Print Quality Problems | Zebra Technologies TLP 3844-Z instruction

Print Quality Problems

No print on the label.

■You must use the correct media for the method of printing you require. When printing without a ribbon, you must use direct thermal media. When using ribbon, you must use thermal transfer media. The printer's ribbon sensor detects motion of the supply spindle.

■Is the media loaded correctly? Follow the instructions in “Loading the Media” on page 9.

The printed image does not look right.

■The print head is dirty. Clean the print head according to the instructions on page 27.

■The print head is under temperature.

■Adjust the print darkness and/or print speed. Refer to the six-flash sequence in “Feed Button Modes” on page 43, or the ^PR and ~SD commands in the ZPL II Programming Guide.

■The media being used is incompatible with the printer. Be sure to use the recommended media for your application, and always use Zebra-approved labels and tags.

There are long tracks of missing print (blank vertical lines) on several labels.

■The print head is dirty. Clean the print head according to the instructions on page 27.

■The print head elements are damaged. Replace the print head (see “Replacing the Print Head” on page 31).

The ribbon sensor settings did not print.

■The printer is set for direct thermal printing; use the ^XA^MTT^XZ command to reset the printer for thermal transfer printing and calibrate again.

38	980441-001 Rev. A

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Zebra Technologies TLP 3844-Z manual Print Quality Problems, No print on the label, Printed image does not look right

Contents

Users Guide Thermal Printers 980441-001 Rev. a Proprietary Statement Media and Ribbon BatteryShock Hazard Static Discharge Contents Operation & Options Universal Serial Bus USB Connector 980441-001 Rev. a Introduction Hello What’s in the Box? Inspecting the Printer Opening the printer Inspecting the Printer Closing the printer Related Documentation Reporting Damage Getting Started Modes of Printing Attaching Power Supply Loading Roll Media Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment Adjusting the Guides Install the Take-Up Core Install the Ribbon Supply RollLoading Ribbon Attach and Tighten the Ribbon Auto Calibration Feed Button Power SwitchOperator Controls Status Light Printing a Test Printout Hooking Up the Printer and Computer Interface Cable Requirements Ethernet Interface Requirements USB Interface RequirementsParallel Interface Requirements Serial Interface Requirements Parallel Communications Communicating with the PrinterUniversal Serial Bus USB Communications Internal ZebraNet PrintServer Iitm Communications SC Command Defaulting the Serial Parameters Adjusting the Print Darkness Adjusting the Print WidthAdjusting the Print Speed Operation & Options Thermal Printing Adding a New Transfer Ribbon Replacing SuppliesReplacing a Partially Used Transfer Ribbon Printing in Peel-Mode Printing on Fan-Fold Media Using the Cutter Option 980441-001 Rev. a Maintenance Cleaning Print Head Considerations Cleaning Card ConsiderationsMedia Path Considerations Lubrication Platen Considerations Replacing the Platen AssemblyRemoval Replacing the Print Head Thermal-Transfer TLP Model Removal Assembly 980441-001 Rev. a Printer is not receiving power TroubleshootingResolutions Printer is on and in an idle state Printer is receiving data Printer has failed its power on self test PostThere is a shortage of memory Either the media or ribbon is out Print head is over temperature Print head is under temperatureFlash memory is not programmed No print on the label Print Quality ProblemsRibbon sensor settings did not print Printed image does not look right Label format was sent to, but not recognized by, the printer Manual Calibration Printing a Configuration Label Troubleshooting TestsRecalibration Resetting the Factory Default Values Communications Diagnostics Power Off Mode Communications Diagnostics Mode Feed Button Modes 980441-001 Rev. a Printing Specifications SpecificationsPhysical Specifications Appendix Media Specifications Ribbon Specifications for TLP model Font/Code Specifications Zebra Programming Language ZPL Agency Approvals Options Universal Serial Bus USB Connector Interfaces Parallel Interface Pin No Description Looking into the Printer’s RJ-45 Modular Connector ZebraNet PrintServer II for Ethernet Networks Serial RS-232 Connector Connecting the Printer to a DTE Device 980441-001 Rev. a Index Cable calibration Quality problems Voltage Page