Epson TM-C3500 Series Instruction Manual

Developer’s Guide
M00107502
Rev.C
Before use
Functions and Operating
Procedures of the Printer
How to Use the Printer Driver
Application Development
Information
Media Design
Printer Management
Appendix
Series

2
Before use
This chapter describes information you should know before using the product.
Manuals for This Product
Downloading the Latest Version
The latest versions of the printer driver, utilities, and manuals can be downloaded from the
following URLs.
For customers in North America, go to the following web site:
<www.epson.com/support/>
For customers in other countries, go to the following web site:
<www.epson-biz.com/>
Paper manual Start Here
Describes precautions on handling the product. Be sure to read the
precautions before use in order to ensure safe and proper use, and to prevent
personal injury to you and other persons and damage to property. This also
gives instructions for unpacking and installing the product.
Manual viewable
with PC User's Guide
Describes details about the functions and operating procedures of the
product and software, maintenance information, and troubleshooting.
Manual viewable
with PC Developer's Guide (This Manual)
Provides information necessary for developing a system using the product.
It can be viewed from the supplied CD.

3
Symbols Used in This Guide
The following symbols are used in this guide to indicate important information.
CAUTION
Handling the product improperly by ignoring this symbol can lead to
injury and property damage.
cIMPORTANT
Indicates information with which you must comply when using the
product. Mishandling due to ignoring this information may cause the
product to fail or malfunction.
QNOTE Indicates supplementary explanations and information you should know.
UIndicates a reference page containing related information.

4
Product and Driver Versions
Unless otherwise specified, the explanations in this manual are for the following versions.
Product firmware: WAM31000
Printer driver: Ver.2.0.0.0
How to Check the Product Version
You can check the version of the product firmware being used by performing self test printing.
Check the first line of the self test print results. For the procedure for the self-test printing, see
the User’s Guide.
How to Check the Printer Driver Version
You can check the version in the printer driver screen.
Firmware version
Printer driver version

5
Screens in This Manual
The screens in this manual and the screens actually displayed in Windows may differ depending on the
product used and operating system. Unless otherwise specified, the screens in this manual are those
when using TM-C3500 in Windows 7.

6
Contents
Before use ..................................... 2
■Manuals for This Product ................................2
Downloading the Latest Version.........................................2
Symbols Used in This Guide .................................................3
■Product and Driver Versions...........................4
How to Check the Product Version ....................................4
How to Check the Printer Driver Version .........................4
■Screens in This Manual ....................................5
■Contents ...........................................................6
Functions and Operating
Procedures of the Printer............. 8
■Preventing Mistaken Operation of the Power
Button ...............................................................8
■Disabling the Power Button............................9
■Saving and Restoring PrinterSetting
Settings.......................................................... 11
Saving Settings....................................................................... 12
Restoring Settings ................................................................. 13
How to Use the Printer Driver....14
■Printing Barcodes/2-Dimensional Symbols 14
Barcodes/2-Dimensional Symbol Settings................... 15
Font Replacement ................................................................. 23
Printing from an Application............................................. 25
Checking the Feeding Position......................................... 35
■Favorites ........................................................ 36
Favorites Screen Configuration ........................................ 36
Registering Favorites............................................................ 37
■Importing/Exporting Settings Files ............ 39
Settings that can be Exported to a BSF File ................. 39
Settings that cannot be Exported to a BSF File .......... 39
Exported Settings.................................................................. 40
Importing Settings................................................................ 41
Application Development
Information.................................42
■Epson Inkjet Label Printer SDK.....................42
Media Design..............................43
■Types of Media that can be Used..................43
Paper that cannot be Used................................................. 44
■Paper Loading Detection ..............................45
Detection Methods ............................................................... 45
Paper Limitations ................................................................... 46
■Paper Specifications......................................48
Continuous Paper .................................................................. 48
Continuous Paper (Black Marks)....................................... 49
Full-page Label ....................................................................... 51
Die-cut label (Gap)................................................................. 52
Die-cut label (black marks)................................................. 54
Wristband ................................................................................. 58
■Print Position and Cut Position.....................60
Continuous Paper and Roll Paper ....................................60
Continuous Paper (Black Marks) and Roll Paper......... 62
Continuous Paper (Black Marks) and Fanfold Paper.. 64
Full-page Label and Roll Paper.......................................... 66
Die-cut Label (Gaps) and Roll Paper................................ 68
Die-cut Labels (Black Marks) and Roll Paper ................ 70
Die-cut Labels (Black Marks) and Fanfold Paper......... 72
Wristband and Roll Paper (WB-S Series)........................ 74
Wristband and Roll Paper (WB-M Series) ...................... 76
Wristband and Roll Paper (WB-L Series) ........................ 79
■Paper Handling to Prevent Unprinted
Labels .............................................................83
Printing from the First Label at Paper Loading ........... 83
Printing the Final Label........................................................ 86

7
Printer Management..................89
■Software ........................................................ 89
■Efficiently Setting Up a Printer .................... 90
Specify Printer Settings Before Ink Charging............... 90
Efficiently Setting up Multiple Printers.......................... 91
■Efficiently Setting up the Printer Driver ..... 92
Creating an Installation Package ..................................... 92
Client Computer Procedures ............................................. 92
■Efficient System Management..................... 93
Printer Monitoring................................................................. 93
Changing Printer Settings .................................................. 95
Changing Printer Driver Settings..................................... 96
Automatically Changing a Printer Driver USB Port.... 97
Appendix ..................................101
■Notes............................................................ 101
■Trademarks.................................................. 101

8
Functions and Operating Procedures of the Printer
This chapter describes the functions of and how to use the printer.
Preventing Mistaken Operation of the Power Button
Attach the supplied power switch cover to prevent users from mistakenly pressing the power button.
You can turn the printer power on and off by inserting a ballpoint pen or similar item with a thin tip
into the hole of the power switch cover.
Attach the power switch cover by following the procedures below.
1Pierce the middle of the power switch cover with a thin-tipped hard object
to open the hole.
2Peel off the backing of the double-sided tape of the power switch cover.
3Affix the power switch cover over the printer power button.

9
Disabling the Power Button
You can disable power button operation so that the power remains constantly on. Pressing the power
button with the power disabled does not turn the power off but rather resets the printer.
Disable the power button by following the procedures below.
1Check that the printer is powered off.
2Open the ink cartridge cover and remove the dip switch cover.
CAUTION
Turn the printer off before removing the dip switch cover.
Removing the cover while the power is on may cause the printer to fail
due to a short circuit.

10
3Use an object with a sharp tip to operate the dip switches.
The dip switches are numbered in order from the left. Up is the ON state
and down is the OFF state. Turn on dip switch 1.
4Attach the dip switch cover and close the ink cartridge cover.
12345678

11
Saving and Restoring PrinterSetting Settings
PrinterSetting is a utility to set the printer from a Windows computer. You can save settings made
using PrinterSetting in a settings file. A settings file can be used as a backup file or master file when
operating multiple printers.
✓: Can be saved
-: Cannot be saved
Menu Setting item Savable
General Media Settings Media source settings ✓
Media detection settings ✓
Printer Operation
Settings
Nozzle Check Mode Settings ✓
Paper Loading Settings ✓
Advanced
Settings
Notification
Settings
Beep Notification Setting at an Error ✓
LED Notification Setting at Ink Low ✓
Notification Setting at a Media Size Error ✓
Panel Button
Settings
Panel Button Settings ✓
Operating Time
Settings
Platen Vacuum Operation Pause Time Set-
tings
Data Standby Time Settings
✓
Printer
Adjustment
Paper Feed
Adjustment
Cut Position Adjustment
Print Start Position Adjustment (Vertical
Direction)
Print Start Position Adjustment (Horizontal
Direction)
✓
Sensor
Adjustment
Adjust the Label Gap Detection Sensor
Adjust the Black Mark Detection Sensor
-
Print Head
Alignment
Banding Adjustment
Bi-directional Printing Adjustment
-
Option Media Source Settings Option -

12
Saving Settings
Save settings by following the procedures below.
1Display the printer driver.
2Select the Printer Utilities tab and then click Printer Setting.
The TM-C3500 PrinterSetting screen appears.
3Select Settings Save and Restore.
The Settings Save and Restore screen appears.
4If set values can be acquired from this printer, the values acquired from the
current settings will be displayed.
5Click Save Settings.
The Save as screen appears
6Specify a file name and saving location, and then click Save.
The successful operation message is displayed to indicate that settings have been saved.

13
Restoring Settings
Restore settings by following the procedures below.
1Display the printer driver.
2Select the Printer Utilities tab and then click Printer Setting.
The TM-C3500 PrinterSetting screen appears.
3Select Settings Save and Restore.
The Settings Save and Restore screen appears.
4Click Restore Settings.
The Open screen appears.
5Select the settings file you want to restore and click Open.
A confirmation screen appears.
6Click OK. File restoration starts.
7A message is displayed when restoration is completed. Click OK.
The successful operation message is displayed to indicate that settings have been restored.

14
How to Use the Printer Driver
This chapter describes the functions and operating procedures of the printer driver.
Printing Barcodes/2-Dimensional Symbols
This section describes how to use the fonts for barcodes/2-dimensional symbols of the printer driver,
and how to print barcodes/2-dimensional symbols. Using a font for barcodes/2-dimensional symbol
allows you to print barcodes/2-dimensional symbols with a high level of readability that is suitable for
the resolution of this printer.
The settings flow is as follows.
Barcodes/2-Dimensional Symbol Settings
Set the type and size of barcodes/2-dimensional symbols in the font for barcodes/
2-dimensional symbols of the printer driver.
Font Replacement
You can replace the printer driver fonts to replace the font for barcodes/2-dimen-
sional symbols with a True Type font.
Printing from an Application
Use an application to create values for barcodes/2-dimensional symbols and
print accordingly.

15
Barcodes/2-Dimensional Symbol Settings
Set items such as the type, size, and print direction of barcodes/2-dimensional symbols, and set
the font for barcodes/2-dimensional symbols.
You can specify a total of 30 items for a barcodes and 2-dimensional symbols font.
Specify settings by following the procedures below.
1Display the printer driver.
2Click Barcodes/2-Dimensional Symbols Settings on the Driver Utilities
tab.
The Barcode and 2D Symbol Settings screen appears.
3From Type, select the barcode/2-dimensional symbol you want to specify.
Setting items change depending on the type.
4Set the displayed items. Right-click an item and then click Help to display
an explanation of the setting item.
QNOTE
Setting point displays a point value corresponding to the size of the bar-
codes/2-dimensional symbols. Specify this value when printing from an
application.

16
5Click Size Display and check the printing size of the barcodes/2-dimen-
sional symbols.
6Input a character string into Test print and then click Print. After printing
barcodes/2-dimensional symbols, use a scanner to check that they can be
read.

17
7Input the name of the font for barcodes/2-dimensional symbols into Font
name and then click Add on the lower left.
8Check that the font for barcodes/2-dimensional symbols has been added to
the Font list and then click OK. Close the Barcode and 2D Symbol Set-
tings screen.
Setting of the barcodes/2-dimensional symbols is now completed.

18
Barcode Print Direction
Barcode print direction and name are as follows.
When printing ladder barcodes, it may not be possible to read the barcode with a barcode
reader if printed straddling the feeding position. (U“Checking the Feeding Position” on page
35) For this reason, it is recommended to use fence barcodes or set the Print Quality to
Quality (Mode2).
8 1 0 1 0 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 0 0
8 1 0 1 0 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 0 0
Paper feed direction
Fence barcode Ladder barcode

19
Printing with ANSI Print Quality Grade
You can print with ANSI print quality grade depending on the media type, printer driver
settings, and direction and size of barcodes/2-dimensional symbols. The setting items are as
follows.
Barcodes
-: Not guaranteed
General settings
Print
direction
*1
Font settings of barcodes/2-dimensional symbols
Media type Print
quality
Adjust
Bar
Width *2
Upper line: Minimum module (dot)
Lower line: Minimum element ratio
ANSI
grade D or
higher
ANSI
grade C or
higher
ANSI
grade B or
higher
Plain paper Speed Fence Yes 4 dot
2.5
--
Ladder 6 dot
2.5
--
Synthetic
paper
Matte paper
Glossy
Speed Fence Yes 3 dot
2.7
4 dot
2.5
Ladder 6 dot
2.5
--
Quality
(Mode1)
Fence 3 dot
2.7
4 dot
2.5
Ladder 6 dot
2.5
--
Quality
(Mode2)
Fence 3 dot
2.7
4 dot
2.5
Ladder 6 dot
2.5
--

20
*1: In some cases, missing dots and irregularity in ink shots may occur when printing ladder barcodes,
resulting in the ANSI grade being lowered to F and making barcodes unreadable. Apply an
innovative method such as printing HRI characters.
*2: Ink may penetrate the paper due to its characteristics, causing the bars of printed barcodes to
become thicker. In such cases, reduce the data in a bar by one pixel and increase the blank space
by one pixel (Adjust Bar Width).
*3: The recommended values for specified media types and barcodes are as follows.
For wristbands and Code 128: Five-dot module and ANSI grade D
For wristbands and Codabar: Four-dot module, minimum element ratio of 2.5, and ANSI grade C
Wristbands Speed Fence Yes 3 dot
2.7
4 dot
2.5
Ladder 6 dot
2.5 *3
-*3 -
Quality
(Mode1)
Fence 3 dot
2.7
4 dot
2.5
Ladder 6 dot
2.5 *3
-*3 -
QNOTE
If an odd number value is set for the Module, changing the Media Type
and Print Quality causes the resolution to change, resulting in a change in
the size of the printed barcode.
General settings
Print
direction
*1
Font settings of barcodes/2-dimensional symbols
Media type Print
quality
Adjust
Bar
Width *2
Upper line: Minimum module (dot)
Lower line: Minimum element ratio
ANSI
grade D or
higher
ANSI
grade C or
higher
ANSI
grade B or
higher