Zebra GK42-202220-000 User Manual

Zebra GK420d

Desktop Thermal Printer

User Guide

ii

©2008 ZIH Corp. The copyrights in this manual and the software and/or firmware in the label printer described therein are owned by ZIH Corp. Unauthorized reproduction of this manual or the software and/or firmware in the label printer may result in imprisonment of up to one year and fines of up to $10,000 (17 U.S.C.506). Copyright violators may be subject to civil liability. All trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

This product may contain ZPL®, ZPL II®, and ZebraLink™ programs; Element Energy

Equalizer™ Circuit; E3®; and Monotype Imaging fonts. Software ©ZIH corp. All rights reserved worldwide.

ZebraLink and all product names and numbers are trademarks, and Zebra, the Zebra logo, ZPL, ZPL II, Element Energy Equalizer circuit, and E3 Circuit are registered trademarks of ZIH Corp. All rights reserved worldwide.Monotype®, Intellifont® and UFST® are trademarks of Monotype Imaging, Inc. registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain jurisdictions.

CG Triumvirate is a trademark of Monotype Imaging, Inc. and may be registered in some jurisdictions.

TrueType® is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certancertain jurisdictions.

Proprietary Statement

This manual contains proprietary information of Zebra Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Zebra Technologies”). It is intended solely for the information and use of parties operating and maintaining the equipment described herein. Such proprietary information may not be used, reproduced, or disclosed to any other parties for any other purpose without the express written permission of Zebra Technologies.

Product Improvements

Continuous improvement of products is a policy of Zebra Technologies. All specifications and designs are subject to change without notice.

Liability Disclaimer

Zebra Technologies takes steps to ensure that its published Engineering specifications and manuals are correct; however, errors do occur. Zebra Technologies reserves the right to correct any such errors and disclaims liability resulting therefrom.

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall Zebra Technologies or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including hardware and software) be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, consequential damages including loss of business profits, business interruption, or loss of business information) arising out of the use of, the results of use of, or inability to use such product, even if Zebra Technologies has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

Canadian DOC Compliance Statement

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

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FCC Compliance Statement

This device complies with Part 15 rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1.This device may not cause harmful interference, and

2.This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B Digital Devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a residential environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the product manuals, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, the user is encouraged to do one or more of the following measures:

•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

•Consult the dealer or an experienced RF service technician for help.

The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Zebra Technologies could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. To ensure compliance, this printer must be used with fully shielded communication cables.

G-Series Printers

Caution • CLASS 1M LASER PRODUCT

• Vi ewi ng the laser output wi th certain optical i nstruments (f or exampl e, eye loops, magnifiers and mi croscopes) within a distance of 100mm m ay pose an eye hazard.

•Use of control s or adjustments or perf ormance of procedures other than those specif ied herei n may resul t i n hazardous radi ati on exposure.

•	Do not tam per or attempt to repai r any sensor i nside this product. No servi ceabl e sensors insi de.
•	Do not stare into Gap (Web) or Dispenser (Peel) sensors. Avoid possibl e exposure to hazardous laser radi ati ons.

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Environmental Management

Do not dispose of this product in unsorted municipal waste. This product is recyclable, and should be recycled according to your local standards.

For more information, please see our website at:

Web address: www.zebra.com/environment

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About This Document

This section provides you with contact information, document structure and organization, and additional reference documents.

Contents

Who Should Use This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Document Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii

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Who Should Use This Document

Who Should Use This Document

This User Guide is intended for use by any person who needs to operate or to troubleshoot problems with the printer.

How This Document Is Organized

The User Guide is set up as follows:

Section	Description
Introduction on page 1	This section describes what you get in your
	shipping box and provides an overview of printer
	features. This section also has procedures that
	describe how to open and close the printer and
	report any problems.
Getting Started on page 9	This section describes how to set up your printer
	for the first time and use the most common
	operating procedures for loading media.
Print Operations on page 21	This section provides media and print handling,
	font and language support, and the set up of less
	common printer configurations.
Printer Options on page 39	This section covers the common printer options
	and accessories with brief descriptions and how to
	get you started using or configuring your printer
	option or accessory.
Maintenance on page 49	This section provides routine cleaning and
	maintenance procedures.
Troubleshooting on page 59	This section provides information about printer
	error reporting that you might need for printer
	troubleshooting. Assorted diagnostic tests are
	included.
Appendix on page 71	This section provides additional interface
	information and wiring diagrams to assist with
	printer to host system integration (typically a PC).

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About This Document vii

Contacts

Contacts

Web Site

Visit us at: http://www.zebra.com

Technical Support via the Internet is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Go to http://www.zebra.com/support.

The Americas

Regional Headquarters	Technical Support	Customer Service Dept.
Zebra Technologi es International ,	T: +1 877 ASK ZEBRA (275 9327)	For printers, parts, medi a, and ribbon,
LLC	F: [phone]	please call your di stributor, or
333 Corporate Woods Parkway	Hardware: [e-mail]	contact us.
Vernon Hi ll s, Il li nois 60061.3109	Software: [e-mail]	T: +1 877 ASK ZEBRA (275 9327)
U.S.A		E: cl [e-mail]
T: [phone]
Tol l-free [phone]
F: [phone]

Europe, Africa, Middle East, and India

Regional Headquarters	Technical Support	Internal Sales Dept.
Zebra Technologi es Europe Lim ited	T: [phone]	For printers, parts, medi a, and ribbon,
Zebra House	F: [phone]	please call your di stributor, or
The Val ley Centre, Gordon Road	Germany: [e-mail]	contact us.
Hi gh Wycomb	France: [e-mail]	T: [phone]
Buckinghamshire, HP13 6EQ, UK	Spain/Portugal : Tsspai [e-mail]	F: [phone]
T: [phone]	Al l other areas: Tseurope@z ebra.com	E: [e-mail]
F: [phone]

Asia Pacific

Regional Headquarters	Technical Support	Customer Service
Zebra Technologies Asi a Paci fic, LLC	T: [phone]	For printers, parts, medi a, and ribbon,
120 Robi nson Road	F: [phone]	please call your di stributor, or
#06-01 Parakou Bui lding	E: China: tschi [e-mail]	contact us.
Singapore 068913	Al l other areas:	T: [phone]
T: [phone]	tsasiapaci fi [e-mail]	F: [phone]
F: [phone]

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Document Conventions

Document Conventions

The following conventions are used throughout this document to convey certain information.

Alternate Color (online only) Cross-references contain hot links to other sections in this guide. If you are viewing this guide online in .pdf format, you can click the cross-reference (blue text) to jump directly to its location.

Command Line Examples Command line examples appear in Courier New font. For example, type ZTools to get to the Post-Install scripts in the bin directory.

Files and Directories File names and directories appear in Courier New font. For example, the Zebra<version number>.tar file and the /root directory.

Icons Used

Caution • Warns you of the potential for electrostatic discharge.

Caution • Warns you of a potential electric shock situation.

Caution • Warns you of a situation where excessive heat could cause a burn.

Caution • Advises you that failure to take or avoid a specific action could result in physical harm to you.

Caution • (No icon) Advises you that failure to take or avoid a specific action could result in physical harm to the hardware.

Important • Advises you of information that is essential to complete a task.

Note • Indicates neutral or positive information that emphasizes or supplements important points of the main text.

Example • Provides an example, often a scenario, to better clarify a section of text.

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Contents

About This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Who Should Use This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi How This Document Is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii The Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii Europe, Africa, Middle East, and India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii Asia Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii Document Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii

Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix 1 • Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

GK Series Thermal Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

What’s in the Box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Unpack and Inspect the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Printer Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Operator Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 • Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Attaching Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Loading Roll Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Preparing Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Interface Cable Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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3 • Print Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21

Determining Printer Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Thermal Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Modes of Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Print Media Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Determining Thermal Media Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Replacing Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Adjusting the Print Width. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Adjusting the Print Quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Media Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Printing on Fan-Fold Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Printing with Externally Mounted Roll Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Fonts and Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Identifying Fonts in Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Localizing the Printer with Code Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Asian fonts and Other Large Font Sets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Getting Asian Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Stand Alone Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Sending Files to the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Transferring files with the Firmware Downloader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Print Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 EPL Line Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

4 • Printer Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39

Label Dispenser Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

10/100 Internal Print Server Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Printer Network Configuration Status Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

KDU — Printer Accessory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

KDU and G-Series Printer Serial Port Adapter Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

KDU Plus — Printer Accessory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

5 • Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Cleaning the Printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Media Path Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Platen Cleaning and Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Other Printer Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Replacing the Printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

6 • Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

59

Status Light Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Status Light Error Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Print Quality Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

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Manual Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Troubleshooting Tests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Printing a Configuration Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Recalibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Resetting the Factory Default Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Communications Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Feed Button Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

A • Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Ethernet Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Serial Port Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

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Notes • ___________________________________________________________________

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1

Introduction

This section describes what you get in your shipping box and provides an overview of printer features. This includes procedures that describe how to open and close the printer and report any problems.

Contents

GK Series Thermal Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

What’s in the Box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Unpack and Inspect the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Printer Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Operator Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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GK Series Thermal Printers

GK Series Thermal Printers

The Zebra GK model is your best value in a basic desktop thermal printer. The GK420d printer provides direct thermal printing at speeds up to 5 ips (inches per second) at a 203 dpi (dots per inch) print density. The GK420d supports both ZPL and EPL Zebra printer programming languages and a wide variety of interface and feature options.

The G-Series™ printer features:

•Automatic printer language detection and switching between ZPL and EPL programming and label formats.

•OpenAccess™ design for simplified media loading.

•Color-coded operator controls and media guides.

•Resident scalable font, supports font download, Unicode fonts and resident bitmap fonts.

•Improved printer performance: faster print speeds, 32-bit processor, and VCSEL laser media sensing.

•Printhead test and maintenance reporting.

•The G-Series direct thermal printer models also include support for Line Mode printing to support EPL1 legacy programming based printing applications.

The GK printers offer basic printer options:

•Label Dispense (Peel-Off)

•Internal 10/100 Print Server and Ethernet Interface

This users guide provides all of the information you will need to operate your printer on a daily basis. To create label formats, refer to your programming guides or label design applications such as Zebra Designer.

Your printer, when connected to a host computer, functions as a complete system for printing labels and tags.

Note • Many printer settings may also be controlled by your printer’s driver or label design software. Refer to the driver or software documentation for more information.

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Introduction 3

What’s in the Box?

What’s in the Box?

Save the carton and all packing materials in case you need to ship or store the printer later. After unpacking, make sure you have all parts. Follow the procedures for inspecting the printer to familiarize yourself with printer parts so you can follow the instructions in this book.

Printer

Documentation

and Software

Power

Supply

Cleaning

Pen Power Cord

varies by locale or region

Unpack and Inspect the Printer

When you receive the printer, immediately unpack it and inspect for shipping damage.

•Save all packing materials.

•Check all exterior surfaces for damage.

•Open the printer and inspect the media compartment for damage to components.

If you discover shipping damage upon inspection:

•Immediately notify the shipping company and file a damage report. Zebra Technologies Corporation is not responsible for any damage incurred during shipment of the printer and will not cover the repair of this damage under its warranty policy.

•Keep all packaging material for shipping company inspection.

•Notify your authorized Zebra reseller

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4 Introduction

What’s in the Box?

Your Printer

Status	Feed	Release
Light	Button	Latches

Interface

Connectors

	Release	DC Power	Power
	Latches
		Receptacle	Switch

Opening the printer

To access the media compartment, you must open the printer. Pull the release latches towards you and lift the cover. Check the media compartment for loose or damaged components.

Caution • The discharge of electrostatic energy that accumulates on the surface of the human body or other surfaces can damage or destroy the printhead or electronic components used in this device. You must observe static-safe procedures when working with the printhead or the electronic components under the top cover.

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What’s in the Box?

Printer Features

Printhead

Gap

Sensor

Roll Holder and

Media Guides

Black-Line

Sensor

Dispenser Option

Platen

Roller

Head-Up Sensor (inside)

Dispenser Door

(open)

Sensor

Pinch Roller Peel Bar

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What’s in the Box?

Operator Controls

Power Switch

Press up to turn ON or down to turn OFF the printer.

Caution • The printer power should be turned off before connecting or disconnecting the communications and power cables.

Power Switch

Power OFF	Power ON

Power Switch

Feed Button

•Tap the Feed button once to force the printer to feed one blank label.

•Press the Feed button to take the printer out of a “pause” condition. The printer is put into “pause” by either a programming command or an error condition. See What the Status Light is Telling You on page 60 in the Troubleshooting chapter.

•Use the Feed button for printer setup and status (see Feed Button Modes on page 69 in the Troubleshooting chapter).

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What’s in the Box?

Status Light

Located on the top case next to the feed button, the status light functions as a printer operational indicator (see See What the Status Light is Telling You on page 60 in the Troubleshooting chapter).

Feed

Button

Status

Light

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What’s in the Box?

Closing the printer

1. Lower the top cover.

2. Press down until the cover snaps closed.

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Getting Started

This section describes how to set up your printer for the first time and use the most common operating procedures for loading media.

Contents

Attaching Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Loading Roll Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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Attaching Power

Attaching Power

Important • Set up your printer so that you can handle the power cord easily if needed. To make certain the printer cannot carry electrical current, you must separate the power cord from the power supply receptacle or AC electrical outlet.

Caution • Never operate the printer and power supply in an area where they can get wet. Serious personal injury could result!

1.Make sure the printer’s power switch is in the off position (down).

2.Insert the AC power cord into the power supply.

3.Plug the other end of the cord into an appropriate AC electrical outlet. Note: The active power light will go on if power is on at the AC outlet.

4.Insert the power supply’s power connector into the printer’s power receptacle.

Printer

Plug Varies by Country

Power

Switch

	Power	AC
		Power
	Connector
		Cord
Power		Power
		Supply
Receptacle

Active Power Light	IEC 60320
	C-13

Note • Ensure the appropriate power cord with a three (3) prong plug and an IEC 60320-C13 connector are used at all times. These power cords must bear the relevant certification mark of the country in which the product is being used.

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Getting Started 11

Loading Roll Media

Loading Roll Media

When you load media, you must place the roll onto the media hangers.

You must use the correct media for the type of printing you require.

Preparing Media

Whether your roll media is inside or outside wound, you load it into the printer the same way.

•Remove the outside length of media. During shipment, handling, or storage, the roll may become dirty or dusty. Removing the outside length of media avoids dragging adhesive or dirty media between the printhead and platen.

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12Getting Started

Loading Roll Media

Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment

1.Open the printer. Remember that you need to pull the release latch levers toward the front of the printer.

2.Open the media roll holders. Pull the media guides open with your free hand and place the media roll on the roll holders and release the guides. Orient the media roll so that its printing surface will face up as it passes over the platen (drive) roller.

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Getting Started 13

Loading Roll Media

3.Pull the media so that it extends out of the front of the printer. Verify the roll turns freely. The roll must not sit in the bottom of the media compartment. Verify that media’s printing surface is facing up.

4. Push the media under both of the media guides.

Under Media

Guides

5. Close the printer. Press down until the cover snaps closed.

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14Getting Started

Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label

Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label

Before you connect the printer to your computer, make sure that the printer is in proper working order.

You can do this by printing a configuration label.

1.Make sure the media is properly loaded and the top cover of the printer is closed. Then, turn the printer power on if you have not already done so. If the printer initializes with the status light blinking green (pause mode), press the Feed button once to set the printer in Ready (to print) mode. See the Troubleshooting on page 59 if the printer’s status light does not turn solid green (Ready).

2.Press the Feed button two to three times to allow the printer to calibrate the printer for the installed media. The printer may feed several labels during this process.

3.When the status light is solid green, press and hold the Feed button until the status light flashes once.

4.Release the Feed button. A configuration label will print.

If you cannot get this label to print, refer to Getting Started on page 9.

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Getting Started 15

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

The GK printers support a limited set of interface options and configurations. These include: Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, RS232 Serial and 10/100 Ethernet. See Zebra G-Series GX printer models for more interface options.

GK420 Printers

•USB and Serial

•USB and Ethernet

Caution • Keep the power switch in the OFF position when attaching the interface cable. The power cord must be inserted into the power supply and the power receptacle on the back of the printer before connecting or disconnecting the communications cables.

.

Important • This printer complies with FCC “Rules and Regulations,” Part 15, for Class B Equipment, using fully shielded data cables. Use of un-shielded cables may increase radiated emissions above the Class B limits.

Interface Cable Requirements

Data cables must be of fully shielded construction and fitted with metal or metallized connector shells. Shielded cables and connectors are required to prevent radiation and reception of electrical noise.

To minimize electrical noise pickup in the cable:

•Keep data cables as short as possible (6 foot [1.83 m] recommended).

•Do not tightly bundle the data cables with power cords.

•Do not tie the data cables to power wire conduits.

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