Evolis KU10E User manual

Tattoo User’s Guide part number: KU10E Rev. B0
Evolis CardPrinter © September 2007
USERÕs Guide

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Evolis Card Printer © September 2007. All rights reserved.
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Users must respect the copyright laws applicable in their country. This manual must not be
photocopied, translated, reproduced or transmitted in whole or in part for any reason and by the
means that might be, albeit electronic or mechanical, without the express, written authorisa-
tion of the company Evolis Card Printer.
All information contained herein may be subject to modification without prior notice.
Evolis Card Printer accepts no liability for any possible errors herein, nor for any accidental
damage or damage caused through the dissemination or the use of this manual.
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Tattoo is a trademark and Evolis is a registered trademark of Evolis Card Printer.
Windows and MS.DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. All other trademarks or
registered trademarks are marks of their respective holders. eMedia Card Designer is a trade-
mark of Mediasoft Technologies.
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Throughout this manual, different icons highlight important information, as follows:
Indicates information that emphasizes or supplements important points of the main text.
Advises you of information that is essential to complete a task, or points out the importance
of specific information in the text.
Advises you that failure to take or avoid a specific action could result in physical harm to
you, or could result in physical damage to the hardware.
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Refer to the Warranty booklet enclosed with your Evolis printer for terms and conditions.
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In order to make a warranty claim you must contact an Evolis Reseller. You will be responsible for
packaging the printer for shipment and the costs of shipping and insurance of the printer from the
point of use of the printer to the Evolis Reseller. The Evolis Reseller will bear the costs of shipping
and insuring the printer from the repair location to the address from which the printer was shipped.
Before returning any equipment for in-warranty or out-of warranty repair, contact an Evolis
Reseller or an Evolis Repair Center (ERC) for a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number.
Repack the equipment in the original packing material and mark the RMA number clearly on
the outside of the box. For more information about RMA or Evolis warranty statements, refer to
the Warranty booklet enclosed with your Evolis printer.
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WEEE Directive
This symbol indicates that when the last user wishes to discard this product, it must
be sent to appropriate facilities for recovery and recycling.
By not discarding this product along with other household-type waste, the volume
of waste sent to incinerators or landfills will be reduced and natural resources will
be conserved. Your Evolis printer should be recycled according to your local stan-
dards. For more information, please contact Evolis at: [e-mail].

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Using the latest printing technologies, Evolis Tattoo offers its
users both performance and quality.
Evolis Tattoo combines user-oriented design, compact size
and ease of use. It is fully adapted to small runs and fields
such as identification, loyalty and leisure.
The ‘Evolis Genuine Product’ line of consumables linked to
the printer was specifically developed and optimized to gua-
rantee the best quality of printing.
Using these consumables increases the lifespan of your
badges and of your Evolis printer.
As for all Evolis products, particular care has been used in
writing this manual. But if an error has still managed to slip
into these pages without our wanting it, please let us know
by sending an e-mail to [e-mail]. Evolis will then do
everything in its power to correct the problem and give you
complete satisfaction.

11Install the Evolis printer
Technology and benefits ...........................................06
Initial approach ......................................................07
Install your printer..................................................08
Check the items shipped
Connect the printer to the main power supply
Printer Control panel...............................................10
Stand by ...............................................................10
Install the ribbons...................................................11
Monochrome or color ribbon
Install the cards .....................................................12
Types of cards
Installation in the feeder
Manual card loading
Remove the personalized cards..................................13
22Setting of parameters
Windows print driver ...............................................14
Installation of the print driver
Properties of the driver
Card printing configuration in
an office automation application
33Error messages and diagnostics
Notification of messages...........................................21
Description of the printer control panel
Interpretation of messages .......................................22
Diagnostics assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Print and interpret a test card
Identify the software version installed
C
Co on nt te en nt ts s

44Servicing and Maintenance
Ordinary maintenance..............................................25
Clean the card feed module
Service the cleaning rollers
Clean the print head
Maintenance .........................................................30
Replace the cleaning rollers
Replace the print head
Update the Firmware
Update the print driver
Troubleshooting .....................................................35
Free a card jammed in the printing unit
Upgrade printing quality
Assistance.............................................................38
Network of Evolis partners
Look for information on www.evolis.com
Register your product to benefit from updates
55Characteristics
Declaration of conformity..........................................39
Printer specifications...............................................40
List of “Evolis Genuine Product” consumables ...............42
Magnetic encoding ..................................................43
C
Co on nt te en nt ts s

I
In ns st ta al ll l
t
th he eE Ev vo ol li is sp pr ri in nt te er r
The aim of this first part is to assist you, step-by-step, in
discovering your new printer and putting it to work for you.
By taking the time to review these few pages, you will get more
detailed knowledge about your printer and its capabilities, while
optimizing the time needed to install and start using the product.
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Evolis Tattoo is specially designed for users requiring simplicity and quality of printing for their
personalization of badges in monochrome or color.
In a few seconds, the Tattoo personalizes your pre-printed or blank plastic cards, and prints your
texts, barcodes, graphics, logos and pictures.
Truly flexible, this printer can be used for batch printing with the 100-card feeder, or “over-the counter”
runs, with cards inserted manually, one after the other.
Tattoo is one of the most compact of all plastic card printers, and can be integrated in all types of
environment: offices, bank receptions, shop counters.
Evolis Tattoo suits perfectly applications such as professional and business cards, identification badges
(employees, visitors…), membership cards, and event cards.
In addition, it perfectly fits applications such as loyalty cards and transportation passes.
1
1
06

07
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ACover lever Enables the printer cover to be opened and closed.
BCard Feeder Receives the cards for printing.
CDetachable output hopper Collects the printed and/or encoded cards.
DControl Panel Shows the printer activity.
EThermal print head Enables the cards to be printed in 300 dpi.
FRibbon Monochrome or color ribbon (cf consumable list). E
GPush button Shows the printer activity (power ON/OFF).
HCleaning roller Removes all dust before the cards are printed.
I Magnetic encoding head (option) Enables cards with magnetic tracks 1, 2 and 3 to be encoded.
JPower supply connector Enables the printer to be connected to its power supply.
KUSB computer connector (std) Enables data to be received and sent "from" and "to" the computer.
LDB-9 connector(s) (option) Enables data to be received and sent "from" and "to" the computer.
or a coupler to be connected for chip cards personalization.
MIdentification label Indicates the model and the serial number of the printer.

08
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The Evolis printer must be set up in a dry, well-ventilated location protected against dust and air
currents.
In addition, make sure you install your printer on a sturdy flat surface that can support its weight of
around 2.4 kg (5.3 lbs).
Finally, it is essential to allow free access to the connectors and to the power plug.
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The Evolis printer is shipped with a set of accessories that we invite you to examine.
Please take note that this list may vary in terms of the geographic area where you are located.
The printer is shipped in an original container specially designed to ensure that the product is pro-
tected against any risk of damage during shipment.
In the event of visible damage at the time of delivery, do not hesitate to carry out all required steps
as far as the shipper is concerned, and immediately contact your Evolis dealer who will provide you
with all necessary assistance.
Evolis has paid particular attention to the quality of this shipping material, and we urge you to keep
it in a clean, dry space.
This packaging material will be required to return equipment.
During the manufacturer’s guarantee period, returning material without the original Evolis
packaging could cause you to lose the benefit of this guarantee !
The following parts are furnished with your Evolis printer:
■Power supply unit - VP ELECTRONIQUE or SWITCHBOX Type F10723-A or FDF0503-A
■Main power cable
■USB cable (length 1:80 m) - Item # A5017
■CD-Rom Drivers & Documentations
■CD-Rom eMedia Card Designer Trial Version 30 days.
■Cleaning kit
■Evolis Limited Guarantee document (must be consulted)
■Quick start
In the absence of one of these components, please contact your Evolis dealer.
Only use the power supply delivered with your Tattoo
VP ELECTRONIQUE or SWITCHBOX Type F10723-A or VP ELECTRONIQUE Type EA10723
Only use the same type of USB cable as the one delivered with your Tattoo.

09
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Before installing the printer, please perform the following operations:
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Turn off the printer by pulling the plug out of the
socket, which must always be accessible.
This product must be connected to an electrical
installation that is correctly protected and grounded.
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varustettuun pistorasiaan
NO: Apparatet må tilkoples jordet stikkontakt
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1. Connect the power supply cord to the power supply, then attach the power cord
connector to the printer.
2. Then connect the end of the power supply cord to a grounded system outlet.
3. The printer is under power. The light on the control panel comes on and the
print head rises and falls to indicate the correct mechanical working of the
printer. If the light fails to come on, this means that the installation has not
been carried out correctly or possibly that the printer is not working pro-
perly. Check the installation.
Prior to any maintenance action, always disconnect the power supply
cable.
For your own safety, these components must remain accessible at all
times to permit emergency action
This product must be connected to a correctly protected and grounded electrical ins-
tallation
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The data USB cable must never be connected before the installation of the
printer driver has been completed.
Refer to Chapter 2 and carefully follow these instructions.

10
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A control panel is available in front of the printer.
Four lights are associated with symbols indicating the printer activity.
These lights indicate the following:
Refer to chapter 3 of this manual for further information
on interpreting the messages of the control panel.
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The printer automatically goes into stand-by after 10 minutes of inactivity.
The light on the push button from the control panel goes out.
To reactivate the printer, press the push button for one second.
The light on the push button comes on.
Tattoo may be left in stand-by at any time by pressing a few seconds the push
button as indicated. The light on the push button goes out.
Turned on
Data reception
(Pushbutton)
End of
ribbon
No card in
the feeder
or feeder
not present
Cleaning
signal
Cover
open

11
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Tattoo uses two types of ribbons:
■Color ribbon also called multi-panel ribbon
■Monochrome ribbons available in different colors: black, red, green, blue, white, gold, silver
The Evolis original ribbons are specially designed to guarantee optimum operation of your
equipment without any risk of damage. The use of ribbons from any other source than Evolis
could seriously damage the print head, consequently entailing the immediate interruption of
the factory warranty.
For optimum printing quality, Evolis recommends cleaning all the equipment each time a ribbon is
changed. It is up to the user to make this determination, provided, however, that he makes sure to
comply with the mandatory cleaning cycles in order to keep the equipment in perfect operating condi-
tions (consult the chapter on Ordinary Maintenance).
The validity of the factory guarantee is conditional upon compliance with these cleaning
cycles (cf. Limited Evolis Warranty document).
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To install a monochrome or color ribbon in the print module, proceed as follows:
The ribbon will be automatically positionned
when a new printing task is launched.
Installation of the print ribbons must be
accompanied by adequate defining of the
parameters of the print driver.
Please refer to the chapters on Properties of
the Driver for additional details.
3. Lower the cover
and lock it.
1. Open the cover of
the printer by
pressing the
opening lever then
turn it in vertical
position.
2. Install the new ribbon
in the position
indicated in the
diagram:
• Toothed wheel toward
the right side.
• Part including the
new ribbon located at
the front.

12
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Tattoo supports PVC cards varying in thickness between 0.25 mm (10 mil) and 0.76 mm (30 mil).
For optimum quality, these cards must comply with CR Standard 80.
10 mil cards must be used only for monochrome printings
There are several feeding and ejection modes available.
The driver must be set up accordingly to your needs and choice
(cf Chapter 2)
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The cards are installed in the feeder as follows:
2. Insert the
cards into the
feeder as
indicated,
printable face
down.
3. Put the feeder
back into place
in the printer
until it “Clicks”
in place.
1. Remove the
feeder as
indicated.
Only use the type of cards appearing
in the Technical Specifications in this
manual
Do not touch the printable surface of
the cards: the printing quality depends
on this.
Do not use cards that are damaged,
bent or that have an embossed texture.
Always store the blank cards in a
clean and dust-free location.
To load a card manually from the feeding mouth :
Insert a card in the feeding mouth.
The card will be automatically taken in and
ejected after the printing process.

13
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The printer is delivered with a detachable output hopper with a
capacity of 15 cards in 0.76 mm (30 mil) format. This is intended
to receive the printed cards, and must be installed as follows.
There are 2 different modes for the card reception:
- an automatic ejection mode (in this case, it is recommended to
use the detachable hopper delivered with the printer)
- a manual reception mode (the card must be collected after the
printing process)
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You have now completed the installation (material) of your Evolis printer. For the moment, we would
urge you to carry on reading this manual and we would inform you that there are still two extra
stages to be followed to make your Evolis printer fully operational:
• Installation of the driver
• Printer cleaning

14
S
Se et tt ti in ng go of fp pa ar ra am me et te er rs s
Defining the parameters of the printer and of its driver is a
highly important step and requires very special attention.
As a matter of fact, improper settings are factors that have a
negative impact on the quality of personalization.
It is therefore essential to proceed in stages, changing the
parameters only when you are completely sure.
Evolis gives you at all times the ability to return to the ‘factory’
settings if the adjustments made do not give the expected results.
Be careful about defining the personalized parameters and do not hesitate to contact your
Evolis dealer to get the necessary advice and assistance prior to any modification.
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The Evolis Tattoo driver operates under Windows XP, Server 2003 and Vista 32 and 64-bits.
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To install your print driver, you will need the CD-Rom ‘Drivers and Documentation’ shipped with your
Evolis printer.
Please make sure the USB cable is disconnected before starting this procedure.
The installation program automatically selects the version to be installed in terms of your
operating system.
1. Load the ‘DRIVERS & DOCUMENTATIONS’ CD-Rom in your CD drive.
2. Wait a few seconds until the welcome screen asks you to choose your language. If the
CD-Rom does not launch automatically, double click on the setup.exe file located in the DRIVERS
directory on the CD-Rom.
3. Select your language.
4. Click the “Install Driver” option to launch the setup program.
5. Make sure you stick precisely to the installation guidelines. Some versions of Windows may
require the user to have Administrator rights to install the driver.
2
2
2
2

15
Step 1: Accept the limited warranty conditions
Step 2: Make sure the USB cable is disconnected
Step 3: Destination location

16
Step 4: USB cable connection
Step 5: Printer Detection
Click 'next' and/or 'continue' if the following windows appear.

17
Step 6: End of the process
When the installation process is over, print a test card to make sure your printer operates suitably.
You are now ready to use your printer.

18
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Before using your printer, you must determine your personalized parameters:
■Type of ribbon for printing the cards
■Default parameter settings
You will find more detailed information on Evolis ribbons in the ‘Evolis Genuine Product’
Consumables List section.
In general, it is recommended to retain the default parameters determined by the print driver.
Modification of these parameters by an uninformed user could lead to a poor quality of per-
sonalization as well as to hardware damage.
So, stay alert and contact your Evolis dealer, who will guide you in adjusting these
parameters if applicable.
These printing parameters are accessible:
■From the Start button located at the bottom left on the Windows task bar: select Printers and Faxes.
■Choose your printer by left-clicking with the mouse, for example Evolis Tattoo2.
■Click again but with right mouse key to bring up a menu, and select Properties.
An initial screen for setting the equipment properties parameters now appears.
The principal tabs for defining parameters are ‘Graphic’and ‘Tools’.
‘Graphic’ tab
• Choice of printing mode and of the associated ribbons
• Orientation of the printed card
• Number of copies
• Adjustment of the ribbon parameters: color, black panel, overlay panel options
(depend on the print ribbon selected)

19
‘Tools’ tab
• Setting parameters and testing
of the magnetic encoding options
•Testing and diagnostic tools
On-line help
A help file guides you in using each of the parameters of the print driver in terms of the different
print modes and criteria selected.
To familiarize yourself with these different parameters, we recommend that you consult this help
feature before making any changes.
Print a test card (Tools tab)
We recommend that you print a Test Card at the time of the first use, and that you save it.
This card stores data that you may be asked to provide if you call Technical Service.
Default printer
Depending on your application, it may be important to define your Evolis printer as a default prin-
ting peripheral device.
In that event, all your print work (not just cards but office documentation) will be sent to the Evolis
printer.
To define your default printer, proceed as follows:
■Using the Start button at the bottom left of the Windows task bar, select Printers and Faxes.
■Select your printer with a left mouse click, for example Evolis Tattoo2.
■Click again using the right mouse key to bring up a menu, and choose Define as default printer.
Other tabs
> ‘General’ tab:
:Windows information window that allows you to print a test page to monitor the
computer-printer communication.
> ‘Ports’ tab:
:Windows control window that allows you to select the printing port and to validate use
of the appropriate print driver.
The parameters displayed should be changed only by a person with advanced computer skills.
> ‘Color management’ tab:
:This dialog box makes it possible to associate the printing with a specific
color profile.
> ‘Security’, ‘Sharing’, ‘Advanced’ tabs: Windows and Network parameters reserved for the system
administrator of your computer system.
Do not change without prior approval.

20
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A large number of Windows applications permit the printing of a document (for example, the tools
of the Microsoft office suite: MS-Word, MS-Access, MS-Excel, MS-Power Point).
To help you familiarize yourself with formatting a card and setting the parameters for its formatting
and printing, we offer the following example:
Using Microsoft®Word
After first setting up the Evolis default printer:
■Start the MS-Word application.
■Click File on the menu bar, then click on Formatting.
■The Paper tab proposes Paper format; select type ‘Card CR80’.
■Under the Margins tab, set all the margins to
‘0’, then under Orientation, select Landscape.
■Close the window by clicking on OK.
Your Word window should now look like this:
You are ready to personalize your card by entering
the different composition components:
■Logo and illustration.
■Identification photo.
■Fixed and variable text.
■Bar code, etc.
E
Ex xa am mp pl le e: :
Please note that this example does not propose to initiate the operator on operating the
MS-Word application. Its purpose is simply to establish a relationship between the gra-
phics of a card and the parameters of the Evolis printer driver that are necessary for the
printing operation.
Setting the parameters of the Evolis print driver from MS-Word:
■Click on File on the menu bar, then click
on Print.
■The dialog box informs you that the
Evolis printer has been selected. Now
click on Properties. The Evolis printer
drive dialog box appears.
The printing parameters for this graphics example are:
1. Graphic dialog box, select:
■ Type of ribbon: R3411 - 5 Panel color ribbon - YMCKO
■ Orientation: Landscape.
■ Copy (number to be determined).
2. Advanced settings dialog box, select:
■ Black panel adjustment: all black dots.
■ Varnish panel adjustment: full varnish.
3. Click on Apply if you modify a parameter, then on OK to successively close each dialog box.
4. Having returned to the main window, click OK to start printing.
Consult the help of each dialog box, if necessary.