How long should a zebra printhead last?
A printhead should be expected to print up to ten million labels before needing to be replaced. However, without the proper maintenance and care, this can reduce to as little as one million. With attention and care, you can prevent this burnout and extend the life of your printhead.
How do you clean a thermal transfer printhead?
Take a printhead cleaning wipe and carefully wipe the printhead. Wipe the printhead element from end to end, the wipe will collect the dirt from the printhead. Repeat this process with a new wipe each time until the cotton swab remains white.
How do I clean the heads of a barcode printer?
Once the head is open, the easiest way to clean it is with a rag and alcohol. Just put a little alcohol on a rag and wipe the print head clean. It is also wise to wipe the platen roller also. Reload all the label material and ribbon and away you go.
Do thermal printers wear out?
Because the dots must be heated and cooled very rapidly, and there is friction as the ribbon or paper passes against the printhead , the printhead will eventually wear out. As the printhead ages, the output will become lighter or sections of dots may stop heating and cause voids in the print.
What can cause debris in thermal printer?
The five most common thermal printer faults are:
- A build up of dirt. Thermal printers can generate and attract a lot of dirt, dust and other contaminants.
- Using the wrong type of ribbon or material.
- Incorrect heat settings.
- A creased ribbon.
- A worn printhead.
How can I make my thermal printer print darker?
You can make prints lighter or darker by adjusting the print density setting in the printer driver’s dialog box or the RJ Utility. -5 is the lightest, and +5 is the darkest. Make sure you are using recommended Brother Genuine Thermal paper.