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USER'S GUIDE
www.brother.com
LN7629001
Printed in China
With your PT-1280, you can create labels for any application. Select from the
many frames, character sizes and styles to design beautiful custom labels. In
addition, the variety of tape cartridges available allows you to print labels with
different widths and exciting colours.
Read this manual carefully before starting and keep the manual in a handy
place for future reference.
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do
not have the mark.
• Do not clean the machine with alcohol or other organic solvents. Only use
a soft, dry cloth.
• Do not touch the print head mechanism. Use a soft wipe (e.g. a cotton
swab) when cleaning the print head.
• To avoid injuries, do not touch the cutter's edge.
• To prevent damage or breakage of the glass, do not press hard on the LCD
display.
• Do not put any foreign objects into or heavy objects on the machine.
• Do not leave any rubber or vinyl on the machine for an extended period of
time, otherwise the machine may be stained.
• Do not get the machine wet, such as by touching with wet hands or spilling
beverages on to the machine.
• Do not expose the machine to extremely high temperatures or high
humidity. Never leave it on the dashboard, in the back of your car, near
heaters or other hot appliances. Keep it out of both direct sunlight and rain.
• Avoid using the machine in extremely dusty places.
• Do not pull on the tape being fed from the P-touch, otherwise the tape
cassette may be damaged.
• Do not attempt to cut the tape while printing or feeding since this will
damage the tape.
• Do not try to print labels using an empty tape cassette set in the P-touch.
Doing so will damage the print head.
• Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adaptor if you do not intend
to use the machine for an extended period of time. (Note: When power is
disconnected for more than three minutes, all text shown in the display and
any text files stored in the memory will be lost. Language and unit settings
will also be cleared.)
• Do not use old and new batteries together or mix alkaline batteries with
other type batteries, or set the positive and negative end in the wrong
position. Otherwise, the batteries may leak or be damaged.
• Use only the suggested AC adaptor for this machine to prevent any
damage or failure.
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Power Supply & Tape Cassettes
Make sure that the power is turned off when replacing batteries or tape cassette.
Open the back cover by pressing in the rough area at the top end of the
machine.
If a tape cassette is already
installed, remove it by pulling it
straight up. Also, if batteries are
already installed, remove them.
Insert six new AAA-size alkaline batteries (LR03), making sure that their
poles point in the correct directions. Always replace all six batteries at the
same time using brand new ones.
Insert a tape cassette, making sure that it snaps into place.
• Make sure that the end of the tape feeds under the tape guides.
• If the ink ribbon is loose, use your finger to wind the toothed wheel in the
direction of the arrow on the cassette.
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine.
Securely close the back cover, making sure that it snaps into place.
After you have installed the tape,
feed the tape (see Feeding)
once and then push in the tape
cutter lever to cut the tape.
When using optional AC adaptor (model
AD-5000)
Insert the plug on the adaptor cord into
the adaptor jack on the top end of the
machine.
Insert the plug into the nearest standard
electrical outlet.
For memory back up, we recommend using
AAA-size alkaline batteries (LR03) together
when using the AC adaptor.
Print head
Tape cutter lever
End of tape
Tape guide
Cutter's edge
Tape exit slot
Toothed Wheel
Keyboard & LCD
Initial Setting
Start your machine
Supply power by using six AAA batteries or the optional AC adaptor, and then
press .
Set the language (English/Spanish/French/Portuguese)
Choose a language with and press / .
Set the unit (inch/mm)
Choose a unit with and press / .
Creating Labels
• The LCD shows one row of 15 characters; however, the text that
you enter can be up to 80 characters in length.
• Use Cursor key while holding down Shift key to go to beginning/
end of the text.
• The machine automatically turns off if no key is pressed within 5
minutes.
• To cancel operations, press .
• To initialize the settings, turn off the machine and then while
holding down and , press to turn the machine back on.
Finally, release and .
Size
Cursor
Caps
Power key
Function key
Favourite keys
Character key
Tab key
Caps key
Shift key
Symbol key
Auto Format key
Width
Style
Underline/Frame
Label Length
Print key
Cursor key
Preview key
OK key
ESC key
Backspace key
Enter key
Shift key
Accent key
Space key
See the reverse side for steps of creating labels.
Troubleshooting
Error message
What to do when...
Specifications
Accessories (Supplies may differ by distribution.)
If the cutter blade becomes blunt after repetitive use and the tape cannot be
cut cleanly, replace with new cutter unit (stock no. TC-5) by obtaining from an
authorised brother reseller.
Message Cause/Remedy
Battery Weak! The batteries are weak.
Check Battery! The installed batteries are about to run out.
Invalid! • There is no text above the cursor when you set Number-
ing.
• Invalid character is selected for Numbering.
• Invalid number is selected for Tab Length or Label Length.
No Text! • You tried to print a text file when there is no data stored in
the memory.
• The Print key is pressed when no text is entered.
• You tried to set Copies, Numbering or Mirror when no text
is entered.
Line Limit! • You tried to enter a 3rd line by pressing Enter key.
• You tried to print a 2 line text when 3.5 mm or 6 mm tape is
installed.
No Cassette! You tried to print a label when there is no cassette installed.
Cutter Error! Tape cutter lever is used in the middle of printing process.
Full! The maximum number of characters (80 characters) have
already been entered.
Text Too Long! The text length exceeds the selected label length or the
selected Auto Format setting length.
No Frame OK? Printing on 3.5 mm tape with invalid Frame setting ON.
(Select to print with no Frame, to cancel.)
Problem Solution
The display stays blank
after you have turned on
the machine.
• Check that the batteries are correctly inserted.
• If the batteries are weak, replace them.
• Check that the suggested adaptor is correctly connected.
The machine does not
print, or the printed
characters are blurred.
• Check that the tape cassette has been inserted correctly.
• If the tape cassette is empty, replace it.
The printed characters
are not formed properly.
• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
The memory has
cleared on its own.
• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
A blank horizontal line
appears through the
printed label.
• There may be some dust on the print head. Remove the
tape cassette and use a dry cotton swab to gently wipe the
print head with an up-and-down motion.
• The print head can be cleaned more easily if the optional
print head cleaning cassette (TZ-CL3) is used.
The machine has
"locked up" (i.e., nothing
happens when a key is
pressed, even though
the machine is on).
• Turn off the machine, and then while holding
down and , press to turn the machine back on.
Finally, release and .
• Note: The text and formats in the display and all text files
stored in the memory are erased. Also, the language and
unit settings will be cleared.
Item Specification
Dimensions 160 mm (W) × 151 mm (D) × 60 mm (H)
Weight 470 g (without batteries and tape cassette)
Power supply Six AAA-size alkaline batteries (LR03 : not included) or
optional AC adaptor (model AD-5000)
Tape cassette Brother TZ tape (width) :
3.5 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm
Accessories Stock No.
Tape Cassettes See the attached TZ Tape Catalogue.
AC adaptor model AD-5000
Cutter Unit TC-5 (replacement)
Be sure to use scissors to cut the fabric tapes. The built-in cutter can-
not completely cut the fabric tapes.
PREPARATION OPERATION REFERENCE
[GETTING STARTED]
MAKING TEXT
DESIGNING LABELS
PRINTING LABELS
COMPLETED LABELS