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Print Operations
Adjusting the Print Width
1/16/2014 ZD500 Series™ Thermal Transfer Printer User’s Guide P1062653-002 Rev. A
Adjusting the Print Width
Print width must be set when:
• You are using the printer for the first time.
• There is a change in media width.
Print width may be set by:
• The Windows printer driver or application software such as ZebraDesigner™.

• Using the control panel. Navigate as follows:

• Press the menus ‘Home’ ( ) button. Navigate to the ‘SETTINGS’ ( ) menu

button and press the ‘Select’ () button. Use the ‘Right’ () navigation arrow to

browse to ‘PRINT WIDTH’.Use the ‘Up’ () and ‘Down’ () navigation arrows to
change the print width. The print with is expressed in dots/pixels.
• Controlling printer operations with ZPL programming; refer to the Print Width (^PW)
command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).
Adjusting the Print Quality
Print quality is influenced by the heat (density) setting of the printhead, the print speed, and the
media in use. Experiment with these settings to find the optimal mix for your application. Print
quality can be set with the Zebra Setup Utility’s ‘Configure Print Quality’ routine.
The relative darkness (or density) setting can be controlled by:

• Using the control panel. Navigate as follows:

• Press the menus ‘Home’ ( ) button. Navigate to the ‘SETTINGS’ ( ) menu

button and press the ‘Select’ () button. Use the ‘Right’ () navigation arrow to

browse to ‘DARKNESS’. Use the ‘Up’ () and ‘Down’ () navigation arrows to
change the darkness setting.
• The Set Darkness (~SD) ZPL command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).
If you find that the print speed needs to be adjusted, use:
• The Windows printer driver or application software such as ZebraDesigner™.
• The Print Rate (^PR) command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).
Use the printer’s ‘Print Quality Report’ (also know as FEED Self Test) to print a range of
labels used to allow you to identify changes to print DARKNESS and SPEED settings to
optimize general print and bar code quality. See the Print Quality Report onpage 135 for
details.
Note • Media manufactures may have specific recommendations for speed settings for your
printer and the media. Some media types have lower maximum speeds than your printer’s
maximum speed.