Dymo LabelWriter 4XL Label Printer User manual

User Guide

Copyright
© 2008 Sanford, L.P. All rights reserved. Version 1.0 Revised 7/08.
No part of this document or the software may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means or translated into another language without the prior written consent of Sanford, L.P.
Trademarks
DYMO and LabelWriter are registered trademarks of Sanford, L.P. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective holders.

iii
Contents
About the LabelWriter 4XL Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Printer Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Loading Labels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Ordering Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Caring for Your Printer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Status Light. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Performing a Printer Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Clearing Label Jams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Correcting Poor Print Quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Labels Do Not Feed Correctly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Printer Does Not Print or Stops Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Limited Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Obtaining Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Returning Your Printer for Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Technical and Environmental Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Device Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Documentation Feedback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

iv

1
Chapter 1
About the LabelWriter 4XL Printer
Congratulations on purchasing a DYMO LabelWriter label printer. Your LabelWriter printer will
give you years of reliable label printing. We encourage you to take a few minutes to review how to
use and care for your printer.
Using the standard Windows and Mac OS printer drivers, you can print shipping labels with
Endicia software, print from standard Windows or Mac applications, or even integrate label
printing into your own custom applications. We have no doubt that the LabelWriter 4XL printer
will make your job easier and more efficient.
Printer Features
Your LabelWriter printer is a direct thermal printer and does not use ink or toner. Instead, the
printer uses heat from a thermal print head to print on specially treated, heat-sensitive labels. Labels
are the only supplies you will ever need to buy.
Become familiar with the major components of the printer.
The form-feed button on the front of the printer advances a single label. The label eject button is
used to remove labels from the printer when changing rolls.
The status light visually shows the current state of the printer:
•Solid blue - power is on and the printer is ready.
•Flashing blue - labels are not loaded properly or the label roll is empty.
System Requirements
The LabelWriter printer requires a USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 connection and one of the following:
•Windows®XP 32-bit
•Windows Vista®32 or 64-bit
•Mac OS®v10.3.9/10.4.11/10.5.2 or later
Form-feed
Label exit slot
and tear bar
Top
cover
USB
connector DC power
connector
button and
Cable
channel Label eject
button
Platen
Label roll
Label
spool
release
status light

About the LabelWriter 4XL Printer
2

3
Chapter 2
About Labels
DYMO LabelWriter printers use advanced thermal printing technology to print on specially
treated, heat-sensitive labels. This means you will never have to replace toner, ink cartridges, or a
ribbon to print labels.
Note DYMO’s warranty does not cover malfunction or damage that may be caused by the use of
labels other than DYMO-branded labels. Because DYMO LabelWriter printers use thermal printing
technology, you must use specially designed and manufactured labels. The thermal coatings used
on labels other than DYMO-branded labels may not be compatible, and may provide unsatisfactory
printing or cause the printer to malfunction.
How long your labels will last depends on how the labels are used. Thermal paper labels, such as
those printed by the LabelWriter printer, are susceptible to fading in two ways:
•Exposure to direct sunlight, to fluorescent light for an extended period of time, or to extreme
heat will cause fading.
•Contact with plasticizers (for example, labels placed on plastic ring binders) will cause fading.
In the original packaging, the shelf life for LabelWriter labels is 18 months. When labels are used
for short-term applications (envelopes, packages, and so on), fading is not a problem. When labels
are used to label files in a file cabinet, fading is very gradual over many years. Labels applied to the
edge of a notebook that is then placed on a shelf in the sun will show signs of fading within a few
months.
To prolong label life when labels are not in use, store the labels in a cool, dry place and in the black
bag in which they were originally packaged.

About Labels
4
Loading Labels
Each label roll comes in a black plastic bag. Make sure to store the label roll in this bag when the
labels are not being used.
Important!
In order for the labels to feed properly during printing, pay attention to the following when loading
labels on the spool and into the printer:
•The label spool guide must be pushed flush against the label roll, with no gap. See Figure 2.
•The labels must be loaded with the left edge of the label inserted against the left edge of the
label feed slot. See Figure 4.
To load a label roll
1With the printer plugged in, press the form-feed button to
eject the labels that protected the printer during shipment.
2Open the top cover and remove any packing material
inside the label compartment.
3Remove the label spool from inside the cover and separate
the spool guide from the spindle.
4Hold the spool spindle in your left hand and place the label roll
on the spindle so that the labels feed from underneath and the
left edge of the label roll is firmly against the side of the spool.
See Figure 1.
5Slide the spool guide onto the right side of the spool and press
the guide tightly against the side of the label roll, leaving no
gap between the roll and the spool. See Figure 2.
Note To ensure proper feeding of labels during printing, the
label roll must fit snugly against both sides of the label spool,
with no gaps.
6Insert the label spool into the slot in the printer cover with the
labels extending from underneath the roll. See Figure 3.
7Align the left edge of the label with the left edge of the label
feed slot and insert the label into the slot. See Figure 4.
The printer feeds the labels, stopping at the beginning of
the first label. If the printer does not feed the labels, make
sure the first label is fully inserted and then press the
form-feed button.
Note Regardless of the label width, the left edge of the
label must be aligned with the left edge of the label feed
slot for the labels to feed properly.
8Carefully lower the top cover.
Figure 1
Spool
spindle Spool
guide
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Align label with left
edge of label path

Ordering Labels
5
Ordering Labels
DYMO offers a full range of labels for the LabelWriter printers, including labels suited for
addressing envelopes, shipping packages, naming file folders, labeling all sorts of media, printing
name badges, and much more. A complete listing can be found in the label catalog that was
supplied with this printer and at the DYMO Web site: www.dymo.com.
Caution DYMO’s warranty does not cover malfunction or damage that may be caused by the use
of labels other than DYMO-branded labels. Because DYMO LabelWriter printers use thermal
printing technology, you must use specially designed and manufactured labels. The thermal
coatings used on labels other than DYMO-branded labels may not be compatible and may provide
unsatisfactory printing or cause the printer to malfunction.
Custom Labels
DYMO also offers several ways to customize your LabelWriter labels. You can order labels
preprinted with text or graphics in any color. For example, shipping labels can be preprinted with
your return address and logo to match your corporate letterhead. Labels are also available in custom
sizes and with special adhesives.
You can obtain details on our custom label program by calling the Custom Label Sales department
at 1-800-426-7827 or send an email to cust[email protected].

About Labels
6

7
Chapter 3
Caring for Your Printer
The LabelWriter printer is designed to give you long and trouble-free service, while requiring very
little maintenance. You will get the best possible performance from your LabelWriter printer if you
follow the setup instructions that appear in the Quick Start Guide and the procedures described in
this section.
You can easily clean your LabelWriter printer using the following items:
•Lint-free cloth.
•Isopropyl alcohol, diluted dishwashing detergent, or diluted glass cleaner.
Caution If you use glass cleaner, make sure it does not contain ammonia.
•Small, soft brush, such as a tooth brush or child’s paint brush.
•LabelWriter cleaning card.
One cleaning card (part number 60622) is included in your printer package. To purchase
additional cleaning cards, visit www.dymo.com or call [phone].
To keep your LabelWriter printer working properly, you should clean it from time to time. Dusting
the outside of the printer occasionally will help keep foreign matter from getting inside the printer.
However, it is still a good idea to periodically perform some basic interior maintenance, such as
cleaning the label path with the cleaning card.
To clean the exterior and interior of your printer
1Disconnect the power cord.
2Use the lint-free cloth to wipe the exterior of the printer.
3Remove dirt and smudges with one of the cleaning solutions mentioned above.
4Open the top cover.
5Use a small, soft brush or cotton swab to whisk away paper dust and other stray particles from
the inside of the printer.
6Remove the roll of labels and clean under the roll.
7If you have a LabelWriter cleaning card, follow the instructions printed on cleaning
card packaging.
8Reconnect the power cord.
9Reload the roll of labels and carefully close the top cover.

Caring for Your Printer
8

9
Chapter 4
Getting Help
Your LabelWriter printer should offer years of trouble-free printing with very little maintenance.
However, in the event that you encounter a problem, this chapter offers suggestions for resolving
problems that can occur when using the printer. If you are unable to solve a problem, this chapter
also describes how to contact DYMO Technical Support.
Troubleshooting
This section provides information on how to detect and correct problems you might encounter
while using your LabelWriter printer.
Status Light
The status light visually shows the current state of the printer:
•Solid blue - power is on and the printer is ready.
•Flashing blue - labels are not loaded properly or the label roll is empty.
Performing a Printer Self-Test
If you experience problems with broken characters or other print quality issues, perform a printer
self-test. The self-test verifies that all elements of the print head and printing mechanism are in
working condition.
To perform a self-test for the LabelWriter 4XL printer
1With a roll of labels in the printer, press and hold the form-feed button on the front of the
printer for five to ten seconds.
The printer begins printing vertical lines along the width of the printer. The test pattern
automatically changes every 3/4 inch (19 mm).
2Once the self-test begins, release the form-feed button.
3To stop the self-test, press and release the form-feed button.
Clearing Label Jams
To clear labels that have become jammed in the printer
1Tear off any labels that have already fed through the printer.
2Press the platen release lever forward and pull the jammed label out of the platen mechanism.
Press platen release
forward

Getting Help
10
Correcting Poor Print Quality
Poor print quality is most frequently caused by one of the following:
•An old roll of labels
•Labels made by a manufacturer other than DYMO
•Labels where the thermal coating has been compromised
•A dirty print head
First, make sure you are using DYMO-branded labels. Do not use third-party labels because the
thermal coating on other labels has a different sensitivity than DYMO-branded labels. Also, the
perforated holes between the labels made by other manufacturers are frequently not detectable by
LabelWriter printers.
If the print quality becomes faint, small dots of white appear scattered through the printed
characters, or light and dark patches of printing appear, you are probably using a faulty roll of
labels. Try using a different roll from a fresh box. If the second roll prints correctly, the problem is
with the first roll of labels.
Another possibility is that the LabelWriter print head needs cleaning. Every LabelWriter printer
comes with a cleaning card. See "Caring for Your Printer" on page 7 for information about the
LabelWriter cleaning card.
Labels Do Not Feed Correctly
If your labels do not feed correctly, check the following:
•Make sure your labels are loaded properly and that the left edge of the label is aligned with the
left edge of the label feed slot. See "Loading Labels" on page 4.
•Make sure you are using DYMO-branded labels. The perforated holes between the labels made
by other manufacturers are frequently not detectable by DYMO printers. When the
perforations are not detected, the labels will not feed correctly. Using third-party labels may
also void your warranty.
Printer Does Not Print or Stops Printing
If your printer does not print or stops printing while in use, follow the steps below to track down the
problem.
1Make sure the printer is still getting power and that the power cable has not been disconnected.
If the status light on the front of the printer is not lit, check to make sure the power cable is
plugged in, and that your power strip is working.
To make sure the problem is not with the outlet or power strip, try plugging something else into
the wall outlet and power strip.
2Confirm that the printer is feeding labels properly by pushing the form feed button while the
printer is on.
If the labels are jammed, the status light will blink. Refer to "Clearing Label Jams" on page 9.
3Make sure that your USB cable has not come loose from the back of your printer or from your
computer.
Refer to the installation instructions in the Quick Start Guide to make sure the cable is
connected properly.

Limited Warranty
11
4(Windows) Check that your LabelWriter printer driver is installed correctly.
The LabelWriter printer driver takes print data from your software and directs it to the
LabelWriter printer. The driver is automatically installed when you install the software that
comes with your printer. However, the driver may have been changed or deleted by mistake.
a. From the Start menu, choose Printers and Faxes.
b. Right-click the LabelWriter printer icon, and then choose Properties.
c. From the Properties dialog box, click Printing Preferences.
d. From the Preferences dialog box, click Advanced.
The Advanced dialog box appears.
If no errors are displayed the Advanced dialog box, the printer driver is installed correctly.
If you are still having problems after checking the above items, contact Customer Service to
arrange for a Return Authorization (RA). See "Obtaining Technical Support" on page 11.
Limited Warranty
You r DYM O®LabelWriter®printer comes with a warranty against defects in materials, design, or
workmanship, for two years from the original date of purchase, when used in accordance with all
operating instructions. Normal wear and tear is not covered, nor is excessive use, abuse or damage
caused by a user either intentionally or accidentally.
DYMO LabelWriter printers are warranted for use only with DYMO-branded labels. Sanford, L.P.
will not be responsible for malfunction or damage caused by the use of other media.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, SANFORD MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SANFORD SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SANFORD’S
LIABILITY UNDER THIS WARRANTY SHALL BE LIMITED TO REPAIR OR
REPLACEMENT OF THE PRINTER. SANFORD SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT FORESEEABLE.
THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE
OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE AND COUNTRY TO COUNTRY.
Obtaining Technical Support
If you experience problems with the setup or use of your printer, carefully read this manual to make
sure you have not missed something that is covered in the documentation.
If you cannot resolve your problem by consulting the documentation, you can obtain additional
information and assistance from DYMO.
DYMO maintains an Internet Web site at www.dymo.com that includes the latest support
information for your LabelWriter printer.
You can also contact DYMO Technical Support by phone or fax from 9 am to 8 pm, Eastern time.
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] or [phone]
Visit the Support area of our Web site at www.dymo.com to contact us by email.

Getting Help
12
Returning Your Printer for Repair
In order to claim warranty coverage, a dated proof of purchase for the printer is required.
You can obtain warranty service by contacting DYMO's Technical Support department for a return
authorization number (RA). Products sent to DYMO for repair without authorization will be
returned to you at your expense.
Obtaining an RA Number from DYMO
Contact the Technical Support department at [phone] between 9 am and 8 pm Eastern time.
A Technical Support specialist will ask you to describe the problem and to provide the serial
number of the product. Upon confirmation of the defect, the service representative will give you an
RA number to use when returning the printer.
Shipping the Printer to DYMO
The RA number must be clearly written on the side of the shipping container used to return the
printer. Unless otherwise instructed by DYMO, the product must be sent freight prepaid to the
following repair center:
DYMO Service Center
RA#nnnnnn-nnnnnn (include your RA# here)
30 Commerce Road
Stamford, CT 06902-5506
Note We recommend using a form of shipment that offers tracking and proof of delivery.
DYMO will repair the defects covered under warranty at no charge within approximately three
working days. DYMO will return the repaired printer to you using an equivalent shipping method.
Note The original warranty on the printer remains – the warranty does not restart from the
repair date.
Except as otherwise provided by law, you may be required to pay all shipping charges, and you will
be so notified at the time that you request an RA from DYMO. Upon return of the printer and
finding that the service required is covered by this warranty, we may repair or replace the printer, at
our discretion.
Out-of-Warranty Repairs
DYMO will notify you if your printer is not eligible for warranty service, and will repair such
printers, for a reasonable charge, only after authorization from you.
Note Please DO NOT send products to DYMO without first obtaining an RA number. Packages
shipped without an RA number will be returned to you at your expense.

13
Chapter 5
Technical and
Environmental Information
This chapter contains technical and certification information for the LabelWriter 4XL printer.
Technical Specifications
LabelWriter 4XL
Print Method Direct Thermal
Print Resolution 300 dots per inch (11.8 dots per mm)
Print Speed
(labels/min for address label in
text mode)
53
Maximum Print Width 4.16 in (105.73 mm)
Maximum Media Width 4.53 in (115 mm)
Maximum Label Length User-definable
Interface USB 2.0 Printer Class Device
Dimensions (WHD)
7 in (178 mm) x 5.31 in (135 mm) x 7.37 in (187 mm)
Weight
27.6 ounces (0.782 kg)
Average Print Head Life 787,000 linear inches (124 miles) 200,000 linear meters
Printer Power Requirements 24 VDC 3.75 A
Rated Duty Cycle 1000 shipping labels per hour
Regulatory Approvals CE, FCC, TUV CB, cTUVus, TUV GS, and C-Tick
Warranty Two Year Limited

Technical and Environmental Information
14
Declaration of Conformity
Description: Direct Thermal Printer
Model: DYMO LabelWriter 4XL
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC (Federal Communications Committee) rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try correcting the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
•Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
•Use shielded cables to connect this device to computers.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
You may find helpful the following booklet, prepared by the FCC: Interference Handbook. This
booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents,
Washington, DC 20402-9325.
Note Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment and void the manufacturer’s
warranty.
Device Certification
This device has been tested and complies with the requirements of:
TUV CB Test Certificate
cTUVus Certificate
TUV GS Certificate
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD IEC 60950 Safety of information technology equipment
FCC Part 15 Class B
EN55022: Radiated and Conducted Emissions B
EN50082-1: Generic Immunity ESD, RF, and Transient Susceptibility
UL 60950-1:2003
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1-03
EN 55024:1998 Immunity
IEC61000-4-2-1995 Electrostatic Discharge Immunity
IEC61000-4-3-1995 Radiated Electromagnetic Field Immunity
IEC61000-4-4-1995 Electrical Fast Transient Immunity

Documentation Feedback
15
IEC61000-4-5-1995 Surge Immunity
IEC61000-4-6-1996 Conducted RF Immunity
IEC61000-4-3-1996 Conducted RF Immunity
IEC61000-4-8-1993 Power Frequency Magnetic Field Immunity Test
IEC61000-4-11-1994 Voltage Dips and Interruptions Immunity on AC Mains
EN61000-3-2:2000 Power Harmonics
EN61000-3-3:1995 + A1:2001 Voltage Fluctuations
Documentation Feedback
We are constantly working to produce the highest quality documentation for our products. We
welcome your feedback. Send us your comments or suggestions about our online Help, printed, or
PDF manuals.
Please include the following information with your feedback:
•Product name and version number
•Type of document: printed manual, PDF, or online Help
•Topic title (for online Help) or page number (for printed or PDF manuals)
•Brief description of content (for example, step-by-step instructions that are inaccurate,
information that requires clarification, areas where more detail is needed, and so on)
•Suggestions for how to correct or improve the documentation
We also welcome your suggestions for additional topics you would like to see covered in the
documentation.
Send email feedback to:
[email protected]
Please keep in mind that this email address is only for documentation feedback. If you have a
technical question, please contact Customer Service.

Technical and Environmental Information
16