escputil - maintain Epson Stylus inkjet printers
SYNOPSIS
escputil [-P printer -r device] [-m model] [-u] [-c -n |
-a -i] [-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.
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 align
ment without specifying the printer model.
-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
utility 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.
Query the printer for make and model information.
This requires read/write access to the raw printer
device.
-u The printer is connected via USB.
-h, --help
Display a list of all commandline options.
-q, --quiet
Suppress the banner.
-m <model>
Specify the precise printer model for head align
ment.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 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 INFO
The canonical place to find GIMP info is at
http://www.gimp.org/. The homepage of the gimp-print pro
ject from which this utility was contributed is located at
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/.
AUTHORS
Robert Krawitz.
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.
If the printer is performing self-test or head cleaning on
out, although the printer successfully receives the com
mand. The command will need to be reissued when the
printer is quiescent.
SEE ALSO
gimp(1)
Man(1) output converted with
man2html