Zebra EPL2 manual

Manual No. 980352-001 Rev. A ©2001 Zebra Technologies Corporation EPL2 Programmer’s Manual Programming for Page Mode Printing[...]

FOREWORD This manual provides programming information for printers featuring Zebra’s EPL2 Pro - gramming and command language, which are manufactured by Zebra Technologies Corpora - tion, Camarillo, California. COPYRIGHT NOTICE This document contains information proprietary to Zebra Technologies Corporation. This docu - ment and the information c[...]

Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Command Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Basic Command Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Command Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Placing Elements in the Print Image . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Text (Fonts) . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

I Command - Character Set Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-53 JB Command - Disable Top Of Form Backup . . . . . . . . . . 3-55 JF Command - Enable Top Of Form Backup . . . . . . . . . . 3-56 LE Command - Line Draw Exclusive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57 LO Command - Line Draw Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-58 LS Command - Line Dr[...]

xa Command - AutoSense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-106 X Command - Box Draw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-107 Y Command - Serial Port Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-108 Z Command - Print Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-109 ? Command - Download Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-110 ^@ Command - Reset Printer . [...]

vi 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

Introduction This section contains information about the ba - sic features, command syntax and terminology of the EPL2 Programming Language for Zebra's desktop printers with flash memory architec- ture. These printers incorporate common pro- gramming code sets and architectural features. The primary operating mode for the printer is EPL2, a pa[...]

Command Conventions The manual uses the following typographic conventions to describe commands. Example Description A Commands (Case Sensitive) p 1 ,p 2 ,p 3 Required parameters [p 1 , p 2 , p 3 ] Optional parameters {Choice 1|Choice 2} Indicates a mandatory choice be - tween two or more items. You must include one of the items un - less all of the[...]

Basic Command Syntax Each command consists of one or two ASCII (case sensitive) alpha characters to identify the specific command desired. Some commands require one or more additional parameters to supply the printer with sufficient information to complete the command. Refer to Figure 1- for the basic command syntax. Each command line must be termi[...]

Placing Elements in the Print Image Image elements are located in the image print buffer on a X-Y grid expressed in dots. The X value represents the width and the Y value rep - resents the height of the grid. The point of origin (the starting point) for a non-rotated object is the upper left corner. As an object rotates, the point of origin rotates[...]

Text (Fonts) The standard EPL2 printer has five (1-5) resi - dent mono-spaced dot fonts. Fonts A-Z and a-z (upper and lower case alpha characters) are re - served for downloading soft fonts. Control text height (in horizontal dots) and width (in vertical dots) with the horizontal and vertical multipliers. The text is oriented first and then the A c[...]

The text is placed into the image buffer. See the following example. The reference point of the first character in a text string is not affected by the font size multiplier values. 1-6 980352-001 Rev.A V e r t i c a l D o t s x axis y axis Direction Of Feed (0,0) T ext T ext T ext T ext T ext P oint of Origin for T ext Object P oint of Origin for T[...]

Bar Codes All bar codes supported by the EPL2 language have associated industry specifications that the programmer should be aware of and adhere to. The programmer needs to consider bar code features and requirements when choosing and using a bar code for different applications. Some of the features and requirements that need consideration are list[...]

Programming Sequences Affect Graphic Results Graphic elements can interact and the resultant image can be affected by other commands. Structure command sequences to reduce the chances of unexpected print results. The printer will process lines, text, boxes and most bar codes in command sequence. The printer then processes the printer control proces[...]

Printer Configuration This section covers the interpret your printer's configuration setup and setting basic modes. Printer AutoSense Feature Use the printer's AutoSense feature to deter- mine your printer's configuration and operating mode. The primary functions that AutoSense provides are: ❏ Adjustment of the Media Sensor in the [...]

Explanation of the Status Printout Determining Printer Firmware Version The printer version numbers are a code used to document product function and the feature support level of the printer. The latest firmware version and updates can be obtained from our web site. 2-2 980352-001 Rev.A 4M03351F 16 V3.18 Seri al por t: 96,N,8,1 P age Mode 200dpi Ima[...]

Programming Mode Configuration Flash based printers are, by default, configured for Page (EPL2) mode operations. The opera - tor must convert the printer to Line Mode prior to the initial use of Line Mode. This is done via a hardware select procedure with the Feed button during printer power-up. See the OEPL1 com - mand (page 3-75) for details on s[...]

Media Detection Media detection in EPL2 printers is a combina - tion of programming and printer media sensing. The Q (Set Form Length) and O (Option) com - mands program the media detection method. The user must configure the printer for the me - dia type and the (programmed) form or label in use. The printer can detect the beginning and end of the[...]

Command Reference This section contains a complete listing of all commands in alphabetical order. 980352-001 Rev.A 3-1[...]

3-2 980352-001 Rev.A Command Description Page A ASCII Text 3-4 AUTOFR Automatic Form Printing 3-9 B Bar Code 3-11 b MaxiCode 3-16 PDF417 3-20 C Counter 3-27 C Cut Immediate 3-29 D Density 3-30 EI Print Soft Font Info. 3-33 EK Delete Soft Font 3-34 eR User Definable Error Response 3-32 ES Store Soft Font 3-35 f Cut/Peel Position 3-40 FE End Form Sto[...]

980352-001 Rev.A 3-3 Command Description Page Q Set Form Length Transmissive (Gap) Sensor 3-80 Black Line Sensor Continuous Stock q Set Form Width 3-78 r Set Double Buffer Mode 3-84 R Set Reference Point 3-85 S Speed Select 3-86 TD Define Date Layout (& Print Date) 3-87 TS Set Real Time Clock 3-88 TT Define Time Layout (& Print Time) 3-89 U[...]

A Command - ASCII Text Description Prints an ASCII text string. Syntax Ap 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 , p 5 , p 6 , p 7 , "DATA" Parameters p 1 = Horizontal start position (X) in dots. p 2 = Vertical start position (Y) in dots. p 3 = Rotation Value Description 0 No rotation 1 90 degrees 2 180 degrees 3 270 degrees p 4 = Font selection Value Descr[...]

A Command - ASCII Text The backslash () character designates the fol - lowing character is a literal and will encode into the data field. Refer to the following examples: To Print Enter into data field “ ” “Company” ”Company” code code Examples: ¿ N ¿ A50,0,0,1,1,1,N,"Example 1" ¿ A50,50,0,2,1,1,N,"Examp[...]

A Command - ASCII Text Variable Data and Counter Functions The “ Data” field can be replaced by or com - bined with the following commands: Vnn = Prints the contents of variable “ nn ” at this position where nn is a 2 digit num - ber from 00 to 99. See the V command, page Cn = Prints the contents of counter “ n ” at this position where [...]

A Command - ASCII TEXT Simple Expressions in Data Fields An advanced function of the A command allows addition and subtraction to be performed on constant and variable values in flash printers. Syntax Ap 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 , p 5 , p 6 , p 7 , "DATA"[p 8 p 9 p 10 …] Parameters For the p 1 - p 7 and “DATA” parameters - See first page[...]

A Command - Simple Expressions in Data Fields Example: ¿ FK"1" ¿ FK"1" ¿ FS"1" ¿ V00,10,N,"Enter current mileage" ¿ A100,100,0,4,1,1,N,"Current mileage is “V00" miles.” ¿ A100,200,0,4,1,1,N,"Change oil at “V00+3000" miles.” ¿ FE ¿ ¿ FK"2" ¿ FK"2" ¿ FS[...]

AUTOFR Command - Automatic Form Printing Description This special form process allows you to detach the printer from the computer and print in a standalone mode. The EPL2 printer reserves the form name AUTOFR to allow the printer to automatically start a form when the printer is in - itialized power-up. This feature can be used in many ways:. · Fe[...]

AUTOFR - Automatic Form Printing Feature AUTOFR treats any incoming data as a variable in - tended for printing. This means if you send the printer a memory partition command, the label will print, if you send a delete command - the label will print! So, while you are testing AUTOFR it is best to use another name for the form. Once you are satis - [...]

B Command - Bar Code Description Use this command to print standard bar codes. Syntax Bp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 , p 5 , p 6 , p 7 , p 8 , "DATA" Parameters p 1 = Horizontal start position (X) in dots p 2 = Vertical start position (Y) in dots. p 3 = Rotation Value Description 0 No rotation 1 90 degrees 2 180 degrees 3 270 degrees p 4 = Bar Co[...]

B Command - Bar Code 3-12 980352-001 Rev.A Description P 4 Value P 5 Value Code 39 std. or extended 3 1-10 Code 39 with check digit 3C 1-10 Code 93 9 1-10 Code 128 UCC Serial Shipping Container Code 0 1-10 Code 128 auto A, B, C modes 1 1-10 Code 128 mode A 1A 1-10 Code 128 mode B 1B 1-10 Code 128 mode C 1C 1-10 Codabar K 1-10 EAN8 E80 2-4 EAN8 2 di[...]

B Command - Bar Code Example: ¿ N ¿ B10,10,0,3,3,7,200,B,"998152-001" ¿ P1 ¿ Will Produce: Bar Codes with Variables & Counters The data field can be replaced by or combined with the following commands: Vnn =Prints the contents of variable “ nn ” at this position. Range of nn = 00 to 99. Cn = Prints the contents of counter “ [...]

B Command - Bar Code Data with the RTC Time & Date Functions The “ Data” field can be replaced by or com - bined with the following variables: TT = Prints the current time at this position in the predefined format. See the TT com - mand for format selection. This variable is available only if the printer Time & Date option is installed.[...]

B Command - Bar Code Code 128 Bar Code Function Characters (continued) A single FCN4 toggles between standard and extended ASCII mode for only a single follow - ing data character. This is referred to as shifting into extended ASCII mode or shifting into stan - dard ASCII mode. Both code sets A and B are needed to represent the entire extended ASCI[...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - MaxiCode Specific Options Description Use this command to generate MaxiCode bar code symbols with a single command. The printer will automatically interpret and encode data into MaxiCode symbols for data modes 2, 3, 4, and 6. Up to eight symbols can be linked. Syntax bp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , [p 4 ,][p 5 ,]“DATA” Parameters p[...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - MaxiCode Specific Options p 5 = x,y Associated MaxiCode symbol numbering where: x = Symbol Number of y = Total Number of Associated Sym - bols Default: Not used Range: 1-8 for both x or y ” DATA ”= Mode Dependent Data Format Mode dependent data is bounded by quotation marks. Maximum of 2 KBytes of data. Mode Data Forma[...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - MaxiCode Specific Options Example: N ¿ b20,20,M,"300,840,93065,1692,This is MaxiCode, but not MaxiCode formatted data" ¿ P1 ¿ Will Produce: 3-18 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

Using AIM Specified MaxiCode Data Formatting The EPL printer can use and automatically de - code the AIM ITS (International Technical Stan - dards) MaxiCode data format. The printer detects the message/start header ( [)>R S ), field separator ( G S ), and the end of message marker ( R S E OT ) data control strings. The hexadecimal (ASCII) data c[...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - PDF417 Specific Options Description Use this command to print PDF 417 and Macro PDF bar code symbols. The printer will auto - matically change from PDF417 to Macro PDF bar code mode if the data sent to the printer ex - ceeds the maximum amount supported by the PDF417 symbol. The oH command is used to place the addition Mac[...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - PDF417 Specific Options The following parameters may be omitted and de - fault values will automatically be inserted. Each pa - rameter value (data string) must be proceeded by its associated command prefix character. p 6 (s) = sets error correction level Error Correction codewords per symbol Values: s1 - s8 If level is no[...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - PDF417 Specific Options p 9 (f) = Bar code origin point Values: 0 or 1 , Default is 1 f1 - Center of bar code as defined by the automatically adjusted symbol size, i.e. width and height. Parameters p 4 and p 5 values are maximum values only. f0 - Upper left corner of bar code. p 10 (x) - module width (in dots) Values: 2 - [...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - PDF417 Specific Options "DATA" = ASCII data or Binary data bytes Represents a fixed data field. The backslash () character designates the fol - lowing character is a literal and will encode into the data field. Refer to the following examples: To Print Enter into data field “ ” “Company” ”Company”[...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - PDF417 Specific Options PDF417 Symbol Geometry Columns Maximum Rows Codewords 59 0 9 0 6 90 180 7 90 270 8 90 360 9 90 450 10 90 540 11 90 630 12 90 720 13 90 810 14 90 900 15 84 924 16 77 924 17 71 923 18 66 924 19 61 915 20 58 928 21 54 918 22 51 918 23 48 912 24 46 920 25 44 924 26 42 924 27 40 920 28 38 912 29 37 925 3[...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - PDF417 Specific Options Automatic PDF 417 Bar Code Generation The printer automatically tests and changes the PDF 417 bar code geometry to maximize the readability of the bar code for a given maximum height and width, specified by p 4 and p 5 . The printer tests the PDF 417 parameters in this order for a given data string [...]

b Command - 2D Bar Code - PDF417 Specific Options Example: N ¿ b80,100,P,700,600,x2,y7,l100,r100,f0,s5," ¿ Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this conti - nent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposi - tion that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing wheth[...]

C Command - Counter Description The counter ( C ) command defines one of 10 automatic counters used in consecutive num - bering applications (i.e. serial numbers). Coun - ters must be defined after variables. For Numeric Serialization Only. The counter function does not support Alpha or Alpha-Numeric Serialization. Syntax Cp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 , ?[...]

C Command - Counter The C command is used in forms that require se - quential numbering. When initializing counters, they must be defined in order (e.g. C0 first, C1 second...). Field justification ( p 3 ) affects the printing of counter data. When L , R or C are selected, the counter field is the width of p 2 value. Data will justify within the co[...]

C Command - Cut Immediate Description: This command allows the printer to initiate an immediate media cut without a form print oper - ation. The printer must have the cutter option installed. ❏ The C command – Cut Immediate can not be used inside of a form. ❏ The initial character C in a command string is used for both the Cut Immediate ( C )[...]

D Command - Density Description Use this command to select the print density. Syntax Dp 1 Parameters p 1 = Density setting. Acceptable values are: Model Acceptable Values 1 Default Value 2722 0 - 15 7 2742 0 - 15 7 3742 0 - 15 7 2443 (Orion) 0 - 15 10 2824 0 - 15 7 2844 0 - 15 10 Hx-146 0 - 15 7 2746 0 - 15 7 2684 (Strata) 0 - 15 7 Note 1: 0 is the[...]

dump Command - Enable Dump Mode Description This command allows the advanced program - mer to force a user diagnostic “data dump” mode. Sending the dump command to the printer allows the programmer to compare ac - tual data sent to printer with the host program. Send data to the printer after the dump com - mand has been issued to evaluate prog[...]

eR Command - User Defined Error/Status Character Description: This command allows the advanced program - mer to specify the printer's error/status report character for error reporting via the RS-232 se - rial interface. Syntax: eRp 1 , p 2 Parameters: p 1 = Any single ASCII character Range: 0-255 decimal (00-FF hexadeci - mal) p 2 = Error/Stat[...]

EI Command - Print Soft Font Information Description This command will cause the printer to print a list of all soft fonts that are stored in memory. Syntax EI ¿ Soft fonts can be downloaded to and deleted from the printer from the Soft Font Downloader Utility, CAL Tools or CAL3. Example: EI ¿ :prints soft font list Will Produce: 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

EK Command - Delete Soft Font Description This command is used to delete soft fonts from memory. Soft fonts can be downloaded to and deleted from the printer from the Soft Font Downloader Utility, CAL Tools or CAL3. Syntax EK {“FONTNAME”|"*"} Parameters “FONTNAME” = By entering the name of a font, that font will be deleted from me[...]

ES Command - Store Soft Font Description This command is used to download and store soft fonts in memory. Soft fonts can be downloaded to and deleted from the printer from the Soft Font Downloader Utility, CAL Tools or CAL3. Syntax ES"FONTNAME"p 1 p 2 p 3 a 1 b 1 c 1 “DATA 1 ”a 2 b 2 c 2 “DATA 2 ” ... a n b n c n “DATA n ” Par[...]

ES Command - Store Soft Font a 1 :( 1 st ) Download Character (map position) Range: 00 to FF hex. b 1 :( 1 st ) Spacing To Next Print Character Downloaded character’s next printed character position in dots, i.e. Character tracking - the space between characters. Must be greater than or equal to the character width, see parameter c 1 . Dots in a [...]

ES Command - Store Soft Font For fonts with the rotation parameter set for “both” ( p 2 = 02 hex.): Repeat the individual font character download for each 90° rotated character from the start of the character set until the last rotated character in the set is downloaded. a 1-90° b 1-90° c 1-90° “DATA 1-90° ” a 2-90° b 2-90° c 2-90° [...]

ES Command - Store Soft Font Soft Fonts Programming Code Example The typical soft font download command strings to the printer. The following example was generated with the CAL3 software. 3-38 980352-001 Rev.A 00000000 0D 0A 45 4B 22 61 22 0D 0A 45 53 22 61 22 03 00 ..EK"a"..ES"a".. 00000010 1A 41 17 03 00 7C 00 00 7C 00 00 7C 0[...]

ES Command - Store Soft Font Font Bitmap Data Format The black and white bitmap that represents the font must be converted into ASCII hexadecimal code. The 0° font format has dot converted to data bytes reading from left to right and the last byte in a line is padded with zeros to complete the line and data byte. The 0° and 90° font data is then[...]

f Command - Cut Position Description Use this command on an individual printer to provide precision cut placement. · Compensate sensor to cutter position differ - ences on a printer by printer basis. · Fine-tune cut position to compensate for dif - ferences in media. Syntax fp 1 Parameters p 1 = Cut position index measured in dots. Acceptable val[...]

FE Command - End Form Store Description This command is used to end a form store se - quence. Syntax FE Example: FS"FORMNAME" ↵ ... FE ↵ The form store sequence is started with the FS command. 980352-001 Rev.A 3-41[...]

FI Command - Print Form Information Description This command will cause the printer to print a list of all forms stored in memory. Syntax FI Example: FI ¿ :prints forms list Will Produce: 3-42 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

FK Command - Delete Form Description This command is used to delete forms from memory. Syntax FK [ "FORMNAME" | "*" ] Parameters “FORMNAME” = By entering the name of a form, that form will be deleted from memory. · The name may be up to 8 characters long. · Form names stored by the printer are case sensitive and will be st[...]

FR Command - Retrieve Form Description Use this command to retrieve a form that was previously stored in memory. Syntax FR"FORMNAME" Parameters “FORMNAME” = This is the form name used when the form was stored. · The name may be up to 8 characters long. · Form names stored by the printer are case sensitive and will be stored exactly [...]

FS Command - Store Form Description This command begins a form store sequence. Syntax FS"FORMNAME" Parameters “FORMNAME” =This is the form name that will be used when retrieving the stored form. · The name may be up to 8 characters long. · Form names stored by the printer are case sensitive and will be stored exactly as entered on t[...]

FS Command - Store Form Example: ¿ FK"TESTFORM" ¿ :delete form “TESTFORM” FS"TESTFORM" ¿ :begins the form store sequence of :the form “TESTFORM” V00,15,N,"Enter Product Name:" ¿ B10,20,0,3,2,10,100,B,"998152.001" ¿ A50,200,0,3,1,1,N,"Example Form" ¿ A50,400,0,3,1,1,N,"Model Name: [...]

GG Command - Print Graphics Description Use this command to print a PCX (format) graphic that has been previously stored in printer memory. Syntax GGp 1 , p 2 , {"NAME" | Variable Data} Parameters p 1 = Horizontal start position (X) in dots. p 2 = Vertical start position (Y) in dots. “NAME” or Variable Data = This is the graphic name [...]

GI Command - Print Graphics Information Description This command will cause the printer to print a list of all graphics stored in memory. Syntax GI Example: GI ¿ :prints graphics list Will Produce: 3-48 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

GK Command - Delete Graphics Description Use this command to delete graphics from memory. Syntax GK {“NAME”|"*"} Parameters “NAME” = By entering the name of a graphic, that graphic will be deleted from memory. · Graphic names stored by the printer are case sensitive and will be stored exactly as entered with the GM command line; [...]

GM Command - Store Graphics Description Use this command to store PCX graphics files in memory. Syntax GM"NAME"p 1 ¿ “DATA” Parameters “NAME” = This is the graphic name that will be used when retrieving the stored graphic. · The name may be up to 8 characters long. · Graphic names stored by the printer are case sensitive and wi[...]

GM Command - Store Graphics Example: GK"LOGO1" ↵ :deletes graphic “LOGO1” - Required GK"LOGO1" ↵ :second delete graphic - Required GM"LOGO1"584 ↵ :Prepares printer to receive graphic :“LOGO1” DATA : Data string in PCX format If using a DOS system, the PCX format file (bi - nary data) portion can be sent t[...]

GW Command - Direct Graphic Write Description Use this command to load binary graphic data directly into the Image Buffer memory for im - mediate printing. The printer does not store graphic data sent directly to the image buffer. The graphic data is lost when the image has fin - ished printing, power is removed or the printer is reset. Commands th[...]

I Command - Character Set Selection Description Use this command to select the appropriate character set for printing and display (KDU). Syntax Ip 1 , p 2 , p 3 Parameters p 1 = Number of data bits - 8 for 8 bit data or 7 for 7 bit data. p 2 = Printer Code page/Language Support 980352-001 Rev.A 3-53 8 Bit Data 7 Bit Data p 2 Code Page Description p[...]

I Command - Character Set Selection p 3 = KDU Country Code (8 bit data only) KDU Country Code (8 bit only) 032 Belgium 049 Germany 027 S. Africa 002 Canada 031 Netherl’ds 034 Spain 045 Denmark 039 Italy 046 Sweden 358 Finland 003 Latin Am. 041 Swizerl’d 033 France 047 Norway 044 U.K. 351 Portugal 001 U.S.A. The default setting is I8,0,001 . See[...]

JB Command - Disable Top Of Form Backup Description This command disables the Top Of Form Backup feature when printing multiple labels. At power up, Top Of Form Backup will be en - abled. Syntax JB Example: JB ¿ With the JB command enabled, the first label will backup to the Top Of Form before printing. This pre - serves the first label which has [...]

JF Command - Enable Top Of Form Backup Description This command enables the Top Of Form Backup feature and presents the last label of a batch print operation. Upon request initiating the printing of the next form (or batch), the last label backs up the Top Of Form before printing the next label. Syntax JF Example: JF ¿ 3-56 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

LE Command - Line Draw Exclusive Description Use this command to draw lines with an “Exclu - sive OR” function. Any area, line, image or field that this line intersects or overlays will be “re - versed out” or inverted. In other words, all black will be reversed to white and all white will be re - versed to black within the line’s area (w[...]

LO Command - Line Draw Black Description Use this command to draw black lines, overwrit - ing previous information. Syntax LOp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 Parameters p 1 = Horizontal start position (X) in dots. p 2 = Vertical start position (Y) in dots. p 3 = Horizontal length in dots. p 4 = Vertical length in dots. Example: N ↵ :clear image buffer LO50,[...]

LS Command - Line Draw Diagonal Description Use this command to draw diagonal black lines, overwriting previous information. Syntax LSp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 , p 5 Parameters p 1 = Horizontal start position (X) in dots. p 2 = Vertical start position (Y) in dots. p 3 = Line thickness in dots. p 4 = Horizontal end position (X) in dots. p 5 = Vertical e[...]

LW Command - Line Draw White Description Use this command to draw white lines, effec - tively erasing previous information. Syntax LWp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 Parameters p 1 = Horizontal start position (X) in dots. p 2 = Vertical start position (Y) in dots. p 3 = Horizontal length in dots. p 4 = Vertical length in dots. Example: N ↵ :clear image buff[...]

M Command - Memory Allocation Description This command no longer changes memory allo - cation. It was originally used for SRAM and early model flash printers. The command now allows the programmer to set the size of forms memory only. The reminder of the storage memory will be shared by soft fonts and graph - ics data. Syntax Mp 1 , p 2 , p 3 Param[...]

N Command - Clear Image Buffer Description This command clears the image buffer prior to building a new label image. Syntax N Do not use the N command within stored forms. Example: ¿ :activates command processing N ¿ :clears the image buffer Always send a Line Feed (LF) prior to the N com- mand to ensure that the printer is initialized. 3-62 9803[...]

o Command - Cancel Software Options Description This command allows the user to cancel most printer customization parameters set by o series commands. Parameters set by the following commands are canceled and returned to default operation: · oH · oM · oE Syntax o Parameters None The o command is a global printer command. ❏ It can not be issued[...]

oB Command - Cancel Auto Bar Code Optimization Description: This command allows the advanced program - mer to disable bar code optimization for rotated (90° & 270°) bar codes. Syntax: oB Parameters: None The oB command is a global printer com - mand. ❏ It can not be issued inside of a form. ❏ It must be issued prior to issuing a bar code [...]

oE Command - Line Mode Font Substitution Description: This command is a Page Mode (EPL2) com - mand that allows the printer to set alternate Line Mode font character sets. The fonts are activated by the oE command and are intended for EPL1 emulation. Syntax: oEp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 , p 5 p 1 = 5 x 7 bitmap font - Normal (CCSET4) Line Mode EPL1 Comp[...]

oH Command - Macro PDF Offset Description Use this command to place addition secondary, associated Macro PDF symbols for the continu - ation of data greater than a single PDF 417 bar code can store. This command must precede any PDF 417 bar code commands in order to print Macro PDF (multiple bar code) symbols from a single b command's data fie[...]

oH Command - Macro PDF Offset Example: N ¿ q784 ¿ Q1215,24 ¿ R0,0 ¿ oH0,500 ¿ ¿ N ¿ b80,100,P,700,600,x2,y7,l100,r100,f0,s5," Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers... <<< the rest of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address HERE >>> ... and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from t[...]

oM Command - Disable Initial Esc Sequence Feed Description This command disables the automatic label cal - ibration routine executed by the printer upon receiving the first escape command sequence from the Windows printer driver. The printer normally measures a single label and sets the top of form prior to printing the first label after a power-up[...]

oR Command - Character Substitution (Euro) Description This command allows the advanced program - mer to substitute the Euro currency character for any ASCII character in printer resident font numbers 1-4. The original character can be restored by send - ing the oR command without a parameter. Syntax oR [ p 1 , p 2 ] Parameters: p 1 = E If the p 2 [...]

oR Command - Character Substitution (Euro) The oR command is a global printer command. ❏ It can not be issued inside of a form. ❏ It must be issued prior to issuing a text com - mand (and printing). ❏ Effects a single character on a single code page. Changing the character position will restore the original character. ❏ Flash memory printer[...]

oW Command - Customize Bar Code Parameters Description: This command allows the advanced program - mer to modify specific bar code parameters to exceed the specified bar code’s design toler - ances, i.e. reduce the bar code size. Using the oW command may cause bar codes to be - come unreadable by some or all bar code scanners. Syntax: oWp 1 , p 2[...]

oW Command - Customize Bar Code Parameters Reset the printer with a ^@ or o commands with flash firmware printers or cycle printer power to clear the oW command and return the printer to normal operation. See page C-63 for important details on the effects of using the o command. The B command parameters p 5 & p 6 must be set to 0 to use bar cod[...]

O Command - Hardware Options Description Use this command to select various printer op - tions. Options available vary by printer configuration. Syntax O[C[p 1 ], D, P, L, S] Parameters D = Enable Direct Thermal Mode , use this option when using direct thermal media in a thermal transfer printer. P = Enable Label Dispense Mode - Portables L = Enabl[...]

O Command - Hardware Options Examples: O :disables all options. OC :enables cutter only, labels are cut after each :label is printed, disables all other options OD :enables direct thermal mode on thermal transfer :printers, disables all other options Od :disables diagnostic dump mode and disables :all other options OCb :labels are cut after a batch[...]

OEPL1 Command - Set Line Mode Description: This command is used to switch the printer op - erating mode from Page Mode (EPL2) to Line Mode (EPL1 emulation). Line Mode configuration setting is retained after reset has been issued or power has been cycled. Syntax OEPL1 Example: OEPL1 ¿ Returning to Page Mode The Line Mode command EPL2 can be sent to[...]

P Command - Print Description Use this command to print the contents of the image buffer. Syntax Pp 1 , [p 2 ] Parameters p 1 = Number of label sets. Range = 1 to 65535 p 2 = Number of copies of each label (used in combination with counters to print mul - tiple copies of the same label). Range = 1 to 65535 The P command cannot be used inside of a s[...]

PA Command - Print Automatic Description Use this command in a stored form sequence to automatically print the form (as soon as all vari - able data has been supplied). Syntax PAp 1 , [p 2 ] Parameters p 1 = Number of label sets. Can be variable data. Range: 1 to 9999 p 2 = Number of copies of the same label. Can be variable data. Range: 1 to 9999 [...]

q Command - Set Label Width Description Use this command to set the width of the print - able area of the media. Syntax qp 1 Parameters p 1 = The width of the label measured in dots. The q command will cause the image buffer to reformat and position to match the selected la - bel width ( p 1 ). 3-78 980352-001 Rev.A Printable Area Pr int Head Max .[...]

q Command - Set Label Width All Printers (Exceptions - 2746 & 2348) This command will automatically set the left margin according to the following rules: (print head width - label width) / 2 The q value affects the available print width. Mini - mizing the q value will maximize the print length and print speed (double buffering). If the R Comman[...]

Q Command - Set Form Length Description Use this command to set the form and gap length or black line thickness when using the transmissive (gap) sensor, black line sensor, or for setting the printer into the continuous media print mode. The Q command will cause the printer to recal - culate and reformat image buffer. Syntax Qp 1 , p 2 [±p 3 ] Par[...]

Q Command - Set Form Length AutoSense routine does not detect black line or continuous media. All EPL2 printers have a transmissive (gap) sen - sor designed to detect the top of each label or tag. It does this in one of two ways: · Sensing through the label liner at the gap be - tween labels. · Looking through a hole (notch) in the tag. Printers [...]

Q Command - Set Form Length Examples: 3-82 980352-001 Rev.A p 1 p 2 p 3 p 2 Standard Label Butterfly Label Where: p = 20.0 mm (160 dots) p = 3.0mm (24 dots) The Q command would be: Q160,24 1 2 ↵ Where: p = 12.5 mm (100 dots) p = 3.0mm (24 dots) p = 3.0mm (24 dots) The Q command would be: Q100,24+24 1 2 3 ↵ p 1[...]

Q Command - Set Form Length 980352-001 Rev.A 3-83 p 2 p 3 Black Line Between P erforation Where: p = 31.0 mm (248 dots) p = 7.0mm (56 dots) p = 17 mm (136 dots) The Q command would be: Q248,B56-136 1 2 3 ↵ p 1 P erforation p 2 p 3 Black Line On P erforation Where: p = 31.0 mm (248 dots) p = 7.0mm (56 dots) p = 0.5 mm (4 dots) The Q command would [...]

r Command - Set Double Buffer Mode Description: Use this command to disable or reenable the double buffer image (label) printing. The dou - ble buffer feature is a automatically tested and set by the q and Q commands. Syntax: rp 1 Parameters: p 1 = N - Disable Double Buffer Mode Y - Re-enable the Double Buffer Mode if the printer memory supports th[...]

R Command - Set Reference Point Description Use this command to move the reference point for the X and Y axes. All horizontal and vertical measurements in other commands use the set - ting for R as the origin for measurements. Use the R command as an alternative to sending the q command to position (center) labels that are narrower than the print h[...]

S Command - Speed Select Description Use this command to select the print speed. Syntax Sp 1 Parameters p 1 = Speed select value. Model Value Speed 2722 2742 3742 0 1 2 1.0 ips (25 mm/s) 1.5 ips (37 mm/s) 2.0 ips (50 mm/s) 2824 2844 1 2 3 4 1.5 ips (37 mm/s) 2.0ips (50 mm/s) 2.5 ips (63 mm/s) 3.5 ips (83 mm/s) 2443 (Orion) 1 2 3 1.5 ips (37 mm/s) 2[...]

TD Command - Define Date Layout Description Use this command to define the date format when printing. Use the variable TD in a Text or Bar Code ( A & B commands) DATA parameter to print the date. Syntax TDp 1 [|p 2 |p 3 ] Parameters p 1 , p 2 , p 3 = The parameters describe the format of the date display. At lease one parameter must be supplied[...]

TS Command - Set Real Time Clock Description Use this command to set the time and date in printers equipped with the Real Time Clock op - tion. Syntax TSp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 , p 5 , p 6 Parameters p 1 = Month Range: 01 to 12 p 2 = Day Range: 01 to 31 p 3 = Year Last two digits of Year (e.g. 95) Range: Years 1991- 1999 = 90-99 Years 2000- 2090 = 00[...]

TT Command - Define Time Layout Description Use this command to define the time format when printing. Syntax TTp 1 [|p 2 |p 3 ][+] Parameters P 1 , P 2 , P 3 = h, m, or s These parameters describe the format of the time display. · At lease one parameter must be supplied. · Each parameter can be any of the values h , m , or s and are described bel[...]

U Command - Print Configuration (General) Description Use this command to print the current printer configuration for page mode printing. The printout is the same the Dump Mode printout initiated by the printer's AutoSense routine. The printer does not enter Dump Mode. See page 2-2 for a description of this printout. Syntax U Example: U ¿ Wil[...]

UA Command - Enable Clear Label Counter Mode Description This command sets the printer to clear (empty) the print buffer if a media out condition is de - tected. Syntax UA A power cycle, reset, or UB command will clear this setting. Normal (default) operation for the printer is to resume printing if the empty roll is replaced with new roll (or ribb[...]

UB Command - Reset Label Counter Mode Description Use this command to clear the UA command and restore the default setting to allow the printer to resume printing a batch job if a paper empty occurs. The page mode (EPL2) printer, by default, will resume printing if the empty roll is replaced with new roll (or ribbon) and finish a batch print job. S[...]

UE Command - External Font Information Inquiry Description This command will cause the printer to send in - formation about external fonts currently stored in the printer back to the host. Syntax UE The printer will send the number of external fonts stored and each font’s name, height and direction, to the host through the RS-232 port. Example: U[...]

UF Command - Form Information Inquiry Description This command will cause the printer to send in - formation about forms currently stored in the printer back to the host. Syntax UF The printer will send the number of forms stored and each form’s name to the host through the RS-232 port. Example: UF ¿ Will Produce: ### :number of forms FORMNAME1 [...]

UG Command - Graphics Information Inquiry Description This command will cause the printer to send in - formation about graphics currently stored in the printer back to the host. Syntax UG The printer will send the number of graphics stored and each graphic’s name to the host through the RS-232 port. Example: UG ¿ Will Produce: ### :number of gra[...]

UI Command - Host Prompts/Codepage Inquiry Description This command will cause the printer to enable prompts to be sent to the host and it will send the currently selected codepage to the host through the RS-232 port. This command also disables software flow con - trol (XON/XOFF). Hardware flow control is not disabled (DTR/CTS). To restart software[...]

UM Command - Codepage & Memory Inquiry Description This command will cause the printer to send to the host of the currently selected codepage and memory status through the RS-232 port. This command also disables software flow con - trol (XON/XOFF). Hardware flow control is not disabled (DTR/CTS). To restart software flow control a reset ( ^@ co[...]

UN Command - Disable Error Reporting Description Cancels US command Syntax UN 3-98 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

UP Command - Codepage & Memory Inquiry/Print Description This command will cause the printer to print and send the currently selected codepage and memory status to the host through the RS-232 port. This command also disables software flow con - trol (XON/XOFF). Hardware flow control is not disabled (DTR/CTS). To restart software flow control a [...]

UQ Command - Configuration Inquiry Description Use this command to send the printer configu - ration information back to the host via the serial port. Syntax UQ The printer will send the printer configuration, line by line, in ASCII to the host through the RS-232 port. The information matches the con - figuration information printed in final phase [...]

US Command - Enable Error Reporting Description Use this command to enable the printer’s status reporting feature. · Serial Port - If an error occurs, the printer will send a NACK(0x15), followed by the er - ror number, to the computer. If no errors oc - cur, the printer will echo ACK(0x6) after each P command. If paper or ribbon empty occurs, t[...]

US Command - Enable Error Reporting Code Error/Status Description 00 No Error 01 Syntax Error 02 Object Exceeded Label Border 03 Bar Code Data Length Error (e.g.: EAN-13 is a 12 or 13 digit only) 04 Insufficient Memory to Store Data 05 Memory Configuration Error 06 RS-232 Interface Error 07 Paper or Ribbon Empty 08 Duplicate Name: Form, Graphic or [...]

V Command - Define Variable Description Use this command to define variable data for the text and bar code data fields in stored forms. Variable data can be combined with fixed data or other data types (counter, date, etc..) in text or bar code data fields. Syntax Vp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , "[-]PROMPT" Parameters p 1 = Variable number. Range: 00 [...]

V Command - Define Variable Use this command in forms that require unique data on each label. When initializing variables: · They must be defined in order (e.g. V 00 first, V 01 second...) · They must be the next entries after the FS"FORMNAME" command · They must be located before any counter variables. To print the contents of the var[...]

W Command - Windows Mode Description This command is used to disable/re-enable the Windows command mode. Syntax Wp 1 Parameters p 1 = Windows Mode Enabled. Values = Y for enabled (default) N for disabled When enabled, the printer will accept Windows mode escape sequences to print data. When disabled, escape sequences will be ignored. The Windows mo[...]

xa Command - AutoSense Description This command is used to have the printer detect the label and gap length and set the sensor lev - els. This command will not enter into the Dump mode or print the printer configuration label. Syntax xa ¿ Example: xa ¿ :The printer will feed labels and : measure the labels to set the Q values : (label & gap l[...]

X Command - Box Draw Description Use this command to draw a box shape. Syntax Xp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 , p 5 Parameters p 1 = Horizontal start position (X) in dots. p 2 = Vertical start position (Y) in dots. p 3 = Line thickness in dots. p 4 = Horizontal end position (X) in dots. p 5 = Vertical end position (Y) in dots. Example: N ↵ X50,200,5,400,2[...]

Y Command - Serial Port Setup Description Use this command to establish the serial port communication parameters. Syntax Yp 1 , p 2 , p 3 , p 4 Parameters p 1 = Baud rate p 1 Description 38 38,400 baud (38K) 19 19,200 baud 96 9,600 baud 48 4,800 baud 24 2,400 baud 12 1,200 baud p 2 = Parity. Values: O = Odd parity E = Even parity N = No parity p 3 [...]

Z Command - Print Direction Description Use this command to select the print orienta - tion. Syntax Zp 1 Parameters p 1 = Print orientation. T = Printing from top of image buffer. B = Printing from bottom of image buffer. Default Orientation = T The top of the image buffer prints first and is viewed by the operator as printing up side down. Example[...]

? Command - Download Variables Description This command signals the printer to “fill-in” variable or counter “prompt” data field. The host system can send data representing variables and/or counters to the printer after a stored form containing variables and/or coun - ters has been retrieved. Syntax ? DATA The amount of data following the q[...]

^@ Command - Reset Printer Description This command is used to reset the printer. Syntax ^@ ¿ :where ^is 94 decimal This command emulates Power Off and then Power On; thus reinitializing the printer. · The reset command is unavailable during the operation of storing PCX graphics, soft fonts or while the printer is in dump mode. · The reset comma[...]

^ee Command - Error Report - Immediate Description: Use this command to get printer error and status report immediately. The ^ee command must be sent via the RS-232 serial interface. The printer will report 4 bytes back to host in the following format: XX<CR><LF> XX = Error/Status code <CR> = Carriage Return (ASCII 13 dec.) <LF[...]

Appendix A - Character References This section has character references. Resident Fonts 1-5 Page Mode supports 5 different font sizes, num- bered 1-5. Each font can be expanded both horizontally and vertically. All fonts are non-proportional, mono-spaced. The ASCII value of each character is dependent on the I command character set (code page) sele[...]

Default Character Map Code Page - 437 See the I command to for more information on selecting available code pages, page 3-53. A-2 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

Dump Mode Character Map The printer's Dump Mode is used to trouble - shoot programming. The printer will print all data as sent in Dump Mode Characters, shown below. 980352-001 Rev.A A-3 0 1 2 3 45 67 8 9 A B C D E F 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F He xi deci mal - M ost Signi fi cant Digi t He xi deci mal - Least S i gnif i cant Digi t ! ! 0 [...]

A-4 980352-001 Rev.A[...]

Appendix B - Cash Drawer Kicker Option This section has hardware and programming for the Cash Drawer Kicker. Introduction The cash drawer kicker is a factory option only. The printer requires a special PCBA to support this option. At the time of publication, the 2824 printer is the only page mode printer model sup- porting the cash drawer kicker op[...]

Cash Drawer Cable Wiring The figure below displays the pin assignments for the printer's retail cash drawer interface. Re - fer to the cash draw manufacturer's documenta - tion for proper drawer wiring. *+24 volts D.C. at no greater than 1.5 amps. B-2 980352-001 Rev.A PRINTER RJ- 11 Pi n N o . M ale R J-11 SGND /SDRV1 /Sense +24V* /SDRV2 [...]

<Esc> p Command - Generate Pulse CDK Description Generate a drawer kicker pulse. Syntax <Esc>pp 1 p 2 p 3 Parameters p 1 = Select Drawer Drawer 1 (SDRV1) = 31 hex. Drawer 2 (SDRV2) = 32 hex. p 2 = Pulse “on” time in multiples of two milli- seconds (2 msec). Range = 00 - FF hex. p 3 = Pulse “on” time in multiples of two milli- se[...]

<Esc> u Command - CDK Status Description Report the cash drawer kicker’s status. Syntax <Esc>u Parameters None Status 00 hex. = Cash Drawer Open 01 hex. = Cash Drawer Closed B-4 980352-001 Rev.A[...]