Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 Review — Wide-Format Supertank Printer
In-depth review of the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550: lab-quality wide-format photo printing, low-cost supertank inks, and all-in-one convenience.
Introduction
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is a standout all-in-one designed for photographers, creatives and small offices that need lab-quality color without the recurring cost of cartridges. By combining a cartridge-free supertank system with a dedicated 6-color Claria ET Premium ink set and wide-format capability up to 13″ x 19″, this printer promises to eliminate many of the tradeoffs photographers face: expensive piecemeal photo printing, limited media support, and inconsistent color across projects.
Beyond image quality, the ET-8550 addresses two practical pain points: running costs and workflow friction. With high-yield replacement ink bottles, consumers can dramatically reduce per-photo costs and replace cartridges far less often. Add fast mobile setup, Ethernet and USB connectivity, and an intuitive 4.3-inch touchscreen, and the ET-8550 becomes a productivity tool as well as a photo lab at home or in a small studio.
Overview
Physically, the ET-8550 is a substantial but well-proportioned machine built to handle wide-format media. At roughly 29.8″ deep and 20.6″ wide, it’s sized to sit comfortably on a large desk or dedicated print table. The white finish and integrated bottles present a clean, professional aesthetic, while the 4.3-inch color touchscreen simplifies common tasks and reduces the need for a computer during basic print/scan/copy operations.
Under the hood this is an inkjet, dye-based system specifically tuned for photos. Epson’s high-accuracy printhead paired with Claria ET Premium 6-color inks — including a dedicated gray — improves tonal transitions, black-and-white detail and color fidelity on glossy and fine art stocks. Connectivity is broad: USB and Ethernet for wired workflows, plus wireless printing and support for the Epson Smart Panel app for mobile printing and device management. The ET-8550 is best for hobbyist photographers, creative professionals on a budget, small studios, and home offices that want occasional wide-format color with very low ink costs.
Features
Cartridge-Free Supertank System: The ET-8550 uses Epson’s refillable EcoTank reservoirs with high-yield replacement bottles rather than disposable cartridges. Advantage: Each bottle set yields thousands of pages and is equivalent to many individual cartridges, drastically reducing the frequency of replacements. Benefit: You save substantially on consumables—Epson estimates up to 80% savings versus cartridges—so routine lab-quality photo printing becomes affordable for ongoing projects.
Claria ET Premium 6-Color Inkset with Gray: Six dye-based inks (including gray) tuned for photo reproduction. Advantage: The expanded color gamut and gray ink improve color gradations, shadow detail and neutral tones, especially in black-and-white prints. Benefit: Expect truer skin tones, smoother gradients and more professional-looking prints without wet-ink muddiness—a clear advantage for portfolios and client proofs.
Wide-Format & Specialty Media Support: Borderless printing up to 13″ x 19″ and support for cardstock, CDs/DVDs and media up to 1.3 mm thick. Advantage: You can output large panoramas, gallery-ready prints and craft projects directly from your studio. Benefit: Save time and money by printing larger projects in-house—ideal for posters, portfolios, and custom merchandise without third-party lab fees.
Auto Duplex and 100-Sheet Input Capacity: Built-in automatic double-sided printing and a 100-sheet front paper tray. Advantage: Duplex printing saves paper and the input capacity reduces frequent reloading during long jobs. Benefit: Efficiency gains for mixed workflows—produce two-sided brochures, draft documents, or long print runs with fewer interruptions.
Wireless Integration & Touchscreen Controls: 4.3-inch color touchscreen plus wireless printing and Epson Smart Panel app support for iOS/Android. Advantage: Easy on-device control for common tasks and seamless mobile printing and remote management. Benefit: Faster setup and fewer workflow bottlenecks—send prints from a phone, monitor ink levels remotely, and adjust settings without a computer.
Benefits
Lower Long-Term Printing Costs
High-yield replacement ink bottles reduce per-photo cost dramatically—Epson cites about $0.04 per 4″ x 6″ photo with bottles versus ~$0.40 with cartridges—making frequent printing and test proofs economically viable.
Professional-Quality Color Reproduction
The six-ink system, including gray, delivers better tonal control and more accurate color rendition for photos and graphics, meaning fewer reprints and a higher-quality output for client work.
Expanded Creative Flexibility
Support for oversized borderless prints and thick media up to 1.3 mm lets you create posters, gallery prints, and specialty projects in-house, speeding time-to-market for creative goods.
Reduced Consumable Waste
Cartridge-free operation minimizes plastic waste and the environmental overhead of frequent cartridge disposal—both a practical and sustainable choice for conscious buyers.
Convenient Workflow Integration
Touchscreen, app control, Ethernet and USB connectivity simplify setup and daily use—mobile printing, scan-to-cloud, and easy monitoring keep creative workflows moving without constant technical interruption.
Usages
Perfect for Home Studios and Hobby Photographers
Print lab-quality 4″ x 6″ to 13″ x 19″ photos at a fraction of lab costs; ideal for practice proofs, prints for friends and family, and small exhibit prints.
Small Business and Creative Entrepreneurs
Produce custom prints, postcards, and short-run posters in-house with fine color control and specialty media support to keep turnaround times fast and margins healthy.
Photo-First Home Office
A versatile all-in-one for households that need both high-quality photos and document scanning/copying—good for mixed workflows where color quality matters.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very low ongoing ink costs with high-yield bottles
- Excellent color reproduction and a dedicated gray ink for smoother tones
- Borderless wide-format prints up to 13″ x 19″ and support for specialty media
- Convenient touchscreen and solid wireless/mobile app integration
- Environmentally friendlier than cartridge-based systems due to less plastic waste
Cons
- Larger footprint compared with consumer desktop printers—needs dedicated space
- Some users report paper-feed jams and occasional reliability issues
- Dye-based inks may not match pigment longevity for archival fine art prints
- Initial unit price and replacement ink bottle sets still represent an upfront investment
- Mixed customer reports on color consistency and durability in a minority of units
FAQs
Can the ET-8550 handle fine art paper and canvas?
Yes. The printer supports media up to 1.3 mm thick and a wide selection of glossy and fine art stocks. For thicker specialty media check paper manufacturer recommendations and feed method to avoid jams.
How much can I expect to save on ink?
Epson estimates up to 80% savings versus cartridges, with sample costs like $0.04 per 4″ x 6″ photo when using high-yield bottles. Actual savings vary based on usage patterns and print settings.
Is this printer suitable for commercial photo labs?
The ET-8550 is excellent for small studios and hobbyists but not intended to replace high-volume, professional lab hardware. It offers lab-quality prints at lower volume with exceptional cost efficiency.
What connectivity options are available?
The ET-8550 supports USB and Ethernet wired connections plus Wi-Fi and mobile printing through the Epson Smart Panel app. It lacks some cloud-native features found on newer models but covers most common workflows.
Product Specifications
| Printer Type | Inkjet / Photo / All-in-One (Print, Scan, Copy) |
| Print Speed (Color) | 12 ppm |
| Print Speed (Monochrome) | 16 ppm |
| Maximum Color Print Resolution (DPI) | 5760 x 1440 dpi |
| Maximum Black & White Print Resolution (DPI) | 600 x 1200 dpi |
| Connectivity | USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Mobile (Epson Smart Panel) |
| Duplex | Auto duplex (double-sided printing) |
| Supported Media Sizes | Up to 13″ x 19″ (A3+), 11″ x 17″, A3, Legal, Letter, A4 and custom sizes |
| Ink/Toner Type | Dye-based Claria ET Premium 6-color (including Gray), refillable bottles |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 20.6″ W x 29.8″ D x 16.9″ H |
| Weight | 24.5 pounds |
| Max Input Sheet Capacity | 100 sheets |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed photo scanner |
| Control & Display | 4.3-inch color touchscreen, app control |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 64 MB |
| Power Consumption | 150 Watts |
| Warranty | Limited Warranty |
Ratings
| Color Accuracy & Detail | 4.6 |
| Print Longevity & Paper Support | 4.0 |
| Connectivity & Wireless Control | 4.2 |
| Print Speed for Photos | 4.1 |
| Ease of Use | 3.9 |
| Value for Money | 4.4 |
Recommendation
For photographers and creatives who print regularly and want professional-looking results without recurring cartridge costs, the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 is an excellent choice. Its six-color inkset, including gray, and wide-format capability make it ideal for portfolio prints, proofs and specialty projects.
If you prioritize low per-page costs, broad media support and the convenience of an all-in-one, this model will deliver consistent savings and flexibility. However, ensure you have a dedicated space for the machine and follow recommended paper-handling guidelines to minimize jams.
Conclusion
The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8550 blends high-quality photo reproduction with an economical refill system and broad media capability. For users who print photos frequently, the cost-per-print advantages are substantial and the six-color Claria ET inks deliver tangible improvements in tone and color fidelity. The ability to produce borderless 13″ x 19″ output and print on cardstock or discs expands creative possibilities while keeping projects in-house.
No printer is perfect: the ET-8550’s larger footprint, occasional paper-feed complaints and dye-ink limitations for archival prints are factors to consider. Still, for the majority of home studios, creative entrepreneurs and photo enthusiasts, the combination of superior color, wide-format support and dramatically lower operating costs makes this a compelling long-term investment. If you want lab-quality photos with the economics to print more often, the ET-8550 is worth serious consideration.
