Control Panel

About Your Printer's Settings

Understanding the printer's settings
Changing the printer's settings

You can make many settings that control printer functions with the printer's control panel. While you can often set these functions through your software or printer driver, you may sometimes need to change a setting from the control panel by using the SelecType mode and default-setting mode.

For a detailed description of the settings you can change in the SelecType mode and default-setting mode, see Understanding the printer's settings. For instructions on changing the settings, see Changing the printer's settings.

Understanding the printer's settings

This section describes the settings and options available in the SelecType mode and default-setting mode.

SelecType mode

The settings that are available in the SelecType mode are shown in the following table and explained in detail after the table.

*1  After this is displayed, press the Set (Top of Form) button to print all current settings.

*2  This setting is available only in IBM PPDS emulation mode.

*3  This setting is available only when the optional perforation cutter (#C81570X) is installed.

*4  These settings are available only when the optional Print Server is installed.

*5  This setting is available only when the optional Print Server is installed and the Get IP address setting is set to Panel or PING.

*6  This menu appears by pressing the Menu (Tear Off and Top of Form) buttons in the SelecType mode.

Page length for rear tractor

This setting allows you to set the page length (in inches) for the continuous paper loaded on the rear push tractor.

Page length for front tractor

This setting allows you to set the page length (in inches) for the continuous paper loaded on the front push tractor.

Skip over perforation

When you turn on this feature, the printer provides a one-inch (25.4 mm) margin between the last line printed on one page and the first line printed on the next page. Because most application program margin settings override margin settings from the control panel, you should use this setting only if you cannot set your top and bottom margins using your application.

Line spacing

You can select 1/6 inches or 1/8 inches for line spacing.

Left margin

This setting allows you to set the margin (in columns) from the left edge. The margin is set in columns of 10 cpi, regardless of the pitch that is set.

Right margin

This setting allows you to set the margin (in columns) from the right edge. The margin is set in columns of 10 cpi, regardless of the pitch that is set.

Platen gap

This setting allows you to set the paper thickness. When you select Auto, the printer automatically adjusts to the thickness of the paper loaded. If you want to set it manually, select 0 to 14. When using overlapping multi-part forms, select 0 to 14 according to the paper thickness you use.

Auto tear off

When auto tear off is on and you are using continuous paper with the front or rear push tractor, the printer automatically advances the paper perforation to the tear-off position, where you can easily tear off the printed page(s). When the printer receives data again, it automatically moves the paper back to the top-of-form position and starts printing, so you can use all of the next page.

When auto tear off is off and you are using continuous paper with the front or rear push tractor, you need to move the perforation to the tear-off position manually by pressing the Tear Off and Micro Feed buttons. See Tearing Off the Printed Pages for more information.

Auto line feed

When auto line feed is on, the printer accompanies each carriage return (CR) code received with a line feed (LF) code.

Print direction

You can select bidirectional printing (Bi-D) or unidirectional printing (Uni-D). Printing is normally bidirectional; however, unidirectional printing allows for precise vertical printing alignment.

Software

When you select ESC/P, the printer operates in the EPSON ESC/P mode. When you select IBM PPDS, the printer emulates an IBM printer.

0 slash

The zero character has a slash ( ) when this feature is on; it has no slash (0) when this feature is off. The slash allows you to easily distinguish between the uppercase letter "O" and a zero.

I/F (Interface) mode

The printer provides a slot for an optional interface in addition to its built-in parallel interface, serial interface, and USB interface. You can choose Auto (automatic), Parallel, Serial, USB, or Optional for the interface mode. When you select Auto, the printer automatically selects the interface that is receiving data, and uses that interface until the end of the print job. The Auto setting allows you to share the printer among multiple computers without changing the interface mode.

If only one computer is connected to the printer, you can select Parallel, Serial, USB, or Optional, depending on which interface your computer uses.

Auto I/F (Interface) wait time

When the printer is in the auto interface mode and it receives no data from the currently selected interface for the amount of time specified with this setting, it determines which interface is receiving data and switches to that interface. You can specify either 10 seconds or 30 seconds for the auto interface wait time.

Parallel I/F bi-directional mode

The Parallel Interface bidirectional transfer mode is used when this feature is on. If bidirectional transfer mode is unnecessary, turn this off.

Packet mode

Make sure to select Auto when you print from Windows applications using the printer driver included in the Printer Software CD-ROM that comes with the printer. Turn this feature off if you have connection troubles while printing from applications based on other operating systems such as DOS.

Serial baud rate

This setting is available only when data is transferred via a serial interface. Use this option to set the data transfer rate (baud) for the serial interface. The baud rate is measured in bits per second (bps). See your computer manual and software documentation for the proper setting.

Serial parity

This setting is available only when data is transferred via a serial interface. The parity bit is added to data and detects errors on the data. When this option is set to None, the parity bit is not added to data. When this option is set to Ignore, the parity is added to data, but the printer receives the data even if an error is detected.

Serial data length

This setting is available only when data is transferred via a serial interface. Set the data length of the serial interface to 8-bit or 7-bit. See your computer manual and software documentation for the proper setting.

Character table

You can select among various character tables including several international character sets for the italic character table. This setting is used when you print without using the printer driver.

When using the printer driver, change the settings on the printer driver. For details, see Printer Driver Settings Overview.

Auto CR (IBM PPDS)

This setting is available only in IBM PPDS emulation mode. When auto carriage return is on, each line feed (LF) code or ESC J code is accompanied by a carriage return (CR) code so the printer moves the next printing position to the left margin. When this setting is off, you must send a CR code after the line feed code to move the printing position to the left margin.

IBM character table (IBM PPDS)

This setting is available only in IBM PPDS emulation mode. You can select Table 2 or Table 1 for the IBM character table.

Buzzer

The printer beeps when an error occurs. See Using the error indicators for more information on printer errors. If you do not want the printer to beep when an error occurs, turn off this setting.

Low-noise mode

When this mode is set to On, the noise is reduced, but the printing speed is slower.

Auto cut mode

This function is available only when the optional perforation cutter (#C81570X) is installed in the printer. When this setting is set to On, the perforation cutter cuts each page at the perforation automatically. Note the following when you turn on this functions:

• Make sure the paper is at least 4 inches long.

• Do not change the top of form position using the Top of Form button.

• Do not feed the paper using the Micro Feed buttons.

• Never cut labels, continuous paper with labels, and overlapping multi-part forms.

• If you set the cutting method through the printer driver's paper source setting, it overrides Auto cut mode.

Auto cut/back mode

This function is available only when the optional perforation cutter (#C81570X) is installed in the printer. When you turn on this feature, the printer automatically cuts each page at the perforation and feeds the paper to the top-of-form position while it is printing.

Overlapping multipart forms

When this setting is set to On, you can print on overlapping multi-part forms that vary in thickness.

Continuous forms with labels

When this setting is set to On, you can print on continuous forms with labels. You can set the label position in the default-settings mode. See Adjusting the label position for details.

Skip over binding

When this setting is set to On, the print head avoids the binding area along the right and left edges of multi-part forms during paper feeding. This makes paper feeding easier and prevents paper jams.

Get IP address

This setting is available only when the optional Print Server is installed. You can select the method of getting the IP address. Select Panel to get the IP address from the control panel. See Setting the IP address from the control panel for details. For information on the settings when this feature is set to Auto or Ping, see a manual for the Print Server that you use.

IP address

This setting is available only when the optional Print Server is installed and the Get IP address setting is set to Panel or Ping. You can set the printer's IP address with this setting.

Subnet mask

This setting is available only when the optional Print Server is installed. You can set the printer's subnet mask with this setting.

Default gateway

This setting is available only when the optional Print Server is installed. You can set the printer's default gateway with this setting.

Save settings?

This menu appears by pressing the Menu (Tear Off and Top of Form) buttons in the SelecType mode. When you select Yes, the current settings in the SelecType mode are saved.

default-setting mode

You can make settings for continuous forms with labels and the panel lock out mode in the default setting mode. These settings are shown in the following tables.

Continuous forms with labels

The following settings are available only when the Continuous forms with label setting is set to On in the SelecType mode.

Panel lock out

If a setting is set to Unlock, you can use the button, regardless of the panel lock out mode. If a setting is set to Lock, you cannot use the button when the printer is in the panel lock out mode.

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Changing the printer's settings

Changing the settings in the SelecType mode

The following table shows the basic function of each button in the SelecType mode.

Follow these steps to enter the SelecType mode and change the settings:

Note:

If you turn off the printer prior to exiting the SelecType mode, any changes you may have made are canceled and not saved.

Make sure paper is loaded.

Press the Menu (Tear Off and Top of Form) buttons to enter the SelecType mode.The LCD displays the selected language for this mode.

If the language you want is not selected, press the Set (Tear Off) or Set (Top of Form) button until the LCD displays the language you want.

Press the Item (Pitch) button to set the desired language.

Note:

The language you select is also used for other settings, modes, and test print outs, such as default-settings mode and printing a Hex Dump.

If you select Print Settings, press the Set (Top of Form) button to print the current settings.

Press the Item (Font) or Item (Pitch) button to select the menu parameters which you wish to change.

Note:

You can scroll the menu by holding the Item (Font) or Item (Pitch) button for a few seconds.

Press the Set (Tear Off) or Set (Top of Form) button to select the values within the selected parameter until you find the desired setting.

Note:

You can scroll the value by holding the Set (Tear Off) or Set (Top of Form) button for a few seconds.

After setting the selected parameter to the desired setting, you may either continue to make changes to other parameters by pressing the Item or Item button, or exit the SelecType mode.

Note:

The menu selection returns to the first menu after the selection of the last menu parameter is done.

When you finish making settings, press the Menu (Tear Off and Top of Form) buttons.

The LCD displays Save Setting. If you want to save the settings, select Yes by pressing the Set (Tear Off) button. If you do not want to save the settings, select No by pressing the Set (Top of Form) button.

The printer exits the SelecType mode.

Note:

If you turn off the printer prior to exiting the SelecType mode, any changes you may have made are canceled and not saved.

Changing the settings in the default-setting mode

The following table shows the basic function of each button in the default-setting mode.

Follow these steps to enter the default-setting mode and change the settings:

Note:

If you turn off the printer prior to exiting the default-setting mode, settings that you have set up until you turn off the printer are saved.

Make sure paper is loaded and turn off the printer.

Caution:

Whenever you turn off the printer, wait at least five seconds before turning it back on; otherwise, you may damage the printer.

Turn on the printer while holding down the Font button to enter the default-setting mode. The message Setting mode appears on the LCD panel.

Note:

The instructions and current settings are printed out in the language that you set in the SelecType mode. If you want to change the language, change the language setting in the SelecType mode. See Changing the settings in the SelecType mode for details.

Select one of the three main menus by pressing the Set (Tear Off) or Set (Top of Form) button.

Note:

You can scroll value by holding the Set (Tear Off) or Set (Top of Form) button for a few seconds.

If you select Print Settings, press the Item (Pitch) button to print the current settings.

If you select Form w/labels or Panal lock out, press the Item (Font) or Item (Pitch) button to select the setting items which you wish to change and go to the next step.

Note:

You can scroll the menu by holding the Item (Font) or Item (Pitch) button for a few seconds.

Press the Set (Tear Off) or Set (Top of Form) button to select the values within the selected parameter until you find the desired setting.

Note:

You can scroll value by holding the Set (Tear Off) or Set (Top of Form) button for a few seconds.

After setting the selected parameter to the desired setting, you may either continue to make changes to other parameters by pressing the Item button or the Item button, or exit the default-setting mode.

Note:

The menu selection returns to the first menu after the selection of the last menu parameter is done.

When you finish making settings, turn off the printer.

The printer exits the default-setting mode and the settings are saved.

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