Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 — Features, Specifications, Performance

Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 — Features, Specifications, Performance & Business Use

The Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 is a 6-color “supertank” all-in-one aimed at hobbyist and prosumer photographers, marketing teams, and small offices that need lab-quality photo printing plus everyday document capabilities — but at a much lower cost per page than cartridge-based photo printers. It combines Epson’s high-resolution print engine, Claria ET Premium 6-color inks (including both pigment and dye blacks), a flatbed scanner, a large color touchscreen, and flexible media handling into a compact A4/8.5″-wide device. Below is a practical, business-focused look at the ET-8500’s features, technical specs, real-world performance, and where it makes sense as a business purchase. 

What the ET-8500 is designed to do

Epson positions the ET-8500 as a photo-capable EcoTank: it’s intended to produce borderless 4×6 photos in about 15 seconds, print high-resolution graphics and marketing collateral, and handle everyday office printing/copy/scan tasks. The “EcoTank” model means it ships with refillable, high-capacity ink bottles rather than cartridges—dramatically lowering running costs for color pages while keeping photographic quality high thanks to a six-ink set (C, M, Y, Photo Black, Pigment Black, Gray). That mix helps deliver vibrant color prints and crisp black text. 

Key features — the highlights

• Six-color Claria ET Premium ink set (C, M, Y, Photo Black, Pigment Black, Gray) for better tonal range, shadow detail and accurate color in photos while retaining pigmented black for sharp text. 

• Very high maximum print resolution — up to 5,760 × 1,440 dpi, enabling fine photo detail and smooth gradients. 

• Low running costs with EcoTank refill bottles — replacement bottle yields are large (Epson lists ~6,700 mono pages and ~6,200 color pages under ISO test conditions), reducing per-page cost versus cartridge printers. 

• Auto 2-sided printing and borderless up to 8.5″×11″ — useful for brochures, flyers and small posters. 

• Full-color 4.3-inch touchscreen for easy, PC-free printing/copying and maintenance tasks. 

• High-resolution flatbed scanner built in (scan specs vary but suitable for archiving and document management). 

• Flexible connectivity: Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, USB 3.0 and memory card slots for direct printing. 

These features create a printer that is at once a photo lab-style device and a full-featured office AIO — a useful combination for small marketing teams, photographers who also run workshops, and small businesses producing their own collateral.

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Technical specifications (practical summary)

Below are the load-bearing technical specs you’ll want to verify with a vendor for the exact SKU:

• Printing technology: 6-color inkjet (Claria ET Premium) with 70 mL refill bottles (T552 series). 

• Max print resolution: 5,760 × 1,440 dpi. 

• Print speed: Epson quotes ISO speeds ~16 ppm (mono) and ~12 ppm (color); photo speed example: 4×6 in ≈15 seconds (varies by mode). Peak “draft” speeds are faster in plain-paper modes. 

• Scanner: flatbed scanner (high resolution suitable for archiving and scanning prints). Manufacturer lists high scan resolution capability in spec sheet.

• Tank ink yields (Epson figures / ISO): replacement bottles yield roughly 6,700 mono pages and 6,200 color pages (ISO patterns); photo-black and gray yields are specified separately by Epson. Actual yields depend on content and settings. 

• Media handling: front and rear feeds for different media including cardstock and media up to ~1.3 mm thick, borderless up to letter/A4, and printable CD/DVD (on some regional SKUs or with tray). 

• Connectivity: USB 3.0, Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet (10/100), and memory card slot.

(When purchasing, confirm your regional SKU and included accessories — some resellers bundle extra UI languages, media trays or extended warranties.)

Real-world performance: speed, quality and reliability

Print quality

The ET-8500’s 6-ink layout (including Photo Black and Gray plus a pigment black) gives it a clear advantage for photographic and tonal work compared with 4-color or tri-color EcoTank models. Reviews and lab tests show the printer reproduces detailed photos, smooth skin tones and subtle shadow detail — especially when using Epson’s recommended photo paper and driver color profiles. For marketing materials and small runs of photo prints, the ET-8500 provides excellent, lab-quality results. 

Speed and throughput

Epson’s quoted 4×6 prints in roughly 15 seconds is a realistic metric for high-quality photo mode; plain-paper text and graphics print much faster. For office use, ISO print speeds (16 ppm mono / 12 ppm color) are respectable for a photo-capable AIO, though heavy text-only office deployments will achieve better cost/speed with dedicated office printers. For mixed photo and document workloads, the ET-8500 balances quality and throughput well. 

Running costs

The EcoTank model shines in operating cost. Epson’s large 70-mL bottles and claimed yields mean thousands of pages of printing before refill and a much lower cost per page than cartridge printers — an attractive economic case for small offices and marketing teams that print color collateral frequently. Remember yields vary widely by image coverage and use of photo black / gray inks for photo prints. 

Reliability & maintenance

Epson’s modern printheads and the EcoTank delivery system are engineered for long intervals between maintenance. The ET-8500 includes a color touchscreen for easy maintenance tasks and nozzles checks, and power usage is modest in ready/sleep modes per Epson’s specs. As with any photo inkjet, plan for occasional head-clean cycles if the device sits idle for extended periods (that is common for dye-based photo inks). 

Business use cases — where ET-8500 fits best

1. Small marketing teams & in-house creative studios
   Produce posters, brochures, mockups and proof prints at high quality without outsourcing. The ET-8500 speeds iterations and keeps color management in-house for faster campaigns. 

2. Photographers & photo labs (low to mid volume)
   Pros who need A4/letter-wide, high-quality borderless prints and low ink costs can use the ET-8500 for client proofs, workshop prints, or event galleries. For larger fine-art runs or 13×19 prints, consider the ET-8550 sibling (wide-format). 

3. Small businesses producing client materials
   Real-estate agents, photographers, restaurants and retailers can print menus, flyers and photo-based marketing materials affordably and on demand—useful when turnaround time matters. 

4. Office environments that also print photos
   If your office needs both document printing and occasional high-quality photo/marketing prints, ET-8500 removes the need for a separate photo service and reduces per-print cost versus cartridges. 

Pros, cons and buying considerations

Pros

• Excellent photo quality for an EcoTank, thanks to 6-color Claria ET inks. 

• Low running costs due to large refill bottles and high yield. 

• Multifunction convenience (scan/copy) with high-res scanner and touchscreen. 

• Flexible connectivity (Ethernet + Wi-Fi + USB) for office integration. 

Cons / caveats

• Not a wide-format solution — limited to A4/8.5″ width (the ET-8550 supports larger media). If you need 13×19 or poster sizes, look at larger models. 

• Dye-based color inks (most colors) are less water- and fade-resistant than pigment color alternatives—appropriate media and finishes improve longevity but for archival fine-art prints a pigmented workflow might be preferred. 

• Idle-time maintenance — dye inks can require occasional head cleans if the printer is unused for long stretches; plan usage or scheduled test prints. 

Deployment & total cost of ownership (TCO)

When evaluating procurement, include these points:

• Ink costs vs cartridge alternatives: Epson’s published yields and 70 mL bottle pricing usually mean a significantly lower cost per color page — quick payback for medium color volume users. Use Epson’s yield numbers (ISO methodology) to estimate OPEX conservatively.

• Media costs and profiles: For high-quality photos, use recommended Epson photo media and ICC profiles for consistent color — this improves client satisfaction and reduces waste. 

• Maintenance & warranty: Check included warranty and consider extended coverage for business use. Epson offers regional warranty options and third-party service plans for business customers. 

Final verdict

The Epson EcoTank ET-8500 occupies a useful niche: a low-running-cost, high-quality photo and document all-in-one for small businesses, studios, and creative teams who need lab-quality results without the price and ongoing expense of cartridge-based photo printers. It’s not a production poster printer, nor a pigment-only archival press, but for everyday marketing, photography proofs, client prints and hybrid office use it delivers an excellent balance of image quality, connectivity and long-term operating cost savings. If your workflow demands A4 (or letter)-wide borderless photo printing plus competent scanning and document handling, the ET-8500 is strongly worth evaluating. 

Selected references: Epson product page and specification sheet, independent reviews and hands-on tests (Northlight Images, The Gadgeteer), retailer spec summaries.