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Brother PT-1280 User Manual

User's guide, Unpacking your p-touch labeler, Power supply & tape cassettes

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E L E C T R

O N I C L A

B E L I N G

S Y S T E M

E L E C T R

O N I C L A

B E L I N G

S Y S T E M

E L E C T R

O N I C L A

B E L I N G

S Y S T E M

USER'S GUIDE

USER'S GUIDE

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/ Español

Printed in China

LW6436001

www.brother.com

English

With your PT-1280, you can create labels for any application. Select from the
many frames, character sizes and styles 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 the machine with alcohol or other organic 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 cutter'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 extended period of time,

otherwise the machine may be stained.

• Do not get the machine wet, such as by touching with wet hands or spilling beverages

on to the machine.

• Do not expose the machine to extremely high temperatures or high humidity. Never

leave it on the dashboard, in the back of your car, near heaters or other hot
appliances. Keep it out of both direct sunlight and rain.

• Avoid using the machine in extremely dusty places.
• Do not pull on the tape being fed from the P-touch labeler, otherwise the tape

cassette may be damaged.

• Do not attempt to cut the tape while printing or feeding since this will damage the tape.
• Do not try to print labels using an empty tape cassette set in the P-touch labeler. Doing

so will damage the print head.

• Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adapter if you do not intend to use the

machine for an extended period of time. (Note: When power is disconnected for more
than three minutes, all text shown in the display and any text files stored in the
memory will be lost. Language and unit settings will also be cleared.)

• Do not use old and new batteries together or mix alkaline batteries with other type

batteries, or set the positive and negative end in the wrong position. Otherwise, the
batteries may leak or be damaged.

• Use only the AC adapter designed exclusively for this machine to prevent any

damage or failure.

INTRODUCTION

FCC NOTICE

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.

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. 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 to 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.
- Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Brother Industries, Ltd. could void the user’s

authority to operate 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 cassette is already
installed, remove it by pulling it
straight up. Also, if batteries are
already installed, remove them.
• Make sure that the power is

turned off when replacing
batteries or tape cassette.

Insert six new AAA-size alkaline
batteries (LR03), making sure
that their poles point in the
correct directions. Always
replace all six batteries 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 under 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.

Securely close the back cover, making sure
that it snaps into place.
After you have installed the tape, feed the tape
(see Feeding) once and then push in the tape
cutter lever to cut the tape.

When using optional AC adapter (model
AD-30/AD-24)

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 guide

Cutter's edge

Tape exit slot

Toothed Wheel

Keyboard & LCD

Initial Setting

Start your machine
Supply power by using six AAA batteries or the optional 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.

• The machine automatically turns off if no key is pressed within 5

minutes.

• To cancel operations, press

.

• To 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/end 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 distribution.)

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 Battery!

The installed batteries are about to run out.

Invalid!

• There is no text above the cursor when you set Number-

ing.

• Invalid character is selected for Numbering.
• Invalid number is selected for Tab Length or Label Length.

No Text!

• You tried to print a text file when there is no data stored in

the memory.

• The Print key is pressed when no text is entered.
• You tried to set Copies, Numbering or Mirror when no text

is entered.

Line Limit!

• You tried to enter a 3rd line by pressing Enter key.
• You tried to print a 2 line text when 0.13" (3.5 mm) or 0.23"

(6 mm) tape is installed.

No Cassette!

You tried to print a label when there is no cassette installed.

Cutter Error!

Tape cutter lever is used in the middle of printing process.

Full!

The maximum number of characters (80 characters) have
already been entered.

Text Too Long!

The text length exceeds the selected label length or the
selected Auto Format setting length.

No Frame OK?

Printing on 0.13" (3.5 mm) tape with invalid Frame setting

ON. (Select

to print with no Frame,

to cancel.)

Problem

Solution

The display stays blank
after you have turned on
the machine.

• Check that the batteries are correctly inserted.
• If the batteries are weak, replace them.
• Check that the AD-30/AD-24 adapter is correctly connected.

The machine does not
print, or the printed
characters are blurred.

• Check that the tape cassette has been inserted correctly.
• If the tape cassette is empty, replace it.

The printed characters
are not formed properly.

• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.

The memory has
cleared on its own.

• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.

A blank horizontal line
appears through the
printed label.

• There may be some dust on the print head. Remove the

tape cassette and use a dry cotton swab to gently wipe the
print head with an up-and-down motion.

• The print head can be cleaned more easily if the optional

print head cleaning cassette (TZ-CL3) is used.

The machine has
"locked up" (i.e., nothing
happens when a key is
pressed, even though
the machine is on).

• Turn off the machine, and then while holding

down

and

, press

to turn the machine back on.

Finally, release

and

.

• Note: The text and formats in the display and all text files

stored in the memory are erased. Also, the language 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 batteries and tape cassette)

Power supply

Six AAA-size alkaline batteries (LR03) or optional AC
adapter (model AD-30/AD-24)

Tape cassette

Brother TZ tape (width) :
0.13" (3.5 mm), 0.23" (6 mm), 0.35" (9 mm), 0.47" (12 mm)

Accessories

Stock No.

Tape Cassettes

See the attached "Supplies and Accessories Guide".

AC Adapter

model AD-30/AD-24

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 differ 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.

+

Group

Symbols

Group

Symbols

1

7

2

8

3

9

4

10

5

11

6

Accented Characters

Accented Characters

A

a

C

c

D

d

E

e

G

g

I

i

K

k

L

l

N

n

O

o

R

r

S

s

T

t

U

u

Y

y

Z

z

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]

(Vertical)

>

[

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 length 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 length 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), then returns to the

original text.

• Only the text can be previewed, not the font, style, size, underline/frame or any

additional features.

Feeding

(Tape Feed)

+

Printing

• To cut off the label, push in the tape cutter lever on the upper-right corner of the

machine.

• To prevent damage to the tape, do not try to cut while the message "Print" or "Feed"

is displayed.

Setting [Margin]

(Tape Margin)

>

[Margin]

>

[Full]

[Full]/[Half]/[Narrow] 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
. You can also create a label containing texts in various styles; print
a text in one style, and before feeding, enter the second text in another style
.
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 selected
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 setting the number.

[Mirror]

>

[

Print Option

]

>

[

Mirror

]

>

[Mirror Print?]

Use clear tape in [Mirror], so the labels can be read correctly from the oppo-
site side when attached on glass, windows or other transparent surfaces.

Peel the printed label from backing and apply the label.

Memory

(Favorites)

You can save and print your favorite label in seconds at the touch of a button.
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 search for a function, PT-1280 provides you
with function shortcuts so you can easily jump to a frequently used function
just by pressing

and the shortcut key shown in the table below. To con-

firm, press

.

[Large]

[Medium]

[Small]

[Normal]

[

Ч

2]

[

Ч

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

Application

Length

VHS Spine

5.5"

CD Case Spine

4.4"

MiniDV Spine

1.6"

File Tab

3.2"

Audio Tape

3.5"

Divider Tab

1.6"

(

+

)

(

+

)

(

+

)

(

+

)

(

+

)

Display

Label image

ABC

D

Tab

(

+

)

(

+

)

(

+

)

(

+

)

1"

1/2"

1/2"

1/6"

1/6"

1"

ABC

ABC

:

ABC

:

Full

Half

Narrow

ABC ABC ABC

ABC

ABC
DEF

(feed & cut)

(feed & cut)

Chain Print

(

+

)

Key

Function

Key

Function

[Size]

[Tab Length]

[Width]

[Label Length]

[Style]

[Auto Format]

[Underline/Frame]

[Margin]

[Tab]

[Print Option]

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-BROTHER(1-877-276-8437)

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