Table of Contents
The EcoTank system from Epson has been available to consumers for close to a decade at this point. It solved the problem of low-yield cartridges, which resulted in relatively expensive pages, by installing large-capacity ink tanks in the printer that could be replaced one at a time. This allowed each tank’s capacity to be customized according to the printer’s needs. Additionally, the issue of needing to dispose of unused ink in color cartridges that blended all three colors into one was resolved as a result of this solution.
The disadvantage of using EcoTank printers is, of course, that they are more expensive to purchase initially. Additionally, these printers require more frequent use in order to prevent the nozzles from being clogged with dried-out ink. The new Epson ET-18100 is designed with photographers and other creative professionals in mind, namely those who need to print on paper larger than A4 but don’t want their printer to also serve as a workhorse in the office.
Epson EcoTank ET-18100 Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Print Technology | PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology |
| Print Resolution | 4800 x 1200 dpi |
| Print Speed | Up to 25 pages per minute (black/color) |
| Paper Capacity | 550 sheets (standard), 1,300 sheets (max) |
| Ink System | EcoTank Ink Tank System |
| Connectivity | USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Duplex Printing | Yes |
| Display | 4.3-inch color touchscreen |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 20.3″ x 21.5″ x 13.4″ (516 x 547 x 340 mm) |
Print Speed and Quality
We started by printing some floral art then followed it up by printing a few images on A3 paper. The Epson Eco Tank 18100 performed admirably overall, despite a few issues. The vibrant colors and crisp lines on the A4 prints were just as the designer intended. The only issue was that the prints’ backgrounds were a mottled blend of light hues, and the printer performed an uneven job on some of them.
Some of the backgrounds seemed almost completely white in comparison to the original digital file. However, the presentation of this data was drastically altered by selecting a different paper style within the program. The background was nearly white on the incorrect paper type, but when switched to matte presentation paper, the pattern and colors looked much better. You can buy this printer from its official website
Epson EcoTank ET-18100: Performance
Even if speed isn’t your main concern, the ET-18100’s “Standard” mode, which is the default in both the mobile app and the Photo+ desktop software, is incredibly fast. It only takes 30 seconds to print a borderless 6x4in picture, and 1:50 to print a full A3 photo.
If you set it to the highest grade, it takes 60 seconds to print a 6x4in photo and about five minutes to print an A3 size photo, which is faster than other A3 printers we’ve tried.If you need to print A4 papers on plain paper, you’ll get about seven pages per minute at standard quality (an eight-page document took 70 seconds), but if you only need draft quality, you’ll get a lot more done in the same amount of time.
Final Words
The Epson ET-18100 is an odd printer in that it is designed solely for the production of low-cost photographs and does not truly do any other functions. Even if the operating costs of the printer are minimal, it is likely that home users will find the price of the printer to be prohibitive. This is because home users simply will not require the volume of photo printing that the ET-18100 is intended for.
Epson EcoTank ET-18100 review: The good and The bad
The Good
- Great print quality
- Mess-free ink refills
The Bad
- No display
FAQS
Most of the time, you don’t have to worry about running out of ink. Ecotanks are sold with up to “2 years of ink” in the box, according to their advertising. That number is based on the average amount of pages printed each month, and it can change based on how often you print.
Even in barcode mode, Epson’s new EcoTank pigment ink, called DURABrite ET INK, makes pictures that are sharp, clear, and resistant to water. These refill ink bottles are great for everyday printing because they have a high page yield at a low price, and the quality of the prints is not affected.
