Epson ActionPrinter 3250 Quick Reference Guide
EPSON AMERICA INC.
Product Support Bulletin
Subject: AP-3250 Commonly Asked Questions and Answers
EPSON
Date: 4/3/92
Page(s): 1 of 6
This bulletin answers some commonly asked questions about the AP-3250 printer.
The questions and answers are listed below.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE AP-3250
1.
Q. What is the AP-3250 printer?
A.
The AP-3250 is Epson’s first narrow carriage light duty printer specifically
designed to meet the unique needs of the entry-level home computer
user.
Listed below are some of the key features of the AP-3250 printer:
- Epson ESC/P 2 command set
- Built-in paper cassette, holds up to 50 single sheets of letter size
paper
- Roman and Sans Serif fonts, scalable from 8 to 32 points
- High resolution 360 x 360 DPI bit-image graphics
- Convenient, easy-to-use two button control panel
- Print Speed:
- Quiet operation, only 50 dB(A)
- Built-in 11KB input buffer
- Small size and small footprint
- Epson’s two year limited warranty with unlimited 800 number free
technical support
200 CPS Draft at 12 CPI
72 CPS Letter Quality at 12 CPI
PSB No: P-0084A
Originator: SLS/JV
2. Q.
A.
Is the AP-3250 printer a replacement or addition to the Epson printer line?
The AP-3250 print is a replacement product. It replaces the AP-3000 /
LQ-200 printer.
Q. What is the Epson ESC/P 2 command set?
3.
A.
As the leading impact printer vendor, the Epson Standard Codes for
Printers (ESC/P) has become a de facto standard for most dot matrix
printers. Epson Standard Codes are featured by most other vendors as
an immediate entry into a wide range of third party software. As the
market continues to develop new requirements, Epson has moved to
improve its standard by offering a version called ESC/P 2.
PSB No: P-0084A
Page: 2 of 6
4.
Q. What are the benefits of ESC/P 2?
A.
The features of ESC/P 2 are divided into two categories: Scalable Fonts,
and Enhanced Graphics.
SCALABLE FONTS: ESC/P 2 provided access to Scalable Roman and
Sans Serif fonts. The Scalable Fonts are available in even increments
from 8 to 32 points. In addition to these sizes, 10.5 and 21 point sizes are
also available. Epson printers with ESC/P 2 perform the calculations
necessary to scale the fonts. The Scalable Fonts are most easily selected
within application software programs that provide ESC/P 2 printer drivers.
ENHANCED GRAPHICS: ESC/P 2 also provides Enhanced Graphics
capabilities in certain software applications supporting the raster graphics
mode of ESC/P 2. Enhanced Graphics is defined as a finer, more
accurate placement of printed dots leading to greater clarity of text and
sharper more detailed graphics in graphical printing environments such as
Microsoft Windows or Lotus 1-2-3. Enhanced Graphics also allows for
true 360 horizontal DPI printing with a single pass of the print head,
creating better print quality and faster print speeds than other dot-matrix
printers.
5.
Q.
When printing multi-page documents, what would cause the AP-3250 to
print the first page correctly but print too low on the following pages?
A.
This difference in print position is easy to adjust in most software
application programs. Most application programs have a default page
length of 66 lines per page when using 11" continuous paper. Since the
AP-3250 uses single sheets of paper, it automatically provides a small top
and bottom margin. Since these margins are non-printable area, the AP3250’s maximum number of lines per page when using 11” singe sheet
paper is 61 lines. Most software application programs include an option to
PSB No: P-0084A
Page: 3 of 6
adjust the maximum number of lines per page. Decreasing the program’s
maximum number of lines per page by 5 (e.g. 61 lines) should correct for
this print position difference.
6. Q.
A.
7.
Q.
A.
8.
Q.
A.
Why is a ON-LINE/OFF-LINE or PAUSE button not present on the
AP-3250’s front panel?
The AP-3250 printer was designed to be as easy to use as possible.
Because of this, the AP-3250 was designed any unnecessary buttons.
The AP-3250 automatically goes into a ready condition after being
powered on. (See the question below for additional information.)
Why does the AP-3250 produce two (2) long and two (2) short beeps
when first power-on?
The AP-3250 produces these beeps at power-on to indicate that it has
completed its power-on initialization process and is ready to print.
What are the product codes for AP-3250 options and supplies?
Listed below are the product codes for the AP-3250 optional push tractor
and ribbon cartridge.
S015032
C800262
9.
Q. What is the advantage of purchasing an optional Push Tractor?
A.
The optional Push Tractor allows the AP-3250 to use continuous narrow
carriage paper while still maintaining the ability to use the AP-3250’s built-
in single sheet paper cassette. When using the optional push tractor, the
AP-3250 can accept a two part carbonless multi-part form with a total
thickness up to 0.18mm.
10.
Q. What interface does the AP-3250 come standard with?
A.
The AP-3250 comes standard with a built-in Centronics compatible parallel
interface.
Fabric Ribbon Cartridge
Push Tractor
PSB No: P-0084A
Page: 4 of 6
11.
Q. How do I use the AP-3250 to operate with serial communications?
A. The AP-3250 only operates with parallel communications.
12.
Q. If a printer driver selection is not shown for the AP-3250 in my application
software programs, which printer driver selection should I choose?
A.
The recommended printer driver selections for the AP-3250 are listed
below in order from best to worst.
AP-3250
BEST
LQ-570/1070
LQ-870/1170
LQ-510
LQ-860
LQ-850
LQ-200
LQ-500
LQ-2550
LQ-2500
LQ-800
LQ-1500
Generic Epson WORST
To take full advantage of the AP-3250’s features, including ESC/P 2,
choose one of the first three printers listed above.
If none of these printer
selections are available from within your application software, contact your
software manufacturer to determine whether they offer a printer driver
update or if they plan to make one available in the future.
13.
Q. What are the AP-3250 printer’s rated text mode print speeds?
A.
The AP-3250 printer’s print speeds are listed below
Characters/inch Draft CPS LQ CPS Printable Columns
10
12
15
17.1
20
167
200
250
103
120
60 80
72
90
96
120
103 137
120 160
Note: CPS = Characters Per Second
14. Q. Does the AP-3250 use DIP switches?
A.
No, the AP-3250 does not use DIP switches. The various features
settings are selected through use of the two buttons on the printer’s front
panel.
15.
Q. Can the AP-3250 print on labels?
A.
Yes, the AP-3250 can print on labels. The optional pull tractor is used to
load continuous labels.
16.
Q. Can the AP-3250 print on envelopes?
A.
Yes, the AP-3250 can print on envelopes. The envelopes are loaded at
the rear of the printer by using the printer’s manual insertion slot.
The printer must be placed in the upright position first.)
PSB No: P-0084A
Page: 5 of 6
(Note:
17.
Q. Can the AP-3250 print on legal size paper?
A.
Yes, the AP-3250 can print on legal paper. Legal size paper is loaded at
the rear of the printer by using the printer’s manual insertion slot.
The printer must be placed in the upright position first.)
18.
Q. The AP-3250’s User’s Guide lists information on 120, 220 and 240 volt
versions of this printer.
this printer?
A.
The AP-3250 is available only in the 120 volt configuration in the U.S.A..
19.
Q. Can the AP-3250 print in landscape orientation?
A.
Yes, but the AP-3250 requires the use of a software application program
because landscape characters are not included in its built-in characters
set. Two very popular software application programs for printing in the
landscape mode are Sideways and Always.
How can I purchase a 220 or 240 volt version of
(Note:
PSB No: P-0084A
Page: 6 of 6
20.
Q. Why is the AP-3250’s parallel cable connector located on the side of the
printer instead of the rear like most other printers?
A.
Since the AP-3250 may be operated in two different positions it was
necessary to relocate the parallel cable connector to the side of the
printer.
21.
Q. Can different fonts be selected on the AP-3250’s front panel?
A.
Yes, different fonts may be selected from the AP-3250’s front panel by
using the font button. However, all font selections made from the front
panel can be overridden by an software application program. The
recommended method to select fonts is through the program that you are
using to print. If the program does not provide font selection abilities, then
the printer’s font panel is very useful.
22.
Q. When printing high density (360 x 360 DPI) bit-image graphics why does
ink smearing sometimes occur on the outside edges of the printout with
certain print patterns?
A.
The AP-3250 builds the graphic image by making multiple passes when
printing high density graphics. Dependant upon the printed pattern and
the ink absorption factor of the paper being used, ink smearing may occur
on the edges of the printed pattern. This occurrence is much less
noticeable when printing at resolutions lower than 360 x 360 DPI. Should
this phenomenon be encountered, select a lower graphic resolution in your
software program.
EPSON AMERICA INC.
Product Support Bulletin
EPSON
Subject:
Date: 12/4/91
Page(s): 1 of 14
This bulletin provides detailed explanations and illustrations for some of the more
commonly used printer commands used in ESC/P2 Listed below are the
commands discussed in this bulletin.
Command
ESC X m n1 n2
ESC ( C m1 m2 n1 n1
ESC(vm1 m2 n1 n2
ESC(Vm1 m2 n1 n2
ESCtn
ESC ( t n1 n2 d1 d2 d3
ESC( ^ n1 n2 d1...d
Understanding and Using
Command Name
Select Pitch and Point Size
Set Page Length in Defined Units
Set Relative Vertical Position
Set Absolute Vertical Position
Select Character Table
Assign Character Table
Print Data as Characters
2
ESCP/2
Commands and Syntax
PSB No: P-0082
Originator: JW
PSB Page
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