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HP C6980A DesignJet Coated Paper 36
HP

HP C6980A DesignJet Coated Paper 36" x 300' Roll

★★★★★3.0 (5 reviews)

300 feet of 26lb coated stock engineered for DesignJet output gives technical drawings and graphics the sharp, dimensionally stable surface they demand.

$199.08*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 27, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The HP C6980A is a 36-inch wide, 300-foot coated paper roll engineered specifically for DesignJet large-format inkjet printers. At 26lb (approximately 90 gsm), it sits above standard bond weight, providing the dimensional stability needed to hold registration and resist cockling when aqueous inks are deposited across large-area fills — a critical property for technical drawings where a 1mm distortion can invalidate a dimensioned detail. The matte coating controls ink absorption rate, keeping droplets where they land and producing sharp vector edges. The 90 GE brightness rating ensures sufficient contrast and color differentiation for multi-layer CAD output and presentation graphics.

This roll is the practical daily-driver choice for architectural firms, engineering departments, reprographics shops, and print service bureaus running high-volume DesignJet output. The 300-foot length is meaningful in production contexts — it reduces roll-change interruptions during long print queues and decreases the per-foot media waste associated with roll loading. The matte surface is the right call for technical output that will be reviewed under variable office lighting, handled frequently, and pinned or laminated. For studios requiring photographic color accuracy or gallery-quality reproduction, HP's gloss and semi-gloss coated media families are better matched to the requirement.

Specifications

Width
36 inches
Length
300 feet
Weight
26 lb
Brightness
90 GE / 101 ISO (D65)
Surface
Matte coated
Compatible Printers
HP DesignJet series (aqueous inkjet)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 26lb weight provides greater dimensional stability under ink saturation than 20lb bond, reducing cockling on large-area fills in technical drawings.
  • 300-foot roll length minimizes changeover frequency on high-volume print runs, reducing workflow interruption and media waste from roll loading.
  • Matte coated surface controls ink spread precisely, producing sharp vector line edges at DesignJet print resolutions.
  • 90 GE / 101 ISO (D65) brightness delivers good contrast and color rendering for professional graphics and presentation output.
  • 36-inch width covers the full standard large-format engineering drawing width (ANSI E / ISO A0) without trimming.

👎 Cons

  • Matte surface limits achievable color gamut compared to glossy or satin-coated alternatives — saturated photographic colors will appear less vivid.
  • 26lb stock may not feed reliably on all DesignJet models configured for lighter media; printer media settings must match the paper weight specification.
  • 300-foot roll is a significant upfront investment — if print volume is low, a shorter roll format reduces waste from paper aging before the roll is depleted.
  • Coated surface is more susceptible to fingerprint and smudge transfer than uncoated stock when handling prints before they fully cure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The C6980A is formulated for HP DesignJet large-format printers that use aqueous dye or pigment ink systems. It is optimized for HP DesignJet plotter lines; confirm your specific DesignJet model's media compatibility list, as coating chemistry and paper weight requirements vary across printer generations.
The coating layer on this paper reduces ink spread and dot gain — meaning ink droplets are absorbed more slowly and stay more precisely where they land. The practical result is sharper line edges on technical drawings, better tonal gradation in graphics, and improved color vibrancy versus uncoated stock at the same resolution setting.
The C6980A is rated at 90 GE / 101 ISO (D65). Higher brightness means the paper reflects more light, which increases perceived contrast and color saturation in prints. At 90 GE, this is a mid-to-high brightness coated stock — adequate for professional technical output, though not at the ceiling of photographic or premium proofing stocks.
It is suitable for detailed graphics and presentation-quality output, but it is a matte coated stock — not a glossy or semi-gloss proofing media. Color gamut is respectable for the weight class, but for critical color proofing or photographic output, HP's glossy and semi-gloss coated media lines are better suited.
At 26lb (approximately 90 gsm), this paper is heavier and stiffer than standard 20lb bond, which reduces cockling and dimensional distortion when ink is applied across large fill areas. For technical drawings where dimensional accuracy matters, the added weight provides meaningfully better media stability.

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