User Manual
Table Of Contents
- About
- Introduction
- Printer Features
- Inside the ZD421 Dual Capacity Ribbon Roll Printer
- Inside the ZD621 Dual Capacity Ribbon Roll Printer
- Inside the ZD421 Direct Thermal Printers
- Inside the ZD621 Direct Thermal Printers
- Inside the ZD421 Ribbon Cartridge Printer
- Label Dispenser Option (field installable) - All Models
- Cutter Option (field installable) - All Models
- Linerless Media Tear-Off Option (Direct Thermal Models Only)
- Linerless Cutter Option (Direct Thermal Models Only)
- Identifying Platen Drive Rollers Types
- Printer Power Supply Options
- ZD621 Direct Thermal Locking Printer Features
- Zebra Print Touch
- Controls and Indicators
- Install Hardware Options
- Field Installable printer Accessories and Options
- Printer Connectivity Modules
- Media Handling Options
- Removing the Standard Bezel
- Installing the Label Dispenser
- Installing the Standard Media Cutter
- Installing the Linerless Media Cutter
- Installing the Linerless Media ‘Tear-Off’ Bezel
- Media Roll Core Size Adapters
- Print Resolution Upgrade Kits
- Installing the Attached Power Supply Base Options
- Installing the Attached Battery Base Options
- Installing the Battery into the Attached Power Base
- Color Touch Display and Controls
- Color Touch Display Printer Controls
- Home Screen
- System Menu
- System > Language
- System > Program Language > Diagnostic Mode
- System > Program Language > Virtual Device
- System > Program Language > ZBI
- System > Settings > Display Time Format
- System > Settings > Password Level
- System > Settings > Set Password
- System > Settings > Power Up Action
- System > Settings > Head Close Action
- System > Settings > Screen Calibration
- System > Settings > Restore Defaults
- System > Settings > Print: System Settings
- System > Energy Saving > Energy Star
- Connection Menu
- Connection > Networks > Reset Network
- Connection > Networks > Primary Network
- Connection > Networks > IP Port
- Connection > Networks > IP Alternate Port
- Connection > Networks > Print: Network Info
- Connection > Networks > Visibility Agent
- Connection > Wired > Wired IP Protocol
- Connection > Wired > Wired IP Address
- Connection > Wired > Wired Gateway
- Connection > Wired > Wired Mac Address
- Connection > WLAN > WLAN IP Protocol
- Connection > WLAN > WLAN IP Address
- Connection > WLAN > WLAN Subnet
- Connection > WLAN > WLAN Gateway
- Connection > WLAN > WLAN Mac Address
- Connection > WLAN > ESSID
- Connection > WLAN > WLAN Security
- Connection > WLAN > WLAN Band
- Connection > WLAN > WLAN Country Code
- Connection > Bluetooth > Bluetooth
- Connection > Bluetooth > Bluetooth Discovery
- Connection > Bluetooth > Friendly Name
- Connection > Bluetooth > Minimum Security Mode
- Connection > Bluetooth > Specification Version
- Connection > Bluetooth > MAC Address
- Connection > Bluetooth > Bluetooth Auth. PIN
- Connection > Bluetooth > Bluetooth Bonding
- Print Menu
- Print > Print Quality > Darkness
- Print > Print Quality > Print Speed
- Print > Print Quality > Print Type
- Print > Print Quality > Label Type
- Print > Print Quality > Label Length
- Print > Print Quality > Label Width (Dots)
- Print > Label Position > Collection Method
- Print > Label Position > Tear Line Offset
- Print > Label Position > Horizontal Label Offset
- Print > Label Position > Vertical Label Offset
- Print > Sensors > Manual Calibration
- Print > Sensors > Label Sensor
- Print > Sensors > Sensor Type
- Print > Sensors > Print: Sensor Profile
- Print > Print Station
- Print > Applicator > Applicator Port Mode
- Print > Applicator > Start Print Mode
- Print > Applicator > Error on Pause
- Print > Applicator > Applicator Reprint
- RFID Menu
- Storage Menu
- Setup
- Printer Setup Overview
- Select a Location for the Printer
- Install Printer Options and Connectivity Modules
- Attaching Power
- Getting Ready to Print
- Loading Roll Media
- Loading Thermal Transfer Roll Ribbon
- Loading the ZD421 Ribbon Cartridge
- Run a SmartCal Media Calibration
- Test Printing with the Configuration Report
- Detecting a Media Out Condition
- Detecting a Ribbon Out Condition
- Connecting your Printer to a Computer
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Classic Wireless Connectivity Option
- Setup for Windows® OS
- Print Operations
- Thermal Printing
- Select a Print Mode or Collection Method
- Adjusting the Print Quality
- Adjusting the Print Width
- Printing on Fan-Fold Media
- Printing with Externally Mounted Roll Media
- Using the Label Dispenser Option
- Using the Linerless Options
- Sending Files to the Printer
- Ribbon Cartridge Programming Commands
- Printing with the Attached Battery Base and Battery Option
- Printer Fonts
- EPL Line Mode - Direct Thermal Printers only
- ZD621 and ZD421 Locking Printer Option
- Zebra® ZKDU — Printer Accessory
- ZBI 2.0™ — Zebra Basic Interpreter
- Setting the Power Failure Recovery Mode Jumper
- USB Host Port and Link-OS Usage Examples
- USB Host
- USB Host and Printer Usage Examples
- Items Required for the USB Host Exercises
- Files for Completing the Exercises
- Exercise 1: Copy Files to a USB Flash Drive and Perform USB Mirror
- Exercise 2: Print a Label Format from a USB Flash Drive
- Exercise 3: Copy Files to/from a USB Flash Drive
- Exercise 4: Enter Data for a Stored File with a USB Keyboard and Print a Label
- Using the USB Hosts Port and the NFC Capabilities
- Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Tools
- Printer Diagnostics
- Power-On Self Test
- SmartCal Media Calibration
- Configuration Report (CANCEL Self Test)
- Printer Network (and Bluetooth) Configuration Report
- Print Quality Report (FEED self test)
- Reset Printer Factory Defaults (PAUSE + FEED Self Test)
- Reset Network Factory Defaults (PAUSE + CANCEL Self Test)
- Reset Button
- Communication Diagnostics Test
- Sensor Profile
- Advanced Mode
- Factory Test Modes
- Printer Diagnostics
- Interface Wiring
- Dimensions
- Media
- ZPL Configuration
Troubleshooting
285
Resolving Print Issues
This section helps you identify issues with printing or print quality, the possible causes, and the
recommended solutions.
Issue: General Print Quality Issues
The printed image does not look right.
Possible Cause - 1
The printer is set at an incorrect darkness level and/or print speed.
Resolution
Perform the Print Quality Report (FEED self test) to determine the ideal darkness and speed settings for
your application. Do not set print speeds above the manufacturer’s maximum rated speed for your media
(print material and ribbons both). Go to Print Quality Report (FEED self test) on page 296 and Adjusting
the Print Quality on page 209.
Possible Cause - 2
The printhead is dirty.
Resolution
Clean the printhead. Go to Cleaning the Printhead on page 243.
Possible Cause - 3
The platen roller is dirty or damaged.
Resolution
Clean or replace the platen. Platens can wear out or get damaged. Go to Platen Cleaning and
Replacement on page 255.
Possible Cause - 4
The printhead has worn out.
Resolution
Replace the printhead. The printhead can wear out and be damaged. Go to Replacing the Printhead on
page 259.
Possible Cause - 5
Thermal Transfer printing - Printing looks fuzzy, has smudge marks, or has voids or holes in print with no
particular pattern.
Resolution
The print material (wax, wax-resin, or resin) may not match the material (paper, media coating, or
synthetics) in use. Set the printer for no higher than the maximum recommended print speed of the ribbon
cartridge. Go to Ribbon Cartridge Programming Commands on page 218 for reading cartridge features.