User Manual Brother PT-1810

• Owner's manual - (English)

• Quick Setup Guide - (English)
• Quick Setup Guide for Windows XP - (English)

Table of contents

• Getting Started
• For Your Information
• TROUBLESHOOTING

Getting Started

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

TOP VIEW

BOTTOM VIEW

KEYBOARD & LCD DISPLAY

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

• 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.

BATTERIES

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:

1. Remove the battery compartment cover on the back of the machine.
2. If batteries are already installed, remove them.
3. Insert six new AA alkaline batteries, making sure that they face the correct direction.
4. Attach the battery compartment cover.

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.

OPTIONAL AC ADAPTOR

The AC adaptor (model AD-60) allows you to use this machine wherever there is an electrical outlet.

To connect the optional AC adaptor:

1. Insert the plug on the adaptor cord into the connector marked DC IN 9.5V on the right side of the machine.
2. Insert the plug on the adaptor into the nearest standard electrical outlet.

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.

TAPE CASSETTE

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.

ATTACHING LABELS

LAMINATED TAPE

The enclosed stick enables you to easily remove the backing from labels printed on laminated tapes.

1. Hold the tape in your left hand, with the printed surface facing up, and hold the stick in your right hand.
2. Pass the tape halfway through the long narrow hole in the stick.
3. Turn the stick three-quarters of a turn towards you and pull the stick away from you as shown below.
4. Peel off the label backing.

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.

PRINT HEAD & ROLLERS

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:

1. Turn off the machine.
2. Open the tape compartment cover, then remove the tape cassette if one is installed. The print head and rollers are located in the tape compartment.
3. Print head: Use a dry cotton swab to gently wipe the print head with an up-and-down motion. Rollers: Use a dry cotton swab to wipe each roller with an up-and-down motion while rotating them with your finger.
4. Install a tape cassette, close the tape compartment cover, and then try printing again.
5. If dust still remains, repeat steps 3 and 4 using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

If none of the above works, contact your service representative.

For Your Information

POWER KEY

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:

• Press The previous session’s information appears in the LCD display.

To turn off the machine:

• Press The current session’s information is stored in the internal memory.

CURSOR KEYS

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:

• Press once.

To move the cursor several characters to the left:

• Hold down until the cursor moves to the desired position.

To move the cursor to the beginning of the current line

• Hold down and press .

RIGHT CURSOR KEY

To move the cursor one character to the right:

• Press once.

To move the cursor several characters to the right:

• Hold down until the cursor moves to the desired position.

To move the cursor to the end of the current line:

• Hold down and press .

UP CURSOR KEY

To move the cursor up to the previous line:

• Press 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:

• Hold down until the cursor moves to the desired position.

To move the cursor to the beginning of the entire text:

• Hold down and press .

DOWN CURSOR KEY

To move the cursor down to the following line:

• Press 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:

• Hold down until the cursor moves to the desired position.

To move the cursor to the end of the entire text:

• Hold down and press .

CODE, ALT & SHIFT KEYS

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:

• Hold down 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:

• Hold down 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 “–”:

• Hold down 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:

• Hold down and press the key of the desired letter or symbol.

EXAMPLE

To type in “%”:

• Hold down and press .

The Caps mode is similar to holding down . It allows you to type capital letters continuously.

To type in many capital letters:

1. Hold down and press . The Caps indicator on the left side of the display lights up.
2. Press the keys of the desired letters or symbols.
3. To exit Caps mode, hold down and press . The Caps indicator goes off.

TAB FUNCTION

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. Pressuntil 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:

• Hold down 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

DELETE KEY

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", pressRefer to RETURN KEY on page 31.

To delete one character:

1. Press to position the cursor below the character immediately to the right of the character that you wish to delete.
2. Press once.

To delete a sequence of characters:

1. Pressto position the cursor below the character immediately to the right of the last character that you wish to delete.
2. Hold down until all of the characters that you wish to delete are deleted.

To quit a function without changing your text:

• Press to return to your text.

To answer "no":

• Press.

LINE OUT FUNCTION

With the Line Out function, you can easily remove an entire line of text.

To delete a line of text:

1. Press to position the cursor within the line of text that you wish to delete.
2. Hold down and press once.

Each time is pressed while is held down, one line of text is deleted.

EXAMPLE

To delete “012-345-6789”:

• Hold down and press once.

CLEAR FUNCTION

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 .

ACCENT FUNCTION

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

SYMBOL FUNCTION

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:

1. Hold down and press . A row of symbols appear in the display.
2. Press to display different rows of symbols and press until the desired symbol flashes.
3. Press . The symbol appears in the text.

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.

STAMP FUNCTION

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:

1. Type in the text, and then insert a Medium (3/4” (18-mm)-wide) stamp film cassette.
2. Hold down and press once. The message “STAMP FORMAT?” appears in the display.
3. Press . The text is formatted for a stamp: centered within the preset message area with the tape length and margins automatically adjusted.
4. Press to cut the text out of the stamp stencil film.
5. Push down on the tape cutter lever, remove the backing paper from the stamp stencil film and affix it to the ink pad of a stamp film holder.

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

TAPE MARGIN FUNCTION

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:

1. While holding down , press once, and keep held down to display the current tape margin setting.
2. While still holding down , continue pressing until the desired tape margin setting is displayed.
3. Release to apply the selected tape margin setting to the entire text.

HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT FUNCTION

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:

1. While holding down , press once, and keep held down to display the current horizontal alignment setting.
2. While still holding down , continue pressing until the desired horizontal alignment setting is displayed.
3. Release to apply the selected horizontal alignment setting to the entire text.

LENGTH FUNCTION

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 .

PRINT KEY & FEED FUNCTION

After you have entered your text and chosen the desired format settings, you are ready to print.

To print a label:

• Press 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:

• Hold down and press once. 1” (25 mm) of tape is fed out.

To cut the tape:

• Push down on the tape cutter lever.

☞ 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

MEMORY FUNCTIONS

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.

TROUBLESHOOTING

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 LIST

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 and press	• 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).

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.