Avery 9406 User Manual

Monarch ® 9406™

Thermal Printer

System Administrator’ s

Guide

Each product and program carries a respective written warranty, the only warranty on which the customer can rely. Monarch reserves the right to make changes in the product and the programs and their availability at any time and without notice. Although Monarch has made every effort to provide complete and accurate i nformation in this manual, Monarch shall not be liable for any omissions or inaccuracies. Any update will be incorporated in a later edition of this manual.

F.C.C. WARNING

This equipment can interfere wi th radio communication if not installed and used in accordance with the inst ruction man ual . It has been tested and found to com pl y with the limit s f or a Class A comput in g device pursuant to FCC Rules, Part 15, Subpar t B, w hi ch pr ovide reasonabl e protection against such inter f er ence when operat ed i n a com m er ci al environment . Operation in a r esi dential area is li kel y t o cause interference which the user must correct at their own expens e.

CANADIAN D.O.C. WARNING

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Cla ss A lim its f or radio noise emissi ons from digita l ap paratus set out in t he R adi o Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

Le présent appa reil numérique n’ ém et pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numérique s de la classe A prescrit es dans le Régle m ent sur le brouill age radioélectrique édicte par le m i ni stère des Commu ni cat ions du Canada.

Monarch is a registered trademark and 9406 is a trademark of Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.......................................................................1-1

About this Manual........................................................1-1

Equipment Requirement s............................................1-2

Standard 9406 Features..............................................1-2

New 9406 Features.....................................................1-2

What is a Format?....................................................... 1 -3

Format Example..........................................................1-4

Format Size:....................................................1-4

How to Use this Manual .............................................. 1 -5

2. Designing a Format...........................................................2-1

Format Design Tools.................................................... 2 -1

Format Worksheet...........................................2 - 1

Supply Layout Grids........................................2-2

Steps to Designing a Format.......................................2-2

Determine Format Contents........................................2-3

Text Fields .......................................................2-3

Non-Printable Text Fields................................ 2-3

Bar Code Fields...............................................2-3

Overlays ......................................................................2-4

Constant Text Overlays ...................................2-4

Lines and Boxes..............................................2-4

Graphics..........................................................2-4

Field Options ...............................................................2-4

The Print Area..............................................................2-6

Draw Rough Sketches.................................................2-7

Filling in the Format Worksheet...................................2-8

Defining the Forma t Header........................................2-9

Defining Text Fields ................................................... 2- 13

Defining Constant Text Overlays...............................2-23

Defining Bar Code Fields ..........................................2-28

Defining Non-Printable Text Fields............................2-34

Table of Contents

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

Lines and Boxes........................................................2-36

Defining Lines................................................2-36

Defining Lines as Vectors..............................2-39

Defining Boxes..............................................2-39

3. Applying Field Options....................................................3-1

Defining Fixed Data (Option 1) ...................................3-3

Defining Fixed Characters for an

Entire Field......................................................3-3

Defining Fixed Characters for Part of

the Field...........................................................3-4

Copying Data Into a Field (Option 4) ..........................3-5

Merging Fields.................................................3-8

Sub-Fields.......................................................3-8

Adding Characters to Pad Fields (Option 30).............3-9

Formatting a Price Field (Option 42).........................3-10

Incrementing Fiel ds (Option 60).................................3-11

Entering data for incrementing fields ............ 3-12

Fixing th e First Number in the Incrementing

Sequence ......................................................3-12

4. Using Check Digits ..........................................................4-1

Defining a Check Digit Scheme..................................4-2

Check Digit Field Definition.............................4-3

Generating Check Digits .............................................4-3

Clearing a Check Digit Scheme..................................4-4

Sample Check Digit Calculation..................................4-4

Sum of Products..............................................4-5

Sum of Digits...................................................4-7

5. Recording Batch Information.........................................5-1

Preparing Batches for Downloading...........................5-1

6. Entering Data Streams ....................................................6-1

Creating Formats ........................................................6-2

Entering Text Fields.........................................6-4

Entering Non-Printable Text Fields ................. 6-5

Table of Contents

Entering Bar C ode Fields................................6-6

Entering Constant Text Overlays.....................6-7

Entering Lines..................................................6-8

Entering Boxes................................................6- 9

Adding Field Options.....................................6-10

Finishing a Data Stream................................6-11

Creating Check Digits................................................6-14

Creating Batch Data..................................................6-15

7. Configuring the Printer.....................................................7-1

Connect ing the Printer.................................................7-1

Online Communication Parameters............................7-1

Communication Values - Definitions................7-2

Setting Communication Values...................................7-3

At the Printer....................................................7-3

At the Host .......................................................7-5

Cable Interface............................................................7-6

8. Printing...............................................................................8-1

Placing the Printer Online............................................8-1

Downloading................................................................8-2

Downloading from an MS-DOS PC.................8-2

Downloading from Other Hosts.......................8-2

Printing Batches ..........................................................8-3

Printer Storage Capacity .............................................8-3

9. Editing and Reviewing Formats......................................9-1

Modifying Formats.......................................................9-1

Deleting a Format from the Printer..............................9-1

10. Establishing Daily Procedures...................................10-1

Daily Start Up Checklist.............................................10- 1

Print Logs ..................................................................10-1

Creating MS-DOS Batch Files for Downloading.......10-2

Backing up Formats and Batches .............................10-2

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9406 System Administrator’s Guide

11. Online Information .........................................................11-1

Data Stream Structure...............................................11-1

Format Header...........................................................11-3

Example.........................................................11-4

Syntax Checklist.............................................11-4

Text Field Defin itio n....................................................11-5

Example.........................................................11-6

Syntax Checklist.............................................11-7

Bar Code Field D efinition...........................................11-8

Example.......................................................11-10

Syntax Checklist...........................................11-11

Non-Printable Text Field Definition........................... 11-12

Example.......................................................11-12

Syntax Checklist...........................................11-13

Constant Text Overlays............................................1 1-14

Example.......................................................11-15

Syntax Checklist...........................................11-16

Line Field Definition s................................................1 1-17

Example.......................................................11-18

Syntax Checklist...........................................11-18

Box Field Definitions................................................11-19

Example.......................................................11-20

Syntax Checklist...........................................11-20

Field Options............................................................11-21

Definitions.................................................................11-22

Example of a Field with Options ..................11-27

Syntax Checklist...........................................11-27

Format Syntax Checklist..............................11-28

Batch Packets..........................................................11-29

Batch Header Line .......................................11-29

Example.......................................................11-30

Syntax Checklist...........................................11-30

Batch Data Lines..........................................11-31

Example.......................................................11-31

Table of Contents

Syntax Checklist..........................................11-32

Check Digits ............................................................11-33

Example.......................................................11-34

Syntax Checklist..........................................11-34

Transmitti ng Data....................................................1 1- 35

Example Format Data Stream.....................11-36

12. Quick Reference...........................................................12-1

Fonts..........................................................................12-1

Character Height.......................................................12-3

Character Width.........................................................12-4

Bar Codes..................................................................12-5

Line Thickness...........................................................12-6

13. Diagnostics...................................................................13-1

Checking the Software Version.................................13-1

Printing a Test Label..................................................13 -2

Printing a Test Pattern...................................13-3

Printi ng Test Label 1......................................13-4

Printi ng Test Label 2......................................13-5

Checking Supply Quality...........................................13-6

Calling for Service.....................................................13-7

Appendix A. Sample Format Data Streams....................... A -1

Appendix B. Extended Character Sets..............................B-1

Code 128 Function Codes...........................................B-1

Entering Special Characters in Data Streams.............B-1

Appendix C. Format Design Tools.....................................C-1

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

1. Introduction

Be sure you understand the information in the

Handbook

Read this m anual if you

before you read this manual.

Operator’s

• oversee the generation of labels or tags.

• design labels or tags.

• decide what to print on labels or tags.

This manual helps you design and print custom labels or tags on the Monarch

9406™ printer.

About this Manual

This manual explains how to

• design a label.

• convert your design to a format.

• build formats on a host.

• prepare the printer to receive information for printing.

Introduction

• send data to the printer from a host.

• set up printing procedures for printer operators.

• run printer diagnostics.

You need a host for many of the tasks in this manual. You need not be a programmer, but you sho ul d have a thorough knowledge of commands used by your host’ s operating system. On MS-DOS systems, for example, you should be familiar with the COPY and MODE c ommands.

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9406 System Administrator’s Guide

Equipment Requirements

To create your own label or ta g designs, you need a

• 9406 printer

• host (any computing device with a serial port and can

communicate using DTR or XON/XOFF).

• text editor (ASCII) or word processor

• 9-pin RS-232 interface cable

Standard 9406 Features

Followi ng are the standard features for the 9406 printer

• 4-key keypad for printer control

• 4" x 8" print image

• label backing take-up reel

• ribbon provision

New 9406 Features

With the latest release of the softwar e , the 9406 printer

• no longer prints invalid labels when a format is

incorrect. The printer chec ks the format prior to printing, and if the format is incorrect, the printer deletes it from memory.

• creates Swedish characters that appear on the same

base line as English characters (instead of below the base line).

See the features.

1-2

Operator’s Handbook

for an explanation of more

1. Introduction

What is a Format?

format

defining where to place information on labels or tags. Labels and tags are also called

The goal in designing a format is to map your label or tag. Later, you will insert actual information, like a bar code, price, or serial number. The format defines where to put this information, and how to print it.

Each "slot" that will contain an item of information (bar code, price, et c. ) is called a

is a set of dimensions, parameters, and instructions

supplies

field

Introduction

The actual information that fills this framework is called

data

batch

1-3

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

Format Example

An example of a format is shown below. See Appendix A, "Sample Format Data Streams," for more format examples.

Format Size:

English: 2-3/4" x 1-1/2" Metric: 67 mm x 38 mm Dots: 528 x 288 dots

Field #1, text, up to 5 charact ers

Constant text

Field #2, text, up to 10 charact ers

Field #3, UPC-A Bar Code

Field #4, text, up to 8 charact ers

Field #5, price field

Field #6, price field

Constant text

1-4

How to Use this Manual

Complete these steps to print supplies.

1. Create a form at that fits your supply size. You can use suppli es equal to or larger than the form at

size. Read Chapters 2 through 6 to desig n your own formats.

2. Enter batch data to fill the format. To record and download batch data from a host, read

Chapters 5 and 6.

3. Print supplies. Read Chapters 7 and 8.

1. Introduction

Introduction

1-5

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

1-6

2. Designing a Format

This chapter shows you how to design formats.

Format Design Tools

A Format Worksheet and three Suppl y Layout Grids are supplied in Appendix C, "Format Design Tools." You will need them to design formats.

Make copies of the worksheet and the grid. Save the originals and work with the copies.

Make sure you have s om e paper for rough sketches.

Format Worksheet

The Format Worksheet serves as a permanent record of your format parameters. As you create formats, write parameter values on the worksheet. Later, you will use the worksheet when entering format data into a host.

Format Worksheet

Designing a Format

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9406 System Administrator’s Guide

Supply Layout Grids

There are three Supply Layout Grids:

• English

• Metric

• Dots.

Decide whether you want to design formats using English, Metric, or dot measurement. Use the corr esponding Supply Layout Gr id to determine supply dimensions and measure fi el d locations.

The English gri d, shown to the right, is measured in inches.

The Metric grid is measured in millimeters. Use the Dot Layout Grid if you prefer to design formats according to dot measurement.

The printer uses dots to print images on a supply. The printhead has 192 dots per inch.

Steps to Designing a Format

To design your own custom format:

1. Determine format contents

2. Define th e format header

3. Define text and bar code fields

4. Define lines and boxes, if any

5. Apply field options, if desired (Chapter 3, "Applying Field

Options").

2-2

2. Designing a Format

Determine Format Contents

Decide what you want to print on the supply. Information should be in the form of text, bar codes, line s, boxes, or graphics.

Each piece of information is called a are the fiel d types and how each type might be us ed.

field

or an

overl a y

. Here

Text Fields

Text fields contain alphabetical, symbol, or numerical chara c ters. He re ar e some uses:

• Company name or

department number

• Serial number

• Shipping address

You can define up to 30 field s i n a fo r m at . T h e total can be any combination of field types.

• Price

Non-Printable Text Fields

Non-printable text fields do not print. Use them if you want the data entered in the batch, but you do not want to print it as entered. For exam pl e, enter city, state, and zip code in three non-printable fields. Merge non-printable fields to print as one field.

Bar Code Fields

Select from 8 bar co des: UPC-A, UPC-E, I 2 of 5, Code 39, Codabar, EAN- 8, EAN-13, Code 128. Her e a r e some uses:

Designing a Format

• Item or serial number

• Merged information from multiple text fields

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9406 System Administrator’s Guide

Overlays

Constant text, lines, boxes, and graphics are

overlays

Constant Text Overlays

A constant text overlay is a set of fixed characters that prints on all supplies using that format. The characters in the overlay are fixed, and the user canno t change them.

Overlays do not count in field numbering from 1 to 30. Fiel d Op ti o n s do not apply to overlays.

Lines and Boxes

Use lines or boxes to

• create borders.

• mark out the regular price on a sale tag.

• box an item to highlight it.

Graphics

You can print graphics, such as logos or symbols. See yo ur

Graphics M anual

Field Options

Y ou can apply options to text, non-printable text, and bar code fields. For example, you can format a field as a price. Chapter 3, "Applying FIeld Options," describes field options in detail. Here are some examples:

Fixed Characters

Fixed chara cters print automatically on every supply. You can specify fixed characters for any text or bar code field.

2-4

2. Designing a Format

Price Fields

You can design a pric e fi el d so the printer generates the monetary sy m bol s. You need to enter only num bers in the batch.

Sub-fields

Y ou can copy part of a field to a new location. The new location is called a sub-field. For example, you can extract part of the data in a bar code, such as a price, and display it in text form in a sub-field.

Merged fields

Merged fields are a combination of informat ion from other fields. You can merge any combination of text, non-printable text, or bar code fields.

Incremen ting/Decrementing fields

Y ou can specify numeric fields to increase or decrease in value as you print. Th is option applies only to num eri c data. For example, you could print a batch of labels with serial numbers that incr ease with each label.

Designing a Format

Check digits

You can have the pr i nter generate check digits for text or bar code fields. See Chapter 4, "Using Check Digits."

2-5

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

The Print Area

If you use supplies larger than four inches wide, your printer may not print an area that covers the entire supply.

The print area is in the center of the supply. The bottom is the edge that exits the printer first.

The actual print area begi ns approximately 0.161 inches from the bottom, 0.125 inches from the left edge, and .031 inches from the top of the supply. These are the no-pri nt zones. If you are using die cut labels, you must also include the inter-label gap as a no-print zone. For supplies wider than the printhead, there is another no-print zone along the right edge 3.98 inches across from the left edge no-print zone. The no-print zones are the same for both indexed and non-indexed supplies. See the diagram below.

4.2" (107 mm)

3.98" x 8.0"

(101 mm x 203 mm)

Print Area

8.32" (211mm)

.125" (3.2 mm)

.094" (2.4 mm)

.031" (.8 mm)

.161" (4.1mm)

If you want to shift printing to a different part of the supply, see "Setting Suppl y Options" in your

Operator’s Handbook

2-6

Draw Rough Sketches

When you deci de what information you want to print and how it will appear on the supply, draw the information where you want it to appear. Note any areas that are pre-pri nted on the supply.

NOTE: Be careful to avoid having

fields ov erl ap. If two bar codes occupy th e same space on the image, unpredictable (and perhaps un-scannable) bar codes may result.

These sketches show a depart m ent number, date, bar code, and price.

2. Designing a Format

Designing a Format

Draw several sketches to determine which layout works best for you.

2-7

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

Filling in the Format Worksheet

1. Once yo u d ecide on a l a yo ut, sep arate your fo r m at

contents int o groups: text, non-printable text, bar codes, text overlays, lines, and boxes.

2. Make a copy of the F ormat Worksheet. Copy to two sheets, if necessary.

3. Define th e Format Header first. See "Defini ng the Format Header."

4. Refer to your rough sketch for the types of fi elds to include in the fo r m at. Find th e s t ep s to de fine ea ch field on t he pages listed below.

NOTE: If using non- printable text fields, defi ne all

non-printable text fields before defining the field that will print the information.

T y pe Examples See

Text Fields

Constant Text

Bar Code Fields

Non-Printable Text Fields

Lines

Boxes

2-8

Order Number "Defining Text Price Fields" Company name

Text to print on all "Defining suppl i e s Const ant Text

Overlays"

UPC, EAN, etc. "Defining Bar

Code Fields"

"Hold" data for later use "Defin i ng (such as a merged field) Non-Pri ntable

Text Fields"

Borders and highlights "Defining Lines" Strike through original price on sale tag

Borders and highlights "Defining Boxes"

2. Designing a Format

Defining the Format Header

The Format Header is the foundation for the format. On it, you identify the format and define important supply information.

Use your copies of the Format Worksheet and Suppl y Layout Grid to complete these steps.

1. Find "Format Header" on the Format Worksheet. Assign a number between 1 and 30 to the format you are about to create. Select an unassigned number for a new for m at. If you select a number assigned to a previous format, the previous format will be overwritten. Write the format number in box F2.

Designing a Format

2. Decid e what you want to do with the format a fter you have

printed yo ur tags or labels. You have two choices.

A Add the format to printer memory until you cancel it. C Clear the format out of pri nter memory immediately. Write your choi c e in bo x F3.

2-9

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

3. You must send this format to the print er before you can

use it to print batches. Decide how the printer will store the format. You have two choices.

R Store form at until printer is turned off. T Store format only until the printer uses another format. Write your choice in box F4.

4. What syst em ar e you using to meas ure supplies and

fields? You have three choices.

E English. Measure in 1/100 inches. M Metric. Measure in 1/10 millimeters. G Graphic. Measure in dots. 192 dots = 1 inch.

Write your choice in box F5. All fields in the format must follow the system you select

here.

5. Tear off one label or tag from your s upply roll. Position it in the lower left corner of the grid.

If you are using non-indexed supplies (supplies with no black mark or aperture), determine the leng th you want to use for each format.

If you are using indexed supplies (that have black marks or apertures), use the black mark or aperture as your reference for the format length.

Make sure the bottom left corner of the supply aligns with the lower lef t corner of the layout grid (the b ottom is the edge that exits the printer first).

NOTE: See "The Print Area," in this chapter, for a

description of the no-print zones.

2-10

2. Designing a Format

6. Measure the

length

of the supply from bottom to top, using the ruler marks on the left side of the grid.

Then, subtract either .192 inches, 37 dots, or 4.8 mm (depending on the units you use) from your measurement to account for the no-print zones. If you are us i ng di e cut labels, also subtract the inter-label gap. The resulting number is the m aximum image height.

When measuring indexed supplies, measure from top to top as shown below.

Supply Length

Designing a Format

Supply Length

When measuring labels, use the black sens or m arks or die cuts on the label backing.

7. Write the maximum image height in box F6 on the Format Worksheet. Remember to use your selected units.

System Units Example

English 1/100 in 1 in = 100 units Metric 1/10 mm 1 mm = 10 units Graphic Dots 100 dots = 100 units

Ranges for supply length English 150-800

Metric 380-2032 Dots 288-1536

2-11

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

8. Measure the width of the supply

from left to ri ght, using the ruler marks at the bottom of the grid.

Write the width in box F7 . Ranges for supply width: English 220-420

Metric 559-1064 Dots 423-807

9. Trace an outline of the supply on the grid.

10. Assign a name (up to 8 characters) to the format. Write the name in box F8. Put quotation marks around the name, like this:

"LABEL 1"

If you want th e pr i n ter to assign a name to the forma t, place quotation marks, with no characters or spaces between them, in box F8. The printer will assign a name in the form of "AUTOnnnn."

11. Make sure you have filled in boxes F1 through F8 on the Format Worksheet.

Now you are ready to define the contents of your format. Continue with "Defining Text Fields," "Defining Constant Text Overlays ," "Defining Bar Code Fields," or "D efi ning Non-Printable Text Fields."

2-12

2. Designing a Format

Defining Text Fields

Create a separate definition for each text field. If text falls on two lines, each line of text requires a separate definition.

1. If you have not already done so, define the format as shown in this chapter.

2. Select a text field from your lay out to begin field definition.

3. Find "Text Fields" on the Format Worksheet. Write a number from 1 to 30 in box T2 to identify the field. Assign numbe rs in sequence from 1 to 30. Do not use any field number more than once in a format.

Designing a Format

2-13

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

4. In box T3, write the maximum number of characters, from 1 to 30, that will appear in the field. Include spaces, $, /, or

other symbol s that may appear in price or fixed character fields.

A date field, for example, may have a maximum of 8 characters (mm/dd/yy).

5. Write V or F in box T4 to indicate if the field is fixed or variable.

F Fixe d l e ng th. The fi e l d al w a ys h as the n u m be r of

characters defined in box T3.

V Variable length. The number of characters in the field

varies from 0 to whatever yo u d efi ned in box T3.

6. Refer to the samples on the next page to selec t a font style for the field. Note that the bold font does not accept lowercase letters.

2-14

Bold Font

2. Designing a Format

Standard Font

Reduced Font

NOTE: Special characters are avail able for standard and

reduced fonts. See Appendix B, "Extended Character Sets."

Designing a Format

2-15

9406 System Administrator’s Guide

7. Determine the height of the field. a. Find your selected font and the desired height from the

table below.

b. Draw two lines on the layout grid to show the bottom

and the top of the text field.

Font Magnification

1x 2x 3x 4x 5x 6x 7x

Standard

1/100 in. 11.4 22.8 34.2 45.6 57.0 68.4 79.8 1/10 mm 29.1 58.2 87.3 116.4 145.5 174.6 203.7

Dots 22 44 66 88 110 132 154

Reduced

1/100 in. 7.3 14.6 21.9 29.2 36.5 43.8 51.1 1/10 mm 18.5 37.0 55.5 74.0 92.5 110.0 129.5

Dots 14 28 42 56 70 84 98

Bold

1/100 in. 17.7 35.4 53.1 70.8 88.5 106.2 124 1/10 mm 44.9 89.8 134.7 179.6 224.5 269.4 314

Dots 34 68 102 136 170 204 238

2-16

+ 174 hidden pages