Epson 480SX User Manual Page 1

Printer Basics Printed on recycled paper.English

6 Unplug the printer before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth only. Do not spill liquid on the printer. Except as specifically explained in this manu

7Viewing Your Electronic Printer ManualYour printer software CD-ROM includes an electronic Reference Guide for your printer. The manual is in HTML for

8Navigating Your Electronic Printer ManualWhen you first open the Reference Guide, you see this screen:Click a topic on the left to expand the table o

9Printing from Start to FinishHere’s what to do to print a basic document—such as a memo, newsletter, or photograph—from loading the paper to selectin

10Keep the following in mind when loading paper: Load the printable side face up. It’s usually whiter or brighter than the other side. Load letterhead

11Make the following selections on the Print dialog box: Make sure EPSON Stylus COLOR 480 is selected. Click the Properties button. (If you see a Setu

12Make the following settings on the Properties dialog box: Choose the paper you’re printing on (click the arrow to scroll through the Media Type list

13Controlling PrintingAt the Print dialog box, click OK (or maybe Print) to start printing.After a moment, the Progress Meter appears and shows the pr

14Using PhotoEnhance, Custom, and Advanced SettingsWhen you’re printing special projects, you can customize your printer software settings, as describ

15Using Custom SettingsYour printer software includes custom project types with preset printing options. This lets you quickly select a color-matching

iiCopyright NoticeAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by a

16Using Special PapersHow can you get the best-looking photos, most vivid colors, and sharpest text? Always use EPSON’s special ink jet papers. Instru

174 × 6-inch Photo PaperEPSON 4×6-inch Photo Paper is micro-perforated around the edges so you can trim your printouts and “bleed” the photo—extend it

18Panoramic Photo Paper1. Load one sheet of Panoramic paper, glossy side up. 2. Choose Photo Paper as the Media Type setting and Panoramic 210× 594 mm

19Selecting the Correct Media TypeYour printer automatically adjusts itself for the type of paper you select in your printer software. That’s why the

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21Maintaining Your PrinterThis section describes maintenance procedures to keep your printer working at its best and preparation steps for moving your

22Printing a Nozzle CheckFollow these steps to run the Nozzle Check utility:1. Make sure the printer is plugged in but not printing.2. Right-click the

23Using the Head Cleaning UtilityFollow these steps to run the Head Cleaning utility:1. Make sure the printer is plugged in but not printing.2. Right-

24If any dots are missing, click Clean and follow the instructions on the screen to clean the print head again.If you don’t see any improvement after

253. Click Next to print an alignment page. You see this window:4. On the printed page, select the pattern that shows the two vertical lines most prec

iiiContentsWELCOME! 1About Your Software 1About Your Documentation 3Warnings, Cautions, Notes, and Tips 3Windows System Requirements 4Important Sa

26Use these EPSON ink cartridges within six months of installing them and before the expiration date on the package: Black ink cartridge: T013201 (U.S

27Replacing a Low or Empty Ink CartridgeWhen Status Monitor 3 indicates that ink levels are low or you’re out of ink, you see one of these windows:Bef

28Replacing an Outdated Ink CartridgeIf you need to replace an ink cartridge before you see a Status Monitor 3 message, follow the steps here to use t

29Cleaning the PrinterTo keep your printer working at its best, you should clean it several times a year. Follow these steps: 1. Unplug the printer’s

30Transporting the PrinterIf you move your printer some distance, you need to prepare it for transportation in its original box or one of a similar si

31Problem SolvingBecause your printer constantly monitors its status, it will report to you if it has a problem such as jammed paper or low ink levels

32Identifying Printer PartsIf you need help identifying the parts of the printer, refer to these illustrations:sheet feederleft edge guideprinter cove

33Problems and SolutionsHere are some basic troubleshooting tips if you have any problems setting up your printer, installing software, getting good p

34Problems with PrintingThe printer is plugged in and connected, but nothing prints.If your computer can’t send the print job successfully, you may se

35Printing is too slow.Make sure your system meets the requirements listed on page 4. If you’re printing a high-resolution image, you need more than t

ivMAINTAINING YOUR PRINTER 21Cleaning the Print Head 21Printing a Nozzle Check 22Using the Head Cleaning Utility 23Aligning the Print Head 24Repl

36Problems Getting Good Print QualityYou see banding. Make sure the print head nozzles are not clogged. To clean the print head, see page 21. Make sur

37Your printout is faint or has gaps in the image. Make sure the print head nozzles are not clogged. To clean the print head, see page 21. If you’re l

38You see incorrect characters. Make sure the printer cable is securely connected and that the cable meets the system requirements on page 4. Make sur

39Paper doesn’t feed.You may see a paper not loaded correctly error window on your screen. Remove the stack of paper from the sheet feeder. Then check

40Solving Miscellaneous Printout ProblemsThe margins are incorrect. Make sure the paper settings in your printer software are correct for your paper s

414. If your printer is connected to your computer’s USB port, click EPSON USB Printer Devices in the program list; then click Add/Remove or Change/Re

42To speak to a technical support representative, dial one of the numbers below from 6 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Toll or long d

43IndexNumerics360 dpi Ink Jet Paper, 194 x 6-inch Photo Paper, 16 to 17AAccessories, 26, 42Advanced settings, 15Aligning print head, 24 to 25, 36Auto

44IICM (Image Color Matching) setting, 15Incorrect characters, 38Incorrect colors, 37Ink cartridgeordering, 26replacing low or empty, 27replacing outd

45Problemsinstalling software, 33miscellaneous, 40paper feeding, 38 to 39print quality, 36 to 38printing, 34 to 35setting up printer, 33Progress Meter

1Welcome!Your EPSON Stylus® COLOR 480SX is a user-friendly, photo quality printer that’s perfect for printing all your home projects—from homework ass

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47FCC Compliance StatementFor United States UsersThis equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, purs

48EPSON AMERICA, INC. LIMITED WARRANTYWhat is Covered: Epson America, Inc. (“Epson”) warrants to the first end-user customer that the Epson printer co

How To Order EPSON Ink and PaperTo order EPSON ink cartridges and paper, contact your dealer or call EPSON at (800) 873-7766 or visit our web site at

2 Your bonus software:If you haven’t yet installed the printer software or Reference Guide from your CD-ROM, see the Start Here sheet for instruction

3About Your DocumentationTo set up your printer and install its software, see the Start Here sheet. This book contains system requirements, important

4Windows System RequirementsTo use your printer and its software, your system should have: An IBM® compatible PC with at least a 486/66 MHz (for Wind

5Important Safety InstructionsBefore using your printer, read the following safety instructions to make sure you use the printer safely and effectivel