HP DesignJet Z9+DR 44-inch PostScript Dual Roll Large Format Printer (X9D24A)

 

Professional 44-inch Photo & Graphics Printer with Dual Roll, 9-Colour Ink System and Automatic Vertical Trimming

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr 44-inch PostScript Large Format Printer with V-Trimmer is a premium professional graphics and photographic printer designed for businesses that demand exceptional image quality, accurate colour reproduction, high productivity and advanced finishing capabilities.

With a maximum print width of 1118 mm / 44 inches, the Z9+dr combines dual-roll media handling, automatic roll switching and an integrated vertical trimmer with HP’s advanced 9-colour pigment ink system and embedded colour-management technology.

This makes the Z9+dr an outstanding solution for professional photographers, fine art printers, graphic designers, print service providers, retailers, GIS professionals, architects and corporate graphics departments producing premium-quality photography, posters, fine art reproductions, maps and presentation graphics.

Unlike conventional large-format printers that may require extensive manual media changes and post-print trimming, the Z9+dr is designed to automate more of the production process—from media selection through to finished cutting.

Key Features

Professional 44-inch / 1118 mm Large Format Printing

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr supports roll media up to 1118 mm / 44 inches wide, providing the flexibility required for large photographic prints, posters, fine art and professional presentation graphics.

Ideal applications include:

• Professional photography
• Fine art reproductions
• Gallery prints
• Exhibition graphics
• Posters
• Retail graphics
• Point-of-sale displays
• Marketing graphics
• Corporate presentations
• GIS maps
• Satellite and aerial imagery
• Architectural renderings
• Interior design presentations
• Technical graphics
• Backlit displays
• Signage

Its 44-inch format allows businesses to produce significantly larger finished pieces than 24-inch photo printers while maintaining professional image quality.

Dual Roll Media Handling

The “dr” designation means Dual Roll, and the dual-roll configuration is one of the Z9+dr’s most important productivity features.

The printer can hold two media rolls simultaneously, allowing operators to keep different media types or roll widths loaded and ready for production.

For example:

Roll 1: Satin photo paper
Roll 2: Matte fine art paper

or:

Roll 1: 914 mm coated poster paper
Roll 2: 1118 mm photographic paper

This helps eliminate repeated loading and unloading when moving between jobs.

HP specifies a maximum of two rolls, supporting roll widths from approximately 279 mm to 1118 mm and maximum roll weights up to 13.5 kg.

Automatic Roll Switching

With two rolls installed, the Z9+dr can switch between media rolls according to the requirements of each print job.

Automatic roll switching helps:

• Reduce manual media changes
• Minimise operator intervention
• Increase production efficiency
• Handle mixed-media print queues
• Reduce downtime between jobs
• Keep frequently used media ready

For high-volume graphics and photographic environments, dual-roll automation can provide a significant workflow advantage over single-roll printers.

Integrated V-Trimmer Vertical Cutter

One of the defining features of the Z9+dr is the built-in V-Trimmer vertical cutting system.

Traditional large-format printers normally cut across the width of the roll after printing. When the printed image is narrower than the roll, operators still need to manually trim the side edges.

The Z9+dr combines an automatic horizontal cutter with an integrated vertical trimmer, reducing the amount of manual post-print cutting required.

HP states that the vertical trimmer is exclusive to selected 44-inch dual-roll Z6dr and Z9+dr configurations and can reduce post-processing time by up to approximately 20% in applicable workflows.

This makes it particularly valuable for:

• Posters
• Photographic prints
• Maps
• Presentation graphics
• Retail signage
• Exhibition graphics
• Fine art prints

Reduce Manual Finishing

The integrated vertical trimmer helps move the Z9+dr beyond a conventional large-format printer and toward a more automated production system.

Automated cutting can help:

• Reduce manual trimming
• Save operator labour
• Improve consistency
• Speed up finishing
• Reduce production bottlenecks
• Produce ready-to-use graphics faster

For print businesses producing dozens or hundreds of posters, maps or graphics, reducing manual trimming can significantly improve overall productivity.

Professional 9-Colour Pigment Ink System

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr uses a sophisticated 9-colour pigment ink system, providing greater colour capability than the six-colour Z6 series.

HP’s current Z9+dr specification confirms 9 inks with optional Gloss Enhancer.

The ink system is designed to provide excellent colour accuracy, smooth gradients, deep blacks and fine tonal reproduction for demanding photographic and graphics applications.

The ink set includes professional HP Vivid Photo pigment inks such as:

• Cyan
• Chromatic Blue
• Magenta
• Chromatic Green
• Yellow
• Chromatic Red
• Gray
• Photo Black
• Matte Black

The expanded colour set helps the Z9+ reproduce a wider range of colours, making it especially suitable for professional photography, fine art and brand-sensitive graphics.

Optional Gloss Enhancer

For glossy and semi-gloss photographic applications, the Z9+ series supports HP Gloss Enhancer.

Gloss Enhancer is designed to improve gloss uniformity across printed areas, helping reduce visible differences between heavily inked and lightly inked sections of an image.

This is particularly valuable for:

• Premium photographic prints
• Exhibition photographs
• Fine art photography
• Gloss and satin photo media
• High-end portfolio work

The result is a smoother and more professional surface appearance on compatible media.

HP Pixel Control

The Z9+dr incorporates HP Pixel Control, an advanced imaging pipeline designed to provide precise control over individual colour combinations.

HP Pixel Control helps deliver:

• Smooth gradients
• Accurate transitions
• Fine tonal detail
• Natural skin tones
• Detailed shadows
• Strong colour separation

This technology is especially valuable for photography, fine art reproduction and high-quality graphics where small tonal differences are visible and important.

High-Definition HP Printheads

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr uses high-definition HP printheads designed to reproduce extremely fine image detail.

The advanced printhead technology enables the printer to produce precise dots and smooth tonal transitions without relying on a large number of light-colour inks.

This contributes to:

• Sharp photographic detail
• Smooth gradients
• Fine text
• Precise lines
• High-resolution graphics
• Excellent shadow detail

For professional photography and fine art reproduction, this level of printhead precision is essential.

Up to 2400 × 1200 Optimised dpi

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr produces output at up to 2400 × 1200 optimised dpi, providing excellent detail for photographic, graphic and technical applications.

This resolution allows the printer to reproduce:

• Fine photographic detail
• Hair and fabric textures
• Architectural details
• Small text
• Detailed GIS maps
• Fine art textures
• Complex graphics
• High-resolution raster images

The result is crisp, detailed output even at large print sizes.

Embedded Spectrophotometer

Professional colour workflows require more than good ink—they require accurate colour measurement.

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr includes an embedded spectrophotometer, allowing the printer to measure printed colour and assist with media calibration and profiling.

HP lists the embedded spectrophotometer as a key differentiating feature of the Z9+ range.

Benefits include:

• More consistent colour
• Improved media calibration
• Better repeatability
• Reduced reliance on external colour-measurement equipment
• Greater confidence in colour-critical work

This is particularly valuable for photographers, fine art printers and print service providers producing colour-sensitive customer work.

Professional Colour Accuracy

The combination of HP Pixel Control, expanded pigment inks and embedded spectrophotometer technology makes the Z9+dr particularly strong in colour-critical environments.

This helps businesses maintain consistent colour for:

• Brand graphics
• Fine art reproduction
• Commercial photography
• Portfolio prints
• Proofing
• Repeat print jobs
• Retail campaigns

Consistent colour can help reduce reprints and improve customer confidence.

Outstanding Professional Photography

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr is designed specifically for demanding photographic applications.

Its expanded pigment ink set allows it to reproduce smooth tonal transitions and subtle colour differences that are important in professional photography.

Typical applications include:

• Portrait photography
• Wedding photography
• Landscape photography
• Fashion photography
• Architectural photography
• Commercial photography
• Fine art photography
• Gallery exhibitions
• Portfolio printing
• Large photographic enlargements

The 44-inch width allows photographers to produce impressive gallery-scale work directly in-house.

Fine Art Reproduction

The Z9+dr is also highly suited to fine art and giclée-style printing.

Artists, galleries and professional print studios can use the printer to reproduce artwork on compatible fine-art media, including:

• Fine art paper
• Textured paper
• Matte art media
• Canvas
• Premium photographic media

The combination of pigment inks, high-resolution printing and professional colour calibration makes the Z9+dr particularly well suited to colour-critical reproduction.

Professional Poster & Retail Graphics Production

The Z9+dr is equally capable in commercial graphics production.

Applications include:

• Promotional posters
• Retail graphics
• Point-of-sale displays
• Window graphics
• Event posters
• Corporate presentations
• Exhibition displays
• Marketing materials

The dual-roll system and integrated vertical trimmer provide important productivity advantages when producing multiple graphics throughout the day.

Excellent GIS & Mapping Capability

Although the Z9+dr is primarily a professional photographic and graphics printer, its fine detail and colour capability also make it highly effective for GIS and mapping applications.

Suitable applications include:

• Topographic maps
• Geological maps
• Environmental mapping
• Mining maps
• Urban planning
• Infrastructure maps
• Satellite imagery
• Aerial photography
• Colour-coded geographic data

The 44-inch width allows users to produce large, highly detailed maps while maintaining excellent colour differentiation.

Fast Graphics Production

HP specifies the Z9+dr at up to approximately:

Plain Media – Fast: 71.4 m²/hr / 769 ft²/hr

Coated Media – Normal: 17.2 m²/hr / 185 ft²/hr

Glossy Media – Best: approximately 4.5 m²/hr / 48 ft²/hr.

The Z9+dr prioritises professional image quality while maintaining production speeds suitable for demanding graphics workflows.

Adobe PostScript 3

As a PostScript model, the Z9+dr provides professional Adobe file-processing capability for complex graphics workflows.

Adobe PostScript is particularly valuable when printing files containing:

• Embedded fonts
• Vector graphics
• Transparency
• Complex page layouts
• High-resolution raster images
• Mixed vector and raster elements
• Professional design content

This provides greater confidence when processing files generated by professional design and publishing applications.

Adobe PDF Print Engine

The Z9+dr also includes the Adobe PDF Print Engine, which HP identifies as one of the key differentiating features of the Z9+ series.

The Adobe PDF Print Engine processes PDFs natively, helping preserve:

• Fonts
• Transparency
• Vector objects
• Raster images
• Colour information
• Complex layouts

This is particularly important for print service providers and graphic design businesses receiving PDF files from many different customers and applications.

Powerful File Processing

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr includes:

128 GB virtual file-processing memory

and

500 GB self-encrypting internal storage.

This powerful onboard architecture helps the printer process complex, high-resolution files without placing unnecessary processing demands on the user’s workstation.

It is particularly valuable for:

• High-resolution photography
• Large PDF files
• Complex graphics
• Fine art reproductions
• Large maps
• Raster-heavy files
• Multi-page print queues

Wide Range of Professional Media

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr supports a broad range of professional large-format media.

Suitable categories include:

• Gloss photo paper
• Satin photo paper
• Semi-gloss photo paper
• Matte photo paper
• Fine art paper
• Fine art canvas
• Coated paper
• Heavyweight coated paper
• Matte presentation media
• Self-adhesive media
• Polypropylene
• Backlit media
• Banner media

HP specifically recommends media including HP Universal Instant-dry Satin Photo Paper, HP Artist Matte Canvas, HP Heavyweight Coated Paper, HP Everyday Matte Polypropylene and HP Premium Matte Photo Paper.

300 ml Ink Cartridges

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr supports 300 ml ink cartridges, reducing the frequency of cartridge replacement during large production runs.

High-capacity cartridges are particularly valuable for:

• Print service providers
• Photography studios
• Fine art printers
• Retail graphics departments
• High-volume in-house production

Professional Security

The HP DesignJet Z9+dr includes a 500 GB self-encrypting internal drive, helping protect stored print data.

Combined with professional network security and device-management features, the printer is well suited to environments handling sensitive customer artwork, commercial photography or corporate graphics.

Technical Specifications

Specification	HP DesignJet Z9+dr 44-inch PostScript
Product Number	X9D24A
Printer Type	Professional Photo & Graphics Dual Roll Printer
Functions	Print
Maximum Print Width	1118 mm / 44 inches
Print Technology	HP Thermal Inkjet
Maximum Resolution	Up to 2400 × 1200 optimised dpi
Fast Speed – Plain Media	Up to approx. 71.4 m²/hr
Normal Speed – Coated Media	Up to approx. 17.2 m²/hr
Best Speed – Glossy Media	Approx. 4.5 m²/hr
Ink System	9-colour pigment ink system
Optional Gloss Enhancer	Yes
Ink Cartridge Capacity	300 ml
Colour Management	HP Pixel Control
Spectrophotometer	Embedded
Adobe PostScript	Adobe PostScript 3
Adobe PDF Print Engine	Yes
Maximum Print Quality	2400 × 1200 optimised dpi
File-Processing Memory	128 GB virtual
Internal Storage	500 GB self-encrypting
Roll Configuration	Dual Roll
Maximum Roll Input	2
Roll Width	279–1118 mm
Maximum Roll Diameter	Approx. 135 mm
Maximum Roll Weight	Approx. 13.5 kg
Sheet Width	210–1118 mm
Automatic Roll Switching	Yes
Automatic Horizontal Cutter	Yes
Vertical Trimmer	Integrated V-Trimmer
Typical Applications	Photography, fine art, posters, retail graphics, GIS, maps and presentations