Beyond the Basics: Solving ET-8550 Black & White Printing Issues

Is your Epson ET-8550 crushing shadow detail in Black & White prints? In this deep-dive walkthrough, I move beyond basic settings to show you how to achieve professional-grade monochrome results. The technique also applies to optimising prints made with the Epson ABW B&W print mode. Achieving truly professional black and white prints on the Epson ET-8550 [and et-8500] requires more than just standard settings. In this technical deep dive, Keith Cooper explores how to maximise B&W performance using custom ICC printer profiles and precise Photoshop adjustments. Getting the best from Keith's highest quality ICC profiles. Using detailed test images and spectrophotometer data, we look at the 'why' and 'how' behind neutral monochrome printing. Keith shares his findings on shadow compression (crunching), the impact of optical brighteners (OBA), and how to use custom Photoshop curves/levels to 'uncrunch' your blacks for ultimate detail. What’s covered in this session: The benefits of using 16-bit images for precision curve adjustments. How to identify and fix 'crunched' shadow detail in your prints. Technical analysis of Dmax, linearity, and the impact of the VFA (Velvet Fine Art) media setting. Why ICC profiles can be the key to professional neutrality on the ET-8550. How Epson Archival Matte paper can give excellent B&W prints Making the best black and white prints on the Epson ET-8550. How profiles differ and optimising your images for the best B&W prints.Tested using Epson archival matte paper and high quality ICC Profiles. Fine tuning your B&W print setup for linearity and neutrality, with a special test image Resources: Get my custom ICC profiles for the ET-8550: https://www.northlight-images.co.uk/k... Black and white test image https://www.northlight-images.co.uk/t... My full Epson ET-8550 Review: https://www.northlight-images.co.uk/e... Includes all my 8550 videos. 00:00 Introduction: Making Great B&W Prints on the ET-8550 02:12 Printing Setup: Epson Print Layout vs. Photoshop 04:20 Analysing Gamut Volume and Profile Versions 07:50 Why Use the Velvet Fine Art (VFA) Media Setting? 09:30 Measuring Results: Optical Brighteners and UV Data 11:45 The Dmax Trap: Why the Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story 13:30 Technical Graphs: Analysing Linearity and Tint Drift 17:15 Identifying Shadow Compression (Shadow Crunching) 19:10 Using the B&W Test Image to Diagnose Your Printing 22:00 The Fix: Applying Photoshop Curves and Levels Adjustments 27:02 Real-Life Testing: The tree photo - darkness and print size 27:44 How my curve changes the image before printing 29:25 Contrast Challenges: Printing Industrial and Low-Key Scenes 31:25 How much adjustment should you do - an example 33:45 Final Verdict: Is it Worth the Technical Effort? #epsonprinter #et8550 #epsonecotank #iccprofile #monochrome For a full categorised index of all my videos, see: https://www.northlight-images.co.uk/k... ----------------- If you'd like to make a small donation, I have a Kofi page: "Buy me a coffee" https://ko-fi.com/keithcooper ----------------- My articles and videos are always free to access. Any help with running this channel is gratefully received. ----------------- I also have some affiliate links which earn me a commission if used. US Amazon photo/print gear: https://amzn.to/3l9vJC6 B&H Photo: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/?BI=2008... Adorama: https://www.adorama.com/?utm_source=r...