Phomemo PM-246 - Printer Quick Start Guide

Table of Contents

Contents

1 Package contents
2 Machine components
3 Quick start
4 Driver installation & Label size setup
- 4.1 Download the Driver
  - 4.1.1 For Windows
  - 4.1.2 For Mac
5 Label setup
- 5.1 Load your label
- 5.2 Run the automatic identification of the label size
6 Feed Button Mode
7 Buzzer Status
8 Troubleshooting
9 Maintenance
10 Pro Tips
11 Safety Notices
12 Support
13 Documents / Resources
- 13.1 References
- 13.2 Download manual

Package contents

warning Note
U disk for diver installation, How-To-Videos, Printer Getting Started, Troubleshooting, How-Tos (which including Label Adjustments, Tips & Tricks and Platform Setup)

Machine components

Quick start

Connect the power source safely
1. First connect the power cord to the adapter;
2. Next ensure the printer is OFF (I:On; O:Off), then insert the adapter cable to the machine;
3. Finally connect the cord to the power source.
Connect the USB cable
Turn on the power

Use the power switch to turn on the printer.

Do not disconnect from the power line, when the printer is on. This may easily damage the printer and data will be lost.

Driver installation & Label size setup

Before installation, please ensure printer is connected and turned on.

Download the Driver

Download the driver from the website www.phomemo.com and follow the prompts. (See the picture below)

For Windows

GO to "Devices and Printers" → Right Click on "Label Printer" → choose " Printer Preferences" (See the picture a)

(a)
Please choose correctly paper size from "Paper Name" for your label. (See the picture b)

(b)
If the size you need is not listed, then click "Manage" (See the picture c),

(c)

input the size of "Paper Width", "Paper Length" and "Paper Name", then click "Save" to archive (See the picture d).

(d)

For Mac

CIick " " and go to "System Preferences" (See the picture e).

(e)
Select "Printer & Scanners" (See the picture f).

(f)
Click "+" to set up a printer (Seethe picture g).

(g)
Select "Label Printer" and click "Add" (See the picture h&i).

(h)

(i)
Select "Label Printer" as "Default printer" (See the picture j).

(j)
When printing your file (e.g. a PDF, see the picture k),

(k)

please choose correctly paper size from "Paper Size" for your label.
lf the size you need is not listed, then click "Manage Custom Sizes" (See the picture l),

(l)

input width and height, then click "OK" (See the picture m).

(m)

Label setup

Load your label

Turn the printer on;
Adjust paper guide (See the picture n);

(n)
lnsert label and ensure it is straightly and smoothly (See the picture o);

(o)
Make sure the label is automatically caught by the printer (See the picture p).

(p)

warning Attention warning
Print side should be facing up.

Run the automatic identification of the label size

Press Feed Button and hold it for 3 sec, then release. The printer will move the label back and forth to determine the gap size and other properties of your label.
When you see the label positioned at the tear off point, printing can begin.

warning Note
Anytime you change your label, run the automatic identification of the label size.

Feed Button Mode

Desired Action	Execution
Print out test page	Printer must be OFF. Press and hold the Feed Button while turning the printer on.
Automatic identification of the label size	Insert label. Press and hold the Feed Button for 3 sec. ( Power must be ON) *Anytime you change your label, run the automatic identification of the label size.
Restore factory setting	Open the cover. Press and hold the Feed Button for 10 sec. (Power must be ON)
Skip a label	Press the Feed Button while printer is standby. (i.e. nothing is being printed)
Pause printing	Press the Feed Button while printing.
Resume printing	Press the Feed Button to resume printing.

Buzzer Status

Buzzer	Printer status	Troubleshooting
2 "Beeps" at a times	Detect paper's sensor error	Download "Diagnostic Tool" from www.phomemo.com, double-click Label Printer from Tool → "Set Printer" → "Location" Tab, click "Learn" at Lack paper learn.
3 "Beeps" at 3 times	Paper shortage	Be sure the printer paper is loaded correctly. (See Automatic identification of label size)
5 "Beeps" at a times	The Printhead is overheated	Allow the printer to cool, once cool, it will automatically resume printing.
6 "Beeps" at a times	Cover is not closed	Check that the cover is completely closed.
7 "Beeps" at a times	Wrong media tracking: used the label has not gaps	Be sure the label type and computer settings are the same. (See automatic identification of label size)
8 "Beeps" at a times	Wrong media tracking: used the label has not black line

warning Note: It is not necessary to turn off the printer for these errors. After trouble shooting it should continue to work.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Problem	Reason	Solution
Print Quality Issues	My print is poor quality?	Cover is not completely closed	Firmly press the Cover to confirm that it has been completely closed.
		Poor quality of label paper	The darkness of the label depends on the label manufacturer. High quality labels produce darker prints.
		Margins and paper size	Please make sure the label size is correct before printing. If the content exceeds the label size, the printer may "shrink" the size to a smaller size resulting in faded content. NOTE: If you are printing 4 x 6 inches labels, the sample 4 x 6 inches label from Phomemo website should take up the full width and height of your label.
		Print density and speed	Follow FAQ's steps from Phomemo website to adjust print density and speed on computer. NOTE: Setting the density too high may cause some unwanted dark lines and/or the label getting too hot and sticking to the Printhead.
		Dust or adhesive on the printhead	Turn off printer. Open the Cover and use the alcohol pads to wipe the Printhead and Platen Roller clean.(Any70% Alcohol pad would work.) Allow 2-3 minutes for components to dry, then close the Cover and turn Label Printer back on. NOTE: Firmly press the Cover to confirm that it has been completely closed.
	Why are there white spots on label?	Dust or adhesive on the printhead	Turn off printer. Open the Cover and use the alcohol pads to wipe the Printhead and Platen Roller clean. (Any70% Alcohol pad would work.) Allow 2-3 minutes for components to dry, then close the Cover and turn Label Printer back on. NOTE: Firmly press the Cover to confirm that it has been completely closed.
Label Issues	Printing blank labels	Your labels are loaded in upside down	Please ensure your labels are properly loaded. The print side should face up.
		Ensure your labels are "Direct Thermal" labels
		Try to print out test page	Tum off the printer. Press the Feed Button and hold it until you tum on the printer, release. Printer will print a test page. If test print looks good, please try to print your label again.
	Skipping labels or continuously feeding	Change your label type and size are the main causes for printer skipping labels or continuously feeding	Disconnect the USB from your printer. Let the printer re-learn your label. Then change your label type, size on your computer, then re-connect the USB to the printer.
	Skipping labels or continuously feeding	The sensor which detects the paper, is covered by dust and that cause the detection is incorrect	Turn off printer. Open the Cover and use the alcohol pads to clean the sensor.(Any70% Alcohol pad would work.) Allow 2-3 minutes for components to dry, then close the Cover and turn Label Printer back on.
	I get horizontal label instead of vertical label		For Mac Open a desired file and printing → click "Show Details" → select printing direction in "Orientation" For Windows Open "Devices and Printers" → right click on "Label Printer" → choose "Printer Preferences" → select "90" under "Rotate"
	Barcode is not printing clearly	The source file wasn't created in the ideal quality	Print the sample label to test if your printer is working well.
	Barcode is not printing clearly	High print speed or density	Try reducing your print speed (try 3 in/sec) and your print density (try 3 as well) to see if you obtain a better result.
	Paper jams or label prints only half and stops	High print density	High print density causes the label to get too hot and get stuck to the Printhead. Different labels require different heating temperatures. Set your print speed to "4 in/sec" and density to "2" and try print again. If the label is too light, increase the density by 1.
	Same label keeps printing	When printer doesn't believe a label was printed correctly, it will attempt to re-print it	Turn power switch off. This clears any pending print jobs. Let your printer re-learn your label: press and hold the Feed Button 3s. Printer will move the label back and forth to learn the gap size and other properties of your label.
Other Issues	Nothing happens when I try to print	Printer is connected to a new USB Port	Open your "Control Panel" → "Printers and Devices" and note which Label Printer is "active". It may be Label Printer, Label Printer (Copy1), Label Printer (Copy2), etc. Then be sure to print to the same active printer name when printing.
	Printer doesn't turn on	Ensure power connection	Ensure the wall plug has electricity by plugging another device into that same plug. Follow the power cable to the adapter and check that the cable that goes to printer is plugged in all the way into the power adapter. Ensure the plug that goes into printer is fully inserted. Turn the power switch off and on (I:On; O:Off). This switch is located on the back side of printer.
	Printer makes loud noise when printing	Print speed being set too low or density set too high	Set your print speed to "5 in/sec" and density to "4" and print. If the label is too light, increase the density by 1.
	Why are the label sizes in millimeters?	Windows is designed to use the metric system	To convert inches to millimeters on Google.

Maintenance

Printhead Cleaning Steps:

Turn the printer off, remove the power cord and open the cover.
Wait until the Printhead cools down. The Printhead may be very hot after printing.
Completely clean Printhead using an alcohol swap (NOT WATER).
Wait until the alcohol has completely vaporized, then close the cover.
Connect the power cord and print a test page to check if it is clean.

warning NOTICE: Ensure power is off when performing maintenance.

Pro Tips

Anytime you change your label, run the automatic identification of the label size.
To print a test page, press and hold the Feed Button while turning the printer on.
Avoid using poor quality labels as they can damage the printer.
Regularly clean the Printhead.
Insert Phomemo into the same USB port on your computer every time.
This will avoid creating duplicate copies of the printer in your operating system.
If paper is jammed, turn the printer off and allow the printhead to cool down. Open the Cover (See the picture p).

(p)

Check for any residue on the Printhead and Platen roller. Clean it of residue and use the alcohol pads to clean the Printhead and Platen Roller. (Any 70% alcohol pad would work. See the picture r)

(r)

Then close the Cover securely, after it is dry. Firmly press the Cover to confirm that it has been completely closed, then you can print.

Safety Notices

Do not touch the Printhead. The Printhead can become very hot after printing labels.
Do not bend the power cord excessively or place objects on the cord.
Do not use the printer if you find any irregularities as these could result in fire or electrocution.
Keep the printer out of reach of children.
Use only approved accessories and do not try to disassemble or repair the unit by yourself.
Keep the printer away from water and other objects that could penetrate the components.
Unplug the printer when it is not in use for long periods.

Support

Contact information:

Whatsapp 1: +8613928088284
Whatsapp 2: +8615338193665

Skype 1: Phomemo Team-Jessie
Skype 2: Phomemo Team-Anna

For any questions and/or suggestions, please call the Phomemo team
+1 855 957 5321 (US Only), or email at support@phomemo.com,
or visit www.phomemo.com and click on "Support"

For how-to videos, parts and full warranty details, please visit www.phomemo.com