Wide Format Printers & Large Format Copiers — Compare Prices

Quick answer: A wide format printer — also called a large format printer or plotter — prints on media from about 18 to 100 inches wide, far beyond standard office paper. Businesses use them for blueprints, posters, banners, signage, and fine-art prints. Prices range from about $1,500 for an entry roll-fed model to $65,000+ for production units, so the best way to price one is to compare quotes from local providers.

A wide format printer is a printer or copier that handles media at least 18 inches wide — and often up to 100 inches — using rolls of paper, canvas, vinyl, or film instead of cut sheets. “Wide format” and “large format” mean the same thing to most vendors; anything printing wider than about 100 inches is sometimes called “super large” and is rare outside specialty industries.

Wide format printers are used for architectural and engineering plans, signage and banners, posters, fine-art and photo prints, décor, and event displays. They’re essential wherever a business needs large-scale, high-quality output that a standard printer can’t produce.

Wide format printers cost from about $300 for a desktop tabloid model to $65,000+ for a production printer. Most small businesses buy a 24–36 inch roll-fed model in the $1,500–$10,000 range; commercial sign and print shops spend $20,000–$45,000 on production-grade latex, solvent, or UV machines.

Lease if you want low upfront cost, predictable payments, and easy upgrades; buy if you have the capital and plan to keep the machine long-term. Leasing a wide format printer typically runs $150–$500 per month for mid-range models and $800–$2,000 per month for production equipment, usually on 24–60 month terms with a $1 buyout option.

The best wide format printer depends on your use: HP DesignJet and Canon imagePROGRAF lead for CAD and technical work, HP Z-series and Epson SureColor lead for photo and graphics, and Epson/Mutoh solvent machines lead for signage. Below are strong current models by application, with estimated 2026 pricing.

Prioritize print resolution, roll width, ink type, media handling, speed, and total cost of ownership. The right choice depends on your work — crisp lines for CAD, wide color gamut for photos, and durable inks for outdoor signage.

Comparing several local providers gets you competitive pricing, unbiased brand options, and nearby install and service — and buyers who compare quotes save around 20% on average. A manufacturer sells one brand; a big-box site sells a box with no support; a marketplace makes vetted providers compete for the same machine.