From Linux Man Pages
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 com-
munication. 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.
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 INFORMATION
The homepage of the Gutenprint project from which this utility was contributed is located at
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/.
RELATED
lp(4), tunelp(8).
CATEGORY