Do you feel limited by the tiny size of standard office paper? Whether you are printing architectural blueprints, vibrant marketing posters, or large-scale spreadsheets, standard printers often fall short. When you need a professional 11×17 inch print, you simply cannot settle for smaller, cut-off pages.
Finding the perfect 11×17 color laser printer can feel like a headache. The market is flooded with complex specs, confusing jargon, and high price tags. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when you are worried about print quality, speed, and long-term maintenance costs. Nobody wants to spend their entire budget on a machine that fails to meet their specific office needs.
This guide is here to clear the confusion. We have researched the top models to save you time and stress. By reading further, you will learn exactly which features matter most for your workflow. We break down the best choices for your budget, so you can stop guessing and start printing with confidence.
Ready to upgrade your office capabilities? Let’s dive into our top picks for the best 11×17 color laser printers available today.
Top 11X17 Color Laser Printer Recommendations
- FAST VERSATILITY – Gain control of your printed documents and make an impact with the HP Color LaserJet Professional CP5225dn, a color duplex laser printer designed to cover all your printing needs
- AFFORDABLE BUSINESS PRINTING – Print everyday business documents and marketing materials as well as wide-format projects at an affordable price—often less than printing at a copy shop
- HIGH-QUALITY OUTPUT AND SPEED – Enjoy superior print quality at speeds of up to 20 pages per minute, save time and paper with automatic 2-sided printing, and easily print on different types of paper with adjustable paper trays
- SPEED THROUGH JOBS – Manage print tasks more quickly with an intuitive control panel with a 2-line, 16-character backlit LCD display
- BUILT-IN TECHNOLOGY – The HP Print Cost Estimator compares the cost of printing internally versus at a copy shop, and Instant-on Technology provides a warm-up time from low-power mode that's up to 50% faster compared to competitive models
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESS: This multifunction printer makes it easy to print, copy, scan, and fax on up to 11”x17” paper. Includes one 1,800-page yield black ink cartridge and one 750-page yield ink cartridge for each color in cyan, magenta, and yellow(2).
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED FEATURES: 500-sheet capacity with two trays(3), 100-sheet multipurpose tray(3), up to 50-page single-pass duplex copy & scan via ADF(3), and automatic duplex printing up to 11x17. Connect via wireless network(4), Ethernet, or USB.
- SPEED & QUALITY: Engineered with MAXIDRIVE Technology with print speeds of up to 31 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 30 ppm in color(5). The PerfectPrint Auto Detection System helps support reliable print quality for results you can be proud of.
- INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY: With Wi-Fi Direct, print wirelessly without an external network connection. Print from and scan to Cloud apps(6), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the 2.7” color touchscreen for easy operation.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: The power of printing at your fingertips. Go mobile with the simple-to-use Brother Mobile Connect app(7) that delivers onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from a mobile device.
- Epson printing system is designed to be used exclusively with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
- High-performance wide-format printing — accomplish more with fast wide-format printing up to 13" x 19"
- High-speed printing — PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology streamlines workflow with 25 black/12 color ISO ppm and fast first-page-out
- Print-shop quality — DURABrite Ultra instant-dry pigment inks deliver sharp text and vivid colors
- Designed for productivity — engineered for durability, reliability and heavy workloads
- FAST VERSATILITY – Gain control of your printed documents and make an impact with the HP color LaserJet Professional CP5225n, A color laser printer designed to cover all your printing needs
- AFFORDABLE BUSINESS PRINTING – Print everyday business documents and marketing materials as well as wide-format projects at an affordable price—often less than printing at a copy shop
- HIGH-QUALITY OUTPUT AND SPEED – Enjoy superior print quality at speeds of up to 20 pages per minute, and easily print on different types of paper with adjustable paper trays
- SPEED THROUGH JOBS – Manage print tasks more quickly with an intuitive control panel with a 2-line, 16- character backlit LCD display
- BUILT-IN TECHNOLOGY – The HP Print Cost Estimator compares the cost of printing internally versus at a copy shop, and Instant-on Technology provides a warm-up time from low-power mode that's up to 50% faster compared to competitive models
- Keep your business running smoothly with this high-performance Epson EcoTank printer. An all-in-one printer, scanner and copier makes it easy to accomplish a wide variety of tasks in 1 quick trip to the printer. Grab printed flyers, scan contracts to your email and make a copy for a coworker with ease.
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ? No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (4)
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ? Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) - that’s enough to print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 color (3)
- Stress-Free Printing ? Up to 2 years of ink in the box (2) - and with every replacement ink set - for fewer out of ink frustrations
- High-Capacity Ink Tanks ? Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- PREMIUM, STREAMLINED QUALITY – Print professional-quality documents with vivid images and graphics with the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M751n, a color laser printer designed for consistent quality and brilliant color output
- BUILT FOR MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY – This HP Color LaserJet Enterprise printer helps meet the needs of your business, with various paper-handling accessories and a pre-installed toner and drum
- THE WORLD'S MOST SECURE PRINTING – Your laser printer has the industry's strongest security, with over 200 embedded security features that help protect your printer's information, thwart malware, and continually detect and stop attacks
- ENHANCED COLOR MODE – This laser printer features a special print mode for a wider range of colors and an extra level of vividness and gloss
- BRILLIANT, DURABLE COLOR PRINTS – Look professional on every page with vibrant, high-quality color prints that stand the test of time
- Improve efficiency with a printer that automatically recognizes paper size and type for best printing results.
- Get a first page out in as fast as 10 seconds with Instant-on Technology.
- Enable easy printing from smartphones, tablets and laptops at work, home, or on-the-go.
- Reduce environmental impact and use up to 50 percent less paper with two-sided printing.
- Quickly print using the easy access USB port. Safeguard data with the High-Performance Secure Hard Disk.
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESS: This multifunction printer makes it easy to print, copy, scan, and fax, and includes one 1,800-page yield black ink cartridge and one 750-page yield cartridge for each color in cyan, yellow, and magenta in the box(2).
- PRODUCTIVITY-FOCUSED FEATURES: A 250-sheet paper tray(3), 50-page single-sided ADF(3), and automatic duplex (2-sided) printing for media-handling capabilities on paper up to 11”x17”. Multiple user interface via wireless network(4), Ethernet, or USB.
- SPEED & QUALITY: Engineered with MAXIDRIVE Technology with print speeds of up to 31 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 30 ppm in color(5). The Brother PerfectPrint Auto Detection System helps support reliable print quality.
- INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY: With Wi-Fi Direct, print wirelessly without an external network connection. Print from and scan to Cloud apps(6), including Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and more from the 2.7” color touchscreen for easy operation.
- THE BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP: The power of printing at your fingertips. Go mobile with the simple-to-use Brother Mobile Connect app(7) that delivers onscreen menu navigation for printing, copying, scanning, and device management from a mobile device.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing an 11×17 Color Laser Printer
Do you need to print large posters, blueprints, or professional brochures? An 11×17 color laser printer, also known as a tabloid-size printer, is a great tool for your office. It handles bigger documents than standard printers. Choosing the right one can feel tricky. This guide helps you pick the best model for your needs.
1. Key Features to Look For
- Paper Capacity: Look for large paper trays. You do not want to refill the paper every hour.
- Print Speed: Check the pages per minute (PPM). Faster speeds save you time during busy days.
- Connectivity: Modern printers should offer Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and mobile printing apps.
- Duplexing: Make sure the printer supports automatic two-sided printing to save paper.
2. Important Materials
These printers use laser technology. They rely on toner cartridges rather than liquid ink. Toner is a fine powder that bonds to the paper with heat. You should buy high-quality paper designed for laser printers. Thick cardstock works well for professional signs. Always check the manufacturer’s list of supported paper weights.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Resolution, measured in DPI (dots per inch), determines image sharpness. Higher DPI makes your images look crisp. Maintenance also plays a huge role. You must keep the internal rollers clean to prevent paper jams. Using third-party toner can sometimes reduce print quality. Original manufacturer toner usually produces the best results.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
These printers are perfect for architects, graphic designers, and small business owners. They handle large spreadsheets and marketing materials with ease. Most models include a touchscreen display to make navigation simple. Setting up these machines might take a little effort due to their size. Once installed, they provide a reliable workflow for high-volume tasks.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can this printer handle standard 8.5×11 paper?
A: Yes, most 11×17 printers have adjustable trays that fit standard letter-sized paper easily.
Q: Is a laser printer better than an inkjet?
A: Laser printers are faster and better for text documents. Inkjet printers are often better for high-quality photos.
Q: How heavy is an 11×17 laser printer?
A: These machines are large. They often weigh over 100 pounds, so you need a sturdy desk or stand.
Q: Do I need special software to print?
A: Most printers come with drivers. You can also use built-in mobile printing features like AirPrint.
Q: How often do I need to replace the toner?
A: This depends on your usage. Most printers alert you on the screen when the toner level is low.
Q: Does this printer scan and copy?
A: Many models are “All-in-One” machines. Check the specifications to see if yours includes a scanner.
Q: Can I print on cardstock?
A: Yes, but check the printer manual for the maximum paper weight it can safely feed.
Q: Are these printers loud?
A: They make noise while printing, but most modern office models have a “quiet mode” feature.
Q: Is the maintenance expensive?
A: Toner can be costly, but it lasts longer than ink. Periodic maintenance kits for rollers also add to the cost.
Q: Can I connect multiple computers to one printer?
A: Yes, you can connect the printer to your office network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.