“I got this printer primarily to print my digital artwork in 11×17 and 13×19 size, as I tend to work with a large layout and determined that it would be much more cost-effective to print my own than send it off blindly to a shop and not know if the color would be right. My style involves rich, vivid colors and dark shadows — which is not the easiest style to print well, as I have learned through the years. I was a bit nervous, as the B8550 is a photograph printer more so than an art printer, and not a “professional” one. Thick art papers meant for pigmented inks were not recommended for this printer, which uses dye ink, so I went with the HP Premium Plus satin photo paper.
When my first art print came out, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The quality is jaw-dropping. Flat, dull black is NOT a problem with this printer thanks to the Photo Black ink cartridge. Skin tones came out great. Subtle highlights and shadows, perfect. It literally looked like the picture on my monitor in this respect. The color isn’t perfect; purples tend to be a little redder in print than they appear onscreen, but this is the only thing that I have noticed. The overall quality is better than anything I’ve gotten from a commercial printing outfit; all of those came out way too dark and way too yellow.
I didn’t notice that the printing seemed especially fast for a 13×19 paper, but for smaller sizes it does seem to run fast. Speed was much less of an issue for me than quality, though.
I got this wide format printer heavily on sale, but even the standard retail price would have been worth it. It’s THAT good.”
I was using the 8250 and wanted larger prints. The b8550 is great.
The prints are perfect. The number of inks seems to make no difference in the excellence of the finished photos. Great price and works like a charm.
This printer puts out sharp, excellent pictures. However, it will break a poor person with all the ink it uses. I have bought and discarded several brands but always come back to HP because of the quality. I just wish I didn’t have to go to the bank every time I need new ink cartridges!!