9000 USER’S GUIDE Graphic Products, Inc. | 800.788.5572 DuraLabel.com | GraphicProducts.
Minimum System Requirements Operating System: Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2, Vista, 7 Memory: 128 MB RAM Hard Drive: 100 MB Additional Requirements: IT Administrator Privileges Supplies DuraLabel supplies and the DuraLabel® 9000 printer have been optimized for compatibility and print quality. Use only DuraLabel supplies from Graphic Products with your DuraLabel 9000 printer. ©2008 - 2013 Graphic Products, Inc.
INTRODUCTION 1. Introduction Congratulations on the purchase of your DuraLabel 9000 thermal transfer printer. This guide will have you printing professional-quality labels and signs in no time! The DuraSuite Labeling Software included with your printer expands your creative abilities, simplifies safety compliance and lets you produce labels and signs for virtually any application. Refer to the enclosed DuraSuite Labeling Software User’s Guide for complete information. Call us at 800.788.
CONTENTS 2. Table of Contents 1. Introduction................................................................................................................ 1 2. Table of Contents....................................................................................................... 2 3. Warranty...................................................................................................................... 4 4. Loading the Printer.......................................................................
CONTENTS 9. Label Design............................................................................................................. 26 9.1 Text Boxes.............................................................................................................26 9.1.1 Changing Text Box Size.............................................................................26 9.1.2 Positioning Text Boxes.............................................................................. 27 9.2 Graphics..................
WARRANTY 3. Warranty Graphic Products DuraLabel printers are warrantied to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of three years from the date of purchase. Within this period, Graphic Products, Inc. will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components which fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the purchaser for parts or labor, provided that the purchaser shall be responsible for any transportation cost.
LOADING THE PRINTER 4. Loading the Printer DuraLabel ribbon and vinyl supplies have been optimized for compatibility and print quality. Only authorized DuraLabel supplies from Graphic Products will print correctly in the DuraLabel 9000 printer. An instructional video demonstrating how to load DuraLabel ribbon and supplies is included on your installation CD. 4.1. Printer Parts L K J I H A G C B D F E FIGURE 1 DuraLabel 9000 Printer Parts A. Media Sensor (green) G.
LOADING THE PRINTER 4.2 Supplies The DuraLabel 9000 ribbon and other media have been optimized for compatibility and print quality. Only authorized supplies from Graphic Products will print correctly in the DuraLabel 9000. 4.3 Loading Vinyl Supply Always turn the printer OFF when loading supplies. Always wait at least 5 seconds before turning power back ON. NOTE: Watch a demonstration of supply loading, viewable from your DuraLabel 9000 CD or at DuraLabel.com/duralabel-videos. A.
LOADING THE PRINTER D. Adjust the inside supply guide to cover the number corresponding to the size of label supply being loaded (see photo below). E. Place the label supply onto the supply bar. NOTE: Label supply should roll over the top and toward the front of the printer. FIGURE 4 The inside supply guide is set for 6" label supply. F. Fit the outside supply guide onto the label bar, against the label supply but with enough room for the label supply to rotate with ease.
LOADING THE PRINTER H. Pull the label supply over the black platen roller and through the printed label opening. NOTE: Make sure the label supply threads under the green media sensor, located under the print head. Media Sensor (green) Printed Label Opening Platen Roller (black) Media Guide Bar FIGURE 7 Vinyl properly loaded I. Move the adjustable media guides to fit the width of the label supply, securing the label supply in place.
LOADING THE PRINTER 4.4 Printer Ribbon Parts F A B C E D FIGURE 1 DuraLabel 9000 Parts for Loading Ribbon A. Ribbon Rewind Spindle (front) B. Ribbon Guides C. Ribbon Sensor (black) D. Print Head Release Lever (green) E. Print Head Mechanism F. Ribbon Spindle (back) 800.788.5572 DuraLabel.
LOADING THE PRINTER 4.5 Loading Ribbon Always turn the printer OFF when loading supplies. Always wait at least 5 seconds before turning power back ON. A. Set ribbon spindle guides based on loaded ribbon size. a. For 4.33" ribbon, move each ribbon guide to the line indicated on the ribbon spindle and tighten the screw on the top of each ribbon guide. FIGURE 1 Guides for 4.33" ribbon b. For 8.66" ribbon, move the ribbon guides against the inside printer wall. FIGURE 2 Guides for 8.66" ribbon B.
LOADING THE PRINTER C. Slide a ribbon supply roll onto the ribbon spindle, flush against ribbon guide, with the leading edge hanging down toward the back of printer. FIGURE 4 Ribbon supply being placed on ribbon spindle FIGURE 5 Loaded ribbon supply on ribbon spindle D. Pull the leading edge of the ribbon supply toward the back of the printer to provide enough ribbon to go through the printer.
LOADING THE PRINTER F. Tape the end of the ribbon supply to the front of the empty supply core. G. Roll the ribbon rewind spindle clockwise a few times toward the back of the printer to tighten the ribbon and remove flaws and fingerprints. FIGURE 10 Ribbon being taped to front of supply core FIGURE 11 Ribbon supply tightened H. Press down to close, with a hand on each side of the print head mechanism. NOTE: Make sure the print head release lever latches closed.
CONNECTING THE PRINTER 5. Connecting the Printer Connect the power supply from the DuraLabel 9000 printer to an electrical outlet. Connect the USB or parallel cable from the DuraLabel 9000 to your PC and power ON the printer. 5.1 Inserting the Installation CD Before inserting the installation CD, refer to the instructions for the type of cable you’re using. When using a USB cable, follow instructions in Section 5.2, Using a USB Cable. When using a parallel cable, follow instructions in Section 5.
CONNECTING THE PRINTER D. Select DuraLabel 9000 and click Next on the DuraLabel Driver Selection window that appears. E. Choose the install location and click Install on the Choose Install Location window that appears. An Installing window shows installation progress. FIGURE 4 Selecting a DuraLabel Driver FIGURE 6 Installing Window FIGURE 5 Driver Install Location Window F. Select Install printer drivers* on the Driver Wizard window that appears and click Next.
CONNECTING THE PRINTER I. Review information on the Completing the Seagull Driver Wizard window that appears. Click Finish if the information is correct. If it isn’t, correct previous selections and click Finish when the information is correct. J. A Driver Wizard Completed Successfully window appears, confirming the printer driver installation was completed successfully. Now click Close. FIGURE 10 Completing the Seagull Driver Wizard K.
CONNECTING THE PRINTER B. Click on Driver Wizard, then click Next on the Driver Setup Wizard window that appears. C. Click I Agree on the Windows Printer Driver License Agreement window that appears. D. Select DuraLabel 9000 and click Next on the DuraLabel Driver Selection window that appears. FIGURE 2 DuraLabel Driver Setup Wizard FIGURE 3 Windows Printer Driver License Agreement FIGURE 4 Selecting a DuraLabel Driver E.
CONNECTING THE PRINTER H. Select the LPT1 port on the Specify Port window that appears and click Next. I. Select Printer Name, set the printer as default and choose printer sharing options on the Specify Printer Name window that opens, then click Next. J. Review information on the Completing the Seagull Driver Wizard window that opens and click Finish if the information is correct.
CONNECTING THE PRINTER 5.4 Upgrading a Driver If you’re upgrading from a previously installed driver, follow these steps to uninstall the previous driver: A. Insert the installation CD. B. Press the Uninstall Driver button on the installation screen. C. Click Remove printer drivers, then click Next. D. Click Use advanced printer driver removal options, then click Next. E. Check all existing DuraLabel printers, then click Next. F. Check all existing DuraLabel drivers, then click Next. G.
CONFIGURING PRINTER DRIVERS 6. Configuring Printer Drivers Perform the driver configuration before opening the document you plan to print or close any documents you currently have open before making these changes. A. Click Start > Devices and Printers*. A Devices, Printers and Faxes window appears. *NOTE: If you do not find Devices and Printers in your Start menu, you can access it in your Control Panel. B. Right-click the Graphic Products DuraLabel 9000 icon and select Printing preferences.
CONFIGURING PRINTER DRIVERS These settings may be adjusted in Printer Properties* when printing your labels. *NOTE: This will show as Preferences if accessing File > Print from DuraSuite Labeling Software. FIGURE 2 Printing Preferences dialog box, with Type set to “Continuous” and Occurrence set to “After Every Page” on the Stock tab FIGURE 3 Set the Printing Preferences Occurrence menu to “After Job” to print multiple labels on a single length of supply. 6.2 Die-Cut Label Printing Instructions 6.2.
CONFIGURING PRINTER DRIVERS NOTE: Ensure the printer cuts directly in the center of the gap by adjusting Feed Offset on the Printing Preferences dialog box Stock tab. The 0 default setting works best for most label supply. FIGURE 4 Printing Preferences dialog box, with Type set to “Labels With Gaps” on the Stock tab FIGURE 5 If the printer does not cut correctly, adjust Feed Offset up or down. 6.2.
CONFIGURING PRINTER DRIVERS 6.2.4 MEDIA SENSOR ADJUSTMENT FOR RTK COLOR BAR DIE-CUT LABELS For RTK color bar die-cuts with a blank printable area at the top, the media sensor should be adjusted so it’s centered over the label’s printable area. Slide the media sensor until its end is located over the blank white printable area. CORRECT FIGURE 9 End of media sensor centered over RTK color bar label printable area 6.3 B Mark Label Printing Instructions 6.3.
CONFIGURING PRINTER DRIVERS 6.3.2 DRIVER SETTINGS Your printer driver has been preset to reduce the number of steps to be completed manually. You can change your settings by following these steps: A. For B Mark labels, select Labels With Marks from the Type drop-down menu. B. Set Mark Height to 0.12 inches and Mark Offset to 0 inches (default). C. Click Apply, then OK. NOTE: Ensure the printer cuts correctly on B Mark labels by adjusting Feed Offset on the Printing Preferences dialog box Stock tab.
INSTALLING DURASUITE LABELING SOFTWARE 6.5 Adjusting Print Speed Choose print speed from the Options tab, clicking on the arrow to the right of the Print Speed drop-down menu. A 2" per-second setting is recommended. FIGURE 14 Printing Preferences dialog box, with Options tab chosen 6.6 Adjusting Darkness Change darkness settings from the Options tab, dragging the slider on the Darkness bar (see Figure 14). Darkness can be adjusted in single increments from 0 – 15.
LABEL CREATION 8. Label Creation This section describes how to create labels using Microsoft® Word. Variations may occur among different versions of Word, but basic principles are the same. The DuraLabel 9000 is designed to work with any currently supported Windows software and should work with the software installed on your computer. Both Microsoft Word 2003 and 2010* were used to describe procedures in this Guide.
LABEL DESIGN Set Orientation to Portrait if label width is the same dimension as the supply width loaded in your printer. Set orientation to Landscape if label height is the same as the supply width loaded in your printer. Click OK when done. Now select the Paper tab and set the Paper size to the size label you want to create. Either the Width or Height should match the width of supply loaded in your printer. FIGURE 2 Page Setup dialog box, with Paper tab selected 9. Label Design 9.
LABEL DESIGN NOTE: Pressing the Shift Key while dragging a corner handlebar changes a text box’s width and height proportionately. FIGURE 3 Text boxes can be resized proportionately by holding down the Shift Key while dragging a corner box (handlebar). This text box is being enlarged by dragging a corner handlebar while pressing the Shift Key. 9.1.2 POSITIONING TEXT BOXES To position a text box on a label canvas, place the cursor anywhere along the text box’s border, but not on a handlebar.
LABEL DESIGN 9.2 Graphics To insert a symbol on your Word document, select Picture from your Insert tab, browse for the symbol you want to add, select it, then click Insert. The symbol now appears on your Word document. Move and resize symbols as necessary. NOTE: Graphic Products provides you with industrial safety symbols in the DL9 Templates and Symbols folder on your DuraLabel 9000 CD. Run the CD, then click on Install Templates & Symbols on the DuraLabel 9000 Startup Screen that opens.
LABEL DESIGN 9.3 Barcodes The dBest barcode program is compatible only with 32-bit Microsoft® Windows operating systems. NOTE: Be sure to select the dBest Barcode package from your installation CD. If it isn’t installed, you won’t be able to view or print barcodes within a template. The barcode program included on your printer’s CD displays and prints barcodes from Windows-based word processing programs. When the CD startup screen appears, click on Install dBest Barcode Package and follow the instructions.
LABEL DESIGN NOTE: To display the toolbar each time you start Word, go to Start > Search programs and files and enter BCFONT, then click OK. When the file is found, click on it and choose copy. Next, go to the C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/Office/ Start up/ folder, right-click inside the folder and select paste. 9.3.2 USING THE dBEST BARCODES TOOLBAR Enter the characters for the barcode you want to create in the Barcode String field of the dBest Barcode Fonts toolbar.
LABEL DESIGN Start by opening an Excel document, placing column headers in the first row (Fig. 1). For this example we use Part Numbers and Descriptions (Fig. 2). FIGURE 1 Blank Excel document FIGURE 2 Excel document with headers A. Enter your first two sequential numbers in cells A2 and A3 (Fig. 3). Select cells A2 and A3 and place your cursor over the little box in the lower-right corner of the selection. Your cursor becomes a “+.
LABEL DESIGN D. When all your data has been entered in the Excel spreadsheet, name and save your document in a location where you can easily find it. Consider placing it in a folder with other project documents. Close your Excel document after naming and saving it. You’ll come back to it shortly. E. Now open the Word template you want to import your Excel data into. In Figure 7 the static text “Part Number:” and “Description:” are already typed in. Now place your cursor where you want to insert your data.
LABEL DESIGN K. Select Column B header. A Column B space-holder (<>) appears next to the Column B header (Fig. 13). FIGURE 13 Word document ready to receive data from Excel Column B. L. Select Preview Results from the Word toolbar. A View Merged Data window should appear (Fig. 14). M. With the Go to Record set at 1, the first label in a sequence should now appear on the Word template (Fig. 15). FIGURE 14 Click Preview Results to display View Merged Data window.
LABEL DESIGN Q. Select a DuraLabel Printer from the Print dialog box that appears (Fig. 19). R. If you would like to save a separate completed merged document containing every page in a single file, select the Auto Check for Errors button under the “Mailings” tab (Fig. 20). FIGURE 19 Select the DuraLabel Printer you want to print your sequenced labels with from the Print dialog box. FIGURE 20 Check for errors before printing your labels using the Auto Check for Errors tool. S.
CONFIGURING ETHERNET CARD 10. Configuring Ethernet Card The internal Ethernet card can be configured using the front display panel buttons and LCD on the DuraLabel 9000. The Menu button on the front display panel will provide access to the printer menu. Use the UP and DOWN buttons to navigate through the menu. To enter data, use the UP button to increment the highlighted digit by 1. The DOWN button will shift one over and highlight the next digit. Pressing SELECT will accept the selection.
CONFIGURING ETHERNET CARD D. Select DuraLabel 9000 and click Next on the DuraLabel Driver Selection window that appears. E. Choose the install location and click Install on the Choose Install Location window that appears. An Installing window shows installation progress. FIGURE 4 Selecting a DuraLabel Driver FIGURE 6 Installing Window FIGURE 5 Driver Install Location Window F. Select Install printer drivers on the Driver Wizard window that appears and click Next. G.
CONFIGURING ETHERNET CARD J. The Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard appears. Click Next. K. Enter the IP Address and Port Name in the Add Port dialog box that appears, then click Next. L. An Additional Port Information Required window now opens. Select Standard: Generic Network Card under Device Type and click Next. FIGURE 11 Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard FIGURE 12 Add Port Dialog Box FIGURE 13 Additional Port Information Required Window M.
CONFIGURING ETHERNET CARD P. Review the information on the Completing the Seagull Driver Wizard window that opens and click Finish if the information is correct. If it isn’t correct, revise the selections made in previous steps and click Finish when the window’s information is accurate. Q. A Driver Wizard Completed Successfully window appears, confirming the printer driver installaton was completed successfully. Click Close. FIGURE 17 Completing the Seagull Driver Wizard Window R.
CLEANING AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE 11. Cleaning and General Maintenance Always turn the printer OFF before cleaning, performing maintenance or loading supplies. Always wait at least 5 seconds before turning the power back ON. Basic cleaning of print head, cutter and platen roller will prolong the printer’s life and help produce crisp, clear labels and signs. Refer to Section 4.1, Printer Parts, for additional cleaning and maintenance information. 11.1 Print Head A.
CLEANING AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE 11.2 Cutter A. Open the DuraLabel 9000 cover. B. Rewind any loaded supply away from the cutting mechansim. C. Using a magnetic screwdriver, remove the two recessed screws on the front of the cutting mechanism. D. Lift up the cutting mechansim slightly and pull it away from the printer body. FIGURE 5 Remove the recessed screws, shown inside the circles. E. Place a cleaning swab between your forefinger and thumb and squeeze until it snaps.
CLEANING AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE 11.3 Platen Roller A. Place a cleaning swab between your forefinger and thumb and squeeze until it snaps. Alcohol will be distributed to the cotton side of the swab. B. Run the swab back and forth across the platen roller several times to remove any buildup. Rotate the platen roller to clean all sides of the roller. FIGURE 9 Cleaning Platen Roller C. Give the platen roller a couple minutes to dry, then reload your ribbon and supply.
TROUBLESHOOTING 12. Troubleshooting The following solutions address some of the most common printing challenges. Please call Graphic Products for free customer support. 12.1 Speckles Appear Throughout Label POSSIBLE CAUSE: Supply has not been stored properly and dirt has contaminated the supply. Solution: Replace the label supply if the problem persists after the first few prints. Store supplies in a dust-free environment. FIGURE 1 Dirty vinyl supply 12.
TROUBLESHOOTING 12.5 Unprinted Horizontal Lines Appear POSSIBLE CAUSE: If the horizontal lines run partially through the label, there may be foreign particles on the print head. Solution: Clean the print head. POSSIBLE CAUSE: If horizontal lines run through the entire label (Fig. 5), the print head is defective. Solution: Replace the print head. FIGURE 5 Burnt-out pixel 12.6 LED Flashes Between Green “ON-LINE” and Red “ERROR” POSSIBLE CAUSE: Printer doesn’t recognize supply. Solution: A.
TROUBLESHOOTING POSSIBLE CAUSE: You may be using pre-printed labels with gaps your printer doesn’t see. Solution: Follow these steps: A. Ensure the Stock tab is set to Labels with Gaps. B. Open the printer cover. C. Ensure label guides are closed around label supply. D. Check that Media Sensor Bar is positioned properly. Refer to Section 6.2.3, Media Sensor Adjustment for Die-Cut Labels with Headers. E. Calibrate label supply: a. Press the Menu button. b. Select Setup. c.
TROUBLESHOOTING 12.10 Printer Cuts Labels Off-Center or into the Next Label POSSIBLE CAUSE: Feed Offset is not on correct setting. Solution: Adjust Feed Offset to proper setting. Adjust Feed Offset to a setting where printer cuts die-cut or B Mark labels correctly. The 0 default setting works best for most label supply. Die-cut and B Mark labels cut correctly (l) … and cut off-center (r) POSSIBLE CAUSE: Media sensor is reading B Mark label content.
TROUBLESHOOTING SETTING LEFT ADJUSTABLE PRESSURE KNOBS For wrinkles on the right side of the printed label, set the two left adjustable pressure knobs. Left adjustable pressure knobs Right adjustable pressure knobs FIGURE 2 Front of printer Label dispensed this end FIGURE 3 Ribbon wrinkled on right side A. Press down on the far-left adjustable pressure knob while turning it clockwise to the desired pressure setting. B.
TROUBLESHOOTING SETTING RIGHT ADJUSTABLE PRESSURE KNOBS For wrinkles on the left side of the printed label, set the two right adjustable pressure knobs. Front of printer Label dispensed this end FIGURE 6 Ribbon wrinkled on left side A. Press down on the far-right adjustable pressure knob while turning it clockwise to the desired pressure setting (see Fig. 4). B.
SPECIFICATIONS 13. Specifications 13.1 Printer ● Type: Thermal Transfer ● Print Speed: Selectable, 2" or 3" per second ● Resolution: 300 DPI ● Maximum Print Width: 8.64" ● Maximum Print Length: 100" 13.2 Indicators and Buttons ● Indicators: POWER, ON-LINE, ERROR ● Buttons: MENU, UP, PAUSE, DOWN, FEED, SELECT, POWER 13.3 Communication Interface ● Communications: USB 2.0, RS-232C and Centronics ● Memory: 8MB Flash memory, 32 MB SDRAM, SD Flash memory card slot 13.
SPECIFICATIONS 13.6 Label Supply ● Type: Continuous, B Mark and Die-Cut ● Width: 4" – 9" ● Gap Height: 0.12" ● B Mark Height: 0.12" 13.7 Ribbon Supply ● Type: Wax, Wax/Resin, Resin ● Capacity: 984' with 1" core 13.8 Printer Body ● Dimensions: 13" (H) x 18.5" (W) x 21.65" (L) For more specifications, please call 800.788.5572 to speak with a representative.
Graphic Products, Inc. | 800.788.5572 DuraLabel.com | GraphicProducts.com © 2008 - 2013 Graphic Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved v. 2.