Epson ET-8550 - User Manual

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Start Here

10 Close the ink tank cover and lower the scanner unit.

11 When the message to see the Start Here sheet appears

on the LCD screen, press and hold OK for 5 seconds.

12 Follow the instructions on the LCD screen and select

Start to start charging the ink. Ink charging takes

approximately 7 minutes.

Caution: Do not unplug or turn off the product, raise the

scanner unit, or load paper while the product is charging or you’ll

waste ink.

Note: The included ink bottles are designed for reliable printer

setup and cannot be resold. After setup, the remaining ink is

available for printing.

13 Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the print

quality of your product.

Note:

• You need to load paper before you can adjust the print quality.

See “Load paper” for details.

• You can change these settings later using the product’s

control panel. For more information, see the online User’s

Guide.

Caution: After setup, periodically inspect the ink levels to ensure they

are not below the lowest line on the tanks. Prolonged use when ink is

below the lowest line could damage the product. See the online User’s

Guide for reﬁlling instructions.

Load paper

See the instructions below for loading paper in cassettes

1 and 2.

Note: See the online User’s Guide for a complete list of compatible

paper types, sizes, and capacities, and instructions on loading paper

in the rear paper feed slot and printing on a CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc™.

Output tray

Cassette 1

Cassette 2/front cover

1 Make sure the product is done charging the ink, and then

lower the front cover.

IMPORTANT: Before using this product, make sure you read

these instructions and the safety instructions in the online User’s

Guide.

The illustrations show the ET-8500, but the steps are the same

for the ET-8550, unless otherwise speciﬁed.

Unpack

Note:

• Do not open the ink bottles until you are ready to fill the ink tanks.

The ink bottles are vacuum packed to maintain reliability.

• The CD/DVD tray is on the bottom of paper cassette 2.

1 Remove all protective materials from the product.

ET-8550

2 Lift up the scanner unit and remove all protective

materials from inside the product.

Caution: Do not touch the areas shown inside the product. The

printer ships with the transportation lock in the printing position.

Do not move it from the printing position.

3 Connect the power cord to the back of the product and to

an electrical outlet.

Caution: Do not connect to your computer yet.

You can set up your product to print and scan wirelessly

from your mobile device or computer using the Epson

Smart Panel

app. To use the app, see “Setup from a

mobile device” on the back of this sheet. If you do not want

to use the app for setup, go to the next section.

Fill ink tanks

Warning: Keep the ink bottles out of the reach of children and do not

drink the ink.

Caution: This product requires careful handling of ink. If ink spills,

wipe it off immediately with a damp towel to avoid permanent stains.

If ink gets on your clothes or belongings, it may not come off.

Note:

• Epson cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of third-party ink.

• Use the ink bottles included with the printer to set up the product.

Part of the ink will be used to charge the print head. These bottles

may print fewer pages compared with replacement ink bottles.

• Epson strongly recommends the use of genuine ink to ensure

optimal print quality and performance.

1 Press the power button to turn on the product.

Note: If an error message appears, turn off the product and

check that no protective material has been left inside the product

and that the transportation lock is in the printing position.

2 Select your language on the LCD screen.

Note: You can change this setting later using the product’s

control panel. For more information, see the online User’s Guide.

3 Open the ink tank cover, then open the cap for the

black (BK) ink tank.

Note: Refer to the label above the ink tank to identify the color of

each tank.

4 Unpack the black (BK) ink bottle. Hold the ink bottle

upright and slowly turn the bottle cap to remove it.

Caution: Do not shake or squeeze the ink bottles. Do not touch

the top of the ink bottle after its cap is removed.

5 Insert the ink bottle into the ﬁlling port.

Note: Do not force the bottles into position; they are keyed for

each color.

6 Wait for the ink to ﬁll the tank. Do not squeeze the bottle.

Note: Ink ﬂows into the tank and stops automatically when the

ink is ﬁlled to the upper line. If ink does not ﬂow from the bottle,

lift and reinsert the bottle.

7 When the ink tank is full, remove the ink bottle and

securely close it with the cap. If any ink remains in the

bottle, close the bottle and store it for later use.

Note: Do not leave the ink bottle inserted; otherwise the bottle

may be damaged or ink may leak.

8 Securely close the black ink tank cap.

9 Repeat the previous steps for the other colors.

ET-8500/ET-8550

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Epson ET-8550 and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Unpack and Prepare Printer

Remove Protective Materials

Remove all protective materials from the product and inside the scanner unit.

Connect Power Cord

Connect the power cord to the back of the product and to an electrical outlet.

Fill Ink Tanks and Charge Ink

Power On and Select Language

Turn on the product and select your language on the LCD screen.

Prepare Ink Tank Access

Open the ink tank cover and the cap for the black ink tank.

Unpack and Insert Ink Bottle

Unpack the ink bottle and insert it into the filling port.

Fill Ink Tank

Wait for ink to flow automatically into the tank and remove the bottle when full.

Charge Ink

Start ink charging via LCD and wait approximately 7 minutes.

Adjust Print Quality

Follow on-screen instructions to adjust print quality after ink charging.

Load Paper

Prepare for Paper Loading

Ensure ink charging is done, lower the front cover.

Insert Paper Cassette

Pull out the paper cassette, slide edge guides, and insert paper.

Set Paper Settings

Select the paper settings on the product's control panel.

Install Software and Connect

Prepare Computer Connection

Ensure the printer is NOT connected to the computer via USB.

Install Printer Software

Insert CD or download software package and follow setup instructions.

Select Connection Type

Choose Wireless, Direct USB, or Wired Network connection.

Setup via Mobile Device

Download Epson Smart Panel app and follow instructions to set up product.

Troubleshooting and Support

Network Setup Issues

Troubleshoot unsuccessful network setup, check SSID and password.

Print Quality Problems

Address lines or incorrect colors by running nozzle check and cleaning print head.

Product Power and Connectivity

Check product power status and USB cable connection.

Accessing Users Guide

Locate and access the online User's Guide for detailed instructions.

Summary

Unpack and Prepare Printer

Remove Protective Materials

Remove all protective materials from the product and inside the scanner unit.

Connect Power Cord

Connect the power cord to the back of the product and to an electrical outlet.

Fill Ink Tanks and Charge Ink

Power On and Select Language

Turn on the product and select your language on the LCD screen.

Prepare Ink Tank Access

Open the ink tank cover and the cap for the black ink tank.

Unpack and Insert Ink Bottle

Unpack the ink bottle and insert it into the filling port.

Fill Ink Tank

Wait for ink to flow automatically into the tank and remove the bottle when full.

Charge Ink

Start ink charging via LCD and wait approximately 7 minutes.

Adjust Print Quality

Follow on-screen instructions to adjust print quality after ink charging.

Load Paper

Prepare for Paper Loading

Ensure ink charging is done, lower the front cover.

Insert Paper Cassette

Pull out the paper cassette, slide edge guides, and insert paper.

Set Paper Settings

Select the paper settings on the product's control panel.

Install Software and Connect

Prepare Computer Connection

Ensure the printer is NOT connected to the computer via USB.

Install Printer Software

Insert CD or download software package and follow setup instructions.

Select Connection Type

Choose Wireless, Direct USB, or Wired Network connection.

Setup via Mobile Device

Download Epson Smart Panel app and follow instructions to set up product.

Troubleshooting and Support

Network Setup Issues

Troubleshoot unsuccessful network setup, check SSID and password.

Print Quality Problems

Address lines or incorrect colors by running nozzle check and cleaning print head.

Product Power and Connectivity

Check product power status and USB cable connection.

Accessing Users Guide

Locate and access the online User's Guide for detailed instructions.

This document serves as a "Start Here" guide for the Epson ET-8500 and ET-8550 printers, outlining the initial setup process from unpacking to software installation and basic troubleshooting.

The device is a multifunction printer designed for both printing and scanning, with a strong emphasis on wireless connectivity and ease of use, particularly with mobile devices. It features an EcoTank system, which uses refillable ink tanks instead of traditional cartridges, aiming to provide a more economical and environmentally friendly printing solution.

Function Description

The Epson ET-8500/ET-8550 is primarily a printing and scanning device. Its core function is to produce high-quality prints from various sources, including computers and mobile devices, and to digitize physical documents and images through its scanning capabilities. The printer supports both wired and wireless network connections, offering flexibility in how users can interact with it.

For printing, the device utilizes a six-color ink system (Black, Photo Black, Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, Gray), which suggests it is designed to produce vibrant and detailed color prints, including photographs, with enhanced grayscale reproduction. The EcoTank system means that ink is supplied via large, refillable tanks, which users fill from ink bottles. This design choice aims to reduce the frequency of ink replacement and lower the cost per print compared to cartridge-based systems. The printer also supports various paper types and sizes, including loading paper into two cassettes and a rear paper feed slot, and even printing on CD/DVD/Blu-ray Discs.

Scanning functionality allows users to convert physical documents and photos into digital files. While the guide doesn't detail specific scanning features, the presence of a scanner unit implies standard flatbed scanning capabilities.

Connectivity options are robust, including:

Wireless connection: This is the primary recommended setup method, allowing the printer to be accessed from multiple devices on a network without physical cables. The Epson Smart Panel app is highlighted as a key tool for mobile setup and control.
Direct USB connection: For users who prefer a direct link to a computer, a USB cable can be used (though not included).
Wired network connection: An Ethernet cable (not included) can be used for a stable, wired network connection, which might be preferred in certain office environments.

The device also supports modern printing methods such as:

Mobile printing: Direct printing from Android devices (v4.4 or later) and control via the Epson Smart Panel app.
Voice-activated printing: Integration with voice assistants through an Epson Connect account, allowing users to print creative and everyday items using voice commands.
Remote printing: Through Epson Connect, users can print from virtually anywhere.

Usage Features

The setup process is designed to be user-friendly, with clear, step-by-step instructions provided in the "Start Here" guide.

Unpacking: The initial steps involve removing all protective materials from the product, including those inside the scanner unit. A note advises against opening ink bottles until ready to fill, as they are vacuum-packed for reliability. The location of the CD/DVD tray (bottom of paper cassette 2) is also pointed out.
Ink Filling: This is a critical and unique aspect of EcoTank printers.
- Users are instructed to press the power button to turn on the product and select a language on the LCD screen.
- The ink tank cover and individual ink tank caps (e.g., for black ink) are opened.
- Ink bottles are designed to be inserted into specific filling ports, with a keyed system to prevent incorrect color insertion.
- The ink flows automatically into the tank and stops when full, preventing overfilling. Users are warned not to squeeze the bottles.
- After filling, the ink bottles and tank caps are securely closed.
- An important caution is given not to shake or squeeze ink bottles and to avoid touching the top of the bottle after the cap is removed.
- After all tanks are filled, the ink tank cover is closed, and the scanner unit is lowered.
- The printer then undergoes an "ink charging" process, which takes approximately 7 minutes. During this time, users are advised not to unplug, turn off, raise the scanner unit, or load paper to avoid wasting ink.
- On-screen instructions guide users to adjust print quality, which requires paper to be loaded.
Paper Loading: The guide details how to load paper into cassettes 1 and 2.
- Users pull out the paper cassette, slide out the edge guides, and insert paper with the glossy or printable side facedown.
- Edge guides are then slid against the paper, ensuring it's under the tabs but not too tightly.
- The cassette is inserted all the way, and paper settings are selected on the control panel.
- A note advises keeping the front cover open for the output tray to extend automatically after a print job.
Software Installation: This step covers installing the necessary drivers and utilities for the printer.
- Users are instructed to ensure the product is NOT CONNECTED to the computer before installation.
- Software can be installed from the included CD (Windows only) or downloaded from the Epson support website.
- The setup program guides users through selecting a connection type: wireless, direct USB, or wired network.
- For wireless setup, the installer attempts automatic configuration, but users might need to manually enter network name (SSID) and password.
- Mobile device setup is emphasized, using the Epson Smart Panel app downloaded from an app store. Users are instructed to turn on the product, then launch the app and follow its instructions.

Maintenance Features

The guide touches upon several aspects related to maintaining optimal printer performance and addressing common issues:

Ink Level Monitoring: After initial setup, users are advised to periodically inspect ink levels to ensure they do not fall below the lowest line on the tanks. Prolonged use with low ink levels could damage the product, and refilling instructions are available in the online User's Guide. This is a key maintenance point for EcoTank systems.
Print Quality Adjustment: The device includes on-screen instructions to adjust print quality after ink charging. These settings can also be changed later via the control panel.
Troubleshooting: The "Any problems?" section provides solutions for common issues:
- Network setup unsuccessful: Users are advised to print a network connection report, verify the network name (SSID) and password (WEP/WPA), restart the router, and allow firewall alerts.
- Print quality issues (lines or incorrect colors): The recommendation is to run a nozzle check and clean the print head if necessary.
- Dark screen: Users are told to touch the screen to wake it from sleep mode.
- USB connection issues: Ensure the product is on and the USB cable is securely connected.
Online User's Guide: Throughout the document, frequent references are made to the online User's Guide for more detailed information on settings, troubleshooting, and advanced features. This suggests that the device has comprehensive digital documentation available for ongoing support.
Technical Support: Contact information for Epson technical support (phone numbers and website URLs for U.S. and Canada) is provided, along with operating hours.
Recycling Program: Epson offers a recycling program for end-of-life hardware and ink bottles, encouraging proper disposal and environmental responsibility. This highlights a commitment to the lifecycle of the product and its consumables.
Genuine Ink Recommendation: The guide strongly recommends using genuine Epson ink to ensure optimal print quality and performance, implying that third-party inks may compromise results or reliability.

In summary, the Epson ET-8500/ET-8550 is a versatile, high-capacity printer designed for ease of use, particularly with its EcoTank system and strong mobile integration. Its setup is guided, and ongoing maintenance is simplified by clear instructions and readily available support resources.

Epson ET-8550 Specifications

General

Print Technology	Inkjet
Maximum Print Resolution	5760 x 1440 dpi
Number of Ink Colors	6
Connectivity	USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct
Automatic Duplex Printing	Yes
Scanner Type	Flatbed color image scanner
Display	4.3" color touchscreen
Scan Resolution	1200 x 2400 dpi
Paper Sizes Supported	A4, A5, A6, B5, Letter, Legal, 10 x 15 cm, 13 x 18 cm
Functions	Print, Copy, Scan
Mobile Printing	Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria
Borderless Printing	Yes
Print Speed (Black)	16 ppm
Print Speed (Color)	12 ppm