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The last few Epson printers I've covered have been all about the ink-friendly EcoTank design that promises to avoid running out of expensive ink cartridges (seemingly) every time you go to print. I kind of thought it was the new benchmark for Epson.
But for photo printing, it seems cartridges are still the tech to use, with the launch of Epson's Expression Photo XP-980 wireless colour all-in-one wide-format printer.
The XP-980 is built for a different job to Epson's everyday, high-volume printers, aimed at families, hobbyists and crafters who want real, frame-worthy prints without a trip to a photo lab.
It runs a 6-colour Claria Photo HD ink system and can produce borderless prints up to 11 inches by 17 inches (roughly A3+ size) at a resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi.
In plain English, that combination of extra ink colours and high resolution should mean smoother colour gradients and finer detail than a standard 4-colour home printer manages, and Epson claims a borderless photo can be ready in as little as 11 seconds in draft mode on glossy paper.
Alongside the printing, the XP-980 packs in a flatbed scanner and copier, all controlled through a 4.3 inch colour touchscreen with an Easy Mode for anyone who finds gesture navigation fiddly.
Paper handling is more flexible than most all-in-ones too, with separate trays for plain and photo paper plus a rear feed for specialty stock like matte or fine art paper.
Wireless printing works from laptops, desktops, phones and tablets over Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct, and the Epson Smart Panel and Creative Print Mobile apps add basic photo editing and layout tools, so you can crop and adjust an image before it hits the paper.
Epson is pitching the XP-980 at homes that have turned spare rooms into craft spaces (I think it would be a great partner for a home with a Cricut Maker) or classrooms, with vision boards, posters and school projects sitting alongside the usual family photos as likely jobs for it.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ink system | 6-colour Claria Photo HD |
| Max borderless print size | 11" x 17" (approx. A3+) |
| Print resolution | 5760 x 1440 dpi |
| Print speed | Borderless photo in as little as 11 seconds (draft mode, glossy paper) |
| Display | 4.3" colour touchscreen with gesture navigation and Easy Mode |
| Paper handling | Separate plain and photo paper trays, plus rear feed for specialty paper |
| Scanning | Built-in flatbed scanner and copier |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Epson Smart Panel app, Creative Print Mobile app |
Pricing and availability
The Epson Expression Photo XP-980 is available now for an RRP of $399, sold through epson.com.au and Epson stockists nationwide.
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