Frequently Asked Questions

Avery-Dennison Printers

TDI

The questions and answers in this section apply specifically to the Avery-Dennison TDI printer.

Error Messages

Printing Difficulties

General Questions

1. I am getting an ST05 error on my printer. What is causing the problem?

The material end error indicates that the printer is unable to detect the presence of any material at all in the paper sensor field of vision.

Possible Causes

  • Material may have run out. If the stack of cards has been printed completely, the Material End indicator will be displayed
  • Improper tracking of the label or tag stock may result in the material moving out of the paper sensor altogether, thus triggering the error message.

Resolution:

  1. Press the CUT key, and then the FEED key. Printer will be offline.
  2. Re-insert media and make sure that it is flush with the front edge of the lift tray. Also check the media guides behind the print block to ensure that tracking is maintained from the tray forward to the print head.
  3. Press the ONLINE button. Any outstanding print job(s) will resume.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

2. What might cause an ST07 error?

The ST07 error indicates that the printer has been unable to detect the presence of a ribbon. Resolution of the problem is partly dependent on the mode of operation of the printer as described below.

[A] Direct Thermal Mode

Since the normal operating condition for direct thermal mode does not involve the use of a ribbon at all, it is very rare that this error would occur. However, it can happen if the printer is being run in direct themal mode with the ribbon save device activated.

Resolution:

  • Press the FEED key. Printer will be offline.
  • Locate the FMOD function under System Parameters (SYSP), and make sure that it is deactivated.
  • When the printer is returned to Online mode, the print job should continue.

[B] Thermal Transfer Mode

Typically this error is associated with insufficient tension on the ribbon, or it may simply signal that the printer is out of ribbon.

  • Insufficient Ribbon Tension. Press the FEED button to acknowledge the error. The LCD display will read ‘OFF’. Adjust the ribbon and make sure that it is taut. Press the ONLINE key to resume printing.
  • Out of Ribbon. Press the CUT key and then the FEED key to acknowledge the error. The display will read ‘OFF’. Install a new ribbon. Press ONLINE to resume printing.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

3. I am getting an ST15 error on my printer, and cannot print. How can I resolve this issue?

The Head Fault error denotes a problem with the head sensor function, which basically indicates whether the print head is raised or lowered.

On the TDI, movements of the print head are controlled by a head stepper motor. Possible sources of trouble might be one or more of the following:

  • 1. Print head is not fully secured on the thermal print bar. Check the position of the print head on the bar, and make sure the thumbscrews are snug.
  • 2. Problem with connection between peripheral device board and the print head (either a bad or loose cable, or malfunction on the board).
  • 3. Failure of the head stepper motor.
  • 4. Broken or cracked sensor disk on the head stepper motor (requires replacement of the whole motor).
  • 5. Faulty head sensor.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

4. My Avery-Dennison TDI printer is tending to feed more than one card as it tries to print. How can I fix this?

Because the TDI can feed a variety of different thicknesses of card stock, it is necessary to adjust the position of the feed roller so that it is able to obtain an optimal grip on the cards to push them forward. To do this, it is necessary to move the red pressure adjustment wheel either to the right or the left until an even pressure is obtained. The correct position of this wheel is dependent entirely on the relative thickness of the material being fed through the printer.

In addition, in order to obtain quality printing, it may also be necessary to adjust the relative print head pressure to account for the thickness of the material. The print head pressure control is located just above the ribbon spindles, and can be set to one of three positions.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

5. The card stock that I am running on the Avery-Dennison TDI seems to be sliding off to the right side of the printer (away from the main printer wall). What could be causing this problem?

Since forward motion of card stock is controlled by the feed roller, wider cards may tend to slip a bit if the outside media guide is not positioned up against the outside edge of the card stock. Check to make sure that the guide follows the outside edge of the stock.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

6. I am able to print cards on my Avery-Dennison TDI printer, but the printing is too light (or too dark). Any suggestions?

There are a number of factors that control overall print quality. Here are a few ideas to consider:

  • Check to be sure that you are using near-edge ribbon.
  • The ribbon should be compatible with the cards that are being printed. The effective bonding temperature of ribbons varies according to their chemical composition, and so their ability to bond or adhere to different types of surfaces also varies.
  • Check the darkness or temperature setting in your software. If you are using a Windows driver, you may also need to check the temperature settings there as well. The default darkness for the TDI is 50, which in this case defines average darkness under typical print conditions.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

7. Certain parts of my label do not seem to be printing. Why would this be?

Printing voids can arise from a number of causes. Here are some things to consider:

  • [A] No printing at all:

    Is the ribbon loaded correctly? Is the ribbon properly matched for the type of material on which you are printing? Is the darkness set correctly? Are the print head power and communication cables plugged in?

  • [B] Sharply defined vertical white lines or rectangles:

    This type of pattern generally indicates a damaged print head.

  • [C] Uneven contrast from left to right across the print head:

    This type of problem may be the result of misalignment of the print head or the print head cam. A worn platen roller can also produce a similar effect. In most instances, this problem is a repair issue.

  • [D] Irregular white lines in print:

    (1) If the lines are basically vertical, then the trouble is probably just dirt. Try cleaning the print head. (2) If the lines wander around the label, then the issue is ribbon wrinkle

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

8. My printer is basically working, but I am getting irregular white lines in the print. It looks like the ribbon is wrinkling. What is happening?

  • Check to make sure that the ribbon is loaded correctly.

    Since the Avery-Dennison TDI is left justified, the ribbon cores should always be positioned so that they are flush with the ribbon stoppers.

  • Use a ribbon that is at least as wide as or just a tiny bit wider than the material being printed. Four-inch wide cards need a four-inch ribbon; two-inch cards a two-inch ribbon; and so on. Trying to print a two-inch wide card with a four-inch ribbon will inevitably cause wrinkling of the ribbon.

    CAUTION: Running material that is wider than the ribbon, or allowing the left or right edges of the material to be exposed beyond the edge of the ribbon can cause damage to the dot rows on the print head. For more on this topic see Printing Voids.

  • Check the darkness or temperature setting in your software. Higher temperatures may at times produce wrinkling.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

9. How can I restore my Avery-Dennison TDI printer to its original factory settings?

The procedure for resetting the printer’s factory defaults is this:

  1. With the printer in ONLINE mode, press the ON/OFFLINE key. The LCD display will read ‘OFF’.
  2. Press the FEED and CUT keys simultaneously. The printer will now be in System mode, which provides access to all of the printer’s parameter menus. The first menu that you will see reads, ‘INFO’.
  3. Press the CUT key six times. The menu screen will now read ‘OTHR’.
  4. Press the ONLINE key to enter the submenu, at which point you will likely see the word, ‘DOWN’.
  5. Press the CUT key again until you come to ‘FACT’.
  6. Hit the ONLINE key once. The printer will display a prompt indicating whether you want to go ahead with the factory reset. Press the ONLINE key to continue.
  7. The printer will automatically re-initialize and return to ONLINE mode.

NOTE: Resetting the factory defaults erases any special settings that may be required for particular applications. Any such special functions will need to be turned back on manually.

IMPORTANT: After doing a factory reset, make sure that the Print Head Resistance Value is reset and that any special functions that you may require, such as ribbon save, are turned on.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

10. How do I go about setting the print head resistance value?

After a factory reset or replacement of a print head, it is necessary to set the print head resistance value. The value required is printed on the identification label for the print head. The procedure for inputting the value is this:

  1. With the printer in ONLINE mode, press the ON/OFFLINE key. The LCD display will read ‘OFF’.
  2. Press the FEED and CUT keys simultaneously. The printer will now be in System mode, which provides access to all of the printer’s parameter menus. The first menu that you will see reads, ‘INFO’.
  3. Press the CUT key three times to go to the System Parameters menu, ‘SYSP’.
  4. Press the CUT key again until you come to ‘HRES’.
  5. Press the ONLINE key to display the current value.
  6. Use the CUT or FEED keys to decrease or increase the value to the proper level.
  7. Press the ONLINE key.
  8. To exit the menu, press the FEED and CUT keys simultaneously until the LCD reads ‘OFF’. Then press the ON/OFFLINE key to return to normal operation.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

11. How is the ribbon save option enabled on the Avery-Dennison TDI printer?

The ribbon save function on the TDI printer is designed to interrupt the ribbon rotation over extended blank (non-print) areas of a label. (Blank area must be at least 18 mm.) The function is easily enabled:

  1. With the printer in ONLINE mode, press the ON/OFFLINE key. The LCD display will read ‘OFF’, indicating that the printer is in offline mode.
  2. Press the FEED and CUT keys simultaneously. The printer will now be in System mode, which provides access to all of the printer’s parameter menus. The first menu that you will see reads, ‘INFO’.
  3. Press the CUT key 3 times. The display will read ‘SYSP’
  4. Hit the ON/OFFLINE key to enter the submenu. The first item in the submenu will be displayed (EMUL).
  5. Press the CUT key until the FMOD (foil mode) menu is displayed.
  6. Hit the ON/OFFLINE key to enter the submenu. The default value is ‘CONT’, which refers to continuous motion of the ribbon motor.
  7. Use the FEED or CUT key to change the setting to ‘SAVE’.
  8. Press the ON/OFFLINE key to accept the new value.
  9. Press the FEED and CUT keys simultaneously until the display reads ‘OFF’.
  10. Press the ON/OFFLINE key to return to normal online operation.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

12. How do I activate the TDI short tag option?

The short tag option on the TDI enables the printer to be able to run smaller tags (between 50 and 105 mm). To activate the module, follow these steps:

  1. With the printer in ONLINE mode, press the ON/OFFLINE key. The LCD display will read ‘OFF’, indicating that the printer is in offline mode.
  2. Press the FEED and CUT keys simultaneously. The printer will now be in System mode, which provides access to all of the printer’s parameter menus. The first menu that you will see reads, ‘INFO’.
  3. Press the CUT key 3 times. The display will read ‘SYSP’
  4. Hit the ON/OFFLINE key to enter the submenu. The first item in the submenu will be displayed (EMUL).
  5. Press the CUT key until the SECF menu is displayed.
  6. Hit the ON/OFFLINE key to enter the submenu. The default setting is ‘NO’.
  7. Use the FEED or CUT key to change the setting to ‘YES’.
  8. Press the ON/OFFLINE key to accept the new value.
  9. Press the FEED and CUT keys simultaneously until the display reads ‘OFF’.
  10. Press the ON/OFFLINE key to return to normal online operation.

Error Messages | Printing Difficulties | General Questions

Technical Information or Feedback on this page: Jim Will Technical Support E-mail: Technical Support  Last Update: 5 September 2008

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