Print Image Diameter Settings
The Microboards PF-3 Print Factory includes the ability to mask the print image diameters to ensure that your media is not being printed outside of the printable surface. While SureThing Disc Labeling software creates circular templates 120mm in diameter, other applications may not limit the design to the correct size.
The default Inner Diameter setting is 360 (36mm). If you are using a print template with an inner hub of less than 36mm, you must change the Inner Diameter setting to match that of the template for the image to print correctly.
To change the Diameter settings, please follow these steps:
1.Access the Printing Preferences for the Microboards PF3. How this is done will depend on the Operating System and the currently selected Start Menu layout.
In Windows Vista, select the Control Panel from the Start button. Once the Control Panel opens, select Printer from the Hardware and Sound section.
In Windows 2000 or Windows XP with the Classic Start Menu layout, you will need to go to the Settings selection, then to the Printers and Faxes from the Start button. Right-click the Microboards PF3 and select Printing Preferences.
In the Windows XP Start Menu layout, select Printers and Faxes from the Windows Start button.
2.Click the Diameter Settings tab.
3.Verify that the Enable Masking option is checked. The first Microboards PF3 Series printer will have this option checked by default; any subsequent printer installed will not have this option checked.
4.The Outer Diameter setting will define where the masking
clips the outer edge of the print image. In the example shown below, the image will print to the default diameter of 118mm (the Parameter Unit is set to 0.1mm).
The Inner Diameter setting will define how far towards the center of the disc the image will print. This setting will need to be changed when printing to hub- printable media. The default of 36mm diameter of unprinted area is shown below.
5. Click the Apply button to save the changes.
Print Image Alignment
Your PF-3 Print Factory has been factory aligned to .1mm precision. Fine tuning may be required depending on the media brand and printable surface type you are using to provide full surface coverage.
1.Access the Printing Preferences for the Microboards PF3. How this is done will depend on the Operating System and the currently selected Start Menu layout.
In Windows Vista, select the Control Panel from the Start button. Once the Control Panel opens, select Printer from the Hardware and Sound section.
In Windows 2000 or Windows XP with the Classic Start Menu layout, you will need to go to the Settings selection, then to the Printers and Faxes from the Start button.
In the Windows XP Start Menu layout, select Printers and Faxes from the Windows Start button.
NOTE: THE ALIGNMENT VALUES MUST BE ENTERED THROUGH THE PRINTERS AND FAXES WINDOW FOR THE SETTINGS TO BE SET AS THE DEFAULT SETTINGS, NOT FROM WITHIN ANY APPLICATION!!!
2.Right click on the icon for the Microboards PF3 and select Printing
Preferences…
3.On the Print Quality tab, select Photo for the Print Mode and Best or Max DPI for the Print Quality.
Photo Best or Max DPI should always be selected when aligning the printer, in order to insure the greatest accuracy during the alignment process. Other settings may not result in the best alignment.
4.Select the Alignment tab. The .1mm Resolution setting must be selected before setting alignment values (see below). Set the Top and Left Side alignment values to those required for image alignment.
These settings will change the size of the top and left margins, respectively. Decreasing the values will move the image up or to the left, increasing will adjust down or to the right.
5.Click the Apply button to save the changes, found on the bottom of the Printing Preferences window.
6.Verify the alignment by printing a full disc image on the media. Repeat these steps if further alignment adjustments are required.
For further details on the alignment process, please refer to the section on Alignment in the PF-3 Print Factory User’s Manual.
Printer Toolbox
The Printer Toolbox contains several utility functions for the PF-3 Print Factory. The toolbox will open automatically after installation of the PF-3, and each time the PC boots up. It can also be run by double- clicking the PF3 Toolbox icon in the tool tray.
The functions of the Toolbox include:
•Printhead Cleaning Utilities
•Pen Calibration
•Automatic Margin Calibration
•Test Print
•Belt Exerciser
•Low Ink warnings
For more information on the Toolbox, please refer to the User’s Manual.
Be sure your computer meets the Minimum System Requirements as stated in the User’s Manual and that you have read these instructions and the Manual prior to contacting Microboards Technical Support with installation or configuration questions!
In order to guarantee quality results from the PF-3 Print Factory,
ONLY V102C and V101B
INK CARTRIDGES CAN BE USED!
As is true with all printers, the quality of ink cartridge and the quality of the ink within the cartridge will affect your output. To ensure quality results, the PF-3 Print Factory will not operate with any other ink cartridges in place.
The use of refilled ink cartridges will void your warranty!
