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Plotter Paper Rolls
Roll width
Roll length
Grammage
Plotter paper rolls are essential consumables in design offices, large format print shops and anywhere plans, technical drawings and posters are printed. At Netuno, you will find paper rolls in widths from 297 mm to 1118 mm, weights of 80 g and 90 g, and lengths of 50 and 175 linear meters.
What is a plotter and what is it used for?
A plotter is a large format printer designed for printing materials with widths exceeding the capabilities of standard office printers. While a typical printer supports up to A3 format, 297×420 mm, plotters print on paper over one meter wide.
Plotters use paper rolls, which makes it possible to print documents of virtually any length. The print width is limited by the width of the roll and the plotter, but the length can range from several dozen centimeters to many meters, depending on the need.
Modern plotters are divided into inkjet and laser models. Inkjet plotters dominate the market due to the lower cost of the device and better color print quality. Laser plotters, often referred to as large format copiers, work well for large volumes of black and white printing.
Roll widths, choosing the right format
The width of the paper roll should be matched to the target print format and the working width of the plotter. The offer includes rolls in the following widths:
297 mm, A3 format
The width of 297 mm corresponds to the shorter side of A3 format. A roll of this width allows A3 documents to be printed in portrait orientation or continuous prints with the width of A4 in landscape orientation. This is the smallest width in the offer and is used in smaller office plotters.
420 mm, A2 format
The width of 420 mm is the longer side of A3 and at the same time the shorter side of A2. It is a popular width for printing A2 plans and medium sized advertising materials. 420 mm plotters are often found in small design offices.
594 mm, A1 format
The width of 594 mm corresponds to the shorter side of A1 format. This is the standard width for technical drawings and architectural plans. A1 format is commonly used in construction, architecture and engineering as the basic format for project documentation.
610 mm, 24 inches
The width of 610 mm, or 24 inches, is an international plotter standard originating from the American market. Many plotters, especially Western brands, have their working width specified in inches. A 610 mm roll is slightly wider than A1, 594 mm, which provides a margin for bleed when printing posters.
841 mm, A0 format
The width of 841 mm is the shorter side of A0 format, the largest standard format in the A series. Rolls of this width are used for printing large plans, maps, posters and banners. A0 format, with an area of one square meter, is used for detailed technical drawings and presentations.
914 mm, 36 inches
The width of 914 mm, or 36 inches, is another inch based standard, popular in professional plotters. The roll is wider than A0, which allows this format to be printed with bleed or enables printing non standard materials of greater width.
1067 mm, 42 inches
The width of 1067 mm, or 42 inches, is intended for professional large format plotters. It is used for printing large maps, land development plans, banners and exhibition materials. Plotters with this working width are used in design offices handling large investments.
1118 mm, 44 inches
The width of 1118 mm, or 44 inches, is the largest available in the offer. Rolls of this width are designed for the largest professional plotters used in large format print shops, cartographic offices and advertising companies producing oversized materials.
Paper weights, 80 g and 90 g
Plotter paper is available in two weights: 80 g/m² and 90 g/m². The choice of weight depends on the purpose of the prints and quality requirements.
80 g/m² weight
80 g paper is the standard weight for everyday printing. It is economical and works well for working prints, proof versions, internal documentation and materials that do not require particular durability. Lower weight means a lower price per linear meter and lighter rolls.
80 g paper is sufficient for most office applications, including printing plans for internal use, sketches and control prints. It also works well for disposable materials, such as posters for short term events.
90 g/m² weight
90 g paper offers better quality and durability. It is thicker, stiffer and more resistant to mechanical damage. Colors printed on 90 g paper are slightly more saturated due to the lower transparency of the sheet.
90 g weight is recommended for final prints intended for clients, documentation handed over externally, construction plans used on building sites, and advertising materials or posters requiring better presentation.
Roll length, 50 m and 175 m
Rolls are available in two lengths: 50 linear meters and 175 linear meters.
50 meter rolls
50 meter rolls are the standard format for most plotters. They are compact, easy to store and easy to replace. They work well in offices with moderate paper consumption, where changing the roll every few days is not a problem.
A smaller roll means a lower one time investment and a lower risk of paper damage during long term storage. It is a good choice for companies that print regularly, but not in very large quantities.
175 meter rolls
175 meter rolls are an economical format for users with high consumption. Less frequent roll replacement saves time and reduces downtime. The price per linear meter is lower than with 50 meter rolls.
Longer rolls require a plotter capable of holding a roll with a larger diameter. Before purchase, check the device specifications, as not all plotters support 175 m rolls. Rolls of this length are available in 80 g weight.
Applications of plotter paper
Technical drawings and plans
The primary use of plotter paper is printing technical documentation, including architectural plans, structural drawings, installation diagrams and geodetic maps. A1 and A0 formats, using 594 mm and 841 mm rolls, are standard in the construction and design industries.
Construction plans must remain readable in difficult conditions on a building site. 90 g paper provides resistance to moisture, dirt and frequent folding. Many design offices print working versions on 80 g paper and final documentation sets on 90 g paper.
Posters and advertising materials
Plotters are used for printing posters, indoor banners, POS materials and exhibition graphics. For advertising applications, 90 g paper is recommended because it provides better color quality and durability. Widths of 841 mm and larger make it possible to print impressive posters that attract attention.
Maps and cartography
Printing topographic maps, city plans, tourist maps and navigation maps requires large formats and precise detail reproduction. Widths of 841 mm and above allow maps to be printed at scales that make details clearly visible. Geodetic offices, cartographic companies and map publishers use plotters as a basic production tool.
Presentations and visualizations
Architects and designers use plotters to print project visualizations, renderings and client presentations. The large format allows the project to be presented effectively while preserving detail. Architectural visualizations, interior designs and urban concepts require high print quality, so 90 g paper is recommended.
Clothing production
In the clothing industry, plotters are used to print pattern templates. Paper rolls allow large surface patterns to be printed economically. Sewing rooms and tailoring workshops use plotters to prepare templates that are then used for cutting fabrics.
CAD and 3D modeling
Engineers and industrial designers use plotters to print CAD drawings, including projections, cross sections and construction details of machines and devices. Plotter paper ensures precise reproduction of lines and dimensions required in technical documentation.
Education and science
Technical universities, research institutes and schools use plotters to print teaching materials, scientific posters for conferences and data visualizations. A0 format is the standard for posters presented at scientific conferences.
Economics of large format printing
The cost of plotter printing consists of the cost of paper, ink or toner, and device depreciation. Paper rolls are much cheaper per square meter than sheet paper. With regular printing, choosing the right roll length has a significant impact on costs.
175 m rolls offer a lower price per linear meter than 50 m rolls. With high consumption, the savings are significant. On the other hand, smaller 50 m rolls require less capital and reduce the risk of paper damage during long term storage.
90 g paper is around 10 to 15% more expensive than 80 g paper. It is worth considering whether all prints require the higher weight, or whether some documentation, such as working versions and internal copies, can be printed on cheaper 80 g paper.
Compatibility with plotters
Paper rolls are universal and compatible with plotters from all major manufacturers, including HP, Canon, Epson, Roland and others. The core diameter is usually 50 mm, or 2 inches, which fits most office and professional plotters.
Before purchase, it is worth checking the maximum working width of the plotter and the maximum roll diameter the device can accommodate. The roll width should not exceed the working width of the plotter. 175 m rolls have a larger outer diameter than 50 m rolls, so not all plotters can hold them.
ISO formats and roll widths
The ISO A series format system is based on the 1:√2 ratio. Each next format is created by cutting the previous one in half. Roll widths correspond to the shorter sides of the formats:
- 297 mm, A3 format, 297×420 mm
- 420 mm, A2 format, 420×594 mm
- 594 mm, A1 format, 594×841 mm
- 841 mm, A0 format, 841×1189 mm
Inch based widths, 610 mm, 914 mm, 1067 mm and 1118 mm, come from the American system and are standard in plotters from Western manufacturers. A 610 mm, 24 inch roll is slightly wider than A1, while a 914 mm, 36 inch roll is wider than A0, giving a margin for bleed when printing to the edge.
Storage
Paper rolls should be stored horizontally in a dry room with a stable temperature. Rolls stored vertically may deform under their own weight. Avoid humid places and direct sunlight.
Unopened rolls in their original packaging retain their properties for a long time. After opening the packaging, protect the roll from dust and moisture. Paper should be replaced when streaks or irregularities caused by surface damage appear on prints.
Products in the offer
80 g / 50 m rolls
Plotter paper 297/50 lm 80 g, 420/50 lm 80 g, 594/50 lm 80 g, 610/50 lm 80 g, 841/50 lm 80 g, 914/50 lm 80 g, 1067/50 lm 80 g, standard weight for everyday printing.
90 g / 50 m rolls
Plotter paper 297/50 lm 90 g, 420/50 lm 90 g, 594/50 lm 90 g, 610/50 lm 90 g, 841/50 lm 90 g, 914/50 lm 90 g, 1067/50 lm 90 g, 1118/50 lm 90 g, higher weight for final prints.
80 g / 175 m rolls
Plotter and copier paper 297/175 lm 80 g, 420/175 lm 80 g, 594/175 lm 80 g, 610/175 lm 80 g, 841/175 lm 80 g, 914/175 lm 80 g, economical rolls for high consumption users.
Choosing paper, summary
For working and internal prints, choose 80 g / 50 m rolls in the width matching the document format.
For client documentation, choose 90 g / 50 m rolls for better quality and durability.
For offices with high consumption, choose 175 m rolls offering a lower price per meter and less frequent replacement.
For posters and advertising, choose wider rolls, 841 mm and above, in 90 g weight for better presentation.
Questions and Answers
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In printing format, which dimension does the grain run along?
In printing format, the grain runs parallel to the second dimension listed. This matters for printing because it affects the paper's stiffness and how it behaves when folded or run through a press. Knowing the grain direction is essential in design and print production, to avoid problems with the paper distorting.
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How are large paper sizes shipped?
Large sheets are shipped flat, not rolled. This keeps the paper from being creased or damaged in transit. We use packaging methods we know protect the paper, so that your order arrives in perfect condition.
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What is the core diameter of 50 m plotter paper?
The core on 50 m rolls of plotter paper is 50 mm in diameter. This is a standard size that fits most plotters, which makes the paper straightforward to load and handle.
