Brother Ql550 Owners Manual

7
z INTRODUCTION
General Precautions
• When peeling a DK Die-cut Label, some portion of the label may remain. Remove the remaining 
portion before attaching a new label.
• Do not drop the DK Roll, or damage to the DK Roll could result.
• Do not use CD/DVD labels in a slot loading CD/DVD player, for example a CD player in a car 
where the CD is slid into a slot in the CD player.
• Do not peel off the CD/DVD label once it is applied to the CD/DVD.
A thin surface layer may come off, resulting in damage to...

INTRODUCTION
8Symbols Used in this Guide
  
The following symbols are used throughout this guide to indicate additional information of varying 
degrees of importance.
Symbols Used in this Guide
This symbol indicates information or directions that should be followed - if ignored, the result 
may be damage, injury, or failed operations.
This symbol indicates information or directions that can help you better understand or use the 
QL-500/550 more efficiently. 

9
z GETTING STARTED
Unpacking Your QL-500/550
GETTING STARTED
Check that the package contains the following before using your QL-500/550. If any item is missing 
or damaged, please contact the retail outlet where the QL-500/550 was purchased.
Unpacking Your QL-500/550
P-touch QL-500/550
USB cable Quick Start Guide (English and Spanish)
CD-ROM DK Label & Tape Guide
Starter roll
The QL-500 includes one starter roll of DK Die-cut 
Standard Address Labels (100 labels).
The QL-550 includes one starter roll of...

GETTING STARTED
10QL-500/550 Components
QL-500/550 Label Printer
„Front
„Back
QL-500/550 Components
QL-500 QL-550
FEED button
LED lamp
ON/OFF button
CUT lever
DK Roll compartment cover
FEED button
LED lamp
ON/OFF button CUT button
DK Roll compartment cover
If the DK Roll compartment cover is left open, dust will collect on the print head. Always close the cover.
QL-500/QL-550
Power cord
USB port
Do not connect the QL-500/550 to the USB port of your personal computer yet.Do not connect the QL-500/550 to...

11
z GETTING STARTED
QL-500/550 Components
Button descriptionsThe functions of the buttons on the QL-500/550 are described below.
LED LampLED lamp on the QL-500/550 indicates the current operating condition.
ButtonCondition
ON/OFF button Turns power to the QL-500/550 on and off.
CUT button
(QL-550 only)Cuts the label from the DK Roll. Use this button to cut labels when the 
Auto Cut option in the Print dialog box is unchecked.
FEED button• When using DK Die-cut Labels, feeds the DK Label Roll to the...

GETTING STARTED
12Connecting to the Power Supply
1Plug the power supply cord into a standard electrical 
outlet.
Connecting to the Power Supply
• Check that the electrical outlet is 120 V before inserting the 
plug.
• Remove the power supply cord from the electrical outlet 
after you have finished using the QL-500/550.
• Do not pull the cord when removing it from the electrical 
outlet. The wire in the cord may become damaged.
Do not connect the QL-500/550 to the USB port of your personal computer yet.Do...

13
z GETTING STARTED
Installing the DK Roll
There is a wide range of DK Rolls available for use with your QL-500/550, allowing you to create 
almost any type of label you need.
Available suppliesThe types of DK Rolls that may be used with the QL-500/550 are listed below.
Installing the DK Roll
1Press the ON/OFF button to turn the QL-500/550 off. 
Hold the DK Roll compartment cover at the sides near 
the front of the QL-500/550 and firmly lift up to open the 
cover.
2Place the spool into the spool guides...

GETTING STARTED
14Installing the Paper Guide
3Lift the label lever and then thread the end of the DK Roll 
into the slot immediately before the cutter.
4Lower the label lever and then close the DK Roll 
compartment cover.
Your QL-500/550 comes with a paper guide that collects a strip of printed labels that have been 
printed and not yet cut off from the machine.
1Attach the paper guide to the front of the QL-500/550 as 
shown in the figure.
When unable to thread the end of the DK Roll to the slot,...

15
z INSTALLING SOFTWARE
Software Overview
INSTALLING SOFTWARE
Install the following label editor software and printer driver on your personal computer to design 
professional labels and print them on your QL-500/550.
P-touch Editor Version 4.1Use this powerful label design software to create a wide variety of custom labels such as address 
labels, file folder labels, CD/DVD labels, etc. P-touch Editor Version 4.1 also contains features to 
link and use data from databases, as well as features for...

INSTALLING SOFTWARE
16Installing the Software
The installation procedure differs depending on the operating system running on your personal 
computer. Refer to the installation procedure for the appropriate operating system to install the 
software.
When using Microsoft Windows Me/2000 Professional/XP (Home/Professional)
1Start your personal computer and insert 
the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
A dialog box appears briefly while the 
InstallShield Wizard prepares for 
installation. When the...