I asked for this as my "big gift" this year...probably could have asked for the P9000 or another large one but I have weird conditions of not ever selling my creations or working for anyone...they are my kin you know so this one made much more sense...to me it's like having a decent acoustic vs having one you get nervous playing...like you wouldn't play one on the subway you know...definitely feel like we made the right choice especially with our teacher's knowledge thank you so much for your video
After having owned a Hewlett-Packard Z3100 GP Photo 44” printer with a built in spectrometer, and after listening to Keith’s sage advice, I will save myself the headache and buy a Calibrite XRite CC Studio for $800 CAD or about $577 USD. More than what I paid for the Epson ET-8550 printer!!! But well worth it.
That was a good printer - it's a pity HP got out of the smaller higher end printer market. I've not been able to get enything from them to review for a long while too.
Just got my ET-8550 today after watching your videos for the past few days and deciding on it. Thanks for all the information you provide on this channel.
Thank you for your videos, there is always something to learn. Since my local printing shop closed this summer and with your help, I recieved the ET-8550 a couple of days ago :D
Hope you enjoy it! It's a very nice bit of kit I know some have experienced issues with the P7500 when it first came out, but as yet, it's performed very well.
Thanks Keith, the usual honest down to earth advice. I have taken the plunge and ordered an 8550 with the current Epson discount, it is now quite competitively priced, and I had a good month with my paid work so the long awaited upgrade is in train. Cannot wait to do that experimenting you describe.
It was a Black Friday deal being offered by all the UK suppliers; £100 cash back. Only issue is they are all out of stock so no idea when it will arrive!
Have fun - if you've not seen it, do check the main [written] review - links to all 8550 stuff I've done www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Profiling papers does make it much easier to try different papers. The subtle differences in the tonal curve and colour tints are automatically removed, leaving the real differences to see. That said the papers I have tried print reasonably without a profile. The difference is there, and I'd prefer to get a profile before printing a test print. Without the profile the difference in tone curve and colour tint can have more of an impact on how the image appears than the differences between some of the papers I'm using. I'm still learning to use both test prints as well as making and using profiles. Thanks.
About print stability, don't worry about it. I have 20 year old pictures hanging on the wall printed on Epson's Claria ink set. This is dye based and is essentially the current formulation as used in the ET-8550. The print has not faded nor colors shifted. This is in contrast to Fuji Crystal Archive, traditional RA-4 prints hanging on the same wall; these have faded. I know this probably contradicts Wilhelm Research projections, but it is what it is.
Thanks again Keith for a good tutorial, A quick question about Room Lighting, When working on my Computer, My Window is behind my head, looking NE. and my Room Light is above and just behind my head, a Low Energy Bulb. There is no obvious Glare / Reflection on my LG Monitor, from the Room Lighting or from the Window, I am thinking of having a Blackout Roller Blind. What Room Light / Bulb should I use for evening and Night time Editing / Printing ? I'd like to use Low Energy Bulbs, but i'm open to suggestions, You mention in a couple of your Tutorials that you use Halogen Replacement LEDs, any chance of sharing your preference of the Light Bulbs you use. Also, I had difficulty in finding the Epson Print Layout SW, but eventually found it,
I have a good quality warm white LED lamp in my office, that and thickish curtains that are closed when I'm working. A NE facing window will give a cool to very cool colour temperature light which can be problematic when editing. It depends on the mix of light. The lamps I refer to in the videos are warm white LED replacements for the halogens that used to be there BUT remember that I shoot all the videos in my kitchen...
hi cooper. I have a canon pro 100 that I would like to replace due to the excessive cost of the cartridges and I wanted to buy the ET 8550. in the video you recommend using epson paper, but if you want to use other fine art papers such as hahnemühle or marrut, obviously not too thick, and with an icc profile created by me, will you have good results? or could the printer have problems in the long run? I thank you so much.
Ah, in the video I only say to _start_ with Epson paper... Others work well - see my review and the other articles. Remember, this video is only really an overview.
Thanks for a great video Keith. I've just installed my new ET-8550 and would like to print from Photoshop onto my Epson Archival Matte paper. Do you have a recommendation of which printer profile to use ? Thank you in advance.
Hi Keith, I've just got my printer yesterday and been playing around with it. I tried to print on a third-party A3 photo paper and as a result, it came out with visible roller/pin marks on a photo that didn't fade away even the next day. Does this happen to you as well or is it an issue caused by not using an original Epson paper, please? Thank you
Did you run the alignment checks for the printer, with that paper? Does the paper dry properly? Personally, 3rd party papers are not what I'd usually start off with [on a new printer] - check a new printer with some [smaller) Epson paper. It's the best way of seeing if the printer works properly - also, if there is a fault, Epson are much more likely to replace it if you show a fault on Epson paper...
Hi, I came across your video. I just purchased another epson ecotank 8550. I already have one for sublimation. I wanted to convert it to dtf, but is leaning more towards eco-solvent. The maintenance for dtf has me a little weary. My questions are, What else do I need to start printing ecosolvent prints (vinyl, masking sheets, ink, etc)? Will I need to download a certain software to print? Will all six tanks need ink in them? Will I be able to use m silhouette as my cutting tool? Thanks
Sorry - the 8550 is not just not rated for these inks at all Any special inks run a significant risk of damaging parts of the ink system Software won't help - the hardware is designed for normal aqueous inks This very much falls in the warranty voiding 'at your own risk' category - not something I'd ever try I'm afraid
Hello. We just ordered the ET-8550 but I am not seeing the Epson Print Layout Software in the compatibility list for the printer. Can you confirm that it is? Our new printer will be here in a few days and I can't wait to get it set up and configured so we can start testing and playing around with it to get used to it. I've tried using other software in the past but got so confused that I simply hit the print button. Having Grandchildren is changing how we want our photos to look and we want them to be the best that we can make them without having to go to college to learn how to use a particular software.
Look at my review and videos - I'm using PPL It's not officially listed on some Epson sites, but it works For a new printer, I'd suggest starting here www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ It includes links to all my 8550 info and videos, including set-up and printing
How do you judge a test image result as you suggested for your first print (don't print your own photos right away), for example what quality are you looking for specifically?
Is there since a larger size (A2/A1) brother of this printer? I mean same quality, printheads, ecotank (cheap bottled ink) all the same or similar, just a wider body. Sorry for the noob question but these plethora model numbers are so confusing its hard to find out if a model printer is a current model.
Nope - this is as big as it gets for a printer like this The Epson site wherever you are is the best place to check on models, rather than sites just wanting to sell printers to you
Thanks - but you should know I don't really do comparisons... ;-) Given the choice I'd take the 8500 any day, but that's just a personal choice - then again they are aimed at very different markets and at different costs. The whole 'quality' thing is largely meaningless at this level - most printers like this are far more limited by user skill and ability than they ever are by the printer specs ;-) The inks _do_ make a big difference, if used with custom profiling and suitable paper choices. Both printers rely on good colour management and paper choice.
Hello Keith, thank you so much for your content. I just got my epson 8550 and I have no clue with which paper i should start. the different choices seems endless. could you recommend a paper for testing and trying out? thank you :)
Start with a basic Epson paper or two - not because they are any better, but you know they work, and if prints come out wrong you know for sure it's _your_ fault ;-) Premium lustre is good, or Premium glossy See this 'where to start' video th-cam.com/video/qubh3MiShk8/w-d-xo.html The place to start for 8550 info is my detailed [written] review - this has links to all my 8550 related articles and videos www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
By color profiles of third party papers, do you mean you can somehow download profiles from the paper manufacturer's website, and then inside Epson's printing software connected to your 8550, there is a way to insert that profile into your list of options to be used when you use that particular paper?
thanks for the video, my prints are coming out much darker than what appears on my monitor, phone or tablet. I am printing on HP premium plus soft gloss which I believe is Lustre. Could it be that I have my settings wrong?
Ignore the phone and tablet for testing - they have no useful colour management - print a known test image [with a lustre profile] using Epson Print Layout from the computer. Many possible reasons, but a screen too bright is often the cause - of course HP papers are also known for occasionally causing issues, but until you print from somewhere reliable to test, there is no way f knowing where the problem[s] could be Start at www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
I've had my ET-8550 for over a year & I can tell you that you'll get the absolute best results with Epson Papers. If you haven't already, give their Ultra-Premium Luster a try. And if you want a truly different look from what you're use to, try their Velvet Fine Art.
Hi Keith. I don't know if you still look at the replies under 'old' videos, and because you mention in another video or article that you don't have this printer anymore... but can you tell somethting about the drying of the inkts of the 8550? I sold my old Canon Pixma 9500 because for now the printing with that printer got too expensive. Now I have been trying a lot of prints on Innova papers I still have (a lot). On most of them even after a day of drying, the inks smear out when I go over them with my thumb. Not so much on the Smooth Cotton paper (mat), but at least on every other paper that has a little gloss. Is this a matter of even a longer drying time, typical behaviour of dye based ink on glossy paper, or just the wrong paper? I haven't teste the Epon luster paper yet, but does that behave better? I want to use this printer for local exhibitions, not selling the prints, although I would like to know how prints on paper like the Smooth Cotton or mat paper will hold over the years, and if they are resistant to some sun light. Or that it is always better to let a printing facility print the photos on real photo paper for the purpose of selling.
Bad drying indicates a media/ink mismatch... Sorry, it's a paper not suited to the ink-set of the new printer at the setting you are using. In particular, the pigment black + dyes means that media choice is important - see the detailed discussion in the main [written] review www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ Epson paper works just fine. This is not a printer I'd use for selling prints with any claim of longevity 'Real photo paper' is nothing special ;-) Pigment inks and acid/OBA free paper are the way I'd go...
Keith, is there anyway to download both the airprint and regular firmware? I would like to use my Apple devices to print and also when serious, use photoshop to produce even better prints.
On a mac install the 'real' driver - you do not need an airprint driver set up at all on the Mac - just make sure not to accidentally select it. Your devices will happily use the crippled airprint connection to the printer :-)
@@KeithCooper I have the iPhone 13 Pro Max but I refuse to use Apple computers! :-)! I assume you can do the same on a PC. Perhaps one of your readers can respond? I have the new Epson ET-4760 all in one printer. It works great printing the iPhone pics. But I don't have the "real" driver? Will go therefore out there seeking it!! I think the P900 is more in my future.
No idea for sure - I've not used a win PC this century :-) Go to an Epson site download the printer driver - this has nothing to do with Airprint - that works directly with the printer.
I've not seen any sticker 'paper' which works in this sort of printer. There may well be vinyl type media which do work, but I've never come across any yet. That's partly because I've never seen any personal use for such a product [stickers? no idea] but of course, if someone sent me some I'd happily test it ;-)
Mike thanks for the very informative video. I tried printing direct from my iMac using the back feeder but the printer only worked after putting paper in the lower tray. The only way I could use the back feeder was by inserting a memory stick in the usb slot. Why is this please? Thanks
The paper slot is selected at the same time you select the media type - perhaps try printing with the Epson EPL software? Also check that you have not selected the airprint driver by mistake - see my 8550 setup articles/review for more. The front tray has no real use for media of any quality
Hi Keith, my greetings cards are printing slightly to the right hand side, despite having a 3mm bleed. Have you any suggestions of what this cause might be? Thank you
@@KeithCooper why didn't i think of that haha, ive just measured the paper, and you're right, what the pack says it is, it is smaller. I will try and reprint at these sizes, thank you so much for your response Keith, fingers crossed!
I didnt like this printer at first. But im getting some lovely prints. I make stationery so with the right paper and Affinity Publisher and Designer has the icc profiles so you tell it what paper you're going to use at the start.
According to Epson's official website, "Epson print out" is not supporting ET 8550 now. I have the latest firmware/driver and tried to start Epson Print Out alone, in Photoshop, or through "open with" on a picture, but none of these methods worked. I got some yellow alert on the left bottom of the software launch page that says" Printer not found. Install printer driver and restart application. Image not loaded". Are you still able to use Epson Print Out with ET 8550?
The software I'm using is 'Epson Print Layout' and despite not being officially supported, it works. See the examples and info in my main [written] review: www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ A typical problem with Macs is accidentally using the AirPrint driver (it is discussed in the review)
Thanks,@@KeithCooper, Unfortunately, I couldn't get 'Epson Print Layout' to work on my Mac (OS 10.15.7) or iPad pro; in both cases, it couldn't find the printer (which is Wi-Fi connected). Is there any other software that's easy to use with ICC profiles?
Are you quite sure you've not got an airprint driver version installed on the Mac? This is specifically covered in the review. The iPad in this instance is quite useless for printing of any quality - this is just a computer thing (where there is functional colour management)
@@KeithCooper I figured it out. The real driver was installed but was not taken into effect with the printer somehow. So I deleted the printer and added the specific driver manually. And it works now. Thank you for all the help!
ET-8550 will not print custom sized paper sheets created in Photoshop Print Settings from the top printer slot. (It will print them through the back.) Example 13x19 Epson photo glossy sheets. The printer will print them from the top paper input only if you select 13x19 from the pre loaded page sizes. But if you make a custom print size of 13x19 it will not print. After PRINT is selected, it just clicks a few times. Does not try to grab the paper or even extend the tray in front. I have tried this on two new printers. So if I wanted to print on 13x18 I would have to go through the back, which is a pain. Any ideas? Thanks
I think I know why... Check the section on custom paper sizes in the main [written] 8550 review www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ This matter is specifically addressed in the full review.
@@KeithCooper I looked at your review, specifically the section on custom sizes but do not see an explanation here. In my case I am using a custom size which is the exact size of a fully supported 13x19 sheet. I might add that I am not printing borderless and there is a good 1.5 inch margin all around. Please advise me what I might be missing, and thank you for all your work.
It's the bit about setting the width to 329mm rather than 330mm (~80% through the article) If you're in feet and inches land, drop the width slightly below 13" - by however much it allows. Note that It matters not what the supported sheet size is - it is the numbers the driver will accept which count for custom settings. For some reason, I think it has a sizing error for the top slot and custom sizes - my suspicion is this is an error in the printer's PPD file, but that is not somewhere to delve unless you really know what's going on.
@@KeithCooper Great advice--thank you. I tried setting a 13x19 sheet at 12.95x19 and the printer would accept it. I then tried a 11x17 sheet with a custom size of 11x17 (no reduction) and that worked as well. So maybe only the wide 13 inch sizes are affected. I am a commercial landscape photographer and have had many Epson printers, and my consideration is that the 8550 makes wonderful vibrant color prints. I have not yet experimented with black and white. For centering a print, what custom margins do you use? .25 inch all around (.0984cm)?
Glad it helped The preset sizes are nothing to do with this - they are set elsewhere [in the PPD file] It is the max width which is an issue. If I had an 8550 here again I'd have a look at 'fixing' the file, but it's not something to play around with randomly ;-) 5mm margins - depends on what I was printing for though
I just bought one of these a week ago. I cannot get it to print 4x6 photo paper from tray 1. My issue is it is not feeding from the tray, it keeps saying paper out or paper jam. The paper I am using Kodak and Agfa 240 gsm.
I found that the tray feeding was very dependent on the thickness/stiffness of the paper. I've the 8500 here for testing and will have a look at this again...
I will be addressing this in a future et-8500/8550 video about printer resolution However, see also the main [written] 8550 review www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper I read your text review multiple times and while you talk a lot about scanner resolution I do not see any specifics about resolution for printing Can't wait for video.. but I suggest that 1440dpi may be a real physical resolution and 5760 is some marketing mumbo-jumbo called Variable-Sized Droplet Technology? the same time 1440 sounds too high for me
Ah - forgot it was not in the 8550 review yet... This is what I'm repeating for the 8500/8550 www.northlight-images.co.uk/driver-settings-and-print-detail/ I'm just printing the 8 test images [4 images at quality and high quality settings] - once I've written the article, I'll do a short video to cover it. This is one of those topics where any videos are most definitely secondary to the written article
Hi Keith, I follow your channel and there is a lot of interesting information. I would like to ask if you have noticed that this printer leaves roller marks (streaks) on printed photos. It's a real shame because the quality of the photos is amazing. Does it also happen to you that you notice the marks of the printer rollers against the light? Thank you
Thanks - I didn't see any - if I had I would have asked Epson to replace it. However, it's long gone back to Epson - I only get printers for a few months to test. I couldn't afford (nor would I be allowed!) to live in a printer warehouse ;-)
I notice these too. They're extremely subtle and you can only notice it at a certain angle in a certain light- but they're there. I wonder if I should tell EPSON about it? I only got this printer a couple months ago.
I have printed many photos over the years. I can confirm that this problem of roller marks is only noticeable on non-original photo paper. On all the photographic prints I have made using original Epson Photo paper there are no roller marks.
@@Raffos22 Thanks for your answer! I am also having this issue with Epson photo paper. Traditional Photo Paper, Archival Mat and Cotton Smooth Bright are having these roller marks when I use the top rear feed. I don't have the marks if I use the rear feed slot, where paper is inserted horizontally. So it's possible to print without the marks, but it's quite annoying as I have to set up the printer for slot feed and there is the 2cm margin with this way. Did you try one of the papers that I mentioned? If yes, did you use a specific setting in order to avoid the marks?
Always - see my colour management YT playlist and www.northlight-images.co.uk/category/articles-and-reviews/monitor-calibration/ The one in the video is a Benq SW2700 - it is calibrated to a very low colour temperature (4000K), purely so it looks reasonable in the videos (it better matches the room lighting in the kitchen)
What about it? I use Photoshop all the time - I often use Epson Print Layout in these videos since it's free and works the same on Mac and PC [we have no PCs here] I personally don't like Lightroom - but many do. If I was a wedding photographer churning out prints, I'd likely use Lightroom, but my prints are one-off's and tend to be large [A2 and above] so I much prefer the control I get in PS. For a smaller printer like the 8550, use what you are comfortable with. Most people would never notice any significant difference, if the image is well taken and edited.
@@KeithCooper Hello, thank you for your expertise. I have studied as a graphic designer at the Politecnico di Milano since 1996 for five years (Industrial Designer). I learned how to page and print offset newspapers with the shades of a single color in addition to black with xpress making the color plates from the printer. We created a font for the phone book considering the expansion of ink on light paper. We printed really small instructions for changing the sim on old mobile phones: vector with Illustrator. Another era... and then also move on to the Web and the color spaces for gifs and jpegs on cathode-tube monitors. Now I draw and paint in analog but I also use Rebelle7 to simulate traditional techniques. I'm using an old and simple epson XP-235 and a generic BenQ PD2705U monitor :) to practice. I already get great results thanks to your recommendations with controlled lighting and visual testing in Srgb. Later I will print on fine-art cards on-line ( www.whitewall.com/uk/ ). When I'll buy a monitor with calibration and a professional printer I will review all your videos and read your reviews. You are unique :) Bravo! Ciao
Greetings Keith. After more than a year with my ET-8550, I have not been able to obtain any profiles for specific Epson Photo Papers. I Emailed Epson US asking for a couple of Paper Profiles & all I got back was the 8550 spec sheet listing the Papers supported by the 8550. No help there! Looking further, I finally found four (4) downloadable "Drivers/Utilities". Do I need any of these to improve the quality of the [already stunning] Prints? Any assistance is much appreciated. And I'm sending you $10.00 (USD) for Coffee & Doughnuts. (BTW: I'm going to buy a new SureColor P900 later this year)
Thanks... Profile support is not great - I've not found a source for them. The only ones I created are those listed in the main [written] review www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
I just received my 8550 its ok, I'm sure it's my but i really have not had that "WOW" experience yet. My photos all come out with a white line on top and that's making me not very happy with it. I'm new to you and actually just subscribe to your videos. I watched this one hoping to find some actual information of how to print better photos and settings on printer itself. The picture itself is one canvas and very dull. Please help?
Canvas is often dull... White line on top - are you trying to print borderless? See the main [written] review - it has far more info. The videos are supplements to it, not vice versa ;-) www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ Try the Epson Print layout software for printing. There are lots of videos/articles related to the 8550 - all linked from that review
PSA: I have a hunch that Epson Print Layout software no longer supports the ET-8500 series. (It's not listed as being supported on the download page.) I installed it on my M2 Macbook Pro and it didn't find my 8550 printer. However, Epson Photo+ software does work.
I have hunches that: 1) It never was listed - those lists are simply incpomplete 2) You have installed the AirPrint version of the driver by mistake...
@@KeithCooper Keith, thank you, for replying. I confirmed that I installed the Mac OS version of the software. (The other options are Windows and iOS.) So I installed the Windows version on my Win 11 PC. The Windows version shows the ET-8550. So I'm not sure what the issue is on my Mac. At least I have the option of printing from my Windows machine now. Thanks, again!
Nope... you have likely installed the airprint version of the Mac software - check exactly what the driver is called in you system preferences - if the word 'airprint' appears anywhere, it's the wrong version. I've done this by mistake too... I have a video covering this, as well as details in the 8550 review [the main written one] www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper Keith you're correct: by default the Epson 'Drivers and Utilities Combo Package Installer' download package selects the ET-8550 driver. I removed that printer from Printers & Scanners, and then added it back, but instead selected: Use:>Select Software>EPSON ET-8500 Series. Now the Epson Print Layout software shows my ET-8550 printer. 🤦♂
You don't say where you are? It makes a big difference - all my stuff is in the UK. The nearest you will get in art/photo papers is a warm white or 'natural' cotton rag. Actual tinted papers tend not to be coated so don't necessarily print that well.
@@KeithCooper Thanks. I live in Ipswich UK. Coated paper is OK with me as I do just black ink (monochrome black drawings). I want to get that 'old Victorian illustration' effect. Having more choice in white paper, I will try printing the 'tint' as an extra colour, and see how it looks...
I don't know any paper sellers there (it's where I'm from originally!) but if you want suggestions I'd give Chris a ring at Paper Spectrum here in Leicester - he's my go-to paper expert. Weak tea is a great way to age 'cotton rag' style papers.
@@KeithCooper My reply got stuck in your filter, maybe because I posted my email address... I hope you find it, as I quoted some initial quantity of the paper I need. Anyway, yes any sugestion would be much appreciated! :) Thanks.
Contact Paper Spectrum for this? - I don't sell paper (I'm a photographer) Yes, YT has a habit of randomly dropping comments, but then again it keeps a lot of rubbish out of the comments...
Have you read the main [written] review? - it covers all my 8550 testing and the software I printed with www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Yes, you won't - I've not used a win PC this century ;-) The EPL software and other stuff works very similarly on Mac or PC. However, I'd also suggest asking on the printing forum at DPReview.com lots of helpful 8550 users there. It's where I always suggest people with win specific questions ask - just make sure to describe what software you are using and your system in more detail
I bought this printer and I could not get a single quality print out of it. My HP 9015e printed just fine, and the same exact prints from this thing are washed out and I still haven't figured out how to get it to actually print borderless. I don't know if something has happened with quality control, but this is the single worst printer I have ever purchased.
If the printer is faulty, then complain to Epson. However, if not, then I'm afraid it's most often it's a user related problem [ I include myself in this] ;-) Have a read of the main [written] review, also download the free Epson Print Layout software - try that www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ The printer is capable of very good results... but like any good printer, expecting just to click 'print' rarely delivers optimal results.
@@KeithCooper You are absolutely right and I'm glad you responded, because I was trying to find this/these comment(s) so I could amend. I figured out what was going on. When I installed the printer the first time, I allowed the computer to do it automatically, and it chose AirPrint, which does not allow it to work with Epson Print Layout. When I manually selected the software, it installed and I was able to select it in EPL. Even though EPL doesn't officially support the 8550, printing via EPL is the only way I can get it to print in full color. Everything else, (I mean EVERYTHING else. every workflow you can imagine. straight from illustrator/preview/photoshop/web browser/text documents) comes out grayish and mucky with no color balance... just absolute trash. Once I got it working properly via EPL, the colors are definitely somewhat desaturated, but that's pretty easily managed. Beyond that, the quality is incredible. I'm pretty upset that I can't just print directly from Illustrator (or Affinity, or etc. etc.), but for this print quality, I'm going to just deal with it. Making sure to post this in both spots because I am 100% certain somebody else will encounter this as well.
What Mac system - what profiles do you have? See the list in the full [written] review about a lot more to do with colour management on the 8550 BTW My videos are almost always secondary to my written articles, which can be refined/corrected/expanded/supplemented over time.
@@KeithCooper I'm on a Mac Studio running the latest OS. I'll admit I have not seen your written reviews and did not know about them. I've never had a printer like this before and I could not find info anywhere on how to actually find ICC profiles. I don't even know how to search for them, apparently, as I am not using obscure stock. I'd be happy if I could find something even for just my HP Premium 32 paper.
There are no widely available icc profiles - this is a consumer level printer which happens to be capable of excellent prints. I believe some at Epson were surprised at the quality I was able to get ;-) Some paper suppliers are starting to make profiles available, but some of the larger ones obviously took their cue from Epson's [initial] printer marketing and are definitely missing a market opportunity... Drop me an email if you'd like the profiles mentioned in the review PS I've been doing the articles for ~20 years, the videos for just over 2
Sounds like you got one from the same batch I did. What is going on with yours? This thing has the worst prints out of the box I have ever experienced. Faded, washed out, and it refuses to actually print borderless no matter what I do in settings.
Neither of you include any of your workflow - i.e how and what you are trying to do. Without that, it's impossible to suggest much more... Without that info it's impossible to know if you have a faulty printer [it happens, Epson will replace them] or it's just a case of not knowing how to get the best out of it. It's an excellent printer, but like any good printer, needs some degree of expertise to use it... Now that may not be what you really want to hear, but that's the way it is. I don't sell printers, or ink so have no brand preferences or interest here, other than helping people get the best out of their printers.
@@KeithCooper You are absolutely right and I'm glad you responded, because I was trying to find this/these comment(s) so I could amend. I figured out what was going on. When I installed the printer the first time, I allowed the computer to do it automatically, and it chose AirPrint, which does not allow it to work with Epson Print Layout. When I manually selected the software, it installed and I was able to select it in EPL. Even though EPL doesn't officially support the 8550, printing via EPL is the only way I can get it to print in full color. Everything else, (I mean EVERYTHING else. every workflow you can imagine. straight from illustrator/preview/photoshop/web browser/text documents) comes out grayish and mucky with no color balance... just absolute trash. Once I got it working properly via EPL, the colors are definitely somewhat desaturated, but that's pretty easily managed. Beyond that, the quality is incredible. I'm pretty upset that I can't just print directly from Illustrator (or Affinity, or etc. etc.), but for this print quality, I'm going to just deal with it. Making sure to post this in both spots because I am 100% certain somebody else will encounter this as well.
No - not on video I'm afraid - it's pretty useless for any such purpose. All the better quality images are always in the written reviews/articles and mean for viewing on proper screens
I just got my printer ET-8550 this week. A moment ago I made my first print and I am blown away. Opened a new aspect to my hobby!
Excellent - have fun!
How much USD did you buy it
From which country
I asked for this as my "big gift" this year...probably could have asked for the P9000 or another large one but I have weird conditions of not ever selling my creations or working for anyone...they are my kin you know so this one made much more sense...to me it's like having a decent acoustic vs having one you get nervous playing...like you wouldn't play one on the subway you know...definitely feel like we made the right choice especially with our teacher's knowledge thank you so much for your video
After having owned a Hewlett-Packard Z3100 GP Photo 44” printer with a built in spectrometer, and after listening to Keith’s sage advice, I will save myself the headache and buy a Calibrite XRite CC Studio for $800 CAD or about $577 USD. More than what I paid for the Epson ET-8550 printer!!! But well worth it.
That was a good printer - it's a pity HP got out of the smaller higher end printer market. I've not been able to get enything from them to review for a long while too.
Just got my ET-8550 today after watching your videos for the past few days and deciding on it. Thanks for all the information you provide on this channel.
Thanks - have fun!
Thank you for your videos, there is always something to learn.
Since my local printing shop closed this summer and with your help, I recieved the ET-8550 a couple of days ago :D
Thanks - hope it goes well for you
Really helpful videos about the EPSON ET-8550. Thanks a lot for your work!
Thanks - glad it was of help
Thank you from Virginia for the great video! I finally got one of these printers and I’m looking forward to seeing what it can do.
Hope you enjoy it! It's a very nice bit of kit
I know some have experienced issues with the P7500 when it first came out, but as yet, it's performed very well.
Thanks Keith, the usual honest down to earth advice. I have taken the plunge and ordered an 8550 with the current Epson discount, it is now quite competitively priced, and I had a good month with my paid work so the long awaited upgrade is in train. Cannot wait to do that experimenting you describe.
Thanks - drop me an email if the profiles are of help?
where are you that you got an Epson discount? You can hardly find one here in the States.
It was a Black Friday deal being offered by all the UK suppliers; £100 cash back. Only issue is they are all out of stock so no idea when it will arrive!
Very useful and informative as always. Thank you. I just purchased this printer...looking forward to creating nice prints.
Have fun - if you've not seen it, do check the main [written] review - links to all 8550 stuff I've done
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Always a wonderful explanation and advice
Thanks - much appreciated.
Thanks Keith, As I am going with the 8550 too, for my Artist Wife.
It is a very versatile printer - just take care to get proper profiles for papers. It make a real difference
Profiling papers does make it much easier to try different papers. The subtle differences in the tonal curve and colour tints are automatically removed, leaving the real differences to see. That said the papers I have tried print reasonably without a profile.
The difference is there, and I'd prefer to get a profile before printing a test print. Without the profile the difference in tone curve and colour tint can have more of an impact on how the image appears than the differences between some of the papers I'm using.
I'm still learning to use both test prints as well as making and using profiles. Thanks.
This is one area where the bulk ink definitely encourages a bit more experimentation as well ;-)
About print stability, don't worry about it. I have 20 year old pictures hanging on the wall printed on Epson's Claria ink set. This is dye based and is essentially the current formulation as used in the ET-8550. The print has not faded nor colors shifted.
This is in contrast to Fuji Crystal Archive, traditional RA-4 prints hanging on the same wall; these have faded. I know this probably contradicts Wilhelm Research projections, but it is what it is.
Yes - sums up much of my personal scepticism towards the whole 'print life' thing - unless i'm writing marketing copy of course ;-)
Thanks again Keith for a good tutorial,
A quick question about Room Lighting,
When working on my Computer, My Window is behind my head, looking NE.
and my Room Light is above and just behind my head, a Low Energy Bulb.
There is no obvious Glare / Reflection on my LG Monitor, from the Room Lighting or from the Window,
I am thinking of having a Blackout Roller Blind.
What Room Light / Bulb should I use for evening and Night time Editing / Printing ?
I'd like to use Low Energy Bulbs,
but i'm open to suggestions,
You mention in a couple of your Tutorials that you use Halogen Replacement LEDs,
any chance of sharing your preference of the Light Bulbs you use.
Also, I had difficulty in finding the Epson Print Layout SW, but eventually found it,
I have a good quality warm white LED lamp in my office, that and thickish curtains that are closed when I'm working. A NE facing window will give a cool to very cool colour temperature light which can be problematic when editing. It depends on the mix of light.
The lamps I refer to in the videos are warm white LED replacements for the halogens that used to be there BUT remember that I shoot all the videos in my kitchen...
hi cooper. I have a canon pro 100 that I would like to replace due to the excessive cost of the cartridges and I wanted to buy the ET 8550. in the video you recommend using epson paper, but if you want to use other fine art papers such as hahnemühle or marrut, obviously not too thick, and with an icc profile created by me, will you have good results? or could the printer have problems in the long run? I thank you so much.
Ah, in the video I only say to _start_ with Epson paper...
Others work well - see my review and the other articles. Remember, this video is only really an overview.
Thanks for a great video Keith. I've just installed my new ET-8550 and would like to print from Photoshop onto my Epson Archival Matte paper. Do you have a recommendation of which printer profile to use ? Thank you in advance.
Check the main [written] review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Email me if you'd like any of the profiles listed there
Hi Keith,
I've just got my printer yesterday and been playing around with it. I tried to print on a third-party A3 photo paper and as a result, it came out with visible roller/pin marks on a photo that didn't fade away even the next day. Does this happen to you as well or is it an issue caused by not using an original Epson paper, please? Thank you
Did you run the alignment checks for the printer, with that paper? Does the paper dry properly?
Personally, 3rd party papers are not what I'd usually start off with [on a new printer] - check a new printer with some [smaller) Epson paper. It's the best way of seeing if the printer works properly - also, if there is a fault, Epson are much more likely to replace it if you show a fault on Epson paper...
Hi, I came across your video. I just purchased another epson ecotank 8550. I already have one for sublimation. I wanted to convert it to dtf, but is leaning more towards eco-solvent. The maintenance for dtf has me a little weary. My questions are, What else do I need to start printing ecosolvent prints (vinyl, masking sheets, ink, etc)? Will I need to download a certain software to print? Will all six tanks need ink in them? Will I be able to use m silhouette as my cutting tool? Thanks
Sorry - the 8550 is not just not rated for these inks at all
Any special inks run a significant risk of damaging parts of the ink system
Software won't help - the hardware is designed for normal aqueous inks
This very much falls in the warranty voiding 'at your own risk' category - not something I'd ever try I'm afraid
Hello. We just ordered the ET-8550 but I am not seeing the Epson Print Layout Software in the compatibility list for the printer. Can you confirm that it is? Our new printer will be here in a few days and I can't wait to get it set up and configured so we can start testing and playing around with it to get used to it. I've tried using other software in the past but got so confused that I simply hit the print button. Having Grandchildren is changing how we want our photos to look and we want them to be the best that we can make them without having to go to college to learn how to use a particular software.
Look at my review and videos - I'm using PPL
It's not officially listed on some Epson sites, but it works
For a new printer, I'd suggest starting here
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
It includes links to all my 8550 info and videos, including set-up and printing
Hi. In the print I get dotted lines from the rollers. It is normal? I have Epson 8550
No - I contacted Epson when I saw this - depends on the paper as well
How do you judge a test image result as you suggested for your first print (don't print your own photos right away), for example what quality are you looking for specifically?
See the notes on my test image download page [for the datacolor image]
www.northlight-images.co.uk/printer-test-images/
Is there since a larger size (A2/A1) brother of this printer? I mean same quality, printheads, ecotank (cheap bottled ink) all the same or similar, just a wider body. Sorry for the noob question but these plethora model numbers are so confusing its hard to find out if a model printer is a current model.
Nope - this is as big as it gets for a printer like this
The Epson site wherever you are is the best place to check on models, rather than sites just wanting to sell printers to you
Love your work btw. Please give me your input" epson xp 1500 vs ET 8550".(ink not an issue) important: b/w, quality and usability? Plz
Thanks - but you should know I don't really do comparisons... ;-)
Given the choice I'd take the 8500 any day, but that's just a personal choice - then again they are aimed at very different markets and at different costs.
The whole 'quality' thing is largely meaningless at this level - most printers like this are far more limited by user skill and ability than they ever are by the printer specs ;-) The inks _do_ make a big difference, if used with custom profiling and suitable paper choices.
Both printers rely on good colour management and paper choice.
Hello Keith,
thank you so much for your content. I just got my epson 8550 and I have no clue with which paper i should start. the different choices seems endless. could you recommend a paper for testing and trying out? thank you :)
Start with a basic Epson paper or two - not because they are any better, but you know they work, and if prints come out wrong you know for sure it's _your_ fault ;-)
Premium lustre is good, or Premium glossy
See this 'where to start' video
th-cam.com/video/qubh3MiShk8/w-d-xo.html
The place to start for 8550 info is my detailed [written] review - this has links to all my 8550 related articles and videos
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
wow! That was a quick and helpful reply. Thank you so much. Many greetings from Germany and all the best for you and your loved ones!
By color profiles of third party papers, do you mean you can somehow download profiles from the paper manufacturer's website, and then inside Epson's printing software connected to your 8550, there is a way to insert that profile into your list of options to be used when you use that particular paper?
The profiles are for your computer, see here
www.permajet.com/icc-profiles/
How can I download the color profiles you have created for the Epson et8550?
Email me at Northlight Images - the are listed in the main [written] review]
thanks for the video, my prints are coming out much darker than what appears on my monitor, phone or tablet. I am printing on HP premium plus soft gloss which I believe is Lustre. Could it be that I have my settings wrong?
Ignore the phone and tablet for testing - they have no useful colour management - print a known test image [with a lustre profile] using Epson Print Layout from the computer.
Many possible reasons, but a screen too bright is often the cause - of course HP papers are also known for occasionally causing issues, but until you print from somewhere reliable to test, there is no way f knowing where the problem[s] could be
Start at www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
I've had my ET-8550 for over a year & I can tell you that you'll get the absolute best results with Epson Papers. If you haven't already, give their Ultra-Premium Luster a try. And if you want a truly different look from what you're use to, try their Velvet Fine Art.
How to I install The Epson print layout application. i downloded, but i cannot use it. What do i need to do?
On a Mac? if so see my main [written] 8550 review for the airprint issue
Win - it just installs like any other app
Hi Keith. I don't know if you still look at the replies under 'old' videos, and because you mention in another video or article that you don't have this printer anymore... but can you tell somethting about the drying of the inkts of the 8550? I sold my old Canon Pixma 9500 because for now the printing with that printer got too expensive. Now I have been trying a lot of prints on Innova papers I still have (a lot). On most of them even after a day of drying, the inks smear out when I go over them with my thumb. Not so much on the Smooth Cotton paper (mat), but at least on every other paper that has a little gloss. Is this a matter of even a longer drying time, typical behaviour of dye based ink on glossy paper, or just the wrong paper? I haven't teste the Epon luster paper yet, but does that behave better? I want to use this printer for local exhibitions, not selling the prints, although I would like to know how prints on paper like the Smooth Cotton or mat paper will hold over the years, and if they are resistant to some sun light. Or that it is always better to let a printing facility print the photos on real photo paper for the purpose of selling.
Bad drying indicates a media/ink mismatch...
Sorry, it's a paper not suited to the ink-set of the new printer at the setting you are using.
In particular, the pigment black + dyes means that media choice is important - see the detailed discussion in the main [written] review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Epson paper works just fine.
This is not a printer I'd use for selling prints with any claim of longevity
'Real photo paper' is nothing special ;-) Pigment inks and acid/OBA free paper are the way I'd go...
I just ordered the Epson ET 8500 which is pretty much the same beside the printable size. Well - im curious about the quality it will provide.
Quite good if you pay attention to the colour management
Keith, is there anyway to download both the airprint and regular firmware? I would like to use my Apple devices to print and also when serious, use photoshop to produce even better prints.
On a mac install the 'real' driver - you do not need an airprint driver set up at all on the Mac - just make sure not to accidentally select it.
Your devices will happily use the crippled airprint connection to the printer :-)
@@KeithCooper I have the iPhone 13 Pro Max but I refuse to use Apple computers! :-)! I assume you can do the same on a PC. Perhaps one of your readers can respond? I have the new Epson ET-4760 all in one printer. It works great printing the iPhone pics. But I don't have the "real" driver? Will go therefore out there seeking it!! I think the P900 is more in my future.
No idea for sure - I've not used a win PC this century :-)
Go to an Epson site download the printer driver - this has nothing to do with Airprint - that works directly with the printer.
Keith would you please tell me what is the paper for stickers?
I've not seen any sticker 'paper' which works in this sort of printer.
There may well be vinyl type media which do work, but I've never come across any yet.
That's partly because I've never seen any personal use for such a product [stickers? no idea] but of course, if someone sent me some I'd happily test it ;-)
Very informative video, will the ET-8550 work with Photoshop CS5?
If the printer will work on the system, it should be OK.
It runs on my OSX 10.13 macbook, with CS6
Mike thanks for the very informative video. I tried printing direct from my iMac using the back feeder but the printer only worked after putting paper in the lower tray. The only way I could use the back feeder was by inserting a memory stick in the usb slot. Why is this please? Thanks
The paper slot is selected at the same time you select the media type - perhaps try printing with the Epson EPL software?
Also check that you have not selected the airprint driver by mistake - see my 8550 setup articles/review for more.
The front tray has no real use for media of any quality
@@KeithCooper Downloaded EPL on iMac but cannot get it to recognise Et-8550? Does work fm iMac ok but EPL not finding it?
do you have the correct driver - i.e. not AirPrint?
@@KeithCooper looks like I do not. Not having great success here. Are you able to tell me where the correct driver can be found pse? Many thanks
epson.co.uk - support page for the 8550 - should have the latest software
Hi Keith, my greetings cards are printing slightly to the right hand side, despite having a 3mm bleed. Have you any suggestions of what this cause might be? Thank you
Check the actual dimensions of the paper.
Also, practice with some plain paper and printing via Epson print layout, where margins can be adjusted?
@@KeithCooper why didn't i think of that haha, ive just measured the paper, and you're right, what the pack says it is, it is smaller. I will try and reprint at these sizes, thank you so much for your response Keith, fingers crossed!
That has fixed it from the ipad on epson print layout.but not from affinity on the desktop.
Use EPL on the actual computer?
I didnt like this printer at first. But im getting some lovely prints. I make stationery so with the right paper and Affinity Publisher and Designer has the icc profiles so you tell it what paper you're going to use at the start.
Yes - appreciating what it's good at is key
According to Epson's official website, "Epson print out" is not supporting ET 8550 now. I have the latest firmware/driver and tried to start Epson Print Out alone, in Photoshop, or through "open with" on a picture, but none of these methods worked. I got some yellow alert on the left bottom of the software launch page that says" Printer not found. Install printer driver and restart application. Image not loaded". Are you still able to use Epson Print Out with ET 8550?
The software I'm using is 'Epson Print Layout' and despite not being officially supported, it works.
See the examples and info in my main [written] review:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
A typical problem with Macs is accidentally using the AirPrint driver (it is discussed in the review)
Thanks,@@KeithCooper, Unfortunately, I couldn't get 'Epson Print Layout' to work on my Mac (OS 10.15.7) or iPad pro; in both cases, it couldn't find the printer (which is Wi-Fi connected). Is there any other software that's easy to use with ICC profiles?
Are you quite sure you've not got an airprint driver version installed on the Mac?
This is specifically covered in the review.
The iPad in this instance is quite useless for printing of any quality - this is just a computer thing (where there is functional colour management)
@@KeithCooper I figured it out. The real driver was installed but was not taken into effect with the printer somehow. So I deleted the printer and added the specific driver manually. And it works now. Thank you for all the help!
ET-8550 will not print custom sized paper sheets created in Photoshop Print Settings from the top printer slot. (It will print them through the back.) Example 13x19 Epson photo glossy sheets. The printer will print them from the top paper input only if you select 13x19 from the pre loaded page sizes. But if you make a custom print size of 13x19 it will not print. After PRINT is selected, it just clicks a few times. Does not try to grab the paper or even extend the tray in front. I have tried this on two new printers. So if I wanted to print on 13x18 I would have to go through the back, which is a pain. Any ideas? Thanks
I think I know why...
Check the section on custom paper sizes in the main [written] 8550 review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
This matter is specifically addressed in the full review.
@@KeithCooper I looked at your review, specifically the section on custom sizes but do not see an explanation here. In my case I am using a custom size which is the exact size of a fully supported 13x19 sheet. I might add that I am not printing borderless and there is a good 1.5 inch margin all around. Please advise me what I might be missing, and thank you for all your work.
It's the bit about setting the width to 329mm rather than 330mm (~80% through the article)
If you're in feet and inches land, drop the width slightly below 13" - by however much it allows.
Note that It matters not what the supported sheet size is - it is the numbers the driver will accept which count for custom settings.
For some reason, I think it has a sizing error for the top slot and custom sizes - my suspicion is this is an error in the printer's PPD file, but that is not somewhere to delve unless you really know what's going on.
@@KeithCooper Great advice--thank you. I tried setting a 13x19 sheet at 12.95x19 and the printer would accept it. I then tried a 11x17 sheet with a custom size of 11x17 (no reduction) and that worked as well. So maybe only the wide 13 inch sizes are affected. I am a commercial landscape photographer and have had many Epson printers, and my consideration is that the 8550 makes wonderful vibrant color prints. I have not yet experimented with black and white. For centering a print, what custom margins do you use? .25 inch all around (.0984cm)?
Glad it helped
The preset sizes are nothing to do with this - they are set elsewhere [in the PPD file]
It is the max width which is an issue.
If I had an 8550 here again I'd have a look at 'fixing' the file, but it's not something to play around with randomly ;-)
5mm margins - depends on what I was printing for though
I just bought one of these a week ago. I cannot get it to print 4x6 photo paper from tray 1. My issue is it is not feeding from the tray, it keeps saying paper out or paper jam. The paper I am using Kodak and Agfa 240 gsm.
I found that the tray feeding was very dependent on the thickness/stiffness of the paper.
I've the 8500 here for testing and will have a look at this again...
@@KeithCooper I have just purchased a pack of 200gsm paper and will try that.
Can you please recommend best resolution to prepare image for best quality (DPI)? I cannot understand what resolution in specs (5760 x 1440 dpi) means
I will be addressing this in a future et-8500/8550 video about printer resolution
However, see also the main [written] 8550 review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper I read your text review multiple times and while you talk a lot about scanner resolution I do not see any specifics about resolution for printing
Can't wait for video.. but I suggest that 1440dpi may be a real physical resolution and 5760 is some marketing mumbo-jumbo called Variable-Sized Droplet Technology? the same time 1440 sounds too high for me
Ah - forgot it was not in the 8550 review yet...
This is what I'm repeating for the 8500/8550
www.northlight-images.co.uk/driver-settings-and-print-detail/
I'm just printing the 8 test images [4 images at quality and high quality settings] - once I've written the article, I'll do a short video to cover it. This is one of those topics where any videos are most definitely secondary to the written article
When will the Epson ET-8550 become available again? Chip supply problem?
Depends where you are - there are ongoing supply issues in some parts of the world.
Ask Epson - I don't sell printers ;-)
Available at BestBuy Canada right now!
Hi Keith, I follow your channel and there is a lot of interesting information. I would like to ask if you have noticed that this printer leaves roller marks (streaks) on printed photos. It's a real shame because the quality of the photos is amazing. Does it also happen to you that you notice the marks of the printer rollers against the light? Thank you
Thanks - I didn't see any - if I had I would have asked Epson to replace it.
However, it's long gone back to Epson - I only get printers for a few months to test. I couldn't afford (nor would I be allowed!) to live in a printer warehouse ;-)
I notice these too. They're extremely subtle and you can only notice it at a certain angle in a certain light- but they're there.
I wonder if I should tell EPSON about it? I only got this printer a couple months ago.
Hi! I'm having the same issue. Did you find a solution?
I have printed many photos over the years. I can confirm that this problem of roller marks is only noticeable on non-original photo paper. On all the photographic prints I have made using original Epson Photo paper there are no roller marks.
@@Raffos22 Thanks for your answer!
I am also having this issue with Epson photo paper. Traditional Photo Paper, Archival Mat and Cotton Smooth Bright are having these roller marks when I use the top rear feed.
I don't have the marks if I use the rear feed slot, where paper is inserted horizontally. So it's possible to print without the marks, but it's quite annoying as I have to set up the printer for slot feed and there is the 2cm margin with this way.
Did you try one of the papers that I mentioned? If yes, did you use a specific setting in order to avoid the marks?
Do you profile your monitor?
Always - see my colour management YT playlist and
www.northlight-images.co.uk/category/articles-and-reviews/monitor-calibration/
The one in the video is a Benq SW2700 - it is calibrated to a very low colour temperature (4000K), purely so it looks reasonable in the videos (it better matches the room lighting in the kitchen)
what about printing in photoshop or Lightroom?
What about it?
I use Photoshop all the time - I often use Epson Print Layout in these videos since it's free and works the same on Mac and PC [we have no PCs here]
I personally don't like Lightroom - but many do. If I was a wedding photographer churning out prints, I'd likely use Lightroom, but my prints are one-off's and tend to be large [A2 and above] so I much prefer the control I get in PS.
For a smaller printer like the 8550, use what you are comfortable with. Most people would never notice any significant difference, if the image is well taken and edited.
Grazie.
Thanks!
@@KeithCooper Hello, thank you for your expertise. I have studied as a graphic designer at the Politecnico di Milano since 1996 for five years (Industrial Designer).
I learned how to page and print offset newspapers with the shades of a single color in addition to black with xpress making the color plates from the printer.
We created a font for the phone book considering the expansion of ink on light paper.
We printed really small instructions for changing the sim on old mobile phones: vector with Illustrator.
Another era... and then also move on to the Web and the color spaces for gifs and jpegs on cathode-tube monitors.
Now I draw and paint in analog but I also use Rebelle7 to simulate traditional techniques.
I'm using an old and simple epson XP-235 and a generic BenQ PD2705U monitor :) to practice.
I already get great results thanks to your recommendations with controlled lighting and visual testing in Srgb.
Later I will print on fine-art cards on-line ( www.whitewall.com/uk/ ).
When I'll buy a monitor with calibration and a professional printer I will review all your videos and read your reviews. You are unique :) Bravo! Ciao
Greetings Keith. After more than a year with my ET-8550, I have not been able to obtain any profiles for specific Epson Photo Papers. I Emailed Epson US asking for a couple of Paper Profiles & all I got back was the 8550 spec sheet listing the Papers supported by the 8550. No help there! Looking further, I finally found four (4) downloadable "Drivers/Utilities". Do I need any of these to improve the quality of the [already stunning] Prints? Any assistance is much appreciated. And I'm sending you $10.00 (USD) for Coffee & Doughnuts. (BTW: I'm going to buy a new SureColor P900 later this year)
Thanks... Profile support is not great - I've not found a source for them.
The only ones I created are those listed in the main [written] review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper Thank you!
I just received my 8550 its ok, I'm sure it's my but i really have not had that "WOW" experience yet. My photos all come out with a white line on top and that's making me not very happy with it. I'm new to you and actually just subscribe to your videos. I watched this one hoping to find some actual information of how to print better photos and settings on printer itself. The picture itself is one canvas and very dull. Please help?
Canvas is often dull...
White line on top - are you trying to print borderless?
See the main [written] review - it has far more info. The videos are supplements to it, not vice versa ;-)
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Try the Epson Print layout software for printing.
There are lots of videos/articles related to the 8550 - all linked from that review
PSA: I have a hunch that Epson Print Layout software no longer supports the ET-8500 series. (It's not listed as being supported on the download page.) I installed it on my M2 Macbook Pro and it didn't find my 8550 printer. However, Epson Photo+ software does work.
I have hunches that:
1) It never was listed - those lists are simply incpomplete
2) You have installed the AirPrint version of the driver by mistake...
@@KeithCooper Keith, thank you, for replying. I confirmed that I installed the Mac OS version of the software. (The other options are Windows and iOS.) So I installed the Windows version on my Win 11 PC. The Windows version shows the ET-8550. So I'm not sure what the issue is on my Mac. At least I have the option of printing from my Windows machine now. Thanks, again!
Nope... you have likely installed the airprint version of the Mac software - check exactly what the driver is called in you system preferences - if the word 'airprint' appears anywhere, it's the wrong version.
I've done this by mistake too...
I have a video covering this, as well as details in the 8550 review [the main written one]
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper Keith you're correct: by default the Epson 'Drivers and Utilities Combo Package Installer' download package selects the ET-8550 driver. I removed that printer from Printers & Scanners, and then added it back, but instead selected: Use:>Select Software>EPSON ET-8500 Series. Now the Epson Print Layout software shows my ET-8550 printer. 🤦♂
Good
How can I get one
How much USD is for one
From Liberia
No idea whatsoever - I'm in the UK and I don't sell printers... :-)
Would anyone recommend an 'antique look' parchment ink-jet paper which is not white? I look for that 'old book' effect tinted paper...
You don't say where you are? It makes a big difference - all my stuff is in the UK.
The nearest you will get in art/photo papers is a warm white or 'natural' cotton rag.
Actual tinted papers tend not to be coated so don't necessarily print that well.
@@KeithCooper Thanks. I live in Ipswich UK. Coated paper is OK with me as I do just black ink (monochrome black drawings). I want to get that 'old Victorian illustration' effect. Having more choice in white paper, I will try printing the 'tint' as an extra colour, and see how it looks...
I don't know any paper sellers there (it's where I'm from originally!) but if you want suggestions I'd give Chris a ring at Paper Spectrum here in Leicester - he's my go-to paper expert. Weak tea is a great way to age 'cotton rag' style papers.
@@KeithCooper My reply got stuck in your filter, maybe because I posted my email address... I hope you find it, as I quoted some initial quantity of the paper I need. Anyway, yes any sugestion would be much appreciated! :) Thanks.
Contact Paper Spectrum for this? - I don't sell paper (I'm a photographer)
Yes, YT has a habit of randomly dropping comments, but then again it keeps a lot of rubbish out of the comments...
my prints look blurry all types i need help
Have you read the main [written] review? - it covers all my 8550 testing and the software I printed with
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper the only thing is that i dont have an apple computer i have an windows 11 i didnt see anything covering a windows 11
Yes, you won't - I've not used a win PC this century ;-)
The EPL software and other stuff works very similarly on Mac or PC.
However, I'd also suggest asking on the printing forum at DPReview.com lots of helpful 8550 users there.
It's where I always suggest people with win specific questions ask - just make sure to describe what software you are using and your system in more detail
THANKS WELL DO
@@KeithCooper
I bought this printer and I could not get a single quality print out of it. My HP 9015e printed just fine, and the same exact prints from this thing are washed out and I still haven't figured out how to get it to actually print borderless.
I don't know if something has happened with quality control, but this is the single worst printer I have ever purchased.
If the printer is faulty, then complain to Epson.
However, if not, then I'm afraid it's most often it's a user related problem [ I include myself in this] ;-) Have a read of the main [written] review, also download the free Epson Print Layout software - try that
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
The printer is capable of very good results... but like any good printer, expecting just to click 'print' rarely delivers optimal results.
@@KeithCooper You are absolutely right and I'm glad you responded, because I was trying to find this/these comment(s) so I could amend. I figured out what was going on.
When I installed the printer the first time, I allowed the computer to do it automatically, and it chose AirPrint, which does not allow it to work with Epson Print Layout. When I manually selected the software, it installed and I was able to select it in EPL.
Even though EPL doesn't officially support the 8550, printing via EPL is the only way I can get it to print in full color. Everything else, (I mean EVERYTHING else. every workflow you can imagine. straight from illustrator/preview/photoshop/web browser/text documents) comes out grayish and mucky with no color balance... just absolute trash.
Once I got it working properly via EPL, the colors are definitely somewhat desaturated, but that's pretty easily managed. Beyond that, the quality is incredible.
I'm pretty upset that I can't just print directly from Illustrator (or Affinity, or etc. etc.), but for this print quality, I'm going to just deal with it.
Making sure to post this in both spots because I am 100% certain somebody else will encounter this as well.
What Mac system - what profiles do you have?
See the list in the full [written] review about a lot more to do with colour management on the 8550
BTW My videos are almost always secondary to my written articles, which can be refined/corrected/expanded/supplemented over time.
@@KeithCooper I'm on a Mac Studio running the latest OS. I'll admit I have not seen your written reviews and did not know about them.
I've never had a printer like this before and I could not find info anywhere on how to actually find ICC profiles. I don't even know how to search for them, apparently, as I am not using obscure stock. I'd be happy if I could find something even for just my HP Premium 32 paper.
There are no widely available icc profiles - this is a consumer level printer which happens to be capable of excellent prints. I believe some at Epson were surprised at the quality I was able to get ;-)
Some paper suppliers are starting to make profiles available, but some of the larger ones obviously took their cue from Epson's [initial] printer marketing and are definitely missing a market opportunity...
Drop me an email if you'd like the profiles mentioned in the review
PS I've been doing the articles for ~20 years, the videos for just over 2
my printer now print lines on quality print ,, and darker ,,,
Glad the info was of interest
So far I sadly HATE my Epson ET-8550
Sounds like you got one from the same batch I did. What is going on with yours? This thing has the worst prints out of the box I have ever experienced. Faded, washed out, and it refuses to actually print borderless no matter what I do in settings.
Neither of you include any of your workflow - i.e how and what you are trying to do. Without that, it's impossible to suggest much more...
Without that info it's impossible to know if you have a faulty printer [it happens, Epson will replace them] or it's just a case of not knowing how to get the best out of it.
It's an excellent printer, but like any good printer, needs some degree of expertise to use it...
Now that may not be what you really want to hear, but that's the way it is. I don't sell printers, or ink so have no brand preferences or interest here, other than helping people get the best out of their printers.
@@KeithCooper You are absolutely right and I'm glad you responded, because I was trying to find this/these comment(s) so I could amend. I figured out what was going on.
When I installed the printer the first time, I allowed the computer to do it automatically, and it chose AirPrint, which does not allow it to work with Epson Print Layout. When I manually selected the software, it installed and I was able to select it in EPL.
Even though EPL doesn't officially support the 8550, printing via EPL is the only way I can get it to print in full color. Everything else, (I mean EVERYTHING else. every workflow you can imagine. straight from illustrator/preview/photoshop/web browser/text documents) comes out grayish and mucky with no color balance... just absolute trash.
Once I got it working properly via EPL, the colors are definitely somewhat desaturated, but that's pretty easily managed. Beyond that, the quality is incredible.
I'm pretty upset that I can't just print directly from Illustrator (or Affinity, or etc. etc.), but for this print quality, I'm going to just deal with it.
Making sure to post this in both spots because I am 100% certain somebody else will encounter this as well.
could you please show better veiws of pics
No - not on video I'm afraid - it's pretty useless for any such purpose.
All the better quality images are always in the written reviews/articles and mean for viewing on proper screens