Deciding between two very different wide format printers plotters setups usually starts with a question: do you need large color prints with photographic color, or do you need signs and vinyl graphics? These two units sit on opposite sides of that split. One is a used inkjet that needs a little care; the other is a print-and-cut combo with its own software, but the printer side needs attention.
Quick verdict
Choose the Epson if you want a less expensive way to produce large photo prints and you can handle basic printer servicing. Choose the HP package if you want a sign-making lineup-printer, vinyl cutter, and RIP software-and you're prepared to fix or service the printer.
At a glance
| Product | Price | Relative price | What you get | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Epson Stylus Pro 9880 44 inch Wide-Format Printer with 3 Ink Cartridges | USD 400.00 | 44" roll-fed inkjet, three ink cartridges | May need print-head maintenance; broken ink-slot cover hinge | |
| HP Latex 115 Printer, 54" Basic Plus Vinyl Cutter with Flexi Lifetime License | USD 3,900.00 | 54" latex printer, 54" vinyl cutter, Flexi lifetime license | Printer not currently working; local pickup only |
Where each product wins
The Epson wins if your budget is tight and your output is photographic. It uses the Ultrachrome K3 eight-color system, prints up to 2880 x 1440 dpi, and is already set up for roll-fed media.
The HP package wins if you're outfitting a small sign shop. You get a cutter that was lightly used, a RIP license without an annual subscription fee, and features like continuous printing and an automatic x-cutter.
Product notes
Working Epson Stylus Pro 9880 44 inch Wide-Format Printer with 3 Ink Cartridges
At $400, this used Epson is ready for roll-fed media and uses the eight-color Ultrachrome K3 system with Vivid Magenta, which is aimed at color photo output. It includes three ink cartridges and a power cord, and it turns on. The practical catch is that the printer may need print-head maintenance and possibly other parts, and one hinge on the ink-slot cover is broken. It came from a university print shop lot and has not been used in over a year, so a service visit is likely before you rely on it. If you take that on, the 44-inch width is the payoff.
HP Latex 115 Printer, 54" Basic Plus Vinyl Cutter with Flexi Lifetime License
The $3,900 bundle pairs a 54-inch HP Latex 115 printer with a 54-inch HP Basic Plus vinyl cutter and a lifetime FlexiPrint license, so you avoid an annual RIP subscription. The cutter saw only a couple months of use, and the package includes continuous printing and an automatic x-cutter. The printer, though, is not currently in working condition; it shows an ink leak that could be a wire connection error. You'll need an HP service visit or a local professional to get it running, and the sale is local pickup only in Los Angeles. For a sign shop that wants printer plus cutter plus software in one buy, this package covers that once you fix the printer.
Final choice by use case
If your primary work is photo posters and you can service a used printer, the Epson Stylus Pro 9880 is the one to start with. If your goal is stickers, banners, and cut vinyl, the HP Latex 115 with the Basic Plus cutter and Flexi license is the more complete system-once the printer is repaired. For a mixed workload, pick the one that matches your main output, because neither option is plug-and-play today.
