Brother PT-90 Merkblatt

User’s Guide

/ Español

English

With your PT-90, you can create labels for any application. 
Select from the many frames, character sizes and styles to 
design beautiful custom labels. In addition, the variety of 
tape cartridges available allows you to print labels with 
different widths and exciting colors.
Read this manual carefully before starting and keep the 
manual in a handy place for future reference.
The contents of this guide and the specifications of this 
product are subject to change without notice.

• Do not use the machine in places of high humidity such as 

bathrooms.

• Do not swallow the cutter stopper.
• Do not get the machine wet, such as by handling it with wet hands 

or spilling beverages on to it.

• Do not disassemble or modify the P-touch labeler/batteries.
• Do not use metallic objects, such as tweezers or a metallic pen, 

when changing the batteries.

• Do not throw the batteries into fire or expose to heat.
• Remove batteries immediately and stop using the machine if you 

notice abnormal odor, heat, discoloration, deformation or anything 
unusual while using or storing it.

• Do not touch the edge of the cutter near the print head.
• Remove the batteries if you do not intend to use P-touch labeler for 

an extended period of time.

• When power is disconnected for more than three minutes, all text, 

format settings and any text files stored in the memory will be 
cleared.

• Do not use old and new batteries together or mix alkaline batteries 

with other type batteries, or set the positive and negative end in the 
wrong position. 

• Do not drop or hit the P-touch labeler.
• Do not press hard on the LCD display.
• Do not put your finger between the covers when you close the back 

cover. 

• Depending on the location, material, and environmental conditions, 

the label may unpeel or become irremovable, the color of the label 
may change or be transferred to other objects. Before applying the 
label, check the environmental condition and the material.

• Do not use the P-touch labeler in any way or for any purpose not 

described in this guide. Doing so may result in accidents or damage 
the machine.

• Use only Brother M tapes with this machine. Do not use tapes that 

do not have the 

 mark.

• Only use a soft, dry cloth to clean the labeler; never use alcohol or 

other organic solvents.

• Use a soft wipe to clean the print head; never touch the print head.
• Do not put any foreign objects into the tape exit slot, etc.
• Do not place the P-touch labeler/battery in direct sunlight or rain, 

near heaters or other hot appliances, in any location exposed to 
extremely high or low temperatures (e.g. on the dashboard or in the 
back of your car), high humidity, or dusty locations.

• Do not apply excessive pressure to the cutter lever.
• Do not try to print if the cassette is empty; it will damage the print 

head.

• Do not pull the tape while printing or feeding; it will damage the tape 

and machine.

• Any data stored in memory will be lost due to failure or repair of the 

P-touch labeler, or if the battery expires.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is 
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause 
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for 
a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These 
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful 
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, 
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and 
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful 
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee 
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this 
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television 
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, 
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more 
of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Important
• Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Brother 

Industries, Ltd. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

The PT-90 comes with a variety of different faceplates - enabling users to customize the machine. To change the faceplates, follow the steps below.

If a tape cassette is already installed, remove it by 
pulling it straight up. Also, if batteries are already 
installed, remove them.
• Make sure that the power is turned off when 

replacing batteries or tape cassettes.

• Always replace all four batteries at the same time 

using brand new ones.

• Make sure that the end of the tape feeds under the 

tape guides.

• Use only Brother M tapes with this machine.

Insert the two hooks at the bottom of the 
cassette cover into the slots on the machine 
(1), and then close the cover securely until 
it snaps into place (2).

After you have installed the tape, feed the tape (see 
“Feeding”) once and then push in the tape cutter lever 
to cut the tape.

• Make sure that the power is turned off when 

replacing the faceplate.

• Be sure to remove the protective film from the front 

side of the faceplate before replacing.

• Do not insert more than one faceplate at a time. If the 

front cover is forcedly closed with more than one 
faceplate inserted, the faceplates may get wrinkled 
or the front cover will not be able to be closed firmly.

Insert the two hooks at the bottom of the 
cassette cover into the slots on the machine 
(1), and then close the cover securely until 
it snaps into place (2).

Print head

Tape cutter lever

Cassette 
cover

Cutter’s 
edge

Tape 
exit slot

Tape guide

End of tape

1

2

Cassette cover

Front cover

Faceplates

Hook

Slot

1

2

NOTE

The LCD shows one row of 12 characters; however, you can enter up to 80 characters in length.

Width

Size

Bold

Cursor

Num Lock

Caps

Label Length

Frame

DECO MODE key

Preview key

Print key

Character key

Num Lock key

Shift key

Symbol key

Caps key

Cursor key
Function key
Cursor key

Power key

Backspace key

Enter key

Shift key
Accent key
Space key

Underline

Italic

Vertical

Outline
Shadow

Start your machine.
Supply power by using four AAA batteries, and then 

press

 

.

Set the language.
The default setting is [English].

 

 

 

[Language]  

  

[English/Español/Français/

Italiano/Nederlands/Norsk/Português/

Svenska/Dansk/Deutsch] 

• You can also display [Language] by pressing 

 and 

.

Set the unit of measurement.
The default setting is [inch].

 

 

 

[Unit]  

  

[inch/mm] 

• You can also display [Unit] by pressing 

 and 

.

NOTE

• The machine automatically turns off if no keys are 

pressed within five minutes.

• To cancel operations, press 

.

• To initialize the P-touch labeler back to factory settings, 

see “Resetting the P-touch”.

X Error message

X What to do when...

Low Battery!

The batteries are weak. Replace them with 
new ones.

Full!

The maximum number of characters (80 
characters for regular text, or 50 characters 
for DECO MODE) have already been 
entered.

No Text!

• You tried to print a text file when there is no 

data stored in the memory.

•

 is pressed when no text is entered.

•

 is pressed when no text is entered.

• You tried to select [Copies] when no text is 

entered.

•

 is pressed when no text is entered in 

the text entry screen of DECO MODE.

Line Limit!

• You tried to enter a 3rd line by pressing  

 

(Maximum printable lines is 2).

Invalid!

Invalid number is selected for [Label Length].

Text Limit!

• The text length exceeds the selected label 

length.

• The text length exceeds 7.8" (200mm) 

when [Label Length] is set to [Auto] in 
DECO MODE.

• If the minimum label length (1.2"/30mm) is 

selected, some frame types (Leaf or Star) 
will not allow you to enter additional text.

Cooling XXX

If the print head becomes too hot, your 
machine will stop printing and automatically 
start to cool down. The cool down time will 
be displayed. Once the print head is cool, 
printing will automatically continue. Do not 
touch the P-touch labeler while cooling.

The display stays 
blank after you have 
turned on the 
machine.

• Check that the batteries are correctly 

inserted.

• If the batteries are weak, replace them.

The machine does 
not print, or the 
printed characters are 
not formed properly.

• Check that the tape cassette has been 

inserted correctly.

• If the tape cassette is empty, replace it.
• Check the cassette cover is properly closed.

The setting has 
cleared on its own.

• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
• When power is disconnected for more 

than three minutes, all text & formats in the 
display will be lost. Language and Unit 
settings will also be cleared.

A blank horizontal line 
appears through the 
printed label.

There maybe some dust on the print head. 
Remove the tape cassette and use a dry 
cotton swab to gently wipe the print head 
with an up-and-down motion.

The machine has 
“locked up” (i.e., nothing 
happens when a key is 
pressed, even though 
the machine is on.)

Refer to “Resetting the P-touch”.

The power turns off 
when you try to print.

• The batteries may be weak. Replace them.
• Check that the batteries are correctly inserted.

The tape does not 
feed properly or the 
tape gets stuck inside 
the machine.

• Check that the end of the tape feeds under 

the tape guides.

• The cutter lever is used while printing. Do 

not touch the cutter lever during printing.

All text and format 
settings need to be 
cleared to create a 
new label.

Press 

 while holding down 

, or go 

into Function mode and select  

.

To change language 
setting

Refer to “Initial Settings”.

X Switching Upper Case/Lower Case

Upper case (

 ON)

Lower case (

 OFF)

X Entering Numbers

 

 

Num Lock ON

Num Lock OFF

X Making a Two Line Label

1. Enter the text for the first line and press 

.

2. Enter the text for the second line and press 

.

• Do not press 

 after the second line; otherwise “Line 

Limit!” error message will appear.

• Use either 3/8" (9mm) or 1/2" (12mm) wide tape for two 

line text.

Display

Label image

X Entering Symbols

Example: Entering 

  

 

[Pictograph]  

  

[A7] 

Display

Label image

• Pictographs are displayed on the LCD display with the 

corresponding alphabet and number of the Pictograph 
table. For the Pictograph table and Pictograph List, refer 
to “Symbols”.

X Entering Accented Characters

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 / 

 

 

• To cancel operations, press 

.

• The order of accented characters differs by the selected 

LCD language.

X To Clear (

By pressing 

, the letters will be deleted one by one.

To delete all text and settings :

 + 

 

 

 [Txt&Format] 

To delete text only :

 + 

 

 

 [Text Only] 

A

a

C

c

D

d

E

e

G

g

I

i

K

k

L

l

N

n

O

o

R

r

S

s

T

t

U

u

Y

y

Z

z

*1 Default setting. To return to the default setting, press 

.

*2 You can select the length by entering the length with the Number Keys 

~

. To return to [Auto], press 

.

Size

Large*

1

 + 

Small

Width

Normal*

1

 + 

×2

×1/2

Style

Normal*

1

 + 

Bold

Outline

Shadow

Italic

Italic Bold

Italic Outline

Italic Shadow

Vertical

Undl/Frame

Off*

1

 + 

Underline

Round

Leaf

Tile

Star

Heart

Square

Bubble

Length

Auto*

1

/1.2" - 12.0" (30mm - 

300mm)*

2

The label is printed with the specified length.

 + 

X Text Preview

You can preview the text before printing.

 

• The LCD shows the whole text and the label length (inch/

mm), then returns to the original text.

• Only the text can be previewed, not the style, size, 

underline/frame or any additional features.

X Feeding (Tape Feed)

 + 

The machine will feed 1.0" of tape, which may be needed 
when installing a new tape cassette.

X Printing

• To prevent damage to the tape, do not touch the cutter 

lever while the message “Printing…” or “Feeding…” is 
displayed.

• To cut off the label, push in the tape cutter lever on the 

upper-left corner of the machine.

• Peel the printed label from backing and apply the label.

X Making Copies (

You can print up to 9 copies of each label.

  

 

[Copies]  

 

 

 

• You can also select the number of copies by entering with 

the Number Keys 

~

.

X Removing the Label Backing

This machine is equipped with a peeler that allows you to 
easily remove the backing from labels.
1. Insert the label, with the printed surface facing down, 

as far as possible into the built-in peeler.

2. Fold back the label to the right and quickly pull out the 

label. The end of the backing is separated from the 
label.

You can reset the P-touch labeler when you want to 
initialize the settings, or in the event that the P-touch is not 
working properly.

The internal memory is reset, and all text, settings and 
stored files are cleared.

This function allows you to create unique labels by using 
some built-in templates. You can choose from 8 types of 
templates.

Example: Design 8 

 

 

 [Design 8] 

 

  

 

 

[Auto/1.2"-7.8" 

(30-200mm)] 

 

 ABC 

 

  

[Print] 

NOTE

• Some Deco Mode formats may require cooling (indicated 

on the above table). If the print head becomes too hot, 
your machine will stop printing and automatically start to 
cool down. The cool down time will be displayed. Once 
the print head is cool, printing will automatically continue.
Do not touch the P-touch labeler while cooling.

• Only one line of text can be entered in DECO MODE.
• Depending on the selected format, the entire text entered 

may not be printed.

• The formats of the DECO MODE templates cannot be 

changed.

• Symbols surrounded by a box in the Basic table are 

available in DECO MODE. For the Basic table, refer to 
“Symbols”.

• To clear all the entered text, press 

 and 

. 

“Clear?” is displayed. Press 

 to clear the text, or 

 to 

cancel this operation.

• When you access DECO MODE, your most recently 

printed DECO MODE text and label length will be recalled.

• Press 

 to return to the previous step.

• To exit DECO MODE, press 

 until the display returns 

to the text entry screen. You can also exit this mode by 
pressing 

 when [Print] is displayed, and selecting 

[Quit].

• 1/2" (12mm) wide tape cassettes are recommended 

when using the DECO MODE feature.

• The maximum label length is 7.8" (200mm) for DECO 

MODE.

• When [Auto] is selected for [Label Length], the label will 

automatically adjust to the correct length for printing the 
text one time.

• Press 

 to return to [Auto] for [Label Length] mode.

X Memory (

You can save your original labels on to your machine. Up to 
three labels can be saved and recalled for printing at a later 
time. You can also edit and overwrite the stored label.

 

 

 

 

 [File] 

 

  

[Save] 

 

 

 

 

  

[Print] 

 

 

 

 

  

[Open] 

 

 

 

 

NOTE

If you try to store a label when there is already a label 
stored to that number, a message “Overwrite?” will appear. 
Press 

 to save your new label. Press 

 to cancel. 

The following symbols are available.

Basic

Pictograph

• To display the next group, press 

.

• To cancel operations, press 

.

• Symbols surrounded by a box in the Basic table are 

available in DECO MODE.

• The rows of symbols (A to L) in the Pictograph table can 

be selected by pressing the corresponding character.

X Printing the Pictograph List

 

 

 [Print List] 

Label image

See the attached “Supplies and Accessories Guide” for 
detailed info of tape variation.

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

7

9

8

9

Approx. 6.14" × 4.37" × 2.22"
(Approx. 156 × 111 × 56.5mm)

Approx. 0.6 lb. (Approx. 250 g)
(without batteries and tape cassette)

Four AAA alkaline batteries (LR03)

Brother M tape (width) :
3/8" (9mm), 1/2" (12mm)

Should you encounter any problems with your product, 
please do not return your product to the store!
After referring to the User’s guide, if you still need 
assistance, call Brother Customer Service at:

Voice: 1-877-BROTHER
Web: www.brother-usa.com
Fax: 1-901-379-1210

If you need to locate a service center, please call 
1-877-BROTHER or visit us at www.brother-usa.com

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Printed in China
LW4039001