A shipping warehouse technician replaces the media roll on a direct thermal barcode printer used for generating shipping labels. Following the roll replacement, the printer correctly feeds the paper and operates without error lights during print jobs, but all output labels come out completely blank. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this issue?
- Standard thermal-transfer or plain paper label stock was installed instead of direct thermal paper.Answer
- BThe printer's primary corona wire is damaged and failing to apply a uniform charge.
- CThe local print spooler service on the host computer has crashed and held corrupt print jobs.
- DThe network interface card link light is unlit due to a disconnected Ethernet patch cable.
Answer
Standard thermal-transfer or plain paper label stock was installed instead of direct thermal paper.
Direct thermal printers utilize a thermal printhead to apply heat directly to specially treated heat-sensitive media. If standard paper or thermal-transfer labels (which require an ink ribbon) are installed by mistake, the heat applied by the printhead produces no chemical reaction, resulting in completely blank labels.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Direct thermal printing media requirements
Estimated Time:1m 15s