On a computer running Windows 10, the steps to get to the screen shown on the right are as follows:

• 1. Press Windows ( ⊞ ) + I and select Devices, then select Printers and Scanners

  2. Select the Zebra ZXP Series 3 USB Card Printer, click Manage, and select Printing Properties.

Once you have reached this screen, click on "Device Settings" in the upper right-hand corner (highlighted by the red circle in image)

Clicking on tools will bring you to this screen. This screen lets you send commands to a ZXP3 printer through the command line at the top among many other functions.

To figure out what we should be setting the printhead resistance to, we will want to look at the right side of the printhead that is in the printer. There should be a sticker on it that has an "R" and then a 4-digit number after it. This 4-digit number is the "ideal" printhead resistance for this specific printhead.

Each printer interacts with each printhead differently and might need the printhead resistance to be slightly higher or lower than was is printed on the sticker.

Once you have determined what the printhead resistance should be, you need to type the following command into the command line of the tools popup window:

!R ####

"!R" is how you tell the printer that you are changing the printhead resistance and the #'s represent the 4-digit number that your printhead is tuned to. Also be sure to put a space between these two elements as is shown in the example.

Once you have the correct command in the command line, hit enter or click on "Execute"

If you entered a valid command in the command line, the printer status line will change to "<ACK>". This message means that you have successfully changed the printhead resistance on your ZXP3. 

If you were unsuccessful, you will see something like "Printer has no response" or "COMMAND ERROR"

After you close out all the printer properties windows, reload it and go to "Device Settings". You should see that the head resistance value has now been updated.

If your print is still printing too light or is tearing the ribbon because the printhead resistance is too high, you may need to adjust the printhead resistance again.

Adjustments to the printhead resistance should follow these general rules:

1. Adjustments of 10 - 25 are relatively small and will get you where you need to go if you are already close

2. Adjustments of 75 - 100 are large changes in resistance and can greatly change the printer's output.

Making the printhead resistance higher will make light prints darker

Making the printhead resistance lower will reduce the chance of tearing the ribbon