Frequently asked questions and the
respective answers

Category:     Software     Hardware     Common

1. Can thermal-transfer printers also print labels made for direct
2. How are label formats measured?
3. How do I calibrate my Zebra label printer?
4. I have transparent labels. Why is the printed image offset?
5. My scanner is not recognised by the system. What do I do?
6. My scanner tries to pull through several forms at once and then jams. What can I do about it?
7. The label feed is not working properly. What should I do?
8. What are Thermo-Top and Thermo-Eco?
9. What causes lines on the printed image?
10. Why are my DataMatrix and / or PDF417 codes not being read by the Scan Module?
11. Why are too many requirements read in my document?
12. Why do so many question marks appear in my LDT dataset?
13. Why do the images from my scanner have such poor quality?

1. Can thermal-transfer printers also print labels made for direct

   Yes, with a very few exceptions, thermal-transfer printers can also print on labels made for direct thermal printing.
   
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2. How are label formats measured?

   The format of a label is always given in terms of Width x Height. The height side of the label always runs parallel to the edge of the carrier paper.
   
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3. How do I calibrate my Zebra label printer?

   The printer must be calibrated so that it can accommodate the label format being used. It is therefore mostly only necessary to calibrate the printer when you change from one label format to another:
   
   1. Switch the printer off.
   2. Press down the Feed button and keep it depressed while you switch the printer on again and for approximately 3 seconds after you have switched on.
   3. Using the label sensor, the printer now automatically adjusts to the existing label format; during this process some labels are fed into the printer and the printer configuration is printed out.
   4. After the configuration table has been printed out you must press the printer Feed button once more and the printer is then ready to use.
   
   If the labels are still not printed within the correct limits you should check whether the correct label format has been set in the printer driver.
   
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4. I have transparent labels. Why is the printed image offset?

   Check the settings in the printer driver. It is possible that the sensor for the label spacing is not correctly configured. The sensor should be set to "Black Line" (this is the black marking on the back of the carrier material). You must also set the spacing of the "Black Line" to the same ratio as that of the labels.
   
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5. My scanner is not recognised by the system. What do I do?

   Switch off the scanner and shut down the computer. Check all cable connections. If the connection pins appear to be in order, check that the cable is properly connected? Make sure that the scanner is turned on and then start the computer again.
   
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6. My scanner tries to pull through several forms at once and then jams. What can I do about it?

   This is a problem which is usually caused by heavily worn paper rollers. Please first clean the paper rollers using the Mediaform Scanner Cleaning Set. If the paper jams continue, we recommend that you call a service technician to exchange the paper rollers.
   
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7. The label feed is not working properly. What should I do?

   The following symptoms indicate that your printer (Zebra 27 and 28 series) must be re-calibrated (adjusted to the size of the label):
   
   1. The printout (barcode or text) is not located within the area of the required label.
   2. The printout covers several labels.
   3. When the Feed button is pressed, either several labels or only half a label is advanced.
   
   See also: How do I calibrate my Zebra label printer?
   
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8. What are Thermo-Top and Thermo-Eco?

   In contrast to standard Thermo-Eco, Thermo-Top material has an additional coating which prevents the label being attacked by solvents and fats.
   
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9. What causes lines on the printed image?

   Errors in transmission of data between the PC and the printer are usually responsible for horizontal (mostly very short) lines. Errors can be triggered by the printer cable or the interface to the PC. You should therefore first check the interfaces by connecting the printer to other ports on the PC and/or printer (e.g. serial or USB connections). If this doesn't cure the problem, check the printer cable and replace it if necessary.
   
   Please note: Vertical white stripes on the printed image are a definitive sign of a defective printing head!
   
   
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10. Why are my DataMatrix and / or PDF417 codes not being read by the Scan Module?

    Your software version doesn't support the reading of 2-D codes. Please check into the possibility of obtaining an update by calling 040/727360-37 or sending an e-mail to info@mediaform.de .
    
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11. Why are too many requirements read in my document?

    This problem can be caused by one or more of several factors:
    
    - The scanner is contaminated with dirt and produces images containing pictures of dirt particles possibly located within the marking area of the label and therefore causing unwanted blemishes.
    
    - The documents are dirty.
    
    - The driver setting of the scanner and possibly of the Kofax software has been set too dark. In such cases please contact our support for help.
    
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12. Why do so many question marks appear in my LDT dataset?

    No data were read out from the digital image. It is possible that the scanner is producing a poor image. See also: "Why do the images from my scanner have such poor quality?"
    
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13. Why do the images from my scanner have such poor quality?

    There are several things which can cause this:
    
    - There is dirt on the scanner. We recommend that you clean the scanner using the Mediaform Scanner Cleaning Set.
    - The reading lamps have lost intensity and must be replaced. We recommend that you ask for a
    service technician to replace the reading lamps.
    
    If you would like a technician to service your scanner, please contact our Support.
    
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