Home > Consumer Reviews > Epson Stylus Photo R285 Printer With Individual Ink Cartridges

I have previously owned the R200 and R220 models, to fulfil my requirement for printing CD's. Both served very well, and were fantastic bits of kit. When my 220 was finally starting to wear out I went to get a replacement, and this was Epson's current model that filled the niche previously occupied by the now obsolete R220 (although there had been the R265 in between).

Initially wasn't keen on the design - it was bigger, boxier and less elegant (though didn't offer any additional functionality for it's increased size). Then, it refused to work claiming there was no yellow ink in, when there clearly was (a second cartridge didn't resolve this). After a trip back to the shop, I got it's replacement to acknowledge the existence of yellow ink. So far so good. I then relaised that to print disks, I had to remove the paper landing tray and refit it to another couple of slots to accomodate disks! The previous version simply allowed the CD tray to be folded up and down. Then we had driver issues, resulting in the printer getting halfway through a colour page and then giving up (wasting a lot of ink). We have a clean cycle that seems a lot longer than the previous version and much higher ink consumption than previous models.

In almost every respect, this printer is inferior to the earlier models - I really don't know what Epson are thinking of in taking this bold step backwards! I could understand new models being created to push the technology and capabilities forward - but if they couldn't do that, they should have continued manufacturing the superior earlier models (I'd have bought them). If it ain't broke - don't fix it. I'm now about ready to take a sledgehammer to this machine (and I suppose given it's cheapness, it wouldn't be too much to pay for the satisfaction of putting it out of my misery), as it's a complete waste of my time and money - I'm now scouring the web for old/used R200 and R220 printers, as Epson do not seem to be able to fill their own boots! Crazy.

Just thought I would add something to the debate here.
My R285 setup like a dream. Accepted inks, drivers and software, and the first prints to come off are really quite excellent!
It is a bit unattractive but I haven't bought it for it's looks!
Time will tell if this has been a good buy but my first impressions are good.
Don't be too put off by the other negative reviews .... mine at least seems to be up to the usual Epson standard.

Excellent - very good borderless A4 colour prints and does it quickly as well.
John

Epson Stylus Photo R285 Printer With Individual Ink Cartridges

Hi again

I have had a Hp Printer before for six years . But this Epson is the best ever I have had.The Installation instructions are clear and easy to red.The printing is suuupppeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!The quality of the cd/dvd printing is 5star++++++++++.The ink is cheap and you get about 100 cd prints out of it.

One more thing,all the spec explained has been delivered by this printer,excellent value for money for a cash starved household.

Buy it and have great fun with your Photos/Prints and Cds/Dvds.

We needed a decent photo printer, and had a restricted budget.
For the money, this printer is astounding - we printed over 70 5x7, 50 6x8 and 20 10x8, and used about £20 in ink. I have no issues with the print quality - it stands comparison with traditional wet processed prints in my view.Also bear in mind that epson Claria inks are far more colourfast that dye based inks. No issues with installation, very straightforward - just follow the instructions. We were up and printing inside 10 mins.
Yes the build is flimsy in places, and is not fantastically quiet, but it delivers where it matters most - print quality.