Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

Due to space constants I'm not able to have both a multi-function printer and a stand alone photo printer. So, I'm considering the XP-960 all-in-one. This printer appears to have very good ratings based on what I've found on the internet. But, I'd like some first-hand opinions from fellow hogs. It is a 6-cartridge printer.

rleonetti Loc: Portland, Oregon

I have a "Epson Stylus PHOTO 960" printer. I do not think it is made any more, but if what you are describing is the same, it is an EXCELLENT photo printer. Using Epson papers I get prints equal to anything commercially printed at 1440 dpi. The printer actually will do 2880 dpi but I cannot see difference on the letter size prints I make.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

One difference between standard printers and photo printers is the number of color cartridges. Standard printers have four: black, magenta, cyan, and yellow. Photo printers usually have eight (some even ten), in order to reproduce the true colors of nature.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

No wonder my printer gives me such headaches; it has five cartridges.

The Watcher

The XP-960 uses the same Claria, six cart ink set as Epson's very successful R and Artisan series photo printers.

I've compared color and black and white photos, printed on the Epson R280 and the Canon Pixma Pro 100 using the same sheet of Canon glossy paper. Both were outstanding.

One of my main goals was to compare black and white prints from a printer that uses only one black ink, the R280 and a printer that uses three monochrome shades, the Pro 100.

I chose Canon's glossy three paper for the test on both printers so that the paper base would be the same.

I used the glossy ICC profile that come with each printer.

The prints were 5x7 on the same sheet. Both were outstanding and nearly identical.

You often hear about a color tint in photos printed on printers that use one black ink. So far, I've never encountered that problem with Epson Claria inks.

Knock on wood.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I bought the XP 960 recently. It does an outstanding job! I use only Epson inks and paper and the results are just plain beautiful. Everyone who has seen the work, including a couple of professionals I know, has commented on the high quality. Anything over 8.5x11 in size requires the use of the rear feed slot. That requires a couple of inches of space behind the printer and about a foot or so of open space above it. It is a single sheet feed. Not a big deal for me, since I don't print a lot of large stuff. One advantage of the rear feed is that it allows the use of paper that is too stiff to be fed around the roller internally. Just bought some sample papers from Red River. Some of the sheets are linen and canvas texture. Too stiff for internal feed but fine with the rear feed.
The only problems I have had are that when printing on plain white bond paper it will grab multiple sheets. Seems to be common with Epson. I believe there may be an adjustment but since I use a different printer for that I never checked. No problem with photo paper. I also have had a problem getting it to remember the network settings for my wireless network. My other Epson is the same way. I just bought a longer USB cable and hooked it up that way. If you do buy it make sure you understand the print set-up options. The default print quality is "Standard", not "High".
It's a hard printer to beat for the price.

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

FYI I didn't need an all-in-one but purchased an Epson XP-950 from the Epson Refurb store about 6 months ago for $106. I believe the XP-960 is the newer model but essentially the same. I decided on the XP-950 because it fit in the space of my old letter size photo printer and it could print 11" wide prints. The print quality is beyond my expectations. Now I'm using 3rd party ink I bought on Amazon (INKTUKEN - $5.95 - 6 cartridge set, free S&H). I found no noticeable difference from Epson ink between identical print on same Gloss paper. Maybe it wont last 100 years but I don't care.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Don't have the 960 but I do have the xp860. It makes beautiful photo prints. In typical Epson fashion, it nags you every time you change a cartridge. "This is not an approved Epson cartridge and may damage your printer." Similar messages on computer screen and on the led panel. It is a minor annoyance. The only criticism I have is that I have never been able to make the single-sheet feed work. This limits the uses of the printer. To print envelops for example, I have to empty the cassette, reset the guides, put in my envelope, print it, then reset again and put the regular paper back in. And for heavy stock, it is much better to go straight through instead of bending around the roller.

Otherwise it is a good printer. Almost as good as my old Canon.

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

My thanks to all who provided their candid comments. You've made my decision pretty easy.
Tom