Wasp Bar Code WPL305 User Manual

WPL305 Thermal Label Printer
User’s Guide

For Wasp Technologies
DT/TT Printer

 Copyright Wasp Bar Code Technologies 2004.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means without the written permission of Wasp Bar
Code Technologies. The information contained in this document is
subject to change without notice.

Wasp is a trademark of Wasp Bar Code Technologies. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.

Contents

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

2. Getting Started.......................................................................................1

2.1 Unpacking and Inspection .......................................... 1

2.2 Equipment Checklist ................................................... 1

2.3 Printer Parts................................................................. 2

3. Setup .......................................................................................................2

3.1 Setting Up the Printer.................................................. 2

3.2 Loading the Ribbon..................................................... 2

3.3 Loading Label Stock ................................................... 4

3.7 Top Cover Operation................................................... 5

4. Power on Utilities...................................................................................8

4.1 Initialization ................................................................. 8

4.2 Ribbon Sensor Calibration.......................................... 8

4.3 Gap/Black Mark Calibration ........................................ 9

5. Maintenance .........................................................................................11

5.1 Cleaning..................................................................... 11

6. Troubleshooting ..................................................................................11

6.1 LED Status ................................................................. 11

6.2 Print Quality............................................................... 12

7. Specifications.......................................................................................13

7.1 Printer Specifications................................................ 13

7.2 Label Stock Specifications ....................................... 13

7.3 Ribbon Specifications............................................... 14

7.4. LED and Button Operation....................................... 14

8. Product Support...................................................................................14

9. Warranty Information ..........................................................................14

1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the W305 Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal Bar
Code Printer. Although the printer takes only a small amount of space, it
delivers reliable, superior performance.

This printer provides both thermal transfer and direct thermal printing at user
selectable speed of: 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0ips. It accepts roll feed, die-cut, and
fan-fold labels for both thermal transfer and direct thermal printing. All
common bar codes formats are available. Fonts and bar codes can be printed
in 4 directions, 8 different alphanumeric bitmap fonts and a build-in true type
font capability. You will enjoy high throughput for printing labels with this
printer.

2. Getting Started

2.1 Unpacking and Inspection

This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during
shipping. Please carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receipt.
Please retain the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer.

2.2 Equipment Checklist

n Printer
n Software CD disk
n Sample ribbon roll
n Sample label roll
n Label spindle (1 inch diameter core)
n 2 Label spindle fixed tabs with 1.5” core adapters
n Paper core
n 2 Ribbon supply/rewind spindles
n Parallel / Centronics cable
n Auto switching power supply
n Power cord
n Quick start guide

To unpack the unit, remove the packaging material and parts carefully from
the box. Remove and discard the tape holding the two halves of the printer
and the media door. Open the media door and remove the Styrofoam. Open
the printer and remove the two cushioning pads from the mouth of the printer.
Remove the protective covers over the media door and back viewing door.

2.3 Printer Parts

turned off. In case the ribbon is installed but the printer does not detect the

Ribbon Access Window

LED Indicator

Feed Button

Printer Top Cover

Top Cover Open Lever

Figure 1: Top front view

3. Setup

3.1 Setting Up the Printer

1. Place the printer on a flat, secure surface.

2. Make sure the power switch is off.

3. Connect the printer to the computer with the Centronics or USB cable.

4. Plug the power cord into the power supply connector at the rear of the
printer, and then plug the power cord into a properly grounded
receptable.

Rear Paper Guides

Wall
Plug

USB

Centronics
/ Parallel

RS-

Power

Power Switch

Figure 2: Back of Printer Parts

Power Supply

3.2 Loading the Ribbon

The printer automatically detects if a ribbon is installed after power on and will
switch to thermal transfer or direct thermal printing mode. If printer does not
detect the ribbon, the motor that drives the ribbon rewind spindle will be

ribbon, please refer to the ribbon calibration procedure to calibrate the ribbon

Ribbon Core

Rewind Core

sensor.
NOTE: If you are using direct thermal labels you should not load a ribbon.

1. Push down on the ribbon access window to unlock and open the cover.

2. Wasp Ribbons come with the cardboard rewind core already attached to
the ribbon for ease of accurate installation. Arrange the ribbon and core as
seen in the picture below so that the core is rolled out about 4 inches and
the dull side of the printer ribbon is facing toward you. On Wasp Ribbons
the Wasp logo should face you.

Spindle

3. Put the two spindles into the two cores from the right. Make sure the right
side of the spindle is flush with the core after insertion.

4. Pull the cover access lever to open the printer

5. Hold the ribbon with the wide end of the spindle on the right and lower the
rewind core through the back of the ribbon compartment

Back Hub

Ribbon Access Window

Front Hub

Figure 3: Ribbon installation

6. Attach the ribbon spindle to the Back Hub by placing the left side of the
spindle against the knob with the spring on it and compressing with the
ribbon spindle. Slide the right side down over the other knob. The ribbon
spindle should not be able to be removed without re-compressing the
spring. You may have to turn the ribbon until the grooves on the spindle
align and it clicks into place.

7. Reach between the two halves of the printer and gently pull the rewind
spindle and core under and around the print head and mount it on the
Front Hub as above.

8. Rotate the ribbon rewind core away from you until the black ribbon is on
the rewind core.

Make sure both the ribbon access window and the printer top cover are

1” Label Spindle

1.5” Core Adapter

closed when powering up the printer.

3.3 Loading Label Stock

1. Insert a 1” label spindle into the label roll. If your paper core is 1 inch, you
can remove the 1.5” core adapters from the centering tab. If the label width
is 4 inches wide, the two centering tabs are not required.

Printing Side
Face Up

Centering Tab

Figure 4: Label Roll Installation

2. Open the printer’s top cover by pulling the yellow top cover open levers
located on each side of the printer and lifting the top cover. A top cover
support at the rear of the printer will hold the printer top cover open.

Lower Cover

Figure 5: Pull the lever to open the cover

3. Place the roll of labels onto the center of the paper roll mount.