Epson 875DC User Manual

Printer Basics

Printed on recycled paper with at least 15% post-consumer content.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. The information contained herein is designed only for use with this EPSON printer. EPSON is not responsible for any use of this information as applied to other printers.

Neither SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the U.S.) failure to strictly comply with SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION’s operating and maintenance instructions.

SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION shall not be liable for any damages or problems arising from the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated as Original EPSON Products or EPSON Approved Products by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.

Trademarks

EPSON and EPSON Stylus are registered trademarks of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.

Micro Piezo and PhotoEnhance are trademarks of Epson America, Inc.

General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. EPSON disclaims any and all rights in those marks.

The E

NERGY STAR

emblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any product or service.

CPD-9809

WELCOME! 1

About Your Software

About Your Documentation

Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips

Windows System Requirements

Macintosh System Requirements

ENERGY STAR Compliance

Important Safety Instructions

Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions

VIEWING YOUR ELECTRONIC PRINTER MANUAL 9

Accessing Your Electronic Printer Manual

Navigating Your Electronic Printer Manual

PRINTING FROM START TO FINISH 13

Printing with Windows

Loading Paper

Opening the Printer Software

14 14 15

2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7

Selecting Printer Software Settings

Controlling Printing

Printing on a Macintosh

Loading Paper

Opening the Printer Software

Selecting Printer Software Settings

Controlling Printing

16 18 19 19 20 21 22

iii

Using PhotoEnhance,™ Custom, and Advanced Settings 23

Using PhotoEnhance 23 Using Custom Settings 24 Using Advanced Settings 24

Using Advanced Color Management 25

Printing CMYK Format Files 25 Using Color Management Profiles 25

Using Special Papers 26

EPSON Premium Glossy Photo Paper 26 EPSON Photo Paper 30 Matte Paper - Heavyweight 33

Envelopes 33 Selecting Your Paper Type 34 Taking Care of Your Photographs 35

WORKING WITH YOUR MEMORY CARD 37

Inserting and Removing Your Card 38

Inserting a Memory Card 38

Removing a Memory Card 40

If You Don’t Want to Start Image Expert Automatically. . . 41 Using Image Expert with Your Card 42

Viewing Photos on Your Memory Card 42

What to Do If You See an Error Message 44

Copying Photos to Your Computer 45

Printing Photos on 4-Inch Wide Roll Paper 47

Printing Photos on 4 x 6-Inch Photo Paper 50 Using Adobe PhotoDeluxe with Your Memory Card 53 Uploading Photos to Your Memory Card 55

MAINTAINING YOUR PRINTER 59

Cleaning the Print Head 59

Using the Head Cleaning Utility 60

Using the Control Panel to Clean the Print Head 61

Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern 62 Replacing an Ink Cartridge 63

Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges 64 Aligning the Print Head 66 Cleaning the Printer 67 Transporting the Printer 68

PROBLEM SOLVING 69

Diagnosing Printer Problems 69

Checking the Control Panel Lights 69

Running a Printer Check 71 Identifying Printer Parts 72 Problems and Solutions 73

Problems Setting Up the Printer or Installing Software 73

Problems with Printing 74

Problems Getting Good Print Quality 75

Problems with the Memory Card 78

Problems with Paper Feeding 80

Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems 81 Uninstalling Printer Software 82

Uninstalling Windows 98 Software 82

Uninstalling Windows 2000 Software 83

Uninstalling Macintosh Software 84

Reinstalling Printer Software 85

Where To Get Help 86

EPSON Technical Support 86

EPSON Accessories 87

Bonus Photo Software Technical Support 87

INDEX 89

Welcome!

The EPSON Stylus®

Photo 875DC makes it quick and easy to go from digital image capture to brilliant digital image printing. Instead of connecting your digital camera to your computer, just insert your PCMCIA memory card into the printer’s built-in card reader—your bonus photo software starts automatically and lets you view the images on your card. And your digital card reader is compatible with virtually any PCMCIA memory card that comes with an adapter.

Whether you get your photos with a digital camera, scanner, or digital photo processing service, or download them off the World Wide Web, you’ll get real photo lab results. Using EPSON’s specially formulated inks and lightfast Premium Glossy Photo or Matte Heavyweight paper, you can cherish your digital photographs for years to come, just like your traditionally printed photos.

Here’s what you get:

■ Resolutions up to 1440 by 720 dpi (dots per inch), even on plain paper

■ Six-color printing for PRQ

(photo reproduction quality) color and incredibly

smooth gradations

■ Exclusive print technology to print continuous edge-to-edge 4 × 6-inch photos

(plus a roll paper holder kit with a roll of 4-inch Premium Glossy Photo Paper to get you started)

■ EPSON’s exclusive Micro Piezo

™

ink jet technology for virtually invisible dots as

small as 4 picoliters

■ Fast photo print speeds: approximately 48 seconds for a 4 × 6-inch photo, or one

minute and 50 seconds for an 8 × 10-inch photo in

■ Great results on a variety of paper sizes, from 3.5 × 3.5-inch up to 8.5 × 44-inch—

Fine

mode

including letter, legal, envelope, card, and panoramic

■ Specially designed print engine for whisper-quiet operation

About Your Software

The printer software CD-ROM includes all the software you need for printing:

■ Your printer driver runs your printer and lets you control how your documents

look. You can’t use your printer without it.

■ Your electronic Reference Guide gives you complete information about your

printer. (You need an HTML browser—such as Microsoft® Internet Explorer or Netscape® Navigator,® version 3.0 or later—to view the guide.)

■ Your bonus photo software:

Sierra Imaging Image Expert and Macintosh)

View, organize, edit, and print pictures with ease.

Adobe® PhotoDeluxe® (version 3.1 for Windows® or version 2.0 for Macintosh

Easily bring photos into your computer, organize them in albums, and make repairs and improvements—then share them with friends via the World Wide Web.

It’s a good idea to check EPSON’s support web site periodically for possible updates to your printer driver. Visit http://support.epson.com and check the section for your product to see if there is a new driver available, free of charge, for downloading to your computer. Download instructions are posted for your convenience.

™

(version 1.8.3 for Windows

)

About Your Documentation

To set up your printer and install its software, see the Start Here poster. This book contains system requirements, important safety information, and instructions on:

■ viewing your electronic printer manual

■ printing with Windows or on a Macintosh

■ using special papers

■ using your memory card

■ maintaining the printer

■ solving basic problems

For more details about printing with, maintaining, or troubleshooting your printer, see your electronic Reference Guide. For instructions on viewing it, see page 9.

Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips

Please follow these guidelines:

Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.

Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.

Notes contain important information about your printer.

Tips contain additional hints for better printing.

Windows System Requirements

To use your printer and its software, your system should have:

■ A Microsoft Windows

compatible PC with a Pentium® processor (200 MHz or

faster recommended)

■ Windows 98 or Windows 2000

■ 64MB of RAM (128MB or more recommended)

■ 100MB of free hard disk space (200MB or more recommended)

■ CD-ROM or DVD drive for installing the printer software

■ SVGA or better display adapter and monitor

■ A Windows-compliant USB port and a shielded USB “AB” cable up to 9.8 feet

(3 meters) long.

Using an improperly shielded USB cable—especially a cable more than 9.8 feet (3 meters) long—may cause the printer to malfunction.

Macintosh System Requirements

To use your printer and its software, your system should have:

■ An Apple

USB port

■ Mac OS 8.5 or later

■ 64MB of available RAM (128MB recommended)

■ 150MB of free hard disk space (200MB recommended)

■ CD-ROM or DVD drive for installing the printer software

■ SVGA or better display adapter and monitor

iMac™ series computer or Power Macintosh®

If you have an iMac and you’re running OS 8.5 or 8.5.1, Apple recommends that you install iMac Update 1.1.

Download the update for your system from Apple at http://asu.info.apple.com. Contact Apple if you have problems installing the update.

To find out which operating system your iMac is running, select About This Computer from the Apple menu.

G3 or G4 with

■ A shielded USB “AB” cable up to 9.8 feet (3 meters) long.

Using an improperly shielded USB cable—especially a cable more than 9.8 feet (3 meters) long—may cause the printer to malfunction.

NERGY STAR

Compliance

As an E

NERGY STAR

this product meets the E efficiency. The EPA E

Partner, EPSON has determined that

NERGY STAR

guidelines for energy

office equipment program is a voluntary partnership with the computer and office equipment industry to promote the introduction of energy-efficient personal computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, and copiers in an effort to reduce air pollution caused by power generation.

Important Safety Instructions

Before using your printer, read the following safety instructions to make sure you use the printer safely and effectively:

■ Be sure to follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer.

■ Do not place the printer on an unstable surface or near a radiator or heating vent

or in direct sunlight.

■ Use only the type of power source indicated on the printer’s label.

■ Connect all equipment to properly grounded power outlets. Avoid using outlets

on the same circuit as photocopiers or air control systems that regularly switch on and off.

■ Place the printer near a wall outlet where the plug can be easily unplugged.

Placez l’imprimante près d’une prise de contacte où la fiche peut être débranchée facilement.

■ Do not let the power cord become damaged or frayed.

■ If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure the total ampere rating of

the devices plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the cord’s ampere rating. Also, make sure the total ampere rating of all devices plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the wall outlet’s ampere rating.

■ Turn off and unplug the printer before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth only.

Do not spill liquid on the printer.

Always turn the printer off using the off the power strip or unplug the printer until the

■ Do not block or cover the openings in the printer’s case or insert objects through

Ppower button. Don’t switch

Ppower light is off.

the slots.

■ Except as specifically explained in this manual, do not attempt to service the

printer yourself.

■ Unplug the printer and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the

following conditions:

If the power cord or plug is damaged; if liquid has entered the printer; if the printer has been dropped or the case damaged; if the printer does not operate normally or exhibits a distinct change in performance. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions.

Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions

■ Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children and do not drink the ink.

■ Do not shake an ink cartridge; this can cause leakage.

■ If ink gets on your skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets

in your eyes, flush them immediately with water.

■ Install the ink cartridge immediately after you remove it from its foil package. If

you leave a cartridge unpacked for a long time before using it, normal printing may not be possible.

■ Do not dismantle the ink cartridges. This could damage the print head.

■ Do not touch the green chip on the back of the cartridge. This may inhibit

normal operation and printing.

■ In these ink cartridges, the IC chip retains a variety of cartridge-related

information (such as the amount of ink remaining) so that a cartridge may be removed and reinserted freely. However, each time the cartridge is inserted, some ink is consumed because the printer automatically performs a reliability check.

■ If you remove an ink cartridge for later use, be sure to protect the ink supply area

from dirt and dust, and store it in the same environment as the printer. Note that there is a valve in the ink supply port, making covers or plugs unnecessary, but care is needed to prevent the ink from staining items that the cartridge touches. Do not touch the ink cartridge ink supply port or the surrounding area.

■ Do not use an ink cartridge beyond the date printed on the cartridge carton;

otherwise it may result in reduced print quality. For best results, use up the ink cartridges within six months of first installing them.

■ Store ink cartridges in a cool, dark place.

■ After bringing an ink cartridge inside from a cold storage site, allow it to warm up

at room temperature for at least three hours before using it.

■ Do not put your hand inside the printer or touch the cartridge during printing.

■ Do not move the print head by hand; otherwise you may damage the printer.

■ Before transporting the printer, make sure the print head is capped in the far right

position and the ink cartridges are in place.

Viewing Your Electronic Printer Manual

Your printer software CD-ROM includes an electronic Reference Guide for your printer. The manual is in HTML format, so you need a browser—such as Internet Explorer 3.0 or later, or Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later—to view it. If you are using a different browser, the pages may not display correctly. (A browser is not included on the printer software CD-ROM.)

Accessing Your Electronic Printer Manual

You can view your electronic Reference Guide from the CD-ROM or copy it to your hard drive and view it from there. Follow these steps:

1. Insert your printer software CD-ROM.

2. Windows: Double-click My Computer, double-click your CD-ROM or

DVD drive icon, then double-click the EPSON icon.

Macintosh: Double-click the EPSON CD-ROM icon, then double-click the

EPSON icon.

The Main Menu appears:

3. Click View Electronic

Documentation

. The online

documentation menu appears:

4. You can either view the manual

from the CD-ROM (View

Reference Guide

) or copy the manual to your hard drive (Install Reference Guide) and view it from there. For details on viewing the manual, see the next section.

If you copied the manual to your hard drive, you can access it at any time, as follows:

Windows: Select Start, Programs, EPSON, and double-click ESP875DC Guide.

Macintosh: Open the EPSON Stylus Photo 875DC folder and double-click View

Reference Guide

Navigating Your Electronic Printer Manual

When you first open the Reference Guide, you see this screen:

Click here to expand the table of contents

Click a topic on the left to expand the table of contents.

After expanding the table of contents, you can click on the topic you want to view.

If there’s a right arrow , click it to view subtopics, then click on a topic to go to it.

Click the down arrow to close a subtopic list.

Closed list, click to expand

Click to go to topic

Printing from Start to Finish

Here’s what to do to print a basic document—such as a photograph, newsletter, or memo—from loading the paper to selecting print settings to controlling the print job. Follow the instructions in these sections:

■ “Printing with Windows” on page 14

■ “Printing on a Macintosh” on page 19

If you’re already familiar with EPSON ink jet printing, you can skip ahead to these sections:

■ “Using PhotoEnhance,™ Custom, and Advanced Settings”

on page 23

■ “Using Advanced Color Management” on page 25

■ “Using Special Papers” on page 26

■ “Selecting Your Paper Type” on page 34

■ “Taking Care of Your Photographs” on page 35

If you want information about using your memory card with the printer, go to “Working with Your Memory Card” on page 37.

Printing with Windows

This section describes the basic steps for printing with Windows. (To print on a Macintosh, see page 19.)

Loading Paper

Load paper only up to this arrow

Slide paper against the right edge guide

Make sure your printer and computer are turned on.

Place your paper against the right edge guide and slide the left edge guide against the paper.

Keep the following in mind when loading paper:

■ Load the printable side face up. It’s usually whiter or brighter than the other side.

■ Load letterhead or preprinted paper into the printer top edge first.

■ Don’t load paper above the arrow on the left edge guide.

If you’re printing on roll paper, envelopes, or other special paper sizes or types, see page 26 for loading instructions.

Opening the Printer Software

After you open your application program and create your document, you’re ready to select your printer software settings.

From the File menu, click Print. You see your application’s Print window:

Click here to open your printer software

Make the following selections on the Print window (your window may look slightly different):

■ Make sure your EPSON Stylus Photo 875DC printer model is selected.

■ Click the Properties button. (If you see a Setup, Printer, or Options button, click

it. Then click Properties on the next screen.)

If you click the print icon on your application’s toolbar instead of selecting Print from the File menu, you may not get the option to change the printer software settings before printing.

Selecting Printer Software Settings

Once you click Properties, you see your printer software Properties window.

The most important thing to remember is to select the type of paper you’re using. If necessary, click the Main tab to display the settings shown below:

Select the type of paper you loaded

Select the ink color

Select Automatic mode

Select higher-quality or faster printing

Click OK

Make the following settings on the Properties window:

■ Choose the paper you’re printing on (click the arrow

to scroll through the Media Type list). If you’re not sure which setting to select, see page 34.

■ Set the Ink option to

Color

to print a color

document. To print a black text document, click

Black

■ Set the Mode option to

Automatic

. It’s the easiest

way to get good printing results on all types of paper.

■ Set the slider in the Mode box to

Quality

Speed

to select high resolution or

faster printing. (The slider may not be available for your paper type.)

■ Click OK to return to your application’s Print dialog box.

For more information about printer settings, click the Help button. Or you can right-click any item on the screen and then click What’s This?.

Selecting Windows Default Settings

The printer settings you make apply only to the application you’re currently using. If you usually print one type of document in different applications—for example, black ink on legal size paper—you can change the default printer settings for all your programs. You do this using the Windows Printers utility:

1. Click

Start

then select

, point to

Printers

2. Right-click the

875DC

3. Select

4. Click the

printer icon.

Properties

Main

Settings

, and

EPSON Stylus Photo

tab.

Right-click your printer icon . . .

5. Select the default settings you want to use for all your applications. Click OK when you’re finished.

then click Properties

Remember, you can always change the default settings in your application when you want to print different types of documents.

Another way to select a group of settings quickly is to save them as a group; see your electronic Reference Guide (described on page 9) for details.

Controlling Printing

At the Print dialog box, click OK (or maybe Print) to start printing.

Click OK to start printing

After a moment, the Progress Meter appears and shows the progress of your print job. You can use the buttons to cancel, pause, or restart printing. You can also see how much ink you have left and view printing tips.

Click to cancel printing

Click to pause or resume

Does not appear if you are printing over a network

printing

The color of ink with the least amount left determines the level for all the colors shown

For more advanced printer settings, see pages 23 through 24. For more information on printing—for example, previewing your printout, changing the paper size, or adding a watermark—see your electronic Reference Guide (described on page 9).