What Ink Does the Epson Expression Premium XP-820 Use?
Last Updated:The Epson Expression Premium XP-820 uses Epson 277 Claria Photo HD 6-color ink cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Light Cyan, Light Magenta). 277XL high-yield cartridges are also compatible for better cost-per-page.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| T277120 (277 BK) | Black | ~250 pages |
| T277XL120 (277XL BK) | Black (XL) | ~500 pages |
| T277XL220 | Cyan (XL) | ~740 pages |
| T277XL320 | Magenta (XL) | ~740 pages |
| T277XL420 | Yellow (XL) | ~740 pages |
| T277XL520 | Light Cyan (XL) | ~740 pages |
| T277XL620 | Light Magenta (XL) | ~740 pages |
The Epson 277/277XL cartridge family fits the Expression Premium XP-850, XP-860, XP-820 and Expression Photo XP-960 — designed for photo-quality output.
Save on Epson 277XL Ink
Compatible Epson 277XL cartridges work in the XP-820 at a fraction of OEM pricing. Shop Epson 277 cartridges at Castle Ink.
How to Replace Ink in the Epson XP-820
- Power on the printer and lift the scanner unit.
- Wait for the cartridge holder to move to the replacement position.
- Pinch the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it out.
- Unbox the new Epson 277XL cartridge, peel off the yellow tape, and insert it into the matching slot until it clicks.
- Lower the scanner unit and follow the on-screen prompts to charge the ink.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized: Remove and reseat firmly until it clicks.
Streaks or missing colors: Run Setup > Maintenance > Print Head Cleaning.
Yellow tape warning: Confirm the yellow tape was removed.
Photo prints look pale: Be sure the Light Cyan and Light Magenta cartridges are installed and recognized.
Official Epson Resources
Epson XP-820 support · Epson home
Bottom Line
The Epson Expression Premium XP-820 uses Epson 277 (or 277XL) Claria Photo HD 6-color ink. 277XL is the smart pick for photo hobbyists — shop Epson 277 at Castle Ink.
Frequently Asked Questions
277 or 277XL? Both fit; 277XL prints about 2x more pages.
Why six colors? Light Cyan and Light Magenta add smoothness to skin tones and gradients.
Can I mix yields? Yes — any combination works.
Will compatible 277XL cartridges work? Yes — quality compatibles fit the XP-820.
Why isn't my cartridge recognized? Remove and firmly reseat.
— William Elward