In 2025, print volumes are declining across many industries due to widespread digitization.
Government offices and municipalities, for example, are shifting paperwork online and printing far less than before.
With fewer “must-print” pages, buyers in 2025 are prioritizing lower-volume, lower-foot-print devices that still deliver professional speed and security.
At Steven Enterprises, the five HP wide format printers below are the ones our clients ask for most, organized from highest to moderate volume.
Each blends productivity with a lean cost profile that suits today’s hybrid workflows.
1. HP DesignJet XL 3800 – Fast and Secure Wide Format Printer for High-Productivity Teams
The HP DesignJet XL 3800 is the fastest color printer in its class, making it ideal for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals who need quick turnaround on large-format prints.
This 36-inch multifunction printer (MFP) produces color and monochrome drawings with exceptional quality, so offices can consolidate into one device for all wide-format needs. It’s designed to keep busy project teams moving efficiently with minimal downtime.
Why Purchase the HP DesignJet XL 3800:
- Blazing Speed: Delivers up to 6 D/A1-size prints per minute, so large CAD sets or GIS maps are ready in moments. The first page out is as fast as 20 seconds, meaning no long warm-up waits.
- High Print Quality: Produces excellent line accuracy for CAD drawings and vivid colors for graphics.
- Integrated Scanner & Workflow: As an MFP, it offers easy one-click copying and scanning from the 15-inch touchscreen panel. This simplifies document workflows by letting you scan markups or copies directly.
- Top-Tier Security: Protects your network and data with HP’s advanced security features. In fact, HP touts it as “the world’s most secure large-format printer,” with secure boot, user authentication, and other safeguards built in.
- Space-Saving Design: Despite its capability, the XL 3800 has a compact footprint about 20% smaller than previous generation models. This gives you extra workspace and flexibility in smaller offices.
Learn more about the HP DesignJet XL 3800.
2. HP DesignJet XL 3600 – Compact, Reliable & Low-Cost Operation
The HP DesignJet XL 3600 is a dependable wide-format MFP built for consistent output in environments that don’t require extremely high print volumes. Its reputation for reliability and low operating costs makes it a go-to choice for offices that value simplicity, efficiency, and steady performance.
It is often praised as “immediate and reliable” – it simply works whenever needed. This printer is an excellent choice for organizations that value low operating costs and dependability over sheer speed.
It’s particularly well-suited to offices that print a mix of technical documents and need them done right every time.
Why Purchase the HP DesignJet XL 3600:
- Quick First Print: The HP DesignJet XL 3600 delivers the fastest first-page-out in its class—just 29 seconds for a D-size print—so your team can grab documents on demand and keep projects moving without delays.
- Low Running Costs: Built for efficiency, the XL 3600 uses less energy and features long-life components to minimize maintenance and lower your total cost of ownership over time.
- Large Touchscreen & Ease of Use: A generous 15.6-inch touchscreen panel gives easy access to features. Users can print directly from personal or shared network folders and use HP Click software for efficient batch PDF printing.
- Quiet, Office-Friendly Design: This model has a compact, 30% smaller footprint and quiet operation to fit comfortably in office settings.
- Rock-Solid Reliability: The XL 3600’s robust design easily handles demanding environments. Features like automatic print stacking (up to 100 pages) and auto media loading make printing hassle-free.
Learn more about the HP DesignJet XL 3600.
3. HP DesignJet XT 950 – Multi-Size Efficiency Wide Format Printer for AEC and GIS
The HP DesignJet XT 950 is purpose-built for teams that juggle both large-format and smaller-size prints on a daily basis.
This dual-format flexibility makes it a perfect fit for AEC, GIS, and design offices where switching between full-size plans and reduced check prints is routine.
Why Purchase the HP DesignJet XT 950 Wide Format Printer:
- Dual-Format Printing: The XT 950 has an integrated input tray for up to 100 half-size sheets (Letter, Tabloid, or A3/B) and an output sorter, allowing mixed-size print jobs in one go.
- Productive Speed: It prints a D-size page in ~21 seconds (up to 90 D-size prints per hour), which is faster than most competitors in its class. This keeps project workflows moving, even when you have many pages to get through.
- High Image Quality: HP’s pigment-based Flex Tech Inks ensure high-quality output for both line drawings and graphics. Technical line work comes out sharp and fine details in renders or maps are clear, with ink that resists smudging and water.
- Simplified Workflow: HP Click software support means you can send multiple files (even a mix of sizes) to print in just a few clicks with a real-print preview.
Learn more about the HP DesignJet XT 950.
4. HP DesignJet T1600 – Precision Printing with High-End Features
The HP DesignJet T1600 is a 36-inch plotter that offers high-end precision and advanced workflow features for technical and graphics printing.
It’s popular among design firms and departments that require sharp detail and robust performance but don’t quite need the ultra-high speed of an XL series.
The T1600 stands out for its easy PDF printing capabilities and professional output stacking.
Why Purchase the HP DesignJet T1600:
- Superior Print Accuracy: With six inks (including gray and photo black), the T1600 produces fine line detail and smooth color gradients ideal for CAD drawings, architectural renderings, and posters. It faithfully reproduces complex schematics and color-critical visuals.
- Fast Throughput: This model can print up to 180 D-size prints per hour (in fast mode). That’s about 3 D-size sheets per minute, enough speed to meet tight deadlines on large drawing sets. It also supports dual-roll configurations, so you can load two different media types or sizes and switch automatically.
- Easiest PDF Printing: The T1600 features the Adobe PDF Print Engine, allowing it to process complex PDF files natively and accurately. You can send multi-page PDFs directly to print, and with HP Click software, batch printing becomes faster and more streamlined than ever.
- 100-Page Stacking Tray: One standout feature is the integrated output stacker that neatly collates up to 100 sheets. Prints stack neatly and come out flat, eliminating the mess of scattered pages. This feature is valuable when you’re producing large sets like construction plans or GIS map series.
- Quiet and Secure Operation: The T1600 is designed for the office – it operates quietly and includes the same HP Wolf Security features for network protection and user access control as other modern HP models.
Learn more about the HP DesignJet T1600.
5. HP DesignJet T850 – Compact CAD/GIS Plotter with Green Credentials
Rounding out our list is the HP DesignJet T850, a compact large-format printer built for CAD drawings, maps, and rendering outputs in small offices or remote job sites.
The HP DesignJet T850 proves that even as printing becomes less frequent, having a dependable in-house printer is still a smart move.
It gives architects, engineers, and GIS specialists a convenient way to produce high-quality large-format prints only when needed, without overspending on a bigger machine.
Why Purchase the HP DesignJet T850 Wide Format Printer:
- Space-Saving, Modern Design: Notably, the T850’s compact 36-inch design seamlessly includes an integrated 50-sheet A3/A4 tray. Thus, it prints half-size sets effortlessly without manual paper switches.
- Capable Performance: Despite its size, the T850 swiftly outputs D-size drawings in 25 seconds, approximately 90 per hour. Hence, it suits low to mid-volume CAD or poster printing.
- Excellent Ink Efficiency: Specifically, its pigment-based inks consistently ensure durable, crisp lines and vibrant fills. Moreover, efficient ink use significantly lowers print costs.
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Mobile and Secure Printing: Similarly, the T850 supports HP Smart app printing, allowing mobile job management. Additionally, HP Wolf Security effectively protects data
Learn more about the HP DesignJet T850.
Optimize Your Print Workflow with an HP Wide Format Printer
As processes go digital, investing in a quality wide-format printer still remains essential for many businesses in 2025 and beyond.
Moreover, the right printer enables you to consistently produce critical, high-quality documents, plans, and presentations as needed.
Not sure which HP wide format printer is right for your organization? Let our team guide you to the right fit. Call 800-491-8785 or fill out this contact form for a personalized sizing analysis. We will help you choose a solution that keeps your work moving and your overhead lean.