Industrial Safety Solutions

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Category: Vinyl Tape and Ink Ribbon Loading

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How do I load the SafetyPro vinyl labeling tape?

To load the vinyl tape (including arc flash, continuous roll, and all other printable materials):

1. Make sure the machine is turned off while loading all materials. To open the machine, gently pull the two green cover lock tabs (on the sides of the printer) towards you. Lift the hood (top half of the printer).

2. Select a roll of vinyl labeling tape and place the plastic roller through it. Place the loaded roller into the machine on the cradle. Place vinyl under the white bar, through the adjustable guides, over the rubber platen and through the cutter. Adjust the green guides so the right-hand guide is covering the vinyl (this guide contains a sensor that must be positioned over the vinyl).

You should also watch the loading video: Watch the SafetyPro vinyl label loading video

How do I load the SafetyPro ribbon (ink)?

To load the SafetyPro ribbon (ink):

1. Open the clear ribbon access cover. Install a ribbon onto a plastic ribbon supply spindle. Make sure it is loaded in the correct orientation by reading the ribbon loading flyer. Install an empty paper core on to the other plastic supply spindle to serve as your rewind spindle. The ribbon spindle is loaded on to the rear hub with the flange side in the right hub lock. The rewind spindle is loaded on to the front hub.

2. View the diagram on the sticker inside your printer, behind the vinyl, to ensure you have your ribbon wound properly. When loaded correctly, the ribbon will unwind from the back of the roll, go down through the machine, come up and cover the print head, and connect up to the rewind spindle. Secure the loose ribbon to the empty core with any kind of tape. Make sure the ribbon is free of wrinkles and is smooth. Gently turn the rewind spindle toward back of the machine to tighten (you should feel and hear the gears moving).

You should also watch the loading video: Watch the ribbon loading video

On the ribbon, there is a clear leader before the ribbon starts. What do I do with this?

When loading a new ribbon, you may cut off and discard the clear leader portion, or use it to rewind the ribbon onto the take up spool. Always make sure that the clear portion is fully wound on and that the colored portion is visible and running through the printer. The printer will not operate if the clear portion is under the printhead.

When I load a new roll of vinyl tape, how far do I need to pull it through?

When loading vinyl tape in the SafetyPro, you should make sure it is pulled through so that at least an inch is coming out of the front of the printer. After the first label, the printer will cut and adjust the labels itself for a perfect print every time.

When I load die-cut labels, the first one never comes out right. Why is this?

Die-cut labels (such as arc flash and GHS) have a gap between each label, and the printer has a sensor to read this gap to align your labels perfectly every time. For the first one or two labels, the printer will need to locate the gap. After the first label, the labels will line up properly every time for the rest of the roll.

If you would like to avoid wasting the first label for alignment, you may turn the printer on, then open it and position the leading edge of the first label (not the backing, but the leading edge of the label itself) right at the top middle of the rubber roller just before the cutter. Close the printer and print (never press the Form Feed button when loading the printer).