Are you a photographer, artist, or someone who likes to make things? You probably look for a printer that does a good job with your work. You need bright colors and amazing detail. We’ll look at its pros and cons as well as its features. We will also answer all of your most common questions about this well-known EcoTank printer.
Important Features of the Epson ET-8550
Six-Color Inks Make for Amazing Photo Quality
The main reason to buy this printer is the quality of the photos it prints. But it also adds two more colors: gray and photo black.
This mix creates a color range that is out of this world. Your prints will look real, detailed, and full of color. Some printers may be a little better at getting colors right, but the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 makes prints that look amazing.
The EcoTank Advantage: No More Cartridges
The ink system is the most important part of any Epson tank printer. The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is no different.
- A full set of ink bottles can print thousands of photos.
- Low Cost Per Print: Once you buy the printer, the cost of ink is very low. Refill bottles are cheap.
- Less waste: You won’t be throwing away plastic cartridges. This is better for the planet.
- The Epson EcoTank printer system is a game-changer for people who print a lot.
Wide-Format Printing and Flexible Media Handling
You can use a lot of different types of paper with the Epson ET-8550. It has more than one way to access the paper.
- Front Cassette: Holds standard paper sizes like A4 or letter.
- Back Feed: Best for thicker materials like cardstock and fine art paper.
- Straight-Through Path: A special path for very thick media, like poster board, that is up to 1.5 mm thick.
- It can handle paper sizes from small 4×6 photos to big 13″ x 19″ prints.
Scanning and Copying of High Quality
The Epson ET-8550 has a flatbed scanner with a lot of resolution. It can scan pictures and documents up to the size of Legal (8.5″ x 14″).
Modern and Simple Connections
It’s easy to connect to the Epson 8550. You have a lot of choices.
- Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct
- Ethernet for a stable, wired connection
- USB to connect straight to a computer
- An SD card slot lets you print pictures directly from the memory card in your camera.
You can also print from your phone.
FAQs about the Epson ET-8550
What kind of ink does the Epson ET-8550 need?
Is the Epson ET-8550 a good choice for sublimation?
Is it possible to use an Epson 8550 for DTF?
What makes the Epson EcoTank so slow?
How thick can the Epson ET-8550 print?
Who Should Not Use This Printer?
Not everyone can use this printer.
- If you mostly print text documents, an EcoTank office model or a laser printer is a better choice because it costs less.
- Need an ADF or Fax? A home office all-in-one, like the Epson ET-15000 or the Canon TR-series, is a better choice.
- Are on a tight budget: The Epson ET-8550’s high initial cost can be a problem.
How to Set Up Your Epson 8550 Printer: The User Experience
Setting up the Epson 8550 printer is thankfully very easy. Epson put a lot of thought into how the printer will work for users, especially since it’s a high-end EcoTank printer.
Taking the Ink Tanks Out of the Box and Filling Them
Everything is packed well when you open the box. Filling the ink tanks is the first big step. This may sound messy, but it’s very clean and easy.
- Keyed Bottles: Every Epson 552 ink bottle has a unique nozzle. It only fits on the correct color tank. This means that you cannot accidentally put Photo Black ink in the Cyan tank.
- Auto-Stop Filling: It stops on its own when the tank is full. There is no need to squeeze, and there is no chance of spills.
- This great design is one of the most important parts of the modern Epson EcoTank printer. It takes away all the worry about working with liquid ink.
- After filling, the printer will need about 10 to 15 minutes to get ready and charge the printheads with ink.
Installing Software and Making Connections
The Epson ET-8550 has a 4.3-inch color touchscreen on the front that helps you finish setting it up. It will help you set up the printer so that it can connect to your Wi-Fi network. You can also use the included CD or the on-screen instructions to install the drivers and software your computer needs. You need the Epson Smart Panel app. You can print, scan, check ink levels, and control your Epson EcoTank printer right from your phone.
A Closer Look at How Fast It Prints
We said that photo printers can be slow. How fast it is depends on what you’re printing.
- Text Documents: The ET-8550 prints standard black-and-white documents on plain paper at a decent speed.
- 4×6 Photos: It can take a minute or two to print a standard 4×6 photo at high quality. This is normal for an EcoTank printer that prints photos.
- Large Format Prints: This is where you’ll see the time. It can take a few minutes to make a high-resolution print on fine art paper that is 13″ x 19″.
Getting the right point of view is important. The Epson EcoTank 8550 is not made to quickly print hundreds of flyers. It is made to carefully and precisely make a work of art. The wait is worth it for a photographer or artist because the final print is so beautiful.
Is It Worth It to Buy the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550?
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 costs a lot of money. This brings up the most important question: Is it worth the money? The answer is a loud “yes,” but only if you are the right person.
Think About the Total Cost of Owning It
- High Initial Cost: You pay a lot for the printer itself. This is the hardest thing to do with money.
- Very Low Running Costs: This is where you save money. You can print thousands of 4×6 photos with a full set of Epson 552 ink bottles.
- It only costs a few cents to print each page. The Epson EcoTank printer model saves you a lot of money in the long run compared to cartridge printers, where ink can cost more than the printer over time.
Comparison to a 4-Color EcoTank
They work well for basic graphics and documents.
Photo Quality
The 6-color system with Gray and Photo Black inks in the ET-8550 can’t match the color range, detail, and smooth gradients of the 4-color system. Photos from the Epson 8550 will look much better.
Media Handling
The ET-8550 is better at handling thick art papers than other printers.
Final Thoughts
If you follow these easy steps, every print you make with your Epson ET-8550 will look as good as it can. This amazing Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is a tool that can turn your digital art into a real thing if you use it right.
