About Plotting

Overview

This article is to help explain more about the large-format printers (aka plotters) here at RPI.

Important Notice:

For the Spring 2021 semester, due to COVID-19 related restrictions, Operations will not be able to run the plotters as fast as we would like.  During periods of heavy usage, you should plan on having to WAIT SEVERAL HOURS before your job even begins to plot.

Details

About the Plotters:

The RCS plotters, vcp7100, vcp7100g, and vcp7100cf, accept PostScript jobs and are appropriate for large-format applications.

These HP DesignJet T7100 inkjet printers produce output on continuous paper up to 120 inches long, with a minimum paper height of 11 inches. The paper width is 36 inches, but your document width should be 34 inches or less.

These plotters have three "device options" for print quality: draft, normal (the default), and best. You also have the option of printing color as gray.

Output from the plotters is placed in special bins next to the output racks in the VCC. Note that the plotters need time to produce quality output, so don't expect your output to appear very quickly.

The plotter named vcp7100 (full name: VC_HP_Plotter) is loaded with normal paper.

The plotter named vcp7100g (full name: VC_HP_Plotter_Glossy) is loaded with glossy paper. Be aware that glossy paper is very expensive! Check the charges before you send a job to vcp7100g.

The plotter named vcp7100cf (full name: VCC_ClearFilm_HP7100_Plotter) is loaded with clear film, which is even more expensive than glossy paper. As with the vcp7100g plotter, please check the charges before you send a job to vcp7100cf. Also note that, since the clear-film plots must be completely dry before they are rolled up, it can take an extra four hours for these plots to appear in the output racks.

Sending a Job to a Plotter:

For instructions on sending your job to one of the plotters please view either "Plotters from Windows" or "Plotting from UNIX".

Important! Before plotting, please view the "Tips for Successful Plotting" article. If you are using your own PC, it is especially important to configure the HP DesignJet T7100 plotter driver properly.

Charges:

The fees for these plotters have been set to recover the cost of supplies and depend on print quality, paper quality and color/gray. See the list of plotting charges for details.