24-pin Dot Matrix Printer

Users Guide

This manual is divided into two sections: English and Spanish. The English section begins after this page. The Spanish section begins approximately at the middle of the manual. Este manual est dividido en dos secciones: Ingls y Espaol. El manual en espaol comienza aproximadamente a la mitad del libro. El manual en ingls comienza despus de esta pgina.
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, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Seiko Epson Corporation. The information contained herein is designed only for use with this Epson printer. Epson is not responsible for any use of this information as applied to other printers.
Neither Seiko Epson Corporation nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by the purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized modifications, repairs, or alterations to this product, or (excluding the U.S.) failure to strictly comply with Seiko Epson Corporations operating and maintenance instructions. Seiko Epson Corporation shall not be liable for any damages or problems arising from the use of any options or any consumable products other than those designated as Original Epson Products or Epson Approved Products by Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson and Epson ESC/P are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson Store, Epson Connection, and SoundAdvice are service marks of Epson America, Inc. General Notice: Other product names used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Epson disclaims any and all rights in those marks.
2004 Epson America, Inc. 1/04

4047824-00 CPD-17641

Contents
Introduction Options. 5 Chapter 1 - Setting Up the Printer Unpacking the Printer. 7 Choosing a Place for the Printer. 7 Assembling the Printer. 8 Connecting the Printer to Your Computer. 11 Installing the Printer Software. 12 For DOS programs. 15 Installing and Using the Online Reference Guide. 15 Installing the Remote Configuration Manager. 15 Chapter 2 - Paper Handling Setting the Paper Release Lever. Adjusting the Paper-Thickness Setting. Loading Continuous Paper with the Front Push Tractor. Loading Continuous Paper with the Rear Push Tractor. Loading Continuous Paper with the Pull Tractor. Removing paper from the pull tractor. Loading Single Sheets with the Paper Guide. Loading Special Papers. Continuous multipart forms. Single-sheet multipart forms. Labels. Envelopes. Postcards. Using the Micro Adjust Function. Adjusting the tear-off position. Adjusting the top-of-form position. 31 33
Chapter 3 - Using the Control Panel Buttons and Lights. Selecting a Font and Pitch. Changing the Printers Default Settings. Default-setting mode. Chapter 4 - Troubleshooting Using the Error Indicators. Clearing Paper Jams. Printing a Self Test. Where To Get Help. Chapter 5 - Product Information Safety Instructions. Hot Parts Caution Symbol. Important Safety Instructions. ENERGY STAR Compliance. FCC Compliance Statement for United States Users. WARNING. For Canadian users. Declaration of Conformity. EPSON AMERICA, INC., LIMITED WARRANTY. 39

Introduction

This manual covers the following basic information to get you started using your Epson printer: Setting Up the Printer Paper Handling Using the Control Panel Troubleshooting Product Information
Although most of the illustrations in this manual show the LQ-590, the instructions apply to both the LQ-590 and the LQ-2090.
w Warnings must be followed carefully to avoid bodily injury. c Cautions must be observed to prevent damaging your equipment.
Notes contain important information and useful tips about using your printer. For detailed information about your printer, refer to the online Reference Guide. It describes all the printers functions, optional products, printer software, troubleshooting, and technical specifications. See Installing and Using the Online Reference Guide on page 15. If you have questions about using your printer software, you can use the online help, which is installed automatically when you install the printer software.

Options

By adding options such as a cut-sheet feeder or roll paper holder, you can further expand your printers capabilities. Optional interface cards are also available to supplement your printers built-in interfaces. (See the Reference Guide for more information.) You can purchase ribbon cartridges, paper, manuals, and accessories from the Epson StoreSM at (800) 873-7766, or visit www.epsonstore.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call (800) 463-7766 for dealer referral.

Reinstall the paper tension unit by lowering it onto the printers mounting pegs. Then press down on both ends until it clicks into place.
To replace the printer cover, insert the front tabs into the slots on the printer and lower the cover into place. Then push it down until it clicks.
Make sure the top part of the cover is folded forward, as shown. Then attach the paper guide.
Note: When printing, you can use the paper guide only when the tractor is installed in the front or rear push position.
Connecting the Printer to Your Computer
Your printer is equipped with both an IEEE-1284-compatible parallel interface and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. It also includes a Type-B optional interface slot in case your computer requires a different type of printer interface. (See the Reference Guide if you need to install an interface card.) Note: You can connect cables to both interfaces; the printer switches automatically to the appropriate interface when it receives data. To connect your computer to your printers built-in parallel interface, you need a shielded, twisted-pair parallel cable with a 36-pin Centronics compatible connector for the printer. To connect the printer to a USB port, you need a standard, shielded USB cable. 1. Make sure both the printer and computer are turned off, then connect the parallel or USB cable to the printer.

Parallel USB

Connect the other end to your computer.
c Caution: several models of the printer designed for different voltages, and There are
it is not possible to adjust the printer for use with another voltage. If the label on the back of the printer does not show the correct voltage for your country, contact your dealer. 3. Plug the power cord into the AC inlet on the back of the printer and plug the other end into a properly grounded electrical outlet.
Installing the Printer Software
After you connect the printer to your computer, you need to install the Epson printer software on the CD-ROM shipped with your printer. The printer driver is the software that runs, or drives, your printer. With it, you can select printer settings such as print quality, resolution, and paper size. The printer software supports Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, or NT 4.0, and includes Epson Status Monitor 3 (which displays printer status information and notifies you of printer errors). See the Reference Guide for more information. Note: Installing the printer software for Windows 2000, XP, or NT may require administrator privileges. If you have problems, ask your administrator for more information. If the New Hardware Found screen or any other wizard appears when you turn on your computer, click Cancel. If the Digital Signature Not Found screen appears, click Yes. If you click No, you must reinstall the printer driver.

To control the printer from DOS application programs, you need to select the printer you are using or another available printer from the printer list in your application. Choose the Epson printer at the appropriate step in the installation or setup procedure. If the list in your application does not include your printer, choose the first available printer from the following list.
For the LQ-590 LQ-580 / LQ-570e LQ-300+ LQ-300 LQ-870 LQ-570 / 570+ LQ-850+ LQ-850 LQ-510 / 550 LQ-200 LQ-500 LQ-860+ LQ-2550 LQ-2500 LQ-800 LQ-1500 For the LQ-2090 LQ-2080 / 2180 LQ-2070 / 2170 LQ-1070 / 1070+ LQ-870 / 1170 LQ-850+ / 1050+ LQ-850 / 1050 LQ-510 / 550 / 1010 LQ-200 LQ-500 LQ-860+ / 1060+ LQ-2550 LQ-2500 LQ-800 / 1000 LQ-1500
Installing and Using the Online Reference Guide
To install the Reference Guide on your hard disk, select Install Reference. The manual is copied and Guide on the Installation screen and click an LQ590-2090 Reference Guide icon appears on your desktop. To open the Reference Guide, double-click the LQ590-2090 Reference Guide icon on your desktop. You can also click Start > Programs (or All Programs) > EPSON > LQ590-2090 Reference Guide, and click Reference Guide.
Installing the Remote Configuration Manager
The Epson Remote Configuration Manager provides an easy way to change your printers default settings in Windows. Follow these steps to install it on your computer in Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, or NT: 1. Select Install EPSON Remote Configuration Manager on the Installation screen and click.
When you see the InstallShield window, click Yes. After a moment, you see this screen:
Click Next and follow the instructions on the screen. When the installation is complete, click Finish. (If a window remains on the screen, close it so you can see the final installation screen.)
The Remote Configuration Manager is installed on the computer in its own folder, along with an uninstall option and the online Users Guide, which describes how to use the program. To start the program, select Programs (or All Programs) > Epson Remote Configuration Mgr, and then click Epson Remote Configuration Manager. To open the manual, select Programs (or All Programs) > Epson Remote Configuration Mgr, and then click Epson Remote Configuration Manager Users Guide. Note: If you are using Windows 2000 or XP and the printer is connected to the parallel port, Remote Configuration Manager may not work. In this case, do one of the following: Before running the program, set the printer driver to the LPT2 port. Then use Remote Configuration Manager to check or change the default settings as desired. After you finish using the program, remember to return the setting to LPT1. Connect the printer to the USB port instead.

Chapter 2

Paper Handling
This chapter covers some important instructions you need to load and use paper in your printer. For complete paper handling information, see the Reference Guide.
Setting the Paper Release Lever
Before you start printing, be sure to set the paper release lever to indicate the paper source you want to use, as described in the table below.

Lever position

Description Single-sheet position For loading single-sheet paper from the top or front slot. Rear push tractor position For loading continuous paper with the tractor installed in the rear push position or when using the rear push and pull tractors in combination. Front push tractor position For loading continuous paper with the tractor installed in the front push position or when using the front push and pull tractors in combination. Pull tractor position For loading continuous paper from the tractor installed on top of the printer in the pull position. You can load paper in the front, rear, or bottom slot.
Adjusting the Paper-Thickness Setting
Before you start printing, make sure the paper-thickness setting is correct for the type of paper you are using. Turn the printer off and open the printer cover. The paper-thickness lever is located on the left side of the printer. The numbers next to the lever indicate the thickness setting.
Select the correct setting according to this table:
Paper type Plain paper (single sheets or continuous paper) Carbonless multipart forms with: 2 parts (original + 1 copy) 3 parts (original + 2 copies) 4 parts (original + 3 copies) 5 parts (original + 4 copies) Continuous paper with labels Postcards Envelopes: Airmail No.6 Airmail No.10 Plain Bond 20 lb Bond 24 lb Lever position 4 6
Note: When the temperature is 41 F (5 C) or lower, or 95 F (35 C) or higher, set the paper-thickness lever one position higher to improve print quality.
Loading Continuous Paper with the Front Push Tractor
1. Make sure the printer is turned off. Then open the front cover and make sure the tractor is installed in the front push position. (You may need to move it from the rear push or pull position.)
If you have the LQ-2090, remove the sub cover from the front cover. (If it is difficult to remove, you can temporarily remove the front cover and then separate the sub cover from it.) Be sure to reattach the sub cover when you want to print from a different paper source.
Set the paper release lever to the front push tractor position. Also set the paper-thickness lever to the proper position for your papers thickness. See Adjusting the Paper-Thickness Setting on page 18 for instructions. Release the left and right sprockets by pushing the blue lock levers backward.
Slide the left sprocket approximately 0.5 inch (12 mm) from the far left position and pull the blue lever forward to lock it in place. Then slide the right sprocket to match the width of your paper, but do not lock it. Remove the front cover by pulling it straight down.

Make sure your paper has a clean, straight edge. Then open both sprocket covers and fit the first four holes of the paper, with the printable side up, over the tractor pins.
Close the sprocket covers. Slide the right sprocket to remove any slack in the paper; then lock it in place by pushing the sprocket lock down.
10. Attach the front cover with the continuous paper positioned as shown. 11. Make sure the paper guide is lying flat on the printer and slide the edge guides to the middle of the paper guide.
12. Turn on the printer. When the printer receives data, it automatically loads the paper and starts printing. If the first line on your page appears too high or low, you can change its position using the Micro Adjust function as described on page 33. Additionally, when using the push tractor, it is a good idea to set the Auto tear-off function in the Default Setting mode to On. See page 38 for more information.
c Caution: the knob to adjust the top-of-form position; this may damage the Never use
printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position.
Loading Continuous Paper with the Rear Push Tractor
1. Make sure the printer is turned off, the tractor is installed in the rear push position, and the paper guide is removed. (You may need to move the tractor from the front push or pull position.) Set the paper release lever to the rear push tractor position. Release the left and right sprockets by pulling the blue sprocket lock levers forward.
Slide the left sprocket approximately 0.5 inch (12 mm) from the far left position and push the blue lever back to lock it in place. Then slide the right sprocket to match the width of your paper, but do not lock it.
The triangle mark on top of the printer indicates the point furthest to the left where printing can begin. 5. Make sure your paper has a clean, straight edge. Then open both sprocket covers and fit the first four holes of the paper, with the printable side down, over the tractor pins.
Close the sprocket covers. Then slide the right sprocket to remove any slack in the paper and lock it in place by pushing the blue lock lever down. Attach the paper guide and lay it flat on the printer. Slide the edge guides to the middle of the paper guide. Turn on the printer. When the printer receives data, it automatically loads the paper and starts printing.
If the first line on your page appears too high or low, change its position with the Micro Adjust function. (See page 33.)
Loading Continuous Paper with the Pull Tractor
1. Make sure the printer is turned off, and the printer cover is removed. Also make sure the tractor is installed in the pull position and the paper guide is lying flat on the printer. (You may need to move the tractor from the rear push or front push position.) Set the paper release lever to the pull tractor position. Release the sprockets by pulling the sprocket lock levers forward.

Slide the left sprocket approximately 0.5 inch (12 mm) from the far left position and push the lever back to lock it in place. Then slide the right sprocket to match the width of your paper, but do not lock it. Slide the edge guides to the center.

Edge guides

Make sure your paper has a clean, straight edge. Then open the sprocket covers. Note: Make sure the printer is off before you insert the paper in the paper slot. If you insert the paper while the printer is on, a paper jam may occur.
Insert the paper into the front or bottom paper slot as shown below until it emerges between the platen and the ribbon guide. Then pull up the paper until the perforation between the first and second pages is even with the top of the printers ribbon. Front slot Before you load paper in the front slot, remove the front cover. Then load paper with the printable side facing up.
Bottom slot Load paper in the bottom slot with the printable side facing up.
Fit four holes of the paper over the tractor pins on both sprockets. Then close the sprocket covers.
Slide the right sprocket to remove any slack in the paper, then lock it in place. Slide the edge guides to the center.
10. If you load paper in the front slot, reattach the front cover.
If you have the LQ-2090, remove the sub cover from the front cover before replacing the front cover. Be sure to reattach the sub cover when you want to print from a different paper source. 11. Turn on the printer. 12. Remove any slack in the paper by pressing the LF/FF button. When the printer receives data, it will start printing at the current position without advancing the paper. If necessary, adjust the top of form position using the Micro Adjust function (see page 33).
c Caution: the knob to adjust the top-of-form position; this may Never use
damage the printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position. 13. Attach the printer cover by inserting the front tabs into the slots, then lowering the cover into place. Close the paper guide cover. 14. Send a print job to the printer. The printer starts printing from the top-of-form position. After you finish printing, open the paper guide cover and tear off the printed document at the perforation nearest the paper exit slot.
Removing paper from the pull tractor
1. After you finish printing, tear off the paper supply at the perforation nearest the paper entry slot.
To feed paper forward and eject it, hold down the LF/FF button.

c Caution: the Load/Eject or Tear Off/Bin button when you are Never press
using the pull tractor; the paper could come off the pull tractor and jam in the printer.
Loading Single Sheets with the Paper Guide
You can load ordinary single sheets and envelopes one at a time from the top of the printer using the paper guide. The paper can be up to 10.1 inches (257 mm) wide on the LQ-590 and 16.5 inches (420 mm) wide on the LQ-2090. To load single-sheet multipart forms, use the front paper entry slot with the front sheet guide (LQ-590) or the front paper guide (LQ-2090) installed. For more information, see the Reference Guide.
c Caution: multipart forms, carbon paper, or labels in the paper guide. Do not load
Make sure the paper guide is in the upright position. Then set the paper-thickness lever to 0 if you are using ordinary single-sheet paper. (If you are using envelopes, see Envelopes on page 30.) Move the paper release lever to the single-sheet position. Turn on the printer, if necessary. Slide the left edge guide until it locks in place next to the triangle mark on the paper guide. Next adjust the right edge guide to match the width of your paper.

2. 3. 4.

Load a sheet of paper with the printable side down and slide it down between the edge guides until it meets resistance. The printer feeds the paper automatically and is ready to print.
If the first printed line on your page appears too high or low, you can use the Micro Adjust function to adjust the top-of-form position. See page 33 for more information.

Loading Special Papers

Follow the guidelines in this section when loading single-sheet multipart forms, labels, envelopes, and postcards.
Continuous multipart forms
Except for adjusting the paper-thickness lever, you load continuous multipart forms the same way as ordinary continuous paper. Note: Be sure the multipart forms do not exceed 0.015 inch (0.39 mm) in thickness. Do not load paper that is curled or has been folded. Thick paper, such as a multipart form with five parts, requires a straight paper path to avoid paper jams. Load thick paper in the front or bottom slots.
Single-sheet multipart forms
To load single-sheet multipart forms, use the front paper entry slot with the optional front paper guide or front sheet guide installed. Thick paper, such as a multipart form with five parts, requires a straight paper path to avoid paper jams. For more information, see the Reference Guide.

Labels

When printing on labels, use only the type of labels that are mounted on continuous backing sheets with sprocket holes for use with a tractor feeder. Do not try to print on single sheets of labels because the printer may not feed labels on a shiny backing sheet properly. Thick paper, such as continuous paper with labels, requires a straight or almost straight paper path. You can load labels in the front (to the pull tractor) or bottom (pull tractor) paper slot. The loading procedure for continuous paper with labels is the same as that for ordinary continuous paper, except you must set the paper-thickness lever to 2 before printing.

When you resume printing, the printer automatically feeds the paper back to the top-of-form position and begins printing.
Adjusting the top-of-form position
The top-of-form position is the position on the page where the printer starts printing. If your printing appears too high or low on the page, you can use the Micro Adjust function to adjust the top-of-form position, as described below. Your top-of-form position setting remains in effect until you change it, even if you turn off the printer.
printer or cause it to lose the top-of-form position. 1. 2. Make sure the printer is turned on. Load paper. (If the tractor is in a push position, press the Load/Eject button to advance continuous paper to the current top-of-form position.) If necessary, lift the printer cover so you can see the paper position. Hold down the Pause button for three seconds. The Pause light flashes and the printer enters Micro Adjust mode. Press the LF/FF D button to move the top-of-form position up on the page, or press the Load/Eject U button to move the top-of-form position down on the page.
Press the Pause button to exit Micro Adjust mode.
Note: The printer has a minimum and a maximum top-of-form position. If you try to adjust it beyond these limits, the printer beeps and stops moving the paper. When the paper reaches the default top-of-form position, the printer beeps and stops moving the paper briefly. You can use this setting as a reference point when adjusting the position. The top margin setting selected in some software overrides the top-of-form position setting you make with the Micro Adjust function.

Chapter 3

Using the Control Panel
This chapter describes the buttons and lights on the control panel, plus: Selecting a font and pitch Changing the printers default settings

Buttons and Lights

Button/Light 1 Font (ItemD) button Font lights 2 Reset (Font and Pitch) buttons Pitch (ItemU) button
Function Selects one of the fonts. See Selecting a Font and Pitch on page 37. In default setting mode, ItemD selects the next menu. Indicate which font is selected. When you press both the Font and Pitch buttons simultaneously, the printer clears the buffer and restores its default settings. Selects one of the pitch settings. See Selecting a Font and Pitch on page 37. In default setting mode, ItemU selects the previous menu.

Pitch lights

Indicate which pitch is selected.
Tear Off/Bin (Set) button
Feeds continuous paper forward to the tear-off position. Feeds continuous paper backward from the tear-off position to the top-of-form position. Selects a cut-sheet feeder bin when it is installed. In default setting mode, selects a value.

Tear Off/Bin lights

Both flash when continuous paper is in the tear-off position. Both off when continuous paper is not in the tear-off position or when bin 1 of the optional cut-sheet feeder is selected. Left light is on when Card mode is selected. Right light is on when bin 2 of the optional cut-sheet feeder is selected.

Menu buttons

When you press the Pitch (ItemU) and Tear Off/Bin (Set) buttons at the same time, the printer enters or exits default setting mode. See Changing the Printers Default Settings on page 38. When the printer is in default setting mode, both menu lights are on. Loads a single sheet of paper. Ejects a single sheet of paper. Loads continuous paper from the standby position. Feeds continuous paper backward to the standby position if a sheet is loaded.
Menu lights 6 Load/Eject button

Micro Adjust

When you hold down the Pause button for three seconds, the printer enters Micro Adjust mode. In this mode, you can press the LF/FF D and Load/Eject U buttons to adjust the top-of-form or tear-off position. See Using the Micro Adjust Function on page 31. Feeds paper line by line when pressed quickly. Ejects a single sheet or advances continuous paper to the next top-of-form position when held down.

LF/FF button

Pause button
Stops printing temporarily, and resumes printing when pressed again. When held down for three seconds, enters Micro Adjust mode. When pressed again, exits Micro Adjust mode.
Pause light Paper Out light
On when the printer is paused. Flashes when the printer is in Micro Adjust mode. On when no paper is loaded in the selected paper source or paper is not loaded correctly. Flashes when paper has not been fully ejected or paper is jammed.
Selecting a Font and Pitch
Usually, you use your application program to select the font and pitch you want to use in a document. However, you can select one of the printers fonts (in different pitches) with the buttons on the printers control panel, as described below. (The settings you make in application programs usually override settings you make from the printers control panel.) The pitches available depend on the font you select:
Font HSD Draft Roman Sans Serif Courier Prestige Script Others Pitch 10, 12, 15, 17, 20 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, PS* 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, PS* 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, PS* 10, 12, 15, 17, 20 10, 12, 17, 20 10, 12, 17, 20 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, PS*

* Proportional spacing

Note: You can select other fonts in addition to the seven fonts on the control panel by selecting Others. See Changing the Printers Default Settings on page 38 for more information about the Font setting. 1. Make sure that the printer is not printing. If it is, press the Pause button to stop printing. Then press the Font button until the three Font lights indicate the desired font.

If you want a different language, press the ItemD button until the printout shows the language you want underlined. Press the Set button to accept the language. The printer prints a line asking if you want to print all the current settings. To print a list of all the current settings, press the Set button. The printer prints all the settings and then the first setting again. Go to step 5. To go through the settings one at a time, press the ItemD or ItemU button. The printer prints the first setting and its current value.
Press the Set button to scroll through the options for the selected setting until you see the one you want. Press the ItemD or ItemU button to select the next or previous setting you want to change.
Repeat step 5 for any other settings you want to change. When you finish, press the Menu buttons again to exit default-setting mode.
Your new settings become the printers defaults.

Chapter 4

Troubleshooting
This chapter explains the error indicators and describes how to clear paper jams and print a self test. For more troubleshooting information, see your Reference Guide. If you cannot resolve the problem using the information in the manuals, see Where To Get Help on page 44.
Using the Error Indicators
Use the following table to diagnose printer errors.
Light status Beep pattern Problem Solution No paper is loaded in the selected paper source. Load paper in the printer or select a different paper source; the Paper Out light goes off. Then press the Pause button; the Pause light goes off and the printer starts printing. The paper is not loaded correctly. Remove your paper and reload it correctly. See Chapter 2 or the Reference Guide.

O Paper Out O Pause

O Pause
The paper release lever is set to the wrong position. Set the paper release lever to the position for the paper source you want to use. If paper from another paper source is currently in the paper path, press the Load/Eject button to eject the paper; then move the paper release lever to the desired position.

F Paper Out O Pause

A single sheet of paper is not fully ejected. Press the Load/Eject button to eject the sheet. Continuous paper is not fed to the standby position. Tear off printed page at the perforation; then press Load/Eject to feed paper to the standby position.
Paper is jammed in the printer. To clear the paper jam, see page 42.

Light status

Beep pattern
Problem Solution The print head is overheated. Wait a few minutes; the printer resumes printing automatically once the print head cools.

c Caution: off the printer while it is printing the self test. Always press Do not turn
the Pause button to stop printing and the Load/Eject button to eject the printed page before you turn off the printer. Troubleshooting

Where To Get Help

If your Epson printer is not operating properly and you cannot solve the problem using the troubleshooting information, see the contact information below. Epson provides technical assistance 24 hours a day through the electronic support services and automated telephone services listed below.
Service World Wide Web Access From the Internet, you can reach Epson Support at http://support.epson.com. At this site, you can download drivers and other files, look at product documentation, access troubleshooting information, and receive technical advice through e-mail. A variety of automated help services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To use these services, you must have a touch tone telephone and call (800) 922-8911. Use one of the following Epson SoundAdviceSM Express Codes to quickly select your printer in SoundAdvice: 70525 (for the LQ-590) or 70530 (for the LQ-2090).
Automated Telephone Services
To speak to a technical support representative, dial: U.S.: (562) 276-4322, 6 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Canada: (905) 709-2170, 6 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Toll or long distance charges may apply. Before you call, please have the following information ready: Product name (Epson LQ-590 or LQ-2090) Product serial number (located on the back of the printer) Proof of purchase (such as a store receipt) and date of purchase Computer configuration Description of the problem
You can purchase ribbon cartridges, paper, manuals, and accessories from the Epson Store at (800) 873-7766, or visit www.epsonstore.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call (800) 463-7766 for dealer referral.

Chapter 5

Product Information

Safety Instructions

Hot Parts Caution Symbol
This symbol is placed on the print head and other parts to indicate that they may be hot. Never touch those parts just after the printer has been used. Let them cool for a few minutes before touching them.
Important Safety Instructions
Read all of these safety instructions before using the printer. In addition, follow all warnings and instructions marked on the printer itself. Do not place the printer on an unstable surface or near a radiator or heat source. Place the printer on a flat surface. It will not operate properly if it is tilted or placed at an angle. Do not block or cover the slots and openings in the printers cabinet, and do not insert objects through the slots. Use only the type of power source indicated on the printers label. Connect all equipment to properly grounded electrical outlets. Avoid using outlets on the same circuit as photocopiers or air control systems that regularly switch on and off. Do not use a damaged or frayed power cord. If you use an extension cord with the printer, make sure the total ampere rating of all devices plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the cords ampere rating. Also, make sure the total ampere of all devices plugged into the electrical outlet does not exceed the electrical outlets ampere rating. Unplug the printer before cleaning it, and always clean it with a damp cloth only. Do not spill liquid onto the printer. Except as specifically explained in the user documentation, do not attempt to service the printer yourself. Unplug the printer and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: if the power cord or plug is damaged, if liquid has entered the printer, if the printer has been dropped or damaged, if it does not operate normally or exhibits a distinct change in performance. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions.

What This Warranty Does Not Cover: This warranty covers only normal consumer use in the United States and Canada. This warranty is not transferable and will not apply to products purchased from an end user. This warranty does not cover damage to the Epson printer caused by parts and supplies not manufactured, distributed or certified by Epson. This warranty does not cover ribbon or third party parts, components or peripheral devices added to the Epson product after its shipment from Epson, e.g., dealer-added boards or chips. Epson is not responsible for warranty service should the Epson label or logo or the rating label or serial number be removed or should the product fail to be properly maintained or fail to function properly as a result of misuse, abuse, improper installation, neglect, improper shipping, damage caused by disasters such as fire, flood, and lightning, improper electrical current, software problems, interaction with non-Epson products, or service other than by an Epson Authorized Servicer. Packaging, postage, insurance and shipping costs incurred in presenting your Epson product for warranty service are your responsibility. If a claimed defect cannot be identified or reproduced in service, you will be held responsible for costs incurred. THE WARRANTY AND REMEDY PROVIDED ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SOME LAWS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY, THEN ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE WARRANTY PERIOD IDENTIFIED ABOVE. UNLESS STATED HEREIN, ANY STATEMENTS OR REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY ANY OTHER PERSON OR FIRM ARE VOID. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS WRITTEN WARRANTY, NEITHER EPSON AMERICA, INC., NOR ITS AFFILIATES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS, INCONVENIENCE, OR DAMAGE, INCLUDING DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, RESULTING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE EPSON PRODUCT, WHETHER RESULTING FROM BREACH OF WARRANTY OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY. IF THE REMEDY ABOVE FAILS, EPSONS ENTIRE LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO A REFUND OF THE PRICE PAID FOR THE EPSON PRODUCT COVERED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. In Canada, warranties include both warranties and conditions. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. To locate an Authorized Epson Servicer near you, call the Epson Connection at (800) 922-8911 in the United States. In Canada, call (800) 463-7766. Or write to: Epson America, Inc., P. O. Box 93012 Long Beach, CA 90809-3012

Powering business productivity with
superior performance and reliability
With powerful 24-pin technology, the Epson LQ-590 and the wide-format Epson LQ-2090 deliver precision text and graphics, plus rugged reliability for critical print requirements. Offering print speeds of up to 529 cps and seamless integration into existing

Epson LQ-590

Key Features

Powerful 24-pin print head technology s Delivers high quality text and graphics for critical applications Ultra fast print speeds s Speeds through multipart forms, reports, labels and more at up to 529 cps Extreme reliability in demanding print environments s Offers an MTBF rating of 20,000 POH and a 400 million character print head life s Facilitates greater productivity with less downtime Long-life ribbon cartridge thats easy to install s 5 million (LQ-590)/8 million (LQ-2090) character ribbon cartridge reduces the need for frequent ribbon changes s Ensures the lowest cost per page Advanced paper handling capabilities for greater flexibility s Provides four convenient paper paths to accommodate cut sheet paper and continuous forms up to 5 parts thick Easy system integration s Includes USB and Parallel connections, plus an additional slot for optional Type B interface cards s Epson and IBM printer languages ensure compatibility for new and legacy printing applications Simplified setup and operation s Improved menu navigation allows quick and easy changes to printer settings s Remote Configuration Manager facilitates easy setup via a PC Convenient setting for whisper-quiet operation Three-year warranty backed by Epsons superior service and support
printing environments, these robust performers
are sure to increase productivity. With versatile 5-part forms printing, multiple paper loading options, and a durable, long-lasting ribbon, each product races through tickets, purchase orders, invoices and more. Perfect for point-of-sale, manufacturing, and production environments, these two printers boast an amazing 20,000 POH MTBF rating and a 400 million character print head life. Each features an easy-to-use control panel that makes changing settings a snap, while convenient configuration software facilitates simple setup via a PC. These two workhorses provide Parallel and USB interfaces, plus a slot for optional interface cards, including high-speed Ethernet, for greater compatibility with practically any system. And, with both Epson and IBM printer languages, theyre perfect replacements for the Okidata ML-390/490, the Epson LQ-570e/870 or the wide-format Epson LQ-2080. Ideal for businesses that require high quality, multipart forms printing, the reliable Epson LQ-590 and LQ-2090 printers offer extremely low operational costs compared to other printing technologies, as well as superior performance in comparison to other impact printers in their class. Designed for use in demanding print environments, these heavy-duty dot matrix printers handle critical business applications with precision and ease. And theyre backed by a three-year warranty that includes Epsons superior service and support.
Printer Throughput Test* - ISO/IEC 10561 Letter Pattern

Lexmark 2490/2491

Pages Per Minute

6.1 5.0 5.0

10 cpi High-Speed Draft Mode
10 cpi Draft/Utility Mode

Selected Print Speed

Epson LQ-590/2090

Okidata ML-490/491

EPSON LQ-2090

IMPACT PRINTER

LQ-590/LQ-2090
Printing Method 24-pin, impact dot matrix Print Direction Bidirectional with logic seeking in Text and Graphics Mode Print Speed High Speed Draft 529 cps (12 cpi) 440 cps (10 cpi) Draft 330 cps (10 cpi) Letter Quality 110 cps (10 cpi) Character Sets 96 ASCII characters; 14 international character sets and 1 legal character set; 128 user-defined characters; Extended IBM style graphic characters; 5 code pages Resident Fonts Epson Draft 10, 12, 15 cpi Epson Roman 10, 12, 15 cpi proportional Epson Sans Serif 10, 12, 15 cpi proportional Epson Courier 10, 12, 15 cpi Epson Prestige 10, 12 cpi Epson Script 10 cpi Epson OCRB 10 cpi Epson Script C Proportional Epson Orator 10 cpi Epson Orator-S 10 cpi Bar Code Fonts EAN-13, EAN-8, Interleaved 2 of 5, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 39, Code 128, POSTNET, Codabar (NW-7), Industrial 2 of 5, Matrix 2 of 5 Scalable Fonts Epson Roman 10.5 pt; 8-32 pt every 2 pt Epson Sans Serif 10.5 pt; 8-32 pt every 2 pt Epson Roman T 10.5 pt; 8-32 pt every 2 pt Epson Sans Serif H 10.5 pt; 8-32 pt every 2 pt Column Width LQ-590 LQ-cpi 12 cpi 15 cpi 17 cpi 20 cpi Formatting 32 horizontal tabs; line spacing in 1/6 or programmable (minimum 1/360 increments); skip over perforations in lines; page length in lines or inches Paper Feed Mechanism Feeding method Friction feed (front, rear) Push tractor (front, rear) Pull tractor (front, bottom, rear) Push and pull tractor** (front, rear) Cut sheet feeder (optional) Roll paper holder (optional) Paper Feed Speed 45 millisecond per 1/6" 5" per second continuous feed Paper Path Manual insertion Front or top in, top out Cut sheet feeder Top in, top out Tractor Front, rear or bottom in, top out Input Buffer 128KB
Software Drivers Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP and NT 4.0 Interface Bidirectional Parallel (IEEE 1284 Nibble Mode supported) USB Type-B slot for optional interface cards Printer Language Epson ESC/P2 IBM PPDS Paper Handling Forms: continuous multipart, original plus 4 carbonless copies, maximum thickness.018" Width LQ-590 LQ-2090 Single sheets 3.9" to 10.1" 3.9" to 16.5" Continuous 4.0" to 10.0" 4.0" to 16.0" Cut-sheet feeder 7.2" to 8.5" 7.2" to 16.5" Length Single sheets 3.9" to 14.3" 3.9" to 14.3" Continuous 4.0" to 22.0" 4.0" to 22.0" Cut-sheet feeder 10.1" to 14.0" 10.1" to 14.0" No. 6 envelopes 6.5" x 3.6" No. 10 envelopes 9.5" x 4.1" Labels 2.5" x 0.94" (minimum) Roll paper 8.5" width Sound Level 52 dBA Power Requirements LQ-590 LQ-2090 Rated voltage 120V 100 to 240V Input voltage range 103.5 to 132V 90 to 264V Rated frequency range 50 to 60 Hz 50 to 60 Hz Input frequency range 49.5 to 60.5 Hz 49.5 to 60.5 Hz Physical Dimensions LQ-590 LQ-2090 Height 6.3" 6.3" Width 16.3 23.2" Depth 13.8" 13.8" Weight 15.6 lb 21 lb Control Panel Functions Font, pitch, pause, tear off, bin selection, line feed, form feed, load, eject, micro adjust, top-of-form adjustment, paper parking, default feature setting, panel lockout Reliability MTBF 20,000 POH (25% duty cycle) Print head life 400 million characters Ribbon life 5 million characters at 48 dots/character (LQ-590) 8 million characters at 48 dots/character (LQ-2090) Warranty Three-year limited warranty in the U.S. and Canada SupportThe Epson ConnectionSM Automated Technical Support (800) 922-8911 Pre-Sales Support (US and Canada) (800) 463-7766 Internet Website www.epson.com

* Advanced print head deisgn provides unmatched burst speed, allowing the Epson LQ-590/2090 to maximaize performance by consistently performing at or near top speeds. Standardized ISO 10561 throughput tests illustrate how Epsons superior technology results in faster printing and greater print volume over time. Test conducted by Seiko Epson Corporation. ** Additional tractor unit required

Printer Specifications

Ordering Information
Product Code Epson LQ-590 C11C558001 S015337 C806381 C806371 C800201 C814002 Epson LQ-2090 C11C559001 S015335 C806401 C806391 C800211 C814012 C814031

Description

Product Code
Epson LQ-590 and LQ-2090 Accessories Epson LQ-590 Impact Printer Ribbon Cartridge High Capacity Cut Sheet Feeder Single Bin Cut Sheet Feeder Additional Pull Tractor Unit Front Sheet Guide C811141 C823051 C823071 C823121 C823141 C823151 C823452 C823912 Roll Paper Holder Serial Interface Board 32KB Serial Interface Board LocalTalk Interface Coax Interface Board Twinax Interface Board Bidirectional Parallel Interface Board EpsonNet Multiprotocol 10/100 Base-TX Type-B Ethernet Print Server
Epson LQ-2090 Impact Printer Ribbon Cartridge High Capacity Cut Sheet Feeder Single Bin Cut Sheet Feeder Additional Pull Tractor Unit Front Sheet Guide Front Paper Guide
Epson America, Inc. 3840 Kilroy Airport Way, Long Beach, CA 90806 Epson Canada, Ltd. 3771 Victoria Park Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M1W 3Z5
Specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Epson and Epson ESC/P2 are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson Remote Configuration Manager is a trademark and Epson Connection is a service mark of Epson America, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2004 Epson America, Inc. CPD-17742 3/04 10K B&G
Printed on Recycled Paper