Zebra ZT411 ribbon wrinkles or tears: causes and fixes
A wrinkled ribbon shows up as creases in the used ribbon, fine diagonal grey lines on blank parts of the label, or long tracks with no print. A torn or melted ribbon is the same problem with too much heat. On the ZT411 the fix is almost always in the loading, the heat settings or the printhead pressure.
Note
The ZT411 user guide does not describe a ribbon tension setting you can adjust. Do not look for one: work through the fixes below instead.
Find your symptom
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Creases across the ribbon, diagonal grey lines on labels | Ribbon loaded wrongly | Fix 1 → |
| Wrinkles with very dark print, or ribbon tears or melts | Burn temperature too high | Fix 2 → |
| Wrinkles on one side, long tracks with no print | Wrong or uneven printhead pressure | Fix 3 → |
| Labels walk from side to side | Media guide out of position | Fix 4 → |
| Ribbon breaks, little or no ink on the label | Ribbon coated on the wrong side | Fix 5 → |
| Ribbon narrower than the labels | Printhead runs on bare label edges | Fix 6 → |
Fixes
1. Ribbon loaded wronglyMost common cause
CauseThe roll is not fully on the supply spindle, the ribbon does not run straight under the printhead, or it was not tightened on the take-up spindle.
Fix
- Let the printhead cool, open the media door and lift the printhead-open lever.
- Push the ribbon roll as far back on the supply spindle as it goes, with the loose end unrolling as shown in the printer.
- Run the ribbon under the printhead assembly and around its left side, keeping it as far back as it will go.
- Wrap it around the take-up spindle and turn the spindle several times to tighten and line it up.
- Lower the lever until it locks, close the door and press PAUSE.
Tip
Remove used ribbon at every roll change. Cut it before the take-up spindle, never on the spindle, then turn the ribbon release knob to the left and slide the used ribbon off.
Video: Zebra Technologies
2. Too much heat: wrinkles, tears or meltingDarkness and speed
CauseThe burn temperature does not suit the ribbon. When darkness is too high, the ribbon can soften, wrinkle or burn through, and the printhead wears faster.
Fix
- Lower Print › Print Quality › Darkness a step at a time until the print is still solid but the ribbon runs clean.
- If needed, adjust Print › Print Quality › Print Speed as well.
- Check that your label software and the Windows driver do not send a higher darkness with each job.
- After a melted ribbon, clean the printhead and platen roller thoroughly.
Our faded print guide explains darkness, the Print Quality Assistance wizard and cleaning in detail.
3. Wrong or uneven printhead pressurePressure dials
CauseThe ZT411 has two printhead pressure dials, inside and outside, each with positions 1 to 4. If one side presses harder than the other, the ribbon is pulled unevenly and creases.
Fix
- Set both dials to the starting positions for your label width.
- Print a few labels and adjust one position at a time.
- Keep the lowest pressure that still prints well.
| Label width | Inside dial | Outside dial |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mm (1 in) | 4 | 1 |
| 51 mm (2 in) | 3 | 1 |
| 76 mm (3 in) | 2.5 | 1.5 |
| 89 mm (3.5 in) or wider | 2 | 2 |
| What you see | Change |
|---|---|
| Print too light overall | Raise both dials one position |
| Left side too light | Raise the inside dial one position |
| Right side too light | Raise the outside dial one position |
| Labels drift to the left | Raise the outside dial or lower the inside dial one position |
| Labels drift to the right | Raise the inside dial or lower the outside dial one position |
Video: Zebra Technologies
4. Labels walk from side to sideMedia guide
CauseThe media guide is not against the edge of the labels, so the labels drift and drag the ribbon with them.
Fix
- Slide the media guide in until it just touches the edge of the labels.
- If the labels still drift, adjust the pressure dials: raise the outside dial if they move left, or the inside dial if they move right (see Fix 3).
- If the problem continues, the printhead or platen may be fitted incorrectly. Contact us for service.
5. Ribbon coated on the wrong sideRibbon breaks or does not print
CauseThe standard ZT411 uses ribbon coated on the outside of the roll. Ribbon coated on the inside does not transfer ink and can break.
Fix
- Press the sticky side of a label onto the outside of the roll and peel it off. Ink on the label means the outside is coated and the ribbon fits.
- No ink? Try the inside. You can also lay a short length on paper, outer side down, and scratch the back: a mark on the paper means the outside is coated.
- Replace inside-coated ribbon with outside-coated ribbon. If you need to use inside-coated ribbon, ask us about Zebra's optional ribbon spindle for it.
6. Ribbon narrower than the labelsRibbon width
CauseWhere the ribbon does not cover the label, the printhead runs on bare label material and wears faster.
Fix
- Use ribbon at least as wide as the label liner, ideally slightly wider.
- The ZT411 takes ribbon 51 to 110 mm wide, up to 450 m long, on a 25 mm (1 in) core with a maximum roll diameter of 81.3 mm.
Frequently asked questions
Can I adjust ribbon tension on the Zebra ZT411?
The ZT411 user guide does not describe a ribbon tension setting. Fix wrinkles with correct loading, lower darkness or speed, and balanced printhead pressure.
Why does my ribbon wrinkle only on one side?
Usually the printhead pressure is uneven or the labels drift. Set the media guide against the label edge, then balance the inside and outside pressure dials.
What causes diagonal grey lines on blank labels?
Fine, angled grey lines are a typical sign of a wrinkled ribbon. Reload the ribbon and check darkness and pressure.
Which side of the ribbon should face out on the ZT411?
The coated (ink) side faces out on the standard printer. Inside-coated ribbon needs Zebra's optional ribbon spindle.
Can I use a ribbon narrower than my labels?
It is not recommended. Use ribbon at least as wide as the labels to protect the printhead.
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