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HP DesignJet T950
36" wide-format MFPs
- Model2Y9H1A
- Prints36" wide
- Score64/100
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
1-year warranty includedExtendable to 5 years
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- Four-ink thermal inkjet built for clean monochrome linework and everyday color, not photo-grade presentation output.
- 36-inch roll plus cut-sheet tray and a manual feed accepting sheets up to 36" x 66".
- Integrated stacker keeps multi-sheet permit and bid sets in order off the machine.
Not sure if the 2Y9H1A 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 64/100 in our class-relative rating.
Overview
A 36-inch four-ink plotter built for everyday plan-set production
The HP DesignJet T950 is a current 36-inch wide-format printer aimed squarely at AEC drawing work. It uses HP’s thermal inkjet technology at a measured resolution of 2400 x 1200 DPI, with a four-color set — cyan, magenta, yellow and matte black — fed by HP 727, HP 738, HP 498P2A or HP 498P6A inks through the HP 727 printhead. The eye sees where a matte-black set earns its keep: crisp, dense linework on bond, where the thin cyan edge of a coordination overlay stays legible rather than muddying into the grid. HP rates it at 120 A1 prints per hour in normal mode.
An integrated stacker helps with unattended plan-set runs, and it handles a 36-inch roll plus front-tray and manual cut sheets up to 0.012″ thick. Connectivity covers Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi and mobile printing via HP ePrint.
- Small-to-mid architecture and MEP studios running daily bid and permit sets
- Civil and structural teams needing clean monochrome linework with occasional color
- GC and CM site offices printing from PDF, HP-GL/2 and mobile devices
It is not a photo-grade or presentation-board machine — that four-ink set trades gamut for line economy. Firms wanting dual-roll unattended runs should look to the HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in; those needing scan-and-copy should consider the HP DesignJet T850 36-in.
- 808 ft²/hRated speed
- 4Ink channels
- 2,400 dpiMax resolution
- 12 moIncluded warranty
Spec Analysis
overall
overall
At a glance
- Print width
- 36 in (91.4 cm) maximum roll
- Print technology
- Thermal inkjet, 4 inks (C, M, Y, matte black)
- Resolution
- 2400 x 1200 DPI (measured max)
- Rated speed
- 120 A1 prints/hour, normal mode (HP-rated)
- Media handling
- 36-in roll, front tray to 12 x 18 in, manual feed to 36 x 66 in, up to 0.012 in thick
- Finishing
- Integrated stacker; no scanner or copier
- Connectivity
- Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, HP ePrint mobile printing
- Languages
- PDF, HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF, JPEG, CALS G4, URF
Ideal for: small-to-mid AEC offices producing daily monochrome-plus-spot-color plan sets from PDF and CAD. Not the tool for: photo-quality presentation boards, dual-roll unattended production, or any workflow that requires onboard scanning and copying.
Features
What sets it apart
Swipe to explore →
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- Four-ink thermal inkjet built for clean monochrome linework and everyday color, not photo-grade presentation output.
- 36-inch roll plus cut-sheet tray and a manual feed accepting sheets up to 36" x 66".
- Integrated stacker keeps multi-sheet permit and bid sets in order off the machine.
- HP rates A1 output at 120 pph in normal quality — a rated figure, not sustained throughput.
- Carries HP dynamic security, which affects the use of non-HP ink cartridges.
- Step up to the dual-roll T1600dr for high-volume unattended runs; step down to the T850 or T870 for smaller studios.
Most of an AEC print room’s day is monochrome: bid sets, permit drawings, redlines, the endless A1 and D-size sheets that need clean lines more than they need saturation. The HP DesignJet T950 36-in is built squarely for that reality — a four-ink, 36-inch thermal inkjet plotter that renders crisp linework and holds its own on the occasional color coordination sheet or presentation board.
Where it earns attention is the quiet middle ground: enough speed and roll capacity for a busy studio, an integrated stacker to keep finished sets in order, and a footprint that fits an office rather than a dedicated reprographics bay.
36" (91.4 cm)Print widthhandles D and E-size sheets
120 pphRated speed, A1 normalHP's rated figure, not sustained throughput
2400 x 1200 DPIResolution
Cyan, Matte black, Magenta, YellowInksHP 727 / HP 738 families
What it renders well — and where color sits
This is a four-ink machine, so it should be read as a line-drawing plotter that also does color, not a photo-grade device. On plain bond, the eye sees what matters most in AEC work: fine lines that stay fine, small annotation text that stays legible, and matte black that reads as black rather than a tired charcoal. That’s the matte black cartridge doing its job.
On color coordination sheets and GIS maps, the cyan edge and area fills reproduce cleanly enough for clarity, but I want to be honest about the limits: with four inks and no dedicated photo inks, the last five percent of a deep, saturated red or a subtle sky gradient is where a four-ink system shows its hand. For rendering-grade presentation work, a photo-ink machine is the better tool. For everything an engineer actually plots, the T950 is well matched.
Media handling, stacking and daily workflow
The T950 takes a 36-inch roll up to 5.51″ in diameter, plus a front-loading cut-sheet tray and a manual feed that accepts sheets up to 36″ x 66″ — useful when you need a single long section or an oversized site plan. The included stacker collates finished output, which matters more than it sounds: a multi-sheet permit set that comes off in order saves real time at the counter.
Connectivity is straightforward for a mixed office — Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and the HP Click app for drag-and-drop PDF, HP-GL/2 and TIFF submission from Windows, macOS and mobile. With 1024 MB of memory it processes typical construction-document jobs without much stumbling, though very large color-heavy files always benefit from patience. Note that this machine carries HP dynamic security, which affects non-HP ink use.
Estimate a set's plot time from HP's rated A1 speed — remember this is a rated figure, so treat the result as a floor, not a promise.
One set: – · Weekly plotting time: –
Computed from the manufacturer's rated 808 ft²/h. Real-world mixed sets run slower — treat this as a best case for comparing machines, not a promise.
How it sits in its own family
Within the HP line, the T950 is a sensible mid-point. If your work is lighter and 36 inches is more than you need, the compact HP DesignJet T850 36-in or the 24-inch HP DesignJet T870 24-in cover smaller studios. Stepping up, firms running high monochrome volume with two rolls loaded at once should look at the dual-roll HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in, which keeps two media types online for unattended runs. If width itself is the constraint, a 44-inch machine such as the HP DesignJet T790 44-in goes wider.
Against Canon’s comparable 36-inch machines like the Canon GP-300 36-in, the decision usually comes down to existing fleet, driver familiarity and local service rather than raw capability — worth a look on the side-by-side before you commit. See where it ranks on the 36-inch class leaderboard.
The read
The HP DesignJet T950 36-in is a well-judged plotter for firms whose output is mostly monochrome technical drawings with regular, undemanding color. It reproduces linework and text cleanly, stacks finished sets, and fits an ordinary office. It’s less appropriate if you need photographic presentation color — a four-ink system will show its limits there — or if your volume justifies dual rolls, in which case the T1600dr is the more honest fit. For the typical architecture or engineering studio, though, it lands close to the mark.
Spec analysis
How the specs grade
Overall performance
within wide-format MFPs
88% 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 | PDF, 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 | 5.51" (14 cm) |
| Scanning | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Power consumption | 30 W |
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 | PDF, HP-GL/2, TIFF, JPEG, HP-RTL, CALS G4, URF |
| Print speed (normal quality, A1) | 120 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 | White |
| Internal memory | 1024 MB |
| Country of origin | China, Thailand, Switzerland |
Paper handling
| Stacker | Yes |
|---|---|
| Cut sheets | Yes |
| Media thickness | 0.3 mm |
| Custom media sizes | Front-loading 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 roll width | 36" (91.4 cm) |
| Maximum roll diameter | 5.51" (14 cm) |
| Paper tray media types | Coated paper, Plain paper, Bond paper, Photo paper, Matte paper, Banner, Heavy paper, Satin paper |
| Roll weight (rear roll) | 2.87 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| ISO A-series sizes (A0…A9) | A0, A1, A2, A3, A4 |
Ports & interfaces
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
|---|---|
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| Ethernet LAN data rates | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Mobile printing technologies | HP ePrint |
Technical details
| Box contents | HP DesignJet T950 Printer, printhead, introductory ink cartridges, printer stand, spindle, guide, warranty flyer, power cord |
|---|---|
| Compliance certificates | CE, REACH, RoHS |
Weight & dimensions
| Depth | 28.3" (720 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 55.4" (1407 mm) |
| Height | 38.1" (967 mm) |
| Weight | 123.5 lbs (56 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 |
| Power consumption (standby) | 0.2 W |
| Power consumption (typical) | 30 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 |
| Storage relative humidity (H-H) | 0 – 95% |
| Operating relative humidity (H-H) | 20 – 80% |
Other features
| UNSPSC-code | 43212104 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 24.8" (630 mm) |
|---|---|
| Package width | 62" (1575 mm) |
| Package height | 30.7" (780 mm) |
| Package weight | 185.2 lbs (84 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) | 13 |
Brand-specific features
| HP GTIN (EAN/UPC) | 196548313129 |
|---|---|
| HP dynamic security | Yes |
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet T950 MFP
The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.
1 printhead · 12 paper & media items · 2 accessories · 18 coverage plans
HP DesignJet T950 MFP ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet T950 36-in Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Printheads 1
Paper & Media 12
Representative image11 Mil Water-Resistant Synthetic BannerRepresentative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 4-packRepresentative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 2-packRepresentative imageMagic Firenze 170gsm Coated Matte Paper (Firenze170)Representative imageMagic 98gsm/26# Coated Matte Paper (DMPG98)Representative image20LB Inkjet Vellum (772)Representative image18LB Inkjet Bond Paper (Translucent) (750)Representative image28LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (748)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 24LB Simple Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (C2S) (446)Accessories 2
Coverage & Support Plans 18
Hp 1-Year Post Warranty Next Business Day T950 Hardware Support (U56V0PE)Hp 1-Year Post Warranty Next Business Day T950 Mfp Hardware Support (U56V4PE)
Hp 2-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Hardware Support (U56SRE)Hp 2-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Mfp Hardware Support (U56T8E)Hp 2-Year Post Warranty Next Business Day T950 Hardware Support (U56V1PE)Hp 2-Year Post Warranty Next Business Day T950 Mfp Hardware Support (U56V5PE)
Hp 3-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Hardware Support (U56SSE)HP 3 year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support for T950MFP(A Series)
HP 4 year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support for T950 (A Series)Hp 4-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Hardware Support (U67NBE)Hp 4-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Mfp Hardware Support (U67NLE)Hp 4-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Hardware Support (U56STE)HP 4 year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support for T950MFP(A Series)
Hp 5-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Hardware Support (U67NCE)Hp 5-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Hardware Support (U56SVE)HP 5 year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support for T950 ( A Series)Hp 5-Year In Warranty Next Business Day T950 Mfp Hardware Support (U67NME)HP 5 year Next Business Day Onsite Hardware Support for T950MFP(A Series)Questions
Straight answers
Can the T950 scan or copy?
No. This model prints only — it has no scanner or copy function. If you need integrated wide-format scanning, look at an MFP configuration such as the HP DesignJet T850 36-in.
How large a sheet can it print?
It handles rolls up to 36 inches wide and A0-size output; the manual feed accepts cut sheets up to 36″ x 66″, useful for long sections and oversized site plans.
Is it good for color renderings and presentation boards?
It reproduces color coordination sheets, maps and general presentation work cleanly, but with four inks and no dedicated photo inks, deep saturated colors and subtle gradients are where it shows its limits. For rendering-grade work a photo-ink machine is better suited.
Which inks and printhead does it use?
It uses the HP 727 and HP 738 ink families in cyan, matte black, magenta and yellow, with the HP 727 printhead. Note the machine uses HP dynamic security, which affects non-HP cartridges.
Will it fit in a normal office?
Yes. At about 55.4″ wide and 123.5 lbs on its stand, with typical power draw around 30 W, it’s sized for an office corner rather than a dedicated reprographics room.
How does it compare to the T1600dr?
The T950 runs a single roll; the HP DesignJet T1600dr 36-in adds a second roll for unattended runs across two media types. Choose the T1600dr if your monochrome volume and mixed-media needs justify keeping two rolls loaded.
Resources
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