Small Firm Exchange

I am a solo practitioner, doing mostly residential work. I like to be able to print my own 12x18 sheets and have a HP 5200 printer to do so, but I fear it is about dead - it jams with great frequency. I'm looking for a replacement that doesn't cost crazy amounts and can be put on a desk, as I really don't print all that much. I'd even consider buying used again, like I did previously. I really am looking for a laser printer (black and white or color) - not an inkjet. So far I've only seen that type of thing with HP. And only used makes sense for me price-wise. Any input would be great. 

Thanks,
Doreen Sanfelici, AIA
Durham NC

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Doreen Sanfelici AIA
Felici Labs PLLC
Durham NC
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Hi Doreen,

I feel your pain! We have adopted a standard sheet size of 22x34, which allows our half-size to be 11x17 to give us more budget friendly printer options.  We are on our second (first one lasted 7 years) wide format HP T130 printer (inkjet) which runs about $600, and works for a full size plotter to print 22x34 sheets.  We have landed on an epson 1600 inkjet with ink tanks for 8x11 and 11x17, but have used other laser and inkjet printers in the past, with 11x17 format you have a lot more choices.

Hope that is helpful,


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Bart Shaw FAIA
Ibanez Shaw Architecture
Fort Worth TX
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Bert, thanks for the heads up on the HP T130!  

We're using the HP OfficeJetPro 7740 for printing and scanning 8 1/2 x 11 and 11 x 17.  The ink jet cartridges last much longer than expected and very pleased with the quality, reliability, and operational costs.  Purchased it in 2021 for less than $300.

I also use the 22x34 format, and print check sets on 11x17.  I've found good quality, low profile  11x17 clip boards on Amazon to organize all my projects.  Trade Quest is the manufacturer.

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Curtis Wilson AIA
Wilson Architecture
Eugene OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-24-2023 05:26 PM
From: Bart Shaw
Subject: 12x18 Printer options

Hi Doreen,

I feel your pain! We have adopted a standard sheet size of 22x34, which allows our half-size to be 11x17 to give us more budget friendly printer options.  We are on our second (first one lasted 7 years) wide format HP T130 printer (inkjet) which runs about $600, and works for a full size plotter to print 22x34 sheets.  We have landed on an epson 1600 inkjet with ink tanks for 8x11 and 11x17, but have used other laser and inkjet printers in the past, with 11x17 format you have a lot more choices.

Hope that is helpful,


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Bart Shaw FAIA
Ibanez Shaw Architecture
Fort Worth TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 1/24/2023 5:27:00 PM
From: Bart Shaw FAIA
Subject: RE: 12x18 Printer options

Hi Doreen,

I feel your pain! We have adopted a standard sheet size of 22x34, which allows our half-size to be 11x17 to give us more budget friendly printer options.  We are on our second (first one lasted 7 years) wide format HP T130 printer (inkjet) which runs about $600, and works for a full size plotter to print 22x34 sheets.  We have landed on an epson 1600 inkjet with ink tanks for 8x11 and 11x17, but have used other laser and inkjet printers in the past, with 11x17 format you have a lot more choices.

Hope that is helpful,


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Bart Shaw FAIA
Ibanez Shaw Architecture
Fort Worth TX
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Hi Doreen,

I don't have a suggestion for a 12x18 printer. Rather, since learning that you don't use it all that often, perhaps you should look into using your local print services through FedEx or a local shop that works directly with A/E businesses. This has saved a lot of my time (and money) since someone else does this work. This allows me to get a nice in-office letter/tabloid printer to do the rest--which is a Brother printer.

Cheers,

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Tony Walker AIA
Tony Walker, Architect & Associates, LLC
Middleton WI
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I also use EPSON printer, and had to replace a Workforce model because of a clogged jet after three years.  Three tries at solvent applications only made things worse for all the cartridges.  Nonetheless I'm sticking with EPSON for lack of a competitive machine and am currently with a WF 7840.  It will print onto 12x18 paper using rear tray.  But the scanner glass and sheet feeder are  only 11x17

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Thomas Hirsch, FAIA
Principal
HIRSCH GROUP ARCHITECTURE
Madison, Wisconsin
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-24-2023 06:07 PM
From: Joel Niemi
Subject: 12x18 Printer options

There are Epson printers which can do 12x18 paper, black and color.  I had one for a while.  Eventually the ink jets plugged up and none of the cleaning routines worked.  [ I learned later that part of the care and feeding for them was to print frequently, at least a few times each week for each color. ]  Up to you to decide if the cost of the machine, and the cost of some extra ink over time to keep the machine working, works with your budget.

The replacement was a Brother that does up to 11x17.  I use a 22x34 page size as much as I can, and for my own use usually print 1/2-size on 11x17.  Folks who want 24x36 sheet output can just print with wider margins.  [The ones who "print to fit" the page at the copy center call me to say "nothing scales to match your dimensions" :))

Being able to print/plot in color is handy but a strictly black/white laser printer will likely cost less to run.  

--

best regards,
Joel Niemi - Architect
425.422.4276
jniemiarchitect@gmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jniemiarchitect

Original Message:
Sent: 1/26/2023 9:16:00 AM
From: Thomas Hirsch FAIA
Subject: RE: 12x18 Printer options

I also use EPSON printer, and had to replace a Workforce model because of a clogged jet after three years.  Three tries at solvent applications only made things worse for all the cartridges.  Nonetheless I'm sticking with EPSON for lack of a competitive machine and am currently with a WF 7840.  It will print onto 12x18 paper using rear tray.  But the scanner glass and sheet feeder are  only 11x17

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Thomas Hirsch, FAIA
Principal
HIRSCH GROUP ARCHITECTURE
Madison, Wisconsin
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We decided to opt into 11x17 format for many of the reasons above, we have used an HP office Jet Pro 7740 for the past six years, its been a work horse and great for small scale drawings or interior elevation drawings, been using heavy weight paper, Xerox " Bold Digital, 28 lb. super durable. Colors are pretty good when printing glossy renderings as well.
Versatile for all our print use.
Print, Scan, Copy, etc....

Hope this helps..

Mark Domiteaux, AIA

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Mark Domiteaux AIA
Domiteaux Garza Architecture
Dallas TX

www.domiteauxgarza.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-24-2023 07:25 PM
From: James Zack
Subject: 12x18 Printer options

Hi,

We used an HP 5200 for years, and recently we bought an almost new HP Color Laser Jet CP5225.  We got a good deal, it is a solid machine, does 8.5x11, 11x17 and 12x18, and color.  We bought a second tray so all three paper sizes are ready to go.

Highly recommended.

Thank you,



Jim Zack, AIA | principal

t.  415.495.7889, ext. 201
c. 415.797.2282

We moved, new Address:

1672 15th Street
San Francisco, CA • 94103

www.zackdevito.com

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James Zack AIA
Zack De Vito, Inc
San Francisco CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-25-2023 05:33 PM
From: Mark Domiteaux
Subject: 12x18 Printer options

We decided to opt into 11x17 format for many of the reasons above, we have used an HP office Jet Pro 7740 for the past six years, its been a work horse and great for small scale drawings or interior elevation drawings, been using heavy weight paper, Xerox " Bold Digital, 28 lb. super durable. Colors are pretty good when printing glossy renderings as well.
Versatile for all our print use.
Print, Scan, Copy, etc....

Hope this helps..

Mark Domiteaux, AIA

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Mark Domiteaux AIA
Domiteaux Garza Architecture
Dallas TX

www.domiteauxgarza.com
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-24-2023 07:25 PM
From: James Zack
Subject: 12x18 Printer options

Hi,

We used an HP 5200 for years, and recently we bought an almost new HP Color Laser Jet CP5225.  We got a good deal, it is a solid machine, does 8.5x11, 11x17 and 12x18, and color.  We bought a second tray so all three paper sizes are ready to go.

Highly recommended.

Thank you,



Jim Zack, AIA | principal

t.  415.495.7889, ext. 201
c. 415.797.2282

We moved, new Address:

1672 15th Street
San Francisco, CA • 94103

www.zackdevito.com

That sounds great,just what I need.

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message:
Sent: 1/25/2023 6:47:00 PM
From: James W. Zack AIA
Subject: RE: 12x18 Printer options

We used an HP 5200 for years, and recently we bought an almost new HP Color Laser Jet CP5225.  We got a good deal, it is a solid machine, does 8.5x11, 11x17 and 12x18, and color.  We bought a second tray so all three paper sizes are ready to go.

Highly recommended.

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James Zack AIA
Zack De Vito, Inc
San Francisco CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-25-2023 05:33 PM
From: Mark Domiteaux
Subject: 12x18 Printer options

We decided to opt into 11x17 format for many of the reasons above, we have used an HP office Jet Pro 7740 for the past six years, its been a work horse and great for small scale drawings or interior elevation drawings, been using heavy weight paper, Xerox " Bold Digital, 28 lb. super durable. Colors are pretty good when printing glossy renderings as well.
Versatile for all our print use.
Print, Scan, Copy, etc....

Hope this helps..

Mark Domiteaux, AIA

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Mark Domiteaux AIA
Domiteaux Garza Architecture
Dallas TX

www.domiteauxgarza.com
------------------------------

Hi Doreen,

We have an older version of this Brother MFC-J6955DW. Unfortunately, it's an inkjet and it only scans and prints up to 11" x 17" sheets, but we find that to be very useful. 

Best of luck!

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Dawn Zuber, FAIA
Studio Z Architecture
Plymouth, MI
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Hi Doreen,

I am also a sole practitioner, doing primarily residential work.  I find that working on 11 x 17 in extremely convenient and produce most of my work on the tabloid size.  I can use a HP Office Jet Pro 7740 all in one printer for copying, scanning and printing.  It also has color and I can print photos etc.  I find the quality completely acceptable.  What I also find convenient about the 11 x17 is, that if I there is a larger project or a lot of copied required I can take it to Staples copy / print and not wear out my machine.  I don't charge for copies made in the office, but I do for copies made outside as a reimbursable expense.   The HP is available for $350.  I'm curious why you feel the laser jet is required and how you feel about the 12 x 18 vs 11 x17?

Best,

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Paul Levine
Paul J. Levine, Architect
Pittsburgh PA
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Unfortunately I don't have a solution for you. We are a small firm (4). I do have an older HP DesignJet 800 plotter which I adore. It does 24" paper so our standard size is 24x36. We also have an 11x17 color laser printer OKI C831 which is an awesome machine. We use it for check sets (11x17) which are not to scale, and also for printing packages for zoning variances, etc. It's VERY fast. The OKI was expensive to buy, but I've found that the toner can be the off-brand cartridges so fairly economical to operate. I love how fast it prints. Our old HP 11x17 multifunction was almost unusable. The HP DesignJet 800 is an inkjet plotter. I've found affordable ink on ebay so it's affordable to operate. We did recently pick up another similar machine HP DesignJet 500. It was free off craigslist, but we had to replace all the ink and print heads. These plotters are workhorses, their only flaw is that they need the belts replaced ever few years. One of my employees is now an expert in replacing HP plotter belts. To sum up, I don't know of any affordable printer that does 12", but you might try a 24" plotter and load it with 12" paper; affordable or free plotters can be found on craigslist or facebook marketplace.

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David Sisson AIA
David Sisson Architecture PC
East Providence RI
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Original Message:
Sent: 1/26/2023 9:21:00 AM
From: David M. Sisson AIA
Subject: RE: 12x18 Printer options

Unfortunately I don't have a solution for you. We are a small firm (4). I do have an older HP DesignJet 800 plotter which I adore. It does 24" paper so our standard size is 24x36. We also have an 11x17 color laser printer OKI C831 which is an awesome machine. We use it for check sets (11x17) which are not to scale, and also for printing packages for zoning variances, etc. It's VERY fast. The OKI was expensive to buy, but I've found that the toner can be the off-brand cartridges so fairly economical to operate. I love how fast it prints. Our old HP 11x17 multifunction was almost unusable. The HP DesignJet 800 is an inkjet plotter. I've found affordable ink on ebay so it's affordable to operate. We did recently pick up another similar machine HP DesignJet 500. It was free off craigslist, but we had to replace all the ink and print heads. These plotters are workhorses, their only flaw is that they need the belts replaced ever few years. One of my employees is now an expert in replacing HP plotter belts. To sum up, I don't know of any affordable printer that does 12", but you might try a 24" plotter and load it with 12" paper; affordable or free plotters can be found on craigslist or facebook marketplace.

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David Sisson AIA
David Sisson Architecture PC
East Providence RI
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Our office has a Konica Minolta bizhub C368 that serves us well.  It does nice quality printing at 18x12.  I think a key part of it working for us is having a reliable and reasonable copier guy who helps us navigate any problems.

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Ann Rosenwinkel AIA
GSMA, Inc.
Houston TX
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Lots of great responses here, but I'll add my two cents anyway. After a lot of research, I settled on the Epson WF-7840 and it's been wonderful, especially for the amount of actual printing/copying we do these days. Haven't had it long enough to have issues with clogging jets, but will try to make sure we print regularly to prevent that. The EPSON smartphone app allows you to control the device features directly from your phone, too, so you can scan your documents and then either e-mail them or save them to your network/cloud service very easily. Eliminates the need to know the different mail server settings. ;)

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Sarah Mannes Homstad AIA
Prairie Line Architecture
Yankton SD
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