Epson FX-890II Dot Matrix Printer Review
In-depth review of the Epson FX-890II dot matrix printer — durable, fast, and cost-efficient for forms, receipts and multipart printing.
Introduction
The Epson FX-890II is a purpose-built 9‑pin dot matrix impact printer engineered for environments where durability, multipart form capability, and rock-solid reliability matter more than photo-grade graphics. If your workflow relies on continuous forms, carbon copies, multi-part invoices, or warehouse receipts, the FX-890II is designed to keep those processes moving — fast, consistently, and at a very low cost per page.
This printer solves the everyday pain points of harsh or high-volume print environments: frequent service interruptions, fragile print mechanisms, and expensive consumables. With a long-life ribbon cartridge rated for up to 7.5 million characters and an impact mechanism that handles up to seven-part forms, the FX-890II focuses on productivity and uptime so operations can run without constant intervention.
Overview
At first glance the FX-890II isn’t trying to be flashy — its compact, utilitarian chassis and intuitive push-button controller reflect its industrial intent. The unit supports narrow-carriage printing, both cut-sheet and continuous forms, envelopes and labels, and physically robust media handling. With a footprint of roughly 17.32 x 6.69 x 14.96 inches and a weight around 15.84 pounds, it fits well into tight service counters, receipt rooms, or back-office stations.
Under the hood, this is a traditional 9‑pin dot matrix impact printer using a high-durability ribbon system and Epson’s legacy printer languages (ESC/P, IBM PPDS, MICROLINE compatibility), making it easy to integrate with existing POS, ERP, or legacy host systems. Connectivity is straightforward and conservative: USB and parallel (parallel often needed for industrial host connections). With print rates advertised up to 738 characters per second and a maximum of 22 pages per minute in draft modes, the FX-890II emphasizes rapid, consistent text throughput rather than high-resolution graphics.
Features
Ultra-High Speed Impact Printing: The FX-890II delivers up to 738 characters per second (ultra high speed draft) and up to 22 ppm for black-and-white output. The fast 9-pin impact head accelerates multi-page, multi-part printing — ideal for invoices, forms, receipts and labels where speed equals throughput.
Long-Life Ribbon Cartridge: A ribbon cartridge rated for up to 7.5 million characters reduces the frequency of consumable changes and minimizes downtime. Lower consumable interventions translate directly to lower operating costs and less maintenance overhead for busy environments.
Rugged Media Handling & Multipart Capability: Engineered to print through up to 7-part forms, the FX-890II supports cut-sheet, continuous forms, envelopes and labels. The physical robustness of the tractor-feed mechanism and narrow carriage design ensures reliable feeding in dusty or industrial settings.
Legacy Language Support & Easy Integration: Built-in support for ESC/P, IBM PPDS and MICROLINE command sets makes this printer adaptable to legacy host systems and software platforms. Combined with USB and parallel interfaces, it’s straightforward to drop into existing workflows without extensive driver rework.
Benefits
Reduced Operating Cost
The long-life ribbon (up to 7.5M characters) and durable impact mechanism lower consumable and service costs compared with frequent cartridge replacements or more delicate printers, delivering a lower cost per page for high-volume text and form output.
Maximum Uptime in Harsh Environments
Designed for demanding conditions, the FX-890II tolerates dusty or industrial spaces and sustained printing cycles — minimizing service interruptions and keeping critical processes moving.
Seamless Legacy Integration
Compatibility with legacy printer languages and parallel connectivity ensures the unit integrates with ERP systems, POS terminals, and manufacturing controllers that rely on established command sets.
Reliable Multipart Printing
Ability to print through up to 7-part forms eliminates manual duplication, streamlines invoicing and shipping workflows, and reduces errors associated with manual form handling.
Simple Operation and Maintenance
Intuitive push-button controls, a compact footprint, and long-life consumables mean operators spend less time learning or maintaining the device and more time on core tasks.
Usages
Perfect for Back-Office and Billing
High-volume invoice and statement printing where multipart forms and carbon copies are standard — finance and billing departments will appreciate the repeatable throughput and low per-page cost.
Industrial and Warehouse Environments
Print packing slips, inventory logs, and shipping labels on continuous and multipart paper in environments that demand a rugged, tolerant device that won’t falter under dust or frequent use.
Retail and POS Integration
Use as a receipt or archival slip printer for retail counters that rely on legacy systems or require multipart customer/vendor copies; parallel and ESC/P support make host integration straightforward.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional durability and long ribbon life for low operating costs
- Fast character and draft printing for throughput-sensitive tasks
- Reliable multipart printing through up to 7 layers
- Legacy language compatibility simplifies integration with existing systems
- Three-year limited warranty provides peace of mind in commercial settings
Cons
- Limited connectivity choices (USB and parallel only) — no Ethernet or Wi‑Fi
- Monochrome, low-resolution output unsuitable for graphics or photos
- Manual duplex only; not optimized for two-sided automated workflows
- Modern USB-only office setups may require adapters for parallel-dependent hosts
FAQs
Can the FX-890II print multipart forms and how many layers?
Yes. The printer is built to handle multipart forms and can reliably print through up to 7-part forms, making it well-suited for invoices, receipts, and shipping documentation that need multiple copies.
What connectivity options are available?
The FX-890II provides USB and parallel interfaces. Parallel connectivity is particularly useful for integrating with legacy systems and industrial hosts.
How often will I need to replace the ribbon?
Epson rates the ribbon cartridge for up to approximately 7.5 million characters. Actual life varies with print density and usage patterns, but most high-volume sites will see long intervals between ribbon changes.
Is this printer suitable for modern photo or graphic printing?
No. This dot matrix unit is optimized for text and multipart forms, not for photo-quality or high-resolution graphic work. Maximum black-and-white resolution is 300 dpi, but dot-matrix output produces a characteristic impact look rather than smooth photographic detail.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | 9-pin Dot Matrix Impact Printer |
| Print Speed (PPM) | Up to 22 ppm (max copy speed), up to 738 cps (characters per second) in ultra high speed draft |
| Resolution (DPI) | Maximum 300 dpi (black & white); max copy resolution 240 dpi |
| Connectivity | USB, Parallel |
| Duplex | Manual duplex (no automatic duplex unit) |
| Supported Media Sizes | Up to 8.5 x 11 inches; supports envelopes, labels, cut-sheet and continuous forms |
| Ink/Toner Type | Monochrome ribbon cartridge (up to 7.5 million characters per cartridge) |
| Dimensions | 17.32 x 6.69 x 14.96 inches (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 15.84 pounds (7.2 kg) |
| Memory | 64 MB |
| Power Consumption | 57 Watts |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
| Additional Features | Esc/P, IBM PPDS and MICROLINE language support; push-button controller; handles up to 7-part forms |
Ratings
| Print Quality | 3.4 |
| Connectivity & Ease of Use | 3.6 |
| Print Speed | 4.6 |
| Build & Reliability | 4.7 |
| Maintenance & Efficiency | 4.5 |
| Value for Money | 4.2 |
Recommendation
The Epson FX-890II is recommended for businesses and operations that need rugged, high-throughput text and multipart form printing — think shipping departments, warehouses, retail counters with legacy systems, and back-office billing centers. Choose this printer when low cost-per-page, long consumable life, and compatibility with older host systems outweigh the need for modern connectivity or high-resolution graphics.
If your environment demands Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, or crisp photo-quality output, consider a complementary device for those tasks. But for heavy-duty document printing, multipart forms, and continuous feed reliability, the FX-890II is a cost-efficient workhorse.
Conclusion
The Epson FX-890II is a focused, no-nonsense solution for environments where impact printing remains the best tool for the job. It excels at what dot matrix technology does best: dependable multipart printing, exceptional tolerance for demanding physical environments, and a very low operating cost thanks to long-life ribbon cartridges. Integration-friendly printer languages and a compact industrial design make it a practical drop-in replacement for legacy deployments.
Long-term value comes from reliability and reduced maintenance. The FX-890II won’t replace inkjets or lasers for graphics or modern office features, but when your priority is throughput, multipart capability, and consistent uptime in a tough environment, it’s a smart, pragmatic choice that pays back through lower consumable spend and less downtime.
