EPSON®
Stylus Photo 1200
Printer Basics
Contents
WELCOME!
1
1
2
3
3
4
5
6
6
6
7
8
About Your Software
Your Bonus Software Applications
About Your Documentation
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips
Windows System Requirements
Macintosh System Requirements
ENERGY STAR Compliance
Year 2000 Ready
Printer Parts
Important Safety Instructions
Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions
EPSON DIGITAL PHOTOLAB PRO
9
Navigating Through EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro
10
VIEWING YOUR ELECTRONIC PRINTER MANUAL
Opening Your Electronic Manual
11
11
12
Navigating an Electronic Manual
PRINTING FROM START TO FINISH
Printing with Windows
13
13
16
Printing with a Macintosh
i
Using EPSON Special Papers
Photo Paper (4 × 6-inch)
18
18
19
19
19
20
21
22
22
24
26
Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
Photo Quality Glossy Film
Envelopes
Photo Paper (13 in × 32.8 ft roll)
Choosing the Right Settings for EPSON Papers
Printing with Custom Settings
Using Custom Project Types
Customizing Print Settings
Preserving Photos on EPSON Photo Paper
MAINTAINING YOUR PRINTER
Cleaning the Print Head
27
27
28
29
30
30
31
33
35
35
36
Using the Head Cleaning Utility
Using the Control Panel
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern
Replacing an Ink Cartridge
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges
Replacing an Outdated Ink Cartridge
Aligning the Print Head
Cleaning the Printer
Transporting the Printer
PROBLEM SOLVING
37
37
37
39
Diagnosing Printer Problems
Checking the Control Panel Lights
Running a Printer Operation Check
ii
Problems and Solutions
40
40
42
45
46
46
48
Problems Setting Up the Printer or Installing Its Software
Problems Getting Good Print Quality
Uninstalling Printer Software
Where To Get Help
EPSON Technical Support
Bonus Software Technical Support
USING PRINTER SOFTWARE DISKETTES
Ordering Printer Software Diskettes
Installing Printer Software from Diskettes
Installing Windows Software
49
49
50
50
51
Installing Macintosh Software
CONFIGURING FOR A WINDOWS NETWORK
Setting Up the Host System
53
53
54
Setting Up Client Systems
INDEX
55
iii
iv
Welcome!
Your EPSON Stylus® Photo 1200 printer is the ideal large format output device for
digital photographs, full-color graphics, layout proofs, and more. You can print
anything from reports and resumes to panoramic photos and banners with fabulous
results. The printer gives you optimum photo quality using these features:
■ EPSON’s advanced Micro Piezo™ print head and variable dot technology
produce small (6 picoliter), consistent dots and place ink precisely for superior
image quality
■ Six-color printing for PRQ® (photo reproduction quality) color and subtle
gradations in photographs, as well as laser sharp black text
■ Resolutions up to 1440 × 720 dpi, even on plain paper
■ PhotoEnhance3 setting for clear, true photos by correcting for overall under- or
over-exposure and automatically adjusting contrast, saturation, and brightness
■ Fast drying times for all your photos, courtesy of EPSON’s quick-drying inks
About Your Software
The printer software CD-ROM includes all the software you need for printing:
■ Your printer driver runs your printer and lets you control how your documents
look. You can’t use your printer without it.
■ Quick Guide to Printing (Windows® only) gives an on-screen demonstration on
using your printer software and EPSON papers to get the best quality output.
■ The EPSON Digital PhotoLab™ Pro and bonus software applications help you
create a myriad of printing projects to get the most out of your printer.
■ Your electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual gives you complete online
information about your printer, anytime you need it.
1
If you haven’t yet installed the printer software from your CD-ROM, see the Start
Here card for instructions.
Your Bonus Software Applications
Your printer software CD-ROM contains these bonus
software applications that you can install from EPSON
Digital PhotoLab Pro:
Adobe® Photoshop® 5.0 LE, a world-standard image editing
program that lets you create, retouch, and enhance digital
images for virtually any medium—from the printer to the
World Wide Web. Quickly create your own original artwork,
photo collages, and montages, and edit and retouch digital
images with the creative tool the designers use.*
Altamira Group Genuine Fractals™ 2.0 Trial Version, an
award-winning Photoshop plug-in for producing
high-resolution digital images for enlargement, no matter
what your original image resolution was. This 60-day trial
version lets you try out its powerful, professional-quality
results on your favorite scanned or digital camera photos.
Vivid Details Test Strip® 2.0, an award-winning Photoshop
plug-in for color-correcting, proofing, and color-calibrating
your digital images. You can remove unwanted color casts,
alter brightness, contrast, and saturation levels, preview
before-and-after images, and then view accurate test proofs on
any device to get the results you want.
* Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE Registration
You’ll need to input your personal registration number for Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE when you
install or run the program for the first time. The registration number is printed on a small sticker
on the CD-ROM jacket affixed to the front of your printer’s Start Here card. You’ll also find the
number on the Photoshop registration card included with your documentation. Once you locate
the registration number, enter it when Photoshop prompts you for it.
2
About Your Documentation
To set up your printer and install its software, see the Start Here card. This book
contains instructions on:
■ Using the EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro
■ Viewing your electronic manual
■ Printing with Windows or Macintosh
■ Maintaining the printer
■ Solving basic problems
■ Installing printer software from diskettes, if necessary
■ Configuring your printer for use on a Windows network
For more details about your printer, see the electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200
Manual. For instructions on viewing it, see page 11.
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips
You’ll find this information throughout your manuals:
Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.
Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your
equipment.
Notes contain important information about your printer.
Tips contain additional hints for great printing.
3
Windows System Requirements
To use your printer and its software with a PC, your system should have:
■ An IBM® compatible PC with at least a 486/25 MHz (for Windows 95 or
Windows NT® 4.0), or 486/66 MHz (for Windows 98) processor (Pentium®
100 MHz or faster recommended)
■ Microsoft® Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0
■ At least 16MB of RAM (32MB for Windows 95 or 98 or 64MB for
Windows NT 4.0 recommended)
■ At least 50MB of free hard disk space (100MB recommended)
■ VGA, Super VGA, or better display adapter and monitor
■ Quad-speed (4x) or faster CD-ROM drive for installing the printer software
■ For parallel connection, a high-speed, bidirectional, IEEE-1284 compliant
parallel cable (6 to 10 feet long); the cable must have a D-SUB, 25-pin, male
connector for your computer and a 36-pin, Centronics® compatible connector for
the printer.
For USB connection to a computer running Windows 98 with a Windows 98
compliant USB port, a shielded USB “AB” interface cable, from Series A
(computer) to Series B (printer), up to 6.5 ft. (2 meters) long.
Using an improperly shielded USB cable—especially a cable
more than 6.5 ft. (2 meters) long—may cause the printer to
malfunction.
4
Macintosh System Requirements
To use your printer and its software with a Macintosh, your system should have:
■ One of the following Macintosh models:
LC475, LC575, LC630
Quadra series
Centris series
PowerBook® series (190, 520, 540, 550, or later)
PowerBook Duo 280, 2300c/100
Performa® 475, 575, 588, 630, 5210 or later
Power Macintosh® series
iMac™ series (for USB connection only)
Power Macintosh G3 (for USB connection only)
■ For serial connection: System 7.1 or later (7.6 or later recommended)
For USB connection: iMac with System 8.1 or later
Power Macintosh G3 with System 8.5.1 or later
■ At least 16MB of available RAM
■ At least 50MB of free hard disk space (100MB recommended)
■ RGB display or better
■ Quad-speed (4x) or faster CD-ROM drive for installing the printer software
■ For serial connection, an ImageWriter® II serial cable or equivalent (8-pin mini
DIN male/male, Belkin brand recommended; EPSON part number: F2V024-06)
For USB connection to an iMac or Power Macintosh G3 computer, a shielded
USB “AB” interface cable, from Series A (computer) to Series B (printer), up to
6.5 ft. (2 meters) long.
Using an improperly shielded USB cable—especially a cable
more than 6.5 ft. (2 meters) long—may cause the printer to
malfunction.
5
ENERGY STAR Compliance
As an E
S
Partner, EPSON has determined that
NERGY TAR
this product meets the E
S
guidelines for energy
NERGY TAR
efficiency. The EPA E
S
Office Equipment
NERGY TAR
program is a voluntary partnership with the computer and
office equipment industry to promote the introduction of
energy-efficient personal computers, monitors, printers, fax
machines, and copiers in an effort to reduce air pollution
caused by power generation.
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.
Printer Parts
paper support
edge
guides
paper thickness
lever
printer cover
output tray
sheet feeder
output tray extensions
ink cartridge holders
control panel
6
Important Safety Instructions
Before using your printer, read the following safety instructions to make sure you use
the printer safely and effectively:
■ Turn off and unplug the printer before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth only.
Do not spill liquid on the printer.
Always turn the printer off using the P power button. Don’t
switch off the power strip or unplug the printer until the
P power light is off.
■ Do not place the printer on an unstable surface or near a radiator or heating vent.
■ Do not block or cover the openings in the printer’s case or insert objects through
the slots.
■ Use only the type of power source indicated on the printer’s label.
■ Connect all equipment to properly grounded power outlets. Avoid using outlets
on the same circuit as photocopiers or air control systems that regularly switch on
and off.
■ 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. Also, make sure the total ampere rating of all devices plugged into the wall
outlet does not exceed the wall outlet’s ampere rating.
■ Except as specifically explained in this manual, do not attempt to service the
printer yourself.
7
■ Unplug the printer and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the
following conditions:
If the power cord or plug is damaged; if liquid has entered the printer; if the
printer has been dropped or the case damaged; if the printer does not operate
normally or exhibits a distinct change in performance. Adjust only those controls
that are covered by the operating instructions.
Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions
■ Do not put your hand inside the printer or touch the cartridge during printing.
■ Under normal circumstances, ink will not come out of the cartridge. If it does get
on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, flush them
immediately with water.
■ Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children.
■ Do not dismantle the ink cartridges or try to refill them. This could result in
damage to the print head.
■ Once you install an ink cartridge, do not open the clamp or remove the cartridge
except to replace it with a new one. The cartridge may become unusable
otherwise.
■ Install the ink cartridge immediately after you remove it from its foil package.
Leaving the cartridge unpacked for a long time before use may result in reduced
print quality.
■ Do not use an ink cartridge beyond the date printed on the cartridge package. For
best results, use up the ink cartridges within six months of installing them.
■ Do not shake an ink cartridge; this can cause leakage.
■ Always turn the printer off using the P power button. When you press this
button, the Ppower light flashes briefly then goes out. Do not unplug the printer
or turn off the power to the printer until the P power light is off.
■ Before transporting the printer, make sure the print head is positioned all the way
to the right (capped) and the ink cartridges are in place.
8
EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro
We’ve packed lots of fun and informative software with your
printer. EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro contains a collection of
photo-editing, enlargement, and color correcting software.
Install any one or all of them, depending on your preferences
and the space available on your computer.
We’ve also included a variety of terrific project ideas for your photos, such as T-shirts,
banners, greeting cards, and other items you might never have thought of! Plus, you
get helpful information on EPSON products and supplies.
Be sure to insert the EPSON CD-ROM and run EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro right
away to install your bonus software applications and check out the great projects.
Here’s how . . .
■ In Windows, double-click the
EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro icon on the
desktop or select Start, Programs, EPSON, and double-click EPSON Digital
PhotoLab Pro.
■ On a Macintosh, double-click the EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro alias on your
desktop.
After a moment, the EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro main menu appears:
Not available on
Macintosh
9
Navigating Through EPSON Digital
PhotoLab Pro
In the main menu, you can select from the following:
■
INSTALL BONUS SOFTWARE contains a collection of award-winning creative
software; see the list on page 2. Follow the instructions on screen to install the
programs. For more information, see the program’s online help utility or
electronic manual.
■
■
PHOTO WORKSHOP offers cool project ideas and fun photo products.
PHOTOS ON THE NET gives you information on the PhotoLoft web site and
other photo-savvy web sites.
■
■
OTHER EPSON PRODUCTS gives you information on EPSON digital cameras,
scanners, and the wide variety of EPSON media.
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION lets you run the Quick Guide to Printing
demonstration (Windows only) and view your electronic printer manual using
Adobe Acrobat® Reader.
■
REINSTALL PRINTER SOFTWARE (Windows with parallel connection only)
installs your printer driver and utilities again, if you ever need to (be sure to
uninstall your old software first, as described on page 45).
Many of the submenus have tabbed sections. Select a section by clicking its tab. Click
DONE to return to the submenu screen.
Click to open
a section
Click to return to
the submenu
10
Viewing Your Electronic Printer
Manual
Here are some quick guidelines for viewing your electronic printer manual using
Adobe Acrobat Reader. Your bonus software may also include electronic manuals;
check their program folders or Help menu options to locate these manuals.
If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0, you can install
the program from the CD-ROM when you install your printer
software, as described on the Start Here card (Windows only).
With a Macintosh, select the Acrobat Reader 3.01 Installer
icon in the Acrobat Reader folder inside your EPSON Folder on
your hard disk to install Reader on your system.
Opening Your Electronic Manual
There a several ways to open your electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual
automatically in Acrobat Reader:
■ From Digital PhotoLab Pro:
Select ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION from the main menu. Windows users
then select VIEW PRINTER MANUAL on the submenu that appears.
■ From the Windows desktop:
Double-click the
View EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual shortcut on your
Windows desktop, or
Click Start, point to Programs, EPSON, and click View EPSON Stylus Photo
1200 Manual.
■ From the Macintosh desktop:
Double-click the
EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual alias on the desktop, or
Open the Epson Folder on your hard disk and double-click
Photo 1200 Manual.
EPSON Stylus
11
Navigating an Electronic Manual
When you open an electronic manual, you’ll see this toolbar at the top:
show bookmarks
first page
last page
previous page next page
There are several ways to navigate through electronic manuals:
■ Click on hot topics, which are usually underlined or displayed in a different color.
To find out if a topic is hot, move your cursor over it. If the cursor turns into a
pointing hand, the topic is hot—you can jump to it by clicking once.
■ If the manual has bookmarks, use the bookmark section on the left side of the
screen to move quickly to the topic of your choice. Click the show bookmarks
icon on the toolbar to see the bookmark section. (Some manuals may only have a
table of contents that you can use to navigate the manual, if the topics are hot.)
■ Use the arrow buttons in the toolbar or the vertical scroll bar on the right side of
the document to move through a manual. (The box to the left of the scroll bar
displays the current page number.)
If you need more information, open Acrobat Reader’s Help menu and select the
online guide.
12
Printing from Start to Finish
Here’s what you do to print a basic document—such as a memo, newsletter, or
photograph—from loading the paper to selecting print settings to controlling print
jobs. Follow the step-by-step instructions for your operating system in these sections:
■ “Printing with Windows” below
■ “Printing with a Macintosh” on page 16
For guidelines on loading special papers and envelopes, and for selecting the correct
Media Type setting for them, see “Using EPSON Special Papers” on page 18.
For instructions on customizing your settings to fine-tune your printouts, see
“Printing with Custom Settings” on page 22.
For guidelines on preserving photos on EPSON Photo Paper, see page 26.
Printing with Windows
1. Make sure your printer and computer are turned on.
2. Load a stack of plain paper and place it against the right edge guide. Then slide
the left edge guide against the paper’s left edge, making sure the stack is lower
than the arrow on the guide.
Load paper only
up to this arrow
Slide paper against the
right edge guide
13
3. Open a Windows application program and select a document to print.
4. Open the File menu and click Print. You see a Print dialog box, such as this:
Make sure your printer
is selected here
If you see a Properties
button, click it
If you see Setup, Printer,
or Options, click that
button instead; then click
Properties on the next
screen
5. Make sure EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 is selected.
6. If your application’s Print dialog box contains a Properties button, click
Properties and go to step 7.
If you see a Setup, Printer, or Options button, click it. Then click the Properties
button on the next screen.
7. Now you see the printer settings dialog box. If necessary, click the Main tab to
display the settings shown below.
Main tab
Ink setting
Media Type setting
Automatic
mode setting
Quality/Speed slider
14
8. Check the following settings:
■ Make sure the Media Type is set to Plain paper. (If you load a different type
of paper, select the corresponding setting for it, as described on page 21. For
instructions on loading special paper, see page 18.)
■ Make sure Ink is set to Color if you want to print in color.
■ Set the Mode option to Automatic. This is the easiest way to get good
printing results for all kinds of documents, on all types of paper.
■ Move the Quality/Speed slider to the Quality setting. This selects a high
quality setting for the paper you’re using.
Paper Size setting
9. Click the Paper tab at the top of
the dialog box if you need to
change the paper size, paper
Paper tab
source, number of copies, or page
orientation.
10. Click the Layout tab if you want to
reduce or enlarge your printed
image, print multiple pages on one
sheet of paper, or add a watermark.
11. Click OK until you see the Print
dialog box again.
12. Click OK to start printing. After a
moment, the Progress Meter appears
while your document is printing to
show you its progress. You can cancel
, pause , or restart
job as necessary.
your print
For more information on printing, see the electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200
Manual. See page 11 for instructions on viewing the manual.
15
Printing with a Macintosh
1. Make sure your printer and Macintosh are turned on.
2. Load a stack of plain paper and place it against the right edge guide. Then slide
the left edge guide against the paper’s left edge, making sure the stack is lower
than the arrow on the guide.
Load paper only
Slide paper against the
up to this arrow
right edge guide
3. Open a Macintosh application program and select a document to print.
4. Open the File menu and choose Page Setup (Document Setup in some
applications). You see a Page Setup dialog box like this:
Paper Size setting
5. Choose your paper size, page orientation, and printable area settings. Then
click OK.
16
6. Now open the File menu and choose Print. You see the main printer settings
dialog box:
Media Type
setting
Ink
setting
Automatic
mode setting
Quality/Speed
slider
7. Check the following settings:
■ Make sure the Media Type is set to Plain Paper. (If you load a different type
of paper, select the corresponding setting for it, as described on page 21. For
instructions on loading special paper, see page 18.)
■ Make sure Ink is set to Color if you want to print in color.
■ Set the Mode option to Automatic. This is the easiest way to get good
printing results for all kinds of documents, on all types of paper.
■ Move the Quality/Speed slider to the Quality setting. This selects a high
quality setting for the paper you’re using.
8. Click the
or add a watermark. Click the
of your print job. Click the
Layout icon to reduce or enlarge your image, print multiple layouts,
Background Printing icon to prioritize printing
Preview icon to preview your printout.
9. Click Print to start printing. If you
turned on background printing, you
see the EPSON Monitor3 dialog
box to show you the print job’s
progress. You can cancel , pause
, or restart
necessary.
your print job as
For more information on printing, see
the electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200
Manual. See page 11 for instructions on
viewing the manual.
17
Using EPSON Special Papers
How can you get the best-looking photos, most vivid colors, and sharpest text? Always
use EPSON’s special ink jet papers. To show you how much difference EPSON paper
can make, we’ve included some free samples.
Check out the EPSON Photo Quality Media Pack that
came with your printer. Then follow the instructions
below to print your favorite photos and documents on
EPSON paper. You’ll also find instructions for printing
on envelopes and Photo Paper on a roll.
See the inside back cover for a list of EPSON papers
and ordering information. For complete instructions on
using all of EPSON’s special ink jet papers, see the
electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual.
Photo Paper (4 × 6-inch)
This paper is micro-perforated around the edges so you can create a perfect snapshot
without a white border around it. You can load up to 20 sheets at a time with support
sheets A and B beneath them.
Before you print, size your photo to
4.25 × 6.25 inches. Choose Photo Paper
as the Media Type and select the correct
Paper Size in the printer software.
After you print, fold the paper back and
forth along the perforations and carefully
tear off the margins.
18
Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
Load paper only up to
this arrow
This low-cost paper makes all your
printouts look their best. Load the
paper only up to the arrow on the left
edge guide and choose Photo Quality
Ink Jet Paper as the Media Type
setting in your printer software.
Photo Quality Glossy Film
Use these sheets to print professional quality
photographs. Load one sheet at a time with a
support sheet beneath it for the best results. Position
the cut corner as shown here.
Cut corner
Before you print, choose Photo Quality Glossy Film
as the Media Type setting in your printer software.
Envelopes
You can print on just about any kind of envelope.
Load up to 10 at a time, flap edge first, with the
printable side up.
Set the paper thickness lever to the + position.
(Return the lever to the 0 position before you
print on regular paper.)
Be sure to select Plain paper as the Media Type
setting and select the correct envelope size in your
printer software.
19
Photo Paper (13 in × 32.8 ft roll)
You can use Banner Photo Paper on a roll to print photographic banners, panoramas,
and signs up to 44 inches long. Before loading the paper, cut it to the desired length
of your image plus 2 inches to account for the necessary margins.
Make sure the cut sheet is flat; if it curls, flatten
load/eject button
it by following the instructions included in the
paper package. Then remove the printer’s
paper support and load one sheet at a time,
printable side up.
Support the paper from underneath or by its
edges, then press and release the E load/eject
button to feed the paper into the printer. Select Photo Paper as the Media Type and
Banner as the Paper Source setting in your printer software.
An accessory Roll Paper Holder (part number C811062) is also available for use with
your printer and EPSON Photo Paper on a roll. Contact your EPSON dealer or call
EPSON Accessories at the number listed on page 47 to order the holder.
20
Choosing the Right Settings for EPSON Papers
Your printer automatically adjusts itself for the type
of paper you select in your printer software. That’s
why the Media Type setting is so important. It tells
your printer what kind of paper you’re using and
adjusts the ink coverage accordingly.
Before you print, always check your Media Type setting. Here are the settings you
should choose for your paper:
For this paper . . .
Select this Media Type setting . . .
Plain paper
Plain paper sheets or envelopes
EPSON 360 dpi Ink Jet Paper
360 dpi Ink Jet Paper
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 Self Adhesive Sheets
Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
EPSON Photo Paper
Photo Paper
EPSON Panoramic Photo Paper
EPSON Banner Photo Paper
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Film
EPSON Photo Stickers
Photo Quality Glossy Film
EPSON Ink Jet Transparencies
EPSON Ink Jet Back Light Film
Ink Jet Transparencies
Ink Jet Back Light Film
If any paper you buy comes with a cleaning sheet, don’t use
the cleaning sheet with this printer; it may jam inside the
printer.
21
Printing with Custom Settings
Your EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 printer software includes convenient project type
settings for specific types of documents or images—such as photographs, graphics,
text, and drafts—and a variety of individual custom settings to fit your needs.
When you use custom settings, you can choose to either:
■ Use custom project types, or
■ Customize your individual settings.
Using Custom Project Types
When you’re printing a particular type of document and want to quickly select the
best settings for your type of paper, you can use custom project types in your printer
software. Some project types may not be available, depending on your operating
system and the Media Type and Ink settings you choose.
1. Open an application and create your project. Then access the main printer
settings dialog box as described on page 13 (Windows) or page 16 (Macintosh).
2. Select the correct Media Type setting for your paper and choose Color or Black
Ink.
3. Click the Custom button, then click the Custom Settings list. You see a list of
custom project types. Select one of the types listed on the next page.
Windows
Click Custom, then click here to see a list of project types
Macintosh
22
■
PhotoEnhance3
For printing images captured using a video camera, digital camera, or scanner.
Automatically adjusts the contrast, saturation, and brightness and corrects
overall under- or over-exposure of the original image.
■
■
Digital Camera
For printing images captured using a scanner or digital camera. Corrects noise
and other common flaws.
Text/Graph
For printing graphics-intensive documents like
presentations with charts and graphs. Intensifies
colors and lightens the midtones and highlights.
■
Text
For fast printing of text-only documents on plain
paper.
■
■
Economy
For rough drafts of text on plain paper. Saves ink.
(Image Color Matching; Windows 95 and Windows 98 only)
ICM
For printing documents created in an ICM compatible application and
adjusting printed colors to closely match ICM compatible monitor colors.
(standard Red Green Blue; recommended only with Windows 98)
sRGB
■
■
For printing documents created in an sRGB compatible application using
sRGB colors, such as those designed for the World Wide Web. Before using
this setting, set up your sRGB compatible devices (such as your monitor and
printer) to use sRGB profiles; see your Windows 98 online help for details.
(Macintosh only)
ColorSync
Automatically adjusts printout colors to closely match the colors on your
screen; see your electronic for details.
EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual
4. Select any other settings you need to change in the printer software, then:
: Click until you see the Print dialog box again. Then click to
OK
Windows
OK
print your document.
: Click
Macintosh
to print your document.
Print
23
Customizing Print Settings
For maximum control over your project, you can customize your print settings and
experiment with special effects and color management. You can even save your
custom settings as a group so you can use them whenever you print a similar project.
1. Open an application and create your project. Then access the main printer
settings dialog box as described on page 13 (Windows) or page 16 (Macintosh).
2. Select the correct Media Type setting for your paper and choose Color or Black
Ink.
3. Click the Custom button, then click the Advanced button. You see the Advanced
dialog box:
Macintosh
Windows
4. On the Advanced dialog box, you can customize these settings:
■
Media Type and Ink
These settings are the same as the ones you selected on the main printer settings
dialog box. You can change them here as you customize your settings, if needed.
■
Print Quality
Selects the print resolution you want to use, from Economy to Photo-1440 dpi,
depending on what’s available for the Media Type you selected and whether you
want to print a draft or a finished document.
■
Halftoning
Selects the method you want to use for printing the dot patterns in your images.
For photographs, select Error Diffusion; for graphs or other images with precise
edges, select Fine Dithering.
24
■
■
MicroWeave, High Speed, Flip Horizontal, and Finest Detail
MicroWeave deters horizontal banding by printing in finer increments.
High Speed enables bidirectional printing for fast output.
Flip Horizontal creates a mirror image of your document for iron-on transfers.
Finest Detail produces exceptionally sharp image edges, but slows down printing.
Color Adjustment, PhotoEnhance3, ICM, sRGB, ColorSync
Color Adjustment mode lets you choose just the level of adjustment you need,
from Automatic mode to No Color Adjustment (for using other color
management software). You can also individually adjust the levels of Brightness,
Contrast, and Saturation, and increase or decrease the amount of Cyan,
Magenta, and Yellow inks used to print your image.
PhotoEnhance3 produces sharper digital images with more vivid colors by
automatically adjusting the brightness, contrast, and saturation, and correcting for
overall under- or over-exposure of the image. Use the example photograph on the
screen to help you adjust the Tone of your photo or correct common digital image
flaws using Digital Camera Correction mode and the Sharpness button.
ICM (Windows 95 and 98), sRGB (Windows 98), and ColorSync (Macintosh)
color correction settings, used in conjunction with compatible devices and
software, can help you match the image colors you see on your monitor screen
with those printed out on your printer. You must set up your operating system,
devices, and other software before printing with these settings for best results.
5. Once you’ve customized your settings, you can save them as a group so you can
use them again later. If you want to save your settings, click Save Settings in the
Advanced dialog box. Type a name for your setting group (up to 16 characters)
and click OK.
(To use your saved custom setting group, just select it from the Custom Settings
list on the main printer settings dialog box, as described on page 22.)
6. Select any other settings you need to change in the printer software, then:
Windows: Click OK until you see the Print dialog box again. Then click OK to
print your document.
Macintosh: Click Print to print your document.
For complete instructions on using all your printer software’s custom settings, see the
electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual.
25
Preserving Photos on EPSON Photo Paper
EPSON Photo Paper has been specially formulated to work with EPSON’s ink to
create prints that last as long as traditional photographs when protected from light in
photo albums or similar archival conditions.
When you display your EPSON Photo Paper prints in picture frames or mounted on
the wall, the paper provides extra UV (ultraviolet) light protection so your prints will
last longer than prints on other ink jet photo papers. Depending on the type and
intensity of the light your print is exposed to, a print on EPSON Photo Paper may
last two or more years before noticeable fading occurs. Fade resistance could decrease
in intense light conditions or increase if your print is protected by glass or special
laminates.
For optimum results and longer print life, print your digital photos on EPSON Photo
Paper. See the inside back cover of this manual for a list of available paper sizes.
26
Maintaining Your Printer
These sections describe the most common maintenance procedures you’ll need to
perform to keep your printer working well and to prepare it for moving:
■ “Cleaning the Print Head” below
■ “Replacing an Ink Cartridge” on page 30
■ “Aligning the Print Head” on page 35
■ “Cleaning the Printer” on page 35
■ “Transporting the Printer” on page 36
For more details, see your electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual as described
on page 11.
Cleaning the Print Head
If your printed image is unexpectedly light or faint, or dots are missing from the
image, you may need to clean the print head. This unclogs the nozzles so they can
deliver ink properly.
Cleaning the print head uses ink, so clean it only if print quality declines. You can
clean the print head in either of the following ways:
■ With the Head Cleaning utility in your printer software (when connected to a
local port, not over a network), as described on the next page
■ Using the printer’s control panel buttons, as described on page 29
27
Using the Head Cleaning Utility
1. Make sure the printer is turned on but
not printing, and the B black and
A color ink out lights are off.
2. Start an application and open a
document.
3. Access the printer settings dialog box as
described in “Printing with Windows”
on page 13 or “Printing with a
Macintosh” on page 16.
4. Click the Utility tab (Windows) or the
Utility icon (Macintosh). You see
the Utility menu.
Head Cleaning utility
5. Click the Head Cleaning icon.
Follow the instructions on the screen to clean the print head. Cleaning takes a
little over a minute, during which the printer makes some noise and the P power
light flashes.
Never turn off the printer while the P power light is flashing,
unless the printer hasn’t moved or made noise for more than
5 minutes.
6. When the P power light stops flashing, run a nozzle check to test the results and
reset the cleaning cycle.
Make sure paper is loaded in the printer and click Print nozzle check pattern
(Windows) or Confirmation (Macintosh). Then click Next. The nozzle check
pattern prints on your printer; see “Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern” on
page 30 for details.
7. If the nozzle check pattern is filled in completely, click Finish.
If the pattern is missing dots, click Clean to clean again. If you don’t see any
improvement in the print quality after cleaning two or three times, check the
solutions in “Problems Getting Good Print Quality” on page 42.
28
Using the Control Panel
1. Make sure the printer is turned on but
not printing, and the B black and
A color ink out lights are off.
2. Press the R cleaning button and hold
it down for three seconds. Cleaning
takes a little over a minute, during
which the printer makes some noise
and the P power light flashes.
cleaning button
Never turn off the printer while the P power light is flashing,
unless the printer hasn’t moved or made noise for more than
5 minutes.
3. After the P power light stops flashing, print a page to test the print quality and
reset the cleaning cycle.
If you’re connected directly to the printer, run a nozzle check. Go to step 4.
If you’re printing over a network, open an application and print a document
containing black and color data. Then go to step 8.
4. Start an application, open a document, and access the printer settings dialog box
as described in “Printing with Windows” on page 13 or “Printing with a
Macintosh” on page 16.
5. Click the Utility tab (Windows) or the
Utility icon (Macintosh). You see the
Utility menu.
6. Make sure paper is loaded in the printer, click the Nozzle Check icon, and click
Next. The nozzle check pattern prints on the printer; see “Examining the Nozzle
Check Pattern” on page 30 for details.
7. If the nozzle check pattern is filled in completely, click Finish. If the pattern is
missing dots, click Clean to clean again.
8. If you don’t see any improvement in the print quality after cleaning two or three
times, check the solutions in “Problems Getting Good Print Quality” on page 42.
29
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern
Examine the nozzle check pattern you print. 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. If any dots are missing, as
shown below, clean the print head again; see page 27 for instructions.
missing dots
Replacing an Ink Cartridge
When the B black or A color ink out light flashes, the indicated cartridge is low on
ink. This is a good time to make sure you have a new cartridge. When the light stays
on, the cartridge is empty and you need to replace it.
Use these EPSON ink cartridges within six months of installing them and before the
expiration date on the package:
Black ink cartridge: S020187
Color ink cartridge: T001011
To ensure good results, use genuine EPSON ink cartridges
and do not refill them. Other products may cause damage to
your printer not covered by EPSON’s warranty.
When you need new ink cartridges, contact your dealer or call EPSON Accessories at
Canada, please call (800) 873-7766 for dealer referral.
30
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges
You can replace a cartridge when the B black or A color ink out light is either
flashing or on.
If you perform these steps when both ink out lights are off, the printer cleans the print
head, as described on page 27. If you need to replace an ink cartridge before the lights
flash (because the ink is too old, for example), follow the instructions in “Replacing an
Outdated Ink Cartridge” on page 33.
1. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing, then open the printer cover.
2. Press the R cleaning button and hold it for about three seconds until the print
head moves left and the P power light begins flashing.
To avoid damaging the printer, never move the print head by
hand.
3. Pull up the ink cartridge clamp. The cartridge rises up from its holder.
Don’t open the clamp or
remove a cartridge except
to replace it with a new
one. Once you remove a
cartridge, you can’t reuse
it, even if it contains ink.
4. Lift the cartridge out of the printer and
dispose of it carefully.
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap
and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately
with water.
31
5. Remove the new ink cartridge from
its packaging.
Remove the yellow tape
6. Remove only the yellow part of the
tape seal on top as shown:
Don’t pull off the blue portion or try to
remove the clear seal underneath the
cartridge.
Black cartridge
Color cartridge
You must remove the yellow tape from the top of the
cartridge or you will permanently damage it. Do not remove
the clear seal from the bottom of the cartridge; ink will
leak out.
7. Lower the new ink cartridge into its
holder with the label facing up and
toward the back of the printer.
8. Press down the ink cartridge clamp until
it locks in place.
9. If you need to replace the other ink
cartridge, repeat steps 3 through 8 before
going on to step 10.
10. Press the R cleaning button and close the printer cover.
The printer moves the print head and begins charging the ink delivery system.
The P power light flashes, and the printer makes various sounds.
Charging takes about one minute. When it’s finished, the P power light stops
flashing and stays on.
Never turn off the printer while the P power light is flashing,
unless the printer hasn’t moved or made noise for more than
5 minutes.
32
Replacing an Outdated Ink Cartridge
If an ink cartridge is more than six months old, you may need to replace it. How can
you tell? You may notice that your printouts don’t look as good as they used to. If
print quality doesn’t improve after cleaning and aligning the print head, you can
replace one or both cartridges.
Follow these steps to replace an ink cartridge before the B black or A color ink out
light is flashing or on:
1. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing, then open the printer cover.
2. Press the E load/eject button and hold it down for three seconds until the print
head moves to the left and the P power light begins flashing.
To avoid damaging the printer, never move the print head by
hand.
3. Pull up the ink cartridge clamp. The cartridge rises up from its holder.
Don’t open the clamp or
remove a cartridge except
to replace it with a new
one. Once you remove a
cartridge, you can’t reuse
it, even if it contains ink.
4. Lift the cartridge out of the printer and
dispose of it carefully.
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap
and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately
with water.
33
5. Remove the new ink cartridge from
its packaging.
Remove the yellow tape
6. Remove only the yellow part of the
tape seal on top as shown:
Don’t pull off the blue portion or try to
remove the clear seal underneath the
cartridge.
Black cartridge
Color cartridge
You must remove the yellow tape from the top of the
cartridge or you will permanently damage it. Do not remove
the clear seal from the bottom of the cartridge; ink will leak
out.
7. Lower the new ink cartridge into its
holder with the label facing up and
toward the back of the printer.
8. Press down the ink cartridge clamp until
it locks in place.
9. If you need to replace the other ink
cartridge, repeat steps 3 through 8 before
going on to step 10.
10. Press the E load/eject button and close the printer cover.
The printer moves the print head and begins charging the ink delivery system.
The P power light flashes and the printer makes various sounds.
Charging takes about one minute. When it’s finished, the P power light stops
flashing and stays on.
Never turn off the printer while the P power light is flashing,
unless the printer hasn’t moved or made noise for more than
5 minutes.
34
Aligning the Print Head
If your printouts contain misaligned vertical lines, you may need to align the print
head. Your printer must be connected to a local port, not on a network, to use the
Print Head Alignment utility. Follow these steps:
1. Make sure the printer is turned on and paper is loaded.
Load paper that’s at least 8.27 inches (210 mm) wide. This
prevents ink from spraying inside the printer and smudging
your printouts. For the best results, load EPSON ink jet paper
in the printer whenever you check the print head alignment.
2. Start an application and open a document.
3. Access the printer settings dialog box as described in “Printing with Windows” on
page 13 or “Printing with a Macintosh” on page 16.
4. Click the Utility tab (Windows) or the
Utility icon (Macintosh). You see the
Utility menu.
5. Click the Print Head Alignment icon.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to print a test page.
7. Select the most precise alignment pattern from the printed choices on the test
page. Enter the number of the best aligned pattern following the instructions on
the screen.
Cleaning the Printer
To keep your printer working well, you should clean it as follows several times a year:
1. Turn off the printer, unplug the power cord, and disconnect the printer cable.
2. Remove all the paper from the sheet feeder.
3. Clean the exterior of the printer with a soft, damp cloth.
35
4. Clean ink out of the printer’s interior with a soft, damp cloth.
Don’t touch the gears inside the printer.
Never use alcohol or thinner for cleaning; they can damage
the printer components and case.
Don’t use a hard or abrasive brush.
Don’t get water on the printer components or spray lubricants
or oils inside the printer.
Transporting the Printer
If you move your printer some distance, you need to prepare it for transportation and
repack it in its original box as follows:
To avoid damage, always leave the ink cartridges installed
when transporting the printer.
1. Turn on the printer and wait until the print head locks in the far right position.
Then turn off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord, then disconnect the interface cable from the printer.
3. Remove any paper from the printer and remove the paper support.
4. Push in the output tray extensions and close the tray.
5. Repack the printer and attachments in the original box using the protective
materials that came with it. See the unpacking sheet that was packed with your
printer.
Be sure to keep the printer level as you transport it. If you notice a decline in print
quality after transporting the printer, clean the print head (see page 27); if output is
misaligned, align the print head (see page 35).
36
Problem Solving
This section gives you the basics for diagnosing and solving printer problems.
■ First see “Diagnosing Printer Problems” below to determine the problem’s cause.
■ Then see “Problems and Solutions” on page 40 for solutions to problems.
It’s a good idea to check EPSON’s web site periodically for
and check the section for your product to see if there is a new
driver available for downloading to your computer. Also check
the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for additional tips on
using your printer software.
Diagnosing Printer Problems
You can diagnose some problems by checking the printer’s control panel lights, as
described below. It may also be helpful to try running a printer operation check; see
page 39 for instructions.
Checking the Control Panel Lights
load/eject button
power light
paper out light
black ink out light
color ink out light
cleaning button
power button
37
Follow these guidelines when the control panel lights come on or flash:
P is on
The P power light is on when the printer is on and ready to print. It
flashes when the printer is receiving a print job or performing a
maintenance operation, such as cleaning the print head.
S flashes
When the S paper out light flashes, paper is jammed in the printer.
Turn off the printer and gently pull out all paper. Make sure none of
the sheets are curled, creased, old, stuck together, or too thin. Then
reload the stack against the right edge guide and slide the left edge
guide over to the paper’s left edge. Turn on the printer and press the
E load/eject button.
S is on
When the S paper out light comes on, your paper is out or incorrectly
loaded. Make sure none of the sheets are curled, creased, old, stuck
together, or too thin. Then reload the stack against the right edge
guide and slide the left edge guide over to the paper’s left edge.
Press the E load/eject button.
B or A flash
When an ink out light flashes, your ink supply is low. Make sure you
have a replacement cartridge.
B or A are on
When an ink out light comes on, you need to replace the ink
cartridge. See page 30 for instructions.
P and S flash, and When the P power and S paper out lights flash and the B black and
B and A are on
P S B A flash
P S B A are off
A color ink out lights come on, jammed paper may be blocking
movement of the print head. Turn off the printer, wait a few seconds,
and turn it back on. If no paper ejects, turn off the printer, remove the
jammed paper, and turn it on again. If the lights still flash or stay on,
contact your dealer or EPSON; see page 46 for contact information.
When all the lights flash, your printer may have an internal error.
Make sure you removed all the packing material as described on the
unpacking sheet in your printer box. Then turn off the printer, wait a
few seconds, and turn it on again. If the lights still flash or stay on,
contact your dealer or EPSON; see page 46 for contact information.
When all the lights are off, the printer is not receiving power. Try
these solutions:
■
■
Make sure the printer is turned on.
Turn off the printer, plug in the power cord securely, and turn on
the printer again.
■
Make sure the outlet is operable and not controlled by a switch
or timer. Try using another outlet.
38
Running a Printer Operation Check
You can run a printer operation check to determine whether the problem comes from
the printer or some other source.
■ If the results are satisfactory, the problem most likely lies in your software settings,
the interface cable, or your computer.
■ If the check page does not print correctly, you may have a problem with your
printer. See the suggestions in “Problems and Solutions” on page 40 for more
information.
1. Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off.
2. Disconnect the interface cable from the printer.
3. Make sure paper is loaded in the printer.
Load paper that’s at least 8.27 inches (210 mm) wide. This
prevents ink from spraying inside the printer and smudging
your printouts.
4. Hold down the E load/eject button
load/eject button
power light
and press the Ppower button.
Continue holding down the
E load/eject button until the
Ppower light starts to flash, then
release it.
The printer prints its ROM version
number and a nozzle check pattern
(shown in “Examining the Nozzle
Check Pattern” on page 30).
power button
5. After it prints the check page, turn off the printer. Then reconnect the interface
cable and turn on your printer and computer.
39
Problems and Solutions
Here are some basic troubleshooting tips if you have any problems:
■ Setting up your printer or installing software
■ Getting good print quality
For more extensive information, check the online help in your printer software or see
“Troubleshooting” in the electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 Manual. If none of the
suggested solutions solve your problem, see page 46 for help contact information.
Problems Setting Up the Printer or Installing Its
Software
You’re having problems
installing the printer software . . .
You installed the ink cartridges
and the printer started making
noise . . .
■ Carefully follow the instructions
for installing the printer software
on the Start Here card, making
sure your printer is turned on
and the printer cable is securely
connected to the printer and
computer.
■ The first time you install ink
cartridges, the printer charges its
ink delivery system for a couple
minutes. Please wait until
charging is finished (the
P power light stops flashing)
before you turn off the printer.
If you turn off the printer while
it’s charging, it begins charging
again and uses more ink than
necessary when you turn it back
on. See the Start Here card for
details.
■ If you still have problems, close
all other applications, including
anti-virus programs and screen
savers. Then try installing the
software again.
You’re using the parallel port . . .
■ Make sure the ink cartridge
clamps are locked down
For maximum print speeds, enable
ECP/DMA mode on your
computer’s parallel port. See your
computer documentation or
contact your computer
completely and that no packing
material remains in the printer.
manufacturer for instructions.
40
Your printer icon doesn’t appear
in the Chooser (Macintosh) . . .
You can’t see the ink level gauge
when you print in Windows . . .
■ Your Macintosh has extension
conflicts. Disable Quick Draw GX
in the Extensions Manager. Make
sure EPSON Monitor3 and
SP 1200 are enabled, and then
restart your Macintosh.
Make sure you installed Status
Monitor 2. If you didn’t, you can
uninstall your printer software, then
reinstall it, making sure you choose
to install Status Monitor 2. See
page 45 for instructions on
■ You may have too many items in
the Chooser. Delete or move any
unused items and check the
Chooser again.
uninstalling your printer software.
Once you’ve installed Status
Monitor 2, make sure background
monitoring is turned on. See your
electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200
Manual for details on using Status
Monitor 2.
You want to verify your USB
software installation on
Windows 98 . . .
Click Start, point to Settings, and
click Control Panel. Then
You need help with the bonus
software on your CD-ROM . . .
double-click System and click the
Device Manager tab. You should
see EPSON USB Printer Devices
listed. Click the + next to the device;
you should see EPSON USB Printer
(EPUSB1:) listed too.
■ You install your bonus software
from the EPSON Digital
PhotoLab Pro; see page 9 for
instructions on running it.
■ For assistance using the programs
you installed from the CD-ROM,
contact the company that
If the printer doesn’t work correctly,
uninstall the printer software as
described on page 45, then uninstall
the EPSON USB Printer Device
software the same way. Make sure
your system meets the USB
requirements on page 4. Then
reinstall the USB printer software as
described on the Start Here card.
produced the software. For
contact information, see page 48.
Your printer makes noise when
you turn it on or after it has been
sitting for a while . . .
Your printer is performing routine
maintenance.
41
Problems Getting Good Print Quality
If you see horizontal banding . . .
If you see vertical banding . . .
■ Make sure the print head nozzles are
not clogged. To clean the print head,
see page 27.
■ Make sure the print head nozzles are
not clogged. To clean the print head,
see page 27.
■ Make sure the Media Type setting
matches the paper you loaded. See
page 20 for guidelines.
■ Run the Print Head Alignment
utility. See page 35 for instructions.
■ Check the paper thickness lever. If
it’s in the + position, your printer is
set for thicker paper or envelopes and
your image may have banding. For
most papers, set the paper thickness
lever to the 0 position.
■ Make sure the printable side of the
paper is face up. It is usually the
whiter or shinier side of ink jet paper.
■ Make sure the ink cartridges aren’t
low on ink. If either ink out light is
flashing, replace the ink cartridge; see
page 30. If your ink cartridge is more
than six months old, you may need
to replace it; see page 33.
■ Try using Automatic mode. See
page 15 (Windows) or page 17
(Macintosh) for instructions.
■ For most papers, set the paper
thickness lever to the 0 position to
prevent banding, as shown to the
right. Set it to the + position for
thicker paper or envelopes.
Note:
You may see banding in the expanded
margin if you use the Maximum
Printable Area setting. Use this setting
for text documents only.
42
If your printout contains incorrect
characters . . .
■ Your printer’s interface cable may
not be securely connected. Check
that the cable is locked firmly in
place at both ends to ensure proper
communication between your printer
and computer. After adjusting the
cable, try printing from an
application again.
If your printout is blurry or
smeared . . .
■ Your printer may not be selected as
the current printer in your
application, or as the Windows
default printer, or as the current
printer in the Macintosh Chooser.
Be sure to select the printer in your
application.
■ Make sure your paper isn’t damp or
loaded face down (the printable side
should be loaded face up). If it’s
damp, reload a new stack of paper.
■ Use a support sheet with special
media or try loading your media
one sheet at a time.
For instructions on selecting the
Windows default printer, see your
Windows documentation or online
help. To select your printer in the
Macintosh Chooser, see the Start
Here card.
■ Check the paper thickness lever
position. If it’s in the + position, your
printer is set for thicker paper or
envelopes and your image may
smear. For most papers, set the paper
thickness lever to the 0 position, as
shown on the facing page.
■ Make sure your paper or media meets
the specifications listed in your
electronic EPSON Stylus Photo 1200
Manual.
■ Run the Print Head Alignment
utility. See page 35 for instructions.
43
If your printout is faint or has gaps
in the image . . .
If your printout contains incorrect or
missing colors . . .
■ Make sure the print head nozzles are
not clogged. To clean the print head,
see page 27.
■ Make sure the Ink setting is set to
Color for color images.
■ Make sure the print head nozzles are
■ Make sure your paper isn’t damaged,
old, dirty, or loaded face down (the
printable surface should be loaded
face up). If it is, reload a new stack of
paper with the printable side up.
clean. See page 27 for instructions.
■ Make sure the ink cartridges aren’t
low on ink or too old. If either ink
out light is flashing, replace the ink
cartridge; see page 30. If your ink
cartridge is more than six months
old, see page 33.
If your printout is grainy . . .
■ Try using a higher quality paper.
■ Try using Automatic mode. See
page 15 (Windows) or page 17
(Macintosh) for instructions.
■ Make sure you set the Quality/Speed
slider to the Quality setting in our
printer software; see page 15
(Windows) or page 17 (Macintosh)
for instructions.
■ With Photoshop 5.0, make sure
you’re not using two color
management options at the same
time; see page 26 for details.
■ Run the Print Head Alignment
Utility. See page 35 for instructions.
■ Your printed colors can never
exactly match your on-screen colors.
However, you can get as close as
possible using your printer software’s
color matching options, see page 23.
■ You may need to increase the image
resolution or print it in a smaller size.
See your application software
documentation for instructions.
44
Uninstalling Printer Software
If you ever need to uninstall and reinstall your printer software, follow these steps.
Uninstalling Windows Software
1. Click Start, point to Settings, then double-click the Control Panel icon.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Click EPSON Printer Software in the program list.
4. Click the Add/Remove button. Follow the instructions on the screen to uninstall
your software.
5. If Status Monitor 2 is installed, you need to uninstall it also. First, right-click the
icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar and select Stop monitoring
now to turn off background monitoring. Then follow steps 3 and 4 again. In
step 3, select EPSON Status Monitor 2 in the program list to uninstall it.
6. If you’re using Windows 98 with a USB connection, you need to uninstall the
EPSON USB Printer Device software also. Follow steps 3 and 4 again. In step 3,
select EPSON USB Printer Devices in the list.
7. Restart your computer.
To reinstall your Windows 98 USB software using plug-and-play, see the Start
Here card.
To reinstall Windows 95 or 98 software using a parallel connection, double-click
the
EPSON Digital PhotoLab icon on your desktop or in the EPSON folder.
Select Re-install Printer Driver on the main menu and follow the on-screen
instructions to re-install your printer driver and Status Monitor 2.
Uninstalling Macintosh Software
1. Insert the EPSON printer software CD-ROM in your drive.
2. Double-click the Printer Software Installer icon. Then click Continue.
3. At the installer screen, click the arrow in the list at the top showing Easy Install,
and select Remove.
45
4. Click the Remove button on the bottom of the screen.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to uninstall the printer software. Then
restart your Macintosh.
6. To reinstall your software, see the Start Here card.
Where To Get Help
If you need help with your printer or its software, see the contact information in the
next section. For help with any of the bonus applications on the EPSON CD-ROM,
see “Bonus Software Technical Support” on page 48 for contact information.
EPSON Technical Support
EPSON provides technical assistance through electronic support services and
automated telephone services 24 hours a day. The following tables list the contact
information:
Electronic support services
Service
Access
World Wide Web
From the Internet, you can reach EPSON’s Home Page at
EPSON Internet FTP
Site
If you have Internet FTP capability, use your Web browser (or
other software for FTP downloading) to log onto
ftp.epson.com with the user name anonymous and your
e-mail address as the password.
EPSON Forum on
CompuServe®
Members of CompuServe can type GO EPSON at the menu
prompt to reach the Epson America Forum. For a free
introductory CompuServe membership, call (800) 848-8199
and ask for representative #529.
46
Automated telephone services
Service
Access
EPSON
SoundAdvice
For pre-recorded answers to commonly asked questions about
EPSON products 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call
(800) 922-8911.
SM
TM
EPSON FaxAdvice
Access EPSON’s technical information library by calling
(800) 922-8911. You must provide a return fax number to use
this service.
EPSON Referral
Service
For the location of your nearest Authorized EPSON Reseller or
Customer Care Center, call (800) 922-8911.
To speak to a technical support representative, dial:
■ U.S.: (310) 533-4018, 6 AM to 8 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday and
7 AM to 4 PM, Saturday
■ Canada: (905) 709-2567, 6 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday
and 7 AM to 4 PM, Saturday
Toll or long distance charges may apply.
Before you call, please have the following information ready:
■ Product name (EPSON Stylus Photo 1200)
■ Product serial number (located on the back of the printer)
■ Computer configuration
■ Description of the problem
If you need help using another manufacturer’s software with an EPSON product,
see the documentation for that software for technical support information.
You can purchase ink cartridges, paper, manuals, and accessories from EPSON
sales only). In Canada, please call (800) 873-7766 for dealer referral.
47
Bonus Software Technical Support
For technical support on any of the creative applications on the EPSON CD-ROM,
first check the Help menu or electronic manuals that came with the bonus software. If
you still need help, contact the software manufacturer as described below.
Altamira Group
Contact
Genuine Fractals 2.0 Vivid Details Test
method Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE Trial Version
Strip 2.0
Phone
Direct Support Programs:
Macintosh: (206) 675-6203 (818) 556-6099
Windows: (206) 675-6303
6 AM to 5 PM, PST,
Monday–Friday*
(800) 913-3391 or
(530) 432-2365
8 AM to 5 PM, PST,
Monday–Friday
9 AM to 6 PM, PST,
Monday–Friday
Fax
Faxback:
(650) 556-8481**
—
—
—
Online
Standard free support:
supportservice/
Free support:
techsupport.html
custsupport/
E-mail
Techsupport@altamira-
group.com
Free support:
* Once you’ve registered Photoshop 5.0 LE, you are eligible for a complimentary single-incident
call to Technical Support. After the initial support, other Support options (such as 900 number
access for Pay-As-You-Go Support and yearly support contracts) are available through the Adobe
CustomerFirst program. For additional information, go to the Adobe web site at:
** Adobe FaxYi, a fax-on-demand system, can fax you any of more than 1,000 technical and
customer service documents. Just call from a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded
instuctions. All documents available through Adobe FaxYi are also available through e-mail.
48
Using Printer Software Diskettes
If your computer doesn’t have a CD-ROM drive, you can download or order printer
software diskettes from EPSON, as described in the next section. Once you have your
diskettes, follow the steps on page 50 to install the printer software from them.
Only the printer driver and utilities are available on diskette.
The EPSON Digital PhotoLab Pro and bonus software
applications are available only on the CD-ROM that came with
your printer.
Ordering Printer Software Diskettes
You can order printer driver software diskettes from EPSON by phone or fax for
$9.95 shipping and handling (plus tax where applicable), or you can download the
diskette image files. When you’re ready to install your printer software, see page 50.
Download:
select File Downloads (FTP)
■ EPSON Internet FTP Site: Log on to ftp.epson.com with the user name
anonymous and your e-mail address as the password
■ Epson America Forum on CompuServe: Click on Services. . . Go, then type
EPSONFOR in the dialog box
If you need downloading instructions, call EPSON’s FaxAdvice service at
(800) 922-8911 and request document #1220; be sure to supply a return fax number.
49
Fax:
Send the following information by fax to EPSON at (310) 782-5266:
■ Name and Company name
Street address (no P.O. boxes please)
City, State and ZIP code
■ Daytime telephone number
■ Payment method (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express)
Card number and expiration date
Be sure to sign your fax; it is required for the credit card purchase
■ Printer name (EPSON Stylus Photo 1200)
■ Operating system (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, or Macintosh).
Phone:
Call (310) 533-8467 from 6 AM to 6 PM Pacific time, Monday through Friday.
Installing Printer Software from Diskettes
Installing Windows Software
1. Make sure your printer is connected to the computer and that both are turned off.
2. Turn on your computer and wait until you see the Windows desktop icons.
3. Turn on your printer.
IMPORTANT:
If you see a screen telling you that Windows has detected your printer and
asking you to install a driver, ALWAYS select Cancel. You cannot install your
software that way.
4. Insert the EPSON printer software diskette 1.
50
5. Click Start, select Run, and type A:\Setup (where A is your diskette drive letter).
Then click OK.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the software. Your printer software
icons appear in the EPSON folder and your printer is set as the Windows default
printer.
7. After you install the printer software, repeat steps 4 through 6 to install Status
Monitor 2 from its diskettes.
8. Restart your system.
9. Now you can start to print. See “Printing with Windows” on page 13 for
instructions.
Installing Macintosh Software
1. Make sure your printer and Macintosh are turned off.
2. Turn on the Macintosh and wait until you see the icons on your desktop, then
turn on your printer.
3. Insert the EPSON printer software diskette 1.
4. If necessary, double-click the Disk 1 icon to open the diskette window. Then
double-click the Installer icon.
5. Click Continue.
6. Click Install and follow the on-screen instructions to install your printer driver.
Then click Restart.
7. After you finish installing software, open the Chooser. If you’re connected to the
®
Macintosh printer port or to a PowerBook with one port, turn off AppleTalk.
8. Click the SP 1200 icon, then click the icon for the port you’re using. Turn on
background printing, if you want to use it. Then close the Chooser.
9. Now you can start to print. See “Printing with a Macintosh” on page 16 for
instructions.
51
52
Configuring for a Windows
Network
If your computer is on a Windows 95 or Windows 98 network and you want other
users to share the printer connected to it, you need to:
■ Set up the system connected to the printer (host system) so the printer can be
shared
■ Define a path to the printer on each client computer
Before following the steps here, make sure you’ve installed the printer software on all
the computers that will use the printer. See the Start Here card for instructions.
If you’re using your printer on a Windows NT 4.0 network,
see your network administrator or your Windows NT
documentation for instructions on configuring your printer for
the network.
Setting Up the Host System
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and select Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network, then click the File and Print Sharing button.
3. Click the I want to be able to allow others to print to my printer(s) checkbox
and click OK.
4. In the Network window, click OK.
5. In the Control Panel, double-click Printers.
6. Right-click the EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 icon, then click Sharing.
7. Click the Shared As radio button. Then enter a Share Name, Comment, and
Password as necessary and click OK.
53
Setting Up Client Systems
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and select Printers.
2. Right-click the EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 icon and choose Properties.
3. Click the Details tab. You see the following dialog box:
Details tab
Click Add Port, then specify
the network path in the dialog
box that appears
4. Click the Add Port button, then click Browse to specify the network path to the
printer.
To print from DOS applications as well as Windows
applications, click the Capture Printer Port button instead of
Add Port. Select the printer port in the Device list, then
specify its network path. Select Reconnect at logon, then
click OK.
5. When you return to the Details tab, click OK.
54
Index
A
E
Accessories, 30, 47
Economy settings, 23 to 24
ECP/DMA mode, 40
Electronic manuals, 11 to 12
ENERGY STAR compliance, 6
Envelopes, 19
Acrobat Reader, 11 to 12
Aligning print head, 35
Automatic mode, 15, 17
EPSON
Accessories, 30, 47
help, 46 to 47
papers, 18 to 21
B
Background printing, 15, 17
Bonus software, 1 to 2, 9 to 10, 48
F
C
FCC statement, 59
Features, 1
Finest Detail setting, 25
Flip Horizontal setting, 25
Cleaning
print head, 27 to 29
printer, 35 to 36
Color Adjustment mode, 25
ColorSync, 23, 25
Control panel, 29, 37 to 39
Custom settings, 22 to 25
G
Glossy film, 19
Graph setting, 23
D
Diagnosing problems, 37 to 39
Digital Camera settings, 23, 25
Digital PhotoLab Pro software, 1 to 2, 9 to
10
H
Halftoning, 24
Head Cleaning utility, 28
Help, 46 to 48
Diskettes, 49 to 51
Documentation, about, 3, 11 to 12
High Speed setting, 25
55
Paper thickness lever, 19
Parallel connection, 4
Photo Paper, 18, 26
Photo Quality Glossy Film, 19
Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper, 19
PhotoEnhance3 setting, 23, 25
Preview icon, 17
I
ICM (Image Color Matching) setting, 23, 25
Ink
replacing cartridge, 30 to 32
replacing outdated cartridge, 33 to 34
setting, 15, 17
Print head
aligning, 35
cleaning, 27 to 29
Print quality
problems, 42 to 44
setting, 24
Printer
L
Layout
icon, 17
tab, 15
Lights, 37 to 39
cleaning, 35 to 36
maintaining, 27 to 36
operation check, 39
parts, 6
software, 1 to 2, 13 to 17, 45
transporting, 36
M
Macintosh
printing with, 16 to 17
system requirements, 5
uninstalling software, 45
Maintenance, 27 to 36
Media Type setting, 15, 17, 21
MicroWeave setting, 25
Printing
with custom settings, 22 to 25
with Macintosh, 16 to 17
with Windows, 13 to 15
Problem solving, 37 to 48
Progress Meter, 15
Project types, custom, 22 to 23
N
Network configuration, Windows, 53 to 54
Nozzle Check utility, 28 to 30
Q
Quality/Speed slider, 15, 17
P
Paper
S
EPSON special, 18 to 21
loading, 13, 16
problems, 38
tab, 15
Safety instructions, 7 to 8
Serial connection, 5
Service, 46 to 48
56
Software
bonus, 1 to 2, 9 to 10, 48
U
USB connection, 4 to 5, 41
Digital PhotoLab Pro, 1 to 2, 9 to 10
diskettes, 49 to 51
printer, 1 to 2, 13 to 17, 45
problems, 40 to 41
uninstalling, 45
W
Windows
network configuration, 53 to 54
printing with, 13 to 15
system requirements, 4
uninstalling software, 45
World Wide Web, 46
sRGB (standard Red Green Blue) setting, 23,
25
Support, 46 to 48
System requirements, 4 to 5
T
Testing printer, 39
Text setting, 23
Text/Graph setting, 23
Thickness lever, 19
Transporting printer, 36
Troubleshooting, 37 to 48
57
58
FCC Compliance Statement
For United States Users
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
◗
◗
◗
◗
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
WARNING
The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate the FCC
Certification of this device and may cause interference levels which exceed the limits established by the FCC for
this equipment. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain and use a shielded equipment interface cable with this
device. If this equipment has more than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused
interfaces. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
For Canadian Users
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment
Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le materiel brouilleur du
Canada.
59
Copyright Notice
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of 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.
Neither SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this product or third
parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse,
or abuse of this product or unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the
U.S.) failure to strictly comply with SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION’s operating and maintenance instructions.
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION shall not be liable for any damages or problems arising from the use of any
options or any consumable products other than those designated as Original EPSON Products or EPSON
Approved Products by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
Trademarks
EPSON and EPSON Stylus are registered trademarks of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. SoundAdvice is a
service mark, PRQ is a registered trademark, and Micro Piezo, MicroDot, EPSON Digital PhotoLab, and EPSON
FaxAdvice are trademarks of Epson America, Inc.
General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of
their respective owners. EPSON disclaims any and all rights in those marks.
NERGY TAR
emblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any product or service.
The E
S
CPD 7787
3/99
Copyright © 1999 by Epson America, Inc.
Printed on recycled paper with at least 10% post-consumer content.
60
How to Order EPSON Ink and Paper
To order EPSON ink cartridges or paper, contact your dealer or call EPSON Accessories at (800) 873-7766
(800) 873-7766 for dealer referral.
Order these EPSON ink cartridges and use them within six months
of installing them and before the expiration date on the package:
Black ink cartridge S020187
Color ink cartridge T001011
Paper name
Size
Part number
EPSON 360 dpi Ink Jet Paper
Letter (8.5 x 11 in.)
A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in.)
Super B (13 x 19 in.)
Letter (8.5 x 11 in.)
A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in.)
Letter (8.5 x 11 in.)
A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in.)
Legal (8.5 x 11 in.)
Super B (13 x 19 in.)
B (11 x 17 in.)
S041060
S041059
S041066
S041111
S041117
S041062
S041061
S041067
S041069
S041070
S041054
S041122
S041134
S041141
S041140
S041142
S041143
S041156
S041145
S041233
EPSON High Quality Ink Jet Paper
EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Cards
EPSON Photo Paper
A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in.)
8 x 10 in.
4 x 6 in.
Letter (8.5 x 11 in.)
A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in.)
A3 (11.7 x 16.5 in.)
Super B (13 x 19 in.)
B (11 x 17 in.)
EPSON Panoramic Photo Paper
EPSON Banner Photo Paper
8.3 x 23.4 in.
13 in. x 32.8 ft.
EPSON Photo Stickers Kit (CD-ROM/paper)
EPSON Photo Stickers (refill)
A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in.)
A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in.)
S041144-KIT
S041144
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Film
Letter (8.5 x 11 in.)
A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in.)
A6 (4.1 x 5.8 in.)
Super B (13 x 19 in.)
B (11 x 17 in.)
S041072
S041071
S041107
S041074
S041075
EPSON Ink Jet Transparencies
Letter (8.5 x 11 in.)
A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in.)
A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in.)
Letter (8.5 x 11 in.)
A3 (11.7 x 16.5 in.)
S041064
S041063
EPSON Photo Quality Self Adhesive Sheets
EPSON Iron-On Cool Peel Transfer Paper
EPSON Ink Jet Back Light Film
S041106
S041153/S041155
S041131
1
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