Recommended Cleaning Schedule

Clean the printhead after printing every five rolls of media printed. See Cleaning the Printhead.

As needed to improve print quality. Platen rollers can slip causing print image distortion and in worst case scenarios not move the media (labels, receipts, tags, etc.) Use the detailed instructions in this Maintenance section to clean, and if needed, replace the platen.

Standard platen rollers come in two colors, black (203 dpi) and gray (300 dpi).

The linerless platen normally does not require cleaning. The adhesive side of the media picks up particles as you print. Clean if you observe a build-up of particles on the platen roller.

The platen roller can accumulate adhesive on the outer edges of the roller. After using many rolls of media, these ‘rings’ of adhesive can get dislodged when using the printer. These particle clumps can then get transferred to other areas in the printer, most importantly, the printhead. To remove adhesive particles, use the adhesive side of a piece of linerless media to gently press and remove the particles from the plater roller. See the instructions in this Maintenance section for information on cleaning and replacing the platen.

If the linerless media is sticking and binding in the printer, the silicon non-stick coating may have been used up. In this case, the linerless platen normally needs to be replaced.

Linerless platen rollers come in two colors, reddish-brown (203 dpi) and brown (300 dpi).

Clean thoroughly as needed with fiber-free cleaning swabs and cloths moistened with 99.7% pure isopropyl alcohol. Let the alcohol evaporate completely. See Cleaning the Media Path.

Clean as needed using a soft cloth, brush or compressed air to wipe or blow dust and particles out of the printer.

Use 99.7% pure isopropyl alcohol and a fiber-free cleaning cloth to dissolve contaminants like oils and grime.

Clean as needed using a soft cloth, brush, or compressed air to wipe or blow dust and particles out of the printer.

The exterior of the printer can be cleaned using plain soap and water solutions to moisten the cloth. Only use the minimum amount of cleaning solution to avoid getting solution in the printer or other areas. Do NOT clean connectors or interior of the printer with this method.

The latest healthcare printer models now include ultraviolet (UV) and disinfectant-ready plastics for hospital and other similar environments. The printer user interface controls are sealed so they can be cleaned with the rest of the printer’s exterior. See the Guide To Disinfecting and Cleaning Zebra Healthcare Printers on the Zebra website at zebra.com/support for the latest information on tested and approved cleaning materials and cleaning methods.

Clean as needed to improve label dispenser operations.

For details on operating the dispenser, see  Cleaning the Label Dispenser Option.

The cutter is not a user-serviceable component.

Do NOT clean inside the cutter opening or blade mechanism.

Use the exterior cleaning procedure to clean the cutter bezel (housing).

For cleaning and maintenance of this option, call a service technician.