Epson Stylus 1500 Installation and Operation Manual

Pages 18

Year 1995

Language(s)

of 18

Software Guide

61 pages

Installation and Operation Manual

18 pages

Software Guide

65 pages

Page 1

Revision: 01 EPSON Printed: 01/08/96

Programming Note

for

EPSON Stylus Pro XL, Stylus Pro,

Stylus COLOR II, Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820 & Stylus 1500

Page 2

Revision: 01 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. INTRODUCING THE EPSON STYLUS PRO XL, STYLUS PRO, STYLUS COLOR II, STYLUS COLOR IIS STYLUS 820 & STYLUS 1500.................................................................................................. 4

2. PAPER TYPES AND SIZES.......................................................................................................................... 6

3. PRINTABLE AREA....................................................................................................................................... 7

4. INK DENSITY VS. PRINTING MODE.......................................................................................................10

5. THE NEW EPSON STYLUS COLOR SERIES SMALL DOT ESC/P2 COMMAND............................14

6. RASTER GRAPHIC COMMAND................................................................................................................14

7. HIGHER PERFORMANCE MONOCHROME MODE FOR THE EPSON STYLUS COLOR II & STYLUS 1500 ONLY................................................................................................................................15

8. CIE - L*A*B* VALUES................................................................................................................................16

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Revision: 01 3

LIST OF TABLES:

Table 1: Printer Feature summary............................................................................................5 Table 2: Epson Paper Types and Sizes.....................................................................................6 Table 3: Printable Area for The EPSON Stylus Pro XL,..........................................................7 Table 4: Printable Area for The EPSON Stylus Pro, COLOR II, COLOR IIs, & Stylus 820..... 8 Table 5: Printable Area for The EPSON Stylus 1500...............................................................9 Table 6: Ink Density vs. Print Mode for the Stylus Pro & Stylus Pro XL................................ 10 Table 7: Ink Density vs. Print Mode for Stylus COLOR II and Stylus 1500............................ 11 Table 8: Ink Density vs. Monochrome Print Mode for the Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820...... 12 Table 9: Ink Density vs. CMY Print Mode for Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820........................ 13 Table 10: Raster Graphic Command Summary........................................................................ 14 Table 11: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus Pro XL & Stylus Pro......................................... 16 Table 12: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus COLOR II & Stylus 1500.................................. 17 Table 13: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus COLOR IIs & Stylus 820................................... 18

Page 4

Revision: 01 4

This Programming notes is intended to used in conjunction with the EPSON ESC/P Reference Manual, November 1994.

1. Introducing the EPSON Stylus Pro XL, Stylus Pro, Stylus COLOR II, Stylus COLOR IIs Stylus 820 & Stylus 1500

This is a brief summary of the new features of EPSONs five newest color inkjet printers and the Stylus 820, which is a COLOR IIs compatible, except it is shipped as a monochrome printer. These Programming Notes apply to the following printers:

EPSON Stylus Pro XL EPSON Stylus Pro EPSON Stylus COLOR II EPSON Stylus COLOR IIs, and Stylus 820 (monochrome standard, color optional) EPSON Stylus 1500 (monochrome standard, color optional)

All six printers add the new small dot feature which allows printing with the smaller dot sizes to produce the highest quality in color inkjet printing. The dot size is selectable between standard and small dot. All printers can print on EPSON coated paper, and the new Glossy Paper. The new Glossy Paper provides a near photographic appearance and is recommended for the printers highest resolution (720dpi) setting.

The Stylus Pro XL & Stylus Pro both provide the highest quality in 720 dpi color printing, even on plain paper. The Stylus Pro is a narrow carriage printer, while the Stylus Pro XL is a wide carriage printer which can support up to A3+ paper size (12.95x19.02), in addition to other paper sizes.

The main difference between the Stylus COLOR II and the other printer models is that the black ink, which is darker for improved text printing, does not mix well with the Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow inks when printing on plain paper. On other type of papers, this Black ink and the CMY inks can be mixed without any problem. When printing an image that contains both color and black data on plain paper, EPSON recommends using C+M+Y to create composite black.

The Stylus COLOR IIs is the least expensive EPSON color solution. The printer can be set up as either a black only printer, or as a CMY three color printer. The user can easily replace the ink cartridge and print head to match the type of printing desired. The maximum printable resolution for the Stylus COLOR IIs is 360 dpi horizontal by 720 dpi vertical.

The Stylus 820 is identical to the Stylus COLOR IIs except for the default configuration, which is monochrome for the Stylus 820 and color for the Stylus COLOR IIs. The Stylus 820 is shipped with only a monochrome ink cartridge and print head. The user can purchase a color option to upgrade to a color capable printer. The Stylus 820 driver, should be identical to the Stylus COLOR IIs driver, including color. The Stylus 820 is shipping in Asia & Europe but not in the U.S.

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Revision: 01 5

The Stylus 1500 is a wide carriage printer that supports up to A2, US C size papers as well as tractor continuous sheet printing. The Stylus 1500 is a color upgradable monochrome printer.

Table 1 summarizes the new features for the new EPSON Stylus COLOR printer series.

Table 1: Printer Feature summary

Stylus Pro XL Stylus Pro Stylus COLOR II & Stylus 1500

Stylus COLOR IIs & Stylus 820

Max Resolution (dpi)

720h x 720v 720h x 720v 720h x 720v 360h x 720v

Small dot yes yes yes Yes (res. may be lower quality than

others) Ink Type CYMK CYMK CMY + K

(K not mixable for plain paper)

CMY or K (user switchable)

Paper type vs. Resolution Glossy 720* 720* 720* 360x720* 720 Coated 720* 720* 720* 360x720* 360 Coated 360 360 360* 360* Transparency 360 360 360* 360* Plain 180, 360, 720* 180, 360, 720* 180, 360, 720* 180,360,

360x 720* * = set to small dot for this resolution

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Revision: 01 6

2. Paper Types and Sizes

In addition to the standard plain paper and envelope sizes, EPSON provides special paper types in the following sizes:

Table 2: Epson Paper Types and Sizes

EPSON Special Paper Paper Sizes Glossy Letter, A4, A3*, B*, Super A3/B* Coated 720 Letter, Legal, A4, A3*, B*,

SuperA3/B*, A2 ** Coated 360 Letter, A4, A3*, Super A3/B*,

A2** Transparency Letter, A4 Plain Paper Letter, Legal, A4, Executive,

Statement, B5, User Defined.*** Envelopes: DL, CA, #10

* - paper size supported only by the wide carriage printers: Stylus Pro XL, Stylus 1500 ** - paper size supported only by the Stylus 1500 *** - The minimum and maximum User Defined paper sizes for the Stylus Pro XL are

101.8~329 (mm) x 101.6~1117.6 (mm), Width x Height, respectively. - The minimum and maximum User Defined paper sizes for the Stylus 1500 are

101.8~431.8 (mm) x 101.6~1117.6 (mm), Width x Height, respectively. - The minimum and maximum User Defined paper sizes for the Stylus Pro, II, IIs, 820 are

101.8~215.9 (mm) x 101.6~1117.6 (mm), Width x Height, respectively.

Note: The folowing paper sizes, used only for the Japan domestic market, are omitted: B5, Post Card, 2-Way Post Card.

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Revision: 01 7

3. Printable Area

Table 3 through 5 summarize the printable area for the Stylus Pro XL; the Stylus Pro, Stylus COLOR II, Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820; & the Stylus 1500, respectively.

Table 3: Printable Area for The EPSON Stylus Pro XL, (1dot = 1/360")

a b c

a b c d e f Size Left

Margin (dot)

Printable Width (dot)

Right Margin (dot)

Top Margin (dot)

Printable Height (dot)

Bottom Margin (dot)

Legal 43 2,975 43 43 4,800 198 Letter 43 2,975 43 43 3,720 198 A4 43 2,891 43 43 3,969 198 Executive 43 2,525 43 43 3,540 198 Statement 43 1,895 43 43 2,820 198 A6 Index 43 1403 43 43 1857 198 #10 Envelope 43 3335 43 43 1,245 198 C5 Envelope 43 3,159 43 43 2,056 198 DL Envelope 43 3,032 43 43 1,319 198 A3 43 4,124 43 43 5,712 198 Super A3/B 43 4,577 43 43 6,605 198 US-B 43 3,875 43 43 5,885 198 User Defined Size Minimum: Maximum:

43 1,356 4,577

43 43 1,199 15,601

198

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Revision: 01 8

Table 4: Printable Area for The EPSON Stylus Pro, COLOR II, COLOR IIs, & Stylus 820, (1dot = 1/360")

a b c

a b c d e f Size Left

Margin (dot)

Printable Width* (dot)

Right Margin (dot)

Top Margin (dot)

Printable Height (dot)

Bottom Margin (dot)

Legal 43 2,880 137 43 4,800 198 Letter 43 2,880 137 43 3,720 198 A4 43 2,880 137 43 3,969 198 Executive 43 2,525 43 43 3,540 198 Statement 43 1,895 43 43 2,820 198 A6 Index 43 1403 43 43 1857 198 #10 Envelope 43 2,880 498 43 1,245 198 C5 Envelope 43 2,880 322 43 2,056 198 DL Envelope 43 2,880 195 43 1,319 198 User Defined Size Minimum: Maximum:

43 1,356 2,880

43 43 1,199 15,601

198

* - the maximum printable width for narrow carriage printers is 8 or 2880 dots, (1=360 dots)

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Revision: 01 9

Table 5: Printable Area for The EPSON Stylus 1500 (1dot = 1/360")

a b c

a b c d e f Size Left

Margin (dot)

Printable Width (dot)

Right Margin (dot)

Top Margin (dot)

Printable Height (dot)

Bottom Margin (dot)

Legal 43 2,975 43 43 4,800 198 Legal Transverse 72 4896 72 43 2819 198 Letter 43 2,975 43 43 3,720 198 A4 43 2,891 43 43 3,969 198 Executive 43 2,525 43 43 3,540 198 Statement 43 1,895 43 43 2,820 198 A6 Index 43 1403 43 43 1857 198 B4 43 3458 43 43 4762 198 B4 Transverse 58 4890 58 43 3302 198 #10 Envelope 43 3335 43 43 1,245 198 C5 Envelope 43 3,159 43 43 2,056 198 DL Envelope 43 3,032 43 43 1,319 198 A2 43 4896 1015 43 8178 198 A3 43 4,124 43 43 5,712 198 A3 Transverse 353 4890 709 43 3969 198 Super A3/B 43 4,577 43 43 6,605 198 US-B 43 3,875 43 43 5,885 198 US-B Transverse 353 4887 878 43 3719 198 US-C 43 4896 1181 43 7679 198 Tractor Paper Min.:

Max.:

43 1358 4896

43 - - -

User Defined Size Minimum: Maximum:

43 1,358 4,896

43 43 1,199 15,601

198

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Revision: 01 10

4. Ink Density vs. Printing Mode

To prevent oversaturation when mixing Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y) & Black (K) ink drops on paper, the amount of ink applied will vary depending on the printer model, type of paper and resolution used.

Table 5 to 9 summarize the limitation of ink duty in the different print modes for the different printers. The amount of ink drop varies when printing with one ink, two inks, or three inks combination. The combination of two ink drops of either C, M, Y, will produce Red, Green or Blue color, known as RGB. While the combination of three ink drops of C, M, Y, will produce a composite Black. The ink duty to produce RGB & composite black is therefore reduced for each C, M, Y to avoid color saturation.

Table 6: Ink Density vs. Print Mode for the Stylus Pro & Stylus Pro XL

Resolution Media Type Print mode Limitation of ink duty*

Option**

Resolution, (Dot size)

a) C, M, Y or K ink b) R,G,B = two inks

Micro Weave

High Speed

(180 dpi) Plain Paper 180 dpi, (Normal Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 200% (255/255*2)

OFF ON (OFF)

(360 dpi) Plain Paper 360 dpi, (Normal Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 200% (255/255*2)

OFF (ON**)

ON (OFF)

Coated Paper - 360 dpi

360 dpi, (Normal Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 200% (255/255*2)

ON (OFF)

Transparency Film

360 dpi, (Normal Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 200% (255/255*2)

ON OFF (ON)

(720 dpi) Plain Paper -720 dpi

720 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 67% (171/255) b) 100% (128/255*2)

ON OFF (ON)

Coated Paper -720 dpi

720 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 130% (166/255*2)

ON OFF (ON)

Glossy Paper 720 dpi (Small Dot)

a) 75% (191/255) b) 100% (128/255*2)

ON OFF (ON)

Small dot size is selected using ESC ( e command.

* These are recommended values only. You may find that other values are more suitable for your driver or application.

** The parameter within the ( ) indicates a user selectable option. These options are available only when a choice, ( ), is indicated. If the user turns MicroWeave ON, then High Speed mode (bi- directional printhead printing) should be disabled for best quality.

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Revision: 01 11

When printing an image that contains both color and black data on plain paper, (such as black text on a color picture), with a Stylus COLOR II or a Stylus 1500, EPSON recommends printing black with composite black by mixing C+M+Y inks., This black ink can mix with the CMY inks for all other paper types, in the Stylus COLOR II and Stylus 1500.

Table 7: Ink Density vs. Print Mode for Stylus COLOR II and Stylus 1500

Resolution Media Type Print mode Limitation of ink duty* Option** Dot

arrangement, (Dot size)

a) C, M, Y or K ink b) R,G,B = two inks c) Black =Three inks

Micro Weave

High Speed

(180 dpi) Plain Paper 180 dpi, (Normal Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 200% (255/255*2) c) 300% (255/255*3)?

OFF ON (OFF)

(360 dpi) Plain Paper 360 dpi, (Normal Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 200% (255/255*2) c) 200% (170/255*3)?

OFF (ON**)

ON (OFF)

Coated Paper -360 dpi

360 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 160% (136/255*2) c) 160% (136/255*3)?

ON** (OFF)

OFF (ON)

Transparency Film

360 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 160% (136/255*2) c) 160% (136/255*3)?

ON OFF

(720 dpi) Coated Paper -720 dpi

720 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 65% (166/255) b) 65% (83/255*2) c) 65% (55/255*3) ?

ON OFF

Glossy Paper 720 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 50% (255/255) b) 50% (64/255*2) c) 50% (43/255*3) ?

ON OFF

Small dot size is selected using ESC ( e command.

When printing an image with both color and black data on plain paper, use composite black (C+M+Y).

? indicates that these are not fully verified values and you should use special caution when programming for this setting.

* These are recommended values only. You may find that other values are more suitable for your driver or application.

** The parameter within the ( ) indicates a user selectable option. These options are available only when a choice, ( ), is indicated. If the user turns MicroWeave ON, then High Speed mode (bi-directional printhead printing) should be disabled for best quality.

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Revision: 01 12

Table 8: Ink Density vs. Monochrome Print Mode for the Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820 (Monochrome Print Head and Ink Cartridge Installed)

Resolution Media Type Print mode Limitation of ink duty* Option** Resolution, (Dot size)

For Black ink Micro Weave

High Speed

(180 dpi) Plain Paper 180 dpi, (Normal Dot)

100% (255/255) OFF ON (OFF)

(360 dpi) Plain Paper 360 dpi, (Normal Dot)

100% (255/255) OFF (ON**)

ON (OFF)

*** Coated Paper -360 dpi

360 dpi, (Normal Dot)

100% (255/255) ? ON** (OFF)

OFF (ON)

Transparency Film

360 dpi, (Small Dot)

100% (255/255) ON OFF

(360x720dpi) Plain Paper 360x720 dpi (Small Dot)

100% (255/255) ON OFF (ON)

(360x720dpi) ***

Coated Paper - 720 dpi

360x720 dpi (Small Dot)

100% (255/255) ? ON OFF (ON)

(360x720dpi) ***

HQ Glossy Paper

360x720 dpi, (Small Dot)

100% (255/255) ? ON OFF (ON)

Small dot size is selected using ESC ( e command.

? indicates that these are not fully verified values and you should use special caution when programming for this setting.

* These are recommended values only. You may find that other values are more suitable for your driver or application.

*** These combinations of settings (along this row) are possible, but not recommended.

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Revision: 01 13

Table 9: Ink Density vs. CMY Print Mode for Stylus COLOR IIs, Stylus 820 (CMY Print Head and Ink Cartridge Installed)

Resolution Media Type Print mode Limitation of ink duty* Option** Dot

arrangement, (Dot size)

a) C, M, or Y ink b) R,G,B = two inks c) Black =Three inks

(C+M+Y)

Micro Weave

High Speed

(180 dpi) Plain Paper 180 dpi, (Normal Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 200% (255/255*2) c) 300% (255/255*3)

OFF ON (OFF)

(360 dpi) Plain Paper 360 dpi, (Normal Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 200% (255/255*2) c) 200% (170/255*3)

OFF (ON**)

ON (OFF)

Coated Paper -360 dpi

360 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 160% (204/255*2) c) 160% (136/255*3)

ON** (OFF)

OFF (ON)

Transparency Film

360 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 160% (204/255*2) c) 160% (136/255*3)

ON OFF

(360x720dpi) Coated Paper -720 dpi

360x 720 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 130% (166/255*2) c) 130% (110/255*3)

ON OFF

(360x720dpi) Glossy Paper 360x 720 dpi, (Small Dot)

a) 100% (255/255) b) 100% (128/255*2) c) 100% (85/255*3)

ON OFF

Small dot size is selected using ESC ( e command.

* These are recommended values only. You may find that other values are more suitable for your driver or application.

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Revision: 01 14

5. The new EPSON Stylus COLOR series small dot ESC/P2 Command

The ESC/P2 command to control the Dot Size is:

Format:

ASCII ESC ( e 02H 00H n1 n2 Hex 1B 28 65 02 00 n1 n2 Dec 27 40 101 02 00 n1 n2

Parameter range:

n1 = 00 reserved for future use. Set to 00 n2 = 00 default dot size (standard dot size) = 01 selects small dot size = 02 selects standard dot size

Function:

selects the ink drop size (nominal dot diameter)

Note:

- default is standard dot size n2 = 00 - default dot size is set whenever the printer is initialized - this command is available regardless of resolution or printing mode - this command is implemented after entering raster graphics mode - ESC ( G - and

prior to sending raster graphics data - ESC .

6. Raster Graphic Command

Table 10: Raster Graphic Command Summary

Print Mode Command Parameter Micro V H v h m Weave

180 x 180 180 180 20 20 1, 8, 24

N/A

360 x 360 ESC . 0, 1, 2 or 3

360 360 10 10 1, 8, 24

Available

360x720 720 360 5 10 1 Available

720 x 720 720 720 5 5 1, 8, 24

Available

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Revision: 01 15

7. Higher Performance Monochrome Mode for The EPSON Stylus COLOR II & Stylus 1500 only

If printing with only true Black ink (monochrome mode), printing speed can be enhanced by selecting the following command. This command does not affect the ink used for printing, it only affects internal buffering schemes which can improve performance.

The ESC/P2 command to select the Higher Performance Monochrome Mode or Standard performance Color Mode is:

Format:

ASCII ESC ( K 02H 00H n1 n2 Hex 1B 28 4B 02 00 n1 n2 Dec 27 40 75 02 00 n1 n2

Parameter range:

n1 = 00 n2 = 00 selects default mode

= 01 selects higher performance monochrome mode = 02 selects standard color mode Function:

- Higher Performance Monochrome Mode - before only monochrome data is sent, select higher performance

monochrome printing mode - throughput is faster than printing monochrome data in standard mode

- Standard Performance Color Mode - this is the standard mode which must be used if color data may be sent to the printer during the current page.

Notes: - this command must be executed before paper feeding. - the default mode used when n2=00, or if no command is sent is as follows:

- If black and color cartridges are both installed, the Standard Color Performance Mode is the default.

- If the color cartridge is empty or removed, the Higher Performance Monochrome Mode is the default.

- this command is reset by the initialization command and the d fault mode is used.

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Revision: 01 16

8. CIE - L*a*b* values

Table 11: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus Pro XL & Stylus Pro

Resolution Media Type Color L* a* b* 360 dpi Plain Cyan 57.1 -22.2 -49.4

Magenta 47.3 84.3 -39.7 Yellow 86.3 -6.1 76.3 Black 23.7 0.5 -2.3

Coated Paper Cyan 61.8 -21.1 -36.5 (360) Magenta 56.1 66.1 -32.2

Yellow 85.2 -6.0 52.9 Black 37.0 1.5 -3.9

Transparency Cyan 17.5 -6.1 -27.7 Film Magenta 17.4 38.3 -18.7

Yellow 26.3 -9.8 -24.3 Black 2.1 0.7 -2.5

720 dpi Coated Paper Cyan 50.4 -19.3 -49.1 (720) Magenta 44.8 84.5 -32.9

Yellow 82.5 0.0 84.3 Black 18.1 0.6 -0.9

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Revision: 01 17

Table 12: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus COLOR II & Stylus 1500

Resolution Media Type Color L* a* b* 360 dpi Plain Cyan 61.1 -20.8 -36.3

Magenta 53.3 49.8 -9.4 Yellow 86.1 -6.3 54.9 Black 25.7 1.8 -2.4

Coated Paper Cyan 56.7 -21.7 -49.4 (360) Magenta 46.2 67.1 -9.7

Yellow 86.5 -6.2 77.6 Black 25.1 2.0 -5.4

Transparency Cyan 31.9 -12.8 -24.6 Film Magenta 26.0 32.3 -9.5

Yellow 43.5 -9.1 31.5 Black 18.1 0.7 -1.3

720 dpi Coated Paper Cyan 42.7 -14.6 -49.2 (720) Magenta 37.1 66.2 4.9

Yellow 81.0 4.9 92.5 Black 22.4 2.2 -5.3

360x720 dpi Glossy Paper Cyan 50.3 -23.6 -51.5 Magenta 42.1 72.4 6.9 Yellow 87.2 -5.2 95.0 Black 16.4 2.2 -3.9

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Revision: 01 18

Table 13: CIE - L*a*b* values for the Stylus COLOR IIs & Stylus 820

Resolution Media Type Color L* a* b* Monochrome Plain Black 25.6 1.5 -2.2 360 Transparency Black 2.6 1.1 -2.4 360x720 Plain Black 25.7 1.8 -2.0 Color Plain Cyan 60.9 -22.4 -36.1 360 dpi Magenta 52.5 50.0 -7.9

Yellow 85.5 -7.1 56.7 Black 44.3 13.7 -27.6 CMY 48.2 3.1 -7.2

Coated Paper Cyan 56.3 -24.7 -46.1 (360) Magenta 46.0 67.4 -6.7

Yellow 86.4 -6.4 76.8 Black 32.7 22.6 -39.1 CMY 37.9 4.2 -11.0

Transparency Cyan 17.1 -5.5 -28.3 Film Magenta 9.5 31.5 -14.8

Yellow 26.1 -10.3 25.8 Black 4.4 17.6 -28.8 CMY 6.8 2.0 -11.2

360x720 dpi Coated Paper Cyan 48.4 -18.2 -49.3 (720) Magenta 40.1 67.2 1.0

Yellow 82.2 0.6 86.3 Black 25.0 22.0 -37.6 CMY