The Epson LQ-2190 is now available at Mascom International for KSh 97,000, bringing 24-pin impact printing across a full 136-column width to Kenyan offices that depend on carbon forms. This wide-carriage machine prints at up to 576 characters per second in high-speed draft mode at 12 cpi, with 360 x 180 dpi resolution when set to letter quality. The Epson LQ-2190 strikes one original plus five copies in a single pass. You can inspect the Epson LQ-2190 at our store inside Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD, open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Banks, SACCOs, clearing and forwarding agents, hospital records departments, and county revenue offices across Kenya still run on multi-part stationery that no inkjet or laser machine can produce. A laser prints one sheet at a time, forcing staff to reprint and re-stamp every duplicate by hand. The Epson LQ-2190 hits all six layers at once, so the customer copy, accounts copy, and file copy leave the machine already matched. Logistics coordinators handling the Nairobi-Mombasa corridor use it for delivery notes signed at every checkpoint. Pharmacy chains and hardware distributors print invoices continuously through eight-hour shifts without pausing for cartridge changes.
Unlike other electronics retailers in Kenya who stock consumer inkjets and quietly drop impact machines, Mascom International keeps the Epson LQ-2190 and its ribbons on the shelf at our Nairobi CBD counter. Users consistently report print heads surviving three or four office relocations, matching Epson's rated 400 million strokes per wire and 20,000-hour mean time between failures. At Mascom International, we're witnessing steady demand from finance and logistics teams who tried laser alternatives and came back. Call or WhatsApp +254 708 852 521, or order the Epson LQ-2190 for pay-on-arrival delivery anywhere in Kenya.
Common Questions About the Epson LQ-2190
Why do Kenyan businesses still buy dot matrix printers in 2026?
Because impact printing is the only method that produces carbon copies in one pass. The Epson LQ-2190 physically strikes the paper, so pressure transfers ink through every layer beneath it. Banks issuing deposit slips, SACCOs printing loan schedules, and clearing agents producing customs paperwork all need signed duplicates that match exactly. Laser and inkjet machines cannot do this. They also cannot print on continuous fanfold stationery, which most Kenyan accounting systems still generate for daily batch runs.
How many copies can the Epson LQ-2190 print at once?
One original plus five copies, giving six layers in a single pass. That covers the standard Kenyan invoice set: customer copy, accounts copy, stores copy, dispatch copy, and file copy, with a spare layer left over. The 24-pin head applies enough force for the bottom sheet to stay legible. For carbonless NCR stationery sourced locally, keep total thickness within Epson's specification so the paper feeds cleanly without smudging the lower plies.
How fast is the Epson LQ-2190 in real office use?
High-speed draft reaches 576 characters per second at 12 cpi, or 480 cps at 10 cpi. Standard draft runs 432 cps and 360 cps respectively. Letter quality drops to 144 cps at 12 cpi because the head makes additional passes for denser characters. Most Kenyan offices print invoices and statements in draft, where a full 66-line page clears in roughly six to eight seconds. Batch runs of 300 invoices finish inside an hour comfortably.
Does the Epson LQ-2190 work with modern Windows computers?
Yes, through the built-in USB 2.0 port, which connects to any current desktop or laptop without an adapter. The bidirectional parallel port remains available for older systems and legacy accounting terminals. Epson's official driver list covers Windows XP through Windows 8, but the printer answers to ESC/P2 and IBM PPDS emulation, so the generic Epson LQ driver bundled with Windows 10 and 11 works. Our Nairobi CBD team configures this for you before dispatch.
What does the Epson LQ-2190 cost to run each month?
Ribbon is the only regular consumable, and Epson rates ribbon life at roughly 15 million characters. A typical invoice carries about 1,200 characters, so one ribbon covers thousands of documents before replacement. Power draw sits at 46 watts while printing and 3 watts in economy mode, which is a fraction of a laser printer's fuser load. No drums, no toner, no fuser assembly. Mascom International stocks replacement ribbons alongside the printer.
Can the Epson LQ-2190 handle both continuous stationery and single sheets?
Yes, and switching between them takes seconds. Four paper paths are available: front, top, bottom, and rear. Continuous fanfold loads through the tractor feed from front or rear, while single sheets, envelopes, cards, and label stock feed separately without unloading the fanfold already in place. Bottom feed suits offices that mount the printer on a stand with a paper box underneath. Output exits at the rear, keeping desk space clear.
Is the EEpson LQ-2190 worth KSh 97,000 for a small business?
It depends on volume. If you print fewer than 200 multi-part documents monthly, a smaller 80-column model costs less. The Epson LQ-2190 earns its price when you need the full 136-column width for landscape spreadsheets, ledger printouts, and wide statement formats that an 80-column machine truncates. Add the 20,000-hour failure rating and low consumable cost, and the per-document figure over five years falls below what laser printing costs on plain paper.
How does the Epson LQ-2190 compare to the LQ-2090 and FX-2190?
All three are 136-column wide-carriage machines, but the print heads differ. The FX-2190 uses a 9-pin head built for speed rather than character definition, so text looks coarser. The LQ-2090 and LQ-2190 both carry 24-pin heads for finer output. The Epson LQ-2190 sits at the top of that group on throughput, reaching 576 cps against slower rated figures elsewhere in the range. Choose it when print quality and volume both matter.
Does the Epson LQ-2190 connect to an office network?
Not by default, though it is straightforward to add. The base unit ships with USB 2.0 and bidirectional parallel connections. A Type B slot accepts the optional EpsonNet 10/100 Base-TX internal print server, which puts the printer on your LAN for shared access across accounts, stores, and dispatch desks. An optional RS-232 serial board is also available for older point-of-sale hardware. The factory-networked variant is sold separately as the LQ-2190N.
Technical Specifications
Print Engine and Output Quality
- Impact dot matrix mechanism with a 24-pin head, producing carbon copies that laser and inkjet machines cannot generate.
- Print resolution reaches 360 x 180 dpi, sharp enough for logos, ruled invoice grids, and dense financial tables.
- High-speed draft output hits 576 cps at 12 cpi and 480 cps at 10 cpi for batch runs.
- Standard draft mode runs 432 cps at 12 cpi, balancing throughput against slightly darker character formation.
- Letter quality mode produces 144 cps at 12 cpi, used for statements and correspondence sent to clients.
- Bidirectional printing with logic seeking, meaning the head prints in both directions and skips blank areas automatically.
- Print head rated at 400 million strokes per wire, supporting years of daily invoicing before service is needed.
- Mean time between failures of 20,000 power-on hours, roughly eight years at eight working hours per day.
Paper Handling and Form Flexibility
- Full 136-column width across the carriage, fitting A3 landscape ledgers and wide statement layouts without truncating columns.
- Prints one original plus five carbon copies in a single pass, covering standard Kenyan six-part invoice sets.
- Four paper paths available: front, top, bottom, and rear, letting you switch stationery types without reloading.
- Accepts continuous fanfold, single cut sheets, roll paper, envelopes, cardboard, and both single and multi-layer labels.
- •Tractor feed handles continuous stationery from front or rear, keeping long print runs aligned across hundreds of pages.
- Paper output exits at the rear, so stacked forms stay clear of the desk and operator workspace.
- Bottom feed path suits printer stands with a paper box positioned directly underneath the unit.
Connectivity and Interface Options
- USB 2.0 port built in as standard, connecting to current Windows desktops and laptops without an adapter.
- Bidirectional parallel interface included, retaining compatibility with legacy accounting terminals and older point-of-sale systems.
- Type B interface slot accepts the optional EpsonNet 10/100 Base-TX internal print server for network sharing.
- Optional RS-232 serial board available for older hardware still running serial connections in Kenyan banking halls.
- Ethernet is offered through the optional print server or the separately sold factory-networked LQ-2190N variant.
- Control panel carries six switches and ten LED indicators for paper handling, font selection, and status monitoring.
Software Support and Emulation
- ESC/P2 control code support, the Epson command language recognised by most Kenyan accounting and ERP packages.
- IBM PPDS emulation included, allowing the printer to answer software written for IBM Proprinter compatible hardware.
- Epson Status Monitor utility bundled, showing ribbon state, paper status, and error conditions on the connected computer.
- Print Speed Enhancer function accelerates bit image output under Windows, useful for logos on letterhead stationery.
- Official driver support spans Windows 2000 through Windows 8, with generic Epson LQ drivers covering newer releases.
- Built-in 1D barcode printing covers EAN-13, UPC, Code 39, and Code 128 for stores and dispatch labelling.
- Memory buffer of 128 KB holds queued pages, letting the computer release the print job and continue other work.
Consumables and Running Cost
- Single black fabric ribbon cartridge is the only routine consumable, with no drum, toner, or fuser to replace.
- Ribbon life rated at approximately 15 million characters, covering thousands of invoices between changes.
- Cartridge changes take under a minute, with no cleaning cycle or calibration page consumed after installation.
- Power draw measures 46 watts during printing and 3 watts in economy mode, easing load on office backup systems.
- Operating noise rated at 54 dB(A), comparable to normal conversation, so a partitioned back office absorbs it.
- Mascom International stocks compatible ribbons at our Kimathi Street counter, so replacements never require a special order.
- Operating range covers 5 to 35 degrees Celsius and 10 to 80 percent humidity, suiting Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu conditions.
Package Contents
Every Epson LQ-2190 from Mascom International arrives sealed with the main printer unit, one black ribbon cartridge already supplied, the mains power cable, and the printed setup guide. The software and driver disc is included along with the user manual and the Epson warranty document. Tractor unit and paper guide components ship attached to the chassis. USB and parallel cables are sold separately, and our Kimathi Street counter stocks both lengths.
Warranty
The Epson LQ-2190 ships with a 12-month warranty through Mascom International, covering manufacturing defects under normal use. Coverage is carry-in, with claims coordinated directly at our Nairobi CBD service desk. Consumable items, specifically the ribbon cartridge, fall outside defect coverage as expected for wear parts.
Where to Buy the Epson LQ-2190 in Kenya
The Epson LQ-2190 is available now at Mascom International, located at Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. Visit us Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, to run a test print on your own multi-part stationery before you buy. Bring a sample invoice set and our team will load it for you.
Order through any of the following:
- Phone/WhatsApp: +254 708 852 521
- Email: info@mascomintl.com
- Website: www.mascomintl.com
Mascom International ships the Epson LQ-2190 across all 47 Kenyan counties with pay-on-arrival delivery, so you only pay once the printer reaches you. Nairobi and its environs receive same-day delivery. Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Garissa, and all other major towns receive next-business-day delivery. Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Lamu, Tana River, and Turkana receive delivery within 2-3 business days.
Every unit is covered by the 12-month warranty detailed above, with claim coordination handled at our Nairobi CBD service desk.
Buyers across Kenya rely on Mascom International for accurate specifications, current pricing, and ribbon stock that stays available long after the sale. Our team helps with driver setup, stationery alignment, and network configuration on any impact printer we supply.
