Epson Stylus Color 480SXU Operating manual

Printed in the Netherlands xx.xx-xx 4013376-00 C01
Daily Use Guide
Daily Use Guide
4012753 Rev.0
cover-F BK
4012753 Rev.0
cover-F PMS279
4012753 Rev.0
cover-F DIC F43

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Daily Use
Daily UseDaily Use
Daily Use
Where to Find Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A Few Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
For United Kingdom Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Loading Special Paper, Envelopes, and Other Media 8
Loading Special Paper and Other Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Loading Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Printing with Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Printer Software Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Making Changes to Printer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Replacing Ink Cartridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Replacing an Empty Ink Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Checking the Print Head Nozzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Cleaning the Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Aligning the Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Correcting USB Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Typical Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Options and Consumable Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Where to Find Information
Setup Guide
This guide will help you set up and begin using your printer. It
includes information on setting up your printer and installing the
printer software.
Daily Use guide
This guide provides information on normal printer operation. It
also contains troubleshooting tips.
Reference Guide included on the CD-ROM
The Reference Guide contained on the CD-ROM included with
your printer provides detailed information about printer software
settings, printing on special paper, maintenance, and problem
solving.
To open the Reference Guide, insert the printer software CD in the
CD-ROM drive.
For Windows, select Online Guide in the Installer dialog box and
click . Then, click View Reference Guide to open the guide.
To read this manual it is necessary to have a Web browser
installed on the computer.

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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 the 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.
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from
electromagnetic interference that occurs from the use of any interface cables other than those
designated as EPSON Approved Products by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
EPSON is a registered trademark and EPSON Stylus is a trademark of SEIKO EPSON
CORPORATION.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
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.
Copyright © 2000 by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Nagano, Japan.

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Safety Instructions
Important Safety Instructions
Read all of these instructions before using your printer. Also, be
sure to follow all warnings and instructions marked on the
printer.
❏Do not block or cover the openings in the printer’s cabinet.
Do not insert objects through the slots.
❏Take care not to spill liquid on the printer.
❏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.
❏Avoid electrical outlets controlled by wall switches or
automatic timers.
❏Keep the entire computer system away from potential sources
of electromagnetic interference, such as loudspeakers or the
base units of cordless telephones.
❏Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord.
❏Unplug the printer’s power cord from the electrical outlet
when you do not use the printer for a long period of time.
❏If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure that
the total ampere rating of the devices plugged into the
extension corddoes not exceed the cord’s ampere rating. Also,
make sure that the total ampere rating of all devices plugged
into the wall outlet does not exceed the wall outlet’s ampere
rating.
❏Do not attempt to service the printer yourself.

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❏Unplug the printer and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions:
The power cord or plug is damaged; liquid has entered the
printer; the printer has been dropped or the cabinet damaged;
the printer does not operate normally or exhibits a distinct
change in performance.
❏If you plan to use the printer in Germany, the building
installation must be protected by a 10 or 16 amp circuit
breaker to provide adequate short-circuit protection and
over-current protection for this printer.
A Few Precautions
Take note of the following when using the printer, handling the
ink cartridges, or choosing a location for the printer.
When using the printer
Observe the following:
❏Do not put your hand inside the printer or touch the ink
cartridges during printing.
❏Do not move the print head by hand; otherwise, you may
damage the printer.
❏Before transporting the printer, make sure that the print head
is in the home (far right) position and the ink cartridges are
in place.
When handling the ink cartridges
Observe the following:
❏Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children. Do not allow
children to drink from or otherwise handle the cartridges.
❏Be careful when you handle the used ink cartridges, as there
may be some ink around the ink supply port.

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❏If ink gets on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. If it
gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with water. If
discomfort or vision problems remain after a through
flushing, see a doctor immediately.
❏Do not shake an ink cartridge; this can cause leakage.
❏Install the ink cartridge immediately after you remove it from
its package. Leaving the cartridge unpacked for a long time
before use may result in reduced print quality.
❏Once you install an ink cartridge, do not open the clamp or
remove the cartridge except to replace it with a new one.
Otherwise, the cartridge may become unusable.
❏Do not use an ink cartridge beyond the date printed on the
cartridge carton. For best results, use up the ink cartridges
within six months of installing them.
❏Do not dismantle the ink cartridges or try to refill them. This
could damage the print head.
❏After bringing an ink cartridge inside from a cold storage site,
allow it to warm up at room temperature for at least three
hours before using it.
❏Store ink cartridges in a cool, dark place.
When choosing a place for the printer
Observe the following:
❏Place the printer on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond
the printer base in all directions. The printer will not operate
properly if it is tilted or at an angle.
❏Leave enough space in front of the printer for paper to be
ejected smoothly.
❏Avoid places subject to rapid changes in temperature and
humidity. Also, keep the printer away from direct sunlight,
strong light, or heat sources.
❏Avoid places subject to shocks and vibrations.

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❏Leave enough room around the printer to allow for sufficient
ventilation.
❏Avoid places subject to dust.
❏Place the printer near a wall outlet where the plug can be
easily unplugged.
For United Kingdom Users
Use of options
EPSON (UK) Limited shall not be liable against any damages or
problems arising from the use of any options or consumable
products other than those designated as Original EPSON
Products or EPSON Approved Products by EPSON (UK) Limited.
Safety information
MWarning:
This appliance must be earthed. Refer to the rating plate for
voltage and check that the appliance voltage corresponds to the
supply voltage.
Important:
The wires in the mains lead fitted to this appliance are coloured
in accordance with the following code:
Green and yellow — Earth
Blue — Neutral
Brown — Live
If you have to fit a plug:
As the colours of the mains lead of this appliance may not match
coloured markings used to identify the terminals in a plug, please
proceed as follows:

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The green and yellow wire must be connected to the terminal in
the plug which is marked with the letter Eor the earth symbol (/).
The blue wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug
marked with the letter N.
The brown wire must be connected to the terminal in the plug
marked with the letter L.
If damage occurs to the plug, replace the cord set or consult a
qualified electrician.
Replace fuses only with a fuse of the correct size and rating.
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
MWarnings
must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury.
?Cautions
must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment.
Notes
contain important information and useful tips on the operation of your
printer.
Loading Special Paper, Envelopes, and
Other Media
Loading Special Paper and Other Media
You can print on a wide variety of special media, including ink
jet paper, photo quality glossy film, photo paper, transparencies,
index cards, and adhesive sheets.

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When loading special media distributed by EPSON, read the
instruction sheets packed with the media first and keep the
following points in mind. For more details on using such media,
see “Paper Handling” in the online Reference Guide.
❏Make sure the printable side of the paper is facing up when
loading media into the sheet feeder. See the instruction sheets
packed with the media to determine which side is the
printable surface. Some media have cut corners to help
identify the correct loading direction, as shown in the
illustration.
❏Make sure the paper stack fits under the arrow mark located
on the inside surface of the left edge guide.
❏For more information on loading capacities for EPSON
special media, see your online Reference Guide.
Loading Envelopes
When printing on envelopes, please note the following:
❏You can load up to 10 envelopes in the sheet feeder.
printable
side up
cut corner

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Note:
The folding quality and thickness of envelopes varies widely. If the
total thickness of the stack of envelopes exceeds 10 mm, press each
envelope in the stack flat before loading.
❏Load envelopes flap edge first with the flap side down.
❏Do not use envelopes that are curled or folded. Flatten the
envelope flaps before loading. Avoid using envelopes that are
too thin; they may curl during printing.
❏Select Plain Paper as the Media Type setting in the printer
driver.
Printing with Windows
Printer Software Introduction
The printer software which comes with your printer includes a
printer driver and printer utilities. The printer driver lets you
choose from a wide variety of settings to get the best results from
your printer. The printer utilities help you check the printer and
keep it in top operating condition.
If you encounter any problems, refer to the Technical Support
Web Site for help by clicking Technical Support on the Main
menu of the printer driver.
Accessing the printer software
You can access the printer software from most Windows
applications, or from the Windows Start menu.
When you access the printer software from a Windows
application, the settings that you make apply only to the
application you are using.
When you access the printer software from the Start menu, the
settings that you make apply to all of your Windows applications.

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From Windows applications
1. From the File menu, click Print or Print Setup.
2. In the dialog box that appears, click Printer, Setup, Options,
or Properties. (Depending on your application, youmay need
to click a combination of these buttons.) The printer driver
opens.
From the Windows Start menu
1. Click Start, point to Settings, then click Printers.
2. For Windows Me and 98 uesrs, select your printer, then click
Properties on the File menu. For Windows 2000, select your
printer, then click Printing Preferences on the File menu. The
printer driver opens.
Making Changes to Printer Settings
The printer driver features the following menus and settings.
The Mode settings on the Main menu are arranged to give you
three levels of control over the printer driver, Automatic,
PhotoEnhance and Custom.
In addition to making comprehensive Mode settings that affect
overall print quality, you can also modify individual aspects of
your printout using the Paper and Layout menus. For more
information about the Paper and Layout menus, see your online
Reference Guide.
Main: Media Type, Ink, Mode, Print Preview
Paper: Paper Size, Copies, Orientation, Printable Area
Layout: Reduce/Enlarge, Multi-Page, Watermark

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Making the Media Type setting
The Media Type setting determines what other settings are
available, so you should always make this setting first.
On the Main menu, select a Media Type setting that matches the
media that is loaded in the printer.
Replacing Ink Cartridges
Replacing an Empty Ink Cartridge
The Status Monitor 3 utility lets you monitor the remaining ink
levels from your computer and view on-screen instructions for
replacing an empty or nearly empty ink cartridge.
When an ink cartridge is empty or nearly empty, click the How to
button in the Status Monitor window to move the print head to
the ink cartridge replacement position. Follow the on-screen
instructions to replace the cartridge.
Note:
If you need to replace an ink cartridge before it is empty, access the Ink
Cartridge Replacement utility from the Utilities menu in your EPSON
printer driver.
Maintenance
Checking the Print Head Nozzles
If you find that the printed image is unexpectedly faint or dots in
the printed image are missing, you may be able to identify the
problem by checking the print head nozzles.

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You can check the print head nozzles from your computer using
the Nozzle Check utility, accessed through the printer software.
Windows users can also access the Nozzle Check utility using a
shortcut icon.
Using the Nozzle Check utility
Note:
Do not use the Nozzle Check utility while printing is in progress;
otherwise, your printout may be marred.
There are two ways to access the Nozzle Check utility:
❏Right-click the printer-shaped icon on the Windows taskbar
and click Nozzle Check on the shortcut menu that appears.
❏Access the printer software and click the Utility tab, then click
the Nozzle Check button. And follow the instructions.
Cleaning the Print Head
If you find that the printed image is unexpectedly faint or dots in
the printed image are missing, you may be able to solve these
problems by cleaning the print head, which ensures that the
nozzles are delivering ink properly.
You can clean the print head from your computer using the Head
Cleaning utility, accessed through the printer software. Windows
users can also access the Head Cleaning utility using a shortcut
icon.
Note:
❏Print head cleaning uses both color and black ink. To avoid wasting
ink, clean the print head only if print quality declines; for example,
if the printout is blurry or colors are incorrect or missing.
❏Use the Nozzle Check utility first to confirm that the print head
needs to be cleaned. This saves ink.
❏Do not start the Head Cleaning or Nozzle Check utility while
printing is in progress; otherwise, your printout may be marred.

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Using the Head Cleaning utility
Note:
If the Status Monitor 3 or Progress Meter displays a message indicating
that the ink cartridges need replacing, you cannot clean the print head.
Replace the appropriate ink cartridge first.
❏Right-click the printer-shaped icon on the Windows taskbar
and click Head Cleaning on the shortcut menu that appears.
❏Access the printer software and click the Utility tab, then click
the Head Cleaning button. And follow the instructions.
After opening the utility, follow the on-screen instructions.
Aligning the Print Head
If you notice a misalignment of vertical lines, you may be able to
solve this problem from your computer using the Print Head
Alignment utility in your printer software. Windows users can
also access the Print Head Alignment utility using a shortcut icon.
Refer to the section below.
Note:
Do not start the Print Head Alignment utility while printing is in
progress; otherwise, your printout may be marred.
There are two ways to access the Print Head Alignment utility:
❏Right-click the printer-shaped icon on the Windows taskbar
and click Print Head Alignment on the shortcut menu that
appears.
❏Access the printer software and click the Utility tab, then click
the Print Head Alignment button. And follow the
instructions.

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Troubleshooting
EPSON’s Technical Support Web Site provides help with
problems that cannot be solved using the troubleshooting
information in your printer documentation.
If you encounter a problem, access the Technical Support Web
Site in one of the following ways:
❏From Status Monitor 3
Click Technical Support in the Status Monitor 3 dialog box.
❏From your printer driver
Click Technical Support on the Main menu of the printer
driver.
Correcting USB Problems
If you are having difficulty using your printer with a USB
connection, read the information in this section.
Operating system
Your computer must be a Windows Me, or a Windows 98 pre-
installed model, a Windows 2000 pre-installed model, or a
Windows 98 pre-installed model that has been upgraded to
Windows 2000. You may not be able to install or run the USB
Printer Driver on a computer which is not equipped with a USB
port or which has been upgraded from Windows 95 to
Windows 98 or 2000. For Windows Me users, your computer
must be a Windows Me pre-installed model or upgraded from
Windows 98 pre-installed model.

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Make sure that EPSON USB Printer Devices
appears on the Device Manager menu (for
Windows 98 only)
If you canceled the plug-and-play driver installation before the
procedure was completed, either the USB printer device driver or
the printer driver may be incorrectly installed.
Follow the steps below to check the installation and reinstall the
drivers.
1. Plug in the power cord and then plug the USB cable into the
printer and the computer.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, then
click Properties.
3. Click the Device Manager tab.
If your drivers are correctly installed, EPSON USB Printer
Devices should appear on the Device Manager menu.
If EPSON USB Printer Devices does not appear on the Device
Manager menu, click the plus (+) sign beside Other Devices
to view the installed devices.
If USB Printer appears under Other Devices, the USB printer
device driver is not installed correctly. If EPSON Stylus
COLOR 480SXU appears, the printer driver is not installed
correctly.
If neither USB Printer nor EPSON Stylus COLOR 480SXU
appears under Other Devices, click Refresh or unplug the
USB cable from the printer, then plug it into the printer again.
4. Under Other Devices, click USB Printer or EPSON Stylus
COLOR 480SXU, then click Remove and then OK.

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5. When the following dialog box appears, click OK. Then, click
OK to close the System Properties dialog box.
6. Turn off the PC and unplug both the printer and the PC. Then,
reinstall the drivers from the beginning, following the
instructions in the Setup Guide.
Printer does not work correctly with the USB cable
If your printer does not work correctly with the USB cable, try one
or more of these solutions:
❏Use the USB cable (C83623✽) recommended in “System
Requirements” in the online Reference Guide.
❏If you use a USB hub, connect the printer to the first tier of the
hub, or connect the printer directly to the computer’s USB
port.
❏For Windows 98 users, try reinstalling the USB printer device
driver andthe printer software. First, uninstall EPSON Printer
Software using the Add/Remove Programs utility in the
Control Panel, then uninstall EPSON USB Printer Devices.
Next, reinstall the software as described in Setup Guide. If
EPSON USB Printer Devices is not registered in the
Add/Remove Programs list, access the CD-ROM and double-
click epusbun.exe in the Win 9x folder. Then follow the
on-screen instructions.

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Error Messages
The Status Monitor 3 utility provides status messages and a
graphic display showing the current state of the printer.
If a problem occurs while printing, an error message appears in
the Progress Meter window. Click the How To button to have the
Status Monitor provide instructions for dealing with the problem.
Typical Problems and Solutions
Most printer problems have simple solutions. Find the problem
in the list below and apply the recommended solution. For more
information, see “Troubleshooting” in the online Reference Guide.
Options and Consumable Products
The following options and consumable products are available for
your printer.
Options
EPSON supplies the following interface cable for your printer.
However, you can use any interface cable that meets these
specifications. See your computer manual for any additional
requirements.
USB Interface Cable (shielded) C83623✽from Series A4-pin
(computer) to Series B4-pin (printer)
This cable supports bidirectional communication.
Note:
❏The asterisk (✽)is a substitute for the last digit of the product
number, which varies by location.
❏Depending on your geographic location, this cable may not be
supplied.

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?Caution:
Use only interface cables which meet the specifications listed
above. Using other cables not covered by EPSON warranties may
cause the printer to malfunction.
Consumable products
The following ink cartridges and EPSON special media are
available for your printer.
Ink cartridges
You can use the following cartridges with your printer.
Note:
The product numbers of ink cartridges may vary by location.
Media types
EPSON offers specially-designed media for ink jet printers to
meet most high-quality printing needs.
To make the Media Type setting in your printer driver, select the
Media Type setting that matches the media that is loaded in the
printer. To find out what Media Type you are using, find your
media in the list below, and refer to the corresponding Media
Type under which it is grouped (shown in larger type). For some
media, there are several Media Type settings to choose from.
The available media types are listed below.
Black ink cartridge T013
Color ink cartridge T014