Epson EcoTank ET-8550

Published on 9 July 2022 · technology

Home photo printing is becoming more affordable with the new ink-tank printers. For photography enthusiasts who want to see the process through to the end and finally hold the finished print in their hands. Over the years, photos pile up and end up somewhat forgotten at the bottom of a hard drive. After reading several articles on the new ink-tank printers, I decided to try the new Epson ET-8550 EcoTank.

After 260 colour prints, including about a hundred in A4, a dozen in A3/A3+, and another hundred or so in various other formats (A5, 18x13, 10x18), my ink levels are at 75% for Y and M, 80% for C, 95% for BK, 98% for PB, and 25% for GY. I think I can print about 1,000 colour photos in various formats, at least 50% of them in A4, by only ever refilling the GY tank.

I was able to use “fine art” paper, notably CANSON Rag Photo, Epson Premium Gloss, and Epson FAC Smooth Natural, with excellent results. I calibrated my monitor and used Epson’s own printer profiles for Epson papers, and Keith Cooper’s for the Canson and Hahnemühle papers. It’s a shame, incidentally, that these paper manufacturers don’t supply more printer profiles themselves. Keith Cooper makes very informative YouTube videos about printers, and kindly sent me, free of charge, the profiles he created for the ET-8550. Thanks to Keith for these videos and his generosity. And it’s a real pleasure to hold in your hands the thing you’ve created.

July 2022