Media Selection; Media & Ribbon Loading - SATO LM408 Operator's Manual

Unit 3: Installation

MEDIA SELECTION

The size and type of the labels or tags to be printed should have been taken into consideration before
printer purchase. Ideally, the media width will be equal to, or just narrower than, the print head. Using
media that does not cover the print head will allow the platen roller to tread on it and wear it out. The
media edge will also wear a groove in the platen roller affecting print quality.
MEDIA & RIBBON LOADING
There are two general media types that may be loaded and used; rolled and fan-folded. Each of those
types may again be defined by whether their print application is direct thermal or thermal transfer. Those
factors determine how the media is loaded and if ribbon stock is loaded at all.
Thermal transfer media requires the use of ribbon stock for print application. In such a scenario, it is the
ribbon stock (carbon paper) that contains the ink that will be transfered to the media.
Direct thermal media has the ink embedded within and is brought to the surface through heat penetration
by print head contact.
Rolled media of standard diameter is loaded within the printer and suspended by the media holder.
Larger, non-standard rolled media would be suspended outside the printer at its rear and fed inward.
Fan-folded media would also be fed inward from the rear but is stacked as opposed to suspended.
Refer to Figures 3-3a and 3-3b for proper media routing relative to the type to be used. If that to be used
is direct thermal, ignore the ribbon stock in the figures and do not load that.
Figure 3-3a, Rolled Media Loading
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LM408-412e Operator Manual PN: 9001155A