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HP · Wide-Format Plotter
42" latex signage printer
Analyst take
Not sure if the Z6810 is right for you?
Compare key specs and an AI analyst read-out against similar models.
Overview
The Z6810 is a 42-in wide-format machine aimed at shops that need to run a lot of media without babysitting it. HP rates it at up to 113.6 m²/h (1,225 ft²/h) in Fast-Economode. Rated speed gets you one poster. What matters on the floor is that it feeds from roll, drops into a media bin, and keeps a six-ink set (Cyan, Photo black, Matte black, Light magenta, Yellow, Gray) loaded from 775-ml cartridges so you’re not swapping tanks mid-run.
It handles coated, bond, photo and banner media up to 0.024 in thick, hits 2400 x 1200 dpi, and speaks HP-GL/2, HP-RTL and CALS G4 — the languages your CAD and PDF plot streams already use. A 500 GB drive and Gigabit Ethernet cover queued jobs and network submission. No scanner, no USB, no Wi-Fi; this is a production plotter, not an MFP.
It’s a single 42-in roll platform. Shops needing wider output or dual-roll auto-switching should look up-family to the HP Z6800 60-in or HP DesignJet Z6610 60-in; a 44-in alternative is the HP Z6600 44-in.
Where it performs best
Best overall in its class right now. How we grade →
At a glance
Ideal for: print rooms and repro operations running high-volume 42-in roll work over the network. Not the tool for: firms needing scan/copy in one box, wider than 42 in, or dual-roll unattended switching.
Features
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Expert analysis
Key takeaways
Rated speed gets you one plot. Media handling gets you a full bid set stacked and collated by the time the courier pulls up. The HP DesignJet Z6810 42-in is a production machine built for shops that print for a living — a 42-inch, six-ink latex printer that leans toward high-volume runs rather than the occasional permit set.
What sets it apart in its own family is the print technology: HP builds this one on latex ink rather than the thermal aqueous inks in most DesignJet Z-series plotters. That changes how output behaves off the roll and where it fits your floor.
This is a floor-standing machine — roughly 77.6″ wide and 271.2 lbs — with a printer stand and media bin in the box. It’s not an office corner unit; it wants a print room. HP loads it with 65536 MB of memory and a 500 GB HDD, so heavy PDF and HP-GL/2 processing doesn’t choke the queue. Page languages cover HP-GL/2, HP-RTL and CALS G4, which is what CAD and legacy engineering workflows still throw at a plotter.
The six-ink set — including both Photo black and Matte black plus a dedicated Gray — is aimed at shops mixing crisp line drawings with presentation boards, GIS maps and color-coded coordination sets. Latex output is dry and handleable coming off the roll, which matters when you’re stacking and collating without a drying rack.
Here’s the shop-floor reality. It handles coated, bond, photo and banner media up to 0.024″ thick, feeding from rolls up to 6.69″ diameter with a 3-in spindle adapter kit included. That’s a single-roll design — so unattended, unmanned overnight runs are limited by one roll at a time. If your bottleneck is switching between bond bid sets and photo presentation stock, budget the operator minutes for spindle changes.
Ink comes from the HP 771 and HP 773C families in 775-ml cartridges, with HP 771 and HP 774 printheads and the HP DesignJet User Maintenance Kit keeping it fed. Big cartridges mean fewer interruptions on long runs. If you scan and archive old drawings, the HP HD Pro 42-in Scanner pairs to it — the printer itself does not scan or copy.
Estimate plot times for your own run lengths.
One set: – · Weekly plotting time: –
Computed from the manufacturer's rated 1,225 ft²/h. Real-world mixed sets run slower — treat this as a best case for comparing machines, not a promise.
Ask three questions before you sign: what feeds it, what dries it, who fixes it. The Z6810 answers the drying question well thanks to latex, and feeds fine on a single 42-inch roll. But 42 inches is the ceiling. If your work runs wider — large-format maps, oversized presentation panels, or you want dual-roll unattended production — step up to a 44-inch or 60-inch sibling like the HP Z6600 44-in or the HP Z6800 60-in.
Cross-shopping thermal-inkjet rivals in the same width band? Line up the Z6810 against the Canon GP-4000 44-in, or look at the Canon iPF8100 44-in for photo-heavy work. Check the class ranking before you commit.
Compare before you commit
The read
The Z6810 is a workhorse for a busy 42-inch print room that mixes line drawings with color boards and wants output dry enough to stack and hand off. The latex ink and big 775-ml cartridges suit sustained runs; the single roll and 42-inch width are the trade-offs. Small shops printing the occasional permit set will find it more machine than they need. High-volume shops that need wider stock or dual-roll autonomy should price out a 44- or 60-inch sibling first. Ask what feeds it, what dries it, who fixes it — then match it to your shift, not the datasheet.
Spec analysis
Overall performance
within latex signage printers
Highest of the 1 we currently rate here — small class, read the bars
100% spec coverage
Category leaders best latex signage printers, by dimension
Verified specifications
| Print width | 42 in |
|---|---|
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Print technology | Latex printing |
| Ink cartridges | 8 (six-color set) |
| Internal memory | 65536 MB |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, CALS G4 |
| Networking | Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T) |
| USB | USB 3.1 gen 1 (3+1) and USB 2.0 (1) rear |
| Power consumption (operating) | 130 Wmanufacturer-verified |
| Weight | 271.2 lbs (123 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, Light magenta, Yellow, Gray |
| Print technology | Latex printing |
| Resolution color | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Maximum resolution | 2400 x 1200 DPI |
| Number of print cartridges | 8 |
| Page description languages | HP-GL/2, HP-RTL, CALS G4 |
| HP segment | Business |
|---|---|
| Certification | Compliant with Class A requirements, including: EU (EMC Directive) |
| Product color | Black |
| Storage media | HDD |
| Internal memory | 65536 MB |
| Built-in display | Yes |
| Country of origin | China, Malaysia |
| Internal storage capacity | 500 GB |
| Sound power level (standby) | 39 dB |
| Sound pressure level (printing) | 53 dB |
| Media thickness | 0.6 mm |
|---|---|
| Maximum roll diameter | 6.69" (17 cm) |
| Paper tray media types | Coated paper, Bond paper, Photo paper, Banner |
| ISO A-series sizes (A0…A9) | A1 |
| Wi-Fi | No |
|---|---|
| USB port | No |
| Ethernet LAN | Yes |
| RJ-45 ports quantity | 1 |
| Ethernet LAN data rates | 10,100,1000 Mbit/s |
| Box contents | HP DesignJet Z6810 42-in Production Printer, spindle, printheads, introductory ink cartridges, maintenance cartridge, printer stand, media bin, 3-in spindle adapter kit, quick reference guide, setup poster, startup software, power cord |
|---|
| Depth | 27.2" (690 mm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 77.6" (1970 mm) |
| Height | 53.9" (1370 mm) |
| Weight | 271.2 lbs (123 kg) |
| AC input voltage | 100 – 240 V |
|---|---|
| AC input frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Power consumption (off) | 0.3 W |
| Power consumption (sleep) | 5.3 W |
| Storage temperature (T-T) | -20 – 55 °C |
|---|---|
| Operating temperature (T-T) | 5 – 40 °C |
| Operating relative humidity (H-H) | 20 – 80% |
| UNSPSC-code | 43212104 |
|---|---|
| Proofing paper | Yes |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | Compliant with Class A requirements, including: EU (EMC Directive) |
| Copying | No |
|---|
| Scanning | No |
|---|
| Package depth | 28.9" (735 mm) |
|---|---|
| Package width | 89.8" (2280 mm) |
| Package height | 47.2" (1200 mm) |
| Package weight | 390.2 lbs (177 kg) |
| Bundled software | Printer drivers, HP Click, HP DesignJet Utility including HP Color Center |
| Quick start guide | Yes |
| Cartridge(s) included | Yes |
| Sustainability compliance | Yes |
|---|---|
| Sustainability certificates | ENERGY STAR |
| Total carbon footprint (kg of CO2e) | 1180 |
|---|---|
| Carbon emissions, logistics (kg of CO2e) | 94 |
| Carbon emissions, end-of-life (kg of CO2e) | 95 |
| Carbon emissions, manufacturing (kg of CO2e) | 896 |
| Total carbon emissions, w/o use phase (kg of CO2e) | 99 |
Everything that fits the HP DesignJet Z6810
The full supplies hub lists every cartridge, printhead, roll and accessory verified against the manufacturer's own documentation for this machine.
30 ink cartridges · 5 printheads · 12 paper & media items · 3 accessories · 4 coverage plans
HP DesignJet Z6810 ink and paper →Supplies
Genuine consumables that fit the HP DesignJet Z6810 42-in Production Printer — only the cartridges, printheads and media compatible with this model.
HP 771C 775-ml Photo Black Ink Cartridge
HP 771C 775-ml Light Cyan Ink Cartridge
HP 771C 775-ml Yellow Ink Cartridge
HP 771C 775-ml Light Gray Ink Cartridge
HP 771C 775-ml Matte Black Ink Cartridge
HP 771C 775-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 771C 775-ml Light Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 771C 3-pack 775-ml Light Cyan Ink Cartridges
HP 773C 775-ml Yellow Ink Cartridge
HP 771C 3-pack 775-ml Matte Black Ink Cartridges
HP 771C 3-pack 775-ml Photo Black Ink Cartridges
HP 771C 3-pack 775-ml Light Magenta Ink Cartridges
HP 771C 3-pack 775-ml Light Gray Ink Cartridges
HP 771C 3-pack 775-ml Magenta Ink Cartridges
HP 771C 3-pack 775-ml Yellow Ink Cartridges
Hp 771A 775Ml Chrmtc Red Ink Cartridge (B6Y16A)
Hp 771A 775Ml Matte Black Ink Cartridge (B6Y15A)
Hp 771A 775Ml Magenta Ink Cartridge (B6Y17A)
Hp 771A 775Ml Yellow Ink Cartridge (B6Y18A)
Hp 771A 775Ml Lt Magenta Ink Cartridge (B6Y19A)
Hp 771A 775Ml Light Cyan Ink Cartridge (B6Y20A)
Hp 771A 775Ml Photo Black Ink Cartridge (B6Y21A)
Hp 771A 775Ml Light Gray Ink Cartridge (B6Y22A)
HP 773C 775-ml Matte Black Ink Cartridge
HP 773C 775-ml Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 773C 775-ml Light Magenta Ink Cartridge
HP 773C 775-ml Cyan Ink Cartridge
HP 773C 775-ml Photo Black Ink Cartridge
HP 773C 775-ml Light Gray Ink Cartridge
Representative imageWSL 24LB Simple Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (C2S) (446)Representative imageWSL 28LB Simple Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (C2S) (448)Representative image20LB Engineering Vellum (471)Representative image24LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper Economy (714)Representative image20LB Inkjet Bond Paper (730)Representative image24LB Inkjet Bond Paper (731)Representative image20LB High Brite Inkjet Bond Paper (740)Representative image24LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (745)Representative image6.5mil Matte Coated Paper w/ PSA (746PSA)Representative image46LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (747)Representative image28LB Inkjet Coated Matte Paper (748)Representative image18LB Inkjet Bond Paper (Translucent) (750)Questions
HP rates it at 113.6 m²/h (1,225 ft²/h) in Fast-Economode. That’s rated throughput — your finished jobs per shift will be lower once you add loading, roll swaps and collation.
No. The printer does not scan or copy. If you need to digitize old drawings, HP offers the HP HD Pro 42-in Scanner as a companion accessory.
It runs the HP 771 and HP 773C ink families in 775-ml cartridges, with HP 771 and HP 774 printheads, plus the HP DesignJet User Maintenance Kit for upkeep.
Yes. The six-ink set — including Photo black, Matte black and Gray — supports crisp CAD line work alongside color maps and presentation boards on coated, bond, photo and banner media.
Look at wider in-family models: the HP Z6600 44-in for a modest step up, or the HP Z6800 60-in for oversized maps and panels that a 42-inch roll can’t cover.
It’s a single-roll design, so unattended runs are limited to one media type per roll. Shops needing continuous multi-roll autonomy should consider a dual-roll model in the same family.
Configuration, media and a quote tailored to your workflow — from AEC plotter specialists.
