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HP DesignJet T850
36" wide-format MFPs
- Model2Y9H0A
- Prints36" wide
- Score62/100
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
1-year warranty includedExtendable to 5 years
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- Current HP mid-tier 36-inch plotter, launched October 2023, aimed at small-to-mid AEC teams.
- Integrated tray feeds A3 and A4 cut sheets while the 36-inch roll stays loaded — no media swaps for half-size sets.
- All-pigment ink that HP rates as smudge- and water-resistant, useful for field prints.
Not sure if the 2Y9H0A 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 62/100 in our class-relative rating.
Overview
A 36-inch pigment plotter for the small AEC office that prints its own sets
Here’s the job. It’s 4:30 p.m., you’ve got a D-size permit set to print, a couple of 11×17 half-sets to run, and a cover letter that has to go out with them. The T850 handles all three without you babysitting a media swap. The integrated input tray takes A4 and A3 sheets while the 36-inch roll stays loaded. That’s the feature that earns its keep.
It’s an all-pigment thermal inkjet running HP 712 or HP 738 inks with the HP 739 printhead. Pigment matters on a job site. Lines that get rained on don’t run. HP rates it at 90 A1 prints per hour in normal quality; what you’ll notice day to day is a tidy, wired-and-Wi-Fi machine that fits a small studio without a print operator.
- Small architecture or civil studios printing their own D- and E-size sets
- Field and satellite offices that need reliable on-site plots
- Mixed jobs: full-size drawings, half-size sets, and letter-size cover pages
- Teams that want smudge- and water-resistant CAD linework
Where it’s not the tool: it’s single-roll and has no scanner. If you swap media types constantly, look at the dual-roll HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in. Need integrated scan-and-copy? The HP DesignJet T830 24-in is an MFP, though narrower. Want a faster 36-inch production box? The HP T920 36-in steps up.
- 606 ft²/hRated speed
- 4Ink channels
- 2,400 dpiMax resolution
- 12 moIncluded warranty
Spec Analysis
overall
overall
At a glance
- Print width
- Up to 36 in (914 mm) roll; A0 max print size
- Print technology
- Thermal inkjet, 4 pigment inks (C, M, Y, matte black)
- Resolution
- 2400 x 1200 dpi
- Rated speed
- HP rates 90 A1 prints/hour (normal quality)
- Line accuracy
- ±0.1%
- Media handling
- Single roll plus integrated cut-sheet input tray (A4 to 12×18 in)
- Connectivity
- Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, AirPrint, HP Click app
- Consumables
- HP 712 / HP 738 inks; HP 739 printhead; HP 36-in Spindle
Ideal for: small-to-mid AEC studios and field offices printing their own mixed-size sets on pigment ink. Not the tool for: high-volume production, constant media swapping (go dual-roll), or teams needing built-in scanning and copying.
Features
What sets it apart
Swipe to explore →
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- Current HP mid-tier 36-inch plotter, launched October 2023, aimed at small-to-mid AEC teams.
- Integrated tray feeds A3 and A4 cut sheets while the 36-inch roll stays loaded — no media swaps for half-size sets.
- All-pigment ink that HP rates as smudge- and water-resistant, useful for field prints.
- 2400 x 1200 DPI with ±0.1% line accuracy keeps dimension strings and scaled prints legible and true.
- Single roll only; step up to the dual-roll HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in if you empty a roll mid-set.
- Uses HP 712 or HP 738 ink with the HP 739 printhead, and HP dynamic security blocks third-party cartridges.
It’s 4:40 p.m. The permit set has to be at the counter by five, and someone in the corner office just decided the cover letter needs to go out too. You need a D-size roll and a stack of 11×17 half-size sheets from the same machine, without swapping media or standing over it. That’s the job the HP DesignJet T850 36-in was built for.
This is HP’s current mid-tier 36-inch workhorse, launched October 2023. It’s a single-roll, four-cartridge thermal inkjet plotter aimed squarely at small-to-mid AEC teams that print daily but don’t run a reprographics floor. Nothing exotic. Just a machine that shows up and gets the set out.
36 inPrint width36-in roll, up to A0 output
90 pphSpeed, A1 normalHP-rated D-size throughput
2400 x 1200 DPIResolutionlines and small text stay legible
±0.1%Line accuracydimensional consistency for scaled prints
What it does well on a deadline
The headline feature for AEC work isn’t the roll. It’s the input tray that feeds A3 (11×17) and A4 (8.5×11) cut sheets at the same time the 36-inch roll is loaded. Half-size sets, cover pages, transmittals — all without touching the media. If your day is a constant switch between full-size D drawings and letter-size paperwork, that matters more than any spec on the sheet.
The line quality holds up. At 2400 x 1200 DPI with ±0.1% line accuracy, your dimension strings and hatch patterns come through clean, and scaled prints measure right. The ink set is all-pigment (HP rates this as smudge- and water-resistant); independent notes point out that a set caught in light rain on site is less likely to run than the old dye-based output. For field prints, that’s a real advantage.
It talks to everyone. HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, PDF via direct printing, plus Wi-Fi, gigabit Ethernet, and AirPrint. The HP Click app handles quick single-file jobs without wrestling a driver.
Where it isn't the right tool
One roll. That’s the ceiling. When a bid deadline hits and you burn through a roll of bond, you stop and reload — and reloading is exactly what you don’t have time for at 4:45. If your volume regularly empties a roll mid-set, or you switch between bond and vellum all day, you want a dual-roll machine. In the same family, the HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in gives you two rolls with automatic switching; step up to the HP T790 44-in if you need width beyond 36 inches.
Going the other way, a firm that only prints the occasional plot and works mostly at 24 inches should look at the narrower HP DesignJet T830 24-in, which also adds a scanner the T850 doesn’t have. If cross-shopping, the Canon GP-300 36-in is the obvious same-class rival — put them side by side before you sign anything.
Note the ink: HP 712 or HP 738 cartridges with the HP 739 printhead, and HP dynamic security is active — third-party cartridges won’t work. Factor that into your running-cost math.
Estimate how long a bid set takes on the T850 using its rated A1 speed. Add a fudge factor for roll changes — you'll need it on a single-roll machine.
One set: – · Weekly plotting time: –
Computed from the manufacturer's rated 606 ft²/h. Real-world mixed sets run slower — treat this as a best case for comparing machines, not a promise.
Worth a look before you decide
The read
The T850 is a sensible daily plotter for a small-to-mid AEC office that prints steadily but doesn’t run a production floor. Clean lines, honest dimensional accuracy, pigment ink that survives the jobsite, and a cut-sheet tray that saves you the media dance. The single roll is the real limit — know your volume before you buy. If you rarely reload before a deadline, this is the right size machine. If you’re staying late to swap rolls, you bought too small.
Spec analysis
How the specs grade
Overall performance
within wide-format MFPs
100% spec coverage
- This printer
Verified specifications
The specs that decide it
| 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 | 0.3 mm |
| Maximum roll diameter | 3.94" (10 cm) |
| Scanning | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
Specifications
Full technical detail
Print technologyThermal inkjet
Max resolution2400 x 1200 DPI
Max print width36"
ColorColor
ConnectivityEthernet (Gigabit LAN), Wi-Fi
Use caseCAD / Technical
Printing
| Color | Yes |
|---|---|
| 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) | 90 pph |
Performance
| HP segment | Business |
|---|---|
| Certification | Compliant with Class B requirements, including: USA (FCC rules), Canada (ICES), EU (RED Directive), Australia (ACMA), New Zealand (RSM), China (CCC), Japan (VCCI); Korea (KCC) |
| Product color | Black |
| Internal memory | 1024 MB |
| Country of origin | China |
Paper handling
| Cut sheets | Yes |
|---|---|
| Media thickness | 0.3 mm |
| Custom media sizes | Input tray: 210 x 279 to 305 x 457 mm; Manual feed: 210 x 279 to 914 x 1676 mm |
| Maximum print size | A0 (841 x 1189 mm) |
| Maximum media width | 914 |
| Maximum roll diameter | 3.94" (10 cm) |
| Paper tray media types | Coated paper, Plain paper, Bond paper, Photo paper, Matte paper, Banner, Heavy paper, Satin paper |
| Roll weight (rear roll) | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Recommended media weight | 60 – 280 g/m² |
| ISO A-series sizes (A0…A9) | A0, A1, A2, A3, A4 |
| Non-printable area roll media (imperial) | 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2 |
Ports & interfaces
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
|---|---|
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| Direct printing | Yes |
| Ethernet LAN data rates | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Mobile printing technologies | Apple AirPrint |
Technical details
| Box contents | HP DesignJet T850 Printer, printhead, introductory ink cartridges, printer stand, spindle, guide, poster, warranty flyer, power cord |
|---|---|
| Warranty period | 1 year(s) |
| Compliance certificates | CCC, CE, KCC, RoHS, VCCI, WEEE |
Weight & dimensions
| Depth | 27.6" (701 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 55.4" (1407 mm) |
| Height | 38.1" (967 mm) |
| Weight | 103.6 lbs (47 kg) |
Power
| AC input voltage | 100 – 240 V |
|---|---|
| AC input frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Power consumption (off) | 0.2 W |
| Power consumption (sleep) | 2.5 W |
Operational conditions
| Operating altitude | 0 – 118110.2" (0 – 3000 m) |
|---|---|
| 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 | 43212104 |
|---|---|
| Line accuracy | ±0.1% |
| Roll maximum input | 1 |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | Compliant with Class B requirements, including: USA (FCC rules), Canada (ICES), EU (RED Directive), Australia (ACMA), New Zealand (RSM), China (CCC), Japan (VCCI); Korea (KCC) |
Copying
| Copying | No |
|---|
Scanning
| Scanning | No |
|---|
Packaging data
| Package depth | 22.4" (570 mm) |
|---|---|
| Package width | 62" (1575 mm) |
| Package height | 25.6" (650 mm) |
| Package weight | 156.5 lbs (71 kg) |
| Bundled software | HP Click App, HP Click Driver for Windows 11, HP app for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS |
Sustainability
| Sustainability compliance | Yes |
|---|---|
| Sustainability certificates | ENERGY STAR |
Carbon footprint
| Total carbon footprint (kg of CO2e) | 430 |
|---|---|
| Carbon emissions, logistics (kg of CO2e) | 32 |
| Carbon emissions, end-of-life (kg of CO2e) | 21 |
| Carbon emissions, manufacturing (kg of CO2e) | 360 |
| Total carbon emissions, w/o use phase (kg of CO2e) | 16 |
Brand-specific features
| HP GTIN (EAN/UPC) | 196548313068 |
|---|---|
| HP dynamic security | Yes |
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet T850 MFP
The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.
8 ink cartridges · 12 paper & media items · 4 accessories · 17 coverage plans
HP DesignJet T850 MFP ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet T850 36-in Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 8
Paper & Media 12
Representative image350g Vivid Matte Poly/Cotton CanvasRepresentative image5 Mil Water-Resistant Self-Adh Vinyl (3" AC)Representative imageHP Universal Gloss Photo Paper
HP Universal Coated PaperRepresentative imageHP Universal Bond Paper, 4-packRepresentative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 4-pack
HP Opaque ScrimRepresentative imageKODAK Water-Resistant Scrim BannerRepresentative imageMagic 36LB Heavyweight Coated Inkjet Paper (JS036)Representative imageMagic 98gsm/26# Coated Matte Paper (DMPG98)Representative imageMagic 4mil Inkjet Clear Film w/ Side Stripe (DMCF4HPS)Representative image6.5mil Matte Coated Paper w/ PSA (746PSA)Accessories 4
Coverage & Support Plans 17
Hp 1-Year Post Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56U2PE)Hp 1-Year Post Warranty Next Business Day T850 Mfp Hardware Support (U56U6PE)
Hp 2-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56R8E)Hp 2-Year Post Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56U3PE)Hp 2-Year Post Warranty Next Business Day T850 Mfp Hardware Support (U56U7PE)
HP 3-Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support for T850 MFP (A and M Series) (U56RSE)Hp 3-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56RJE)Hp 3-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Mfp Hardware Support (U56S0E)Hp 3-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56R9E)
HP 4 year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support for T850MFP (A and M Series)Hp 4-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56RKE)Hp 4-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56RBE)Hp 4-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Mfp Hardware Support (U56S1E)
HP 5-Year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support for T850 MFP (A and M Series) (U56RVE)Hp 5-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56RLE)Hp 5-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Hardware Support (U56RCE)Hp 5-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T850 Mfp Hardware Support (U56S2E)Questions
Straight answers
Can the T850 scan or copy?
No. It prints only. If you need integrated scan and copy at 24 inches, look at the HP DesignJet T830 24-in instead.
How many rolls does it hold?
One 36-inch roll, maximum 3.94-inch roll diameter. It also has an input tray for A3 and A4 cut sheets that stays loaded alongside the roll. If you need two rolls with automatic switching, step up to the HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in.
What ink and printhead does it use?
HP 712 or HP 738 cartridges with the HP 739 printhead. It’s a four-color, all-pigment set. HP dynamic security is active, so third-party cartridges won’t run.
How fast is it for D-size drawings?
HP rates it at 90 A1 prints per hour in normal quality. In practice, budget extra time for processing, first-page-out, and roll changes on a single-roll machine.
Will the prints survive a jobsite?
The all-pigment ink is rated by HP as smudge- and water-resistant, and independent notes suggest a set caught in light rain is less likely to run than older dye-based output. Treat it as resistant, not waterproof.
What's the maximum print size and media it handles?
Up to A0 (33 x 47 in) from the roll, and manual feed accepts sheets up to 36 x 66 in. Recommended media weight is 60 to 280 g/m², covering plain, bond, coated, heavy, photo, matte, satin, and banner stock.
Resources
Brochures, datasheets & video
Documents
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