Cleaning Your DuraLabel Kodiak

Overview

Periodic cleaning will help prevent jams, and keep your Kodiak running smoothly. If specks, spots, or streaks appear in your printed labels, clean the inside of the printer. If printed labels stick in the cutter opening or do not fall out on their own, clean the cutter.

Whenever cleaning your Kodiak, turn off the system and disconnect its power cord.

Prefer video instructions? You can watch the tutorial here: How to Clean a DuraLabel Kodiak

Cleaning Inside Kodiak

To clean the inside of your Kodiak, where the supplies are loaded, lift Kodiak’s lid to its fully raised position.

1. Unlatch the two print heads and lift them by their orange tabs until they hold in their fully raised positions. Slide the ribbon cartridges out of place and put them somewhere safe. (If the cartridges have ribbon loaded, you can rest the cartridges upside-down to avoid getting dust on the ribbon.)
2. Unlatch the spring-loaded feed roller bar, and let it rise out of the way. Turn your roll of label stock by hand to rewind any supply that is still feeding through the printer.
3. Using a pre-moistened cleaning swab or a soft cloth with some isopropyl alcohol, wipe the underside of each print head, paying attention to the green strip of heating elements and the shiny metal feeding guide.
4. Under the print heads, wipe the rubber rollers clean. Then wipe the rubber roller in the raised feed roller bar.
5. Check the adjustable supply guides for any adhesive build-up, especially under the small white rollers, and clean them as well.

Cleaning the Cutter

The best way to reach the cutter for cleaning is from the front of the printer. When cleaning the cutter, be sure that your Kodiak is powered off and unplugged; the cutter blade is sharp.

1. Raise Kodiak’s touchscreen to its highest position. Behind the screen, just above each end of the cutter slot, you’ll see two Philips screws. These screws hold the cutter faceplate on; remove the two screws and set them somewhere safe.
2. Press the cutter faceplate down to release it and put the faceplate somewhere safe. This will expose the cutter blades. Be careful; while the faceplate is removed, the cutter motor will not engage, but the blade is still sharp.
3. Using a pre-moistened cleaning swab or a soft cloth and some isopropyl alcohol, remove any built-up adhesive from the blades.
4. Replace the cutter faceplate by sliding it up into place and re-inserting the two screws.

After cleaning your Kodiak, give it a minute or two to air-dry. Then, load supplies and you’ll be ready to print again.

More Support Options

If you have any questions about using your DuraLabel Kodiak printer, get help from Graphic Products’ world-class support team by calling 800-788-5572 or visiting GraphicProducts.com. We’re here to help with all your labeling needs!