Dell 720 - Color Printer Inkjet User manual

Dell™ Photo Printer 720 User's Guide
Click the links to the left for information on the features and operation of your printer. For information on
other documentation included with your printer, see Finding Information.
To order ink or supplies from Dell:
Double-click the icon on your desktop.1.
Visit Dell's website, or order Dell printer supplies by phone.2.
www.dell.com/supplies
For the best service, make sure you have the Dell printer Service Tag available. See Express Service
Code and Service Tag.
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your printer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how
to avoid the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2004 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel
Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or
their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Model 720
May 2004 SRV R5221 Rev. A00

Finding Information
What are you looking for?
Find it here
Drivers for my printer
My User's Guide
Drivers and Utilities CD
Documentation and drivers are already installed on your printer when
shipped from Dell. You can use the CD to uninstall/reinstall drivers or
access your documentation.
Readme files may be included on your CD to provide last-minute updates
about technical changes to your printer or advanced technical reference
material for experienced users or technicians.
Safety information
How to set up and use my
printer
Warranty information
Owner's Manual
How to set up my printer
Setup diagram
Express Service Code and
Service Tag number
Express Service Code and Service Tag
This label is located under the front cover of the printer.

Use the Service Tag to identify your printer when you use
support.dell.com or contact technical support.
NOTE: The Express Service Code is not available in all countries.
Latest drivers for my
printer
Answers to technical
service and support
questions
Documentation for my
printer
Dell Support website - support.dell.com
The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:
Solutions - Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from
technicians, and online courses
Community - Online discussion with other Dell customers
Upgrades - Upgrade information for components, such as memory
Customer Care - Contact information, order status, warranty, and
repair information
Downloads - Drivers
Reference - Printer documentation and product specifications
How to use Windows XP
Documentation for my
printer
Windows XP Help and Support Center
Click Start Help and Support.1. Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and click the
arrow icon.
2.
Click the topic that describes your problem.3. Follow the instructions on the screen.4.

About Your Printer
Understanding the Printer Parts
Setting Up Your Printer
Understanding the Printer Software
Understanding the Printer Parts
Number:
Part:
Description:
1
Paper support
Part that supports loaded paper.
2
Paper guide
Guide that helps the paper feed into the printer properly.
3
Front cover
Cover to open to change ink cartridges.
4
Paper exit tray
Tray that holds the paper as it exits the printer.
NOTE: Pull the paper exit tray straight out to extend it.
5
Power/Resume
button
Button to turn the printer on or off or eject paper from the printer.
6
USB connector
Slot into which you plug the USB cable (sold separately). The other end of
the USB cable plugs into your computer.
7
Power connector
Slot into which you plug the power adapter.
NOTE: Insert the power adapter into the printer before connecting the
power cable into the wall outlet.
Setting Up Your Printer

NOTE: The Dell Photo Printer 720 supports Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and Windows XP.
Follow the instructions on the Setting Up Your Printer poster to install the hardware and software. If you
encounter problems during setup, see Setup Problems for more information.
Understanding the Printer Software
The printer software includes:
Dell Printer Solution Center - Provides maintenance and troubleshooting help, basic usage
information, and how-to's for creating projects.
Printing Preferences - Allows you to adjust printer settings.
Using the Dell Printer Solution Center
How To tab
Learn about Your Printer - Select a topic from this drop-down list and click View for more
information.
Basic Printing Tips - Select a topic from this drop-down list and click View for more information.
Projects drop-down list - Select a project from this drop-down list and click View for more
information.
Troubleshooting tab - Provides links to more information about basic troubleshooting topics, such as "How
to clear error messages."

Maintenance tab
Install a new print cartridge icon - Click this icon and follow the instructions on the screen to
install a new ink cartridge.
View shopping options for new cartridges icon - Click this icon and follow the instructions on the
screen to order new ink cartridges.
Print a test page icon - Click this icon to print a test page.
Clean to fix horizontal streaks icon - Click this icon and follow the instructions on the screen to
clean your ink cartridge nozzles.
Troubleshoot other ink problems icon - Click this icon for more information on fixing ink problems.
Align to fix blurry edges icon - Click this icon for more information on printing an alignment page
and fixing ink cartridge alignment.
Contact Information tab
Ordering Ink or Supplies - Directs you to Dell's cartridge ordering website,
www.dell.com/supplies.
Customer Support - Directs you to Dell's customer support website, support.dell.com.
Contact Dell by Phone - Lists the "Contacting Dell" phone number by country.
Advanced tab
Printing Status button - Click this button to see your options for displaying printing status
information on your screen.
About button - Click this button to view software version information.
To access the Dell Printer Solution Center:
Click Start Programs or All Programs Dell Printers Dell Photo Printer 720 Dell Printer
Solution Center.
Using Printing Preferences

Printing Preferences allows you to change the various printer settings. You can change your printer
settings in Printing Preferences depending on the type of project you want to create.
To access Printing Preferences:
With your document open, click File Print.1.
The Print dialog box appears.
In the Print dialog box, click Preferences, Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on the
program or operating system).
2.
The Printing Preferences screen appears.
To access Printing Preferences when a document is not open:
In Windows XP, click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Printers and
Faxes.
1.
In Windows 2000, click Start Settings Printers.
Right-click the printer icon, and then select Printing Preferences.2.
NOTE: Changes made to the printer settings from the Printers folder become the default settings for
most programs.
Printing Preferences Tabs
Printing Preferences includes three main tabs.

From this
tab:
You can change these settings:
Quality/Copies
Quality/Speed - Select Quick Print, Normal, Better, or Best depending on your
desired output quality. Quick Print is the fastest option.
Multiple Copies - Customize how the printer prints several photocopies of a single print
job: Collated, Normal, or Print Last Page First.
Print Color Images in Black and White - Print your color images in black and white to
save the ink in your color ink cartridge.
Paper Setup
Type - Select the type and size of paper.
Orientation - Select how the document is arranged on the printed page. You can print
using portrait or landscape orientation.
Print Layout
Layout - Select Normal, Banner,Mirror, N-up, Poster, or Booklet.
Duplexing - Select this to print on both sides of the paper.

Using the Printer
Loading Paper
Printing
Loading Paper
Place the paper against the guide on the right side of the paper support.1.
Squeeze and slide the left paper guide to the left edge of the paper.2.
NOTE: Do not force paper into the printer. The paper should be flat against the paper support surface
and the right edge should be flush against the right paper guide.
Printing
Printing a Document
Turn on your computer and printer, and make sure they are connected.1.
Load the paper with the print side facing up. For more information, see Loading Paper.2.
With your document open, click File Print.3.
Customize your print settings:
Click Preferences, Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on the program or operating
system).
a.
4.
b.

a.
The Printing Preferences dialog box appears.
On the Quality/Copies tab, select Quality/Speed, the paper type, the number of copies, and
black and white or color printing.
b.
On the Paper Setup tab, select the paper size and orientation.c.
On the Print Layout tab, select the layout and duplexing settings.d.
To see details about a setting, right-click the setting on the screen, and then select What's
This?.
e.
After making the changes in Printing Preferences, click OK at the bottom of the screen to
return to the Print dialog box.
f.
Click OK or Print (depending on the program or operating system).5.
Printing Photos
Load the photo paper with the print (glossy) side facing up. For more information, see Loading Paper.1.
With your document open, click File Print.2.
To customize your print settings, click Preferences, Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on
the program or operating system).
3.
The Printing Preferences dialog box appears.
On the Quality/Copies tab, select Quality/Speed and the paper type.4.
On the Paper Setup tab, select the paper size and orientation.5.
NOTE: Photo/glossy or coated paper is recommended for printing photos.
On the Print Layout tab, select the photo layout.6.
When finished customizing your photo, click OK.7.
Click OK or Print (depending on the program or operating system).8.
To prevent your photos from sticking together or smudging, remove each photo after it exits the
printer.
9.
NOTE: Before placing your prints in a nonadhesive photo album or frame, allow sufficient time for the
prints to dry thoroughly (12 to 24 hours, depending on the ambient conditions). This maximizes the
life of your prints.
Printing Other Projects

The I Want To menu provides wizards for creating projects. You may want to print a photo, print on an
envelope, print a banner, make a poster, create a booklet, or print a greeting card.
With your document open, click File Print.1.
To customize print settings, click Preferences, Properties, Options, or Setup (depending on the
program or operating system).
2.
The Printing Preferences dialog box appears along with the I Want To menu.
Select one of the available projects or click See more printing ideas.3.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete your project.4.

Ink Cartridge Maintenance
Replacing Ink Cartridges
Aligning Ink Cartridges
Cleaning the Ink Cartridge Nozzles
Replacing Ink Cartridges
CAUTION: Before performing any of the procedures listed in this section, read and follow
the "CAUTION: SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS" in your Owner's Manual.
Dell ink cartridges are available only through Dell. You can order more ink online at
www.dell.com/supplies or by phone. To order by phone, see your Owner's Manual.
Dell recommends Dell ink cartridges for your printer. Dell does not provide warranty coverage for problems
caused by using accessories, parts, or components not supplied by Dell.
Turn on your printer.1.
Open the front cover.2.
The ink cartridge carrier moves and stops at the loading position unless the printer is busy.
Press the tabs on the cartridge lids, then lift the lids.3.

3.
Remove the old ink cartridges.4.
Store the cartridges in an air-tight container or dispose of them properly.5.
If you are installing new ink cartridges, remove the sticker and transparent tape from the back and
bottom of each ink cartridge.
6.
NOTE: You can use your printer with one cartridge (color or black) at a time. To extend the life of
your color cartridge and improve printing speed, install both a color cartridge and a black cartridge at
the same time.

Insert the new ink cartridges. Make sure the color ink cartridge is secure in the left ink cartridge carrier
and the black ink cartridge is secure in the right ink cartridge carrier.
7.
Snap each lid closed.8.

8.
Close the front cover. The front cover must be closed to start a print job.9.
Open the Dell Printer Solution Center by clicking Start Programs or All Programs Dell
Printers Dell Photo Printer 720 Dell Printer Solution Center.
10.
Click the Maintenance tab.11.
Click Install a new print cartridge.12.
Click Next.13.
Select the type of cartridge you installed.14.
NOTE: Specify whether the cartridge is a new cartridge or an old cartridge (one that has been used
before). If an old cartridge is incorrectly identified as New Cartridge in the Dell Printer Solution Center,
ink levels may be incorrect.
15.
16.

Click Next.15.
If you installed a new cartridge, continue with Aligning Ink Cartridges.16.
Aligning Ink Cartridges
Typically, you only align print cartridges after installing or replacing a cartridge. However, you may also need
to align ink cartridges when characters are not properly formed or are not aligned at the left margin, or when
vertical or straight lines appear wavy.
To align the ink cartridges:
Load plain paper. For more information, see Loading Paper.1.
Click Start Programs or All Programs Dell Printers Dell Photo Printer 720 Dell
Printer Solution Center.
2.
Click the Maintenance tab.3.
Click Align to fix blurry edges.4.
Click Print.5.
The alignment page prints.
Look at each row on the alignment page. Find the darkest arrow in each row, and then enter the
number under the arrow in the fields on the screen.
6.
When you have entered all the values, click OK.7.
The ink cartridges are aligned.
Cleaning the Ink Cartridge Nozzles
You may need to clean the nozzles when:
White lines appear in graphics or solid black areas.
Print appears smudged or too dark.
Colors fade, do not print, or do not print completely.
Vertical lines appear jagged or edges appear rough.
To clean the ink cartridge nozzles:
1.
2.

Load plain paper. For more information, see Loading Paper.1.
Click Start Programs or All Programs Dell Printers Dell Photo Printer 720 Dell
Printer Solution Center.
2.
Click the Maintenance tab.3.
Click Clean to fix horizontal streaks.4.
Click Print.5.
When the page prints, it forces ink through the clogged nozzles to clean them.
Print your document again to verify the improved print quality.6.
If you are not satisfied with the print quality, wipe the ink cartridge nozzles, and then print your
document again.
7.

Troubleshooting
Setup Problems
General Problems
Improving Print Quality
Setup Problems
Computer Problems
Verify that your printer is compatible with your computer - The Dell Photo Printer 720
supports Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Make sure you turned on both your printer and your computer
Check the USB cable -
Ensure that the USB cable is firmly connected to your printer and your computer.
Shut down the computer, reconnect the USB cable as shown on the setup diagram for
your printer, and then restart the computer.
If the software installation screen does not appear automatically, install the software
manually -
Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD.1. In Windows XP, click Start My Computer.2.
In Windows 2000, double-click My Computer from your desktop.
Double-click the CD-ROM drive icon. If necessary, double-click setup.exe.3. When the printer software installation screen appears, click Install or Install Now.4. Follow the instructions on your screen to complete the installation.5.
Determine if the printer software is installed - Click Start Programs or All
Programs Dell Printers Dell Photo Printer 720. If the Dell Photo Printer 720 does not
appear in the list of programs, the printer software is not installed. Install the printer software.
For more information, see Removing and Reinstalling Software.
Correct communication problems between the printer and the computer -
Remove the USB cable from your printer and your computer. Reconnect the USB cable to
your printer and your computer.
Turn off the printer. Unplug the printer power cable from the electrical outlet. Reconnect
the printer power cable into the electrical outlet and turn on the printer.
Restart your computer.

Set your printer as the default printer -
Windows XP
Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Printers and Faxes.1. Right-click Dell Photo Printer 720 and select Set as Default.2.
Windows 2000
Click Start Settings Printers.1. Right-click Dell Photo Printer 720 and select Set as Default.2.
Removing and Reinstalling Software
If your printer does not function properly or communication error messages appear when using your printer,
you can remove and reinstall the printer software.
Click Start Programs or All Programs Dell Printers Dell Photo Printer 720 Uninstall Dell
Photo Printer 720.
1.
Follow the instructions on the screen.2.
Restart your computer.3.
Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD, and then follow the instructions on the screen.4.
If the installation screen does not appear:
In Windows XP, click Start My Computer.a.
In Windows 2000, double-click My Computer from your desktop.
Double-click the CD-ROM drive icon. If necessary, double-click setup.exe.b.
When the printer software installation screen appears, click Install or Install Now.c.
Follow the instructions on your screen to complete the installation.d.
Printer Problems

Ensure that the printer power cable is firmly connected to the printer and the
electrical outlet
Determine if the printer has been held or paused -
Windows XP
Click Start Control Panel Printers and Other Hardware Printers and Faxes.1. Double-click Dell Photo Printer 720, and then click Printer.2. Make sure a check mark is not next to Pause Printing. If a check mark is next to Pause
Printing, click it to deselect the option.
3.
Windows 2000
Click Start Settings Printers.1. Double-click Dell Photo Printer 720, and then click Printer.2. Make sure a check mark is not next to Pause Printing. If a check mark is next to Pause
Printing, click Pause Printing to deselect it.
3.
Ensure you installed the ink cartridges correctly and removed the sticker and tape
from each cartridge
Make sure you loaded the paper correctly - For more information, see Loading Paper.
General Problems
Paper Problems
Make sure you loaded the paper correctly - For more information, see Loading Paper.
Use only paper recommended for your printer - For more information, see Print Media
Guidelines.
Use a smaller amount of paper when printing multiple pages - For more information,
see Print Media Guidelines.
Make sure the paper is not wrinkled, torn or damaged
Make sure the paper is against the right side of the paper support and the paper guide
rests against the left edge of the paper
Check for a paper jam
Using your printer and your computer
Follow the instructions on the screen for clearing the paper jam.
Using your printer only
Turn off your printer.1. Firmly grasp the paper and gently pull it from the printer.2.
3.