Rear paper feed, multiple pages? ET-8550

[ThrillaMozilla]

I just ordered an ET-8550. I want to print about 10 to 20 calendars on it. I need to find out about paper handling, so I can begin to plan formats and order the paper.

I haven't decided yet between 11"x17" or 13"x19" (A3+) paper, or between single-sided or double-sided paper, so I want to consider all options. From the reviews I have seen, I get the idea that it is quite finicky about paper use. The front cassettes won't take large sizes. (Besides, Keith Cooper says photos come out too light from the front cassettes!) I have no interest in feeding one page at a time using the rear slot (horizontal feed), because that would take forever. So the rear feeder it is.

It is not at all clear to me from the manual or from any of the reviews whether it will be practical to stack multiple sheets in the rear feeder. Red River double-sided paper, for example, is between 32lb. and 50lb. weight (9 mil, 185 gsm). Possibly even heavier paper could be used. I might use single-sided paper instead, but I haven't decided yet.

The printer must run unattended without hassle for several sheets in a batch -- I would say at least 10 sheets. Is this feasible?

Is there anything else I didn't know to ask? I'll use satin or matte paper. Any strong recommendations on paper?

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

Just a few comments

- I can load 15 sheets 300 gr glossy paper into the rear bin, but paper thickness may vary for papers with the same weight

- since you are planning printjobs with quite some ink consumption - get a spare waste ink box since the printer is doing regular cleaning cycles to clean the nozzle plate

- if you plan to print double sided give the front page some time to dry - e.g. overnight, some papers may bulge slightly from the solvent which in the 2nd pass may let the nozzle plate touch the paper surface. The papers should be flat for the 2nd print pass.

 

[Epatcola]

Tray and feed capacities for Epson papers are specified here.

It says 20 sheets of photo papers in the rear feed which is reduced to 5 sheets for A3 and A3+ sizes.

I think you will have to experiment and expect trouble. I have experienced ugly scuff marks on the surface of some inexpensive lustre photo paper when feeding just 3-4 sheets on an ET-7750. The back of the current sheet rubs against the front of the next sheet where the pressure pad (or whatever it is) holds back the rest of the sheets.

If or how badly that happens will depend on the surface finish of the front and back of the paper. The longer the sheet the more scuffing there will be and more sheets loaded probably increases the pressure. I guess that is the reason for reduced capacity of A3 and A3+ sheets. That specification is for Epson photo papers which are pretty hardy. The specification for Velvet Fine Art paper is 1 sheet.

Printing both sides adds another dimension for trouble.

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

Urk. Thanks, guys. It doesn't sound great.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

It's not that bad, you need to do some testing, and when it comes to whatever marks - from sprocket wheels etc check for them the next day, the coating does a light swelling wlhich makes such marks more visible, they go away in most cases. All these comments just indicate that not all papers are alike. I would tend to use a slightly stiffer paper for double sided printing than for single sided print jobs.

 

[ThrillaMozilla]

I see me PRO-100 only accepts 1 sheet at a time. 5 sheets seems like a no-brainer. OK, plan A it is.

Thanks for the comments. This is why I asked.

 

[Epatcola]

I would not take the Epson specification as more than a guide. It says 20 (or 5) sheets for both Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy and Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy. The ultra is 300 gsm and the glossy 180 or 200 gsm. How could that not make a difference?

Lustre paper has a textured surface so the high parts of the texture will scuff relatively easily. It probably depend more on the back of the paper. Some are very smooth and feel like plastic. Others can feel quite rough.