Trouble-shooting: Printer 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. Models 240/340 & Industrial: Ribbon expired sensor doesn’t work Q. Why doesn’t my printer know when the ribbon has run out? A. The spent ribbon re-winder on these models rotates even while in Direct Thermal mode, therefore it is possible to print Thermal Transfer labels with the template set to Direct Thermal, the only difference being that the end-of-ribbon sensor is switched off. Make sure the label template is set to Thermal Transfer.
Model Comprisons Q. How does my printer differ from the other models? A. The physical layout of your printer can matter when designing your label templates. CN: Label aligns centrally. No print-head adjustment. Pro 200/Pro 300: Label aligns centrally. No print-head adjustment. Pro 240: Label aligns left. Left/Right print-head pressure screws. Industrial: Label aligns left. Left/Right print-head pressure screws. Burn line screws. Z-axis screw. Pro XL: Label aligns centrally. Burn line screws. Z-axis screw. Burn Line and Z-Axis screws should not be adjusted without first consulting Technical Support.
Label thickness considerations Q. What thickness labels can I put through my printer? A. Thick labels (greater than 200 microns) should not be used with the CN, Pro 200 and Pro 300 (desktop models) but may be used with the Pro 240 upwards (bench-top models).
Model 342: Lid will not close Q. My printer will not close, the ribbon spindles jam against the lid. Why is this? A. The ribbon spindles are probably fitted the wrong way around. The flanges should be on the right-hand side.
Pro 200/300: Ribbon follows label out of printer Q. Why is the spent-ribbon rewind spindle not revolving, causing the ribbon to feed out of the printer? A. The printer is in Direct Thermal mode. Switch the printer off for a few seconds. Also check that the label template is set to 'Thermal Transfer'. It is useful to understand that when your printer is switched on with no ribbon fitted it assumes Direct Thermal mode, and it remains in this mode even while printing a label that is set to 'Thermal Transfer'. If colour ribbon is in use, check its transparency? Colour ribbon can be too transparent for the ribbon sensor (which is an optical device) to detect. To test this possibility, place dark sticky tape over the ribbon sensor. Just remember that if you leave this tape in place it will prevent the printer from pausing when the ribbon has expired. See below.
Also check the ribbon is forwarded tightly onto the front spool. If the ribbon is allowed to hang loosely between the front and rear spools it will not be seen by the Ribbon sensor and the printer will assume Direct Thermal mode.
Pro 200/300: Ribbon follows label out of printer when half used Q. Why does the ribbon feed out of the printer when the ribbon is about half used? Why does the ribbon motor make a strange noise and struggle to turn? A. You may have fitted the ribbon spindles the wrong way around.
The flanged end of each spindle should be on the right. Fitting these spindles with their flanged ends on the left causes the spent ribbon to gather loosely on the front spindle, which causes it to exceed the space available and rub against the unused ribbon. LabelStation Industrial: Random misalignment Q. Why is the print on my labels randomly misaligned? A. The printer is not detecting the gaps (or black lines) between the labels. Check that the gap sensor (label sensor) is aligned with the correct part of the label. Its position can be adjusted laterally so that it passes over each gap. See below.
Last label in batch behaves strangely Q. Why does the last label of each batch feed out further than necessary then retract before resuming printing? A. If you are using LabelDirect software, you might have the label template set to ‘Cut’ but with no cutter fitted to the printer. In later versions of LabelDirect this conflict does not trigger an error.
Strange Noise Q. Why is my Pro 200/300 printer making a noise like a spring creaking while printing? A. In some printers the anti-static brush is noisy but this causes no harm and becomes quieter over time. Ribbon tears/breaks Q. Why does the ribbon in my Pro 200/300 stretch and break during printing? A. If the rear ribbon spindle does not turn then it might be fitted incorrectly, with the flange on the left instead of the right.
Another possibility is that the print-head is dirty or sticky. The print-head may be cleaned using IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) or even white spirit if IPA is unavailable. Apply this sparingly with a soft, lint free cloth or untreated (balm free) tissue paper. Do not use aggressive techniques or materials. See below.
If none of the above applies then you might be printing with the head temperature (darkness) set too high. Try printing at a lower temperature (combined with a slower speed if necessary). See below for a guide to understanding the effects of print temperature.
A. Excessive print temperature (also called ‘darkness’ and ‘density’) can cause the ribbon to wrinkle. B. Inadequate print temperature leads to fade when the print-head is working hard. C. Slightly excessive print temperature can lead to acceptable quality only while the print-head is working hard. D. Owners of the Pro 240, Industrial or Pro XL can achieve further control by adjusting the print-head pressure. Generally, overheat causes an ‘orange peel’ type fade whilst underheat causes a ‘fabric’ type fade.