Thermal Printer User’s Manual 2824 2844 3842 User’s Manual No. 980381-001 Rev. B ©2003 ZIH Corp.
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FOREWORD This manual provides installation and operation information for the 2824, 2844 and the 3842 series printers, manufactured by Zebra Technologies Corporation, Camarillo, California. COPYRIGHT NOTICE This document contains information proprietary to Zebra Technologies Corporation. This document and the information contained within is copyrighted by Zebra Technologies Corporation and may not be duplicated in full or in part by any person without written approval from Zebra Technologies Corporation.
SHOCK HAZARD WARNING: The printer and power supply should never be operated in a location where either one can get wet. Personal injury could result. MEDIA AND RIBBON WARNING: Always use high quality, approved labels, tags and ribbons. If adhesive backed labels are used that DO NOT lay flat on the backing liner, the exposed edges may stick to the label guides and rollers inside the printer, causing the label to peel off from the liner and jam the printer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Installation and Operation Unpack Your Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Using Options Using Transfer Ribbon. . . Using the Label Dispenser . Using Fan-Fold Media. . . Using the Media Cutter . . Clearing the Media Cutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 19 20 21 22 Appendix Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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1 Installation and Operation This section provides information on the installation and operation of the printer. The printer is a low cost, desktop thermal printer. The printer is specifically designed for printing labels, tags or continuous receipts (with or without bar codes) from any DOS™, Windows™or ASCII-based compatible host. There are several models of printer. Many illustrations in this manual show the wide printer.
Installation and Operation Unpack Your You have received one of these printers: Printer 2 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation Installation The following steps will guide you through the installation of the printer and software. Step Attach Power Supply To The Printer Power OFF Check Voltage Plug in Power Module Plug in Power Cord Plug Power Cord into a Suitable AC Outlet See the SHOCK HAZARD WARNING on page iv. 4 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation Step Attach Interface Cable Serial Parallel Universal Serial Bus (USB) Internal ZebraNet PrintServer II (optional) For details regarding this interface and its operation, refer to the user guide supplied with your ethernet print server. See Appendix A for cable wiring information. 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation Step Load Media Open Cover MOVIE Open Guides Adjust Holders 1.0 inch 2.5 cm MOVIE 1.5 inch 3.8 cm 6 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation Load Media - continued Remove the outside length of media For more information on media preparation, refer to Appendix A. MOVIE Install Roll Note: Find the instructions for preparing media in Appendix A. Close Guides to the Width of the Media Note: When using linerfree labels, adjust the guides to the widest position 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation Load Media - continued Release Cover Note: This step applies to thermal transfer printers MOVIE Close Cover 8 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation Step AutoSense Media Gap Sensing Perform this procedure when loading a new roll. If your printer has the label dispenser option, turn OFF the label taken sensor. MOVIE Power OFF Hold Feed Button Power ON 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation AutoSense Gap Sensor Adjustment - continued When Indicator Flashes, Release Feed Button Printer Advances Media and Prints Status Summary Note: Printer is in diagnostic dump mode UKQ1935 16 V3.21 Serial port : 96,N,8,1 Image buffer size:1032K Fmem:000.0K,016.
Installation and Operation Step Install Software Start your computer and follow the installation instructions on the compact disc (CD). 980381-001 Rev.
Installation and Operation Operation The following information helps you get the most from your printer. Programming You must use programming to control many of Commands the printer's functions. See the EPL2 programmer's manual for details. For example, the Q command controls form length and gap. Printer Driver The printer driver provides a convenient control to improve print quality. For example, Print density (darkness) is affected by the heat energy (density setting) applied and by the print speed.
Using Options 2 Using Options This section provides information on the printer's optional features: • thermal transfer printing • label dispenser • fan-fold media • media cutter 980381-001 Rev.
Using Options Using Transfer The TLP printer supports both direct thermal Ribbon media (chemically treated to darken when heated) and thermal transfer media (accepts wax and/or resin transferred off a ribbon). Step Prepare Ribbon Pull Adhesive Strip Free MOVIE 14 980381-001 Rev.
Using Options Step Install Supply Roll Thread Ribbon Through Carriage Press onto Hub Align Notches onto Hub Spokes 980381-001 Rev.
Using Options Step Install Take-Up Core Press onto Hub Align Notches onto Hub Spokes 16 980381-001 Rev.
Using Options Step Tighten Ribbon Attach Ribbon to Take-Up Core Notes: Align ribbon so that it will be taken straight onto core. Use the adhesive strip on new rolls; otherwise, use tape. Remove Slack From Ribbon When using ribbon, make sure you also use thermal transfer media. 980381-001 Rev.
Using Options Adding a New If ribbon runs out in the middle of a print job, the Transfer Ribbon indicator lights orange and the printer waits for you to add a fresh roll. Keep the power on as you change ribbon. Open the top cover, then cut the used ribbon so you can remove the cores. Load a new ribbon roll (refer to the previous procedure if necessary). Close the top cover. Press the Feed button to restart printing.
Using Options Using the Label Dispenser Open Door Switch On the Label Taken Sensor Remove Several Labels Push Liner Through Slot Close Door Close Top Cover and Press Feed Button MOVIE 980381-001 Rev.
Using Options Using Fan-Fold Media Insert Media Adjust Holders to Width of Media 2844–Tighten Screw (use a small Phillips driver #1) 2824–Lock Guides in Place Adjust Guides to Width of Media 20 980381-001 Rev.
Using Options Using the Printers that have a bezel with a motorized Media Cutter blade can dispense one or more forms that are then automatically cut from the media supply. This option cuts through continuous paper from rolls and liner between labels. Use the OC command to activate the cutter and the Q command to set the form length and gap distance. See the EPL2 programmer's manual. 980381-001 Rev.
Clearing the If the blade cuts through labels, adhesive can Media Cutter jam the cutter. Turn OFF (O) printer power and unplug the power and interface cables before clearing the cutter. Keep the cutter dry. Never use any solutions or solvents to clean the blade. After removing debris, plug in the power and interface cables, turn on the printer, then test for normal operation. 22 980381-001 Rev.
Appendix Troubleshooting Problem Solution or Reason STATUS Indicator Does not light after turning ON ( ❙ ) printer. 1. Check power connections from A.C. outlet to power supply to printer. 2. Check that media or ribbon is present. Lights ORANGE. 1. The optional cover open sensor is active. Press top cover to close and lock. 2. Printer has a syntax or command error. Check program and resend print job. Blinks RED. 1. Firmware download in process. Indicator lights red, then green. 2.
Appendix Problem Solution or Reason Printer Operation--continued Printer appears to be working (media is being fed out), but nothing is printed. 1. Verify that the labels are the correct type. 2. Check that the roll is loaded with the direct thermal side facing up. 3. Clean the print head with cleaning pen. 4. Ensure top cover is locked closed. Printing is faded or poor quality. 1. Clean the print head with cleaning pen. 2. Adjust print speed/darkness in software. 3.
Appendix Troubleshooting Media Handling Problem Solution or Reason Ribbon Path Evident wrinkles result in di- 1. Make sure ribbon mounts straight onto agonal stripes on printout. take-up core. Label Dispenser Printing continues between labels. 1. Make sure label-taken sensor is on. 2. The label-taken sensor is blocked or dirty. Remove any scraps or dust. 3. Continuous media may be set. Verify form length setting through programming Q command. See the EPL2 programmer's manual.
Appendix Serial Interface The figure below displays the cable wiring Cable Wiring required to use the printer's RS-232 serial interface.
Appendix Parallel Interface The figure below displays the cable wiring Cable Wiring required to use the printer's Centronics parallel interface. HOST DB-25 Pin No. STROBE~ DATA 0 DATA 1 DATA 2 DATA 3 DATA 4 DATA 5 DATA 6 DATA 7 ACK~ BUSY PAPER ERR. SELECT AUTOFD~ ERROR~ N/A N/A N/A SIG. GND SIG. GND SIG. GND SIG. GND SIG. GND SIG. GND SIG. GND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Centronics Pin No.
Appendix Universal Serial The table below provides the contact terminatBus (USB) ing assignments by number and electrical value for the cable connectors. Contact Number Signal Name Typical Wiring Assignment 1 VBUS Red 2 D- White 3 D+ Green 4 GND Black Shell Shield Drain Wire You can refer to the Universal Serial Bus Specification for details regarding this interface. Cash Drawer The figure below displays the pin assignments Cable Wiring for the printer's retail cash drawer interface.
Appendix Internal ZebraNet This interface uses an RJ-45 straight-through PrintServer II cable type. The table below provides the pinout (optional) assignments. Signal Pin Pin Signal Tx+ 1 1 Tx+ Tx- 2 2 Tx- Rx+ 3 3 Rx+ --- 4 4 --- --- 5 5 --- Rx- 6 6 Rx- --- 7 7 --- --- 8 8 --- For details regarding this interface and its operation, refer to the user guide supplied with your ethernet print server. 980381-001 Rev.
Alternative Serial The pinout of the RJ-11 interface connector is Interface Input listed below. Host DCD RxD TxD DTR GND DSR RTS CTS RI DB-9 Pin # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 RJ-11 Pin # 1 2 3 4 5 6 Printer RxD TxD BUSY GND +5V* RTS Female DB-9 to RJ-11 *+5 volts @ 160 mA max. Pin 4 Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 3 Pin 2 Pin 1 Front View of RJ-11 Modular Connector Note that looking into the printer’s connector with the key notch pointing down, pins are numbered from left to right. 30 980381-001 Rev.
Appendix Cleaning the When you load new media, you can also clean Printhead the printhead. Turn OFF (O) the printer before performing this procedure. Rub Cleaning Pen Across Dark Area of Print Head Wait One Minute Before Closing Printer Do Not Clean Roller With Cleaning Pen MOVIE 980381-001 Rev.
Cleaning the The platen, over time, picks up adhesive and Platen dust which requires occasional cleaning. To follow these steps, you require a clean, lint-free cloth lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol. Turn OFF (O) the printer before performing this procedure. Gently Wipe Top of Platen Advance Platen One-Sixth (1/6) Turn (about 60°) Repeat Steps Until Platen is Clean Let the platen dry for at least one minute before loading media. 32 980381-001 Rev.
Appendix Preparing Media, During shipment, the outside length of media Paper, and Labels may become dirty when handled or dusty when Before Loading stored. A preparation before loading media makes sure both the print head and platen stay cleaner for more time. Label Rolls Find the tape and pull off both labels held by the tape MOVIE Tag Stock Rolls Find the tape and detach the bottom tag You must avoid dragging adhesive or dirty media between the print head and platen.
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