Epson Expression Photo XP-8500: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 right for you?

The XP-8500 is a six-colour photo all-in-one that adds light cyan and light magenta for smoother skin tones than the five-ink Expression Premiums. It is compact enough for a desk and prints borderless 4x6 photos quickly from its dedicated tray. Six small cartridges mean constant replacements for heavy photo printing, and the dye inks fade faster than pigment prints, so it suits snapshots more than fine-art work.

Best for: Families and hobbyists who print lots of glossy snapshots

Setting up the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500

Use the touchscreen to join 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and install the driver plus Epson Print Layout from epson.com/support for colour-managed prints. Fit 312 (US) or 378 (UK/EU) cartridges in the labelled slots, noting the two light colours. Keep the photo tray loaded and select glossy paper type in the driver.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink cartridges, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Epson's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Epson 312 / 312XL (US)
• Epson 378 / 378XL Squirrel (UK/EU)

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications