Gainscha GS-2208D/GS-3205D Series Thermal Label Printer

1. Introduction

1.1 Product Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a Gainscha bar code printer. Although the printer has a small footprint, it delivers reliable, superior performance.

This printer provides direct thermal printing at user selectable speeds: 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, or 8.0 ips for 203 dpi; 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0 ips for 300 dpi. It accepts roll feed, die-cut, and fan-fold media with gap or black mark. All common bar codes formats are available. Fonts and bar codes can be printed in 4 directions, with 8 different alphanumeric bitmap fonts and built-in scalable font capability. You will enjoy trouble-free, high throughput for printing labels with this printer.

1.2 Product Features

1.2.1 Printer Standard Features

2. Operations Overview

2.1 Unpacking and Inspection

This printer has been specially packaged to withstand damage during shipping. Please carefully inspect the packaging and printer upon receiving the bar code printer. Please retain the packaging materials in case you need to reship the printer.

Unpacking the printer, the following items are included in the carton:

• One printer unit
• One USB interface cable
• One quick installation guide
• One core coated art paper roll
• One power cord
• One Windows labeling software/Windows driver CD disk
• One external universal switching power supply
• One label roll holder

If any parts are missing, please contact the Customer Service Department of your purchased reseller or distributor.

2.2 Printer Overview

2.2.1 Front View

The front view of the printer includes the following components:

• 1. ONLINE indicator: Indicates the printer status.
• 2. ERROR indicator: Indicates error conditions.
• 3. PAUSE button: Used to pause or cancel printing.
• 4. FEED button: Used to advance labels.
• 5. WINDOWS: A transparent window allowing visibility into the printer.

2.2.2 Interior View

The interior view of the printer shows the media path and internal components:

• 1. Printer top cover: The main cover of the printer.
• 2. Top cover open tab: Used to open the top cover.
• 3. Gap transmitter: Detects the gap between labels.
• 4. Media holder: Holds the label roll.
• 5. Media guide: Guides the media into the printer.
• 6. Black mark paper sensor / Gap receiver: Detects black marks or gaps for media positioning.
• 7. Front-end label return sensor: Monitors label return.
• 8. Platen roller: Supports the media during printing.

2.2.3 Front View (additional detail)

Another view of the front of the printer highlights:

• 1. Paper tearing edge: A serrated edge for tearing labels.
• 2. Front bezel: The front panel of the printer.

2.2.4 Rear View

The rear of the printer features connection ports:

• 1. Power jack socket: For connecting the power adapter.
• 2. USB interface: Standard USB port for computer connection.
• 3. USB host: For connecting HID keyboards or scanners.
• 4. RJ-45 Ethernet Street 10 / 100M bps: For network connectivity.
• 5. Power switch: Turns the printer on or off.

3. Setup

3.1 Setting up the Printer

1. Place the printer on a flat, secure surface.
2. Make sure the power switch is set to "off".
3. Connect the printer to the computer with the provided USB cable.
4. Plug the power cord into the AC power cord socket at the rear of the printer, and then plug the power cord into a properly grounded power outlet.

Note: Please switch OFF the printer power switch prior to plugging in the power cord to the printer power jack.

[Description of setup diagram: The rear of the printer is shown with its ports. A USB cable connects the printer's USB interface to a computer. A power cord connects the printer's power jack socket to a wall outlet.]

3.2 Install Printer Driver

Follow these steps to install the printer driver:

1. Read the license agreement: Click [I accept the terms in license agreement], and then click [Next].
2. Select an installation directory: Choose the desired directory for the software and click [Next].
3. Installation Information: Ensure "Run Driver Wizard after unpacking drivers" is selected. Click [Finish].
4. Welcome to the Seagull Driver Wizard: Select "Install printer drivers" and click [Next].
5. Connect Printer: The wizard prompts to connect the printer. Ensure the printer is connected via USB and powered on, then click [Next]. (The prompt may ask how the printer is attached; select USB).
6. Specify Port: Select the appropriate USB port (e.g., USB001) or create a new port if necessary. Click [Next].
7. Specify Printer Model: Select the correct printer model from the list (e.g., Gainscha GS-2208D or Gainscha GS-3205D) and click [Next].
8. Specify Printer Name: Enter a name for the printer (e.g., Gainscha GS-2208D) and choose sharing options. Click [Next].
9. Completing the Seagull Driver Wizard: Review the installation settings and click [Finish] to begin the driver installation.
10. Installation Complete: Once the installation is finished, click [Close].

Checking Installation:

• Windows 10: Navigate to [Windows Settings] → [Devices] → [Printers and Scanners].
• Control Panel: Access [Control Panel] → [Devices and Printers].

Changing Printer Interface:

• Windows 10: Go to [Windows Settings] → [Printers and Scanners] → [Devices] → Select the printer → [Management] → [Printer Content] → [Port] to change the USB or COM port.
• Control Panel: Open [Control Panel] → [Devices and Printers] → Select the printer → Right-click → [Printer Content] → [Port] to modify the port settings.

3.3 Loading the Media

3.3.1 Loading the Roll Labels

1. Press the two buttons on the sides of the printer to lift and open the cover.
2. Load the print media into the printer. Adjust the paper guide to match the width of the print media.

3.3.2 Print Media Loading Diagram

[Description of media loading diagram: A label roll is loaded into the printer. Arrows indicate the media path: it passes under the Print Head, through the Paper Guide, and over the Gap/Black mark sensor before exiting as a Label.]

4. LED and Button Functions

4.1 LED Indicator

[Description of LED and button diagram: The printer's front panel displays two buttons: PAUSE and FEED. Two indicator lights are also present: ON LINE (Blue) and ERROR (Red).]

4.2 Regular Button Functions

This printer has two buttons (Feed and Pause) for various functions:

4.3 Power-on Utilities

This printer has six power-on functions for setting or testing the printer's hardware. Press and hold specific buttons at the same time as turning on the power, and release them based on light signals to activate these functions.

5. PrinterUtility

Printer Utility is an integrated tool software that helps users query printer settings and status, change printer-related settings, and send commands or files to the printer.

5.1 Start the PrinterUtility

1. Locate the Printer Utility icon and double-click the Printer Utility.exe file.
2. After opening the main screen, you can access the following functions:
   • (1) Port Settings
   • (2) Printer Information
   • (3) Printer Configuration
   • (4) Printer Function
   • (5) Command Tool
   • (6) Language
   • (7) About
   • (8) Exit

[Description of Printer Utility v2.9 interface: The screen displays sections for Printer Information, Printer Configuration, Printer Function, and Command Tool. Key elements are numbered: 1 for Port Settings, 2 for Printer Setup, 3 for Density, 4 for Direction, and 5 for Mirror. Other visible settings include Label Width, Label Height, Gap Settings, Language selection, and buttons for Load, Set, and Gap Sensor Setup.]

Note: For more detailed information, please refer to the Gainscha official website: http://www.gainscha.com.tw/

5.2 Printer Function

1. Click "Printer Configuration" and then "Printer Setup" to open the general printer settings screen.
2. Click the "Load" button to retrieve all printer general setting information through the selected communication interface. Click the "Set" button to write the setting values to the printer. (It is recommended to execute the reading function before writing).

[Description of Printer Setup screen: The screen shows various printer settings such as Speed, Density, Thermal Mode, Label Type, Label Width, Label Height, Gap Distance, etc. Options for Direction, Mirror, Draw Reverse, On Demand, Cut Action, Cut Mode, and Gap Sensor are also visible. Buttons for Load, Set, and Gap Sensor Setup are present.]

6. Communication Interfaces

This section details the pinouts for various communication interfaces:

1) USB (A Type)

2) USB (B Type)

3) Serial Port (DB9)

4) Ethernet Port (RJ45)

7. Troubleshooting

7.1 Common Problems

The following guide lists common problems and their solutions. If the printer still does not function after trying these steps, please contact Gainscha Customer Service.

8. Maintenance

This section provides cleaning tools and methods to maintain your printer.

Cleaning Materials:

• Cotton swab
• Lint-free cloth
• Vacuum / Blower brush
• 100% ethanol

Cleaning Process:

Notes:

• Do not touch the printer head by hand. If accidental contact occurs, clean with ethanol.
• Use 100% Ethanol. DO NOT use medical alcohol, as it may damage the printer head.
• Regularly clean the print head and supply sensors, especially after changing a ribbon, to maintain printer performance and extend printer life.
• The maximum printing ratio per dot line is 15%. To print a full web black line, the maximum black line height is limited to 40 dots (5mm for 203 DPI, 3.3mm for 300 DPI).

9. Revise History

Agency Compliance and Approvals

CE

EN 55032, Class A
EN 55024

This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

FCC part 15B, Class A

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction manual, may cause harmful interference with radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case you will be required to correct the interference at your own expense.

WARNING

This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

Environmental protection

Do not dispose of this product in an unsorted public trash can. You should recycle this product according to local regulations.

For more information, please browse our website: http://www.gainscha.com.tw

Copyright Information

The copyright in this manual, the software and firmware in the printer described therein are owned by Gainscha. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Gainscha. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use, without the expressed written permission of Gainscha.