Epson Stylus C86 B251A Color Inkjet Printer USB Parallel DuraFite

Epson Stylus C86 B251A Color Inkjet Printer USB Parallel DuraFite

The Epson Stylus C86 is a desktop color inkjet printer built for home and small-office use. It uses Epson's DuraFite ink system and connects to a host computer via USB or parallel (IEEE 1284) interface. The unit features a compact black-and-silver housing with a top-loading paper feed and front output tray.

Specifications & What's Included

• Model: Epson Stylus C86 / B251A
• Print type: Color inkjet (DuraFite ink system)
• Connectivity: USB Type-B and IEEE 1284 parallel port
• Power input: 100–240V AC, 50/60Hz (universal)
• Form factor: Desktop
• Color and black-and-white output
• Top-loading paper feed with front output tray
• Printer only — no ink cartridges, USB or parallel cable, software, or manual included

Applications

The Epson Stylus C86 was introduced in the mid-2000s as a mid-range consumer and home-office inkjet. It was positioned as a step up from entry-level Epson models, offering higher print resolution and Epson's DuraFite pigment-based black ink alongside dye-based color inks for improved text sharpness and photo output. The dual USB and parallel interfaces made it compatible with both modern PCs and older systems still using parallel printer ports — a common requirement in small offices and school environments at the time. Today the C86 is most sought after as a direct replacement unit for users who already have this model in service and need a spare, or by those maintaining legacy parallel-port–only workstations that cannot use a USB-only printer.