Epson Stylus Color 640 User Manual
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Epson Stylus Color 640 User Manual

Epson Stylus Color 640 User Manual

Epson stylus color 640: user manual
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Summary of Contents for Epson Stylus Color 640

  • Page 1 EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 Manual...

  • 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

    Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips ENERGY STAR Compliance Year 2000 Ready Important Safety Instructions Basic Printing Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications Setting Default Printer Options Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0 Windows 3.1 Checking Print Job Status Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0...
  • Page 4 Advanced Printing Using Custom Project Types Customizing Print Quality and Special Effects Adjusting Color Settings Using PhotoEnhance3 or Digital Camera Correction Mode Using Custom Color Management Modes Using a Color Correction System Selecting Paper Size and Orientation Options Selecting Print Layout Options Reducing and Enlarging Your Document Size Using Multiple Print Layouts and Page Frames Adding a Watermark...
  • Page 5 Selecting Special Media Media Loading and Handling Guidelines Letterhead, Preprinted Forms, and Legal-size Paper Envelopes EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet and Note Cards EPSON Ink Jet Paper EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Film EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Paper EPSON Photo Paper...
  • Page 6 Managing Print Jobs in Windows 3.1 Using the Spool Manager Network Printing in Windows 95 and Windows 98 Setting Up the Host System for Printer Sharing Setting Up Client Systems to Share the Printer Maintenance and Transportation Cleaning the Print Head...
  • Page 7 Troubleshooting Identifying Printer Parts Diagnosing Problems Checking the Control Panel Lights Running a Printer Check Improving Print Quality Solving Printing Problems Solving Printer Software Problems Fixing Paper Problems Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems Uninstalling Printer Software Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0 Instructions Windows 3.1 Instructions...

  • Page 8: Introduction

    EPSON’s specially formulated ink cartridges and wide variety of ink jet papers offer the most flexibility for getting the results you want. This chapter gives you general information about your printer in...

  • Page 9: Windows System Requirements

    Windows System Requirements To use your printer and its software with a PC, your system should have: Introduction ® Windows 3.1x, Windows 95, Windows 98, or ® Windows NT ® An IBM compatible PC with at least a 486/25 MHz processor for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0;...

  • Page 10: How To Use Your Documentation

    How To Use Your Documentation To set up your printer and install the printer software, see the Start Here card . The Printer Basics book contains printing instructions, details about the software on the CD-ROM, and installation instructions. This manual contains the following information: Basic Printing covers the basics—selecting printer options and...

  • Page 11: Warnings, Cautions, Notes, And Tips

    Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment. Notes contain important information about your printer. Tips contain additional hints for great printing. ENERGY STAR Compliance As an E Partner, EPSON has determined that this NERGY product meets the E guidelines for energy efficiency. NERGY...

  • Page 12: Year 2000 Ready

    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, read the following safety instructions to make sure you use the printer safely and effectively.
  • Page 13 Place the printer near a wall outlet where the plug 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 cord 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.
  • Page 14 Always turn the printer off using the Ppower button. When this button is pressed, the Ppower light flashes briefly then goes out. Do not unplug the printer or turn off the power to the outlet until the Ppower light is off.

  • Page 15: Basic Printing

    It’s easy to print with your new EPSON Stylus COLOR 640. First set up and install the printer software, following the instructions in the Start Here card. Then read this chapter to learn about: Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications...

  • Page 16: Setting Printer Options From Windows Applications

    Open your application and select a document to print. From the File menu, click Print. You see a Print dialog box, similar to the one below. Make sure your EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 printer is selected. for information about ™...
  • Page 17 If your application’s Print dialog box contains a Properties button, click it and go to step 5. If you see a Setup, Printer, or Options button, click it. You see another dialog box that contains the Properties button. Click it and go to step 5.
  • Page 18 For the Ink setting, choose Color or Black. Make sure the Mode option is set to Automatic. This lets the printer software determine the best settings for your print job and is the easiest way to get good printing results on all types of paper.
  • Page 19 While your document is printing, the EPSON Progress Meter (EPSON Despooler in Windows 3.1) appears, showing the printing progress and the status of your printer. See Print Job Status for more information.

  • Page 20: Setting Default Printer Options

    Windows NT printer software settings only if you have the appropriate network access privileges, such as Administrator or Power User. Basic Printing Click Start, point to Settings, and then select Printers. Right-click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 icon. Page 20...
  • Page 21 Select Properties (Document Defaults in Windows NT). Then click the Main tab. You see the printer settings dialog box, as shown below. Any changes you make will become the default settings for all your applications and documents. Click OK when you’re finished.

  • Page 22: Windows 3.1

    Double-click the Print Manager icon. Select Printer Setup from the Options menu. Make sure EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 is selected, then click Setup. You see the printer settings dialog box, shown below. Make any changes you want to become the default settings for all your applications and documents, and click OK when you’re...

  • Page 23: Checking Print Job Status

    The Progress Meter shows the progress of your print job and the status of your printer. You can use the buttons to cancel, pause, or restart your print job. You can select whether to display the Progress Meter dialog box or not; see...

  • Page 24: Windows 3.1

    Status Monitor 2 Printer Status window (see Monitor Windows 3.1 After you send your print job, the EPSON Despooler dialog box appears on your screen: click to pause and resume...

  • Page 25: Advanced Printing

    When your photographs, reports, or other projects have special printing requirements, you can use the custom settings in your EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 software. You can choose predefined custom project types or adjust individual options like brightness, contrast, sharpness, and halftoning. For professional-quality color accuracy, you can use a color matching mode.

  • Page 26: Using Custom Project Types

    Using Custom Project Types The printer software includes predefined custom project types that provide an easy way to fine-tune your printer settings for a specific type of project. Follow these steps to print with custom project types: Windows 95, 98, NT Advanced Printing Create your image or document in your application software.
  • Page 27 Note: Always choose your Media Type and Ink setting before you select a project from the Custom Settings list. Some project types may not be available with the Media or Ink setting you choose. Printing with PhotoEnhance3 or PhotoEnhance may take longer, depending on your computer and image.
  • Page 28 World Wide Web. First set up your sRGB compatible devices (such as your monitor and printer) to use an sRGB color profile; see your Windows 98 online help for details.

  • Page 29: Customizing Print Quality And Special Effects

    Customizing Print Quality and Special Effects Your printer software automatically selects the best settings for the After you customize Media Type you choose. However, you can adjust individual your print settings for settings for more fine-tuning or experimenting with special effects.
  • Page 30 Note: The available Print Quality settings may be limited by the Media Type you choose. In Automatic mode, the Halftoning setting is selected based on the data in your print job. In Custom mode, Halftoning is preselected for each project type to give you the best printout.
  • Page 31 For printing text, graphics, and line art with very sharp edges. Slows print speed and increases your system memory requirements. Click OK if you’re ready to return to the printer settings dialog box, or see Adjusting Color Settings document’s color settings.

  • Page 32: Adjusting Color Settings

    Adjusting Color Settings Generally, you don’t need to adjust color settings since the printer software automatically detects the appropriate settings for your Media Type and project (see However, if you want to experiment with color, your printer software provides a range of options:...

  • Page 33: Using Photoenhance3 Or Digital Camera Correction Mode

    Digital Camera Correction mode (not available with Windows 3.1). Advanced Printing Create your image or document in your application software. Access the printer settings dialog box as described in Printer Options from Windows Click Custom, then select either PhotoEnhance3 or Digital Camera in the Custom Settings list.
  • Page 34 Turn on Digital Camera Correction to correct noise or other flaws common to digital camera images Select Sharpness to sharpen the image, especially the edges. Click OK to return to the printer settings dialog box. Windows 95, 98, NT only Page 34...

  • Page 35: Using Custom Color Management Modes

    Advanced Printing Create your image or document in your application software. Access the printer settings dialog box as described in Printer Options from Windows Click Custom, then click Advanced (in Windows 3.1, click Advanced, then More Settings). The Advanced dialog box...
  • Page 36 For printing graphics-intensive documents like presentation pages with charts and graphs. Intensifies colors and lightens the midtones and highlights. No Color Adjustment Disables the printer software’s color adjustment features so you can use a stand-alone color management utility. Advanced Printing Page 36...
  • Page 37 Increases or decreases the amount of the three ink colors that combine to make a full-color picture. Use these sliders to fine-tune the color balance in your printout. Click OK to return to the printer settings dialog box. Page 37...

  • Page 38: Using A Color Correction System

    Windows 3.1. Advanced Printing Create your image or document in your application software. Access the printer settings dialog box as described in Printer Options from Windows Click Custom, then click Advanced. The Advanced dialog box appears (only the Color Management section is shown below): not available with Windows NT 4.0...

  • Page 39: Selecting Paper Size And Orientation Options

    Selecting Paper Size and Orientation Options Your printer can print on paper up to 9.5 inches wide and up to 44 inches long in either portrait or landscape orientation. If you print multi-page documents or multiple copies of documents, you can print the pages collated and in reverse order.
  • Page 40 Orientation and Printable Area settings Advanced Printing Create your image or document in your application software. Access the printer settings dialog box as described in Printer Options from Windows Click the Paper tab. You see the Paper dialog box: Setting Applications.
  • Page 41 The sizes marked with an asterisk (*) are not available with Windows 3.1. These sizes are larger than you can load in the printer and can be used only with the Reduce/Enlarge setting on the Layout tab; see Reducing and Enlarging Your Document Size for more information.
  • Page 42 Reverse Order checkbox. Select the direction of printing on the page using the Orientation options. To print your document oriented as shown in one of the following printer graphics, select the options listed below it. Portrait and...
  • Page 43 Note: 10 Click a tab for the settings you want to check or change, or click When Maximum is selected, print quality may decrease in the expanded printable 11 Click OK or Print in your application’s printing dialog box. You area.
  • Page 44 Follow the steps in Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications to access the printer software, then click the Paper tab.You see the Paper dialog box: Click the Paper Size list and scroll to the bottom of it using the arrows or scroll bar.
  • Page 45 Note: In Windows 95, 98, and NT, the Paper Width and Paper Height units are in hundredth of an inch (or centimeter) increments. For example, 850 equals 8.50 inches. To use centimeters instead of inches, click the 0.01cm button. Advanced Printing Click the User Defined option.

  • Page 46: Selecting Print Layout Options

    Selecting Print Layout Options The print layout options let you reduce or enlarge almost any size document to print on your printer. You can also select options to proof multiple pages on one sheet of paper (with or without page Note: frames) and add a predefined or custom watermark.

  • Page 47: Reducing And Enlarging Your Document Size

    US C 11 × 22 in. This paper size is too large to fit in your printer, so you’ll need to proportion it to fit on a smaller paper size (by reducing the document size). If your document size is 5 ×...
  • Page 48 The selected Paper Size, reduction percentage, and Output Paper settings now appear on the printer graphic. If you want to adjust the proportions or sizes, go to print, go to...
  • Page 49 Click the Layout tab. You see the Layout dialog box: Reduce/Enlarge (proportional printing) settings not available with Windows 3.1 Advanced Printing Page 49...
  • Page 50 Select Fit to Page to automatically reduce or enlarge the document to fit on the paper size loaded in the printer. The Paper Size option beneath the Fit to Page setting becomes active;...

  • Page 51: Using Multiple Print Layouts And Page Frames

    Follow the steps in Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications to access the printer software, then click the Layout tab. To print multiple pages of your document on one sheet of paper, select either the 2 Pages or 4 Pages radio button.

  • Page 52: Adding A Watermark

    Adding a Watermark You can add a watermark to each page in your document to emphasize its purpose or indicate how the document should be handled. For example, you may want to add a watermark of the word “Confidential” to documents you don’t want distributed to other people.
  • Page 53 Advanced Printing Follow the steps in Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications to access the printer software, then click the Layout tab. To select a watermark, click in the WaterMark drop-down list. Then highlight one of the following predefined watermarks:...
  • Page 54 See how your selections will look in the graphic shown here Advanced Printing To change the watermark or specify how it appears, click the Settings button. You see the following dialog box: Click here to select a predefined watermark Click here to load a custom watermark you’ve created Specify how you...
  • Page 55 Note: You can create up to 10 custom watermarks. In Windows 95 and Windows 98, you can use any bitmap file up to 15MB in size. With Windows NT, the file can be any size. To delete a custom watermark you’ve added to the list, click the User Defined button.
  • Page 56 Note: If your monitor displays only 16 colors, the Intensity adjustments are not shown in the on-screen graphic. If you choose the No Halftoning setting, the Intensity setting does not determine how your watermark is printed. Advanced Printing Select the way you want the watermark to appear by choosing the following options.

  • Page 57: Saving Custom Settings

    Saving Custom Settings After you’ve fine-tuned your printer settings for a special project, you can save the settings as a group. Then you can quickly reuse them the next time you print a similar project. You can save up to 10 groups of settings (one in Windows 3.1).
  • Page 58 The name you choose will now be available in the Custom Settings provided by EPSON. list on the main printer settings dialog box. To use the settings, click Custom (in Windows 3.1, click Advanced). Then open the Custom Settings list and click the name you selected for your custom settings group.

  • Page 59: Redefining Custom Settings

    To change the options in a customized settings group but keep the same name for it, follow these steps: Advanced Printing From the Main printer settings dialog box, click Custom (in Windows 3.1, click Advanced). Then select the name of the custom settings group you want to redefine in the Custom Settings list.

  • Page 60: Deleting Custom Settings

    Advanced button. Click Save Settings on the Advanced dialog box. (In Windows 3.1, click Advanced, then click Save Settings on the main printer settings dialog box.) Select the custom settings group in the Custom Settings box, and click Delete. Then click OK to confirm the deletion, if necessary.

  • Page 61: Printing On Special Media

    Printing on Special Media Your EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 lets you print on just about any kind of paper you want to use. You can get great results printing on various sizes of plain paper, letterhead, and envelopes, but you’ll get even better results with specially coated ink jet paper.

  • Page 62: Selecting Special Media

    When you print on special media, you need to choose the correct Media Type and Paper Size settings in your printer software. The table below lists the available EPSON media and the corresponding Media Type setting for each one. Media name...
  • Page 63 EPSON Photo Stickers (refill, paper only) EPSON Ink Jet Transparencies Letter To order EPSON media, contact your dealer or call EPSON Accessories at (800) 873-7766 (U.S. only). In Canada, please call (800) 873-7766 for dealer referral. Printing on Special Media...

  • Page 64: Media Loading And Handling Guidelines

    Printing on Special Media Be sure to load the printable (whiter) side of the media face up in the sheet feeder. You can load paper up to the arrow mark on the left edge guide.
  • Page 65 Set the thickness lever to the + position when you print on envelopes or if ink smears when you print on other thick media. Open the printer cover and position the lever as shown below. Then close the cover and print. (Make sure you return the lever to the 0 position before you print on regular media.)

  • Page 66: Letterhead, Preprinted Forms, And Legal-Size Paper

    Some media require additional loading instructions. See the following sections for more information about: Letterhead, Preprinted Forms, and Legal-size Paper Envelopes EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet and Note Cards EPSON Ink Jet Paper EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Film EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Paper...

  • Page 67: Envelopes

    Set the thickness lever to the + position when you print on load one envelope envelopes. Open the printer cover and position the lever as shown at a time. below. Then close the cover and print. (Make sure you return the lever to the 0 position before you print on regular media.)

  • Page 68: Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet And Note Cards

    EPSON Ink Jet Paper Load up to 65 letter size or 25 legal size sheets. For EPSON 360 dpi Ink Jet Paper, select 360 dpi Ink Jet Paper as the Media Type. For EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper, select Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper as the Media Type.

  • Page 69: Epson Photo Quality Glossy Film

    1.2 inches (30 mm). If you want to use a smaller top margin, load and print one sheet at a time. If your media has a cut corner, position it in the printer as shown here. Note:...

  • Page 70: Epson Photo Quality Glossy 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. EPSON Photo Paper is available in several sizes. 4 6-inch Photo Paper is perforated around the edges, so you can trim your printouts and “bleed”...
  • Page 71 Keep the following in mind when using EPSON Photo Paper: Load the paper with the whiter (glossier) side facing up. If you’re loading Panoramic Photo Paper, pull up the paper support extension. Then load the Panoramic paper and hold up its top edge while you press the E load/eject button to feed it into the printer.
  • Page 72 Printing on Special Media If you’re using 4 6-inch Photo Paper, follow these steps: 1 Load the paper against the right edge guide with the glossy side facing up and the perforated margins positioned as shown: You can load up to 20 sheets of Photo Paper at a time. Make sure you place the included support sheets A and B beneath the stack, but don’t print on them.
  • Page 73 Printing on Special Media 3 When you create the image in your application software, size it to 4.25 6.25 inches. You can also use your printer software’s Reduce/Enlarge settings, as described in Reducing and Enlarging Your Document 0.67 in 0.24 0.12...

  • Page 74: Epson Ink Jet Transparencies

    148 mm as the Paper Size setting in the printer software. EPSON Photo Quality Self Adhesive Sheets Use these sheets to print labels or stickers. You can load one sheet at a time. Make sure your adhesive sheets are fully adhered to their backing sheet before you load them.

  • Page 75: Epson Iron-On And Iron-On Cool Peel Transfer Paper

    EPSON Iron-On and Iron-On Cool Peel Transfer Paper You can print photos, company logos, or anything else you want on these transfer papers, and then iron your images onto T-shirts or other cotton cloth items. Load one sheet of transfer paper at a time. For Iron-On Transfer Paper, select Ink Jet Transparencies as the Media Type setting.

  • Page 76: Managing Print Jobs

    Managing Print Jobs You can use your printer software to manage print jobs, monitor your printer’s status, and handle network printing. This chapter provides instructions for the following: Managing Print Jobs in Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0 Managing Print Jobs in Windows 3.1...

  • Page 77: Managing Print Jobs In Windows 95, Windows 98, And Windows Nt

    Managing Print Jobs in Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0 Your printer software offers three ways to manage and monitor your print jobs: Note: Windows NT 4.0 includes a messenger service to alert you to printer errors or let you know when a print job is finished.

  • Page 78: Selecting The Speed & Progress Options

    Printers utility as described below. Managing Print Jobs Click Start, point to Settings, then click Printers. Right-click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 printer icon and select Properties (Windows 95 and 98) or Document Defaults (Windows NT) from the menu.
  • Page 79 not available with Windows NT Note: The folder you select in the High Speed Copy Folder section is also the default appears only if spool directory. Try you have more changing this folder than one hard if you get an error disk drive message when trying to print.
  • Page 80 Progress Meter is displayed when you send a print job. See Checking Print Job Status. EPSON Printer Port (not available with Windows NT 4.0) lets you optimize the transfer rate of your printer port for EPSON printers instead of using the Windows default printer port.

  • Page 81: Using The Spool Manager

    To open Spool Manager while you’re printing, click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 button that appears on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. You see the Spool Manager window:...

  • Page 82: Using Status Monitor 2

    Managing Print Jobs Click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 button on the taskbar. Click on any print jobs marked Held. Click the Cancel button. Exit the Spool Manager and try printing again. Enabling Background Monitoring...
  • Page 83 Click Start, point to Programs, point to the Epson folder, and click EPSON Status Monitor 2 to open Status Monitor 2. Click EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 in the Printer Name list. The printer name is highlighted. Open the Settings menu and select Background Monitoring.
  • Page 84 Managing Print Jobs Click the printer name in the Installed Printers list to highlight it and click the icon or select Monitoring Preferences from the Settings menu. Right-click the printer name in the Installed Printers list and select Monitoring Preferences.
  • Page 85 Status Monitor 2: Managing Print Jobs Icon. Double-click the icon on the taskbar in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click Start, point to Programs, click the Epson folder, and click EPSON Status Monitor 2. Interpreting the Installed Page 85...
  • Page 86 Installed Printer icon and name If you have more than one printer you want to monitor, you can add them using the Add Printer option in the Settings menu. You can reorder the monitored printers, in the Installed Printers list by clicking in the Printer Name, Status, or Job Count title bar.
  • Page 87 Using the Printer Status Window menu and selecting the icon you want to use. For more details on the status of your printer, you can use the Printer Status window. There are several ways to open the window: You can customize the...
  • Page 88 Printer Status. If you’re currently using the printer software, click the Utility tab, then click the EPSON Status Monitor 2 icon. You can also access the Printer Status window by clicking the Detail button on the Progress Meter while you’re printing (see...
  • Page 89 The printer graphic in the Printer Status window gives status and error condition information, as described in the following table: Status and Error Conditions Graphic Managing Print Jobs Condition Ready to print Paper isn’t loaded correctly Paper is jammed Black ink is out...
  • Page 90 To check the amount of ink you have, click the Consumables tab. The Printer Information tab does not display information for your printer. Managing Print Jobs Page 90...
  • Page 91 Options in the Printer menu let you pause printing or purge all waiting print jobs for the printer, select or deselect the printer as your Windows default, and access the printer software to change default settings.

  • Page 92: Managing Print Jobs In Windows 3.1

    C:\TEMP or C:\WINDOWS\TEMP directory, and assigns it to a print queue. The software then sends the file to your printer at the right time. Managing Print Jobs The Spool Manager starts automatically when you send a job to the printer.
  • Page 93 To open the Spool Manager while you’re printing, click the Spool Manager icon that appears at the bottom of your desktop. You can open the Spool Manager at any time by double-clicking the Spool Manager4 icon in the EPSON program group. Page 93...
  • Page 94 Deleting a Stalled Print Job If you’re having trouble printing, it may be because of a stalled print job. Follow these steps to delete it and continue printing: Changing the Default Spool Directory If you get an error message when you try to print, or printing is very slow, you can try changing your default spool directory.

  • Page 95: Network Printing In Windows 95 And Windows 98

    Start Here card for instructions. Managing Print Jobs Make sure EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 is selected, and then choose Setup from the Queue menu. The Queue Setup dialog box appears. Make sure the spool directory is the one you created in step 1.

  • Page 96: Setting Up The Host System For Printer Sharing

    In the Network window, click OK. In the Control Panel, double-click Printers. Right-click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 icon, then click Sharing. Click the Share As button. Then enter a Share Name, Comment, and Password as necessary and click OK.

  • Page 97: Setting Up Client Systems To Share The Printer

    Setting Up Client Systems to Share the Printer Managing Print Jobs Click Start, point to Settings, and select Printers. Right-click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 icon and choose Properties. Click the Details tab. You see the following dialog box: Click the Add Port button, then click Browse to specify the network path to the printer.

  • Page 98: Maintenance And Transportation

    It’s easy to keep your EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 printer working at its best. All you have to do is follow the simple instructions in this chapter for replacing ink cartridges, moving the printer, and performing routine maintenance. This chapter covers the following procedures:...

  • Page 99: Cleaning The Print Head

    Do not clean the print head while printing is in progress; otherwise your printout may be marred. Maintenance and Transportation The Head Cleaning utility in your printer software (if the printer is on a local port, not on a network) (see Cleaning Utility) The printer’s control panel buttons (see...

  • Page 100: Using The Head Cleaning Utility

    Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0: Click Start, point to Settings, and then select Printers. Right-click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 icon in the Printers window. Select Properties (Document Defaults in Windows NT). Then click the Utility tab.
  • Page 101 Ppower light flashes. When the cleaning cycle is finished (the Ppower light stops flashing), you need to run a nozzle check to confirm that the print head nozzles are clean and to reset the printer’s cleaning cycle. Page 101...

  • Page 102: Using The Printer Control Panel

    Improving Print Quality. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing, and that the B black and A color ink out lights are off. If either ink out light is on, you must replace the ink cartridge before cleaning the print head.

  • Page 103: Examining The Nozzle Check Pattern

    Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern Examine the nozzle check pattern after printing it. It should look something like this: Each staggered horizontal and straight vertical line should be complete, with no gaps in the dot pattern. If your printout looks okay, you’re done.

  • Page 104: Replacing An Ink Cartridge

    You cannot print if either ink cartridge is results, use genuine empty. EPSON cartridges Use these EPSON ink cartridges within six months of installing and do not refill them. them and before the expiration date on the package: Other products may...

  • Page 105: Removing An Empty Ink Cartridge

    Maintenance and Transportation Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing. Lower the output tray and raise the printer cover. Press the R cleaning button and hold it for three seconds. The print head moves slightly to the left and the Ppower light begins flashing.

  • Page 106: Installing The New Cartridge

    Maintenance and Transportation Lift the cartridge out of the printer and dispose of it carefully. Follow the steps in the next section to install the new ink cartridge. Remove the new ink cartridge from its package.
  • Page 107 Maintenance and Transportation Lower the ink cartridge into its holder with the blue label facing up and toward the back of the printer. Press down the ink cartridge clamp until it locks in place. Page 107...

  • Page 108: Replacing An Outdated Ink Cartridge

    Removing an Empty Ink steps 1 through 4 in this section. Press the R cleaning button and close the printer cover. The printer moves the print head and begins charging the ink delivery system. The Ppower light flashes and the printer makes various sounds.
  • Page 109 Pull up the ink cartridge clamp. The cartridge rises up from its holder. Lift the cartridge out of the printer and dispose of it carefully. Remove the new ink cartridge from its packaging. Remove only the yellow part of the tape seal on the top of the cartridge.

  • Page 110: Aligning The Print Head

    If your printouts contain vertical banding or jagged vertical lines, you may need to align the print head. To use the print head alignment utility, your printer must be connected to a local port, not For best results, use through a network. Follow these steps:...

  • Page 111: Cleaning The Printer

    Cleaning the Printer To keep your printer working at its best, you should clean it several times a year, following these steps: Caution: Don’t touch the gears inside the printer. Never use alcohol or thinner for cleaning; they can damage the printer components and case.

  • Page 112: Transporting The Printer

    Be sure to keep the printer flat as you transport it. If you notice a decline in print quality after transporting the printer, clean the print head (see the print head (see...

  • Page 113: Troubleshooting

    As you use your printer, you may occasionally experience a paper jam or other problem. The first thing you should do is diagnose the problem, following the guidelines in this chapter. Then try the most likely solutions until the problem is fixed.

  • Page 114: Identifying Printer Parts

    Identifying Printer Parts If you need help identifying the parts of the printer, refer to the following illustrations: sheet feeder left edge guide Troubleshooting paper support right edge guide printer cover output tray output tray extensions thickness lever ink cartridge...

  • Page 115: Diagnosing Problems

    If any of the suggested solutions in this chapter tell you to uninstall and then reinstall your printer software, see Uninstalling Printer Software If none of the suggested solutions in this chapter solve your problem, contact your EPSON dealer or see Help. Checking the Control Panel Running a Printer for instructions.

  • Page 116: Checking The Control Panel Lights

    The four lights on your printer’s control panel show the printer’s status and alert you to problems like paper jams. The power light is on when the printer is on and ready to print. The power light flashes when the printer is receiving a print job or performing a maintenance operation such as cleaning the print head.
  • Page 117 Turn off the printer (press the Ppower button); wait 15 seconds; then turn it on again. If this does not clear the error, contact your dealer or EPSON as described in When all the lights flash, your printer may have an internal error.

  • Page 118: Running A Printer Check

    If the results are satisfactory, the problem lies in software settings, the interface cable, or your computer. If the printer check does not print correctly, there is a problem with your printer. See the suggestions in this chapter for possible solutions.

  • Page 119: Improving Print Quality

    EPSON papers). Match the Media Type setting in the printer settings dialog box to the type of media you loaded in the printer. Then the printer software can automatically select other settings for the best quality (see...
  • Page 120 The Media Type Make sure the Media Type setting matches the paper you’re using. See setting doesn’t match Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications the loaded paper. The printable side of Remove the paper and reload it with the printable side (whiter) face up.
  • Page 121 Possible cause Solution The Maximum Select the Standard Printable Area setting to avoid banding in the Printable Area setting expanded margin area. See is turned on. Options The paper thickness Set the paper thickness lever to the 0 position and try printing again. See lever is in the + Media Loading and Handling Guidelines position.
  • Page 122 The Media Type Make sure the Media Type setting matches the paper you’re using. See setting doesn’t match Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications the loaded paper. The printable side of Remove the paper and reload it with the printable side (whiter) face up.
  • Page 123 See or more ink colors are empty. The colors displayed Because your monitor and printer use different technologies to represent on your monitor don’t colors, your printed colors cannot exactly match the colors you see on match the printed your monitor screen.
  • Page 124 Your printer is not Select your printer and port in your software application. selected in your application. Color printing is not Select color printing in your application and the printer software. selected. The printed image is blurry or smeared Possible cause Solution...
  • Page 125 Make sure the Media Type setting matches the paper you’re using. See setting doesn’t match Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications the loaded paper. Ink has leaked inside Clean carefully inside the printer to remove spilled ink. See the printer. Printer You’re using the Turn off High Speed (see MicroWeave and Effects).

  • Page 126: Solving Printing Problems

    The printer is not Try these solutions: receiving power. Troubleshooting The printer is turned on and the Ppower light is on, but not flashing. Paper is loaded in the printer. The printer is plugged into a working electrical outlet that’s not controlled by a switch or timer.
  • Page 127 Printing is stalled. Delete the stalled print jobs in Spool Manager. For Windows 95 and 98, Print may also need to uninstall the EPSON Printer Port. Select Start, Programs, EPSON, then click EPSON Printer Port Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Page 128 Solution If flashing, paper is jammed. If on, there is no paper Load paper or remove the stack and reload it as described in the Printer Basics book or in the sheet feeder or the paper is loaded E load/eject button to turn off the incorrectly.
  • Page 129 Possible cause Solution Jammed paper may be Turn off the printer, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on to eject any blocking movement of paper. If no paper is ejected, turn off the printer, remove the jammed the print head.

  • Page 130: Solving Printer Software Problems

    If the printer is not moving or making noise, but the light is still flashing initialize. after 5 minutes have passed, turn the printer off. If the light is still flashing when you turn it back on, contact your EPSON dealer or see Where To Get The printer may be Turn the printer and computer off.
  • Page 131 The printer software installed with Windows 3.1 doesn’t work correctly after you upgrade to Windows 95 or Windows 98 Possible cause Solution Your printer software is Uninstall the printer software after installing Windows 95 or Windows 98, not set up correctly for...
  • Page 132 Make sure your printer is connected to your computer with a is not enabled. bi-directional cable. Then click Start, select Settings, and click Printers. Right-click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 icon and select Properties. Click the Click the Enable bi-directional support for this printer radio button to turn on bi-directional support.
  • Page 133 You cannot print on a Windows NT 4.0 network Possible cause Solution Your printer is not set You may need to use a different network path and printer port. Select a up correctly as a different port in the printer’s Properties windows and enter the new remote printer.

  • Page 134: Fixing Paper Problems

    If the paper doesn’t Press the E load/eject button to eject the paper. Then make sure you eject fully, you may select the correct paper size in your application or printer software. (See have set the wrong Paper paper size.
  • Page 135 Isn’t loaded above the arrow on the left edge guide. Isn’t jammed inside the printer. (If the S paper out light is flashing, paper is jammed.) Media. If your paper jams frequently, make sure you: Use smooth, high-quality paper, loaded printable side up.
  • Page 136 Troubleshooting Make sure the paper isn’t too thin (see Paper). Fan the edges of the stack of paper to separate the sheets. Reload the paper as described in the Printer Basics book and in Media Loading and Handling Guidelines. Make sure the paper edge guides are snug against the edge of the paper.

  • Page 137: Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems

    Printing is stalled. Delete the stalled print jobs in Spool Manager. For Windows 95 and 98, Print may also need to uninstall the EPSON Printer Port. Select Start, Programs, EPSON, then click EPSON Printer Port Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Page 138 If your printout EPSON printer driver. is correct, your video driver is interfering with the printer driver. Contact your computer or video card manufacturer to see if an updated driver is available.
  • Page 139 Effects The printer prints blank pages Possible cause Solution Your printer is not Select your printer as the default Windows printer. See your Windows selected in your documentation or Windows online help for instructions. application or as the Windows default printer.

  • Page 140: Uninstalling Printer Software

    To uninstall the printer software, select EPSON Printer Software in the program list. Click the Add/Remove button. Select the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 printer icon and click OK. Follow the instructions on the screen. To uninstall Status Monitor 2, select EPSON Status Monitor 2 in the program list.

  • Page 141: Windows 3.1 Instructions

    Double-click the Main program group icon, then double-click the Control Panel icon. Double-click Printers. Select EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 in the Installed Printers list and click the Remove button. To reinstall your software, see the Printer Basics book. Page 141...

  • Page 142: Where To Get Help

    FTP downloading) to log onto ftp.epson.com with the user name anonymous and your e-mail address as the password. EPSON Download You can call the EPSON Download Service at (800) 442-2007. Set your Service communications software to 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. Modem speed can be up to 28.8 Kbps.
  • Page 143 (800) 442-2110. You must provide a return fax number to use this service. EPSON Referral For the location of your nearest Authorized EPSON Reseller or Service Customer Care Center, call (800) 442-2110. To speak to a technical support representative, dial (310) 974-4303 (U.S.) or (905) 709-2567 (Canada), 6...

  • Page 144: Specifications

    The character tables for PC437 (U.S., Standard Europe) and PC 850 (Multilingual) can be selected using the control panel buttons. Hold down the R cleaning button and then press the P power button to turn on the printer. Then release both buttons. Specifications 720 dpi...
  • Page 145 Ink jet note card 132 Specifications Description 11 inches) Plain bond 14 inches) paper and special ink jet papers 10 inches) distributed by EPSON 11 inches) Transparencies, glossy paper, and glossy film distributed by EPSON Self adhesive sheets distributed by EPSON 4.1 inches...
  • Page 146 148 mm), 16 frames per page Iron-On Cool Letter (8.5 Peel transfer paper Specifications Description Ink jet cards 254 mm) distributed by EPSON 11 inches) Photo paper distributed by 152 mm) EPSON 594 mm) Photo stickers distributed by EPSON 11 inches)
  • Page 147 Since the quality of any particular brand or type of paper may be changed by the manufacturer at any time, EPSON cannot attest to the quality of any non-EPSON brand or type of paper. Always test samples of paper stock before purchasing large quantities or printing large jobs.
  • Page 148 The minimum top margin is 0.12 inch (3.0 mm). When loading multiple sheets of EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Film, the minimum top margin is 1.2 inches (30 mm). The minimum left margin is 0.12 inch (3.0 mm).
  • Page 149 B-L, B-R: Specifications B-L, EPSON 4 6-inch Photo Paper (dotted lines indicate perforations) The maximum top margin is 0.67 inch (17.0 mm). The maximum left and right margin is 0.24 inch (6.1 mm). The maximum bottom margin is 0.24 inch (6.1 mm).

  • Page 150: Ink Cartridge

    ** Ink thaws and is usable after approximately 3 hours at 77 °F (25 °C). Caution: To ensure good results, use genuine EPSON cartridges and do not refill them. Other products may cause damage to your printer not covered by EPSON’s warranty.
  • Page 151 Mechanical Paper feed method Friction Paper path Sheet feeder, top entry, front out Sheet feeder 100 sheets at 17 lb (64 g/m capacity Dimensions Storage Width: 16.9 inches (429 mm) Depth: 9.1 inches (231 mm) Height: 6.1 inches (157 mm) Printing Width: 16.9 inches (429 mm) Depth: 23.7 inches (602 mm)
  • Page 152 Power consumption This product is also designed for IT power system phase-to-phase voltage 220 Note: Check the label on the back of your printer for the printer’s voltage. Specifications 120 V Model 99 to 132 V 49.5 to 60.5 Hz 0.4 A (max.

  • Page 153: Safety Approvals

    Environmental Temperature Operation 50 to 95 °F (10 to 35 °C) Storage –4 to 104 °F (–20 to 40 °C) 1 month at 104 °F (40 °C) Transit* –4 to 140 °F (–20 to 60 °C) 120 hours at 140 °F (60 °C) *Stored in shipping container Humidity Operation...

  • Page 154: Parallel Interface

    Parallel Interface Your printer is equipped with an 8-bit parallel interface, with the following characteristics: Forward channel Data format: 8-bit parallel, IEEE-1284 compatibility mode Synchronization: STROBE pulse Handshake timing: BUSY and ACKNLG signals Signal level: TTL compatible Connector: 57-30360 Amphenol connector or equivalent...

  • Page 155: Glossary

    A value or setting that takes effect when the equipment is turned on, reset, or initialized. Despooler An EPSON software program for Windows 3.1 that displays the status of your print jobs and allows you to manage them. dithering A halftoning method in which dots are arranged in an orderly pattern.
  • Page 156 A style of type designated by a name. gamut The range of colors that a device (such as a printer or monitor) can accurately reproduce. grayscale A scale of shades of gray from black to white. Grayscale is used to represent colors when printing with black ink only.
  • Page 157 The computer connected directly to the printer in a network. initialization Process that returns the printer to its defaults (fixed set of conditions). This happens every time you turn on or reset the printer. ink jet A method of printing in which images, lines, letters, or symbols are formed by precisely spraying ink onto paper.
  • Page 158 Print jobs that are sent to the printer while it is busy are stored in a waiting line, or print queue, until they can be printed. print server The computer connected to the printer. It receives the jobs and then distributes them to the assigned printer.
  • Page 159 This data is then sent to the printer directly or to the print server. Spool Manager An EPSON software program for Windows 3.1 that displays a list of EPSON Stylus printer queues and allows you to manage the queues and print jobs.

  • Page 160: Index

    Bitmap files, Blank pages, Blurry printouts, Brightness setting, Cancelling print jobs, Cards, see Photo Quality Ink Jet and Note Cards Characters, garbled, Cleaning print head, printer, Cleaning sheets, 64, Collate setting, Color correction, customizing, problems, Color Adjustment modes, CompuServe, Contrast setting,...
  • Page 161 Environmental specifications, EPSON Accessories, 104, help, media, EPSON Printer Port option, Error Diffusion setting, Error message, spooling, ESC/P Raster control code, Faint printouts, Film, see Photo Quality glossy media Fine - 720 dpi setting, Finest Detail setting,...
  • Page 162 Halftoning setting, Hard tone setting, Head Cleaning utility, Help, EPSON, Help, online, 18, High Speed Copies option, High Speed setting, 31, Horizontal banding, ICM (Image Color Matching) setting, 28, 39, Index cards, see Photo Quality Ink Jet and Note Cards...
  • Page 163 Photo Quality glossy handling problems, jams, 117, ordering, photo, see Photo Paper specifications, support extension, 66, tab, 19, 40, thickness lever, 65, types, settings, Paper Size options, Parts of printer, Photo Paper choosing, printing on, specifications, media Page 163...
  • Page 164 Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0, Print layouts, multiple, Print quality customizing, problems, Printable area setting, 43, 73, specifications, 73, Printer check, cleaning, moving, parts, Printer Information tab, Printer software accessing, problems, uninstalling, Printer status checking, window, Printing specifications, to 24, 81, Page 164...
  • Page 165 Problems color, diagnosing, paper handling, print quality, printer software, printing, slow printing, solving, Status Monitor 2, unexpected printout results, Progress Meter, 23, Project types, custom, Proportional Printing option, 41, Quality/Speed setting, ReadMe files, Reduce/Enlarge options, Reducing documents, Replacing, Replacing ink cartridges,...
  • Page 166 Thickness lever, 65, Tone setting, Transfer, Transparencies choosing, printing on, specifications, Transporting printer, Troubleshooting, Uninstalling printer software Windows 3.1, Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0, User Defined paper size, Index Utilities Vertical banding, Vivid color adjustment setting, Watermarks, Windows 3.1 Windows 95 and 98, network Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0...

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