Reference Guide

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Glossary

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standardized coding system for assigning numerical codes to letters and symbols.

auto line feed

When this setting is turned on using the default-setting mode or the EPSON Remote! utility, each carriage return (CR) code is automatically followed by a line feed (LF) code.

bidirectional printing

Printing in which the print head prints in both directions (bidirectionally). This increases the print speed but may reduce precise vertical alignment. Bidirectional printing is the printer's standard printing mode. See also unidirectional printing.

buffer

The portion of the printer's memory used to store data before it is printed.

character table

A collection of letters, numbers, and symbols that constitute the set of characters used in a particular language.

characters per inch (cpi)

A measure of the size of text characters. See also pitch.

continuous paper

Paper that has sprocket-feed holes on both sides, is perforated between pages, and is supplied in a folded stack. Also called fanfold paper.

control code

A special code used to control a printer function such as a carriage return or line feed.

cpi

See characters per inch (cpi).

cut-sheet feeder

An optional, detachable device that automatically feeds single sheets of paper into the printer.

data dump

See hex dump.

default

A value or setting that takes effect when the equipment is turned on,
reset, or initialized. Also known as a factory setting.

dithering

A halftoning method in which dots are printed in a predetermined pattern to simulate a shade or tone. Dithering works best for images with solid colors, such as charts and graphs. See also halftoning.

dot matrix

A method of printing in which each letter or symbol is formed by a pattern (matrix) of individual dots.

draft

The print mode used by your printer when you select Draft as the font. The Draft font uses fewer dots per character for faster printing. See also high-speed draft and near letter quality.

driver

See printer driver.

ESC/P2

The enhanced version of the ESC/P2 printer command language. Commands in this language produce laser-like features, such as scalable fonts and enhanced graphics printing.

fanfold paper

See continuous paper.

font

A style of type designated by a name such as Roman or Sans Serif.

form feed (FF)

A control panel button and control code that advances the paper to the next top-of-form position.

halftoning

A method of using dot patterns to represent an image. Halftoning makes it possible to produce varying shades of gray using only black dots, or a nearly infinite array of colors using only a few colors of dots.

hex dump

A troubleshooting feature that helps identify the cause of communication problems between the printer and the computer. When the printer is in hex dump mode, it prints each code that it receives in hexadecimal notation and as ASCII characters. Also called data dump.

high-speed draft

A draft printing mode you can select using the printer's default-setting mode or the EPSON Remote! utility. High-speed draft uses a minimum number of dots per character to produce extremely high-speed printing. See also draft and near letter quality.

interface

The connection (via a cable) between the computer and the printer over which print data is transmitted to the printer.

landscape

Printing that is oriented sideways on the page. This orientation gives you a page that is wider than it is high and is useful for printing spreadsheets. See also portrait.

line feed (LF)

A control panel button and control code that advances the paper one line space.

micro adjust

A printer feature that allows you to precisely adjust the tear-off and top-of-form positions.

paper positions

There are three paper positions for continuous paper printing: standby, tear-off, and top-of-form. For single sheet printing, there is only the top-of-form position. See also standby position, tear-off position, and top-of-form position.

pitch

The size of the font, which is measured in the number of characters per inch (cpi). The standard is 10 cpi. See also characters per inch (cpi).

platen

The black roller that provides a backing for the paper during printing.

portrait

Printing that is oriented upright on the page (as opposed to landscape, in which printing is sideways on the page). This is the standard orientation for printing letters or documents. See also landscape.

printable area

The area of a page on which the printer can print. It is smaller than the physical size of the page due to margins.

printer driver

A software program that runs, or "drives," a printer. Printer drivers send commands to your printer to tell it how to print your print job.

proportional font

A font whose characters take up varying amounts of horizontal space depending on the width of the character. Thus the uppercase M takes up more horizontal space than the lowercase l.

reset

To return a printer to its default settings.

resolution

A measure of the amount of detail that can be represented. Resolution
of printed images is measured using the number of dots per inch (dpi).

self test

A method used to check the operation of the printer. When you run the
self test, the printer prints the characters stored in its ROM (Read Only Memory).

standby position

The position of your continuous paper when it is attached to the tractor but not loaded in the printer.

Tear Off Bin button

A control panel button that feeds the perforation of continuous paper to the tear-off position, and when pressed again, feeds the paper back to the top-of-form position.

tear-off position

The position of your continuous paper when you finish printing if auto tear-off mode is on or if you press the Tear Off/Bin button. Using the micro adjust feature, you can adjust the tear-off position so that the paper's perforation is aligned with the printer's tear-off edge.

top-of-form position

The position on the paper that the printer recognizes as the first printable line. This is the default top margin position.

unidirectional printing

Printing in which the print head prints in one direction only. Unidirectional printing is useful for printing graphics because it provides precise vertical alignment. You can select unidirectional printing using the printer's default-setting mode or the EPSON Remote! utility. See also bidirectional printing.

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