Epson Stylus Photo R290 Ink Cartridges
Shop ink cartridges for your Epson Stylus Photo R290, which uses the Epson 81N ink cartridges series. A 6-colour photo printer engineered for crisp photography and disc surface printing, highlight tones deplete T1115 Light Cyan and T1116 Light Magenta faster during photo runs. Our 4.8 Google rating reflects a long-standing track record of premium cartridge performance.
Expected Page Output and Replacement Cycles
Page yields for Epson 81N cartridges are calculated using standard ISO/IEC 24711 measurement procedures. Actual output varies depending on image coverage, density settings, and colour balance during photo printing. High-coverage photo printing will consume light shades and primary inks faster than document printing.
| Cartridge Number | Type | Colour | Page Yield | Cost Per Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81N | High Yield | Black | 480 | $0.019 |
| 81N | High Yield | Cyan | 855 | $0.011 |
| 81N | High Yield | Light Cyan | 855 | $0.011 |
| 81N | High Yield | Magenta | 855 | $0.011 |
| 81N | High Yield | Light Magenta | 855 | $0.011 |
| 81N | High Yield | Yellow | 855 | $0.015 |
Cost Per Page = Total Cartridge Price ÷ Page Yield (at 5% coverage). Prices based on Compatible cartridges.
Compatible 81N Ink Options
Using high-grade compatible 81N cartridges offers substantial savings for photo printing without sacrificing vivid colour transitions. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. To understand how third-party cartridges perform against original supplies, read our guide on genuine vs compatible cartridges.
Choosing the Right Cartridge Setup
If you print photos frequently, buying 81N multipacks ensures all six colours are ready when light cyan or light magenta runs low. If you print mainly text documents, replacing individual T1111 Black cartridges as needed keeps costs down. All compatible cartridges are backed by a money back guarantee if they do not work, supported by our returns policy. Free delivery applies on all orders over $99. We dispatch orders fast from warehouses in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Explore our full range of Epson ink cartridges for every model.
Pro Tip for Photo Printing
When ordering 81N ink cartridges for photo printing, always keep spare T1115 Light Cyan and T1116 Light Magenta cartridges on hand. Six-colour photo printers rely heavily on these lighter shades for gradients and mid-tones, causing them to deplete faster than standard CMYK colours during image printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do light cyan and light magenta 81N cartridges deplete faster than standard cyan and magenta?
In 6-colour photo printers like the Stylus Photo R290, light cyan (T1115) and light magenta (T1116) inks are used continuously for printing subtle shading, skin tones, and bright sky gradients. Because these lighter shades cover larger surface areas of a photograph before solid colours are applied, they tend to run out sooner than standard T1112 Cyan or T1113 Magenta.
Can I print in black and white if one of the 81N colour cartridges is empty?
No. Epson photo printers require all six 81N cartridges to contain ink and register as valid before print operations can proceed. This protects the permanent printhead from drawing air into the ink lines, which can cause micro-clogging.
What is the difference between standard T1112 Cyan and T1115 Light Cyan cartridges?
Standard T1112 Cyan contains fully saturated ink used for dark shades, outlines, and solid colour blocks. T1115 Light Cyan contains a lower pigment concentration designed specifically for soft highlights, fine colour transitions, and realistic photo rendering. They fit into distinct physical slots in the printer's printhead assembly and cannot be interchanged.
