Epson LQ-590 24-Pin Dot Matrix Impact Printer User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your Epson LQ-590 24-Pin Dot Matrix Impact Printer. Please read this manual thoroughly before using the printer to ensure correct and safe operation.

Setup

1. Unpacking and Initial Placement

Carefully remove the printer from its packaging. Ensure all packing materials and protective tapes are removed. Place the printer on a stable, level surface with adequate space for paper feeding and output.

Figure 1: Epson LQ-590 printer with its installation CD. This image shows the printer from the front-right angle, highlighting the paper input tray, control panel, and the included software CD.

2. Connecting Cables

• Power Cable: Connect the power cable to the printer's power inlet and then to a grounded electrical outlet.
• Interface Cable: The LQ-590 supports both Parallel and USB interfaces. Connect the appropriate cable from your computer to the corresponding port on the printer. For optional network connectivity, an Ethernet interface card can be installed.

3. Installing the Ribbon Cartridge

1. Open the printer cover.
2. Locate the ribbon cartridge slot.
3. Carefully insert the new ribbon cartridge, ensuring it clicks into place. Follow the arrows on the cartridge for correct orientation.
4. Turn the ribbon feed knob (if present) to ensure the ribbon is taut and properly aligned.
5. Close the printer cover.

4. Loading Paper

The LQ-590 offers four convenient paper paths for various media types, including cut sheets and continuous forms up to 5 parts thick.

• For Cut Sheets: Place individual sheets into the front or rear sheet feeder. Adjust the paper guides to fit the paper width.
• For Continuous Forms: Use the tractor feed mechanism. Open the tractor covers, align the paper's sprocket holes with the tractor pins, and close the covers. Ensure the paper feeds smoothly from the rear or bottom input.

5. Driver Installation

Insert the included installation CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the printer drivers and utility software. Drivers are also typically available for various operating systems on the official Epson support website.

Operating the Printer

1. Control Panel Overview

Figure 2: Detail of the Epson LQ-590 control panel. The panel features buttons for Font, Pitch, Tear Off/Bin, Load/Eject, and Paper Out/Pause, along with indicator lights.

The control panel provides access to various printer functions and settings:

• Font: Selects different built-in fonts.
• Pitch: Adjusts character pitch (characters per inch).
• Tear Off/Bin: Advances continuous paper to the tear-off position or selects paper bin.
• Load/Eject: Loads or ejects single sheets of paper.
• Paper Out/Pause: Indicates paper out condition or pauses printing.
• Micro Adjust: Fine-tunes paper position.

2. Basic Printing

Once the printer is connected, drivers are installed, and paper is loaded, you can send print jobs from your computer. Ensure the correct paper path is selected on the printer or through your printer driver settings for optimal results.

• Print Quality: The 24-pin print head delivers high-quality text and graphics. Maximum black and white print resolution is 600 dpi, and color print resolution is 144 dpi.
• Multi-Part Forms: The printer can handle continuous forms up to 5 parts thick, making it suitable for invoices, receipts, and other multi-copy documents.

Maintenance

1. Ribbon Cartridge Replacement

Replace the ribbon cartridge when print quality deteriorates or the ribbon indicator light illuminates. Follow the installation steps in the "Setup" section in reverse to remove the old cartridge, then install a new one.

2. Cleaning the Printer

• Exterior: Wipe the exterior of the printer with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
• Interior: Periodically open the printer cover and gently remove any paper dust or debris from the paper path and print head area using a soft brush or lint-free cloth. Ensure the printer is turned off and unplugged before cleaning.

Troubleshooting

This section addresses common issues you might encounter with your Epson LQ-590 printer.

Common Issues and Solutions:

• No Power:
  • Check if the power cable is securely connected to both the printer and the electrical outlet.
  • Verify the power outlet is functional.
• Printer Not Printing:
  • Ensure the printer is turned on and the "Paper Out" or "Pause" light is not illuminated.
  • Check the interface cable connection between the printer and computer.
  • Verify that the correct printer driver is installed and selected on your computer.
  • Check the printer queue on your computer for stalled print jobs.
• Poor Print Quality:
  • The ribbon cartridge may be old or improperly installed. Replace the ribbon cartridge if necessary.
  • Ensure the paper is loaded correctly and is not wrinkled or damaged.
  • Clean the print head area as described in the Maintenance section.
• Paper Jams:
  • Turn off the printer and carefully remove any jammed paper, pulling in the direction of the paper path.
  • Ensure paper guides are properly adjusted for the paper width.
  • Use paper that meets the printer's specifications.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

The Epson LQ-590 printer comes with a limited warranty. For detailed warranty information, please refer to the documentation included with your product or visit the official Epson support website. For technical assistance, driver downloads, or further support, please contact Epson customer service or visit their official support portal.

Epson Official Website: www.epson.com