What Ink Does the HP DesignJet T1600 Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the T1600 prints through the HP 731 printhead (P2V27A). HP lists one universal printhead for the T1600; the HP 731 is the T1700’s printhead.
Quick answer: The HP DesignJet T1600 uses six HP 730 ink cartridges — Matte Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Gray — printing through one universal printhead that handles all six inks. HP 730 comes in 130 ml and 300 ml sizes that fit the same slots. Castle Ink carries remanufactured 300 ml cartridges in all six colors: HP 730 Matte Black (P2V71A), HP 730 Photo Black (P2V73A), HP 730 Cyan (P2V68A), HP 730 Magenta (P2V69A), HP 730 Yellow (P2V70A) and HP 730 Gray (P2V72A).
CastleScore · October 2026
66/100 — Situational
HP DesignJet T1600
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | — | Not scored: HP rates 730 cartridges by ink volume, not page yield, so we cannot calculate an honest cost per page. |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: new HP 731 printhead fails at the end of setup across several T1600-T2600 units despite passing ink-system diagnostics |
| Features (12%) | 44 | Ethernet. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars.
No longer listed by HP. HP's U.S. store shows the T1600dr PostScript as not available. HP 730 ink is still sold.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 11, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 730 Matte Black 300 mlP2V71A
HP 730 Photo Black 300 mlP2V73A
HP 730 Cyan 300 mlP2V68A
HP 730 Magenta 300 mlP2V69A
HP 730 Yellow 300 mlP2V70A
HP 730 Gray 300 mlP2V72A
HP 730 Matte Black 300 ml
HP 730 Photo Black 300 ml
HP 730 Cyan 300 ml
HP 730 Magenta 300 ml
HP 730 Yellow 300 ml
HP 730 Gray 300 mlOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
HP DesignJet T1600 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Color (300 ml — Castle Ink link) | 300 ml Part No. | 130 ml Part No. |
|---|---|---|
| HP 730 Matte Black 300 ml | P2V71A | P2V65A |
| HP 730 Photo Black 300 ml | P2V73A | P2V67A |
| HP 730 Cyan 300 ml | P2V68A | P2V62A |
| HP 730 Magenta 300 ml | P2V69A | P2V63A |
| HP 730 Yellow 300 ml | P2V70A | P2V64A |
| HP 730 Gray 300 ml | P2V72A | P2V66A |
Both sizes are interchangeable, and you can mix them — a 300 ml cartridge in a busy color and a 130 ml one in a color you rarely use. On a plotter that prints every day, the 300 ml size is the one to buy: it costs far less per milliliter and you swap cartridges less than half as often.
The DesignJet T1600 is a 36-inch production plotter for CAD and AEC offices. HP's U.S. store now lists the T1600dr PostScript as not available. The T1600dr adds a second roll, and the PostScript versions add Adobe PostScript and PDF processing. Its 44-inch big brother is the T1700, which uses the same ink.
The same HP 730 cartridges fit the whole family: the DesignJet T1600, T1600dr, T1700, T1700dr, T2600 and T2600dr, including the PostScript models, plus the DesignJet SD Pro 2 MFP. The printheads differ: the T1600 uses a single printhead for all six inks, while the T1700 uses three HP 731 heads. See our DesignJet T1700 and DesignJet T2600 guides if you run more than one.
Do not confuse HP 730 with HP 711 or HP 712 (DesignJet T120, T520, T210, T630, T650) or HP 727 (T920, T1500). They will not fit this printer.
Which Color Runs Out First?
On a CAD and line-drawing workload, Matte Black empties fastest by a wide margin — it prints lines and text on plain and bond paper. Photo Black only comes into play on photo and glossy media, and Gray is used for neutral tones in renderings and photos. If your plotter mostly prints drawings, keep a spare 300 ml Matte Black on the shelf before anything else.
How to Replace Ink in the HP DesignJet T1600
- On the front panel, open the ink menu and choose to replace a cartridge, or wait for the empty-cartridge prompt.
- Open the ink cartridge cover.
- Pull the empty cartridge straight out of its slot.
- Shake the new cartridge gently, then slide it into the slot that matches its color label until it locks in place.
- Close the cover. The front panel confirms when the cartridge is recognized.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized or "non-HP cartridge" message: Remove and reseat the cartridge firmly. The T1600 uses HP dynamic security: HP says it works only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, blocks cartridges with non-HP chips, and firmware updates may block cartridges that worked before. If you use remanufactured HP 730s, choose ones that keep the original HP chip and be careful with firmware updates. A firmware update will not fix a rejected cartridge. Do not use a cartridge that has been dropped or whose chip contacts are damaged.
Banding or missing lines: Print the image quality diagnostic report from the front panel, then run printhead cleaning. If one color is still missing after cleaning, the printhead may need replacing. It is a separate part, not built into the cartridges.
Colors look off after replacing a cartridge: Run printhead alignment and color calibration for the paper type you use most.
What DesignJet T1600 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Will remanufactured HP 730 cartridges work?
Only if they carry a reused HP chip. HP's dynamic security blocks cartridges with non-HP chips, and HP warns that firmware updates can block cartridges that worked before.
Does the T1600 have Wi-Fi?
Not built in. Gigabit Ethernet is standard, and Wi-Fi needs HP's optional Jetdirect accessory.
How fast is it?
HP rates it at 180 A1/D-size prints an hour, or about 19.3 seconds a print.
What if a new printhead fails during setup?
Owners on HP's forum report new printheads failing at the end of setup on several T1600 and T2600 units, with no posted fix. Contact HP about a replacement, since a head costs several hundred dollars.
Can I print from a USB drive?
Yes. HP lists the USB port for printing directly from a flash drive.
DesignJet T1600 quirks worth knowing
- It has one universal printhead that handles all six inks, separate from the cartridges. The 44-inch T1700 instead uses three HP 731 heads, each carrying two colors.
- It has 128 GB of file-processing memory and a 500 GB self-encrypting drive for secure job storage.
- It feeds rolls up to 36 in (914 mm) wide and 11.9 kg, and cut sheets from A4 to A0.
- Chip maker Apex reported HP firmware changes affecting T1600 and T2600 HP 730 cartridges starting June 1, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HP DesignJet T1600 use HP 730 or HP 731?
HP 730 is its ink. HP lists one universal printhead for the T1600; the HP 731 printhead (P2V27A), which carries two colors per head, is listed for the T1700, not the T1600.
Is the T1600 ink the same as the T1700?
Yes. The 36-inch T1600 and 44-inch T1700 take identical HP 730 cartridges.
Can I mix 130 ml and 300 ml HP 730 cartridges?
Yes. Both sizes fit the same slots and can be used side by side.
How many ink cartridges does the HP DesignJet T1600 take?
Six: Matte Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Gray.
Does using remanufactured cartridges void my warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your printer warranty only because you used third-party cartridges. Damage proven to be caused by a specific cartridge would not be covered, but the rest of the warranty still applies. Service contracts (HP Care Packs) can carry their own terms, so check yours.
Other printers that use HP 730 ink
HP DesignJet T2600 · HP DesignJet T1700
More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP Envy 5000 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 · find any printer
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 11, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP ink cartridges? Shop HP ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.