GIMP-Print and Epson 1520

[mclbruce]

This printer is not supported by Epson in OS X. However it does work using GIMP-Print. This software comes with Panther and can be installed in Jaguar.

http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3

A client running OS 9 has an Epson 1520 and has been told repeatedly that it won't work in OS X. We connected it to my computer running Panther using her Epson Parallel to USB adaptor. I opened Printer Setup Utility and hit Add, then selected USB. The printer was listed there with the appropriate GIMP-Print driver already selected. We tried some test prints and they worked fine. Now she is running Panther herself and using the printer. So far she is pleased at the print quality.

[intrntmn]

Do you think that it will work over ethernet ?

I have a 1520 and got the optional ethernet interface. Any advice on what to do to get it working ?

Thanks,

Jack

[mclbruce]

I'm curious about the Ethernet option myself. One of my other clients has a 1520 with an Ethernet connection so I may be trying this before too long. Here's how I would proceed.

1. Go into setup mode on the Epson and tell it to use the Ethernet port.

2. Give the printer an IP address that works on your network. I believe it can be done in setup mode as well. Setup mode on these printers is not my idea of fun!

3. Once you have the printer's IP, Go to Printer Setup Utility, click add, wait, and then select IP printing, then LPD/LPR. Type in the IP address and select the make and model of printer.

4. If that doesn't work, start improvising :-)

[andyotter]

Quote: Originally Posted by mclbruce This printer is not supported by Epson in OS X. However it does work using GIMP-Print. This software comes with Panther and can be installed in Jaguar. http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3 A client running OS 9 has an Epson 1520 and has been told repeatedly that it won't work in OS X. We connected it to my computer running Panther using her Epson Parallel to USB adaptor. I opened Printer Setup Utility and hit Add, then selected USB. The printer was listed there with the appropriate GIMP-Print driver already selected. We tried some test prints and they worked fine. Now she is running Panther herself and using the printer. So far she is pleased at the print quality.

Thanks for this MCLBruce! Can I crave your indulgence for a few moments?-
I'm very out of touch with MAc OS's and have a 1520 from pre USB days (running off a 1996 Powermac OS7.5!). I'm looking to get a Ibook/mac/powerbook secondhand which would probably have OSX (of some vintage) installed.
I've read threads about lack of 1520 drivers for OSX and seen mention of GIMP&CUPS but don't know what they mean! Just to be clear; am I right in thinking I could use a Parallel to USB adaptor (Bekin et al?) and this GIMP print driver to run my old 1520 (mainly for B&W and non-photo colour)? Should I be careful abt which OSX I have (I too out of touch to know abt Jaguar & Panther!)?
I just need a bit of reassurance at this stage that I DON'T have to consider alternative routes like
1. Get a s/h mac with OS9
2. Consign my 1520 to my Mac Heritage Museum
3. Consider (Gulp) a PC laptop!

Thanks in anticipation,
Andy(Derby, England)

[blt]

You can print to your Epson 1520 via Ethernet from OSX (I have only done this with Panther, however).
First:
Download one of the Epson print utilities posted at
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/s...form=Macintosh

There are 2 posted for OS 8-9, and 1 for OSX. All three will work. If you want to set it up quickly, use the one of the OS 8-9x versions (they work under classic). The OS X version has more features, but requires a restart.

Run the Utility and configure your Epson Print Server card for your network. (IP address, subnet, gateway). You might want to give it a simpler name while you're there.

You will also probably need to install the GIMP Print package from
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3

You will then need to Add your printer using the Printer Setup Utility (I have only done this with Panther, not Jaguar). Make sure to hold down the "Option" key, and then select "Add" in the Printer Setup Utility. Select "IP Printing" from the Drop down menu, then select Printer Type "LPD/LPR". Enter the IP Address (the one you assigned using the Epson Net Utility). (Note: I left the Queue field blank)
Next select the "Printer Model". (Select 'Epson" scroll down to Epson Stylus Color 1520).

Click "Add".

Your printer should show up in the list, ready to go.

[David Balkwill]

Quote: Originally Posted by blt You can print to your Epson 1520 via Ethernet from OSX (I have only done this with Panther, however). First: Download one of the Epson print utilities posted at http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/s...form=Macintosh There are 2 posted for OS 8-9, and 1 for OSX. All three will work. If you want to set it up quickly, use the one of the OS 8-9x versions (they work under classic). The OS X version has more features, but requires a restart. Run the Utility and configure your Epson Print Server card for your network. (IP address, subnet, gateway). You might want to give it a simpler name while you're there. You will also probably need to install the GIMP Print package from http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3 You will then need to Add your printer using the Printer Setup Utility (I have only done this with Panther, not Jaguar). Make sure to hold down the "Option" key, and then select "Add" in the Printer Setup Utility. Select "IP Printing" from the Drop down menu, then select Printer Type "LPD/LPR". Enter the IP Address (the one you assigned using the Epson Net Utility). (Note: I left the Queue field blank) Next select the "Printer Model". (Select 'Epson" scroll down to Epson Stylus Color 1520). Click "Add". Your printer should show up in the list, ready to go.

Greetings from France.

I have also been struggling with this for some time. My Epson interface is the 10 base version, so I have both a switch and a hub to allow 100 base link with other things, and the slower link to the printer. All fine in Classic, but I was stumped with OSX (10.3).

Several people have said that you have to give a new IP address to the printer so that its in the same zone as the computer.

When I press the button on the Epson interface I get 11.22.33.44, and I've read that many others get the same. This must be standard.

I never found how to change this.

Then last night I read that you just have to change the IP of the computer.
This is in the blue apple menu, Network preferences. Save a copy of your existing set up, and in the new one in the TCP/IP hit manual and enter a similar address. I used 11.22.33.40. Enter also the Subnet mask that the printer gave you. Mine was 255.255.255.0 (also the same I've read elsewhere).

If you now select the printer as described elsewhere, then you're in business.

Please ask if you need any more details of this, but I was so pleased to get my 1520 working from all my OSX software, I felt I should pass it on straight away.

David

[mprohs]

I am using Tiger (10.4.x).
The Epson Stylus Color Series driver with Tiger did not work by itself but installing Gimp and using the 1520 specific driver does. We had networked the printer via ethernet and TCP/IP using an old HP jetdirect card. So in the Apple printer utility (Applications>Utilities) I had to select IP Printer, HP JetDirect socket along with the IP address.

[tutt96]

Having trouble with my Epson 1520. It is not recognized by the router, and I have tried several ethernet cables.

Installed Gutenprint 5.0.2 and EpsonNet

Don't know what steps to take first?

Black printhead may be clogged and cannot print network settings.

Should I try connecting it directly to the Powerbook via ethernet?

System: PB15 1.67 running OSX 10.4.11
Linksys WRT45G wireless router

[trev200]

I have a 1520 printer and want to connect to my new imac with Mac OS X 10.4.7 Tiger. I have got a Belkin to connect printer serial port to computer usb. Can some one please tell me how to get my printer connected, go through the steps as need help

[Michael.Massing]

Just to add my experience:
• I was able to deliver print jobs to the Epson Stylus Color 1520 from a MacBook Pro running 10.5.3 and the system-provided Gutenprint (formerly GIMP-Print) driver, using an old HP JetDirect 300x Ethernet print server that I was about to dump.
• The output quality was substandard, showing horizontal "banding". CUPS did not seem able to run maintenance functions, and the Epson Printer Utility2 simply didn't see the printer.
• Epson claims that the Gutenprint driver causes problems, although they also don't provide an OS X driver for this printer.

In this case Epson was right. I remote-connected to a Windows box on the network and printed from it with the Epson driver and without the banding. So of course my next step will be to try this trick from an onboard virtual machine as soon as I get around to setting one up again.

Good luck to all,
M.

[Michael.Massing]

Sorry about the bad link, the internal path once you get to the Epson site is:
Support > Macintosh OS X 10.5 Leopard support for Epson products FAQs

Best to all,
M.