We recommend Zebra ZD421t (which has replaced the Zebra GK420t which we recommended previously) label printer with a network port.
You may use other printers that support the ZPL printing language (or EPL if using mSupply 3.2 or earlier), but we cannot provide much support for these models as we have not used them ourselves.
printer_ip_address
is the current printer's ip address (So, out of the box: http://192.168.254.254 )This is a feature on the printer itself that you access by holding down the Feed button. Refer here for full documentation: https://support.zebra.com/cpws/docs/gseries/gseries_button_modes.pdf
For various reasons the printer may need to be re-calibrated. The act of “calibrating” is essentially to allow the printer to work out the size of label that is being used.
There are many levels of Calibration but we will try the basic one.
Note that you do not have to do this to get the right width when printing from mSupply.
This is only for printing a configuration status label from the printer before using mSupply:
You can print out a configuration status label with the IP address and other information once you have the printer detecting the label width correctly.
Over time, the printer will fail to perform due to collection of dust. We imagine sweat particles will cause friction on the moving parts of the printer and this hinders performance. So in many cases throughly cleaning the printer ends up reviving a printer that seems broken. Please follow the steps below to clean :
See the **Zebra GK420t Label Printer User Guide** for further information and diagrams.
What is the Status light on my Zebra GK420 printer trying to tell me???!!!
Info given here on the Zebra website.
LED status and colour | Printer Status | Details |
---|---|---|
Off | Off | Printer not receiving power Check power connections from the wall outlet to the power supply, and from the power supply to the printer. Disconnect the printer from the wall outlet for 30 seconds and then reconnect the printer to the wall outlet. |
Solid Green | On | The printer is on and in an idle state No action necessary |
Solid Amber | Stopped | A. After you have been printing There is a memory error. Turn the printer power off and on, and then resume printing. B. If this error continues The printhead needs to cool down. Turn the printer power off for five minutes. If this persists the printer needs a service. C. Right after you turn on the printer The printer has failed its power on self test (POST), contact an authorized reseller for assistance. When the printer is operating normally after power up the status light will be amber for about 10 seconds before turning green (solid or blinking). |
Flashing Green | Normal Operation | The printer is receiving data As soon as all of the data has been received, the status LED will turn green and the printer will automatically resume operation. |
Flashing Red | Stopped | A. The printer has run out of labels B. The printer ribbon ha run out C. The printer is open |
Double Flashing Green | Paused | The printer is paused Press the Feed button to resume printing. |
Flashing Amber | Paused | The printhead is over temperature Printing will stop until the printhead cools to an acceptable printing temperature. When it does, the printer will automatically resume operation. |
Alternately Flashing Green and Red | Needs Service | FLASH memory is not programmed Return the printer to an authorized reseller. |
Flashing Red, Red and Green | Needs Service | The printhead or motor has had a critical failure Return the printer to an authorized reseller. |
Flashing Red, Amber Green | Memory Defragmentation | The printer is running a defragmentation* process Do NOT reset or turn off the power! |
NOTE: Defragmentation is a normal operation of the GK420t printer. The printer will defragment its memory both after a factory default and when the printer detects that a defragment is required. When the printer is in this condition, allow it to finish defragmenting. If this warning occurs frequently then refer to the printer user guide as some label format changes could resolve this.
You may have an old label printer : Zebra TLP 2844
Click to download the user guide for Zebra TLP 2844
On page 48 the manual has a guide on how to manually calibrate the printer.
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