The X40 is "Smart" for a reason—it auto-configures ribbons, but it cannot auto-clean itself or guess your film tension. Keep a printed copy of the manual next to the production line, and always use genuine Markem-Imaje consumables to ensure the data in the manual applies to your machine.
The X40 requires a rigid mounting bracket. Vibration is the enemy. The manual specifies a torque setting for the mounting bolts (typically 8–10 Nm). If the head shakes during intermittent printing, you will get "smearing" artifacts on your film. markem imaje smartdate x40 manual