Epson ET-8500 / Ink questions.

[ME3UHQ]

Hi all. I seer on sites like Amazon etc I can get a whole set of Inks for my Epson ET-8500 for £25 (Im assuming Chinese imported inks) and I am very tempted however these machines were designed so we can just buy the ink which is around £20 a bottle when its needed, I dont like to waste money and I am a firm beleiver cheap is expensive so am wandering if anyone else here uses original epson inks or they have bought the cheaper bran stuff and have had issues or no?

 

[Box Brownie]

Hi all. I seer on sites like Amazon etc I can get a whole set of Inks for my Epson ET-8500 for £25 (Im assuming Chinese imported inks) and I am very tempted however these machines were designed so we can just buy the ink which is around £20 a bottle when its needed, I dont like to waste money and I am a firm beleiver cheap is expensive so am wandering if anyone else here uses original epson inks or they have bought the cheaper bran stuff and have had issues or no?

Personally I think using non OEM eco tank inks is a false economy!

I have no idea how much and how often you will be printing but my inks last close to 14 or more months.

I look out for Epson discount emails and IIRC I saved 10% per bottle approx equal to around £80 for the whole set of 6 inks.

NB I do print photos on it but not too many at a time or per year.

 

[Norkie]

After I bought some ‘compatible’ ink for my Canon and it leaked all over my carpet I steer of that rubbish.

 

[stevewestern]

Personally I think using non OEM eco tank inks is a false economy!

I have no idea how much and how often you will be printing but my inks last close to 14 or more months.

I look out for Epson discount emails and IIRC I saved 10% per bottle approx equal to around £80 for the whole set of 6 inks.

NB I do print photos on it but not too many at a time or per year.

I'm the same, but I do print quite a few A3 prints at highest quality and my refill bottles last around a year.
It's a fairly expensive printer, so I'd say stick with OEM refills.

 

[dcash29]

I wouldn't buy third party or cheap import inks for an Epson printer as they are prone to blocking up on the magenta even if you use OEM

 

[ME3UHQ]

Thanks all just what I thought.. so the next question is where is best to buy a complete set of inks ?

 

[Box Brownie]

Thanks all just what I thought.. so the next question is where is best to buy a complete set of inks ?

As I mentioned, I am subscribed to Epson email updates and get their seasonal discount offers as well as their 'flash sales' https://www.epson.co.uk/en_GB/flashsale

In the main IIRC I wait for their 10% offer on inks in February (around then) though not sure but think I might have seen an autumn offer too???

The printer is so frugal that unless you are really low on ink, subscribe and wait for their offers

PS though I have never used and not know of anyone that has......a company called Cartridge People have the Epson OEM inks at a decent print for the set of 6 inks

 

[Mozthecat]

I have been using cartridge people for their own brand cartridges for our basic canon inkjet(not used for photos) for a few years now and not had any issues with fulfillment or their cartridges.

 

[stevewestern]

I have been using cartridge people for their own brand cartridges for our basic canon inkjet(not used for photos) for a few years now and not had any issues with fulfillment or their cartridges.

I too used to use them for my last printer, and no problems with both oem and their own cartridges.

 

[ME3UHQ]

OK I got some official inks from Epson via Amazon and they are fine. - Now tho who here prints their own greeting cards ?

 

[Box Brownie]

OK I got some official inks from Epson via Amazon and they are fine. - Now tho who here prints their own greeting cards ?

I have done tests......

I bought pre- creased cards papers from Paper Spectrum who if you buy their papers will create the custom ICC profiles free of charge.

Of note, the printer is not the fastest printer......so if printing cards to build stock, allow time.

Note above ~ if not using Epson photo papers you will benefit from having aforementioned custom ICC profiles.

I suggest you check this out

View: https://youtu.be/ezQzC1JZPT0?si=yVrxBTPtgKgkc6Zt


And here for a fuller picture and other review details and videos about using the printer

Detailed Epson ET-8550 printer review 13"A3+ EcoTank printer

Full Epson ET-8550 printer review. The 13"/A3+ sized six ink EcoTank printer/scanner is filled from individual 70ml bottles of ink.

www.northlight-images.co.uk

HTH

 

[dragonfly]

I have used reputable compatibles before but when compared with Epson's originals, the dynamic range and contrast are obvious. You do pay a bit more but in my experience, you get what you pay for. So now I only use Epson inks. I sometimes get expired ones from the auction site and they are a lot cheaper and I've never had any issues with them thus far.

 

[leonardo]

Hi all. I seer on sites like Amazon etc I can get a whole set of Inks for my Epson ET-8500 for £25 (Im assuming Chinese imported inks) and I am very tempted however these machines were designed so we can just buy the ink which is around £20 a bottle when its needed, I dont like to waste money and I am a firm beleiver cheap is expensive so am wandering if anyone else here uses original epson inks or they have bought the cheaper bran stuff and have had issues or no?

Hi,

The effectiveness of a new ink depends on its intended use. Beyond the risk of spills, creating a custom color profile for your specific ink and paper combination is crucial to optimize results. This process also allows you to assess the ink's color gamut.

 

[ME3UHQ]

How do I do his too ?

 

[ME3UHQ]

I have done tests......

I bought pre- creased cards papers from Paper Spectrum who if you buy their papers will create the custom ICC profiles free of charge.

Of note, the printer is not the fastest printer......so if printing cards to build stock, allow time.

Note above ~ if not using Epson photo papers you will benefit from having aforementioned custom ICC profiles.

I suggest you check this out

View: https://youtu.be/ezQzC1JZPT0?si=yVrxBTPtgKgkc6Zt


And here for a fuller picture and other review details and videos about using the printer

Detailed Epson ET-8550 printer review 13"A3+ EcoTank printer

Full Epson ET-8550 printer review. The 13"/A3+ sized six ink EcoTank printer/scanner is filled from individual 70ml bottles of ink.

www.northlight-images.co.uk

HTH

oh wow thanks, is that your website ??

 

[ME3UHQ]

Update have so far just bought the black and pigment black inks, is it worth buying the official maintenance box or a cheaper?

 

[leonardo]

How do I do his too ?

You need a spectrophotometer, the bundled software is usually taking care of creating the profile. Another way (more tricky) could be to print an IT8 target and scan it with a calibrated scanner to compensate the color difference.

 

[ME3UHQ]

You need a spectrophotometer, the bundled software is usually taking care of creating the profile. Another way (more tricky) could be to print an IT8 target and scan it with a calibrated scanner to compensate the color difference.

sounds way too technical.

 

[leonardo]

It is, unless you have to print accurate colors for some reason, is probably an overkill

 

[Box Brownie]

oh wow thanks, is that your website ??

No! sorry to Keith if it looked like my post inferred that

When the ET-8550 first came out, it was his review and kindness in answering my direct questions to him that prompted me to buy the printer.

Paper Spectrum is one of the companies that he uses and their help & attention to detail was very helpful.

FWIW the printer is our household printer but I use it, as mentioned, to print some of my photos.

Keith Cooper is a good guru for and printers and printing.

 

[Box Brownie]

Hi,

The effectiveness of a new ink depends on its intended use. Beyond the risk of spills, creating a custom color profile for your specific ink and paper combination is crucial to optimize results. This process also allows you to assess the ink's color gamut.

How do I do his too ?

You need a spectrophotometer, the bundled software is usually taking care of creating the profile. Another way (more tricky) could be to print an IT8 target and scan it with a calibrated scanner to compensate the color difference.

sounds way too technical.

It is, unless you have to print accurate colors for some reason, is probably an overkill

IMHO for the average user of a photo printer a Spectrophotometer to create your own ICC profiles is unnecessary. Why? well unless you are going use a wide range of third party papers with the OEM inks you will never see the value in the expenditure.

As I mentioned, paper suppliers will offer their ICC profiles service if you buy their papers.

Having said that if you have time, money & interest it (I am sure) would be a good technical exercise to own and use one.

 

[Box Brownie]

Update have so far just bought the black and pigment black inks, is it worth buying the official maintenance box or a cheaper?

I bought a spare Maintenance Box when I bought the printer, it is still on the shelf ready when needed

 

[leonardo]

IMHO for the average user of a photo printer a Spectrophotometer to create your own ICC profiles is unnecessary. Why? well unless you are going use a wide range of third party papers with the OEM inks you will never see the value in the expenditure.

As I mentioned, paper suppliers will offer their ICC profiles service if you buy their papers.

Having said that if you have time, money & interest it (I am sure) would be a good technical exercise to own and use one.

I completely agree. ICC profiles are invaluable tools for professionals transitioning to new inks. While the calibration costs justify their use primarily for typography or specific projects, understanding the role of ICC profiles in print services is essential for consistent results. Some users share compatible ICC profiles online, offering an alternative option if you are very lucky.

 

[Bristolian]

I but my genuine eco-tank inks from Cartridge Save. Here is a link to their ET8500 inks - both genuine and 3rd party.

https://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/ink-cartridges/Epson/EcoTank-ET-8500.html

I find them very fast and competitively priced.

 

[ME3UHQ]

Thanks all. Tonight is the first time ive printed a colour document and theres a streak through the paper, I think the moovers were a bit heavy handed with my delicate machine, I will order a full set of inks when im back home next week, I did buy the official black and pigment, will also get a new maintenance box too... good idea re out of date inks, i mean ink is ink when it comes to Epson, how can it go off?

 

[Box Brownie]

Thanks all. Tonight is the first time ive printed a colour document and theres a streak through the paper, I think the moovers were a bit heavy handed with my delicate machine, I will order a full set of inks when im back home next week, I did buy the official black and pigment, will also get a new maintenance box too... good idea re out of date inks, i mean ink is ink when it comes to Epson, how can it go off?

For fear of stating the obvious, there are very clear instructions about how to set the printer if it is to be moved and that includes a large plastic bag provided with the new printer for it to be put in and closed up before putting back into the original box

Furthermore, IIRC the explicit advice is to carry it 'flat' and to avoid tilting it whilst carrying it

Personally I would not entrust any of my "tech" to third party removals hands.

NB my PC (home built) uses a large HSF assembly and I noted the instructions included with that component that it should removed if transporting the PC..,..this to avoid "G" forces stresses on the motherboard.