A large photo for your living room or a banner for a seminar for your local social group is easily printed at any professional print studio in your city. However, if your professional needs require you printing large-format documents, photos, banners etc then, you may as well get a large-format laser printers/plotter for yourself. Large-format printers/plotters are great for event managers, college and educational institutes, sports organizations etc. For long-term large-format printing needs, purchasing a machine can be much more cost-effective than running to your local printer every other day.

Large-format printers/plotters are usually specifically built for various applications. So you really need to be defining your requirements and needs before buying one. For example, architects, engineers, and construction personnel need special printers/plotters for computer-aided design (CAD) printouts like blueprints, floor plans or spec documents. Most often, LED printers don't give the best possible resolution but they are faster for large-volume jobs. But educational institutes, retail stores and advert agencies would require best possible resolution for color graphics.

You can compare large-size printers/plotters available in the market via online sites offering free comparisons based on a range of attributes. Before you buy one check

- The paper size which can go up to 72" or more
- If added benefits like scanning and copying is included
- Networking capabilities are of your need
- Color matching is proper. Including a special image processor will jack up the cost
- Added advantages like built-in paper cutters, sorters etc.
- Multiple size support according to your needs.

Some of the super-efficient and truly cheap large-format printers/plotters in the market include:

- The HP Design jet 90 2400 x 1200 DPI for $987 approx. It supports six-color printing and is extremely popular with art professionals who love the A2+/C+ size product. The constant color output quality is maintained with HP Vivera Ink and you can use HP paper for exceptional fade-resistance prints. The printing speed is 4 min per page (B glossy paper) / 6.3 min per page (C glossy paper) in normal mode with a print quality of 1200 x 600 dpi in black and 2400 x 1200 dpi in color. Media sizes are restricted to letter, legal, executive, tabloid, C, envelopes. It's media paper handling accessories include a input tray that can handle 70 sheets, single-sheet front paper feed, manual single-sheet feed from the rear path/ output tray to handle 50 sheets. An optional accessory for roll feed from the rear is attachable.

- At $1,224 approx, the Epson Stylus Pro 3800 Large Format Printer is a good buy in the category as it supports 9-color output in max res of 2880 x 1440 dpi. It comes with photographic screening technology.

- If you can move a bit higher on price then, there's the Canon image PROGRAF iPF6100 Large Format Printer in the plus-$2,200 range. It offers a 12-color printing capability with sophisticated print-head technology combined with high-speed output. It has been built particularly with the design/photo professional in mind. It offers full-bleed color output and striking quality.

- But in the plus-$3000 range of printers and plotters you have the HP Design jet 510 42" Large Format that is affordable for studios and map printing requirements.

- The Canon Imageprograf IPF755 allows max res of 2400X1200, total front-panel operation and gives complex colors a striking quality that designers and photographers love. It includes an accounting functionality, a sub-ink tank system, and Gigabit Ethernet support for great productivity. A little costly at $4,000 plus it can still be called cheap because large-format printer/plotters go up to $20,000!