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GK420T Desktop Thermal Printer User Guide
Print Operations
Ribbon Overview and Use
Ribbon Scratch Test
GK420t Desktop Thermal Printer User Guide
GK420t Desktop Thermal Printer User Guide
About This Guide
Notational Conventions
Icon Conventions
Introduction
GK Series Thermal Printers
What is in the Box
Unpack and Inspect the Printer
Your Printer
Opening the Printer
Printer Features
Operator Controls
Power Switch
FEED Button
Status Light
Closing the Printer
Getting Started
Printer Setup Overview
Attaching Power
Loading Roll Media
Preparing Media
Placing the Roll in the Media Compartment
Loading Transfer Ribbon
Printing a Test (Printer Configuration) Label
Connecting your Printer to a Device
Connecting to a Phone or Tablet
Installing Drivers and Connecting to a Windows-Based Computer
Pre-install Windows Printer Drivers
Installing the Drivers
Running the Printer Installation Wizard
Plug-n-Play (PnP) Printer Detection and Windows Operating Systems
Ethernet
Serial Port and Windows Operating Systems
Interface Cable Requirements
USB Interface Requirements
Serial Communications
Parallel Port
Ethernet Cable
After Your Printer is Connected
Testing Communications by Printing
Test-Printing using Zebra Setup Utilities
Test Printing with Windows Printer and Faxes Menu
Test Print on an Ethernet Printer
Test Print with a Copied ZPL Command File
What to Do If You Forget to Install Printer Drivers First
Print Operations
Determining Printer Configuration
Localizing the Printer Configuration Label
Long-Term Printer Inactivity or Storage
Thermal Printing
Methods and Modes of Printing
Print Media Types
Determining Thermal Media Types
Performing a Media Scratch Test
Replacing Printing Supplies
Ribbon Overview and Use
Ribbon Test with Adhesive
Ribbon Scratch Test
Replacing Transfer Ribbon
Replacing a Partially-Used Transfer Ribbon
Adjusting the Print Width
Adjusting the Print Quality
Media Sensing
Printing on Fanfold Media
Printing with Externally-Mounted Roll Media
Externally-Mounted Roll Media Considerations
Fonts and Your Printer
Localizing the Printer with Code Pages
Identifying Fonts in Your Printer
ZPL Fonts
EPL Fonts
Standalone Printing
Sending Files to the Printer
Print Meter
EPL Line Mode
Printer Options
Label Dispenser Option
ZebraNet 10/100 Internal (Wired) Print Server Option
Printer Network Configuration Label
Zebra Keyboard Display Unit (KDU) Printer Accessory
KDU Plus — Printer Accessory
ZBI 2.0 Zebra Basic Interpreter
Maintenance
Cleaning
Cleaning the Printhead
Clean the Media Path
Cleaning the Sensor
Platen Cleaning and Replacement
Other Printer Maintenance
Removing and Replacing the Printhead
Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Status Light Descriptions and Error Resolutions
Print Quality Problems
Manual Calibration
Troubleshooting Tests
Resetting the Factory Default Values
Communications Diagnostics
FEED Button Modes
Interface Wiring
Universal Serial Bus Interface
Parallel Interface
Ethernet Interface
Serial Port Interface
Dimensions
GK420 Desktop Thermal Printer – External Dimensions
ZPL Configuration
Managing the ZPL Printer Configuration
ZPL Printer Configuration Format
ZPL Configuration Status to Command Cross-reference
Printer Memory Management and Related Status Reports
ZPL Programming for Memory Management
Ribbon Scratch Test
Ribbon Scratch Test
Perform the ribbon scratch test when labels are unavailable.
To perform a ribbon scratch test, complete these steps:
Unroll a short length of ribbon from the roll.
Place the unrolled section of ribbon on a piece of paper with the outer surface of the ribbon in contact with the paper.
Scratch the inner surface of the unrolled ribbon with your fingernail.
Lift the ribbon from the paper.
Observe the results. Did the ribbon leave a mark on the paper?
If the ribbon...
The ribbon is...
Left a mark on the paper
Coated on the outside and can be used with this printer.
Did not leave a mark on the paper
Coated on the inside and CANNOT be used with this printer.
Ribbon Overview and Use
