Adjusting Print Quality; Adjusting Print Darkness; Adjusting Print Speed - SATO DR308e Operator's Manual

Section 4: Cleaning and Maintenance

4.4 ADJUSTING PRINT QUALITY

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

4.4.1 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 label and ribbon combination. The printed images should not be too light nor should the ink from the
ribbon "bleed." The edges of each image should be crisp and well defined.
LCD Panel — The Print Darkness can be set using the front panel LCD
panel or by sending the Print Darkness software command from a
computer. There are five settings, from 1 (lightest) to 5 (darkest). The
default setting is 3.
Once the range has been selected, the Darkness Potentiometer on the
side of the printer can be used to make finer adjustments. For instructions
on setting Print Darkness, refer to Section 3.6.3 Setting Print Darkness
on page 3-9.
Darkness Potentiometer — The fine adjustment for Print Darkness is
the Darkness Potentiometer on the side of the printer. It provides a
continuous range of adjustment, allowing you to make precise changes.
Use a small cross-point screwdriver, turning clockwise for darker print and
counterclockwise for lighter print. See Section 3.6.1 Offset Volume
mode on page 3-8 for instructions on performing potentiometer
adjustments.
Note
The DARKNESS potentiometer adjustment will affect the darkness in all
of the command code speed ranges, i.e., if the DARKNESS potentiometer
is adjusted for lighter print, the darkness will be lighter in all speed ranges
selected by the command code.
PRINT potentiometer

4.4.2 Adjusting Print Speed

Besides varying the rate at which labels are printed, this adjustment can
be used to regulate any changes in print quality.
LCD Panel — Print Speed can be set using the front panel LCD panel or
by sending the Print Speed software command from a computer. There
are 4 settings, from 02 ips (slowest) to 5 ips (faster). The default setting is
4 ips.
For instructions on setting Print Speed, refer to Section 3.6.2 Setting
Print Speed on page 3-9.
Page 4-4 DR308e Operator's Manual