Epson Stylus Color 640 User manual

EPSON Stylus COLOR 640
Manual

Page 2
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.
EPSON, EPSON Stylus, and ESC/P are registered trademarks and Micro Piezo and ESC/P Raster are
trademarks of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
SoundAdvice is a service mark and PhotoEnhance and EPSON FaxAdvice 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.
Copyright © 1998 by Epson America, Inc. ESC6400698
6/98

Page 3
Contents
Introduction 8
Windows System Requirements 9
How To Use Your Documentation 10
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips 11
ENERGY STAR Compliance 11
Year 2000 Ready 12
Important Safety Instructions 12
Basic Printing 15
Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications 16
Setting Default Printer Options 20
Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0 20
Windows 3.1 22
Checking Print Job Status 23
Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0 23
Windows 3.1 24

Page 4
Advanced Printing 25
Using Custom Project Types 26
Customizing Print Quality and Special Effects 29
Adjusting Color Settings 32
Using PhotoEnhance3 or Digital Camera
Correction Mode 33
Using Custom Color Management Modes 35
Using a Color Correction System 38
Selecting Paper Size and Orientation Options 39
Selecting Print Layout Options 46
Reducing and Enlarging Your Document Size 47
Using Multiple Print Layouts and Page Frames 51
Adding a Watermark 52
Saving Custom Settings 57
Redefining Custom Settings 59
Deleting Custom Settings 60

Page 5
Printing on Special Media 61
Selecting Special Media 62
Media Loading and Handling Guidelines 64
Letterhead, Preprinted Forms, and Legal-size Paper 66
Envelopes 67
EPSON Photo Quality Ink Jet and Note Cards 68
EPSON Ink Jet Paper 68
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Film 69
EPSON Photo Quality Glossy Paper 70
EPSON Photo Paper 70
EPSON Ink Jet Transparencies 74
EPSON Photo Stickers 74
EPSON Photo Quality Self Adhesive Sheets 74
EPSON Iron-On and Iron-On Cool Peel Transfer Paper 75
Managing Print Jobs 76
Managing Print Jobs in Windows 95, Windows 98,
and Windows NT 4.0 77
Selecting the Speed & Progress Options 78
Using the Spool Manager 81
Using Status Monitor 2 82

Page 6
Managing Print Jobs in Windows 3.1 92
Using the Spool Manager 92
Network Printing in Windows 95 and Windows 98 95
Setting Up the Host System for Printer Sharing 96
Setting Up Client Systems to Share the Printer 97
Maintenance and Transportation 98
Cleaning the Print Head 99
Using the Head Cleaning Utility 100
Using the Printer Control Panel 102
Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern 103
Replacing an Ink Cartridge 104
Removing an Empty Ink Cartridge 105
Installing the New Cartridge 106
Replacing an Outdated Ink Cartridge 108
Aligning the Print Head 110
Cleaning the Printer 111
Transporting the Printer 112

Page 7
Troubleshooting 113
Identifying Printer Parts 114
Diagnosing Problems 115
Checking the Control Panel Lights 116
Running a Printer Check 118
Improving Print Quality 119
Solving Printing Problems 126
Solving Printer Software Problems 130
Fixing Paper Problems 134
Solving Miscellaneous Printout Problems 137
Uninstalling Printer Software 140
Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0
Instructions 140
Windows 3.1 Instructions 141
Where To Get Help 142
Specifications 144
Glossary 155
Index 160

Page 8
/Introduction
Your EPSON Stylus®COLOR 640 printer is the ideal output device
for business graphics, presentations, digital photography—or any
project youcreate on your computer. With resolutions up to1440 by
720 dpi and EPSON’s Micro Piezo™technology, you get amazingly
realistic photographic images, vivid color graphics, and razor-sharp
black text.
EPSON’s specially formulated ink cartridges and wide variety of ink
jet papers offer the most flexibility for getting the results you want.
This chapter gives you general information about your printer in
these sections:
◗Windows System Requirements
◗How To Use Your Documentation
◗ENERGY STAR Compliance
◗Year 2000 Ready
◗Important Safety Instructions

Introduction Page 9
Windows System Requirements
To use your printer and its software with a PC, your system should
have:
◗Windows®3.1x, Windows 95, Windows 98, or
Windows NT®4.0
◗An IBM®compatible PC with at least a 486/25 MHz processor
for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0; 486/66 MHz processor
for Windows 98; and 386/25 MHz processor for Windows 3.1.
A Pentium® processor or its equivalent is recommended.
◗16MB RAM (32MB for Windows 95 or 98, or 64MB for
Windows NT 4.0 recommended)
◗At least 50MB of free hard disk space for storing images
(100MB recommended)
◗VGA or better display adapter and monitor
◗Double-speed CD-ROM drive (quad-speed or faster
recommended)
◗A shielded, twisted-pair parallel printer cable (6 to 10 feet long)
to connect your computer to the printer. The cable must have a
D-SUB, 25-pin,male connector for your computer and a 36-pin,
Centronics®compatible connector for the printer.

Introduction Page 10
How To Use Your Documentation
To set up your printer and install the printer software, see the Start
Here card . The Printer Basics book contains printing instructions,
details about the software on the CD-ROM, and installation
instructions. This manual contains the following information:
Basic Printing covers the basics—selecting printer options and
checking print job status.
Advanced Printing tells you how to print using custom settings for
print quality, color management, and distinctive layouts.
Printing on Special Media gives 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 any problems you may have
with your printer or software.
Specifications provides the technical details on your printer, ink
cartridges, and EPSON papers.
The Glossary gives definitions for terms that may be unfamiliar.
To go right to the section you need, see the Index.

Introduction Page 11
Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips
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.
ENERGY STAR Compliance
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.

Introduction Page 12
Year 2000 Ready
Your EPSON printer is Year 2000 Ready . However, be sure
the other parts of your computer system are also ready for the
year 2000.
Important Safety Instructions
Before using your printer, read the following safety instructions to
make sure you use the printer safely and effectively.
◗Always use the Ppower button to turn the printer on or off.
Never use an external switch—such as a power strip—to turn
off the printer.
◗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’s cabinet 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 outlets on the same circuit as photocopiers or air
control systems that regularly switch on and off.

Introduction Page 13
◗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.
◗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 of all devices plugged into the wall outlet does not
exceed 15 amperes.
◗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 printerhas 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.

Introduction Page 14
◗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.
◗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 carton. 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 this
button is pressed, the Ppower light flashes briefly then goes
out. Do not unplug the printer or turn off the power to the outlet
until the Ppower light is off.
◗Before transporting the printer, make sure the print head is
capped in the far right position and the ink cartridges are in
place.

Page 15
Basic Printing
It’s easy to print with your new EPSON Stylus COLOR 640. First
set up and install the printer software, following the instructions in
the Start Here card. Then read this chapter to learn about:
◗Setting Printer Options from Windows Applications
◗Setting Default Printer Options
◗Checking Print Job Status

Basic Printing Page 16
Setting Printer Options from Windows
Applications
This section describes the settings you’ll need to make for all your
everyday printouts. See Advanced Printing for information about
special settings like PhotoEnhance3 (PhotoEnhance™in
Windows 3.1).
1Open your application and select a document to print.
2From the File menu, click Print. You see a Print dialog box,
similar to the one below.
3Make sure your EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 printer is selected.
Note:
The settings you
select through your
application usually
apply only until you
exit that application.
Make sure
your printer
is selected
here.
If you see a
Properties
button, click it.
If you see
Setup, Printer,
or Options,
clickthatbutton
instead.

Basic Printing Page 17
4If your application’s Print dialog box contains a Properties
button, click it and go to step 5.
If you see a Setup, Printer, or Options button, click it. You see
another dialog box that contains the Properties button. Click it
and go to step 5. (In Windows 3.1, you won’t see a Properties
button; just click Setup, Printer, or Options until you see the
window shown in step 5.)
5You see the dialog box for your printer software. If necessary,
click the Main tab to display the basic settings shown below.
Windows 3.1Windows 95, 98, NT

Basic Printing Page 18
6Choose the Media Type you want to print on from the following
list (click the arrow button to scroll through the list).
Your media choice may restrict the availability of other settings
such as print quality (resolution), so you should always make
this setting first. If you are not sure which setting to select, see
Selecting Special Media.
◗Plain paper
◗360 dpi Ink Jet Paper
◗Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
◗Photo Paper
◗Photo Quality Glossy Film
◗Ink Jet Transparencies
7For the Ink setting, choose Color or Black.
8Make sure the Mode option is set to Automatic. This lets the
printer software determine the best settings for your print job
and is the easiest way to get good printing results on all types
of paper.
9Set the slider in the Mode box to Quality or Speed. This lets
you choose between the highest resolution or the fastest
printing for the media you’re using. (The slider is not available
when certain media types are selected.)
For more information
about printer settings,
click the Help button.
You can right-click
any item on the
screen and then
click What’s This?
(not available for
Windows 3.1).

Basic Printing Page 19
10 Click the Paper tab and choose your paper size, number of
copies, orientation, and printable area. See Selecting Paper
Size and Orientation Options for instructions.
11 Click the Layout tab (not available with Windows 3.1) and
check the reduce/enlarge (proportional printing), print layout,
and watermark options to make sure they’re correct for your
print job. See Selecting Print Layout Options for instructions.
12 Click OK when you’re finished checking your settings. The
dialog box closes.
13 Click OK or Print in your application’s printing dialog box. You
may need to click a sequence of these buttons, depending on
the application you are using.
While your document is printing, the EPSON Progress Meter
(EPSON Despooler in Windows 3.1) appears, showing the
printing progress and the status of your printer. See Checking
Print Job Status for more information.

Basic Printing Page 20
Setting Default Printer Options
When you change printer settings through your software
application, the settings apply only to the application you’re using.
To adjust the default settings for all your Windows applications, you
can access the dialog box through the Printers utility or the Control
Panel (Windows 3.1).
Close all your software applications before you start. If you
don’t, you may have to close and then reopen them to have the new
default settings take effect.
Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0
1Click Start, point to Settings, and then select Printers.
2Right-click the EPSON Stylus COLOR 640 icon.
Note:
Some application
settings override
defaultprintersettings
(such as Paper Size
or Orientation), so it’s
a good idea to check
the settings in your
application before
you print.
You can access the
default Windows NT
printer software
settings only if you
have the appropriate
network access
privileges, such as
Administrator or
Power User.