Intermec EasyCoder 4100, User Manual

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4100 Bar Code Label Printer User's Manual
Helvitica condensed 9 pt italic
Co d e 39 18 p t
Image Band Setting
To print labels as quickly as possible, you must adjust the print speed in
conjunction with the number of image bands, which controls the speed of the
imaging/printing process.
The 4100 printer starts imaging a label as soon as it receives the command that
selects a format. If the Image Band command is too low, the imaging process is
unable to keep up with the print speed, and the printer stops printing and then
starts again at the lowest printing speed. If the Image Band command is set too
high, the printer spends too much time imaging before printing which slows
down label production. Since the 4100 printer begins imaging so early in the
printing process, there is a reduced chance of imaging and print speed
incompatibility. The image before print feature also improves label
throughput.
How the Image Bands Command Works
The Image Band command controls the amount of memory allotted to the
imaging process. When you increase the image band adjustment to a higher
number, you are adding more buffers to the imaging memory, thus giving the
printer more memory (and time) to image the label before it starts printing.
The minimum number of required image bands depends on the print speed
and the complexity of the label. More elements in a label require more image
bands. Generally, the presence of the following factors require higher Image
Band settings:
• Different sizes of outline fonts
• Formats with numerous fields
• Formats with numerous graphics
Optimizing the Number of Image Bands
To optimize the number of image bands, set the Image Bands at the lowest
number (2) and then print a label. If the label prints at the set print speed, then
the Image Band setting is correctly optimized.