When you live in the world of creative work, you learn quickly that “good enough” printing rarely cuts it. You need color that pops without looking oversaturated, text that’s crisp enough to stand alongside your designs, and media flexibility that doesn’t force you into the same tired paper stock every time. That’s exactly why the Brother MFC-J6540DW has been on my radar — and, after months of use, I can say it’s one of the most well-rounded wide-format inkjets I’ve tested for creative professionals who still value practical day-to-day office performance.

First Impressions – Big but Not Bulky for What It Does

Let’s address the obvious: the MFC-J6540DW is not a tiny desktop unit. It’s a wide-format A3-capable printer, so yes, it has a footprint you’ll want to plan for. But for what it offers — wide-format printing, high-volume capability, scanning, copying, faxing — it’s surprisingly streamlined. The design is very “Brother” in the best way: functional, no-nonsense, and built to last.

Out of the box, setup is straightforward. Brother’s driver installation has improved over the years, and the Wi-Fi connection was up and running in minutes. The control panel is a 2.7-inch color touchscreen — not huge, but responsive enough for quick navigation without button-mashing.

Print Quality – Balanced, Accurate, and Reliable

This printer’s real strength lies in its balanced approach to color. Unlike some consumer inkjets that crank saturation to cartoonish levels, the MFC-J6540DW’s output is measured and accurate. For creatives who care about color matching — whether for client proofs, marketing materials, or personal artwork — this matters.

• Text output: Sharp and well-defined, even at smaller point sizes. Black text is dense without feathering.

• Graphics and illustrations: Smooth gradients, no noticeable banding, and consistent tone across large areas.

• Photos: Very good for a general-purpose office printer, though professional photographers might still opt for a dedicated photo printer for gallery-grade output.
  
  

One key point: this printer handles borderless printing beautifully on both standard and wide formats, a big win for creatives working on posters or large proof sheets.

Speed and Workflow – Faster Than You’d Expect

Brother rates the MFC-J6540DW at up to 28 ppm (pages per minute) for both black and color, and while those numbers depend on your settings, in my testing it’s genuinely quick for an inkjet.

For typical creative workflows — print proof, tweak, re-print — the low wait time between sending a job and seeing it in the output tray is a relief. There’s also automatic duplex printing, which is great for mock-ups and internal drafts where you want to save paper.

Paper Handling – A Creative’s Playground

If you’ve ever tried to force an idea onto A4/Letter paper because your printer wouldn’t take anything else, you’ll appreciate the MFC-J6540DW’s A3 capability. It’s not just a gimmick — it genuinely expands what you can do:

• Full-bleed A3 posters

• Large marketing flyers

• Multi-page booklets in draft form

• Oversized mood boards and design proofs
  
  

The standard tray holds 250 sheets, but for creative work, the single-sheet manual feed slot is just as important. This is where you can feed in heavier stock, specialty media, or textured paper without worrying about jams or curled edges.

Scanning and Copying – Large and Detailed

The scanner bed is also A3-capable, which is a massive plus for designers and illustrators who want to digitize large artwork without stitching multiple scans together. The automatic document feeder (ADF) handles up to 50 sheets, but note that ADF scanning is limited to A4/Letter.

Scan quality is sharp, and color accuracy is better than average for a non-dedicated scanner. This makes it viable for quick digitization of sketches, reference material, and client paperwork.

INKvestment Tank System – The Cost Factor

A lot of wide-format inkjets will make you fall in love… right until you have to buy ink. Brother’s INKvestment Tank system changes the game here.

• High-yield cartridges that last up to 3,000 pages (black) and 1,500 pages (color).

• Transparent ink windows to check levels at a glance.

• Much lower cost per page than traditional cartridge setups.
  
  

For creative pros who print frequently — and in color — this running-cost advantage can make a huge difference over the lifespan of the printer.

Connectivity – Covers All the Bases

Creative workflows aren’t always tied to a single machine, and the MFC-J6540DW makes that clear with its range of connections:

• Wi-Fi & Wi-Fi Direct for wireless printing without a router.

• Ethernet for wired stability in studio setups.

• Mobile support via AirPrint, Mopria, and Brother’s iPrint&Scan app.

• Direct printing from USB drives for quick proofs without booting a PC.
  
  

In my use, the mobile app integration has been especially handy for printing quick references or proofs straight from a tablet during client sessions.

Reliability and Build – Made for the Long Haul

One of the things I appreciate most about Brother printers in general — and the MFC-J6540DW in particular — is that they feel designed for years of service, not planned obsolescence. The build is sturdy, the moving parts are well-aligned, and the paper path feels forgiving even with heavier media.

During a three-month test with a mix of high-volume document runs and heavy-stock creative prints, I had zero paper jams and no color inconsistencies.

Who Should Buy the MFC-J6540DW

This printer makes the most sense for:

• Graphic designers and marketers who need accurate, borderless color in large formats.

• Creative studios that print drafts, proofs, and client pieces in-house.

• Hybrid pros who need both creative flexibility and reliable office printing.

• Anyone tired of being boxed into A4/Letter limitations.
  
  

Who Should Skip It

You might want to look elsewhere if:

• You print exclusively in black-and-white — a monochrome laser will be cheaper.

• You need true photo-lab quality prints — look to a dedicated photo printer.

• Desk space is extremely limited — this is not a compact machine.
  
  

Final Verdict

The Brother MFC-J6540DW is one of those rare wide-format printers that manages to balance creative flexibility with business practicality. It’s fast enough for everyday office work, accurate enough for design proofs, and affordable enough to run without wincing at every color job.

For creative professionals who straddle the worlds of artistry and productivity, it’s a tool that genuinely expands what you can deliver without sending you to the print shop every time you need something larger than A4.

If you can make space for it, this printer won’t just keep up with your work — it’ll actively support your creative output. And in my book, that’s worth far more than any flashy spec sheet.