Machine review
AxiDraw V3 Review
The original and most-reviewed prosumer pen plotter. Now listed "no longer in production" — Evil Mad Scientist points buyers to Bantam Tools NextDraw. Historically ~$475–$950 depending on model (unverified). Best-in-class openness and Python API.
Specs at a glance
| Type | Pen plotter |
|---|---|
| Tier | Desktop / prosumer tier — suited to testing, hobby, and low-volume use |
| Brand | Evil Mad Scientist |
| Price (USD) | Discontinued (no longer sold new) |
| Plot / write area | A4 / Letter |
| Auto-feed | No (manual feed) |
| Pen types | Almost any pen, Fountain, Brush |
| Software | Inkscape extension / CLI / Python API |
| OS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| API | Yes |
| Throughput | Single-sheet; prosumer |
| Best for | Hobbyist |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Open, scriptable (Python API, Inkscape, CLI)
- Writes with almost any pen
- Huge documentation/community
Cons
- Discontinued — buy NextDraw instead
- No auto-feed
- Single-pen, single-sheet
Specs and price last checked June 17, 2026. A "~" or "unverified" note means the figure came from a third party or a non-USD source — confirm with the vendor before buying.