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EPSON EcoTank ET-3850 Color Printer and Scanner

Tool Info

Do Not Hack

Owner: Pawprint Prototyping

EPSON ET-3850

Description

A wireless colo(u)r printer and scanner. It prints things, in 2D, on paper, with color. It can be used to print stickers. It also can scan things through the top, either through a feed or a scanner bay.

We currently use EPSON 502 BK/C/M/Y inks.

Wireless Printing

When the printer is on, it usually auto-connects to the Pawprint Prototyping wifi, and any other computers on the wifi should be able to automatically see the printer.

You can check that the printer is handling connections correctly through HTTP server. Usually it has IP address 10.13.37.110, but if this ever changes it can be found again by going to Settings (Cog icon) > General Settings > Networking Settings.

Do note that the printer only serves HTTP and not HTTPS, so connecting to it via your browser may give a security warning.

Scanning

Scanning is most easily done by downloading the EPSON scanning driver, which can be downloaded here:

Scanning is supported over the wifi. You may need to plug in the printer IP address into the driver to get a working connection, as detecting the printer automatically may fail.

Safety and Certification

No certifications are required to scan or print. Don't touch wet ink and spread it around the shop. The ink can take a bit to dry, and sometimes may never dry without additional coating or lamination.

Hazards

Danger

Printers may cause a loss of sanity.

Printing Operation Checklist

  1. Make sure the printer is on. The power button should glow white.
  2. Make sure there's enough ink. The ink levels are visible on the bottom right of the printer.
  3. Check that the right type of paper is loaded into the tray. The print side is FACE DOWN. The pages are loaded in from the TOP of the feeder.
  4. Align the feeder page edge guides correctly for the page size; don't press them too tightly.
  5. Check that the printer is set to the right page type. Glossy tends to make the printer move slower, so keep that in mind. Here's a table of known paper type combinations that we've tested.
  6. You may now print from your standard application interface.
Paper Type Setting Additional Notes
Standard printer paper (US Letter) Standard paper Reds may be dull
JOYEZA Premium Glossy Vinyl Sticker Paper Premium Glossy Colors are good; ink rubs off really easily without additional finishing
QYH Matte Printable Vinyl Sticker Paper Premium Matte Reds may be dull
Printable Holographic Vinyl Sticker Paper Glossy Colors are great; ink rubs off

Maintenance

Refilling Ink

See the installation guide above for visual instructions.

Refilling ink can be done through the flap on the top right of the printer, underneath the scanner unit. Lift up the scanner unit and open up the cap for the ink type you wish to refill. Do NOT shake or squeeze the ink bottles. The ink will stop flowing once the maximum ink level has been reached.

Tool History

Date Event