Getting Ready
Did you misplace your user p-touch manual or purchase a machine that did not have one? Well, you can stop the search - we've gathered most of Brother's p-touch label maker User Instruction Manuals and made available for download (free of charge). A Brother P-touch® label maker provides a fast, reliable way to create adhesive-backed labels. The PT-E300 Mobile Printer is a durable, intuitive machine with a rechargeable battery and AC adapter that makes printing labels easy for your entire crew.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the PT-1230PC. Your new P-touch labeler uses P-touch Editor Lite software, which is already installed on your labeler.
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 labeler. Be sure to read the instructions before use and use the product in
accordance with these instructions. Keep this manual handy for future reference. If new versions of the PT-1230PC software become available,
this manual may not refl ect the updated features. Therefore, you may fi nd that the software and the contents in this guide are different.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Declaration of Conformity (For USA Only)
Responsible Party: Brother International Corporation 100 Somerset Corporate Boulevard Bridgewater, NJ 08807-0911 USA
TEL: (908) 704-1700
declares that the product: Product Name: P-touch Labeler PT-1230PC
Model Number: PT-1230PC
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to cor-
rect the interference by one or more of the following measures:
-
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
-
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
-
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
-
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
-
Changes or modifi cations not expressly approved by Brother Industries, Ltd. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
-
The enclosed interface cable should be used in order to ensure compliance with the limits for a Class B digital device.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
CAUTION
General Precautions
• Always use the specifi ed voltage and the suggested AC adapter (AD-24ES) for this machine to prevent any damage or failure.
• Unplug the power cord immediately and stop using the P-touch labeler 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 to 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 on to them.
• Do not disassemble or modify P-touch labeler/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 odor, heat, discoloration, deformation or anything unusual while in use, or
in storage.
• 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 P-touch labeler 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 P-touch labeler/AC adapter.
• Use only the USB cable included with the P-touch labeler.
• Depending on the location, material, and environmental conditions, the label may unpeel or become irremovable, the color of the label may change or be transferred to other
objects. Before applying the label, check the environmental condition and the material.
• Do not use the P-touch labeler in any way or for any purpose not described in this guide. Doing so may result in accidents or damage the machine.
• Use only Brother TZ tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that do not have the
mark.
• Do not clean P-touch labeler with alcohol or other organic solvents. Only use a soft, dry cloth.
• Do not touch the print head with your fi ngers anytime to prevent from a burn. 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 labeler/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 labeler. Doing so will damage the print head.
• Do not pull the tape being fed from the P-touch labeler, otherwise the tape cassette or P-touch labeler may be damaged.
Open the cassette
cover.
Insert a tape
cassette.
Close the cassette
cover.
Verify that the P-touch labeler is
turned off. Open the cassette cover
as shown by the arrow in the above
illustration while pressing the part
marked '<<'.
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 labeler.
• For initial use of the tape, install the tape, press and hold the
power/feed button to feed the tape. Then, push in the tape cut-
ter lever to cut the tape.
Connect the P-touch labeler'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 labeler is operating on battery power only,
it will turn off automatically if not used for a period of 20 min-
utes. 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 labeler back on, click on the Editor Lite icon to re-
sume creating your label.
Connect the USB cable and start P-touch Editor Lite.
Download and install the PT-1230PC’s
driver and P-touch Editor 5.0 from Broth-
er’s website. Connect the P-touch labeler
to your PC when requested during this
installation.
For more information about install-
ing the software, visit http://solu-
tions.brother.com/
If you would like to use the more advanced software that is available for your P-touch labeler,
you are able to download P-touch Editor 5.0 from the Brother web site. This advanced soft-
ware will give you greater label making functionality.
Do not connect the P-touch labeler to your PC before you begin the P-touch Edi-
tor 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 labeler 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 the P-touch Edi-
tor 5.0, see “Starting P-touch Editor 5.0” below.
Connect the
USB cable.
Turn on the P-touch labeler.
The LED lamp will light up.
Click Open folder to
view fi les.
It will take longer
than usual to start
P-touch Editor Lite when
connecting P-touch la-
beler 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
d o u b l e - c l i c k i n g
PTLITE10.EXE.
For details on using
P-touch Editor Lite,
see the back of this
sheet.
P-touch Editor Lite
starts immediately.
*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 the optional AC adapter
(AD-24ES), insert the plug on the
adapter cord into the adapter jack
on the bottom end of the P-touch la-
beler. Insert the plug into the nearest
standard electrical outlet.
Move the mode selector
switch on the back of the
P-touch labeler to the “E”
position before connect-
ing the USB cable.
Do not turn off the power or remove the labeler while
using P-touch Editor Lite.
How to disconnect the P-touch
labeler
Exit P-touch Editor Lite by clicking on the at the top
right.
To disconnect the labeler, 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 labeler and disconnect the USB ca-
ble.
Double-click PTLITE10.
The following
screens
may differ
depending on
the Operating
System on
your PC.
LED lamp
Power/feed
button
Tape cutter
button
Tape exit slot
AC adapter(optional)
connecter
Mode selector
switch
USB port
Print head
Tape cutter
Click P-touch Editor Lite.
E L E C T R
O N I C L
E L E C T R
O N I C L A
B E L I N G
S Y S T E M
A B E L I N
G S Y S T
E M
E L E C T R
O N I C L A
B E L I N G
S Y S T E M
USER’S GUIDE
USER’S GUIDE
English
Printed in China
LW5497001
USER’S GUIDE
www.brother.com
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 labeler.
PT1230PC_UG_US(EN).indd 1
PT1230PC_UG_US(EN).indd 1
4/23/2010 9:51:38 AM
4/23/2010 9:51:38 AM
Care and precautions, How to make a label, Changing the batteries
Care and precautions
1) Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the machine.
2) Use only
AA-size (LR6) alkaline batteries
.
3) Do not expose the machine or the tape cassette to high
temperatures, high humidity, or excessive dust.
4) If you do not intend to use the machine for an extended
period of time, remove the batteries.
5) Do not touch the tape cutter button while printing or
replacing the cutter unit.
6) Do not touch the cutter blade.
7) Do not block the tape exit slot.
8) Do not put labels in your mouth.
9) Do not stick labels onto skin.
10) If the machine “locks up” (i.e., it does not respond
when a key is pressed), press

to turn off the
machine; then, while holding down
and
,
press
once to turn the machine on again.
FCC NOTICE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protec-
tion against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communi-
cations. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
–
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
–
Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
–
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
–
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
–
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Brother
Industries, Ltd. could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
How to make a label
1) Insert the batteries.
2) Insert a tape cassette.
3) Turn on the P-Touch by pressing
.
4) Type in and format the text.
Your text can be up to 55 characters long including spaces. See
“Advanced functions” for more details on formatting your text.
5) Print the label by pressing
.
Before printing, be sure that the back cover is attached,
otherwise the label cannot be printed.
6) Cut off the label.
The tape cutter button is equipped with a safety mecha-
nism. Do not try to force the cutter button since it cannot
be operated if no cassette is installed and the back cover is
removed. If the cutter button is forcefully operated, correct
printing may no longer be possible.
7) Peel off the backing.
Changing the batteries
1) Remove the back cover by pressing in on the rough
area at the top end of the machine and pulling off the
back cover.
2) If batteries are already installed, remove them.
Before removing the batteries, pull out the tape cas-
sette if one is installed.
3) Insert
six new AA-size (LR6) alkaline batteries
in the
direction shown by the illustration on the bottom of the
battery compartment. The positive end of the three bat-
teries in the bottom row point downward, while the
positive end of the top three batteries point in the
opposite direction.
Back cover
When inserting new batteries, always insert them pos-
itive end first. When removing old batteries, always
remove them negative end first.
Always replace all six batteries at the same time with
brand new ones.
4) Attach the back cover by inserting the two hooks on the
bottom end of the back cover into the slots on the bot-
tom end of the machine, then pushing down firmly on
the cover until it snaps into place.
Changing the tape cassette
1) Remove the back cover by pressing in on the rough
area at the top end of the machine and pulling off the
back cover.
2) If a tape cassette is already installed, pull it straight out
and remove the paper tab from the new tape cassette.
Make sure that the end of the tape in the new cassette
feeds under the tape guides.
The tape that is provided with the P-touch
Home&Hobby is a 13.3’ long (4m) starter tape. Tapes
available for purchase are 26.2’ (8m) long.
3) Insert the tape cassette, making sure that it clicks into place.
Check that the cassette fits properly around the two
metal guides in the cassette compartment.
4) Attach the back cover by inserting the two hooks on the
bottom end of the back cover into the slots on the bot-
tom end of the machine, then pushing down firmly on
the cover until it snaps into place.
5) Feed the tape by holding down
and pressing
,
then cut the tape by pressing in on the tape cutter button.
The amount of tape remaining is visible through the
window in the back of the P-Touch.
When the usable tape is finished, green ribbon appears.
Changing the cutter unit
When the cutter becomes blunt and ceases to cut the tape
cleanly, replace it.
1) Remove the back cover and the tape cassette.
2) Grasp the tab on the top of the cutter unit and pull out
the cutter, taking care not to touch the blade.
3) Grasp the tab on the new cutter unit and insert it as
shown below.
Cleaning the print head
If dust accumulates on the print head, blank horizontal
lines may appear through the printed label. If this hap-
pens, clean the print head as follows:
1) Turn off the P-Touch.
2) Remove the back cover and the tape cassette.
3) Use a dry cotton swab to gently wipe the print head
and rubber pinch roller with an up-and-down motion.
4) Re-insert the tape cassette, attach the back cover, turn
on the machine, hold down
and press
to feed
the tape, and then try printing.
5) If blank lines remain in the printed label, repeat steps 1
through 4, this time using a cotton swab dipped in iso-
propyl (rubbing) alcohol.
Accessories
Most retailers and distributors carry a full line of tape cas-
settes. If you wish to order accessories for your P-Touch
direct from Brother, please refer to the “Accessory Order
Form” included separately, or visit our web site
“http://www.brothermall.com”.
Tape guides
Metal guides
Tape cutter
button
CAUTION
•
When changing the cutter unit, be sure not to
touch the cutter blade.
•
Keep the cutter unit in a safe place that is out of
the reach of small children.
The following accessories are available:
Tape cassettes
1/2” (12 mm)
$9.99 (SRP)
3/8” (9 mm)
$8.99 (SRP)
Black on silver
Black on gold
Black on blue
Black on green
Black on pink
M-931
M-831
M-531
M-731
M-E31
M-921
M-821
M-521
M-721
M-E21
Black on white
M-231
Replacement cutter
unit
TC7 $9.95 (SRP)
Carrying case
6991 $17.99
Cutter unit
Tape exit slot
Tab
Thermal print head
Rubber pinch
roller
With the P-Touch HOME&HOBBY, you can make labels quickly and easily. Simply switch on the P-Touch, type in your text, then
print out your label. You can choose from five different text sizes, nine character styles, and seven framing settings. The text can be
printed on either one or two lines and can include accented characters and special symbols. In addition, nine preset layout formats are
available for you to type in and print out labels quickly. Six tape color (white, silver, gold, blue, green and pink) and two tape widths
(3/8” (9 mm) and 1/2” (12 mm)) are available for creating personalized labels.
LA3085001
Printed in China
®
Please read this instruction leaflet before using the P-Touch. Keep
it in a handy place for future reference.
Use only tape cassettes bearing the
logo with this machine.
TAPE

- Function keys
- Advanced functions