User Manual

Print Operations
209
Print Modes
• TEAR OFF -— This mode (default) can be used with any printer options and most media types. The
printer prints label formats as it receives them. The printer operator can tear off the printed labels
any time after they print.
• PEEL — Label Dispenser Option only. The printer peels the label from the liner during printing and
then pauses until the label is removed.
• CUTTER — Cutter Option only. The printer cuts between labels after each one is printed.
Adjusting the Print Quality
Print quality is affected by the heat (density) setting of the printhead, the print speed, and the media in use.
Experiment with these settings to find the optimal mix for your application. Print quality can be configured
with the Zebra Setup Utility’s ‘Configure Print Quality’ routine.
NOTE: Media manufacturers may have specific recommendations for speed settings for your printer and
the media. The recommended speed may be lower than your printer’s maximum speed setting!
The darkness (or density) setting can be controlled by:
• The Set Darkness (
~SD) ZPL command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).
• Go to Manual Print Darkness Adjustment on page 305.
• Go to Adjusting the Print Width on page 209.
If you find that the print speed needs to be adjusted, use:
• The Windows printer driver or application software such as ZebraDesigner ™ .
• The Print Rate (
^PR) command (consult your ZPL Programming Guide).
Use the printer’s ‘Print Quality Report’ (also known as the FEED Self Test) to print a range of labels that
help you identify print DARKNESS and SPEED settings for optimizing general print and barcode quality.
Go to Print Quality Report (FEED self test) on page 296 for details.
The printer’s media settings can be verified by printing a Printer Configuration label. Go to Test Printing
with the Configuration Report on page 178 for more details.
The maximum distance the automatic media type detection and sensing checks can be reduced using the
ZPL Maximum Label Length command (
^ML). The minimum distance should be no less than two times the
longest label being printed. If the largest label being printed was a 2 by 6 in. label, then the maximum label
(media) length detection distance can be reduced from the default distance of 39 in. down to 12 in..
NOTE: Go to About on page 11 section for information and support links for your specific printer model.
Adjusting the Print Width
Print width must be set:
• Before you use the printer for the first time.
• Any time you change the width of the media in use.
Print width may be set by:
• The Windows printer driver or application software such as ZebraDesigner ™ .
• Controlling printer operations with ZPL programming; refer to the Print Width (
^PW) command
(consult your ZPL Programming Guide).
• Go to Manual Print Width Adjustment on page 304.