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1800 USER’S GUIDE • Read this User’s Guide before you start using your P-touch. • Keep this User’s Guide in a handy place for future reference.
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INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the P-touch 1800! Your new P-touch will allow you to create labels and stamps for any need. Its versatility enables you to design custom labels by choosing from a variety of frame designs and from many characters sizes and styles.
CONTENTS Getting Started GENERAL DESCRIPTION..................2 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS ................... 4 BATTERIES......................5 OPTIONAL AC ADAPTER..................6 TAPE CASSETTE....................7 ATTACHING LABELS................... 8 PRINT HEAD & ROLLERS .................. 12 Learning the Ropes DOOR LABEL EXAMPLE..................14 ADDRESS LABEL EXAMPLE ................18 For Your Information POWER KEY ......................
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FRAME FUNCTION ................... 63 TAPE MARGIN FUNCTION................65 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT FUNCTION............67 MIRROR PRINTING FUNCTION ............... 68 LENGTH FUNCTION ..................69 PRINT KEY & FEED FUNCTION ................ 71 NUMBERING FUNCTION................. 72 REPEAT PRINTING FUNCTION................. 74 MEMORY FUNCTIONS ..................76 TROUBLESHOOTING ..................80 ERROR MESSAGE LIST ..................
KEYBOARD & LCD DISPLAY Power key Auto Length Mirror Font 1 Font 2 Print Memory Line Font Size Wide Style Store Recall M.Del Clear ” & ’ æ ø å œ à é è ì ò ù Tab Set Tab Length Tape H.Ali Length...
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS • Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have the mark. • Do not pull on the tape being fed from the P-touch. This may damage the tape cas- sette.
BATTERIES This lightweight and portable machine can be used anywhere by installing six (6) AA alkaline batteries. When you change the batteries, always replace all six at the same time. To change the batteries: Remove the battery compartment cover on the back of the machine. If batteries are already installed, remove them.
OPTIONAL AC ADAPTER The AC adapter (model-H) allows you to use this machine wherever there is an electrical outlet. To connect the optional AC adapter: Insert the plug on the adapter cord into the connector marked DC IN 9.5V on the right side of the machine.
TAPE CASSETTE A single TZ tape cassette is supplied with this unit. However, since TZ tape cassettes are available for this machine in a wide variety of colours and sizes, it is possible to make dis- tinctive colour-coded and stylised labels. In addition, this machine has been designed to allow you to change the tape cassettes quickly and easily.
ATTACHING LABELS LAMINATED TAPE The enclosed stick enables you to easily remove the backing from labels printed on lami- nated tapes. Hold the tape in your left hand, with the printed surface facing up, and hold the stick in your right hand. Pass the tape halfway through the long narrow hole in the stick.
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INSTANT-LETTERING TAPE (RUB-ON TRANSFERS) Instant-lettering tape is used to transfer your text onto paper. After printing the text onto instant-lettering tape and cutting off the label, position the label with its non-printed side facing up on a sheet of paper. By simply rubbing the instant lettering tape’s non-printed side with the enclosed stick, you can transfer the text directly onto the paper.
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White garments made from 100% cotton with a plain (smooth) surface are best for iron-on transfers. You can also make transfers to garments made from 100% linen or cotton/polyes- ter blends as long as they have a plain (smooth) surface. The label will not adhere properly to any cloth with a rough surface, such as pile or denim, or with a waterproof surface.
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Ironing: Iron garments with transfers using normal temperature settings. Be sure to place a piece of cloth between the iron and the label when you iron over it to prevent the label from sticking to the iron. The labels are non-toxic, however, please maintain the usual precautions, such as not placing them in your mouth, etc.
PRINT HEAD & ROLLERS Occasionally, specks of dust or dirt become attached to the machine’s print head and rollers. This is particularly likely when you are using the unit outdoors or in a very dusty environment. If a section of the print head is covered with dust, a blank horizontal streak may appear through the label text.
DOOR LABEL EXAMPLE After you have inserted the batteries and the enclosed tape cassette as explained in the Getting Started chapter, let’s practise using some of the basic functions of your P-touch. We must first begin by turning on the power to the machine. To turn on the machine: Press in the top right-...
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ENTERING THE TEXT Since all of the text will be in uppercase letters, we will use the Caps mode, which allows Symbol us to type uppercase letters continuously without holding down Shift To enter Caps mode: Hold down and press Code Auto Caps...
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To add a space: Feed Press Auto Space Length A B C D E F G H I J K L 1: M E E T I N G _ Caps Font 1 Font 2 Type the second word, “ROOM”, to finish the text. To type in “ROOM”: H.Ali Number...
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PRINTING THE TEXT Several format settings are available, however, in this example we will use the default set- tings pre-programmed into the machine and print out our label. To print the door label: Mirror Auto Press once. The message Print Length C O P I E S “COPIES 1/1”...
ADDRESS LABEL EXAMPLE While making the multi-line address label in this example, we will learn how to create more decorative labels using the various format settings. Three-line labels, such as this address label, can only be printed on either 12-mm or 18-mm wide tape.
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ENTERING THE TEXT Let’s begin by typing in the first row of text, the name “Bill Reynolds”. To type in “Bill Reynolds”: Symbol Hold down and press Shift Auto Length Symbol once, then release . Press Shift 1: B i l l _ Caps Repeat Font 1 Font 2...
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Now, we can enter the address: 29 South Main St.; Highbury, London N51J2. To type in the address: Type “29 South Main St.”, then Auto press Length 2: 2 9 S o u t h M a 3: _ Caps Font 1 Font 2 Type “Highbury, London N51J2”.
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While still holding down , continue pressing Code Auto Font Length F O N T until BRUSSELS is dis- æ B R U S S E L S Caps played, and then release Font 1 Font 2 Code To select the ROUND frame setting: While holding down Code Auto...
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Different format settings can be chosen either before or after the text is entered. The pro- cedure shown above can be used to change the other format settings. PRINTING THE TEXT Mirror If we want only one copy of the text, we could just press to print it.
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Push down on the tape cutter lever to cut the tape, then use scissors to cut along the cutting guide to separate the labels. With these examples, we have covered many of the basic features of your P-touch so that you can begin creating your own customised labels.
POWER KEY The power key ( ) is located in the top right-hand corner of the keyboard. If bat- teries have been installed or the machine has been plugged in using the optional AC adaptor, the previous session’s information is displayed when the machine is turned on. This feature allows you to stop work on a label, turn off the machine, and return to it later without having to re-enter the text.
CURSOR KEYS The machine’s LCD display shows two rows of 11 characters; however, the text that you create can be up to 99 characters long. You can review and edit your text by using the cursor keys to move the cursor so that different parts are shown in the display. LEFT CURSOR KEY To move the cursor one character to the left: Press...
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UP CURSOR KEY To move the cursor up to the previous line: Press once. Home If the cursor is in the first line of text, it will move to the beginning of the line. To move the cursor up several lines: Hold down until the cursor moves to the desired position.
CODE, ALT & SHIFT KEYS Most characters can be entered simply by pressing their keys. However, to use special functions or to enter capital letters, accented characters and some symbols, the following special keys are necessary. CODE KEY To use a function printed above a key: Hold down and press the key immediately below the desired function.
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ALT KEY To type in characters printed in colour on the right-hand side of the keys: Caps Press once to enter Alt mode. The Alt indicator on the left side of the display lights up. To type in a character written in colour in the lower-right corner of the key, press the key of the desired character.
SHIFT KEY To type in an uppercase letter or a symbol printed in the upper-left corner of a key: Symbol Hold down and press the key of the desired letter or symbol. Shift EXAMPLE To type in “%”: Auto Length A B C D E F G H I J K L 1: 5 _ Caps...
SPACE KEY Feed The Space key ( ) lets you add blank spaces between characters in your text. It is Space different from the right cursor key ( ), which just moves the cursor without adding blank spaces. To add a space: Feed Press Space...
RETURN KEY Like on a typewriter or word processor, this machine’s return key ( ) is used to end a line of text and start another one. When you have finished entering one line, press the return key to make a new line and move the cursor to it. A single block can only contain a maximum of five text lines.
TAB FUNCTION This function allows you to separate sections of a line of text by adding tabs. This enables you to create perfectly aligned columns without having to type in several spaces. All tabs have the same length and are measured from either the beginning of the line or the previ- ous tab if there is more than one.
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the label shown below will be printed. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T Margin Tab (5 cm) Tab (5 cm) Margin EXAMPLE To set the tab length: Hold down and press Code...
DELETE KEY Clear The delete key ( ) allows you to remove characters to the left of the cursor’s current position. It differs from the left cursor key ( ), which only moves the cursor without deleting any characters. The delete key can also be used to quit most functions and return to the previous display without changing the text.
LINE OUT FUNCTION With the Line Out function, you can easily remove an entire line of text. To delete a line of text: Press Home to position the cursor within the line of text that you wish to delete. Line Hold down and press once.
CLEAR FUNCTION When clearing the display before entering new text, the Clear function can be used to choose whether all of the text is erased and all format functions (Font, Size, Wide, Style, Underline, Frame, Tape margin, Alignment, Tab length, Mirror printing, and Length) are returned to their default settings, or whether just the text is erased.
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Press Auto Length 1: _ Caps Font 1 Font 2 To delete just the text: Clear Hold down and press Code Home Press until TEXT ONLY is selected (flashing). Clear To return to the text without erasing anything, press Press EXAMPLE To clear just the text: Auto...
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Press until TEXT ONLY is flashing. Auto Length T E X T & F O R M A T S T E X T O N L Y Caps Font 1 Font 2 Press Auto Length 1: _ Caps Font 1 Font 2...
COMPOSITE CHARACTER KEYS When writing in other languages, composite characters, which consist of a letter and a diacritical mark, are often used. This machine can also display and print these characters. The diacritical marks available are ¨, ´, `, ˆ and Several composite characters can be found on the key tops.
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To add the composite character “ë”: Symbol Hold down and press Shift Auto ¨ once. Length 1 : N o ë _ ˆ ´ Caps Font 1 Font 2 Tape Press Auto Length 1 : N o ë _ Caps Font 1 Font 2...
ACCENT FUNCTION The Accent function can also be used to add accented characters to your text. Many of these characters can also be typed in using the Symbol function. The accented characters are grouped according to the uppercase or lowercase letter that they are combined with.
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EXAMPLE To add the accented character “É”: Hold down and press Code Accent Auto Length a - y / A - U ? 1: R E S U M _ Caps Font 1 Font 2 Symbol Hold down and press Shift Tape Auto...
SYMBOL FUNCTION In addition to the letters, symbols and numerals on the key tops, there are 55 additional marks available with the Symbol function. The following symbols are available: Group Symbol ± ÷ × < > ¿ β µ § ª...
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EXAMPLE To add the symbol “ ”: Hold down and press Code Symbol Auto Shift Length [ ] < > • ¿ 1: D A N G E R _ Caps Font 1 Font 2 Press Home until the row containing “ ”...
AUTO FORMAT FUNCTION With the Auto Format function, you can select from a variety of preset formats perfect for your specific need. This function automatically adjusts the label length, tape margins and horizontal alignment without changing the text or any other formats, allowing you to cre- ate labels faster and easier.
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Press to apply the selected setting. The Length indicator lights up if any setting other than DEFAULT is selected. EXAMPLE To select the AUDIO setting: Hold down and press Code Auto Length T E M P L A T E ? D E F A U L T Caps Font 1 Font 2...
STAMP FUNCTION The Stamp function allows you to quickly and easily create your own stamp stencil films for customised stamps. Select this function to automatically centre the text and adjust the tape length and margins to a perfect format for the pre-inked stamp film holders. Since the stamp holder is reusable, just make a new stamp stencil film and replace the one in the holder.
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Press Auto Length 1: J . S m i t h 2: 1 2 3 4 M a i n S _ Caps Font 1 Font 2 Mirror Press Print Auto Length C O P I E S 1 / 1 Caps Font 1 Font 2 Push down on the tape cutter lever to cut the stamp stencil film.
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Hold the end of the stamp stencil film in place with your thumb, then pass the tape through the guides while pulling it tight. Guides Fold the other end of the stamp stencil film over the other side of the stamp film holder and hold it in place with your finger.
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Insert the stamp film holder straight into its cap. Be sure that the stamp is correctly covered in order to prevent ink spills.
SIZE & WIDE FUNCTIONS The character size can be adjusted using both the Size and Wide functions. Since the character size that can be used depends on the width of the tape, the following table shows the character sizes that can be used with each tape width. Tape widths Sizes (in points) 6 mm...
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Size setting (in Wide function OFF Wide function ON points)
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To change the size setting: Size While holding down , press once, and keep held down to dis- ” Code Code ø play the current size setting. Size While still holding down , continue pressing until the desired size set- ”...
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To turn on or off the Wide function: Wide While holding down , press once, and keep held down to dis- Code Code å play the current wide setting. Wide While still holding down , continue pressing until the desired wide set- Code å...
STYLE FUNCTION You can choose from nine different character styles to apply to your text. Characters printed using the smaller sizes may be difficult to read if certain style settings (e.g., I+SHADOW) are selected. The following style settings are available: NORMAL I+BOLD (italic &...
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While still holding down Code Auto Style continue pressing until Length S T Y L E œ I+SHADOW is displayed. I + S H A D O W Caps Font 1 Font 2 Release Code...
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REFERENCE Style setting Font setting NORMAL BOLD OUTLINE HELSINKI BRUSSELS Style setting Font setting SHADOW ITALIC I+BOLD HELSINKI BRUSSELS Style setting Font setting I+OUTLINE I+SHADOW VERTICAL HELSINKI BRUSSELS...
UNDERLINE FUNCTION You can emphasise your text by underlining it. The default underline setting is OFF. When the Underline function is set to ON, the underline indicator (ABC)on the right side of the display lights up. To turn on or off the Underline function: While holding down , press once, and keep...
FONT FUNCTION With the Font function, you can choose one of two fonts for your text. The following font settings are available: HELSINKI and BRUSSELS The default font setting is HELSINKI. The currently selected font setting is always shown by the Font indicators below the display. Refer to Reference at the end of this section for samples of the available settings.
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REFERENCE REFERENCE Font Display Font sample setting indicator HELSINKI Font 1 BRUSSELS Font 2...
FRAME FUNCTION With the Frame function, you can choose from various frames and highlights to design a more decorative or emphasized label. The following Frame settings are available: OFF, ROUND, BANNER, NAMEPLATE, VINE and DOT The default frame setting is OFF; however, other settings are also available. When any setting other than OFF is selected, the frame indicator ( ) on the right side of the dis- play lights up.
TAPE MARGIN FUNCTION The Tape margin function allows you to adjust the size of the margins on the left and right sides of your text. The default tape margin setting is FULL; however, three other settings are also available. FULL (25 mm margins) NONE...
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EXAMPLE To select the HALF tape margin setting: While holding down Code Auto Tape press once, and keep Length F E E D held down. F U L L Code Caps Font 1 Font 2 While still holding down Tape Auto , continue pressing Code...
HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT FUNCTION You can choose to align the text in one of three ways. In addition, if the Length function was used to set the length of the label, the text will align within the label according to the selected horizontal alignment setting.
MIRROR PRINTING FUNCTION With this function, you can print your text so that the characters can be read from the tape side of the tape. If mirror-printed labels are attached to glass or some other clear material, they can be read correctly from the opposite side. When using the Mirror printing function, the text should be printed on clear tape.
LENGTH FUNCTION Although the length of the printed label automatically adjusts to fit the length of the entered text, there may be times when you will want to make a label with a specific length. The Length function allows you to set the label length between 4.0 and 30.0 cm. The default length setting is OFF.
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EXAMPLE To select a label length of 12 cm: Length While holding down , press once, and keep held Code Code down. Auto Auto Length Length L E N G T H L E N G T H 8 . 3 O F F Caps Caps...
PRINT KEY & FEED FUNCTION After you have entered your text and chosen the desired format settings, you are ready to print. To print a label: Mirror Press once. The message “COPIES” followed by the number of the label Print being printed is displayed.
NUMBERING FUNCTION This function can be used to print many copies of the same text while increasing a certain number in the text by 1 after each label is printed. To use the Numbering function: Press Home to position the cursor below the number that you wish to increase.
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Hold down and press Code Auto Number ö Length N U M B E R U N T I L 1 – 9 ? Caps Font 1 Font 2 Wide Press å Auto Length N U M B E R U N T I L Caps Font 1 Font 2...
REPEAT PRINTING FUNCTION This function allows you to print up to 9 copies of the same text. To use the Repeat printing function: Repeat Hold down and press . The message “COPIES UNTIL 1–9?” appears in Code the display. Font M.Del Press the number key ( ) of the number of labels that you want.
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Wide Press å Auto Length C O P I E S U N T I L Caps Font 1 Font 2 Mirror Press Print Auto Auto Length Length C O P I E S C O P I E S 1 / 3 2 / 3 Caps...
MEMORY FUNCTIONS You can use the memory to store your most frequently used text files. The text remains in the memory, even after all characters are removed from the display using the Clear func- Clear tion (holding down and pressing Code When each file is stored, it is given a number to make recalling it easier.
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To overwrite the stored file with the new one: Press to delete the previously stored file and store the new one under the selected number. To go back and choose another file number without overwriting the text file, Clear press , and then press the key of a different file number.
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Font M.Del Press the key ( ) of the file number containing the text that you wish to æ ò delete. The text stored under the selected file number is shown. To see other parts of the selected text file, press To display the text stored under other file numbers, press Home , or...
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Style Press œ Auto Length R E C A L L [ 4 ] J o h n S m i t Caps Font 1 Font 2 Press Auto Length 1: J o h n S m i t h Caps Font 1 Font 2 To delete the text stored under file number 4:...
TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Remedy 1. The display stays blank after you • Check that the AC adapter is con- have turned on the machine. nected correctly. • If you are using alkaline batteries, check that they are correctly inserted. • If the batteries are low, replace them with new ones.
ERROR MESSAGE LIST Error Message Cause Remedy 5 LINE • This message appears if • Limit the number of lines LIMIT! five lines already exist to five. when you press BATTERIES • This message appears • Replace the batteries or WEAK when the installed alkaline use the AC adapter.
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Error Message Cause Remedy LENGTH • This message appears if the • Shorten the text to less LIMIT! text is longer than 1 meter than 1 meter before trying when you try to print. to print. • This message appears if •...
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Error Message Cause Remedy NUMBER • This message appears if • Press the key of a number TOO SMALL! the number that is set to be that is greater than the printed using the Number- number in the text. ing function is less than the number above the cursor.
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Error Message Cause Remedy WRONG • This message appears if a • Remove the high-voltage ADAPTER high-voltage adapter is adapter and connect the being used. adapter designed exclu- sively for this machine. WRONG • This message appears if • Move the cursor below a CHAR! the cursor is not below a number before holding...
SPECIFICATIONS HARDWARE Input device: Keyboard - 51 keys 7 × 5 dots LCD: 12 characters × 2 lines 17 indicators Print tape: Pressure-sensitive, Adhesive-based 8 m long Four widths available: 6 mm 9 mm 12 mm 18 mm Power supply: Six AA alkaline batteries (AM3, LR6) or optional AC adapter Auto power-off if no key is pressed for 5 minutes Print head:...
Supplies Obtain tape cassettes from your nearest authorised dealer. Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Brother cannot be held responsible for trouble caused by the use of unauthorised supplies. Do not use tapes that do not have the mark.
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Stock No. Description TZ-C31 Black characters on fluorescent yellow adhesive TZ-D31 Black characters on fluorescent green adhesive TZ-M31 Black characters on clear(mat) adhesive 9-mm laminated tapes TZ-121 Black characters on clear adhesive TZ-122 Red characters on clear adhesive TZ-123 Blue characters on clear adhesive TZ-221 Black characters on white adhesive TZ-222...
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Stock No. Description 12 mm non-laminated tapes TZ-N231 Black characters on white adhesive TZ-N232 Red characters on white adhesive TZ-N233 Blue characters on white adhesive TZ-N531 Black characters on blue adhesive TZ-N631 Black characters on yellow adhesive TZ-N731 Black characters on green adhesive TZ-NF31 Black characters on purple adhesive 9 mm non-laminated tapes...