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Calibrate the ZM400 barcode printer: The printer can be set to auto or manual calibration.
Auto-calibration: When the 'MEDIA POWER UP' or 'HEAD CLOSE' control panel is set to CALIBRATION, the printer will automatically perform calibration when powering up or turning off the printhead. During the auto-calibration process, the printer determines the label length and sensor settings, and the results of the auto-calibration are stored in the printer's memory, and the results are not lost even if the printer is turned off. These parameters are always valid until the next calibration is performed.

Note: If the 'MEDIA POWER UP' or 'HEAD CLOSE' control panel is set to 'LENGTH', 'NO MOTION' or 'FEED', the printer will start printing without automatic calibration.

Manual calibration: Perform media and ribbon sensor calibration to reset the sensitivity of the sensor to more accurately detect media and ribbon. If the ribbon and media type are changed, your printer will work better after performing the calibration.

Use the following steps to adjust the sensitivity of the media and ribbon sensor:
1. Press the SET UP/EXIT button on the control panel.
2. Press the '+' or '-' sign to select the Media and Ribbon Calibration parameter.
3. Press 'SELECT' to select the parameter.
4. Press the '+' sign to start the calibration process. Show LOAD BACKING prompt.
5. Open the print head.
6. Strip approximately 203mm label from the liner and feed the media into the printer so that only the liner is located between the media sensors.
7. Keep the print head open.
8. Press the '+' sign to continue, it will display the REMOVE RIBBON prompt.
9. If the ribbon is used, it should be removed.
10. Close the print head.
11. Press '+' sign to continue, it will display the 'CALIBRATING PLEASE WAIT' message. The printer adjusts the signal gain received from the media and ribbon sensors based on the particular media and ribbon combination used. On the sensor chart, it actually corresponds to the peak value of the graph moving up and down for better reading of your print application. After the calibration is completed, 'RELOAD ALL' will be displayed.
12. Open the printhead and push the media forward so that the label is below the media sensor.
13. Reload the ribbon (if used).
14. Close the print head.
15. Press the '+' sign to continue, the printer performs an automatic calibration. During this process, checks the media and ribbon degrees of the printer according to the newly created ruler to determine the ribbon length and print mode. In order to view the reading on the new scale, you can print a sensor chart.
16. Press 'SELECT' to accept any changes and cancels the parameter selection.
Inner adjustment wheel and outer adjustment wheel
How to adjust Zebra ZM400 print head pressure
If the print color is too light on one side, the media is too thick, or the media is offset to one side during printing, you may need to adjust the printhead pressure.

The ZM400 pressure adjustment wheel has four available settings, which are indicated by the gradually increasing embossed marking block on the printing unit. The smallest scale block (counterclockwise maximum rotation) is position 1, and the largest scale block (clockwise maximum rotation) is position 4.

Adjust the position of the inner adjustment wheel 2 and the outer adjustment wheel 1 according to the media width:

  • The media width is 25.4mm, the inner adjustment wheel is at position 3, and the outer adjustment wheel is at position 1.
  • The media width is 51mm, the inner adjustment wheel is at position 4, and the outer adjustment wheel is at position 1.
  • The Media width is 76mm, inner adjustment wheel at position 3, outer adjustment wheel at position 2.
  • The media width is greater than or equal to 89mm, the inner adjustment wheel is at position 3, and the outer adjustment wheel is at position 3.


The pressure adjustment wheel needs to be adjusted due to the media thickness, etc., and can be adjusted according to the following method:

  • If the media requires more pressure to improve print quality, increase the two adjustment wheels by one position.
  • If the media slides to the left while printing, increase the outer adjustment wheel by one position or reduce the inner adjustment wheel by one position.
  • If the media slides to the right while printing, increase the inner adjustment wheel by one position or reduce the outer adjustment wheel by one position.
  • If the print on the left side of the media label is too light, increase the inner adjustment wheel by one position.
  • If the print on the right side of the media label is too light, increase the outer adjustment wheel by one position.
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