EPSON

SQ-850
SQ-2550
24-NOZZLE INK JET PRINTER

USER’S GUIDE
 FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR AMERICAN USERS

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used
properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause
interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in
Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection
against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
• Reorient the receiving antenna
• Relocate the printer with respect to the receiver
• Move the printer away from the receiver
• Plug the printer into a different outlet so that the printer and receiver are on different
branch circuits.

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician
for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal
Communications Commission helpful:
“Television Interference Handbook”
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402.
Stock No. 004-000-00450-7.

WARNING
The connection of a non-shielded equipment interface cable to this equipment will invalidate
the FCC Certification of this device and may cause interference levels that exceed the limits
established by the FCC for this equipment. If this equipment has more than one interface
connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces.
 EPSON
SQ-850/2550

User’s Guide
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, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of Seiko Epson
Corporation. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the
use of the information contained herein. While every precaution
has been taken in the preparation of this book, Seiko Epson
Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use
of the information contained herein.

Seiko Epson Corporation shall not be liable against any damages or

problems arising from the use of any options other than those
designated as Original Epson Products by Seiko Epson Corporation.

EPSON and EPSON ESC/P are trademarks of Seiko Epson

Corporation. IBM and IBM PC are trademarks of International
Business Machines Corporation.

Copyright ©1988 by Seiko Epson Corporation

Nagano, Japan
Contents

About This Guide 1

Introduction 3

Chapter 1 Setting Up the Printer l-l

Ink Jet Precautions ............................................................... 1-2
Unpacking the Printer ......................................................... 1-3
Choosing a Place for the Printer ........................................... l-7
Assembling the Printer ........................................................ 1-9
Testing the Printer ................................................................ 1-14
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer ..................... l-28
Setting Up Your Application Software ........................... l-32

Chapter 2 Paper Handling 2-l

Choosing Paper ..................................................................... 2-2
Using Single Sheets .............................................................. 2-3
Using Continuous Paper ..................................................... 2-8
Switching between Continuous and Single Sheets ...... 2-16
Printing on Special Paper ................................................... 2-23

Contents iii
Chapter 3 Using the Printer 3-l
Operating the Control Panel .............................................. 3-2
SelecType Settings ................................................................. 3-10
Page Length ............................................................................ 3-18
Skip Over Perforation .......................................................... 3-19
Adjusting the Loading Position ......................................... 3-21
Short Tear-Off ........................................................................ 3-23
Selecting Typestyles .............................................................. 3-28
Selecting an International Character Set ......................... 3-35
Choosing a Character Table ............................................... 3-36
Data Dump Mode ................................................................. 3-38

Chapter 4 Software and Graphics 4-l

Enhancing Your Printing ..................................................... 4-2
Graphics ................................................................................... 4-9
User-defined Characters ...................................................... 4-21

Chapter 5 Using Printer Options 5-1

The Cut Sheet Feeder ........................................................... 5-2
The Pull Tractor ..................................................................... 5-21
Interface Boards ..................................................................... 5-31

Chapter 6 Maintenance 6-l

Cleaning the Printer ............................................................. 6-2
Cleaning the Print Head ...................................................... 6-4
Replacing the Ink Cartridge ............................................... 6-6
Transporting the Printer ...................................................... 6-9

iv Contents
Chapter 7 Troubleshooting 7-l
Problems and Solutions ...................................................... 7-2
Power Supply ........................................................................ 7-3
Printing ................................................................................... 7-4
Paper Handling ..................................................................... 7-13
Options .................................................................................... 7-21

Chapter 8 Technical Specifications 8-l

Printer Specifications ........................................................... 8-2
Interface Specifications ........................................................ 8-10
Options Specifications ......................................................... 8-15
Initialization ........................................................................... 8-18

Chapter 9 Command Summary 9-l

Using the Command Summary ......................................... 9-2
Commands in Numerical Order ....................................... 9-5
Commands Arranged by Topic ......................................... 9-8

Appendix A-l
Proportional Width Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Character Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6

Glossary GL-1

Index IN-1

Contents v
About This Guide

This user’s guide provides fully-illustrated, step-by-step

instructions for setting up and operating the SQ-850 and
SQ-2550 printers.

Finding your way around

Chapter 1 contains information on unpacking, setting up,
testing and connecting the printer, so be sure to read and
follow the instructions in this chapter first.
Chapters 2 and 3 include important information on paper
handling and general printer operation. This information is
necessary for the day-to-day operation of your printer.
Chapter 4 contains information designed to help you get the
most from your printer. This chapter includes advice on the
use of software commands, graphics, and user-defined
characters. Also, see Chapter 9 for a summary of printer
commands.
If the printer does not operate properly or the printed
results are not what you expect, see Chapter 7 for a list of
possible solutions.
Other chapters contain information on general maintenance,
use of the printer options, and specifications. You will also
find a glossary of printer terms and an index.
At the back of this guide is a Quick Reference Card with the
information you are most likely to need.

Note: The SQ-850 and SQ-2550 are basically the same printer
except that the SQ-2550 can accept wider paper. Therefore,
the illustrations in this guide show only the SQ-2550.

About This Guide 1

Conventions used in this guide

WARNINGS must be followed carefully to avoid

damage to your printer and computer.

CAUTIONS should be followed carefully to ensure

that your printer operates correctly.

Notes contain important information and useful tips on the

operation of your printer.

2 About This Guide

Introduction

The SQ-850 and SQ-2550 are the latest in EPSON’s advanced

line of 24-nozzle ink jet printers, combining high performance
and reliability with a wide range of exciting features.

Features
In addition to the high-quality printing and ease of operation
you have come to expect from EPSON printers, the SQ-850 and
SQ-2550 offer the following:
An improved control panel design that allows you direct
selection of all of the printer’s main features, such as
character font and pitch as well as a choice of normal or
condensed printing.
An advanced paper handling system that allows you to
easily switch between single sheets and continuous paper by
pressing the appropriate panel buttons. You can use single
sheets without removing the continuous paper, or you can
use continuous paper even while the optional Cut Sheet
Feeder is installed.
A short tear-off feature that saves paper. After you tear off
the latest sheet printed on continuous paper, the printer
feeds the paper back to the loading position so that you can
use all of the next sheet.
The ability to print on labels and envelopes.
A micro-adjustment feature that allows you to feed the
paper forward or backward in 1/180th of an inch
increments to finely adjust the top of form, loading, and
short tear-off positions.

Introduction 3
l The following nine built-in Letter Quality fonts are provided
for producing high-quality documents:
Roman, Sans Serif, Courier, Prestige, Script, OCR-A,
OCR-B, Orator, Orator-S
l Draft mode with fast, whisper-quiet printing of up to 500
characters per second in 10 cpi (10 characters per inch).
l Compatibility with the EPSON ESC/P commands used by
the LQ-1500, LQ-800, LQ-1000, LQ-2500, LQ-2500+, LQ-850,
LQ-1050, LQ-500, LQ-2550, and SQ-2500 printers.

Options
A variety of printer options is available for use with your
SQ-850 or SQ-2550 printer. For detailed information on the
installation and use of these options, see Chapter 5.

Single-bin and Double-bin Cut Sheet Feeders

(C806081/C806091/C806101/C806111)
These cut sheet feeders give you easier and more efficient
handling of single sheet paper or envelopes. Up to 150 sheets
of standard bond paper can be stored in a bin and fed
automatically into the printer without reloading.

4 Introduction
Pull Tractor Unit (C800032/C800042)
The pull tractor option improves the performance of continuous
paper handling. It is especially useful when printing graphics,
labels, or continuous preprinted forms.

Optional Interface Boards

A number of optional interface boards can be used to
supplement the printer’s built-in parallel and serial interfaces.
Guidelines for choosing the right interface and instructions on
installing the boards are given in Chapter 5.

Introduction 5
Chapter 1
Setting Up the Printer

Ink Jet Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Unpacking the Printer ........................................................... 1-3

Checking the parts ............................................................. 1-3
Removing the protective materials ................................ 1-4

Choosing a Place for the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Assembling the Printer .......................................................... 1-9

Attaching the paper guide ............................................... 1-9
Installing the ink cartridge ............................................... 1-10

Testing the Printer .................................................................. 1-14

Connecting to a power supply ........................................ 1-14
Charging the ink cartridge ............................................... 1-16
Running the self test .......................................................... 1-19
Checking the operation ..................................................... 1-26

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer ....................... 1-28

The parallel interface ......................................................... 1-28
The serial interface ............................................................. 1-30

Setting Up Your Application Software ............................. 1-32

Choosing from a menu ...................................................... 1-32

Setting Up the Printer l-l

Ink Jet Precautions
Because the SQ-850 and SQ-2550 are the ink jet printers, certain
precautions are necessary to ensure their safe and efficient
operation. Even if you are familiar with other types of printers,
be sure to read through this list of precautions.
Make sure that the ink does not come in contact with your
skin or eyes. If it does get on your skin, wash it off with
soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, flush them with
plenty of water and contact a physician.
Do not dismantle the ink cartridges; they cannot be refilled.
Keep the cartridges out of the reach of children.
Do not use an ink cartridge beyond its rated life expectancy.
Ink cartridges are good up to the date printed on the
cartridge.
See that the print head is capped before the printer is turned
off. To cap the head, simply push the ON LINE button to set
the printer off line. The head caps automatically when it
enters the off line state. Then turn off the printer.
Never remove the ink cartridge when the printer is on line
or when it is printing.
Do not turn the printer on and off when the ink cartridge is
not installed.
Do not put your hand inside the printer when it is printing.
Before you transport the printer, make sure that the head is
capped and that the ink cartridge is removed.
If ink accidentally gets on the platen (the black roller), wipe
it off with a clean rag or with tissue paper.

l-2 Setting Up the Printer

Unpacking the Printer
Checking the parts
As you unpack the printer, check that you have all of the parts
shown below and that none have been damaged during
transportation.

power cable

platen knob

cross-head screwdriver optional screw locks

CAUTION: Different versions of the printer are

designed for different electrical standards. The power
supply type is shown on the label on the back of the
printer. If it does not show the correct voltage for
your country, contact your EPSON dealer. It is not
possible to adjust the printer for use on another
voltage.

Setting Up the Printer l-3

Removing the protective materials
The printer is protected during shipping by screws, locking tabs,
a notice sheet, and a white packing material. These protective
items must be removed before you turn on the printer. After
removing these items, store them with the other packaging
material in case you ever need to transport your printer.

1. Insert the platen knob into the hole on the printer’s side and
rotate it until it slips onto the shaft.

2. Press firmly on the knob until it fits against the printer case.

l-4 Setting Up the Printer

 CAUTION: Using the platen knob to adjust the
position of the paper interferes with the automatic
paper loading system and may cause a paper jam.
Before using the platen knob, always turn off the
power. If you need to adjust the position of the paper
after it is loaded, use the micro-adjustment feature
described in the section on setting the loading position
in Chapter 3.

3. Remove the printer cover.

4. Remove the white packing material, and remove the notice

sheet by using the platen knob. Then push the paper bail
toward the platen.

Setting Up the Printer l-5

5. Using the enclosed cross-head screwdriver, remove the
transport screws and locking brackets as shown below.
(SQ-850 only has two screws and single locking bracket.)

CAUTION: Never leave the transport screw in the

printer because of it can damage the print head.

6. Reattach the printer cover.

l-6 Setting Up the Printer

Choosing a Place for the Printer
There are several important things to consider when selecting a
location for your printer. Make sure to keep the following in
mind.
l Place the printer on a flat, stable surface.
l Place the printer close enough to the computer for its cable
to reach.
l Leave adequate room around the printer to allow easy
printer operation and maintenance.
l Use a grounded outlet; do not use an adapter plug.

WARNING:
l Avoid locations that are subject to direct sunlight,

excessive heat, moisture or dust.

l Avoid using electrical outlets that are controlled by

wall switches or automatic timers. Accidental

disruption of power can wipe out information in your
computer’s and printer’s memory.
l Avoid using outlets on the same circuit with large

motors or other appliances that might disturb the

power supply.
l Keep the entire computer system away from

potential sources of interference such as loudspeakers

or the base units of cordless telephones.

Setting Up the Printer l-7

The illustrations below show several good printer and computer
arrangements.

Note: If you plan to use a printer stand, read through the list
of requirements and suggestions below to ensure that you
have the right stand for your printer.
l The stand should be able to support at least twice the

weight of your printer (24.0kg for the SQ-850 or 28.8kg for

the SQ-2550).
l Never use a stand that supports the printer at an angle.

The printer should always be kept level.

l If your paper supply is positioned below the printer stand,

make sure that there is enough clearance to keep the paper

from catching on the underside of the stand. Also, check to
see that the distance between the stand supports is wide
enough to accommodate the width of your paper.
l Position your printer’s power and interface cables so that

they do not interfere with paper feeding. If possible, secure

the cables to the printer stand supports.

l-8 Setting Up the Printer

Assembling the Printer
After you have decided on a suitable location for your printer, it
is necessary to install the paper guide, and the ink cartridge.
Before assembling the printer, make sure that all protective
materials have been removed. Installation instructions for these
components are given below.

Attaching the paper guide

To install the paper guide, follow these steps:
1. Fit the pins of the paper guide into the slots in the printer as
shown below.

Setting Up the Printer l-9

2. Make sure that the guide is in its upright position. If not,
raise the guide slightly until it locks into position.

Installing the ink cartridge

Your printer’s ink cartridge is completely self contained and
allows for easy installation and removal. Replacement ink
cartridges (S020002) are available from your EPSON dealer.
Each SQ ink cartridge contains enough ink for about 4000
double-spaced pages in draft mode or about 2000 pages in
Letter Quality mode. Also keep in mind that the first ink
cartridge you install may print fewer pages because some of the
ink is used to fill up the ink delivery system.

Note: On one end of the cartridge is an ink indicator lever

that registers whether the cartridge is full or empty; the lever
is up when full and down when empty (there’s an F and E
marked on the case). When replacing an empty cartridge
with a new one, this lever gives you a quick way of checking
the status of the ink cartridge. See the section on replacing
the ink cartridge in Chapter 6 for more information.

l-10 Setting Up the Printer

 WARNING: Skin and Eye Irritant
This ink contains potassium hydroxide and may cause
irritation on contact with skin and eyes. Please take
the following precautions:
l Avoid contact with skin and eyes. If ink gets into

eyes, flush immediately with water and contact a

physician. Wash all traces of ink from your skin
thoroughly with soap and water after handling the
cartridge. If irritation occurs, contact a physician.
l Do not dismantle the cartridge.

l Keep the cartridge out of reach of children.

Install the ink cartridge as follows:

1. Open the ink cartridge compartment cover by pressing once

on the area marked by the three grooves.

Setting Up the Printer 1-11

 WARNING: Never install or remove the ink cartridge
when the power is on line. Always set the printer off
line, and be sure the print head is capped at the left of
the printer before removing or replacing the ink
cartridge.

2. Insert the end of the cartridge with the foil plug into the ink
compartment as shown in the illustration below. Then
gently push the cartridge all the way into the compartment
until you hear the click of the cartridge meeting the back of
the ink compartment.

1-12 Setting Up the Printer

3. Close the ink cartridge compartment cover-

Setting Up the Printer 1-13

Testing the Printer
Now that your printer is fully assembled, you can use the
built-in self test function to see that the printer is working
correctly even though it is not connected to a computer.
Be sure to perform this test to make sure that your printer was
not damaged during shipping and to ensure that the ink
cartridge is correctly installed.
Before running the self test, you need to connect your printer to
a power supply, charge the ink, and load a sheet of paper.

Connecting to a power supply

Before plugging in your printer, make sure that all packing
materials are removed and the ink cartridge is installed.
1. Check to see that the printer is turned off (the circle (0) on
the switch should be visible).

1-14 Setting Up the Printer

2. Check the printer’s label to make sure that the power rating
required by the printer matches that of your electrical outlet.

WARNING: If they do not match, contact your

EPSON dealer without connecting the power cable.

3. Connect the power cable to the AC inlet on the printer’s rear

panel.

WARNING: Before turning on the printer, be

absolutely sure that you have removed all of the
protective materials. Turning on the printer while the
print head cannot move may seriously damage the
mechanism.

Setting Up the Printer 1-15

4. Plug the power cable into a properly grounded electrical
outlet.

Note: Although the shape of the power cable provided with

your printer may differ from the one shown above, the steps
for connecting it are the same.

Charging the ink cartridge

Before operating your printer, you need to charge the ink
delivery system with ink. You do not need to perform this step
again even when after transport the printer.

Note: You do not need to charge the ink every time you
replace the ink cartridge.

1-16 Setting Up the Printer

Before charging the ink, make sure that the ink cartridge is
installed and the printer is turned off.
1. While holding down both the ON LINE and LINE FEED buttons,
turn on the printer. This initiates a three-minute cleaning
and set up cycle that prepares the ink system for operation.
During this cycle, the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) on the
control panel displays INK CHARGE and a count down of the
time needed to complete the cycle.

2. When the set up cycle is completed, the display shows INK

CHARGE 0.

Setting Up the Printer 1-17

 WARNING:
l Do not turn the printer off while the message INK

CHARGE *** is displayed.

l Do not start printing before the ink charge is

completed. Printing without charging the ink delivery

system can damage the printer.

3. Turn off the printer.

WARNING: After you turn off the printer, always

wait at least five seconds before turning it back on.
Rapid switching of the power on and off can damage
the printer.

After completing the ink charging cycle, you are ready to run
the printer’s self test.

1-18 Setting Up the Printer

Running the self test
The self test can be run in either draft mode or Letter Quality
mode, depending on which button you hold down as you turn
on the printer.

Note: For the purposes of setting up and testing your printer,

most types of paper can be used. When choosing your paper
supply, however, you should always test it before regular
use. See the section in Chapter 2 on choosing paper.

CAUTION: Run the self test using paper that is at

least as wide as 217 mm (8.27 inches) if you have an
SQ-850, or 364 mm (14 inches) if you have an SQ-2550.

Before running the self test, make sure that the power cable is
connected to a properly grounded electrical outlet and the
printer is turned off.
1. While holding down the LINE FEED button (draft mode) or
the FORM FEED button (Letter Quality mode), turn on the
printer. The printer beeps three times and the POWER and
PAPER OUT lights come on.

Setting Up the Printer 1-19

Testing the Printer

2. Press the PAPER SELECT button on the control panel until the
message on the LCD shows Friction.

3. Move the left edge guide until it rests against the guide
mark.

1-20 Setting Up the Printer

 Testing the Printer

4. Adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your

paper. Next, slide a sheet down between the edge guides
until it meets resistance.

5. Press the LOAD/EJECT button once to automatically load the

paper.

Setting Up the Printer 1-21

Testing the Printer

6. Press the ON LINE button to start the self test.

7. A list of your printer’s current settings are printed first,

followed by a series of characters. The self test continues
until the paper runs out or you press the ON LINE button. If
the self test results are satisfactory and you wish to stop the
test, press the ON LINE button. (To resume the self test, press
the ON LINE button once more.)

Note: To clear a paper jam, first set the printer off line and
use the FORM FEED or LINE FEED button. If it is necessary to
use the platen knob to clear the jam, be sure to turn the
printer off first.

1-22 Setting Up the Printer

 Testing the Printer

8. If paper is still loaded, press the LOAD/EJECT button to eject

it. Then reset the printer by pressing both the ON LINE and
LOAD/EJECT buttons.

Setting Up the Printer l-23

Testing the Printer

Parts of typical draft and Letter Quality self tests are shown
below.

Draft mode
FONT

PITCH

LINE SPACING
PAGE TRACTER
PAGE CSF BN1
PAGE CSF BN2
1” SKIP
AUTO TEAR OFF
LEFT MARGIN

1-24 Setting Up the Printer

 Testing the Printer

Letter Quality mode

FONT

PITCH

LINE SPACING
PAGE TRACTER
PAGE CSF BN1
PAGE CSF BN2
1” SKIP
AUTO TEAR OFF
LEFT MARGIN

Setting Up the Printer 1-25

Testing the Printer

Checking the operation

If the self test does not print properly, check the points below.
The points that need to be checked are the print head area and
the control panel operation. If paper is jammed, turn off the
printer. Then remove the paper using the platen knob, and
load a new sheet.

Problem Solution
The printer does
not print or stops
printing.

The INK END light is The ink cartridge may be empty or the
on. cartridge may not be installed. Install a
new ink cartridge. Refer to 6-6.

The "COVER OPEN" The printer cover is open. Close the

message is displayed printer cover and resume printing.
on the control panel.

The test did not print Turn off the printer and repeat the
when you pressed the previous section. Make sure you hold
ON LINE button. down longer on the FORM FEED or LINE
FEED button while you turn on the
printer.
The interface cable may be connected to
your printer. Make sure to disconnect
the interface cable.

The print head does The protective materials may not be

not move. removed. Remove all the protective
materials from the printer. Refer to l-4.

l-26 Setting Up the Printer

 Testing the Printer

Problem Solution
The print head moves, The printer may not have been charged
but nothing is printed. with ink. Turn off the printer, and then
turn the printer on again while holding
down both the ON LINE and LINE FEED
buttons to start the ink charging cycle.
Refer to l-16.

The print is faint

or uneven.

Dots are missing in The print head nozzles may be clogged.

the printed characters Press the ON LINE button to set the
or graphics. printer off line. Then press both the ON
LINE and LINE FEED buttons to start the
ABCD print head cleaning cycle.

The printout has a Your may not be using the correct type
blurred appearance. of paper for your printer. Make sure the
surface of the paper is not too rough or
too smooth. Although most types of
ABCD business correspondence quality paper
works well with the SQ, you should
always test the paper you want to use
before buying it in large quantities.
You may not be printing on the correct
side of your paper. Test both sides of
your paper to determine which gives
you the best print quality.

If the printer still does not print the self test correctly, contact
your EPSON dealer.

Setting Up the Printer l-27

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer
Your SQ-850 or SQ-2550 has two separate interface connections:
a parallel interface and an RS-232C compatible serial interface.
If you are not sure which one is required by your computer,
check your computer manual for this information.
If you have a suitable shielded cable, you should be able to
connect to most computers immediately. If you have one of the
few computers that requires a different type of interface, you
should be able to use one of the optional interfaces described in
Chapter 5.
The parallel interface is the printer’s default setting. If you
need to use the built-in serial interface, be sure to change the
SelecType setting followed steps in Chapter 3.

The parallel interface

Connect the parallel interface cable as described below. Before
connecting the parallel interface cable, make sure that both the
printer and your computer are turned off.
1. Plug the connector of the cable securely into the printer.

WARNING: Do not plug more than one interface

cable into the printer at one time. This may damage
the printer.

1-28 Setting Up the Printer

 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

2. Squeeze the wire clips together until they lock in place on

both sides of the connector. (If you do not lock these clips
into place, the printed results may be incorrect.1

3. If your cable has a ground wire, attach it to the ground

connector beneath the interface connector.

4. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer. If there is
a ground wire at the computer end of the cable, attach it to
the ground connector of the computer.

Setting Up the Printer 1-29

Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

The serial interface

Connect the serial interface cable as described in this section.
Before connecting the serial interface cable, make sure that both
the printer and your computer are turned off.
1. Plug the connector of the cable securely into the printer-

2. Use a screwdriver to secure the cable by tightening the

screw on each side of the connector.

1-30 Setting Up the Printer

 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

Note: If the screws that come with the cable do not fit into
the connector screw locks on the interface, you need to
replace these screw locks with the optional ones provided
with the printer.

3. If your cable has a ground wire, attach it to the ground

connector beneath the interface connector.

4. Plug the other end of the cable into the computer. If there is
a ground wire at the computer end of the cable, attach it to
the ground connector of the computer.

Setting Up the Printer 1-31

Setting Up Your Application Software
Now that you have set up and tested your printer you should
make sure that it works with the application programs you
want to use. Most application programs let you specify the
type of printer you are using so that the program can take full
advantage of the printer’s features. Many of these programs
provide an installation or setup section that presents a list of
printers to choose from.

Choosing from a menu

Because the family of EPSON printers shares a great many
commands, you can use an application program even if it does
not list the SQ-850 or SQ-2550 on its printer selection menu. If
the SQ-850 or SQ-2550 is not listed, select the first printer from
the following list. The printers are listed in order of preference:

SQ-2550 SQ-850
LQ-1050 LQ-850
LQ-2550
SQ-2500
LQ-1000 LQ-800
LQ-2500+
LQ-1500

l-32 Setting Up the Printer

 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer

If none of these printers is listed, select the first one available

on the following list:

LQ
EX
FX
LX
RX
MX
EPSON printer
Standard printer
Draft printer

To use all the features of the SQ-850 or SQ-2550, however, it is

best to use a program with the SQ-850 or SQ-2550 on its menu.
If your program does not list your printer, contact the software
manufacturer to see if an update is available. For more
information on using software, see Chapter 4.

Setting Up the Printer 1-33

Chapter 2
Paper Handling

Choosing Paper ....................................................................... 2-2

Using Single Sheets ................................................................ 2-3

Loading a sheet ................................................................... 2-3
Reloading during printing ............................................... 2-7

Using Continuous Paper ....................................................... 2-8

Positioning your continuous paper supply .................. 2-8
Loading continuous paper ............................................... 2-9

Switching between Continuous and Single Sheets ........ 2-16

Switching to single sheets ................................................ 2-16
Switching back to continuous paper ............................. 2-21

Printing on Special Paper ..................................................... 2-23

The paper thickness lever ................................................. 2-23
Labels ..................................................................................... 2-25
Envelopes .............................................................................. 2-28

Paper Handling 2-l

Choosing paper
Because the SQ-850 and SQ-2550 are ink jet printers, paper
absorbency is especially important. With paper that is too
absorbent, the ink can spread slightly, causing characters to
blur. However, with paper that is not absorbent enough, the
ink may take too long to dry and can be smeared easily.
The finish and thickness of the paper is also important. Avoid
paper that has a rough finish or a slick, coated finish. Also
avoid paper that is too thick or too thin. See the paper
specifications section in Chapter 8 for more information.
Most correspondence quality paper works in the SQ-850 or
SQ-2550 without problems. It is, however, a good practice to
test the paper in your printer before buying in large quantities.
Also, you should test envelopes, preprinted forms, and labels.
To test a supply of paper, take a single sheet from the package
and load it in the printer. Perform the self test described in the
last chapter and check the results. (You can also run this test
with continuous paper.) You should also test both sides of the
paper to determine which gives you the best quality printing.
If the ink does not bleed or smear, the paper should be suitable
for use with your printer.

2-2 Paper Handling

Using Single Sheets
Your printer can handle a wide range of paper size up to a
maximum width of 257 mm (10.1 inches) on the SQ-850 and 364
mm (14.3 inches) on the SQ-2550.

Loading a sheet
To load a single sheet of paper, follow these steps.
1. Turn on the printer. The POWER and PAPER OUT lights come
on and the printer beeps three times.

Paper Handling 2-3

Using Single Sheets

2. Press the PAPER SELECT button until the LCD panel shows

3. Move the left edge guide until it rests against the guide
mark.

2-4 Paper Handling

 Using single sheets

4. Adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your

paper.

5. Slide a sheet of paper down between the edge guides until it

meets resistance.

Paper Handling 2-5

Using Single Sheets

6. Press the LOAD/EJECT button once to load the paper.

Note: If the platen turns without loading the paper, remove

the paper and re-insert it more firmly; then press the
LOAD/EJECT button again.

2-6 Paper Handling

 Using Single Sheets

7. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line.

WARNING: Never use the platen knob for paper

feeding except in case of a paper jam or other paper
feeding problem. Use of the platen knob may affect
the loading and short tear-off positions. If you need
to adjust the position of the paper after it is loaded,
use the micro-adjustment feature described in the
section on adjusting the loading position in Chapter 3.

Reloading during printing

When you print a document more than one page long using
single sheet paper, the printer stops printing when it reaches
the bottom of the paper. When this happens, either the ON LINE
light goes off automatically or it may remain on, depending on
your application software. If the ON LINE light remains on, the
first thing you should do is press the ON LINE button to take the
printer off line.
Once the ON LINE light is off, remove the sheet that has just been
printed (if necessary, press the FORM FEED button to eject the
page) and load a new sheet. Press the ON LINE button to start
printing the next page and follow any additional prompts from
your software.

Paper Handling 2-7

Using Continuous Paper
The tractor built into the SQ-850 and SQ-2550 is remarkably
easy to load and operate. Its low-profile design takes up little
space and can handle a wide variety of paper widths (up to
maximum of 279 mm (11.0 inches) on the SQ-850, and 406 mm
(16.0 inches) on the SQ-2550.
Positioning your continuous paper supply
An important consideration for achieving smooth and accurate
paper feeding is the position of your continuous paper supply.
Three ways of positioning your printer and continuous paper
supply are shown below.

Make sure that you align the paper supply with the paper
loaded in the tractor so that the paper feeds smoothly into the
printer.

2-8 Paper Handling

 Using Continuous Paper

Loading continuous paper

Before loading continuous paper, make sure that the printer is
turned off.
1. Remove the paper guide by tilting it up and lifting it off of
the printer. I

2. Turn on the printer, and press the PAPER SELECT button to

changes the display to Tractor .

Paper Handling 2-9

Using Continuous Paper

3. Release the left and right sprocket lock levers by pushing

them back.

Slide the left sprocket unit until it stops at the ring and lock
it in place. Next, slide the right sprocket unit to roughly
match the width of your paper, but do not lock it.

2-10 Paper Handling

 Using Continuous Paper

5. Slide the paper support to a point midway between the

sprocket units.

6. Open the sprocket covers.

Paper Handling 2-11

Using Continuous Paper

7. Fit the first four holes in the continuous paper over the pins
of the sprocket units.

8. Close the sprocket covers.

2-12 Paper Handling

 Using Continuous Paper

Note: Make sure the first sheet of paper has a clean, straight
edge so that paper can feed smoothly into the printer.

9. Slide the right sprocket unit to a position where the paper is

straight and has no wrinkles, and then lock it into place.

10. Reattach the paper guide laid down onto the back of the
printer. Then slide the edge guides together so that they
meet at about the middle of the paper’s width.

Paper Handling 2-13

Using Continuous Paper

11. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to feed paper to the loading

position.

Note: If you press the LOAD/EJECT button when continuous

paper is already loaded, the paper is reverse fed to the
standby position.

12. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line.

2-14 Paper Handling

 Using Continuous Paper

The printer remembers this loading position and advances each

page to the same position. Never adjust the loading position
using the platen knob. Use of the platen knob may affect the
loading and short tear-off positions. If you need to adjust this
position, you can use the micro-adjustment feature. See the
section on setting the loading position in Chapter 3.

Note: Before you begin printing, make sure you check the
page length and skip over perforation settings, and readjust
the settings if necessary. See the sections on page length and
skip over perforation in Chapter 3.

Paper Handling 2-15

Switching between Continuous and Single Sheets
Even with continuous paper loaded in the printer, you can
easily switch to single sheet printing without removing the
continuous paper from the tractor.

Switching to single sheets

To switch from continuous paper to single sheets, follow the
steps below.
1. After printing on the continuous paper, press the ON LINE
button to set the printer off line.

2-16 Paper Handling

2. Tear off any printed sheets or extra blank sheets. If you are
not using the short tear-off feature, press the FORM FEED
button to advance your document to a point where it can be
removed.

Note: If the perforation of the page is not fed past the edge of
the paper bail the first time, press the FORM FEED button
again. Do not use the platen knob to feed the paper while
the printer is turned on.

WARNING:
l Make sure you tear off your printed document

before pressing the LOAD/EJECT button. Reverse

feeding several pages at a time may result in a paper
jam. This is especially true for narrow paper between
102 and 152 mm (between 4 and 6 inches).
l Never feed labels backward through the printer.

Labels can easily come off the backing sheet and jam
the printer.

Paper Handling 2-17

3. Press the PAPER SELECT button to change the display on the
LCD to Friction. The continuous paper is fed backward
automatically to its standby position. The paper is still
attached to the tractor, but is no longer in the paper path.

4. Raise the paper guide until it locks into place.

2-18 Paper Handling

5. SIide the left edge guide until it rests against the guide
mark. Next, adjust the right edge guide to match the width
of your paper.

6. Slide a sheet of paper down between the edge guides until it

meets resistance.

Paper Handling 2-19

7. Press the LOAD/EJECT button once to automatically load the
paper.

8. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line.

2-20 Paper Handling

Switching back to continuous paper
It is also easy to switch back to printing with continuous paper.
Before switching back to continuous paper, make sure that the
printer is off line.
1. Press the PAPER SELECT button until the display shows
Tractor. If a single sheet is loaded, it is ejected
automatically and continuous paper is fed to the loading
position. Remove the ejected single sheet from the printer.

2. Slide the edge guides together so that they meet at about the
middle of the paper’s width.

Note: When using continuous paper, always make sure that

the edge guides are pushed together.

Paper Handling 2-21

3. Lift the paper guide slightly and lower it onto the back of
the printer.

4. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line.

2-22 Paper Handling

Printing on Special Paper
In addition to using single sheets and continuous paper, your
printer can also print on a wide variety of paper types,
including labels and envelopes.

Note: If you are printing graphics, preprinted forms, or

labels, it is recommended that you use the optional pull
tractor to print. See the pull tractor section in Chapter 5.

Also, when you print on forms, labels, or envelopes,

be sure that your application program settings keep
the printing entirely within the printable areas. That
is, you should not print any closer that 12.7 mm
(one-half inch) from either side of the paper for labels
or envelopes. For information on the printable area
for envelopes, see page 2-29.

The paper thickness lever

Your printer has a paper thickness lever that allows you to
adjust for thicker than normal paper, such as envelopes. For
normal printing jobs, keep the lever in its raised position.
When printing labels or envelopes, set the lever to its lowered
position.
Before changing the lever position, set the printer off line and
then turn off the printer.

Paper Handling 2-23

 Printing on Special Paper

1. Remove the printer cover.

2. Set the paper thickness lever position by pulling down as

you may need.

2-24 Paper Handling

 Printing on Special Paper

3. Reattach the printer cover.

CAUTION: Always return the lever to its upright

position when you go back to printing on ordinary
paper.

Labels
If you need to print labels, choose the type that is mounted on a
continuous backing sheet with sprocket holes for use with the
tractor. Do not use single sheet labels on a shiny backing sheet
because they almost always slip a little if fed by friction alone.
You load labels the same way that you load continuous paper.
See the section on loading continuous paper in this chapter for
more information.

Paper Handling 2-25

Printing on Special Paper

WARNING: Never feed labels backward through the

printer. Labels can easily come off the backing and
jam the printer. Also, never use the tear-off function
or the LOAD/EJECT button to eject labels. If a label does
become stuck in the printer mechanism, refer the
problem to your dealer.

To eject the labels from the printer follow these steps.

1. Remove the paper guide.

2-26 Paper Handling

 Printing on Special Paper

2. Tear off the sheet of labels at the perforation behind the

push tractor.

Note: Since labels are especially sensitive to temperature and

humidity, always use them under normal operating
conditions.

3. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off line. Then
press the FORM FEED button to eject the labels forward.
(Remember not to use the LOAD/EJECT button to eject labels.)

Paper Handling 2-27

Printing on Special Paper

Envelopes
You can print on a variety of envelopes -- including air mail,
plain, or bond envelopes -- using the single sheet loading
feature described in the beginning of this chapter. Chapter 5
describes using envelopes with the cut sheet feeder.
When loading an envelope, you may have to push down on it
slightly while pressing the LOAD/EJECT button.

2-28 Paper Handling

 Printing on Special Paper

If it is necessary to eject the printed envelope, press the ON LINE

button to set the printer off line. Then press the LOAD/EJECT
button.

CAUTION: When printing on envelopes, be sure that

your application program settings keep the printing
entirely within the printable area as shown below.

Paper Handling 2-29

Printing on Special Paper

Note: If the printed results are faint, you can use the paper
thickness lever to adjust the distance between the print head
and the platen. See the section on the paper thickness lever
on page 2-23.

2-30 Paper Handling

Chapter 3
Using the Printer
Operating the Control Panel .......................................................... .3-2
The display ...................................................................................... 3-2
The lights ......................................................................................... 3-3
The buttons ..................................................................................... 3-4
Other control panel features ...................................................... 3-9

SelecType Settings ............................................................................ .3-10

SelecType ......................................................................................... 3-10
Using SelecType ............................................................................ .3-10
Changing the SelecType settings .............................................. 3-14
Initializing the settings ................................................................ 3-16

Page Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

Skip Over Perforation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. -19

Adjusting the Loading Position ..................................................... 3-21

The loading position ..................................................................... 3-21
Adjusting the loading position ........... ....................................... 3-22

Short Tear-Off ..................................................................................... 3-23

What happens in short tear-off mode ..................................... 3-23
Adjusting the tear-off position .................................................. 3-26

Selecting Typestyles .......................................................................... 3-28

Character fonts ............................................................................... 3-28
Character spacing .......................................................................... 3-33

Selecting an International Character Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35

Choosing a Character Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-36

Data Dump Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-38

.

Using the Printer 3-1

Operating the Control Panel
The SQ-850 or SQ-2550 control panel is made up of three
elements: the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), indicator lights,
and the buttons (six flush mount buttons and four raised
buttons). The indicator lights and display let you monitor the
current status of the printer, and the buttons let you control all
of the main printer settings and paper handling functions.

The display

The display shows the current status of the printer. If any of

the following states occur, the display shows the corresponding
message.
SelecType messages and operation are described later in this
chapter.
PAPER OUT The printer is out of paper.

I NK END The ink supply is low or the ink

cartridge is removed.

COVER OPEN The printer cover is open.

3-2 Using the Printer

 Operating the Control Panel

The lights

POWER (green): On when the printer is turned on

and power is supplied.
READY (green): On when the printer is ready to
accept input data. This light
flickers while data is received.
PAPER OUT (red): On when the paper-out sensor
detects that the printer is out of
paper.
INK END (red): On when the ink cartridge is low.
ON LINE (green): On when the printer can receive
and print data from the computer.
TEAR OFF (orange): On when short tear-off mode is
selected.

Using the Printer 3-3

Operating the Control Panel

The buttons

ON LINE: This button controls the printer’s on

line/off line status. When the
printer is on line, the ON LINE light is
on and the printer can receive and
print data from the computer.
FORM FEED: When the printer is off line, press
this button to eject a single sheet of
paper or to advance continuous
paper to the top of the next page.
LINE FEED: When the printer is off line, press
this button to feed the paper one
line, or hold it down to feed the
paper continuously.
LOAD/EJECT: When the printer is off line, press
this button to load or eject the paper.

3-4 Using the Printer

 Operating the Control Panel

FONT: Press this button to select a

character font. The selected font is
shown on the display. Pressing this
button displays fonts in the
following order:
Draft, Roman, S Serif (Sans
Serif), Courier, Prestige,
Script, OCR-B, OCR-H, Orator
Orator-S

See the section on fonts in this

chapter for more information.
When the printer is in SelecType
mode, this button is used to change
the SelecType settings as a MENU
button.

Using the Printer 3-5

Operating the Control Panel

PITCH: Press this button to select the

character spacing. You can choose
10, 12, 15, 17 or 20 cpi (characters
per inch) or I’S (Proportional). The
selected character spacing is shown
on the display. See the section on
character spacing in this chapter for
more information.
When the printer is in SelecType
mode, this button is used to change
the SelecType settings as a MENU
button.
PAPER SELECT: When the printer is off line, press
this button to select the paper
handling system. The selected
system is shown on the display.
The paper handling system is
selected in the following order:

Select CSF bin 1 or CSF bin 2 only if

using the optional cut sheet feeder.
When the printer is in SelecType
mode, this button is used to change
the SelecType settings as a
SELECTION button.

3-6 Using the Printer

 Operating the Control Panel

TEAR OFF: Press this button to feed the

perforation of continuous paper to
the tear-off edge of the printer.
After tearing off the paper, press
this button again to feed the paper
backward to the loading position.
See the short tear-off section in this
chapter for more information.
When the printer is in SelecType
mode, this button is used to change
the SelecType settings as a
SELECTION button.

MICRO FEED: The A button is used to feed the

paper slightly forward and the
button is used to feed the paper
slightly backward. This feature is
used to adjust the top of form
position, short tear-off position, or
loading position.

Using the Printer 3-7

Operating the Control Panel

SelecType: Press both the ON LINE and FORM

FEED buttons at the same time to
enter the SelecType mode. In the
SelecType mode, the FONT, PITCH,
PAPER SELECT, and TEAR OFF buttons
can be used as SelecType panel
buttons. The display lets you
monitor the SelecType settings. See
the section on SelecType in this
chapter for details.
CLEANING: When the printer is off line, press
both the ON LINE and LINE FEED
buttons at the same time to perform
print head cleaning. These buttons
also used to initiate a one time ink
charging routine during printer
setup.
RESET: Press both the ON LINE and
LOAD/EJECT buttons at the same time
to initialize the printer. This
cancels printer settings to defaults.
See the section on initializing the
settings in this chapter for more
information.

3-8 Using the Printer

 Operating the Control Panel

Other control panel features

Self test: By holding down the LINE FEED
button (for draft) or FORM FEED
button (for Letter Quality) while
you turn on the printer, you can
start the printer’s self test. The self
test printout lets you check the
current settings and operating
status of the printer. See the section
on testing the printer in Chapter 1
for more information.
Data dump: By holding down both the LINE FEED
and FORM FEED buttons while you
turn on the printer, you turn on the
data dump mode. This feature
allows advanced users to find the
cause of communication problems
between the computer and printer.
See the section on the data dump
mode in this chapter for details.

Using the Printer 3-9

SelecType Settings
SelecType
SelecType on the SQ-850 or SQ-2550 brings a new dimension to
printing. With SelecType you can control almost every aspect
of printer operation.
SelecType lets you:
l Set up to 16 printer settings
l Choose among the printer’s ten built-in fonts
l Monitor the printer’s settings with the LCD display
l Change the printer’s default settings without DIP switches

Using SelecType
To enter SelecType mode, press both the ON LINE and FORM FEED
buttons at the same time.

ON LINE FORM FEED

Note: You can exit the SelecType by pressing these two

buttons once more.

When the printer is in SelecType mode, you can use four

buttons (FONT, PITCH, PAPER SELECT, and TEAR OFF buttons) to
change the printer settings: the MENU items are selected by the
FONT or PITCH button and the SELECTION options are selected by
the PAPER SELECT or TEAR OFF button.

3-10 Using the Printer

 SelecType Settings

The possible settings are listed below.

FONT Draft, Roman, Sans Serif,
Courier, Prestige, Script,
OCR-B, OCR-H, Orator, Orator-S

PITCH 10CPI, 12CPI, 15CPI*, I7CPI,

20CPI, Propo.(Proportional)*
* Some fonts cannot be printed in
15 CPI and/or proportional
spacing. In such case, the
pertinent pitch is not displayed.
LINE SPACING 1/6inch, 1/8 inch
PAGE Tracror* 24 to 132 LINE
PAGE CSF BN1* 24 to 132 LINE

PAGE CSF BN2* 24 to 132 LINE

* The line spacing is in 1/6th of
an inch units.
1’ SKIP On, Off

AUTO TEAR OFF On, Off

LEFT MARGIN 0 to 45 columns (SQ-850)

0 to 80 columns (SQ-2550)
RIGHT MARGIN 1 to 80 columns (SQ-850)
1 to 136 columns (SQ-2550)
* The column spacing is based on
a pitch of 10 cpi.
CG TABLE Italic, Graphic, Download

Using the Printer 3-11

SelecType Settings

COUNTRY USA, France, Germany, UK

Denmark 1, Sweden, Italy,
Spain 1, Japan, Norway, Denmark
2, Spain 2, Latin America,
Korea, Legal
PRINT DIR Bi-D, Uni-D
INTERFACE Parallel, Serial
BAUD RATE* 300BPS, 600BPS, 1200BPS,
2400BPS, 4800BPS, 9600BPS,
19200BPS
* This option is displayed only
when the INTERFACE option is
set to Serial.
PARITY* None, E v e n , Odd, Ignore
* This option is displayed only
when the INTERFACE option is
set to Serial.
AUTO LINE FEED On, Off

DC1/DC3 Enable, Disable

The SQ comes with preset default values, which can be printed
out using the self test.

3-12 Using the Printer

 SelecType Settings

l INTERFACE: If your computer has a serial interface, you

need to change the interface setting to Serial. If you are
using an optional interface board, be sure that the interface
setting is Parallel, regardless of the actual type of
interface you installed. See the section on interface boards
in Chapter 5 for more information.
l BAUD RATE, PARITY: Set these only if you are using the
serial interface. These options do not display in SelecType
unless the interface is set to Serial. Check your computer
manual for the correct baud rate and parity settings. Your
computer and printer must have the same baud rate and
parity in order to communicate properly.
l AUTO LINE FEED: This setting should remain at its default
value (Off) in most cases. Most applications send automatic
line feeds at the end of every line. If all of the lines are
printing on top of each other, then set AUTO LINE FEED to
On.

l DC1/DC3: This setting should also be left at its default value

(Disable) in most cases. See the explanation of these codes
in Chapter 9 for more information.

Using the Printer 3-13

SelecType Settings

Changing the SelecType settings

The following example describes the procedure for changing the
CG TABLE option, but the other options can also be changed in
the same manner.
1. Press the ON LINE and FORM FEED buttons at the same time to
enter SelecType so that the display shows FONT xxx (xxx is
the current selected font).

3-14 Using the Printer

 SelecType Settings

2. Press the FONT button (or PITCH button) until the dispaly on
the LCD changes to CG TABLE Italic.

3. Press the PAPER SELECT or TEAR OFF button several times

until the right half of display changes to Graphic.

Using the Printer 3-15

SelecType Settings

Note:
l The settings changed by SelecType do not come into effect

until the printer is initialized. Initialize (reset) the printer

after changing any of the settings with SelecType.
l The following options are described in more detail later in

this chapter: PAGE LENGTH, 1” SKIP, AUTO TEAR OFF,

FONT, PITCH, COUNTRY, and CG TABLE.

Initializing the settings

To make your new SelecType settings effective, the printer
needs to be initialized before printing. Your printer has a
special control panel feature that allows you to initialize the
printer’s settings without having to turn off the printer. It also
allows you to conserve your ink supply, because it does not
activate the print head cleaning cycle.
After changing the SelecType settings, press both the ON LINE
and LOAD/EJECT buttons at the same time.

3-16 Using the Printer

 SelecType Settings

You can also initialize the printer by using the software

command (ESC @) or by turning off the printer. See the section
on initialization in Chapter 7 for more information.

Using the Printer 3-17

Page Length
The SelecType function also enables you to set the page length
of paper used with the tractor feeding system or the cut sheet
feeder. The page length can be set in 1/6th of an inch units
within a range of 24 lines to 132 lines. Be sure that the page
length is correctly set for the type of paper you are using. If
you are using the cut sheet feeder, the page length is
automatically set and memorized when you run the printer’s
built-in self test. However, you can use this SelecType feature
to override this setting.
To set the page length using SelecType, follow the steps in the
Using SelecType section earlier in this chapter.

3-18 Using the Printer

Skip Over Perforation
By adjusting the SelecType 1” SKIP option, you can set skip
over perforation to ON or OFF. If this feature is ON when you
use continuous paper, a one-inch margin is provided between
the last printed line on one page and the initial printable line on
the next page so that the printer skips over the perforation.
This feature is very convenient if your application program
does not provide top and bottom margins.
If you adjust your loading position to the proper point, you can
get half of the margin at the bottom of one page and half at the
top of the next page as shown in the following illustration.
1" SKIP Off (Skip over perforation OFF)

Using the Printer 3-19

Skip Over Perforation

1” SKIP On (Skip over perforation ON)

To set skip over perforation to provide a one-inch margin using

SelecType, turn on the 1” SKIP option by following the steps in
the Using SelecType section earlier in this chapter.

Note: Most application programs take care of top and bottom

margins. Therefore, do not turn on skip over perforation
unless your program does not provide these margins.

3-20 Using the Printer

Adjusting the Loading Position
The Loading Position
The loading position is the position of the paper when it has
been automatically loaded by the printer.
The loading position is important because it determines where
the printing begins on each page. If the printing is too high or
too low on the page, change the loading position using the
micro-adjustment feature described below.
Separate loading positions can be set for single sheets,
continuous paper, and sheets loaded by the cut sheet feeder.

WARNING: Never use the platen knob for paper

feeding except in case of a paper jam or other paper
feeding problem. Use of the platen knob while the
printer is on may affect the loading and short tear-off
positions. If you need to adjust the loading position,
always use the micro-adjustment feature.

Until this loading position is reset, the printer remembers this

loading position and uses it as a reference point for feeding the
paper.
The micro-adjustment feature moves the paper 1/180th of an
inch at a time to make fine adjustments of the loading position.
Once you have used micro-adjustment to change the loading
position of continuous paper, the printer remembers that
position even after you turn off or initialize the printer.
However, the printer does not remember the loading position
for friction or cut sheet feeder mode.

Using the Printer 3-21

Adjusting the Loading Position

Adjusting the loading position

To adjust the loading position, follow these steps:

1. Load your paper.

2. Press the MICRO FEED button (the A button or button).
The display shows TOF ADJUST (TOF stands for top of
form).

3. Press the button A to feed the paper forward or the button

to feed the paper backward.

Note: The printer beeps when the paper reaches a position

that is approximately 8.5 mm from the top edge of the paper.
You can use this position as a reference point when adjust the
printer’s loading position.

3-22 Using the Printer

Short Tear-off
What happens in short tear-off mode
There are two ways of operating the short tear-off feature. One
way is to set the AUTO TEAR OFF option with SelecType.
When you have finished printing and if the perforation is at the
top of form position, the printer automatically feeds the
perforation of the continuous paper to the tear-off edge of the
paper bail so you can tear off the last printed sheet. When you
resume printing, the paper automatically feeds back to the
loading position. See the SelecType section in this chapter for
instructions on setting the AUTO TEAR OFF option.
The other way of operating the short tear-off feature is by using
the TEAR OFF button on the control panel to feed the perforation
of your continuous paper to the tear-off edge of the printer.
After tearing off the paper, press the TEAR OFF button again to
feed the paper backward to the loading position.

WARNING: Do not use the tear-off feature when you

print labels. Make sure that the SelecType AUTO
TEAR OFF setting is off. Otherwise, labels may come
off the backing and jam the printer.

Using the Printer 3-23

Short Tear-Off

The short tear-off feature operated by the TEAR OFF button is

described below.
1. When you have finished printing, press the TEAR OFF button
once to feed the perforation of your page forward to the
tear-off edge of the paper bail.

2. Tear off the page using the tear-off edge of the paper bail.

3-24 Using the Printer

 Short Tear-Off

Note: If the perforation of the paper does not meet the

tear-off edge, adjust the tear-off position of the paper with
the micro-adjustment feature described on the next page.

3. Press the TEAR OFF button again to reverse-feed the paper to

its loading position.

Using the Printer 3-25

Short Tear-Off

Adjusting the tear-off position

If you need to adjust the tear-off position of the perforation to
meet the tear-off edge, use the micro-adjustment feature. The
same procedure can be used regardless of whether you set the
tear-off position using SelecType or with the TEAR OFF button.
1. Be sure that the TEAR OFF light is on, then press the MICRO
FEED button . The display shows TEAR OFF
ADJUST.

3-26 Using the Printer

 Short Tear-Off

2. Adjust the tear-off position in 1/180th of an inch increments

by pressing the button A to feed the paper forward or the
button to feed it backward.

CAUTION: The short tear-off feature can only be used

with the built-in tractor feeding system.

When you press the TEAR OFF button or resume printing after
tearing off the sheet, the paper automatically feeds backward to
the loading position before printing begins.
Once you use the micro-adjustment feature to set the tear-off
position, the printer remembers that position even after it is
turned off.

Using the Printer 3-27

Selecting Typestyles
Your printer can produce a wide range of typestyles by using
different character fonts, character spacings, widths, and other
print variations. You can select typestyles in three different
ways: by using software commands, by using SelecType, or by
using other features available on the control panel.
This section describes how to select a typestyle using the FONT
and PITCH buttons on the control panel. The settings you select
using these buttons do not remain valid once the printer is
turned off. Also, commands from your application program
temporarily override these control panel settings.

Character fonts
Your printer has ten built-in character fonts. To select a font,
hold down the FONT button until the display shows the desired
font.

FONT

3-28 Using the Printer

 Selecting Typestyles

The following samples show the character set available for each
font.

We've just seen your excellent ad for

miniature zebras in a recent back issue of
Trader's Times. What is the price schedule
for quantities over one gross?
SANS SERIF

We’ve just seen your excellent ad for

miniature zebras in a recent back issue of
Trader’s Times. What is the price schedule
for quantities over one gross?

Using the Printer 3-29

Selecting Typestyles

COURIER

We've just seen your excellent ad for

miniature zebras in a recent back issue of
Trader's Times. W h a t i s t h e p r i c e s c h e d u l e
for quantities over one gross?
PRESTIGE

We've just seen your excellent ad for

miniature zebras in a recent back issue of
Trader's Times. What is the price schedule
for quantities over one gross?

We've just seen your excellent ad for

miniature zebras in a recent back issue 0f
Trader's Times. What is the price schedule
for quantities over one gross?

3-30 Using the Printer

 Selecting Typestyles

We've
just seen your excellent ad for
miniature zebras in a recent back issue of
Trader's Times. What is the price schedule
for quantities over one gross?

OCR-B

We've just seen your excellent ad for

m i n i a t u r e z e b r a s in a recent back issue of
Trader's Times. What is the price schedule
for ' quantities over one gross?

ORATOR

MINIATURE ZEBRAS IN A RECENT BACK ISSUE OF

T R A D E R ' S T I M E S. WH A T I S T H E P R I C E S C H E D U L E
FOR QUANTITIES OVER ONE GROSS?

Using the Printer 3-31

Selecting Typestyles

ORATOR-S

We've just seen your excellent ad for

miniature zebras in a recent back issue of
Trader's Times, What is the price schedule
for quantities over one gross?
Draft mode uses fewer dots per character for high-speed
printing, which makes it ideal for rough drafts.
The other fonts are printed in Letter Quality (LQ) mode. Letter
Quality fonts take a little longer to print, but produce fully
formed characters for presentation-quality documents.
The use of the OCR-A or OCR-B font permits printouts to be
read by an optical reader (also known as a document reader)
for input into another computer.
The sample printouts of OCR-A and OCR-B are useful as a
comparison with other font samples. However, print
enhancements such as bolding and underlining cannot be read
by an actual optical reader.

3-32 Using the Printer

Character spacing
For most of the ten built-in fonts, you can choose a character
spacing of 10, 12, 15, 17, 20 characters per inch (cpi), or
proportional spacing.
To select a spacing, press the PITCH button until the display
shows the desired spacing.

PITCH

Some of the fonts do not offer all character spacings. See the
table below.

Draft 10. 12, 15, 17, 20,

Roman 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
Sans Serif 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
Courier I0, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
Prestige 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportioanl
Script IO, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
OCR-A 10, 12, 17, 20, Proportional
OCR-B 10, 12, 17, 20, Proportional
Orator 10, 12, 17, 20,‘Proportional
Orator-S 10, 12, 17, 20, Proporitonal

The following printout compares the fixed character spacing

settings.

This is 10 cpi printing.

This is 12 cpi printing.
This is 15 cpi printing.
This is 17 cpi printing,
This is 20 cpi printing,

Using the Printer 3-33

Selecting Typestyles

For the fixed pitch settings (10, 12, 15, 17 and 20 cpi), each
character is given an equal amount of space. For proportional
spacing, character width varies from one character to the next.
For example, a narrow letter like i receives less space than a
wide letter like W.
The following printout compares 10 cpi (a fixed spacing)
printing with proportional spacing.

This is 10 cpi printing.

This is proportional spacing.

3-34 Using the Printer

Selecting an International Character Set
The capability to select an international character set provides
you with a range of characters and symbols used in other
languages. By using the SelecType COUNTRY option, you can
select one of fifteen international character sets.

International character set

Country ASCII code (hex)

23 24 40 5B 5C 5D 5E 60 7B 7C 7D 7E
0 U.S.A.
1 France
2 Germany

3 U.K.
4 Denmark 1
5 Sweden
6 Italy
7 Spain 1
8 Japan
9 Norway
10 Denmark 2
11 Spain 2
12 Latin America
13 Korea
64 Legal

To select the desired international character set using SelecType,

set the COUNTRY option by following the steps in the
SelecType section earlier in this chapter.

Using the Printer 3-35

Choosing a Character Table
The SelecType CG TABLE setting lets you select the italics
character table, the EPSON Extended Graphics character table,
or the download character table. (CG stands for Character
Generator.)
The EPSON Extended Graphics character table contains
graphics characters (for printing lines, corners, and shaded
area), international accented characters, Greek characters, and
mathematic symbols.
If you have an IBM® or compatible computer, select the EPSON
Extended Graphics table when you wish to print the graphics
characters as they are displayed on the screen. Since the
character table setting only affects the upper half of the
character table, you can still print text if you have selected the
EPSON Extended Graphics character table.
To print the user-defined characters that you have defined
previously., select the download character table. Also, you can
still print italics if you use the proper software command (refer
to the ESC t and ESC 4 commands in Chapter 9).

Note: See the Appendix for more information on character

tables.

3-36 Using the Printer

 Choosing a Character Table

Sample printouts of the italic characters and the EPSON

Extended Graphics characters are shown below.
Italics

EPSON Extended Graphics

To select the italic character table, EPSON Extended Graphics

character table, or Download character table using SelecType,
set the CG TABLE option by following the steps in the
SelecType section earlier in this chapter.

Using the Printer 3-37

Data Dump Mode
Your printer has a special feature to make it easy for
experienced users to find the cause of communication problems
between the printer and application programs. In data dump
mode, an exact printout of the codes reaching the printer is
produced.
1. To enter the data dump mode, hold down the FORM FEED
and LINE FEED buttons at the same time while you turn on
the printer.

FORM FEED LINE FEED

3-38 Using the Printer

 Data Dump Mode

2. Run either an application program or one you have written

in any programming language. Your printer prints all the
codes sent to the printer in hexadecimal format as shown
below.

3. To turn off the data dump mode, press the ON LINE button to
take the printer off line, and then turn off the printer. (The
data dump mode can also be cancelled by sending an INIT
signal from the computer.)

Using the Printer 3-39

Data Dump Mode

Look at the data dump printout shown in Step 2. By comparing

the characters printed in the right column with the printout of
hexadecimal codes, you can check what codes are being sent to
the printer. If characters are printable, they appear as their true
ASCII characters. Nonprintable codes, such as control codes,
are represented by dots.
As an example of how to interpret a data dump printout, look
at the first three hexadecimal codes on the third line of the
printout sample (20 20 54). Each hexadecimal code (20)
represents a space, while the hexadecimal code (54) represents
the letter T. Check the third line of the right column and you
will find the letter T preceded by two spaces.
The chart below interprets part of the first line of codes:

Hex codes Command Function

1B 40 ESC @ Initialize printer
1B 5200 ESC R0 Select USA character set
1B 7401 ESC t 1 Select EPSON Extended Graphics character
1B 36 ESC 6 Enable printable characters
12 DC2 Cancel condensed mode
lB 50 ESC P Select 1O cpi
1B 7000 ESC p 0 Cancel proportional mode

3-40 Using the Printer

Chapter 4
Software and Graphics

Enhancing Your Printing ...................................................... 4-2

Character spacing ............................................................... 4-2
Character size ...................................................................... 4-3
Special effects and emphasis ........................................... 4-4
Selecting typestyles with Master Select ........................ 4-7

Graphics .................................................................................... 4-9

The print head ..................................................................... 4-10
The graphics command ..................................................... 4-13
Column reservation numbers .......................................... 4-14
A simple graphics program ............................................. 4-15
Using hand-calculated data to print graphics ............. 4-16
Individual graphics option commands ......................... 4-19
The reassigning command ................................................ 4-20

User-defined Characters ....................................................... 4-21

Designing your characters ................................................ 4-21
Defining your characters .................................................. 4-23
Sending information to your printer ............................. 4-25
Printing user-defined characters ..................................... 4-27
Copying ROM characters to RAM ................................. 4-28
Letter Quality characters .................................................. 4-29

Software and Graphics 4-l

Enhancing Your Printing
You can obtain a wide variety of printing effects with the
SQ-850 or SQ-2550, from changing the number of characters
printed per inch to using special effects or adding emphasis to
selected words and phrases. This section gives you a sampling
of the features you may want to select with your software.
For software control of these features, see the instructions for
your application program or look up their specific commands in
the Command Summary in Chapter 9.

Character spacing
To add greater variety to your documents, the SQ-850 and
SQ-2550 have five pitches as well as proportional spacing. All
six can be selected with a software command, or by SelecType
or panel setting (see Chapter 3).
For many of the built-in fonts, you can choose a character
spacing of 10, 12, 15, 17 or 20 characters per inch (cpi), or
proportional spacing. The printout below compares the five
pitches.

This is 10 cpi printing.

This is 12 cpi printing.
This is 15 cpi printing.
This is 17 cpi printing,
This is 20 cpi printing,

As shown above, 15 cpi characters are only about two-thirds the

height of 10 and 12 cpi characters. This makes 15 cpi
particularly useful when you want to separate certain material
from the main text.

4-2 Software and Graphics

 Enhancing Your Printing

In 10, 12, and 15 cpi, each character is given the same amount
of space. The width of proportional spacing, however, varies
from character to character. Therefore, a narrow letter like i
receives less space than a wide letter like W. The width of each
proportional character is given in the Appendix.
The following printout compares 10 cpi spacing with
proportional spacing.

This is 10 cpi printing.

This is proportional spacing.

Proportional spacing is not available in draft mode.

Character size
In addition to the basic pitches and proportional spacing, the
SQ-850 and SQ-2550 offer three other modes that can change the
size of your printing. These modes are double-width,
double-height, and condensed.

Double-width and double-height

The double-width mode doubles the width of any size
character, while the double-height mode doubles the height of
any size character. These modes are useful for emphasizing
headings in reports and making displays, but are usually not
suitable for large amounts of text. These modes can also be
combined to obtain even more impressive printing results.
This is normal 10 cpi printing.
T h i s i s d o u b l e - w i d t h

This is double-height,
This is double-width
and double-height.
Software and Graphics 4-3
Enhancing Your Printing

Condensed
Both 10 and 12 cpi printing can be reduced to about 60% of
their normal width using the condensed mode. This mode is
particulary useful for printing wide spreadsheets because
condensed 12 cpi allows you to print up to 272 characters on an
13.6-inch line.
Condensed can be selected with a software command.

Condensed 10 cpi gives you characters an a line,

Condensed 12 cpi gives even more,

Widening or narrowing the characters also widens or narrows

the space between words and letters. Because word processors
usually create a left margin by printing spaces, you may need to
change the number of characters on a line to keep the margins
correct if you change width.

Note: 15 cpi, 17 cpi and 20 cpi can not be condensed.

Special effects and emphasis

The SQ-850 and SQ-2550 have a number of features for those
extra effects required either for emphasis or for special printing
requirements. These features can be controlled directly by
software commands. Many application programs can also
produce these effects. Refer to your application program for
detail.

4-4 Software and Graphics

 Enhancing Your Printing

Emphasized and double-strike printing

Emphasized and double-strike give your printing added
emphasis. In emphasized mode, the SQ-850 and SQ-2550 print
each character twice as the print head moves across the paper,
with the second character offset slightly to the right of the first.
This process produces darker, more fully formed characters.
In double-strike mode, the print head goes over each line twice,
making the text bolder. For even greater boldness, emphasized
and double-strike can be combined. The following samples
show the different effects you can achieve both alone and in
combination.

This is ROMAN printing.

This is ROMAN, emphasized.
This is ROMAN, double-strike.
This is ROMAN, with both.

Italic printing
You can select the italic character table by SelecType setting or
select the italic mode by using the ESC 4 software command. A
sample of italic printing is shown below.

This is ROMAN printing.

This is ROMAN italics.

Software and Graphics 4-5

Enhancing Your Printing

Overlining, strike-through, and underlining

The overline, strike-through, and underline modes are useful
for highlighting selected text. This feature can be used to score
text, spaces, subscripts, and superscripts without a break. You
can choose from a variety of line styles including: single,
double, broken, or continuous. Many word processors may not
be able to take advantage of all these features. If this is the
case, see the ESC ( - command in Chapter 9 for more
information.
This is continuous underlining.

This-is-broken-overlInlng.
Superscripts and Subscripts
Superscripts and subscripts can be used for printing footnote
numbers and mathematical formulas. The example below
shows underlining, superscripts, and subscripts combined in a
mathematical formula.

average = (a1 + a2 + . . . . . . . . . . + an )
n

Outline and shadow

The outline and shadow features are useful for adding variation
and emphasis to text that you wish to stand out, such as
headings. The following samples show the shadow and outline
features individually, plus a combination of outline with
shadow.

4-6 Software and Graphics

 Enhancing Your Printing

Selecting typestyles with Master Select

Your printer has a special ESCape code called Master Select that
allows you to choose many possible combinations of nine
different modes: 10 cpi, 12 cpi, proportional, condensed,
emphasized, double-strike, double-width, italics, and underline.
For more information on sending ESCape codes to your printer,
refer to Chapter 9.

The format of the Master Select code is shown below:

ASCII code: ESC ! n

Decimal: 27 33 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 21 n

The variable n is a number that identifies the mode or

combination of modes. To find the value of n, use the table
below to add up either the decimal or hexadecimal numbers for
the features you want.

Feature Dec. Hex.

10 cpi 0 00
12 cpi 1 01
proportional 2 02
condensed 4 04
emphasized 8 08
double-strike 16 10
double-width 32 20
italics 64 40
underline 128 80

Software and Graphics 4-7

Enhancing Your Printing

For example, to print a title, you may want to use double-width

12 cpi characters and print them in double-strike mode. You
would add three numbers together to calculate the value of n:

12 cpi 1
Double-strike 16
Double-width 32
n = 49

After calculating the value of n, you would use the Master

Select command to send the value to the printer.

ASCII code: ESC ! 1

Decimal: 27 33 49
Hexadecimal: 1B 21 31

The print quality and font must be set separately, either using
SelecType or the ESC x and ESC k commands. There are two
more things to consider when using the Master Select command:
l Master Select cancels any of the listed features that you do
not try to set. For example, if you have already set a
character width other than 10 cpi, and you use Master Select
to set emphasized double-strike, the character width is reset
to 10 cpi.
l Proportional overrides 10, 12, and 15 cpi.

4-8 Software and Graphics

Graphics
The dot graphics mode allows your printer to produce pictures,
graphs, charts, or almost any other graphics you can think of.
Because many commercial software programs use graphics, you
may be able to print pictures and graphs like the ones on this
page and the next by simply giving your software a few
instructions.
The quickest and easiest way to print graphics on your printer
is to use a commercial graphics program. With such programs
you usually create an image on your monitor and then give a
command to send the image to the printer.
If you use commercial software that produces graphics, all you
need to know about dot graphics is how to use the software. If,
on the other hand, you wish to do your own programming or
merely wish to understand how the printer prints graphics,
read on.

Software and Graphics 4-9

Graphics

Income Breakdown

The print head

To understand dot graphics you need to know a little about
how your printer’s print head works.

The printer has a 24-element print head. On the SQ, these

elements are ink nozzles. Electrical impulses cause the nozzles
to transfer ink to the paper to produce a pattern of small dots.
As the head moves across the paper, the nozzles fire time after
time in different patterns to produce letters, numbers, or
symbols.
Because the dots overlap each other both horizontally and
vertically in the Letter Quality mode, it is difficult to see
individual dots. Instead, the letters and symbols seem to be
made of unbroken lines.
In order for the dots to overlap vertically, the nozzles in the
print head are in more than one column, but the intelligence of
the printer handles the timing of nozzle firings so that the effect
is that of 24 nozzles arranged in a single vertical column.

4-10 Software and Graphics

 Graphics

Dot patterns
Your printer’s print head is able to print graphics as well as text
because graphic images are formed on the printer about the
same way that pictures in newspapers and magazines are
printed. If you look closely at a newspaper photograph, you
can see that it is made up of many small dots. Your printer
also forms its images with patterns of dots, as many as 360 dot
positions per inch horizontally and 180 dots vertically. The
images printed by the printer can, therefore, be as finely
detailed as the ones at the beginning of this section.

Eight-element graphics
So that it is compatible with the many programs written for
such printers such as the EPSON FX, RX, LX, and EX series, the
printer has an S-element graphics mode with six densities.
Although this mode uses only one third of the printer’s nozzles,
it produces good quality graphics and allows you to use the
many programs written for 8-element graphics.

Twenty-four-element graphics
The graphics mode that takes full advantage of the printer’s
print head is 24-element graphics. It has five densities, but for
simplicity this explanation will begin with only one of them,
triple-density.
Triple-density prints up to 180 dots per inch horizontally. As
the print head moves across the paper, every 1/180th of an inch
it must receive instructions about which of its 24 nozzles to fire.
At each position it can fire any number of nozzles from none to’
24. This means that the printer must receive 24 bits of
information for each column it prints. Since the printer uses
8-bit bytes of information in its communication with a
computer, it needs three bytes of information for each position.

Software and Graphics 4-11

Graphics

Labeling the nozzles

To tell the printer which nozzles to fire in each column, you
first divide each of the vertical columns into three sections of
eight nozzles each and consider each section separately. Since
there are 256 possible combinations of the eight nozzles in each
section, you need a numbering system that allows you to use a
single number to specify which of the 256 possible patterns you
want. This numbering system is shown below:

To fire any one nozzle, you send its number. To fire more than
one nozzle at the same time, add up the numbers of the nozzles
and send the sum to the printer. With these labels for the
nozzles, you fire the top nozzle by sending 128. To fire the
bottom nozzle, you send 1. If you want to fire only the top and
bottom nozzles, you simply add 128 and 1, then send 129.
By adding the appropriate label numbers together, you can fire
any combination of nozzles. Shown below are three examples
of how to calculate the number that will fire a particular pattern
of nozzles.

4-12 Software and Graphics

 Graphics

With this numbering system, any combination of the eight

nozzles adds up to a decimal number between 0 and 255, and
no numbers are duplicated.
Since there are 24 nozzles in each column, you must make a
calculation for each of the three sections in each column. As
you can see, this method of planning and printing dot graphics
requires considerable calculation. Because triple-density uses
180 columns per inch, printing a single line of triple-density
graphics only one inch long requires 540 numbers. Fortunately,
commercial software can do the calculations for you.
Before you can put these numbers in a graphics program,
however, you need to know the format of the graphics
command.

The graphics command

The graphics mode command is quite different from the other
commands used by the printer. For most of the other printer
modes, such as emphasized and double-width, one ESCape
code turns the mode on and another turns it off. For graphics,
the command is more complicated because the code that turns
on a graphics mode also specifies how many columns it will
use. After the printer receives this code, it interprets the next
numbers as nozzle patterns and prints them on the paper.
Your printer has one command that allows you to use any of
the 11 graphics options. The format of the command is:

ESC * m n1 n 2 data

Software and Graphics 4-13

Graphics

In this command, m selects the graphics option and nl and n2

specify the number of columns to reserve for graphics. The
available graphics options are listed below.

Option Elements m Horiz.density

dots/in.
Single-density ! 8 0 60
Double-density 8 1 120
High-speed double-density* 8 2 120
Quadruple-density* 8 3 240
CRT I 8 4 80
-...
CRT II 8 6 90
Single-density 24 32 60
Double-density 24 33 120
CRT III 24 38 90 1
Triple-density 24 39 180
Hex-density* 24 40 360
* Adjacent dots cannot be printed in this mode

Column reservation numbers

The graphics command requires more than one number to
specify how many columns to reserve because one line can use
thousands of columns, but the printer does not use numbers
larger than 255 decimal. Therefore, the graphics mode
command uses two numbers for reserving columns.
To figure nl and n2, divide the total number of columns by 256.
The result is n2; the remainder is nl. Since the command is set
up for two numbers, you must supply two even if you need
only one. When you need fewer than 256 columns, just make
nl the number of columns you are reserving and make n2 a
zero.

4-14 Software and Graphics

 Graphics

For example, if you wish to send 1632 columns of graphics data,

nl should be 96 and n2 should be 6 because 1632 = 96 + 6 x 256.
The printer will interpret the number of bytes determined by nl
and n2 as graphics data, no matter what codes they are. This
means that you must be sure to supply enough bytes of
graphics data or the printer will stop and wait for more data
and will seem to be locked. If, on the other hand, you supply
too much graphics data, the excess will be interpreted and
printed as regular text.

A simple graphics program

This first program is just a simple example to show you how
the graphics command, column reservation numbers, and data
can be used in a BASIC program.
Type in and run the following program; be especially careful to
include both semicolons. The program produces the printout
you see below it.
10 WIDTH "LPT1:",255
20 LPRINT CHR$(27)"*"CHR$(32)CHR$ (40)CHR$ (0) ;
30 FOR X=1 TO 120
40 LPRINT CHR$(170);
50 NEXT X

Line 20 selects single-density 24-element graphics mode 32 and

also reserves 40 columns for graphics. Since 24-element
graphics requires three bytes of data for each column, line 30
begins a loop to supply 120 bytes of data. Line 40 contains the
number 170, which produces the first element pattern shown in
the section on nozzle labels, and line 50 finishes the loop.

Software and Graphics 4-15

Graphics

Using hand-calculated data to print graphics

With what you know now, you can use the simplest application
of graphics - using hand-calculated data to print graphic
images. While this method is the most tedious, it helps you
understand dot graphics. Also, it is useful for small graphic
elements that are used many times.
The illustration below shows how you can use a grid to plan
where you want dots to be printed. This grid is for a single
line of graphics 42 columns long. Since each line of 24-element
graphics is approximately 1/8th of an inch high and since
triple-density graphics prints 180 dots per inch horizontally, a
design planned on this figure will be about 1/8th of an inch
high and less than 1/4th of an inch wide.

The actual pattern that the printer prints on the paper is, of
course, made up of dots that overlap each other both vertically
and horizontally. The reason the planning grid uses an X for
each dot is that using an accurate representation of the dots
makes calculating the data numbers difficult because they cover
each other. Therefore, remember that each X represents the
center of a dot, and the dots actually overlap each other.

4-16 Software and Graphics

 Graphics

Write the assigned values of the nozzles next to your design

and then total the values for each column of dots. These totals
are the values that will be sent to the printer as graphics data to
print the design.
Below is shown the same grid divided into three sections to
make the data calculation easier. At the bottom of each section
of each column is the total of the nozzle numbers for that
section. This gives you a total of 126 data numbers necessary to
print this small figure.

Software and Graphics 4-17

Graphics

Here is the BASIC program that prints the design shown on the
previous pages. Notice that the data numbers in lines 80-140
are the same numbers that you see in the last illustration. Also
note that the WIDTH statement in line 10 is for IBM PC BASIC;
the format may be different for your system.
10 WIDTH "LPT1:",255
20 LPRINT CHR$(27)"*"CHR$(39)CHR$(42)CHR$(0);
30 FOR X=1 TO 126
40 READ N
50 LPRINT CHR$(N);
60 NEXT X
70 LPRINT
80 DATA 0,0,63,0,0,127,0,0,255,0,3,255,0,15,255,0,31~255
90 DATA 0,127,255,0,255,255,1,255,255,3,255,255,7,255,255,15,
255,255
100 DATA 31,255,254,31,255,252,31,255,248,31,255,240,31,255,
224,31,255,192
110 DATA 31,255,0,31,252,0,31,240,0,31,224,0,31,128,0,31,240,0
120 DATA 31,255,192,28,255,224,28,127,240,28,15,248,30,0,252,

In this program, line 20 assigns the graphics option (24-element

triple-density) with code 39. Code 42 sets the number of nozzle
columns at 42. Lines 80-140 contain 126 bytes of data (42 nozzle
columns X 3 bytes) for each nozzle column. Lines 30-60 print
the design that you see below.

Notice that the dots overlap quite a bit. This design was
printed using the triple-density 24-element graphics option
because the density is the same 180 dots to the inch in both
directions.

4-18 Software and Graphics

 Graphics

Adding the following lines to the preceding program will cause

the pattern to print 10 times in a row as shown below.

15 FOR C=l TO 10: RESTORE

65 NEXT C

Individual graphics option commands

As previously mentioned, your printer responds to commands
that are used by EPSON FX, RX, LX, and EX series printers.
There are four individual graphics option commands that are
very much the same as the ESC * command, but each one works
for only one graphics option. All these commands are
g-element graphics options. Note that these commands contain
one less variable than the ESC * command because they don’t
need to select a graphics option.

They are shown below:

Command Function ESC * Format

ESC K Single-density ESC * 0

ESC Z Qluadruple-density 1 ESC * 3

Software and Graphics 4-19

Graphics

The reassigning command

The SQ has a command that allows you to change the graphics
option assigned to any of the four individual graphics options
commands.
The command looks like this:
ESC ? s m
The letter s represents the command that you wish to change
the assignment for (K, L, Y, or Z) and m is the number of the
graphics option that you want to assign to it. For example, to
change the ESC K command to use the CRT I graphics option,
the command in BASIC is:
LPRINT CHR$(27>;“?“;“K”;CHR(4)
This is a quick way to change the aspect ratio of the design that
you are printing. Changing the graphics option will change the
width without changing the height. You should, however,
make this change with caution.
If you change one of the S-element graphics options to a
24-element graphics option without changing the program that
supplies the graphics data, you will print garbage if the
program prints at all. Remember, the 24-element graphics
options require three times as much graphics data as the
S-element graphics options.

4-20 Software and Graphics

User-defined Characters
With this printer, it is possible to define and print characters of
your own design. You can design an entirely new alphabet or
typeface, create characters for special applications such as
mathematical or scientific symbols, or create graphic patterns
with user-defined characters to serve as building blocks for
larger designs.
Below you can see samples of typefaces created with the
user-defined character function.

You can make the task of defining characters easier by using a

commercial software program that assists you in creating
characters or simply supplies you with sets of characters
already created. Also, some popular commercial software
programs take advantage of the printer’s user-defined character
function to enhance printouts. (These characters are called
download characters in some programs.)
The standard characters are stored in the printer’s Read Only
Memory (ROM), and the user-defined characters are stored in
the printer’s Random Access Memory (RAM).

Designing your characters

User-defined characters are like dot graphics because you send
the printer precise instructions on where you want each dot
printed. In fact, planning a user-defined character is like
planning a small dot graphics pattern.

Software and Graphics 4-21

User-defined Characters

Design grids
To design a character you use a grid that is 24 dots high - one
dot for each nozzle on your printer’s print head. The width of
the character matrix is dependent upon the character set in use.
For draft characters, the grid is nine dots wide. For Letter
Quality it is 29 dots wide, and for proportional characters it is
37 dots wide maximum, with the dots fot both Letter Quality
and proportional spaced more closely together than those for
draft.
The illustration below shows two grids for designing normal
height draft characters and proportional characters. The line at
the side labelled cap height indicates the top of a standard
capital letter, and the line labelled baseline indicates the
baseline for all letters except those with descenders (the bottom
parts of such letters as j and y). The bottom row is usually left
blank because it is used for underlining.
Letter quality / Proportional
Draft pica

The grid on the right side can be used for either Letter Quality
or proportional characters. For Letter Quality you do not use
all the columns.

4-22 Software and Graphics

 User-defined Characters

There is one restriction in designing characters. Dots in the

same row may not print in adjacent columns. That is, there
must be an empty dot position to the left and to the right of
each dot that prints. This is true in draft, Letter Quality, and
proportional.

Defining your characters

The first step in defining characters is to place the dots on a
grid just as you want them to print. The examples here, like the
ones in the graphics section, use an X to represent each dot.
In the illustration below, you see a draft grid with a simple
user-defined character planned on it.

Now you translate the dot pattern you’ve created on paper to a

numeric format so you can send the information to your
printer. Every dot has an assigned value. Each vertical column
which has a maximum of 24 dots is first divided into three
groups of eight dots. Each group of eight dots is represented
by one byte, which consists of eight bits. Hence, one bit
represents one dot.

Software and Graphics 4-23

User-defined Characters

Data numbers
The bits within each byte have values of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64,
and 128. In the vertical column of dots, the bits are arranged so
that the most significant bit (which has a value of 128) is at the
top and the least significant bit (which has a value of 1) is at the
bottom.
The next illustration shows how to use this method to calculate
the data numbers for the example character. On the left side of
the figure, the data numbers are calculated for the middle
column. The value of each byte is calculated by adding the
values of the rows where dots appear. The right side of the
figure shows the whole character with the three data numbers
for each column indicated at the bottom.
This manual uses decimal numbers because the example
programs in this manual are written in BASIC and everyone is
familiar with decimals. The data you send to your printer,
however, can be in any form (binary, decimal, hexadecimal) that
you can use with your programming language.

4-24 Software and Graphics

 User-defined Characters

Now you have seen how to design a character by placing dots

on a grid and translating the dots to decimal equivalents. The
last step in defining a character is to send this information to
the printer.

Sending information to your printer

The printer loads characters in the print style (Letter Quality,
draft, or proportional) that the printer is currently using. It also
records whether italic or script (either superscript or subscript)
is turned on. This means that if you want to print a character
in the italic mode, for example, you must have the italic mode
turned on when you define the character.
The command your printer uses to define characters is one of
the most complex in its repertoire. The format of the command
is this:
ESC & 0 nl n2 d0 dl d2 data
The ESC & is simple enough. The 0 (which is ASCII code 0, not
the numeral zero in quotation marks) allows for future
enhancements. At this time, it is always ASCII 0.
With your printer, you can define many characters with a sing l e
command. The values nl and n2 are the ASCII codes of the
first and last characters you are defining. If you are defining
only one character, n1 and n2 are the same. You can use any
codes between 0 and 127 decimal for nl and n2, but it is best
not to define decimal 0 to 32, which are the codes for control
codes. Also, you can use letters in quotation marks instead of
ASCII numbers for nl and n2.

Software and Graphics 4-25

User-defined Characters

An example will show how to specify nl and n2. If, for

instance, you wanted to redefine the characters A through Z, nl
would be A (or ASCII code 65) and n2 would be Z (or ASCII
code 90). So the command ESC & 0 AZ (followed by the
appropriate data) would replace the entire alphabet of capital
letters.
Following the specification of the range of characters to be
defined in this command are three data bytes (d0-d2) that
specify the width of the character and the space around it. The
left space (in dot columns) is specified by d0, and the right
space is specified by d2. The second byte (dl) specifies the
number of columns of dots that are printed to make up the
character. By varying the width of the character itself and the
spaces around it, you can create proportional-width characters
that print at draft speed. The table below shows the maximum
values for these bytes.

Mode d1 d0 + d1 + d2
(maximum) (maximum)
Draft 9 12
Letter Quality 10 cpi 29 36
Letter Quality 12 cpi 23 30
I

Proportional 37 42

The last part of the character definition is the actual data that
defines the dot patterns for each character. Since it takes three
bytes to specify the dots in one vertical column of dots, your
printer expects dl x 3 bytes of data to follow d2.
An example character definition program should make this clear:

10 LPRINT CHR$(27)"X0"
20 LPRINT CHR$(27)"&"CHR$(0);
30 LPRINT "@@";
40 LPRINT CHRS(1)CHRS(9)CHRS(1);
50 FOR I=1 TO 27

4-26 Software and Graphics

 User-defined Characters

60 READ A: LPRINT CHR$(A);

70 NEXT I
80 LPRINT "@@@@@"
90 LPRINT CHR$(27)"%"CHR$(l);
100 LPRINT "@@@@@"
110 LPRINT CHR$(27)"%"CHR$(~);
120 LPRINT "@@@@@"
130 END
140 DATA 1,0,0,2,0,0,4,0,0
150 DATA 8,0,0,23,255,240,8,0,0
160 DATA 4,0,0,2,0,0,~0,0

In line 10, the ESC x0 command selects draft style printing. The
actual character definition starts in line 20. The two at signs (@)
in line 30 represent nl and n2, the range of characters being
defined (in this case, a range of one). Line 40 contains d0, dl,
and d2.
The information about the actual character design which is
contained in the data statements at the end of the program is
sent to the printer in the loop between lines 50 and 70.

Note: When defining Letter Quality or proportional

characters in BASIC, put a WIDTH statement in your
program to prevent carriage return and line feed codes from
interfering with your definitions.

Printing user-defined characters

If you entered the example program above, you defined an
arrow and placed it in the RAM location for ASCII code 64
(replacing the at sign). You can now print out a three-line
sample of your work. The first and third lines (printed by lines
80 and 120 of the program) print the normal at sign; the second
line (line 100) prints the arrow that you defined.

Software and Graphics 4-27

User-defined Characters

Run the program to see the printout below:

As you can see, both sets of characters (the original ROM

characters that the printer normally uses and the user-defined
character set) remain in the printer available for your use. The
command to switch between the two sets is used in line 90 and
110. It is:
ESC % n
If n is equal to 0, the normal ROM character set is selected (this
is the default). If n is equal to 1, the user-defined character set
is selected. If you select the user-defined character set before
you have defined any characters, the command is ignored and
the ROM characters will still be in use.
You may switch between character sets at any time - even in the
middle of a line. To try it, place semicolons at the end of lines
80 and 100 in the program above.

Copying ROM characters to RAM

After running the program above, if you select the user-defined
character set and try to print other characters, the only one that
will print is the arrow. Since no other characters are in the
printer’s user-defined RAM area, nothing else prints. Other
characters sent to the printer do not even print as spaces; it is as
if they were not sent at all.
In many cases, you may want to redefine only a few of the
characters to suit your needs; the rest of the alphabet will work
fine as it is. As you have seen, it is possible to switch back and
forth at will between the normal character set and the
user-defined character set. It is, however, rather inconvenient.

4-28 Software and Graphics

 User-defined Characters

Therefore, your printer has a command which allows you to

copy all of the standard characters from ROM to the
user-defined character set.
The command format is as follows, where the value of n
represents the font family:
ESC: 0 n 0

Note: This command will cancel any user-defined characters

you have created. You must send this command to the
printer before you define characters.

If you use this command at the beginning of a program, then

define your special characters and select the user-defined
character set, you can print with the user-defined set as your
normal character set. You’ll never need to switch back and
forth between sets.

Letter Quality characters

If you select Letter Quality printing with the ESC xl command,
you can design user-defined characters using up to 29 columns
of the Letter Quality/Proportional grid. The dot columns are
spaced closer together horizontally than draft style dot columns
(the horizontal dot spacing is 1/360th of an inch as opposed to
1/120th of an inch for draft characters).

Proportional mode characters

Selecting the proportional character mode will yield
user-defined characters of the highest resolution. Characters
can be designed using all 37 columns of the Letter
Quality/Proportional grid.

Software and Graphics 4-29

User-defined Characters

Remember that in Letter Quality and proportional modes, as in

draft, you cannot place dots in adjacent columns. There must
be an empty dot position to the left and right of each dot that
prints.

Superscripts and subscripts

You can also create superscript and subscript user-defined
characters. Just as Letter Quality characters are defined when
the Letter Quality mode is selected, super/subscript characters
are created when either superscript or subscript is selected.
These super/subscript characters can be used either as
superscripts or as subscripts. The characters are exactly the
same; it is only their placement that differs. The difference
between super/subscript characters and regular characters is
that they are smaller. They are a maximum of 16 dots high and
their width in dot columns is shown in the table below:

Mode d1 d0 + d1 + d2
(maximum) (maximum)
Draft 7 12
Letter Quality 23 36
Proportional 23 42 I

4-30 Software and Graphics

 User-defined Characters

Since super/subscript characters are smaller, they do not

require as much information when you define them. When you
define super/subscript characters, you need only two bytes of
data for each vertical row of dots. Design grids for these
characters are shown in the figure below.

Software and Graphics 4-31

User-defined Characters

Mixing print styles

Each of the three user-defined character modes (draft, Letter
Quality, and proportional) can be used in combination with
most of your printer’s various print styles. For instance,
emphasized works with user-defined characters. The characters
you design are enhanced to give this printing effect.
Mixing the types of user-defined character sets is not permitted.
If, for example, you select draft and define some characters,
then select proportional and define some more, the first
character definitions will be destroyed. Only one type of
character definition may be stored in RAM at any time.
If you define characters in one mode, then switch to another
mode and select the user-defined character set, the command
will not be effective and the character in ROM will printed.
The user-defined character definitions, however, remain
unaffected. If you switch back to the mode in which they were
defined, you can then select and print them.
Keep in mind that user-defined characters are stored in RAM,
which is not permanent. Whenever the printer power is turned
off, or the printer is initialized with the INIT signal, the
user-defined characters are lost. (Some computers do this each
time BASIC is loaded.) ESC @, however, does not destroy
user-defined characters.

h-32 Software and Graphics

Chapter 5
Using Printer Options

The Cut Sheet Feeder ............................................................. 5-2

Installation ............................................................................ 5-2
Paper handling .................................................................... 5-4
Testing the printer in the cut sheet feeder mode ....... 5-8
Loading envelopes ............................................................. 5-10
Using the cut sheet feeder ................................................ 5-13
Switching between the cut sheet feeder and
continuous paper ............................................................ 5-15
Single sheet insertion ......................................................... 5-17
Removing the cut sheet feeder ........................................ 5-19

The Pull Tractor ...................................................................... 5-21

Installation ............................................................................ 5-21
Paper handling .................................................................... 5-24
Removing the pull tractor ................................................ 5-29

Interface Boards ...................................................................... 5-31

Choosing an interface ........................................................ 5-31
Compatible interfaces ........................................................ 5-31
Installing the interface board ........................................... 5-32
The #8143 new serial interface board ............................ 5-39

Using Printer Options 5-l

The Cut Sheet Feeder
The optional cut sheet feeders give you easier and more
efficient handling of single sheet paper.
Printer Single-bin Double-bin
SQ-850 C806081 C806091
SQ-2550 C806101 C806111
You can use the cut sheet feeder without removing continuous
paper. Up to 150 sheets of standard bond paper can be stacked
in each cut sheet feeder bin at one time, and a new sheet is
loaded automatically whenever required.

Installation
First, assemble the cut sheet feeder by following the instructions
provided in its accompanying manual.
The illustrations used in the following steps are of the C806111
double-bin cut sheet feeder. However, all cut sheet feeders
available for use with the SQ-850 and SQ-2550 install and
operate the same way.
1. Make sure that the printer is turned off. Then, remove the
paper guide and open the printer cover.

5-2 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

Note: If you plan to switch between cut sheet feeder use and
continuous paper, load continuous paper as described in
Chapter 2.

2. Hold the assembled cut sheet feeder in both hands and fit
its notches over the pins of the printer. Then lower the cut
sheet feeder unit onto the printer.

3. Close the printer cover.

Using Printer Options 5-3

The Cut Sheet Feeder

Paper handling
No matter which cut sheet feeder (CSF) bin you select, the
paper is loaded in the same way. The procedure for loading
CSF bin 1 (the front bin) is used in the following example. (The
C806081 and C806101 have only one bin.)
1. Slide the left paper guide until it stops at the ring shown in
the figure below.

2. Slide the right paper guide to roughly match the width of

your paper.
I

5-4 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

3. Pull the left and right paper set levers of the selected bin
forward until the paper guides retract and lock open to
allow for paper loading. Then pull up the two small levers
on the paper guides.

4. Take a stack of paper and fan it. Next, tap the paper on a
flat surface to even up the stack.

Using Printer Options 5-5

The Cut Sheet Feeder

5-6 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

7. Turn on the printer.

8. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer off line.

9. Press the PAPER SELECT button to change the display on the
LCD to CSF bin 1. Press the PAPER SELECT button again if
you wish to select CSF bin 2. If continuous paper is
loaded, the paper is reverse-fed.

Using Printer Options 5-7

The Cut Sheet Feeder

Testing the printer in the cut sheet feeder mode

When you perform the cut sheet feeder self test, the printer
counts the number of lines on the page and prints out this
number at the bottom of the first page, as shown on the next
page. The number of lines counted by the printer becomes the
default page length setting. This setting, however, can be
overridden by SelecType or by software commands.
The procedure for running the self test is the same as when the
cut sheet feeder mode is off.
1. Be sure a stack of paper is inserted in the selected bin of the
cut sheet feeder and that the printer is turned off.
2. While holding down the LINE FEED button (draft mode) or
FORM FEED button (LQ mode), turn on the printer.

5-8 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

The following figure shows part of the printout for the first
sheet of the draft mode self test. The printout of the second
sheet is similar to the original self test described in Chapter 1.

3. The self test continues until the paper runs out or until you
press the ON LINE button. To stop the test, press the ON LINE
button.
The Cut Sheet Leader

Note: To resume the test, press the ON LINE button once more.

4. To end the self test, if paper is loaded, press the FORM FEED
button to eject it. Then, turn off the printer.

Loading envelopes
Envelopes are loaded in much the same way as regular paper.

CAUTION: When printing envelopes using the

C806091 or C806111 cut sheet feeder, make sure to
load them into bin 1, never into bin 2.

1. Be sure that CSF bin 1 is selected by paper select, then slide

the left paper guide until it stops at the ring in the figure
below.

S-10 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

2. Slide the right paper guide to match the width of your

envelopes.

3. Pull the left and right paper levers forward and push down
on the two small levers until they lock into position.

Using Printer Options 5-11

The Cut Sheet Feeder

4. Take a stack of envelopes and fan it; then tap the stack on a
flap surface to even it up. Insert the envelopes into the
front bin. (You can stack up to 25 standard envelopes into
the bin. See the printer specifications section for more
information.)

5. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to load an envelope. Then

press the ON LINE button to start printing.

5-12 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

Using the cut sheet feeder

After stacking paper in the cut sheet feeder, be sure that the ON
LINE light is lit. When the printer is on line, a new sheet of
paper loads automatically whenever a printable character or
line feeding command is sent to the printer. Subsequent sheets
are automatically loaded as needed.

Note: Be sure that you run the self test described earlier in
this chapter the first time you use the cut sheet feeder and
whenever you change to a different paper size.

Paper out condition

In the cut sheet feeder mode, the PAPER OUT light goes off while
the next sheet of paper is being fed, but the printer remains on
line.
When the selected paper bin is empty, the printer automatically
goes off line and the PAPER OUT light goes on. To resume
printing, stack more paper, then press the ON LINE button.

Note: If you turn off your printer during a paper out or

paper jam condition, any data remaining in the printer’s
buffer is discarded.

Control panel operation

To operate the cut sheet feeder from the control panel when the
printer is in cut sheet feeder mode, be sure that the printer is
off line.
LINE FEED: Press this button to feed the paper one line, or
hold it down to feed the paper continuously.

Using Printer Options 5-13

The Cut Sheet Feeder

FORM FEED: When there is no paper in the printer and you

wish to load paper manually, press this button to
load the paper. (However, note that paper loads
automatically when you print.) When there is
paper in the printer, press this button to eject the
sheet without loading the next sheet.
LOAD/EJECT: When there is no paper in the printer and you
wish to load paper manually, press this button to
load the paper. (However, note that paper loads
automatically when you print.) When there is
paper in the printer, press this button to eject the
sheet without loading the next sheet.

Software operation
The following commands cause the printer to eject the sheet in
the printer without loading the next sheet.
FF: Form Feed
ESC EM R: Ejects a sheet in the cut sheet feeder mode

Note: The ESC EM command is a software command used to

control the operation of the cut sheet feeder. For more
information about this command, see the summary of
commands in Chapter 9.

5-14 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

If the paper reaches the bottom of the print area when any of
the following line feeding commands is used, the sheet in the
printer is automatically ejected and the next sheet is loaded.
LF: Line Feed; advances the paper by one line
VT: Vertical Tab; advances the paper to the next
vertical tab position
ESC J: Perform line feed by n/l80th of an inch
Software does not come into effect while the printer is off line.
Be sure that the printer is on line if you wish to control the cut
sheet feeder using software commands.

Switching between the cut sheet feeder and continuous

paper
The SQ-850 and SQ-2550 allow you to easily switch between the
cut sheet feeder and the tractor feeding system without having
to remove either the feeder or the continuous paper supply.
1. Be sure that the continuous paper is loaded, then attach the
continuous paper guides to the paper supports.

Using Printer Options 5-15

The Cut Sheet Feeder

2. To switch from cut sheet feeder operation to continuous

paper, press the PAPER SELECT button until the display
shows Tractor. Continuous paper is fed to its loading
position.

3. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line.

5-16 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

If you want to use the short tear-off feature, you can tear off the
perforation of the continuous paper at the cut sheet feeder’s
edge. See the section on short tear-off (page 3-23) for more
information.

WARNING: Never attempt to print on labels when

the cut sheet feeder is installed.

Note: To clear a paper jam at the exit point of continuous

paper, you may need to open the cut sheet feeder’s front
cover. To do this, first open the printer cover and then raise
the cut sheet feeder’s cover. Clear the jammed paper and
then close the cover. Do not operate the printer with this
cover open.

Single sheet insertion

Your cut sheet feeder also has a single sheet loading feature.
This feature is especially useful because it allows you to switch
to a different type or size of paper without replacing the supply
of paper already in your cut sheet feeder.
Before using this feature, make sure that the cut sheet feeder is
selected with paper select.

Using Printer Options 5-17

The Cut Sheet Feeder

1. Align the single sheet with the marking on the front of the
cut sheet feeder’s cover; then insert the sheet into the paper
path until you feed resistance.

2. Press the LOAD/EJECT button to load the sheet. (If your

document is more than one page, the next sheet will be
automatically loaded from the cut sheet feeder’s paper
supply.)

3. Press the ON LINE button put the printer on line.

5-18 Using Printer Options

 The Cut Sheet Feeder

Removing the cut sheet feeder

1. Remove the paper stacked in the cut sheet feeder.

2. Tilt the back section of the cut sheet feeder forward to

release its notches from the printer’s pins and lift off the cut
sheet feeder.

Using Printer Options 5-19

The Cut Sheet Feeder

After removing the cut sheet feeder, be sure to store the cut
sheet feeder in its original box and packing materials.

5-20 Using Printer Options

The Pull Tractor
The optional pull tractor (C800032 for the SQ-850 and C800042
for the SQ-2550) provides optimum continuous paper handling.
The pull tractor is especially useful for printing continuous
preprinted forms and labels. Use of the pull tractor is also
recommended for obtaining the highest quality graphics. For
best results, use the pull tractor along with the built-in push
tractor, as described in this section.

Installation
1. Remove the paper guide and open the printer cover.

Using Printer Options 5-21

The Pull Tractor

2. Set continuous paper in the built-in push tractor as

described in steps 3 to 9 in the section on loading
continuous paper in Chapter 2.

3. Pull the paper bail toward you.

5-22 Using Printer Options

 The Pull Tractor

4. Holding the pull tractor with the gears to the right, fit the
rear notches onto the rear mounting pins.

5. Tilt the tractor unit toward you until the front latches click
over the front pins.

Using Printer Options 5-23

The Pull Tractor

6. Push the paper bail toward the platen and close the printer
cover.

CAUTION: Never use the platen knob to feed the

paper while the printer is turned on. If you need to
adjust the loading position, be sure to use the
micro-adjustment feature described in Chapter 3.

Paper handling
Before loading continuous paper with the pull tractor, make
sure that the pull tractor is installed, and then follow these steps:

CAUTION: The short tear-off function cannot be used

Before you start printing with
the pull tractor, make sure that the AUTO TEAR OFF

5-24 Using Printer Options

 The Pull Tractor

1. Be sure the display on the control panel shows Tractor and

the paper is loaded in the push tractor.

2. Take the printer to off line. Then press the FORM FEED
button to advance the paper one page so that you can fit the
paper onto the pull tractor.

Using Printer Options 5-25

The Pull Tractor

3. Release the sprocket lock levers and position the sprocket

units to match the width of the paper. Then adjust the
paper support so that they are spaced evenly between the
sprocket units.

4. Open the pull tractor’s sprocket covers.

5-26 Using Printer Options

 The Pull Tractor

5. Fit the holes in the paper over the tractor pins on the
sprocket units and close the sprocket covers.

6. See that the paper is not crooked or wrinkled and lock the
sprocket units in place.

Using Printer Options 5-27

The Pull Tractor

7. Press in on the pull tractor knob and turn it slightly to

remove any slack from the paper.

8. Attach the paper separator designed for use with the pull
tractor unit.

9. Press the ON LINE button to set the printer on line.

5-28 Using Printer Options

 The Pull Tractor

Removing the pull tractor

1. Be sure the printer is turned off, then remove the paper
separator.

2. Open the printer cover and pull the paper bail toward you.

Using Printer Options 5-29

The Pull Tractor

3. Press the levers on the pull tractor. Then tilt the tractor
back and lift it off the printer.

4. Push the paper bail back and close the printer cover.

After removing the pull tractor, be sure to store the pull tractor
in its original packing materials and box.

5-30 Using Printer Options

Interface Boards
There are a number of optional interfaces that can be used to
supplement the capabilities of your printer’s built-in serial and
parallel interfaces.

Choosing an interface
The following information should give you a general idea of the
features provided by these optional interface boards. Optional
interfaces can be divided into two main categories:
l The IEEE-488 interface, which offers standardized
connections, trouble-free operation, and the ability to
connect computers, printers and other devices on the same
line so that they may share data freely.
l Serial interfaces, which are necessary if your computer is no
equipped with a parallel interface or if you need an
interface that comforms to the Current Loop standard
instead of the RS-232C. In addition, the available serial
interface boards provide user selectable baud rates and data
word structures. These interfaces also offer some
combination of the following features: X-on/X-off data
communication protocol, loopback self-test modes, and data
buffers that increase the printer’s buffering capacity.
If you are still unsure whether you need an optional interface,
or would like to know more about interfaces, check with your
EPSON dealer.

Compatible interfaces
The following is a list of EPSON interfaces that are compatible
with the SQ-850 and SQ-2550 printers. Note that some of these
interfaces may not be available in all contries.

Using Printer Options 5-31

Interface Boards

Interface number Name

#8143 New serial interface
#8148 Intelligent serial interface
#8165 Intelligent IEEE-488 interface
#8641 Coax interface
#8642 Twinax interface

All EPSON interfaces have the EPSON name printed on them.

If the board has an identification code printed on it, it will be a
four-digit number beginning with 8, and should correspond to
one of the numbers listed in the table above.
Make sure you set the DIP switch and jumper settings on the
interface board according to the instructions in your computer
manual and your interface board manual before installing the
board.

Installing the interface board

The optional interface boards available for your printer are easy
to install, and the only tool needed is a cross-head screwdriver.
Turn off your printer and computer. Then disconnect the
interface cable from the printer and the computer.

5-32 Using Printer Options

 Interface Boards

Removing the interface board cover

1. Unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet. Then
unplug the cable from the rear of the printer.

WARNING: High voltages are present inside the

printer when the power is on. NEVER attempt to
install or remove an interface board without first
turning off the printer and unplugging it from the
electrical outlet. Also, try not to touch contacts on the
circuit board of the printer because many of the
components can be destroyed by the static electricity
that may build up in your body.

Using Printer Options 5-33

Interface Boards

5-34 Using Printer Options

 Interface Boards

Installing the board

There are two basic interface board designs, which differ with
respect to how the frame ground (FG) wire is attached. This
slight difference does not affect the operation of the interface in
any way.

1. If the FG wire is not attached to the interface board, attach

the plug end of the wire onto the FG pin located on the
board.

Using Printer Options 5-35

Interface Boards

2. Remove the shield plate above the parallel interface

connector by pressing in on the plastic clips located at the
back of the plate.

3. Position the interface board inside the printer as shown

below, making sure the board does not catch on any of the
wires inside the compartment.

5-36 Using Printer Options

 Interface Boards

4. Carefully align the pins on the optional interface board with

the mating connector on the main board; then plug the
board into the connector.

5. Secure the board with three of the screws provided.

Using Printer Options 5-37

Interface Boards

6. Use the FG wire retaining screw to attach the round end of

the FG (frame ground) wire to the ground connector beneath
the interface connector.

7. Replace the interface board cover and secure it with the

retaining screw.

5-38 Using Printer Options

 Interface Boards

WARNING: Always disconnect the printer cable from

the printer’s built-in parallel or serial interface before

8. Before you use the interface board, be sure to use SelecType

to set the INTERFACE option to Parallel. (For details, see
the SelecType setting section in Chapter 3.) This is necessary
even if the interface is serial, because the board uses the
parallel connections. However, serial conversion is
performed.

The #8143 new serial interface board

If you are using an optional interface, it may be necessary for
you to alter the communications protocol of the printer or the
computer so that they can communicate properly. In most
cases, you should use the information in your optional interface
manual or your computer’s manual to match the computer with
the interface.
If you are using the #8143 optional board with the SQ printer,
make sure that you read through the section below on baud
rate selection. You may also want to refer to the sections on
handshaking timing and error handling for interface
information specific to the SQ printer.
For all other data transfer conventions, such as word structure
or communications protocol, use the information in the manual
supplied with your #8143 optional interface.

Using Printer Options 5-39

Interface Boards

Baud rate selection

You can select from the following baud rates: 300, 600, 1200,
2400, 4800, 9600, or 19200 bits per second (BPS). When setting
the baud rate, make sure you use the bit rate selection table
below.

Handshaking timing
When the vacant area for data in the input buffer drops to 256
bytes, the printer outputs an X-off code or sets the DTR flag to
“1” (MARK) indicating that it cannot receive data.
Once the vacant area for data in the buffer recovers to 512
bytes, the printer outputs an X-on code or set the DTR flag to
“0” (SPACE) indicating that it is again ready to receive data.

Error handling
When a parity error is detected, your printer prints an asterisk
(*). All other errors, including framing and overrun, are
ingnored.

5-40 Using Printer Options

Chapter 6
Maintenance

Cleaning the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Cleaning the Print Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Replacing the Ink Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

Transporting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

Maintenance 6-3
Cleaning the Printer
To keep your printer operating at its best, you should clean it
thoroughly several times a year.
1. Turn off the printer and remove the cut sheet feeder or pull
tractor, if installed.

2. Use a soft brush to carefully clean away all dust and dirt.

6-2 Maintenance
 Cleaning the Printer

3. If the outer case, printer cover or paper guide are dirty or

dusty, clean them with a soft, clean cloth dampened with
mild detergent dissolved in water. Keep the printer cover in
place to prevent water from getting inside the printer.

WARNING:
l Never use alcohols or thinners to clean the printer;

these chemicals can damage the components as well

as the case.
l Be careful not to get water on the printer mechanism

or electronic components.
l Do not use a hard or abrasive brush.

l Do not spray the inside of the printer with

lubricants; unsuitable oils can damage the

mechanism. Contact your EPSON dealer if you think
lubrication is needed.

Maintenance 6-3
Cleaning the Print Head
If print quality should diminish, use the printer’s built-in
cleaning function. To ensure proper operation, you should use
the ON LINE and LINE FEED buttons if printing becomes
inconsistent. The cleaning cycle ensures that all the nozzles are
delivering ink properly.
To run the cleaning cycle, follow these steps.
1. Turn on the printer and press the ON LINE button to take the
printer off line.

6-4 Maintenance
 Cleaning the Print Head

2. Press both the ON LINE and LINE FEED buttons to start the
print head cleaning cycle. The display shows CLEANING for
about 30 seconds. When the cleaning cycle is finished, press
the ON LINE button to place the printer on line and resume
printing.

Maintenance 6-5
Replacing the Ink Cartridge
When the INK END light comes on, it indicates that there is very
little ink left in the cartridge. The printer will, however,
continue to print until it is completely out of ink. How long
this takes depends upon what you are printing. Once the
cartridge is completely empty, the INK END message is
displayed and the printer is set off line. The printer cannot be
set back on line until the cartridge is replaced. Also, if you turn
off the printer when the INK END light is on, you must replace
the cartridge before you can print again.

Note: The INK END light is also lit whenever the ink cartridge
is removed.

Always replace the old ink cartridge with the exclusive SO20002
EPSON ink cartridge. Otherwise the printer will not work.

WARNING - Skin and Eye Irritant

This ink contains potassium hydroxide and may cause
irritation on contact with skin and eyes. Please take
the following precautions:
l Avoid contact with skin and eyes. If ink gets into

eyes, flush immediately with water and contact a

physician. Wash all traces of ink from skin
thoroughly with soap and water after handling
cartridge. If irritation occurs, contact a physician.
l Do not dismantle the cartridge.

l Keep the cartridge out of reach of children.

6-6 Maintenance
 Replacing the Ink Cartridge

Follow these steps to replace the ink cartridge.

1. Open the ink cartridge compartment cover located at the
front of the printer by pressing once on the area marked by
the three grooves. Then carefully remove the used ink
cartridge from the printer.

Note: On one end of the cartridge is an ink indicator lever

that registers whether the cartridge is full or empty. When
replacing an empty cartridge with a new one, you can check
this lever to avoid confusion. After replacing the cartridge,
dispose of the empty cartridge immediately since it cannot be
refilled.

Maintenance 6-7
Replacing the Ink Cartridge

2. Insert the end of the cartridge with the foil seal into the ink
compartment as shown below. Gently push the cartridge all
the way into the compartment.

3. Close the cartridge compartment cover as shown below and

press the ON LINE button to place the printer on line and
resume printing.

6-8 Maintenance
Transporting the Printer
If you need to transport your printer some distance, carefully
repack the printer using the original box and packing materials.

CAUTION: When repacking the printer for transpor-

tation, press the PAPER SELECT button until the
display shows Tractor. and then follow the steps below.

1. Take the printer off line before turning it off so that the ink
nozzles are properly capped.

2. Remove the optional cut sheet feeder or pull tractor, if

installed. (See Chapter 5 for option removal instructions.)
3. Unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet; then
disconnect the interface cable and power cable from the
printer. Next, remove the paper guide.

Maintenance 6-9
 Transporting the Printer

4. Open the ink cartridge compartment cover and remove the

ink cartridge by pulling it straight out of the printer. (Place
the cartridge in a plastic bag and store separately.) Then
close the ink cartridge compartment cover.

5. Insert the notice sheet by rotating the platen knob.

6-10 Maintenance
6. Remove the printer cover and pull the paper bail open, then
insert the white packing material between the paper bail and
platen as shown below.

7. Reattach the printer cover. Then remove the platen knob.

8. Pack the printer in its original foam packing supports and

box.

Maintenance 6-11
Chapter 7
Troubleshooting

Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Power Supply .......................................................................... 7-3

Printing ..................................................................................... 7-4

Paper Handling ....................................................................... 7-13

Options ...................................................................................... 7-21

Troubleshooting 7-1
Problems and Solutions
This chapter discusses problems you may encounter while
operating your printer and their likely solutions. If you are
having difficulty achieving the desired printing result, first
locate the problem in the table below and refer to the
appropriate page for the solution.
Power supply
l Power is not being supplied. Refer to 7-3
Printing
l The printer does not print or stops printing. Refer to 7-4
l The print is faint or uneven. Refer to 7-6
l The printout is not what you expected. Refer to 7-7
l The position of the printout is not what
you expected. Refer to 7-10
Paper handling
l Single sheets do not feed properly. Refer to 7-13
l Continuous paper does not feed properly. Refer to 7-16
Options
l Using the cut sheet feeder, the paper does not feed preperly.
Refer to 7-21
l Using the pull tractor in combination with the push tractor,
continuous paper does not feed properly. Refer to 7-24
l Using an optional interface, the printer does not operate
properly. Refer to 7-26

7-2 Troubleshooting
Power Supply
Problem Solution
Power is not being
supplied to the
printer.

The POWER light does The power cable may be disconnected to

not go on. may not be completely plugged into the
electrical outlet. Turn off the printer and
check the power cable connections
between the printer and the electrical
outlet. Refer to l-15.
The power switch may be off. Turn on
the power switch.
The problem may lie with the electrical
outlet. Make sure that the electrical
outlet is not controlled by an outside
source such as a wall switch. Refer to
l-16.
Power is not being supplied to the
electrical outlet. Connect another
electrical device to the outlet to check
whether the outlet is operating properly.

The POWER light The voltage may not be correct for your
comes on briefly and printer. Make sure that the voltage of
then goes off. The your electrical outlet matches the rating
light stays off even indicated on the label at the back of the
when the power is printer. If the voltages do not match,
switched off and on unplug the printer and contact your
again. EPSON dealer immediately. Do not
reconnect the power cable to an
electrical outlet. Refer to l-16.

Troubleshooting 7-3
Printing
Problem Solution
The printer does
not print or stops
printing.

The ON LINE light is The software may not be installed

on but nothing is properly for your printer. Use your
printed. application program’s setup (or install)
procedure to check the printer settings
on your computer’s display, then reset
the values correctly.
The interface cable may not be plugged
in securely. Check both ends of the cable
between the printer and the computer. If
you are using a parallel interface, secure
the connector using the wire retaining
clips.
You may not be using the correct
interface cable. Make sure your interface
cable meets the specifications for the
printer and the computer. Refer to l-29.

The ON LINE light is The printer may be off line and cannot
off (the printer is off receive data. Check the on line status at
line). the printer’s control panel. If it is not on,
press the ON LINE button once to set the
printer on line (the ON LINE light will go
on). Refer to 3-3.

7-4 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
The PAPER OUT light The printer may be out of paper. Load
is on. more paper into the printer. Refer to 2-3.
The paper may be set too far to the
right. If this is the case, the paper out
detector cannot sense the paper. Move
the paper to the left until the PAPER OUT
light goes out.

The INK END light is The ink cartridge may be empty or the
on. cartridge may not be installed. Install a
new ink cartridge. Refer to 6-6.

The “COVER OPEN" The printer cover is open. Close the

message is displayed printer cover and resume printing.
on the control panel.

The printer makes a This indicates an error in printer

strange noise, the operation. Turn off the printer, check for
buzzer sounds, and paper jamming or other problems, then
the printer stops turn the printer back on. If the printer
abruptly. still does not print correctly, contact
your EPSON dealer.

The print head moves, The printer may not have been charged
but nothing is printed. with ink. Turn off the printer, and then
turn the printer on again while holding
down both the ON LINE and LINE FEED
buttons to start the ink charging cycle.
Refer to 1-16.

Troubleshooting 7-5
Printing

Problem Solution
The print is faint
or uneven.

Rots are missing in The print head nozzles may be clogged.

the printed characters Press the ON LINE button to set the
or graphics. printer off line. Then press both the ON
LINE and LINE FEED buttons to start the
A B C D
print head cleaning cycle. You may need
to repeat this cycle more than once. If
printed results are still missing specific
dots after cleaning the print head several
times, the print head may be damaged.

The printing on The gap between the print head and the
envelopes in either platen may not be correct. Adjust the
faint or too dark. gap between the platen and print head
using the paper thickness lever. Refer to
2-23.

The printout has a You may not be using the correct type of
blurred appearance. paper for your printer. Make sure the
surface of the paper is not too rough or
ABCD too smooth. Although most types of
business correspondence quality paper
works well with the SQ, you should
always test the paper you want to use
before buying it in large quantities.
You may not be printing on the correct
side of your paper. Test both sides of
your paper to determine which gives
you the best quality.

7-6 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
The printout is not
what you expected.

The typestyle or The software may not be correctly

characters that are set installed for your printer. Use the
by software cannot be program’s setup (or install) procedure to
printed. check the printer settings on your
computer’s display, then reset as needed.

The printer prints a Your printer and the computer may not
series of strange be communicating correctly. Make sure
characters. that you are using the correct interface
cable and that the communication
protocol is correct. See your computer’s
manual for more information. You can
also use your printer’s data dump mode
to check the data being sent from the
computer. (In data dump mode, an extra
printout of the codes reaching the
pritner is produced.)

Italic characters are The wrong character table may be

printed instead of the selected. If your application program is
selected graphic capable of sending control codes, specify
“line” characters. the EPSON Extended Graphics character
table using ESC t 1. If settings cannot be
performed using control codes, set the
CG TABLE option of SelecType to
Graphic. Refer to 3-14.

Troubleshooting 7-7
Printing

..

Problem Solution
The printout is not
what you expected.
(continued)

Graphic characters The wrong character table may be

(line, ect.) being selected. If your application program is
printed instead of the capable of sending control codes, specify
selected italic the Italic character table using ESC t 0. If
characters. settings cannot be performed using
control codes, set the CG TABLE option
of SelecType to Italic. Refer to 3-14.

Characters not The wrong international character set is

belonging to the selected. If your application program is
selected international capable of sending control codes, specify
character set being the desired international character set
printed. using ESC R n. If settings cannot be
performed using control codes, set the
COUNTRY option of SelecType to the
desired character set. Refer to 3-35.

The character font or Your software may be overriding your

character spacing SelecType settings. Use the program’s
selected by SelecType setup (or install) procedure to check the
cannot be printed. printer settings on your computer’s
display, then reset the values correctly.

7-8 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
The changes made with SelecType may
not have been initialized. After changing
the printer’s default settings, check the
SelecType settings and then press both
the ON LINE and LOAD/EJECT buttons
before trying to print. New default
settings do not take effect unless you
initialize the printer by pressing the
buttons or by turning the printer off and
on. Refer to 3-16.

The characters The condensed mode may be set. If your

printed are smaller application program is capable of
than expected. sending control codes, you can cancel
the condensed mode by sending the DC2
code to the printer. Refer to 9-27.

Troubleshooting 7-9
Printing

Problem Solution
The position of the
printout is not
what you expected.

Text is printed on the A line feed signal is not being sent at the
same line. end of each line of text. Check the
AUTO LINE FEED setting in SelecType,
and set it to on. Refer to 3-11.

Text is printed with Two line feed signals are probably being
an extra blank line in sent. Check the AUTO LINE FEED
between. setting in SelecType and sent it to off.
Refer to 3-11.

Text is printed with Your interface cable may not be

an extra blank line in cconfigured correctly. Disable
c the AUTO -
between, even after FEED XT signal of your interface.
setting the auto line
feed setting to off.

Printing starts too The loading position may be set up

high or too low on the incorrctly. Use micro-adjustment to
Page. adjust the loading position. Refer to
3-21. If the problem persists, check the
top margin set by your application
software are adjust it if necessary.

7-10 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
The position of the
printout is not
what you expected.
(continued)

Line spacing is not Your software may be set up incorrectly.

correct. Use your programs setup (or install)
program to check the settings on the
computer’s display. If your application
program is capable of sending control
codes, use the line spacing commands
listed in Chapter 9, The Command
Summary.

One line of printing The margin settings may not be set

has taken up two correctly. Use your application program
lines. settings to change the margins. If your
program allow it, you can also set the
left and right margins using the ESC I n
and ESC Q n commands. Refer to 9-20. If
you are using BASIC, enter either of the
following statements:
WIDTH LPRINT 255

WIDTH “LPTI” 255

Troubleshooting 7-11
Printing

Problem Solution
Regular gaps appear The skip over perforation may be set
in the printout. with SelecType. Enter SelecType and
turn off the skip over perforation
feature. Refer to 3-19.

Skip over perforation The page length for continuous paper

is set, but the may not be set correctly. Change the
perforation does not page length with your software
fall in the center of program. You can also use the ESC C n
the skip. or ESC C 0 n command to specify the
page length.
The loading position of the paper may
be too high or too low. Use the
micro-adjustment feature to reset the
loading position so that the perforation
is centered within the skip area.
Your application program may be
setting the top and bottom margins. If
this is the case, use SelecType to turn off
skip over perforation feature.

Vertical lines in Slight misalignment may occur during

graphics are not bidirectional printing. When precise
aligned. printing of vertical lines in necessary the
unidirectional print mode with
SelecType or send the ESC Ul command
to the printer. Unidirectional printing
increases printing accuracy, but reduces
printing speed slightly. Refer to 9-10.

Note: Use data dump mode to check the data being sent from
the computer. In the data dump mode, data is printed in
hexadecimal notation and in ASCII characters.

7-12 Troubleshooting
Paper Handling
The following section guides you through problems in handling
single sheets and continuous paper. If you are having problems
using the optional cut sheet feeder or the pull tractor, refer to
the section on Options starting on page 7-21.

Problem Solution
Single sheets do
not feed properly.

The LOAD/EJECT You may be tring to feed paper using

buttons was pressed, one of the control panel buttons while
but the platen did not the printer is on line (ON LINE light is on).
move and paper was Press the ON LINE button once to set the
not fed. printer off line, then feed the paper.
After feeding the paper, press the ON
LINE button again to set the printer on
line. Refer to 3-4.
The paper may be set too far to the
right. If this is the case, the paper end
detector cannot sense the paper. Move
the left edge guide to its proper position,
and reinsert the paper between the edge
guides. Refer to 2-4.

Troubleshooting 7-13
Problem Solution
Single sheets do
not feed properly.
(continued)

The LOAD/EJECT The left and right edge guides may be

button was pressed placed too close together, preventing the
and the platen paper from feeding smoothly. Adjust the
rotated, but paper did position of the edge guides so that the
not feed. paper can move up and down freely.
Refer to 2-5.
The paper may not be firmly inserted
into the paper path. When feeding
thicker than normal paper, push down
lightly on the paper while you press the
LOAD/EJECT button.
Paper select may not be set to Friction.
Make sure that the display on the
control panel shows Friction. If not, set
the pritner off line and press the PAPER
SELECT button until the Friction is
displayed on the panel.
The dimensions of the paper you are
trying to use may exceed the specified
limitations of the printer. Make sure that
the paper sizes that are within the
specified range.

7-14 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
The paper feed is The paper guide may not be attached or
crooked. it may not be in the correct position.
When printing on single sheets, use the
paper guide in its upright position. Refer
to 2-18.
The left and right edge guides may be
placed too far apart. Adjust the edge
guides to match the width of your paper.

The paper does not You may be trying to eject the paper
fully eject. using the FORM FEED button. The paper
may not be fully ejected if you use the
FORM FEED button. Always press the
LOAD/EJECT button to eject the paper.

Troubleshooting 7-15
Problem Solution
Continuous paper
does not feed
properly.

The LOAD/EJECT Paper select may not be set to Tractor.

button was pressed Take the printer off line and press the
and the platen PAPER SELECT button until the display
rotated, but paper did shows Tractor. Refer to 2-9.
not feed.
The paper may not have been set
correctly in the push tractor. Set the
paper again to the tractor.

The paper feed is The paper guide may be in the upright

crooked or the paper position. When using continuous paper,
jams. make sure that the paper guide is
lowered so that it can act as a paper
separator. Refer to 2-13.
The paper may be caught on the edge
guides. When using continuous paper,
make sure that the paper guide is closed
and the edge guides are positioned at
the center of the paper’s width. Refer to
2-13.
The holes on either side of the paper
may not be aligned. Reposition the
paper on the tractor pins. Refer to 2-12.

7-16 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
The position of the sprocket units may
not match the width of the paper.
Position the right sprocket unit to
remove any excess slack across the
paper. Refer to 2-13.
The sprocket levers may be unlocked or
the sprocket covers may be open.
Position the sprocket units to match the
width of your paper then lock them in
place by pressing the sprocket lock
levers forward. Refer to 2-13.
Something may be obstructing your
paper supply. Make sure that the paper
can feed smoothly into the printer. Refer
to 2-8.
The position of your paper supply may
be preventing it from feeding straight
into the printer. Position the stack of
incoming new paper and outgoing
printed paper so that the paper feeds
straight. Refer to 2-8.
The supply of paper may be too far from
the printer. Position the paper supply so
that it is less than a meter away. Refer to
2-8.

Troubleshooting 7-17
Problem Solution
Continuous paper
does not feed
properly.
(continued)
You may have pressed the LOAD/EJECT
button with continuous paper already
set at the loading position. Pressing the
LOAD/EJECT button with continuous
paper already loaded in the printer
causes the paper to be ejected. If this
happens, press the LOAD/EJECT button
once more to reload the paper. Refer to
2-14.

Regular gaps appear The skip over perforation may be set

in the printout. with SelecType. Enter SelecType and
turn off the skip over perforation
feature. Refer to 3-19.

Skip over perforation The page length for continuous paper

is set, but the may not be set correctly. Change the
perforation does not page length with your software
fall in the center of program. You can also use the ESC C n
the skip. or ESC C 0 n command to specify the
page length.
The loading position of the paper may
be too high or too low. Use the
micro-adjustment feature to reset the
loading position so that the perforation
is centered within the skip area.

7-18 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
Your application program may be
setting the top and bottom margins. If
this is the case, use SelecType to turn off
skip over perforation feature.

The loading position The paper you are trying to feed may be
of the paper shifts too heavy for the built-in push tractor.
slightly while When highly accurate paper feeding is
printing several pages. necessary, such as when printing on
preprinted forms, it is recommended
that you use the optional pull tractor.

After printing stops, The short tear-off function may be

the continuous paper selected. When you resume printing the
feeds forward paper feeds backward to its loading
automatically. position. If you do not need this
function, use SelecType to turn it off.
Refer to 3-23.

The short tear-off The AUTO TEAR OFF option may not
feature does not be on. Check the AUTO TEAR OFF
operate properly. setting in SelecType. (Make sure it is
on.) Refer to 3-11.
All of the data in the buffer may not
have been printed. The short tear-off
feature feeds the page forward only after
all of the data in the buffer has been
printed and the paper is at the top of
form position. If short tear-off does not
work even when AUTO TEAR OFF is
on, send an FF (Form Feed command) to
the printer. Refer to 3-23.

Troubleshooting 7-19
Problem Solution
Continuous paper
does not feed
properly.
(continued)

The LOAD/EJECT You may have tried to back feed too

button is pressed to many pages. Before ejecting the paper,
eject the paper, but always remove the last printed page.
the paper does not Refer to 2-17.
fully eject or it jams.

7-20 Troubleshooting
Options
Problem Solution
Using the cut sheet
feeder, the paper
does not feed
properly.

The LOAD/EJECT You may be pressing the LOAD/EJECT

button is pressed, but button while the printer is on line.
the platen does not Always put the printer off line before
move and the paper feeding the paper. Paper feeds
does not feed. automatically when the cut sheet feeder
receives a print command from the
computer (only while the printer is on
line).

After a print The printer may be off line. Press the ON

command is sent from LINE button to put the printer on line.
the computer, the
platen does not move
and the paper does
not feed.

After a print The paper select may not be set to the

command is sent from cut sheet feeder. Use the paper select
the computer, the button to select the cut sheet feeder (CSF
platen rotates, but bin 1 or CSF bin 2). If you are using a
paper does not feed. double-bin cut sheet feeder, make sure
The PAPER OUT light that the correct bin number displays on
is on. the display panel. Refer to 5-7.

Troubleshooting 7-21
Problem Solution
Using the cut sheet
feeder, the paper
does not feed
properly.
(continued)
The cut sheet feeder may be incorrectly
installed on the printer. Remove and
reinstall the cut sheet feeder making
sure that the mounting notches are
properly mated with the pins on the
printer. Refer to 5-3.
The cut sheet feeder may be out of
paper. Load more paper in the cut sheet
feeder’s bin.
The paper set levers of the cut sheet
feeder may not be pushed back. After
loading a stack of paper in the cut sheet
feeder, make sure to push the paper set
levers back. Refer to 5-6.
The two small levers on the paper
guides may not be set correctly. When
printing envelopes, push down on the
two small levers until they lock into
position.
The left and right paper guides may be
placed too close together and are
preventing the paper from feeding
smoothly. Adjust the position of the
paper guides so that the paper can move
up and down freely. Refer to 5-6.

7-22 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
Two or more sheets There may be too many sheets of paper
feed at the same time. in the cut sheet feeder’s bin. The bin can
hold a maximum of 150 sheets of paper
(82g/m 2). Remove some of the excess
sheets. Refer to 5-2.
The stack of paper may not have been
loosened sufficiently. Before loading a
stack of paper, be sure to fan it
sufficiently and align the edges of the
stack. Refer to 5-5.

The paper feed is The paper may be old or creased.

crooked. Discard it and load new, clean sheets of
paper.
You may not be using the proper size
paper. Make sure to use paper sizes that
are within the range specified in Chapter
8. Refer to 8-16.

You tried to The single sheet may have been inserted

manually insert a in the wrong place. Check the triangle
single sheet, but the mark and insert the sheet again. Refer to
sheet was not fed. 5-17.

Troubleshooting 7-23
Problem Solution
Using the pull
tractor in
combination with
the push tractor,
continuous paper
does not feed
properly.

The FORM FEED or The printer may be on line. Before using

LINE FEED button was the control panel buttons to feed the
pressed, but the paper paper, always put the printer off line (ON
does not feed at all. LINE light is out.)
(Platen does not
move.)

Paper feed is crooked Something may be obstructing your

or the paper jams. paper supply. Make sure that the paper
can feed smoothly into the printer. Refer
to 2-8.
The supply of paper may be too far from
the printer. Position the paper supply so
that it is less than a meter away. Refer to
2-8.
The pull tractor and push tractor
sprocket units may not be aligned. Align
both tractors and resume printing.
The paper may be slack. Adjust the
position of the sprocket units to take up
any slack across the width of the paper.
Remove slack lengthwise by pressing in
and rotating the knob on the right of the
pull tractor. Refer to 5-28.

7-24 Troubleshooting
Problem Solution
You may not be using the proper paper.
Make sure to use the paper within the
specified range. Refer to 8-3.

Several lines of space Skip over perforation may be set. Turn

occur in the printout. off the skip over perforation feature by
SelecType. Refer to 3-10.

Skip over perforation The page length for one page of the
is set, but the skip continuous paper may be set incorrectly.
has shifted from the Set the page length correctly by using
perforation, or the the Selectype. You can also use the ESC
perforation does not C n or ESC C 0 n command to specify
fall in the center of the page length.
the skip.
The loading position of the paper may
be too high or too low. Use the
micro-adjustment feature to reset the
loading position so that the perforation
is centered within the skip area.

After printing stops, The short tear-off function may be

the continuous paper selected. The short tear-off function
feeds forward cannot be used with the pull tractor. Use
automatically. SelecType to turn off this function. Refer
to 3-10.

When LOAD/EJECT When the paper select is set to Tractor,

button was pressed to the paper feeds backward to eject. When
eject paper, the paper using the pull tractor, press the FORM
paper comes off the FEED button fo feed the paper forward to
pull tractor sprocket eject.
units.

Troubleshooting 7-25
Problem Solution
Using an optional
interface, the
printer does not
operate properly.

The printer does not The interface may not be installed

print or the printout correctly. Turn off the printer and check
is not what you that the interface board is correctly
expected. inserted into the connector on the main
board.
You may be using the wrong interface.
Check the specifications to make sure
that you can use the interface with this
printer.

The DIP switches or jumpers on the

interface board may be set wrong. See
the interface manual for the correct
settings. Before changing the settings,
however, make sure the printer is turned
off and the power cable is unplugged.
The interface may not be configured
correctly to operate with the computer.
See your computer manual for the
correct settings.
The computer and interface settings may
not match. Make sure to match the
settings for each condition.

7-26 Troubleshooting
If the printer still does not operate properly after checking the
above points, run a self test of the interface to make sure that
there are no on-board defects. If any abnormality is found,
contact your dealer.

Troubleshooting 7-27
Chapter 8
Technical Specifications

Printer Specifications ............................................................. 8-2

Printing ................................................................................. 8-2
Paper ...................................................................................... 8-3
Mechanical ............................................................................ 8-6
Electrical ............................................................................... 8-8
Environment ........................................................................ 8-8

Interface Specifications .......................................................... 8-10

Parallel interface ................................................................. 8-10
Serial interface ..................................................................... 8-13

Options Specifications ........................................................... 8-15

Cut sheet feeders ................................................................ 8-15

Initialization ............................................................................. 8-18

Default settings ................................................................... 8-19

Technical Specifications 8-1

Printer specifications
Printing
Printing method: 24-nozzle dot matrix
Printing speed: See table below.

Quality Characters per inch Characters/second/line

Draft 10 500
12 600
Letter Quality 10 165
12 198

Printing direction: Bidirectional logic-seeking for both text

and graphic printing. Unidirectional
available through SelecType or software
command.

Line spacing: l/6-inch, l/8-inch or programmable in

increments of 1/60th, 1/18Oth or
1/360th of an inch.

Printable columns: See table below.

Character size Maximum printed characters

W-850 SQ-2550
IO cpi 80 136
IO cpi double-width 40 68
10 cpi condensed 137 233
12cpi 96 163
12 cpi double-width 48 81
12 cpi condensed 160 272
15 cpi 120 204
15 cpi double-width 60 102
Proportional
(maximum width character) 68 116
(minimum width character) 160 272

8-2 Technical Specifications

Buffer: 8K bytes

Character fonts:

Font Available sizes (characters per inch)

EPSON Draft 10, 12, 15, 17, 20
EPSON Roman IO, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
EPSON Sans Serif 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
EPSON Courier 1O, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
EPSON Prestige 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
EPSON Script IO, 12, 15, 17, 20, Proportional
EPSON OCR-A IO, 12, 17, 20, Proportional
EPSON OCR-B 10, 12, 17, 20, Proportional
EPSON Orator 10, 12, 17, 20, Proportional
EPSON Orator-S 10, 12, 17, 20, Proportional

Character tables: 96 standard ASCII characters.

15 international character sets
EPSON Extended Graphics characters

Paper
Paper feed methods: Friction
Built-in push feed tractor
Pull tractor (optional)
Single-bin cut sheet feeder (optional)
Double-bin cut sheet feeder (optional)

Paper width: SQ-850 SQ-2550

Single sheets 182 to 257 mm 182 to 364 mm
(7.2 to 10.1 inches) (7.2 to 14.3 inches)
Continuous 101 to 279 mm 101 to 406 mm
(4.0 to 16.0 inches) (4.0 to 11 .0 inches)

Technical Specifications 8-3

 Envelope No.6 (165 x 92 mm)
(6.5 inches x 3.625 inches)
No.10 (241 x 105 mm)
(9.5 inches x 4.125 inches)
Label 63.5 x 23.8 mm (2.5 x 0.94 inches)
101.6 x 23.8 mm (4.0 x 0.94 inches)
101.6 x 36.5 mm (4.0 x 1.44 inches)

Paper length:
Single sheets 94 to 364 mm (3.7 to 14.3 inches)

Printable area:
Single sheet

8.5 mm (0.33 “) or more

3 mm (0.12 “) 3 mm (0.12”)
or more- or more

25 mm (0.98”) or more

8-4 Technical Specifications

 Continuous paper

8.5 mm (0.33 “)
or more

I
SQ-850 Sh-2550
101 to 228 mm (0.4 to 9.0”) paper width 101 to 382 mm (4.0 to 15.0”)
13 mm (0.51”) or more paper width
254 mm (10”) paper width 13 mm (0.511 ") or more
21 mm (0.82 “) or more 406 mm (16 “) paper width
279 mm (11”) paper width 31 mm (1.22 “) or more
46 mm (1.81”) or more

Envelope

Paper feed speed: Approximately 62 ms/line at l/6 inch

line spacing;
4.0 ips (continuous)

Technical Specifications 8-5

Paper thickness: Single sheets
0.065 to 0.10 mm
(0.0026 to 0.004 inches)
Continuous
0.065 to 0.10 mm
(0.0025 to 0.004 inches)
Envelope
0.16 to 0.52 mm
(0.0063 to 0.0205 inches)
Label
Maximum 0.19 mm (0.0075 inches)

Mechanical
Ink Cartridge: Print capacity (depending on number of
cleaning operations)
Draft: 6 million characters
Letter Quality: 3 million characters
Color and type
Black ink, exclusive to the
SQ-850/2550 (SO20002)
Ink capacity
105 to 115 cc
Ink life
2 years from production date
Storage temperature
-30 to 40°C -- Storage
-30 to 65°C -- Transit
(within 120 hours at 65°C)
(within a month at 40°C)

8-6 Technical Specifications

 WARNING -- Skin and Eye Irritant
This ink contains potassium hydroxide, and may cause
irritation on contact with skin and eyes. Please take
the following precautions.
l Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Should ink get

into eyes, flush immediately with water and contact

a physician. Wash all traces of in from skin
thoroughly with soap and water after handling the
cartridge. If irritation occurs, contact a physician.
l Do not dismantle the cartridge.

l Keep out of reach of children.

Reliability: MCBF:
For all components excluding
print head: 5 million lines
MTBF:
SQ-850 4000 power-on hours
(at 25% duty)
SQ-2550 6000 power-on hours
(at 25% duty)
Print head life:
2000 million dots/nozzle

External Dimensions: SQ-850 SQ-2550

Height: 177 mm 177 mm
Width : 537 mm 664 mm
Depth : 449.6 mm 449.6 mm
Weight: approx. 12.0 kg approx. 14.4 kg

Technical Specifications 8-7

 120V AC ±10% (120V model)
220V AC ±10% (220V model)
240V AC ±10% (240V model)

Power consumption: 35W (draft self-test printing)

Frequency: 50 ± 0.5 Hz
60 ± 0.5 Hz

Insulation resistance: 10 M ohms between AC power line and

chassis.

Dielectric strength 120 V model can withstand 1.25 kV rms

(between AC line and applied for one minute.
shassis): 220/240 V model can withstand 3.75 kV
rms applied for one minute.

Environment
Temperature: Operation: 5°C to 35°C
Storage: -30°C to 40°C
-30°C to 65°C (with
shipment container)
(within 120 hours at 65°C)
(within a month at 40°C)

Humidity: Operation: 10% to 80% without

condensation
Storage: 5% to 85% without
condensation

8-8 Technical Specifications

Shock: Operation: Up to 1 G within 1 ms
Storage: Up to 2 G within 1 ms

Vibration: Operation: Up to 0.15 G at 10 to 55 Hz

Storage: Up to 0.50 G at 10 to 55 Hz

Technical Specifications 8-9

Interface Specifications
Parallel interface
Your printer is equipped with both a parallel and a serial
interface.
Connector pin assignments and a description of their respective
interface signals are shown in the following table.
Signal Return
Pin Pin Signal Direction Description

1 19 STROBE IN STROBE pulse to read data. Pulse

width must be more than 0.5
microseconds at the receiving
terminal.

2 20 DATA 1 IN These signals represent information

3 21 DATA 2 IN of the 1st to 8th bits of parallel data,
4 22 DATA 3 IN respectively. Each signal is at HIGH
5 23 DATA 4 IN level when data is logical 1 and LOW
6 24 DATA 5 IN when it is logical 0.
7 25 DATA 6 IN
8 26 DATA 7 IN
9 27 DATA 8 IN

10 28 ACKNLG OUT About a 12-microsecond pulse. LOW

indicates that data has been received
and that the printer is ready to accept
more data.

11 29 BUSY OUT A HIGH signal indicates that the

printer cannot receive data. The
signal goes HIGH in the following
cases:
1) During data entry (ea. char. time)
2) During printing
3) When off line
4) During printer-error state

12 30 PE OUT A HIGH signal indicates that the

printer is out of paper.

13 SLCT OUT Pulled up to +5 volts through 3.3K

ohm resistance.

8-10 Technical Specifications

 ecomes LOW, the
printer controller is reset to its
power-up state and the print buffer is
cleared. This level is usually HIGH;
its pulse width must be more than 50
microseconds at the receiving
terminal.

32 ERROR OUT This level becomes LOW when the

printer is:
1) in paper out state.
2) off line.
3) in error state.

33 - GND Same as for Pins 19-30.

34 NC Unused.

35 OUT Pulled up to +5V through 3.3K ohm

resistance.

36 SLCT IN IN The DCl/DCS code is valid only

when this signal is HIGH. (The same
effect can be achieved by setting
SelecType.)

Technical Specifications 8-11

The column heading “Direction” refers to the direction of signal
flow as viewed from the printer.
“Return” denotes the twisted-pair return, to be connected at
signal ground level. For the interface wiring, be sure to use a
twisted-pair cable for each signal and to complete the
connection on the return side.
All interface conditions are based on TTL level. Both the rise
and the fall times of each signal must be less than 0.2
microseconds.
Data transfer must be carried out by observing the ACKNLG or
BUSY signal. (Data transfer to this printer can be carried out
only after receipt of the ACKNLG signal or when the level of
the BUSY signal is LOW.)

Interface timing
The figure below shows the timing for the parallel interface.

8-12 Technical Specifications

Printing enabledldisabled signals and control conditions
The table below shows the relationship between printing being
enabled or disabled, the on line/off line status, the printer
select signal (SLCT IN), and the receipt of data on/off control
characters, DC1 /DC3.

ON LINE SLCT IN DCl/DC3 ERROR BUSY ACKNLG Printing

(Indicator (Data (Disabled,
on) on/off enabled)
control)
on line Low DCl/DC3 High High/Low Pulsed Enabled
(no effect) ea. char. (normal
cond.)
on line High DC1 ** High High/Low Pulsed Enabled
Recv’d ea. char.
on line High DC3 ** High High/Low Pulsed Disabled*
Recv’d ea. char.
off line High/Low DCl/DC3 Low High Not Disabled
(no effect) (no effect) generated

* While printing is disabled, data characters are received and

acknowledged so that the printer can look for another DC1
character, which allows it to resume printing.
** Enable only when the SelecType DCl/DC3 setting is On.

Serial interface
The built-in serial interface is an RS-232C asynchronous
interface with the following characteristics:

Data format
Start bit: lbit
Data word length: 8 bit
Parity bit: Odd, even or no parity
Stop bit: 1 bit or more
Baud rate 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200
bits per second.

Technical Specifications 8-13

Signal level
Mark (1) 3V to 27V
Space (0) +3V to +27V

Handshaking
Handshaking by DTR signal or X-on/X-off. The DTR signal
changes to mark - meaning the printer is not ready to receive
data - when the number of bytes free in the input buffer drops
to 256. The signal changes to space - meaning that the printer is
now ready - when the number of bytes in the input buffer rises
to 512.

Error handling
A * character is printed if a parity error is detected.
All other errors are ignored.

Connector
D-SUB 25-pin connector
In the table below, the direction of signals is given relative to
the printer.

Pin Signal Signal Description

number direction
2 TXD out Transmits data for X-on/X-off
20 DIR out Whether or not the printer is ready to
receive data
3 RXD in Receives data
7 SG - Signal ground level
1 FG - Printer chassis ground

Other pins are not used.

8-14 Technical Specifications

Options Specifications
Cut sheet feeders
Dimensions and weight:

Width Depth Hight Weight

C80608 1 537 m m 508 m m - 470 mm approx. 2.6 kg
C806091 664 m m 508 mm 470 m m approx. 3.2 kg
C806101 537 mm 608 mm 470 m m approx. 3.5 kg
C806111 664 mm 608 m m 470 mm approx. 5.6 kg
*Dimensions are mesured in mounting on the printer.

Bin capacity:
bin 1 Single sheet: Up to 150 sheets of 82
g/m2
Up to 185 sheets of 64
g/m2
(Total thickness should not
exceed 15 mm)
Envelope*: Up to 25 (plain and bond
type)
Up to 30 (airmail)
bin 2 Single sheet: Up to 150 sheets of 82
g/m2
Up to 185 sheets of 64
g/m2
(Total thickness should not
exceed 15 mm>
* Envelopes can only be used in bin 1.

Stacker capacity: Single sheet: Up to 100 sheets

Envelope: Up to 10 (plain, bond type
and airmail)

Technical Specifications 8-15

Realiability: MCBF (Mean Cycle Between Failures):
100,000 cycles

Environmental
condition:
Temperature Operation: +5°C to +35°C
Storage: -30°C to +7O°C
Humidity Operation: 15% to 80% without
condensation
15% to 70% (with
envelopes)
Storage: 5% to 90% without
condensation
5% to 70% (with envelopes)

Paper:

Single sheet Envelope

bin 1 and bin 2 bin 1
Width C806081 182mmto216mm 166 to 241 mm
C806091 (7.17” to 8.50”) (6.54” to 9.49”)
C806101 182 mm to 364 mm 166 to 241 mm
C806111 (7.17” to 14.33”) (6.54” to 9.49”)
Length 210 mm to 305 mm 92mmto104mm
(8.27” to 12.00”) (3.62” to 4.09”)
Thickness 0.07 mm to 0.1 mm 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm
(0.0028” to 0.0039”) (0.0098” to 0.0195”)
Weight 64 g/m2 to 82 g/m2 45 g/m2 to 91 g/m2
(17 lb to 22 lb) (12 lb to 24 lb)

8-16 Technical Specifications

Printable area:

Storage condition: T e m p e r a t u r e : 2
Humidity: 40% to 60%

Technical Specifications 8-17

Initialization
There are four ways that the printer can be initialized (returned
to a fixed set of conditions).
Hardware initialization l When the power is turned on.
l When the printer receives an
INIT signal at the parallel
interface (pin 31 goes LOW).
l When both the ON LINE and
LOAD/EJECT button is pressed at
the same time.
Software initialization &Software sends the ESC @
(initialize the printer) command.
These four kinds of initialization have slightly different effects.
In particular, ESC @ does not initialize the printer mechanism,
clear the input data buffer, or clear the user-defined character
set.

8-18 Technical Specifications

Default settings
The table below shows the default conditions that become valid
when the printer is turned on.

Item Reset to.

Top of form position Current paper position
Left and right margins SelecType setting
Line spacing SelecType setting
Vertical tab position Cleared
Horizontal tab positions Every eight characters
VFU channel Channel 0
Font selection SelecType setting
-
Justification Left justification
Character spacing SelecType setting
Special printing effects Cancelled
User-defined characters Hardware: Cleared
Software: Deselected only
Graphic mode assignment ESC K = ESC * 0,&C L = ESC * 1
ESC Y = ESC * 2, ESC Z = ESC * 3

In addition, when the printer is initialized by turning on its

power, using an INIT signal, or resetting the printer with panel
buttons, the data buffer is cleared of all text data.

Technical Specifications 8-19

Chapter 9
Command Summary

Using the Command Summary ........................................... 9-2

Control key chart ................................................................ 9-4

Commands in Numerical Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5

Commands Arranged by Topic ........................................... 9-8

Printer Operation ................................................................ 9-8
MSB Control ......................................................................... 9-11
Data Control ........................................................................ 9-12
Vertical Motion ................................................................... 9-13
Horizontal Motion .............................................................. 9-19
Overall Printing Style ........................................................ 9-23
Print Size and Character Width ...................................... 9-25
Print Enhancement ............................................................. 9-29
Word Processing ................................................................. 9-35
Character Tables ................................................................. 9-36
User-defined Characters ................................................... 9-38
Graphics ................................................................................ 9-40

Command Summary 9-l

Using the Command Summary
This chapter lists and describes all the commands available on
your printer.
The first part of this chapter lists all commands in numerical
order and gives the page number where each is fully described.
If you know which command you are looking for, consult the
numerical list to find the number of the page where it is
described.

Note: The Quick Reference Card at the end of this book

contains a list of the commands divided by topic, with page
references that direct you to full explanations of the
commands.

The second part of this chapter lists and describes each

command separately; the commands are divided into the
following subjects:
Printer operation Print enhancement
Data control Word processing
Vertical motion Character tables
Horizontal motion User-defined characters
Overall printing style Graphics
Print size and character width
Each command has a format section and a comments section.
The format section gives the ASCII, decimal, and hexadecimal
codes for this command. The comments section describes the
effect of the command and gives any additional information
necessary for using it.
The format section includes:
ASCII: the sequence in standard ASCII characters
Decimal: the sequence in decimal numbers
Hexadecimal: the sequence in hexadecimal numbers

9-2 Commend Summary

 Using the Command Summary

All three formats are equivalent, and it should be easy to pick

the one most suited to your purpose. For instance, a BASIC
programmer might refer to the first and second formats, a word
processor might use the second, and a machine code
programmer would use the third format. Variables are
represented by italicized letters such as n, nl, and m. The
valiables are explained in the comments section.

Note: Some application programs can use control key

sequences to send commands to the printer. See the Control
Key chart on page 9-4 for more information.

The simplest type of command consists of sending a single

character to the printer. For instance, to print in condensed
mode, you send the code 15. The code format is:
ASCII code: SI
Decimal: 15
Hexadecimal: OF
More complex commands consist of two or more character
codes. For example, to print in proportional mode the code
format is:
ASCII code: ESC p n
Decimal: 27 112 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 70 n
In this case, n can be either 1 (ON) or 0 (OFF), to begin or end
proportional printing. To turn ON proportional printing from
BASIC, the command is:
LPRINT CHR$(27);CHR$(112);CHR$(l)
For the following commands that use only 0 or 1 for the
variable, either the ASCII codes 0 and 1 or the ASCII characters
0 and 1 can be used:
ESC U, ESC x, ESC p, ESC W, ESC S, ESC -,
ESC %, and ESC w.

Command Summary 9-3

For example, in BASIC you can turn on double-width with
either of these statements:
LPRINT CHR$(27);“W”;CHR$(l) ------ ASCII code
LPRINT CHR$(27);“W”;“l” ------------- ASCII character
These BASIC commands correspond to the printer commands
below:
ESC W SO or ESC Wl

Control key chart

Some application programs can use control key codes for
decimal values 0 through 27. The table below gives you the
proper values. The Control Key column indicates that you
press the control key at the same time you press the key for the
letter or symbol in that column. For example, you press the
control key and A at the same time to send the value 1.

Note: Many programs use the control keys for other

purposes. Also, some programs do not use all of these keys.

Dec. Hex. Ctrl. Key Dec. Hex. Ctrl. Key

0 00 @ 14 OE N
1 01 A 15 OF 0
2 02 B 16 10
3 03 C 17 11 i
4 04 D 18 12 R
5 05 E 19 13 S
6 06 F 20 14 T
7 07 G 21 15 U
8 08 H 22 16 V
9 09 23 17 W
10 OA 5 24 18 X
11 OB K 25 19 Y
12 OC L 26 1A Z
13 OD M 27 1B [

9-4 Commend Summary

Commands in Numerical Order
The following list shows control codes and ESC sequences (with
their decimal and hexadecimal values), and the page number
where the complete command can be found.

ASCII Dec. Hex. Description Page

BEL 7 07 Beeper 9-12
BS 8 08 Backspace 9-20
HT 9 09 Tab Horizontally 9-22
LF 10 OA Line Feed 9-15
VT 11 OB Tab Vertically 9-17
FF 12 OC Form Feed 9-13
CR 13 OD Carriage Return 9-12
SO 14 OE Select Double-width Mode
(one line) 9-27
SI 15 OF Select Condensed Mode 9-26
DC1 17 11 Select Printer 9-8
DC2 18 12 Cancel Condensed Mode 9-27
DC3 19 13 Deselect Printer 9-9
DC4 20 14 Cancel Double-width Mode
(one line) 9-28
CAN 24 18 Cancel Line 9-12
DEL 127 7F Delete Character 9-9
ESC SO 14 OE Select Double-width Mode
(one line) 9-28
ESC SI 15 OF Select Condensed Mode 9-27
ESC EM 25 19 Cut Sheet Feeder Control 9-10
ESC SP 32 20 Set Intercharacter Space 9-35
ESC! 33 21 Master Select 9-24
ESC # 35 23 Cancel MSB Control 9-11
ESC $ 36 24 Set Absolute Print Position 9-21
ESC % 37 25 Select User-defined Set 9-39
ESC & 38 26 Define User-defined Characters 9-38

Command Summary 9-5

Commands in Numerical Order

ASCII Dec. Hex. Description Page

ESC ( - 40 28 Select Line 9-33
ESC * 42 2A Select Graphics Mode 9-42
ESC + 43 2B Set n/360-inch Line Spacing 9-16
ESC - 45 2D Turn Underlining Mode On/Off 9-31
ESC / 47 2F Select Vertical Tab Channel 9-19
ESC 0 48 30 Select 1 /&inch Line Spacing 9-15
ESC 2 50 32 Select l/6-inch Line Spacing 9-16
ESC 3 51 33 Set n/180-inch Line Spacing 9-16
ESC 4 52 34 Select Italic Mode 9-36
ESC 5 53 35 Cancel Italic Mode 9-37
ESC 6 54 36 Enable Printable Characters 9-39
ESC 7 55 37 Enable Upper Control Codes 9-40
ESC : 58 3A Copy ROM into RAM 9-38
ESC < 60 3C Select Unidirectional Mode
(one line) 9-9
ESC = 61 3D Set MSB to 0 9-11
ESC > 62 3E Set MSB to 1 9-11
ESC ? 63 3F Reassign Graphics Mode 9-42
ESC @ 64 40 Initialize Printer 9-8
ESC A 65 41 Set n/GO-inch Line Spacing 9-17
ESC B 66 42 Set Vertical Tabs 9-18
ESC C 67 43 Set Page Length in Lines 9-13
ESC C 0 67 43 Set Page Length in Inches 9-14
ESC D 68 44 Set Horizontal Tabs 9-22
ESC E 69 45 Select Emphasized Mode 9-29
ESC F 70 46 Cancel Emphasized Mode 9-29
ESC G 71 47 Select Double-strike Mode 9-30
ESC H 72 48 Cancel Double-strike Mode 9-30
ESC J 74 4A Perform n/180-inch Line Feed 9-17
ESC K 75 4B Select Single-density
Graphics Mode 9-40
ESC L 76 4C Select Double-density
Graphics Mode 9-41

9-6 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

ASCII Dec. Hex. Description Page

ESC M 77 4D Select 12 cpi 9-25
ESC N 78 4E Set Skip Over Perforation 9-14
ESC 0 79 4F Cancel Skip Over Perforation 9-15
ESC I’ 80 50 Select 10 cpi 9-25
ESC Q 81 51 Set Right Margin 9-20
ESC R 82 52 Select an International
Character Set 9-37
ESC SO 83 53 Select Superscript Mode 9-30
ESC Sl 83 53 Select Subscript Mode 9-31
ESC T 84 54 Cancel Superscript/Subscript
Mode 9-31
ESC U 85 55 Turn Unidirectional Mode On/Off 9-10
ESC W 87 57 Turn Double-width Mode On/Off 9-28
ESC Y 89 59 Select High-speed Double-density
Graphics Mode 9-41
ESC Z 90 5A Select Quadruple-density
Graphics Mode 9-41
ESC \ 92 5C Set Relative Print Position 9-21
ESC a 97 61 Select Justification 9-35
ESC b 98 62 Set Vertical Tabs in Channels 9-18
ESC g 103 67 Select 15 cpi 9-25
ESC k 107 6B Select Typestyle Family 9-23
ESC 1 108 6C Set Left Margin 9-19
ESC p 112 70 Turn Proportional Mode On/Off 9-26
ESC q 113 71 Select Character Style 9-32
ESC t 116 74 Select Character Table 9-36
ESC w 119 77 Turn Double-height Mode On/Off 9-29
ESC x 120 78 Select Letter Quality or Draft 9-23

Command Summary 9-7

Commands Arranged by Topic
The following section lists and describes all the commands by
topic. See the Quick Reference Card at the end of the book for
the list of the commands by topic.

Printer Operation
ESC 63 Initialize Printer
Format:
ASCII code: ESC @
Decimal: 27 64
Hexadecimal: 1B 40
Comments:
Resets the printer mode and clears the current print line
preceding the command. See initialization in Chapter 8.

DC1 Select Printer

Format:
ASCII code: DC1
Decimal: 17
Hexadecimal: 11
Comments:
Returns the printer to the selected state if it has been
deselected by the printer deselect code (DC3). Does not
select the printer if it has been switched off line by pressing
the ON LINE button. The selected state can also be fixed using
a SelecType setting.

9-8 Commend Summary

DC3 Deselect Printer
Format:
ASCII code: DC3
Decimal: 19
Hexadecimal: 13
Comments:
Puts the printer into the deselected state until the select
printer code (DCl) is received. The printer cannot be
reselected with the ON LINE button. If the selected state has
been fixed by SelecType, this code is ignored.

DEL Delete Character

Format:
ASCII code: DEL
Decimal: 127
Hexadecimal: 7F
Comments:
Removes the last text character on the print line but does not
affect control codes.

ESC < Select Unidirectional Mode (one line)

Format:
ASCII code: ESC <
Decimal: 27 60
Hexadecimal: 1B 3C
Comments:
Printing is normally bidirectional. This command selects
unidirectional printing for one line only. (It is cancelled by a
carriage return.) The print head moves to the extreme left
(home) position and printing takes place from left to right.

Command Summary 9-9

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC U Turn Unidirectional Mode On/Off

Format:
ASCII code: ESC U n
Decimal: 27 85 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 55 n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
1: Mode is turned ON.
0: Mode is turned OFF.
Printing is normally bidirectional. This command selects
unidirectional printing for more accurate positioning during
text printing. This setting can also be performed by
SelecType.

ESC EM Cut Sheet Feeder Control

Format:
ASCII code: ESC EM n
Decimal: 27 25 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 19 n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
1: Loads sheet from bin 1.
2: Loads sheet from bin 2.
R: Ejects a sheet. (No paper is loaded).
The command should not be used unless the cut sheet feeder
is installed. It is ignored if any value other than 1, 2, or R is
used for n.
The ON/OFF status of the cut sheet feeder mode and the
selection of bin 1 or 2 can also be selected by the PAPER
SELECT button.

9-10 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

MSB Control
MSB is the Most Significant Bit. MSB control (ESC =, ESC >,
and ESC #) does not work for graphics or user defined
characters.

ESC = (equal) Set MSB to 0

Format:
ASCII code: ESC =
Decimal: 27 61
Hexadecimal: 1B 3D
Comments:
Sets the MSB of all incoming data to 0. Some computers
always send data with the MSB set to 1, which means that
italics or character graphics will always be printed. ESC =
can overcome this problem.

ESC > Set MSB to 1

Format:
ASCII code: ESC >
Decimal: 27 62
Hexadecimal: 1B 3E
Comments:
Sets the MSB bit of all incoming data to 1.

ESC # Cancel MSB Control

Format:
ASCII code: ESC #
Decimal: 27 35
Hexadecimal: 1B 23
Comments:
Cancels the MSB control set by ESC = or ESC >.

Command Summary 9-11

BEL Beeper
Format:
ASCII code: BEL
Decimal: 7
Hexadecimal: 07
Comments:
Sounds the printer’s beeper.

Data Control
CR Carriage Return
Format:
ASCII code: CR
Decimal: 13
Hexadecimal: OD
Comments:
Prints the data in the buffer and returns the print position to
the left margin. A line feed may be added if the AUTO FEED
XT line on the parallel interface is held LOW. This can also
be performed by the SelecType AUTO LINE FEED setting.

CAN Cancel Line

Format:
ASCII code: CAN
Decimal: 24
Hexadecimal: 18
Comments:
Removes all text on the print line, but does not affect control
codes.

9-12 Commend Summary

Vertical Motion
FF Form Feed
Format:
ASCII code: FF
Decimal: 12
Hexadecimal: OC
Comments:
Prints the data in the print buffer and advances the paper to
the top of the next form according to the current page length.
Page length can be changed with ESC C. In the cut sheet
feeder mode, an FF ejects a sheet but does not load one.

ESC C Set Page Length in Lines

Format:
ASCII code: ESC C n
Decimal: 27 67 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 43 n
Comments:
Sets the page length to n lines in the current line spacing.
The value of n must be from l-127 lines. The top of form
position is set to the current line. Overrides the SelecType
PAGE TRACTOR, PAGE CSF BN1, or PAGE CSF BN2 setting.

Command Summary 9-13

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC C 0 Set Page Length in Inches

Format:
ASCII code: ESC C 0 n
Decimal: 27 67 0 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 43 00 n
Comments:
Sets the page length to n inches. The value of n must be
froml-22. The top of form position is set to the current line.
Overrides the SelecType PAGE TRACTOR, PAGE CSF BN1 , or
PAGE CSF BN2 setting.

ESC N Set Skip Over Perforation

Format:
ASCII code: ESC N n
Decimal: 27 78 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 4E n
Comments:
The variable n is the number of lines skipped between the
last line printed on one page and the first line on the next
page. For example, with the standard settings for line
spacing (l/6-inch) and page length (66 lines), ESC N 6 prints
60 lines and then skips 6. This setting is cancelled by ESC 0,
ESC C or ESC C 0. The value of n must be from 1-127.
Overrides the SelecType 1’ SKIP setting.

9-14 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC 0 Cancel Skip Over Perforation

Format:
ASCII code: ESC 0
Decimal: 27 79
Hexadecimal: 1B 4F
Comments:
Cancels the skip over perforation set by ESC N. Overrides
the SelecType 1’ SKIP setting.

LF Line Feed
Format:
ASCII code: LF
Decimal: 10
Hexadecimal: 0A
Comments:
When this command is received, the data in the print buffer
is printed and the paper advances one line in the current line
spacing.

ESC 0 Select 1 /S-inch Line Spacing

Format:
ASCII code: ESC 0
Decimal: 27 48
Hexadecimal: 1B 30
Comments:
Sets the line spacing to l/8th of an inch for subsequent line
feed commands. The 0 is the character zero and not decimal
code 0. Overrides the SelecType LINE SPACING setting.

Command Summary 9-15

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC 2 Select l/6-inch Line spacing

Format:
ASCII code: ESC 2
Decimal: 27 50
Hexadecimal: 1B 32
Comments:
Sets the line spacing to 1/6th of an inch for subsequent line
feed commands. The 2 is the character two and not decimal
code 2. This is the default at power on. Overrides the
SelecType LINE SPACING setting.

ESC 3 Set n/180-inch Line Spacing

Format:
ASCII code: ESC 3 n
Decimal: 27 51 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 33 n
Comments:
Sets the line spacing to n/180th of an inch for subsequent line
feed commands. The 3 is the character three and not decimal
code 3. The value of n must be from O-255.

ESC + Set n/360-inch Line Spacing

Format:
ASCII code: ESC + n
Decimal: 27 43 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 2B n
Comments:
Sets the line spacing to n/360th of an inch for subsequent line
feed commands. The value of n must be from O-255.

9-16 Commend Summary

ESC A Set n/60-inch Line Spacing
Format:
ASCII code: ESC A n
Decimal: 27 65 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 41 n
Comments:
Sets the line spacing to n/60th of an inch for subsequent line
feed commands. The value of n must be from O-85.

ESC J Perform n/180-inch Line Feed

Format:
ASCII code: ESC J n
Decimal: 27 74 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 4A n
Comments:
Advances the paper n/180th of an inch. The value of n must
be from O-255. This command produces an immediate line
feed but does not affect subsequent line spacing and does not
produce a carriage return.

VT Tab Vertically
Format:
ASCII code: VT
Decimal: 11
Hexadecimal: 0B
Comments:
Advances the paper to the next tab setting in the channel
selected by ESC /. If no channel has been selected, channel 0
is used. If no vertical tabs have been set, the paper advances
one line.

Command Summary 9-17

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC B Set Vertical Tabs

Format:
ASCII code: ESC B nl n2 . . . 0
Decimal: 27 66 nl n2 . . . 0
Hexadecimal: 1B 42 nl n2 . . . 00
Comments:
Sets up to 16 vertical tabs in the current line spacing. Tab
settings are not affected by subsequent changes in line
spacing. The tab settings are entered as nl, n2, etc., all from
l-255, in ascending order. The 0 character indicates the end
of the command. All settings are stored in channel 0 (see
ESC b). ESC B 0 clears the tab settings.

ESC b Set Vertical Tabs in Channels

Format:
ASCII code: ESC b c nl n2 . . . 0
Decimal: 27 98 c nl n2 . . . 0
Hexadecimal: 1B 62 c nl n2 . . . 00
Comments:
Functions the same as ESC B, except that the variable c selects
a channel for the vertical tabs, which must be between O-7.
Therefore, up to eight sets of vertical tabs can be set. The
channels are selected by ESC /. To clear the tabs in channel c
use ESC b c 0.

9-18 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC / Select Vertical Tab Channel

Format:
ASCII code: ESC / c
Decimal: 27 47 c
Hexadecimal: 1B 2F c
Comments
This command is used to select the vertical tab channel, with
the value of c from 0-7. All subsequent VT commands use
the channel selected by this command.

Horizontal Motion
ESC 1 Set Left Margin
Format:
ASCII code: ESC 1 n
Decimal: 27 108 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 6C n
Comments:
Set the left margin to n columns in the current character size.
Settings made in the proportional mode are treated as 10 cpi.
This command clears previous tab settings and all previous
characters in the print line. Use lowercase 1 (as in left), not
the numeral one. The minimum space between the margins
is the width of one double-width 10 cpi character.
This setting can also be performed by SelecType. Overrides
the SelecType LEFT MARGIN setting.

Command Summary 9-19

ESC Q Set Right Margin
Format:
ASCII code: ESC Q n
Decimal: 27 81 n
Hexadecimal: 18 51 n
Comments:
Sets the right margin to n columns in the current character
size. Settings made in the proportional mode are treated as
10 cpi. This command clears previous tab settings and all
previous characters in the print line. The minimum space
between the margins is the width of one double-width 10 cpi
character. Overrides the SelecType RIGHT MARGIN setting.

BS Backspace
Format:
ASCII code: BS
Decimal: 8
Hexadecimal: 08
Comments:
Prints out data in the print buffer, then moves the print
position one space to the left. Backspacing can be performed
up to, but not beyond, the left margin setting. Do not use BS
with the ESC a command.

9-20 Commend Summary

ESC $ Set Absolute Print Position
Format:
ASCII code: ESC $ nl n2
Decimal: 27 36 n1 n2
Hexadecimal: 1B 24 nl n2
Comments:
This sequence specifies the distance from the left margin that
subsequent characters are to be printed, using this formula:
total number of dots = nl + (n2 x 256). Each unit equals
1/60th of an inch. The sequence is ignored and the previous
setting remains effective if the position specified is beyond
the right margin.

ESC \ Set Relative Print Position

Format:
ASCII code: ESC \ nl n2
Decimal: 27 92 nl n2
Hexadecimal: 1B 5C nl n2
Comments:
Determines the position (relative to the current position) at
which printing of following data will start. To find nl and
n2, first calculate the displacement required in dots. If the
displacement is to the left, subtract it from 65536. Send the
resulting number using this formula: total number of dots =
nl + (256 x n2).
The command is ignored if it would move the print position
outside the current margins. A unit is l/120th of an inch in
draft, and 1/180th of an inch in Letter Quality or
proportional.

Command Summary 9-21

Commands Arranged by Topic

HT Tab Horizontally
Format:
ASCII code: HT
Decimal: 9
Hexadecimal: 09
Comments:
Advances the print position to the next horizontal tab setting.
The default settings are at intervals of eight characters in the
currently selected character spacing. Tab positions are not
affected by subsequent changes in character spacing.

ESC D Set Horizontal Tabs

Format:
ASCII code: ESC D nl n2 . . . 0
Decimal: 27 68 nl n2 . . . 0
Hexadecimal: 1B 44 nl n2 . . . 00
Comments:
This command allows setting of up to 32 horizontal tabs,
which are entered as nl, n2, n3, etc. (from l-255) with the 0
character terminating the command. The tab settings must be
entered in ascending order. ESC D 0 clears all tabs. The
settings on power up or after an ESC @ command are every
eight characters. The tab settings do not change if the
character spacing is changed, and for proportional printing
the size of 10 cpi characters determines the tab positions.

9-22 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

Overall Printing Style

ESC x Select Letter Quality or Draft
Format:
ASCII code: ESC x n
Decimal: 27 120 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 78 n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
0: Selects the draft mode.
1: Selects the Letter Quality (LQ) mode.
Overrides the SelecType and control panel settings.

ESC k Select Typestyle Family

Format:
ASCII code: ESC k n
Decimal: 27 107 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 6B n
Comments:
This command affects only the Letter Quality typestyle, not
draft. If n = 0, the Roman typestyle in the printer is used. To
select one of the eight other typestyles, use the family
number of the font shown on the next page. For example, to
choose the Prestige font, use 3 for n.

Command Summary 9-23

 The following values can be used for n:
0: Roman
1: Sans Serif
2: Courier
3: Prestige
4: Script
5: OCR-B
6: OCR-A
7: Orator
8: Orator-S
Overrides the SelecType FONT and control panel settings.

ESC ! Master Select

Format:
ASCII code: ESC ! n
Decimal: 27 33 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 21 n
Comments:
Selects any valid combination of the following modes: 10 cpi,
12 cpi, proportional, condensed, emphasized, double-strike,
double-width, italic, and underline. For details on how to set
n, see the section on selecting typestyles with Master Select in
Chapter 4.

9-24 Commend Summary

Print Size and Character Width
ESC P Select 10 cpi
Format:
ASCII code: ESC P
Decimal: 27 80
Hexadecimal: 1B 50
Comments:
Selects 10 cpi (10 characters per inch). Because 10 cpi is the
default pitch, this command is normally used to cancel 12 cpi
or 15 cpi. Overrides the SelecType PITCH and control panel
settings.

ESC M Select 12 cpi

Format:
ASCII code: ESC M
Decimal: 27 77
Hexadecimal: 1B 4D
Comments:
Selects 12 cpi (12 characters per inch). Overrides the
SelecType PITCH and control panel settings.

ESC g Select 15 cpi

Format:
ASCII code: ESC g
Decimal: 27 103
Hexadecimal: 1B 67
Comments:
Selects 15 cpi (15 characters per inch), and cancels 10 cpi or
12 cpi. 15 cpi cannot be combined with condensed.
Overrides the SelecType PITCH and control panel settings.

Command Summary 9-25

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC p Turn Proportional Mode On/Off

Format:
ASCII code: ESC p n
Decimal: 27 112 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 70 n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
1: Mode is turned ON.
0: Mode is turned OFF.
The width of proportional characters varies from character to
character. Therefore, a narrow letter like i receives less space
than a wide letter like W. The proportional widths are given
in the character tables, which appear in Appendix A.
Overrides the SelecType PITCH and control panel settings.

SI Select Condensed Mode

Format:
ASCII code: SI
Decimal: 15
Hexadecimal: 0F
Comments:
Prints characters at about 60 percent of their normal width.
For example, the condensed 10 cpi mode has 17 characters
per inch. The 15 cpi mode cannot be condensed. Overrides
the SelecType PITCH and control panel settings.

9-26 Commend Summary

ESC SI Select Condensed Mode
Format:
ASCII code: ESC SI
Decimal: 27 15
Hexadecimal: 1B OF
Comments:
Duplicates the SI command and the function of SelecType
and control panel settings.

DC2 Cancel Condensed Mode

Format:
ASCII code: DC2
Decimal: 18
Hexadecimal: 12
Comments:
Cancels condensed printing set by SI, ESC SI or the SelecType
and control panel settings.

so Select Double-width Mode (one line)

Format:
ASCII code: SO
Decimal: 14
Hexadecimal: 0E
Comments:
Double-width mode doubles the width of all characters. This
mode is cancelled by a carriage return or DC4. ESC SO
duplicates this command.

Command Summary 9-27

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC SO Select Double-width Mode (one line)

Format:
ASCII code: ESC SO
Decimal: 27 14
Hexadecimal: 1B 0E
Comments:
Duplicates the SO command.

DC4 Cancel Double-width Mode (one line)

Format:
ASCII code: DC4
Decimal: 20
Hexadecimal: 14
Comments:
Cancels one-line double-width printing selected by SO or
ESC SO, but not double-width printing selected by ESC W or
ESC !.

ESC W Turn Double-width Mode On/Off

Format:
ASCII code: ESC W n
Decimal: 27 87 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 57 n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
1: Mode is turned ON.
0: Mode is turned OFF.
Double-width mode doubles the width of all characters.

9-28 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC w Turn Double-height Mode On/Off

Format:
ASCII code: ESC w n
Decimal: 27 119 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 77 n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
1: Mode is turned ON.
0: Mode is turned OFF.
Double-height mode doubles the height of all characters.

Print Enhancement
ESC E Select Emphasized Mode
Format:
ASCII code: ESC E
Decimal: 27 69
Hexadecimal: 1B 45
Comments:
Makes text bolder by printing each dot twice.

ESC F Cancel Emphasized Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC F
Decimal: 27 70
Hexadecimal: 1B 46
Comments:
Cancels the emphasized mode selected by ESC E.

Command Summary 9-29

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC G Select Double-strike Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC G
Decimal: 77 71
Hexadecimal: 1B 47
Comments:
Makes text bolder by printing each line twice.

ESC H Cancel Double-strike Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC H
Decimal: 27 72
Hexadecimal: 1B 48
Comments:
Cancels the double-strike mode selected by ESC G.

ESC SO Select Superscript Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC S 0
Decimal: 27 83 0
Hexadecimal: 1B 53 0
Comments:
Prints characters about two-thirds of the normal character
height in the upper part of the character space.

9-30 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC Sl Select Subscript Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC S 1
Decimal: 27 83 1
Hexadecimal: 1B 53 1
Comments:
Prints characters about two-thirds of the normal character
height in the lower part of the character space.

ESC T Cancel Superscript/Subscript Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC T
Decimal: 27 84
Hexadecimal: 1B 54
Comments:
Cancels either superscript or subscript.

ESC - Turn Underlining Mode On/Off

Format:
ASCII code: ESC - n
Decimal: 2 7 4 5 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 2D n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
1: Mode is turned ON.
0: Mode is turned OFF.
This mode provides continuous underlining including spaces.

Command Summary 9-31

ESC q Select Character Style
Format:
ASCII code: ESC q n
Decimal: 27 113 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 71 n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
0: Select normal style
1: Select outline style
2: Select shadow style
3: Select outline with shadow
This command is valid for all characters, with the exception
of character codes B0H to DFH, F4H, and F5H in the EPSON
Extended Graphics character table.

9-32 Commend Summary

ESC ( - Select Line
Format:
ASCII code: ESC ( - nl n2 m dl d2
Decimal: 27 40 45 nl n2 m dl d2
Hexadecimal: 1B 28 2D nl n2 m dl d2
Comments:
Use decimal or hexadecimal values for all variables, not
ASCII characters.
Use the following values for the first 3 variables:
nl must be 3
n2 must be 0
m must be 1
The value of dl determines the location of the score:
dl = 1 for underline
dl = 2 for strike through
dl = 3 for overscore
The value of d2 determines whether the score line is single,
double, broken, or continuous:
d2 = 0 Cancel the score line selected by dl
d2 = 1 Single continuous line
d2 = 2 Double continuous line
d2 = 5 Single broken line
d2 = 6 Double broken line

Command Summary 9-33

Commands Arranged by Topic

The last three bits of d2 determine the characteristics of the

score line as shown below:
Bit 2 Bit 1 Bit 0
On (1) Broken Double Single
line line on line on
Off (0) Continuous Double Single
line line off line off

Note: If Bit 1 and Bit 0 are both off, the selected score is
cancelled. Double line and single line scores cannot be
combined at the same score position.

9-34 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

Word Processing
ESC a Select Justification
Format:
ASCII code: ESC a n
Decimal: 27 97 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 61 n
Comments:
The following values can be used for n:
0: Selects left justification.
1: Selects centering.
2: Selects right justification.
3: Selects full justification.
The default setting is n = 0. Full justification (n = 3) is
performed when the buffer becomes full; HT and BS are
invalid except in n = 0 mode. For n = 3 there must be no
carriage returns within a paragraph.

ESC SP (space) Set Intercharacter Space

Format:
ASCII code: ESC SP n
Decimal: 27 32 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 20 n
Comments:
Sets the amount of space added to the right of each character,
in addition to the space already allowed in the design of the
character. The number of dots is determined by n, which
should be from O-127. Each unit of space is 1/120th of an
inch in draft and l/180th of an inch in Letter Quality and
proportional.

Command Summary 9-35

Commands Arranged by Topic

Character Tables
ESC t Select Character Table
Format:
ASCII code: ESC t n
Decimal: 27 116 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 74 n
Comments:
Selects the character table used by codes 128-255. Selecting
EPSON Extended Graphics does not disable italic printing.
Italic printing can still be selected by ESC 4. The following
values can be used for n:
0: Selects Italics character table.
1: Selects EPSON Extended Graphics character table.
2: Selects user-defined character table.
The values 0, 1, and 2 override the function of SelecType CG
TABLE setting. Note that the value of n must equal 00 hex, 01
hex or 02 hex.

ESC 4 Select Italic Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC 4
Decimal: 27 52
Hexadecimal: 1B 34
Comments:
Causes italic characters to be printed. This command is valid
even if the EPSON Extended Graphics set has been selected
by ESC t or the SelecType CG TABLE setting, but character
graphics are not italicized.

9-36 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC 5 Cancel Italic Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC 5
Decimal: 27 53
Hexadecimal: 1B 35
Comments:
Cancels the mode selected by ESC 4.

ESC R Select an International Character Set

Format:
ASCII code: ESC R n
Decimal: 27 82 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 52 n
Comments
The following values can be used for n:
0: USA 8: Japan
1: France 9: Norway
2: Germany 10: Denmark 2
3: UK 11: Spain 2
4: Denmark 1 12: Latin America
5: Sweden 13: Korea
6: Italy 64: Legal
7: Spain 1
Overrides the SelecType COUNTRY setting.

Command Summary 9-37

Commands Arranged by Topic

User-defined Characters
See Chapter 4 for sample programs and full information on this
topic.

ESC & Define User-defined Characters

Format:
ASCII code: ESC & 0 n l n2 d0 dl d2 data
Decimal: 27 38 0 nl n2 d0 dl d2 data
Hexadecimal: 1B 26 00 nl n 2 d0 dl d2 data
Comments:
This command allows characters to be redefined in the
currently selected mode.

ESC : Copy ROM into RAM

Format:
ASCII code: ESC : 0 n 0
Decimal: 27 58 0 n 0
Hexadecimal: 1B 3A 00 n 00
Comments:
This code copies the characters in the ROM into RAM so that
specific characters can be redefined. The variable n
represents the font family.
0: Roman
1: Sans Serif
2: Courier
3: Prestige
4: Script
5: O C R - B
6: O C R - A
7: Orator
8: Orator-S

9-38 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC % Select User-defined Set

Format:
ASCII code: ESC % n
Decimal: 27 37 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 25 n
Comments:
This code is used to print the characters of the user-defined
download set. ESC & is required to define the character set.
The following values can be used for n:
0: Selects the normal set.
1: Selects the user-defined set.

ESC 6 Enable Printable Characters

Format:
ASCII code: ESC 6
Decimal: 27 54
Hexadecimal: 1B 36
Comments:
When the EPSON Extended Graphics character table is
selected, this code enables the printing of codes 128 through
159 (decimal) as characters, not control codes.

Command Summary 9-39

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC 7 Enable Upper Control Codes

Format:
ASCII code: ESC 7
Decimal: 27 55
Hexadecimal: 1B 37
Comments:
When the EPSON Extended Graphics character table is
selected, this code causes codes 128 through 159 to be treated
as control codes. This is the default.

Graphics
See Chapter 4 for sample graphics programs. Also see the table
under ESC * for graphics modes.

ESC K Select Single-density Graphics Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC K nl n2
Decimal: 27 75 nl n 2
Hexadecimal: 1B 4B nl n2
Comments:
Turns on eight-element, single-density graphics mode. The
total number of columns = nl + (n2 x 256).

9-40 Commend Summary

 Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC L Select Double-density Graphics Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC L nl n2
Decimal: 27 76 nl n2
Hexadecimal: 1B 4C nl n2
Comments:
Turns on eight-element, low-speed, double-density graphics
mode. The total number of columns = nl + (n2 x 256).

ESC Y Select High-speed Double-density Graphics Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC Y nl n 2
Decimal: 27 89 nl n2
Hexadecimal: 1 B 59 nl n2
Comments:
Turns on eight-element, high-speed, double-density graphics
mode. The total number of columns = nl + (n2 x 256).

ESC Z Select Quadruple-density Graphics Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC Z nl n 2
Decimal: 27 90 nl n2
Hexadecimal: 1B 5A nl n 2
Comments:
Turns on eight-element, quadruple-density graphics mode.
The total number of columns = nl + (n2 x 256).

Command Summary 9-41

Commands Arranged by Topic

ESC * Select Graphics Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC * m nl n2
Decimal: 27 42 m nl n2
Hexadecimal: 1B 2A m nl n2
Comments:
Turns on graphics mode m. See the table below for details on
the available modes. The total number of columns = nl + (n2

* Adjacent dots cannot be printed in this mode.

ESC ? Reassign Graphics Mode

Format:
ASCII code: ESC ? s n
Decimal: 27 63 s n
Hexadecimal: 1B 3F s n
Comments:
Changes one graphics mode to another. The variable s is a
character (K, L, Y or Z), which is reassigned to a mode n (O-6,
32-33, 38-40).

9-42 Commend Summary

Appendix

Proportional Width Table ..................................................... A-2

Character Tables ..................................................................... A-6

Appendix A-l
Proportional Width Table
This table lists the widths of your printer’s proportional
characters. The values given are in 360ths of an inch. (For
example, a value of 36 is 36/360ths of an inch.) You may need
to enter these widths into a special table for your processing
program so it can calculate the number of proportional
characters that will fit on a line.
The characters with no code indicated are international
characters or graphics. See the table on page 3-35 for the
relevant codes for the international characters. Also, see the
descriptions of the ESC R and ESC t commands on page 9-37
and 9-36 for information on how to use these characters.
The following width table shows each character, its ASCII code
(hexadecimal), and its width. If there are two numbers in the
width column, the second one is for the superscript/subscript
version of the character.

Code CHR Width Code CHR Width

20 30/20 30 0 30/20
21 18/12 31 1 30/20
22 30/20 32 2 30/20
23 30/20 33 3 30/20
24 30/20 34 4 30/20
2.5 36/24 35 5 30/20
26 36/24 36 6 30/20
27 18/12 37 7 30/20
28 24/16 38 8 30/20
29 24/16 39 9 30/20
2A 30/20 3A .. 18/12
2B 30/20 3B 18/12
2C 18/12 3C 30/20
2D 30/20 3D 30/20
2E 18/12 3E 30/20
2F 30/20 3F 30/20

A-2 Appendix
 Proportional Width Table

Code CHR Width Code CHR Width

40 @ 36/24 64 36/24
41 A 36/24 65 30/20
42 B 36/24 66 24/16
43 C 36/24 67 36/24
44 D 36/24 68 36/24
45 E 36/24 69 18/12
46 F 36/24 6A 24/16
47 G 36/24 6B 36/24
48 H 36/24 6C 18/12
49 I 24/16 6D 42/28
4A J 30/20 6E 36/24
4B K 36/24 6F 30/20
4C L 36/24 70 36/24
4D M 42/28 71 36/24
4E N 36/24 72 30/20
4F 0 36/24 73 30/20
50 P 36/24 74 24/16
51 Q 36/24 75 36/24
52 R 36/24 76 36/24
53 S 36/24 77 42/28
54 T 36/24 78 30/20
55 U 42/28 79 36/24
56 v 36/24 7A 30/20
57 w 42/28 7B 24/16
58 X 36/24 7C 18/12
59 Y 36/24 7D 24/16
5A Z 30/20 7E 30/20
5B [ 24/16 36/24
5C \ 30/20 36/24
5D I 24/16 30/20
5E 30/20 30/20
5F 30/20 30/20
60 18/12 30/20
61 30/20 30/20
62 36/24 30/20
63 30/20 30/20

Appendix A-3
Proportional Width Table

Code CHR Width Code CHR Width

30/20 30/20
30/20 30/20
18/12 B0 30
18/12 B1 30
18/12 B2 30
36/24 B3 30
36/24 B4 30
36/24 B5 30
42/28 B6 30
42/28 B7 30
30/20 B8 30
30/20 B9 30
30/20 BA 30
36/24 BB 30
36/24 BC 30
36/24 BD 30
36/24 BE 30
42/28 BF 30
30/20 C0 30
30/20 C1 30
36/24 C2 30
42/28 C3 30
30/20 C4 30
30/20 C5 30
18/12 C6 30
30/20 C7 30
36/24 C8 30
36/24 C9 30
36/24 CA 30
30/20 CB 30
30/20 CC 30
30/20 CD 30
30/20 CE 30
30/20 CF 30
30/20 D0 30
30/20 D1 30
30/20 D2 30

A-4 Appendix
 Proportional Width Table

Code CHR Width Code CHR Width

D3 30 F8 30
D4 30 F9 30
D5 30 FA 30
D6 30 FB 30
D7 30 FC 30
D8 30 FD 30
D9 30 FE 30
DA 30 24/16
DB 30 30/20
DC 30 36/24
DD 30 36/24
DE 30 30/20
DF 30 30/20
E0 30/20 30/20
E1 30/20
E2 30/20
E3 30/20
E4 30/20
E5 30/20
E6 30/20
E7 30/20
E8 30/20
E9 30/20
EA 30/20
EB 30/20
EC 30/20
ED 30/20
EE 30/20
EF 30/20
F0 30
F1 30
F2 30
F3 30
F4 30
F5 30
F6 30
F7 30

Appendix A-5
Character Tables
These character tables are selected by SelecType CG TABLE
setting or using the ESC t software command. For the EPSON
Extended Graphics character table, use of the ESC 6 or ESC 7
software command lets you select whether to print hex codes 80
to 9F as characters (ESC 6) or control codes (ESC 7).

Italic Character Table

A-6 Appendix
 Character Tables

EPSON Extended Graphics Character Table

Appendix A-7
Note that these definitions apply specifically to printers. If a
word is italicized, see that topic for more information.

application program
A program that helps you carry out a particular task, such as
word processing or financial planning.

ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
A standardized coding system for assigning numerical codes to
letters and symbols.

auto line feed

When this feature is enabled using the SelecType setting, each
carriage return code (CR) is automatically accompanied by a
line feed (LF) code.

baud rate
A measure of the speed of data transmission. Usually
equivalent to bits per second.

bidirectional printing
Printing in which the print head goes from left to right only on
every other line. On the other lines, it goes from right to left.
This increases the speed of printing because the print head
prints in both directions.

binary
See number systems.

Glossary GL-1
Glossary

bit
A binary digit (0 or l), which is the smallest unit of information
used by a printer or computer. See also number systems.

buffer
See memory.

byte
A unit of information consisting of eight bits.

carriage return
The control code that returns the print position to the left
margin. In bidirectional printing, the print head may not
actually move to the left margin.

CG table
The SQ has three Character Generator (CG) tables:
Italic, Graphic, and Download. These tables contain the
characters printed by the printer.

characters per inch (cpi)

A measure of the size of text characters, often referred to as
pitch. 10 cpi is the standard or default setting.

condensed
Printing in which each character is approximately 60% of the
width of standard characters. Useful for fitting wide tables or
spreadsheets onto the printer.

continuous paper
Paper which has sprocket-feed holes on each side and is
perforated between pages. Also called fanfold paper.

GL-2 Glossary
 Glossary

control code
Besides the codes for printable characters, the ASCII standard
also includes 33 other codes which are called control codes.
These control codes perform such functions as sounding the
beeper and performing a carriage return or line feed.

cut sheet feeder

An optional, detachable device that automatically feeds single
sheets of paper into the printer.

data dump
A troubleshooting feature. When the printer is in data dump
mode, each code that is receives is printed in hexadecimal
notation as well as ASCII codes that stand for the characters.
Sometimes called hex dump.

decimal
See number systems.

default
A value or setting that takes effect when the equipment is
turned on, reset, or initialized.

dot graphics
A graphic design formed by patterns of dots.

dot matrix
A method of printing in which each letter or symbol is formed
by a pattern (matrix) of individual dots.

double-height printing
Printing in which each character is twice as high as normal.

Glossary GL-3
Glossary

double-strike printing
A way of producing bolder characters. Each character is
printed twice in a single pass of the print head: the second time,
the dots are printed slightly below the original dots. Can only
be used in draft mode.

draft
One of two print qualities available on your printer. Draft uses
a minimum number of dots per character for high-speed
printing. See also Letter Quality.

emphasized printing
A way of producing darker characters. Each character of a line
is printed in two passes of the print head; the second time, the
dots are printed slightly to the right of the original dots.

EPSON Extended Graphics character table

A table containing international accented characters, Greek
characters, and character graphics for printing lines, corners,
and shaded areas.

ESC (escape)
A special control code used to begin most printer commands.

ESC/P
Abbreviation for EPSON Standard Code for Printers. This
system of commands lets you perform software control of your
printer from your computer. It is standard for all EPSON
printers and supported by most applications software for
personal computers.

font
A font is a style of type designated by a family name.

GL-4 Glossary
 Glossary

form feed
A control code and a panel button that advances the paper to
the top of the next page.

hexadecimal (hex)
See number systems.

initialize
To establish the initial default status of the printer by turning
the printer on or sending an INIT signal.

interface
The connection between the computer and the printer. A
parallel interface transmits data one character or code at a time,
and a serial interface transmits data one bit at a time.

italic
A typestyle in which the characters slant. This sentence is
italicized.

Letter Quality (LQ)

One of two print qualities available on your printer. Letter
Quality reduces the print speed and increases the number of
dots per character to increase the print quality.

line feed
A control code and a panel button that advances the paper one
line space.

liquid crystal display (LCD)

The display on the control panel that shows SelecType messages
and the current status of the printer.

loading position
The position to which the paper is automatically loaded. It can
be adjusted with the micro-adjustment feature.

Glossary GL-5
Glossary

memory
The printer, like a computer, has a memory. When you print a
file from a computer, the contents of the file are transferred
quickly from the computer’s memory to the printer’s memory.
The printer then prints information from its own memory at a
much slower rate. This way of printing frees the computer to
do other work while the printer is still working. The printer
memory is sometimes called the buffer.

micro adjustment
A feature that adjust the loading and short tear-off positions in
1/180th of an inch units. This feature can be used immediately
after loading paper.

micro feed
See micro adjustment.

number systems
Three number systems are commonly used with printers:
decimal is base 10 and uses the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
and 9. (This is the most familiar system.)
hexadecimal (hex) is base 16 and uses the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, and F. This is frequently used by
programmers. Any decimal number between 0 and 255 can
be expressed by a two-digit hex number.
binary is base 2 and uses only the digits 0 and 1. All
information in computer systems is handled in binary form
to represent electrical signals that are ON or OFF. A binary
digit is often called a bit; any decimal number between 0
and 255 can be expressed by an eight-bit decimal number.

on line
When the printer is on line, it is in communication with the
computer connected to it.

GL-6 Glossary
paper-out sensor
A small switch behind the platen that sends a signal when it is
not in contact with paper, causing the PAPER OUT light to go on.

parallel interface
See interface.

parity
Parity is a method for a computer and printer to check the
reliability of data transmission.

pitch
Indicates the number of characters per inch (cpi). The standard
is 10 pitch.

platen
The black roller that provides a backing for the printing.

print quality
Your printer has two types of print quality: draft and Letter
Quality. Draft is for high-speed, draft quality jobs; Letter
Quality is for final, polished documents.

proportional spacing
Printing in which the width if the character varies from
character to character. For example, a capital W receives much
more space than a lower case i. The result looks more like a
typeset book than a typewritten draft.

pull tractor
An optional, detachable device that moves continuous paper
through the printer.

Glossary GL-7
Glossary

push tractor
A built-in device that moves continuous paper through the
printer.

RAM
Random Access Memory. The portion of the printer’s memory
used as a buffer and for storing user-defined characters. All
data stored in RAM is lost when the printer is turned off.

reset
To return a printer to its defaults, by either a command, an
INIT signal, or by turning the printer off and on.

SelecType setting
A feature that lets you set up various printer settings or change
default settings at the control panel.

self test
A method of checking the operation of the printer. When the
self test is run, the printer prints out its SelecType settings and
the characters that are stored in its ROM.

serial interface
See interface.

short tear-off
A feature that automatically feeds the perforation of continuous
paper to the tear-off position and then advances the paper back
to the loading position. This position can be adjusted with the
micro-adjustment feature. See micro adjustment.

skip over perforation

A function that causes the printer to stop printing, skip over a
perforation in continuous paper, then resume printing again.
Most application programs handle this task, but it may be
useful when listing programs.

GL-8 Glossary
 Glossary

unidirectional printing
Printing in one direction only. Allows more precise vertical
alignment than bidirectional printing. Often used for printing
graphics.

user-defined characters
Characters that are defined and stored in the printer by the
user. Also known as download characters.

Glossary GL-9
Index

A selecting by command,
American Standard Code for 9-23-24
Information Interchange, see setting by button, 3-28-32
ASCII setting by SelecType, 3-11
Application programs, l-32-33 setting by software
ASCII, 9-2, GL-1 commands 9-23-24
Assembling the printer, l-l0-13 Character pitch
Auto line feed, 3-12-13, GL-1 setting by button, 3-33-34
setting by SelecType, 3-11
B setting with software
Baud rate, see Serial interface commands 9-24-25
Beeper, 9-12 Character size, 4-34
Bidirectional printing, 3-12, Character spacing, 4-2
8-2, 9-9-10 Character tables, A-6
Bit image graphics, see setting by SelecType, 3-36
Graphics setting by software
Bottom margin, see Skip over commands, 9-36
perforation Checking the operation
Buffer, 8-3 self test, 1-19-27
Buttons, 3-4-9 Choosing a place for printer
Buzzer, see Beeper l-8-9
CLEANING, 3-8
C Cleaning the printer, 6-2-3
Cable Commands
parallel interface l-28-29, arranged by topic, 9-8-42
8-l0-13 description of command
power, 1-3, l-14-16 formats, 9-2-4
serial interface, l-30-31, in numerical order, 9-5-7
8-13-14 Computer-printer
CG table, 3-11, 3-36 communications, 3-4
Character font, 3-11, 3-28, 8-3 connections, 1-28-31

Index IN-1
Index

Condensed mode, 9-26-27, E

GL-2 Edge guide, l-20-21
Condensed printing, 4-4 with continuous paper, 2-13
setting by software with single sheet, 2-4-5
commands, 9-26-27 Electrical specifications, 8-8
Connecting Emphasized printing, 4-5,
to the power supply, l-14-16 9-29, GL-4
to your computer, 1-28-31 Envelopes, 2-28-30, 5-10-12,
Continuous paper, see Paper 8-4-5
Control panel, 3-2-9 Environmental specifications,
Cut sheet feeder, 5-2-20 8-8-9
removing, 5-19- 20 Epson ESC/P, GL-4
specifications, 8-15-17 Epson Extended Graphics
setting by software command character table, A-7, GL-4
9-10 setting by SelecType, 3-36
setting by software
D commands, 9-36
Data dump, 3-38-40, 3-9, GL-3 Escape code (ESC), GL-4
Default settings, 3-12, 8-19 See also Commands
Dimensions of printer, 8-7
Display, 3-2 F
Double strike printing, 4-5, Fonts, GL-4
9-30, GL-4 setting by button, 3-5,
Double-height printing, 4-3, 3-28-32
9-29, GL-3 setting by SelecType, 3-11
Double-width, 4-3, 9-28 setting by software
Download, see User-defined commands, 9-23-24
characters Foreign language characters,
Download character table, see International character set
3-11, 3-36 FORM FEED button, 3-4
Draft quality
self test, 1-19-24

IN-2 Index
 Index

G Interface, parallel, l-28-29,

Graphics, 4-9-20 8-10-13
commands, 4-13, 9-40-42 setting by SelecType, 3-12
Graphics character table, see Interfaces, optional, 5-31
Epson Extended Graphics International character set,
character table 3-35
Italic character table, A-6
H setting by SelecType, 3-36
Hexadecimal (hex) dump, see setting by software
Data dump commands, 9-36-37
Italic printing, 4-5, 9-36-37,
I GL-5
Interface, see Parallel interface
or Serial interface J
IBM PC and compatibles Justification, 9-35
using Epson Extended
Graphics character table, 3-36
IEEE-488 interface, 5-31 L
Initialization, 3-8, 3-16, 8-18 Labels, 2-25-27
Ink cartridge, l-3 Letter Quality
charging, l-16-18 self test, l-20-25
charging display, l-l7-l8 user defined characters, 4-29
installing, l-l0-13 Lights, 3-3
life, 8-6 LINE FEED button, 3-4
precautions for using, l-2 Line spacing, 8-2, 9-15-17
removing for transport, 6-10 Liquid Crystal Display, 3-2
replacing, 6-6-8 LOAD/EJECT button, 3-4
specifications, 8-6-7 Loading paper
INK END light, 3-3 continuous paper, 2-8-15
Ink indicator lever, l-10 cut sheet feeder, 5-4-7
Input buffer capacity, 8-3 envelopes, 2-28-30, 5-10-12
Interface boards, 5-31-40 labels, 2-25-27
choosing, 5-31 positioning continuous paper
installing, 5-32-39 supply, 2-8
pull tractor, 5-24-28

Index IN-3
Index

single sheet paper, l-20-21 Options

2-3-7, 5-17-18 cut sheet feeder, 5-2-20
switching between continuous interface boards, 5-31-40
and single sheets, 2-16-22 pull tractor, 5-21-30
switching between the cut Options, using, 5-2-40
sheet feeder and continuous Outline, 4-6
paper, 5-15-17 Overlining, 4-6
Loading position, 2-14
adjusting, 3-21-22 P
Location for printer, l-7-8 Page length
setting by SelecType, 3-18
M setting by software
Maintenance, 6-2-8 commands, 9-13-14
Margins, 3-11, 9-19-20 Panel, control, 3-2-9
Master Select, 4-7-8, 9-24 Paper
Maximum paper widths, 8-3-4 loading continuous paper,
Mechanical specifications, 2-8-15, 5-24-28
8-6-7 loading single sheets, 2-3-7,
Menu, printer, l-33 5-4-7
Messages, printer status, 3-2 single sheet insertion,
MICRO FEED button, 3-7, 3-22, 5-17-18
3-26 size, 8-3-5
Micro-adjustment, 3-21-22, switching between continuous
3-26-27, GL-6 and single sheet, 2-16-22
Moving the printer, 6-9-11 switching between cut sheet
feeder and continuous,
0 5-15-17
ON LINE testing, 2-2
button, 3-4 Paper guide, l-3
light, 3-3 installing, l-9-10
One inch skip (1” skip), see with continuous paper, 2-9,
Skip over perforation 2-13
with single sheet paper,
2-4-5

IN-4 Index
 Index

Paper handling Print direction, 8-2

continuous paper, 2-8-15, setting by SelecType, 3-11
5-24-28 setting by software
envelopes, 2-28-30, 5-10-12 commands, 9-9-10
labels, 2-25-27 Print head
single sheets, 2-3-7, 5-4-7 cleaning, 6-4-5
PAPER SELECT button, l-20, life, 8-7
2-4, 2-9, 3-6, 5-7, 5-16 operation during graphics
Paper thickness lever, 2-23 printing, 4-10-13
setting, 2-24-25 Print speed, 8-2
Paper width, see Paper Printer
Paper width specifications, cleaning, 6-2-3
8-3-4 options, 5-l-40
Parallel interface parts, see inside back cover
connecting, l-28-29 setting up, l-2-32
specifications, 8-10-13 specifications, 8-2-9
Pica, see Character pitch testing, 1-14-27
Pitch, GL-7 troubleshooting, 7-2-27
setting by button, 3-33 unpacking, l-3-6
setting by button, 3-33 Printer selection menus, l-33
setting by SelecType, 3-11 Problem solving, 7-2-27
setting by software Proportional mode, 3-6, GL-7
commands, 4-2-3 printing, 4-2-3
setting by software setting by button, 3-33-34
commands, 9-24-25 setting by SelecType, 3-11
PITCH button, 3-6, 3-33 setting by software
Platen knob, l-3 commands, 9-26
installing, l-4-5 character widths, A-2-5
removing for transport, 6-9 characters, user defined,
Position for paper supply, 2-8 4-29-30
POWER light, 3-3 Protective materials, l-4-6
Power supply reattaching, 6-10-l 1
connecting to, l-14-16 removing, l-4-6

Index IN-5
Index

Pull tractor, 5-21-30 Software

installing, 5-21-24 commands, 9-2-42
loading continuous paper, Specifications
5-24-28 interface, 8-l O-14
removing, 5-29-30 printer, 8-2-9
Strike-through printing, 4-6
R Subscripts and superscripts,
READY light, 3-3 4-6
RESET, 3-8, 3-16 setting by software
Roman, 3-5, 3-29 commands, 9-30-31
RS-232C-compatible serial user-defined, 4-30-31
interface, 5-31 Switches, see Buttons

S T
Sans Serif, 3-5, 3-29 TEAR OFF
SelecType, 3-10-l7 button, 3-7
button, 3-8 light, 3-3
using, 3-10-l7 Testing
Self test, 1-19-25, 3-9 self test, 1-19-25, 5-S-10
in cut sheet feeder mode, using data dump, 3-38-40
5-8-l0 Tractor
Serial interface pull, 5-21-30
connecting, l-30-31 See also Paper, continuous
selecting, 5-31, 5-39 feed
specifications, 8-13-14 Transporting the printer,
Serial interface board, new, 6-9-11
5-39-40 Troubleshooting, 7-2-27
Setting up the printer, l-2-34 Typestyles
Shadow, 4-6 character fonts, 3-28-32
Short tear-off, 3-7, 3-23-27 character pitch, 3-33-34, 4-3
Single sheet, loading, 2-3-7 character size, 4-3-4
Skip over perforation setting by Master Select,
adjusting, 3-26-27 4-7-8
setting by SelecType, 3-19-20 special effects and emphasis,
setting by software command 4-4-6
9-14-15

IN-6 Index
 Index

U
Underlining, 4-6, 9-31
Unidirectional printing, 3-12,
9-10
Unpacking, l-3
User-defined characters,
4-21-31, 9-38-39, GL-9

V
Voltage, 1-3
power supply, 8-8

Index IN-7
C o n t r o l C o d e s b y F u n c t i o n

The following control codes are listed briefly for quick reference.
For a more detailed explanation, see the page reference in
Chapter 9. Variables are not included in this quick reference
due to their complexity. For those codes that contain variables,
such as ESC Q n for setting the right margin, see Chapter 9.

Printer Operation/Data Control

Print Enhancement/Word Processing
 EPSON OVERSEAS MARKETING LOCATIONS

EPSON AMERICA, INC. EPSON DEUTSCHLAND GmbH

2780 Lomita Blvd., ZÜlpicher Straße 6, 4000 DÜsseldorf 11
Torrance, Calif. 90505, U.S.A. F.R. Germany
Phone: (2 13) 539-9140 Phone: (0211) 56030
Telex: 182412 Telex: 8584786

EPSON UK LTD. EPSON FRANCE S. A.

Campus 100, Maylands Avenue, 68 bis, rue Marjolin 9 2 3 0 0 ,
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, Levallois-Perret, France
HP2 7EZ. U.K. Phone: (1) 47-373333
Phone: (44) 442-61144 Telex: 6 1 0 6 5 7
Telex: 5182467

EPSON AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. EPSON SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.

Unit 3, 17 Rodborough Road, No. 1 Raffles Place # 2 6 - 0 0
Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086, Australia Oub Centre, Singapore 0104
Phone: 6 1 ( 2 ) 4 5 2 0 6 6 6 Phone: 5330477
Telex: 7 5 0 5 2 Telex: 39536

EPSON ELECTRONICS TRADING LTD. EPSON ELECTRONICS TRADING LTD.

25/F, Harbour Centre, (TAIWAN BRANCH)
25 Harbour Road, Wanchai, 10F. No. 287 Nanking E. Road Sec. 3,
Hong Kong Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Phone: 5-8314600 Phone: (02) 717-7360
Telex: 65542 Telex: 24444

EPSON ITALIA S.p.A. EPSON-ST1 S.A.

V, le F, lli Casiraghi, 4 2 7 2 0 0 9 9 Paris, 1 5 2 , 0 8 0 3 6 B a r c e l o n a , Spain
SESTO S, GIOVANNI Ml, Italy Phone: 410-3400
Phone: 3 9 - 2 - 2 6 2 3 3 1 Telex: 50129 STTK

SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION

(Hirooka Office)
80 Harashinden, Hirooka
Shiojiri-shi, Nagano-ken
399-07 Japan
Phone: (0263) 52-2552
Telex: 3342-214
USER’S GUIDE

Printed in Japan 89.07-.4