How to Fix Common Printing Issues

If you print blank labels, there are 2 main reasons:

1. The labels were loaded upside down.

For All Customers:

Please ensure your labels are properly loaded that the tearable side up.

For Brother DK-Series Customers:

Check if the black identification marks on the back were not printed correctly

For   Dymo Series Customers:

Check if the holes between the labels were not punched completely.

Check if the black identification marks on the back were not printed correctly

2. Printer set up size does not match actual label size. 

Change printer set up size to match actual label size.

See instruction below the No. 6

After checking the above 2 aspects and you still can't find what's wrong. Then check the below 3 uncommon aspects.

3. Check if  Non-Thermal Labels Are Used

Thermal printers can only print on thermal labels. If regular labels are used, they won’t react to heat, so the labels will come out blank. If you are not sure if your labels are thermal ones or not, here’s how to check if your labels are thermal:

• Lighter Test: Hold a lighter near the label. If it turns black, it’s thermal paper; if it doesn’t, it’s not.
• Scratch Test: Scratch the surface of the label with your fingernail. If it leaves a black mark, it’s thermal paper; if it doesn’t, it’s not.

4. Check if  Label Coating Works

Sometimes, the thermal coating may have quality issues or be uneven, causing blank spots or entirely blank labels. You can print several test print to see if the whole label roll are printing blanck labels. If so ,You can test the coating by using the lighter test mentioned above. If the label doesn’t turn black, it may be defective. In this case, contact your supplier for a replacement or refund.

5. Check If There Is  Printer Head Issues

Thermal printers use the print head to heat the thermal paper and create text or images. If the print head is malfunctioning or dirty, it may prevent printing. Here’s how to troubleshoot:

• Check the Print Head: Try printing with different labels. If other labels print fine, the print head is likely okay. If not, it may need replacing.
• Clean the Print Head: Over time, dust or residue can build up on the print head. Use a cotton swab with a bit of alcohol to gently clean it, then let it dry before printing again. Regular cleaning helps maintain print quality and extends the printer’s life.

6. If all above are correct, check your printer by printing a self-test page

① Press FEED (green/red light/biggest) button and hold;

② Release after you hear two or several consecutive beeps.

The printer will print a self-test page.

How to Change printer set up size to match actual label size

Instruction: How to Change printer set up size to match actual label size.

(Windows User, Mac User, P-Touch User, Adobe User)

This usually happens to Brother DK-1209, DK-1241 & DK-1247

For Windows User:

Go to the ‘printer preferences’ -> ‘advanced’ -> ‘paper size’, select the correct size for the printer (please select the 4x6 inch or 100*150mm)

For Mac User:

Select correct size on "Paper Size" in the print dialogue. For instance, you should choose the 4 x 6" for 4 x 6 labels (eg. DK-1241 , Dymo 1744907 ).

Note: You can use the presets settings to permanently save these specific printing settings and avoid repeated setup.

Brother P-Touch User (Eg. DK-1209 62mm x 29mm)

File’ -> ‘Print’ -> ‘Page Setup’, select the correct size for the printer (Eg. 62mm x 29mm for DK-1209)

Adobe PDF File Set Up. (Eg. DK-1209 62mm x 29mm)

File’ -> ‘Print’ -> ‘Page Setup’, select the correct size for the printer (Eg. 62mm x 29mm for DK-1209)

The issue is that you want to print your content on 1 labels but your content is printed on several labels repeatedly.

Reason:  The printer driver or PDF Page size is larger than the actual size of the labels.

Solution:

1. Change the label size to the correct size on Page Setup.

2. Check your printer.

See instruction for Windows users, Mac Users, P-Touch users and Adobe PDF printing users 

For Windows User:

Go to the ‘printer preferences’ -> ‘advanced’ -> ‘paper size’, select the correct size for the printer

For Mac User:

For Mac users, select correct size on "Paper Size" in the print dialogue. For instance, you should choose the 4 x 6" for 4 x 6 labels (eg. DK-1241 , Dymo 1744907 ). You can use the presets settings to p save these specific printing settings and avoid repeated setup.

Brother P-Touch User (Eg. DK-1209 62mm x 29mm)

File’ -> ‘Print’ -> ‘Page Setup’, select the correct size for the printer (Eg. 62mm x 29mm for DK-1209)

For Windows User:

Go to the ‘printer preferences’ -> ‘advanced’ -> ‘paper size’, select the correct size for the printer (please select the 4x6 inch or 100*150mm)

For Mac User:

Select correct size on "Paper Size" in the print dialogue. For instance, you should choose the 4 x 6" for 4 x 6 labels (eg. DK-1241 , Dymo 1744907 ).

Note: You can use the presets settings to permanently save these specific printing settings and avoid repeated setup.

Brother P-Touch User (Eg. DK-1209 62mm x 29mm)

Paper’ -> ‘Media Size’

Adobe PDF File Set Up. (Eg. DK-1209 62mm x 29mm)

File’ -> ‘Print’ -> ‘Page Setup’, select the correct size for the printer (Eg. 62mm x 29mm for DK-1209)

ascially there are 3 main reasons:

1. Your printing source is not PDF file but JPG, PNG.

2. The printing speed and density (darkness) setting doesn't not match what you need. \

3. Printer's head is dirty

So there are 3 solutions:

1. Convert your image file to PDF file format.

2. Adjust your printing speed and density (Darkness).

3. Clean your printer's head.

See instruction of how to adjust printing spped and density (Darkness) below for both Mac and Windows.  

For Windows User:

Settings -> Devices -> Printers and Scanners -> (Your Printer) -> Manager -> Printing Preferences -> Page Setup -> Speed & Darkness

Adjust the Darkness, Try to choose low rate while high Darkness.

For Mac User:

• Choose printer features: File→Print→Printer Feature (Preview)→Printer Setting(General)
• Adjust the Darkness, Try to choose low rate while high Darkness

Note:

Some printers need to reset after adjusting the printing speed and density/darkness.

So check your user manual of printer or try to contact your printer manufacture customer service about how to reset the printer.

3. Clean Your Printer's Head 

Wipe the printer's head with alcohol wipes or wet tissues.

If you still print blurry image after following all steps above, email us to: cs@betckey.com for more help.

Or check out FAQs for more questions and answers: