What Is An A1 Printer?

There are printers for home and office use, and then there are specialised printers created solely for architects, engineers, draftsmen, graphic designers and other businesses that rely on printing technical drawings using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. A regular printer won’t meet this industry-specific need, which is why equipment such as an A1 printer is required. These are larger, generally free-standing units.

An A1 printer allows smaller businesses, or a freelancer’s home office, to affordably print their own drawings and designs rather than paying an out-of-house company to do it for them.

What Types of A1 Printer Are There?

The most important thing to consider is volume. A low-volume machine suits fewer than five print-outs per day, a medium-volume machine suits fewer than sixty, and a high-volume machine suits fewer than one hundred.

At Design Supply, we offer both CAD printers and graphics printers.

CAD printers are used by design studios and construction companies. They’re typically cheaper and faster, and generally just use the CMYK colour function – since they’re for blueprints and technical work, they’re comparatively simple machines.

Graphics printers, on the other hand, are used to create vivid, high-quality images for photographers and creatives. They use a much larger number of ink cartridges so that precise Pantone colours can be matched. They aren’t built for speed, but they deliver the best results.

Where Do You Find an A1 Printer?

Specialised machines like an A1 printer can be bought in person, through a catalogue, or online. Shopping in person has its drawbacks – no single store stocks every make and model, so you may need to visit several to find the right fit, which takes a significant investment in time. Staff may also lack the detailed technical knowledge needed to help you make an informed decision.

Catalogues offer a larger selection than you’ll find in-store, but rarely include the detailed performance information you need to compare models properly.

Shopping online offers the best experience for equipment like this. Not only does it open up the entire market, but you can also find genuine reviews from a large cross-section of users – whether you’re buying directly or simply researching before a purchase elsewhere.

What Is the Best Benefit of Viewing an A1 Printer Online?

Without doubt, it’s the feedback from other buyers. Most online stores and distributors let customers leave reviews of the equipment, helping you make an informed decision based on real-world experience with each machine.

Compared to a catalogue, the internet also gives you room for more detailed specifications – often the deciding factor. Convenience plays a big part too, since you can research and buy at any time, from work or home.

Need Help Finding the Right A1 Printer?

Design Supply has been a trusted large format printing specialist for over 35 years, supplying more than 7,000 printers to architects, engineers and design businesses across the UK. If you’d like advice on choosing the right A1 printer, or a no-obligation quote, call our team on 020 7842 1555 or get in touch online – we’re happy to help.