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Maintenance

Aligning the Print Head

Using the printer software
Using the control panel buttons

If you notice a misalignment of vertical lines or horizontal banding, you may be able to solve this problem from your computer using the Print Head Alignment utility in your printer software or control panel.

Alignment patterns containing the following patches are printed in the process of aligning the print head.

Good

Not good

A good result is when the patches are the most evenly printed with no noticeable streaks or lines, as in the above illustration.

Refer to the appropriate section below for instructions on how to align the print head.

Note:
  • Do not press the Stop button to cancel printing while printing an alignment pattern.
  • Use the printer software to perform a more accurate print head alignment. Only use the control panel buttons to align the print head if you cannot use the printer software.

Using the printer software

For Windows

Follow the steps below to align the print head using the Print Head Alignment utility.

Make sure that letter-size plain paper is loaded in the sheet feeder and that the adjust lever is set to the  position.

Make sure that this product is on and the Error light is off.

Access the printer software.
Accessing the Printer Software for Windows

Click the Maintenance tab, then click the Print Head Alignment button.

Follow the on-screen instructions to align the print head.

For Mac OS 9

Follow the steps below to align the print head using the Print Head Alignment utility.

Make sure that letter-size plain paper is loaded in the sheet feeder and that the adjust lever is set to the  position.

Make sure that this product is on and the Error light is off.

Access the Print or Page Setup dialog box.
Accessing the Printer Software for Mac OS 9

Click the  Utility icon button, then click the Print Head Alignment button.

Follow the on-screen instructions to align the print head.

For Mac OS X

Follow the steps below to align the print head using the Print Head Alignment utility.

Make sure that letter-size plain paper is loaded in the sheet feeder and that the adjust lever is set to the  position.

Make sure that this product is on and the Error light is off.

Access the EPSON Printer Utility dialog box.
Accessing the Printer Software for Mac OS X

Click the Print Head Alignment button in the Utility dialog box.

Follow the on-screen instructions to align the print head.


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Using the control panel buttons

Follow the steps below to align the print head using the Control Panel.

Note:
Do not press the Stop button to cancel printing while printing an alignment pattern.

Make sure that letter-size plain paper is loaded in the sheet feeder and that the adjust lever is set to the  position.

Make sure that this product is turned off.

Press the  On button while holding down the Copy button. Hold both buttons down until the On light begins to flash, then release them.

The power comes on and the alignment pattern is printed.

After the alignment pattern has been printed, the Plain Paper light comes on. Look at the patches for alignment pattern #1 on the sheet and find the patch that is most evenly printed, with no noticeable streaks or lines. Press the Copy button until the number for that patch appears in the LED window.

Finally, press the Start B&W button to enter your selection.

The Photo Paper light remains lit. As with the first alignment pattern, find the patch on alignment pattern #2 that is most evenly printed, with no noticeable streaks or lines, and then press the Copy button until the number for that patch appears in the LED window.

Finally, press the Start B&W button to enter your selection.

The Letter light comes on. As with the other alignment patterns, find the patch on alignment pattern #3 that is most evenly printed, and press the Copy button until the number for that patch appears in the LED window. Then press the  Start B&W button to enter your selection.

The 4x6 light comes on. As with the other alignment patterns, find the patch on alignment pattern #4 that is most evenly printed, and press the Copy button until the number for that patch appears in the LED window. Then press the   Start B&W button to enter your selection.

All the lights on the product will light briefly, then the product will turn off. This completes the head alignment procedure.


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Version 1.00E, Copyright © 2001, SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION