Choosing the Right Poster Printer for Your School (2025 Guide)

If your teachers are still tiling 8.5×11 sheets together for anchor charts or waiting a week for a print shop order, it might be time to rethink how your school makes posters. Today’s large-format poster printers let educators create vibrant, full color posters in minutes, without leaving campus.

But not all poster printers are created equal. Some deliver durable, waterproof posters that survive hallway traffic and rainy car lines. Others look good at first, but smear the second they get wet. In this article, we’ll compare some of the most common poster printer options schools consider:

Posters are more than decorations. They’re teaching tools, communication aids, and culture builders. A clear, student-friendly PBIS matrix posted in every hallway sets expectations. Bilingual signs help families feel welcome. Large anchor charts give students daily visual reinforcement of key concepts.

Outsourcing those jobs – or relying on small desktop printers – costs time and money. That’s why many schools are bringing poster printing in-house. But choosing the right poster printer model matters, especially when you want projects to last.



The Canon TM-350 is a 36-inch, pigment-ink printer designed for high-demand environments like schools. Its key strengths line up perfectly with what educators need.

  • Durable pigment ink: Canon’s pigment-based inks are water and fade resistant, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • Speed that saves prep time: The TM-350 can print a full 24×36 poster in about 17 seconds – fast enough to keep up when teachers are prepping right before class.
  • Ink efficiency: Canon’s sub-ink tank system fully drains cartridges, cutting waste. You can also swap ink mid-print without ruining the job – no wasted posters.
  • Low-maintenance: Built-in nozzle checks and automatic cleaning cycles keep the printer running with minimal intervention.
  • Teacher-friendly workflow: Canon’s PosterArtist template library includes education-specific designs, so teachers don’t have to start from scratch. Printing is flexible too – send jobs from a laptop, Chromebook, or cell phone.

With its fast print speeds, durable pigment inks, and education-focused workflow, the TM-350 is an ideal poster printer for schools looking to create PBIS charts, anchor charts, and wayfinding signage that last.

Canon TM-350 Poster Printer

Where the HP T630 Fits as a Poster Printer for Schools

The HP DesignJet T630 is often marketed to schools as an entry-level plotter. It can certainly print posters, but there are trade-offs.

  • Ink type matters: The T630 uses dye-based color inks (with a pigment black). Dye inks look vibrant, but will smear if they get wet. That makes them a poor fit for signage in outdoor areas, cafeterias, or anywhere custodians clean regularly.
  • Speed: Prints a 24×36 poster in about 30 seconds – respectable, but slower than Canon’s TM-350.
  • Workflow: Wireless printing and the HP Smart app make it easy for teachers to send jobs, but there’s no mid-print cartridge swap. If a cartridge runs out halfway, the print is lost.

The HP T630 can handle basic indoor posters and classroom signage, but its dye-based color inks make it less suited as a long-term poster printer for schools where durability and outdoor use are needed.

HP DesignJet T630 Poster Printer

The Epson T5100 as a School Poster Printer

The Epson’s SC-T5100 uses pigment inks, which means the prints resist water and smudging. This is a strong feature for schools – but there are some trade-offs

  • Speed: At about 31 seconds per 24×36 poster, the SC-T5100 is slower than Canon’s TM-350 or HP’s T630. In a school setting where multiple teachers or departments need posters, that lag can create bottlenecks.
  • Size & Capability: The T5100 is designed as a compact, entry-level unit. That makes it fine for light use, but it struggles when asked to handle the volume or variety of prints many schools need.
  • Workflow: While it includes Wi-Fi, the software ecosystem isn’t as intuitive or education-friendly as Canon’s PosterArtist. Teachers may find the setup clunky, especially if they’re trying to create classroom visuals on a tight schedule..

For schools that only print the occasional sign, the Epson SC-T5100 might suffice. But when compared to the Canon TM-350, it lacks the speed, volume handling, and teacher-friendly tools that make a poster printer for schools a truly reliable investment.

Epson SureColor SC-T5100 Poster Printer



FeatureCanon TM-350HP DesignJet T630Epson SureColor T5100
Ink Type (Durability)All pigment, waterproof, fade-resistant, versatileDye color + pigment black, bright prints, not waterproofAll pigment, waterproof, fade-resistant, versatile
Print Speed (A1/D-size poster)~17 seconds (fastest)~30 seconds~31 seconds
MaintenanceAutomatic cleanings, waste ink tracking, mid-print cartridge swapsStandard cartridges; no hot-swapStandard cartridges; no hot-swap
Teacher WorkflowPosterArtist templates, Wi-FiWi-Fi + HP app supportWi-Fi + utilities
Best ForHigh-volume schools, frequent outdoor and indoor signage, PBIS/SEL programsBudget-conscious schools printing mostly indoor posters and CAD drawingsSchools needing durable indoor posters at lower volumes

Why AGC’s Educator Plus Is the Smartest Poster Printer Package for Schools

After weighing the Canon TM-350, HP T630, and Epson T5100, the takeaway is clear: hardware matters, but support matters more. That’s why AGC’s Educator Plus package combines the TM-350’s performance with everything schools need to use it to its full potential.

  • Templates for Schools: PBIS charts, SEL visuals, wayfinding signs, and curriculum-aligned resources ready to go.
  • EmpowR Academy: Professional development that helps staff turn printing into a true instructional tool.
  • Real Support: U.S.-based, in-house experts – including former teachers – who know what schools face daily.
  • Efficiency Built In: Canon’s pigment ink, smart reservoirs, and self-maintenance features save time and budget.

With Educator Plus, schools don’t just buy a printer. They unlock a complete system for creating the kind of visuals that shape culture, support learning, and strengthen community.


Trust and Training: The AGC Promise

Choosing the right printer is only half the story. The other half is making sure teachers and staff actually use it. That’s where AGC comes in.

As an educator, we are faced with daily challenges. It means everything to have a vendor understand and act as our true partner.

Laura C.

Cedartown Middle School

Phone calls to AGC Education are answered immediately and you are talking to someone who can answer questions within seconds. I cannot say enough about this product and company. If you are hesitating with a purchase, wait no longer.

Dave M.

Lincrest, CA

Our high school teachers have truly enjoyed making high-quality posters for their classrooms, special events, and bulletin boards.  The entire AGC team provides great customer service and support!

Chip B.

Collierville High School, TN

Easy to use, Great Training High Quality posters and very thorough program

Vicki I.

Northeast MDL, PA

VERY quick response time to all questions!
Quotes are quick and accurate.  Shipping is lightning fast! I could go on and on!

H. Burgdorf Owen

Marshall Elementary, SC

Went through the training 1,2,3. Love the ease of use and great customer service at any time

Janelle H.

Martin Grade School, SD

Canon’s TM-350 clearly outpaces HP’s T630 and Epson’s T5100 when it comes to durability, efficiency, and ease of use. For schools, that means less wasted ink, fewer ruined jobs, and posters that last indoors and outdoors.

But buying the right printer is only half the equation. Schools also need resources, training, and support to make sure the printer is actually used to its fullest potential. That’s why AGC’s Educator Plus package takes the TM-350 and surrounds it with ready-made templates, professional development through EmpowR Academy, and in-house support from real educators.

The result isn’t just a printer purchase – it’s a complete solution that helps schools create visuals that strengthen culture, support instruction, and communicate clearly every day.


More Than a Poster Printer – A Complete School Solution

With Educator Plus, schools get more from the Canon TM-350: built-in resources, PD opportunities, and support that speaks the language of education.

Classroom Printable Resource Hub

Welcome to our printables hub – your go-to spot for ready-made resources designed with K-12 teachers and school staff in mind. Whether you’re putting together classroom visuals, event signs, or student project materials, you’ll find sets of posters, charts, and activity sheets that make your job easier and help keep students engaged.

Take a look through our growing collection and click any link to see more details, tips, and ideas for using each set. We’re always adding new printables, so check back often for fresh materials that fit your classroom and school needs.

Explore posters for Hispanic Heritage Month, anchor charts for STEM learning, and poster templates for recognizing student athletes.

Poster for Hispanic Heritage Month - displays the names and flags of Spanish-Speaking countries

Back to School Printables

Kick off the year in color.

Make your own posters, banners, stickers, magnets- even t-shirts- without waiting on the print shop.


Printables by Subject Area

Looking for classroom posters tailored to your subject area?

Explore our collection of free, printable, and fully editable posters designed for Math, Science, ELA, History, STEM, and more. Each poster is teacher-friendly and ready to print or customize in minutes. Find the perfect visuals to bring your lessons to life and keep your classroom engaging and organized.

English and Language Arts

Posters that support reading, writing, grammar, and literacy skills to make language arts lessons engaging and accessible.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

Eye-catching visuals that reinforce science, technology, engineering, and math concepts while inspiring hands-on learning.

Foreign Language/Dual Language

Classroom posters with vocabulary, grammar, and cultural themes to help students build fluency and confidence in a new language.


Printables for Holidays and Awareness Months







Poster Printers: 5 Creative Ways to Use Them in Your Classroom

As a teacher, you always look for ways to make learning fun and engaging for your students. One great way to do this is by using a poster printer to create custom posters for your classroom. Posters are incredibly versatile and serve many purposes, from displaying classroom rules to showcasing historical events, science experiments, book reviews, and inspirational quotes. 

Let’s explore five creative ways to use a poster printer in your classroom and how it can help keep your students engaged and motivated. So, let’s get started!

1. Classroom Rules 

Learning and remembering your classroom rules doesn’t need to be boring. Bland white posters with black lettering are unlikely to catch or hold your students’ attention, especially if you teach easily distractable younger children. 

So, keep them intrigued by creating posters that display your classroom rules and expectations in a creative way. Add fun elements to keep things interesting and help the rule board catch your students’ eyes. 

For example, if you teach science, you could add cartoon beakers, test tubes, thermometers, and other elements. Or, if you teach language arts, add a splash of intrigue by adding book cartoons, some open and others closed, with funny or artsy cartoons popping out of the “open” books. 

Hang them in a prominent place so students are reminded of them throughout the day, like by the door, at the front of the class, or next to a reading corner. 

2. Historical Events

Posters are an excellent tool for history teachers. As you progress through the school year, use posters to show which part of history and historical events you focus on. Add real photos or cartoons of significant historical figures alongside a fun fact to help the information stick. 

You could even design posters with a map outlining your journey through a historical era. Create a design similar to a game board, with different stops along the way. Add a thumbtack with a “We’re Here” banner to signify where you are in the lesson and keep your students on track. 

Not only will this help your students learn about important events, but it will also add color and interest to your classroom.

3. Science Experiments

The science classroom is another great place to use posters. Create posters that display the steps of a science experiment or explain a scientific concept. 

For example, if your students are learning about reactions between certain chemicals, use a poster to break apart the steps and why they happen. Suppose you teach your students about the reaction between baking soda and vinegar or the classic “volcano” experiment. You could use a poster to show the steps of the reaction by using an exploded view of the volcano, with little blurbs marking each step of the reaction. 

This can be an excellent way to break down the information into easily digestible bits your students can understand. 

4. Book Reviews

Do you teach language arts or English? Use your posters to enhance the reading experience! Encourage your students to create posters that review books they have read. Hang them up in the classroom library to help other students decide which books to read next.

Or, if having your students create posters is an overwhelming thought, have them submit forms after reading their favorite books. For example, you could add a sleeve of ready-made forms that ask for the title, overview, and why they liked the story. Have your students submit the forms to another folder, then choose one book review each week to feature. 

5. Inspirational Quotes

Adding a splash of motivation can be the perfect way to finish a classroom. Create posters that feature your favorite motivational or inspirational quotes or those that mean the most to you. Rotate the quotes as you like, adding or moving them to keep your students intrigued. You could even rotate a quote at a focal point in your classroom every week and start each Monday with a quick focus on the quote and what it means to your students. 

Not only will this help to create a positive classroom culture, but it will also give your students something to think about throughout the day.

Craft Beautiful Custom Posters for Your Classroom

Poster printers offer a range of creative and engaging ways to enhance the learning experience in your classroom. From displaying classroom rules to showcasing historical events, science experiments, book reviews, and inspirational quotes, posters can help keep your students engaged and motivated. 

Use colorful and eye-catching designs to create a positive classroom culture and make learning a more enjoyable experience for your students. So, why not invest in a poster printer and explore the many possibilities it has to offer?
If you’re ready to adorn your classroom with custom posters, we have what you need. At AGC Education, we offer a complete range of poster printing supplies, from the best poster printers for schools to the supplies you’ll need to start printing!