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54 Zebra S-Series User’s Guide
Extend the Life of Your Printhead
With Save-A-Printhead Cleaning Film
Challenge
The printhead is the most critical component in your printer, and possibly the most
delicate. It is a consumable item just like the brakes on your car, which eventually
wears over time. However, with ongoing careful attention and maintenance, you can
extend the life of the printhead!
Below are photographs of three printheads. The first printhead is brand new. The
second has printed over 1 million linear inches of thermal transfer labels and has been
properly maintained. The third printhead has printed far fewer labels, but without
proper care and maintenance, signs of abrasion and contamination build-up are
evident.
Preventive Maintenance
For optimum performance, clean the printhead regularly after every roll of thermal
transfer ribbon or after every roll of direct thermal labels. Take care when handling or
cleaning the printhead by removing any jewelry that may scratch the printhead and
use a grounding strap or anti-static mat to discharge static electricity that could
damage the printhead.
To start, only use the pre-soaked (isopropyl alcohol) cleaning swabs provided in the
preventive maintenance kit. First, turn off the printer and open the printhead. Lightly
blow or brush away any loose dust and lint particles within the print mechanism (i.e.,
rollers, media/ribbon sensors, and printhead). NEVER use any hard, metallic, or
abrasive objects — such as a screwdriver — to remove adhesives or other
contaminants that may have built up on the printhead.
Next, press the swab tip against the printhead and swipe the print elements from end to
end. Then, turn the platen rollers while wiping them from side to side. Repeat this
step until the swab no longer shows dirt.
New
Over 1 Million Inches
(Properly Maintained)
Less Than 1 Million Inches
(Without Proper Care)