So what exactly is changed through an [Epson's] Media Type setting?

[The First Picard]

I think it's related to the absorbency of paper and, in some cases like my ET-8550, whether it also uses pigment black in addition to dye inks (in this case, when the media type is set to Velvet Fine Art, as I learned from Keith Cooper's videos).

For the others, though, what exactly changes? The size of ink droplets sprayed by the head (not sure if it can be changed, but in theory it could be)? Or the distance between them? Or the number of droplets spray in a given position? Or something else?

There are quite a few settings even within the same category (eg glossy vs premium glossy vs ultra glossy).

ET-8550 media types:

• Envelope
• Glossy
• Letterhead
• Plain Paper
• Premium Glossy
• Premium Matte
• Premium Semi-Gloss
• Presentation Matte
• Thin paper
• Ultra Glossy
• Ultra Premium Photo Luster
• Velvet Fine Art Paper

Thanks!

 

[Adam2]

I think it's related to the absorbency of paper and, in some cases like my ET-8550, whether it also uses pigment black in addition to dye inks (in this case, when the media type is set to Velvet Fine Art, as I learned from Keith Cooper's videos).

For the others, though, what exactly changes? The size of ink droplets sprayed by the head (not sure if it can be changed, but in theory it could be)? Or the distance between them? Or the number of droplets spray in a given position? Or something else?

There are quite a few settings even within the same category (eg glossy vs premium glossy vs ultra glossy).

ET-8550 media types:

• Envelope
• Glossy
• Letterhead
• Plain Paper
• Premium Glossy
• Premium Matte
• Premium Semi-Gloss
• Presentation Matte
• Thin paper
• Ultra Glossy
• Ultra Premium Photo Luster
• Velvet Fine Art Paper

Thanks!

I can't speak to the particular printer, however media settings usually changes the amount of ink applied, whether it uses PK or MK, gloss optimizer if applicable, drying time, print quality, etc. To my knowledge it does not change rastering, droplet sizes, etc.

 

[John Bowler]

Epson has a media installer tool for high end printers which can create custom media profiles. I have never used it. You can set various mostly physical paper parameters in a custom profile. It looks like custom profiles have to be derived from standard profiles for a range of paper types. I suspect things like droplet size and patters and ink deposition limits can only be inherited from a standard profile.

The answer to your question depends on the printer. I would restrict your question to the printer you have got.

For the ET-8550 the media type setting controls:

Allowable paper sources
Available color options
Available quality settings
Available duplexing options
which of 5 platen gaps
How BK ink is used
The ICM profile used if ICM color correction is used

In combination with the quality setting it has to affect droplet size, print resolution, ink deposition limits, and possibly dot patterns.

Available media types vary with region or country. In the UK under windows there is no lustre type although the driver installs a Premium Lustre ICC profile. There is no Ultra Premium Lustre type or ICC profile. Also there is just Epson Matte no Premium or Presentation Matte. There is an Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet type which you didn't list.

I am of the opinion all the gloss and semi/lustre media types are effectively identical except Ultra Glossy which has a Best quality option. I would be interested if anyone can prove otherwise.

If you have more than one Matte option I suspect they will be the same. VFA is different having a single (slow) quality option and using some BK ink.