Summary: The Business Case in Short
Open-plan offices in 2026 are focused on collaboration but are also sensitive to stimuli. Noise pollution is the number one complaint among office staff. In the past, the solution for the large format printer was simple: “Put that monster in the hallway, or in a separate room with the door closed.” It rattled, beeped, and blew like a vacuum cleaner. But space is expensive (€ 200 per m² per year). And walking to the hallway every time (the “Sneaker-net” walk) takes time and interrupts the creative flow. With the DesignJet T1600 and Studio series, HP has sparked a silent revolution. These machines are so quiet (< 42 dB(A) during printing) that they can literally stand next to your desk while you are on the phone, without the caller hearing it. This fundamentally changes the layout of the architectural firm.
The Source of the Noise (And the Solution)
Why did plotters used to make so much noise?
- The Cutter (Autocutter): The “KRRRR-TSJAK” sound of the blade cutting through paper.
- Innovation: HP now uses rotary blades with better lubrication and damping.
- Vacuum Fans: To keep the paper flat, fans suck the paper against the plate. This hums.
- Innovation: Optimized airflow and quieter impellers.
- Paper Transport: The rustling of paper.
- Innovation: The output tray (Stacker) catches the paper gently instead of letting it fall.
The 87% Reduction
HP claims that the new generation is up to 87% quieter than the competition (such as the old Canon iPF models or the ancient HP DesignJet 500/800 series). 42 Decibels is comparable to the sound of a quiet refrigerator or soft whispering. For comparison: a normal conversation is 60 dB.
Business Fundamentals: The “Cost of Distraction”
Research (University of California) shows that it takes 23 minutes for a knowledge worker (like an engineer) to regain their full concentration after an interruption.
- Scenario A (Old situation): The printer in the corner starts roaring. Three colleagues look up. Concentration gone.
- Scenario B (New situation): The printer next to the desk quietly spits out an A0. No one notices, except the person who pressed “Print”.
- Profit: You do the math. If 5 people a day are disturbed 3 times, you lose hours of “Deep Work” time per week. A quiet printer pays for itself in focus.
Space Efficiency
Because the printer no longer needs a separate room, you literally save office space.
- It is aesthetically pleasing enough (“Wood/Steel finish” in the Studio series) to be in view.
- It is compact enough to stand against a wall or desk (all controls are at the front).
- You can now use that “printer room” as an extra meeting booth or phone box. That is direct real estate optimization.
Europlan Service: Try It Yourself (The Decibel Test)
Don’t just take our word for it. Sound is subjective. That’s why we invite you to our showroom in Hasselt.
- We turn on an old plotter.
- We turn on the new HP DesignJet T1600.
- You will be amazed. The difference is not subtle; it is shocking.
Conclusion: Silence is the New Gold
In a world full of notifications, phones, and stimuli, silence is a scarce commodity. Protect the peace of mind of your employees. A silent plotter is part of a healthy, ergonomic, and productive office.
Do you want to experience the silence?