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Print Operations
Types of Media
1/16/2014 ZD500 Series™ Thermal Transfer Printer User’s Guide P1062653-002 Rev. A

Setting the Thermal Print Method

The ZD500 Series™ printer has been designed to print in direct thermal and thermal transfer
modes. Press the menus ‘Home’ ( ) button. Navigate to the ‘SENSORS’ ( ) menu button
and press the ‘Select’ () button. Use the ‘Left’ () and ‘Right’ () navigation arrows to
browse to the ‘PRINT METHOD’. Use the Up () and Down () arrows to select DIRECT
THERMAL or THERMAL TRANS (transfer) media.
Types of Media
Your printer can use various types of media:
•Standard media—Most standard (non-continuous) media uses an adhesive backing that
sticks individual labels or a continuous length of labels to a liner.
•Continuous roll media—Most continuous roll media is direct thermal media (similar to
FAX paper) and is used for receipt or ticket style printing.
•Tag s toc k—Tags are usually made from a heavy paper (up to 0.0075in./0.19mm thick).
Tag stock does not have adhesive or a liner, and it is typically perforated between tags.
For more information on basic media types, see Table 1 5.
The printer typically uses roll media, but you can use fan-fold or other continuous media too.
Use the correct media for the type of printing you require. When printing without a ribbon, you
must use direct thermal media. When using ribbon, you must use thermal transfer media.

Determining Thermal Media Types

Thermal transfer media requires ribbon for printing while direct thermal media does not.
Todetermine if ribbon must be used with a particular media, perform a media scr atch test.
To perform a media scratch test, complete these steps:
1. Scratch the print surface of the media with a finger nail or pen cap. Press firmly and
quickly while dragging it across the media surface. Direct thermal media is chemically
treated to print (expose) when heat is applied. This test method uses friction heat to expose
the media.
2. Did a black mark appear on the media?
Important • Zebra strongly recommends the use of Zebra-brand supplies for continuous
high-quality printing. A wide range of paper, polypropylene, polyester, and vinyl stock has
been specifically engineered to enhance the printing capabilities of the printer and to prevent
premature printhead wear. To purchase supplies, go to http://www.zebra.com/howtobuy.
Note - Zebra does not offer RFID media for sale at this time.
If a black mark... Then the media is...
Does not appear on the media Thermal transfer. A ribbon is required.
Appears on the media Direct thermal. No ribbon is required.