Printronix SMARTLINE SL4M User manual

Quick Setup Guide
SL4M and T4M
RFID Smart Label and Thermal Printers
™
™

This Quick Setup Guide contains a
CD-ROM, located in a plastic pocket in
the back cover, with the following
material:
• Printer Setup Wizard
• Windows Drivers
• Label Design Software
• Network and RFID Solutions
• Manuals
• Contact Us
Save this guide. If you move your
printer to a different location in the
future, you may need these instructions
again.
NOTICE

3
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of the SL4M RFID Smart Label printer
or T4M thermal printer.
This
Quick Setup Guide describes how to set up the printer, load
ribbon and media, and print a test page.
NOTE: This
Quick Setup Guide covers both the SL4M and T4M
printers.
The SL4M is a smart label printer. It is equipped with an
RFID encoder and has the “RFID SMART” logo near the
control panel.
The T4M printer does not come equipped with an RFID
encoder, but can be upgraded in the field.

Printer Setup
4
Printer Setup
1. Place the printer on a flat level surface that allows easy access
to all sides of the printer.
CAUTION Never operate the printer on its side or upside down.
2. At the front of the printer, set the power switch to O (Off).
Power Switch
Front View

5
3. At the rear of the printer, connect the desired interface cable to
the appropriate connector and the host computer.
WARNING Failure to properly ground the printer may result in electric
shock to the operator.
In compliance with international safety standards, this printer
has been equipped with a three-pronged power cord. Do not
use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from the
cable plug. If an extension cord is required, ensure that a
three-wire cable with a properly grounded plug is used.
4. Plug the AC power cord into the AC power receptacle.
5. Plug the AC power cord to a grounded (three prong) electrical
outlet of the proper voltage. (Do not turn on the printer yet.)
AC Power
Receptacle
IEEE1284 Parallel
Interface
RS-232 Serial
Interface
Ethernet Interface
(optional)
USB Connection
Rear View

Loading Ribbon And Roll Media
6
Loading Ribbon And Roll Media
IMPORTANT For best results, use only genuine Printronix supplies. See
“Printronix Supplies Department” on page 18.
CAUTION DO NOT TOUCH the printhead or the electronic components
under the printhead assembly.
CAUTION Do not close the pivoting deck without label stock installed
between the printhead and the platen, because debris on the
platen may damage the printhead.
CAUTION Avoid touching the electrical connectors while setting up the
printer to prevent electrostatic discharge damage. The
discharge of accumulated electrostatic energy can damage or
destroy the printhead or electronic components used in this
printer.

Load Ribbon
7
Load Ribbon
For direct thermal media (no ribbon required), go to page 10.
IMPORTANT Clean the printhead, platen roller, and media sensors every
time you change the ribbon. Refer to the
User’s Manual .
1. Raise the media cover.
2. Install the ribbon take-up core on the ribbon take-up spindle.
NOTE: The first ribbon take-up core comes with the printer.
Thereafter, move the empty core from the ribbon supply
spindle to the take-up spindle after the ribbon is used up.
3. Slide the ribbon roll onto the ribbon supply spindle until it is
flush with the flange.
4. Open the pivoting deck by rotating the deck lock lever fully
counterclockwise until the deck swings upward.
Ribbon
Roll
Ribbon
Supply Spindle
Deck Lock
Lever
Pivoting
Deck
Ribbon
Take-Up Core
Ribbon
Take-Up Spindle
Media Cover Flange

Loading Ribbon And Roll Media
8
5. Thread the end of the ribbon under the ribbon guide rollers,
between the platen (rubber drive roller) and the printhead, and
between the ribbon take-up and supply spindles.
NOTE: Make sure to thread the ribbon behind the ribbon take-up
spindle.
NOTE: The alternate ribbon path is for ribbons that are inked on
the inside.
Printhead
Ribbon Guide
Roller (2)
Ribbon
Ribbon
Supply Spindle
Ribbon
Take-Up Spindle
Ribbon Take-Up
Core
Alternate
Ribbon Path
Platen
(not shown)

Load Ribbon
9
IMPORTANT Never attach the ribbon to the ribbon take-up spindle without a
ribbon take-up core installed.
6. Attach the ribbon to the ribbon take-up core on the ribbon
take-up spindle with tape.
7. Manually rotate the ribbon take-up spindle counterclockwise
until the ribbon leader has passed the printhead.
Ribbon
Take-up Spindle
Ribbon
Take-up Core
Ribbon Leader
Printhead

Loading Ribbon And Roll Media
10
Load Roll Media
IMPORTANT If you are using direct thermal mode, clean the printhead,
platen roller, and upper and lower media sensors every time
you change the media. Refer to the
User’s Manual .
1. Slide the media hanger guide outward to the end of the media
hanger (as shown).
Media Hanger
Media Hanger
Guide
Media Cover