Epson Stylus Photo 950 User manual

Color Ink Jet Printer
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.
PRINT Image Matching Version 2.0. Copyright 2002 SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. All
rights reserved. PRINT Image Matching is a trademark of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
The PRINT Image Matching logo is a trademark of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION.
PRINT Image Matching is a term for the print command that is embedded in header file of
the image created by digital camera. It contains color setting and image parameter
information.
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 © 2002 by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Nagano, Japan.
User’s Guide

i
Contents
Printer Parts and Functions
UnpackingthePrinter......................................1
PrinterPartsandControlPanelFunctions.....................2
Printerparts..........................................2
Buttons ..............................................5
Lights................................................6
Safety Instructions
ImportantSafetyInstructions................................8
Whensettingupyourprinter...........................8
Whenchoosingaplacefortheprinter....................9
Whenusingtheprinter................................10
Whenhandlingtheinkcartridges ......................11
WhenusingAutomaticRollPaperCutter................12
Warnings,Cautions,andNotes.............................13
Chapter1 PaperHandling
LoadingPlainPaper.......................................14
LoadingSpecialPaperandOtherMedia.....................15
LoadingcapacitiesforEPSONspecialmedia.............18
LoadingEnvelopes........................................18
LoadingMatteBoard......................................22
Chapter 2 Double-Sided Printing
UsingDouble-SidedPrinting...............................28

ii
Chapter 3 Using Roll Paper
UsingtheRollPaperHolder................................32
Loadingtherollpaper.................................33
PrintingonRollPaper......................................38
Printingareaandmargins..............................39
ForWindowsusers....................................41
ForMacintoshusers...................................45
RemovingRollPaperfromthePrinter........................51
Removing roll paper from the printer using operation panel53
StoringEPSONRollPaper..................................54
Chapter 4 Using Automatic Roll Paper Cutter
AttachingAutomaticRollPaperCutter.......................55
Printer driver settings with Automatic Roll Paper Cutter . . .56
Cutting position adjustment with Automatic Roll Paper Cutter
60
AttachingthePhotoCatcher................................67
UsingAutomaticRollPaperCutter ..........................70
ForWindowsusers....................................70
ForMacintoshusers...................................75
RemovingthePhotoCatcher................................81
RemovingtheAutomaticRollPaperCutter...................82
Chapter 5 Printing on CD-R
NoticeforCD-RPrinting...................................84
AvailablesizeofCD-R.................................85
InstallingEPSONPrintCD.............................86
Printpositionadjustment..............................87
Colorsettings ........................................97
CleaningthePrinter .......................................99
SettingCD-R.............................................100
Preparingdata...........................................107
AccessingEPSONPrintCD ...........................107
SelectingCD-Rsizeforprinting........................108

iii
Makingbackgroundimageforlabel ...................109
Editingcharacters...................................112
Printingcurvedcharacters............................115
Savingthelabeldata.................................118
AccessingEPSONPrintCDhelp ......................119
PrintingonCD-R....................................120
PrintcancellationinWindows ........................125
Cancelprintjobwhileprinting........................126
PrintcancellationinMacintosh........................128
Chapter 6 Printing with Windows
PrinterSoftwareIntroduction..............................130
Gettingmoreinformation ............................131
Accessingtheprintersoftware ........................131
MakingSettingsontheMainMenu ........................132
MakingtheMediaTypesetting .......................133
MakingtheInksetting...............................136
MakingtheModesetting.............................137
Previewingyourprintout ............................145
MakingSettingsonthePaperMenu........................148
MakingSettingsontheLayoutMenu.......................154
MakingReduce/Enlargesettings......................155
MakingDouble-sidedPrintingSetting .................156
MakingMulti-Pagesettings...........................162
MakingWatermarksettings ..........................165
UsingthePrinterUtilities.................................168
EPSONStatusMonitor3 .............................169
NozzleCheck.......................................170
HeadCleaning......................................170
PrintHeadAlignment ...............................170
Printerandoptioninformation........................175
Speed&Progress....................................179
GettingInformationThroughOnlineHelp ..................182
Accessinghelpfromyourapplication..................182
AccessinghelpfromtheWindowsStartmenu...........183

iv
Chapter 7 Checking Printer Status and Managing Print Jobs for
Windows
UsingtheProgressMeter..................................184
EpsonPrintingTips..................................185
Errormessages......................................185
UsingEPSONSpoolManager..............................186
UsingEPSONStatusMonitor3.............................186
AccessingEPSONStatusMonitor3.....................187
ViewinginformationinEPSONStatusMonitor3.........187
Chapter 8 Using the Printer Software for Macintosh
PrinterSoftwareIntroduction..............................189
MakingSettingsinthePrintDialogBox.....................190
MakingtheMediaTypesetting........................191
MakingtheInksetting................................194
MakingtheModesetting .............................195
Settingtheprinttime.................................202
Previewingyourprintout.............................203
Savingspooldataasafile.............................205
MakingsettingsinthePageSetupdialogbox ................206
Definingacustompapersize..........................211
Printingonbothsidesofthepaper.....................214
MakingSettingsintheLayoutDialogBox ...................220
MakingtheFittoPagesetting .........................221
MakingWatermarksettings...........................221
MakingMulti-Pagesettings...........................224
MakingPrintOrdersettings...........................227
UsingthePrinterUtilities..................................227
EPSONStatusMonitor................................228
NozzleCheck .......................................228
HeadCleaning ......................................229
PrintHeadAlignment................................229
Printerandoptioninformation ........................232
Configuration .......................................235
UsingDesktopPrinting ...................................236
InstallingthedriverforDesktopPrinting ...............236

v
PrintingwiththeDesktopPrintingfunction.............237
Managing print jobs using the Desktop Printer window . . 238
UsingthePrintingmenu .............................240
GettingInformationThroughOnlineHelp ..................240
Chapter 9 Checking Printer Status and Managing Print Jobs for
Macintosh
UsingEPSONStatusMonitor..............................242
AccessingEPSONStatusMonitor......................242
UsingtheConfigurationSettingsdialogbox ............243
UsingEPSONMonitor3 ..................................245
AccessingEPSONMonitor3 ..........................245
ManagingprintjobsusingEPSONMonitor3............246
Changingthepriorityofprintjobs.....................247
Chapter 10 Setting Up Your Printer on a Network
ForWindowsMe,98,and95Users.........................249
Settingupyourprinterasasharedprinter..............249
Accessingtheprinterthroughanetwork ...............251
ForWindowsXP,2000andNT4.0Users....................253
Settingupyourprinterasasharedprinter..............254
Accessingtheprinterthroughanetwork ...............255
ForMacintoshUsers .....................................258
Settingupyourprinterasasharedprinter..............258
Accessingtheprinterthroughanetwork ...............260
Chapter 11 Increasing the Print Speed
Generaltips.............................................262
Using the Speed & Progress dialog box (Windows only) . . . . . . 264
EPSONPrinterPort..................................265
UsingPortConfiguration(WindowsNT4.0only) .......268

vi
Chapter 12 Printing with PRINT Image Matching
HowisPRINTImageMatchingused?.......................270
MediaforwhichPRINTImageMatchingisenabled......270
Chapter 13 Replacing Ink Cartridges
ReplacinganEmptyInkCartridge..........................271
Usingtheprinter'scontrolpanel.......................273
UsingtheStatusMonitor..............................279
ReplacinganInkCartridge ................................279
Usingtheprinter’scontrolpanel.......................279
Chapter 14 Maintenance
Checking the Print Head Nozzles. . . ........................283
Using the Nozzle Check utility. ........................283
Usingthecontrolpanelbuttons........................284
CleaningthePrintHead...................................285
UsingtheHeadCleaningutility........................286
Usingthecontrolpanelbuttons........................289
AligningthePrintHead...................................291
ForWindowsusers...................................291
ForMacintoshusers..................................292
CleaningthePrinter ......................................292
TransportingthePrinter...................................293
UpdatingandUninstallingSoftware........................294
UpdatingtoWindowsMeor98........................295
Updating the printer software in Windows XP, Me, 2000 or NT
4.0...............................................295
Uninstallingtheprinterdriver.........................295
UninstallingEPSONPrintCD.........................297
Chapter 15 Troubleshooting
DiagnosingtheProblem...................................298

vii
Onlineproblemsolving..............................298
Errorindicators.....................................300
EPSONStatusMonitor...............................302
Runningaprinteroperationcheck.....................302
PrintQualityProblems ...................................305
Horizontalbanding..................................305
Verticalmisalignmentorbanding .....................306
Incorrectormissingcolors............................307
Blurryorsmearedprintout...........................307
Print quality does not improve after head cleaning. . . . . . . 309
PrintoutProblemsNotRelatedtoPrintQuality..............309
Incorrectorgarbledcharacters........................310
Incorrectmargins....................................310
Invertedimage......................................311
Blankpagesprint....................................311
Printouthassmearsonthebottomedge................312
Printingistooslow..................................312
PaperDoesNotFeedCorrectly............................313
Paperdoesnotfeed..................................313
Multiplepagesfeed..................................314
Thepaperjams......................................315
Paperisnotejectedfullyoriswrinkled.................315
Paper does not feed correctly when using the double-sided print-
ingfeature .......................................316
CD-RTraydoesnotfeedcorrectly.....................316
PrinterDoesNotPrint....................................317
Alllightsareoff.....................................317
Lightscameonandthenwentout.....................318
Onlythepowerlightison............................318
Paperoutlightisflashingoron .......................319
Errorlightisonandpowerlightisflashing.............320
CorrectingUSBProblems.................................320
USBconnections ....................................320
Windowsoperatingsystems..........................321
Printersoftwareinstallation ..........................321
CancellingPrinting.......................................325
ForWindowsMe,98,and95users.....................325
ForWindowsXP,2000andNT4.0users................327
ForMacintoshusers.................................328

viii
Chapter 16 Options and Consumable Products
Options.................................................330
Interfacecables......................................330
Networkadapter ....................................331
Consumableproducts.....................................331
Inkcartridges .......................................331
Mediatypes.........................................331
Appendix A Printer Specifications
Printing.................................................336
Paper...................................................336
Paperspecifications..................................337
Printablearea .......................................340
InkCartridges ...........................................342
Mechanical..............................................345
Electrical................................................346
Environmental...........................................347
StandardsandApprovals..................................347
SystemRequirements.....................................348
ForWindowscomputers..............................348
ForMacintoshcomputers.............................349
Appendix B Customer Support
TechnicalSupportWebSite................................351
RegionalCustomerServices................................351
Glossary

1Printer Parts and Functions
Printer Parts and Functions
Unpacking the Printer
Your printer box should include a CD-ROM containing printer
software that runs your printer and the items shown in the
illustration.
Paper support
Power cord
Ink cartridges
Printer
Auto cutter
Photo catcher
CD-R tray Roll paper holderFront sheet feeder
CD-R print position check disk
8cmCDsupport

Printer Parts and Functions 2
In some locations, the power cord comes attached to the printer.
TheshapeoftheACplugvariesbycountry;besuretheplug
included is the right shape for your location.
Remove all protective materials packed with your printer before
setting up and plugging in the printer. Follow the instructions
included with the printer to remove these materials. Save all
packaging and protective materials for transporting the printer in
the future.
Printer Parts and Control Panel Functions
Printer parts
Paper support: Supports the paper loaded in the sheet feeder.
Paper stopper (upper): Helps load the No.10 and DL envelopes
correctly.
sheet feeder
paper stopper
(upper)
printer cover
paper support
output tray output tray
extension
automatic roll paper
cutter connector
matte board
feeder
photo catcher mounting hole
edge guides
paper stopper
(lower)

3Printer Parts and Functions
Paper stopper (lower): Helps load the C6 envelopes correctly.
Edge guides: Help load the paper straight. Adjust the left edge
guide to fit the width of your paper.
Printer cover: Covers the printing mechanism. Open only when
installing or replacing ink cartridges.
Sheet feeder: Holds the blank paper and automatically feeds the
paper during printing.
Automatic roll paper cutter connector: Connects the Automatic
Roll Paper Cutter.
Matte board feeder: Holds the CD-R tray and the matte board
and feeds them using the front sheet feeder.
Output tray: Receives the ejected paper.
Output tray extension: Supports the ejected paper.
Photo catcher mounting hole: Connects the Photo Catcher.
Print head: Delivers ink to the page.
control panel
print head
adjust lever
cartridge cover

Printer Parts and Functions 4
Cartridge cover: Covers the ink cartridges. Open only when
installing or replacing ink cartridges.
Control panel: Controls various printer functions. See the next
section for details.
Adjust lever: Adjusts the distance between the print head and the
paper to prevent smearing. Adjust the
^position of the lever
should ink appear to smear across your document when printing
on matte board, or envelopes. Adjust the lever to the
position
when printing on CD-R. Adjust the lever to the
position when
you load or remove some kinds of paper.
mPlain paper
EPSON special media
Paper whose thickness is 0.08 mm to 0.3 mm
^Envelope
Paper whose thickness is 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm
CD-R tray
Paper whose thickness is 1.7 mm to 2.5 mm
Open
roll paper feeder
roll paper holder
roll paper knob
roll paper edge
guides
USB interface cable connector parallel interface cable connector

5Printer Parts and Functions
Roll paper feeder: Holds the roll paper and automatically feeds
it after holding the roll paper with your hand for three seconds.
Roll paper edge guides: Helps load the roll paper straight. Adjust
theedgeguidetofitthewidthofyourpaper.
Roll paper holder: Attaches to the printer and holds the roll
paper.
Roll paper knob: Turn to roll up the roll paper.
USB interface cable connector: Used to connect the USB cable to
the computer and the printer.
Parallel interface cable connector: Used to connect the parallel
cable to the computer and the printer.
Buttons
Button Function
P
power
Turns the printer on and off.
Clears the printer's memory if pressed twice while the
power is on.
To turn off the printer, hold down the
Ppower button
until the light goes out.
m
paper
Loads or ejects paper.
Resumes printing if pressed after a paper out error or
double feed error.

Printer Parts and Functions 6
Lights
H
ink
Moves the print head to the ink check position when
and empty ink cartridge is detected. Moves the print
head to the ink cartridge replacement position.
Returns the print head to its home position after ink
cartridge replacement.
Performs print head cleaning if held down for three
seconds when the
Hink out light is off.
z
roll paper
(without the
cutter)
Prints a cutting guideline and feeds roll paper to a
position where it can be easily removed from the sheet
feeder if pressed after printing.
Feeds roll paper to the printing position if pressed after
cutting the paper.
Feeds roll paper in reverse to a position where it can be
easily removed from the roll paper feeder if pressed for
3seconds.
z
roll paper
(with the
cutter)
With driver setting Single Cut or Double Cut
Cuts roll paper at the position that is selected and ejects
it if pressed after printing. Then feeds roll paper to the
printing position automatically.
With driver setting Not Cut
Cuts roll paper with a margin and ejects it if pressed
after printing. Then feeds roll paper to the printing
position automatically.
Light Description
P
power
On when the printer is on.
Flashing when the printer is receiving data, printing,
replacing an ink cartridge, charging ink, or cleaning the
print head.

7Printer Parts and Functions
m
paper out
On when the printer is out of paper or when a double
feed Error is detected. Load paper into the sheet
feeder, then press the
mpaper button to resume
printing.
Flashing when the paper is jammed. Take all of the
paper out of the feeder, then reload the paper. If the
light continues to flash, turn off the printer and gently
pull all of the paper out of the printer.
H
ink out
Flashing when the ink cartridge is nearly empty.
Onwhentheinkcartridgeisempty.Replacetheink
cartridge, black (T0331), cyan (T0332), magenta
(T0333), yellow (T0334), light cyan (T0335) or light
magenta (T0336).
Flashing when the print head moves to the ink cartridge
replacement position.

Safety Instructions 8
Safety Instructions
Important Safety Instructions
Read all of the instructions in this section before using your
printer. Also, be sure to follow all warnings and instructions
marked on the printer.
When setting up your printer
Observe the following when setting up the printer:
❏Do not block or cover the openings in the printer’scabinet.
❏Use only the type of power source indicated on the printer’s
label.
❏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.

9Safety Instructions
❏If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure that
the total ampere rating of the devices plugged into the
extension cord does not exceed the cord’sampererating.Also,
make sure that the total ampere rating of all devices plugged
into the wall outlet does not exceed the wall outlet’sampere
rating.
❏Do not attempt to service the printer yourself.
❏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.
When choosing a place for the printer
Observe the following when choosing a place for the printer:
❏Place the printer on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond
the printer base in all directions. If you place the printer by
the wall, leave more than 10 cm between the back of the
printer and the wall. The printer will not operate properly if
it is tilted or at an angle.
❏Whenstoringortransportingtheprinter,don’ttiltit,standit
on its side or turn it upside down. Othewise ink may leak from
the cartridge.
❏Leave enough space in front of the printer for the paper to be
fully ejected.
❏Avoid places subject to rapid changes in temperature and
humidity. Also, keep the printer away from direct sunlight,
strong light, or heat sources.

Safety Instructions 10
❏Avoid places subject to dust, shocks, and vibrations.
❏Leave enough room around the printer to allow for sufficient
ventilation.
❏Placetheprinternearawalloutletwheretheplugcanbe
easily unplugged.
When using the printer
Observe the following when using the printer:
❏Do not insert objects through the slots in the printer’scabinet.
❏Take care not to spill liquid on the printer.
❏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.
❏Always turn the printer off using the
Ppower button. When
this button is pressed, the
Ppower light flashes. Do not
unplug the printer or turn off the power to the outlet until the
Ppower light stops flashing.
❏Before transporting the printer, make sure that the print head
is in the home (far right) position and the ink cartridges are
in place.
❏Leave the ink cartridges installed. Removing the cartridges
can dehydrate the print head and may prevent the printer
from printing.

11 Safety Instructions
When handling the ink cartridges
Observe the following when handling the ink cartridges:
❏Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children. Do not allow
children to drink from or otherwise handle the cartridges.
❏Do not shake the used ink cartridge once you remove it from
the package; this can cause leakage.
❏Be careful when you handle the used ink cartridges, as there
may be some ink surrounding the ink supply port. If ink
should come into direct contact with your skin, wash the area
thoroughly with soap and water. If ink should come into
direct contact with your eyes, flush them immediately with
water. If you feel discomfort or if vision is impaired, see a
doctor immediately.
❏Do not remove or tear the label on the 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.
❏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.