Download Driver Printer Epson LQ-680Pro

The Epson LQ-680Pro is a 24-pin dot matrix printer known for its rugged design and ability to handle continuous forms and multipart documents. It’s not your typical home printer; it’s built for businesses and organizations that require reliable, high-volume printing in environments where speed and durability are paramount.

Dot matrix technology, while seemingly outdated compared to laser or inkjet, offers unique advantages. It allows for printing on carbonless forms (multipart forms) without the need for special paper, something laser and inkjet printers struggle with. The impact printing process creates clear, legible copies on each layer of the form.

The Epson LQ-680Pro is designed for environments where reliability is key. Think warehouses, accounting departments, shipping offices, and other businesses that require printing invoices, receipts, reports, and other documents on a regular basis. It’s a true workhorse.

What is the Printer Epson LQ-680Pro?

The Printer Epson LQ-680Pro is a 24-pin dot matrix impact printer. But what does that mean? Let’s break it down:

Dot Matrix: Unlike laser or inkjet printers that use toner or ink cartridges to create images, dot matrix printers use a print head containing tiny pins. These pins strike an ink ribbon against the paper, creating a pattern of dots that form characters and images.
24-Pin: The “24-pin” designation refers to the number of pins in the print head. More pins generally translate to higher print quality and more refined characters. The LQ-680Pro’s 24-pin print head provides excellent print clarity for a dot matrix printer.
Impact Printer: The term “impact printer” refers to the way the printer creates the image. The pins physically strike the ribbon and paper, creating an impression. This is what allows dot matrix printers to print on multipart forms.

Essentially, the Printer Epson LQ-680Pro is a robust, reliable printer designed for businesses needing to print continuous forms, multipart documents, and other high-volume printing tasks where durability and impact printing are essential. While it might not be the fastest or quietest printer on the market, its strength lies in its dependability and suitability for specific applications. It is a printer built to last, often outperforming modern printers in longevity, especially in demanding environments.

It’s important to understand its target audience. This printer isn’t for printing glossy photos or color documents. It’s a workhorse designed for text-based documents, reports, and forms where clarity and the ability to print through multiple layers are essential.

Features of the Printer Epson LQ-680Pro

The Epson LQ-680Pro boasts a range of features that contribute to its reliability and suitability for its intended applications. Here’s a detailed look at some of its key features:

High Print Speed: While not as fast as modern laser printers, the LQ-680Pro offers a respectable print speed for a dot matrix printer. It can achieve speeds of up to 413 characters per second (cps) in draft mode, allowing for efficient high-volume printing. Different print quality modes offer varying speeds. The faster the speed, the lower the print quality.
Multipart Form Printing: This is where the LQ-680Pro truly shines. Its impact printing technology allows it to effortlessly print on multipart forms with up to 7 layers (6 copies + 1 original). This eliminates the need for specialized carbonless paper, saving businesses time and money.
Durable Print Head: The print head is a critical component of any dot matrix printer. The LQ-680Pro features a rugged, long-lasting print head designed to withstand the rigors of high-volume printing. Epson’s reputation for quality ensures the print head is built to last.
Multiple Paper Paths: The printer offers flexible paper handling with multiple paper paths, including a push tractor, pull tractor, and cut-sheet feeder. This allows users to easily switch between different paper types and sizes. The tractor feed system is particularly useful for continuous forms.
Parallel and Serial Interfaces: The LQ-680Pro typically includes both parallel and serial interfaces, providing compatibility with a wide range of computer systems. While USB is more common in modern printers, the parallel and serial ports ensure compatibility with legacy systems.
Emulation Modes: The printer supports various emulation modes, including Epson LQ and IBM ProPrinter emulations. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of software applications.
Resident Fonts: The LQ-680Pro includes a variety of resident fonts, including Courier, Prestige Elite, and Script. These fonts provide flexibility in document formatting.
Memory: The printer has a small amount of memory for buffering print jobs. This helps to improve print speed and efficiency.
Control Panel: The control panel provides easy access to printer settings and functions. Users can adjust print quality, paper handling, and other settings directly from the panel.
Optional Network Interface: While typically connected directly to a computer, some models of the LQ-680Pro may offer an optional network interface, allowing it to be shared by multiple users on a network.

A deeper look into specific features:

Print Speed & Quality: The LQ-680Pro offers various print qualities, each impacting speed. Draft mode prioritizes speed, while Near Letter Quality (NLQ) provides a sharper, more refined print. The best mode is dependent on the user’s specific need.
Paper Handling: This printer is adept at managing continuous form paper. The tractor feed mechanism ensures that the paper is pulled through the printer smoothly and accurately, preventing jams and misalignments. It also supports single-sheet paper, envelopes and labels through the cut-sheet feeder.
Connectivity: Despite being an older model, the parallel port offers a reliable connection. The serial port can be crucial for connecting to older equipment.
Durability: Perhaps the most compelling feature of the LQ-680Pro is its robust construction. Designed for demanding environments, this printer is built to withstand heavy use and continue performing reliably for years. This contrasts with the shorter lifespans of many modern printers.
Ribbon Cartridge: The ribbon cartridge is relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time, contributing to the printer’s overall low cost of ownership.

In summary, the features of the Printer Epson LQ-680Pro reflect its design as a reliable, durable printer for specific business needs. It’s not a printer packed with bells and whistles, but rather a dependable tool for printing forms and documents where impact printing and longevity are paramount.

Advantages of the Printer Epson LQ-680Pro

The Epson LQ-680Pro offers several advantages, particularly for businesses with specific printing requirements:

Cost-Effective Multipart Form Printing: The ability to print directly on multipart forms without special paper is a significant cost-saving advantage. Laser and inkjet printers often require expensive carbonless paper or specialized printing processes for multipart forms.
High Reliability and Durability: The LQ-680Pro is known for its robustness and longevity. It’s built to withstand heavy use in demanding environments, making it a cost-effective investment in the long run. Its simple design translates to fewer potential points of failure.
Low Cost of Ownership: Dot matrix printers, in general, have a lower cost of ownership than laser or inkjet printers. Ribbon cartridges are relatively inexpensive and last a long time. The printer’s durability also reduces the need for frequent replacements.
Compatibility with Legacy Systems: The parallel and serial interfaces ensure compatibility with older computer systems, which can be important for businesses that rely on legacy software and hardware.
Simple Operation and Maintenance: The LQ-680Pro is relatively easy to operate and maintain. The simple design and straightforward controls make it accessible to users with minimal technical expertise. Replacing the ribbon cartridge is a quick and easy process.
Handles Continuous Forms: Its tractor feed mechanism provides excellent paper handling for continuous forms. This is essential for printing long reports, invoices, and other documents on a continuous roll of paper.
Unmatched Durability in Harsh Environments: Dot matrix printers are far more tolerant of dusty, dirty environments than laser or inkjet printers. This makes the LQ-680Pro suitable for use in warehouses, factories, and other industrial settings.
Print Permanence: Dot matrix prints are highly durable and resistant to fading, making them ideal for archival documents and records that need to be preserved for long periods.

More Advantages Explained:

Ideal for Carbon-Copy Forms: Businesses that depend on printing carbon-copy forms (invoices, receipts, shipping documents) will find tremendous value in the LQ-680Pro. It eliminates the need for manual handwriting or separate photocopying, saving time and reducing errors.
Reduced Downtime: Due to its robust construction, the LQ-680Pro experiences fewer breakdowns and requires less maintenance compared to more complex printers. This minimizes downtime and ensures that business operations can continue smoothly.
Lower Energy Consumption: Compared to laser printers, dot matrix printers consume significantly less energy. This can translate to lower electricity bills, especially in businesses that print large volumes of documents.
Resilience to Environmental Factors: Unlike inkjet printers, the LQ-680Pro doesn’t suffer from clogged printheads due to ink drying out. This makes it a suitable choice for environments where the printer may sit idle for extended periods.
Simple Integration: Integrating the LQ-680Pro into existing systems is typically straightforward, thanks to its standard parallel and serial interfaces and emulation modes.
Archival Quality: Dot matrix prints are more resistant to fading and environmental degradation than laser or inkjet prints, making them a preferred choice for long-term document storage. This is especially important for legal documents, financial records, and other critical paperwork.
Resistance to Tampering: The impact printing process makes it difficult to alter or erase dot matrix prints without leaving visible evidence. This can be an advantage for documents that require a high degree of security.

It’s crucial to remember that the advantages of the Printer Epson LQ-680Pro are most pronounced in specific use cases. It’s not a replacement for a laser printer in a typical office setting, but it excels in environments where multipart forms, durability, and low running costs are prioritized. Choosing the right printer for the job is key, and the LQ-680Pro remains a viable option for many businesses.

Why Choose a Dot Matrix in Today’s World?

You might be wondering why anyone would choose a dot matrix printer in the age of high-speed lasers and vibrant inkjets. Here’s the core reason: Specialized needs.

While general-purpose printing has largely moved to newer technologies, dot matrix printers like the Epson LQ-680Pro remain relevant due to their unique capabilities:

Multipart Forms: This is the primary reason. Impact printing is the only reliable way to create legible copies on multipart forms.
Durability: Dot matrix printers are built to last in harsh environments.
Cost: Over the long term, the cost of consumables (ribbons) is often lower than toner or ink cartridges, especially for high-volume printing.

Is the Epson LQ-680Pro Right for You?

Before investing in an Epson LQ-680Pro, consider the following:

Do you need to print on multipart forms frequently?
Do you require a printer that can withstand harsh environments?
Is low cost of ownership a primary concern?
Are you printing primarily text-based documents?
Do you need compatibility with older systems?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, the Epson LQ-680Pro might be a good fit.

Download Driver Printer Epson LQ-680Pro

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	55 MB	Download Page

Conclusion

The Printer Epson LQ-680Pro is a dependable and robust dot matrix printer designed for specific business needs. While it may not be the most modern or versatile printer on the market, its ability to handle multipart forms, its durability, and its low cost of ownership make it a valuable asset for businesses that require reliable printing in demanding environments. The key takeaway is understanding its niche. It’s not a printer for everyone, but for those who need its specialized capabilities, the LQ-680Pro remains a reliable and cost-effective solution.

Its enduring presence in the market is a testament to its ability to meet the specific needs of a particular segment of users. It’s a workhorse that continues to deliver, even in a world dominated by newer technologies. So, if you’re looking for a printer that can handle tough jobs and keep going strong, the Epson LQ-680Pro is worth considering. It’s a proven performer that continues to stand the test of time.