105SL Plus Series Initial Printer Setup Details and Information

Details

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105SL Plus Series Printer Setup Overview 

 

The Zebra Printer can be used in a wide variety of applications using many different media combinations to suit your printing needs. This flexibility is due to the printer's ability to be configured and adjusted for all the variability an application may introduce. Understanding the printer configurations will enhance your ability to optimize your printer to meet your printing needs.

The printer comes from the factory set to tear-off mode and adjusted for full with paper label stock with wax ribbon. Many printing applications will function with these factory settings and require no additional adjustments beyond the communications setup and minor darkness adjustment.

• Media Related Settings - Media refers to the labels, tags, stock, used in the printer.

• Ribbon Setup

• Communications Setup

• Print Quality

• Printing App, Driver, or Program
   

Important: All printer settings can be impacted by commands from a mis-matched or misconfigured driver or software application. A printer that is functioning fine after setup but fails or indicates an error after label requests are received are most likely affected by the host side misconfiguration of the driver or printer software settings. The host device that generates the printer commands for printing typically have setup configuration that send these as commands to the printer. Make sure all settings match the printer settings to avoid intermittent issues.

 

Media Related Settings and Calibration 

1. Understanding your media

The Zebra Printer supports the use of many types and shapes of label/tags and knowing your media detail is important for proper configuration.

Here are the details you should know for printer media setup and configuration.

Media Related Configurations

>Media Type – Continuous, Non-Continuous. The printer default is Non-Continuous. Non-Continuous is the default and should be used when you want the printer to track the label top-of-form as it detects the  label gap/web, notch/hole, or black mark. See item 2 below for selecting the sensor for your media.

Setting for Non-Continuous/Continuous Read More>>

Helpful Info - Media identification details Read More>>

>Print Method – Thermal Transfer (Using Ribbon) or Direct Thermal (No Ribbon) – Default - Thermal Transfer Read More>>
 

>Print Mode – Tear off, Cutter, Peel  – Default is Tear off  Read More>>

This is related to the label presentation after printing and limited to the options you have installed. Read More>>

>Media Loading - The media must be properly loaded for the Print Mode you intend to use.

• Loading for Tear Off Read More>>
• Loading for Cutter Read More>>
• Loading for Peel Mode Read More>>
• Loading for Rewind Read More>>
   

  Click here to view video ->Media Loading Video

 

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2. Understanding the Media Sensors

The printer comes with two sensors for label tracking based on the Media Type used. 

Selecting the sensor (Sensor Select) Read More>>

Transmissive Sensor – This is an adjustable position upper and lower sensor that is used for sensing label Gaps, Holes, and Notches.

See the Upper Transmissive Sensor Read More>>
See the Lower Transmissive Sensor Read More>>

Reflective Sensor - This is a fixed position Black Mark media sensor. This detects black mark media using a black bar on the media backing.

See the Reflective (Black Mark) Sensor Read More>>

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3. Positioning the moveable sensor

The upper and lower Transmissive Sensor components must be placed so the top of form can be detected. This can be an inter-label gap, a hole, or notch. When using typical labels on a backing with an inter-label gap, the sensor can be positioned along the width of the label as long as it is not over the rounded edge. If using a hole or notch position the upper and lower sensors must be positioned directly under the hole or notch so it is seen as the labels feed. Here are more helpful details on positioning the moveable sensor for various media shapes and sizes  Read More>>

Positioning the sensor details from the user guide Read More>>

Click here to view video ->

Positioning the 105SL Plus Transmissive Sensor Video

 

4. Media Feed Power up action

The printer can be configured to position or calibrate the media after head closure or when powered on. These are configured using the LCD Display  or can be configured from your utility/application.

These configurations are detailed as follows

• Calibrate (Default)
• Feed
• Length
• No Motion
• Short Cal

Setting the Media Feed (Power Up Action) on the printer Read More>>

For recommendations on these selections Read More>>

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5. Maximum Label Length

Note: You probably don't have to change this from the 39" default so ignore the Maximum Label Length discussion if you have defaulted the printer or are setting the printer up for the first time. If your printer is feeding less than a label length and experiencing a Media Out Error then you may want to see if this setting was incorrectly configured. 

Label Length Max setting. It should be noted that if the printer Maximum Length setting is changed from the default 39” it should be set to a value 1 inch longer than the longest label you intend to use.  For example, on a 203dpi printer using a 6" label, set the Maximum Length value to 7". ( 7x203 = 1421) Here is the ZPL - ^XA^ML1421^XZ  Read More>> 

To view the existing MAXIMUM LENGTH  setting on the printer print a configuration label or request a configuration from your host  Read More>>

>Setting the  Label Length Maximum<

LCD Display - MAXIMUM LENGTH (Set to 1" longer than the actual length)

There are no settings in the Zebra SetUp Utility so if required create a ZPL file with the recommended Maximum Label Length- Example: 

^XA^MLxxxxx^XZ (Sets the length in dots)
^XA^JUS^XZ. (Saves the value)

Send the file using your utility or application.

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6. Calibrate the printer for the media. - (This step assumes you have not changed the  Media Feed Power Up Action from the default Calibrate setting)
- With media loaded power on the printer
- The printer should complete the power on selftest and begin to feed labels
- The printer should stop feeding labels and be in the printer ready state 
- Press the FEED button several times. A single label should feed and come to the same resting position each time. 
- The printer has been calibrated successfully. 

If the printer fails to feed properly or there is a Media Out indication, perform the Manual Calibration Procedure Read More>>

 

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Ribbon Setup

This applies to applications where the use of ribbon is required. This is referred to as Thermal Transfer printing where an inked ribbon is used to produce the image on the label.

Ribbon Basics This explains the ribbon types and typical darkness and speed selections Read More>>

Ribbon Loading - The printer uses a reflective plate and an sensor that shines and receives light to detect the presence of ribbon. Proper loading allows the ribbon to block the light path so ribbon is detected. Read More>>

Ribbon Configuration - Selecting Thermal Transfer if you are using Ribbon, Direct Thermal if you are not using Ribbon. Read More>>

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Print Quality

Print quality is a product of proper printer setup and use of compatible media for the application.  The four impacting factors to consider are:

1. The Media and Ribbon (if used) capabilities. Not all media is the same when it comes to being compatible with your application or needs. Printing speed , durability of the image/media, environment are just a few factors to consider when determining the printer setup for the application. Trying to compensate for poor media compatibility by using high printhead pressure and/or darkness settings can impact your printer’s printhead life.

2. Printhead Pressure

You may need to adjust printhead pressure if printing is too light on one side, if you use thick media, or if the media drifts from side to side during printing. Use the lowest printhead pressure necessary to produce good print quality. Uneven pressure will cause ribbon wrinkle, poor print quality, and horizontal media drift.

Adjusting the printhead pressure on an 105SL Plus Printer Read More>>

Printhead Pressure Details Read More>>

3. Print Speed

The printer is capable of printing at multiple print speeds. The speed selection take the media/ribbon (if used) compatibilities into consideration since if high Darkness and Pressure settings are required to achieve acceptable print then slower rates should be used. If your application requires the highest print speeds available be sure your media supplier has recommended the correct media for your application. Read More>>

4. Print Darkness

Print Darkness (also may be referred to as Density or Burn Temperature) is a user adjustable setting. If you have an LCD Display the setting can be adjusted and changes to the darkness observed during printing. You can also use a setup utility or the printer webpage if available to set the print darkness. Avoid over heating the ribbon as it can melt if set too high. Vary the darkness to produce the best print quality. Read More>>

 
Setting the darkness using the ZPL commands.  Read More>>

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Communications Setup

USB - A Zebra compatible driver must be installed before connecting the printer. 

USB Details Read More>>

Serial

RS232 Null Modem, all parameters must be matched on the printer and host  Read More>>

Parallel

If the printer has a parallel port use an IEEE1284 compatible cable  Read More>>

Wired Ethernet Network - Printers that include a ZebraNet Print Server option can be connected to an Ethernet Network. If your network supports DHCP the printer can obtain an IP Address when the cable is connected. Configuring a printer with the ZebraNet Option  Read More>>

You can use one of the following Utilities to set specific parameters or set a permanent IP address for your printer queue.

• ZebraNet Bridge can be used to discover and assign the desired network settings. Read More>>
• The Zebra Setup Utility has a network setup wizard that can be used to configure your printer for a wired or wireless network Read More>>

 

Wireless Setup

Configuring for Wireless communication requires that you establish a local PC connection via the USB, Serial, or Parallel Port or a host connected over the wired Ethernet Port. There are utilities that have wireless setup capabilities and are listed below. 

The wireless setup information is detailed here Read More>>

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Printing App or Program

Zebra printers are command interpretation engines using printer commands to to define the printed images. The printer must receive the commands in the supported printer language such as ZPL, EPL, CPCL. The printer will not respond if the label format received does not contain the required programming commands for label printing. Programming commands can be entered into a file and communicated to the printer, received as an output through a driver from an application, or created using one of many Zebra Label Software packages on the market.

For a general overview of this information Read More>>

 

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Utilities and Drivers

Application or Utility	Comment
Zebra Setup Utility Read More>>	This is a free Windows based utility that features a printer setup wizard for simple printer or network setup.
ZebraNet Bridge  Read More>>	This is an enterprise application for network printer management but is free to use for configuring a network or locally connected printer
ZebraNet Print Server Webpage Read More>>	The ZebraNet Print Server has a Webpage that is accessed from a browser when you enter the printer's IP Address. Printer configurations can be viewed and altered.
ZebraDesigner Driver Read More>>	If you are using the ZebraDesigner Driver there is a Printing Preferences section that allows you to configure your printer.