I was a very lucky girl this Christmas and was gifted an Epson ET-8550 printer by my husband.

I’ve used the Epson Photo Stylus 2200 for years and years and YEARS and it’s finally kicked the bucket. I’ve literally been looking and researching replacement printers for over a year and in the past few months I’ve had such issues with the 2200 that I finally decided after Christmas I was going to buy a new printer. JJ kindly offered to let a new printer be my main Christmas present and with the lovely Christmas sale at B&H Photo going on being an added incentive, I pulled the trigger for this behemoth. It’s part of their new photo ecoline that uses bottles of inks instead of cartridges! The main issue I’ve had with the 2200 was the printer cartridges had been discontinued and trying to use aftermarket inks and refillable cartridges was just not cutting it for me. It’s been a great printer but honestly not being able to continue to purchase Epson inks was a killer for me. The printer is 20 years old and I definitely got my money’s worth out of it.

I spent the day after Christmas setting it up, calibrating my monitor, and doing a few test prints on just plain jane printer paper, and have to say I’m pretty happy overall. I looked at several other printers but just couldn’t talk myself into plunking down the money for the printer and then having to spend hundreds of dollars every time I wanted to replace a set of printer cartridges. These prints are great quality and with good quality papers will last just as long as regular photo prints from somewhere like Walgreens or Walmart. If I need something gallery quality or larger than the 13”x19” capability of this printer I have a local printer here in the area that has been an absolute dream to work with, Prographics.

If nothing else I will have the ability again to print at home, proof prints that I may want to have printed larger to exhibit, and hopefully sell prints if there is any interest. I have people from time to time locally that want something printed and I can offer that now as well.

I’m so happy and thankful to have a new printer and a supportive hubby who helps me all the dang time. Love you, babe, thanks for everything you do for me.