What Is Plotter Paper?

Plotter paper is commonly used in engineering, architecture, mechanical, construction and design industries. With the ability to handle large prints with reduced smudging, it is typically used throughout many technical companies. 

Typically wider than standard paper, plotter paper allows for large-scale drawings such as technical drawings, blueprints, maps and building plans. Plotter paper is available in different paper weights, finishes and sizes.

What is Plotter Paper Used For?

• Technical drawings
• Maps
• Electrical plans
• Architectural Drawings
• CAD Drawings
• Draft Drawings
• Blueprints

Plotter Paper Types

Inkjet uncoated plotter paper is one of our most popular ranges due to the relevant low costs. It is ideal for our customers to have hard copies of plans for their records. Easy to fold or roll up, the plotter paper is great for taking to on-site projects or clients. There are many sizes available depending on the size required. The core size is important when purchasing a plotter roll as this will need to match the printer specification.

From uncoated to coated plotter paper, this provides a much more quality finish and is used for drawings that are being presented to clients or local councils. Even though uncoated has superb results the thickness of coated paper has a slightly heavier paper weight. 

Paperweights for uncoated paper usually start from 60gsm up to 90gsm, whereas the coated version weight normally starts from 90gsm.

Plotter Printers

Due to the job the plotter has, it does not perform the same as a standard printer due to it being used by software programs such as AutoCAD. The method of printing is slightly different as the plotter has a special pen that moves across the paper creating the embedded plots.

Popular plotters include the HP DesignJet Plotter series as well as other brands such as Kip and Canon. If you are interested in a plotter printer please get in touch as we will provide the most relevant printer to your needs.

Inkjet plotters are one of the most popular choices due to their cost-efficiency and ease of use when printing plots. The colours are pushed directly onto the paper. They are available in different sizes from A2, A1 to A0.

Drum plotters are used commonly within many industries but the drum size can impact certain plot sizes. 

Flatbed Plotters have a flat surface and work using an arm that moves a pen over the plotter paper rather than having the paper move under the arm.

Scanning via a Plotter Printer

As well as printing large prints, some plotters can scan plans and save them as digital files on the desktop. This is a useful option for clients who only have hard copies and require a digital copy to have a backup of the plans. 

Most plotters have various settings so that the scan will be perfect when the correct settings are used. For example, if a tracing sheet is being scanned, the plotter should have a preset for line art.

It adjusts readily for the scanning process to scan the sheet without any grey background. If it was on the wrong preset, such as the greyscale setting, then the scan would produce a PDF with a grey or patchy background.