TSC TTP-384MT label printer

The TTP-384MT is a TSC 8-inch class industrial printer that loads media 101.6–241.3 mm wide and prints up to 219.5 mm wide. It is listed in the GoodLabel Designer model list as the TSPL 300 dpi printer TTP-384MT, so even layouts with a label width over 200 mm are sent as a single label with the width carried in mm in the SIZE command.

Guidelines for setting up wide labels in the Designer

The narrowest media the TTP-384MT accepts is 4 inches (101.6 mm). Rolls 100 mm wide or narrower are outside this spec, so plan it for wide labels only. Media is center aligned, the core inner diameter is 3 inches (76.2 mm) only, and rolls up to 208.3 mm in outer diameter fit.

• The Designer label size field goes up to 1000 mm for both width and height, so of this printer's label length range of 25.4–1,270 mm, only 1000 mm or less can be designed as a single label.
• If you enter a label width in Printer settings that differs from the actual roll, the left or right side of the label comes out blank. The Designer carries the entered width as-is in the SIZE command, so reset the label size first every time you change rolls.
• Media up to 241.3 mm wide can be loaded, but the head prints only up to 219.5 mm. On wider labels, part of the edge remains outside the print area, so place objects inward.

Items where panel settings and Designer commands overlap

The TTP-384MT saves TSPL print settings separately in the touch screen menu, but when a program on the computer sends commands, those commands override the panel settings. Designer RAW printing includes four items from the table below with every label and does not include one, the print mode.

If a cutter module is installed, change Print mode in the panel's TSPL settings to Cutter Mode (use the cutter) or Cutter Batch (cut once at the end of the job). For the print method, a command is added only when you choose Direct thermal (SET RIBBON OFF) or Thermal transfer (SET RIBBON ON) in the Designer; with the default "Printer settings", the SET RIBBON line is left out entirely.

Sensor position and media type

The gap sensor moves within the 4–8 inch range and the black mark sensor across the full media width, and the ▽ mark on the sensor body is the actual detection point. When loading a roll, slide the sensor so the gap or black mark passes under this mark, so that the Designer media type setting and the printer's detection match.

Gap labels must have a gap of 2 mm or more, and the number in the Designer's Gap length field is sent as the GAP command. Black marks must be at least 2 mm high and 8 mm wide, and the BLINE the Designer sends is fixed at 3 mm. For black mark rolls, send AUTODETECT with Detect black mark in Printer settings, then power the printer on again; for gap rolls, you can also calibrate the sensor with Auto Calibration in the touch screen Sensor menu.

600 m ribbon width and head pressure

Ribbons up to 600 m on a 1-inch core and up to 90 mm in outer diameter can be loaded, 110–254 mm wide. Both ink-side-in and ink-side-out winding are accepted, and the ribbon encoder sensor allows color ribbons as well. Of the 300 m variants of the GoodLabel wax ribbon, only the 110 mm width falls within this width range, so labels wider than 110 mm need a wider ribbon than the sold variants.

When using media thicker than 0.19 mm or when the ribbon wrinkles, set the pressure knobs on the left and right of the head within levels 1–5. If wrinkles spread from the lower right to the upper left of the label, lower the left knob one level at a time; if the left is already at level 1, raise the right. For wrinkles in the opposite direction, swap left and right and follow the same order.

Stop causes shown by the POWER, ON-LINE and ERROR lamps

• If ON-LINE is flashing, the printer is paused or receiving data; resume with the PAUSE key.
• If ERROR stays on, the head mechanism (carriage) is open or there is a cutter error. Close the head mechanism so it locks, and if a cutter is installed, check that its connecting cable is properly plugged in.
• If ERROR is flashing, it is one of out of paper, paper jam or out of ribbon. If the ribbon or labels have run out, replace with a new roll; if the roll remains but is loaded incorrectly, reload it. If a label is jammed, remove it, then check the sensor calibration and the Designer label size.

When labels are skipped during printing, check the label size setting, sensor sensitivity and dust on the sensor, in that order. Blow the dust off with a blower and run Auto or Manual calibration again.