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Epson Stylus COLOR 480SX Printer Basics Manual

Printer basics
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Printer Basics

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Summary of Contents for Epson Stylus COLOR 480SX

  • Page 1: Printer Basics

    Printer Basics Printed on recycled paper.

  • 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

    Basic Printing Loading Paper Opening the Printer Software Selecting Printer Software Settings Controlling Printing Using PhotoEnhance, Custom, and Advanced Settings Using PhotoEnhance Using Custom Settings Using Advanced Settings Using Special Papers EPSON Photo Paper Envelopes Selecting the Correct Media Type...
  • Page 4 Cleaning the Printer Transporting the Printer PROBLEM SOLVING 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 Uninstalling and Reinstalling Printer Software...

  • Page 5: Welcome

    Welcome! ® Your EPSON Stylus COLOR 480SX is a user-friendly, photo quality printer that’s perfect for printing all your home projects—from homework assignments and envelopes to full-color greeting cards and banners. The printer comes with these features: EPSON’s exclusive Micro Piezo...
  • Page 6 A shortcut on your desktop lets you view a one minute Alfy movie introducing you to this fun, creative children’s web portal. If you haven’t yet installed the printer software or Reference Guide from your CD-ROM, see the Start Here sheet for instructions. ™...

  • Page 7: About Your Documentation

    About Your Documentation To set up your printer and install its software, see the Start Here sheet. This book contains system requirements, important safety information, and instructions on: Viewing your electronic printer manual Printing with Windows Using special papers Maintaining the printer Solving basic problems You’ll find your product warranty on page 48.

  • Page 8: Windows System Requirements

    Windows System Requirements To use your printer and its software, your system should have: ® An IBM compatible PC with at least a 486/66 MHz (for Windows 98), ® Pentium 133 MHz (for Windows 2000), or 486/25 MHz (for Windows 95 ®...

  • Page 9: Important Safety Instructions

    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. Also, make sure the total ampere rating of all devices plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the wall outlet’s ampere rating.

  • Page 10: Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions

    Unplug the printer before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth only. Do not spill liquid on the printer. Except as specifically explained in this manual, do not attempt to service the printer yourself. Unplug the printer and refer to your warranty on page 48 for service instructions.

  • Page 11: Viewing Your Electronic Printer Manual

    Your printer software CD-ROM includes an electronic Reference Guide for your printer. The manual is in HTML format, so you need a browser—such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, version 3.0 or later—to view it. If you are using a different browser, the pages may not display correctly.

  • Page 12: Navigating Your Electronic Printer Manual

    Navigating Your Electronic Printer Manual When you first open the Reference Guide, you see this screen: Click here to expand the table of contents Click a topic on the left to expand the table of contents. After expanding the table of contents, you can click on the topic you want to view.

  • Page 13: Printing From Start To Finish

    Follow the instructions in “Basic Printing” below. If you’re already familiar with EPSON ink jet printing, you can skip ahead to “Using PhotoEnhance, Custom, and Advanced Settings” on page 14.

  • Page 14: Opening The Printer Software

    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. If you’re printing on envelopes or other special paper sizes or types, see page 16 for loading instructions.

  • Page 15: Selecting Printer Software Settings

    Then click Properties If you click the print icon on your application’s tool bar instead of selecting Print from the File menu, you may not get the option to change the printer software settings before printing. Selecting Printer Software Settings...
  • Page 16 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 programs. You do this using the Windows Printers utility: 1.

  • Page 17: Controlling Printing

    You can use the buttons to cancel, pause, or restart printing. You can also see how much ink you have left and view printing tips. For more advanced printer settings, see the next section. 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 7).

  • Page 18: 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 15 “Using Advanced Settings” on page 15 For additional information on these settings, see the electronic Reference Guide, as described on page 7.

  • Page 19: Using Custom Settings

    Using Custom Settings Your printer software includes custom project types with preset printing options. This lets you quickly select a color-matching method for your project. You can select from these project types: (Image Color Matching; Windows 95, 98, and 2000 only): For printing documents created in an ICM compatible application.

  • Page 20: Using Special Papers

    For instructions on loading and using other EPSON special ink jet papers, see your electronic Reference Guide, as described on page 7. For a list of EPSON special ink jet papers and ordering information, see the inside front cover. 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.
  • Page 21 6-inch Photo Paper EPSON 4 6-inch Photo Paper is micro-perforated around the edges so you can trim your printouts and “bleed” the photo—extend it to the edge of the paper— on all sides. 1. Load the paper against the right...

  • Page 22: Envelopes

    594 mm 3. Send your print job, then hold up the paper’s top edge as it begins feeding into the printer. Also support the paper as it ejects from the printer. Envelopes You can load up to 10 envelopes at a time, flap edge first and printable side up.

  • Page 23: Selecting The Correct Media Type

    EPSON Iron-On Cool Peel Transfer Paper EPSON High Quality Ink Jet Paper EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Cards EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Note Cards EPSON Photo Quality Self Adhesive Sheets EPSON Matte Paper - Heavyweight EPSON Photo Paper...

  • Page 25: Maintaining Your Printer

    Cleaning the print head uses ink, so clean it only if print quality declines. When you don’t turn on your printer for a long time, the print quality can decline. It’s a good idea to plug in your printer at least once a month to maintain good print quality.

  • Page 26: Printing A Nozzle Check

    10. Click the Utilities tab, then click the Nozzle Check button. 3. Make sure letter-size or larger paper is loaded in the printer and click print a nozzle check pattern.

  • Page 27: Using The Head Cleaning Utility

    If you have an application running, you can also run the Head Cleaning utility by accessing the printer settings dialog box as described on page 10. Click the Utilities tab, then click the Head Cleaning button.

  • Page 28: Aligning The Print Head

    1. Make sure the printer is plugged in but not printing, and letter-size or larger paper is loaded. For the best results, load EPSON ink jet paper in the printer whenever you check the print head alignment. Don’t use plain, recycled, or photocopier paper.

  • Page 29: Replacing An Ink Cartridge

    You cannot print if either ink cartridge is empty or not installed. Leave the empty cartridge installed in the printer until you have obtained a replacement. Otherwise the ink remaining in the print head nozzles may dry out.

  • Page 30: Ink Cartridge Precautions

    Use these EPSON ink cartridges within six months of installing them and before the expiration date on the package: Black ink cartridge: T013201 (U.S. and Latin America) Color ink cartridge: T014201 (U.S. and Latin America) To ensure good results, use genuine EPSON ink cartridges and do not refill them.

  • Page 31: Replacing A Low Or Empty Ink Cartridge

    How to 2. Follow the instructions on the screen to replace the ink cartridge. 3. After you’ve installed the cartridge, the printer begins charging ink for several minutes. Wait until you see a message telling you that charging is complete before resuming printing.

  • Page 32: Replacing An Outdated Ink Cartridge

    You can only access the Ink Cartridge Replacement utility from the Windows Printers utility, as described in the steps below. You can’t run the utility from within a Windows application. 1. Make sure the printer is plugged in but not printing. 2. Click , point to Start 3.

  • Page 33: 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. Unplug the printer’s power cord and disconnect the printer cable. 2. Remove all the paper from the sheet feeder.

  • Page 34: Transporting The Printer

    To avoid damage, always leave the ink cartridges installed when transporting the printer. Be sure to remove the tape used in step 4 after installing the printer in its new location. 1. Plug in the printer, wait until the print head locks in the far right position, then unplug the printer.

  • Page 35: Problem Solving

    Because your printer constantly monitors its status, it will report to you if it has a problem such as jammed paper or low ink levels. It does this by displaying an EPSON Status Monitor 3 window on your screen telling you what the problem is and guiding you through the solution steps.

  • Page 36: Identifying Printer Parts

    Identifying Printer Parts If you need help identifying the parts of the printer, refer to these illustrations: sheet feeder left edge guide paper support ink cartridge clamps ink cartridge holders (do not remove) printer cover output tray...

  • Page 37: Problems And Solutions

    Software The printer started making noise after ink cartridge installation. The first time you install ink cartridges, the printer must charge its ink delivery system for about two minutes. Wait until charging finishes before sending a print job. If you unplug the printer while it’s charging, it may not charge properly and use more ink than necessary the next time you plug it in.

  • Page 38: Problems With Printing

    Start Here sheet. Also check that your printer is selected in your application or as your default Windows printer. If you’re printing on a network, you need to set up your printer for network printing as described in your electronic Reference Guide.
  • Page 39 See your computer documentation or contact the manufacturer for instructions. Your printer makes noise when you plug it in or after it has been sitting for a while. Your printer is performing routine maintenance.

  • Page 40: Problems Getting Good Print Quality

    28. Try using Automatic mode. See page 11 for instructions. Run the Print Head Alignment utility using EPSON ink jet paper. See page 24 for instructions. Turn off High Speed Your printout is blurry or smeared.
  • Page 41 Your printout is faint or has gaps in the image. Make sure the print head nozzles are not clogged. To clean the print head, see page 21. If you’re low on ink, you’ll see a low ink error window. Click follow the on-screen instructions to install a new cartridge.

  • Page 42: Problems With Paper Feeding

    The problem may be caused by an incorrect paper size setting. Be sure to select the correct paper size in your application or printer software. Check to make sure you’ve left enough room at the front of the printer for paper to eject easily.
  • Page 43 You may see a paper jam error message on your screen. Click the eject the paper. If it doesn’t eject, follow the on-screen instructions to remove it. If necessary, unplug the printer, open the cover, and remove all the paper that’s inside, including any small pieces that may have torn off.

  • Page 44: Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems

    The image is inverted, as if viewed in a mirror. Turn off Flip Horizontal 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 45: Where To Get Help

    For help with the bonus software that came on your printer software CD-ROM, see page 42 for contact information. If you need help using other software with an EPSON product, see the documentation for that software for technical support information.

  • Page 46: Epson Accessories

    Canada: (905) 709-2567 EPSON Accessories You can purchase ink cartridges, paper, manuals, and accessories from EPSON at (800) 873-7766 or visit our web site at www.epson.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call (800) 873-7766 for dealer referral. Bonus Software Technical Support Before contacting technical support, know the type of computer and operating system you have, and make a note of the problem you’re having, including any...

  • Page 47: Index

    16 to 19 Faint images, 37 Filters, 14 Flip Horizontal setting, 40 Gamma setting, 15 Glossy media, 19 Grainy printouts, 38 Help, EPSON, 41 to 42 High Quality Ink Jet Paper, 19 High Speed setting, 18, 35 High-resolution images, 14, 37...
  • Page 48 Noise, 33, 35 Nozzle check pattern, 21 to 24 Outdated ink cartridges, 28 Panoramic Photo Paper, 16, 18 Paper EPSON, 16 to 19 feeding problems, 38 to 39 loading, 9 to 10, 16 to 18 size, 13 Photo Paper, 16 to 19...
  • Page 49 33 miscellaneous, 40 paper feeding, 38 to 39 print quality, 36 to 38 printing, 34 to 35 setting up printer, 33 Progress Meter, 13 Project types, custom, 15 Properties dialog box, 11 to 12 Quality/Speed setting, 11 to 12, 35...

  • Page 51: Fcc Compliance Statement

    DECLARATION of CONFORMITY According to 47CFR, Part 2 and 15 for Class B Personal Computers and Peripherals; and/or CPU Boards and Power Supplies used with Class B Personal Computers: EPSON AMERICA, INC. Located at: MS 6-43 3840 Kilroy Airport Way...
  • Page 52 Epson within five (5) working days of receipt of the replacement unit. Epson will ask you for a credit card number to secure the cost of the replacement unit in the event that you fail to return the defective one.

  • Page 53: How To Order Epson Ink And Paper

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

This manual is also suitable for:

Stylus color 480/480sx

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