(Thermal PRICE LABEL printing is available in PPSS Diamond and Virtual.)

Free Tech Support for Labels and Printers Please contact Barcode Warehouse at 888-422-9249 or, email Margie Benton for free help with labels and thermal label printers, or Josef for TSC printers at 909-525-9779, extension 101, or service@tscprinters.com

Note: It is possible that the CD shipped with the TSC TDP-247 printer will install the printer for XP only. Please download this file for installing the printer driver for Vista and Win 7.

Important! When loading the labels, the perforation should be just under the lip of the clam shell with the colored border barely showing.

Thermal Label Printers

Thermal label printers are more expensive than laser-style printers ($300+ vs. $50) but there are several advantages to using a thermal label printer:

1. A roll of 2100 labels (2.25 x 1.25) is about $8.
2. There are no (expensive) ink cartridges.
3. There are no out-of-ink/paper runs, paper jams, tray switching...
4. It's easier to print a few or several labels.
5. There are no partially-used sheets with which to contend.
6. The printer doesn't waste labels.
7. There is a larger variety of adhesive and non-adhesive labels (17) compared to sheet labels (3).

TSC TDP-247 Thermal Label Printer

In December 2010 we started shipping the TSC printer in favor of the Zebra 2844:

1. The cost of the printer is lower.
2. The equipment manufacturer is more readily available for support.
3. The warranty is 2 years vs. 1 year.
4. The TSC is reportedly also 75% faster than the Zebra.
5. There are fewer operating problems.
6. Installation is much easier.

TSC Installation

The Quick-Start Guide and User's Guide are available online, as well as downloads for manuals, drivers, installation video and Windows dynamic library.

1. If the installation disk is not available, download and save the driver to the Desktop.
2. Click on the saved file to begin the installation.
3. Click on Run.
4. Accept the terms of the license agreement.
5. Accept the default location for the installation (C:\Seagull).
6. Leave both options checked on the Installation-Information screen and click Finish.
7. On the Driver Wizard, leave 'Install printer drivers' selected and click Next.
8. Select TSC TDP-247 and click Next. (The computer may take several seconds to respond.)
9. Select USB for the port and click Next.
10. Remove the check from 'Use this printer as the default printer'. Leave others settings as they are and click Next.
11. Click Finish then Close.
12. Make sure the printer is connected to the PC, has labels loaded and is turned on.
13. Go to Start, Control Panel, Devices and Printers.
14. Right click on the printer listing and select Printer Properties.
15. Click on Print Test Page. If a label doesn't print, see troubleshooting.

Test the Printer with PPSS

If the test label printed, do this:

1. In PPSS, have at least one consignor and one inventory item entered.
2. In the upper-left corner, click on File then Program Setup then Printers.
3. For 'Print Thermal Price Labels' use the drop-down menu and select TSC TDP-247. (It may already be entered.)
4. Note that font size can be changed for the tear-off and main section of a 2-part label.
5. Select the appropriate label type (sticky or non-sticky) and size. The choice here must match exactly the size of label loaded in the printer.
6. If bar codes are to be printed, check 'Check this box to include bar codes...'

   
   (Do not select 2.25 x 1.25 if that is not the label size loaded in the printer. This size is available in sticky and non-sticky styles.)

7. Click Save/Exit.
8. On the Main Menu click on Labels.
9. Click on Select Labels to Print.
10. Check an item and click OK. The label should print. If it does not, refer to troubleshooting

TSC TDP-247 Thermal Printer

Standard 4 MB Flash Memory - 8 MB SDRAM - 200 MHz processor for fast printing in a 203 dpi resolution. Speeds up to 7 IPS (75% faster than the Zebra LP2844). Supports TSC, EPL (Eltron) and ZPL (Zebra) programming languages. Holds up to a 5” roll on a 1” core. Adjustable media sensor for use with gap, black mark and notch media. Bartender Ultralite labeling software. 2 year limited warranty (twice that of Zebra). USB 2.0/Parallel/Serial  Features and Specs | Quick-Start Guide | Manual | Driver | TSC Website

Zebra Printers

The Zebra 2824 Thermal Printer was recently configured for PPSS to accommodate the number of Consignpro users converting to PPSS. Otherwise, we recommend the TSC TDP-247 with its 4"-wide capacity which provides much more label flexibility. The 2824 prints on 2"-wide labels.

Turn the printer off before opening the lid. The printhead is light-sensitive. Exposing it to light may cause the printer to lose its calibration.

Two Ways to Reset (Calibrate) the Printer:

If the print attempt fails, see troubleshooting.

The Zebra Direct Thermal LP 2844 Label Printer

Direct Thermal Printers use a thermal print head that applies heat to a chemically-treated paper, creating lines, text and graphics. The labels are up to 4" wide with 4 pips and 203 dpi.

The disadvantages of thermal labels are that they fade with age and will turn black if exposed to heat or strong sunlight (not a concern to most consignment stores), and the print head must also be replaced periodically.

In PPSS the Zebra is used to print price tag labels which may be printed a few at a time as needed, so labels are not wasted.

Outdated thermal labels use 'notches' to advance labels through the printer. There are only 500 sets of two tags on these older 2-across rolls. Tags are wasted because a minimum of 2 tags must be printed each time.

The new Horizontal Tags are cost and time efficient. They have 1300 1" x 4" labels on a roll. The printer is forced to print before moving forward, so there is no waste.

Zebra USB Installation

Please read these instructions carefully before attempting to install or connect the printer to the computer.

1. Remove the Zebra printer and power supply from the box.
2. Connect the power supply and a USB cable to the printer.
3. Turn the printer ON.
4. Put the Installation CD into the CD-ROM or CD-RW drive.
5. Connect the printer to the computer with the USB cable.
6. The New Hardware Wizard will appear on screen. (Sometimes a screen will appear asking if you want Windows to connect to the Internet. Click NO then click Next.)
7. Accept the default on the following screen and click Next.
8. The Wizard will locate and install the printer driver.
9. The Hardware Installation dialog box will appear.
10. Click 'Continue Anyway' to complete the driver install.
11. Click Finish on the next screen.
12. A popup will appear stating the new hardware has been installed and is ready to use.

Follow the instructions immediately below for configuring the printer with PPSS.

Configuring the Zebra with PPSS

By default the 2844 is in 'page mode' which is correct for the new FoxPro version of PPSS. Please make sure the 2844 is not in 'line mode'.

1. Turn the printer off.
2. Hold down the feed button.
3. Turn the printer on.
4. When the indicator light flashes, release the feed button.
5. The printer advances several labels and prints a status page.
6. Check the 3rd line of the printout to see which mode is active. (It must be page mode, not line mode.)
7. Press the feed button to exit dump mode and return to normal operation.

Also, check the spelling of the printer name in Control Panel/Printers. The name of the Zebra listing must be exactly Zebra  LP2844 (with 2 spaces between 'Zebra' and 'LP') . If the CD provided with the printer is used for installation, this spelling should be correct. In the more recent versions, the printer name is ZDesigner LP 2844.

Bar codes may be turned off for (not printed on) labels (In Program Setup, Printers, uncheck 'Check this box to include bar codes on appropriate price tag widths').

Thermal Printer Setup in PPSS

On the Main Menu, select File (then Program Setup):

Select Printers:

Select the Zebra LP2844 (or 2824) from the drop-down menu to the right of 'Print Thermal Price Labels (Print Price Tags in older versions of PPSS). If the printer isn't listed, the printer or printer driver may need to be installed. (Use the installation CD and install the LP Designer driver.)

Check which size label will be used.

Click OK to save changes and exit setup.

These are Label Printing Options using PPSS and the Zebra printer. Make these selections in Program Setup, Printers:

• Disposal Codes: Set 'secret codes' to be printed on labels to let store employees (but not buyers) know the disposition of each unsold item.
• Print Discount Schedules or not.
• Print bar codes or not.

Power off the printer now and then to refresh.

Printing Labels with the Zebra Printer

Tags for the 2844

Please see Thermal Labels.

Troubleshooting

Labels Don't Appear in the Print Preview

There is no print preview for thermal labels. When printing thermal price labels, Print Preview in Program Setup (on the General tab) should be turned off.

Prices Don't Appear on the Label

If the Discount Schedule is being printed on the price label, it is because 'Show discount price schedule on pricing labels' is selected in Program Setup, Inventory. The first price in the Discount Schedule is the Current Price.

There isn't enough space to print both price (only) and the discount schedule on the same line. To show price only, uncheck the option to print the Discount Schedule.

Also try setting the font size for 'Other Zebra Fonts' (on the Printers tab in Program Setup) to a smaller number.

Only One Label Prints

In PPSS click on Labels on the Main Menu. On the Labels Screen, check 'Quantity Greater than 0" (at the top) to print labels only for items in inventory, and check 'Label Quantity = Item Quantity' (lower left) to print multiple labels for items with quantity greater than 1.

Printer Doesn't Work

By default the 2844 is in 'page mode' which is correct for the new FoxPro version of PPSS. Please make sure the 2844 is not in 'line mode'.

1. Turn the printer off.
2. Hold down the feed button.
3. Turn the printer on.
4. When the indicator light flashes, release the feed button.
5. The printer advances several labels and prints a status page.
6. Check the 3rd line of the printout to see which mode is active.
7. Press the feed button to exit dump mode and return to normal operation.

Also, check the spelling of the printer name in Control Panel/Printers. The name of the Zebra listing must be exactly Zebra  LP2844 (or 2824) (with 2 spaces between 'Zebra' and 'LP') . If the CD provided with the printer is used for installation, this spelling should be correct.

If the printer doesn't print after it has been plugged in, connected to the computer, and has paper loaded, please go to Start, Control Panel, Printers to see if the printer is listed. If not please follow these steps to install the printer driver:

1. Be sure the printer is connected to the PC with a functional cord, is online and has paper.
2. Verify the port setting: Go to Start, Control Panel, Printers and right click on the printer. Click on the Ports Tab and verify that the ESD or USB port is selected.
3. Click on this link to download the printer driver: http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/drivers_downloads/drivers.html?printerid=62.
   • In the drop-down menu, select the exact model (LP 2844 or LP 2844-Z, for example. Do not choose the Z model if you don't have the Z model.)
   • Click on Submit.
   • On the next page click 'Download' to the right of 'Zebra Designer Driver (32 bit/64 bit, Windows Certified)'.
   • On the next page click 'Accept and Begin Download Now'.
   • On the pop-up window choose Save (not Run) and save the file on the computer where you'll know where to find it.
   • When the download finishes, click on Run.
   • Internet Explorer may present a 'Security Warning' Screen. If so click on Run again.
   • Click OK on the welcome window.
   • Click Unzip on the next screen. You should see a message that 581 files were unzipped.
   • Follow the prompts to run the installation. click Next then Install Printer.
   • Scroll down in the right window and select the correct model (usually ZDesigner LP 2844):

     

   • The installation may hesitate. When it comes back LPT1: IS NOT THE CORRECT PORT. Scroll down and select an available USB port.
   • Click OK if this message appears: "Unable to start system spooler."
   • Uncheck 'Create a desktop icon Zebra Font Downloader' when that window appears.
   • For convenience create a desktop shortcut to the to printer. (Go to Start, Control Panel, Devices and Printers. Right click on the Zebra listing and select 'Create shortcut'. It will appear nothing happened. Check the desktop for the new icon. Use this in the future to quickly open the printer's control panel.
   • In the printer's control panel, if print jobs are queued, click on Printer then Cancel All Documents.
   • Click on Printer again and select Properties.
   • Press 'Print Test Page'.
   • If the test page does not print:
     1. Is the printer plugged in?
     2. Is paper loaded?
     3. Is the cable securely attached to the printer and the computer?
     4. Is the cable functional?
     5. Is the green light on?
     6. Turn printer off and unplug the cable.
     7. Hold down the green feed button.
     8. Turn printer back on.
     9. Wait 4 flashes, ONLY 4 - very important!
     10. Release the green feed button.
     11. Labels will feed. When they stop, press the feed button once.
     12. Reconnect the cable.
     13. Run the self test again.
     14. On the Printer Properties screen, click on Ports and change the port setting to USB.
     15. Run the self test again. If the problem persists, contact Zebra support (Direct Email Contact: ipccTechSupport@zebra.com, +1 847 634 6700 or +1 866 230 9494)
4. If the self test is successful, open PPSS.
5. Click on File on the Main Menu (then Program Setup):
   

   

   Click on Printers:
   

   

6. Select the Zebra 2844 or 2824 (LP or TLP) from the drop-down menu. If the printer isn't listed, the printer or printer driver must be installed. (Zebra Printer Drivers)

   

   Bar codes can be printed on labels that are 2" to 4" wide.

   Check which size label will be used. The label size selected here must match the label loaded in the printer.

7. Click Save/Exit to save settings and exit setup.
8. On the Main Menu select Labels.
9. Select 'Thermal Labels' for Style and click 'Select Labels to Print'.

   

10. Select one item that has a quantity of 1 and press OK.

    The label should print. If it does not:

    1. Check the item record and confirm that quantity = 1.
    2. In Program Setup, on the Printers tab, make sure the Zebra printer is selected to the right of 'Print Thermal Price Labels'.

       The name must be exactly as it is shown in the Control Panel. On some models of the Zebra, the name must have two spaces between 'LP' and '2844'.

    3. Retry printing, this time choosing a consignor on the Labels Screen that has only a few items (with Quantity =1).
    4. Make sure the label size loaded in the printer matches exactly the size selected in PPSS Program Setup.
    5. If the font is too large on the label, make the font size smaller (on the Printers tab for 'Other Zebra Fonts').

User Hint: Power off the printer now and then to refresh.

The 2844 is available from PPSS and includes an installation CD and cable.

Labels

Users Guide

Online Tech Support

Zebra Printer Drivers

Zebra Customer Support:

Direct Email Contact: ipccTechSupport@zebra.com

United States and Canada, +1 847 634 6700 or +1 866 230 9494

Europe, call the US at +001 847 634 6700

Asia Pacific, +65 6858 0722

Latin America, +1 847 634 6700

For support please Email the Help Desk