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HP DesignJet Z5400
44" color graphics & photo printer
- ModelZ5400
- Prints44" wide
- Score64/100
Authorized HP dealerGenuine hardware & ink
Manufacturer warrantyExtension plans available
Free shippingContinental U.S.
Plotter specialistsAEC experts, not just sellers
Analyst take
- The HP Z5400 is a 44-inch color thermal-inkjet printer with two automatic roll feeds and smart roll-switching.
- Its supported languages include HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, PDF 1.7, PostScript 3, PCL 3, and TIFF for varied AEC submission paths.
- HP rates normal-quality output at 570 ft²/hr, but real plan-set throughput also depends on processing, handling, and collection.
Not sure if the Z5400 is right for you?
Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.
- Wide-format reach Prints up to 44" wide on rolls and sheets.
- Fine detail 2400 x 1200 DPI maximum resolution for crisp line work.
- Ink platform Cyan, Light grey, Magenta, Matte black, Photo black.
- Analyst score Scores 64/100 in our class-relative rating.
Overview
Built for the work
HP Designjet Z5400 44-in PostScript Printer, Thermal inkjet, 2400 x 1200 DPI, HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, PCL 3, PDF 1.7, PostScript 3, TIFF, Cyan, Light grey, Magenta, Matte black, Photo black, 53 m²/hr, HP 772 Ink Cartridge: cyan, magenta, yellow, light gray, matte black, photo black (300 ml); HP 70…
- 44″Max print width
- 570 ft²/hRated speed
- 6Ink channels
- 2,400 dpiMax resolution
Spec Analysis
overall
overall
Expert analysis
What you should know
Key takeaways
- The HP Z5400 is a 44-inch color thermal-inkjet printer with two automatic roll feeds and smart roll-switching.
- Its supported languages include HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, PDF 1.7, PostScript 3, PCL 3, and TIFF for varied AEC submission paths.
- HP rates normal-quality output at 570 ft²/hr, but real plan-set throughput also depends on processing, handling, and collection.
- The printer supports a broad media range, from bond and coated paper to photographic, banner, backlit, and textile materials.
- It is a print-only device, so scan-copy workflows require separate equipment or a compatible scanner accessory.
On a coordination drawing, the test is not whether the sheet looks colorful from across the room. It is whether fine utility overlays, pale gray reference work, and dense annotations remain intelligible when a superintendent or engineer is marking them up. The HP Z5400 is a 44-inch, six-color thermal-inkjet printer aimed at that broader graphics-and-document role: large-format AEC sheets alongside presentation work, maps, renderings, and photographic output.
Its practical advantage is media flexibility without making every job a manual intervention. Two automatic roll feeds with smart roll-switching can keep common plan sizes ready, while sheet feed supports individual boards or specialty media. HP rates normal-quality output at 570 ft²/hr; that is a rated figure, not a promise of end-to-end set production, where file processing, roll changes, drying, cutting, and collection still shape the day.
44" (1118 mm)Maximum print width
570 ft²/hrHP-rated normal-quality speedManufacturer-rated output figure.
+/- 0.1%Line accuracy
2400 x 1200 DPIMaximum resolution
Where it fits in an AEC print room
The Z5400 is a sensible fit where color is part of everyday document communication rather than an occasional exception. Civil and survey teams can use color-coded GIS and utility plans; MEP teams can separate systems visually; architects can move from permit PDFs to presentation-oriented boards on one device. It accepts standard A through E media sizes, supports sheets up to 44 by 66 inches, and handles bond, coated, photographic, proofing, self-adhesive, banner, backlit, and fabric/textile media.
The six pigment-based ink channels include cyan, magenta, yellow, light gray, matte black, and photo black. That combination gives the operator distinct black choices for different output intents, while light gray can matter in subtle tonal work—the deep teatime shadows of a rendering are where a color system earns its keep. There is no desk-measured ICC gamut information in the supplied record, so color breadth should not be inferred from resolution or ink count alone.
Document handling and submission
For plan production, the two-roll arrangement is the operational headline. Smart roll-switching can reduce interruptions when a team alternates between common roll stocks, and the automatic cutter handles all supported media except canvas and banners. The media output bin is useful for routine office output, though firms expecting fully finished, collated bid sets should assess their downstream handling process rather than treat the printer as a finishing system.
AEC-friendly page-description support includes HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, PCL 3, PDF 1.7, PostScript 3, and TIFF. The bundled printer driver, HP Instant Printing PRO for Windows, HP Printer Utility with HP Color Center, and HP Designjet Excel Accounting Tool give IT and print-room staff basic submission, management, color, and accounting tools. Connectivity includes RJ-45 Ethernet, USB 2.0, and a USB Type-A connector; internal storage is 320 GB and internal memory is 65536 MB.
Family context and trade-offs
The Z5400 occupies a 44-inch dual-roll position for organizations that need more than occasional plotting but do not necessarily need wider output. The HP Z5600 44-in is the clearest same-width family reference for a buyer comparing adjacent 44-inch HP options. If projects routinely demand oversized boards beyond this machine’s 44-inch maximum width, the HP DesignJet Z6200 60-in changes the format question rather than merely adding a feature.
The trade-off is physical and operational. At 69.7 inches wide, 28.4 inches deep, 41.3 inches high, and 189.6 lbs, it needs a deliberately planned print-room location. It is print-only; scanning, copying, and archive conversion require a separate workflow or compatible scanner accessory. Supplies include HP 70 and HP 772 inks, HP 70 printheads, and specified printing-film maintenance items. Buyers should confirm local supply continuity, service capability, and the precise media mix they intend to run before standardizing.
Estimate rated print time for your anticipated output volume, then allow for the handling steps that occur around the print engine.
One set: – · Weekly plotting time: –
Computed from the manufacturer's rated 570 ft²/h. Real-world mixed sets run slower — treat this as a best case for comparing machines, not a promise.
Compare related 44-inch and wider options
HP Z5600 44-inCompare another current 44-inch thermal-inkjet option in the same family.HP DesignJet Z6200 60-inConsider a wider family model where project boards exceed 44 inches.Canon GP-4000 44-inReview a cross-brand 44-inch alternative.44-inch printer class rankingPlace this printer in the broader class context.
The read
The HP Z5400 is most convincing for an AEC office or shared print room that needs dependable 44-inch color output across plans, GIS material, visual coordination sheets, and presentation work, with two rolls ready to go. Its 0.0031-inch minimum line width and +/- 0.1% line accuracy are relevant on dense technical drawings, but final judgment should come from a proof using your CAD-exported PDFs and ordinary bond stock. It is less appropriate when scanning and copying are central, when finished sets need production finishing, or when 60-inch output is routine. For a disciplined side-by-side review, use the HP Z5400 and HP Z5600 44-in comparison.
Spec analysis
How the specs grade
Overall performance
within color graphics & photo printers · 10 compared
Class best 79 — Epson SureColor T7770DR
86% spec coverage
- This printer
- Epson SureColor T7770DR
Category leaders best color graphics & photo printers, by dimension
Verified specifications
The specs that decide it
| Maximum print width | 44 in |
|---|---|
| Print technology | Thermal inkjet |
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Printing colors | Cyan, Light grey, Magenta, Matte black, Photo black |
| Number of print cartridges | 6 |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, PCL 3, PDF 1.7, PostScript 3, TIFF |
| Internal memory | 65536 MB |
| Maximum print size | 1118 x 1676 mm |
| Maximum roll diameter | 5.31" (13.5 cm) |
| Power consumption | 120 W |
Specifications
Full technical detail
Print technologyThermal inkjet
Max resolution2400 x 1200 DPI
Max print width44"
ColorColor
ConnectivityUSB
Use casePhoto / Fine Art
Printing
| Color | Yes |
|---|---|
| Print head | 3 (magenta and yellow, matte black and cyan, photo black and light gray) |
| Printing colors | Cyan, Light grey, Magenta, Matte black, Photo black |
| Print technology | Thermal inkjet |
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Print head nozzles | 2112 |
| Print speed (imperial) | 570 ft²/hr |
| Number of print cartridges | 6 |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, PCL 3, PDF 1.7, PostScript 3, TIFF |
| Print speed (normal quality) | 53 m²/hr |
| Print cartridge volume (metric) | HP 772 Ink Cartridge: cyan, magenta, yellow, light gray, matte black, photo black (300 ml); HP 70 Ink Cartridge: cyan, magenta, yellow, light gray, matte black, photo black (130 ml) |
Performance
| Certification | ENERGY STAR; WEEE; EU RoHS; China RoHS; REACH |
|---|---|
| Product color | Black, Gray |
| Storage media | HDD |
| Internal memory | 65536 MB |
| Internal storage capacity | 320 GB |
Paper handling
| Media handling | Two automatic roll feeds; smart roll-switching; sheet feed; media output bin; automatic cutter (cuts all media except canvas and banners) |
|---|---|
| Custom media sizes | 210 x 279 to 1118 x 1676 mm |
| Maximum print size | 1118 x 1676 mm |
| Maximum media width | 1118 mm |
| Standard media sizes | A4; A3; A2; A1; A0 |
| Maximum roll diameter | 5.31" (13.5 cm) |
| Media types supported | Photographic, proofing, fine art printing material, self-adhesive, banner and sign, bond and coated, backlit, fabric/textile |
| Paper tray media types | Banner, Bond paper, Coated paper |
| Maximum length of sheet media | 1676 mm |
| Media thickness (by paper path) | Up to 19.7 mil |
| Media sizes supported (imperial) | A, B, C, D, E |
| Non-printable area roll media (imperial) | 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2 in (borderless on photo roll media) |
Ports & interfaces
| USB port | Yes |
|---|---|
| USB connector | USB Type-A |
| RJ-45 ports quantity | 1 |
| USB 2.0 ports quantity | 1 |
Weight & dimensions
| Depth | 28.4" (721 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 69.7" (1770 mm) |
| Height | 41.3" (1050 mm) |
| Weight | 189.6 lbs (86 kg) |
Power
| Power requirements | Input voltage (auto ranging) 100 to 240 VAC (+/- 10%), 50/60 Hz (+/- 3 Hz), 2 A max |
|---|---|
| Power consumption (typical) | 120 W |
Operational conditions
| Operating temperature (T-T) | 5 – 40 °C |
|---|
Other features
| Safety | USA and Canada (CSA certified); EU (LVD and EN 60950-1 compliant); Russia/Kazakhstan (EAC); Singapore (PSB); China (CCC); Argentina (IRAM); Mexico (NYCE) |
|---|---|
| Ink drop | 4 pl (lg, pK), 6 pl (C, M, Y, mK) |
| Functions | |
| Line accuracy | +/- 0.1% |
| Line width minimum | 0.0031 in (ISO/IEC 13660:2001(E)) |
| Roll maximum input | 2 |
| Acoustic power emissions | 6.7 B(A) |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | Compliant with Class B requirements, including: USA (FCC rules), Canada (ICES), EU (EMC Directive), Australia (ACMA), New Zealand (RSM), China (CCC), Japan (VCCI); Certified as Class A product: Korea (KCC) |
| Compatible ink types, supplies | Pigment-based |
| Acoustic pressure emissions (standby) | 23 dB(A) |
| Media sizes standard (imperial rolls) | 8.3 to 44-in wide sheets; 11 to 44-in rolls |
| Non-printable area (imperial cut-sheet) | 0.2 x 0.67 x 0.2 x 0.2 in |
Packaging data
| Package depth | 30.3" (770 mm) |
|---|---|
| Package width | 76" (1930 mm) |
| Package height | 28" (710 mm) |
| Package weight | 253.5 lbs (115 kg) |
| Bundled software | Printer driver, HP Instant Printing PRO for Windows, HP Printer Utility including HP Color Center, HP Designjet Excel Accounting Tool |
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet Z5400
The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.
12 ink cartridges · 3 printheads · 16 paper & media items · 2 accessories
HP DesignJet Z5400 ink and paper →Supplies
Compatible ink, printheads & media
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet Z5400 1118mm PostScript Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
Ink Cartridges 12
HP 772 300-ml Light Gray Ink Cartridge
HP 772 300-ml Photo Black Ink Cartridge
HP 772 300-ml Yellow Ink Cartridge
HP 772 300-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 70 130-ml Cyan Ink Cartridge
HP 70 130-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 70 130-ml Yellow Ink Cartridge
HP 70 130-ml Light Gray Ink Cartridge
HP 70 130-ml Matte Black Ink Cartridge
HP 772 300-ml Cyan Ink Cartridge
HP 70 130-ml Photo Black Ink Cartridge
HP 772 300-ml Matte Black Ink CartridgePrintheads 3
Paper & Media 16
HP Production Adhesive Vinyl, 3-in Core
Representative imageHP 4-mil Double Matte Film, 3-in CoreRepresentative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 4-packRepresentative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 2-packRepresentative imageHP 20-lb Bond with ColorPRO TechnologyRepresentative imageMagic 9mil Universal Matte Coated PP Film (PPM7)Representative 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 image6.5mil Matte Coated Paper w/ PSA (746PSA)Representative image24LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper Economy (714)Representative imageHP Bright White Inkjet Paper, 36 in x 300 ft (C6810A)
HP CH025A printing film
HP C0F29A printing film
HP C2T54A printing filmAccessories 2
Questions
Straight answers
What AEC work is the HP Z5400 suited to?
It suits full-size plans, color-coded coordination drawings, GIS maps, renderings, presentation boards, and other 44-inch or smaller output. Its two-roll handling is especially useful when teams regularly alternate between common roll stocks.
What is the maximum size it can print?
Maximum media width is 44 inches, and the maximum print size is 44 by 66 inches. Sheet media can be up to 66 inches long.
Can the HP Z5400 handle technical CAD and PDF files?
Yes. Its supported page-description languages include HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, PDF 1.7, PCL 3, PostScript 3, and TIFF, and it includes a printer driver plus HP Instant Printing PRO for Windows.
Does it scan or copy drawings?
No. The listed function is print only. Compatible HP HD Pro 42-in Scanner and HP SD Pro 44-in Scanner accessories are identified in the supplied compatibility data.
Which inks and printheads does it use?
The compatible consumables list includes HP 70 and HP 772 pigment-based inks, with HP 70 printheads. The printer uses six cartridges and three printheads.
How does it compare with the HP Z5600 44-in?
Both are listed as current 44-inch thermal-inkjet models with 2400 x 1200 DPI resolution. A buyer should compare their required media handling, workflow, service terms, and actual AEC files rather than assume that similar headline specifications mean identical fit.
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