Troubleshooting Print Problems

• The printing temperature could be too low; Increase the printer temperature. You can also try to adjust the “Density” or “Darkness” in the label editing software or the printer interface properties
• Printhead pressure could be too low; Adjust printhead pressure. Note; industrial printers have special pressure adjustment settings in most cases, not all desktop printers do.
• The ribbon might not be suitable for the label material or printer type; Check the ribbon you are using is suitable for your label material
• The printhead or platen roller could be dirty; Try cleaning the printhead and platen roller with versawipes
• The label material surface is not smooth, perhaps slightly textured; Replace with blank/non textured label material to confirm suitability
• Check whether a near-edge ribbon has been used on a flat-head printer or vice versa.

• The ribbon ink layer or back coating could be uneven; Check whether there are any obvious differences in the ribbon coating
• The printhead or platen roller could be dirty; Clean the printhead and platen roller with versawipes to see if it improves
• Printhead pressure is not even on both sides; Adjust the left-side and right-side printhead pressure. Note Industrial printers have special pressure adjustment settings where as some desktop printers do not.
• One side of the platen roller could be worn; If it is severely worn, the only option you have is to replace the platen roller.

• The ribbon could be wrinkled; Where you are unable to smooth this out, try another roll to see if the same issue persists.
• The printhead could be dirty or have broken pins; Clean the printhead with versawipes to see if it improves first of all. If there are still exposed lines after cleaning, then it is likely the printhead has broken pins, and so needs replacing.
• Printhead pressure is not even on both sides; Adjust the left-side and right-side printhead pressure. Note Industrial printers have special pressure adjustment settings where as some desktop printers do not.
• The printer baffle could be loose; Check if the metal baffle located where the ribbon comes out of the printer is loose, and if so tighten this up.
• The printer transition roller could be loose; Located where the ribbon enters the printhead. If loose, try to tighten this up
• The printing temperature could be too high; Lower the printing temperature to see if this improves

• The printers rubber roller might be damaged; Check whether it has any damaged spots or pits and replace if it has.
• There could be oil stains or glue spills on the label surface; Try another roll of labels to see if printing performance improves.
• The ribbon could be defective with missed areas of coating at regular intervals; Check the ribbon under light and if found to be defective, notify your supplier.

• Backcoating on the ribbon might be defective/missing; Place a self-adhesive tape on the backcoating of the ribbon and see if it is easy to remove the tape. If it is difficult to remove, there is likely no backcoating on the ribbon which could be the problem.
• The surface of the ribbon could be damaged; Check whether there is any damage to the ribbon surface and gently pull the ribbon to see if it is easy to break.
• Printing temperature could be too high; Ensuring you maintain a sharp print quality, reduce printing temperature as much as possible.
• Printhead pressure could be too high; Adjust the printhead pressure reducing as much as possible, whilst still maintaining a sharp quality print.

• The ribbon might not be completely dry; Unfold a section of ribbon and gently press the ink layer against your hand to see if you get any ink transfer.
• The printer pressure could be too high; Reduce the pressure of the printhead.
• The label material used could be too thick; There will be indentations if the label material is too thick. Adjust the printhead pressure appropriately according to the thickness of the label

• Backcoating on the ribbon might be defective/missing; Place a self-adhesive tape on the backcoating of the ribbon and see if it is easy to remove the tape. If it is difficult to remove, there is likely no backcoating on the ribbon which could be the problem.
• Printhead pressure could be too high; Adjust the printhead pressure reducing as much as possible, whilst still maintaining a sharp quality print.
• Printer could be set to “Thermal” mode; Change printing preferences on the printer to Thermal Transfer and print again.

The ribbon has too much static electricity or the printer is not grounded; Place the printer on a conductive platform or grounded location if possible. If grounded is not possible, a static elimination device can be installed.

• The ribbon core might be deformed; Check and if this is oval in appearance, return it to your supplier.
• The burrs of the ribbon paper core are too large and there are too many paper scraps; Clean it up and try again. if it still doesn’t work, it may be deformed so return to your supplier.
• The printer unwinding shaft is deformed and not straight; If found to be deformed or there is debris sticking to the shaft, replace or clean the unwinding shaft and try again.
• If the ribbon slips on the unwinding shaft, check whether the flat spring of the unwinding shaft is actually working; If so, replace the flat spring. If the spring is working but ribbon is slipping, try sticking one or two labels on the inner wall of the paper core to reduce slipping.

Wrinkles are caused during slitting when being manufactured. This is clear to see on inspection. Where there are wrinkles in your ribbon, please return to your supplier.