Archive for category: Random Stories

Original Source: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/epson-mac-communication-error-fix/

Recently, my Epson printer suddenly stopped working with a frustrating Epson printer communication error. Everything was fine until I tried printing – the printer would attempt to connect but then display a Communication Error message on my Mac.

What made this particularly puzzling was that the printer appeared to be properly connected – there was even a green status light showing in the Mac’s Printers & Scanners settings page.

When I ran a test print page, it worked perfectly fine.

The Epson Printer Utility also showed that the printer was connected properly.

The issue specifically occurred when trying to print from applications like Notes, Pages, or Chrome. The Epson printer would attempt to connect but then display an Epson printer communication error message in the end.

In this article, I’ll walk you through my troubleshooting journey and share what I’ve done to try resolving this frustrating problem. We’ll explore the potential causes of the Epson printer communication error and, most importantly, how to fix each of them.

What Causes the Epson Printer Communication Error?

When your Epson printer displays a communication error, it means your Mac has trouble communicating with the Epson printer and cannot send files to print. Here are the common causes of Epson printer communication errors:

Outdated or missing printer drivers – macOS updates sometimes break compatibility with older drivers.
Wi-Fi or USB connection issues – the printer might be connected to a different network or the cable might be loose.
macOS printer settings glitch – sometimes settings just get corrupted and need to be reset.
Firewall or security software blocking communication – rare but possible if your firewall is strict.
Printer unable to access local area network – this was the cause of my problem.

Now that we’ve covered the “why,” let’s move on to the actual fixes that worked for me (and should work for you too).

Quick Checks Before You Start

Before getting into the more involved fixes, there are a few quick things you should check. These might sound obvious, but trust me – I’ve skipped them before and wasted time troubleshooting something that just needed a simple reboot.

Restart both your Mac and the printer. This clears out temporary glitches and often fixes the connection.
Check all cable connections if you’re using USB. Make sure they’re snug and try a different port if needed.
Make sure the printer and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network. if printers are connected via wifi, make sure both copmputer and ptinert are on the same network,.
Confirm the printer is powered on and not showing any errors on its screen (like paper jams or low ink).
Try printing a test page from the printer’s control panel to rule out hardware issues.

If everything here checks out and it’s still not working, don’t worry – let’s get into the real fixes next.

Fix #1 – Reset the Printing System for Epson Printer on Mac

This was the first thing I tried, though it didn’t work for me, but it may work for you. Resetting the printing system essentially wipes all printer settings and gives you a fresh start.

Here’s how to do it:

Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
Select Printers & Scanners.
Press Control + click (or right-click) in the list of printers on the left side.

Choose Reset printing system…
Click Reset to confirm.
Once it resets, click the + button to re-add your Epson printer.

Heads-up: This will remove all printers you’ve added. You’ll need to re-add any other printers you use as well.

If this doesn’t work for you, try the next solution.

Fix #2 – Reinstall Your Epson Printer Driver

If resetting didn’t do the trick, it might be a driver issue. Try reinstalling the Epson printer’s driver.

Here’s what I did:

Go to the Epson Support site.
Enter your printer model and download the latest driver for macOS.
On your Mac, open the Applications folder and look for any Epson software. If you see Epson Printer Utility or Epson Scan, uninstall them.
Run the installer you just downloaded and follow the prompts to reinstall the driver.
Once installed, go back to Printers & Scanners and add your Epson printer again using the + button.

Make sure when you re-add the printer, under the “Use” dropdown, it says something like Epson [Model] Series – not “AirPrint.” (Assuming your Epson model supports AirPrint.) If it says “AirPrint,” you’re not using the full driver, and that can cause problems.

After reinstalling, try printing a test page.

Fix #3 – Verify Epson Printer Settings on Mac

If the driver’s installed and it still won’t print, your Mac might be using the wrong settings. Sometimes settings can get unintentionally changed, so this is worth checking.

Check these settings:

Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Epson printer from the list.
Click Options & Supplies.
Go to the Utility tab and click Open Printer Utility.
Check for any error messages or connection warnings.

Now go back to the main printer list:

If you see multiple Epson printers, remove the ones you’re not using – especially if one says “Idle” or “Offline.”
Make sure the correct driver is being used. Under the printer name, it should say something like “Epson [Model] Series” and not just “Generic PostScript Printer.”

Fix #4 – Reset Network Connection (Wi-Fi Models)

If you’re using a wireless Epson printer and getting the communication error, there’s a good chance it’s a network problem.

Reset the network settings on the printer:

On the printer’s screen, go to Setup or Settings.
Navigate to Network Settings.
Select Reset Network Settings or Restore Default Network Settings.
After it resets, go back and select Wi-Fi Setup.
Choose your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

Then, on your Mac:

Go to Printers & Scanners.
Remove the Epson printer if it’s already added.
Click the + button to re-add it. Make sure the one you pick says “Bonjour” or “Epson [Model] Series.”

If you’re using a USB connection instead of Wi-Fi, try a different USB cable or port. That’s solved things for me before when I thought the printer was broken.

Once the printer is back on the right network, try a test print to see if it’s working.

Fix #5 – Allow Printer to Access Local Network

And here we are – the fifth fix and the culprit that caused my printer to give that communication error message.

If your Epson printer is connected via Wi-Fi (like mine) but can’t communicate with your Mac, it’s likely blocked from accessing the local network. This typically happens if you accidentally clicked “Do not allow” when prompted about network access.

To check and fix network permissions:

Open System Settings on your Mac
Go to Privacy & Security
Scroll down and select Local Network
Look for any applications starting with “Epson” in the list
Make sure the toggle switch is turned on for all Epson applications

After enabling access, try printing again to see if the communication error is resolved.

When to Contact Epson Printer Support

If you’ve tried all these fixes and your Epson printer communication error persists, you may need professional help. I researched through printer forums and Reddit for additional Epson printer solutions, though they didn’t resolve my specific issue.

The post How to Fix Epson Printer Communication Error on Mac appeared first on Hongkiat.

Original Source: https://tympanus.net/codrops/2025/07/09/how-to-create-kinetic-image-animations-with-react-three-fiber/

Bring static visuals to life with rotating textures, 3D geometry, and smooth motion powered by React Three Fiber.

Original Source: https://webdesignerdepot.com/dear-rounded-corners-you-win/

Rounded corners didn’t just win—they staged a quiet coup and made our interfaces soft, friendly, and suspiciously comforting. This satirical love-hate letter to border-radius explores how we went from brutalist boxes to UI that feels like a therapy session. If you’ve ever surrendered to a 12px curve, this one’s for you.

Original Source: https://abduzeedo.com/cellmong-weaving-future-skincare-branding

Cellmong: Weaving the Future of Skincare Branding

abduzeedo
07/07 — 2025

Discover Cellmong’s unique branding and packaging design, inspired by spider silk for a delicate yet strong visual identity.

Skincare brands often aim for feelings of purity and newness. They also want to show scientific progress. Cania Agency did this well with Cellmong. This brand promises to bring tired skin back to life. Their design blends nature’s gentle strength with science. This creates a strong visual story.

Cellmong’s main idea is simple: awaken the “dream” in skin cells. It draws power from a mountain’s strength. It also uses the grace of a “rêve” (dream). A special ingredient, spider silk peptide, is key. It promises renewal and strength. This unique science forms the brand’s look.

A Design Inspired by Webs

Cellmong’s branding comes from the spider’s web. Each thread is thin but very strong. It connects perfectly. Cania Agency used this idea for the Cellmong logo. They made it with tightly woven lines. Every detail is careful. It looks like the logo is gently pulled by an unseen thread. This creates a feeling of soft movement and lasting connection. This design clearly shows the product’s gentle yet powerful effects.

Elegant Font and Colors

A modern font was chosen for Cellmong. It shows the brand’s fine style, smart look, and high quality. This font works well with the woven lines of the logo. It helps create an overall premium feel.

The colors for Cellmong’s branding and packaging are simple but strong. They mainly use shades of grey, black, and white. “Snow” (#FBFBFB), “Light Grey” (#E8E8E8), “Dusty Grey” (#875787), “Gluon Grey” (#1C1B20), and “Black” (#000000) make a clean, classy look. These few colors highlight the product’s pure science and high-end feel.

Packaging That Speaks

Cellmong’s branding and packaging always share its main message. The product bottles, for example, clearly show the “CELLMONG” logo. They also show the product name: “MIRACLE STEM SPHINGOSOME FILAMENT.” The clean lines and clear text on the packaging show the brand’s focus on exactness and results. Pictures of the products on spider silk backgrounds further link to the brand’s special idea. The outer boxes repeat the brand’s slogan, “Your skin has a dream, too.” This reminds users of the emotional bond Cellmong wants to build.

Cellmong’s branding shows how a unique idea can become a strong, clear visual identity. The soft yet strong image of spider silk, mixed with a modern and smart look, makes Cellmong a top skincare brand. It truly understands how skin transforms. This careful way of doing branding and packaging creates a strong, memorable presence in the market.

Cania Agency. See more of their work at behance.net

Branding and packaging design

Original Source: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/gif-makers-editors-ios/

GIF animations are small compressed files of looping fun that is, more often than not, used for memes. While you can create GIFs straight from a browser (here’s how you can easily create GIFs in Chrome using the Chrome Capture extension) or through online GIF creation tools, these days we prefer to have tools that can make or edit GIFs of our personal photos or videos.

If you are part of this group, you’re in luck cause we have the iOS mobile apps to help you make, edit and share GIFs right from your iPhone.

These are the apps that can help you create GIFs easily and quickly — either from live shoots or photos/videos already in your gallery — as well as share them with your friends and family via social networks, messaging apps or via URL.

Cinemagraph: 28 Still Photos With Subtle Motion

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Cinemagraph: 28 Still Photos With Subtle Motion

So today, we’re going to showcase animated GIF artwork, but there is no regular GIF we use on… Read more

GifsArt

This is a powerful and comprehensive animated GIF generator made by Apple Inc. This application helps you capture images and videos with the in-app camera and then lets you combine images, video, and GIFs into one perfect animation. Without leaving the application, you can customize your GIF by using animated masks, effects, stickers, and text.

Animated masks and stickers are imported through Giply. Users can also export different filters, effects, text and captions to their PicArt Gallery. One very good thing about this application is that users will not be bothered by a watermark.

HipGif

With HipGif, you can choose many kinds of animated stickers to add to your GIF file. These stickers and popular GIFs can be mixed with your own, and the pile is updated multiple times a day. Speed up, slow down, draw on your GIFs, add a filter, text or frame to any of your GIF and share them on Instagram as a video.

You can snap multiple photos, or use any of the meme background templates available. The app is also great for making photo slideshows, but best of all, you can share easily to Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, WhatsApp, and even via SMS.

Gifo

Share animated GIFS, memes, and reactions through Gifo with your iPhone or iPad camera. It makes it easy for you to make stunning animated collages, to speed up or slow down GIFs as what you want. Furthermore, you can make 4 GIFs in one go. It also comes with cool filters, frames, colorful text and fonts that you can add to your GIFs.

Your Gifo results can be copied without saving it first into the camera roll. Just directly paste it into any application you want to share it to. If you do want to save it into the camera roll, you can, in GIF form or as a video file.

Lively

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to trim, play backwards, have speed control and export your captured videos to GIF format, Lively can do all that and more. The catch is your exported GIFs will carry their watermark, which you can remove with a one-time purchase.

Lively works with an iPhone 6S/6S Plus. The app comes with 3D Touch support. Its extensive editing features not only give you full control of what to show and not to show others but also lets you shrink the size of your GIF files, pick a single frame from a full video, and share to iMessage, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Slack, Tumblr and many more.

Slowmographer

Slowmographer is aimed to mix the best feature of mobile photography and video making. Instead of a photo or regular video, Slowmographer helps you create 3-second loops of slowed-down videos. It doesn’t seem like a cool thing to shout about until you figure out its use in capturing tricks and more.sports like mountain biking, skateboarding, surfing, skiing

Not only is the video-taking easy, with this app, you can also add image filters, transition effects, remove flickering effects , which are a pain in slow motion shots, and easily share them on your favorite social network sites. Here are some examples on Instagram.

Video to GIF

Everything you can do with GIF, you can do with this app. Shoot in GIF, convert your own videos or YouTube videos to GIF, turn photos into GIF and add animated text or effects to it, all with this handy GIF-making tool.

The app also lets you add animated text, save GIFs as a video or share it to your favorite social networks. You can also get a URL for your GIF, to share with others. If you need a quick and easy way to make GIFs, you will find it.

ImgPlay

ImgPlay brings to you who love to shoot in different modes – burst photos, iOS Live Photo or normal mode – as this app can turn your shots into GIF. You can edit your GIF before publishing it, by adding captions, editing frame sector/order, control speed/direction (forward, in reverse), and loop count.

In the end, you can export your creation into several GIF quality levels, or you can also export it into video to share easily on multiple social networks and messaging apps.

GifLab

GifLab allows to to create GIFs on your iOS device with plenty of customization options. The app makes it easy to trim, adjust quality and speed, add text with dozens of nice fontfaces, and beautify images with its range of filters. If you are a huge fan of Instagram, then GifLab can export GIFs into videos that are upload-ready.

The GIFs can also be shared on social network sites, via messaging apps or group chats, and via URL. Previously a free app, now the app costs $1.99 to own. Watermarks and locks on filters and fonts have been removed.

GIF Toaster

GIF Toaster is handy app to convert photos or video into animated GIF. It works for both iPad and iPhone. Just select the photo or video you want to convert to GIF, then set encoding options such as range (which part of the video), playback speeds, number of frames per second, size of video, then click Start Encoding.

The app can convert GIF to video, photo, live photo or to new GIF. It can also do all that in batch mode (doing multiple at the same time). You can also share the resulting GIF via URL.

GIF Maker

GIF Maker allows you to shoot your moments and save them in animated GIF format. You can create GIFs from your video shots from as short as 5 seconds to a maximum of 25 seconds. Alternatively, one can choose to take a minimum of 10 photos to a maximum of 50 photos to turn into GIFs.

Users can also create GIFS from pre-existing photos or videos in their camera gallery. The app also includes some effects that make your GIF look funny, bizarre or scary plus other cool effects.

The post 10 Best iOS Apps to Create and Edit GIFs appeared first on Hongkiat.