TSC Label Printer Calibration

TSC label printer calibration is easy in most cases but if you get stuck, Positive ID Labellling can offer free support to qualifying customers.

This guide will help you calibrate your TSC label printer to the labels that are in it – specifically, this guide is for ‘die-cut’ labels with gaps between each label. Your printer ‘sees’ gaps between the labels via an opto-electrical sensor which must be clear of any debris. It is advisible to examine the sensor and use a brush to remove any lint that may be intefering with its operation.

You can find user manuals to identify the location of your gap sensor on the technical support page.

The TSC label printer calibration process is broadly the same for all TSC desktop label printers. Industrial printers have a different interface and there is more about industrial TSC label printer calibration after the desktop explanations. There are three methods of TSC label printer calibration described here:

• Automatic
• Semi-Automatic
• Manual

Automatic desktop TSC label printer calibration

Your printer is designed to complete basic functions without the need for a computer to communicate with the printer. In the first instance – and on every new roll of labels installed in the printer or roll change – you should conduct this simple calibration process:

1. Turn the printer off at the back with the power switch
2. Press and hold the feed key on the front/top of the printer
3. With your labels in the printer
4. Watch the LED light on the printer next to the feed button
5. It should blink green then amber, then red, red, red, red, red
6. During the red blinks, release the feed key
7. The printer will slowly (and noisily) feed labels out
8. It should stop in 3-4 labels
9. Once it has finished, press the feed key once
10. The printer should eject a single label, accurately for removal
11. If it continues past 10 labels, explore Semi Automatic calibration method (and consider troubleshooting).

LED Colours showing for Automatic TSC Label Printer Calibration

Industrial TSC label printer calibration can normally be achieved using the touch screen or control panel below the touchscreen on the front of the printer. Industrial TSC label printer calibration instructions:

1. Press Menu key
2. Select Sensor option
3. Select Auto Calibration snd select the calibration type – gap, black mark or continuous
4. The printer should feed some labels out slowly (and noisily)
5. When complete, it will feed a final label
6. The green indicator light should be on
7. Press the feed key once – this should feed a single label accurately
8. If the auto calibration function is unsuccessful, move to the semi automatic TSC label calibration instructions below.

Semi-Automatic industrial and desktop TSC label printer calibration

For semi-automatic desktop label printer calibration, you will need to use (download) the Diagnostic Tool – this is included with the Label Direct software we supply with your printer. To open the Diagnostic Tool, launch Label Direct, click Help, then click Diagnostic Tool.

1. With Labels in your printer and the printer turned on
2. Start the Diagnostic Tool
3. Click the unit “mm” option at the top
4. Click the Get button
5. The diagnostic tool will populate with data about your printer
6. Click the Calibrate Sensor button on the top left of the Diagnostic Tool
7. This will open the calibrate sensor dialogue
8. In the Auto Calibration area, put the height of your label in mm
9. Put the gap for your labels
10. Select the Media Type on the right hand side (GAP)
11. Then click the Calibrate button in the Auto Calibration area
12. The printer will slowly (and noisily) feed labels out
13. It should stop in 3-4 labels
14. Once it has finished, press the feed key once
15. The printer should eject a single label, accurately for removal
16. If it continues past 10 labels, explore Manual Calibration method (and consider troubleshooting).

Manual industrial or desktop TSC label printer calibration

If the fully automatic and semi-automatic label printer calibration has not been successful, a manual TSC label printer calibration may resolve the problem.

For manual industrial and desktop label printer calibration, you will need to use (download) the Diagnostic Tool – this is included with the Label Direct software we supply with your printer. To open the Diagnostic Tool, launch Label Direct, click Help, then click Diagnostic Tool.

1. Important: Check your label path is webbed correctly
2. Important: Check the gap sensor is not obstructed or fouled
3. With Labels in your printer and the printer turned on
4. Start the Diagnostic Tool
5. Click the unit “mm” option at the top
6. Click the Get button
7. The diagnostic tool will populate with data about your printer
8. Click the Calibrate Sensor button on the top left of the Diagnostic Tool
9. This will open the calibrate sensor dialogue
10. In the Manual Setup box, click “Calibrate”
11. The dialogue will respond with “Put linner please” (typo of “liner”)
12. The liner is the material the labels are stuck to
13. Peel a label off and then move the liner so that it is positioned under the gap sensor.
14. As a general rull for desktop printers this will mean between the roll of labels and the ejection port of the printer.
15. Click Next
16. The dialogue will respond with the phrase “Put label please”
17. Open the print head and move the labels so a label is positioned under the sensor
18. Click Next
19. If successful, the dialogue will respond with “Calibration is complete”
20. Click Set – to save the settings
21. The printer may eject some labels – this is normal.
22. The labels should eject to the correct gap for removal
23. Press the feed key once to verify

If the manual TSC label printer calibration process failed, you can repeat the process, but adjust the settings for “Sensor Intensity” and “Reading Intensity”.

Sensor Intensity: This is the ‘power’ of the gap sensor – the strength of the light it uses (infra red). You can turn it up or reduce it. There are no limits but you can use between 1 and 15.

Reading Intensity: This is the sensitivity of the gap sensor. If you set sensor and reading intensity high, then you will ‘dazzle’ the sensor as the emitting light will be too bright.

If you are struggling, it is best to continue trying using different settings in a structured way. So start with a low reading intensity and progressively increase the sensor intensity. Your objective is to get as big a gap in the values between the “Label Reading” (you want that to be low) and the “Gap Reading” (you want that to be high).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: The manual TSC label printer calibration is difficult – why is this? A: The hardware is built in Taiwan so there are some language barriers but the process is quite logical. Think of it like a flashllight shining through curtains – the printer is trying to find the right settings that make it look dark when there is a label and light when there isn’t – that lets the electronics verify the bit of the label under the print head.

Q: Why does TSC label printer calibration need to be done? I am using the same labels from the same supplier. A: The labels are made from stock supplied by big material manufacturers, and despite the manufacturing being generally uniform, there are always variations in the feed stock used to make your labels. These variations are beyond the final label manufacturers control and sometimes confuse the printer’s settings, making it difficult to print accurately.

Q: I have tried all methods and the TSC label printer calibration is still failing – what can I do? A: There are a few common issues – firstly, is your gap sensor clean. Most people do not maintain or clean their printers in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Check for debris in the gap sensor window – a dry paint prush or even a little rubbin alcohol can clean it up (do not use water).

Secondly, on industrial printers in particular, make sure the gap sensor is positioned correctly to the centre of the label. Ensure the labels are passing through the gap sensor and not over the top of it (where it has no chance of seeing the gaps).

Q: How often should I calibrate my printer? A: The general rule is “every time you change the roll of labels” – even if they are supplied from the same supplier and same order. You should also give it a general clean on every change of rolls – this should incllude wiping over the chassis with a damp cloth (not sodden). You should never use water based cleaning in the printer itsself – only alcohol based cleaners and lint free cloths. Brush out (or blow out) ‘liner straw’ at least once a month. Examine you printer and check for adhesive residue build up. Apply a llittle vaseline with a coton bud to the roll core holder from time to time. Refer to the thermal printer maintenance page for more details.

Q: I cannot get my printer to calibrate – what do I do now? A: We can help – if you are a current customer buying labels from us, we give free techncial support. We can help work through the issue. We do this using Anydesk.com for remote support and sharing images over Whatsapp.

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Free Technical Support for Customers

Positive ID Labels are proud to offer free technical support to all our thermal label printing customers. So long as you are buying labels from us, we are here to help. Call 01332 864895 or fill in a contact form. If you are not a customer, ordering a qualifying amount of labels will ensure we can help you get back up and running.