Operations 55

Load Ribbon

Load Ribbon

Always use ribbon that is wider than the media to protect the printhead from wear. For direct thermal printing, do not load ribbon in the printer.

The standard Thermal Transfer option (black ribbon spindle) uses ribbon coated on the outside, and the alternate Thermal Transfer option (gray ribbon spindle) uses ribbon coated on the inside. To avoid damaging your printer, follow the directions for the Thermal Transfer option installed in your printer.

Figure 8 shows the ribbon paths for ribbon coated on the outside and ribbon coated on the inside. The coated surfaces of the ribbon are shown in gray when they are visible. To determine which side of a ribbon is printed, see Coated Side of Ribbon on page 35.

Figure 8 • Ribbon Path

Ribbon Coated Outside

Ribbon Coated Inside

(black ribbon spindle)

(gray ribbon spindle)

 

1

1

 

2

2

 

3

3

 

4

4

 

5

5

1

Tension blade

 

2

Ribbon take-up spindle

 

3

Ribbon supply spindle

 

4

Printhead assembly

 

5

Printhead release latch

 

6/6/08

Z Series®/RZ™ Series User Guide

79695L-002 Rev. A