Many architecture, engineering and construction offices need more than a printer for A1 and A0 drawings. Teams also copy marked-up plans, scan old drawings for archives and send drawing sets to consultants. Before you request a quotation, decide whether one wide format multifunction machine fits your workflow, or whether a plotter with a separate scanner makes more sense.

FSM Solution guide to A1 A0 plan printers with scanners, showing a FujiFilm ApeosWide 3030 and Contex large format scanners with the FSM Solution logo at top right

This guide explains the main options FSM Solution supplies and the questions worth answering first.

Why scanning and copying matter for an A1 A0 plan printer

An A1 A0 plan printer that can also copy and scan lets one machine handle printing new drawings, duplicating existing plans and turning paper drawings into digital files. That can reduce trips to an outside copy shop and keep project drawings inside your own office workflow.

Not every office needs all three functions every day, so start by listing the jobs your team actually does each week.

Option 1: An all-in-one wide format MFP for plan printing

A wide format multifunction printer combines print, copy and scan in one console. It suits offices that mostly produce black and white line drawings and often copy or scan plans.

FujiFilm ApeosWide 3030 and 6050

The FujiFilm ApeosWide 3030 / 6050 plan printer range is an LED wide format system for A1 and A0 drawings. According to the product information on FSM Solution's page:

  • The ApeosWide 3030 MF comes standard with print, photocopy and a black and white scanner, plus two paper roll feeders. Grayscale and full colour scanning need the optional Color Scan Memory Kit.
  • The ApeosWide 6050 MF comes standard with a colour scanner and four paper roll feeders.
  • Both print at 1200 x 1200 dpi and scan at up to 600 x 600 dpi, with originals up to 914.4 mm wide.
  • Listed A0 portrait continuous print speed is 3.2 sheets per minute for the 3030 and 5.0 sheets per minute for the 6050. Actual speed can vary with paper type and image quality adjustment.

The stated machine weight is 227 kg for the 3030 2-roll model, so check floor space, access and power before delivery.

Option 2: A colour plotter with an add-on scanner

If your team prints colour drawings, site layouts or posters as well as CAD line work, a colour inkjet plotter with a scanner can be a better fit.

Canon imagePROGRAF TM-5355 with scanner

The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-5355 MFP Z36 is a 36-inch, 5-colour pigment ink large format printer offered with a wide scanner panel for copying and scanning. Canon's listed CAD drawing time is 17 seconds for an A1 landscape print in Fast Q5 mode. It also has a 500 GB encrypted hard disk and direct printing of JPEG and PDF files from a USB drive.

The scanner is an option for this printer, so confirm the exact configuration in your quotation.

Option 3: A plotter plus a separate large format scanner

Offices that scan a lot of drawings, such as document control teams or firms digitising old archives, may prefer a dedicated large format scanner alongside their printer. FSM Solution is a Contex distributor in Malaysia. Contex states that its IQ Quattro scanners come in 24-inch and 44-inch widths and can scan an A0 colour document in about 3.5 seconds.

When a separate scanner makes sense

  • Scanning volume is high enough that printing and scanning would compete for one machine.
  • You need to scan wider originals or colour drawings regularly.
  • Several project team members need to scan from one shared device.

Questions to answer before you ask for a quotation

  • What drawing sizes do you print most: A1, A0 or both?
  • Roughly how many drawings do you print, copy and scan each month?
  • Is your output mainly black and white line drawings, or do you also need colour?

Also confirm the practical requirements:

  • Do you need colour scanning, or is black and white enough?
  • Where will the machine sit, and is there enough space and a suitable power supply?
  • Do you prefer purchase, rental or a brand new or refurbished unit, where available?

Warranty, stock, rental terms and service coverage depend on the model and the confirmed quotation, so ask FSM Solution to confirm these for your configuration.

Talk to FSM Solution about your drawing workflow

Share your drawing sizes, monthly volume and scanning needs, and FSM Solution can recommend a suitable plan printer, plotter or scanner setup. WhatsApp us at fsmsolution.wasap.my to discuss your requirement.