SKU:

CS-EP-279-BKXL

Condition:

New Compatible

OEM Part #:

T279XL120-S

Color:

Black

Ink Type:

Dye

Page Yield:

Up to 500 pages (ISO/IEC 24711)

Chip:

New compatible chip (ink-level monitoring)

Warranty:

Lifetime Warranty

Returns:

1-Year Free Returns

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate photo black for the XP-980?

No. The 279 family has a single black — code 120, this cartridge — which serves both documents and photos. If you are used to printers with two blacks, this is not one of them.

How many pages does the T279XL120 print?

Up to 500 pages, Epson's published rating for the genuine cartridge on the ISO/IEC 24711 pattern. The standard-capacity T279120 is rated 240 pages, so the XL more than doubles it.

Which printer does it fit?

Only the Expression Photo XP-980. It does not fit the XP-960 — that printer belongs to the 277 family — nor the XP-970, XP-950, XP-860 or XP-850.

What ink is inside?

Claria Photo HD dye ink, Epson's six-color photo ink line. Black in this family is dye-based, like all six 279 colors.

Does it have a chip?

Yes — a new compatible chip that reports ink levels. This cartridge carries a new compatible chip. If your printer's firmware has been updated, recognition issues can occasionally occur; reseating the cartridge and restarting usually clears a false warning.

My XP-980 says the cartridge is not recognized. What now?

Power the printer off, remove the cartridge, check the chip contacts are clean and dry, reseat it until it clicks, and power back on. If a recent firmware update preceded the message, that is the likely trigger — contact us and we will work through it under the lifetime warranty.

Can I mix this XL black with standard-capacity colors?

Yes. Each slot is independent; XL and standard cartridges mix freely in the same printer. Our colors are XL (740 pages each), but a standard color already in your printer works alongside this black.

How much ink is in it, in millilitres?

We don't publish a figure: Epson's US documentation does not state a millilitre volume for this family, so the Volume field is left blank rather than filled with a reseller's claim. The comparable, verifiable figure is the 500-page ISO yield.

Is it a genuine Epson cartridge?

No — it is a Clever Supplies compatible built to the T279XL120-S specification and labeled compatible on the box and this page. It is not manufactured by Epson.

What does the lifetime warranty cover?

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

Why is black rated 500 but the colors 740?

That is Epson's own rating split for the XL tier (black 500, colors 740 each). The standard tier shows the same shape at a smaller scale: black 240, colors 360 each.

Should I buy the single or a set?

The single if only black is low. If the colors are close behind, the Set of 6 (all XL) or the Set of 13 bulk pack works out cheaper per cartridge — both are linked from this page.