The Epson ET-8550 was announced in May 2021. It is a first for Epson - a 13" wide, six-color, dye-based, EcoTank photo printer. As a rule, large ink tank printers are designed with office use in mind. As such, they do not typically have excellent photo-quality output. The ET-8550 is different because of two things:
6-color system
Epson Claria dye ink system
As a rule, more colors are better and will give you a larger dynamic range and deeper blacks. Perhaps of equal importance is the quality of the ink itself. Epson EcoTank printers, except for this model, use a basic dye ink formula. Claria, used in the ET-8550, is their flagship dye ink system giving maximum color quality and fade resistance (for a dye ink).
Just the Facts
13" wide photo quality inkjet printer
Print 4" x 6" up to 13" x 19" / Custom sizes as well
Six Dye Based Inks - Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray
Estimated Retail Price $699
Cost of Printing - Very low. Perhaps 85% less than standard ink tank models.
The Epson ET-8500 is the 8.5" wide version of the ET-8550
Red River Paper Supports the ET-8550
Printer color profiles - Red River provides ICC profiles for our products and the ET-8550/8500
To date I am not a large user of photographic related papers. However where I have needed quality paper my first choice has been Red River Paper. I started with their sample packet(s) and branched out from there. My current use is for a line of greeting/note cards that I am developing. Whether it be card stock, metallic paper, simulated canvas or other photographic print medium, I have never been disappointed.. Paper is not the only thing that RRP provides. I Have found their service/support to be second to none. Orders are filled on a timely basis, information is within easy reach on their website and there has always been quick response to my questions.
Papers with the Archival designtation can take many forms. They can be glossy, matte, canvas, or an artistic product. These papers are acid free, lignin free and can be made of virgin tree fiber (alpha cellulose) or 25-100% cotton rag. They are likely to have optical or fluorescent brightening agents (OBAs) - chemicals that make the paper appear brighter white. Presence of OBAs does not indicate your image will fade faster. It does predict a slow change in the white point of your paper, especially if it is displayed without UV filter glass or acrylic.
Archival Grade Summary
Numerous papers - made from tree or cotton content
Acid and lignin free base stock
Inkjet coating layer acid free
Can have OBAs in the base or the coating
Museum Grade Paper
Papers with the museum designation make curators happy. They are made from 100% cotton rag content and have no optical brightener content. (OBA) The base stock is acid and lignin free. The coating is acid free. This type of offers the most archival option in terms of media stability over time.
Museum Grade Summary
100% cotton rag content
Acid and lignin free base stock
Inkjet coating layer acid free
No OBA content
Photographic Grade Paper
Photo Grade products are designed to look and feel like modern photo lab paper. Most photo grade media are resin coated, which means they have a paper core covered by a thin layer of polyethelene (plastic) . Plastic gives the paper its photo feel, stability (flatness), water resistance, handling resistance, and excellent feed consistency.
Prints on photo grade media are stable over long periods. With pigment inks in a protected environment, you can see up to 80 years on-display life. All RC papers are Photo Grade for two reasons. Plastic content is not technically archival by museum standards. Also, the inkjet coating of all RC papers is slightly acidic. It facilitates instant drying and does not actually change the stability of your inks over time. Virtually all RC papers have optical brightening agents (OBAs).
