Avery PCL User Manual

Users Manual

PCL

Printer Control Language

Users Guide and

Reference Manual

AVERY DENNISON

Manual Edition 7.4

25 November 2009

Manual Part Number 800116

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

2 •••• Introduction PAXAR PCL

Contents

Introduction 1

Users Guide 2

Overview ................................................................................................................................... 2

Building a Format...................................................................................................................... 3

Format Header............................................................................................................. 4

Field Description ......................................................................................................... 6

Alpha-Numeric Field Definition ................................................................................. 7

Barcode Field Definition ............................................................................................. 8

Box / Underline Field Definition................................................................................. 8

Logo Field Definition.................................................................................................. 8

Care Symbol Field Definition ..................................................................................... 9

Batch Data Description ............................................................................................... 9

Reference Guide 11

Format Header ......................................................................................................................... 11

Field Information..................................................................................................................... 20

Special Codes for Alphanumeric Fields .................................................................................. 24

Special Codes for Barcode Fields............................................................................................ 31

Special Codes for Box / Underline Information ...................................................................... 37

Special Codes for Logo Information ....................................................................................... 39

Special Codes for Care Symbol Information ........................................................................... 41

Special Codes for Special Symbol Information....................................................................... 44

Special Codes for Graphic Image information ........................................................................ 46

Special Codes for RFID Fields................................................................................................ 46

Special Codes for Secure Batches ........................................................................................... 47

Control Codes for Data............................................................................................................ 47

Configuration Commands ....................................................................................................... 50

Connection Guide 52

Serial Connection Specifications............................................................................................. 52

AS/400 Communications Information for a AVERY DENNISON PCL Printer .................... 53

AS/400 Local Settings: (OS Ver 2 Rel 1 Mod 1) ...................................................... 53

AS/400 Remote Settings: (OS Ver 2 Rel 1 Mod 1)................................................... 55

Interlynx/400 or Interlynx 5251 Protocol Converter Configuration: ........................ 55

IBM 3270 Connection using Interlynx 3287............................................................. 56

Connecting to an AVERY DENNISON SNAP Printer using USB......................................... 56

Connecting to an AVERY DENNISON SNAP Printer using Ethernet................................... 56

Glossary of Terms 58

APPENDIX A – PCL Values 59

Character Font Numbers Associated with the AL and BL Commands. .................... 59

Character Font Numbers Associated with the AF and BA Commands..................... 59

Barcode Font Numbers Associated with the BF Commands. ................................... 60

Transfer Type Values Associated with the XT Commands. ..................................... 61

Barcode Segmentation Values Associated with the BG Commands......................... 64

APPENDIX B - Default Values 65

Format Defaults When Printer Receives a ~XA command:...................................... 65

Format Defaults When Printer Receives a ~FA Command: ..................................... 68

Format Defaults When Printer Receives a ~FB Command:...................................... 69

Format Defaults When Printer Receives a ~FS Command: ...................................... 70

Format Defaults When Printer Receives a ~FG Command: ..................................... 71

Format Defaults When Printer Receives a ~FL Command: ...................................... 72

APPENDIX C – Volatile Logos 73

APPENDIX D – PCL Summary 7.2 75

Format Commands .................................................................................................................. 75

Field Commands...................................................................................................................... 80

Alphanumeric Field Commands.............................................................................................. 80

Barcode Field Commands ....................................................................................................... 82

Box / Line Field Commands.................................................................................................... 83

Logo Field Commands ............................................................................................................ 83

Care Symbol Field Commands................................................................................................ 84

Special Symbol Field Commands............................................................................................ 84

Image Commands .................................................................................................................... 84

RFID Commands..................................................................................................................... 84

Batch Commands .................................................................................................................... 85

APPENDIX E – Graphics 86

Graphic Image Fields .............................................................................................................. 86

Logo Fields.............................................................................................................................. 86

Volatile Logos ......................................................................................................................... 86

APPENDIX F – RFID Operation 89

Introduction

AVERY DENNISON PCL stands for AVERY DENNISON Printer Control Language.

AVERY DENNISON PCL is a set of commands, which allows data to be transferred to

the AVERY DENNISON 630, 650, 960, 636, 656, 676, 686, 545, and SNAP printers.

In this documents, the AVERY DENNISON 630, 650, 960, 636, 656, 676, 686, 545,

and SNAP printers will be referred to as PCL Printers.

AVERY DENNISON PCL was developed to allow any device that can transmit data

through an RS232 connection to transfer information to the AVERY DENNISON PCL

Printer. This capability allows the PCL Printer to be driven by many different types of

computer equipment. The SNAP printers also support communications via USB and

Ethernet.

ii •••• Error! No text of specified style in document. PAXAR PCL

Users Guide

Overview

AVERY DENNISON PCL is a description language for the AVERY DENNISON PCL

printers. PCL allows a user to describe a tag layout to a printer. Also PCL allows a

user to send multiple sets of information to a printer. These sets of information will be

printed using either a tag layout that was sent to the printer using PCL or a tag layout

that is stored on the printer.

PCL is based on the concept of formats and batches. The format describes what the

label will look like, while a batch contains the actual data to be printed. A single

format can be used with multiple batches to create labels that have a common

appearance, but different data. A batch set is a group of batches that are associated with

the same format and are printed at the same time, usually on the same material.

A format contains all the physical descriptions of a tag or label. The format consists of

a Format Header followed by one or more field definitions. The Format Header

contains information about the tag in general, such as tag size, sense mark type, print

speed, material and ink type, etc. Fields are individual pieces of information that are to

be printed on the tag. Each field has a field definition that defines the type of data

(alphanumeric, barcode, logo, etc.) and the information about the field that the printer

needs to print it properly, such as the field position, size, rotation, etc.

The actual information to be printed is sent in a Batch. Each batch contains the

information to print one or more tags. The formats can be sent to a printer using a

communications channel just prior to the information that is to be printed or the formats

can reside in the printer. If the format resides in the printer then only the batch data

needs to be sent via the communications channel.

This manual describes the PCL commands that are used to create formats and batches.

There is also a set of commands used to control the PCL printers. These commands are

included in the AVERY DENNISON Printer Control Language Reference Manual.

The following sections in this document explain how to make a format and send it to

the printer and also explain how to present the batch data to the printer. These sections

give realistic examples that can be referred to when making a format.

Each PCL command starts with a Command Identifier. This is a single character that

tells the printer that a PCL command follows. Generally, the ~ (tilde) is used as the

Command Identifier. However, some mainframe systems cannot generate the tilde

character, so the printer will also accept the ASCII ESC (1B hex, 27 decimal) character

or the up caret (^)Whatever Command Identifier is used must be consistent throughout

the format or batch. For example, if the first Command Identifier in a format is a tilde,

the entire format must use the tilde. Also, the Command Identifier character may not be

used as data. For example, if a batch uses the tilde as the Command Identifier, the tilde

may not appear in a ~D field.

PAXAR PCL Users Guide •••• 3

Building a Format

There are some important terms that are used when building a format which are defined

here.

Pull Direction - The pull direction is used to describe one side or dimension of a

Web Direction - The web direction is used to describe another side or dimension of a

INSIDE EDGE

tag/label. The pull direction is the direction that the stock travels through the printer.

tag/label. The web direction is best illustrated by the width of a roll of stock. The web direction is the dimension that is directly related to the print head.

PULL

WEB

The pull and web directions are very important when laying out a tag / label. If these

dimensions are not determined correctly then the orientations of the fields that are

placed on the tag/label will be incorrect.

4 •••• Users Guide PAXAR PCL

Format Header

The Format Header contains information that pertains to the physical characteristics of

the tag and any other print characteristics. There are several commands that are

necessary for the format header information. The first is ~XA. The XA command is

the start command for a format header. This command is required at the beginning of

every format that is sent to a printer.

The next two commands which must follow the XA command are the ~XW and ~XP

commands. These commands tell the printer the tags web size and pull size. It is

important that these commands are included in the format header because the printer

cannot print the tags correctly if these commands are omitted or are incorrect. These

commands should also be the first format header commands sent to the printer because

other header commands use the size information from these commands.

PULL SIZE

WEB SIZE

For a tag that has a web size of 3" the command would be ~XW3000. (All

measurements are in units of thousandths of an inch.) For a pull size of 2-1/4", the

command would be ~XP2250. If the tag is a sense mark tag, the best way to determine

the pull size is to measure from the leading edge of one sense mark to the leading edge

of the next sense mark on a continuous roll of stock.

Note: When using Pressure Sensitive stock you must use the distance from sense mark

to sense mark for the tag's pull length but remember when you are laying out the fields that the actual sticker area which is printed on is smaller.

If the information which is to be printed on the stock is to be registered to a sense mark,

the command ~XM must be used to tell the printer what type of sense mark is being

used and the distance from the sense mark to the cut position. The cut position is

determined by measuring from the leading edge of the sense mark to the trailing edge

of the tag/label in the pull direction (see the drawing below). (The "leading edge" and

"trailing edge" are determined by the path of the stock through the printer. The leading

edge arrives at the printhead first and the trailing edge arrives at the printhead last.)

This distance is referred to as the “sense to cut” distance.

PAXAR PCL Users Guide •••• 5

SENSE MARK POSITION

WEB

PULL

If it is a hole sense mark the command is ~XMH. If it is a reflective sense mark the

command is ~XMR. This command is followed immediately by the sense mark's

position. If the 3" X 2-1/4" tag described above had a hole sense mark in the middle of

the tag, the sense mark command would be ~XMH1125. If the sense to cut distance is

0, a properly adjusted printer will cut at the leading edge of the sense mark.

Another common command for header information is the flagging command. The flag

is the tag or pair of tags that are made to separate batches. The flagging command is

~XF. The flagging command has several options that are described in the Reference

Manual. This tag will use the ~XFL command. This tells the printer to do a long/short

flag between the batches.

The complete format header for this example would be:

~XA~XP2250~XW3000~XMH1125~XFL

The field definitions would follow the header information. At the end of the field

definitions the command ~XZ is required to signal the end of the format description.

The overall format description would be structured like this:

~XA{Format Header}{Field 1 Desc.}{Field 2 Desc.}...~XZ

There are more features that can be presented in the format header information. These

other features are specific to certain printer and tag characteristics. The commands for

these features are described in the Reference manual.

6 •••• Users Guide PAXAR PCL

Field Description

The most important item to understand when doing a field description is the point of

reference on the tag for placing a field and the point of reference on a field for doing a

rotation of the field.

All field positions are referenced from the corner of the tag that is formed at the point

where the trailing edge of the tag and the edge of the tag that is closest to the machine

as the stock travels through the machine meet. The corner of the tag that is formed by

these two sides is referred to as the top left hand corner of the tag.

TOP LEFT CORNER

WEB

PULL

The point of reference to a field is also the top left hand corner. When a field of text is

in a normal reading position so that the text can be read from left to right, the top left

hand corner is the corner formed by the left edge of the first letter and the top edge of

the letters. This is the point of a field that is used to position a field on a tag and also is

the pivot point for a field when it is rotated.

PULL

WEB

POSITION

PULL

POSITION

TEXT

WEB

PAXAR PCL Users Guide •••• 7

A field definition starts with ~FA for an alphanumeric field, ~FB for a barcode field,

WEB

~FL for a box / underline field, ~FG for a logo field, and ~FS for a care symbol field.

(Refer to the section Field Information for a list of all field types available for each

printer model.) Once the printer receives one of these commands, it considers the

format header information to be complete and will ignore any other header commands

that are sent. The printer expects all the commands that follow the field definition start

command to be information for that field. Any commands that are sent that are not

commands for the field type specified in the field definition start command will be

ignored. To start the definition of another field, send another field definition start

command. Once all the field definitions have been sent, then an ~XZ command should

be sent to signal that the format definition is complete.

All field definitions must have a web position and a pull position specified. These

positions are set using the ~FW and ~FP commands. Another feature for a field is

rotation. The rotation is specified using the ~FR command.

PULL

270

180

TEXT

180

270

0 1234567890 5

270

180

WEB

Alphanumeric Rotation Barcode Rotation Logo Rotation

Alpha-Numeric Field Definition

Each field definition will consist of a Field Definition command (~FA for an

alphanumeric field, ~FB for a barcode field, etc.) and one or more field attribute

commands. Some of the field attribute commands are common to all field types and

will start with a ~F, while some commands are unique to a particular field type. For

example, commands for alphanumeric fields begin with ~A.

The definition of an alphanumeric field with a length of seven characters would start as

~FA07. The field is to be placed at a position that is 1/2" in the web direction and 1/2"

in the pull direction. These commands would be ~FW0500 and ~FP0500. The rotation

of the field is zero degrees which would be ~FR0. The field would be printed with the

top left of the first character in the field starting 1/2" in from the trailing edge of the tag

and 1/2" in from the inside edge of the stock as it traveled through the printer. A 10-

point font size could be selected for the field by using the command ~AP10 and font 8

selected by using the command ~AF08. The full field definition would be:

~FA07~FW0500~FP0500~FR0~AF08

There are more features which can be implemented for alphanumeric fields described in

the Reference manual under the ~A commands.

8 •••• Users Guide PAXAR PCL

Barcode Field Definition

The definition of a barcode field with a length of twelve would start with an ~FB12.

The field is to be placed at a position that is 1" from the inside edge in the web direction

and 1/2" in from the trailing edge in the pull direction. The commands for these

positions would be ~FW1000 and ~FP0500. The top left corner of a barcode includes

the quiet zone area of the barcode. The rotation for this field is zero degrees so the

command would be ~FR0. This barcode is to be a UPCA Barcode so the command

~BF01 is to be used with the barcode type 01. The barcode is to have Human Readable

Information underneath it, so the command ~BA08, is used to specify an HRI using a

10 point font for the numbers. Also the barcode is to be 1/2" tall so the command

~BH0500 is used to specify a bar height of 1/2".

This barcode field definition will look like:

~FB12~FW1000~FP0500~FR0~BF01~BA08 ~BH0500

There are more features which can be implemented for barcode fields described in the

Reference manual under the ~B commands.

Box / Underline Field Definition

The definition of a box / underline field starts with an ~FL. There is not a field length

associated with a box / underline field. Starting point for a box / underline field is the

initial web and pull position. This position is presented with the ~FW command and

the ~FP command. The web position for the end web coordinate is specified with the

~LW command. The pull position for the end pull coordinate is specified with the ~LP

command. The LW command and LP command should always contain values greater

than the FW and FP commands. The width in dots of the lines used to make the box /

underline field is specified using the ~LV for the lines in the web direction and the ~LH

command for the width of the lines in the pull direction.

A box that started at web position 1/2" and pull position 1/2" and had a web size of 1"

and pull size of 1" and line widths of 2 dots would have the command string of:

~FL~FW0500~FP0500~LW1500~LP1500~LV02~LH02

Logo Field Definition

The definition of a logo field with one logo would have a starting command of ~FG01.

The logo is to be placed at web position 1" and pull position 1-1/2". The position

commands would be ~FW1000 and ~FP1500.

The logo type would be in the command ~GT. The logo type is determined by the logo

size class which the logo is in. The logo's must reside on the printer and the logo type

information must be presented with the logo files (650 type) or IC card (630 type) when

they are received. In this case the logo type will be one.

The logo command string would be:

~FG01~FW1000~FP1500~GT01

PAXAR PCL Users Guide •••• 9

Care Symbol Field Definition

The definition of a care symbol field is very similar to a logo field. The start command

~FS04 specifies the start of a care symbol field which contains four symbols. The

symbols can be placed at web position 2" and pull position 1" using the commands

~FW2000 and ~FP1000. The care symbols reside on the printer and the care symbol

type is usually a fixed type whose number should be included with the care symbol

information that's with the printer. For a care symbol type of nine the care symbol type

command is ~ST09.

The care symbol command string is:

~FS04~FW2000~FP1000~ST09

The last field definition in a format is followed by the command ~XZ. This command

signals to the printer that the format description is complete. Once this information is

transferred to the printer multiple groups of information known as batches can be sent

to the printer to be printed.

The commands discussed in this section are the basic commands required to make a

format using PCL. These commands are the MINIMUM commands required to create

a format. There are more field types and commands that allow other features to be

utilized in the printers. These commands are described in the Reference manual.

Batch Data Description

The batch data is the information that will be printed on a tag. The format description

for a tag must have already been sent to a printer or must already reside in the printer

before batch data can be sent to the printer.

There are two choices for selecting the format to be used: the format may be sent to the

printer in the same way that the batch is (via the printer’s serial port, USB or Ethernet,

depending on the printer), or the format may be stored in the printer’s memory.

If the format is sent to the printer via a communications channel, it is considered to be

Format number 00. Formats stored on the printer may be formats 01 through 99 (see

below for details about the format name).

Formats sent to the printer must be sent before the corresponding batch. The

downloaded format will be deleted if the printer loses power, or if the all the batches

are cleared. (In the SNAP printers, this will occur if the Clear All Batches function is

used, or the Clear Batch function is used and there is only one batch in the printer.) If a

batch is received that calls out the downloaded format and no downloaded format

exists, the batch will be ignored.

The command ~ZD is the start of data command. If the format was sent to the printer

using PCL or if the format from the previous batch is the same as the one for this batch

the ZD command uses zero for the format number. If the batch data is to be used with a

specific format that already resides on the printer, then the format number follows the

ZD command. So if the batch data is to be printed using the same format as the

previous batch or if the format was sent to the printer using PCL the batch data start

command would be ~ZD00. If the batch data is to be printed using format two which

resides in the printer the batch data start command would be ~ZD02.

Formats stored in the printer must have a file name FORMAT99.PCL, where 99 is the

format number specified in the ~ZD command. For example, if the format stored in the

printer is named FORMAT02.PCL, the batch must begin with the ~ZD02 command.

The specific field information for the batch follows the batch data start command. For

all field types except graphic fields, the data field information is preceded by a ~D. If

the first field in the format was an alphanumeric field that specified the color of an item

10 •••• Users Guide PAXAR PCL

the data field might be ~DBLUE. The printer would then print BLUE at the position

defined by the field definition in the format, using the attributes specified in that field

definition.

The data fields must be sent to the printer in the same order that they are described in

the format. Box / underline fields which don't have any data associated with them are

automatically skipped so an ~D command should not be sent for a box / underline field.

Graphic data fields are preceded by a ~I followed by the image data in either BMP or

PCX format.

Once the last field data has been sent it should be followed by the ~ZZ command. This

command means that the batch information is complete and the printer can print the

batch. The ZZ command also includes the quantity. If ten tags were to be printed using

the data which preceded the ZZ command, the command would be ~ZZ0010~. The

~ZZ command must ALWAYS

be followed by a ~. The final ~ character signals the end of the quantity string. The printer will not start printing a batch until it receives the final ~ character.

An example of a batch of data would be:

~ZD00~DBLUE~D012345678905~D01~D23,32,33,42~ZZ0010~

The ~D command has some built in safety features. If a format describes a field as having seven characters and then that field receives data from an ~D field which contains nine characters the last two characters of the data in the ~D command will be dropped. If a field is described as being seven characters long and the ~D command only sends six characters the field will be padded out with spaces to seven characters before it is printed. Also if there are more ~D data fields sent in a batch then there are fields described in the format, the extra data fields at the end of the batch data will be dropped.

The ~D command has a few useful variations. If an ~D command is followed immediately by another ~D or ~ZZ so that no data follows the ~D command, then the data from the previous batch will be used for that field. If the ~D command is followed by one space character and then followed by another ~D or ~ZZ, then that field will be blank for the current batch.

Carriage Returns may be used freely throughout the format and batch data to enhance readability. However, it is good practice to only use carriage returns between commands and data fields. In most cases, carriage returns are ignored within data fields. However, the carriage return is a valid character in some field types such as the Datamatrix bar code.

PAXAR PCL Users Guide •••• 11

Reference Guide

s to the 636, 656, 676,

NOTE: In the Reference Guide, 6X6 refer

Format Header

686, and 545 printers as a group. Where differences between

these printers exist, they will be defined individually.

~XA 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the beginning of a format. This command precedes any tag or field commands. When the PCL Printer receives this command it automatically sets the current format to the default settings. Default settings can be found in Appendix B. All of the ~X commands must be sent before any field commands are sent.

~XW9999 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the web of the tag in thousandths of an inch. For example: If the tag web size is 3-1/4 inches the command would be ~XW3250.

Compatibility Note:

630 The 630 maximum web size of a tag is 5000 or 5” (127mm). The actual resolution

or smallest increment is 0.0042” (0.206mm).

650 The 650 maximum web size of a tag is 4800 or 4.8” (122mm). The actual

resolution or smallest increment is 0.0042” (0.206mm).

960 The 960 maximum web size of a tag is 4000 or 4” (101.6mm). The largest print

area is 3.55" (90.2mm). The resolution is 0.007” (0.18mm).

636, 656, 676, 686 The maximum web size of a tag is 5125 or 5.125” (130.2mm). The

actual resolution or smallest increment is 1/dpi of the printer.

- 240 DPI = 0.004” (0.1mm)

- 300 DPI = 0.0033”(0.084mm)

545 The 545 maximum web size of a tag is 1500 or 1.5” (38.1mm). The largest print

area is 1375 or 1.375" (34.9mm) and this value should not be exceeded with the ~XW command. The actual resolution or smallest increment is 0.005” (0.127mm).

SNAP 500, SNAP 600 The maximum web size is 2000 or 2” (50.8mm). The actual

resolution is 0.0033” (1/305”) or 0.083mm (1/12mm).

SNAP 700 The maximum web size is 5000 or 5” (127mm). The resolution is the same

as SNAP 500 and SNAP 600.

12 •••• Reference Guide PAXAR PCL

~XP99999 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the pull length of the tag in thousandths of an inch. For example: If the tag pull length is 4-1/8 inches the command would be ~XP4125.

Note: If the stock that is being printed on has sense marks for print registration then

special care should be taken in determining a tag's pull length. The pull length of the tag should be determined by measuring from the leading edge of one sense mark to the leading edge of the next sense mark on a continuous roll of stock. If the pull length is incorrect, the result may be Missed Sense Mark errors.

Compatibility Notes:

630 The 630 maximum pull length of a tag is 7000 or 7” (177.8mm). The actual

resolution or smallest increment is 0.0042” (0.206mm)..

650 The 650 maximum pull length of a tag is 14000 or 14” (355.6mm). The actual

resolution or smallest increment is 0.0042” (0.206mm)..

960 The 960 maximum pull length of a tag is 6000 or 6” (152.4mm). The resolution is

0.014” (0.36mm).

636, 656, 676, 545 The maximum pull length of a tag is 14000 or 14” (355.6mm). The

actual resolution or smallest increment is 1/dpi of the printer.

- 240 DPI = 0.0042” (0.206mm)

- 300 DPI = 0.0033” (0.084mm)

- 545 = 0.005” (0.127mm)

SNAP 500, SNAP 600, SNAP 700 – The maximum pull length is 28” (711.2mm). The

actual resolution is 0.0033” (0.084mm).

~XM_9999 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies that the format is a sense mark format. Replace the '_' with an H if a hole sense mark is used or an R if a Reflective sense mark is used. Specify the sense to cut distance in thousandths of an inch. The sense to cut distance is measured in the pull direction from the leading edge of the sense mark to the trailing edge of the tag as it passes through the printer. For example: A particular tag stock is using a punched hole as a sense mark. The distance from the leading edge of one hole to the leading edge of another hole is 4 inches. Therefore the tag pull length is 4 inches. The sense mark occurs in the middle of what will be the finished tag after it has been printed and cut. This distance from the leading edge of one hole to where the cut will occur at the trailing edge of the tag is 2 inches. The sense to cut value is 2 inches. The command for the printer is ~XMH2000. The H specifies that a punched hole is used for the mark and the 2000 is the 2 inch sense to cut value sent in thousandths of an inch.

Compatibility Notes:

630, 650 These printers resolution or smallest increment for the sense to cut distance is

33 thousandths.

960 The 960 resolution or smallest increment is 7 thousandths in the web direction and

14 thousandths in the pull direction. The 960 only supports reflective sensing.

6X6, SNAP The actual resolution or smallest increment is 1/dpi of the printer.

Replace the ‘_’ with an H if a hole sense mark is used, an R if reflective sense mark is used on the bottom, a T if reflective sense mark is used on the top, or a C for the contrast sensor.

PAXAR PCL Reference Guide •••• 13

~XF_ 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command controls flagging. The underscore should be replaced by one of the following.

N - No Flagging This command turns off flagging for this format.

L – Long / Short This means that two blank tags will appear after a batch is printed

when the tag has a sense mark. The first blank tag is cut long by .23 inches and the second is cut short by the same amount. These blank tags act as a separator when the tags are in the printer’s stacker. When there is no sense mark on the tag, the blank tag is longer by .23 inches than the printed tags.

D - Double length This command produces a flag that is two tags in the pull length.

T - Stock Saving Flag All tags are printed but the cut on the next to last tag is .125

inches short, which makes the last tag .125 inches longer in the pull length. All tags can be used.

V - Verifier Flag This command is to be used if a verifier is active on the printer. The

batch quantity is increased by 2 and the stock saving feature is activated. The print is carried over to the flag that prevents the verifier from halting the printer when a barcode is not scanned.

B - Double blank Flag This command produces a flag that is blank and two tags in the

pull length.

S - Small Flag This command produces a flag that is .078 inches longer than the tag in

the pull length. When the tag has a sense mark, the first tag is cut long by .078 inches and the second is cut short by the same amount.

M - Medium Flag This command produces a flag that is .15 inches longer than the tag

in the pull length. When the tag has a sense mark, the first tag is cut long by .15 inches and the second is cut short by the same amount.

X - Extra Large Flag This command produces a flag that is .31 inches longer than the

tag in the pull length. When the tag has a sense mark, the first tag is cut long by .31 inches and the second is cut short by the same amount.

Z - Zero length Flag This command produces a flag that is equal to the tag in the pull

length. When the tag has a sense mark, only one tag is generated for the flag.

Compatibility Notes:

630 The 630 does Long / Short flagging but the flags are controlled by the pull length

of the tag and cannot be controlled by this command. Meaning if a tag is less than

1.400” (35.6mm), the batches will be flagged with a Double Length flag. All batches whose tags are greater than 1.400” (35.6mm)will be flagged with Long / Short flags. The 630 does not support the B, S, M, X commands.

650 The 650 does not support the T, S, M, X commands.

960 If the 960 is doing a non-sense mark tag and is flagging, the tag pull length cannot

be longer than 5.756” (146.2mm). This tag pull length allows the longer flag to be created and to be less than the 6” (152.4) maximum for tag pull size. The 960 does not support the T, V, B, S, M, X commands.

6X6, SNAP These printers do not support the D, V, B commands. With the S, M, L, X

commands, it is possible to produce flags with print other than what is printed on the tags. See the ~FD command definition.

14 •••• Reference Guide PAXAR PCL

~XG_ PcMate Plus Display

This command assists PCMate Plus in distinguishing whether a graphic field is alphanumeric or logo during import. The printers ignore the command. The underscore should be replaced by one of the following:

A - Specifies that the graphic field is an alphanumeric field.

L - Specifies that the graphic field is a logo field.

P - Specifies the point size of a graphic alphanumeric field. Not required for graphic

logo fields.

Compatibility Notes:

Only formats exported using PCMate Plus version 3.02 alpha or later will contain this command in the PCL stream. Earlier versions of PCMate Plus will not export this command.

Restrictions:

If manually editing the PCL stream to add this command, the command MUST immediately precede the ~FM command which defines the graphic field. Otherwise, the field will not import properly.

~XL9 630, 650, 960, 636, 656, 676, 686

This command specifies how many tags to print across the web. This is often referred to as “X-up”, e.g. “2-up” or “3-up”. When this command is used the printer accepts information for the layout of a tag as if the printer was printing only one tag across the web of the stock. The printer then duplicates this one tag multiple times across the web. Extreme care should be taken when specifying the tag web size for this type of format. Also it should be determined that the total width of the number of tags across the web is less than or equal to the capabilities of the printer.

Note: The use of this command requires special stock. If multiple up formats are

desired, your AVERY DENNISON representative should be contacted to help you with this type of layout.

Compatibility Note:

630, 636, 656, 676, 686, SNAP 700 These printers are capable of producing up to 4

tags across the web as long as the width of all four tags combined is less than 4.8” (121.9mm).

SNAP 500, SNAP600 Because of the narrow web capabilities of these printers, X-up

printing is impractical. However, these printers do support this command.

650, 960 The 650 and 960 printers are only capable of producing 2 tags across the web.

PAXAR PCL Reference Guide •••• 15

~XS99 630, 650, 636, 656, 676, 686, 545

This command sets the Print Speed. The 99 in the command should be replaced by the speed in tenth inches per second.. For example: To set the speed for 5.0 inches/sec for a tag layout the command would be ~XS50. Although a printer may have multiple speeds, certain combinations of stock and ink may print best at certain speeds, For example, most fabrics print best at speeds less than 6 ips. Specifying a faster print speed will result in degraded print quality.

If a speed of greater than the maximum is specified, the printer will still run at the maximum speed. If a speed of less than the minimum is specified, the printer will run at the minimum speed. If a speed is specified that is not supported by the printer, generally the printer will run at the nearest speed that is not greater than the specified speed. For example, if a format specifying a print speed of 5 ips is sent to a SNAP 500 printer, it will print at 4.5 ips.

NOTE: The SNAP printers allow the operator to override the print speed setting. If this override is in place, the printer will print at the override speed rather than the format speed.

AVAILABLE PRINTER SPEEDS

630 3, 4, 5 ips

650 2.5, 3, 3.5, 5.5, 6, 6,5 ips

636 3, 4.5, 6 ips

656 3, 4.5, 6, 7 ips

676 3, 4, 5 ips

686 7, 10, 12 ips

545 4, 6, 8, 10 ips

SNAP 500 3, 4.5, 6, 7 ips

SNAP 600, SNAP 700

3, 4.5, 6, 7, 8,10,12 ips

~XH99 630

This command sets the head strobe value. The head strobe range is from 1 to 15. This adjusts the amount of heat that is used to transfer the ink to the stock. A good setting for this value is around 5 or 6. The type of stock or ink that is used can effect this setting.

Note: This command can effect the head life of the thermal printhead that is used in the

630. Running a format with a high strobe value may reduce the head life of the thermal printhead.

~XT99 650, 636, 656, 676, 686

This command sets the transfer type. The transfer types are designed so that the printhead is driven properly for a combination of stock and ink. The 99 in the command should be replaced with the correct value found in the transfer type table in Appendix A.

~XI 650, 656, 676

This command tells the printhead to attempt to do head lift with the format. Head lift allows for ink saving on the printer. When there is an area in the format which is at the

16 •••• Reference Guide PAXAR PCL

beginning or end of the tag that does not have any fields printed in it - and the area is greater than the minimum amount required on the printer, the printer will lift the head and stop the ink while this area of the tag is moving under the printhead.

Compatibility Notes:

650 The 650 requires an area of 5/8 inches with no print in the area.

656, 676 The printer requires an area of 9/10 inches with no print in the area.

~XC99 630,6X6,SNAP

This command tells the printer how many tickets to print before it makes a cut. The maximum number of tickets that the printer can wait between cuts is 99. If no cuts are needed within the batch a value of 00 should be sent. If 00 is sent then a cut only occurs at the beginning of a batch. For example: A format calls for only cutting once every 3 tags. The command would be ~XC03.

~XV_..._ 636,656,676,686,SNAP

This command tells the printer the setup information that is to be passed to the verifier. A verifier must be attached to the printer. As many options as are necessary can be placed after the command. For example: If a barcode command has these settings ~XVRSCC00A00 then the verifier will reject barcodes with a grade C or lower. The options consist of:

N - Halt the printer on a no read only.

B - Halt the printer on both a no read and a symbol quality reject.

W - Halt the printer on warnings generated by the barcode.

R - Halt the printer on barcode symbol quality rejects only.

S_ - Quality level of the barcode is checked. The _ is replaced by the grade of

B, C, D, or F.

C99 - Consecutive failures of a barcode where 99 is replaced by 00 for

Disable, or 01 thru 10.

A99 - Accumulative failures of a barcode where 99 is replaced by 00 for

Disable, or 01 thru 20.

~XR_ 636 Beige,656 Beige

This command tells the printer the color of the ink.

R - Allows red ink to be used in the printer. Without this command the sensor

sees through red ink, indicating there is no ink in the printer.

B - Black ink is used in the printer. This is the default.

~XN_ 676,545,SNAP

This command tells the printer to select the print station designated in the command. All print station dependent PCL commands will affect only the designated print station. The print station dependent commands include the ~XT command for transfer type. The ~XA command will set the defaults for all the print stations, then to change the default, precede the command with the ~XN command selecting the print station.

1 - Selects print station #1 (Bottom)

2 - Selects print station #2 (Top or Top Left for 676)

3 - Selects print station #3 (Top Right for 676 only)

PAXAR PCL Reference Guide •••• 17

~XO 6X6

NOTE: This command is used by the SNAP printers to emulate

This command tells the printer to print a mirror of the image. The image is mirrored on the axis that is parallel to the printhead. Fields will be printed right to left with the characters facing to the left as the fields go underneath the printhead.

~XD9999 PcMate Plus Display

This command refers to the dpi that was used to design the format. This is not a printer command and can not be used to change the dpi of the printer. This command is used for display purposes by the application that designs the formats for the printers.

240 - The format was designed for a 240-dpi printer.

300 - The format was designed for a 300-dpi printer.

~XX9999 PcMate Plus Display

This command refers to the specific printer the format was designed for. This is not a printer command. This command is used for display purposes by the application that designs the formats for the printers.

the font engine used in the 6X6 printers. If the printer type

specified in this command is not a SNAP printer, the printer

will add intercharacter spacing to text field to emulate as

closely as possible the same label printed on a 6X6 printer.

636, 656, 676, 686, 545, 500 (SNAP 500), 600 (SNAP 600),

700 (SNAP 700) - The printer the format was designed for.

~XE 6X6,SNAP

This command tells the printer to halt after every batch is printed regardless of how many batches are in the printer. Without this command, the printer does not halt but prints the batches continuously until there are no more batches in the printer.

~XJ99 636,656,676, 686,SNAP

This command specifies the number of minimum scans that must be obtained for each barcode on the tag to pass verification.

~XZ 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command tells the PCL Printer that this is the end of the format layout description. This command must be sent after the description of the last field.

~XU_ 6X6,SNAP

This command allows additional features to be added by replacing the _ with the following;

B9 – Barcode Exclusion SV100 Scanner Only

This command allows for specified barcodes on the tag NOT to be verified.

This command is ONLY valid with the SV100 verifier. The barcodes can be excluded by replacing the 9 with the following;

0 = Exclude none

1 = Exclude UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13

18 •••• Reference Guide PAXAR PCL

2 = Exclude Code 39

NOTE: This command does not allow the exclusion of specific

4 = Exclude Code 128, EDI Code 128

8 = Exclude Interleave 2 of 5

16 = Exclude Code 93

To exclude multiple barcodes, replace the 9 with the sum of the values

designating the barcodes to exclude.

Example: To exclude code 39 and Interleave 2 of 5, add the 2 and the 8

together and the command would be ~XUB10.

barcodes, only barcode types. For example, if a label contains two Code 128 barcodes, excluding Code 128 barcodes will stop the verification of BOTH Code 128 barcodes

C9 – Future Expansion

S9 – Security Feature

This command indicates that the batch is a secure batch. The printer will maintain a count of the number of tags actually printed and return that count to the host upon request. See Appendix F Secure Batch Feature for details. The 9 will be replaced as follows:

0 – Disabled (default if command is not present)

1 – Enabled

R999 - RFID Read Power SNAP 700RFID

This command specifies the read power to be used when reading an RFID transponder embedded in the label. If this command is not present in an RFID format, the printer’s default read power setting will be used.

W999 - RFID Write Power SNAP700RFID

This command specifies the write power to be used when writing to an RFID transponder embedded in the label. If this command is not present in an RFID format, the printer’s default write power setting will be used.

A9 – RFID Signal Adjust SNAP 700RFID

This command specifies the Signal Adjust level to be used when writing to an RFID transponder embedded in the label. If this command is not present in an RFID format, the printer’s default signal adjust setting will be used.

X9 – RFID Write Retries SNAP 700 RFID

This command specifies the number of write retries to be used when writing to an RFID transponder embedded in the label. If this command is not present in an RFID format, the printer’s default Write Retries setting will be used.

P99 – RFID Protocol SNAP 700RFID

This command specifies the RFID protocol to be used for the label. If this command is not present, the printer’s default Protocol setting will be used. The 99 is replaced by the protocol number. As of this writing, the following protocols are available:

1 – Class 1 Gen 2

2 – Class 1 Gen 1 96 bit EPC

PAXAR PCL Reference Guide •••• 19

3 – Class 1 Gen I EPC64/96

4 – EM4122

20 •••• Reference Guide PAXAR PCL

Field Information

These are control codes for general field information.

~FA99 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the beginning of an alphanumeric field where 99 is replaced with the maximum number of characters in the data string for the field.

Note: This command tells the printer that all the following commands are for this new

alphanumeric field. Any commands other than alphanumeric or general field commands are ignored. The description of this field ends when the printer is sent a new beginning of field command (FB, FL, FS, FY, FG, or FM) or the end of format layout description command (XZ).

Compatibility Notes:

630, 650, 960 The maximum number of characters which can be in a field is 64.

6X6,SNAP The maximum number of characters which can be in a field is 128.

~FB99 630,650,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the beginning of a barcode field where 99 is replaced with the maximum number of characters in the data string for the field.

Note: This command tells the printer that all the following commands are for this new

barcode field. Any commands other than barcode or general field commands are ignored. The description of this field ends when the printer is sent a new beginning of field command (FA, FL, FS, FY, FG, or FM) or the end of format layout description command (XZ).

Compatibility Notes:

630, 650 The maximum number of characters which can be in a field is 64.

6X6, SNAP The maximum number of characters which can be in a field is 128.

~FL 630,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the beginning of a box / underline field.

Note: This command tells the printer that the following commands are for this new box

/ underline field. Any commands other than box / underline or general field commands are ignored. The description of this field ends when the printer is sent a new beginning of field command (FA, FB, FS, FY, FG, or FM) or the end of format layout description command (XZ).

PAXAR PCL Reference Guide •••• 21

~FG99 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the beginning of a logo field where 99 is replaced with the number of logos that will appear in this field. Refer to Appendix E for details about printing logos and graphic image fields.

Note: This command tells the printer that the following commands are for this new

logo field. Any commands other than logo or general field commands are ignored. The description of this field ends when the printer is sent a new beginning of field command (FA, FB, FS, FY, FL, or FM) or the end of format layout description command (XZ).

Compatibility Note:

650 The 650 is only capable of one logo per logo field. In order to have multiple

logos, multiple logo fields will have to be created. If the number of logos specified in the command is greater than one, the 650 will map only the one logo.

~FS99 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the beginning of a care symbol field where 99 is replaced by the number of symbols that will appear in the field.

Note: This command tells the printer that the following commands are for this new care

symbol field. Any commands other than care symbol or general field commands are ignored. The description of this field ends when the printer is sent a new beginning of field command (FA, FB, FG, FY, FL, or FM) or the end of format layout description command (XZ).

Compatibility Note:

650 The 650 can only do one care symbol per field. In order to print multiple care

symbols multiple care symbol fields must be used.

~FY99 960

This command specifies the beginning of a special symbol field where 99 is replaced by the number of symbols that will appear in the field.

Note: This command tells the printer that the following commands are for this new

special symbol field. Any commands other than special symbol or general field commands are ignored. The description of this field ends when the printer is sent a new beginning of field command (FA, FB, FG, FS, FL, or FM) or the end of format layout description command (XZ).

~FM 630,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the beginning of a graphic image field. Graphic images supported are PCX and BMP. The graphic image must follow industry standards for PCX and BMP file structures. Many applications produce both files. Refer to Appendix E for details on printing logos and graphic image files.

Note: This command tells the printer that the following commands are for this new

special symbol field. Any commands other than special symbol or general field commands are ignored. The description of this field ends when the printer is sent a new beginning of field command (FA, FB, FG, FS, or FL) or the end of format layout description command (XZ).

~FK99 700RFID

This command specifies the beginning of an RFID field where 99 is replaced with the maximum number of characters in the data string for the field. The data string

22 •••• Reference Guide PAXAR PCL

represents an EPC for a RFID tag. This is the data will be written to a RFID

NOTE: As of this writing, the printers only accept EPC

transponder on the tag. The data string for the field must be ASCII hex

This command works only on a printer equipped for writing to Class 1 Gen 2 RFID transponders. There may be only one RFID field per format.

See Appendix G for a description of RFID operation.

The data field in the batch corresponding to this field will contain the data to be written to the transponder. The field is divided into the following subfields. Subfields are separated by the ASCII pipe (|) character.

• EPC Data – this is the EPC code to be written to the EPC register in the transponder. This is an ASCII hex data string.

• User Memory – This is the data in ASCII hex format to be written to the transponder’s user memory. User memory is transponder dependent; it is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that the data in this subfield is appropriate. If the data does not match the user memory space of the transponder, undesired operation may result.

• Reserved – This subfield must be empty.

• Access Password – This is an 8 character ASCII hex value that will be written

to the transponder’s Access Password space.

• Kill Password – This is an 8 character ASCII hex value that will be written to the transponder’s Kill Password space.

• Lock Code – This is a five digit value that specified the locking method to be applied to the transponder.

NOTE: The printer does not check the data. It is the responsibility of the user to determine that the data is correct for their application.

data. The other data fields are not implemented.

~FW9999 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the field origin for the web direction in thousandths of an inch. This distance is measured from the edge of the web that is on the inside of the machine as the stock runs through the machine. This same edge would be the top edge of a finished tag. The field origin is the top left-hand corner of a field. This corner is also the reference point for field rotation. For example: If a field is to be placed two inches from the edge of a tag in the web direction the command would be ~FW2000.

Compatibility Notes:

630, 650 For the 630 and 650 printers the resolution or smallest increment is 0.0042”

(0.11mm).

960 The 960 resolution is 0.007” (0.18mm) in the web direction.

636, 656, 676, 686, 545, SNAP The actual resolution or smallest increment is 1/dpi of

the printer.

- 240 DPI = 0.0042 “ (0.11mm)

- 300/305 DPI = 0.0033” (0.084mm)

- 545 = 0.005” (0.13mm)

NOTE: For an RFID field (~FK), this value is not used.

PAXAR PCL Reference Guide •••• 23

~FP99999 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the field origin for the pull position in thousandths of an inch. This distance is measured from the trailing or left hand edge of the tag as the stock runs through the machine. The field origin is the top left-hand corner of a field. This corner is also the reference point for field rotation. For example: If a field is to be placed two inches from the edge of a tag in the pull direction the command would be ~FP2000.

Compatibility Notes:

630, 650 For the 630 and 650 printers the resolution or smallest increment is 0.0042”

(0.11mm).

960 The 960 resolution is 0.014” (0.36mm) in the pull direction.

636, 656, 676, 686, 545, SNAP The actual resolution or smallest increment is 1/dpi of

the printer.

- 240 DPI = 0.0042 “ (0.11mm)

- 300 DPI = 0.0033” (0.084mm)

- 545 = 0.005” (0.13mm)

NOTE: For an RFID field, this value specifies the distance from the leading edge of the label to the leading edge of the transponder.

~FR9 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the rotation of a field. The rotations can be performed in increments of 90 degrees. The increments are 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees. These rotations are represented in the command by 0, 1, 2, and 3 respectively. A field is rotated about its top left corner. The direction of rotation is clockwise.

Compatibility Note:

960 The 960 will accept 0,1,2,and 3 for rotations and will also accept 0, 90, 180, 270 as

values for the rotation.

~FD_ 960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies which side of the tag that the field is printed on. Replace the _ with the appropriate letter.

Compatibility Note:

960 Use F for front, B for back and A for flag.

676, 545, SNAP Use 1 to print field using head 1

676, 545 , SNAP Use 2 to print field using head 2

676 Use 3 to print field using head 3.

636, 656, 686 All have just one printhead – therefore all field commands

will print on the same printhead. The correct default command is 2.

676, 545, SNAP Use A1 to print on flag using head 1

676, 545 , SNAP Use A2 or A - (default) to print on flag using head 2

676 Use A3 to print on flag using head 3.

636, 656, 686 All have just one printhead – therefore all flag commands

will print on the same printhead. The correct default command is A.

24 •••• Reference Guide PAXAR PCL

~FTR9 600RFID,700RFID

This command specifies that this field is to be populated with the transponder signature from the label. The printer must be equipped with an RFID unit and the tags / labels must contain a Class 0 Gen 1 transponder.

The value 9 has the following meaning and needs to be replaced with one of these values.

1 – RFID 64 bit value

2 – RFID 96 bit value

NOTE: There must be a data field as a place holder in the batch file for this field. Data in the batch file will be ignored.

~FTRP9 700RFID

This command specifies that this field is to be populated with the EPC data from the RFID field (see the RFID ~FK field definition command above). The printer must be equipped with an RFID unit and the tags / labels must contain a Class 1 Gen 2 transponder.

The value 9 has the following meaning and needs to be replaced with one of these values.

1 – RFID 64 bit value

2 – RFID 96 bit value

NOTE: There must be a data field place holder in the batch file for this field. Any data in this field will be ignored.

This command allows the EPC code that is being written to the RFID transponder to be printed on the label. This attribute is only allowed for alphanumeric and bar code fields.

The sub-stringing attributes (~A199/~A299/~A399 or ~B199/~B299/~B399) allow only a portion of the EPC field to be printed.

Special Codes for Alphanumeric Fields

These are codes that are special to alphanumeric fields.

~AF9999 630,650,960,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the font number for the characters in the alphanumeric field. Available character fonts are listed in Appendix A.

Compatibility Note:

636, 656, 676, 686, 545 This is only effective when the emulation mode on the printer

is set to 630 or 650.

~AL9999 6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the scaleable font number for the characters in the alphanumeric field. Available scaleable fonts are listed in Appendix A.

PAXAR PCL Reference Guide •••• 25

~AC999 960,6X6,SNAP

This command selects the code page that is to be used for character translations. For example: To select code page 850 - send the command ~AC850. Currently available code pages are AVERY DENNISON Code Pages 000, 001 (Compatible with older AVERY DENNISON printers.), Code Page 437, Code Page 850, Code Page 851, Code Page 852, Code Page 857 and 866.

~AP99 6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the point size of the printed text in the field. This command only applies to the scaleable fonts.

Compatibility Note:

636, 656 (240 dpi) The range for the point size is 6 to 96.

636, 656, 676, 686 (300 dpi) The range for the point size is 4 to 96.

545 The range for the point size is 6 to 96.

~A199 630,650,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the printed field order number for a source field in a Data Copy. (See note in command A3)

~A299 630,650,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the start character for a Data copy. (See note in command A3)

~A399 630,650,6X6,SNAP

This command specifies the number of characters to be copied for a Data Copy.

Note: This group of Data Copy commands allows duplicate data to be sent just once

and the printer will take care of copying the data into other fields.

The A1 command specifies the field number of the field containing the data to be copied. (The field number is determined by the order that the fields are listed in the format, with the first field being field one.)

The A2 command specifies the character position within the specified field to start copying. (The first character in the data string is character one.)

The command A3 specifies how many characters to be copied. This count includes the start character.

For example, if field number 2 contains the data AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION and this field should contain AVERY DENNISON, the commands ~A102 (Data source is field 2), ~A201 (starting character is the first character), and ~A314 (14 characters are to be copied) would be sent to the printer.

~AS99 630,650,6X6,SNAP

This command activates auto-incrementing. Auto-incrementing means that this field will start at the data value which it is sent and increment using the step size that is specified in this command. The step size of the increment is specified in 99. An increment of zero turns off auto-incrementing.

Compatibility Note:

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