DYMO LabelWriter 550 Series User Manual

Copyright (c) 2021 Newell Office Brands. All rights reserved. Version: 7/21

No part of this document or software may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or translated into any other language without the prior written permission of Newell Office Brands.

Trademarks

DYMO and LabelWriter are registered trademarks of Newell Office Brands in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

NWL Belgium Services b.v.b.a. hereby declares that the radio equipment types [LabelWriter 550, LabelWriter 550 Turbo, LabelWriter 5XL] are in compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU.

The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following website:

• LabelWriter 550: http://download.dymo.com/dymoluser-guides/LabelWriter/LW550Series/Declarations/LW550/LW550_CE_Declaration_Conformity.hu.pdf
• LabelWriter 550 Turbo: http://download.dymo.com/dymoluser-guides/LabelWriter/LW550Series/Declarations/LW550Turbo/LW550Turbo_CE_Declaration_Conformity.hu.pdf
• LabelWriter 5XL: http://download.dymo.com/dymoluser-guides/LabelWriter/LW550Series/Declarations/LW5XL/LW5XL_CE_Declaration_Conformity.hu.pdf

About Your New Label Printer

Congratulations on your purchase of a DYMO LabelWriter® label printer. Your LabelWriter printer will be a reliable companion for your labeling needs for years to come. We recommend taking a few minutes to review the instructions in this guide regarding the use and maintenance of your printer.

This user guide provides information on the following LabelWriter models:

• LabelWriter® 550
• LabelWriter® 550 Turbo
• LabelWriter® 5XL

For more information about ordering labels and accessories for your label printer, visit www.dymo.com.

Registering Your Product

You can register your label printer at www.dymo.com/register. You will need the serial number, located on the bottom of your label printer, to register.

Registering your label printer offers the following benefits:

• Email notifications for free software updates
• Special offers and new product announcements

Getting to Know Your Label Maker

The LabelWriter printer is a direct thermal printer that does not use ink or toner. Instead, it transfers heat from the thermal print head to specially treated, heat-sensitive labels. You do not need to purchase any consumables other than labels.

The following diagrams show the parts and controls of your label printer.

LabelWriter 550 and 550 Turbo

Parts Identification:

• 1 Cover
• 2 Label Roll
• 3 Spool
• 4 Label Release Lever
• 5 Label Retractor
• 6 USB Status Light
• 7 Power (On/Off)
• Printer Status Light
• 8 LAN Status Light (LabelWriter 550 Turbo)
• 9 Label Feeder
• 10 Label Eject Slot and Tear Edge
• 11 Label Guide
• 12 Power Socket
• 13 LAN Socket (LabelWriter 550 Turbo)
• 14 USB Socket

LabelWriter 5XL

Powering On

The label printer is turned on and off using the power button (10). After five minutes of inactivity, the printer enters power-saving mode, and the power status indicator light dims. Pressing the power button while printing will interrupt the printing process.

For more information, see Power Status Indicator on page 16.

Feed Buttons

The feed button (A) on the side of the printer advances one label from the roll. The retractor button (3) retracts the label from the label eject slot; this can be used to remove labels from the printer when changing the roll. Labels that have already passed through the label eject slot must be torn off first.

Label Release Lever

The label release lever releases the print head's pressure on the labels, making it easy to remove labels from the label eject slot.

Label Guide

The label guide is important for narrower labels, such as address labels and other specialty labels. The label guide aligns labels to the left edge of the label slot, helping to feed labels correctly.

About Labels

LabelWriter 550 series printers only work with genuine DYMO LW labels. Genuine DYMO LW labels support Automatic Label Recognition™, which provides the DYMO software with information about the labels, such as the size of the inserted labels and how many labels are left on the roll.

DYMO LabelWriter printers print using advanced direct thermal printing technology on specially treated, heat-sensitive labels. This means you never need to buy toner, ink cartridges, or ribbons for label printing.

The DYMO warranty does not cover malfunctions or damage caused by the use of non-genuine DYMO labels. Because DYMO LabelWriter printers use direct thermal printing technology, you must use specially designed and manufactured labels. The thermal coating of non-genuine DYMO labels may not be compatible, potentially resulting in unsatisfactory prints or printer malfunction.

The durability of labels is determined by their use. Labels made of thermal paper, such as those used by LabelWriter printers, can fade in two ways:

• Through prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting, or excessive heat.
• Through contact with plasticizers (e.g., when labels are placed in plastic binders).

DYMO LW labels have a shelf life of 18 months in their original packaging. If you use labels for short-term applications (envelopes, packages, etc.), fading is not a concern. If you use labels for indexing documents in a filing cabinet, fading occurs very gradually over years. If you place labels on the edges of notepads stored on a shelf exposed to sunlight, signs of fading will appear within a few months.

To extend the life of unused labels, store them in a cool, dry place in the black bag from their original packaging.

Ordering Labels

DYMO offers a wide variety of labels for the LabelWriter printer, including labels for addressing envelopes, shipping packages, naming file folders, labeling various media, printing name badges, and many other purposes. A complete list can be found on the DYMO website: www.dymo.com.

The DYMO warranty does not cover malfunctions or damage caused by the use of non-genuine DYMO labels. Because DYMO LabelWriter printers use thermal printing technology, you must use specially designed and manufactured labels. The thermal coating of non-genuine DYMO labels may not be compatible, potentially resulting in unsatisfactory prints or printer malfunction.

Designing and Printing Labels

The DYMO Connect for Desktop software, used with the label printer, makes it easy to design and print labels. You can also print labels directly from Microsoft Word using the DYMO Label add-in. If Microsoft Word is installed on your computer, the add-in will automatically install when you install the DYMO Connect for Desktop software.

System Requirements

The LabelWriter label printer requires one of the following:

• Windows® 8.1 or later
• macOS® Mojave v10.14 or later

Getting Started

Follow the instructions in this chapter to set up your label printer for printing from a computer. The setup steps are:

1. Download and install the DYMO Connect for Desktop software.
2. Connect the power supply.
3. Load the label roll.
4. Connect the printer to your computer.

Step 1 Install the Software

Connect the printer to your computer only after the software installation is complete. Do not connect the printer to your computer until you have installed the DYMO Connect for Desktop software. For LAN connections, the software must be installed on every computer that will print to the LabelWriter printer over the network.

The latest version of the DYMO Connect for Desktop software can be downloaded from support.dymo.com.

Step 2 Connect the Power Supply

Different LabelWriter printer models have different power requirements. Be sure to use only the power adapter supplied with your label printer. For more information, see Technical Specifications on page 20.

Procedure for connecting the power supply:

1. Connect the power cord to the power adapter, and the power adapter to the power socket on the back of the printer.
2. Connect the other end of the power cord to a wall socket.
3. Press the button on the front of the printer to turn on the power.

Step 3 Load Labels

LabelWriter 550 series printers only work with genuine DYMO LW labels. Non-genuine DYMO labels are not recognized by the printers. Each label roll comes in a black plastic bag. Be sure to store the labels in this bag until you use them.

Important! For proper label feeding during printing, pay attention to the following when placing labels on the spool and into the printer:

• Ensure the printer is powered on.
• The label guide must be fitted snugly against the label roll with no gap.
• The left edge of the labels must be aligned with the left edge of the label eject slot.

Procedure for loading the label roll:

1. Remove the spool from inside the printer and separate the spool guide from the spool body.
2. Hold the spool body (A) in your left hand and place the label roll onto the spool so that the labels feed from the bottom, and the left edge of the label roll fits snugly against the edge of the spool.
3. Slide the spool guide (B) onto the right side of the spool and push it firmly against the side of the label roll so there is no gap between the roll and the spool. The label roll must fit snugly against both sides of the label spool for proper label feeding during printing.
4. Place the spool into the mounting grooves (C) in the lower part of the printer so that the labels come out from under the roll.
5. Align the left edge of the label with the left edge of the label eject slot (D) and feed the label into the slot.
6. Advance the label to the correct position by pressing the feed button (C). If the first label on the roll is not a full label, advance the partial label by pressing the feed button.

Regardless of the label width, to feed labels correctly, the left edge of the labels must always be aligned with the left edge of the label eject slot. Align the label guide (E) to the right edge of the label, ensuring the label guide does not pinch the label. Carefully close the cover.

Step 4 Connect the Printer to Your Computer

All three printer types can be connected to your computer using the included USB cable. The LabelWriter 550 Turbo and LabelWriter 5XL can also be connected to a local area network (LAN) via an Ethernet cable.

Connecting the Printer Directly to Your Computer

The printer can be connected directly to your computer using a USB cable. Use only the DYMO USB cable, part number 1997364; if you do not have one, it can be obtained through Customer Support.

Only connect the printer to your computer after the software installation is complete.

Procedure for connecting the printer directly to your computer:

1. At the end of the software installation, connect the printer to your computer.
2. Plug the USB cable into the USB socket on the back of the printer.
3. Connect the other end of the USB cable to an available USB socket on your computer.
4. If necessary, press the power button (10) to turn on the power. The USB status light on the front of the printer will illuminate.
5. Start the DYMO Connect for Desktop software.

macOS: If the printer does not appear in the printer list after installation, add it according to the macOS instructions.

Connecting the Printer to Your LAN

The LabelWriter 550 Turbo and LabelWriter 5XL can also be connected to your local network using a LAN cable (not included). The DYMO Connect for Desktop software must be installed on every computer that will print to the LabelWriter printer over the network.

Connecting to a Wired LAN:

1. Connect the LAN cable to the LAN socket on the back of the printer.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to an active LAN socket on your network.
3. If necessary, press the power button (10) to turn on the power. The USB status light on the front of the printer will illuminate.
4. Download DYMO Connect for Desktop software and install it on every computer that will print labels to this printer over the network.
5. In the DYMO Connect for Desktop program, select Add Network Printer from the File menu and follow the instructions to add the printer.

If the printer is connected to your computer via both USB cable and LAN socket, DYMO Connect for Desktop will display the printer twice: once with a LAN icon and once with a USB icon.

Setting a Static IP Address

By default, the printer receives a dynamic IP address.

Steps to assign a static IP address:

1. Connect the printer using a USB cable.
2. In the DYMO Connect for Desktop software, open the Printer Status tab.
3. Select Configure network.
4. Set the IP type field to Static and fill in the required fields.

Printer Maintenance

Your LabelWriter printer is designed to operate flawlessly for a long time and requires very little maintenance. To ensure optimal performance of your LabelWriter printer, follow the installation instructions in Getting Started (page 9) and the cleaning instructions described in this chapter.

To ensure proper operation, the LabelWriter printer needs to be cleaned periodically. Periodically dusting the exterior can prevent foreign matter from entering the printer's interior. Periodically, it is also advisable to perform some internal maintenance, such as cleaning the label slot with a LabelWriter cleaning card (available for order at www.dymo.com).

Your LabelWriter printer can be easily cleaned using the following:

• Lint-free cloth.
• Diluted dish soap or diluted glass cleaner. If using glass cleaner, ensure it does not contain ammonia.
• A small, soft brush, such as a toothbrush or a child's paintbrush.
• LabelWriter cleaning card for cleaning the print head. Cleaning cards can be ordered at www.dymo.com.

Cleaning the Printer Exterior and the Label Roll Compartment

1. Remove the label roll.
2. Turn off the power and unplug the power cord.
3. Wipe down the exterior of the printer with a lint-free cloth.
4. Remove dirt and smudges with one of the cleaning solutions mentioned above.
5. Lift the cover.
6. Use a small, soft brush or a cotton swab to remove paper dust and other particles that have entered the printer's interior.
7. Reconnect the power cord and turn on the printer.
8. If you have a LabelWriter cleaning card, follow the instructions printed on the card's packaging. If you do not have a LabelWriter cleaning card, contact DYMO Customer Support at www.dymo.com.
9. Replace the label roll and carefully close the cover.

Safety Precautions

Read the following safety precautions carefully. Follow all warnings and instructions on the product.

General

• Dispose of plastic bags properly and keep them away from babies and children.
• Place the product on a flat, stable surface.
• Always use the product according to the instructions in this user guide.
• Immediately unplug the product's power cord if you notice an unusual smell, heat, smoke, discoloration, deformation, or any other unusual phenomenon during use.
• Do not disassemble the product. Entrust the inspection, adjustment, and repair of the product to DYMO Customer Support.
• Do not drop, strike, or handle the product roughly or carelessly.
• Do not allow any liquid to get onto the product.
• Before cleaning the product, be sure to turn off the power and unplug the power cord from the wall socket. Failure to do so may result in electric shock or fire.
• Do not insert foreign objects into the product.
• Do not clean the product with thinner, gasoline, alcohol, or other organic solvents. These may damage the product's surface. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.

Power Supply

• Use only the power cord and power adapter supplied with the product.
• Do not handle the power cord or power adapter with wet hands.
• Do not cut, damage, modify, or place heavy objects on the power cord.
• Do not use a damaged power adapter or power cord.
• When removing the plug from the wall socket, do not pull by the power cord. This may cause electric shock or fire.
• Do not use the power adapter in a confined space or cover it with a cloth. Ensure adequate ventilation so that the power adapter does not overheat.
• If you will not be using the product for an extended period, unplug the power plug from the wall socket.

Printer

• Do not reach into the product's moving parts or openings.
• Do not block the label eject slot or insert objects into it.
• Do not touch the tear edge. This may cause personal injury.
• Do not expose the product to direct sunlight, place it near heaters or other hot appliances, or in extremely cold, hot, humid, or dusty locations.
• Do not hold or lift the product by its cover.

Labels

• Use only genuine DYMO labels. The product warranty does not cover any malfunctions or damage caused by labels from other manufacturers.
• Apply labels only to clean, dry, room-temperature surfaces.
• Do not expose label rolls to direct sunlight, high temperatures, humidity, or dust. Store label rolls in a cool, dry place.

Help with Usage

Your LabelWriter printer is designed to operate flawlessly for a long time and requires very little maintenance. If you do encounter a problem, this chapter provides suggestions for resolving issues that may arise during the use of your printer. If you are unable to resolve the problem, this chapter also describes how to contact DYMO Customer Support. This section addresses the detection and correction of errors that occur during the use of the LabelWriter printer.

• Power Status Indicator
• Printer Problems
• Requesting Customer Support

Power Status Indicator

The power status indicator light visually indicates the current status of the printer:

Printer Problems

The following provides solutions for some common problems related to using your label printer.

Power Status Indicator is Flashing

If the power status indicator light is flashing, the problem may be one of the following:

If none of the above resolves the problem and the indicator light continues to flash, contact Customer Support. See Requesting Customer Support, page 19.

Printer Not Listed in Printers

Install the DYMO Connect for Desktop software BEFORE connecting the printer. For LAN connections, the DYMO Connect for Desktop software must be installed on every computer that will print to the LabelWriter printer. Where both Ethernet and wireless networks are present, the router must be configured to forward traffic between the two types of networks.

Improving Poor Print Quality

The most common causes of poor print quality are one of the following:

• Old label roll
• Low-quality thermal coating on labels
• Dirty print head

If the print is faint, has scattered white dots on the printed characters, or has light and dark spots in the print, you are likely using a bad label roll. Try another roll from a new box. If printing is satisfactory after inserting the second roll, the first label roll is the cause of the problem.

Your LabelWriter printer's print head may need cleaning. For instructions on cleaning the label path with a LabelWriter cleaning card, see Printer Maintenance, page 13.

Improper Label Feeding

If the printer is not feeding labels correctly, check the following for proper loading:

• Ensure the spool guide is firmly pressed against the right edge of the labels so they do not slide sideways.
• Place the label roll on the spool so that the labels feed from under the roll.
• The left edge of the label must always be aligned with the left edge of the label eject slot, and the label guide must be aligned with the right edge of the label. See Step 3 Load Labels, page 9.

Clearing a Label Jam

Typically, pressing the retractor button will retract labels from the label eject slot. If labels are jammed or stuck to the roller, proceed as follows:

Removing Labels Jammed in the Printer

1. Tear off any labels that have already passed through the printer.
2. Push forward the label release lever and pull the jammed label out of the label eject slot.

Printer Not Printing or Stops During Printing

If the printer is not printing or stops during printing, try to determine the cause of the error by performing the following steps:

1. Check that the printer is receiving power and that the power cord is not unplugged. If the status light on the front of the printer is not lit, check the connection of the power cord. If you are using a power strip, make sure it is working. To determine if the problem is with the wall socket or power strip, try plugging something else into the wall socket and the power strip. Be sure to use the power adapter and power cord supplied with the printer. LabelWriter printer models have different power requirements, so one power adapter may not be suitable for another.
2. Check that the printer is feeding labels correctly by pressing the label feeder button (C) on the powered-on printer. If the labels are jammed, the power status indicator light will flash. See Improving Poor Print Quality, page 17.
3. Check that the USB cable has not been pulled out of the back of the printer or computer. For checking the correct connection of the cable, refer to the installation instructions: Step 4 Connect the Printer to Your Computer, page 11.
4. (Windows) Check that the LabelWriter printer driver is installed correctly. The LabelWriter printer driver forwards print data from the software to the LabelWriter printer. The driver is automatically installed when you install the DYMO Connect for Desktop software. However, it is possible that the driver was accidentally modified or deleted.

Running the Printer's Self-Test

If the printer prints fragmented characters or has other print quality issues, run the printer's self-test. The self-test checks that all components of the print head and printing mechanism are in working order.

Performing the Self-Test

1. With the printer containing the label roll, press and hold both the feed button (2) and the label feeder button (3) for at least ten seconds.
2. The printer will begin printing a full-width test pattern. Release both buttons when the self-test starts.
3. To stop the self-test, press and release the power button (4).

If the problem persists after checking the above, contact Customer Support. See Requesting Customer Support, page 19.

Requesting Customer Support

If you encounter a problem installing or using your printer, read this user guide thoroughly to ensure you have not overlooked anything described in the documentation. If you are unable to resolve the problem by studying the documentation, you can obtain further information and assistance from DYMO.

The latest support information for LabelWriter printers can be found on the DYMO website at www.dymo.com. To contact us, visit our website: support.dymo.com.

Technical and Environmental Data

This chapter contains technical and certification data for the LabelWriter printers.

Technical Specifications

Environmental Information

The production of this device has utilized natural resources. It may contain substances that could be harmful to health and the environment. To avoid the release of such substances into the environment and their impact on natural resources, we recommend that you return the discarded device to an appropriate collection point. At these locations, most of the materials contained in the end-of-life device will be recycled in accordance with environmental standards.

The crossed-out trash can symbol on the device means that you should use these locations instead of discarding the device.

For more information regarding the collection, reuse, and recycling of the product, you can obtain information from your local waste management authority. You can also contact us to learn more about the environmental impact of our products.

Device Certification

The device has been tested and found to comply with the following:

• CB Certification
• GS Certification
• CE Marking
• FCC Part 15
• ICES-003, RSS-210, and RSS-Gen
• RCM
• RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS2) and Annex II (EU) 2015/863

The device is not intended for use within the field of view of workstations using visual display units. On workstations using visual display units, the device should be placed outside the direct field of view to avoid uncomfortable reflections.