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Print Quality Problems
5/22/2012 GC420t™ User Guide P1052686-001
Print Quality Problems
No print on the label.
• The media may not be direct thermal media which is required when printing without
ribbon (i.e. thermal transfer). See the test procedure Determining Thermal Media Types
on page 33.
• The wrong side of the media is facing up contacting the printhead. The media roll may not
be outside wound.
• Transfer ribbon - The outside of the ribbon must be outside wound - the transfer material
facing out. See the following ribbon test procedures: Ribbon Test with Adhesive
on page 37 and Ribbon Scratch Test on page 37.
• Is the media loaded correctly? Follow the instructions for Loading Roll Media on page 11
in the Getting Started section. For printing using transfer ribbon, see Loading Transfer
Ribbon on page 15.
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
^PR (speed) and ~SD (darkness) commands referenced in the ZPL
Programming Guide.
•Use the
D (darkness/density) and S (speed) commands in the EPL Programmer’s
Guide.
• Manually adjust print darkness with the six-flash sequence of Feed Button Modes
on page 76.
• 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 your application, and always use Zebra-approved labels and tags.
• 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
• There is damage to the normally smooth and flat print surface such as box knife cuts.