49
Troubleshooting
Print Quality Problems
12/8/2010 ZP 450 User Guide P1031442-001
Print Q uality Pr oblems

No print on the label.

• The media m ay not be dir ect therma l media. S ee the test procedure Determining Thermal
Media Types on page26.
• Is the media loaded correctly? Follow the instructions for Loading Roll Media onpage9
in the Getting Started section. For printing using transfer ribbon, see Printing a Test Label
on page 14.

The printed image does not look right.

• The printhead is dirty. Clean the printhead.
• The printhead is u nder temperature .
• Adjust the print darkness and/or print speed.
•Use the ^PR (speed) and ~SD (darkness) commands referenced in the ZPL
Programming Guide.
•Use the D (darkness/density) and S (speed) commands i n the EPL Programmer’s
Guide.
• Manually adjust print darkness with the six-flash sequence of Feed Button Modes
on page 56.
• The Windows printer driver or application software may change these settings and
may require a change to optimize print quality.
• The media being used is incompatible with the printer. Be sure to use the recommended
media for your application, and always use Zebra-approved labels and tags.
• The printhead has worn out. The printhead is a consumable item and will wear out due to
friction be tween the me dia and pr inthead. Us ing unappr oved media m ay shorten life or
damage your printhead. Replace the printhead.
• The platen may need cleaning or repla cement. The platen (driver) roller maybe losing
traction due to:
• Foreign objects attached to its surface,
• The rubbery smooth surface has become polished and slippery, or
• There is damage to the normally smooth and flat print surface such as box knife cuts.