Brother Rugged Jet RJ-4230B Manual

The Brother Rugged Jet RJ-4230B is a durable, industrial-grade mobile label printer designed for demanding environments. It features a high-impact resistant case, IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, compatibility with various label materials, long-lasting battery life, and dedicated software for label design and printing. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. Specifications 4. Controls and Indicators 5. Connecting to Devices 6. Printing Labels 7. Software & Mobile App 8. Maintenance & Cleaning 9. Regulatory Information 10. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Ruggedized housing, LCD display, Keypad, Print head, Label cutter, Battery compartment, Connectivity ports (USB, Bluetooth), Charging dock connector.

FeatureDescription
Rugged DesignIP54 rated for dust and water resistance; withstands drops up to 1.5m
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.0, USB 2.0 for wired connection to PC/Mac
BatteryRechargeable Li-ion battery providing up to 8 hours of continuous printing
DisplayBacklit LCD for status and preview
Media SupportThermal transfer & direct thermal labels; widths: 0.75" to 2.25"
Print SpeedUp to 4 inches per second at 203 dpi
CutterAutomatic or manual cutting option
SoftwareBrother RuggedJet Design & Print software included
POWER ButtonTurns printer on/off
FEED ButtonAdvances label media manually

Installation & Setup

Unpack and inspect contents. Ensure all parts are present.

  1. Charge the battery: Connect the AC adapter to the charging dock and place the printer on it until fully charged (LED turns green).
  2. Load label media: Open media compartment, insert roll with label facing out, close securely.
  3. Power on: Press and hold POWER button until LCD illuminates.
  4. Calibrate sensor: On first use, the printer will auto-calibrate to detect label gap/black mark.

WARNING! Use only Brother-approved media and power accessories to avoid damage. Ensure printer is turned off before loading media.

Specifications

Controls and Indicators

Access functions via front panel buttons and LCD menu.

Front Panel: POWER, FEED, PAUSE, MENU, Navigation arrows (Up/Down), ENTER.

LCD Display: Shows status, battery level, connection mode, label count, error messages.

LED Indicators: Power (Green/Orange), Bluetooth (Blue), Error (Red).

Menu Settings: Print darkness, Tear-off position, Sensor calibration, Bluetooth pairing, Language, Units (inch/mm), Factory reset.

Connecting to Devices

USB: Connect directly to computer using included cable. Bluetooth: Pair with mobile device or computer.

  1. For USB: Connect cable to printer and PC. Printer will be detected automatically.
  2. For Bluetooth: On printer, go to MENU > Bluetooth > Pairing Mode. On your device, enable Bluetooth and select "RJ-4230B" from list.
  3. For network printing (optional): Connect via Brother print server adapter.

Tip: Ensure printer firmware and device drivers are up to date from Brother support website.

Printing Labels

Supports printing from software, mobile app, or direct keyboard entry (with optional cable).

  1. Design label: Use Brother software on PC or mobile app to create label layout.
  2. Load design: Send design to printer via selected connection.
  3. Adjust settings: Use printer menu to set print darkness, quantity, and cutter mode.
  4. Print: Press FEED button to print a single label or start batch from software.
  5. Cutter: After printing, label is automatically cut if auto-cutter is enabled.
  6. Peel: For peel-off labels, use the built-in peeling mechanism.

WARNING! Do not touch print head when hot. Use genuine Brother supplies for optimal performance.

Software & Mobile App

Brother RuggedJet Design & Print: Free software for Windows/macOS. Brother Mobile Connect: App for iOS/Android.

Features: Template library, Barcode generation (Code 39, 128, QR, etc.), Text formatting, Logo import, Database connectivity, Print preview.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Turn off and disconnect power before cleaning.

  1. Exterior: Wipe with dry, soft cloth. For stubborn dirt, use cloth slightly dampened with water.
  2. Print head: Use isopropyl alcohol and lint-free swab to gently clean print head rollers.
  3. Label sensor: Keep free of dust and adhesive residue.
  4. Battery contacts: Clean with dry cloth if corroded.

CAUTION! Do not use abrasive cleaners, solvents, or compressed air. Allow printer to dry completely before use.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with limits for residential use. ICES-003: Complies with Canadian EMI regulations. Waste Electrical: Complies with WEEE directives. For EU, this product contains a rechargeable battery that must be disposed of properly. Copyright © Brother Industries, Ltd. For support, visit www.brother.com or contact 1-877-4BROTHER.

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
Printer won't power onBattery depleted/ faulty connectionCharge battery fully; check AC adapter and dock connection.
No print output/ faint printPrint darkness setting/ worn ribbonIncrease print darkness in menu; replace thermal ribbon if using transfer mode.
Bluetooth connection failsOut of range/ pairing issueEnsure within 30 ft; delete old pairing on device and re-pair.
Media jamMisaligned roll/ debrisOpen compartment, remove jammed media, reload correctly.
Label not feeding correctlySensor calibration neededRun sensor calibration from printer menu.
Software doesn't detect printerDriver/ cable issueReinstall driver; try different USB cable/port; restart devices.

Reset: MENU > Settings > Factory Reset (caution: erases all settings).

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

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