UUNA TEK iDraw H A3 review: a fast A3 pen plotter for generative art and handwriting

What is it?

The iDraw H A3 is UUNA TEK’s mainstream pen plotter: an H-shaped frame that moves any pen over an A3 sheet (16.5 × 11.7 in). It draws generative art, writes calligraphy and fills in cards, and with an optional laser head it can engrave leather or wood.

It costs $559 on the official store (list $799). The default version ships without a base plate, which is an add-on.

Technical overview

• Area: A3.
• Speed: up to 12,000 mm/min, which UUNA TEK says is three times faster than other A3 plotters. That is a manufacturer claim.
• Resolution: 0.01 mm on X and Y.
• Pen lift: a stepper motor drives the Z-axis, so the pen is pressed down with adjustable pressure instead of simply dropped by a servo.
• Software: Inkscape and LightBurn, plus UUNA TEK’s own control app. Hershey fonts and mail merge for bulk writing.
• Connectivity: USB or Bluetooth, on Windows, macOS and Linux.

What reviewers say

Independent coverage is limited, and we want to be clear about it:

• A 2023 Medium review by a generative artist (who received a free unit in exchange for an honest review) said they would choose the iDraw over the AxiDraw for most uses. They praised the Z-axis stepper design for its adjustable pen pressure and noted that the machine is bulky.
• A video review comparing it with the AxiDraw called it an excellent plotter with features its rival lacks.
• A blog review recommended it for artists getting into generative art.
• UUNA TEK notes that the larger A1 and A0 versions need slower speeds to match the A3’s quality. One Reddit user’s A0 first test only used part of the bed until they fixed settings.

Because most evidence is from reviewers who received units, this is marked as a preview review.

Why the Z-axis matters

Servo pen lifts on cheaper plotters drop the pen with whatever force gravity gives. A motorised Z-axis lets you set exactly how hard the pen presses. That makes a real difference with brush pens, fountain pens and textured watercolour paper, where too little pressure skips and too much floods.

iDraw H A3 vs the alternatives

• vs AxiDraw (Evil Mad Scientist): the plotter most artists know, with excellent software and community. The iDraw’s motorised Z-axis and lower price are its advantages.
• vs UUNA TEK iAuto ($2,799): the iAuto feeds its own paper for bulk letters. Buy the iDraw for art and occasional batches. See iAuto vs iDraw H A3.
• vs UUNA TEK iDraw 2.0 A4 ($489): smaller and cheaper, for beginners and A4 cards.

Price and value

At $559, plus the base plate if you need it, the iDraw H A3 is good value for an A3 plotter with proper pen-pressure control.

Final thoughts

A capable, flexible A3 plotter with a feature (motorised pen pressure) that matters to artists. Make room on your desk, and budget for the base plate.

Sources

• Medium (Generative Artworks): iDraw H A3 pen plotter review
• RobotShop: iDraw H A3 listing
• UUNA TEK official store: iDraw H A3 (price and specs)