Zebra P205 User Manual

1

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

Part Number: 980443-001 Rev.C
© 2003 ZIH corp.

Welcome to your new

Zebra P205 (Monochrome)

& Zebra P210i (Color)

User’s Manual

2

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

FOREWORD

This manual contains installation and operation information for the Zebra P200 Series card printers manufactured
by Zebra Technologies Corporation.

RETURN MATERIALS AUTHORIZATION

Before returning any equipment to Zebra Technologies Corporation for in-w arranty or out-of-warranty repair, contact
Repair Administration for a R eturn Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Repack the equipment in the original pac­king material and mark the RMA number clearly on the outside. Ship the equipment, freight prepaid, to the address
listed below:

For USA and Latin America:
Zebra T echnologies Corporation

Zebra Card Printer Solutions

1001 Flynn Road

Camarillo, CA. 93012-8706.USA

Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

For Europe, Asia and Pacific:

Zebra Technologies Inc. France

Zebra Card Printer Solutions

Zone Industrielle, Rue d’Amsterdam

44370 Varades, France

Phone: + 33 (0) 240 097 070

FAX: + 33 (0) 240 834 745

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

This document contains information proprietary to Zebra Technologies Corporation. This document and the
information contained within is Copyrighted by Zebra Technologies Corporation and may not be duplicated in full or
in part by any person without written approval from Zebra. While every effort has been made to keep the
information contained within current and accurate as of the date of publication, no guarantee is given that the
document is error-free or that it is accurate with regard to any specification. Zebra reserves the right to make
changes, for the purpose of product improvement, at any time.

TRADEMARKS

Zebra is a registered trademark of Zebra T echnologies Corporation. Windows and MS.DOS are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corp. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are marks of their respective holders.



3

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

Warranty information

Printers:

All P210i/P205 Card Printers are warranted against defects in material or workmanship for twenty-four (24) months
from the date of purchase date.
Proof of purchase or shipment date is required to validate the warranty period. The warranty becomes void if the
equipment is modified, improperly installed or used, damaged by accident or neglect, or if any parts are
improperly installed or replaced by the user.
Note: Products returned must be packaged in the original or comparable packing and shipping container. In the
event equipment is not so packaged, or if shipping damage is evident, it will not be accepted for service under
warranty. Surface transportation charges for return to customers in the continental United States is paid by Zebra.
Otherwise, Zebra pays CPT (carriage paid to) nearest airport, customer pays customers, duties, taxes, and freight
from airport to destination. If Zebra determines that the product returned for warranty service or replacement is not
defective as herein defined, the customer will pay all handling and transportation costs.

Printheads:

Since printhead wear is part of normal operation, the original printhead is covered by a twenty-four (24)
month warranty. Warranty period begins on purchase date.
To qualify for this warranty, the printhead must be returned to the factory or to an authorized service center.
Customers are not required to purchase Zebra supplies (media and/or ribbons) for warranty qualification.
However, if it is determined that the use of other manufacturer supplies has caused any defect in the printhead for
which a warranty claim is made, the user is responsible for Zebra's labor and material charges required to repair the
defect. The warranty becomes void if the printhead is physically worn or damaged; also if it is determined that
failure to follow the preventive maintenance schedule listed in the User's Guide has causes defect in the thermal
printhead for which a warranty claim is made.

Spare Parts:

All parts, maintenance kits, options kits, and accessories are warranted to be free of defects in material and
workmanship for 90 days (except where otherwise denoted) from date of purchase. This warranty become void if
the item is modified, improperly installed or used, or damaged by accident or neglect.



4

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY

Supplemental Information:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC 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.

Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, 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 commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmfull
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

73/23/EEC modified

by 93/68/EEC

EMC Directive

EN 500082-1,1992

Immunity to

Electromagnetic

Disturbances

European Council Directive

Compliance to Standards

89/336/EEC

modified by

92/31/EEC and

93/68/EEC

RF Emissions

control

Low voltage

Directive

EMC Directive

EN 60950

EN 55022-A

Product safety

Model: P210i conforms to the following specification:
FCC Part 15, Subpart A, Section 15.107(a) and Section 15.109(a)
Class B digital device

5

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the Zebra P210i Plastic Card Printer.

Zebra’s P200 series card printers offer a low cost, high quality solution to those requiring computer-controlled
printing and encoding of credit card style plastic cards. Card applications include customer loyalty, access control,
visitor, membership, gift cards, durable business cards.

This manual guides you to efficient start up and operation of your new Card Printer.

P2101i/P205 PRINTER MODELS

The Zebra Product Number tells a story:
Here is a quick review of the Zebra Card Printer Series numbering and lettering system to help you.
The P210i Plastic Card Printer employs Dye Sublimation and Resin Thermal Transfer technologies. Model numbers

include identifiers that specify options using the following lettering conventions:

Smart Card:

O = No

Magnetic Encoder:

O = No
M = Yes

Magnetic Encoder Options:

O = No
1 = Stripe down HICO
2 = Stripe Down LOCO
3 = Stripe Up HICO
4 = Stripe Up LOCO

Memory:

O = Standard

Interface:

U= USB / Parallel
R= USB / Serial

}

Ship-away kit

P210i - 0 X X 0 X - X D

Windows Drivers & User Documentation CD:

D= Drivers & Documentation

Power Cord:

O = None
I = 120 VAC and

220VAC

U = UK



6

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

ICONS

Throughout this manual, different icons highlight important information, as follows:

Important general information.

Mechanical hazard, such as one associated with moving parts, capable of resulting in equipment
damage or personal injury.

Electrical hazard, such as an exposed voltage point, capable of causing electrical shock and
personal injury.

An area where electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause component damage. Use a grounding
wrist band.

Elevated temperature hazard, capable of producing a burn.

Keep Card Printer clean by minimizing cover open time.



7

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

1

2

3
4
5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10

1•1 Unpacking your P210i • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10
1•2 Indicators and control • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12

1•3 Printer installation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13

OPERATION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14

2•1 Printer Features • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14
2•2 Loading ribbon cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15

2•3 Loading cards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16

A- Card Feeder • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16
B- Card Cleaning Cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 17

2•4 Feeding one card at a time • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 18
2•5 Printing a test card • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 198

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20

3•1 Install Driver on windows 95/98/ME • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
3•2 Install Driver on windows 2000 & NT4.0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22

3•3 Set Printer Driver Option • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
3•4 printing a sample card • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23

CLEANING • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 24

4•1 Cleaning system • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 25
4•2 Cleaning the print head • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 26

4•3 Card Cleaning cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 27

TROUBLESHOOTING • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 29

5•1 Print Quality Issues • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 29



8

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

6

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 33

APPENDIX A - MAGNETIC CARD STRIP • • • • • • • • • • • 37

Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 37

A- Media Loading orientation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 38
B- Magnetic Encoder Cleaning • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 39

APPENDIX B - ACCESSORIES & SUPPLIES • • • • • • • • • • 41

Ribbon Cartridges • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 41
Cards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 42
Accessories • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 43

WORLD WIDE SALES & SUPPORT • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 44



9

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

1

GETTING STARTED

1 • 1 Unpacking your card printer

Your P210i printer ships in a carton and protective anti-static bag. Keep all packaging material in case you need to move
or re-ship the printer.
Pull your printer out of the carton by grabing it on both side.
While unpacking, inspect the carton to ensure that no damage occured during shipment.
Please ensure that you have a clean and nearly dust free environment for proper operation and storage of the printer.



10

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

Make sure the following items are included with your P210i printer:

If any items are missing, please contact your dealer.
To reorder, please refer to Appendix C of this manual.

EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY

PRINTER DRIVER &

USER’S MANUAL CD

POCKET GUIDE

CLEANING CARTRIDGE

INTERFACE CABLE



11

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

1 • 2 Indicators and Control

Your P210i/P205 printer is equiped with a Multi Function Panel Button with a surrounding light ring that glows in
three colors to provide printer status indication.

The Multi Function Panel Button is used to perform the following operations:

- Clear Error

- Cleaning process (see chapter 4)

- Test Card (see chapter 2)

Power Switch:

The Power switch is located on the right-rear of the printer unit.

ON

FLASHING

POWER ON

READY

RIBBON OR CARD OUT

HARDWARE

OR FATAL ERROR

Refer to troubleshooting

COMMUNICATION ERROR

CLEANING

RECEIVING DATA

PROCESSING

Green

Orange

Red



12

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

1 • 3 Printer Installation

The following will guide you through the installation of your P210i/P205 printer.

CAUTION: Limit AC power supplied to the P210i/P205 Printer to 24 VDC. Limit

excess current draw to 16 amps or less, using an associated circuit breaker or
other such device. Never operate the printer in a location where operator, com­puter, or printer can get wet. Personal injury could result. The printer must be
connected to an earthed electrical power supply and properly protected against
electrical surges and grounding faults. The power supply pack can only be
replaced by the same product from the constructor.

1 • Place the printer in a location that allows easy access to all sides. The printer

should never be operated while resting on its side or upside down.

2 • Place the printer

’s power switch in the OFF “O” position.

3 • Insert the power supply to the printer power socket “1” and attach to grounded

electrical socket of the proper voltage and type.

4 • Attach interface cable “2” to printer and computer and then secure.

5 • Switch power on.

CAUTION: Intermittent or unpredictable operation may occur from unsecured

connectors. If damaged, the power cable must be replaced by an exact
equivalent. Use only Parallel Cable under 3 Meters in length.
The socket should always be easily accessible to power off the printer.

1

2

0



13

Card
Printer
Solutions

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

P205 & P210i Plastic Card Printer

2

2 • 1 Printer Features

The following shows the features found on your P210i Printer:

Cover Release Buttons

Print Head

Card Cleaning Cartridge ( under the Ribbon Cartridge)

Ribbon Cartridge

Power switch

Multi Function Panel Button and Indicator Light

Card output hopper

Card Feeder & manual card feed

OPERATION

Magnetic Encoder Station (optional)

