Variquest Awards Maker 400 User manual

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User’s Guide
Awards Maker 400

VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 i
Table of Contents
Copyright .............................................................................................................ii
Trademarks ..........................................................................................................ii
Standard Warranty ..............................................................................................ii
LICENSE AGREEMENT .....................................................................................iii
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 ........................................................................................5
6. Operating Functions .......................................................................................8
7. Connecting the Printer to the VariQuest™ Design Center 1000 or PC ......9
8. Troubleshooting ............................................................................................10
9. Cleaning the Print Head ...............................................................................12
10. Technical Information .................................................................................13

ii VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
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 reliabil-
ity, function or design.
Reproduction of this material, in part or whole, is strictly prohibited without the written permission of Brady World-
wide, 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.
VariQuest™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 comprising
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 WARRAN-
TIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY 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 VARITRONICS
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 PUR-
CHASE 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.

VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 iii
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT 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 consent of Brady; or 3) remove any propri-
etary 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 accompanying documentation, or failure to comply
with the above restrictions, shall automatically terminate this license, without further notice, and terminate your rights to use the Soft-
ware, 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 evidenced 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 functionally 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 WARRANTIES,
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, INCI-
DENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF THE PROGRAM OR ACCOMPANY-
ING DOCUMENTATION, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY. THIS LIMITATION WILL APPLY
EVEN IF BRADY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
Some states do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental, or consequential damages, so the above limitation 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 por-
tions 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 documentation. 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 AGREEMENT BEFORE
OPENING THIS PACKAGE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PLEASE PROMPTLY RETURN
THIS PACKAGE FOR A FULL REFUND.
La-7k3var
6835 Winnetka Circle Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428 Phone [phone]
Y495336 Rev B
®

iv VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
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VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 1
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 printer.
2. Connecting the Power Supply
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.
Warning!
Never operate the printer and power supply in an area where they can get wet.
Power Adapter
Power Switch
Power Jack
A
C Electrical Outlet
36-Pin Parallel
Connector
USB Connector
Barrel Connector

2VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
3. VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 Parts and Features
Ready Indicator
Power Indicator
Power Switch
Feed Button
Cutter
Top Cover
Sticker Media Holder
Release Levers
Ribbon Bare Roll
Holder
Ribbon Supply Roll Holder
Thermal Print Head

VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 3
4. Loading the Sticker Media
1. Lift the top cover and remove the sticker media holder.
2. Load the media roll onto the holder and secure both sides with flanges. Insert the holder back into the media
compartment.
3. Open the print head by pressing down on the two release levers.
Flange
Media Compartment
Release Levers

4VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
4. With the sticker side facing up, pull the media underneath the print head until the leading edge sits on top of the
rubber roller.
Note: To prevent waste, do not pull the media any further than the top of the rubber roll.
5. Adjust the right- and left-media guides to ensure a snug fit. The media guides can be adjusted to fit different
sticker sizes.
6. Close the print head by firmly pressing down the print head module until you hear a click on each side. Snap in
one side at a time to ensure proper closure.
7. Close the top cover.
Media Guides

VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 5
5. Loading the Ribbon
1. Lift the top cover.
2. Unlatch the print head module by pushing the two release levers.
Release Levers
Print Head Module

6VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
3. Lift the print head module to expose the ribbon supply roll holder
.
4. Unwrap the ribbon roll pack and separate the supply roll from the bare roll.
5. Roll the clear part of the ribbon supply roll onto the bare roll until you see the ribbon color.
Tip: Hold the bare roll with your left hand and supply roll with right. Wind the ribbon a few times
by turning the bare ribbon roll clockwise.
6. Insert the supply ribbon roll into the bottom holder by pushing in the spring side first.
Ribbon Supply Roll Holder
(spring side)
Ribbon Supply Roll
Bottom Holder
Ribbon Bare Roll

VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 7
7. Lower the print-head module and insert the bare roll into the top holder by pushing in the spring side first.
8. Close the print head by firmly pressing down the print head module until you hear a click on each side. Snap in
one side at a time to ensure proper closure.
9. Turn the print head module flywheel away from you a few times to ensure the ribbon is tightly wound.
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.
10. Close the top cover and turn on the printer. You are now ready to send print jobs to the
Awards Maker 400 using your VariQuest™ Design Center software.
Flywheel

8VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
6. Operating Functions
Power Switch: Controls the printer power
•On. Normal operation (lposition)
•Off. The power should be turned off before connecting or disconnecting the USB cable and the
Power Cable (Oposition)
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

VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 9
7. Connecting the Printer to the VariQuest™ Design Center
1000 or PC
You can connect the Awards Maker 400 to any available USB port on the Design Center 1000.
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.
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.
Connect to any
USB Port

10 VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
8. Troubleshooting
Typically, when there is an error, the Power LED will keep blinking. The printing job and the communication
between the Design Center or PC and printer will stop.
To understand the nature of the problem, check the following:
A. Power and Ready LEDs Blink at the Same Time
B. Power and Ready LEDs Alternately Blink
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
Possible Problems Solutions
Ribbon not loaded Load the ribbon as indicated in “5. Loading the Ribbon” on page 5.
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.

VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 11
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 one of the USB ports 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 “l” and the power LED is still not illuminated,
contact your Dealer or Varitronics Technical Support.
•If 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 12. 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 12 for information about cleaning the print head.
Recovery
To continue your print jobs after the error conditions have been corrected, press the Feed button or restart the
printer by turning the power off and on. Make sure that the LED is not blinking and resend your files by going into
the VariQuest™ Design Center Software and reprinting the job(s).
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.

12 VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
9. Cleaning the Print Head
Thermal Print Head. Sticker media and ribbon will release debris on the print head and degrade printing quality.
Over time, 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.
Important!
Disconnect the printer’s power plug before performing any maintenance procedures.

VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400 13
10. Technical Information
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 protection
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.
Specifications VariQuest™ Awards Maker 400
Print Method Thermal Transfer
Print Resolution 203 dpi
Print Speed 1 - 4 ips
Print Length 1" - 45"
Print 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
Agency Listing UL, CUL, FCC Class A
Operation
Environment
40ºF - 100ºF ; 10-90% non-condensing
Cutter Rotary Cutter

© 2008 Brady Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 20146-02 10/08