Epson 1520 - Stylus Color Inkjet Printer User manual

EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520
5/97 EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520 - 1
Accessories
Ink Cartridges
Use these EPSON ink cartridges within six months of
installing them and before the expiration date on the package:
Media
Optional Interfaces
You can install one of the following EPSON interface boards
in your printer:
Cartridge Part number
Black ink cartridge S020108
Color ink cartridge S020089
edge guides
(manual feeder)
paper
support
control
panel
output tray
edge guides
(sheet feeder)
rear edge
guide
paper release lever
manual feeder
tractor feeder
AC inlet or
power cord
connection
center
support
serial
interface
parallel
interface
optional
interface
slot
Media name Size Part number
EPSON 360 dpi Ink Jet Paper Letter
A4
Super A3/B
S041060
S041059
S041066
EPSON High Quality Ink Jet
Paper Letter A4 S041111 S041117
EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet
Paper Letter A4
Legal
B
Super A3/B
A2
S041062
S041061
S041067, S041048
S041070
S041069
S041079
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy
Paper A4 Letter
A2
Super A3/B
S041126
S041124
S041123
S041133
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy
Film A4 Letter
A6
B
Super A3/B
S041071
S041072
S041107
S041075
S041074
EPSON Ink Jet
Transparencies A4 Letter S041063 S041064
EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet
Cards A6 8 ×10 S041054 S041122
EPSON Iron-On Transfer
Paper Letter Super A3/B SE41001, SE41002 SE41003
EPSON Photo Quality Self
Adhesive Sheets A4 S041106
EPSON Photo Quality Banner
Paper A2 × 15 m roll (16.5 inches ×
49.2 ft)
S041102
EPSON Ink Jet Canvas Cloth A2 × 3 m roll
(16.5 inches ×
9.8 ft)
S041132
EPSON Ink Jet Back Light
Film A3 A2 S041131 S041130
Type of interface board Model number Compatibility
Serial C823051 PC
32KB serial C832071 PC
32KB parallel C823101 PC
32KB IEEE-488 parallel C823131 PC
Twinax C823151 PC
Coax C823141 PC
LocalTalk®C823121 Macintosh
Ethernet C823461 Macintosh/PC
Type B bidirectional parallel C823452 PC

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Printer Specifications
Printing
Printing method On-demand ink jet
Nozzle Monochrome (black) 128 nozzles
configuration Color (cyan, magenta, yellow)
192 nozzles, 64 of each color
Printable columns and printing speeds
cps = characters per second
Resolution Maximum 1440 dpi ×720 dpi
Print direction Bidirectional with logic seeking for text
and graphics. (Auto print direction can be
set in default-setting mode.)
Control code ESC/P 2 and expanded raster graphics
code
IBM XL24E emulation
Line spacing Default is 1/6 inch, programmable in
1/8-inch or 1/360-inch increments
Paper feed speed 107 milliseconds per 1/3-inch line
Input buffer 64KB
Fonts
Select other font/pitch combinations using ESC/P 2 commands.
Note:
The printer always uses the fonts you selected with your software
application. You need to use the printer’s internal fonts only if your
application doesn’t allow you to select fonts.
Character tables 1 italic and 26 graphics character tables
Character sets 14 international character sets and 1 legal
character set
Note:
Character tables are selected with default-setting mode or by using
software commands.
Character pitch
(characters per inch) Printing column Draft printing speed LQ printing speed
10 136 800 cps 400 cps
12 163 960 cps 480 cps
15 204 1200 cps 600 cps
17 (10 condensed) 233 1378 cps 684 cps
20 (12 condensed) 272 1600 cps 800 cps
Bitmap fonts
Font 10 cpi 12 cpi 15 cpi Proportional
EPSON Roman x x x x
EPSON Sans Serif x x x x
EPSON Courier x x x —
EPSON Prestige x x x —
EPSON Script x x x —
Scalable fonts
Font Minimum point size Maximum point size Increments
EPSON Roman 8 32 2
EPSON Sans Serif 8 32 2
EPSON Roman T 8 32 2
EPSON Sans Serif H 8 32 2

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Paper
Note:
Since the quality of any particular brand or type of paper may be
changed by the manufacturer at any time, EPSON cannot attest to
the quality of any non-EPSON brand or type of paper. Always test
samples of paper stock before purchasing large quantities or printing
large jobs.
Poor quality paper may reduce print quality and cause paper jams and
other problems. If you encounter problems, switch to a higher grade
of paper.
Ink jet paper, envelopes, glossy film, glossy paper, transparencies,
and self adhesive sheets are usable only under these conditions:
Temperature: 59 to 77 °F (15 to 25 °C)
Humidity: 40 to 60% RH
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Film and Photo Quality Self Adhesive
Sheets should be stored under these conditions:
Temperature: 59 to 86 °F (15 to 30 °C)
Humidity: 20 to 60% RH
Paper type Size Paper types Thickness Weight
Single sheets Letter (8.5 ×11 inches)
A4 (210 ×297 mm)
A5 (148 ×210 mm)
Legal (8.5 ×14 inches)
Half Letter (5.5 ×8.5 inches)
Executive (7.5 ×10 inches)
A2 (420 × 594 mm)
Super A3/B (13 × 19 inches)
A3 (297 × 420 mm)
Ledger (11 × 17 inches)
US C (17 × 22 inches)
B3 (364 × 514 mm)
B4 (257 × 364 mm)
B5 (182 ×257 mm)
Plain bond paper and
special ink jet papers
distributed by EPSON
0.0025 to 0.004 inch (0.065 to
0.11 mm) Built-in sheet feeder: 17 to 24 lb
(64 to 90 g/m2)
Manual feeder:
14 to 24 lb
(52 to 90 g/m2)
Continuous paper Minimum size each sheet:
4 to 16 inches × 4 inches
(101.6 to 406.4 mm × 101.6 mm)
Plain paper 0.0025 to 0.0039 inch
(0.065 to 0.1 mm) 14 to 22 lb (52 to 82 g/m2)
Transparencies and
glossy film Letter (8.5 ×11 inches) A4 (210 ×297 mm)
A6 (105 ×148 mm, glossy film only)
Super A3/B (13 × 19 inches, glossy film
only)
Transparencies and glossy
film distributed by EPSON 0.005 to 0.006 inch (0.13 to 0.15 mm) —
Glossy paper Letter (8.5 ×11 inches)
A2 (420 × 594 mm)
A4 (210 ×297 mm)
Super A3/B (13 × 19 inches)
Glossy paper distributed by
EPSON 0.0066 to 0.0070 inch (0.17 to 0.18 mm) —
Self adhesive sheets A4 (210 ×297 mm) Self adhesive sheets
distributed by EPSON 0.0079 inch (0.2 mm) maximum —
Envelopes No. 109.5 ×4.1 inches
(240 ×104 mm)
DL8.7 ×4.3 inches
(220 ×110 mm)
C56.4 ×9 inches
(162 ×229 mm)
Plain bond paper or air mail
paper 0.006 to 0.02 inch (0.16 to 0.52 mm) 12 to 24 lb (45 to 90 g/m2)
Index cards A6 (105 ×148 mm)
8 ×10 inches (203 ×254 mm) Ink jet cards distributed by EPSON 0.0091 inch (0.23 mm) maximum 50 lb (188 g/m2)
Roll paper 8.3 to 17 inches × 49.2 ft
(210 to 432 mm × 15 m) Roll paper distributed by EPSON 0.003 to 0.004 inch (0.08 to 0.1 mm) 17 to 22 lb (64 to 82 g/m2)
Back light film A2 (420 × 594 mm) Back light film distributed
by EPSON 0.0051 to 0.0055 inch (0.13 to 0.14 mm) —
Continuous label
paper Minimum size each backing sheet: 4 to 16 inches × 4 inches
(101.6 to 406.4 mm × 101.6 mm)
Minimum label size:
2.5 × 0.94 inches
(63.5 × 23.9 mm)
Plain continuous label paper Maximum total thickness:
0.0079 inch (0.2 mm)
Maximum label thickness:
0.0047 inch (0.12 mm)
—

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Printable areas
Note:
The maximum printable width is 13.6 inches (345 mm) regardless of
the paper size or feeder you use.
Single sheets and index cards
A: The minimum top margin is 0.12 inch (3.0 mm).
When loading multiple sheets of EPSON Photo Quality Glossy
Film, the minimum top margin is 1.2 inches (30 mm).
BL: The minimum left margin is 0.12 inch (3.0 mm); except for A3
landscape,A2portrait,Ledgerlandscape,andUSCportrait,which
are 0.98 inch (25 mm).
BR: The minimum right margin is 0.12 inch (3.0 mm); except for A3
landscape and A2 portrait, which are 2 inches (50 mm), and
LedgerlandscapeandUSCportrait, which are 2.4 inches(62mm).
C: The minimum bottom margin is 0.55 inch (14.0 mm).
Envelopes
A: The minimum top margin is 0.12 inch (3.0 mm).
BL, BR: The minimum left and right margins are 0.12 inch (3.0 mm).
C: The minimum bottom margin is 0.55 inch (14.0 mm).
Continuous paper
A: The minimum top and bottom margins above and below the
perforations are 0.35 inch (9.0 mm).
B: The minimum right and left margins are 0.51 inch (13 mm).
Ink Cartridges
* The print capacity may vary, depending on how often you clean
the print head.
** It thaws and is usable after approximately 3 hours at 77 °F (25 °C).
Caution:
To ensure good results, use genuine EPSON ink
cartridges. Other products may cause damage to your
printer not covered by EPSON’s warranty.
Don’t use an ink cartridge if the date on the package
has expired.
Mechanical
Paper feed
method Friction, tractor feeder
Paper path Sheet feeder, front entry
Manual feeder, rear entry
Tractor feeder, rear entry
Sheet feeder
capacity 100 sheets of 17 lb (64 g/m2) paper
Total print
volume 75,000 pages (A3, text only)
Dimensions Storage
Width: 26.2 inches (666 mm)
Depth: 13.1 inches (333 mm)
Height: 8.0 inches (202 mm)
Printing
Width: 26.2 inches (666 mm)
Depth: 24.4 inches (619 mm)
Height: 8.0 inches (202 mm)
Weight 33 lb (15 kg) without the ink cartridges
A
BL BR
C
A
C
BL BR
AA
B
B
Specification Black ink cartridge (S020108) Color ink cartridge (S020089)
Color(s) Black Cyan, Magenta, and
Yellow
Print capacity* 900 pages/A4 (ISO/IEC
10561 Letter Pattern at
360 dpi)
300 pages (A4, 360 dpi,
5% duty each color)
Cartridge life 2 years from production date, if unopened
Within 6 months after opening package at 77 °F
(25 °C)
Storage
temperature –4 to 104 °F (–20 to 40 °C) 1 month at 104 °F (40 °C)
Transit
temperature –22 to 140 °F (–30 to 60 °C) 1 month at 104 °F (40 °C)
120 hours at 140 °F (60 °C)
Freezing
temperature** 3.2 °F (–16 °C) –0.4 °F (–18 °C)
Dimensions 1.1 (W) ×2.1(D) ×1.5 (H)
inches
27.8 (W) ×52.7(D) ×38.5
(H) mm
1.7 (W) ×2.1(D) ×1.5 (H)
inches
42.9 (W) ×52.7 (D) ×38.5
(H) mm

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Electrical
Note:
Check the label on the back of the printer for your printer’s voltage.
Environmental
Temperature Operation: 50 to 95 °F (10 to 35 °C)
Storage: –4 to 140 °F (–20 to 60 °C),
stored in shipping container
1 month at 104 °F (40 °C)
120 hours at 140 °F (60 °C)
Humidity Operation: 20 to 80% RH
Storage: 5 to 85% RH (stored in
shipping container, without
condensation)
Safety Approvals
Safety standards UL 1950 with D3, CSA C22.2 950
with D3
EMC FCC part 15 subpart B class B
Interfaces
Parallel interface
Forward channel
Data format: 8-bit parallel, IEEE-1284 compatibility
mode
Synchronization: STROBE pulse
Handshake
timing: BUSY and ACKNLG signals
Signal level: TTL compatible
Connector: 57-30360 Amphenol connector or
equivalent
Reverse channel
Transmission
mode: IEEE-1284 Nibble mode
Adaptable 57-30360 Amphenol Connector or
connector: equivalent
Synchronization: Refer to the IEEE-1284 specification
Handshaking: Refer to the IEEE-1284 specification
Signal level: IEEE-1284 Level 1 device
Data
transmission
timing: Refer to the IEEE-1284 specification
Serial interface
Standard: Based on RS-423
Synchronization: Synchronous
Bit rate: Maximum 1.8 Mbps
Handshaking: X-ON/X-OFF, DTR protocol
Word format: Data bit: 8 bits
Parity bit: None
Start bit: 1 bit
Stop bit: 1 bit
Connector: 8-pin mini-circular connector
Recommended Apple®System Peripheral-8 cable
cable: (preferably Belkin brand)
Control Panel
Specification 120V Model 220−240V Model
Input voltage range 103.5 to 132V 198 to 264V
Rated frequency range 50 to 60 Hz
Input frequency range 49.5 to 60.5 Hz
Rated current 0.7A 0.4A
Power consumption Approx. 21W (ISO/IEC 10561 Letter Pattern)
color
Ink Out
light
black
Ink Out
light
Paper Out
light
Operate
light
Cover Open
light
Pause
light

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Testing the Printer
You can run a printer self test to determine whether the
problem lies with the printer itself or some other source.
❏If the test results are satisfactory, the problem lies in
software settings, the interface cable, or your computer.
❏If the test pages don’t print correctly, you may have a
problem with your printer. See the suggestions in this
chapter for possible solutions.
Follow these steps to test the printer:
1. Load several sheets of paper in the built-in sheet feeder,
making sure the right edge guide is positioned correctly for
your paper’s width and the paper release lever is in the single
sheet position.
2. Turn off the printer.
Caution:
Use paper that’s at least 8.3 inches (210 mm) wide so
ink doesn’t spray onto the platen.
3. Hold down the Load/Eject button and press the
POperate button to turn on the printer. Then release
both buttons. This prints the test pages at 360 dpi. (To
print test pages at 180 dpi, hold down the LF/FF button
while turning on the printer instead of Load/Eject.)
The first page prints on the first and last lines to measure
the page length. The next page contains a nozzle check
pattern and the printer’s ROM version, along with
multicolored character samples. (The 180 dpi test prints
black character samples.)
If the test pages don’t print, turn off the printer. Then
repeat this step, holding down the Load/Eject button a bit
longer before releasing it.
Caution:
Never turn off the printer while it’s printing test pages.
Always press the Pause button and eject any loaded
paper first.
4. After the second page prints, pressthe Pause button to stop
test printing.
5. If the printer loaded any additional paper, press Load/Eject
to eject it. Then turn off the printer to end the test.
Operate The Operate light is on when the
printer is on. When the Operate light
flashes, the printer is receiving data. It
may also flash with other lights during
other operations or error conditions.
Paper Out S When the Paper Out light comes on,
your paper ran out or is loaded
incorrectly, or the paper release lever is
set to the wrong position. Load paper,
check the lever position, and then press
the Load/Eject button to turn off the
light. If the Pause light is on, press the
Pause button to turn it off.
When the Paper Out light flashes, you
have a paper jam. Turn off the printer
and gently pull out all jammed paper.
Reload the paper, then press the Load/
Eject button to turn off the light. If the
Pause light is on, press the Pause
button to turn it off.
Ink Out B
Ink Out IWhen an Ink Out light flashes, your ink
supply is low. Make sure you have a
replacement cartridge.
When an Ink Out light comes on, you
need to replace the ink cartridge.
Pause When the Pause light is on, printing is
paused. Press the Pause button to
resume.
When the Pause light flashes, your
printer is charging ink, cleaning the
print heads, or performing another
operation.
If you need to reset the printer’s
memory, hold down the Pause button
for 5 seconds.
Cover Open When the Cover Open light comes on,
the printer’s cover is open and printing
is paused. Close the cover. If the Pause
light is on, press the Pause button to
turn it off and resume printing.
All the lights When all the lights flash, your printer
may have an internal error.

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Default Control Panel Settings
You can change the following “default” settings from the
printer’s control panel:
Changing control panel settings
Follow these steps to change the settings listed above:
1. Load four or more sheets of paper, at least 8.3 inches
(210 mm) wide, into the built-in sheet feeder, making sure
the right edge guide is positioned correctly for your paper’s
width and the paper release lever is set to the single sheet
position.
2. Turn off the printer.
3. Hold down the Micro Adjust Dbutton and press the
POperate buttonto turn on the printer and enter default-
setting mode. Release the Micro Adjust Dbutton when the
Operate light comes on.
The printer loads a sheet of paper and prints an instruction
sheet telling you how to select a language (the default
setting is English). The printer can then print default-
setting instructions in the language you choose.
4. Press the Alt button until the Ink Out Band Ink Out A
lights on your control panel indicate the language you want
to use.
English Both lights off
French Ink Out Bon and Ink Out Aoff
Spanish Both lights on
Portuguese Ink Out Bflashing and Ink Out Aon
German Ink Out Bflashing and Ink Out Aoff
Italian Ink Out Boff and Ink Out Aon
5. Press the Pause button. The printer prints instructions on
changing the default settings.
6. Follow the instructions on the sheets to change the
necessary settings, as listed in the next section. Your changes
remain in effect until you change them again.
(To exit without changing any settings, press the Pause
button.)
7. When you’re finished changing settings, press Load/Eject if
you need to eject any loaded paper. Then turn off the
printer to exit default-setting mode.
8. Wait five seconds, then turn on your printer to resume
printing normally.
Installing an Ink Cartridge for the First
Time
1. Press the POperate button to turn on the printer. The
Operate and Ink Out lights come on and the ink cartridge
holders move to the installation position. The Pause light
begins flashing.
2. Open the printer cover. The Cover Open light comes on.
3. Open the ink cartridge packages. Completely remove the
yellow portion of the tape seal on top. Don’t remove the
white portion.
Caution:
You must completely remove the yellow tape seal
from the top of the cartridge; leaving any portion of it
on will permanently damage the cartridge. Do not
remove the clear seal from the bottom of the
cartridge; ink will leak out.
Setting Options
Print direction Auto, Bi-D, Uni-D
Font Courier, Roman, SansSerif, Script
Prestige, Roman T, Sans Serif H,
Draft
Pitch 10, 12, 15, 17.1, or 20 cpi, or
Proportional
I/F (interface) mode Auto, Parallel, Serial, Option
Auto I/F (interface) wait time 10 or 30 seconds
Software (emulation mode) ESC/P 2, IBM XL24E
Auto CR (IBM XL24E mode only) Off, On
AGM (IBM XL24E mode only) Off, On
Character table PC437
International character set for Italic
table Italic U.S.A.
Auto line feed Off, On
Network I/F (interface) mode Off, On
0 slash 0, 0/
Page length 11, 12, 8.5, or 70/6 inches
Skip over perforation Off, On
Auto tear off Off, On
Banner mode Off, On
Parallel I/F (interface) transfer rate Fast, Normal
black cartridge color cartridge

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4. Pull up the ink cartridge clamps.
Warning:
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with
soap and water. If ink gets in your eyes, flush them
immediately with water.
5. Lower the ink cartridges into their holders with the labels
face up and the arrows pointing toward the back of the
printer.
6. Push down the clamps until they lock in place.
Caution:
Never turn off the printer when the Pause light is
flashing. However, if the Pause light is still flashing
after 10 minutes and the printer is not moving or
making noise, you may turn off the printer.
7. Press the Alt button to return the print heads to their home
position and charge the advanced ink delivery system.
Charging takes up to 7 minutes, with the Pause light
flashing until it’s finished; then the Pause light stays on.
Don’t turn off the printer or interrupt this important
process or you’ll use up more ink than necessary.
8. Close the printer cover. Then press the Pause button to
turn off the Pause light.
Replacing an Ink Cartridge
When an 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.
If your color ink cartridge runs out of ink, you can continue
printing in black ink. See page 9 for instructions.
Caution:
For best results, don’t replace an ink cartridge unless
its Ink Out light is flashing or on.
To ensure good results, use genuine EPSON
cartridges and do not refill them. Other products may
cause damage to your printer not covered by EPSON’s
warranty.
Removing and Installing an Ink Cartridge
You should replace an ink cartridge only when the Ink Out B
or Ink Out A light is flashing oron. However, if you need to
replace an outdated cartridge, you can do so before its Ink Out
light comes on.
1. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing.
2. Open the printer cover. The Cover Open and Pause lights
come on.
Caution:
To avoid damaging the printer, never move the print
heads by hand.
Once you remove an ink cartridge, it becomes
unusable and cannot be reinstalled.
You must completely remove the yellow tape seal
from the top of the cartridge; leaving any portion of it
on will permanently damage the cartridge. Do not
remove the clear seal from the bottom of the
cartridge; ink will leak out.
3. Open the ink cartridge packages. Completely remove the
yellow portion of the tape seal on top. Don’t remove the
white portion.
ink cartridge clamp
black cartridge color cartridge

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4. Hold down the Alt button on the printer’s control panelfor
about three seconds.
The print heads move slightly left and the Pause light
begins flashing. (The print heads return to their home
position if you don’t proceed to step 5 within 60 seconds.)
5. Pull up the ink cartridge clamp for the cartridge you need to
replace. The cartridge rises up from its holder.
Warning:
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with
soap and water. If ink gets in your eyes, flush them
immediately with water.
6. Lift the cartridge out of the printer and dispose of it
carefully.
7. Lower the new ink cartridge into its holder with the label
facing up and the arrow pointing to the back of the printer.
The larger cartridge (color) goes on the right, the black ink
cartridge on the left.
Caution:
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.
8. Press down the ink cartridge clamp until it locks in place.
9. Press the Alt button and close the printer cover.
The printer moves the print heads and begins charging the
ink delivery system. (Even if you don’t press the button, ink
charging begins 60 seconds after you close the clamp.)
Caution:
Never turn off the printer while the Pause light is
flashing.
If, however, the Pause light is still flashing after
10 minutes and the printer is not moving or making
noise, you may turn off the printer.
The Pause light flashes and the printer makes various
sounds. Charging takes about several minutes, depending
on whether you replaced one or both cartridges.
When it’s finished, the Pause light stays on; press the
Pause button to turn it off and resume printing.
Printing in Black Ink with an Empty Color
Cartridge
If your color ink cartridge runs out of ink and the Ink Out A
light comes on, you can still continue printing with black ink.
(If the black ink cartridge runs out of ink, you cannot
continue printing.) However, you will need to resend any
print job you were printing when the color ink ran out.
Follow these steps:
1. Turn off the printer.
2. Wait about five seconds and then turn the printer back on
again. Don’t remove the empty color ink cartridge.
3. Press the Load/Eject button to eject any paper in the paper
path or advance continuous paper to the tear-off edge. Tear
off any continuous sheets and press Load/Eject again to
park the continuous paper out of the path.
Caution:
If you’re printing on continuous label paper, don’t
press Load/Eject; this feeds the paper backward and
may cause labels to tear off inside the printer.
4. Access the printer software in your application. Change the
Ink setting for your document to Black and change any
other settings as necessary. Then print the document.
To switch back to color printing, follow the steps beginning
on page 8 to replace the color ink cartridge. Then turn the
printer off and on again to reset color printing mode. Before
you print, be sure to set the Ink setting to Color in your
printer software.
ink cartridge clamp

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Using Special Media
Whether you print on plain paper or special media, you need
to load it according to the guidelines in the table below. You
must also select the correct Media Type setting in your
printer software to match the media you loaded. For complete
paper loading instructions for all the printer’s paper feeders,
see the User’s Guide.* With multiple sheets loaded, the minimum top margin is
1.2 inches (30 mm). For a smaller top margin or for ease in
loading, load and print one sheet at a time with a support sheet
beneath it.
** Turn on the Flip Horizontal option to reverse your image before
you print it—especially if it includes text—so the image will appear
correctly when it’s transferred. After you print, follow the
instructions that came with the paper to iron the image onto the
shirt or other item.
Setting the Thickness Lever
Set the thickness lever beneath the printer’s cover to the
settings listed below, depending on the media type.
Cleaning the Print Heads
If your printed image is unexpectedly light or faint, or dots are
missing from the image, you may need to clean the print
heads. This unclogs the nozzles so they can deliver ink
properly.
Cleaning the print heads uses ink, so clean them only if print
quality declines. You can use either of the following to clean
the print heads:
❏The Head Cleaning utility in your printer software (when
the printer is connected directly to the computer)
❏The printer’s control panel buttons (when using DOS, or
the printer is connected via an optional network interface
card, or when you don’t want to use the Head Cleaning
utility
When you load media
with this name . . .
Load a maximum
of this many
sheets in the
sheet feeder . . .
Then select this
Media Type setting
in your printer
software . . .
Plain paper (single
sheets) 100 letter size 30 Super A3/B size
30 A2 size
Plain paper
Continuous paper (plain
or labels) —
Envelopes 10
EPSON 360 dpi Ink Jet
Paper 70 letter size 30 legal size
30 Super A3/B size
30 A2 size
360 dpi Ink Jet Paper
EPSON Special Coated
Paper for 360 dpi Printing
EPSON High Quality Ink
Jet Paper 70 letter size 30 legal size
30 Super A3/B
30 A2 size
Photo Quality Ink
Jet Paper
EPSON Photo Quality Ink
Jet Paper
EPSON Special Coated
Paper for 720 dpi Printing
EPSON Photo Quality Ink
Jet Cards 30 cards Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
EPSON 720 dpi Index
Cards
EPSON Photo Quality
Self Adhesive Sheets (Manual feeder only)
EPSON Photo Quality
Banner Paper —
EPSON Photo Quality
Glossy Paper (use with
support sheet)
20 sheets Photo Quality
Glossy Paper
EPSON Photo Quality
Glossy Film (use with
support sheet)
30 letter size*
1 A2 size Photo Quality Glossy Film
EPSON High Quality
Glossy Paper (use with
support sheet)
30 letter size*
1 A2 size
EPSON Iron-On Transfer
Paper** 1 sheet
EPSON Ink Jet
Transparencies (use with
support sheet)
30 sheets Ink Jet
Transparencies
EPSON Ink Jet Back Light
Film 1 sheet Ink Jet Back Light Film
EPSON Ink Jet Canvas
Cloth — Ink Jet Canvas Cloth
Paper type Lever position
Standard paper 0
Heavy paper +
Envelopes +
Index cards +
Transparencies 0
Transfer paper 0
Labels 0
Continuous paper 0
Banner paper 0
When you load media
with this name . . .
Load a maximum
of this many
sheets in the
sheet feeder . . .
Then select this
Media Type setting
in your printer
software . . .

EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520
5/97 EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520 - 11
Using the Head Cleaning Utility
Follow these steps to run the utility from a Windows or a
Macintosh computer connected directly to the printer:
1. Make sure the printer is turned on but not printing.
Note:
If either Ink Out light is flashing or on, you need to replace the ink
cartridge instead.
2. To clean the black print head, make sure the Ink Out Blight
is off. To clean the color print head, make sure the
Ink Out A light is off.
3. Access the Main printer settings dialog box.
4. Click the Utility tab (Windows) or the Utility button
(Macintosh). You see the Utility menu.
5. Click the Head Cleaning icon.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to clean the print
heads. Cleaning each head takes about two minutes, during
which the printer makes some noise and the Pause light
flashes.
When the Pause light stops flashing, you need to run a
nozzle check to test the print quality and reset the cleaning
cycle.
Caution:
Never turn off the printer while the Pause light is
flashing.
If, however, the Pause light flashes for more than five
minutes after the printer has stopped moving or
making any noise, you may turn off the printer.
7. Make sure paper is loaded in the printer and click Print
nozzle check pattern (Windows) or Confirmation
(Macintosh), and then click Next.
If your print quality has not improved, repeat the steps above.
You may need to do this two or three times.
Using the Control Panel
1. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing.
2. To clean the black print head, make sure the Ink Out Blight
is off. To clean the color print head, make sure the
Ink Out A light is off.
Note:
If either Ink Out light is flashing or on, you need to replace the ink
cartridge instead.
3. Press the Pause button. The Pause light comes on.
4. To clean the black print head, press the Alt and Cleaning B
buttons. Or, to clean the color print head, press the Alt and
Cleaning Abuttons.
Cleaning each head takes about two minutes, during which
the printer makes some noise and the Pause light flashes.
Caution:
Never turn off the printer while the Pause light is
flashing.
If, however, the Pause light flashes for more than five
minutes after the printer has stopped moving or
making any noise, you may turn off the printer.
5. After the cleaning cycle is complete and the Pause light
stays on without flashing, you can repeat step 4 to clean the
other print head, if you wish.
6. When you’re finished cleaning the print heads, press the
Pause button to turn off the Pause light.
7. Now you need to print a page to test the print quality and
reset the cleaning cycle. If you’re using DOS or a network
interface card, open an application and print a document
containing black and color data. Then go to step 10.
If you’re connected directly to the printer, run a nozzle
check. Go to step 8.
8. Access the Main printer settings dialog box. Then click the
Utility tab (Windows) or the Utility button (Macintosh).
You see the Utility menu.
9. Click the Nozzle Check icon, then click Next. See the next
section for instructions on examining the nozzle check
pattern.
10. If your print quality has not improved, repeat the steps
above. You may need to do this two to three times.
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern
Examine the nozzle check pattern you print. It should look
something like this, with the lower pattern coloredcyan,
magenta, and yellow:
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, clean the
print heads again, as explained in the previous sections.
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EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520
12 - EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520 5/97
Aligning the Print Heads
If your printouts contain misaligned vertical lines, you may
need to align the print heads. There are several ways to do this:
❏If you’re using a Windows or Macintosh computer
connected directly to the printer, you can use the Print
Head Alignment utility in your printer software.
❏If you’re printing from DOS, you can use the DOS Print
Head Alignment utility.
❏If you’re connected to the printer via an optional network
interface card or you don’t want to use the Print Head
Alignment utility, you can use the control panel.
Using the Print Head Alignment Utility
1. Turn on the printer and load paper in the built-in sheet
feeder, making sure the right edge guide is positioned
correctly for your paper’s width and the paper release lever is
in the single sheet position.
Caution:
Load paper that’s at least 8.3 inches (210 mm) wide
so ink doesn’t spray onto the platen.
2. Access the Main printer settings dialog box.
3. Click the Utility tab (Windows) or the Utility button
(Macintosh). You see the Utility menu.
4. Click the Print Head Alignment icon.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to print an alignment
test page and select the correct alignment.
Using the DOS Print Head Alignment
Utility
Before you can align the print heads, you need to install the
DOS alignment utility. Follow these steps:
1. Make sure your computer and printer are turned on.
2. Load several sheets of paper at least 8.3 inches (210 mm)
wide in the built-in sheet feeder, making sure the right edge
guide is positioned correctly for your paper’s width. Also
make sure the paper release lever is set to the single sheet
position.
3. Insert the EPSON printer software CD-ROM or diskette
into a drive.
4. At the DOS prompt, type
d :\SETUP (where d is the drive
letter of your drive) and press Enter.
5. You see an installation instruction screen. Follow the
instructions on the screen to install the utility on your
computer’s hard disk drive.
6. Once the utility is installed, log onto the directory you
specified for the utility. Then type EPCALIB and press
Enter to start the program.
7. You see the EPSON Print Head Alignment Utility main
screen. Make sure your printer is listed on the screen and
select Next. Then follow the instructions on the utility
screens to align your print heads.
Using the Control Panel
1. Turn on the printer and load several sheets of paper at least
8.3 inches (210 mm) wide in the built-in sheet feeder,
making sure the right edge guide is positioned correctly for
your paper’s width and the paper release lever is in the single
sheet position.
2. Turn off your printer. Then hold down the Pause button
and turn on the printer to turn on print head alignment
mode.
The printer loads a sheet of paper and prints an instruction
sheet telling you how to select a language (the default
setting is English). The printer can then print instructions
on aligning the print heads in the language you choose.
3. Press the Alt button until the Ink Out Band Ink Out A
lights on the control panel indicate your language.
English Both lights off
French Ink Out Bon and Ink Out Aoff
Spanish Both lights on
Portuguese Ink Out Bflashing and Ink Out Aon
German Ink Out Bflashing and Ink Out Aoff
Italian Ink Out Boff and Ink Out Aon
4. Press the Pause button. The printer prints instructions on
aligning the print heads using the control panel.
5. Follow the instructions on the sheet. When you’re finished,
turn off the printer to exit print head alignment mode.
6. After five seconds, turn on the printer to resume printing.
Related Documentation
TM-STYCLR1520EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520
Service Manual
PL-STYCLR1520 EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520
Parts Price List
4007159 EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520
User’s Guide
4007158 EPSON Stylus COLOR 1520
Quick Setup booklet