
When the Océ PlotWave launched in 2009, these large format printers offered reliable, easy production of high-quality prints. Many AEC firms chose the Océ brand because of their built-to-last design philosophy and engineering excellence.
In November 2009, Canon and Océ announced a conditional agreement whereby Canon would buy all the shares of Océ in a fully Canon-funded, public cash offer.
This strategic merger combined Océ’s technical document expertise with Canon’s global innovation and manufacturing capabilities.
Based on more than a decade of market-leading success, the 6th generation of the popular Canon Océ PlotWave printers continues to serve the market.
In this article, we’ll explain what makes the Canon Océ PlotWave printers so popular and review the top models our printing experts recommend to customers in 2026.
Canon’s Commitment to Quality and Innovation
Canon continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence across all product lines.
In early 2025, Canon was honored with the Excellent Production Support in Advanced Packaging award by TSMC.
This recognizes the company’s contributions to semiconductor manufacturing through equipment that excels at both precision and productivity.
While this award focuses on Canon’s semiconductor technology, it reflects the same engineering philosophy that drives their large format printing division:
- Precision
- Reliability
- And continuous innovation
…to support customer success
Why AEC Professionals Choose Canon Océ PlotWave Printers
The PlotWave T-series printers are developed for producers of technical drawings and designs who want an integrated, easy-to-operate solution.
These large format printers have been specifically engineered for users in architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing companies.
Compared to other technical large format printers on the market, the Canon Océ PlotWave stands out as one of the most versatile options available.
Walk-up users appreciate the ability to combine printing, scanning, and copying tasks on a single device with support for a wide variety of media.
Key features include:
1. Patented Radiant Fusing Technology
One of the key features that distinguishes the Canon Océ PlotWave from competing printers is Radiant Fusing technology.
This is an eco-friendly fusing method that provides instant printer availability with no warm-up time.
Some of its practical benefits:
- Immediate Productivity: You won’t have to wait for the printer to warm up means your team can start printing the moment they arrive at the office or return from lunch.
- Energy Efficiency: Radiant Fusing consumes less energy and emits less noise and ozone than conventional fusing methods. The PlotWave is Energy Star® 3.0 certified and uses toner bottles with an average of 50% recycled materials.
- Environmental Responsibility: For businesses with sustainability initiatives, the PlotWave’s eco-friendly design supports your environmental goals while providing exceptional print quality.
2. Advanced Software and Controller
Business owners who invest in the Canon Océ PlotWave appreciate the convenient, fast, and reliable multitasking enabled by the secure POWERsync controller (running on Microsoft Windows® 10 IoT LTSC21).
The printer includes the complete PRISMA and Clear Connect software suite, making it easy to manage complex jobs and avoid costly misprints.
Despite the sophistication of the driver software applications, the Canon Océ PlotWave maintains an intuitive user interface that minimizes training time for new users.
3. Practical Design Enhancements
The 6th generation of the Canon Océ PlotWave includes thoughtful updates that improve day-to-day usability:
Automatic Remaining Media Indicator: Always know when you’re running low on paper before starting large print jobs.
Optional User Attention Light: This innovative feature sits on the back of the printer and provides at-a-glance status information.
A green light indicates the printer is ready to use, while a flashing red light alerts team members that attention is needed. This is particularly valuable in busy workgroups where multiple people share the equipment.
Top Canon Océ PlotWave Models for 2026
Let’s examine the three primary models in the PlotWave T-series:
Canon Océ PlotWave T35: Entry-Level Excellence
Ideal For: Small to medium workgroups with moderate printing needs
Print Speed: Approximately 3-4 D/A1 pages per minute
Configuration: Available with 2-4 media rolls
Price Range: Entry-level pricing makes this an accessible option for growing firms
Don’t let the “entry-level” designation fool you.
The plotWAVE T-35 incorporates all the core PlotWave technologies including Radiant Fusing, the POWERsync controller, and support for the PRISMA software suite.
For architectural firms, engineering consultancies, or construction companies with steady but not overwhelming print volumes, the T35 gives reliable performance without unnecessary features you won’t use.
It’s particularly well-suited for offices where printing happens throughout the day but doesn’t require the highest possible speed.
The T35’s compact footprint and lower acquisition cost make it an excellent choice for:
- Satellite offices that need local printing capabilities
- Design firms transitioning from outsourcing to in-house printing
- Businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness without compromising quality
Canon Océ PlotWave T55: The Balanced Workhorse
Ideal For: Medium to large workgroups with substantial daily print volumes
Print Speed: Approximately 5-6 D/A1 pages per minute
Configuration: Available with 2-4 media rolls
Price Range: Mid-range investment for increased productivity
The PlotWave T55 is the sweet spot for many AEC operations. The increased print speed compared to the T35 translates to meaningful productivity gains when you’re printing multiple sets of construction documents or processing batches of technical drawings.
This model excels in environments where:
- Multiple team members need regular access to the printer throughout the day
- Project deadlines require faster turnaround on document sets
- Print volume justifies the investment in higher speed capabilities
The T55 offers the same robust build quality and feature set as the T35, but with enhanced throughput that keeps pace with demanding workflows.
For many businesses, this model delivers the optimal balance of capability, speed, and value.
Canon Océ PlotWave T75: Maximum Performance
Ideal For: High-volume production environments and large workgroups
Print Speed: Approximately 7-10 D/A1 pages per minute
Configuration: Available with 4-6 media rolls for maximum versatility
Price Range: Premium pricing for premium performance
The PlotWave T75 is designed for operations where printing speed and capacity are critical business requirements.
With print speeds up to 10 D/A1 pages per minute and the ability to configure with up to six media rolls, this model handles the most demanding production scenarios.
Consider the T75 if your operation features:
- Consistent high-volume printing throughout the workday
- Large workgroups where printer access bottlenecks would impact productivity
- Requirements for multiple media types that benefit from a 6-roll configuration
- Project-based workflows where speed directly impacts project delivery timelines
The T75’s multi-roll capability is particularly valuable for firms that regularly switch between different paper types, weights, or sizes.
Instead of manually changing media throughout the day, you can keep all your commonly used stocks loaded and ready.
Selecting the Right Canon Océ PlotWave for Your Business
With three solid options in the PlotWave T-series, how do you determine which model best fits your needs?
Consider Your Print Volume
Start by analyzing your actual printing patterns over the past six months:
- How many pages do you print daily?
- Do you have peak periods (end of month, project deadlines) with substantially higher volume?
- How often do users wait for prints to complete?
If you’re printing fewer than 100 pages per day with occasional spikes, the T35 likely provides adequate capacity.
Operations consistently printing 100-300 pages daily will appreciate the T55’s faster throughput. High-volume environments exceeding 300 pages per day should seriously consider the T75.
Evaluate Your Workgroup Size
The number of people sharing the printer matters:
- Small teams (3-5 users): T35 typically sufficient
- Medium workgroups (6-15 users): T55 recommended to prevent bottlenecks
- Large departments (15+ users): T75 ensures everyone has timely access
Media Requirements
Think about the variety of media types you use:
- Standard applications (1-2 media types): 2-roll configuration adequate
- Diverse needs (3-4 media types): 4-roll configuration reduces media changes
- Maximum versatility (5-6 media types): 6-roll T75 configuration eliminates most manual interventions
Budget and ROI
While the T75 offers impressive performance, it may represent over-investment for many operations. The key is matching capability to actual requirements:
- The T35 delivers excellent ROI for small to medium operations where speed isn’t the primary constraint.
- The T55 provides the best cost-per-page economics for many mid-size firms when factoring in productivity gains.
- The T75 makes financial sense when printer bottlenecks are costing your firm billable time or impacting project delivery.
Make the Right Canon OCE Printer Investment for Your AEC Workflow
The Canon Océ PlotWave T-series will continue to set the standard for technical document printing in 2026.
Whether you choose the T35, T55, or the high-performance T75, you’re investing in proven technology backed by Canon’s engineering excellence and Océ’s deep expertise in AEC workflows.
Ready to find your perfect Canon Océ PlotWave printer? Contact our printing experts or call us at 800-491-8785 for a personalized consultation.
We’ll analyze your workflow requirements and recommend the model that delivers optimal performance and value for your operation.



