The name Epson has become synonymous with home office and small business printers. For over 30 years, this Japanese company has been maintaining the watermark that all other printers have been compared to. One of their most recent additions, the Epson WorkForce 1100 Color Inkjet Wide Format 11×17 Printer, is now offering a handful of features that once again makes Epson a respectable choice for most small offices.
If nothing else, Epson continues to prove that printers do not require a steep learning curve when users are attempting to operate them. Right out of the box, the WorkForce 1100 can be setup and printing pages in as little as a few minutes. The included software offers very little in the way of frills, but all of the options are straightforward and can be downloaded onto Apple, Windows, or Linux devices. As with most Epsons, the Workforce 1100 conveniently situates the input bin at the top and rear of the printer while the output bin sits on the face of the machine. Most, but not all of the basic controls can be carried out on the printer itself with a handful navigational buttons. They have also included a front-facing USB port for easier access in tight spaces.
For an inkjet printer, the Workforce 1100 produces very high quality prints that are comparable to laser prints. The manufacturer sets the print speed at upward of 30 pages per minute, but most users will experience closer to 25 for black and white copies and 15 for color prints. Operators can opt for top quality color prints through the included software, and this will slow speeds down to just under 10 pages per minute.
There are two features that make this inkjet printer stand out from the competition. The first is the wide format hardware that can handle pages up to 13″ wide. This makes it one of the very few affordable inkjet options for larger flyers and brochures. The second useful feature is the convenient dual-sided printing option that can reduce paper costs by 50% in certain circumstances.
Overall, the Epson WorkForce 1100 Color Inkjet Wide Format Printer has shaped up to be a very solid choice for an entry level to mid-range printer. Between the affordable costs of Epson ink and the quality that this printer produces, those looking for a device that can handle two-sided printing, large brochures, and keep within budget will not be disappointed.