Datamax PE manual Controlling Print Quality

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5.6Controlling Print Quality

The printer provides maximum flexibility by offering both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing capabilities. To support these printing options, the printer has a flexible set of printing controls.

The amount of heat applied by the printhead and the location of the printhead in relation to the label media have the most effect on the images that are printed on the labels. The printer provides adjustments for quality, but limits them to prevent possible damage to the printer. For example, low cost direct thermal stocks have very high reaction temperatures, therefore it takes a great deal of energy to make clear images on this type of media. This is also true for some thermal transfer materials, (see Appendix F; Media and Ribbon Overview). The printer provides three ways to compensate for this:

Increase the darkness setting in the Basic Functions Menu (this will give only slight adjustment).

Use the H label formatting command to increase the software heat setting for a specific format, use the Heat Setting option in the Advanced Setup Menu for all formats or make adjustments through your labeling program.

Use the P label formatting command to adjust the print speed for a specific format, use the Print Speed option in the Advanced Setup Menu for all formats or make adjustments through your labeling program.

46	PE Series Operator’s Manual

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Contents PE Series Operator’s Manual Page 88-2082-01 Rev. C1 Page Agency Compliance and Approvals Important Safety Instructions Contents Using Your Printer Appendix a Appendix BAppendix C Appendix DPage Right-Hand Model Printer OverviewIntroduction Standard Features About This PrinterOptional Features PE Series Operator’s Manual Before Using This Printer Getting StartedInspecting the Printer General Overview Right-Hand Model, External Front ViewRight-hand Model, Interior Front View Setting Up the Printer Connecting the PrinterLoading Media Head-Lift LeverMedia Loading Media Loading detail Loading Ribbon Thermal Transfer Ribbon Loading PathJ-Hook Ribbon Removal Removal of a Partially Used Roll of RibbonRemoval of a Completely Used Ribbon Installing a Flash Cartridge Flash Cartridge Connector Location10 Inserting the Memory Cartridge Printing a Configuration Label 11 Configuration Label PE Series Operator’s Manual Configuration Label Explanation Test Pattern Label 12 Test Pattern LabelApplicator Connection Applicator Port Pin Assignments Pin function explanationPin 4 Not Used Pin # Function Direction13 End Print Signal Options Options Port Pin Assignments Options PortDescription PE Series Operator’s Manual Control Buttons Using Your PrinterUsing the Printer’s Front Panel LCD Contrast LightsMenu Keypad Accessing the Menu Tree Basic FunctionsFactory preset Value range Advanced Setup PE Output SignalRibbon Low Heat SettingBackfeed Cntrl Print Speed Slew SpeedBackfeed Speed Label WidthFactory Settings Modify PasswordSymbol Set Security CheckProdigyPlus Mode Pause ModeFeedback Mode Offset Bias *220Test Mode Comm Setup *PORTA *9600 *8 *N *1 *BOTH Control CodesTest Print Front PanelTest I/O Serial LoopbackInstalled Options Print DirectoryPrint File Copy ModuleSensor Definitions Inputs Sensor Name Possible ConditionPE Series Operator’s Manual Media Sensor Adjustment Media Width Adjustment Example of the Media Width AdjustmentLabel Start of Print Label PresentationSetting Start of Print and Peel Position Controlling Print Quality PE Series Operator’s Manual Interior ExteriorArea Method Interval Cleaning SchedulePrinter Cleaning Schedule Cleaning the Printhead Cleaning the PrintheadCleaning the Platen Roller Troubleshooting Tips Printer fails to power up no lightsBlack boxes in display Skips Labels every otherNo Print Poor Print QualityMissing Data in the printed label LCD Display Error MessagesAlarm Description BQQMJDBUPS!CVTZ DPWFS!PQFO!GBVM U IFBE!VQ!GBVMU PVU!PG!TUPDL QSJOUIFBE!GMU SJCCPO!GBVMU SJC!TBWFS!GBVMU UPG!GBVMU Character Dump Mode Ascii Character Dump LabelPage Ascii Control Chart Appendix aPE Series Operator’s Manual Appendix B Available Fonts and BarcodesHuman-Readable Fonts Table B-1 Human-Readable Font SizesTable B-2 Valid Human-Readable Font Ascii Characters Font Matrix Sizes Charac. Per Inch Dot 203 Height WidthPage Identifies the internal Triumvirate font Barcode Fonts Table B-3 Valid Bar Code Font Ascii CharactersPE Series Operator’s Manual Barcode O Barcode S Barcode T Barcode z Table C-1 Serial Cable Requirements Appendix CCable Listing PE Series Operator’s Manual Appendix D Applicator Port Test BoxPE Series Operator’s Manual Error Codes Appendix EPE Series Operator’s Manual Printer Specifications Appendix FPrinting CommunicationsElectrical EnvironmentalPhysical MediaFonts and Bar Codes Printer Dimensions Figure F-1 Print Engine Critical DimensionsMedia Specifications Table F-1 Acceptable Media SpecificationsLabel Type Print Image Ribbon Type Speed Energy Durability Media and Ribbon BasicsTable F-2 Media and Ribbon Overview Appendix G Menu TreePE Series Operator’s Manual Warranty Information Appendix HPrinter Thermal printheadWarranty Service Procedures General Warranty ProvisionsLimitation of Liability PE Series Operator’s Manual