Page 5 - Contents
Contents Introduction Hello! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1What’s in the Box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Inspecting the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Page 9 - NOTE
Introduction This section describes what you get in your shipping box and provides anoverview of printer parts. This section also has procedures that describehow to open and close the printer and report any problems. Hello! Thank you for choosing a Zebra ® TLP 2824™ printer, a high-quality on-demand...
Page 11 - Inspecting the Printer; Opening the printer
Inspecting the Printer Look at the outside of the printer and make sure that all parts are present. Opening the printer To access the media compartment, youmust open the printer. Pull the release levers towards you and liftthe cover. 980485-001A 3
Page 13 - Closing the printer
Closing the printer Hold the top cover and press the“kick-stand” cover lock to release.Lower the top cover. The ribboncarriage automatically folds upinto place. Press down until the cover snaps closed. 980485-001A 5 MOVIE
Page 14 - Reporting Damage; Related Documentation
Reporting Damage If you discover damage or missing parts: ■ Immediately notify and file a damage report with the shipping company.Zebra Technologies Corporation is not responsible for any damageincurred during shipment of the printer and will not cover the repair ofthis damage under its warranty pol...
Page 15 - Getting Started; Modes of Printing
Getting Started This section describes how to set up your printer for the first time and usethe most common operating procedures for loading media in tear-off modeand loading ribbon. Modes of Printing You can operate this printer in different modes: ■ Standard tear-off mode allows you to tear off ea...
Page 16 - Attaching Power Supply; Warning: Use the power supply that came with your
Attaching Power Supply Check the power supply to make certain it is appropriate for your inputvoltage. Warning: Use the power supply that came with your printer. Never operate the printer and power supply in anarea where they can get wet. Serious personalinjury could result! 1. Make sure the power s...
Page 17 - Loading Roll Media; Adjusting the Roll Holders
Loading Roll Media When you load media, you must place the roll on the media hangers andthen adjust the media guides. You must use the correct media for the type of printing you require. Whenprinting without a ribbon, you must use direct thermal media. When usingribbon, you must use thermal transfer...
Page 18 - Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment
Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment Whether your roll media is inside oroutside wound you load it into the printerthe same way. 1. Open the printer. Remember that you need to pull the release levers towardthe front of the printer. 2. Remove the outside length of media. During shipment, the rol...
Page 19 - Adjusting the Guides
Adjusting the Guides The adjustable guides direct the mediatoward the platen and print head. 1. Open the media guides by turning the guide adjuster knob to the rear. 2. Thread the media through the guides. 3. Close the media guides by turning the guide adjuster knob to the front. Theyshould just tou...
Page 20 - Loading Ribbon; Install the Ribbon Supply Roll
Loading Ribbon You must use thermal transfer media (accepts wax and/or resin transferredoff a ribbon) when you use a ribbon. When loading ribbon, you install thesupply and take-up rolls, then tighten the ribbon on the carriage. Install the Ribbon Supply Roll Before following these steps, prepare the...
Page 21 - Attach and Tighten the Ribbon
Attach and Tighten the Ribbon You must align the ribbon so that it willbe taken straight onto the core. 1. Attach the ribbon to the take up core. Use the adhesive strip on new rolls;otherwise, use tape. 2. Turn the ribbon take-up gear counter-clockwise (top moves towardrear) to remove slack from the...
Page 22 - Operator Controls; Power Switch; ON; OFF; CAUTION: The power should be turned off before connecting or; Status Light
Operator Controls Power Switch Press backward to turn ON or forward to turn OFF the printer. CAUTION: The power should be turned off before connecting or disconnecting the communications and power cables. Feed Button Forces the printer to feed one blank label. Takes the printer out of a “pause” cond...
Page 23 - Media Length Sensing
Media Length Sensing Before you connect the printer to your computer, make sure that the printeris in proper working order. You can do this by making the printer measuremedia and print a status printout. After loading media, perform thefollowing procedure that measures thelength of each label or tag...
Page 24 - Hooking Up the Printer and Computer; CAUTIONS:Keep the power switch in the OFF position when
Hooking Up the Printer and Computer Your printer will have one of three combinations of interfaces: ■ Parallel ■ Universal Serial Bus (USB) and DB-9 serial ■ Ethernet and RJ-11 serial Each specific interface option—USB, parallel, ethernet, serial—is discussedindividually. You must supply the require...
Page 25 - Ethernet Interface Requirements
USB Interface Requirements Universal Serial Bus (version 1.1) provides a high-speed interface that iscompatible with your existing PC hardware. USB’s “plug and play” designmakes installation easy. Multiple printers can share a single USB port/hub. Parallel Interface Requirements The required cable (...
Page 26 - Communicating with the Printer; Universal Serial Bus (USB) Communications
Communicating with the Printer Universal Serial Bus (USB) Communications The printer is a terminal device when using a universal serial bus interface.You can refer to the Universal Serial Bus Specification for details regardingthis interface. Parallel Communications When using the parallel port, typ...
Page 27 - Serial Communications; Y Command; Default the Serial Parameters
Serial Communications Serial communications between the printer and the host computer can be setby the Y command. Y Command Use the serial port setup ( Y ) command to change the communications settings on the printer. 1. With the host computer set at the same communications settings as the printer, ...
Page 28 - Adjusting the Print Width; Adjusting the Print Quality
Adjusting the Print Width Print width must be calibrated when you use a roll with a different widthfrom previous media. Print width may be set by using the Set Label Width ( Q ) command (described in the programming guide). Adjusting the Print Quality Print quality is influenced by the heat of the p...
Page 29 - Thermal Printing
Operation & Options This section helps you get the most from your printer. You must use programming to control many of the printer ’s functions. Afew examples: ■ The Q command (set form length) controls label length. ■ The O command (hardware options) has a parameter "D" that changes the...
Page 30 - Replacing Supplies; Adding a New Transfer Ribbon; Replacing a Partially Used Transfer Ribbon
Replacing Supplies If labels or ribbon run out while printing, leave the printer power on whilereloading (data loss results if you turn off the printer). After you load a newlabel or ribbon roll, press the Feed button to restart . Always use high quality, approved labels, tags and ribbons. If adhesi...
Page 31 - Printing in Peel-Mode
Printing in Peel-Mode The optional dispenser allows youto print in “peel-mode” where thelabel backing follows a different path andthe labels are presented one at a time forsubsequent placement. 1. Remove several labels from the backing material. 2. Open the top cover. 3. Open the dispenser door. 4. ...
Page 32 - Printing on Fan-Fold Media
Printing on Fan-Fold Media Printing on fan-fold media requires you toset both the media hangers and the mediaguides in position. 1. Open the top cover. 2. Open the hangers to their widest position. 3. Snap the holder-open lock towards the front of the printer. 4. With a sample of your media, adjust ...
Page 33 - Using the Cutter Option
Using the Cutter Option Printers that have a bezel with a motorized blade can dispense one or moreforms that are then automatically cut from the media supply. This optioncuts through continuous paper from rolls and liner between labels. Keepthe cutter dry. Never use any solutions or solvents to clea...
Page 35 - Maintenance; Cleaning
Maintenance Cleaning When you clean the printer, use one or more of the following supplies thatbest suits your needs: CLEANING SUPPLIES Cleaning pens (12) Cleaning swabs (25) Cleaning cards, 2-in wide (25) Save-a-Print Head film, 2-in wide (3) The cleaning process takes just a couple of minutes usin...
Page 36 - Cleaning Card Considerations
Adhesives and coatings of media can over time transfer onto the printercomponents along the media path including the platen and print head.This build-up can accumulate dust and debris. Failure to clean the printhead, media path and platen roller could result in inadvertent loss of labels,label jams ...
Page 37 - Platen Considerations; Lubrication
Platen Considerations The standard platen (drive roller) normally does not require cleaning. Paperand liner dust can accumulate without effecting print operations.Contaminates on the platen roller can damage the print head or cause themedia to slip when printing. Adhesive, dirt, general dust, oils a...
Page 38 - Replacing the Platen; Removal; Assembly
Replacing the Platen Removal Open the printer and remove any media. 1. Using a pointed stylus (such as tweezers, small slot-head screwdriver,or razor-knife), unhook the tabs on theright and left sides. Then rotate themforward. 2. Lift the platen out of the printer’s bottom frame. Assembly Make sure ...
Page 39 - Replacing the Print Head
Replacing the Print Head In the event you need to replace the print head, read the procedure andreview the removal and installation steps before actually replacing the printhead. Prepare your work area by protecting against static discharge. Your workarea must be static-safe and include a properly g...
Page 40 - Thermal-Transfer TLP Model
Thermal-Transfer TLP Model Before following the steps in thisprocedure, open the printer bypulling the release latches forward thenlifting the top cover. Remove any ribbonfrom the carriage. Removal 1. Grasp the print head spring and pull it to the left; then, slide it free of thecarriage. 2. Use the...
Page 43 - Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting What the Status Light is Telling You Color Status Solution or Reason None off 1. Check power connection from the A.C. outlet to powersupply to printer. Green constant 1. Printer printing (normal operation). 2. Printer paused; ready to receive data (normal operation). 3. Printer pause...
Page 46 - Print Quality Problems; No print on the label.
Print Quality Problems No print on the label. ■ You must use the correct media for the method of printing you require.When printing without a ribbon, y ou must use direct thermal media.When using ribbon, you must use thermal transfer media. The printer 'sribbon sensor detects motion of the supply sp...
Page 47 - A label format was sent to, but not recognized by, the printer.
The printing does not start at the top of the label, or misprinting ofone to three labels. ■ The media may not be threaded under the media guides. Refer to“Loading the Media” on page 9. ■ The printer needs to be calibrated. Refer to “Auto Calibration” on page13. A label format was sent to, but not r...
Page 48 - Manual Calibration
Manual Calibration Manual calibration is recommended whenever you are using pre-printedmedia or if the printer will not correctly auto calibrate. 1. Make sure the printer power is off and that media is loaded. 2. Press and hold the feed button then turn on the printer power. 3. Continue to hold the ...
Page 50 - Feed Button Modes
Feed Button Modes Printer Condition Feed Button Action Printer is OFF Printer is off. Tapping or holding the button has no result. Printer is ON Cover is open Tapping or holding the button has no result. Labels, tags orfan-fold forms areloaded. Tap the button once to perform a "form feed." H...
Page 51 - Appendix; Interfaces; Pin
Appendix Interfaces Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connector The figure below displays the cable wiring required to use the printer ’sUSB interface. For information on the USB interface, go to the USB web site at: Http://www.usb.org 980485-001A 43 Pin Signal 1 Vbus - N/C 2 D- 3 D+ 4 Ground Shell Shield/...
Page 52 - Parallel Interface
Parallel Interface The figure below displays the cable wiring required to use the printer 'sCentronics parallel interface. 44 980485-001A PRINTER DB-25 Pin No. Centronics Pin No. Male DB-25 to Male Centronics (Cable) HOST STROBE~ DATA 0DATA 1DATA 2DATA 3DATA 4DATA 5DATA 6DATA 7 ACK~ BUSY PAPER ERR. ...
Page 53 - Internal Ethernet PrintServer; Looking into the Printer’s
Internal Ethernet PrintServer This interface uses an RJ-45 straight-through cable type. The table belowprovides the pinout assignments. Signal Pin Pin Signal Tx+ 1 1 Tx+ Tx- 2 2 Tx- Rx+ 3 3 Rx+ — 4 4 — — 5 5 — Rx- 6 6 Rx- — 7 7 — — 8 8 — 980485-001A 45 Pin 4Pin 3Pin 2Pin 1 Pin 5Pin 6Pin 7Pin 8 Looki...