Selling Your Used Large Format Plotters – Buy-Backs and Trade-Ins Explained
When you decide to get rid of your large format printer, you have three options depending on the machine’s age and condition.
They include: a manufacturer trade-in, a buy-back from a company like Steven Enterprises, or free recycling.
At Steven Enterprises, we field calls about this constantly. Someone has an old plotter taking up floor space, a machine that stopped working, or they just want to upgrade and they want to know what their options are.
In most cases, you walk away with money in your pocket, and we handle everything.
This guide walks through exactly how each option works, what we accept, and what you can realistically expect.
The Used Large Format Plotters We Accept at Steven Enterprises
Before anything else, here is where we draw the line…
We do not take 20-year-old machines from people who just want to get rid of a printer without buying a new one. If you have a decades-old plotter collecting dust and you are not in the market for a replacement, that is not something we can work with.
Everything else is fair game; your printer can be damaged or broken. It does not need to be in working condition for us to take it off your hands.
We will haul it away no matter what, and from there we figure out the best route together: recycling, a trade-in through the manufacturer, or a direct buy-back from us.
Option 1: Manufacturer Trade-In Programs
Best for: Anyone buying a new large format printer who wants money toward the purchase, regardless of how old their current machine is.
Manufacturer trade-in programs are the most common route and often the most valuable one.
HP calls theirs the Cash-In Trade-Up program, while Canon runs similar quarterly deals.
These promotions offer you cash credit toward the purchase of a new machine, and they apply to almost any model regardless of age.
Even a 30-year-old printer can qualify for a manufacturer trade-in credit as long as you are buying new equipment.
Here is how the process works when you go through Steven Enterprises:
We give you the trade-in credit upfront when you purchase your new machine, so you don’t have to wait or do any paperwork on your end.
We then take your old printer, handle the trade-in claim with the manufacturer ourselves, which involves submitting:
- the invoice
- the serial number
- and the relevant documentation
And we receive the reimbursement check from the manufacturer a month or so later.
We charge you no fee for any of this. The trade-in credit you get is exactly what the manufacturer offers.
One practical note on timing: trade-in deals typically run quarterly. Canon’s current offer runs through the end of June, though historically some promotions have continued beyond the original window.
HP has at times kept the same rebate active for the better part of a full year. The point is these deals do come and go, so if you are thinking about upgrading, it pays to ask sooner rather than later.
Option 2: Buy-Backs from Steven Enterprises
Best for: Newer machines, typically within five years old, that still hold resale value.
If no manufacturer trade-in is available for your model, Steven Enterprises may offer a direct buy-back.
This is separate from any manufacturer program. We assess the machine, and if it is recent enough to still have value, we make you an offer.
The machines that qualify for buybacks are generally 5 years old and in reasonable condition.
Older models are harder to place because parts availability starts to dry up, and the resale market thins out considerably for machines past a certain age.
The HP PageWide XL series and newer Canon large format models tend to hold value well and are the kinds of machines we are most likely to make an offer on.
Every buy-back is model-specific. The best way to find out if yours qualifies is to call us directly. We can give you an answer quickly based on the model and age.
Option 3: Free Recycling
Best for: Older machines with no trade-in value, or any machine where the other two options do not apply.
If your printer does not qualify for a trade-in or a buy-back, we will still take it.
When you purchase a new machine through us, we will pick up the old one at no charge when we deliver and install the new equipment. We handle the disposal and recycling responsibly.
This option applies even if the machine is completely non-functional. All we need is enough to identify the unit, primarily the serial number, and we take it from there.
A Note on Ink Supplies for Used Large Format Printers
Trade-in and buy-back conversations sometimes come with a follow-up question about leftover ink.
Here is the honest answer: ink returns are more like a return policy than a trade-in program. Supplies purchased from us can typically be returned within 30 days of purchase. After that window closes, ink with limited shelf life before expiration is not something we can take back.
The practical takeaway here is to order ink as you need it rather than stocking up heavily in advance.
We assign every customer a dedicated account manager who tracks supply needs, places orders promptly, and ensures customers are not left with unused ink. We stock almost all major ink and toner lines, and pickup is available if you are local.
You can browse HP ink, Canon ink, and OCE toner directly on our site, or call your account manager to set up a regular supply cadence that keeps you stocked without overbuying.
Find Out If Your Large Format Printer Qualifies for a Trade-in
Trade-in deals change quarterly, and buy-back eligibility depends on the model. The fastest way to know what your printer is worth is to give us a call.
We will tell you exactly where your machine stands and what your best option is right now.
Call 800-491-8785 or contact us here. Trade-in offers do not last forever, so if you are thinking about upgrading, do not wait.