ZT510 Industrial Printer User Guide

Loading the Ribbon

Ribbon is used only with thermal transfer labels. For direct thermal labels, do not load ribbon in the printer.

To determine if ribbon must be used with a particular media, see When to Use Ribbon.

While performing any tasks near an open printhead, remove all rings, watches, hanging necklaces, identification badges, or other metallic objects that could touch the printhead. You are not required to turn off the printer power when working near an open printhead, but Zebra recommends it as a precaution. If you turn off the power, you will lose all temporary settings, such as label formats, and you must reload them before you resume printing.

Use ribbon that is wider than the media to protect the printhead from wear. Ribbon must be coated on the outside.

Raise the media door.

Open the printhead assembly by rotating the printhead-open lever upward.

The printhead may be hot and could cause severe burns. Allow the printhead to cool.

Align the segments of the ribbon supply spindle.

Place the roll of ribbon on the ribbon supply spindle with the loose end of the ribbon unrolling as shown. Push the roll back as far as it will go.

A ribbon leader makes ribbon loading and unloading easier. Does your roll of ribbon have paper or something else attached to the end to serve as a ribbon leader?

If…	Then…
Yes	Continue with the next step.
No	a. Cut or tear about 100–150 mm (4–6 in.) of media from the roll. b. Peel a label from the media strip. c. Use this label to attach the end of the ribbon to the media strip. The media strip acts as a ribbon leader.

Thread the ribbon leader under the ribbon guide roller and the printhead assembly.

Bring the ribbon leader over the upper ribbon roller and then under the ribbon take-up spindle. Wrap the leader and the ribbon around the ribbon take-up spindle as shown. Rotate the spindle several turns to wind the ribbon and remove any slack.

Is media already loaded in the printer?

If…	Then…
No	Continue with Load the Media to load media in the printer.
Yes	a. Rotate the printhead-open lever downward until it locks the printhead in place. b. Close the media door. c. If necessary, press PAUSE to enable printing.