AstroNova QuickLabel QL-900 User manual

QL-900 User Guide
Part Number 22834714-EN-E
Revision 1.1
8/2023
AstroNova, Inc.®
600 East Greenwich Ave., West Warwick, RI 02893
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.AstroNovaProductID.com

Copyright © 2023 AstroNova ®, Inc.
This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced,
transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form
by any means without written permission of AstroNova.
Trademarks
QL-900® is a registered trademark of AstroNova, Inc.
Adobe®, Photoshop®, and Illustrator® are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc.
Microsoft® Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Declaration of Conformity
Declaration de Conformité
Ubereinstimmungserklärung
Dichiarazione di Conformità
ID DoC-22834714
Manufacturer’s name and address
Nom et adresse du fabricant
Hersteller
Nome del costruttore
Astro Machine Corp
630 Lively Blvd Elk Grove Vlg, IL 60007-2016
United States
Brand Name(s)
Nom(s) de marque(s)
Markenname(n)
Nome/i dei marchi
QuickLabel ®
Model No.
Modele No.
Model Nr.
Modello No.
L1, S1, QL-900
Description of Products
Description des produits
Produktbeschreibungen
Descrizione dei Prodotti
Inkjet Printer
Standards to which conformity is declared
Standards auquel la conformité appartient
Normen für welche Übereinstimmung erklärt wird
Norme per le quali si dichiara la conformità
EN 60950-1:2006+A11:2009+A1:2010+A12:2011+A2:2013
EN 55022:2010
EN 55024:2010
EN 61000-3-2:2014
EN 61000-3-3:2013
EN 50581:2012
EN 62368-1:2014, EN 62368-1:2014/A11:2017
IEC 62368-1:2014
UL 60950-1, 2nd Edition, 2014-10-14
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07, 2nd Edition, 2014-10
IEC 60950-1(ed.2), IEC 60950-1(ed.2);am1, IEC 60950-
(ed2):am2
Application of Council Directives
Application des Decisions du Conseil
Anwendbar fur die Richtlinien
Applicazione delle Direttive del Comitato
2014/30/EU
2014/35/EU
2011/65/EU
I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the equipment specified above conforms to the above Directive and Standard.
Je, Soussigné, déclare que l’équipment spécifié ci-dessus est en conformité avec la directive et le standard ci-dessus.
Ich, der unterzeichnende erkläre hiermit, daß das oben beschriebene Gerät den vorgenannten Richtlinien und Normen entspricht.
Il sottoscritto dichiara che l’apparecchio sopra specificato è conforme alle Direttive e Norme sopra specificate.
Phillip Soares
Quality Systems Manager
AstroNova, Inc.
CE Label First Affixed Date: 23
Date of issue: 8/23/2023
Place of issue: West Warwick, RI
European Contact: Your local AstroNova, Inc. Sales and Service Office.
FRANCE - Parc Euclide, ZA la Clef de St Pierre, 10A Rue Blaise Pascal 78990 Elancourt, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
GERMANY - Waldstraße 70, D-63128 Dietzenbach, Tel. [phone], Fax: [phone]
UNITED KINGDOM - Westacott Way, Maidenhead Berkshire, SL6 3RT Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
INDIA - A-44 Phase 1 Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), NH45, Great Southern Trunk Rd. Tambaram, Chennai 600045, India,
Tel: [phone]

Contents
QL-900 User Guide 5
Contents
Chapter 1: Getting Acquainted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Print Engine View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Print Area View (Under Clamshell) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Ink Tank Door View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
U1C-L Unwinder/Roll Feeder (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
W1C-L Winder (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chapter 2: Installing the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Contents of Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Before Using the Label Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Unpack and Set Up the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Choose a Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Remove Shipping Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Install Ink Drip Tray Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Install Unwinder/Winder Adapter Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Connect the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Plug in the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Connect to a Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Turning Power ON and OFF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Install the Printer Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Install Over USB Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Install Over Network Connection (Version A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Install Over Network Connection (Version B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Install Ink Tanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Initial Printhead Cartridge Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Connect the Printer to an External Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Load Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Roll-to-Roll Label Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Roll-to-Cut Label Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connect the Optional Unwinder and Winder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Unwinder Mode Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Loading Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Roll-to-Roll Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Adjusting Speed on U1C-L Unwinder and W1C-L Winder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Adjusting Winder Tension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Roll-to-Cut Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Printing Fanfold Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Loading Fanfold Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Bleeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Contents
QL-900 User Guide 6
Chapter 3: Operating the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Printer Driver Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
General Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Layout Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Color Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Media Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Import/Export Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Using the Printer Touchscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Drop-Down Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Job (Status Screen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Using Stored Jobs (Print Job Library). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Test Print Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Maintenance Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Paperpath Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Media Scan Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Wiper Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
System Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Videos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Using the Control Panel USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Using the Printer Toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Drop-Down Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
View Drop-Down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
System Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Ink Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Service Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Debug Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Media Scan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Scan Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Maintenance Drop-Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Service Drop-Down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Test Print Drop-Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Contents
QL-900 User Guide 7
Chapter 4: Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Replace Ink Tanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Clean Ink Tank Contacts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Clean/Replace the Printhead Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Replace the Printhead Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Printhead Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Inspect the Service Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Replace the Ink Waste Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Jams in the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Misfeeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Feed Rollers and Forwarding Rollers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Print Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Clean Ink Revolver Couplings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Shipping or Transporting Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Turn the Printer Power Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Remove Ink Tanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Printer Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Printhead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Errors and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Printer Alert Window Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Toolbox System Status Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Appendix A: Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Appendix B: Printer Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Appendix C: Borderless Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Borderless Print Checkbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Impact of Using Borderless Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Prerequisites for Borderless Print. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Oversize Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Page Setup for Oversize. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Impact of Using Oversize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Prerequisites for Oversize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Additional Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Minimum Label Gap and Maximum Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Page Sizing and Handling with Adobe Acrobat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Getting Acquainted
QL-900 User Guide 8
Chapter 1: Getting Acquainted
Front View
# Description
1Control Panel Touchscreen - Displays the menu and information about the printer
status. Controls printer functions and settings.
2Top Cover - Provides access to the print engine, printhead, and service station.
3ON/OFF LED Button - Turn the power ON or OFF during idle time and
maintenance.
4Control Panel USB Port - Use a USB thumb drive to back up print jobs in the
printer Job Library and debug logs. Upload print jobs from other sources and the
same model printers. Upload MP4 videos and apply printer firmware (*.fbf) and
touchscreen UI (*.rpz) files.
5Clamshell - Holds the upper section of the print engine including the printhead and
the service station. Lifts to clear the media path.
6Ink Vapor Exhaust Fan - Draws ink vapor out of the print area and away from the
exit sensor.
7Cutter Assembly - Cuts media after each piece or at the end of a job.
8Fixed and Adjustable Exit Media Guides - Loosen and tighten the knob to slide
the adjustable exit guide to accommodate different media widths and keep the
media aligned as it exits the printer.
9Ink Tank Door - Provides access to ink tanks. When open, disconnects the printer
communication to ink tanks and allows safe installation and replacement.

Getting Acquainted
QL-900 User Guide 9
Rear View
10 Ink Tanks - The printer has five ink tanks: cyan, yellow, magenta, and two black.
11 Ink Waste Tray - Catches any waste ink produced by the system. The tray is filled
with absorbent material. Pull on the tab to remove the tray.
12 Ink Tank Latches - Used to hold ink tanks in the slots.
Make sure both sides at the bottom part of the latch are engaged.
13 Adjustable Media Guide - Adjusts to hold media against the media and alignment
guides.
14 Clamshell Latch - Release to raise the printhead assembly.
# Description
# Description
1Top Cover - Provides access to the print engine, printhead, and service station.
2ON/OFF LED Button - Turn power ON or OFF during idle time and maintenance.
3Clamshell - Holds the upper section of the print engine including the printhead and
service station. Lifts to clear the media path.
4Control Panel Touchscreen - Displays menu and information about the printer
status. Controls printer functions and settings.
5Ink Tank Door - Provides access to ink tanks. When open, a switch disconnects
printer communication to the ink tanks and allows safe ink tank installation and
replacement.
6Adjustable Media Guide - Adjusts to hold media against the stationary media and
alignment guides.
7Fixed Media Guide - Keeps media aligned as it enters the printer.

Getting Acquainted
QL-900 User Guide 10
8Top Forwarding Wheels Assembly and Forwarding Rollers - Moves media
smoothly into the Printer.
9Adjustable Media (Entry) Sensor Assembly - Aligns the media sensor to
accurately read irregular-shaped media (such as die-cut ovals or circles).
10 Network Port - Ethernet cable plugs in here.
11 USB Port - USB cable attaches to the printer here.
12 Interface Port - Connect an external device.
13 Unwinder Interface Port - Unwinder interface cable plugs in here.
14 Main Power Switch, Receptacle, and Fuse - Plug in the power cord here. The
switch turns the main power ON/OFF. Use the control panel LED power switch to
turn off the machine for cleaning and maintenance. The fuse protects the printer's
electronic circuits.
# Description

Getting Acquainted
QL-900 User Guide 11
Print Engine View
# Description
1Printhead Latch - When closed, connects the ink revolver couplings with the
printhead cartridge. When opened, retracts the ink couplings from the printhead
cartridge and provides access to the printhead cartridge for cleaning and
replacement.
Warning: Never attempt to open the printhead latch manually. Severe damage will
result. Use the printhead release in the touchscreen Service drop-down menu
when no ink is in the system. Use System Deprime when ink is in the system.
2Ink Revolver Couplings - Connect ink hoses to the printhead cartridge. The
printhead latch extends and retracts couplings from the printhead.
3Printhead Cartridge - Printhead produces an 8.5" wide full-color print area.
4Service Station - Cleans the printhead cartridge of excess ink and debris, keeps
the printhead hydrated and protected when not in use, captures and removes ink
used to keep nozzles clear, and moves out of the way of the printhead during
printing.
5Service Station Inspection Motor - Moves the service station in and out from
under the printhead assembly for inspection, cleaning, or service.
6Printhead Assembly Lifter Motor - Lifts and lowers the printhead assembly over
the service station for service station access and printing.

Getting Acquainted
QL-900 User Guide 12
Print Area View (Under Clamshell)
# Description
1Forwarding Rollers - Move media into the printer.
2Clamshell “Open” Switch - Signals to the printer when the top assembly latch is
released and the top assembly is opened. Shows on the touchscreen display and in
the toolbox system status icon.
3Adjustable Media (Entry) Sensor - Aligns the media sensor to accurately read
irregular-shaped media (such as die-cut ovals or circles).
4Print Platen - Flat surface helps the media transport smoothly through the print
area.
5Clamshell Latch - Release to raise Top Assembly to clear media jams or for
cleaning and other maintenance.
6Transport Rollers - Keep media moving through the print area.
7Ink Drip Cover and Tray - Located under the printhead. Catches any excess ink
coming from the service station and printhead.
8Encoder Assembly and Guard.
9Support Strut - Supports the top assembly when raised.
10 Media (Exit) Sensor - Signals to the printer that media has exited the printer.
11 Ink Vapor Exhaust Fans - Draws ink vapor out of the print area and away from the
exit sensor.
12 Exit Starwheel Assembly - Helps media exit smoothly from the printer.

Getting Acquainted
QL-900 User Guide 13
Ink Tank Door View
# Description
1Print Engine Assembly Latch - Release to raise the printhead assembly to clear
media jams or for other maintenance.
2Ink Tank Latches - Used to hold ink tanks in slots.
Note: Make sure both sides at the bottom part of the latch are engaged.
3Ink Tanks - Printer has 5 ink tanks: cyan, yellow, magenta, and two black.
4Ink Waste Tray - Catches any waste ink produced by the system. The tray is filled
with absorbent material. Pull on the tab to remove the tray.
5Ink Tank Disconnect Switch - When the ink door is opened, the switch shuts
down communication between the printer and ink tanks for safe removal and
replacement.

Getting Acquainted
QL-900 User Guide 14
U1C-L Unwinder/Roll Feeder (Optional)
# Description
1Speed Control - Turn clockwise to speed up, counterclockwise to slow down.
2AUTO/Manual Mode Switch - Use to set unwinder in automatic or manual mode.
3Fuse - Unwinder fuse is located here.
4Hub Assembly - Reversible to fit 1-1/2” and 3” cores.
5Spindle Lock - Holds the label roll on the spindle.
6Label Roll Spindle - Holds the label roll.
7Label Tension Guide Shaft - Spring-loaded shaft controls starting and stopping as
tension is maintained or released by the media.
824V, 2.5A External Power Connector* - For connecting printers or equipment
other than the QL-900 printer.
Note: External power supply must be a UL Listed power supply.
*Requires disconnecting a wire from the unwinder circuit board and connecting the
wire from the external power connector.
9Unwinder Interconnect Cord - Connects the feeder/unwinder to the printer.

Getting Acquainted
QL-900 User Guide 15
W1C-L Winder (Optional)
# Description
1Speed Control - Turn clockwise to speed up, counterclockwise to slow down.
2ON/OFF Switch - Use to turn the winder power ON or OFF.
3Fuse - Winder fuse is located here.
4Hub Assembly/Guide - Fits 3” cores.
5Spindle Lock/Guide - Holds the label roll in place on the spindle.
6Label Roll Spindle - Used to wind printed labels around an empty core.
7Label Tension Arm - Spring-loaded shaft controls starting and stopping as tension
is maintained or released by the media.
8Adjustable Media Guide Ring - Slides to fit the width of media exiting printer.
9Tension Control Selector - Increases or decreases the spring tension on the label
tension arm to accommodate different media widths.
10 24V, 2.5A External Power Connector - For connecting the winder to the AC
Adapter and power cord.
Note: External power supply must be a UL Listed power supply.
Note: If the winder does not turn on, particularly if using an older model winder, the
external power connector may have to be connected internally. Call your service
technician.
11 Winder Interconnect Port - N/A.

Installing the Printer
QL-900 User Guide 16
Chapter 2: Installing the Printer
Contents of Packaging
Unpack the printer. Make sure that all parts are included and verify that no items were damaged in
transit.
Before Using the Label Printer
• Choose a location for the printer (plus optional U1C-L unwinder and W1C-L winder if used).
• Unpack the printer (plus optional U1C-L unwinder and W1C-L winder if used).
• Remove shipping materials from the printer.
• Install the ink drip tray.
• Plug in the printer and connect it to a computer or network.
• Install the printer driver.
• Install the ink tanks and the printhead.
• Align and connect the printer with the U1C-L unwinder and W1C-L winder (If used).
• Set up the feed on the printer.
Unpack and Set Up the Printer
Remove the printer and its parts from the carton. Remove all packing materials and tape. Install
the ink drip tray assembly before operating the printer.
# Description
1 QL-900 Label Printer
2 Ink Drip Tray Assembly
3 Five Ink Tanks - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Black
4 Printhead Cartridge
5 AC Power Cord
6 USB Cable (10-Ft.)
7 Ethernet Cable (10-Ft.)
U1C-L Unwinder (Optional): Includes Printer/Unwinder Adapter Plate and (2)
thumbscrews
W1C-L Winder (Optional): Includes Printer/Winder Adapter Plate, (1) AC Adapter,
(2) thumbscrews, and (2) screws
Note: Requires a Power Cord, available separately

Installing the Printer
QL-900 User Guide 17
Choose a Location
Place the printer on a sturdy level worktable or cabinet at least 9 inches from any walls.
Open the ink tank door and raise the clamshell assembly. Use the bubble gauge mounted on the
ink station frame, or a small level placed on the ink station frame, to make sure the printer is level.
Protect the printer from excessive heat, dust, and moisture. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
Remove Shipping Materials
Warning: To avoid possible damage to the printer, do not plug in or power up the printer until all
shipping materials are removed.
1. Open the top cover.

Installing the Printer
QL-900 User Guide 18
2. Remove the foam shipping block [A]. The color of the foam block may vary.
Note: The foam shipping block is used to secure the service station sled during transport.
3. Cut and remove the two yellow zip ties [B].
Note: These zip ties are used to secure the wiper motor assembly during transport. Do not cut
the white or black zip ties used to restrain the ink hoses.
Important: Remove all cut pieces of the yellow zip ties from the printer.
4. Gently close the top cover.
5. Remove the protective film from the touchscreen.

Installing the Printer
QL-900 User Guide 19
Install Ink Drip Tray Assembly
1. Open the ink tank door [A].
2. Release the latch [B] to raise the clamshell.

Installing the Printer
QL-900 User Guide 20
3. Insert the tabs on the ink drip tray into the frame slots [C] as shown.
Note: If necessary, bend the tab on the grounding spring [D] so it touches the bottom of the
ink drip tray tab.
4. Close the clamshell.
Install Unwinder/Winder Adapter Plates
The adapter plates allow proper spacing and alignment for the optional unwinder and winder.
Unwinder
1. Unscrew the two unwinder feet closest to the printer.
2. Install the long edge of the adapter plate under the unwinder [A].
Reinstall the two feet to secure the adapter plate to the unwinder.