NAME
escputil - maintain Epson Stylus inkjet printers
SYNOPSIS
escputil [ -P printer | -r device ] [ -m model ] [ -u ] [ -c | -n | -a
| -i | -d | -o | -s | -l | -M | -h ] [ -q ]
DESCRIPTION
escputil is a command line utility to perform various maintenance tasks
on Epson Stylus inkjet printers. These tasks include head alignment,
head cleaning, nozzle check, printer identification, and retrieval of
ink level from the printer.
OPTIONS
escputil accepts the following options:
-P, --printer-name=printer
Specify the name of the printer to operate on. The default is
the default system printer.
-r, --raw-device=device
Specify the name of the device to write to directly rather than
going through a printer queue. You must use this (rather than
specifying a printer) when retrieving ink levels or identifying
the printer, or if you wish to perform head alignment without
specifying the printer model.
-m, --model=model
Specify the precise printer model for head alignment.
-u, --new
The printer is a new printer (Stylus Color 740 or newer).
-c, --clean-head
Clean the print head. This can also be performed from the
printer front panel.
-n, --nozzle-check
Print a nozzle test pattern. Dirty or clogged nozzles will show
as gaps in the pattern. If you see any gaps, you should run a
head cleaning pass or two.
-a, --align-head
Align the print head. CAUTION: Misuse of this option may result
in poor print quality and/or damage to the printer. You must
either specify the printer model with the -m option, or use the
raw printer device to allow escputil to detect the printer
model.
-i, --ink-level
Obtain the ink level from the printer. This requires read/write
access to the raw printer device.
-d, --identify
Query the printer for make and model information. This requires
read/write access to the raw printer device.
-o, --align-color
Align the color print head (used by Stylus Color 480 and 580
only). CAUTION: Misuse of this option may result in poor print
quality and/or damage to the printer.
-s, --status
Retrieve printer status.
-l, --license
Display the license/warranty terms of this program.
-M, --list-models
List the supported printer models.
-h, --help
Display a list of all command line options.
-q, --quiet
Suppress the banner.
BUGS
USB-connected printers sometimes fail to identify or return ink levels.
You may have to repeat the command. This is probably a timing issue in
escputil, not a flaw in the printer.
Anything requiring bidirectional communication with the printer
(identify, ink levels, or head alignment without specifying the printer
model) requires read/write access to the printer port (for example
/dev/lp0). This may require these operations to be performed as root.
In addition, kernel support is required for bidirectional
communication. For Linux version 2.2, CONFIG_PRINTER_READBACK should
be enabled; this is called CONFIG_PARPORT_1284 on 2.4 and later
kernels.
If the printer is performing self-test or head cleaning on power up,
the identify and ink level commands will time out, although the printer
successfully receives the command. The command will need to be
reissued when the printer is quiescent.
AUTHORS
Robert Krawitz.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright (C) 2000 Robert Krawitz (rlk@alum.mit.edu)
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your
option) any later version.
OTHER INFORMATION
The homepage of the Gutenprint project from which this utility was
contributed is located at http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/.
SEE ALSO
lp(4), tunelp(8).