Epson ET-8550 printer setup, ink fill & initialisation. Software & fixing the Mac AirPrint problem

[@KeithCooper]

See the main review and index of all 8550 and 8500 videos at www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/ ICC Profiles available on request. Please just ask if you've any questions? Don't forget the full categorised index of all my videos at www.northlight-images.co.uk/keith-cooper-photography-videos-index/ If you'd like to make a small donation towards my testing, I have a Kofi page: "Buy me a coffee" ko-fi.com/keithcooper

[@AZJack]

Keith, your written version is truly a complete “how to” for the et-8550. I was very impressed, going to keep my printed version handy. Thank you.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - if you come across issues, just let me know at Northlight, now that we have one here!

[@AZJack]

@ you think your wife will let you use it? 😀

[@KeithCooper]

@@AZJack Oh yes - she runs the business and keeps a close eye on how much the YT channel earns - Not sure I'll be allowed to film in her office though ;-)

[@G0FUW]

I had forgotten until seeing you talk about wi-fi; I had a problem with my wi-fi link. The printer kept stopping half way through A3 prints. Epson help desk spent half day with me trying various things. In the end, they suggested trying an ethernet cable to the wi-fi router. Never had a problem since. My wife connects using wi-fi from her office and her documents always seem to work. Thanks for sharing Keith.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, this is one of those areas, where I don't have enough experience of different wifi systems - Ours just works - never had an issue to fix :-)

[@reclaimyoursecurities]

I purchased the ET-8550 after watching your previous reviews. Set up went perfect on Windows 11 and print quality is very good. Thanx for what you do Keith

[@KeithCooper]

Great to hear! - Thanks

[@tmartin6717]

So now I realize you published a lot of 8550 content before I found your channel. What a goldmine of info.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - all listed in the main written review. Hope it's useful!

[@Cliff117]

Great report again Keith. I love my ET-8550! P.S. Because of the scanner, it makes it easy to keep my printer getting used - because it has a fantastic copier function. It doesn’t even need to be connected to any device. I have gone through only half a set of ink so far, but I expect to thoroughly enjoy it for years to come since I bought it with a 4 year repair or replacement warranty covering everything but the consumables.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, as Karen's office printer, I forgot that bit...

[@denniscabarle130]

First, I love your videos. Based on your overview of this particular printer (Epson Et-8550), I went out and purchased one. I'm on my 3rd one in 5 days. The first one took 40 minutes to print a 4*6 print and it cut half of the photo off. I must say that the 1/2 that did print looked terrific! I returned it because I figured it was defective. The second printer was an odd one. It looked brand new but I noticed dust inside the scanner, the power cable was unravelled, and the ink tanks were filled 1/2 way but it came with new un-opened ink. The ink cover thing was missing and when I finally plugged it in, the maintenance box said, "Replacement", and it would not move past that. I think someone tried to make it a dye sublimation printer but it failed. It made an awful lot of noise when plugged in but ultimately, it was used but packaged up like a brand-new printer including all of the blue tape and styrofoam in the usual places. Now onto my third one... I'm having the same issues as the first one. This makes me think it's user error and maybe not the printer. I started a new print on a piece of 8.5*11 paper using Epson Ultra premium glossy paper. The photo I'm printing is 19mb. I've selected the best settings. Prior to printing, I did a network status check and it says, "Excellent". As a matter of fact, it printed just as fast as yours did at 19 minutes into your video. I'm now printing 2 5*7's on 1 8.5*11 piece of paper. I started at 12:40pm and it's now 1:40pm. You can hear the printer working but, you cannot even see the page coming through to the output tray yet! This a full hour and nothing! I've googled a bunch of potential solutions but none of them worked. Maybe someone who visits this can recommend something I haven't tried. Hopefully it's just something I'm doing wrong... I mean.. I have an HP laserjet on another floor in the house and when I click print, it prints and by the time I get to the printer in 25 seconds or so, it's finished. It doesn't look as wonderful as the epson inkjet but you know... it only took 20 seconds to print! I've tried printing with different applications... Photoshop / ACDSee / Epson photo. I'd also point out that I'm on a Win10 laptop with 32gb ram and a less than 1/2 full 2tb hard drive with over 1tb left. I've disabled my anti-virus thinking that maybe something with that was slowing things down. I'm 6 feet away from my laptop and my router is in the same spot. No obstructions... I don't want to return this again but I may have to. :(

[@KeithCooper]

That's really bad - I'd not have accepted one which already had ink in it I suspect another dud :-(

[@denniscabarle130]

@@KeithCooper Here is an update... I'm on #3 and the same issue with taking forever to print. But now I'm skeptical that it's the printer. I tried on another laptop and the thing prints perfectlly. There is something on my PC that is not allowing me to communicate with the printer. Overall, I'd say this printer is a winner. The prints are absolutely beautiful for the price ($499.00 on sale). I think if you're having an issue with a new printer printing extremely slow, check your computer.

[@globalmobility]

Absolute legend Keith, thanks for all your printer info

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@BigBlueRabbit]

This is fantastic! I believe the set of videos and articles you’ve produced are the best reference for this printer anywhere. Thanks for all you do Keith. I’m going spend the next few nights going through the whole lot I think. I love to understand my equipment inside out 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks for that - if you've any questions, let me know at Northlight? Now one is here I can do a few more things to go with them...

[@photonsonpixels]

Great tutorial Keith! Thank you. It will come in handy when I get my printer on Christmas!

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it was helpful! Do check my main written review as well... lots more info! www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/

[@ALIRAQI-A]

Great love and appreciation for all your efforts and clarification of all the details, Mr. Keith Cooper 💙

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@stephensmith9236]

Thanks Keith. Always helpful videos. Good to see more detail re AirPrint. I’ve ordered a P-900 and waiting its arrival so just watched this regarding the e AirPrint issue. Expect to have to check the same for the P-900

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it helps - the 900 should be just the same for installation

[@paulwallis9334]

Thanks Keith .Great presentation and easy to follow .

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - Glad it was helpful!

[@wiktoriatluvi]

I checked it when I was refilling my grey (it went lower the fastest ofc 😂) and the amount you are left with in the bottle after the initial fill is about 1 tier on the scale in the tank and because the setup also takes about 1 tier into the tubes inside etc., it rounds up pretty nicely :))

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, good for a top-up

[@skipdavison7682]

Having just purchased a 8550, mainly because of your great reviews, I have found that using some inexpensive lightweight photo paper, instead of plain paper works much better to evaluate the alignment process.

[@KeithCooper]

Good point - I was just following the guide you get. It's a lot easier to spot differences too

[@skipdavison7682]

Looking forward to your continuing review of this printer. Thanks@@KeithCooper

[@Anonymous-mf8ii]

I’ve been going through this process. I set up the printer from the control panel before loading the software. You’re right about using photo paper and a magnifier for the alignment. I used plain paper and the texture of the paper made it harder to see the small differences between alignment settings. The Mac software install was easy, but there were a few glitches in the Windows 11 install. I’m going to re-run the Windows 11 install later this week and get screenshots of the errors to send to Epson support. I’ve also got to install the software on my windows 10 machines. The next step is to get a sample pack of Epson papers and see how they work out. The last time I did some serious printing it was on Afga Brovira.

[@KeithCooper]

Hope it goes well...

[@Anonymous-mf8ii]

@ Were it not for your videos, I would be returning the printer. I can deal with a few glitches in the installation program, but my first photo prints were a complete disaster. I only had 20 year old Kodak premium glossy photo paper, and your video on what paper not to use was perfect! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYrZaGZ3aZWaapYsi=fJfHjHMWxQbNbUi3.

[@Thejs1234a]

As always, great videos about this printer ! Really helpful ! I was just wondering what the quality of this printer is with black and white prints ?

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - See my main written review - it has a B&W section www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/

[@fotokariboefilm1966]

Thanks for the tutorial, it helped me a lot ! I couldn't solve the 'airprint'-problem myself. Thanks to your good en clear advice I solved the problem. Now I can use the 'Epson Print Layout'-software. It's actually a bit weird that the initialisation-proces of an Epson printer is so difficult. No good points for Epson !!!

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it helped, but actually I'd suggest that more 'good points' go to Epson than Canon when it comes to Mac driver support I'm afraid...

[@Millartech]

Thank you, Keith! As you mentioned, if you have a problem with a new printer (or any electronic product) get it replaced immediately. Manufacturers have different policies with "Out of box failures" vs normal warranty service. Once your printer has some miles on it, any replacements by the service department will likely be with a refurbished replacement unit - which may not be as pristine as a brand-new printer.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks for noting that

[@alankemp3145]

Excellent video as always Keith - thank you. Should I tick the "Use Generic Printer Features" box?

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks No, not at all! It's tantamount to trying to use AirPrint for anything useful...

[@leeQue]

Hey Keith, thankful for your detailed and in-depth reviews/instructions. Do not know how to dress my question here, because it's not directly connected to your video. I plan to buy L8160 printer available here, and I own MBP M1. One of the main reasons I want this printer is an option to print on cd with Photo+. And...no reviews at all about this printer and Mac M1 and if soft is similar to Windows version. As I see this model (the one you review) is very similar to the L8160 and maybe soft is similar too. Since you are a Mac user too, maybe you have tried/exprienced the Photo+ soft. I tried to install is via the Epson Software updater but since I have no Epson printer it does not let me try.. Thanks a lot for your time.

[@KeithCooper]

Have you read my written reviews - the videos are but supplements ;-) See here for using it with the 15000 www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-xp-15000-printer-review/ and www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-sc-p700-printer-review/ It works quite well...

[@simonebatistoni7603]

Great job keith but i dont understand if you use these settings: unidirectional printing on, 16 bit output on, print data reduction off. Thank you

[@KeithCooper]

Settings I don't personally use... [edited this because I've been answering PRO-1100 questions for a while today and didn't see this was for the 8550!] UD slows thing and produced no improvement which I could see on any paper I tested. I believe it can help with very fine detail on some media - not seen it though. 16 bit does nothing meaningful on my Mac Print data reduction - yes just checked my 8550 info and it was defaulted to 'on'. No idea what purpose this one serves Time to give my friends at Epson a call...

[@KeithCooper]

Found the last one in the manual [P134] Reduce Print Data Size: Increases print data compression to improve print speed. Not recommended when printing fine patterns. Something I'll now turn off...

[@stevenbinder]

Hello, Keith. Thank you for the super helpful videos. I properly set up my ET-8550 on my older iMac but now I am trying to use it with my new MacBook Pro M1 (macOS 15). I installed the correct and latest Epson print driver but when I go into my printer settings or Epson Print Layout, A3+/SuperB/13x19 is not a print size option. When trying to set a custom print size manually, it does not allow me to set 13x19. I thought I saw you cover this before but can no longer find the solution. Thank you in advance for any help. Cheers!

[@KeithCooper]

Does it think it's a an et-8500? Just installed EPL on my MBP [15.1.1] and A3+ is there... I have heard of this - removal and fresh install of the driver and EPL fixed it here.

[@stevenbinder]

Yes. Removing the printer and re-adding it after Epson detected a driver update did the trick. I now see “Super B” as a print size option. Thank you for the quick reply. Cheers and happy holidays!

[@KeithCooper]

Excellent - I've had a few people ask similar media related questions for the 8500, and have been suggesting a full re-install.

[@percy66]

I love your British accent Keith

[@KeithCooper]

As long as people can understand it ;-)

[@olliorkoneva1689]

I have seen several videos and pages, where an Ecotank printer has been converted to a pigment ink printer, simply by replacing the eye onks with pigment inks. This is very interesting, although I do not think it is possible to get high quality prints this way, at least without putting much effort to it and at least without making new profiles for the pigment inks. So far the 8550 has served me well ”as is”, and I would consider the conversion only if I had a project in which I had to make really light proof prints, be it for sale or for archival purpose. It would still be interesting to hear your views to this kind of conversion: can it be of any use or is it simply quackery?

[@KeithCooper]

I'm afraid my general feeling is to note that if you want a pigment ink printer, buy a pigment ink printer... The conversion ideally ends to be done on a brand new uninitialised 8550 and will kill any warranty. Dye sub inks and monochrome ink sets are where I can see a potential... Sure people do it, but not with any printer of mine [and especially not one loaned by Canon/Epson ;-) ]

[@richardmerritt5600]

Thanks very much for this Keith. I purchased this printer for my wife after we'd watched your excellent reviews and help videos but unfortunately ended up with the airprint driver installed and I couldn't figure out how to get the 'real' (non-airprint) one. This video solved the problem. Incidentally what extra features or improvements should I see by using the non-airprint driver ?

[@KeithCooper]

AirPrint kills effective colour management, along with loads of settings needed for good photo printing. You can now use Epson Print Layout for example. Oh, and all those icc profiles I created can be used...

[@wiktoriatluvi]

Exciting to see more of this model here as I got it as my very first printer earlier rhis year 😊 So far, the only thing that's a little worrying is the occasional ink stains, usually on the edges of the paper (sometimes on the images too though), but maaayyybe it's from printing something really daturated with inklfull page before 🤔 also, the pigment ink is prone to smearing when it's printed as pure black - even when you just touch it with not entirely dry finger (in those modes that use this black), but if it's mixed with other colors it's greatly improved :)) ofc none of those inks are waterproof, but I was quite surprised that if I want to print smth fully black I get it either in pigment black and rish smearing or print in one of the modes that use photo black (lile photo quality inkjet), but then it doesn't get as black on matte papers ofc :') Anyways, I am actually quite very happy on what I can get from it 😊

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - it was fortunate, Karen needed a new printer/scanner, which gave me just the excuse to get this one ;-)

[@kaminajo]

Hello Keith. I was somewhat mystified by your remark about telling the printer when you top up the ink levels. I suppose just talking to it won’t work. 😂 How do I proceed?

[@KeithCooper]

@@kaminajo See the actual review - it's a panel option for topping up www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/

[@CybearQT]

I would like to purchase the ET-8500. The space I can fit the ET-8500 is about 1/2” too short based on the printer’s measurements. I need to see the underside of the printer to determine if it has “feet” and how far away from the edge of the printer they are located. I thought if the body hung off the desk surface by 1/4” on both sides, it wouldn’t matter, as long as the “feet” were firmly placed on the desk surface. I live in a remote area and will need to order the printer online and I don’t want to deal with returns, so it would be very helpful to have this bit of info before purchasing. Since the ET-8550 are similar in build, I thought I could ask my question here. Thanks Keith!

[@KeithCooper]

On the 8550, the feet are about 2 cm in from the right side and 3 cm in from the left

[@Average-AL]

I took the leap of faith and bought the ET-8550 after looking at a few of your videos and other reviews. Now I am stuck. Trying to install it on my Mac M1 Sonoma and there are no other drivers than the airprint driver to install I don't get any options of other printers like you do. Any idea what I have missed? I have looked at your airprint section several times now.

[@KeithCooper]

Look carefully at how I do it in this video - what is different on your system? - that is the fix I've found for this problem. I've installed it on two current Macs. Go to Epson.sn and do a full setup after deleting any instances of the printer in the system prefs

[@Gestiondecolor]

Estoy a la espectativa de ver qué tal salen las impresiones blanco y negro. Saludos

[@KeithCooper]

English please?

[@jaleolab1336]

I´ve just purchased the ET-8550 printer. At the moment I am using Epson Luster Paper with printer semigloss profile which is fine. I have made my own profile with ColorMunki but haven't got to see it in the printer options. I am using Photomator and Apple Photos as I don't have Photoshop or LR any longer.

[@KeithCooper]

Is the profile visible in the profiles if you use Mac ColorSync Utility [in utilities] to check? More than that I can't say - don't have either of those packages on my Macs

[@jaleolab1336]

@@KeithCooper Thanks for your answer. I've put my colour profile in ColorSync profiles folder. Also, just in case, in Printers/EPSON/InkjetPrinter/ICCProfiles (named *.profiles not icc) with no succeed. If I discover any solution I will write it here.

[@KeithCooper]

@@jaleolab1336 Just one other thing - use the ColorSync Utility to run a profile health check, followed by a repair. The profiles should be in users/'you'/library/colorsync/profiles not the system library/colorsync/profiles folder Also install Epson Print Layout and try printing from that - a much better check that things are working than apple photos etc. Also it will show if you have the driver set up correctly

[@jaleolab1336]

@@KeithCooper I have installed Epson Print Layout, which wasn't included in the setup packet, deleted the printer in the mac preferences and, after adding it again, my profile could be seen in the printing options. Any way the Epson profile gives better result than mine. I suppose that I must work a bit around my icc profile. Thanks a lot for your kind attention.

[@KeithCooper]

@@jaleolab1336 Great - glad it's now working

[@TheJackadr]

Hi Keith I’m thinking of buying the Epson Eco Tank ET-4856 Inkjet printer, have you done any videos or information about it please? Thank you!

[@KeithCooper]

nope - not one I've seen at all Looks like an 'office' version of the 2850 I've reviewed. Similar for photo printing I'd suspect www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-2850-printer-review/

[@Sphinx5779]

If I have not printed anything on my 8550 for a couple of weeks I print off something with text and images on plain paper in standard quality so that it prints something regularly. I have noticed that the images in these prints have dark vertical and/or horizontal lines running through them, especially in black areas of the image. I am guessing this happens because it is images on plain paper printed with standard quality and I should not be worried about it - or should I be? Images printed properly on photo paper are perfect and without the lines.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes - plain paper and images will often be a bit hit and miss

[@jancsifarkas5164]

Hello Keith. Is there a difference between the ET-8550 and the Ecotank L8180 ?

[@KeithCooper]

Not that I know of... I believe the inks are listed as '115' whilst the ones in the 8550 are '114' If I recall, they are the same? Epson just has a habit of picking different model numbers in some regions. I did ask someone at Epson UK, but such decisions were well above their pay grade ;-)

[@Anonymous-mf8ii]

Black Friday pricing on the 8550 as of 11/26/2024 in the US is $499.99 and Keith has affiliate links we can use.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks for noting that!

[@hedydd2]

Mine has suddenly started to request A4 paper be fed from the top back slot, for no apparent reason. It started the other day when I wanted to print an A4 photo on semi-gloss paper. Up until now I just did as you do and put a sheet of photo paper in tray2 at the bottom and choose semi-gloss paper and the size on the computer and it just pulled the photo paper in automatically. Can’t think that I have altered any relevant setting. Very odd, especially as until it demanded the paper be loaded into the top slot, I was only vaguely aware of that slot’s existence and hadn’t even remover the blue packing tape inside it.

[@KeithCooper]

Can't help with that one - for me the paper cassettes are for plain paper only. Check the paper loading option on the main screen and that the top slot has not been selected as a default for a paper type. I'd never actually put photo paper anywhere other than the top slot. It may work with thin papers but I don't use them at all.

[@hedydd2]

@@KeithCooper Thanks. I’ll look into it. The photo paper I use is exclusively 280gsm and it has worked fine until last week from the bottom tray for A2 paper. I’ve done a bit of copying this morning and it also wanted paper from the back and it somehow defaulted to ultra glossy. No Idea what I’ve done, if anything, or whether a recent update is responsible.

[@biggestbossash123]

i got some koala brand paper from amazon and i notice there is some lines marks im not sure if its the printer or the paper

[@KeithCooper]

What sort of 'lines' - Not a paper brand I've ever seen I'm afraid. I'll use an Epson paper for my 'is this printer OK test'

[@biggestbossash123]

@@KeithCooper ill try the epson paper to see

[@kendickson7321]

FYI - I have just updated my MacOS from 15.1 to 15.1.1 and after a few seconds after re-booting I received a warning message - "The Canon Inc software installed on this machine is not compatible with future OS updates - please contact your supplier for information" = presume just another one of those occasions not to update until Canon has updated - nice of Apple to provide the warning.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, Apple are rolling out this warning. My suspicion is that it presages Apple dropping intel code support in some areas... I'm bumping my two newest Macs to 15.1.1, but will be careful to avoid the next 'dot zero' OS update ;-)

[@kendickson7321]

@@KeithCooper Thanks Keith - at least we have a warning.... :)

[@GremHopkins]

For some reason the sound is only from one speaker

[@KeithCooper]

Sorry - Never found out why that happens for a very few viewers I'm afraid - only some particular ways of viewing the content, and I've never been able to duplicate it. New sound system coming up [video of it shortly] which hopefully banishes this

[@redrob2230]

I’ve seen people switch the ink to a pigment ink instead of what comes with it.

[@KeithCooper]

Yes - I don't ever test 3rd party inks though I value the 5 year warranty I got with it too much

[@janedagger]

With all the shennanigans the companies are playing with printers .. mainly ink costs...it's cheaper to just stop giving those ripoff artists your money and just go to Kinkos. Printers are now a money pit from greed.

[@KeithCooper]

Depends entirely why you are printing and how much the results matter... For this printer - absolutely superb for some people - massive overkill and a waste of money for others. For the sorts of printers I look at, I simply cannot agree with you, but if that gets the prints you are happy with, then good...