DesignJet Tier Guide

Most people choose the wrong DesignJet.

They focus on price instead of print volume — and end up paying for it later. In some cases, the wrong machine also leads to higher breakdown costs, especially in dusty environments.

💥 The real cost difference

Choosing the wrong DesignJet can cost over £20,000 more — for doing the same job. At just 100 prints per week over 7 years (approx. 3ml ink per print):

– Entry-level models → ~£64,000 ink cost
– Mid-tier models → ~£52,000
– Heavy-duty models → ~£42,000

Same output. £20,000+ difference. *Based on typical usage. Actual costs vary depending on print type

⚡ Quick rule (start here)

Low use → T230 / T650 (for MFP look at T830 or T850 MFP)
Up to 50 prints per month
Lower upfront cost, smaller ink systems

Medium use → T850 / T950 (for MFP look at T850 or T950 MFP)
100–300 prints per month
Lower ink cost per ml, more efficient, longer-lasting components

Heavy use → T1600 / T1700 / Z Series (for MFP look at T2600 MFP)
300+ prints per month
Lowest cost per print, built for volume, fastest processing

*If you’re scanning graphics such as artworks (as opposed to technical drawings) you need different scanning technology than the MFP’s above – just ask us!

🔍 Not sure which HP DesignJet you need?

🟦 Tier 1 — Entry CAD (Low Volume Use)

Purpose: Basic CAD printing for occasional or low-volume users.
Buyer Profile: If you print occasional technical drawings at low volume (<50 prints per month) in a home office or small team, this is your entry point.

T230 (A1 / 24in)
T250 (A1 / 24in)

Summary: Entry-level CAD printers designed for simple technical drawings and low usage environments such as home offices or small teams. Also used in locations where space is extremely limited where printers can be placed on top of desks or shelves.

🟩 Tier 2 — Small Office CAD (Workhorse Entry Level)

Purpose: Reliable everyday CAD printing for small professional environments.
Buyer Profile: If you need a dependable everyday CAD printer for consistent low-to-moderate office use with better speed, memory, and build than entry models, this is your tier.

T630 (A1 / 24in + A0 / 36in variants)
T650 (A1 / 24in + A0 / 36in variants)

Summary: First professional CAD tier with improved reliability, larger memory, and includes the printer stand with output basket as standard.

🟨 Tier 3 — Mainstream Professional CAD (Core Install Base)

Purpose: Standard professional CAD systems used in engineering, construction, and technical design environments.
Buyer Profile: If you are a professional engineering, architecture, or construction team printing regularly and need reliable day-to-day production with improved durability and ink efficiency, this is your core working tier. MFP models sit here when scanning/copying is required. T870 sits in this tier due to higher ink capacity, improved efficiency, and performance despite being A1 size only.

A1 (24in) models

T830 MFP (A1 / 24in) – Entry level MFP
T870 (A1 / 24in)
Z6ps (A1 / 24in) – also in Tier 5

A0 (36in) models

T850 (A0 / 36in)
T950 (A0 / 36in)

MFP (Print + Scan + Copy)

T850 MFP (A0 / 36in) – Mid Level MFP
T950 MFP (A0 / 36in) – Mid Level MFP

Summary: This is the core CAD production tier. Differences between models are primarily print width, configuration (printer vs MFP), and workflow features.

🟧 Tier 4 — High Performance CAD Systems

Purpose: High-throughput CAD and technical production environments with advanced processing, security, and large file handling.
Buyer Profile: If you operate higher print volumes, larger files, or require faster throughput, advanced security, and production-grade reliability, this is your high-performance CAD tier.

T1600 (Printer – A0 / 36in)
T1700 (Printer – A0 / 44in)
Z6ps (Hybrid CAD/Graphics Printer – A0 / 44in) – also in Tier 5
T2600ps MFP (A0/36in) – single and dual roll options – Top Level MFP

Summary: These systems form the high-performance CAD layer. The T2600 is a T1600 with integrated scanning (same performance class, expanded function). The T1700 range offers a 44-inch wide format printing for oversized technical drawings. The Z6ps is also widely used as a cost-effective 44-inch PostScript CAD alternative to models such as the T1700, while offering additional graphics capability.

🟪 Tier 5 — Graphics & Colour Critical (Z Series)

Purpose: High-end colour-accurate graphics production, signage, and photographic output.
Buyer Profile: If you need either a hybrid CAD + graphics printer or a dedicated high-end graphics system for colour-critical or gallery-quality output, this is your specialist tier. This tier also provides some elements of bridging for 44in technical PostScript alternative in a CAD environment and entry level PostScript A1 model which isn’t currently available in the CAD/Technical suite of DesignJets.

Z6ps (Hybrid CAD + Graphics printer)
Z9ps (Advanced graphics / gallery-quality output)

Summary: Separate graphics-focused ecosystem designed for colour accuracy, Pantone matching, signage production, and photographic-quality printing. This range is the crossover point covering both CAD and Graphics applications and culminating in a top-level specialist colour production system.

Printer Comparison Guide

Here’s a quick glance guide which allows you to compare 2 different printers, to help you choose the best one for your business!

A1 CAD Printers

T230 (A1/24in) vs T250 (A1/24in)

Both models are entry-level A1 CAD printers designed for low-volume use
Both use 512MB memory and similar core print engines
T230 is the most basic and lowest-cost option
T250 is slightly faster
T250 includes a longer warranty (2 years vs 1 year on T230)
All models use dye-based colour inks with pigment black (entry-level durability)

Summary: T230 is entry-level CAD, T250 is improved performance

T250 (A1/24in) vs T650 (A1/24in)

T250 has 512MB memory versus T650 with 1GB memory
T250 has print speed of 30 secs/A1 page versus T650 with a print speed of 26 secs/A1 page
T250 doesn’t include stand, roll cover and A3/A4 sheet feeder (all optional extras) versus T650 which includes all 3
T250 weighs 21.5kg versus T650 weighs 29.5kg
T250 measures 1013 x 440 x 285mm (w x d x h) versus T650 measures 1013 x 605 x 932mm
Both offer 2 years manufacturers warranty

Summary: T250 is entry-level CAD, T650 offers improved performance. Purchasing a T250 with all optional extras can often work out more expensive than the T650, which has nearly double the memory

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T630 (A1/24in) vs T650 (A1/24in)

T650 includes roll cover (not included with T630 but can be purchased as an optional extra)
T650 offers 2-year warranty vs 1 year on T630
T650 is slightly faster (~26 sec per A1 vs ~30 sec)

T650 (A1/24in) vs T870 (A1/24in)

T870 offers pigment-based inks (UV stable, water-resistant, won’t fade for up to 200 years in correct storage conditions) versus the T650 where only black ink is pigment-based and colours are dye-based
T870 has larger ink cartridges with a lower cost per ml of ink – ideal for those who print more than 50 prints per month
Both models offer 2 years warranty
T870 is faster (~21 sec per A1 vs ~26 sec)
The T870 sits in a higher tier due to its larger ink system, lower running costs, and improved performance, despite being limited to A1 width

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A0 CAD Printers

T630 (A0/36in) vs T650 (A0/36in)

T650 includes the roll cover (not available with the T650) for protection in dusty environments
T650 includes 2 years manufacturer’s warranty (instead of 1 year with the T630)
T650 is faster (~25 sec per A1 vs ~30 sec)

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T630 (A0/36in) vs T850 (A0/36in)

T850 is designed for higher print volumes and longer duty cycles
T850 includes roll cover for protection in dusty environments (not available with the T630)
T850 uses pigment inks for UV stability and water resistance and archival-quality
T850 supports WiFi Direct for simpler wireless setup
T850 is faster (~25 sec per A1 vs ~30 sec)
T850 offers lower ink cost per ml
T850 offers 2 years manufacturer’s warranty (instead of 1 year with the T630)

T650 (A0/36in) vs T850 (A0/36in)

T850 is designed for higher print volumes and longer duty cycles
T850 includes roll cover for protection in dusty environments (not available with the T630)
T850 uses pigment inks for UV stability and water resistance and archival-quality
T850 supports WiFi Direct for simpler wireless setup
T850 and T650 print at the same speed
T850 offers lower ink cost per ml
T850 and T650 both offer 2 years manufacturer’s warranty

Multifunction Printers (MFP)

T830 MFP (A1/24in) vs T630 / T650 (A1/24in)

T830 is an MFP which can print, scan, and copy (only A1 MFP in HP DesignJet range)
T630/T650 are print-only devices
T830 uses LAN connection for stability
T630/T650 use WiFi or WiFi Direct

T850 MFP (A0/36in) vs T950 MFP (A0/36in)

T950 includes output stacker (T850 optional)
T950 supports longer roll printing (90m)
T950 is slightly faster than T850
T850 is lighter and more compact
Both use pigment ink systems with WiFi Direct

T950 MFP (A0/36in) vs T2600 MFP (A0/36in)

T2600 supports PostScript workflow (T950 does not)
T2600 has 128GB processing + 500GB encrypted HDD versus T950 MFP with 2GB memory
T2600 is significantly faster for scanning and processing
T2600 supports multipage PDF and TIFF workflows
T2600 supports higher media weight up to 328gsm

Graphics Printers (Z Series)

Z6ps vs Z9ps (A1/24in upto A0/44in)

Both are PostScript printers and offer 3 models; A1/24in single roll, A0/44in single roll, A0/44in dual roll with vertical trimmer
Z9 uses a 9-ink system for expanded colour gamut, perfect for gallery-quality printing; whereas the Z6 uses a 6-ink system and is classed as a hybrid printer, suitable for CAD + graphics
Z9 includes spectrophotometer for exact Pantone colour matching; Z6 uses densitometer for colour management
Z9 is designed for gallery-quality graphics output; Z6 is a hybrid technical and graphics printer which is suitable for most applications but doesn’t have the same wide colour gamuts of the Z9 printer
Z9 offers a gloss enhancer cartridge to protect against bronzing, which is not available with the Z6ps models
Z6 is unique as it’s the lowest cost A0 PostScript Printer in HP’s DesignJet Portfolio and the only A1 PostScript option

End of Comparison Guide