For some buyers, setup time is just as important as print speed. You’ve got a deadline, you’ve just brought the box home (or unwrapped it in the office), and the clock is ticking. How quickly can you go from slicing the tape on a brand-new Brother printer to holding that first printed page?

We’ve tested dozens of models over the years, and while the answer depends on the printer type and your environment, the good news is that Brother’s setup process is among the most efficient in the industry. Here’s what actually happens from the moment you open the box to the second that first sheet lands in the output tray — and where you can save precious minutes.

Step 1: Unboxing — 2 to 6 Minutes

Brother doesn’t overcomplicate packaging. Most of their printers are double-boxed for shipping safety, with molded cardboard or foam supports keeping the unit snug. Inside, the printer is usually wrapped in a protective bag with blue painter’s tape securing trays, covers, and moving parts.

The time difference here comes down to size:

• Small home/office models — About 2–3 minutes to remove from the box and strip all packaging.

• Large multifunction models — Closer to 5–6 minutes, especially if you have to remove protective film from multiple surfaces or screens.
  
  

Tip: Place the printer close to its intended location before you start peeling tape — it avoids lifting a fully unpacked unit more than once.

Step 2: Powering On and Initial Setup — 1 to 3 Minutes

Once plugged in, most Brother printers power on and initialize within 30–90 seconds. Laser models may take slightly longer the first time as they run through internal checks, warm the fuser, and detect installed toner/drums.

On-screen prompts are minimal:

• Language selection (for models with a display)

• Date and time setup (for all-in-ones with fax capabilities)
  
  

If you’re setting up a basic single-function laser, you might be ready to print in under a minute from the time you hit the power button.

Step 3: Installing Cartridges or Toner — 1 to 2 Minutes

Brother ships most printers with “starter” toner or ink cartridges pre-installed or ready to slot in without removing extra packaging.

Laser models:

• Open the front panel, remove the protective cover from the drum/toner, and slide it back in.

• Some high-end units arrive fully assembled in this regard — nothing to do here.
  
  

Inkjet models:

• Cartridges are individually wrapped; you remove each, peel the seal, and insert into the color-coded slots.
  
  

Ours consistently arrive with the toner already seated, meaning this step takes less than a minute unless you’re working with a color inkjet with multiple tanks.

Step 4: Connectivity Setup — 3 to 7 Minutes

This is the step with the most variability. Brother supports:

• USB connection — Fastest option; plug in, install drivers if needed, and go.

• Ethernet — Plug into the network and most systems auto-detect.

• Wi-Fi — Takes the longest; you’ll need to select your network and enter the password via control panel or mobile app.
  
  

For wireless setup, Brother’s iPrint&Scan app or WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) can shave minutes off the process. Pressing the WPS button on your router and then on the printer can get you connected in under 60 seconds.

If you’re using the printer’s own control panel to type your Wi-Fi password, budget an extra couple of minutes — especially if you have a long or complex passphrase.

Step 5: Installing Drivers/Software — 3 to 8 Minutes

On Windows and macOS, drivers are often auto-detected and installed when the printer connects via USB or joins the network. Brother’s website also offers quick-download installers for those who want the full feature set, including scanning utilities for all-in-ones.

Typical times:

• USB plug-and-play — 2–3 minutes for basic printing to work.

• Full software install — 5–8 minutes depending on internet speed.
  
  

If you’re printing from a smartphone or tablet, you can often skip this entirely — mobile printing works over Wi-Fi without additional software.

Step 6: First Test Print — Under 1 Minute

By the time the drivers are in place, printing a test page is instant. Brother’s test page usually includes alignment, grayscale, and color blocks (for inkjets) or text samples (for lasers).

From there, you’re free to send your real first job — whether it’s a PDF, photo, or multi-page document.

Real-World Total Time

Based on repeated setups, here’s how it breaks down:

• USB-connected monochrome laser — 8–10 minutes from box to first print.

• Wi-Fi color laser or all-in-one — 12–18 minutes, mainly due to network setup and driver installation.

• Inkjet all-in-one with Wi-Fi — 15–20 minutes, factoring in cartridge unwrapping and alignment.
  
  

These times assume you have your network details handy and aren’t troubleshooting. Delays almost always come from missing Wi-Fi passwords, outdated OS drivers, or printers placed too far from the router.

How Brother Keeps Setup Fast

From our experience, the main reason Brother setup feels quicker than some competitors is the lack of unnecessary “first-run” steps. You’re not forced to create an account, watch unskippable tutorials, or run lengthy calibration routines unless you choose to.

Other design choices that help:

• Pre-installed toner/drums in many laser models

• Clear tape placement that makes it obvious what to remove

• Standardized driver packages across multiple models
  
  

When we’ve set up competing printers, we’ve lost time to long firmware updates or proprietary account sign-ins. Brother keeps things lean, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re racing to get that first print out.

Tips to Get Printing Even Faster

If speed matters, a few small moves can shave minutes off your setup time:

1. Place the printer near your network router during setup — even if you’ll move it later.

2. Have your Wi-Fi details ready — typing a long password on a small screen is the biggest time sink.

3. Download drivers beforehand from Brother’s site so you’re not waiting on downloads.

4. Use USB or Ethernet for urgent jobs — you can always add Wi-Fi later.
   
   

Final Thoughts

From unboxing to first print, a Brother printer can be ready in under 10 minutes if you go for a simple wired setup — and under 20 even for more complex all-in-one wireless models.

The key is Brother’s straightforward design and sensible defaults. There’s little fluff between you and that first printed page, which is why these printers are a favorite in environments where downtime needs to be minimal.

If you value a printer that doesn’t make you jump through hoops before it starts working, you’ll appreciate how quickly a Brother can go from tape and foam to a warm sheet of paper in your hand.