11×17 Laser Printer – Have You Considered This?

A 11×17 laser printer is also known as a tabloid or wide format laser printer.  This 11×17 size page is twice the size of a normal 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper.  With twice the size comes twice the decision.  Buying an 11×17 laser printer is very similar to buying a duplex laser printer.  You want a laser printer with a specific added function, in this case, the ability to print on 11×17 paper.  The good news is there are plenty of options for an 11×17 laser printer that will also print on a regular 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper.  No need to buy two separate printers.  But, unlike buying a duplex laser printer, there are many more factors to consider when buying an 11×17 laser printer.

What will the 11×17 laser printer be used for?

The specific tasks that the 11×17 laser printer will be used for is the overall biggest consideration.  The question is not as easily answered as “I want to print posters”.  There are several different questions buried in just that one.  Consideration will need to be given to the following items:

1. What will be printed? Text, photos, line art, posters, banners, newsletters, brochures, newspaper, magazines, architectural drawings, trade show displays, etc.  Depending on what you print and the quality needed will partially determine if you need a higher end 11×17 laser printer with more RAM and a higher processor speed.

2.  What type of material will be printed on? Copy paper, card stock, glossy, envelopes, stickers, transparencies, etc.  Make sure the 11×17 laser printer you purchase can handle the type of material you want to print on.  Make sure to consider the final display environment for this material, whether it be indoor or outdoor.  That will make an impact on your material decision.

3.  Is color required for the specific use of the 11×17 laser printer? Will you use color enough to justify the additional cost of a color 11×17 laser printer or can you take your color needs to an outside vendor?

4.  What format will the printed output be delivered? Will it be bound, stapled, folded?  Is duplex printing a requirement?  Additional features may be needed on the 11×17 laser printer to accommodate the delivery format.  For example, an additional paper tray may need to be dedicated to three hole punch paper for a bound finished product.

Additional consideration will need to be given to the following questions:

5.  How frequently will 11×17 output be printed? Frequently, occasionally  If there will be a more frequent requirement for this type of output, then the 11×17 laser printer may need to have a paper tray that is dedicated to 11×17 paper.

6.  What is the budget? A 11×17 laser printer can cost from $500 – $6,000 depending on the functionality provided.  Many are in the $1,000-$3,000 range.  But the cost of the printer is not the only cost consideration.  Larger toner cartridges and paper will need to be bought for a 11×17 laser printer in addition to the regular 8 ½ x 11 toner cartridges and paper.

It’s a lot to consider when purchasing a 11×17 laser printer.  Here’s some options to get your started on your 11×17 laser printer purchase.  HP, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Xerox and Okidata all have some good solid reviews on their 11×17 laser printers.  For more information on 11×17 laser printers, check out our article on 11×17 color laser printer.