Products at a Glance
How We Picked the Best 11x17 Printer
Though 11″ x 17″ was the target size for printing, some top printers that exceed this margin were also considered – as graphic design artists will be well aware, it’s smart to allow for some bleed on your prints. Since these are primarily InkJet printers capable of such large designs, we prioritized units with the best print speeds and ink economies – and of course, top resolutions for high-quality designs. We also looked for printers with wide ranges of connectivity options, from standard PCs through to other devices such as smartphones or iPads.
We settled on five products, across a range of price points, which all cater to those looking for the best 11×17 printer on the market. With an array of features and specializations, these units are ideal for a range of professional, commercial, and hobbyist applications. We’ve broken down the merits of each below, and why we’ve chosen them as top printers for 11″ x 17″ or larger prints!
Product Reviews
- Varied media compatibility
- Above 11" x 17" benchmark
- Wireless connectivity
- Slow to print
With a print size of 13″ x 19″, the Epson Expression XP-15000 is our top pick for the best 11×17 printer, giving you just the right amount of leeway for large prints. Economic and easy to use, this Epson printer delivers great-quality prints across a range of sizes and specializations.
Alongside large-scale printing of high-resolution photos, the XP-15000 comes with a specialist media tray for materials like cardstock or other paper formats, able to match most use cases with ease. Highly compatible with a range of devices, from PCs to smartphones, you’ll be able to print regardless of your particular home office or device setup. With 2″ of leeway on our 11×17 benchmark, there’s minimal chance of cropping or bleeding.
That said, at only 9 pages per minute for standard-sized prints, this 11×17 printer isn’t the fastest model on the market, and may not be suited to heavy duty cycles. For general use, however, the XP-15000 remains our favorite 11×17 printer on the market.
- Fast print speeds
- Roll printer
- 24" width
- Expensive
If 11×17 prints is your minimum rather than your threshold, consider the HP DesignJet T230, a large-format printer that can print rolls as wide as 24″. Ideal for designers and architects, this roll printer from HP is able to print large from within a compact body.
In terms of use cases, the T230 is famous among architects and construction engineers because of its accurate line placement and high-quality text printing. Capable of printing just under two large-format prints per minute, this printer is capable of quick and high-quality prints on a huge scale. It’s also convenient to use, as you can print from it using your phone, tablet, or computer. As a bonus, its design is eco-friendly, as it’s made from nearly 30% recycled plastic.
You’ll want to make sure your business or office can cover the expense, however, as the DesignJet T230 is a notably expensive printer. But for high-scale and high-volume picks, it’s hard to find a better match!
- Excellent print quality
- Affordable
- Compact and portable
- High cost per print
Often found retailing under $200, the Canon PIXMA TS9520 is a stellar 11×17 printer built as an affordable all-in-one unit, and a stellar choice for households and offices alike. Canon printers are among our favorites on the market, and the TS9520 proves why once again.
Though it’s upper limit is as an 11×17 printer, the TS9520 still does a lot with a little, offering stellar 4″ x 6″ borderless prints as standard. It also comes with a built-in copier and scanner, making it a great multipurpose tool for your business or hobby. This is all contained within a very compact printer body, meaning that it is easy to store – and easier to use. With a wide range of compatibility in both physical media and digital software, this is a stellar budget 11×17 printer.
Unfortunately, the “razor-and-blades” business model that plagues the printer market rears its ugly head here: the TS9520 may be a cheap initial purchase, but the overall cost-per-print is quite poor. If you can swallow a higher-than-average ongoing cost, then this is still a terrific 11×17 printer for home or office!
- Great color detail
- Accommodating print size
- Highly compatible
- Expensive ink
For photographers looking to great detailed and large prints from their images, the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-300 is the standout choice. Capable of prints up to 13″ x 19″ in size, this exceeds our 11×17 printer benchmark, and makes for stellar large-scale prints suitable for any brief.
Utilizing a unique nine-cartridge ink system, the Pro-300 is able to print high-resolution prints up to 4800 x 2400 DPI. Ideal for posters or prints, color depth and detail is stellar and the resulting prints are completed quickly and efficiently. Compatible with all the standard tools in a photographer’s arsenal such as Lightroom or Photoshop, this printer is a great value asset for quick large-scale prints.
That said, you’ll be paying that value off over a long period. Along with the high upfront cost, the nine cartridges mean that your ongoing costs are expensive by sheer economies of scale – which can make this unsuited for intensive duty cycles. We still recommend it as a top 11×17 printer for photographers, however!
- Accommodating print size
- Highly compatible
- Great color gamut
- Slow print speeds
Our final pick on today’s list is the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-7840, a happy median of all of our favorite factors: affordable, high-quality and with an accommodating print size. Part of Epson’s Workforce line, using Epson’s signature PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology, this mid-range printer can produce beautiful prints in high resolutions and excellent color quality.
At 13″ x 19″, you get more than enough extra space to accommodate 11×17 prints. It’s also highly compatible both digitally and physically, with connections over AirPrint or other wireless methods and with an array of specialist media compatibility. At a price point just slightly north of the TS9520, this is a great investment if you have a little more space in your budget. As an all-rounder ideal for all sorts of design and crafting pursuits, there’s a lot to like about the WF-7840.
There is something to dislike, however, and that’s the print speeds. similar to the XP-15000, this printer struggles to print intensively and isn’t suited for high-volume prints. But for a mid-range, general-purpose 11×17 printer, it’s still worth the cost!
Features and Considerations
If you’re intending on investing in an 11×17 printer not on our list today, here are some things to consider:
Print Size
Naturally, 11″ x 17″ is the goal for an 11×17 printer, but consider whether that’s the largest or smallest size you require. Larger print requirements may employ a roll-feed design, where the length of the print is theoretically limitless – but the width is limited.
Print Speed
We don’t place too much stock in print speed, as it’s not an exact science: a printer listing 15 pages per minute for documents is always going to have a slower average speed for photos. That said, some printers are notably slow, which can affect businesses or high-volume prints. Factor your own needs in before buying.
Media Compatibility
Depending on what you need the best 11×17 printer for, you’ll want to check with the manufacturer what formats are compatible. Engineers, designers and architects will require different paper to the average photographer – and all are different to the craft paper used in greeting cards or other creative outlets. Always double-check before you purchase!
Ink Quality
To make sure that your work looks its best when printed, consider investing in a printer with a high-quality ink cartridge system: this generally means no less than six ink cartridge slots for top-grade ink and premium-quality nozzles.
Ink Cost
If you aren’t careful, the cost of buying ink for your printer can become a black hole for your wallet. The best printers for graphic design have a high cartridge yield, meaning that you get the most out of each cartridge. If you can afford them, refillable-tank printers are generally the best for yield.
Ease of Use
To avoid spending less time in menus and more time designing, make sure that the printer you choose has an intuitive UI that doesn’t slow you down. Some graphic design printers have built-in touchscreen displays that make them much easier to interact with and do tasks like ink status monitoring and switching between different print modes. If you prefer hardware buttons, many printers also have physical dashboards along with the screen.
Is an 11x17 printer good for photos?
Yes: Most large-format printers are InkJet printers, capable of detailed and colorful photo prints, though the overall quality will vary from model to model.
Is 11x17 paper A3?
Yes and no: A3 paper is 11.7″ x 16.5″, making it slightly wider and shorter than 11″ x 17″. It’s what’s referred to as “tabloid-size” in the US.
Our Verdict
Although it’s a little on the slow side, the Epson XP-15000 takes our top spot as the best 11×17 printer. Accommodating of bleed whilst maintaining stellar image quality, this printer is highly suited to any number of applications, from architectural designs to photographic prints!
Wanting to create even more high-quality artwork? Consider investing in one of the best canvas printers for high-quality canvas prints!