What is a plotter? Plotters are printers, and the term "plotter" is now used to describe printers that produce large-scale images or drawings, frequently CAD drawings that show engineering or building plans, POS images, or large canvas prints that are typically either A1 or A0 in size.

Technically speaking, the term is out of date because, as a result of changes in printer design and technological advancements, the technology used with newer machines no longer actually "plots" the output. In other words, the term "plotter" actually refers to the original method of making drawings on paper using plotter pens. By the middle of the 1990s, plotters had largely been replaced, but the word "plotter" still exists! 

Definition of Plotter printer

A plotter is computer hardware, similar to a printer, used to print vector graphics. Plotters create multiple, continuous lines on paper as opposed to numerous dots, as is the case with conventional printers, using a pen, pencil, marker, or another writing instrument as opposed to toner. Schematics and other similar applications are printed by plotters. These tools were once frequently used for computer-aided design, but wide-format printers largely replaced them.

What functions do they serve?

Due to their ability to print large-scale images and the variety of media they can be used with, plotters have a wide range of applications. Maps, large signs or POP advertisements in stores and supermarkets, prints from art galleries, large photographs, and more are examples of typical uses. Vinyl, canvas, fabric, card, paper, film, adhesive paper, coated paper, billboard paper, and other types of media are available. The media can be sheet-fed or roll-fed. Media is typically purchased in widths of 24, 36, 42, and 60 inches. The types of inks available include dye-based inks, pigment-based inks, and UV inks that are either dye- or pigment-based.

Benefits of plotters

Plotters can produce work with a high resolution on paper that is very large.

Drawing the same pattern repeatedly is possible with plotters without any image degradation.

The drawbacks of plotters

Plotters are much larger than conventional printers.

In addition, plotters cost more than conventional printers.

What distinguishes a plotter printer from a regular printer?

Multiple dots of ink are printed onto the paper or material being used by a traditional printer using a toner. Straight lines may then not be as prominent or straightforward as they should be. A plotter printer is much more accurate because it prints in lines after using a precise tool, like a pencil.

A plotter printer can also print on a variety of other materials besides just paper. 

However, due to the fact that plotter printers are more significant than standard printers, you must take into account the amount of space you will need to house your printer.

Plotter printers are used by who?

A plotter printer's accuracy makes it the perfect tool for printing blueprints and building designs in the architecture sector. The use of large-format printers also makes it possible to print an entire design on a single piece of paper. The extremely high resolution that plotter printers maintain makes them perfect for documents that require unwavering dependability and accuracy. The use of plotter printers in the engineering and construction industries can be attributed to the same reason.