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Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Printer Diagnostic Tests—Optimal Darkness and Speed Test
5/22/17 ZT600 Series™ User Guide P1088680-001
Optimal Darkness and Speed Test
(This test was formerly called the FEED self test.) Different types of media may require
different darkness settings. This section contains a simple but effective method for
determining the ideal darkness for printing barcodes that are within specifications.
During this test, labels are printed at different darkness settings and at different print speeds.
The relative darkness and the print speed are printed on each label. The barcodes on these
labels may be ANSI-graded to check print quality.
The darkness value starts at three settings lower than the printer’s current darkness setting
(relative darkness of –3) and increase until the darkness is three settings higher than the current
darkness value (relative darkness of +3).
To perform the optimal darkness and speed test, complete these steps:
1. Print a configuration label to show the printer’s current settings. (See PRINT
INFORMATION on page 120.)
2. Turn off (O) the printer.
3. Press and hold FEED while turning on (I) the printer. Hold FEED until the first control
panel light turns off.
The printer prints a series of labels (Figure 19) at various speeds and at darkness settings
higher and lower than the darkness value shown on the configuration label.
Figure 19 • Sample Darkness and Speed Test Label
4. See Judging Barcode Quality on page 229. Inspect the test labels and determine which
one has the best print quality for your application. If you have a barcode verifier, use it to
measure bars/spaces and calculate the print contrast. If you do not have a barcode verifier,
use your eyes or the system scanner to choose the optimal darkness setting based on the
labels printed in this self test.
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