100Troubleshooting Printer Diagnostics

FEED Self Test

Different types of media may require different darkness settings. This section contains a simple but effective method for determining the ideal darkness for printing bar codes that are within specifications.

During the FEED self test, labels are printed at different darkness settings at two different print speeds. The relative darkness and the print speed are printed on each label. The bar codes on these labels may be ANSI-graded to check print quality.

During this test, one set of labels is printed at 2 ips, and another set is printed at 6 ips. The darkness value starts at three settings lower than the printer’s current darkness value (relative darkness of –3) and increase until the darkness is three settings higher than the current darkness value (relative darkness of +3).

To perform a FEED self test, complete these steps:

1.Print a configuration label to show the printer’s current settings.

2.Turn Off (O) the printer.

3.Press and hold FEED while turning the power On (I). Hold FEED until the first control panel light turns off.

The printer prints a series of labels (Figure 31) at various speeds and at darkness settings higher and lower than the darkness value shown on the configuration label.

Figure 31 • FEED Test Label

13290L-001 Rev. A

S4M User Guide

10/21/05