How to Fix Blurry Labels and Incomplete Prints from a Barcode Printer
When using a barcode printer, you might face issues like blurry labels or incomplete prints, which can disrupt your workflow. However, these problems are often easy to fix. This article covers common causes and practical solutions to ensure your printer consistently delivers high-quality results.
Why is my barcode and label blurry?
Some customers are frustrated by their barcode printers producing blurry labels, as shown below.
Possible Causes:
1. The printhead may be dirty.
2. The printhead may have damaged or missing pins.
How to Fix:
1. Turn off the barcode printer: Before cleaning, always ensure the printer is powered off.
2. Allow the printhead to cool: Since the printhead can become very hot during printing, it’s important to turn off the printer and wait 2-3 minutes before starting the cleaning process.
3. Be cautious while cleaning: When cleaning the printhead, avoid touching the heated parts to prevent damage caused by static electricity or other factors.
4. Handle with care: Take care not to scratch or damage the printhead during cleaning.
If cleaning the printhead doesn’t resolve the issue, please print a self-test page and contact the after-sales technical support team of your barcode printer manufacturer.
Why does my barcode printer print incomplete?
Another common issue is incomplete print content, where parts of the label or barcode are missing, as illustrated below.
Possible Causes:
Incorrect paper size settings in the printer driver.
How to Fix:
Adjust the paper size in the printer driver to match the actual size of the labels being used.
For example, with the iDPRT ID4S thermal barcode printer, follow these steps:
1. Open the printer’s printing preferences.
2. Enter the correct label size on the editing page and confirm the changes.
By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can quickly resolve these common problems and maintain the quality of your printed labels. Regular maintenance and proper configuration are key to preventing such issues in the future.
