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ZT500/ZT600 Printer Series - Media Out and Label Registration Issues (With Video)

Article ID: 22731433

Issue / Question

Understanding the media configurations needed for the ZT500-ZT600 Series printer for proper calibration and avoiding media errors
How do I properly calibrate the printer?

Applicable To

ZT510 Printers
ZT610, ZT620 Printers

Resolution / Answer

Understanding the media configurations needed for the ZT500-ZT600 Series printer for proper calibration and avoiding media errors includes:

 
• 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

Requirements

The ZT500/ZT600 printer has an LCD Display for printer configuration but can use ZPL commands as well for printer configuration.

These are free utilities or applications that can be used to configure a connected printer if you are not planning to configure the printer via the LCD Display.

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 a Windows based 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.

 

Overview

The printer can be used for a variety of media and verifying the media related settings is required when any problems are encountered.

By default the printer will calibrate and function correctly with the most commonly used standard gap labels. Problems can occur if there are specific setting required to use other types of labels or if the configuration settings are altered by mis-configured driver or label printing applications, or incorrectly altering LCD configuration settings.

 

Important: All printer menu 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. Check your host driver or application settings and assure they match the printer settings. 

Note: The team Media = Labels, tags, card stock and so on. In summary the supplies you use in the printer

 

Common Issues and Resolutions
 
Problem Resolution
Paper Out Error
  • Check Media and Ribbon Loading 
    - Loading for Tear Off Read More>>
    - Loading for Cutter Read More>>
    - Loading for Peel Mode Read More>>
     - Loading for Rewind Read More>>
     
  • Verify the LCD Display  MAXIMUM LENGTH is set longer than labels used Read More>> 
     
  • Try Defaulting the printer and allow it to run Auto Calibration Read More>>
     
  • Verify the correct sensor is selected for the media type Read More>>
    - Use the MARK Sensor for media with a black bar on the backing
    - Use the GAP/NOTCH (Transmissive) Sensor for gap, notch or hole media
     
  • Verify the moveable Transmissive Sensor is correctly positioned Read More>>
    Note: This only applies if you are not using black mark media
      Click here to view best practices positioning video ->  See Video>>
  • Perform Manual Calibration Read More>> 
     
  • If the problem persist a Media Sensor Profile can be sent to Tech Support for analysis Read More>>

    Note: Press the FEED Button after calibrating. If one label feeds each time pressed then the printer is properly calibrated. Verify Software/Driver settings are not changing the calibrated values or printer configurations.
Labels are skipping or 
the print image is wandering                                                      
  • Check Media Loading and assure the guides are keeping the media aligned Read More>>
     
  • Verify the printer is set to the correct Media Type. If set to Continuous the printer will not track Top-of-Form. Read More>>  
     
  • Verify the labels are compatible with the media specifications. Read More>>
  • Press the FEED Button. If one label feed each time pressed, check your label format or Driver/Software for the source of the problem.
     
  • Try Defaulting and verify printer has calibrated correctly Read More>>
     
  • Check the Transmissive Sensor position Read More>>
      Click here to view positioning video - See Video>>
  • Perform Manual Calibration Read More>> 

    Click here to view printer calibration video See Video>>
     
  • If the problem persist a Media Sensor Profile can be sent to Tech Support for analysis Read More>>

 

 

+ Applicable Products

  • ZT500 Industrial Printers
  • ZT510 Industrial Printer
  • ZT600 Series Industrial Printers
  • ZT610 Industrial Printer
  • ZT620 Industrial Printer