The hot and humid weather doesn't just leave you uncomfortable and on edge. It also affects your printing capabilities.

Here in Chicago we're experiencing crazy weather just like everyone else. Ours is coming in the form of unusually hot and sticky days. They typically arrive in August but not late June. Today is 102 degrees but there is a letup in sight. The next few days will only be in the mid-90's!

This photo shows how humidity in particular can affect your print results. I found this out when the A/C in my office decided to break down. The top ribbons are perfect as they were printed earlier in the month. The bottom ones have been printed in a humid environment. The print is smudged and unacceptable.

Within a day my A/C was back on but it took a while for my foils to be usable again. Prolonged exposure to humidity could damage your foils permanently.

Make sure to keep your printing environment at a low humidity level and below 70 degrees. Also keep the printer out of the direct sun so don't position it next to a south facing window or near a heater.

Footnote - None of the foil stock was subjected to this humid punishment so no fear with ordering consumables!

The Duct Tape is Significant!

When you first received your machine there was a piece of tape attached behind the rubber wheel to the left. Depending on when you purchased your machine, it may have been small and white or larger and black. This tape should not be removed and serves an important purpose.

The tape covers a light sensor that, if exposed, tells the printer to stop printing. This is obviously not a good thing for ribbon printing.

Over time the tape will loosen and possibly drop off. Then it needs to be replaced. Here's how to do it.

1. Use true duct tape ... not masking tape or electrical tape. The duct tape can be blue, black, whatever as long as it is truly a "darkening" tape that won't allow light to go through.

2. Use a piece of tape that is approximately a 2" x 2" square.

3. To insert it into the printer, slip it between the rubber roll and the black plastic casing as shown in the photo. Then make sure it adheres tightly around the light sensor and seals on all edges to the black plastic lining the inner bottom of the printer.

SIGNS THAT YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR TAPE

If your printer begins printing and stops mid-design and the lights on the printer begin blinking on and off, you need to change the tape. When this happens, turn off the printer, replace the tape per the above instructions, make sure to clear all jobs left unprinted from the print que, and then you are ready to print again.

Sue Monhait &
The Ribbon Print Team