105SL Printer Initial Setup Details and Information

End Of Service Life (EOSL) Zebra no longer provide services or support for 105SL Series products. This knowledge article is for your reference only and is no longer proactively updated. For more details, refer to Discontinued Printers. If you are interested to upgrade your products, Contact Zebra.

   
This product is discontinued and is no longer supported.
The replacement for the 105SL is the ZT510 Industrial Printer. 
The below Knowledge Article is for your reference only and is no longer updated.

Overview
The printer works with various media, but check the settings if there are issues. It is set to work with standard gap labels by default. Problems may arise if special settings are needed for other labels or if configurations are changed by drivers, applications, or incorrect LCD adjustments. This guide helps ensure correct setup and label alignment, including:

• Identifying the media being used.
• Correctly configuring the printer for Black Mark, or Gap media.
• Selecting the correct sensors for the media being used.
• Correctly positioning the movable sensor for proper top of form identification.
• Assure the Maximum length is longer that the length of labels being used.
• Assuring the printer is correctly calibrated for the media.
• Troubleshooting suggestions for Paper Out or registration issues.

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.  Make sure all settings match the printer settings to avoid intermittent issues.

Note: The term Media = Labels, tags, card stock, i.e. the supplies used in the printer
 

Procedure

 1. Understanding your media
The Zebra Printer supports the use of many types and shapes of label/tags and knowing your media detail is important for proper configuration.

Media Related Configurations

Media Type : Continuous, Gap/Notch, and Black Mark. Default is Gap/Notch Read More>>  
See the article Identify Type of Media.

Print Method: Thermal Transfer (Using Ribbon) or Direct Thermal (No Ribbon). Default: Thermal Transfer Read More>>

Print Mode: Tear off, Cutter, Peel.  Default is Tear off  Read More>>
This is related to the label presentation after printing and limited to the options you have installed. 

Media Loading - The media must be properly loaded for the Print Mode you intend to use.

• Loading for Tear Off Read More>>
• Loading for Cutter Read More>>
• Loading for Peel Mode Read More>>
• Loading for Rewind Read More>>
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  2. Understanding the Media Sensors
  The printer comes with two sensors for label tracking based on the Media Type used. 
  
  Transmissive Sensor: This is a two piece adjustable position sensor (upper and lower) that can be positioned over the label gap, notch or hole to detect the top of form. It can be viewed from the rear of the print mechanism where the media is loaded. 
  See the Transmissive Upper  and Lower Sensors  Read More>> 
  
  Reflective Sensor : This is an optional media sensor used for detecting black marks or black bar on the media backing. This sensor, if present, can be seen when the printhead is opened from the front of the printer. There is a red light that can be seen when the printer is powered on. See the Reflective Black Mark Sensor Read More>> 
   
  3. Positioning the moveable sensor
  The moveable or adjustable position 105SL Sensor must be placed so the top of form can be detected. This can be an inter-label gap, a hole, or notch. When using typical labels on a backing with an inter-label gap, the sensor can be positioned along the width of the label as long as it is not over the rounded edge. If using a hole or notch position the sensor's red light directly under the hole or notch so it is seen as the labels feed. Here are more details on positioning the moveable sensor Read More>> 

4. Media Feed Power up action
The printer can be configured to position or calibrate the media after head closure or when powered on. These are configured using the LCD or can be configured from your utility/application.
These configurations are detailed as follows

• Calibrate (Default)
• Feed
• Length
• No Motion
• Short Cal

Setting the Media Feed (Power Up Action) on the printer Read More>>
 
5. Maximum Label Length 

Label Length Max setting. It should be noted that if the printer Maximum Length setting is changed from the default 39” it should be set to a value 1 inch longer than the longest label you intend to use.  For example, on a 203dpi printer using a 6" label, set the Maximum Length value to 7". ( 7x203 = 1421). Here is the ZPL: ^XA^ML1421^XZ  Read More>> 
To view the existing MAXIMUM LENGTH  setting on the printer print a configuration label or request a configuration from your host  Read More>>

Setting the  Label Length Maximum
LCD:  MAXIMUM LENGTH (Set to 1" longer than the actual length).

There are no settings in the Zebra Setup Utilities so if required create a ZPL file with the recommended Maximum Label Length.

Example: 
^XA^MLxxxxx^XZ (Sets the length in dots).
^XA^JUS^XZ. (Saves the value).
Send the file using your utility or application.
 
6. Calibrate the printer for the media. (This step assumes you have not changed the  Media Feed Power Up Action from the default Calibrate setting).
With media loaded power on the printer.
The printer should complete the power on self test and begin to feed labels.
The printer should stop feeding labels and be in the printer ready state. 
Press the FEED button several times. A single label should feed and come to the same resting position each time. 
The printer has been calibrated successfully. 
If the printer fails to feed properly or there is a Media Out indication, perform the Manual Calibration Procedure Read More>> 
 

Click here to view video ->

Printer Calibration Video

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Ribbon Setup


This applies to 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.  Read More>>

Ribbon Detection and Loading - The printer uses uses a reflective plate and an sensor that shines and receives light to detect the presence of ribbon. The ribbon is loaded between the sensor and the reflector plate. Read More>>

Ribbon Configuration - Selecting Thermal Transfer if you are using Ribbon, Direct Thermal if you are not using Ribbon. Read More>>

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Print Quality


Print quality is a product of proper printer setup and use of compatible media for the application.  The four impacting factors to consider are:

1. 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 , durability of the image/media, 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.

2. Printhead Pressure 

You may need to adjust printhead pressure if printing is too light on one side, if you use thick media, or if the media drifts from side to side during printing. Use the lowest printhead pressure necessary to produce good print quality. Uneven pressure will cause ribbon wrinkle, poor print quality, and horizontal media drift.
Adjusting the printhead pressure on a 105SL Printer Read More>>
Printhead Pressure Details Read More>>

3. Print Speed 
The printer is capable of printing at multiple print speeds. The speed selection take the media/ribbon (if used) compatibilities into consideration since if high Darkness and Pressure 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. Setting the Print Speed on a Zebra Printer

4. Print Darkness
Print Darkness (also may be referred to as Density or Burn Temperature) is a user adjustable setting. If you have an LCD Display the setting can be adjusted and changes to the darkness observed during printing. You can also use a setup utility or the printer webpage if available to set the print darkness. Avoid over heating the ribbon as it can melt if set too high. Vary the darkness to produce the best print quality. Read more
 
Setting the darkness using the ZPL commands Read More>>

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Communications Setup


USB - The 105SL does not support USB communications.

Serial
RS232 Null Modem, all parameters must be matched on the printer and host 105SL Communicating to printer via serial port connection

Parallel
If the printer has a parallel port use an IEEE1284 compatible cable 105SL Parallel Port Communications Information

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.
ZebraNet Bridge can be used to discover and assign the desired network settings. 
Discover and Configure TCP/IP Settings Using ZebraNet Bridge
The Zebra Setup Utility has a network setup wizard that can be used to configure your printer for a wired or wireless network 
Configuring Connectivity for Wired or Wireless Networks using the Zebra Setup Utility

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Printing App or Program


Zebra printers are command interpretation engines using printer commands to 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 Read More>>
 
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Utilities and Drivers.