What Ink Does the Epson Expression Premium XP-970 Use?

by Last Updated:

Last updated: September 27, 2026. Reviewed by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

Correction: an earlier version of this article listed Epson 410 cartridges. The XP-970 uses Epson 277 / 277XL. Epson 410 cartridges will not fit.

Quick answer: what ink does the Epson Expression Photo XP-970 use?

The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 (sometimes listed as Expression Premium XP-970) uses six Epson 277 Claria Photo HD cartridges: Photo Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Light Cyan, and Light Magenta. High-capacity Epson 277XL (T277XL) cartridges fit the same slots and are the best value. Epson 410 and 312 cartridges do not fit this printer.

Cartridge options at a glance

Cartridge Part number Approx. XL yield*
Epson 277XL Photo Black T277XL120 ~500 pages
Epson 277XL Cyan T277XL220 ~740 pages
Epson 277XL Magenta T277XL320 ~740 pages
Epson 277XL Yellow T277XL420 ~740 pages
Epson 277XL Light Cyan T277XL520 ~740 pages
Epson 277XL Light Magenta T277XL620 ~740 pages

*Approximate ISO yields for 277XL. Standard 277 cartridges hold roughly half as much ink. Photo printing uses far more ink than text pages.

Common questions about Epson Expression Photo XP-970 ink

Does the XP-970 use Epson 410 or 312 ink?

No. Epson 410 fits the XP-530/630/640/830/7100 family, and Epson 312/314 fit the XP-8500/XP-15000 family. The XP-970 uses Epson 277, the same cartridge as the XP-850, XP-860, XP-950, and XP-960.

Why does the XP-970 have light cyan and light magenta?

The two light inks let the printer render skin tones, skies, and soft gradients with less visible dot pattern, which is why the XP-970 is aimed at photo printing. There's no separate text black; the photo black handles both. For better photo results, see How to print photos at home that look like a lab print.

Standard 277 or 277XL: which should I buy?

277XL for almost everyone. XL cartridges hold about twice the ink, so you change cartridges half as often and pay less per photo. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.

Can I replace just one color?

Yes. All six cartridges are individual, so replace only the one that's empty. Light cyan and light magenta often run out at different rates than the standard colors, depending on what you print.

Will the XP-970 print with an empty cartridge?

Generally no. Epson printers stop printing when any cartridge is expended and prompt you to replace it. Keeping a spare of your most-used color avoids downtime.

Are compatible 277XL cartridges safe for the XP-970?

Yes. Quality compatible cartridges print at OEM-level quality, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. One tip: Epson firmware updates have been known to reject some third-party chips, so consider turning off automatic firmware updates. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.

How do I replace the ink in the XP-970?

Turn the printer on and lift the scanner unit. When the carriage stops, squeeze the tab on the empty cartridge and lift it out. Shake the new cartridge gently, remove only the yellow tape, and press it into its slot until it clicks. Close the scanner unit and let the printer charge the ink. Step-by-step: How to install an ink cartridge in an Epson printer.

Why won't the XP-970 recognize a cartridge?

Reseat the cartridge firmly, make sure the yellow tape is fully removed, and wipe the chip with a dry lint-free cloth. Power the printer off for a minute. If it still refuses, see Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.

Why is the XP-970 not printing a color, or printing streaks?

Run a nozzle check from the Maintenance menu, then a head cleaning (up to two or three cycles). Letting the printer rest between cycles often helps. Detailed fixes: Epson printer not printing color: the real fix and Why is my printer printing streaks?.

Can the XP-970 print 11x17?

Yes. The XP-970 prints up to 11 x 17 inches (tabloid), with borderless printing supported on photo paper sizes. See What is borderless printing?.

What does “Service Required” mean on the XP-970?

It usually means the internal waste ink pads are full from cleaning cycles. It isn't an ink problem. Read Epson “Service Required”: waste ink pad full for your options.

XP-970 key facts

  • Type: wireless wide-format photo all-in-one (print, scan, copy)
  • Ink system: 6 individual Epson 277 cartridges (PB, C, M, Y, LC, LM)
  • Max print size: 11 x 17 in.
  • Also uses 277 ink: XP-850, XP-860, XP-950, XP-960
  • Does not use: Epson 410, 312, or 314

Shop XP-970 ink at Castle Ink

Castle Ink compatibles typically cost 50–70% less than Epson retail and are backed by our compatibility guarantee. Estimate your savings with the Printer ink cost calculator.

Official Epson resources

Epson XP-970 Support Page · XP-970 User's Guide (PDF)

Related guides

Buy the Epson Expression Premium XP-970 on Amazon: Epson Expression Premium XP-970 on Amazon

About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.

Need replacement Epson ink cartridges? Shop Epson ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.

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Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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