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recycled by the end-users. Label
backing (or liner) has a non-stick
surface which allows the label to be
easily removed by the end-user and
placed in the desired location.
media Material onto which data is printed
by the printer. Types of media include:
tagstock, continuous, fanfold, roll, etc.
media sensor This sensor is located
behind the printhead to detect the
presence of media and, for
non-continuous media, the position of
the web, hole, or notch that separates
each label.
media supply spindle The rotating arm
that supports media rolls and provides
consistent media feed to the printhead.
non-volatile memory Electronic memory
that retains data even when power is
removed.
print speed The speed at which printing
occurs. For thermal transfer printers,
this speed is expressed in terms of ips
(inches per second). Zebra offers
printers that can print from 2 ips to
12 ips.
printhead wear The degradation of the
surface of the printhead and/or the print
elements over time. Heat and abrasion
can cause printhead wear. Therefore, to
maximize the life of your printhead use
the lowest print darkness setting
(sometimes called burn temperature or
head temperature) and the lowest
printhead/toggle pressure necessary.
Also, use ribbon that is as wide or
wider than the media, to protect the
printhead from the rougher media.
registration Alignment of printing with
respect to the top of a label/tag.
ribbon A band of inked material that is
pressed by the printhead against the
media to transfer an image onto the
media, which in turn is pressed against
the platen. A ribbon consists of a base
film coated with wax or resin "ink".
Zebra ribbons also have a back coating
that protects the printhead from
damage. The ribbon transfers ink onto
the media when heated by the printhead.
ribbon wrinkle A wrinkling of the ribbon
caused by improper alignment of the
strip plate and/or printhead pressure.
This wrinkle can be seen just above the
strip plate. Ribbon wrinkle can cause
voids in the print and/or the spent
ribbon to rewind unevenly. This is a
condition that should be corrected by
performing adjustment procedures.
roll media Media that comes supplied
rolled up on a core (usually cardboard).
Contrast this with fanfold media, which
comes folded in a rectangular stack.
supplies Supplies is a general term for
ribbon and media.
tag A type of media having no adhesive
backing but featuring a hole or notch
by which the tag can be hung on
something. Usually tags are made of
cardboard or other durable material.
take label sensor See “label available
sensor”.
thermal direct printing See "direct
thermal printing".
thermal transfer printing A printing
method in which the printhead heats an
ink- or resin-coated ribbon against the
media, causing the ink/resin to transfer
onto the media. By selectively heating
the ribbon, you can form an image on
the media. See also "ribbon".
void A space where printing should have
occurred but, due to some error
condition, it did not occur. A void can
cause a bar code symbol to be read
incorrectly or to not be read at all.
Glossary
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