General Print Quality Tips:

• Monitor print quality regularly with a verifier.
• Consult your label supplier before changing label stock or ribbon type
• Use the highest wide/narrow ratio that space allows
• Design labels so the bar code is in the picket fence (horizontal) rather than ladder orientation
• Don't consistently run thermal transfer printers at top speed
• If the bar code will be read with a pen wand, the wand aperture should be 80% of the symbol's X dimension (narrow element)

Bar Growth
	Print speed to high - Reduce print speed Old or inferior ribbon media - Use fresh (not older than one year) ribbon
Insufficient Print Contrast Signal (PSC) or Light Image
	Print head overheats - Reduce print speed Faded image - Create new label on laminated, protective stock Ribbon and media incompatible - Consult supplier for compatible ribbon/media combination
Unable to Sustain Proper Wide/Narrow Ratio
	Underburn (not enough ribbon transfer) -Raise energy setting, Use a ribbon with higher sensitivity
	Overburn (too much ribbon transfer) - Reduce energy setting, Use a ribbon with lower sensitivity
	Bars too thick - Reduce energy setting; improve ribbon/substrate quality
Streaks or "Dead Spots" in Labels
	Wrinkled ribbon - Check ribbon path; increase tension; increase print speed; reduce energy setting Vendor misapplied stock coating - Replace ribbon
Pits and/or Voids, Inconsistent Image Quality
	Dirty print head - Clean print head with isopropyl alcohol or specialty cleaning solution Dots missing or warn on print head -Replace print head Ink picking - Reduce energy setting
Poor Edge Definition
	Printing too fast - Slow print speed; do not rotate symbol Ribbon and substrate incompatible - Consult supplier for compatible ribbon/substrate combination
Leading and/or Trailing Edges of Image are Translucent ("Ghosting")
	Slew rate to print rate is too high - Reduce slew rate, one level at a time Print head temperature is too low - Increase print head temperature level ("heat factor"), one level at a time
Entire Image is Translucent ("Ghosting")
	Reverse transfer - Reduce print head temperature ("heat factor"), one level at a time. Increase print and slew rates, one level at a time.
Excessive Noise During Printing
	Sticking between ribbon and "bleeding" label adhesives or label coatings - Reduce print head temperature ("heat factor"), one level at a time. Increase print and/or slew rates, one level at a time.