105SL Plus Printer Series - Printer Calibration, Label Registration Issues

Issue / Question

105SL Plus Series Printer Calibration

Understanding printer calibration

Adjusting the Media Sensors

Correcting Paper Out Errors

Correcting image drift problems 

Labels stopping at random locations

Labels skipping or occasional blank label

Labels are not lining up or are not aligned

Correcting Calibration Problems

Applicable To

105SL Plus Series Printers

Resolution / Answer

Printer calibration assures the printer will track your non-continuous labels or tags for proper print location accuracy. Select the proper sensor for the media type (Mark or Web) before running calibration and if using the transmissive sensor assure it is properly positioned to detect the gap/notch/hole. See the setup document for details on media and proper sensor alignment. For more information, refer to 105SL Printer Initial Setup Details and Information.

This document outlines calibration methods. First, try the Auto Calibration Procedure. 

NOTE Make sure you have the correct sensor selected for your media. Mark for Black Mark and Web for Gap/Hole/Notch. For more information refer to  Xi4™/RXi4™ User Guide: Set Media  Type.

Also, make sure the Maximum Length is set to a value longer than the labels being used. Refer to Xi4™/RXi4™ User Guide: Set Maximum Label Length.

Procedure:

1. With the printer media and ribbon (if used) loaded, sent the printer into the Pause mode. 
2. With the printer in Pause mode, press the Calibrate button, and allow the printer to complete feeding labels. 
3. Press the Pause button and then press the Feed button. One label should feed each time the Feed button is pressed. 

If Auto Calibration fails, try the following Manual Calibration steps.

Manual Calibration  - Use this procedure to adjust the sensitivity of media and ribbon sensors. 

105SL Plus Printer Calibration Video

NOTE The Xi4 and 105SL Plus procedures are similar

The printer by default is set up to calibrate to the labels on power-up or after closing the print head and unpausing the printer. If the labels are not calibrating properly after power-up or after the head closes, a full media and ribbon calibration may be necessary to calibrate the printer to the labels.

NOTE Make sure you have the correct sensor selected for your media. Mark for Black Mark and Web for Gap/Hole/Notch. For more information refer to  Xi4™/RXi4™ User Guide: Set Media  Type.

Procedure

1. From the Front Panel LCD of the printer, press Setup/Exit and scroll until you see:

Media and Ribbon 

             Calibrate +

IMPORTANT! Follow this procedure exactly as presented. All of the steps must be performed even if only one of the sensors requires adjustment. You may press MINUS (-) at any step in this procedure to cancel the process.

2. Press PLUS (+) to start the calibration procedure. The LOAD BACKING prompt displays.
3. Open the printhead.
4. Remove approximately 8 in. (203 mm) of labels from the backing, and pull the media into the printer so that only the backing is between the media sensors.

NOTE If you are using Black Mark Media load media assuring the Black Mark is not over the Reflective Sensor. See the Reflective Sensor .

5. Leave the printhead open.
6. Press PLUS (+) to continue. The REMOVE RIBBON prompt displays.
7. Remove the ribbon (if used).
8. Close the printhead.
9. Press PLUS (+) to continue.

The message CALIBRATING PLEASE WAIT displays. The printer adjusts the scale (gain) of the signals that it receives from the media and ribbon sensors based on the specific media and ribbon combination being used. On the sensor profile, this essentially corresponds to moving the peak of the graph up or down to optimize the readings for your application. When calibration is complete, RELOAD ALL displays.

10. Open the printhead and pull the media forward until a label is positioned under the media sensor.
11. Reload the ribbon (if used).
12. Close the printhead.
13. Press PLUS (+) to continue.

The printer performs an auto-calibration. During this process, the printer checks the readings for the media and ribbon based on the new scale established, determines the label length, and determines the print mode. To see the new readings on the new scale, print a sensor profile.

Additional Information

Printing a media sensor profile procedure 

1. Have the printer loaded with media and ribbon if being used.
2. From the Front Panel LCD of the printer, press Setup/Exit and scroll until you see:

Sensor Profile

               Print +

3. Then press the PLUS (+) key to start this standard calibration procedure and print a sensor profile.

For information on viewing a media sensor profile details, refer to Xi4™/RXi4™ User Guide: Print Sensor Profile.