User Manual

Zebra Thermal Printhead Life
4
CONTAMINATION
Media can contain or be introduced to abrasive contaminants that pass through the printhead
and scrape or cut through the protective coating on the printhead. Once the protective element
coating is damaged, printhead element failure occurs. If premature or random printhead failure
occurs as a result of a scratched printhead element, the media or environment may be introducing
contamination.
Contributing Factor
Recommendation
Contaminated media
Consult with your media supplier.
Environment
Protect the media from exposure to
contamination.
If printer location is problematic, consider using
a protective enclosure.
CORROSION
Substances in contact with the printhead elements can become corrosive and can generate caustic
agents when heated, causing corrosion of the printhead’s protective coating and printhead failure.
Contributing Factor
Recommendation
Unapproved media
may be coated with
chemicals or  ood coats unsuitable for direct
thermal printing.
This is often characterized by a rapid failure
of the printhead in the area of the  ood coat.
Consult with your media supplier if this failure is
suspected.
Physically touching the printhead element
surface
with the human skin can cause
contamination detrimental to the life of the
printhead.
Clean any surface with an approved cleaning
solution before operating the printer. Consult the
printer’s user guide for recommended cleaning
procedures.
Improper cleaning
or use of unapproved
solutions on the printhead.
Use only approved cleaning items for printhead
cleaning.