New Epson 8550

[dgberg]

I have wanted one for some time and finally did it on Friday. Reduced to $599 it is probably as cheap as it is going to be for awhile. Looks so small on top of our dye sub f570.
This dye ink printer puts out such a gorgeous print on hi gloss and film media that I had to have one. The closest you will ever get to cibachrome. The gray ink really helps give a fairly neutral B&W print.
I am going to be using it as a marketing tool and have started printing freebees for customers that have ordered other types of work from us.
The several I gave away yesterday were really appreciated by the customers. Maybe they will order some maybe not?
Not everyone likes hi gloss so I still have a P800 for smaller matte or semi gloss prints.

[narikin]

Interesting Dan, thanks for sharing.
What hi-gloss cibachrome-ish media are you liking, out of interest?

[dgberg]

Mitsubishi Hi Gloss white film is one. (Might be the same as Pictorico) It's amazing how all of the hi gloss papers look almost as good.
Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy
Canon Pro Platinum
Pictorico Gloss White Film
Graphica Hi gloss white film from China is by far the best bang for the buck.

[narikin]

Hey Dan - you made me order one of these.

Is there somewhere to get a profile for the Canon Pro Platinum paper on this Epson printer?!
or I guess I can make my own. Just being lazy!

[digitaldog]

I guess I can make my own. Just being lazy!

Yes!

Not all ICC profiles are created equally
In this 23 minute video, I'll cover:
The basic anatomy of ICC Profiles
Why there are differences in profile quality and color rendering
How to evaluate an ICC output profile
Examples of good and not so good canned profiles and custom profiles on actual printed output.

High resolution: http://digitaldog.net/files/Not_All_Profiles_are_created_equally.mp4
Low resolution (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNdR_tIFMME&feature=youtu.be

[mcbroomf]

Have you run anything other than Glossy paper through it Dan?  I wonder how it does with satin.

[Randy Carone]

Hey Dan, I've made some faux Cibachrome with that Pictorico film and a polyester lam. I think it was printed on Epson's state-of-the-art at the time. Very impressive and the first guess was always "Cibachrome?" I'll bet those prints pop.

[dgberg]

They sure do. Nice to hear from you.

[dgberg]

Have you run anything other than Glossy paper through it Dan?  I wonder how it does with satin.

I just printed a sheet of Epson Premium Luster and it is surprisingly good. Looks as good as a pigment print.

[dgberg]

Hey Dan - you made me order one of these.

Is there somewhere to get a profile for the Canon Pro Platinum paper on this Epson printer?!
or I guess I can make my own. Just being lazy!

Profiles are somewhat limited. I have been using the Epson Premium glossy one with excellent results. I can make my own but just have not had the time.
I take no credit or blame..

[soharaus]

Dan:
Thanks for your post. Made me want to get one for 13" or less sizes. Got one just now. Wireless set up was easy and it is printing. Now to watch Digital Dog's video to develop icc profiles for some matte papers to try (Epson glossy and luster already work - need to print Moab Estrada ).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the posters who make printing fun in this forum.
Best Wishes
PR.

[mcbroomf]

I just printed a sheet of Epson Premium Luster and it is surprisingly good. Looks as good as a pigment print.

Thanks Dan,,

I decided to hold off.  I think it would be a pure GAS buy for me right now.

For anyone on the fence, Amazon (US) now has it listed for $550 (just noticed the same price on the Epson website).  B&H still has it posted for $599 but are OOS in any case.

I also noticed that Red River offer a good number of profiles for it's papers.  It's listed for the 8700 and compatible with the 8500.  I assume that means also OK for the 8550 but you could check either by installing and testing if you use RR, or calling/email them.
https://www.redrivercatalog.com/profiles/color-profiles-for-the-epson-xp-8700.html

I (kind of) wish they made a 17" version of this printer.  I could convince myself (with a hefty discount) to get one ...

[gchappel]

Has anyone tried a matt paper through this?   
I print a thousand or more note cards a year on matt card stock, and my poor pro-10 is dying.   Basically maintenance tank is filled, so end of life.    Looking at a new small printer, but does need to do at least a decent matt image.   

I usually print cards on a 7x10" red river polar matte paper- can someone with the printer check and see if it supports 7x10" print size.  It does not have to be borderless.
Thanks for any help
gary

[tastar]

Great review at Northlight Images:

Epson ET-8550 Review

- it has both matte black and photo black inks, so it works well with matt stocks

[soharaus]

Thank you Tastar for the reference to the review. It is very helpful.

[narikin]

I was wondering - is there a wider version of this printer, with same dye inkset?

[dgberg]

Not that I know of. The easy way is to find a 24" P6000. Install Ink Owl refillable 700ml carts and fill with their Claria Ultra dye ink. It is very close to the Epson OEM and much cheaper.
I used it in my Epson 1400 several years ago. The P800 takes refillables and if you can find one of those to convert it would give you a solid 17" machine.

[narikin]

Good tips, thanks for sharing.

Funny how compact the 8550 is, fits nicely on my bookshelf, but make a bigger print and you need to move it out and onto a table to make room around/ behind for rear paper loading etc.

Separately... am kind of shocked at the price of 13x19 Pictorico Gloss film. $110+ for just 20 sheet! Pricey stuff.
Hopefully someone like RedRiver will bring the same product to market, with less price gouging.

[dgberg]

Try Oriental Graphica. High Gloss White Film, a good replacement. Canon platinum is also good.
The Graphica is tough to find.