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HP DesignJet T730
36" technical / CAD plotter
- ModelT730
- Prints36" wide
- Score58/100
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
2-year warranty includedExtension plans available
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- The T730 is a 36-inch color thermal-inkjet printer aimed at technical CAD, PDF, and map output.
- HP lists normal-quality A1 output at 82 pph, but real set time also includes processing, media handling, and operator intervention.
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB Type-A direct printing, and common technical file languages support varied AEC submission paths.
Not sure if the T730 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.
- Ink platform Cyan, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow.
- Connectivity Wi-Fi + Ethernet for shared team printing.
- Analyst score Scores 58/100 in our class-relative rating.
Overview
A compact 36-inch CAD plotter for small workgroups — now end-of-life
Picture the person standing at the tray at 4:45 p.m. They need a clean D-size set before the print shop closes, and they don’t have a dedicated operator to babysit the machine. That’s the job the T730 was built for: a single-roll, 36-inch plotter that drops onto its own stand in a corner of a small studio and prints CAD without ceremony. Four inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and matte black), 2400 x 1200 dpi, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and a front USB port for direct printing. HP rates it at 82 A1 prints per hour in normal quality.
- Small architecture or design studios printing check sets and permit drawings
- Field or survey offices that need a light, movable plotter (96.3 lbs on the stand)
- Firms wanting simple driverless submission via HP Click and the HP Smart app
- Occasional presentation prints on coated, satin or photo media
Two things to know. First, it’s discontinued — HP has moved this slot to newer models, so factory parts and firmware support are thinning. Second, it’s single-roll with no scanner. If you swap paper sizes mid-day, want dual rolls, or run heavy volume, look at the dual-roll HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in. Need copy and scan in one box? The 24-inch HP DesignJet T830 handles that.
- 36″Max print width
- 552 ft²/hRated speed
- 4Ink channels
- 2,400 dpiMax resolution
- 24 moIncluded warranty
Spec Analysis
overall
overall
Where it performs best
Connections
100
Size / Fit
93
Print Quality
85
Class best is 63. How we grade →
At a glance
- Print width
- 36 in (A0 / 33" x 47" max print size)
- Print technology
- Thermal inkjet, 4-color (CMYK), 2400 x 1200 dpi
- Rated speed
- HP rates 82 A1 prints/hour, normal quality
- Media supply
- Single roll (up to 3.94" diameter) plus input tray and manual feed
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Gigabit Ethernet, USB Type-A
- Memory / storage
- 1024 MB memory, 1 TB internal storage
- Page languages
- HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF, JPEG, CALS G4, URF
- Footprint / weight
- 55.2" W x 23.8" D x 45.5" H on stand; 96.3 lbs
Ideal for: small studios and field offices printing low-to-moderate CAD volume from one roll. Not the tool for: high-volume shops, mixed-size all-day production, or anyone needing dual rolls or an onboard scanner.
Features
What sets it apart
Swipe to explore →
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- The T730 is a 36-inch color thermal-inkjet printer aimed at technical CAD, PDF, and map output.
- HP lists normal-quality A1 output at 82 pph, but real set time also includes processing, media handling, and operator intervention.
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB Type-A direct printing, and common technical file languages support varied AEC submission paths.
- The printer has no scanning or copying capability, which is its clearest workflow boundary.
- HP 728 inks and the HP 729 printhead are the compatible consumable families.
- The HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in is the relevant in-family step-up when dual-roll capability is needed.
Someone in the project room needs a clean 36-inch plan before the superintendent leaves, not a lecture on print technology. The HP DesignJet T730 36-in is built for that everyday AEC lane: CAD sheets, PDF plan sets, color-marked coordination drawings, GIS maps, and the occasional presentation print.
It is a color thermal-inkjet printer with Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB Type-A direct printing, and support for HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF, JPEG, CALS G4, and URF. That makes it a sensible fit where people submit from desktops, laptops, or a jobsite device and need the drawing to arrive readable. No scanner. No copier. This is a printer, not a print-room Swiss Army knife.
82 pphRated A1 outputNormal quality; HP-listed rating.
2400 x 1200 DPIMaximum resolutionFor fine CAD lines, text, and color overlays.
A0 (33" x 47" (841 x 1189 mm))Maximum print sizeAppropriate for full-size technical sheets.
1 TBInternal storageUseful when several files are moving through the printer.
Where it earns its floor space
The T730 makes the most sense for an architecture studio, engineering team, survey office, or construction trailer that needs a 36-inch color printer without adding scanning to the workflow. Its four-color ink system uses cyan, matte black, magenta, and yellow. On ordinary bond, that points it toward construction documents and color-coded review prints rather than treating every sheet like a presentation board.
The practical advantage is straightforward: print a full-size drawing, then get back to the coordination problem that caused the drawing in the first place. HP lists a normal-quality A1 rate of 82 pph. Treat that as a rated output figure, not a promise that every mixed PDF set will behave like a laboratory test. File processing, sheet changes, roll changes, and the person who sent the wrong revision still exist. They always do.
Bottom line: This is a capable 36-inch CAD/PDF printer for routine color technical output, provided scanning and high-volume roll automation are not part of the job.
Media, files, and the handoff from CAD to paper
The printer handles a broad list of media types, including plain paper, bond paper, recycled paper, coated paper, matte paper, glossy paper, semi-glossy paper, satin paper, heavy paper, and photo paper. Manual-feed custom media runs from 330 x 482 mm to 36″ x 75″ (914 x 1897 mm). Its listed roll and cut-sheet margins are 0.197″ (5 mm) and 0.2″ (5 mm), respectively.
For submission, the bundled tools include HP Click, HP Smart app, HP Print Preview for Windows, HP DesignJet Utility for macOS and Windows, and HP Support Assistant. Apple AirPrint and HP ePrint are also listed. Those options matter when a PM needs to send a marked-up PDF without becoming the print-room operator for the afternoon.
The machine has 1024 MB of internal memory and 1 TB of internal storage. It also supports HP dynamic security. IT should confirm that policy fits the firm’s cartridge procurement and support rules before deployment. Consumables are the HP 728 ink family and the HP 729 printhead.
Bottom line: The file support is well aligned with common AEC output, but procurement and IT should review dynamic-security requirements before the printer lands on the network.
Estimate rated plot time for a run of A1 sheets, then add the real-world time for checking revisions, loading media, and collecting the set.
One set: – · Weekly plotting time: –
Computed from the manufacturer's rated 552 ft²/h. Real-world mixed sets run slower — treat this as a best case for comparing machines, not a promise.
The sensible boundaries of the T730
Do not buy this machine expecting walk-up copying or scan-to-file. It has no copying or scanning capability. Firms replacing a legacy multifunction plotter, or teams routinely scanning redlines, as-builts, and archived drawings, should look at the HP DesignJet T830 24-in instead if its 24-inch format suits the work.
Likewise, a single-printer workflow becomes less comfortable when the day involves frequent media changes and sustained plan-set production. The HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in is the relevant in-family step-up for buyers who need a 36-inch dual-roll configuration. If the work rarely exceeds 24 inches, the HP DesignJet T650 24-in is the more compact in-family alternative. For broader context, review the technical-printer class ranking.
At 55.2″ wide, 23.8″ deep, 45.5″ high, and 96.3 lbs, the T730 still needs an intentional home. Give it network access, room for paper handling, and enough clearance that nobody has to wrestle a drawing around a filing cabinet at 4:45 p.m.
Bottom line: Choose the T730 for straightforward 36-inch printing; move up for dual-roll work or sideways to an MFP when scanning is a daily task.
Compare the next logical choices
HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-inThe in-family 36-inch dual-roll alternative.HP DesignJet T830 24-inA 24-inch in-family option with scanning and copying.HP DesignJet T650 24-inA smaller-format in-family choice for teams that do not need 36-inch output.Technical printer class rankingSee the T730 in the context of its class.
The read
The HP DesignJet T730 36-in is for the team that needs dependable full-size color technical prints, not a multifunction department in one chassis. It supports the file types and connections that show up in AEC work, handles up to A0 output, and keeps the hardware proposition fairly plain. That is usually a compliment. If your deadline pain is getting a current plan onto paper, it fits. If your pain is scanning, copying, frequent media switching, or feeding a heavier production queue, choose the machine for that problem instead.
Spec analysis
How the specs grade
Overall performance
- This printer
- Epson SureColor T5475
Category leaders best technical / CAD plotters, by dimension
Verified specifications
The specs that decide it
| Maximum print width | 36 in |
|---|---|
| Print technology | Thermal inkjet |
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Printing colors | Cyan, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow |
| Number of print cartridges | 4 |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL, CALS G4, URF |
| Internal memory | 1024 MB |
| Maximum print size | A0 (841 x 1189 mm) |
| Media thickness | 11.8 mm |
| Maximum roll diameter | 3.94" (10 cm) |
| Scanning | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Sound level (printing) | 48 dB |
| Power consumption | 35 W |
Specifications
Full technical detail
Print technologyThermal inkjet
Max resolution2400 x 1200 DPI
Max print width36"
ColorColor
ConnectivityEthernet (Gigabit LAN), USB, Wi-Fi
Use caseCAD / Technical
Printing
| Color | Yes |
|---|---|
| Print head | 1 |
| Printing colors | Cyan, Matte black, Magenta, Yellow |
| Print technology | Thermal inkjet |
| Resolution color | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Number of print cartridges | 4 |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL, CALS G4, URF |
| Print speed (normal quality, A1) | 82 pph |
Performance
| HP segment | Business |
|---|---|
| Certification | Compliant with Class B requirements, including: USA (FCC rules), Canada (ICES), EU (EMC/R&TTE Directives), Australia (ACMA), New Zealand (RSM), China (CCC), Japan (VCCI); Certified as Class A product: Korea (KCC) |
| Product color | Gray |
| Internal memory | 1024 MB |
| Built-in display | Yes |
| Country of origin | China |
| Maximum internal memory | 1024 MB |
| Internal storage capacity | 1 TB |
| Sound pressure level (printing) | 48 dB |
Paper handling
| Media thickness | 11.8 mm |
|---|---|
| Print margin roll | 0.197" (5 mm) |
| Custom media sizes | Input tray: 210 x 279 to 330 x 482 mm; Manual feed: 330 x 482 to 914 x 1897 mm |
| Maximum print size | A0 (841 x 1189 mm) |
| Maximum roll diameter | 3.94" (10 cm) |
| Paper tray media types | Coated paper, Plain paper, Semi-glossy paper, Glossy paper, Bond paper, Photo paper, Recycled paper, Matte paper, Heavy paper, Satin paper |
| Print margin cut-sheet | 5 mm |
| ISO A-series sizes (A0…A9) | A0, A1, A2, A3, A4 |
Ports & interfaces
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
|---|---|
| USB port | Yes |
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| USB connector | USB Type-A |
| Direct printing | Yes |
| USB 2.0 ports quantity | 1 |
| Mobile printing technologies | HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint |
Technical details
| Box contents | HP DesignJet T730 Printer, printhead, ink cartridges, printer stand, spindle, quick reference guide, setup poster, startup software, power cord |
|---|
Weight & dimensions
| Depth | 23.8" (605 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 55.2" (1403 mm) |
| Height | 45.5" (1155 mm) |
| Weight | 96.3 lbs (43.7 kg) |
Power
| AC input voltage | 100 – 240 V |
|---|---|
| AC input frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Power consumption (off) | 0.14 W |
| Power consumption (sleep) | 3.5 W |
| Power consumption (standby) | 0.2 W |
| Power consumption (typical) | 35 W |
Operational conditions
| Storage temperature (T-T) | -25 – 55 °C |
|---|---|
| Operating temperature (T-T) | 5 – 40 °C |
| Operating relative humidity (H-H) | 20 – 80% |
Other features
| UNSPSC-code | 23153405 |
|---|---|
| Electromagnetic compatibility | Compliant with Class B requirements, including: USA (FCC rules), Canada (ICES), EU (EMC/R&TTE Directives), Australia (ACMA), New Zealand (RSM), China (CCC), Japan (VCCI); Certified as Class A product: Korea (KCC) |
Copying
| Copying | No |
|---|
Scanning
| Scanning | No |
|---|
Logistics data
| Harmonized System (HS) code | 84433210 |
|---|
Packaging data
| Package depth | 22.6" (575 mm) |
|---|---|
| Package width | 62.1" (1578 mm) |
| Package height | 25.4" (646 mm) |
| Package weight | 144.8 lbs (65.7 kg) |
| Bundled software | HP Click, HP Smart app, HP Support Assistant, HP Print Preview for Windows, HP DesignJet Utility for macOS and Windows |
Sustainability
| Sustainability compliance | Yes |
|---|---|
| Sustainability certificates | ENERGY STAR, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) |
| Sustainable technologies and materials | Free, convenient HP ink cartridge and printhead recycling with HP Planet Partners; FSC-certified papers and a range of recyclable HP media with a take-back program; ENERGY STAR certified; EPEAT registered |
Brand-specific features
| HP dynamic security | Yes |
|---|
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet T730
The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.
8 ink cartridges · 13 paper & media items · 1 accessory · 2 coverage plans
HP DesignJet T730 ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet T730 36-in Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 8
Paper & Media 13
HP C6036A printing paper Matte White
HP Q1413B printing paper Matte White
Representative image5 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adh Vinyl (3" AC)Representative image8 Mil Microporous Gloss Self-Adhesive PolypropyleneRepresentative imageMagic 4mil Inkjet Clear Film w/ Side Stripe (DMCF4HPS)Representative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 4-pack
HP Universal Bond Paper, 2-packRepresentative imageHP Universal Bond Paper, 4-pack
HP Universal Coated PaperRepresentative imageHP Universal Gloss Photo PaperRepresentative imageMagic 4mil DM Inkjet Film (JR440IJME)Representative imageKODAK Production Matte Paper / 170gRepresentative imageKODAK Universal Self-Adhesive Satin Poly Poster (7 Mil)Accessories 1
Coverage & Support Plans 2
Questions
Straight answers
Is the HP DesignJet T730 36-in suitable for construction drawings and CAD plans?
Yes. It supports HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF, JPEG, CALS G4, and URF, and it prints up to A0 (33″ x 47″ (841 x 1189 mm)). Its color system is suited to technical documents and color-coded coordination output.
Can the T730 scan redlines or copy existing plans?
No. The T730 has no scanning or copying capability. Teams that need those functions should consider the HP DesignJet T830 24-in if 24-inch output is sufficient.
What connectivity does the T730 provide?
It includes Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and one USB 2.0 Type-A port for direct printing. HP ePrint and Apple AirPrint are also listed mobile-printing options.
What consumables does this printer use?
The compatible ink family is HP 728, and the compatible printhead family is HP 729. The resolved maintenance items are HP C6036A and HP Q1413B.
When should a buyer move up from the T730?
Move up when frequent media changes and higher unattended production are the real problem. The HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in is the listed in-family 36-inch alternative with dual-roll capability.
What should IT confirm before installation?
Confirm network placement, the intended Wi-Fi or Ethernet workflow, and compatibility with the firm’s cartridge procurement rules. The T730 supports HP dynamic security, which should be reviewed as part of that process.
Ready to put the HP DesignJet T730 to work?
Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.