Copyright © 2016 Afinia. All rights reserved.

No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without the prior written permission of Afinia.

Firefox is a trademark of the Mozilla Foundation.

Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Java and Oracle are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and Windows Server are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S.A. and/or other countries.

L301 Printer User Guide Edition 1.0. December 2016.

FCC

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Setting up the Printer .................................................................................................................................... 5 In the Box .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Parts of the Printer .................................................................................................................................... 6 The Control Panel ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Unpacking, Setup, and Installation ........................................................................................................... 8 Remove Tape and Foam........................................................................................................................ 8 Connect Power ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Install Ink Cartridges ............................................................................................................................. 9 Install Standard Unwinder .................................................................................................................... 9 Install Printer Driver ............................................................................................................................ 10 Connect USB ........................................................................................................................................ 10

Using the Printer ......................................................................................................................................... 11 Choosing Label Media ............................................................................................................................. 11 Using the Unwinder ................................................................................................................................ 13 Loading Media ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Unloading Media ................................................................................................................................. 14 Home Screen ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Using the Control Panel .......................................................................................................................... 15 Check Ink Levels .................................................................................................................................. 15 Printing Labels ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Help Screen ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Setup Screen ....................................................................................................................................... 15 Printer Preferences ............................................................................................................................. 16 Adjusting Alignment for Printing ........................................................................................................ 17 Selecting Media Size ........................................................................................................................... 18 Creating Custom Media Sizes .............................................................................................................. 19 Selecting Media Type .......................................................................................................................... 19 Change Default Settings in Printer Driver ........................................................................................... 19 Using the Manual Cutter ......................................................................................................................... 20 Canceling a Print ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Out of Paper ............................................................................................................................................ 21 Wrong Media .......................................................................................................................................... 21 End of Roll ............................................................................................................................................... 21 Shutting Down the Printer ...................................................................................................................... 22 Software Tools ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Afinia Toolbox ..................................................................................................................................... 23

Printer Maintenance ................................................................................................................................... 25 Guidelines for Preventative Maintenance .............................................................................................. 25 General dust and debris removal ........................................................................................................ 25 Cutter Maintenance ............................................................................................................................ 25 Media Path Roller Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 26 Sensor Maintenance ........................................................................................................................... 27 Pinch Roller Maintenance ................................................................................................................... 27 Replacing an Ink Cartridge ...................................................................................................................... 28

Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Control Panel LEDs .................................................................................................................................. 29 Poor Print Quality or Incorrect Printout ................................................................................................. 30 Clearing a Media Jam .............................................................................................................................. 32 Technical Support ................................................................................................................................... 33

4 | Setting up the Printer

Chapter 1

Setting up the Printer

In the Box

Afinia L301 Label Printer

Ink Cartridges (Tricolor 26548, Black 26562)

Power Supply and Cord

Parts of the Printer

Standard Unwinder (shown not installed)

Ink Cartridge Access Door

Label Output

Control Panel and Touchpad

Paper Path Release

Unwinder Mounts

6 | Setting up the Printer

The Control Panel

The control panel includes the Power button, the Unload Media button, the two Status LEDs, and the Touch Panel including various controls and functions. For example:

Press Help on the Touch Panel. Press Printer Information to view the printer name, model, serial number, and firmware version.

Press to go back one level, or

Press to return to the Home screen.

Full list of touchpad functions on page 15

Setting up the Printer | 7

Unpacking, Setup, and Installation

Remove Tape and Foam

Lift Printer and foam endcaps from the box

Remove the foam endcaps from the printer and unwinder

Remove the packaging tape from the printer cover (x2), label guide (rear), and cutter (front)

Remove the packaging tape from the unwinder

Connect Power

Connect the Power Supply to the Printer

Press Power button on Control Panel

8 | Setting up the Printer

Rear of Printer, right side

Install Ink Cartridges

Open the Ink Cartridge Access Door

Carriage will move left to expose both cartridges

Remove plastic tape from cartridges using pull tab

Lift the two cartridge latches after the carriage moves to the left

Insert the two cartridges into the carriage

Tricolor: #26548 Black: #26562 Must be Afinia ink cartridges!

Lower the cartridge latches until they click

Close the Ink Cartridge Access Door

Install Standard Unwinder

Connect the Standard Unwinder to the mounts on the rear of the printer using the two supplied thumbscrews.

Unwinder Mounts

Setting up the Printer | 9

Install Printer Driver

Run Setup.exe from the included software CD to install the drivers and the Toolbox.

This should be done before connecting the printer to a PC.

During installation, three windows may appear asking for confirmation before installing drivers. Click Install on each.

You can avoid the last two windows by checking the option to Always trust software from Microboards Technology LLC in the first window.

Connect USB

Install the Print Drivers and Toolbox BEFORE connecting to the computer

Connect the USB to the Printer and computer

Rear of Printer (right side)

10 | Setting up the Printer

Chapter 2

Using the Printer

Choosing Label Media

Ensure that the label media meets the requirements for the printer:

Table 1: Media Specifications

Media Type and Dimensions Inkjet-printable coating required Media type Gloss, semi-gloss, and matte Standard Unwinder: 1.75” to 6” (44.5 mm to 152.4 mm) Label width Powered Unwinder*: 1.75” to 8.5” (44.5 mm to 215.9 mm) Minimum 0.75” (19.1 mm) Label length Maximum 48” (1.016 m) Maximum 0.01” (0.3 mm, including liner) Label thickness Minimum 0.005” (0.13 mm) Media Handling Print mode Roll to cut (manual cutter) Roll to roll Roll Specifications Minimum Maximum Requires 3.0” (76.0 mm) cardboard core

Standard Unwinder: Maximum 6” (152.4 mm) Powered Unwinder: See your unwinder specs

• Powered unwinder is an optional feature and is not included in the Standard package

Figure 1: Media Roll

Coating on the outside

Figure 2: Gap (Transmissive) Media

Minimum 0.125” (3.0 mm)

Maximum 0.3” (8.0 mm)

• With a powered unwinder, maximum is 8.5” (216mm)

Direction of travel through printer as seen from above

Figure 3: Black Mark (Reflective) Media

Minimum 1.75” (44.5 mm)

Maximum 6” (152.4 mm)*

• With a powered unwinder, maximum is 8.5” (216mm)

Direction of travel through printer as seen from below

12 | Using the Printer

Using the Unwinder

Use the Standard Unwinder (included with L301 Label Printer) for rolls of stock that are 6” or less in outer diameter.

For rolls with an outer diameter greater than 6”, you will need to use a powered unwinder (not included).

1. Connect Standard Unwinder to back of the L301 Label Printer using the two supplied thumbscrews.
2. Lift lever to release adjustable core holder.

Thumb screws (1 each side)

3. Slide adjustable core holder away from fixed holder.
4. Place roll onto fixed core holder with end of stock over the top towards the printer, stock tight against holder plate.
5. Slide adjustable core holder so core fits on holder and stock is tight against holder plate.
6. Press lever down to secure adjustable core holder.

Using the Printer | 13

Loading Media

The printer can only be loaded when the green LED is slowly blinking and the red LED is off.

1. Cut a clean leading edge on media being loaded

a. No partially peeled labels

b. No folded edges

2. Slide label guide away from fixed core holder

3. With printer on, feed the stock into input slot

a. Stock should be as far towards the fixed core holder side as possible

4. Once stock is in a few inches, printer will advance the stock

5. When stock starts loading, adjust label guide so it is against edge of stock.

Unloading Media

Cut off printed labels before unloading media. Unload will not occur if a cut is required (red LED on).

Press the Unload button to roll media back to the rear of the printer.

14 | Using the Printer

Using the Control Panel

Home Screen

Go to Help screen

Go to Setup screen

Help Screen

Printer Information: Displays Printer Name, Product Number, Serial Number, Service ID, and Firmware Version

Go to Home screen

Setup Screen

Touch Tools to show options Clean Cartridges: Cleans cartridges Print Quality Report: Prints a page to show if cartridges need cleaning or replacing. Requires 4” or wider labels

Go to Home screen

Check Ink Levels

Displays estimated ink levels for Tri-color Cartridge (left) and Black Cartridge (right)

Go to Home screen

Go to Help screen

Using the Printer | 15

Printing Labels

The printer is ready to print when the Green status LED is solidly lit and the Red status LED is off.

If the red LED is flashing, move the cutter all the way right, then back left.

If the red LED is on, move the cutter all the way to the left.

1. Select the Print command from your application.
2. Select the L301 printer and click the Setup, Properties or similar button.
3. The print settings displayed are the defaults that were set in the printer driver.
4. Change the print settings if needed.

NOTE: Ensure the media settings (e.g. label size, type) match the media loaded in the printer.

5. Print the document.

Any changes to the settings only apply to the current print job. Make the changes in the printer driver to set the default for all print jobs.

Printer Preferences

There are three main tabs in the Printer Preferences

Layout Select Orientation as Portrait or Landscape.

For multi-page documents, print order can be selected using Page Order.

Select Black & White or Color

Select Media size (see page 17)

16 | Using the Printer

Set Top and Left print offsets

Select Units of measurement

Inches Millimeters

Die Cut Black Mark Continuous

Set Continuous Gap Size Adjustment

Adds space between continuous labels

Shifts cutting stop position up or down Increase offset to move stop position down, decrease offset to move stop position up

Adjusting Alignment for Printing

Top Offset: Increase to move image down Decrease to move image up

Left Offset: Increase to move image right Decrease to move image left

Using the Printer | 17

Selecting Media Size

Change the Media Size by going into the Printer Preferences.

1. Click Advanced on the Layout or Paper/Quality tab
2. Select the correct entry from the Paper Size list and click OK

18 | Using the Printer

Creating Custom Media Sizes

From Advanced Options:

Click Manage Custom Sizes and then Properties

2. Check Create a new form
3. Enter the new Form name
4. Enter the Width and Height
5. Click Save Form, then Close

NOTE: The new size will not be available until you close the printer preferences. Open the preferences again to select the new size.

Selecting Media Type

Select the type of media accordingly from the Settings Printer Preferences tab.

Change Default Settings in Printer Driver

Make changes in the printer driver to set the default for all print jobs.

To select the default print settings that will be used for all print jobs:

1. From the Windows Start menu, select Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click the printer and select Printing Preferences.
3. The printing preferences contain three tabs as shown on page 17.
4. Make the changes and click OK to save.

It is recommended that any adjustments needed for individual print jobs be made during printing rather than changing the defaults.

Using the Printer | 19

Using the Manual Cutter

When the print job is complete and the labels have stopped moving, slide the cutter all the way right, then back to the left.

Tip: Change the Cutter Adjustment in the Printer Properties to move the cutting position up or down.

The cutter must be all the way to the left side for labels to print.

The red LED will be on if the cutter is out of position.

Canceling a Print

1. Display reads “Printing…”
2. Press cancel (X)
3. Display reads “Canceling…”
4. Wait for labels to eject and stop

20 | Using the Printer

Out of Paper

The display will give an out of paper message if a print job is sent without media loaded.

It will also be displayed at the end of roll and if the wrong media is loaded after media is unloaded.

1. Insert media into input until it reaches the white load rollers
2. Touch OK to load media to print zone. Print will begin.

To cancel the job, touch Cancel instead of OK.

Wrong Media

If the media loaded in the printer does not match the Media Type selected in the Preferences, the printer may not print. Media mismatches that will result in an error state are:

Continuous loaded, Die Cut or Black Mark selected Die Cut loaded, Black Mark selected Black Mark loaded, Die Cut selected

The green LED will be on and the red LED will be blinking. Media may feed through the printer past the cutter before the error state occurs.

1. Cut required

a. Move manual cutter all the way right, then back left to home position

2. Media will unload after cutting

3. Display will show Out of Paper message

a. Use Out of Paper recovery steps from above

End of Roll

If the media runs out during printing, print will stop and the printer will enter an error state.

The green LED will be slowly blinking; the red LED will be blinking.

1. Cut required

a. Move manual cutter all the way right, then back left to home position

2. Media will unload after cutting

3. Display will show Out of Paper message

a. Use Out of Paper recovery steps from above

Using the Printer | 21

Shutting Down the Printer

To avoid damaging the printer or cartridges, always use the Control Panel power button to shut the printer down.

2. Press Shut Down
3. To cancel, press

• or -

1. Press and HOLD seconds

22 | Using the Printer

Software Tools

Afinia Toolbox

Open the Afinia Toolbox using the desktop icon for printer utilities on the three application tabs.

Several of the utilities require label stock at least 4” wide, preferably continuous stock. If media is not loaded before sending the prints, an Out of Paper state will result (see page 21).

Device Services: Print Quality Diagnostics Page (requires stock) This will print a small pattern to determine the general pen health and if the cartridges need aligning.

Device Services: Align Cartridges (requires stock) Press this button to align the cartridges.

Four lettered rows of alignment grid patterns will be printed then the alignment window will be displayed.

Enter the pattern number that shows the best alignment for each of the four lettered grids.

Click Done in the window and OK on the L301 Touch panel when complete.

Using the Printer | 23

Device Services: Clean Cartridges (requires stock) If the Print Quality Diagnostics Page shows gaps, press this button to clean the cartridges.

When the first cleaning round is complete, the Diagnostics pattern will print again.

Examine the pattern; if the problems are cleared up, press Done.

Click Second-level Clean if gaps in the printed pattern are still visible.

Device Reports: Print Diagnostic Information (requires stock) Click this button to print a grid showing the pen health of each color.

If any lines are missing in any of the colors, the cartridge cleaning should be run.

Estimated Cartridge Levels This tab shows an estimate of the remaining ink in the cartridges.

The tri-color cartridge shows the level of the lowest of the three colors.

24 | Using the Printer

Chapter 3

Printer Maintenance

Guidelines for Preventative Maintenance

Occasional maintenance to remove dust and debris is required for best performance.

Do not substitute where lint-free cloth is called for. Using paper towels or regular cloth could damage the printer.

General dust and debris removal

Tools: Small low-suction hand-held vacuum or compressed air for electronics; tweezers or needle-nose pliers

1. Use a small low-suction hand-held vacuum for dust and debris removal

a. If you do not have a small low-suction hand-held vacuum, use compressed air for electronics to blow as much dust or debris from printer as possible.

2. Use tweezers or needle-nose pliers to gently remove media debris that is not removed by vacuum.

Do not use a high-suction vacuum to avoid damaging the printer.

Cutter Maintenance

Tools: #1 Phillips screwdriver; lint-free cloth; isopropyl alcohol

1. Remove the two screws on the front of cutter handle

2. Remove spring from cutter axle

3. Pull cutter axle and cutting wheel out of cutter

4. Using a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol, clean any adhesive or debris from wheel

a. Note that the axle is not fixed in the wheel and may fall out

5. Using a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol, wipe any adhesive or debris from cutting edge

a. Located below rail cutter rests on

b. Move the position of cutter to clean entire cutting edge

6. Replace wheel in cutter

7. Replace spring on cutting wheel axle

8. Replace the handle

a. Do not over-tighten the two screws

Media Path Roller Maintenance

Tools: Lint-free cloth; rubber roller cleaner (if you do not have rubber roller cleaner, compressed air for electronics)

1. With printer on, unload media and open Cartridge Access door

2. Unscrew Media Path screw on left side and lift upper path plate out of the way

3. Dampen lint-free cloth with cleaner

4. Briefly cover media sensor to start media feed while holding cloth gently over each of the six black rubber rollers

5. Repeat step 4 as needed to clean all six rollers

a. If performing Sensor Maintenance next, skip step 6

6. Lower Media Path plate and re-secure with screw

a. Ensure screw is not cross-threaded before tightening

b. Hand-tighten only

26 | Printer Maintenance

Sensor Maintenance

Tools: Compressed air for electronics

1. Turn off and unplug printer

2. Open Cartridge Access door

3. Unscrew Media Path screw on left side and lift upper path plate out of the way

4. Blow dust or debris from two sensors (circled below in blue)

5. Lower Media Path plate and re-secure with screw

a. Ensure screw is not cross-threaded before tightening

b. Hand-tighten only

6. Close Cartridge Access door

Pinch Roller Maintenance

Tools: Lint-free cloth; isopropyl alcohol

Pinch Roller Release

1. Close Cartridge Access door
2. Turn off and unplug printer
3. Open Cartridge Access door
4. Lift and pull Pinch Roller release lever toward the rear of printer to lift rollers (shown yellow for emphasis) Sensor
5. Clean each pinch roller using lint-free cloth dampened with

alcohol

a. Pinch rollers extend to the left under the cover

6. Push Pinch Roller release lever toward the front of printer to lower rollers

7. Close Cartridge Access door

8. Plug in and turn on printer

Pinch Rollers

Top view, Cartridge Access Door open, Media Path Plate up

Printer Maintenance | 27

Replacing an Ink Cartridge

Only Afinia Tricolor (part #26548) and Black (part #26562) cartridges can be used!

Cartridges should be replaced when a cartridge reports being out of ink or if you are experiencing nozzle health issues that can’t be corrected by running the Clean Cartridges (see page 24).

Open the Ink Cartridge Access Door

Lift the latch over the cartridge that needs replacing after the carriage moves left and stops

Remove the ink cartridge

Remove plastic tape from new cartridge using pull tab

Insert the new cartridge into the carriage

Lower the cartridge latch until it clicks

Close the Ink Cartridge Access Door

Tip: For the best print results, run the Toolbox Cartridge Alignment (see page 23) when you replace either cartridge.

28 | Printer Maintenance

Chapter 4

Troubleshooting

Control Panel LEDs

The LEDs on the control panel indicate a number of printer states:

1. Power cable not plugged in
2. Plugged in, but power button not pressed

Slow Blink Always On Slow Blink Always On

Fast Blink Fast Blink Off Off

Power cable was just plugged in

Printer on, no stock loaded

Printer on, stock loaded (ready)

“Printing…”, “Cancelling…”

“Out of Paper”

Cutter not in Home position (fully left) Printer is paused in this state Incorrect media type; cut required. Perform cut and move cutter to home position. After cut, media will unload. Load correct media and touch OK to print or touch Cancel Cut required. Perform cut and move cutter to home position. After cut, media will unload. Load media and touch OK to print or touch Cancel

Poor Print Quality or Incorrect Printout

Colors not aligned with black

Cartridge alignment needed

Cartridge cleaning needed

Low or poor print quality

Cartridge needs to be replaced

Quality setting too low for your artwork

Ink not drying or smearing

Print not correct size

Cartridge cleaning needed

Wrong label stock selected Wrong media coating

Print settings incorrect

Label and Image not same size

Print not aligned to label

Print alignment is shifting during printing

Label is not moving in straight path

Label not stopping in correct cut position (continued…)

Cutter Offset not correct

Resolution

1. Toolbox : Device Services : Print Quality Diagnostic Page

2. If alignment on the Diagnostics Page is off, run Align Cartridges

1. Toolbox: Device Services : Clean Cartridges

2. Run Second Level Clean if needed

1. Toolbox: Device Report : Print Diagnostic Information

2. If report shows missing lines, Toolbox: Device Services : Clean Cartridges

3. Print Diagnostic Information again; if lines still missing, replace

Printer Preferences : Change Quality setting to Better or Best

1. Toolbox: Device Services : Clean Cartridges

2. Run Second Level Clean if needed Printer Preferences : Check the Media selected before printing Only use media with inkjet-compatible coating

1. Verify label size selected is correct

2. Verify scaling is not set when printing

Resize image or load correct label size

Printer Preferences : Adjust the Top or Left Offsets as needed

1. Verify label stock is inserted correctly
2. Verify adjustable core holder is secure
3. Verify core holders are tight against sides of core
4. Verify Label Guide is in correct position
5. Verify input roll is wound straight Printer Preferences : Adjust the Cutter Offset as needed

Print Problem Length of two labels fed through blank, red LED blinking

Wrong Media Type selected in Settings

No paper in printer when job is sent

Printer stops printing mid-job

Media does not load

Media slipping during printing

Cut required (red LED flashing) Cutter not at home position (red LED on)

Media jam PC disconnect Printer still initializing Media Guide in the way Media sensor dirty or covered Cutter not in Home position (red LED on)

Pinch rollers not down

Resolution Cut and move cutter to left side to trigger an unload. Load correct media type and touch OK, or touch Cancel. Cancel job or load media and touch OK If using Die Cut or Black Mark media, the first label will be left blank Cut and move the cutter all the way to the left

Move the cutter all the way to the left

Cancel job or load media and touch OK If using Die Cut or Black Mark media, the first label will be left blank Clear media jam (see page 32) Verify PC is connected to printer and on

Wait until green LED is flashing slowly

Move the media guide to the left and reload Green LED will be solid if sensor is dirty or covered. Clean sensor (see page 27)

Move the cutter to the Home position (all the way to the left)

Push the Pinch Roller release lever towards the front of the printer to lower the rollers (see page 27)

Clearing a Media Jam

If the media jams, follow these steps to clear the printer.

1. Turn off printer from control panel and unplug
2. If labels are exposed past the output, cut labels
3. Open Cartridge Access door
4. Lift and pull Pinch Roller release lever toward the back of the printer to raise the pinch rollers
5. Release Media Path screw
6. Remove media by gently pulling stock back toward unwinder, then re-secure media screw
7. Push Pinch Roller release lever toward the front of the printer to lower pinch rollers
8. Close Cartridge Access door
9. Plug in power cord and turn on printer

Pinch Roller Release

Technical Support

For technical questions or support issues, contact Afinia Label Technical Support:

Please have the Serial Number of your Afinia Label L301 Label Printer available when contacting Technical Support.

Date of Purchase:

Place Purchased:

Serial Number:

(Located on back of Printer)