Graphic Products DuraLabel PRO User manual

DuraLabel
®
PRO
THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTER
Graphic Products, Inc.
PRINTER MANUAL
v.1.2
Graphic Products, Inc.
1-800-788-5572
www.DuraLabel.com
www.GraphicProducts.com
E-mail: [e-mail]
Copyright 2007, 2008, 2009 Graphic Products, Inc.

Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................
2. Getting Started .......................................................................................
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection ..............................................................
2.2 Equipment Checklist .......................................................................
2.3 Printer Parts .....................................................................................
3. Setup ......................................................................................................
3.1 Setting Up the Printer ......................................................................
3.2 Loading the Ribbon .........................................................................
3.3 Loading Label Stock .......................................................................
3.4 Cutter Module Installation (Option) ...............................................
3.5 Instructions to Top Cover Operation ............................................
4. Power on Utilities ..................................................................................
4.1 Ribbon Sensor Calibration .............................................................
4.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration ...........................................................
4.3 Initialization .....................................................................................
5. Maintenance ..........................................................................................
5.1 Cleaning ...........................................................................................
6. Troubleshooting ....................................................................................
6.1 LED Status .......................................................................................
6.2 Print Quality .....................................................................................
7. Specifications ........................................................................................
7.1 Printer Specifications .....................................................................
7.2 Label Stock Specifications .............................................................
7.3 Ribbon Specifications .....................................................................
8. LED and Button Operation ...................................................................
8.1 LED ...................................................................................................
8.2 Button Operation .............................................................................
9. Warranty .................................................................................................
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1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the DuraLabel®PRO Thermal Transfer Printer. Although
the printer takes only a small amount of space, it delivers reliable, superior
performance.
This printer provides thermal transfer printing at user selectable speeds of: 2.0, 3.0,
4.0 or 5.0 ips. It accepts continuous and die-cut labels for thermal transfer printing.
All common bar code formats are available. Fonts and bar codes can be printed in 4
directions, 8 different alphanumeric bitmap fonts and a built-in true type font
capability.
2. Getting Started
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection
This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping.
However, please carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receipt. Please
retain the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer.
2.2 Equipment Checklist
Installation CD
Label spindle (1 inch diameter core)
Fixing Tabs (2 pcs.)
Ribbon supply/rewind spindles (2 pcs.)
AC Adaptor
USB Interface
Parallel Interface
Quick start guide
If any parts are missing, please contact your Customer Sales Representative.

2.3 Printer Parts
Fig. 1 Top front view
Fig. 2 Rear view
1. USB Interface
2. Centronics Interface
3. RS-232 DB-9 Interface
4. Power Jack
5. Power Switch
Clear Window
Ribbon Access Window
LED Indicator
Feed Button
Printer Top Cover
Top Cover Release Lever
1 2 3 4 5
2

3. Setup
3.1 Setting Up the Printer
1. Place the printer on a flat, secure surface.
2. Make sure the power switch is off.
3. Connect the printer to the computer with the Centronics or USB cable.
4. Plug the power cord into the power supply connector at the rear of the printer,
then plug the power cord into a properly grounded receptacle.
Fig. 3 Attach power supply to printer
3.2 Loading the Ribbon
The printer automatically detects if a ribbon is installed after power on and will switch
to thermal transfer or direct thermal printing mode. If printer does not detect the
ribbon, the motor that drives the ribbon rewind spindle will be turned off. In the case
that a ribbon is installed, but the ribbon rewind spindle does not turn, please refer to
the ribbon calibration procedure in section 4.1 to calibrate the ribbon sensor
sensitivity. Also check that the print driver is set to Thermal Transfer on the Stock tab
of printer preferences. (See page 25 of the User’s Guide).
Plug
Power Switch
Power Supply
USB Centonics
RS-232
Power Cable
3

Make sure both the ribbon access window and the printer top cover are closed when
powering up the printer.
1. Push down on the ribbon access window to unlock and open the ribbon cover.
2. Place a paper core onto the ribbon rewind spindle.
3. Mount the ribbon rewind paper core on the front hubs.
4. Install a ribbon on the ribbon supply spindle.
5. Mount the ribbon supply spindle on the rear hubs.
6. Open the top cover of the printer.
7. Pull the ribbon from the ribbon supply roll under the print head and attach it to
the ribbon rewind paper core. (See diagram inside back of printer)
8. Rotate the ribbon rewind paper core by turning the spindle flange with your
thumb until the ribbon rewind core is completely wrapped with the black
section of the ribbon.
9. Close the top printer cover and ribbon cover.
Fig.4 Ribbon installation (I)
Paper Core
Ribbon Spindle
Flange of Ribbon
Spindle
Front Hub
Ribbon Access
Window
4
Ribbon Cover
Rear Hub

Fig. 5 Ribbon installation (II)
3.3 Loading Label Stock
The ribbon and various print media for the DuraLabel®PRO have been optimized for
compatibility and print quality. Only authorized supplies from Graphic Products will
print correctly in the DuraLabel®PRO.
1. Insert a 1” label spindle into a roll of label stock.
Fig. 6 Label roll installation (I)
2. Open the printer’s top cover by releasing the turquoise levers located on each side
of the printer and lifting the top cover. A top cover support at the rear of the printer
will hold the printer top cover open.
Ribbon Rewind
Spindle with
Paper Core
Rear Hub
Ribbon
Leader
Ribbon Supply Spindle
Label Stock
1"Label Spindle
Fixed Tab
Printing Side
Face Up
5

Fig. 7 Pull the lever to open the cover
3. Place a roll of label stock onto the center of the paper roll mount.
4. Feed the label stock, printing side face up, under the Teflon bar and the label
guides and pass over the platen, then feed through the cutter.
5. Adjust the green center-biased label guides to slightly touch the edges of the
label stock.
6. To close the printer top cover, lift the cover until it stops then use both hands to close
the cover gently. Close the printer top cover slowly and make sure the cover locks
securely.
Note:
1. Make sure your hands are not inside the printer when closing the top cover.
2. Do not let the top cover free fall.
3. Failure to securely close and lock the cover will result in poor print quality or a
flashing LED and the inability
to print.
Fig. 8 Label installation (II)
Lower Cover
Label Roll Mount
T
eflon Bar
Top Cover
Release Lever
Printer Top Cover
Support Bar
Adjustable
Label Guides
6
Pull
release
lever
forward
Cutter
Platen Roller

3.4 Cutter Module Installation (Option)
1. Pull the top cover release levers forward to open the top cover.
2. Remove the front panel from the lower cover.
Fig. 22 Pull the lever to open the cover
3. Open the top cover. While supporting the cover with your left hand, push back
firmly on the base of the top cover support. The support will pop out of its’
normal position to allow the cover to be opened further.
4. Use a screwdriver to unscrew 6 screws on the lower inner cover.
Fig. 23 Remove 6 screws from lower inner cover
Screws
Screws
Lower Inner Cover
Top Cover Support
Flute
Top Cover
Lower Cover
7
Pull
release
lever
forward

5. Place the printer upside down and unscrew the two screws of the hinge
holder on the lower cover. Unscrew the screw of the memory card cover.
6. Use both thumbs to hold the lower cover and index fingers to lift up the top
cover open levers to separate the lower inner cover and the lower cover.
7. Connect the cutter module cable to the 4-pin socket on printer PCB.
Fig. 24 Cutter module installation
8. Arrange the cable through the bezel.
Fig. 25 Cutter module cable arrangement
PCB
4-pin Socket
Cutter
Cutter Cable
Lower Inner Cover
BezelLower Cover Cutter Cable
8