Epson EP-306 Review: Compact Six-Color Photo Printer

Epson EP-306 Review: Compact Six-Color Photo Printer for Serious Creators

When it comes to producing high-quality prints, Epson has long been a trusted name among photographers, designers, and creative professionals. The Epson EP-306 is a compact yet powerful photo printer that aims to deliver superior color accuracy, detail, and performance—without taking up too much space on your desk.

This review explores everything you need to know about the Epson EP-306: its design, features, print performance, connectivity, ink system, pros and cons, and how it stacks up against similar models in Epson’s lineup.

1. Overview

The Epson EP-306 belongs to Epson’s range of six-color inkjet photo printers designed for users who demand high-quality photo printing at home or in small studios. It’s particularly aimed at photography enthusiasts and professionals who need gallery-grade prints without investing in large-format printers.

Released primarily for the Japanese domestic market, the EP-306 is similar in design and function to the Epson Expression Photo XP-860 series sold internationally. It supports borderless printing up to A3 size, and its six-color Claria Photo ink system produces vivid, true-to-life images with smooth gradations and deep blacks.

Despite being a single-function printer (no scanning or copying), the EP-306 delivers premium print quality, compact dimensions, and a quiet operation—making it a solid choice for those who care most about photo output.

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2. Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Epson EP-306 strikes a balance between simplicity and elegance. Measuring approximately 479 × 356 × 148 mm, it’s surprisingly compact for a printer that handles A3 paper sizes. This design makes it ideal for home offices, studios, or tight workspaces where desk space is at a premium.

The build quality feels robust, with a matte plastic finish that resists fingerprints. The front panel is minimalistic, with a straightforward button layout and a small LCD display for easy operation. Paper input and output trays are conveniently located at the front, which helps reduce the printer’s overall footprint when printing larger formats.

The top-loading rear paper feed is designed for specialty media such as glossy photo paper or fine art paper, while the front cassette can hold standard sheets. The printer’s clean lines and unobtrusive profile make it look professional in any setting.

3. Key Features

Here are some of the standout features that define the Epson EP-306:

a. Six-Color Claria Photo Ink System

The printer uses six individual dye-based ink cartridges—cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan, and light magenta—to deliver a wider color gamut than traditional four-color systems. This setup ensures smoother tonal transitions, richer skin tones, and sharper details, especially in photographs and art prints.

b. Borderless Printing up to A3 Size

Unlike many compact printers that limit you to A4, the EP-306 supports borderless printing up to A3 (11.7 × 16.5 inches). This makes it an excellent option for photographers who need to produce exhibition-quality prints or creative professionals preparing marketing materials or design proofs.

c. Dual Paper Feeds

The dual paper feeding system allows users to keep two different types of paper loaded simultaneously—one for photo media and another for standard documents—saving time when switching between projects.

d. High Resolution Printing

With a print resolution of up to 5760 × 1440 dpi, the EP-306 can reproduce fine details with precision. This resolution ensures that gradients, shadows, and highlights appear naturally, without visible banding.

e. Wireless and USB Connectivity

The EP-306 supports both USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity, giving users flexible printing options. You can print directly from your computer, smartphone, or tablet using Epson’s iPrint or Email Print services. This makes it easy to print your favorite shots without needing to transfer files manually.

f. CD/DVD Printing Capability

For those who produce multimedia projects, the EP-306 includes a CD/DVD tray that allows you to print labels directly onto disc surfaces—great for photographers, videographers, or musicians who distribute physical media.

g. Quiet Printing Mode

Epson has designed this model with a quiet mode, reducing operational noise. This feature is ideal for home or studio environments where low noise levels are appreciated.

4. Print Performance

The real strength of the Epson EP-306 lies in its print performance. Whether you’re printing glossy photos, fine art reproductions, or promotional materials, this printer delivers exceptional results.

a. Photo Quality

Using Claria Photo inks, the EP-306 produces vibrant colors with excellent contrast and fine detail. Black-and-white prints also stand out for their depth and neutrality, with minimal color casts.

On glossy media, images appear rich and lifelike, while matte and semi-gloss papers maintain impressive sharpness and tonal balance. Skin tones are especially natural—a crucial aspect for portrait photographers.

b. Speed

In terms of speed, the EP-306 is reasonably efficient for a photo printer. A standard 4×6-inch borderless print takes roughly 20 seconds in high-quality mode, while larger A3 prints can take a couple of minutes depending on settings. Though not the fastest, the results are consistently worth the wait.

c. Text and Document Printing

While primarily designed for photo output, the EP-306 also performs respectably when printing documents. Text appears sharp and legible, though not as bold as on pigment-based ink printers. For everyday documents or graphics-heavy reports, it’s perfectly sufficient.

5. Ink System and Running Costs

The EP-306 uses six separate ink cartridges (Epson 80 or 80L series), meaning you only replace the color that runs out—helping to reduce waste and long-term costs.

However, being a dye-ink printer, the ink can be relatively expensive if you print frequently. A full set of genuine Epson cartridges can be pricey, though third-party alternatives and refillable options exist. Users who prioritize color accuracy and longevity should stick with original Claria Photo inks, as they provide fade resistance up to 300 years when stored properly in albums.

For heavy photo users, Epson’s EcoTank series may offer better running costs, but for color accuracy and output quality, the EP-306 remains competitive.

6. Connectivity and Software

Setting up the Epson EP-306 is straightforward. It connects via Wi-Fi, USB, or wired LAN, and the setup process is guided through Epson’s software suite.

Epson provides several useful tools:

• Epson Easy Photo Print – for layout and borderless photo printing

• Epson iPrint (mobile app) – to print directly from iOS or Android devices

• Epson Creative Print – allows printing from social media, creating photo collages, or personalized calendars

• Epson Print CD – for designing and printing directly on CDs or DVDs

These applications make it easy to get creative with your printing projects, whether for personal or professional use.

7. Compatibility

The printer works seamlessly with Windows and macOS, and drivers are available in English and Japanese depending on the region. While primarily marketed in Japan, it can function perfectly well internationally, provided you install the correct drivers from Epson’s support site.

It supports major photo editing and management software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, enabling a smooth workflow for photographers.

8. Pros and Cons

Pros

• Superb six-color Claria ink system for vibrant, accurate prints

• Supports borderless printing up to A3 size

• Compact design for an A3 photo printer

• Quiet and reliable operation

• Dual paper feed for convenience

• CD/DVD direct printing support

• Excellent wireless and USB connectivity

• Fade-resistant, long-lasting photo quality

Cons

• No scanning or copying functions (print-only)

• Ink costs can be high for frequent users

• No touchscreen interface

• Slightly slower photo printing speed compared to newer models

• Limited availability outside Japan

9. Ideal Use Cases

The Epson EP-306 is perfect for users who prioritize print quality over multifunctionality. Its primary audience includes:

• Photographers who want to produce high-quality prints for exhibitions or clients

• Designers needing color-accurate proofs for projects

• Home users who frequently print photos or creative artwork

• Artists and illustrators producing prints of digital artwork

It’s less suitable for those who need scanning, faxing, or high-volume document printing—other Epson models like the Epson EP-976A3 or Epson L8180 would be better fits for that purpose.

10. Comparison with Similar Models

When compared to other Epson models:

• The Epson EP-806A adds scanning and copying but retains similar photo quality.

• The Epson EP-10VA offers an upgraded pigment-ink system for professional photo output, but at a higher price.

• The Epson L805 (EcoTank model) offers much lower running costs but lacks A3 support.

If your focus is affordable, high-quality A3 photo printing, the EP-306 strikes an ideal balance between performance, size, and cost.

11. Maintenance and Reliability

Epson printers are known for their reliability, and the EP-306 is no exception. Routine maintenance tasks such as printhead cleaning, nozzle checks, and alignment are easily accessible from the software interface.

Because it uses dye-based inks, the printhead should remain clog-free if used regularly. For best results, it’s recommended to print at least once a week to keep the nozzles clear. Epson’s maintenance tanks and parts are user-replaceable, ensuring long-term usability.

12. Final Verdict

The Epson EP-306 is a beautifully designed, high-performance printer that focuses squarely on what matters most: outstanding photo quality. Its six-color Claria ink system produces images rich in detail and tone, making it a reliable tool for photographers and creative professionals.

While it lacks multifunction features and its inks can be costly, the EP-306 delivers where it counts—precision, color accuracy, and A3-sized flexibility. For users who value professional-grade printing in a compact form, this model stands out as one of the most capable photo printers in its class.

Bottom Line

If you’re serious about photo printing but don’t need scanning or copying, the Epson EP-306 is an excellent investment. It combines professional results, user-friendly operation, and sleek design—all at a price point that’s reasonable for its capabilities.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Best for: Photographers, designers, and creative professionals who demand premium A3 photo prints in a compact printer.