[241-BT]The Relationship between the Indicator Lights and the Types of Paper
Thermal printers generally use three types of paper: gap paper, black mark paper, and continuous paper. When you use different types of paper, the paper feeding status and indicator light status of the printer will also be different. If you need to frequently change different types of thermal paper to print, then I believe this article will be helpful to you.
For more information about paper types, please refer to:
1. Correct Way to Install Paper
Whether you are using gap paper, black mark paper, or continuous paper, we recommend that you install the paper according to the following method:
Open the printer cover, smoothly insert the paper from the back of the printer, and then use the paper guides to fix your paper. Ensure that the paper is parallel to the paper outlet. If you are using single-sided thermal paper, please make sure that the thermal printing surface of the label is facing up.
In terms of the quantity of paper, please insert more than three sheets of paper. Do not put in a single sheet of paper, because the printer needs to determine the position of the paper according to the gaps between the papers for paper feeding and calibration.
2. Basic Indicator Light Status
- Printer is powered off: The indicator light is off.
- Printer cover is open: The indicator light flashes red slowly.
- Printer fails to detect paper: The indicator light flashes red rapidly.
- Printer is in the ready-to-work state: The indicator light is a steady blue.
- When the printer is moving the paper back and forth to calibrate the position after powering on: The indicator light is a steady red.
- When the printer is feeding paper to print labels or when the paper feed button is clicked manually to feed paper: The indicator light is a steady purple.
- When the printer suddenly stops printing and the machine is forced to restart: The indicator light turns off — flashes red once — the machine moves the paper back and forth and then the indicator light turns into a steady blue.
3. Machine Status under Different Paper Types
The following information takes the new version 2.6.3 of the printer firmware as an example.
3.1 Installing Gap Paper
After you install the gap paper, close the printer cover and turn on the printer. At this time, the printer's indicator light will be a steady red, and the printer will move the paper back and forth to calibrate the correct paper position. After the printer successfully calibrates the paper, the indicator light will change back to a steady blue.
3.2 Installing Black Mark Paper
After you install the black mark paper, close the printer cover and turn on the printer. At this time, the printer's indicator light will be a steady red, and the printer will move the paper back and forth to calibrate the correct paper position. After the printer successfully calibrates the paper, the indicator light will change back to a steady blue.
3.3 Install Continuous Paper
Since there are no gaps in continuous paper, the printer cannot move the paper back and forth to calibrate the paper position. Moreover, the printer will feed a relatively long length of paper during the process of identifying continuous paper.
After you install the continuous paper, close the printer cover and turn on the printer. At this time, the printer's indicator light will be a steady red, and the printer will keep feeding paper until it pauses automatically. After the printer stops feeding paper, the indicator light will turn into a steady blue.
Because the principle of continuous paper is different from that of the other two types of paper, you need to pay attention when using continuous paper to print labels. When editing and printing labels on the device, you need to select the continuous paper type and set the width of the continuous paper you are actually using.
The length of the continuous paper label needs to be set according to your requirements.
Suppose the size of the continuous paper roll you are using is 107mm×5m. You need to set the label width to 107mm and the length to ***mm on the device. The maximum length should not exceed 150mm. And select the continuous paper type.
For example, use the Labelife software on a computer to connect to the printer for printing:
For example, use the Labelife APP on your mobile phone to connect to the printer for printing:
In order to avoid the waste caused by the printer automatically feeding a long length of paper every time it is turned on, when the printer has printed continuous paper labels, it will enter the continuous paper mode.
At this time, no matter what type of paper you put into the printer, when you close the cover and turn on the printer, the printer will not automatically feed paper to calibrate the paper position, and the indicator light will directly turn into a steady blue light.
Therefore, after you use continuous paper to print labels and want to replace it with a different type of paper to print labels, you need to manually operate the printer to identify the label type.
3.3.1 Run Automatic Label Identification (Gap Paper)
Insert the label and ensure it is flat and smooth. Turn the printer on again. When the printer is in standby mode (steady blue indicator light), press and hold the paper feed button until the indicator light flashes blue twice, and then release the paper feed button.
Video guide:
3.3.2 Run Automatic Label Identification (Black Mark Paper)
Insert the label and ensure it is straight and smooth. Turn the printer on again. When the printer is in standby mode (steady blue indicator light), press and hold the paper feed button until the indicator light flashes blue three times, and then release the paper feed button.
Video guide:
If you have any doubts,
if the indicator light and paper feeding status of the machine are inconsistent with the description in the article, it is because the firmware version of your printer is too old. You need our help to upgrade your printer firmware. Please contact us at bestservice2012@outlook.com
1.Mobile Labelife APP:
2. PC Labelife software：
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