Eltron International Incorporated and may not be duplicated in full or in part by any person without written approval from Eltron. While every effort has been made to keep the information contained within current and accurate as of the date of publication, no guarantee is given or implied that the document is error-free or that it is accurate with regard to any specification.
(12) months from the date of purchase by the end user. Eltron warrants the printhead, under normal use and service, to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase by the end user.
This section provides information on the instal- lation of the TLP2046 printer and software. Introduction The TLP2046 is a low cost, direct thermal and thermal transfer printer specifically designed for printing labels and tags, with or without bar codes, from any DOS™, Windows™or ASCII based compatible computer.
Damage to the Memory Cartridge, configura- tion switch, or the printer interface connector may result from placing the TLP2046 printer on it’s backside during unpacking or handling. Remove the tape used to secure the memory cartridge to the back panel.
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Getting Started Open the top (and right side) cover by lifting the lip on the lower right side of the cover. Lift To Open Remove the tape securing the label rewind clip to the label rewind tube. Remove Tape 980003-003 Rev.A...
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Getting Started Swing open the printer’s front door. The door has a magnetic latch for easy access. Remove the tape retaining the Front Door Insert Cover while holding the Front Door. Remove Tape 980003-003 Rev.A...
Getting Started Check List Your TLP2046 kit contains the items listed below. • The TLP2046 printer. • Memory cartridge (mounted on the printer). • Create-A-Label Tools software disk with on- line documentation. • Printer User’s Guide & EPL2 Programming Manual.
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Rewinder Bracket • AC Power Cord If any items are missing, contact your dealer for replacement parts. Label and tag supplies can be purchased di- rectly from ELTRON. Refer to Appendix B for complete supplies ordering information. 980003-003 Rev.A...
Getting Started Installation The following sections will guide you through the installation of the TLP2046 and Create-A- Label Tools software. Step Place the printer in a suitable location that Attach Power allows easy access to all sides of the printer. The printer should never be operated while resting on it’s side or upside down.
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Getting Started Attach the AC power cord to the AC power receptacle in the rear of the printer. Figure 1-3 Printer: Insert AC Power Cord Attach the AC power cord to a grounded (three prong) electrical outlet of the proper voltage. Figure 1-4 Electrical Outlet Insert...
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Getting Started Figure 1-5 Removal and Insertion of the Memory Cartridge Insert the memory cartridge into the cartridge slot, label side towards the center of the printer. Push the cartridge slowly and firmly, until it stops, to engage. Alternate memory cartridges are available that can include a real-time clock (standard configu- ration without real-time clock), 384KB of mem- ory and 2 Dimensional bar codes.
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Getting Started Step Parallel Interface Attach a suitable parallel printer cable from the Attach Interface computer to the Centronics interface connector Cable at the back of the printer. Snap the bale lock to the Centronic’s connector to secure the inter- face cable to the printer.
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Getting Started Step 4 The printer has a manual configuration switch bank located on the back panel of the printer. Manual Configuration Settings Figure 1-8 Locating the Printer Configuration Switches Configuration Switches The switch controls the basic functional modes required to correctly operate this printer. The modes are as follows: Direct Thermal - without transfer ribbon Thermal Transfer - with transfer ribbon...
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B:INSTALL (or A:INSTALL if you placed the diskette in drive A). Press the Enter key. Follow the installation instructions on the screen to install the software. Refer to Section 2 - Operation, for information on loading labels and using your TLP2046. 980003-003 Rev.A...
Operation This section provides information on the op- eration of the TLP2046 printer. Controls & All the TLP2046 printer controls and indica- Indicators tors, except for the power switch and the printer configuration dip switch, are on the front panel.
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Operation The POWER The printer’s POWER SWITCH is located on SWITCH back panel of the printer. Placing this switch in the ON (1) position will apply power to the printer. Place this switch in the OFF (0) position to remove power when you have finished using your printer.
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Operation The FEED The TLP2046 is equipped with a label FEED Button button. The printer will feed a single label each time the FEED button is depressed. This is referred to as a Form Feed. If the FEED button is pressed and held, the printer will feed a single label, stop, feed a single label, stop, and so on until the FEED button is released.
Operation Loading Labels Your TLP2046 can print on continuous direct thermal paper, direct thermal adhesive backed or Tags labels or non-adhesive tags. Loading either labels or tags are easy, (the feed direction of tags is different). Refer to Appendix B for a list of supplies avail- able from ELTRON.
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Operation Label Loading Open the top (and right side) cover on the printer. Slide the Roll Retainer Guide down to Step the end of the Label Roll Support. Roll Retainer Guide Figure 2-1 Opening the Label Roll Retainer Arm Label Roll Support 980003-003 Rev.
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Operation Label Loading Open the Printhead Assembly by pushing the release lever to the right, towards the back of Step the printer. The printhead assembly will pop open. Releasing the lever allows it to snap back. Figure 2-2 Opening the Printhead Push Lever Release Lever...
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Operation Label Loading Slide the Label Width Adjustment Tab to the outside stop and rotate up. Step Figure 2-3 Label Width Adjustment Guide Slide 980003-003 Rev. A...
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Operation Label Loading Slide a roll of labels onto the Label Roll Guide and onto Label Roll Support. Labels feed from Step the top and towards the front of the printer. Push the roll to the back of the support and slide the Label Roll Guide against the label roll to hold it in place.
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Operation Label Loading Thread the label stock through the Label Sen- sor Assembly and then between the Platen Step (drive roller) and the Printhead. Figure 2-5 Load The Labels Printhead Label Stock Platen Label Sensor Assembly For easy label stock threading, slide half of label into the side of the Label Sensor Assembly and guide it through the label path.
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Operation Label Loading Rotate the Label Width Adjustment Tab down Step 6 and slide it over until it is flush with the label stock. Check the location of the Through Sen- sor, refer to Appendix A for adjustment infor- mation. Figure 2-6 Adjusting the Guide Arm...
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Operation Label Loading Close the printhead by pressing down on both Step 7 sides of the front of the printhead assembly. Press Press Here Here Figure 2-7 Closing the Printhead 980003-003 Rev. A...
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Operation Label Loading Adjust the label pressure control knob to match Step 8 the label stock in use. Knob Figure 2-8 Pressure Control Knob Pressure Control Label Width Knob Settings 2" or Less 2" Greater Than 2" 4" Step 7 Press the Feed button once to verify that the labels advance.
Operation Transfer Ribbon Slide the appropriate thermal transfer ribbon roll onto the Ribbon Supply Tube. Loading Step 1 Figure 2-9 Installing Transfer Ribbon Ribbon Ribbon Supply Tube Take-up Tube Ribbon Supply Tube Transfer Ribbon 980003-003 Rev. A...
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Operation Transfer Ribbon Open the printhead assembly. See Figure 2-2. Loading Step 2 Thread the transfer ribbon between the Label Sensor Assembly and the Printhead Bracket. Continue threading the ribbon between the Figure 2-10 Ribbon Loading Path Printhead Transfer Label Ribbon Sensor Assembly...
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Operation Transfer Ribbon Wrap the transfer ribbon from the front of the printhead assembly to the backside of the rib- Loading Step 3 bon take-up tube. Attach the ribbon to the rewind core (fiberboard tube) on the ribbon take-up tube with tape. Figure 2-11 Attaching Ribbon Tape...
Operation Label The printer can be set up to automatically rewind labels into a roll or in a label dispense Rewinding and mode, single peeled label. Both configurations Auto-Dispensing require use of the printer’s label rewinder. Preparing For Remove the Front Door Insert Cover from the Front Door of the printer.
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Operation Preparing For Remove the Rewinder Bracket from the inside of the printer. Turn the thumb screw holding Rewinding Step 2 the bracket to the printer chassis counter clock- wise to loosen. Save this screw for mounting and storing the bracket.
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Operation Preparing For Hook the two (2) stepped tabs onto the two (2) notches on the top edge of the Platen Roller Rewinding Step 3 Assembly’s front plate. Swing the bracket down. Align the bracket’s tabs up with the platen’s bracket reference holes and insert. Figure 2-14 Notches Lock the bracket into place with the thumb...
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Operation Preparing For Remove the Label Rewind Clip from the Label Tube. Rewinding Step 4 Figure 2-15 Removing the Rewind Clip 980003-003 Rev. A...
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Operation Liner/Labels With the label stock already loaded (see Label Loading Steps 1-7) and the front door open: Rewind Mode Step 1 Thread the label stock, (liner only for the label auto-dispense mode), around and below the Platen Roller Assembly. Press the Feed button with the printhead closed, as needed, to sup- ply more label stock ribbon.
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Operation Liner/Labels If a label is on the end of the label stock ribbon, remove it. Rewind Mode Step 2 Figure 2-17 Removing the Rewind Clip Slide the Rewind Tube Clip over the label liner end and onto the Rewind Tube. Fold the label liner over the clip to the back of the printer.
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Operation Liner/Labels For Label Auto-Dispense Mode, set the Printer Configuration Switches for label dispense Rewind Mode Step 3 (peel-off) mode. See Appendix A, Printer Configuration Settings Switch Settings. Figure 2-18 Rewind Modes REWIND LABELS MODE Liner/Label Path Rewind Bracket AUTO-DISPENSE MODE Liner Removed Label...
Operation Label Variations Your TLP2046 is equipped with a sensor ca- pable of detecting the gap between labels while and the they are being printed. This feature depends Label Sensor on the ability of the sensor to “see through” the label liner between labels.
Operation AutoSense Load labels into the printer. Do not use the auto-dispense/peeler mode for this procedure. Gap Sensor Press and hold the PAUSE and CANCEL con- Adjustment trol buttons with the power on. Release the CANCEL button first and then release the PAUSE button.
Operation Cleaning The As you use your TLP2046, the print head may become dirty resulting in poor print quality. Print Head Whenever new labels are loaded into the printer, the print head should be cleaned with a Cleaning Pen. Cleaning Pens (P/N 800105-001) are available directly from ELTRON.
Operation Replacing the The TLP2046 contains memory for storage of operating parameters, forms, graphics and soft Printer Memory fonts in the Memory Cartridge. A battery in the Backup Battery cartridge prevents memory loss if the printer power is switched off or disconnected. When the battery is exhausted, the printer will print “BATTERY LOW”.
Operation Battery Remove the Memory Cartridge’s top cover screw with a #1 Phillips screw driver. Slide the Replacement Step 3 casing top cover off. See Figures 2-21 and 2-22. Figure 2-21 Removing the Memory Cartridge Cover Cover Screw Step 4 Lift the battery retaining clip up and slide the battery out.
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Operation Battery Replace the battery by lifting the battery retain- ing clip up and inserting the new battery in with Replacement Step 4 the printed side up. Do Not dispose of the old battery in fire. The battery may explode causing damage or injury. Dispose of the battery according to the manu- facturer’s instructions.
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Operation Windows: Setting When using Windows applications other than Create-A-Label Professional, the following the Margins margin setting guidelines should be followed: • The top margin should always be set to 0.16" (4mm) to allow for the unprintable region at the top of each label. •...
Appendix A This section addresses the most common issues user’s may face with operation and configura- Trouble Shooting tion of the Eltron TLP2046 printer. The first trouble shooting reference source is the Common Problems Trouble Shooting table on the following page.
2. Possible problem with label stock. Gap between the bottom of a label and the top of the next label should be at least 1/16". For tags, see Figure A-2. Use only Eltron approved labels and tags. Printing stops and the 3.
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Trouble Shooting Problem Solution or Reason 1. Check for Out-of-Media condition or missing labels in the middle of a roll. GREEN and AMBER are 2. Check that the ribbon and label stock are alternately flashing. correctly routed. 3. Ensure that Print Configuration Control switch setting match the print mode.
Trouble Shooting Serial Interface The figure below displays the cable wiring re- quired to use the printer’s serial interface. Cable Wiring Host Printer DB-9 DB-9 Pin # Pin # +5 Volts* Female DB-9 to Male DB-9 Host Printer DB-25 DB-9 Pin # Pin # +5 Volts*...
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For proper sensing, ensure that the sensor is aligned with the center portion of the index hole/notch. The following dimensions show the required position of the Sense-Through (“Notch”) hole on tag stock for the TLP2046 printer. Figure C-2 min. max. Tag Position...
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The TLP 2046 (and TLP2044) are part of and Options Eltron’s heavy duty line of industrial printers. The TLP2046 has a 4 inch print width, 203 dpi print resolution and up to 512KB user config- urable memory. It prints in both direct thermal and thermal transfer mode.
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Trouble Shooting • Repeat label feature • 128Kb standard Printing: • Direct thermal and thermal transfer printing • Selectable constant print speeds of 2, 4, or 6 (Model 2046 only) per second • 203 dots per inch (8 dots/mm) print resolu- tion •...
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Trouble Shooting • Interleaved 2 of 5 • UPC-A, UPC-E, 2 & 5 digit add-on • UPC shipping container code • EAN-13, EAN-8, 2 & 5 digit add-on • POSTNET • German POSTNET Bar Codes Two Dimensional Bar Codes (Optional): •...
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Trouble Shooting • Label backfeed for label dispensing modes • Programmable top of form Media Specifications • Type: Roll-fed, die-cut, continuous or fan- fold labels, tags or tickets • Materials: plain paper thermal transfer or thermal sensitive papers • Maximum media width: 4.5" (114mm) •...
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• Time and Date Clock • Media Length up to 22" (560mm) • Code PDF417 • Create-A-Label III software • Create-A-Label Professional for Windows • Windows Printer Driver • Used with Eltron’s KDU for a stand alone printing solution 980003-003 Rev. A...
Eltron gladly accepts Mastercard and Visa. Accessories Labels and thermal transfer ribbons for the TLP2046 printer are listed on a single page flier shipped with this printer and via Eltron’s Fax- back service at 1(805) 579-1809, catalog document number 2303. Always refer to the ELTRON part number when placing an order.
(i.e. A: or B:). Click OK. Select the TLP2046 driver that represents your printer. The printer driver is installed and ap- pears in the Installed Printers list in the Printers dialog box.
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Windows Printer Driver Using The The standard Windows printer driver provides control of several printer features when printing Windows Driver from Create-A-Label Professional for Windows and other Windows software applications. These features are accessed through the “Print- ers” control panel in the Program Manager “Main”...
Windows Printer Driver Paper Quality, The print speed can be adjusted to compensate for manufacturing differences in label stock. Print Speed Selecting a slower print speed can improve the appearance of lines and text on some label stocks. When printing large labels or labels with a lot of information near the right edge, a slower print speed will avoid pauses while printing caused by buffer under-run.
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Windows Printer Driver 980003-003 Rev. A...
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Windows Printer Driver 980003-003 Rev. A...
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41 Moreland Road Simi Valley, CA 93065 (805) 579-1800 FAX (805) 579-1808...
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