Brother Ql550 Owners Manual

							57
z CREATING LABELS
Using P-touch Editor with Other Applications
3Click   to print the label.
„How Microsoft Outlook data is added to the Label ListWhen importing data from the Contacts window, a new record is automatically created for each 
contact selected and the contact data is added to the following fields as text.
• The current date is added to the Date field.
• The contact’s Full Name is added to the Title field. When the contacts address is Business, the 
contact’s Job title is also added to the Title field.
• If the “This is the mailing address.” checkbox is checked, the contact’s address is added to the 
Body field. When the contacts address is Business, the contacts Company is also added to the 
Body field.
• The contact’s ZIP/Postal code is added to the Code field.
When importing data from any other Outlook window, a new record is automatically created and the 
selected data is added to the following fields as text.
• The current date is added to the Date field.
• The first line is added to the Title field.
• All remaining lines are added to the Body field.
• Refer to P-touch Editor Help for other methods of starting P-touch Editor from within Microsoft 
Outlook.
• An error message appears if there is no data highlighted, or if the data highlighted contains an object 
not supported by P-touch Editor.
• Refer to “How Microsoft Outlook data is added to the Label List” on page 57 for details of how the 
selected data is automatically added to the Label List.
To edit or customize the text or label layout, click  .
The full P-touch Editor screen appears and you can edit the label.
• Uncheck the Label List checkbox in the Add-In Preview window when you do not want to register the 
data in the Label List.
• The data is copied onto a label formatted with the default Layout Style. To change the Layout Style, click 
 to open the full P-touch Editor screen and edit the layout or apply a different Layout Style. Refer to 
“Creating Labels Using a Layout Style and Data from the Label List” on page 47 for details. 
						

							CREATING LABELS
58Using P-touch Editor with Other Applications
Using a Database
„What is the database function?The database function allows you to use existing data from another source to quickly create custom 
labels containing database content - for example name/address labels or inventory labels with 
codes. The supported formats are mdb (MS Access), csv (generic format) and xls (MS Excel).
„Creating a name badge label using a databaseThis procedure describes how to retrieve the database information and associate it to the layout.
1In the Page properties box, select Visitor Name Badge Label from the pull-down list of 
label types.
The tape length and width settings are automatically set to the size of a Shipping label.
2Prepare a rough label layout for the label you want to create.
3To retrieve the database information and associate it to the layout (merge), click the File 
menu, point to Database, and then click Connect.
The Open Database dialog box appears.
If the Page property box is not displayed in the Property dock click   to open it. 
						

							59
z CREATING LABELS
Using P-touch Editor with Other Applications
4Navigate to the file containing the data to be used for the labels and open the file.We will be using MS Excel data for this example. After opening the database file, the Database 
window appears below the Layout work area.
5Click on the field selector of the field you want to add to the label, for this example we 
will use the Name field, and then drag and drop it on the layout.
The field is added to the layout.
Field 
selector 
						

							CREATING LABELS
60Using P-touch Editor with Other Applications
6Use the Text Properties dialog box to update the font, position and size of the new field.
7Repeat steps 4 and 5 to add more fields to the layout.Once you have competed editing the layout, the label is ready to be printed.
You can check the layout and content of each label by selecting the corresponding record in 
the Database window.
You can also move from record to record by using the Next 
Record and Previous Record buttons in the Database 
Properties box. 
						

							61
z CREATING LABELS
Using P-touch Editor with Other Applications
8Print the label(s) using one of the methods below• To print the label currently displayed in the Layout work area by itself, click   in the 
Print Properties box.
• To print several labels, hold down the [Ctrl] key and select the records in the Database 
window for the labels you want to print, and then click   in the Print Properties box. 
•To print labels for all records, click the 
Print Setup button. Select “All Records” 
for “Print Range” and click   to print the 
labels.
The “Auto Cut” option is not available when using the QL-500. 
						

							62Maintenance
APPENDIX
Your QL-500/550 may need cleaning from time to time, particularly if you are using it in a dusty 
environment.
Cleaning the Print HeadThe DK Paper Roll used in the QL-500/550 is designed to automatically clean the print head. As the 
DK Paper Roll passes over the head during printing or label feeding, the print head is cleaned. If 
necessary, simply feed the DK Paper Roll using the FEED button to clean the print head.
Cleaning the RollerUse a Cleaning Sheet to clean the roller as described in the following procedure.
Refer to Accessories on page 67 for details on purchasing Cleaning Sheets.
1Turn off the QL-500/550.
2Hold the DK Roll compartment cover at the sides near 
the front of the QL-500/550 and firmly lift up to open the 
cover.
3Remove the DK Roll.
Maintenance
Only use Cleaning Sheets designed for the QL-500/550 to clean the roller.
Anything else may scratch or damage the surface of the roller.
Be sure to remove the DK Roll before cleaning the 
roller. The roller cleaning function will not operate 
correctly if the DK Roll is not removed. 
						

							63
z APPENDIX
Maintenance
4Thread the end ( ) of the Cleaning Sheet into the slot 
immediately before the cutter.
5After the Cleaning Sheet is inserted in the slot, peel of 
section ( ) of the sheet.
6Turn on the QL-500/550.
7Press and hold the FEED button for at least one second. The roller rotates for 4 (10 cm).
8The adhesive surface of the Cleaning Sheet removes any dirt and lint from the roller, 
and cleaning is then completed. A Cleaning Sheet can only be used one time.
• Do not peel off section ( ) of the sheet.
• Make sure that the printed surface of the Cleaning Sheet is 
facing up.
1
1
2
• The length of the Cleaning Sheet is 3 (8.5 cm).
• Pressing the FEED button for less than one 
second makes the roller rotate for 1/3 (8 mm) 
only. 
						

							APPENDIX
64Maintenance
Changing Cutter UnitRepeated use of the cutter unit will eventually reduce the sharpness of the blade.  When this occurs, 
purchase a replacement cutter and then follow this procedure to replace the cutter. Refer to 
Accessories on page 67 for details on purchasing a replacement cutter.
1Turn off the QL-500/550 and unplug the power code from the electrical outlet.
2Open the DK Roll compartment cover, lift up the label 
lever, and remove the DK Roll from the compartment.
3Using a screw driver, loosen the screw securing the 
cutter unit.
4Grip the tab and lift out the cutter unit.
5Press the new cutter unit in the machine with the two holes aligned with the to posts in 
the machine.
6Tighten the screw securing the cutter unit.
7Install the DK Roll and close the DK Roll compartment cover.For details refer to “Installing the DK Roll” on page 13.
8Plug the power cord back into the electrical outlet.
The screw securing the cutter unit cannot be completely 
removed. Simply loosen it to remove the cutter unit from the 
QL-500/550.
Be very careful not to touch the sharp edge of the cutter. 
						

							65
z APPENDIX
Troubleshooting
What to do when...
Troubleshooting
ProblemSolution
The QL-500/550 does 
not print, or a printing 
error is received.ŒIs the USB cable loose?
Check that the USB cable is connected correctly.
ŒIs the DK Roll installed correctly?
If not, remove the DK Rolls and reinstall.
ŒIs there enough roll remaining?
Check that there is enough roll remaining.
ŒIs the DK Roll compartment cover open?
Check that the DK Roll compartment cover is closed.
The power button 
does not light up or 
flash.ŒIs the power supply cord connected correctly?
Check that the power supply cord is connected and plugged in. If 
connected correctly, try connecting it to another electrical outlet.
* If the power button still does not light up or flash, contact Brother 
Customer Service at 1-877-4-P-touch.
The printed label 
contains streaks or 
poor quality 
characters, or the 
label is not fed 
correctly.ŒIs the print head or roller dirty? 
While the print head generally remains clean under normal use, lint 
or dirt from the roller may become stuck on the printer head. If this 
occurs, clean the roller. Refer to “Cleaning the Roller” on page 62.
A data transmission 
error appears on the 
personal computer.ŒIs the correct port selected?
Check that the correct port is selected from the “Print to the following 
port” list in the Printer Properties dialog box.
ŒIs the QL-500/550 in cooling mode (the LED lamp is flashing slowly)?
Wait until the LED lamp stops flashing and then try printing again.
Labels are jammed in 
the cutter or are not 
ejected correctly after 
printing.ŒDoes the edge of the cutter unit seem to have lost its sharpness?
Do cutter errors occur frequently?
Replace the cutter. For details, refer to “Changing Cutter Unit” on 
page 64.
ŒIs there dirt or lint on the roller preventing it from rolling freely?
Use a Cleaning Sheet to clean the roller. For details, refer to 
Cleaning the Roller on page 62.
Layout style is not 
updated when Add-in 
is still activated and a 
new label roll is 
installed.ŒIs new label roll installed before activating the P-touch Add-In (The 
P-touch function is added to your standard Microsoft toolbar)?
Exit the P-touch Add-In, load the 2
nd label roll type, reactivate the P-
touch Add-in, select Select Layout, and then verify the layout.
Microsoft Word P-
touch Add-In is not 
available when 
Microsoft Outlook is 
opened.ŒIs Microsoft Outlook opened when using Microsoft Word P-touch 
Add-In?
Close Microsoft Outlook and restart Microsoft Word to enable the 
Add-In. 
						

							APPENDIX
66Specifications
QL-500 / QL-550
Operating Environment
*1 Required available space when installing the software with all of the options.
Specifications
ItemSpecification
DisplayLED lamp (green)
Printing
Printing method Direct thermal printing via thermal head
Printing speedMax.90mm/sec, Max.50labels/min. 
(Standard Address Labels)
Print head 300 dpi/720 dot
Maximum Printing Width 2.3(59mm)
Minimum printing length 1 (25 mm)
ButtonsON/OFF button
FEED button
CUT button (QL-550 only)
InterfaceUSB (USB Spec. 1.1 protocol)
Power sourceAC 120 V 60 Hz (0.8A)
Dimensions5-3/4 (W) × 7-3/4 (D) × 6 (H) (146 (W) × 196 (D) × 152 (H) mm)
WeightApprox. 2.8 lb (1.3 kg) (Without DK Rolls)
CutterAutomatic cutter (QL-550)
Manual cutter (QL-500)
ItemSpecification
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 98 SE/Me/2000 Professional
/XP (Home/Professional)
(Corresponding OS must be clean-installed in the PC environment which 
fulfills Microsofts recommending conditions. )
InterfaceUSB port (USB Spec. 1.1 protocol)
Hard diskOver 70 MB of available space*1
Memory
Microsoft Windows 98 SE/Me64 MB or more
Microsoft
 Windows 2000 Professional
/XP (Home/Professional)128 MB or more
MonitorSVGA, high color or higher graphics card
OtherCD-ROM drive
Temperature10°C to 35°C (50°F ~ 95°F)
Humidity20% to 80% (without condensation)