Thank you for choosing one of our Zebra
QL Plus Series™ Mobile Printers. These rugged printers will become productive and efficient additions to your workplace thanks to their innovative design.
Because they are made by Zebra Technologies you can
be assured of world-class support for all of your bar code
printers, software, and supplies.
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QL Plus Series Overview
(QL 220 Plus Illustrated)
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QL220 Plus
Media width:
.75 in. to 2.12 in.
(16 to 53.8 mm)
L: 7.52 in. [191.0 mm]*
W: 3.57 in. [90.7 mm]
H: 3.61 in. [91.7 mm]*
*w/ belt clip
QSG-QLP-001 Rev. B
QL 320 Plus
Media width:
1.5 in. to 3.1 in.
(38.1 to 78.4 mm
L: 8.16 in. [207.4 mm]*
W: 4.67 in.[118.7 mm]
H: 3.9 in [100.2 mm]*
*w/ belt clip
QL 420 Plus
Media width:
2 in. to 4.1 in.
(50.8 to 104.1 mm)
L: 8.20 in. [208 mm]*
W: 6.1 in.[154.9 mm]
H: 3.5 in. [89 mm]*
*w/ belt clip
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This document provides an easy reference for operating and
maintaining the QL Plus Series of Mobile Printers.
Complete and current documentation for each model printer
is provided by the QL Plus Series User Guide available on
the Internet at: www.zebra.com/manuals.
Always refer to the Important Safety Information data
sheet shipped with each printer and the Technical
Bulletin shipped with each battery pack. These
documents detail procedures to ensure maximum
reliability and safety while using this printer.
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QL Plus Series
Quick Start Guide
Introduction
© ZIH Corp 2013
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Platen Roller
Bar Sensor
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Media Support
Latch
Latch Release Button
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“D” Ring
Control Panel
QuickLink™ Module
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Printhead
“E-Z Peel” Label Peeler
Media Support Disks
Media Cover
Belt Clip
Kickstand (optional)
RS232 Communications Port
Battery Charging Receptacle
USB Port
Battery
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Rotate the Belt Clip out of
the way of the Battery
Charger Jack
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Batteries are shipped uncharged. Remove protective
shrink-wrap and labels from new battery packs and
allow them to charge completely prior to initial use.
Do not charge the battery while using the printer!
Charge the battery pack when removed from the
Printer for best results.
QL 420 Battery
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Battery
Pack
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QL Plus Series
Quick Start Guide
Install the Battery
Charge the Battery
LI72 Single Battery
Charger
Using the LI72 Single Charger
Insert the plug from the charger cable into the battery
pack’s charger jack. Plug the charger into the A.C. outlet.
The light on the front of the charger will indicate the battery pack’s charge status.
Consult the QL Plus User’s Guide available at
www.zebra.com/manuals for complete information on using the various versions of the Model LI72 Single Charger.
Rotate the Belt Clip out of
the way of the Battery
QL 220/ 320 Battery
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Open the Media Compartment
Pull Media Supports apart where
shown.
Latch flips
open
Media Roll
Note direction media
pulls off the roll.
Pull Media out of
Printer
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Press Latch Button
Close Media
Cover
Flip Peeler Bar into position if you will be peeling labels as you print.
Open the QL 220 & 420
Close Latch
Assembly
Open the Media Compartment
Load the Media Roll
Close the Cover
(common for all models)
(common for all models)
Latch flips
open
Rotate Latch Levers
(both sides
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QL Plus Series
Quick Start Guide
Load the Media
Open the QL 320
Section Continues
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Connect The Printer With a Cable
You can connect your printer to a terminal or a PC using either RS232C or USB protocols. Refer to the Label
Vista™ application available on the QL product CD or at
www.zebra.com/software for help on setting up communications with your printer.
Terminal
Communications
Port
Connect the Printer by Infrared (IR) or Radio
If your QL Plus printer has the optional IR module, you can make
wireless line-of-sight connections to other IR equipped devices using the standard IrDA protocol.
If your QL Plus printer has a radio option, you can connect wirelessly to either a terminal or a wireless network (WLAN.) Refer to
the Mobile Printer Wireless Configuration Guide available on the
product CD or at www.zebra.com/manuals for help on setting up
wireless communications with your printer.
RS232C or USB
Communications Cable to
Terminal
Refer to Appendix A in the QL Plus
User Guide for part numbers.
Terminal with wireless
communications ability
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QL Plus printer with
Wireless option
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Cable Communications with a Terminal.
RS-232C or USB Communications
Cable to Computer
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Refer to Appendix A in the User Guide
for part numbers.
RS232
Connector
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QL Plus Series
Quick Start Guide
Connect the Printer
USB
Connector
Cable Communications with a P.C.
If you are using a USB cable to connect to a PC you
may need to install the Zebra Universal Driver available
at: www.zebra.com/drivers.
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Standard Keypad
Refer to the QL Plus User’s Guide for complete information.
Yellow LED
Steadily lit indicates printer is
out of media or media cover
not closed.
Fast Blink indicates Radio
activity on printers equipped
with a Radio.
Fast blink with beeper indicates no application is loaded.
Steady Light indicates power on
and/or established Radio link.
Fast Blink indicates no Radio link
Slow Blink means low battery.
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Green LED
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Power Button
Press to turn unit
on. Press again to
turn unit off
Feed Button
Function Button
Press to advance a blank label or a predetermined
length of journal media.
Used for special functions set
by your printer’s application.
Optional LCD Keypad
Refer to the QL Plus User Guide for complete information.
Printer Status Icons
Refer to the Troubleshooting section for
more information on the status icons.
Feed Button
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Press to advance a blank
label or a predetermined
length of journal media.
Power Button
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Quick Start Guide
Printer Controls
Press to turn unit on. Press
again to turn unit off.
Scroll Button
Press to scroll through
the menu choices on
the display.
Refer to the QL Plus
User Guide for more
complete information.
Select Button
Press to select a menu
choice on the display.
Section Continues
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Caution • To avoid possible personal injury or damage to the printer never insert sharp or
pointed objects into the printer mechanism.
Peeler Rollers
Label Presence Sensor
Tear Bar
Printhead
Elements
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Gap Sensor
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Media Rollers (QL 420 Plus only)
Avoid using alcohol on linerless
media roller surfaces
Support Disks, Inner
surfaces on both sides.
Linerless units only.
Bar Sensor
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Platen Surface
Avoid using alcohol on
linerless platen surface
Peeler Bar
Platen Surface
Support Disks, Inner
surfaces on both sides.
Avoid using alcohol on
linerless platen surface
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Linerless units only
Peeler Bar or Scraper
Linerless Platens only
Area
Scraper
QL220 Plus (shown)
& QL 320 Plus
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QL420 Plus
Bearing Points
Linerless units only
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QL Plus Series
Quick Start Guide
Cleaning the Printers
Linerless units
Cleaning Method
Use a Zebra cleaning pen to clean the print
elements from end to end (the print elements
are located in the thin gray line on the
printhead).
Platen Surface
Rotatetheplatenrollerandcleanitthoroughlywiththe
cleaning pen.
Linerless Platen
Units with linerless platens: Rotate platen & clean
Surface
bearing points only. Avoid use of alcohol on the
surface of linerless platens!
Peel bar
Clean thoroughly with the cleaning pen.
Scraper (Linerless Clean thoroughly with the cleaning pen.
units only)
Interval
Printhead
Tear bar
Exterior
Interior
After every five rolls of media (or more often, if
needed) Linerlessmediarequiresmorefrequent
cleaning
As needed
After every five rolls of media (or more often, if
needed)
Clean thoroughly with the cleaning pen.
Wipe with water-dampened cloth
As needed
Brush/air blow. Ensure the Bar Sensor, Gap Sensor and
Label Present Sensor windows are free of dust.
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LCD Control Panel
The top of the display shows icons indicating various printer functions. Check the icon’s status and refer to the referenced Troubleshooting topic on the following pages.
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Troubleshooting
Status
Indication
On
Bluetooth Link established
Ref. to Topic #
on next page
n/a
Off
No Bluetooth Link
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On
Bluetooth link established
n/a
Off
No Bluetooth link
5
Flashing
Transmitting/Receiving data
n/a
On
802.11x RF Link established
n/a
Off
No 802.11x RF Link
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Flashing
Low Battery
3, 5, 6,
Flashing
Head latch not closed
9, 11
Flashing
Indicates Printing activity
n/a
Steady
Data processing in process
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Flashing
Out of Media
9,11
Blank Screen
n/a
No application
QL series printers may be built with one of two LCD types. LCDs using the Bluetooth icon (highlighted by a gray background in the table
above) will gradually replace LCDs with the “light bulb” icon indicating Bluetooth activity. Printers with either type of display will function
identically.
Standard Control Panel
Refer below to find the state of the two LEDs on the Control Panel. Then refer to the referenced Troubleshooting topic on the following
pages.
Green LED Status
Steady
Off
Fast Blink
Slow Blink
Steady
Steady
Steady
Yellow LED Status
Off
Off
Off
Off
Steady
Fast Blink
Fast Blink, Beeper
Indication
Normal Operation and/or RF Link established
Power Off
No RF Link
Low Battery
Out of media, or Media Cover not closed
Normal RF activity
No application
Ref. to Topic #
n/a
1
5, 10
3, 5, 6
8, 10
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1. No power:
• Check that battery is installed properly.
• Recharge or replace battery as necessary.
2. Media does not feed:
• Be sure printhead is closed and latched.
• Check media support components for any binding.
• If unit is equipped with label presence sensor, ensure the most recently printed label is removed.
• Ensure label sensor is not blocked.
3. Poor or faded print or
icon flashing:
• Clean printhead.
• Check battery. Recharge or replace as necessary.
Always dispose of batteries properly. Refer to Appendix E of the QL Plus User Guide for more information.
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• Check quality of media.
4. Partial/missing print:
• Check media alignment.
• Clean printhead.
• Ensure printhead is properly closed and latched.
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5. No print:
• Replace battery.
• Check cable to terminal.
• Wireless units only: Restore wireless connection.
6. Reduced battery life:
• Check battery date code. If battery is one to two years old, short life may be due to normal aging.
• Replace battery.
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7. Yellow error light or
icon flashing:
• Units without a wireless option: No application loaded or application corrupted; program must be reloaded.
• Wireless units only: flashing error light or icon indicates data transmission.
8. Yellow error light always on,
or
flashing:
• Check that media is loaded and that printhead is closed and securely latched.
9. Skips labels:
• Ensure correct media is being used.
• Ensure bar/ or gap sensor is not blocked.
10. Communication Error:
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QL Plus Series
Quick Start Guide
Troubleshooting Topics
• Check media is loaded, head is closed and error light is off.
• Replace cable to terminal.
Section Continues
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• Open head release latch and media cover.
• Generously apply alcohol using either a Zebra cleaning pen or an alcohol-saturated cotton swab to the area of jammed label.
Caution- Never use sharp or pointed objects when attempting to remove a label jam.
12. Blank LCD Screen:
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• No application loaded or application corrupted: program must be reloaded.
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Quick Start Guide
11. Label Jam:
9
The UCLI72-4 Quad Charger is designed to charge up to four QL
series battery packs simultaneously.
Plug a battery pack into any one of the four charging bays as
shown opposite, noting the orientation of the battery pack. Slide
the battery pack into the charging bay until it stops. Then rock the
battery pack back until it snaps into place. The amber indicator directly under the battery being charged will turn on if the battery is
properly inserted.
The indicators under the battery will allow you to monitor the
charging process per the table below:
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LI72-4 Quad Charger
1. Slide Battery Pack
into a Charger bay
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Power Supply
Amber
On
2. Rock Battery
Pack into place
On
Off
Fast
Faul
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Full
Char
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Flashing
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Read
Fast
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Char
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Full
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Fast
Amber
Indicator
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Green
Indicator
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Green
Off
Battery Status
Charging
80% charged
Flashing
(O.K. to use)
Completely
On
Charged
Off
Fault
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Faul
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Char
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Full
Char
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Read
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Fast
Faul
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Quick Start Guide
Accessories
Char
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Full
Char
ge
Read
Charger Bay
Pow
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Power Indicator
Notes: For more information refer to the instructions included
with the LI72-4 Quad Charger, or to the more detailed discussion
of the quad charger in the QL Plus User Guide.
The UCLI72-4 Quad Charger has a safety feature which stops
charging a battery after six hours regardless of its charge state.
Belt Clip (standard on all printers)
To use: hook the clip over your belt,
and ensure that the clip is securely
attached to the belt. The belt clip
will pivot in all directions to allow
you to move freely while wearing the
printer.
Clip printer to
belt
Printer can pivot
freely
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Hold Buckle
Pull Strap here to
lengthen
Rotate Kickstand until it locks
into position
Snap in to “D”
rings on printer
Desk Stand
Refer to the figure opposite. To use the Desk
Stand: Slide the printer onto the Desk Stand as
shown. The printer’s belt clip will hook onto the
Desk Stand and retain it in place. Ensure that
the clip is securely attached to the Stand and
the media compartment of the printer is seated securely in the stand.
Holes are provided to secure the Desk
Stand to the work surface. The charger
and data I/O cables may be plugged into
the printer in the usual manner.
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Pull Strap here
to shorten
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QL Plus Series
Quick Start Guide
Kick Stand
Refer to the figure below. The Kickstand option allows users to use the
printer on a desktop. To use the optional Kickstand: Flip the Kickstand on
the back of the printer open until it locks in place. The printer will now sit at
an angle on a desktop.
Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Refer to figure above. Snap each end of the shoulder strap
into the “D” rings in the top of the printer. Hold the buckle
and adjust the strap as shown until you achieve the desired
length.
Hook Belt Clip
over the Stand
Do not charge the battery while
printing.
Printer’s Media
Compartment sits in cutout
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For product support, and the latest versions of all customer documentation, contact Zebra Technologies at:
www.zebra.com
Refer to Appendix D in the QL Plus Series User Guide for more detailed contact information
IN THE AMERICAS CONTACT:
Zebra Technologies Corporation
475 Half Day Road, Suite 500
Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069 USA
Phone: +1.847.634.6700 or +1.800.423. 0422
Fax: +1.847.913.8766
IN EUROPE, AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, AND INDIA CONTACT:
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Zebra Technologies Europe Limited
Dukes Meadow
Millboard Road
Bourne End
Buckinghamshire SL8 5XF, UK
T: +44 (0)1628 556000
F: +44 (0)1628 556001
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IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION CONTACT:
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QL Plus Series
Quick Start Guide
Product Support
Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific, LLC
71 Robinson Road #05-02/03
Singapore 068895
T: +65-6858 0722
F: +65-6885 0838
Zebra Technologies Corporation
475 Half Day Road, Suite 500
Lincolnshire, IL 60069 USA
T: +1 847.634.6700 or +1 800.423.0442
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