Kroy K2500 User Manual

Kroy Limited Warranty

Kroy LLC warrants its labeling system equipment against defects in
material and workmanship for a period of six (6) months from the date of
original purchase. At no charge to the customer, except for inbound
freight to Kroy's servie center, Kroy will, at Kroy's option, repair or
replace any product dtermined to be defective. Kroy will pay return UPS
ground charges. A purchase receipt or other evidence of purchase will
be required before warranty service is rendered. This warranty does not
cover cosmetic damage or any damage caused by accident, misse,
abuse, negligence or modification or attempted repair by anyone other
than Kroy or a Kroy authorized repair agent. THERE ARE NO EXPRESS
WARRANTIES EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS PARAGRAPH.

KROY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WARRANTY ON THIS PRODUCT. ALL EXPRESS AND
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
ARE LIMITED TO THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY PERIOD SET
FORTH ABOVE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, or limitaitons on how long an implied warranty
lasts, so the above exclusions or limitations may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights
which vary from state to state.If a problem develops with your Kroy
labeling system during or after this warranty period, you may contact
your Kroy dealer or Kroy's service center.

Your Guarantee

Every Kroy product is backed by the Kroy name, our innovative
leadership and our long-standing commitment to qualtiy.

Your Guarantee

i

FCC Notice

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in strict accordance with these instructions, may
cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been tested
and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device
pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of the FCC Rules, which are designed
to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a
residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference
to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, will not occur. The user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by using one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the
receiver.

• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a branch circuit
different than the branch the receiver is connected to.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television
technician for help.

Note: To comply with FCC regulations, use only Kroy's recommended
serial cable when connecting the printer to a host computer (Kroy Part
Number 2506600). When installing the cable, the EMI filter should be
located 2-3" from the printer.

CDC Notice

This digital apparatus does not exceed Class B limits for radio noise for
digital devices as set out in the radio interference regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas du bruits radioélectriques
dépassant les limites applicable aux appareils numériques de Classe B
prescrites dans le réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par
le Ministére des Communications du Canada.

ii

CDC Notice

System Specifications

Input Device: 57 Key - Alpha-numeric elastomer keypad
Character Size: 6 point to 72 point, 1 inch supply

6 point to 55 point, .8 inch supply
scalable in 1 point increments

Print Tape: .5 inch (13 mm)

.8 inch (19 mm)

1 inch (24.5 mm)
LCD Display: 2 lines, 16 characters 5x7 dot matrix
Power Requirements: 7.5 - 9 VDC, 4A (Universal Power Adapter or

6 - C-size nickel-cadmium batteries)
Weight: 4 lbs 2 oz with batteries

3 lbs 2 oz without batteries
Memory: 450,000 characters
Communications: RS232/RS422

9600 Baud
Environment: Operating temperature 45 to 105°F (7 to 40°C)

Up to 90% non-condensing humidity

Storage temperature:

Machine: -20 to 150°F (-30 to 65°C)
Cartridge: 60 to 105°F (15 to 40°C)

System Specifications

iii

Important Safety Precautions

When using your printer, always follow these important safety
precautions:

1. Read all instructions carefully.

2. Do not immerse the printer or battery charger in water or other
liquids, you could receive an electrical shock.

3. Do not apply adhesive labels to your skin.

4. Do not put objects onto or into the printer or battery charger.

5. Do not expose to high temperatures or high humidity. Never leave on
the dashboard or in the trunk of your car.

6. Do not use in dusty places and avoid direct exposure to sunlight and
rain.

7. Do not pull on the tape, you could damage the tape cartridge.

8. Use only the batteries designated for the printer.

9. Do not attempt internal repairs to the printer or battery charger. If
service or repair is needed, contact a qualified Kroy service
representative.

10. Remove the batteries if you do not intend to use the printer for a long
time.

11. Do not touch the printhead ceramic or rollers with your fingers.

12. Do not attempt to charge batteries other than rechargeable nickel­cadmium type.

13. Do not substitute other batteries or chargers.

iv

Important Safety Precautions

Table of Contents

Warranty................................................................................................... i

Your Guarantee ....................................................................................... i

FCC Notice.............................................................................................. ii

CDC Notice ............................................................................................. ii

System Specifications .......................................................................... iii

Important Safety Precautions .............................................................. iv

Introduction ............................................................................................ 1

Setting Up Your Printer .........................................................................2

Connecting the Optional AC Adapter.................................................... 3

Installing the Batteries ..........................................................................3

Removing the yellow elastomer jacket ..............................................3

Installing the Nickel-Cadmium Batteries............................................4

Replacing the Lithium Battery............................................................5

Installing the Tape Cartridge................................................................. 5

Loading a PCMCIA (PC) Card..............................................................6

Turning the Printer On and Off ............................................................. 7

Using Your Printer .................................................................................8

Understanding the Printer Display Screen............................................ 8

Using the Printer Keys ..........................................................................8

Default and Current Attribute Settings ................................................10

Using Function Keys ...........................................................................10

Working with Pages and Documents..................................................11

About Bar Code Labels.......................................................................12

Making Labels ......................................................................................13

Using F1..............................................................................................14

F1 ....................................................................................................14

New .................................................................................................14

Open................................................................................................14

Save ................................................................................................14

Delete ..............................................................................................15

Table of Contents

v

Table of Contents

Formatting Text ....................................................................................16

Using F2..............................................................................................17

F2 ....................................................................................................17

Font .................................................................................................17

Size..................................................................................................17

Justification......................................................................................18

Bold .................................................................................................18

Italics ...............................................................................................18

Mirror ...............................................................................................18

Vertical.............................................................................................18

Frame ..............................................................................................18

Underline .........................................................................................19

Changing Existing Text.......................................................................19

Setting Print Attributes........................................................................ 20

Using F3..............................................................................................21

F3 ....................................................................................................21

Density.............................................................................................21

Auto-off ............................................................................................21

Width ...............................................................................................22

Margin..............................................................................................22

Feed ................................................................................................23

Units ................................................................................................23

Sequence ........................................................................................23

Language.........................................................................................26

Copies .............................................................................................26

Rotation ...........................................................................................26

Baudrate ..........................................................................................27

Remote ............................................................................................28

Time/Date ........................................................................................29

Stamp ..............................................................................................29

Set Clock .........................................................................................29

24 Hour Mode..................................................................................30

Printing Labels ..................................................................................... 31

PRINT .................................................................................................31

FEED ..................................................................................................31

Setting Up Bar Codes .......................................................................... 32

Using F4..............................................................................................33

F4 ....................................................................................................33

Code ................................................................................................33

Text..................................................................................................33

vi

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Resolution........................................................................................34

Checksum........................................................................................34

Print Checksum ...............................................................................34

Security Level ..................................................................................34

Columns ..........................................................................................34

Using Die Cut Labels ...........................................................................35

Communication Protocol ....................................................................36

Serial Port Connection........................................................................36

Printer Set Up .....................................................................................37

Basic Operation ..................................................................................37

Conventions .............................................................................. 37

Appendix A: System Messages ....................................................... A-1

Appendix B: Maintaining Your Printer ............................................ B-1

Cleaning Exterior Surfaces ............................................................... B-1

Cleaning the Cutting Mechanism ...................................................... B-1

Cleaning the Print Head and Rollers ................................................ B-3

Appendix C: Troubleshooting.......................................................... C-1

Self-Lamiating Wire Wrap Label Set-Up........................................... C-2

Saving Files in the K2500 ................................................................. C-2

Appendix D: Code 128 Character Set.............................................. D-1

Appendix E: ASCII Character Set .................................................... E-1

List of Figures and Tables

Figure 1: Top View of Printer.................................................................2

Figure 2: AC Adapter Connection..........................................................3

Figure 3: Removing the Battery Cover ..................................................4

Figure 4: Battery Location .....................................................................4

Figure 5: Installing the Tape Cartridge ..................................................6

Figure 6: Loading PC Card....................................................................6

Figure 7: Removing the Cut Mechanism ........................................... B-2

Figure 8: Holding the Cut Mechanism ............................................... B-2

Figure 9: Cleaning the Cut Blade ...................................................... B-3

Table 1: Suggested Point Sizes........................................................... 13

Table 2: Text Attributes........................................................................ 16

Table of Contents

vii

Table of Contents

Table 3: Print Attributes .......................................................................20

Table 4: Printing Sequential Labels ..................................................... 23

Table 5: Set Clock Parameters ............................................................30

Table 6: Bar Code Information............................................................. 32

Table 7: Special Function Keys Hex Codes.........................................38

Table 8: Menu Hex Codes ................................................................... 39

Table 9: File Menu ............................................................................... 39

Table 10: Font Menu.............................................................................. 40

Table 11: Utilities Menu .........................................................................41

Table 12: Bar Code Menu......................................................................43

viii

Table of Contents

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Kroy K2500 printer. Your new printer was
designed with your needs in mind, and offers many features to make
your work easier.

The printer provides features that are usually available only in larger
printers, yet it is small enough to hold comfortably in one hand. You can
use standard nickel-cadmium batteries for portability or an optional AC
power supply. Memory backup is provided by a lithium battery.

You can enter text easily using the keypad, and the special function keys
let you perform standard procedures quickly and easily. In just seconds
you can produce labels that include bolded, italicized, underlined,
mirrored and even framed text.

The K2500 lets you print labels in different widths and in either horizontal
or vertical orientations. The printer also contains a real-time clock and
ten of the most commonly used sets of bar codes.

You can also externally create labels and print them via an RS-232
connection. For more information about this feature, see

Communication Protocol or contact your authorized Kroy distributor.

Introduction

1

Setting Up Your Printer

This section explains how to set up your printer, connect the AC adapter,
install batteries, install a tape cartridge, load PCMCIA (PC) cards, and
turn the printer on and off.

Figure 1: Top View of Printer

Tape Cartridge

Display Screen

Cut Button

Keypad

PCMCIA
Card Slot

AC Adapter Jack

RS-232 Port

NOTE: The printer contains an RS-232 port that you can use to connect
the printer to other equipment. For specific instructions on using this
feature, see Communication Protocol or contact your Kroy distributor.

LCD Contrast

Control

On/Off Button

Print Key

Connecting the AC Adapter (optional)

Plug one end of the adapter into the printer (see Figure 2) and the other
end into an appropriate electrical wall outlet. Available from your Kroy
distributor.

2

Setting Up Your Printer

Setting Up Your Printer

Figure 2: AC Adapter Connection

Adapter Jack

Adapter Plug

Installing the Batteries

Your K2500 printer includes six 2.2 Ampere-hour "C" size nickel­cadmium batteries for primary power, and one CR2032 lithium battery for
memory backup. Do not replace with other batteries. A suitable
battery charger is also included for recharging the nickel-cadmium
batteries.

WARNING: Do not dispose of nickel-cadmium batteries in fire, mutilate,
short-circuit, mix with other battery types, or charge in battery chargers
other than the charger supplied with this product - batteries may explode,
release toxic material, or get hot and cause personal injury.

Removing the yellow elastomer jacket.

1. Pull the jacket down from the top of the printer until clear of
the top portion of the printer.

2. While holding the printer from the bottom, grab the top
portion of the printer and lift it out of the jacket.

3. To replace the jacket reverse steps 1 and 2.

Note: The jacket must be removed to install/replace batteries.

3Installing the Batteries

Setting Up Your Printer

Installing the Nickel-Cadmium Batteries

1. Remove the battery cover by pushing down on the arrow
and sliding it off the base in the direction of the arrow (see
Figure 3).

2. Insert the batteries (see Figure 4) according to the diagram
imprinted on the printer case*.

3. Replace the battery cover.

NOTE: The size and style of type you use for labels determine
how long the nickel-cadmium batteries will last between charges.
Large, bold characters require more power than small ones and
will drain the batteries faster. When the batteries run low, the
printer will display a message telling you so. Remove and
recharge them following the instructions provided with the
charger.

Figure 3: Removing the Battery Cover

Figure 4: Battery Location

Nickel-Cadmium

Batteries*

Lithium Battery

* Diagram imprinted on printer case under batteries.

4

Installing the Batteries

Setting Up Your Printer

Replacing the Lithium Battery

1. Turn the printer off and remove the battery cover by sliding it

off the base of the unit (see Figure 3).

2. Remove the lithium battery by prying and/or pulling it up and

out of its recess (see Figure 4).

3. Install the replacement making sure that its polarity is correct

(the same as the battery removed and in accordance with
the plus and minus signs molded into the battery compart­ment next to the battery recess).

4. Replace the battery cover and re-enter any files that were

lost.

NOTE: The lithium battery normally lasts for several years and
requires replacement only after it will no longer retain files when
the unit is turned off.

CAUTION: Danger of explosion if lithium battery is incorrectly
replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type
recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries
according to the manufacturer's instructions.

ATTENTION: "Danger d'explosion si les piles au Lithium sont
incorrectement réinstailées. Remplacer uniquement avec des
piles identiquas ou d'un modèle équivalent préconisé par le
constructeur. Suivre les instructions du constructeur pour retirer
les piles usées."

Return spent batteries to the dealer/manufacturer for appropriate
environmental disposal.

Installing the Tape Cartridge

1. Wind the ribbon spool on the bottom of the supply cartridge counter­clockwise two full turns in the direction of the arrow with your finger.

2. Place the hole in the tape cartridge over the lock/release knob on the
printer while guiding the tape leader into the exit slot (see Figure 5).
Press down on the cartridge gently but firmly and make sure that it
lies flat against the base.

3. Turn the lock/release knob on the printer clockwise and align with the
closed lock graphic on the cartridge.

4. Press the FEED key once to advance the tape.

Installing the Tape Cartridge

5

Setting Up Your Printer

Figure 5: Installing the Tape Cartridge

Print Head
& Rollers

Supply Cartridge

in this area

Lock/Release

~

Knob

Exit Slot

Loading a PCMCIA (PC) Card

1. Turn off the printer. Warning: Do not remove or insert a card

with the printer on.

2. Insert the card into the card slot (see Figure 6) with the label side up.
Press gently but firmly to seat the card in the slot.

3. Turn on the printer.

Figure 6: Loading a PC Card (optional)

NOTE: The card must be loaded before you can select an option, fonts
or files from it, and should not be removed until you have printed the
label that uses the card.

6

Installing an Application Card

Setting Up Your Printer

Turning the Printer On and Off

Press the ON/OFF key located on the lower left hand corner of the
keypad to turn the printer on. The following prompt will appear:

Kroy K2500
Any Key

Press any key, except ON/OFF, SHIFT, CAPS or ALT, to begin. Press
the ON/OFF key again to turn the printer off.

Turning the Printer On and Off

7

Using Your Printer

Understanding the Printer Display Screen

The printer display screen shows system prompts and messages, lists of
file names, menu options, and label text. Although you can enter six
lines of text on a label, the screen displays only two lines (16 characters
each) at a time and shows line numbers. Each time you press ENTER
the line number is displayed on the left followed by a colon. Use the left
and right arrow keys to view characters off the edge of the display
screen.

When the display screen is blank (except for the cursor and line number)
or shows your label text, you are in “edit” mode. You use edit mode to
enter or change label text. When you press one of the special function
keys, the menu of options will be displayed on the second line of the
display. After you finish selecting an attribute, the printer redisplays your
text and returns you to edit mode (except for Font menu (F2)).

Using the Printer Keys

The keyboard is used to enter label text and access menus. You will
hear an audible click whenever a key is depressed (except modifier
keys). The special keys on the keyboard are described below.

ALT (1) Enters special characters and accent symbols shown in yellow
on the keyboard bezel and (2) activates the DELETE function on the <
key (see < below). To enter a special character shown in yellow, hold
down ALT and press the key below and to the right of the character you
want. Accented characters require an extra step to enter. To enter an
accented character:

• hold down ALT and type the key below and to the right of
the accent character,

• release both keys, and,

• type the character to be accented (holding down the SHIFT
key will enter it in upper case).

Arrow Keys Move the cursor through text without changing it and
through options without selecting any. The left and right arrow keys
move left and right, one option or one character at a time; the up and

8

Using the Printer Keys

Using Your Printer

down arrow keys move up and down through lines of text, one line at a
time. When used with SHIFT, the up and down arrow keys act as PAGE
UP (previous label) and PAGE DOWN (next label) keys and the left and
right arrow keys move the cursor one word at a time.

CAPS Locks SHIFT on so that you can type all capital letters.
< (DELETE) Deletes the character to the left of the cursor. To delete

the character above the cursor, hold down ALT and press <. To delete
an entire line hold down SHIFT and press <, and to delete just one word
hold down ALT-SHIFT and press <.

ENTER (1) In edit mode, moves to the next line on a label when you are
entering label text, and (2) in function mode, selects menu options, file
names, and default attribute settings.

ESC Returns you to edit mode without selecting a list option or
changing an attribute and aborts printing. Note: When using F2, press
ESC twice (if you are in a submenu) to return to edit mode without
selecting a list option.

F1 Lets you create a label and save it in a file, modify labels you have
already saved, and delete labels that you no longer need.

F2 Lets you choose text attributes for your label text and remains on the
display until you press ESC. You can choose a font, font size,
justification, bold, italics, mirror, vertical, frame, and underlined text.

F3 Lets you specify the language you want to use, label width, margins,
unit of measure (inch or millimeters) for specifying label width and
margins, a sequence to print automatically, number of copies to print,
whether to automatically shut off after 5 minutes, variable feed length,
baud rate, remote mode, time and date functions, print density, and
rotation.

F4 Lets you set up the printer to print bar codes. You can select the
type of bar code you want to print, add text to print with the code, select
print resolution, and specify the type of error checking you want to use.

FEED Advances approximately one inch of tape from the printer.
PRINT Prints the current label and advances the tape far enough to

clear the cut mechanism. To abort printing, press ESC.

Using the Printer Keys

9

Using Your Printer

SHIFT (1) Capitalizes letters and, used with ALT, special language

characters (such as Æ) and accented characters (such as Ö) shown in
yellow on the keyboard bezel, (2) accesses characters (such as % and ;)
at the tops of number and punctuation keys, and (3) causes the up and
down arrow keys to function as PAGE UP (previous label) and PAGE
DOWN (next label) keys, (4) causes the left and right arrow keys to move
the cursor one word at a time.

Default and Current Attribute Settings

When the printer is shipped from the factory, some attributes are already
set; for example, the number of copies is set to one. Although you can
change these default settings when you make labels, they are
automatically reinstated when you turn off the printer or select NEW from
the file menu. The default settings for your printer are shown in the
Formatting Text and Setting Print Attributes sections of this manual.

"Current" settings are the attributes active right now, and can include (1)
factory defaults that you have not changed, (2) your changes to factory
defaults, and (3) your settings for attributes that are not preset at the
factory (i.e., width, margin). When you save a label, its current attributes
are automatically assigned to the next label you create (and all
subsequent labels) until you change attributes again or select New from
the file menu. Label text and text attribute settings are saved when you
shut off the printer. Factory settings are restored when the lithium
battery is replaced.

In some cases, the cursor displays to the left of the current settings when
you select a menu option; other times, current settings are marked by an
asterisk (*).

Using Function Keys

When you press one of the special function keys (F1, F2, F3 and F4), the
printer displays a menu of options. When you select an option, the
printer will display a list of more options, or prompt you for information.
These function keys also act as "toggles" which allow you to turn an
option on or off.

10

Using Function Keys

Using Your Printer

Submenu: A submenu is a subsequent menu of options that displays

when you press one of the special function keys. For example, when
you press F2 and then select the Justification option from the font
menu, a submenu of options displays the types of justification available:
Left, Center, or Right.

There are three ways to select options on menus and submenus: (1)
press ESC to retain the displayed default, (2) use the left or right arrow
keys to move the cursor to the left of the option you want and then press
ENTER, or (3) type the first capitalized letter in the option you want (such
as, R for Right justification in the preceding example).

Prompts: A prompt is the printer’s request for information. For example,
when you select the Save option on the file menu, the printer prompts
you to enter the name of the file you want to save. In response to a
prompt, simply type the requested information and press ENTER.

Toggles: Toggled options are like light switches — either on or off.
When you select an option (turn it on), an asterisk displays to the left of it
to show you that the option is on. When you select the option again (turn
it off), the asterisk is removed to show that the option is off.

At any menu, submenu, or toggle option, simply press ESC to return to
edit mode without changing the option setting. For example, if you press

F2 to display the font menu, type J for Justification, and then press
ESC, you return to edit mode without changing the current setting for

justification.

Working with Pages and Documents

You can enter multiple labels in a file by using PAGE UP and PAGE
DOWN to access additional pages (labels). In this case, you can think of

a file as a single document containing one or more pages (labels). (Each
label can be up to six lines.) To start a new page while you are in a file,
use the SHIFT and down arrow key to move to the next page; to move
back to the preceding page, use SHIFT and the up arrow key. When you
press the PRINT key, all pages in the file will be printed.

Note: PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN operate differently when using die
cut label supply. (See Using Die Cut Labels)

Working with Pages and Documents

11

Using Your Printer

About Bar Code Labels

Although this manual explains how to set up your printer to print bar code
labels, it does not explain the technical details of bar coding, suggest
which type of bar code you should use, or explain how to use a bar code
most effectively. Before you can properly print bar code labels you
should answer the following questions:

• Which type of bar code fits your application?

• Do you want to print the bar code with or without text?

• How many lines must your bar code be to carry all the
information you need?

• What is the minimum X width and bar height your scanner
can scan?

• Does your bar code require error checking during bar code
scanning, and, if so, which type of error checking should you
use?

Many books introduce and survey the topic of bar code requirements.
We suggest The Bar Code Book; Reading, Printing, and Specification of
Bar Code Symbols, Second Edition, by Roger C. Palmer (Helmers
Publishing, Inc., Peterborough, New Hampshire, 1991).

12

About Bar Code Labels

Making Labels

This section explains how to use the F1 (File) key to create new labels,
modify existing labels, save labels, and delete labels you no longer need.

The Save option lets you store labels with attributes, on either the A drive
(internal) or B drive (PC card), that you want to print in the future so that
you do not have to reenter them. This is useful when you want to print
the same label repeatedly, but must print different labels between copies.
You can also use Save while you are creating labels to ensure that you
have a backup in case you accidentally lose the label. Label text and
text attributes are automatically saved when the printer is shut off and
remain saved until the lithium battery is replaced.

When you first turn on the printer (after you press any key) and the blank
screen is displayed, you can begin entering text for a new label.
Afterwards, you create new labels using the New option (explained in
this section). The printer will continue to work with the last label you
saved until you create a new label or open an existing label.

Remember that the number of lines you can enter on a label depends on
the font size you are using (see the Table 1 for suggested point sizes).
When you are typing label text, simply press ENTER to begin a new line.

Table 1: Suggested Point Sizes

Tape Size 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4 Line 5 Line 6 Line

0.5" 30 pt 14 pt 8 pt 6 pt N/A N/A

0.8" 55 pt 24 pt 16 pt 12 pt 9 pt 7 pt
1" 72 pt 33 pt 21 pt 16 pt 12 pt 10 pt

72 pt = 1 inch, 54 pt = .75 inch, 36 pt = .5 inch, 18 pt = .25 inch

Use this table for reference only. For example, if you wanted three lines
of text on 1" tape, evenly spaced, and all text the same point size, you
would select a maximum point size of 21. The printer will calculate the
maximum point size and display an error message "Text too tall" if you
have selected a combination of size, style, and attributes that are too
large for the number of lines to print.

Making Labels

13

Making Labels

Using F1

F1 Press F1 to display the file menu options:

New Open Save Del

New Select New to create a new document. The

printer clears any text displayed on the screen,
returns all attributes to factory defaults, and
displays a blank edit screen so you can enter
new text.

Open Select Open to access an existing document

you want to edit or print. The printer displays a
list of file names you have saved (see the
following example) and waits for you to select
the file you want to work with. Use the left and
right arrow keys to scroll to the left of the file you
want to open and press ENTER to select it.

14

a:Exit a:Exit a:Fire

Save Select Save to save the current document. You

must save the label you are working on before
you select either New or Open. If you do not
save first, it will be lost.

When you select this option, the printer prompts
you to enter a file name and will save on the A
drive unless you specify the B drive (example
B:

filename

). If you have never before saved the
file, the printer will suggest a file name (as
shown in the following example). If you have
already saved the file, the printer will display its
file name. Press ENTER to accept the displayed
file name and return to edit mode, or type a
different name and press ENTER. (File names
can be any combination of letters and numbers,
seven characters maximum, with no punctuation
or file name extensions.)

Using F1

Making Labels

label1

Important Note: If you try to save to the B drive

and there is no PC card inserted, you will get a
"Bad File Name" error. If you try to save to a
PC card in the B drive that is write protected,
you will get a "Out of Memory" error.

If you enter a file name for an already existing
file, you will see the following message:

Over Write?
OK? (Y,N)

Press Y to overwrite or N to enter a different file
name. If you decide not to save the file, simply
press ESC.

Delete

Select Delete to delete files that you no longer
need. The printer displays a list of files you
have saved (see the following example) and
waits for you to select the file you want to
delete. Use the left and right arrow keys to
move the cursor to the left of the file you want to
delete and press ENTER to select it. If you
decide not to delete a file, simply press ESC.

a:Exit a:Exit a:Fire

NOTE: When you delete a file, it is gone and

will no longer appear in the list of file names. If
you need to free up memory, you could modify
labels with lengthy text or complicated formats
instead of deleting files.

Using F1

15

Formatting Text

This section explains how to use the F2 (Font) key to assign text
formatting attributes to your label text. There are three types of text
attributes: character, line, and page. These attributes, as well as their
defaults and options, are shown in the following table.

Table 2: Text Attributes

Attribute Defaults Options

Font

Size

Justification† Left Left, Center, Right

*Bold Off On, Off

*Italics Off On, Off

*Mirror‡ Off On, Off

*Vertical‡ Off On, Off

*Frame Off Page: On, Off

*Underline Off On, Off

Block

(Corresp. to Helvetica)

0.5" tape: 18 points

0.8" tape: 24 points
1" tape: 36 points

Off Line: On, Off

Via font application cards

6 - 30 points
6 - 55 points
6 - 72 points

* Attributes marked with an asterisk are toggles. † These
are line attributes. They affect the line where the cursor is
currently positioned. ‡ These are page attributes. They
affect the entire page (label). All other attributes (except
Frame) are character attributes.

The position of the cursor when you select a character attribute
determines where the attribute takes effect: all text following the cursor is
affected until you change the attribute again. In the first example that
follows, the cursor was to the left of the word EMERGENCY when bold
was turned on, and to the right of the word EXIT when bold was turned
off.

16

Formatting Text

Formatting Text

<Bold>EMERGENCY EXIT<Bold off>

DO NOT LOCK DOORS

In the following example, the cursor was to the left of the word DO when
bold was turned on, and to the right of the word NOT when bold was
turned off.

EMERGENCY EXIT

<Bold>DO NOT<Bold off> LOCK DOORS

Note: The brackets and bracketed words do not appear on the screen.

Using F2

F2 Press F2 to display the Font options:

Font Size Just Bold Ital Mirror Vert fRame Underline

Font Select Font to choose a different font. When

you select this option, the printer displays a list
of available fonts (shown below). Press ESC to
accept the current font or use the left and right
arrow keys to move the cursor to the left of the
font you want and press ENTER to select it.
Additional fonts are only available with font
application cards. See your Kroy distributor for
more information.

Using F2

Block

Size Select Size to specify the font size for your text.

The printer displays the default size (see the
following example) and waits for your entry.
Press ESC to accept the displayed size, or type
a different size and press ENTER. Valid sizes of
6 - 72 (for 1" tape) can be entered.

Size 36

17

Formatting Text

Justification Select Justification to justify your text. The

printer displays the following prompt and waits
for you to make a selection. Use the left and
right arrow keys to move the cursor to the left of
the option you want and press ENTER to select
it, or simply type the capitalized letter in the
option name.

Left Center Right

Bold Select Bold to bold text to the right of the cursor.

If an asterisk is displayed beside the option,
selecting it turns off bold.

Italics Select Italics to italicize text to the right of the

cursor. If an asterisk is displayed beside the
option, selecting it turns off italics.

Mirror Select Mirror to print a mirror image of all the

label text. If an asterisk is displayed beside the
option, selecting it turns off mirroring.

18

Vertical Select Vertical to print your label text vertically

instead of horizontally on the label tape. If an
asterisk is displayed beside the option, selecting
it turns off vertical printing.

Frame Select Frame to draw a frame (box) around your

label text. The printer displays the following
prompt and waits for you to select the type of
frame you want.

Page Line

Select Page to frame all text on the label, or
select Line to frame just the text on the line
where the cursor is currently positioned. If an
asterisk is displayed beside either option,
selecting it turns off framing.

Using F2

Formatting Text

Underline Select Underline to underline label text to the

right of the cursor. If an asterisk is displayed
beside the option, selecting it turns off
underlining.

Changing Existing Text

You can change attributes of text previously entered by using the left and
right arrow keys to position the cursor under the beginning letter. Press
F2, enter your change. Then position your cursor under the letter to end
the attribute you are changing, press F2 and select the attribute to turn it
off. For instance, in the previous example (on page 17), if you decided
later that you only wanted the word "NOT" to be bolded. Move the cursor
under the letter "D" in the word "DO". Press F2, select Bold and press
ESC. That will turn off the Bold attribute. Next move the cursor under
the space between the words "DO" and "NOT". Press F2, select Bold
and press ESC. This will turn the Bold attribute back on so that the word
"Not" would still be bolded. You would now have the following example
entered just as if you had entered it this way from the beginning.

EMERGENCY EXIT

DO <Bold on> NOT <Bold off> LOCK DOORS

If you wish to insert text you may have forgotten, simply move the cursor
by using the arrow keys to the position where you wish to insert text.
Existing text will then be moved to the right. To delete existing text, see
the section Using Printer Keys earlier in this manual.

Editing Text

19

Setting Print Attributes

This section explains how to use the F3 (Utilities) key to specify print
attributes for a label. These attributes, as well as their defaults and
options, are shown in the following table.

Table 3: Print Attributes

Attribute Default Options

Density 0 -7 to +7

Auto-off On On, Off

Width 0

Margin 1 0 to .5" (0 — 13mm)

Feed 13

Unit of
measure

Sequence Off Alphabetic, numeric

Language English Various

Copies 1 1 — 999

Rotation Off On, Off

Baud rate 9600 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600

Remote Off On, Off

Time current

Date current

Stamp Off On, Off

Set Clock current enter yy/mm/dd/hh/mm/ss

Inch Inch, millimeter

Size to fit*
Length of Cartridge (Single Line)
0 to 12" (0 to 305mm) (Multiline)

0 to 13 (inches)
0 to 34 (mm)

hh:mm AM/PM (12 hour mode)
hh:mm (24 hour mode)

mm/dd/yy (US)
dd/mm/yy (International)

20

24 hour
Mode

Off On, Off

* See Width for explanation of difference between "size to fit" and entering a
value other than 0.

Using F3

Setting Print Attributes

Using F3

F3 Press F3 to display the Utilities options:

Density Auto-off Width Margin Feed Units Sequence
Language Copies rotatIon Baudrate Remote Time datE stamP
setclOck 24Hourmode

Density Select Density to specify the density (-7 to +7)

for printing the current label. The printer
displays the current density setting and waits for
your entry. Press ESC to accept the value
shown, or enter a different value and press

ENTER.

Density 0

If the characters are smeared on a label or are
not completely filled in, you can attempt to fix the
problem by adjusting the print density. If the
characters are smeared, specify a lower number
in this field; if the characters are not completely
filled in, specify a higher number.

NOTE: You may need to adjust the density after
installing a new tape cartridge.

Auto-off Select Auto-off to disable auto shut-off. The

factory default is to shut off the printer after 5
minutes of non-use. When the printer is turned
off, all current label text and text attribute
settings are saved. All files in memory are still
saved. If an asterisk is displayed to the left of
the option, selecting it turns auto shut-off back
on. Press ESC if you decide you do not wish to
change the current setting.

21Using F3

Setting Print Attributes

Width Select Width to specify the width of the label.

The printer displays the current width and waits
for your entry. Inches are entered in tenths of
an inch. For example, if you enter the number
25, that will give you a label of 2.5 inches,
entering the number 10 will give you a 1 inch
label, entering the number 5 will give you a half
inch label, and entering the number 115 will give
you a label of 11 and a half inches. Decimal
points cannot be entered and are not displayed
on the screen. Press ESC to accept the
displayed width, or type a different width and
press ENTER. When creating a label with more
than one line, width is limited to 12 inches.

Width 0

When Width is selected and set to non-zero, cut
marks will be printed to show the edges of the
label.

Note: When 0 (the default setting) is entered, the
label will be the size of the amount of text you
have entered.

Margin Use the option to define the distance between

each label. This option is useful if you have
several labels (pages) in one document (file).
Select Margin to specify the left and right
margins for the label. The printer displays the
current margin setting and waits for your entry.
Valid margins are between 0 and .5 inch (0-13
mm) and are entered in tenths of an inch (i.e.,
entering the number 5 would give you a margin
of a half inch). Decimal points cannot be
entered and are not displayed on the screen.
Press ESC to accept the displayed margins, or
type a different value and press ENTER.

Margin 1

22 Using F3

Setting Print Attributes

Feed Select Feed to vary the amount of tape feed that

occurs at the end of a label. The maximum and
minimum feed lengths are 1.3 inches (34mm)
and 0 (0mm), respectively. (Inches are entered
in tenths of an inch.)

Feed 13

Press ESC to accept the current feed length or
enter a different length and press ENTER. To
return to the default feed length, enter a value of

-1. Any other number outside the above range
will produce either a "too low" or "too high" error
message.

Units Select Units to choose the unit of measure you

want to use for setting label width and margins.
The options are tenths of an inch and
millimeters. Use the arrow keys to move to the
left of the option you want and press ENTER to
select it, or simply type the first letter.

Using F3

Inches MM

Sequence You can automatically generate and print labels

containing a sequence of one letter or one to
three numbers (101 102 103, A B C…, etc.)
without having to type the text of each label
yourself. You simply tell the printer what
characters to print on the first and last labels and
how much to increment between labels (see the
following table).

Table 4: Printing Sequential Labels

Start Stop Increment

1 10 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2 12 2 2 4 6 8 10 12

A J 1 A B C D E F G H I J

a z 4 a e i m q u y

Individual Labels

Printed

23

Setting Print Attributes

Sequencing is obtained by defining the
sequence and inserting the sequence character
(an omega) in the position where the
progression should begin. To place the
sequence character in the text, press F3 and
select Sequence from the menu. Next select
Insert and the omega symbol (Ω) will be
inserted above the cursor. The sequence
character takes on the current character
attributes previously defined. Optionally, you
can redefine the sequence character's attributes
like any other character.

Note: You can only define one sequence
type (numeric or alpha) per document/file,
but you can place the sequence character in
your document/file once on each line.

You can also add label text before or after a
sequence. For example, you could enter the
word Lab and a space before a numeric
sequence to print labels that read "Lab 1 Lab 2
Lab 3…". Or, you could enter the number 10
after an alphabetic sequence to print labels that
read "a10 b10 c10…".

24

To add text before the sequence, simply type
the text (including trailing spaces, if needed)
before you insert the sequence character. To
add text after the sequence, insert the sequence
character and then type the text (including a
leading space, if needed), and then press
PRINT. To define your sequence:

1. Select Sequence. The printer displays the
following options:

Insert Alpha Num

2. Use the left and right arrow keys to move to
the left of the option you want and press
ENTER to select it, or simply type the
capitalized letter in the option name.

Using F3

Setting Print Attributes

If you choose Alphabetic, the printer next
prompts you to enter the first letter you want
printed (if you choose Numeric, this prompt
reads Start #, you will then need to enter the
beginning number):

Start Char: A

3. Type the letter or number (for Numeric) you

want printed first and press ENTER. If you
chose Alphabetic, the printer next prompts
you to enter the last letter you want printed
(if you chose Numeric, this prompt will read

End #):

End Char: Z

4. Type the last letter or number (for Numeric)

you want printed in the sequence and press
ENTER. The printer next prompts you to
enter the increment amount:

Using F3

Increment: 1

5. Type the amount to increment between

letters or numbers and press ENTER. For
example, you would enter a 2 to generate a
sequence of every other letter or even
numbers (provided you start at an even
number).

6. Press PRINT to start printing the labels. If

the sequence is not correct, press PRINT
again to stop printing and redefine your
sequence.

25

Setting Print Attributes

Language Select Language to specify the language you

want to work in as well as the date format (i.e.,
dd/mm/yy for US or mm/dd/yy for international).
The printer displays the languages available
(see the following example) and waits for you to
select one. Use the left and right arrow keys to
move to the left of the option you want and press
ENTER to select it, or simply type the capitalized
letter in the option name.

dAnsk Deutsch English espanoL Francai Italian nedeR Norsk
Portuga sUomi Svenska uK

Copies Select Copies to specify the number of copies

you want to print (1-999). The printer displays
the current setting for this option (see the
following example) and waits for your entry.
Press ESC to accept the number of copies
shown, or type a different number and press

ENTER.

Copies 1

Rotation Select Rotation to rotate all lines of the first

page of any document/file. All other pages in a
document/file are ignored. Rotation is a toggle
and page attribute option. If an asterisk is
displayed beside the option, selecting it turns off
rotation. This option will allow up to six lines of
text printed in a vertical format as shown in the
following example.

Line 1

Line 2

Line 3

Line 4

Line 5

Line 6

Note: Rotation and Vertical are not the same.
For more information on the Vertical option see

Formatting Text: Vertical.

26 Using F3

Setting Print Attributes

The following text attributes are ignored when
rotation is selected: Mirror, Vertical, Frame,
Underline, Italics. Bar codes will also not print.
All other formatting attributes operate normally
except for Size.

Size: Because the width of the supply is no
greater than one inch, there is a restriction on
the largest point size that can be printed. Point
sizes should be between 6 and 18. Any point
size entered larger than 18 will automatically be
printed at 18 point. Original point size is
restored when rotation is turned off.

Text strings (lines) that are longer than the width
of the supply will cause an error message of
"Text too long". Text will not wrap around to
the next line. If you wish to reduce the point
size, move the cursor to the beginning of the
line, press F2 (Font) and S for Size, enter the
new point size, and press Enter.

Note: If you manually change the point size,
when rotation is turned off the original point size
will not be restored. Any other current attribute
settings that are changed will also not be
restored.

Using F3

Baudrate

9600 19200 38400 57600

Select Baudrate to set the speed of data
transmission when communicating with the
computer. Important: This rate must match the
baud rate of the computer - if not this error
message appears and an error tone will sound:

Serial Error
Any Key

To correct, change baud rate to match between
computer and printer. You should halt your
computer from sending data while you make this
change. Also verify that the computer's serial

27

Setting Print Attributes

Remote Select Remote to toggle between native mode

communications settings are 8 data bits, 1 stop
bit and parity = none. Flow control can be set to
either hardware or software flow control.

Serial error messages seen at computer power
up/power down can be eliminated by having the
printer turned on only when the computer is also
turned on.

Microsoft Windows users should use the Kroy
print driver for Windows to print in the remote
mode. Contact your dealer to obtain the print
driver.

(normal operation) and emulation mode. In this
mode the printer emulates a 24 pin dot matrix
Epson-compatible printer, allowing files created
on a computer to be printed. When emulation
mode is active, "Remote" in the Utilities menu
(F3) is flagged with an asterisk (*). The
selection of emulation on/off is stored in the
printer's memory until changed and becomes the
default mode for system power up. With
emulation mode on, the Utilities menu is
simplified to only four necessary items.

28

Density Language Baudrate Remote

When data is being sent to the printer, the
display message is:

Receiving

Once all data for a complete label have been
received, the printer will process the information
for an instant before printing starts. Once
printing is complete the display shows the
waiting message until more data is sent to it.

Waiting

Using F3

Setting Print Attributes

You may cancel printing at any time by pressing
the ESC key. Press FEED to advance out any
label. It may be necessary to cancel sending
data at your computer also. An error tone will
sound and the message below appears
whenever printing is halted.

Aborted
Any Key

Time/Date Select Time and/or Date to enter the current

time and/or date into your label. The date will be
entered in dd/mm/yy or mm/dd/yy depending on
the prompt language you select. Once entered,
they can be formatted or deleted just as if you
had physically typed them in. (See also
SetClock and 24HourMode)

Note: Do not confuse the Time and Date menu
options with the Stamp option. Time/Date
enters the current time/date into your text at the
insertion point, once entered they are now
considered text by the printer (as if you typed
them by hand).

Using F3

Stamp Select Stamp to have the current date and time

printed vertically on the very edge of your label.
Every time you press print a stamp with the
current date and time will be printed vertically on
the edge of every label in ddhhmmMMMyy
format. When Stamp is active, "stamP" in the
Utilities menu (F3) is flagged with an asterisk (*).

Note: Using Stamp on supply sizes .5" and
smaller is not recommended.

Set Clock Select Set Clock to enter the current time and

date in the printer. The information will be
entered in the order shown in Table 5.

29

Setting Print Attributes

Table 5: Set Clock Parameters

Prompt Parameters

Year Last two digits of the year
Month Number from 1 to 12
Day Number from 1 to 31
Hour* Number from 0 to 23
Minute Number from 0 to 59
Second Number from 0 to 59

*Hour is entered in 24 hour mode,
i.e., 1 PM would be entered as 13.

24 Hour Mode Select 24Hourmode to toggle between 24 hour

clock and 12 hour clock. When selected,
causes time entered in the text of a label via the
TIME option to be in 24 hour mode (i.e., 1PM as

13). When 24 Hour Mode is active,

"24Hourmode" in the Utilities menu (F3) is
flagged with an asterisk (*).

30

Using F3

Printing Labels

PRINT When you have finished entering label text and

setting the text and print attributes, press PRINT
to start printing labels. The label will then
advance just enough to clear the cut
mechanism. Push on the cut button to detach
the label.

NOTE: You can stop the print procedure by
pressing the ESC key.

FEED When you have finished printing labels or just

need extra tape, press FEED to advance the
tape approximately one inch. Push on the cut
button to detach the label.

31Printing Labels

Setting Up Bar Codes

This section explains how to use the F4 (Bar Code) key to specify the
type of bar code you want to print, whether you want to print text with the
bar code symbol, how you want bar code accuracy checked during
scanning, and the amount of resolution to use when printing bar codes.

The K2500 has ten bar codes built in. The following table summarizes
information on these bar codes.

Table 6: Bar Code Information

Bar Code

Type

Codabar

Code 39

EAN-8 0 — 9 EAN-8

EAN-13 0 — 9 EAN-13

Interleaved
2 of 5

UPC -A 0 — 9 None

UPC-E 0 — 9 None

Code 128

Valid

Characters

0—9 A—D
. - $ / + %

0—9 A—Z
. - $ / +%
space

0 — 9 None, mod 10

128 ASCII
Character
Set

Checksum

Options

Available

None, mod 10,
mod 16

None, mod 43

None

Fixed

Length

< 32
characters

< 32
characters

7, 9, or 12
digits

12, 14, or
17 digits

Even
number of
digits

11, 13, or
16 digits

6, 8, or 11
digits

< 32
characters

Special Restrictions and

Other Information

First and last characters
must always be either A,
B, C, or D. Letters not
allowed in body of bar
code.

Lowercase letters not
allowed

Length varies because of
optional 2 or 5 digit
supplemental

Length varies because of
optional 2 or 5 digit
supplemental

Printer adds leading zero,
if needed, to make the
length even.

Length varies because of
optional 2 or 5 digit
supplemental

Length varies because of
optional 2 or 5 digit
supplemental

See Appendix D

MSI Plessey 0 - 9

PDF 417

32

All ASCII
characters

None, mod 10,
mod 11

0 to 400 levels
of security

<16 digits

<700
characters

Mod 11 checksum cannot
equal 10

None

Setting Up Bar Codes

Setting Up Bar Codes

Using F4

F4 Press F4 to display the Bar Code menu options:

*None codaBar Code39 Ean8 eAn13 I2of5 Upca uPce

coDe128 Msiplessey pdF417

Depending on the bar code you have selected,
the following submenu options (or variations)
will appear. Some bar codes allow you to
choose whether to include a checksum and
change the resolution at which the bar code is
printed as well as whether to print text or the
checksum.

Code Text Resolution checkSum Prtcksum SecLevl cOlumns

Code Select Code to change the type of bar code you

want to print. The printer displays the types of
bar codes available. Use the left and right arrow
keys to move to the left of the option you want
and press ENTER to select it, or simply type the
capitalized letter in the option name.

Using F4

Text Select Text to print text as part of the bar code.

If an asterisk displays to the left of the option,
selecting it turns text printing off. Text is printed
in the following manner:

• Code 39, Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5 and

MSI Plessey: text is printed immediately
beneath the symbol

• EAN8, EAN13, and UPC: text for the

number system is printed at the left of the
symbol; text for the product and manufac­turer code is printed beneath the symbol;
text for the supplemental is drawn above the
symbol.

33

Setting Up Bar Codes

• PDF 417 has no text option.

Resolution Select Resolution to specify whether you want

to print the bar code at normal or high resolution.
Use the left and right arrow keys to move to the
left of the option you want and press ENTER to
select it, or simply type the capitalized letter in
the option name.

*Medium High

Checksum Select checkSum to specify the type of error

checking you want to use. The type of bar code
you selected at Code determines the prompt
that displays next. For example, if you selected

I2of5, the following prompt displays:

None Mod10

Use the left and right arrow keys to move to the
left of the option you want and press ENTER to
select it.

Print Checksum Some bar codes symbologies allow you to print

the checksum value as part of the bar code.
Select Prtcksum to print the checksum. If an
asterisk is displayed to the left of the option,
selecting it turns printing of the checksum off.

Security Level Select SecLevl to enter a number in this field,

you set the error correction level as a
percentage of data codewords. Valid inputs for
ECC level are 0 to 400. (PDF417 only)

Columns Select cOlumns to tell the printer the maximum

number of columns you wish to have in your
PDF417 data file. If a number is entered such
that more rows are needed than will fit the height
of the tape, an error will be generated. Entering
a 0 will cause the printer to calculate its own
value for the number of columns. (PDF417 only)

34

Using F4

Die Cut Label Supply

Using Die Cut Labels

The section will describe changes in operation that occur when using die
cut label supply. The printer has a sensing device that will automatically
inform the system if a die cut label supply cartridge has been loaded.
The following printer keys' operations are effected.

Without the die cut supply, Page Up and Page Down allow you to move
between the previous label and the next label by holding the Shift key
and pressing the up and down arrow keys. Die cut labels, however, can
have several pages on one label. The following short tutorial will familiar­ize you with how you can place several pages on one die cut label. This
example uses the die cut label supply of 3.44 x .56.

1. Load a die cut label supply cartridge into the printer.

2. Press F1 (File) and then the letter N (New) for new document.

3. Press F2 (Font) and then the letter S (Size). Enter a new size
of 40, press ENTER, press ESC, and then type One.

4. Hold SHIFT and press DOWN ARROW. This will take you to
the next page.

5. Press F2 and then the letter S. Enter a new size of 10 and
press ENTER, then press ESC.

6. Type Line1 and press ENTER, type Line2 and press ENTER,
and type Line3. You have just entered 3 lines of text on page
2 of the die cut label.

7. Hold SHIFT and press DOWN ARROW. This will take you to
the next page.

8. Press F2 and then the letter S. Enter a new size of 40 and
press ENTER, then press ESC.

9. Type 79¢. You have just entered three different pages that will
print on one die cut label.

10. Press the PRINT key. The label will be printed and the supply
will be automatically advanced to the beginning of the next
label.

You can place as many pages as there is room on the label. If you try to
place too many pages on a label the system will give you the message
"Text too long". Bar codes can easily be mixed with text when you are
using die cut label supply. See your Kroy distributor for available sizes.

35Die Cut Labels

Communication Protocol

The K2500 has been designed to be simple to use while still giving the
user sufficient control over how text will be printed. The printer may be
operated in a standalone, keyboard driven manner or as an RS-232
serially driven computer printer via a terminal program or an application
you write. This section describes only the printer-to-host driver intercon­nect protocol.

Serial Port Connection

The serial port connector is located on the left side of the printer next to
the AC adapter jack. Connection is established via a DB-9 adapter, with
the following pin assignments inside the printer.

DB-9 Male Connector

*

* Pins 1, 4, and 7 are
tied together to
provide proper
handshaking with the
host computer when
using our
recommended cable.

Request To Send (RTS)

Receive Data

Transmit Data

Signal Ground

Not Used

Clear To Send (CTS)

+5VDC

1
2

3

*

4
5
6

7
8

9

At the present time, RTS and CTS are not used - the printer does not
recognize these signals as flow control data. Normal flow control be­tween the K2500 and the driver is accomplished with XON and XOFF
characters, and the receive buffer on the printer is currently 256 bytes,
with the XOFF threshold occurring at 128 bytes.

36

Serial Port Connection

Communication Protocol

Printer Set Up

In order for the printer to communicate with an external driver, the correct
communication parameters must be selected. The settings for the printer
are:

9600 bits per second
Eight data bits
No parity
One stop bit
Xon/Xoff enabled

Basic Operation

The printer's serial software is designed for ease of use. It interprets
data coming over the serial line as if the transmitting terminal were an
extension of the keyboard. For the most part, text attributes are changed
by simulating menu commands via the serial line.

• Menu keys are accessed by sending out IBM special key codes

• Special key codes are preceded by a 0 byte. The next byte is the
special key code.

Conventions

All numbers are written as hexadecimal numbers (base 16).
When a byte should be sent that represents an ASCII character,
it will be enclosed in single quotes (i.e., 'X'). When the machine
expects a numeric input, as in setting text size, it expects the
ASCII characters.

Once the menu key code has been sent, you must send the correct
sequence of codes to complete the command.

For example, to start a new label you would send the following:

00 send notification of special key codes
3B access file menu
'N' ASCII value for New option

To print a label you would send the following:

00 send notification of special key codes
44 print function hex code

Printer Set Up

37

Communication Protocol

Consult the following tables of hex codes and ASCII values for special
function keys, menus, menu options and submenu options. Submenu
options marked with ‡ are followed by the carriage return hex code.

Table 7: Special Function Keys Hex Codes

Function

Hex Codes

(one or two bytes)

Delete 08

Feed 0C

Escape 1B

Alt Delete 0053

Carriage Return 0D

Up Arrow 0048

Down Arrow 0050

Right Arrow 004D

Left Arrow 004B

Page Up

(Shift Up Arrow)

0049

38

Page Down

(Shift Down Arrow)

Print 0044

0051

Function Keys Hex Codes

Table 8: Menu Hex Codes

Menu Hex Code

File 3B

Font* 3C

Utilities 3D

Bar Code 3E

*Used only when a font application card is installed.

Table 9: File Menu (3B)

Communication Protocol

File Menu

Menu Option

Codes

Submenu Option

Codes

New - 'N'

Open - 'O' Filename in ASCII ‡

Save - 'S' Filename in ASCII ‡

Del - 'D' Filename in ASCII ‡

39

Communication Protocol

Table 10: Font Menu (3C)

Menu Option

Submenu Option

Codes

Font - 'F' Block - 'B'

Numeric ASCII value
between

Size - 'S'

6 and 72 (1" tape) ‡
6 and 55 (.8" tape) ‡
6 and 30 (.5" tape) ‡

Left - 'L'

Justification - 'J'

Center - 'C'
Right - 'R'

Bold - 'B' Toggle

Italics - 'I' Toggle

Mirror - 'M' Toggle

Codes

40

Vertical - 'V' Toggle

Frame - 'R'

Page - 'P'
Line - 'L'

Underline - 'U' Toggle

Font Menu

Table 11: Utilities Menu (3D)

Communication Protocol

Menu Option

Submenu Option

Codes

Density - 'D'

Numeric ASCII values
between -7 and +7 ‡

Auto-off - 'A' Toggle

Numeric ASCII values

Width - 'W'

between:
0 and 120 (inches/10) ‡
0 and 305 (mm) ‡

Numeric ASCII value

Margin - 'M'

between:
0 and 5 (inches/10) ‡
0 and 13 (mm) ‡

Numeric ASCII value

Feed - 'F'

between:
0 and 13 (inches/10) ‡
0 and 34 (mm) ‡

Codes

Units - 'U'

Inches - 'I'
MM - 'M'

Insert - 'I'

Sequence - 'S'

Alpha - 'A' *‡
Num - 'N' *‡

Menu continued on next page

* Valid ASCII characters for start, stop, and increment are covered in
Sequence beginning on page 23. Remember to follow each ASCII value
with the carriage return hex code.

Utilities Menu

41

Communication Protocol

Table 11: Utilities Menu (continued)

Menu Option

Submenu Option

Codes

ASCII value for the

Language - 'L'

capital letter of available
languages

Copies - 'C'

Numeric ASCII value
between 1 and 999 ‡

Rotation - 'I' Toggle

Time - 'T' None

Date - 'E' None

Stamp - 'P' Toggle

Numeric ASCII values
between:
Year: 00 and 99 ‡

Set Clock - 'O'

Month: 1 and 12 ‡
Day: 1 and 31 ‡
Hour: 0 and 23 ‡
Minute: 0 and 59 ‡
Second: 0 and 59 ‡

Codes

42

24HourMode -'H' Toggle

Utilities Menu

Table 12: Bar Code Menu (3E)

Communication Protocol

Menu Option

Submenu Option

Codes

None - 'N'
Codabar - 'B'
Code 39 - 'C'
EAN-8 - 'E'
EAN-13 - 'A'

Code - 'C'

I 2 of 5 - 'I'
UPC-A - 'U'
UPC-E - 'P'
Code 128 - 'D'
MSIPlessey - 'M'
PDF417 - 'F'

Text - 'T' Toggle

Resolution - 'R'

Checksum - 'S'

Medium - 'M'
High - 'H'

ASCII value for the
capital letter

Codes

Bar Code Menu

Print Checksum - 'P' Toggle

Security Level - 'S'

Columns - 'O'

Numeric ASCII value
between 0 and 400

Numeric ASCII value
of 0 and 30

‡

‡

43

Appendix A: System Messages

If a system message displays while you are using the printer (an error
tone will be audible), first read the message and then press any key to
clear it from the screen. When appropriate, the printer will display the
text that caused the message so that you can correct it.

Aborted You stopped the printer while it was printing a label. Press
FEED to eject the rest of the label from the printer.

Any Key The printer is in a standby mode. Press any key except On/
Off, Shift, Caps, or Alt to continue.

Bad File Name (1)The file name you tried to save is too long or contains

invalid characters. Reenter the file name (maximum seven characters)
using only the letters a to z and numbers 0 through 9. (2) You tried to
save a file on the B drive when no PCMCIA card is installed. Resave file
on the A drive.

Bad Checksum The Plessey Mod11 bar code checksum equals 10.
You must use a numbering system which does not generate a 10 as a
checksum.

Cart Code The cartridge you inserted requires special settings. Type in
the code provided with the cartridge and press ENTER.

Cut During Print You cut the label before the printer finished printing it.
Press FEED to eject the rest of the label text from the printer, then reprint
the label. Cut the label only after the printer has stopped printing.

Invalid Cart The cartridge you inserted may not be properly locked in
place, cannot be used with this printer, or you entered a Cart Code
incorrectly. Remove the cartridge and press ESC to continue.

Invalid Character The sequence or bar code character you entered is
not allowed or can be used only as a start/stop character. Enter a valid
character.

Invalid Key The key you pressed cannot be used in the current task.
Press a valid key.

System Messages

A-1

System Messages

Invalid Length You entered the wrong number of characters for the bar

code. Check the length requirements for the type of bar code you are
using and enter the correct number of characters.

Invalid Start The sequence or bar code character you entered as a start
character is not allowed. Enter a valid start character.

Invalid Stop The sequence or bar code character you entered as a stop
character is not allowed. Enter a valid stop character.

Low Battery The printer’s nickel-cadmium batteries are discharged.
Recharge the batteries.

No Files You selected Open or Delete but have no files saved in
memory. You must save files before you can open or delete them.

Out Of Memory (1) There is not enough memory to save your file.
Either delete unneeded files or simplify labels by reducing the amount of
text or the number of formatting options they contain. (2)You tried to save
a file to drive B when it is write protected.

Out of Tape You have run out of label tape. Press any key to continue.
Install a new tape cartridge.

Printer Too Hot The printer is too hot to print labels. Wait about five
minutes and then resume printing. This message may also appear when
the printer is used in an ambient temperature below its minimum rated
operating temperature.

Printing The printer is printing labels. No action required.
Thinking The printer is performing a function other than printing. No

action required.
Text too tall The point size is too large for the number of lines you have

entered. Reduce the point size or select fewer lines.
Text too long You have entered too many characters for the label width

you have specified. Enter fewer characters or enter a longer width.
Too complex You have defined too many attributes and/or widths and

margins for the printer to process. Select fewer and try printing again.

A-2

System Messages

System Messages

Too High The number you entered is too high. Enter a lower number.
Too Low The number you entered is too low. Enter a higher number.

System Messages

A-3

Maintaining Your Printer

Appendix B: Maintaining Your Printer

The printer requires no lubrication and only minimal maintenance.
Occasional cleaning of the exterior surfaces and regular cleaning of the
print head, rollers, and cut mechanism are all that is required. This
appendix explains how to clean these parts of your printer.

Cleaning Exterior Surfaces

Exterior surfaces can be cleaned with a damp cloth moistened in a mild
detergent and water solution. Commercial cleaners designed for
electronic equipment may also be used.

Cleaning the Cutting Mechanism

Your printer comes with a cut blade housed in a removable cut
mechanism. Clean the cut blade whenever operation of the mechanism
or quality of the cut indicates that the blade may be dirty.

To clean the cut blade:

1. Remove the supply cartridge.

2. Gently push both tabs in (using a large paper clip or similar item)
while pulling the mechanism toward the front of the printer to release
the cut mechanism as shown in Figure 7. Once the mechanism is
released, gently slide it toward the front of the printer and remove it.

Figure 7: Removing the Cut Mechansim

Maintaining your printer

B-1

Maintaining Your Printer

3. Hold the cut mechanism by placing your thumb on the spring and
knob as shown in Figure 8 and gently squeeze in the direction of the
arrow. The cut blade will then be exposed.

Figure 8: Holding the Cut Mechanism

B-2

Correct Incorrect

CAUTION: Sharp edge

inside this shroud.

WARNING: DO NOT HOLD THE

CUT MECHANISM AS SHOWN.

Cleaning the Cut Blade

Maintaining Your Printer

4. Clean the cut blade with a soft cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol as

shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Cleaning the Cut Blade

CAUTION: Sharp edges.

5. Gently push the cut mechanism back into its place in the printer until

you hear or feel the locking tabs catch. See your Kroy distributor for
replacement cut mechanisms.

Cleaning the Print Head and Rollers

The print head and rollers should be cleaned after every cartridge (see
Figure 5 for location). Use isopropyl alcohol on a soft cotton swab to
remove adhesive buildup and tape and ribbon residue. Make sure the
alcohol has evaporated before loading a supply cartridge.

Note: Avoid touching the surface of the print head with your finger.
Acids and oils on your skin will damage the print head.

Cleaning the Cut Blade

B-3

Troubleshooting

Appendix C: Troubleshooting

This appendix explains how to solve some common problems that may
arise when you are using the printer. If you are unable to correct the
problem contact your dealer or Kroy Technical Service. In the United
States, call [phone] or [phone]; in Europe, call

[phone].

1. Display stays black/blank after printer is turned on.

- Rotate the LCD Contrast Knob.

- Make sure the AC adapter is firmly seated in the jack.

- Make sure the batteries are charged and/or properly installed
and that the batteries and their contacts are clean.

2. The printer does not print.

- Ensure lock/release knob is in locked position.

- Check supply cartridge and its position.

3. Printed characters are blurred.

- Decrease the print density level.

4. Printed characters are not formed properly.

- Increase the print density level.

- Batteries are possibly weak. Check printing with charged
batteries or AC power adapter.

5. Printed characters have voids and scratches.

- Clean print head and rollers with:

a. Kroy Cleaning Kit Part# 255900
b. 90% or better Isopropyl alcohol on a cotten swab

For FAQ's (frequently asked questions) on the K2500
Go to www.kroy.com

Troubleshooting

C-1

Troubleshooting

Addendum: Troubleshooting

Self-Laminating Wire Wrap Label Set-Up

1. Turn on the machine and load cartridge.

2. If prompted to enter cart code, enter the code that is on the cartridge
label

numbers)

3. Press the F2 key and you will see _Font Size Just .

4. Press the "S" key on the keypad and select the font size.

5. Once you select your font size press Enter. You will then be back at

6. Press the F3 key to enter the Utilities menu. Scroll through the menu

(you do not need to enter the dashes in between the sets of

and then press Enter.

the _Font Size Just menu. Press the Escape (ESC) key.

with the left or right arrow keys until you see the Rotation option. Put
the cursor in front of Rotation, press Enter.

7. Type the text onto the screen and press Print.

Saving Files in the K2500

1. Set up your label (i.e. font size, rotation, font style etc.) and type the
text into the display.

2. Press the F1 key and the menu options _New Open Save will appear.

3. Press the "S" key on the keypad and you will see Label 1.

4. Name the file up to 8 characters in length and press Enter.

5. To recall the saved file(s) press the F1 key, the _New Open Save
menu will appear.

6. Press the "O" key on the keypad and you will see _a: followed by your
file name. Select the file you want to open and press Enter and Print.

C-2

Troubleshooting

Code 128 Character Set

Appendix D: Code 128 Character Set

Code 128 encodes the full 128 character ASCII character set using three
alternate character sets, A, B, and C. Each set includes shift codes and
start codes to control which set is to be used. Thus a given character
pattern can have several meanings, depending on the character set
currently in use.

Below is a list of the character set for each code.

Code ACode BCode

Space Space

!!011

""022

##033

$$044

%%055 @ @ 32 32

&&066

''077

((088

))099

* * 10 10 E E 37 37

+ + 11 11

, , 12 12 G G 39 39

- - 13 13

. . 14 14

/ / 15 15

0 0 16 16

1 1 17 17 L L 44 44

2 2 18 18

3 3 19 19

4 4 20 20

5 5 21 21

6 6 22 22

7 7 23 23 R R 50 50

8 8 24 24

9 9 25 25

: : 26 26

Value

C

00 0 ; ; 27 27

Code ACodeBCode

< < 28 28

= = 29 29

> > 30 30

? ? 31 31

A A 33 33

B B 34 34

C C 35 35

D D 36 36

F F 38 38

H H 40 40

I I 41 41

J J 42 42

K K 43 43

M M 45 45

N N 46 46

O O 47 47

P P 48 48

Q Q 49 49

S S 51 51

T T 52 52

U U 53 53

C

Value

Code 128 Character Set

D-1

Code 128 Character Set

Code ACode BCode

V V 54 54 SI o 79 79

W W 55 55 DLE p 80 80

X X 56 56 DC1 q 81 81

Y Y 57 57 DC2 r 82 82

Z Z 58 58

[ [ 59 59

\ \ 60 60

] ] 61 61

_ _ 63 63

NUL ' 64 64

SOH a 65 65 SUB z 90 90

STX b 66 66 ESC { 91 91

ETX c 67 67

EOT d 68 68

ENQ e 69 69 RS ~ 94 94

Value

C

62 62

Code ACodeBCode

DC3 s 83 83

DC4 t 84 84

NAK u 85 85

SYN v 86 86

ETB w 87 87

CAN x 88 88

EM y 89 89

FS | 92 92

GS } 93 93

Value

C

D-2

ACK f 70 70 US DEL 95 95

BEL g 71 71 FNC3 FNC3 96 96

BS h 72 72 FNC2 FNC2 97 97

HT i 73 73 Shift Shift 98 98

LF j 74 74

VT k 75 75

FF l 76 76

CR m 77 77

SO n 78 78 START ( CODE A ) 103

CodeC CodeC

CodeB FNC4 CodeB

FNC4 CodeA CodeA

FNC1 FNC1 FNC1

START ( CODE B ) 104

START ( CODE C ) 105

99 99

100

101

102

STOP STOP STOP

Code 128 Character Set

ASCII Character Set

Appendix E: ASCII Character Set

Below is a list of the ASCII character set. See Communication
Protocol for further information.

ASCII

Character

Code

22 72 H 114 r 156 ú
32 Space 73 I 115 s 157 ù
33 ! 74 J 116 t 158 û
34 " 75 K 117 u 159 ü
35 # 76 L 118 v 161 °
36 $ 77 M 119 w 162 ¢
37 % 78 N 120 x 163 £
38 & 79 O 121 y 167 ß
39 ' 80 P 122 z 174 Æ
40 ( 81 Q 123 { 175 Ø
41 ) 82 R 124 | 180 ¥
42 * 83 S 125 } 187 ª
43 + 84 T 126 ~ 188 º
44 , 85 U 128 Ä 190 æ
45 - 86 V 129 Å 191 ø
46 . 87 W 130 Ç 192 ¿
47 / 88 X 131 É 193 ¡
48 0 89 Y 132 Ñ 196 ƒ
49 1 90 Z 133 Ö 203 À
50 2 91 [ 134 Ü 204 Ã
51 3 92 \ 135 á 205 Õ
52 4 93 ] 136 à 216 ÿ
53 5 94 ^ 137 â 217 Ÿ
54 6 95 _ 138 ä 229 Â
55 7 97 a 139 ã 230 Ê
56 8 98 b 140 å 231 Á
57 9 99 c 141 ç 232 Ë
58 : 100 d 142 é 233 È
59 ; 101 e 143 è 238 Ó
60 < 102 f 144 ê 239 Ô
61 = 103 g 145 ë 241 Ò
62 > 104 h 146 í 242 Ú
63 ? 105 i 147 ì 243 Û
64 @ 106 j 148 î 244 Ù
65 A 107 k 149 ï
66 B 108 l 150 ñ
67 C 109 m 151 ó
68 D 110 n 152 ò
69 E 111 o 153 ô
70 F 112 p 154 ö
71 G 113 q 155 õ

ASCII
Code

Character

ASCII

Code

Character

ASCII

Code

Character

ASCII Character Set

E-1