Epson Stylus Photo 1200 User Manual

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Replacing an Outdated Ink Cartridge  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 Piezoprint 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 PhotoLabPro 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 Fractals2.0 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  
iMacseries (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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