User Manual

Table Of Contents

Setup

165

Loading Thermal Transfer Roll Ribbon

The ZD621 and ZD421 thermal transfer printers have a flexible ribbon system. It supports 300 meter and

74 meter genuine Zebra

ribbons. The printer includes 300 meter ribbon adapters for non-Zebra ribbon

rolls. 74 meter ribbon from non-Zebra printers does not need the Non-Zebra ribbon adapters to operate

properly.

Transfer ribbons come in several varieties and in some cases colors to match your application needs.

Genuine Zebra

transfer ribbons are specifically designed for your printer and Zebra brand media. Using

non-Zebra media or ribbons not approved for use in your Zebra

printer may damage your printer or

printhead.

• The media and ribbon types should be matched to provide you with optimal print results.

• Always use ribbon that is wider than the media to protect the printhead from wear.

• For direct thermal printing, do not load ribbon in the printer.

• Always use an empty ribbon core that matches your transfer ribbon roll’s inner diameter (I.D.).

Ribbon wrinkling and other print problems can occur.

Your printer needs to use genuine Zebra

ribbons that have a ribbon out trailer (reflector) to stop printing

when roll of transfer ribbon has been used up. Genuine Zebra

ribbons and ribbon cores also include

notches used to maintain positive ribbon roll engagement and drive without slipping while printing.

Genuine Zebra

ribbons for this printer include:

• Performance Wax

• Premium Wax/Resin

• Performance Resin for synthetics (6 ips max. speed) and coated paper (4 ips max. speed)

• Premium Resin for synthetics (4 ips max. speed)

IMPORTANT: 74 Meter Ribbons - DO NOT USE early model desktop printer ribbon cores! The older style

ribbon cores (and some Non-Zebra ribbons) can be identified by notches on only one side of the ribbon

core. These older cores are too large.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE ribbon cores with damaged notches - rounded, frayed, smashed, etc. The

core notches should be square to lock the core on the spindle or the core may slip causing ribbon wrinkle,

poor end of ribbon sensing or other intermittent failures.