There are 5 sections in this article:
Important: All printer settings can be impacted by commands from a mismatched 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 is 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 has a setup configuration that sends these as commands to the printer. Make sure all settings match the printer settings to avoid intermittent issues.
Media Related Settings and Calibration
A note regarding printer setup and configuration:
The GK888-Series printer can be configured by your driver, host application, or utility. In these examples, we will use the Zebra Designer Driver to configure the printer. (The configurations are sent when printing using the driver or printing the driver test page) If you are using a non-Zebra application/driver/label software determine the methods used to set these configurations and be aware the terminology for each setting in your environment may be different.
Understanding your media
The Zebra Printer supports the use of many types and shapes of labels or tags. Knowing your media detail is important for proper configuration.
Here are the details you should know for printer media setup and configuration.
For our examples, we are using the ZebraDesigner Driver to show the configuration selections for each topic discussed below.
Note:
When using the ZebraDesigner Driver the configurations are sent to the printer when you request to print a label. (Example: printing the Windows Test page will send the printer configurations)
Media Related Configurations
There are 3 Selections for Media Type (Tracking Mode):
- Default - Web Sensing (gap)
- Continuous
- Mark Sensing (Black Mark
If you are using media with an inter-label gap or a center hole set the Tracking Mode for Web Sensing.
If you are using media with a black bar or mark set the Tracking Mode for Mark Sensing.
There are 2 Selections for Print Method (Media Type):
- Default - Thermal Transfer (Using Ribbon)
- Direct Thermal (No Ribbon)
Note:
Print Method does not apply if your printer is a GK888D Direct Thermal only. There are no ribbon spindles or settings.
There are 2 selections for Print Mode:
- Default - Tear Off
- Peel (Dispense)
This is related to the label presentation after printing and is limited to the options you have installed.
The GK888 Series Printer supports Tear Off, Cutter, (Cutter Option Required), and Peel (Dispense Option Required). For more information, refer to Print Mode Details.
Media Loading: The media must be properly loaded for the Print Mode you intend to use.
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Understanding the Media Sensors
The printer comes with sensors for label tracking based on the Media Type used.
There is a reflective and transmissive sensor positioned slightly off-center in the media path.
The sensor you will use requires configuration of the Tracking Mode (Mark/Web/Continuous) setting to function with the media you are using.
A hole or black mark must pass over the media sensor's position to function correctly.
See the GK888T Lower Web/Mark Sensor:
See the GK888T Upper Web and Ribbon Sensor in this video
Note:
The GK888D Lower Web/Mark and upper Web sensors are located slightly forward of the GK888T sensors but they will look similar.
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Calibrate the printer for the media
The printer does not measure the label length unless the default Power Up or Head Close values are altered to either Length or Calibrate.
There are 2 Calibration Methods to consider if the labels fail to calibrate properly:
- 2 Flash Feed Button sequence: To find the label gap and measure the label.
- 7 Flash Feed Button: To perform a deeper analysis of the gap or mark and will produce a media sensor profile.
Performing the Manual Calibration Procedure (Seven Flash sequence). Refer to: GX420t/GX430t User Guide: Manual Calibration.
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Ribbon Setup
This applies to the GK888t when using 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. Refer to: Ribbon Basics.
Ribbon Loading: The ribbon must be on a core that has notches to assure the ribbon spindle hubs will move with the ribbon rotation. The printer looks at the rotation of the ribbon sensor wheel to determine if the ribbon is loaded and functioning correctly. If the wheel is not turning the printer will stop printing had the Feed Button will flash red.
See the ribbon sensor:
Refer to this article about Ribbon Loading: GX420t/GX430t User Guide: Loading Transfer Ribbon.
Ribbon Configuration: Select Thermal Transfer if you are using Ribbon and Direct Thermal if you are not using Ribbon.
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Print Quality
Print quality is a product of proper printer setup and the use of compatible media for the application. The 4 impacting factors to consider are:
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, the durability of the image or media, and the 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.
Printhead Pressure
There are no printhead pressure adjustments on the G-Series printer. Assure the printhead properly latches and the platen is not worn as these are the impacting items when printhead pressure may be an issue.
Print Speed
The printer is capable of printing at multiple print speeds. The speed selection takes the media/ribbon (if used) compatibilities into consideration since if high Darkness 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.
Print Darkness
Print Darkness (also may be referred to as Density or Burn Temperature) is a user-adjustable setting. Avoid overheating the ribbon as it can melt if set too high. Vary the darkness to produce the best print quality.
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Communications Setup
USB
A Zebra compatible driver must be installed before connecting the printer.
USB Details. Read more at USB Communication.
Serial
A straight-through cable is required for connection to a PC. This is the same as the EPL 2844 printer. All serial communications parameters must be matched on the printer and host.GC420t User Guide: Connecting your Printer to a Computer.
Parallel
If the printer has a parallel port uses an IEEE1284.4 compatible cable GX420t/GX430t User Guide: Connecting your Printer to a Computer.
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 ZebraNet Print Server - Install, Setup, Configure, and Troubleshoot on a Wired Network.
You can use one of the following Utilities to set specific parameters or set a permanent IP address for your printer queue.
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Printing App or Program
Zebra printers are command interpretation engines using printer commands 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, refer to Label Format Creation.
Line Mode
The GK888D supports Line Mode. An EPL command is used to set the printer to function in (EPL1) Line Mode. Read more at GC420d User Guide (en): Sending Files to the Printer.
Utilities and Drivers
If you are not using the ZebraDesigner Driver for your printing application, you can use one of the following utilities for printer configuration. If you are using a non-Zebra application or driver, consult with the vendor for details on printer setup and configuration.
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Helpful Information
