User’s Manual
F
®
EPSON
Y46399102000
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used
properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause
interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in
Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection
against such interference in a residential installation. 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 the receiving antenna
.
Relocate the printer with respect to the receiver
.
Move the printer away from the receiver
.
Plug the printer into a different outlet so that the printer and receiver are on different
branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician
for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal
Communications Commission helpful:
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402.
Stock No. 004-000-00450-7.
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 that exceed
the limits established by the FCC for this equipment. If this equipment has more than one
interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces.
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, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Epson America, Inc. No patent liability
is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. While every
precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, Epson America, Inc. assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting
from the use of the information contained herein.
Epson America, Inc. shall not be liable against any damages or problems arising from the use
of any options other than those designated as Original Epson Products by Seiko Epson
Corporation.
Graphics created with
Epson and Epson
IBM is a regostered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation,
SmartPark
Copyright 0 1989 by Epson America, Inc.
Torrance, California
ESC/P
is a trademark of Epson America, Inc.
“Television Interference Handbook”
WARNING
UniPaint
by Unison World Inc. and EPSON SD-Graph.
are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation.
ii
Contents
About This Manual
Chapter 1 Setting up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer
a
Choosing
Assembling
Testingthe
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer
Setting
Place
thePrinter..
Printer..................................................................
YourApplication
Up
.............................................................
forthe
Printer..
..........................................................
..........................................
...........................
Software.................................
Chapter 2 Paper Handling
UsingSingle
UsingContinuous
Switching Between Continuous and Single
Printing
Sheets................................................................
........................................................
Sheets
.....................................................
SpecialPaper..
on
Paper
............
Chapter 3 Using the Printer
Operating the Control Panel
Setting the DIP Switches........................................................
Page
length
SkipOver
Adjusting
Using
SelectingTypestyles
Selecting
Choosing
Data
Short
Dump
..............................................................................
Perforation............................................................
LoadingPosition
the
Tear-Off.............................................................
...............................................................
an
International
a
Character
Mode..
Table..................................................
.................................................................
................................................
............................................
............................
Character
Set..
1-1
1-2
1-4
1-7
.1-15
1-26
1-29
2-l
.2-2
.2-7
.2-15
.2-22
3-1
..3- 2
3-6
.3-9
.3-10
.3-12
.3-15
.3-19
.3-23
.3-25
.3-27
1
Contents
111
.*.
Chapter 4 Software and Graphics
Enhancing
Graphics
Your
....................................................................................
User-defined
Printing..
Characters..
.....................................................
........................................................
4-1
4-2
4-9
4-21
Chapter 5 Using the Printer Options
Cut Sheet Feeder
Pull Tractor
Roll
Paper
Interface
Holder
Boards
......................................................................
...............................................................................
...................................................................
......................................................................
Chapter 6 Maintenance
Cleaning the Printer
Replacing the Ribbon
Transporting the Printer
................................................................
..............................................................
.........................................................
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting
Problems and Solutions
Power Supply
Printing
.....................................................................................
Paper Handling
Options
.....................................................................................
...........................................................................
........................................................................
...........................................................
Chapter 8 Technical Specifications
Printer Specifications
Interface Specifications
Option Specifications
Initialization
..............................................................................
...............................................................
............................................................
..............................................................
5-1
5-2
5-18
.5-30
.5-37
6-1
6-2
6-4
6-9
7-1
7-2
7-3
.7-4
7-14
7-22
8-1
8-2
8-9
8-13
8-15
Chapter 9 Command Summary
Using the Command Summary
Commands in Numerical Order
Commands Arranged by Topic
Contents
iv
..............................................
.............................................
..............................................
9-1
9-2
9-5
9-8
Appendix
A-1
Character Tables
Glossary
Index
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A-2
GL-1
IN-1
Contents v
About This Manual
This user’s manual provides fully illustrated, step-by-step
instructions for setting up and operating your Epson’s’ printer.
Finding your way around
Chapter 1 contains information on unpacking, setting up,
testing, and connecting the printer. Be sure to read and follow
these instructions first. Inside the back cover of this manual are
illustrations of the printer in which all of the major parts are
identified.
Chapters 2 and 3 cover paper handling and general printer
operation. This important information is necessary for the dayto-day operation of your printer.
Chapter 4 shows you how to get the most from your printer. It
includes advice about using software commands, graphics, and
creating your own user-defined characters. Also see Chapter 9
for a useful summary of printer commands.
If the printer does not operate properly or the printed results
are not what you expect, see Chapter 7 for troubleshooting
problems and solutions.
Other chapters contain information on printer options, general
maintenance, and specifications. You will also find a glossary
of printer terms, an appendix of character tables, and an index.
At the back of this manual is a handy Quick Reference card
with the information you are likely to need most often.
About This Manual
1
About This Manual
Conventions used in this guide
WARNINGS must be followed carefully to avoid damage
to your printer and computer.
CAUTIONS should be followed carefully to ensure that
your printer operates correctly.
Notes contain important information and useful tips on the
operation of your printer.
2
About This Manual
Chapter 1
Setting Up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer
Checking the parts
a
Choosing
Assembling the Printer
Installing
Installing
Attaching
Testing the
Plugging
Running
Printing
Connecting
The parallel
Setting Up Your Application Software
Choosing from a menu
Place
the platen
the ribbon
the paper
Printer..
in the printer..
the self
problems
the Printer to
interface..
.............................................................
...............................................................
for the
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
............................................................
knob..
cartridge..
guide
.................................................................
test..
and
.................................................
..........................................
..................................................
......................................................
.........................................................
solutions
Your
.........................................................
........................................................
........................................
Computer..
.........................
.................................
1-2
1-2
1-7
1-7
1-8
1-13
1-15
1-15
1-17
1-24
1-26
1-26
1-29
1-29
Setting Up the Printer
1-1
Unpacking the Printer
Checking the parts
When you unpack the printer, make sure that you have all the
parts shown below and that none have been damaged.
Printer
sa
Platen knob
Paper guide
Power cable
Ribbon cartridge
In some locations, the power cable may be attached to the printer.
1-2
Setting Up the Printer
Unpacking the Printer
WARNING: There are several different versions of the
I!!!!!9
After removing the parts, save the packaging materials in case you
ever need to transport your printer.
printer designed for different electrical standards. The
power supply voltage is shown on the label on the back
of the printer. If the voltage shown is not the correct
voltage for your country, contact your dealer. It is not
possible to adjust the printer for use with different
voltages.
Setting Up the Printer
1-3
Choosing a Place for the Printer
There are several important things to consider when selecting the
place to set up your printer. Be sure to keep the following in mind:
l Place the printer on a flat, stable surface.
l Place the printer close enough to the computer for the printer
cable to reach.
l Leave adequate room around the printer to allow easy printer
operation and maintenance.
l Use a grounded outlet; do not use an adapter plug.
WARNING: Avoid locations that are subject to direct
B
l Avoid electrical outlets controlled by wall switches or
l Avoid outlets on the same circuit with large motors or electrical
sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, or dust.
automatic timers. Accidental interruption of power can wipe
out information in your computer’s and printer’s memory.
appliances that might cause fluctuations in line voltage.
I
l Keep the entire computer system away from potential sources
of electromagnetic interference such as loudspeakers or the base
units of cordless telephones.
1-4 Setting Up the Printer
Choosing a Place for the Printer
The illustration below shows a good printer location.
r
Setting Up the Printer 1-5
Choosing a Place for the Printer
Note: If you plan to use a printer stand, read through the list of
requirements and suggestions below to ensure that you have the
right stand for your printer.
l The stand should be able to support at least twice the weight
of the LX-810 printer (11.5 kg approx).
l Never use a stand that tilts the printer at an angle of more
than 15 degrees from horizontal.
l With a cut sheet feeder installed, your printer should be kept
level at all time.
l If your paper supply is positioned below the printer stand,
make sure that there is enough clearance to keep the paper
from catching on the underside of the stand. Also, check to
see that the distance between the stand supports is wide
enough to accommodate the paper you will be using.
l Position your printer’s power cable and I/F cable so that
they do not interfere with paper feeding. If possible, secure
the cables to the printer stand support.
1-6 Setting Up the Printer
Assembling the Printer
After you’ve decided on the best place to set up your printer, the
first step is to install the platen knob.
Installing the platen knob
The platen knob is used to manually feed the paper in the event of
a paper jam or other paper feeding problem. You will find the
platen knob packed in an indentation in the white foam packaging
material.
1.
Insert the knob into the hole on the printer’s side and rotate it
slowly until it slips onto the shaft.
Setting Up
the
Printer
1-7
Assembling the Printer
2. Push firmly on the platen knob until it fits against the printer
case.
CAUTION:
a
Installing the ribbon cartridge
Your printer’s ribbon cartridge is designed to allow easy
installation and removal. Before installing the ribbon cartridge,
make sure that the printer is not plugged in an electrical outlet.
1-8 Setting Up the Printer
position of the paper as this interferes with the automatic
paper loading system and may cause a paper jam.
I
Do not use the platen knob to adjust the
Assembling the Printer
Install the ribbon cartridge as follows.
1. Remove the printer cover.
2.
Slide the print head to the middle of the printer.
Setting Up the Printer 1-9
Assembling the Printer
3. Open the paper tension unit cover.
Turn the ribbon-tightening knob in the direction of the arrow.
4.
This removes excess slack in the ribbon and makes it easier to
install.
1-10 Setting Up the Printer
Assembling the Printer
5.
Hold the ribbon cartridge by its handle and push it firmly
down into position, making sure the plastic hooks fit in the
slots.
Note: Press lightly on both ends of the cartridge to make sure
the plastic hooks are properly seated.
6. Use a pointed object, such as a pencil, to guide the ribbon
between the print head and ribbon guide while you turn the
ribbon-tightening knob to help feed the ribbon into place.
Setting Up the Printer
1-11
Assembling the Printer
7.
Slide the print head from side to side to make sure that it
moves smoothly. Also check that the ribbon is not twisted or
creased.
8. Close the paper tension unit cover.
1-12
Setting Up the Printer
Assembling the Printer
Attaching the paper guide
When you use single sheets, the paper guide helps to feed the
paper smoothly and efficiently into the printer. Attach the paper
guide using the following procedure.
1.
Place the paper guide on the printer as shown.
2.
Raise the paper guide until it locks into place.
Setting Up the Printer
1-13
Assembling the Printer
Note: To lower the paper guide, lift up slightly to release it
from its locked position, then gently lower it down onto the
printer.
3.
Attach the printer cover by fitting the projections on the cover
into the notches at the front of the printer and tilting the cover
back into place.
1-14
Setting Up the Printer
Testing the Printer
Now that your printer is fully assembled, you can use its built-in
self test function to see that the printer is working correctly before
you connect it to a computer. You should perform this test to
make sure that your printer was not damaged during shipping and
that the ribbon is correctly installed.
Before running the self test, you need to plug in the printer and
load paper.
Plugging in the printer
1.
Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then check the label
on the back of the printer to make sure the power rating
required by the printer matches that of your electrical outlet.
WARNING: If the rated voltage and your outlet voltage
do not match, contact your nearest Epson dealer for
assistance. Do not plug in the power cable.
Setting Up the Printer
1-15
Testing the Printer
Connect the power cable to the AC inlet on the printer’s rear
2.
panel. (In some locations, the power cable is already connected
to the printer.)
3.
Plug the power cable into a properly grounded electrical outlet.
1-16 Setting Up the Printer
Testing the Printer
Running the self test
The self test can be run in draft or Near Letter Quality (NLQ)
mode, depending on which button you hold down as you turn on
the printer.
1.
Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then push the paper
release lever back to the single-sheet position.
2.
While holding down the LINE FEED button (draft font) or FORM
FEED button (NLQ fonts), turn on the printer. The POWER and
PAPER OUT lights come on.
Setting Up the Printer
1-17
Testing the Printer
Move the left edge guide so that it locks in place next to the
3.
guide mark.
4.
Adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper.
Next, slide a sheet down between the edge guides until it
meets resistance.
1-18
WARNING: Run the self test using paper wider than A4
(81/4
inches or
210
mm) or letter size
(BY2 inches or
216
mm), to prevent the print head from printing directly
onto the platen.
Setting Up the Printer
Testing the Printer
5. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to load paper.
LOAD/EJECT
6.
Press the ON LINE button to start the self test. A list of DIP
switch settings is printed first, followed by a series of
characters. The self test continues until the paper runs out or
until you press the ON LINE button.
Setting Up the Printer
1-19
Testing the Printer
7.
If the test results are satisfactory and you wish to stop the test,
press the ON LINE button. If the test results are not satisfactory,
see printing problems and solutions later in this chapter,
Note: To resume the test, press the ON LINE button once more.
8.
If the paper is still loaded, press the LOAD/EJECT or LINE FEED
button to eject it and turn off the printer.
LOAD/EJECT
WARNING: After turning the power off, always wait at
I!!!!!9
1-20
least five seconds before turning it back on. Turning the
power on and off rapidly can damage the printer.
Setting Up the Printer
Testing the Printer
Here are parts of typical self tests:
Draft mode (normal draft)
Character Spacing
Shape of Zero
CG Table
Short Tear-off
Draft Print Speed
Country
Page Length
CSF Mode
Skip Perforation
Auto LF
i "#$%& ' ( ) f-l- r
! "#$%&' (
"#$:/.&'
i#$%&' (
S%& ' ( ) *-+ !,
(
)*+,--.,'(:)123456789:
)
#t-k,
-- .
%B' ()*+,-.
h' ( ) *"s'-
' i :o+,-.
/012345&789 : j
( j f + !, --.
)
8;. r"
.
/(]12345&7G9 e ; .$+.?
s-k. ;.- ~
..I. "_
?
-
.
.
,/‘(;;1’73L+5&,;7~9
,/<~)1234=J6’789:
/(")1'7'~4ri6.789
.'.
.
,/i'j12345,$"78r+:
,'<:,1,>:~45,&';78y: ; <.,.m..,.
A.1 %"
;(~)&;4~~'789: ; .:::-;..;'
b /
(:);~2:3.$5&789
1~!345&'7#9:: j .::E=>
c3' :? i, 'i j". "7 8 cg :
A..
.
.._a
- 8' c
%.a
,
3q.5(>'789 : j .:::z;:.
4 9 (3 '7 gJy : ; <:: zc: _,..
9 6 ‘7
8 9 :;
.;.' "L: 1:. "I
.
.'
- I
/t]12345&.789
)#+,-./0123456789: j ':,--..
--.
/<:11’L:34~&‘789:
,‘Q123456789:
/(:~12:~45&789
.
;I(-',
j
3?456789
.. .I."
...a
/(:>12345&789:
; .;;+.'?
-
=
,
,.c:=::~?QABCT)EFGIiIJKLMNOF~MSTUVk
;
.(=z
"?@AtiCDEFGHIJELMNOFQHSTlJVWX~
. . .
'-"?P?ABCDEFSHIJKLMNOFQRSTUVWXY~
g ; .::=:;-
: j
3@AECDEFGHIJ#LMNOFQWSTUVWXYZ[
.:::z:::,"?
@AbCDEF'GHIJELMNOFflRSTUVWXYZ['
?@ABODEFGHIJKLMNOFBRSTUVWXYZ~\:
; .:,.
__
.,,
",..-"..?CaABCT)EFGHIJKLMNOFRRSTlJVWXYZ
?@ABCDEFGHI JELMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ f ! I"'-
..
?@ABCDEF~GHIJKLMNOP~~RSTUVWXYZ f: \
:@AECDEFGHIJC::LMNOFRRSTI.JVWXYZ::\]~"-‘;
10 CPI
0 (Unslashed)
Italics
Valid
Normal
U.S.A.
11 inch
Invalid
None
Depend on I/F
: ;
.<==...
'~."?@ABCDEFGHI
l-l OFF
1-2 OFF
1-3 OFF
1-4 OFF
1-S ON
1-6 ON
2-1 OFF
2-2 OFF
2-3 OFF
2-4 OFF
J
KL
"-'.?@ABCDEFGHIJKLE
;.:::=:::.?CdABCDEFGHIJKLMP
; &:3
?QAECDEF'GHIJt(::LMNC
; x.-...
'-x.?@AECDEFGHIJKLMNOF
: ;
x,--...
~'--."..'?~ABCDEFGHI
o'-~x.p~(iifiB~DEFGH J,
: ;
..I.--...
"-‘~.'~;@t!,T-(CDEF'GH
. .
..I...
; .:::=) :
3@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPtK?3
J
KLMNOFC
J
k;LMNOPfYjf
1 J CjJ-jNOFfJF(E
@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOFQRST1
BAECDEFGHIJI<LMNOF'~RSTU\
.:~@AECDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW)
[\
1."
I."'-.'
Setting Up the Printer 1-21
Testing the Printer
High-speed Draft Printing
Note: When using the optional cut sheet feeder, the first page
of the self test printout is slightly different. For details, see the
section on cut sheet feeder in Chapter 5.
1-22
Setting Up the Printer
NLQ Printing
Testing the Printer
Character Spacing
Shape of Zero
CG Table
Short Tear-off
Draft Print Speed
Country
Page Length.
10 CPI
0 (Unslashed)
Italics
Valid
High
U.S.A.
11 inch
l-l OFF
1-2 OFF
1-3 OFF
1-4 OFF
1-5 OFF
1-6 ON
2-1 OFF
CSF Mode Invalid 2-2 OFF
Skip Perforation None
Auto LF Depend on I/F
!
I'#$%&'( )*+,-
!"#$%&'()*+,-.
"#$%8c*( )*+,-.
#$%&*()*+,$%&'()*+,-.
%&'( )a+,-
%'()X+,-.
'(I*+,-
(I*+,-
I*+,-
*+,-
+,-.
./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU%
/0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRS~
./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP6
/0123456789:;<=>?8ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQF
./0123456789:;<=>?@DEFGHIJKLMNOPQ~
./0123456789:;<=>?8ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSI
./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRST~
./0123456789:;<=>?@CDEFGHIJKI
/0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKu
/0123456789:;c=>?@ABCDEFGHIJK~
./0123456789:;c=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNC
/0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOE
2-3 OFF
2-4 OFF
,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWl!
-./0123456789:;~=~?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWX1
./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWXYZ
/0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWXYZ[
0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYZC\
123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIiJKL,MNOPQRSTWWXYZ[\l
23456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWXYZ[\l3456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWXYZ[\]*~
456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWXYZ[\]--*
56789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW2tYZ[\]n~~~
Note: When using the optional cut sheet feeder, the first page
of the self test printout is slightly different. For details, see the
section on cut sheet feeder in Chapter 5.
Setting Up the Printer 1-23
Testing the Printer
Printing problems and solutions
If the self test does not print properly, check the print head area
and the control panel. If the paper is jammed, turn off the printer.
Then remove the paper using the platen knob and load a new
sheet. Make sure that all the packing material and shipping
restraints have been removed from inside the printer. Also see
Chapter 7 for further troubleshooting information.
Problem
The printer does not
print.
The printer sounds
like it
but nothing is
printed.
The test did not
print when you
pressed the
button.
The print is faint or
uneven.
is printing,
ON LINE
Solution
The ribbon may not be installed properly.
Turn off the printer, reinstall the ribbon
cartridge and take up any slack in the
ribbon. See page 1-8.
The ribbon may be worn. Replace the
ribbon cartridge. See page
Turn off the printer and repeat the self
test. Make sure you hold down the FORM
you are turning on the printer. See page
Turn off the printer and disconnect the
cable from the computer. Try the self test
again.
6-4.
FEED or LINE FEED button the entire time
1-17.
Printed characters
have parts missing
at the bottom.
ABCD
1-24
Setting Up the Printer
The ribbon cartridge may not be properly
installed. Remove the ribbon cartridge and
reinstall it. Make sure the cartridge hooks
are inserted securely into the printer. See
page
1-8.
Testing the Printer
Problem
The printout is
faint.
Dots are missing
in the printed
characters or
graphics.
A line of dots is
missing in the
printout.
Dots are missing in
random positions.
ABCD
Solution
The ribbon may be worn out. A worn
ribbon can damage the print head and
should be replaced. Install a new ribbon
cartridge as soon as possible. See page
The paper thickness lever may not be set
correctly for the paper you are using. Set
the paper thickness lever to match the
thickness of your paper. See page
The print head is damaged. Stop printing
and contact your Epson dealer or Epson
authorized service center to have the print
head replaced.
There is either too much slack in the
ribbon or the ribbon has come loose and
caught on something. Stop printing, turn
off the printer, and reinstall the ribbon
cartridge. See page
1-8.
6-4.
2-22.
If the printer still does not print the self test correctly, contact
your Epson dealer or Epson authorized service center.
Setting Up the Printer
1-25
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer
If the self test printed correctly, you are now ready to connect
your printer to the computer.
If your computer has a parallel interface and you have a suitable
shielded cable, you should be able to connect your printer
immediately. The steps below describe how to connect the parallel
interface cable.
If your computer requires another type of interface, you will need
to install an optional interface board. See the section on interface
boards in Chapter
If you are not sure which type of interface cable is required, refer
to your computer manual.
The parallel interface
Connect the parallel interface cable as described below:
1.
Make sure that both your printer and computer are turned off.
Then plug the cable connector securely into the printer.
5.
1-26 Setting Up the Printer
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer
2.
Squeeze the wire clips together until they lock in place on
either side of the connector.
3.
If your cable has a ground wire, connect it to the ground
connector beneath the interface connector.
Setting Up the Printer 1-27
Connecting
4.
Plug the other end of the cable into the computer. If there is a
the Printer to Your Computer
ground wire at the computer end of the cable, attach it to the
ground connector at the back of the computer.
1-28
Setting Up the Printer
Setting Up Your Application Software
Now you have set up and tested the LX-810, you should make
sure that it works with your application programs.
Most application programs let you specify the type of printer you
are using so that the program can take full advantage of the
printer’s features. Many of these programs provide an installation
or setup menu that presents a list of printers to choose from. If
your application program has a printer selection menu, use the
instructions below.
Choosing from a menu
Because the family of Epson printers shares a great many
commands, you can use an application program even if it does not
list the LX-810 on its printer selection menu. If the LX-810 is not
listed, choose one of the following printers. They are listed in
order of preference.
LX-800
LX-86
LX-80
FX-850
FX-86e
EX-800
FX-85
FX-80+
FX-80
Setting Up the Printer 1-29
Setting Up Your Application Software
If none of these printers is listed, select the first one available on
the following list:
LX
FX
EX
RX
MX
Epson printer
Standard printer
Draft printer
To use all of the features of the
LX-810,
however, it is best to use
a program with the LX-810 on its menu. If your program does not
list any LX printers, contact the software manufacturer to see if an
update is available.
1-30 Setting Up the Printer
Chapter 2
Paper Handling
Using Single Sheets
Loading paper
Reloading the paper
Using Continuous Paper
Positioning
Loading continuous paper
Switching Between
Switching to single sheets
Switching back to continuous paper
Printing on Special Paper
The paper thickness lever
Multi-part
Labels
Envelopes
your continuous
forms
.....................................................................................
..............................................................................
.................................................................
.......................................................................
......................................
.........................................................
paper
...................................................
Continuous and Single Sheets
...................................................
........................................................
...................................................
.................................................................
....................
.
supply..
.................................
....................
............
2-2
2-2
..2- 6
2-7
2-7
2-8
2-15
2-15
2-19
2-22
2-22
2-25
2-26
2-27
Paper Handling 2-1
Using Single Sheets
Your printer can accommodate single sheets with a width of 7.2
inches or 182 mm to 10.1 inches or 257 mm.
If you do most of your printing on single sheets, you may find it
more convenient to install the optional cut sheet feeder. This
option automatically inserts a new sheet and can hold up to 150
sheets of standard bond paper
Chapter 5.
Loading paper
1.
Make sure the printer is turned off, then place the paper guide
in the upright position. Set the paper release lever to the
single-sheet position. This position is marked by the icon
shown in the illustration below.
(22
lb paper). For more details, see
2-2 Paper Handling
Using Single Sheets
2.
Turn on the printer. The POWER and PAPER OUT lights come
on.
I
PAPER OUT
Note: Do not insert paper in the printer before turning on the
printer.
1
Move the left edge guide so that it locks in place next toMove the left edge guide so that it locks in place next to
3.
guide mark. (You may want to change this position later,guide mark. (You may want to change this position later,
depending on the margin settings of your applicationdepending on the margin settings of your application
program.)program.)
Paper Handling 2-3
the
Using Single Sheets
Adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper.
4.
Then slide the paper down between the edge guides until it
meets resistance.
Press the LOAD/EJECT button once to load the paper.
5.
2-4
Paper Handling
Using
Single
CAUTION: Never advance the paper using the platen
knob while the printer is switched on. If the platen turns
Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line. When the
6.
ON LINE light is lit, the printer can accept data from your
computer.
Sheets
You are now ready to begin printing.
Paper Handling 2-5
Using Single Sheets
Reloading during printing
When you print a document of more than one page using single
sheet paper, the printer stops printing when it reaches the bottom
of the paper. When this happens, the ON LINE light may go off
automatically or it may remain on, depending on your application
software. If the ON LINE light remains on, the first thing you
should do is press the ON LINE button to take the printer off line.
Once the ON LINE light is off, remove the sheet that has just been
printed (if necessary, press the LOAD/EJECT button to eject the
page) and load a new sheet. Press the ON LINE button to start
printing the next page and follow any additional prompts from
your software.
2-6
Paper Handling
Using Continuous Paper
The push tractor built into your printer is remarkably easy to load
and operate. Its low-profile design takes up little space and can
handle paper widths from 4 inches or 101 mm to 10 inches or 254
mm.
Positioning your continuous paper supply
An important consideration for achieving smooth and accurate
paper feeding is the position of your paper supply.
Three ways of positioning your printer and continuous paper
supply are shown below.
Make sure you align the paper supply evenly with the paper
loaded in the tractor so the paper feeds smoothly into the printer.
Paper Handling 2-7
Using Continuous Paper
Loading continuous paper
1.
Make sure the printer is turned off; then remove the paper
guide. Set the paper release lever to the continuous paper
position. This position is marked by the icon shown in the
illustration below.
2.
Release the sprocket units by pulling the sprocket lock levers
forward as shown.
2-8
Paper Handling
Using Continuous Paper
Slide the left sprocket unit until it is roughly 1/2 inch or 15
mm from the farthest left position and press down the lever to
lock it in place.
Slide the right sprocket unit to roughly match the width of
4.
your paper but do not lock it.
Paper Handling 2-9
Using Continuous Paper
Move the paper support midway between the two sprocket
5.
units.
6. Open both sprocket covers.
2-10
Paper Handling
Using Continuous Paper
of both
CAUTION: Make sure that your paper has a clean,
straight edge before inserting it into the printer.
Close the sprocket covers.
8.
Paper Handling 2-11
Using Continuous Paper
9.
Slide the right sprocket unit to a position where the paper is
straight and has no wrinkles. Then lock it in place.
10. Reattach the paper guide as shown below.
2-12
Paper Handling
Using Continuous Paper
11. Slide the edge guides together so they meet at the center of the
paper’s width.
12. Turn on the printer. The POWER and PAPER OUT lights come
on. Then press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed paper to the
loading position.
Paper Handling
2-13
Using Continuous Paper
13. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line so it can
accept data.
The printer remembers the loading position and advances each
page to the same position. If you need to adjust the loading
position, use the micro-adjustment feature. See the section on
adjusting the loading position in Chapter 3.
CAUTION: Never adjust the loading position using the
platen knob, and never turn the platen knob while the
printer is turned on.
Note: Before you begin printing, be sure to check the page
length and skip over perforation settings, and readjust the
settings if necessary. See the sections on page length and skip
over perforation in Chapter 3.
2-14
Paper Handling
Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets
Even with continuous paper loaded in the printer, you can easily
switch to single-sheet printing without removing the continuous
paper from the tractor.
Switching to single sheets
To switch from continuous paper to single sheets, follow the steps
below.
1.
If the printer is on line, press the ON LINE button to set the
printer off line.
2.
Tear off all outgoing sheets. If you are not using the short
tear-off feature, you may need to press the FORM FEED button
to advance your document to a point where it can easily be
removed.
Paper Handling 2-15
Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets
CAUTION: Make sure you tear off your printed
document before pressing the LOAD/EJECT button.
Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed the continuous paper
3.
backward out of the printer and into the standby position.
The paper is still attached to the tractor but no longer in the
paper path.
2-16
CAUTION: If you are using narrow paper less than 6
inches or
152.4
mm wide, you should only press the
LOAD/EJECT button once. Also, do not use this button to
eject labels.
WARNING: Never feed labels backward through the
printer. Labels can easily come off the backing sheet and
jam the printer.
Paper Handling
Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets
Push the paper release lever back to the single-sheet position.
4.
This position is marked by the icon shown in the illustration
below.
Stand the paper guide upright and move the left edge guide so
5.
it locks in place next to the guide mark.
Paper Handling
2-17
Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets
6.
Adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper.
Then insert a sheet of paper between the edge guides until the
bottom meets resistance.
Press the LOAD/EJECT button to automatically feed the single
7.
sheet paper to the loading position. Then press the ON LINE
button to set the printer on line.
2-18
Paper Handling
Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets
Switching
It is also easy to switch back to printing with continuous paper.
1.
Make sure the single sheet is ejected and the printer is off line.
2.
Slide the edge guides together so they meet at the center of the
paper’s width.
back to continuous paper
Paper Handling
2-19
Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets
3.
Lower the paper guide onto the back of the printer,
4.
Pull the paper release lever forward to the continuous paper
position.
2-20
Paper Handling
Switching Between Continuous and Single Sheets
5. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed the continuous paper to
the loading position.
6.
Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line so that it can
accept data.
Paper Handling
2-21
Printing on Special Paper
In addition to printing on single sheets and continuous paper, your
printer can also print on a wide variety of paper types, including
multi-part forms, labels, and envelopes.
Before printing on special types of paper, you need to change the
paper thickness setting.
WARNING: When printing on multi-part forms, labels, or
envelopes, make sure your application program settings
keep the printing entirely within the printable area.
For multi-part forms and labels, you should not print any
closer than 0.5 inches or 13 mm from either side of the
paper.
For information on the printable area for envelopes, see
page 2-29.
The paper thickness lever
To accommodate various thicknesses of paper, your printer is
equipped with a paper thickness lever that can be set to seven
positions. These positions are identified by a scale next to the
lever.
2-22
Paper Handling
Printing on Special Paper
To change the paper thickness setting, follow these steps.
1.
Make sure the printer is turned off. Then remove the printer
cover.
WARNING: If the printer has just been in use, the print
head may be hot. Allow it cool before touching it.
2.
Select the paper thickness you want according to the table on
the next page. For normal use, the lever should always be set
to position 2 on the scale.
Paper Handling
2-23
Printing on Special Paper
Paper Type
Paper (single sheets or continuous)
Thin paper
24 lb paper (single sheets)
Multi-part forms
2-sheet
3-sheet
Labels
Envelopes
Air mail
Plain 6
Bond (20 lb.)
Bond (24 lb.)
Lever Position
I
3
I
4
3. Attach the printer cover.
2
2
2
3
4 or 5
6
7
WARNINGS:
I!!!3
l Always return the lever to position 2 when you go
back to printing on ordinary paper. Continuous
printing with the lever set at a position higher than 2
can shorten the life of the print head.
l Printing past the edge of envelopes, multi-part forms,
labels, or thicker than normal paper can damage the
print head.
2-24 Paper Handling
Printing on Special Paper
Multi-part forms
With the built-in tractor unit, your printer can print on continuous
multi-part forms. You can use multi-part forms that have up to
three parts (including the original). Make sure you set the paper
thickness lever to the proper position; see to the table on page
2-25.
Except for the paper thickness lever setting, you load multi-part
paper the same way as continuous paper. For details, see the
section on loading continuous paper in this chapter. Also see the
sections on setting the loading position and page length in Chapter
3.
a
l
single sheet feeding system or the optional cut sheet
feeder.
CAUTION: Multi-part forms should not be used with the
Paper Handling
2-25
Printing on Special Paper
Labels
If you need to print labels, always use ones mounted on a
continuous backing sheet with sprocket holes made for use with a
tractor feed. Do not try to print labels as single sheets because
labels on a shiny backing sheet almost always slip a little.
You load labels the same way you load continuous paper except
that the paper thickness lever must be adjusted for printing labels.
See the section on loading continuous paper in this chapter for
details. For the correct paper thickness setting, see the table on
page
2-25.
WARNING: Never feed labels backward through the
I!!!!!9
2-26
printer. Labels can easily peel off the backing and jam
the printer. Therefore, do not use the LOAD/EJECT button
to eject labels. Also, never use the short tear-off function
with labels (be sure to set DIP switch 1-4 to ON). If a
label does become stuck in the printer, contact your
dealer.
Since labels are especially sensitive to temperature and
humidity, always use them under normal operating
conditions. Don’t leave labels loaded in the printer
between jobs; they curl around the platen and may jam
when you resume printing.
Paper Handling
Printing on Special Paper
Envelopes
You can feed envelopes individually using the single-sheet loading
feature. Before loading envelopes, you should adjust the position
of the paper thickness lever according to the table on page 2-25.
For details on paper handling, see Using Single Sheets on page 2-2.
When manually feeding an envelope, you may have to push it
down slightly while pressing the LOAD/EJECT button to get it to
feed properly.
the next page. The print head must not go past the left
sure your application program settings keep the printing
Paper Handling
2-27
Printing on Special Paper
8.5 mm (0.33”)
or more
22 mm (0.87”)
or more
CAUTION: Envelope printing is only available at normal
temperature.
To make sure that the printing fits within the printable area,
always print a test sample using a normal single sheet of paper
before printing on envelopes.
2-28 Paper Handling
Chapter 3
Using the Printer
Operating the Control Panel
Lights
Buttons
SelecType
.....................................................................................
..................................................................................
..............................................................................
..................................................
Other control panel features
Settingthe
DIP
Switches
........................................................
Changing a DIP switch setting
The DIP switch tables
The DIP switch functions
Page Length
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Skip Over Perforation
.........................................................
...................................................
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjusting the Loading Position
Using
Using Short Tear-Off
micro-adjustment..................................................... 3-13
..............................................................
Adjusting the tear-off position
Selecting Typestyles
Character fonts
Condensed mode
................................................................
.....................................................................
..................................................................
.............................................
..........................................
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.............
...........................................
..........................................
3-2
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-6
3-6
3-7
3-8
3-9
3-10
.3-12
3-15
3-17
3-19
3-20
3-22
Selecting
an
International
Character
Choosing a Character Table
Data Dump Mode
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the Printer
3-23
3-25
3-27
3-1
Operating the Control Panel
The printer’s control panel gives you access to several powerful
features.
The buttons and paper handling functions let you control many of
the printer settings. The indicator lights give you the current status
of the printer.
Lights
POWER
READY
- ZEE”
-
ON LINE
OFF LINE
POWER
(green)
On when the power switch is on
and power is supplied.
READY
(green)
On when the printer is ready to
accept input data. Flickers while
data is printed.
PAPER OUT
(red)
On when the printer is out of
paper or when continuous paper
is in a standby position. The
printer also beeps when it is out
of paper.
ON LINE
(green)
On when the printer is on line
and ready to accept data from
the computer. When this light is
flickering, the micro-adjustment
feature can be used.
3-2
Using the Printer
Buttons
0
POWER
0
READY
o
PAPER
OUT
LOAD/EJECT
0
ON LINE
OFF LINE
FORM
LINE FEED
FEEDn
Operating the Control Panel
ON LINE
This button controls the printer’s
on line and off line status. Press
this button to put the printer on
line or take it off line.
FORM FEED
When the printer is off line,
press this button to eject a single
sheet of paper or to advance
continuous paper to the top of
the next page.
LINE FEED
When the printer is off line,
press this button to advance the
paper one line, or hold it down
to advance the paper
continuously.
LOAD/EJECT
This button is used to feed the
paper to the loading position, or
to eject paper that is already
loaded. Paper is ejected forward
if the paper release lever is set to
the single sheet position and is
ejected backward (removed from
the paper path) if the release
lever is set to the continuous
paper position.
Using the Printer
3-3
Operating the Control Panel
SelecType
You can select the built-in character fonts using the SelecType
feature on your control panel when the printer is on line.
NLQ
0
0
POWER
0
READY
0 E;ER
ON LINE
L
OFF LINE
This button is used to select
NLQ Roman and NLQ Sans Serif
fonts, When you select Roman,
the beeper sounds two times.
When you select Sans Serif, the
beeper sounds three times.
DRAFT
This button is used to select
draft printing. When you select
draft, the beeper sounds once.
CONDENSED
This button is used to select or
deselect the condensed mode.
When you select the condensed
mode, the beeper sounds once. In
this mode all characters are
printed at approximately 60% of
their normal width. When you
return to the normal mode, the
beeper sounds twice.
Note: Condensed mode cannot be selected when either of the
NLQ fonts have been selected.
3-4
Using the Printer
Operating the Control Panel
Other control panel features
The control panel of your printer also gives you access to several
special functions.
Self test:
Micro-adjustment:
Data dump:
Both a draft and NLQ self test function
are built into the printer. The self test
printout lets you check the current DIP
switch settings and operating status of the
printer. You can start the printer’s self test
by holding down the LINE FEED button or
the FORM FEED button while switching the
printer on. See the section on running the
self test in Chapter 1 for more information.
By pressing the FORM FEED and LINE FEED
buttons immediately after loading paper or
when using short tear-off, you can make
fine adjustments to the loading and short
tear-off positions. See the sections on
adjusting the loading position and using
short tear-off later in this chapter.
By holding down both the LINE FEED and
FORM FEED buttons while turning on the
printer, you turn on the data dump mode.
This feature allows advanced users to
locate the source of communications
problems between the computer and
printer. See the section on using the data
dump mode later in this chapter for more
information.
Using the Printer
3-5
Setting the DIP Switches
The printer has two sets of DIP switches located on right side of
the printer. By changing the settings of these switches, you can
control various printer features, such as the character set and page
length. The new settings become effective when the printer is
turned on, reset, or initialized.
DIP switch settings are shown in the DIP switch tables starting on
3-7.
page
Changing a DIP switch setting
To change a DIP switch setting, first turn off the printer. Then use
a pointed object, such as a pen, to change the DIP switch settings.
A DIP switch is on when it is up, and off when it is down.
The new DIP switch settings take effect when the printer is turned
on.
3-6 Using the Printer
/
Setting
the
DIP
Switches
The DIP switch tables
The tables below show the settings for each DIP switch.
DIP Switch 1
DIP Switch 2
.
The shaded areas show the default or factory settings.
Using the Printer 3-7
Setting the DIP Switches
International character sets
The DIP switch functions
Slashed zeros
When DIP switch 1-2 is ON, the printer prints slashed zeros(ø);
when OFF, the printer prints open zeros (0). This feature is useful
for clearly distinguishing between uppercase 0 and zero when
printing documents such as program lists.
Draft printing speed
When DIP switch 1-5 is OFF, the printer can print up to 200 draft
characters per second; when ON, the printer can print up to 150
characters per second. The high speed setting is effective only
when printing at 10 cpi (characters per inch). When printing at a
different pitch, this switch is ignored and the printer prints up to
150 characters per second.
Auto line feed
When auto line feed is ON (DIP switch 2-4 ON), each carriage
return code (CR) is automatically followed by a line feed code
(LF)*
3-8
Using the Printer
Page Length
When the setting of DIP switch 2-1 is OFF, the page length is set
to 11 inches (27.94 cm). When it is on, the page length is 12 inches
(30.48 cm). Be sure to set the page length to match the paper you
will be using.
Other page lengths can be set using the commands ESC C and
ESC C
0.
See the Command Summary in Chapter 9 for details.
Using the Printer
3-9
Skip Over Perforation
By changing the setting of DIP switch 2-3, you can set skip over
perforation to ON or OFF. If this feature is ON when using
continuous paper, a one-inch margin is provided between the last
printed line on one page and the first printable line on the next
page. This feature is very convenient if your application program
does not provide for top and bottom margins.
If you adjust your loading position correctly, you can get half of
the margin at the bottom of one page and half at the top of the
next page, as shown in the following illustration.
DIP SW2-3 OFF (Skip over perforation OFF)
l 23456769:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWW
3456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVwK
456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKIMNOPQRSTWWKY
l 56789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWKYZ
-----
6789~;~=>?W3CDEFGHIJKfrMNOPQRSTWWKYZC
789:;~=~?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWKYZ~\
----------_---__
l 89:;<=~?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWKYZ[\J
9:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWKYZC\3^
:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWKYZ[\J--
4B
;c=>?SABCDEFGHIJKI&lNOPQRSTUWKYZ[\]--’
DIP SW2-3 ON (Skip over perforation ON)
*
m
3-10
23456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUW
3456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW
456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWKY
56769:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTWWKYZ
6789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKL&lNOPQRSTWWYZC
Using the Printer
Skip Over Perforation
Note: Most application programs take care of top and bottom
margins. Only use skip over perforation if your program does
not provide these margins.
The skip over perforation setting can be set to values other than
one inch by using the ESC N command. See the Command
Summary in Chapter 9 for details.
Using the Printer
3-11
Adjusting the Loading Position
The loading position is the point where the paper stops when you
load paper using the LOAD/EJECT button.
This position is important because it determines where the printing
begins on the page. If the printing is too high or too low on the
page, change the loading position using the micro-adjustment
feature described in the next section.
CAUTION: Never use the platen knob to feed paper
except in case of a paper jam or other paper feeding
problem. (If you need to use the platen knob, make sure
that the power is off.) If you need to adjust the loading
position, always use the micro-adjustment feature.
Until the loading position is reset, the printer remembers this
position and uses it as a reference point for feeding paper.
The micro-adjustment feature moves the paper in 2/216th-of-aninch increments to make fine adjustments to the loading position.
Once you have used micro-adjustment to change the loading
position of continuous paper, the printer remembers that position
even after it is turned off.
However, when you use micro-adjustment to change the loading
position of single sheet paper, the printer does not remember this
position after the power is turned off. When the power is turned
back on, the loading position returns to its factory setting.
3-12
Using the Printer
Adjusting the Loading Position
Using micro-adjustment
Make sure that the printer is turned on and that either a single
1.
sheet or continuous paper is ready to be loaded.
Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed paper to the loading
2.
position. Then press the ON LINE button; the ON LINE light then
begins to blink.
:X-JO N L 1 N E
a
OFF LINE
Note: You
micro-adjustment only while the ON LINE light is blinking.
Press the FORM FEED button to feed the paper forward or the
3.
LINE FEED button to feed the paper backward. When you’ve set
the desired loading position, you can begin printing; the ON
LINE
can use the FORM FEED and LINE FEED buttons for
light stops blinking automatically.
Using the Printer
3-13
Adjusting the Loading Position
Note: When the paper reaches the factory-set loading position,
the printer beeps and micro-adjustment feeding pauses for a
moment before continuing. You can use this position as a
reference point when adjusting the printer’s loading position.
When the paper reaches either the minimum or maximum top
margin, the printer beeps and the paper stops moving.
SelecType is not available when the ON LINE light is blinking. If
you want to use SelecType, you must press the ON LINE button
once to set the printer off line and once more to set the printer on
line.
3-14
Using the Printer
Using Short Tear-Off
When you are finished printing, the short tear-off feature
automatically feeds the perforation of the continuous paper to the
tear-off edge of the printer cover so that you can tear off the last
sheet. When you resume printing, the paper feeds backward to the
loading position. This feature lets you save the paper normally lost
between documents.
To use this feature, set DIP switch 1-4 to OFF and load continuous
paper.
ONA
SW2
You can leave the short tear-off feature turned on (DIP switch 1-4
OFF) even when you are using single sheets. When you move the
paper release lever to the single sheet position, short tear-off is
disabled.
WARNING: Never use the short tear-off feature with
labels. Otherwise, labels may come off the backing and
jam the printer.
Using the Printer 3-15
Using Short Tear-Off
When you have finished printing and if the paper is at the top
of form position, the printer automatically feeds the perforation of
the continuous paper to the tear-off edge of the printer cover so
you can tear off the last printed sheet.
Note: Short tear-off is performed only when your application
software feeds the paper to the top of the next page. To
manually feed the paper to the top of the next page, press the
ON LINE button to put the printer off line; then press the FORM
FEED button. When you put the printer back on line, the printer
automatically feeds the paper to the tear-off position.
When you resume printing after tearing off the sheet, the paper
automatically feeds backward to the loading position before
printing begins.
3-16
Using the Printer
Using Short Tear-Off
Adjusting the tear-off position
If the paper’s perforation does not line up with the tear-off edge,
you can adjust the tear-off position using the micro-adjustment
feature.
1.
Make sure the short tear-off feature is turned on so the printer
feeds paper to the tear-off position after printing the
document. The ON LINE light should begin blinking, meaning
you can now use the micro-adjustment feature to make fine
adjustments to the tear-off position.
CAUTION: You can only use the micro-adjustment
feature while the ON LINE light is blinking.
Using the Printer
3-17
Using Short Tear-Off
2.
Press the FORM FEED button to feed the paper forward or the
LINE FEED button to feed it backward.
You can now tear off your document and resume printing. The
printer remembers this new tear-off position, even when the
printer is turned off.
3-18
Using the Printer
Selecting Typestyles
You can produce a wide range of typestyles by combining different
fonts, widths, and other print variations. You can select typestyles
in three different ways: by using the SelecType feature on your
control panel, by changing the DIP switches, or by using software
commands. This section describes only how to select typestyles
with the SelecType feature. DIP switch settings are described
earlier in this chapter. Software commands are described in
Chapter 9.
You can use the control panel to choose fonts and condensed
printing. The number of beeps you hear indicates which features
you are choosing. The printer must be on line before you can use
the SelecType feature.
If the ON LINE light is blinking, press the ON LINE button once to
set the printer off line and once more to set the printer on line.
Buttons
/
c=)1
Number of beeps
I
Select
(
1
2
3
1
2
I
draft
Select NLQ Roman font
Select
Select Condensed mode
Cancel Condensed mode
Using the Printer
Typestyles
font
NLQ
Sans Serif font
3-19
Selecting Typestyles
The settings you select using the SelecType panel remain valid
even if the printer is turned off.
Some application programs are designed to control all typestyle
functions. These programs cancel all previous typestyle settings by
sending certain software commands before printing. Because these
commands cancel SelecType settings, you should use the program’s
print options instead of SelecType to select your typestyles. If
SelecType does not work with a particular application, check the
application manual on how to select typestyles.
Character fonts
The printer has three fonts: draft, NLQ Roman, and NLQ Sans
Serif. The draft font uses fewer dots per character to allow highspeed printing, which makes it ideal for rough drafts and editing
work.
NLQ Roman and NLQ Sans Serif are Near Letter Quality (NLQ)
fonts. Near Letter Quality takes a little longer to print, but
produces nicely-formed characters suitable for most documentation
needs.
To select the draft font, press the DRAFT (LINE FEED) button when
the printer is on line. When the draft font is selected, the beeper
sounds once.
There are two printing speeds for draft font, high-speed draft and
normal draft. These printing speeds are controlled by DIP switch
1-5. See the section on setting the DIP switches in this chapter.
To select the NLQ font, press the NLQ (FORM FEED) button when
the printer is on line. When the NLQ Roman font is selected, the
beeper sounds two times. When the NLQ Sans Serif font is
selected, the beeper sounds three times.
3-20
Using the Printer
Selecting Typestyles
The following samples
show the characters for each font.
HIGH-SPEED DRAFT
We ’ VB
miniature zebras
‘1’ 1,’ ad p r ’ Q’
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
z....
~f'or
. . . . . . ::? . . . . . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
q~an
.:i u!3t
‘I’ :i f,)qyzj
:.z...!!..
I. :i. t:i.
ecj
w+xw
:i.n
What.
c)vfi?r one
NORMAL DRAFT
! “#%%&’ ( ) S+ .r -.
LMNOFRRSTUVW XY Z [ \ ]
w>:yzl; :
)”
We've just seen your excellent ad for
miniature zebras in
Trader’s Times.
for quantities
NLQ
ROMAN
! -#$%8cc
(>*+,-.
/0123456789
+.-’
What is the price schedule
over
one gross?
/0123456789:;<=>‘?@ABCDEFGHIJK
LMNOPQRSTWWXYZC\l--’
WXYZC:
I-
your
ex
re
a
cxw t. ba c:
ist hep I”
CJ
I-CEi!,i’?
: ;
abcdefghijklmnapqrstuv
a
recent
c:c2Ll.:I.~vl’t ad -f:nr
Ia;
:i.
5w.w of
:i. r::es c
.<=>?@ABCDEFGtlI
back.
issue of
bed 1.1
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv
I
e
JK
We've
miniature
w
.
for quantities
just Been
zebra6
What is the price schedule
over.one
your excellent ad for
in a recent back ieeue of
gross?
NLQ SANS SERIF
!“#%%&‘()S+,-./0123456769:;<=>?@~BCDEFGHIJK
LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZC\J*~’
WXYZC
: I”
We’ve just seen your excellent ad for
miniature zebras in a recent back issue of
Trader’s Times. What is the price schedule
for quantities over one gross?
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv
Using the Printer
3-21
Selecting Typestyles
Condensed mode
You can use the condensed mode to change the character size. In
the condensed mode, characters are approximately 60% of the
width of normal characters. Hence, condensed printing is very
useful for spreadsheets and other applications where you need to
print the maximum amount of information on a page. Both 10 and
12 cpi in draft mode can be condensed but NLQ cannot.
To select or cancel condensed mode, press the CONDENSED
(LOAD/EJECT) button when the printer is on line. When the
condensed mode is selected, the beeper sounds once. When the
condensed mode is canceled, the beeper sounds two times.
The following printout compares normal 10 and
condensed 10 and 12 cpi.
This is 10 cpi printing.
This is condensed 10 cpi printing.
This is 12
This
is
condensed
cpi printing.
12 cpi printing.
12 cpi with
3-22
Using the Printer
Selecting an International Character Set
International character sets provide you with the characters and
symbols used in other languages. You can select one of eight
international character sets by changing the DIP switch settings.
Whenever the printer is turned on, reset or initialized, the
character set selected by the DIP switches becomes the default
character set.
To select an international character set, set DIP switches 1-6, 1-7,
and 1-8 according to the table below.
This table also shows the characters which differ in each
international character set.
CAUTION: To change the setting of a DIP switch, first
turn off the printer, change the DIP switch setting, and
then turn the printer back on.
Using the Printer 3-23
Selecting an International Character Set
In addition to the eight DIP-switch selectable character sets shown
on the previous page, the five international character sets shown
below are also available by use of software commands. For more
information, refer to the ESC R command in Chapter 9.
Country
8Japan
9
Norway
10 Denmark II
11
Spain II
12 Latin America
23
24 4058
#t$@c*l-‘c
#nBWBAU6s0Ati
#$184iBAU6s0AQ
#$A;t3&6‘
#$&if4
ASCII code hex
50
5C
5E
i6tiiK66
60
78
i A
7C
7D
1
I
6
7E
-
13
3-24
Using the Printer
Choosing a Character Table
You can select either the italics character table or the Epson
Extended Graphics character table by setting DIP switch 1-3. The
Epson Extended Graphics character table contains international
accented characters, Greek characters, mathematic symbols, and
character graphics for printing lines, corners, and shaded areas.
If you have an IBM computer or IBM compatible, select the Epson
Extended Graphics table when you wish to print the character
graphics as they are displayed on the screen. Even if you select the
Epson Extended Graphics table, you can still print normal text and
italics. For italics, see the ESC 4 command description in Chapter 9.
Sample printouts of the italics characters and the Epson Extended
Graphics characters are shown below.
Italics
Epson Extended Graphics
Using the Printer
3-25
Choosing a Character Table
To select a character table, set DIP switch 1-3 according to the
table below.
Character table
1
Italics
Graphics
DIP SW 1-3
1
OFF
1
ON
I
I
CAUTION: To change the setting of a DIP switch, first
turn off the printer, change the DIP switch, and then
turn the printer back on.
Tables showing what characters are printed in each of the character
tables are listed in the Appendix.
3-26 Using the Printer
Data Dump Mode
Data dump mode is a special feature that makes it easy for
experienced users to identify the cause of communications
problems between the printer and computer. In data dump mode,
an exact printout of the codes reaching the printer is produced.
To use the data dump mode, follow these steps:
1.
Make sure that paper is loaded. Either the tractor unit or the
cut sheet feeder can be used for printingin data dump mode.
2.
If the printer is on, switch it off, then hold down the FORM
FEED and LINE FEED buttons at the same time you turn on the
printer.
Using the Printer
3-27
Data Dump Mode
3.
Run any program. Your printer prints out all the codes sent to
the printer in hexadecimal format as shown below.
Data Dump Node
18
0000
OO1O
0020 60
0030 756D70
0040 69
0050 6B65
401B52
20205468
706C65206F
7320697320
7320697420
001B7401
69732069
207072696E
662061206461
666561747572
6561737920
3612LB50
16
7320616E20
746F7574ZE
202020 .@.R..t..6..P
657861 This is an exa
74612064 mple of a data d
205468 ump printout. Th
65206D61 is is feature ma
666F7220 kes it easy for
On the printout’s left side, the codes are printed in hexadecimal
format. On the right side, printable ASCII characters are printed
normally, but non-printable control codes (00 to 1F hex) are
portrayed by dots.
4.
To cancel the data dump mode, press the ON LINE button to set
the printer off line. Then turn off the printer.
By comparing the characters printed in the text field on the right
side of the data dump printout (see Step 3) with the printout of
hex codes, you can check which codes are being sent to the
printer. If characters are printable, they appear as their true ASCII
characters. Non-printable codes, such as control codes, are
represented by dots.
3-28 Using the Printer
Data Dump Mode
To interpret the data dump printout examine the first three hex
codes on the second line of the printout sample (20 20 54). Each
hex code 20 represents a space; hex code 54 represents the letter T.
The corresponding text field line on the right side of the printout
contains the letter T preceded by two spaces.
The chart below interprets the first six codes.
Hex codes
1B 40
1B 52 00
1B 74 01
1B 36
12
1B 50
Command
ESC @
ESC R 0
ESC t 1
ESC 6
DC2
ESC P
Function
Initialize printer
Select USA character set
Select Epson Extended Graphics character
Enable printable characters
Cancel condensed mode
Select 10 cpi
Using the Printer
3-29
Chapter 4
Software and Graphics
Enhancing Your Printing...
Print quality and fonts......
Character spacing .................................................................
Character size
Special
Selecting typestyles with Master Select .......
Graphics
The print head..
The
Column reservation numbers.......
Printing simple patterns......
Printing taller patterns.....
Designing your own graphics....
Individual graphics commands.....
The
User-defined Characters .
Designing your characters..
Sending information to your printer.........
Printing user-defined characters..
Copying ROM characters to RAM.........................................
Mixing print styles.....
Defining NLQ characters.....
effects
....................................................................................
graphicscommand
reassignment
.....................................................................
and
......................................................................
.......................................................
......................................................
emphasis
.......................................................
command
..........................................................
.............................................................
.............................................
.........................
......................................................
............................................
.....................................................
.............................................
........................................
..............................................
.....................................................
..............................
........................................
.................................................
4-2
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-5
4-7
4-9
4-10
4-12
4-13
4-14
4-15
4-16
4-19
4-20
4-21
4-21
4-23
4-24
4-25
4-26
4-27
Software and Graphics
4-1
Enhancing Your Printing
You can obtain a wide variety of printing effects with your printer,
from changing the number of characters per inch to using special
effects on selected words and phrases. This section gives you a
sampling of the features you may select with your software.
For software control of these features, see the instructions for your
applications program or look up their specific commands in
Chapter 9.
Print quality and fonts
The most apparent change you can make to print quality is to
change fonts.
Your printer has three levels of print quality: high-speed draft,
normal draft and NLQ (Near Letter Quality). High-speed draft
printing is ideal for
need to print quickly. Normal draft printing is a bit slower, but
offers higher resolution characters. NLQ printing takes a little
longer, but produces darker, more fully-formed characters suitable
for presentation-quality documents. For NLQ printing, the printer
offers two fonts: Roman and Sans Serif.
rough drafts and
large documents that you
The printout below shows the difference between high-speed draft,
normal draft, NLQ Roman, and NLQ Sans Serif characters so you
can compare the different styles and densities.
I-Ii g II-% pee?cl
cl ra f t
Draft printing is
c?ven
fast.
f as te
I”
I,
zi.
III
NLQ Roman is clear and typewriter-like.
NLQ
Sans Serif is crisp and distinctive.
4-2
Software and Graphics
Enhancing Your Printing
You can choose between the draft and NLQ fonts with either
software commands or the SelecType feature. However, high-speed
draft printing can only be selected by setting DIP switch 1-5 (see
the section on setting the DIP switches in Chapter 3).
Note: High-speed draft printing is only available when 10 cpi
printing is selected. The only print enhancements that can be
combined with high-speed draft printing are underline mode and
double-wide mode. If other enhancements or character sizes are
selected, high-speed draft is ignored and replaced by normal
draft.
Character spacing
To add greater variety to your documents, the printer has two
types of character spacing, 10 and 12 cpi (characters per inch). Each
is selected with a software command or a DIP switch (see the
section on setting the DIP switches in Chapter 3). The printout
below compares the two types.
This is 10
This is
Note: High-speed draft printing is available only in 10 cpi. If
you select 12 cpi, the print speed temporarily switches to normal
draft speed until 12 cpi is turned off.
cpi printing.
12
cpi printing.
Software and Graphics
4-3
Enhancing Your Printing
Character size
In addition to the basic cpi spacings, the printer offers two other
modes that can change the size of your printing. These modes are
double-wide and condensed.
The double-wide mode doubles the width of any size character.
This mode is useful for emphasizing report headings and creating
presentations, but is usually not suitable for large amounts of text.
You can also combine double-wide mode with other enhancements
to obtain even more impressive printing results.
This is normal 10
This
Both 10 and 12 cpi printing can be reduced to about 60% of their
normal width using the condensed mode. This mode is especially
useful for printing wide spreadsheets because condensed 12 cpi
allows you to print up to 160 characters on an B-inch line.
The condensed mode
with the SelecType feature.
Condensed 10
Condensed 12 cpi qives you even more.
Note: Both 10 and 12 cpi normal draft printing can be
condensed but NLQ printing cannot.
i s d o u b 1 e-w i d e.
can be selected with software commands or
cpi printing.
cpi gives
you more characters on
a line.
4-4
Software and Graphics
Enhancing Your Printing
Widening or narrowing the characters also widens or narrows the
space between words and letters. Because word processors usually
create a left margin by printing spaces, you may need to change
the left margin and the number of characters on a line to keep the
margins correct if you change character widths.
Special effects and emphasis
The printer offers two ways of emphasizing text and also allows
you to use underlining, superscripts, subscripts, and italics. These
features can be controlled directly by software commands. Many
application programs can also produce these effects if they are
properly installed. Refer to your application program manual for
details.
Emphasized and double-strike printing
Emphasized and double-strike printing can give text added
distinction. In emphasized mode, each character is printed twice as
the print head moves across the paper, with the second character
printed slightly to the right of the first. This process produces
darker, more fully formed characters.
In double-strike mode, the print head goes over each line twice,
making the text bolder. For even greater prominence, you can
combine emphasized and double-strike modes.
This is normal draft printing.
This is emphasized draft printing.
This is double-strike in draft mode.
This is double-strike and emphasized combined.
Note: When using an NLQ font, double-strike mode is ignored
because NLQ characters are already formed by two passes of the
print head.
Software and Graphics
4-5
Enhancing Your Printing
Italic printing
You can print italics by sending a software command. You can use
italics for special emphasis or as an alternative typeface.
This
is Roman printing.
This is italicized Roman printing.
Underlining
The underline mode provides an automatic way of fully
underlining any piece of text. This mode underlines spaces,
superscripts, and subscripts without a break. Most word processors
take advantage of this feature, but some programs use the
underline character instead. If this happens, check your program
for an underlining option.
Superscripts and subscripts
Superscripts and subscripts can be used for printing footnote
numbers and mathematical formulas. The example below shows
underlining and subscripts combined in a mathematical formula.
average =
4-6 Software and Graphics
&+
RQ + ---------- +
n
an1
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