Video: Calibration Issues on ZM-Series

Requirements
The ZM Series printer has an LCD Display for printer configuration but can use ZPL commands as well for printer configuration.

These are free utilities or applications that can be used to configure a connected printer

Application or Utility	Comment
Zebra Setup Utilities - Downloading ZSU & Configuring Printer Settings	This is a free Windows based utility that features a printer setup wizard for simple printer or network setup.
ZebraNet Bridge  Setup or modifying a Zebra Printer Configuration using ZebraNet Bridge	This is a Windows based enterprise application for network Printer Management but is free to use for configuring a network or locally connected printer
ZebraNet Print Server Webpage   Using the ZebraNet Print Server Web Page to configure the printer	The ZebraNet Print Server has a Webpage that is accessed from a browser when you enter the printer's IP Address. Printer configurations can be viewed and altered.
ZebraDesigner Driver Configure or Modify Basic ZebraDesigner Driver Settings Information	If you are using the ZebraDesigner Driver there is a Printing Preferences section that allows you to configure your printer.

Overview
The printer can be used for a variety of media and verifying the media related settings is required when any problems are encountered.
By default the printer will calibrate and function correctly with the most commonly used standard gap labels. Problems can occur if there are specific setting required to use other types of labels or if the configuration settings are altered by mis-configured driver or label printing applications, or incorrectly altering LCD configuration settings.
This procedure will help understand printer setup and configuration for accurate calibration/registration of your labels.
This includes:

• 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

Note: The team Media = Labels, tags, card stock and so on. In summary the supplies you use 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.
Here are the details you should know for printer media setup and configuration.
Media Related Configurations
Media Type – Continuous, Gap/Notch, and Black Mark. Default is Gap/Notch Read More>>  
Helpful Info - Media identification details Read More>>
Print Method – Thermal Transfer (Using Ribbon) or Direct Thermal (No Ribbon) – Default - Thermal Transfer Read More>>
Note: Print Method does not apply if your printer is Direct Thermal only. There are no ribbon spindles or settings. 
Print Mode – Tear off, Cutter, Peel, Rewind, RFID – Default is Tear off 
This is related to the label presentation after printing and limited to the options you have installed. Read More>>
Media Loading - The media must be properly loaded for the Print Mode you intend to use. Read More>>


2. Understanding the Media Sensors

The printer comes with two sensors for label tracking based on the Media Type used. 
Transmissive Sensor – This is adjustable position sensor that has a red light to helps you to position for proper sensor placement. It can be viewed when the printhead is opened and the printer is powered on. This sensor is used for sensing label Gaps, Holes, and Notches. See the Transmissive Sensor Read More>>
Reflective  Sensor - This is a fixed position inter-label gap type media sensor used for Black Mark Media.  See the Reflective Sensor Read More>> 
The black mark must be located on the inboard side of the label since this sensor is fixed in position and mounted against the inner wall.


3. Positioning the moveable sensor

The moveable or adjustable position 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 is more detail 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 Display Read More>> or can be configured from your utility/application.These configurations are detailed as follows

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

For recommendations on these selections Read More>>


5. Maximum Label Length

Note: You probably don't have to change this from the 39" default so ignore the Maximum Label Length discussion if you have defaulted the printer or are setting the printer up for the first time. If your printer is feeding less than a label length and experiencing a Media Out Error then you may want to see if this setting was incorrectly configured. 
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  Printing or Downloading the Configuration Settings of a Zebra ZPL Compatible Printer
>Setting the  Label Length Maximum<
LCD Display - MAXIMUM LENGTH (Set to 1" longer than the actual length)
There are no settings in the Zebra SetUp Utility 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 selftest 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 ->

Manual Calibration Video

Note: If the printer fails after receiving a label request from your data source then there are likely commands being sent from the host that are overwriting the printer configurations. Check your host driver or application settings and assure they match the printer settings.
 

Common Issues and Resolutions

Problem	Resolution
Paper Out Error	Check Media and Ribbon Loading - Media Loading ZM-Series Printer Loading Instructions (With Video) - Ribbon Loading Read More>> Verify the LCD Display  MAXIMUM LENGTH is set longer than labels used Read More>> Try Defaulting the printer and allow it to run Auto Calibration Defaulting the ZM Series Printer Settings Verify the correct sensor is selected for the media type Read More>> - Use the MARK Sensor for media with a black bar on the backing - Use the GAP?NOTCH (Transmissive) Sensor for gap, notch or hole media Verify the moveable Transmissive Sensor is correctly positioned Read More>> Note: This only applies if you are not using black mark media Perform Manual Calibration Read More>>  If the problem persist a Media Sensor Profile can be sent to Tech Support for analysis Read More>> Note: Press the FEED Button after calibrating. If one label feeds each time pressed then the printer is properly calibrated. Verify Software/Driver settings are not changing the calibrated values or printer configurations.
Labels are skipping or the print image is wandering	Check Media Loading and assure the guides are keeping the media aligned ZM-Series Printer Loading Instructions (With Video) Verify the printer is set to the correct Media Type. If set to Continuous the printer will not track Top-of-Form. Read More>>   Verify the labels are compatible with the media specifications Read More>> Press the FEED Button. If one label feed each time pressed, check your label format or Driver/Software for the source of the problem. Try Defaulting and verify printer has calibrated correctly Defaulting the ZM Series Printer Settings Check the Transmissive Sensor position Read More>> Perform Manual Calibration Read More>>  If the problem persist a Media Sensor Profile can be sent to Tech Support for analysis Read More>>

Keywords -skips labels, paper out, media out, label tracking, top of form, shifted image, calibration, adjusting the sensors, drift, random, skip, not aligned, not lining up,  label size is incorrect