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Epson ET-18100 vs. ET-8550 Which is the best A3+ ecotank printer for your art and photo prints
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- Опубліковано 14 сер 2024
- Why might an ET-18100 [or L18050] be better choice than the ET-8550 for some people wanting to print photos? A comparison of printer features covering what they will and won't do well.
For all my ET-8550 videos and the main written review see here:
www.northlight...
Detailed ET-18100 review, with a list of the icc profiles I created:
www.northlight...
Here's my ET-18100 video review [30 mins]:
• Epson ET-18100 printer...
There are several ET-18100 videos on this channel
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What a great review. I think most reviewers would have quit and named the 8550 the winner before they found where the 18100 excelled. Nice work, man! You're the best!
Thanks!
Sometimes I do take it as a bit of a challenge ;-)
Thank you for the comparison. That made very clear that I can not expect what I would from the 18100. I'll be looking at the 8550.
Glad it helped
@@KeithCooper He helped me make the same decision, mainly because I want to print on some art papers.
Thank you so much, this comparison was super useful!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Keith, Im very happy to report that my ET8550 has the range with various photo papers and i am willing to take the very small hit on quality in high gloss prints particularly as i learn more. Oh and i thought the prints on metallic gloss papers that ET8550 produced were very good.
Having more range in media settings and paper choices that the et8550 has, was the reason for my choice and i am extremely happy about it👍
yes, the flexibility is what would mean I'd likely get an 8550.
I just don't need super glossy very often
@mipmipmipmipmip The Epson Et8550 is way more and beyond ones expectations, an exceptional printer when getting to grips with it. OEM Ink costs are of no concern either, beating everything hands down.
its a winner in every department especially for someone like myself who just wants that extra control in printing in a digital world👍
@@markflanagan521I was looking to buy the 18100 but it looks like it’s not available to purchase in the US. I do like that the 8550 is very versatile. My wife wants it print photos from her iPhone onto picture paper. Have you done that on yours? I’ve also heard some people use pigment dye on this machine for a more a longer lasting photo. Have you tried any aftermarket dye?
@@DeestedFirstly I would stick with the Epson ink set(cheap to replace and excellent) as it is made for the printer and I have had no issues with clogging or smearing even when not used for a few weeks.
Secondly, yes I have printed some iPhone photos for family and the results were very good even from smaller 1MB files with a simple bit of editing. A larger file would be better still. The modern iPhone can produce
larger files so it will be more than capable of producing excellent image quality, far superior to any run of the mill photo labs.
Nice comparison Keith…for me the 8550 is far more versatile. My results with B&W printing are very good… Very easy to use. Cheers..
Thanks - the 18100 is in the category of doing the 'one thing' very well.
Hi Keith. I have an Epson SureColor SC P600. I use it for printing archival reports of historic buildings (in Australia). I chose it because it is a pigment ink printer and that's what the specifications call for. I know dye inks have improved a lot over recent years, but they are known to be not as light fast as pigment inks. (not that any of these reports would ever see the light of day after they have been submitted). My printer is not used a lot, it is expensive to run and I have a constant battle keeping the head clog free. The shared black ink line is a horrible thing.
I really want to get an EcoTank printer but the only A3 one with a full pigment ink set is the ET-16600, which is not known to be good at printing photos (although I have never seen a print from it). I am pretty keen on the ET-8550, if I can get them to change their mind about submitting reports on dye ink. Do you think this ink with a good fixative would be fairly stable? The photos don't need to be gallery grade, just clear.
I wouldn't say there are 'hidden' reports, go to www.wilhelm-research.com for example - there is a lot of data there...Such testing takes a while.
Have a look at my main [written] review for a discussion about the 8550 inkset
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
For archival use though, in an application where it's specified, then the P700 or P900 is what will be needed - no black ink switch. Note that the P700 is a smaller version of the P900, which is next on from the P800.
The P700 is not so much a new version of the P600
That gloss black wow, take my money please! Thanks Keith - you’re a legend!
Thanks!
Thanks so much for these videos. I’m now a very happy ET-8550 owner 😊
Thanks!
Very, very helpful. I am 100% after a printer for photo-printing only, so this is very relevant. I could have never read this info on an Epson website or something. Cheers!
Thanks - If you've not seen it, there's quite a bit of extra detail in the main [written] review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-18100-printer-review/
Once again a very interesting video, and this orchid print is truly spectacular. Very curious about that ID print option!
Thanks - with the right paper it's an impressive printer
I don't know of any others which do the cards at the moment. They are quite robust but intended for relatively temporary use [conferences and the like]
Great work Keith, given both printers are about the same price it really does help to understand exactly what use case each one is designed for. I'm still undecided which way to go however lol 🤪
Thanks!
Thanks for the comparison. I still think the versatility (and the pigment black) of the 8550 makes it the better choice for me.
But I wonder why the ink prices are so different. For example the same amount of yellow cost 40% less for the ET18100 than the ET8550. The bottles have the same capacity and look identical, but I supposed they are mechanically incompatible, aren't they?
Thanks - I don't know about the bottle fittings I'm afraid
Hi Keith i changed my XP 8500 ( i think its the Expression Photo Printer 4 cartridges ) for the ET-8550 , I do like to print a variety of colour pictures and photo's. the XP 8500 did do a great job on Photo Prints ( if you used the correct profiles for the paper your using ) and i was happy for a while with that printer. I decided i wanted a printer that used 6 colours and an Ecotank and after a lot of googling and watching reviews decided on the ET-8550 ( a lot more pricey than most i looked at ), i wasn't expecting the difference in the photo prints to be so far apart, The ET-8550 prints without any profiles was a lot better than the XP 8500 with profiles. I know some people will say its because it uses 6 inks instead of 4 but the difference is the ET 8500 is 5 dye inks and 1 pigment where as the XP was 4 pigment inks so if i'm correct the ET 8500 only uses 1 more ink when printing over the XP 8500 which should not make a huge difference, When i used a profile for the type of paper on the ET 8550 the difference was even greater. i would say if your looking for an all round printer then the ET-8550 is worth considering as with this printer it will do a lot more than just Photo's. All in all at the moment i'm very happy with the print quality of my ET-8550 and even though its a little pricey i still think it was worth the upgrade.
Yes - for a general purpose printer, the 8550 is a solid choice.
BTW If you've not seen it, I have a lot more info [and videos] about the 8550 in the main [written] review www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
This is how you review a product. Thanks🙏🏻
Thanks - Glad it was helpful!
Hi Keith, thank you once more for this video (we like comparisons).
Glad to help ;-)
Thanks, Mr. Keith!!
Glad it was of interest.
As usual a great help, many thanks.
Thanks
Hello. Thanks for the video. Do you know maybe what is the difference between Epson 108 ink used in 18050 (107 in 18100) and Epson 115 Claria ET ink used in 8180 (114 in 8550) which are 50% more expensive? They are the same set I think 6inks with pigment black. Regards from Poland :)
Sorry I don't know
This is the place to ask
www.printerknowledge.com
Im autistic and mainly got a printer (et-2400) to save money on printing pictures of a character, close up of RK900 in Detroit: Become Humans' gallery, and occasionally other things, such as pets. I've been trying to work up to getting the et-8500 or et-8550, but haven't had the money.
These pictures are pretty much alive to me and are very important and I'd like them to be as good and as accurate as possible, just as the screenshot was taken. The 2400 has been doing really great. Ultra Premium/Premium Presentation Matte paper seems to be the best paper and most accurate to the picture. The glossy is also weirdly sticky and I carry these pictures around and everything. I usually laminate them, though. And not to mention the glossy is more expensive, so I've stuck with Matte.
I just saw an article pop up about this printer and figured it was new, so now I have to see which one is better for me to get now.
Edit: typos and:
I think the 8550 would still be my goal.
Unfortunately, the 18100 does not yet seem to be available in the US
The 2400 inks may not be compatible with some gloss media [not a printer I've tested though]
I appreciate very much your your research, thank's a lot!
Glad it's of interest!
This helps with my printer choice thanks
Excellent - glad to help
Hello Keith, I print custom cards on glossy holographic paper, would you think the 18100 would be great for me, I would like to put black sublimation ink so the printer will not mix color..thanks in advance ☺️
No idea about alternative inks I'm afraid - my concern would be marking of thicker media - see the main written review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-18100-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper thanks for the quick reply, yes I’ve seen on your video the marking it can leave on thicker media, right now I have an et-2850 and it leave some mark on my paper, I resolved by spacing the cards I print, so the mark its on the wasted paper, did it leave so much more mark?
See the written review not the videos - my videos are always just supplements if there is a main 'written' one ;-)
The 18100 is the worst I've tested in this respect - could be a bad one, but take care
Hi Keith, I have the ET-8550, and I like to use matt papers, but I am having trouble getting a neutral B&W rendering. There seems to be a color cast to my prints. So far I have used Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Matte, and Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper. I have also tried these papers on my old Epson Stylus Photo R-2400 with better results. It has the A-B&W mode, and I can't seem to find it on my ET-8550. I do have the Velvet Fine Art setting though. I would like to try some of the Epson Legacy Papers, but there doesn't appear to be any settings available for either of my printers. Anyway I would like to find some matte papers that would behave without a slight color cast. I shoot infrared B&W and am looking for rich blacks and desent contrast. Any suggestions for different papers and their profiles? Thanks, Steve
Read the B&W section of the main [written] review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8500-printer-review/
Remember that my videos are generally only supplements to my written articles, rarely the other way round! ;-)
Very helpful. I generally print gloss photo, but when i can get an a3 printer, might look more at some ^fine art^. However, what puts me 0ff the 18100 most is the possible toller marks on thicker paper. Im also aware that some people also struggling with roller marks on thicker paper with the 8550 as weepll (eg jagos art channel). Surely it not expecting to much to print on 300gsm art paper with no roler marks?, thks mike
Thanks
The 18100 is very much a 'glossy pics' printer, but I had no issues with the 8550
See my main [written] review for a lot more about paper selection
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
May be off topic
Good day, im quite new into printing, i have an Epson et8550 and i m experimenting a lot. I try to understand much as i can, from all different point of imaging print.
Something what frustrating me a lot is this... Who i can understand if a print is good, very good, bad or present defect?... My answer to this is... Just experience and knowledge can do that.... I feel like a blind man that can not charge himself for an improvment or be proud of myself for the great work.
Yes sound strange... I don't know how to charge my print...
What's your point of view
Enzo
Have a read of the main [written] 8550 review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
I always start with a known good test image
@@KeithCooper yes last year to understand more about printing and my printer i analyses your review step by step. Took a couple of months to go true most of them... And even today... If i have a concern i use your you tube and review as a bible.... Hoping for an improvement or learning tools... Defects as bending i can recognise easily on the print and on the monitor {this means that intentionally i print something bending already display on the monitor just to understand }.
May be only time and building experience of course with a lot of mistakes can halp me to charge my job/hobby
Thanks, that's useful to know. I'll happily stick with my 8850s for now I think as I do print some black and white and I'm getting good results. . When an 8850 eventually stops working (possibly when the non user replacable ink pad is full) I'll likely replace with the newer model without the scanner and screen.
Yes, as long as you don't want to do much B&W or print on thicker media/cards
The 8550 has user replaceable ink pad ( maintenance cartridge)
@@fangzhou3235maintenance cartridges and ink pads are not the same unfortunately.
thanks for the review Keith. im still hesitating, I want to print color photos but also stickers. which one would suit best you think?
I can't really comment about stickers... I've never seen a media which worked in the inkjet printers I've tested.
I'm told it exists, but all examples I've ever seen, didn't dry properly, or the ink rubbed off...
BTW If a retailer reads this and wants some sticker media tested - just give me a call [in the UK]
excellent presentation.
Thanks!
thank you, very informative, which printer would you recommend for dye sublimation/heat transfer printing?
A proper dye sub printer like the Epson F2200 or the new F1000
if i wanted to use this printer for doing things such as invitations etc would the et-8550 suit that role better or are there any other printers better for this.
The 18100 does not handle thicker media as well, so the 8550 is better in this respect.
As to more suitable to your needs?... quite possible, but all come with trade-offs.
The Canon PRO-200 has better paper handling, but not ink tanks, so pricier ink
Good comparison video Keith
Thanks
Hey Keith, I bought the epson-et18100 and I was very satisfied with the print quality, this morning one of my sheet got jammed inside my paper, she removed it by herself, now it’s leaving black marks everywhere, and the print head are touching against my paper, do you know any solution to this?
Sorry I don't - try asking [with details] at www.printerknowledge.com
Is the 18100 much better for printing color photos on glossy and satin paper than the 8550? Here their prices almost the same, but the 8550 has lots of extra features, so for me looks like the latter is the winner, but I want to use the printer for printing almost only color photos on glossy, semi-glossy paper and I am afraid of the poorer ink selection of the 8550.
The 8550 would be my choice - the range of workable papers on the 18100 makes it far too specialised for my liking.
In truth the differences between inks are simply never going to be noticed by most people - especially if you print with good profiles
See my main [written] 8550 review for a lot more about just how to get the best from it
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Thank you very much! Great review and very helpful! I'm seeking a printer that can produce both B&W and Colour photo prints, and looking to replace my Canon iP8750 as the print head is leaking ink. I guess the ET-8550 may be my best option, or maybe just replace the print head on my Canon!
I don't know the IP8750 - it predates my videos and Canon asking me to test smaller printers.
Do check the full 8550 review though for notes on papers and ink choices
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper Many thanks Keith. I'm working my way through your 8550 videos at the moment 😀 If I go for the 8550 it will be my first Epson printer since the days of the BBC Micro and an Epson dot matrix that printed out on perforated paper with holes up either side!
Ah - do check the written one too if you've not seen it - my videos are generally meant as supplements to the written articles, not the other way round...
Written stuff is much more detailed and has corrections/additions over time - videos are frozen at the time I recorded them [one take - no scripts ;-) ]
@@KeithCooper 👍
keith, thanks so much for this, exactly what i needed.
Thanks - this is one of the easier comparisons to do given how the 18100 works ;-)
Nice review. Very helpful.
Thanks, glad it was of interest
Hi Keith, just out of curiosity, how does it compare to the XP-15000 for glossy prints and with respect to gamut? If your covering that in your upcoming review no worries, I can wait.
Thanks for the review.
Sorry, the xp15000 review was a quite some time ago so I couldn't say for sure
The 15000 is much more like the 8550 in this respect I feel.
I don't usually do comparisons, but so many people have asked me about this one, and it's an easy choice.
I was wondering the same thing. They seem very similar on paper but the XT-15000 is £400 cheaper. It's a lot of ink!
The xp-15000 printer is different again, with a different ink set and just one black
More flexible than the 18100 in what it handles
See
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-xp-15000-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper thanks Keith!
Hi Keith, Thanks for this wonderful comparison, I bought my brand new Ecotank ET-8550 after watching this I have a question about ET-8550 would it be okay if I add all Ecotank ET-8550 compatible pigment inks from 3rd party manufacturers in a brand new Et-8550 printer instead of 5 dye inks that we get. I got a set of an all pigment ink with small ink droplet size to avoid clogging but wanted to confirm with you before going ahead. Thankyou so much for your videos.
I've never tried it, so I cannot offer any info as to its reliability.
I know people use dye sub inks and the like in such printers, but obviously any non standard ink kills any warranty.
The only issue is that you would have to make all new icc profiles for your inks - if you were not going to, then what purpose did the swap to pigment have? ;-)
@@KeithCooper Thankyou for your response, so then I will add the pigment inks and add ICC profile setting as per. I believe the risk associated due to void warranty is high initially but the more successful prints I get the better it will become. And I think that risk I would have to take. Really appreciate your videos. Would love to see a video series on the topic of how to become better at printing overall and get more knowledge about the types of papers, what properties of the paper matters, what paper for what job, how to select and buy ink papers etc. Difference between dye ink pigment ink etc. Such a video series would be beneficial to everyone buying a printer for hobby or professional reasons.
Hi, which one of these two would you recommend for sublimation conversion??
Neither - not a subject I've ever investigated. It's a great way of killing a printer, and mine tend to be loans from the manufacturers ;-)
Hi, can you help me please? Which one is suitable for matte coated photo papers (I print deep dark background graphics and light detailed watercolor graphics too, but I only use matte inkjet photo paper). Are the prints waterproof / drip-proof? (I am currently using the L3250 printer (this ink is 103 - waterproof), I want the same quality in A3+ size.) Thank you for your reply.
8550
Not waterproof - no normal inkjet is. Any good paper dislikes getting wet ;-)
Nothing I've tested is properly waterproof - the inks are not really made for that. Some media may be better. It's not a feature I normally test in any way.
However - See my TC-20M review for the testing of a synthetic paper, and washing a print
ua-cam.com/video/UtqahFm4czY/v-deo.html
@@KeithCooper I tried it and the L3250 printers are waterproof, that's why I asked, but thanks for the reply.
@@KeithCooper Can you tell meg which printer is better for matte coated photo papers (I print deep dark background graphics and light detailed watercolor graphics too, but I only use matte inkjet photo paper)?
Never seen a L3250 printer I'm afraid
'Better'?? Size/budget?
There is no 'best' really [I don't sell printers ;-) ]
Much appreciated Keith, excellent videos. Here is a tidbit to give you even more views, the Middle East / India model name is L8160 for the A4 model (no A3+) and you correctly identified the alternative names for the other printers (L18050..)
Thanks!
Hi Keith! Hiw was it, compared to canon pro 200?
Almost identical - but I'll do a 200 one as well
Hi Keith! Thanks so much for your videos 🙏. After hours at looking at them, I finaly bought the Epson ET-8550. Can you help me? In Photoshop I made a file 8.5 X 11 inches. In it, there is a picture of 7 X 10 inches. The guide lines and ruler indicate it is really 7 X 10. But when I print on the actual 8.5 X 11 paper, the picture is 6.75 inches instead of 7 inches 🤔. I tried different options and they are not working. Thanks ahead for your help!
Print with Epson print layout and specify the print size - you can specify either the margin or print size.
You don't need a border - just print the actual image from a 7x10 canvas
@@KeithCooper Thanks Keith for answering so quickly. I did choose in the printer properties the document format 8,5 x 11 inches. I also choose for the paper output 8,5 x 11 as well. I tried "no margins" and also the contrary, but there is does not work either.
See my edit above
Print a 7x10 as a 7x10
@@KeithCooper OK, I'll try that a little later, and I'll will tell you how turned out. Thank you Keith. You're very generous 😉
Looking at the 8550 amd this was a really helpful video. The glossy prints on the other option look superb but the general use case across different mediums of the 8550 judt ticks off more boxes for me. Csn you recommend any good close to glossy paper products for the 8850 please. Ive been a retoucher for 16 years but the printing world has scared but finally im fed up with a lack of good printing services for my basic needs and have decided to purchase this printer. Especially now that the ink system is refillable. Another question. Would you recommend buying a 5 year waranty for this printer from epson. Ive seen it available for maybe £165 (in danish krone) i think its a no brainer as ive seen so many printers go into ewaste.
For glossy - see the papers tested in the two main [written] reviews at:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
and
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8500-printer-review/
Hi Keith, I see you have two printers I’m looking at buying but struggling to choose as I can’t see a side-by-side comparison. Which produces better photo quality: the Et-8550 or Canon Pixma-200? Thank you
Ah, I have a lot of printers pass through the house ;-)
No simple answer - different inksets
It's why I so rarely do side by side comparisons - they can easily be meaningless...
Depends on paper choices for example. See the actual reviews
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-pro-200-printer-review/
Hi, can you print on acetate sheets on the ET-8550?
See here for a discussion about this from when I was testing the 8550
ua-cam.com/video/pTnQQdBj_WQ/v-deo.html
Hi Keith, thank you for your insightful videos. Would you recommend the epson 4850? I am looking for a printer for cake toppers. Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated x thank you
That's not a model I know at all I'm afraid
I have reviewed the 2850 - you'll have to see how the inks match up between the two in the specs
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-2850-printer-review/
Hi dear Keith
Thank you so much for all the videos you posted. I've been watching your channel 24/7 for a week now :)))
1 thing in particular that I have in mind is if any of these printers can print on a 9*12 kraft or white rigid envelopes?
I saw in the specification of 8550 that we can feed up to 1.3mm from the rear feed, which you also mentioned in your previous video (even we can alter the blue plastic to put a thicker cardstock). However, I couldn't find any resources that I could either feed a not-supported paper dimension (9*12 or 10*13 inch) or print on rigid kraft or white envelopes (coated or uncoated).
Is it possible for you to check this and tell me?
Any other printer would also be good for me.
What I have in mind is to print full-color borderless (except for the last 2cm that 8550 cannot print) on rigid envelopes in bulk for my project (1000 or 2000).
The prices of these custom rigid mailers are so high (2.5 to 3$ while the plain one is only 0.5$)
Glad it's of interest!
I don't have the printer any more - it was a loan from Epson [I'm not allowed to live in a printer warehouse ;-) ]
You should be able to specify custom paper sizes, but forget borderless on non standard sizes.
See the main [written] review at:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
I'm afraid I don't really test this sort of media, so I can't be sure how well it would print
thank you so much!@@KeithCooper
it was a great help :)
have a great day
Does the 18100 print borderless at 13x19?
Yes - see the review...
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-18100-printer-review/
Hi Keith, great review as usual. I am looking at replacing my old P3800 and my ET-7700 (worst family printer purchase ever) by a single device. On the P3800 I mainly use Luster papers like Epson Premium Luster, and Ilford Smooth Pearl. Would the ET8550 be a match for the P3800 when it comes to luster?
Thanks. The gamut of the 8550 as a dye printer will be somewhat less than the pigments of the SP3800, but with good profiling it can give excellent results. The dyes of the 8550 will show much less gloss differential or bronzing
Great review! I'm considering displaying it in a shop located in a tourist village where we print photos for guests, considering the affordable maintenance costs. Currently, we use a Canon Pixma printer with dye inks and print on a 300g Marrutt Ultrapearlescent paper, which is semi-glossy. Would the suggested paper be a suitable replacement? Should I go for a glossy paper weighing 265g instead? Thank you, greetings from Italy.
Thanks - I don't know that paper. A lot depends on how thick it is. The printer does need an ICC profile for the paper for best results.
Hi Keith! How good is the Epson Expression Photo XP-970 in comparison?
Difficult to say - I reviewed the XP-960 back in 2016
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-expression-photo-xp-960-printer-review/
Long before someone at Canon convinced me to start adding the little videos to my reviews ;-)
great vid , what would be the best photo paper for the 18100 for a best gloss finish in your opinion .
Thanks - difficult to say, I've only tested a few. High gloss papers make up a small proportion of my test collection...
@@KeithCooper because I am trying some perma jet gloss 271 and getting faint tram lines roller marks
I suspect lighter papers will win out, but it's going to be very dependent on the actual paper and thickness - no marks whatsoever on Epson PGPP [on the printer I tested with}
What kind of glossy papers do you use? Are there any that arent sticky and moreso like cvs glossy photo paper?
Or anything like shutterflys matte photo paper.
None of them are 'sticky'. I've tested several [the full list will be in the written review] Epson PGPP works well
Never heard of 'shutterfly' or cvs I'm afraid [I'm in the Uk]
Hi Keith. I bought the Epson ET-8550 two years ago, for these reasons: EcoTank printer/scanner with as much colors as possible, as a family, home office and (semi-professional) photo printer. I was very glad to find your reviews, which gave me an idea of what I can expect. I still need to look at the full review and am interested in a list of compatible papers and their ICC profiles. I currently use the Premium Semigloss Photo Paper A3/A3+. Thank you for all these great videos.
Can the scanner be used for profiling?
I want to add some questions and issues I'm struggling with. What is your idea on these?
Epson has not yet added its EcoTank printers, like its flagship ET-8550 to the list of compatible printers for any of their own paper types (e.g. Premium Glossy/Semigloss/Matte Photo Paper).
Can I use Epson cleaning paper? Officially it's only for some specific printers, but is it?
I'm having an issue with not being able to scan (more than one page) "from the scanner". You need to go back and forth between the computer and the scanner for each page you scan, which is ludicrous for a network printer/scanner. I can't ask everyone to use the smartphone app. Do you have a solution? Epson might listen if it comes from you.
I print on 10x15 cm prior to print full-size (it lubricates the print heads, isn't it?) and for handouts. The printing however is completely wrong (shifted) on this format. I can't get a picture printed centrally on the paper, whether it's with Photo+ or Lightroom Classic. I've never seen that particular comment from anyone. Is it just me?
Have a nice day.
No the scanner cannot be used in any useful way for profiling
The 'list' is a marketing construct and as such largely meaningless ;-)
The cleaning paper is another marketing related product IMHO - I use copier paper...
I just scanned from the computer - no printer input required [see the main [written] review]
Not sure about why 'lubricating the print heads' would be something to do?
Try printing with Epson Print layout? Photo+ and Lightroom are not tools I'd choose for this [Photoshop is OK though]
@@KeithCooper Thanks for the tips.
"... about why 'lubricating the print heads' would be something to do?" When I haven't printed for some time, prior to printing to large paper, I print to small paper to make sure the heads are not dried out. It seems more economical than cleaning the heads.
Thanks - I'd suggest that using the printer nozzle check is usually OK - on an A4 sheet you can re-use it to get several on the one sheet...
But a small print is fine...
Thank you Keith! Such an informative video, however I still can't decide between these two for printing family photos mainly. Also, can you please tell me if the l8050 is the A4 version of the et-18100 (l18050)? Or is it a different printer? These model names confuse me a lot
I'm afraid I don't know - you need to compare the listed specs.
It's a model I've never seen
Simple choice - just glossy photos or glossy/matte with a scanner
@@KeithCooper thank you, the reason why I can't decide is that you said et-18100 does the glossy photo print better than et-8550. Glossy photo printing is the main reason I'm planning to buy a printer like these, but I like the other features of the et-8550. Is glossy print quality that much better or for non professional eyes the et-8550 will be enough? I'm looking forward for you opinion.
One is better, it doesn't mean the other is bad... ;-)
Now you see why I so rarely ever do product comparisons ;-)
With good profiles, the 8550 is fine - most people will not notice a difference unless it's pointed out to them, and even then half won't see it. The 18100 is just very good on some papers
If I wanted one of these printers [I don't - I've got bigger ones!], I'd pick the 8550 myself for versatility
Ηello Keith.I always enjoy your videos.Does the 18100 have rear paper feed for printing poster boards like the 8550?
no - just the one feed [excluding the cd/ID card holder]
@@KeithCooper Thank you very much for the answer.
Great video as always!
Thanks!
Hi Keith, i am looking at purchasing the 8550, i want to do prints on matte A3 paper, do you recommend any specific matte paper for this printer ?
Not really - see the ones I tried in the main [written] review - these are ones I've made profiles for
See too the info about media settings - this is very important for matte media
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Right on Keith, who says at 10:08: "I'd love to see a big, larger sized, pro level, dye based printer…."
C'mon Epson and Canon, please make larger sized dye based printers, since pigment inks are so dull in comparison. These shine!
And Epson, please include grey and light grey inks in your larger, pro level, dye based printer - or even more inks - like with your top-of-the-line pigment ink printers, that have state of the art color gamut. These dye based ink printers can shine!
My requests have been made, in the past, and I'll ask again, but decisions on this are made far far away...
@@KeithCooper Thanks, Keith! It's worth trying. At the very least, they should build a 17". I'd like to see Canon build larger versions of their Pro-200, using their 8-ink inkset which I've read they improved reds and blacks on with the Pro-200, making it probably state of the art in dye ink printers.
Or if Epson did this too, up to 44"!
These days, pigment ink prints don't have the pizazz to compete with metal prints printed on dye based printers, that often use only 4 inks, resulting in a poor color gamut. But the people want shine.
As you know, but maybe not everyone here, the reflectivity of the metal surface helps project the print through the dye inks, which is understandingly appealing to many, especially because so few light their prints.
I personally don't like metal prints, and would like to print on reflective paper with dye inks instead, getting greater color gamut in the process.
Hi Keith, can you foresee EcoTank printers for A2 format in the near future? Thanks.
Near future - not a chance I'd suspect
If you look at the size of the ink carts in the P5000 and upwards (canon PRO-2100 and up) then they are already quite large - perhaps a swap to ink 'bags' rather than carts (I've seen it in some of Epson's bigger production printers)
I wouldn't expect any change to the P5000 (or Canon PRO-1000) this year at all...
@@KeithCooper It's a shame because the A2 size is already very interesting to display, but the cost in ink and the printer itself are too high for me. Especially the ink is very expensive. Thanks for your opinion.
Can we use 300 gsm matte materials?
Yes, in the 8550 - unlikely in the 18100
See the reviews for each printer
How’s this glossy color printing quality compared to the CANON-100?
Against the 10 year old PRO-100?
[2014 review] www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-pixma-pro-100-printer-review/
Better for colour glossy/lustre prints
Worse for thicker papers/art-papers/black and white
Vastly cheaper for ink costs
The PRO-200 is a distinct improvement on the PRO-100 in terms of usability
@@KeithCooper thank you so much for the prompt reply! 🙏
It was the 18100 I was referring to - the 8550 is a much more capable general purpose printer, from a range of media and usability POV - the hybrid ink set is what makes for an interesting printer.
@@KeithCooper I have the CANON-PRO100, and it always blows me away with its quality. I’m using it with Precision Colors. I asked because I am wondering if it’s worth the upgrade to the 18100 or PRO200.
If you are happy with it, why spend more money
If you are using 3rd party ink and are OK with is, then why change
can it print on heat transfer paper
You'll need to check the specifications at Epson for that - I don't know. I've never seen any.
Does the 18100 print great on fiber based metallic papers? For that matter, are there metallic fiber papers or only RC style ?
I've never seen a fibre based metallic paper... ;-)
It will depend on thickness and how easily it takes marks - if you find one I'm not betting too much on it working well...
@@KeithCooper Thanks. That is what I thought. It was worth asking though. I always appreciate your videos and information.
@@KeithCooper Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Metallic 340gsm was the one I was referring to.
Thanks - not seen that one. Just looked at the specs, I'd put the likelihood of it working in the ET-18100 as very low ;-)
@@KeithCooper yes. Better with pigment. Thanks.
the 8550 can do fax ? wow
Sorry - no...
That's why my videos are always secondary to my detailed written review articles, they get checked, updated, refined over time
YT videos will contain verbal typos - once published, they are set in stone :-(
All my videos are unscripted, and should have E&EO added to the credits...
is the 8550 an inkjet printer ?
Yes - all the printers I test are inkjet
Get a Brother laser printer.....
Irrelevant if I'm looking for a photo printer
Maybe if I just want a document printer - given I review printers for printing photos/art/cards/canvas etc, the laser is trailing a long way down the list...
@@KeithCooper Laser printer is cheaper in the long run.
Another irrelevance if I want to print photos, art, cards etc
This video is absolutely not concerned with use as an office printer.
If you want an office printer, look amongst the wide range office printers...
If 18100 had gray ink...
If only it had better paper handling...
Taking your articles into consideration with my needs (B&W, mainly matte) i'd choose 8550. Respect to your efforts and perfectly readible website.
The only doubt is that maybe pigment printer would be better. As 8550 costs my 3 week incomes, I cannot take two..
The benefits of pigments and/or disadvantages of dyes can easily be overstated ;-)
For many, the benefits of not worrying about ink costs and the freedom to experiment can be more important?
Not available from Epson in the united states
18050
The L18050 is a European model number for what is the ET-18100 in the UK and some other regions
As yet, this printer does not appear on any Epson US site I've seen?