Print Operations
Thermal Printing
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P1031442-001 ZP 450 User Guide 12/8/2010
Thermal Printing
You must use the correct media for the type of printing you require. You must use direct
thermal media.
Long Term Printer In-activity or Storage
Overtime the printhead may stick to the platen (drive) roller. To prevent this, always store the
printer wit h a piece of me dia (a label o r paper) bet ween the pri nthead and platen roller. D o not
ship the printer with a roll of media installed or damage to the printer or media may result.
Replacing S upplies
If labels run out while printing, leave the printer power on while reloading (data loss results if
you turn off the printer).
Always use high quality, approved labels and tags. If adhesive backed labels are used that
don’t lay flat on the backing liner, the exposed edges may stick to the label guides and rollers
inside the printer, causing the label to peel off from the liner and jam the printer.

Determining Thermal Media Types

Your printer must use heat sensitive direct thermal media to print. Some types of media require
thermal transfer ribbon or other t echnologies to print on media. These media and print
methods are not supported by your printer.

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 drag it a cross the media surface. Direct th ermal media is chemically trea ted to
print (expos e) when he at is applie d. This tes t uses fri ction heat t o expose th e media.
2. Did a black mark appear on the media?
Caution • The printhead becomes hot while printing. To protect from damaging the
printhead and risk of personal injury, avoid touching the printhead. Use only the cleaning pen
to perform maintenance.
Caution • The discharge of electrostatic energy that accumulates on the surface of the
human body or other surfaces can damage or destroy the printhead or electronic
components used in this device. You must observe static-safe procedures when working with
the printhead or the electronic components under the top cover.
If a black mark... Then the media is...
Does not appear on the media Thermal transfer. A ribbon is required. Your printer
does not support this media.
Appears on t he media Direct thermal. No r ibbon is re quired.