A3-size Printer & Scanner

[Deke]

It looks like a new project that we're starting next month is going to have us printing and copying A3 size drawings. I know I've seen inkjet printers around that will print that size. Since most of the printing will only involve drawings, I suppose it would be good to get something with separate color and black ink cartridges. Is there anything else I should look for?

What about the scanner? I assume that they must be available but up until now I haven't really paid much attention. Is there anything special I should think about with respect to this? Any idea of prices?

I guess if some kind of combination machine existed, it would be a possibility too but I'm sure I've never seen anything like that.

Thanks in advance.

[Firefoxx]

An A3 printer usually has separate ink cartridges to start with. It's the smaller, cheaper printers from HP/Epson that have combined colors. A3 inkjets can be fairly cheap, but if you intend to print in volume, the ink cost can get pretty high. Unless, of course, it's just drawings that have very little coverage. If the quality of the print isn't important, then any A3 inkjet should do. If it is, then you're going to need a mid-level inkjet and some quality inkjet paper to go with it (an inkjet is nothing without good paper).

As for scanners, I don't recall seeing any here. I saw a combo copier/laser printer that did A3, but it was a mono laser.