MTD TLP 2824-Z Print Quality Problems

50 TLP 2824-Z User Guide 980533-001 A

Troubleshooting

Print Quality Problems

Print Quality Problems

No print on the label.

• You must use the correct media for the method 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.

• Is the media loaded correctly? Follow the instructions in “Loading the Media”in the

Getting Started chapter.

The printed image does not look right.

• The print head is dirty. Clean the print head.

• The print head is under temperature.

• Adjust the print darkness and/or print speed. Refer to the six-flash sequence in “Feed

Button Modes” later in this chapter, or the

^PR and ~SD commands in the ZPL II

Programming Guide.

• The media being used is incompatible with the printer. Be sure to use the recommended

media for your application, and always use Zebra-approved labels and tags.

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

several labels.

• The print head is dirty. Clean the print head.

• The print head elements are damaged. Replace the print head (see “Replacing the Print

Head” in the Maintenance chapter).

The ribbon sensor settings did not print.

• The printer is set for direct thermal printing; use the ^XA^MTT^XZ command to reset the

printer for thermal transfer printing and calibrate again.

Contents

Main Page Proprietary Statement Product Improvements FCC Compliance Statement Canadian DOC Compliance Statement Liability Disclaimer Limitation of Liability Preface Contacts Support Environmental Management Document Conventions bin Ztools Zebra<version number>.tar file and the /root Related Documents Page Contents Page Introduction Hello! Whats in the Box? Inspecting the Printer Look at the outside of the printer and make sure that all parts are present. Opening the printer Page Closing the printer Reporting Damage Page Getting Started Modes of Printing Attaching Power Supply Loading Roll Media Adjusting the Roll Holders Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment Adjusting the Guides Loading Ribbon Install the Ribbon Supply Roll Install the Take-Up Core Attach and Tighten the Ribbon Operator Controls Printing a Test Label Hooking Up the Printer and Computer Interface Cable Requirements USB Interface Requirements Parallel Interface Requirements Ethernet Interface Requirements Communicating with the Printer Universal Serial Bus (USB) Communications Parallel Communications Internal ZebraNet PrintServer II Ethernet Communications Serial Communications Adjusting the Print Width ^PW Adjusting the Print Quality ^PR Operations & Options Thermal Printing Replacing Supplies Adding a New Transfer Ribbon Replacing a Partially Used Transfer Ribbon Printing in Peel-Mode ^XA ^MMP ^XZ ^XA ^JUS ^XZ Page Printing on Fan-Fold Media Using the Cutter Option ^MM command to activate the cutter and the ^LL Page Maintenance Cleaning Print Head Considerations Media Guide Considerations Sensors Platen Considerations Lubrication Replacing the Platen Removal Assembly Replacing the Print Head Thermal-Transfer TLP Model Removal Assembly Page Troubleshooting Resolutions 1. The printer is not receiving power. 2. The printer is on and in an idle state. Page Page Print Quality Problems No print on the label. The printed image does not look right. ^PR and ~SD There are long tracks of missing print (blank vertical lines) on several labels. The printing does not start at the top of the label, or misprinting of one to three labels. ^MN A label format was sent to, but not recognized by, the printer. Manual Calibration Troubleshooting Tests Page Feed Button Modes Battery Interfaces Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connector Parallel Interface ZebraNet PrintServer II for Ethernet Networks Serial (RS-232) Connector Interfaces Serial (RS-232) Connector 980533-001 A TLP 2824-Z User Guide 61 Connecting the Printer to a DTE Device Connecting the Printer to a DCE Device