Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Please refer to this page for typical questions we receive from customers about Hotmarkers and related products.

SP series Settings

Q
SP series SettingsI want to perform "custom cuts" on workpieces.

Please refer to the SP8600 series “Operating Instruction Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Q
SP series SettingsWhat are the system requirements when connecting with a PC through PCMS software?

Please refer to the SP8600 series “Data Editing & Transmission Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Q
SP series SettingsHow can I install the "PCMS" communication software?

Please refer to the SP8600 series “Data Editing & Transmission Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Please download the latest software from “Software Downloads“.

For other information, please contact us using the “Contact Us” form and a representative will contact you shortly.

Q
SP series SettingsHow can I use external data (Excel, etc.)?

You can import external data by converting the file to the text(tab delimited /*.txt) format.
Import is possible by setting the save format to text (tab delimited/*.txt)

Please refer to the SP8600 series “Data Editing & Transmission Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Q
SP series SettingsI want to learn about Table settings.

Please refer to the SP8600 series “Operating Instruction Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Q
SP series SettingsHow can I create a standard data file?

Click “File” on the menu bar.

Click “New File” on the File menu.

Click on “Create New Integrated Data File

Move to the “Marking Data Entry” screen.

For details, please refer to the SP8001 series “Communication Instruction Manual”(p60).

If 【Create New Standard Data File】 is not displayed in 【Create New File in File Menu】, please refer to the “Data Editing & Transmission Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Please also refer to the following manuals.
How to import EXCEL data (when using Windows fonts)

Q
SP series SettingsHow can I create an integrated data file (using internal fonts)?

Click “File” on the menu bar.

Click “New File” on the File menu.

Click on “Create New Integrated Data File

Click “OK” at the bottom right of the screen after setting “Font Size” and other items on the “Settings” screen.

Move to the “Marking Data Entry” screen.

For details, please refer to the SP8600 series “Data Editing & Transmission Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Please also refer to “How to import EXCEL data (when using built-in fonts 1)” and “How to import EXCEL data (when using built-in fonts 2)”.

Q
SP series SettingsI want to know how to create an integrated data file (using built-in fonts).

Click “File” on the menu bar.

Click “New File” on the File menu.

Click on “Create New Standard Data File”.

Move to the “Marking Data Entry” screen.

Click on “Create New Integrated Data File

Click “OK” at the bottom right of the screen after setting “Font Size” and other items on the “Settings” screen.

On the “Settings” screen, check the “Windows Font” checkbox.

After setting each item as necessary, click the “OK” button at the bottom right of the screen.

For details, please refer to the SP8600 series “Data Editing & Transmission Manual”.
For the SP8600 series, it can be downloaded from our website.

Q
SP series SettingsHow can I create special characters (using Windows function)?

Please use the external character editor of Windows.
Also, please refer to the SP8600 series “Data Editing & Transmission Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Q
SP series SettingsWhat should I do when I start the printer for the first time?

Please refer to the ”For safety & comfortable use” and “Hotmarker SP series Start-up Guide”.
For more information, you can also check “Summary Startup Manual“.

For the complete manual, please check the SP8600 series Manuals.
You can download the manual from our website.

Q
SP series SettingsHow can I create an integrated data file (using WinFont)?

Click “File” on the menu bar.

Click “New File” on the File menu.

Click on “Create New Integrated Data File

Click “OK” at the bottom right of the screen after setting “Font Size” and other items on the “Settings” screen.

Move to the “Marking Data Entry” screen.
For details, please refer to the SP8600 series “Data Editing & Transmission Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.
Please also refer to “How to import EXCEL data (when using Windows fonts)”.

Q
SP series SettingsShould I always use the "press roller" when marking tubes?

We recommend to use of the “press roller” when marking tubes.

SP series Printing Problems

Q
SP series Printing ProblemsUnable to print, poor printing results, or scuffing

printing problem

You can download the manual from our website.

Please also refer to ”How to correct the print defects”,”About white line missing” and “Hotmarker SP series Cleaning instructions“.

Q
SP series Printing ProblemsWhat can I set/adjust if printing is shifted 2 mm to the left?

Please refer to the SP8600 series “Operating Instruction Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

SP series Repair/Maintenance

Q
SP series Repair/MaintenanceI want to learn about various error messages.

Please refer to the SP8600 series “Operating Instruction Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Please also refer to “Hotmarker SP Series Error Summary Table”.

 

Q
SP series Repair/MaintenanceWhat can I do when printing foil does not wind up?

Please refer to “SP series – In case marking foil is not properly wound up”.
If you have any questions, please contact us from “Contact Us“.
Our representative will contact you shortly.

Q
SP series Repair/MaintenanceHow can I recover from cutter arm errors?

Please refer to ”Cutter arm error Recovery method ”.

Q
SP series Repair/MaintenanceWhat can I do when the PCMS icon is not displayed?

Please check the following.
(1) If the PCMS icon does not appear on the desktop screen, please reinstall CTKPCMS.
(2) If the data file icon does not change, please associate the file.

Q
SP series Repair/MaintenanceWhat should I do if my PC freezes?
(PC screen does not update and the mouse and keyboard do not respond)

Please follow the steps below.
(1) Turn off the SP power.
(2) Disconnect the USB cable from the PC.
(3) If the problem persists, restart the PC.

Q
SP series Repair/MaintenanceWhat should I do when communication failure occurs?

Please check the following
(1) Is the USB cable for communication connected properly?
(2) Is the SP main unit displaying the main menu screen?
(3) Is the USB checkbox in the Communication settings checked?

Please refer to the SP8600 series “Operating Instruction Manual”.
You can download the manual from our website.

Q
SP series Repair/MaintenanceI purchased consumable parts and tried to replace them by myself, but I can't do it properly.

Please contact us from “Contact Us”.
Our representative will contact you shortly.

Q
SP series Repair/MaintenanceI want to repair the machine.

Please contact us from “Contact Us”.
Our representative will contact you shortly.

Hot Stamping Models Repair/Maintenance

Q
Hot Stamping Models Repair/MaintenancePower does not turn on.

Be sure to turn off the power, disconnect the “power cord,” and make sure that all parts of the equipment are completely cool before proceeding. Replace parts as necessary.

Situation/Possible Causes How to deal with it
Failure to energize Check for incomplete “heater terminal” connections.
Disconnection of heater Check the “heater terminal” with a tester for conduction.

Heater replacement is required in case of wire breakage.

Failure of type temperature controller

*If the heater is not disconnected

If the heater does not warm up even though the temperature controller’s energizing lamp is on, the temperature controller needs to be replaced
Failure of type temperature sensor If the current temperature of the temperature controller does not rise, the temperature sensor needs to be replaced

Please also refer to the Related Q&As.

Q
Hot Stamping Models Repair/MaintenanceHeater temperature does not rise.

Be sure to turn off the power, disconnect the “power cord,” and make sure that all parts of the equipment are completely cool before proceeding. Replace parts as necessary.

Situation/Possible Causes How to deal with it
Failure to energize Check for incomplete “heater terminal” connections.
Disconnection of heater Check the “heater terminal” with a tester for conduction.

Heater replacement is required in case of wire breakage.

Failure of type temperature controller

*If the heater is not disconnected

If the heater does not warm up even though the temperature controller’s energizing lamp is on, the temperature controller needs to be replaced
Failure of type temperature sensor If the current temperature of the temperature controller does not rise, the temperature sensor needs to be replaced

Please also refer to the Related Q&As.

Q
Hot Stamping Models Repair/MaintenanceHeater temperature keeps rising.

Be sure to turn off the power, disconnect the “power cord,” and make sure that all parts of the equipment are completely cool before proceeding. Replace parts as necessary.

Situation/Possible Causes How to deal with it
Failure of type temperature controller If the heater temperature continues to rise while the temperature controller’s energizing lamp is off, the temperature controller needs to be replaced.
Temperature sensor failure If the current temperature of the temperature controller does not approach the setpoint, the temperature sensor needs to be replaced

Please also refer to the Related Q&As.

Q
Hot Stamping Models Repair/MaintenanceAbnormal color foil feeding or meandering

Be sure to turn off the power, disconnect the “power cord,” and make sure that all parts of the equipment are completely cool before proceeding. Replace parts as necessary.

Situation/Possible Causes How to deal with it
Tension at color tape attachment point When tension is too high, tape transportation may fail.  When it is too loose, meandering may happen.

Refer to the instruction manual for details.

Insufficient/Excessive color tape transport Check the tension of the tape set section, readjust, and then adjust the tape feed rate.

Refer to the instruction manual for details.

Tape transport roller is worn out Replace the roller.

Please also refer to the Related Q&As.

Q
Hot Stamping Models Repair/MaintenancePrinted characters are not correct.

Be sure to turn off the power, disconnect the “power cord,” and make sure that all parts of the equipment are completely cool before proceeding. Replace parts as necessary.

Situation/Possible Causes How to deal with it
Printed characters are too dark/crushed (1) Type setting temperature is too high.

(2) Too much marking pressure.

(3) Marking time is too long.

(4) Inappropriate color tape model for the workpiece material.

(5) Deformation or contamination of type → Needs cleaning or replacement

Printed characters are thin/missing/blurry (1) Type setting temperature is too low.

(2) Marking pressure is too low.

(3) Marking time is too short.

(4) Inappropriate color tape model for the workpiece material.

(5) Insufficient color tape forwarding

→ Readjust the feed rate.

(6) Dirt on the workpiece

(7) Deformed (chipped) type → Needs replacement

(8) In case of printers equipped with type mask (MFC type, etc.), inadequate installation of type mask

Refer to the instruction manual for details.

The density of printed characters differs at the beginning and end (1) Failure of height adjustment of the receiving jig (cutting table/jagged table(MFC Models).

→ Readjust the “height adjustment screw”.

(2) Defects in workpiece surface shape → Use appropriate workpiece

the printed word is skewed Defect in installation of receiving jig and canner base (other than MFC type)

→Resetting the adjustment knob of the canner base

Please refer to the instruction manual for details.
You can download the manual from our website.

Please also refer to the Related Q&As.

Q
Hot Stamping Models Repair/MaintenanceWorkpiece cutting error (B200M-FC)

Be sure to turn off the power, disconnect the “power cord,” and make sure that all parts of the equipment are completely cool before proceeding. Replace parts as necessary.

Situation/Possible Causes How to deal with it
Inadequate adjustment of cutter depth If the cut is too deep, make it shallower; conversely, if the cut is too shallow, adjust it deeper.

Refer to the instruction manual for details.

Worn cutter blades or broken blades Replace the cutter blade.

Refer to the instruction manual for details.

Please also refer to the Related Q&As.

Q
Hot Stamping Models Repair/MaintenanceWorkpiece transfer error (B200M-FC)

Be sure to turn off the power, disconnect the “power cord,” and make sure that all parts of the equipment are completely cool before proceeding. Replace parts as necessary.

Situation/Possible Causes How to deal with it
● When the workpiece is a tube
Check tube specifications Outline φ3.0~7.0 mm_t0.40.5 mm
Tubes are stiff in low temperature. Warm the tube before use
Tubes are crushed, twisted, or otherwise deformed. Please remove the deformed part before use
● When the workpiece is a label
Check label specifications Please use genuine long-type labels (width up to10 mm)
Check the condition of the “feed unit” section guide. Refer to the instruction manual
Check labels for folds and stains. Please remove deformed and dirty parts before use.

Please also refer to the Related Q&As.

Purchasing CTK Products

Q
Purchasing CTK ProductsI want to purchase CTK products.

Thank you!
Please contact us from the “Contact Us” form. Our representative will contact you shortly.

Q
Purchasing CTK ProductsI want to know the stock status (delivery date)

Please contact us from the “Contact Us” form. Our representative will contact you shortly.

Q
Purchasing CTK ProductsI want to know the distributor.

Please contact us from the “Contact Us” form. Our representative will contact you shortly.

Others

Q
OthersI lost the instruction manual. How can I get a new one?

You can download SP8600 manual from our website.
For the other models, please contact us from “Contact Us“. Our representative will contact you shortly.

Q
OthersHow can I request an environmental report of CTK products.

Please contact us from “Contact Us“.
Our representative will contact you shortly.

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