Zebra TLP 2824 Desktop Printer ZebraDesigner Pro User Guide

13857L-003 Rev. A

ZebraDesigner™ Pro™

User Guide

therein are owned by ZIH Corp. and Zebra’s licensors. Unauthorized reproduction of this manual or the software and/or firmware in the 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 other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For additional trademark information, please see “Trademarks” on the product CD.

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 Corporation.

Product Improvements Continuous improvement of products is a policy of Zebra Technologies Corporation.

All specifications and designs are subject to change without notice.

, ZPL II®, and ZebraLink™ programs; Element Energy Equalizer™ Circuit; E3™;

and all product names and numbers are trademarks, and Zebra, the Zebra

Liability Disclaimer Zebra Technologies Corporation takes steps to ensure that its published Engineering

specifications and manuals are correct; however, errors do occur. Zebra Technologies Corporation reserves the right to correct any such errors and disclaims liability resulting therefrom.

Limitation of Liability In no event shall Zebra Technologies Corporation or anyone else involved in the creation,

production, or delivery of the accompanying product (including hard ware and software) be liab le for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, consequential damages including loss of busin ess profi ts, 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 Corporation has been advised of the po ssibility 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.

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1 • Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Contents of the package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Software Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Typographical Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2 • Installation and Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

System and Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ZebraDesigner Editions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Installing ZebraDesigner Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Close All Software Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Run Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Define Setup Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Install Printer Driver from within the ZebraDesigner Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Activate ZebraDesigner Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Demo Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

3 • Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Using the Keyboard and Mouse Effectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Interface Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Database Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Tools Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

System Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Welcome Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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Table of Contents

4 • Designing Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Using Label Setup Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Select a Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Select the Label Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Define the Page Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Select the Label Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Define the Label Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Designing a Basic Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Create a Basic Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Add Variable Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Designing an RFID Smart Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Create RFID Smart Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Encode RFID Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Support for RFID Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

RFID Tag Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

RFID Tag Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Change Printer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Change Common Printer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Change Dithering Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Using Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Use the Standard Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Use the Toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Use the Text Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Use the Design Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Working with Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Using Text Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Using Bar Code Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Using EAN.UCC 128 Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Selecting Bar Code Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Select Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Edit Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Move Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Aligning Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Resize Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Rotate Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Supported Graphics Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Grouping Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

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Working with Variable Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Dynamic Data Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Database Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Link Label to Text Databases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Using Text File Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Work with Visual Basic Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Using Expression Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Using Printer Real Time Clock (RTC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Available Date Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Available Time Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Using Contents Mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

5 • Printing and Previewing Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Preview Pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Preview and Print a Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Optimize the Printing Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

A • Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Online Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

B • Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

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Table of Contents

Notes • ___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

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Introduction

Contents

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Contents of the package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Software Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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Introduction

Welcome

ZebraDesigner software is a family of labeling software products that offers a complete bar code printing solution to label printing users. ZebraDesigner offers an easy-to-use interface and meets any label design and printing requirement for efficient label printing solutions to users in retail, logistics, health care, chemical, automotive, and other industries.

ZebraDesigner can be used with any of the following 32-bit or 64-bit Windows® operating systems: Microsoft® Windows® XP, Windows Vista®, Windows® 7, Windows Server® 2003, or Windows Server® 2008.

The latest software is available for download on the Zebra web site at

www.zebra.com/software.

Contents of the package

The latest software is available for download on the Zebra web site at

www.zebra.com/software.

Before starting the installation of ZebraDesigner software, check the contents of the package to ensure it is complete. The package includes:

• ZebraDesigner CD

• Software Activation key, located on label inside of CD case, or delivered via email if purchased via www.zebrasoftware.com

If any of the mentioned items are missing, please contact your software vendor immediately for package replacement.

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About this Manual

Overview

The ZebraDesigner Pro User Guide helps you design and print labels quickly. The User Guide contains the following sections:

Introduction: This chapter will introduce you to ZebraDesigner Pro. Installation and Activation: This chapter will show you how to install and activate the

labeling software. Setting up ZebraDesigner software: This chapter will show you how to set up an d customize

software to your preferences. Designing Labels: This chapter will show you how to create labels. You should refer to this

chapter regularly while designing labels, until you ha ve comple tely fa miliarize d yourself wi th the commands. By using the information contained in this chapter, you will able to use labeling software quickly and efficiently.

Introduction

About this Manual

Printing and Previewing Labels: This chapter will show you how to print and preview labels.

Interface Reference: This chapter desc ribes details and e xplains all the co mmands used in the labeling software.

Technical Support: This chapter provides information on how to contact technical support.

Software Restrictions

All features explained in the document are available in the ZebraDesigner Pro edition; however, some features are not available in the ZebraDesigner edition.

Sections discussing features available only in ZebraDesigner Pro will display a note or a "Pro Only" icon.

Typographical Conventions

• Text that appears in bold refers to menu names, file names (SETUP.EXE), interface buttons ( separates one menu to the next menu (

ZebraDesigner Pro

OK), PC keyboard keys (Alt), and menu flows; menu flows have a > that

Start > Programs > Zebra Technologies >

• Text that appears in italic refers to confirming actions, identifies graphic captions, identifies text that you need to type, and locations such as Folder.

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Introduction

Notes • ___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

About this Manual

13857L-003 11/29/2011

Installation and Activation

Contents

System and Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ZebraDesigner Editions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Installing ZebraDesigner Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Close All Software Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Run Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Define Setup Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Install Printer Driver from within the ZebraDesigner Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Activate ZebraDesigner Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Demo Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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Installation and Activation

System and Software Requirements

ZebraDesigner Editions

To run ZebraDesigner, you need at least the following:

• Pentium-based computer with at least 64 MB of RAM.

• One of these 32-bit or 64-bit Windows operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008.

• Hard disk with 100 MB of free disk space.

•CD-ROM drive.

• Support for OLE DB database drivers. Recent Windows operating systems have included OLE DB database drivers. If your operating system does not have the database support, the installation wizard prompts you to install it.

• Administrator rights to the local computer during installation.

Installing ZebraDesigner Pro

Overview

When you put the ZebraDesigner Pro CD in your CD-ROM drive, typically the installation/demonstration program automatically starts. You can browse the directory of the CD and look at the brochures, technical documentation, sample files, and other documents.

Note • You must be logged on with Administrator rights to the local computer to perform the

installation.

Close All Software Applications

To ensure complete installation of ZebraDesigner Pro, close all open software applications before you start installing ZebraDesigner Pro.

Run Installation

Use the installation wizard to install ZebraDesigner Pro on your computer.

To install the software, do the following:

1. Put the ZebraD esigne r CD in yo ur CD-ROM d r ive. An install ation window a utomat ically

opens.

Note • If the installation wizard does not start automatically, go to the main CD directory

of your ZebraDesigner CD and double-click the file

2. Select the language in which you wish to use the software.

3. Click OK. A new window opens showing the ZebraDesigner Pro installer.

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START.EXE.

4. Click Next and confirm the License Agreement.

5. Follow the prompts of the Instal lat io n Wizard and enter the relevant information.

Note • For ZebraDesigner Pro, you may be prompted to activate the product when you run

it for the first time.

Define Setup Options

To continue installation, do the following:

1. Click the Next button.

2. Specify the program group you want to use for ZebraDesigner Pro.

3. Specify if shortcu ts to ZebraDesigner Pro should be created on the desktop or in the Quick

Launch bar.

4. To finish installation, click the Install button.

Installation and Activation

Installing ZebraDesigner Pro

After installation you will be asked to install a printer driver. It is necessary to install a ZebraDesigner driver. If you do not install a Zebra printer driver after installing ZebraDesigner, you will be prompted to install one the first time you run the program.

5. Once the installation is complete, the Start menu in Windows shows a new program group

Zebra Technologies that contains shortcuts for all ZebraDesigner Pro applications.

for

Install Printer Driver from within the ZebraDesigner Environment

To install the ZebraDesigner printer driver on your computer, do the following:

1. In ZebraDesigner environment, open the File Menu and click on Install Printer.

2. The printer installation wizard starts.

3. Follow the onscreen instructions.

The driver not only allows you to use all supported Zebra printers with the ZebraDesigner software, but also provides a handy way of sending settings and commands straight to the printer through the driver.

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Installation and Activation

Activate ZebraDesigner Pro

Activate ZebraDesigner Pro to obtain all features. If you do not complete the activation process, ZebraDesigner Pro only runs in DEMO mode.

Note • ZebraDesigner does not require activation. It is free software, but available with less

functionality than ZebraDesigner Pro.

To activate the software, do the following:

1. Start ZebraDesigner Pro.

The Warning dialog box appears.

2. Click the Activate button.

3. Enter the key number.

Demo Mode

ZebraDesigner Pro running in the DEMO mode has limited functionality. The major limitations of the ZebraDesigner Pro DEMO mode are:

•All e characters in the text objects are replaced by Z characters.

• Graphic images are printed with DEMO text written over them

You should use the DEMO version only to evaluate the software. Any commercial use of the DEMO software is prohibited. To obtain the full working version

of ZebraDesigner Pro, you must purchase and register the software.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner

Software

Contents

User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Using the Keyboard and Mouse Effectively. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Interface Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

System Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Welcome Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Start the software by clicking on the desktop icon or selecting it from the Start menu: Start >

Programs > Zebra Technologies > ZebraDesigner Pro 2 > ZebraDesigner Pro 2

This is the ZebraDesigner Pro main window, with a blank label design displayed.

Figure 1 • Main Window

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Using the Keyboard and Mouse Effectively

When selecting objects, use the Ctrl key to adjust object’s anchoring point by clicking the object placeholders.

If you have a Wheel Mouse, you can use the wheel to scroll the label up and down. Holding

Ctrl when rotating the wheel adjusts zoom factor, and Shift scrolls the label left or right.

Double-click on the printer’s name in status bar at the bottom of the screen to open printer properties dialog box in which you can set various options for the currently selected printer.

You can quickly move objects from one open label to another by dragging the desired object to another window while holding Note that you must have both label windows visible to do that.

Alt. If you want to copy objects instead, hold both Alt and Ctrl.

Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

You can select different objects on a label using the Pressing the cursor keys while holding the

Ctrl key can move the selected object. You can use

this to fine-tune the position of the object. Holding

Tab and Shift +Tab keys.

Shift while pressing cursor keys will resi ze

the object. You can use the right mouse button almost anywhere on the label to access the most common

options for that area/object. For example, if you click an object with the right mouse button, a pop-up menu appears that contains options and actions that can be performed on the selected object. Similarly clicking other parts of the label produces pop-up menus with options for that part of the label.

You can select multiple objects by holding

Shift while clicking them.

Use the element shortcuts in toolbars whenever possible. Each label element that can be connected to some Contents Provider has a shortcut enabled to quickly access existing variables or define new ones. Click the element’s shortcut handle, shown as a small arrow by the side of some toolbox icons.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Interface Reference

Mouse Wheel support

If you have a mouse that has a wheel in place of the middle button, you can use it to speed up zooming and scrolling:

• Turning the wheel scrolls the label up or down.

• Holding Shift and turning the wheel scrolls the label left or right.

• Holding Ctrl and turning the wheel zooms the label in or out.

Shortcuts

Delete Deletes selected object Ctrl + X Cut Ctrl + C Copy Ctrl + V Paste Alt + Backspace Undo + (on numeric pad) Zoom In

- (on numeric pad) Zoom Out Alt + Shift +

Backspace Ctrl + T Rotate 90° Ctrl + A Align Ctrl + Z Undo Ctrl + Y Redo Ctrl + N New Ctrl + O Open Ctrl + S Save Ctrl + P Print

Redo

Ctrl + R Print preview Ctrl + move the

object with mouse Alt + move the object

with mouse

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Parallel moving of the object by main axes only

Objects snap to grid even if it is off

Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Ctrl + move the object with cursor keys

Shift + cursor keys Fine tuning the dimensions of the object, resize width and height

Right-clicking the object

Enter F2 or double-click

File Menu

New Label

To create a new label and clear the application work area, select New command from File menu. Clicking the button has the same effect.

The software supports opening multiple documents and they are named with the increasing numbers: Label1, Label2... unless you save them to different filename.

Fine tuning the position of the object

in very small steps Opens pop-up menu with shortcuts to commands. The content of

the pop-up menu depends on where you clicked your mouse button and what was selected at that time

Opens properties dialog box of the selected element

The Label Setup Wizard dialog box wi ll ap pear on your screen.

Label Setup Wizard offers

defining dimensions of the label and changing printer setup.

Open

This command opens an existing label. You can also click the button in the standard toolbar.

The default label folder is

My Labels in My Documents. This folder also includes shortcuts to

other folders with sample labels. When you need to open a label file, which has been saved i n a different folder or drive, you can use the Windows browse function to access it.

Once you have found the appropriate label, you can open it by double clicking its name, or by clicking the

Open button.

This command closes the active document. If you have made changes in the document and have not saved them, the program will prompt you to save the label.

(If the document has not been named yet, the software will also prompt you for the name and the Save As command will be executed).

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Save

This command saves the active document in the current label file. If no file name has been defined yet, you will enter the Save As dialog box.

Save command can also be accessed directly by click the button.

The

Save As

Select this command when you want to name a new label or when you want to copy an existing label under the new name or to another folder or drive.

The default folder to save the labels is

My Label in My Documents. When you need to save the

label to a different folder or drive, you can use Windows browse function to define the target folder.

Export to Printer

Export the label to the printer so it is available for stand-alone printing.

Label Setup

Should you want to change the label parameters, such as dimensions or print orientation, use

Label setup command from the File menu or double click the label. The Label Setup

the

Wizard dialog is shown.

Install Printer

Select this command when you want to run the printer installation wizard. After completing the wizard, the printer becomes available, and ZebraDesigner does not need to be restarted.

Remove Printer

Select this command when you want to remove one of your installed printers. The printers that are currently used by the application are shown as disabled and cannot be

removed. The removal of the printer does not require a restart of the application.

Printer Settings

Specific printer settings are set here. The shortcut to this dialog is to double click the printer name in a status bar in the bottom of the working window.

Note that all printer settings are saved with the label and are restored every time the label is opened. Each label will store its own custom printer settings. In case you want to print the label with a different printer, the other printer will have to be setup again to suit your needs. When changing the printer associated with the label, every custom setting is lost and have to be re-configured.

When you change the printer associated with the label or when you create a new label, the default printer settings are used. These default settings can be set for each printer in

Panel

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Control

Print and Print Preview Menu

Print and Print Preview

Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

From the

File menu, use the Print and Print Preview commands to print the labels on your

printer and to simulate the production of the labels onscreen. Previewing the label allows you to check that all objects are positioned correctly without spending time and wasting labels.

Standard Toolbar, you can click the button.

In the When you set values to variables and select records from the databa se, click on the appropri ate

button in the bottom of the dialog box. The

Print button will print labels to the selected printed.

Preview button will preview labels onscreen. The

If you are previewing labels, a control window will open to preview the next labels in a series.

Figure 2 • Print pause dialog box

Next: Go to the next label in a series. Previous: Go to the previous label in the series. Delay: Labels will be previewed automatically. Next label will be displayed after a short time

delay. Click on the

Cancel: Click this button to stop previewing labels. Print: Click on this button to print the labels.

Stop button to disable automatic advance.

Print Dialog Box

The Print dialog box is shown when you want to print or preview the labels. This dialog box allows you to:

• Provide values for the variables.

• Select records from the database.

• Specify label quantity.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Figure 3 • Print dialog box

General: Use this dialog to enter the values for prompted variables.

The entries are displayed in the table. The first column displa ys the prompt text of the variable. You can enter the values for variables in the second column. The third column will d isplay the formatted values (based on the variable format).

Select records: This dialog displays when a database is being used. Click on this button to

select the records from the database. A separate Record Selection dialog box will open.

Note • The button Select Record is accessible only if the records selection is enabled in the

database properties.

Quantity: Select the quantity of labels to be printed. Print to file: When this checkbox is selected, the software package will offer the user the ability

to write the command language out to a file.

Close after print: The print dialog will be closed after the print button has been clicked. Clear values after print: When selected, this option will clear the last entered values for the

variable fields. If not selected, the last entered values could be re-used in the prompt field and the label is ready to be printed again with the old values.

Click the

Print button to start printing (or Preview for preview).

To close t h e dialog box, click the

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Close button.

Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Record Selection

Record Selection dialog box is available only if you have a database linked to your label

The and have specified that you want to select records from the database.

The purpose of the Record Selection dialog box is to be able to instruct the application not to print all records from the database, but only the records that you will select.

Figure 4 • Record Selection dialog box

If you do not know the exact location of the record in the database you want to print, you can use the search functionality . Enter the phrase you would like to find, select the field name where the text should be searched for, and click the

Find

button.

Exact Search: Only the records that match exactly the entered condition will be

displayed. The record has to contain only the data entered and it has to be in the proper case.

Select All: This button will select all records in the database. Unselect: This button will de-select all marked records in the database.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

You can select the multiple records using standard Windows shortcut with Ctrl key. Press and hold the selected record in the beginning of the line. Put a check mark in the checkbox. Only the records that have a check in the checkbox will be printed. Use selection/de-selection of marked records.

If you have set up your database connection to en ter the quantity of l abels you need to pr int for each record, additional field will be inserted in front of the first field. It is marked with pound (#). Use this field to define the quantity for each record you need to print.

Optimize for fast windows load: Enable this option to speed up the di splay of table data when

you enter the dialog box the next time. The check boxes for selection of record will not be displayed, which speeds up working with larger databases. Record selection in this mode can be performed using standard Windows shortcuts with

If you want to easier navigate through larger databases there is an option for you to group the records by some database field. You can nest fields one below the other and create a tree structure for more complex field grouping. Just click and drag the field name to the spot above the table.

Besides grouping, you can also benefit from filtering functionali ty. Filtering can be very useful in situations where you are dealing with larger tables and would like to limit the view of the table data. You can set a user-defined conditions to the table and only record that comply to them are displayed.

Ctrl key, use the mouse to select records one after another, or you can check each

Space key to toggle the

Shift and Ctrl keys.

To enable filter on some field, click the arrow button next to the field’s name. There are multiple options you can select:

All Select this to disable filter on this field. Custom Create a custom filter for this field. You can select standard qualifiers

as: equals, does not equal, is less than, is less than or e qual to, is greater than, is greater than or equal, like, not like, is blank, is not blank.

You can nest two conditions for the filter and thus build a more complex condition for the field. They can be joined together using AND (all conditions must be true in order to display the record) or OR (only one condition must be true in order to display the record) logical qualifiers.

A separate dialog box is used for defining the custom fil ter.

Blanks Only the records with blank values for this field are shown. Non Blanks Only the records with non blank values for this field are shown. <data values> Only the records that have the selected data value in this field will be

shown.

Filters can be combined on more than just one field. If the field has a filter defined, the arrow next to fi eld name in the caption will be displayed in

blue color. If the filter is not defined, the arrow is displayed in black color.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

The list of defined filters is also visible below the table. You can remove the filter(s) by clicking the button or temporary disable the filter by ticking the button next to the filter definition.

If you want to make more modifications to the filter(s) used on the table, click the Customize button to open a separate dialog box with detailed control over filters. If you prefer to have more structural overview on the filters, you will like this option. This way you can quickly define more conditions and groups using one dialog box.

You can save the filter for the future use ( created previously (

Load button).

Save As button), and you can load a filter you have

Test Print

The Test print command will print the current label to the printer defined on the label. All variable fields on the label are automatically filled with the default values.

Only one label will be printed. The purpose of this command is to quickly print the label, in order to verify that the label objects are positioned and aligned on the label correctly.

Recently Used Files

At the bottom of the pull down menu, the file names of the four most recently edited labels are shown, available for quick selection.

Selecting the file here is the same as choosing the

Open command from the File menu and

selecting the file there.

Exit

Use this command to leave the labeling application. When using the keyboard, the shortcut to this command can be invoked by pressing the

Alt and F4 keys simultaneously. If the opened

labels haven’t been saved yet, you will be prompted to do so.

Edit Menu

Undo

The Undo command cancels up to 10 of the most recently carried out commands or actions. If you do not like the results of a command, or accidentally delete some elements, choose the

Undo command as the next action to restore the previous mistake.

Undo command can also be activated by clicking the button on the toolbar, or

The pressing the

Redo

The Redo command is used when you need to restore the last Undo action. It also has the capability to store (and restore) up to 10 previously made steps.

Redo command can be activated by clicking the button on the toolbar, or pressing

The

Shift, Alt, and Backspace keys simultaneously.

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Alt and Backspace key simultaneously.

Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Cut

This command is used when you want to remove selected element(s) from the label. Note that the first element is selected by clicking it. When you want to select additional elements, you must press and hold down, the

The cut elements are stored in the internal clipboard and can be re-inserted on the label with

Paste command. The combination of Cut and Paste commands can be used to speed-up

the label editing and designing.

The Cut command can be also activated by clicking the button on the toolbar, or by pressing the

Copy

This command copies the selected elements to the Windows clipboard.

Shift key while clicking each additional element.

Shift and Del keys or Ctrl and X keys simultaneously.

Clicking the button or pressing also activate the

Copy command.

Ctrl and Ins keys or Ctrl and C keys simultaneously can

Paste

The Paste command is used to paste the contents of the clipboard to a label. This command can be used to paste the same information more than once.

It is very useful when you need to have multiple copies of the same element on the label. Once the element has been designed, it can be copied to the clipboard and pasted on to the

label, in different places and multiple times. You can also design objects in other Windows applications, copy them to the clipboard, and

place them on the label with the Clicking the button or pressing the

Paste command.

Shift and Ins keys or Ctrl and V keys simultaneously

can also activate the Paste command.

Paste Special

This command provides different ways to paste the contents of the clipboard.

Result box explains the appearance of the clipboard contents on the label.

The

For example, you can paste the text from the clipboard, produced by Microsoft

Word as a Word document, or as a Metafile Picture. When pasted as a Word document, the object can be edited by double clicking it. Instead of icons and menus of a labeling application you will see Word working space. You can use familiar Word user interface to make a changes. When finished, labeling interface will be restored.

When the object is pasted as a Metafile Picture, it is treated as a graphics. In the dialog box you can choose between two different types of paste. The first one (Paste)

makes the copy of the original, the second one (Paste Link) links the original document with the label.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Paste Link

Using the Paste link command establishes a link between labeling application and the source application for the contents of the clipboard.

The link information is saved in the source file; only the location of the information in the source file is saved. The link data shows in the graphic form.

Double clicking a Paste-link object will place you into th e original source Windows application for that object. The object is then edited in the application.

Delete

The command is used to delete selected elements. Deleted elements are not stored in the clipboard. To restore deleted elements, the actions.

Delete command can also be activated using the Del key.

Undo command must be used before any further

Select

This command allows you to select different objects on the label.

You can select all objects on the label, or selectively mark only objects from the same group (i.e., all text objects, all bar code objects, all picture objects, etc ).

Insert Object Menu

Insert Object

This command inserts an OLE object on the label. Two subcommands exist, to import the document from the existing file on the disk or to create a new document from scratch.

Avoid using inserted objects on the label. This consumes a lot of memory because the server application must be running too. The file size of the label will also increase. These are other solutions to consider:

• Convert your objects to picture and place such picture on the label.

Note • Resizing an OLE object may not work as you expect. It is advisable to resize the

object only when in OLE edit mode (after double clicking the object).

Create from File

With this command you can insert to labels already defined objects. If the object is in a Word file, you just select the directory and the name of the file.

Create New

With this command you can insert in a label objects from any Windows application that supports OLE 2 interface.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Links

On the screen this command shows a list of all links between the active label and other applications in your working environment. When you insert an object on the label with the Paste Link command, you will see this link in the list.

The links can be interrupted. This means that the changes made in the source document will not be made on the label.

Show Objects

The command shows all inserted objects:

• If the object is linked, the object is marked with a dotted line.

• If the object is inserted, the object is marked with a solid line.

The purpose of this command is to separate objects created on the label from those linked to other applications.

View Menu

Normal View

Selects normal label view. In this view type, variables are shown on screen as a series of question marks (?). The number

of question marks corresponds to the variable length. Use this view to precisely position the elements on the label as you know their maximal possible length.

Data View

Selects the data label view. The variable elements are shown as they will appear when printed. For example, counters will

show numbers and database variables will show data that is obtained from database. When using data view printing starts at the record currentl y shown on t he screen and not at the

beginning of the database. Be careful when printing records from a database. If you want to print labels from the first record, make sure the first record is shown on the label.

Note • Databases are locked if you are us ing data view and variables from th ese database s. An

already opened database cannot be simultaneously used in another program. You cannot change the structure of the database and alter its records, if using data view.

Zoom In

Zoom in command shows a smaller section of the label. The + (Plus) key on the numeric keypad can also be used. Each time Zoom in is selected and you click once on the label, the displayed picture becomes 10% larger.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Zoom Out

Zoom out command shows a wider view of the label. The - (Minus) key on the numeric keypad can also be used. Each time

Zoom out is selected, the displayed picture becomes 10%

smaller.

Zoom

When using the Zoom command, you can define the optional zoom factor you need. You can choose any zoom factor from 5 to 3000.

Figure 5 • Zoom dialog box

In the Zoom dialog box you can select the different ways of zoom.

Factor You can define your own factor of zoom (in %). 100% The size of the document on screen will be the same as the size of the

document on the label.

To page You will see the entire page on the screen. To label You will see the entire label on the screen. To objects You will see all the objects on the screen.

Snap to Grid

Selecting this option enables the positioning of the objects to be based on the grid settings. When you move the objects, they are placed on a grid position. De-selecting this option allows elements to be freely moved on the label.

The upper left corner of the object is used for starting point of the grid. Grid size cannot be modified.

Display Grid

Selecting this option makes the grid visible on the label. De-selecting the option hides the grid.

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Setting Up ZebraDesigner Software

User Interface

Toolbars

Standard Toolbar

Buttons in the standard toolbar provide shortcuts to frequently used commands for working with the software.

Design Toolbar

The design toolbar provides you with the shortcuts to the frequently used design actions on the label.

By default, the design toolbar is docked on the right side of ZebraDesigner window. You can use the design toolbar to:

• Change the color of label objects.

Text Toolbar

Shortcuts in the text toolbar enable you to format text objects with a single mouse click. You can change font selection and style.

Toolbox

Select

Use this tool to enable the select tool.

Text

Use this tool to define the text object. Click on the small arrow button for additional options.

• Align the objects relatively to each other or to the label.

• Rotate the objects.

• Change the order of the objects.

Bar code

Use this tool to define the bar code object. Click on the small arrow button for additional options.

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+ 140 hidden pages

Zebra TLP 2824 Desktop Printer ZebraDesigner Pro User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Introduction

Welcome

Contents of the package

About this Manual

Overview

Software Restrictions

Typographical Conventions

Installation and Activation

System and Software Requirements

ZebraDesigner Editions

Installing ZebraDesigner Pro

Overview

Close All Software Applications

Run Installation

Define Setup Options

Install Printer Driver from within the ZebraDesigner Environment

Activate ZebraDesigner Pro

Demo Mode

User Interface

Using the Keyboard and Mouse Effectively

Interface Reference