Variquest Awards Maker 400 User manual

User’s Guide
Awards Maker 400

Table of Contents
Copyright............................................................................................................................... i
Trademarks............................................................................................................................ i
Standard Warranty ................................................................................................................ i
License Agreement................................................................................................................ ii
1. Setting up the VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 .............................................................. 1
2. Connecting the Power Supply .......................................................................................... 1
3. VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 Parts and Features ....................................................... 2
4. Loading the Sticker Media ............................................................................................... 3
5. Loading the Ribbon ..........................................................................................................6
6. Operating Functions .........................................................................................................8
7. Connecting the Printer to the VariQuest™ Design Center 1000 or PC ........................... 9
8. Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................... 9
9. Cleaning the Print Head ................................................................................................... 11
10. Technical Information .................................................................................................... 11

i
Copyright
This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No portion of this manual may be copied or reproduced by
any means without the prior consent of Brady Worldwide, Inc.
While every precaution has been taken in preparation of this document, Brady assumes no liability to any party
for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions or by statements resulting from negligence, accident or any
other cause. Brady further assumes no liability for incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of
this document. Brady disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Brady reserves the right to make changes without further notice to any product or system herein to improve reli-
ability, function or design.
Reproduction of this material, in part or whole, is strictly prohibited without the written permission of Brady
Worldwide, Inc. For more information contact: Varitronics at 6835 Winnetka Circle, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
55428 USA.
Trademarks
Varitronics®is a registered trademark of Brady Worldwide, Inc.
Va r i Q ue s t ™is a trademark of Brady Worldwide, Inc.
All other brand or product names referenced in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies or organizations.
Standard Warranty
Brady Worldwide, Inc., through its Varitronics®business unit, warrants the equipment and accessories compris-
ing the VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 will be free from defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year
from the date of customer purchase. Original serial number must appear on product. Removal of serial numbers
will void this warranty and any equipment and accessories that have been altered or modified in any way and are
not as originally purchased will void this warranty.
Varitronics will at its option repair, replace or refund the purchase price of any accessories, supplies or equipment
found to be defective under this warranty. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABIL-
ITY OR WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
In the event of breach of this expressed warranty, or any other warranty, whether expressed or implied, Varitronics
liability shall be limited to the remedy provided by the preceding paragraph. IN NO EVENT WILL VARITRON-
ICS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, NOR WILL
VARITRONICS EVER BE LIABLE FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF THE MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS, IN AN
AMOUNT GREATER THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCTS DESCRIBED BY THIS
EXPRESSED WARRANTY. No agent, distributor, salesperson, wholesaler or retail dealer has authority to bind
Varitronics to any other affirmation, representation or warranty concerning these goods.

ii
La-7k3var 6835 Winnetka Circle Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428 Phone [phone]
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREE-
MENT BEFORE OPENING THIS PACKAGE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS,
PLEASE PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PACKAGE FOR A FULL REFUND.
LICENSE AGREEMENT
Brady Worldwide, Inc. (hereafter "Brady") hereby grants you a non-exclusive, nontransferable license to use this
VARIQUEST™ Software (hereafter “Software”) and the accompanying documentation according to the following terms:
1. LICENSE GRANT: You may 1) install the Software on all computers located at the invoiced site for this Software; 2) use
and transmit the Software on a network within this invoiced site; 3) install the Software on one server or multiple servers
within this invoiced site; 4) install the Software on personal computers of staff employed at this invoiced site for the sole
purpose of designing output from Brady’s Varitronics printing systems for educational purposes at this invoiced site; and
4) make copies of the Software in machine readable form for backup purposes only.
2. LICENSE RESTRICTIONS: You may not: 1) modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, create
derivative works based on, or copy (except for the backup copy) the Software or the accompanying documentation; 2)
rent, transfer or grant any rights in the Software or accompanying documentation without the prior, express written con-
sent of Brady; or 3) remove any proprietary notices, labels, or marks on the Software and accompanying documentation.
3. NATURE OF THIS AGREEMENT: This license is not a sale. License fees paid by you, if any, are in consideration of
the licenses granted under this Agreement. Title and copyrights to the Software, accompanying documentation, and any
copy made by you, remain the property of Brady or its suppliers. Unauthorized copying of the Software or the accompa-
nying documentation, or failure to comply with the above restrictions, shall automatically terminate this license, without
further notice, and terminate your rights to use the Software, and Brady shall, in addition to its other legal remedies, be
entitled to its reasonable attorney fees.
4. LIMITED WARRANTY: Brady warrants that, for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of delivery to you as evi-
denced by a copy of your receipt, the Software, as furnished, under normal use, will perform without significant errors.
Brady's entire liability and your exclusive remedy under this warranty (which is subject to you returning the Software to
Brady) will be, at the option of Brady, to attempt to correct or help you around errors, to replace the Software with func-
tionally equivalent software or diskettes, or to refund the license fee of the Software and terminate this Agreement.
EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY, BRADY MAKES AND YOU RECEIVE NO WARRAN-
TIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR IN ANY COMMUNICATION WITH YOU, AND BRADY SPECIFICALLY
DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
BRADY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR
ERROR FREE.
Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties so the above exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty
gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: IN NO EVENT WILL BRADY BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING
LOSS OF DATA, WHEN LOADING THIS SOFTWARE OR OTHERWISE, OR LOST PROFITS, COST OF COVER
OR OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE
OF THE PROGRAM OR ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY
OF LIABILITY. THIS LIMITATION WILL APPLY EVEN IF BRADY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBIL-
ITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
Some states do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental, or consequential damages, so the above limita-
tion may not apply to you.
6. GENERAL: This Agreement shall be governed by, and interpreted under, the laws of the State of Wisconsin, USA. You
acknowledge that U.S. law and regulations may restrict the export/re-export of the Software. You agree not to export/re-
export the Software or portions thereof in any form without the appropriate U.S. and foreign government licenses. This
obligation shall survive and continue after this Agreement terminates. This Agreement is the entire agreement between
the parties and supersedes any other communications or advertising with respect to the Software and accompanying doc-
umentation. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full
force and effect.
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREE-
MENT BEFORE OPENING THIS PACKAGE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS,
PLEASE PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PACKAGE FOR A FULL REFUND.
®

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1. Setting up the VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
Note: If you have not already unpacked your VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400, please follow the steps
in the Unpacking the VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 document.
The Awards Maker 400 is shipped in reusable packaging materials. Save these packaging materials for
future use in case you need to ship the Awards Maker 400.
2. Connecting the Power Supply
WARNING: NEVER OPERATE THE PRINTER AND POWER SUPPLY IN AN AREA WHERE
THEY CAN GET WET.
1. The Power Adapter has a barrel connector on one end that must be inserted into the power jack on
the back of the printer.
2. Plug the other end of the cord into an appropriate AC electrical outlet.
3. When plugging the connector into the power jack, leave the power switch in the “O” position and
don’t touch the 36-pin parallel connector.
Power Adapter
Power Switch
Power Jack
A
C Electrical Outlet
36-Pin Parallel
Connector
USB Connector
Barrel Connector

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3. VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 Parts and Features
Ready Indicator
Power Indicator
Power Switch
Feed Button
To p C o v e r
Cutter
Ribbon Pick-Up Roll Holder
Release Levers
Sticker Media Holder

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4. Loading the Sticker Media
1. Lift the top cover to expose the printing supplies compartment.
2. Remove the sticker media holder.
Ribbon Supply Holder
Thermal Print Head

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3. Load the media roll onto the holder and place the holder back into place.
4. Lead the sticker so that it touches the roller. The media guides can be adjusted to fit different
sticker sizes.
5. IMPORTANT! Press down the print head module on both sides firmly until you hear a click on
each side. Snap in one side at a time to ensure proper closure.
Media Compartment
Media Holder

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.
Tip. To ensure secure closure, tap each release lever with your finger a few times. If it springs up, that
side is not properly closed. If it's tightly locked, that side has been properly closed.
6. Close the top cover and turn on the printer or press the Feed button if the printer is already on.
Note: The Feed button will not drive the printer to cut. The cutter will cut only when the user sends an
actual job from the VariQuest™ Design Center Software.
Feed Button

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5. Loading the Ribbon
1. Lift the top cover to expose the printing supplies compartment.
2. Unlatch the print head module by pushing the two release levers on the sides.
Release Levers
Sticker Media
Compartment
Print Head Module

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3. Turn over the print head module to expose the ribbon supply holder.
4. Unwrap the ribbon roll pack and separate the supply roll from the bare pick-up roll.
5. Roll the clear part of the supply roll onto the pick-up roll until you see the ribbon color.
6. Insert the supply ribbon roll into the bottom holder by pushing in the spring side first.
7. Turn back the print head module and then insert the bare pick-up roll into the pick-up holder. Make
sure to push in the spring side first.
Ribbon Supply Holder

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8. Turn the print head module wheel away from you a few times to ensure the ribbon is tightly wound.
9. IMPORTANT! Press down the print head module on both sides firmly until you hear a click on
each side. Snap in one side at a time to ensure proper closure.
Tip. To ensure secure closure, tap each release lever with your finger a few times. If it springs up,
that side is not properly closed. If it's tightly locked, that side has been properly closed.
6. Operating Functions
Power Switch: Controls the printer power
* On. Normal operation (“1” position)
* Off. The power should be turned off before connecting or disconnecting the USB cable and the
Power Cable (“O” position)
Feed Button: Advances the starting point position of the sticker media
1. Press to advance a small length of tape in order to make sure the sticker is fed through properly.
2. Press to take the printer out of a “pause” condition.
Ready Indicator: Indicates the status of the printer
* Green. Printer is ready to operate
* Blinking. Printer has paused
Power Indicator: Shows the power and error status
* Off. Printer power off
* Green. Printer power on
* Blinking. Error has occurred
Wheel

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7. Connecting the Printer to the VariQuest™ Design Center 1000
or PC
Important! Use the USB cord that is supplied with your printer to connect to the VariQuest™ Design
Center 1000 or PC. Do not use a parallel or serial cable.
Note: This printer complies with FCC “Rules and Regulations,” Part 15, for Class A Equipment, using
fully shielded six-foot data cables. Use of longer cables or unshielded cables may increase radiated
emissions above the Class A limits. The power supply barrel connector must be inserted into the power
jack on the back of the printer before connecting the communication cables.
8. Troubleshooting
Typically, when there is an error, the Power LED will keep blinking. The printing job and the communi-
cation between the Design Center or PC and printer will stop.
Please check the following in order to understand the nature of the problem:
A. Power and Ready LEDs blink at the same time
B. Power and Ready LEDs blink alternately
Power LED Ready LED
ON ON
OFF OFF
Possible Problems Solutions
Sticker not feeding
through
Load the sticker media as indicated in “4. Loading the Sticker Media” on page 3.
Sticker not loaded Load the sticker media.
Sticker jam Remove the sticker media and load again.
Power LED Ready LED
ON OFF
OFF ON

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C. Only the Power LED blinks
D. Miscellaneous
* The VariQuest™ Design Center Software shows “Printer Time Out”:
1. Check if the USB cable is connected securely to your USB port on the Design Center or PC
and to the connector on the printer at the other end.
2. Check if the printer power is turned on.
* If the power cord is connected, the power switch is at position “1” and the power LED is still not
illuminated, contact your Dealer or Varitronics Technical Support.
* If the data has been sent, but there is no output from the printer, check the Output Device Selection
Screen to be sure that Awards Maker has been selected.
* Vertical streaks in the printout usually indicate a dirty or faulty print head. Clean the print head first
as shown on page 11. If they still persist, call your Dealer or Varitronics Technical Support.
* Poor printout quality (streaks):
* The ribbon may not be an approved VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 ribbon.
* The sticker media may not be approved VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 sticker media.
* Adjust the print density in the VariQuest™ Design Center Software.
* See “9. Cleaning the Print Head” on page 11 for information about cleaning the print head.
Recovery
To continue your print jobs after the error conditions have been corrected, simply press the Feed button
or restart the printer by turning the power off and on. Make sure that the LED is not blinking and
remember to resend your files by going into the VariQuest™ Design Center Software and reprinting the
job(s).
Possible Problems Solutions
Ribbon not loaded Load the ribbon as indicated in “5. Loading the Ribbon” on page 6.
Ribbon jam Remove the ribbon and load again.
Ribbon sensor error Ribbon sensor may need to be changed. Please contact your Dealer or Varitronics®
Technical Support for assistance.
Power LED Ready LED
ON ON
OFF ON
Possible Problems Solutions
Memory full Contact your Dealer or Varitronics®Technical Support for assistance.
Cutter failed or
jammed
Contact your Dealer or Varitronics®Technical Support for assistance.
Hardware error Contact your Dealer or Varitronics®Technical Support for assistance.

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9. Cleaning the Print Head
Important! Disconnect the printer’s power plug before performing any maintenance procedures.
Thermal Print Head. Sticker media and ribbon will release debris on the print head and degrade print-
ing quality. Clean the print head with a foam-tipped swab dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Do not
touch the heater element with your fingers. Do not soak the foam-tipped swab excessively.
10. Technical Information
Specifications VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
Printing Method Thermal Transfer
Printing Resolution 203 dpi
Printing Speed 1 - 4 ips
Printing Length 1" - 45"
Printing Width Max 4.1"
Memory 2 MB DRAM
2 MB Flash ROM
CPU Type 32-bit RISC microprocessor
Media Sensor Reflective
See-through
Display LED
indicators x 2
Operation Interface Button x 1
Communication
Interface
USB (Full Speed)
Software VariQuest™ Design Center Software
Sticker Media Continuous Sticker Media Vinyl / Polyester
Max width 4.25"
Min width 2.25" Thickness .0025" - .01"
Power Source 110/220 VAC ± 10%, 50/60 Hz, external power adapter

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NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protec-
tion against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case
the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Agency Listing UL, CUL, FCC Class A
Operation
Environment
40ºF - 100ºF ; 10-90% non-condensing
Cutter Rotary Cutter
Specifications VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400

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© 2006 Brady Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved 20146-00 12/06