# Zebra Printer Calibration Setting

## Setting Up Zebra Printer for Badge Printing with EventNook

Zebra desktop printers such as the Zebra ZD500 and ZD620 are perfect for on-site event badge printing. This guide will assist you in understanding setting up your Zebra printer and calibrating your printer.

* (Important)[#id-1.-media-type-and-sensor-adjustment](#id-1.-media-type-and-sensor-adjustment "mention")
* (Important)[#id-2.-direct-thermal-and-thermal-transfer-printing](#id-2.-direct-thermal-and-thermal-transfer-printing "mention")
* (Optional) Top & Left Position Adjustments
* (Optional) Print Width
* (Optional) Tear-Off Adjustment

***

### Zebra Printer Setup

#### 1. Media Type and Sensor Adjustment

Zebra printers support three types of media sensors for badge paper calibration:

1. **Gaps/Notches** (Web Sensing)
2. **Black Marks** (Mark Sensing)
3. **Continuous Labels**

{% hint style="warning" %}
This media-type sensor setting is crucial. If the media type sensor is set incorrectly, it can cause paper feeding problems, where the paper won't stop at the correct point, leading to paper waste and media error. If you encounter a Media error, most likely, one of the issues is the Media Type or Sensor position in the printer with your paper sensor mark or gap.

For **Conference Badges**, we recommend Gap/Notches and Black Marks sensors. 

Continuous type is not recommended for Conference Badges, and this type is used when the length of the content is dynamic such as printing receipts.
{% endhint %}

To configure the media type:

1. Navigate to **SETTINGS** on your printer.
2. Under **MEDIA TYPE**, select:
   * **GAP/NOTCH** for labels with gaps or notches,
   * **MARK** for labels with black marks, or
   * **CONTINUOUS** for continuous labels.

***

#### 2. Direct Thermal & Thermal Transfer Printing

Zebra printers support two printing methods:

* **Direct Thermal**: Uses heat-sensitive labels (no ribbon required).
* **Thermal Transfer**: Uses a ribbon for printing (requires mono-color ribbon roll such as Black ribbon).

To set the printing method:

1. Go to **SETTINGS** on your printer.
2. Under **PRINT METHOD**, select:
   * **DIRECT THERMAL** for heat-sensitive labels, or
   * **THERMAL TRANS** for ribbon-based printing.

***

#### 3. Top & Left Position Adjustments

These settings allow you to make small adjustments to the starting position of your labels (top and left margins). This can be useful if your print is slightly off-center.

To adjust:

1. Go to **SETTINGS** on your printer.
2. Modify the **Top** and **Left** positions as needed.

For more detailed instructions, refer to Zebra Support.

***

#### 4. Print Width

The print width controls the maximum width of your label. By default, it is set to the full width of the label. If your badge is getting cut off, increase the print width in **SETTINGS**.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Print Width** **in dots**

DPI 203 printer: 4.09 inches x 203 DPI = **830 dots**

DPI 300 printer: 4.09 inches × 300 DPI = **1,227 dots**
{% endhint %}

***

#### 5. Tear-Off Adjustment

The **Tear-Off** setting allows you to fine-tune label positioning cut-off point alignment.

To adjust:

1. Go to **SETTINGS**.
2. Use the **TEAR OFF** option to move the label:
   * Press (-) to move the label back.
   * Press (+) to move the label forward.


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