Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus System > Settings > Screen Calibration Touch each crosshair to calibrate the screen.
62 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus System > Settings > Restore Defaults Restore specific printer, print server, and network settings back to the factory defaults. Use care when loading defaults because you will need to reload all settings that you changed manually. This menu item is available through two user menus with different default values for each.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus System > Settings > Print: System Settings Prints a printer configuration label. The following is a sample label. T F A R D Related ZPL command(s): ~WC * Control panel key(s): Do one of the following:* • Hold CANCEL during printer power-up. (Formerly called a CANCEL self test. • Hold FEED + CANCEL for 2 seconds when the printer is in the Ready state.
64 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus System > Energy Saving > Energy Star When Energy Star mode is enabled, the printer goes into a “sleep” mode after a timeout period, thereby lowering power consumption. Press any button on the control panel to bring the printer back to an active state. Accepted values: • • SGD command used: power.energy_star.enable power.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > Networks > IP Port This printer setting refers to the internal wired print servers port number that the TCP print service is listening on. Normal TCP communications from the host should be directed to this port. SGD command used: internal_wired.ip.port wlan.ip.
6 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > Networks > Print: Network Info Prints the settings for any print server or Bluetooth device that is installed. The following is a sample label. T F A R D Related ZPL command(s): ~WL Control panel key(s): Do one of the following:* • Hold CANCEL during printer power-up. (Formerly called a CANCEL self test. • Hold FEED + CANCEL for 2 seconds when the printer is in the Ready state.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > Networks > Visibility Agent When the printer is connected to a wired or wireless network, it will attempt to connect to Zebra’s Asset Visibility Service via the Cloud-based Zebra Printer Connector using an encrypted, certificate-authenticated web socket connection. The printer sends Discovery Data and Settings and Alerts Data. Data printed via any label formats is NOT transmitted. To opt out of this feature, disable this setting.
68 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > Wired > Wired IP Address View and, if necessary, change the printer’s wired IP address. To save changes to this setting, set Connection > Wired > Wired IP Protocol on page 67 to PERMANENT, and then reset the print server (see Connection > Networks > Reset Network on page 64). Accepted values: 000 to 255 for each field Related ZPL command(s): ^ND SGD command used: internal_wired.ip.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > Wired > Wired Mac Address View the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the wired print server. This value cannot be modified. SGD command used: internal_wired.mac_addr Printer web page: View and Modify Printer Settings > Network Communications Setup > TCP/IP Settings Connection > WLAN > WLAN IP Protocol T F A This parameter indicates if the user (permanent) or the server (dynamic) selects the wireless print server’s IP address.
70 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > WLAN > WLAN IP Address View and, if necessary, change the printer’s wireless IP address. To save changes to this setting, set Connection > WLAN > WLAN IP Protocol on page 69 to PERMANENT, and then reset the print server (see Connection > Networks > Reset Network on page 64). Accepted values: 000 to 255 for each field Related ZPL command(s): ^ND SGD command used: ip.addr, wlan.ip.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > WLAN > WLAN Mac Address View the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the wireless print server. This value cannot be modified. SGD command used: wlan.mac_addr Printer web page: View and Modify Printer Settings > Network Communications Setup > Wireless Setup T F A Connection > WLAN > ESSID The Extended Service Set Identification (ESSID) is an identifier for your wireless network.
72 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > WLAN > WLAN Security Select the security type being used on your WLAN. Related ZPL command(s): ^WX SGD command used: wlan.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > WLAN > WLAN Country Code The country code defines the regulatory country for which the wireless radio is currently configured. Important • The list of country codes is specific to each printer and depends on the printer model and its wireless radio configuration. The list is subject to change, addition, or deletion with any firmware update, at any time, without notice.
74 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > Bluetooth > Friendly Name This command sets the friendly name, which is used during service discovery. For changes to take effect, you must power cycle the printer or issue the device.reset command (see Connection > Networks > Reset Network on page 64). If you do not set a friendly name, it will default to the printer serial number. Accepted values: 17-character text string SGD command used: bluetooth.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Connection > Bluetooth > MAC Address This parameter displays the Bluetooth device address. bluetooth.address SGD command used: T F A Connection > Bluetooth > Bluetooth Auth. PIN Set the PIN used when Bluetooth authentication is enabled. SGD command used: R D bluetooth.bluetooth_pin (to set the PIN) bluetooth.authentication (to enable authentication) Connection > Bluetooth > Bluetooth Bonding ??? 5/9/19 ON—Enables Bluetooth bonding.
76 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print Menu Print > Print Quality > Darkness Set the print darkness to the lowest setting that provides good print quality. If you set the darkness too high, the label image may print unclearly, barcodes may not scan correctly, the ribbon may burn through, or the printhead may wear prematurely. Accepted values: 0.0 to 30.0 Related ZPL command(s): ^MD, ~SD SGD command used: print.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print > Print Quality > Label Type Select the type of media that you are using. • • • Accepted values: CONTINUOUS GAP/NOTCH MARK If you select CONTINUOUS, you must include a label length in your label format (^LL if you are using ZPL). If you select GAP/NOTCH or MARK for various noncontinuous media, the printer feeds media to calculate the label length. Related ZPL command(s): ^MN SGD command used: ezpl.
78 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print > Print Quality > Label Width (Dots) Specify the width of the labels being used, in dots. The default value is the maximum width for the printer, based on the printhead’s DPI value. Note • Setting the width too narrow can Accepted values: result in portions of a label format not being printed on the media. Setting the width too wide wastes formatting memory and can cause the printer to print off of the label and onto the platen roller.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print > Label Position > Tear Line Offset If necessary, shift the position of the media over the tear-off bar after printing. • Lower numbers move the media into the printer by the specified number of dots (the tear line moves closer to the edge of the label just printed). • Higher numbers move the media out of the printer (the tear line moves closer to the leading edge of the next label).
80 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print > Label Position > Label Offset If necessary, shift the position of the image horizontally or vertically on the label. Horizontal • Negative numbers move the left edge of the image toward the left edge of the label by the number of dots selected. • Positive numbers move the edge of the image toward the right edge of the label. T F A Accepted values: –9999 to 9999 Related ZPL command(s): ^LS SGD command used: zpl.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print > Sensors > Manual Calibration Calibrate the printer to adjust the sensitivity of the media and ribbon sensors. Related ZPL command(s): ~JC SGD command used: ezpl.manual_calibration Control panel key(s): Hold PAUSE + FEED + CANCEL for 2 seconds to initiate calibration. Printer web page: The calibration procedure cannot be initiated through the web pages.
82 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print > Sensors > Print: Sensor Profile Shows the sensor settings compared to actual sensor readings. To interpret the results, see Sensor Profile on page 122. Accepted values: • • Related ZPL command(s): ~JG Control panel key(s): Hold FEED + CANCEL during printer power-up.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print > Applicator > Applicator Port Mode Controls the way in which the applicator port’s “End Print” signal functions. Off Accepted values: 1 = End Print signal normally high, and low only when the printer is moving the label forward. 2 = End Print signal normally low, and high only when the printer is moving the label forward. 3 = End Print signal normally high, and low for 20 ms when a label has been printed and positioned.
84 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Print > Applicator > Applicator Reprint Specifies if a high or low value is required for an applicator to reprint a label. Enables or disables the ~PR command, which when enabled reprints the last printed label. It also enables the Reprint button on the Home screen. Related ZPL command(s): ^JJ and ~PR SGD command used: device.applicator.reprint T F A RFID Menu RFID > RFID Status R D Display the status of the RFID subsystem of the printer.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus RFID > RFID Test During the RFID test, the printer attempts to read and write to a transponder. No printer movement occurs with this test. To test an RFID label: 1. Position the RFID label with its transponder over the RFID antenna array. 2. Touch Start. The results of the test are shown on the display. T F A R D SGD command used: RFID > RFID Calibrate rfid.tag.test.content and rfid.tag.test.execute Initiate tag calibration for RFID media.
86 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus RFID > Read Power If the desired read power is not achieved through RFID tag calibration, a value may be specified. Accepted values: 0 to 30 Related ZPL command(s): ^RW SGD command used: rfid.reader_1.power.read Printer web page: View and Modify Printer Settings > RFID Setup > RFID READ PWR RFID > Write Power T F A If the desired write power is not achieved through RFID tag calibration, a value may be specified.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus RFID > RFID Valid Count Resets the RFID valid label counter to zero. Related ZPL command(s): ~RO SGD command used: odometer.rfid.valid_resettable RFID > RFID Void Count T F A Resets the RFID void label counter to zero. Related ZPL command(s): ~RO SGD command used: odometer.rfid.
88 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus RFID > RFID Program Position If the desired programming position (read/write position) is not achieved through RFID tag calibration, a value may be specified. Accepted values: F0 to Fxxx (where xxx is the label length in millimeters or 999, whichever is less)—The printer feeds the label forward for the specified distance and then begins programming. B0 to B30—The printer backfeeds the label for the specified distance and then begins programming.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus RFID > Read RFID Data Read and return the specified tag data from the RFID tag located over the RFID antenna. No printer movement occurs while tag data is being read. The printhead can be open or closed. To read and display the information stored on an RFID tag: 1. Position the RFID label with its transponder over the RFID antenna. 2. Touch Read RFID Data. The results of the test are shown on the display.
90 Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Storage Menu Storage > USB > Copy: Files to USB Select files from the printer to store on a USB Flash drive. To copy files from the printer to a USB Flash drive: 1. Insert a USB flash drive into the printer’s USB host port. The printer lists available files. 2. Touch the box next to the desired files. Select All is also available. 3. Touch the check mark to copy the selected files. usb.host.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment User Menus Storage > USB > Print: From USB Select files to print from a USB Flash drive. To print files from a USB Flash drive: 1. Insert a USB flash drive into the printer’s USB host port. The printer lists available files. 2. Touch the box next to the desired files. Select All is also available. 3. Touch the check mark to print the selected files. usb.host.
92 Printer Configuration and Adjustment Calibrate the Ribbon and Media Sensors Calibrate the Ribbon and Media Sensors Use the procedure in this section to calibrate the printer, which adjusts the sensitivity of the media and ribbon sensors. To perform sensor calibration, complete these steps: 1. Touch Print > Sensors > Manual Calibration. T F A R D 2. Touch Start Calibration. 3. Follow the steps in the calibration procedure. Important • Follow the calibration procedure exactly as presented.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment Adjust the Printhead Pressure Adjust the Printhead Pressure You may need to adjust printhead pressure if printing is too light on one side, if you use thick media, or if the media drifts from side to side during printing. Use the lowest printhead pressure necessary to produce good print quality. See Figure 2. The printhead pressure adjustment dials have setting marks from 1 to 4.
94 Printer Configuration and Adjustment Adjust the Printhead Pressure If necessary, adjust the printhead pressure adjustment dials as follows: If the media... Then... Requires higher pressure to print well Increase both dials one position. T F A Prints too lightly on the left side of the label. R D Prints too lightly on the right side of the label. P1106464-001 Increase the inside dial setting one position. Increase the outside dial setting one position.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment Adjust the Printhead Pressure If the media... Then... Shifts left while printing Increase the outside dial setting one position. OR Decrease the inside dial setting one position.
96 Printer Configuration and Adjustment Adjust the Printhead Pressure If the media... Then... Shifts right while printing Increase the inside dial setting one position. OR Decrease the outside dial setting one position.
3 Routine Maintenance T F A This section provides routine cleaning and maintenance procedures. Contents R D Cleaning Schedule and Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Clean the Exterior, the Media Compartment, and the Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Clean the Printhead and Platen Roller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Clean and Lubricate the Cutter Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
98 Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures Cleaning Schedule and Procedures Routine preventive maintenance is a crucial part of normal printer operation. By taking good care of your printer, you can minimize the potential problems that you might have with it and help to achieve and to maintain your standards for print quality.
Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures Clean the Exterior, the Media Compartment, and the Sensors Over time, dust, grime, and other debris may build up on the outside and inside of your printer, particularly in a harsh operating environment. Printer Exterior You may clean the exterior surfaces of the printer with a lint-free cloth and a small amount of a mild detergent, if necessary. Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaning agents or solvents.
100 Printer Configuration and Adjustment Remove Used Ribbon Remove Used Ribbon At minimum, remove used ribbon from the ribbon take-up spindle each time you change the roll of ribbon. With ribbon that is half or less the width of the printhead, remove used ribbon each time you load a new roll of media. This ensures that uneven pressure on the ribbon take-up spindle does not interfere with the ribbon release bars on the spindle. To remove used ribbon, complete these steps: 1.
Printer Configuration and Adjustment Remove Used Ribbon 3. After the ribbon release bars have pivoted down, if possible, turn the ribbon take-up spindle one full to the right to help loosen the ribbon on the spindle. 4. Slide the used ribbon off of the ribbon take-up spindle and discard.
102 Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures Clean the Printhead and Platen Roller Inconsistent print quality, such as voids in the bar code or graphics, may indicate a dirty printhead. For the recommended cleaning schedule, see Table 4 on page 98. Caution • While performing any tasks near an open printhead, remove all rings, watches, hanging necklaces, identification badges, or other metallic objects that could touch the printhead.
Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 2. Caution • The printhead may be hot and could cause severe burns. Allow the printhead to cool. Open the printhead assembly by rotating the printhead-open lever. T F A 3. Remove the ribbon (if used) and the media. 4. Using the swab from a Zebra Preventive Maintenance Kit, wipe along the brown strip on R D the printhead assembly from end to end. In place of the Preventive Maintenance Kit, you may use a clean swab dipped in 99.7% isopropyl alcohol.
104 Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 5. While manually rotating the platen roller, clean it thoroughly with the swab. Allow the solvent to evaporate. T F A 6. Reload the ribbon (if used) and the media. For instructions, see Load the Ribbon on page 43 or Load the Media on page 17. 7. Rotate the printhead-open lever downward until it locks the printhead in place.
Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 8. Close the media door. T F A The printer is ready to operate. 9. Press PAUSE to exit pause mode and enable printing. The printer may perform a label calibration or feed a label, depending on your settings. R D Note • If performing this procedure does not improve print quality, try cleaning the printhead with Save-A-Printhead cleaning film. This specially coated material removes contamination buildup without damaging the printhead.
106 Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures Clean the Peel Assembly The peel assembly, which is part of the Peel-Off and Liner Take-Up options, consists of several spring-loaded rollers to ensure the proper roller pressure. Clean the pinch roller and tear-off/peel-off bar if adhesive buildup begins to affect peel performance. Caution • Do not use your left hand to assist in closing the Peel assembly. The top edge of the Peel roller/assembly could pinch your fingers.
Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 3. Push down the peel-off mechanism release lever to open the peel assembly. T F A R D 4. Remove any media liner to expose the pinch roller. 5. While manually rotating the pinch roller, clean it thoroughly with the swab from the Preventive Maintenance Kit (part number 47362). In place of the Preventive Maintenance Kit, you may use a clean swab dipped in 99.7% isopropyl alcohol. Allow the solvent to evaporate. 6.
108 Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 8. Caution • Use the peel release lever and your right hand to close the peel assembly. Do not use your left hand to assist in closing. The top edge of the peel roller/assembly could pinch your fingers. Close the peel assembly using the peel-off mechanism release lever. T F A 9. Rotate the printhead-open lever downward until it locks the printhead in place.
Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 10. Close the media door. T F A The printer is ready to operate. 11. Press PAUSE to exit pause mode and enable printing. R D The printer may perform a label calibration or feed a label, depending on your settings.
110 Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures Clean and Lubricate the Cutter Module If the cutter is not cutting the labels cleanly or if it jams with labels, clean the cutter blades. After cleaning the blades, apply lubrication to them to help extend the life of your cutter module. To clean the cutter module, complete these steps: 1. Caution • Turn off (O) the printer and disconnect it from the power source before performing the following procedure.
Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 5. Caution • The cutter blade is sharp. Do not touch or rub the blade with your fingers. Remove the cutter shield. T F A 6. If necessary, rotate the cutter motor thumbscrew to fully expose the V-shaped cutter R D blade (1).
112 Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 7. Using the swab from the Preventive Maintenance Kit (part number 47362), wipe along the upper cutting surface and the cutter blade. In place of the Preventive Maintenance Kit, you may use a clean swab dipped in 99.7% isopropyl alcohol. Allow the solvent to evaporate. T F A 8. When the solvent has evaporated, soak a clean swab in a general-purpose, higher-viscosity silicone or PTFE oil lubricant.
Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 9. Apply an even layer along all exposed surfaces of both cutter blades. Remove any excess oil so that none of it comes in contact with the printhead or platen roller. 10. T F A Caution • The cutter blade is sharp. For operator safety, replace the cutter shield. Replace the cutter shield (1) and secure it with the thumbscrew and lock washer that you removed earlier (2).
114 Routine Maintenance Cleaning Schedule and Procedures 11. Close the media door. T F A 12. Plug the printer into its power source, and then turn on (I) the printer. The cutter blade returns to its operating position. R D 13. If the cutter continues to perform unsatisfactorily, contact an authorized service technician.
Routine Maintenance Replacing Printer Components Replacing Printer Components Some printer components, such as the printhead and platen roller, may wear out over time and can be replaced easily. Regular cleaning may extend the life of some of these components. See Table 4 on page 98 for the recommended cleaning intervals. Ordering Replacement Parts Zebra™ printers are designed to work only with genuine Zebra printheads, thus maximizing safety and print quality.
116 Routine Maintenance Lubrication T F A R D P1106464-001 ZT411/ZT421 Color Touch User Guide 5/9/19
4 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting T F A This section provides diagnostic tests and other information that may help you to optimize printing or to troubleshoot issues with your printer. Go to www.zebra.com/zt600-info for access to videos and additional online information designed to assist you. Contents R D Judging Barcode Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Configuration Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
118 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Judging Barcode Quality Judging Barcode Quality Figure 3 shows how printer settings such as darkness and print speed can affect the quality of barcodes. Set the print darkness to the lowest setting that provides good print quality. The Print Quality Assistant in Run the Print Wizard and Print a Test Label on page 49 can help you determine the best settings. Figure 3 • Barcode Darkness Comparison T F A R D Too Dark Labels that are too dark are fairly obvious.
Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Judging Barcode Quality “In-Spec” The “in-spec” barcode can only be confirmed by a verifier, but it should exhibit some visible characteristics. • The normal barcode will have complete, even bars and clear, distinct spaces. • The rotated barcode will have complete, even bars and clear, distinct spaces. Although it may not look as good as a slightly dark barcode, the barcode will be “in-spec.” • In both normal and rotated styles, small alphanumeric characters look complete.
120 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Configuration Labels Configuration Labels Some of the most commonly used diagnostic items are the printer configuration label and the network configuration label. Sample labels are shown in Figure 4. Analyzing the information on these labels can help you to troubleshoot potential issues. To print a printer configuration label, touch Menu > Settings > Print: System Settings. To print a network configuration label, touch Menu > Networks > Print: Network Info.
