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Glossary
alphanumeric Indicating letters, numerals, and characters such as punctuation marks.
backfeed The printer pulls the media and ribbon (if used) backward into the printer so that the
beginning of the label to be printed is properly positioned behind the printhead. Backfeed
occurs when you’re operating the printer in tear-off or peel-off mode.
bar code A code by which alphanumeric characters can be represented by a series of adjacent
stripes of different widths. Many different code schemes exist, such as the universal prod-
uct code (UPC) or Code 39.
black mark sensing See “reflective media sensor”.
calibration (of a printer) A process in which the printer determines some basic information
needed to print accurately with a particular media/ribbon combination. To do this, the
printer feeds some media and ribbon (if used) through the printer and senses whether to use
the direct thermal or thermal transfer print method, whether continuous or non-continuous
media will be used, and (if non-continuous media) the length of individual labels/tags.
character set The set of all letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and other characters that can
be expressed by a particular barcode.
check digit A character added to a barcode symbol that indicates to the scanner that it has read
the symbol correctly.
continuous media Label or tagstock that has no web (space between labels), notch, or gap to
separate each label/tag, but rather the media is one long piece of material.
core diameter The inside diameter of the cardboard core at the center of a roll of media/ribbon.
diagnostics Information about what printer functions are not working. This information is used
for troubleshooting.
direct thermal printing Printing in which direct thermal media is used. No ribbon is used. In-
stead, the media is coated with a substance which reacts to heat to produce an image.
fanfold media Media that comes folded in a rectangular stack, rather than on a roll.
font A complete set of alphanumeric characters in one style of type (ex: Times, Helvetica).
ips “inches-per-second” The speed at which the label or tag is printed. Zebra offers printers
that can print from 2 ips to 12 ips.
Zebra S-Series User’s Guide Glossary - 1
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