Brother PT-1230PC User Manual

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the PT-1230PC. Your new P-touch labeller uses P-touch Editor Lite software, which is already installed on your labeller. 
There is no need to install any software or drivers onto your PC in order to make creative labels. This manual includes important precautionary 
information and simple instructions for operating your new P-touch labeller. Be sure to read the instructions before use and use the product in ac-
cordance with these instructions. Keep this manual handy for future reference. If new versions of the PT-1230PC software become available, this 
manual may not re

fl

 ect the updated features. Therefore, you may 

fi

 nd that the software and the contents in this guide are different.

Declaration of Conformity

We 

BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
15-1, Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8561, Japan

declare that the P-touch Labeller PT-1230PC conforms with the following normative documents:

EMC: 

EN 55022: 2006 Class B
EN 55024: 1998 + A1: 2001 + A2: 2003
EN 61000-3-2: 2006
EN 61000-3-3: 1995 + A1: 2001 + A2: 2005

and follows the provisions of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC.
The AC adapter AD-24 also conforms with EN 60950-1: 2001 and follows the provisions of the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC.

Issued by:  BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.

Quality Management Dept.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNING

• Always use the speci

fi

 ed voltage and the suggested AC adapter (AD-24) for this machine to prevent any damage or failure.

• Unplug the power cord immediately and stop using the P-touch labeller during an electrical storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from lightning.
• Do not use the AC adapter in places of high humidity such as bathrooms.
• Do not overload the power cord.
• Do not place heavy objects on, or damage the power cord or plug. Do not forcibly bend or pull the power cord. When disconnecting the power cord from the power outlet, al-

ways hold the plug.

• To prevent 

fi

 re or electric shock, make sure that the plug is fully inserted in the power outlet. Do not use an outlet that is loose.

• Do not get the machine/AC adapter/power plug wet, such as by handling them with wet hands or spilling beverages onto them.
• Do not disassemble or modify the P-touch labeller/AC adapter/batteries.
• Do not use metallic articles, such as tweezers or a metallic pen, when exchanging the batteries.
• Do not throw into 

fi

 re or heat up the battery.

• Disconnect the AC adapter, remove batteries and stop using immediately if you notice any abnormal odour, heat, discolouration, deformation or anything unusual while in use, 

or in storage.

CAUTION

• To avoid injuries, do not touch the blade of the cutter unit or any metal parts near the print head.
• Do not apply excessive pressure to the cutter lever.
• Remove the batteries and disconnect the AC adapter if you do not intend to use the P-touch labeller 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. Otherwise, the batter-

ies may leak or be damaged.

• To prevent damage or breakage, do not drop or hit the P-touch labeller/AC adapter.
• Use only the USB cable included with the P-touch labeller.

General Precautions

• Depending on the location, material, and environmental conditions, a label may unpeel or become irremovable, the colour of a label may change or be transferred to other ob-

jects. Before applying labels, check the environmental condition and the surface material.

• Do not use the P-touch labeller 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.

• Do not clean the P-touch labeller with alcohol or other organic solvents. Only use a soft, dry cloth.
• Do not touch the print head with your 

fi

 ngers at any time, to prevent the possibility of burns. Use a soft wipe (e.g. a cotton swab) when cleaning 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 labeller/battery 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 try to print labels using an empty tape cassette in the P-touch labeller. Doing so will damage the print head.
• Do not pull the tape being fed from the P-touch labeller, otherwise the tape cassette or P-touch labeller may be damaged.

Open the cassette 
cover.

Insert a tape 
cassette.

Close the cassette 
cover.

Verify that the P-touch labeller is 
turned off. Open the cassette cover 
as shown by the arrow in the above 
illustration while pressing the "<<" 
section of the tape cover.

Insert a TZ tape cassette as shown 
in the above illustration.

• Make sure that the end of the tape feeds under the tape 

guides.

• If the ink ribbon is loose, use your 

fi

 nger to wind the toothed 

wheel in the direction of the arrow on the cassette.

• Use only Brother TZ tapes with the P-touch labeller.
• For initial use of the tape, install the tape, turn on the P-touch 

labeller, and press and hold the Power/feed button to feed the 
tape. Then, push in the tape cutter lever to cut the tape.

Connect the P-touch labeller's power supply.

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.

Auto Power Off Function

When the P-touch labeller is operating on battery power 
only, it will turn off automatically if not used for a period of 20 
minutes. The message “

Unsafe Removal of Device

” may 

be displayed depending on the Operating System running 
on your PC. Any data being displayed will be saved. When 
you turn the labeller back on, click on the Editor Lite icon to 
resume creating your label.

Connect the USB cable and start P-touch Editor Lite.

How to disconnect the P-touch 

labeller

Download and install the PT-1230PC’s 
driver and P-touch Editor 5.0 from Broth-
er’s website. Connect the P-touch labeller 
to your PC when requested during this 
installation.

For more information about 
installing the software, visit 
http://solutions.brother.com/

If you would like to use the more advanced software that is available for your P-touch labeller, 
you are able to download P-touch Editor 5.0 from the Brother website. This advanced software 
will give you greater label making functionality.

Do not connect the P-touch labeller to your PC before you begin the P-touch 

Editor 5.0 installation.

Starting P-touch Editor 5.0

Start 
P-touch Editor 5.0.

• Double-click the short-

cut icon on the desktop 
(P-touch Editor 5.0).

• Click P-touch Editor 5.0 

under 

All Programs

on the 

Start

 menu.

Use 
P-touch Editor 5.0.

If you have trouble using 
the software, refer to the 
help information available 
in P-touch Editor 5.0.

Review the names of P-touch labeller parts.

Install a TZ tape cassette.

The PT-1230PC has 2 mode selector settings - “EL” and “E”. The mode 
selector switch is pre-set at the factory to the EL mode, for use with 
P-touch Editor Lite. For E mode, you need to download P-touch Editor 5.0 
and the required drivers. For details on how to download  P-touch Editor 
5.0, see “Starting P-touch Editor 5.0” below.

Connect the 

USB cable.

Turn on the P-touch 

labeller. The LED lamp 

will light up.

For details on using 
P-touch Editor Lite, 
see the back of this 
sheet.

P-touch Editor Lite

starts immediately.

 Exit P-touch Editor Lite by clicking on the   at the top 

right.

 To disconnect the labeller, click the icon in the computer’s 

task bar ( ,  , or  ).

 Click 

Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device

.

 When 

The device can be safely removed

 is displayed, 

turn off the P-touch labeller and disconnect the USB ca-

ble.

*Microsoft Windows and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other 

countries.

*The name of other software or products used in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective 

companies that developed them.

When using 
Windows Vista

®

When connecting the device for the 

fi

 rst time, perform the 

scan and then select the 

Always do this for software and 

games

 check box on the dialog box displayed when the 

scan completes. P-touch Editor Lite will start automatically 
the next time you connect the P-touch labeller.

When using the optional AC 
adapter (AD-24), insert the plug on 
the adapter cord into the adapter 
socket on the bottom end of the 
P-touch labeller. Insert the plug 
into the nearest standard electrical 
outlet.

Move the mode selector 
switch on the back of 
the P-touch labeller to 
the “E” position before 
connecting the USB ca-
ble.

Do not turn off the power or remove the labeller  
while using P-touch Editor Lite.

Getting Ready

LED lamp

Power/feed

button

Tape cutter 

button

Tape exit slot

AC adapter (optional) 

connecter

Mode selector 

switch

USB port

Print head

Tape cutter

It will take longer than usu-
al to start P-touch Editor 

Lite when connecting P-touch 
labeller to your computer for 
the first time. If the software 
does not start automatically 
when you connect the machine, 
you may launch it from 

My 

Computer

. Start P-touch Editor 

Lite by double-clicking 

PTL-

ITE10.EXE

.

Windows

®

 2000 User

Go to 

My Computer

 and open 

Removable Disk

, then start 

P-touch Editor Lite by double-clicking   

PTLITE10.EXE

.

Windows

®

 XP User

A pop-up window 
will appear. Select 

P-touch Editor 
Lite

 and click 

OK

.

Windows Vista

®

 User

A pop-up window 
will appear. Click 

P-touch Editor 
Lite

.

USER'S GUIDE

USER'S GUIDE

English

LW3998001

USER’S GUIDE

www.brother.com

Printed in China