User's Manual

117
Troubleshooting
Print Quality Problems
5/12/08 ZM™ Series/RZ™ Series User Guide 79695L-002 Rev. A
Vertical drift in
top-of-form position
The printer is out of calibration. Recalibrate the printer.
Vertical drift occurs during
normal printer operation.
Note • A vertical drift of
± 4 to 6 dot rows
(approximately 0.5 mm)
is within normal
tolerances.
Calibrate the printer.
The platen roller is dirty. Clean the platen roller. See Clean the Printhead
and Platen Roller on page 100.
Vertical image or
label drift
The printer is using
non-continuous labels but is
configured in continuous mode.
Configure the printer for non-continuous and run
calibration routine, if necessary.
The media sensor is positioned
incorrectly.
Ensure that the media sensor is properly
positioned to read a single/consistent interlabel
gap.
The media sensor is calibrated
improperly.
See Calibrate Media and Ribbon Sensor
Sensitivity on page 84.
The platen roller is dirty. Clean the platen roller. See Clean the Printhead
and Platen Roller on page 100.
Improper printhead pressure
settings (toggles).
Adjust the printhead pressure to ensure proper
functionality.
Improperly loaded ribbon or
media.
Verify that the printer is loaded properly.
Incompatible media. Ensure that the interlabel gaps or notches are 2 to
4 mm and consistently placed. Media must not
exceed minimum specifications for mode of
operation.
The bar code printed
on a label does not
scan.
The bar code is not within
specifications because the print
is too light or too dark.
Perform the FEED Self Test on page 126. Adjust
the darkness or print speed settings as necessary.
Not enough blank space around
the bar code.
Leave at least 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) between the bar
code and other printed areas on the label and
between the bar code and the edge of the label.
Table 16 • Print Quality Problems (Continued)
Problem Possible Cause Recommended Solution
118
Troubleshooting
Calibration Problems
5/12/08 ZM™ Series/RZ™ Series User Guide 79695L-002 Rev. A
Calibration Problems
Table 17 identifies problems with calibration, the possible causes, and the recommended
solutions.
Table 17 • Calibration Problems
Problem Possible Cause Recommended Solution
Loss of printing
registration on labels.
Excessive vertical
drift in top-of-form
registration.
The platen roller is dirty. Clean the platen roller according to the
instructions in Clean the Printhead and Platen
Roller on page 100.
Media guides are positioned
improperly.
Ensure that the media guides are properly
positioned.
The media type is set
incorrectly.
Set the printer for the correct media type
(gap/notch, continuous, or mark). See Set Media
Type on page 74.
The media is loaded incorrectly. Load media correctly. See Load Media
on page 41.
Auto Calibrate failed. Media or ribbon is loaded
incorrectly.
Ensure that media and ribbon are loaded
correctly.
The sensors could not detect the
media or ribbon.
Manually calibrate the printer. See Calibrate
Media and Ribbon Sensor Sensitivity on page 84.
The sensors are dirty or
positioned improperly. The
sensors are dirty, or media is
positioned improperly for the
sensors to detect.
Ensure that the sensors are clean and that media
is positioned properly.
The media type is set
incorrectly.
Set the printer for the correct media type
(gap/notch, continuous, or mark). See Set Media
Type on page 74.