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1400/1650 USER’S GUIDE USER’S GUIDE • Read this User’s Guide before you start using your P-touch. • Keep this User’s Guide in a handy place for future reference.
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Brother only recommends the use of genuine Brother accessories (AC adapters, TZ Tapes) designed exclusively for this product. The use of non-genuine accessories may result in print quality issues and may damage your Brother product. Any such damages resulting from the use of non-genuine accessories will not be covered by warranty.
CONTENTS 1. Getting Started ..............1 General Description ..............1 Top view & bottom view ................1 Keyboard & LCD display ................2 General Precautions ..............4 Batteries & Tape Cassettes ............. 5 Installing batteries and a tape cassette ............5 Cleaning ..................8 Cleaning the print head, rollers and tape cutter ..........8 Optional AC Adapter ..............
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Specifying the character size ..............26 Specifying the character width ..............27 Specifying the character style ..............28 Using the pre-formatted Auto Format templates ........30 Printing Labels ................31 Previewing the label layout ................31 Feeding tape ....................31 Printing a label ...................31 Using special printing functions ..............32 Storing and Recalling Files ............
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Using downloaded database data ...............54 Backing up/restoring P-touch data .............57 6. Appendix ..............58 Troubleshooting ................58 Error Message List ................ 59 Machine Specifications ..............63 Hardware ....................63 Software ......................63 Accessories .................. 64 Index ................... 68...
Getting Started General Description Top view & bottom view Top view Display Tape cutter button Keyboard USB port AC adapter connector (for PT-1650 only) Back cover Cassette release lever Battery compartment Print head Tape cassette compartment Tape exit slot Bottom view...
Keyboard & LCD display PT-1400 23 4 5 1 Left text alignment (page 29) E Caps mode (page 16) 2 Center text alignment (page 29) F Insert mode (page 17) 3 Right text alignment (page 29) G Shift mode (page 16) 4 Justified text alignment H Code mode (page 16) I Power key (page 9)
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PT-1650 23 4 5 1 Left text alignment (page 29) E Caps mode (page 16) 2 Center text alignment (page 29) F Insert mode (page 17) 3 Right text alignment (page 29) G Shift mode (page 16) 4 Justified text alignment H Code mode (page 16) I Power key (page 9) (page 29)
General Precautions ● Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have the mark. ● Do not pull on the tape being fed from the P-touch, otherwise the tape cassette may be damaged.
Batteries & Tape Cassettes This machine has been designed to allow you to change the batteries and tape cassettes quickly and easily. With batteries installed, this compact and portable machine can be used anywhere. TZ tape cassettes are available for this machine in a wide variety of types, colours and sizes, enabling you to make distinctive colour-coded and stylized labels.
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☞ Make sure that the batteries are inserted so that their poles point in the correct direction. With batteries installed, the P-touch determines the remaining battery charge during printing and feeding. If a low battery charge is detected, the low battery indicator ()) comes on.
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Strong Adhesive Tape ☞ For textured, rough, or slippery surface, we recommend using Strong Adhesive Tape. ☞ Although the instruction sheet included with the Strong Adhesive Tape cassette recommends cutting the tape with scissors, the tape cutter that this P-touch is equipped with is able to cut Strong Adhesive Tape. Flexible ID Tape ☞...
Cleaning Occasionally, certain parts of the P-touch may need to be cleaned. Dust or dirt may become attached to the P-touch’s print head and rollers, particularly when the unit is used outdoors or in a very dusty environment. With use, the tape cutter may become covered with adhesive, making it difficult to cut the tape.
Notes on cleaning the tape cutter ☞ If the tape cannot be cut correctly, clean the tape cutter blades. Optional AC Adapter When printing a large number of labels or labels that contain a large amount of text, it may be useful to connect the P-touch to a standard electrical outlet using the optional AC adapter.
Label Type Modes Selecting a Label Type Mode Pressing a allows you to select one of the two regular modes for designing and printing your own custom labels, or any of the six special modes available for printing labels pre- formatted for identifying patch panels, cables, connectors and other components.
After selecting the Label Type mode NORMAL or VERTICAL, the label text can be entered, formatted, printed and cut as usual. With the Normal Label Type mode, the entered text is printed horizontally along the label. With the Vertical Label Type mode, the entered text is printed vertically along the label.
Flag Mode Labels printed using this Label Type mode can be wrapped around cable or wire with the ends stuck together to form a flag. With the FLAG Label Type mode, each block of text is printed at both ends of separate labels. The length of the unprinted part of this label is equal to the circumference of the cable or wire.
Port & Panel Modes Labels printed using these Label Type modes can be used to identify various components or panels. With the Port Label Type mode, each block of the text is printed on a separate label, making these labels useful for identifying different components or ports that are not equally spaced.
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● BLK LEN. (block length): * For the PORT Label Type mode: 20 to 200 mm Default: 30 mm * For the PANEL Label Type mode: 6 to 200 mm Default: 30 mm ● FRAME: * For the PORT Label Type mode: OFF, 1 Default: OFF * For the PANEL Label Type mode:...
Basic Functions Performing Basic Operations Choosing functions, parameters, settings and groups ” appears, press l to select the previous item or r to select the next !" ● If “ item. ” appears, press u to select the previous item or d to select the next ●...
Inputting Label Data Entering and editing text Entering characters ● To type a lowercase letter, a number, a comma or a period, simply press the key for that character. To type an uppercase letter, press h to enter Shift mode, and then press the ●...
Adding a new line of text To end the current line of text and start a new one, press n. “ ● ” appears at the end of the line. ☞ The number of text lines that can be printed depends on the width of the tape. Maximum Number of Tape Width Lines That Can Be Printed...
Deleting text To remove characters to the left of the cursor’s current position, press b until ● all of the characters that you wish to delete are removed. ● To delete all of the text: Press g, then b. Press u or d to select either TEXT ONLY (to erase just the text) or TEXT&FORMAT (to erase all of the text and return all formatting functions to their default settings).
☞ To type in an uppercase accented character, press (or press , then enter Caps mode) before pressing the letter key. ☞ An accented character can also be selected by typing in the corresponding code from the table above. For example, typing “A2”, then pressing adds “...
Entering bar code data Press c. Type in the new bar code data or edit the old data. Press n to add the bar code to the text. ☞ To add special characters to the bar code data (only with protocols CODE39, CODABAR, EAN128 or CODE128), position the cursor below the character immediately to the right of where you wish to add the special character, and then press...
The following special characters can only be added to bar codes created using protocols EAN128 and CODE128. Symbol Character Symbol Character Symbol Character Symbol Character (SPACE) < ” > & ’ FNC3 – FNC2 FNC4 FNC1 Entering a symbol There are 147 symbols and pictures available with the Symbol function. Press s.
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Press n. ☞ A symbol can also be selected by typing in the corresponding code from the table below. For example, typing “A02”, then pressing adds “?” to the text. ☞ Some symbols are printed in colour on the keypad. To use a symbol on a key, press to enter Code mode, and then press the key for the symbol.
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Category Symbols 1 2 1 3 1 4 NUMBER PICTOGRAPH ELECTRICAL / ELECTRONIC PROHIBITION WARNING COMMUNICATIONS OTHERS *A maximum of 16 most recently selected symbols are PERSONAL automatically saved in the PERSONAL symbol category. CATEGORY...
☞ Once the PERSONAL symbol category becomes full , newly selected symbols will overwrite older ones unless the Symbol Save function is set to OFF (Refer to Specifying if the PERSONAL symbol category is continually updated on page 40 Formatting the Label Specifying a label length The length of the label can be specified as follows.
Framing the text Press g, then B. Press u or d until the desired frame setting is displayed. Press n. The selected setting is applied to the entire text. The following frame styles are available. Frame Frame Sample Sample Setting Setting...
Specifying the character size The character size can be specified for all text in the label or only for the text in the line that the cursor is in. ☞ With the default character size setting AUTO, the largest possible text size is automatically selected depending on the width of the installed tape and the number of lines in the text.
Specifying the character width Formatting the width of all text Press t. Press l or r until GLB WIDE is displayed. Press u or d until the desired character width setting is displayed. Press n. The selected setting is applied to the entire text. Formatting the width of a line Move the cursor to the line of text whose character width you wish to change.
Specifying the character style Formatting the character style of all text Press t. Press l or r until GLB STYL is displayed. Press u or d until the desired character style setting is displayed. Press n. The selected setting is applied to the entire text. Formatting the character style of a line Move the cursor to the line of text whose character style you wish to change.
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Specifying the alignment for all lines in the text Press t. Press l or r until ALIGN is displayed. Press u or d until the desired setting is displayed. Press n. The selected setting is applied to the entire text. The following alignment settings are available.
Using the pre-formatted Auto Format templates Various pre-formatted label templates are available, enabling you to quickly and easily create labels for a variety of applications—from identifying the contents of boxes and file folders to labelling equipment and making name badges and ID tags. After simply selecting one of the ten label templates, type text into each of its fields, and then the label is ready to be printed.
Press u or d to display each field, and then type in the text. • To print a single copy, press p. • To print multiple copies, several copies while increasing certain characters, or a mirror image of the text, press g, then a. (For details, refer to Using special printing functions on page 32.) ☞...
Using special printing functions Various special printing functions are available that enable you to print multiple copies of labels, print several copies while incrementing the values of certain characters, print specific sections of label text, or print label text as a mirror image. Printing multiple copies of a label The Repeat Printing function allows you to print up to 99 copies of the same text.
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Press l or r until NUMBER is displayed. Press u or d until the desired number of copies is displayed (or use the number keys to type in the desired setting). Press n. The message “START?” appears. (To specify only the character at the cursor’s current position as the numbering field, press p, and then skip to step Press u, d, l or r until the first character that you wish to include in...
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☞ To specify settings for additional Print Option functions, instead of continuing with step , press until CONTINUE is displayed in the Print Option menu, and then press ☞ If a bar code is selected as the numbering field in step , skip steps and continue with step Printing a range of text blocks...
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Press u or d until ON is displayed. Press n (or p). START appears in the Print Option menu. Press n (or p) to begin printing the specified number of labels. The number of each copy is displayed while it is being printed. ☞...
Storing and Recalling Files Frequently used label text along with its formatting can be stored in the memory and easily recalled so that it can be edited and quickly printed. When each text file is stored, it is given a number to make recalling it easier. Up to 10 text files or approximately 2,000 characters can be stored in the memory.
Recalling text that has been stored Press m. Press u or d until RECALL is displayed. Press n. Press u or d until the file number containing the text that you wish to recall is displayed. Press n. Any text previously entered in the display is erased and the text stored under the selected file number is recalled into the display.
Machine Adjustments Various functions are available for changing and adjusting the operation of the P-touch. Selecting how tape is fed and cut The Cut function enables you to specify how the tape is fed out after it is printed. The settings of the Cut function consist of combinations of two different cut methods: cut-pause (where the machine stops printing so the label can be cut) and chain printing (where the last copy is not fed out to be cut, reducing the amount of tape that is wasted).
Press g, then Z. Press l or r until CONTRAST is displayed. Press u or d until the desired setting is displayed, and then press n. Setting the Auto Reduction function With the Auto Reduction function, you can select whether the text width (TEXT WIDTH) or the text size (TEXT SIZE) will be reduced if text that is set to the AUTO Size setting is too large for the specified label length.
Specifying if the PERSONAL symbol category is continually updated You can specify whether symbols continue to be added to the PERSONAL symbol category (with the older symbols deleted) when the category becomes full (ON) or symbols are no longer added after the PERSONAL symbol category becomes full (OFF). (The default setting is ON.) Press g, then Z.
Using P-touch With a Computer (for PT-1650 only) This P-touch is equipped with a USB port, allowing you to connect it to a computer ® ® running Microsoft Windows . The enclosed CD-ROM contains P-touch Editor 3.2, which is installed together with the printer driver, Transfer Manager and Backup Manager.
Installing the Software & Printer Driver The P-touch Editor 3.2 software, provided on the enclosed CD-ROM, includes a variety of more complex functions for printing bar codes and images, enabling you to design just about any label that you can imagine. With this application, the printer driver must also be installed in order for the application to communicate with the P-touch.
Installing the P-touch Editor 3.2 software ☞ Do not connect the P-touch to the computer until you are instructed to. ☞ We strongly recommend closing all Windows applications before installing this software. ® Insert the enclosed CD-ROM into the computer’s CD-ROM drive. The InstallShield Wizard for installing the P-touch Editor software starts up, and then the “Welcome”...
CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive. ® With Windows ☞ A message appears, informing you that the printer driver has passed Brother’s own compatibility tests and that “Continue Anyway” should be pressed if a warning message appears. Click “OK”...
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Select “Install the software automatically (Recommended)”, and then click “Next”. A dialog box appears, warning that the software has ® not passed Windows Logo testing. Click “Continue Anyway” to continue with the installation. A “Found New Hardware Wizard” dialog box appears, indicating that the Found New Hardware Wizard has finished installing the printer driver for the P-touch.
Reading the User’s Guide The P-touch Editor User’s Guide can be viewed either by inserting the CD-ROM into the drive each time you wish to refer to it or by installing it onto your computer so that it is quickly available at any time. Since the User’s Guide is an HTML document, a browser is needed to read it.
Using P-touch Editor 3.2 P-touch Editor 3.2 makes it easy for anyone to design and print more complex labels for almost any need imaginable. Notes on creating templates Since some P-touch Editor 3.2 functions are not available with the P-touch machine, keep the following points in mind when using P-touch Editor 3.2 to create templates.
Starting up P-touch Editor 3.2 Click “Start” in the taskbar to display the Start menu. Point to “Programs”. Point to “P-touch Editor 3.2”. Click “P-touch Editor 3.2”. When P-touch Editor is started, the following window is displayed. Title bar Menu bar Standard toolbar Property dock Rulers...
Entering text ☞ Although the screens shown in the following explanations are for Windows ® 98, 98 ® SE and Me, the operations for Windows 2000 and XP are the same unless specifically mentioned. Click (Text button) on the draw toolbar. Text can be typed in, and the pointer changes from (selection pointer) to (I-beam pointer).
Databases Keep the following points in mind when using the database functions of P-touch Editor 3.2. ☞ For general details, refer to the User’s Guide supplied on the P-touch Editor 3.2 CD-ROM. • The database function of P-touch Editor 3.2 uses database files that are compatible with Microsoft Access 97.
Downloading data to the P-touch ☞ Although the P-touch can be connected to the computer through a USB connection, label layouts created in P-touch Editor cannot be printed directly from the application. Make sure that the P-touch is in Transfer mode. (For more details, refer to Entering Transfer mode on page 50.) •...
☞ The P-touch can only contain one database at a time. However, the database can be replaced or updated. ☞ When data is downloaded to a PF key, it replaces the preset template initially available on the P-touch. To restore the initial templates, use Transfer Manager to download the *.
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☞ The P-touch can only contain one database at a time. However, the database can be replaced or updated. Using a template not linked to a database Using a template not linked to a database is the same as using any of the preset Auto Format templates.
☞ If the Cut function is set to 1 or 3, the message “CUT TAPE TO CONTINUE” appears after each label is printed. Press the tape cutter button to cut off the label and continue printing. ☞ Be sure to cut the tape within 5 minutes from the time that the message appears. ☞...
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Using database data in a Label Type mode This function enables you to select the range of database fields to print. Press a, and then select the Label Type mode as described in chapter 2. Press g, then a. The message “CLEAR TEXT & PRINT DATABASE?” appears.
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Searching the database While selecting a database record to be used in a template or while selecting a database record whose data is to be added to a label, the database can be searched for records containing specific characters or records with a specific number. To search the database for a record containing specific characters: Press g and e until the search screen is displayed.
Backing up/restoring P-touch data Backup Manager, which was installed with P-touch Editor 3.2, enables you to save the following types of data from the P-touch onto the computer as a backup in case the P-touch data is lost. In addition, the data backed up onto the computer can be restored onto the P-touch.
Appendix Troubleshooting Problem Solution • Check that the AC adapter (model AD-3000/PT) is connected correctly. The display stays blank after you • If you are using batteries, check have turned on the machine. that they are correctly inserted. • If the batteries are low, replace them with new ones.
Error Message List Error Message Cause Solution • This message appears if you • Cancel the Numbering function. try to use the Numbering • Limit the number of text function when multiple 1 BLOCK LIMIT! blocks to 1. blocks of text have been entered with the PANEL Label Type mode selected.
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Error Message Cause Solution • This message appears if you • Select a different Label try to change the settings for Type mode. the Length function or CHECK SETTING IN Frame function after a Label LABEL TYPE MODE! Type mode with a preset label length or frame has already been selected.
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Error Message Cause Solution • This message appears if a • Enter a letter between A and letter between A and D has not D at the beginning and end INPUT ABCD AT been entered at the beginning of the bar code data. BEGIN &...
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Error Message Cause Solution • This message appears if less • Enter a minimum of four than the minimum four digits before pressing MIN 4 DIGITS! digits are entered as the bar code data. • This message appears if no •...
Machine Specifications Hardware Power supply: Six AA alkaline batteries or Six AA rechargeable batteries or AC adapter (model AD-3000/PT) Input device: Keyboard (56 keys) 48 × 132 dots LCD: + Caps and other indicators Print tape: TZ tape is available in the following five widths: 6 mm 9 mm 12 mm...
Brother product. Any such damages resulting from the use of non-genuine accessories will not be covered by warranty. Brother can only recommend the use of genuine Brother accessories in Brother products to ensure the operation is within the product design and specifications.
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Stock No. Description 18 mm laminated tapes TZ-141 Black characters on clear adhesive TZ-143 Blue characters on clear adhesive TZ-M941 Black characters on silver (matt) adhesive TZ-241 Black characters on white adhesive TZ-242 Red characters on white adhesive TZ-243 Blue characters on white adhesive TZ-344 Gold characters on black adhesive TZ-345...
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Stock No. Description 9 mm laminated tapes TZ-121 Black characters on clear adhesive TZ-122 Red characters on clear adhesive TZ-123 Blue characters on clear adhesive TZ-125 White characters on clear adhesive TZ-221 Black characters on white adhesive TZ-222 Red characters on white adhesive TZ-223 Blue characters on white adhesive TZ-324...
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Strong adhesive tapes Stock No. Description TZ-S251 24 mm Black characters on white strong adhesive tape TZ-S241 18 mm Black characters on white strong adhesive tape TZ-S231 12 mm Black characters on white strong adhesive tape TZ-S221 9 mm Black characters on white strong adhesive tape TZ-S211 6 mm Black characters on white strong adhesive tape Flexible ID tapes...
Index Clear function ....... 18 Code indicator ......2, 3 AC adapter ........9 confirming........15 Accent function......18 Contrast function......38 alignment ........29 copies ........... 32 arrow keys....... 2, 3, 15, 16 cursor..........16 Auto Format function ....30 Cut function ........
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global format key ......2, 3 keyboard ......... 2 global formatting character size ......26 character style ......28 label margins......... 24 character width ......27 Label Type key ......2, 3 Label Type mode......10 databases........55 indicators ........2 Label Type setting indicator..
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size ..........26 indicator........2, 3 Panel mode ........13 Space key........ 15, 16 PERSONAL symbol category ..23 storing ........... 36 setup ......... 40 Strong Adhesive Tape...... 7 PF keys..........3 style ..........28 Port Block mode......13 Symbol key ........21 Port mode ........