.
- Ink platform Cyan, Photo black, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow, Gray.
- Analyst score Scores 79/100 in our class-relative rating.
Overview
A dual-roll 36-inch plotter built for unattended plan-set production
The HP DesignJet T1600dr is a 36-inch, six-ink thermal inkjet plotter aimed at teams that run continuous drawing sets and want to keep the operator out of the loop. The dr in the name is the point: two rolls loaded at once, so the machine can switch between, say, bond for check prints and coated stock for a submittal without anyone reloading a spindle mid-run. It ships with a full PostScript 3 and PDF 1.7 interpreter alongside HP-GL/2, so native Bluebeam and Revit exports land predictably.
Color comes from six inks — cyan, magenta, yellow, gray, plus both photo and matte black — at a maximum 2400 x 1200 dpi. On ordinary bond, that gray ink is what steadies the neutrals in a shaded site plan; the last few percent of a saturated coordination color is where six inks earn their keep over four. We haven’t measured this unit on our bench, so treat the gamut qualitatively.
- Mid-to-high-volume plan rooms wanting unattended mixed-media runs
- Multidiscipline firms mixing monochrome CAD with color GIS and coordination sets
- Shops standardized on PostScript/PDF workflows
- IT teams needing HP Security Manager and Web Jetadmin fleet control
If a single roll covers your day, the HP DesignJet T1600 36-in saves the second-roll cost. Need 44-inch width or E-size at speed? Step up to the HP DesignJet T1700dr 44-in.
- 36″Max print width
- 1,211 ft²/hRated speed
- 6Ink channels
- 2,400 dpiMax resolution
- 24 moIncluded warranty
Spec Analysis
overall
overall
At a glance
- Print width
- 36 in (roll-fed)
- Roll configuration
- Dual roll, automatic switching
- Ink set
- 6 inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray, Photo black, Matte black
- Max resolution
- 2400 x 1200 dpi
- Page description languages
- PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL, CALS G4
- Custom media sizes
- 8.3 x 11 in up to 36 x 48 in
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi Direct, HP ePrint, direct printing
- Footprint / weight
- 54.7 x 29.9 x 42.5 in; 187.4 lbs
Ideal for: mid-to-high-volume AEC plan rooms running mixed-media, mixed-size sets that benefit from unattended dual-roll switching and native PostScript/PDF. Not the tool for: a small studio with light, single-media output, or a team that needs 44-inch E-size width.
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- The six-color system includes photo black, matte black and gray for technical documents and broader color work.
- PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, HP-RTL and CALS G4 support aligns with mixed AEC file environments.
- Its 36-inch custom-media limit fits common full-size plan output but not routine 44-inch work.
- HP Web Jetadmin and HP Security Manager make this more relevant to managed environments than a basic office plotter.
- Resolution is specified at 2400 x 1200 DPI, but actual fine-line results should be verified on the bond and coated media your team uses.
A coordination set rarely arrives as one neat file. It is a mix of 24 × 36 sheets, half-size review prints, marked-up PDFs, GIS exports and the occasional color-heavy presentation board. This 36-inch HP DesignJet is built for that broad AEC middle ground: color documents, direct submission, and the page-description languages that still matter when HP-GL/2, PDF, TIFF, JPEG and CALS G4 files share a queue.
Its six-color system—cyan, photo black, matte black, magenta, yellow and gray—gives CAD linework and shaded plans distinct ink choices rather than treating every black line as the same task. The 2400 × 1200 DPI specification supports detailed output, but resolution alone does not establish fine-line quality on every paper; media choice, file construction and driver settings still decide whether the smallest notes remain calm and readable.
2400 x 1200 DPIMaximum resolutionSpecified for color and maximum resolution.
210 x 279 to 36" x 48" (914 x 1219 mm)Custom media rangeCovers common AEC sheet sizes through 36-inch-wide output.
6Ink systemCyan, photo black, matte black, magenta, yellow and gray.
10 WSleep powerSpecified sleep-state consumption.
Where it fits in an AEC document workflow
This model suits architecture, engineering, surveying and construction teams that need a color-capable 36-inch device for everyday drawing issue, review sets and mixed technical files. PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF, JPEG and CALS G4 support is meaningful here: it reduces the need to route every incoming file through a single CAD workstation before it can be rendered. Direct printing, Wi-Fi Direct and HP ePrint broaden submission options for project teams working across offices or job sites.
For IT and print-room staff, the supplied software list is more consequential than a glossy feature list. HP Click App, HP Click Driver for Windows 11, HP Web Jetadmin and HP Security Manager provide a practical foundation for submission, fleet administration and security management. HP Build Workspace is also bundled, while HP SmartStream is optional. The trade-off is that these tools do not remove the need to test representative PDFs, plot styles and lineweights before standardizing a production workflow.
Color, media and everyday handling
The media support spans bond, coated, matte, heavy, photo, satin, semi-glossy and glossy papers, which is useful when the same department issues ordinary-bond plan sets and occasionally renders a client-facing board. The visual difference is often most apparent in a shaded elevation, where gray fills must stay separate from black annotations rather than closing into one dark mass. No measured ICC gamut data is provided for this model, so it would be premature to make a broad color-fidelity claim; evaluate it on the actual media and files your team uses.
Compatible supplies include HP 730 inks and the HP 727 printhead. The printer accepts custom media sizes up to 36 × 48 inches and includes a stand and media bin. At 54.7 inches wide, 29.9 inches deep and 42.5 inches high, it is an office-floor device rather than a desktop plotter; confirm clearances for loading media, service access and finished-document handling.
Use the estimator to model plot time around your own sheet mix; real output time also includes file processing, media changes and operator handling.
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.
How it sits within the HP family
The comparison should begin with workflow, not with resolution: the HP DesignJet T1600 36-in shares the same stated 36-inch format and 2400 × 1200 DPI resolution, so it is the sensible reference point for teams assessing adjacent T1600 configurations. The HP DesignJet T1600PS 36-in is another closely related 36-inch option to put through the same file, media and administration tests.
Firms that routinely need wider sheets should look at the HP DesignJet T1700dr 44-in rather than forcing a 36-inch workflow to cover occasional 44-inch output. Conversely, this model may be more machine than a small studio needs if its work is predominantly occasional, simple monochrome plotting. For a cross-brand comparison grounded in the same nominal width, use our comparison with the Canon GP-300 36-in and review the 36-inch class ranking alongside local service terms and application testing.
Related evaluation tools
The read
This is a credible fit for AEC teams needing 36-inch color output, broad technical-file compatibility and tools for managed deployment. It becomes more compelling when direct PDF and HP-GL/2 workflows, ordinary-bond plans and occasional presentation-oriented media all belong on one device. It is less appropriate where 44-inch output is routine, where scanning and copying are required from the same unit, or where the actual workload is too light to justify a business-class floor-standing printer. Before committing, send representative permit sets, color coordination drawings and difficult PDFs through the intended driver path—not just a clean demonstration file.
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 width | 36 in |
|---|---|
| Maximum resolution | Up to 2400 x 1200 optimized dpimanufacturer-verified |
| Print speed | 180 A1/hr, 19.3 sec/A1manufacturer-verified |
| Printing colors | Cyan, Photo black, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow, Gray |
| Number of print cartridges | 6 |
| Page description languages | PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL, CALS G4 |
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
Max resolution2400 x 1200 DPI
Max print width36"
ColorColor
Use caseCAD / Technical
Printing
| Color | Yes |
|---|---|
| Printing colors | Cyan, Photo black, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow, Gray |
| Resolution color | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Number of print cartridges | 6 |
| Page description languages | PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL, CALS G4 |
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) |
Paper handling
| Custom media sizes | 210 x 279 to 914 x 1219 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 Direct | Yes |
|---|---|
| Direct printing | Yes |
| Mobile printing technologies | HP ePrint |
Technical details
| Box contents | HP DesignJet T1600 Printer, printer stand and media bin, spindle(s)[6], 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 | 187.4 lbs (85 kg) |
Power
| AC input frequency | 50/60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Power consumption (off) | 0.3 W |
| Power consumption (sleep) | 10 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
| UNSPSC-code | 43212104 |
|---|---|
| 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) |
Packaging data
| Package depth | 30.2" (767 mm) |
|---|---|
| Package width | 58.1" (1477 mm) |
| Package height | 31.5" (800 mm) |
| Package weight | 257.9 lbs (117 kg) |
| Bundled software | HP Click App, HP App, HP Web Jetadmin, HP Security Manager, HP Click Driver for Windows 11, HP Build Workspace, HP SmartStream (optional) |
Sustainability
| Sustainability certificates | ENERGY STAR |
|---|
Brand-specific features
| HP GTIN (EAN/UPC) | 199896725972. 199896725989. 199896726009. 199896726023. 199896726030. 199896726047 |
|---|---|
| HP dynamic security | Yes |
| HP GTIN (EAN/UPC) with options | (ABA) 199896725972; (ABG) 199896725989; (ACJ) 199896726009; (B19) 199896726023; (B1K) 199896726030; (BCD) 199896726047 |
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet T1600dr
The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.
12 ink cartridges · 19 paper & media items · 3 accessories · 12 coverage plans
HP DesignJet T1600dr ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in PostScript Printer, Plus Edition — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 12
HP 730 130-ml Cyan Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Yellow Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Matte Black Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Gray Ink Cartridge
HP 730 130-ml Photo Black Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Cyan Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Yellow Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Matte Black Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Gray Ink Cartridge
HP 730 300-ml Photo Black Ink CartridgePaper & Media 16
Representative image16 Mil WR Opaque Scrim Vinyl (3″ AC)Representative image15 Mil Water-Resistant Econo Scrim VinylRepresentative image11 Mil Water-Resistant Synthetic BannerRepresentative image180gsm Solvent Satin PE PaperRepresentative image230gsm Special Matte Photo PaperRepresentative image200gsm Special Matte Photo PaperRepresentative image350g Vivid Matte Poly/Cotton CanvasRepresentative image380g Premium Matte Poly/Cotton CanvasRepresentative image10 Mil Water-resistant Blockout Display FilmRepresentative image5 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adh Vinyl (3" AC)Representative image6 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adhesive PolypropyleneRepresentative image18LB Inkjet Bond Paper (Translucent) (750)Representative image6.5mil Matte Coated Paper w/ PSA (746PSA)Representative image24LB Inkjet Bond Paper (731)Representative image24LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper Economy (714)Representative imageWSL 28LB Simple Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (C2S) (448)Coverage & Support Plans 6
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 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 Hardware Support W/Dmr For T1600 1 (UC6M4E)Hp 5 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support W/Dmr For T1600 2 (UC6N2E)Questions
Straight answers
What AEC files can this printer accept?
It supports PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF, JPEG and CALS G4. That is useful for teams receiving a mixture of CAD-derived plots, PDFs, scanned technical records and project documents.
Can it handle common architectural and engineering sheet sizes?
Yes. Its custom media range is listed as 210 x 279 to 36″ x 48″ (914 x 1219 mm), and it supports A0 through A4 ISO A-series sizes.
Is this a good choice for color coordination drawings and presentation sheets?
It supports coated, matte, glossy, semi-glossy, satin, photo, heavy and bond papers, with six inks including gray and two blacks. No measured gamut data is provided here, so color-critical teams should test their own files and chosen media before setting expectations.
What software and administration tools are included?
Bundled software includes HP Click App, HP App, HP Web Jetadmin, HP Security Manager, HP Click Driver for Windows 11 and HP Build Workspace. HP SmartStream is listed as optional.
What supplies does it use?
Compatible supplies listed for this model include HP 730 inks and the HP 727 printhead. Confirm the selected supply configuration with the supplier before standardizing stock.
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Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.