Zebra Technologies P720 User Manual

1

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

Part Number: 980367-001Rev.C

© ZIH Corp.

Welcome to your new
ZEBRA P720

User’s Manual

Printer
Solutions

2

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

FOREWORD

This manual contains installation and operation information for the Zebra P720 Series card printers manufactured
by Zebra Technologies Corporation.

RETURN MATERIALS AUTHORIZATION

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

For USA and Latin America:
Zebra T echnologies Corporation

Card Imaging Division

1001 Flynn Road

Camarillo, CA. 93021-8706.USA

Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

For Europe, Asia and Pacific:

Zebra Technologies Inc. France

Card Imaging Division

Zone Industrielle, Rue d’Amsterdam

44370 Varades, France

Phone: + 33 (0) 240 097 070

FAX: + 33 (0) 240 834 745

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

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

TRADEMARKS

P720 is a service mark and Zebra is a registered trademark of Zebra T echnologies Corporation. Windows and MS.DOS
are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are marks of their res­pective holders.

Printer
Solutions

3

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Printers:

All Zebra Card Printers are warranted against defects in material or workmanship for twelve (12) months from the
purchase date.
Proof of purchase or shipment date is required to validate the warranty period. The warranty becomes void if the
equipment is modified, improperly installed or used, damaged by accident or neglect, or if any parts are
improperly installed or replaced by the user.
Note: Products returned must be packaged in the original or comparable packing and shipping container. In the
event equipment is not so packaged, or if shipping damage is evident, it will not be accepted for service under
warranty. Surface transportation charges for return to customer s in the continental United States is paid by Zebra.
Otherwise, Zebra pays CPT (carriage paid to) nearest airport, customer pays customers, duties, taxes, and freight
from airport to destination. If Zebra determines that the product returned for warranty service or replacement is not
defective as herein defined, the customer will pay all handling and transportation costs.

Printheads:

Since printhead wear is part of normal operation, the original printhead is covered by a twelve (12) month
warranty. Warranty period begins on purchase date.
To qualify for this warranty, the printhead must be returned to the factory or to an authorized service center.
Customers are not required to purchase Zebra supplies (media and/or ribbons) for warranty qualification.
However, if it is determined that the use of other manufacturer supplies has caused any defect in the printhead for
which a warranty claim is made, the user is responsible for Zebra's labor and material charges required to repair the
defect. The warranty becomes void if the printhead is physically worn or damaged; also if it is determined that
failure to follow the preventive maintenance schedule listed in the User's Guide has causes defect in the thermal
printhead for which a warranty claim is made.

Spare Parts:

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

Printer
Solutions

4

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY

Supplemental Information:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.

Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmfull
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

73/23/EEC modified

by 93/68/EEC

EMC Directive

EN 500082-1,1992

Immunity to

Electromagnetic

Disturbances

European Council Directive

Compliance to Standards

89/336/EEC

modified by

92/31/EEC and

93/68/EEC

Emissions control

Low voltage

Directive

EMC Directive

EN 60950

EN 55022-B

Product safety

Model: P720 conforms to the following specification:
FCC Part 15, Subpart A, Section 15.107(a) and Section 15.109(a)
Class A digital device

Printer
Solutions

5

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the Zebra P720 Plastic Card Printer.
Zebra’s P series card printer s offer a low cost, high quality solution to those requiring computer-controlled printing

and encoding of credit card style plastic cards, Card applications include personalized high security identification,
access control, visitor, membership, badges and tags.

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

P720 PRINTER MODELS

The Zebra Product Number tells a story:
Here is a quick review of the Zebra Card Printer Series numbering and lettering system to help you.
The P720 Plastic Card Printer employs Dye Sublimation and Resin Thermal Transfer technologies. Model numbers

include identifiers that specify options are shown using the following lettering conventions:

Smart Card:

O = No
E = Yes

Magnetic Encoder:

O = No
M = Yes

Magnetic Encoder Options:

O = No
1 = Stripe down HICO
2 = Stripe Down LOCO

Memory:

O = Standard

Interface:

U = USB standard
P = Centronic Parallel, optional

}

Ship-away kit

P720 C - X X X X X - X X X

D = Drivers & Documentation CD

Power Cord:

I = 120 V + 220 V
U = UK

O= No Demo Software

Printer
Solutions

6

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

ICONS

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

Important general information.

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

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

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

Elevated temperature hazard, capable of producing a burn.

Keep Card Printer clean by minimizing cover open time.

Printer
Solutions

7

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

1

2

3
4

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9

1•1 Unpacking your P720 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9
1•2 Indicators and control • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11

1•3 Printer Installation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12

OPERATION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13

2•1 Printer Features • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13
2•2 Loading Printing Ribbons • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14

2•3 Loading Laminate ribbon • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16
2•4 Loading cards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 18

A- Card Feeder • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 19
B- Card Thickness Control Lever • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 19

C-Card Output Hopper • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 19

2•5 Reject Card Box • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20
2•6 Feeding one card at a time • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
2•7 Printing a test card • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23
2•8 Printer menu information • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 24
2•9 Under stand the Printing Process • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 28
2•10 Under stand the Lamination Process • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 29

PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 30

3•1 Install Using Install Wizard • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 31
3•2 Set Printer Driver Option • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 32

3•3 printing a Sample Card • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 33

CLEANING (Printer & Laminator cleaning cycle) • • • • • • • • 34

4•1 Cleaning the Printhead • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 35
4•2 Cleaning Magnetic Encoder (optional item) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 36

4•3 Cleaning Laminator • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 37
4•4 Cleaning complete P720 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 39
4•5 Card Cleaning Cartridge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 40

TROUBLESHOOTING • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 41

5•1 Interpreting LCD Display messages • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 41

A-About the Printing Station • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 41

B-About the Laminator Station • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 44

5•2 Print Quality Issues • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 45

Printer
Solutions

8

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

6

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 48

APPENDIX A • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 52

Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 52

A- Media Loading orientation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 53

B- Magnetic Encoder Cleaning • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 54

APPENDIX B • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 55

Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 55

A- Media Loading orientation • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 56

B- Smart Card Contact Station Interface • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 57

APPENDIX C • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 57

Ribbons • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 58

Cards & Patches • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 59

Accessories • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 60

WORLD WIDE SALES & SUPPORT • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 61

Printer
Solutions

9

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

1

GETTING STARTED

1 • 1 Unpacking your card printer

Your P720 printer ships in a carton and protective anti-static bag. Keep all packaging material in case you need to move
or re-ship the printer. While unpacking, inspect the carton to ensure that no damage occured during shipping.
Please ensure that you have a clean and nearly dust free environment for proper operation and storage of the printer.

Printer
Solutions

10

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

In addition to user documentation on CD, make sure the following items are included with your P710 printer:

CLEANING KIT

POWER CABLE

PRINTER DRIVER CD

& Documentations

CARD HOPPER

CLEANING CARTRIDGE

CENTRONICS CABLE

UPPER laminate cassette for Mag patch

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

LOWER laminate cassette for Smart patch

Printer
Solutions

11

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

1 • 2 Indicators and Control

Your P720 printer has an LCD Display, two LED’s and two Panel Buttons.

The 16 character LCD Display is used for :

• Showing the printer’s current status

• Providing operator and service messages
(chapter 5)

The two LEDs are used for:

• Green: Power LED

• Amber: Alert LED (with Beeper)

The Menu Button (left) is a push button used for:

• Bringing printer into Menu Mode when pressed with the printer showing READY
on the LCD Display.

• Using in Menu Mode to scroll through Menu Options.

The Clear Button (right) is a push button used for :

• Clearing an error status (when LCD Display shows an error and Alert LED is on).

• Invoking automatic retry of the operation which gave the error.

• Selecting a Menu Option when in Menu Mode.

Note: The buttons beep when pressed.

Printer
Status

Laminator

Status

P720

LCD Display

Menu Button “Next”

Clear Button “Select”

Power LED

Alert LED

LCD

Display :

LEDs:

Panel

Buttons:

Printer
Solutions

12

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

1 • 3 Printer Installation

The following will guide you through the installation of your P720 printer.

CAUTION: Limit AC power supplied to the P720 Printer to 110 - 230 V AC, 60 - 50

Hz for an associated 1,7A - 0,75A. Limit excess current draw to 16 amps or less,
using an associated circuit breaker or other such device. Never operate the
printer in a location where operator, computer, or printer can get wet. Personal
injury could result. The printer must be connected to an earthed electrical power
supply and properly protected against electrical surges and grounding faults.

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

There should be a minimum of 2”(5cm) from the back of the printer to a wall.

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

2 • Place the printer’s power switch in the OFF (O) position.

3 • Insert the power cable to the printer power socket and attach to grounded electrical sock et of the proper voltage

and type.

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

5 • Switch power on.

CAUTION: Intermittent or unpredictable operation may occur from unsecured

connectors. If damaged, the power cable must be replaced by an exact equivalent.
Use only Parallel Cable under 3 Meters in length.

Printer
Solutions

13

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

2

2 • 1 Printer Features

The following shows the features found on your P720 Printer:

Standard Features:

1 • Card Cleaning Cartridge
2 • Card Thickness Control Lever
3 • LCD Display and two panel Buttons
4 • Card Feeder
5 • Rejected Card Box
6 • Print Head
7 • Upper Laminate Cassette
8 • Laminator Station
9 • Lower Laminate Cassette
10 • Printing Ribbon

Optional Features:

A • Smart Card Contact Station
B • Magnetic Encoder Station

OPERATION

Printer
Solutions

14

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

2 • 2 Loading Printing Ribbons

The P720 Printer requires approved ribbons (see Appendix C). The Resin Thermal Transfer and Dye Sublimation
ribbons and Lamination are specifically designed for your P720 Printer. For optimum performance and printer life
(Print Head), always use approved ribbons.

DO NOT TOUCH the print head or the electronic components on the print head

carriage. Discharges of electrostatic charge from the human body or other
surfaces can damage the print head or other electronic components used in this
device.

1 • Remove ribbon from packaging.

2 •With printer power ON and Printer Ready status, open cover and press down on the Print Head Unlock Lever to

open the print head carriage. The print head carriage will pop open.

3 • Load ribbon onto the supply spindle “1”(under print head carriage) and empty core ( with tape attached) onto

the take-up spindle “2”.

Make sure the ribbon comes off the top of the supply spindle and feeds to the top of the take-up spindle.

4 • Push down on the Print Head Lock Lever until an audible “click” signals the locked-down position.

5 • Close Cover.

Printer
Solutions

15

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

Please note that the ribbon automatically synchronizes whenever the print head lock
down occurs.

The card flipper will not operate and an error will be indicated if you try to flip a card
when the cover is open.

Please note that the ribbon automatically synchronises whenever the print head lock
down occurs.

Printer will not print if cover is open.

The card flipper will not operate and an error will be indicated if you try to flip a card
when the cover is open.

2

1

Printer
Solutions

16

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

2 • 3 Loading Laminate Ribbons

The P720 Printer requires approved liner-less patches (see Appendix C).
Clear patches, hologram patches are specifically designed for your P720 Printer.
For optimum performance and printer life (Laminator), always use approved ribbons.

Your printer is equipped with two Laminate cassettes located at the upper and lower of the lamination station. To
load the laminates into the cassette and place the cassette into the printer, plese consider the following instructions.

1 • Remove patch from packaging.

2 •With printer power ON and printer Ready status, open both cover doors.

3 • Get the Upper cassette out of the printer by pulling the handle towards yourself .

4 • Open the cassette by pulling up the blue lock, place new laminate ribbon into

the adapted location , pull the equivalent lengh of one patch and stretch it out on
the tray.

5 • Close the cassette and make sure an audible “click” confirm the lock position.

6 • Insert the Upper cassette gently back into the lamination station holding the

handle. Contol that the pin situated on the right of the cassette fits into the
according slot in the printer.

To load patch in the lower cassette proceed the exact same manner.

Printer
Solutions

17

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

Upper Patch

Lower Patch

Each time you remove either the upper or lower cassette, make sure you
also remove the patch currently loaded into the upper or lower

laminator.

Printer
Solutions

18

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

2 • 4 Loading Cards

To help you load, print, and collect cards, the P720 has the following items:

A - CARD FEEDER

This items is used for loading cards.

1 • Open Card Feeder Cover by put ting your fingers on both sides and rotating the

cover in a clockwise direction to the open position.

2 • Install cards into Feeder* as shown.

3 • Close Card Feeder Cover.

DO NOT bend cards or touch print surfaces as this can reduce print quality.

The surface of the cards must remain clean and dust free. Always store cards in
an enclosed container. Ideally, use cards as soon as possible. If cards stick
together, carefully shuffle them.
* See Chapter 6, Technical Specifications, for card requirements and capacities.

Printer
Solutions

19

Card

General information

Getting started

Operation

Cleaning

Specifications

Appendix A

Appendix B

Troubleshooting

Printing a card

Dual-sided Lamination

P720 Plastic Card Printer

Appendix C

Card thickness:

A - 50mil (1.27mm)
B - 40mil (1.016mm)
C - 30mil (0.762mm)

B - CARD THICKNESS CONTROL LEVER

This items is operated by the user to prevent more than one card feeding into the printer at the same time and
causing a jam.

Open cover, and adjust lever to the correct position for the card thickness you are
using. Repeat for different card thickness. (Factory setting is for 30 mil (0,762 mm)
card thickness). See diagram below:

Note: When laminating cards, always use 30 mil PVC Composite Cards.

C - CARD OUTPUT HOPPER

This items is used for printing cards.

Install card Output hopper onto printer by hooking over bottom edge of card
exit aperture.

Printer
Solutions