Brother QL-500A User Manual

www.brother.com

Contents.............................................................................................................................................. i

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 1

General Precautions .......................................................................................................................... 1

QL-500/550.................................................................................................................................. 1

DK Rolls (DK Die-cut Labels and DK Continuous Tape) ............................................................. 2

CD-ROM & Software ................................................................................................................... 3

AC power cord ............................................................................................................................. 3

Cutter unit ....................................................................................................................................3

Symbols Used in this Guide ...............................................................................................................3

GETTING STARTED ......................................................................................... 4

Unpacking Your QL-500/550.............................................................................................................. 4

QL-500/550 Components................................................................................................................... 5

QL-500/550 Label Printer ............................................................................................................ 5

Button descriptions ......................................................................................................................6

LED Lamp.................................................................................................................................... 6

Connecting to the Power Supply........................................................................................................ 7

Installing the DK Roll.......................................................................................................................... 8

Available supplies ........................................................................................................................ 8

Installing the DK Roll ................................................................................................................... 8

Installing the Paper Guide.................................................................................................................. 9

z CONTENTS

INSTALLING SOFTWARE ............................................................................... 10

Software Overview ...........................................................................................................................10

Software and Compatible Operating Systems .................................................................................10

Installation Precautions ....................................................................................................................10

Installing the Software...................................................................................................................... 11

Uninstalling Software ....................................................................................................................... 24

Uninstalling P-touch Editor Version 4.1 .....................................................................................24

Uninstalling the Printer Driver .................................................................................................... 25

Connecting the QL-500/550 to Multiple Computers ......................................................................... 26

Using the QL-500/550 as a Shared Printer................................................................................ 26

Using the PS-9000 Print Server................................................................................................. 26

CREATING LABELS ........................................................................................ 27

Overview ..........................................................................................................................................27

Starting P-touch Editor .....................................................................................................................29

Using P-touch Editor ........................................................................................................................30

Layout Window ..........................................................................................................................30

Creating an Address Label ........................................................................................................31

Printing the Label....................................................................................................................... 32

Saving the Label ........................................................................................................................33

Opening an Existing Label File ..................................................................................................33

Contents

CONTENTS

Creating Bar Code Labels ......................................................................................................... 34

Creating Other Types of Labels................................................................................................. 36

Using Help .................................................................................................................................37

The Label List................................................................................................................................... 39

How the Label List works........................................................................................................... 39

Views .........................................................................................................................................39

Using the Label List ...................................................................................................................40

Creating Labels Using a Layout Style and Data from the Label List ......................................... 42

Using P-touch Editor with Other Applications .................................................................................. 46

Add-In Utility .............................................................................................................................. 46

Microsoft Word........................................................................................................................... 47

Microsoft Excel ..........................................................................................................................49

Microsoft Outlook....................................................................................................................... 51

Using a Database ......................................................................................................................53

APPENDIX ....................................................................................................... 57

Maintenance..................................................................................................................................... 57

Cleaning the Print Head............................................................................................................. 57

Cleaning the Roller ....................................................................................................................57

Changing Cutter Unit .................................................................................................................59

Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................... 60

What to do when........................................................................................................................ 60

Specifications ...................................................................................................................................61

QL-500 / QL-550........................................................................................................................ 61

Operating Environment.............................................................................................................. 61

Index ................................................................................................................................................ 62

Contents

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on purchasing the QL-500/550. Your new QL-500/550 is a label printer that connects to your personal computer, enabling you to quickly and easily print professional custom labels that you have created on your personal computer using the label editing software provided.

We strongly recommend that you read this User’s Guide carefully before using your QL-500/550, and then keep it nearby for future reference.

z INTRODUCTION

General Precautions

QL-500/550

• The QL-500/550 is a precision machine. Do not drop, hit or otherwise bang the QL-500/550.

• Do not grab and lift the QL-500/550 by the DK Roll compartment cover. The cover could come off

and the QL-500/550 could fall and become damaged.

• The QL-500/550 may malfunction if left near a television, radio, etc. Do not use the QL-500/550

near any machine that can cause electromagnetic interference.

• Do not expose the QL-500/550 to direct sunlight.

• Do not place or store the QL-500/550 near heaters or other hot appliances, in any location

exposed to extremely high or low temperatures, high humidity or dusty locations. Doing so could cause the machine to malfunction.

• Do not use paint thinner, benzene, alcohol or any other organic solvents to clean the QL-500/550.

Doing so may cause damage to the surface finish. Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the QL-500/550.

• Do not place any heavy objects or objects containing water on top of the QL-500/550. If water or

any foreign object enters the QL-500/550, contact the retail outlet where the QL-500/550 was purchased or your local authorized service center. If you continue to use the QL-500/550 with water or a foreign object in the QL-500/550, the QL-500/550 may be damaged or personal injury could result.

• Do not touch the cutter. Personal injury could result. Take special care when changing the cutter

unit.

• Do not insert any objects into or block the label output slot, or USB port.

• Do not place any metal parts near the print head. The print head becomes very hot during use

and remains very hot immediately after use. Do not touch it directly with your hands.

• Use only the interface cable (USB cable) included with the QL-500/550.

General Precautions

INTRODUCTION

• Use only genuine Brother accessories and supplies. Do not use any unauthorized accessories or

supplies.

• When using the QL-500/550, place it on a stationary, level location.

• Use only the authorized power source for the QL-500/550.

• When not in use for an extended period, remove the DK Roll from the QL-500/550.

• Never disassemble the QL-500/550 or get it wet with water to avoid possible fire or electrical

shock. Do not remove the power cord from nor insert it into the electrical outlet with wet hands. Doing so could cause an electrical shock or fire.

• Do not attempt to print labels while the DK Roll compartment cover is open.

DK Rolls (DK Die-cut Labels and DK Continuous Tape)

• Use only Brother DK Die-cut Labels or Brother DK Continuous Tapes with this machine. Do not

use any DK Roll that does not have the mark.

• If the label is attached to a wet, dirty, or oily surface, it may peel off easily. Before applying the

label, clean the surface to which the label will be applied.

• Depending on the environmental conditions and the material, condition, roughness, and shape of

the applying surface, part of the tape may not adhere properly or the label may peel off.

• In order to test the adhesive strength of the label or before using the label where safety is a

particular concern, test the label by affixing a small piece of it to an inconspicuous area of the intended surface.

• If the label is used outdoors, ultraviolet rays, wind, and rain may cause the color of the label to

fade and the ends of the label to peel off.

• Do not expose the DK Rolls to direct sunlight, high temperatures, high humidity, or dust. Store in

a cool, dark place. Use the DK Rolls soon after opening the package.

• Scratching the printed surface of the label with your finger nails or metal objects, or touching the

printed surface with hands dampened by water, sweat, or medicated cream, etc., can cause the color to change or fade.

• Do not apply labels to any persons, animals, or plants, or in public locations, or on another

person's personal belongings without prior consent.

• Note that Brother does not assume responsibility for any damage, etc. arising from failure to follow

the precautions listed.

• When peeling a DK Die-cut Label, some portion of the label may remain. Remove the remaining

portion before attaching a new label.

• Do not drop the DK Roll, or damage to the DK Roll could result.

• Do not use CD/DVD labels in a slot loading CD/DVD player, for example a CD player in a car

where the CD is slid into a slot in the CD player.

• Do not peel off the CD/DVD label once it is applied to the CD/DVD.

A thin surface layer may come off, resulting in damage to the disk.

• When applying CD/DVD labels, use the applicator included with the CD/DVD label rolls. Do not

use a disk if the labels are not properly applied. Doing so could cause damage to the CD/DVD player.

• Be sure follow the instructions in your CD/DVD player's instruction manual regarding applying CD/

DVD labels.

• User's shall take full responsibility for applying CD/DVD labels. Brother accepts no responsibility

for any loss or damage of data caused by the inappropriate use of CD/DVD labels.

• Do not apply CD/DVD labels to CD/DVD disks designed for use with ink jet printers. Labels peel

off of these disks easily, and using disks with peeled labels can result in loss or damage of data.

• Be careful when handling the DK Roll.

Dropping the roll may break the spool and make it unusable.

• Some DK rolls use permanent adhesive for their labels. These labels cannot be neatly peeled off

once attached.

General Precautions

CD-ROM & Software

• Do not scratch the CD-ROM.

• Do not subject the CD-ROM to extremely high or extremely low temperatures.

• Do not put heavy objects on the CD-ROM or apply force to the CD-ROM.

• The software contained on the CD-ROM is meant for use with the QL-500/550 only. See License

on CD for further details. This software may be installed on multiple personal computers for use at an office, etc.

AC power cord

• Use only the AC power cord included with the QL-500/550.

• If the QL-500/550 will not be used for an extended period, remove the power supply cord from the

electrical outlet.

• Always hold the plug when removing the power cord from or inserting it into the outlet. Do not pull

on the cord. The wire in the cord may become damaged.

• You should position the QL-500/550 near an easily accessible, standard electrical socket.

Cutter unit

• The cutter unit contains a very sharp blade. To

prevent injury from a broken cutter blade:

• Make sure the top cover is closed when using the cutter unit.

• Don't apply too much pressure when fitting or removing the cutter unit.

• When the cutter unit becomes blunt you should replace it with a new one.

• If you break the cutter unit, unplug your QL-500/ 550 from the power and remove the cutter unit carefully with a pair of tweezers.

• If the machine jams due to a build up of adhesive, you should clean the surface of the paper guide. Unplug the QL-500/550 from the power and wipe away the adhesive build up from the surface of the paper guide using a cloth or tissue dipped in isopropyl alcohol. We recommend that you clean the paper guide when replacing the cutter unit.

• The cutter unit should give you an average number of 5000 cuts or more, depending on how you use the machine. If your QL-500/550 does not cut the labels properly or starts to jam often, the cutter might have reached the end of its life; you should replace the cutter.

Paper guide surface

z INTRODUCTION

Symbols Used in this Guide

The following symbols are used throughout this guide to indicate additional information of varying degrees of importance.

This symbol indicates information or directions that should be followed - if ignored, the result may be damage, injury, or failed operations.

This symbol indicates information or directions that can help you better understand or use the QL-500/550 more efficiently.

Symbols Used in this Guide

GETTING STARTED

Unpacking Your QL-500/550

Check that the package contains the following before using your QL-500/550. If any item is missing or damaged, please contact the retail outlet where the QL-500/550 was purchased.

P-touch QL-500/550

QL-500

USB cable Quick Start Guide

CD-ROM DK Label & Tape Guide

Starter roll

The QL-500/550 includes one starter roll of DK Diecut Standard Address Labels (100 labels), and one starter roll of DK Continuous Durable Paper Tape 62 mm (8 m).

Warranty Card

Paper guide

QL-550

AC power cord Cleaning Sheet

Unpacking Your QL-500/550

QL-500/550 Components

QL-500/550 Label Printer



Front

QL-500 QL-550

DK Roll compartment cover

z GETTING STARTED

DK Roll compartment cover

FEED button

LED lamp

ON/OFF button

CUT lever

FEED button

CUT button

LED lamp

ON/OFF button

If the DK Roll compartment cover is left open, dust will collect on the print head. Always close the cover.



Back

QL-500/QL-550

AC power cord inlet

USB port

Do not connect the QL-500/550 to the USB port of your personal computer yet.

Do not connect the QL-500/550 to your personal computer until directed to do so when installing the printer driver. If the QL500/550 is connected to a personal computer that does not have the printer driver software installed, the dialog box shown here will appear. Click [Cancel], remove the USB cable, and then install the printer driver software. Refer to “Installing the Software” on page 11.

QL-500/550 Components

GETTING STARTED

Button descriptions

The functions of the buttons on the QL-500/550 are described below.

Button Condition

ON/OFF button Turns power to the QL-500/550 on and off.

CUT button

(QL-550 only)

FEED button

Cuts the label from the DK Roll. Use this button to cut labels when the "Auto Cut" option in the Print dialog box is unchecked.

• When using DK Die-cut Labels, feeds the DK Label Roll to the beginning of the first label on the roll. If this button is held for more than one second, the DK Label Roll is fed to the beginning of the next label on the roll.

• When using DK Continuous Tapes, feeds 25.4 mm of the DK Label Roll.

• If there is no DK Label Roll installed, the mode changes to a cleaning mode and the roller rotates for 8 mm. If this button is held for more than one second, the roller rotates for 100 mm.

LED Lamp

LED lamp on the QL-500/550 indicates the current operating condition.

Lamp Condition

Not lit

Power is OFF.

Flashing fast

Flashing slow

Turns off after flashing

fast ten times

QL-500/550 Components

Lit

Power is ON. (Normally lit while power is on, the LED flashes during cleaning or if an error has occurred.)

Indicates one of the following errors.

• Cutter error

• Label sensor error (DK Roll not installed correctly, end of DK Roll, or label jam)

• DK Roll compartment cover is open during operation

• Incorrect DK Roll installed

• No DK Roll installed

Cooling (Waiting for temperature of print head to lower)

System error

Turn the QL-500/550 off and then on again. If this error re-occurs, contact the retail outlet where the QL-500/550 was purchased or your local authorized service center.

Connecting to the Power Supply

Connect the AC power cord to the QL-500/550.

Plug the AC power cord into a standard electrical outlet.

• Check that the electrical outlet is 220 - 240 V before inserting the plug.

• Remove the AC power cord from the electrical outlet after you have finished using the QL-500/550.

• Do not pull the cord when removing it from the electrical outlet. The wire in the cord may become damaged.

z GETTING STARTED

Do not connect the QL-500/550 to the USB port of your personal computer yet.

Connecting to the Power Supply

GETTING STARTED

Installing the DK Roll

There is a wide range of DK Rolls available for use with your QL-500/550, allowing you to create almost any type of label you need.

Available supplies

The types of DK Rolls that may be used with the QL-500/550 are listed below.

DK Die-cut Paper Labels A roll of pre-cut paper labels.

DK Die-cut Film Labels A roll of pre-cut film labels that are durable in

DK Durable Paper Tape A roll of continuous paper tape for printing labels

DK Durable Film Tape A roll of continous film tape for printing labels of

To obtain optimum performance, use only genuine Brother accessories and DK Rolls.

Installing the DK Roll

Press the ON/OFF button to turn the QL-500/550 off. Hold the DK Roll compartment cover at the sides near the front of the QL-500/550 and firmly lift up to open the cover.

water.

of varied length.

varied length that are durable in water.

Installing the DK Roll

Place the spool into the spool guides in the DK Roll compartment.

• Make sure that the spool arms are inserted firmly in the spool guides on the left and right.

• Insert the spool with the DK Roll located on the right hand side of the QL 500/550.

Lift the label lever and then thread the end of the DK Roll into the slot immediately before the cutter.

When unable to thread the end of the DK Roll to the slot, thread it as far as possible, lower the label lever and close the cover, then press the FEED button to set the roll.

Lower the label lever and then close the DK Roll compartment cover.

z GETTING STARTED

Installing the Paper Guide

Your QL-500/550 comes with a paper guide that collects a strip of printed labels that have been printed and not yet cut off from the machine.

Attach the paper guide to the front of the QL-500/550 as shown in the figure.

You will need to remove the paper guide if you wish to print and automatically cut more than 10 labels continuously (QL-550 only).

Installing the Paper Guide

INSTALLING SOFTWARE

Software Overview

To design and print professional labels with your QL-500/550 install the following print driver and label editor software on your personal computer.

P-touch Editor Version 4.1

Use this powerful label design software to create a wide variety of custom labels such as address labels, file folder labels, CD/DVD labels, etc. P-touch Editor Version 4.1 also contains features to link and use data from databases, as well as features for managing names, addresses and other information previously entered on labels.

P-touch Library

Use this software to store labels you have created, and then quickly and easily retrieve these labels for use again.

Add-In Software for MS Word/Excel/Outlook

These Add-Ins allow you to quickly and easily copy data into a label directly from Microsoft Word, Excel or Outlook

Printer Driver

This software enables your personal computer to print labels on your QL-500/550. The CD contains the printer driver for the specific model purchased.

Software and Compatible Operating Systems

The software is compatible with the following operating systems and versions of Microsoft applications.

P-touch Editor Version 4.1, P-touch Library and Printer Driver

Microsoft Windows 98 SE, Microsoft Windows Me, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Microsoft

Add-In Software for MS Word/Excel/Outlook

Microsoft Word 97/2000/2002/2003, Microsoft Excel 97/2000/2002/2003, Microsoft



Outlook 2000/2002/2003.



, using the Add-In icon in the tool bar of each application.



Windows XP (Home/Professional).



Installation Precautions

• Do not connect the USB cable to a personal computer until the software has been installed.

• When using Windows an administrator before installing the software.

Software Overview



2000 Professional and Windows XP (Home / Professional), log on as

Installing the Software

The installation procedure differs depending on the operating system running on your personal computer. Refer to the installation procedure for the appropriate operating system to install the software.

Refer to “When using Microsoft Windows 98 SE” on page 16 for the installation procedure for that operating system.

When using Microsoft Windows Me/2000 Professional/XP (Home/Professional)

Start your personal computer and insert the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. A dialog box automatically appears, allowing you to select the language of the Installer. Select the desired language, and then click “OK”.

A dialog box appears briefly while the InstallShield installation. When the preparation is complete, the InstallShield Wizard welcome dialog box appears.



Wizard prepares for

• It may take a short time for the dialog box to appear.

• If the program does not start and the dialog box does not appear, navigate to the contents of the CD-ROM, and then double-click the “Setup.exe” icon.

z INSTALLING SOFTWARE

Click [Next] to begin installation.

The License Agreement dialog box appears.

Installing the Software

INSTALLING SOFTWARE

Carefully read the license agreement. If you agree to the terms and conditions of the license agreement, click [Yes] to continue installation.

The Customer Information dialog box appears.

Enter your “User Name” and the “Company Name”, and then click [Next].

The Setup Type dialog box appears.

Installing the Software

Select the type of setup you prefer. Change the default destination folder if you wish to place the program files elsewhere, and then click [Next].

• Click [Browse] to select an alternate destination folder.

• Select “Custom” to install a particular feature. For example, to install the printer driver only.

The following items will be installed.

Typical

• P-touch Editor • P-touch Library • Fonts

• Help • Clip Art • Auto Format Templates

• Layout styles • Add-Ins • Manuals • Drivers

Custom

Click [Next] and select the features you want to install on the Select Features dialog box. Check on to select and off to unselect the items to be installed.

The Add Shortcut dialog box appears.

z INSTALLING SOFTWARE

Specify where to add shortcuts (for easy, one click access) for the Brother software, and then click [Next].

If you do not want a shortcut created for an area, clear the check box for that area. Clear all check boxes to add no shortcuts.

The Start Copying Files dialog box appears.

Installing the Software

INSTALLING SOFTWARE

Review the settings to ensure all are correct, and then click [Next]. If the settings are incorrect, click [Back] to go back and correct.

• The InstallShield Wizard completes preparations for installing the software, and then the Setup Status dialog box appears.

Installing the Software

• After all files necessary to install the Ptouch Editor have been copied and registered, the Driver Setup dialog box appears.

The Driver Setup dialog box does not appear if “Driver” is not selected in Custom installation.

When the Driver Setup dialog box instructs you to connect the QL-500/ 550, plug the connector on the USB cable into the USB port on the back of the QL-500/550.

Check that the QL-500/550 is turned on, and then plug the connector on the USB cable into the USB port on your personal computer.

When the QL-500/550 is recognized, the installer proceeds with the driver software installation.

When connecting the QL-500/550 to a personal computer via a USB hub, a proper connection may not be possible due to the type of hub used. If this occurs, connect the QL-500/ 550 directly to the personal computer.

When using Microsoft® Windows® Me

The error dialog box shown to the right may appear during the installation. If this dialog box appears, click [OK].

It is not necessary to change these settings.

After the printer driver installation is completed, the User Registration dialog box appears.

Select on option and then click [Next].

When “Yes, display the page.” is selected, the online user registration web page is opened in your web browser. When “No, do not display the page.” is selected, installation continues.

z INSTALLING SOFTWARE

The InstallShield Wizard Complete dialog box appears.

Click [Finish].

Installation of the P-touch Editor software is now completed.

You may be required to restart your personal computer after installation. Select one of the restart options and click [Finish].

Installing the Software

INSTALLING SOFTWARE

When using Microsoft Windows 98 SE

A dialog box appears briefly while the InstallShield Wizard prepares for installation. When the preparation is complete, the InstallShield Wizard welcome dialog box appears.

• It may take a short time for the dialog box to appear.

• If the dialog box does not appear, navigate to the contents of the CD-ROM, and then double-click the “Setup.exe” icon.

Click [Next] to begin installation.

The License Agreement dialog box appears.

Installing the Software

Carefully read the license agreement. If you agree to the terms and conditions of the license agreement, click [Yes] to continue installation.

The Customer Information dialog box appears.

Enter your “User Name” and the “Company Name”, and then click [Next].

The Setup Type dialog box appears.

Select the type of setup you prefer. Change the default destination folder if you wish to place the program files elsewhere, and then click [Next].

• Click [Browse] to select an alternate destination folder.

• Select “Custom” to install a particular feature. For example, to install the printer driver only.

The following items will be installed.

Typical

• P-touch Editor • P-touch Library • Fonts

• Help • Clip Art • Auto Format Templates

• Layout styles • Add-Ins • Manuals • Drivers

z INSTALLING SOFTWARE

Custom

Click [Next] and select the features you want to install on the Select Features dialog box. Check on to select and off to unselect the items to be installed

The Add Shortcut dialog box appears.

Installing the Software

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