Brother P-touch 1250 label printer User guide

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INTRODUCTION

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USER’S GUIDE

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European Development

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EN 61000-3-3 1995

EN 61000-3-2 1995

EN 55022 1998 Class B

EN 55024 1998 declare that the Labelling System PT -1250 conf e documents:

Manchester M34 5JE

Declaration of Conf

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Brother International Europe Ltd.

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GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have the

mark.

• Tapes are available in three different widths: 6 mm, 9 mm and 12 mm.

• Do not pull the tape since this may damage the tape cassettes.

• Do not attempt to cut the tape while printing or feeding since this will damage the tape.

• Do not clean the machine with alcohol or other organic solvents. Use only a soft, dry cloth.

• Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adapter if you do not intend to use the machine for an extended period of time.

Note: If power is disconnected for more than three minutes, all text shown in the display and any text files stored in the memory will be lost.

• Do not put any foreign objects into or anything on the machine.

• Do not expose the machine to high temperatures or high humidity. Never leave it on the dashboard or in the back of your car.

• Do not use the machine in dusty places, and keep it out of both direct sunlight and rain.

• Do not leave any rubber or vinyl on the machine for an extended period of time.

Doing so may cause staining.

• After inserting a new tape cassette, advance the tape by holding down and pressing once.

• Do not touch the print head mechanism. If the head is touched, clean it immediately with a soft wipe (e.g., a cotton swab) to avoid permanent damage.

• To avoid injuries, do not touch the cutter’s edge.

• Use only the AC adapter designed exclusively for this machine. Use of any other adapter will void the warranty.

Please contact your Brother dealer for details.

POWER SUPPLY

Batteries

Since this machine is compact and portable, it can be used anywhere by installing six

AAA alkaline batteries (LR03). When changing the batteries, always replace all six at the same time.

1 Press in on the rough area at the top end of the machine and fold open the back cover.

2 If batteries are already installed, remove the tape cassette (if one is installed) by pulling it straight out, and then remove the batteries.

3 Insert the batteries into the battery compartment with the positive end of the bottom three batteries pointing toward the top end of the machine, and the positive end of the top three batteries pointing in the opposite direction.

Note: When replacing the batteries, insert the new ones within three minutes of removing the old ones, otherwise all text shown in the display and any text files stored in the memory will be lost (unless the machine is plugged into an outlet with the AC adapter).

4 Securely close the back cover, making sure that it snaps into place.

Optional AC adapter

The AC adapter allows you to use this machine wherever an electrical outlet is available.

1 Insert the plug on the adapter cord into the adapter jack on the bottom end of the machine.

2 Insert the plug into the nearest standard electrical outlet.

OVERVIEW

Display

Delete key

Return key

Caps key

Num key On/off key

Batteries

Function dial

Tape cassette

Tape cutter lever

Back cover

Print head

Tape exit slot

TAPE CASSETTES

A TZ tape cassette is supplied with this unit. The Brother TZ tapes used with this machine are available in a variety of colours and three tape widths (6 mm, 9 mm and 12 mm).

1 Press in on the rough area at the top end of the machine and fold open the back cover.

2 If a tape cassette is already installed, remove it by pulling it straight up.

3 If the ink ribbon in the other tape cassette is loose, use your finger to wind the toothed wheel in the direction of the arrow on the cassette until there is no slack in the ribbon. Also, make sure that the end of the tape feeds under the tape guides.

Note: If you are using a new tape cassette provided with a stopper, be sure to remove the stopper.

4 Insert the tape cassette firmly into the compartment, making sure that the entire back of the cassette contacts the bottom of the compartment.

Note: When inserting a tape cassette, make sure that the inner ribbon does not catch on the corner of the metal guide.

5 Securely close the back cover, making sure that it snaps into place.

6 Feed the tape by holding down and pressing then push in the tape cutter lever to cut the tape.

once, and

STARTING

Press . If batteries have been installed or the machine has been plugged in using the optional AC adapter, the previous session’s information is displayed when the machine is turned on. This feature allows you to stop work on a label and turn off the machine, then return to it later without having to re-enter the text.

The machine automatically turns off if no key is pressed within five minutes. The current session’s information is stored in the machine’s internal memory and displayed when the machine is later turned on again.

CODE KEY

By holding down and pressing a key with a function, character or accent written in yellow above it, you can use the corresponding function or add the corresponding character to your text.

CAPS KEY

By pressing to enter Caps mode, you can add upper-case letters to your text by simply pressing the character keys. When this mode is on, the Caps indicator in the topleft corner of the display comes on. To exit Caps mode, press indicator goes off.

until the Caps

NUM KEY

By pressing to enter Num mode, you can add numbers to your text by simply pressing the corresponding keys. When this mode is on, the Num indicator in the bottomleft corner of the display comes on. To exit Num mode, press until the Num indicator goes off.

DISPLAY

This machine’s LCD shows one row of 8 characters; however, the text that you enter can be up to 55 characters in length. The 8-character display is like a window which moves across the text.

1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345

CURSOR MOVEMENT

You can view and edit different parts of the text by moving the cursor backward and forward.

● To move the cursor one character at a time, press or .

● To move the cursor to the beginning of the text, hold down and press .

● To move the cursor to the end of the text, hold down and press .

DELETE KEY

This key can be used to remove characters from your text, clear all of the text or cancel functions.

● To delete the character to the left of the cursor or to cancel a function (instead of pressing ), press .

● To clear all of the text that is currently entered, hold down and press .

SPACE KEY

As on a word processor, press to add a blank space to your text.

RETURN KEY

Press second.

when you wish to select a setting, or end the first line of text and start the

● To add a second line, press once. The return mark ( ) appears in the text to indicate the end of the first line and the beginning of the second.

Note: Two lines of text can only be entered if 9- or 12-mm-wide tape is installed.

● To select an item from a list, press once.

COMPOSITE CHARACTERS

You can add composite characters, which consist of a letter and a diacritical mark ( `, ´, ¨,

ˆ, and ˜).

Diacritical mark Letters which can be combined

ˆ

¨

˜

´

` A E I O U a e i o u

A E I O U a e i o u

A E I O U a e i o u y

A E I O U a e i o u

A N O a n o

1 Hold down and press the key of the diacritical mark that you want to enter.

2 Press if you want the accented character to be an uppercase letter.

3 Press the key of the letter that you wish to combine with the diacritical mark. The letter and diacritical mark are added to the text.

ACCENTED CHARACTERS

You can also choose from a list of other accented characters that can be added to your text.

Letter

N

O

U

E

I

A

C

Ñ

Ö

Ü

Ë

Ï

Ä

Ç

Ó

Ú

É

Í

Á

Accented character

À Â Ã Å

Ò

Ù

È

Ì

Ô

Û

Ê

Î

Õ Ø

Æ

Œ

Letter u y n o e i a c

ü

ÿ

ñ

ö

ë

ï

ä

ç

ó

ú

é

í

á

Accented character

à â ã å

ò

ù

è

ì

ô

û

ê

î

õ ø

æ

œ

1 Press if you want the accented character to be an uppercase letter.

Note: To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press

2 Press . The message “A-Y?” appears in the display.

3 Turn the Function dial until the cursor is positioned under the desired accented character.

OR

Press the key for the letter in the accented character that you wish to add, and then press and until the cursor is positioned under the desired accented character.

4 Press the Function dial (or ) to add the selected character to your text.

.

SYMBOLS

In addition to the letters, symbols, and numerals on and above the keys, there are 75 symbols available with the Symbol function. These symbols are divided into 10 groups, corresponding to the letters A through J.

Group

G

H

E

F

I

C

D

A

B

:

ª

← ij

+

<

;

º

→

°

±

>

÷

”

D

↑

%

Symbols

×

=

&

·

#

↓

★

$

\

?

§

£

[

¿

µ

DM

¡

]

ß

Fr

J

Note:

• The use of certain symbols may be governed by local, national or European regulation. Therefore, check that any symbol printed conforms to these regulations before it is used.

• To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until SYMBOL is displayed, and then press the Function dial

(or ). The message “A-J?” appears in the display.

2 Turn the Function dial until the cursor is positioned under the desired symbol.

OR

Press the key for the letter of the group containing the symbol that you wish to add, and then press and

3 Press the Function dial (or

until the cursor is positioned under the desired symbol.

) to add the symbol to the text.

SIZE

The characters in the text can be set to one of five different sizes in addition to AUTO, which automatically adjusts the characters to the largest possible size according to the width of the installed tape. The currently selected size setting is shown by the indicators at the top of the display. In addition, all of the indicators light up when the AUTO setting is selected.

SIZE1 (A: standard size) SIZE2 (A: double width) SIZE3 ( A : double height)

SIZE4 (

A

: double width & double height) SIZE5 (

A

: 4

×

width & double height)

Note:

• If there are two lines of text, they are printed with the SIZE1 setting applied, regardless of the selected size setting.

• To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until SIZE is displayed, and then press the Function dial (or

). The current size setting appears in the display.

2 Turn the Function dial (or press displayed.

3 Press the Function dial (or

and ) until the desired size setting is

) to apply the selected size setting to the text.

TAPE MARGIN

This function can be used to leave equal margins of 4 mm (#), 12 mm (##) or 24 mm

(###) on both sides of the text. Using the – tape margin setting, multiple formats can be printed, one after the other without feeding the tape, onto a single label.

Note: To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until TAPE is displayed, and then press the Function dial (or

). The current tape margin setting appears in the display.

2 Turn the Function dial (or press is displayed.

3 Press the Function dial (or text.

Note:

and ) until the desired tape margin setting

) to apply the selected tape margin setting to the

• After printing with the – tape margin setting, hold down and press once to feed the tape before pushing in the tape cutter lever to cut it, otherwise some of the printed characters may be cut off.

• After printing with the # or ## tape margin setting, push in the tape cutter lever to cut off the label, and then use scissors to cut along the printed dots (:) and centre the text within the label.

STYLE

You can also use one of nine different print styles for the characters in your label. If a setting other than NORMAL is selected, the Style indicator at the bottom of the display lights up.

NORMAL OUTLINE BOLD

SHADOW

I+BOLD (italic + bold)

ITALIC I+OUTL (italic + outline)

I+SHADOW (italic + shadow) VERTICAL

PRINTING & CUTTING

After you have entered the text and chosen the desired format settings, you are ready to print the label.

● To print the label, press . The message “PRINT” is displayed while the label is being printed, and the label comes out of the tape exit slot at the top end of the machine.

● To feed out 25 mm of tape (for example, after printing using the – tape margin setting), hold down and press once. The message “FEED” is displayed while the tape is fed out.

● To cut off the label, push in the tape cutter lever in the top-right corner of the machine.

Note:

• In order to prevent damage to the tape, do not try to cut it while the messages

“PRINT” or “FEED” are displayed.

• After printing with the # or ## tape margin setting, push in the tape cutter lever to cut off the label, and then use scissors to cut along the printed dots (:) and centre the text within the label.

Note:

• If there are two lines of text, they are printed in the NORMAL style, regardless of the selected style setting.

• To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press

1 Turn the Function dial until STYLE is displayed, and then press the Function dial

(or ). The current style setting appears in the display.

.

2 Turn the Function dial (or press displayed.

3 Press the Function dial (or

and ) until the desired style setting is

) to apply the selected style setting to the text.

UNDERLINE/FRAME

This option allows you to emphasize or decorate your entire text by framing or underlining it. If any setting other than OFF is selected, the

ABC / ABC

indicator at the bottom of the display lights up.

OFF (no underline or frame) ROUND BANNER

WOODEN VINE UNDL (underline)

REPEAT PRINTING

This function allows you to print up to nine copies of the same label.

Note: To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until REPEAT is displayed, and then press the Function dial

(or ). The message “1-9?” appears in the display.

2 Turn the Function dial (or press and ) until the number of labels that you want to print appears on the right side of the display.

OR

Press the key (1-9) corresponding to the number of labels that you want to print.

3 Press the Function dial (or or ) to print the labels.

Note:

• After printing with the – tape margin setting, hold down and press once to feed the tape before pushing in the tape cutter lever to cut it.

• After printing with the #, ## or ### tape margin setting, push in the tape cutter lever to cut off the tape, and then use scissors to cut along the printed dots (:) and separate the labels.

Note:

• The underline or frame is not printed if the VERTICAL style setting is used.

• To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until UNDL/FRM is displayed, and then press the Function dial (or ). The current underline/frame setting appears in the display.

2 Turn the Function dial (or press setting is displayed.

3 Press the Function dial (or text.

and ) until the desired underline/frame

) to apply the selected underline/frame setting to the

MIRROR PRINTING

This function prints your label so that the text can be read from the adhesive side of the tape. If mirror-printed labels are attached to glass or some other transparent material, they can be read correctly from the opposite side.

Note:

• With this function, the text must be printed on transparent tape.

• To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until MIRROR is displayed, and then press the Function dial

(or ). The current mirror printing setting appears in the display.

2 Turn the Function dial (or press setting is displayed.

3 Press the Function dial (or text.

and ) until the desired mirror printing

) to apply the selected mirror printing setting to the

NUMBERING

This function can be used to print many copies of the same text while increasing a selected number by 1 after each label is printed, for example, when printing labels containing a serial number (for example, 0123, 0124, and 0125).

Note: To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Position the cursor below the number that you wish to increase.

2 Turn the Function dial until NUMBER is displayed, and then press the Function dial

(or ). The message “1-9?” appears in the display.

3 Turn the Function dial (or press and ) until the last number that you want to print appears on the right side of the display.

OR

Press the key (1-9) corresponding to the last number that you want to print.

Note: The last number that will be printed must be larger than the number selected in the text, otherwise the message “ERROR” will appear when you try to print.

4 Press the Function dial (or or ) to print the labels.

Note:

• After printing with the – tape margin setting, hold down and press once to feed the tape before pushing in the tape cutter lever to cut it.

• After printing with the #, ## or ### tape margin setting, push in the tape cutter lever to cut off the tape, and then use scissors to cut along the printed dots (:) and separate the labels.

MEMORY

You can use the memory to store your most frequently used text. The text file remains in the memory, even after all characters are removed from the display by holding down and pressing . Later, the text can easily be reused by recalling it from the memory.

The machine’s memory can store up to 300 characters, which can be divided into as many as nine text files. The maximum capacity for a single text file is 55 characters.

STORING TEXT

Note: To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until MEMORY is displayed, and then press the Function dial

(or press ).

2 Turn the Function dial (or press press the Function dial (or

and ) until STORE is displayed, and then

). The message “1-9?” appears in the display.

3 Turn the Function dial (or press and ) until the file number where you want to store the text is displayed.

OR

Press the key (1-9) corresponding to the file number where you want to store the text.

4 Press the Function dial (or display reappears.

) to store the text. The text previously shown in the

Note:

• If the file number you selected already contains text, the message “ERROR” appears. Press the Function dial (or number.

), and then select a different file

• If nine text files are already stored, the message “ERROR” appears. Press the

Function dial (or ), and then delete one of the stored text files before trying to store the current text.

• If 300 characters are already stored, the message “FULL” appears. Press the

Function dial (or ), and then delete one of the stored text files before trying to store the current text.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Problem

1. The display stays blank after you have turned on the machine.

2. The machine does not print, or the printed characters are blurred.

3. The printed characters are not formed properly.

4. Striped tape appears.

5. The memory has cleared on its own.

6. A blank horizontal line appears through the printed label.

7. The machine has “locked up” (i.e., nothing happens when a key is pressed, even though the machine is on).

RECALLING TEXT

Note: To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until MEMORY is displayed, and then press the Function dial

(or press ).

2 Turn the Function dial (or press then press the Function dial (or

and ) until RECALL is displayed, and

). The message “1-9?” appears in the display.

3 Turn the Function dial (or press and ) until the text file that you want to recall is displayed.

OR

Press the key (1-9) corresponding to the file number of the text that you want to recall.

4 Press the Function dial (or ) to clear the display and recall the selected text.

DELETING A TEXT FILE

Note: To quit the following procedure at any time without making any changes, press .

1 Turn the Function dial until MEMORY is displayed, and then press the Function dial

(or press ).

2 Turn the Function dial (or press then press the Function dial (or

and ) until DELETE is displayed, and

). The message “1-9?” appears in the display.

3 Turn the Function dial (or press and ) until the text file that you want to delete is displayed.

OR

Press the key (1-9) corresponding to the file number of the text that you want to delete.

4 Press the Function dial (or ) to delete the selected text file.

ERROR MESSAGE LIST

ERROR

BATTERY

B A T T E R Y

FULL

Solution

• Check that the batteries are correctly inserted.

• If the batteries are weak, replace them.

• Check that the adapter is correctly connected.

• Check that the tape cassette has been inserted correctly.

• If the tape cassette is empty, replace it.

• Check that the character size is appropriate for the width of the tape that is used.

• If the batteries are weak, replace them.

• The tape cassette is empty. Replace it.

• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.

• There may be some dust on the print head. Remove the tape cassette and use a dry cotton swab to gently wipe the print head with an up-and-down motion. Try printing again, and if dust still remains, dip the cotton swab in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and gently wipe the print head again.

• Turn off the machine, and then while holding down and , press

to turn the machine back on.

Finally, release and .

Note: The text and formats in the display and all text files stored in the memory are erased.

An error occurred.

The batteries are weak.

The batteries are empty.

The maximum number of characters (55 characters) have already been entered or the memory is full.

SPECIFICATIONS

Keyboard:

Print speed:

Character size:

Character font:

Print tape:

LCD:

Power supply:

Dimensions:

Weight:

Buffer size:

Memory size:

41 keys and 1 dial

10 mm/sec.

Standard size

Double width

Double height

Double width & double height

4

× width & double height

HELSINKI

Pressure-sensitive adhesive-based (TZ tape only)

8 meters long

Three widths available:

12 mm

9 mm

6 mm

7

×

5 dots 1 line

×

8 characters

Six AAA size alkaline batteries (LR03) or optional AC adapter

(7V, 1.2A)

Auto-power off

154 mm (W)

×

129 mm (D)

×

64 mm (H)

400 g (without batteries and tape cassette)

55 characters

300 characters maximum, 9 text files