Introduction
With your PT-1290, you can create labels for any
application. Select from the many frames, character sizes
and styles to design beautiful custom labels. In addition, the
variety of tape cartridges available allows you to print labels
with different widths and exciting colors.
Read this manual carefully before starting and keep the
manual in a handy place for future reference.
Safety Precautions
Warning
Follow these guidelines to avoid fire, burn, injury,
electric shock, rupture, heat, abnormal odor and
smoking.
• Always use the specified voltage and the suggested AC adapter
(AD-24ES) for this machine to prevent any damage or failure.
• Unplug the power cord immediately and stop using the P-touch
labeler during an electrical storm.
• Do not use the machine/AC adapter in places of high humidity such
as bathrooms.
• Do not overload the power cord.
• Do not place heavy objects on, or damage the power cord or plug.
Do not forcibly bend or pull the power cord. When disconnecting the
power cord from the power outlet, always hold the plug.
• Make sure that the plug is fully inserted to the power outlet. Do not
use an outlet that is loose.
• Do not swallow the cutter stopper.
• Do not get the machine/AC adapter/power plug wet, such as by
handling them with wet hands or spilling beverages on to them.
• Do not disassemble or modify the P-touch labeler/AC adapter/
batteries.
• Do not use metallic objects, such as tweezers or a metallic pen,
when changing the batteries.
• Do not throw the batteries into fire or expose to heat.
• Disconnect the AC adapter and remove batteries immediately and
stop using the machine if you notice abnormal odor, heat,
discoloration, deformation or anything unusual while using or
storing it.
Caution
Follow these guidelines to avoid personal injury, liquid
leakage, burn and heat.
• Do not touch the edge of the cutter or any metal parts near the print
head.
• Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adapter if you do not
intend to use P-touch labeler for an extended period of time.
• When power is disconnected for more than three minutes, all text,
format settings and any text files stored in the memory will be
cleared.
• Do not use old and new batteries together or mix alkaline batteries
with other type batteries, or set the positive and negative end in the
wrong position.
• Do not drop or hit the P-touch labeler/AC adapter.
• Do not press hard on the LCD display.
• Do not put your finger between the covers when you close the back
cover.
General Precautions
• Depending on the location, material, and environmental conditions,
the label may unpeel or become irremovable, the color of the label
may change or be transferred to other objects. Before applying the
label, check the environmental condition and the material.
• Do not use the P-touch labeler in any way or for any purpose not
described in this guide. Doing so may result in accidents or damage
the machine.
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that
do not have the
mark.
• Only use a soft, dry cloth to clean the labeler; never use alcohol or
other organic solvents.
• Use a soft wipe to clean the print head; never touch the print head.
• Do not put any foreign objects into the tape exit slot or AC adapter
connector, etc.
• Do not place the P-touch labeler/battery in direct sunlight or rain,
near heaters or other hot appliances, in any location exposed to
extremely high or low temperatures (e.g. on the dashboard or in the
back of your car), high humidity, or dusty locations.
• Do not apply excessive pressure to the cutter lever.
• Do not try to print if the cassette is empty; it will damage the print
head.
• Do not pull the tape while printing or feeding; it will damage the tape
and machine.
• Any data stored in memory will be lost due to failure or repair of the
P-touch labeler, or if the battery expires.
FCC NOTICE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Important
• Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Brother
Industries, Ltd. could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
Power Supply and Tape Cassette
Open the cassette cover by pressing the
above indicated area at the top end of the
machine.
If a tape cassette is already installed, remove it by
pulling it straight up. Also, if batteries are already
installed, remove them.
• Make sure that the power is turned off when
replacing batteries or tape cassettes.
Insert six new AAA alkaline batteries
(LR03), making sure that their poles
point in the correct directions. Always
replace all six batteries at the same time
using brand new ones.
Insert a tape cassette, making sure that
it snaps into place.
• Make sure that the end of the tape feeds under
the tape guides.
• If the ink ribbon is loose, use your finger to wind
the toothed wheel in the direction of the arrow
on the cassette.
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine.
Securely close the cassette cover, making
sure that it snaps into place.
After you have installed the tape, feed the tape (see
“Feeding”) once and then push in the tape cutter
lever to cut the tape.
NOTE
When using optional AC adapter (AD-24ES)
1.
Insert the plug on the adapter cord into the AC adapter
jack on the top end of the machine.
2.
Insert the plug into the nearest standard electrical outlet.
For memory back up, we recommend using AAA alkaline
batteries (LR03) together when using the AC adapter.
1
Print head
Tape cutter lever
Cassette
cover
2
3
Toothed
Wheel
Cutter’s
edge
End of tape
Tape
exit slot
Tape guide
4
AC adapter jack
LCD Display & Keyboard
NOTE
The LCD shows one row of 15 characters; however, the
text that you enter can be up to 80 characters in length.
1
2
3
4
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
5
6
7
8
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
17
27
28
1.
Size
2.
Font
3.
Cursor
4.
Caps
5.
Width
6.
Style
7.
Underline/Frame
8.
Label Length
9.
Escape key
10.
Power key
11.
Function key
12.
F1 key
13.
F2 key
14.
Character key
15.
Tab key
16.
Caps key
17.
Shift key
18.
Symbol key
19.
Auto Format key
20.
Cursor key (Use with
Shift key to go to top/
end of the text.)
21.
Print key
22.
Preview key
23.
OK key
24.
DECO MODE key
25.
Backspace key
26.
Enter key
27.
Accent key
28.
Space key
Initial Settings
1
Start your machine.
Supply power by using six AAA alkaline batteries or the
optional AC adapter, and then press
.
2
Set the language.
The default setting is [English].
[
Language]
[English/Español/Français/Hrvatski/Italiano/
Magyar/Nederlands/Norsk/Polski/
Português/Român
ă
/Slovenski/Slovenský/
Suomi/Svenska/Türkçe/
č
eský/Dansk/
Deutsch] .
3
Set the unit of measurement.
The default setting is [inch].
[Unit]
[inch/mm]
.
NOTE
• The machine automatically turns off if no keys are
pressed within five minutes.
• To cancel operations, press
.
Troubleshooting
X
Error message
X
What to do when...
Message
Cause/Remedy
Battery Weak!
The batteries are weak. Replace them with
new ones.
Check Battery!
The installed batteries are running low.
Invalid!
• There is no text above the cursor when you
selected [Numbering].
• Invalid character is selected for [Numbering].
• Invalid number is selected for [Tab Length]
or [Label Length].
No Text!
• You tried to print a text file when there is no
data stored in the memory.
•
is pressed when no text is entered.
• You tried to select [Copies], [Numbering],
[Mirror], or Text Preview when no text is
entered.
Line Limit!
• You tried to enter a 3rd line by pressing
.
• You tried to print a 2 line text when 9/64"
(3.5mm) or 1/4" (6mm) tape is installed.
No Cassette!
You tried to print a label when there is no
cassette installed.
Cutter Error!
Tape cutter lever is used in the middle of
printing process.
Full!
The maximum number of characters (80
characters, 50 characters for DECO MODE)
have already been entered.
Text Too Long!
The text length exceeds the selected label
length, Auto Format setting length and DECO
MODE setting length.
No Frame OK?
Printing on 9/64" (3.5mm) tape with invalid
Frame setting ON. (Select
to print with
no Frame,
to cancel.)
OK to Feed?
Feeding tape after printing when [Chain print]
is selected. Refer to “Setting Margin”.
Cooling
If the print head becomes too hot, your
machine will stop printing and automatically
start to cool down. The cool down time will be
displayed. Once the print head is cool, printing
will automatically continue.
Do not touch the P-touch labeler while cooling.
Insert 1/2" (12mm)!
Only 1/2"(12mm) tape cassette is available for
DECO MODE.
Message
Cause/Remedy
Problem
Solution
The display stays
blank after you
have turned on the
machine.
• Check that the batteries are correctly
inserted.
• If the batteries are weak, replace them.
• Check that the AD-24ES adapter is correctly
connected.
When the label is
printed out, there is
too much margin
(space) on both
sides of the text.
• See “Setting Margin” in this users guide and
select [Half] or [Narrow] to have smaller
margins for your label.
The machine does
not print, or the
printed characters
are not formed
properly.
• Check that the tape cassette has been
inserted correctly.
• If the tape cassette is empty, replace it.
• Check the cassette cover is properly closed.
The setting has
cleared on its own.
• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
• When power is disconnected for more than
three minutes, all text & formats in the
display will be lost. Language and Unit
settings will also be cleared.
A blank horizontal
line appears
through the printed
label.
• There maybe some dust on the print head.
Remove the tape cassette and use a dry
cotton swab to gently wipe the print head
with an up-and-down motion.
The machine has
“locked up” (i.e.,
nothing happens
when a key is
pressed, even
though the
machine is on.)
• Refer to “Resetting the P-touch”.
The power turns off
when you try to
print.
• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
• Check that the batteries are correctly
inserted.
The tape does not
feed properly or the
tape gets stuck
inside the machine.
• Check that the end of the tape feeds under
the tape guides.
• The cutter lever is used while printing. Do
not touch the cutter lever during printing.
All text and format
settings need to be
cleared to create a
new label.
• Press
+
and select
[Text&Format].
To change
language setting.
• Refer to “Initial Settings”.
Problem
Solution
Entering Text
X
Setting Font
(Helsinki) or
(Bohemia)
Label image (Helsinki)
Label image (Bohemia)
X
Switching Upper Case/Lower Case
Upper case (
ON)
Lower case (
OFF)
X
Making Two Lines of Text
Move the cursor to where the second line starts and press
.
Use either 3/8" (9mm) or 1/2" (12mm) wide tape for two line
text.
Display
Label image
X
Entering Symbols
Choose a symbol with
and
press
.
• Refer to the table of symbols (A) on the enclosed insertion
sheet for a list of available symbols.
• To go to the next group, press
.
• To cancel operations, press
.
X
Entering Accented Characters
-
/
• Refer to the table of accented characters (B) on the
enclosed insertion sheet for a list of available accented
characters.
• To cancel operations, press
.
• The order of accented characters differs by the selected
LCD language.
X
To Clear
By pressing
, the letters will be deleted one by one.
To delete all text and settings :
+
[Text&Format]
To delete text only :
+
[Text Only]
Designing Labels
1
Press
, use
to select a function under column [A], and then press .
(The
function
can also be selected with the shortcut keys listed under column [C]. (
+
to
))
2
Use
to select a setting listed under column [B], and then press
.
*1 There are the default settings. To return to the default setting, press
.
*2 Frames can not be printed on 9/64" (3.5mm) tape.
*3 You can also select the length by entering the length with Number keys. To turn to [Auto], press
.
Design
[A]
[B]
Label image
[C]
Size
Size
Large*1
Medium
Small
Width
Width
Normal*1
x 2
x 1/2
Style
Style
Normal*1
Bold
Outline
Shadow
Italic
Italic Bold
Italic Outl (Italic Outline)
Italic Shadow
Vertical
Underline/Frame*2
Underline/Frame
Off*1
Underline
Round
Leaf
Tile
Star
Heart
Square
Clip
Tab
Tab
• The cursor should be positioned where you set to tab.
• You can also set a tab by using the Tab key on the keyboard.
Tab length
Tab Length
Auto*1/0.0"-4.0" (0-100mm)*3
The tab is set with the specified length.
Label length
Label Length
Auto*1/1.2"-12.0" (30-300mm)*3
The label is printed with the specified length.
Auto format
Auto Format
Off*1
—
VHS Spine
5.5" (140mm)
MiniDV Spine
1.6" (42mm)
Audio Tape
3.5" (89mm)
CD Case Spine
4.4" (113mm)
File Tab
3.2" (82mm)
Divider Tab
1.6" (42mm)
Printing Labels
X
Text Preview
You can preview the text before printing.
• The LCD shows the whole text and the label length (inch/
mm), then returns to the original text.
• Only the text can be previewed, not the font, style, size,
underline/frame or any additional features.
X
Feeding (Tape Feed)
+
X
Setting Margin (
+
)
[Margin]
[Full/Half/Narrow/Chain Print]
[Full]/[Half]/[Narrow]
For leaving equal margins on both sides of the text.
[Chain Print]
For creating a label containing text in various styles.
1.
Enter text.
2.
Press
, then [OK to Feed?] appears.
3.
Press
to enter more texts. Press
to feed and
print.
NOTE
• When [Half] or [Narrow] is set, feed the tape before using
the cutter otherwise a part of the text may be cut off. Also,
cut along the printed dots (:) with scissors so the text is
centered in the label.
• To print more than 1 copy of a label with minimum margin,
set the margin [Narrow] and select [Copies] for [Print
Options] function.
• Do not try to pull the tape since this may damage the tape
cassette.
X
Printing
• To prevent damage to the tape, do not touch the cutter
lever while the message “Print” or “Feed” is displayed.
• To cut off the label, push in the tape cutter lever on the
upper-right corner of the machine.
• Peel the printed label from backing and apply the label.
X
Using Print Options (
+
)
[Copies]
You can print up to 9 copies of each label.
• To print more than 1 copy of a label with minimum margin,
set the margin to [Narrow] and select [Copies] for [Print
Options] function.
[Print Options]
[Copies]
• You can also select the number of copies by entering with
Number keys.
[Numbering]
You can print many copies of the same text while increasing
a selected number by 1 after each label is printed.
Example:
To print copies of a label containing a serial
number (0123, 0124 and 0125)
[Print Options]
[Numbering]
• Select the highest number you wish to be printed when
setting the number.
[Mirror]
[Print Options]
[Mirror]
[Mirror Print?]
• Use clear tape in [Mirror], so the labels can be read
correctly from the opposite side when attached on glass,
windows or other transparent surfaces.
Resetting the P-touch
You can reset the P-touch labeler when you want to
initialize the settings, or in the event the P-touch labeler is
not working properly.
1
Turn off the P-touch labeler and then while
holding down
and
, press
to turn
the P-touch back on.
2
Release
and
.
The P-touch labeler turns on with the internal memory
reset.
NOTE
All text, settings and stored files are cleared.
DECO MODE
This function allows you to create unique labels by using
some built-in templates. Refer to the DECO MODE format
table (C) on the enclosed insertion sheet.
Example:
Design 10
[Design 10]
[Auto/1.2"-7.8"
(30-200mm)]
Bill Anderson
ABC Company, Inc.
[Print OK?]
NOTE
• Some formats checked on [C] in the DECO format table
need cooling. If the print head becomes too hot, your
machine will stop printing and automatically start to cool
down. The cool down time will be displayed. Once the
print head is cool, printing will automatically continue.
Do not touch the P-touch labeler while cooling.
• If you select a format that is one line (Design 1 - Design
9), only enter the text one time.
• Depending on the format you have selected, the entire
contents of your text may not be printed.
• The DECO MODE templates cannot change format.
• The highlighted symbols in the table of symbols (A) on the
enclosed insertion sheet are available in DECO MODE.
• To clear all text, press
and
, then “Clear?”
appears. Press
to clear. Press
to cancel.
• When you access DECO MODE, your most recently
printed DECO MODE text and label length will be
recalled.
• Press
to return to the previous step.
• To exit DECO MODE, press
until the display shows
the text entry screen.
• DECO MODE feature is only available when using 1/2"
(12mm) wide tape cassettes.
• The maximum label length is 7.8" (200mm) for DECO
MODE.
• When [Auto] is selected for “Label Length”, the label will
automatically adjust to the correct size for printing the text
one time.
• Press
to return to the [Auto] setting for “Label
Length” mode.
Saving Label Files
X
Memory (
+
)
You can save your original labels on to your machine. Up to
nine labels can be saved and recalled for printing at a later
date. You can also edit and overwrite the stored label.
[File]
To Save:
[Save]
To Print:
[Print]
To Open:
[Open]
NOTE
If you try to store a label when there is already a label
stored to that number, a message “Overwrite?” will appear.
Press
to save your new label. Press
to cancel.
Specifications
Accessories
If the cutter blade becomes blunt after repetitive use and the
tape cannot be cut cleanly, replace with new cutter unit
(stock no. TC-5) by obtaining from an authorized Brother
reseller.
1"
1/2"
1/2"
1/6"
1/6"
1"
ABC
ABC
:
ABC
:
Full
Half
Narrow
ABC
ABC
DEF
Chain Print
(feed & cut)
Dimensions:
(W x D x H)
6.26" × 6.18" × 2.43"
(159 × 157 × 61.7mm)
Weight:
1.07 lb. (485 g)
(without batteries and tape cassette)
Power supply:
Six AAA alkaline batteries (LR03)
Optional AC adapter (AD-24ES)
Tape cassette:
Brother TZ tape (width)
9/64" (3.5mm), 1/4" (6mm),
3/8" (9mm), 1/2" (12mm)
Tape Cassettes:
See the included “Supplies and
Accessories Guide”.
AC Adapter:
AD-24ES
Cutter Unit:
TC-5 (replacement)
CAUTION
• Do not touch the cutter blade directly with your fingers.
• Do not swallow the cutter stopper.
Should you encounter any problems with your product,
please do not return your product to the store!
After referring to the User's guide, if you still need
assistance, call Brother Customer Service at:
Voice: 1-877-BROTHER
Web: www.brother-usa.com
Fax: 1-901-379-1210
If you need to locate a service center, please call
1-877-BROTHER or visit us at www.brother-usa.com
ELECTRONIC LABELING SYSTEM
User’s Guide
English
Español
Printed in China
LW3866001
A
PT 1290
PT 1290
PT 1290
Caps
Caps
