Print Quality; Media Selection; Sensitivity - Intermec 4400 User Manual

4400 Bar Code Label Printer User's Manual

Print Quality

The 4400 printer was designed and configured at the factory to provide
maximum print quality for both direct thermal and thermal transfer media.
It is important that you select the proper media when printing at higher
speeds. Using good quality media reduces the occurrence of images that fade
or bleed. If you want to print quality labels at higher print speeds, you must
select media with low reaction or release imaging temperatures. Printing at
lower speeds produces the highest quality labels. Please consult your Intermec
service representative to decide the proper media for your application.
There are many factors that need to be taken into account before you can
achieve maximum print quality. These factors are addressed in the sections
that follow.

Media Selection

The choice of media is one of the most important decisions you can make
concerning print quality. The 4400 printer supports a wide selection of both
direct thermal and thermal transfer media. To achieve optimum performance in
your application, you must evaluate requirements such as print speed and
environmental conditions.
Please consult your Intermec service representative to ensure the selection of
the proper media for your individual application. A complete list of available
media is included in the Media Envelope that is shipped with your printer.

Sensitivity

Each print element on the 4400 printer is heated individually. Different
temperatures are required for various types of media. There is a three-digit
sensitivity number printed on each media roll or box that specifies a heating
schedule optimized for print speed and print history. Each heating schedule is
unique due to different media chemistries and manufacturing processes.
Assorted brands of direct thermal media contain many different types of dyes,
coating, and base paper. These heating schedules have been developed to
produce the highest possible ANSI print quality for bar codes.
Before you load media into the printer, check to see that the sensitivity rating
for the media matches the rating set in the printer. When you set the sensitivity
in the printer to match the rating for your media, the amount of energy the
printhead uses is adjusted to a value suitable for your media. Refer to "Setting
the Media Sensitivity Number," in Chapter 4 for more information.
Note: Ensure that the Sensitivity rating is set before you alter the dark adjust.
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