Controlling Print Quality | Datamax PE instruction

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

Image 56

Datamax PE manual Controlling Print Quality

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 Printer Optional Features PE Series Operator’s Manual Before Using This Printer Getting Started Inspecting the Printer General Overview Right-Hand Model, External Front View Right-hand Model, Interior Front View Setting Up the Printer Connecting the Printer Loading Media Head-Lift Lever Media Loading Media Loading detail Loading Ribbon Thermal Transfer Ribbon Loading Path J-Hook Ribbon Removal Removal of a Partially Used Roll of Ribbon Removal of a Completely Used Ribbon Installing a Flash Cartridge Flash Cartridge Connector Location 10 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 Label Applicator Connection Applicator Port Pin Assignments Pin function explanationPin 4 Not Used Pin # Function Direction 13 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 Functions Factory preset Value range Advanced Setup PE Output Signal Ribbon Low Heat SettingBackfeed Cntrl Print Speed Slew SpeedBackfeed Speed Label Width Factory Settings Modify PasswordSymbol Set Security Check ProdigyPlus Mode Pause ModeFeedback Mode Offset Bias *220 Test Mode Comm Setup *PORTA *9600 *8 *N *1 *BOTH Control Codes Test Print Front PanelTest I/O Serial Loopback Installed Options Print DirectoryPrint File Copy Module Sensor Definitions Inputs Sensor Name Possible Condition PE Series Operator’s Manual Media Sensor Adjustment Media Width Adjustment Example of the Media Width Adjustment Label Start of Print Label Presentation Setting Start of Print and Peel Position Controlling Print Quality PE Series Operator’s Manual Interior Exterior Area Method Interval Cleaning SchedulePrinter Cleaning Schedule Cleaning the Printhead Cleaning the Printhead Cleaning the Platen Roller Troubleshooting Tips Printer fails to power up no lights Black boxes in display Skips Labels every other No Print Poor Print Quality Missing 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 a PE Series Operator’s Manual Appendix B Available Fonts and Barcodes Human-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 Characters PE 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 Box PE Series Operator’s Manual Error Codes Appendix E PE Series Operator’s Manual Printer Specifications Appendix FPrinting Communications Electrical EnvironmentalPhysical Media Fonts and Bar Codes Printer Dimensions Figure F-1 Print Engine Critical Dimensions Media Specifications Table F-1 Acceptable Media Specifications Label Type Print Image Ribbon Type Speed Energy Durability Media and Ribbon BasicsTable F-2 Media and Ribbon Overview Appendix G Menu Tree PE Series Operator’s Manual Warranty Information Appendix HPrinter Thermal printhead Warranty Service Procedures General Warranty Provisions Limitation of Liability PE Series Operator’s Manual