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

Wished I had paid more attention to the unfavourable reviews which I had read. My epson printer arrived and I followed the instructions only to find the print head would not move so I could not load the inks and could not use the printer. Went back to the reviews to find this a commom problem. I decided to return the printer and ask for a refund, but in order to do this I was instructed to print the label, but could not do this without a printer. I forwarded instructions on to a neighbour who printed out the labels for me.
I now have a Canon Pixma ,reccomemded by Which magazine. Found it difficult but not impossible to install, and am now very satisfied with it.

There are many mixed feelings about this printer, however, I have installed it without any problems and it works a treat. Do not be put off by any poor reviews this is a decent bit of kit.

I bought this printer solely to print CDs and DVDs. While it does a very good job at this, the running costs are phenomenal. Every time you switch the thing on, it seems to use nearly 5% of the ink cartridge just setting itself up. I actually read a review somewhere recommending never to switch it off! Now the yellow has run out, and it refuses to print even in black, though all other cartridges have some ink left.

Cheap to buy - expensive to run. Definitely NOT recommended.

I've used many different printers over the years, but only ever bought Epson, which should explain my opinion of how good they are. Bought the R285 as replacement for an R220, which has given sterling service over quite a few years, at times being asked to produce documents at near commercial level. The 285 is a worthy replacement; printing quality on all types of media being first class, and faster than the 220. Build quality is if anything not as robust as the 220, and loading the tray for printing onto CD's (you have to lift it from one position to another) is a retrograde step when compared to the simple drop-down system one on the 220. These are however minor issues and easily forgivable.

I have always used Epson printers ever since I parted with a very ancient HP one.. I have owned an Epson: 300, 400, 440, 460, 740, 760, 1160, 1290, R200 and R220 All of which have been vastly overworked and lasted years.

The R285 bought to print full colour high-res photographic posters, A5 and A4 at a rate of 50-100 a day Has been a superb choice. Don't mess with Genuine or compatible Cartridges get a Continuous Ink Suppy System and 3 Litres of ink!!! It will last the average person two years and cost less than £80 for the CISS kit and ink.

Leave the printer on standby if you need to be miserly on the inks but with a CISS there's no need.

Print quality is'nt an issue set the printing to Epson Standard instead of the Vivid (Default) setting and always set the paper type correctly and the days of dark printing on compatible inks are gone.

10 out of 10 for this printer - But read the instructions they are there for a reason!!! If you do - NO PROBLEM.