Table 11: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus Pro XL & Stylus Pro.........................................16
Table 12: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus COLOR II & Stylus 1500..................................17
Table 13: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus COLOR IIs & Stylus 820...................................18
Revision: 013
This Programming notes is intended to used in conjunction with the EPSON
ESC/P Reference Manual, November 1994.
1. Introducing the EPSON Stylus Pro XL, Stylus Pro, Stylus COLOR II, Stylus COLOR IIs
Stylus 820 & Stylus 1500
This is a brief summary of the new features of EPSON’s five newest color inkjet printers and the
Stylus 820, which is a COLOR IIs compatible, except it is shipped as a monochrome printer.
These Programming Notes apply to the following printers:
EPSON Stylus Pro XL
EPSON Stylus Pro
EPSON Stylus COLOR II
EPSON Stylus COLOR IIs, and Stylus 820 (monochrome standard, color optional)
EPSON Stylus 1500 (monochrome standard, color optional)
All six printers add the new “small dot” feature which allows printing with the smaller dot sizes to
produce the highest quality in color inkjet printing. The dot size is selectable between “standard”
and “small dot”. All printers can print on EPSON coated paper, and the new Glossy Paper. The
new Glossy Paper provides a near photographic appearance and is recommended for the printer’s
highest resolution (720dpi) setting.
The Stylus Pro XL & Stylus Pro both provide the highest quality in 720 dpi color printing, even
on plain paper. The Stylus Pro is a narrow carriage printer, while the Stylus Pro XL is a wide
carriage printer which can support up to A3+ paper size (12.95”x19.02”), in addition to other
paper sizes.
The main difference between the Stylus COLOR II and the other printer models is that the black
ink, which is darker for improved text printing, does not mix well with the Cyan, Magenta, and
Yellow inks when printing on plain paper. On other type of papers, this Black ink and the CMY
inks can be mixed without any problem. When printing an image that contains both color and
black data on plain paper, EPSON recommends using C+M+Y to create composite black.
The Stylus COLOR IIs is the least expensive EPSON color solution. The printer can be set up as
either a black only printer, or as a CMY three color printer. The user can easily replace the ink
cartridge and print head to match the type of printing desired. The maximum printable resolution
for the Stylus COLOR IIs is 360 dpi horizontal by 720 dpi vertical.
The Stylus 820 is identical to the Stylus COLOR IIs except for the default configuration, which is
monochrome for the Stylus 820 and color for the Stylus COLOR IIs. The Stylus 820 is shipped
with only a monochrome ink cartridge and print head. The user can purchase a color option to
upgrade to a color capable printer. The Stylus 820 driver, should be identical to the Stylus
COLOR IIs driver, including color. The Stylus 820 is shipping in Asia & Europe but not in the
U.S.
Revision: 014
The Stylus 1500 is a wide carriage printer that supports up to A2, US C size papers as well as
tractor continuous sheet printing. The Stylus 1500 is a color upgradable monochrome printer.
Table 1 summarizes the new features for the new EPSON Stylus COLOR printer series.
Table 1: Printer Feature summary
Stylus Pro XLStylus ProStylus COLOR II
& Stylus 1500
Max Resolution
(dpi)
Small dotyesyesyesYes (res. may be
Statement, B5, User Defined.***
Envelopes: DL, CA, #10
* - paper size supported only by the wide carriage printers: Stylus Pro XL, Stylus 1500
** - paper size supported only by the Stylus 1500
*** - The minimum and maximum User Defined paper sizes for the Stylus Pro XL are
101.8~329 (mm) x 101.6~1117.6 (mm), Width x Height, respectively.
- The minimum and maximum User Defined paper sizes for the Stylus 1500 are
101.8~431.8 (mm) x 101.6~1117.6 (mm), Width x Height, respectively.
- The minimum and maximum User Defined paper sizes for the Stylus Pro, II, IIs, 820 are
101.8~215.9 (mm) x 101.6~1117.6 (mm), Width x Height, respectively.
Note:
The folowing paper sizes, used only for the Japan domestic market, are omitted: B5, Post Card,
2-Way Post Card.
Revision: 016
3. Printable Area
Table 3 through 5 summarize the printable area for the Stylus Pro XL; the Stylus Pro, Stylus
COLOR II, Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820; & the Stylus 1500, respectively.
Table 3: Printable Area for The EPSON Stylus Pro XL,
A24348961015438178198
A3434,12443435,712198
A3 Transverse3534890709433969198
Super A3/B434,57743436,605198
US-B433,87543435,885198
US-B Transverse3534887878433719198
US-C4348961181437679198
Tractor Paper Min.:
431358
43---
4896
Max.:
User Defined Size
Minimum:
Maximum:
431,358
4,896
43431,199
15,601
198
Revision: 019
4. Ink Density vs. Printing Mode
To prevent oversaturation when mixing Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y) & Black (K) ink
drops on paper, the amount of ink applied will vary depending on the printer model, type of paper
and resolution used.
Table 5 to 9 summarize the limitation of ink duty in the different print modes for the different
printers. The amount of ink drop varies when printing with one ink, two inks, or three inks
combination. The combination of two ink drops of either C, M, Y, will produce Red, Green or
Blue color, known as RGB. While the combination of three ink drops of C, M, Y, will produce a
composite Black. The ink duty to produce RGB & composite black is therefore reduced for each
C, M, Y to avoid color saturation.
Table 6: Ink Density vs. Print Mode for the Stylus Pro & Stylus Pro XL
ResolutionMedia TypePrint modeLimitation of ink
duty*
Resolution,
(Dot size)
(180 dpi)Plain Paper180 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
(360 dpi)Plain Paper360 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
Coated Paper
- 360 dpi
Transparency
Film
(720 dpi)Plain Paper
-720 dpi
Coated Paper
-720 dpi
360 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
360 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
720 dpi,
(Small Dot)
720 dpi,
(Small Dot)
Glossy Paper720 dpi
(Small Dot)
†
Small dot size is selected using “ESC ( e” command.
a) C, M, Y or K ink
b) R,G,B = two inks
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 200% (255/255*2)
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 200% (255/255*2)
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 200% (255/255*2)
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 200% (255/255*2)
a) 67% (171/255)
†
b) 100% (128/255*2)
a) 100% (255/255)
†
b) 130% (166/255*2)
a) 75% (191/255)
†
b) 100% (128/255*2)
Option**
Micro
Weave
OFFON
OFF
(ON**)
ON
(OFF)
ONOFF
ONOFF
ONOFF
ONOFF
High
Speed
(OFF)
ON
(OFF)
ON
(OFF)
(ON)
(ON)
(ON)
(ON)
* These are recommended values only. You may find that other values are more suitable for your driver or
application.
** The parameter within the “( )” indicates a user selectable option. These options are available only
when a choice, “( )”, is indicated. If the user turns MicroWeave “ON”, then High Speed mode (bidirectional printhead printing) should be disabled for best quality.
Revision: 0110
When printing an image that contains both color and black data on plain paper, (such as black text
on a color picture), with a Stylus COLOR II or a Stylus 1500, EPSON recommends printing
black with composite black by mixing C+M+Y inks., This black ink can mix with the CMY inks
for all other paper types, in the Stylus COLOR II and Stylus 1500.
Table 7: Ink Density vs. Print Mode for Stylus COLOR II and Stylus 1500
ResolutionMedia TypePrint modeLimitation of ink duty* Option**
(180 dpi)Plain Paper
arrangement,
(Dot size)
††
180 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
Dot
a) C, M, Y or K ink
b) R,G,B = two inks
c) Black =Three inks
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 200% (255/255*2)
Micro
Weave
High
Speed
OFFON
(OFF)
c) 300% (255/255*3)?
(360 dpi)Plain Paper
††
360 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 200% (255/255*2)
OFF
(ON**)
ON
(OFF)
c) 200% (170/255*3)?
Coated Paper
-360 dpi
360 dpi,
(Small Dot)
a) 100% (255/255)
†
b) 160% (136/255*2)
ON**
(OFF)
OFF
(ON)
c) 160% (136/255*3)?
Transparency
Film
360 dpi,
(Small Dot)
a) 100% (255/255)
†
b) 160% (136/255*2)
ONOFF
c) 160% (136/255*3)?
(720 dpi)Coated Paper
-720 dpi
720 dpi,
(Small Dot)
a) 65% (166/255)
†
b) 65% (83/255*2)
ONOFF
c) 65% (55/255*3) ?
Glossy Paper720 dpi,
(Small Dot)
a) 50% (255/255)
†
b) 50% (64/255*2)
ONOFF
c) 50% (43/255*3) ?
†
Small dot size is selected using “ESC ( e” command.
††
When printing an image with both color and black data on plain paper, use composite black (C+M+Y).
? indicates that these are not fully verified values and you should use special caution when programming
for this setting.
* These are recommended values only. You may find that other values are more suitable for your driver or
application.
** The parameter within the “( )” indicates a user selectable option. These options are available
only when a choice, “( )”, is indicated. If the user turns MicroWeave “ON”, then High Speed
mode (bi-directional printhead printing) should be disabled for best quality.
Revision: 0111
Table 8: Ink Density vs. Monochrome Print Mode for the Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820
(Monochrome Print Head and Ink Cartridge Installed)
ResolutionMedia TypePrint modeLimitation of ink duty* Option**
Resolution,
(Dot size)
(180 dpi)Plain Paper180 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
For Black inkMicro
Weave
High
Speed
100% (255/255)OFFON
(OFF)
(360 dpi)Plain Paper360 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
***Coated Paper
-360 dpi
360 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
100% (255/255)OFF
(ON**)
100% (255/255) ?
ON**
(OFF)
ON
(OFF)
OFF
(ON)
?
Transparency
Film
(360x720dpi)Plain Paper360x720 dpi
(360x720dpi)
***
Coated Paper
- 720 dpi
360 dpi,
(Small Dot)
(Small Dot)
360x720 dpi
(Small Dot)
100% (255/255)ONOFF
†
100% (255/255)ONOFF
†
100% (255/255) ?
†
ONOFF
(ON)
(ON)
?
(360x720dpi)
***
HQ Glossy
Paper
360x720 dpi,
(Small Dot)
†
100% (255/255) ?
ONOFF
(ON)
?
†
Small dot size is selected using “ESC ( e” command.
? indicates that these are not fully verified values and you should use special caution when programming
for this setting.
* These are recommended values only. You may find that other values are more suitable for your driver or
application.
** The parameter within the “( )” indicates a user selectable option. These options are available only
when a choice, “( )”, is indicated. If the user turns MicroWeave “ON”, then High Speed mode (bidirectional printhead printing) should be disabled for best quality..
*** These combinations of settings (along this row) are possible, but not recommended.
Revision: 0112
Table 9: Ink Density vs. CMY Print Mode for Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820
(CMY Print Head and Ink Cartridge Installed)
ResolutionMedia TypePrint modeLimitation of ink duty* Option**
Dot
arrangement,
(Dot size)
a) C, M, or Y ink
b) R,G,B = two inks
c) Black =Three inks
Micro
Weave
(C+M+Y)
(180 dpi)Plain Paper180 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 200% (255/255*2)
OFFON
c) 300% (255/255*3)
(360 dpi)Plain Paper360 dpi,
(Normal Dot)
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 200% (255/255*2)
OFF
(ON**)
c) 200% (170/255*3)
Coated Paper
-360 dpi
360 dpi,
(Small Dot)
a) 100% (255/255)
†
b) 160% (204/255*2)
ON**
(OFF)
c) 160% (136/255*3)
Transparency
Film
360 dpi,
(Small Dot)
a) 100% (255/255)
†
b) 160% (204/255*2)
ONOFF
c) 160% (136/255*3)
(360x720dpi)Coated Paper
-720 dpi
360x 720 dpi,
(Small Dot)
†
a) 100% (255/255)
b) 130% (166/255*2)
ONOFF
c) 130% (110/255*3)
(360x720dpi)Glossy Paper360x 720 dpi,
(Small Dot)
a) 100% (255/255)
†
b) 100% (128/255*2)
ONOFF
c) 100% (85/255*3)
High
Speed
(OFF)
ON
(OFF)
OFF
(ON)
†
Small dot size is selected using “ESC ( e” command.
* These are recommended values only. You may find that other values are more suitable for your driver or
application.
** The parameter within the “( )” indicates a user selectable option. These options are available only
when a choice, “( )”, is indicated. If the user turns MicroWeave “ON”, then High Speed mode (bidirectional printhead printing) should be disabled for best quality.
Revision: 0113
5. The new EPSON Stylus COLOR series “small dot” ESC/P2 Command
The ESC/P2 command to control the Dot Size is:
Format:
ASCII ESC (e02H00Hn1n2
Hex 1B 28650200n1n2
Dec 27 401010200n1n2
Parameter range:
n1 = 00reserved for future use. Set to 00
n2 = 00default dot size (standard dot size)
= 01selects small dot size
= 02selects standard dot size
Function:
selects the ink drop size (nominal dot diameter)
Note:
- default is standard dot size n2 = 00
- default dot size is set whenever the printer is initialized
- this command is available regardless of resolution or printing mode
- this command is implemented after entering raster graphics mode - ESC ( G - and
prior to sending raster graphics data - ESC .
6. Raster Graphic Command
Table 10: Raster Graphic Command Summary
Print ModeCommand ParameterMicro
VHvhmWeave
180 x 18018018020201, 8,
360 x 360ESC . 0, 1,
2 or 3
360x7207203605101Available
720 x 720720720551, 8,24Available
36036010101, 8,24Available
N/A
24
Revision: 0114
7. Higher Performance Monochrome Mode for The EPSON Stylus COLOR II
& Stylus 1500 only
If printing with only true Black ink (monochrome mode), printing speed can be enhanced by
selecting the following command. This command does not affect the ink used for printing, it only
affects internal buffering schemes which can improve performance.
The ESC/P2 command to select the “Higher Performance Monochrome Mode” or “Standard
performance Color Mode” is: