Epson EcoTank ET-8550

With the Epson EcoTank ET-8550, I print my photos in high quality. I operate the printer via the touchscreen and easily connect it to my iPhone via Wi-Fi Direct. However, I do need an extra extension cord, because the power cable is too short for my workspace.

First impression The photo printer comes in a large box, along with the manual and power cable. There are no fewer than 6 ink bottles in the package: 1 black, 1 photo black, 1 magenta, 1 cyan, 1 yellow, and 1 gray. I plug the printer into a power outlet using an extension cord, because the short power cable is insufficient. The installation steps appear on the glossy color touchscreen. I fill the reservoirs with the correct color ink and place some A4 paper in the bottom paper tray. I also adjust the color settings. The printer prints various test pages with different shades of color. I select the best colors via the screen so that I print my photos in the best quality. Convenient separate paper trays

I find the different paper trays to be a major advantage of this printer. This means I don't have to constantly adjust the guides. I put my 10 x 15 photo paper in the tray above the tray for standard A4 paper. I put the A4 photo paper in the paper tray at the top of the printer. This flap does stick out a bit at the back, so I don't place it flush against a wall or cabinet.

Connect quickly via Wi-Fi Direct

I select Wi-Fi Direct on the printer's touchscreen. The ET-8550 immediately appears in the Wi-Fi list on my iPhone. I enter the password and am connected instantly. However, with Wi-Fi Direct, I cannot surf the internet at the same time. Fortunately, I can switch Wi-Fi connections quickly, and the printer remembers my iPhone.

Razor-sharp photos

I have the handy Epson Smart Panel App on my iPhone. In the app, I can easily select photos from my gallery and adjust the print settings. First, I print 2 photos in A4 format. Printing takes a long time, but the result is definitely worth it. I am really impressed with the quality of the photos. The colors pop off the page and every detail is razor-sharp on the Epson Premium photo paper. My smaller 10 x 15 photos have a slightly matte finish, but are sharp and have beautiful colors.

Only used for a week so can only give a first impression. Software looks terribly old-fashioned. Windows 3.1 style. Furthermore, it is functional and with useful information about what is going to happen. Easy to make new settings. I use this in combination with my own profiles, so for every paper type and setting combination. Then in my case in Affinity use the color profiles for the printer. After correction, the colors are good and consistent with a few exceptions, but that could also be just me. The printer doesn't make a lot of noise and is fairly compact for its size when closed. Same footprint as my older HP for a4. Please note the actual total depth when the tailgate is open (above input). A3 has to go through and that holder is at the back of the printer and goes diagonally backwards, so that the printer must be 10 cm from the wall to unfold it. With A3, the output tray also comes a long way from the printer. You also have to reserve space for this. Fortunately, this can all be closed when the printer is not in use and the collection tray also goes out by itself. I find that very useful, so you don't forget that either. After each print run, it asks whether printing went well, so you have to click that away before you can close the collection bin again. Not insurmountable, but annoying if you have to do that every time. Furthermore, I have not been able to detect any stripes from the wheels on my prints. There are quite a few negative reviews about this, but I have not yet seen this with my printer paper combination. Printed with multiple types of paper. Not all Epson, but still remnants of my HP printer. They print perfectly with their own profiles. Clairfontaine also uses DCP and it is also very nice on the VFA setting, then the colors become very bright and the black also deep black. It may be painfully slow, but the result may be there. No stripes or overlap and with very subtle transitions. The installation was fine. Calibration took a while but is doable. Don't expect to print after 5 minutes after switching it on for the first time, but take some time for that. So far I am very satisfied with my purchase. Despite the fact that the information on the Coolblue website was incorrect (I reported it), I would buy here again in a heartbeat. Fast and clear delivery and they were one of the few parties who had the printer in stock and could also deliver the next day.

Nice printer, but definitely recommended if some parts are improved. The paper basket comes out automatically when a print is made. These do not automatically go back in when the printer goes into standby. always manually on display to press.