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ELECTRONIC LABELING SYSTEM
E L E C T R O N I C L A
B E L I N G S Y S T E M
ELECTRONIC LABELING SYSTEM
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USER'S GUIDE
/ Español
www.brother.com
LN7348001
Printed i n China
English
With your PT-1280, you can cre ate labels for any application. Select from the
many frames, character sizes and st yles to design beautiful custom labels. In
addition, the variety of tape cartridges available allows you to print labels with
different widths and exciting colors.
Read this manual carefully before starting and keep the manual in a handy
place for future reference.
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have
the mark.
• Do not clean t he machine with alco hol or other organ ic solvents. Only use a soft , dry
cloth.
• Do not touch the print head mechanism. Use a soft wipe (e.g. a cotton swab) when
cleaning the print head.
• To avoid injuries, do not touch the cu tter's edge.
• To prevent damage or breakage of the glass, do not press hard on the LCD display.
• Do not put any foreign objects into or heavy objects on the machine.
• Do not leave any rubber or vinyl on the machine for an exten ded period of time,
otherwise the machine may be stained .
• Do not get the machine wet , such as by touching with wet hands or spi lling beverages
on to the ma chine.
• Do not expose the machine to ext remely high temperature s or high humidity. Never
leave it on th e dashboard, in t he back of your car, near heaters o r other hot
appliances. Keep it out of both direct sunlight and rain.
• Avoid using the machine in extr emely dusty places.
• Do not pull on the tape being fed fro m the P-touch labeler, otherwise the tape
cassette may be damaged.
• Do not attempt to cut the tape while printi ng or feeding since this will damage the tape.
• Do not try to print labels using an empty tape cassette set in the P-to uch labeler. Doing
so will damage the pr int head.
• Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adapt er if you do not intend to use the
machine for an extended period of time. (Note: When power is disconnected for mo re
than three minutes, all text shown in the display and any te xt files stored in the
memory will be lost. Language and unit setting s will also be cleared.)
• Do not use old and new batteries together or mix alkaline batteries with other type
batteries, or se t the positive and negative end i n the wrong posit ion. Otherwise, the
batteries may leak or be damaged.
• Use only the AC adapter designed exclusively for this machine to preve nt any
damage or failure.
INTRODUCTION
FCC NOTICE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to t he following two conditions: ( 1)
This device may not cause harmful int erference, and (2) this devi ce must accept any interfere nce received,
including inte rference that may cause undesired operati on.
This equipment has been te sted and found to comply with the limits for a Clas s B digital device, pu rsuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits ar e designed to pro vide reasonable protect ion against harmful
interference in a resid ential installation. Thi s equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radi o frequency
energy and, if not ins talled and used in accorda nce with the instr uctions, may cause harmfu l interference t o
radio communications. However, ther e is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful inter ference to radio or televis ion reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interferenc e by
one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocat e the receiving ante nna.
- Increase the separati on between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment to an out let on a circuit different from that to whic h the receiver is conne cted.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
- Changes or modificat ions not expressly a pproved by Brother Indus tries, Ltd. could void the use r’s
authority to ope rate the equipment.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Unpacking Your P-touch Labeler
Check that the package contains the followings before using your P-touch
labeler.
Included items may differ by distribution.
Power Supply & Tape Cassettes
Open the back cover by pressing
in the rough area at the top end
of the machine.
If a tape cassett e is already
installed, remove it by pulling it
straight up. Al so, if batteries a re
already installed, remove them.
• Make sure that the power is
turned off when replacing
batteries or tape ca ssette.
Insert six new AAA-size alkaline
batteries (LR03), making sur e
that their poles point in the
correct directions. Always
replace all six batteri es at the
same time using brand new
ones.
Insert a tape cassette, making sure that it snaps into place.
• Make sure that the end of the tape feeds unde r the tape guides.
• If the ink ribbon is loose, use your finger to wind the toothed wheel in the
direction of the arrow on the cassette.
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine.
Securel y close the ba ck cove r, makin g sure
that it snaps into place.
After you have inst alled the tape, fee d the tape
(see Feeding) once and then p ush in the tape
cutter lever to cut the tape.
When using optional AC adapter (model
AD-30)
Insert the plug on the adapter cord into
the adapter jack on the top end of the
machine.
Insert the plug into the nearest standard
electrical outlet.
For memory back up, we recommend using
AAA-size alkaline batteries (LR03) together
when using the AC adapter.
TZ tape cassette
Accessories Guide
P-touch 1280
User's Guide
Warranty Card
Print head
Tape cutter lever
End of tape
Tape gui de
Cutter's edge
Tape exit slot
Toothed Wheel
Keyboard & LCD
Initial Setting
Start your machine
Supply power by using six AAA batteries or the optiona l AC adapter, and then
press .
Set the language (English/Spanish/French/Portuguese)
Choose a language with and press / .
Set the unit (inch/mm)
Choose a unit with and press / .
Creating Labels
The LCD shows one row of 15 characters; however, the text that you
enter can be up to 80 characters in length.
• T he machine automatically turns off if no key is pressed within 5
minutes.
• T o cancel operations, press .
• T o initialize the settings, turn off the machine and then while
holding down and , press to turn the machine back on.
Finally, release and .
Size
Cursor
Caps
Power key
Function key
Favorite keys
Character key
Tab key
Caps key
Shift key
Symbol key
Auto Format key
Width
Style
Underline/Frame
Label Length
Print key
Cursor key
(Use with Shift key
to go to top/en d of
the text.)
Preview key
OK key
ESC key
Backspace key
Enter key
Shift key
Accent key
Space key
See the under side for steps of creating labels.
Troubleshooting
Error message
What to do when.. .
Specifications
Accessories (Supplies may differ by distrib ution.)
If the cutter blade becomes blunt after repetitive use and the tape cannot be
cut cleanly, replace with new cutter unit (stock no. TC-5) by obtaining from an
authorized brother reseller.
Message Cause/Remedy
Battery Weak! The batteries are weak.
Check Batt ery! The installed batteries are about to run out.
Inv alid! • There is no text abo v e the cursor when you set Number-
ing.
• Inv alid character is selected for Numbering.
• Inv alid nu mber is selected f or T ab Length or Label Length.
No T ext! • Y ou tried to print a te xt file when there is no data stored in
the memory .
• The Print ke y is pressed when no te xt is entered.
• Y ou tried to set Copies , Numbering or Mir ror when no te xt
is entered.
Line Limit! • Y ou tried to enter a 3rd line b y pressing Ente r ke y .
• Y ou tried to print a 2 line text when 9/64" (3.5mm) or 1/4"
(6mm) tape is installed.
No Cassette! Y ou tried to print a label when there is no cassette installed.
Cutter Error! T ape cutter lev er is used in the middle of printing process.
Full! The maximum number of ch aracters (80 character s) hav e
already been entered.
T ext T oo Long! The text length exceed s the selected label length or the
selected A uto F ormat setting length.
No F rame O K? Printing on 9/64" (3.5 mm) tape wi th inv alid F r ame setting
ON. (Select to print with no F rame , to cancel.)
Problem Solution
The display st ays b lank
after y ou hav e turned on
the machine.
• Check that th e batteries are correctly inserted.
• If the batteries are weak, replace t hem.
• Check that the AD-30 ad apter is correctly connected.
The machine does not
print, or the printed
characters ar e blurred.
• Check tha t the tape cassette has been inserted correctly .
• If the tape casset te is empty , replace it.
The printed characters
are not f ormed properly .
• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
The memory has
cleared on its own.
• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
A blank horizon tal line
appears through the
printed label.
• There ma y be some dust on the print head. Remo ve the
tape cassette and u se a dry cotton sw ab to gently wipe the
print head with an up-and-do wn motion.
• The print head can b e cleaned more easily if the optional
print head cleaning cassette (TZ-CL3) is used.
The machine has
"locked up" (i.e., nothin g
happens when a ke y is
pressed, e ven though
the machine is on).
• T ur n off the machine, and then while ho lding
down and , press t o turn the machine back on.
Finally , release and .
• Note: The te xt and f ormats in the displ ay and all te xt files
stored in the memory are erased. Also , the langu age and
unit settings will be cleared.
Item Specification
Dimensions 6.4" (W) × 6.0" (D) × 2.4" (H)
(160 mm (W) × 151 mm (D) × 60 mm (H))
Weight 1.03 lbs. (470 g) (without batte ries and tape cassette)
P ower supply Six AAA-siz e alkaline batt eries (LR03) or optional A C
adapter (model AD-30)
T ape cassette Brother TZ tape (width) :
9/64" (3.5 mm), 1/4" (6 mm), 3/8" (9 mm), 1/2" (1 2 mm)
Accessories Stock No.
T ape Cassettes See the attached "Supplies and Accessories Guide".
AC A dapter model AD-30
Cutter Unit TC-5 (replacement)
Carrying Case CC1000
Switching Upper Case/Lower Case
Making Two Line Text
Move the cursor to where the second line starts and press .
Use either 3/8" (9 mm) or 1/2" (12 mm) wide tape for two line text.
Entering Symbols
>
• To go to the next group , press .
• To cancel operations, press .
Entering Accented Characters
>>/ > /
• To cancel operations, press .
• The order of accented characters dif fer by the selected LCD language.
To Clear
By pressing the Backspace Key, the letters will be deleted one by one.
All text and settings will be cleared.
+
Grou p
Symbols
Group
Symbols
17
28
39
41 0
51 1
6
Accented Characters Accented Characters
Aa
Cc
Dd
Ee
Gg
Ii
Kk
Ll
Nn
Oo
Rr
Ss
Tt
Uu
Yy
Zz
Upper case ( ON) Lower case ( OFF)
Display Label image
Setting [Size]
> [Size ] > [Large ]
Automatically adjusts the text size according to the tape width.
Setting [Width]
> [Width ] > [×2 ]
Setting [Style] (Vertica l)
> [Style ] > [Vertical ]
Setting [Underline/Frame]
> [Underline/Frame ] > [Underline ]
Frames can not be printed on 9/64" (3.5mm) tape.
Setting [Tab]
You can make aligned texts by setting tabs.
Example: To set a tab between "ABC" and "D"
The cursor should be positioned where you set a tab.
>>
[Tab ]
• You can also set a tab by using the Tab Key on the keyboard.
Setting [Tab Length](Auto / 0.0" - 4.0")
> [Tab Length ] >
• You can also select the lengt h by entering the length with Num keys.
• To return to [Auto], press .
Setting [Label Length]
(Auto / 1.2" - 12.0"
)
> [Label Length ] >
• You can also select the lengt h by entering the length with Num keys.
• To return to [Auto], press .
Setting [Auto Format]
You can choose label length from six formats to create labels for various ap-
plications.
> [Auto Format ] > [VHS Spine]
Text Preview
You can preview the text before printing.
• The LCD shows the whole text and the label length (inch/mm), t hen returns to the
original text.
• Only the text can be previewed, not the font, style, size, und erline/frame or any
additional featu res.
Feeding (Tape Feed)
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Printing
• To cut off the label, push in the tape cut ter lever on the u pper-right corne r of the
machine.
• To preve nt damage to the t ape, do not t ry to cut while the message "Pr int" or "Feed"
is displayed.
Setting [Margin] (Tape Margin)
> [Margin] > [Full]
[Full]/[Half]/[Narro w] is for leaving equal margins on both sides of the text.
NOTE: Cut along the printed dots (:) with scissors so the text is centered in the label.
[Chain Print] is for printing more than 1 copy of a label with minimum margin
<e.g. 1>. You can also create a label containing texts in vario us styles; print
a text in one style, and before feeding, enter the second text in ano ther style
<e.g. 2>.
FEED THE TAPE BEFORE USING THE CUTTER (see Feeding/Printing).
Otherwise A PART OF THE TEXT MAY BE CUT OFF. Do not try to pull the
tape since this may damage the tape cassette.
Using [Print Option]
[Copies]
You can print up to 9 copies of each label.
> [Print Option ] > [Copies ] >
You can also select the number of copies by entering with Num keys.
[Numbering]
You can print many copies of the same text while increasing a select ed
number by 1 after each label is printed.
Example : To print copies of a label containing a serial number (0123, 0124 and 0125)
>>
[Print Option ] >
[Numbering ] >
Select the highest number you wish to be printed when se tting the number.
[Mirror]
>
[
Print Option
]
>
[
Mirror
]
>
[Mirror Print?]
Use clear tape in [Mirror], so the labels can be re ad correctly from the oppo -
site side when attached on glass, windows or other transpa rent surfaces.
Peel the printed label from back ing and apply the label.
Memory (Favorites)
You can save and print your favorite label in seconds at the touch of a b utton.
There are three Favorite Keys ( ~ ) to store your three favorite labels.
To Save:
>>
To Print :
To Open:
>>
When the saved text contains more than 8 characters, use to scroll
through the text.
Function Shortcuts
In addition to the basic steps to se arch for a function, PT-1280 provide s you
with function shortcuts so you can easily jump to a frequently used funct ion
just by pressing and the shortcut key shown in the table below. To con-
firm, press .
[Large] [Medium] [Small]
[Normal] [
×2] [ ×1/2]
[Normal] [ Bold] [Outline]
[Shadow] [Italic] [Italic Bold]
[Italic Outl](Italic Outline)
[Italic Shadow] [Vertical]
[Off] [Underline] [Round] [Candy]
[Callout] [ Banner] [Wooden]
Application Length App lication Length
VHS Spine 5.5" CD Case Spine 4 .4"
MiniD V Sp ine 1.6" File T ab 3.2"
Audi o T a pe 3.5" Div ider T ab 1.6"
(+)
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Display Label image
ABC D
Tab
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1"
1/2" 1/2"
1/6" 1/6"
1"
ABC ABC : ABC :
Full Half Narrow
ABC ABC ABC ABC
ABC
DEF
<e.g. 1> <e.g. 2>
(feed & cut) (feed & cut)
Chain Print
(+ )
Key Functi on Key Function
[Size] [T ab Length]
[Width] [Label Length]
[Style] [Auto Format]
[Underline/F rame] [Margin]
[T ab ] [Print O ption]
Should you encounter any problems with your product, please do not
return your product to the store!
After referring to the User's guide, if you still need assistance, call Brother
Customer Service at:
Voice : 1-877-4-PTOUCH
Web : www.brother.com
Fax : 1-901-379-1210
If you need to locate a service center, please call 1-800-284-HELP or visit
us at www.brother.com
(+ )
PREPARATION OPERATION REFERENCE
[GETTING STARTED]
[CREATING LABELS]
MAKING TEXT
DESIGNING LABELS
PRINTING LABELS
COMPLETED LABELS
USEFUL FUNCTIONS