Follow the instructions in these sections to keep your PictureMate Pal in great shape:
Taking PictureMate Pal With You
You can check the status of your Print Pack on the PictureMate Pal photo viewer screen or with your computer software as described in these sections:
Checking Status Using the Photo Viewer Screen
Checking Status Using Status Monitor for Windows
Checking Status Using Status Monitor for Macintosh
or 
to highlight PrintPk Status and press OK. You see the status displayed on the photo viewer screen.
Note: If the screen displays a Print Pack low message, you should buy a new PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack. See Buying a PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack for details.
You can check the Print Pack status from your Windows computer in the following ways:
printer icon on your Windows taskbar. A screen displays the Print Pack status:
Note: If your Print Pack is low, you should buy a new PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack. See Buying a PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack for details.
You can check the Print Pack status from your Macintosh as follows:
Note: If your Print Pack is low, you should buy a new PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack. See Buying a PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack for details.
When PictureMate Pal needs a new Print Pack, you see a message on the photo viewer screen.
The PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack contains a new photo cartridge and photo paper.
Tip: If you see a replacement message while printing, you can replace the Print Pack and continue the current print job. Just replace it without turning off and unplugging PictureMate Pal.
You can check the Print Pack status any time PictureMate Pal is not printing (see Checking Print Pack Status).
Caution: Do not attempt to refill the photo cartridge. This could result in ink spills or other damage to PictureMate Pal not covered by Epson's warranty.
Caution: To ensure good results, use a genuine PictureMate 200 Series photo cartridge and do not refill it. Other products may cause ink spills or other damage to your printer not covered by Epson's warranty.
When you need to replace the Print Pack, see these sections:
The PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack has everything you need to print in one box: photo paper and a photo cartridge.
The following Print Packs are available:
Note: If you need more paper for any reason, use Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy, borderless 4 ´ 6 inch size. For more information, see How Many Photos Will I Get From a PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack?.
You can buy a PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack wherever PictureMate Pal is sold or from retailers that sell printer supplies.
You can also buy a Print Pack and other PictureMate Pal accessories from an Epson authorized reseller. To find the nearest reseller, call 800-GO-EPSON (800-463-7766). Or you can purchase online at www.epsonstore.com (U.S. sales) or www.epson.ca (Canadian sales).
Note: Use your photo cartridge within six months of installing it and before the expiration date on the package.
Make sure you have a new PictureMate 200 Series Print Pack before you remove the old photo cartridge. Once you remove the cartridge, you must install the new one right away.
Caution: Do not try to pull out the cartridge without moving the lever.
Warning: Keep photo cartridges out of the reach of children and do not drink the ink.
If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water. If discomfort or vision problems continue after flushing, see a doctor immediately.
Caution: Don't touch the small green circuit board. Install the photo cartridge immediately after you remove it from its package. If you leave a cartridge unpacked for a long time before using it, normal printing may not be possible.
Note: The cartridge won't go in all the way. You need to use the cartridge lever to lock it in place.
Caution: If the cartridge is not inserted correctly, PictureMate Pal will not be able to print.
PictureMate Pal starts charging and displays a message.
If your print quality is not as good as it used to be-if photos are too light, are missing colors, or have lines running through them-PictureMate Pal's print head may need cleaning.
If you see misaligned vertical lines or dark or light banding, you may need to align the print head.
Follow the steps in these sections to clean or align the print head using the PictureMate Pal buttons or the PictureMate Pal software on your computer:
If your print quality is not as good as it used to be-if photos are too light, are missing colors, or have lines running through them-PictureMate Pal's print head may need cleaning. Follow the steps below to clean the print head.
Note: If you see a Print Pack low message on the photo viewer, you can't clean the print head until you replace the Print Pack.
or
to highlight Maintenance and press OK.
or
to select Auto Cleaning and press OK.When cleaning is complete, PictureMate Pal prints a nozzle check pattern.
If there are gaps, press Cancel to clean the print head again. You may need to clean it two or three times before the nozzles are clean.
If you don't see any improvement after cleaning three times, refer to Solving Problems.
You can also turn PictureMate Pal off and wait overnight to allow any dried ink to soften. Then try cleaning the print head again.
If you have moved PictureMate Pal and the print quality is not as good as it used to be-if your prints look fuzzy or have light or dark lines running through them-you may need to align the print head.
or
to highlight Maintenance and press OK.
or
to select Head Alignment and press OK.
Print. The following alignment pattern is printed:
or
to highlight the number for the best square (1 to 9). Then press OK.PictureMate Pal aligns the print head and exits the Maintenance menu.
Note: The number that you enter becomes the default setting (#5) the next time you align the print head.
You can check PictureMate Pal's print quality from your computer and clean the print head, if necessary.
printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Nozzle Check.Macintosh: Open the Applications folder and select EPSON Printer Utility. Select PictureMate PM 200 in the printer list, click OK, and select Nozzle Check.
If there are gaps, you need to clean the print head. See Cleaning the Print Head Using the Computer for instructions.
If your print quality is not as good as it used to be-if photos are too light, are missing colors, or have lines running through them-PictureMate Pal's print head may need cleaning. Follow the steps below to clean the print head.
Note: If you see a Print Pack low message on the screen, you can't clean the print head until you replace the Print Pack.
printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Head Cleaning.Macintosh: Open the Applications folder and select EPSON Printer Utility. Select PictureMate PM 200 in the printer list, click OK, and select Head Cleaning.
Cleaning takes about 60 seconds. PictureMate Pal makes some noise and you see a Cleaning message on the screen.
Windows: Click Print nozzle check pattern, then click Print.
Macintosh: Click Confirmation, then click Next.
The nozzle check pattern prints.
If there are gaps, press Clean to clean the print head again. You may need to clean it two or three times before the nozzles are clean.
If you don't see any improvement after cleaning three times, refer to Solving Problems.
You can also turn PictureMate Pal off and wait overnight to allow any dried ink to soften. Then try cleaning the print head again.
If you have moved PictureMate Pal and the print quality is not as good as it used to be-if your prints look fuzzy or have light or dark lines running through them-you may need to align the print head.
printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Print Head Alignment.Macintosh: Open the Applications folder and select EPSON Printer Utility. Select PictureMate PM 200 in the printer list, click OK, and select Print Head Alignment.
If you can't find a square without lines or streaks, choose the one that looks the best. Then click Realignment to print another alignment pattern and repeat this step.
Note: The number that you enter becomes the default setting (#5) the next time you align the print head.
To keep PictureMate Pal working at its best, you should clean it several times a year.
Caution: Never use a hard or abrasive brush, or alcohol or thinner for cleaning; they can damage the components and case.
Don't get water on the components and don't spray lubricants or oils inside PictureMate Pal.
PictureMate Pal's handle makes it easy to carry short distances.
If PictureMate Pal is going to travel a longer distance, pack it carefully to protect it from damage.
Caution: Keep PictureMate Pal out of the sun and don't leave it in your car or other location where it can get too hot or too cold. Otherwise, PictureMate Pal may be damaged or ink may leak.
On button to turn off PictureMate Pal.
Caution: Make sure the photo cartridge is installed. Do not remove the photo cartridge before transporting. Don't place PictureMate Pal on its side or upside down, or ink may leak.
Note: If your prints don't look as good after PictureMate Pal has been moved, try aligning the print head. See Aligning the Print Head Directly From PictureMate Pal.