I have a Z140XiIII that used to have a ribbon and thermal transfer stock. we changed the stock to not require a ribbon, so we removed the ribbon and set the menu to Thermal direct. labels print OK but the error light flashes and the ''Ribbon In'' error keeps displaying. The transition to ribbon-less printing went fine on a Zebra 220XiIII.

Are you printing in thermal transfer mode or on thermal direct stock? Sounds like your image is not black enough for your scanner. Things to check: adjust printhead temperature, change ribbon stock, change thermal-direct stock, adjust scanner's sensitivity.

Not necessarily. It could be a head adjustment. If you are just printing on a blank thermal transfer label stock then wax should be just fine. If you are printing on a colored stock then a resin/wax would be better. We use resin/wax on everything because it is the same cost and runs better. But if you have only blank paper wax will be fine. If you are smearing then I suggest adjusting your head. Even if it printed fine before as your platen roller wears down it will require slight head adjustments to print properly

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.

If you are using direct thermal stock you do not need ribbon. Set the media type to direct not thermal transfer

You need to change the print method from thermal transfer to direct thermal. There are three places to do this:
- on the printer itself - in the printer driver (this will override the setting in the printer and be the default setting for any new labels crested) - in the print properties of a specific label (this will override the two settings previously listed) The last option works best if you are switching label stock or ribbon in and out for different labels.

If you're trying to print using Direct Thermal and you have a ribbon installed, the sensor will set off that alarm.
If you WANT to print using direct thermal, remove the ribbon.

If you want to print using ribbons change the Print Method in your front panel setup to THERMAL TRANSFER.

If you are working with the driver, change in stock page direct thermal to thermal transfer.

Try going through the LCD menu and if it say "Direct Thermal" change it to "Thermal Transfer", Direct Thermal made means, no ribbon required, but it sounds like you do have ribbon in the printer, if so, try my recommendation. If it asks for a password, it's '1234'.

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.