Zebra Technologies GX420t, GX430t User Manual

Zebra GX420t / GX430t

Desktop Thermal Printer

User Guide

©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; E

®; and Monotype Imaging fonts. Software ©ZIH corp. All rights

reserved worldwide.

ZebraLink and all product names and numbers are trademarks, and Zebra, the Z ebra 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, I nc. 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 inform ation 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.

980612-001 Rev. A GX420t / GX430t User Guide 12/14/07

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.

iii

• 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 • CLA SS 1M LAS ER PRODUC T

• Vi ewin g th e la ser outpu t wi th certai n opt ical i nstru men ts (f or exam pl e, eye l oops, magnifiers and mi croscopes) within

a dis tance of 100mm m ay pose an ey e h azard.

• Use of cont rol s or adjust men ts or perf ormance of procedu res oth er than thos e specif ied herei n may resul t in haza rdous

radi ati on ex posure.

• Do not tam per or attem pt to repai r any se nsor i nside this product. No servi ceable sensors insi de.

• Do not star e into Gap ( Web) or Dis penser ( Peel) s ensors . Avoid pos sibl e exposure t o haz ardous lase r 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 y our 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 y ou 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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About 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

Getting Started on page 11 This section describes how to set up your printer

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.

for the first time and use the most common operating procedures for loading media.

Print Operations on page 29 This section provides media and print handling,

font and language support, and the set up of less common printer configurations.

Printer Options on page 47 This section covers the common printer options

and accessories with brief descriptions and how to get y ou started using or configuring your printer option or accessory.

Maintenance on page 65 This section provides routine cleaning and

maintenance procedures.

Troubleshooting on page 79 This section provides information about printer

error reporting that you might need for printer troubleshooting. Assorted diagnostic tests are included.

Appendix on page 91 This section provides additional interface

information and wiring diagrams to assist with printer to host system integration (typically a PC).

980612-001 Rev. A GX420t / GX430t User Guide 12/14/07

Contacts

Web Site

The Americas

About This Document

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 ://w ww.zeb ra.com/support.

Regional Headquarters Technical Support Customer Ser vice Dept .

Zebra Tech nol ogi es Intern ati onal , LLC 333 Corporate Woods Parkway Vernon Hi ll s, Il li nois 60061.3109 U.S.A T: +1 847 793 2600 Toll -free +1 800 423 0422 F: +1 847 913 8766

T: +1 877 A SK ZEBR A (275 9327) F: +1 847 913 2578

Hardwar e: t s1@zebra.com Softw are: ts3@ze bra.com

For prin ters, par ts, medi a, and ribbon , pleas e call your di stribu tor, or contact us.

T: +1 877 A SK ZEBR A (275 9327) E: cl ien tcare@z ebra.com

Contacts

vii

Europe, Africa, Middle East, and India

Regional Headquarters Technical Support Internal Sales Dept .

Zebra Tech nol ogi es Europe L im ited Zebra H ouse Th e Val ley Cen tre, G ordon R oad Hi gh Wycomb Buckinghamshire, HP13 6EQ, UK

T: +44 (0) 1494 472872 F: +44 (0) 1494 450103

T: +44 (0) 1494 768298 F: +44 (0) 1494 768210 Germany: Tsgermany@zebra.com France: Ts fran ce@zebr a.com Spain /Portu gal : Tsspai n@z ebra.com Al l ot her are as: Tseu rope@z ebra.com

Asia Pacific

Regional Headquarters Technical Support Customer Ser vice

Zebra Techn ologies Asi a Paci fic, LLC 120 Robi nson Road #06-01 Parakou Bu i ldi ng Sin gapore 068913

T: +65 6858 0722 F: +65 6885 0838

E: China: tschi na@zebra.com

Al l ot her are as: tsasi apaci fi c@zebra.com

For prin ters, par ts, medi a, and ribbon , pleas e call your di stribu tor, or contact us.

T: +44 (0) 1494 768316 F: +44 (0) 1494 768244 E: cseur ope@zebra.com

For prin ters, par ts, medi a, and ribbon , pleas e call your di stribu tor, or contact us.

T: +65 6858 0722 F: +65 6858 0836

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About This Document

viii

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

Files and Directories File names and directories appear in Courier New font. For example, the

Icons Used

Caution • Warns you of the potential for electrostatic discharge.

ZTools to get to the Post-Install scripts in the bin directory.

Zebra<version number>.tar file and the /root directory.

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 • (N o 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.

980612-001 Rev. A GX420t / GX430t User Guide 12/14/07

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

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

GX Series Thermal Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

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

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

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

Operator Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2 • Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Attaching Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Loading Roll Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Preparing Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Loading Transfer Ribbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Interface Cable Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Communicating with the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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3 • Print Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Determining Printer Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Thermal Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Modes of Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Print Media Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Determining Thermal Media Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Replacing Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Adding a New Transfer Ribbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Replacing a Partially Used Transfer Ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Adjusting the Print Width. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Adjusting the Print Quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Media Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Ribbon Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

When to Use Ribbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Coated Side of Ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Printing on Fan-Fold Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Printing with Externally Mounted Roll Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Fonts and Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Identifying Fonts in Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Localizing the Printer with Code Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Asian fonts and Other Large Font Sets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Getting Asian Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Stand Alone Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Sending Files to the Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Transferring files with the Firmware Downloader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Print Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

4 • Printer Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Label Dispenser Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Moveable Blackline Sensor Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Adjusting the Moveable Blackline Sensor for Black Mark or Notches . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Cutter Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Loading Media with the Cutter Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Printer Network Configuration Status Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

RTC and Full Flash Memory Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Asian Fonts - Printer Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

KDU — Printer Accessory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

KDU and G-Series Printer Serial Port Adapter Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

KDU Plus — Printer Accessory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

980612-001 Rev. A GX420t / GX430t User Guide 12/14/07

5 • Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Cleaning the Printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Media Path Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Platen Cleaning and Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Other Printer Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Replacing the Printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

6 • Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Status Light Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Status Light Error Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Print Quality Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Manual Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Troubleshooting Tests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Printing a Configuration Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Recalibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Resetting the Factory Default Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Communications Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Feed Button Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

A • Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Parallel Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Ethernet Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Serial Port Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

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980612-001 Rev. A GX420t / GX430t User Guide 12/14/07

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

GX Series Thermal Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

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

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

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

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

Operator Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

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Introduction

GX Series Thermal Printers

The Zebra GX model is the best in class desktop thermal printer with the widest range of features. The GX420t printer provides thermal transfer and direct thermal printing at speeds up to 6 ips (inches per second) at a 203 dpi (dots per inch) print density. The GX430t printer provide thermal transfer and direct thermal printing at speeds up to 4 ips at a 300 dpi print density. Both the GX420t and GX430t support 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.

• The industry’s easiest ribbon loading design.

• 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 GX printers offer a wide range of printer options:

• Label Dispense (Peel-Off)

• Internal 10/100 Print Server and Ethernet Interface

• Moveable Black Mark Sensor

• Receipt and general media cutters

• On-board RTC (Real Time Clock) and Full Flash memory

• Asian Language support with printer configuration options for the large Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Japanese, or Korean character sets.

This users guide provides all of the information y ou 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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What’s in the Box?

Save the carton and all packing materials in case y ou 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.

Documentation

and Software

Prin ter

Introduction

What’s in the Box?

Cl ean in g

Pen

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.

Power

Supply

Powe r Cord

• Keep all packaging material for shipping company inspection.

• Notify your authorized Zebra reseller

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Introduction

What’s in the Box?

Your Printer

Status

Light

Fee

Button

Release Latches

Opening the printer

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

Interface

Connectors

DC Power

Receptacle

Power

Switch

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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Printer Features

Ribbon Roll Holders

Take Up Spindles

Supply Spindles

Printhead

Introduction

What’s in the Box?

Ribbon Trailer Sensor

Roll Holders and

Media Guides

Black-Line

Sensor

Plat en Roller

Head-Up Sensor (inside)

GAP

Sensor

Dispenser Option

Dispenser Door

(open)

Sensor Peel Bar

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Pinch Roller

Introduction

What’s in the Box?

Moveable Blackline

Sensor (Option)

Media Cutter

(Option)

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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

Introduction

What’s in the Box?

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 80 in the Troubleshooting chapter.

• Use the Feed button for printer setup and status (see Feed Button Modes on p age 89 in the Troubleshooting chapter).

Power Switch

Power OFF

Power ON

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Introduction

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 Rev. A in the Troubleshooting chapter).

Feed

Button

Status

Light

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Closing the printer

1. Lower the top cover.

Introduction

What’s in the Box?

2. Press down until the cover snaps closed.

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Introduction

What’s in the Box?

Notes • ___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

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Getting Started

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

Contents

Attaching Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Loading Roll Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Loading Transfer Ribbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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Getting Started

Attaching Power

Important • Set up your printer so that y ou 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

Power

Receptacle

Power

Switch

Power Connector

Active Power Light

Plug Varies by Country

AC Powe r Cord

Powe r Suppl y

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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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.

Getting Started

Loading Roll Media

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Getting 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

Loading Roll Media

3. If your printer includes the moveable blackline sensor option, verify that the sensor is

aligned in the center default position. This is the standard operating position for media sensing. When the sensor is moved from the default position, the printer will only detect blackline, black mark and notched marker media.

Printer Optional:

Moveable

Blackline Sensor

Off Center

Blackline Sensing Only

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Default - Gap (Web) Sensing

Standard Operating Position

Getting Started

Loading Roll Media

4. 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.

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

Under Media

Guides

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

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Loading Transfer Ribbon

Transfer ribbons come in several varieties and in some cases colors to match y our application needs. Zebra brand transfer ribbons are specifically designed for your printer and Zebra brand media. Using non-Zebra brand or media or ribbon not approved for use in your Zebra printer may damage your printer or printhead.

• The media and ribbon types should be matched to provide y ou with optimal print results.

• Alway s use ribbon that is wider than the media to protect the printhead from wear.

• For direct thermal printing, do not load ribbon in the printer.

Your printer needs to use Zebra Uni-Ribbons (universal ribbon). Uni-Ribbons have a ribbon out trailer (reflector) to stop printing when empty. Zebra Uni-Ribbons will work on older model Zebra desktop printers too.

Uni-Ribbons are identified with a color coded leader.

• Blue - Performance Wax (5319)

• Silver - Premium Wax/Resin (3200)

• Gold - Performance Resin (5095) for sy nthetics (6 ips max. speed) and coated paper (4 ips max. speed)

Getting Started

Loading Transfer Ribbon

• Red - Premium Resin (5100) for synthetics (4 ips max. speed)

Before following these steps, prepare the ribbon by removing its wrapping and pulling its adhesive strip free.

Notch

Adhesive Strip

Right Side

(printer and roll)

See Ribbon Overview on page 36 for more information on ribbon use.

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Getting Started

Loading Transfer Ribbon

1. With the printer open, place a new ribbon roll on printer’s lower ribbon supply spindles.

Rotate the roll until the notches align and lock into the left side of the supply hub.

2. Place an empty ribbon core on printer’s take-up spindles. Rotate the ribbon core until the

notches align and lock into the left side of the take-up hub.

You can find your first ribbon take-up core in the packing box. Subsequently, use the empty supply core to take up the next roll of ribbon.

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Getting Started

Loading Transfer Ribbon

3. Pull the transfer ribbon’s leader off the roll and attach it with the adhesive strip on the

leader to the empty ribbon core on the supply spindle. Center the ribbon on the ribbon core.

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Getting Started

Loading Transfer Ribbon

4. Rotate the thumb wheel on the left side of the supply spindle until the ribbon is pulled

tight across the printhead.

5. Verify that the media is loaded and ready to print and then close the printer cover.

6. Press the Feed button to have the printer feed a minimum of 10 cm (4 inches) of media to

remove slack and ribbon wrinkle, and to align the ribbon on the spindles.

7. Change the print mode setting from direct thermal printing to thermal transfer to set the

printer’s temperature profiles for thermal transfer media. This can be done with the printer driver, application software, or printer programming commands.

• When controlling printer operations with ZPL programming, refer to the Media Type

^MT) ZPL II command (follow the instructions in the ZPL Programming Guide).

(

• When controlling printer operations with EPL Page Mode, refer to the Options (O)

EPL2 command (follow the instructions in the EPL2 Programmer’s Guide).

Your printer is now ready to print.

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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 p age 79 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 11.

Getting Started

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Getting Started

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

The Zebra G-Series printers support a variety of interface options and configurations. These include: Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, RS232 Serial, Parallel (IEEE 1284.4) and 10/100 Ethernet.

GX420 and GX430 Printers

• USB, Serial and Parallel

• USB, Serial, 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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USB Interface Requirements

Universal Serial Bus (version 2.0 compliant) provides a fast interface that is compatible with your existing PC hardware. USB’s “plug and play” design makes installation easy. Multiple printers can share a single USB port/hub.

When using a USB cable (not supplied with your printer), verify that the cable or cable packaging bears the “Certified USB™” mark (see below) to guarantee USB 2.0 compliance.

Getting Started

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

USB Cable

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Getting Started

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

Serial Communications

The required cable must have a nine-pin “D” type (DB-9P) male connector on one end, which is plugged into the mating (DB-9S) serial port located on the back of the printer. The other end of this signal interface cable connects to a serial port at the host computer. Depending on the specific interface requirements, this will most likely be a Null Modem (cross-over) cable. Early models of Zebra printers running the EPL programming ty pically utilized a straight through signal connections cable (no cross-over). For pinout information, refer to Appendix A.

Note • The printer design does not allow for the use non-molded cables such as hand-made

cables with large clam shell connector covers.

The serial port communication settings between the printer and host (typically a PC) must match for reliable communication. The Bits per second (or Baud rate) and Flow control are the most common settings that get changed. The hosts (typically a Windows PC) needs to have the data Flow control changed to match the printer’s default communication method: Hardware and is noted by the Host Handshake setting DTR/Xon/Xoff. This combined hardware (DTR) and software (Xon/Xoff) mode may need to change depending upon the non-Zebra application software and the serial cable variation in use.

Serial communications between the printer and the host computer can be set by :

• Autobaud synchronization

• ZPL programming ^SC command

• EPL programming Y command

• Resetting the printer to its default printer configuration.

Autobaud

Autobaud synchronization allows the printer to automatically match the communication parameters of the host computer. To autobaud:

1. Press and hold the feed button until the green status LED flashes once, twice, and then three times.

2. While the status LED flashes, send the ^XA^XZ command sequence to the printer.

3. When the printer and host are synchronized, the LED changes to solid green. (No labels will print during autobaud synchronization.)

ZPL ^SC Command

Use the Set Communications (^SC) command to change the communications settings on the printer.

1. With the host computer set at the same communications settings as the printer, send the ^SC command to change the printer to the desired settings.

2. Change the host computer settings to match the new printer settings.

Refer to the ZPL Programming Guide for more information about this command.

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Getting Started

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

EPL Y Co mmand

Use the serial port setup (Y) command to change the communications settings on the printer.

1. With the host computer set at the same communications settings as the printer, send the Y command to change the printer to the desired settings. Note: the Y command does not support setting the data flow control, use the Xon/Xoff setting.

2. Change the host computer settings to match the new printer settings.

Refer to the EPL Page Mode Programming Guide for more information about this command.

Resetting the Default Serial Port Parameters

Do the following to reset the communications parameters on the printer to the factory defaults (serial communication settings are: 9600 baud, 8 bit word length, NO parity, 1 stop bit, and DTR/XON/XOFF data flow control).

1. Press and hold the feed button until the green status LED flashes once, waits a moment and flashes twice, and then waits again before flashing three times (release immediately).

2. While the status LED rapidly flashes amber and green, press the feed button. Serial

communications between the printer and the host computer can be set by the ZPL ^SC command or the EPL Y command.

Note • Early models of Z ebra printers running the EPL programming language had 9600

baud, NO

parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and a HARDWARE and SOFTWARE (merged) data control (essentially DTR/Xon/Xoff) as the default serial port settings. The Windows operating system flow control setting was Hardware for most applications.

Tighten

Serial Cable

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Getting Started

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

Parallel Port

The required cable must have a twenty-five pin “D” type (DB-25P) male connectors on both ends with a straight through wiring connections (IEEE 1284 A-A parallel interface specification). Tighten the cable connector’s screw locks to secure the cable to the printer and computer.

Note • The printer design does not allow for the use non-molded cables such as hand-made

cables with clam shell connector covers.

Parallel Cable

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Ethernet

LED Amb

LED

The printer requires UTP RJ45 Ethernet cable rated CAT-5 or better.

For more information on configuring y our printer to run on a compatible Ethernet based network, see the ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server manual. The printer must be configured to run on y our LAN (local area network). The print server on board your printer can be accessed through the printer’s web pages.

Getting Started

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

Ethernet Cable

(RJ45 Connector)

Ethernet Status/Activity Indicators

LED Status Description

Both OFF No Ethernet link detected

Green 100 Mbps link detected

Green with the Amber

100 Mbps link and Ethernet activity detected

flickering on and off

Amber 10 Mbps link detected

Amber with the Green

10 Mbps link and Ethernet activity detected

flickering on and off

reen

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Getting Started

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

Communicating with the Printer

Begin installing the Zebra Windows Driver and then turn on the printer. If the operating system automatically starts a ‘Add new hardware’ wizard, then close the wizard and continue installing the driver.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Communications

The printer is a terminal device when using a universal serial bus interface. You can refer to the Universal Serial Bus Specification for details regarding this interface. Scanners, scales or other data input devices must use the serial port to send data to the printer.

USB and Parallel Port Printer Detection and Windows® operating systems

Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 98 Second Edition (USB only) operating sy stems support the USB and bidirectional parallel port communications with printers. The Zebra Windows Driver supports your printer in these operating systems.

These operating systems automatically detect the printer when connected via the USB interface. The operating sy stem automatically starts a “Add new hardware’ wizard when connecting the printer for the first time to the PC. Close the wizard. Install the Zebra Windows Driver found on the user’s CD or for the latest driver go to www.zebra.com parallel port and then media size (closest match). Click on the ‘Print test page’ button to verify a successful installation.

. Select the USB or

The Windows operating system will detect and re-link a previously installed printer if it is reconnected to the USB interface or power is turned on after the PC has finished its restart of the operating system. Ignore the new device detected warnings and close the Task bar prompts. Wait several seconds for the operating system to match the printer to the driver software. The warnings will quit and the printer now should be ready to begin printing.

Serial Port and Windows® operating systems

The Windows operating system default settings for the serial port communication closely match the printer’s defaults settings with one exception; the data Flow Control settings. The Windows default data Flow Control setting is NONE. The G-Series printer requires data Flow Control set to Hardware.

Note • The G-Series printer does not support Windows Serial Port Plug and Play (PnP)

device detection at this time.

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Print Operations

This section provides media and print handling, font and language support, and the setup of less common printer configurations.

Contents

Determining Printer Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Print Media Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Replacing Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Media Sensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Ribbon Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Printing on Fan-Fold Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Printing with Externally Mounted Roll Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Fonts and Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Sending Files to the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Print Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

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Print Operations

Determining Printer Configuration

The G-Series printer uses a ZPL printer configuration status label to report the printer’s configuration status for both EPL and ZPL operations.The ZPL style label provides a more intuitive and functionally descriptive naming conventions than the EPL style printer status label. Operational status (darkness, speed, media type, etc.), installed printer options (network, interface settings, cutter, etc.) and printer description information (serial number, model name, firmware version, etc.) are all includes on the status label.

To get an EPL style printer configuration status label, send the printer the EPL U command. See the EPL programmer’s guide for more information on the various EPL U commands and interpreting the settings display ed on these labels.

The printer configuration status label can be localized for up to 16 languages. Use the ZPL programming command label.

See Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label on p age 21 or Feed Button Modes

on page 89 for information on accessing the printer configuration status label.

^KD to modify the displayed language for most status items on this

Thermal Printing

Caution • The printhead becomes hot while printing. To protect from damaging the

printhead and risk of personal injury, avoid touching the printhead. Only use the cleaning pen to perform printhead maintenance.

Caution • The discharge of electrostatic energy that accumulates on the surface of the

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Modes of Printing

You can operate this printer in many different modes and media configurations:

• Direct thermal printing (which uses heat sensitive media to print).

• Thermal transfer printing (which uses ribbon to heat transfer print to the media).

• Standard Tear-Off mode allows you to tear off each label (or batch print a strip of labels) after it is printed.

• Label Dispense Mode: If an optional dispenser is installed, the backing material can be peeled away from the label as it is printed. After this label is removed, the next one is printed.

• Media Cutting: If an optional media cutter is installed, the printer can cut the label liner between labels, receipt paper or tag stock depending upon the cutter option purchased.

• Stand-alone: The printer can run in a stand-alone mode (not connected to a computer) using the printer’s auto running label form feature (programming based) or by using an data input device. This mode accommodates data input devices, such as scanners, weigh scales, Zebra KDU Plus or KDU (Keyboard Display Unit) with a KDU Adapter, etc., via the printer’s serial port.

Print Operations

Modes of Printing

• Shared network printing: Printers configured with the Ethernet interface option include an internal print server with ZebraLink printer configuration web page and ZebraNet Bridge software for managing and monitoring status of Zebra printers on a network.

Print Media Types

Important • Zebra strongly recommends the use of Zebra-brand supplies for continuous

high-quality printing. A wide range of paper, polypropylene, polyester, and vinyl stock has been specifically engineered to enhance the printing capabilities of the printer and to prevent premature printhead wear. To purchase supplies, go to http://www.zebra.com/howtobuy.

Your printer can use various types of media:

• Standard media—Most standard (non-continuous) media uses an adhesive backing that sticks individual labels or a continuous length of labels to a liner.

• Continuous roll media—Most continuous roll media is direct thermal media (similar to FAX paper) and is used for receipt or ticket style printing.

• Tag stock—Tags are usually made from a heavy paper (up to 0.0075in./0.19mm thick). Tag stock does not have adhesive or a liner, and it is typically perforated between tags.

For more information on basic media types, see Table 1.

The printer typically uses roll media, but you can use fan-fold or other continuous media too. Use the correct media for the type of printing you require. When printing without a ribbon, you must use direct thermal media. When using ribbon, you must use thermal transfer media.

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Print Operations

Print Media Types

Table 1 • Types of Media Roll and Fanfold Media

Media Type How It Looks Description

Non-Continuous Roll Media

Roll media is wound on a core that can be 1 in. to 3 in. (25 to 76 mm) in diameter. Labels have adhesive backing that sticks them to a liner, and they are separated by gaps, holes, notches, or black marks. Tags are separated by perforations. Individual labels are separated by one or more of the following methods:

• Web m edia separates labels by gaps, holes, or notches.

• Black mark media uses pre-printed black marks on the back side of the media to indicate label separations.

Non-Continuous Fanfold Media

Continuous Roll Media

• Perforated media has perforations that allow the labels or tags to be separated from each other easily. The media may also have black marks or other separations between labels or tags.

Fanfold media is folded in a zigzag pattern. Fanfold media can have the same label separations as non-continuous roll media. The separations would fall on or near the folds.

Roll media is wound on a core that can be 1 in. to 3 in. (25 to 76 mm) in diameter. Continuous roll media does not have gaps, holes, notches, or black marks to indicate label separations. This allows the image to be printed anywhere on the label. Sometimes a cutter is used to cut apart individual labels. With continuous media, use the transmissive (gap) sensor so the printer can detect when the media runs out.

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Determining Thermal Media Types

Thermal transfer media requires ribbon for printing while direct thermal media does not. To determine if ribbon must be used with a particular media, perform a media scratch test.

To perform a media scratch test, complete these steps:

1. Scratch the print surface of the media with a finger nail or pen cap. Press firmly and

quickly while dragging it across the media surface. Direct thermal media is chemically treated to print (expose) when heat is applied. This test method uses friction heat to expose the media.

2. Did a black mark appear on the media?

If a black mark... Then the media is...

Does not appear on the media Thermal transfer. A ribbon is required.

Appears on the media Di r ect ther mal . No ribbon is required.

Print Operations

Replacing Supplies

If labels or ribbon run out while printing, leave the printer power on while reloading (data loss results if you turn off the printer). After you load a new label or ribbon roll, press the Feed button to restart.

Alway s use high quality, approved labels, tags and ribbons. If adhesive backed labels are used that don’t lay flat on the backing liner, the exposed edges may stick to the label guides and rollers inside the printer, causing the label to peel off from the liner and jam the printer. Permanent damage to the printhead may result if a non-approved ribbon is used as it may be wound incorrectly for the printer or contain chemicals corrosive to the printhead.

Adding a New Transfer Ribbon

If ribbon runs out in the middle of a print job, the indicator lights red and the printer waits for you to add a fresh roll.

1. Keep the power on as you change ribbon.

2. Open the top cover, then cut the used ribbon so you can remove the cores.

3. Load a new ribbon roll. If necessary, review the Ribbon Loading steps.

4. Close the top cover.

5. Press the Feed button to restart printing.

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Print Operations

Adjusting the Print Width

Replacing a Partially Used Transfer Ribbon

To remove used transfer ribbon, perform the following steps.

1. Cut the ribbon from the take-up roll.

2. Remove the take-up roll and discard used ribbon.

3. Remove the supply roll and tape the end of any fresh ribbon to prevent it from

unwrapping. When reinstalling a partially used supply roll, tape the cut end onto the empty take-up roll.

Adjusting the Print Width

Print width must be set when:

• You are using the printer for the first time.

• There is a change in media width.

Print width may be set by :

• The Windows printer driver or application software such as Zebra Designer.

• The five-flash sequence in Feed Button Modes on page 89.

• Controlling printer operations with ZPL programming; refer to the Print Width (^PW) command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).

• Controlling printer operations with EPL Page Mode programming, refer to the Set Label Width (

q) command (consult your EPL Programmer’s Guide).

Adjusting the Print Quality

Print quality is influenced by the heat or density (setting) of the printhead, the print speed, and the type of media you are using. Only by experimenting will you find the optimal mix for your application.

Note • Media manufactures may have specific recommendations for speed settings for your

printer and the media. Some media types have lower maximum speeds than y our printer’s maximum speed.

The relative darkness (or density) setting can be controlled by:

• The six-flash sequence in Feed Button Modes on page 89. This will overwrite any ZPL and EPL programmed darkness/density settings.

• The Set Darkness (

• The Density (D) EPL command (consult your EPL Programmer’s Guide).

If you find that the print speed needs to be adjusted, use:

• The Windows printer driver or application software such as Zebra Designer.

• The Print Rate (^PR) command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).

• The Speed Select (

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~SD) ZPL command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).

S) command (consult your EPL Programmer’s Guide).

Media Sensing

The G-Series printer has automatic media sensing capability. The printer is designed to continuously check and adjust media length sensing for minor variations. Once the printer is printing or feeding media, the printer continually checks and adjusts the media sensing to accommodate for minor changes in media parameters from label to label on a roll and from roll to roll of media. The printer will automatically initiate a media length calibration if the expected media length or the label to label gap distance has exceeded the acceptable variation range when starting a print job or Feeding media. The automatic media sensing in the G-Series printers works the same for printer operations that use EPL and ZPL label formats and programming.

If the printer does not detect labels or blacklines (or notches with blackline sensing) after feeding the media the default maximum label length distance of 39 inches (1 meter), then the printer will switch to continuous (receipt) media mode. The printer will keep these settings until changed by software, programming or a manual calibration with different media.

Optionally, the printer can be set to do a short media calibration after printer power up or when closing the printer with power on. The printer will then feed up to three labels while calibrating.

Print Operations

Media Sensing

The printer’s media settings can be verified by printing a Printer Configuration label. See the

Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label on page 21 for more details.

The maximum distance that the automatic media type detection and sensing will check can be reduced by using the ZPL Maximum Label Length command (^ML). It is recommended that this distance be set to no less than two times the longest label being printed. If the largest label being printed was a 4 by 6 inch label, then the maximum label (media) length detection distance can be reduced from the default distance of 39 inches down to 12 inches.

If the printer has difficulty automatically detecting the media type and auto-calibrating, see

Manual Calibration on page 85 to perform an extensive calibration. It includes a printed graph

of sensor operation for your media. This method disables the printer’s automatic media sensing capability until the printer’s default parameters are reset to the factory defaults with the four flash Feed button mode. See the Feed Button Modes on page 89 for more details.

The automatic media calibration can be modified, turned on or turned off to meet your needs. Sometimes print job conditions require that the printer use all the media on a roll. The two automatic media conditions, power up with media loaded and closing the printer with power on, can be controlled individually with the ZPL Media Feed command, ^MF. The feed action discussed in the ZPL programmers guide for the ^MF command is primarily for automatic media sensing and calibration. The automatic media calibration that controls the dy namic media (label to label) calibration is the ^XS command. If multiple media types of different lengths, material or detection methods (web/gap, blackline or continuous) are used, you should not change these settings.

The media calibration and detection process can also be refined to match the media type loaded into the printer. Use the ZPL Media Tracking command (^MN) to set the media type. Sometimes the printer can detect preprinted media as the gap between labels or the liner backing with print as a blackline marks. If the ^MN parameter for continuous media is set, then the print does not preform the automatic calibration. The ^MN command also includes an automatic calibration parameter (^MNA) to return the printer to its default setting to automatically detect all media types.

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Print Operations

Ribbon Overview

Ribbon is a thin film that is coated on one side with wax, resin, or wax resin, which is transferred to the media during the thermal transfer process. The media determines whether you need to use ribbon and how wide the ribbon must be. When ribbon is used, it must be as wide as or wider than the media being used. If the ribbon is narrower than the media, areas of the printhead are unprotected and subject to premature wear.

When to Use Ribbon

Thermal transfer media requires ribbon for printing while direct thermal media does not. Direct thermal media should never be used with ribbon. Bar codes and graphics can get distorted. To determine if ribbon must be used with a particular media, perform a media scratch test.

Coated Side of Ribbon

Ribbon can be wound with the coated side on the inside or outside. This printer can only use ribbon that is coated on the outside. If y ou are unsure which side of a particular roll of ribbon is coated, perform an adhesive test or a ribbon scratch test to determine which side is coated.

Ou tside In side

To determine which side of a ribbon is coated, complete these steps:

Ribbon Test with Adhesive

If you have labels available, perform the adhesive test to determine which side of a ribbon is coated. This method works well for ribbon that is already installed.

To perform an adhesi ve test, complete these steps:

1. Peel a label from its liner.

2. Press a corner of the sticky side of the label to the outer surface of the roll of ribbon.

3. Peel the label off of the ribbon.

4. Observe the results. Did flakes or particles of ink from the ribbon adhere to the label?

If ink from the ribbon... Then...

Adhered to the label The ribbon is coated on the outside and can be used with

the G-Series printer.

Did not adhere to the label The ribbon is coated on the inside and can not be used in

the G-Series printer.

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Ribbon Scratch Test

Perform the ribbon scratch test when labels are unavailable.

To perform a ribbon scratch test, complete these steps:

1. Unroll a short length of ribbon.

2. Place the unrolled section of ribbon on a piece of paper with the outer surface of the

ribbon in contact with the paper.

3. Scratch the inner surface of the unrolled ribbon with your fingernail.

4. Lift the ribbon from the paper.

5. Observe the results. Did the ribbon leave a mark on the paper?

If the ribbon... Then...

Left a mark on the paper The ribbon is coated on the outside and can be used with

the G-Series printer.

Print Operations

Ribbon Overview

Did not leave a mark on the paper

The ribbon is coated on the inside and can not be used in the G-Series printer.

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Print Operations

Printing on Fan-Fold Media

Printing on fan-fold media requires you to adjust the media guide’s stop position.

1. Open the top cover.

Fan-Fold

Media Path

2. Adjust the media guide stop position with the green thumb wheel. Use a piece of the fan-

fold media to set the stop position. Rotate the wheel toward you open the guides wider. Rotate the wheel away from you to make the media guide narrower.

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3. Insert the media through the slot at the rear of the printer.

4. Run the media between the hangers.

Print Operations

Printing on Fan-Fold Media

5. Close the top cover.

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Print Operations

Printing with Externally Mounted Roll Media

The G-Series printer accommodates externally mounted roll media similar to the printer’s support of fan-fold media. The printer requires the media roll and stand combination to have a low initial inertia to pull the media off the roll. The G-Series motor has 30% more torque than the Zebra 2800 Series desktop printers to provide improved media handling and speed.

Zebra at this time does not offer an external media option for the G-Series printer.

Externally Mounted Roll Media Consi derations:

• The media ideally should enter the printer directly behind the printer through the fan-fold media slot in the rear of the printer. See Printing on Fan-Fold Media on page 38 for media loading.

• Lower the print speed to decrease the chance of motor stalls. The roll typically has the highest inertia when trying to start the roll moving. Larger media roll diameters require the printer to have more torque applied to get the roll moving.

• The media should move smoothly and freely. The media should not slip, skip, jerk, bind and then move, etc. when mounted on your media stand.

• The printer should not touch the media roll.

• The printer should not slip or lift up off the operating surface.

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Fonts and Your Printer

The G-Series printer supports your language and font requirements with a variety of internal fonts, on-board font scaling, international font sets and character code page support, Unicode support, and font download.

The G-Series printer’s font capabilities are programming language dependent. The EPL programming language provides for basic bitmapped fonts and international code pages. The ZPL programming language provides advanced font mapping and scaling technology to support outline fonts (TrueType™ or OpenType™) and Unicode character mapping as well as basic bitmapped fonts and character code pages. ZPL and EPL programming guides describe and document the fonts, code pages, character access, listing fonts, and limitations for their respective printer programming languages. See the printer programming guides for information on Text, Fonts and Character support.

The G-Series printer includes utilities and application software that support font download into the printer for both printer programming languages.

Identifying Fonts in Your Printer

Print Operations

Fonts and Your Printer

Fonts and memory are shared by the programming languages in the printer. Fonts can be loaded in many memory areas in the G-Series printer. ZPL programming can recognize EPL and ZPL fonts. EPL programming can only recognize EPL fonts. See the respective programmer guides for more information on fonts and printer memory.

ZPL Fonts:

• To manage and download fonts for ZPL print operation, use ZebraNet Bridge.

• To display all of the fonts loaded in your G-Series printer, send the printer the ZPL command ^WD. See the ZPL Programmers Guide for details.

• Bitmap fonts in the various printer memory areas are identified by the .FNT file extension in ZPL.

• Scalable fonts are identified with the .TTF, .TTE or .OTF file extensions in ZPL. EPL does not support these fonts.

• The six fonts LMu.FNT through LMz.FNT are EPL Line Mode fonts and are not available for use in EPL programming on thermal transfer G-Series printers.

• When display ed in ZPL, the EPL Soft fonts have are separated into two groupshorizontal and vertical. The EPL Soft fonts are noted with single lowercase alpha characters (a-z) followed by an uppercase H or V and the .FNT file extension.

EPL Fonts:

• To download fonts for EPL print operation, use the EPL Font Downloader.

• To display Soft Fonts (ext.) available to EPL, send the printer the EPL command EI.

• Asian Fonts in G-Series printers are display ed as Soft Fonts, but are still accessible as documented in the A command in the EPL programmer’s guide.

• All EPL fonts displayed are bitmap fonts. They do not include the .FNT file extension or the horizontal (H) or vertical (V) designators that are display ed with the ZPL command ^WD as described above in ZPL Fonts.

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Print Operations

Fonts and Your Printer

Localizing the Printer with Code Pages

Asian fonts and Other Large Font Sets

• To remove non Asian EPL fonts with EPL programming, use the EK command.

• To remove EPL Asian fonts from the printer, use the ZPL ^ID command.

The G-Series printer supports two sets of language, region and character sets for permanent fonts loaded into the printer for each printer programming language, ZPL and EPL. The printer supports localization with common international character map code pages.

• For ZPL code page support, including Unicode, see the ^CI command in the ZPL programmer’s guide.

• For EPL code page support, see the I command in the EPL programmer’s guide.

Asian language pictographic fonts have large character sets with thousands of characters that support single language code page. In order to support the large Asian character sets, the industry adopted a double-byte (67840 maximum) character sy stem instead of the single-byte characters (256 maximum) used by Latin based language characters to address large font sets. In order to address multiple languages with a single font set, Unicode was invented. A Unicode font supports one or more code points (relate these to code page character maps) and is accessed in a standard method that resolves character mapping conflicts. The ZPL programming language supports Unicode; EPL does not. Both of the printer’s programming languages support the large pictographic double-byte character Asian font sets.

Asian language support requires additional memory support by the G-Series printer configured with the RTC and Full Flash Memory factory option. The number of fonts that can be downloaded is dependent upon the amount of available flash memory not already in use and the size of the font to be downloaded.

Some large Unicode fonts are too large to be installed in the printer with the RTC and Full Flash Memory factory option such as MS (Microsoft) Arial Unicode font (23MB) or the Andale font (22MB) offered by Zebra. These large font sets typically support a large number of languages as well.

Getting Asian Fonts

Asian font sets are downloaded into the printer by the user or integrator. The fonts are purchased separately from the printer.

• Simplified and Traditional Chinese (ZPL and EPL)

• Japanese — JIS and Shift-JIS mappings (ZPL and EPL)

• Korean (ZPL including Johab and EPL)

• Thai (ZPL only)

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Stand Alone Printing

Your printer can be configured to work without being attached to a computer. The printer has the ability to automatically run a single label form. One or more downloaded label forms can be accessed and run with a terminal or wedge device or a Zebra KDU (keyboard display unit) to call a label form. These methods allow the developer to incorporate data input devices, such as scanners or weight scales, to the printer via the serial port.

Label formats can be developed and stored in the printer to support labels that have:

• No data entry required and print when the Feed button is pressed.

• No data entry required and print when a label is removed from the printer’s optional label dispenser.

• One or more data variables to be entered via the terminal or wedge device. The label will print after the last variable data field has been input.

• One or more label formats that are called by scanning bar codes containing programming to run a label form.

• Label forms designed to work as a process chain with each label including a bar code containing the programming to run the next label in the process sequence.

Print Operations

Stand Alone Printing

Both printer programming languages support special label forms that will automatically run after a power cycle or reset. The ZPL looks for a file named AUTOEXEC.ZPL and EPL looks for a label form named AUTOFR. If both files are loaded in the G-Series printer, then only the AUTOEXEC.ZPL will run. The EPL AUTOFR form runs until it is disabled. Both files must be deleted from the printer followed by a reset or a power cycle to completely remove the files.

Note • The G-Series EPL AUTOFR command can only be disabled with NULL character

(00 hex or ASCII 0). The G-Series printer will ignore the other character that normally disables the AUTOFFR form operation in EPL printers, the XOFF character (13 hex or ASCII 19).

The G-Series printer can source up to 750mA through the serial port’s 5 volt line; see Appendix A for more information on the printer’s serial port interface.

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Print Operations

Sending Files to the Printer

Files can be sent to the printer from the Microsoft Windows operating systems by using the Zebra Firmware (and File) Downloader found on the user's CD or at method is common for both programming languages, all G-Series wired interfaces (including USB) and wired network printers.

Transferring files with the Firmware Downloader

1. Install the printer. Verify communication is working properly by using the drivers Pr i n t

Test Page located on the printer driver properties window.

2. Install the Zebra Firmware Downloader on your system.

3. Find the Firmware Downloader by selecting start > Programs > Zebra.

www.zebra.com. This

4. Select the Printer menu and run the Auto-Detect.

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Print Operations

Sending Files to the Printer

5. Click on your Zebra printer to select the printer for download.

6. Select the File menu and click on the Sel ect Fir mwar e File.. . . Use the Browser window

to select your file for download to your printer.

7. Select the Printer menu and click on the Download to Selected (printer). The

downloader may display a download status indicator to show download progress of larger files.

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Print Operations

Print Meter

The G-Series printer has the capability to report printhead maintenance alerts. The printer can provide cleaning and early warning of end of calculated printhead life alerts. If the RTC (Real Time Clock) is installed in the printer, the printhead life and history reporting will also include the date. By default, print metering alerts are disabled.

Many of the print meter messages and reports are customize able. See the ZPL or EPL Programming Guides for more information on the Print Meter.

To active the Print Meter Alerts, send one of the following commands to the printer:

•EPL command oLY

•ZPL command ^JH,,,,,E

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Printer Options

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.

Contents

Label Dispenser Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Moveable Blackline Sensor Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Cutter Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

RTC and Full Flash Memory Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Asian Fonts - Printer Accessory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

KDU — Printer Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

KDU Plus — Printer Accessory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

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Printer Options

Label Dispenser Option

The factory installed label dispenser option allows you to print a label with backing (liner/web) being removed from the label as it prints, ready for application. When printing multiple labels, removing the dispensed (peeled) label notifies the printer to print and dispense the next label.

To use dispenser-mode correctly, use your printer driver to activate the label (taken) sensor along with these typical label settings which include but are not limited to length, noncontinuous (gap), and web (liner). Otherwise, you must send the ZPL or EPL programming commands to the printer.

When programming in ZPL, you can use the following command sequences shown below and refer to y our ZPL Programming Guide for more information on ZPL programming.

When programming in EPL, send the Options (O) command with the ‘P’ command parameter

OP) to enable the Label Taken sensor. Other printer option parameters may also be included

( with the Options command string. Refer to your EPL Programmer’s Guide for more information on programming with EPL and the Options (

^XA ^MMP ^X Z

^XA ^JUS ^XZ

O) command behaviors.

1. Load y our labels into the printer. Close the printer and press the Feed button until a

minimum of 4 inches or 100 millimeters of exposed labels exit the printer. Remove the exposed labels from the liner.

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2. Lift the liner over the top of the printer and open the dispenser door.

Printer Options

Label Dispenser Option

3. Insert the label liner between the dispenser door and the printer body.

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Printer Options

Label Dispenser Option

4. Close the dispenser door.

5. Press the Feed button to advance the media.

6. During the print job, the printer will peel off the backing and present a single label. Taking

the label from the printer to allow the printer to print the next label. Note: If you did not activate the label taken sensor to detect the removal of the dispensed (peeled) label with software commands, the printer will stack and eject peeled labels.

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Moveable Blackline Sensor Option

The factory installed optional moveable blackline sensor allows the printer to use media with black line(s) or marks or notches (holes) on the back side of the media (or media liner) that are not located in the center of the media.

The moveable blackline sensor can not properly sense continuous media or labels (for interlabel gap sensing) if the sensor is not in the default sensing position, see below.

Printer Optional:

Moveable

Blackline Sensor

Printer Options

Moveable Blackline Sensor Option

Off Center

Blackline Sensing Only

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Default - Gap (Web) Sensing

Standard Operating Position

Printer Options

Moveable Blackline Sensor Option

Adjusting the Moveable Blackline Sensor for Black Mark or Notches

Load the media. Before closing the printer, adjust the moveable blackline sensor as follows:

1. Flip the media back over the roll to expose the black marks on the backside (non printing

side) of the media. This is not required for notched media.

Black Marks

2. Slide the moveable sensor from the center default position to align with the black marks.

The arrow on the moveable sensor should line up with the right edge of the black mark for marks on either side of the media (left side show).

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Printer Options

Moveable Blackline Sensor Option

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Printer Options

Cutter Option

The printer supports two factory installed media cutter options for full width cutting of label liner, tag or receipt media. These cutter options are all supported in a single cutter housing design. The type of cutter option installed in your printer can be verified by printing a printer configuration status label. The cutter options are:

• A medium duty cutter for cutting label liner and light tag media (LINER/TAG)

Maximum Paper Weight (thickness): up to 180 g/m2 (0.0077 in.) Life*: 2 million cuts: 0.5 mil to 5 mil stock (10-120 g/m2)

1 million cuts: 5 mil to 7.5 mil stock (120-180 g/m2)

750,000 cuts: 7.5 mil to 10 mil (180-200 g/m2)

* - Exceeding the maximum media weight (density/hardness) and thickness will

shorten the cutters usable life or can cause the cutter to fail (jam or other error).

• Cut Width: 4.25 inches (108 mm) maximum to 0.75 inches (19 mm) minimum

• Minimum distance between cuts (label length): 1 inch (25.4 mm). Cutting shorter media lengths between the cuts may cause the cutter to jam or error.

• By default, the cutter operations include a self cleaning preventive maintenance cleaning cut after every twenty -fifth cut. This feature can be disabled via ZPL or EPL SGD (Set/Get/DO) programming command (

cutter.clean_cutter) but is not

recommended.

Warning • There are no operator serviceable parts in the cutter unit. Never remove the cutter cover (bezel). Never attempt to insert objects or fingers in to the cutter mechanism.

Important • Tools, cotton swabs, solvents (including alcohol), etc. all may damage or shorten

the cutter’s usable life or cause the cutter to jam.

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Loading Media with the Cutter Option

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

of the printer.

Printer Options

Cutter Option

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 be up as it passes over the platen (drive) roller.

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Printer Options

Cutter Option

3. If your printer includes the moveable blackline sensor option, verify that the sensor is

Moveable Sensor

Off Center

Blackline Sensing Only

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Default - Gap (Web) Sensing

Standard Operating Position

Printer Options

Cutter Option

4. Thread the media through the cutter’s inside slot 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.

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

Under Media

Guides

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

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Printer Options

ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server Option

The ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server (PS) is an optional factory installed device that

connects the network and your ZebraLink with a browser interface for printer and print server settings. If you use the ZebraNet

-enabled printer. The print server provides you

Bridge

Zebra network printer management software, you can easily access the specialized features of

a ZebraLink

enabled printer.

Printer with 10/100 Internal PS—10/100 Internal PS gives y our printer these features:

• Print server and printer setup using a browser

• Remote monitoring and configuration capability of the 10/100 Internal PS using a browser

•Alerts

• The ability for you to send unsolicited printer status messages via E-mail-enabled devices

ZebraNet

Bridge — ZebraNetTM Bridge is a software program that works with the 10/100 Internal PS and enhances the features of ZebraLink resident within ZPL-based printers. The features include the following:

• ZebraNet

Bridge allows you to locate printers automatically. ZebraNetTM Bridge searches on parameters such as IP address, subnet, printer model, printer status, and many other user-defined characteristics.

• Remote Configuration — Manage all your Zebra label printers throughout the enterprise without having to travel to remote sites or physically handle any printers. Any Zebra printer connected to the enterprise network can be accessed from the

ZebraNet

Bridge interface and configured remotely through an easy-to-use

graphical user interface.

• Printer Alerts, Status, Heartbeat Monitoring and event Notification — ZebraNet Bridge lets you configure multiple event alerts per device with different alerts directed to different people. Receive alerts and notifications by e-mail, cell phone/pager, or

through the ZebraNet

Bridge Events tab. View alerts by printer or group, and filter

by date/time, severity, or trigger.

• Configure and Copy Printer Profiles — Copy and paste settings from one printer to another or broadcast them to an entire group. ZebraNet Bridge allows you to copy printer settings, printer-resident files (formats, fonts, and graphics), and alerts with a click of the mouse. Create printer profiles—virtual “golden printers”—with desired settings, objects, and alerts, and clone or broadcast them as if they were real printers, providing extensive savings in setup time. Printer profiles are also an excellent way to back up a printer’s configuration for crisis recovery.

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ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server Option

Printer Network Configuration Status Label

G-Series printers with the ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server option on-board print an additional printer configuration status label for information needed to establish and trouble shoot network printing. The following printout is printed with the ZPL

Printer Options

~WL command.

The regular printout of the configuration status label has some of the printer’s network settings such as IP Address, on the lower half of the printout.

The printer’s IP address is needed to identify and configure the printer for operations on your network. See the ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server manual for more information.

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Printer Options

RTC and Full Flash Memory Option

Printers with the factory installed RTC (Real Time Clock) and Full Flash Memory option allow you to create highly customizable printer applications, improve printer productivity and flexibility, and provide extra memory to store more forms, graphics (logos), fonts, and the large Asian font sets.

The RTC allows the label form developer to include:

• Time Date Stamping

• Pre or Post Datin g

• Allows Date/Time date to be included on printed form without altering the form

• Provide dates and times without needing to generate them with the host sy stem, application software or programmatically by another process (e.g. a database report).

The RTC enhances the printer’s ability to operate in a stand-alone configuration (e.g. not connected to a host or PC). A common use would be to provide a date stamp to a tag, ticket, label or receipt printed on demand. See Stand Alone Printing on page 43 for more details.

The RTC feature supports both ZPL and EPL printer programming. The two programming behaviors that display time and date change

the time and date are independent of each other. The commands that set

them for both printer languages.

Caution • The optional RTC assembly has a three volt lithium battery. You can discern a low

or flat battery if the printer provides a consistently delayed date stamp. Battery replacement must be performed by a qualified service technician. Only use a Zebra approved replacement battery.

Important • Recycle batteries according to local your guidelines and regulations. Wrap the

battery when disposing (or storing) to avoid a short circuit.

DO NOT short circuit the battery. Short circuiting the battery may result in heat generation, fire or bursting.

DO NOT heat, disassemble or dispose of battery in fire.

The Full Flash Memory provides an additional 8 Megabytes to the printer’s standard 4 Megabytes of printer memory for a total of 12 Megabytes printer memory.

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Asian Fonts - Printer Accessory

Asian font sets are downloaded into the printer by the user or integrator. Your G-Series printer must have the RTC and Full Flash Printer Memory option installed to support the large Asian font files. The fonts are obtained separately from the printer.

• Simplified and Traditional Chinese (ZPL and EPL)

• Japanese — JIS and Shift-JIS mappings (ZPL and EPL)

• Korean (ZPL including Johab and EPL)

• Thai (ZPL only)

See Fonts and Your Printer on page 41 for more details on Asian fonts.

Printer Options

Asian Fonts - Printer Accessory

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Printer Options

KDU — Printer Accessory

The KDU (key board display unit) is a small terminal unit that interfaces with the printer for accessing EPL label forms stored in the printer.

The KDU is strictly a terminal and does not have the capability to store data or set up parameters. The KDU is used for the following functions:

• List label forms stored in printer

• Retrieve label forms stored in printer

• Input variable data

• Printing labels

The KDU was designed for Zebra EPL printers. The EPL printer’s serial port was configured for DCE (data communication equipment) communications configuration. The G-Series printer has a DTE (data terminal equipment) serial port configuration. Because of the KDU and G-Series have different wiring configurations, a KDU serial port adapter is needed to properly supply power to the KDU and enable communications between them.

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KDU — Printer Accessory

KDU and G-Series Printer Serial Port Adapter Installation

1. Switch the printer power to OFF.

2. Align the adapter between the KDU’s serial connector and the serial interface on the

printer.

KDU

Serial Port

Adapter

Printer Options

3. Plug the adapter onto the printer’s serial interface; use a small, slotted screwdriver to

tighten the screws and secure the adapter.

4. Plug the KDU’s cable onto the adapter; tighten the screws to secure the cable.

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Printer Options

KDU Plus — Printer Accessory

The KDU Plus is a terminal device with memory for storing files and maintaining one or more remote printers. The KDU Plus has a larger laptop style keyboard than the Zebra’s original KDU design.

The KDU Plus is designed for the following functions:

• List label forms stored in printer

• Retrieve label forms stored in printer

• Input variable data

• Printing labels

• File storage and transfer

The KDU Plus is designed to work with ZPL and EPL printers by dy namically detecting and switching the printer’s communications configuration (DTE or DCE) to match y our Zebra printer. By default, the KDU Plus will start up forms mode. This is compatible with the operation of Zebra’s original KDU. The KDU Plus is configurable to work in ZPL or terminal modes too.

The KDU Plus has file transfer and storage capabilities. This is great for maintaining remote and stand alone printers with label forms, logos and smaller font sets.

The KDU Plus has two configurable serial port and a PS/2 port to connect to other data input devices such as scanners, weigh scales, etc..

The +5 volts from the printer’s serial (pin 9) provides power for the KDU Plus and any additional input devices attached to the KDU Plus.

Maximum total current draw for the G-Series printer’s serial port: 750mA The KDU Plus’s current without external input devices attached is: 50mA

120m A*

45mA*

25mA*

Current Draw

* - Not real values

50mA

( 45mA + 120mA + 25mA ) + 50mA < Max. Current

Caution • The KDU Plus’s input ports (AUX1, AUX2, and PS/2 style) are not fused. Exceeding the total current draw available could damage an input device, KDU Plus, or the printer.

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Maintenance

This section provides routine cleaning and maintenance procedures.

Contents

Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Cleaning the Printhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Media Path Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Platen Cleaning and Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Other Printer Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Replacing the Printhead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

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Maintenance

Cleaning

When you clean the printer, use one of the following supplies that best suits your needs:

Cleaning Supplies

Order

Quantity

Intended Purpose

Cleaning pens (105950-035) Set of 12 Clean printhead

Cleaning swabs (105909-057) Set of 25 Clean media path, guides and sensors

You can obtain cleaning supplies at

www.zipzebra.com.

The cleaning process takes just a couple of minutes using the steps outlined below.

Printer Part Method Interval

Printhead Let the printhead to cool for a minute, then use a

new cleaning pen to swab the dark line on the printhead cleaning from the center to the outside edges of the printhead. See Cleaning the Printhead on page 67

Platen roller Remove the platen roller to clean. Clean the

When using ribbon: after every roll of ribbon; when using direct thermal: after every roll of media.

As needed. roller thoroughly with 90% medical-grade alcohol and a cleaning swab or lint-free cloth. See Platen Cleaning and Replacement

on page 70

Peel bar Clean it thoroughly with 90% medical-grade

Media path

alcohol and a fiber-free cleaning swab.

Let alcohol dissipate and the printer dry completely.

Exterior Water-dampened cloth.

Interior Gently brush out printer.

Caution • Adhesives and media material can over time transfer onto the printer

components along the media path including the platen and printhead. This build-up can accumulate dust and debris. Failure to clean the printhead, media path and platen roller could result in inadvertent loss of labels, label jams and possible damage to the printer.

Important • Using too much alcohol can result in contamination of the electronic

components requiring a much longer drying time before the printer will function properly.

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Cleaning the Printhead

Alway s use a new cleaning pen on the printhead (an old pen carries contaminants from its previous uses that may damage the printhead).

Caution • The printhead becomes hot while printing. To protect from damaging the

printhead and risk of personal injury, avoid touching the printhead. Use only the cleaning pen to perform maintenance.

When you load new media, y ou can also clean the printhead.

1. Rub the cleaning pen across the dark area of the printhead. Clean from the middle to the

outside. This will move adhesive transferred from the edges of media to the printhead outside of media path.

2. Wait one minute before closing the printer.

Maintenance

Cleaning

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Maintenance

Cleaning

Media Path Considerations

Use a cleaning swab to remove debris, dust or crust that has built-up on the holders, guides and media path surfaces.

1. Use the alcohol in the cleaning swab to soak the debris to break up the adhesive.

2. Wipe the ridges to remove accumulated debris.

3. Wipe the inside edges of both edge guides to remove any built-up residue.

4. Wait one minute before closing the printer.

Discard the cleaning swab after use.

Platen

Peel

Bar

Pinch

Roller

Media

Guides

Ridges

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Sensor Cleaning

Dust can accumulate on the media sensors.

1. Gently brush away dust; if necessary, use a dry swab to brush away dust. If adhesives or

other contaminates remain, use an alcohol moistened swab to break it up.

2. Use a dry swab to remove any residue that may be left from the first cleaning.

Maintenance

Cleaning

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 as required until all residue and streaks are removed form the sensor.

Ribbon Trailer

Sensor

Black-Line

Sensor

Gap

Sensor

Label Taken

Sensor

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Maintenance

Cleaning

Platen Cleaning and Replacement

The standard platen (drive roller) normally does not require cleaning. Paper and liner dust can accumulate without effecting print operations. Contaminates on the platen roller can damage the printhead or cause the media to slip or stick when printing. Adhesive, dirt, general dust, oils and other contaminates should be cleaned immediately off the platen.

Clean the platen (and media path) whenever the printer has significantly poorer performance, print quality or media handling. The platen is the print surface and drive roller for your media. If sticking or jamming continues even after cleaning, you must replace the platen.

The platen can be cleaned with a fiber-free swab (such as a Texpad swab) or a lint free, clean, damp cloth very lightly moistened with medical grade alcohol (90% pure or better).

1. Open the cover (and dispenser door). Remove media from platen area.

2. Pull the platen bearing latch release tabs on the right and left sides towards the front of the

printer and rotate them up.

Platen Bearings

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3. Lift the platen out of the printer’s bottom frame.

Maintenance

Cleaning

4. Clean the platen with the alcohol moistened swab. Clean from the center out. Repeat this

process until the all of the roller surface has been cleaned. If there has been heavy adhesive build-up or label jam, repeat with a new swab to remove residual contaminates. Adhesives and oils, for example, may be thinned by the initial cleaning but not completely removed.

5. Install the platen in the printer. Discard the cleaning swabs after use - do not reuse.

6. Make sure the bearings and drive gear are on the shaft of the platen.

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Maintenance

Cleaning

7. Align the platen with the gear to the left and lower it into the printer’s bottom frame.

8. Rotate the platen bearing latch release tabs down on the right and left sides towards the

rear of the printer and snap them into place.

Allow the printer to dry for one minute before closing the dispenser door, media cover or loading labels.

Other Printer Maintenance

There are no user level maintenance procedures beyond those detailed in this section. See the

Troubleshooting on page 79 for more information on diagnosing printer and print problems.

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Replacing the Printhead

If you need to replace the printhead, read the procedure and review the removal and installation steps before actually replacing the printhead.

Caution • Prepare your work area by protecting against static discharge. Your work area

must be static-safe and include a properly grounded conductive cushioned mat to hold the printer and a conductive wrist strap for yourself.

Caution • Turn the printer power off and unplug the power cord before replacing the

printhead.

Printhead Removal

1. Open the printer. Remove any transfer ribbon from the printer.

2. Use a small flat bladed screwdriver to remove the ribbon guide. Gently pry the guide

right-side tab from the ribbon frame. Pull the left side of the ribbon guide out.

Maintenance

Replacing the Printhead

Ribbon Guide

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Maintenance

Replacing the Printhead

3. Use a blunt tipped tool to press the release tab on the right side and then the left side of the

printhead. The tool diameter can be from 0.10 to 0.15 inches (2.5 to 3.8 mm).

Insert the tool into the ribbon frame's printhead release access (the round) opening. Push the release tab and gently pull the printhead bracket down..

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Maintenance

Replacing the Printhead

4. Gently but firmly pull the two printhead cable bundles’ connectors off of the printhead.

5. Gently but firmly pull the green ground wire off the printhead.

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Maintenance

Replacing the Printhead

1. Push the left side printhead connector into the printhead. The connector is key ed to only

insert one way.

2. Connect the green ground wire to the printhead.

3. Push the right side printhead wire connector onto the printhead.

4. Check that the ground wire and wire bundles are still connected to the printhead.

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Maintenance

Replacing the Printhead

5. Insert the printhead bracket’s the tab into slot in the ribbon frame assembly. Align the

printhead spring slots to the five posts and snap the printhead into the ribbon frame.

Post

Slot

Tab

Spring

Slot

Spring

Post

Spring

Slot

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Maintenance

Replacing the Printhead

6. Place the left hand side of the ribbon guide into the ribbon frame. Swing the right side of

the ribbon guide into the slot and snap it into position.

7. Verify that the printhead moves up and down freely when pressure is applied and remains

locked when released.

8. Clean the printhead. Use a new pen to wipe body oils (finger prints) and debris of the

printhead. Clean from the center of the printhead to the outside. See Cleaning the

Printhead on page 67.

9. Reload media. Plug in the power cord, turn on the printer and print a status report to

ensure proper function. See Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label on page 21.

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Troubleshooting

This section provides information about printer error reporting that you might need for printer troubleshooting. Assorted diagnostic tests are included.

Contents

Status Light Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Status Light Error Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Print Quality Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Manual Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Troubleshooting Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Resetting the Factory Default Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Communications Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Feed Button Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

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Troubleshooting

Status Light Descriptions

What the Status Light is Telling You

LED Status and Color Printer Status

Off Off 1

Solid Green On 2

Solid Amber Stopped 3

Flashing Green Normal Operation 4

Flashing Red Stopped 5

Double Flashing Green Paused 6

Flashing A mber Paused 7

Alternately Flashing Green and Red Needs Service 8

Flashing Red, Red and Green Needs Service 9

Status Light Error Resolutions

1. The printer is not receiving power.

• Have y ou turned on the printer power?

• Check power connections from the wall outlet to the power supply, and from the power supply to the printer.

For a Resolution, Refer to Number:

• Disconnect the printer from the wall outlet for 30 seconds and then reconnect the printer to the wall outlet.

2. The printer is on and in an idle state.

No action necessary.

3. The printer has failed its power on self test (POST).

• If this error occurs right after y ou turn on the printer, contact an authorized reseller for assistance. When the printer is operating normally, the printer status light will be amber for about 10 seconds before turning green (solid or blinking).

There is a memory error.

• If this error occurs after you have been printing, turn the printer power off and on, and then resume printing.

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The printhead needs to cool down.

• If this error continues, turn the printer power off for five minutes or more, and then turn on. If the amber light persists, then the printer requires service.

4. The printer is receiving data.

• As soon as all of the data has been received, the status LED will turn green and the printer will automatically resume operation.

5. The media is out.

• Follow the instructions for Loading Roll Media on page 13 in the Getting Started section, and then press the Feed button to resume printing.

The ribbon is out.

• The printer has sensed the end of the ribbon roll. Replace the ribbon.

Troubleshooting

Status Light Error Resolutions

The printhead is open.

• Close the top cover and then press the Feed button to resume printing.

6. The printer is paused.

• Press the Feed button to resume printing.

7. The printhead is over temperature.

• Printing will stop until the printhead cools to an acceptable printing temperature. When it does, the printer will automatically resume operation.

8. FLASH memory is not programmed.

• Return the printer to an authorized reseller.

9. The printhead or motor has had a critical failure.

• Return the printer to an authorized reseller.

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Troubleshooting

Print Quality Problems

No print on the label.

• The media may not be direct thermal media when printing without ribbon (i.e. thermal transfer). See the test procedure Determining Thermal Media Types on p age 33.

• For thermal transfer printers, the media may not be outside wound or approved for use in the G-Series printer. See the following ribbon test procedures: Ribbon Test with Adhesive

on page 36 and Ribbon Scratch Test on page 37.

• Is the media loaded correctly? Follow the instructions for Loading Roll Media on page 13 in the Getting Started section. For printing using transfer ribbon, see Loading Transfer

Ribbon on page 17.

The printed image does not look right.

• The printhead is dirty. Clean the printhead.

• The printhead is under temperature.

• Adjust the print darkness and/or print speed.

•Use the Programming Guide.

•Use the Guide.

• Manually adjust print darkness with the six-flash sequence of Feed Button Modes

on page 89.

• The Windows printer driver or application software may change these settings and may require a change to optimize print quality.

• The media being used is incompatible with the printer. Be sure to use the recommended media for y our application, and always use Zebra-approved labels and tags.

• Verify that the printer power supply in use is rated at 100 Watts of DC output.

• The printhead has worn out. The printhead is a consumable item and will wear out due to friction between the media and printhead. Using unapproved media may shorten life or damage your printhead. Replace the printhead.

• The platen may need cleaning or replacement. The platen (driver) roller maybe losing traction due to:

• Foreign objects attached to its surface,

• The rubbery smooth surface has become polished and slippery, or

^PR (speed) and ~SD (darkness) commands referenced in the ZPL

D (darkness/density) and S (speed) commands in the EPL Programmer’s

• There is damage to the normally smooth and flat print surface such as box knife cuts.

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Troubleshooting

Print Quality Problems

There are long tracks of missing print (blank vertical lines) on several labels.

• The printhead is dirty. Clean the printhead.

• The printhead elements are damaged.

The printing does not start at the top of the label or misprinting of one to three labels.

• The media may not be threaded correctly. Follow the instructions for Loading Roll Media

on page 13 in the Getting Started section.

• The printer needs to be calibrated. Refer to the two-flash sequence of Feed Button Modes

on page 89 in this section.

• ZPL Label Formats - The correct media sensor may not be activated. Manual calibration selects the media sensing method for the labels being used (refer to the the ZPL Programming Guide).

^MN command in

• ZPL Label Formats - Verify that the Label Top ( application (consult the ZPL Programming Guide).

• EPL Label Formats - The correct media sensor may not be activated for label dispensing, blackline or notch sensing, or for Gap/Web sensing. Manual calibration selects the media sensing method for the labels being used (refer to the Programmer’s Guide).

• EPL Label Formats - Verify that the Set Label Length (Q) command is correctly set for your application (consult the EPL Programmer’s Guide).

^LT) command is correctly set for your

O and Q commands in the EPL

A ZPL label format was sent to, but not recognized by, the printer.

• Is the printer in pause mode? If so, press the Feed button.

• If the status LED is on or flashing, refer to What the Status Light is Telling You on page 80.

• Make sure the data cable is correctly installed.

• A communications problem has occurred. First, make sure that the correct communications port on the computer is selected. Refer to Communicating with the

Printer on page 28 in the Getting Started section.

• Verify the correct Format and Control Prefix on the printer match what you are using in your ZPL programmed label format. The default Format (COMMAND CHAR) is Caret (^) character and the Control (CONTROL CHAR) is a Tilde (~) character. Verify the characters with the Configuration Status label printout. Refer to the one-flash sequence of

Feed Button Modes on page 89 to print this label.

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Troubleshooting

Print Quality Problems

A EPL label format was sent to, but not recognized by, the printer.

• Is the printer in pause mode? If so, press the Feed button.

• If the printer has label dispensing enabled, the printer may be waiting for the label to be removed. The liner/web must be properly threaded through the label dispenser mechanism (peeler) to correctly operate in label dispense mode, refer to Label Dispenser Option

on page 48.

• If the status LED is on or flashing, refer to What the Status Light is Telling You on page 80.

• Make sure the data cable is correctly installed.

• A communications problem has occurred. First, make sure that the correct communications port (USB) on the computer is selected. Refer to Communicating with

the Printer on page 28 in the Getting Started section.

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Manual Calibration

Manual calibration is recommended whenever you are using pre-printed media or if the printer will not correctly auto calibrate.

1. Make sure media is loaded.

2. Turn on the printer power.

3. Press and hold the Feed button until the green status light flashes once, then twice and

then continuing until the flash groups reach the group of seven flashes. Release the Feed button.

4. The printer will set the media sensor for the label backing being used. After it is done

making this adjustment, the roll will automatically feed until a label is positioned at the printhead. A profile of the media sensor settings (similar to the example below) will print. Upon completion, the printer will save the new settings in memory and the printer is ready for normal operation.

5. Press the Feed button. One entire blank label will feed. If this does not happen, try

defaulting (refer to the four-flash sequence in “Feed Button Modes” later in this chapter) and recalibrating the printer.

Troubleshooting

Manual Calibration

Note • Performing a manual calibration disables the auto calibration function. To return to

auto calibration, default the printer (refer to the four-flash sequence in Feed Button Modes

on page 89 in this section).

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Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Tests

Printing a Configuration Label

To print out a listing of the printer’s current configuration, refer to the one-flash sequence in

Feed Button Modes on page 89 in this section

Recalibration

Recalibrate the printer if it starts to display unusual symptoms, such as skipping labels. Refer to the two-flash sequence in Feed Button Modes on page 89 in this section.

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Resetting the Factory Default Values

Sometimes, resetting the printer to the factory defaults may solve some problems. Refer to the four-flash sequence in Feed Button Modes on page 89 in this section.

Communications Diagnostics

If there is a problem transferring data between the computer and printer, try putting the printer in the communications diagnostics mode. The printer will print the ASCII characters and their respective hexadecimal values (a sample is shown below) for any data received from the host computer. To find out how,

There are multiple ways to enter hex data dump mode:

•The ~JD ZPL command

•The dump EPL command

• On power up with the Feed button pressed. Refer to the power off mode procedure in Feed

Button Modes on page 89 in this section.

Troubleshooting

Resetting the Factory Default Values

The printer will print ‘Now in DUMP’ (see below) and advance to the top of the next label.

12/14/07 GX420t / GX430t U ser Guide 980612-001 Rev. A

Troubleshooting

Communications Diagnostics

The following example of a communications DUMP mode printed out. The printout displays hexadecimal data 00h-FFh (0-255 decimal) with a unique character for each hexadecimal value displayed above the hexadecimal data.

The blank lines between the lines of data are where serial port and Bluetooth data handling errors get logged. The errors are:

• F = Frame Error

• P = Parity Error

• N = Noise Error

• O = Data Overrun Error

To exit the diagnostic mode and resume printing, turn off and then turn on the printer. An alternate method for exiting the diagnostic mode is to press the Feed button as many times as it takes to clear the printer’s command buffer and print ‘Out of DUMP’ on the label.

980612-001 Rev. A GX420t / GX430t User Guide 12/14/07

Zebra Technologies GX420t, GX430t User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

About This Document

Who Should Use This Document

How This Document Is Organized

Contacts

Web Site

The Americas

Europe, Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Document Conventions

Contents

Introduction

GX Series Thermal Printers

What’s in the Box?

Unpack and Inspect the Printer

Printer Features

Operator Controls

Getting Started

Attaching Power

Loading Roll Media

Preparing Media

Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment

Loading Transfer Ribbon

Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label

Hooking Up the Printer and Computer

Interface Cable Requirements

Communicating with the Printer

Print Operations

Determining Printer Configuration

Thermal Printing

Modes of Printing

Print Media Types

Determining Thermal Media Types

Replacing Supplies

Adding a New Transfer Ribbon

Adjusting the Print Width

Replacing a Partially Used Transfer Ribbon

Adjusting the Print Quality

Media Sensing

Ribbon Overview

When to Use Ribbon

Coated Side of Ribbon

Printing on Fan-Fold Media

Printing with Externally Mounted Roll Media

Fonts and Your Printer

Identifying Fonts in Your Printer

Localizing the Printer with Code Pages

Asian fonts and Other Large Font Sets

Getting Asian Fonts

Stand Alone Printing

Sending Files to the Printer

Transferring files with the Firmware Downloader

Print Meter

Printer Options

Label Dispenser Option

Moveable Blackline Sensor Option

Adjusting the Moveable Blackline Sensor for Black Mark or Notches

Cutter Option

Loading Media with the Cutter Option

ZebraNet® 10/100 Internal Print Server Option

Printer Network Configuration Status Label

RTC and Full Flash Memory Option

Asian Fonts - Printer Accessory

KDU and G-Series Printer Serial Port Adapter Installation

Maintenance

Cleaning

Cleaning the Printhead

Media Path Considerations

Platen Cleaning and Replacement

Other Printer Maintenance

Replacing the Printhead

Troubleshooting

Status Light Descriptions

Status Light Error Resolutions

Print Quality Problems

Manual Calibration

Troubleshooting Tests