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Printronix: TH240 and TH340 Manual Calibration (Media & Ribbon and RFID)

Printronix TH240 / TH340: Media and RFID Calibration

Calibration allows the printer to correctly detect each label and properly read and encode the RFID inlay.

You should perform calibration when:

  • Setting up the printer for the first time
  • Loading a different label size or RFID inlay
  • Labels begin feeding or printing out of position
  • The printer skips labels
  • RFID labels are being marked VOID
  • RFID encoding becomes inconsistent

Important: Perform the Media Calibration first, followed by the RFID Calibration.

Before beginning, make sure the printer is powered on and that the labels and ribbon are loaded correctly.

Step 1: Media Calibration

Media calibration teaches the printer where each label begins and ends by detecting the gap or black mark between labels.

For standard adhesive labels

From the printer's home screen:

  1. Select Menu
  2. Select Sensor
  3. Select Auto Calibration
  4. Select Gap

The printer will feed several labels while it measures the label length and the gap between each label.

When calibration is complete, return to the Home screen.

For hang tags or black-mark media

If your media uses a black registration mark rather than a gap between labels:

  1. Select Menu
  2. Select Sensor
  3. Select Auto Calibration
  4. Select Black Mark

The printer will feed several tags while it detects the black registration marks.

Preprinted Labels

If you are using labels that already contain printed graphics, colors, or other markings that may interfere with the printer's media sensor, use:

Menu → Sensor → Preprint Calibration → Gap

or

Menu → Sensor → Preprint Calibration → Black Mark

depending on the type of media being used.

If Auto Calibration does not work

The printer also provides a Manual Calibration option.

Use Manual Calibration only when Auto Calibration is unable to correctly identify the label or gap.

Navigate to:

Menu → Sensor → Manual Calibration

Select the appropriate media type and follow the instructions shown on the printer display.

Step 2: RFID Calibration

After the media has been calibrated, perform the RFID calibration.

RFID calibration allows the printer to determine the optimal location and RF power required to read and encode the RFID inlay inside the label.

From the Home screen:

  1. Select Menu
  2. Select Interface
  3. Select RFID
  4. Select Tag Calibration
  5. Select RFID Calibrate

The printer will begin feeding several RFID labels.

During the process, the display may show:

RFID Calibrate

and

Calibration Progressing

Allow the printer to complete the entire process without interrupting it.

The TH240 RFID calibration process feeds several labels while determining the appropriate encoding position and RFID power levels.

Calibration Complete

Once both calibrations have successfully completed, the printer should be ready to print and encode RFID labels.

Print a test label and verify that:

  • The label stops in the correct position
  • Labels are not skipped
  • Printing is properly aligned
  • The RFID tag successfully encodes
  • The printer does not mark valid tags as VOID

If You Are Experiencing Printing Problems

Recalibrate the printer if you notice:

  • Labels shifting during printing
  • Labels stopping in the wrong position
  • Multiple labels feeding at once
  • Labels being skipped
  • Unexpected VOID labels
  • RFID encoding failures

Always perform Media Calibration first, then perform RFID Calibration.

Finally, open the printer and manually roll any labels that were fed out during calibration back onto the media roll, and close the printer. Now you're ready to print!

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