Communicating with the Printer

Setting the Communication Parameters

When using the printer’s serial port to transfer data, you will need to make sure that the printer and the computer have identical communication parameter settings. To initialize the communication parameters for the printer:

•Press and hold the Feed button until the Error LED flashes once, then twice, then three times. Release the button. The baud rate for the printer will be reset to 9600 baud, 8 bits per character, no parity, and 1 stop bit using software handshaking (XON/XOFF). Then, set the communication parameters on your computer to match this.

•Some computer programs use different settings than the default modes (for example, computers operating in MS-DOS use hardware handshaking instead of XON/XOFF). To use different settings than the defaults and save these settings permanently, refer to your label preparation software user’s manual.

Setting Up the Software

In order to create labels, you must decide whether you will use ZPL II or a commercial label preparation system. To use ZPL II, refer to the ZPL II Programming Guide. If you choose to use a label preparation system, follow the installation instructions included in the package.

Adjusting the Print Width

Print width must be calibrated when you are using the printer for the first time and whenever there is a change in the width of the media you are using. Print width can be set via the software (consult your label preparation software user’s manual) or refer to “Feed Button Modes” in Troubleshooting.

Adjusting the Print Darkness

The relative darkness setting is software controlled. Follow the instructions in your label preparation software user’s manual.

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