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Section 4: Cleaning and Maintenance
Page 4-4 LM Basic 408e/412e Operator’s Manual
4.5 ADJUSTING PRINT QUALITY
Print quality can be optimized with regular cleaning and maintenance of the print head and
components along the label path. Additionally, you can fine-tune print quality by adjusting print
darkness and print speed settings via the front panel PRINT potentiometer and via the control
panel LCD menu.
4.5.1 Adjusting Print Darkness
This adjustment allows the user to control (within a specified range)
the amount of power applied to the individual print head heat
elements. It is important to find a proper print darkness level based
on your particular label and ribbon combination. The printed images
should not be too light nor should the ink from the ribbon “bleed.”
The edges of each image should be crisp and well defined.
There are two levels of print darkness setting:
1. the hardware setting via the PRINT potentiometer (see picture above)
2. the software setting (via the PRINT DARKNESS menu when you turn the printer ON while press-
ing the LINE and FEED buttons). The same setting can be achieved via the ESC+#E command
(SBPL).
The hardware setting is the master setting, and affects all the software settings for print
darkness. For example, the PRINT potentiometer adjustment will affect the darkness in all of
the command code speed ranges, i.e. if the PRINT potentiometer is adjusted for lighter
print, the darkness will be lighter in all speed ranges selected by the command code.
PRINT Potentiometer — To perform fine adjustment for print
darkness, use the potentiometer labelled PRINT on the
configuration panel. It provides a continuous range of adjustment,
allowing you to make precise changes. Use a small cross-head
screwdriver with a plastic head (not provided), turning clockwise for
darker print and counterclockwise for lighter print. See Section 3:
Configuration for instructions on performing potentiometer
adjustments.
LCD Panel — The Print Darkness can also be set from the configuration panel or by sending the
Print Darkness software command from a computer. The setting range is not as fine as the
potentiometer adjustment: there are only five settings, from 1 (lightest) to 5 (darkest). The default
setting is 3. Once the range has been selected, the Darkness Potentiometer on the front panel
can be used to make finer adjustments. For instructions on setting Print Darkness, refer to
Section 3: Configuration.
darkerlighter
Screwdriver with
plastic head