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Zebra Desktop Printer User Manual

Zebra technologies desktop printer user guide
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LP 2844
TM
Zebra
®
Desktop Printer

User Guide

Part #980483-001 | Rev. A

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Table of Contents
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  Summary of Contents for Zebra Desktop Printer

  • Page 1: User Guide

    LP 2844 Zebra ® Desktop Printer User Guide Part #980483-001 | Rev. A...
  • Page 2 980483-001A...
  • Page 3: Proprietary Statement

    NOTE: This unit was tested with shielded cables on the peripheral devices. Shielded cables must be used with the unit to insure compliance. “The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Zebra Technologies Corporation could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.”...
  • Page 4: Thermal Printing

    Shock Hazard The printer and power supply should never be operated in a location where either one can get wet. Personal injury could result. Media Always use high-quality, approved labels and tags. If adhesive backed labels are used that DO NOT lay flat on the backing liner, the exposed edges may stick to the label guides and rollers inside the printer, causing the label to peel off from the liner and jam the printer.
  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Introduction Hello!........... . . 1 What's in the Box?.
  • Page 6 Operation & Options Thermal Printing ......... . . 19 Replacing Supplies .
  • Page 7 980483-001A...
  • Page 8 980483-001A...
  • Page 9: Introduction

    Hello! Thank you for choosing a Zebra on-demand printer manufactured by the industry leader in quality, service, and value—Zebra Technologies Corporation. For over 25 years, Zebra Technologies Corporation has provided customers with the highest caliber of products and support. Your printer is a high-quality, on-demand printer. The printer provides direct-thermal printing.
  • Page 10: What's In The Box

    What's in the Box? Save the carton and all packing materials in case you need to ship or store the printer later. After unpacking, make sure you have all parts. Follow the procedures for inspecting the printer to familiarize yourself with printer parts so you can follow the instructions in this book.
  • Page 11: Inspecting The Printer

    Inspecting the Printer Look at the outside of the printer and make sure that all parts are present. Opening the printer 980483-001A To access the media compartment, you must open the printer. Pull the release levers towards you and lift the cover.
  • Page 12 INSPECTING THE PRINTER (continued) After opening the printer, check the media compartment. 980483-001A...
  • Page 13: Closing The Printer

    Closing the printer 980483-001A Lower the top cover. Press down until the cover snaps closed.
  • Page 14: Reporting Damage

    Reporting Damage If you discover damage or missing parts: Immediately notify and file a damage report with the shipping company. ■ The manufacturer is not responsible for any damage incurred during shipment of the printer and will not cover the repair of this damage under its warranty policy.
  • Page 15: Getting Started

    This section describes how to set up your printer for the first time and use the most common operating procedures for loading media in tear-off mode. Modes of Printing You can operate this printer in different modes: Standard tear-off mode allows you to tear off each label (or a strip of ■...
  • Page 16: Attaching Power Supply

    Attaching Power Supply Check the power supply to make certain it is appropriate for your input voltage. Warning: Use the power supply that came with your printer. Never operate the printer and power supply in an area where they can get wet. Serious personal injury could result! 1.
  • Page 17: Loading Roll Media

    Loading Roll Media When you load media, you must place the roll on the media hangers and then adjust the media guides. MOVIE You must use the correct media for the type of printing you require. You must use direct thermal media. Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment MOVIE 980483-001A...
  • Page 18: Adjusting The Guides

    Adjusting the Guides The adjustable guides direct the media toward the platen and print head. 1. Open the media guides by turning the guide adjuster knob to the rear. 2. Thread the media through the guides. 3. Close the media guides by turning the guide adjuster knob to the front.
  • Page 19: Operator Controls

    Operator Controls Power Switch Press up to turn ON or down to turn OFF the printer. CAUTION: The power should be turned off before connecting or Feed Button Forces the printer to feed one blank label. Takes the printer out of a “pause” condition. (The printer is put into “pause”...
  • Page 20: Media Length Sensing

    Media Length Sensing Before you connect the printer to your computer, make sure that the printer is in proper working order. You can do this by making the printer measure MOVIE media and print a status printout. UKQ2933H U V4.28.19 Serial port : 96,N,8,1 Image buffer size: 1032...
  • Page 21: Hooking Up The Printer And Computer

    Hooking Up the Printer and Computer Your printer will have one of two combinations of interfaces: Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel and serial ■ USB, ethernet, and serial ■ MOVIE Each specific interface option—USB, parallel, ethernet, serial—is discussed individually. You must supply the required interface cable for your application. CAUTIONS:Keep the power switch in the OFF position when Interface Cable Requirements Data cables must be of fully shielded construction and fitted with metal or...
  • Page 22: Usb Interface Requirements

    USB Interface Requirements Universal Serial Bus (version 1.1) provides a high-speed interface that is compatible with your existing PC hardware. USB’s “plug and play” design makes installation easy. Multiple printers can share a single USB port/hub. Parallel Interface Requirements The required cable (IEEE 1284-compliant is recommended) must have a standard 36-pin parallel connector on one end, which is plugged into the parallel port located on the back of the printer.
  • Page 23: Communicating With The Printer

    Communicating with the Printer Universal Serial Bus (USB) Communications The printer is a terminal device when using a universal serial bus interface. You can refer to the Universal Serial Bus Specification for details regarding this interface. Parallel Communications When using the parallel port, typically there is no setup is required once the cable is plugged in.
  • Page 24: Serial Communications

    Serial Communications Serial communications between the printer and the host computer can be set by the Y command. Y Command Use the serial port setup (Y) command to change the communications settings on the printer. 1. With the host computer set at the same communications settings as the printer, send the Y command to change the printer to the desired settings.
  • Page 25: Adjusting The Print Width

    Adjusting the Print Width Print width must be calibrated when you use a roll with a different width from previous media. Print width may be set by using the Set Label Width (Q) command (described in the programming guide). Adjusting the Print Quality Print quality is influenced by the heat of the print head, the speed of the media and the type of media you are using.
  • Page 26 980483-001A...
  • Page 27: Operation & Options

    This section helps you get the most from your printer. You must use programming to control many of the printer’s functions. A few examples: The Q command (set form length) controls label length. ■ The O command (hardware options) has a parameter "D" that changes ■...
  • Page 28: Replacing Supplies

    Replacing Supplies If labels run out while printing, leave the printer power on while reloading (data loss results if you turn off the printer). After you load a new label roll, press the Feed button to restart. Always use high quality, approved labels and tags. If adhesive backed labels are used that don’t lay flat on the backing liner, the exposed edges may stick to the label guides and rollers inside the printer, causing the label to peel off from the liner and jam the printer.
  • Page 29: Printing In Peel-Mode

    Printing in Peel-Mode 980483-001A The optional dispenser allows you to print in “peel-mode” where the label backing follows a different path and the labels are presented one at a time for subsequent placement. 1. Remove several labels from the backing material. 2.
  • Page 30: Printing On Fan-Fold Media

    Printing on Fan-Fold Media Printing on fan-fold media requires you to set both the media hangers and the media guides in position. Lock-down 1. Open the top cover. Screw 2. With a sample of your media, adjust the media hangers to the width of the media.
  • Page 31: Using The Cutter Option

    Using the Cutter Option Printers that have a bezel with a motorized blade can dispense one or more forms that are then automatically cut from the media supply. This option cuts through continuous paper from rolls and liner between labels. Keep the cutter dry.
  • Page 32 980483-001A...
  • Page 33: Maintenance

    Cleaning When you clean the printer, use one or more of the following supplies that best suits your needs: Cleaning pens (12) Cleaning swabs (25) Cleaning cards, 4-in wide (25) Save-a-Print Head film, 4-in wide (3) The cleaning process takes just a couple of minutes using the steps outlined below.
  • Page 34: Print Head Considerations

    Adhesives and coatings of media can over time transfer onto the printer components along the media path including the platen and print head. This build-up can accumulate dust and debris. Failure to clean the print head, media path and platen roller could result in inadvertent loss of labels, label jams and possible damage to the printer.
  • Page 35: Platen Considerations

    Platen Considerations The standard platen (drive roller) normally does not require cleaning. Paper and liner dust can accumulate without effecting print operations. Contaminates on the platen roller can damage the print head or cause the media to slip when printing. Adhesive, dirt, general dust, oils and other contaminates should be cleaned immediately off the platen.
  • Page 36: Replacing The Platen

    Replacing the Platen Removal Open the printer and remove any media. 1. Using a pointed stylus (such as tweezers, small slot-head screwdriver, or razor-knife), unhook the tabs on the right and left sides. Then rotate them forward. 2. Lift the platen out of the printer’s bottom frame.
  • Page 37: Replacing The Print Head

    Replacing the Print Head In the event you need to replace the print head, read the procedure and review the removal and installation steps before actually replacing the print head. Prepare your work area by protecting against static discharge. Your work area must be static-safe and include a properly grounded conductive cushioned mat to hold the printer and a conductive wrist strap for yourself.
  • Page 38: Direct-Thermal Lp Model

    Direct-Thermal LP Model Before following the steps in this procedure, open the printer by pulling the release latches forward then lifting the top cover. MOVIE Removal 1. Use a #1 Phillips driver to loosen the four screws that hold the latch frame to the top case.
  • Page 39 Replacing the LP Print Head (Continued) 980483-001A Assembly 1. Route the print head cables under the latch shaft and plug the print head cables into the receptacles on the print head. 2. Hold the print head against the bracket while replacing the screws and washers;...
  • Page 40 980483-001A...
  • Page 41: Troubleshooting

    Color Status None Green constant Amber constant blinking constant 980483-001A Troubleshooting What the Status Light is Telling You Solution or Reason Check power connection from the A.C. outlet to power supply to printer. Printer printing (normal operation). Printer paused; ready to receive data (normal operation). Printer paused;...
  • Page 42 Problem Media does not advance. Media moves but nothing is printed. Printing is faded or poor. Prints only partial label or skips a label. Printing stops and indicator lights Amber or Red. Printer Operation Solution or Reason Check interface cable connections from computer to printer.
  • Page 43 Problem Printing continues between labels. Prints one label and then stops. Blade cuts through labels instead of cutting liner between labels. Media jammed in cutter. Blade fails to cut direct thermal paper or label liner. 980483-001A Media Handling Solution or Reason Label Dispenser Make sure label-taken sensor is on.
  • Page 44: Print Quality Problems

    Print Quality Problems No print on the label. You must use the correct media for the method of printing you require. ■ You must use direct thermal media. Is the media loaded correctly? Follow the instructions in “Loading the ■ Media”...
  • Page 45 The printing does not start at the top of the label, or misprinting of one to three labels. The media may not be threaded under the media guides. Refer to ■ “Loading the Media” on page 9. The printer needs to be calibrated. Refer to “Auto Calibration” on page ■...
  • Page 46: Manual Calibration

    Manual Calibration Manual calibration is recommended whenever you are using pre-printed media or if the printer will not correctly auto calibrate. 1. Make sure the printer power is off and that media is loaded. 2. Press and hold the feed button then turn on the printer power. 3.
  • Page 47: Resetting The Factory Default Values

    Resetting the Factory Default Values Sometimes, resetting the printer to the factory defaults solves some of the problems. For troublehooting and to overwrite all stored parameters, send the ^default command. Communications Diagnostics If there is a problem transferring data between the computer and printer, try putting the printer in the communications diagnostics mode.
  • Page 48: Feed Button Modes

    Feed Button Modes Printer Condition Printer is off. Tapping or holding the button has no result. Cover is open Tapping or holding the button has no result. Tap the button once to perform a "form feed." Labels, tags or fan-fold forms are Hold the button to perform a "continuous feed."...
  • Page 49: Appendix

    Interfaces Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connector The figure below displays the cable wiring required to use the printer’s USB interface. For information on the USB interface, go to the USB web site at: 980483-001A Http://www.usb.org Appendix Signal Vbus - N/C Ground Shell Shield/...
  • Page 50: Parallel Interface

    Parallel Interface The figure below displays the cable wiring required to use the printer's Centronics parallel interface. HOST STROBE~ DATA 0 DATA 1 DATA 2 DATA 3 DATA 4 DATA 5 DATA 6 DATA 7 ACK~ BUSY PAPER ERR. SELECT AUTOFD~ ERROR~ SIG.
  • Page 51: ZebranetĀ® Printserver Iiā„¢ Internal Ethernet Printserver

    ZebraNet® PrintServer II™ Internal Ethernet PrintServer This interface uses an RJ-45 straight-through cable type. The table below provides the pinout assignments. Signal 980483-001A Pin 4 Pin 3 Pin 2 Pin 1 Looking into the Printer’s RJ-45 Modular Connector Signal Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 7 Pin 8...
  • Page 52: Serial (Rs-232) Connector

    Serial (RS-232) Connector The printer operates as a Data Communication Equipment (DCE) and normally connects via a standard RS-232 modem cable to a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) such as a computer or terminal with a default configuration of 9600 baud, 8 bit data, 1 stop bit and No parity. Host Host Female DB-25 to Male DB-9...

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Lp 2844