User's Manual Part 2

Glossary
58981L-002 Rev. 1 2/11/05 R110PAX4 User Guide 195
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 used to indicate the start
of each label.
Non-continuous media — Consumable printing stock that contains an indication of where
one label/printed format ends and the next one begins. Examples are die-cut labels, notched
tag-stock, and stock with black mark registration marks.
Non-volatile memory — Electronic memory that retains data even when the power to the
print engine is turned off.
Notched media — A type of tag stock containing a cutout area that can be sensed as a start-of-
label indicator by the print engine. This is typically a heavier, cardboard-like material that is
either cut or torn away from the next tag. (See non-continuous media.)
Print speed — The speed at which printing occurs. For thermal transfer print engines, this
speed is expressed in terms of ips (inches per second). Zebra offers print engines that can print
from 1 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 the
printhead, use the lowest print darkness setting (sometimes called burn temperature or head
temperature) and the lowest printhead pressure necessary to produce good print quality. In the
thermal transfer printing method, use ribbon that is as wide or wider than the media to protect
the printhead from the rough media surface.
Registration — Alignment of printing with respect to the top of a label or tag.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) — The technology that allows an item to be
identified by a transponder that communicates with a reader via radio waves.
Ribbon — A band of material consisting of a base film coated with wax or resin “ink.” The
inked side of the material is pressed by the printhead against the media. The ribbon transfers
ink onto the media when heated by the small elements within the printhead. Zebra ribbons
have a coating on the back that protects the printhead from wear.
Ribbon wrinkle — A wrinkling of the ribbon caused by improper alignment or improper
printhead pressure. This wrinkle can cause voids in the print and/or the used ribbon to rewind
unevenly. This condition should be corrected by performing adjustment procedures.
Roll media — Media that comes supplied rolled onto a core (usually cardboard). Contrast this
with fanfold media.
“Smart” label — Media that comes with an RFID transponder embedded between the label
and the liner.
Supplies — A general term for media and ribbon.
Symbology — The term generally used when referring to a bar code.
Tag — 1) A type of media having no adhesive backing but featuring a hole or notch by which
the tag can be hung on something. Tags are usually made of cardboard or other durable
material. 2) An RFID transponder.
Tear-off — A mode of operation in which the user tears the label or tag stock away from the
remaining media by hand.