This is It, the Last Chapter on the Epson ET8550 - including my final conclusions 

there is a firmware update apparently that fixes this issue. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MFmC2BgIj0Y.html

Thank you, I will give that a try :-)

Thank you very much, I’m so glad the videos were useful. It is disappointing but I am determined to find a way around it if I can so I will definitely report back. I have bought some more sample papers/cardstock so I’ll see if the paper manufacturer makes any difference. Best of luck finishing a solution yourself and yes please, let me know if you discover one :-)

there's supposedly a firmware update to fix this and from the comments it seems to work. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MFmC2BgIj0Y.html

Thank you, yes I will get some Epson paper and see how it differs :-)

He hadnt personally tested it though. He just mentioned the firmware is out there.

Thanks for the comment, you are right. As I said, I’d discovered an Epson site where Epson do say that thicker card of 300gsm should go through the back of the printer, it’s just unfortunate that printing this way leaves a 20mm gap but it is what it is, it just means finding a workaround. I was just spoiled with my old Epson printer which printed really well on all the paper and card I’ve used. However, I have no regrets with regards the print quality from this printer, it is fantastic

Wouldn’t that be brilliant, I think we’d all be in the queue for one of those :-) Thank you

Thank you :-)

If you'd watched her earlier video that whole process was tried, how it works etc, but it seemed a bit of a faff

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eG1gIbsyMEg.html ET-8550 rear paper feed

Ah, missed that one

Thanks for leaving the comment, it’s much appreciated. I’ve got white good at using the rear feed tray at the back of the machine now, it’s just unfortunate that it leaves the 20mm margin when printing but I’m sure I’ll come up with a workaround eventually :-)

That’s interesting. I didn’t have an update available when I checked so maybe it’s still rolling out. ‘Dragged a rake over it’ is funny, isn’t it strange that the thinner paper can look like that. I do still have the ones I printed so I’ll take a look and see if the marks have disappeared. I am going to try some better brand sample packs I’ve bought to see if it was just the paper I used so I’ll report back if there’s anything interesting to say on that basis. Thank you :-)

Hi Julie, yes I have used matte card but the roller marks are still there on the 300gsm. The paper/card I use for my art prints which is 230gsm prints fine. I have now bought some more samples from the same supplier I get my art print paper/card from, of various thicknesses so if I have any luck with those I will let you know. It might be worth checking out some other videos from crafters etc that own the machine if you can find some, and use it for card making, if you haven’t already that is, just to rule out the possibility that it’s just my printer. Apart from the roller mark issue, it’s a great printer which is so frustrating!! I am going to get in touch with Epson just to be sure it’s not a fault on mine alone and again I’ll let you know if I hear back :-)

@@jagosarti am having this exact same issue, and i am deeply invested in hearing your updates!! i also have extensive paper testing i can share info of. i’m using an ET-8500

I have looked for new firmware but currently my printer is up to date but I will keep checking, thank you :-)

Yes I've seen it to, but it could roll out at different dates per Country. I also saw somewhere that with thicker papers you should not use the back loading but the paper drawer instead.

Thank you very much, I will have a look :-)

I will try it with the paper support up tomorrow and see if it makes a difference. I do use the paper support when printing on A3 but admittedly, I don’t so much when printing on A4 but if it makes a difference then I will make sure to update the video. Thanks again

@@jagosart the thick paper setting moves the print head up and this is not your problem as those tracks are caused by pressure from plastic guides inside the feed channel because you are forcing the paper around a tight 90degree bend instead of it being lightly fed at the correct shallow angle through the print head cavity! Put the printer on the floor, pull the top feeder support plates all the way out and gently push them back to the correct feed angle.

@@dummatube that makes sense, thank you. I’m looking forward to trying that out tomorrow.

@@jagosart The 1500 printer has the same feed system so have a look at Keith Coopers video on heavy card printing: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yHy9zt4rI_o.html

@@dummatube I will, thank you very much

Thanks for seeking out the firmware Graham. I have just had someone comment to say I should use the paper support, which admittedly I don’t often do unless I’m using A3 paper, but I’ll try it with the A4 tomorrow and see if it makes a difference. Have a look through some of the comments because it seems other people have had luck with thicker cardstock, specifically seeded paper and cotton rag has been mentioned so maybe I’ve just been unlucky with what I’ve been using! However, the Epson information I found online did suggest 300 and above should be fed through the back of the machine. I will say though that the print quality is very good in my opinion and I’m certainly not disappointed with that! It would definitely be worth looking at other peoples experience with this printer as I am very much a novice really who was just sharing my experience but if other people have had more joy with thicker cardstock then I’ve had, I’d hate to sway you away from the printer just based on my experience. I hope that makes sense and thanks again

The problem is the incorrect sharp angle of the thick media feed because the printer is shoved up against the wall! Watch the next video. PS buy a P900 and do fine art pigment prints up to A2. That’s what I and everyone else ends up with anyway!!!

@@dummatube I’d narrowed it down to the et 8550 and the P900 when looking for a printer and almost went for the P900 after having had the P600 but obviously went with the other option. Next time though :-)

Hi Neil, yes there is such a setting and I tried it but unfortunately it made no difference. I have bought some samples papers of varying thicknesses to try just to see but I’ve pretty much accepted that the thicker card does indeed need to go through the back of the printer. Luckily this doesn’t affect all my art prints which is what I print the most of :-)

@@jagosart sorry to hear that didn't work. It is certainly the way to go, the ECO-TANK system, I have the sc-p700 and find it great, only problem is price of inks compared to the ECO-TANK bottles and difference in the amount of ink. Best of luck with your enterprise. The heaviest paper that I have is the Marrutt 300gsm Pearlescent Hi White. 🙂

Yes the eco-tank system is brilliant, I’ve made well over 100 prints in the last couple of days alone and the inks are still going. I had the sc-p600 before and loved that printer too, until it started rejecting everything I put through it but then I’d had it about 7 years so it did me well. The sample paper packs are from Marrutt as I love their paper so you never know :-) Thanks Neil

Yes I’m aware of that. I used to have the sc P600 which was of course archival but even then I never described my prints as ‘fine art’ and I’ve never sold them as such but thanks for pointing it out anyway!

@@jagosart I specialise in studio high resolution artwork digitisation up to 2m sq and I retouch the signatures out so the artist’s can hand sign, title and number the limited edition textured cotton rag pigment prints I make (from A4 up to 1.5m x 2.5m). With the right printer you can offer the best, most profitable, solutions.

That’s a great idea, thank you :-)

Thank you Taras and your English was very good :-) I have some new sample papers to try so fingers crossed :-)

@@jagosart If all else fails, you can try the rear paper feed. Unfortunately, my old Canon MP640 printer is no longer repairable. I had to buy a new one. I chose Epson l8180 (analogue of ET8550 only for the European market). I hope it will be no worse than my old printer) I wish you creative success ;)

There is but unfortunately it didn’t resolve the issue .

Oh no!! It’s nice knowing I’m not the only one but disappointing for you. Let me know if you found a solution.

@@jagosart looks like it was the paper I changed to better paper and no more problem

@@eddyhaze8239which paper???

@@Zyswest Koala 13x19 inkjet glossy photo paper did not work with this printer ..I also tried some other paper that did not work not sure what it was it was given to me to try it was older paper,.. epson ultra photo paper glossy 8.5 works and looks great, epson presentation paper Matte 13x19 no wheel marks but hate it really thin looks wavy were the ink was laid . A-sub glossy 66LB photo paper 13x19 looks and works great

Ha no apology needed, it was a great tip and thank you very much for it :-) I was wondering about just printing artwork normally and then attaching it to a card base, it would certainly be a solution and it’s good to hear that it works for you. I love seeded cards I saw some made by a local artist and they are a great idea. The very best of luck with your business and thanks very much again for the help! Let me know if you too have a RU-vid channel :-)