Epson LQ 580, LQ-570e User Manual

24-Pin Dot
Matrix Printer

User's Guide

4011804

XXX-00

Control Panel Buttons and Lights

Font button

Selects the font.
See Chapter 5.

Font lights

Indicate which
font is selected.

Condensed button

Turns on and off the
condensed mode.

Condensed light

Lights up when the
condensed mode is
on.

Tear Off/Bin button

●

Advances continuous paper to the
tear-off position.

●

Feeds continuous paper backward
from the tear-off position to the top­of-form position.

●

Selects a cut-sheet feeder bin when
the cut-sheet feeder is installed.

●

Turns on the card mode to print on
postcards and envelopes. See
Chapter 3.

Tear Off/Bin lights

f f

●

when continuous paper is in the

tear-off position.

o n

●

when bin 1 of the optional cut-

sheet feeder is selected.

n o

●

when bin 2 of the optional cut-

sheet feeder is selected.

n n

●

when the printer is in the card

mode.

n = On
f = Flashing
o = Off

LF/FF button

●

Feeds paper line by
line when pressing
shortly.

●

Ejects a single sheet
or advances
continuous paper to
the next top-of-form
position when held
down.

Load/Eject button

●

Loads a single sheet of
paper.

●

Ejects a single sheet of
paper if a sheet is
loaded.

●

Loads continuous paper
from the standby
position.

●

Feeds continuous paper
backward to the
standby position.

Paper Out light

●

On when no paper is
loaded in the
selected paper
source or paper is not
loaded correctly.

●

Flashes when paper
has not been fully
ejected or a paper
jam has occurred.

Pause button

Stops printing temporarily,
and resumes printing
when pressed again.
When pressed for three
seconds, turns on the
*micro adjust mode. To
turn off, press again.

Pause light

●

On when the printer is
paused.

●

Flashes when the
printer is in the *micro
adjust mode.

●

Flashes when the print
head has overheated.

*Micro Adjust mode

When you hold down the Pause button for three
seconds, the printer enters the micro adjust mode. In
this mode, you can press the LF/FFD and Load/EjectU
buttons to adjust the top-of-form or tear-off position.
See Chapter 2.

®

24-Pin Dot Matrix Printer

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
CORPORATIO N. The information contained h erein is designed only for use with th is 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 the 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 C ORPORATION shall not be liable fo r 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.

EPSON and EPSON ESC/P are registered trademarks of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.

Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

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.

Copyright © 1999 by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Nagano, Japan.

User’s Guide

FCC Compliance Statement For United States Users

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio and television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following measures.

❑

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

❑

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

❑

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected

❑

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

WARNING

The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate
the FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits
established by the FCC for this equipment. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain and
use a shielded equipment interface cable with this device. If this equipment has more than
one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.

For Canadian Users

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

ii

Contents

Getting to Know Your Printer

Easy-to-Use Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Available Paper Paths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Printing on continuous paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Printing on single sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Ribbon Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Print Head Caution Symbol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

ENERGY STAR Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

For United Kingdom Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Use of options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

How To Use Your Manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Warnings, Cautions, and Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer

Unpacking the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Choosing a Place for the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

Positioning the continuous paper supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Installing or Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-5

Attaching the Paper Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Plugging in the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14

Installing the Printer Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16

Installing the printer software in Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.01-16

Installing the printer software in Windows 3.1 or NT 3.5x 1-18

For DOS programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-19

Chapter 2 Printing on Continuous Paper

iii

Setting the Paper Release Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Setting the Paper Thickness Lever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Using the Push Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Loading paper onto the push tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Removing a printed document from the push tractor. . . . 2-11

Removing the push tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12

Reinstalling the tractor in the push position . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Using the Tractor in the Pull Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Installing the tractor in the pull position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Loading paper onto the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Removing the paper from the pull tractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21

Using two tractors in the push/pull combination . . . . . . . 2-22

Removing the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24

Loading Multipart Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-26

Loading Continuous Paper With Labels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-27

Removing continuous paper with labels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28

Switching Between Printing on Continuous Paper and Printing on Sin-

gle Sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-29

Switching to printing on single sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-29

Switching to printing on continuous paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30

Adjusting the Top-of-Form Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-31

Advancing the Paper to the Tear-Off Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34

Using the Tear Off/Bin button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34

Advancing the paper to the tear-off position automatically2-35

Adjusting the tear-off position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-35

Chapter 3 Printing on Single Sheets

Using Single Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Available paper types and paper slots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Loading single-sheet multipart forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Loading envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Loading postcards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Loading Single Sheets in the Top Paper Slot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Loading Single Sheets in the Front Paper Slot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

iv

Chapter 4 Using the Printer Software

About Your Printer Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Using the Printer Driver With Windows 95 and 98 . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications . 4-3

Accessing the printer driver from the Start menu. . . . . . . . 4-5

Printer driver settings overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Using the Printer Driver With Windows 3.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications . 4-12

Accessing the printer driver from the Control Panel . . . . . 4-14

Printer driver settings overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Using the Printer Driver With Windows NT 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications . 4-16

Accessing the printer driver from the Start menu. . . . . . . . 4-18

Printer driver settings overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

Using the Printer Driver With Windows NT 3.5x . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications . 4-25

Accessing the printer driver from the Control Panel . . . . . 4-27

Printer driver settings overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28

Using the EPSON Remote! Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30

Installing EPSON Remote! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30

Accessing EPSON Remote! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-30

Chapter 5 Changing Printer Settings From the Printer’s Control
Panel

Selecting a Built-In Font and Pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2

About Your Printer’s Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Changing default settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10

Chapter 6 Using EPSON Status Monitor 3

About the EPSON Status Monitor 3 Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Accessing EPSON Status Monitor 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

v

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting

Using the Error Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Problems and Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4

Power supply problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5

Single-sheet paper loading or feeding problems . . . . . . . . 7-6

Continuous paper loading or feeding problems . . . . . . . . 7-8

Wrong top-of-form position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9

Wrong tear-off position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10

Printing or printout quality problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11

Clearing Paper Jams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16

Aligning Vertical Lines in Your Printout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17

Printing a Self Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18

Printing a Hex Dump. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19

Appendix A Enhancing Your Printer With Options

Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Paper handling options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Optional interface cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4

Using the Optional Cut-Sheet Feeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5

Installing an optional cut-sheet feeder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6

Loading paper in the single-bin cut-sheet feeder. . . . . . . . A-8

Loading paper in the high-capacity cut-sheet feeder. . . . . A-12

Assembling the double-bin cut-sheet feeder. . . . . . . . . . . . A-16

Selecting your paper path (bin 1 or bin 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-17

Switching between continuous paper and single-sheet paper in

the cut-sheet feeder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-18

Using the Roll Paper Holder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-20

Assembling the roll paper holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-20

Installing the roll paper holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-21

Loading roll paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-22

Removing roll paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-24

Using an Optional Front Sheet Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-25

Installing the front sheet guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-25

Loading paper in the front sheet guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-27

Installing an Interface Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-29

vi

Appendix B Cleaning and Transporting the Printer

Cleaning the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Transporting the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

Appendix C Specifications

Printer Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Mechanical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2

Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-6

Paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-6

Paper alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-10

Printable area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-11

Safety approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-14

CE marking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-14

Command Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-15

EPSON ESC/P2 control codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-15

IBM 2390 Plus emulation control codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-19

Character Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-20

International character sets for the Italic table . . . . . . . . . . . C-31

Appendix D Customer Support Information

Contacting Customer Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-2

For North American Users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-3

Electronic support services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-3

Automated telephone services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-3

For United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland Users. . . . . . . D-5

Enquiry Desk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-5

Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-5

Faxon EPSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-6

EPtec-Bulletin Board Service for latest drivers and utilitiesD-6

World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-7

For Australian Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-7

EPSON FAXBACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-7

EPSON Bulletin Board System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-7

vii

Internet URL http://www.epson.com.au. . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-7

Your dealer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-8

EPSON Helpdesk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-8

For Singapore Users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-8

For Hong Kong Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-9

Internet home page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-9

Electronic bulletin board system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-9

Technical support hotline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-9

For Philippines Users. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-10

Glossary

Index

viii

Getting to Know Your Printer

Your EPSON® LQ-580/LQ-570e 24-pin dot matrix printer
provides high-quality printing and great performance in a
compact design.
LQ-570e is the name used in the United States, Canada and Latin
America.
Features include:

❏

A variety of paper paths to suit your printing needs

❏

The ability to handle a wide range of paper types, including
continuous paper, multipart forms with one original and up
to four copies, labels, single sheets, envelopes, and postcards

❏

High-speed printing of up to 400 characters per second at 10
characters per inch

Your printer also comes with printer driver software, the EPSON
Status Monitor 3 utility for Microsoft

4.0 that lets you check the status of your printer quickly and easily,
and other software. In addition, many options are available to suit
your individual needs.

®

Windows® 95, 98, or NT

Getting to Know Your Printer

1

Easy-to-Use Features

This section highlights some easy-to-use features that you’ll find

helpful.

❏

Use the

If you load paper in the push tractor, you can use the tear-off
feature to advance your continuous paper to the printer’s tear­off edge when you finish printing. Then you can easily tear
off printed sheets and save paper normally lost between
documents. For more information, see Chapter 2.

tear-off feature

to save paper

.

2

Getting to Know Your Printer

❏

Use the

paper release lever

to change the paper path without

removing continuous paper from the push tractor.

When using the paper release lever, you can easily switch to
printing on single sheets without removing the continuous
paper loaded in the push tractor. For more information, see
Chapter 2.

paper release lever

❏

Use the

micro adjust feature

to adjust the top-of-form and
tear-off positions. (See the Glossary for explanations of the
top-of-form and tear-off positions.)

The micro adjust feature allows you to move the paper
forward or backward in 1/180-inch increments so that you can
make precise adjustments to the top-of-form and tear-off
positions. For more information, see Chapter 2.

Getting to Know Your Printer

3

Available Paper Paths

Your printer provides a variety of paper paths for printing on
continuous and single-sheet paper. As described below, paper can
be fed into the printer from the top, front, bottom, or rear. You can
select the paper path that best suits your current printing needs.

Printing on continuous paper

You can choose from two tractor positions (push and pull) and
three paper entry slots (front, rear, and bottom) for continuous
paper printing. This section helps you determine which paper
paths and tractor positions are best for your continuous paper
printing needs. See the appropriate sections in Chapter 2 for
tractor installation and paper loading instructions.

Using the push tractor

If you often need to tear off sheets of continuous paper (for
example, if you are printing purchase orders or sales slips), it is
best to use the push tractor. This allows you to use the printer’s
tear-off edge to easily tear off printed sheets of continuous paper
at the perforation. Also, when continuous paper is loaded on the
push tractor, you can load single sheets of paper from the paper
guide without removing the continuous paper from the tractor.

The tractor is installed in the rear push position when the printer
is shipped. See the table below for details about the corresponding
paper-feeding path.

Tractor position Description

Caution:

Do not load co ntinuous paper with labels in the rear
slot; the labels may come off their backing sheet
inside the printer and cause a paper jam.

push

4

Getting to Know Your Printer

Using a pull tractor

If you often print on thick or heavy continuous paper, such as
multipart forms or continuous paper with labels, use a tractor in
the pull position. The pull tractor provides you with the best
paper jam prevention, and allows you to load continuous paper
from the front, rear, or bottom of the printer. However, you cannot
use the tear-off feature with the pull tractor.

Note:

If you plan to use a tractor in the pull position, you can remove the tractor
from the rear push position and reinstall it in the pull position, or you

✽

can purchase an optional tractor unit (C80020

) and install it in the

pull position. See Chapter 2 for instructions.

You can use the front, bottom, or rear paper slot with the pull
tractor.

Paper slot Description

If you print on thick paper such as multipart forms or
continuous paper with labels, use the front paper
slot because this paper path is almost straight. This
reduces the chance of paper jams.

front

bottom

The bottom paper slot has the straightest paper
path, so it is the best slot to use when printing on
thick paper, such as multipart forms or continuous
paper with labels.

Note:

When loading paper in the bottom slot, be sure to
use a printer stand with an opening large enough
for the paper to feed through it without obstruction

Getting to Know Your Printer

.

5

You can also load continuous paper from the rear
pull tractor position.

Note:

Paper loaded from the rear slot results in a curved

rear

paper path, which may affect loading
performance, so use the front or bottom slot
whenever possible.

Caution:

Do not load co ntinuous paper with labels in the rear
slot; the labels may come off their backing sheet
inside the printer and cause a paper jam.

Using the push and pull tractor in combination

You can improve paper feeding and reduce paper jams by using
two tractors at the same time. This is especially helpful for
printing on continuous preprinted forms or multipart forms and
for printing high-quality graphics.

Combination Description

To use the push tractor with the pull tractor, you
need to purchase the optional pull tractor
(C80020✻) and install it in the pull position.

Caution:

rear push

and pull

Do not load continuous paper with labels onto the
push tractor even when it is used in combination
with the pull tractor. If you load continuous paper
with labels onto th e rear push/pull tractor, the labels
may come off their backing sheet inside the printer
and cause a paper jam.

Note:

For more information on how to use two tractors in the push and pull
combination, see “Using two tractors in the push/pull combination” on
page 2-22.

6

Getting to Know Your Printer

Printing on single sheets

You can load single sheets from the top or the front of the printer.
You can load ordinary single sheets from either position, even
with continuous paper already loaded in the push tractor.

This section helps you determine which paper slot best suits your
single-sheet printing needs. See Chapter 3 for paper loading
instructions.

Loading paper in the top slot

You can load ordinary single sheets, envelopes, or postcards in
the top slot.

Note:

Load envelopes in the top slot only.

Getting to Know Your Printer

7

Loading paper in the front slot

You can load ordinary single sheets, single-sheet multipart forms,
or postcards in the front slot.

Note:

Always use the front paper slot to load single-sheet multipart forms.

Options

Your printer comes with everything necessary to print on
continuous paper and single sheets using a variety of paper paths.
By adding options, such as a cut-sheet feeder, pull tractor unit,
roll paper holder, or front sheet guide, you can further expand
your printer’s versatility. Optional interface cards are also
available to supplement your printer’s built-in parallel interface.
For more information on options for your printer, see Appendix
A, “Enhancing Your Printer With Options.”

8

Getting to Know Your Printer

Ribbon Cartridge

Your printer uses the following ribbon cartridges:

EPSON black ribbon cartridge #7753

EPSON film ribbon cartridge #7768

When printing becomes faint, you need to replace the ribbon
cartridge. Genuine EPSON ribbon cartridges are designed and
manufactured to work properly with your EPSON printer. They
ensure proper operation and long life of the print head and other
printer parts.

To replace a used ribbon cartridge, follow the instructions in
“Installing or Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge” on page 1-5.

Note:

Use the optional film ribbon cartridge when you want especially high
quality printing. For everyday operations, use the standard black ribbon
cartridge.

Important Safety Instructions

Read all of these instructions and save them for later reference.
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer.

❏

Do not place the printer on an unstable surface or near a
radiator or heat source.

❏

Place the printer on a flat surface. The printer will not operate
properly if it is tilted or at an angle.

❏

Do not block or cover the openings in the printer’s cabinet.
Do not insert objects through the slots.

❏

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

Getting to Know Your Printer

9

❏

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.

❏

Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord.

❏

If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure the
total ampere rating of all devices plugged into the extension
cord does not exceed the cord’s ampere rating. Also, make
sure the total of all devices plugged into the wall outlet does
not exceed the wall outlet’s ampere rating.

❏

Unplug the printer before cleaning, and clean it with a damp
cloth only.

❏

Do not spill liquid on the printer.

❏

Except as specifically explained in this guide, do not attempt
to service the printer yourself.

❏

Unplug the printer and refer servicing to qualified
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 cabinet
damaged; or 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.

❏

K

10

Getting to Know Your Printer

Printer parts marked with this symbol may be hot.
Turn off the printer and let it cool for a few minutes
before you touch any printer part marked with this
symbol.

❏

If you plan to use the printer in Germany, observe the
following:

To provide adequate short-circuit protection and over­current protection for this printer, the building installation
must be protected by a 16 amp circuit breaker.

Note for German-speaking users:

Bei Anschluß des Druckers an die Stromversorgung muß
sichergestellt werden, daß die Gebäudeinstallation mit einem 16 A­Überstromschalter abgesichert ist.

Print Head Caution Symbol

The symbol on the print head indicates that this
part may be hot. Never touch the print head just

K

after the printer has been used. Let the print head
cool for a few minutes before touching it.

ENERGY STAR Compliance

As an

determined that this product meets the

TAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

S

The International

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

NERGY STAR Partner, EPSON has

E

NERGY

E

NERGY STAR Office Equipment program is a

E

Getting to Know Your Printer

11

For United Kingdom Users

Use of options

Epson (UK) Limited shall not be liable against any damages
or problems arising from the use of any options or consumable
products other than those designated as Original EPSON
Products or EPSON Approved Products by Epson (UK) Limited.

Safety information

Warning:

w

If you have to fit a plug:

As the colours of the mains lead of this appliance may not match
coloured markings used to identify the terminals in a plug, please
proceed as follows:

The green and yellow wire must be connected to the terminal in
the plug which is marked with the letter E or the Earth symbol (

The blue wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug
marked with the letter N.

The brown wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug
marked with the letter L.

This appliance must be earthed. Refer to the rating plate for
voltage and check that the appliance voltage corresponds to the
supply voltage.

Important: The wires in the mains lead fitted to this appliance
are coloured in accordance with the following code:

Green and yellow — Earth
Blue — Neutral
Brown — Live

G

).

12

Getting to Know Your Printer

If damage occurs to the plug, replace the cord set or consult a
qualified electrician.

Replace fuses only with a fuse of the correct size and rating.

How To Use Your Manuals

This

User’s Guide

using your printer. The
the printer summarizes basic information on how to use the
printer.

provides detailed information on setting up and

Quick Reference Guide

that also comes with

Warnings, Cautions, and Notes

This guide uses the following conventions:

Warnings

must be followed to avoid bodily injury.

w

Cautions

must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.

c

Notes

of your printer.

contain important information and useful tips on the operation

Getting to Know Your Printer

13

14

Getting to Know Your Printer

Chapter 1

Setting Up the Printer

Unpacking the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Choosing a Place for the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Positioning the continuous paper supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Installing or Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Attaching the Paper Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Plugging in the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14

Installing the Printer Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16

Installing the printer software in Windows 95, 98,

or NT 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16

Installing the printer software in Windows 3.1

or NT 3.5x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18

For DOS programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

1

Setting Up the Printer

1-1

Unpacking the Printer

Besides this guide, your printer box should include an EPSON
printer software CD-ROM, a Notice Sheet, and the following
items:

printer

power cord

Note:

Depending on your printer model, the power cord may be permanently
attached to the printer. Also, the shape of the power cord plug varies
depending on the country of purchase; be sure the plug you have is the
right one for your location.

Caution:

c

There are several models of the printer designed for different
voltages, and it is not possible to adjust the printer for use with
another voltage. If the label on the back of the printer does not
show the correct voltage for your country, contact your dealer.

paper guide

ribbon cartridge

1-2

Setting Up the Printer

You must remove all protective materials packed around and
inside your printer before you set it up and turn on the power.
Follow the directions on the Notice Sheet (packed with the
printer) to remove these materials.

Save all packing and protective materials in case you need to ship
the printer in the future. It should always be transported in its
original packaging or equivalent materials.

Choosing a Place for the Printer

Follow the guidelines below when selecting a location for your
printer.

❏

Place the printer on a flat, stable surface. The printer will not
operate properly if it is tilted or at an angle.

❏

Place the printer where you can easily connect it to a network
interface cable, if necessary.

❏

Leave adequate room around the printer for easy operation
and maintenance.

1

❏

Avoid using or storing the printer in places subject to rapid
changes in temperature and humidity. Keep it away from
direct sunlight, strong light, heat sources, or excessive
moisture or dust.

❏

Avoid places subject to shocks and vibrations.

❏

Place the printer near a wall outlet where you can easily
unplug the power cord.

Note for French-speaking users:

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

Setting Up the Printer

1-3

❏

Avoid electrical outlets controlled by wall switches or
automatic timers. An interruption in power can erase
information in the memory of your printer or computer.
Also avoid outlets on the same circuit as large motors or other
appliances that can cause voltage fluctuations.

❏

Keep the entire computer system away from potential sources
of electromagnetic interference, such as loudspeakers or the
base units of cordless telephones.

❏

Use a grounded power outlet; do not use an adapter plug.

❏

Make sure the paper path is clear and unobstructed before
you print on continuous paper. (See the next section.)

If you plan to use a printer stand, follow these guidelines:

❏

Use a stand that supports at least 20 kg (44 lb).

❏

Never use a stand that tilts the printer. The printer should
always be kept level.

❏

Position your printer’s power cord and interface cable so they
do not interfere with paper feeding. If possible, secure the
cables to a leg of the printer stand.

Positioning the continuous paper supply

Before using continuous paper, make sure you line up your paper
supply with the tractor feeder so the paper feeds smoothly into
the printer, as shown below.

rear front bottom

1-4

Setting Up the Printer

Installing or Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge

1

EPSON recommends the use of genuine EPSON black ribbon
cartridges (#7753) or EPSON film ribbon cartridge (#7768).
Products not manufactured by EPSON may cause damage to your
printer not covered by warranties.

Warning:

w

1. Make sure the printer is turned off.

You will need to move the print head by hand to install or replace
the ribbon cartridge. If you have just used the printer, the print
head may be hot; let it cool for a few minutes before touching it.

Caution:

c

2. If the printer is connected to an electrical outlet, unplug it from
the outlet.

Moving the print head while the printer is on may damage
the printer.

Setting Up the Printer

1-5

3. Lift the printer cover by its back edge and then pull it straight
up and off.

4. Push up the tabs on each side of the paper tension unit and
lift the unit up and off the printer. Store the paper tension
unit in a safe place.

1-6

Note:

When the pull tractor is installed, it is not necessary to remove the
paper tension unit.

Setting Up the Printer

5. Make sure that the print head is not hot; if it is, let it cool for
a few minutes before touching it. Then slide the print head to
the middle of the printer by hand.

6. If a used ribbon cartridge is installed, grasp the cartridge by
its handle and pull it straight up. Properly dispose of the used
ribbon cartridge.

1

Setting Up the Printer

1-7

7. Remove the new ribbon cartridge from the package. Turn the
ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow to
remove any slack in the ribbon.

ribbon-tightening knob

8. Hold the ribbon cartridge by its handle and push it firmly
down into position; then press on both ends of the cartridge
to make sure the plastic hooks fit into the slots.

1-8

Setting Up the Printer

9. Use a pointed object, such as a ball point pen, to guide the
ribbon between the print head and ribbon guide. Turn the
ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place.

10. Slide the print head from side to side to make sure it moves
smoothly. Also check that the ribbon is not twisted or creased.

1

Setting Up the Printer

1-9

11. To replace the paper tension unit, lower it onto the printer’s
mounting pegs. Then press down both ends of the unit until
it clicks into place.

12. Replace the printer cover by first inserting the front tabs into
the slots on the printer and then lowering the cover into place.
Push it down until it clicks.

1-10

Note:

You install the optional #7768 film ribbon cartridge the same way
you install the ribbon cartridge. However, you should follow the
guidelines below when using a film ribbon:

Setting Up the Printer

❏

Print on ordinary paper only.

❏

Move the paper-thickness lever to the next lowest position.

Attaching the Paper Guide

To install the paper guide follow these steps:

1. Make sure the paper guide cover is open as shown below.
Attach the paper guide by sliding the slots on the bottom of
the paper guide over the printer's pegs. Then tilt the guide
back until it stops.

paper tension unit

1

paper guide cover

Caution:

c

Make sure to slide the slots on the bottom of the paper guide over
the printer's pegs on each side of the printer.

Setting Up the Printer

1-11

2. Close the paper guide cover.

1-12

Setting Up the Printer

Plugging in the Printer

1

1. Make sure the printer is turned off.

2. Check the label on the back of the printer to make sure its
voltage matches that of your electrical outlet. Also make sure
the plug on your printer’s power cord matches your electrical
outlet.

Warning:

w

3. If the power cord is not attached to the printer, plug the
appropriate end into the AC inlet on the back of the printer.

4. Plug the power cord into a properly grounded electrical
outlet.

It is not possible to change the printer’s voltage. If the rated
voltage and your outlet voltage do not match, contact your
dealer for assistance. Do not plug in the power cord.

Setting Up the Printer

1-13

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

Your printer has two separate interface connections: an IEEE-1284
compatible parallel interface and Type B optional interface. See
“Optional interface cards” on page A-4 for more information.

If your computer requires a different type of printer interface, you
should be able to use one of the optional interfaces described on
“Optional interface cards” on page A-4.

Follow the steps below to connect the printer to your computer
using a parallel interface connector, or a ground wire connector.

1. Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.

2. Plug the cable connector securely into the parallel interface
connector.

.

parallel interface
connector

1-14

Setting Up the Printer

3. Squeeze the wire clips together until they lock in place on both
sides of the connector.

4. If your cable has a ground wire, connect it to the printer’s
ground connector as shown below.

1

5. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer.

After you connect the printer to your computer, install the printer
software as described in the next section.

Setting Up the Printer

1-15

Installing the Printer Software

After you connect the printer to your computer, you need to
install the software included on the EPSON printer software CD­ROM shipped with your printer.

Your printer software includes:

❏

Printer driver
The printer driver is the software that runs, or “drives,” your
printer. With it, you can make printer settings such as print
quality, resolution, and paper size.

❏

EPSON Status Monitor 3 (Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0 only)
The EPSON Status Monitor 3 notifies you of printer errors and
displays printer status information.

❏

EPSON Remote! (a DOS-based printer setup utility)
The EPSON Remote! utility allows you to easily change the
printer’s default settings from the computer screen. See
“Using the EPSON Remote! Utility” on page 4-30.

To install the printer software, see “Installing the printer software
in Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0” or “Installing the printer software
in Windows 3.1 or NT 3.5x” in this section. If you are using DOS,
see “For DOS programs” on page 1-19.

Installing the printer software in Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0

Follow the steps below to install the printer software in Windows
95, 98, or NT 4.0:

Note:

❏

Installing the printer software for Windows NT 4.0 may require
network administration privileges. Ask your administrator for more
information.

1-16

Setting Up the Printer

❏

If you wish to make a diskette version of the printer software on your
CD-ROM, insert the CD and run the EPSETUP program. In the
dialog box that appears, click the
button and follow the on-screen instructions.

❏

If you are using the diskette version of the EPSON software, make
a backup copy of the EPSON printer software disk or disks before
you begin installation.

1. Make sure Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0 is running and the
printer is off.

2. Insert the printer software CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
The Install dialog box appears. (If you are using diskettes,
insert the diskette in a disk drive, then double-click the
icon and double-click the

Driver disk creation utility

Setup.exe

icon.)

Drive

1

3. Click

4. Select your printer from the list, then follow the instructions
on the screen.

Note:

❏

If the New Hardware Found screen or any other wizard appears
when you turn on your computer, click
above.

❏

Installation time varies depending on your computer.

For information on opening and using the software, see Chapter 4,
“Using the Printer Software.” When you install the printer driver
on Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0, EPSON Status Monitor 3 will also be
installed. See Chapter 6 for information on installing and using the
Status Monitor.

to start the printer software installation.

Install

Cancel

and follow the steps

Setting Up the Printer

1-17

Installing the printer software in Windows 3.1 or NT 3.5x

Follow the steps below to install the printer software in Windows

3.1 or NT 3.5x systems.

Note:

Installing the printer software on Windows NT 3.5x may require
network administration privileges. Ask your administrator for more
information.

1. Make sure Windows is running and the Program Manager
window is open.

2. Insert the printer software CD-ROM shipped with your
printer in the CD-ROM drive. (If you are using diskettes,
insert Disk1 of your printer software in a disk drive.)

3. Choose
In the Command Line box, type
drive has a drive letter other than “D,” or if you are using a
diskette, substitute the appropriate drive letter.) Then click OK.

If you wish to make a diskette version of the printer software
on your CD-ROM, type
dialog box that appears, click the
button and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Select your printer from the list.

5. The installation program begins copying the printer software
files.

from the File menu. The Run dialog box appears.

Run

. (If your CD-ROM

. In the

SETUP

EPSETUP

D:SETUP

instead of

Driver disk creation utility

1-18

Setting Up the Printer

6. When the installation is complete, click OK to exit the
installation program.

The installation program automatically selects the LQ-580/LQ­570e as the default printer for Windows applications.

For information on opening and using the software, see Chapter 4,
“Using the Printer Software.”

For DOS programs

To control the printer from DOS application programs, you need
to select the printer you are using or another available printer
from the printer list of your application.

Choose the EPSON LQ-580/LQ-570e printer at the appropriate
step in the setup or installation procedure of your DOS
application program. If the list in your application does not
include the LQ-580/LQ-570e printer, choose the first available
printer from this list:

LQ-580/LQ-570e
LQ-870
LQ-570/570+
LQ-850+
LQ-850
LQ-510/550
LQ-200
LQ-500
LQ-860+
LQ-2550
LQ-2500
LQ-800
LQ-1500

1

Note:

If your application does not list a suitable alternative, contact the
software manufacturer to see if an update is available.

Setting Up the Printer

1-19

1-20

Setting Up the Printer

Chapter 2

Printing on Continuous Paper

Setting the Paper Release Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Setting the Paper Thickness Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Using the Push Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Loading paper onto the push tractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Removing a printed document from the push tractor . . . . . 2-11

Removing the push tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12

Reinstalling the tractor in the push position . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Using the Tractor in the Pull Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Installing the tractor in the pull position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Loading paper onto the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16

Removing the paper from the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21

Using two tractors in the push/pull combination. . . . . . . . . 2-22

Removing the pull tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24

Loading Multipart Forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-26

Loading Continuous Paper With Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-27

Removing continuous paper with labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28

Switching Between Printing on Continuous Paper and

Printing on Single Sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-29

Switching to printing on single sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-29

Switching to printing on continuous paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30

2

Adjusting the Top-of-Form Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-31

Advancing the Paper to the Tear-Off Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34

Using the Tear Off/Bin button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-34

Advancing the paper to the tear-off position automatically 2-35

Adjusting the tear-off position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-35

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-1

Setting the Paper Release Lever

There are several ways you can load continuous paper in the
printer, including the push tractor. Use the paper release lever to
indicate the paper source you want to use, as described in the table
below.

Note:

To decide which paper source and paper path best suits your printing
needs, see “Available Paper Paths” on page 4.

paper release
lever

2-2

Printing on Continuous Paper

The table below describes each paper release lever position.

Paper release
lever position

Description

Single-sheet position

For loading single-sheet paper from the top or front
slot. For information on loading single sheets, see
Chapter 3.

Push tractor position

For loading continuous paper from the tractor
installed in the push position. Also set the lever to this
position when using the push and pull tractor in
combination.

Pull tractor position

For loading continuous paper from the tractor
installed on top of the printer in the pull position.
When the tractor is in the pull position, you can load
paper in the front, rear, or bottom slot.

2

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-3

Setting the Paper Thickness Lever

Setting the paper thickness lever allows the printer to
accommodate various thicknesses of paper. The paper thickness
lever is located under the printer cover. You can select one of eight
positions identified by the scale next to the lever.

paper thickness lever

2-4

Printing on Continuous Paper

Use the following table to set the paper thickness lever to match
the thickness of your paper.

Paper type* Lever position

Ordinary (single sheets or continuous paper) -1 or 0

Carbonless multipart forms with:
2 parts (original + 1 copy)
3 parts (original + 2 copies)
4 parts (original + 3 copies)
5 parts (original + 4 copies)

Continuous paper with labels** 2

Postcard 2

Envelopes 2 to 6

* See Appendix C for complete paper specifications.

** Continuous paper with labels cannot be used with the push tractor. To use

them, install the tractor unit in the pull position.

1
2
3
5

Note:

❏

If the printed image is smeared, you may need to set the paper
thickness lever one position higher to improve print quality.

❏

If the printed image is faint or has many gaps, you may need to set
the paper thickness lever one position lower to improve print quality.

2

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-5

Using the Push Tractor

To use the push tractor, load continuous paper in the rear slot. For
information on when to use the push tractor, see “Available Paper
Paths” on page 4.

Note:

The tractor is installed in the push position when the printer is shipped.
If a tractor is not installed in the push position, go to “Reinstalling the
tractor in the push position” on page 2-13.

Loading paper onto the push tractor

If a tractor is installed in the pull position, you need to remove it
and install the paper tension unit as described on “Removing the
pull tractor” on page 2-24 before using the push tractor.

Note:

To avoid paper jams, it is best to load thick multipart forms using the
front or bottom slot and the pull tractor.

c

2-6

Caution:

Do not load continuous paper with labels in the rear paper slot;
the labels may come off their backing sheet inside the printer and
cause a paper jam.

Printing on Continuous Paper

To load paper onto the push tractor, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the printer is turned off.

2. Open the paper guide cover and remove the paper guide by
holding both edges and lifting it up.

3. Set the paper release lever to the push tractor position. Set the
paper thickness lever (located under the printer cover) to the
proper position for your paper’s thickness.

2

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-7

4. Release the left and right sprockets by pulling the sprocket
lock levers forward.

front of the printer

5. Slide the left sprocket to the left margin of the paper using the
scale on the printer. (Printing starts at the “0” mark.) Then
push the lever back to lock it in place.

2-8

front of the printer

Note:

See Appendix C, “Paper alignment” and “Printable area,” for more
information on the left margin position.

Printing on Continuous Paper

6. Slide the right sprocket to match the width of your paper, but
do not lock it. Move the paper support midway between the
two sprockets as shown in step 5.

7. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight edge. Then open
both sprocket covers and fit the first three holes of the paper,
printable side down, over the tractor pins. Then close the
sprocket covers.

front of the printer

2

8. Slide the right sprocket to remove any slack in the paper; then
lock it in place by pushing the sprocket lock down.

9. Attach the paper guide as described on “Attaching the Paper
Guide” on page 1-11. After installing the paper guide, grab
the center section of the paper guide, lift it up and lay it flat.

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-9

10. Slide the edge guides to the middle of the paper guide. Then
close the paper guide cover.

11. Turn on the printer. You may need to check and change the
printer driver settings as described in Chapter 4. When the
printer receives data, it automatically loads the paper and
starts printing. The printed pages are fed over the paper guide
toward the back of the printer.

12. After you finish printing, follow the steps in the next section
to tear off your printed document. If the first printed line on
your page appears too high or low, you can change its position
by using the micro adjust feature. See “Adjusting the Top-of­Form Position” on page 2-31.

Caution:

c

2-10

Never use the knob to adjust the top-of-form position; this may
damage the printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position.

Printing on Continuous Paper

Removing a printed document from the push tractor

To remove the printed document, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the Tear Off/Bin lights are flashing. (This indicates
your paper is at the current tear-off position.) You may need
to press the

2. Open the paper guide cover, and tear off the printed
document using the tear-off edge of the paper tension unit.

Tear Off/Bin

button.

2

Note:

If your paper’s perforation is not properly aligned with the tear-off
edge, you can adjust the tear-off position using the micro adjust
feature. See “Adjusting the tear-off position” on page 2-35.

Caution:

c

3. Close the paper guide cover.

When you resume printing, the printer automatically feeds
the paper back to the top-of-form position and starts printing.

Never use the knob to adjust the tear-off position; this may
damage the printer or cause it to lose the tear-off position.

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-11

To feed continuous paper to the standby position where you can
remove the paper, press the
for an explanation of the standby position.) Then open the
sprocket covers of the tractor and remove the paper.

Caution:

c

Always tear off your printed document before you press the

Load/Eject

cause a paper jam.

button. Reverse feeding several pages at a time may

Load/Eject

button. (See the Glossary

Removing the push tractor

To remove the tractor from the push position, follow these steps:

1. Remove any paper from the tractor as described in the
previous section.

2. Turn off the printer.

3. Remove the paper guide by holding both edges and lifting it
up.

4. Press the tractor’s lock tabs, tilt the tractor up, and lift it out
of the printer.

2-12

Printing on Continuous Paper

Reinstalling the tractor in the push position

If a tractor is installed in the pull position, you need to remove it
and install the paper tension unit as described on “Removing the
pull tractor” on page 2-24 before using the push tractor.

To reinstall the tractor in the push position, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the printer is turned off.

2. Remove the paper guide by holding both edges and lifting it
up.

3. Hook the tractor's hooks on the pins inside the printer and
press down both ends of the tractor to make sure that it is
firmly seated.

2

You are now ready to load continuous paper onto the push
tractor. To remove the tractor, see “Removing the push tractor”
on page 2-12.

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-13

Using the Tractor in the Pull Position

Using the tractor in the pull position is ideal for printing on thick
and heavy continuous paper, such as multipart forms or
continuous paper with labels. However, you cannot use the tear­off feature with the pull tractor.

Because thick paper requires a straight paper path to avoid paper
jams, you should load paper in the front or bottom slot when
using the pull tractor.

Caution:

c

To further reduce the chance of paper jams and improve the
performance of continuous paper, you can use two tractors in
combination. When using this printing method, load the paper
onto both the push tractor and the pull tractor. See “Using two
tractors in the push/pull combination” on page 2-22.

Do not load continuous paper with labels in the rear paper slot;
the labels may come off their backing sheet inside the printer and
cause a paper jam.

Installing the tractor in the pull position

To install a tractor in the pull position, you must either remove
the push tractor or purchase the optional pull tractor (C80020
To remove the push tractor, see
page 2-12.

To install a tractor in the pull position, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the printer is turned off. Then lift the printer cover
up and off the printer.

2-14

Printing on Continuous Paper

“Removing the push tractor” on

✽

).

2. Push up the tabs on each side of the paper tension unit and
lift the unit up and off the printer. Store the paper tension unit
in a safe place.

3. Lower the tractor into the printer’s mounting slots and press
down both ends of the tractor to make sure that it is firmly
seated.

2

You are now ready to load continuous paper onto the pull tractor
as described in the next section. To remove the pull tractor, see
“Removing the pull tractor” on page 2-24.

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-15

Loading paper onto the pull tractor

When using the pull tractor, load continuous paper in the front
or bottom slot, if possible; loading paper in the rear slot may
increase the chance of a paper jam.

Caution:

c

To load paper onto the pull tractor, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the printer is turned off, and the printer cover is

2. Slide the edge guides to the middle of the paper guide. Lift

3. Set the paper release lever to the pull tractor position. Set the

Do not load continuous paper with labels in the rear paper slot;
the labels may come off their backing sheet inside the printer and
cause a paper jam.

removed. Also check that the tractor is installed in the pull
position.

the center section of the paper guide up and lay it flat.

paper thickness lever to the proper position for your paper’s
thickness.

2-16

Printing on Continuous Paper

4. Release the left and right sprockets by pulling the sprocket
lock levers forward.

5. Slide the left sprocket to the left margin of the paper using the
scale on the paper guide as a guide. (Printing starts at the
arrow mark.) Then push the lever back to lock it in place.

2

Note:

See Appendix C, “Paper alignment” and “Printable area,” for more
information on the left margin position.

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-17

6. Slide the right sprocket to match the width of your paper, but
do not lock it. Move the paper support midway between the
two sprockets as shown in step 5.

7. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight edge. Then open
both sprocket covers.

8. Insert the paper into the front, bottom, or rear paper slot as
described below until it emerges between the platen and the
ribbon guide. Then pull up the paper until the perforation
between the first and second pages is even with the top of the
printer’s ribbon.

Before you load paper in the
front slot, open the front cover
and remove it. Then load
paper printable side up.

Load paper in the bottom slot
printable side up (forward).

2-18

Before you load paper in the
rear slot, remove the paper
guide. Then load paper in the
rear slot, printable side down
and attach the paper guide.

Printing on Continuous Paper

9. Fit three holes on each side of the paper over the tractor pins
on both sprockets. Then close the sprocket covers.

10. Slide the right sprocket to remove any slack in the paper, then
lock it in place by pushing the sprocket lock down.

11. If you use the front slot, attach the front cover with the
continuous paper positioned as shown below. Then close it.

2

12. If you use the rear slot, replace the paper guide and make sure
the edge guides are together in the middle of the paper guide
and lift the center section of the paper guide up and lay it flat.

13. Turn on the printer.

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-19

14. Remove any slack in the paper and adjust the top-of-form
position (the position where the printer will start printing) by
pressing the
(To use the micro adjust feature, see “Adjusting the Top-of­Form Position” on page 2-31.) The printer will start printing
at the current position without advancing the paper.

Caution:

❏

c

15. Attach the printer cover and close the paper guide cover.

16. You may need to check and change the printer driver settings
as described in Chapter 4. Then send a print job to the printer.
The printer starts printing from the current position without
advancing the paper. The printed pages are fed over the paper
guide toward the back of the printer.

Never use the knob to remove slack in the paper or to
adjust the top-of-form position; this may damage the
printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position.

❏

Always remove any slack from the paper; otherwise print
quality may be reduced.

button or using the micro adjust feature.

LF/FF

2-20

Printing on Continuous Paper

17. After you finish printing, open the paper guide cover; then
tear off the printed document at the perforation nearest the
paper exit slot.

Removing the paper from the pull tractor

1. After you finish printing, tear off the supply of paper at the
perforation nearest the paper entry slot.

2

2. To eject the paper, hold down the

Printing on Continuous Paper

LF/FF

button.

2-21

Using two tractors in the push/pull combination

To improve continuous paper feeding and reduce paper jams, you
can use two tractors at the same time. When using two tractors in
combination, you can load paper in the rear paper slot onto both
the push tractor and the pull tractor.

To use the push tractor with the pull tractor, you need to purchase
the optional pull tractor (C80020✽). Install the optional pull
tractor as described in “Installing the tractor in the pull position”
on page 2-14.

To load paper onto two tractors, follow these steps:

1. Remove the printer cover and paper guide.

2. Make sure one tractor is in the push position and one tractor
is in the pull position as described earlier in this chapter.

3. Set the paper release lever to the push tractor position. Set the
paper thickness lever to the proper position for your paper’s
thickness.

4. Load continuous paper onto the push tractor as described
earlier in this chapter.

5. Turn on the printer. Press the
the paper to the top-of-form position. Then press the
button until the perforation between the first and second page
is even with the top of the printer’s ribbon.

Caution:

c

6. Load the paper onto the pull tractor’s sprockets as described
in “Loading paper onto the pull tractor” on page 2-16.

2-22

Printing on Continuous Paper

Never use the knob to move the paper; this may damage the
printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position.

Load/Eject

button to advance

LF/FF

7. Set the paper release lever to the pull tractor position. Then
remove any slack in the paper between the push and pull
tractor using the micro adjust feature (described on
“Adjusting the Top-of-Form Position” on page 2-31.) if
necessary.

2

8. Move the paper release lever back to the push tractor position
you set in step 2.

9. When the printer receives data, it will start printing at the
current position. If necessary, follow the steps in “Adjusting
the Top-of-Form Position” on page 2-31 to adjust the current
position of the paper.

Caution

❏

c

Never use the knob to remove slack in the paper or to
adjust the top-of-form position; this may damage the
printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position.

❏

Always remove any slack from the paper; otherwise print
quality may be reduced.

10. Attach the paper guide. Then slide the edge guides to the
middle of the paper guide. Lift the center section of the paper
guide up and lay it flat.

11. Attach the printer cover and close the paper guide cover.

12. You may need to check and change the printer driver settings
as described in Chapter 4. Then send a print job to the printer.
The printer starts printing from the current position without
advancing the paper. The printed pages are fed over the paper
guide toward the back of the printer.

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-23

13. After you finish printing, open the paper guide cover; then
tear off the printed document at the perforation nearest the
paper exit slot.

To remove the paper from the tractor, follow the steps under
“Removing the paper from the pull tractor” on page 2-21.

Removing the pull tractor

To remove the tractor from the pull position, follow these steps:

1. Remove any paper loaded on the pull tractor as described on
“Removing the paper from the pull tractor” on page 2-21.

2. Turn off the printer. Then remove the printer cover and lift
the paper guide up and off the printer.

3. Press the tractor’s lock tabs, tilt the tractor toward you, and
lift it off the printer.

2-24

Printing on Continuous Paper

4. Store the tractor in a safe place, or install it in the push position
as described on “Reinstalling the tractor in the push position”
on page 2-13.

5. To replace the paper tension unit, lower it onto the printer’s
mounting pegs. Then press down both ends of the unit until
it clicks into place.

6. Replace the paper guide and the printer cover. Then close the
paper guide cover.

2

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-25

Loading Multipart Forms

You can use carbonless multipart forms of up to five parts (four
copies in addition to the original). Make sure you set the paper
thickness lever to the proper position based on the number of
layers in your form.

For best results with thick paper, such as multipart forms, select
a straight or almost straight paper path. It is best to load multipart
forms using the front or bottom slot and the pull tractor.

Except for setting the paper thickness lever, you load multipart
forms the same way you load ordinary continuous paper. For
details, see the sections on loading continuous paper earlier in this
chapter.

Note:

❏

Be sure your multipart forms do not exceed 0.39 mm (0.015 inch)
in thickness for the printable area and 0.76 mm (0.030 inch) for the
perforated edges.

❏

Do not load paper that is damaged, curled, or wrinkled.

❏

If you are using crimp bound paper, be sure the protruding side of
the crimp faces away from the print head when you print. Hitting
the crimp protrusion with print head could severely damage the
print head.

2-26

Printing on Continuous Paper

Loading Continuous Paper With Labels

When printing on labels, use only the type of labels that are
mounted on continuous backing sheets with sprocket holes for
use with a tractor feeder. Do not try to print on single sheets with
labels because the printer may not feed labels on a shiny backing
sheet properly.

Thick paper, such as continuous paper with labels, requires a
straight or almost straight paper path. When you load labels, be
sure to use the tractor in the pull position and load the labels in
the front or bottom.

You load labels the same way you load ordinary continuous
paper, except you must set the paper thickness lever to 2 before
printing on labels. See “Loading paper onto the pull tractor” on
page 2-16 for more information.

Caution:

❏

c

Do not load continuous paper with labels in the rear paper
slot because the paper path from the rear slot is curved; labels
may come off their backing sheet inside the printer and cause
a paper jam.

2

❏

Because labels are sensitive to temperature and humidity, use
them only under normal operating conditions, as follows:

Temperature 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F)

Humidity 30 to 60% RH

❏

Do not load continuous paper with labels that is damaged,
curled, or wrinkled.

❏

Do not leave labels loaded in the printer between jobs; they
may curl around the platen and jam when you resume
printing.

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-27

Removing continuous paper with labels

To avoid peeling labels off the backing sheet and jamming the
printer, follow the steps below when you remove continuous
paper with labels from the printer.

1. Tear off the supply of continuous labels at the perforation
nearest the paper entry slot.

2. Hold down the
the printer.

Caution:

c

2-28

Never press the
backward, labels can easily come off the backing sheet and cause
a paper jam.

Printing on Continuous Paper

button to eject the remaining labels from

LF/FF

Load/Eject

or

Tear Off/Bin

button. When fed

Switching Between Printing on Continuous Paper
and Printing on Single Sheets

You can easily switch back and forth between printing on
continuous paper with the push tractor and printing on single
sheets without having to remove or reload the continuous paper.

Switching to printing on single sheets

To switch from printing on continuous paper with the push
tractor to printing on single sheets, follow these steps:

Note:

If a tractor is in the pull position, remove any continuous paper from it
before switching to single-sheet printing. See “Removing the paper from
the pull tractor” on page 2-21.

2

1. If any printed pages remain in the printer, press the
button to advance the paper to the tear-off position. Then

Bin

tear off the printed pages.

Caution:

❏

c

2. Press the

backward to the standby position. The paper is still attached
to the push tractor but is no longer in the paper path.

3. Load single sheets in the top or front cover as described

in Chapter 3.

Tear off your printed document before you press the

Load/Eject

several pages at a time may cause a paper jam.

❏

Never use the knob to eject paper while the printer is on;
this may damage the printer or cause it to lose the tear­off position.

Load/Eject

button in the next step. Reverse feeding

button to feed the continuous paper

Printing on Continuous Paper

Tear Off/

2-29

Switching to printing on continuous paper

To switch from printing on single sheets to printing on continuous
paper with the push tractor, follow these steps:

1. If a single sheet remains in the printer, press the
button to eject it.

Caution:

c

2. Make sure that the tractor is installed in the push position. To
install the tractor in the position, see “Reinstalling the tractor
in the push position” on page 2-13.

3. Load continuous paper onto the push tractor as described
earlier in this chapter.

The printer loads your continuous paper automatically when you
begin printing.

Never use the knob to eject paper while the printer is on; this
may damage the printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form
position.

Load/Eject

2-30

Printing on Continuous Paper

Adjusting the Top-of-Form Position

The top-of-form position is the position on the page where the
printer starts printing. If your printing appears too high or low
on the page, you can use the micro adjust feature to adjust the top­of-form position. Follow these steps:

Caution:

c

Note:

❏

❏

Never use the knob to adjust the top-of-form position; this may
damage the printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position.

Your top-of-form position setting remains in effect until you change
it, even if you turn off the printer.

The top margin setting made in some application software overrides
the top-of-form position setting you make with the micro adjust
feature. If necessary, adjust the top-of-form position in your
software.

2

1. Make sure printer is turned on.

2. If necessary, load paper as described earlier in this chapter. If
you load paper onto the push tractor, press the
button to advance the paper to the current top-of-form
position.

3. Lift the printer cover up and off the printer.

4. Hold down the
Pause light starts flashing and the printer enters the micro
adjust mode.

Pause

button for about three seconds. The

Printing on Continuous Paper

Load/Eject

2-31

5. Press the
on the page, or press the
top-of-form position down on the page.

Caution

c

plastic ribbon cover

Never use the knob to adjust the top-of-form position; this
may damage the printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form
position.

LF/FF

button to move the top-of-form position up

D

button to move the

Load/Eject

:

U

2-32

Note:

❏

The printer has a minimum and a maximum top-of-form
position. If you try to adjust it beyond these limits, the printer
beeps and stops moving the paper.

❏

When the paper reaches the default top-of-form position, the
printer also beeps and stops moving the paper briefly. You can
use the default position as a reference point when adjusting the
top-of-form position.

Printing on Continuous Paper

To adjust the top-of-form position for continuous paper
loaded on the pull tractor, see the following example:

First mark a point 6.5 mm (0.26 inch) above the paper’s
perforation; then position the paper so that the mark is even
with the top edge of the plastic ribbon cover. This gives you
an 8.5 mm (0.33 inch) margin on the next page, meaning the
printer starts printing 8.5 mm (0.33 inch) below the
perforation. If you mark a point 5.5 mm (0.22 inch) above the
perforation, you get a 9.5 mm (0.37 inch) margin on the next
page.

2

6. After you set the top-of-form position, press the
to exit micro adjust mode.

Printing on Continuous Paper

Pause

button

2-33

Advancing the Paper to the Tear-Off Edge

If you use the push tractor, you can use the tear-off feature to
advance your continuous paper to the printer’s tear-off edge
when you finish printing. You can then easily tear off the printed
document. When you resume printing, the printer automatically
feeds the paper back to the top-of-form position so that you can
save the paper normally lost between documents.

As described below, you can use the tear-off feature in two ways:
manually by pressing the printer’s
automatically by turning on the auto tear-off mode.

If the perforation between pages is not aligned with the tear-off
edge, you can adjust the position of the perforation using the
micro adjust feature. See “Adjusting the tear-off position” on
page 2-35.

Caution:

c

Never use the tear-off feature (by pressing the
button or turning on the auto tear-off mode as described below)
to feed continuous paper with labels backward; they may come off
their backing sheet and jam the printer.

Tear Off/Bin

button, or

Tear Off/Bin

Using the Tear Off/Bin button

After the printer finishes printing your document, check that the
Tear Off/Bin lights are not flashing. Then press the
button. The printer advances the paper to the tear-off edge.

Note:

If the Tear Off/Bin lights are flashing, the paper is in the tear-off position.
If you press the
to the next top-of-form position.

2-34

Printing on Continuous Paper

Tear Off/Bin

button again, the printer feeds your paper

Tear Off/Bin

Advancing the paper to the tear-off position
automatically

To automatically advance your printed documents to the tear-off
position, you need to turn on the auto tear-off mode and select
the appropriate page length for continuous paper in the default­setting mode. For instructions, see “Changing default settings”
on page 5-10.

When auto tear-off is on, the printer automatically advances the
paper to the tear-off position whenever it receives a full page of
data or a form feed command followed by no more data.

2

Adjusting the tear-off position

If your paper’s perforation is not aligned with the tear-off edge,
you can use the micro adjust feature to move the perforation to
the tear-off position. Follow these steps:

Caution:

c

Never use the knob to adjust the tear-off position; this may
damage the printer or cause it to lose the tear-off position.

Note:

Your tear-off position setting remains in effect until you change it, even
if you turn off the printer.

1. Make sure the
the current tear-off position). You may need to press the

Off/Bin

2. Open the paper guide cover.

3. Hold down the
Pause light begins flashing and the printer enters the micro
adjust mode.

button to advance the paper to the tear-off position.

Tear Off/Bin

Pause

lights are flashing (the paper is at

Tear

button for about three seconds. The

Printing on Continuous Paper

2-35

4. Press the
the

Load/Eject

LF/FF

button to feed the paper backward, or press

D

button to feed the paper forward, until the

U

paper perforation is aligned with the tear-off edge.

tear-off edge

Note:

The printer has a minimum and a maximum tear-off position. If you
try to adjust the tear-off position beyond these limits, the printer
beeps and stops moving the paper.

5. After you set the tear-off position, press the

Pause

turn off the micro adjust mode.

6. Tear off the printed pages.

When you resume printing, the printer automatically feeds the
paper back to the top-of-form position and begins printing.

2-36

Printing on Continuous Paper

button to

Chapter 3

Printing on Single Sheets

Using Single Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Available paper types and paper slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Loading single-sheet multipart forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Loading envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Loading postcards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Loading Single Sheets in the Top Paper Slot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Loading Single Sheets in the Front Paper Slot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

3

Printing on Single Sheets

3-1

Using Single Sheets

Available paper types and paper slots

As shown below, you can load single-sheet paper one sheet at a
time using the paper guide on top of the printer or the front cover.
You can print on ordinary single sheets, single-sheet multipart
forms, postcards, and envelopes. Your single-sheet paper may be
from 100 to 257 mm (3.9 to 10.1 inches) wide.

Note:

❏

To load a stack of single-sheet paper, use the optional cut-sheet
feeder. See Appendix A, “Enhancing Your Printer With Options.”

❏

For detailed specifications on the types of single-sheet paper you can
use, see Appendix C.

top paper slot

3-2

front paper slot

Printing on Single Sheets

The table below shows the types of paper you can load in the top
and front paper slots and the paper thickness lever setting for each
paper type. For more information on the paper thickness lever,
see “Setting the Paper Thickness Lever” on page 2-4.

Paper type Available

Ordinary single-sheet paper Top and front -1 or 0

Multipart forms (carbonless)

2 parts (original + 1 copy)
3 parts (original + 2 copies)
4 parts (original + 3 copies)
5 parts (original + 4 copies)

Postcards Top and front 2

Envelopes Top 2 to 6

paper slots

Front

Paper thickness
lever position

1
2
3
5

Note:

❏

If the printed image is smeared, you may need to set the paper
thickness lever one position higher to improve print quality.

❏

If the printed image is faint or has many gaps, you may need to set
the paper thickness lever one position lower to improve print quality.

❏

Do not load paper that is damaged, curled, or has been folded.

3

Printing on Single Sheets

3-3

Loading single-sheet multipart forms

You can load single-sheet multipart forms in the front paper slot
only, as described in “Loading Single Sheets in the Front Paper
Slot” on page 3-11. Be sure to follow these guidelines:

❏

Use only carbonless multipart forms bound as shown below.

fastened only at the
top by line gluing

❏

You can use the front paper slot to load single-sheet multipart
forms that are fastened at the top.

Insert the of form in the front slot, bound edge first and
printable side up, as shown below.

3-4

printable side up

Printing on Single Sheets

❏

Before printing, set the paper thickness lever (located under
the printer cover) to the proper position for your paper. See
the table on page 3-3, for details.

❏

Be sure your multipart forms do not exceed 0.39 mm (0.015
inch) in thickness.

Loading envelopes

You can load envelopes in the top paper slot only, as described in
“Loading Single Sheets in the Top Paper Slot” on page 3-8. Also
follow these guidelines:

❏

Load envelopes one at a time in the top slot, with the flap fold
first and the flap side up.

flap side up, printable
side down

❏

Set the paper thickness lever (located under the printer cover)
to position 2 or 6 to match the thickness of the envelope.

3

❏

Do not use envelopes that are curled or folded. Also avoid
using envelopes that are too thin; they may curl during
printing and become jammed.

❏

If you are using No. 6 envelopes, align the left edge of the
envelope with the arrow mark on the printer.

Printing on Single Sheets

3-5

Use envelopes only under normal temperature and humidity
conditions, as follows:

Temperature 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F)

Humidity 30 to 60% RH

Caution:

c

Because printing on the edge of an envelope may damage the print
head, make sure the printing stays entirely within the printable
area of your envelopes. See Appendix C for details on the printable
area of envelopes.

Loading postcards

You can load postcards one at a time in the top or front paper slot
as described in “Loading Single Sheets in the Top Paper Slot” on
page 3-8 or “Loading Single Sheets in the Front Paper Slot” on
page 3-11. Also follow these guidelines:

❏

3-6

When you are loading postcards long edge first, always load
them in the top slot.

Printing on Single Sheets

❏

Set the paper thickness lever (located under the printer cover)
to position 2.

❏

Before printing, turn on the card mode by pressing the

Off/Bin

finish printing on postcards, press the
once to exit the card mode. (Bin 1 of the optional cut-sheet
feeder is selected.)

Use postcards only under normal temperature and humidity
conditions, as follows:

button until both

Temperature 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F)

Humidity 30 to 60% RH

Tear Off/Bin

lights are on. After you

Tear Off/Bin

Tear

button

3

Printing on Single Sheets

3-7

Loading Single Sheets in the Top Paper Slot

To load paper in the top slot, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the paper guide is installed properly. If not, attach
it as described on “Attaching the Paper Guide” on page 1-11.

2. Slide the left edge guide until it locks in place next to the arrow
on the paper guide. Next adjust the right edge guide to match
the width of your paper.

3-8

Printing on Single Sheets

3. Set the paper release lever to the single-sheet position. Also
set the paper thickness lever (located under the printer cover)
to the proper position for your paper’s thickness. (See the
table on page 3-3.)

4. Close the paper guide cover.

3

5. Turn on the printer, if necessary.

Printing on Single Sheets

3-9

6. Insert a sheet of paper, printable side down, between the edge
guides until it meets resistance. The printer feeds the paper
automatically and is ready to print.

Note:

The time from when the paper is inserted until it feeds can be set
with the default-setting mode's Manual feed time. For instructions,
see “Changing default settings” on page 5-10.

7. Check the printer driver settings as described in Chapter 4,
and change them if necessary. Then send a print job to the
printer.

When the printer receives data, it prints the page and ejects it back
onto the paper guide. To continue printing your document,
remove the printed page and insert a new sheet of paper. If you
need to eject a sheet, press the

If the first line on your page appears too high or low, you can fix
this using the micro adjust feature. See “Adjusting the Top-of­Form Position” on page 2-31.

Caution:

c

3-10

Never use the knob to adjust the top-of-form position or eject a
sheet when the printer is on; this may damage the printer or cause
it to lose the top-of-form position.

Printing on Single Sheets

Load/Eject

button.

Loading Single Sheets in the Front Paper Slot

To load paper in the front paper slot, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the paper guide is installed properly. If not, attach
it as described on “Attaching the Paper Guide” on page 1-11.

2. Make sure the paper guide cover is closed.

3. If the front cover is closed, open it by pulling the tabs at both
ends of the cover. Slide the edge guide until it locks in place
next to the arrow on the paper guide.

3

Printing on Single Sheets

3-11

4. Set the paper release lever to the single-sheet position. Also
set the paper thickness lever (located under the printer cover)
to the proper position for your paper’s thickness. (See the
table on page 3-3.)

5. Turn on the printer, if necessary.

3-12

Printing on Single Sheets

6. Making sure it is aligned with the edge guide, load the paper,
printable side up, until it meets resistance. The printer feeds
the paper automatically and is ready to print.

3

Note:

The time from when the paper is inserted until it feeds can be set
with the default-setting mode's Manual feed time. For instructions,
see “Changing default settings” on page 5-10.

7. You may need to check and change the printer driver settings
as described in Chapter 4. Then send a print job to the printer.

When the printer receives data, it prints the page and ejects it onto
the paper guide on top of the printer. To continue printing your
document, remove the printed page and insert a new sheet of
paper in the front cover. If you need to eject a sheet, press the

Load/Eject

If the first line on your page appears too high or low, you can fix
this using the micro adjust feature. See “Adjusting the Top-of­Form Position” on page 2-31.

c

button.

Caution:

Never use the knob to adjust the top-of-form position or eject a
sheet when the printer is on; this may damage the printer or cause
it to lose the top-of-form position.

Printing on Single Sheets

3-13

3-14

Printing on Single Sheets

Chapter 4

Using the Printer Software

About Your Printer Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Using the Printer Driver With Windows 95 and 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications. . . 4-3

Accessing the printer driver from the Start menu. . . . . . . . . 4-5

Printer driver settings overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Using the Printer Driver With Windows 3.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications. . . 4-12

Accessing the printer driver from the Control Panel . . . . . . 4-14

Printer driver settings overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Using the Printer Driver With Windows NT 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications. . . 4-16

Accessing the printer driver from the Start menu. . . . . . . . . 4-18

Printer driver settings overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

Using the Printer Driver With Windows NT 3.5x . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications. . . 4-25

Accessing the printer driver from the Control Panel . . . . . . 4-27

Printer driver settings overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-28

Using the EPSON Remote! Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30

Installing EPSON Remote! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30

Accessing EPSON Remote! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-30

4

Using the Printer Software

4-1

About Your Printer Software

The EPSON printer software that comes with your printer
includes the printer driver software, the EPSON Remote! utility,
and the EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility for Windows 95, 98 and
NT 4.0.

As described in Chapter 1, a printer driver is software that allows
your computer to control the printer. You need to install the
printer driver so your Windows software applications can take
full advantage of the printer’s capabilities.

Note:

Before proceeding, make sure you have installed the printer driver on
your PC as described in Chapter 1.

EPSON Remote! is a DOS-based printer setup utility that allows
you to easily change the printer’s default settings from the
computer screen. To use the EPSON Remote! utility with DOS,
see “Using the EPSON Remote! Utility” on page 4-30.

The EPSON Status Monitor 3 utility program is available for
Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0. It allows you to monitor the status of
your printer, alerts you when errors occur, and provides you with
troubleshooting tips. To use the Status Monitor, see Chapter 6,
“Using EPSON Status Monitor 3.”

To use the printer driver, see the appropriate page below,
depending on your Windows version.

Windows 95 and 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4-3

Windows 3.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4-12

Windows NT 4.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4-16

Windows NT 3.5x. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4-25

Note:

LQ-570e may appear in the LQ-580 printer driver window depending
on the country where you bought your printer.

4-2

Using the Printer Software

Using the Printer Driver With Windows 95 and 98

You can access the printer driver from your Windows applications
or from the Start menu. When you access the printer driver from
a Windows application, any settings you make apply only to the
application you are using. See “Accessing the printer driver from
Windows applications” below. When you access the printer
driver from the Start menu, the printer driver settings you make
apply to all your applications. See “Accessing the printer driver
from the Start menu” on page 4-5. To check and change printer
driver settings, see “Printer driver settings overview” on page 4-5.

Note:

While many Windows applications override the settings made with the
printer driver, some do not, so you must verify that the printer driver
settings match your requirements.

Accessing the printer driver from Windows applications

To access the printer driver from a Windows application, follow
the steps on the next page.

Note:

The steps on the next page provide general guidelines on accessing the
printer driver. How you access the printer driver may differ depending
on your application. See your application manual for details.

4

Using the Printer Software

4-3

1. Select

Print Setup

software. The Print or Print Setup dialog box appears.

or

from the File menu o f your application

Print

2. Make sure that your printer is selected and then click

Setup, Properties

combination of these buttons.) The Properties window
appears, and you see the Paper, Graphics, and Device Options
menu. These menus contain the printer driver settings.

, or

Options

. (You may need to click a

Printer

,

4-4

Using the Printer Software

3. To view a menu, click the corresponding tab at the top of the
window. See “Printer driver settings overview” below for
detailed information about the settings.

Accessing the printer driver from the Start menu

To access the printer driver from the Start menu, follow these
steps:

1. Click the

2. Click

3. Right-click your printer icon, and click

4. To view a menu, click the corresponding tab at the top of the

Printers

displays the Properties window, which contains the Paper,
Graphics, and Device Options menus. These menus display
the printer driver settings.

window. See the next section for detailed information about
the printer driver settings.

button, and then point to

Start

.

Settings

Properties

Printer driver settings overview

Your printer driver has four menus: Paper, Graphics, Device
Options, and Utility. The printer driver settings on each of these
menus are described below. To open the menus, see the previous
sections on accessing the printer driver.

When you finish making your printer driver settings, click OK to
apply the settings, or click
to their default values.

Restore Defaults

to return the settings

.

4

. The screen

Using the Printer Software

4-5

Paper menu

4-6

❏

Paper size Select the size of the paper you want

to use. If you don’t see your paper
size, use the scroll bar to scroll
through the list. If your paper size is
not included in the list, click
and enter the paper size in the dialog
box that appears.

❏

Orientation Select

❏

Paper source Click the paper source you want to

use.

Using the Printer Software

Portrait

or

Landscape

Custom

.