MODEL REFERENCE

Brother PT-1290

13 errors · 25 guides

Brother PT-1290

The checks and guides below come from the official manuals for this model.

Errors and messages

Messages and indicator states from the manual
Battery Weak!batteries are weak
Replace the weak batteries with new ones.
Check Battery!batteries are running low
The installed batteries are running low. The manual gives no separate remedy for this message.
Invalid!numbering or length setting is invalid
3 checks
No text above the cursor for Numbering
Check for text above the cursor before selecting Numbering.
Invalid character selected for Numbering
Check the character selected for Numbering.
Invalid number for Tab Length or Label Length
Check the number selected for Tab Length or Label Length.
No Text!no text is available
3 checks
Saved text file has no stored data
Check that the text file contains stored data.
Print pressed without text
Enter text before pressing Print.
Copies, Numbering, Mirror or Text Preview selected without text
Enter text before selecting these options.
Line Limit!too many lines or tape too narrow
2 checks
Enter pressed for a third line
Keep the text to two lines.
Two-line text on 3.5 mm or 6 mm tape
Use 9 mm or 12 mm tape for two-line text.
No Cassette!tape cassette is missing
Install a tape cassette before printing.
Cutter Error!cutter lever used during printing
Do not press the tape cutter lever while printing.
Full!character limit reached
The limit is 80 characters, or 50 characters in DECO MODE. Keep the text within the applicable limit.
Text Too Long!text exceeds the selected length
Check the text against the selected Label Length, Auto Format length or DECO MODE length.
No Frame OK?frame cannot print on 3.5 mm tape
Press Enter to print without a frame, or Escape to cancel.
OK to Feed?chain Print is waiting for confirmation
For Chain Print, press Escape to enter more text, or Enter to feed and print. Follow Setting Margin.
Coolingprint head is cooling
Wait while the displayed cooling time runs. Printing resumes automatically after the head cools. Do not touch the P-touch while it is cooling.
Insert 12mm!dECO MODE needs 12 mm tape
Use 12 mm tape for DECO MODE.

Guides

Troubleshooting

Instructions from the manual
Display stays blank3 checks
Batteries may be incorrectly inserted
Check battery orientation.
Batteries may be weak
Replace weak batteries.
Optional adapter may be incorrectly connected
Check the AD-24ES connection.
Printed labels have too much marginView
Select Half or Narrow in Setting Margin to reduce the space at both ends.
Label does not print or characters are malformed3 checks
Cassette may be incorrectly installed
Check cassette installation.
Cassette may be empty
Replace an empty cassette.
Cassette cover may be open
Close the cassette cover properly.
Settings and text clear on their ownView
Replace weak batteries. Disconnecting power for more than three minutes clears all text, settings and saved text files.
A blank horizontal line crosses the labelView
Remove the tape cassette and gently wipe the print head up and down with a dry cotton swab. Switch off before removing the cassette and never touch the print head.
Label maker stops respondingView
Follow Resetting the P-touch: switch off, hold Shift and R, and press Power. Release Shift and R. All text, settings and stored files are cleared.
Power turns off when printing starts2 checks
Batteries may be weak
Replace weak batteries.
Batteries may be incorrectly inserted
Check battery orientation.
Tape will not feed or jams2 checks
Tape end may not be beneath the guides
Check the tape end feeds beneath the tape guides.
Cutter lever used while printing
Do not touch the cutter lever while printing.
Clear text and formatting for a new labelView
Press Shift and Backspace together, then select Text&Format.
Display uses the wrong languageView
Follow Initial Settings: press Function, select Language with the cursor keys, press Enter, select the language and press Enter.

Power supply and tape cassette

Instructions from the manual
Install batteries and tape10 steps
  1. Switch off before replacing batteries or tape.
  2. Press the marked area at the back to open the cassette cover.
  3. Pull an existing cassette straight up and remove existing batteries.
  4. Insert six new AAA LR03 alkaline batteries with the indicated polarity; replace all six together with new batteries of the same type.
  5. Seat the cassette until it snaps in, with the tape end beneath the guides.
  6. If the ribbon is loose, turn the toothed wheel in the direction of its arrow.
  7. Use only Brother TZ tape.
  8. Snap the cover shut.
  9. Press Shift and Print/Feed to feed the tape once, then press the cutter lever to cut.
  10. Do not touch the cutter blade or swallow the cutter stopper.
PT-1290 installation, step 1: open the cover with power off.
PT-1290 installation, step 1: open the cover with power off.
PT-1290 installation, step 2: fit all six batteries with the marked polarity.
PT-1290 installation, step 2: fit all six batteries with the marked polarity.
PT-1290 installation, step 3: seat the cassette and guide its tape.
PT-1290 installation, step 3: seat the cassette and guide its tape.
PT-1290 installation, step 4: close the cover, feed tape and connect the optional adapter.
PT-1290 installation, step 4: close the cover, feed tape and connect the optional adapter.
Connect the optional AC adapter3 steps
  1. Use the specified voltage and the suggested AD-24ES adapter.
  2. Connect its small plug to the socket at the top of the machine, then plug it into the nearest standard electrical outlet.
  3. Keep AAA LR03 alkaline batteries fitted for memory backup.

Initial settings

Instructions from the manual
Set the language and measurement units6 steps
  1. Supply power with six AAA LR03 alkaline batteries or the optional adapter and press Power.
  2. Press Function, select Language with the cursor keys, press Enter, select the language and press Enter.
  3. English is the default.
  4. For measurement units, press Function, select Unit, press Enter, choose mm or inch and press Enter; mm is the default.
  5. Escape cancels an operation.
  6. With no key presses for five minutes, the machine turns off automatically.

Entering text

Instructions from the manual
Enter and clear label text8 steps
  1. Use the font keys to select Helsinki or Bohemia and Caps to switch case.
  2. To make two lines, position the cursor where the second line begins and press Enter; use 9 mm or 12 mm tape.
  3. Press Symbol, choose a symbol with the cursor keys and confirm with Enter; Symbol advances to the next group and Escape cancels.
  4. Use the enclosed symbol table for the available symbols.
  5. For an accented character, enter its base letter, press Accent, choose with the cursor keys and press Enter; use the enclosed accented-character table.
  6. The order depends on LCD language.
  7. Backspace removes characters individually.
  8. Shift and Backspace opens clearing options: Text&Format removes text and settings, while Text Only retains formatting.

Designing labels

Instructions from the manual
Design label formatting and lengths11 steps
  1. Press Function, use the cursor keys to choose a function and press Enter.
  2. Choose its setting with the cursor keys and press Enter.
  3. Function with shortcut keys 1–8 also selects the eight design functions.
  4. Size offers Large, Medium or Small; Width offers Normal, ×2 or ×1/2.
  5. Style offers Normal, Bold, Outline, Shadow, Italic, Italic Bold, Italic Outline, Italic Shadow or Vertical.
  6. Underline/Frame offers Off, Underline, Round, Leaf, Tile, Star, Heart, Square or Clip; frames cannot print on 3.5 mm tape.
  7. Position the cursor where a Tab should go.
  8. Tab Length is Auto or 0–100 mm; Label Length is Auto or 30–300 mm.
  9. Lengths can be entered using number keys; Space returns to Auto.
  10. Auto Format offers Off, VHS Spine (140 mm), MiniDV Spine (42 mm), Audio Tape (89 mm), CD Case Spine (113 mm), File Tab (82 mm) or Divider Tab (42 mm).
  11. Space restores a default setting.

Printing labels

Instructions from the manual
Preview and feed tape3 steps
  1. Press Preview to display the text and label length in mm or inches, after which the display returns to the original text.
  2. Preview shows text only, without font, style, size, underline, frame or additional effects.
  3. Press Shift and Print/Feed to feed tape.
Set margins and use Chain Print6 steps
  1. Press Function, choose Margin and press Enter; select Full, Half, Narrow or Chain Print and confirm.
  2. Full leaves 25 mm at each end, Half 12 mm and Narrow 4 mm.
  3. For Chain Print, enter text and press Print/Feed; when OK to Feed? appears, press Escape to enter more text or Enter to feed and print.
  4. With Half or Narrow, feed tape before cutting to avoid cutting off text, then cut along the printed dots with scissors to center the text.
  5. For multiple copies with minimum margins, choose Narrow and Copies in Print Options.
  6. Do not pull the tape, which can damage the cassette.
Print and cut labels4 steps
  1. Press Print/Feed to print.
  2. While Print or Feed is displayed, leave the cutter lever untouched to avoid damaging the tape.
  3. After printing, push the cutter lever at the upper-right corner to cut the label.
  4. Peel off its backing and apply it.
Print multiple copies, numbering or mirror text6 steps
  1. Press Function, select Print Options and press Enter.
  2. For Copies, select Copies, confirm, set 1–9 using cursor or number keys and confirm.
  3. Use Narrow margins for multiple copies with minimum space.
  4. For Numbering, position the cursor at the selected number in the text, choose Numbering in Print Options, and select the highest number to print; the selected number increases by one after each label.
  5. For Mirror, choose Mirror in Print Options and confirm Mirror Print?.
  6. Use clear tape so the text reads from the opposite side when applied to glass, windows or another transparent surface.

Resetting the p-touch

Instructions from the manual
Reset the P-touchView
Switch off. Hold Shift and R while pressing Power to switch back on. Release Shift and R. The internal memory resets and all text, settings and stored files are cleared.

Deco mode

Instructions from the manual
Use DECO MODE11 steps
  1. Use a 12 mm cassette.
  2. Press DECO MODE, choose a built-in design and confirm.
  3. Set Auto or a label length of 30–200 mm, enter the text fields and confirm Print OK?.
  4. The manual demonstrates Design 10 with two text fields; Designs 1–9 require text entered only once.
  5. Consult the enclosed DECO format table for the designs; template formatting cannot be changed and printing depends on the selected template.
  6. Only highlighted symbols in the enclosed symbol table are available.
  7. If the head gets hot, printing pauses for cooling and resumes automatically; do not touch the machine while cooling.
  8. Shift and Backspace displays Clear?; Enter clears text and Escape cancels.
  9. The latest DECO text and label length are recalled on reopening.
  10. Escape returns to the previous step; keep pressing it to return to the text-entry screen.
  11. Auto adjusts length for printing the text once; Space returns the length setting to Auto.

Saving label files

Instructions from the manual
Save, open and print label files4 steps
  1. Up to nine original labels can be saved, recalled, edited or overwritten.
  2. Press Function, choose File and confirm.
  3. Select Save, Print or Open, confirm, choose the file number with the cursor keys and confirm.
  4. If Overwrite? appears when saving to an occupied number, Enter saves the new label and Escape cancels.

Accessories

Instructions from the manual
Replace a blunt cutter3 steps
  1. When repeated use makes the blade blunt and the tape no longer cuts cleanly, obtain a replacement TC-5 cutter unit from an authorized Brother reseller.
  2. The manual supplies no separate replacement sequence.
  3. Do not touch the cutter blade directly or swallow the cutter stopper.

General precautions

Instructions from the manual
Clean and store the label maker8 steps
  1. Clean the casing only with a soft dry cloth, without alcohol or other organic solvents.
  2. Clean the print head with a cotton swab and never touch it directly.
  3. Do not put foreign objects in the tape exit or adapter connector.
  4. Avoid direct sunlight, rain, heaters, extreme temperatures, high humidity and dust.
  5. Do not press excessively on the cutter lever, print with an empty cassette or pull tape during feeding or printing.
  6. Labels may detach, become irremovable, change color or transfer color depending on materials and conditions; check before applying them.
  7. Memory can be lost through failure, repair or battery exhaustion without an adapter, and disconnecting power for over three minutes clears text, settings and files.
  8. For extended non-use, remove batteries and disconnect the adapter.

Safety precautions

Instructions from the manual
Stop use if power or batteries are abnormal9 steps
  1. Use the specified voltage and AD-24ES adapter.
  2. Unplug it and stop using the machine during an electrical storm.
  3. Avoid high humidity; keep the device, adapter and plug dry.
  4. Do not overload, damage, forcibly bend or pull the cord, place heavy items on it or use a loose outlet.
  5. Fully insert the plug and hold the plug when disconnecting.
  6. Do not disassemble or modify the machine, adapter or batteries, use metallic tools to change batteries, or expose batteries to fire or heat.
  7. If unusual odor, heat, discoloration, deformation or other abnormalities appear during use or storage, disconnect the adapter, remove batteries and stop using the machine.
  8. Do not mix old and new cells or alkaline batteries with other types; observe polarity.
  9. Do not drop the equipment, press hard on its display, touch the cutter or hot metal near the print head, swallow the cutter stopper or trap fingers in the cover.

Controls and parts

See the manual diagrams 1 diagram
PT-1290 display and controls. The complete numbered key follows the diagram.
PT-1290 display and controls. The complete numbered key follows the diagram.

Diagram key

  • 1: Size
  • 2: Font
  • 3: Cursor
  • 4: Caps
  • 5: Width
  • 6: Style
  • 7: Underline/Frame
  • 8: Label Length
  • 9: Escape key
  • 10: Power key
  • 11: Function key
  • 12: Font keys
  • 13: Character keys
  • 14 (left): Shift key
  • 14 (right): Shift key
  • 15: Caps key
  • 16: Cursor key (use with Shift to go to the start or end of the text)
  • 17: OK key
  • 18: Print/Feed key
  • 19: Preview key
  • 20: DECO MODE key
  • 21: Backspace key
  • 22: Enter key
  • 23: Accent key
  • 24: Symbol key
  • 25: Space key

Model details

Model and compatibility

Tape
The reviewed guide specifies Brother TZ tape in 3.5, 6, 9 or 12 mm widths. Two-line text requires 9 or 12 mm tape. [1]
Power
Use six AAA LR03 alkaline batteries or the optional AD-24ES adapter. [1]
Cutter
The specified replacement cutter is TC-5. [1]

Manuals and sources

  1. Brother operation manual
  2. Brother model support and details
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