In our studio, the creative process often outgrows the standard 8.5″ x 11″ page. Whether we’re mocking up marketing posters, proofing architectural drafts, or creating large-scale art prints, the need for wide-format printing is constant. For years, this meant a frustrating cycle: finalizing a design, exporting the files, uploading them to a local print shop’s portal, and then waiting—sometimes days—only to find a minor error that required repeating the whole process. The cost, the delays, and the lack of immediate control were a constant drag on our productivity. We knew we needed an in-house solution, a workhorse capable of handling tabloid (11″ x 17″) and even super-tabloid (13″ x 19″) media without breaking the bank or taking up an entire room. This search for affordable, high-quality, large-format printing is what led us directly to the doorstep of the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer.
- High-performance wide-format printing — accomplish more with fast wide-format printing up to 13" x 19"
- High-speed printing — PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology streamlines workflow with 25 black/12 colour ISO ppm () and fast first-page-out
What to Consider Before Buying an Inkjet Printer
An Inkjet Printer, especially a wide-format model, is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking creative and professional potential. For small businesses, artists, and architects, it brings the entire production process in-house, offering unparalleled control over timelines and final quality. The main benefit is versatility—the ability to print everything from a standard business letter to a full-bleed 11″ x 17″ brochure or a 13″ x 19″ art proof on demand. This eliminates the dependency on third-party services, saves significant costs over time, and allows for immediate revisions and reprints, fostering a more dynamic and efficient workflow. Getting the right printer means faster project turnaround and a more professional presentation of your work.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the constant need for prints larger than the standard letter or legal size. This includes graphic designers, marketing teams, engineering firms, and artists who need to produce proofs, posters, and schematics. It’s for the office that requires high-capacity paper handling for heavy workloads. However, it might not be suitable for those who prioritize the lowest possible running costs above all else or for users who only print occasionally. Likewise, if your workflow demands scanning, copying, and faxing, a print-only device like this won’t suffice. In that case, you might consider an all-in-one wide-format machine or a supertank printer, which has a higher upfront cost but dramatically lower ink expenses in the long run.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Wide-format printers are, by nature, large. The Epson WF-7310 measures 51.5 cm wide by a staggering 88.6 cm deep with the trays extended. Before you even think about purchasing, you must measure your intended space and ensure you have not only a sturdy surface to support its nearly 30-pound weight but also enough clearance in the front and back for the paper trays and rear feed.
- Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just print speed. Paper capacity is a critical productivity feature. The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer boasts an impressive 500-sheet capacity split between two 250-sheet trays. This means you can load letterhead in one and 11″ x 17″ paper in the other, which is a massive time-saver. Also, consider its duplexing capabilities; this model supports auto 2-sided printing up to 11″ x 17″, a feature not always standard in this class.
- Materials & Durability: Most office printers are constructed from durable plastics, and the WF-7310 is no exception. The build feels solid and engineered for a busy environment. Pay attention to the paper trays and output mechanisms; they should feel robust and not flimsy, as they will be subject to the most wear and tear over the machine’s lifespan.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A printer’s usability extends beyond the initial setup. Consider the control interface—the WF-7310 has a 2.4″ color LCD, which is functional but not a touchscreen. More importantly, think about long-term maintenance. For inkjet printers, this primarily involves ink replacement. You need to understand the cost per page, the type of cartridges used, and whether the printer is susceptible to issues like print head clogging if used infrequently.
Making the right choice requires balancing your immediate needs with the long-term cost of ownership and the physical realities of your workspace.
While the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Print, Copy, Scan: The PIXMA TS3720 is a true colour printer scanner copier all in one that is compact, versatile and easy-to-use with a 60 sheet rear tray that reduces the need to refill paper as...
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (2)
- FROM CANADA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The DeskJet 2855e is perfect for homes printing to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes. Print speeds up to 5.5 ppm colour, 7.5 ppm black.
First Impressions: A Substantial and Purpose-Built Machine
Unboxing the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer is a two-person job. This is not a compact, home-office device; it’s a substantial piece of equipment with a commanding presence. The all-black chassis feels robust and business-like, designed more for function than for aesthetic flair. Inside the box, we found the printer itself, a power cord, a CD-ROM for drivers (which we promptly ignored in favor of downloading the latest versions online), an instruction manual, and a set of four DURABrite Ultra “initial” ink cartridges.
Setup was surprisingly straightforward, a sentiment echoed by many users who found it “easy Peezy.” After removing all the protective blue tape, we powered it on, and the 2.4″ color LCD guided us through the process of installing the ink cartridges and running the initial priming cycle, which takes several minutes. Connecting to our Wi-Fi network was simple using the on-screen menu. For more advanced control, the Epson Smart Panel App is the way to go, allowing for setup and printing directly from a smartphone. We had it up and running, printing our first test page in under 20 minutes. Compared to some older, notoriously finicky network printers, this was a refreshingly modern experience. You can check the latest price and availability to see if it fits your office budget.
Key Benefits
- Excellent wide-format printing up to 13″ x 19″
- Massive 500-sheet paper capacity via two separate trays
- Fast monochrome print speeds (up to 25 ppm) for office documents
- Great connectivity options including Wi-Fi 5 and Ethernet
Potential Drawbacks
- Extremely high cost of proprietary ink cartridges
- Firmware updates can block the use of third-party inks
- Reports of mechanical issues like paper jams and print artifacts
Performance Under Pressure: A Deep Dive into the Epson WF-7310
A printer’s spec sheet only tells half the story. To truly understand its value, you have to put it through its paces in a real-world environment. We spent weeks with the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer, using it for everything from multi-page reports and duplexed spreadsheets to glossy 11″ x 17″ marketing materials and 13″ x 19″ photo proofs. Our findings reveal a machine of stark contrasts: one that is capable of brilliant performance but is held back by significant, frustrating limitations.
Print Quality and Speed: A Double-Edged Sword
At its best, the output from the WF-7310 is genuinely impressive. Thanks to its PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology and a maximum resolution of 4800 x 2400 DPI, the quality is undeniable. Black text on plain paper is razor-sharp and rivals that of a laser printer, emerging at a brisk pace close to the advertised 25 pages per minute. For office documents, it’s a true workhorse. When we switched to glossy photo paper for color prints, the DURABrite Ultra pigment inks delivered vibrant, punchy colors and sharp details. One user rightly praised the print quality as “A1,” and for our initial batch of marketing proofs and graphic-heavy documents, we wholeheartedly agreed. The printer’s ability to produce professional-looking, borderless 11″ x 17″ prints in-house is a game-changer for any small business.
However, this stellar performance is not always consistent. We, like several other users, began to encounter frustrating quality issues after some use. One user reported persistent “blue lines about 2mm wide” that ruined their printouts, an issue we managed to replicate on glossy paper after a period of heavy printing. No amount of head cleaning or nozzle checks seemed to permanently resolve it, suggesting a potential hardware flaw. Furthermore, a significant complaint we can confirm is the machine’s inability to produce a true borderless 13″ x 19″ print. Despite every setting combination we tried, it consistently left a thin margin, which is a major drawback for artists and photographers who require full-bleed output at that size. So while the speed and quality can be excellent, the reliability of that quality over time is a serious concern.
Paper Handling and Productivity Powerhouse
Where the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer unequivocally shines is in its paper handling. The dual 250-sheet front-loading trays are a productivity dream. We loaded one with standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper and the other with 11″ x 17″ tabloid stock. The ability to switch between media sizes directly from the print driver without ever touching the printer is a massive workflow enhancement. The total 500-sheet capacity means less frequent reloading, which is crucial in a busy office. Add to this the rear feed slot for specialty media like cardstock or 13″ x 19″ sheets, and you have an incredibly versatile machine. The auto-duplexer, which capably handles two-sided printing up to 11″ x 17″, worked flawlessly in our tests, saving paper and adding a professional touch to our reports and booklets. For pure paper-handling prowess in its price class, this feature really sets it apart.
Unfortunately, this is another area where the printer’s performance can be inconsistent. While our initial experience was smooth, we eventually ran into the paper jam errors that have infuriated other owners. One user lamented that they’ve “removed more paper jams than printed pieces of paper,” calling the experience infuriating. We found the printer to be particularly finicky with the rear feed slot if the paper wasn’t perfectly aligned. It would sometimes spin for a moment before throwing a vague “paper out” or “paper jam” error, even when everything looked correct. This transforms a productivity powerhouse into a productivity bottleneck, and the unreliability is a significant mark against it.
The Elephant in the Room: Ink Costs and Firmware Controversies
This is the most critical aspect of owning the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer and, frankly, its Achilles’ heel. The printer uses Epson’s T812 series ink cartridges, which are expensive. While the initial quality is good, the ink consumption is alarmingly high. We were shocked at how quickly the initial set of cartridges depleted, and many users report feeling like they are “changing it more than often.” An artist who used the printer for two years stated that Epson is “so money hungry and greedy,” claiming the entire system “is entirely designed to milk as much money out of you buying ink, as possible.” Based on our testing and the cost of replacement cartridges, we find it hard to disagree.
The issue is compounded by a practice that we and many users find deeply anti-consumer. The printer will actively connect to the internet to download firmware updates. However, as one user discovered, these updates can serve a nefarious purpose: to block the use of more affordable third-party or aftermarket ink cartridges. They reported using third-party ink without issue until a forced update rendered them useless, suddenly displaying a “cartridge not recognized” error. This traps the owner in Epson’s expensive ecosystem. To add insult to injury, the printer will often refuse to print in black and white if a single color cartridge is empty, forcing you to replace an entire set to print a simple text document. This combination of high ink cost, high consumption, and deliberate blocking of alternatives is the single biggest reason to hesitate before you invest in this particular model.
What Other Users Are Saying
Diving into feedback from other owners reveals a deeply polarized experience. On one hand, there are users who are perfectly satisfied. One first-time Epson owner was worried by negative reviews but found it “works exactly the way I needed,” praising its speed, excellent print quality, and reliable wireless connection for 11×17 prints. They acknowledge it’s just a printer (no scanner), but for that specific task, it exceeded their expectations.
On the other hand, the negative feedback is overwhelming and centers on a few key themes. The most vehement complaints revolve around the ink. One user bluntly stated, “I purchased the Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 expecting a reliable wide-format printer, but what I got instead was a textbook example of corporate greed in action,” after a firmware update blocked his third-party cartridges. This sentiment is echoed repeatedly. Beyond ink, reliability is a major pain point. An incredibly frustrated owner of two of these machines over three years said, “Epson is the most infuriating experience you can have,” citing constant, phantom paper jams that render the machine useless. These conflicting reports suggest that while a perfectly functioning unit can be a great asset, the risk of getting a problematic one with costly long-term maintenance is exceptionally high.
How Does the Epson WF-7310 Compare to the Alternatives?
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer does not exist in a vacuum. If its drawbacks, particularly the ink situation, give you pause, there are several excellent alternatives to consider.
1. Brother MFC-J5855DW Wireless A3 Inkjet Printer Refillable Ink
- More uninterrupted printing. Up to 1 year of printing with the INKvestment Tank’s high-capacity in-box ink cartridges (approximately 300 pages/month) and 2-year limited warranty.
- More impact. Our patented MAXIDRIVE print chip redefines printing technology with ultra-fast, durable, precision printing, with print speeds up to 30 ppm black/colour
The Brother MFC-J5855DW presents a compelling challenge to the Epson. Its most significant advantage is that it’s an all-in-one device, including a scanner, copier, and fax machine capable of handling up to 11″ x 17″ media. This immediately offers more functionality than the print-only WF-7310. Furthermore, Brother markets this model with its INKvestment Tank system, which uses larger, higher-yield cartridges for a much lower cost per page, directly addressing the primary complaint against the Epson. While it may not reach the same maximum print resolution as the WF-7310, it is a far more economical and versatile choice for a small office that needs more than just printing capabilities.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-15000 Wireless All-in-One Supertank Printer
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― No more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; each ink bottle set is equivalent to about 80 individual cartridges (4)
- Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 7,500 pages black/6,000 colour (3)
For those who like Epson’s print quality but are terrified by its cartridge costs, the EcoTank ET-15000 is the answer from within Epson’s own lineup. This is also a wide-format all-in-one, but its defining feature is the “Supertank” system. Instead of cartridges, it uses large, refillable ink tanks that you fill from inexpensive bottles. The printer comes with enough ink in the box to last for up to two years for many users. While the upfront purchase price of the ET-15000 is significantly higher than the WF-7310, the long-term savings on ink are astronomical. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who prints wide-format frequently and wants to escape the high-cost cartridge model for good.
3. Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Wireless Printer
- Epson printing system is specifically designed to be used with Epson Genuine Cartridges. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
- Brilliant, borderless photos up to 11" x 17" — 6-colour Claria Photo HD Inks deliver smooth gradations and amazing skin tones
If your primary focus is on producing the highest quality photos and art prints, the Expression Photo XP-970 is a better fit. Unlike the Workforce series, which uses a 4-color pigment ink system geared for business documents and graphics, the XP-970 uses a 6-color Claria Photo HD dye-based ink system. This allows for smoother gradients, more accurate skin tones, and a wider color gamut, making it superior for photographic output. While its paper handling and speed aren’t as robust as the WF-7310, and it also uses cartridges, it is the superior choice for photographers and artists who prioritize ultimate image fidelity over office productivity features. It also includes scanner and copier functions.
Final Verdict: A Capable Printer Undone by Its Business Model
The Epson Workforce Pro WF-7310 Wireless Wide-Format Auto Duplex Printer is a machine we desperately wanted to love. On paper, it’s a dream for a small business or creative studio: fast, high-capacity, and capable of producing beautiful wide-format prints. When it works, it works very well, and its dual-tray system is a masterclass in productivity design. However, we cannot in good conscience give it a full-throated recommendation. The cripplingly high cost of its proprietary ink, coupled with the consumer-hostile practice of using firmware to block more affordable alternatives, makes the long-term cost of ownership potentially exorbitant.
If you are a business with a healthy supplies budget, absolutely need the specific combination of dual 11×17 trays and 13×19 printing, and are committed to only using first-party ink, then this printer might serve you well—provided you get a reliable unit. For everyone else, the risks and long-term costs are simply too high. We strongly suggest you look towards the more economical alternatives from Brother or Epson’s own EcoTank line. While the initial investment might be higher, the peace of mind and massive savings on ink will be well worth it. If you’ve weighed the pros and cons and still feel this is the right tool for your specific needs, you can find the best price and order it here.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API