Epson ET-18100 vs. ET-8550 Which is the best A3+ ecotank printer for your art and photo prints
Epson EcoTank Printer Comparison
In this video, Keith Cooper compares two Epson EcoTank printers: the relatively new Epson ET18100 and the older Epson ET8550. He discusses the similarities and differences between the two printers, including their ink sets, paper handling capabilities, and connectivity options.
Ink Sets
- The ET8550 has a mixed ink set that includes both pigment and dye blacks, as well as cyan, magenta, yellow, and gray inks. This makes it suitable for printing on a wide variety of papers.
- The ET18100 has an all-dye ink set that includes black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta inks. It is not as versatile as the ET8550 when it comes to paper types.
Paper Handling
- Both printers are A3+ (13" x 19") width printers that can also print on smaller paper sizes.
- The ET8550 has more paper handling features than the ET18100. It has multiple card slots and a tray for loading plain paper. It can also print CDs/DVDs and ID cards.
- The ET18100 only has one feed at the back for loading paper. It does not have a screen like the ET8550.
Connectivity
- The ET8550 has Ethernet connectivity in addition to USB and wireless options.
- The ET18100 only has USB and wireless connectivity options.
Black & White Printing
- The mixed ink set of the ET8550 makes it better suited for black & white printing than the all-dye ink set of the ET18100. The ET18100 may produce color tints in black & white prints.
Conclusion
- The choice between the two printers depends on individual needs and preferences. The ET8550 is more versatile when it comes to paper types and has more features, but the ET18100 is a newer model with a simpler design and lower price point.
Overview of the Epson Stylus Pro 8550 Printer
In this section, the speaker provides an overview of the Epson Stylus Pro 8550 printer and its capabilities.
Capabilities of the Epson Stylus Pro 8550 Printer
- The printer has a straight-through print path from the back, allowing it to print on board.
- It prints superbly well on glossy photo papers, luster papers, and metallic papers.
- There is no gloss differential or sign of ink sitting on the surface of the paper when printing on glossy metallic paper.
- Any RC style resin coated photo paper works excellently in this printer.
Comparison with Other Printers
In this section, the speaker compares the Epson Stylus Pro 8550 printer with other printers in terms of their capabilities.
Comparison with Other Printers for Color Photo Prints
- If color photo prints on glossy/luster/semi-gloss paper are what you're after and you want impressive looking color prints, then both Epson Stylus Pro 8550 and its smaller cousin, Epson Stylus Pro 8500 (A4 version), which uses the same ink set as 8550 are good choices.
- Both printers use dye inks so there's no great difference because of that.
Limitations of Epson Stylus Pro 8550 Printer
- The printer is not suitable for black and white printing or printing on art papers or card.
- This printer is designed to do a job very well - if you want to do a different job get yourself a different printer.
Conclusion
In this section, the speaker concludes by summarizing his thoughts about the Epson Stylus Pro 8550 printer.
Final Thoughts
- The Epson Stylus Pro 8550 printer is an excellent choice for those who want to print glossy photo prints.
- It's not lightning quick, but it can stack up stuff and print very nicely.
- If you want a more general-purpose printer that can print on a range of media and if you want something that the family can use as well, then the Epson Stylus Pro 8550 is the best choice.