Brother LN7424001 User Manual

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USER'S GUIDE

www.P-touch.com

LN7424001

Printed in China

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 colours.
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 edge of the cutter.
• 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 or 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, 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. 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 have leakage or fracture.

• Use only the suggested AC adapter for this machine to prevent any damage or 

failure.

INTRODUCTION

Declaration of Conformity

We

BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.

15-1, Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 487-8561, Japan

declare that the Labelling System PT-1280 conforms with the following normative 

documents:

EMC:

EN55022:1998/A1: 2000/A2: 2003 Class B

EN55024:1998/A1: 2001

EN61000-3-2: 2000

EN61000-3-3: 1995/A1: 2001

and follows the provisions of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89/336/EEC (as 

amended by 91/263/EEC and 92/31/EEC). The optional AC adapter also conforms with 

EN 60950 and follows the provisions of the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC.

Issued by: BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.

Personal & Home Company

Development & Production Dept.

Note: Marking is in compliance with EU Directive 2002/96/EC and EN50419.

This equipment is marked with the above recycling symbol. It means that at the end 
of the life of the equipment you must dispose of it separately at an appropriate col-
lection point and not place it in the normal domestic unsorted waste stream. This will 
benefit the environment for all. (European Union only)

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Power Supply & Tape Cassettes

Make sure that the power is turned off when replacing batteries or tape cassette.

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.

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 G1)

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, when the AC adapter 
is unplugged, please use AAA-size alkaline 
batteries (LR03).

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 (Language option differ by distribution)

Choose a language 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.

• Use Cursor key while holding down Shift key to go to beginning/

end of the text.

• 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

Memory keys

(Favourite Label Memory)

Character keys

Shift key

Caps key

Width
Style

Underline/Frame

Label Length

Print key

Cursor key

Preview key

ESC key
Backspace key

Enter key

Shift key

Symbol key

Space key

Accent key

OK key

See the reverse 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 dealer.

Contact Information

Contact may differ by country. See the Web site. (http://www.P-touch.com/)

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 try 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 try to set Copies, Numbering or Mirror when no text is 

entered.

Line Limit!

• You try to enter a 3rd line by pressing Enter key.
• You try to print a 2 line text when 3.5 mm or 6 mm tape is 

installed.

No Cassette!

You try 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 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 suggested 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

160 mm (W) 

×

 151 mm (D) 

×

 60 mm (H)

Weight

470 g (without batteries and tape cassette)

Power supply

Six AAA-size alkaline batteries (LR03) or optional AC 
adapter (model G1)

Tape cassette

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

Accessories

Stock No.

Tape Cassettes

See the attached TZ Tape Catalogue.

AC adapter

model G1

Cutter unit

TC-5 (replacement)

PREPARATION

OPERATION

REFERENCE

[GETTING STARTED]