Epson stylus 9000 schematic

P r i n t e r G u i d e

EPSON Stylus® Pro 9000

®

Printed on recycled paper with at least 10% post-consumer content.

Copyright © 1999 by Epson America, Inc.

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

Trademarks

EPSON and EPSON Stylus are registered trademarks and ESC/P Raster and Micro Piezo are trademarks of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.

EPSON SoundAdvice is a service mark and DX3, EPSON FaxAdvice, and SelecType are trademarks of Epson America, Inc.

EFI, the EFI logo, Fiery, and the Fiery logo are U.S. registered trademarks of Electronics for Imaging, Inc.

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

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

Legal Notices

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

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

Part Number: CPD-8150

4/99

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 meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le materiel brouilleur du Canada.

Contents Introduction

How To Use Your Manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Using This Printer Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Warnings, Cautions, and Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Where To Get Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ENERGY STAR Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Year 2000 Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

1 Handling Paper

Selecting Paper and Other Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Printing on EPSON Paper and Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Printing Tips for EPSON Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Using Roll Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Attaching Paper to the Spindle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Removing Paper from the Spindle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Inserting the Spindle in the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

Loading Roll Paper for Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Cutting Roll Paper Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Printing Trim Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

Using Cut Sheet Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

Printing on Thick Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

Adjusting the Platen Gap for Thick Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

Using the Paper Hammock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18

Catching Printouts in Front of the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18

Catching Printouts Under the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21

Setting Paper Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Registering Paper Thickness and Drying Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22

Selecting Registered Paper Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

vi | Contents

2 Monitoring and Configuring the Printer

Using the Control Panel to Monitor the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Monitoring Normal Printer Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Pausing and Resetting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Checking Printer Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Printing a Status Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Printing a Nozzle Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Checking Ink Levels and Component Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Responding to Messages and Light Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Using the Control Panel to Configure the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Setting Default Roll Paper Margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Selecting the Printer’s Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Configuring the Parallel Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Changing the Printer’s Code Page Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Restoring Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

Setting the Control Panel Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

3 Maintaining and Transporting the Printer

Running a Nozzle Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-1
Running a Cleaning Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-2
Aligning the Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-3
Printing the Alignment Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-3
Completing the Alignment Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-4
Replacing Ink Cartridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-6
Replacing the Paper Cutter Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-10
Removing the Used Cutter Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-10
Installing the New Cutter Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-13
Cleaning the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-14
Transporting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-15
Moving the Printer Without the Leg Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-16
Setting Up the Printer After Transporting It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	3-18

Contents | vii

4 Resolving Problems

Diagnosing Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Using Hex Dump Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Improving Print Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Solving Operational Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Solving Miscellaneous Printing Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Solving Paper Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Solving Roll Paper Feed Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Clearing Paper Jams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

5 Specifications

Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Printable Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Safety Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Ink Cartridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Parallel Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Forward Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Reverse Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

ECP Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Serial Interface (RS-423 Standard) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

AInstalling an Ethernet Interface Card

BUsing EPSON Drivers and Utilities for Macintosh

Connecting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	B-1
Setting Up Your Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	B-2
Checking System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	B-3
Installing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	B-3
Selecting Your Printer in the Chooser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	B-4

viii | Contents

Setting Print Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

Choosing Page Setup Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

Choosing Basic Print Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-6

Choosing Advanced Print Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-9

Managing Print Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-12

Setting Up Background Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-12

Using Monitor3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-13

Cancelling Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15

Checking Printer Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15

Selecting Configuration Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-16

Running Print Head Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18

Running Nozzle Check and Head Cleaning Utilities . . . . . . . . . B-18

Running the Print Head Alignment Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19

CUsing EPSON Drivers and Utilities for Windows

Connecting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-1
Setting Up Your Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-2
Checking System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-2
Installing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-3
Setting Print Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-3
Choosing Basic Print Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-4
Choosing Paper Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-7
Choosing Advanced Print Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-8
Managing Print Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-12
Using the Progress Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-12
Using the Spool Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-13
Using Status Monitor 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-13
Checking Printer Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-15
Checking Print Job Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-16
Setting Monitoring Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-17
Running Printer Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-18
Running Nozzle Check and Head Cleaning Utilities . . . . . . . . .	C-18
Running the Print Head Alignment Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	C-19
Running the Printer and Option Information Utility . . . . . . . . .	C-20
Running the Speed and Progress Configuration Utility . . . . . . .	C-21

Index

Introduction	The EPSON Stylus® Pro 9000 is the ultimate wide-format color ink jet
	printer. With resolutions up to 1440 dpi, the printer gives you true
	photographic quality with no-compromise text and line art at some of the
	fastest production speeds in the industry. Support for two 44-inch media
	rolls and cut sheets up to 1.5 mm thick lets you print on a variety of media.
	EPSON’s Micro Piezo™ dual density droplet (DX3™) print technology
	includes a precise and consistent dot size and an innovative six-color,
	high-capacity, quick-drying ink system. The EPSON Stylus Pro 9000
	incorporates EPSON’s new DC-based motor technology, which allows for
	superior print engine accuracy, even during bidirectional printing modes.
	For network productivity, a high performance EFI® Fiery® X2 RIP server
	may be purchased. The EPSON RS-5100 server supports a variety of
	network configurations and protocols, with full compatibility for
	®	®	®	®
	Macintosh, Microsoft		Windows	98, Windows 95, Windows NT, and

UNIX® computers. The Fiery X2 RIP provides full multitasking for simultaneous spooling, Adobe® PostScript® 3 processing, and printing.

The EPSON Stylus Pro 9000, with the RS-5100 and EFI’s ColorWise® ProTools, provides professional color management—including fully adjustable CMYK color correction, ICC profile support, and high-quality press simulation color rendering dictionaries (CRD’s).

The printer may also be equipped with an optional 44-inch auto take-up reel that is compatible with most lamination systems and lets you run long print jobs unattended. With twoand three-inch core media spindle compatibility, the EPSON Stylus Pro 9000 can accommodate even the most demanding media requirements.

For complete flexibility, the EPSON Stylus Pro 9000 also supports many third-party RIPs and comes with custom EPSON® drivers and utilities for photographs and other non-PostScript printing.

2 | Introduction

How To Use Your Manuals

This guide is part of a set, which also includes the documentation listed below.

•The EPSON Stylus Pro 9000 Assembly and Setup Instructions describe how to unpack and assemble the printer, install ink cartridges and paper, and prepare for printing.

•The EPSON Stylus Pro 9000 Quick Reference Guide provides a handy summary of the procedures for daily use and printer maintenance— loading paper, replacing ink cartridges, running cleaning cycles, and aligning the print head. Attach it to your printer for easy reference.

If you have the RIP Station 5100, your documentation set includes additional manuals for users and system administrators.

•The RIP Station 5100 Getting Started describes how to unpack the RIP, install user software and printer files from the User Software CD-ROM, and set up printing. It also describes how to install printer files via the Internet.

•The RIP Station 5100 User Guide describes how to set printing options and print to the RIP from Windows and Mac® OS computers.

•The RIP Station 5100 Administrator Guide explains basic configuration and administration of the RIP for the supported platforms and network environments. It also includes guidelines for setting up UNIX, Windows NT, and NetWare® servers to provide PostScript printing services to clients.

•The RIP Station 5100 Color Printing Guide provides an introduction to the basics of color theory. It includes practical color printing tips and application-specific instructions.

•Release Notes provide last-minute product information and workarounds for some of the problems you may encounter.

Introduction | 3

Using This Printer Guide

This guide contains the following information:

Chapter 1 gives instructions for loading roll paper and cut sheets, printing on both EPSON and non-EPSON media, and using the paper hammock.

Chapter 2 explains how to monitor the printer’s status, respond to error messages on the control panel, and configure printer settings.

Chapter 3 gives instructions for cleaning and aligning the print head, replacing ink cartridges and the cutter blade, and cleaning and transporting the printer.

Chapter 4 provides troubleshooting tips and solutions for problems involving print quality, printer operation, and paper handling.

Chapter 5 provides the technical details on your printer, paper requirements, and ink cartridges.

Appendix A gives instructions for installing an optional Ethernet interface card.

Appendix B covers the installation and use of EPSON printer drivers and utilities for Macintosh computers.

Appendix C covers the installation and use of EPSON printer drivers and utilities for Windows computers.

An Index is included at the end of the book.

4 | Introduction

Warning

Caution

Note

Warnings, Cautions, and Notes

You’ll find this information throughout this guide:

Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.

Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.

Notes contain important information about your printer.

Where To Get Help

EPSON provides technical support and information on the installation, configuration, and operation of professional graphics arts products through the EPSON Preferred Protection Plan. Dial [phone], 6 A.M. to

8 P.M., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, and 7 A.M. to 4 P.M., Pacific Time, Saturday and Sunday.

Before you call, make sure you have your Unit ID number, which is included with the EPSON Preferred Protection Plan information that came with your printer.

		Introduction | 5
		EPSON also provides customer support through the following services:
Electronic support services
Service		Access
World Wide Web		From the Internet, you can reach EPSON’s Professional Graphics Home Page
		at http://prographics.epson.com.
EPSON Internet FTP Site		If you have Internet FTP capability, use your Web browser (or other software
		for FTP downloading) to log onto ftp.epson.com with the user name
		anonymous and your e-mail address as the password.
EPSON Forum on		Members of CompuServe can type GO EPSON at the menu prompt to reach
CompuServe®		the Epson America Forum. For a free introductory CompuServe membership,
		call [phone] and ask for representative #529.
Automated telephone services
Service		Access
EPSON SoundAdviceSM		For pre-recorded answers to commonly asked questions about EPSON
		products 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call [phone].
EPSON FaxAdvice™		Access EPSON’s technical information library by calling [phone]. You
		must provide a return fax number to use this service.
EPSON Referral Service		For the location of your nearest Authorized EPSON Reseller,
		call [phone].
		You can purchase ink cartridges, paper, manuals, and accessories from
		EPSON Accessories at [phone]. Or visit our web site at:
		www.epsonsupplies.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call
		[phone] for dealer referral.
		ENERGY STAR Compliance
		As an ENERGY STAR Partner, EPSON has determined that this product
		meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
		The EPA ENERGY STAR Office Equipment program is a voluntary
		partnership with the computer and office equipment industry to promote
		the introduction of energy-efficient personal computers, monitors, printers,
		fax machines, and copiers in an effort to reduce air pollution caused by
		power generation.

6 | Introduction

Caution

Always turn the printer off using the Power button. When you press this button, the Operate light flashes briefly then goes out. Do not unplug the printer or turn off the power to the printer until the Power light is off. This ensures that the print head is safely capped.

Year 2000 Ready

Your EPSON printer is Year 2000 Ready. However, be sure the other parts of your computer system are also ready for the year 2000.

Important Safety Instructions

Before using your printer and RIP Station 5100, read the following safety instructions to make sure you use the equipment safely and effectively.

•Turn off and unplug the printer (and RIP Station 5100) before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth only. Do not spill liquid on the printer (or RIP Station 5100).

•Do not place the printer (or RIP Station 5100) on an unstable surface or near a radiator, heating vent, or in direct sunlight. Avoid areas subject to rapid changes in temperature and humidity or shock and vibrations.

•Place the printer (and RIP Station 5100) on a flat surface. They will not operate properly if they are tilted or at an angle.

•Do not block or cover the openings in the printer case (or RIP Station 5100 case) or insert objects through the slots.

•Use only the type of power source indicated on the label.

•Connect all equipment to properly grounded power outlets. Avoid using outlets on the same circuit as photocopiers or air control systems that regularly switch on and off.

•Place the printer (and RIP Station 5100) near a wall outlet where the plugs can be easily unplugged.

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

•Do not let the power cords become damaged or frayed.

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

Introduction | 7

•Except as specifically explained in the documentation, do not attempt to service the printer (or RIP Station 5100) yourself. Opening or removing those covers that are marked “Do Not Remove” may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing in those compartments to service personnel.

•Unplug the printer (or RIP Station 5100) and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

If the power cord or plug is damaged; if liquid has entered the printer (or RIP Station 5100); if the equipment has been dropped or the case damaged; if the printer (or RIP Station 5100) does not operate normally or exhibits a distinct change in performance. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions.

Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions

•Do not put your hand inside the printer or touch the cartridges during printing.

•To avoid damaging the printer, do not move the print head by hand.

•Under normal circumstances, ink will not come out of the cartridge. If it does get on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with water.

•Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children.

•Do not dismantle the ink cartridges or try to refill them. This could result in damage to the print head.

•Once you install an ink cartridge, do not open the clamp or remove the cartridge except to replace it with a new one. The cartridge may become unusable otherwise.

•Install the ink cartridge immediately after you remove it from its foil package. Leaving the cartridge unpacked for a long time before use may result in reduced print quality.

•Do not use an ink cartridge beyond the date printed on the cartridge package. For best results, use cartridges within six months of installation.

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

•Before transporting the printer, make sure the print head is capped in the far right position and the ink cartridges are in place.

8 | Introduction

Chapter 1:

Handling

Paper

Your EPSON Stylus Pro 9000 prints on a variety of media, including roll paper and cut sheets up to 44 inches wide. The straight-through paper path allows you to use heavy stock, including media up to 1.5 mm thick. This chapter includes instructions for the following:

•Selecting paper and other media

•Printing on EPSON paper and film

•Using roll paper

•Using cut sheet paper

•Using the paper hammock

•Setting paper configurations

Selecting Paper and Other Media

You can print on most types of coated, glossy, plain paper, and other media. The printer comes with two spindles, so you can have two types of roll paper available for printing at all times (with manual switching). You can also purchase an optional 3-inch spindle, which allows you to use roll paper with a 3-inch core.

The following table shows the requirements for paper you can use in your printer:

Paper requirements

	Roll paper	Cut sheets
Size	13 to 44 in. wide	11 × 17 in. to 44 × 62.2 in.
	(330 to 1118 mm)	(up to 1118 × 1580 mm)
Maximum	4.05 in. (103 mm) when using 2 rolls
roll diameter	5.90 in. (150 mm) when using 1 roll
Thickness	up to 0.5 mm	up to 1.5 mm

Always test samples of paper stock in the printer before purchasing large quantities or printing large jobs. When you use non-EPSON papers or other media, you may need to “profile” their thickness and ink drying time. See page 1-22 for instructions.

1-2 | Handling Paper

Printing on EPSON Paper and Film

Note

Check with your EPSON authorized dealer for new papers and other media that may be available.

EPSON papers, which are specially formulated for the inks used in the printer, ensure high-quality results. The following tables list the product codes for the EPSON paper and film available for your printer. The name on the package may be different from the name shown in this table; use the product code to identify the paper or film.

EPSON roll paper product codes

Paper type	44-inch roll	36-inch roll
Matte Paper—Doubleweight	SP91006	SP91005
Presentation Matte Paper	S041220	S041221
Semi-Gloss Paper—Heavyweight	S041228	S041229
Photo Glossy Paper	SP91002	SP91001
Backlight Film	SP91008	SP91007

EPSON cut-sheet product codes

	Photo Quality	Photo	Photo Quality	Poster Board —
Sizes	Ink Jet Paper	Paper	Glossy Film	Semi-Gloss
B (11 × 17 in.)	S041070	S041156	S041075	—
A3	—	S041142	—	—
(11.7 × 16.5 in.)
Super A3/B	S041069	S041143	S041074	—
(13 × 19 in.)
A2	S041079	—	—	—
(16.5 × 23.4 in.)
B2	—	—	—	S041237
(20.25 × 28.7 in.)
B1	—	—	—	S041236
(28.7 × 40.5 in.)

Handling Paper | 1-3

Printing Tips for EPSON Media

Follow these tips for using and storing printing materials:

•Don’t touch the printable surface of the paper or other media with bare hands. Fingerprints may affect print quality.

•Always choose the correct print mode setting in your print options before you send your job.

•Keep unused media in its original packaging and store it in a cool, dry place to avoid a decline in quality. Avoid storing media or printouts where they will be exposed to high temperature, humidity, or direct sunlight.

Using Roll Paper

The printer comes with two spindles, so you can have two types or sizes of roll paper available for printing. You can use any roll paper with a 2-inch core, up to 44 inches wide. With the optional 3-inch spindle, you can also use roll paper that has a 3-inch core (one roll at a time). Manually switching from one paper roll to another is a simple process.

This section covers the following:

•Attaching and removing paper from the spindle

•Inserting the spindle in the printer

•Loading the paper for printing

1-4 | Handling Paper

Attaching Paper to the Spindle

Follow these steps:

1. Open the roll paper cover and lift out the spindle.

2.Slide the movable paper stop (flange) off the left end of the spindle.

3.Position the roll so the paper unwinds as shown:

4.Slide the roll onto the spindle so it fits securely over the paper stop.

paper stop

Handling Paper | 1-5

5.Slide the movable paper stop back onto the spindle and insert it firmly into the end of the roll.

Caution

To avoid damage, do not tap the end of the spindle on the floor.

Note

Store unused roll paper in its original package— including the bag, end caps, and box—to protect the paper.

Removing Paper from the Spindle

If you need to remove the paper roll from the spindle, follow these steps:

1.Open the roll paper cover and lift out the roll and spindle.

If the paper is loaded for printing, first raise the paper set lever and roll up the paper before you remove the spindle.

2.Lay the roll down on a flat surface.

3.Loosen the movable paper stop by tapping it with your hand.

4.Slide the paper stop off the end of the spindle.

5.Remove the roll from the spindle.

1-6 | Handling Paper

Inserting the Spindle in the Printer

After you have loaded the paper roll onto the spindle, you need to insert it into the printer. You can have two rolls of paper in the printer at the same time, and print on either one. (If you’re using the optional 3-inch spindle, you can only have one roll of paper in the printer.)

Follow these steps to place the spindle and paper into the printer:

1.Open the roll paper cover.

2.Make sure the movable paper stop is firmly fixed into the left end of the paper roll.

3.Position the spindle so that the white end (with the fixed paper stop) is on the right.

black white

Handling Paper | 1-7

4.Insert the white end into the right mounting bracket inside the printer. You can use either the upper or lower bracket.

5.Place the black end of the spindle into the left mounting bracket inside the printer.

1-8 | Handling Paper

6.To keep the paper wound when you’re not printing, use one of the roll paper belts included with your printer.

When you’re not using the roll paper belt, keep it wound around the end of the spindle.

Note

To remove the spindle (and paper roll) from the printer, first lift out the left end and then the right end.

roll paper belt

7. See the next section to load the paper for printing.

Caution

To avoid feeding excess paper through the printer, make sure you don’t select Sheet when you’re using roll paper.

Caution

If you’re using thick roll paper, choose Roll Cutter Off. Paper that is too thick may damage the cutter.

Handling Paper | 1-9

Loading Roll Paper for Printing

Once the roll paper is attached to the spindle and inserted in the printer, you’re ready to load it for printing. First, open the roll paper cover and make sure the spindle is inserted correctly. Then follow these steps:

1.Make sure the printer is turned on. Then press the Paper Source button until one of the Roll lights comes on.

Paper out

SelecType

Paper Source

Roll
Auto Cut		Item
Roll		+
Cutter Off

•Choose Roll Auto Cut if you want the paper to be cut automatically after each page is printed.

•Choose Roll Cutter Off if you don’t want the paper cut automatically.

Choose Roll Cutter Off if you’re using the optional auto take-up reel, or if you want to print a series of pages and keep them together for later cutting.

If you’re using the auto cut setting, you can have a trim line printed on the right edge of your images or pages. If you’re not using auto cut, you can have the line printed on the right and bottom edges of your pages. See page 1-13 for instructions.

You can also select roll paper settings through your print options, which will override the control panel settings. See the RIP Station 5100 User Guide or Appendix B or C in this manual for more information.

1-10 | Handling Paper

2. Make sure the Operate light and Pause light are not flashing. Then

Caution	pull the paper set lever all the way up.

To avoid damaging the printer, never move the paper set lever while the

Operate or Pause light is flashing.

Caution

3. Feed the paper into the paper slot.

Don’t touch the printable surface of the paper with bare hands. Fingerprints may affect print quality.

Handling Paper | 1-11

4. Pull the paper down so it extends all the way through the slot.

5.Turn the roll back to remove the slack. Then align the paper with the two rows of holes.

1-12 | Handling Paper

6. Push the paper set lever all the way down, then close the roll paper

Caution	cover. PRESS PAUSE BUTTON appears on the control panel display.

To avoid damaging the printer, never move the paper set lever while the

Operate or Pause light is flashing.

If you’re using Auto Cut and the edge of the paper is uneven, press

Cut/Eject to recut the edge.

7.Press the Pause button. The print head moves and the paper feeds into printing position automatically. READY appears on the control panel display. (Even if you don’t press Pause, the paper and printer will move into printing position automatically after 10 seconds.)

You can now send your print job.

Cutting Roll Paper Manually

When you’re not using the Auto Cut setting, you need to cut the paper manually after your print job is finished. Follow these steps:

1.If the paper is not positioned correctly, press one of the Paper Feed buttons to adjust the paper position. Normally, you don’t need to do this after a print job is finished.

2.Press the Paper Source button until the Roll Auto Cut light comes on.

3.Press the Cut/Eject button. The paper is cut.

Handling Paper | 1-13

Printing Trim Lines

You can have trim lines printed on the right edge of your images or pages (if you’re using auto cut) or on the right and bottom edge (if you’re not using auto cut). Follow these steps:

1.Press the SelecType button. PRINTER SETTING MENU appears on the display.

2.Press the Item button until PAGE LINE=OFF appears on the display.

3.Press the + button. PAGE LINE=ON appears on the display.

4.Press the Enter button to save the new setting.

5.Press the SelecType button to exit the Printer Setting menu.

If you’re using the RIP Station 5100 or the EPSON printer driver, you can also specify trim lines through your print options. See the RIP Station 5100 User Guide or Appendix B or C in this manual for more information.

Using Cut Sheet Paper

You can print on many types of cut sheet paper and other media. If you’re using stock more than 0.5 mm thick, see page 1-15 for additional instructions.

The printer accepts sheets ranging from 11 × 17 inches to 44 × 62.2 inches. You can leave your roll paper in the printer when you print on cut sheets; make sure it is rolled up and fastened with the roll paper belt(s), as described on page 1-8.

1-14 | Handling Paper

Before you start, make sure the printer is on and roll paper is not loaded for printing. Then follow these steps:

1.Make sure the roll paper cover is closed.

2.Press the Paper Source button repeatedly until the Sheet light comes on.

3.Make sure the Operate light and Pause light are not flashing. Then pull the paper set lever all the way up.

4.Feed the sheet into the paper slot until it extends through the slot. Align the paper with the two rows of holes.

Caution

To avoid damaging the printer, never move the paper set lever while the

Operate or Pause light is flashing.

Handling Paper | 1-15

5.Push the paper set lever all the way down. PRESS PAUSE BUTTON appears on the control panel display.

6.Press the Pause button. The print head moves and the paper feeds into printing position automatically. READY appears on the control panel. (Even if you don’t press Pause, the paper and printer will move into printing position automatically after 10 seconds.)

7.Print your page. After it is finished, the printed sheet stays in the printer.

8.To remove the printout, pull the paper set lever all the way up while holding the sheet.

Printing on Thick Sheets

You can print on heavy stock up to B1 size (approximately 28.7 × 40.5 inches). Follow these instructions when you print on card stock or other media more than 0.5 mm thick.

1.Set the paper hammock to catch your printouts in front of the printer. See page 1-18 for instructions.

2.Press the Paper Source button repeatedly until the Sheet light comes on.

3.Make sure the Operate light and Pause light are not flashing. Then pull the paper set lever all the way up.