If you're in need of accurate colors and a high printing resolution when printing designs, drawings, and photographs, then the best large format laser printer is the perfect option.
So, are you interested in a wide format printing, a roll printing, or something which can work on double-size prints from a 13-inch printer (A3+)? We will help answer all your questions about large format printers. Keep reading to find out the perfect printer for your business.
What is a Large Format Laser Printer?
A large format printer is a machine that can print anything above the regular A4 print. They are considered to be super-wide or have a grand format. They can be able to print up to 100 inches wide.
Just like other domestic printers, large format printers are inkjet printers. This means that the paper is fed mechanically through the rotating rolls, and the ink in the cartridges is sent to the print heads that release it through the injectors. These papers travel horizontally, ensuring every paper is printed, one strip at a time.
So, let's have a look at the best large format printers in the market today.
Rank | Product Image | Brand Name | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
| ||
2 |
| ||
3 |
| ||
4 |
| ||
5 |
| ||
6 |
| ||
7 |
|
1. Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer
- OS compatibility: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 , Windows 7...
- Utilizes Air Print, Google Cloud Print and Pixma Printing...
- Fine print head technology (Full photolithography inkjet nozzle...
- High performance 5 individual ink tank system. Auto sheet feeder...
- 9600 x 2400 dots per inch maximum print resolution; Print...
Canon, a name that needs no introduction in the technology industry, is one of the best printer brands that help cater to your professional and personal needs. This Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Printer uses the Google Cloud Print, Pixma Printing Solutions (PPS), and Air print to deliver high-quality results.
This wireless printer also includes a high-performance five individual ink tank system and a FINE (Full Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print head technology. The auto sheet feeder can feed up to 150 sheets, and the maximum print resolution is at 9600 x 2400 dots per inch. In addition, the printing resolution is up to 600 x 600 dots per inch for black printing.
With the exclusive and downloadable solution templates, this printer helps you streamline your productivity. It also comes with My Image Garden software which puts your printing features like full HD movie print and special features. It also comes in handy to organize your photos with facial recognition and calendar view. Furthermore, the creative templates in a variety of color patterns and combinations help inspire all your photo projects.
Pros:
Cons:
2. HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer
- Main functions of this all-in-one wide-format printer: copy,...
- The power of your printer in the palm of your hand: The HP Smart...
- Up to 50% less cost per page than color lasers with fast print...
- Print, scan, and copy in standout color on a variety of paper...
- Use Original HP 952 & HP 952XL ink cartridges for great result...
Looking for a stylish printer with an affordable MFP? Look no further. The HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer is a great solution for all your needs. If you do lots of printing and being economical is something you care about, then this printer would be a perfect option. As one of the best wide format printers, you can scan, copy, fax, and print A3 size documents and papers of up to 11x17 inches.
This printer can scan documents of up to 1200 DPI, allowing you to get the sharpest images at a very low price. Furthermore, it features a tray capacity of 250 sheets. It comes with an ISO-rated speed of 18 and 34 ppm for color and black, respectively, but the speed of the colored print can go up to 22 ppm.
It has a 2.65 inch colored touch screen display, and you also have the option of installing the printer utility on a computer for easy management. You also get a variety of connection types, for example, HP ePrint, wireless direct printing, Google Cloud Print, Apple Airprint, Mopria-certified, and ethernet.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Canon Pixma Pro-100 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
- 8 Dye based inks for amazing gradients and color, 3 of which are...
- The Optimum Image Generating System reproduces colors as you...
- Compatible with individual CLI 42 ink tanks (Black, gray, light...
- 4800 x 2400 dots per inch with fine technology for incredible...
- Weight: 43.2 in bullet point. Number of nozzles: 6,144. Number of...
The Canon Pixma Pro-100 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer can work on pictures from 11x17 to bigger ones of 13x19 inches. It comes with Canon's FINE (Full Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology. This technology allows users to print documents with a resolution of up to 4800x2400 DPI and a tiny drop of ink which is as small as 3.0 pl.
You can either use a wired connection using an Ethernet cable, a USB connection, or a wireless connection using WI-FI. Furthermore, multiple users are able to connect and print at once, and you can also print something remotely using the Canon Mobile Printing App. The print speed of this machine is quite decent, but you need to note that quality printing takes time.
In addition, this Canon printer comes with three black ink cartridges that help create excellent black and white photos. With its 8 cartridge ink system, you will also be able to produce numerous colors. You also get an Optimum Image Generating System which emphasizes two major technology. First, the advanced analysis of ink combinations and the other one is the ability to achieve an ideal balance in color reproduction, tonal density, and consistent glossiness.
Pros:
Cons:
4. WorkForce WF-7210 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer
- Epson printing system is specifically designed to be used with...
- Get Performance Beyond Laser — the Workforce WF 7210, powered...
- Print shop quality color graphics and laser sharp black text —...
- Economical — uses upto 80 percent less power vs. color laser...
- Never run out of ink again Printer features Dash Replenishment...
The WorkForce WF-7210 Wireless Wide-format Color Inkjet Printer is designed for small businesses who are looking for high-quality prints in wide and borderless prints. This machine has an auto 2-sided printing in sizes up to 11″x 17″ and can print up to A3+ borderless. It also supports printing envelopes as well as other special printing formats, with a print speed of 10 pages per minute in color and 18 pages per minute in black and white.
However, if you want to increase the print quality of photographs, it can take up to five minutes to print on 11" x 17" paper. In addition, this large format printer comes with four color pigmented-based ink cartridges available in different sizes. The bigger cartridges in this large format printer make the expendables less expensive, unlike other inkjet models.
It is quite easy to use and set up as you can connect it to a network using NFC or ethernet. It also comes with an app that ensures easy printing from mobile devices, including both Android and iOS. Since it comes with slow print speeds, this printer delivers easy and efficient high volume wide borderless prints. However, the ink costs can add up very fast despite the large ink cartridges. If you need to print high-quality photos, then the extra expense is definitely worth it.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 Wireless Wide-Format Color Printer
- 2 Years of Unlimited Ink promo valid for ET-5150, ET-5170,...
- Warning – Printer Designed For Use With Pigment Inks Only ...
- You can save up to 80 percent with low-cost replacement ink...
- Epson EcoTank is the Best Selling Supertank Printer
- Fast wide-format prints and scans — print up to 13" x 19" copy...
As one of the best inkjet printers, the Epson EcoTank Pro ET-16650 Wireless Wide-Format Color Printer is a feature-rich, all-in-one wide format printer. It can print pages up to a super tabloid size as well as copying and scan standard tabloid size. It prints the color pages at very low costs per page.
The capacity rating and its relatively high volume provide an incredible value for money. The fast wide format scans and prints are powered by the precision core heat-free technology. Its inks are pigment-based to provide crisp and vibrant prints in black and white as well as instant dry borderless prints.
Epson will reimburse the cost of replacing the ink bottles for up to two years. The uniquely keyed ink bottles that use an auto stop and auto-start technology make the filling of the tanks an easy process.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format
- Cartridge-free printing for lab-quality photos, graphics and...
- Extraordinary media support, including borderless photos up to...
- Amazing value — save a ridiculous amount on photos (1) and...
- Save up to 80% with low-cost replacement ink bottles vs. ink...
- Print up to 2 years (2) — with each included and replacement...
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Wireless Wide-Format is an impressive all-in-one printer that you should consider getting. Unlike the 2017's Expression Premium ET-7750, this printer is twice as fast and comes with an additional sixth ink color that improves the color detail and accuracy.
In addition to the common colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (CMYK), this printer comes with two additional inks of photo black and gray. These additional colors come in handy to give amazing grayscale graphics and images. They also enhance blacks and improve the details in artwork and photos, making the darker areas more prominent.
With two years of free ink and refillable ink tanks, this printer delivers one of the lowest running costs available, especially when it comes to borderless tabloid and super tabloid printing. Document designers, semi-pro photographers and enthusiastic hobbyists will enjoy this wide format printer.
Pros:
Cons:
7. Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Wireless Professional Color Photo Printer
- With a enhanced 8-color dye-based ink system, you’ll enjoy...
- Save space in your home or studio with a COMPACT DESIGN
- The PIXMA PRO-200 is also fast and efficient, delivering high...
- Compatible with a wide range of media and sizes, your can print...
- The built-in 3-inch LCD display lets you check ink levels...
Unlike other wide format laser printers in the market today, the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Wireless Professional Color Photo Printer uses dye ink which is great for color printing. It comes with eight color dye cartridges that give excellent depth for color on some papers, especially when it comes to warmer tones.
Furthermore, it prints brilliant and vivid colors. Glossy papers are preferred for this type of ink as opposed to matter. It supports printing greeting cards to small paper to up to 13 inches wide. The laser printer enables you to print panoramas of up to 39 inches on sheets. However, it doesn't support rolls which is usually the case with the most budget large format printers.
Feed the normal papers on the main tray and thicker papers on the second tray. You are also able to insert printable DVDs on another tray. This wide format printer provides borderless prints of different sizes, including double A4. It offers different print speed/quality setups, and while on default settings, you can print a color 11" x 14" print in 1 min 30 sec and also a respectable speed for all other common sizes.
This canon printer is very easy to use as you can connect it via USB and ethernet or use it together with WI-FI, but not at the same time. Setting up the laser printer is also quite fast as you can do it with an LCD screen on the upper side of the printer.
Pros:
Cons:
Types of Ink Used in Large Format Printers
There are two main types of ink used in a wide format laser printer. While one of them is not necessarily better than the other one, each of them has different features that make them more appropriate to be used for specific occasions. Here are the two types;
- Dye ink- This type of ink used in large format printing provides more vivid colors.
- Pigment-based ink- This ink gives more intense and darker blacks. Unlike dye ink, this one lasts a bit longer.
What Do You Consider Before Purchasing a Large Format Laser Printer?
1. Functionality and Cartridges
The main difference between a color inkjet and a color laser printer is the type of cartridges used. Color laser printers will use toner cartridges, while inkjet printers will use ink cartridges. In addition, their printing mechanism is very different. A color laser printer will use an electrical charge to dispense the toner to the paper, while an inkjet printer will need to move the cartridge to dispense this ink.
2. Printing Quality and Resolution
The printing comes in tiny dots of different intensities and colors. The resolution is represented in dots per inch (DPI), and the more the dots, the better the image formed. Printers that have higher resolutions come at a high price. So, if you're looking for high printing quality, then you should consider a printer with a fair resolution. For the best quality, a minimum resolution of 4800 x 2800 dpi is recommended.
3. Materials
Most large format printers will print on more than just paper. Some can print on fabric or stickers. It doesn't have to be a bending or soft material. You will find that some large format printers are able to print on wood, plastic, metal, or DVDs. As a result, it is important to ensure that the printer you buy supports your specific needs.
4. Print Speed
The printing speed is another factor you ought to consider every time you want to purchase a laser printer. However, this should only be considered when printing lots of documents. Remember, when producing photo prints that have a higher resolution, the printing speeds are usually low.
5. Connectivity Options
The connectivity depends on the individual interest. Most often than not, printers with a USB port, ethernet, and a direct Wi-Fi service should be able to serve any need. However, there are some wide-format printers that provide a range of other services, such as cloud compatibility and NFC. Your budget and need should determine the connectivity options you pick.
6. Scanning Abilities
The scanning abilities are a priority for most people. If you're one of them, then you shouldn't ignore this section. Most wide format printers will include an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) feature. This is a feature that takes pages and feeds this paper one page at a time into a copier or scanner, which allows the users to scan easily.
Therefore, this enables users to print, copy, or fax multiple-page documents without the need to replace every page. Some of these printers also support duplex scanning that involves scanning on both sides without manually having to turn the pages.
7. Space Available
Obviously, large format laser printers are big devices. However, their physical size doesn't necessarily have to be the space you need to operate the printer. For some cases, even if the printer is compact, you will still need some additional space to load the paper and some space to ensure it comes out easily from the other side.
Some laser printers will release enough VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that affect the air quality, especially in closed spaces. This can be a safety and health issue for many. Therefore, ensure you have enough desk space to properly operate a large format laser printer.
8. Ease of Use
Unlike other printers, large format printers won't just be hooked up to the computer and click to print. Most of these machines will have a learning curve that can be very steep. If you're a beginner, it is important to find one that is easier to use or get some professional training on how to get started.
9. Price
The best wide format printers are a big investment. You need to be clear on your needs so that you can get the best machine for the job. Avoid getting a device with features that you might not need. Find a balance between the price and all the important features and choose one that provides you better value for money. The cost of inkjet printers depends on the size, functionality, and how many ink cartridges it has.
10. Other Features
There are some wide-format printers in the market that print on paper and also other surfaces such as DVDs and CDs. If you plan on using a printer as such, you're recommended to check for this feature before buying. However, the printers with more features are a bit expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Large Format Printers
1. What is the best HP 11X17 printer on the market?
If you love the HP brand and are in search of a good 11x17 printer, then look no further than the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740, all in one printer.
2. How much does a large format printer cost?
The price range of large format printers is quite big. Some of the best large printers could cost approximately $400 if they aren't designed for fine art photography and $1000 if they are. However, if you need more powerful and bigger printers, the price can go even up to $60,000.
