Epson XP-342 ink cartridges

Features & Benefits

Save space, time, and money with this multifunction Epson XP-342 printer with individual ink cartridges. This Epson printer provides cost-effective and high-quality printing. It uses separate individual Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges so that only the consumed color can be replaced, which offers excellent potential savings. As part of the small-in-one range, it has numerous functions and is also very elegant. It offers a variety of mobile printing options too. The Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges provides both crisp, clear text, and glossy, lab-quality photos. Mobile printing no matter whether from your smartphone, mac, or tablet the I print app can be downloaded to a range of devices for truly wireless printing and scanning. With Epson Connect Email Print, it is possible to print anywhere around the world. Simply send documents and photos via Email directly to the printer and print the photos & text in superior quality. Efficient and inexpensive the XP-342 is a multi-talent, on which you can rely. The creative minds use the Creative Print app in order to print the photos directly from Facebook, create customized greeting cards and templates or photo albums from their own photos.

Wi-Fi Direct adds even more flexibility. It directly prints from compatible wireless devices without the need for a network connection or WLAN-Router. Simply insert a memory card and follow the instructions the menu prompts on the 3.7cm color LCD screen to print the images without the use of a computer. Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges have been developed to work flawlessly with Epson printers to deliver crisp, smudge-proof text and high-quality photographic images. As part of the small-in-one range, it has lots of features and it’s stylish too. Thanks to its slim and compact design, the Epson XP-342 takes up only a little space on the desk and is very friendly to use.

Expert Verdict

The Epson XP-342 is a printer, scanner and copier which has wireless functionality which makes it an excellent addition to the home or office. Whether you print standard documents or color photos, this will perform consistently well when used in conjunction with the Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges. On the front, there is a color screen on which you can preview the images from an inserted SD card or scan new images directly onto the card. The best thing is the installer configures the computer to use the card reader as you can copy files to your PC from an SD card inserted in the printer. Epson's stated speeds are decidedly modest, it prints nine pages per minute (9ppm) in black and 4.5ppm in color.

The fact this Epson machine uses individual Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges means you can make a saving when it comes to buying replacement ink. At low resolutions, scans are swift, with an A4 preview or a scan at 150 dots per inch (dpi) needs just 10 seconds. However, even at middle resolutions things are slower - a 300dpi A4 scan took 28 seconds, while a photo scan at 600dpi needed 35 seconds. A single photocopy in black takes only 14 seconds, but the same job in color takes 34 seconds. The XP-342 has four scan modes, each for a specific role.

So far this Epson Printer XP-342 redeems itself somewhat with good quality results. It is an affordable and efficient printer as it has four individual Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges and it serves the needs of home offices. Black text is bold, clear and crisp, while color graphics are strong, aside from an amount of bleed-through on thin paper sheets. Scan quality is very high, with accurate colors and clear text with this Epson printer.

Review

The Epson XP-342 is a multi-function printer that can print, scan and copy. It is ideal for use in a small office. The printer comes with a Print app and printing can be done from any by using a smartphone, tablet or other compatible device. Epson Email Print allows the users to email photos and documents for printing from anywhere. The bundled Creative Print app lets the user to print directly via Facebook.

The Epson XP-342 weighs 4.3 kg and measures 15.3 x 11.8 x 5.7 inches. It is lightweight, compact and small in size and can be placed where there is limited space. It prints at the rate of 33 pages per minute in monochrome and 15 pages per minute in colour and has a print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi. Its scanning resolution is 1200 x 2400 dpi is it uses a contact image sensor for clear results.

An LCD screen with a diagonal of 3.7 cm is used to control the functions of the printer. The memory cards compatible with this printer are SD, SDXC and Micro SD.

Advantages:

• Suitable combination of printing, copying and scanning
• Small and compact and occupies limited space in a small home or office
• Saves money because Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges can be replaced separately
• Option for printing wirelessly

Disadvantages:

• The LCD and control panel allow for only a few operations with little fine controls
• The paper feed capability may be too limited
• The printer is oblong shaped

Epson XP 342 Ink Requirements

Ink cartridges for Epson XP-235 are:

Compatible Epson XP 342 Black ink 29XL Cartridge

Epson 29XL Ink Cartridge also known as the T2991 Black with a print capacity of 470 Pages.

Compatible Epson XP 342 Cyan ink 29XL Cartridge

Epson 29XL Ink Cartridge also known as the T2992 Cyan with a print capacity of 450 Pages.

Compatible Epson XP 342 Magenta ink 29XL Cartridge

Epson 29XL Ink Cartridge also known as the T2993 Magenta with a print capacity of 450 Pages.

Compatible Epson XP 342 Yellow ink 29XL Cartridge

Epson 29XL Ink Cartridge also known as the T2994 Yellow with a print capacity of 450 Pages.

Conclusion:

The Epson XP-342 printer can print, scan and copy and is ideal for use in a small office. It saves money as Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges can be replaced separately. It has options for wireless connectivity and is compatible with a wide range of memory cards. But the problem with the printer is that it has a limited paper feed capacity.

How to replace ink inside the ink tubes of Epson XP-342 printer?

If your printer is not used since a long time or on regular basis and you notice banding or missing colours in the printouts, then the problem is probably with the Epson XP-342 ink cartridges that need to be replaced. The Power Ink Flushing utility allows you to replace all of the ink inside the cartridges. Follow the steps below to replace the ink:

Replacing Ink using Windows

• Access the printer driver window
• Click on the Power Ink flushing on the maintenance tab
• Follow the on screen instructions

Replacing Ink using-Mac OS X

• Select System Preferences from the main menu and then select printers & scanners. Select the Printer
• Click on Options & Supplies followed by selecting utility option. Now select and open printer utility
• Click on Power Ink Flushing
• Follow the on screen instructions

Precautions to be taken while replacing the ink:

• The Power Ink Flushing consumes a lot of ink so before using this feature make sure that Epson XP-342 ink cartridges have sufficient ink levels. You can check the ink levels in all of the printer’s tank visually. If any of the Epson XP 342 ink cartridges are not filled up to the lower line, fill them up to the upper line on the ink cartridge. Continued the use of printer when the ink level is below the lower line of the tanks could damage the printer.
• This feature affects the service life of the Ink pad. Ink pad reaches its capacity earlier by running this feature. Contact authorized service person to request replacement before the end of ts service life. It is not user serviceable part
• After using Power Ink Flushing turn off the printer for 12 hours to improve the print quality. This feature cannot be used again within 12 hours of last use

Q. What happens when the printer exceeds the printable duration in the Black Print Mode without replacing the expended cartridge?
A. When the Epson printer exceeds the temporary printable period, it indicates ‘Replace Cartridge’ and stops printing, Epson strongly recommends replacing the cartridge with Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges as soon as possible.

Q. I am thinking of buying Epson XP-342 Ink cartridges from your website, but I've no idea how I would replace the existing ones. Please suggest how can I change the ink cartridges in my printer?
A. Ensure you have the replacement cartridges handy before you begin. You must install new Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges immediately after removing the old ones. To avoid the print head nozzles drying out, keep the old cartridges in the printer until you are ready to replace them. Do not open Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges packages until you are ready to install the ink. Follow the instructions to change the ink cartridges:

• Click Print from the application's File menu and then click Properties/Printing Preferences.
• Click the Maintenance/Utility tab in the Epson preferences box.
• If you need to replace an ink cartridge with new Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges before it is low or expended, click on the Ink Cartridge Replacement button on the Maintenance/Utility tab.

Q. Why does the Epson printer display the message out of ink even if the ink is full?
A. The Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges may not have been installed using the correct procedure or they may not be fixed correctly. Press the home button, select Setup > Maintenance > Ink Cartridge(s) Replacement > Proceed, and then press the start button if the ink exhausted notification does not appear on the screen.

Q. Why does the scanner take so long to scan?
A. If scanning with the Epson Scan software takes a long time, it is recommended to check the firewall or antivirus software, since they can be the source of slow or inaccurate scans. Follow the following steps to check in the Windows Firewall:

• Open Windows Firewall.
• For Windows 8 & Windows 10, in the Windows Firewall dialog, click the Exceptions tab.
• Click the Add Program or Allow another app button.
• Select Epson Scan from the list of applications and click the OK button.

Q. Do I have to replace all ink cartridges with an Epson printer at the same time?
A. The printer cartridges can be replaced as and when needed. If one cartridge is running low, you do not have to replace the other colors at the same time but you need to have all of the printer cartridges installed in the printer for it to work properly.

Q. Does printer ink dry up if you don't use it?
A. Epson XP-342 Ink Cartridges can dry out if they are sitting idle in the printer for a long period of time. Running a modest print job once a week is the best method to keep an ink cartridge from drying out.

Q. Should I leave my Epson printer on all the time?
A. Keeping the printer on all the time will keep the print heads cleaner. Regularly cleaning and maintaining the printer is essential for printing high-quality documents for a long time.

Q. When I print pictures from emails or social media they are low quality. What should I do to improve the quality of the pictures?
A. Use the original picture when available as email or social media apps compress the size of pictures to save space.

Q. I am unable to print some of my Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or Microsoft PowerPoint documents correctly. What should I do?
A. Sometimes these files are not displayed or printed correctly. If you encounter this issue convert your files to PDF before printing.

Q. Where is the Epson XP-342 printer ideally used?
A. If you want a small and smart inkjet printer, then the Epson XP-342 printer is a good choice. It is stylish, compact and weighs just 4.3 kg. It doesn't take up much valuable desk space. It can perform multiple functions like printing, scanning and copying. This printer is ideal for home use.

Q. Does the Epson XP-342 printer support PC free printing?
A. Yes, this printer supports PC free printing. You can simply slot in a memory card and use the 3.7cm colour LCD screen and helpful menu prompts to print your photos without a PC. You can also use various Mobile and Cloud printing services like Epson Connect, Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.

Q. How can I scan multiple photos at once with the Epson XP-342 printer?
A. You can scan multiple photos at once in Epson Scan 2 when you select Thumbnail from the list at the top of the preview window.

Q. What are the advantages for ordering compatible Epson XP-342 ink cartridges over the original ones?
A. Our compatible Epson XP-342 ink cartridges are much cheaper to purchase compared to the original cartridges. We assure that you will not be making any compromise on quality as these cartridges are rigorously factory tested to the same ISO standard as the original brand ink. There are also environmental benefits of purchasing compatible cartridges as they are made from recycled cartridges that were used previously resulting in very little usage of new materials or components.

Q. I want to buy Epson XP-342 ink cartridges in bulk. What is the best way to store these cartridges?
A. Following are some guidelines for storing Epson XP-342 ink cartridges:

• You should store ink cartridges at normal room temperature and keep them away from direct sunlight.
• Gently wipe over the cartridge opening with a soft moist cloth to remove any dirt or dust from it.
• The cartridges should be stored in an upright position.
• It is recommended that you seal the cartridges in bags, ideally ziplock bags.
• Make sure that cartridges are used before expiry date printed on them.

Q. Do you provide any multi packs of Epson XP-342 ink cartridges?
A. Yes, we have multipacks of Epson XP-342 ink cartridges available. These are more economical than individual packs.

Q. Where is the Epson XP-342 printer ideally used?
A. If you want a small and smart inkjet printer, then the Epson XP-342 printer is a good choice. It is stylish, compact and weighs just 4.3 kg. It doesn't take up much valuable desk space. It can perform multiple functions like printing, scanning and copying. This printer is ideal for home use.

Q. Does the Epson XP-342 printer support PC free printing?
A. Yes, this printer supports PC free printing. You can simply slot in a memory card and use the 3.7cm colour LCD screen and helpful menu prompts to print your photos without a PC. You can also use various Mobile and Cloud printing services like Epson Connect, Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.

Q. How can I scan multiple photos at once with the Epson XP-342 printer?
A. You can scan multiple photos at once in Epson Scan 2 when you select Thumbnail from the list at the top of the preview window.

Q. What are the advantages for ordering compatible Epson XP-342 ink cartridges over the original ones?
A. Our compatible Epson XP-342 ink cartridges are much cheaper to purchase compared to the original cartridges. We assure that you will not be making any compromise on quality as these cartridges are rigorously factory tested to the same ISO standard as the original brand ink. There are also environmental benefits of purchasing compatible cartridges as they are made from recycled cartridges that were used previously resulting in very little usage of new materials or components.

Q. I want to buy Epson XP-342 ink cartridges in bulk. What is the best way to store these cartridges?
A. Following are some guidelines for storing Epson XP-342 ink cartridges:

• You should store ink cartridges at normal room temperature and keep them away from direct sunlight.
• Gently wipe over the cartridge opening with a soft moist cloth to remove any dirt or dust from it.
• The cartridges should be stored in an upright position.
• It is recommended that you seal the cartridges in bags, ideally ziplock bags.
• Make sure that cartridges are used before expiry date printed on them.c

Q. Do you provide any multi packs of Epson XP 342 ink cartridges?
A. Yes, we have multipacks of Epson XP-342 ink cartridges available. These are more economical than individual packs.

Q. What is the page yield offered by Epson XP-342? Is it equal to what the genuine cartridges offer?
A. The page yield offered by each Epson XP-342 ink cartridge is as follows: 1) T2991 Black ink cartridge - 470 pages, 2) T2992 Cyan ink cartridge - 450 pages, 3) T2993 Magenta ink cartridge - 450 pages and 4) T2994 Yellow ink cartridge - 450 pages.

The original Epson black ink cartridges offer an ink volume of 11.3 ml whereas the compatible black ink offered on our website contains over 6 ml of more ink i.e. 17 ml. On the other hand the original colour ink cartridges contain 6.4 ml of ink and the compatible version has 13 ml of ink volume to offer. Considering the ink volumes offered by both the types of ink cartridges, you can clearly understand that the compatible ink cartridges have an increased amount of page yield to offer (based on 5% page coverage).

Q. I use a linux operating system on my PC. So does Epson XP-342 offer linux drivers for installation?
A. Yes. The Epson XP-342 is compatible with linux operating system. You can download and install the linux drivers for your printer directly from the Epson website.

Q. Epson says that the Claria Home inks offered by them can be used individually whenever one of the black or colour cartridges run out. But as the original cartridges are too expensive I am planning to buy the compatible ones. Can I use the compatible Epson XP-342 ink cartridges in a similar way?
A. Certainly. The compatible ink cartridges will work the same way as the genuine ones. You can install a single black or colour cartridge anytime individually without having to replace them altogether. This saves your time as well as the running costs on ink cartridges.

Q. I installed new compatible Epson XP 342 ink cartridges (EPSON 29XL) in my Epson Epson XP-342 yesterday. However, the machine has been constantly showing the message that the cartridges need to be replaced even though they are new. I tried reinstalling them but since it’s not working, I doubt I got it right. Could you tell me how to go about it?
A. Please take the cartridge out of your printer and switch the printer off from the main switch board for about 15 minutes. Turn the printer on, the ink cartridges again and try taking a printout now. If this doesn’t sort out the issue, you may contact the Epson Support for alternative solution.

Q. I recently purchased compatible Epson XP-342 ink cartridges but the printer is not accepting them and I’m unable to take printouts. I did everything I could and am exasperated now. I’m wondering why customers are recommended compatible ink cartridges now.Should I send them back and use original ink cartridges again?
A. No, the issue you are facing has nothing do with choosing compatible ink cartridges; they are in no way inadequate when compared to their original counterpart. You need to identify the reason that is hampering your work. Try reinstalling once again.

Q. Is the quantity of ink available in genuine Epson XP-342 ink cartridges (EPSON 29XL) more than incompatible ink cartridges? Do genuine ink cartridges offer better VFM deal?
A. Not at all. Compatible Epson XP-342 ink cartridges provide the same amount of ink as genuine ink cartridges do. Besides, the fact that compatible cartridges are far less expensive than genuine ink cartridges makes the former a more VFM deal ve4rsion.

Q. I bought a set of genuine Epson XP 342 ink cartridges some months back but could not use them. I believe the ink has started drying. What should I do?
A. If ink cartridges sit in storage for a sizeable length of time, the ink does tend to start drying. If you can confirm whether that’s happened to your ink cartridges also, running an extended cleaning cycle is likely to help. Please read your printer's manual to know how the cleaning cycle can be performed on your machine. After you run the cleaning cycle, take a test page to conclude whether the printer will work properly.

Q. My Epson XP-342 printer has gone offline. The ink in the cartridge is about to get exhausted in it. Is that why the printer is in the offline mode?
A. Yes, printers do go in the offline mode when the ink level becomes very low. Once you install new ink cartridges in your printer, the issue is most likely to be sorted. If it doesn’t, we’ll have to probe it further.

Q. There’s a strip of tape on the print nozzle of my Epson XP-342 ink cartridges that I bought. What am I supposed to do with it?
A. The tape is affixed on the print nozzle of the ink cartridges to prevent ink from leaking out of it, which can happen while being transported or handled at the time of shipping. You need to remove the tape just before you insert the ink cartridges in the printer.

Q. How are compatible Epson XP 342 ink cartridges manufactured? What makes them at par with original ink cartridges and yet cost lesser?
A. The compatible ink cartridges for Epson printers are made with recycled Epson cartridges. Quality wise as well as in terms of performance, Epson’s compatible cartridges are considered good enough in the market as direct replacement for Epson cartridges. No new material is incorporated in making these ink cartridges, so the cost is automatically cut down there.