Goldyrock

I just received a P600 with a clogged print head. I bought some empty refillable carts, and will try clean it with Piezo Flush. If it works, I will buy some more refillable, and order Precision Colors ink. Hope I get luck, otherwise, I spent about $150 for nothing. That includes the Ink Potty for waste ink.

OldCADuser Loc: Irvine, CA

I once had a really nice (and expensive) Epson B-size photo printer. Eight ink cartridges and it could even print CD's and DVD's, but since it wasn't all that fast for normal everyday document printing, I had another all-in-one Epson printer. Over time the photo printer just got to be a pain, with the expense of the ink and the fact that since i didn't use it all that much anymore, it tended to get gummed-up and I was always cleaning it and this just wasted more expensive ink cartridges, so I finally pitched it.

I still have my Epson all-in-one for everyday use but now for photos, I've taken a different approach. If I just need a few simply 4 x 6 (or smaller) prints, I've got a Canon CP900 SELPHY dye-sublimation printer. It never gets gummed-up. The 'ink' never dries-out. And it's small enough that I've got a travel case for it so it can go on the road with me. Now, if I need something larger than 4 x 6, I just send the order off to a printing service (I've had really good luck with our local Walgreens).

The only thing I really miss, although I don't do much of it any more, is now if I want to print a CD or DVD I have to use an Avery label, printed on the Epson all-in-one printer.

Artcameraman Loc: Springfield NH

Ready to give the darkroom a go again. Wish my female assistant was still around, that's another story that's great to remember.

eric from Maine now Washington State

I've owned an 8550 for a couple of years, and I can't think of a bad thing to say about it other than the reports that its prints won't last as long before fading than those from pigment ink printers. I also own a P-700 for use with prints I want to sell, but I prefer the prints from the 8550.

starShoot

Me too. I just put my prints under glass with a dust cover on back of the frame and out of direct sunlight. I have dye prints that are 20 years old and look as colorful as ever. Besides, my prints grace the walls of my house and the homes of family and friends, not museums. I like presenting, and they like having pictures that have at most three and most often no replicas. Besides if a picture I print and frame today lasts twenty years it will almost certainly out last me. Therefore, I am more than content with my excellent dye ink printers, and especially so with the ET 8550.

eric from Maine now Washington State

Thanks for your reply Mr. Shoot. I have no dye ink prints made 20 years ago as you do. (I was making pigment prints back then while looking down on those of you who were spending 10% of what I paid for my ink.) Like you, have no plans for outlasting any of my prints, but I certainly do appreciate the current cost savings.

Flagator1980 Loc: Columbus Ohio

Just got the Epson ET 8550 and I love it. Easy to set up and marked improvement in print quality over Canon Pixma G70020. Large ink tanks means I am printing a lot more. Best of all, 2 days after I bought it the price was reduced $200 and Best Buy refunded that to my card, no hassle at all.Found no negatives yet.Good luck.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

It's a great printer, just keep in mind that most people recommend that you do not print borderless with this printer since it tends to spill ink onto the rollers and will leave ink smears on subsequent prints. I always leave at least a thin margin and trim it if necessary.

Artcameraman Loc: Springfield NH

Thanks for the info. I've been looking for a wide format printer and can't get the specs for this from Epson's site,Internet problem, can you give them? Thanks.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The 8500 has a "throat width" of 8.5 inches and the 8550 throat is 13" wide. Other than that, they are essentially the same printer.

Here's the manual with specs.

ET-8550 Manual
Attached file:
(Download)

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I had to give up on my Epson 3000 printer a few months ago. It was past redemption. It worked wonderfully for a very long time but such printers have a lifespan. I did have it professionally cleaned a couple of times but an Epson rep at a professional photography show told me honestly that after a few years and the beginning of problems, it's time to buy a new one.

Artcameraman Loc: Springfield NH

Good to know, thanks.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

exactly the reason I will probably never own an epson again..