Z600 wont print, ribbon error

Thermal can mean "Direct Thermal" (no ribbon) or "Thermal Transfer" (with ribbon). If you want to print using Direct Thermal labels you need to select Direct Thermal from Media Settings in the Menu accessed from the Control Panel on the front of the printer. Otherwise, the printer sensors will look for a ribbon that is not there, and you will see an error message.

The "ribon in" warning is because you set the printer to print DIRECT THERMAL insted THERMAL TRANSFER. The first mode is for printing directly on the thermal labels, not for using a ribon. The ribon sensor detects that a ribon is pressent and you get this message. You need to change the printing mode to Thermal Transfer from the printer Setup Menu, or from the Print Driver instaled on PC.

The problem you are having is the unit uses various cartridges that the ink spools must match. You must have the correct cartridge with the ribbon you are using or you will get that error message. There are three types available from the manufacturer. P+ for the Photo ribbon, The Color Insignia for the Color Ribbon and the Versamax brand ribbon although i don't recall what the symbol is on that one. If you are trying to load a spool of Photo ribbon on a color spool that message occurs. Hope this explains everything.

If the unit is set up for either(with the thermal trasnfer option- ribbon unwind and rewind assembly) you can use either ribbon- with thermal transfer stock, or direct thermal- with direct stock.
You can tell the stock by rubbing something across the stock to see if it will turn black, that is direct thermal stock.
If using direct, go into the setup and select media type- direct thermal.
If using ribbon- use thermal trasnfer option. But remember to install ribbon before calibration as ithe printer will error on out-of -ribbon.

The RIBBON IN message means that the printer is set for Direct Thermal printing. Check your printer driver - Each driver is a little different but there should be a setting for choosing between Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal printing.

Once set to Thermal Transfer, the error will go away.

Hope that helps !

ribbon in means, you choose direct thermal print method which is printing without a ribbon and yet you print with thermal transfer print method.

just check on lcd panel , change the print method to thermal transfer. and make sure the setting on your driver is thermal transfer too, or else it will keep reverting back to direct thermal

PR-01726 Ribbon Out
Out of print ribbon.
Possible Cause 1 : The print ribbon Cartridge is empty.

Solution 1 : Reload the print cartridge. Change the cleaning sleeve and replace the cartridge in the printer. Run a cleaning card as soon as printing is completed.

Possible Cause 2 : The printer ribbon is not loaded correctly.
Soultion 2 :Load the printer ribbon correctly and then close the cover.

Possible Cause 3 : This ribbon has been completely used.
Solution 3 : Use a new roll of ribbon.

Tips for Success
* When this message appears, replace the old ribbon with the new ribbon of the same type. The printer has already prepared the card data for this ribbon type. You can change the colors of monochrome ribbon (such as from dark blue to gold).

* If you must change the type of ribbon (such as (YMCKT to KT) when this message appears, install the new ribbon, cancel any cards waiting to print, and change the ribbon type settings. Finally, return to the card creation program to send the card data to print.

* If the ribbon was repaired, the wrong take-up spool was used. Repair the ribbon again, using the correct take-up spool.

If you cannot fix the problem contact your service provider for assistance.

FTB

Make sure the ribbon sensor is in the proper position and that there is nothing covering it, like a piece of label that came off and got stuck to the sensor. Here is a picture of where the sensor is located. Did you make sure you put the ribbon sensor plate back in? If not you will get this message. Make sure the Print Method is correctly set! Although I exclusively use Thermal-Transfer (ribbon is loaded along with label stock) my 140xIII had Print Method set to Direct-Thermal and printed labels just fine. The only problem I could see was that the Ribbon In warning would not go away.
After changing the Print Method the warning went away and printing continues as before

Had the same problem with a ZM400. As stated in the User manual (can be downloaded http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/resource_library/manuals.results.html?FRRBarcodePrinters=6882), warning "Ribbon in" is usually caused by the wrong printing method (thermal direct instead of thermal transfer [which should be selected for ribbbons]). My error disappeared after choosing "thermal transfer" directly on the printer. For network printers this needs to be set by an admin in the network settings for the the printer to solve the problem permanently.

If you are printing in direct thermal mode (without a ribbon):
· Check your software settings and make sure that the print type is 'direct thermal'. If your software package requires the use of a Windows driver, also make sure that the driver is set for direct thermal printing.
If you are printing in thermal transfer mode (with a ribbon):
· Check your software settings and make sure that the print type is 'thermal transfer'. If your software package requires the use of a Windows driver, also make sure that the driver is set for thermal
transfer printing.
Check to see if there is any dirt on the ribbon spindle gears or on the ribbon motors. For the latter
you will need to remove the electronics cover. If there is dirt in either of these areas, try vacuuming around the motors and/or the spindles to remove as much of the dirt as possible.