HP DesignJet T630 24-inch Plotter Review

Introduction

The HP DesignJet T630 24-inch is a focused large-format plotter built to solve the perennial challenges faced by architects, engineers, GIS professionals and small print-for-pay shops: delivering razor-sharp line drawings and posters at speed while keeping operational complexity and cost under control. Whether you need crisp CAD plans, detailed maps, or high-impact posters, this plotter is tuned to produce predictable, professional output with minimal fuss.

Beyond image quality, the T630 addresses productivity bottlenecks. HP quotes print times as fast as 30 seconds for an A1/D plot and up to 76 A1/D prints per hour, combined with tools like HP Click and the HP Smart app to send, manage and monitor jobs from almost anywhere. For offices that need precise line accuracy, reliable media handling and a compact footprint, the T630 aims to be a workhorse that keeps teams moving.

Overview

The DesignJet T630 pairs a compact, space-conscious chassis with large-format capability — supporting roll media up to 24 inches wide and sheet sizes up to 13 x 19 inches via the included automatic sheet feeder. The unit ships with a stand, spindle and media bin plus an automatic horizontal cutter, making it a ready-to-run solution for studios and small offices.

Under the hood HP uses its thermal ink technology and Bright Office Inks to optimize line accuracy and color gamut. Connectivity is comprehensive: Gigabit Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Wi‑Fi Direct allow desktop, mobile and networked workflows. The result is a printer aimed squarely at professionals who need dependable technical prints, posters and maps with tight line reproduction and integrated software to streamline job submission.

Features

Compact Design with Eco-Conscious Build: Smallest-in-class footprint for a 24-inch plotter and use of up to 30% recycled plastic plus reduced CO2 emissions in manufacturing. Advantage: Fits tight office layouts and lowers environmental impact. Benefit: Integrates neatly into studio environments and supports sustainability goals without sacrificing capability.

High-Precision Line Quality and 2400 x 1200 dpi Output: 2400 x 1200 maximum print resolution and HP Bright Office Inks. Advantage: Produces crisp vector lines and legible text that are essential for CAD and GIS output. Benefit: Plans, blueprints and technical drawings stay accurate at scale, reducing reprints and field confusion.

Fast A1/D Plot Times and Predictable Throughput: Print times as fast as 30 seconds for A1/D and quoted throughput of up to 76 A1/D prints per hour. Advantage: Rapid rasterization and optimized job handling cut waiting and queue times. Benefit: Teams can iterate faster, meet tight deadlines and maintain client schedules without a production bottleneck.

Versatile Media Handling with Auto Sheet Feeder and Roll Support: Roll feed up to 24 inches, automatic sheet/roll switching, media bin and built-in horizontal cutter. Advantage: Smooth handling of mixed jobs — from single-sheet posters to long roll prints. Benefit: Spend less time reloading paper and trimming; deliver a wider range of print sizes without extra accessories.

Modern Connectivity and Workflow Integration: Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, Wi‑Fi Direct, HP Click and HP Smart app integration. Advantage: Simple one-click job submission, mobile printing and network management. Benefit: Print from smartphones, tablets or CAD stations; reduce file prep time with PDF checking, auto-nesting and driver previews.

Benefits

Professional Print Results with Predictable Accuracy

Improved gamut and line accuracy ensure prints match expectations and minimize on-site rework caused by illegible text or incorrectly scaled lines.

Reduced Waste and Lower Routine Consumption

HP claims up to 95% less ink used during routine maintenance compared with some competing plotters, translating to fewer consumable replacements and lower operating interruptions.

Flexible Media Versatility

Switch between rolls and sheets, handle posters or technical documents seamlessly and use the cutter to produce ready-to-hang output with no manual trimming.

Speed that Keeps Projects Moving

Deliver drafts and final prints quickly — faster plotting turnaround reduces wait time for review cycles and client approvals.

Simplified Job Submission and Remote Control

HP Click’s drag-and-drop interface and the HP Smart app mean less time spent on file prep and easier remote job management—especially useful for distributed teams or multi-location projects.

Usages

Perfect for Home Offices and Small Studios

A compact stand and conservative footprint make the T630 a fit for small architecture or engineering firms that need large-format output but lack dedicated print rooms.

Ideal for CAD, GIS and Technical Line Drawings

High line accuracy and support for HP-GL/2 make the T630 well-suited to precise vector work, maps and layered engineering plans.

Poster and Signage Production

With roll support to 24 inches and integrated cutter, the device handles short-run posters, point-of-sale signage and marketing collateral with professional results.

On-Demand Office Printing

Teams can quickly print updated floorplans, site maps or large schematics during meetings or field planning sessions without outsourcing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent line accuracy and high maximum resolution for technical prints
• Fast A1/D plot times and strong throughput for small production environments
• Comprehensive connectivity (Gigabit Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, USB) and mobile app support
• Automatic sheet feeder, roll support, media bin and cutter included
• Compact footprint with eco-conscious manufacturing

Cons

• Not a multifunction device — print-only limits scanning/copying in-house
• Some customers report mixed impressions of color for photographic prints compared with dedicated photo printers
• Requires OEM HP 712/713 cartridges for guaranteed performance, which can be more expensive than third-party replacements
• No automatic duplex printing — not designed for two-sided document production

FAQs

Does the T630 support borderless photo printing?

The T630 is optimized for wide-format color and technical output and supports high-resolution media up to 2400 x 1200 dpi. While it can print high-quality posters and images, its primary use is technical and large-format color prints rather than dedicated borderless photo lab work.

Which ink cartridges are compatible?

Use HP 712 and HP 713 genuine ink cartridges (pigment and dye-based mixtures) for optimal color accuracy and printer longevity; HP recommends OEM cartridges to maintain print quality and reliability.

How large is the input tray and what media sizes are supported?

The automatic sheet feeder accepts up to 50 sheets (depending on stock) and the plotter supports roll media up to 24 inches wide and individual sheets up to 13 x 19 inches.

What connectivity options are available for networked printing?

It includes Gigabit Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi‑Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Wi‑Fi Direct. HP Click and HP Smart app allow mobile and remote job submission and monitoring.

What warranty and support are included?

The printer ships with a 1-year limited warranty and access to HP support resources including DesignJet utility software and setup guides.

Product Specifications

Warranty	1-year Limited Warranty
Memory	1 GB onboard memory
Supported Media Sizes	Rolls up to 24-inch wide; sheets up to 13 x 19 inches; banner, glossy, high-resolution and plain paper
Resolution (DPI)	Maximum 2400 x 1200 dpi
Duplex	No automatic duplex (print-only; single-sided output)
Special Features	Auto horizontal cutter, HP Click software, HP Smart app, HP Bright Office Inks, HP-GL/2 support
Weight	Approximately 80 pounds
Dimensions (WxDxH)	40″ W x 24″ D x 37″ H (includes stand and media bin)
Print Speed (PPM)	Up to 1.9 ppm (maximum A1/D throughput: ~76 prints per hour; as fast as 30 seconds per A1/D)
Printer Type	Large Format Inkjet Plotter (Thermal inkjet technology)
Ink/Toner Type	HP 712 & HP 713 genuine ink cartridges (pigment & dye-based inks)
Connectivity	Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), Hi-Speed USB 2.0, Wi‑Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi‑Fi Direct
Included Accessories	Automatic sheet feeder, media bin, stand, spindle, starter ink cartridges, printhead

Ratings

Print Speed (Pages per Minute)	4.6
Value for Money	4.3
Print Quality (Color & Sharpness)	4.4
Build Quality & Design	4.1
Ink Efficiency / Yield	4.8
Connectivity & App Integration	4.5

Recommendation

The HP DesignJet T630 is recommended for small architecture and engineering firms, GIS teams, print service bureaus offering short-run posters, and studios that need a reliable 24-inch plotter with modern connectivity and fast CAD plotting. Choose this printer if you prioritize line accuracy, a compact footprint, and integrated workflow software over multifunction scanning or photo-lab-level color profiling.

Conclusion

The HP DesignJet T630 24-inch plotter strikes a pragmatic balance between professional print quality and day-to-day productivity. With high-resolution output, accelerated A1/D plot times and robust media handling, it resolves common bottlenecks in document and poster production while fitting into smaller office footprints.

There are trade-offs — the T630 is print-only and color photographic purists may prefer dedicated photo printers — but for its target audience of CAD, GIS and signage users it delivers predictable accuracy, versatile media workflows and modern connectivity. Over time the combination of ink-efficiency claims, built-in cutter and streamlined job submission can reduce operating expenses and speed project delivery, making the T630 a strong long-term investment for small to mid-size teams.