Epson 1280 - Stylus Photo Color Inkjet Printer Installation guide

EPSON Stylus Photo 1280
Printer Basics
®

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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.
A Note Concerning Responsible Use of Copyrighted Materials
Digital cameras and scanners, like photocopiers, conventional cameras, and ink jet printers, can be misused by
improper copying and reprinting of copyrighted material. While some countries’ laws permit limited copying of
copyrighted material in certain circumstances, those circumstances may not be as broad as some people assume.
EPSON encourages each user to be responsible and respectful of the copyright laws when using digital cameras,
scanners, and ink jet printers.
Trademarks
EPSON, EPSON Stylus, EPSON Photo Stickers, and MicroWeave are registered trademarks, and PRINT Image
Matching is a trademark of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
EPSON Print Lab, EPSON PhotoCenter, EPSON Connection, and EPSON Store are service marks, and
ColorLife, EPSON Software, PhotoEnhance, and BorderFree 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.
The ENERGY STAR emblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any product or service.
Printed in USA.
Printed on recycled paper.
CPD-15633
Copyright © 2003 by Epson America, Inc. 1/03

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Contents
WELCOME! 1
PRINT Image Matching and Exif Print 1
About PRINT Image Matching 1
About Exif Print 2
About Your Software 2
About Your Documentation 4
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips 4
Viewing Your On-Screen Reference Guide 4
LOADING PAPER 7
Loading Sheets 7
Loading Envelopes 8
Loading Roll Paper 10
If the Roll Paper Jams or Feeds Incorrectly 13
Removing and Storing Roll Paper 14
PRINTING FROM START TO FINISH 15
Basic Printing in Windows 16
Selecting the Settings You Use Most Often 18
Basic Printing on a Macintosh 19
Printing with OS 8.5.1 to 9.x 19
Printing with OS X 21
Customizing Your Print Settings 25
Customizing Windows Print Settings 25
Customizing Macintosh Print Settings 29
Selecting the Correct Media Type 32

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Printing BorderFree Photos 33
BorderFree Printing with Windows 33
BorderFree Printing with Macintosh OS 8.5.1 to 9.x 34
PRINT Image Matching and Exif Print 34
Using Film Factory 35
Using the P.I.M. II Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop 39
MAINTAINING YOUR PRINTER 43
Cleaning the Print Head 43
Running the Head Cleaning Utility 44
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern 45
Replacing an Ink Cartridge 45
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges 46
Aligning the Print Head 49
Cleaning the Printer 51
Transporting the Printer 52
PROBLEM SOLVING 53
Identifying Printer Parts 54
Diagnosing Printer Problems 55
Checking the Control Panel Lights 55
Running a Printer Check 57
Problems and Solutions 58
Problems Setting Up the Printer or Installing Software 58
Printing Problems 59
Print Quality Problems 60
Problems with Paper Feeding 63
Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems 64

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Uninstalling and Reinstalling Printer Software 65
Windows 65
Macintosh OS 8.5.1 to 9.x 66
Where To Get Help 67
Photo Software Technical Support 68
NOTICES 69
Windows System Requirements 69
Macintosh System Requirements 70
ENERGY STAR Compliance 70
Important Safety Instructions 71
Ink Cartridge Safety Instructions 72
FCC Compliance Statement 73
Declaration of Conformity 74
Epson America, Inc. Limited Warranty 75
INDEX 77

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Welcome!
Your EPSON Stylus®Photo printer delivers state-of-the-art print quality for both
professional and home office users. With resolutions up to 2880 × 720 dpi, it’s the
ideal output device for everything from exhibition prints to family photos. You can
print edge-to-edge, borderless prints on a variety of roll paper sizes, or on single sheets
of special EPSON®photo papers available in popular print sizes.
PRINT Image Matching and Exif Print
Your EPSON Stylus 1280 printer supports both digital image formats to give you the
best photo prints possible.
■PRINT Image Matching™(both P.I.M. and P.I.M. II)
■Exif Print
About PRINT Image Matching
EPSON’s revolutionary PRINT Image Matching (P.I.M.) technology lets your digital
camera and printer work together automatically to produce the best prints possible.
Digital camera manufacturers that support PRINT Image Matching include EPSON,
Casio,
®JVC, ®Konica, ®Kyocera, ®Minolta, ®Nikon, ®Olympus, ®Panasonic, ®Pentax, ®
Ricoh,
®Sanyo, ®and Toshiba. ®Go to www.printimagematching.com to see if your
camera supports PRINT Image Matching.
Even if your camera doesn’t include PRINT Image Matching technology, your
EPSON Stylus Photo 1280 still gives great photo printing results. You just won’t have
the automatic adjustments that P.I.M. provides.

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With PRINT Image Matching, the digital camera manufacturer can set specific
printing options for each camera model. These options include:
■Contrast, sharpness, and brightness
■Gamma level, color space, and color saturation
■Shadow point, highlight point, and color balance
The camera saves this information in each image file. Your printer—along with
EPSON Software™Film Factory™and P.I.M. II Plug-in for Adobe®Photoshop®—
uses the information to ensure the most accurate image reproduction.
About Exif Print
The Exif (Exchangeable Image File) Print format includes information about your
digital camera settings in JPEG files so your printer and application can use the data
to create accurate print settings. Most digital cameras store Exif Print information
such as shutter speed, metering, flash, exposure settings, resolution, and lens use in the
JPEG image file. Your printer—along with EPSON Software Film Factory and the
P.I.M. II Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop—uses the information to ensure the most
accurate image reproduction.
About Your Software
The printer software CD-ROM that came with your printer includes all the software
you need for printing. (You must have a CD-ROM or DVD drive installed on your
computer.)
■Your printer driver runs your printer and lets you control how your documents
look. You can’t use your printer without it.
Note: It’s a good idea to check EPSON’s support web site periodically for
possible updates to your printer driver. Visit http://support.epson.com and check
the section for your product to see if there is a new driver available, free of
charge, for downloading to your computer. Download instructions are posted for
your convenience.

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■Your bonus photo software includes these applications:
EPSON Software Film Factory
Photo management software that lets you organize, beautify, and
print your photos in a flash. Supports PRINT Image Matching
(both P.I.M. and P.I.M. II) and Exif Print.
Adobe Photoshop Elements (Windows®XP, 98, Me, 2000,
and NT 4.0, and Macintosh®OS 8.6 or later)
Offers unique features designed specifically for amateur
photographers, hobbyists, and business users who want an
easy-to-use yet powerful digital imaging solution.
Adobe Photoshop LE (Windows 95 and Macintosh OS 8.5x)
Your gateway to the Photoshop experience, Adobe Photoshop
Limited Edition provides a basic set of the image-editing tools
preferred by graphic design professionals.
P.I.M. II Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop (Windows®XP, 98,
Me, 2000, and NT 4.0, and Macintosh®OS 8.6 or later)
Lets you retain PRINT Image Matching and Exif Print image
quality when you import JPEG or TIFF files from your P.I.M.,
P.I.M. II, or Exif Print-enabled digital camera. (Works with
Photoshop 6.0 and 7.0, and Photoshop Elements 1.0 and 2.0.)
Monaco Systems™MonacoEZcolor™software offer (Windows
XP, 98, Me, and 2000, and Macintosh OS 8.6 or later)
Lets you build ICC device profiles for accurate color between
scanned, displayed, and printed images. Your printer CD-ROM
contains a demo version of the software.
EPSON PhotoCenter is EPSON’s free photo-sharing web site
where you can store, organize, and share your photos; print
high-resolution photos straight from the web; and order prints
and custom photo gifts. Your printer software installer lets you
add a link to the EPSON PhotoCenter on your desktop.

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About Your Documentation
To set up your printer and install its software, see the Start Here sheet. This book
contains system requirements, important safety information, and instructions on:
■Viewing your on-screen Reference Guide
■Printing with Windows or on a Macintosh
■Maintaining the printer
■Solving basic problems
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips
Please follow these guidelines:
Warning: Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.
Caution: Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.
Note: Notes contain important information about your printer.
Tip: Tips contain additional hints for better printing.
Viewing Your On-Screen Reference Guide
Your printer software CD-ROM includes an on-screen Reference Guide for your
printer. The manual is in HTML format, so you need a browser—such as Microsoft®
Internet Explorer 3.0 or later or Netscape Navigator™3.0 or later—to view it. If you
are using a different browser, the pages may not display correctly. (A browser is not
included on the printer software CD-ROM.)
Follow these steps to copy the Reference Guide to your computer:
1. Insert your printer software CD-ROM.

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2. Windows: (If you’re using Windows XP, first click Start.) Double-click My
Computer, double-click your CD-ROM or DVD drive icon, then
double-click the EPSON icon.
Macintosh: Double-click the EPSON icon in your CD-ROM window. (You
may have to double-click the EPSON icon on your desktop first.)
3. On the Install Menu, click Install Reference Guide.
A shortcut icon for your guide appears on your desktop. To view the guide, just
double-click the icon.
When you first open the Reference Guide, you see this screen:
Click here to
expand the
table of
contents

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Click a topic on the left to expand the table of contents. After expanding the table of
contents, you can click on the topic you want to view.
If there’s a right arrow , click it to view subtopics, then click on a topic to go to it.
Click the down arrow to close a subtopic list.
Note: If you see an icon for a graphic when viewing your Reference Guide in
Netscape Navigator, click the Reload button to load the graphic.
Closed list,
click to
expand
Click to go
to topic

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Loading Paper
This chapter explains how to load plain paper and envelopes. It also describes how to
load, remove, and store roll paper, and what to do if your roll paper jams or feeds
incorrectly. For instructions on loading special media, see your on-screen Reference
Guide.
Follow the instructions in these sections:
■“Loading Sheets” below
■“Loading Envelopes” on page 8
■“Loading Roll Paper” on page 10
Loading Sheets
Make sure your printer and computer are turned on.
1. Place your paper against the right edge of the sheet feeder and slide the left edge
guide against the paper. (Don’t push the paper down into the feeder.)
2. Pull out the output tray extensions.
Slide the left edge guide against the paperDon’t load paper above
this arrow
Pull out the output tray
extensions

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Follow these guidelines when loading paper:
■Load the printable side face up. It’s usually whiter or brighter than the other side.
■Always load the short edge first, even when printing in landscape mode.
■Load letterhead or preprinted paper top edge first.
■Load up to 20 sheets of EPSON Photo Paper, Glossy Photo Paper, or Matte
Paper Heavyweight.
■Load EPSON Premium Glossy, Semigloss, and Luster Photo Paper one sheet
at a time.
■Don’t load paper above the arrow on the left edge guide.
Loading Envelopes
You can load up to 10 envelopes at a time, flap edge first and printable side up.
Tip: For best results, press each envelope flat before loading it, or load one
envelope at a time.
1. Place the envelopes against the right edge of the sheet feeder and slide the left edge
guide against them.
Load with the
printable side
up and the
flap side down

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2. Set your printer’s thickness lever to the +position. (Remember to move the
thickness lever back to the 0position when you’re done printing envelopes.)
3. Select Plain paper as the Media Type setting and choose the correct envelope size
as the Paper Size setting. See page 16 (Windows), page 22 (Macintosh OS X), or
page 19 (Macintosh OS 8.5.1 to 9.x) for more information.

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Loading Roll Paper
This procedure illustrates how to load 4-inch wide roll paper, but you can follow the
same steps to load wider roll paper. Before you begin, turn on your computer and
printer.
1. Remove the paper support and lower the output tray. Then insert the paper
support adapter into the positioning slots on the back of the printer, as shown.
(The down arrows on the adapter should be positioned above the slots.)
2. Set the roll paper onto the roll paper holders. Avoid touching the printable side of
the roll paper as much as possible.

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3. Before loading the paper, make sure
the edge is cut cleanly—at a 90
degree angle in each corner—to
ensure proper loading. If necessary,
trim the edge using a straight-edge
tool or triangle.
Note: Make sure that the end of the roll paper is cut perpendicular to the edges. A
diagonal cut may cause paper feeding problems.
4. If necessary, uncurl the paper. Locate the uncurling sheet that came inside the
printer box. Insert the paper inside the uncurling sheet and roll it in the direction
opposite to the paper’s curl. (This step is especially important with roll paper that
is wider than 4 inches.)

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5. Insert the tabs on the roll paper holders into the slots on the paper support
adapter. As you face the front of the printer, insert the tab on the right roll paper
holder into the slot at the right end of the adapter, and the tab on the left roll
paper holder into the appropriate slot to the left.
Note: It’s important to insert the tab on the right roll paper holder into the slot at
the right end of the adapter. Otherwise your roll paper won’t load correctly, and
you may see an error.
6. Feed the end of the paper into the printer as far as it will go, then slide the left
edge guide against the paper.
7. Gently rotate the roll backward to remove any slack from the paper.
8. Make sure the output tray is open but the extensions are closed, and leave ample
room at the front of the printer for your paper to eject smoothly.
Slot at right end
of the adapter

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9. Gently hold the paper in place as you press and release the z roll paper button to
feed the paper into the printer.
Note: Don’t force the paper to feed into the printer. Allow the paper to move
automatically.
Make sure to press the zroll paper button when you feed roll paper. Pressing the b
maintenance button by mistake may cause paper feeding problems.
If the Roll Paper Jams or Feeds Incorrectly
If the paper feeds incorrectly, do the following:
1. Press the z roll paper button for three seconds to rewind the paper. (You may
have to do this more than once to rewind the paper completely.)
If the paper is jammed and won’t rewind, turn the printer off. Then cut the roll at
a point a few inches away from where it exits the printer. Make your cut as
straight as possible to avoid further feeding problems. Gently pull the roll
backward to rewind it, and then turn the printer on again.
2. After you rewind the paper, the b maintenance light comes on. Press the
bmaintenance button to turn the light off.
3. Reload the paper, making sure the end is straight and not damaged. If necessary,
trim the end again before reloading.

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Removing and Storing Roll Paper
When you finish a print job on roll paper, you can position the paper for another
print job or remove it from the printer. Follow these steps:
1. Press the z roll paper button. The printer
prints a small line on the roll paper to show you
where to cut it and feeds the paper forward.
2. If you want to continue printing on roll paper,
press the z roll paper button again; the paper
feeds back into the printer. Then send the next
print job; the paper will move into the correct
loading position before printing.
If you’re finished printing on roll paper, follow
the rest of the steps to remove it.
3. Cut the roll paper on the side of the line facing away from the printer. Make your
cut as straight as possible to avoid feeding problems.
Note: Don’t pull on the paper as you cut it; you may damage your printout.
It’s a good idea to use a ruler or straight edge to make sure the end of the roll
paper is cut at right angles. A diagonal cut may cause paper feeding problems.
4. Hold down the z roll paper button for about three seconds. The roll paper feeds
backward, so you can remove it from the sheet feeder. (You may need to repeat
this step to back it all the way out.)
5. Remove the roll paper from the holder and return the unused roll to its original
package.
Store your printout in a resealable plastic bag. Keep both printed and unused roll
paper away from high temperatures and humidity and out of direct sunlight.
Note: After you rewind the roll paper, the bmaintenance light remains on. You
must press the bmaintenance button to turn the light off before you can resume
printing.
Roll paper button