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Generating a Print Quality Report (FEED self-test)
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Generating a Print Quality Report (FEED self-test)

Different types of media may require different darkness settings. This section contains a simple but effective method for determining the ideal darkness for printing barcodes that are within specifications.
Load the printer with full-width media.
During the Print Quality Report (FEED self-test), a series of labels are printed at different darkness settings at two different print speeds. The relative darkness and the print speed are printed on each label. The barcodes on these labels may be ANSI-graded to check the print quality. The speed at which labels are printed during this print quality test depends on the dot density of the printhead.
During this test, one set of labels is printed at low speed, and another set is printed at the high speed. The darkness value starts at three settings lower than the printer’s current darkness value (relative darkness of –3) and increases until the darkness is three settings higher than the current darkness value (relative darkness of +3).
The speed at which labels are printed during this print quality test depends on the dot density of the printhead.
  • 300 dpi printers: prints 7 labels at 51mm/sec (2 ips) and 102 mm/sec (4 ips) print speeds.
  • 203 dpi printers: prints 7 labels at 51mm/sec (2 ips) and 152 mm/sec (6 ips) print speeds.
  1. Print a configuration report to show the printer’s current settings. Press and hold the
    FEED
     and
    CANCEL
     buttons for two (2) seconds to print the report.
  2. Turn OFF the printer.
  3. Press and hold
    FEED
     button while setting the printer power to ON. Continue to hold
    FEED
     button until the
    Status
     indicator is the only indicator lit.
    The printer prints a series of labels at various speeds and darkness settings higher and lower than the darkness value shown on the printer's configuration report.
    Print Quality Sample Test Print
    Shows a Print Quality Report
    Visual Darkness Descriptions
    Print Quality
    Description
    Too dark
    • Labels that are too dark are fairly obvious. They may be readable but not In-Spec.
    • The normal barcode bars increase in size.
    • The openings in small alphanumeric characters may appear filled in.
    • Rotated barcodes have bars and spaces run together.
    Slightly dark
    • Slightly dark labels are not as obvious.
    • The normal barcode will be In-Spec.
    • Small character alphanumerics will be bold and could be slightly filled in.
    • The rotated barcode spaces are small when compared to the In-Spec code, possibly making the code unreadable.
    In-Spec
    The In-Spec barcode can only be confirmed by a verifier, but it should exhibit the following visible characteristics.
    • The normal barcode will have complete, even bars and clear, distinct spaces.
    • The rotated barcode will have complete, even bars and clear, distinct spaces. Although it may not look as good as a slightly dark barcode, the barcode will be In-Spec.
    • In both normal and rotated styles, small alphanumeric characters look complete.
    Slightly light
    • Slightly light labels are, in some cases, preferred to slightly dark ones for In-Spec barcodes.
    • Both normal and rotated barcodes will be in spec, but small alphanumeric characters may not be complete.
    Too light
    • Labels that are too light are obvious.
    • Both normal and rotated barcodes have incomplete bars and spaces.
    • Small alphanumeric characters are unreadable.
  4. Inspect the test labels and determine which one has the preferred print quality for your application.
    • If you have a barcode verifier, use it to measure bars/spaces and calculate the print contrast.
    • If you do not have a barcode verifier, use your eyes or the system scanner to choose the optimal darkness setting based on the labels printed in this self-test.
  5. Note the relative darkness value and the print speed printed on the preferred test label.
  6. Add or subtract the relative darkness value from the darkness value specified on the configuration label. The resulting numeric value is the best darkness value for that specific label/ribbon combination and print speed.
  7. If necessary, change the current darkness value to the darkness value on the preferred test label.
  8. If necessary, change the current print speed to the speed value on the preferred test label.