User guide

Print Engine Configuration
Front Panel LCD
57516L-001 Rev. 1 10/12/2004 170PAX4 User Guide 57
Front Panel LCD
Use the LCD display on the front panel to adjust print engine settings. Table 6 shows
parameters in the order in which they are displayed when you press
NEXT after entering Setup
mode. Throughout this process, press
NEXT to continue to the next parameter, or press
PREVIOUS to return to the previous parameter in the cycle. When a parameter is changed, an
asterisk (*) is shown in the upper left corner of the display to indicate that the value is different
from the one currently active in the print engine. Table 7 on page 76 shows the additional
parameters that appear when a wired or wireless print server is installed in the print engine.
Table 6 • Print Engine Parameters (Sheet 1 of 19)
Parameter Action/Explanation
Adjust Print Darkness
Darkness (burn duration) settings depend on a variety of factors, including
ribbon type, media, and the condition of the printhead. You may adjust the
darkness for consistent high-quality printing.
If printing is too light or if there are voids in printed areas, you should
increase the darkness. If printing is too dark or if there is spreading or
bleeding of printed areas, you should decrease the darkness. Darkness
settings also may be changed by the driver or software settings.
The FEED Self Test on page 103 can be used to determine the best
darkness setting. Because the darkness setting takes effect immediately,
you can see the results on labels that are currently printing.
Important • Set the darkness to the lowest setting that provides good print
quality. If the darkness is set too high, the ink may smear, the ribbon may
burn through, or the printhead may wear prematurely.
• Press the right oval to increase darkness.
• Press the left oval to decrease darkness.
Default: +4.0
Range: 00.0 to +30.0
Adjust Print Speed
Adjusts the speed for printing a label (given in inches per second). Slower
print speeds typically yield better print quality. Print speed changes take
effect upon exiting Setup mode.
• Press the right oval to increase the value.
• Press the left oval to decrease the value.
Default: 2 IPS
Range: 2 to 12 IPS for 203 dpi, 2 to 8 IPS for 300 dpi
Adjust Slew Speed
Adjusts the speed for feeding a blank label (given in inches per second).
• Press the right oval to increase the value.
• Press the left oval to decrease the value.
Default: 6 IPS
Range: 1 to 12 IPS
DARKNESS +4.0
- +
PRINT SPEED
2 IPS +
SLEW SPEED
6 IPS +