Brother MFC-J5110DW Ink Cartridges

Brother MFC-J5110DW Review: A Powerful A4 Business Printer with Low-Cost Ink

The Brother MFC-J5110DW is an interesting printer because it sits somewhere between a conventional home-office multifunction printer and a much more serious small-business machine. It is designed for people who do more than simply print the occasional document. With two 250-sheet paper trays, a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, automatic two-sided printing, automatic duplex scanning, a 50-sheet document feeder and a large colour touchscreen, the MFC-J5110DW is clearly aimed at users who want to get through a lot of everyday printing without constantly having to feed paper into the machine.

It is also part of Brother's INKvestment range, which is particularly important when looking at the long-term cost of owning this printer. Rather than judging the MFC-J5110DW purely on its purchase price, it makes much more sense to consider how much it costs to keep it running over several years. The printer uses separate LC536-series cartridges, including higher-yield LC536XL and LC536XXL options, giving buyers considerably more flexibility when it comes to controlling their printing costs.

On paper, the MFC-J5110DW looks like a very capable A4 multifunction printer. In practice, its biggest strengths are its paper capacity, automatic duplex printing and scanning, networking options and the availability of high-yield ink cartridges. There are also a few things prospective buyers should understand before choosing it, particularly its size, weight and the fact that this is a business-oriented inkjet rather than a compact printer designed to sit unnoticed on a small desk.

Brother MFC-J5110DW: At a Glance

The MFC-J5110DW is a four-function colour multifunction printer, meaning it can print, scan, copy and fax. It is primarily designed for A4 printing and is particularly well suited to home offices, small businesses and workplaces where documents are printed regularly.

One of the first things that stands out is the amount of paper the printer can hold. There are two separate 250-sheet paper trays, giving the printer a combined capacity of up to 500 sheets in the standard trays. There is also a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, bringing the potential total paper capacity to around 600 sheets.

That is a substantial amount of paper for an A4 inkjet printer and makes a noticeable difference if you are printing regularly. Instead of loading paper every few days, you can fill the trays and leave the printer to do its job.

The printer also has a 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder, which is useful when scanning, copying or faxing multi-page documents. More importantly, the ADF supports automatic two-sided scanning, so the printer can scan both sides of a document without requiring you to manually turn every sheet over.

For an office environment, that feature alone can save a surprising amount of time.

Design and Build Quality

The Brother MFC-J5110DW is not a small printer. Measuring approximately 435mm wide, 340mm deep and 439mm high, and weighing around 17.1kg, it is substantially larger and heavier than the typical entry-level home inkjet.

That is not necessarily a negative. The extra size is largely the result of the printer's much more substantial paper-handling system and multifunction capabilities. This is a machine designed to stay in one place and work hard rather than something you move around the house.

The design is fairly understated, which is typical of Brother's business printers. It is not trying to be a piece of furniture or a stylish accessory for your home office. Instead, it has a functional appearance that makes sense in a workplace.

The large 10.9cm colour touchscreen is one of the more noticeable features. It gives you direct access to printing, copying, scanning and other functions without necessarily having to use a computer every time you want to perform a simple task.

For a printer that is likely to be used by several people, this makes sense. You can walk up to the machine, place a document in the ADF and start a copy or scan directly from the touchscreen.

Print Quality

Print quality is an important consideration with any inkjet printer, and the MFC-J5110DW is primarily designed around business and general-purpose document printing rather than being a specialist photographic printer.

For everyday documents, the printer is more than capable. Text is sharp, black documents are easy to read and colour graphics are suitable for reports, presentations, charts, invoices and other business material.

The printer has a maximum print resolution of up to 4800 x 1200 dpi, which gives it plenty of resolution for detailed colour output.

Where the MFC-J5110DW really makes sense is in the type of printing most businesses actually do. If you are printing invoices, quotations, spreadsheets, letters, forms, reports and colour business documents, the printer is designed for precisely this type of workload.

It can also produce borderless prints on supported paper sizes, which is useful for certain marketing documents and photographs. However, anyone buying it primarily for serious photography should probably look at a dedicated photo-focused printer instead. The MFC-J5110DW is much more interested in being a dependable office workhorse.

How Fast Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW?

The MFC-J5110DW is considerably faster than many inexpensive consumer inkjet printers. Its rated print speed is up to approximately 28 pages per minute for black-and-white printing and 26 pages per minute for colour printing under the relevant standardised testing conditions.

As always, real-world printing speeds can vary depending on the type of document being printed, print quality settings, paper type and whether the printer is producing single-sided or double-sided documents.

Still, the important point is that this printer is designed for productivity. It does not feel like a printer intended for someone who only prints five pages a month.

For a small business, speed becomes particularly important when several people are using the same printer. Waiting around for a large document to finish printing is one of those small frustrations that can quickly become irritating in an office. The MFC-J5110DW is designed to minimise that problem.

Automatic Duplex Printing

Automatic duplex printing is one of the features that makes the MFC-J5110DW particularly attractive for business use.

Instead of manually turning pages over, the printer can automatically print on both sides of the paper. This is useful for reports, contracts, meeting documents, school work, internal paperwork and almost anything else where you don't need a separate sheet of paper for every page.

There is also a financial benefit. If you regularly print long documents, using both sides of the paper can significantly reduce your paper consumption over time.

It also makes documents more compact. A 20-page report can become a 10-sheet document rather than a 20-sheet document, which is considerably easier to handle and store.

Duplex Scanning Is a Major Advantage

One of the more impressive features of the Brother MFC-J5110DW is its automatic two-sided scanning capability.

The 50-sheet ADF can automatically scan both sides of a document, which is particularly useful for businesses that are gradually moving away from paper-based filing systems.

Imagine having a 20-page document where almost every page has information on the front and back. With a conventional scanner, you may need to scan one side, turn everything over and scan the other side. The MFC-J5110DW can handle the two-sided document automatically.

This is the sort of feature that might not sound particularly exciting when reading a specification sheet, but it can become one of the printer's most useful functions once you actually start using it.

Scanning and Copying

The scanner is designed primarily for everyday office work. It can handle documents through the ADF or individual items through the flatbed scanner.

The flatbed scanner has an optical resolution of up to 1200 x 2400 dpi, while scanning through the ADF is designed for faster document handling.

For scanning contracts, invoices, receipts, forms, correspondence and other business paperwork, the scanner is more than adequate.

Copying is similarly straightforward. The touchscreen allows users to make copies directly from the printer, while the ADF means that multi-page documents do not need to be placed on the scanner glass one page at a time.

This is another area where the MFC-J5110DW starts to feel more like a genuine office machine than a traditional home printer.

The Two Paper Trays Are Extremely Useful

The dual paper trays are one of my favourite features of the MFC-J5110DW.

Each tray can hold up to 250 sheets of standard paper, meaning you can keep up to 500 sheets loaded without having to refill the printer constantly.

More importantly, having two trays gives you options.

You could keep standard A4 paper in one tray and another type of paper in the second. For example, one tray could contain plain office paper while the other contains a different size or type of compatible media.

This is particularly useful for businesses that regularly print different types of documents.

There is also a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray for additional media and specialised printing jobs. The multi-purpose tray can also handle long documents, with support for printing on media up to approximately 1.2 metres long when the appropriate settings and media are used.

That opens up possibilities for banners and other long-format documents that you simply cannot produce on a basic home printer.

Connectivity

The MFC-J5110DW is well equipped when it comes to connectivity.

It supports wireless networking, Wi-Fi Direct, wired Gigabit Ethernet and USB connectivity. That means it can work just as comfortably on a home Wi-Fi network as it can in a wired business environment.

For a small office, the Ethernet connection is particularly useful because it allows the printer to be connected directly to the network rather than relying exclusively on Wi-Fi.

Wireless printing also makes it easy for multiple computers and mobile devices to access the printer.

The printer supports popular mobile printing technologies, including Apple AirPrint and Mopria, along with Brother's mobile printing and scanning ecosystem.

That means you are not necessarily tied to a single computer when you need to print something. A document can be sent to the printer from a compatible phone, tablet or computer on the network.

Brother Mobile Connect

Brother's mobile connectivity is another useful addition. For users who regularly work from smartphones and tablets, being able to send documents to the printer without first transferring them to a desktop computer makes the whole printing process more convenient.

This is especially useful in modern home offices, where the computer may no longer be the centre of every workflow.

What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J5110DW Use?

This is probably one of the most important questions to answer before buying the printer.

The Australian Brother MFC-J5110DW uses the Brother LC536 ink cartridge series.

The cartridges are available as separate black, cyan, magenta and yellow cartridges, meaning you only replace the colour that has actually run out.

The compatible cartridge numbers include:

• Brother LC536BK – Black
• Brother LC536C – Cyan
• Brother LC536M – Magenta
• Brother LC536Y – Yellow
• Brother LC536XL – High Yield
• Brother LC536XXL – Super High Yield

The availability of higher-yield versions is one of the reasons the MFC-J5110DW is worth considering for people who print regularly.

Rather than continually purchasing smaller standard cartridges, users who print more frequently can choose higher-capacity cartridges and reduce the number of cartridge changes required.

Brother MFC-J5110DW LC536XL Ink

The LC536XL cartridges are particularly interesting for people who are concerned about printer running costs.

High-yield cartridges generally make more sense for a business or home office that prints regularly because they provide more ink per cartridge and reduce the frequency of replacements.

For example, if you are printing hundreds of pages every month, buying standard cartridges repeatedly can become inconvenient. A high-yield cartridge can mean fewer interruptions and less time spent ordering and changing ink.

When comparing cartridges, however, don't simply look at the price of the cartridge. It is much more useful to compare the price against the expected page yield.

This gives you a much better idea of the actual cost of printing.

What About Compatible LC536 Ink Cartridges?

This is another area where the MFC-J5110DW can become considerably more economical.

Compatible LC536 cartridges are available from third-party cartridge manufacturers and retailers. They are designed to work with the same printer model while offering an alternative to buying genuine Brother cartridges.

For people who print a lot, compatible cartridges can potentially make a substantial difference to the overall cost of ownership.

There is no reason to assume that every compatible cartridge is identical. Quality can vary considerably between suppliers, so it is sensible to purchase from an established cartridge retailer that offers a clear guarantee and stands behind its products.

A good compatible cartridge should provide consistent colour, reliable ink delivery and accurate printer recognition.

The important thing is to look beyond the cheapest cartridge available and consider the reputation of the supplier, warranty, cartridge quality and actual cost per page.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW Cheap to Run?

The answer depends heavily on which cartridges you use and how much you print.

The printer itself is designed around Brother's INKvestment system, which is intended to reduce the frequency of cartridge replacement through larger ink capacities and an internal ink storage system.

That is a very different approach from many inexpensive printers that have relatively small cartridges and can become surprisingly expensive once you start printing regularly.

The best way to keep the MFC-J5110DW economical is to use the appropriate high-yield cartridges and compare cartridge prices based on page yield rather than simply looking at the price of an individual cartridge.

For businesses, this matters considerably because the initial printer purchase is only one part of the total cost. Ink, paper and maintenance can account for far more over several years of use.

How Does the MFC-J5110DW Compare With a Cheap Home Printer?

It is tempting to compare the MFC-J5110DW with a $100 or $150 multifunction printer simply because both machines can print, scan and copy.

That comparison doesn't really tell the full story.

A cheap consumer printer might be perfectly adequate if you print a handful of pages each month. But once printing becomes a regular part of your working day, features such as a 600-sheet paper capacity, duplex scanning, automatic duplex printing, Ethernet networking and a 50-sheet ADF become much more valuable.

The MFC-J5110DW is essentially designed to remove many of the little interruptions associated with everyday printing.

You can load a large amount of paper, use two different paper trays, scan a stack of documents, print double-sided documents and have several people access the printer over a network.

That is a very different proposition from an entry-level home printer.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW Good for a Small Business?

Yes. In fact, small-business use is where the MFC-J5110DW makes the most sense.

It has the combination of speed, paper capacity, duplex functionality and networking that businesses tend to need.

It is suitable for businesses such as accounting offices, real estate agencies, medical practices, trades businesses, consultants, professional services firms, schools and home-based businesses.

The ability to scan and print double-sided documents is particularly useful for businesses that deal with contracts, forms and paperwork.

The printer can also be shared across a network, meaning there is no need for every employee to have their own printer.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW Good for a Home Office?

It can be an excellent home-office printer, provided you have enough space for it.

If you work from home and regularly print documents, the features of the MFC-J5110DW can be extremely useful.

The main question is whether you actually need this level of functionality.

If you print 20 pages a month, the printer may be more machine than you need. If you print hundreds of pages, scan documents regularly and want a printer that can handle a genuine workload, it becomes much more attractive.

What I Like About the Brother MFC-J5110DW

The biggest strength of the MFC-J5110DW is that it feels designed around how businesses actually work.

The dual paper trays are extremely practical. The 50-sheet ADF is useful. Automatic duplex printing saves paper. Automatic duplex scanning saves time. Wired and wireless networking provide flexibility. And the high-yield LC536 cartridge range gives users options for managing their ongoing ink expenses.

The printer also has enough capacity and functionality that you are unlikely to outgrow it quickly if your printing requirements increase.

It is a machine that makes more sense the more you use it.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The MFC-J5110DW is not particularly compact. At around 17.1kg, it is not something you will want to move around frequently.

You also need to allow additional space around the printer for opening trays, loading paper and operating the scanner and ADF.

Another consideration is that inkjet printers generally benefit from regular use. If you only print once every few months, a business inkjet may not be the most logical choice. The MFC-J5110DW is much better suited to someone who uses their printer regularly.

Finally, don't judge the printer purely by its purchase price. The cartridges you choose will have a significant impact on the long-term cost of ownership.

Brother MFC-J5110DW Specifications

Specification	Brother MFC-J5110DW
Printer Type	Colour Inkjet Multifunction Printer
Functions	Print, Scan, Copy and Fax
Maximum Print Size	A4
Print Speed	Up to 28 ppm Black / 26 ppm Colour
Maximum Print Resolution	Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi
Automatic Duplex Printing	Yes
Automatic Duplex Scanning	Yes
ADF Capacity	50 sheets
Paper Trays	2 x 250-sheet trays
Multi-Purpose Tray	100 sheets
Total Potential Paper Capacity	Up to 600 sheets
Display	10.9cm Colour Touchscreen
Wireless	Wi-Fi / Wi-Fi Direct
Wired Networking	Gigabit Ethernet
USB	USB 2.0
Mobile Printing	Apple AirPrint, Mopria and Brother mobile printing support
Ink Series	Brother LC536, LC536XL and LC536XXL
Dimensions	435 x 340 x 439 mm
Weight	Approximately 17.1 kg
Recommended Monthly Volume	Up to approximately 2,500 pages

Brother MFC-J5110DW Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent paper capacity for an A4 inkjet
• Two separate 250-sheet paper trays
• 100-sheet multi-purpose tray
• Automatic two-sided printing
• Automatic two-sided scanning
• 50-sheet automatic document feeder
• Fast print speeds for an inkjet multifunction printer
• Large 10.9cm colour touchscreen
• Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, USB and Gigabit Ethernet
• High-yield LC536XL and LC536XXL cartridges available
• Well suited to small-business and home-office workloads
• Good flexibility when choosing genuine or compatible ink

Cons

• Quite large and heavy compared with basic home printers
• Probably more printer than occasional users need
• Ongoing ink costs still depend heavily on cartridge choice
• Not primarily designed as a specialist photographic printer
• Requires reasonable desk or office space

Frequently Asked Questions About the Brother MFC-J5110DW

What ink cartridges does the Brother MFC-J5110DW use?

The Australian Brother MFC-J5110DW uses the Brother LC536 ink cartridge family. This includes LC536BK black, LC536C cyan, LC536M magenta and LC536Y yellow cartridges, along with higher-yield LC536XL and LC536XXL options.

Does the Brother MFC-J5110DW use LC536XL cartridges?

Yes. The MFC-J5110DW supports the LC536XL high-yield cartridge range. These cartridges are designed for users who print more frequently and want to reduce the number of cartridge changes.

Does the Brother MFC-J5110DW use LC536XXL cartridges?

Yes. LC536XXL super-high-yield cartridges are available for the MFC-J5110DW. They are particularly useful for businesses and home offices with higher monthly printing requirements.

Can I use compatible LC536 cartridges in the Brother MFC-J5110DW?

Yes, compatible LC536 cartridges are available for the MFC-J5110DW. The quality of compatible cartridges can vary between manufacturers, so it is worth choosing cartridges from an established supplier that provides a warranty or satisfaction guarantee.

Is compatible ink safe to use in the Brother MFC-J5110DW?

Good-quality compatible cartridges are designed specifically for the printer and can provide a cost-effective alternative to genuine cartridges. When buying compatible ink, the reputation of the supplier and the quality of the cartridge are more important than simply choosing the cheapest option available.

How many ink cartridges does the Brother MFC-J5110DW use?

The printer uses four separate ink cartridges: one black cartridge, one cyan cartridge, one magenta cartridge and one yellow cartridge. Because the colours are separate, you only need to replace an individual colour when it is depleted.

Does the Brother MFC-J5110DW print double sided?

Yes. The MFC-J5110DW supports automatic two-sided printing, allowing it to print on both sides of compatible paper without manually turning the pages.

Does the Brother MFC-J5110DW scan double sided?

Yes. The 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder supports automatic two-sided scanning, making the printer particularly useful for scanning multi-page documents.

Does the Brother MFC-J5110DW have an automatic document feeder?

Yes. The MFC-J5110DW has a 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder, allowing multiple pages to be scanned, copied or faxed without placing each sheet individually on the scanner glass.

How many sheets can the Brother MFC-J5110DW hold?

The printer has two 250-sheet paper trays, giving it a combined capacity of 500 sheets. It also has a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, giving it a potential total paper capacity of approximately 600 sheets.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW wireless?

Yes. The MFC-J5110DW supports wireless networking as well as Wi-Fi Direct. It also includes wired Gigabit Ethernet and USB connectivity.

Can I print from my phone to the Brother MFC-J5110DW?

Yes. The printer supports mobile printing technologies including Apple AirPrint, Mopria and Brother's mobile printing ecosystem, allowing compatible smartphones and tablets to send documents to the printer.

Does the Brother MFC-J5110DW have Ethernet?

Yes. The MFC-J5110DW includes Gigabit Ethernet as well as wireless networking. Ethernet can be particularly useful in an office where a reliable wired network connection is preferred.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW an inkjet or laser printer?

The Brother MFC-J5110DW is a colour inkjet multifunction printer. It uses Brother's INKvestment ink system and separate LC536-series ink cartridges.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW good for a small business?

Yes. The printer is particularly well suited to small businesses because it combines fast printing, high paper capacity, automatic duplex printing, duplex scanning, networking and a 50-sheet ADF in one machine.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW good for a home office?

Yes. It can be an excellent home-office printer for people who print regularly. It is especially attractive if you need automatic duplex printing and scanning, large paper capacity and low-cost high-yield ink options.

Can the Brother MFC-J5110DW print photos?

Yes. The MFC-J5110DW can print colour images and photographs on supported photo media. However, its main purpose is business and general-purpose document printing rather than specialist photographic printing.

What paper sizes can the Brother MFC-J5110DW print?

The printer is primarily an A4 machine but supports a range of smaller and alternative paper sizes and media through its paper trays and multi-purpose feed. The multi-purpose tray can also handle long-format media for suitable printing applications.

Does the Brother MFC-J5110DW have a touchscreen?

Yes. The printer features a 10.9cm colour touchscreen that provides access to the printer's functions and makes operating the machine directly from the device easier.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW expensive to run?

The running cost depends largely on the ink cartridges you choose and how much you print. The availability of LC536XL and LC536XXL high-yield cartridges makes it possible to reduce the frequency of cartridge replacement. Compatible cartridges can also provide another way to reduce ongoing ink costs.

Should I buy genuine or compatible Brother MFC-J5110DW ink?

Both options are worth considering. Genuine Brother cartridges are the manufacturer's own consumables, while quality compatible cartridges can offer significant savings. For people who print frequently, comparing the cost per page rather than simply the cartridge purchase price is usually the best way to make the decision.

Why does my Brother MFC-J5110DW say the ink cartridge is empty?

An ink warning can occur when the printer's cartridge recognition system determines that a cartridge has reached its reported ink level. If you have recently installed a replacement cartridge, make sure it is the correct LC536-series cartridge for the printer and that it is properly seated. If the problem continues, removing and reinstalling the cartridge or following the printer's on-screen instructions can sometimes resolve the issue.

Why is my Brother MFC-J5110DW printing with lines or missing colours?

Lines, faded sections or missing colours are commonly associated with blocked or partially blocked print-head nozzles. Running the printer's built-in print-head cleaning procedure and printing a nozzle or print-quality check can help identify the problem. If the printer has been unused for an extended period, regular maintenance printing may also be helpful.

How often should I use my Brother MFC-J5110DW?

Like most inkjet printers, the MFC-J5110DW generally benefits from being used regularly. Occasional printing is fine, but leaving an inkjet printer unused for very long periods can increase the likelihood of print-quality issues. Regular printing also allows the printer's maintenance routines to operate normally.

Is the Brother MFC-J5110DW worth buying?

For the right user, yes. The MFC-J5110DW is not designed to compete with the cheapest printers on the market. Instead, it is aimed at people who need a serious A4 multifunction machine with high paper capacity, duplex printing, duplex scanning, networking and flexible ink options.

If your printing requirements are limited to a few pages every month, a smaller and cheaper printer may make more sense. But if you operate a home office or small business and want a printer capable of handling regular workloads without constant paper and cartridge changes, the MFC-J5110DW is a very compelling option.

Final Verdict: Brother MFC-J5110DW Review

The Brother MFC-J5110DW is the sort of printer that becomes more impressive when you look beyond the basic specification sheet.

At first glance, it is simply another colour multifunction inkjet printer. Look a little closer, though, and it becomes clear that Brother has designed this machine around productivity.

The two 250-sheet paper trays are extremely useful. The 100-sheet multi-purpose tray adds another level of flexibility. Automatic duplex printing reduces paper usage, while automatic duplex scanning makes handling multi-page documents considerably easier. The 50-sheet ADF, touchscreen, wireless connectivity, Ethernet and mobile printing support all add to the overall practicality of the machine.

Then there is the ink.

The LC536, LC536XL and LC536XXL cartridge range gives users several choices depending on how much they print. That is important because the cost of printer ownership doesn't stop when you take the machine out of the box.

For a business, the ongoing cost of ink can easily become more important than the original printer purchase price. The ability to use high-yield cartridges, and potentially quality compatible cartridges, gives the MFC-J5110DW a significant advantage for anyone who is trying to keep those ongoing costs under control.

There are cheaper printers available, and there are certainly smaller printers available. But the MFC-J5110DW is not really designed to be the cheapest or smallest printer in the room.

It is designed to be useful.

For a small business, busy home office or professional user who prints, scans and copies regularly, that is arguably far more important.

Overall, the Brother MFC-J5110DW is a strong A4 business inkjet that combines impressive paper handling, fast printing, automatic duplex printing and scanning, excellent connectivity and flexible LC536-series ink options into a single machine.