Zebra Technologies GC420t manual Print Quality Problems

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Print Quality Problems

There are long tracks of missing print (blank vertical lines) on several labels.

•The printhead is dirty. Clean the printhead.

•The printhead elements are damaged.

The printing does not start at the top of the label or misprinting of one to three labels.

•The media may not be threaded correctly. Follow the instructions for Loading Roll Media on page 11 in the Getting Started section.

•The printer needs to be calibrated. Refer to the two-flash sequence of Feed Button Modes on page 76 in this section.

•ZPL Label Formats - The correct media sensor may not be activated. Manual calibration selects the media sensing method for the labels being used (refer to the ^MN command in the ZPL Programming Guide).

•ZPL Label Formats - Verify that the Label Top (^LT) command is correctly set for your application (consult the ZPL Programming Guide).

•EPL Label Formats - The correct media sensor may not be activated for label dispensing, blackline or notch sensing, or for Gap/Web sensing. Manual calibration selects the media sensing method for the labels being used (refer to the O and Q commands in the EPL Programmer’s Guide).

•EPL Label Formats - Verify that the Set Label Length (Q) command is correctly set for your application (consult the EPL Programmer’s Guide).

A ZPL label format was sent to, but not recognized by, the printer.

•Is the printer in pause mode? If so, press the Feed button.

•If the status LED is on or flashing, refer to What the Status Light is Telling You on page 66.

•Make sure the data cable is correctly installed.

•A communications problem has occurred. First, make sure that the correct communications port on the computer is selected. Refer to Connecting your Printer to a Computer on page 22 in the Getting Started section.

•Verify the correct Format and Control Prefix on the printer match what you are using in your ZPL programmed label format. The default Format (COMMAND CHAR) is Caret

(^) character and the Control (CONTROL CHAR) is a Tilde (~) character. Verify the characters with the Configuration Status label printout. Refer to the one-flash sequence of Feed Button Modes on page 76 to print this label.

P1052686-001

GC420t™ User Guide

5/22/2012

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Contents Zebra GC420t P1052686-001 GC420t User Guide 22/2012 Iii FCC Compliance Statement Contents About This DocumentWho Should Use This Document How This Document Is OrganizedContacts Mail Back Technical LibraryDocument Conventions Icons UsedContents Print Operations Appendix Dimensions P1052686-001 GC420t User Guide 22/2012 Introduction GC420t Thermal Printers What’s in the Box? Unpack and Inspect the PrinterYour Printer Opening the printerPrinter Features Operator Controls Power Switch Feed Button Status LightClosing the printer Contents Getting StartedAttaching Power Loading Roll Media Preparing MediaPlacing the Roll in the Media Compartment Loading Roll Media Guides Loading Transfer Ribbon Loading Transfer Ribbon Loading Transfer Ribbon Loading Transfer Ribbon Printing a Test Printer Configuration Label Pre-install Windows Printer Drivers Universal Serial Bus USB Device Communications Serial Port and Windows operating systemsConnecting your Printer to a Computer Interface Cable RequirementsUSB Interface Requirements Serial Communications AutobaudEPL Y Command Parallel Port Testing Communications by Printing After Your Printer is ConnectedAfter Your Printer is Connected Print Operations Long Term Printer In-activity or Storage Determining Printer ConfigurationThermal Printing Modes of Printing Print Media TypesTypes of Media Roll and Fanfold Media Determining Thermal Media Types Replacing SuppliesAdding a New Transfer Ribbon Adjusting the Print Quality Adjusting the Print WidthReplacing a Partially Used Transfer Ribbon Media Sensing Ribbon Overview When to Use RibbonCoated Side of Ribbon Ribbon Test with Adhesive Ribbon Scratch TestPrinting on Fan-Fold Media Printing on Fan-Fold Media Printing with Externally Mounted Roll Media Externally Mounted Roll Media ConsiderationsFonts and Your Printer Localizing the Printer with Code PagesIdentifying Fonts in Your Printer ZPL FontsStand Alone Printing Sending Files to the Printer Print Meter Printer Options Label Dispenser Option XA MMP XZLabel Dispenser Option Label Dispenser Option Zebra KDU Printer Accessory KDU Plus Printer Accessory ZBI 2.0 Zebra Basic Interpreter ZBI 2.0 Zebra Basic Interpreter Maintenance Cleaning See Cleaning the Printhead onCleaning the Printhead Media Path Considerations Sensor Cleaning Platen Cleaning and Replacement Maintenance Other Printer Maintenance Replacing the Printhead Maintenance Unplug both bundles of printhead wires from their connectors Maintenance Troubleshooting Status Light Descriptions Status Light Error Resolutions Ribbon is out Printhead is over temperatureMedia is out Printhead is openNo print on the label Print Quality ProblemsPrinted image does not look right Print Quality Problems Is the printer in pause mode? If so, press the Feed button Manual Calibration Printing a Configuration Label Troubleshooting TestsRecalibration Resetting the Factory Default Values Communications DiagnosticsCommunications Diagnostics Feed Button Modes Flash Sequence ActionPower On Modes Feed Button Modes Appendix Interface Wiring Universal Serial Bus USB Interface Parallel Interface HostConnecting the Printer to a DCE Device Serial Port InterfaceAppendix Dimensions External GC420t Printer Dimensions Optional Label Dispenser External GC420t Printer Dimensions Appendix ZPL Configuration Managing the ZPL Printer Configuration ZPL Printer Configuration FormatZPL Configuration Status to Command Cross-reference Configuration Label PrintoutDefault 65536k.......B only displays this if installed Printer Memory Management and Related Status Reports ZPL Programming for Memory Management~WC Printer Memory Management and Related Status Reports