TSC TTP-244ME Pro User manual

TTP-244M Pro / TTP-342M Pro
TTP-244ME Pro / TTP-342ME Pro
USER’S
MANUAL
THERMAL TRANSFER / DIRECT THERMAL
BAR CODE PRINTER

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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.
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.
Agency Compliance and Approvals
CE CLASS A
EN55022:2006+A1:2007
EN50024:1998+A1:2001+A2:2003
EN61000-4-2:2008, EN61000-4-3: 2008, EN61000-4-4: 2004
EN 60950-1:2006+A11:2009 (LVD)
GB9254-2008 (CLASS A)
GB4943-2001
GB17625.1-2003
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。
A급기기
(업무용 정보통신기기)
이기기는 업무용으로 전자파 적합등록을 한기기이오니, 판매자 또는 사용자는 이점을
주위하시기 바라며, 만약 잘못 판매 또는 구입하였을 때에는 가정용으로 교환하시기 바랍니다.

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CONTENTS
1. PRODUCT INTRODUCTION..............................................................1
2. GETTING STARTED..........................................................................2
2.1 Equipment Checklist........................................................................................ 2
2.2 Printer Parts..................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Buttons and Indicators..................................................................................... 6
3. SET UP ..............................................................................................8
3.1 Setting up the Printer....................................................................................... 8
3.2 Loading the Ribbon.......................................................................................... 9
3.3 Loading the Label.......................................................................................... 13
3.4 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option)...................................................... 16
3.5Loading Media in Cutter Mode (Option)......................................................... 18
4. POWER-ON UTILITIES ...................................................................19
4.1 Self Test Utility............................................................................................... 19
4.2 Gap Sensor Calibration Utility........................................................................ 22
4.3 Printer Initialization ........................................................................................ 23
5. DIAGNOSTIC TOOL.........................................................................24
5.1 Start the Diagnostic Tool................................................................................ 24
5.2 Printer Function.............................................................................................. 25
6. TROUBLESHOOTING......................................................................26
7. MAINTENANCE................................................................................27
REVISE HISTORY................................................................................28
APPENDIX A MENU CONTROL FLOWCHART (OPTION)...................1

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1. PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
Thank you very much for purchasing this bar code printer. The attractive printer
delivers superior performance at an economical price. Both powerful and easy-
to-use, this printer is your best choice.
The printer offers both thermal transfer and direct thermal printing at user
selectable speeds: either 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 IPS (Inch Per Second) for 203 DPI
model; 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 IPS for 300 DPI model. It can accept a wide range of
media, including roll feed, die-cut, and fan-fold labels for both thermal transfer
and direct thermal printing. All of the most frequently used bar code formats are
available. Fonts and bar codes can be printed in any one of the four directions.
This printer provides a choice of five different sizes of alphanumeric fonts. By
using font multiplication, an even greater range of sizes is possible. Smooth fonts
can be down-loaded from the user friendly, Windows labeling software. In
addition, this printer is capable of independently executing BASIC programming
functions, including arithmetic, logical operation, loop, flow-control and file
management, among others. This programming capability provides the greatest
efficiency in label printing.

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2. GETTING STARTED
This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage in the shipping
process. However, for fear that unexpected damage might occur, upon
receiving the bar code printer, carefully inspect the package and the device. In
case of evident damage, contact the carrier directly to specify the nature and
extent of the damage. Please retain the packaging materials in case you need
to reship the printer.
2.1 Equipment Checklist
One bar code printer unit
One ribbon paper core for ribbon rewind spindle
Two ribbon supply/rewind spindle (2 pcs)
One USB interface cable
One power cord
One Windows labeling software/ Windows driver CD disk
One quick start guide
Separately purchased items may also be included. These additional items may
include:
Labels
Ribbons
Stand-alone keyboard
Cutter module
Peel-off module
If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of
your purchased reseller or distributor.

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2.2 Printer Parts
Front View
1. Printer cover/ Release handle
2. Label dispense opening
3. Liner opening (Option function)
4. MENU button (Option for E series)
5. PAUSE/ SELECT button
6. FEED/ SET button
7. Error indicator
8. On-line indicator
9. LCD display (Option for E series)
10. Power indicator
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Interior View
1. Ribbon supply spindle
2. Label roll guard
3. Label supply spindle
4. Ribbon rewind spindle
5. Sensor switch
6. Print head release lever
7. Front panel
8. Printer cover
9. Print head
10. Platen roller
11. Media sensor
12. Adjustable label guide
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Rear View
1. Centronics interface (Option for E series)
2. Ethernet interface (Option)
3. USB interface
4. Label insert opening (For use with external labels)
5. RS-232C interface connector
6. SD card socket
7. Power switch
8. Power cord socket
Note: The interface picture here is for reference only. Please refer to the
specification for the interfaces availability.
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3
4
5
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2.3 Buttons and Indicators
POWER Indicator
The green POWER indicator illuminates when the power switch is turned on.
ON-LINE Indicator
The green ON-LINE indicator illuminates when the printer is ready to print. When
the PAUSE button is pressed, the ON-LINE indicator will be flash.
ERROR Indicator (Error/Paper Empty)
The red ERROR indicator illuminates in the event of a printer error, such as
paper empty, ribbon empty, out of memory, and so forth. For a full list of error
messages, please refer to Section 4.2, Troubleshooting Guide.
MENU Button (Option function for E series)
Provided with a built-in menu, the printer allows the user to directly set printing
parameters or view printer status on the LCD display panel. To enter the Menu
mode, press the MENU button. Press the button over again to proceed form one
menu item to another or to revert to the original Ready status. The menu is
comprised of these major items: Printer Info, File List, Memory Info,
Date/Time, and Printer Setup. Each of said items, in turn, is made up of a
number of sub-items, which can be selected by pressing the SELECT button, or
viewed or set by pressing the SET button. Refer to Appendix for the structure
and operation logic of the menu.
PAUSE/SELECT Button
This button combines two functions: PAUSE if the printer is in the Ready status,
or SELECT if in the Menu mode.(Option function for E series)
The PAUSE button allows the user to hold a print job and then resume the
printing with a second depression of the button. By pressing the PAUSE button:
(1) the printer stops at the completion of printing of the current label, (2) the
PAUSE LED flashes, and (3) the printer holds all data in memory. This allows for
trouble-free replacement of label stock and thermal transfer ribbon. A second
depression of the PAUSE button will restart the printer.
Note: If the PAUSE button is held down for more than 3 seconds, the
printer will be reset and all data of the previous printing job will be
lost.

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The SELECT button allows the user select for the sub-item to be processed.
Once the sub-item has been selected, the user can change its setting by
pressing the SET button. (Option function for E series)
FEED/SET Button
As does the PAUSE/SELECT button, this button also has dual functions: FEED
and SET.
Press the FEED button for label to advance to the next print position.
Press the SET button to change parameter settings or view printer status on the
LCD screen. (Option function for series)

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3. SET UP
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 mainframe with the provided printer 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 receptable.
Note: Please switch OFF printer power switch prior to plug in the power cord to printer
power jack.

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3.2 Loading the Ribbon
1. Open the printer cover and front panel.
2. Place an empty paper core onto the ribbon rewind spindle.
3. Insert the left side first. Mount the ribbon rewind paper core on the front hubs.
Please be noted that the bigger hub side with 4 ribs must be installed toward
the right side of ribbon mechanism.

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4. Install a ribbon on the ribbon supply spindle. Mount the ribbon supply spindle
on the rear hubs. Insert the left side first.
5. Please be noted that the bigger hub side with 4 ribs must be installed toward
the right side of ribbon mechanism.
6. Disengage the printer carriage by pulling the print head release lever.

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7. Following the direction of the RIBBON label, pull the ribbon leader to the
front from beneath the printer carriage.
8. Attach the ribbon leader to the ribbon rewind paper core (with a tape).
5. Rotate the ribbon rewind roller until the ribbon overlaps the ribbon leader and
stretches tight.
6. Engage the printer carriage.
7. Close the printer cover and press the FEED button until the green ON-LINE
LED illuminates.

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Note:
When switched on, the printer will automatically detect whether ribbon is
installed to set printer to direct thermal or thermal transfer mode. As such,
to use thermal transfer mode, be sure to install the ribbon, the label, and
engage the ribbon mechanism before you switch on the printer. To use
direct thermal mode, install the label and engage the ribbon mechanism
before switching on the printer.
Please refer to videos on TSC YouTube or driver CD.

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3.3 Loading the Label
1. Open the printer cover and front panel.
2. Lower the label roll guard to the horizontal position, slide the label stock into
label roll spindle, and then flip back the label roll guard.
3. Disengage the printer carriage by pulling the print head release lever located
to the left side of the platen.

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4. Install the label so that it goes (when using an external label roll mount:
through the label feed slot) in the direction of the LABEL label and under the
ribbon mechanism to lay upon the platen.
5. Adjust the label guide to fit the width of the media.
6. Engage the printer carriage.
7. Wind the label roll until it becomes adequately stretched for the intended
purpose.
8. Select the using label type by sensor switch.
“M”for single column label
“R”for double column label
9. Close the printer cover and front panel.

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10. Use “Diagnostic Tool” to set the media sensor type and calibrate the selected
sensor. (Start the “Diagnostic tool” Select the “Printer Configuration” tab 
Click the “Calibrate Sensor” button) Please refer to the section 4.
Note:
Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing the media.
When the printer is out of ribbon or label, the ON-LINE LED will not come
on and the ERROR LED will flash. Reload the ribbon or media without
turning off the printer. Press the FEED button a few times until the ON-
LINE LED illuminates, the printing job will be resumed without data loss.
Please refer to videos on TSC YouTube or driver CD.

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3.4 Loading Media in Peel-off Mode (Option)
1. Please refer to section 3.3 to loarding the media and to calibrate the sensor
first.
2. Remove the foremost one or two labels from the liner.
3. Pull the print head release lever to feed the liner between the platen and the
white peel-off roller.
4. Feed the liner through the liner opening in the front panel.
Label
Liner
Platen
White peel-off
roller

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5. Close the print head, front panel and printer cover.
6. Set the “post-print action”to “peel”. Peeling will automatically start. Press the
FEED button to test.
Note: Please calibrate the gap/black mark sensor when changing media.
Liner
opening
Label
Liner
Liner