So, you just got your new Zebra printer. Do you want to keep it running in tip-top order? All it takes is a little TLC to get the most enjoyment out of your wise investment in a thermal printer from Zebra Technologies. We will make it easy for you. Just follow these five quick and simple instructions compiled from years of experience selling and servicing Zebra printers.  

• Use Zebra approved ribbons and labels in your new printer. Poor quality or mismatched media causes poor print quality and premature printhead wear.       Take care of the printhead – it is the most expensive replacement part of a thermal transfer printer. 
• Be sure to store all unused thermal transfer ribbons and labels in their original shipping material. This eliminates dirt & debris from entering the printer.
• Operate your Zebra printer with all the covers closed to eliminate environmental contaminants from entering the printing system. 
• Make a point at every ribbon change or at a minimum of once a week to clean the thermal printhead mechanism. Use isopropyl alcohol and a lint free rag to wipe the printhead and platen roller clean of dust and adhesive. Use canned air to blow the dust from the media sensor and label path. 
• Rely on Zebra authorized service technicians to perform semi-annual preventative maintenance to replace any worn components, make adjustments and keep your printer operating at maximum performance. 

If you follow these guidelines, your new Zebra printer should lead a nice, long productive life. If there are bumps in the road, however, contact RACO Industries Technical Services at 1-800-446-1991 and press selection 3.

RACO Industries is both a ZASP (Zebra Authorized Service Provider) and Zebra Premier Partner.  We specialize in bar code and data collection technologies and carry the full line of Zebra bar code label printers, supplies and accessories.

Check out this impressive product…..a full color, ink jet label printer reliable enough for everyday use and affordable for almost every type of business.  The SecurColor  TM-C3400 printer is Epson’s first color printer designed for on-demand printing of  labels and tags. It can even print color -coded patient wristbands making it ideal for healthcare organizations.

After a long successful run as the market leader for on-demand color label printers, the VP2020 is set for retirement. The recently released VP485 retains all of the great qualities of its predecessor by delivering large volumes of high quality, color labels but with considerable reliability improvements. Loaded with many of the features of the VP2020, the VP485 is faster, lighter, easier to set up and use and less expensive to operate. Typical 4.0” X 6.0” label costs now range between $0.02/label for about 10% color coverage to about $0.20/label for edge to edge, 100% color printing. Other features include separate ink reservoirs to reduce changeover and expense, Bartender Ultralite label design software and an easy to use keypad – all of this in a smaller footprint than the VIP 2020. 

So if your business requires small run, color labels with variable printing or you want to reduce the amount a preprinted labels on your shelf, the VP485 is a great choice. Print 1 or even 10,000 labels. It is your choice of how much you need and when it is needed.

For more information contact a RACO Product Specialist 1-800-446-1991. In the meantime, see the printer in action by viewing the VP485 Product Presentation Video.

The RACO Technical Services Manager spent some time this week demonstrating the proper way to calibrate a Zebra Thermal Printer.  Proper calibration can improve the performance and quality of your printer and will help cut down on the number of technical service calls.

UPS announced last week that the company will continue to deploy the HP sp400 all-in-one handheld wireless scanner/printer  to its shipping centers.  The device uses a revolutionary quick drying ink that allows users to scan barcodes and print sorting information directly on packages.  The device not only enables UPS to scan, track and process shipments more efficiently, but it will also save the company $30 million by 2013 and help save the environment by eliminating the need for 1,338 tons of paper annually.  The sp400 also eliminates the need for a large thermal printer, a PC and a monitor - freeing up valuable warehouse space.

So how does the device work?  Simply point the device at a 1D or 2D barcode, send the scan data to a backend computer system via integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and "roll" the device along  plain paper, specialty paper, packing tape, or the package itself to instantly print additional information associated with the scan.  See it in action here:

A great number of customers incorrectly assume that a barcode label printer must be connected to a dedicated desktop PC or corporate LAN in order to create and print labels.  The reality is, there are barcode label printers available that include built-in intelligence that allows an operator to produce labels without a PC or barcode label printing software.  These printers are called "Smart Printers."  Smart Printers accept user input from compatible keypads, scanners or mobile computers.  By eliminating the PC, companies can cut costs, save space and have the flexibility to deploy printers in environments that may not be suitable for typical desktop computers.  Most Smart Printers also support XML printing, a feature that allows organizations to quickly integrate the label printer with an existing corporate ERP system such as Oracle or SAP.  In the video presentation below, Jason Yoder introduces Intermec's Smart Printer functionality and demonstrates the technology:

Intermec offers several label printer models that include the Smart Printer feature, such as the PM4i and PX6i

I continue to be amazed by companies that will spend several thousand dollars for a barcode printer and place the unit in operation without explaining to the operator the proper care and maintenance of the printer’s most expensive component- the thermal print head. This consumable on average costs $450 and can reach upwards of $800 depending on the printer model. Don’t be caught looking in the trash bin at the harmonica sized piece of aluminum and glass that just cost you $500 to replace after just 2 months of use. See the samples below of a print head that is not properly cared for:

This can be avoided by a few easy steps and proper service. 

1)    Clean the print head and platen roller at every ribbon change with a lint free cloth and a 90% isopropyl solution. More frequently if the unit is operated in a dirty environment.

2)    Be sure to remove all rings or jewelry when working near the print head. If the glass etching gets scratched, remember you’ll be caught staring at the bottom of the garbage bin.

3)    Use approved media in your printing application. Operators frequently compensate for an improperly matched ribbon and label by increasing print head temperature or excessive head pressure which leads to premature failure of the thermal head.

4)    Be sure to keep your ribbons and labels wrapped and stored in a clean area before usage. It only takes a small piece of airborne dirt to attach to a ribbon and label and then pass under the print head to scratch the glass etching.

5)    Lastly, if you do need a print head replaced, be sure to have the printer serviced by a certified technician. Proper adjustments and thorough cleaning by a trained technician can extend the life of your print head.  For further information on print head care visit:  http://www.racoindustries.com/thermal-label-printer-cleaning.htm