Troubleshooting 91

Print Quality Problems

Table 16 • Print Quality Problems (Continued)

Problem

Possible Cause

Recommended Solution

 

 

 

Wrinkled ribbon

Ribbon fed through the

See Load Ribbon on page 41.

 

machine incorrectly.

 

 

 

 

 

Incorrect burn temperature.

Set the darkness to the lowest possible setting for

 

 

good print quality. See Adjust Print Darkness

 

 

on page 60.

 

 

 

 

Incorrect or uneven pressure.

Set the pressure to the minimum needed for good

 

 

print quality.

 

 

 

 

Media not feeding properly;

Make sure that media is snug by adjusting the

 

“walking” from side to side.

media guide, or call a service technician.

 

 

 

 

The strip plate needs adjusting.

Call a service technician.

 

 

 

 

The printhead needs vertical

Call a service technician.

 

adjustment.

 

 

 

 

 

The printhead and platen roller

Call a service technician.

 

need to be realigned.

 

 

 

 

Long tracks of

Print element damaged.

Call a service technician.

missing print on

 

 

several labels

 

 

Wrinkled ribbon.

See wrinkled ribbon causes and solutions in this

 

 

 

table.

 

 

 

Fine, angular gray

Wrinkled ribbon.

See wrinkled ribbon causes and solutions in this

lines on blank labels

 

table.

 

 

 

Printing too light or

Media or ribbon is not designed

Replace supplies with those recommended for

too dark over the

for high-speed operation.

high-speed operation.

entire label

 

 

Incorrect or uneven printhead

Set the pressure to the minimum needed. See

 

 

pressure.

Adjust Printhead Pressure on page 49.

 

 

 

Smudge marks on

Media or ribbon not designed

Replace supplies with those recommended for

labels

for high-speed operation.

high-speed operation.

 

 

 

Misregistration/skips

Media sensor not positioned

Perform media sensor position adjustment.

labels

correctly.

 

 

 

 

 

The printer is not calibrated.

Recalibrate the printer.

 

 

 

 

Improper label format.

Use correct label format.

 

 

 

Misregistration and

Media sensor is not positioned

Place media sensor in proper position.

misprint of one to

correctly.

 

three labels

 

 

The platen roller is dirty.

See Clean the Printhead and Platen Roller

 

 

 

on page 79.

 

 

 

 

Media does not meet

Use media that meets specifications.

 

specifications.

 

 

 

 

10/21/05

S4M User Guide

13290L-001 Rev. A