How to choose a plotter for home use: basic criteria

A plotter is a device that performs 2 functions at once. On the one hand, you can print even complex images on it, on the other hand, you can cut out high-quality applications, including those with numerous patterns. At home, models of either one or both types are useful. Therefore, it is important to understand how to choose a plotter and what parameters to pay attention to. The answer to this question can be found in the presented material.

Types of devices

When considering which plotter is best to buy, it is first advisable to understand the classification of devices. Depending on the purpose, there are 3 main types:

1. Cutting plotters - with their help you can cut out a pattern of any complexity from a special film or other materials.
2. Printers models allow printing on wide-format strips.
3. Cutting and printing – combined devices that can perform 2 functions at once.

A home plotter is usually purchased for cutting out complex shapes. Such devices, in turn, are divided into 3 more subtypes:

1. Flatbed tool represented by a small table with a flat surface on which the material is attached. The cutting part is mounted on a carriage, which moves and makes the cut. Moreover, the sheet is fixed mechanically or electrically.The best cutting plotter works completely autonomously - the cut itself moves in the specified directions.
2. Laser - a device with a similar effect, but instead of a physical knife, the cutting is carried out with a laser. This is much more convenient, since this method is highly accurate. In addition, the laser easily cuts various materials, including plexiglass.
3. Roll models engaged in cutting large canvases that are rolled into a roll. The unit is represented by a drum with roller feed. The material is pressed in the usual way (mechanically) or by creating a vacuum. Depending on the canvas format, the dimensions of the plotter can vary greatly. So, for the largest A0 sheet, the roll width is 84 cm.

Criteria for choosing a cutting model

The answer to the question of which plotter to choose depends on its functions. If you plan to purchase a cutting model, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Slice sizes: for example, for A3, devices are taken whose cutting width is 30 cm. If you need to work only with thermal applications, 20-22 cm is enough.
2. The cutting accuracy depends on the software as well as the manufacturer. As a rule, the more expensive the model, the better the job it does.
3. The optical positioning sensor is another criterion for choosing a cutting plotter. This is an important element that allows you to very accurately determine the edge of the printed image. Thanks to this, you can cut out applique or icons with high quality.
4. Knife pressure – preferably from 500 g. This is enough for cutting materials such as cardboard, magnetic vinyl. If you work with regular film, 200 g is enough. This plotter is suitable for scrapbooking.

Criteria for selecting a printing device

If the device is purchased for printing, then other characteristics are important:

1. Print speed is the number of pages that the device produces within 1 minute. It may differ depending on the paper size, for example, A3 is faster, A2 is slower.
2. A plotter for home use should produce fairly good prints. Quality directly depends on resolution (dpi). This figure should be as large as possible.
3. Another criterion for which plotter to buy is the type of material. Many devices work not only with different types of paper (including universal paper), but also with banners, banner mesh, various fabrics, vinyl, and canvases.

The choice of plotter primarily depends on its purpose. For home use, you can take a mid-price segment model or a budget option. But if you plan to print high-quality images or cut out high-quality applications, it is better to purchase a professional device.