Page 2 - INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the P-touch 2730. Your new P-touch is an easy to operate, feature packed labelling system that makes creating professional, high quality labels a breeze. In addition to easy label creation via pre-formatted label layouts, the P-touch editing software features ad...
Page 3 - Important
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Declaration of Conformity (For USA Only) Responsible Party : Brother International Corporation 100 Somerset Corporate Boulevard Bridgewater, NJ 08807-0911 USA TEL : (908) 704-1700 declares that the products Product Name : Brother P-touch Electronic Labeling Sy...
Page 5 - Contents
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 z INT R ODUCT ION How to use the P-touch ................................................................................................. 4Safety Precautions ........................................................................................................ 6General Precaut...
Page 8 - Create a label with the P-touch; GETTING STARTED; How to use the P-touch
INTRODUCTION 4 How to use the P-touch I Create a label with the P-touch GETTING STARTED CREATING A LABEL LABEL PRINTING How to use the P-touch 1 Prepare the P-touch. P. 11 2 In addition to entering text, the P-touch has a large range of formatting options. Create labels like these: • Entering and ...
Page 9 - Create a label by connecting your P-touch to a PC; Printing from the Label Collection
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 z INT R ODUCT ION How to use the P-touch Create a label by connecting your P-touch to a PC GETTING STARTED This P-touch can be used as a stand alone desktop P-touch or it can be connected to a PC/Mac and used with the included P-touch Editor software to create more elaborate la...
Page 10 - The symbols used in this manual are as follows:; Safety Precautions; WARNING; WARNING
INTRODUCTION 6 Safety Precautions To prevent injury and damage, important notes are explained using various symbols. The symbols and their meanings are as follows: The symbols used in this manual are as follows: Safety Precautions WARNING Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avo...
Page 11 - Battery
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 z INT R ODUCT ION Safety Precautions Battery Follow these guidelines to avoid liquid leakage, heat, battery rupture or personal injury. DO NOT throw into fire, heat up, short-circuit, recharge, or disassemble the batteries. AC adapter Follow these guidelines to avoid fire, damage...
Page 12 - CAUTION
INTRODUCTION 8 Safety Precautions CAUTION Battery Follow these guidelines to avoid liquid leakage, heat or battery rupture. DO NOT use old and new batteries together.DO NOT mix alkaline batteries with other type batteries. DO NOT set the positive and negative end in the wrong position.Remove the bat...
Page 13 - General Precautions
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 z INT R ODUCT ION General Precautions • DO NOT install this machine near any device that will cause electromagnetic interference.This machine may malfunction if left near a television, radio, etc. • DO NOT use the P-touch in any way or for any purpose not described in this guide....
Page 14 - Symbols Used in this Guide
INTRODUCTION 10 Symbols Used in this Guide The following symbols are used throughout this guide to indicate additional information. Symbols Used in this Guide : This symbol indicates information or directions that may result in damage or injury if ignored, or operations that will result in errors. :...
Page 15 - GETTING; Unpacking Your P-touch; Starter Tape Cassette; The adapter plug may differ by country.; User’s Guide
11 Unpacking Your P-touch 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 z GETTING STARTED GETTING STARTED Check that the package contains the following before using your P-touch. Unpacking Your P-touch P-touch PT-2730 Starter Tape Cassette CD-ROM USB cable AC adapter The adapter plug may differ by country. User’s Guide Softwar...
Page 16 - General Description
12 General Description GETTING STARTED General Description When shipped from the factory, the LCD display is covered with a protective sheet to prevent damage. Remove this sheet before using the P-touch. Tape compartment cover Keyboard Tape viewer LCD display Tape cassette compartment Tape cutter Pr...
Page 17 - LCD Display; Indicates the end of a line of text.; LCD Display & Keyboard
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 13 z GETTING STARTED LCD Display & Keyboard LCD Display 1. Line number Indicates line number within the label layout. 2. Cursor Characters are entered to the left of the cursor. Indicates the current data input position. 3. Return mark Indicates the end of a line of text. 4. Ca...
Page 18 - Key Names and Functions; Shift
14 LCD Display & Keyboard GETTING STARTED Key Names and Functions The default language is "English". 1. Power Turns the P-touch on and off. 2. Cursor ( ) • Moves the cursor in the direction of the arrow. • Use the and keys to change clock settings. 3. OK Selects the displayed option. 4. ...
Page 20 - Power Supply
16 Power Supply GETTING STARTED Battery After making sure that the power is off, remove the battery compartment cover on the back of the machine. If the batteries are already in the machine, remove them. Insert eight new AA-size alkaline batteries (LR6), making sure that the positive (+) and negativ...
Page 21 - AC Adapter; Connect the AC adapter directly to the P-touch.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 17 z GETTING STARTED Power Supply AC Adapter Connect the AC adapter directly to the P-touch. Insert the plug on the AC adapter cord into the connector marked DC IN 9-9.5V on the P-touch. Insert the AC adapter plug into a standard electrical outlet. 1 2 • Turn the P-touch off before...
Page 22 - Inserting a Tape Cassette; • If the new tape cassette has a cardboard stopper, be sure to
18 Inserting a Tape Cassette GETTING STARTED Tape cassettes of 3.5mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 18mm, or 24mm width can be used in your P-touch. Use only Brother tape cassettes with the mark. Check that the end of the tape is not bent and that it passes through the tape guide. If the tape is not passed throug...
Page 23 - Power; cassette, by holding down the; key and pressing the; Preview; Time table below for details.; Connected to PC
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 19 z GETTING STARTED Turning Power On/Off Insert the tape cassette into the tape compartment, with the end of the tape facing the machine's tape exit slot, and press firmly until you hear a click. Close the tape compartment cover. Press the Power key to turn the P-touch on. Press t...
Page 24 - Feed Only; Feeding Tape; to be discharged with the tape.; To exit or cancel this function press; To exit or cancel this function press
20 Feeding Tape GETTING STARTED Feed & Cut The Feed & Cut function feeds 23mm of blank tape then cuts the tape. Hold down the Shift key and press the Preview key. "Feed & Cut?" will appear on the LCD display. Using the or key to select the "Feed & Cut" option and then...
Page 25 - LCD Contrast; • Press the; key to return to the previous step.; Space; Text entry screen; pressing any other key on the keyboard besides the
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 21 z GETTING STARTED LCD Display LCD Contrast You can change the contrast setting of the LCD display to one of five levels (+2, +1, 0, -1, -2) to make the screen easier to read. The default setting is “0”. Press the Setup key to display the Setup menu, select “LCD Contrast” using t...
Page 26 - Back Light; Setup; Unit; Power can be saved when the back light is turned off.; Setting Language and Unit; Press the
22 Setting Language and Unit GETTING STARTED Back Light You can change the back light setting either to ON or OFF. The display is easier to see with the back light ON. The default setting is "ON". Press the Setup key to display the Setup menu, select "Backlight" using the or key, and...
Page 27 - EDIT; EDITING A LABEL; Entering Text from the Keyboard; Entering and Editing Text; Text Reminder settings can be changed by pressing the
23 Entering and Editing Text 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 z EDIT ING A LA BEL EDITING A LABEL Entering Text from the Keyboard The keyboard of your P-touch can be used in the same way as a standard computer keyboard. Using Text Reminder When a character is entered, the machine remembers character sequences begi...
Page 28 - Adding a New Line; • If you press the; Enter; key when seven lines already exist, an error message is displayed.; key while holding down the
EDITING A LABEL 24 Entering and Editing Text Adding a New Line To end the current line of text and start a new line, press the Enter key. A return mark appears at the end of the line and the cursor moves to the start of the new line. Adding a New Block To create a new block of text/lines to the righ...
Page 29 - Deleting Text; If you hold down the; Backspace; key, the characters left of the cursor are deleted continuously.; key to return to the text entry screen,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 25 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Entering and Editing Text Deleting Text Deleting one character at a time To delete a character from an existing line of text, move the cursor to the character to the right of the position you want to start deleting text and then press the Backspace key. The...
Page 30 - Entering Symbols Using the Symbol Function; Symbol; Entering Symbols; The last symbol entered is selected in the displayed list.
EDITING A LABEL 26 Entering Symbols In addition to the symbols available on the keyboard, there are various symbols (including international and extended ASCII characters) available with the symbol function.To enter a symbol, use the Symbol function (see below). Alternatively, hold down the Shift ke...
Page 31 - Using Symbol Update Function
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 27 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Entering Symbols Using Symbol Update Function You can create your personal category of symbols by using the Symbol Update Function. The "Personal category" will appear first when selecting the symbols to help you locate the desired symbols quickly. Pr...
Page 32 - Symbol List; Category; Pictograph
EDITING A LABEL 28 Entering Symbols z Symbol List z Category Symbols Personal Category Refer to “Using Symbol Update Function” on page 27 for details.PunctuationBusinessMathematicsBracketsArrowsUnitInternationalNumber Pictograph Electrical Audio_Visual Signs CommunicationVehicleSportsNature Others T...
Page 33 - Accent; Accented Character List; Entering Accented Characters; Caps mode can be used with the Accent function.; Character
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 29 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Entering Accented Characters The P-touch can display and print a set of accented characters such as other language specific characters. Enter the character you wish to change to an accented character. Press the Accent key. The character you entered will chang...
Page 34 - Setting Character Attributes by Label; Setting Character Attributes; OK
EDITING A LABEL 30 Setting Character Attributes Setting Character Attributes by Label Using the Text key, you can select a font and apply size, width, style, line, and alignment attributes. Press the Text key. The current settings are displayed. Select an attribute using the or key, and then set a v...
Page 35 - Setting Options; Attribute
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 31 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Setting Character Attributes z Setting Options z Attribute Value Result Font HEL (Helsinki) BRU (Brussels) US (USA) FLO (Florida) BEL (Belgium) SGO (San Diego) LA (Los Angeles) CAL (Calgary)
Page 36 - Size; Auto; Width
EDITING A LABEL 32 Setting Character Attributes Size Auto When Auto is selected, the text is automatically adjusted to print in the largest size available for each tape width. 48pt 42pt 36pt 24pt 18pt 12pt 9pt 6pt Width x2 x3/2 x1 x2/3 x1/2 Attribute Value Result
Page 37 - Normal
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 33 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Setting Character Attributes Style Normal BLD (Bold) OUT (Outline) SHD (Shadow) SLD (Solid) ITL (Italic) I+BLD (Italic Bold) I+OUT (Italic Outline) I+SHD (Italic Shadow) I+SLD (Italic Solid) VRT (Vertical) Line Off UND (Underline) STR (Strikeout) Attribute Va...
Page 38 - Setting Auto Fit Style
EDITING A LABEL 34 Setting Character Attributes Setting Auto Fit Style When "Size" is set to "Auto" and "Length" is set to a specific length, you can select the way of reducing the text size to fit within the label length.When "Text Size" is selected, the total text s...
Page 39 - Label; Setting Label Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 35 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Setting Label Attributes Using the Label key, you can create a label with a frame around the text and specify the label length and tab length. (Cut Options which may be needed when printing a label can also be set by using the Label key. Refer to “Tape Cuttin...
Page 40 - Frames; Frame; Off
EDITING A LABEL 36 Setting Label Attributes z Frames z Attribute Value Result Frame Off 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Page 41 - is selected, the length of the label is
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 37 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Setting Label Attributes Frame 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Length The length of the label can be set within the range 30mm - 300mm. When Auto is selected, the length of the label is automatically adjusted based on the amount of text entered. Tab Length The length...
Page 42 - Using Templates - Example creating an Asset Tag; Using Auto-Format Layouts; The Bar Code Setup screen is displayed only when a
EDITING A LABEL 38 Using Auto-Format Layouts Using the Auto-Format function you can quickly and easily create labels for a variety of purposes, such as file tabs, equipment labels, name badges, etc. Simply select a layout from the templates or block layouts, enter the text and apply formatting as de...
Page 44 - Templates
EDITING A LABEL 40 Using Auto-Format Layouts z Templates z Attribute Value Details Template Name Binder Spine 1 (24 mm x 219 mm) Binder Spine 2 (18 mm x 219 mm) File Folder Tab (12 mm x 82 mm) Divider Tab (Hanging Folder) (12 mm x 42 mm) Asset Tag (18 mm x 70 mm) Bin Box (18 mm x 76 mm) Equipment La...
Page 46 - Using Block Layouts; key to set the selected attribute to the
EDITING A LABEL 42 Using Auto-Format Layouts Using Block Layouts Press the Auto-Format key to display the Auto-Format screen, and then select “Block Layouts” using the or key. Press the OK or Enter key to display the Tape Width screen, and then select a tape width using the or key. Press the OK or E...
Page 47 - Block Layouts; Block layout
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 43 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Using Auto-Format Layouts z Block Layouts z • Press the Escape key to return to the previous step. • Refer to the Block Layouts table for a list of available block layouts.• To print multiple copies, sequentially numbered copies, or a mirror image of the labe...
Page 49 - Clock Setting; Using Time & Date Function; You can also use the Num keys to type in the figure.; key to set the format to default setting.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 45 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Using Time & Date Function You can add time and date to your label by positioning the cursor on the text screen to the position you wish to add time/date and then pressing the Time key. Clock Setting The time and date set in the clock setting can be used ...
Page 50 - Time & Date Format Setting
EDITING A LABEL 46 Using Time & Date Function Time & Date Format Setting You can select from various formats of date and time to add to your label. Also, the indication of time can be selected between analog and digital style. The format applied in this setting will also be applied for the c...
Page 51 - Time Stamp Setting
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 47 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Using Time & Date Function Time Stamp Setting [Timing] You can select whether to print the date/time of when you press the Time key or the date/time of when you press the Print key to add to your label. Press the Setup key to display the Setup menu, selec...
Page 52 - Time Stamp : Format Options; key to set the value to default setting.
EDITING A LABEL 48 Using Time & Date Function [Time Stamp Format] You can select which information to use when adding date and time to your label.Four options (Date, Time, Date and Time or Time and Date) are available. Press the Setup key to display the Setup menu, select "Time Stamp Setting...
Page 53 - Time Stamp : Forward Options; Creating a Bar Code Label
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 49 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Creating a Bar Code Label Press the OK or Enter key. The Forward screen is displayed. Set the amount of year, month, week, day, hour, and minute to increase from the currently set clock when using the Time & Date function using the or key. To move to the ...
Page 54 - Setting Bar Code Parameters
EDITING A LABEL 50 Creating a Bar Code Label Setting Bar Code Parameters Press the Setup key to display the Setup menu, select “Bar Code Setup” using the or key, and then press the OK or Enter key. The Bar Code Setup screen is displayed. Select an attribute using the or key, and then set a value for...
Page 55 - Entering Bar Code Data; key; Code
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 51 z EDIT ING A LA BEL Creating a Bar Code Label Entering Bar Code Data Press the Setup key to display the Setup menu, select "Bar Code Input" using the or keys, and then press the OK or Enter key. The Bar Code Input screen is displayed. Type in the bar code data. Special c...
Page 56 - Editing and Deleting a Bar Code
EDITING A LABEL 52 Creating a Bar Code Label CODE128, GS1-128 (UCC / EAN-128) Editing and Deleting a Bar Code • To edit the bar code data position the cursor beneath the bar code mark on the data entry screen and then open the Bar Code Input screen. Refer to “Entering Bar Code Data” on page 51. • To...
Page 57 - TING; LABEL PRINTING; Label Preview
53 Label Preview 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 z LABEL PRIN TING LABEL PRINTING Using the Preview function you can check the layout of the label before printing. Press the Preview key. An image of the label is displayed on the screen.The length of the label is shown in the lower-right corner of the screen.Press...
Page 58 - Printing a Single Copy
LABEL PRINTING 54 Printing a Label Printing a Single Copy Make sure that the appropriate tape cassette is inserted and ready for printing. Press the Print key. "Printing...Copies" is displayed while the labels are being printed. Printing Multiple Copies Using this function you can print up t...
Page 59 - Auto-numbering Labels
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 55 z LABEL PRIN TING Printing a Label Auto-numbering Labels Using the numbering function you can create a set of sequentially numbered labels from a single label format. Make sure that the appropriate tape cassette is inserted and ready for printing. Hold down the Shift key and pre...
Page 60 - Mirror Printing
LABEL PRINTING 56 Printing a Label Mirror Printing Using the mirror printing function you can create labels with the text printed in reverse so that they can be read from the opposite side when attached to glass or other transparent material. Make sure that the appropriate tape cassette is inserted ...
Page 61 - key to display the Label menu.; or; Tape Cutting Options; New settings are NOT applied if you do not press the; or
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 57 z LABEL PRIN TING Tape Cutting Options The tape cutting options allow you to specify how the tape is fed and cut when printing labels. In particular, the “Chain” and “No Cut” options greatly reduce the amount of wasted tape by using smaller margins and eliminating blank sections...
Page 62 - Tape Cutting; Setting; the; key and press the; key to feed and cut tape automatically, or cut the tape
LABEL PRINTING 58 Tape Cutting Options z Tape Cutting z Setting Description Example Large Margin Automatically cuts the tape after each label isprinted, leaving a margin of 24 mm on each end. Small Margin Automatically cuts a piece of blank tape before printing the first label and then cuts the tape...
Page 63 - Adjusting the Label Length; Attaching Labels; off easily from these surfaces.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 59 z LABEL PRIN TING Adjusting the Label Length You can adjust the length of the printed label in levels of -5 to +5. Press the Setup key to display the setup menu, select "Adjust Length" using the or key, and then press the OK or Enter key. Select "Adjust Length" b...
Page 64 - Printing a label from the Label Collection Stored in the Machine
LABEL PRINTING 60 Printing from the Label Collection Printing a label from the Label Collection Stored in the Machine Pages 61 to 63 show the many labels that are stored in your Label Collection. Printing these pre-designed labels saves you time. Press the Label Collection key. Select the language o...
Page 65 - Label Collection List; Files
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 61 z LABEL PRIN TING Printing from the Label Collection z Label Collection List z Category Label Files (12 mm tape only) Office Signage (24 mm tape only) * Labels are for illustrative purposes only.
Page 66 - Caution
LABEL PRINTING 62 Printing from the Label Collection Caution (24 mm tape only) Shipping (18 mm tape only) ECO (18 mm tape only) Category Label * Labels are for illustrative purposes only.
Page 67 - Retail
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 63 z LABEL PRIN TING Printing from the Label Collection Retail (24 mm tape only) Personal (12 mm tape only) Category Label * Labels are for illustrative purposes only.
Page 68 - Downloading a Label Collection Category to your P-touch; The following is the example for Windows Vista
LABEL PRINTING 64 Downloading a new Label Collection Category (Windows ® only) Using the P-touch Update Software, additional label collection categories can be downloaded to your P-touch or downloaded to your PC and printed using P-touch Editor.Furthermore, the software can be upgraded to the latest...
Page 70 - • Newly downloaded label collection categories are added to; Label Collection
LABEL PRINTING 66 Downloading a new Label Collection Category (Windows ® only) The screen on the right is displayed on your computer while the software is being updated screen. The screen on the right appears on the machine's LCD display. Click [OK] to complete the update. The display returns to the...
Page 71 - Downloading a New Label Collection Category to P-touch Editor /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 67 z LABEL PRIN TING Downloading a new Label Collection Category (Windows ® only) Downloading a New Label Collection Category to P-touch Editor / Updating P-touch Editor Software The following is the example for Windows Vista ® . In the following steps, you will see XX-XXXX. Read &...
Page 73 - IN; USING THE FILE MEMORY; Storing a Label into Memory; Opening a Stored Label File
69 Storing a Label into Memory 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 z U S IN G TH E FILE MEMOR Y USING THE FILE MEMORY You can store up to 99 of your most frequently used labels in the file memory. Each label is stored as a file, allowing you to quickly and easily recall your label when needed again. After entering th...
Page 74 - Printing a Stored Label File; Deleting a Stored Label File; key to cancel deleting the file and return to the previous screen.
USING THE FILE MEMORY 70 Printing a Stored Label File Press the File key to display the File screen. Select "Print" using the or key. Press the OK or Enter key. The file number of a stored label is displayed.The label text is also displayed to identify the label. Select a file number using t...
Page 75 - MAIN; MAINTAINING YOUR P-TOUCH; Resetting data to factory settings (Downloaded data is not reset.); Resetting the P-touch; • Release the; key before releasing the other key.; Maintenance
71 Resetting the P-touch 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 z MAIN TAININ G YOUR P-TOUCH MAINTAINING YOUR P-TOUCH You can reset the internal memory of your P-touch when you want to clear all saved label files, or in the event the P-touch is not operating correctly. Resetting data to factory settings (Downloaded data...
Page 76 - Cleaning the Print Head; • Do not touch the print head directly with your; • About once every year, wipe the cutter blade
MAINTAINING YOUR P-TOUCH 72 Maintenance Cleaning the Print Head Streaks or poor quality characters on printed labels generally indicates that the print head is dirty. Clean the print head using a cotton swab or the optional print head cleaning cassette (TZ-CL4). Cleaning the Tape Cutter Tape adhesiv...
Page 77 - TROUBLESHOOTING; Problem
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 73 What to do when... z TRO U BLESHOOTING TROUBLESHOOTING What to do when... Problem Solution The screen ‘locks’, or the P-touch does not respond normally. Refer to “Resetting the P-touch” on page 71 and reset the internal memory to the initial settings. If resetting the P-touch do...
Page 79 - Error Messages; Message
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 75 z TRO U BLESHOOTING Error Messages When an error message appears on the display, follow the directions provided below. Error Messages Message Cause/Remedy Battery Weak!* The installed batteries are getting weak. Check Battery! The following are likely causes.• The batteries are ...
Page 80 - Print
TROUBLESHOOTING 76 Error Messages Tape Width Limit! Max 2 Lines* There are more than two lines of text when you press the Print or Preview key while using 9 mm or 6 mm tape. Limit the number of lines to two, or replace with a larger width tape cassette. Tape Width Limit! Max 1 Line* There is more th...
Page 81 - The text size is too large. Select a different size option.; Clear
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 77 z TRO U BLESHOOTING Error Messages Incorrect Value!* The value entered for setting the tape length, tab length, multiple copies or numbering function is invalid. Enter a valid value for the setting. Select Other Cut Option!* The tape length set using the tape length setting is s...
Page 82 - APPENDIX; Main Unit; Specifications; Item
78 Specifications APPENDIX Main Unit Specifications Item Specification Display Character display 16 characters x 3 lines (128 dot x 48 dot) ,Backlit Screen contrast 5 levels (+2, +1, 0, -1, -2) Printing Print method Thermal Transfer Print head 128 dot / 180 dpi Print height 18mm max. (when using 24m...
Page 83 - IND; INDEX
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 79 z IND E X INDEX A AC adapter ....................................... 17Accented Character List ................... 29Auto power-off time .......................... 19 B Battery .............................................. 16Block Layouts ................................... 43 ...
