Zebra Technologies Z4Mplus Cleaning Film, For 200 and 300 dpi printers:, Save-a-Printhead Cleaning Film, Ribbon Backcoating and Buildup:

Extend Printhead Life

Extend the Life of Your Printhead with Save-a-Printhead Cleaning Film

Ribbon Backcoating and Buildup: Printhead contamination from direct thermal labels or thermal transfer ribbon may occur in applications requiring high burn settings, high head pressure, high speed, or high volume. This contamination builds up on the printhead elements, creating a barrier to the heat transformation required to produce high-quality images. Contaminant buildup occurs gradually and results in poor print quality that may look like faded print or a failed print element. This buildup resists cleaning with presoaked swabs and can be difficult to remove. Follow the recommendations below to avoid contamination buildup on the printhead.

To avoid ribbon backcoating and buildup:

•Use thermal transfer ribbons that have been specially cured to provide backcoat protection for high-demand applications. These ribbons (sometimes referred to as anti-stick ribbons) also dissipate static and provide more lubrication.

•Follow the recommended Printhead Preventive Maintenance procedures.

•Use Zebra’s Save-a-Printheadcleaning film to remove printhead contamination buildup quickly and easily.

Save-a-Printhead Cleaning Film

Save-a-Printheadcleaning film is a specially coated film that removes contamination buildup without damaging the printhead. Save-a-Printheadcleaning film extends the life of your printhead, reduces maintenance downtime and the cost of replacing a printhead, and is an inexpensive, easy, and quick way to remove contaminants without removing the printhead.

Use Save-a-Printheadcleaning film when you see degrading print quality that looks like faded print or a failed print element that cannot be corrected by cleaning with the presoaked cleaning swabs.

For 200 and 300 dpi printers: Clean after every roll (1500 feet or 450 m) of thermal transfer ribbon or after every roll (500 feet or 150 m) of direct thermal labels or when CLEAN HEAD NOW appears on the liquid crystal display (LCD).

142 Z4Mplus and Z6Mplus User Guide