Page 3 Seiko Epson Corporation. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book.
Page 4: Table Of Contents
Introduction Setting Up Your Printer Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer 1-3 Choosing a Place for the Printer 1-3 Installing the Ribbon 1-5 Turning On the Printer 1-6 Operating the Control Panel 1-9 Installing the Paper Guide...
Page 5 Chapter 4 Using the LQ-2500 with Application Programs 4-2 Choosing the Correct Printer 4-2 Computer- Printer Communication 4-3 Setting Up Application Programs Word Processors Spreadsheets 4-10 Setting Up Graphics Programs 4-11 Programming Languages Chapter 5 Using the LQ-2500 Print Features...
Page 6 B-3 International Character Sets-Draft B-3 international Character Sets-Letter Quality B-4 How to Use the Charts B-5 Epson Italics Character Set-Draft B-5 Epson Italics Character Set-Letter Quality B-6 Epson Graphics Character Set-Draft B-6 Epson Graphics Character Set-Letter Quality B-7 Epson Graphics Character Set...
Page 7 Appendix F Choosing and Setting Up Optional Interfaces Compatible Interfaces Choosing an Interface Installing an Interface F-6 Inserting the Interface Board Serial Interface Settings Appendix G Technical Specifications Printing Paper G-2 Mechanical G-3 Electrical Environment Appendix H Interface Specifications The Parallel interface H-3 The Serial Interface Glossary Index...
Page 8 Introduction The Epson LQ-2500 introduces a new concept in dot matrix printing. In addition to the speed and sharpness of a 24-pin, dot matrix printer, the LQ now has SelecType with a Liquid Crystal Display SelecType lets you control your printing with a touch of a button, and the LCD tells you what’s happening.
Page 9: Using This Manual
Using this manual To make it easier to set up your new LQ-2500, this manual includes a 10-step guide to setting up your printer. The outline on the flap, and the numbered steps in the chapter take you from unpacking, through ribbon and paper loading, to a final printing checklist.
Page 10: Setting Up The Printer
Chapter Setting Up the Printer Setting up your LQ-2500 printer is easy Simply follow the steps in this chapter. 1 Unpacking the Printer As you unpack the printer, make sure the box contains all of the parts shown in Figure 1l. Check that none of the parts have been damaged during transportation.
Page 11: Installing The Paper Feed Knob
Installing the paper feed knob Install the paper feed knob on the right side of the printer, as shown in Figure 1-2. tine up the flat side of the hole in the knob with the flat side of the shaft, then push the knob firmly into place.
Page 12: Choosing A Place For The Printer
Keep your entire computer system away from potential sources of interference such as the base units of cordless telephones. 3 Installing the Ribbon The LQ-2500 uses a simple cartridge ribbon for convenient and troublefree installation. With the color option kit, you can use a color ribbon whenever need one and a normal black ribbon for day-to- day printing.
Page 13 WARNING The power must be OFF when you move the print head. Otherwise, you may damage the printer mechanism. Also, if you’ve been using the printer just before changing the ribbon cartridge, be careful not to touch the print head because it becomes hot during use.
Page 14: Turning On The Printer
Always use replacement ribbons #7756 (black) and #7757 (color) designed specifically for the Epson LQ-2500 printer. It is not possible to use ribbons for any other series of printer, and you should never try to re-ink the ribbon.
Page 15: Operating The Control Panel
PAPER light also comes on, and the display reads [PAPER OUT]. Operating the Control Panel The LQ-2500 control panel is made up of three elements: the buttons, indicator lights, and SelecType Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), as shown in Figure 1-7.
Page 16: On Line/Off Line
From this panel, you can control almost all printer functions. On the LQ-2500 there aren’t any DIP switches to set or reset as on most printers, because Se&Type controls these settings. The four buttons on the panel have multiple names to control different functions.
Page 17: Paper Feeding
When the printer is on line, the DRAFT and LQ buttons can be used to select between the two types of print quality: draft and Letter Quality With SelecType you can set the LQ-2500 to print in either draft or Letter Quality when you turn the printer on (see Chapter 2).
Page 18: The Indicator Lights
In addition to the POWER--This light indicates that the printer is turned on and receiving power. READY--This light comes on when the printer is on line and ready to print. It normally flickers during printing. PAPER OUT--This light indicates that the printer is out of paper. The...
Page 19: The Paper Guide
Even if you normally use continuous-feed paper, it is simpler to test the printer using a single sheet of paper. Be sure to use 14-inch-wide paper so that none of the self test prints on the platen. See Chapter 3 for instructions on loading continuous-feed paper, and information on paper widths and multiple copies.
Page 20 Paper loading icons . . . Both levers on the LQ-2500 have icons (small pictures) beside them as shown in Figure 1-9. These icons (shown below) remind you lever back whether to push the paper. Paper release lever back-When loading single sheets...
Page 21 LINE]. 5. Pull the paper bail lever forward to the single-sheet loading position (indicated by the icon). This feeds the paper into the printer until it is past the paper bail. 6. When the paper stops, push the paper bail lever back to the printing position.
Page 22: Running The Self Test
8 Running the Self Test The LQ-2500 has a built-in self test that prints out the characters in its memory so that you can be sure the printer is working properly WARNING You must load 14-inch-wide paper lengthwise when running the self test.
Page 23 >HALF SPEED >SHEET FEEDER >DEFAULT BIN Default setting >INTERFACE >BAUD RATE >PARITY >AUTO LINE FEED >SLCT-IN >DEFAULT MACRO 1-14 Draft Draft 10CPI 11.0" Italic Bi-D P a r a l l e l *9600BPS None Valid Setting Up the Printer...
Page 24: Connecting The Printer To Your Computer
[PAPER OUT]. 9 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer Your LQ-2500 has two separate interface connections. Therefore, you must be sure to use the one that your computer requires. The two interfaces are a Centronic an RS-232C compatible serial interface.
Page 25: The Serial Interface
10 A Final Checklist Now that you’ve completed the basic setup and self test, your LQ-2500 is readv to print. If you’ve had any difficulties so far, run down this brief checklist to be sure the printer is properly set up.
Page 26 Before you actually print a document with an application program, read the following chapter on SelecType. SelecType separates the LQ-2500 from all printers that have gone before it. The SelecType panel lets you control almost all printer functions, while displaying exactly what’s going on.
Page 27: Selectype
However, you can create your own macros with any of the LQ’s settings. There are no switches to reset or commands to send, you simply the macro you want, then print. In fact, the LQ-2500 has no DIP switches. All of these functions can now SelecType.
Page 28: Entering Selectype
[ON LINE].) 2. To enter SelecType, press the two ENTER same rime. The display reads [SelecType MODE]. Enter SelecType Figure 2-1. The SelecType panel SelecType buttons, the four printer SelecType MODE SelecType control on line. (The buttons at the SelecType...
Page 29: The Selectype Main Menu
EXIT 3. Pressing at any time while you’re in the main menu takes you out of the SelecType mode and returns the printer to the on line state, The display reads [ON Note The *Print Out Settings mode is covered at the end of this chapter.
Page 30: Load Macro
Macro 4--This macro is set specifically for printing character graphics. It takes advantage of the Epson Graphic character table to print lines, corners, and shaded areas as shown on the following page. See Chapters 4 and 6 for more information on graphics programs.
Page 31 Macro #l P r e s e t m a c r o # 1 i s s e t f o r d r a f t p r i n t i n g / w o r d p r o c e s s i n g t o p r o d u c e h i g h - speed, d r a f t q u a l i t y p r i n t i n g .
Page 32 When loading another macro, the new macro’s settings immediately become the printers current settings. (See *Change Macro for a full explanation of current settings.) The first macro isn’t lost, because it remains stored in the LQ’s memory-that’s the advantage of a macro. After loading a macro, you can still change the current settings with the *Change Macro mode.
Page 33 SETTING 3. To load a macro, press want to load. MENU 4. Press to load that macro. The display shows the macro number that is loaded [MACRO #n LOADED], then returns to the main menu. Aborting or exiting 1. If you decide you don’t want to load a macro, you can choose the [DO NOT LOAD MACRO] option.
Page 34: Change Macro
‘Default bin displayed only when double-bin sheet feeder is selected, The LQ-2500 uses a list of these settings, called the current printer settings, whenever it prints. This means there are actually six lists of settings stored in the printers memory-the current printer settings, the settings for each of the four macros, and the default settings (see the following section on *Change Defaults for more information).
Page 35 If you change only the current settings, the new settings remain in effect until you change them again, or until you turn the printer off. When you turn the printer off, the original macro remains stored in memory, but any changes are lost.
Page 36: Changing The Current Settings
1. From the SelecType main menu, press MENU until the display shows [*CHANGE MACRO]. 2. Press SETTING to see the printer settings listed in Table 2-1. 3. Select a setting you want to change, then press options for that setting.
Page 37 When you see the option you want, leave it displayed. 5. Now press SETTING again. When you press the displayed option becomes the current printer setting. The display then advances to the next setting according to Table 2-1. Caution When you change an option, It immediately changes the current setting, You can still choose whether or not to save the new setting as a macro, but you can’t undo the change without changing it again.
Page 38 Note The LQ-2500 is delivered with four preset macros. A new macro will always replace an old one, whether it’s a preset macro or one that you create. When replacing a macro, you may be replacing the macro.
Page 39: Change Defaults
*CHANGE DEFAULTS defaults are the settings in effect when you turn the printer on. Table 2-2 shows the default settings and options for the LQ-2500. If there are any terms you don’t understand, consult the Glossary at the back of this manual.
Page 40 Default macro The preset defaults include a default macro. Each time you turn the LQ-2500 on, it needs setup instructions. The LQ-2500 uses the settings contained in the default macro to prepare for printing. When you receive your LQ, the default macro is set for macro 1. This means that when you turn the printer on, it prints according to the settings listed in macro 1.
Page 41 Valid. This means that the printer cannot be deselected or reselected by the DC1 or DC3 control codes (see Appendix further explanation). If it’s set to invalid, the printer can be deselected or reselected by DC1 or DC3.
Page 42 8. Press MENU and the display reads [DEFAULTS SAVED], then returns to the main menu. 9. Turn the power OFF and then back ON again so the printer recognizes the new defaults. 10. Use the *Print Out Settings mode to confirm the new default settings.
Page 43 Pressing EXIT does not display a message, it simply takes you back to the main menu. 3. Turn the power OFF and then back ON again so the printer recognizes the default settings. 4. Use the *Print Out Settings mode to confirm that the default settings are unchanged.
Page 44: Print Out Settings
*PRINT OUT SETTINGS The *Print Out Settings mode gives you an immediate printout of the six SelecType listings, as shown below. (Although the print quality calls for draft, this printout is in Letter Quality) Current setting Draft >QUALITY Draft >FONT lOCP1 >PITCH >CONDENSED...
Page 45 Printing out the settings MENU *PRINT OUT SETTINGS 1. From the Selecl Type main menu, press MENU until the display shows [*PRINT OUT SETTINGS]. 2. Now press SETTING. The display shows [OK?-Option] for confirmation. 3. If you want to print, press OPTION to begin printing. The display reads I PRINT I NG OUT I, and automatically prints all the SelecType settings.
Page 46: Choosing And Loading Paper
Chapter 3 Choosing and Loading Paper The LQ-2500 printer can accommodate many different sizes and types of paper, using either its automatic single-sheet loading feature or its built-in adjustable tractor. The tractor is easy to use and can handle a wide range of paper widths.
Page 47: Reloading During Printing
Loading Continuous-feed Paper The new push-feed tractor built into the LQ-2500 has several major advantages over other types. It combines the ability to handle a wide range of paper widths with an extremely low profile, and it is easy to load.
Page 48 Using a printer stand with the paper stacked underneath it. Using a desk or table as a stand, with the printer near the rear edge and the paper on the floor or on a shelf.
Page 49 5. Move the left sprocket unit all the way to the left and pull the locking lever forward to hold it in position. Note With the sprocket unit in this position, you always have a margin at the left side. If you want to print without a left margin, or if your program creates a margin, move the left sprocket unit about 3/4-inch from the left side, so that the perforated edge of the paper lines up with the number 1 on the ruler on the paper bail.
Page 50 Installing the paper guide lnstall the paper guide to prevent the outgoing paper from being pulled back into the printer- This is the same part that supports the paper when you print on single sheets, but with continuous-feed paper, it is installed horizontally...
Page 51 Setting the top of form position Finally you need to establish a top of form position so that the printer does not print on the perforations. The top of form position is the position of the paper when the power is turned on. This position is also reset whenever a program initializes the printer or sets the page length.
Page 52: Loading Labels
Never turn labels backward with the paper feed knob. Labels can peel off the backing and jam the printer. If a label does become stuck in the printer, see your authorized Epson dealer. Do not attempt to remove the labels yourself.
Page 53: The Paper Thickness Lever
The Paper Thickness Lever You can adjust the LQ-2500 to accommodate different thicknesses of paper. You need to this when you print labels or carbon copies. Before moving the paper thickness lever, always turn off the power and open the dust cover.
Page 54 Always return the lever to the normal position when you resume printing on normal paper. Choosing and Loading Paper...
Page 55: Using The Lq-2500 With Application Programs
Using the LQ-2500 with Application Programs Now that you’ve set up and tested the printer, you should make sure the LQ-2500 works with the application programs you want to use. If you’re familiar with application programs and printer selection routines, simply consult the following table.
Page 56: Choosing The Correct Printer
Choosing the Correct Printer Most application programs let you specify the type of printer you’re using, so that the program can take full advantage of the printer’s features. Many programs provide an installation or setup section that presents a list of printers from which to choose. Table 4-1 lists the printers in order of preference.
Page 57: Setting Up Application Programs
Naming and using commands In order to use printer commands, you should know how they are recognized by your application program. The most common way of naming codes or commands is with one of two numbering systems, decimal or hexadecimal.
Page 58: Word Processors
The LQ-2500 is capable of producing a vast array of different print styles and effects, as shown in Chapter 5. However, you may have to spend some time working with your word processor to advantage of the LQ’s capabilities.
Page 59: Printer Commands
Printer commands The LQ-2500 is capable of many print styles, fonts, and enhancements. However, your word processor must tell the LQ when to use these various features by sending the proper printer commands.
Page 60 Carefully read the printer setup and installation information in your word processors manual. C heck the printer options that may be part of the installation or setup section (line feeds, interface, etc.). your word processor cancels SelecType macros or other settings before printing, find out whether you can modify the program’s...
Page 61: Spreadsheets
Unlike word processors, spreadsheet programs don’t usually let you place printer commands within a spreadsheet. Instead, one pitch or mode of printing is used for the whole spreadsheet. With the LQ-2500, there are three ways of sending commands to print a spreadsheet.
Page 62 SelecType settings, see the section on Initialization.) The program 's printing capability of sending commands to a printer. However, its usually up to you to pick the pitch or mode you want, then find the proper commands in the printer manual.
Page 63 If your spreadsheet is not printing the way you think it should, check both the LQ and your spreadsheet program, and review this checklist: If the program asks you to select a printer, be sure you have selected the correct one. Make sure the SelecType settings are correct.
Page 64: Setting Up Graphics Programs
Setting Up Graphics Programs The LQ-2500 is capable of producing finely detailed graphic images in black or in color (with the optional color kit). Chapter 6 gives specific information on the graphics commands. However, the easiest way to take advantage of the LQ’s capabilities is with one of the many graphics programs available.
Page 65: Programming Languages
Or, perhaps you’ve set up a program to send a certain command to the printer, but its not printing correctly You could send the same command with a programming language to find whether the problem lies with your application program, the command, or the printer, Sending printer commands with BASIC You can send printer commands with any programming language.
Page 66 You can also use the LPRINT statement to send kxt to the printer, but it must be enclosed in quotation marks, as shown below. LPRINT "This is a sample of italic." To test the italic command, you would send: 10 LPRINT CHR$(27);"4";...
Page 67: Using The Lq-2500 Print Features
Q u a l i t y p r i n t i n g . Because the LQ-2500 is a 24-pin printer, you can use all of the enhancements covered in this chapter with either draft or Letter Quality Double-width, italic, emphasized, underlining, and other features can be used with either quality setting.
Page 68: Selecting Print Quality
You can also send commands to switch between draft and Letter Quality with an application program or a programming language. Selecting Fonts The LQ-2500 has five built-in Letter Quality fonts shown below. See Appendix C for complete printouts of each font. T h i s i s 1.
Page 69: Font Cartridges
Selecting fonts with the LQ button-You fonts without having to go into SelecType. Pressing the LQ button while the printer is on line selects the current LQ font. The name of the font is displayed for a few seconds, then the f...
Page 70: Print Pitch And Character Width
Print Pitch and Character Width To add greater variety to your documents, the LQ-2500 can print in three different pitches and perform proportional spacing. The SelecType Pitch setting lets you set the The three pitches are: 10 characters per inch (pica), 12 characters per inch (elite), and 15 characters per inch.
Page 71 Proportional spacing is the exception. Only the Roman and Sans Serif fonts have proportional spacing tables. If you select proportional for any other fonts, the printer will print in the selected font, but the results may be uneven. Condensed and double-width...
Page 72: Special Effects And Emphasis
Special effects and emphasis The LQ-2500 offers two ways of emphasizing text. It can also print underlining, superscripts, and subscripts. These features are controlled by printer commands, but many application programs can produce them if the program is properly installed.
Page 73: Using Character Tables And Sets
The Graphic option allows you. or the program you’re using, to take advantage of Epson’s Character Graphics set. With character graphics, you can still use the different fonts, styles. and widths, but you also get graphics characters for charts, diagrams, and other uses.
Page 74 If you select the Epson Character Graphics set, you might need to choose a different printer from your program’s printer installation routine (see Chapter 4). Your first choice should be the LQ-2500. The second choice should be the LQ-800/1000 printer equipped with the ESCP’...
Page 75: Additional Commands
LATIN AMERICA The color option If you’ve installed the color option kit, a printer command lets you select any of seven colors, including black. In addition, you can combine some of the basic colors to produce an even greater variety Color can be used for graphics or text, and for a whole page or a single word.
Page 76: Graphics And User-Defined Characters
Chapter 6 Graphics and User-defined Characters The dot graphics modes allow your LQ-2500 to produce pictures, graphs, charts, or almost any other pictorial material you can devise. The userdefined character feature allows you (or an application program) to put special characters in the LQ’s memory so that they can be printed just as if they were ordinary letters or numbers.
Page 77: The Print Head
If, on the other hand, you wish to do your own programming or merely wish to understand how the LQ-2500 prints graphics, read on. I n c o m e B r e a k d o w n...
Page 78: Dot Patterns
The LQ has an eight-pin graphics mode with six densities, so that it is compatible with the many programs written for printers such as the Epson FX and RX series. Although this mode uses only one third of the LQ’s pins, it produces good quality graphics and allows you to use the many programs written for eight-pin graphics.
Page 79: Graphics Commands
With these labels for the pins, you fire the top pin by sending 128. To fire the bottom pin, you send 1. If you want to fire the top and bottom pins together, add 128 and 1, then send 129.
Page 80: Column Reservation Numbers
For graphics, the commands are more complicated because a code that turns on a graphics mode also specifies how many columns it will use. After the LQ-2500 receives this interprets the next numbers as pin patterns and prints them on the paper.
Page 81: First Graphics Program
Therefore, the graphics mode command uses two numbers for reserving columns. To figure the number of columns reserved, multiply the second number by 256 and add it to the first number. Since the command is set up for two numbers, you must supply two numbers even if you need only one.
Page 82: Using Handcalculated Data To Print Graphics
Using handcalculated data to print graphics You can now perform the simplest application of graphics-using hand-calculated data to print graphic images. While this method is the most tedious, it helps you understand dot graphics. Also, it is useful for small graphic elements that are used many times. Figure 6-3 shows how you can use a grid to plan where you want dots to be printed.
Page 83 Write the assigned values of the pins next to your design and then add the values for each column of dots. These totals will be sent to the printer as graphics data to print the design. Fire 6-4 shows the same grid divided into three sections to make the data calculation easier.
Page 84 The following BASIC program prints the design shown in Figures 6-3 data and 64. Notice that the numbers that you see in Figure 64. Also note that the WIDTH statement in line 10 is for IBM@ PC BASIC; the format may be different for your system.
Page 85: Individual Graphics Options Commands
Individual graphics options commands As previously mentioned, the LQ-2500 responds to commands that are also used by Epson FX and RX series printers. There are four individual graphics options commands that are very similar to the ESCape “*” command, but each one works for only one graphics option.
Page 86: User-Defined Characters
This is a quick way to change the aspect ratio of the design that you are printing. Changing the graphics option will change the width without changing the height. You should, however, make this change with caution. If you change one of the eight-pin graphics options to a 24-pin graphics option without changing the program that supplies the graphics data, you will print garbage (if the program prints at all).
Page 87: Design Grids
Design grids Printing user-defined characters is like printing graphics patterns becuase you send the printer precise instructions on where you want each printed. In fact, planning a userdefined character is like planning a small graphics pattern. To design a character you use a grid that 24 each wire on the LQ2500 print head.
Page 88: Defining Your Own Characters
The grid on the right side of Figure 6-5 can be used for either Letter or proportional characters. For Letter Quality you do not use all Quality the columns. See Table 63 for further information. There is one restriction in designing characters. Dots in the same row cannot print in adjacent columns-there must be an empty dot position to the left and to the right of each dot that prints.
Page 89: Data Numbers
After you’ve designed a character on a grid and translated the dots to decimal equivalents, the last step is to send this information to the printer. F q u r e 6 7 . calculating the data 6.14...
Page 90: Sending Information To The Lq
The printer loads characters in the print style (Letter Quality draft, or proportional) and font (Roman, Sans Serif, Courier, Prestige, or Script) that the printer is currently using. It also records whether italic or script (either superscript or subscript) is turned on. This means that if you want to print a character in the italic mode, for example, you must have the italic mode turned on when you define the character.
Page 91 The last part of the character definition is the actual data that defines the dot patterns for each character. Since it takes three bytes to specify the dots in one vertical column of dots, the LQ-2500 expects d1 x 3 bytes of data to follow d2.
Page 92: Printing User-Defined Characters
The information about the actual character design (which is contained in the data statements at the end of the program) is sent to the printer in the loop between lines 50 and 70. Note When defining Letter Quality or proportional characters, put a WIDTH statement in your program to prevent carriage return and line feed codes from interfering with your definitions.
Page 93: Proportional Mode Characters
Therefore, the LQ-2500 has a command which allows you to copy all of the standard characters from ROM to the user-defined character set.
Page 94: Superscripts And Subscripts
Each of the three user-defined character modes (draft, Letter Quality and proportional) can be used in combination with most of the LQ-2500’s various print styles, such as emphasized and double-width, but not with italic or super/subscript. Mixing the three types of user-defined characters is not permitted. If,...
Page 95 Keep in mind that user-defined characters are stored in RAM, which is not permanent. Whenever the printer power is turned off, all of the user-defined character are lost. Also, your computer sometimes sends an initialization (INfT) signal, which wipes out all userdefined characters.
Page 96: Command Summary
Command Summary This appendix lists and describes all the commands available on the LQ-2500. This summary is divided by topics, but there is a list of the commands in numerical order beginning on page A-4. If you know which command you are looking for, consult this list to find the page number where it is described.
Page 97 ESC W SOH or EXW 1 Examples The simplest type of command consists of sending a single character to the printer. For instance, to print in condensed mode, you would send the code 15. The code format is: ASCII code: SI...
Page 98: Control Key Chart
More complex commands consist of two or more character codes. For example, to print in proportional mode the code format is: ASCII code: ESC p n Decimal: Hexadecimal: 1B 70 n In this case can be either 1 or 0, to begin or end proportional printing. To turn ON proportional printing from BASIC the command would be: LPRINT CHR%(27);CHR$( 112);CHR$( 1) Control key chart...
Page 99: Commands In Numerical Order
Selet Condensed Mode ....A-24 Select Printer ..... . . A-7 Cancel Condensed Mode .
Page 100 Reassign Graphics Mode ... . . A-35 ESC? Initialize Printer ..... A-i ESC @ Select n/60-inch Line Spacing .
Page 101 Dec. Hex. Description ASCII Set Left Margin ..... A-17 ESCl Turn Proportional Mode On/Off ..A-24 E C p Select Printing Color .
Page 102: Printer Operation
Epson ESC/P Commands The following section lists and describes all the Epson IX/P commands. Printer Operation Initialization E C @ Format: ASCII code: ESC Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Resets the printer mode and clears the current print line preceding the command.
Page 103: Deselect Printer
Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 13 Comments: Puts the printer into the deselected state until select printer (DCl) is received. The printer cannot be reselected with the button. Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 7F Comments: Removes the last text character on the print line control codes.
Page 104: Printing Direction
Printing direction E S C Format: A S C I I c o d e : E S C < . Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Printing is normally bidirectional. This command selects unidirectional printing for one line only (It is cancelled by a carriage return.) The print head moves to the extreme left (home) position, and printing takes place from left to right.
Page 105: Msb Control
Turn Automatic Sheet Feed Mode On/Off ESC EM Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for n: 4: Mode is turned ON. 2: Loads sheet from bin 2. 1: Loads sheet from bin 1. R: Ejects a sheet. (No paper is loaded from selected bin.) 0: Mode is turned OFF The command should not be used unless the automatic sheet feeder is installed.
Page 106 Cancels the MSB control sit by ESC = or ESC >. B e e p e r Format: code: ASCII Decimal: Hexadecimal: 07 Comments: beeper. Sounds the printer’s Command Summary > Cancel MSB Control Set MSB to 1 Beeper A-11...
Page 107: Vertical Motion
Data Control Format: ASCII code: CR Decimal: Hexadecimal: OD Comments: Prints the data in the buffer and returns the print position to the left margin. A line feed may be added if AUTO LINE FEED = ON is set with SelecType, or if the AUTO FEED XT line on the parallel interface is held LOW.
Page 108: Set Skip-Over-Perforation
E S C c Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the page length to n lines in the current line spacing. The value of n must be from 1-127 lines. The top of form position is set to the current line.
Page 109: Cancel Skip-Over-Perforation
E s c 0 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels the skip-over-perforation set by ESC N. Overrides the skip over-perforation setting in SelecType. Line feeding Format: code: ASCII Decimal Hexadecimal: Comments: When this command is received, the printed and the paper advances one line in the current line spacing. E s c o Format: ASCII...
Page 110 ESC2 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the line spacing to l/6 of an inch for subsequent line feed commands. The 2 is the digit two and not ASCII code 2. This is the default at power on. ESC3 Format: ASCII code:...
Page 111 ESCJ Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Advances the paper n/180 of an inch. The value of n must be from O-255. This command produces an immediate line feed but does not affect subsequent line spacing and does not produce a carriage return.
Page 112: Horizontal Motion
ESCb Format: ASCII code: ESC b c nl 27 98 c nl n2 ..0 Decimal: Hexadecimal: 1B 62 c nl n2 ..00 Comments: Functions the same as ESC B, except that the variable c selects a channel for the vertical tabs, which must be between O-7.
Page 113: Set Right Margin
ESC Q Format: code: ASCII Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Sets the right margin to n columns in the current pitch. The value maximum of n is as follows: 136 in 10 pitch, 233 in condensed, 163 in 12 pitch, 272 in condensed 12 pitch and 204 in 15 pitch.
Page 114: Ascii Code: Esc
ESC $ Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: This sequence specifies the distance from the left margin that subsequent characters are to dots = nl + (n2 x 256). Each unit equals 1/60th of an number of inch. The sequence is ignored and the previous setting remains effective if the position specified is beyond the right margin.
Page 115: Tab Horizontally
Horizontal tabbing Format: ASCII code: HT Decimal: Hexadecimal: 09 Comments: Advances the print position to the next horizontal default settings are at intervals of eight characters in the default pitch, positions are not affected by subsequent changes in character pitch. ESC D Format: code:...
Page 116: Overall Printing Style
Comments: This command affects only the Letter Quality typestyle, not draft. If n = 0, the Roman typestyle in the printer is used. To select one of the four other type styles, use the family number of the font shown below.
Page 117 ESC r Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: ‘The variable n selects the printing color according to the table below. n Color 0 Black 1 Red Blue 3 Violet Yellow 5 Orange Green ESC ! Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Selects any valid combination of the following modes: 10 pitch, 12 pitch, proportional, condensed, emphasized, double-strike.
Page 118: Print Size And Character Width
Print Size and Character Width ESC P Format: ASCII code: ESC Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Selects IO pitch (10 characters per inch). Because 10 pitch is the default pitch, this command is normally used to cancel 12 pitch (elite), or I5 pitch. ESC M Format: ASCII...
Page 119: Turn Proportional Mode On/Off
E S C P Format: ASCII code: ESC Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: Mode is turned ON. 0: Mode is turned OFF The width of proportional characters varies from character to character. Therefore, a narrow letter like i receives less space than a wide letter like W.
Page 120 ESC SI Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Duplicates the SI command. Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 12 Comments: Cancels condensed printing set by SI. ESC SI, or SeIecType. Format: code: ASCII Decimal: Hexadecimal: 0E Comments: Double-width mode doubles the width of all characters. This mode is canceiled by a carriage return or DCd.
Page 121: Print Enhancement
Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: 14 Comments: Cancels one-line double-width printing selected by SO or ESC SO, but not double-width printing selected by ESC W or ESC !. ESC w Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: Mode is turned ON.
Page 122 ESC F Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Cancels emphasized, the mode selected by ESC E. ESC G Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Makes text bolder by printing each line twice, with the second printing slightly below the first. Format: ASCII code:...
Page 123: Select Superscript Mode
ESC S 0 ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Prints characters about two-thirds of the normal character height in the upper part of the character space. ESCS l Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Prints characters about twothirds of the normal character height in the lower part of the character space.
Page 124: Word Processing
E S C - Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: The following values can be used for n: 1: Mode is turned ON. 0: Mode is turned OFF. This mode provides continuous underlining, including spaces. Word Processing ESC a Format: ASCII code: ESC Decimal: Hexadecimal:...
Page 125: Character Tables
0: Selects Italic character table. 1: Selects Epson Graphic character The characters ‘0” and ‘1” can also be used. The Italic and Epson Graphic character tables can also be selected with the SelecType CC Table function. See Appendix B for printouts of the tables.
Page 126 ASCII Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Causes characters from the italic character This command is valid even if the Epson Graphic set has been selected by ESC t or the SelecType CG Table function, graphics are not italicized. ESC 5 Format: ASCII...
Page 127: Define User-Defined Characters
User-defined Characters Note: See Chapter 6 for sample programs and full information on this topic. E S C & Format: ASCII code: Decimal: 27 38 0 dl Hexadecimal: 1B 26 00 dl d2 ..dn Comments: This command allows characters to be redefined in the currently selected mode.
Page 128 ESC 6 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: When the Graphic character table is selected, this code enables the printing of codes 128 through 159 (decimal) as characters, not control codes. ESC 7 Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: When the Graphic character table is selected, this code causes codes 128 through 159 to be treated as control codes.
Page 129 ESC L Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on eight-pin, low-speed, double-density graphics mode. The total number of columns = nl + (n2 x 256). ESC Y Select High-speed Double-density Graphics Mode Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Turns on eight-pin, high-speed, double-density graphics mode. The total number of columns = nl + (n2 x 256).
Page 130 Table A-1. Graphics Modes CRT I CRT II Sinale-densltv Double-density CRT III Triple-density Hex-density’ ‘Adjacent dots cannot De printed In this mode ESC ? Format: ASCII code: Decimal: Hexadecimal: Comments: Changes one graphics mode to another. The variable is a character (K, L, Y or Z), which is reassigned to a mode Command Summary Reassign Graphics Mode...
Page 131: Ascii Conversion Chart And Character Tables
Appendix B ASCII Conversion Chart and Character Tables This appendix contains an ASCII conversion chart, the LQ-2500 character sets in Roman font only and proportional width tables. See Appendix C for representations of San Serif, Prestige, Courier, and Script character sets.
Page 132 Decimal Hexadecimal Character ASCll Conversion Chart and Character Tables B - 2 Decimal Hexadecimal Character (DEL)
Page 133: International Character Sets-Draft
International Character Sets-Draft France Germany Dermark I Sweden Italy Spain Japan M M Y Demark Spain II Latin P4neric.a 8 International Character Sets-Letter Quality France Germany Denmark Sweden Italy Spain Japan Norway D e n m a r k 1 1 # Spain II Latin America # ASCII Conversion Chart and Character Tables...
Page 134: How To Use The Charts
For example, find the capital Z in the Epson page. At the top of its column is 5 and at the beginning of its row is A.
Page 135: Epson Italics Character Set-Draft
Epson Italics Character Set-Draft Epson Italics Character Set-Letter Quality # 3 C S c s & < - = M > j ? O - 0 ASCII Conversion Chart and Character Tables P ' p # B C S c s $ 4 D T d t &...
Page 136: Epson Graphics Character Set-Draft
Epson Graphics Character Set-Draft (Control Codes Disabled) Epson Graphics Character Set-Letter Quality (Control Codes Disabled) ASCII Conversion Chart and Character Tables...
Page 137 Character Set Epson Graphics (Control Codes Enabled) ASCII Conversion Chart and Chracter Tables B - 7...
Page 138: Proportional Width Tables
Proportional Width Tables This table lists the widths of the LQ-2500’s proportional characters. The values given are in 360 ths of an inch (for example: a value of 36 is 36/360ths of an inch). You may need to enter these widths into a...
Page 139 Table B-1. Proportional character widths (continued) ASCII Conversion Chart and Character Tables...
Page 140 Table B-1. Proportional character widths (continued) Super/subscript B-10 ASCII Conversion Chart and Character Tables...
Page 141 Table B-1 Proportional character widths (continued) ASCII Conversion Chart and Character Tables B-11...
Page 142: Appendix C Typestyle Summary
Appendix C Typestyle Summary The LQ-2500 can produce a wide range of typestyles by combining different fonts, character widths, print qualities, and other enhance ments. In addition, you can include superscripts and subscripts and underlining with any style you choose. (For more information on selecting different typestyles, see Chapters 2 and 5.)
Page 143 San Serif ! “ # $ % & ‘ ( ) * + , - . / 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ? @ A B C D E F G H I J K LMNOPORSTUVWXYZ[\]^-’...
Page 144: Epson Draft
Epson Draft You can also print in Epson draft quality for high-speed printing. Although there are five Letter Quality fonts, when you select draft you will always print in the style shown below. !"#$~%&'()*+,-./0123456789:<=>??@ABCDEFGHIJK LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^ W e ’ v e J u s t s e e n y o u r e x c e l l e n t a d f o r...
Page 145 10 pitch Double-strike 16 Double-width 32 - After calculating the value of command to send the value to the printer. ASCII: decimal: hexadecimal: The print quality and font must be set separately either using SelecType or the ESC x and ESC k commands.
Page 146: Problem Solving And Maintenance
If the printer still does not print. try the self test procedure (see Chapter 1). If the self test works correctly the printer is all right, and the problem lies elsewhere.
Page 147 It is also possible for the print head to wear out if the printer is used frequently and for long periods at a time. Contact your dealer for a replacement print head.
Page 148 If the test pattern did not print as shown in Step 8 of Chapter 1, the printer is faulty. Refer the problem to your dealer. If the pattern is printed but is patchy or faint, check that the ribbon is installed correctly.
Page 149: Troubleshooting Graphics Problems
Make sure you select the Graphic option from the SelecType CG TABLE. If your application program does not list the LQ-2500. or the LQ-80011000 with the ESClP module, check with your dealer to find out whether you can obtain an upgrade for the software that supports the LQ-2500.
Page 150: Troubleshooting For Serial Interface Communications
Hex Dump Mode The LQ has a special feature that makes it easy for experienced printer users to find the causes of problems. The hexadecimal (hex) or data dump mode gives a printout of exactly what codes reach the printer.
Page 151 You will need to adjust the program. Hex dump mode can be turned off by turning off the printer: it is also cancelled by an INIT signal from the computer.
Page 152: Ibm Pc Basic Solutions
PRINT #. Try to avoid including this code in your programs. Maintaining Your Printer Always keep the printer in a clean and safe place. Keep it away from dust, grease, moisture and anv source of heat, including direct sunlight. A safe temperature range is 5°C to 35°C (40°F to 95°F).
Page 153: Transporting The Printer
As soon as the print head fails, stop using the printer and contact your Epson dealer for a replacement head. Do not attempt to replace the head yourself, because the printer should also be tested to make sure that no other parts are damaged.
Page 154: Initialization And Default Settings
Appendix E Initialization and Default Settings There are three ways that the printer can be initialized (returned to a fixed set of conditions). 1. The power is turned 2. The printer receives an m signal at the parallel interface (pin 31 becomes LOW).
Page 155 The bit image mode assignment is: ESCK=ESC*0,ESCL=ESC*1,ESCY=ESC*2, E S C z = E s c * 3 . In addition, when the printer is initialized by turning on the power or by an INIT signal, the data buffer is cleared of all text.
Page 156: Choosing And Setting Up Optional Interfaces
Serial interfaces providing additional features not available with the standard interface. The following Epson interfaces are compatible with LQ printers. Note that some of these are no longer available, and that others are not available in all countries.
Page 157: Choosing An Interface
IEEE-488 and Apple interfaces The IEEE-488 system allows you to connect computers, printers, and other peripherals so that they can share data freely Epson offers two types of IEEE488 interfaces. The #8161 offers the basic ability to operate in the IEEE-488 address and listen-only modes. The *8165 has the basic features and an 8K data buffer and a line monitor function, which provides a diagnostic printout of IEEE488 commands.
Page 158 LQ data dump mode. Identifying a serial interface board All Epson interfaces have the EPSON name printed on them. If the board has an identification code printed on it, it will be a four digit number beginning with an eight. The number should be one of the numbers in Table F-3.
Page 159: Installing An Interface
Before installing an interface, you must remove the printer’s cover, WARNING Do not remove the cover unless the printer is turned OFF because high voltages are present inside the printer when the power is on. Also do not touch contacts on the circuit board of the printer because many of...
Page 160 7. With the printer facing you, unclip the left side of the control panel and lift it up slightly to release it from the case (Figure F-2). 8. At each side of the front panel there is a retaining clip, as shown in Figure F-3.
Page 161: Inserting The Interface Board
Inserting the Interface Board 1. Remove the upper case of the printer, following the steps described in the previous section. 2. Remove the blanking plate above the parallel connector (as shown in Figure F-5) to allow access to the new interface connector when the case is reassembled.
Page 162: Serial Interface Settings
Serial Interface Settings If you are using an optional serial interface, you may need to change the communications protocol of the printer or the computer for them to communicate properly The protocol used by the printer is decided by one or two groups of DIP switches located on the serial interface board (not by SelecType settings);...
Page 163 The three following tables contain all the information you need for the optional interface settings. Table F-4 Baud rate setting Interface Switches used number #8143 #8148 68149(M) Switch settings Baud rate 1200 2400 4800 9600 Table FS. Baud rate setting for 8145 Switch Switch Switch Switch Baud rate 1200...
Page 164: Technical Specifications
Bidirectional logic-seeking for both text and graphic printing Unidirectional available through SeIecType Line spacing l/S-inch, or programmable in increments of 1/180th of an inch Buffer Fonts Epson Draft Epson Roman Epson Sans Serif Epson Courier Epson Prestige Epson Script tables Character Epson Character Graphic Epson Italic...
Page 165: Paper
0.22mm Paper width 4” Continuous-feed 7.15” to 14.3” (182mm to 364mm) Single-sheet Mechanical Ribbon Cartridge, exclusive to LQ-2500, black or color Life expectancy (in characters, at 48 dots/character) : Black only: 2 million Color: Black: 1 million 7 million Red: Blue: .7 million...
Page 166: Electrical
Electrical Voltage 120V AC, f 10% Non-switchable Consumption 120 VA Frequency 49.5 Hz - 60.5 Hz Insulation resistance 10 Mohms between AC power line and chassis Dielectric strength 120 V model can withstand 1 kV rms applied between AC line and chassis for 1 minute, or 1.25 kV rms for 1 second Environment Temperature...
Page 167: Interface Specifications
Amendix H Interface Specifications The LQ-2500 is equipped with both a parallel and a serial interface. Both are described in this appendix. WARNING Do not connect cables to both interfaces. This may damage your printer. The Parallel Interface This interface offers:...
Page 168 Table H-1. Pins and signals Interface Specifications...
Page 169: The Serial Interface
The Serial Interface The LQ-2500 standard serial interface is an RS-232C interface with the following characteristics: Synchronization Asynchronous Data format 1 start bit data word length: 8 bits odd, even or no parity 1 stop bit Baud rate 300, 600, 1200,4800,9600, 19,200 bps...
Page 170: Error Handling
Error handling All errors are ignored. Connector 6-pin DIN connector. In Table H-2, the direction of signals is given relative to the printer. Table H-2. Send interface Signal Signal direction number (Reverse channel) I - - Description Transmits data for X-on/X-off Whether or not the printer receive data.
Page 171: Bidirectional Printing
On the other lines it goes from right to left. This increases the speed of the printing because the head prints in both directions. Binary See Number systems. A binary digit (0 or 1). The smallest unit used by a printer or See also Number systems. computer. Carriage return...
Page 172: Control Code
Current settings Whenever the LQ-2500 prints, it uses a group of settings called the current settings. These include all the settings shown in Table 2-1 in Chapter 2. All these settings can be changed with SelecType.
Page 173: Dip Switches
(Double-width was formerly known as expanded,) Draft One of two print qualities available on the LQ-2500. Draft uses a minimum number of dots per character for high-speed printing: Letter Quality reduces the print speed to increase the print quality...
Page 174: Form Length
A pitch with fifteen characters per inch. Font A font is a style of type designated by a family name. The LQ-2500 has five built-in fonts: Roman, Sans Serif, Courier, Prestige, and Script. All five are selectable with the DRAFT or LQ buttons, or with SelecType.
Page 175: Left Margin
Letter Quality (LQ) One of two methods of printing on the LQ-2500. Letter Quality reduces the print speed and increases the number of dots per character to increase the print quality Draft uses a minimum number of dots per character for high-speed printing.
Page 176: Parallel Interface
0 and 255 can be expressed by an eight-bit binary number. One-inch skip A SelecType setting that causes the printer to stop printing, skip over a perforation in continuous-feed paper, then resume printing again. Most application programs handle this when listing programs.
Page 177: Print Direction
Print quality The LQ-2500 has two types of print quality: draft and Letter Quality Draft is for high-speed, draft quality jobs; Letter Quality is for final, polished correspondence.
Page 178: Serial Interface
DC1 or DC3. test Self A method of checking the operation of the printer. When the self test is turned on, the printer prints the characters that are stored in its ROM. Serial interface An interface is the connection between the computer and the printer.
Page 179: Unidirectional Printing
Unidirectional printing Printing in one direction only Allows more precise vertical alignment bidirectional printing. than User-defined characters Characters defined and stored in the printer by the user. Also called download characters. Often used for printing graphics.
Page 180 2-1 1 - 12 Change Defaults mode. 2-3, 2-8 Character widths, 5-1 - 6 Index indexed here. Choosing a place for printer, 1-3 Cleaning, D-7 - 8 Color option, 1-3, 5-9 Commands, A-4 - 35 by function, A-7 - 35...
Page 181 Loading paper. See Paper Macros, 2- 1, 2-4 - 5 default, 1-13, 2-4 entering, 2-2 preset, 2-1, 2-4 -5 save, 2-11-12 Maintenance, D-7 Master Select, C-3 - 4 Menu, SelecType, 2-3 Microsoft BASIC, 4 -11 Moving the printer, D-8 Index...
Page 182 Print features, 5-1 -9 Print head, 6-2, D-8 protector, 1-2 Print Out Settings mode, 2-3 -4, 2-18- 19 Print quality 1-8, 5-1 -2, 2-10 Printer commands, 4-6 - 7 embedding, 4-7 Printer driver, 4-4 maintenance, D-7 options, 2-8 selection, 4-1 - 2...
Page 183 Slct-in, 2-15 Specifications, interface, H-1 -4 technical, Gl -3 Spreadsheets, 4-7 - 9 Sprockets. See Paper, continuous feed Subscripts, 5-7 Superscripts, 5-7 Ten pitch, 5-4 -5 Top of form, 3-6 Tractor, 3-2 - 5 Troubleshooting, D-5 - 5 general, D-1 - 3 graphics, D-4 IBM BASIC, D-7 IBM and compatibles.
Page 184 mu Code Conversion Chart Cond and ESCape Codes by Function Dec Hex Char D e e H e x c h a r Char...

Epson LQ-2500 User Manual

Chapter 1 Setting up the Printer

Chapter 2 Selectype

Chapter 3 Choosing and Loading Paper

Chapter 4 Using the LQ-2500 with Application Programs

Chapter 5 Using the LQ-2500 Print Features

Chapter 6 Graphics and User-Defined Characters

Command Summary

Appendix A Command Summary

Appendix B ASCII Conversion Chart and Character Tables

Appendix C Typestyle Summary

Appendix D Problem Solving and Maintenance

Appendix E

Initialization and Default Settings

Appendix F Choosing and Setting up Optional Interfaces

Appendix G Technical Specifications

Appendix H Interface Specifications

Quick Links

Troubleshooting

Need help?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Epson LQ-2500

Summary of Contents for Epson LQ-2500

Table of Contents