Brother P-touch 2600 User manual

2600
• Read this User’s Guide before you start using your P-touch.
• Keep this User’s Guide in a handy place for future reference.
USER’S GUIDE

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the P-touch 2600!
Your new P-touch will allow you to create labels and stamps for any need. Its versatility
enables you to design custom labels by choosing from a variety of frame designs and from
many character sizes and styles. TZ tapes in five different widths (1/4 ″ (6 mm), 3/8 ″ (9 mm), 1/
2 ″ (12 mm), 3/4 ″ (18 mm) and 1 ″ (24 mm)) and a variety of colors allow you to print personal-
ized labels, useful for color-coded labelling. In addition, three types of AV label cassettes can
be used to create easy-to-peel-off, pre-sized address and filing labels (AV2067: 3/4 ″ × 2 5/8 ″
(20 mm × 67 mm) address labels, AV1957: 3/4 ″ × 2 1/4 ″ (19 mm × 57 mm) return address
labels and AV1789: 5/8 ″ × 3 1/2 ″ (17 mm × 89 mm) file folder labels).
You no longer have to worry about urgent tasks that require professional printing. In the office,
the factory, the lab and the home, the quality and performance of the P-touch 2600 makes it
an extremely practical machine.
Finally, as you may want to occasionally refer to this User’s Guide, we suggest that you keep it
in a handy place.
Use only the adaptor designed exclusively for this machine. See “GENERAL PRECAUTIONS”
on page 3.
Canadian Department of Communications Compliance Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from dig-
ital apparatus as set out in the interference-causing equipment standard entitled “Digital Ap-
paratus”, ICES-003 of the Department of Communications.
Switching the language of the messages between English and French
1. Erase all of the text in the display either with * or by holding down c and pressing
* .
2. Hold down c and press F to display the current language setting (“ENGLISH” or
“FRANÇAIS”).
3. Keep c held down and press F again until the desired setting appears in the dis-
play, then release the keys.
The default setting is English.
Turning off the machine does not change the language setting.
The language cannot be changed if some text remains in the display.

i
CONTENTS
Getting Started
GENERAL DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................1
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS...................................................................................3
BATTERIES ..........................................................................................................3
OPTIONAL AC ADAPTER ...................................................................................4
TAPE CASSETTE ..................................................................................................5
CONNECTING THE P-TOUCH TO A COMPUTER .............................................6
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE AND PRINTER DRIVER.......................................7
READING THE USER’S GUIDE.......................................................................... 29
USING P-TOUCH EDITOR 3.2 .........................................................................30
USING THE P-TOUCH QUICK EDITOR ...........................................................33
UNINSTALLING THE SOFTWARE & PRINTER DRIVER.....................................38
ATTACHING LABELS ........................................................................................41
PRINT HEAD & ROLLERS.................................................................................. 45
For Your Information
POWER KEY......................................................................................................46
CURSOR KEYS ..................................................................................................46
CODE, ALT & SHIFT KEYS ................................................................................47
SPACE KEY ........................................................................................................50
RETURN KEY..................................................................................................... 50
NEW BLOCK KEY..............................................................................................52
TAB FUNCTION ...............................................................................................53
DELETE KEY ......................................................................................................55
LINE OUT FUNCTION......................................................................................55
CLEAR FUNCTION ...........................................................................................56
ACCENT FUNCTION ........................................................................................58
SYMBOL FUNCTION........................................................................................60
AUTO FORMAT FUNCTION ............................................................................62
STAMP FUNCTION........................................................................................... 74
LOCAL FORMAT FUNCTION ...........................................................................77
FONT FUNCTION ............................................................................................78
SIZE & WIDTH FUNCTIONS............................................................................. 79

ii
STYLE FUNCTION ............................................................................................82
UNDERLINE FUNCTION ..................................................................................84
FRAME FUNCTION........................................................................................... 85
TAPE MARGIN FUNCTION ..............................................................................87
HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT FUNCTION .........................................................88
MIRROR PRINTING FUNCTION.......................................................................89
LENGTH FUNCTION ........................................................................................90
BARCODE FUNCTION .....................................................................................91
TZ CUT FUNCTION.......................................................................................... 95
PRINT KEY ........................................................................................................96
FEED & CUT FUNCTION ..................................................................................96
NUMBERING FUNCTION ................................................................................97
REPEAT PRINTING FUNCTION ......................................................................100
MEMORY FUNCTIONS...................................................................................102
TROUBLESHOOTING.....................................................................................110
ERROR MESSAGE LIST ....................................................................................111
SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................116
ACCESSORIES .................................................................................................118
INDEX .............................................................................................................122

1
TOP VIEW
BOTTOM VIEW
Getting Started
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Tape compartment
cover
LCD display
Keyboard
AC adapter
connector
USB port
Tape exit slot
Battery compartment cover

2
KEYBOARD & LCD DISPLAY
Power keyCursor keys
Delete key
Return key

3
●
To avoid injuries, do not touch the cutter’s edge.
●
Use only Brother TZ tapes or Brother/Avery AV labels with this machine to avoid damage.
Do not use tapes that do not have the or mark. Brother/Avery cannot be held
responsible for trouble or damage by the use of unauthorized supplies.
●
Do not pull on the tape being fed from the P-touch. This may damage the tape cassette.
● Do not use the machine in dusty places, and keep it out of both direct sunlight and rain.
●
Do not expose the machine to high temperatures or high humidity. Never leave it on the
dashboard or in the back of your car.
●
Do not leave any rubber or vinyl on the machine for an extended period of time. Doing
so may cause staining.
● Do not clean the machine with alcohol or other organic solvents. Use a soft, dry cloth only.
●
Do not put any foreign objects into or anything on the machine.
●
Use only the AC adapter (option: model AD-60) designed exclusively for this machine.
Use of any other adapter may void the warranty.
●
Do not try to disassemble the AC adapter.
●
When the machine is not being used for a long period of time and it is not necessary to
keep the text files stored in the memory, disconnect the AC adapter, and remove the bat-
teries to prevent them from leaking and damaging the machine.
●
When the AC adapter is connected, unplugging the adapter from the electrical outlet before unplug-
ging it from the machine can delete all text files in the memory, even if batteries are installed.
● Use eight AA alkaline batteries in this machine.
●
If the batteries are not installed with their positive and negative poles pointing in the cor-
rect direction, the batteries may leak, overheat or burst, or the print head may overheat.
●
Use only the enclosed USB interface cable. Use of any other cable will void the warranty.
● Avery
®
is a registered trademark of AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION.
●
IBM
®
and PC-DOS
®
are trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc.
●
Microsoft
®
and Microsoft Windows
®
are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the US
and other countries.
●
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
●
All other software and product names mentioned are trademarks of registered trademarks of
their respective companies.
● Portions of graphics filter software are based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG group.
This portable machine can be used anywhere by installing eight (8) AA alkaline batteries
.
When you change the batteries, always replace all eight at the same time.
To change the batteries:
1 Remove the battery compartment cover on the back of the machine.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
BATTERIES

4
2 If batteries are already installed, remove them.
3
Insert eight new AA alkaline batteries, making sure that their poles point in the correct direction.
4Attach the battery compartment cover.
☞Be sure to insert the new batteries within five minutes of removing the old ones,
otherwise the text shown in the display and any text files stored in the memory will
be lost (unless the machine is plugged into an AC outlet with the AC adapter).
Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adapter if you do not intend to use this
machine for an extended period of time. When the power is disconnected, all text
shown in the display and stored in the memory will be lost.
If the batteries are not installed with their positive and negative poles pointing in
the correct direction, the batteries may leak, overheat or burst, or the print head
may overheat.
The AC adapter (model AD-60) allows you to use this machine wherever there is an electrical outlet.
To connect the optional AC adapter:
1Insert the plug on the adapter cord into the connector marked DC IN 9.5V on the right
side of the machine.
2Insert the plug on the adapter into the nearest standard electrical outlet.
☞Only use the AC adapter designed exclusively for this machine.
Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adapter if you do not intend to use this
machine for an extended period of time. When the power is disconnected, all text
shown in the display and stored in the memory will be lost.
When the AC adapter is connected, unplugging the adapter from the electrical out-
let before unplugging it from the machine can delete all text files in the memory,
even if batteries are installed.
OPTIONAL AC ADAPTER

5
TZ tape cassettes are available for this machine in a wide variety of types, colors and sizes,
enabling you to make distinctive color-coded labels and stylized stamps. AV label cassettes
are also available for expanded addressing and filing capabilities. This machine has been
designed to allow you to change cassettes quickly and easily.
To change the tape cassette:
1Lift open the tape compartment cover. The installed cassette is also released.
2If a tape cassette is already installed, remove it by pulling it straight up.
3If the ink ribbon in the tape cassette to be installed is loose, use your finger to wind the
toothed wheel in the direction of the arrow on the cassette until there is no slack in the
ribbon. Also, make sure that the end of the tape feeds under the tape guides (for TZ tape
only).
☞For stamp and AV label cassettes, the tightening of the ink ribbon does not apply,
since they are not equipped with ink ribbons.
If you are using a new tape cassette provided with a stopper, be sure to remove the
stopper.
4Insert the tape cassette firmly into the tape compartment, making sure that the entire back
of the cassette touches the bottom of the compartment.
☞When inserting the tape cassette, make sure that the inner ribbon does not catch on
the corner of the metal guide (for TZ tape only).
5Close the compartment cover, and then turn on the machine, if it is off.
6Hold down cand press ronce to advance the tape and remove any slack (for TZ
tape only).
☞Skip this step if an AV label cassette is being installed.
DC IN 9.5V
TAPE CASSETTE

6
This machine is equipped with a USB port, allowing you to connect the P-touch to your IBM
PC-compatible or Macintosh computer, and print labels and stamps created using the P-touch
Editor software.
☞The P-touch Editor software and the printer driver must be installed before the P-touch is
connected to the computer or turned on. Follow the installation procedure on pages 7
through 40 to install the P-touch Editor software and the printer driver, and connect the
P-touch to the computer when you are instructed to do so.
Only use the enclosed USB interface cable to connect the PT-2600 to the computer.
To connect the P-touch to the computer:
1Insert the flat (A) connector on the USB cable into the USB port on the computer.
2Insert the square (B) connector on the USB cable into the USB port on the right side of the
P-touch.
3Turn on the P-touch.
☞When making a USB connection through a hub, a proper connection may not be possi-
ble due to the type of hub used. If printing is not possible with a hub connection, try
connecting the PT-2600 directly to the computer using the USB interface cable.
CONNECTING THE P-TOUCH TO A COMPUTER
USB port
USB interface cable

7
In order to provide even more illustration and layout features to the label-making possibilities
available with your P-touch 2600/2610, two applications are available on the enclosed CD-
ROM: P-touch Editor 3.2 and P-touch Quick Editor. With either application, the printer driver
must also be installed in order to print labels from the P-touch 2600/2610.
On an IBM PC-Compatible Computer
BEFORE INSTALLATION
Check that your system configuration meets the following requirements.
Computer: IBM PC or compatible
Operating system: Pre-installed with Microsoft®Windows®98, 98 SE, Me, 2000 Professional
or XP
☞For installation on Windows®2000, administrator privileges are required. In addition,
printing requires power user or administrator privileges. This software cannot be oper-
ated in Users groups. In addition, this software is not compatible with the Windows®
2000 Server operating system.
With Windows®XP, printing and installation is only possible from an account with
administrator privileges. These operations cannot be performed from an account with
limited privileges.
Hard disk free space: At least 20 MB (100 MB to install full option)
☞Up to 100 MB of hard disk free space may be needed when printing long labels or large
amounts of data.
Memory: At least 64 MB
Monitor: VGA or higher graphics card
USB port
CD-ROM drive
INSTALLING THE P-TOUCH EDITOR 3.2 SOFTWARE
The P-touch Editor 3.2 software includes a variety of more complex functions for printing bar-
codes and images, enabling you to design just about any label that you can image. Install the
P-touch Editor 3.2 software onto a PC as described below.
☞Do not connect the P-touch 2600/2610 to the computer before installing the software,
otherwise it may not be installed correctly. Be sure to connect the P-touch 2600/2610
only when you are instructed to do so.
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE AND PRINTER DRIVER

8
1Insert the enclosed CD-ROM into the com-
puter’s CD-ROM drive. A dialog box auto-
matically appears, allowing you to select the
language.
☞ If the dialog box does not automatically
appear, double-click “My Computer” on
the desktop, and then double-click the
CD-ROM drive containing the CD-ROM.
(For Windows
®
XP, click “My Computer” in
the Start menu, and then double-click the
CD-ROM drive containing the CD-ROM.)
Next, double-click “Setup.exe” to dis-
play the dialog box.
2Select the language for the Windows®oper-
ating system that you are using, and then
click the OK button. A dialogue box appears,
allowing you to select what to install.
3Click the upper button (P-touch Editor). The
InstallShield®Wizard for installing the
P-touch Editor software starts up, and then
the Welcome dialog box appears.
☞To install just the printer driver, click
the lower button (Driver). The first
Driver Setup dialog box appears,
informing you that the PT-2600/2610
printer driver will be installed. Con-
tinue with the procedure in INSTALL-
ING THE PRINTER DRIVER on
page 13.

9
To install the P-touch Quick Editor
software, click the middle button (P-
touch Quick Editor). Continue with the
procedure in INSTALLING THE P-
TOUCH QUICK EDITOR SOFTWARE
on page 11.
4Carefully read the contents of the Welcome
dialog box, and then click the Next button to
continue. The User Information dialog box
appears.
5Type the necessary information into the
appropriate boxes (If the information has
already been registered in Windows®, it will
automatically appear.), and then click the
Next button. A dialog box appears, asking for
confirmation of the entered information.
6Click the Yes button to register the entered
information.
☞To change the registration information,
click the No button, and then return to
step 5.
The Setup Type dialog box appears.
7Select the installation method, and then click
the Next button.
•For a Typical or Compact installation
Selecting “Typical” or “Compact”, then
clicking the Next button immediately starts
installation.
Typical: All of the basic options (P-touch
Editor 3.2, Clip art, Auto Format templates,
Help and fonts) are installed.
Compact: Only P-touch Editor 3.2 is
installed.

10
•For a Custom installation
Selecting “Custom”, then clicking the Next
button displays a dialog box that allows you
to select which options to install. Only the
options with a check mark beside them will
be installed. In addition to the basic options
listed for a Typical installation, the User’s
Guide can also be installed.
1) Select which options to install.
Editor: P-touch Editor 3.2 software
Clip Art: Illustrations for the P-touch Editor 3.2 Clip Art function
Fonts
Auto Format Templates: Templates for the Auto Format function
Help: Help files for P-touch Editor 3.2
User’s Guide: HTML User’s Guide for the P-touch Editor 3.2 (The User’s Guide can
also be viewed from the CD-ROM.)
If the Change button can be clicked while an option is selected, sub-components can be
selected. Click the Change button to display the Select Sub-components dialog box, and then
select the sub-components that you wish to install by putting a check mark beside them. If cer-
tain options or sub-components are not installed, some P-touch Editor functions may not be
available. After selecting the desired sub-components, click the Continue button.
2) Click the Next button to begin installation.
8After P-touch Editor is installed, a dialog box
appears, allowing you to select whether or
not to install the printer driver.
To install the printer driver, click the Yes but-
ton. The first Driver Setup dialog box
appears, informing you that the PT-2600/
2610 printer driver will be installed.
Continue with the procedure in INSTALLING
THE PRINTER DRIVER on page 13.

11
☞If the printer driver is already installed,
click the No button. A dialog box
appears explaining that installation is
finished. Select “Yes, I want to restart
my computer now.”, click the Finish
button to restart the computer, and
then remove the CD-ROM from the
CD-ROM drive.
INSTALLING THE P-TOUCH QUICK EDITOR SOFTWARE
The P-touch Quick Editor software provides quick access to the more simple label-designing
features for easy text input and instant printing of labels. Install the P-touch Quick Editor soft-
ware onto a PC as described below.
☞Do not connect the P-touch 2600/2610 to the computer before installing the software,
otherwise it may not be installed correctly. Be sure to connect the P-touch 2600/2610
only when you are instructed to do so.
1Insert the enclosed CD-ROM into the com-
puter’s CD-ROM drive. A dialog box auto-
matically appears, allowing you to select
what to install.
☞ If the dialog box does not automatically
appear, double-click “My Computer” on
the desktop, and then double-click the
CD-ROM drive containing the CD-ROM.
(For Windows
®
XP, click “My Computer” in
the Start menu, and then double-click the
CD-ROM drive containing the CD-ROM.)
Next, double-click “Setup.exe” to dis-
play the dialog box.
2Click the middle button (P-touch Quick Edi-
tor). The InstallShield®Wizard for installing
the P-touch Quick Editor software starts up,
and then the Welcome dialog box appears.

12
☞To install just the printer driver, click
the lower button (Driver). The first
Driver Setup dialog box appears,
informing you that the PT-2600/2610
printer driver will be installed. Con-
tinue with the procedure in INSTALL-
ING THE PRINTER DRIVER on
page 13.
To install the P-touch Editor 3.2 soft-
ware, click the upper button (P-touch
Editor). Continue with the procedure in
INSTALLING THE P-TOUCH EDITOR
3.2 SOFTWARE on page 7.
3Carefully read the contents of the Welcome
dialog box, and then click the Next button to
continue. The User Information dialog box
appears.
4Type the necessary information into the
appropriate boxes (If the information has
already been registered in Windows®, it will
automatically appear.), and then click the
Next button. A dialog box appears, asking for
confirmation of the entered information.
5Click the Yes button to register the entered
information.
☞To change the registration information,
click the No button, and then return to
step 4.
The Choose Destination Location dialog box
appears.

13
6Click the Next button to begin installation.
☞To change the location where P-touch
Quick Editor will be installed, click the
Browse button, and then select the
installation folder in the Choose Folder
dialog box that appears. Then, click
the OK button.
After P-touch Quick Editor is installed, a dia-
log box appears, allowing you to select
where shortcuts to P-touch Quick Editor will
be added.
7Select the desired locations for the shortcuts,
and then click the Next button. A dialog box
appears, allowing you to select whether or
not to install the printer driver.
To install the printer driver, click the Yes but-
ton. The first Driver Setup dialog box
appears, informing you that the PT-2600/
2610 printer driver will be installed.
Continue with the procedure in INSTALLING
THE PRINTER DRIVER on page 13.
☞If the printer driver is already installed,
click the No button. A dialog box
appears explaining that installation is
finished. Select “Yes, I want to restart
my computer now.”, click the Finish
button to restart the computer, and
then remove the CD-ROM from the
CD-ROM drive.
INSTALLING THE PRINTER DRIVER
With Plug-and-Play, new devices connected to the system are detected, and their drivers are
automatically installed. If the P-touch 2600/2610 is to be connected through the USB port, its
driver will be installed with Plug-and-Play. Be sure to read the installation instructions
described below before installing the printer driver supplied on the CD-ROM.
☞Do not connect the P-touch 2600/2610 to the computer until you are instructed to do
so, otherwise the PT-2600/2610 printer driver may not be installed correctly.

14
1In the dialog box that appears, informing you
that the PT-2600/2610 printer driver will be
installed, click the Next button. A dialog box
appears, instructing you to connect the
P-touch 2600/2610 to the computer.
2Connect the P-touch 2600/2610 to the com-
puter using the enclosed USB interface cable
as described on page 6, and then turn on the
P-touch 2600/2610. A dialog box appears,
indicating that the printer driver has been
installed.
3Click the Finish button. A dialog box
appears, indicating that the installation is fin-
ished.
4Select “Yes, I want to restart my computer
now.”, click the Finish button to restart the
computer, and then remove the CD-ROM
from the computer.
1In the dialog box that appears, informing you
that the PT-2600/2610 printer driver will be
installed, click the Next button. A dialog box
appears, instructing you to connect the
P-touch 2600/2610 to the computer.
With Windows®98, 98 SE, Me or 2000:
With Windows®XP:

15
2Connect the P-touch 2600/2610 to the com-
puter using the enclosed USB interface cable
as described on page 6, and then turn on the
P-touch 2600/2610. The first Found New
Hardware Wizard dialog box appears.
3Select “Install the software automatically
(Recommended)”, and then click the Next
button. A dialog box appears, warning that
the software has not passed Windows Logo
testing.
4Click the Continue Anyway button to con-
tinue with the installation. A Found New
Hardware Wizard dialog box appears, indi-
cating that the Found New Hardware Wizard
has finished installing the software for the
PT-2600/2610.
5Click the Finish button. A Driver Setup dialog
box appears, indicating that the printer driver
has been installed.

16
6Click the Finish button. A dialog box
appears, indicating that the installation is fin-
ished.
7Select “Yes, I want to restart my computer
now.” (or “Yes, restart immediately” if the
printer driver was installed separately), click
the Finish button to restart the computer, and
then remove the CD-ROM from the com-
puter.
REPLACING OR ADDING THE PRINTER DRIVER
1Turn off the P-touch 2600/2610, and then disconnect it from the computer.
2Insert the enclosed CD-ROM into the com-
puter’s CD-ROM drive. A dialog box auto-
matically appears, allowing you to select
what to install.
☞ If the dialog box does not automatically
appear, double-click “My Computer” on
the desktop, and then double-click the
CD-ROM drive containing the CD-ROM.
(For Windows
®
XP, click “My Computer”
in the Start menu, and then double-click
the CD-ROM drive containing the CD-
ROM.)
Next, double-click “Setup.exe” to
display the dialog box.
3Click the lower button (Driver). A Driver
Setup dialog box appears, allowing you to
select whether to replace, add or delete the
PT-2600/2610 printer driver.
4Select either “Replace with new Brother
PT-2600/2610.” or “Add Brother PT-2600/
2610.”, and then click the Next button.