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KEYBOARD & LCD DISPLAY
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have the 
mark.
• Do not pull on the tape being fed from the P-Touch. This may damage the tape cassette.
• Do not use the machine in dusty places, and keep it out of both direct sunlight and rain.
• Do not expose the machine to high temperatures or high humidity. Never leave it on the dashboard or in the back of your car.
• Do not leave any rubber or vinyl on the machine for an extended period of time. Doing so may cause staining.
• Do not clean the machine with alcohol or other organic solvents. Use a soft, dry cloth only.
• Do not put any foreign objects into or anything on the machine.
• To avoid injuries, do not touch the cutter's edge.
• Use only the AC adaptor (model AD-60) designed exclusively for this machine. Use of any other adaptor will void the warranty.
• Do not try to disassemble the AC adaptor.
• When the machine is not being used for a long period of time and it is not necessary to keep the text files stored in the memory, disconnect the AC adaptor, and remove the batteries to prevent them from leaking and damaging the machine.
• When the AC adaptor is connected, unplugging the adaptor from the electrical outlet before unplugging it from the machine can delete all text files in the memory, even if batteries are installed.
• Use six AA alkaline batteries in this machine.
This lightweight and portable machine can be used anywhere by installing six (6) AA alkaline batteries. When you change the batteries, always replace all six at the same time.
To change the batteries:
Be sure to insert the new batteries within five minutes of removing the old ones, otherwise the text shown in the display and any text files stored in the memory will be lost (unless the machine is plugged into an AC outlet with the AC adaptor).
Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adaptor if you do not intend to use this machine for an extended period of time. When the power is disconnected, all text shown in the display and stored in the memory will be lost.
If alkaline batteries are not used, large fonts cannot be printed.
The AC adaptor (model AD-60) allows you to use this machine wherever there is an electrical outlet.
To connect the optional AC adaptor:
Only use the AC adaptor designed exclusively for this machine.
Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adaptor if you do not intend to use this machine for an extended period of time. When the power is disconnected, all text shown in the display and stored in the memory will be lost. When the AC adaptor is connected, unplugging the adaptor from the electrical outlet before unplugging it from the machine can delete all text files in the memory even if batteries are installed.
It is recommended that you use the AC adaptor when printing large fonts on 3/4" (18-mm)-wide tape since this operation can quickly drain the batteries.
A single TZ tape cassette is supplied with this unit. However, since TZ tape cassettes are available for this machine in a wide variety of colors and sizes, it is possible to make distinctive color-coded and stylized labels.
In addition, this machine has been designed to allow you to change the tape cassettes quickly and easily.
To change the tape cassette:
1. Lift open the tape compartment cover. The installed cassette is also released.
2. If a tape cassette is already installed, remove it by pulling it straight up.
3. If the ink ribbon in the other tape cassette is loose, use your finger to wind the toothed wheel in the direction of the arrow on the cassette until there is no slack in the ribbon. Also, make sure that the end of the tape feeds under the tape guides.
If you are using a new tape cassette provided with a stopper, be sure to remove the stopper.
4. Insert the tape cassette firmly into the tape compartment, making sure that the entire back of the cassette touches the bottom of the compartment.
When inserting the tape cassette, make sure that the inner ribbon does not catch on the corner of the metal guide.
5. Close the compartment cover, then turn on the machine if it is off.
6. Hold down 
and press
once to advance the tape and remove any slack.
7. Push down on the tape cutter lever to cut off any excess tape.
LAMINATED TAPE
The enclosed stick enables you to easily remove the backing from labels printed on laminated tapes.
FABRIC TAPE
Fabric tape is used to attach a piece of fabric printed with your text onto garments using an iron. After printing the text onto fabric tape and cutting off the label using scissors, place the label on an ironed garment at the location where you wish to attach it in such a way that the printed text can be read correctly. Cover the label with another piece of cloth and use an iron set to a medium-high temperature (320 to 356 ”F (160 to 180 ”C)) to press down firmly for 10 to 15 seconds. For more details, refer to the instructions included with the fabric tape cassette.
STAMP TAPE
Refer to pages 45 through 48 for a detailed explanation on using the stamp tape to make stamps.
Occasionally, specks of dust or dirt become attached to the machine's print head and rollers. This is particularly likely when you are using the unit outdoors or in a very dusty environment. If a section of the print head is covered with dust, a blank horizontal streak may appear through the label text. Therefore, as with a tape recorder, the machine's head may need to be cleaned from time to time.
To clean the print head and rollers:
If none of the above works, contact your service representative.
The power key ( 
) is located in the top right-hand corner of the keyboard. If batteries have been installed or the machine has been plugged in using the optional AC adaptor, the previous session’s information is displayed when the machine is turned on. This feature allows you to stop work on a label, turn off the machine, and return to it later without having to re-enter the text. The machine will automatically turn off if no key is pressed within 5 minutes. The machine’s internal memory stores the current session’s information and displays it when you turn on the machine again.
To turn on the machine:
The previous session’s information appears in the LCD display. To turn off the machine:
The current session’s information is stored in the internal memory.The machine’s LCD display shows two rows of 11 characters; however, the text that you create can be up to 99 characters long. You can review and edit your text by using the cursor keys to move the cursor so that different parts are shown in the display.
LEFT CURSOR KEY
To move the cursor one character to the left:
once.To move the cursor several characters to the left:
until the cursor moves to the desired position.To move the cursor to the beginning of the current line
and press .RIGHT CURSOR KEY
To move the cursor one character to the right:
once.To move the cursor several characters to the right:
until the cursor moves to the desired position.To move the cursor to the end of the current line:
and press .UP CURSOR KEY
To move the cursor up to the previous line:
once.If the cursor is in the first line of text, it will move to the beginning of the line.
To move the cursor up several lines:
until the cursor moves to the desired position.To move the cursor to the beginning of the entire text:
and press .DOWN CURSOR KEY
To move the cursor down to the following line:
once.If the cursor is in the last line of text, it will move to the end of the line.
To move the cursor down several lines:
until the cursor moves to the desired position.To move the cursor to the end of the entire text:
and press .Most characters can be entered simply by pressing their keys. However, to use special functions or to enter capital letters, accented characters and some symbols, the following special keys are necessary.
CODE KEY
To use a function printed above a key:
and press the key immediately below the desired function.EXAMPLE
To start the Symbol function:
Hold down and press 
once.
ALT KEY
To type in characters printed in color on the right-hand side of the keys:
and press the key of the desired character written in color. The Alt indicator on the left side of the display lights up while is held down.EXAMPLE
To type in “–”:
and press
once. The Alt indicator lights up while is held down.
SHIFT KEY
To type in a capital letter or a symbol printed in the top left-hand corner of a key:
and press the key of the desired letter or symbol.EXAMPLE
To type in “%”:
and press 
.
The Caps mode is similar to holding down . It allows you to type capital letters continuously.
To type in many capital letters:
and press . The Caps indicator on the left side of the display lights up. 
and press . The Caps indicator goes off.This function allows you to separate sections of a line of text by adding tabs. This enables you to create perfectly aligned columns without having to type in several spaces. All tabs have the same length and are measured from either the beginning of the line or the previous tab if there is more than one. The tab length can be set between 0.0" and 11.8" (0.0 and 30.0 cm).
^ The text can contain no more than 50 tabs. If 50 tabs have already been added tothe text when 
is pressed, the error message "TAB LIMIT!" appears.
To set the tab length:
1. Hold down 
and press 
once. The current tab length is displayed.
2. Press
until the desired length is displayed or use the number keys to
type in the length.
To change the units (inches or centimeters) used to display the tab lengths, press 
until the desired units are displayed.
3. Press 
.
To add a tab:
and press once. The tab mark ( 
) appears in the text to indicate the position of the tab.If the text in front of a tab extends past the point where the next section of text should start, the text will instead start at the following tab position.
For example, if the tab length is set to 2" and the following text is typed in:
the label shown below will be printed
The delete key ( 
) allows you to remove characters to the left of the cursor's current
position. It differs from the left cursor key ( 
), which only moves the cursor without
deleting any characters.
The delete key can also be used to quit most functions and return to the previous display without changing the text.
Some questions asking you to confirm a command may appear on the LCD display, especially when the function that you have chosen will delete or affect files. In these cases,
pressing is like answering "no".
To answer "yes", press
Refer to RETURN KEY on page 31.
To delete one character:
to position the cursor below the character immediately to the right of the character that you wish to delete.once.To delete a sequence of characters:
to position the cursor below the character immediately to the right of the last character that you wish to delete. until all of the characters that you wish to delete are deleted.To quit a function without changing your text:
to return to your text.To answer "no":
.With the Line Out function, you can easily remove an entire line of text.
To delete a line of text:
to position the cursor within the line of text that you wish to delete.
and press
once. Each time is pressed while is held down, one line of text is deleted.
EXAMPLE
To delete “012-345-6789”:
and press once.
When clearing the display before entering new text, the Clear function can be used to choose whether all of the text is erased and all format functions (Font, Size, Width, Style, Underline, Frame, Tape margin, Alignment, Tab length, Mirror printing, and Length) are returned to their default settings, or whether just the text is erased.
To delete all of the text and return all formats to their default settings:
1. Hold down and press 
.
2. Press 
until TEXT&FORMATS is selected (flashing).
To return to the text without erasing anything, press .
3. Press 
To delete just the text:
To delete just the text:
1. Hold down and press.
2. Press until TEXT ONLY is selected (flashing).
To return to the text without erasing anything, press .
3. Press .
The Accent function can also be used to add accented characters to your text. Many of these characters can also be typed in using the Symbol function. The accented characters are grouped according to the capital or small letter that they are combined with. The following accented characters are available:
To type in an accented character:
1. Hold down
and press
. The message “a – u / A – U?” appears on the display.
2. Press the key of the letter in the desired accented character.
☞ To type a capital letter, hold down
(or hold down and press to turn on Caps mode) before pressing the letter key.
3. Press 
until the desired accented character flashes.
4. Press . The letter and the accent flash alternately in the text.
☞ To type in a series of accented characters, hold down before pressing . Then, continue adding accented characters by selecting them as explained in steps 2 and 3, and holding down while pressing . Press just after selecting the last character in the series
In addition to the letters, symbols and numerals on the key tops, there are 53 additional marks available with the Symbol function
The following symbols are available:
To type in a symbol:
and press 
. A row of symbols appear in the display.
to display different rows of symbols and press until the desired symbol flashes. To type in a series of symbols, hold downbefore pressing . Then, continue adding symbols by selecting them as explained in steps 2 and 3, and holding down while pressing . Pressjustafter selecting the last symbol in the series.
The Stamp function allows you to quickly and easily create your own stamp stencil films for customized stamps. Select this function to automatically center the text and adjust the tape length and margins to a perfect format for the pre-inked stamp film holders. Since the stamp holder is reusable, just make a new stamp stencil film and replace the one in the holder.
To make a stamp:
and press
once. The message “STAMP FORMAT?” appears in the display.. The text is formatted for a stamp: centered within the preset message area with the tape length and margins automatically adjusted.
to cut the text out of the stamp stencil film.EXAMPLE
To cut a stamp:
1. Enter the text and insert a stamp film cassette in the tape compartment.
2. Hold down and press
3. Press .
4. Press
5. Push down on the tape cutter lever to cut the stamp stencil film.
To affix a stamp:
6. Remove the stamp frame from around the stamp film holder ink pad, one side at a time, then remove the protective seal covering the ink pad and the backing paper from the stamp stencil film.
7. With the glossy side of the stamp stencil film upward, align one of its ends with the slit on the side of the stamp film holder.
8. Hold the end of the stamp stencil film in place with your thumb, then pass the tape through the guides while pulling it tight.
9. Fold the other end of the stamp stencil film over the other side of the stamp film holder and hold it in place with your finger.
10. Fit the stamp frame over the stamp stencil film and push it into place.
11. Insert the stamp film holder straight into its cap
The Tape margin function allows you to adjust the size of the margins on the left and right sides of your text. The default tape margin setting is FULL; however, three other settings are also available.
After printing a label using the NONE tape margin setting, hold down 
and press 
once to feed the tape before pushing down on the tape cutter lever to cut it. Otherwise some of the printed characters may be cut off. After printing using the NARROW and HALF tape margin settings, push down on the tape cutter lever to cut off the label, then use scissors to cut along the printed dots (:) to center the text within the label.
To change the tape margin setting:
, press 
once, and keep held down to display the current tape margin setting., continue pressing until the desired tape margin setting is displayed. to apply the selected tape margin setting to the entire text.You can choose to align the text in one of three ways. In addition, if the Length function was used to set the length of the label, the text will align within the label according to the selected horizontal alignment setting.
Three settings exist, as follws. The default setting is LEFT.
To change the horizontal alignment setting:
, press
once, and keep held down to display the current horizontal alignment setting., continue pressing until the desired horizontal alignment setting is displayed. to apply the selected horizontal alignment setting to the entire text.Although the length of the printed label automatically adjusts to fit the length of the entered text, there may be times when you will want to make a label with a specific length. The Length function allows you to set the label length between 1.6" and 11.8" (4.0 cm and 30.0 cm).
The default length setting is OFF. When the Length function is set to ON, the Length indicator on the right side of the display lights up.
Turning off the machine and turning it on again changes the length setting back to OFF.
To turn on or off the Length function:
1. While holding down press 
once, and keep held down to display the current length of the label (the text and both margins) briefly, then display the current label length setting (ON or OFF).
2. While still holding down , continue pressing until the desired label length setting is displayed.
The Length indicator lights up when ON is selected.
3. Release . If ON was selected, the current label length setting is displayed.
4. Press 
to select the desired length or use the number keys to enter the length.
☞ To change the units (inches or centimeters) used to display the label length, press 
until the desired units are displayed. To change the length in 1” (1.0-cm)-steps, hold down either , and then release the key when the desired setting is displayed.
5. Press
.
After you have entered your text and chosen the desired format settings, you are ready to print.
To print a label:
once. The message “COPIES” followed by the number of the label being printed is displayed. ☞ If NONE tape setting is selected and the tape is immediately, some printed characters will be cut off. To feed the tape after printing, hold down 
and 
once.
To feed the tape:
and press once. 1” (25 mm) of tape is fed out. To cut the tape:
☞ In order to prevent damaging the tape, do not try to cut it while printing or feeding. Pushing down on the tape cutter lever too far may break it
You can use the memory to store your most frequently used text files. The text remains in the memory, even after all characters are removed from the display using the Clear function (holding down and pressing 
).
When each file is stored, it is given a number to make recalling it easier. Up to 9 text files or about 300 characters can be stored in the memory. Each stored text file can have a maximum of 99 characters.
Since a copy of the stored text file is recalled when the Recall function is used, the text can be edited or printed without changing the originally stored file. When a file is no longer needed or more space is necessary, the Memory delete function can be used to delete it.
When inserting new batteries, be sure to insert the new ones within five minutes of removing the old ones, otherwise any text files stored in the memory will be lost (unless the machine is plugged into an electrical outlet with the AC adaptor).
STORING TEXT
To store a text file:
1. Hold down 
and press 
The message "STORE SELECT 1-9?" appears on the display.
If 300 characters have already been stored, the error message "MEMORY FULL!" appears in the display. If this occurs, an existing text file must be deleted before the new one can be stored.
2. Press the key ( 
) of the file number where you wish to store the text. The text is stored under the selected file number and the text previously shown in the display reappears.
If a file is already stored under the selected file number, the message "OVERWRITE?" appears in the display and you must decide whether or not to overwrite it (delete it from the memory and store the new one).
To quit the Store function without storing the text, hold down and press 
(or press just 
).
To overwrite the stored file with the new one:
1. Press 
(to delete the previously stored file and store the new one under the selected number.
To go back and choose another file number without overwriting the text file,press , and then press the key of a different file number
RECALLING TEXT
To recall a text file:
1. Hold down and press 
. The message "RECALL SELECT 1-9?" appears on the display.
2. Press the key ( ) of the file number containing the text that you wish to recall. The text stored under the selected file number is shown.
To see other parts of the selected text file, press 
.
To display the text stored under other file numbers, press 
, or the key of a different file number
To quit the Recall function without recalling text, hold down and press (or press just ).
3. Press Any text previously entered in the display is erased and the text stored under the selected file number is recalled into the display.
DELETING A FILE
To delete a text file:
1. Hold down and press 
. The message "CLEAR SELECT 1-9?" appears on the display.
2. Press the key 
of the file number containing the text that you wish to delete. The text stored under the selected file number is shown.
☞ To see other parts of the selected text file, press . To display the text stored under other file numbers, press , or the key of a different file number. To cancel the Memory delete function without deleting the text file, hold down and press (or press just 
).
3. Press to delete the text file that was selected.
Problem | Remedy |
|---|---|
| 1. The display stays blank after you have turned on the machine. | • Check that the AC adaptor is connected correctly. • If you are using alkaline batteries, check that they are correctly inserted. • If the batteries are low, replace them with new ones. |
| 2. The machine does not print or the printed characters are blurred. | • Check that the tape cassette has been inserted properly. • If the tape cassette is empty, replace it with a new one. • Make sure that the tape compartment cover has been closed. |
| 3. The text files that you stored in the memory are no longer there. | • If the batteries are low, replace them with new ones. |
| 4. The printed characters are not formed properly. | • If you are using alkaline batteries, they may be low. Try using the AC adaptor or replace the batteries with new ones. |
| 5. A blank horizontal line appears through the printed label. | • Clean the print head as explained on page 9. |
| 6. Striped tape appears. | • You have reached the end of the tape. Replace the tape cassette with a new one. |
| 7. The machine has "locked up" (i.e., nothing happens when a key is pressed). | • Turn off the machine, and then while holding down  and  , turn the machine back on. The text and formats in the display and all text files stored in the memory are erased. |
Error Message | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| 3 LINE LIMIT! | • This message appears if three lines already exist when you press | • Limit the number of lines to three. |
BATTERIES WEAK! | • This message appears when the installed alkaline batteries become weak. | • Replace the batteries or use the AC adaptor. |
BUFFER EMPTY! | • This message appears if you hold down and press , but no text has been entered in the display. | • Enter some text before starting the function. |
| • This message appears if you try to print, but no text has been entered. | • Enter text before printing. | |
| • This message appears if you try to store a text file in the memory, but no text has been entered in the display. | • Enter text before storing. | |
BUFFER FULL! | • This message appears if you try to enter a character, symbol, bar code, return or space after 99 characters have already been entered. | • Delete some existing text so that more text can be entered. |
CAN'T HERE! | • This message appears if the cursor is at the end of the text when you hold down  and press | • Move the cursor below a number before holding down and press |
CHANGE ADAPTOR | • This message appears if a high-voltage adaptor is being used. | • Remove the high-voltage adaptor and connect the adaptor designed exclusively for this machine. |
CUTTER ERROR! | • This message appears if the tape cutter lever is pressed down while a label is being printed. | • Release the tape cutter lever. |
INVAL. CHRS! | • This message appears if the cursor is not below a number when you hold down
| • Move the cursor below a number before holding down and press |
LENGTH LIMIT! | • This message appears if the text is longer than 1 meter when you try to print. | • Shorten the text to less than 1 meter before trying to print. |
| • This message appears if the Length function is used to set a label length that is less than 1.6" (4.0 cm) or more than 11.8" (30.0 cm). | • Set the label length between 1.6" (4.0 cm) and 11.8" (30.0 cm). | |
| • This message appears if the Tab Length function is used to set a tab length that is more than 11.8" (30.0 cm). | • Set the tab length so that it is less than 11.8" (30.0 cm). |
LINE LIMIT! | • This message appears if the number of lines in the text is greater than the maximum number of lines possible for the installed tape. | • Reduce the number of lines or install a tape of greater width. |
MEMORY FULL! | • This message appears if you try to store a text file after 300 characters have already been stored in the memory. | • Delete an unwanted file to make room for the new one. |
NO FILES! | • This message appears if you try to recall or delete a text file from the memory when none are stored. | • Store a text file first. |
| NUMBER TOO SMALL! | • This message appears if the number that is set to be printed using the Numbering function is less than the number above the cursor. | • Press the key of a number that is greater than the number in the text. |
ROM PROBLEM! | • This message appears if there is a problem with the machine's read only memory. | • Contact your service representative. |
REPLACE BATTERIES! | • This message appears if the installed alkaline batteries are about to run out. | • Replace the batteries or use the AC adaptor. |
SYSTEM ERROR! | • This message appears if there is a problem with the machine's software. | • Contact your service representative. |
NO TAPE! | • This message appears if you try to print a label or feed the tape when no tape cassette is installed. | • Install a tape cassette and try again. |
TAB LIMIT! | • This message appears if 50 tabs have already been added to the text when you press  . | • Limit the number of tabs in the text to 50. |
TEXT TOO HIGH! | • This message appears if the size of the text is larger than the width of the installed tape. | • Reduce the size of the characters or install a wider tape. |
TEXT TOO LONG! | • This message appears if the length of the text is longer than the label length that has been set using the Length function. | • Delete some of the text, reduce the character width or increase the set label length. |
Reference file: Brother PT-1800 - Electronic Label Maker
Additionally, the document applies to other Brother models: PT-1810
