PrintersThermal Printer
TSC TE310 Printer Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the thermal transfer printer, with verified specifications.
- TypeThermal Printer
- Sleep power2 W
- Off-mode power0.15 W
About the TSC TE310
The TSC TE310 is a thermal transfer printer certified under the ENERGY STAR program for imaging equipment.
It uses a thermal transfer print mechanism in a compact, small-format design of the kind used for barcode labels, product labels and asset tags.
It draws 2 W in sleep and 0.15 W when switched off (standby). That sleep power is lower than 24% of the 499 Thermal Printer models in our database.
Specifications
| Brand | TSC |
|---|---|
| Model number | TE310 |
| Product type | Thermal Printer |
| ENERGY STAR product category | Printers |
| Marking technology | Thermal transfer |
| Media size format | Small |
| Color capable | No |
| Automatic duplex (two-sided) | No |
| Professional imaging product | No |
| Sleep-mode power | 2.00 W |
| Standby (off) power | 0.15 W |
Safety information
- Plug the printer directly into a grounded wall outlet. Avoid light-duty extension cords, and replace a damaged power cord before use.
- Keep the ventilation openings clear and leave the clearance around the unit that the manual specifies for paper trays, covers and service access.
- Switch off and unplug the unit before cleaning it or reaching deep inside to clear a jam.
- The printhead can become hot during long runs. Let it cool before cleaning it, and keep fingers away from the tear bar or automatic cutter, which can be sharp.
Setup
- Unpack and remove shipping materials
Remove all tape, foam and protective film, including pieces inside the covers and paper trays.
- Choose a location
Place the unit on a stable, level surface away from direct sunlight, heat sources, grease and moisture, with room to open the cover for media changes.
- Load ribbon and media
Install the thermal transfer ribbon with its ink side facing the media, then load the labels or tags. Match the ribbon type (wax, wax-resin or resin) to the label material, and make sure the ribbon is at least as wide as the labels to protect the printhead.
- Connect to your computer or network
Connect the unit to your network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi where available) or directly by USB, following the setup guide. Network connection lets several users share it and makes firmware updates easier.
- Install drivers and software
Install the manufacturer's driver or label-design software, or configure your point-of-sale or shipping application to use the printer.
- Calibrate the media sensor
Run the media calibration from the control panel or utility after loading a new media type so the printer finds the gap, notch or black mark between labels.
- Check the sleep timer
Confirm that sleep and auto-off timers are enabled in the control panel or web interface to minimize idle energy use.
Using your printer
Media and print quality
- Thermal transfer prints are durable; choose resin ribbons for synthetic labels or harsh environments and wax ribbons for paper labels.
- Adjust print darkness (heat) and speed together: raise darkness or lower speed for faint prints, and lower darkness if barcodes look bloated.
- Use media approved for your printer; abrasive or poorly coated media wears the printhead faster.
Sleep and power settings
In sleep the unit draws 2 W, and 0.15 W when switched off at the power button. Use the auto-off or weekly timer (if offered) to switch the unit off overnight and on weekends.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Each media or ribbon change | Clean the printhead with a cleaning pen or swab and isopropyl alcohol, and let it dry before printing. |
| Monthly | Clean the platen roller and media sensors; remove label adhesive and paper dust from the media path. |
| As needed | Replace the printhead and platen roller when print quality cannot be restored by cleaning. |
| Every 6 months | Install firmware updates from the manufacturer and vacuum dust from the exterior vents. |
Troubleshooting
Most printer problems come from media, consumables, connections or settings. Try these steps first; for numbered error codes, look up the code in the manufacturer's manual or support site.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Shows offline or jobs stay in the queue | Network or IP address changed; wrong driver or port; printer asleep and not waking. | Restart the printer and computer, print a network configuration page, re-add the printer using its current address, and reserve that address in your router. |
| Labels or receipts come out blank | Ribbon missing or loaded ink-side away from media; wrong ribbon/media combination. | Reload the ribbon with the ink side facing the labels and check the ribbon/media pairing. |
| Faint or broken print, unreadable barcodes | Dirty printhead; darkness too low or speed too high; worn printhead. | Clean the printhead, increase darkness or lower speed, and replace the printhead if a white line runs through every label. |
| Labels skip or print across gaps | Media sensor not calibrated; sensor dirty; wrong media type set. | Run media calibration, clean the sensor, and set gap, notch or black-mark media correctly. |
| Paper or media jams | Wrong media for the tray; overfilled tray; worn rollers; debris in the path. | Remove jammed media in the direction of the paper path, check for torn pieces, reload within the fill line, and clean the rollers. |
| Slow to start the first job | Unit waking from sleep. | This is normal. Group jobs together; avoid disabling sleep, which raises energy use considerably. |
Energy use and running costs
ENERGY STAR rates this device on its low-power modes: 2 W in sleep and 0.15 W when switched off. If it stays plugged in and asleep around the clock, sleep mode alone uses about 17.5 kWh per year — roughly $2.98 at $0.17 per kWh.
Switching it off outside a 10-hour, 5-day work week (and letting it sleep during working hours) cuts that to about 6.12 kWh per year ($1.04).
Energy used while actively printing is not included in these figures; it depends on how many pages you produce.
Frequently asked questions
What type of device is the TSC TE310?
It is a thermal transfer printer in ENERGY STAR's small media-size category.
How much power does the TSC TE310 use in sleep?
It draws 2 W in sleep and 0.15 W when switched off. Left asleep all year, that is about 17.5 kWh, or $2.98.
Does the TSC TE310 need ink or a ribbon?
Yes. It prints by melting ink from a thermal transfer ribbon onto the labels, so you need both a ribbon and compatible label stock.
Is the TSC TE310 ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified imaging equipment list, with a certification date of March 2017.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified printers dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified March 21, 2017), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with TSC. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact TSC or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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