USER'S GUIDE
USER'S GUIDE
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Printed in China
LW1380001
A
www.brother.com
Thai
With your PT-1280, 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 colours.
Read this manual carefully before starting and keep the manual in a
handy place for future reference.
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes
that do not have the
mark.
• Do not clean the machine with alcohol or other organic solvents.
Only use a soft, dry cloth.
• Do not touch the print head mechanism. Use a soft wipe (e.g. a
cotton swab) when cleaning the print head.
• To avoid injuries, do not touch the edge of the cutter.
• To prevent damage or breakage of the glass, do not press hard on
the LCD display.
• Do not put any foreign objects into or heavy objects on the
machine.
• Do not leave any rubber or vinyl on the machine for an extended
period of time, otherwise the machine may be stained.
• Do not get the machine wet, such as by touching with wet hands
or spilling beverages on to the machine.
• Do not expose the machine to extremely high temperatures or high
humidity. Never leave it on the dashboard or in the back of your
car, near heaters or other hot appliances. Keep it out of both direct
sunlight and rain.
• Avoid using the machine in extremely dusty places.
• Do not pull on the tape being fed from the P-touch, otherwise
the tape cassette may be damaged.
• Do not attempt to cut the tape while printing or feeding since this
will damage the tape.
• Do not try to print labels using an empty tape cassette set in the
P-touch. Doing so will damage the print head.
• Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adapter if you do not
intend to use the machine for an extended period of time.
(
Note:
When power is disconnected for more than three minutes, all
text shown in the display and any text files stored in the memory will
be lost.)
• 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. Otherwise the batteries may have leakage or
fracture.
• Use only the suggested AC adapter for this machine to prevent
any damage or failure.
INTRODUCTION
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Power Supply & Tape Cassettes
Make sure that the power is turned off when replacing batteries or tape cassette.
Open the back cover by pressing in the rough 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.
Insert six new AAA-size 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 back 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.
When using optional AC adapter (model G1)
Insert the plug on the adapter cord into
the adapter jack on the top end of the
machine.
Insert the plug into the nearest standard
electrical outlet.
For memory back up, when the AC adapter
is unplugged, please use AAA-size alkaline
batteries (LR03).
Print head
Tape cutter lever
End of tape
Tape guide
Cutter's edge
Tape exit slot
Toothed Wheel
Keyboard & LCD
Troubleshooting
Error message
Message
Cause/Remedy
Battery Weak!
The batteries are weak.
Check Battery!
The installed batteries are about to run out.
Invalid!
• There is no text above the cursor when you set
Numbering.
• Invalid character is selected for Numbering.
• Invalid number is selected for Tab Length or Label
Length.
No Text!
• You try to print a text file when there is no data stored
in the memory.
• The Print key is pressed when no text is entered.
• You try to set Copies, Numbering or Mirror when no
text is entered.
Line Limit!
• You try to enter a 3rd line by pressing Enter key.
• You try to print a 2 line text when 3.5 mm or 6 mm
tape is installed.
No Cassette!
You try 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)
have already been entered.
Text Too Long!
The text length exceeds the selected label length or the
selected Auto Format setting length.
No Frame OK?
Printing on 3.5 mm tape with invalid Frame setting ON.
(Select
to print with no Frame,
to cancel.)
No Vertical OK?
Vertical printing is impossible if entry was made in Thai
characters.
(Select
to print no Vertical,
to cancel.)
Size
Cursor
Caps
Power key
Function key
Memory keys
(Favorite Label Memory)
Character keys
Shift key
Caps key
Width
Style
Underline/Frame
Label Length
Print key
Cursor key
Preview key
ESC key
Backspace key
Enter key
Shift key
Symbol key
Space key
Thai/Eng key
OK key
What to do when...
Specifications
Accessories
(Supplies may differ by distribution.)
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 dealer.
Contact Information
Contact may differ by country. See the Web site. (http://www.P-touch.com/)
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 suggested adapter is correctly
connected.
The machine does
not print, or the
printed characters
are blurred.
• Check that the tape cassette has been inserted
correctly.
• If the tape cassette is empty, replace it.
The printed
characters are not
formed properly.
• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
The memory has
cleared on its own.
• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
A blank horizontal
line appears through
the printed label.
• There may be 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 print head can be cleaned more easily if the
optional print head cleaning cassette (TZ-CL3) is used.
The machine has
"locked up" (i.e.,
nothing happens
when a key is
pressed, even though
the machine is on).
• Turn off the machine, and then while holding down
and
, press
to turn the machine back on.
Finally, release
and
.
• Note: The text and formats in the display and all text
files stored in the memory are erased.
Item
Specification
Dimensions
160 mm (W)
×
151 mm (D)
×
60 mm (H)
Weight
470 g (without batteries and tape cassette)
Power supply
Six AAA-size alkaline batteries (LR03) or optional AC
adapter (model G1)
Tape cassette
Brother TZ tape (width) :
3.5 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm
Accessories
Stock No.
Tape Cassettes
See the attached TZ Tape Catalogue.
AC adapter
model G1
Cutter unit
TC-5 (replacement)
Switching the character for entry
[English/Thai]
Switching Upper Case/Lower Case
Making Two Line Text
Move the cursor to where the second line starts and press
.
Use either 9 mm or 12 mm wide tape for two line texts.
Entering Symbols
>
• To go to the next group, press
.
• To cancel operations, press
.
To Clear
Entries will be deleted backwards.
All text will be cleared.
>
[
Clear
]
>
[
Text Only
]
All text and settings will be cleared.
>
[
Clear
]
>
[
Text & Format
]
Group
Symbols
Group
Symbols
1
7
2
8
3
9
4
10
5
11
6
English
Thai
Upper case (
ON)
Lower case (
OFF)
Display
Label image
(
+
/
+
)
Setting [Size]
>
[
Size
]
>
[
Large
]
Automatically adjusts the Large, Medium and Small text size according to the
tape width.
Setting [Width]
>
[
Width
]
>
[
×
2
]
Setting [Style]
(Vertical)
>
[
Style
]
>
[
Vertical
]
Setting [Underline/Frame]
>
[
Underline/Frame
]
>
[
Underline
]
Frames will not be printed on 3.5mm tape.
Setting [Tab]
You can make aligned texts by setting tabs.
Example:
To set a tab between "ABC" and "D"
The cursor should be positioned where you set a tab.
>
>
[
Tab
]
Setting [Tab Length]
(Auto / 0 - 100mm)
>
[
Tab Length
]
>
• You can also select the length by entering the length with Num keys.
• To return to [Auto], press
.
Setting [Label Length]
(Auto / 30 - 300mm)
>
[
Label Length
]
>
• You can also select the length by entering the length with Num keys.
• To return to [Auto], press
.
Setting [Auto Format]
You can choose label length from six formats to create labels for various ap-
plications.
>
[
Auto Format
]
>
[VHS Spine]
Text Preview
You can preview the text before printing.
• The LCD shows the whole text and the label length (mm), then returns to the original text.
• Only the text can be previewed, but not the font, style, size, underline/frame or any
additional features.
Feeding
(Tape Feed)
+
Printing
• To cut off the label, push in the tape cutter lever on the upper-right corner of the machine.
• To prevent damage to the tape, do not try to cut while the message "Print" or "Feed"
is displayed.
Setting [Margin]
(Tape Margin)
>
[Margin]
>
[Full]
[Full]/[Half]/[Narrow]
is for leaving equal margins on both sides of the text.
NOTE:
Cut along the printed dots (:) with scissors so the text is centered in the label.
[Chain Print]
is for printing more than 1 copy of a label with minimum margin
<e.g. 1>. You can also create a label containing texts in various styles; print
a text in one style, and before feeding, enter the second text in another style
<e.g. 2>.
FEED THE TAPE BEFORE USING THE CUTTER (see Feeding/Printing).
Otherwise A PART OF THE TEXT MAY BE CUT OFF. Do not try to pull the
tape since this may damage the tape cassette.
Using [Print Options]
[Copies]
You can print up to 9 copies of each label.
>
[
Print Options
]
>
[
Copies
]
>
You can also select the number of copies by entering with Num 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
]
>
You can also print Thai numbers the same as above by entering Thai numbers.
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 could be read correctly from the op-
posite side when attached on glass, windows or other transparent surfaces.
Peel the printed label from the backing and apply the label.
Favourite Label Memory
You can save frequently used texts in the memory and print directly or open
to edit if needed. You can save one text into each key (
~
) (Maximum:
3 texts).
To Save:
>
>
To Print:
To Open:
>
>
When the saved text contains more than 8 characters, use
to scroll the
text.
Function Shortcuts
In addition to the basic steps to search for a function, PT-1280 provides you
with function shortcuts so you can easily jump to a frequently used function
just by pressing
and the shortcut key shown in the table below. To con-
firm, press
.
[Large]
[Medium]
[Small]
[Normal]
[
×
2]
[
×
1/2]
[Normal]
[Bold]
[Outline]
[Shadow]
[Italic]
[Italic Bold]
[Italic Outl](Italic Outline) [Italic Shadow]
[Vertical] English only
[Off]
[Underline]
[Round]
[Candy]
[Callout]
[Banner]
[Wooden]
Application
Length
Application
Length
VHS Spine
140 mm
CD Case Spine
113 mm
MiniDV Spine
42 mm
File Tab
82 mm
Audio Tape
89 mm
Divider Tab
42 mm
(
+
)
(
+
)
(
+
)
(
+
)
(
+
)
Display
Label image
ABC
D
Tab
(
+
)
(
+
)
(
+
)
(
+
)
25mm
12mm
12mm
4mm
4mm
25mm
ABC
ABC
:
ABC
:
Full
Half
Narrow
ABC ABC ABC
ABC
ABC
DEF
<e.g. 1>
<e.g. 2>
(feed & cut)
(feed & cut)
Chain Print
(
+
/
+
)
Key
Function
Key
Function
[Size]
[Label Length]
[Width]
[Auto Format]
[Style]
[Margin]
[Underline/Frame]
[Print Options]
[Tab]
[Clear]
[Tab Length]
(
+
)
PREPARATION
OPERATION
REFERENCE
[GETTING STARTED]
[CREATING LABELS]
MAKING TEXT
DESIGNING LABELS
PRINTING LABELS
COMPLETED LABELS
USEFUL FUNCTIONS
