Label Gap / Black Mark

Keeping Your Prints Aligned

Ever wonder how your printer knows exactly where to stop printing so it doesn't bleed onto the next label? It uses sensors to find a marker. A 'Gap' is the small space of empty liner between two sticky labels. The printer shines a light through the paper to find these gaps and align the print perfectly.

When to Use Black Marks

Sometimes, the paper is too thick for light to shine through (like heavy tags), or the labels have a transparent liner. In these cases, we use a 'Black Mark.' This is a dark line printed on the back of the label roll. The printer uses a reflective sensor to 'see' the dark line and know where to start the next page.

• Gap sensors are the most common for standard labels.
• Black marks are used for tags or clear-on-clear labels.
• Most thermal printers can do both if configured correctly.

The 'Skipping Labels' Problem

If your printer is spitting out 3 blank labels and then printing on the 4th, it usually means it’s looking for a gap but you gave it a black mark roll (or vice-versa). You must go into your printer settings and select the correct 'Media Type' so the sensors know what to look for.

Calibration is Key

Whenever you change the size or brand of your labels, you should run a 'Calibration' on your printer. This tells the printer to feed a few labels through so it can measure the distance between the gaps. It’s a 10-second task that prevents a lot of wasted labels.