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Troubleshooting
Printing Issues
1/13/2016 ZD420 User’s Guide 212485-001 Rev. A
Printing Issues
This section helps you identify issues with printing or print quality, the possible causes, and the
recommended solutions.
Table 2 • Printing Issues
Issue Possible Cause Recommended Solution
General print
quality issues - The
printed image does
not look right.
The printhead is dirty. Clean the printhead. See Cleaning the
Printhead on page 115 and Platen Cleaning
and Replacement on page 124
The printer is set at an
incorrect darkness level
and/or print speed.
Perform the Print Quality Report (FEED self
test) on page 101 to determine the ideal
darkness and speed settings for your
application.
Do not set print speeds above the
manufacturer’s maximum rated speed for
your media (print material and ribbons both).
You may be using the wrong
power supply.
Verify you are using the power supply that
came with this printer.
The printhead has worn out. Replace the printhead. The printhead is a
consumable item and which will wear over
time due to friction between the media and
printhead. Using unapproved media may
shorten printhead life or damage your
printhead.
The platen (drive) roller may
need cleaning or
replacement.
Clean or replace the platen (drive) roller.
Thermal Transfer printing -
You may not be using the
correct ribbon cartridge type.
The print material (wax, wax-resin, or resin)
may not match the material (paper, media
coating, or synthetics) in use.
Thermal Transfer printing -
Voids or holes in print with
no particular pattern.
The print material (wax, wax-resin, or resin)
or print speed may not match the material
(paper, media coating, or synthetics) in use.
Set the printer for no higher than the
maximum recommended print speed of the
ribbon cartridge. See Ribbon Cartridge
Programming Commands on page 95 for
reading cartridge features.
No print on the
label.
The media may not be direct
thermal media (and is
thermal media made for
thermal transfer printers).
See the test procedure Determining Thermal
Media Types on page 141.
Media has been loaded
incorrectly.
The media printable surface must face up
towards the printhead. Follow the
instructions for Loading Roll Media
on page 32 in the Setup section.
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