Architecture thrives on the quality of the design, whether it’s the initial design that convinces your client of the idea or the actual structure when it comes to fruition. However, you require top-quality resources and tools to achieve this goal, among which printer is an important one. For architects, their design layout needs to have quality when displayed. To bring quality, they need the best 11×17 printer for architects.
The 11×17, commonly known as a tabloid, is the preferred media size for architectural design layouts. So the lookout is usually for the best 11×17 printer. Due to the multiple brands and models available in the market, picking one becomes difficult.
Moreover, the pressure to purchase a printer that will not disturb you with problems in a job where time is of utmost essence does not help in any way. To make matters more accessible, we have come up with an extensive review on printers that are the best for the architectural environment and support the 11×17 media size. So let’s dive into the details with no further delay.
Top 7 Best 11×17 Printer For Architects
IMAGE | PRODUCT | RATING | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
BEST OVERALL
|
|
10
|
Check on Amazon |
EDITORS PICK
|
|
9.8
|
Check on Amazon |
BEST BUDGET PICK
|
Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000
|
9.6
|
Check on Amazon |
TOP WORKFORCE PICK
|
|
9.3
|
Check on Amazon Read Full Review |
BEST BALANCE PICK
|
|
9.2
|
Check on Amazon |
BEST ECOTANK PICK
|
|
9.0
|
Check on Amazon |
ALL-IN-ONE PICK
|
|
8.9
|
Check on Amazon |
1) HP OfficeJet 7740 – Best 11×17 Printer
Description:
HP is part of the leading brands for printers, and HP OfficeJet 7740 is proof of its excellence. Top of our list, OfficeJet 7740 is a wide format All-In-One printer. Often misunderstood as a robust machine only suitable for heavy-duty work due to its oversized appearance, OfficeJet7740 performs like any other stylish printer. Stunning high-quality prints with great speed make it a brilliant printer for architectural purposes.
You can print at an incredible resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi, thus printing vibrant and sharp prints that will impress everyone at the office meeting. In addition to the brilliant representation of your designs, it also holds a strong position in terms of printing speed. You can print up to 22 black and 18 color prints every minute. This means that you will not have to wait too long to get your prints out, even in an emergency situation.
Our lookout is for a printer that supports 11×17 or tabloid media size, and OfficeJet 7740 checks this box. Not only this, but other media sizes are also printable. Furthermore, you can load 500 sheets thanks to the two input sheet tray systems. Auto Document Feeding of 35 sheets is another fantastic feature that will surely aid you in your work.
Duplex prints are a virtue of architectural design prints. OfficeJet 7740 provides you with automatic 2-Sided printing, saving you printing costs. You can use the 2.65″ inch touchscreen for easy navigation through the printer.
You can use the printer virtually from anywhere within the wireless range with the connectivity options. You can print your required design with a single tap using your connected device. With so many features available, it is unbelievable that 7740 is such a pocket-friendly printer. Its work efficiency and cost-effectiveness make it an ideal purchase.
Specifications:
Weight & Dimensions | 42.9 lbs 23 x 18.38 x 15.10 (W x Dx H) |
Resolution | 4800 x 1200 Optimised dpi |
Printing Speed | 22 Black ppm 18 Color ppm |
Maximum Media Size | Up To 11 X 17 inches (Tabloid) |
Connectivity & Mobile Printing | Built-In Ethernet Wifi 802.11 b/g/n Wireless Direct |
Sheet Tray Capacity | 500 Sheet Input Capacity 75 Sheet Output Tray Capacity |
Supported Paper/Media Sizes | Letter; Legal; Government Legal; Executive; Statement; 3 x 5 in; 4 x 6 in; 5 x 7 in; 8 x 10 in; L; Photo 2L; Envelope; Card (3 x 5 in, 4 x 6 in, 5 x 8 in); Tabloid (11 x 17 in) |
Display | 2.65″ LCD Touch Display |
Final Verdict:
📍 HP hit the mark with OfficeJet 7740. It is genuinely an excellent printer in terms of versatility, quality and price. The ability to do multiple tasks and be brilliant in each one of them makes OfficeJet 7740 a printer deserving of its position on this list. Thanks to its quick printing speeds and high sheet capacity, it is well suited for a heavy workload.
2) Canon Pixma iX6820 – Best Printer For Architects
Description:
Canon is one of the first names on everyone’s lips when talking about quality. They have produced numerous high-end printers, and Pixma iX6820 is no exception. Canon Pixma iX6820 is a wireless business-oriented printer and takes up the second spot on our list.
Bringing a superior resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi on the table, you will be mesmerized by the quality of prints and images you get. Such an unbelievable printing quality is what your big ideas need. Moreover, a five-tank ink system is placed within the printer, each keeping its individuality.
Looking into the speed department, iX6820 does not disappoint with a speed of 14.5 black prints, and 10.4 color prints are achievable per minute. A feature that truly suits an architectural working environment is its ability to print borderless prints. With this feature, your designs will be clean and free from any extra borders that can ruin their presentation.
Supported media sizes are essential to look into before purchasing a printer. With iX6820, you not only get the tabloid media size, but the supported range of media sizes can be up to 13 x 19 inches which are well suited for large presentations. Photo size 4 x 6 is also supported, giving you incredible quality.
150 sheet is the capacity you have with the sheet tray, and impressively, the printer also has an auto document feeding option. With the addition of the downloadable Solution Template, you are no longer in danger of losing your document layout.
Establishing a connection with the printer is easy with wireless and wired connectivity options, which include Wireless LAN, Wifi, Ethernet, and Hi-Speed USB. You have complete creative control with My Garden image software and Creative Park Premium access. With the numerous editing options this software provides, you can show your imagination and creativity.
Specifications:
Weight & Dimensions | 17.9 lbs 23 x 12.3 x 6.3 (W X D X H) |
Resolution | 9600 x 2400 dpi |
Printing Speed | 14.5 ipm (Black) 10.4 ipm (Color) |
Maximum Media Size | Up To 13 x 19 |
Connectivity | Wireless LAN Ethernet Hi-Speed USB |
Sheet Tray Capacity | 150 Sheet With ADF |
Supported Paper Sizes | 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 8 x 10 Letter, Legal 11 x 17, 13 x 19 U.S. #10 Envelopes |
Mobile Printing | Google Cloud Print AirPrint |
Final Verdict:
📍 Pocket-friendly and one of the finer Canon printers, its features such as the auto document feeder, duplex printing, equipment with a 5 ink tank system, and an insanely high resolution show how well suited it is for such printing. Moreover, the softwares included with the printer are easy to use and makes editing a fun and simple task, along with plenty of editing options.
3) Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 – Best Tabloid Printer
Description:
To continue our list, we move onto Epson’s incredible printer range. Known for their printers, Epson has produced remarkable printers over the years, and one of their most refined production is the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000. As expressive as the name is, the printer also expresses its vivid and sharp prints to the full extent.
Architects look for printers with a great range of media sizes and can produce borderless prints. Expression XP-15000 gives you both. You can print borderless designs and documents up to the paper size of 13 x 19, which includes the desirable 11 x 17 media size.
Powered by the MicroPiezo Heat-Free technology and a spectacular resolution of 5760 x 1440 optimized dpi, you get vibrant, sharp, and beautiful borderless prints. The absolute prowess of XP-15000 is evident in the quality of designs. The unique 6-color Claria ink system also plays a handful of role in producing such brilliant prints.
The small and slick body design makes the printer adjustable to smaller areas. But what is more impressive is the sheet capacity it has. A sizeable front sheet tray that can hold 200 sheets and a rear tray of 50 sheets mean you can load 250 sheets at a time. Printing costs can also be reduced by using the 2-Sided printing option.
Moving on to the speed scale, you will get up to 10 black prints per minute and up to 9 colored prints in the same interval of time. If you are printing a 4 x 6 borderless photo print, it will take you around 27 seconds.
Wifi Direct, Ethernet, Hi-Speed USB, Wireless are all your connectivity options to get prints from anywhere without any problems. Manually operating the printer is also easy, thanks to the 2.4 LCD screen.
Specifications:
Weight & Dimensions | 18.7 lbs 18.8″ x 14.5″ x 6.2″ inches |
Resolution | 5760 x 1440 Optimised dpi |
Printing Speed | 9.2 ISO ppm (Black) 9.0 ISO ppm (Color) |
Maximum Media Size | Up To 13 x 19 |
Connectivity | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n Ethernet Hi-Speed USB Wifi Direct USB Host |
Sheet Tray Capacity | 250 Plain Sheet Input Tray 50 Photo Paper Sheets 10 Envelopes 100 Sheets Output Tray |
Ink System | 6-Color Claria Ink System |
Display | 2.4 Color Display |
Supported Paper Sizes | 4″ x 6″, 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″ A4 (8.3″ x 11.7″), letter (8.5″ x 11″), legal (8.5″ x 14″) 11″ x 14″, 12″ x 12″ B (11″ x 17″), A3 (11.7″ x 16.5″) and Super B (13″ x 19″) user definable (2.2″ – 44″ in length) |
2-Sided Printing Speed | 4.7 ISO ppm (Black) 4.7 ISO ppm (Color) |
Final Verdict:
📍 Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 is an expressive machine. You need printers that can give expressive results for architectural work, and XP-15000 is that. The optimized dpi and 6-color ink system give you prints worth every penny. Printing speed may not be as quick as the other options on this list, but the quality is too good to ignore such an amazing printer.
4) Epson Workforce WF-7720 – 11×17 Printer Reviews
Description:
Continuing our list is another printer from Epson’s incredible printer collection, The Epson Workforce WF-7720. Part of the renowned Epson Workforce series, WF-7720 is a proper office printer. Its work rate, quality, and multifunctional features make it a printer that every office looks for.
Powered by the PrecisionCore technology and aided with a high 4800 x 2400 dpi, the quality of prints is unquestionable. Vibrant and sharp prints make WF-7720 a well-suited printer for architectural firms and offices.
However, for architects, quality is not the only focus. Printing speed is also a highly focused factor, and just like printing quality, WF-7720 does not disappoint in terms of speed. 18 black and 10 color prints can easily be in your hands per minute. Moreover, the automatic 2-Sided printing means you can save paper and, as a whole, the running costs.
WF-7720 is versatile, to say the very least. You can not only print but can also copy, scan, and even fax using WF-7720. The printer comes with 2 input trays that give you the capacity for 500 sheets. This vast capacity prevents the constant filling of the printer. An output tray is also part of the printer, which has a capacity of 125 sheets.
Moving on to another important factor, we have compatible media sizes. Flexibility is a virtue of modern printers, and WF-7720 shows it with the wide range of paper sizes it can handle, which includes the tabloid or 11×17 media size. This range goes up to 13 x 19 inches. A 35 sheet Auto Document Feeding adds to the long list of features.
Lastly, the navigation and operation of the printer manually and virtually. To easily navigate and operate the printer manually, you can use the 4.3-inch color touchscreen. For wireless printing and function, you have connectivity options such as Wifi, Ethernet, etc. They make it easy to print from anywhere within the range and can be used to create a network.
Specifications:
Weight & Dimensions | 40.8 lbs 32.2″ x 22.3″ x 13.4″ inches |
Resolution | 4800 x 2400 dpi |
Printing Speed | 18 ISO ppm (Black) 10 ISO ppm (Color) |
Maximum Media Size | Up To 13 x 19 |
Connectivity | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n Wired Ethernet Hi-Speed USB Wifi Direct NFC |
Sheet Tray Capacity | 500 Sheet Input Tray Capacity 125 Sheet Output Tray |
Technology | PrecisionCore Technology |
Display | 4.3 Color Touchscreen |
Supported Paper Sizes | 3.5 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 8 x 10 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, 11 x 17, 13 x 19 A4, A6, Half Letter, Executive User Definable (3.5″ — 47.2″ in length) |
2-Sided Printing Speed | 8.7 ISO ppm (Black) 6.0 ISO ppm (Color) |
Final Verdict:
📍 One of the finest printers from Epson’s Workforce series, WF-7720, can make any inkjet printer list. Versatile, high-quality printing, great printing speed, and large sheet capacity means that WF-7720 suits any office environment. It becomes simple to operate thanks to the connectivity and touchscreen options.
5) Canon Pixma TS9520 – Architect Printer
Description:
Canon Pixma TS9520 takes the next spot on the list. Canon’s Pixma series saw the release of many incredible printers, and TS9520 is one of the standouts. It is an inkjet printer with the capability of performing multiple functions. From printing to scanning and copying, TS9520 is quite a versatile machine which makes it a suitable option for office use.
A feature that catches the eye is the connectivity options that it provides you. Along with wireless printing through Wifi or wired connections through ethernet and Hi-Speed USB, there are multiple apps that give you a lot of freedom and assistance in operating the printer virtually and being creative with your work. Apps such as Amazon Alexa, AirPrint, Moripa Print Service, Canon Print App, etc., really give you an easy way of operating the printer to the best of its limits.
Furthermore, TS9520 also has a built-in SD memory slot. With an SD card, photo printing can become an easy task for you. However, all the prowess of TS9520 does not lie in the connectivity department.
When we talk about quality, a high resolution of 4800 x 1200 gives you an elite level of printing results. For an architect, such quality is a blessing. And to support this fantastic feature, you have an excellent printing speed of 15 ipm for black prints and 10 ipm for color prints.
Supported paper sizes are always significant. It shows the flexibility of the printer, and TS9520 sure is flexible. The range of supported media sizes goes from 3.5 x 3.5 to 11 x 17. With each size, you get borderless prints removing any unnecessary borders from your prints. This represents your work in an even better way.
TS9520 is equipped with two paper trays. A rear tray and a front tray. Both of them give you the capacity of holding 100 sheets each. Moreover, you can also slot envelopes and photo papers within separate trays. With the addition of a 20 plain sheet ADF and a 4.3 LCD to help through navigation, TS9520 proves its worth as an incredible and reliable printer.
Specifications:
Specifications: | |
Weight & Dimensions | 21.3 lbs 18.5 x 14.5 x 7.6 (W XD X H) |
Resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
Printing Speed | 15 ipm (Black) 10 ipm (Color) |
Maximum Media Size | Up To 11 x 17 |
Connectivity | Hi-Speed USB Ethernet PictBridge (LAN/Wireless LAN) Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n wireless networking, 2.4 GHz) Memory Card Slot Bluetooth 4.0 LE (Low Energy) |
Sheet Tray Capacity | 200 Input Tray Sheet Capacity |
Supported Paper Sizes | 3.5 x 3.5, 4 x 4, 4 x 6, 5 x 5 5 x 7, 8 x 10, Letter 11 x 17, 12 x 12 Legal, U.S. #10 Envelopes |
Display | 4.3 LCD Touchscreen |
Final Verdict:
📍 Built-in SD slots, multiple editing softwares, highly flexible in terms of media sizes, touchscreen, 5-ink tank system, and much more, TS9520 gives you so many options and features to work with, making it easy to use and a very reliable choice for office environments and architects.
6) Epson EcoTank ET-7750 – Best 11×17 Printer Scanner
Description:
When Epson released their EcoTank series, it quickly became popular because it offered cartridge-free printing and low running costs. One of the standout printers from this series is EcoTank ET-7750. It is an All-In-One SuperTank Inkjet printer. Being All-In-One makes it a multifunctional machine capable of printing, copying, and scanning.
Powered by MicroPiezo Heta-Free technology, ET-7750 boasts an optimized resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi. Having these powerful features at its disposal, you get vibrant, clean, and sharp prints that perfectly bring out your ideas.
ET-7750 has a 5-Color ink system. What makes this ink system so unique are the supersized ink tanks. These ink tanks have space for enough ink to print up to 14,000 black prints and 9,000 color prints. This is almost equal to 30 ink cartridge sets. Moreover, the printer comes with up to 2 years of ink. All of this together can save you up to 80% in ink and running costs.
Furthermore, you can print a good volume of prints in a short time. It has a printing rate of 13 black and 10 color pages in 60 seconds. For easy navigation through the printer’s features, you can use the 2.7 touch display, making it easy to operate the printer. You can use the connectivity options and mobile printing solutions for wireless and virtual operation.
Specifications:
Weight & Dimensions | 24.3 lbs 20.7″ x 29.3″ x 17.8″ (W x D x H) |
Resolution | 5760 x 1440 dpi |
Printing Speed | 13 ISO ppm (Black) 10 ISO ppm (Color) |
Maximum Media Size | Up To 11 x 17 |
Connectivity | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n Ethernet Hi-Speed USB Wifi Direct USB Host Port |
Sheet Tray Capacity | 100 Plain Sheet Input Tray 20 Photo Paper Sheets 10 Envelopes |
Technology | MicroPiezo Heat-Free Technology |
Supported Media Sizes | 3.5″ x 5″, 4″ x 6″, 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″ 8.5″ x 11″, 8.5″ x 14″, A4, A6 Half Letter, Executive, A3 11″ x 17″, User Definable (3.5″ – 47.2″ in length) |
Display | 2.7 Colo LCD |
Final Verdict:
📍 ET-7750 is an amazing printer for office use and an architectural environment. The inclusion of an ink tank system helps lower printing costs, and the highly optimized dpi makes the print results desirable. Although expensive, the results are incredible.
7) Brother MFC-J5330DW – Best Printer For Architectural Drawings
Description:
If we are talking about notable names in the printing industry, Brother is no stranger to it. One of the best printer brands, Brother has produced some of the best printers, and MFC-J5330DW is one of them.
Brother J5330DW has great overall efficiency and suitability with office and small business setups. When looking for a printer that gives crisp and clean results, J5330DW does not mess around. Having an incredible resolution of 4800 x1200 dpi, you get design prints that will do justice to your architectural ideas.
Moreover, when you need your stuff quickly, MFC-J5330DW will not disappoint. On average, you will get 22 black prints and 20 color prints in a minute with no bargain on quality. Along with this splendid speed, you also have a sheet tray with a capacity of 250 sheets and a high ink yield system guaranteeing uninterrupted printing.
Designers need their work clean with no extra or useless lines for the design to look desirable and presentable. J5330DW gives you this luxury. Borderless printing up to tabloid or 11 x 17 media size is achievable. The multiple supported paper sizes show you the flexibility of J5330DW, but that’s not the only bonus. J5330DW is also versatile and can be used for copying and scanning purposes.
Auto Document Feeding for up to 50 sheets and an output tray with a capacity of 100 sheets means that you get a printer that is nothing less than a complete package. For easy navigation of features and functions, the printer has a 2.7 touch display. Connectivity options give an even easier way of using the printer.
Specifications:
Weight & Dimensions | 36.8 lbs 20.9″ x 15.7″ x 12.0″ (W x D x H) |
Resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
Printing Speed | 22 ISO ppm (Black) 20 ISO ppm (Color) |
Maximum Media Size | Up To 11 x 17 |
Connectivity | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n Ethernet Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Wifi Direct |
Sheet Tray Capacity | 250 Input Tray Sheet Capacity 100 Sheet Output Tray Capacity |
Mobile Printing | AirPrint Brother iPrint&Scan Mopria Wifi Direct |
Display | 2.7 Color Touchscreen |
Supported Paper Sizes | Letter, Legal, Ledger/Tabloid, Executive A3, A4, A5, A6 Envelope (Com-10), Envelope (DL), Envelope (Monarch) Photo (3.5 x 5), Photo (4 x 6), Photo (5 x 7), Photo (5 x 8) |
Final Verdict:
📍 MFC J5350DW has one of the highest printing speeds and the fastest on this list. For an environment where architectural designs are printed, J5350DW’s speed is appropriately suited for such a place. Additionally, the printing quality and other incredible features such as auto document feeding and connectivity options make a strong case for MFC-J5350DW to be part of this list.
Best 11×17 Printer For Architects – Buying Guide:
Buying guides are there to point out factors that need consideration before you make your choice. Printers especially have several factors which determine the final choice. Considering the complexity of the architecture job, it is easily understood why you should run your eyes through these basic factors before making any decision.
1. Motive Behind The Purchase:
It is a fundamental point. You need to keep the purpose of your purchase clear in your mind. The aim here is the use of the printer for architectural designs.
But the need can change according to the needs of the workplace. You may be looking for a suitable printer for official document printing or duo-chrome images. For such requirements, a toner-based printer is better.
However, if the need is for a printer that mainly focuses on design prints, inkjet-based printers are better as they use water-based ink to produce vivid and sharp prints.
2. Printing Quality:
Printing quality takes huge emphasis when looking to buy a printer for architecture and designs. Your designs need to be presentable and show high-end quality images. This will lead to a better representation of your idea and leave a positive impression on your client.
The printer’s resolution plays a considerable role in producing high-quality prints. So it would be best if you kept an eye on the resolution that the printer can put out. The quality of ink also has a say in the vividness of the prints.
Dpi and Droplet size are important terms to get high quality. Higher the dpi better the result. On the other hand, a small droplet size means a sharper image. So do check these features out.
3. Speed Of Printing:
As mentioned before, architecture is a field where time is essential. The client dates can change anytime, or your boss may want to see your work sooner than you expected. To counter such situations, you need a printer that can provide top-notch prints at great speed. The printing speed is an essential factor, especially in cases where you need your results quickly.
Most of the speed figures are given based on a minute of use. So the more prints the printer provides per minute, the higher the printing speed is.
4. Media Sizes:
Each printer has a range of media sizes that it supports. As we are primarily looking for printers that support the tabloid or 11×17 media size, it should be a no-brainer that the 11×17 media size is an essential factor in this search.
Moreover, the printer also needs to support other media sizes as needs can change at any time, and a print in another paper size may be required.
5. Versatility:
Flexibility in media sizes brings us to the versatility factor. In an office environment, the use of printers is not only restricted to just design printing. Sometimes you need to work on official documents. For that, a versatile printer with copying and scanning features is important.
So it is greatly recommended that you choose a flexible and versatile printer. Especially for office environments or a firm, the multifunctionality of the printer is an appreciated trait.
6. Connectivity:
The connection between you and your printer is important to make your work easy. In an office workplace where you are constantly surrounded by work and time management is essential, you need to have a wireless connection with your printer to get whatever print you desire without manually operating it.
Connectivity options make your work easy. Having a printer that can connect your colleagues is always a great option for a place where you are working with so many people simultaneously.
7. Budget:
Budget is a factor that goes hand-in-hand with all of your purchases. Having a set budget helps you choose an economical option that focuses more on your needs than luxury features. Whether for personal use or office use, you want your purchase to be cost-effective. Having a budget and sticking with it plays its role in cost efficiency.
FAQ’s:
Final Thoughts:
Choosing according to your needs often leads to the best choice. There are numerous printers other than the ones mentioned but do they give an overall package is the real question. So your purpose and work environment need to be on your mind when purchasing a printer. Depending on your priority, you may even end up going for a wide format laser printer.
When working in architecture, you may be looking towards buying a good printer in terms of quality and is multifunctional. Remember, each printer has its advantages and disadvantages. Before making the final decision, don’t forget to ask yourself whether a particular choice is worth your money.
We would personally recommend the OfficeJet 7740 or Pixma iX6820 for their efficiency and high-end quality, making them suitable for a field like architecture. I end this review with the hope that all you architects end up getting the best 11 x 17 printer for architects.
Hi, I am Charles, 25 years of age & an enthusiast blogger, also called the printer guy in my family. I bring you the top & unbiased reviews of sublimation printers.