HP DesignJet XL 3600: Is It Worth It? A Review for Print Shops & AEC Firms

The HP DesignJet XL 3600 MFP is worth it for AEC firms and offices that want dependable daily output at a low running cost.

With a 29 second first page out, mono and color prints at the same price, and a footprint up to 30% smaller than comparable machines, the XL 3600 has become one of the most requested upgrades this year.

Steven Enterprises has sold and serviced these machines for years, and we received two separate quote requests for this exact model in June alone. 

That kind of demand is worth digging into, so here’s an honest look at who the XL 3600 is built for.

What Is the HP DesignJet XL 3600 MFP?

The HP DesignJet XL 3600 MFP is a 36-inch multifunction printer built for offices that print and scan technical drawings, renderings, and plans on a regular basis, but don’t need the raw speed of a high-volume production machine.

It handles up to two media rolls with auto-switching, runs on 300 mL HP Bright Office Inks, and includes a built-in scanner for one-click copy and scan jobs.

Three things stand out about this model:

• Fast first page out. At just 29 seconds, you’re not standing around waiting for the first sheet to drop, which matters when you’re printing on demand between meetings.
• Mono and color prints cost the same. Most large format printers charge more for color. The XL 3600 doesn’t, which simplifies budgeting for offices that print a mix of line drawings and colored renderings.
• A smaller footprint. The XL 3600 takes up to 30% less floor space than comparable machines in its class, which is a real consideration for offices that have outgrown their current setup but haven’t outgrown their square footage.
• Longer running time. The XL 3600 supports rolls of paper up to 500 feet, so you’re swapping media less often and getting more uninterrupted print time between roll changes.

Is the HP DesignJet XL 3600 Fast Enough for Print Shops?

For most print shops, the honest answer is no. 

At roughly 3 D/A1 pages per minute, the XL 3600 delivers steady, dependable office output rather than high-volume production. A busy print shop will likely outgrow it faster than an AEC office would.

If your shop is running large batches throughout the day, the HP DesignJet XL 3800 MFP is the better fit.

It doubles the output at up to 6 D/A1 color pages per minute. First page out lands around 20 seconds. It’s the model we recommend most often when print shop owners come to us specifically for speed.

That said, plenty of print shops still run the XL 3600 well, particularly ones handling lower daily volume, walk-in orders, or a mix of large and small format work where speed matters less than reliability and cost control.

AEC firms, on the other hand, tend to be a near-perfect match for this machine since most of their print jobs are plans and renderings rather than back-to-back production runs.

How Does the XL 3600 Compare to the HP DesignJet T2600 MFP Plus?

The XL 3600 costs less to run than the T2600 MFP Plus, with ink cartridges priced around $65 less per cartridge, which adds up to real savings over a full set.

A 300 mL cartridge for the T2600 MFP Plus typically runs about $200, while the equivalent cartridge for the XL 3600 runs closer to $135. Multiply that across a full set of six cartridges and the savings become significant over the life of the machine, especially for offices that print daily.

The XL 3600 also starts printing faster thanks to a quicker processor, so you’re not waiting on the machine to catch up once you send a job.

Feature	HP DesignJet XL 3600 MFP	HP DesignJet T2600 MFP Plus	HP DesignJet XL 3800 MFP
Best for	AEC firms, moderate-volume offices	Offices needing vectorization	Print shops, high-volume AEC
Print speed	~3 D/A1 pages/min	Comparable to XL 3600	~6 D/A1 pages/min
First page out	29 seconds	Slower start time	~20 seconds
Ink cost (300 mL)	~$135/cartridge	~$200/cartridge	Varies by configuration
Max roll length	Up to 500 ft rolls	Standard roll lengths	Standard roll lengths
Special feature	Mono and color same price	Built-in vectorization software	Fastest color in its class

Trading In Your HP DesignJet T3500 MFP for the XL 3600?

Businesses trading in an older HP DesignJet T3500 MFP for the XL 3600 make up one of the most common upgrades we see, and it’s easy to understand why once you compare start times side by side.

Older models like the T3500, T2530, and original T2600 take considerably longer to begin printing once you send a job. In our side-by-side demos, the XL 3600 has already finished printing 10 pages before some of those older machines even start.

If you’re trading in an older large format printer, Steven Enterprises offers trade-in value up to $1,200 toward the purchase of a new XL 3600, which helps offset the upgrade cost considerably.

How Much Does the HP DesignJet XL 3600 Cost?

The HP DesignJet XL 3600 MFP typically runs around $15,000, though we pride ourselves on getting you the best possible price, so it’s worth calling for a custom quote.

We sell a high volume of these machines each year. We keep them in stock, install them quickly, and carry a full inventory of the ink and supplies you’ll need to keep it running.

So, Is the HP DesignJet XL 3600 Worth It?

For AEC firms and moderate-volume print environments, the HP DesignJet XL 3600 delivers strong speed and low running costs. Its compact footprint is hard to beat at this price point.

Print shops chasing higher daily volume should lean toward the XL 3800 instead. For everyone else, the XL 3600 is a dependable, cost-effective workhorse.

Want to see if the HP DesignJet XL 3600 is the right fit for your office? Contact Steven Enterprises or call us at 800-491-8785 for a custom quote, including your trade-in value.