KIP C740 vs HP4200XL large format color printers

By Art Post | September 13, 2024 |

Many businesses understand that the KIP C740 is a game-changer for modern businesses that need vibrant, high-quality prints without breaking the bank on operating costs. If you’re familiar with the KIP C660, you’ll love that the C740 comes with the same intuitive interface, so there’s zero learning curve. Whether you’re producing architectural designs, CAD drawings, or posters, the toner-based system delivers consistently sharp prints, even at high volumes. Plus, it’s durable—no worries about smudging or fading, even if you’re working on projects for outdoor or high-traffic areas.

While the upfront cost might seem higher, the savings come with lower running costs—toner beats ink when it comes to keeping things budget-friendly in the long run. And the speed? You won’t be left waiting. The KIP C740 handles big jobs fast, with no slowdown whether you’re printing in color or black. It’s built for today’s fast-paced, flexible work environments, making it a smart, forward-thinking choice for any creative team or startup looking to scale.

KIP C740
Pros:

High-Quality Color Output: The KIP C740 is renowned for its vibrant color output,
making it ideal for color-intensive applications like architectural drawings, maps, CAD
drawings and posters.
Ease of Use: If you are coming from an existing KIP C660, the user interface for the KIP
C740 is identical, which means there is no learning curve for scanning, printing or
copying.
Toner-Based Technology: It uses dry toner instead of inkjet technology, which results in
lower running costs, particularly in high-volume environments.
Durability: The toner-based system is not susceptible to smudging and bleeding,
providing durable prints, especially for outdoor or high-traffic applications. Highlighters
use will not smudge or alter prints/copies
High-Speed Printing: Known for fast print speeds, particularly in monochrome, which
can be a significant benefit in busy production environments.
Media Versatility: Supports a wide range of media types and sizes, including
heavyweight media.
Lower Operating Costs for Printing: Toner-based systems generally have lower per-page
costs compared to ink-based printers when printing, especially with color.
Consistent Speed Technology: Regardless of page coverage the C740 will not experience
a slow down in print speed for color or black.
Existing KIP Software: No need to learn anything new with your current print/scan
workflow.

Cons

Higher Initial Investment: The cost of the KIP C740 tends to be higher upfront, which
can be a factor for businesses with tighter budgets.
Color Saturation for Fine Detail: While good for vibrant color prints, it may not produce
the fine detail of an inkjet system in highly technical or artistic color work.

HP DesignJet XL 4200
Pros:

Image Quality: As an inkjet system, the HP XL 4200 offers excellent fine detail and color
accuracy, making it perfect for applications where precision is critical, such as CAD
drawings, GIS maps, and high-resolution images.
Simplicity and Ease of Use: HP’s interface and support systems are often praised for
user-friendly operation and management, making it easier for less technically inclined
users.
Eco-Friendly: Uses water-based inks, which are more environmentally friendly than the
toner-based systems.
Lower Initial Cost: The HP XL 4200 tends to have a lower upfront cost compared to
toner-based systems, which may appeal to smaller companies or those with limited
budgets.
Lower Maintenance Requirements: Inkjet systems like the HP XL 4200 generally require
less ongoing maintenance than toner-based systems, with fewer moving parts and a
more streamlined printing process.

Cons

Higher Running Costs: Inkjet technology typically has higher consumable costs,
particularly for high-volume color printing, where ink can become expensive. This
represents an unpredictable cost for ink.
Slower Print Speeds: Compared to the KIP C740, the HP XL 4200 can be slower,
especially for high-volume monochrome printing.
Large Footprint: Compared to the KIP C740, the HP XL requires
Light Radiation Hazard: Light radiation is emitted from the beacon, ink level indicators,
paper drawer indicators and formatter status indicators.
Ink Durability: Ink-based prints may not be as durable as toner-based prints, especially
for outdoor applications or high-wear environments where fading or smudging could
occur. Smudging of print will happen with use of highlighters.
Printhead Clogs: Inkjet printers can be prone to printhead clogs, particularly if not used
regularly, leading to additional maintenance or replacement costs.
Print Heads: There are eight print heads and these are considered supply items and is
not covered with maintenance agreements. Thus, this adds to your total cost of
operation and unpredictable cost per square foot. Users are responsible for replacing
print heads. Average cost of each print head for replacement is around $800 each
Maintenance Cartridge: The maintenance cartridge contains a roll of cloth, which is used to
clean the printheads. It has a total capacity of 500 wipes (cleaning operations). A heavy user will
need to replace it about every 2 months. The e-waste should sent back to HP and not discarded
with regular trash.
Space Requirements: Since the measurements of the machine are 77′′ wide and 30.9′′ deep
(according to HP) that makes the total area needed is 136′′ x 99.8′′ as recommended by HP.