130 Troubleshooting

Printer Diagnostics

CANCEL Self Test

The CANCEL self test prints a configuration label (Figure 18).

To perform the CANCEL Self Test, complete these steps:

1. Turn off (O) the printer.

2. Press and hold CANCEL while turning on (I) the printer. Hold CANCEL until the first
control panel light turns off.
A printer configuration label prints (Figure 18).

Figure 18 • Sample Configuration Label

Z Series RZ Series

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PAUSE Self Test

This self test can be used to provide the test labels required when making adjustments to the
printer’s mechanical assemblies or to determine if any printhead elements are not working.
Figure 19 shows a sample printout.

To perform a PAUSE self test, complete these steps:

1. Turn off (O) the printer.

2. Press and hold PAUSE while turning on (I) the printer. Hold PAUSE until the first control
panel light turns off.
• The initial self test prints 15 labels at the printer’s slowest speed, and then
automatically pauses the printer. Each time PAUSE is pressed, an additional 15 labels
print. Figure 19 shows a sample of the labels.

Figure 19 • PAUSE Test Label

• While the printer is paused, pressing CANCEL alters the self test. Each time PAUSE is
pressed, 15 labels print at 6 in. (152 mm) per second.
• While the printer is paused, pressing CANCEL again alters the self test a second time.
Each time PAUSE is pressed, 50 labels print at the printer’s slowest speed
• While the printer is paused, pressing CANCEL again alters the self test a third time.
Each time PAUSE is pressed, 50 labels print at 6 in. (152 mm) per second.
• While the printer is paused, pressing CANCEL again alters the self test a fourth time.
Each time PAUSE is pressed, 15 labels print at the printer’s maximum speed.
• To exit this self test at any time, press and hold CANCEL.

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FEED Self Test

Different types of media may require different darkness settings. This section contains a
simple but effective method for determining the ideal darkness for printing bar codes that are
within specifications.

During the FEED self test, labels are printed at different darkness settings at two different print
speeds. The relative darkness and the print speed are printed on each label. The bar codes on
these labels may be ANSI-graded to check print quality.

The darkness value starts at three settings lower than the printer’s current darkness value
(relative darkness of –3) and increase until the darkness is three settings higher than the current
darkness value (relative darkness of +3).

Depending on the dot density of the printhead, seven labels are printed at each of the following
speeds:
• 203 dpi printers: 2 ips, 6 ips, and 10 ips
• 300 dpi printers: 2 ips, 6 ips, 8 ips
• 600 dpi printers: 2 ips, 4 ips

To perform a FEED self test, complete these steps:

1. Print a configuration label to show the printer’s current settings.

2. Turn off (O) the printer.

3. Press and hold FEED while turning on (I) the printer. Hold FEED until the first control
panel light turns off.
The printer prints a series of labels (Figure 20) at various speeds and at darkness settings
higher and lower than the darkness value shown on the configuration label.

Figure 20 • FEED Test Label

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4. See Figure 21 and Table 21. Inspect the test labels and determine which one has the best
print quality for your application. If you have a bar code verifier, use it to measure
bars/spaces and calculate the print contrast. If you do not have a bar code verifier, use your
eyes or the system scanner to choose the optimal darkness setting based on the labels
printed in this self test.

Figure 21 • Bar Code Darkness Comparison

Table 21 • Judging Bar Code Quality

Print Quality Description

Too dark Labels that are too dark are fairly obvious. They may be
readable but not “in-spec.”
• The normal bar code bars increase in size.
• The openings in small alphanumeric characters may fill in
with ink.
• Rotated bar code bars and spaces run together.
Slightly dark Slightly dark labels are not as obvious.
• The normal bar code will be “in-spec.”
• Small character alpha numerics will be bold and could be
slightly filled in.
• The rotated bar code spaces are small when compared to
the “in-spec” code, possibly making the code unreadable.

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Table 21 • Judging Bar Code Quality (Continued)

Print Quality Description

“In-spec” The “in-spec” bar code can only be confirmed by a verifier,
but it should exhibit some visible characteristics.
• The normal bar code will have complete, even bars and
clear, distinct spaces.
• The rotated bar code will have complete, even bars and
clear, distinct spaces. Although it may not look as good as
a slightly dark bar code, the bar code will be “in-spec.”
• In both normal and rotated styles, small alphanumeric
characters look complete.
Slightly light Slightly light labels are, in some cases, preferred to slightly
dark ones for “in-spec” bar codes.
• Both normal and rotated bar codes will be in spec, but
small alphanumeric characters may not be complete.
Too light Labels that are too light are obvious.
• Both normal and rotated bar codes have incomplete bars
and spaces.
• Small alphanumeric characters are unreadable.

5. Note the relative darkness value and the print speed printed on the best test label.

6. Add or subtract the relative darkness value from the darkness value specified on the
configuration label. The resulting numeric value is the best darkness value for that specific
label/ribbon combination and print speed.

7. If necessary, change the darkness value to the darkness value on the best test label.
.

8. If necessary, change the print speed to the same speed as on the best test label.
.

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