Summary: The Business Case in Brief
In the world of large format, the calculation was made in 36 inches (approximately 91.4 cm) for decades. This is exactly the width of a portrait A0 (84.1 cm) with some margin. Sufficient for most line drawings. However, with the rise of the HP PageWide XL and the new Z-series, we are seeing a shift to 40 inches (101.6 cm). Why would you pay for those extra 10 centimeters of plastic and metal? Because those 10 centimeters make the difference between “Almost” and “Perfect.” Especially for ISO certification, crop marks, and production efficiency in posters (nesting). It is the new “Pro” standard.
The Problem with 36 Inches (A0)
A standard A0 is 841 x 1189 mm. A 36-inch roll is 914 mm wide. If you want to print a perfect A0 including crop marks and color bars (for control), you need extra space.
- On a 36-inch printer, this often just fits.
- But if the drawing runs slightly crooked (“Skew”), or if you use oversize formats (such as ARCH E in the US or specific poster formats), you run into trouble. The printer clips the edges.
- Result: You deliver an incomplete drawing.
The Power of 40 Inches (101.6 cm)
The HP PageWide XL machines support rolls up to 40 inches as standard.
1. ISO 216 and Oversize
For official submissions or archiving, an A0+ or Oversize A0 is often required. The extra width gives you the freedom to print full borders, logos in the margin, and registration marks without the software scaling the image (“Clip contents”).
2. Productivity: 2x A1 or 2x A2
This is where it gets interesting for the wallet.
- An A1 is 594 mm wide. Two A1s side-by-side is 1188 mm. That won’t fit on 40 inches.
- BUT: An A2 is 420 mm wide. Two A2s (landscape) is 840 mm.
- Thanks to the width and the SmartStream software, you can “nest” (puzzle) much more flexibly. You can place different formats more efficiently next to each other on the wide roll, leaving less white space (waste) on the side.
3. The US Standard (ARCH)
Do you work for American clients? The ARCH E standard is 36 x 48 inches. If you print that on a 36-inch printer, you have zero margin for error at the edges. Every millimeter of skew means a failed print. On a 40-inch machine, you have 2 inches (5 cm) of play on both sides. Stress-free printing.
Business Fundamentals: Future Proofing
The trend in construction is toward “ever larger.” Plans are becoming more complex, legends are getting longer.
- By investing now in a machine that can handle 40 inches (such as the PageWide XL 4200/5200/8200), instead of a 36-inch model, you prepare your company for the future.
- The additional hardware cost is negligible over the lifespan.
- However, you can still load standard 36-inch (or even A0/914mm) rolls if that’s cheaper for daily work. The machine “eats” everything. You keep your options open.
Europlan Service: Custom Media
Not every supplier stocks 40-inch paper. Europlan does.
- We supply 1016mm rolls in various qualities (Bond, Tyvek, Photo).
- Our logistics ensure you never run out.
Conclusion: Room to Breathe
In design, white space is important. In printing, margin is important. The 40-inch standard gives you that breathing room. It prevents edge-clipping and enables you to produce professional, full-bleed prints with crop marks.
Would you like to know if a 40-inch machine fits in your office?
See also
- Product/Solution: discover HP PageWide XL Pro
Download the dimensions and specifications of the PageWide XL series