Epson Stylus Photo R340 Ink Cartridges

Epson R340 Printer Review

The Epson Stylus Photo R340 is a relatively expensive printer that benefits from having a nice bundle of photo-centric features and a satisfactory output. One area this device suffered is its speed performance, which experts tested to print most slowly for standard monochrome text projects at a maximum of 15 pages per minute. Photos, however, tested to print at moderately quick speeds of only 57 seconds per image. A number of attributes help overshadow this inkjet printer's slower performance and make it a good solution for homes, such as versatile connection options, cost-efficient Epson R340 printer ink and the ability to print lab-quality photos.

With a size of only 8x19x10 inches and a built-in 2.4-inch LCD for previewing photos, the R340's compact build is designed to share a user's desktop. With its LCD display and memory cards slots, the device offers PC-free photo editing and printing from popular CompactFlash and SD cards. Connections also include a port for printing photos directly from PictBridge cameras as well as from USB storage devices.

Although its maximum paper capacity of only 120 pages is small for its price tag, the R340 can handle a wide range of different media types like glossy photo paper, photo stickers, matte paper and even CDs and DVDs. When printing in Best Quality mode and using specialty photo paper, experts tested this device to print sharp and detailed images at 5760x1440 dpi using color Stylus Photo R340 printer ink. Graphics and text documents also performed well against tests by experts, who noted that its output is good enough to support internal business jobs.

The machine uses individual black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta Epson R340 ink cartridges that can be replaced separately to keep running costs low. Each color Stylus Photo R340 ink cartridge can last up to 430 pages and the black supply has a maximum capacity of 630 pages. Due to these low-yielding Epson R340 ink supplies, this unit is best fit to handle light-duty printing.

Since it is more expensive than other models in it class of inkjet photo printers, the R340's slower speeds and limited media handling make it a bit too pricey for what it has to offer. The printer does have a number of connections for photo printing and an on par output, however, making it an adequate solution for home users mostly printing photos and the occasional text project.