EPSON Stylus C86

Quick Guide
Basic Printing Printing Photos Replacing Ink Cartridges Solving Problems Requirements and Notices

CPD-17832 4049262-00 xxx

Contents

Basic Printing. 3

Loading Paper. 3 Printing in Windows. 4 Printing with Macintosh OS X. 6 Printing with Macintosh OS 9. 8 Installing Printer Software for Windows NT 4.x. 10

Printing Photos. 11

Loading Paper. 11 Printing Photos in Windows. 13 Printing Photos on Macintosh OS X. 16 Printing Photos on Macintosh OS 9. 18
Replacing Ink Cartridges. 21
Purchasing Ink Cartridges. 21 Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges. 23

Solving Problems. 27

Checking the Printers Lights. 27 Problems and Solutions. 28 Where To Get Help. 30
Requirements and Notices. 31
Windows System Requirements. 31 Macintosh System Requirements. 31 Important Safety Instructions. 32 FCC Compliance Statement. 34 Declaration of Conformity. 35 ENERGY STAR Compliance. 35 Epson America, Inc. Limited Warranty. Contents

Basic Printing

Before you start, make sure your printer is set up and its software is installed as described on the Start Here sheet. If youre using Windows NT 4.x, see page 10 for instructions on installing the software.

Loading Paper

1. Open the output tray and its extension. 2. Fan the stack of paper and place it against the right edge of the slot. Dont push the paper in. 3. Press in the side of the left edge guide and slide it against the paper (but not too tightly).
Press here, then slide over

Load paper under the tab

Follow these guidelines when loading paper:
Dont load paper above the arrow on the left edge guide. Load the printable side face-up. Its often brighter or whiter than the other side. Always load the short edge first, even when printing in landscape mode. Load letterhead or preprinted paper into the printer top edge first.

Basic Printing 3

Printing in Windows
1. From the File menu, click Print. You see a Print window like this one:
Select your printer here Click here to open your printer software
2. Make sure Epson Stylus C86 Series is selected. 3. Click the Properties or Preferences button. (If you see a Setup, Printer, or Options button, click it. Then click Properties or Preferences on the next screen.) 4. Select the following in the properties window:
Select the type of document youre printing Select your paper Type Select your paper Size
Select your document or image orientation

4 Basic Printing

5. Select from these Quality Option settings:
Draft: For rough drafts with reduced print quality Text: For text-only documents with higher text quality Text & Image: For documents with text and images with higher quality Photo: For photos and graphics with good quality and speed Best Photo: For photos or graphics with high print quality
Note: For more information about printer settings, click the ? or Help button. The Quality Option settings on this screen give you the best combination of quality and speed for most prints. For instructions on printing at the highest quality (Photo RPM), see page 14.
6. Select the paper Type for the paper youre using. 7. Select other settings as shown on page 4, then click OK. 8. At the Print window, click OK or Print to start printing. During printing, this window appears and shows the progress of your print job. You can use the buttons to cancel, pause, or resume printing. You can also see how much ink you have left.
Click to cancel printing Click to pause or resume printing
Tip: You can also cancel printing by pressing the
paper button on your printer.

Printing in Windows 5

Printing with Macintosh OS X
If youre using an OS X compatible printing application, follow the steps below to print a document. (If youre using an application thats compatible only with Macintosh Classic mode, follow the steps on page 8 instead.) Before you begin, make sure you added your printer to the Print Center as described on the Start Here sheet. 1. From the File menu, choose Page Setup and select the following settings:
Select your printer from the list Select your Paper Size Select your document or image orientation
2. After you select your settings, click OK. 3. From the File menu select Print. You see a window like this one:
Select your printer from the list Select Print Settings from the list
4. Open the Printer pull-down list, and select your printer again. Always check to make sure you selected the same printer you chose in the Page Setup window. 5. Select Print Settings from the pull-down list.

6 Basic Printing

6. Select the following Print Settings as necessary:

Select the type of paper youre using Select Color or Black ink Select higher quality or faster printing (if available)

Click Print

Note: For more information about printer settings, click the ? or Help button. The Quality setting on this screen gives you the best combination of quality and print speed for most prints. For instructions on printing at the highest quality (Photo RPM), see page 17.
7. Choose other settings as necessary, then click Print. 8. To monitor the progress of your job, click the Print Center icon when it appears in the dock on the bottom of your desktop. Double-click Stylus C86 in the Printer List window. You can click the print job, then cancel, hold, or resume printing.
Note: You can also cancel printing by pressing the Paper button on your printer.
9. When youre finished, close Print Center.
Printing with Macintosh OS X 7
Printing with Macintosh OS 9
Before you begin, make sure you selected your printer in the Chooser as described on the Start Here sheet. 1. From the File menu, select Page Setup. Select the following settings:
Make sure you see C86 Series Select your paper size
2. After you choose your settings, click OK. 3. From the File menu, select Print. 4. Select the following print settings as necessary:
Select the type of paper youre using Select Color or Black ink

Select Automatic mode

Select higher quality or faster printing (if available)
Note: For more information about printer settings, click the ? button. The Quality setting on this screen gives you the best combination of quality and print speed for most prints. For instructions on printing at the highest quality (Photo RPM), see page 20.

8 Basic Printing

5. You can also do the following:
Click to reduce or enlarge your image, print multiple layouts, or add a watermark. Click to turn on background printing. Click to change the Print button to Preview. You can then click it to preview your printout. Click to check your ink levels.
6. Click Print. 7. If you turned on background printing, you can select Epson Monitor IV from the Application menu in the upper right corner of your screen. You see the Epson Monitor window:
Select your print job, then click here to cancel printing Click to check ink levels
Click here to show or hide the print settings
Note: If youre not using background printing and you need to cancel printing, hold down the key and press the. (period) key. Or press the paper button on the printer.
Printing with Macintosh OS 9 9
Installing Printer Software for Windows NT 4.x
Before you begin, complete the instructions on the Start Here sheet for setting up your printer. For instructions on installing printer software in Windows XP, Me, 2000, 98, or on a Macintosh, see your Start Here sheet.

Printing Photos 11

As with traditional photos, Epson recommends proper care that will minimize color changes and lengthen display life:
Frame prints under glass or a protective plastic sleeve to protect them from atmospheric contaminants like humidity, smoke, and high levels of ozone. As with all photographs, keep your prints away from direct sunlight. For proper storage, keep your prints in a photo album or plastic photo storage box in acid-free, archival sleeves commonly available from most camera stores. Always keep unused paper in the original package.
To order Epson paper, contact your dealer or call the Epson StoreSM at (800) 873-7766 or visit our web site at www.epsonstore.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada please call (800) 463-7766 for dealer referral. Load paper as shown:
Insert paper against the right edge
Slide the left edge guide against the paper
Always load the short edge first, even for printing landscape-oriented photos. Load the printable side face-up. Its usually whiter or brighter than the other side. Make sure the paper is under the tabs on the left and right edge guides. Check the paper package for additional loading and printing instructions.

12 Printing Photos

Printing Photos in Windows
1. Start your photo program and open your photo file. 2. Open the File menu and click Print. Make sure your printer is selected, then click Properties or Preferences. (If you see a Setup, Printer, or Options button, click it. Then click Properties or Preferences on the next screen.) You see a window like this one:
Select Photo or Best Photo Click here for photos without white borders
3. Select Photo or Best Photo as the Quality Option setting. 4. Select the paper Type for the paper youre using. 5. For pictures without white borders, click the Borderless checkbox. Read the message and click OK. 6. Select your paper Size setting. 7. Select Portrait or Landscape as the orientation setting. 8. Do one of the following:
Click OK, then click OK or Print. If you want to print at the highest resolution possible, or use special settings, continue with the steps in the next section.
Printing Photos in Windows 13
Customizing Your Photo Settings
1. On the Main tab, click the Advanced button in the bottom right corner of the window. If you see a warning note, click Continue. 2. Select the following advanced settings as necessary:
Select a color management method (To choose No Color Adjustment, click ICM first)
Click here to select Photo RPM (5760 720) for the best print quality on certain paper types
Select Print Options as necessary
Note: For the highest print quality, select Photo RPM. Please note that printing will take longer in this mode.
3. Once youve finished selecting advanced settings, you can:
Click OK to save your settings, return to the Print window, and print. Click the Basic button to return to the Basic settings. Click the Page Layout tab and continue with step 4 to select layout options.

14 Printing Photos

4. Select the following page layout settings as necessary:
Select image position options here Select image resizing options here Select borderless printing options here
Note: Some layout settings may not be available, depending on other settings you choose.
5. Select image position or resizing options as necessary. These affect only your printed image, and are not available for borderless printing. 6. If youre printing borderless photos, you can adjust the Expansion slider to choose Min, Max, or the in-between setting.
Min retains the entire image in your print, but there may be a small white edge on the borders of the print. Max expands the image to ensure that there are no unprinted edges, but the edges of the image may not appear in the print.
7. Click OK to save your settings, then click OK or Print.
Printing Photos in Windows 15
Printing Photos on Macintosh OS X
1. Start your photo program and open your photo file. 2. From the File menu select Page Setup. You see a window like this one:
Select Stylus C86(Sheet Feeder Borderless for photos without white borders
3. For pictures without white borders, select Stylus C86(Sheet Feeder Borderless) in the Format for pull-down list. 4. Select your Paper Size. 5. Select 6. Click OK. 7. Open the File menu and click Print. You see a window like this one:
Select Stylus C86 (Sheet Feeder Borderless for photos without white borders

portrait or

landscape as the orientation setting.
Select Print Settings from the list

16 Printing Photos

8. For pictures without white borders, select Stylus C86(Sheet Feeder Borderless) in the Printer pull-down list. 9. Select Print Settings from the list. 10. Select the Media Type for the paper youre using. 11. Select Quality (for higher quality) or Speed (for faster printing) using the slider. 12. Do one of the following:
Click Print. If you want to print at a higher resolution or use special settings, continue with the steps in the next section.
1. Click Advanced. 2. Select these advanced settings as necessary:
For color management settings, select Color Management from the list
Printing Photos on Macintosh OS X 17
3. If youre printing photos without white borders, select Expansion from the pull-down list. You see a window like this one:

4. Adjust the Expansion slider to choose Min, Max, or the in-between setting.

5. Click Print.

Printing Photos on Macintosh OS 9
Click here for photos without white borders
3. Select your Paper Size. 18 Printing Photos
4. For photos without white borders, click the Borderless checkbox. Read the message and click OK. Click the Expansion button. You see a window like this one:
Adjust the Expansion slider to choose Min, Max, or the in-between setting.
Min retains the entire image in your print, but there may be a small white edge on the borders of the print. Max expands the image to ensure that there
are no unprinted edges, but the edges of the image may not appear in the print. Then click OK. 5. Select Portrait or Landscape as the orientation setting. 6. Click OK. 7. Open the File menu and click Print. You see a window like this one:
Select the type of paper youre using Select higher quality or faster printing
8. Select one of the Media Type for the paper youre using. 9. Select Quality (for higher quality) or Speed (for faster printing) using the slider. 10. Do one of the following:
Click Print. If you want to select special settings for color matching or printing at a higher resolution, continue with the steps in the next section.
Printing Photos on Macintosh OS 9 19
1. On the printer settings window, select Custom, then click Advanced. 2. Select these advanced settings as necessary:
Select color management settings here
Select various print options here
3. Click OK to save your settings, then click Print.

20 Printing Photos

Replacing Ink Cartridges
When the red When the red ink light flashes, one or more ink cartridges are low on ink. ink light stays on, you need to replace the cartridge(s).
When you print, youll also see a message on your screen telling you which cartridge is low or empty.
Purchasing Ink Cartridges
Use these Epson ink cartridges within six months of installing them and before the expiration date on the package.
Ink cartridge Black (high capacity)* Black (standard capacity)* Cyan Magenta Yellow Color multipack (Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow) Part number T043120 T044120 T044220 T044320 T044420 T044520
* Availability of black ink cartridge types varies by location.
To ensure good results, use genuine Epson ink cartridges and do not refill them. Other products may cause damage to your printer not covered by Epsons warranty. When you need new ink cartridges, contact your dealer, or call 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.

Replacing Ink Cartridges 21
Ink Cartridge Precautions
Warning: Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children. If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with water. Dont remove the cartridge label, or ink will leak. Dont remove the green IC chip from the cartridge. Installing a cartridge without an IC chip can damage the printer. Avoid touching the green IC chip, as this can damage the ink cartridge. If you remove an ink cartridge temporarily, protect the ink supply port on the bottom of the cartridge from dirt and dust. Place it in a small box, or, if you have the original packaging, return it to its own box. Store ink cartridges in the same environment as the printer. Stand the cartridges upright (the label identifying the color should be on top).
22 Replacing Ink Cartridges
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges
Be sure you have a new ink cartridge before you begin. Once you start replacing a cartridge, you must complete all the steps in one session. 1. Make sure the printer is turned on (the green power light should be on, but not flashing). Then open the printer cover. 2. Press and release the ink button. The print head moves to the left, and the cartridge that needs to be replaced stops under the ink out mark. The power light begins to flash.
Caution: Dont hold down the ink button for more than 2 seconds, or the printer will start to clean the print head. To avoid damaging the printer, never move the print head by hand.

3. Press the

ink button again.
If more than one cartridge is empty, the next cartridge moves under the ink out mark. If all the empty cartridges have been identified, the print head moves to the ink cartridge replacement position, as shown on the following page.
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges 23
4. Open the cartridge cover.
5. Squeeze the back tab of the empty cartridge as you lift it out of the printer. Dont take the used cartridge apart or try to refill it.
Warning: If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water.
24 Replacing Ink Cartridges
6. Before you remove the new cartridge from its package, shake it four or five times.
7. Unwrap the new ink cartridge and lower it into the holder. Push down gently until the cartridge is firmly seated.
Caution: Dont touch the green circuit board on the front of the cartridge; you may inhibit normal operation and printing.
Dont touch the green part

8. If you need to replace other ink cartridges, repeat steps 5 through 7 before continuing with step 9.
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges 25
9. Close the cartridge cover.
10. Close the printer cover and press the charging the ink delivery system.
ink button. The printer begins
The green power light flashes and the printer makes noise. Charging takes about half a minute. When its finished, the green power light stops flashing and stays on, and the red light goes out.
Caution: power light is flashing, unless the Never turn off the printer while the green printer hasnt moved or made noise for more than 5 minutes.
26 Replacing Ink Cartridges

Solving Problems

Checking the Printers Lights
Lights Green power light flashes Red is on paper light Explanation The printer is receiving a print job, replacing an ink cartridge, charging ink, or cleaning the print head. Your paper ran out. Load more paper, then press the paper button to resume printing. Paper is jammed in the printer. Press the paper button to eject the paper. If that doesnt work, turn off the printer, open the cover, and pull the paper out from the front, including any torn pieces. Then turn on the printer, reload paper, and press the paper button. One of the cartridges is low on ink. Check the message that appears on your screen to determine which cartridge is low. Make sure you have a replacement cartridge. One of the cartridges is out of ink or not installed. Make sure you have a replacement cartridge, then follow the steps on page 23 to install it. If you have just installed a new cartridge, it may be incompatible with the printer or incorrectly installed. Reinstall it or replace it with the correct cartridge. power Green light and red ink light are on Red paper and ink lights flash alternately An ink cartridge is not installed correctly. Reinstall it as described on page 25. Paper may be blocking movement of the print head. Turn off the printer, then open the cover and remove any jammed paper or other foreign objects. Turn the printer back on. If the lights are still on, contact your dealer or Epson as described on page 30. The printer may have an internal error. Turn off the printer, wait a few seconds, and turn it on again. If the lights are still flashing, contact your dealer or Epson as described on page 30.

Red paper light flashes

Red ink light flashes Red ink light is on
Green power light is off; red paper and ink lights flash

Solving Problems 27

Problems and Solutions
You see banding (light lines).
Make sure the paper Type or Media Type setting matches the paper youre using. The print head nozzles may need cleaning; follow the instructions below to clean the print head: 1. Make sure the printer is turned on but not printing, and the red light is off. ink

2. Windows: Right-click the printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Head Cleaning.
Note: If you dont see the icon, go to your printer properties window as described on page 4, click the Maintenance tab, then select Head Cleaning.
Macintosh OS X: Open the Applications folder and select Epson Printer Utility. Select Stylus C86 in the printer list, click OK, and select Head Cleaning. Macintosh OS 9: Open the File menu and choose Page Setup or Print. Utility button, then click the Head Cleaning button. Click the 3. Follow the instructions on the screen to clean the print head. Cleaning takes several seconds. The printer makes noise and the green power light flashes.
Caution: Never turn off the printer while the green power light is flashing, unless the printer hasnt moved or made noise for more than 5 minutes.

28 Solving Problems

4. When the green power light stops flashing, make sure paper is loaded in the printer, then do the following: Windows: Click Print Nozzle Check Pattern. Then click Print. Macintosh: Click Confirmation, then click Next. The nozzle check pattern prints. 5. If the nozzle check pattern has no gaps or white lines as shown, click Finish. If the pattern has gaps, click Clean to clean the print head again. You can also turn the printer off and wait overnightthis allows any dried ink to soften and then try cleaning the print head again.
The ink cartridges may need replacing; see page 21 for instructions.
Your printout is blurry or smeared.
Make sure the printable (whiter) side of the paper is face-up. Use Epson papers to ensure proper saturation and absorption of genuine Epson ink.
Your paper doesnt feed correctly or jams in the printer.
If multiple pages feed at once, remove the paper from the sheet feeder, fan the edges to separate the sheets, then reload it. If paper jams, press the paper button for several seconds to clear the jam. If that doesnt work, open the cover and pull the paper out from the front, including small pieces that may have torn off. Reload the paper and press the paper button. Heavily saturated prints may curl, causing a paper jam when printing on both sides of the paper. Make sure you use new, smooth, high-quality paper, loaded printable side up. Dont load paper above the arrow mark inside the left edge guide. Place the paper against the right edge, behind the tab. Slide the left edge guide against it, but not too tightly.

Problems and Solutions 29

Where To Get Help

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. Your Epson SoundAdviceSM Express Code is 70535. Use this code to quickly select the Stylus C86 in SoundAdvice.
Automated Telephone Services
To speak to a technical support representative, dial:
U.S.: (562) 276-7525, 6 AM to 8 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday and 7 AM to 4 PM, Saturday. Canada: (905) 709-2567, 6 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Toll or long distance charges may apply. Please have the following information ready:
Product name (Epson Stylus C86) Product serial number (located on the back of the printer) Proof of purchase (such as a store receipt) and date of purchase Computer configuration and operating system version Description of the problem
You can purchase ink 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.

30 Solving Problems

Requirements and Notices
Windows System Requirements
A Microsoft Windows compatible PC with a Pentium-equivalent processor (233 MHz or faster recommended) Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows NT 4.x At least 64MB RAM (128MB recommended) 100MB free hard disk space (200MB or more recommended) VGA or better display adapter and monitor (SVGA for Windows XP) CD-ROM or DVD drive for installing the printer software Parallel connection: a high-speed, bidirectional IEEE-1284 compliant parallel cable, up to 10 feet long (3 meters); the cable must have a D-SUB, 25-pin, male connector for your computer, and a 36-pin, Centronics compatible connector for the printer. USB connection: a computer with preinstalled Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, or XP, and a Windows-compliant USB port and shielded USB AB cable. Using an improperly shielded USB cable may cause the printer to malfunction.

FCC Compliance Statement

For United States Users
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception. 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 or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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 which exceed the limits established by the FCC for this equipment. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain and use a shielded equipment interface cable with this device. If this equipment has more than one interface connector, do not leave cables connected to unused interfaces. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the users authority to operate the equipment.

For Canadian Users

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numrique de la classe B est conforme la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
34 Requirements and Notices
Declaration of Conformity
According to 47CFR, Part 2 and 15 for Class B Personal Computers and Peripherals; and/ or CPU Boards and Power Supplies used with Class B Personal Computers: We: Located at: Epson America, Inc. MS: 3-Kilroy Airport Way Long Beach, CA 90806 Telephone: (562) 290-5254
Declare under sole responsibility that the product identified herein, complies with 47CFR Part 2 and 15 of the FCC rules as a Class B digital device. Each product marketed is identical to the representative unit tested and found to be compliant with the standards. Records maintained continue to reflect the equipment being produced can be expected to be within the variation accepted, due to quantity production and testing on a statistical basis as required by 47CFR 2.909. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Trade Name: Epson

Type of Product: Ink Jet Printer Model: B251A

ENERGY STAR Compliance

As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Epson has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency. The EPA ENERGY STAR office equipment program is a voluntary partnership with the computer and office equipment industry to promote the introduction of energy-efficient personal computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, and copiers in an effort to reduce air pollution caused by power generation.
Declaration of Conformity 35
Epson America, Inc. Limited Warranty
What Is Covered: Epson America, Inc. (Epson) warrants to the first retail purchaser that the Epson printer covered by this limited warranty statement, if purchased and operated only in the United States or Canada, conforms to the manufacturers specifications and will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. Epson also warrants that the consumable ink cartridges enclosed with the printer will perform to the manufacturers specified usage, which usage may expire before the expiration of the limited warranty for the Epson printer. For warranty service, you must provide proof of the date of original purchase. What Epson Will Do To Correct Problems: Should your Epson printer prove defective during the warranty period, please call the Epson ConnectionSM at (562) 276-7525 (U.S.) or (905) 709-2567 (Canada) for repair instructions and return authorization. An Epson service technician will provide telephone diagnostic service to determine whether the printer requires service. If service is needed, Epson will, at its option, exchange or repair the printer without charge for parts or labor. If Epson authorizes an exchange for the defective unit, Epson will ship a replacement printer to you, freight prepaid, so long as you use an address in Canada or the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico and U.S. Possessions). Shipments to other locations will be made freight collect. You are responsible for securely packaging the defective unit or any requested parts and returning them to Epson within five (5) working days of receipt of the replacement. Epson requires a debit or a credit card number to secure the cost of the replacement printer in the event that you fail to return the defective one. If your printer is being repaired, Epson will direct you to send your printer to Epson or its authorized service center, where the printer will be fixed and sent back to you. You are responsible for packing the printer and for all costs to and from the Epson authorized service center. When warranty service involves the exchange of the printer or a part, the item replaced becomes Epson property. The replacement printer or part may be new or refurbished to the Epson standard of quality, and, at Epsons option, may be another model of like kind and quality. Epsons liability for replacement of the covered printer will not exceed the original retail selling price of the covered printer. Exchange products and parts assume the remaining warranty period of your original product covered by this limited warranty. What This Warranty Does Not Cover: This warranty does not apply to refurbished or reconditioned products. This warranty covers only normal use in the United States and Canada. This warranty is not transferable. This warranty does not cover any color change or fading of prints or reimbursement of materials or services required for reprinting. This warranty does not cover damage to the Epson product caused by parts or supplies not manufactured, distributed or certified by Epson. This warranty does not cover ribbons, ink cartridges or third party parts, components, or peripheral devices added to the Epson product after its shipment from Epson, e.g., dealer or user-added boards or components. Epson is not responsible for warranty service should the Epson label or logo or the rating

36 Requirements and Notices
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. If a claimed defect cannot be identified or reproduced, you will be held responsible for the 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 MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT 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 STATEMENT 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. 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 have other rights which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Epson America, Inc. - P.O. Box 93012 - Long Beach, CA 90809-3012
Epson America, Inc. Limited Warranty 37

Copyright Notice

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 product. Epson is not responsible for any use of this information as applied to other equipment. 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 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.

Responsible Use of Copyrighted Materials
Digital cameras, scanners, and ink jet printers, like conventional photocopiers and cameras, can be misused by improper copying or printing of copyrighted material. While some countries laws permit limited copying of copyrighted material in certain circumstances, those circumstances may not be as broad as some people assume. Epson encourages each user to be responsible and respectful of the copyright laws when using digital cameras, scanners, and ink jet printers.

Trademarks

Epson and Epson Stylus are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. DURABrite and RPM are registered trademarks; Epson Software is a trademark; and SoundAdvice, Epson Connection, Epson Print Lab, Epson PhotoCenter, and Epson Store 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. The ENERGY STAR emblem does not represent EPA endorsement of any product or service.
2004 Epson America, Inc. 3/04
38 Requirements and Notices
Printed in xxxxxx xx.xx-xx

Epson Stylus C86

Paper name* Size Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) 4 x 6 inches Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) A4 (8.3 x 11.7 inches) Legal (8.5 x 14 inches) Epson Glossy Photo Paper or Epson Photo Paper Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) Part number S041586 S041731 S041734 S041062 S041061 S041067 S041141 S041649 S041271 S041272 S041140 S041134 S041671 S041458 S041809 S041257 S041467 S041568 SCR1002 S041331 S041064 S041054 Epson Premium Bright White Paper Epson DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper

Printer Parts

Paper support
Right edge guide Left edge guide Output tray

A4 (8.3 x 11.7 inches)

Ink button

Power button

Output tray extension
Epson Matte Paper Heavyweight

4 x 6 inches

Paper button
Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) 8 x 10 inches Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) A6 (4.1 x 5.8 inches)

Printer cover

Epson Double-Sided Matte Paper PremierArt Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper for Epson Epson Premium Semigloss Photo Paper Epson Ink Jet Transparencies

Parallel port

USB port
Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet Cards
* The availability of paper types and sizes varies by location.

User Replaceable Parts

Part Paper support Power cord Part number 1262104 2068927
To order Epson ink cartridges, and paper, contact your dealer or call Epson at (800) 873-7766 or visit the Epson Store at www.Epsonstore.com (U.S. sales only). In Canada, please call (800) 463-7766 for dealer referral.

Printer Specifications

Printing
Printing method On-demand ink jet 180 nozzles 177 nozzles (59 each: cyan, magenta, yellow) Bidirectional with logic seeking Nozzle configuration

Accessories

Ink Cartridges
Cartridge Black (high capacity)* Black (standard capacity)* Cyan Magenta Yellow Color multipack (cyan, magenta, and yellow) Part number T043120 T044120 T044220 T044320 T044420 T044520
Black Color Print direction
* Availability of black ink cartridge types varies by location.

Epson Stylus C86 - 1

Mechanical
Paper feed method Friction Paper path Sheet feeder capacity Dimensions Storage Width: 18.1 inches (460 mm) Depth: 9.5 inches (242 mm) Height: 7.5 inches (191 mm) Width: 18.1 inches (460 mm) Depth: 17.2 inches (437 mm) Height: 11.9 inches (302 mm) 10.5 lb (4.8 kg) Sheet feeder, top entry, front out 120 sheets of 24 lb (90 g/m2) paper
Caution: To ensure good results, use genuine Epson cartridges and do not refill them. Other products may cause damage to the printer not covered by Epsons warranty. Dont use an ink cartridge if the date on the package has expired.
Black Ink Cartridge (high capacity) - T043120
Color Capacity* Cartridge life Temperature Storage Transit 120 or 220 V (90 to 266 V) 50 to 60 Hz 49.5 to 60.5 Hz 0.2 A (Max. 0.4 A) Freezing** Dimensions
Black 1350 pages ISO/IEC 10561 letter pattern 950 pages of graphics at 5% coverage 6 months at 77 F (25 C) after opening the package 4 to 104 F (20 to 40 C) 1 month at 104 F (40 C) 22 to 122 F (30 to 50 C) 10 days at 122 F (50 C) 3.2 F (16 C) 0.9 2.9 2.2 inches (W D H) 22 73.5 55.3 mm (W D H)

Weight

Electrical
Input voltage Rated frequency range Input frequency range Rated current
Black Ink Cartridge (standard capacity) - T044120 Color Ink Cartridges (Cyan - T044220, Magenta T044320, and Yellow - T044420)
Power consumption Approx. 19 W (ISO 10561 Letter Pattern) Approx. 4.5 W in standby mode Approx. 0.8 W in power-off mode

Color Capacity (black)* Capacity (color)* Cartridge life Temperature
Black, cyan, magenta, yellow 600 pages ISO/IEC 10561 letter pattern 420 pages of graphics at 5% coverage 450 pages of graphics at 5% coverage 6 months at 77 F (25 C) after opening the package 4 to 104 F (20 to 40 C) 1 month at 104 F (40 C) 22 to 122 F (30 to 50 C) 10 days at 122 F (50 C) 3.2 F (16 C) 0.5 2.9 2.2 inches (W D H) 12.7 73.5 55.3 mm (W D H)

Environmental

Temperature Operation Storage* Transit* 50 to 95 F (10 to 35 C) to 104 F (20 to 40 C) 1 month at 104 F (40 C) 4 to 140 F (20 to 60 C) 120 hours at 140 F (60 C) 20 to 80% RH 5 to 85% RH
Storage Transit Freezing** Dimensions
Humidity (without condensation) Operation Storage*
*Stored in shipping container
* The figure given is based on continuous printing after ink replacement. Cartridge yields will vary with images printed, print settings, paper types and frequency of use. ** Ink thaws and is usable after approximately 3 hours at 77 F (25 C).

Safety Approvals

Safety standards EMC UL 1950, EN 60950, CSA C22.2 No. 60950 FCC part 15 subpart B class B CSA C108.8 Class B

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Media type

Single sheets

A4 (8.3 11.7 inches) A5 (5.8 8.3 inches) A6 (4.1 5.8 inches) Letter (8.inches) Legal (8.inches) Half-letter (5.5 8.5 inches) Executive (7.3 10.5 inches) inches inches 3.inches inches User Defined up to 8.inches Letter (8.5 x 11 inches) inches Letter (8.inches) inches Letter (8.inches)

Paper types

Plain bond paper

Thickness

0.003 to 0.004 inch (0.08 to 0.11 mm)
Weight 17 to 24 lb (64 to 90 g/m2)
DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper Matte Paper Heavyweight Double-Sided Matte Paper Premium Semigloss Photo Paper All-Purpose Glossy Paper PremierArt Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper for Epson Ink Jet Transparencies Premium Bright White Paper Envelopes
DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper distributed by Epson Matte Paper Heavyweight distributed by Epson
Double-Sided Matte paper, Premium Semigloss Photo Paper, All- Purpose Glossy Paper, PremierArt Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper, Ink Jet Transparencies, Premium Bright White Paper distributed by Epson Plain bond paper or air mail paper

No. 10, 4.1 9.5 inches (mm) DL, 4.3 8.7 inches (mm) C6, 4.4 6.4 inches (mm) Letter (8.inches) Legal (8.inches) A4 (mm) A6 (mm)
12 to 20 lb (45 to 75 g/m)
Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper
Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper distributed by Epson Ink jet cards distributed by Epson Glossy Photo Paper (Photo Paper) distributed by Epson

Ink jet cards

Glossy Photo Paper (Photo Paper) Letter (8.inches) A4 (mm) inches
Note: Poor quality paper may reduce the print quality and cause paper jams or other problems. If you have print quality problems, switch to a higher grade paper. Do not load curled or folded paper. Use paper only under these conditions: Temperature: 59 to 77 F (15 to 25 C) Humidity: 40 to 60% RH Since the quality of any particular brand or type of paper may be changed by the manufacturer at any time, Epson cannot guarantee the quality of any non-Epson brand or type of paper. Always test a sample of paper stock before purchasing large quantities or printing large jobs. Always load paper into the sheet feeder with the short edge first. Load envelopes flap edge left with the flap side down.

Printable Area

A B-L B-R

Normal

Envelope Borderless*
A B-L B-R C D * The minimum top margin is 0.12 (3.0 mm). The minimum left margin is 0.12 (3.0 mm). The minimum right margin is 0.12 (3.0 mm). The minimum bottom margin is 0.12 (3.0 mm). The minimum bottom margin is 0.78 (20 mm) for envelopes When printing with the borderless feature, print quality may decline in the expanded area. Before printing large jobs with the borderless setting, print a single sheet to check print quality.

Epson Stylus C86 - 3

Control Panel
To diagnose some problems, check the printers control panel, as described below.
Paper button and paper out light (also cancels print jobs) Ink button and ink out light Power button and light
Replacing an Ink Cartridge
When the red ink light flashes, one or more ink cartridges are low on ink. When the red cartridge(s). ink light stays on, you need to replace the
When you print, youll also see a message on your screen telling you which cartridge is low or empty. When a cartridge is more than six months old, you may need to replace it if printouts dont look their best. If the quality doesnt improve after cleaning and aligning the print head, you can replace the cartridge even if the red ink light is off.
Follow the guidelines in this table when you check the control panel lights:
Green power light flashes Red is on paper light The printer is receiving a print job, charging ink, cleaning the print head, or ink is being replaced. Your paper ran out. Load more and press the paper button. Paper is jammed in the printer. Press the paper button to eject the jammed paper. If the light is still flashing, open the cover and remove all paper, including any jammed or torn pieces. Then reload paper and press the paper button to continue printing. One of the cartridges is low on ink. Check the message that appears on your screen to determine which cartridge is low. Make sure you have a replacement cartridge.

Checking the Ink Supply

To check your ink supply, do the following: Windows: Double-click the taskbar. icon on the Windows
Note: If you dont see the icon, go to your printer properties window, click the Maintenance tab, then select Status Monitor.

Red paper light flashes

You see a window like this:

Red ink light flashes

ink light is on One of the cartridges is out of ink or not installed. Make sure you have a replacement cartridge. If you have just installed a new cartridge, it may be incompatible with the printer or incorrectly installed. Reinstall it or replace it with the correct cartridge. One or more ink cartridges is not installed correctly. Reinstall cartridges. Paper may be blocking movement of the print head. Turn off the printer, open the cover, and remove any jammed paper or other foreign objects. Turn the printer back on again. If the lights are still flashing, contact your dealer or Epson. The printer may have an internal error. Turn off the printer, wait a few seconds, and turn it on again. If the lights are still flashing, contact your dealer or Epson. The printer is not receiving power. Make sure the printer is on. Turn off the printer, plug in the power cord securely, and turn the printer on again. Make sure the outlet is working and is not controlled by a switch or timer. If in doubt, try another outlet.
power Green light and red ink light are on Green power light is off; red paper and ink lights flash alternately Green power light is off; red paper and ink lights flash Green power light is off
Macintosh OS X: Double-click the Epson Printer Utility icon in the Applications folder. Choose C86 Series and click OK. Then click Epson Status Monitor. You see a window like this:
Macintosh OS 9: From the File menu, select Print, then click the ink icon.

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Ink Cartridge Precautions
Warning: Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children and do not drink the ink. If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with water. Caution: Dont remove the cartridge label, or ink will leak. Dont remove the green IC chip from the cartridge. Installing a cartridge without an IC chip can damage the printer. Avoid touching the green IC chip, as this can damage the ink cartridge. If you remove an ink cartridge temporarily, protect the ink supply port on the bottom of the cartridge from dirt and dust. Place it in a small box, or, if you have the original packaging, return it to its own box. Store ink cartridges in the same environment as the printer. Stand the cartridges upright (the label identifying the color should be on the top).

If more than one ink cartridge is empty, the next cartridge moves under the mark. This happens after you press the ink button for every ink cartridge that needs to be replaced. If all the empty cartridges have been identified, the print head moves to the ink cartridge replacement position.
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges
Be sure you have a new ink cartridge before you begin. Once you start the ink cartridge replacement procedure, you must complete all the steps in one session. 1. Make sure the printer is turned on and not printing. The power light should be on, but not flashing. 2. Lower the output tray and open the printer cover. 3. Press the ink button for one second. If the ink light is off, go to step 5. If the ink light is on or flashing, the print head moves to the left, and the cartridge that needs to be replaced stops under the mark. The power light also begins to flash.
5. Open the cartridge cover.
6. Pinch the back tab of the empty cartridge as you lift it out of the printer. Dont take the used cartridge apart or try to refill it.
Caution: Dont press the ink button for more than 2 seconds, or the printer will start to clean the print head. To avoid damaging the printer, never move the print head by hand. Warning: If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your eyes, flush them immediately with water.

4. Press the

ink button again.

Epson Stylus C86 - 5

7. Before you remove the new cartridge from its package, shake it four or five times.
Printing on Special Media
Select the correct Type or Media Type setting so your printer knows what kind of paper youre using and adjusts the ink coverage accordingly.
Media/paper Type setting Plain Paper / Bright White Paper Matte Paper - Heavyweight
Paper name Plain paper sheets or envelopes Epson Premium Bright White Paper
8. Remove the cartridge from its package and lower it into the cartridge holder. Push down gently until the cartridge is firmly seated.
Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet Cards Epson Matte Paper Heavyweight Epson Double-Sided Matte Paper PremierArt Matte Scrapbook Photo Paper for Epson Epson DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper Epson Photo Paper Epson Glossy Photo Paper Epson Premium Semigloss Photo Paper Epson All-Purpose Glossy Paper Epson Ink Jet Transparencies

DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper Glossy Photo Paper

Ink Jet Transparencies

Printing Borderless Photos
9. Repeat steps 5 through 8 for each cartridge that you need to replace. 10. Close the cartridge cover. You can print your photos with no margins, extending the image all the way to the edges of the page. Although borderless printing is a bit slower, you get beautiful snapshots and enlargements, without trimming, on these papers and sizes:
Media/paper Type setting Matte Paper Heavyweight Glossy Photo Paper
Paper name Epson Matte Paper Heavyweight Epson Photo Paper Epson Glossy Photo Paper Epson DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper
Sizes Letter (8.inches) 46 Letter (8.inches) 46 Letter (8.inches) 46 Letter (8.inches)
DURABrite Ink Glossy Photo Paper
11. Close the printer cover and press the ink button for one second. The printer moves the print head and begins charging the ink delivery system. The green power light flashes and the printer makes noise. Charging takes about one minute. When its finished, the power light stops flashing and stays on.
Caution: Never turn off the printer while the green power light is flashing, unless the printer hasnt moved or made noise for more than 5 minutes.
With proper care, photographs from your Epson Stylus printer will last for many years. The special Epson DuraBrite inks designed for your printer are formulated to achieve improved lightfastness when used with Epson papers for prints that are properly displayed or stored. For best results, always use Epson papers.

6 - Epson Stylus C86

As with traditional photos, Epson recommends proper care that will minimize color changes and lengthen display life: Frame prints under glass or a protective plastic sleeve to protect them from atmospheric contaminants like humidity, smoke, and high levels of ozone. As with all photographs, keep your prints away from direct sunlight. For proper storage, keep your prints in a photo album or plastic photo storage box in acid-free, archival sleeves commonly available from most camera stores. Always keep unused paper in the original package.
Caution: When you dont turn on your printer for a long time, print quality can decline, so turn it on and print a few pages at least once a month to maintain good print quality.

Running the Head Cleaning Utility
1. Make sure the printer is turned on but not printing, and the red ink light is off. (If the ink light is flashing or on, you need to replace a cartridge.) 2. Windows: Right-click the printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Head Cleaning.
Note: If you dont see the icon, go to your printer properties window, click the Maintenance tab, then select Head Cleaning.

Loading Paper

Load paper as shown below.
Insert paper against the right edge
Macintosh OS X: Open the Applications folder and double-click Epson Printer Utility. Select Stylus C86 in the printer list, click OK, and select Head Cleaning. Macintosh OS 9: Open the File menu and choose Page Setup or Print. Click the utility button, then click the Head Cleaning button. You see a screen like the following:
Slide the left edge guide against the paper
Always load the short edge first, even for printing landscapeoriented photos. Load the printable side face up. Its usually whiter or brighter than the other side. Make sure the paper is under the tabs on the left and right edge guides. Check the paper package for more loading instructions.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to clean the print head. Cleaning takes several seconds. The printer makes noise and the green power light flashes.

Cleaning the Print Head

If your printouts are unexpectedly light, or dots or lines are missing, you may need to clean the print head. This unclogs the nozzles so they can deliver ink properly. Print head cleaning uses ink, so clean it only if quality declines. This section explains how to clean the print head using the Head Cleaning utility. You can also clean the print head by holding down the button on the printer for three seconds. (This only works when the red light is off.)
4. When the green power light stops flashing, make sure paper is loaded in the printer, then do the following: Windows: Click Print nozzle check pattern. Then click Print. Macintosh: Click Confirmation, then click Next. The nozzle check pattern prints (see Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern on the following page for details).

Epson Stylus C86 - 7

5. If the nozzle check pattern has no gaps or white lines, click Finish. If the pattern has white lines, click Clean to clean the print head again. You can also turn the printer off and wait overnightthis allows any dried ink to softenand then try cleaning the print head again. 4. Follow the instructions on the screen to print a black vertical alignment test page. You see a screen like this:

Examining the Nozzle Check Pattern
Examine the nozzle check pattern you printed. Each staggered line should be solid, with no gaps, as shown.
If your printout looks okay, youre done. If you see any gaps (as shown below), clean the print head again.
5. Look at the five sets of patterns in your printout. For each set, if you see a pattern with no visible vertical lines, enter its number in the corresponding box on the screen and click Next. If you cant find a pattern without any vertical lines, select the best pattern. Click Realignment and then Print to print another alignment sheet and repeat this step. 6. Click Print to print the color vertical alignment sheet. You see a screen like this:

Aligning the Print Head

If your printouts look blurry or grainy, or you see light or dark horizontal banding, you may need to align the print head.
Note: Banding may also occur if your cartridges are low on ink or you need to clean the print head.
1. Turn on the printer. 2. Load several sheets of paper. 3. Windows: Right-click the printer icon on your taskbar (in the lower right corner of your screen). Select Print Head Alignment.
Note: If you dont see the icon, go to your printer properties window, click the Maintenance tab, then select Print Head Alignment
7. Look at the four sets of patterns in your printout. For each set, if you see a pattern with no visible vertical lines, enter its number in the corresponding box on the screen and click Next. If you cant find a pattern without any vertical lines, select the best pattern. Click Realignment to print another alignment sheet and repeat this step.
Macintosh OS X: Open the Applications folder and double-click the Epson Printer Utility icon. Select Stylus C86 in the printer list, click OK, and select Print Head

Alignment.

Macintosh OS 9: From the File menu, select Page Setup or Print. Click the Utility button, then click the Print Head Alignment button.

8 - Epson Stylus C86

8. Click Print to print a black horizontal alignment sheet. After its printed you see a screen like this:

Cleaning the Printer

To keep your printer working at its best, you should clean it several times a year. 1. Turn off the printer, unplug the power cord, and disconnect the cable. 2. Remove all the paper, then use a soft brush to clean the sheet feeder. 3. If the outer case or inside of the sheet feeder is dirty, clean it with a soft cloth dampened with mild detergent. Keep the printer cover closed to prevent water from getting inside. 4. If ink accidentally gets inside the printer, wipe off the rollers shown below with a damp cloth.
9. In your printout, select the pattern with no gap or line between the rectangles. Enter its number in the box on the screen and click Next. If you cant find an aligned pattern, choose the best pattern. Then click Realignment to print another alignment sheet and repeat this step. 10. Click Print to print a color horizontal alignment sheet. After its printed, you see a screen like this:

Clean here

Warning: Dont touch the gears or any other parts inside the printer. Caution: Never use a hard or abrasive brush, or benzine, alcohol, or paint thinner for cleaning; they can damage the printer components and case. Dont get water on the printer components and dont spray lubricants or oils inside the printer.

Transporting the Printer

11. In your printout, find the pattern with no gap or line between the rectangles and enter its number in the box on the screen. If you cant find an aligned pattern, choose the best pattern. Then click Realignment to print another alignment sheet and repeat this step. 12. Click Finish to close the Print Head Alignment Utility. If you need to ship your printer, you must prepare it for transportation by removing the ink cartridges and packing the printer in its original box or one of a similar size. 1. Turn on the printer. 2. Remove any paper from the printer, then remove the paper support. 3. Open the printer cover.

Epson Stylus C86 - 9

4. Press the ink button. The print head moves to the ink cartridge replacement position, and the power light begins to flash. 7. Close the cartridge cover and press the ink button. Wait until the print head locks in the far right position. (Dont worry if the ink light is on.) 8. Press the power button to turn off the printer. Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet. Then disconnect the printer cable from the printer. 9. Secure the ink cartridge holder (print head) to the case with tape.
Note: Dont press the ink button for more than 2 seconds, or the printer will start to clean the print head. Caution: To avoid damaging the printer, never move the print head by hand.
Caution: Be sure to remove the tape and reinstall the ink cartridges immediately after installing the printer in its new location.
10. Close the printer cover, push in the output tray extension, then close the output tray. 11. Repack the printer and its attachments in the original box using the protective materials that came with them. Keep the printer level as you transport it. After transporting the printer, remove the tape securing the print head, reinstall the ink cartridges, and test your printer. If you notice a decline in print quality, clean the print head; if output is misaligned, align the print head.
6. Pinch the back tab of each cartridge as you lift it out of the printer. Remove all the cartridges. Store the ink cartridges in a plastic bag or container, making sure that the tops of the cartridges are facing up.

Related Documentation

CPD-17833 CPD-17832 CPD-17834 Epson Stylus C86 Start Here Epson Stylus C86 Quick Guide Epson Stylus C86 CD-ROM with Users Guide
Warning: If ink gets on your hands, wash them thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with water.