Introduction
This manual provides essential information for the proper setup, operation, and maintenance of your Epson LQ-590 Impact Printer. Designed for reliable, high-speed printing, the LQ-590 is ideal for demanding office environments requiring continuous form printing and multi-part forms. Please read this manual thoroughly to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your printer.
Figure 1: Epson LQ-590 Impact Printer. The image shows the printer from a slight angle, with its top cover open, revealing the paper path. A software installation CD is visible in the foreground to the left of the printer. The printer is light gray with blue accents on the paper guides and the Epson logo.
Setup
1. Unpacking and Placement
- Carefully remove the printer from its packaging. Retain all packing materials for future transport.
- Place the printer on a stable, flat surface with adequate space for paper feeding and output. Ensure proper ventilation around the unit.
- Avoid placing the printer in direct sunlight, near heat sources, or in areas with excessive dust or humidity.
2. Connecting the Printer
- Power Connection: Connect the power cord to the printer's power inlet and then to a grounded electrical outlet.
- Data Connection: Connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable. The USB port is typically located at the rear of the printer.
3. Installing the Ribbon Cartridge
- Open the printer cover.
- Locate the ribbon cartridge slot.
- Carefully insert the new ribbon cartridge, ensuring it clicks into place. Follow the arrows on the cartridge for correct orientation.
- Turn the ribbon feed knob (if present) to ensure the ribbon is taut and properly aligned.
- Close the printer cover.
4. Loading Paper
- The LQ-590 supports various paper types, including continuous forms and single sheets.
- For continuous forms, align the paper's tractor holes with the printer's tractor feed mechanism. Ensure the paper feeds smoothly without obstruction.
- For single sheets, use the front or rear paper slot. Adjust the paper guides to fit the width of your paper.
5. Driver Installation
After connecting the printer, turn it on. Your operating system may automatically detect and install the necessary drivers. If not, use the provided installation CD or download the latest drivers from the official Epson support website. Follow the on-screen instructions for driver installation.
Operating the Printer
Basic Printing
- Ensure the printer is powered on and connected to your computer.
- Load the desired paper type into the printer.
- From your application, select "Print" and choose the Epson LQ-590 as your printer.
- Adjust print settings (e.g., paper size, print quality, form length) as needed in the printer driver settings.
- Click "Print" to begin printing.
Control Panel Functions
The printer's control panel features buttons and indicators for various functions:
- Power Button: Turns the printer on or off.
- Load/Eject Button: Feeds or ejects paper.
- LF/FF (Line Feed/Form Feed) Button: Advances paper by one line or one full page.
- Pause Button: Temporarily stops printing. Press again to resume.
- Font/Pitch Buttons: Select different fonts or character pitches directly from the printer.
- Tear Off/Micro Adjust: Used to position the paper for tearing off continuous forms or for fine-tuning paper position.
Maintenance
1. Cleaning the Printer
- Exterior: Wipe the exterior with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.
- Interior: Periodically remove dust and paper debris from the paper path and print head area using a soft brush or vacuum cleaner designed for electronics. Ensure the printer is off and unplugged before cleaning.
2. Replacing the Ribbon Cartridge
Replace the ribbon cartridge when print quality deteriorates (faded or inconsistent output).
- Turn off the printer and open the printer cover.
- Carefully remove the old ribbon cartridge by lifting it out.
- Dispose of the used cartridge responsibly.
- Install a new Epson LQ-590 compatible ribbon cartridge as described in the "Setup" section.
- Close the printer cover.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Printer does not turn on. | Power cord not connected; power outlet issue. | Ensure power cord is securely connected. Test outlet with another device. |
| No print output. | Printer not connected; driver issue; paper jam; ribbon depleted. | Check USB connection. Reinstall drivers. Clear any paper jams. Replace ribbon cartridge. |
| Faded or poor print quality. | Ribbon needs replacement; print head dirty. | Replace ribbon cartridge. Clean the print head area. |
| Paper jam. | Improper paper loading; foreign object in paper path. | Turn off printer, carefully remove jammed paper. Ensure paper is loaded correctly. |
| Printer not recognized by computer. | USB cable issue; driver not installed or corrupted. | Try a different USB port or cable. Reinstall printer drivers. |
Specifications
- Printing Technology: Dot Matrix
- Print Speed: Up to 529 characters per second (cps) in fast draft mode
- Print Resolution: Up to 300 dpi (dots per inch)
- Print Output: Monochrome (Black)
- Ribbon Type: Fabric Ribbon Cartridge (Black)
- Connectivity: USB
- Maximum Media Size: Roll (8.5 in), JIS B4 (10.12 in x 14.33 in), 8.5 x 11 inch
- Paper Handling: Continuous forms, single sheets (front/rear feed)
- Input Capacity: 1 sheet (manual feed), continuous form support via tractor feed
- Memory: 128 KB
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 16.3 x 13.8 x 6.3 inches (41.4 x 35.1 x 16.0 cm)
- Weight: 15.65 pounds (7.1 kg)
- Compatible Devices: PC
- Model Number: C11C558001
Warranty and Support
Warranty Information
The Epson LQ-590 Impact Printer comes with a Full Warranty. For specific terms, conditions, and duration of your warranty, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official Epson website.
Customer Support
For technical assistance, driver downloads, or further information, please visit the official Epson support website or contact Epson customer service. Have your printer's model number (C11C558001) and serial number ready when contacting support.
Epson Official Website: www.epson.com