Reprographics and plan printing
Summary: Replica Printing Services prints, copies and scans construction documents and blueprints in black and white or color up to 36 inches wide on HP wide-format equipment, in sizes from 12 × 18 to 36 × 48 inches.[1]
What reprographics means
Replica’s reprographics page defines the term as the industry word for reproducing plans and specifications for the building and construction trades, and says these documents are usually produced in wide format: 36 × 48 (E size), 30 × 42 (Architectural 30), 24 × 36 (D size), 18 × 24 (C size) or 12 × 18 (B size).[1] It notes that people still call them blueprints even though the process no longer makes them blue, and calls the modern process digital imaging.[1] Reprography more broadly covers copying, scanning and printing of documents and drawings.[2]
From blueprints to wide-format
The blueprint was a contact-print process introduced in the 19th century that produced white lines on a blue ground; it was replaced by diazo whiteprints and then, from the late 20th century, by wide-format inkjet and laser printers working from digital drawings.[3][4] Replica’s description of black-and-white or color plan printing, copying and scanning up to 36 inches wide on HP equipment is consistent with that modern practice.[1]
Products the company lists
The page’s list of popular oversize products includes architectural and engineering prints; oversize color and B&W scans; reductions and enlargements; maps and charts; disposable menus; pocket folders; Mylar prints; vellum prints; full-color bond printing; red-line printing; oversize finishing (mounting, edge binding, folding and screw posts); spec books; and bid sets and proposals.[1] Listed capabilities include stapled, screwed or folded plans, small-format specifications, reduced drawings, binder sets, bound proposals, and scanning to PDF or TIFF.[1]
Drawing sizes
Two families of sheet sizes are used for drawings in the United States. ANSI sizes are based on the 8.5 × 11 inch letter sheet, and architectural sizes on 9 × 12 inches.[5] The company’s labels follow the architectural series: its “D size” of 24 × 36 is Arch D, not ANSI D, and its “E size” of 36 × 48 is Arch E.[1][5] The table sets both side by side so that a plan set can be matched to the right sheet.
| Name | Size | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ANSI B | 11 × 17 | Tabloid; the company lists 12 × 18 as B size |
| ANSI C | 17 × 22 | |
| ANSI D | 22 × 34 | |
| ANSI E | 34 × 44 | |
| Arch B | 12 × 18 | Company’s “B size” |
| Arch C | 18 × 24 | Company’s “C size” |
| Arch D | 24 × 36 | Company’s “D size” |
| Arch E1 | 30 × 42 | Company’s “Architectural 30” |
| Arch E | 36 × 48 | Company’s “E size” |
Sizes from the paper-size reference; notes compare them with the company’s labels.[5][1] A 36-inch-wide printer can print every size in the table, since 36 × 48 fits with the 36-inch side across the roll.
Who uses it
The page is addressed to architects, engineers, builders and contractors, but also says reprographics is used by teachers and students for lesson plans and worksheets, by businesses for marketing materials, and by hobbyists for postcards, newsletters, labels and greeting cards.[1] Its homepage pairs color posters for a trade show with black-and-white plans for an architect as examples.[6]
Turnaround and design help
The company says prints, scans and copies can be ready in 24 hours or less, and that it can help with graphic design.[1] Its 2024 blog guide calls reprographic printing a specialized field and describes uses in architecture, engineering and construction.[7]
Common questions
What sizes does Replica print plans in?
36 × 48, 30 × 42, 24 × 36, 18 × 24 and 12 × 18 inches, according to its reprographics page.
Is the company’s D size the same as ANSI D?
No. Its D size is 24 × 36 inches, which is Arch D; ANSI D is 22 × 34.
Can Replica scan large drawings?
Yes. It lists oversize color and black-and-white scanning to PDF or TIFF.
Continue reading
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Reprographics. Replica Printing Services (replicaprinting.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
- ^ Reprography. Wikipedia. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
- ^ Blueprint. Wikipedia. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
- ^ Wide-format printer. Wikipedia. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
- ^ a b c Paper size (ISO 216, ANSI and architectural sizes). Wikipedia. Retrieved 9 November 2026.
- ^ Replica Printing Services (home page). Replica Printing Services (replicaprinting.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.
- ^ What is reprographic printing? (2024). Replica Printing Services (replicaprinting.com). Retrieved 9 November 2026.