Proper cleaning of the Zebra ZXP Series 3 Card Printer is essential for maintaining print quality, preventing card jams, and protecting the printhead and internal rollers. Zebra recommends regular cleaning as part of routine maintenance, especially when the printer displays a CLEAN PRINTER message or when print defects occur.

When Cleaning Is Required

You should clean the printer when:

• The LCD panel displays CLEAN PRINTER
• Print quality degrades (spots, streaks, faded or uneven prints)
• Dust or debris accumulates inside the printer
• Persistent print issues are identified during troubleshooting

Regular cleaning is also recommended as preventive maintenance to extend printer life and maintain consistent output quality.

Materials Needed for Cleaning

To properly clean the Zebra ZXP Series 3 printer, prepare the following:

• Long path cleaning card
• Feeder cleaning card
• Alcohol-moistened foam cleaning swab
• Power access to the printer

Important:
Only use approved cleaning cards and foam-tipped swabs. Never use sharp tools or compressed air inside the printer, as this may cause permanent damage.

Step 1: Start the Printer Cleaning Cycle

1. Turn the printer ON.
2. Press and hold the Multi-Function Control Button for approximately 5 seconds.
3. The LCD display will indicate that the cleaning cycle has started and prompt you to remove the ribbon.

This initiates the automated system cleaning process.

Step 2: Remove Ribbon and Clear Cards

1. When prompted, open the printer lid.
2. Remove the ribbon cartridge.
3. Close the lid.
4. The printer will automatically eject any card remaining inside.

The printer must be free of cards and ribbon before cleaning continues.

Step 3: Clean the Card Path with a Long Cleaning Card

1. When the LCD displays FEED LONG CLEANING CARD, insert the long cleaning card.
2. The printer will pull the card through the internal transport rollers.
3. Once cleaning is complete, the printer will eject the card.
4. Remove and discard the used cleaning card.

This step removes dust and debris from the internal rollers and card path.

Step 4: Clean the Card Feeder

1. When prompted, open the card feeder cover.
2. Insert the feeder cleaning card.
3. Close the feeder cover.
4. The printer will automatically clean the feeder rollers.
5. Remove the feeder cleaning card when instructed.

Feeder cleaning prevents misfeeds and card pickup issues.

Step 5: Clean the Printhead Manually

If print quality issues persist, Zebra recommends cleaning the printhead separately.

1. Turn the printer OFF.
2. Open the printer lid to access the printhead.
3. Gently wipe the printhead from side to side using an alcohol-moistened foam swab.
4. Apply only light pressure.
5. Allow the printhead to dry for 2–3 minutes before powering the printer back on.

Caution:
Never scrape the printhead or use non-foam swabs, as this can permanently damage the printhead.

Step 6: Restore Printer to Normal Operation

1. Reinstall the ribbon cartridge.
2. Reload cards into the feeder.
3. Close all covers securely.
4. Power the printer ON.
5. Confirm the LCD displays READY.

The printer is now ready for normal use.

Maintenance Best Practices

• Clean the printer at every ribbon replacement
• Store cards in a clean, dust-free environment
• Avoid touching card surfaces and internal printer components
• Follow LCD cleaning prompts immediately

Routine cleaning minimizes downtime and ensures reliable card printing performance.

Using high-quality, compatible cleaning supplies is essential for effective maintenance of the Zebra ZXP Series 3 Card Printer. MediTech offers a full range of Zebra-compatible cleaning cards and cleaning swabs designed to meet the printer’s cleaning requirements

MediTech Cleaning Card Recommendations

1. MediTech Long Cleaning Card (ZXP Series 3 Compatible)

• Designed for automated internal roller and card path cleaning
• Removes dust, debris, and residue from transport rollers
• Single-use, disposable design for optimal hygiene

Learn more: Zebra 105912-912 Compatible Cleaning Kit-Meditech

2. MediTech Feeder Cleaning Card (ZXP Series 3 Compatible)

• Specifically designed for card feeder roller cleaning
• Helps prevent card misfeeds and double-feeding

MediTech Printhead Cleaning Swab Recommendations

MediTech Foam Cleaning Swabs (IPA Pre-Saturated)

• Soft foam-tipped head to prevent printhead damage
• Pre-saturated with high-purity isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
• Lint-free and residue-free
• Ideal for manual printhead cleaning

Learn more: Self-Saturated IPA Cleaning Swab – 4.5’’-Meditech

Why Choose MediTech-Compatible Cleaning Supplies?

• Fully compatible with Zebra ZXP Series 3 printers
• Cost-effective alternative to OEM supplies
• Suitable for routine maintenance and preventive cleaning programs

Using MediTech-compatible cleaning cards and swabs helps ensure consistent print quality, reduces downtime, and extends the service life of the printer.

Steps for cleaning Zebra P330i:

1.Leaving the printer on, press and hold the button for three seconds, the LCD will now display “remove ribbon then close head”,

2.Open the printer lid, and lift up the print head carriage then remove the ribbon spools and close the print head carriage. After the ribbon is removed, the LCD will display “MD feeder and press button “.

3.Open the card feeder lid and remove all but the bottom card. This card should remain in the feeder until you press the button to eject it from the printer. Do not attempt to pull the card out, or you may damage the feeder. After the card removed, the LCD will display” load cleaning card in feeder”.

4.Remove the small cleaning card from its packaging and place in the car feeder, the feeder belt will move the cleaning card halfway into the feeder. This is the correct position, do not try to force the card fully into the printer. Once the card cleans the feed belt, it will move through the printer and continue cleaning other components, the LCD will display “cleaning printer” during this process. After the cleaning card is finished, it will automatically be ejected, the LCD will then display “press button to continue”.

5.Remove the long cleaning card from its packaging, press the button and the message will change to “feed long cleaning card into exit”. Now insert the long cleaning card into the printer exit slot, the long cleaning card will automatically move back and forth as it cleans. The LCD will again display “cleaning printer” during this process.

6.Once the long cleaning card has been ejected, the LCD will change to “ready”. Now you can reinsert the ribbon spools, reload cards and resume printing if you still see spots in your cards after cleaning the printer, you may want to clean the printhead to remove deposits.

7.Before cleaning the print head, turn the printer off, lift the carriage and remove the print ribbon. Then squeeze the plastic stick on the cleaning swab to push the liquid into the tip, now gently move the moistened swap side to side across the printhead elements.

8.Wait two minutes for the print head to dry. Turn the printer back on, and reinsert the ribbon spools.

Consistent and routine cleaning of your printer will maximize print quality and prolong life of critical printer parts.

Do you remember when was the last time you have cleaned your card printer? If not, you should pay more attention about your printer cleaning.

Many card printers contains a cleaning system to clean card when it is printing. But the components are very easy to attract dust and debris as plastic cards have a high static charge. So if you have not cleaned your card printer regularly, it will reduce the quality of the print, resulting in fuzzy images.

It takes you just a short time and a few steps to do the cleaning job. Here are three basic steps:

1. Remove the ribbon.

2. Insert the cleaning card into the feeder.

3. Put back the ribbon.

Where do you get the printer cleaning kits? Meditech provide various of cleaning kits compatible with most hot brands in the market, such as Evolis, Magicard, Datacard, and many more. Click here for more information about Meditech cleaning kits.

How often should you clean your printer? If you are using color ribbons, it is a best time to perform a cleaning cycle when you change your ribbon. When you use monochrome ribbons, you can perform a cleaning cycle per week or per month depends on the usage frequency of printing. It is recommended to set the firmware prompt to approximately every 250 cards.

If there are unprinted lines on the card printed, you should clean the printhead. We supplies thermal printer cleaning pens and cleaning swabs to effectively clean the contaminant build-up on the printhead. If unprinted lines still exist, it may have permanent damage to your printhead.You will have to replace it.

So if you want to buy any cleaning products about card printer cleaning, such as cleaning pens, cleaning swabs, or cleaning kit, please just feel free to contact us !