Printer Ribbon

Question:

The ribbon for the Datamax Label Printer comes out of the printer whenever I print a label.  Is that normal?

Answer:

If your ribbon is coming out of the printer with the labels when you try to print, it is likely not installed properly.   Ask yourself therefore the following questions:

1. Did I watch the YouTube videos recommended by WINK which explain how to install the ribbon?    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezU6NBF_KTM   and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z9FTvcfvYc
2. Did I download  and read the “Technician Instructions” sent to me by email when I first signed up with WINK entitled “WINK: Getting Started”.  http://downloadwink.com/docs/wink-technicianinstructions.pdf
3. Is the ribbon facing up or down?  It should be facing down.  In other words the side with the “ink” should be facing the labels, not facing the plastic mechanism of the printer.
4. Is the ribbon PERFECTLY straight or is it slightly crooked?
5. Is the ribbon tight, or does it have some slack?  It should be tight. (Not so tight that it breaks, but no slack).

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If you’re having problems with the ribbon it’s likely because you’ve not installed it properly.  It can be frustrating to do this the first time, so just be patient.  Everyone gets it eventually.  And once you do, it’s like riding a bike!

Click on this link http://downloadwink.com/docs/wink-technicianinstructions.pdf to download the technician instructions that were provided to you by email  when you first signed up with WINK.  Then, scroll to page two.  There you will find links to an instruction manual as well as 2 YouTube videos which explain the process for setting up your datamax printer.

Click on this http://youtu.be/4l5gdskqjAA to watch a video which describes the WINK configurations for your datamax printer (If you’re in a rush, start at the 5:50 minute mark)

Your Datamax printer has 2 media sensors.  They are both on a “slider”.  Both should be in the “-10 units” position.  Watch this videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z9FTvcfvYc for more information if that is not clear.

The ribbon has two sides.  One which is plastic, the other which has ink on it.  The side that has the ink has to be facing the label so that the ink can transfer to the label.  If your ribbon is correctly installed, then upon  lightly scratching the ribbon with your index finger a tiny bit of ink should come off and remain under your finger nail.  If nothing scratches off, then the ribbon is upside down.  You need to take it out and start again.   (It’s actually not “ink” … but you get the idea).  Again here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezU6NBF_KTM

The ribbon is delivered to you perfectly and tightly wound around a ½ inch cardboard core.  As you use it, it will gradually re-roll itself onto another ½ inch “take-up” core that was also provided to you.  It must re-roll itself PERFECTLY.  If there are any kinks, if the ribbon is crooked, if the ribbon is any way not perfectly re-rolling itself onto that new core, then the ribbon will come out of the machine when you try to print labels.  Again here is the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezU6NBF_KTM.  

The ribbon should be tight.  There should be no slack.  It shouldn't be so tensioned that it breaks, but there should also be no slack.  Again watch this videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z9FTvcfvYc

Make sure that your WINK Datamax heat in setting is set to between 20 and 25.  Again, this is explained in the video.