Sensing Different Media Types; Calibrating The Media Sensors - Printronix t8000 Administrator's Manual

Sensing Different Media Types

The printer's media sensors can detect the different types of label length indicators on a large variety of
media types. This is accomplished by selecting the correct sensor option: Gap, Mark, Advanced Gap,
Advanced Notch, or Disable under Sensors > Control > Gap/Mark Sensor menu or within the "Printer Setup"
Wizard. Figure 23 on page 275 illustrates the different media types and label length indicators used on them.
1. Press the PAUSE key to place the printer OFFLINE (Home Screen).
2. Find the Settings ICON and press ENTER.
3. Press the UP + DOWN ARROW keys together until "ENTER SWITCH UNLOCKED" displays.
4. Find the Sensors ICON and press ENTER.
5. Select the "Control" submenu and press ENTER.
6. Find the "Gap/Mark Sensor" option and press ENTER to edit this menu. Find the option that matches
the type of label length indicators on the installed media displays:
•
Mark. Select when using media that has horizontal black marks located on the underside of the
label liner or tag stock.
•
Gap. Select when using media with a liner space between die-cut labels or when using tag
stock with notches or holes as label length indicators on white background media.
•
Advanced Gap. Select when using media that has liner gaps between die cut labels with black
background.
•
Advanced Notch. Select when using media with notches or holes that interrupt a black vertical
line on the underside of the media.
•
Disable. Select when using media with no label length indicators (no gaps, notches, holes, or
black marks) or when you want the printer to ignore all existing label length indicators on the
installed media.
NOTE:
When you select Disable, the length of each label is based on the Media > Image > Label
Length menu or the value sent via host software.
NOTE:
If the printer detects a false PAPER OUT message when you change from Advanced Gap or
Advanced Notch to Gap or Mark sensing or vice-versa, find the Home Screen and run
Calibrate
7. Press ENTER to enable the displayed option or use the RIGHT SOFT key labeled "Apply". An asterisk
(*) appears next to the selection.
8. Press the PAUSE key or the LEFT SOFT key labeled "Home" to return to the Home Screen.
9. Review Calibrating the Media Sensors page 40.
10. Perform the Auto Calibrate procedure per Running Auto Calibrate page 41.

Calibrating the Media Sensors

Due to manufacturing differences in media and ribbon, the media sensors may have difficulty
differentiating between the label and the liner or the label and the black mark. When this occurs, the printer
may intermittently skip a label or display a fault message such as "GAP NOT DETECTED" or "PAPER
OUT".
Media sensor sensitivity and reliability can be improved by changing the Sensors > Control > Gap/Mark
Thresh and/or Sensors > Control > Paper Out Thresh values. You can change these values manually or
automatically by performing an Auto Calibrate
Calibrate menu section. (The changes take effect immediately within the current configuration menu.)
40
or Manual Calibrate procedure from the Sensors >