Zebra Technologies TLP 3844-Z manual Operation & Options, Thermal Printing

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Operation & Options

This section helps you get the most from your printer.

You must use programming to control many of the printer’s functions. A few examples:

■The ~JL command controls label length.

■The ^XA^MTD^XZ command changes the printing mode to direct thermal; the ^XA^MTT^XZ command changes the printing mode to thermal transfer.

■The ^XA^JUS^XZ command saves the new settings to flash memory.

For detailed information about creating labels using ZPL II, refer to the ZPL

IIProgramming Guide or visit our web site at www.zebra.com.

To improve print quality, changing both print speed and density may be required to achieve the desired results. Your application’s printer driver provides control of the speed and heat (density).

Thermal Printing

The print head becomes hot while printing. To protect from damaging the print head and risk of personal injury, avoid touching the print head. Use only the cleaning pen to perform maintenance.

The discharge of electrostatic energy that accumulates on the surface of the human body or other surfaces can damage or destroy the print head or electronic components used in this device. You must observe static-safe procedures when working with the print head or the electronic components under the top cover.

You must use the correct media for the type of printing you require. When printing without a ribbon, you must use direct thermal media. When using ribbon, you must use thermal transfer media. The printer’s ribbon sensor detects motion of the supply spindle.

980441-001 Rev. A

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Contents Thermal Printers Users Guide980441-001 Rev. a Proprietary Statement Shock Hazard BatteryMedia and Ribbon Static DischargeContents Operation & Options Universal Serial Bus USB Connector 980441-001 Rev. a Hello IntroductionWhat’s in the Box? Opening the printer Inspecting the PrinterInspecting the Printer Closing the printer Reporting Damage Related DocumentationModes of Printing Getting StartedAttaching Power Supply Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment Loading Roll MediaAdjusting the Guides Loading Ribbon Install the Ribbon Supply RollInstall the Take-Up Core Attach and Tighten the Ribbon Auto Calibration Operator Controls Power SwitchFeed Button Status LightPrinting a Test Printout Interface Cable Requirements Hooking Up the Printer and ComputerParallel Interface Requirements USB Interface RequirementsEthernet Interface Requirements Serial Interface RequirementsUniversal Serial Bus USB Communications Communicating with the PrinterParallel Communications Internal ZebraNet PrintServer Iitm CommunicationsDefaulting the Serial Parameters SC CommandAdjusting the Print Speed Adjusting the Print WidthAdjusting the Print Darkness Thermal Printing Operation & OptionsReplacing a Partially Used Transfer Ribbon Replacing SuppliesAdding a New Transfer Ribbon Printing in Peel-Mode Printing on Fan-Fold Media Using the Cutter Option 980441-001 Rev. a Cleaning MaintenanceMedia Path Considerations Cleaning Card ConsiderationsPrint Head Considerations Platen Considerations LubricationRemoval AssemblyReplacing the Platen Replacing the Print Head Removal Thermal-Transfer TLP ModelAssembly 980441-001 Rev. a Resolutions TroubleshootingPrinter is not receiving power Printer is on and in an idle stateThere is a shortage of memory Printer has failed its power on self test PostPrinter is receiving data Either the media or ribbon is outFlash memory is not programmed Print head is under temperaturePrint head is over temperature Ribbon sensor settings did not print Print Quality ProblemsNo print on the label Printed image does not look rightLabel format was sent to, but not recognized by, the printer Manual Calibration Recalibration Troubleshooting TestsPrinting a Configuration Label Communications Diagnostics Resetting the Factory Default ValuesFeed Button Modes Power Off Mode Communications Diagnostics Mode980441-001 Rev. a Physical Specifications SpecificationsPrinting Specifications AppendixRibbon Specifications for TLP model Media SpecificationsZebra Programming Language ZPL Font/Code SpecificationsOptions Agency ApprovalsInterfaces Universal Serial Bus USB ConnectorPin No Description Parallel InterfaceZebraNet PrintServer II for Ethernet Networks Looking into the Printer’s RJ-45 Modular ConnectorSerial RS-232 Connector Connecting the Printer to a DTE Device 980441-001 Rev. a Cable calibration IndexQuality problems Voltage Page