Best 11x17 Printer For Architects

Best 11×17 Printer For Architects 2022

You need a range of tools, equipment, and resources to succeed in the lucrative field of architecture. One of such vital pieces of equipment is a large-format printer. Honestly, not any printer will do- hence the need for the best 11×17 printer for architects.

Architecture involves making lots of printouts. They include project proposals, speculative designs, drawings, maps, diagrams, masterpieces, and blueprints. Therefore, while the need for printers is difficult to ignore, making the right choice is a tedious and confusing process.

We aim to help you through this mission with this elaborate article.

Top Pick

WorkForce WF-7710

WorkForce WF-7710

  • Functions: Print, Scan, Copy, Fax
  • Two – Sided Printing : Yes
  • Max Page Size : 13 x 19 inches
  • Display: 4.3″ color touch screen

Comparison Table For Top 11×17 Printers For Architects

IMAGENAME & DetailsDETAILS
Epson Expression XP-15000
  • Print Speed : 20ppm
  • max media handling : 13 x 19 inches
  • Connectivity : Wired and Wireless
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Canon Pixma Pro-100
  • Print Speed : 1.2 ppm
  • max media handling : 13 x 19 inches
  • Connectivity : Wired and Wireless
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Canon Pixma iX6520
  • Print Speed : 13.5 ppm
  • max media handling : 13 x 19 inches
  • Connectivity : USB and Wireless
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Workforce WF-7710
  • Print Speed : 18 ppm
  • max media handling : 13 x 19 inches
  • Connectivity : Wired and Wireless
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HP Color Laserjet Enterprise M751n
  • Print Speed : 40 ppm
  • max media handling : 11 x 17 inches
  • Connectivity : Ethernet
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Epson Artisan 1430
  • Print Speed : 2.8 ppm
  • max media handling : 13 x 19 inches
  • Connectivity : Wireless, WiFi Direct, USB

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HP Officejet 7110 ePrinter
  • Print Speed : 33 ppm
  • max media handling : 13 x 19 inches
  • Connectivity : Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
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HP OfficeJet Pro 7740
  • Print Speed : 34 ppm
  • max media handling : 11 x 17 inches
  • Connectivity : USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi
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Brother MFC-J5330DW
  • Print Speed : 20ppm
  • max media handling : 11 x 17 inches
  • Connectivity : Wireless, WiFi Direct, USB
Check The Price
Canon Pixma iX6820
  • Print Speed : 14.5 ppm
  • max media handling : 13 x 19 inches
  • Connectivity : Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet
Check The Price

1. Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000

Highlighted features

  • Works with ALEXA
  • Wireless Ethernet connectivity
  • Auto-Duplex

Every architect will marvel at the prospect of owning the Epson Expression Photo HD XP-15000 Wireless Wide-Format Printer. It is a professional-grade printer that delivers high-quality printouts. It is, therefore, a perfect printer for churning out detailed architectural designs, drawings, and proposals.

It features color gamut include new gray and red inks. These are in addition to the conventional 4x color Claria Photo HD consisting of black, magenta, yellow, cyan, and black. Such a color versatility ensures that you have what it takes to produce all types of HD documents including attractive photos.

Architecture may not require printing large volumes of documents. However, you should not worry in case such a situation arises. The Expression XP-15000 has all the elements to handle bulk assignments. It features dual trays and a reliable duplexing feature to print bulk work faster and more efficiently.

Pros

  • This machine produces HD photos of professional quality.
  • It comes with an LCD screen that is easy to navigate.
  • It supports automatic 2-sided paper printing.

Cons

  • It is only compatible with Epson cartridges.

2. Canon Pixma Pro-100

Highlighted features

  • PC, Smartphones, Laptops compatible
  • Auto sheet feeder   
  • 4800 x 2400 dots per inch

If you are looking for an ideal printer with the right technology and features for architectural assignments, then the Canon Pixma Pro-100 Professional Inkjet Printer is the type of machine you are looking for.

It is specially designed for A3 printing. Therefore, large media handling is not an issue. That also comes with unbeatable quality as it features a special fine-print technology for incredible detail. The resolution stands at 4800 x 2400 dpi which means that your printouts will not only be bold but also clear, sharp, and durable.

The wide color gamut consisting of 8 colors enables you to print everything to their right colors. The Optimum Image Generating System helps to enhance this characteristic. It does this by carefully and logically choosing the right color combination. Moreover, you only replace the colors than run out.

Pros

  • The printer comes with 8 dye-based color inks for colorful prints.
  • It supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity.
  • It is easy to install and get started.

Cons

  • The replacement ink is expensive

3. Canon Pixma IX6520

Highlighted features

  • Borderless printing
  • 9600 x 2400 maximum color dpi
  • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed

We are certain that this will come to you as a surprise. However, it is important to know that a wide-format printer doesn’t have to be bulky. The Canon Pixma iX6520 Inkjet Printer prints on paper sizes of up to 13×19 inches yet it is compact and stylish. It fits perfectly on small business and office settings.

It features an impressive resolution of up to 9600 x 2400dpi. Such a massive resolution ensures that you get the best quality from your prints. The Pixma iX6520 is, therefore, an ideal product for printing a range of documents. It can print photos, spreadsheets, posters, contracts, and documents with both graphics and texts.

It is a true piece of equipment for every architect. However, the highlight of this device lies in the fact that you can competently print photos from Full HD videos taken from PowerShot Cameras or Canon EOS Digital SLR. Thus, this printing tool gives you unlimited printing possibilities.

Pros

  • This printer comes with four dye-based inks and pigment-based black ink to produce exceptional prints.
  • It comes in a stylish and compact design compatible with most office settings.
  • It prints 4″ x 6″ borderless images in 37 seconds.

Cons

  • It is pricey.

4. Workforce WF-7710

Highlighted features

  • Copy, Scan, Fax
  • Wireless printing
  • 250-sheet paper tray

Standalone printers are now common in many homes and offices. However, we can’t wish away the importance of all-in-one printing machines. They are versatile and come in handy for offices and enterprises that have a range of computing functions.

The Workforce WF-7710 Wireless Wide-Format Color Inkjet Printer is one such versatile product. It will print all your documents ranging from detailed 4×6-inch photos, letter-size, legal-size, and large format documents. More conveniently, this device can effectively scan, copy, and send faxes. What else do you need from a wide-format printer?

Most wide-format printers pride themselves in high-quality prints and great media handling capabilities. The Workforce WF-7710 is different. It guarantees that still doesn’t sacrifice on speed. With print speeds of 18 ppm pages per minute, the device delivers beyond the expected rates.

Pros

  • This machine comes with an automatic 2-sided print.
  • It can print up to 13″ x 19″ media size.
  • It is an all-in-one that can scan, copy, print, and fax.

Cons

  • It does not work well with pigment ink.

5. HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M751n Printer

Highlighted features

  • Enhanced color mode
  • 7″ color LCD
  • 40 ppm color, 40 ppm black

Are you looking for a printer that guarantees maximum productivity? Well, the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M751n Printer is what you need to put your money on. It guarantees premium quality prints, no downtime, maximum reliability, and unbeatable security.

The LaserJet device allows you to print from a versatile range of media devices. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices. More versatility comes with the possibility of making printouts from your smartphone or tablet. Indeed, there are endless capabilities with the Enterprise M751n printer.

The device is tempting and deserves the attention of every architect who believes in quality alongside productivity. It features unrivaled speeds of up to 40 pages per minute and an equally superior monthly yield of up to 40,000 pages. Finally, it is easy to set up and operate.

Pros

  • This printer has an Input/output capacity of 650 sheets/250 sheets.
  • It comes with a 2.7″ color LCD for ease of printing.
  • It can print up to 40,000 pages monthly.

Cons

  • It does not come with Wi-Fi functionality.

6. Epson Artisan 1430

Highlighted features

  • Hi-Def photos
  • Borderless printing
  • Wireless, Mobile USB compatible

What comes to mind when you hear Epson? Quality prints, right? That’s how we feel too. And that is precisely what this printer delivers time and again.

This printer is one of the best out there if your goal is a high-quality output. A proprietary six colors ink system will save you plenty of printing costs, provided you judiciously utilize the unit. In addition, you can print your images from your laptops, tablets, and emailed-enabled devices.

With an inbuilt WIFI feature, multiple users can connect and share this device from a small office or home. It is also a great way to share printing services with family or friends around you.

We love the extraordinary printing performance of this printer. This is made possible by a DX5 micro Piezo print-head technology, ink droplets as small as 1.5 picoliters, and a resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi. Ever considered stepping up your printing game? This printer will help you achieve that.

Pros

  • This machine supports wireless printing.
  • It produces High-definition prints up to 13” x 19in.”
  • It comes with advanced lighting and color correction for amazing photos.

Cons

  • High-resolution photo printing is a bit slow.

7. HP Officejet 7110 ePrinter

Highlighted features

  • WiFi, USB, Ethernet
  • 250-sheet input tray
  • Color, black and white printing

The Officejet 7110 ePrinter is intended for small businesses looking for quality in-house prints at a cost-effective price. This relatively inexpensive printer supports USB, wireless, and wired printing connections. It combines these features with cloud printing, low running costs, and smartphone support.

Coming in black color, the printer chassis is ruggedly built. We love the machine’s ability to print on A3+ paper and sizes above up to 329mm x 483mm. Although you might find the output and input tray a little tricky to position for large paper sizes the first time, it becomes easier with time.

This printer does not have an LCD screen, meaning you cannot use HP’s print app store. But it features a web service that allows sending documents or images to the machine for printing. It also supports wireless printing from smartphones and allows a global password to restrict access to printing services.

The quality of prints is superb across the board. Printing text in normal mode is sparkling clean. Color prints are bold and colorful, with fine details vividly recreated on paper. With the low printing costs and superb print quality, the OfficeJet 7110 is an excellent choice.

Pros

  • This printer supports WiFi, USB, Ethernet connectivity.
  • It has a low printing running cost.
  • It has an operating speed of up to 29 ppm color and 33 ppm for black.

Cons

  • This printer cannot use HP’s print app store.

8. HP OfficeJet Pro 7740

Highlighted features

  • Ethernet, Cloud printing
  • Auto Document Feeder
  • Color Touchscreen

When on the hunt for an 11×17 printer, the OfficeJet Pro 7740 is never far from the conversation because it comes with a range of features architects need due to its all-in-one design.

With two input trays, users can load the tray with two different print media sizes for ease of use. In practical terms, you can have a tray loaded with 11×17 papers and the other with A4 print papers for printing regular documents. And both trays can hold up to 250 papers each, with the output pegged at 75 sheets max.

The OfficeJet Pro 7740 has a max. resolution of 4800×1200 dpi. This is perfect for high-definition prints. The quality of prints does not make this machine a dedicated photo printer, but it does mean that any time you need a print with excellent color saturation, you can count on it.

The printing speed is relatively fast. With 18 pages per minute for color and 22 pages per minute for black printing, this machine trumps many on the market. You won’t find many printers combining this printing speed, excellent quality, and color separation, all in one unit.

Pros

  • This machine allows 2-sided duplex printing.
  • It is an all-in-one printer that allows you to print, scan, and copy in one place.
  • This machine seamlessly connects with a tablet, smartphone, or laptop via WiFi from the home or office.

Cons

  • It’s quite big and will not fit tight spaces.

9. Brother MFC-J5330DW

Highlighted features

  • Auto-Duplex
  • 250 sheet paper tray capacity
  • High-yield ink cartridges

Forget about the rigid build; this is an excellent printer. Although it looks like the regular multifunction printer, this is more. It has a few more tricks, making it super-functional. First, this machine prints on A3 seamlessly.

If this printer only prints on A4s, we could have complained about the space it tends to occupy at home or in the office. However, printing on A3s is a game-changer. You can load the input tray with A4 in a portrait arrangement. You could also extend the tray and fill it up with 250 sheets of A3 paper.

As an all-in-one printer, this machine can scan, copy and fax. Since this workhouse is created for small businesses, it is fortified with WiFi and Ethernet. The WIFI ability includes WiFi Direct allowing printing services without using a router.

We also love Brother’s companion app that allows wireless scanning and printing from smartphones. The Brother iPrint & Scan app can be downloaded on app stores. It is free and lightweight.

According to Brother, the MFC-J5330DW has a print speed of up to 20 ppm (pages per minute) color and 22 ppm in black and white. Plus, it prints on both sides of a page, and as a bonus, this machine can also print A5 booklets.

Pros

  • This is an all-in-one printer that can scan, copy and fax.
  • It can print on A3 and A5 booklets.
  • It uses a companion app that allows seamless printing operations.

Cons

  • It does not support third-party printing inks.

10. Canon Pixma iX6820

Highlighted features

  • Wireless, Ethernet, USB
  • Fine print head technology
  • Borderless Photos

This is a quality device that seamlessly prints design and charts. It is easily one of the best 11×17 printers for architects out there. We love this printer not just because of its ability to print 11×17 size, but higher, up to 13 x 19 inches.

Apart from a large printing size, it comes with different connectivity options that include Ethernet and WiFi. Therefore, it is a good fit for a workgroup where printing connectivity is needed.

Also, the Pixma iX6820 comes with 5 ink cartridges. While this increases printing costs, it makes for an excellent dedicated photo printer. As a result, it cost 12.6 cents to print one A4 color page and 4.4 cents for a mono page.

While this is an excellent photo printer, it does not support copy, scanning, and faxing. If you need a machine that can handle these functions, refer to the Brother MFC-J5330DW above.

Pros

  • This printer supports Airprint, Google Cloud Print, and PIXMA Printing Solutions (PPS).
  • It produces high-definition prints that make it suitable as a dedicated photo printer.
  • No noise when printing and will not disturb people around.

Cons

  • It does not support copy, scanning, and faxing.

11×17 Printer For Architects Buying Guide

So, you have your mind made up and now looking for the best 11×17 printer for architects. Here are some vital tips when you go shopping;

1.Maximum Media Size

Architectural drawings won’t fit into your ordinary A4 kind of paper. So, the maximum printing size becomes one of the most vital considerations when shopping for a printing device for architects.

In this article, we feature devices with wide-format capabilities. Notably, most machines in this review have print sizes that go up to 11×17 inches, while a lot of others go up to 13×19 inches.

The trick is to choose a printer that will handle most of your architectural work. While the wide-format options come at a considerably higher price, they are worth every coin as they do not limit what you can do with them. Such printers can deal with a variety of paper formats.

2. Connectivity

It is impossible to create documents directly from your printer. And that forms the basis for connectivity to other devices. Printers either come with wired or wireless connectivity options, and both come with their advantages and disadvantages.

11×17 Printer For Architects

Wired connectivity options such as USB are faster and reliable. But on the downside, they are bulky and involves dealing with cables and cords.

On the other hand, wireless options are convenient for office environments where users may need to share a single printing tool. Besides, you can conveniently place the printer away from your desk and print remotely, a feature that you cannot achieve with wired connectivity.

3. Standalone Or Multifunction Printer

Printers are either multifunctional or single-function. The choice between the two options will vary from one person to the other.

Standalone or single functions work as the name suggests. They print and do no other tasks. So, a standalone option is only advisable if you need a device that only has printing capabilities.

Multipurpose printing tools are considerably more versatile than their single-function counterparts. They can perform more than printing functions.

If your office will do with a machine that can scan and copy besides printing, then a multifunctional printer is a perfect choice. Amazingly, a few other options go beyond scanning, copying, and printing to provide faxing functionalities.

An all in one printing machine is flexible and saves you money. Besides, you end up saving on space when a single printer does everything. You don’t need to invest in separate devices to handle various functions.

Final Word

The truth is that a general online search for printers for architects will yield several results. But can’t you opt for the first model that you come across? You see, there’s a lot of dishonesty and you could end up choosing a machine that doesn’t meet your needs.

Many types of wide-format printers exist today. But in this article, we considered essential features that make up the best A3 printer for architects. The most vital considerations we put into account are color fidelity, paper handling, speed, and ink usage.