The label printer prints blank labels or offsets the print

Instructions for restoring correct label printing when the printer skips tags, prints between them, or endlessly feeds the roll.

When the label printer starts printing incorrectly

• After replacing the roll of labels (different size, type, or manufacturer).

• The first connection of the printer.

• Updating/reinstalling the Windows driver.

• Changing the USB port.

• Printing through an RDP session.

How to understand what exactly the problem is

• It prints 1 label + 5–10 blank ones.

• The text/barcode is printed between labels or with an offset.

• When Feed is pressed, the media does not stop.

• After feeding, the red error indicator flashes.

• Endless printing of hieroglyphs (if the mode is Receipt, but you are printing a label).

What most often causes blank tags and print shifting

1. Failure of the gap sensor calibration.

2. The printer is in receipt tape mode (Receipt) instead of labels (Label) — this applies only to universal models (for example, many Xprinter, Gprinter, Godex, TSC). If the mode is Receipt and you are trying to print a label — most often this results in an endless stream of hieroglyphs, not just a shift or skipping.

3. Incorrect label size in the Windows driver.

4. Driver conflict with RDP.

5. Contamination or mechanical displacement of the gap sensor (the sensor shifted to the side, lifted up, or does not fit tightly against the media).

How to restore correct label printing

Step 1. Basic printer check

• Make sure the roll of labels is tightly fixed with the guides and does not wobble

• Clean the gap sensor (the lower part of the printer) with a dry wipe or an alcohol wipe (do not pour liquid into it!)

• Check the mechanical displacement of the sensor:

• Open the printer cover.

• Look at the gap sensor (a small window or optical sensor at the bottom where the media passes).

• Make sure it is exactly centered relative to the media, not shifted to the side, and not lifted up (if it is shifted — carefully align it by hand or with a screwdriver, if there is a retainer).

• Close the cover tightly (the cover should click) — this is important for correct sensor operation.

• Connect the printer directly to the rear USB port of the PC (without hubs and extension cables).

Step 2. Printer calibration (mandatory!)

For printers Zebra (LP/TLP 2824, GK420, ZD220 etc.):

Hardware calibration:

1. Turn off the printer.

2. Press and hold the Feed button.

3. Turn on the power while holding the button for 2 - 3 seconds.

4. Wait until the red LED lights up (first blue → purple → red).

5. Release the button — the printer will feed 2–3 labels and calibrate. If you enter Dump Mode (a code is printed) — press Feed once more and turn it off/on.

For universal printers with two modes (Xprinter, Gprinter, Godex, TSC etc.):

1. Turn off the printer.

2. Press and hold the Pause or Feed button (depends on the model).

3. Turn on the power and wait for the service receipt to print.

4. Check the last line:

• Label — the mode is correct

• Receipt — press Feed 1–2 times to switch to Label, restart the printer

Software calibration: run the manufacturer’s utility (Diagnostic Tool, Label Utility etc.) → Auto Calibration or Sensor Calibration function.

Step 3. Windows driver settings

1. Control Panel → Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click the printer → Printer Properties.

3. Printing Preferences tab (or Preferences):

• Create a new label size exactly for your roll (for example, 40×25 mm, 50×30 mm, 100×50 mm, etc.).

• Specify the media type: Gap (for labels with gaps) or Black Mark (if using marks).

• Delete all unnecessary formats (especially A4, 100×100 mm).

• Margins/offsets: 0 mm on all sides.

   4. Print a test page from the driver — the printer should print test information without major skips and without shifting the text into the gap. If the offset or                 skips remain, repeat calibration (Step 2).

Step 4. If printing through RDP

Check the driver version:

• When working through RDP, stable drivers are from the 2018.x–2019.x series.

• New drivers (2023–2024) often cause blank or unstable printing.

Scenario 2. Printing goes “every other” label (especially through RDP)

Typical sign:

• Labels print correctly from the local computer.

• From the Remote Desktop (RDP) — printing goes every other label or with skips.

In this case, the problem is not in calibration and not in the template.

Main cause:

The printer driver on the local PC and on the RDP server:

• must be the same version

• must be compatible with RDP printing

What to do:

1. Check the driver version on the local PC and on the server.

2. Install the same driver version on both systems.

3. Use drivers tested for RDP — usually versions from 2018–2019 (download from the product page at https://store.torgsoft.ua/ or from the manufacturer’s website).

4. After reinstalling, perform Gap Sensor calibration (see Step 2).

How to check that printing has been restored

1. Press the Feed button once — the printer should issue exactly one label

2. Print a test label from the product card in Torgsoft

3. The text/barcode is in the middle of the label, the indicator does not flash red

How to avoid repeated problems with label printing

• Calibrate the printer after every roll replacement.

• Regularly clean the sensor from glue and dust.

• Do not change the USB port unnecessarily.

• Keep only one current label size in the driver.