Have you ever tried to print a detailed blueprint, a vibrant poster, or a large spreadsheet on a standard sheet of paper, only to have the text look cramped and unreadable? We have all been there, squinting at tiny fonts and losing important details in the margins. Whether you are an architect, a graphic designer, or a busy office manager, the limitations of a standard printer can truly stall your creativity and productivity.
Choosing the right 11×17 printer feels like a daunting task. The market is flooded with technical jargon, confusing features, and high price tags. You might worry about wasting money on a machine that takes up too much desk space or produces poor image quality. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when you just want a reliable tool that gets the job done right the first time.
You do not have to navigate this search alone. In this guide, we break down the top models to help you find the perfect fit for your specific needs. We will cover essential features like print speed, ink costs, and paper capacity in simple, easy-to-understand terms. By the end of this post, you will feel confident and ready to pick a printer that brings your biggest ideas to life. Let’s dive into the best 11×17 printers on the market today and find the one that works for you.
Top 11X17 Printer Recommendations
- 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
- Perfect FOR OFFICE - The wide-format OfficeJet Pro 9720 is perfect for offices printing professional-quality color documents like floorplans, mood boards and spreadsheets. Print speeds up to 22 ppm black, 18 ppm color.
- 3 MONTH TRIAL OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED – Subscribe to the Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your office door before you run out and after 3 months, a monthly fee applies unless cancelled
- KEY FEATURES – Fast color printing up to 11 x 17, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder and 250-sheet input tray
- EASILY ACHIEVE VIBRANT, SCREEN-ACCURATE PRINTS – Print true to screen with the world's first and only wide-format printer with P3 for a wider color gamut vs. sRGB
- 2.7-INCH TOUCHSCREEN – Quickly navigate your printer with a large color touchscreen and a phone-like user interface
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The wide-format OfficeJet Pro 9730 is perfect for offices printing professional-quality color documents like floorplans, mood boards and spreadsheets. Print speeds up to 22 ppm black, 18 ppm color.
- 3 MONTH TRIAL OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED – Subscribe to the Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your office door before you run out, and you save up to 50% on ink; after 3 months, a monthly fee applies unless cancelled
- KEY FEATURES – Fast color printing up to 11 x 17, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder with single-pass 2-sided scanning, and two 250-sheet input trays
- EASILY ACHIEVE VIBRANT, SCREEN-ACCURATE PRINTS – Print true to screen with the world's first and only wide-format printer with P3 for a wider color gamut vs. sRGB
- 4.3-INCH TOUCHSCREEN – Quickly navigate your printer with a large color touchscreen and a phone-like user interface
- 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.
- Sold as 1 Each.
- All-in-one printer gives you printing, faxing, copying, and scanning capability
- Inkjet printer has a resolution that goes up to 4800 x 2400 dpi for excellent readability
- 17 ppm in black/white and 9 ppm in color with a monthly duty cycle of 33000 pages
- 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x LAN, and Wi-Fi connectivity help enhance productivity
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Impressive Print Quality ― Unique Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology produces sharp text – plus impressive color photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type
- Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
- Built-in Scanner & Copier ― High-resolution flatbed scanner and a color display for easy document copying and navigation
- 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.
- Professional-quality photos and prints — 6-color Claria Photo HD inks and a 5760 x 1440 dpi print resolution produce stunning borderless prints up to 11" x 17"
- Fast photo printing — delivers 4" x 6" borderless photos with astounding detail and accuracy in as fast as 11 seconds¹
- Convenient, easy operation — features 4.3" color touchscreen, plus Easy Mode for enhanced visibility and ease of use
- Versatile paper handling — separate trays for plain and photo paper, plus a rear feed for specialty paper
- Easy wireless printing — print from your laptop, desktop, smartphone or tablet³; use Wi-Fi Direct⁴ for router-free printing
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Perfect 11×17 Printer
If you work with blueprints, posters, or large spreadsheets, a standard printer will not work. You need an 11×17 printer, often called a tabloid printer. These machines handle larger paper sizes with ease. Choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you pick the best model for your needs.
1. Key Features to Look For
When shopping, check these essential features:
- Wide-Format Support: Ensure the printer handles 11×17 paper (ledger size) through the main tray.
- Duplex Printing: This feature allows the printer to print on both sides of the paper automatically.
- Connectivity: Look for Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and mobile printing options. These make printing from your phone or laptop much faster.
- Scanning and Copying: Some models include a large scanner bed. This is vital if you need to digitize large documents.
2. Important Materials
The materials used in your printer affect its lifespan. Look for a sturdy paper feed mechanism. Cheap plastic rollers often break or jam. Metal components in the print path usually last longer. Also, check the ink or toner capacity. High-yield cartridges save you money in the long run. They also require fewer changes during big projects.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things change how your prints look:
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): Higher DPI means sharper images. Look for at least 1200 x 1200 DPI for professional graphics.
- Ink Type: Pigment-based inks resist water and fading. Dye-based inks offer brighter colors for photos.
- Paper Quality: Using thin or cheap paper causes bleeding. Use heavier cardstock or high-quality bond paper for the best results.
- Maintenance: Dust inside the printer ruins quality. Clean the print heads regularly to prevent streaks.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will use the printer. Architects and engineers need precision for technical drawings. Graphic designers need color accuracy for marketing materials. If you work from home, look for a compact design. If you work in an office, look for a model with a large paper tray. A larger tray means you spend less time refilling paper. Always read user reviews to see if the software is easy to install.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can 11×17 printers print standard letter size?
A: Yes. Almost all wide-format printers can handle 8.5×11 paper as well.
Q: Are these printers much larger than normal ones?
A: They are usually wider and heavier. Make sure you have enough desk space before buying.
Q: Do I need special ink for wide-format printing?
A: No, you use the same ink cartridges designed for that specific printer model.
Q: Is laser or inkjet better for 11×17?
A: Inkjet is better for photos and posters. Laser is better for fast, high-volume text documents.
Q: How do I prevent paper jams?
A: Keep the paper path clean and do not overfill the paper tray.
Q: Can I print borderless documents?
A: Many photo-focused 11×17 printers offer borderless printing, but check the specs first.
Q: Are these printers expensive to run?
A: Larger pages use more ink. Buying high-yield cartridges helps reduce the cost per page.
Q: Do I need a wired connection for large files?
A: A wired Ethernet connection is often faster and more stable for large, high-resolution files.
Q: Can I use heavy cardstock?
A: Most 11×17 printers have a rear feed slot for thicker paper types.
Q: How often should I print to keep the ink flowing?
A: Print a test page at least once every two weeks to prevent the ink from drying in the nozzles.