As I said before, always have at least 3 printheads on hand. Just had to replace 2 printheads. Went to HP to order more, out of stock. Checked a couple other suppliers, out of stock. Finally found a website with them in stock. This is common with these printheads, often they are out of stock. What happens after you replace a printhead, the printer does a printhead check and alignment. Many times it will say you need to replace another printhead.
Hello Sean. I have the DesignJet Z9, purchased 2 years ago. I like the quality of the prints and the speed of printing. The software has been a nightmare for me. So many problems the first year. Better now, but still get issues every month. Yes, keep a few printheads on hand at all times. They seem to fail a few at a time. I agree about going with the 44" if possible. Like you, I had to go with the 24" model because of space. The problem with the 24" model is that you are limited to the types of paper you can buy. There are many formats of paper that start at 36" wide, and are just not available at 24". The printer allows a roll diameter (not width) a little over 5 inches/13 cm. I just bought a large 300 foot roll that is about 6 inches wide/15 cm. It does not fit and is hitting what I believe is called the Converger that directs the paper into the printer. To me, it looks like I could remove the converger and still be able to feed the paper in. Has anyone tried this, or have other options for fitting a larger roll?
Hello John. Yes, I completely agree with you in regards to the limitations of the paper that can be printed on with the Designjet. I'm in the workshop now since April and I get so many customers asking if I can make outdoor signage, window decals, roll-up banners, selfie boards - basically all the things I can't do. I would love the 44-inch model but when I think about it, a Roland printer/cutter would serve my business a lot more as they could produce all the things above plus what I am doing at the minute (canvas and posters). They might cost more than the HP but they could produce so much more plus I'm sure the inks couldn't cost as much. There is a 2nd hand one for sale here in Ireland that I would purchase only I don't want to use my business security funds. If it's still for sale in 2 or 3 months, I will go and take a look at it. Fingers crossed.
Hmmm. How does that work? Doesn't it create wastage of paper to be printing small designs? Let's say I wanted to print an A3 paper design. How would that work?
@@designgaff2025 When you say "grouping", Do you mean "selecting" multiple pdf files on the printer, or "combining" all the pdf files into one pdf file before printing?
@gencemosia9355 HP Click is the program that you use. In this program, you can tick a bock called "nest." With this ticked, you could pull 10 files into the program, and it will organise them into like a photo collage so you're using as little paper as possible. For example, if you were printing a4 photos, it would put the right next to one another instead of printing one at a time.
I have printed on vinyl with this printer, both matte and gloss that I purchased from getprintsupplies.co.uk, another company that could give you information is colourbyte.co.uk You would need to laminate the stickers though to give some uv protection
@@designgaff2025 That’s weird, I been asking ChatGPT multiple times and keep saying that this machine can do that. But I dont understand how. I do have Epson SureColor 9500, and a seperate laminate machine (not heat lamination). the lamination is a roll with a sticky side. But I want to cut out this process of extra work, so I asked ChatGPT for any machine that can do this in one go (print + laminate)
I have had a mix blessing of getting a used Z6 for 150 USD I have never done much of any major printing before and would love any advice or vids you can give me advice wise. It printer from a retired Archetech and needs one head replaced which I have but not have put in. I help with Youth groups and am hoping to help make game board and posters with it One other big question that I have not figured out yet is it wi fi capable
I've had this printer for a little over 2 years as well. Quality of the prints are good but the biggest issue I have with it is the software. Constant updates that continually disrupt the workflow. The office down the hall from me just got an HP printer/plotter and they have the same issues with constant software nightmares. Not sure if it's just HP or printer s in general but we are looking to get as far away from HP as possible now.
I've only ever had to update the printer once since I got it and that was because I was getting a magenta tone where I should off been getting white. HP Customer support told me that the update might fix the problem, which it did. I'm sure there is a way of turning off the automatic updates.
@@designgaff2025 Both the vendor and HP have warned me against that as some of them are security patches. Since I don't want to void any warranties or be in breach of some contractual fine print somewhere that's probably a move I'll reserve for when the service contract expires. The chronic software issues are not limited to the Z6 only though, it's on every HP printer we have
Hello, have you calculated the cost of ink on the basis of per sq inch or per sq feet print. I recently bought this printer and wondering how much will it cost per print like printing cost of a 12*18inch print
I haven't got into that much detail Brijesh. I would charge €30 for a 12x16 inch canvas and €8 for the same size photograph. So I'm certain I'd cover the costs.
As I said before, always have at least 3 printheads on hand. Just had to replace 2 printheads. Went to HP to order more, out of stock. Checked a couple other suppliers, out of stock. Finally found a website with them in stock. This is common with these printheads, often they are out of stock. What happens after you replace a printhead, the printer does a printhead check and alignment. Many times it will say you need to replace another printhead.
Hello Sean. I have the DesignJet Z9, purchased 2 years ago. I like the quality of the prints and the speed of printing. The software has been a nightmare for me. So many problems the first year. Better now, but still get issues every month. Yes, keep a few printheads on hand at all times. They seem to fail a few at a time. I agree about going with the 44" if possible. Like you, I had to go with the 24" model because of space. The problem with the 24" model is that you are limited to the types of paper you can buy. There are many formats of paper that start at 36" wide, and are just not available at 24".
The printer allows a roll diameter (not width) a little over 5 inches/13 cm. I just bought a large 300 foot roll that is about 6 inches wide/15 cm. It does not fit and is hitting what I believe is called the Converger that directs the paper into the printer. To me, it looks like I could remove the converger and still be able to feed the paper in. Has anyone tried this, or have other options for fitting a larger roll?
Hello John.
Yes, I completely agree with you in regards to the limitations of the paper that can be printed on with the Designjet.
I'm in the workshop now since April and I get so many customers asking if I can make outdoor signage, window decals, roll-up banners, selfie boards - basically all the things I can't do.
I would love the 44-inch model but when I think about it, a Roland printer/cutter would serve my business a lot more as they could produce all the things above plus what I am doing at the minute (canvas and posters). They might cost more than the HP but they could produce so much more plus I'm sure the inks couldn't cost as much.
There is a 2nd hand one for sale here in Ireland that I would purchase only I don't want to use my business security funds. If it's still for sale in 2 or 3 months, I will go and take a look at it. Fingers crossed.
Hello! Does this printer print posters AND fabric?
What brand of canvas media do you use? We have a Z2600. Prints great but inks are ridiculously expensive as well.
Hi. What's the range of page sizes you can print on?
This one takes 24-inch rolls but you can get a 44-inch model. I have printed as small as the photos that you would put in a locket with this.
Hmmm. How does that work? Doesn't it create wastage of paper to be printing small designs? Let's say I wanted to print an A3 paper design. How would that work?
@@gencemosia9355 Your going to get paper wastage on all ink printers. You just have to try and minimise it by grouping jobs together.
@@designgaff2025 When you say "grouping", Do you mean "selecting" multiple pdf files on the printer, or "combining" all the pdf files into one pdf file before printing?
@gencemosia9355 HP Click is the program that you use. In this program, you can tick a bock called "nest."
With this ticked, you could pull 10 files into the program, and it will organise them into like a photo collage so you're using as little paper as possible.
For example, if you were printing a4 photos, it would put the right next to one another instead of printing one at a time.
Hi, do you know if this printer can print on vinyl? I plan on printing sticker labels and adding marks so that i can run it through a vinyl cutter
I have printed on vinyl with this printer, both matte and gloss that I purchased from getprintsupplies.co.uk, another company that could give you information is colourbyte.co.uk
You would need to laminate the stickers though to give some uv protection
You ever do backlit with this?
No, I have only ever used canvas, satin and matte paper and vinyl.
Hey Design Gaff, Does this print the photo while laminating it at the same time?
No it wouldn't do that. I'm not sure if you even get a printer that could do that.
@@designgaff2025 That’s weird, I been asking ChatGPT multiple times and keep saying that this machine can do that. But I dont understand how.
I do have Epson SureColor 9500, and a seperate laminate machine (not heat lamination). the lamination is a roll with a sticky side. But I want to cut out this process of extra work, so I asked ChatGPT for any machine that can do this in one go (print + laminate)
Thanks pal
I have had a mix blessing of getting a used Z6 for 150 USD I have never done much of any major printing before and would love any advice or vids you can give me advice wise. It printer from a retired Archetech and needs one head replaced which I have but not have put in. I help with Youth groups and am hoping to help make game board and posters with it
One other big question that I have not figured out yet is it wi fi capable
He also had 3 unopened 150ft rolls of standard paper
I've had this printer for a little over 2 years as well. Quality of the prints are good but the biggest issue I have with it is the software. Constant updates that continually disrupt the workflow. The office down the hall from me just got an HP printer/plotter and they have the same issues with constant software nightmares. Not sure if it's just HP or printer s in general but we are looking to get as far away from HP as possible now.
I've only ever had to update the printer once since I got it and that was because I was getting a magenta tone where I should off been getting white. HP Customer support told me that the update might fix the problem, which it did.
I'm sure there is a way of turning off the automatic updates.
@@designgaff2025 Both the vendor and HP have warned me against that as some of them are security patches. Since I don't want to void any warranties or be in breach of some contractual fine print somewhere that's probably a move I'll reserve for when the service contract expires. The chronic software issues are not limited to the Z6 only though, it's on every HP printer we have
@@zyphryx9 My contract is up now so I guess I don't have to worry about that. The only thing that annoys me really is the cost of the inks.
Hello, have you calculated the cost of ink on the basis of per sq inch or per sq feet print.
I recently bought this printer and wondering how much will it cost per print like printing cost of a 12*18inch print
I haven't got into that much detail Brijesh. I would charge €30 for a 12x16 inch canvas and €8 for the same size photograph. So I'm certain I'd cover the costs.