TSC TA200 Series User manual

i
USER’S
MANUAL
TA200/ TA300 Series
THERMAL TRANSFER / DIRECT THERMAL
BAR CODE PRINTER

ii
Copyright Information
© 2011 TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd,
The copyright in this manual, the software and firmware in the printer described
therein are owned by TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd, All rights reserved.
CG Triumvirate is a trademark of Agfa Corporation. CG Triumvirate Bold
Condensed font is under license from the Monotype Corporation. Windows is a
registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of TSC Auto ID Technology Co. No part of
this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, for
any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the expressed
written permission of TSC Auto ID Technology Co.

iii
Agency Compliance and Approvals
CE CLASS A
EN 55022:2006 +A1:2007
EN 55024:1998+A1:2001+A2:2003
EN 61000-4 SERIES REQULATIONS
FCC CFR Title 47 Part 15 Subpart B:2009-Section 15.107 and
15.109
ICES-003 Issue 4:2004 Class A
GB-4953-2001
GB9254-2008 (CLASS A)
GB27625-2003
此为 A 级产品，在生活环境中，该产品可能会造成无线电干扰，在这种
情况下，可能需要用户对干扰采取切实可行的措施。
IEC 60950-1/A1:2009
IEC 60950-1/A1:2005(2nd Edition)

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Contents
1. Introduction ................................................. 1
1.1 Product Introduction......................................................................................... 1
1.2 Product Features............................................................................................... 2
1.2.1 Printer Standard Features...................................................................... 2
1.2.2 Printer Optional Features....................................................................... 3
1.3 General Specifications...................................................................................... 4
1.4 Print Specifications .......................................... 4
1.5 Ribbon Specifications......................................... 4
1.6 Media Specifications.......................................... 5
2. Operations Overview .......................................... 6
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection................................................................................ 6
2.2 Printer Overview................................................................................................ 7
2.2.1 Front View............................................................................................... 7
2.2.2 Interior View............................................................................................ 8
2.2.3 Rear View ................................................................................................ 2
3. Setup ...................................................... 3
3.1 Setting up the Printer........................................................................................ 3
3.2 Loading the Ribbon........................................................................................... 4
3.3 Loading the Media............................................................................................. 8
3.3.1 Loading the Roll Labels ......................................................................... 8
3.3.2 Loading the Media in Peel-off mode (Option)..................................... 11
3.3.3 Loading the Media in Cutter Mode (Option)........................................ 13
3.3.4 External Label Roll Mount Installation (Option).................................. 14
4. LED and Button Functions..................................... 16
4.1 LED Indicator................................................................................................... 16
4.2 Regular Button Functions .............................................................................. 16
4.3 Power-on Utilities............................................................................................ 17
4.3.1 Ribbon and Gap/Black Mark Sensor Calibration................................ 17
4.3.2 Gap/Black Mark Calibration, Self-test and Dump Mode..................... 18
4.3.3 Printer Initialization .............................................................................. 20
4.3.4 Set Black Mark Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Black Mark
Sensor............................................................................................................ 21
4.3.5 Set Gap Sensor as Media Sensor and Calibrate the Gap Sensor...... 21
4.3.6 Skip AUTO.BAS .................................................................................... 22
5. Diagnostic Tool ............................................. 23

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5.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool................................................................................ 23
5.2 Printer Function .............................................................................................. 24
5.3 Calibrating Media Sensor by Diagnostic Tool...................... 25
5.3.1 Auto Calibration.................................................................................... 25
5.4 Setting Ethernet by Diagnostic Utility (Option)..................... 26
5.4.1 Using USB interface to setup Ethernet interface................................ 26
5.4.2 Using RS-232 interface to setup Ethernet interface........................... 27
5.4.3 Using Ethernet interface to setup Ethernet interface......................... 28
6. Troubleshooting............................................. 30
6.1 Common Problems ......................................................................................... 30
7. Maintenance................................................ 33
Revise History ................................................ 34

1. Introduction
1.1 Product Introduction
Thank you very much for purchasing TSC bar code printer.
The TA200 series printer features two durable gear-driven motors that are capable of handling
large capacity 300 meter ribbons and large rolls of media inside its sleek design. If the 5” interior
label capacity is not enough, simply add an external media roll mount and the TA200 can easily
handle 8.4” OD rolls of labels designed for expensive industrial label printers.
The moveable sensor design can accept wide range of label media. All of the most frequently
used bar code formats are included. Fonts and bar codes can be printed in any one of the four
directions.
The TA200 series printer is built-in the high quality, high performance MONOTYPE IMAGING®
True Type font engine and one CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed smooth font. With flexible
firmware design, user can also download the True Type Font from PC into printer memory for
printing labels. Besides the scalable font, it also provides a choice of five different sizes of
alphanumeric bitmap font, OCR-A and OCR-B fonts. By integrating rich features, it is the most
cost-effective and high performance printer in its class!
To print label formats, please refer to the instructions provided with your labeling software; if you
need to write the custom programs, please refer to the TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual that
can be found on the accessories CD-ROM or on TSC website at http://www.tscprinters.com
Applications
oManufacturing & Warehousing
Work in Progress
Item Labels
Instruction labels
Agency labels
oHealthcare
Patient Identification
Pharmacy
Specimen Identification
oParcel Post
Shipping/ Receiving
Labels
oSmall Office/ Home Office
oRetail Marking
Price tags
Shelf labels
Jewelry tags

2
1.2 Product Features
1.2.1 Printer Standard Features
The printer offers the following standard features.
Product standard feature
203 dpi
models
300 dpi
models
Thermal transfer printing
○
○
Direct thermal printing
○
○
ABS plastic enclosure
○
○
Position adjustable gap sensor
○
○
Position adjustable black mark sensor
○
○
Ribbon sensor
○
○
Head open sensor
○
○
USB 2.0 (full speed) interface
○
○
8 MB SDRAM memory
○
○
4 MB FLASH memory
○
○
One power switch, one feed button and LED
○
○
Standard industry emulations right out of the box including
Eltron®and Zebra®language support
○
○
Internal 8 alpha-numeric bitmap fonts
○
○
Fonts and bar codes can be printed in any one of the four
directions (0, 90,180, 270 degree)
○
○
Internal Monotype Imaging® true type font engine with one
CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed scalable font
○
○
Downloadable fonts from PC to printer memory
○
○
Downloadable firmware upgrades
○
○
Text, bar code, graphics/image printing (Please refer to the
TSPL/TSPL2 programming manual for supporting code
page)
Supported bar code
Supported image
1D bar code
2D bar code
BITMAP,
BMP,
PCX
(Max. 256 colors
graphics)
Code 39,
Code 93,
Code128UCC,
Code128 subsets
A,B,C, Codabar,
Interleaved 2 of 5,
EAN-8, EAN-13,
EAN-128,
UPC-A, UPC-E,
EAN and UPC 2(5)
digits add-on, MSI,
PLESSEY,
POSTNET,
China POST,
GS1 DataBar,
Code 11
PDF-417,
Maxicode,
DataMatrix,
QR code,
Aztec,
GS1 DataBar
Composite code
○
○

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1.2.2 Printer Optional Features
The printer offers the following optional features.
Product option feature
User
options
Dealer
options
Factory
options
LCD display (graphic type, 128x64 pixel) with back
light
-
-
○
Internal Ethernet print server (10/100 Mbps) interface
-
-
○
Serial RS-232C (2400-115200 bps) interface
-
-
○
Centronics interface
-
-
○
microSD memory card reader for memory expansion
up to 4 GB
○
Real time clock
○
Peel-off module
-
○
-
Guillotine cutter module (Full cut and partial cut)
-
○
-
External roll mount with 3”core (8.4 OD) label spindle
○
Extended plate for external roll mount
○
Bluetooth module (RS-232C interface)
○
-
-
KP-200 Plus keyboard display unit
○
-
-
KU-007 Plus programmable smart keyboard display
unit
○
-
-
HCS-200 long rang CCD scanner
○
-
-

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1.3 General Specifications
General Specifications
Physical dimensions
224 mm (W) x 186 mm (H) x 294 mm (D)
Weight
2.45 kg
Electrical
External universal switching power supply
Input: AC 100-240V
Output: DC 24V 2.5A, 60W
Environmental condition
Operation: 5 ~ 40˚C (41 ~ 104˚F), 25~85% non-condensing
Storage: -40 ~ 60 ˚C (-40 ~ 140˚F), 10~90% non-condensing
1.4 Print Specifications
Print Specifications
203 dpi models
300 dpi models
Print head resolution
203 dots/inch (8 dots/mm)
300 dots/inch (12 dots/mm)
Printing method
Thermal transfer and direct thermal
Dot size
(width x length)
0.125 x 0.125 mm
(1 mm = 8 dots)
0.084 x 0.084 mm
(1 mm = 11.8 dots)
Print speed
(inches per second)
2, 3, 4 ips
1.5, 2, 3 ips
Print speed for peel
mode & cutter mode
2, 3 ips
Max. print width
104 mm (4.09”)
Max. print length
2,794 mm (110”)
1,016 mm (40”)
1.5 Ribbon Specifications
Ribbon Specifications
Ribbon outside diameter
Max. 67 mm
Ribbon length
300 meter
Ribbon core inside diameter
1 inch (25.4 mm)
Ribbon width
Max. 110 mm
Min. 40 mm
Ribbon wound type
Outside wound

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1.6 Media Specifications
Media Specifications
203 dpi models
300 dpi models
Label roll capacity
127 mm (5”) OD
Media type
Continuous, die-cut, black mark, fan-fold, notch
Media wound type
Printing face outside wound & Printing face inside wound
Media width (label +
liner)
Max. 118 mm (4.6”)
Min. 25.4 mm (1.0”)
Media thickness (label
+ liner)
Max. 0.254 mm (10 mil)
Min. 0.06 mm (2.36 mil)
Media core diameter
25.4 mm~38 mm (1”~1.5”)
Label length
10~2,794 mm (0.39”~110”)
10~1,016 mm (0.39”~40”)
Note:
If your label length is less than 25.4mm (1”), we
recommend you to use the perforation at the gap for
easier tear away.
Label length (peeler
mode)
Max. 152.4 mm (6”)
Min. 25.4 mm (1”)
Label length (cutter
mode)
Max. 2,794 mm (110”)
Max. 1,016 mm (40”)
Min. 25.4 mm (1”)
Min. 25.4 mm (1”)
Gap height
Min. 2 mm (0.09”)
Black mark height
Min. 2 mm (0.09”)
Black mark width
Min. 8 mm (0.31”)

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2. Operations Overview
2.1 Unpacking and Inspection
This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please carefully
inspect the packaging and printer upon receiving the bar code printer. Please retain the
packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer.
Unpacking the printer, the following items are included in the carton.
One printer unit
One Windows labeling software/Windows driver CD disk
One quick installation guide
One power cord
One auto switching power supply
One USB interface cable
Two ribbon spindle
One ribbon paper core
One label spindle
If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased
reseller or distributor.

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2.2 Printer Overview
2.2.1 Front View
1. LED indicator
2. Feed key
3. LCD display (Option)
4. Paper exit chute
5. Top cover open tab
6. Power switch
1
2
3
4
5
6

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2.2.2 Interior View
1. Printer top cover
2. Media supply spindle
3. Ribbon rewind hub
4. Print head release button
5. Ribbon rewind spindle
6. Fixing tab
7. Ribbon supply hub
8. Platen roller
9. Black mark sensor
10. Gap sensor
11. Media guide
12. Media bar
13. Ribbon supply spindle
14. Print head
14
13
9
5
6
4
OPEN
10
12
8
11
7
1
2
3

2
2.2.3 Rear View
1. Power jack socket
2. *microSD card slot (Option)
3. Internal Ethernet interface (Option)
4. RS-232C interface (Option)
5. USB interface (USB 2.0/ Full speed mode)
6. Centronics interface (Option)
7. Rear external label entrance chute
Note:
The interface picture here is for reference only. Please refer to the product specification for
the interfaces availability.
* Recommended micro SD card specification
SD card spec
SD card capacity
Approved SD card manufacturer
V1.0, V1.1
microSD 128 MB
Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1
microSD 256 MB
Transcend, Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1
microSD 512 MB
Panasonic
V1.0, V1.1
microSD 1 GB
Transcend, Panasonic
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 4
microSD 4 GB
Panasonic
V2.0 SDHC CLASS 6
microSD 4 GB
Transcend
- The DOS FAT file system is supported for the SD card.
- Folders/files stored in the SD card should be in the 8.3 filename format.
2
1
6
4
5
3
7

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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 provided USB
cable.
4. Plug the power cord into the AC
power cord socket at the rear of
the printer, and then plug the
power cord into a properly
grounded power outlet.
Note:
* Please switch OFF printer power switch prior to plug in the power cord to printer power jack.
* The interface picture here is for reference only. Please refer to the product specification for the
interfaces availability.

4
3.2 Loading the Ribbon
1. Open the printer top cover by
pressing the top cover open tabs
located on each side of the printer.
2. Insert the paper core to the ribbon
rewind spindle.
3. Insert the left side of ribbon rewind
spindle to the ribbon rewind hub first
then insert the right side of ribbon
rewind spindle to the hole at the right
side of ribbon mechanism.

5
4. Push the print head release button to
open the print head mechanism.
5. Insert the ribbon to the ribbon
spindle.
6. Insert the left side of ribbon supply
spindle to the ribbon supply hub first
then insert the right side of ribbon
supply spindle to the hole at the right
side of ribbon mechanism.

6
7. Pull the leader of the ribbon through
the print head and stick the leader of
the ribbon onto the ribbon rewind
paper core.
8. Turn the ribbon rewind hub until the
ribbon plastic leader is thoroughly
wound and the black section of the
ribbon covers the print head.
9. Close the print head mechanism by
both hands and make sure the
latches are engaged securely.

7
Ribbon loading path
Print head
Ribbon
Ribbon
rewind hub
Paper core

8
3.3 Loading the Media
3.3.1 Loading the Roll Labels
1. Open the printer top cover by
pressing the top cover open tabs
located on each side of the printer.
2. Insert the paper roll into the media
supply spindle and use two fixing
tabs to fix the paper roll onto the
center of the spindle. (If your paper
width is 4 inch, you can remove the
fixing tabs from the supply spindle.)
3. Place the paper roll onto the paper
roll mount.