Brother PT-1800 User Manual

1800

USER’S GUIDE

• Read this User’s Guide before you start using your P-touch.

• Keep this User’s Guide in a handy place for future reference.

Clear

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the P-touch 1800!
Your new P-touch will allow you to create labels and stamps for any need. Its versatility

enables you to design custom labels by choosing from a variety of frame designs and from
many characters sizes and styles. In addition, the four tape widths (1/4” (6 mm), 3/8” (9
mm), 1/2” (12 mm), and 3/4” (18 mm)) and variety of tape colors allow you to print per­sonalized labels, useful for color-coded filing. With the Stamp function, you can quickly
and easily make stamps for reusable pre-inked stamp holders.

You no longer have to worry about urgent tasks that require professional printing. In the
office, the factory, the lab and the home, the quality and performance of the P-touch
1810 makes it an extremely practical machine.

Finally, as you may want to refer to this User’s Guide occasionally, we suggest that you
keep it in a handy place.

Canadian Department of Communications Compliance Statement

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus as set out in the interference-causing equipment standard entitled
“Digital Apparatus”, ICES-003 of the Department of Communications.

Switching the language of the messages between English and French

1. Erase all of the text in the display either with or by holding down

and pressing .

Clear

2. Hold down and press to display the current language setting
(“ENGLISH” or FRANÇAIS”).

3. Keep held down and press again until the desired setting appears
in the display, then release the keys.

☞

The default setting is English.
Turning off the machine does not change the language setting.
The language cannot be changed if some text remains in the display.

1

CONTENTS

Getting Started

GENERAL DESCRIPTION..................................................................................... 2

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS ................................................................................... 4

BATTERIES........................................................................................................... 5

OPTIONAL AC ADAPTOR ..................................................................................6

TAPE CASSETTE................................................................................................... 7

ATTACHING LABELS........................................................................................... 8

PRINT HEAD & ROLLERS..................................................................................12

Learning the Ropes

DOOR LABEL EXAMPLE.................................................................................... 14

ADDRESS LABEL EXAMPLE ............................................................................... 18

For Your Information

POWER KEY ...................................................................................................... 26

CURSOR KEYS................................................................................................... 27

CODE, ALT & SHIFT KEYS................................................................................. 29

SPACE KEY ........................................................................................................32

RETURN KEY.....................................................................................................33

TAB FUNCTION................................................................................................ 34

DELETE KEY....................................................................................................... 36

LINE OUT FUNCTION ...................................................................................... 37

CLEAR FUNCTION............................................................................................ 38

ACCENT FUNCTION......................................................................................... 41

SYMBOL FUNCTION ........................................................................................ 43

AUTO FORMAT FUNCTION............................................................................. 45

STAMP FUNCTION...........................................................................................47

SIZE & WIDTH FUNCTIONS.............................................................................51

STYLE FUNCTION............................................................................................. 55

UNDERLINE FUNCTION................................................................................... 58

FONT FUNCTION............................................................................................. 59

FRAME FUNCTION...........................................................................................61

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TAPE MARGIN FUNCTION............................................................................... 63

HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT FUNCTION.......................................................... 65

MIRROR PRINTING FUNCTION.......................................................................66

LENGTH FUNCTION ........................................................................................67

PRINT KEY & FEED FUNCTION ........................................................................69

NUMBERING FUNCTION................................................................................. 70

REPEAT PRINTING FUNCTION......................................................................... 72

MEMORY FUNCTIONS.....................................................................................74

TROUBLESHOOTING.......................................................................................78

ERROR MESSAGE LIST ......................................................................................79

SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................................... 83

ACCESSORIES.................................................................................................... 84

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Getting Started

1

TOP VIEW

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Keyboard

BOTTOM VIEW

Tape cutter lever

Tape compartment
cover

AC adaptor
connector

LCD display

Tape exit slot

Battery compartment cover

2

KEYBOARD & LCD DISPLAY

Mirror

Print

Font Size Width Style Underline Frame

!

@

¡

12

Tab

QWERTYUI OP

Symbol Accent

ASDFGHJKL

Alt

Caps

Shift

Font 1 Font 2

#

$

3456

Tab Length

Tape

Align

ZXCVBNM

Code

Ç

Feed

Space

Power key

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

On

Memory

%

Store Recall M.Del

¢

&

7890

Length

A.Format

ç

()

*

Stamp Repeat Number

üí

¿

éú

Ñ

ñ

Home

End

Line out Clear

ó

á

/

?

,

-'

.

Off

Del

:
;

"

Return key

Cursor keys

Delete key

3

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have the
mark.

• Do not pull on the tape being fed from the P-Touch. This may damage the tape cas-

sette.

• Do not use the machine in dusty places, and keep it out of both direct sunlight and

rain.

• Do not expose the machine to high temperatures or high humidity. Never leave it on

the dashboard or in the back of your car.

• Do not leave any rubber or vinyl on the machine for an extended period of time.

Doing so may cause staining.

• Do not clean the machine with alcohol or other organic solvents. Use a soft, dry

cloth only.

• Do not put any foreign objects into or anything on the machine.

• To avoid injuries, do not touch the cutter’s edge.

• Use only the AC adaptor (model AD-60) designed exclusively for this machine. Use

of any other adaptor will void the warranty.

• Do not try to disassemble the AC adaptor.

• When the machine is not being used for a long period of time and it is not necessary

to keep the text files stored in the memory, disconnect the AC adaptor, and remove
the batteries to prevent them from leaking and damaging the machine.

• When the AC adaptor is connected, unplugging the adaptor from the electrical outlet

before unplugging it from the machine can delete all text files in the memory, even if
batteries are installed.

• Use six AA alkaline batteries in this machine.

4

BATTERIES

This lightweight and portable machine can be used anywhere by installing six (6) AA

alkaline batteries

time.

To change the batteries:

1

Remove the battery compartment cover on the back of the machine.

2

If batteries are already installed, remove them.

3

Insert six new AA alkaline batteries, making sure that they face the correct direction.

4

Attach the battery compartment cover.

☞

. When you change the batteries, always replace all six at the same

Be sure to insert the new batteries within five minutes of removing the old
ones, otherwise the text shown in the display and any text files stored in the
memory will be lost (unless the machine is plugged into an AC outlet with
the AC adaptor).

Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adaptor if you do not intend to
use this machine for an extended period of time. When the power is discon­nected, all text shown in the display and stored in the memory will be lost.

If alkaline batteries are not used, large fonts cannot be printed.

5

OPTIONAL AC ADAPTOR

The AC adaptor (model AD-60) allows you to use this machine wherever there is an elec­trical outlet.

To connect the optional AC adaptor:

1

Insert the plug on the adaptor cord into the connector marked DC IN 9.5V on the
right side of the machine.

2

Insert the plug on the adaptor into the nearest standard electrical outlet.

☞

Only use the AC adaptor designed exclusively for this machine.
Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adaptor if you do not intend to

use this machine for an extended period of time. When the power is discon­nected, all text shown in the display and stored in the memory will be lost.

When the AC adaptor is connected, unplugging the adaptor from the electri­cal outlet before unplugging it from the machine can delete all text files in
the memory, even if batteries are installed.

It is recommended that you use the AC adaptor when printing large fonts on
3/4

″

(18-mm)-wide tape since this operation can quickly drain the batteries.

6

TAPE CASSETTE

A single TZ tape cassette is supplied with this unit. However, since TZ tape cassettes are
available for this machine in a wide variety of colors and sizes, it is possible to make dis­tinctive color-coded and stylized labels.

In addition, this machine has been designed to allow you to change the tape cassettes
quickly and easily.

To change the tape cassette:

Lift open the tape compartment cover. The installed cassette is also released.

1
2

If a tape cassette is already installed, remove it by pulling it straight up.

3

If the ink ribbon in the other tape cassette is loose, use your finger to wind the
toothed wheel in the direction of the arrow on the cassette until there is no slack in
the ribbon. Also, make sure that the end of the tape feeds under the tape guides.

☞

If you are using a new tape cassette provided with a stopper, be sure to
remove the stopper.

4

Insert the tape cassette firmly into the tape compartment, making sure that the entire
back of the cassette touches the bottom of the compartment.

☞

When inserting the tape cassette, make sure that the inner ribbon does not
catch on the corner of the metal guide.

5

Close the compartment cover, then turn on the machine if it is off.

Hold down and press once to advance the tape and remove any

6

slack.

7

Push down on the tape cutter lever to cut off any excess tape.

Feed

7

ABCDEF

ATTACHING LABELS

LAMINATED TAPE

The enclosed stick enables you to easily remove the backing from labels printed on lami­nated tapes.

1

Hold the tape in your left hand, with the printed surface facing up, and hold the
stick in your right hand.

2

Pass the tape halfway through the long narrow hole in the stick.
Turn the stick three-quarters of a turn towards you and pull the stick away from you

3

as shown below.

4

Peel off the label backing.

GH

ABCDEF

NON-LAMINATED TAPE

Labels printed on non-laminated tapes can be folded in half so that the inside edges of the
two backing pieces come off the label, enabling the backing to easily be peeled off.

8

INSTANT-LETTERING TAPE (RUB-ON TRANSFERS)

Instant-lettering tape is used to transfer your text onto paper. After printing the text onto
instant-lettering tape and cutting off the label, position the label on a sheet of paper. By
simply rubbing the instant lettering tape’s non-printed side with the enclosed stick, you
can transfer the text directly onto the paper.

☞

Hold the tape very firmly and do not move it while rubbing the tape.

ABC

IRON-ON TRANSFER TAPE

Iron-on transfer tape is used to transfer your text onto garments using an iron.

Mirror

1 Insert an iron-on transfer tape cassette, press to print the text, then push

down on the tape cutter lever to cut off the label.

2 Iron the garment to flatten it before transferring the text.
3 Place the label on the garment at the location where you wish the text to be trans-

ferred.

4 Set the iron to cotton (300 to 350˚F or 150 to 180˚C), then press down on the label

with the iron for about 15 seconds.

5 Allow the iron-on transfer to cool (for about 60 seconds), then carefully remove the

backing tape.

P-TOUCH

9

☞

White garments made from 100% cotton with a plain (smooth) surface are best for
iron-on transfers.
You can also make transfers to garments made from 100% linen or cotton and
polyester mix as long as they have a plain (smooth) surface.

The label will not adhere properly to any cloth with a rough surface, such as pile
or denim, or with a waterproof surface. Heat-sensitive materials, such as nylon,
acetate or other similar fibers, are also unsuitable as they may be damaged when
pressing with an iron at a high temperature.

Do not move the iron while pressing. The label may move out of the desired posi­tion. Press the iron vertically down onto the cloth.

After the backing tape has been removed, the transferred label may appear glossy.
In addition, some white spots may have appeared on the label if it was touched
while the backing tape was peeled off. These can be removed by ironing over the
label with a piece of cloth placed between the label and the iron.

The label will have a white background on colored cloth.
Since the transferred label cannot be removed once it is applied, make all transfers

with care.

Washing:

Garments with transfer labels can be washed over 20 times if the label has been trans­ferred correctly. Normal biological and non-biological household detergents may be
used.

The label may become discolored if the garment is placed in bleach for an extended
length of time.

Be careful that hard objects such as buckles or buttons do not come into contact with the
label during the wash.

Do not dry clean garments which have had transfer labels applied.

Drying:

Garments with transfer labels may be dried either inside or outside out.
Do not tumble dry. The transfers will come off and may stick to other items of clothing.

10

Ironing:

Iron garments with transfers using normal temperature settings.
Be sure to place a piece of cloth between the iron and the label when you iron over it to

prevent the label from sticking to the iron.

P-TOUCH

The labels are non-toxic, however, please maintain the usual precautions, such as not
placing them in your mouth, etc.

Do not store the tape cassette in areas exposed to direct sunlight, high humidity or dust.

FABRIC TAPE

Fabric tape is used to attach a piece of fabric printed with your text onto garments using
an iron. After printing the text onto fabric tape and cutting off the label using scissors,
place the label on an ironed garment at the location where you wish to attach it in such a
way that the printed text can be read correctly. Cover the label with another piece of
cloth and use an iron set to a medium-high temperature (320 to 356 ˚F (160 to 180 ˚C)) to
press down firmly for 10 to 15 seconds. For more details, refer to the instructions
included with the fabric tape cassette.

STAMP TAPE

Refer to pages 47 through 50 for a detailed explanation on using the stamp tape to make
stamps.

11

PRINT HEAD & ROLLERS

Occasionally, specks of dust or dirt become attached to the machine’s print head and
rollers. This is particularly likely when you are using the unit outdoors or in a very dusty
environment. If a section of the print head is covered with dust, a blank horizontal streak
may appear through the label text. Therefore, as with a tape recorder, the machine’s head
may need to be cleaned from time to time.

To clean the print head and rollers:

1

Turn off the machine.

2 Open the tape compartment cover, then remove the tape cassette if one is installed.

The print head and rollers are located in the tape compartment.

3 Print head: Use a dry cotton swab to gently wipe the print head with an up-and-

down motion.
Rollers: Use a dry cotton swab to wipe each roller with an up-and-down motion
while rotating them with your finger.

4 Install a tape cassette, close the tape compartment cover, and then try printing

again.

5 If dust still remains, repeat steps 3 and 4 using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl

(rubbing) alcohol.

If none of the above works, contact your service representative.

12

Print head

Rollers

Print head

Cotton swab

Learning

the Ropes

13

DOOR LABEL EXAMPLE

After you have inserted the batteries and the enclosed tape cassette as explained in the

Getting Started

We must first begin by turning on the power to the machine.

chapter, let’s practice using some of the basic functions of your P-touch.

To turn on the machine:

1 Press in the top right-

hand corner of the keyboard.

Alt

ABCDEFGHIJKL

Caps

1: _

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

The underline in the LCD display is called the “cursor”. It is like a pointer which shows
your current position and lets you select characters in your text.

The text you create may sometimes be longer than the 11 characters that the LCD display
can show at one time. Therefore, the cursor can be moved to show other parts of the text.

Pressing the left cursor key ( ) moves the cursor to the left so that the left side of the
text can be seen and pressing the right cursor key ( ) moves the cursor to the right

so that the right side of the text can be seen.
Some format settings are shown by the triangular and square indicators around the edge

of the display. The default settings (the selected settings when the power is turned on for
the very first time) have been pre-programmed into the machine and represent the most
common settings for labels. However, you can design your own label to have any format
that you wish. Detailed explanations of the formats can be found on pages 66 through 68.

Now, let’s enter the text for our first example, the simple door label shown below.

☞

The label in this example was made using the enclosed 1/2″ (12-mm)-wide tape.

14

ENTERING THE TEXT

Since all of the text will be in capital letters, we will use the Caps mode, which allows us

to type capital letters continuously without holding down .

Caps

To enter Caps mode:

2 Hold down and press

Caps

once. The Caps indicator

on the left side of the display
lights up.

Alt

ABCDEFGHIJKL

Caps

1: _

Font 1 Font 2

Then, let’s type in the text in the same way that you would type on a typewriter or a com­puter keyboard.

To type in “MEETING”:

Tape

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

3 Press once and

twice, then press , ,

Length Repeat

and once each.

All letters are automatically

☞

entered as capital letters.

Alt

ABCDEFGHIJKL

Caps

1:

MEETING_

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

Also like on a typewriter or computer keyboard, the Space key ( ) allows you to

Feed

add blank spaces to the text.

☞

The Space key ( ) is different from the right cursor key ( ), which
moves the cursor through the entered text without

Feed

adding blank spaces.

15

To add a space:

Feed

4 Press .

Alt

ABCDEFGHIJKL

Caps

1: MEETING _

Font 1 Font 2

Type the second word, “ROOM”, to finish the text.

To type in “ROOM”:

Align

Number

5 Press once, twice,

then

☞

Now that we are finished entering capital letters, we can exit Caps mode.

To exit Caps mode:

once.

Since the text is longer than the
LCD display, “ME” moves off the
display to the left.

Alt

ABCDEFGHIJKL

Caps

1: ETING ROOM_

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

Length
Underline
Frame

6 Hold down and press

Caps

once. The Caps indicator

goes off.

Alt

ABCDEFGHIJKL

Caps

1: ETING ROOM_

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Once you have entered the text, you can easily edit it by correcting mistakes or simply adjust­ing it or its format. For detailed explanations of text editing methods, see pages 36 to 40.

16

Length
Underline
Frame

PRINTING THE TEXT

Several format settings are available, however, in this example we will use the default set­tings pre-programmed into the machine and print out our label.

To print the door label:

Mirror

7 Press once. The message

“COPIES 1/1” appears while the
label is being printed.

Alt

COPIES

Caps

1/ 1

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

To cut off the door label:

8 Push down on the tape cutter

lever.

17

ADDRESS LABEL EXAMPLE

While making the multi-line address label in this example, we will learn how to create
more decorative labels using the various format settings.

☞

Three-line labels, such as this address label, can only be printed on either 1/2”
(12-mm)- or 3/4” (18-mm)-wide tape.

Before entering the new text, we must first erase the text shown in the display from the
previous time that the machine was used. When clearing the display, we can choose
whether to erase all of the text and return all format functions (Font, Size, Width, Style,
Underline, Frame, Tape margin, Alignment, and Length) to their default settings or just to
erase the text.

To erase all of the text and reset the format functions:

1 Hold down and press

Clear

once.

2 Press or until

18

Home

TEXT&FORMATS is selected,
and then press .

Auto

Alt

TEXT&FORMATS

Caps

TEXT ONLY

Font 1 Font 2

End

Alt

ABCDEFGHIJKL

Caps

1: _

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

Length
Underline
Frame

ENTERING THE TEXT

Feed

Let’s begin by typing in the first row of text, the name “Bill Reynolds”.

To type in “Bill Reynolds”:

Caps

3 Hold down and press

once, then release . Press

Caps

Repeat

once, then twice.

Alt

OK TO

Caps

1: Bill_

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

4 Press .

Alt

OK TO

Caps

1: Bill _

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

5 Type in “Reynolds”.

☞

Again, the text is longer than the
LCD display. So “Bil” moves off
the display to the left.

Alt

OK TO

Caps

1: 1 Reynolds_

Font 1 Font 2

In a multi-line label, the return key ( ) is used to end one line and start the next

one. The return mark ( ) indicates the end of the line.

To end the first line and begin another one:

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

6 Press .

Auto

Alt

1: Bill Reynol

Caps

2: _

Font 1 Font 2

Length
Underline
Frame

19

Now, we can enter the address: 29 South Main St.; Los Angeles, CA 88888.

To type in the address:

7 Type “29 South Main St.”, then

press .

Alt

2: 29 South Ma

Caps

3: _

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

8 Type “Los Angeles, CA 88888”.

Auto

Alt

2: in St.

Caps

3: , CA 88888

Font 1 Font 2

Length
Underline
Frame

FORMATTING THE TEXT

Now the text has been entered as we wish. If it were printed, the standard default settings
would be used. The text would be aligned on the left side with 1 1/24″ (25 mm) margins
and would not be framed or underlined. In addition, the characters would be auto-sized
(Auto) and printed using the HELSINKI font (Font1) and NORMAL style settings. For more
details concerning format settings, please see pages 51 and 65.

For this label, though, let’s assume we want a different style of text: BRUSSELS font
(Font2), framed, and printed with NARROW (1/6” (4 mm)) tape margins. Therefore, we
must change the format.

To select the BRUSSELS font setting:

9 While holding down ,

Font

press once, and keep

Á

held down to display the

current font setting.

Alt

FONT

Caps

HELSINKI

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

20

0 While still holding down

, continue pressing

Font

until BRUSSELS is dis-

Á

played, and then release

Alt

Caps

Font 1 Font 2

.

To select the ROUND frame setting:

A While holding down ,

Frame

press once, and keep

held down to display the

current frame setting.

Alt

Caps

Font 1 Font 2

B While still holding down ,

continue pressing until
ROUND is displayed, and then

release .

To select the NARROW tape margin setting:

Frame

Alt

Caps

Font 1 Font 2

C While holding down ,

Tape

press once, and keep

held down to display the

current tape margin setting.

Alt

Caps

Font 1 Font 2

D While still holding down

, continue pressing

until NARROW is displayed, and
then release .

Tape

Alt

Caps

Font 1 Font 2

FONT
BRUSSELS

FRAME
OFF

FRAME
ROUND

FEED
FULL

FEED
NARROW

Auto

Auto

Auto

Auto

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

Length
Underline
Frame

Length
Underline
Frame

Length
Underline
Frame

Length
Underline
Frame

21

Different format settings can be chosen either before or after the text is entered. The pro­cedure shown above can be used to change the other format settings.

PRINTING THE TEXT

Mirror

If we want only one copy of the text, we could just press to print it. However,
let’s assume that we have three letters onto which we wish to attach address labels.
Therefore, we need to print three copies of the same text.

To print three copies of the label:

E Hold down and press

Repeat

once.

Width

Alt

COPIES

Caps

UNTIL 1–9?

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

F Press .

Auto

Alt

COPIES

Caps

UNTIL 3

Font 1 Font 2

Length
Underline
Frame

G Press . The number of each copy is displayed while it is being

printed.

22

Alt

COPIES

Caps

2/ 3

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

Alt

COPIES

Caps

1/ 3

Font 1 Font 2

Alt

COPIES

Caps

3/ 3

Font 1 Font 2

Auto

Auto

Length
Underline
Frame

Length
Underline
Frame

H Push down on the tape cutter lever to cut the tape, then use scissors to cut

along the cutting guide to separate the labels.

✂

With these examples, we have covered many of the basic features of your P-touch so that
you can begin creating your own customized labels. If you have any questions about any
of the functions or keys, refer to the appropriate explanation in the following section.

✂

23

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