How to perform a quick calibration in a Datamax I-class printer

If your Zebra LP 2844 printer is experiencing shifting or off-center printing, there are a few possible causes and troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check print settings: Ensure that the print settings on your computer or label design software are correctly configured for the label size and layout you are using. Make sure the label dimensions and print margins are set accurately.
2. Calibrate the printer: Perform a calibration on the printer to ensure it is properly aligned. To calibrate the Zebra LP 2844, follow these steps: a. Turn off the printer. b. Hold down the feed button. c. While holding the feed button, turn on the printer. d. Release the feed button once the green status light begins to flash. e. The printer will feed labels and automatically adjust the label alignment. f. Once the printer stops feeding labels, the calibration is complete.
   
3. Adjust label position sensors: The LP 2844 has label position sensors that detect the start of each label. If these sensors are misaligned or dirty, it can cause shifting or off-center printing. Clean the sensors using a lint-free cloth and ensure they are properly aligned.
4. Check label alignment: Ensure that the labels are loaded correctly and aligned properly in the printer. Make sure they are inserted straight and centered in the label guides.
5. Inspect the print head: Check the print head for any debris, adhesive residue, or damage. Clean the print head with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab if necessary. A dirty or damaged print head can affect print quality and alignment.
6. Update or reinstall printer drivers: Ensure that you have the latest printer drivers installed on your computer. If the drivers are outdated or corrupted, it can cause printing issues. Visit the Zebra website and download the appropriate drivers for your LP 2844 model.
7. Test with different labels or ribbons: If the problem persists, try using different labels or ribbons. Sometimes, the issue could be related to the specific media being used.

Perform a Manual Calibration:
Perform a media and ribbon sensor calibration to reset the sensitivity of the sensors so the
media and ribbon are detected more accurately. If you change the type of ribbon or media,
your printer may operate better if you perform this calibration.

Calibrate Media and Ribbon Sensors
Use this procedure to adjust the sensitivity of the printer's sensors. In a
printer that has the Thermal Transfer option installed, both media and
ribbon sensors are adjusted. In a Direct Thermal printer (no Thermal
Transfer option installed), only media sensors are adjusted, and the LCD
displays for ribbon do not appear in this procedure.
Important • This procedure must be followed exactly as presented.
All of the steps must be performed even if only one of the sensors
requires adjustment. You may press the left arrow at any step in this
procedure to cancel the procedure.
How to select this parameter:
1. Press ENTER to start the calibration procedure.
The LOAD BACKING/REMOVE RIBBON prompt displays.
2. Open the printhead.
3. Remove approximately 8 in. (203 mm) of labels from the backing,
and pull the media into the printer so that only the backing is between
the media sensors.
4. Remove the ribbon (if used).
5. Close the printhead.
6. Press ENTER.
The message CALIBRATING PLEASE WAIT displays.
The printer adjusts the scale (gain) of the signals that it receives from
the media and ribbon sensors. On the sensor profile, this essentially
corresponds to moving the peak of the graph up or down to optimize
the readings for your application.
RELOAD ALL displays.
7. Open the printhead and pull the media forward until a label is
positioned under the media sensor.
8. Reload the media and ribbon (if used).
9. Close the printhead.
10. Press ENTER.
The message CALIBRATING PLEASE WAIT displays.
The printer does a calibration; during this process, the printer
determines the label length. To see the new readings on the new scale,
print a sensor profile.

If I could be of further assistance, let me know. If this helps or solves the issue, please rate it and give a testimonial for my response

Thanks, Joe


I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

You have to calibrate the printer. It thinks there is no ribbon (thermal mode) so it's not winding the ribbon up. The instructions are on page 11 of the manual -
4.2 Ribbon Sensor Calibration
Note: Please make sure the ribbon is properly installed before doing this calibration.
Please follow the steps below to calibrate the ribbon sensor.
1. Turn the printer power off.
2. Press and hold the FEED button then turn on the printer.
3. The LED will turn orange then blink red 5 times. Release after the first red blink and before the 5rd.
4. If the ribbon is properly installed the light will turn green. If it is not it will turn red and blink.

This solution is for the Zebra Xi II and the Zebra Xi III , so the wording may be different in different models, but here is the solution:

Press the SETUP button.

Scroll through until you see MEDIA AND RIBBON.

Press the CALIBRATE button.

It will say LOAD BACKING. At this point you must REMOVE the tags completely.

Press CONTINUE.

It will then say REMOVE RIBBON.

Just pull the ribbon to the side so that it does not block the ribbon sensor.

After pulling the ribbon away from the sensor,

CLOSE THE PRINT HEAD.

Hit Continue.

It will now say CALIBRATING PLEASE WAIT
It will then display RELOAD ALL

Reload the labels, making sure to position the end of one label and the beginning of the next label between the red optical sensor.

Then, while keeping the label in that position, move the ribbon back to the normal position, and close the print head. Then hit CONTINUE.
It will then display MEDIA AND RIBBON CALIBRATE

It will calibrate automatically at this point.

Hit the SETUP button.

Hit the NEXT/SAVE button.

You are all done.

Note that this is the intermediate way of calibrating the unit; normally it is done with the CALIBRATE button at the bottom of the front panel. If both of the above do not work, read below (in blue) FIRST-if that doesn't do the trick, then you can do a "hard reset" by powering the unit down, holding the PAUSE and the FEED button at the same time, and while holding them down, turning back on the power. This should only be used as a last resort, however, because it resets everything to factory settings. (NOT a good thing!)

Please be advised that if the intermediate calibration does not correct the issue, then you should use a bottle of 92% rubbing alcohol/Isopropyl alcohol (you can buy at CVS or any pharmacy for less than 2 dollars) and cotton swabs to clean both the top sensor and the bottom sensor-make sure to turn off the power FIRST, and make sure to allow a minute or so for the alcohol to dry after doing the cleaning. The combination of cleaning the sensor and doing the intermediate calibration procedure is about 95% effective.

I am passing this on from experience. The first time we got the 'ribbion out' error, we had to call the big service company in excess of 400.00 to come out. So when she did the above and had it runing in about 2 minutes, I asked the serice person to let me document the procedure. So you get the benefit without having to spend the big bucks!

The zebra ribbon has ink on one side and the other side has a backcoating which protects the printhead. simple way to check is to peel off a label and momentarily stick to ribbon and remove. This will show you which side is inked.

If ribbon is installed correctly then reset the printer and re-calibrate it. 1. install labels and ribbon 2. power on printer. If you have a solid green light on then 3 turn printer off. 4 hold down feed key 5 power printer on and after 2 seconds release feed key. printer will perform a calibration routine and eventually print out status page. IMPORTANT 6 Hit Feed Key once more. Printer will display Out Of Dump message. Your printer has now been sucessfully calibrated.