102Troubleshooting Printer Diagnostics

 

Table 20 • Judging Bar Code Quality

 

 

Print Quality

Description

 

 

Too dark

Labels that are too dark are fairly obvious. They may be

 

readable but not “in-spec.”

 

• The normal bar code bars increase in size.

 

• The openings in small alphanumeric characters may fill in

 

with ink.

 

• Rotated bar code bars and spaces run together.

 

 

Slightly dark

Slightly dark labels are not as obvious.

 

• The normal bar code will be “in-spec.”

 

• Small character alpha numerics will be bold and could be

 

slightly filled in.

 

• The rotated bar code spaces are small when compared to

 

the “in-spec” code, possibly making the code unreadable.

 

 

“In-spec”

The “in-spec” bar code can only be confirmed by a verifier,

 

but it should exhibit some visible characteristics.

 

• The normal bar code will have complete, even bars and

 

clear, distinct spaces.

 

• The rotated bar code will have complete, even bars and

 

clear, distinct spaces. Although it may not look as good as a

 

slightly dark bar code, the bar code will be “in-spec.”

 

• In both normal and rotated styles, small alphanumeric

 

characters look complete.

 

 

Slightly light

Slightly light labels are, in some cases, preferred to slightly

 

dark ones for “in-spec” bar codes.

 

• Both normal and rotated bar codes will be in spec, but

 

small alphanumeric characters may not be complete.

 

 

Too light

Labels that are too light are obvious.

•Both normal and rotated bar codes have incomplete bars and spaces.

•Small alphanumeric characters are unreadable.

5.Note the relative darkness value and the print speed printed on the best test label.

6.Add or subtract the relative darkness value from the darkness value specified on the configuration label. The resulting numeric value is the best darkness value for that specific label/ribbon combination and print speed.

7.If necessary, change the darkness value to the darkness value on the best test label. See Adjust Print Darkness on page 60.

8.If necessary, change the print speed to the same speed as on the best test label. See Adjust Print Speed on page 63.

13290L-001 Rev. A

S4M User Guide

10/21/05