My printout has lines running through it. What should I do?

• Try the following:
  • Print a nozzle check pattern. If there are gaps, clean the print head.
  • Try aligning the print head.
  • If the paper you're using has a printable side (check your paper packaging for details), make sure the printable side is loaded face-down. The printable side is usually brighter or whiter.
  • Epson inks, specialty papers, and printers are designed to work together. For the best results, use genuine Epson ink and paper.
  • Make sure the product is on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond the base in all directions. If the printer is not on a level surface, the print head may not move back and forth properly which could cause banding in your printouts.
  • If you're printing from a computer, make sure the following settings are set correctly in the Windows, Mac OS X 10.5/10.6, or Mac OS X 10.4 printer driver:
    • Quality Option or Print Quality: Try selecting a higher Quality Option or Print Quality setting (do not select Draft, Economy, or Fast Economy when printing photos).
    • Type or Media Type: Select a Type or Media Type setting that matches the paper you loaded.
    • High Speed (Windows only): Try turning this setting off if you see vertical misalignment or banding (lines) in your printouts.
      
      Note:
      This setting controls whether the print head prints in both directions (bi-directional) or in one direction (uni-directional)—from right to left. Turning this setting off to print in one direction decreases print speed but may improve print quality.
  • If you're using the product as a stand-alone machine to print (for example, to print from a memory card or a device connected to the product's front USB port), make sure the print settings are correct.