How to set up the printer for the labels and ribbon being used?
How can I manually calibrate the printer from the printer menu?
Applicable To
ZT411 and ZT421 printers
Resolution / Answer
The manual calibration of the printer adjusts the sensitivity of the media and ribbon sensors. This is a good opportunity to check that the media sensor is in the correct location to ensure the printer has the best chance to calibrate correctly.
The transmissive media sensor assembly consists of a light source and a light sensor. The lower part of the media sensor is the light source, and the upper part of the media sensor is the light sensor. The media passes between the two parts. For non-continuous media with a notch or hole, the sensor must be positioned directly at the notch or hole.
The media sensor positioning
Procedure:
Remove the ribbon so you can see the media path.
Load the media so that the green light from the media sensor is shining through a gap, notch, or hole.
If necessary, slide the media sensor horizontally using the media sensor adjustment.
There is the tear-off adjustment for scenarios where the media has been calibrated, but the label is still a few millimeters off. You can find it in the printer's menu under Print > Label Position > Tear Line Offset.
Initiation of the manual calibration from the printer menu.
Tap Print > Sensors > Manual Calibration.
Tap Start Calibration.
Follow the steps in the calibration procedure.
IMPORTANT! Follow the calibration procedure precisely as presented. You may press and hold CANCEL at any step in the procedure to cancel the calibration process.
When the calibration is complete, press PAUSE to exit pause mode and enable printing.
Watch this video on how to perform media and ribbon loading:
Watch and learn how to perform manual calibration:
NOTE Direct Thermal mode calibration process has only 14 steps and no ribbon-related steps (Thermal Transfer mode calibration has 16 steps).
If the calibration process fails, you may perform the possible solutions below:
