Trouble-shooting: Horticultural Labels
Trouble-shooting: Horticultural Labels Also see ‘Trouble-shooting by symptoms’ Please note, there is much commonality between the different models of LabelStation and therefore it is advisable to read the comments on other models if you cannot find a diagnosis relating to your own.
Model Pro 200/300: Skipping loop-locks Q. My looplock labels are not printing correctly from the template supplied. Labels are skipped and others go out of alignment. A. If the label template is set to ‘Gap’ then try changing it to ‘Line’. ('Line' is sometimes called 'Black Mark') Why does this solve the problem? The gap sensor detects the semi-circular holes punched out of the right-hand edge of the label. Manufacturing variations can make the neighbouring ‘dumbell’ shaped holes also become partially visible to the sensor. This misinforms label registration. The line sensor has the advantage that it tracks full holes at the centre of the label, well away from the ‘dumbell’ holes. This solution generally only works when black ribbon is in use because punched holes then appear to the sensor as a black line (albeit a thick one).
Model Pro 200/300: Printing across the holes Q. I'm using a supplied template for 230 x 25 size loop-locks but the printer prints over the holes. What is wrong? A. If your LabelStation is an early model and the template has been designed by us for BarTender software then you might have to make local adjustments. Swapping the ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ margin settings often resolves the problem. Right-click anywhere on the screen, away from objects on the label, and select ‘Page Setup’ from the list to get the dialogue below:
Model Pro 200/300: Blank labels and spurious printing Q. Why do my StickIn labels go out of alignment, trigger the error light, or come out blank? A. Make sure the label guides are firmly up against the label. A loose fit allows the sensor holes (which act as the 'gap') to wander away from the sensor. A close fit is required.
Stickin errors Q. Why do my Stickin labels cause an error condition (red light) when printing? A. Pro 200/300: The label type is wrong or orientated wrongly in the printer. See below:
If there are sensor holes (punched holes) on only one side of the label, make sure they are located on the right-hand side where they can be detected by the gap sensor. Also make sure the template in the labelling software is set to 'Gap' rather than 'Line'. If there are sensor holes only in the centre of the label, make sure the template in the labelling software is set to ‘Black Line’ rather than 'Gap'. The black line sensor is tricked into acting as a gap sensor. See below:
A. 342 Model: Make sure the sensor holes pass through the centre of the printer where they can be detected by the gap sensor, which is centrally located in this model.
Model Pro 200/300: Using Q-PTLS10019STIN stickins Q. I wish to print on Q-PTLS10019STIN labels on a Pro 200/Pro 300 printer but this label has a centrally located sensor hole which cannot be detected by the gap sensor (the sensor is on the right-hand side of the printer). Can these labels still be used? A. Yes. The sensor hole (punched hole) can be detected by the black line sensor instead of the gap sensor. It so happens that with white label and black ribbon the sensor perceives the hole as a black line! In your labelling software choose ‘Black Line’ instead of ‘Gap’. See the picture above.
Model Pro 200/300: Old type Stickin label, printing glossy side Q. I am using a Pro 200/300 printer to print on non-universal type Stickins which have the sensor hole on one side only. How can I print on the glossy side of these labels? A. In your labelling software, change the sensor setting from ‘Gap' to ‘Black Line’ (sometimes called 'black mark') then physically move the black line sensor on the printer so that it is located on the left. See below for how to identify and align this sensor (it only takes a few seconds) then you can print your StickIns glossy side up! This generally only works if you are using black ribbon. Don’t forget to return the black line sensor to the centre of the printer if necessary when printing other types of label.
Pro 200/300 & CN: Labels too large for printer Q. I have a roll of horticultural labels that is too large to fit inside the printer. What can I do? A. Fit an external roll mount. This item has to be ordered separately.
The external roll mount for the LabelStation CN differs slightly from the one used with models Pro 200 and Pro 300 in that it incorporates an extension plate.
Avoid wasting labels Q. When I print single labels on a roll comprising three (or four) labels across the width, some are left unused and consequently wasted. How can I avoid this? A. See our Templates page for a solution. Here you will discover that the best option is to populate your labels with information from a database (although a simpler solution is suggested) which requires upgrading your labelling software to a Professional edition. Basic and 'Lite' forms of labelling software seldom feature database connectivity.
Double-sided printing Q. Can I print on both sides of my horticultural labels? A. Yes, but you have to feed the labels through the printer twice. On the first run you must wind the labels onto a cardboard tube so that they may be reloaded into the printer (face down) for a second run. On the second run you must use a template of reversed orientation. See our Templates page where a small selection of ready-made templates for this is available. The diagrams below might
help, but please ask if you would like a member of the Support team at Advanced Labelling to assist with the creation of a reversed template.
Model Pro 200/300: Skipping loop-locks Q. My looplock labels are not printing correctly from the template supplied. Labels are skipped and others go out of alignment. A. If the label template is set to ‘Gap’ then try changing it to ‘Line’. ('Line' is sometimes called 'Black Mark') Why does this solve the problem? The gap sensor detects the semi-circular holes punched out of the right-hand edge of the label. Manufacturing variations can make the neighbouring ‘dumbell’ shaped holes also become partially visible to the sensor. This misinforms label registration. The line sensor has the advantage that it tracks full holes at the centre of the label, well away from the ‘dumbell’ holes. This solution generally only works when black ribbon is in use because punched holes then appear to the sensor as a black line (albeit a thick one).
Model Pro 200/300: Printing across the holes Q. I'm using a supplied template for 230 x 25 size loop-locks but the printer prints over the holes. What is wrong? A. If your LabelStation is an early model and the template has been designed by us for BarTender software then you might have to make local adjustments. Swapping the ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ margin settings often resolves the problem. Right-click anywhere on the screen, away from objects on the label, and select ‘Page Setup’ from the list to get the dialogue below:
Model Pro 200/300: Blank labels and spurious printing Q. Why do my StickIn labels go out of alignment, trigger the error light, or come out blank? A. Make sure the label guides are firmly up against the label. A loose fit allows the sensor holes (which act as the 'gap') to wander away from the sensor. A close fit is required.
Stickin errors Q. Why do my Stickin labels cause an error condition (red light) when printing? A. Pro 200/300: The label type is wrong or orientated wrongly in the printer. See below:
If there are sensor holes (punched holes) on only one side of the label, make sure they are located on the right-hand side where they can be detected by the gap sensor. Also make sure the template in the labelling software is set to 'Gap' rather than 'Line'. If there are sensor holes only in the centre of the label, make sure the template in the labelling software is set to ‘Black Line’ rather than 'Gap'. The black line sensor is tricked into acting as a gap sensor. See below:
A. 342 Model: Make sure the sensor holes pass through the centre of the printer where they can be detected by the gap sensor, which is centrally located in this model.
Model Pro 200/300: Using Q-PTLS10019STIN stickins Q. I wish to print on Q-PTLS10019STIN labels on a Pro 200/Pro 300 printer but this label has a centrally located sensor hole which cannot be detected by the gap sensor (the sensor is on the right-hand side of the printer). Can these labels still be used? A. Yes. The sensor hole (punched hole) can be detected by the black line sensor instead of the gap sensor. It so happens that with white label and black ribbon the sensor perceives the hole as a black line! In your labelling software choose ‘Black Line’ instead of ‘Gap’. See the picture above.
Model Pro 200/300: Old type Stickin label, printing glossy side Q. I am using a Pro 200/300 printer to print on non-universal type Stickins which have the sensor hole on one side only. How can I print on the glossy side of these labels? A. In your labelling software, change the sensor setting from ‘Gap' to ‘Black Line’ (sometimes called 'black mark') then physically move the black line sensor on the printer so that it is located on the left. See below for how to identify and align this sensor (it only takes a few seconds) then you can print your StickIns glossy side up! This generally only works if you are using black ribbon. Don’t forget to return the black line sensor to the centre of the printer if necessary when printing other types of label.
Pro 200/300 & CN: Labels too large for printer Q. I have a roll of horticultural labels that is too large to fit inside the printer. What can I do? A. Fit an external roll mount. This item has to be ordered separately.
The external roll mount for the LabelStation CN differs slightly from the one used with models Pro 200 and Pro 300 in that it incorporates an extension plate.
Avoid wasting labels Q. When I print single labels on a roll comprising three (or four) labels across the width, some are left unused and consequently wasted. How can I avoid this? A. See our Templates page for a solution. Here you will discover that the best option is to populate your labels with information from a database (although a simpler solution is suggested) which requires upgrading your labelling software to a Professional edition. Basic and 'Lite' forms of labelling software seldom feature database connectivity.
Double-sided printing Q. Can I print on both sides of my horticultural labels? A. Yes, but you have to feed the labels through the printer twice. On the first run you must wind the labels onto a cardboard tube so that they may be reloaded into the printer (face down) for a second run. On the second run you must use a template of reversed orientation. See our Templates page where a small selection of ready-made templates for this is available. The diagrams below might
help, but please ask if you would like a member of the Support team at Advanced Labelling to assist with the creation of a reversed template.
