Glossary

alphanumeric Indicating letters, numerals, and characters such as punctuation marks.

backfeed Backfeed is when the printer pulls the media and ribbon (if used) backward into the printer so that the beginning of the label to be printed is properly positioned behind the printhead. Backfeed occurs when you’re operating the printer in tear-off, peel-off, or cutter mode.

bar code A code by which alphanumeric characters can be represented by a series of adjacent stripes of different widths. Many different code schemes exist, such as the universal product code (UPC) or Code 39.

calibration (of a printer) A process in which the printer determines some basic information needed to print accurately with a particular media/ribbon combination. To do this, the printer feeds some media and ribbon (if used) through the printer and senses whether to use the direct thermal or thermal transfer print method, whether continuous or non-continuous media will be used, and (if non-continuous media) the length of individual labels/tags.

character set The set of all letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and other characters that can be expressed by a particular barcode.

check digit A character added to a barcode symbol that indicates to the scanner that it has read the symbol correctly.

continuous media Label or tagstock that has no web (space between labels), notch, or gap to separate each

label/tag, but rather the media is one long piece of material.

core diameter The inside diameter of the cardboard core at the center of a roll of media/ribbon.

cutter A device that can cut each label/tag immediately after it is printed.

diagnostics Information about what printer functions are not working. This information is used for troubleshooting problems.

direct thermal printing Printing in which direct thermal media is used. No ribbon is used. Instead, the media is coated with a substance which reacts to heat to produce an image.

fanfold media Media that comes folded in a rectangular stack, rather than on a roll.

font A complete set of alphanumeric characters in one style of type. Ex: Times, Helvetica.

ips "inches-per-second" The speed at which the label or tag is printed. Zebra offers printers that can print from 2 ips to 12 ips.

label An adhesive-backed piece of paper, plastic, or other material on which information is printed.

label available sensor For printers equipped with the Peel-Off Option, this sensor detects a printed label waiting to be taken or "picked" by the operator. While it detects this label, the printer will not print additional labels. Once the label has been taken, printing resumes. Also called

“ take-label sensor” .

label backing (label liner) The material on which labels are affixed during manufacture and which is discarded or

Glossary