You will need to calibrate the printer, to do this download the User Manual from http://www.zebra.com. you will need to join up to gain access, it is free
If you are using a ribbon remove it and perform a calibration, hold down feed key for 2 seconds as you power on, release key and wait for it to complete its calibration, when it has stopped shifting labels (wait for 10 secs to be sure) HIT THE FEED KEY to exit dump mode. If it has successfully calibrated it will feed a label each time you hit feed key. Re-install ribbon, make sure ribbon is pushed formly onto drive sprockets and then re-run the calibration..
If this does not fix problem. download firmware to latest version. This will automatically reset printer to factory default condition.
There is specific coding you need to use to get it to work. Word documents add special characters to the batch files causing them not to printer properly.
You could try a merge to printer opertion in word and see if that will work. Make sure you to turn the printer on and off before attempting it to reset the control codes.
Turn up the darkness setting. Here is a video on how to clean a printer, it isn't the same model but the procedure on the printhead is the same. At about 50 seconds into the video it shows the printhead which is basically the same on the LP2824. http://www.racoindustries.com/thermal-label-printer-cleaning.htm
are you able to give me 2 print dumps? change the printer port to file and post the files content here and I will tell you if it is a config/software issue, it sounds like the software is not setting the label home position correctly(R command)
is the printer an EPL or ZPL model? i will need to see a hex dump of what you are sending to the printer to pin point the error but it sounds like a label layout issue. is the barcode content the same on each label? if the barcode content is changing the barcode will grow and move to the right.
If your Zebra LP 2844 printer is experiencing shifting or off-center printing, there are a few possible causes and troubleshooting steps you can try:
Check print settings: Ensure that the print settings on your computer or label design software are correctly configured for the label size and layout you are using. Make sure the label dimensions and print margins are set accurately.
Calibrate the printer: Perform a calibration on the printer to ensure it is properly aligned. To calibrate the Zebra LP 2844, follow these steps:
a. Turn off the printer. b. Hold down the feed button. c. While holding the feed button, turn on the printer. d. Release the feed button once the green status light begins to flash. e. The printer will feed labels and automatically adjust the label alignment. f. Once the printer stops feeding labels, the calibration is complete.
Adjust label position sensors: The LP 2844 has label position sensors that detect the start of each label. If these sensors are misaligned or dirty, it can cause shifting or off-center printing. Clean the sensors using a lint-free cloth and ensure they are properly aligned.
Check label alignment: Ensure that the labels are loaded correctly and aligned properly in the printer. Make sure they are inserted straight and centered in the label guides.
Inspect the print head: Check the print head for any debris, adhesive residue, or damage. Clean the print head with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab if necessary. A dirty or damaged print head can affect print quality and alignment.
Update or reinstall printer drivers: Ensure that you have the latest printer drivers installed on your computer. If the drivers are outdated or corrupted, it can cause printing issues. Visit the Zebra website and download the appropriate drivers for your LP 2844 model.
Test with different labels or ribbons: If the problem persists, try using different labels or ribbons. Sometimes, the issue could be related to the specific media being used.
One possible reason for this issue could be a problem with the printer's ribbon sensor. The ribbon sensor is responsible for detecting the presence of a ribbon and ensuring that it is properly aligned. If the sensor is not functioning correctly, it may cause the printer to throw a mechanical error and check the ribbon whenever the card reservoir lid is opened.
Another possible cause of this issue could be a problem with the printer's motor or drive system. If there is an issue with these components, it may cause the printer to stall or throw an error message when attempting to print.
To resolve this issue, it may be necessary to perform some troubleshooting steps. First, try cleaning the printer's sensors and rollers to ensure that they are free from debris or dust. Additionally, check to make sure that the ribbon is properly loaded and aligned in the printer.
If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to contact Zebra technical support for further assistance.
Hi,
Please use your manual to follow the initial set of instructions that you used to setup label printing on your Zebra device. Then, you can run a few test prints to make sure that everything is working properly. Otherwise, you might need a factory reset.
Thank you.
If you are unable to change the IP address of your Zebra LP 2844-Z using the ^default command or Zebra Utilities, and updating the BIOS did not help either, you may need to try a factory reset of the printer.
To do this, follow these steps:
Turn off the printer.
Press and hold the feed button on the front of the printer.
While holding the feed button, turn on the printer.
Wait for the status light to turn solid red, and then release the feed button.
The status light will blink green a few times, and then turn solid green.
Press and release the feed button once. The status light will blink red a few times, and then turn solid amber.
Press and release the feed button again. The status light will blink green a few times, and then turn solid green.
The printer should now be reset to its factory settings, including the default IP address of 192.168.168.168. You should now be able to access the printer through this IP address and change the settings as needed.
The driver software is separate from the design software. Zebra notes the printers that have Mac OS drivers here: https://supportcommunity.zebra.com/s/article/000013605?language=en_US . Unfortunately, their CardStudio is only available for Windows. (So Boot Camp would be the only way to use the included software with any Mac OS.)
A Google search for "Bar Code and ID card creation software for Mac OS" gave me a number of choices. One is an app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cardmaster-id-card-maker/id1493877440?mt=12 . I can't judge which application is best for your purpose. These range from free to try to Corporate software packages.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Wells
