SKU:

CS-EP-279-BK

Condition:

New Compatible

OEM Part #:

T279120-S

Color:

Black

Ink Type:

Dye

Page Yield:

Up to 240 pages (ISO/IEC 24711)

Chip:

New compatible chip (ink-level monitoring)

Warranty:

Lifetime Warranty

Returns:

1-Year Free Returns

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "standard capacity" mean for this black?

It is the smaller of the two 279 tiers. Epson rates the standard T279120 at up to 240 pages (ISO/IEC 24711) and the XL T279XL120 at up to 500. Same printer, same slot, same ink family — only the fill differs.

I print photos once a month or so. Is the standard black enough?

For most home photo use, yes. The 240-page rating is measured on Epson's ISO pattern; a burst of photo prints uses more ink per page than documents, but an occasional printer is exactly the use this tier was sized for. If black starts running out mid-project regularly, that is the sign to move to the XL.

Is there a photo black as well as this black?

No. The 279 family runs a single black — this cartridge — for both documents and photos. Printers with a separate photo black belong to other Epson families, not this one.

Which colours complete the set in my printer?

Five: T279220-S cyan, T279320-S magenta, T279420-S yellow, T279520-S light cyan and T279620-S light magenta, all standard capacity at up to 360 pages each. The six standard cartridges together are the full 279 row for the XP-980.

Can I start with standard cartridges and switch some slots to XL later?

Yes — each of the six slots is independent, so a standard black can sit beside XL colours, or the other way round. Most owners upgrade the black first because it empties fastest.

Will the XP-980 show my ink levels with this cartridge?

Yes. It carries a new compatible chip that reports ink levels to the printer, so the on-screen gauges work as they do with a genuine cartridge.

Anything to know about firmware before I install it?

One honest note: this cartridge carries a new compatible chip. If your printer's firmware has been updated, recognition issues can occasionally occur — the XP-980 is a current model whose firmware is written strictly for Epson cartridges. Reseating the cartridge firmly and restarting the printer clears most false warnings.

Is the ink dye or pigment?

Dye. The whole 279 family uses Claria Photo HD dye ink in all six colours, which is what gives this printer its smooth photo gradients — and why there is no pigment black in the family.

What printers does it fit, exactly?

Only the Expression Photo XP-980. It does not fit the XP-960, XP-970, XP-950, XP-860 or XP-850 — those belong to other cartridge families even where the names look close.

How many millilitres of ink are inside?

We do not publish a figure: Epson's US documentation does not state a millilitre volume for the 279 family, so the Volume field is left blank rather than filled with a reseller's claim. The figure you can compare is the 240-page ISO yield.

Is this a genuine Epson cartridge?

No — it is a Clever Supplies compatible built to the T279120-S specification and labelled compatible on the box and on this page. It is not made by Epson.

What protection do I get with it?

Our lifetime warranty: a cartridge that fails to perform — not recognised after troubleshooting, leaking, or printing poorly from new — is replaced. Free returns apply within the first year.