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Brother PT-1290 User Manual

User’s guide, Introduction, Safety precautions

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User’s Guide

Printed in China
LW3895001

1290

1290

1290

/ Český

English

Introduction

With your PT-1290, you can create labels for any
application. Select from the many frames, character sizes,
widths 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 colours.
Read this manual carefully before starting and keep the
manual in a handy place for future reference.

Safety Precautions

Warning

Follow these guidelines to avoid fire, burn, injury,
electric shock, rupture, heat, abnormal odour and
smoking.
• Always use the specified voltage and the suggested AC adapter

(AD-24ES) for this machine to prevent any damage or failure.

• Unplug the adapter cord immediately and stop using the P-touch

during an electrical storm.

• Do not use the machine/AC adapter in places of high humidity such

as bathrooms.

• Do not overload the adapter cord.

• Do not place heavy objects on, or damage the adapter cord or plug.

Do not forcibly bend or pull the adapter cord. When disconnecting

the adapter cord from the power outlet, always hold the plug.

• Make sure that the plug is fully inserted in the power outlet. Do not

use an outlet that is loose.

• Do not swallow the cutter stopper.

• Do not get the machine/AC adapter/adapter plug wet, such as by

handling them with wet hands or spilling liquids on to them.

• Do not disassemble or modify the P-touch/AC adapter/batteries.

• Do not use metallic objects, such as tweezers or a metallic pen,

when changing the batteries.

• Do not throw the batteries into fire or expose to heat.

• Disconnect the AC adapter, remove batteries immediately and stop

using the machine if you notice abnormal odour, heat,

discolouration, deformation or anything unusual while using or

storing it.

Caution

Follow these guidelines to avoid personal injury,
battery leakage, burn and heat.
• Do not touch the cutter blade or any metal parts near the print head.

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

intend to use the P-touch for an extended period of time.

• 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.

• Do not drop or hit the P-touch/AC adapter.

• Do not press hard on the LCD display.

• Make sure you do not trap your fingers when closing the cassette

cover.

General Precautions

• Depending on the location, material, and environmental conditions,

the label may unpeel or become irremovable, the colour of the label

may change or be transferred to other objects. Before applying the

label, check the environmental condition and the material.

• Do not use the P-touch in any way or for any purpose not described

in this guide. Doing so may result in accidents or damage to the

machine.

• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that

do not have the

mark.

• Only use a soft, dry cloth to clean the machine; never use alcohol

or other organic solvents.

• Use a cotton swab to clean the print head; never touch the print

head.

• Do not put any foreign objects into the tape exit slot or AC adapter

connector, etc.

• Do not place the P-touch/battery/adapter in direct sunlight or rain,

near heaters or other hot appliances, in any location exposed to

extremely high or low temperatures (e.g. on the dashboard or in the

back of your car), high humidity, or dusty locations.

• Do not apply excessive pressure to the cutter lever.

• Do not try to print if the cassette is empty; it will damage the print

head.

• Do not pull the tape while printing or feeding; it will damage the tape

and machine.

• Any data stored in memory will be lost due to failure or repair of the

P-touch, or if the battery expires and no adapter is connected.

• When power is disconnected for more than three minutes, all texts

settings and any text files stored in the memory will be cleared.

EC Declaration of Conformity

Manufacturer

Brother Industries, Ltd.

15-1, Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8561, Japan
Plant

Zhuhai Brother Industries Co., Ltd.

254 Gangchang Road, Gongbei, Zhuhai City S.E.Z. Guang Dong,

CHINA
Herewith declare that:
Products description

Model number

: P-touch

: PT-1290

is in conformity with provisions of the Electromagnetic

Compatibility Directive (2004/108/EC) and we declare

compliance with the following standards :
Harmonized standards applied:

EMC

EN55022: 2006 + A1: 2007 Class B

EN55024: 1998 + A1: 2001 + A2: 2003

EN61000-3-2: 2006

EN61000-3-3: 1995 + A1: 2001 + A2:

2005

The optional AC adapter AD-24ES also conforms with EN60950-

1:2001+A11:2004 and follows the provisions of the Low Voltage

Directive 2006/95/EC.
Year in which CE marking was first affixed: 2009

Issued by

: Brother Industries, Ltd.

Quality Management Dept.

Power Supply and Tape Cassette

Open the cassette cover by pressing the
indicated area at the back 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 cassettes.

Insert six new AAA 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 of the same type.

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 cassette cover, making
sure that it snaps into place.

After you have installed the tape, press

+

to feed the tape once and then push in the tape cutter
lever to cut the tape.

NOTE

When using optional AC adapter (AD-24ES)

1.

Insert the small plug on the adapter cord into the AC

adapter socket on the top end of the machine.

2.

Insert the power plug into the nearest standard electrical

outlet.

For memory back up, we recommend using AAA alkaline

batteries (LR03) together when using the AC adapter.

1

Print head

Tape cutter lever

Cassette

cover

2

3

Cutter

blade

End of tape

Tape exit slot

Tape guide

Toothed

Wheel

Cutter

Stopper

4

AC adapter socket

LCD Display & Keyboard

NOTE

The LCD shows one row of 15 characters; however, the

text that you enter can be up to 80 characters in length.

1

2
3
4

9

10
11

12

13

14

15

5

6

7

8

16

17

19

18

20
21

22

23
14

25

24

1.

Size

2.

Font

3.

Cursor

4.

Caps

5.

Width

6.

Style

7.

Underline/Frame

8.

Label Length

9.

Escape key

10. Power key
11. Function key
12. Font keys
13. Character keys
14. Shift key

15. Caps key
16. Cursor key (Use with

Shift key to go to start/
end of the text.)

17. OK key
18. Print/Feed key
19. Preview key
20. DECO MODE key
21. Backspace key
22. Enter key
23. Accent key
24. Symbol key
25. Space key

Initial Settings

1

Start your machine.

Supply power by using six AAA alkaline batteries (LR03)

or the optional AC adapter, and then press

.

2

Set the language.

The default setting is [English].

[

Language]

[English/Español/Français/Hrvatski/Italiano/

Magyar/Nederlands/Norsk/Polski/

Português/Română/Slovenski/Slovenský/

Suomi/Svenska/Türkçe/Český/Dansk/

Deutsch] .

3

Set the unit of measurement.

The default setting is [mm].

[Unit]

[mm/inch]

.

NOTE

• The machine automatically turns off if no keys are

pressed within five minutes.

• To cancel operations, press

.

Troubleshooting

X Error message

X What to do when...

Message

Cause/Remedy

Battery Weak!

The batteries are weak. Replace them with
new ones.

Check Battery!

The installed batteries are running low.

Invalid!

• There is no text above the cursor when you

selected [Numbering].

• 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.

is pressed when no text is entered.

• You tried to select [Copies], [Numbering],

[Mirror], or Text Preview when no text is
entered.

Line Limit!

• You tried to enter a 3rd line by pressing

.

• You tried to print a 2 line text with 3.5mm or

6mm tape installed.

No Cassette!

You tried to print a label with no cassette
installed.

Cutter Error!

The tape cutter lever was used while printing.

Full!

The maximum number of characters (80
characters, for DECO MODE 50 characters)
have already been entered.

Text Too Long!

The text length exceeds the selected label
length, Auto Format setting length and DECO
MODE setting length.

No Frame OK?

Printing on 3.5mm tape with invalid Frame

setting ON. (Select

to print with no

Frame,

to cancel.)

OK to Feed?

Feeding tape after printing when [Chain print]
is selected. Refer to “Setting Margin”.

Cooling

If the print head becomes too hot, your
machine will stop printing and automatically
start to cool down. The cool down time will be
displayed. Once the print head is cool, printing
will automatically continue.
Do not touch the P-touch while cooling.

Insert 12mm!

12mm tape is required for DECO MODE.

Message

Cause/Remedy

Problem

Solution

The display stays
blank after turning
on the machine.

• Check that the batteries are correctly

inserted.

• If the batteries are weak, replace them.
• Check that the optional AD-24ES adapter is

correctly connected.

When the label is
printed out, there is
too much margin
(space) on both
sides of the text.

• See “Setting Margin” and select [Half] or

[Narrow] to have smaller margins for your
label.

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

• Check that the tape cassette has been

inserted correctly.

• If the tape cassette is empty, replace it.
• Check the cassette cover is properly closed.

The settings and
texts have cleared
on their own.

• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
• When power is disconnected for more than

three minutes, all texts, settings and any text
files stored in the memory will be cleared.

A blank horizontal
line appears
through the printed
label.

• There maybe 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 machine has
“locked up” (i.e.,
nothing happens
when a key is
pressed, even
though the
machine is on.)

• Refer to “Resetting the P-touch”.

The power turns off
when you try to
print.

• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
• Check that the batteries are correctly

inserted.

The tape does not
feed properly or the
tape gets stuck
inside the machine.

• Check that the end of the tape feeds under

the tape guides.

• The tape cutter lever was used while

printing. Do not touch the cutter lever during
printing.

How can I delete all
text and format
settings to create a
new label?

• Press

+

and select

[Text&Format].

How can I change
the language
setting?

• Refer to “Initial Settings”.

Problem

Solution

Entering Text

X Setting Font

(Helsinki) or

(Bohemia)

Label image (Helsinki)

Label image (Bohemia)

X Switching Upper Case/Lower Case

Upper case (

ON)

Lower case (

OFF)

X Entering Two Lines of Text

Move the cursor to where the second line starts and press

.

Use either 9mm or 12mm wide tape for two line text.

Display

Label image

X Entering Symbols

Choose a symbol with

and

press

.

• Refer to the table of symbols (A) on the enclosed insertion

sheet for a list of available symbols.

• To go to the next group, press

.

• To cancel operations, press

.

X Entering Accented Characters

-

/

• Refer to the table of accented characters (B) on the

enclosed insertion sheet for a list of available accented
characters.

• To cancel operations, press

.

• The order of accented characters differs by the selected

LCD language.

X To Clear

By pressing

, the letters will be deleted one by one.

To delete all text and settings :

+

[Text&Format]

To delete text only :

+

[Text Only]

Designing Labels

1

Press

, use

to select a function under column [A], and then press

. (The function

can also be selected with the shortcut keys listed under column [C]. (

+

to ))

2

Use

to select a setting listed under column [B], and then press

.

*1 These are the default settings. To return to the default setting, press

.

*2 Frames can not be printed on 3.5mm tapes.
*3 You can also select the length by entering the length with the number keys. To turn to [Auto], press

.

Design

[A]

[B]

Label image

[C]

Size

Size

Large*1

Medium

Small

Width

Width

Normal*1

x 2

x 1/2

Style

Style

Normal*1

Bold

Outline

Shadow

Italic

Italic Bold

Italic Outl (Italic Outline)

Italic Shadow

Vertical

Underline/Frame*2 Underline/Frame

Off*1

Underline

Round

Leaf

Tile

Star

Heart

Square

Clip

Tab

Tab

• The cursor should be positioned where you set a tab.

Tab length

Tab Length

Auto*1/ 0-100mm*3

The tab is set with the specified length.

Label length

Label Length

Auto*1/ 30-300mm*3

The label is printed with the specified length.

Auto format

Auto Format

Off*1

VHS Spine

140mm

MiniDV Spine

42mm

Audio Tape

89mm

CD Case Spine

113mm

File Tab

82mm

Divider Tab

42mm

Printing Labels

X Text Preview

You can preview the text before printing.

• The LCD shows the whole text and the label length (mm/

inch), then returns to the original text.

• Only the text can be previewed, not the font, style, size,

underline/frame or any additional features.

X Feeding (Tape Feed)

+

X Setting Margin (

+ )

[Margin]

[Full/Half/Narrow/Chain Print]

[Full]/[Half]/[Narrow]
For leaving equal margins on both sides of the text.

[Chain Print]
For creating a label containing text in various styles.

1.

Enter text.

2.

Press

, then [OK to Feed?] appears.

3.

Press

to enter more text. Press

to feed and

print.

NOTE

• When [Half] or [Narrow] is set, feed the tape before using

the cutter otherwise a part of the text may be cut off. Also,
cut along the printed dots (:) with scissors so the text is
centered in the label.

• To print more than 1 copy of a label with minimum margin,

set the margin to [Narrow] and select [Copies] in the [Print
Options] menu.

• Do not try to pull the tape since this may damage the tape

cassette.

X Printing

• To prevent damage to the tape, do not touch the cutter

lever while the message “Print” or “Feed” is displayed.

• To cut off the label, push in the tape cutter lever on the

upper-right corner of the machine.

• Peel the printed label from backing and apply the label.

X Using Print Options (

+

)

[Copies]

You can print up to 9 copies of each label.
• To print more than 1 copy of a label with minimum margin,

set the margin to [Narrow] and select [Copies] for [Print
Options] function.

[Print Options]

[Copies]

• You can also select the number of copies by entering it

with the Number 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 Options]

[Numbering]

• Select the highest number you wish to be printed when

setting the number.

[Mirror]

[Print Options]

[Mirror]

[Mirror Print?]

• Use clear tape with [Mirror], so the labels can be read

correctly from the opposite side when attached on glass,
windows or other transparent surfaces.

Resetting the P-touch

You can reset the P-touch when you want to initialize the
settings, or in the event the P-touch is not working properly.

1

Turn off the P-touch and then while holding
down

and

, press

to turn the P-

touch back on.

2

Release

and

.

The P-touch turns on with the internal memory reset.

NOTE

All text, settings and stored files are cleared.

DECO MODE

This function allows you to create unique labels by using
some built-in templates. Refer to the DECO MODE format
table (C) on the enclosed insertion sheet.

Example: Design 10

[Design 10]

[Auto/30-200mm]

Bill Anderson

ABC Company, Inc.

[Print OK?]

NOTE

• The formats marked in column [C] of the insertion sheet's

DECO format table can require cooling. If the print head
becomes too hot, your machine will automatically stop
printing and begin to cool down. Once the print head has
cooled, printing will automatically continue.
Do not touch the P-touch while cooling.

• If you select a format that is one line (Design 1 - Design

9), only enter the text once.

• Printing and formatting of entered text may depend on the

template style you have selected.

• The format of DECO MODE templates cannot be

changed.

• The highlighted symbols in the table of symbols (A) on the

enclosed insertion sheet are available in DECO MODE.

• To clear all text, press

and

, then “Clear?”

appears. Press

to clear. Press

to cancel.

• When you access DECO MODE, your most recently

printed DECO MODE text and label length will be
recalled.

• Press

to return to the previous step.

• To exit DECO MODE, press

until the display shows

the text entry screen.

• DECO MODE feature is only available when using 12mm

wide tape cassettes.

• The maximum label length is 200mm for DECO MODE.
• When [Auto] is selected for “Label Length”, the label will

automatically adjust to the correct size for printing the text
one time.

• Press

to return to the [Auto] setting for “Label

Length” mode.

Saving Label Files

X Memory (

+ )

You can save your original labels on to your machine. Up to
nine labels can be saved and recalled for printing at a later
date. You can also edit and overwrite the stored label.

[File]

To Save:

[Save]

To Print:

[Print]

To Open:

[Open]

NOTE

If you try to store a label when there is already a label

stored to that number, the message “Overwrite?” will

appear. Press

to save your new label. Press

to

cancel.

Specifications

Accessories

If the cutter blade becomes blunt after repetitive use and the

tape cannot be cut cleanly, replace with a new cutter unit

(stock no. TC-5) from an authorized Brother reseller.

Contact Information

Contact may differ by country.
See the Web http://www.brother.eu/

12mm

12mm

4mm

4mm

ABC

ABC

:

ABC

:

25mm

25mm

Full

Half

Narrow

ABC

ABC
DEF

Chain Print

(feed & cut)

Dimensions:
(W x D x H)

159 Ч 157 Ч 61.7mm

Weight:

485 g
(without batteries and tape cassette)

Power supply:

Six AAA alkaline batteries (LR03)
Optional AC adapter (AD-24ES)

Tape cassette:

Brother TZ tape (width)
3.5mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm

Tape Cassettes:

See the included “Tape Catalog”.

AC Adapter:

AD-24ES

Cutter Unit:

TC-5 (replacement)

CAUTION

• Do not touch the cutter blade directly with your fingers.
• Do not swallow the cutter stopper.