Deep Dive 7 - Exploring the differences between the HP DesignJet T730 A0 versus the DesignJet T1600

12 July 2022

The HP DesignJet T730 and T1600 A0 (36”) printers are both large format printers manufactured by Hewlett Packard (HP).

Typically, DesignJet T730 buyers have medium print volumes and DesignJet T1600 buyers have medium-high print volumes, and generally all customers use these printers for technical printing such as printing off 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 garden designers, interior designers, general planners, logistics planning, building control, small copy shops, transportation and more…

The key difference between these two models is that the T730 4-ink printer is ONLY available as a non-PostScript A0/36” size printer model, and has the added capability of also being able to print A3/A4 prints via the sheet feeder (this is a useful feature for many businesses). While it has the same size ink cartridges as the T1600 (130ml and 300ml) the ink prices for the T730 per ml of ink are slightly higher in cost per ml of ink than those for the T1600 model. The T730 is able to print on media up to 280gsm and has it’s own LAN and is Wi-Fi enabled and comes with 1GB of memory and 2 years manufacturer’s warranty.

On the other hand, the DesignJet T1600 offers 4 different models

• T1600 single roll non-PostScript (much the same as the T730)
• T1600ps (single roll PostScript model)
• T1600 dual roll non-PostScript
• T1600 dual roll PostScript).

The build quality of the 6-ink T1600 models is more robust when compared against the T730 models – at 400 prints per month the parts that wear and tear with use will last 5 years. For the T730 this is much lower at 100 prints per month. The 3 key advantages of the T1600 is that (1) it offers far greater security levels than the T730 (2) it includes an integrated stacker capable of holding up to 100 prints (3) The memory capacity of the T1600 is also vastly superior to the T730 at 128GB file processing + 500GB self-encrypted hard disk. This compares against the DesignJet T730 which has only 1GB of memory.

The stacker 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 printer will store up to 100 prints in the stacker of any orientation, and you just reach across and lift them out simply and easily. The T1600 PostScript option is a useful addition for those who work with Adobe Software or clipart – which is not an option available with the T730 model. The T1600 can also print on thicker media than the T730 of up to 328gsm versus the T730 at 280gsm.

Both printers sit on their own stand and can be easily wheeled around as and when required. The T1600 PostScript model is recommended where you have particularly complex drawings (possibly with lots of layers) or very large files to print and it’s the entry level PostScript printer in HP’s DesignJet technical portfolio. If you don’t initially purchase the PostScript option, you can purchase a PostScript upgrade kit later. On the other hand, the Wi-Fi enabled T730 is useful if you have fewer print volumes and don’t require the stacker or PostScript capability (noting that you can’t purchase a PostScript kit later) and if you want the ability to print A3/A4 prints it comes with a useful A3/A4 sheet feeder. It also has it’s own LAN for remote printing.   

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 T730 and T1600 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 T730 and T1600 models ticks the box for most users:

• Both include their own stand, roll cover
• The T730 offers an A3 & A4 sheet feeder (manual)
• The T1600 series offers an integrated stacker (stacking up to 100 sheets)
• High security levels (greater security levels are offered in the T1600)
• Choice of ink cartridge sizes (130ml/300ml)
• Print speed 19.3 secs/A1 page (T1600) or 25 secs/A1 page (T730)
• Single long-life Print Head
• Simple and Easy to use - very intuitive
• 2 years manufacturer’s warranty (T730), 1 year manufacturer’s warranty (T1600 series) 
• PostScript upgrade kit (T1600 only)

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 USB 3.0 Gigabit LAN adapter and 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 T1600 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 T730 and T1600 models

The DesignJet T730 is a Non-PostScript Wi-Fi enabled, 4-ink A0 (36”) printer with it’s own LAN, 1GB memory and 2 years manufacturer’s warranty with a useful sheet feeder for A3/A4 printing, which has been built for medium print volumes.

The DesignJet T1600 is a 6-in A0 (36”) highly secure printer with 128GB file processing + 500GB hard disk, 1 years manufacturer’s warranty, with faster print speed and lower cost ink, with it’s own 100 sheet integrated sticker, built for medium to high print volumes with additional PostScript or Dual Roll options.