RONGTA RP420/RP421 LABEL PRINTER
User Manual
Brand: RONGTA
Manufacturer: Rongta Technology (Xiamen) Group Co., Ltd.
Website: www.rongtatech.com
Version: V1.2
I. Product Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the label printer produced by our company. This label printer provides you with safe, reliable, and efficient printing quality at a reasonable economic price. At the same time, the RP42X is widely used in supermarkets, catering industry, clothing industry, warehousing industry, etc., due to its super functions and easy operation.
1.1 Safety Warnings
- ⚠️ Warning: Do not touch the paper cutting knife or paper-tearing knife of the printer.
- ⚠️ Warning: The print head is a heating component. Do not touch the print head and its surrounding components when the printer is still warm.
- ⚠️ Warning: Do not touch the surface of the thermal print head and connectors to avoid electrostatic damage to the print head.
1.2 Main Features
- ✔️ High printing quality
- ✔️ Low noise
- ✔️ Attractive appearance
- ✔️ Reasonable structure, simple use and maintenance
- ✔️ Intelligent detection and positioning
- ✔️ Auto feed and retreat paper
- ✔️ Simple operation
- ✔️ Label off intelligent handling function
- ✔️ Fast printing, saving time
- ✔️ Superior heat dissipation, can handle heavy printing workload
II. Safety Instructions
Before operating and using the printer, please carefully read the following items and strictly observe the use rules.
- Please install the printer on a stable surface to avoid printer suffered from any vibration and shocks.
- Do not use and store the printer in places with high temperature, high humidity, and high pollution.
- Connect the printer's power adapter to an appropriate grounding socket. Avoid using the same socket with large motors or other equipment that may cause voltage fluctuation of power supply.
- Keep water or conductive materials (such as metal) out of the printer. Once it occurs, power should be turned off immediately.
- Never use the printer without paper, otherwise it will seriously damage the printing rubber roller and thermal head.
- Unplug the product from the power outlet if the printer is idle for a long time.
- Do not disassemble or modify the product personally.
- Use only the power adapter specified in this instruction.
- In order to ensure the printing quality and prolong the service life of the product, it is recommended to use the recommended or equivalent thermal printing paper.
- Do not plug/unplug the product with the product powered on.
- When plugging and unplugging the printer power cord, please hold the arrow position of the printer power connector with your hand, not the cord of the printer power cord.
- Please keep this manual for future use and reference.
III. Appearance and Components
RP420/RP421 Label Printer
Front View Description:
The front view shows the paper exit slot. Key components visible are the Upper Cover, FEED Button, and Cover Opening Key.
Rear View Description:
The rear view displays the connectivity and power options. Components include the Paper Guide, Power Interface, USB Interface, and Power Switch. A Heat Dissipation Port is also present.
Inside View Description:
The inside view reveals the printing mechanism. Key internal parts are the Thermal Head Piece and the Rubber Roller. A Paper Guide is also visible.
Application Field
- Cashier system of supermarkets
- Cashier system of Catering industry
- Cashier system of clothing industry
- Cashier system of warehousing industry
IV. Technical Parameters
4.1 Printing Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | RP420/RP421 |
| Printing method | Thermal line printer |
| Paper loading method | Easy paper loading/auto paper feeding |
| Printing speed | RP420 Actual speed detection: 127.38mm/s; RP421 Low speed version: 127mm/s, High speed version 150mm/s |
| Printing paper width | 104mm |
| Effective resolution | RP420 203 dpi; RP421 (203dpi / 300dpi) |
| Paper type | Continuous paper, label paper, and black label paper |
| Thickness of printing paper | 0.06-0.18mm |
| Effective printing width | Min 38mm Max 108mm |
| Character size | ASCII Font A: 12x24; ASCII Font B: 9x17; Chinese character 24x24 |
| Interface type | USB |
Print Character
| Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of bar code | One-dimensional code: Code 39, 39℃, 125, Code 93, ITF25, EAN128, Code 128, Codabar, EAN-8, EAN8+2, EAN8+5, EAN-13, EAN13+2, EAN13+5, UPC-A, UPCA+2, UPCA+5, UPC-E, UPCE+2, UPCE+5 MSIC, ITF14, EAN14, CODE11, POST. QR code: PDF417 (optional). |
| Extended character table | CP437, CP850, CP852, CP860, CP863, CP865, CP866, WPC1250, WPC1251, WPC1252, WPC1253, WPC1254 |
Power supply
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power adapter | DC 24V ⎓ 2.5A |
Environmental requirements
| Environment | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Working environment | Operating temperature: 0~45°C, Operating humidity: 20~90% |
| Storage environment | Storage temperature: -10~60°C, Storage humidity: 10~90% |
Environmental conditions
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Drive | WINXP/WIN7/WIN8/WIN10/Mac/Linux |
| Print command | TSPL/CPCL(optional)/ZPL(optional) |
| Character printing | Supports double width and double height printing of AN K characters, custom characters, and Chinese characters; adjusts dot patterns of character spacing for printing. |
Remark: The interface is optional or customized, and the specific interface is subject to the actual object.
V. Installation and Operation of Printer
5.1 Printer Unpacking
Before use, make sure the accessories are included in the package. The following picture is an example. If any item is missing, contact the supplier or manufacturer. The specific accessories may not be included depending on the printer model.
RP420 Accessories:
- RP420 Main machine
- Power adapter
- Power cord
- USB cable
- Quick Installation Guide
RP421 Accessories:
- RP421 Main machine
- Power adapter
- Power cord
- USB cable
- Quick Installation Guide
Note: The pictures are for reference only; please subject to practicality.
5.2 Connecting the Printer
Connect the power line:
- Confirm that the power switch is in the [power-off] (0) state.
- Connect the power adapter to the printer.
- Connect the power line to the power adapter.
- Connect the other end of the power line to a nearby socket.
Use the special power adapter for the printer. The connection diagram shows the adapter connecting to the printer and then to a wall socket.
Connect the USB cable:
- Connect the USB cable to the printer.
- Connect the USB cable to the PC host.
- Turn the power switch to [power-on] (I) state.
The connection diagram shows the USB cable linking the printer to the PC host.
5.3 Folded Paper Loading
- Facing the back of the machine, hold the paper guide with both hands and adjust the distance between the left and right guides according to the folded paper size.
- Insert the folded paper into the paper guide.
- Confirm that the printer has detected paper feeding, automatically feeds paper, and delivers paper normally.
Diagrams illustrate the process: adjusting guides, inserting paper, and the printer feeding paper.
5.4 Handling of Paper Jam
- Move the top cover lever forward with both hands and lift the top cover.
- Remove the jammed paper from the feeding channel. Check whether the print head has adhesive or carbon deposition. If yes, clean it with an alcohol cloth. Remove the wrinkled paper and replace it with new paper.
Diagrams show opening the cover and accessing the paper path.
5.5 Bluetooth Pairing and Printing (only valid for printers with Bluetooth)
Bluetooth printer needs to be paired with the main device driving the printer before working, and the pairing process is initiated by the main device.
The general pairing method is as follows:
- Turn on the printer.
- The main device searches for external Bluetooth devices.
- If there are multiple external Bluetooth devices, select the printer corresponding to BDA address (see self-test page for details).
- Enter the initial password "0000" or "1234".
- Complete the pairing.
Please refer to the Bluetooth function description of the main device for the specific pairing method. When pairing, the label printer with Bluetooth interface must be on.
Note: During pairing, please do not turn on multiple printers at the same time, otherwise you may not be able to judge which printer was successfully paired.
After successful pairing, other host computers can still be paired with the printer, and each printer can be paired with up to 8 host computers. If more upper computers are paired with printers, the host computer paired with the printer at the earliest will be automatically removed from the pairing list by the printer. At this time, if this host computer needs to drive the printer for printing, it needs to be paired again (For multi-connected Bluetooth only).
5.6 Use Bluetooth Interface for Printing (only valid for the printers with Bluetooth)
For host computers with virtual Bluetooth serial ports (such as mobile phones using SMARTPHONE, POCKET PC, PALM, notebook computer, etc.), after successful pairing, printing data can be sent to the printer via the virtual Bluetooth serial port for printing. If the host computer does not have a virtual Bluetooth serial port, when you want to drive the printer for printing, please consult the supplier of the host computer.
VI. The Switch, Key and Indicator Light of Printer
6.1 Precautions for power switch/use
- Turn the printer power switch to [power-on] (I) state, and the printer will be turned on.
- Turn the printer power switch to [power-off] (0) state, and the printer will be turned off.
- Turn off the printer using the power switch. If you pull the power plug directly, it is easy to damage the internal circuit of the printer and cause print data loss.
- After power-off, wait for a while (not more than 5 seconds) before turning on the printer again, otherwise it is likely to cause a failure.
- Please use the original battery of this machine, otherwise it may lead to low print quality or damage to the printer.
Attention: Make sure the power supply is connected before turning on the printer.
6.2 Keys and Indicators
Function description of buttons
| Scenarios | Button operation | Corresponding functions |
|---|---|---|
| Power Off | Press and hold + turn on the printer | Print self-test page |
| Standby | Press and hold 3S | Enter label specification learning mode |
| Open the cover | Press and hold10 S | Restore factory settings |
| Standby | Press | Automatically feed one blank label sheet |
| Continuous printing process | Press | Pause printing |
| Pause printing | Press | Continue printing |
Indicator description
| Indicator status | Status description |
|---|---|
| Indicator always lights up | Normal standby |
| Indicator flashes | Buzzer alarm |
| Buzzer alarm (common) | 2 Sounds: Printer mechanism error |
| 3 Sounds: Paper shortage error | |
| 5 Sounds: Overheating error | |
| 6 Sounds: Cover opening error | |
| 7 Sounds: Seam label error |
VII. Printer Test
7.1 Print Self-Test Page
When the printer is initially installed or there are any problems with the printer, you can run the self-test program to confirm the following status: firmware version, printer parameter setting status, print quality, and related setting information of external devices, etc. After confirming that there is no problem with the printer after the self-test, please check other devices or software. This function runs independently of other devices or software.
The self-test method is as follows:
- Confirm that the printer is connected to power supply and the paper roll is loaded correctly.
- Confirm that the printer is turned off and the top cover is closed in place.
- Press and hold the FEED button, then press the POWER button to turn on the printer; release the button after the printer is turned on.
7.2 Print with the Window Driver
- To install the Windows driver, please refer to "Driver Installation Instruction".
- Set the "port" of the Windows driver as the appropriate interface to use. Print the test page with the "Print test page" function of the Windows driver.
7.3 Label Learning
Note: In the following cases, the user can perform label positioning learning so that the printer can better position the label:
- Install and use the printer for the first time.
- First use of printer after sensor cleaning.
- Reuse the printer after it has not been used for a long time.
- Replace with a new type of paper roll.
- The printer cannot recognize the mark effectively during printing.
When the printer is ready, press and hold the FEED button for 3s until the standby status indicator flashes twice, release the button, and the printer will start learning and feed paper. If the printer learns under continuous paper mode, the learning is invalid.
Users can also complete the learning through the printer tool software (refer to "Instruction for Printer Setting Tool").
Note: After learning, you can re-open the top cover and place the blank label paper just fed during learning back for printing to avoid paper waste.
VIII. Cleaning the Printer
8.1 Cleaning the Printer Head
Clean the print head when one of the following conditions occurs to the printer:
- Printing is not clear.
- A vertical column of the printed page is not clear.
- The paper feeding noise is high.
The print head cleaning steps are as follows:
- Turn off the power supply of the printer, open the upper cover, and remove the paper if it exists.
- If printing has just been completed, wait for the print head to cool completely.
- Clean the printer head with a soft cotton cloth moistened with ethyl alcohol.
- After waiting for absolute ethyl alcohol to volatilize completely, close the upper cover and try printing again.
Diagrams show the print head area with labels for Rubber Roller and Sensor.
8.2 Cleaning the Sensor
Clean the paper shortage sensor when one of the following conditions occurs to the printer:
- In the printing process, the printer occasionally stops printing and alarms for paper shortage.
- No alarm for paper shortage.
The paper shortage sensor cleaning steps are as follows:
- Turn off the power supply of the printer, open the upper cover, and remove the paper if there is any.
- Wipe off the dust and stain on the sensor surface with a soft cotton cloth (which should be dried) dipped in absolute ethyl alcohol.
- After waiting for absolute ethyl alcohol to volatilize completely, close the upper cover and try to start the machine again.
8.3 Cleaning the Printing Rubber Roller
When one of the following conditions occurs to the printer, the printing rubber roller should be cleaned:
- Printing is not clear.
- A vertical column of the printed page is not clear.
- The paper feeding noise is high.
The printing Rubber Rollers cleaning steps are as follows:
- Turn off the power of the printer and open the upper cover.
- Use a soft cotton cloth (which should be dried) dipped in a neutral detergent to wipe off dust and stains on the surface of the printing rubber roller.
- Close the upper cover after the cleaning agent is completely volatilized.
Attention:
- The power supply must be turned off during the daily maintenance of the printer.
- Do not touch the surface of the print head with hands and metal objects, and do not scratch the surface of the print head, printing rubber roller, and sensor with tweezers or other tools.
- The organic solvents such as gasoline and acetone shall not be used.
- Wait until absolute ethyl alcohol is completely volatilized, then turn on the power supply to continue printing.
A diagram shows the internal mechanism including the rubber roller.
IX. Troubleshooting
The table below shows common problems and solutions for operators. If you have followed the simple troubleshooting methods but the printer is still not functioning properly, please contact the customer service department of your dealer for assistance.
| Fault Phenomenon | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| POWER indicator is off | a. The AC plug and the power supply plug are not properly connected to the printer socket. b. The printer power switch is not on. | a. Check the power connection and confirm that the AC plug and the power supply plug are properly connected to the printer socket. b. Turn on the printer. |
| Unable to print | a. The communication cable is not properly connected to the printer and PC host. b. Communication interface setting error. c. Print status error. | a. Reconnect the communication cable. |
| Incomplete print content | a. The paper is not centered. a. Label size setting is incorrect. | a. Adjust the paper position. b. Set the correct label size. |
| Incorrect positioning | a. Label learning is not performed. b. Seam label detection photocoupler is offset. c. Wrong mode selected. | a. Label learning is performed. b. Open the cover to confirm whether the seam label detection component is offset. For black label paper, move the seam label detection component according to the black label position so that the detection photocoupler can detect the black label. Label paper/continuous paper: The detection photocoupler must be in the paper range. c. Use the setting tool to open the printer information and confirm whether the paper type is the same as the paper loaded in the printer, which can be changed by using the setting tool. |
| Poor print result | a. Paper loading error. b. Print density/speed setting error. c. Print head/rubber roller has dust or adhesive accumulation. d. The print head is damaged. | a. Reload the paper. b. Readjust the print density/speed of printer by using the setting tool or the software. Printing density can be coarsely tuned with the setting tool and finely tuned with the driver. c. Clean the print head/rubber roller. (refer to 8.1 "Cleaning Print Head"/8.2 "Cleaning Sensor"/8.3 "Cleaning Printing Rubber Roller" of the Manual.) d. Use the setting tool to detect bad point of head piece. If the print head is damaged, please contact the customer service department of your dealer for repairs. |
X. FCC WARNING
Any Changes expressly or modifications not approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. Used for a long time, remove the battery and store it separately.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.