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 ESCPUTIL(1)                    Version 5.3.4                    ESCPUTIL(1)
 Gutenprint Manual Pages                             Gutenprint Manual Pages

                                 06 Dec 2020



 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



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 ESCPUTIL(1)                    Version 5.3.4                    ESCPUTIL(1)
 Gutenprint Manual Pages                             Gutenprint Manual Pages

                                 06 Dec 2020



           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.




                                    - 2 -        Formatted:  October 4, 2024






 ESCPUTIL(1)                    Version 5.3.4                    ESCPUTIL(1)
 Gutenprint Manual Pages                             Gutenprint Manual Pages

                                 06 Dec 2020



 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).






































                                    - 3 -        Formatted:  October 4, 2024