Brother P-Touch 2300 User manual

2300
• 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 2300!
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 characters sizes and styles. In addition, the five tape widths (1/4” (6 mm), 3/8” (9 mm),
1/2” (12 mm), 3/4” (18 mm) and 1” (24 mm)) and variety of tape colors allow you to print
personalized labels, useful for color-coded filing.
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 2300 makes it
an extremely practical machine.
Finally, as you may want to refer to this User’s Guide occasionally, we suggest that you keep it
in a handy place.
Use only the adaptor designed exclusively for this machine. See “GENERAL PRECAUTIONS”
on page 2.
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 press-
ing * .
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.................................................................................. 2
BATTERIES ......................................................................................................... 3
OPTIONAL AC ADAPTOR ................................................................................. 4
TAPE CASSETTE ................................................................................................. 5
CONNECTING THE P-TOUCH TO A COMPUTER ............................................ 6
INSTALLING P-TOUCH EDITOR ....................................................................... 7
STARTING P-TOUCH EDITOR......................................................................... 16
ATTACHING LABELS ....................................................................................... 18
PRINT HEAD & ROLLERS................................................................................. 22
For Your Information
POWER KEY..................................................................................................... 23
CURSOR KEYS ................................................................................................. 23
CODE, ALT & SHIFT KEYS ............................................................................... 24
SPACE KEY ....................................................................................................... 27
RETURN KEY.................................................................................................... 27
TAB FUNCTION .............................................................................................. 28
DELETE KEY ..................................................................................................... 30
LINE OUT FUNCTION..................................................................................... 31
CLEAR FUNCTION .......................................................................................... 32
ACCENT FUNCTION ....................................................................................... 34
SYMBOL FUNCTION....................................................................................... 35
AUTO FORMAT FUNCTION ........................................................................... 37
STAMP FUNCTION.......................................................................................... 38
FONT FUNCTION ........................................................................................... 41
SIZE & WIDTH FUNCTIONS............................................................................ 42
STYLE FUNCTION ........................................................................................... 44
UNDERLINE FUNCTION ................................................................................. 46
FRAME FUNCTION.......................................................................................... 47
TAPE MARGIN FUNCTION ............................................................................. 48
HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT FUNCTION ........................................................ 49

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MIRROR PRINTING FUNCTION...................................................................... 50
LENGTH FUNCTION ....................................................................................... 51
AUTO CUT FUNCTION................................................................................... 53
PRINT KEY ....................................................................................................... 54
FEED & CUT FUNCTION ................................................................................. 54
NUMBERING FUNCTION ............................................................................... 55
REPEAT PRINTING FUNCTION ....................................................................... 56
MEMORY FUNCTIONS.................................................................................... 58
TROUBLESHOOTING...................................................................................... 62
ERROR MESSAGE LIST ..................................................................................... 63
SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................. 66
ACCESSORIES .................................................................................................. 67

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

2
KEYBOARD & LCD DISPLAY
●
Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have the
mark.
● 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.
Power keyReturn key
Cursor keys Delete key
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

3
●
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.
●
To avoid injuries, do not touch the cutter’s edge.
●
Use only the AC adaptor (model AD-60) designed exclusively for this machine. Use of
any other adaptor will void the warranty.
●
Do not try to disassemble the AC adaptor.
●
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 adaptor, and remove the bat-
teries to prevent them from leaking and damaging the machine.
●
When the AC adaptor is connected, unplugging the adaptor from the electrical outlet
before unplugging it from the machine can delete all text files in the memory, even if bat-
teries are installed.
• Use eight AA alkaline batteries in this machine.
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.
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.
4 Attach 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 adaptor).
Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adaptor 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.
BATTERIES

4
The AC adaptor (model AD-60) allows you to use this machine wherever there is an electrical
outlet.
To connect the optional AC adaptor:
1 Insert the plug on the adaptor cord into the connector marked DC IN 9.5V on the right
side of the machine.
2 Insert the plug on the adaptor into the nearest standard electrical outlet.
☞ Only use the AC adaptor designed exclusively for this machine.
Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adaptor 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 adaptor is connected, unplugging the adaptor from the electrical out-
let before unplugging it from the machine can delete all text files in the memory,
even if batteries are installed.
It is recommended that you use the AC adaptor when printing large fonts on
1” (24 mm)-wide tape since this operation can quickly drain the batteries.
OPTIONAL AC ADAPTOR

5
A single TZ tape cassette is supplied with this unit. However, since TZ tape cassettes are avail-
able for this machine in a wide variety of colors and sizes, it is possible to make distinctive
color-coded and stylized labels.
In addition, this machine has been designed to allow you to change the tape cassettes quickly
and easily.
To change the tape cassette:
1 Lift open the tape compartment cover. The installed cassette is also released.
2 If a tape cassette is already installed, remove it by pulling it straight up.
3 If the ink ribbon in the other tape cassette 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.
☞ If you are using a new tape cassette provided with a stopper, be sure to remove the
stopper.
4 Insert 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.
5 Close the compartment cover, then turn on the machine if it is off.
6 Hold down c and press _ once to advance the tape and remove any slack.
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 16 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.
A USB interface cable is not included with the PT-2300. When connecting the P-touch
to a computer, use a standard USB cable (high-speed compatible with series A and B
connectors).
To connect the P-touch to the computer:
1 Insert the flat (A) connector on the USB cable into the USB port on the computer.
2 Insert the square (B) connector on the USB cable into the USB port on the right side of the
P-touch.
3 Turn on the P-touch.
☞
The USB cable needed for connecting the P-touch to the computer is not included. Be
sure to use a cable that meets the following specifications.
CONNECTING THE P-TOUCH TO A COMPUTER
A
A
C
C
C
C
B
B
Overmolded
Series “A” Plug
Overmolded
Series “B” Plug
Detail A-A
(Series
“A”Plug)
Detail B-B
(Series
“B”Plug)
15.7 7.5 10.5 11.5
12.0 12.0
27.0 32.0
9.0
9.0
Optional Molded
Strain Relief

7
The P-touch Editor software adds even more illustration and layout features to the label-mak-
ing possibilities available with your PT-2300/2310.
☞ Do not connect the PT-2300/2310 to the computer before installing the P-touch Editor
software, otherwise it may not be installed correctly. Be sure not to connect the PT-
2300/2310 until you are instructed to do so.
On an IBM PC-Compatible Computer
To install the P-touch Editor software:
1 Check that your system configuration meets the following requirements.
Computer: IBM PC or compatible
Operating system: Microsoft
®
Windows
®
2000 or pre-installed with Microsoft
®
Win-
dows
®
98/98SE/Me
Hard disk free space: At least 20 MB
☞ A few hundred megabytes of additional free space may be needed when printing
long labels or large amounts of data.
Available memory: Minimum 32 MB
Monitor: VGA or higher graphics card
USB port
CD-ROM drive
2 Insert the P-touch Editor Version 3.1 CD-
ROM into the computer’s CD-ROM drive. A
dialog box automatically appears, allowing
you to select the language.
☞
If the dialog box does not automatically
appear, double-click “My Computer” on
the desktop, double-click the icon for
the CD-ROM drive containing the CD-
ROM, and then double-click
“Setup.exe” to display the dialog box.
INSTALLING P-TOUCH EDITOR

8
3 Select the language for the Windows operat-
ing system that you are using, and then click
the OK button. A dialog box appears, allow-
ing you to select what to install.
4 Click the top 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 (Printer driver). The
first Driver Setup dialog box appears,
informing you that the PT-2300/2310
printer driver will be installed.
Continue with the procedure in To
install the USB printer driver on
page 10.
5 Carefully read the contents of the dialog box,
and then click the Next button to continue.
The User Information dialog box appears.

9
6 Type 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.
7 Click the Yes button to register the entered
information. The Setup Type dialog box
appears.
☞ To change the information, click the
No button, and then return to step 6 .
8 Select 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 Version 3.1, clip
art, Auto Format templates, Help,
and 13 fonts) are installed.
Compact: Only P-touch Editor Version
3.1 is installed.
• 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.

10
1) Select which options to install.
Editor: The P-touch Editor Version 3.1 software
Clip Art: The illustrations for the P-touch Editor Version 3.1 Clip Art func-
tion
Fonts: The 13 fonts
Auto Format
Templates: The templates for the Auto Format function
User’s Guide: The User’s Guide (HTML) for the P-touch Editor Version 3.1 (The
User’s Guide can also be viewed from the CD-ROM.)
Help: The help files for P-touch Editor Version 3.1
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 certain 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.
9 After 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-2300/2310 printer driver will be installed.
Continue with the procedure in
To install the USB printer driver below .
If the printer driver is already installed, click
the No button, restart the computer, and then
remove the CD-ROM from the CD-ROM
drive.
To install the USB printer driver:
With Plug-and-Play, new devices connected to the system are detected, and their drivers are
automatically installed. If the PT-2300/2310 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 file supplied on the CD-ROM.
☞ Be sure not to connect the PT-2300/2310 until you are instructed to do so.

11
1 Click the Next button. A dialog box appears,
instructing you to connect the PT-2300/2310
to the computer.
2 Connect the PT-2300/2310 to the computer
using a USB interface cable as described on
page 6, and then turn on the PT-2300/2310.
A dialog box appears, showing that the
printer driver has been installed.
3 Click the Finish button. A dialog box
appears, showing that installation is finished.
4 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 computer.

12
To replace, add or delete the printer driver:
1 Turn off the PT-2300/2310, and then disconnect it from the computer.
2 Insert the P-touch Editor Version 3.1 CD-ROM
into the computer’s CD-ROM drive. A dialog
box automatically appears, allowing you to
select the language.
☞ If the dialog box does not automati-
cally appear, double-click “My Com-
puter” on the desktop, double-click the
icon for the CD-ROM drive containing
the CD-ROM, and then double-click
“Setup.exe” to display the dialog box.
3 Select the language for the Windows operat-
ing system that you are using, and then click
the OK button. A dialog box appears, allow-
ing you to select what to install.
4 Click the bottom button (Printer driver). A
Driver Setup dialog box appears, allowing
you to select whether to replace, add or
delete the PT-2300/2310 printer driver.
5 Select the desired operation, and then click
the Next button.
☞ If “Replace with new Brother PT-2300/
2310” is selected, the previously
installed printer driver is deleted, and
replaced with a new one. Select this
option when upgrading the printer
driver, or when running Windows
2000 and changing to a PT-2300/2310
with a different serial number.
If “Add Brother PT-2300/2310” is selected, a new printer driver is added. With a
USB connection on Windows
®
98/Me, only a port is added without adding it as a
new printer. Select this option when connecting and using multiple PT-2300/2310s
with the same computer.

13
6 If “Replace with new Brother PT-2300/
2310” or “Add Brother PT-2300/2310” was
selected: A dialog box appears, instructing
you to connect the PT-2300/2310 to the
computer.
Connect the PT-2300/2310 to the computer
using a USB interface cable as described on
page 6, and then turn on the PT-2300/2310.
A dialog box appears, showing that the
printer driver has been installed.
Select “Yes, restart immediately.”, and then
click the Finish button to restart the com-
puter.
If “Delete Brother PT-2300/2310” was
selected: A dialog box appears, asking for
confirmation to delete all PT-2300/2310
printer drivers.
Click the Yes button. A dialog box appears,
showing that the printer drivers have been
deleted.
Click the Finish button.
☞ If a dialog box appears, explaining that
the computer should be restarted,
select the option for restarting the
computer, and then click the Finish
button.

14
On a Macintosh Computer
The Mac version of the software is for a Mac with an English operating system. If the software is
installed on a Mac with an operating system in a different language, the software may not run properly.
To install the P-touch Editor software:
1 Check that your system configuration meets the following requirements.
Computer: Macintosh, Power Macintosh or iMac
Operating system: Mac OS 8.6 or later
*This software is only compatible with Mac OS X classic.
Hard disk free space: At least 20 MB
☞ A few hundred megabytes of additional free space may be needed when printing
long labels or large amounts of data.
Available memory free space: Minimum 24 MB
USB port
CD-ROM drive
*The application is supplied on a CD-ROM; therefore, the computer should be equipped
with a CD-ROM drive.
2 Connect the PT-2300/2310 to the Macintosh using a USB interface cable. Be sure to leave
the PT-2300/2310 turned off.
3 Turn on the Macintosh.
4 Insert the P-touch Editor Version 3.1 CD-ROM into the computer’s CD-ROM drive.
5 Double-click the P-touch Editor 3.1
Installer icon in the folder that appears.
6 After the installer starts up, select the
installation method.
• For a basic installation
Clicking the Install button immediately
starts installing the most basic options.
(Some clip art illustrations are not
installed.)
About 20 MB of available hard-disk
space is needed to begin installation. In
order to install all options, about 120
MB of available hard-disk space is
needed. If enough hard-disk space is
available, click the Install button.

15
• For a Custom installation
Clicking the Custom Install button dis-
plays a dialog box that allows you to
select which options to install.
Only the options with a check mark
beside them are installed. Select the
options that you wish to install, and
then click the Install button.
☞ In order to print from the PT-2300/
2310, “PT-2300/2310 Driver” must
be selected for installation.
7 When the installation is finished and the
following dialog box appears, click the
Quit button.
8 When the dialog box appears, asking if
you wish to restart the computer, click the
Restart button to restart the computer.

16
To select the PT-2300/2310 as the printer:
1 Turn on the PT-2300/2310.
2 Pull down the Apple menu and select
“Chooser” to display the Chooser window.
3 In the list on the left, click the PT-2300/
2310 icon. Then, select the appropriate
printer from the list on the right.
4 Close the Chooser window to confirm
your settings.
To delete P-touch Editor Version 3.1 and the printer driver:
☞ When deleting the printer driver, be sure that the P-touch is turned off and unplugged.
1 Drag the P-touch Editor Ver3.1 folder to the Trash icon.
2 In the System Folder, open the Extensions folder.
3 Drag the PT-2300/2310 icon and the USB PT-2300/2310 Extension icon to the Trash icon.
4 In the System Folder, open the Preferences folder.
5 Drag the PT-2300/2310 Prefs icon to the Trash icon.
The P-touch Editor application makes it easy for anyone to design and print labels for almost
any need imaginable.
On an IBM PC-Compatible Computer
To start up P-touch Editor:
• By clicking the P-touch Editor icon:
• Double-click the “P-touch Editor 3.1” icon in the “P-touch Editor 3.1” group window.
STARTING P-TOUCH EDITOR