Adjusting Print Quality; Adjusting Print Darkness; Adjusting Print Speed - SATO CW408 Operator's Manual

Preliminary
Section 4: Cleaning and Maintenance

4.5 ADJUSTING PRINT QUALITY

Print quality can be optimized with regular cleaning and maintenance of the print head and components along
the media path. Additionally, you can fine-tune print quality by adjusting print darkness and print speed
settings.

4.5.1 Adjusting Print Darkness

This adjustment allows the user to control (within a specified range) the amount of power applied to the
individual print head heat elements. It is important to find a proper print darkness level based on your
particular media. The printed images should not be too light nor should it "bleed." The edges of each image
should be crisp and well defined.
Print darkness (Print settings mode) — The Print darkness can be set
from the PRINT SETTINGS mode menu or by sending the Print darkness
software command from the host computer. There are ten settings, from 1
(lightest) to 10 (darkest). The default setting is 5.
Once the value has been selected, the Print darkness setting of the
Adjustment mode can be used to make fine adjustments. For instructions
on setting Print darkness, refer to Section 3.7 Print Settings Mode.
Print darkness (Adjustment mode) — The fine adjustment for Print
darkness is in ADJUSTMENT MODE menu. It provides a continuous
range of adjustment for precise changes. See Section 3.4 Adjustment
Mode for instructions on performing Print darkness adjustments.
Note:
The Print darkness adjustment will affect the darkness in all of the
command code speed ranges, that is, if the Print darkness is adjusted for
lighter print, the darkness will be lighter in all speed ranges selected by the
command code.
Darkness range (Advance settings mode) — The Darkness range can
be set from the ADVANCE SETTINGS mode menu. Available options are
A and B, with B being the darkest density. See Section 3.11 Advance
Settings Mode for instructions on performing Darkness range.

4.5.2 Adjusting Print Speed

Besides varying the rate at which media are printed, this adjustment can
be used to regulate any changes in print quality.
Print speed— Print speed can be set from the PRINT SETTINGS mode
menu or by sending the Print speed software command from the host
computer.
Setting range is from 2 to 6 IPS (inches per second)
The initial value is 4 IPS.
For instructions on setting Print speed, refer to Section 3.7 Print Settings
Mode.
Page 4-6
PRINT SETTINGS
PRINT DARKNESS
05
ADJUSTMENT MODE
PRINT DARKNESS
5 0
ADVANCE SETTINGS
DARKNESS RANGE
A B
PRINT SETTINGS
PRINT SPEED
4 IPS
CW408 Operator Manual