Datamax I-4206 Thermal Printer

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Don't know if I'm in the right place for this printer/question, but if not,
maybe someone can direct to the right NG...

We have been running barcode labels on a Datamax I-4206 thermal printer for
a year and a half now. I have not made any changes to the label formats or
printer since we started using it. We run both Portrait and Landscape
labels on this machine and the problem appears on both types.

The problem I'm having is that when I print a batch of labels, the first
label in the batch to print has a line of compressed print in either the
first, second or third line printed on that first label. Sometimes the
compressed line is so compressed that it can barely be read, and the next
label in line to print, is printed low on the label stock. The balance of
the labels in the batch are good then.

I've cleaned the printhead and platen roller, and also tried adjusting the
print/feed speeds. Nothing. I contacted Datamax support and they emailed
me back the minimum label margins, then told me to contact BarTender, the
software we use with this printer, for an updated driver file. I really
didn't think it was a driver issue, but I went ahead and downloaded the
latest driver file and installed it. Nothing.

Anybody have any ideas??

Thanks in advance!
Paula