Blank Labels

Problem

If you experience that your Zebra printer prints blank labels before or after the label you want, then you most likely have a problem with label calibration.
In most cases the printer will calibrate automatically, but if that is not the case then keep reading...

It looks something like this:

The background for the solution can be found on the Zebra website: Calibrating Zebra ZQ500/QLn Series Mobile Printers

Assistance to determine the label type you use can be found here: Identify Type of Media (zebra.com)

Solution

To calibrate the printer you need to:

• Know the type of label you use
• Use Zebra Printer Utilities
• Send the calibration commands to the printer

Below are the commands to use for the most common label types.

Black Mark Media:

! U1 setvar "media.type" "label"
! U1 setvar "media.sense_mode" "bar"
~jc^xa^jus^xz

Gap Media:

! U1 setvar "media.type" "label"
! U1 setvar "media.sense_mode" "gap"
~jc^xa^jus^xz

To send the calibration commands to the printer you use the "Zebra Setup Utilities" program on your computer and connect the printer with a USB cable.

On the main screen click on "Open Communication With Printer"

Then paste the relevant commands in and click "Send To Printer"
The example below is for the "black mark media"

The printer will feed a couple of labels as part of the calibration process and then you are done.

See also