Brother P-touch Home and Hobby III Manual

The Brother P-touch Home and Hobby III is a versatile electronic label maker designed for home, office, and craft use. It features a full keyboard, multiple font styles and sizes, decorative frames, various tape cassettes, a built-in cutter, and a rechargeable battery option. Below are key sections for safety, features, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Unpacking and Setup 3. First-Time Use 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Functions 6. Creating Labels 7. Advanced Features 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Label Maker Unit, AC Power Adapter, Starter Tape Cassette, User Manual, Quick Start Guide.

Feature	Description
Full QWERTY Keyboard	For easy text entry and editing
LCD Display	Shows text, formatting, and preview before printing
Tape Cassette System	Supports various tape widths (e.g., 3.5mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm)
Built-in Cutter	Automatically cuts tape to label length
Multiple Fonts & Sizes	Includes several font styles and adjustable character sizes
Decorative Frames & Symbols	Add borders and icons to labels for organization and crafts
Power Options	Operates via AC adapter or optional rechargeable battery pack
Auto-Lamination (Select Tapes)	Some tapes include a protective laminate layer
Mirror Printing	Option to print mirror-image text for application on transparent tape
Memory Function	Stores frequently used labels for quick recall

Unpacking and Setup

Unpack and inspect all contents. Place the label maker on a clean, stable surface.

Insert Tape Cassette: Open the cassette cover, insert the tape with the writing side facing up, and close the cover until it clicks.
Connect Power: Plug the AC adapter into the DC IN jack on the side of the unit, then plug the adapter into a standard 120V AC outlet.
Power On: Press the POWER button. The LCD display will illuminate.
Charge Battery (if applicable): If using the optional rechargeable battery, connect the AC adapter and allow it to charge fully before first use (approx. 3 hours).

WARNING! Use only the Brother-approved AC adapter and tape cassettes. Do not force the cassette cover open.

First-Time Use

Power on the label maker; the display will show the default text entry screen.

Set Language: Press the FUNCTION key, then use the arrow keys to select LANGUAGE. Choose your preferred language (default is ENGLISH).
Set Date/Time (Optional): In the FUNCTION menu, select DATE/TIME to set the current date and time for timestamp labels.
Create a Test Label: Type a simple word (e.g., "TEST") using the keyboard. Press the PRINT key. The label will be printed and automatically cut.
Apply Label: Peel the backing paper from the printed label and apply it to a clean, dry surface.

CAUTION! Keep fingers away from the cutter area during printing. Do not pull the tape while printing.

Specifications

Model: Brother P-touch Home and Hobby III.
Tape Widths Supported: 3.5mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 18mm (depending on cassette model).
Print Resolution: Standard thermal transfer.
Display: Multi-line LCD with backlight.
Power Source: AC Adapter (Input: 120V AC, 60Hz) / Optional Rechargeable Battery Pack.
Battery Life: Approx. 100 labels on full charge (varies by use).
Fonts: Multiple built-in fonts (e.g., Sans-serif, Script, Block).
Character Sizes: From 1mm to 24mm height (varies by tape width).
Memory: Stores up to 10 custom labels (model dependent).
Operating Temp: 50°F to 104°F (10°C to 40°C).

Controls and Functions

Access functions via the dedicated keys or the FUNCTION menu. Front Panel: POWER, PRINT, CUT (manual), FUNCTION, Arrow Keys (Up/Down/Left/Right), BACKSPACE, SPACE, ALPHABET keys.

Function Menu: LANGUAGE, DATE/TIME, MIRROR, FRAME, FONT, SIZE, STYLE (Bold, Italic, Underline), AUTO CUT (On/Off), TAPE WIDTH SETTING. Quick Format Keys: Dedicated keys for Font Size Up/Down, Frame selection, and Style toggles.

Label Editing: Use arrow keys to move cursor, BACKSPACE to delete. Press PRINT to print the current label. Press and hold PRINT for multiple copies.

Creating Labels

Basic text entry and printing.

Enter Text: Use the keyboard to type your label text. The text appears on the LCD.
Format Text: Press FUNCTION, then select FONT, SIZE, or STYLE to change appearance.
Add Frame/Symbol: Press the FRAME key or navigate to SYMBOLS in the FUNCTION menu to add decorative elements.
Preview: The LCD shows a preview of the label layout.
Print: Press PRINT. The label prints and is automatically cut (if AUTO CUT is ON).
Manual Cut: If AUTO CUT is OFF, press the CUT key after printing to cut the tape.
Apply: Peel and apply the label.

Tip: For long labels, use the "Chain Print" function (FUNCTION menu) to print multiple copies of the same label in sequence.

Advanced Features

Memory: Save a label by pressing FUNCTION > MEMORY > SAVE. Recall it later via MEMORY > LOAD.

Serial Numbering: Create a series of numbered labels (e.g., Item 1, Item 2). Access via FUNCTION > NUMBERING.

Mirror Printing: For application on the back of clear tape (e.g., window labels). Enable in FUNCTION > MIRROR.

Tape Width Setting: Manually set the tape width if the machine does not detect it automatically (FUNCTION > TAPE SETTING).

Care & Maintenance

Unplug the AC adapter before cleaning. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the exterior. Do not use liquids or aerosols.

Cutter Blade: If labels are not cutting cleanly, use a cotton swab with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to gently clean the cutter blade area. Allow to dry completely.
Tape Path: If tape jams, open the cassette cover and gently remove any stuck tape or debris.
Battery: If using rechargeable battery, store the unit in a cool, dry place. For long-term storage, charge the battery to about 50%.

CAUTION! Never insert objects into the tape slot or cutter. Do not disassemble the unit.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits for residential use. Copyright © Brother Industries, Ltd. For support, visit www.brother-usa.com or contact Brother Customer Service at 1-877-4BROTHER (1-877-426-7843).

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No power / Display blank	Power connection / Battery	Ensure AC adapter is firmly connected; outlet is live. If using battery, recharge or replace.
Text does not print clearly	Low battery / Old tape / Dirty print head	Connect AC adapter or charge battery. Use fresh tape cassette. Clean print head with dry cotton swab.
Tape does not feed or jams	Incorrect tape loading / Obstruction	Open cover, ensure tape is loaded correctly (writing side up). Remove any jammed tape gently.
Label not cut automatically	AUTO CUT setting / Cutter issue	Check FUNCTION > AUTO CUT is ON. Manually press CUT key. Clean cutter blade (see Maintenance).
Wrong characters appear	Language setting / Keyboard mode	Check LANGUAGE setting in FUNCTION menu. Ensure keyboard is not in "Symbol" or "Accent" mode.
Memory not saving	Memory full / Procedure error	Delete old stored labels (FUNCTION > MEMORY > DELETE). Follow save procedure exactly.

Reset: To restore factory defaults, turn off the unit. Press and hold the FUNCTION and PRINT keys while turning the power on. Release keys after the display lights up (this will erase all memory).

Service: 1-877-4BROTHER; www.brother-usa.com