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INTRODUCTION GETTING STARTED EDITING A LABEL LABEL PRINTING USING THE FILE MEMORY MAINTAINNING YOUR P-TOUCH TROUBLESHOOTING APPENDIX INDEX...
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Service & Support > Warranty. For warranty service (repair) of your Brother product you will need to retain a copy of your sales docket and contact the Support Centre for location of the nearest Authorised Warranty Centre (AWC).
Contents How to use the P-touch ....................4 Safety Precautions ......................5 General Precautions...................... 8 Symbols Used in this Guide ..................9 GETTING STARTED ................10 Unpacking Your P-touch ..................... 10 General Description..................... 10 LCD Display & Keyboard..................... 11 LCD Display ......................11 Key Names and Functions..................
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INTRODUCTION Setting Label Attributes ....................29 Using Auto-Format Layouts ..................31 Using Templates - Example creating an Asset Tag..........31 Using Block Layouts ....................34 Creating a Bar Code Label...................37 Setting Bar Code Parameters................37 Entering Bar Code Data..................38 Editing and Deleting a Bar Code ................40 LABEL PRINTING .................
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TROUBLESHOOTING................56 What to do when......................56 Error Messages ......................57 APPENDIX..................... 60 Specifications ......................60 INDEX ....................61...
INTRODUCTION How to use the P-touch Create a label with the P-touch GETTING STARTED • Prepare the P-touch. P. 10 CREATING A LABEL • Entering and Editing text. In addition to entering text, the P-touch has a P. 20 large range of formatting options. •...
Safety Precautions To prevent injury and damage, important notes are explained using various symbols. The symbols and their meanings are as follows: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, WARNING could result in death or serious injuries. Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, CAUTION may result in minor or moderate injuries.
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DO NOT use the AC adapter in places result in an accident or damage. of high humidity such as bathrooms. Brother shall not assume any DO NOT use a damaged adapter cord responsibility for any accident or or power plug.
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CAUTION Battery Follow these guidelines to avoid liquid leakage, heat or battery rupture. DO NOT use old and new batteries DO NOT set the positive and negative together. end in the wrong position. DO NOT mix alkaline batteries with Remove the batteries if you do not other type batteries.
• Depending on the environmental conditions and the applied settings, some characters or symbols may be difficult to read. • Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have the mark. • DO NOT pull or apply pressure to the tape in the cassette. Otherwise the tape cassette or printer may be damaged.
Symbols Used in this Guide The following symbols are used throughout this guide to indicate additional information. This symbol indicates information or directions that may result in damage or injury if ignored, or operations that will result in errors. This symbol indicates information or directions that may help you understand and use the P-touch more efficiently.
The adapter plug may differ by country. The User's Guide may be provided on CD, not printed. You can download the PDF version of the User’s Guide, please go to http://solutions.brother.com General Description Tape cassette compartment Tape compartment cover LCD display...
Battery compartment cover Battery case AC adaptor connector LCD Display & Keyboard LCD Display 1. Line number 5.~8. Style guidance Indicates line number within the label Indicates the current font (5), character layout. size (6), character style (7) and frame (8) settings.
GETTING STARTED Key Names and Functions The default language is “English”. 6. Print • Prints the current label design onto 1. Power the tape. Turns the P-touch on and off. • Opens the Print Options menu when 2. Cursor ( used in combination with the Shift Moves the cursor in the direction of the key.
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9. Text 15. Caps • Enables character attributes for the Turns Caps mode on and off. label to be set. 16. Shift • Character attributes can be set for Use this key in combination with the each line of the label when the Text letter and number keys to type menu is opened in combination with uppercase letters or the symbols...
GETTING STARTED Power Supply Battery After making sure that the power is off, remove the battery compartment cover on the back of the machine. If the batteries are already in the machine, remove them. Make sure that the power is turned off when replacing batteries.
• Use only the adapter, which is designed exclusively for your P-touch. Failure to observe this may result in an accident or damage. Brother shall not assume any responsibility for any accident or damage resulting from not using the specified AC adapter.
Inserting a Tape Cassette Tape cassettes of 3.5 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm or 18 mm width can be used in your P-touch. Use only Brother tape cassettes with the mark. • If the new tape cassette has a cardboard stopper, be sure to remove the stopper before inserting the cassette.
Insert the tape cassette into the tape compartment, with the end of the tape facing the machine’s tape exit slot, and press firmly until you hear a click. When inserting the tape cassette, make sure that the tape and ink ribbon do not catch on the print head.
GETTING STARTED Feeding Tape Feed function The Feed function feeds 25mm of blank tape. • Be sure to feed tape to remove any slack in the tape and ink ribbon after inserting the tape cassette. • Do not pull the label coming out of the tape exit slot. Doing so will cause the ink ribbon to be discharged with the tape.
Setting Language and Unit Language Press the Setup key to display the Setup menu, select “Language” using the key, and then press the OK or Enter key. Select a language for menu commands and messages shown on the LCD display by using the key.
EDITING A LABEL Entering and Editing Text Entering Text from the Keyboard • The keyboard of your P-touch can be used in the same way as a standard computer keyboard. Adding a New Line • To end the current line of text and start a new line, press the Enter key. A return mark appears at the end of the line and the cursor moves to the start of the new line.
Deleting Text Deleting one character at a time • To delete a character from an existing line of text, move the cursor to the character to the right of the position you want to start deleting text and then press the Backspace key.
EDITING A LABEL Entering Symbols In addition to the symbols available on the keyboard, there are various symbols (including international and extended ASCII characters) available with the symbol function. To enter a symbol, use the Symbol function (see below). Alternatively, hold down the Shift key and then press a key on the keyboard to enter the symbol printed on the selected key’s upper-right corner.
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Symbol List Category Symbols Punctuation Business Mathematics Brackets Arrows Unit International Number Pictograph Electrical Audio_Visual Signs Communication Vehicle Sports Nature Others The use of the CE mark is strictly governed by one or more European Council directives. Ensure that any labels you produce which use this mark conform with the relevant directives. Entering Symbols...
EDITING A LABEL Entering Accented Characters The P-touch can display and print a set of accented characters such as other language specific characters. Enter the character you wish to change to an accented character. Caps mode can be used with the Accent function. Press the Accent key.
Setting Character Attributes Setting Character Attributes by Label Using the Text key, you can select a font and apply size, width, style, line, and alignment attributes. Press the Text key. The current settings are displayed. Select an attribute using the key, and then set a value for that attribute using the key.
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EDITING A LABEL Setting Options Attribute Value Result (Helsinki) (Brussels) Font (Florida) (Calgary) When Auto is selected, the text is Auto automatically adjusted to print in the largest size available for each tape width. 42pt 36pt 24pt Size 18pt 12pt Setting Character Attributes...
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Attribute Value Result Width x2/3 x1/2 Normal (Bold) (Outline) (Shadow) (Solid) Style (Italic) I+BLD (Italic Bold) I+OUT (Italic Outline) I+SHD (Italic Shadow) I+SLD (Italic Solid) (Vertical) Setting Character Attributes...
EDITING A LABEL Attribute Value Result Line (Underline) (Strikeout) Left Center Align (Alignment) Right Just (Justify) Setting Auto Fit Style When “Size” is set to “Auto” and “Length” is set to a specific length, you can select the way of reducing the text size to fit within the label length. When “Text Size”...
Setting Label Attributes Using the Label key, you can create a label with a frame around the text and specify the label length and tab length. (Refer to “Setting Margin” on page 45.) Press the Label key. The current settings are displayed. Select an attribute using the key, and then set a value for that attribute using the...
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EDITING A LABEL Attribute Value Result Frame The length of the label can be set within the range 30mm - Length 300mm. When Auto is selected, the length of the label is automatically adjusted based on the amount of text entered. The length of the tab can be set within the range 0mm - 100mm.
Using Auto-Format Layouts Using the Auto-Format function you can quickly and easily create labels for a variety of purposes, such as file tabs, equipment labels, name badges, etc. Simply select a layout from the templates or block layouts, enter the text and apply formatting as desired. Symbols and accented characters can also be used in auto-format layouts.
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EDITING A LABEL Enter the text and then press the OK or Enter key. Repeat this for each text field. After all text fields are entered, the print menu is displayed when the OK or Enter key is pressed. Select “Print” using the key and then press the OK or Enter key to print the label.
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Attribute Value Details Asset Tag (18 mm x 70 mm) Bin Box (18 mm x 76 mm) Equipment Label (18 mm x 58 mm) Faceplate (VRT) (12 mm x 70 mm) Cable Wrap (18 mm x 39 mm) Address Label (18 mm x 70 mm) Template Name Name Badge 1...
EDITING A LABEL Using Block Layouts Press the Auto-Format key to display the Auto-Format screen, and then select “Block Layouts” using the key. Press the OK or Enter key to display the Tape Width screen, and then select a tape width using the key.
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• Press the Escape key to return to the previous step. • Refer to the Block Layouts table for a list of available block layouts. • To print multiple copies, sequentially numbered copies, or a mirror image of the label, with the print menu displayed hold down the Shift key and press the Print key to display the Print Options menu.
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EDITING A LABEL Attribute Value Details 2LineA 2LineB Block layout (12 mm tape) 3Line 1+2Line 2LineA Block layout 2LineB (9 mm tape) 1+2Line Block layout 1+2Line (6 mm tape) Using Auto-Format Layouts...
Creating a Bar Code Label Using the Bar Code function you can create labels with one dimensional bar codes for use with cash registers, stock control systems or other bar code reader systems, or even asset control tags used in an asset management system. •...
EDITING A LABEL Bar Code Settings Attribute Value CODE39, CODE128, EAN-8, EAN-13, Protocol GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128), UPC-A, UPC-E, I-2/5 (ITF), CODABAR Small Width Large Under# (characters printed below bar code) C.Digit (check digit) (only available for the CODE39, I-2/5 and CODABAR protocols) Entering Bar Code Data Press the Bar Code key.
• Press the Escape key to return to the previous step. • Refer to the Special Characters List table for a list of all available settings. Special Character List CODE39 CODABAR Code Special Character Code Special Character (SPACE) Creating a Bar Code Label...
EDITING A LABEL CODE128, GS1-128 (UCC / EAN-128) Code Special Character Code Special Character Code Special Character (SPACE) FNC3 FNC2 FNC4 FNC1 Editing and Deleting a Bar Code • To edit the bar code data position the cursor beneath the bar code mark on the data entry screen and then open the Bar Code Input screen.
LABEL PRINTING Label Preview Using the Preview function you can check the layout of the label before printing. Press the Preview key. An image of the label is displayed on the screen. The length of the label is shown in the lower-right corner of the screen. Press the key to scroll the preview to the left or right.
LABEL PRINTING Printing a Single Copy Make sure that the appropriate tape cassette is inserted and ready for printing. Press the Print key. “Printing...Copies” is displayed while the labels are being printed. To stop printing, press the Power key to turn off the P-touch. There are several other messages that may appear when you press the Print key.
Auto-numbering Labels Using the numbering function you can create a set of sequentially numbered labels from a single label format. Make sure that the appropriate tape cassette is inserted and ready for printing. Hold down the Shift key and press the Print key to display the print options screen, and then select “Numbering”...
LABEL PRINTING • Letters and numbers increase as shown below: ...9 ...Z ...z ...A9 Spaces (shown as underscores “_” in the example below) can be used to adjust the spacing between characters or to control the number of digits that are printed..99 AA ...ZZ 2_0 ...9_9...
Setting Margin The tape cutting options allow you to specify how the tape is fed and cut when printing labels. In particular, the “Chain” options greatly reduce the amount of wasted tape by using smaller margins and eliminating blank sections cut between labels. Press the Label key to display the Label menu.
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LABEL PRINTING Setting Description Example • Use this setting when printing several *Feed the tape before using the cutter. labels with minimum margins. • Feed the tape before using the cutter. Otherwise a part of the text may be cut off. Do not try to pull the tape since this may 9.4 mm damage the tape cassette.
Adjusting the Label Length You can adjust the length of the printed label in levels of -5 to +5. Press the Setup key to display the setup menu, select “Adjust Length” using the key, and then press the OK or Enter key. Select “Adjust Length”...
LABEL PRINTING Printing from the Label Collection Printing a label from the Label Collection Stored in the Machine Pages 49 to 51 show the many labels that are stored in your Label Collection. Printing these pre-designed labels saves you time. Press the Label Collection key.
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Label Collection List Category Label Files (12 mm tape only) Office Signage (18 mm tape only) * Labels are for illustrative purposes only. Printing from the Label Collection...
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LABEL PRINTING Category Label Caution (18 mm tape only) Shipping (18 mm tape only) (18 mm tape only) * Labels are for illustrative purposes only. Printing from the Label Collection...
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Category Label Retail (18 mm tape only) Personal (12 mm tape only) * Labels are for illustrative purposes only. Printing from the Label Collection...
USING THE FILE MEMORY You can store up to 9 of your most frequently used labels in the file memory. Each label is stored as a file, allowing you to quickly and easily recall your label when needed again. When the file memory is full, each time you save a file you will need to overwrite one of your stored files.
Printing a Stored Label File Press the File key to display the File screen. Select “Print” using the key. Press the OK or Enter key. The file number of a stored label is displayed. The label text is also displayed to identify the label. Select a file number using the key, and then press the Print, OK or Enter key to print the selected label.
MAINTAINING YOUR P-TOUCH Resetting the P-touch You can reset the internal memory of your P-touch when you want to clear all saved label files, or in the event the P-touch is not operating correctly. Resetting the data to factory settings (Label collections stored in Favorites is not reset.) Turn off the machine.
Cleaning the Tape Cutter Tape adhesive can build up on the cutter blade after repeated use, taking the edge off the blade which may result in the tape jamming in the cutter. • About once every year, wipe the cutter blade using a cotton swab moistened with Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).
TROUBLESHOOTING What to do when... Problem Solution The screen “locks”, or Refer to “Resetting the P-touch” on page 54 and reset the the P-touch does not internal memory to the initial settings. If resetting the respond normally. P-touch does not solve the problem, disconnect the AC adapter and remove the batteries for more than 10 minutes.
Error Messages When an error message appears on the display, follow the directions provided below. Message Cause/Remedy Battery Weak!* The installed batteries are getting weak. Check The installed batteries are about to run out of power. Replace Battery! with new batteries or connect the AC adapter before continuing.
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TROUBLESHOOTING Message Cause/Remedy Length Limit!* The length of the label to be printed using the text entered is longer than 1 m. Edit the text so that the length of the label is less than 1 m. Insert An 18 mm tape cassette is not installed when an Auto-Format 18mm Tape for 18 mm tape is selected.
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Message Cause/Remedy Input A,B,C or D The bar code data entered does not have the required start/ At Start&End!* stop code (A, B, C, or D required at the beginning and end of the bar code data for the CODABAR protocol). Enter the bar code data correctly.
APPENDIX Specifications Main Unit Item Specification Display Character display 16 characters x 1 guidance and 2 lines text (128 dot x 48 dot) Screen contrast 5 levels (+2, +1, 0, -1, -2) Printing Print method Thermal Transfer Print head 112 dot / 180 dpi Print height 15.8 mm max.
INDEX AC adapter ........15 Return mark ........11 Accented Character List ....24 Auto power-off time ......17 size ............25 Special Character List .......39 Battery ..........14 Specifications ........60 Block Layouts ........35 style ...........25 Symbol List ........23 symbols ..........22 Caps mode ........