The Epson FX-875 isn’t a newcomer to the printing world. It’s a seasoned veteran, a dot matrix printer known for its longevity and ability to handle tough printing tasks. While laser and inkjet printers dominate the modern landscape for general use, the FX-875 and its dot matrix brethren still hold a valuable place in environments where durability, multipart form printing, and low running costs are paramount.
This printer is designed to withstand the demands of busy offices, warehouses, and other environments where printing is a constant requirement. Its robust construction and straightforward operation make it a favorite for businesses that need a printer they can rely on, day in and day out.
What is a Printer Epson FX-875?
The Printer Epson FX-875 is a narrow-carriage, 9-pin dot matrix printer. Let’s break that down:
- Narrow-Carriage: This means it’s designed to primarily handle paper widths that are typical of standard documents (8.5 inches or A4 size).
- 9-Pin: The “9-pin” designation refers to the print head. It contains nine small pins that strike an ink ribbon to create characters and images on the paper. Compared to 24-pin dot matrix printers, 9-pin printers generally have lower print quality but offer faster printing speeds and lower cost per page, and are suitable for applications where print quality isn’t the priority.
- Dot Matrix: This is the key technology. Dot matrix printers create images and text by striking an ink ribbon with tiny pins. This impact printing method is crucial for creating carbon copies or printing on multipart forms because the impact transfers the image through multiple layers of paper.
The FX-875 connects to computers primarily through parallel and serial interfaces (older technologies), although some models may have optional interfaces like USB. It’s built for volume printing and is known for its ruggedness. This Printer is a workhorse built to last for decades.
Features of the Printer Epson FX-875
The Printer Epson FX-875 boasts a set of features tailored for specific printing needs. While it may lack the bells and whistles of modern printers, its core functionalities are designed for reliability and efficiency in its target applications.
- High-Speed Draft Printing: Speed is a significant advantage of the FX-875. It can churn out documents in draft mode at impressive speeds, making it ideal for tasks where quick output is more important than pristine print quality.
- Multipart Form Printing: This is arguably the FX-875’s most significant strength. Its impact printing technology allows it to effortlessly print on multipart forms, creating multiple copies simultaneously. This is crucial for invoices, receipts, and other documents that require immediate duplication.
- Durable Construction: The FX-875 is built to withstand the rigors of demanding work environments. Its robust design ensures it can handle heavy use and keep printing reliably for years. It’s built to last.
- Simple Operation: Unlike modern printers with complex interfaces and numerous settings, the FX-875 is straightforward to operate. This simplicity makes it easy to train staff and troubleshoot basic issues.
- Low Running Costs: Dot matrix printers, in general, are known for their low running costs. Ink ribbons are relatively inexpensive, and the printer’s robust design minimizes the need for frequent repairs.
- Handles Continuous Form Paper: The FX-875 is designed to handle continuous form paper. This is also known as fanfold paper.
- Adjustable Paper Path: The printer often has multiple paper paths, allowing for flexibility in paper handling, especially when dealing with different types of forms or paper stock. This can include a rear feed, bottom feed, or tractor feed mechanism.
- Control Panel: A simple control panel with buttons and indicator lights allows users to select different print modes, fonts, and other basic settings. These were the standard for its time, but simple.
- Ribbon Cartridge: The printer uses a ribbon cartridge that is easily replaceable. The life of the ribbon depends on what you print and how often you print.
- Fonts: Internal fonts available include draft, roman, sans serif, and condensed. You may be able to load additional fonts, depending on your software.
- Emulations: Epson FX emulations are the set of commands that instruct the printer how to create a printed page.
Advantages of the Printer Epson FX-875
Why would anyone choose a Printer Epson FX-875 in today’s world of laser and inkjet printers? The answer lies in its unique advantages for specific applications:
- Cost-Effectiveness for High-Volume, Low-Quality Printing: When print quality isn’t the primary concern and high-volume printing is required, the FX-875 can be a very cost-effective solution. The low cost of ink ribbons translates to a lower cost per page compared to laser or inkjet printers.
- Unmatched Multipart Form Printing: This is the FX-875’s killer app. No other printing technology can reliably and affordably create multiple copies simultaneously using multipart forms. For businesses that rely on these forms, the FX-875 is indispensable.
- Durability and Longevity: The FX-875 is built like a tank. It can withstand years of heavy use in demanding environments. This longevity translates to a lower total cost of ownership over the long term.
- Simple to Use and Maintain: The FX-875 is easy to operate and maintain. Its straightforward design minimizes the need for specialized training or technical expertise.
- Ideal for Noisy Environments: Dot matrix printers are very noisy when printing. For noisy environments, this advantage is very helpful because you’ll know the printer is working.
- Less Sensitive to Environmental Conditions: Dot matrix printers are generally less sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations compared to some other printing technologies, making them suitable for use in a wider range of environments.
- No Warm-Up Time: Dot matrix printers are ready to print instantly, without any warm-up time. This can be an advantage in situations where immediate printing is required.
Who Still Uses the Epson FX-875?
Despite its age, the Epson FX-875 remains in use in various sectors:
- Warehousing and Logistics: For printing shipping labels, invoices, and packing slips, especially on multipart forms.
- Retail: For printing receipts, especially in environments where power outages are common (dot matrix printers don’t lose data when the power goes out mid-print).
- Automotive Repair Shops: For printing repair orders and invoices.
- Manufacturing: For printing production reports and inventory documents.
- Government Agencies: Some government agencies still rely on dot matrix printers for specific applications.
- Businesses with Legacy Systems: Businesses that have older software systems that are specifically designed to work with dot matrix printers.
Addressing Common Concerns
While the Printer Epson FX-875 has its advantages, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations:
- Print Quality: The print quality is significantly lower than that of laser or inkjet printers. Dot matrix print is generally only suitable for text and simple graphics.
- Noise: Dot matrix printers are notoriously noisy. This can be a significant drawback in quiet office environments.
- Limited Color Printing: The FX-875 is primarily a monochrome printer. Color printing is possible, but it requires special ribbons and is generally not cost-effective.
- Outdated Technology: The FX-875 uses older technology and may not be compatible with modern operating systems or software without specific drivers or workarounds.
Alternatives to the Epson FX-875
If the limitations of the FX-875 outweigh its advantages for your specific needs, consider these alternatives:
- Other Dot Matrix Printers: Newer dot matrix printers may offer slightly improved print quality or connectivity options.
- Laser Printers with Multipart Form Capabilities: Some laser printers are designed to handle multipart forms, although they may not be as reliable or cost-effective as dot matrix printers for this specific task.
- Thermal Printers: For printing receipts and labels, thermal printers offer a faster and quieter alternative to dot matrix printers. However, they cannot print on multipart forms.
- Inkjet Printers: For general-purpose printing with higher quality needs, Inkjet printers are a great alternative. They are cheap nowadays and offer a wide variety of solutions.
Finding the Printer Epson FX-875 Today
The Printer Epson FX-875 is no longer in production. It’s an older piece of technology. Therefore, obtaining a brand-new one is extremely rare. Your best bet is to look for used or refurbished units through online marketplaces, auction sites, or specialized retailers that deal in legacy equipment. When purchasing a used FX-875, be sure to:
- Check the Print Head: Ensure that all the pins are functioning correctly. Missing or damaged pins will result in poor print quality.
- Inspect the Paper Feed Mechanism: Make sure the paper feeds smoothly and that the tractor feed (if applicable) is in good working order.
- Test the Connectivity: Verify that the printer can connect to your computer via the available interfaces (parallel, serial, or USB if available).
- Obtain Drivers: Ensure that you can find drivers for your operating system. While generic drivers may work, specific drivers will provide the best performance and compatibility.
- Check ribbon availability: Ribbons are still sold, but verify you can find the correct ribbon for your printer.
Download Driver Printer Epson FX-875
| Compatible Operating System | Size | Download |
| Windows | ||
| Windows 11 64-bit, Windows 10 32-bit, Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 8.1 32-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Windows 8 32-bit, Windows 8 64-bit, Windows 7 32-bit, Windows 7 64-bit, Windows XP 32-bit, Windows XP 64-bit, Windows Vista 32-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 32-bit, Windows Server 2008 64-bit, Windows Server 2003 32-bit, Windows Server 2003 64-bit | 5 MB | Download Page |
Conclusion: The Enduring Relevance of a Reliable Workhorse
The Printer Epson FX-875 might seem like a relic of the past in today’s world of high-resolution laser and inkjet printers. However, its durability, low running costs, and unmatched ability to print on multipart forms ensure its continued relevance in specific applications. If you need a reliable workhorse that can handle tough printing tasks and keep going for years, the FX-875 is worth considering. However, carefully weigh its limitations against its advantages to determine if it’s the right printing solution for your needs. If you’re looking for high-quality prints, this printer isn’t for you. But, if reliability and printing carbon copies are your needs, this printer might be the one for you.
