Technical FAQs

Although this support page is full of information, we are constantly looking to add more information

Select a Topic

Main Heading	Details
Installation	Software Install in Windows & DOS
	Installation Problems
	Connection of the SLP to a Computer
	Advice on configuring a Serial Interface on the PC
	UART 16550 Serial Ports
	Windows95/NT support
Printing Problems	Paper Feed Errors
	Light Print
	Wavy lines on Labels
	Labels Fading
Using the Software	Text Capture when using non 16bit Applications
	BarCodes- Printing and use of
	Printing Lists or Files
	Pictures & Graphic considerations
	Return Address
	Printer fonts on the SLP-Pro
	Working with label data in Windows & DOS (SLP-Pro)
Printing using other Windows Applications
Upgrading your SLP Software
Spare Parts & Warranty Information
Developers Kit
Networking

Software Installation Instructions

SLP Plus/EZ30 Windows v.3.22 Installation Instructions

If you have a previously installed version SLP for DOS loaded memory resident, exit Windows and unload SLP.

1. Save your work and close any running Windows applications.
2. From Windows Program Manager Choose Run from the File Menu
3. Type A:WINSETUP or B:WINSETUP and choose OK.

SLP Plus/EZ30 DOS v.3.22 Installation Instructions

1. If you have SLP for DOS loaded resident, unload it.
2. At the DOS command line type A: or B: and press ENTER
3. Type SETUP and press ENTER

SLP Pro Windows v.2.13 Installation Instructions

1. If you have a previously installed version of SLP Pro for DOS loaded memory resident, exit Windows and unload SLP Pro.
2. Save your work and close any running Windows applications.
3. From Windows Program Manager choose Run from the File Menu.
4. Type A:WINSETUP or B:WINSETUP and choose OK.

SLP Pro DOS v.2.13 Installation Instructions

1. If you have SLP Pro for DOS loaded resident, unload it.
2. At the DOS command line type A: or B: and press ENTER.
3. Type SETUP and press ENTER.

Installation Troubleshooting

If you are having difficulty installing the Smart Label Printer or accompanying software, please review the following checklist of common installation problems:

• Not connected properly
• Serial port not properly configured
• COM FIFO not disabled on High-Speed Serial Port (16550)

Connecting the SLP to the computer

• PC: Connect the data cable to an available serial port in your computer. The SLP will not work on a parallel port.
• Mac: Connect the data cable to an available modem or printer in your computer.

Configuring Serial Ports on a PC

PC: Improperly configured serial ports is a common problem in PCs. If your serial port is imporperly configured,

• Two serial ports (and/or internal modems) devices share the same COM port address
• Your serial port and another device in the computer share the same IRQ (interrupt)
• You will need to verify and possibly reconfigure some of the settings of your serial port and other peripherals in your computer in order to resolve the problem. Consult the manufacturers of the respective hardware in your computer for more information.

DOS: Base Addressing & Higher IRQs

The DOS version of the software for the Smart Label Printer Plus and EZ30 will address IRQs' higher than 7 and different base addresses. The syntax for changing the base address and IRQ is SLP /C:aaa.ii, where aaa is the user specified base address and is the IRQ for the COM port where the printer is connected.

UART 16550 Serial Ports

Windows: The 16550 and 16550A chips can use a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) buffer that, when active, can cause misalignment and other problems when used with a SLP. If printing problems are experienced, you should disable the FIFO buffer. To do this, add a COMxFIFO=0 statement in the 386 enhanced section of your SYSTEM.INI file (substitute the x with the appropriate COM port--e.g. COM2FIFO=0). For more on this option, read the SYSINI.WRI file in your Windows directory.

Supporting Windows/NT (3.51 & 4.0) and Windows 95

Smart Label Printer Pro

The SLP Pro for Windows application software is Windows 95 and Windows/NT compatible with the following exceptions:

• The SLP Pro for Windows application SmartCopy and SmartCapture functions do not capture from 32 bit applications running under Windows 95 or from any applications running on NT. To address this, we are developing macros for common apps such as MS Word and WordPerfect which allow address capturing from 32-bit applications.
• The SLP Pro for Windows application Graphics Capture function does not capture from 32 bit applications running under Windows 95 (or from any application running on NT).
• The Printer Fonts provided with the SLP Pro application (Bar Codes EAN-13, 39, UPC-A USS-I2/5 and the others like Cobb, Marin, Dixon etc.) cannot be used on an NT system. POSTNET works when using version SLP Pro software version 2.09 or newer.

The recently released v4.53 version of the SLP-Pro software is now available for download. This version has been completely re-written. This version available Free of charge for download. It is available is available on CD-Rom at a cost of œ15 incl VAT + UK postage to cover administration costs.

If you have already purchased a 4.0x version of the software, or it was included with the printer you may upgrade to this latest version and Download here.

Smart Label Printer EZ30

The SLP EZ30 Windows application software is Windows 95 and Windows/NT compatible with the following exceptions:

• The SLP EZ30 Windows applications' SmartCopy and SmartCapture functions do not capture from 32 bit applications running under Windows 95 or from any applications running on NT.
• The Windows applications' Graphics Capture function does not capture from 32 bit applications running under Windows 95 (or from any application running on NT?).

Smart Label Printer Plus and original Smart Label Printer

The SLP for Windows application, under Windows 95 or Windows NT, supports printing to the EZ30 only. Using the application to print to the SLP and SLP Plus is not supported at present.

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Printing Problems

Paper Feed Error

Printer Models: Smart Label Printer Plus and EZ30

Within the Smart Label Printer Plus there is a sensor that looks for the hole between each label. If the sensor is obstructed (usually by a piece of label) or not working, the printer can no longer locate the beginning of the next label. Thereby the printer feeds a half label to far and then gives the error "PRINTER PAPER FEED ERROR."

There are two possible solutions to the problem, one is to check the printer for obstruction to the sensor. The sensor is located just inside the slot where the labels feed into the printer, there are instructions on how to clear stuck labels in the Appendices of the users guide. Should this not cure the problem or if you need assistance while cleaning the printer, please feel free to contact tech support. The second alternative is to return the printer to our repair facility for service.

Light Printing

If the printing on your label is light (not solid, dark black), one of the following problems is to blame:

• Labels have been exposed to heat, light or other elements due to improper storage
  SOLUTION: discard the labels
• Print head has a built-up residue or similar which impedes the proper flow of heat to the label (could be from use of improper labels, see below).
  SOLUTION: In this case, the print head must be cleaned- clean using a small amount of isopropal alcohol on a soft cloth.
• Use of inferior labels. Only genuine Seiko Instruments Smart Labels are guaranteed to give best results in your Smart Label Printer. Use of improper labels can damage your printer and void your warranty.

Wavy Printing

Wavy print if more than one line on SLP Plus & EZ30

Within the printer mechanism there is a plastic roller and tension spring that holds the label while the print head moves across the label. With extended use the roller may collect paper dust or have less tension against the tension spring and thereby allowing the label to slip as the print head moved across the label. This slipping is what causes the wavy print or lines during printing or self test.
SOLUTION: You may either open the printer, remove the print mechanism and inspect/clean the roller or you may return the printer to our repair centre.

Fading Labels

All Smart Label Printers use thermal labels for printing. By using thermal labels the reliability of the printer is much improved over printers that require ribbons or ink pads. However, there are two limitations to all thermal papers and labels.

• Thermal paper/labels are sensitive to UV light (ultraviolet ). UV light reacts with the thermal coating and fade the image.
• The thermal coating will also react to the gas vapors exhausted by the polyvinyl used in most plastics binders, and thereby causing the image to fade.

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Using the Software

Text Capture using 32 Bit Apps

SmartCapture and 32 Bit Windows

• SmartCapture and SmartCopy will work in Windows95 and Windows 3.1 only when "capturing" from other 16-bit Windows applications.

SmartCapture® and IRMA® for Windows

• The SLP EZ30 v3.22 cannot SmartCapture from D.C.A. IRMA WorkStation for Windows.

SmartCapture and OS/2 Warp

• SmartCapture will work in OS/2 Warp only when "capturing" from other Windows applications, provided they are in the same session.

DOS

• The DOS version of the Smart Label Printer software will not capture information from most Windows applications. The application developed for Windows are, for the most part, graphic in nature, and as you may have already discovered, the DOS version of Smart Label Printer software won't capture graphics. However, for those customers who purchased the original version of the Smart Label Printer there is upgrade software for Windows. This software will allow you to copy and paste information from Windows application for use with the Smart Label Printer.

SLP Plus Version 1.xx Users

If you are upgrading from SLP v1.xx and wish to use your old Memory, be sure there are no blank lines within labels stored in Memory or labels may be separated at the blank lines.

Using Barcodes

The SLP automatically calculates and adds start and stop bars to bar codes at print time. This requires that some allowance for such characters are made when you edit your label.

Before creating a large volume of labels which include a bar code, it is recommended that you test scan a few labels with your scanning equipment to ensure readability. Scanners which use visible light technology are ideal for reading labels printed with your Smart Label Printer.

Note: Infra-red scanners generally will not read bar codes printed on thermal paper.

Accessing Bar Code Fonts from SLP Pro for Windows

Bar code fonts will not appear in the font selection table unless the Bar Codes checkbox is checked in the Fonts Preferences dialog. This version of SLP Pro for Windows allows you to select character attributes (such as bold, italic and underline) for all fonts, including bar code fonts. To help ensure reliable scanning, make sure that none of these attributes are applied to bar codes.

Printing Lists

Care should be taken not to power off the printer when changing label rolls during the printing of a list. Shutting off the SLP clearsthe printer's buffer and may result in lost labels. Also, note that when changing labels, it is possible that the last label on a roll may need to be re-printed.

Using Graphics/Pictures on Labels

Saving Labels with large Pictures

Saving numerous labels with large pictures can result in an extremely large *.sld file. This is normal because each label record includes the complete picture data in its original format and size. To help keep this in check, it is recommended that pictures are first scaled (using a drawing type application) before capturing. Meanwhile, we will be working to identify options that would help to address this concern in a future software release.

Picture Placeholder

The Picture Preferences dialog includes a "Picture Placeholder" checkbox. When selected, a rectangle representing the size and position of the picture will appear in the edit window in place of the actual picture. This option has no affect on printing.

Auto Dithering

When using multicolor or grey scale art, you will almost always get best results with the Auto Dither option on. The Auto Dither options automatically detects colors or gray scales contained in a picture and converts them to a pattern of dots which can be printed.

Generally, simple monochrome art will not be dithered. In some cases, particularly with clip art that you have scanned, better results may be obtained by switching Auto Dither to OFF in the Picture Preferences dialog box.

Note: SLP Pro for Windows application uses the Burkes Dither Algorithm.

Return Addresses

If you get a "Return Address too large" message... check to be sure that the return address label record does not contain a picture area which extends beyond half (vertically) of the label size on which you intend to include the same. Similarly, be sure that there is not more text than will fit in the same area.

SLP Pro (Windows) Printer Fonts

If the SLP Pro for Windows Printer Fonts checkbox is checked in Font Options, all installed printer fonts used in SLP Pro for DOS should appear in the font list in the tool bar. If the printer fonts do not appear in this list, be sure that "Show Only TrueType Fonts in Applications" is unchecked in the Windows Control Panel. Also be sure that any entries in the WIN.INI file that start with "Fontdir="specify the directory that contains the corresponding font files (*.FF1).

If you have installed SLP Pro for DOS, specific Printer Fonts can be individually installed or removed in the DOS version SETUP.EXE program. Selection made in the DOS SETUP.EXE "Font Options", determine the listing of available printer fonts for both the DOS and Windows applications.

Note: The SLP Pro Printer Fonts can be used with the SLP Pro DOS and Windows applications only. The Windows Print driver uses TrueType and other Windows fonts.

Compatibility between Windows & DOS versions of the SLP-Pro Label Data

The DOS and Windows versions are able to share label data, there are some key differences in how the two versions use the same data. The following rules apply:

• Return Addresses saved in DOS cannot be accessed by Windows and vice versa.
• Although the DOS version can open labels saved with Windows fonts, these labels are converted to printer fonts when opened in DOS. If they are then saved in DOS, the original font values will be overwritten with whatever printer fonts appeared in the DOS label edit window.
• Labels saved with a picture in the Windows version will open in DOS as TEXT ONLY. This label can be re-edited in the DOS version and then saved without affecting the picture part of the label saved by the Windows version. If however, the label is saved with a different name while in the DOS version, the resulting saved label will not include any picture data.
• Text frame position and size is ignored by the DOS version. All labels are treated as if they are TEXT ONLY and as if the text frame is scaled to the full size of the label.
• In this version, it is possible that there may be some discrepancy between the DOS and Windows software with respect to the number of lines of a given font/size that will fit on the label. This is normal.
• Although the Underline character attribute can be applied to printer fonts in the Windows version, the current DOS version does not support underlining. Labels saved with underlined characters will not appear or print as underlined when recalled in the DOS version.

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Printing to the SLP Pro from another Windows Applications

A driver has been provided to enable printing to the SLP Pro directly from Windows applications. The driver files are located in the "Driver" directory on your installation diskette. The driver is installed automatically during the SLP Pro for Windows installation process. Alternatively, this can be installed manually from Windows Control panel. For more on how to install printer drivers in Windows Control Panel, please consult your Windows manual.

If you experience difficulty when attempting to print to the SLP Pro using the Windows driver, check the following:

1. In the Windows Control Panel be sure that the settings are set as follows... Baud Rate=9600; Data Bits=8; Parity=None; Stop Bits=1; Flow Control=NONE.
2. Be sure that the Margins in Page Setup are set appropriately for the size of the label. For best results, a margin setting of 0.16" is recommended. Selecting a smaller size may result in cropping of the printed image or text.
3. Be sure that "Fast Print Direct to Port" in the Windows Control Panel is checked.

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Software Upgrades

Software upgrades are available from SEIKO Precision UK or by download or can be ordered by calling +44 1628 587400.

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Replacement Parts

To order Spare parts, cables, manuals or upgrades, contact

AVD Computer Services Ltd
PO Box 5142, Reading RG7 1ZQ
Tel: +44 118 988 7300
Fax: +44 118 988 7301

Warranty

Refer to your accompanying documentation for specific warranty information. SEIKOSHA provides a 1 year warranty, which includes parts and labour.

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Developing Custom Applications

There is a developers kit available for the Smart Label Printers which outlines the interface specifications and coding for the printers. To obtain a copy of the developer information, you may either mail or Fax a request to:

AVD Computer Services Ltd
PO Box 5142, Reading RG7 1ZQ
Tel: +44 118 988 7300
Fax: +44 118 988 7301

The request should contain the following information:

1. Company Name (if applicable)
2. Contact Name
3. Full address incl PostCode
4. Phone No.
5. A brief description of what you are planing to develop.

More Information on Developing Custom Applications

The Smart Label Printers print graphics

Unlike most printers, the Smart Label Printer Plus and Pro do not utilize escape code sequences to control the printer or direct ASCII code for print. The Smart Label Printers expect information to be in the form of a graphics bit map. This allows the printer to print almost anything, graphics or text.

A more detailed description can also be obtained from this site and the various developer kits can be downloaded

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Networking your SLP

Printing directly from Windows Applications on Lantastic Systems

LANtastic may prevent Windows from setting the COM port baud rates. If you are able to print from SLP for Windows but NOT from the SLP EZ30 print driver, you may need to add a line "MODE COMx:9600,n,8,1" to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file where "x" is the COM port to which the SLP EZ30 is connected.

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