Printhead Pressure Adjustment; Ribbon Path Alignment - Datamax M-Class Mark II Maintenance Manual

2.5 Printhead Pressure Adjustment

The pressure applied to the media affects print quality. However, a pressure adjustment
should only be performed after attempting to improve print quality using (1) HEAT and/or
(2) PRINT SPEED, and then only by the minimum amount needed for improvement:
1. Load 4-inch (102 mm) wide media and ribbon.
2. Disengage the Media Width Adjustment (its left-most
position); see Section 2.3.
3. Print a Test Label:
Non-Display Models: Simultaneously press
•
PAUSE and FEED.
Display-Equipped Models: Select a Print Quality
•
Label.
4. Making equal adjustments to each screw to achieve even print contrast across the
media, rotate the Printhead Pressure Adjustment Screws counterclockwise to increase
the pressure or clockwise to decrease the pressure. Set the Media Width Adjustment;
see Section 2.3.
Notes: (1) Narrow thermal transfer media can sometimes require an increased setting

on the left screw to prevent ribbon smudging; (2) Excessive pressure can reduce
the service life of the printhead and platen; and, (3) Unequal pressure may
cause ribbon and label tracking problems.

2.6 Ribbon Path Alignment

When irregular voids extend diagonally through printed images on thermal transfer-
equipped models, the cause may be ribbon overlap (wrinkling). Before performing this
alignment, check other factors which can cause ribbon wrinkle:
Misadjusted Media Width setting (Section 2.3);
•
Misadjusted Printhead Pressure setting (Section 2.5);
•
Severely misadjusted Printhead Burn Line (Section 2.4);
•
Adjustments and Maintenance
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