FAQ S8 Stencil Printer

November 07, 2016

Be sure to download the Brother iPrint and Scan app on your tablet or mobile device to achieve the best print possible!

How is the S8™ Stencil Printer different from other thermal printers like it on the market?
In an effort to improve the experience and quality of the printed stencil, Brother Mobile Solutions teamed up with S8 Tattoo to enhance the printer setting so that the PocketJet printers works specifically with both S8 and Spirit thermal stencil papers on the market. The S8 Stencil Printers hold firmware and software modifications to allow greater handling of heavy contrast zones and dense spaces.  This enables greatly improved print capabilities on the S8 and Spirit papers.

Paper is "jammed" inside unit.  Printer "eats" paper.  What can I do?
Artwork is too dark/opaque causing the printer to overheat and melt the ink film.  Many solutions may be applied to reduce the heat of the printer.  Lighten artwork, convert to outline, reduce density level on printer, reduce opacity of artwork, and apply differing filters on photo-editing software (including portrait, halftone).  All artwork differs, techniques will vary based on artwork.

Stencil prints with streaked lines or gaps in the ink.  What can I do?
Artwork is too dark causing printer to overheat and melt the ink film.  Many solutions may apply to reduce heat of printer.  Lighten artwork, convert to outline, reduce density level or printer, reduce opacity of artwork, and apply differing filters on photo-editing software (including portrait, halftone).  All artwork differs, techniques will vary based on artwork.

Paper feeds but no ink is deposited on paper.  What can I do?
•Ensure that yellow (canary) backing sheet is removed from transfer paper.
•Ensure that slip sheet (paper material) is removed from between the stencil and ink sheets.
•Ensure that stencil is not too light, try darkening image.

Paper feeds through printer at an angle/creases on one side.  What can I do?
Paper is likely loaded incorrectly.  Once paper has been loaded into printer, press the Feed button located on the top of the unit until top of paper reaches the front edge of the printer. Load door can be opened when paper is loaded in printer to allow straightening.

Image is not flipped/mirrored when printed.  What can I do?
Select to flip image on Print Options screen when prompted upon print.  Choose "Flip Horizontally" or "Flip Vertically" dependent on image orientation.

Does the S8™ Stencil Printer print wirelessly with Apple products?
Yes, to print via AirPrint be sure to use the S8™ Stencil Printer with AirPrint functionality.  This is the only model which will work with OS X 10.8 and iOS. To print via Bluetooth using Windows OS or Android OS it is recommended to purchase a S8™ Stencil Printer Bluetooth.  All S8 Stencil Printer models will work via USB to macOS and Windows. 

I cannot connect my S8™ Stencil Printer AirPrint to my Mac Computer, iPad, iPhone through Wi-Fi.
You will need to enter the password for the Stencil Printer. It will be the model number (773) plus the last five digits of the serial number. So if the last five digits of your serial number are 12345 the password for your S8™ Stencil Printer would be 77312345.

Do I have to use a whole sheet of thermal paper when printing any stencil? 
You do not need to use a whole sheet of thermal paper when printing a stencil. Depending on the size of the image you are trying to print, you can choose where to place the image on the paper before printing. We recommend using the print preview feature prior to printing to see where the image will appear on the paper.