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HP · Wide-Format Plotter
36" color graphics & photo printer
Analyst take
Not sure if the T1600dr is right for you?
Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.
Overview
The T1600dr is the dual-roll member of HP’s DesignJet T1600 family, a 36-inch thermal inkjet plotter aimed squarely at technical workgroups pushing bid sets, permit sets and as-builts through a shared queue. What the eye notices first on ordinary bond is the crispness of fine linework and the neutrality of the grays — HP’s six-ink set (cyan, magenta, yellow, gray, plus photo and matte black) keeps CAD line detail sharp and holds a clean gray ramp rather than sliding warm, which matters when a coordination drawing depends on distinguishable line weights. Color renders at up to 2400 x 1200 dpi.
The trade-off is width and roll count. If you never change media mid-run, the single-roll HP DesignJet T1600 36-in covers the same ground for less complexity. If your work regularly exceeds 36 inches — large civil sheets or presentation boards — the 44-inch HP DesignJet T1700dr 44-in is the more sensible step up. This is a workgroup plotter, not a photo or fine-art device.
At a glance
Ideal for: multidisciplinary practices and print rooms running mixed A0–A4 plan sets who need unattended dual-roll operation, PostScript and job accounting. Not the tool for: firms needing prints wider than 36 in, or those with no need for a second roll.
Features
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Expert analysis
Key takeaways
Line quality is what an architect sees first, and the DesignJet T1600dr 36-in earns its keep in exactly that moment — the crisp edge of a 0.13 mm linewidth on a permit set, the difference between a legible dimension callout and a squint. This is a dual-roll, PostScript-capable production plotter built for technical workgroups that live in HP-GL/2 and PDF all day.
The ‘dr’ matters: two rolls mounted at once, so a print room can hold bond and coated media, or two sizes, and let jobs route without an operator standing by. For a mid-sized practice churning bid sets and coordination drawings, that unattended switching is the quiet productivity gain that spec sheets undersell.
The T1600dr runs a six-ink set — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray, plus Photo black and Matte black. In AEC terms the Gray channel is the one to watch: it’s what keeps a hatched section or a screened background from going muddy or picking up a color cast. Where photographs live — the last five percent of a saturated red on a presentation board — a six-ink CAD plotter has real limits, and I won’t pretend otherwise. This is a line-and-fill machine that renders grayscale technical work cleanly, not a photo device.
I’d note the color claims here are HP’s platform positioning, not a figure we measured on our own bench. On matte and coated bond, expect dependable, repeatable color for coordination drawings and color-coded utility maps. For fine-art or true photographic gamut, look elsewhere in the imaging world entirely.
This machine speaks PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL and CALS G4 — which covers the submission paths most AEC shops use, from a Bluebeam PDF to a legacy plotter driver. Gigabit Ethernet, HP Web Jetadmin fleet management and HP JetAdvantage Security Manager give IT the network hooks they expect; the 500 GB internal HDD supports secured job storage. Job accounting via HP SmartTracker is optional, which matters if you bill plots back to projects.
Submission is handled through the HP Click driver and the HP Click App, with HP ePrint and Wi-Fi Direct for mobile jobs — though note there’s no built-in Wi-Fi network mode and no onboard scanner or copier. This is a printer, full stop. If you need integrated wide-format scanning, that’s a different class of machine.
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.
The clearest comparison is the single-roll HP DesignJet T1600 36-in: identical print engine, one roll instead of two. If your job mix rarely switches media mid-batch, the single-roll model saves footprint and complexity. The T1600PS 36-in emphasizes the PostScript path within the same family. Step up in width and you reach the 44-inch T1700dr 44-in, the right call for firms plotting E-size or nesting wide.
Against the cross-brand field, it’s worth putting it next to the Canon GP-300 36-in if you’re weighing bubblejet against thermal inkjet. Independent owner feedback flags carriage-belt and power-supply wear after a few years of moderate use, so an extended HP Care Pack belongs in your total-cost math. See the full class picture on the 36-in plotter leaderboard.
The read
The T1600dr is a sound choice for a mid-sized to busy AEC workgroup that plots mixed media daily and wants unattended roll switching, PostScript support and enterprise-grade fleet security. Its six-ink system renders clean lines and honest grays; it is not, and doesn’t try to be, a photographic device. If you never need two rolls, the single-roll T1600 is the leaner buy; if you outgrow 36 inches, the T1700dr 44-in waits one step up. Budget for a service plan, keep it running rather than idle, and it will hold its own.
Spec analysis
Overall performance
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Verified specifications
| Maximum print width | 36 in (914 mm) / A0 / E |
|---|---|
| Maximum resolution | Up to 2400 x 1200 optimized dpi |
| Print speed (normal, A1) | 180 pph (HP-rated) |
| Ink cartridges / colors | 6 (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray, Photo Black, Matte Black) |
| Ink cartridge capacity | 130 and 300 mlmanufacturer-verified |
| Roll handling | Dual rolls, 36 in wide, up to 300 ft (91.4 m), 2 in and 3 in coresmanufacturer-verified |
| Page description languages | Adobe PostScript 3; Adobe PDF 1.7 with PDF Print Engine 5 |
| Networking | Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000Base-T, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, USB drive |
| Internal storage | 500 GB HDD |
| Dimensions / weight | 54.7 in W x 29.9 in D x 42.5 in H; 187.4 lbs (85 kg) |
manufacturer-verified = checked against the manufacturer’s official datasheet, not aggregator data. Everything else is standards-body / catalog data we consider reliable.
Specifications
| Color | Yes |
|---|---|
| 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 | PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL, CALS G4 |
| Print speed (normal quality, A1) | 180 pph |
| 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 | White |
| Storage media | HDD |
| Built-in display | Yes |
| Country of origin | China |
| Internal storage capacity | 500 GB |
| Sound power level (standby) | 32 dB |
| Sound pressure level (printing) | 42 dB |
| Cut sheets | Yes |
|---|---|
| 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 (rolls) | 914 mm |
| Maximum roll diameter | 5.51" (14 cm) |
| Paper tray media types | Coated paper, Semi-glossy paper, Glossy paper, Bond paper, Photo paper, Matte paper, Heavy paper, Satin paper |
| Print margin cut-sheet | 3 x 22 x 3 x 3 |
| ISO A-series sizes (A0…A9) | A0, A1, A2, A3, A4 |
| Wi-Fi | No |
|---|---|
| USB port | No |
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Direct printing | Yes |
| Ethernet LAN data rates | 10,100,1000 Mbit/s |
| Ethernet interface type | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Mobile printing technologies | HP ePrint |
| Box contents | HP DesignJet T1600 Printer, printer stand and media bin, spindles (x2), printheads, introductory ink cartridges, user guide, power cords |
|---|
| Depth | 29.9" (760 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 54.7" (1390 mm) |
| Height | 42.5" (1080 mm) |
| Weight | 187.4 lbs (85 kg) |
| Power supply | 100 W |
|---|---|
| AC input voltage | 100 – 240 V |
| AC input frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Power consumption (off) | 0.3 W |
| Power consumption (sleep) | 10 W |
| Storage temperature (T-T) | -25 – 55 °C |
|---|---|
| Operating temperature (T-T) | 5 – 35 °C |
| Operating relative humidity (H-H) | 20 – 80% |
| 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 | No |
|---|
| Scanning | No |
|---|
| Manual | Yes |
|---|---|
| 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 mobile, ePrint and iOS/Android support plus the HP Smart app for mobile, HP Web Jetadmin, HP JetAdvantage Security Manager, HP SmartTracker (optional), HP Click Driver for Windows 11 |
| Sustainability compliance | Yes |
|---|---|
| Sustainability certificates | ENERGY STAR |
| 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) | 15 |
| HP ePrint | Yes |
|---|---|
| HP Web Jetadmin | Yes |
| HP dynamic security | Yes |
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
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in PostScript Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
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 Cartridge
Representative image10 Mil Water-resistant Blockout Display FilmRepresentative image11 Mil Water-Resistant Synthetic BannerRepresentative image15 Mil Water-Resistant Econo Scrim VinylRepresentative image16 Mil WR Opaque Scrim Vinyl (3″ AC)Representative image180gsm Solvent Satin PE PaperRepresentative image200gsm Special Matte Photo PaperRepresentative image230gsm Special Matte Photo PaperRepresentative image350g Vivid Matte Poly/Cotton CanvasRepresentative image380g Premium Matte Poly/Cotton CanvasRepresentative imageWSL 28LB Simple Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (C2S) (448)Representative image5 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adh Vinyl (3" AC)Representative image6 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adhesive Polypropylene
HP 1 year Post Warranty NBD Onsite HW Support w/Defective Media Retention for T1600 2 roll
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 3 Year Next Business Day Onsite Hw Support W/Defective Media Retention For De (UB8T2E)
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 4 year Next Business Day Onsite HW Support w/Defective Media Retention for T1600 2 roll
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 5 year Next Business Day Onsite HW Support w/Defective Media Retention for T1600 2 roll
HP Preventive Maintenance Hardware Support (U1XV4E)
HP Network Installation Service for High-end and MidrangeQuestions
The dr designation means dual roll — two media rolls mounted simultaneously, allowing automatic switching between sizes or media types without an operator. The single-roll HP DesignJet T1600 36-in uses the same print engine otherwise.
No. The T1600dr is a printer only, with no scanning or copying function. If you need integrated wide-format scanning you’ll need a different class of MFP device.
It uses a six-ink set (C, M, Y, Gray, plus Photo and Matte black) tuned for sharp lines and accurate grays. It handles color-coded technical drawings and maps well, but a dedicated photo printer will hold saturated color and photographic gamut better.
It supports PostScript 3, PDF 1.7, HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL and CALS G4, covering most AEC submission paths from PDF workflows to legacy plotter drivers.
It uses Gigabit Ethernet for the network, with HP Click driver and App, HP ePrint and Wi-Fi Direct for mobile submission. There is no built-in Wi-Fi network mode and no USB port.
Plan for HP 730 inks and the HP 727 printhead as consumables, plus an extended HP Care Pack — independent owner feedback notes carriage-belt and power-supply wear after a few years of moderate use, and repairs out of warranty can be costly.
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Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.
