Ever feel like your printer just can’t keep up with your big ideas? Maybe you’re a student trying to print a poster for a school project, a creative hobbyist designing a large-scale craft, or even a small business owner needing to produce eye-catching flyers. Standard printers often leave you with frustrating crop marks or the impossible task of piecing together multiple sheets. That’s where the magic of 11×17 printers comes in.
But navigating the world of larger-format printing can feel like a maze. With so many features and specifications, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You want a printer that handles your needs without breaking the bank or taking up your entire desk. You’re looking for clarity, not confusion, when it comes to choosing the best tool for your printing projects.
This guide is here to help you cut through the noise. We’ll break down what makes an 11×17 printer a game-changer and explore the key things you need to consider. By the end of this post, you’ll feel confident in your ability to find the perfect printer that fits your budget and brings your larger-than-life creations to life.
Top 11X17 Printers Recommendations
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- HAMMERMILL’S BEST SELLING PRINTER PAPER – You will receive one ream of paper with 500 sheets of 20lb, 92 bright, 11" x 17" white copy paper. Ledger Size
- 99.99% JAM-FREE PRINTER PAPER - Everyone hates paper jams...You can trust Hammermill paper quality to keep your printer running smoothly. Scroll down to view the Product Description for details
- COLORLOK TECHNOLOGY INCLUDED - Colors on Hammermill copy paper are 30% brighter; blacks are up to 60% bolder and inks dry 3 times faster for less smearing.
- Hammermill copying and printing papers are 100% made in the USA, helping to support 2. 4 million sustainable forestry jobs in America, including family tree farmers. Hammermill is more than just paper
- 【4.3" Color Touchscreen】4.3" color touchscreen for quick navigation and control, plus all-new Epson Smart Panel App (1) for enhanced connectivity and productivity from your mobile device. It’s easy to use.
- 【Wireless Setup】Using a smartphone or mobile device2 with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE); also includes built-in wireless, Wi-Fi Direct3 and Ethernet networking. Epson ScanSmart supports easy scanning and editing with a user-friendly interface
- 【Designed for Productivity】2 x 250-sheet input trays, 50-sheet rear tray, and Up to 50 Sheets Automatic Document Feeder for quickly loading media. Automatic 2-sided Printing.
- 【Wide-format Printing up to 13" x 19"】PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology delivers high-speed prints, with 25 black/12 color ISO ppm and fast first-page-out
- 【High-precision Printing】Accurate dot placement and DURA Brite Ultra instant-dry pigment inks for professional-quality prints.
- 2 Years of Unlimited Ink promo valid for ET-5150, ET-5170, ET-5180, ET-5800, ET-5850, ET-5880, ET-16600 or ET-16650 printers purchased from 10/1/2021 to 3/31/2025. Product must be registered within 30 days of purchase. Limit four 542 ink bottles per claim. Each claim cannot contain multiple bottles of the same color. Retain your empty 542 ink bottle for submission along with rebate form. Promotion applies to ink only. Printer covered by Epson 2-year ltd wnty with registration. For promo participation, you must register your product. See manufacturer's website for details.
- Warning – Printer Designed For Use With Pigment Inks Only Use of Dye Inks May Cause Damage not covered by the Epson Limited Wnty
- You can save up to 80 percent with low-cost replacement ink bottles vs standard-capacity color laser toner cartridges (1) — very low cost per page with about 2 cents per color ISO page vs 14 cents with cartridges (1)
- Epson EcoTank is the Best Selling Supertank Printer
- Fast wide-format prints and scans — print up to 13" x 19" copy and scan up to 11" x 17" up to 25 ISO ppm black and color print speed (ƚ) powered by PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Your 11×17 Printer Companion
So, you need a printer that can handle more than just your average letter-sized paper? An 11×17 printer, also known as a tabloid or ledger printer, is your ticket to bigger prints. These machines are fantastic for a variety of projects, from posters and blueprints to photo collages and flyers. Let’s dive into what makes a great 11×17 printer.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for an 11×17 printer, keep these important features in mind:
- Print Size: This is the most obvious one! Make sure it can print at least 11×17 inches. Some can go even larger.
- Print Quality: Look for high resolution (measured in DPI – dots per inch). A higher DPI means sharper images and text. For photos, aim for 4800×1200 DPI or higher.
- Ink Type:
- Dye-based inks are great for vibrant colors and photos. They tend to fade over time, though.
- Pigment-based inks are more durable and resist fading better. They might not be as bright as dye inks.
- Individual ink cartridges are often better because you only replace the color that runs out.
- Connectivity: How will you connect your printer?
- USB: Simple and direct connection to your computer.
- Wi-Fi: Lets you print wirelessly from computers and mobile devices.
- Ethernet: A wired network connection for reliable printing in an office.
- Speed: How fast does it print? This is measured in pages per minute (PPM). Faster speeds are helpful if you print a lot.
- Paper Handling: Can it handle different types of paper, like cardstock or glossy photo paper? What’s the paper tray capacity?
- Scanner/Copier/Fax: Do you need an all-in-one machine? Some 11×17 printers include these extra functions.
Important Materials and What They Mean
The materials used in a printer affect its performance and how long it lasts.
- Print Heads: These are crucial for putting ink on paper. High-quality print heads deliver better detail.
- Ink Cartridges: The plastic and ink inside matter. Good quality ink ensures true colors and longevity.
- Paper Feed Mechanism: This is the part that pulls paper through the printer. A sturdy mechanism prevents jams.
- Build Quality: A printer made with durable plastic and solid components will last longer.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things make your prints look amazing or not so great.
- High Resolution (DPI): More dots per inch mean sharper images. This is vital for detailed graphics and photos.
- Ink Quality: Good ink produces vibrant, accurate colors that don’t fade quickly. Cheap ink can look dull or smear.
- Paper Type: Using the right paper for your project makes a huge difference. Glossy paper is best for photos, while matte paper is good for text and graphics.
- Driver Software: The software that connects your computer to the printer (the driver) helps control print settings. Updated drivers often improve performance.
- Ink Smudging: This happens when ink doesn’t dry properly or when the paper is handled too soon. Using the correct paper and letting prints dry helps.
- Paper Jams: These occur when the paper feed mechanism struggles. This can be caused by old paper, overloaded trays, or a worn-out mechanism.
User Experience and Use Cases
An 11×17 printer opens up a world of possibilities for both home and office users.
- For Creatives: Artists and designers use these printers for large-scale artwork, portfolios, and client presentations. Photographers can print their favorite shots in a bigger format.
- For Students: Great for school projects, posters, and large diagrams for presentations.
- For Small Businesses: Ideal for printing marketing materials like flyers, brochures, and signage. Architects and engineers can print blueprints and technical drawings.
- For Home Users: Perfect for creating custom photo albums, large-format family portraits, or even DIY decorations.
The ease of use often comes down to the printer’s software and how simple it is to set up and print. Wireless connectivity makes it very convenient for multiple users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the main advantage of an 11×17 printer?
A: The main advantage is its ability to print larger documents and images than standard printers.
Q: Can I print photos on an 11×17 printer?
A: Yes, many 11×17 printers are excellent for printing high-quality photos.
Q: What does DPI stand for?
A: DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It measures how many tiny ink dots fit into one square inch, showing how detailed the print will be.
Q: Should I get a printer with dye-based or pigment-based ink?
A: Dye-based inks offer brighter colors for photos, while pigment-based inks are more durable and fade-resistant.
Q: Is Wi-Fi connectivity important for an 11×17 printer?
A: Wi-Fi is very helpful if you want to print wirelessly from different devices without plugging in cables.
Q: What is a paper jam and how can I avoid it?
A: A paper jam is when the paper gets stuck in the printer. You can avoid them by not overfilling the paper tray and using fresh, unwrinkled paper.
Q: Are 11×17 printers expensive?
A: The price can vary a lot. Some basic models are affordable, while advanced professional printers can be more expensive.
Q: Can I print on different types of paper, like cardstock?
A: Many 11×17 printers can handle various paper types, but you should check the printer’s specifications to be sure.
Q: Do I need to buy special ink for an 11×17 printer?
A: You need to buy ink cartridges that are specifically made for the model of your 11×17 printer.
Q: How do I know if a printer has good print quality?
A: Look for a high DPI number and read reviews from other users about the clarity and color accuracy of their prints.