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.

We here at RACO Industries are celebrating a special anniversary this week: the 35th anniversary of the first bar code scanning.  On June 26th, 1974, at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio, a pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum was the first item ever scanned in a commercial environment and inventory management has never been the same.  Recently, I had a chance to sit down and talk with Steve Overmyer, Marsh’s original project coordinator that helped the store’s transition from manual check-out stations to electronic scanning.

Looking to give your old scanners and printers a proper burial? Sure you do.  You don’t want it sit in a landfill for hundreds of years slowly poisoning Mother Earth.  RACO Industries can help you. 

Increasing government regulations and “green” efforts limit the disposal of these products in landfills across the US and Canada. Add to that security regulations such as HIPPA & FACTA and simply throwing out old equipment without deleting information on the machines can be costly. RACO can help provide an alternative to landfills, ensure data destruction and possibly create a financial return on your equipment.  

We’ll evaluate if there’s still value in your end-of-life equipment and apply it towards replacement products.  When we receive the devices, we’ll sanitize the drives to Department of Defense standards (DoD 5220.22-M Erase) and send the necessary documentation to you supporting appropriate destruction of data and the equipment in accordance to security and environmental regulations. The overall process is simple and can be completed in a very short time.  

For more information on how to retire your obsolete technology products, please contact your RACO Representative at 1-800-446-1991.

Is your R110 XI RFID Printer not printing correctly?  Are you seeing an increase in blank labels and label waste?  A simple calibration may improve your printer's performance.  RACO's Technical Service Manager walks through the process in this short 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.

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