Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer Review — Reliable Impact Printing
In-depth review of the Epson LX-350 9‑pin dot matrix printer for multipart forms, continuous paper and reliable office printing.
Introduction
The Epson LX-350 reintroduces time-tested impact printing for modern business needs: a compact 9‑pin dot matrix designed to handle continuous paper, multipart forms and heavy text workloads with quiet, dependable performance. For organizations that still rely on multipart invoices, shipping manifests, receipts and logbooks, the LX-350 solves a set of practical problems that inkjet and laser devices aren’t optimized for — namely printing through carbon copies and continuous tractor-fed media reliably and economically.
Beyond legacy compatibility, the LX-350 addresses everyday productivity concerns: high throughput for text, long mean time between failures (MTBF) for reduced downtime, and a small footprint that fits constrained workstations. If your workflow demands uninterrupted form printing, simple maintenance and wired connectivity options that integrate with existing POS or ERP setups, this Epson delivers a pragmatic balance of speed, durability and value.
Overview
Design-wise the LX-350 is compact and utilitarian — a robust chassis built to sit on a desk or behind a counter without taking up excessive space. It uses EPSON’s proven 9‑pin impact-daisy mechanism that emphasizes longevity and low operating costs over photo-grade detail. The printer is monochrome-only and optimized for character and line printing rather than graphics, which makes it ideal for text-driven documents, multipart sets, and continuous stationery.
Core connectivity covers the essentials for business environments: parallel, serial and USB wired interfaces minimize integration friction with legacy POS terminals, point-of-sale systems, label software and Windows-based point solutions. The LX-350’s target users are small-to-medium enterprises, retail counters, shipping and receiving departments, government offices, and any front/back-office operation that requires dependable multipart or continuous-form printing rather than glossy photos or high-resolution graphics.
Features
Reliable 9‑Pin Impact Mechanism: EPSON 9‑pin dot matrix printhead built for impact printing. Advantage: The impact mechanism prints through multi-part carbon forms and continuous tractor-fed paper. Benefit: Produce copies in a single pass without manual collating, speeding workflows for invoicing, packing lists and delivery notes.
High Throughput for Text Workloads: Rated up to 347 characters per second. Advantage: Fast line-by-line printing of invoices, logs and receipts. Benefit: Shorter wait times during peak periods — ideal for busy counters and batch document runs.
Flexible Wired Connectivity: Parallel, serial and USB ports out of the box. Advantage: Easy integration with legacy terminals and modern PCs without additional converters. Benefit: Lower integration cost and smoother deployment into established POS or ERP systems.
Compact, Rugged Construction: Small footprint (10.83″D x 13.7″W x 9.04″H) and durable build with MTBF of 10,000 operating hours. Advantage: Robust reliability and space efficiency for crowded workstations. Benefit: Less downtime and fewer replacements, translating to predictable operating budgets and a neat workspace.
Energy Efficient, Low Running Complexity: Designed for low power consumption and simple ribbon consumables. Advantage: Minimal maintenance steps and inexpensive replacement ribbons. Benefit: Lower total cost of ownership and fast, user-friendly servicing without specialized technicians.
Benefits
Dependable Multipart & Continuous Printing
Print multipart forms and long continuous runs reliably — one pass, multiple copies. This eliminates manual duplication and reduces errors in transactional documents like invoices, shipping forms and receipts.
Fast, Predictable Throughput for Text
High character-per-second rating translates to steady, fast text printing that keeps pace with POS and back-office tasks, reducing customer wait times and bottlenecks during peak hours.
Legacy Compatibility Without Complexity
Parallel and serial ports retain compatibility with older terminals and equipment, while USB makes it easy to connect to modern PCs, simplifying upgrades or hybrid environments.
Low Operational Cost and Easy Maintenance
Ribbon consumables and a high MTBF mean fewer service calls and lower consumable spend compared with specialty printing solutions, making the LX-350 a cost-effective choice for long-term deployments.
Small Footprint for Crowded Workspaces
Compact dimensions allow placement on counters or small desks, freeing up space for staff activities while maintaining a professional, organized setup.
Usages
Perfect for Front / Back Office Forms
Use case: Print invoices, delivery notes, credit slips and accounting journals where multi-part forms are required. The LX-350 handles carbon copies and continuous stationery in a single pass.
Ideal for Retail POS and Receipt Stations
Use case: Integrate with POS terminals or legacy registers via serial/parallel ports to produce receipts and reports when thermal or laser receipts aren’t appropriate or when multipart documentation is needed.
Great for Warehousing and Logistics
Use case: Generate packing lists, manifests and barcode-backed forms on tractor-fed paper during high-volume packing or shipping operations.
Useful for Government and Field Offices
Use case: Reliable, low-maintenance printing for permit books, forms and transfer records where durability and compatibility with legacy software are priorities.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent reliability and long MTBF (10,000 operating hours).
- Handles multipart and continuous forms in a single pass.
- Multiple wired connectivity options (parallel, serial, USB).
- Compact footprint for tight workspaces.
- Low running costs with inexpensive ribbon consumables.
Cons
- Not suitable for high-resolution graphics or photo printing.
- Wired-only connectivity; no wireless options.
- Limited to monochrome output.
- No automatic duplexing or modern finishing features.
FAQs
Can the LX-350 print on multipart carbon forms?
Yes. The 9‑pin impact printhead is designed to transfer impressions through multiple copies, making it suitable for carbon and carbonless multipart stationery.
What connectivity options are included?
The LX-350 includes parallel, serial and USB interfaces, allowing integration with older POS terminals and modern PCs without additional adapters in many setups.
Is this printer suitable for graphics or photo printing?
No. The LX-350 is optimized for text and line printing. Graphics or photos will appear low-resolution compared with inkjet or laser printers, and are not the intended use case.
How easy is routine maintenance?
Very straightforward. Ribbon replacement and basic cleaning are user-serviceable. The machine’s mechanical simplicity contributes to fewer service calls and lower long-term maintenance costs.
Does it support duplex printing?
No. Duplex (automatic double-sided) printing is not a feature of traditional dot matrix models like the LX-350, which are focused on continuous and multipart stationery workflows.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | Dot matrix impact printer (9‑pin) |
| Print Speed (PPM) | Not specified for PPM (rated at 347 characters/sec for text throughput) |
| Print Speed (chars/sec) | Up to 347 characters per second |
| Resolution (DPI) | Impact/character-based output (not DPI-focused; optimized for text and forms) |
| Connectivity | Parallel, Serial (RS-232), USB |
| Duplex | No (not applicable for continuous/multipart printing) |
| Supported Media Sizes | Continuous tractor-fed paper, A4, Letter, multi-part forms and fanfold stock |
| Ink/Toner Type | Impact ribbon cartridge (replaceable ribbon) |
| Dimensions | 10.83″ D x 13.7″ W x 9.04″ H |
| Weight | 4100 grams (approx. 4.1 kg) |
| Warranty | Manufacturer limited warranty (check vendor for details) |
Ratings
| Print Quality | 3.2 |
| Connectivity & Ease of Use | 4.1 |
| Print Speed | 4.5 |
| Build & Reliability | 4.4 |
| Maintenance & Efficiency | 4.0 |
| Value for Money | 4.3 |
Recommendation
The Epson LX-350 is recommended for businesses and departments that rely on multipart forms, continuous stationery or legacy POS terminals. Choose the LX-350 if your priority is robust, low-cost, high-throughput text printing rather than high-resolution graphics.
Avoid this model if you need color, high-resolution photo printing, wireless connectivity or duplexing. For modern office document needs centered on printed photos or high-resolution graphics, an inkjet or laser machine would be a better fit.
Conclusion
The Epson LX-350 is a focused tool — it doesn’t try to be everything, but it performs the tasks it’s built for very well. Its 9‑pin impact technology excels at printing through multipart forms and continuous paper with reliable, repeatable output. The combination of high character-per-second throughput, wired connectivity options and a solid MTBF makes the LX-350 an attractive option for retail counters, warehouses, government offices and any environment where multipart documentation is routine.
Long-term value comes from low consumable cost, simple maintenance and reduced downtime. While it’s not a fit for graphic-heavy applications, the LX-350’s pragmatic design and rugged reliability deliver meaningful productivity improvements and predictable operating expenses for businesses with legacy printing requirements.
