Best 11×17 Printer For Architects
If you are an architect, apart from designing software like AutoCAD, you need to have an excellent 11×17 printer at your disposal to print your designs and drawings. Choosing the correct printer for architects is essential because it is a one-time investment. You will have to use it daily.
Picking the best 11×17 printer can be a tedious task because of the wide variety of machines available in the market. Here, I have curated a list of the best 11×17 printer for architects that will help you choose the most suitable printer for your needs.
I have included printers from different price segments to suit everyone’s needs. So, if you are a professional architect or a budding designer, be sure to find something for your needs underneath.
Contents
7 Best 11×17 Printer For Architects
1. HP DesignJet T210 Large Format Compact Wireless Plotter
The HP DesignJet T210 is a regular on any list of the best 11×17 printer for architects. It is not an all-in-one printer, so you can only use it to print your drawings and designs.
This desktop plotter functions on a 24-inch paper roll, yet it can still print designs up to 24 by 36 inches. It can readily tackle architectural D-sized blueprints.
This printer also has a plotter, and charting may be performed through WiFi. It is also a rapid printer, capable of printing an A1 sheet in less than 70 seconds. The print quality is also outstanding. There are no bleeding and smudges, and the image is bright and vivid.
This printer exclusively accepts four different color ink cartridges. This is more than adequate for architectural designs because designs do not require a lot of colors. Furthermore, establishing the machine is simple. It is a reliable printer for small architecture firms.
In terms of connectivity, this printer connects wirelessly to an Ethernet connection by a straightforward method. Also, you can connect it to your smartphone using the HP Print and Scan application.
Cut papers are fed into the machine one at a time. If you work with a lot of cut-sheet paper, an additional cut-sheet feeder may carry extra pages.
Overall, the HP DesignJet T210 is the best 11×17 printer for architects. It is ideal for professionals as it is designed for expert architects and designers.
Pros:
- It is a cost-effective printer.
- Designed specifically for architects.
- It provides printing in a variety of sizes.
- Connecting this printer is simple.
Cons:
- This is a broad and bulky printer.
- It is pretty expensive.
- The printing speed is slower as compared to other inkjet printers.
2. Brother Inkjet Printer MFC-J5845DW INKvestment Color Inkjet All-in-One Printer
Brother’s MFC-J5845DW INKvestment printer is next on this list of the best 11×17 printer for architects. It’s a wireless all-in-one printer that uses inkjet technology.
The printer comes with up to a year’s supply of ordinary ink. The INKvestment color technology reduces the cost of printing to a great extent. It reduces the hassles of changing the ink frequently. The tank system stores a high quantity of ink, so you can be assured of not running out of ink anytime soon.
This results in a mega tank within the printer that lasts longer and prints at a lesser cost than regular little ink cartridges. It also has a Page Gauge feature that tells you when to refill the ink.
The print quality given by this printer is excellent. The prints seem realistic and bright when printed with standard ink. For an inkjet printer, the printing speed is roughly twenty sheets per minute, impressive. The rate does not reduce a lot when you print color printouts.
The MFC-J5845DW is a large machine. As a result, if you’re searching for a portable printer, this may not be the best 11×17 printer for architects. On the other hand, despite its size, this printer comes with a large sheet holding tray that holds around 250 sheets.
This printer also contains a vast built-in automated document feeder with a capacity of around fifty pages and duplex printing. This is an essential feature for any printer because no one likes to feed sheets manually. Being a printer for architects, this printer allows you to print on 11 x 17 paper.
Overall, suppose you need an excellent capacity printer that can provide you with low-cost printing and deliver consistent results over time. In that case, this is the best 11×17 printer scanner for architects. Because of its auto-duplexing and ADF features, it operates effectively under huge workloads and reduces human effort.
Pros:
- The cost of printing is meager.
- It provides excellent value for money.
- The print speed is incredible.
- It is a low-maintenance printer.
Cons:
- It is a bulky printer.
- Tech support provided is not up to the mark.
3. HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer
Next on our list of the best 11×17 printer for architects is the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740. It is a widely popular printer that has been highly regarded as the top printer in many categories. It works on inkjet technology and supports scanning, copying, and faxing.
Almost everything it provides distinguishes it from the competitors. From its slick and elegant appearance to its minimal initial investment. This is ideal not only for designers but also for an expert that requires 11×17 printing.
Additionally, this All-in-One machine includes a powerful scanner and a fax machine. The scanner has an in-built ADF with a capacity of about thirty-five sheets.
This printer includes a single-pass automatic duplexing feature. As a result, it can scan either side of a sheet simultaneously. The scanner is of flatbed type. So, it is easier to scan fragile documents.
In terms of connectivity, it supports USB, Ethernet, WiFi, WiFi Direct for direct interaction with mobile devices, and USB Thumb drive compatibility. Using the HP Print and Scan application, you can print directly via your smartphone.
On the negative, the printer only comes with four toner cartridges. Therefore, it is not a specialized picture printer with five or more cartridges. Despite this, the quality of the printouts is rather good. You might not even feel the need to have a five cartridge set up.
Overall, this is undoubtedly one of the best 11×17 printer scanner for architects. It is suitable for almost all architects and designers. Unless you are incredibly picky about the colors, this is the right option for you.
Pros:
- The print quality is excellent.
- It provides various connectivity options.
- It includes a flatbed type scanner.
Cons:
- The ADF capacity could have been higher.
- There is no five-ink cartridge system.
4. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 Wireless
The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is a wireless all-in-one color printer based on Epson’s super tank technology.
Apart from the standard multipurpose printing, copying, and scanning, this printer also has fax functionality to save 200-speed dial contacts.
The EcoTank ET-5850 is capable of producing high-quality prints. Text appeared clean and as close as an inkjet can get to a laser printer in terms of quality. The text in dual-sided prints was just as punchy. Graphic printouts are of excellent quality as well.
This printer has a breakneck printing speed. Monochrome printouts are produced at a rate of around eighteen sheets per minute. Color prints may be made at a rate of 12 sheets per minute.
The front panel of this printer contains small openings into the ink tanks, allowing you to buy ink ahead of time. With over 40 pounds, this printer is not the smallest of printers out there. It will require a significant amount of tabletop space.
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 has two 250 sheet capacity paper feeding trays, a 50-sheet specialized media slot, a 50-sheet automated document feeder, and an automatic duplexer due to its large size. It can scan and copy dual-sided documents via the ADF and create two-sided printouts.
This printer’s ink expenses are incredibly cheap. A tank of black ink costs $29.99 and is expected to last 7,500 pages. Color inks are $22.99 per unit and have a page yield of 6,000. The package includes two bottles of both inks in the box.
The ET-5850 is an excellent choice for a busy business because of its highly cheap ink costs and remarkable performance. The Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5850 is one of the best 11×17 printer for architects because of its wide range of functionalities.
Pros:
- The cost of printing is meager.
- The printing quality is excellent.
- This printer performs consistently under a heavy workload.
- It includes two input trays, each with a capacity of 250 pages.
Cons:
- This printer is quite expensive.
- The speed of printing could have been higher at this price point.
- It is very bulky.
5. Brother MFC-J6545DW INKvestmentTank Color Inkjet
The Brother MFC-J6545DW is a large-sized all-in-one printer based on Inkjet technology.
This printer’s distinguishing characteristic is that it utilizes the INKvestment technique. The ink tanks have been redesigned to hold additional ink, need less replacing, and are less expensive to replace. The package includes one year’s supply of ink, calculated at three hundred pages per month.
It also functions as a fax machine, scanner, and copier. It offers a color quality of up to 4800 x 1200 DPI, the capability to print via AirPrint and Google Cloud Print, and the option to scan to web services.
This Brother printer delivers impressive results. This printer is intended for small enterprises. However, not all firms make use of all of their functions. The printing quality is outstanding.
Furthermore, printing a picture on card stock fed by the auxiliary multifunctional tray, which is meant for envelopes or other dimensions and paper kinds, produces similarly remarkable results.
If you have never owned an INKvestment printer previously, the installation of this printer will take some time. The ink cartridges are simple to install, and each color has its slot to avoid incorrect placement. Also, this printer is too large to be handled by a single person.
Wireless printing on this printer is a pleasant experience. Once the printer is linked to your WiFi, you may print using your smartphone, which does not need any extra programs. Printing from a smartphone, on the other hand, has limits in terms of the tray’s choice and other functions.
This is a highly cost-efficient printer when it comes to the cost of printing. It is one of the best 11×17 printer scanner for architects.
Pros:
- The cost of printing is low.
- Connecting this printer to your smartphone is easy.
- The print quality is astonishing.
- The hassles of replenishing ink are reduced.
Cons:
- It is a bulky printer.
- Setting up this printer might be a tedious task.
- It might be expensive for some users.
6. Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7820
Next on this list of the best 11×17 printer for architects is the Workforce WF7820 from Epson. It is a wireless, all-in-one printer based on inkjet technology.
The highlight of this printer is its capability to print up to 13″ x 19″. It is a broad printer that can print in various sizes. It comes with Epson’s original ink cartridges, which provide a decent amount of ink out of the box.
The printouts are precise on this printer with accurate dot placement, thanks to the PrecisionCore technology. With DURABrite Ultra, the ink dries instantly, giving high-quality pro-level printouts. Thus, there is no compromise on quality with this printer.
Being a wide format printer, this is quite bulky. The design is modern, with a sturdy build. It offers an in-built fifty-sheet automatic document feeder and support for auto-duplexing.
It is a heavy-duty printer that can deliver consistent results for an extended period of time. Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7820 has a heat-free technology that lets it work consistently, with low downtime. The maximum input capacity is 250 pages. Sadly, it does not support dual-tray input.
The printing speed is excellent on this printer. For monochrome printouts, it offers nearly twenty-five sheets per minute. At the same time, the rate reduces to thirteen sheets per minute for colored printouts.
This printer supports wireless printing via WiFi 5.0 and Bluetooth in terms of connectivity. You can print directly via your smartphone with the Epson mobile application. It also provides a large 4.3″ touch display for operating the printer smoothly.
Overall, it is one of the best 11×17 printer for architects. It is reliable and fast.
Pros:
- The speed of printing is high.
- The print quality is supreme.
- Large capacity ADF is provided.
- The print size is programmable.
Cons:
- Sometimes the printer takes plain paper as glossy photo paper and changes its settings accordingly.
- The size is enormous. Thus, it is not portable at all.
- Does not work with generic ink.
7. Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer
The last printer on our list of the best 11×17 printer for architects is the Canon Pixma iX6820. It is a wireless printer based on inkjet technology that can print in various sizes.
This is a high-quality printer that produces designs and charts with ease. I like this printer because it can print 11×17 size and because it can print larger, up to 13 x 19 inches.
Aside from a vast printing capacity, it has a variety of connecting choices, including Ethernet and WiFi. As a result, it is an excellent choice for a workgroup that requires a printing connection.
The Pixma iX6820 also comes with five ink cartridges. While this increases printing expenses significantly, it results in a fantastic picture quality. Consequently, printing one A4 color page costs 12.6 cents, while printing one mono page costs 4.4 cents.
In terms of compatibility, this printer supports all variants of Windows and macOS. It utilizes Google Cloud Print and AirPrint to print directly from your smartphone. You can edit your files before publishing them on the Pixma Printing Solutions application.
This printer is compact and lightweight. Even after its compact build, it features an automatic document feeder with a maximum capacity of one hundred and fifty sheets, which is insane. Sadly, there is no auto-duplexing.
The primary issue with this printer is its old design. Since this printer was launched almost eight years ago, some might feel that the printer is outdated. Also, it does not include a scanner or a fax machine. Still, it is one of the best 11×17 printer for architects as it delivers excellent print quality for its price point.
Pros:
- The print quality is excellent.
- The ADF provided is a high-capacity feeder.
- It prints in a variety of sizes.
Cons:
- The machine is a bit outdated.
- The cost of printing is high.
- This is not an all-in-one printer.
Can most printers print 11×17?
The simple answer would be no; most printers do not allow 11×17 printing. Generally, printers are designed to print to a maximum of 8.5″ wide paper, which is the standard legal size paper. Wide-size printing is supported only by certain printers explicitly designed for such purposes.
These printers serve a particular purpose and are helpful for architects, designers, and engineers. Also, these printers are large and take up a lot of space. Ordinary printer users do not like hefty printers, as portability is an issue. Thus, not many printers print 11×17.
Verdict
In my view, the best 11×17 printer for architects is the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer. It is one of the most popular printers under the 11×17 category and has, time and again, proven to be the best.
The wide variety of features that it offers and the quality of printing one can achieve from this printer are just amazing. You get a flatbed scanner, a copier, and support for ADF and auto-duplexing.
The only primary flaw of this printer is the size of its automatic document feeder and the fact that it lacks a five-ink cartridge system. Other than that, it is the best 11×17 printer for architects.
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