The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 meets
the Epson EcoTank ET-8550
Gallery-grade pigment prints on the most reliable paper feed in the class. We tested it head-to-head against the Epson EcoTank ET-8550 ($614) across 6 key dimensions.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310
“Gallery-grade pigment prints on the most reliable paper feed in the class”
Epson EcoTank ET-8550
“Bottled ink and a built-in scanner make this the printer beginners actually use”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310
- Keith Cooper called the paper feed 'absolutely rock solid' on thick fine-art media
- 10BestOnes was 'floored' by the depth of the blacks and color accuracy
- First Man Photography praised the Chroma Optimizer for scratch-resistant gallery-finish glossies
- Lucia Pro II pigments rated for up to 200 years archival lightfastness
- Fotospeed's A/B prints showed deeper blacks and more matte 'punch' than the Epson P700
- 10BestOnes timed A3+ prints at over 4 minutes; Audioviser called it 'slower than dial-up'
- PermaJet calculated ink cost at roughly £14 per ml on the tiny 14.4ml cartridges
- No scanner, no copier, no native roll feed accessory
- Hefty 32-lb chassis needs dedicated desk space with rear clearance for manual feed
Epson EcoTank ET-8550
- Top 5 Picks: a full set of ink bottles runs $60 to $80 and yields thousands of prints
- Built-in scanner with dual paper trays handles office paperwork and 13×19 photos at the same time
- Krystle Cole Art graded the print quality 'B+' against true pigment printers
- Keith Cooper highlighted it as the printer that lets beginners experiment without fear of wasting ink
- Keith Cooper and Krystle Cole Art reported pizza-wheel marks on thick matte papers; Audioviser saw jams above 1.3mm
- Krystle Cole Art warned dye prints fade much faster than pigment in sunlight without glass
- 10BestOnes noted the lack of 'professional pop' against pigment Canons in side-by-side viewing
- Krystle Cole Art described a strong chemical outgassing smell during refilling that needs an open window
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The 17-inch Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 scores higher overall (95.6 vs 89.5) because it leads in Print Quality, Paper Handling, Build, and Brand Reliability, the dimensions reviewers weighted most. We chose the PRO-310 as Best Overall because PermaJet was explicit that the PRO-1100 only makes sense for commercial print sellers or photographers running 20 to 30 prints a month. The PRO-1100 weighs 71 lb, costs $1,400, and demands desk space the PRO-310 doesn't. For the realistic enthusiast buyer this category targets, the PRO-310 is the right printer.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310
The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-310 wins because every serious reviewer in this corpus reached the same conclusion: it produces gallery-grade prints with the most reliable paper feed in the 13-inch class. Keith Cooper called the feed mechanism 'absolutely rock solid,' which matters because thick fine-art papers are exactly where cheaper printers leave pizza-wheel marks. PermaJet confirmed the top and rear manual feeds handle 300gsm cotton media without scuffing.
- You print five to ten gallery pieces a week and want flawless 13×19 pigment output
- Fine-art matte papers are your primary medium and you need a feed that doesn't leave marks
- You're selling or framing prints and need genuine 200-year archival lightfastness
- You're comfortable with custom ICC profiles and dedicated print-only workflow
- Hardware budget around $900 with a high ongoing ink budget acceptable
Epson EcoTank ET-8550
The Epson EcoTank ET-8550 wins value because reviewers across the corpus point to the same outcome: it removes the fear of wasting ink. Top 5 Picks calculated a full set of replacement bottles at $60 to $80, yielding thousands of prints. Keith Cooper made the same point from a different angle, that cheap bottled ink is what gets beginners to actually experiment with paper profiles and color management instead of preserving their cartridges.
- You print regularly and want one machine for both photos and household paperwork
- Glossy and luster papers are your primary output; matte fine-art work isn't a priority
- You're a hobbyist or beginner who wants to learn paper profiles without burning cartridges
- Budget under $700 and you'd rather pay for the printer than the recurring ink bills
- You need the scanner and copier for invoices, school projects, or family paperwork