Epson Expression Photo XP-980 Wireless All-in-One Wide-Format Printer

The Epson Expression Photo XP-980 is a wide-format wireless all-in-one printer designed for home users and hobbyists who want to produce large, detailed photo prints without sending files to a print shop. It handles printing, scanning and copying in one unit, and its standout capability is the ability to print borderless pages all the way up to 11 by 17 inches, a size rarely available in consumer-grade inkjet printers.

The print engine uses a six-color Claria Photo HD ink system at a resolution of 5760 by 1440 dpi. More colors in the ink set means smoother gradients and more accurate skin tones compared with standard four-color setups, because the additional ink shades fill in tonal gaps that a basic set cannot cover. That resolution figure tells you the printer lays down very fine droplets, which matters most when you are printing detailed landscapes, portraits or artwork where edges and textures need to look sharp. Borderless printing is supported across that full 11 by 17 range, so you can produce gallery-style prints without white margins.

Speed is worth noting here. A 4 by 6 borderless photo can come out in as little as 11 seconds, which is genuinely quick for a photo-focused inkjet. Paper handling is also more flexible than many single-tray printers: there are separate trays for plain paper and photo paper, plus a rear specialty feed for thicker or unusual media. That setup means you can leave both paper types loaded and switch between them without physically swapping stock. The 4.3-inch color touchscreen makes navigation comfortable, and the Easy Mode option increases text size and simplifies menus for users who want a more accessible interface. The Epson Smart Panel app and the Creative Print app extend control and creative options to smartphones and tablets, and Wi-Fi Direct allows printing without a router if needed.

A few trade-offs come with this design. The printer is built to work exclusively with Epson genuine cartridges, so third-party ink is not a cost-saving option here. The listing does not specify how many cartridges are included in the box or what the per-page ink cost works out to, so buyers who print frequently should check current cartridge pricing before committing. The listing also does not describe an automatic document feeder, which means multi-page document scanning likely requires placing each page on the flatbed individually.

Verdict: The XP-980 suits anyone who wants large-format photo prints at home and values print quality over low running costs. If you print documents in bulk or need an ADF for multi-page scanning, a different machine may serve you better.

A great fit if you:

• Want to print borderless photos as large as 11 by 17 inches at home without outsourcing to a print lab.
• Print photos regularly and want a six-color ink system that handles gradients and skin tones with greater accuracy than basic four-color printers.
• Need a single device that covers printing, flatbed scanning and copying so you can keep your workspace tidy.
• Prefer wireless convenience and want the option to print directly from a phone or tablet, even without a router available.
• Occasionally work with specialty or thick paper and need a rear feed slot in addition to standard paper trays.

Consider something else if you:

• Print large volumes of documents and want the lowest possible per-page ink cost, since this printer requires genuine Epson cartridges only.
• Need an automatic document feeder for scanning or copying multi-page documents quickly, as the listing does not mention one.

Confirm on the listing:

• Check the current dimensions of the printer body to make sure it fits your desk or shelf, since wide-format printers tend to be larger than standard models.
• Verify which cartridges are included in the box and how many, so you know whether you will need to purchase additional ink before your first print session.
• Confirm compatibility with your operating system, whether Windows or macOS, and check that the Smart Panel app supports your phone's platform if you plan to print from a mobile device.
• Review the current pricing for replacement Claria Photo HD cartridges so you can estimate ongoing ink costs against how often you plan to print.

How to compare your options: For a photo-focused all-in-one, the most important criteria are maximum print size, ink color count and paper handling flexibility. The XP-980 covers all three with 11 by 17 output, a six-color ink system and multiple feed options. If wide-format output is not a priority for you, a smaller all-in-one may cost less to run. If scanning speed for multi-page documents matters, look specifically for models that list an automatic document feeder.

• Load the correct paper type into each tray before you start a print job. Using the dedicated photo paper tray for photo stock and the plain paper tray for everyday documents helps the printer apply the right ink settings automatically.
• Use the rear specialty feed for thicker media such as card stock or unusual paper sizes, since that slot is designed to handle materials that standard trays may not feed cleanly.
• Set up the Epson Smart Panel app on your phone early in the process. The app is designed to simplify initial setup, and having it configured means you can send print jobs or check ink levels from your device without walking to the printer.
• Take advantage of the built-in photo adjustment tools, including red-eye removal and photo restoration, before printing. Correcting an image at the printer level can save you from reprinting a photo that looked off on the first pass.
• If the printer will sit unused for an extended period, consult the included documentation for any recommended steps to keep the ink system in good condition, since inkjet print heads can be sensitive to long idle periods.

Can I print without a Wi-Fi router?
Yes. The printer supports Wi-Fi Direct, which lets a phone, tablet or computer connect to it directly without going through a router.

Does it print borderless photos at all sizes up to 11 by 17?
The listing states borderless printing is supported up to 11 by 17 inches, which includes smaller standard photo sizes like 4 by 6.

Can I use third-party or refilled ink cartridges?
No. The printer is designed to work exclusively with Epson genuine cartridges, and the listing notes that using non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered by the warranty.

Does it include an automatic document feeder for scanning multiple pages?
The listing does not mention an automatic document feeder. It describes a flatbed scanner, so you should confirm multi-page scanning capability directly on the product listing before purchasing.

What apps work with this printer?
Two apps are listed: the Epson Smart Panel app for setup and printer control from a smart device, and the Creative Print mobile app for printing photos and creating cards or stationery.