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Why is my printer printing blank labels?
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In brief. When the printer feeds labels without printing anything, manufacturers first cite incorrectly loaded media, for example a thermal roll loaded the wrong way round, then media that does not match the print mode: according to Zebra, a thermal transfer label printed without a ribbon stays blank. Next come a ribbon loaded with the ink side facing the wrong way and, for Toshiba and Sato, an incorrectly installed printhead. Start by scratching the label with your fingernail to find out which media you are using, and check these points before changing the darkness.
Examples:
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Godex
Honeywell
- Honeywell 4 MP Compact
- Honeywell MP Compact and Nova Series
- Honeywell PC23d
- Honeywell PC42d and PC42t Series
- Honeywell PC43d and PC43t Series
- Honeywell PD43
- Honeywell PD45S
- Honeywell PF4i
- Honeywell PM23c
- Honeywell PM43 Series
- Honeywell PM45 and PM45C Series
- Honeywell PX45 and PX65 Series
- Honeywell PX6i
- Honeywell PX940
- Honeywell RP Series
Sato
Zebra
- Zebra G-Series GK420d, GK420t, GX420d, GX420t and GX430t
- Zebra G-Series GK420d, GK420t, GX420d, GX420t and GX430t
- Zebra QLn420
- Zebra S4M
- Zebra ZC100 and ZC300
- Zebra ZD410
- Zebra ZD411
- Zebra ZD420t and ZD420d
- Zebra ZD421
- Zebra ZD500R RFID
- Zebra ZD510-HC
- Zebra ZD611
- Zebra ZD620t and ZD620d Series
- Zebra ZD621
- Zebra ZQ310 and ZQ310 Plus Series
- Zebra ZQ320 and ZQ320 Plus Series
- Zebra ZQ510 and ZQ520 Series
- Zebra ZQ511 and ZQ521 Series
- Zebra ZQ610 Plus
- Zebra ZQ620 and ZQ620 Plus Series
- Zebra ZQ630 Plus and ZQ630 Plus RFID
- Zebra ZT230
- Zebra ZT231
- Zebra ZT400 Series
- Zebra ZT411
- Zebra ZT420
- Zebra ZT421 and ZT421 RFID
- Zebra ZT510
- Zebra ZT600 Series
- Zebra ZXP Series 7
Why does a label printer print blank labels? The causes cited by manufacturers
These causes are taken from the manufacturers' guides and ranked from most to least often cited; each example names the model concerned, whose entry in the model-by-model table below gives the exact procedure.
- Media loaded incorrectly or the wrong way roundThis is the most frequently cited cause. Zebra (ZD410, ZD420, ZD620) and Honeywell (PC42t) require the printable side to face the printhead; GoDEX cites a roll loaded the wrong way round on the MX20 and the direction of the roll on the G500. On the PJ-8 models, Brother specifies that only the smooth thermal side is printable and that it must face down.
- Media not suited to the print modeAccording to Zebra (ZT410, ZT420, ZD421), only a direct thermal label darkens with heat: a thermal transfer label printed without a ribbon stays blank. Direct thermal models, such as the GK420d or the ZD420d, moreover accept only direct thermal media. GoDEX (EZ6250i, GE300) and Brother (TJ-4420TN) also have you check the selected mode, direct thermal or thermal transfer, in the driver or the settings.
- Ribbon loaded with the ink side facing the wrong wayIntermec (PF4i) and Honeywell (PD45S) attribute a lack of printing in thermal transfer mode to an ink side that does not face the media; Brother has you check its orientation on the TJ-4420TN. The Zebra GK420t and GX420t accept only ribbon inked on its outer side. Toshiba (B-852, B-EX6) and Sato (CL4NX, CT4-LX) more broadly cite an incorrectly loaded ribbon.
- Printhead installed incorrectlyToshiba (B-852, B-EX4T1, B-EX6) and Sato (FX3-LX, CL4NX, PW4NX) cite a printhead that is not properly in place or a printhead assembly that is not properly closed. On the B-EX4T1, the printhead lever must be in the LABEL or TAG position; on the CL4NX and CL6NX Plus, Sato requires the printhead to be pushed in until it clicks.
- Printhead or sensor dirty, or covered by a labelThis cause appears in the Sato guides (FX3-LX, PW208NX, CT4-LX, PW4NX): the printhead and the media sensor are dirty, or a label has stuck to them. Sato has you clean them, then run a test print.
- Ribbon and media mismatchedToshiba requires a ribbon suited to the media on the B-852, B-EX4T1 and B-EX6. Zebra cites media not approved for printing with ribbon on the GK420t and GX420t, and Brother incompatible consumables on the TJ-4420TN.
What to check, in order
- Scratch the label with your fingernailZebra and Honeywell suggest this test: a black mark indicates direct thermal media, which prints without a ribbon; no mark indicates thermal transfer media, which requires a ribbon.
- Check which way round the roll is loadedReload it with the printable side facing the printhead, following your model's loading procedure.
- Match the print mode to the mediaDirect thermal without a ribbon, thermal transfer with a ribbon:
PRINT METHODset toDIRECT THERMALorTHERMAL TRANSon the Zebra ZT410 and ZT420, the Ribbon parameter set to NO or YES in BPM for Brother, the print mode and the driver for GoDEX. Zebra and Toshiba say not to use a ribbon with direct thermal media. - For thermal transfer, check the ribbonThe ink side must face the media. To find out which side the ink is on, Zebra suggests, on the GK420t and GX420t, pressing the sticky corner of a label against the outer surface of the roll: ink on the label indicates a ribbon inked on the outside.
- Clean the printhead and sensor, then run a testThis is the next step in the Sato guides: cleaning the printhead and the media sensor, then a test print (
[Tools] > [Test Print]on the FX3-LX, PW208NX and PW4NX). - Check the printhead, then the densityToshiba and Sato have you check that the printhead is properly in place and the printhead assembly properly closed. Brother has you check the print density last, on the PJ-8 models and the TJ-4420TN. If labels still come out blank, Sato refers you to its technical support (FX3-LX, PW208NX, PW4NX).
Caution: The printhead can be hot just after printing: do not touch it. Toshiba requires media and ribbon to be loaded with the printer stopped; before any work on the printhead, Sato requires the printer to be switched off and unplugged, the printhead to have cooled down and gloves to be worn, without touching either the heating element or the printhead terminals.
What the documentation recommends, model by model
For 28 models, the manufacturer's documentation describes this symptom. Each row links to the detailed entry in the guide, with the full procedure and its sources.
| Model | Guide entry | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Honeywell PF4i | Why does my Honeywell PF4i produce blank labels in thermal transfer mode? | The Intermec guide states that the ink side of the ribbon is not facing the media. Reload the ribbon so that the ink side faces down in the print mechanism. |
| Zebra ZT410 | Why does my Zebra ZT410 produce blank labels when it seems to be printing? | According to Zebra, the media does not match the print mode: thermal transfer labels only print with a ribbon. Scratch the label with your fingernail; if there is no black mark, load a ribbon and set PRINT METHOD to THERMAL TRANS. |
| Toshiba B-852 | Why does my Toshiba B-852 output blank labels without printing anything? | According to Toshiba, the media or ribbon is incorrectly loaded, the printhead is not properly in place, or the ribbon is not suited to the media. Reload the media and the ribbon, close the printhead block properly and choose a compatible ribbon. |
| Zebra ZT420 | Why does my Zebra ZT420 produce blank labels when it seems to be printing? | According to Zebra, the media does not match the print mode: thermal transfer labels only print with a ribbon. Scratch the label with your fingernail; if there is no black mark, load a ribbon and set PRINT METHOD to THERMAL TRANS. |
| Honeywell PX6i | Why does my Honeywell PX6i print nothing in thermal transfer mode? | According to the Honeywell guide, you need to check that the coated side of the ribbon is facing the media, then reload the ribbon. |
| Toshiba B-EX4T1 | Why does my Toshiba B-EX4T1 output blank labels with no printing? | According to Toshiba, the media or ribbon is incorrectly loaded, the printhead is not properly in place, or the ribbon is not suited to the media. Reload the media and the ribbon, close the printhead block properly and choose a compatible ribbon. |
| Zebra GK420 | Why does my Zebra GK420 produce blank labels, with nothing printed at all? | On the GK420d, the media is probably not direct thermal: do the scratch test. On the GK420t with ribbon, check that the ribbon is coated on its outer side and that thermal transfer mode is enabled. |
| Zebra ZD421 | Why does my Zebra ZD421d produce blank labels without printing anything? | In direct thermal mode, the label must have a heat-sensitive coating. According to Zebra, a thermal transfer label printed without a ribbon comes out blank. Scratch the label with your fingernail: if no mark appears, it is not a direct thermal label. |
| Sato FX3-LX | Why does my Sato FX3-LX feed labels without printing anything? | Sato cites three causes: incorrectly loaded media, a dirty printhead or sensor (or one covered by a label), and an incorrectly installed printhead. Reload the media, clean the printhead and the sensor, then check that the printhead is fitted correctly. |
| Zebra GX420 | Why does my Zebra GX420 print blank labels, or labels whose print rubs off? | Without ribbon, the media is probably not direct thermal: do the scratch test. With ribbon (GX420t), check that it is coated on its outer side and suited to the media; according to Zebra, print that smears or rubs off comes from a ribbon that is poorly matched to the media. |
| Godex MX20 | Why does my Godex MX20 feed paper without printing anything? | The roll has probably been loaded upside down, or the media is unsuitable: the MX20 prints in direct thermal, without a ribbon. Check the direction of the roll and the media, then the driver and the print mode selected. |
| Sato PW208NX | Why does my Sato PW208NX feed labels without printing anything? | Sato cites incorrectly loaded media, or a printhead and sensor that are dirty or covered by a label. Reload the media with the printable side facing the printhead, clean the printhead and sensor, then do a test print. |
| Zebra ZD410 | Why does my Zebra ZD410 produce blank labels without printing anything? | Either the media is not direct thermal paper or it is loaded upside down. The ZD410 prints in direct thermal mode: check the media and load it with the printable side facing up, towards the head. |
| Zebra ZD411 | How do I install the ribbon on my Zebra ZD411t to avoid wrinkles and switch to thermal transfer? | Place an empty core on the take-up spindle and the new ribbon on the lower spindle, notches on the left, attach the leader to the core and then tension the ribbon. After closing, feed at least 20 cm of media with FEED to remove the wrinkles, then set the print mode to thermal transfer. |
| Zebra ZD420 | My Zebra ZD420 feeds the labels but prints nothing: why? | The media does not match the print mode or it is loaded upside down. A ZD420d requires direct thermal media; and in all cases, the printable side must face up, towards the head. |
| Zebra ZD620 | Why does my Zebra ZD620 produce blank labels with no print? | The media is not suited to the print mode or is loaded upside down. A ZD620d requires direct thermal media; in all cases, the printable side must face the printhead. |
| Honeywell PC42 | Why does my Honeywell PC42t feed labels without printing anything? | In direct thermal, Honeywell says to check that the heat-sensitive side of the media faces the printhead. To identify this paper, scratch it firmly with your fingernail: a black mark means it is direct thermal media. |
| Honeywell PD45S | Why does my Honeywell PD45S produce blank labels in thermal transfer? | According to Honeywell, the inked side of the ribbon is not facing the media. Reload the ribbon the right way round, taking into account how it is wound: ink on the inside (ink in) or on the outside (ink out). |
| Toshiba B-EX6 | Why is my Toshiba B-EX6 producing blank labels? | According to Toshiba, the media or ribbon is incorrectly loaded, the head is not installed correctly, or the ribbon is not suitable for the media. Reload the media and ribbon, close the printhead block properly and choose a suitable ribbon. |
| Sato CL4NX | Why is my Sato CL4NX producing blank labels? | Sato checks three points: media and ribbon loading, cleanliness of the head and sensor, installation of the head. Reload, clean, then check that the head is properly engaged. |
| Sato CL6NX Plus | Why does my Sato CL6NX Plus feed labels without printing anything? | Sato cites incorrectly loaded media or ribbon, a dirty head or sensor, or an incorrectly installed printhead. Reload the media and ribbon, clean the head, then check that the head is fitted properly. |
| Sato CT4-LX | Why does my Sato CT4-LX feed labels without printing anything? | Sato blames incorrectly loaded media or ribbon, a printhead or sensor that is dirty or covered by a label, or an incorrectly installed printhead. Reload, clean, then print a test label. |
| Sato PW4NX | Why does my Sato PW4NX feed out labels without printing anything? | Sato cites incorrectly loaded media, a dirty printhead or sensor, or an incorrectly installed printhead. Reload the media, clean the printhead, print a test and check that the printhead is fitted correctly. |
| Godex EZ6250i and EZ6350i | Why does my Godex EZ6250i produce blank labels, with no print? | The media is incorrectly loaded or unsuitable, or the driver, the media type or the print mode does not match. Check the loading, the selected driver and the mode (thermal transfer or direct thermal). |
| Godex G500 | The labels feed but my Godex G500 prints nothing: why? | The roll may be loaded the wrong way round, the media may be unsuitable, or the ribbon may be incorrectly installed. Check the direction of the roll, the type of media and the ribbon loading. |
| Godex GE300 | Labels come out of my Godex GE300 blank: why? | Check that the roll is loaded the right way round and that the media is suitable, then that the correct driver and a print mode suited to the media are selected. |
| Brother PocketJet PJ-8 | Why does my Brother PJ-863 output blank sheets? | According to Brother, use thermal paper and load it the right way round: only the smooth thermal side can be printed on, and it must face down. Then check the print density in Printer Setting Tool. |
| Brother TJ-4420TN | Why does my Brother TJ-4420TN produce blank labels? | According to Brother, the ribbon or media is incorrectly loaded or incompatible, or the print darkness is incorrectly set. Check the direction of the ribbon's ink side, the print method selected (direct thermal or thermal transfer) and the darkness. |
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a label is direct thermal?
Quickly and firmly scratch the printable side with your fingernail; Zebra also accepts a pen cap. A black mark indicates direct thermal media, which prints without a ribbon. If there is no mark, the media is intended for thermal transfer and requires a ribbon.
Which way should the ink side of the ribbon face?
Towards the media: Intermec and Honeywell attribute a lack of printing to an ink side that does not face the labels. Some models accept only one winding, such as the Zebra GK420t and GX420t, which are limited to ribbons inked on the outside; the Honeywell PD45S accepts both. To identify the winding, Honeywell has you rub the ribbon on a sheet of paper with a pen: a mark indicates a ribbon inked on the outside.
Should I increase the darkness when labels come out blank?
Not first. The guides first have you check the media, the direction it is loaded in, the print mode and the ribbon. Brother only has you check the print density after these points, on the PJ-8 models and the TJ-4420TN.
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