If you’re new to the plotter world, you must know it simply as the wide format printers you know today. The ones that are simply huge in sizes but prints just like an ordinary laser printer. The Plotters then, however, are way bigger in sizes. They also function exceptionally unique for it works like a huge robot arm. Using a pen-like tool attached and held in a mechanical arm, the plotter is able to draw lines on paper. The old plotter is, in fact, an output device used to produce image-quality graphics in a variety of colors. These graphics are way too big in sizes such that they are made to be maps, architectural drawings, graphs, and charts. These plotters are no longer around, however, because most of the plotters you see are the latest models known as wide format printers.
Most technical people still claim that the old plotters are better than the new ones. They like how accurate it is and how better it is in producing vectors than inkjet and laser wide format printers since they are prone to over spilling ink with a tendency of being quite inaccurate. Also, these plotters are a lot cheaper especially now that demand for them is a little low. Most of them are cheap since they are already considered refurbished, meaning already used and returned. Do not be misled by the term used, however, since refurbished plotters are improved and rebuilt. Thus, they are not exactly too old and decaying. They are simply that: used, rebuilt, but are now functioning almost as good as new.
If you wish to really save, you can find refurbished plotters like those mentioned above, that are for lease instead of being for sale. When plotters are for lease, it means the ownership doesn’t transfer to you. You’re only leasing it while you are still using it. This means that you wouldn’t have to have an idle machine sitting in a warehouse once you no longer need it or once it goes entirely obsolete. Most leasing agreements even allow free upgrade, which means that you can pick a specific period upon which you can choose to update the plotter you’re using for a more updated model. Imagine being able to use new features while only paying for a fraction of the original cost. Perhaps the best part about leasing these refurbished plotters is that, the service provider takes care of repairs and maintenance on their end. Thus you will have fewer worries about the upkeep of the machine while reaping the benefits of having one.
