Understanding the printer features and functions

Printer features by model

Feature or function

2580+ or 2581+

2590+ or 2591+

Multi-speed printing

FastDft (Fast Draft)

  • 10 characters per inch (cpi)

  • 12 cpi

  • 532 characters per second (cps)

  • 618 cps

  • 479 cps

  • 556 cps

Draft

400 cps

400 cps

Courier

Gothic

100 cps (Near-Letter-Quality mode)

133 cps (Letter-Quality mode)

Character spacing

Note: Fast Draft supports only 10, 12, and 15 pitch.

Prints in 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 cpi, as well as proportional spacing

Prints in 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, and 24 cpi, as well as proportional spacing

Resident fonts

  • Fast Draft

  • Draft

  • Gothic

  • Courier

  • Fast Draft

  • Draft

  • Gothic

  • Courier

  • Prestige

  • Presentor

  • Orator

  • Script

Print styles

Note: This feature is available through printer commands.

Highlighting capability:

  • Double-high

  • Double-strike

  • Double-wide

  • Emphasized

  • Italics

  • Overscore

  • Subscript

  • Superscript

  • Underline

Highlighting capability:

  • Double-high

  • Double-strike

  • Double-wide

  • Emphasized

  • Italics

  • Overscore

  • Subscript

  • Superscript

  • Underline

  • Shading

  • Outline

Graphics printing

Note: This feature supports existing graphics programs.

Resolution of up to 144 x 240 dots per square inch (dpi)

Resolution of up to 360 x 360 dpi

Multiple-part forms

Prints original plus five copies (six-part forms)

Prints original plus five copies (six-part forms)


Printer features of all models

Feature or function

Description

Control panel

This is the button control for Load/Unload, Tear Off, Font, Setup, Pitch, Macro, and paper movement functions. Control panel lights indicate current status.

Font lock

  • This locks the font selection you make from the control panel so it is not changed by your program.

  • Font lock is deactivated when you unplug the printer power cord, unless it is set in the printer default settings.

Pitch lock

  • This locks the pitch selections you make from the control panel so they are not changed by your program.

  • Pitch lock is deactivated when you unplug the printer power cord, unless it is set in the printer default settings.

Load/Unload

This loads and unloads continuous form paper (tractor fed).

Macro function

This allows the printer to store four unique document formats to enhance flexibility when using different styles of preprinted forms.

Manual front loading for cut sheets

This enables printing on cut sheets or envelopes.

Tear Off bar

  • This assists in removing printed continuous forms at the perforation.

  • This assists in tearing non-perforated forms.

  • This reduces the amount of paper used, thus reducing costs.

Adjustable tractor

This lets you handle continuous form paper without purchasing additional options. This can be repositioned to function as:

  • Push tractor

  • Pull tractor

Control panel disable

This limits control panel functions to the Start/Stop, FormFeed, Tear Off, and Load/Unload buttons only, thus limiting the potential that untrained operators may accidentally change forms settings.

Ribbon cartridge

This contains the inked fabric ribbon.

Printer tests

  • Power-on Self Test

  • Printer test page—This determines whether your machine has print problems.

  • Demonstration Print

Box and line drawings

This prints tables, charts, and other graphics as shown on your computer screen.

Greek and math symbols

This prints a variety of symbols used in mathematical equations, including subscript and superscript.

Code pages

This selects the characters and symbols corresponding to various languages.

Bar code function

The following bar codes are resident in the printer:

  • 3 of 9

  • Codabar (NW-7)

  • Code 39

  • Code 128

  • Interleaved 2 of 5

  • UPC-A

  • UPC-E

  • EAN 8

  • EAN 13

  • PostNet

Note: For more information on the Bar code function, see the Technical Reference at www.lexmark.com.

Software compatibility

  • The printer is compatible with all programs that support IBM emulation or Epson emulation.

  • The printer is compatible with Okidata MICROLINE emulation (with the M320 turbo), which is standard on the 9-wire printer and 2580+ or 2581+ printer models.

Interface connection

Warning—Potential Damage: Do not touch the network connector except when the printer is unplugged from the electrical outlet.

This allows the printer to work with all computers with compatible interface connections.

Both parallel and USB interfaces are standard. The internal serial interface (RS-232) is optional for the 2580+ or 2581+ and 2590+ or 2591+ models.

The Network option is standard on the 2580n+ or 2581n+ and 2590n+ or 2591n+ models.