Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information Getting started Welcome to your new Operation Printing a card P420 User's Manual Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C User's Manual No. 980292-001 © 2003 ZIH Corp Rev.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer FOREWORD General information This manual contains installation and operation information for the Zebra P420 by Zebra Technologies Corporation. Getting started RETURN MATERIALS AUTHORIZATION Operation Printing a card Before returning any equipment to Zebra Technologies Corporation for in-warranty or out-of-warranty repair, contact Repair Administration for a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer PRODUCT WARRANTY STATEMENT General information Getting started Operation Printers All Zebra Card Printers are warranted against defects in material or workmanship for twelve (12) months from the purchase date. Proof of purchase or shipment date is required to validate the warranty period.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications European Council Directive Compliance to Standards 89/336/EEC modified by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC EMC Directive EN 55022-B RF Emissions control EMC Directive EN 500082-1,1992 Immunity to Electromagnetic Disturbances 73/23/EEC modified by 93/68/EEC Low voltage Directive EN 60950 Product safety Model: P420 conforms to
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer INTRODUCTION General information Thank you for choosing the Zebra P420 Plastic Card Printer. Getting started These printers produce cards ideal for personalized identification, access control, visitor, membership, promotion and luggage card, badges and tags. Operation This manual guides you to an efficient start up and operation of your new Card Printer.
Card Printer Solutions General information P420 Plastic Card Printer ICONS Throughout this manual, different icons highlight important information, as follows: Getting started Operation Printing a card Important general information. Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Mechanical hazard, such as one associated with moving parts, capable of resulting in equipment damage or personal injury.
Card Printer Solutions General information Getting started Operation Printing a card P420 Plastic Card Printer 1 2 GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 • 1 Unpacking your card printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 • 2 Indicators and control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 • 3 Printer Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 4 OPERATION . . .
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer APPENDIX A - MAGNETIC CARD STRIPE ENCODER . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A - Media Loading Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B- Magnetic Encoder Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 38 38 APPENDIX B - SMART CARD CONTACT STATION . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Operation Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A GETTING STARTED 1•1 Unpacking your card printer Appendix B Appendix C Your P420 printer ships in a carton and protective anti-static bag. Keep all packing material in case you need to move or re-ship the printer. While unpacking, inspect the carton to ensure that no damage occurred during shipping.
Card Printer Solutions General information P420 Plastic Card Printer In addition to user documentation, make sure the following items are included with your P420 printer: Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning CLEANING KIT CARD OUTPUT HOPPER Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A Appendix B POWER CABLE CLEANING CARTRIDGE Appendix C PRINTER DRIVER DISK (floppy or/and CD) Centronic Parrallel If any items are missing, please contact your dealer.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 1•2 Indicators and Control General information Your P720 printer has an LCD Display, two LED’s and two Panel Buttons.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 1•3 Printer Installation General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning The following will guide you through the installation of your P420 printer. CAUTION: Limit AC power supplied to the P420 Printer to 110 - 230 V AC, 60 - 50 Hz for an associated 680 mA - 310 mA. Limit excess current draw to 16 amps or less, using an associated circuit breaker or other such device.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information Getting started OPERATION Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting 2•1 Printer Features The following shows the features found on your P420 Printer: Specifications 1 9 Appendix A 8 Appendix B 2 7 3 Appendix C 5 A 6 4 B STANDARD FEATURES OPTIONAL FEATURES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. A. Magnetic Encoding Station B.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 2•2 Loading Ribbons General information Getting started The P420 Printer requires approved ribbons (see Appendix C). The Resin Thermal Transfer and Dye Sublimation ribbons and Lamination are specifically designed for your P420 Printer. Operation Printing a card Cleaning DO NOT TOUCH the print head or the electronic components on the print head carriage.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information SUPPLY SPINDLE Getting started Operation 3. Load ribbon onto the supply spindle (under print head carriage) and empty core (with tape attached) onto the take-up spindle. Make sure the ribbon comes off of the top of the supply spindle and feeds to the top of the take-up spindle. Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting TAKE-UP SPINDLE Specifications Appendix A `CLICK' 4.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 2•3 Loading Cards General information To help you load, print, and collect cards, the P420 has the following items: Getting started A - CARD FEEDER This items is used for loading cards. Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting 1.· Open Card Feeder Cover by putting your fingers on both sides and rotating the cover in a clockwise direction to the open position. Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C 2.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information Getting started B - INSTALL CARD CLEANING CARTRIDGE This item is used to clean the cards entering the printer. Operation Printing a card Cleaning 1.· Remove Card Cleaning Cartridge from packaging. Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C 2.· Open Printer cover and remove the yellow reminder tape from the location for the Cleaning Cartridge. 3.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer C - CARD THICKNESS CONTROL LEVER General information This item is operated by the user to prevent more than one card feeding into the printer at the same time and causing a jam. Getting started Operation Printing a card Open Cover, and adjust lever to correct position. Repeat for different card thickness. (Factory setting is for 30mil (0.762mm) card thickness).
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 2•4 Rejected Card Box General information Getting started The P420 Printer is equipped with a Rejected card Box. When an encoding can not be completed, the card is ejected into the Rejected Card Box. The P420 Printer counts the number of cards which go into the Reject Card Box. After 20 cards the printer stops, the Amber LED Flashes and a LCD Message is displayed indicating the need to empty the reject box.
Card Printer Solutions General information Getting started P420 Plastic Card Printer 3.·Swing the Rejected Card Box Door and press the top. An audible “click” signals the locked position. Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting 4.·Press the Clear Button on the front panel to reSpecifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C start the current printer job and to clear the rejected cards counter.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 2•5 Feeding one card at a time General information Getting started A Manual Feed Slot is avalable on the side of the Card Feeder cover for feeding single cards. Cleaning Cards are fed manually through this slot. The Feeder must be empty for manual card feeding to work properly. Operation Printing a card Cleaning For one-at-a-time printing, feed cards through slot on side of Feeder. Troubleshooting Do not feed more than one card at a time.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 2•6 Printing a Test Card General information With ribbon and cards loaded, your P420 printer is ready to print. To check the operation of the printer you should print a test card. Getting started Operation 1. When the printer displays READY, press the “Next” button (left) on your Control Panel to “SELF TEST CARD MENU” , then the “Select”button (right). Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting 2.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 2•7 Printer Menu Information General information Getting started Operation The printer is equipped with a LCD Display and two key buttons which gives access to printer menus. Press the Menu button to enter the Menu Mode Menu Button [NEXT] Clear Button [SELECT] Printing a card Cleaning The top line display shows menu information.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer READY General information N: NEXT S: SELECT N N Getting started PRINTER INFO S Printer Model number N Printer Firmware Version Operation Number of Impressions Printing a card Reject Box status To show the number of cards remaining in the reject box Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A S CLEANING MENU S GO TO MAIN MENU N CLEAN PRINT HEAD To clean the Thermal Print Head and card transport system N N S To run cleaning Appendi
Card Printer Solutions General information Getting started P420 Plastic Card Printer PRINTER DEFAULT (Condt.) S N Ribbon Type To show the type of ribbon installed. It may not match the ribbon physically installed until the installed ribbon has been selected through the driver. Operation Printing a card Offset X: aa-Y:bb To show the X print location offset value in pixels (aa) To show the Y print location offset value in pixels (bb) Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Mag.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information nting Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A PRINTING A SAMPLE CARD Appendix B Appendix C Printing with the P420 Printer requires the Windows Printer Driver, your card design/issuing Windows software or printer command level programming through the printer interface. The P420 Card Printer can be used with any Windows 95/98/ME/XP/Win 2000, Windows NT 4.
Card Printer Solutions General information P420 Plastic Card Printer 3 • 1.To install the P420 Printer Driver automatically on all Operating systems, use the install wizard. The wizard will: nting - Automatically launch when the driver CD is inserted. Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting - Check to see which operating system you are using - Delete previous versions of the driver and clean up any necessary Reistry entries.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 3 • 2 Set Printer Driver Options: General information To open the P420 Printer screen, right mouse click on your driver icon and select Properties. Getting started Change the options as follows: Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C 1• On the Device Settings tab the magnetic encoder feature is automatically enabled.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 3•3. Printing a sample card: General information Follow the steps to print your first card - Go to the Microsoft Word Software. Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting - If the printer was not selected as the default printer, go to the File menu and Select Printer and choose Zebra P420 Card Printer in the printer names list. Then Close the print dialog box. - Come back to File menu and choose Page Setup.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A CLEANING Appendix B Appendix C PROTECT YOUR FACTORY WARRANTY! The recommended maintenance procedures must be performed to maintain your factory warranty. Other than the recommended cleaning procedures described in this manual, allow only Zebra authorized technicians to service the P420 Printer. NEVER loosen, tighten, adjust, or bend, etc.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information 4•1 Cleaning System Getting started Your P420 Printer includes a simple cleaning system using the Pre-Saturated Cleaning Cards provided. The regular use of these cards will clean and maintain important parts of your printer: including the Print Head, and Transport Rollers. Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A Appendix B CLEAN PRINTER WHEN TO CLEAN When LCD screen reports message.
Card Printer Solutions General information Getting started P420 Plastic Card Printer 4•2 Cleaning the Print Head A cleaning using the Cleaning System with cards usually suffices. However, a separate Print Head cleaning using swabs can remove more stubborn deposits when print anomalies persist. To avoid deposits, only use foam-tipped swabs. Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications 1.·Raise Print Head and remove the Ribbon. Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C 2.
Card Printer Solutions General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning P420 Plastic Card Printer 4•3 Card Cleaning Cartridge Your P420 Printer also has a Card Cleaning Cartridge. This item cleans the cards entering the printer. To ensure print quality, the cleaning roller requires periodic replacements. CLEAN PRINTER WHEN TO MAINTAIN When LCD screen reports message. Run a printer cleaning first . (see 4.1 Cleaning System for more instructions.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information Getting started 3. ·Remove Cleaning Roller from Cartridge and discard. Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting 4. ·Install new Cleaning Roller into Cartridge*. To avoid contamination, always hold the Cleaning Roller assembly by the ends. Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C 5. ·Carefully peel off wrapper from new Cleaning Roller while in Cartridge. SLOT 6.· Replace Cartridge into printer.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information Getting started Operation TROUBLESHOOTING Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A This section offers solutions to potential problems you may experience with your P420 printer. The table below lists the screen messages that will be displayed on the printer's LCD, both during normal operation and to alert operator of any error conditions.
Card Printer Solutions General information P420 Plastic Card Printer SCREEN MESSAGE MEANING ENCODING ERROR Data cannot be written or read from the card’s magnetic stripe Check that the cards are loaded with the magnetic stripe in the correct orientation. Check whether high or low coercivity cards have been specified. Check that the data conforms to ISO specifications.See Appendix A of this manual for further information.
Card Printer Solutions General information Getting started P420 Plastic Card Printer Ribbon Errors: Check that the print ribbon has not 'run out'. Lock and then unlock the print head assembly; this resynchronises the ribbon automatically. When using a color ribbon, it should advance automatically so that the leading edge of the Yellow panel is beneath the print head. Ensure that the correct ribbon type has been specified in the Windows driver.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer 5•2 Print Quality Issues General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning This section will help you resolve print quality problems. The print quality is dependent on several factors. The two most important factors that will increase your print quality are cleanliness and card stock.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer • Printing shows very pale or inconsistent results. General information Possible Cause A • Ribbon may have been stored improperly or is damaged. B • Cards may not meet specifications. C • Contrast and/or Intensity may be set to values which are too high. D • Dust or embedded contamination on elements of the Print Head.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer • No printing on the card. General information Getting started Possible Cause A • Ribbon may not be installed in the printer. B • Cards may not meet specifications. C • Cable on Print Head may be disconnected. D • Print Head elements may be scratched or burnt. Operation Printing a card > > Solution A 1 • Check for ribbon in the printer. Cleaning B 1 • Use a different supply of cards.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information Getting started TECHNICAL Operation Printing a card SPECIFICATI0NS Cleaning Troubleshooting General • High speed printing, over 102 cards/hour edge to edge in full color (YMCKOK) throughput • Small footprint • Windows Drivers for 98 and NT 4.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer CARD DIMENSIONS General information Getting started ISO STANDARD DIMENSIONS FOR PLAIN CARD Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications ISO STANDARD DIMENSIONS FOR MAGNETIC STRIPE CARD Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C CHIP POSITION FOR SMART CARD 0.221 in (5.62mm) max.gap 0.01 in (2.54 mm) Min.gap 0.210 in 0.631 in (3.54mm) (7.54mm) 0.218 in (5.54mm) Max. 0.623 in (15.82mm) Min. 0.395 in (8.25mm) 0.790 in 21.87mm 0.782 in (19.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer Cards* • Types PVC, Composite • Card width/length: ISO CR-80 - ISO 7810, 2.125” (54mm) by 3.375” (86mm) • Option: Magnetic Stripe - ISO 7811 • Option: Smart Card - ISO 7816-2 • Card thickness: 0.25mm to 1.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer Environmental General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning • Operating Temperature: 60 to 86°F (15 to 30°C) • Operating Humidity: 20 to 65% non condensing • Storage Temperature: -23 to 158°F (-5 to 70°C) • Storage Humidity: 20 to 70% non condensing • Ventilation: Free air * Thermal transfer (Resin) ribbons offer more durability than dye sublimation, with greater resistance to scratches and UV-induced fading.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information APPENDIX A Getting started Operation Printing a card Magnetic Card Stripe Encoder Cleaning Troubleshooting This section contains information on the additional operations of the P420 Printers with Magnetic Card Stripe Encoder. (See Chapter 2 for location.) Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C INTRODUCTION Operation and maintenance requirements for the P420 Printer with the optional magnetic card stripe encoder.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer A . ·MEDIA LOADING ORIENTATION General information The magnetic encoder is a factory installed item with the read/write head positioned below the card path, available with HICO encoding (P420 CM1 or P420 CEM1) or LOCO encoding (P420 CM2 or P420 CEM2).
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer B.·MAGNETIC ENCODER CLEANING General information Getting started Operation There exists two different processes to clean the Magnetic Stripe Encoder. The first process consists of a standard cleaning of the printer. This cleans the most important parts of the printer; including the Print head, Transport Roller and Magnetic Stripe Encoder (refer to chapter 4 "Cleaning" for more instructions).
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer General information APPENDIX B Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning Smart Card Contact Station This section contains information on the additional operations of the P420 Printers with Smart Card Contact Stations. (See Chapter 2 for location.) Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C INTRODUCTION Smart Cards can have a built-in microcomputer and a battery.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer A . ·MEDIA LOADING ORIENTATION General information Getting started Position the cards with the Smart Card Chip at the top of the card and towards the printer. Operation Printing a card Cleaning B.·SMART CARD CONTACT STATION INTERFACE Troubleshooting When a command to the parallel printer interface sends a card to the Smart Card Contact Station, the printer connects the Smart Card Contact Station to the female DB-9 connector on the rear of the printer.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer APPENDIX C General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Accessories & supplies Please contact your Zebra-authorized dealer to place an order for accessories and suplies.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer CARDS General information The following plain white plastic cards are available for use in the P420 printers: Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning Blank White Cards (Sold by the box) Part Number 104523-114 104523-010 104523-111 104523-112 104523-113 Premier Grade PVC Card, 10 mil † ‡ Card, 10 mil ‡ adhesive back Card, 30 mil † Card, 30 mil -low coercivity Mag. Stripe Card, 30 mil -High coercivity Mag.
Card Printer Solutions General information Getting started P420 Plastic Card Printer ACCESSORIES Accessories available for P420 Printers appear below. Always refer to the part number when placing an order.
Card Printer Solutions P420 Plastic Card Printer World Wide Sales and Support: General information Getting started Operation Printing a card Cleaning Troubleshooting Specifications Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Zebra Technologies Corporation Card Imaging Division 1001 Flynn Road Camarillo, CA. 93012-8706.USA Phone:+1 (805) 579 1800 Fax.:+1 (805) 579 1808 Toll Free in US: (800) 452-4056 e-mail: cards@zebracard.
