Zebra Printer Troubleshooting

 Is there anything more frustrating than your label printer breaking down at a time when you're under pressure to get a job done? As a label printing company, we are all too familiar with the stress and frustration this causes.

In this blog article we thought we would share our top tips for rectifying the most common faults and problems experienced with Zebra label printers troubleshooting. This includes the smaller desktop models like the Zebra GK420D or Zebra GK420t.

1. Poor print quality: ink smears or only prints weakly

This is a simple solution, but it is the most common problem we are asked about over the phone. The first thing to check is what tape and label materials you are using. There are three types of printing ribbons: wax, wax-resin and resin. In short, wax tapes are the cheapest and are only suitable for paper labels, while resin tapes are suitable for synthetic labels (e.g. polypropylene or vinyl).

A wax and resin ribbon is suitable for paper labels or for printing on synthetic materials when the print does not need to be resistant to chemical attack or harsh environments. It is quite common in the workplace for staff members to inherit printers and not realize the difference between the printing ribbons available on the market.

If you are using the correct ribbon, the next thing you should try is to reduce the speed or increase the temperature of the print head to see if this improves print quality. If the coating of the label material you are printing on has changed, it could mean that your print settings need to be adjusted to suit. This can usually be changed in the settings window when you click to print.

Ideally, you should set the printer temperature as low as possible to achieve satisfactory print quality for your application.

If you are unsure which printer you have (near the edge of the flat head) or which ribbons you need to purchase to get the best result, simply call Crown for advice on which type and grade will suit your application and printer.

2. Error connecting to the printer

This is a common problem faced when setting up a new computer. You may have downloaded the correct label software and connected all the cables as you did above, but you have not downloaded and installed the correct printer driver for your Windows operating system.

The printer manufacturer should have these driver files available on their website ready for download and installation. Simply Google the corresponding manufacturer and model number along with "printer driver" to get the critical files so your PC can communicate with your printer.

3. Tape does not transfer to label

Check which direction the printer ribbon has been presented; These can be rolled with the ink facing in or facing out. The settings depend on the model you are using and how it is wound on the printer. It's very possible that you tried to print using the wrong side of the ribbon!

4. Labels do not pass through the printer correctly

This is potentially a problem with the sensor that detects gaps between labels or a registration mark. This may be because the sensor is clogged or it may simply have become quite dirty. A quick wipe with a cotton swab or printer cloth should fix this problem.

Bonus tip: Check that your printer driver settings match your installed label software.

5. There is a squeak when I print....

This could be a mechanical failure of the machine, a part of the machine has come loose, or some labels have gotten stuck under the print head. The problem is likely to get worse over time, so try to avoid further printing. We may be able to help you remotely over the phone if it's something simple. Otherwise we can arrange for an external engineer to visit your site. Remember: it is always better to seek advice than to ignore the problem!