background image

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

Reviews: