Intermec PF4I manual Paper Type, Direct Thermal Printing

Chapter 6—Setting Up the Printer

Paper Type

The Paper Type parameters control the heat emitted from the printhead to the direct thermal media or, optionally, the transfer ribbon in order to produce the dots that make up the printout image.

Labels, tickets, tags, strip, and ribbons for various types of application are available from Intermec. For the best printout quality and maximum life of the printhead, use Intermec supplies. Setup recommendations for Intermec supplies offered in Europe and North America are listed in Appendix D.

As a general rule, high energy and/or high print speed will shorten the life of the printhead. Never use higher paper type and print speed set- tings than necessary for obtaining an acceptable printout quality and throughput speed.

If the ambient temperature is lower than +15°C (+59°F), decrease the print speed by 50 mm/sec.

Start by choosing between two alternatives:

•	Direct Thermal printing	(option)
•	Thermal Transfer printing	(default)

Your choice will decide which parameters to enter next:

Direct Thermal Printing

•	Label Constant	(range 50 to 115)
•	Label Factor	(range 10 to 50)

When adjusting the image darkness for non-Intermec direct thermal media, set the Label Factor to the recommended value for the type of direct thermal media. Set the Label Constant to the value listed below and decrease or increase it for lighter or darker images respectively until you are satisfied with the printout quality.

General Paper Type Settings Guide (Direct Thermal)

Sensitivity1	Label	Label	Max Print Speed
	Constant	Factor	8 dots/mm	11.81 dots/mm
Low	100	40	100	100
Standard	90	40	125	125
High	80	40	175	150
Ultra high	60	40	200	150

1/. Note that preprint and varnish decrease the sensitivity of direct thermal media.

Intermec EasyCoder PF4i Compact Industrial—User’s Guide (Fingerprint) 57