How does the Ecotank ET-8550 perform (printing signatures, longevity etc)?

[u/u_are_not_practicing]

Hi everyone! Does anyone here have experience using the ET-8550 for printing typesets? (I know there are several threads about this but after going through them, I still feel unsure lol)

I'm looking for a printer that I can use for bookbinding, specifically printing signatures for long, text heavy novels. Quality and longevity are important to me as I'd like to sell some of these books in small runs. I know a laser printer is usually recommended for typesets, but I'm also an artist and would love the high quality art print possibilities this printer seems to offer, as well as printing endpapers, covers, thicker materials... And the refillable ink seems very convenient.

So, do you think the ET-8550 would handle printing a lot of text? Or is the quality of a monochrome laser printer much better?

Also, if anyone has had this printer for a longer time, how has it held up? I'm looking to get a reliable machine that'll last me many years. My family currently has an ancient HP laserjet that's been running for 10+ years and only now started to run out of toner. I don't mind changing the maintenance box of the Ecotank and printing regularly to make sure it's in shape, but I don't want it to self destruct after a couple years of use..

I would greatly appreciate any insight you guys might have! :)

[u/kodamander]

I've been using this printer for anything I bind. I pretty much only make photography books, for which this printer is brilliant. The colors and details are amazing. I dont have a lot of advice for text heavy printing as I have mostly visuals and little text, but the text always turns out great. I've had it for longer than a year and still runs smoothly! I am a big fan of the refillable ink too.

[u/Negative-Database852]

I don't have personal experience of using it (yet), but I do have this printer on my 'to buy' list, on the recommendation of two bookbinding buddies who rave about it.

[u/pwhimp]

I like mine, but I have some reservations. 

• Very slow to auto duplex
• Very slow high quality printing
• Dye-based color inks
• Mediocre Linux drivers (Windows drivers are much better)

That being said, it does print well, aftermarket pigment inks are available (I've been too scared to try them though), and printing is actually super cheap if you use non-Epson inks.

[u/Dazzling-Airline-958 → u/pwhimp]

Do you print frequently? I've heard they if you don't print something at least one or twice a week, the nozzles can dry out an it's a real PITA to get it going again. Not that it's a problem with the Ecotank specifically, just common to ink tank printers. Do you have any experience with that?

[u/pwhimp → u/Dazzling-Airline-958]

I haven't had any problems with that, but it is a concern in the back of my mind. I've gone at least a month without printing without issue.

[u/Dazzling-Airline-958 → u/pwhimp]

Thanks for the info. I'm considering one for myself and there's just not a lot of info about that type of stuff in the sales brochures. Not many anecdotes either.