<Page> EXHIBIT 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT - DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of ENCAD, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated February 20, 2001, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of ENCAD, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2000. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP San Diego, California August 8, 2001