Epson Stylus Photo 870 Printer Basics Manual
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Epson Stylus Photo 870 Printer Basics Manual

Epson Stylus Photo 870 Printer Basics Manual

Epson stylus photo 870: user guide
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Download this manual See also: Service Manual, Programming Manual
®
EPSON Stylus Photo 870
®
EPSON Stylus Photo 1270

Printer Basics

Printed on recycled paper with at least 15% post-consumer content.

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Summary of Contents for Epson Stylus Photo 870

  • Page 1: Printer Basics

    ® EPSON Stylus Photo 870 ® EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 Printer Basics Printed on recycled paper with at least 15% post-consumer content.

  • Page 2: Copyright Notice

    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.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Windows System Requirements Macintosh System Requirements ENERGY STAR Compliance Important Safety Instructions Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions VIEWING YOUR ELECTRONIC PRINTER MANUAL Accessing Your Electronic Printer Manual Navigating Your Electronic Printer Manual PRINTING FROM START TO FINISH Printing with Windows Loading Paper...
  • Page 4 Using Advanced Settings Using Advanced Color Management Printing CMYK Format Files Using Color Management Profiles Using Special Papers EPSON Premium Glossy Photo Paper Matte Paper - Heavyweight EPSON Photo Paper Envelopes Taking Care of Your Photographs Selecting Your Paper Type...
  • Page 5 Diagnosing Printer Problems Checking the Control Panel Lights Running a Printer Check Identifying Printer Parts Problems and Solutions Problems Setting Up the Printer or Installing Software Problems with Printing Problems Getting Good Print Quality Problems with Paper Feeding Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems...

  • Page 6: Welcome

    Both the EPSON Stylus Photo 870 and EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 give you: Resolutions up to 1440 by 720 dpi (dots per inch), even on plain paper...

  • Page 7: Epson Stylus Photo 870

    Great results on a variety of paper sizes from 3.5 3.5-inch up to 9.5 44-inch— including letter, legal, envelope, card, and panoramic Roll paper holder kit for using EPSON Premium Glossy Photo Paper to print 6-inch photo reproductions from a convenient roll...

  • Page 8: About Your Software

    World Wide Web. It’s a good idea to check EPSON’s support web site periodically for possible updates to your printer driver. Visit www.epson.com and check the section for your product to see if there is a new driver available for downloading to your computer.
  • Page 9 Powerful color management tool lets you build ICC device profiles for accurate color between scanned, displayed, and printed images. The offer is available at a discounted price for EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 owners, for a limited time. Call (978) 749-9944 to order from Monaco Systems.

  • Page 10: About Your Documentation

    About Your Documentation To set up your printer and install its software, see the Start Here poster. This book contains system requirements, important safety information, and instructions on: viewing your electronic printer manual printing with Windows or on a Macintosh...

  • Page 11: Windows System Requirements

    Windows System Requirements To use your printer and its software, your system should have: ® A Microsoft Windows faster, recommended Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0 64MB of RAM (128MB or more recommended) 100MB of free hard disk space (200MB or more recommended)

  • Page 12: Macintosh System Requirements

    Macintosh System Requirements To use your printer and its software, your system should have: ® ™ An Apple iMac series, Power Macintosh, ® For iMac: Mac OS 8.1 or later (Mac OS 8.5.1 or later recommended) For Power Macintosh G3 or later: Mac OS 8.5.1 or later...

  • Page 13: Energy Star Compliance

    Be sure to follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer. Do not place the printer on an unstable surface or near a radiator or heating vent or in direct sunlight. Use only the type of power source indicated on the printer’s label.

  • Page 14: Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions

    Unplug the printer 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; if the printer has been dropped or the case damaged; if the printer does not operate normally or exhibits a distinct change in performance.
  • Page 15 If you remove an ink cartridge for later use, be sure to protect the ink supply area from dirt and dust, and store it in the same environment as the printer. Note that there is a valve in the ink supply port, making covers or plugs unnecessary, but care is needed to prevent the ink from staining items that the cartridge touches.

  • Page 16: Viewing Your Electronic Printer Manual

    The manual is in HTML format, so you need a browser—such as Internet Explorer 3.0 or later or Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later—to view it. If you are using a different browser, the pages may not display correctly. (A browser is not included on the printer software CD-ROM.)

  • Page 17: Navigating Your Electronic Printer Manual

    Click a topic on the left to expand the table of contents. . The main screen View ) or copy the Install ) and view it from , and double-click Programs EPSON EPSON Stylus Photo 870 View Reference Guide ESP870 Guide EPSON Stylus Photo 1270...
  • Page 18 After expanding the table of contents, you can click on the topic you want to view. If there’s a right arrow , click it to view subtopics, then click on a topic to go to it. Click the down arrow Closed list, click to expand...

  • Page 20: Printing From Start To Finish

    Follow the instructions in these sections: “Printing with Windows” below “Printing on a Macintosh” on page 20 If you’re already familiar with EPSON ink jet printing, you can skip ahead to these sections: “Using PhotoEnhance, Custom, and Advanced Settings” on page 24 “Using Advanced Color Management”...

  • Page 21: Opening The Printer Software

    Keep the following in mind when loading paper: Load the printable side face up. It’s usually whiter or brighter than the other side. Load letterhead or preprinted paper into the printer top edge first. Don’t load paper above the arrow on the left edge guide.

  • Page 22: Selecting Printer Software Settings

    (The slider may not be available for your paper type.) Click to return to your application’s Print dialog box. , you see your printer software Properties dialog box. Select the type of paper you loaded Select the Ink color...
  • Page 23 What’s This?. Selecting Windows Default Settings The printer settings you make apply only to the application you’re currently using. If you usually print one type of document in different applications—for example, black ink on legal size paper—you can change the default printer settings for all your...

  • Page 24: Controlling Printing

    For more advanced printer settings, see pages 24 through 26. For more information on printing—for example, previewing your printout, changing the paper size, or adding a watermark—see your electronic Reference Guide (described on page 11).

  • Page 25: Printing On A Macintosh

    Keep the following in mind when loading paper: Load the printable side face up. It’s usually whiter or brighter than the other side. Load letterhead or preprinted paper into the printer top edge first. Don’t load paper above the arrow on the left edge guide.

  • Page 26: Opening The Printer Software

    Make the following selections on the page setup dialog box (your dialog box may look slightly different): Make sure your EPSON Stylus Photo printer model ( selected. (If the printer model is incorrect, you need to select your printer in the Chooser; see the Start Here poster for instructions.) Select the correct Paper Size settings for your document.

  • Page 27: Selecting Printer Software Settings

    Set the slider in the Mode box to faster printing. (The slider may not be available for your paper type.) Click to print your document. Print . You see the main printer settings dialog box Print Select higher-quality or faster printing list). Media Type...

  • Page 28: Controlling Printing

    If you turned on background printing in the Chooser, you can select from the Application menu at the right side of the menu bar to check the Monitor3 progress of your print job. You see the EPSON Monitor3 dialog box: Click to pause printing Click on the...

  • Page 29: Using Photoenhance, Custom, And Advanced Settings

    Using PhotoEnhance, Custom, and Advanced Settings When you’re printing special projects, you can customize your printer software settings, as described in these sections: “Using PhotoEnhance” below “Using Custom Settings” on page 25 “Using Advanced Settings” on page 25 For additional information on these settings, see the electronic Reference Guide, as described on page 11.

  • Page 30: Using Custom Settings

    Using Custom Settings Your printer software includes custom project types with preset printing options. This lets you quickly select the best settings for your particular type of document, or select a color-matching method for your project. You can select from these project types:...

  • Page 31: Using Advanced Color Management

    Here are some tips for using the advanced color management features of your printer software. For more information, visit the EPSON web site at www.epson.com. If you’re using an Adobe product, such as Photoshop, also check the Adobe web site at www.adobe.com for more tips.

  • Page 32: Using Special Papers

    For instructions on printing with EPSON Photo Paper or Premium Glossy Photo Paper on a roll, see “Using Roll Paper” on page 33. For a list of EPSON special ink jet papers and ordering information, see the inside back cover.

  • Page 33: Epson Photo Paper

    EPSON Photo Paper You can use EPSON Photo Paper to print photographs that look almost as good as the ones you get from film processing. Photo Paper is available in a variety of sizes, in sheets or on a roll.
  • Page 34 Printable Area Bottom of printed image Trim size Printed image size Top of printed image Remove the margins Support the paper as it ejects from the printer so it doesn’t fall onto the floor Panoramic 210 594 mm...

  • Page 35: Envelopes

    Envelopes You can load up to 10 envelopes at a time, flap edge first and printable side up. Place them against the right edge guide and slide the left edge guide against them. (You’ll get better results if you press each envelope flat before loading it, or load one envelope at a time.) Set the thickness lever to the...

  • Page 36: Taking Care Of Your Photographs

    Taking Care of Your Photographs For optimum image quality and longer print life, print your photos with EPSON Photo Ink (the standard ink for the EPSON Stylus Photo 870 and EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 printers) and EPSON’s fade-resistant Matte Paper - Heavyweight and Premium Glossy Photo Paper.

  • Page 37: Selecting Your Paper Type

    EPSON Ink Jet Back Light Film * * EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 only If any paper you buy comes with a cleaning sheet, don’t use the cleaning sheet with this printer unless instructed to do so by EPSON technical support. Stylus Photo 1270 only Select this Media Type setting .

  • Page 38: Using Roll Paper

    (the sample roll that comes with the EPSON Stylus Photo 870 is 9.8 feet long) You can load roll paper using the roll paper holder (included with the EPSON Stylus Photo 870; optional for the EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 [part number C811062]) or cut paper from the roll and load it as a single sheet.
  • Page 39 3. Remove the printer’s paper support and install the roll paper holder in the same mounting slots. (The sides of the holder are marked R and L to indicate its right and left sides.)
  • Page 40 5. Load the end of the paper into the printer as far as it will go, then slide the left edge guide against the paper. 4-inch wide roll paper 6. Gently hold the paper in place on the top as you press and release the E load/eject button to feed the paper into the printer.

  • Page 41: Printing On Roll Paper

    You control the way you print on roll paper by selecting the right combination of printer software settings for your document. See these sections for instructions: Follow the guidelines in “Roll Paper Basics” below whenever you print on roll...

  • Page 42: Printing Edge-To-Edge 4 X 6 Snapshots

    “Printing Snapshots with Photoshop” on page 49 Printing Snapshots with Film Factory First load 4-inch wide roll paper in your printer, as described on page 33. Then follow the steps in the section for your operating system below. For more information on Film Factory, see the program’s online help.
  • Page 43 Print Size option. from the Height/Width Ratio pull-down menu. 6-inch print area. This is because your 6-inch print. Film Factory will trim larger images or enlarge button. You see your printer settings dialog box. Standard Prints Duplicate button to select the button.
  • Page 44 9. Click the Main tab, if necessary. Select Premium as the Glossy Photo Paper Media Type setting. Also make sure the PhotoEnhance setting is turned off. 10. Now click the tab. Paper 11. Select these settings: Roll Paper (Zero Margins) as the Paper Source 4 6 100 152 mm...
  • Page 45 13. Click the Print Total number of prints Print icon 14. If you’re using the Standard Prints function, click the arrows in the box to select the number of pictures you want. If you selected more than Copies one picture for printing and want multiple copies of each one, select the amount of each you want;...
  • Page 46 Macintosh Instructions 1. Start Film Factory. To do this, open the icon. You see the main Film Factory screen: Film Factory Standard Prints button Duplicate Prints button 2. Import a picture file or select the roll of film containing the picture(s) you want to print.
  • Page 47 5. When you’re ready to print, click the printing options: Print Assignment button Print button 6. Click the 7. Select Trim to Fit Print Size Similar to traditional photo finishing, Film Factory may not print your entire image within the 4 image’s width/height (or aspect) ratio may not match the ratio for a true 4 and trim smaller images to fit the 4...
  • Page 48 9. Select these settings: Roll Paper (Zero Margins) as the Page Size 6 in as the Roll Paper Option Banner Don’t select Save roll paper If you want to print a cutting line at your page boundaries, select Cut Sheet, then click the Print page frame checkbox. 10.
  • Page 49 You see your printer settings dialog box. Select Premium Glossy Photo Paper Make sure PhotoEnhance is turned off 14. Select Premium Glossy Photo Paper the PhotoEnhance setting is turned off. 15. Click . Your pictures print with no space between them and no space on the Print sides.
  • Page 50 Printing Snapshots with PhotoDeluxe First load 4-inch wide roll paper in your printer, as described on page 33. Then follow the steps in the section for your operating system below. Adobe PhotoDeluxe comes with the EPSON Stylus Photo 870 only.
  • Page 51 7. Click the Main tab, if necessary. Select Glossy Photo Paper Media Type setting. Also make sure the PhotoEnhance setting is turned off. 8. Now click the Paper 9. Select these settings: Roll Paper (Zero Margins) as the Paper Source 4 6 100 152 mm Page Size...
  • Page 52 4. Click the button on the left side of the PhotoDeluxe main screen. Send 5. Click the tab. To Printer Adobe PhotoDeluxe 2.0 icon. You see the PhotoDeluxe main screen: Get Photo 6-inch images, you folder and double-click...
  • Page 53 You see your Page Setup dialog box. as the Paper Source if you’re printing a 4 5 picture on a 4 6 page) so you’ll have a white border, click icon. You see your printer settings dialog box. 6 snapshot.
  • Page 54 Printing Snapshots with Photoshop First load 4-inch wide roll paper in your printer, as described on page 33. Then follow the steps in the section for your operating system below. Adobe Photoshop LE comes with the EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 only.

  • Page 55: Printing Panoramics Or Banners On Roll Paper

    You can print your favorite panoramic photographs or colorful banners on a roll of EPSON Photo Paper using an application such as Adobe Photoshop. First load 13-inch wide roll paper in your printer (EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 only), as described on page 33. Then follow the steps in one of the sections below.
  • Page 56 5. Click the button. You see the Print dialog box. Setup 6. Click the button. You see your printer settings dialog box. Properties 7. Click the Main tab, if necessary. Select Photo Paper as the Media Type setting. Also make sure the PhotoEnhance setting is turned off.

  • Page 57: Macintosh Instructions

    10. Click . You return to the Page Setup dialog box. 11. Click again. You return to the Print dialog box. 12. Click . Your banner prints with 0.12-inch (3 mm) margins on each side. Follow the steps on page 56 to remove and store your banner. The spaces between pages or print jobs on roll paper may vary, depending on the application you’re using and the way you create your document.
  • Page 58 If you want to print a cutting line at your page boundaries, select Cut Sheet Mode, then click the Print page frame checkbox. 6. Click 7. Select from the File menu. You see your printer settings dialog box: Print Select Photo Paper...

  • Page 59: Printing On Paper Cut From A Roll

    4. Gently hold the paper in place on the top as you press and release the E load/eject button to feed the paper into the printer. (If the paper feeds incorrectly, pull it out backward and reload it. If it won’t come...
  • Page 60 10. When you’re finished printing, hold down the E load/eject button until the printed sheet ejects all the way out of the printer. Store your printout in a resealable plastic bag. Keep both printed and unused roll paper away from high temperatures and humidity and out of direct sunlight.

  • Page 61: Removing And Storing Roll Paper

    If you’re finished printing on roll paper, follow the rest of the steps to remove it. 3. Cut the roll paper on the side of the line facing away from the printer. Make your cut as straight as possible to avoid feeding problems.

  • Page 62: Maintaining Your Printer

    Cleaning the print head uses ink, so clean it only if print quality declines. You can clean the print head in either of the following ways: using the Head Cleaning utility (when the printer is connected to a local port, not over a network), as described on page 58 using the printer’s control panel buttons, as described on page 59...

  • Page 63: Using The Head Cleaning Utility

    Follow these steps to run the Head Cleaning utility (recommended method): 1. Make sure the printer is turned on but not printing, and both the B black and A color ink out lights are off. (If an ink out light is flashing, replace the ink cartridge instead.)

  • Page 64: Using The Control Panel To Clean The Print Head

    Follow the steps below to clean the print head. (See page 67 for more control panel information.) 1. Make sure the printer is turned on but not printing, and both the B black and A color ink out lights are off. (If an ink out light is flashing, replace the ink cartridge before continuing.)

  • Page 65: Examining The Nozzle Check Pattern

    8. If you don’t see any improvement after cleaning three or four times, check the solutions beginning on page 73. You can also turn the printer off and wait overnight—this allows any dried ink to soften—and then try cleaning the print head again.

  • Page 66: Replacing An Ink Cartridge

    Use these EPSON ink cartridges within six months of installing them and before the expiration date on the package: Printer...

  • Page 67: Removing And Installing Ink Cartridges

    Follow these steps to replace ink cartridges: 1. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing (the Ppower light should be on, but not flashing). 2. Check the B black and A color ink out lights to see which ink cartridge you need to replace.
  • Page 68 6. Unwrap the new ink cartridge. Then remove the yellow tape seal on top. You must remove the yellow tape from the top of the cartridge or you will permanently damage it. Don’t pull off the blue portion or try to remove the clear seal underneath the cartridge.

  • Page 69: Aligning The Print Head

    Aligning the Print Head If your printouts contain misaligned vertical lines, you may need to align the print head. Your printer must be connected to a local port, not on a network, to use the Print Head Alignment utility. Follow these steps: 1.

  • Page 70: Cleaning The Printer

    Cleaning the Printer To keep your printer working at its best, you should clean it several times a year. Follow these steps: 1. Turn off the printer and wait for the Ppower light to go out.

  • Page 71: Transporting The Printer

    Be sure to remove the tape used in step 4 after installing the printer in its new location. 1. Turn on the printer, wait until the print head locks in the far right position, then turn off the printer. 2. Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet. Then disconnect the printer cable from the printer.

  • Page 72: Problem Solving

    Then see “Problems and Solutions” on page 71 for solutions to common setup, software, print quality, paper feeding, or other problems. It’s a good idea to check EPSON’s support web site periodically for possible updates to your printer driver. Visit www.epson.com and check the section for your product to see if there is a new driver available for downloading to your computer.
  • Page 73 Turn off the printer, open the cover, and check inside for any jammed paper. Then turn the printer back on. If the lights still flash and/or come on, contact your dealer or EPSON; see page 79 for information.

  • Page 74: Running A Printer Check

    If the check page doesn’t print, you may have a problem with your printer. Try the suggestions in “Problems and Solutions” beginning on page 71. If nothing seems to work, contact your dealer or EPSON as described on page 79.

  • Page 75: Identifying Printer Parts

    Identifying Printer Parts If you need help identifying the parts of the printer, refer to these illustrations: paper support extension (pulls up here) sheet feeder left edge guide ink cartridge holders (not removable) paper support right edge guide printer cover...

  • Page 76: Problems And Solutions

    Problems and Solutions Here are some troubleshooting tips if you have any problems setting up your printer, installing software, getting good print quality, feeding paper, or other problems. Problems Setting Up the Printer or Installing Software The printer started making noise after ink cartridge installation.

  • Page 77: Problems With Printing

    If you’re printing on a network, you need to set up your printer for network printing, as described in your electronic Reference Guide. The printer sounds as though it is printing, but nothing prints.

  • Page 78: Problems Getting Good Print Quality

    Also turn off in the printer software. High Speed Run the Print Head Alignment utility using EPSON ink jet paper. See page 64 for instructions. You see vertical banding. Run the Print Head Alignment utility using EPSON ink jet paper.
  • Page 79 Make sure your paper meets the specifications in the electronic Reference Guide. Use EPSON papers to ensure proper saturation and absorption of Genuine EPSON inks. Non-EPSON media may not be compatible and produce ink bleeding or pooling.
  • Page 80 Your printout is grainy. Try using a higher quality paper. Set the Quality/Speed slider to the setting in your printer Quality software; see page 17 (Windows) or page 22 (Macintosh). Run the Print Head Alignment utility.

  • Page 81: Problems With Paper Feeding

    Paper” on page 33. Paper jams inside the printer. Press the E load/eject button, turn off your printer, open the cover, and remove all the paper that’s inside, including any small pieces that may have torn off. If your paper jams frequently: Use smooth, high-quality paper, loaded printable side up.

  • Page 82: Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems

    Flip Horizontal printer software (see page 25) or the mirror setting in your application software. (If you’re printing on EPSON Iron-On Cool Peel Transfer Paper, the image should be inverted so it looks correct when it’s ironed on.) The printer prints blank pages.

  • Page 83: Uninstalling Printer Software

    Uninstalling Printer Software If you need to uninstall and then reinstall your printer software, such as when you upgrade your computer operating system, follow these steps: Uninstalling Windows Software 1. Double-click 2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs program list, then select your 3.

  • Page 84: Where To Get Help

    Where To Get Help If you need help with your printer or its software (or EPSON Software Film Factory), see the contact information below. If you need help using the other bonus or photo software that came with your printer, see page 81.

  • Page 85: Epson Accessories

    Toll or long distance charges may apply. Before you call, please have the following information ready: Product name (EPSON Stylus Photo 870 or EPSON Stylus Photo 1270) Product serial number (located on the back of the printer) Proof of purchase (such as a store receipt) and date of purchase...

  • Page 86: Bonus Or Photo Software Technical Support

    MonacoEZcolor** www.ezcolor.com/faq.html * EPSON Stylus Photo 1270 owners have an exclusive upgrade price of $299 for the full version of Adobe Photoshop. To upgrade or for more information on this offer, call 1-800-492-3623 and mention Source Code 56100. The offer expires 9/30/01.

  • Page 88: Index

    Flip Horizontal setting, 77 Gamma setting, 25 Glossy media, 27, 32, 33 to 56 Graph setting, 25 Head Cleaning utility, 57 to 59 Help, EPSON, 79 to 80 High Quality Ink Jet Paper, 32 High Speed setting, 72 High-resolution images, 75...
  • Page 89 20 to 23 system requirements, 7 USB, 7 Maintaining printer, 57 to 65 Matte Paper - Heavyweight, 27, 32 Media Pack, EPSON, 27 Media Type setting, 17, 22, 32 MicroWeave setting, 72 Mirror images, 77 Monitor3, EPSON, 23...
  • Page 90 71 miscellaneous, 77 paper feeding, 76 print quality, 73 to 75 printing, 72 setting up printer, 71 Profiles, color, 26 Progress Meter, 19 Project types, custom, 24 to 25 Quality/Speed setting, 17, 22 Reference Guide, 5, 11 to 13...

  • Page 91: Fcc Compliance Statement

    Trade Name: EPSON Type of Product: Ink Jet Printer Model: EPSON Stylus Photo 870: P152A EPSON Stylus Photo 1270: P153A FCC Compliance Statement For United States Users WARNING For Canadian Users DECLARATION of CONFORMITY...

  • Page 92: Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper

    EPSON Ink Jet Papers Use EPSON paper and inks to get the same photo quality results that earn EPSON printers all of their awards! EPSON papers are specially coated to work with EPSON quick drying inks. You’ll notice that when prints come out of your printer, you can immediately handle them. There is no drying time, no smearing or smudging, and your image is clean and smooth.

  • Page 93: How To Order Epson Ink And Paper

    How to Order EPSON Ink and Paper To order EPSON ink and paper, contact your dealer or call EPSON at (800) 873-7766 or visit the EPSON Store at www.epson.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call (800) 873-7766 for dealer referral.

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Stylus photo 1270

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