Epson Perfection 1200PHOTO User manual

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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.
EPSON, EPSON Stylus, and ESC/P are registered trademarks and ESC/P Raster is a trademark of SEIKO
EPSON CORPORATION. SoundAdvice is a service mark and EPSON FaxAdvice is a trademark 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.
Copyright © 1999 by Epson America, Inc. ESP1200199
1/99

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8
Windows System Requirements 9
Macintosh System Requirements 10
Printer Parts 11
How To Use Your Manuals 12
Using Links 12
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips 13
Energy Star Compliance 13
Year 2000 Ready 14
Important Safety Instructions 14
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17
Printing from Windows 17
Printing from Windows Applications 18
Setting Default Printer Options 21
Checking Printer Status 22
Printing from a Macintosh 23
Checking Printer Status 26

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27
Using Custom Project Types 28
Customizing Print Quality and Special Effects 31
Customizing Color Settings 34
Using PhotoEnhance3 and Digital Camera Correction 34
Using Custom Color Adjustment 36
Using a Color Correction System 38
Using ColorSync on the Macintosh 39
Selecting Paper Size and Orientation Options 41
Selecting Paper Options in Windows 42
Selecting Paper Options on a Macintosh 46
Selecting Print Layout Options 51
Choosing Print Layout Options in Windows 51
Choosing Print Layout Options on a Macintosh 59
Using Print Preview on the Macintosh 65
Using Background Printing on the Macintosh 67
Saving Custom Settings 68
Revising Your Custom Settings 70
Deleting Your Custom Settings 70

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71
Selecting the Right Settings for Your Paper 72
Paper Loading and Handling Guidelines 74
Letterhead, Preprinted Forms, and Legal-size Paper 75
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Film and Transparencies 75
Envelopes 77
EPSON Photo Paper 78
EPSON Panoramic Photo Paper 80
EPSON Banner Photo Paper 80
EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet Cards 81
EPSON Photo Stickers 81
EPSON Photo Quality Self Adhesive Sheets 82
EPSON Iron-On Cool Peel Transfer Paper 82
EPSON Ink Jet Back Light Film 83
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84
Managing Print Jobs in Windows 85
Using the Progress Meter 86
Using the Spool Manager 89
Using Status Monitor 2 90
Optimizing Data Transfer 101
Managing Print Jobs on a Macintosh 103
Using Monitor3 103
Using the Macintosh Status Monitor 107
Selecting Configuration Options 109

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111
Replacing an Ink Cartridge 111
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges 112
Replacing an Outdated Ink Cartridge 114
Cleaning the Print Head 116
Using the Head Cleaning Utility 117
Using the Control Panel 118
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern 119
Aligning the Print Head 120
Cleaning the Printer 121
Transporting the Printer 122
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123
Diagnosing Problems 124
Checking the Control Panel Lights 125
Running a Printer Operation Check 126
Confirming the Printer ID Number 127
Improving Print Quality 128
Solving Printing Problems 135
Solving Printer Software Problems 139
Fixing Paper Problems 144
Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems 146
Where To Get Help 150

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152
Printing 152
Paper 153
Ink Cartridges 157
Mechanical 158
Environmental 158
Electrical 159
Safety Approvals 159
Interfaces 160
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162

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Your EPSON Stylus®Photo 1200 printer is the ideal large format output
device for digital photographs, graphics, layout proofs, and more. With
resolutions up to 1440 by 720 dpi (dots per inch), six ink colors, and
EPSON’s award-winning Micro Piezo™technology, you get amazingly
realistic photographic images, vivid graphics, and razor-sharp black text.
The printer software for Microsoft®Windows®and Apple®Macintosh®
provides advanced color management with adjustable brightness,
contrast, and other settings. For even more precise color matching, use
ColorSync™2.x or one of two Windows color management systems.
EPSON’s specially formulated ink cartridges and wide variety of ink jet
papers offer the most flexibility for getting the results you want. With
built-in parallel, serial, and high-speed USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports,
setting up your printer is fast and easy.
This chapter gives general printer information in these sections:
◗Windows System Requirements
◗Macintosh System Requirements
◗Printer Parts
◗How To Use Your Manuals
◗Energy Star Compliance
◗Year 2000 Ready
◗Important Safety Instructions

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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
◗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
◗Double-speed (2x) CD-ROM drive—quad-speed (4x) or faster
recommended—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 with Windows 98 and 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.

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To use your printer and its software with a Macintosh, your system should
have:
◗One of the following Macintosh models:
LC475, LC575, LC630
Quadra series
Centris series
PowerBook®series (190, 520, 540, 550 or later)
PowerBook Duo 280, 2300c/100
Performa®475, 575, 588, 630, 5210 or later
Power Macintosh series
iMac™ Series (for USB connection only)
◗For serial connection: System 7.5.1 or later (7.6 or later
recommended)
For USB connection: iMac Series computer with System 8.1 or later
◗At least 16MB of available RAM
◗At least 50MB of free hard disk space (100MB recommended)
◗RGB display or better
◗Double-speed (2x) CD-ROM drive—quad-speed (4x) or faster
recommended—for installing the printer software
◗For serial connection, an ImageWriter®II serial cable or equivalent
(8-pin mini DIN male/male, Belkin F2V024 recommended)
For USB connection to an iMac 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.

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 
paper support
printer cover
output tray
output tray extensions
edge
guides
sheet feeder
paper thickness lever
control panel
ink cartridge holders

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To set up your printer and install the printer software, see the Start Here
card. This manual contains the following information:
Basic Printing covers the basics of printing with Windows or Macintosh.
Custom Printing tells you how to print using custom settings for print
quality, color management, and distinctive layouts.
Printing on Special Papersgives guidelines for selecting the right paper or
other media for your print job and instructions for loading it in your printer.
Managing Print Jobs explains how to control print jobs and check printer
status while you’re printing.
Maintenance and Transportation gives instructions for replacing ink
cartridges, cleaning and aligning the print head, and cleaning and
transporting the printer.
Troubleshooting provides solutions for problems you may have with your
printer or software.
Specifications provides the technical details on your printer, ink
cartridges, and EPSON papers.
To go right to the section you need, see the Index.
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Maroon, underlined text indicates that the text is a link (cross-reference)
to other parts of the manual. Click on the text to view the referenced
information.

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You’ll find this information throughout your manual:
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.
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As an ENERGY STAR Partner, EPSON has determined that this product
meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
The EPA ENERGY STAR Office Equipment 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.

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  
Your EPSON printer is Year 2000 Ready . However, be sure the other
parts of your computer system are also ready for the year 2000.
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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.
◗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 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 outletson the same circuit as photocopiers or air controlsystems
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.
Always turn the
printer off using the
Ppower button.
Don’t switch off the
power strip or unplug
the printer until the
Ppower light is off.

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◗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.
◗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 cabinet 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.
◗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.

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◗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
Ppower button. When you press
this button, the Ppower light flashes briefly then goes out. Do not
unplug the printer or turn off power to the printer until the
Ppower 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.

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
It’s easy to print all your documents with your EPSON Stylus Photo 1200.
First set up your printer and install the software, following the instructions
in the
Start Here card. Read this chapter to find out about:
◗Printing from Windows
◗Printing from a Macintosh
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This section tells you about:
◗Printing from Windows Applications
◗Setting Default Printer Options
◗Checking Printer Status

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This section describes the settings you’ll need to check for all your
everyday printouts. See Custom Printing for information about advanced
settings for special print jobs.
1Open a Windows application and select a file you want to print.
2Open the File menu and click Print. You see a Print dialog box such as
this (depending on your application):
3Make sure your EPSON Stylus Photo 1200 printer is selected, and
then click the Properties button. (If you see a Setup, Printer, or
Options button, click it instead. Then click Properties on the next
screen.)
You can also set
printer options by
clicking Print Setup
or Page Setup in
the File menu, then
clicking the
Properties button.
However, in most
applications you’ll
then have to select a
separate Print option
or icon to print using
your changes.
Click Properties

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You see the printer settings dialog box:
4Click the Main tab if necessary. Then choose the Media Type you
want to print on from the following list:
◗Plain paper
◗360 dpi Ink Jet Paper
◗Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
◗Photo Paper
◗Photo Quality Glossy Film
◗Ink Jet Transparencies
◗Ink Jet Back Light Film
Click to select
your paper type
Click for more
information
Use the
Quality/Speed
slider to select
your print
resolution
Click to select
Automatic mode
To print at the highest
resolution (1440 dpi),
you need to use plain
paper, Photo Paper,
one of the Photo
Quality papers, or Ink
Jet Back Light Film.
For the best printing at
any resolution, always
use EPSON papers.

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The type of paper you choose determines the print quality (resolution)
you can use. It’s very important to select the correct setting for your
paper. If you’re not sure which to choose, see Selecting the Right
Settings for Your Paper.
5Choose Color or Black ink.
6Now make sure the Mode option is set to Automatic. This is the
easiest way to get good printing results for all kinds of documents, on
all types of paper.
7Set the slider to Quality or Speed. This lets you choose between the
fastest printing or a high resolution for the paper you’re using.
To select 1440 dpi or any other available resolution for your paper, you
need to access the Advanced dialog box; see Customizing Print
Quality and Special Effects for instructions.
8Click the Paper tab and choose your paper size, paper source,
number of copies, orientation, and printable area settings. See
Selecting Paper Options in Windows for instructions.
9Click the Layout tab and check the reduce/enlarge, page layout, and
watermark settings. See Choosing Print Layout Options in Windows
for details.
10 Click OK when you’re finished checking your settings. The dialog box
closes. Click OK until you see the Print dialog box.
11 In the Print dialog box, click OK or Print.
While your document is printing, a window appears showing the printer
status and the progress of your print job. See Checking Printer Status
for more information.
The Quality/Speed
slider is not available
for certain paper
types.