Deep Dive 8 - Exploring the differences between the HP DesignJet T1600 A0 versus the DesignJet T2600 MFP

13 July 2022

The HP DesignJet T1600 and T2600 MFP A0 (36”) printers are both large format printers manufactured by Hewlett Packard (HP).

Typically, buyers have medium-high print volumes, and generally all customers use these printers for technical printing such as printing plans/line drawings/designs etc, and might use software such as AutoCAD.

While the buyer/end user may be operating in the AEC sector (Architects, Engineering, Construction) they may equally belong to other types of businesses such as manufacturing, scientific, electrical, local authorities, local government, media businesses, food & catering, colleges, IT, public services, forestry, metal works, chemical labs, garden designers, interior designers, general planners, logistics planning, building control, copy shops and more… Typically users will be printing 400 prints (or more) per month.

The key difference between these two models is that the T1600 6-ink model is a PRINTER ONLY (it offers 4 different models - with and without PostScript, with a choice of either single or dual roll).  It’s sister model is the DesignJet T2600 MFP 6-ink model which offers almost exactly the same technical build as the T1600ps (single and dual roll models), except that it has an integrated stacker built on top, which means that it can PRINT, SCAN & COPY but in every other way technically it is essentially the same. The T2600ps is offered as PostScript only, with a choice of single and dual roll.

Both models share the same ink cartridges (with a choice of 130ml or 300ml size cartridges) and offers the lowest cost inks (cost per ml) within HP’s DesignJet technical range, compared against the entire HP DesignJet portfolio – with the exception of the Graphics Z series models only). The T1600 and T2600 models are both able to handle media up to 328gsm (which is more than other technical DesignJet models) and both come with a huge 128GB file processing + 500GB self-encrypted hard disk. All models also offer 1 year manufacturer’s warranty.

In terms of other offerings, both printers are designed with high performance in mind. They offer high accuracy and the fastest print speed, printing up to 180 x A1 prints per hour. They are both built with security in mind and offer the ‘World’s most secure printer’. They also offer a compact footprint for their size and quiet operation built for large open offices where a reduction in noise is especially needed – in fact they offer up to 87% less noise compared with Canon/Epson machines in the same price range, with a sound pressure of 42 dB(A) during operation.

The stacker is supplied with both models and this is a great time-saving device for operators and is particularly useful if you’re printing in peaks and troughs as it saves the operator having to walk to and from the printer to collect the prints. The printers will store up to 100 prints in the stacker of any orientation, and you just reach across and lift them out simply and easily.

Both printers sit on their own stand and can be easily wheeled around as and when required. The T1600 PostScript models are recommended where you have particularly complex drawings (possibly with lots of layers) or very large files to print. If you don’t initially purchase the PostScript option, you can purchase a PostScript upgrade kit later. On the other hand, the dual roll models are useful because it reduces the amount of time operators have to spend switching out the paper rolls and it allows for unattended printing – in other words you can load the printer with 2 of the same types of roll and switch from one to the other when the first roll runs out, or you can load 2 different types of paper (size/weight/finish) and switch easily between the rolls.

We would also recommend, whichever model you choose, that you use the free HP Click software, which will allow you to print multiple files all at once. The T1600 and T2600 MFP models are compatible for both Windows and Mac Users. All printers include a free set of starter inks and automatic cutter with a single long-life printhead.

The new design of the front panel is extremely intuitive and user-friendly, offering useful video-quality instructions on how to change inks/paper/printheads and also offers a true print preview before you print so that it makes it very simple and easy to use for anyone in the office! 

Key reasons why the T1600 and T2600 MFP models ticks the box for most users:

• Price includes stand, roll cover and time-saving integrated stacker (stacking up to 100 sheets)
• World’s Highest Security levels
• Choice of ink cartridge sizes (130ml/300ml)
• Print speed of 19.3 secs/A1 page
• Single long-life Print Head
• Simple and Easy to use - very intuitive
• 1 years manufacturer’s warranty
• PostScript capability (T2600 MFP models) and PostScript Option and upgrade kit (T1600)
• Integrated scanner to print/scan/copy (T2600 only)
• Ability to print on extra long rolls (90m)

Key Optional Extra’s

You can purchase a spare spindle for ease of swapping over different types or sizes of media.

You can also purchase a 3” core adapter. The core adapter allows you to use media which has a 3” core rather than the standard 2” core (but this option is only offered with the T2600 MFP model).

Warranty Money-Saving Tip!

You can also extend your free manufacturer's warranty to 2, 3, 4 or 5 years cover. This will lift the 'best effort response' provided normally with the manufacturer's warranty to a next business day onsite response. This is actually the cheapest way of covering your printer longer term but be aware that the extended warranties must be purchased within the first 90 days of purchasing the printer, otherwise you lose the opportunity to take out this cover. 

Key Differences between the T1600 and T2600 MFP models

The DesignJet T1600 is a 6-ink printer only

The DesignJet T2600 MFP is a 6-ink printer/scanner/copier