The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 is a standout model in the world of home and small office printers, particularly designed for those who require high-quality photo printing without the recurring cost of expensive ink cartridges. This all-in-one supertank printer is engineered to deliver excellent performance across various tasks, from everyday document printing to professional-grade photo outputs.
Design and Build Quality
The ET-8550 features a sleek and compact design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Measuring 523 x 379 x 169 mm and weighing approximately 11 kg, this printer fits easily into most home or office setups. Its build quality is robust, with a well-organized control panel that includes a 4.3-inch color touchscreen. This user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate through different functions, such as printing, scanning, copying, and accessing cloud services.
However, some users might find the design to be a bit too compact, particularly when it comes to accessing the ink tanks. The placement of these tanks, while streamlined, can be cumbersome during refills, leading to potential spills or misalignments.
Print Technology and Quality
At the heart of the Epson ET-8550 is its 6-color Claria ET Premium Ink system, which includes both a photo black and a gray ink, in addition to the usual CMYK inks. This unique ink configuration enables the printer to produce exceptionally vivid and accurate colors, making it ideal for both color and black-and-white photography. The printer offers a maximum print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi, ensuring that even the most intricate details in images are captured with precision.
Despite these advancements, some users might find the additional colors unnecessary for everyday printing tasks. The inclusion of extra ink tanks increases the overall cost of refills, which may not be justified for those who don’t regularly print high-resolution photos.
Versatility and Media Handling
The ET-8550 is designed to handle a wide range of media types and sizes. It supports borderless printing up to 13″ x 19″, making it suitable for producing large format photos, posters, and other creative projects. Additionally, it includes a rear specialty media feed that can accommodate thicker papers, card stocks, and even CDs/DVDs for direct printing. This printer also features a dual paper tray system: one for standard paper and another dedicated to photo paper, allowing users to switch between tasks seamlessly without the need for manual paper changes. However, the versatility of the ET-8550 Series could be overkill for users who only need a basic printer. The rear feed, while useful for specialty media, can be prone to jams if not used carefully, leading to potential frustration during high-volume projects.
Efficiency and Eco-Friendliness
One of the key selling points of the ET-8550 is its EcoTank system, which eliminates the need for traditional ink cartridges. Instead, it uses high-capacity, refillable ink tanks that can print thousands of pages before needing a refill. According to Epson, a single set of ink bottles can yield approximately 6,200 pages in black and 6,200 pages in color. This significantly reduces the cost per page and the environmental impact associated with disposable cartridges. The printer is also ENERGY STAR certified, meaning it operates efficiently and consumes less power compared to conventional models.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The ET-8550 offers a range of connectivity options to suit various user needs. It supports wireless printing via Wi-Fi Direct, making it easy to print directly from smartphones, tablets, and computers without the need for a router. The printer is compatible with Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and Epson’s proprietary mobile apps like Epson iPrint and Creative Print, enabling users to print from virtually anywhere. For more traditional setups, it also includes USB and Ethernet connections, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
Performance and Speed
While the ET-8550 excels in print quality, it also delivers impressive performance in terms of speed. It can print up to 16 pages per minute (ppm) for black and white documents and 12 ppm for color documents. For photo printing, a 4″ x 6″ borderless photo can be printed in as little as 15 seconds. This balance of speed and quality makes the ET-8550 a versatile printer that can handle both high-volume document printing and detailed photo production with ease. But when pushed to its limits, the ET-8550 Series may struggle with large print jobs, especially those involving high-resolution images. Extended use at high speeds can lead to overheating or minor mechanical issues, which may necessitate pauses or maintenance that interrupt productivity.
Download Driver for Epson ET-8550 Printer and Scanner
The Epson ET-8550 printer driver is a specialized software program that acts as a communication bridge between your computer or mobile device and the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 printer. This driver translates the data from your device into a format that the printer can understand, enabling it to accurately reproduce text, images, and other content on paper. For those of you who like to use the Windows operating system, you can download the Epson ET-8550 printer driver via the following link.
File Size: 34.4MB & 61.3MB
File Type: .Exe
OS Support: Windows 7/8/10/11 or higher
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