User Manual

Tools
263
Print Quality Report (FEED self test)
Different types of media may require different darkness settings. This section contains a simple but
effective method for determining the ideal darkness for printing barcodes that are within specifications.
During the Print Quality Report (FEED self test), a series of labels are printed at different darkness settings
at two different print speeds. The relative darkness and the print speed are printed on each label. The
barcodes on these labels may be ANSI-graded to check print quality.
During this test, one set of labels is printed at low speed, and another set is printed at the high speed. The
darkness value starts at three settings lower than the printer’s current darkness value (relative darkness of
–3) and increase until the darkness is three settings higher than the current darkness value (relative
darkness of +3).
The speed at which labels are printed during this print quality test depends on the dot density of the
printhead.
• 300 dpi printers: prints 7 labels at 51mm/sec (2 ips) and 102 mm/sec (4 ips) print speeds.
• 203 dpi printers: prints 7 labels at 51mm/sec (2 ips) and 152 mm/sec (6 ips) print speeds.
To perform a Print Quality Repor
t, complete these steps:
1. Print a configuration report to show the printer’s current settings. Press and hold the FEED and
CANCEL buttons for two (2) seconds to print the report.
2. Turn OFF the printer.
3. Press and hold FEED while setting the printer power to ON. Hold FEED until the Status indicator is the
only indicator lit.
The printer prints a series of labels (Figure 2) at various speeds and darkness settings higher and lower
than the darkness value shown on the configuration label.
Figure 2 Print Quality Report