ZoroPrint drives the Epson EcoTank ET-8500 as an experimental model: the RIP prints to it, but nobody has confirmed its head geometry on a real ET-8500 yet. It runs on Mac, Windows and Linux, with no Epson driver and no dongle. You need a DTF conversion with white in the photo black and grey tanks, a strip of film for the channel test, and a little patience while we confirm the profile.
Why the ET-8500 is still experimental
The ET-8500 is the A4 sibling of the EcoTank ET-8550. The ET-8550 is our best-documented 180-nozzle model: in September 2026 we validated its channel map, geometry, scale and per-channel register on real hardware. The ET-8500 profile copies all of that. It uses the same 180-nozzle head, the same XP-15000 print modes and the same six channels. Only the width changes: 216 mm instead of 329 mm.
What we have not confirmed is that the ET-8500 behaves like its big sibling on film. The channel codes for this family come from public ESC/P2 prints on a real ET-8550. Epson's own Windows driver for these printers speaks ESC/P-R, which is RGB, so it cannot confirm the codes. Only a print on an ET-8500 can.
How an ET-8500 owner can confirm it
- Convert the printer and fill the tanks, following your kit's instructions.
- Load a strip of film and print the channel test from the Printer tab. It is a maintenance print, so it never uses a Free job.
- Take a clear, sharp photo of the film.
- Send us the photo. Owners who do this get a founder seat.
Converting the ET-8500: white in photo black and grey
The ET-8500 has six ink channels: black, cyan, magenta, yellow, photo black and grey. A DTF conversion keeps cyan, magenta, yellow and black where Epson put them. The photo black and grey tanks take the white. Two white channels double the white flow, so the RIP can print colour and white in one pass.
We do not give firmware advice. Check your conversion kit's instructions for the parts, the inks and any step before the first fill. A conversion is done at the owner's risk and ends Epson's warranty.
In the RIP, the ink table for this model lists photo black, grey, magenta, cyan, black and yellow. On a correct conversion, the photo black and grey blocks of the channel test come out white. The other four print in their own colour. The channel test guide explains how to read each block.
Settings to start from
Start from the RIP's defaults. They are a base for the first prints, not a finished ET-8500 profile.
| Setting | Default |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1440 × 720, the everyday setting (720 × 720 and 1440 × 1440 also offered) |
| Ink limits | C 80 %, M 80 %, Y 70 %, K 70 % |
| Total ink limit | 200 % |
| GCR | 60 % |
| White density | 80 % |
| White choke | 0.1 mm, smart choke on |
| Screening | Error diffusion |
| Layer order | Colour first, white on top |
What can go wrong on an ET-8500
- Colour edges out of register. The head offsets come from the L8180 we measured, not from an ET-8500. If this head sits differently, colour and white edges show thin fringes. Tell us, with a photo.
- Wrong colours. A blue, pink or single-colour print means the RIP and the tanks disagree. Print the channel test and use the “Wrong colours?” assistant in the Printer tab.
- Horizontal lines. The banding guide checks the causes in order, starting with a nozzle check on film.
- Weak or patchy white. White settles in the photo black and grey tanks like in any other tank. Follow the white ink care routine.
- Designs that do not fit. The ET-8500 prints at most 216 mm wide. Wider gang sheets need an A3+ printer such as the ET-8550.
Computers, connection and licence
- macOS 13 or later, on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
- Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit, and Linux x64 (.deb or AppImage).
- USB, or the network on raw port 9100 if your printer is on the network. See USB and network.
- No Epson driver for the job and no dongle. The licence lives on your account.
- The Free plan needs internet for every print. Paid plans keep printing up to 30 days offline. See pricing.
Related printers and guides
- Epson EcoTank ET-8550: the A3+ sibling, supported and validated on hardware.
- Epson L8160: the A4 sibling of the L8180, also experimental.
- The channel test and ICC profiles for DTF.
- A daily maintenance routine.
Download ZoroPrint, print the channel test on film and send us the photo.
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- Is the Epson ET-8500 supported?
- Yes, as an experimental model. The RIP prints to it with a profile derived from the ET-8550, but nobody has confirmed it on a real ET-8500 yet.
- Why does the ET-8500 need a channel test if the ET-8550 is validated?
- The ET-8500 profile is copied from the ET-8550, not measured on an ET-8500. Your photo of the channel test is how we confirm the copy is right.
- What happens if my channels are swapped?
- The colours come out wrong, for example blue or pink where you expect neutral tones. Print the channel test and let the “Wrong colours?” assistant fix the mapping.
- Can I use the ET-8500 for orders today?
- You can print with it, but check each job until the channel test and a few test sheets look right. If you need confirmed settings now, the ET-8550 is validated.