Printing from BarTender, Label Matrix, or Backtrack to a Zebra printer (formerly branded Eltron)
1. I am using 0.25-inch high labels in sets of six. How do I print this label configuration using BarTender?
In BarTender, first ensure you are using the correct printer driver. Go to File Print and make sure your thermal transfer or direct thermal printer is selected in the drop down box. Set the page size to match the width of the label by the height of all six labels in the set by going to File / Page Setup – Paper. (There is a gap between each set of six labels, and it is this gap that the printer senses.) Since there are six 0.25 inch labels in the set, the page height would be set to 1.5 inches. Next, return to File / Page Setup – select Label and choose Rows. The Rows parameter must be set to 6 to signify that there are six labels in the set.
2. I am using 0.25-inch high labels in sets of six. How do I print this label configuration using LabelMatrix or BackTrack?
In Label Matrix or BackTrack Label Designer, set the page size to the width of the label by the height of all six labels in the set. (There is a gap between each set of six labels, and it is this gap that the printer senses.) Since there are six 0.25 inch labels in the set, the page height would be set to 1.5 inches. Next, set the Multiple Down parameter to 6 to signify that there are six labels in the set. [Note: for a Desktop model using Strandware software you may also need to add 0.08 to the overall page height, so the page height would become 1.58 inches. Next add a margin of 0.08” either to the top or to the bottom of the label. If the top margin doesn’t come out right, try the bottom margin. Then try a combination of top and bottom margins that sum to 0.08”]
3. I am using a Zebra Desktop 2742 or 3742 (Eltron) printer. When I print multiple labels at once, the print comes out above or below my 0.25 inch high labels
Try recalibrating the printer. (turn it off, then turn it back on while holding down the feed button, after several seconds, release the feed button, allow to calibrate. Then press the feed button once more before use). One trick that often works in Label Matrix or BackTrack is to add .08 to the total label height, so a set of two .25 inch high labels would have a .5 inch page height plus .08” so you would use .58 inches as your page height. Setting the sum of the top and bottom margins to .08 and the Multiple Down to 2. This trick of adding 0.08 to the total label height should be unnecessary in Bar Tender.
4. I am using a Zebra printer with an LCD display. When I print multiple labels at once, my print comes out above or below my labels.
First, try recalibrating the printer (see your manual). Then try adjusting the Label Top feature, which is a menu item available on the setup menu display (the first selection is Darkness). Increase it slightly, exit from setup, and see whether it changed it in the right direction. If not, decrease it slightly, exit from setup, and test again. Repeat adjustment as necessary exiting from setup each time, and re-testing it.
5. My Zebra Desktop model printer is making printing motions but not printing. Or my Zebra Desktop is printing too light, or "blotchy".
Readjust the temperature settings of the printer. For the Zebra Desktop 2742 and 3742, this adjustment is controlled through the software. When using Bar Tender, select File / Print, ensure you are on the Print tab, press the Document Properties button and on the Density (otherwise known as darkness or temperature) slider bar choose a higher number than currently set. (setting 15is the darkest)
For Label Matrix (or BackTrack Label Designer); from the File menu select Printer Setup. From the Printer Setup screen choose Setup, and adjust the Darkness higher. (setting 15is the darkest)
6. My Zebra printer is making printing motions but not printing.
Zebra printers (other than small desktop models) generally allow you to adjust the temperature (darkness) with a button. For printers with an LCD screen it is the first selection in the Printer Setup display menu. For the T402, there is a “blink method”. (See below)What is the “blink method” for setting darkness on a Zebra T402? Press and hold the feed button for several seconds. The light will flash several times in sequence. When it reaches six flashes, release the feed key. It will start to print a series of nine samples from the lightest to the darkest. When it reaches the proper darkness, press and release the feed key.
7. My Zebra Desktop model printer advances labels, but not the ribbon.
First re-feed the labels and ribbons. Then, ensure the right hand side of the ribbon assembly is snapped down. On some printers, it may take quite a bit of force.
8. How do I install the Seagull BarTender drivers?
A. Launch the Windows Add Printer wizard:
i. Click the Start button.
ii. Select Settings.
iii. Select Printers. (The Printers dialog opens)
iv. Double-click Add Printer.
B. On each page of the wizard, answer the questions and press Next. The pages
that appear will vary depending on your version of Windows and how you answer
the questions. Eventually you reach a page containing a “Have Disk” button.
C. Click “Have Disk” and when prompted, enter the disk drive and directory
path to your printer driver files: If you downloaded the drivers from the web,
type in the path to the directory where you extracted the files, typically
C:\Seagull. NT 4.0 users must instead enter the NT4 subdirectory of the
extracted directory, typically C:\Seagull\NT4. If you are installing from a CD,
enter the root directory of your CD-ROM drive, typically D:\. NT 4.0 users must
enter D:\Drivers\NT4 instead of D:\. (Substitute the appropriate alternate drive
letter for the D if your CD-ROM drive has a different letter.) D. Continue with
the Add Printer wizard, except for the test page procedure. If you are using an
older 9- pin or 25-pin serial port, you will be asked to specify certain serial
communication parameters. These settings should be identical to those on your
printer. Note: Select No when asked if you want to print a test page. (Since the
Windows test page procedure assumes you have a laser, ink-jet, or dot-matrix
printer that can print out a full page, it is very unlikely that you will be
able to properly print it to your thermal label printer.)
9. I am using Label Matrix or BackTrack with a Zebra or Eltron, but I can’t get it to print labels or print labels correctly.
The most common problem people have with using Label Matrix or BackTrack is they install the drivers that come on the Zebra or Eltron CD-ROM. These Windows drivers do not work as well as the Strandware drivers in both Label Matrix and the Label Designer in BackTrack, and in fact interfere with good operation. First uninstall the Windows drivers, and then go into Label Matrix or Label Designer and set up the appropriate printer.
To uninstall the Windows driver in Windows 2000 From the Start menu choose Settings, then double click on Printers. Then right click on the printer and choose Delete. To set up the appropriate printer in Label Matrix or the Label Designer Choose Printer Setup from the File Menu in Label Matrix or Label Designer in BackTrack. (If you are in BackTrack, choose Design/Print Labels from the Main Menu, and then at the Select Label screen either choose an existing label and press Edit, or press New and follow the prompts for the New Label and follow along the New Label Wizard. Then you are in the Label Designer.) At the Printer Setup prompt choose Add. Now you are in the Add Printer Wizard. At the first screen, press Next. At the second screen, choose your printer manufacturer and model number from the lists. DO NOT click the “Have Disk” button, just click Next. At the next screen, pick an Alias and choose a port. (The most common thing to do is use a parallel cable directly from your computer; if you are doing this choose Local, and pick LPT1: from the drop down list. Someone using PrintServer II will choose TCP/IP and enter the correct IP address.) Then click Next, and at the next screen choose Finish.
10. I cannot get Label Matrix or BackTrack to print. I already removed the Windows driver but I am still unable to print using the Label Matrix driver.
Look at the selection of Windows printers and see whether any are assigned to the printer port you are using (I will assume this is LPT1). In Windows 2000, from the Start menu choose Settings, then double click on Printers. Choose a printer and from the File menu, choose Properties, and choose the Ports tab. See if any other printers are listed on LPT1. A Generic / Text Only printer may be OK (see the note below). Others are not. Remove the interfering printers, and try printing again. If this does not work, go into the Label Matrix File menu and choose Printer Setup. Choose the printer you are interested in and press Connection. Choose the Local port, but this time type LPT1.DOS in for the local port instead of choosing the “LPT1:” Try printing again.
Note on Generic/Text Only Printers:
Generic text only drivers are not required for LabelMatrix, with the exception of very old copies of Windows 95/NT, and certain networking situations. If you think you are in one of these situations, see http://www.strandware.com/tech/fod/doc2065.html and http://www.strandware.com/tech/fod/doc6705.html for installation instructions. .
11. Setting up an Eltron (or Zebra Desktop 2742 or 3742) printer on a Serial Port using Label Matrix?
Printing on the Serial port can be trickier than printing on the parallel port. Here are some guidelines: Check that the COM1 port is free. Go to the command/DOS prompt (Windows 2000: From the Start menu go to Programs / Accessories / Command Prompt), and type "mode COM1". If it does not say "Status for device COM1" and gives a list of parameters then your COM1 port is not free and you need to change it. If your COM port is not free, correct it. Ensure the printer is NOT using the Windows printer driver. (Windows 2000: From the Start menu go to Settings, and double click on the Printers selection. Go into the File menu to Server Properties and click on the Ports tab. Look at the list to see if anything is on COM1, then hit Cancel. If something is on COM1, delete it from the Printers folder). There may be other software that uses the COM1 port that you will have to remove from the COM1 port. Make your Settings in Label Matrix. Open Label Matrix. From the File menu, choose Printer Setup. Choose the printer you want to connect to the serial port, and click on the Connection button. In the PORT area click on Local, and choose from the drop down list, COM1. Next click on Settings. You should choose Baud - 9600, Parity - None, Data Bits - 8, and Stop Bits - 1. Also the Flow Control should be Xon/Xoff. Check that you are using a null modem cable. If you need one, please call us.
12. I need Label Matrix or BackTrack to print to another workstation on the network. How can I do that?
You need to install a generic / text only driver on the workstation with the printer. Then you share the printer. In Label Matrix under Printer Setup choose your printer and hit the Connection button. Choose UNC for the port type and enter the UNC path and printer name (ex- \\COMPUTER \printer).
Other Zebra or Eltron Questions
13. I have a Zebra (or Eltron ) that I've had for more than thirty days. It is experiencing mechanical or electrical problems. Where can I get help?
Contact Zebra/Eltron at 800-344-4003
14. My Eltron (or Zebra Desktop 2742 or 3742) power supply has failed.
Contact Chuck Turner via e-mail for a replacement at cturner@eltron.com , or call the main technical support line at 800-344-4003.
15. I would like to print from a Unix system to a Zebra or Eltron printer using an IP address. What do I do?
You can print by using either the Zebra PrintServer II or the Eltron PrintServer. The electronic manuals have instructions for working with Unix.
Page 42 on Zebra Printserver II: http://www.zebra.com/SS/manuals.htm
Page 15 on Eltron Printserver: ftp://ftp.eltron.com/eltron/manuals/46716LA%20Eltron%20PrintServer.pdf
16. To create barcodes for ISBN numbers using BarTender:
A. Create a new barcode, and choose "Screen Data" as the data source.
B. Enter the following screen data: the digits "978" followed by your ISBN number, omitting all dashes, spaces, and the last digit, which is a special "check digit" and which will be different in your barcode. (if you want to include a price, also enter the number "5" and then a four-digit price such as "1999" for $19.99)
C. Select the Bar Code tab and choose symbology "EAN/JAN-13". If you want to show a price, select "UPC Supplemental" and select "5 digit" This should show your ISBN number in the EAN/JAN-13 format, also known as Bookland format.
To export this to a BMP, EPS, JPG, or TIF file, do the following:
A. On the "Edit" menu, select "Export".
B. Choose whether you want to copy the barcode to the clipboard or to a file. If you want to copy it to a file, click on Browse to set the location and file type as BMP, EPS, JPG, or TIF. (Recommend choosing BMP, as the most universally "importable" option.)
C. Review the other settings (which often work well at default settings) and then press OK.
17. Where would I find an electronic manual
for:
Zebra or Eltron: http://www.zebra.com/SS/manuals.htm
Motorola
Symbol: http://www.symbol.com/services/manuals
Zebra Printserver II : http://www.zebra.com/SS/ps2_user_guide.pdf
Portable Data Terminals, Scanners, PrintServers
18. My Motorola Symbol PDT 3100 46 key is locking up. How do I get it to work again?
First try a Warm Boot. If this does not work, try a Cold Boot Warm Boot: With the PDT turned off, simultaneously press and hold down the 4 key, 5 key, and the PWR key, then release the PWR key only. Wait one second then release the 4 and 5 keys. The Warm Boot will keep the programmed applications. Cold Boot: With the PDT turned off, simultaneously press and hold down the A key, B key, D key, and the PWR key, then release the PWR key only. Wait one second then release the A, B, and D keys. The Cold Boot will remove the programmed application(s) from the PDT so you will have to run PDT Applications Programming again.
19. How do I know the correct IP Address for my PrintServer II?
There is a button on the PrintServer II that is slightly recessed. After connecting the PrintServer II to the network and to the printer, find a way to press that button. Soon you will have a printout with a number of parameters including the correct IP address.
20. P370 Cordless Scanner Basics:
A. The scanner should be charged overnight before first use. B. The scanner MUST be paired with its base by scanning the barcode on the base before use C. The keyboard wedge cables should be plugged in with the base unplugged and the PC off. Then the base should be plugged in, and finally the PC should be turned on. The keyboard wedge cables will not work if they are plugged in while the PC is on.
21. My PPT2800, PPT2846, PDT8100, or PDT8146 will not scan.
New PocketPC-based PPT's or PDT's require a scanning utility to be loaded. To download this utility click here.