Print Operations

Replacing Supplies

Determining Thermal Media Types

Thermal transfer media requires ribbon for printing while direct thermal media does not. To determine if ribbon must be used with a particular media, perform a media scratch test.

To perform a media scratch test, complete these steps:

1.Scratch the print surface of the media with a finger nail or pen cap. Press firmly and quickly while dragging it across the media surface. Direct thermal media is chemically treated to print (expose) when heat is applied. This test method uses friction heat to expose the media.

2.Did a black mark appear on the media?

If a black mark...

Then the media is...

 

 

Does not appear on the media

Thermal transfer. A ribbon is required. Your printer

 

does not support this media.

 

 

Appears on the media

Direct thermal. No ribbon is required.

 

 

Replacing Supplies

If media runs out while printing, leave the printer power on while reloading (data loss results if you turn off the printer). After you re-load media, press the Feed button to restart.

Always use high quality, approved labels and tags. If adhesive backed labels are used that don’t lay flat on the backing liner, the exposed edges may stick to the label guides and rollers inside the printer, causing the label to peel off from the liner and jam the printer.

Adjusting the Print Width

Print width must be set when:

You are using the printer for the first time.

There is a change in media width.

Print width may be set by:

The Windows printer driver or application software such as ZebraDesigner™.

The five-flash sequence in Feed Button Modes on page 96.

Controlling printer operations with ZPL programming; refer to the Print Width (^PW) command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).

Controlling printer operations with EPL Page Mode programming, refer to the Set Label Width (q) command (consult your EPL Programmer’s Guide).

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GX420d™ / GX430d™ User Guide

980611-001 Rev. C

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Zebra Technologies GX420D, GX430D manual Replacing Supplies, Adjusting the Print Width, Determining Thermal Media Types