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Troubleshooting
Printer Diagnostics
1/16/2014 ZD500 Series™ Thermal Transfer Printer User’s Guide P1062653-002 Rev. A
Print Quality Report
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 Print Quality Report (FEED self test), a series of 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).
The speed at which labels are printed during this print quality test depends on the dot density
of the printhead.
• 300 dpi printers: 7 labels are printed at the 2 ips and 6 ips print speeds.
• 203 dpi printers: 7 labels are printed at the 2 ips and 6 ips print speeds.

To perform a Print Quality Report, 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 on (I) the printer. Hold FEED until the first control
panel light turns off.
The printer prints a series of labels (Figure 1) at various speeds and at darkness settings
higher and lower than the darkness value shown on the configuration label.
Figure 1 • Print Quality Report