Brother QL-720NW User Manual

Software Developer's Manual

P-touch Template Command Reference

QL-720NW

Version 1.0

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© 2012 Brother Industries, Ltd. All rights reserved.

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IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Note

This documentation (“Documentation”) gives you information that will assist you in controlling your Printer

QL-XXX (where “XXX” is the model name).

You may use the Documentation only if you first agree to the following conditions.

If you do not agree to the following conditions, you may not use the Documentation.

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You may use and reproduce the Documentation to the extent necessary for your own use of your Printer

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P-touch Template Command Reference

Contents

Introduction ··············································································································1

What is P-touch Template? ·····················································································2

1. Using P-touch Template ······················································································3

2. P-touch Template Settings Tool User’s Guide ·················································· 4

3. Examples for Using Commands·········································································9

3.1 Example for using P-touch Template ......................................................................... 9

4. P-touch Template Limitations ···········································································13

4.1 Relating to text objects ............................................................................................ 13

4.1.1 Font, size, etc. .............................................................................................. 13

4.1.2 Character alignment ..................................................................................... 14

4.1.3 Text Layout settings ...................................................................................... 15

4.2 Relating to barcodes ............................................................................................... 16

4.2.1 Barcodes ......................................................................................................16

4.2.2 1D barcodes ................................................................................................. 17

4.2.3 2D barcodes ................................................................................................. 18

4.3 Relating to images................................................................................................... 19

4.4 Relating to Numbering............................................................................................. 19

4.5 Relating to Database............................................................................................... 19

4.6 Others...................................................................................................................... 20

4.6.1 Transferring templates.................................................................................. 20

4.6.2 About objects in a template .......................................................................... 20

5. Precautions········································································································· 21

5.1 Relationship between the P-touch Editor settings and the printer image ................ 21

5.2 Making a template in order to save time before starting to print.............................. 22

6. Control Code Lists ····························································································· 23

6.1 Setting and retrieving commands for P-touch Template mode ................................ 23

6.2 Setting and retrieving commands for raster mode................................................... 24

7. Control Command Details ················································································· 26

^PT Select print start trigger...................................................................... 26

^FF Start printing ...................................................................................... 27

^PS Specify print start command text string.............................................. 28

^PC Specify print start received character count....................................... 29

^SS Specify delimiter ................................................................................ 30

^TS Select template..................................................................................31

^CO Select printer settings (cut options) ................................................... 32

^LS Specify line spacing with line feed ..................................................... 33

^CC Change the prefix character .............................................................. 34

^RC Specify line feed command text string ...............................................35

^CN Specify number of copies .................................................................. 36

^NN Specify number of Numbering copies ................................................ 37

^ID Initialize template data....................................................................... 37

^QS Select print options............................................................................ 38

^QV Specify QR Code version .................................................................. 39

^FC FNC1 replacement setting ................................................................. 40

- i -

P-touch Template Command Reference

^II Initialize.............................................................................................. 41

^OP Perform printer operation (feed) ........................................................42

^SR Status request.................................................................................... 43

^VR Retrieve version information.............................................................. 45

^CR Line feed in object ............................................................................. 45

^OS Select object (object number)............................................................ 46

^ON Select object (object name) ............................................................... 47

^DI Directly insert object .......................................................................... 48

ESC i a Select command mode...................................................................... 49

ESC iXT2 Select print start trigger...................................................................... 50

ESC iXP2 Specify print start command text string.............................................. 51

ESC iXr2 Specify print start received character count....................................... 52

ESC iXD2 Specify delimiter ................................................................................53

ESC iXa2 Specify non-printed text strings.......................................................... 54

ESC iXi2 Select command mode...................................................................... 55

ESC iXn2 Select template.................................................................................. 56

ESC iXf2 Change the prefix character .............................................................. 57

ESC iXc2 Select printer settings (cut options) ................................................... 58

ESC iXy2 Specify printer settings (cut options–specifying number of labels)..... 59

ESC iXm2 Select character code set .................................................................. 60

ESC iXj2 Select international character set ...................................................... 61

ESC iXR2 Specify line feed command text string ............................................... 62

ESC iXC2 Specify number of copies ..................................................................63

ESC iXN2 Specify number of Numbering copies................................................ 64

ESC iXF2 FNC1 replacement setting................................................................. 65

ESC iXq2 Select print options ............................................................................66

ESC iXT1 Retrieve print start trigger setting....................................................... 67

ESC iXP1 Retrieve print start command setting text string................................. 68

ESC iXr1 Retrieve print start received character count ..................................... 69

ESC iXD1 Retrieve delimiter............................................................................... 70

ESC iXa1 Retrieve non-printed text strings ........................................................ 71

ESC iXi1 Retrieve command mode setting ....................................................... 72

ESC iXn1 Retrieve number of selected template ...............................................73

ESC iXc1 Retrieve printer settings (cut options) ................................................ 74

ESC iXy1 Retrieve printer settings (cut options–specifying number of labels) ... 75

ESC iXm1 Retrieve character code set setting ................................................... 76

ESC iXj1 Retrieve international character set setting........................................ 77

ESC iXf1 Retrieve prefix character.................................................................... 78

ESC iXR1 Retrieve line feed command setting text string .................................. 79

ESC iXC1 Retrieve number of copies setting ..................................................... 80

ESC iXN1 Retrieve number of Numbering copies setting................................... 81

ESC iXF1 Retrieve FNC1 replacement setting................................................... 82

ESC iXq1 Retrieve print options......................................................................... 83

Appendix A: Specifications···················································································84

Appendix B: Character Code Tables···································································· 85

Character code tables ...................................................................................................85

International character set table .................................................................................... 88

Appendix C: Troubleshooting··············································································· 89

If printing does not begin (main most frequent cause)................................................... 89

If a template linked to a database is not printed ............................................................ 89

Appendix D: Introducing the Brother Developer Center···································· 90

- ii -

P-touch Template Command Reference

Introduction

This material provides the necessary information for directly controlling the templates transferred to
QL-720NW.
This information is provided assuming that the user has full understanding of the operating system being used
and basic mastery of RS-232C in a developer's environment.
We accept no responsibility for any problems caused by programs that you develop using the information
provided in this material, affecting software, data or hardware, including the QL-720NW, and any problems
resulting directly or indirectly from them. Use this material only if you accept these terms.
This material shall not be reproduced, in part or in full, without prior approval. In addition, this material shall
not be used as evidence in a lawsuit or dispute in a way that is unfavorable towards our company.

Read the model names that appear in the screens in this manual as the name of your printer.

- 1 ­Introduction

P-touch Template Command Reference

What is P-touch Template?

P-touch Template helps the user develop a printing system that connects directly from the host and has
following functions:

 transfers the template data from P-touch Editor to the printer (2)
 transfers the ASCII text and binary data from a host to the template in the printer (3)

(“Host” includes medias such as barcode readers, scales or medical devices.)

 prints the transferred data (3)

(See the figure shown below.)

1. Set up the printer from
the PC according to the
configuration of the host.

2. Design the template
with P-touch Editor, then
transfer it to printer.

3. Transfer the data (text) from
the host, and then print the
template.

P-touch Template commands consist of a prefix character and a two-character text string.
When the prefix character is sent, the printer begins the analysis of the P-touch Template command, and
performs the specified process if the following two-character text string corresponds to a command.

Note

*P-touch Template is not compatible with some hosts.

*These hosts should have a serial cable (RS-232C) to transfer the data.

- 2 -

What is P-touch Template?

1. Using P-touch Template

(1) Specify the printer settings.

Using the P-touch Template Settings tool, specify the initial
printer settings according to the host system environment
or the host that the printer is connected to.

P-touch Template Command Reference

(Please refer to “2. P-touch Template Settings Tool User’s

Guide

” on page 4.)

The printer driver must first be installed via a USB
connection.

(2) Design the template.

Using P-touch Editor, design the template to be transferred
to the printer.

(Please refer to “4. P-touch Template Limitations

” on page

13.)

(3) Transfer the templates.

Using P-touch Transfer Manager, transfer the templates to
the printer.
(Please refer to the QL series Software User’s Guide.)

(4) Program using P-touch Template commands.

If any special commands are required to control the printer,
change the host’s program in accordance with the P-touch
Template commands.
(Please refer to “6. Control Code Lists

” on page 23.)

(5) Connect the printer with the host and print slips etc.

Using a serial cable, connect the printer to the host device.
Transfer the data such as ASCII text from the host to
templates in the printer, and print the label etc.

- 3 -

1. Using P-touch Template

r

2. P-touch Template Settings Tool User’s Guide

P-touch Template Command Reference

(1) Command mode setting

(2) Template number setting

(3) Delimiter setting

(4) Print start trigger setting

(5) Print start command text

string setting

(6) Print start data amount setting

(7) Character code set setting

(8) International character set setting

(9) Prefix character setting

(10) Non-printed character setting

(11) Line feed characte

(12) FNC1 replacement setting

(13) Number of copies setting

(14) Print quality setting

(15) Cut at End setting

(16) Cut number setting

(17) Auto cut setting

(18) Communication settings

Applies settings for (1)
through (18) to the printer.

Closes the tool.

Returns (1) through (18) to their default settings.

setting

- 4 -

2. P-touch Template Settings Tool User’s Guide

P-touch Template Command Reference

(1) Command mode setting

- P-touch Template mode
To use P-touch Template, select the P-touch Template mode.

- ESC/P mode

- Raster mode

(2) Template number setting

Specify the template number selected as the default when the printer is turned on.
However, if any template has been set to not be transferred to the printer, the number of that template
cannot be specified.

(3) Delimiter setting

A delimiter is the symbol used to indicate when to move to the next object in the data that is being sent.
Between 1 and 20 characters can be specified.

(4) Print start trigger setting

Select one of the following three options for the print start trigger.

- Command Character
(Printing starts when the command character specified in (5) is received.)

- Data Insertion into All the Objects
(Printing starts when the delimiter for the last object is received.)

- Received Data Size
(Printing starts when the number of characters specified in (6) is received. However, delimiters are not
counted in the number of characters.)

(5) Print start command text string setting

Specify 1 to 20 characters.

(6) Print start data amount setting

The amount of data that must be received before printing can begin can be set between 1 and 999.

(7) Character code set setting

Select one of the following three character code sets. For character code tables, refer to “Appendix B:

Character Code Tables

”.

- Windows1252

- Windows1250

- Brother standard

- 5 -

2. P-touch Template Settings Tool User’s Guide

(8) International character set setting

Select one of the following countries for the character set.

- USA

- France

- Germany

- Britain

- Denmark I

- Sweden

- Italy

- Spain I

- Japan

- Norway

- Denmark II

- Spain II

P-touch Template Command Reference

- Latin America

- South Korea

- Legal
The following 12 codes are switched depending on the country selected from those listed above.
23h 24h 40h 5Bh 5Ch 5Dh 5Eh 60h 7Bh 7Ch 7Dh 7Eh
For the characters that are switched, refer to the “International character set table

” in “Appendix B:

Character Code Tables”.

(9) Prefix character setting

Change the prefix character code. Specify as a one-character character code.
The prefix character is the code for the first character that identifies commands that can be used in
P-touch Template mode.

(10) Non-printed character setting

The characters specified here are not printed when data is received. Specify 1 to 20 characters.

(11) Line feed character setting

The line feed code is used when feeding data to indicate that the following data should be moved to the
next line in a text object. One of the following four line feed codes can be selected, or 1 to 20 characters
can be specified as the line feed code.

1. ^CR

2. \0D\0A

3. \0A

4. \0D

- 6 -

2. P-touch Template Settings Tool User’s Guide

P-touch Template Command Reference

(12) FNC1 replacement setting

This setting selects whether or not GS codes, which are included in barcode protocols such as
GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128), are replaced with FNC1 codes.
If the check box is selected, a received GS code is replaced with the FNC1 code. If the check box is
cleared, a received GS code is outputted as is.

(13) Number of copies setting

Specify the number of copies. A number between 1 and 99 can be specified.

(14) Print quality setting

Select the print quality setting. If the check box is selected, priority is given to the print quality.
If the check box is cleared, priority is given to the print speed.

(15) Cut at End setting

If this setting is selected, the cut operation will be performed when printing is finished.

(16) Cut number setting

A number between 1 and 99 can be specified.

(17) Auto cut setting

If auto cutting is selected, the cut operation will be performed after the number of labels specified in
(16).

(18) Communication settings

Settings can be specified for the following parameters for serial communication.

Baud rate

115200 bps, 57600 bps, 38400 bps, 31250 bps, 28800 bps, 19200 bps,
14400 bps, 9600 bps, 4800 bps, 2400 bps, 1200 bps, 600 bps, 300 bps

Bit length (bits) 8 bits, 7 bits

Parity None, Odd, Even

Busy control DTR, XON/XOFF

Applies the four settings
to the printer.

Closes the Communication
Settings dialog box.

- 7 -

2. P-touch Template Settings Tool User’s Guide

Returns the four parameters
to their default settings.

P-touch Template Command Reference

Others

· ini file

After the [Set] button (in the main dialog box or the Communications Settings dialog box) is clicked, the
settings are saved when the dialog box is closed.

C:\Documents and Settings\(user_account_name)\Application Data\Brother
\Printer Settings\Pts3734.ini

· Typing text into text boxes (3), (5), (9) and (10)

Characters that can be entered as text can be typed in, and control codes can be entered as ASCII
codes (00 to FF) with \ in front of them.
Example

PRINT PRINT

Tab control code \09

Line feed control code \0D

\ \\

- 8 -

2. P-touch Template Settings Tool User’s Guide

3. Examples for Using Commands

3.1 Example for using P-touch Template

Here is the label that will be made.

2.4 inches width continuous label is to be used.

P-touch Template Command Reference

Steps

1. Make a template with P-touch Editor.

2. Transfer the template to Transfer Manager.

3. Transfer the template from Transfer Manager to the printer.

4. Use P-touch Template commands for printing.

Step 1: Make a template with P-touch Editor.

Start the P-touch Editor and make a label.

- 9 -

3. Examples for Using Commands

Step 2: Transfer the template to Transfer Manager.

The template sent in step 2 is stored in Transfer Manager, as shown below.

P-touch Template Command Reference

Assigned number

Stored template

Step 3: Transfer the template from Transfer Manager to the printer.

Click [Transfer] button.

- 10 -

3. Examples for Using Commands

P-touch Template Command Reference

Note

Make sure that the printer is turned on and hooked up to the PC with a USB cable before using

Transfer Manager. Also, make sure that the printer communication setting is always bidirectional

communication when Transfer Manager is used.

When the template is transferred to the printer, the following message appears.

Step 4: Use P-touch Template commands for printing.

When using P-touch Template commands, at least these four commands are required.
However, two out of the four can be set by using the P-touch Template Settings tool.

(1) Select the P-touch Template mode.

(2) Choose the assigned number.

After setting (1) and (2) with the P-touch Template Settings tool, the other two commands must be sent
to the printer.

- 11 -

3. Examples for Using Commands

(3) Initialize P-touch Template

(4) Print Start

P-touch Template Command Reference

Entered command

^II

When the printer receives the command above, the label below is printed.

Entered command

^FF

- 12 -

3. Examples for Using Commands

P-touch Template Command Reference

4. P-touch Template Limitations

4.1 Relating to text objects

4.1.1 Font, size, etc.

Please also refer to “5.1 Relationship between the P-touch Editor settings and the printer image” on page 21.
 Fonts specified in P-touch Editor are converted to Helsinki, Letter Gothic or Brussels, depending on the

font shape, when the data is sent to the printer.
The font is converted according to the following rules: fixed pitch: Letter Gothic; serif: Brussels; san serif:
Helsinki.
With symbol fonts, symbols are converted to text objects if text input mode has been entered, and the
font is converted to one of the three described above. If the text input mode has been exited, simbols are
converted to image objects and the selected font is not converted.

 Character sizes specified in P-touch Editor are converted to the closest built-in character size when the

data is sent to the printer.

 Character sizes specified in P-touch Editor are all made the same size within an object.
 If “At Printing” is selected, a time stamp specified in P-touch Editor is not printed. If “At Printing” is not

selected, the time stamp is printed with the date and time that the data was created in P-touch Editor.

 Depending on the language of the computer used for transferring, either the Western European or the

Eastern European character set is used for characters within text objects.

“At Printing” setting

To cancel the “At Printing” setting for a date/time in P-touch Editor, display the properties for the “Date and
Time Properties” object, and then clear the “At Printing” check box.

- 13 -

4. P-touch Template Limitations

P-touch Template Command Reference

4.1.2 Character alignment

 Horizontal alignment settings (“Justify” or “Equal Length”) specified in P-touch Editor are changed to the

left alignment setting.

 The setting for line feed with a line feed specified with the P-touch Editor can be set between 0 and 255

dots.
A negative line spacing setting cannot be used in P-touch Editor. In addition, since there is an upper limit
(about 21 mm) for the line width with the printer, a line spacing setting larger than this limit specified in
P-touch Editor will not be applied on the printer.

Specifying the line spacing setting in P-touch Editor

- 14 -

4. P-touch Template Limitations

P-touch Template Command Reference

4.1.3 Text Layout settings

 Character styles specified in P-touch Editor all become the same style within an object.
 If the “Long Text” setting is selected under “Text Layout” in P-touch Editor, the vertical alignment setting is

normally set for top alignment.

 If continuous length tape is used, the print length is increased to fit the text depending on the setting.

(Refer to “5.1 Relationship between the P-touch Editor settings and the printer image

” on page 21 for

details.)

 If the “Fixed Frame Size (Wrap)” setting is selected under “Text Layout” in P-touch Editor, the object size

does not change, and the text size is reduced.
“Fixed Frame Size (Wrap)” is a setting that was added for inserting long text. Since it is possible that the
text size may become extremely small if the wrapping feature is no longer applied, we recommend that
“Fixed Frame Size” be selected when die-cut labels or a fixed length is specified in P-touch Editor, or that
“Automatic Length” be selected when an automatic media length is specified.

Shrink to Fit

Clip Text

Long Text

Automatic
Length

Free Size

The text object size is fixed, and the text size is changed depending on the text
length.

The text object size is fixed, and the text size is fixed. If the text is too long, the text
is not printed.

The text object width is fixed, and the text size is fixed. If the text is too long, the text
object height is increased.

The text object height is fixed, and the text size is fixed. If the text is too long, the
text object width is increased.

The text size is fixed. If the text is too long, the text object width is increased. If a
new line is started, the text height is increased.

Specifying a Text Layout setting

Click the button circled in red to display a drop-down list, and then select the desired option.

- 15 -

4. P-touch Template Limitations

P-touch Template Command Reference

4.2 Relating to barcodes

4.2.1 Barcodes

 When trying to transfer a template containing a barcode that is not compatible with the printer, an error will

occur while transferring and the template cannot be transferred to the printer.
The following barcodes are compatible with the QL-XXX.

1D barcodes

CODE39, ITF(I-2/5), UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13, EAN-8, CODABAR, CODE128,
GS1-128(UCC/EAN-128) , RSS

2D barcodes PDF417, QR Code, Data Matrix, MaxiCode

 If data containing characters incompatible with the protocol are fed into the barcode object, that barcode

object is not printed.

 The barcode size may differ from that in the print result with P-touch Editor.
 Since CODE128 and GS1-128(UCC/EAN-128) can easily be printed slightly larger, we recommend

leaving larger margins when creating templates in P-touch Editor.

 If data fed into a barcode in a template created with P-touch Editor causes an extremely long barcode, the

barcode may not be fully printed. If continuous length tape is used, the print length is increased to fit the
barcode length.

 Do not insert line feed immediately before or immediately after the barcode data. Otherwise, it will be

considered as part of the barcode data. In that case, the barcode will be created containing the line feed
code, or the barcode will not be printed since data incompatible with the barcode protocol is entered.

 A delimiter or print start text string should be entered immediately after the barcode data.

- 16 -

4. P-touch Template Limitations

P-touch Template Command Reference

4.2.2 1D barcodes

 The ratio setting for 1D barcodes specified in P-touch Editor is invalid. Normally, this is fixed at 3:1.
 A barcode wider than 22.5 cm will not be printed.
 A 1D barcode taller than 99 mm is converted to 99 mm.
 The number of characters that can be entered for each protocol is shown below.

1 to 50 characters (not including “*” on both sides)

CODE39

When feeding data, the asterisks (*) at the beginning and end of the data are
skipped.

ITF

I-2/5

1 to 64 characters
The bearer bar setting specified in P-touch Editor is invalid.

EAN-8 7 characters

EAN-13 12 characters

UPC-A 11 characters

UPC-E 6 characters

3 to 64 characters (with “A”, “B”, “C” or “D” at the beginning and end)

CODABAR

Insertion of lowercase letters “a”, “b”, “c” or “d” at the beginning or end will be
accepted with the directly insert object command, but the text that will be printed
are the uppercase letters “A”, “B”, “C” or “D”.

CODE128 1 to 64 characters

GS1-128

(UCC/EAN-128)

1 to 64 characters

RSS-14 3 to 15 characters (begins with “01”)

RSS Limited 3 to 15 characters (begins with “01”; third digit is “0” or “1”)

RSS Expanded 1 to 64 numbers or 1 to 40 letters*

* ISO646 characters can be printed.
<<numbers, letters, spaces, !, ”, %, &, ’, (, ), *, +, ,, -, ., /, :, ;, <, =, >, ? and _>>
When trying to transfer data exceeding the ranges described above, an error will occur while
transferring. If the data that is fed does not meet the minimum limit, the barcode is not printed. If the
data exceeds the maximum limit, only the data to the maximum limit is applied. However, if the data
exceeds 64 characters, the barcode is not printed.

 If a template is created in P-touch Editor with an extremely low barcode bar height, the bars may not be

printed.

- 17 -

4. P-touch Template Limitations

4.2.3 2D barcodes

QR Code

PDF417

P-touch Template Command Reference

The version setting for a QR Code specified in P-touch Editor is invalid. The
version setting must be turned off.
The Structured Append settings specified in P-touch Editor are invalid.
If the value specified with the QR Code version command is outside of the
allowable range, it is changed to AUTO. (MODEL1:0 to 14, MODEL2:0 to 40,
MicroQR:0 to 4)

Since the error correction levels for PDF417 specified in P-touch Editor are
inconsistent with those on the printer, the size of the barcode may change when
it is printed with P-touch Template.
The width for PDF417 specified in P-touch Editor may change from the medium
size to the small size.
The Structured Append settings specified in P-touch Editor are invalid.

Data Matrix

Maxi Code

The Structured Append settings specified in P-touch Editor are invalid.
Macro settings specified in P-touch Editor are invalid

The Structured Append settings specified in P-touch Editor are invalid.
The barcode is partitioned when too much data is entered.
When specifying the country code and service class with P-touch Editor, the
number is entered at the beginning if the maximum number of characters is not
reached. However, with the printer, the number is entered at the end.
Example: “2” is specified.
P-touch Editor: “200”; Printer: “002”

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4. P-touch Template Limitations

P-touch Template Command Reference

4.3 Relating to images

 If a template containing overlapping images is transferred with P-touch Editor, all image data will be

overlapping. (P-touch Editor displays the image created last on top.)

4.4 Relating to Numbering

 A single template can contain a maximum of 9 valid Numbering objects. Numbering will not be performed

for Numbering objects that exceed the maximum of 9.

 A single object contains a single Numbering field.
 A Numbering field can contain a maximum of 15 digits. If the field contains more than 15 digits, Numbering

will only be performed with the last 15 digits.

 Only Numbering fields will be saved in Numbering objects when printing is finished.
 If the number of characters that was fed in is less than the number of characters in the Numbering object, it

may not be printed correctly.

Note

Numbering objects refer to text objects or barcode objects that have the Numbering function

applied.

4.5 Relating to Database

 When a database is transferred, it is named using the file name + sheet name (when created in Excel).
 The file name can contain up to 15 bytes of characters (15 one-byte characters or 7 two-byte characters).
 A maximum of 99 databases can be transferred. However, the transfer cannot be completed if the amount

of data being transferred exceeds 6,144 KB.

 If there is a line feed in a cell containing text to be replaced, only the string of characters before the line

feed will be replaced.

 The text to be replaced can contain up to 256 characters.
 A database can contain a maximum of 65,000 rows.
 If a database containing more than 65,000 rows is transferred, all data after the 65,000th row will be

deleted.

 A database can contain a maximum of 100 columns. If a database containing more than 100 columns is

transferred, all data after the 100th column will be deleted.

 If there is no database linked to the template being printed, or if the corresponding string of characters to

be replaced cannot be found, an error occurs.

 If columns linked to the template being printed are not in the database, the objects related to those

columns remain as they were when the template was transferred.

 Depending on the language of the computer used for transferring, either the Western European or the

Eastern European character set is used for characters within databases.

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4. P-touch Template Limitations

P-touch Template Command Reference

4.6 Others

4.6.1 Transferring templates

 A maximum of 99 templates can be transferred. The transfer cannot be completed if the amount of data

being transferred exceeds 6,144 KB.

 A single template can contain a maximum of 50 objects. If trying 51 or more objects, an error will occur and

the transfer cannot be completed.

 When print data is fed, the command mode should be the P-touch Template mode.
 When a template is transferred to the printer, all values specified with dynamic commands are initialized.
 This is not compatible with split labels.
 After printing from P-touch Editor, the command mode changes to raster mode. In order to print a template,

select the P-touch Template mode in the P-touch Template Settings tool or, if the previous mode in the
P-touch Template Settings tool was the P-touch Template mode, turn the printer off, then on again to
enter P-touch Template mode.

4.6.2 About objects in a template

 A single template can contain a total of 1000 lines. If it exceeds this limit, an error will occur during printing.
 The line feed codes (0D0A, 0D and 0A) in print data are read, then discarded. However, when specified as

special data, such as delimiters, print start text strings or line feed commands, they are applied.

 The order of the objects is determined only by the last four-digit number of the object name. Objects with

no numbers in their names will be at the end of the order. If objects have the same number, the order is
determined in the following order: text, 1D barcodes, then 2D barcodes. If the objects are of the same
type, the object created first is first in the order. We recommend that the numbers indicating the order be

added at the end of the object name.
(To specify the name of an object in P-touch Editor, display the properties of the text or barcode object, and
then specify the name in the “Object Name” box on the Expanded tab.)

Specifying the object name

- 20 -

4. P-touch Template Limitations

5. Precautions

5.1 Relationship between the P-touch Editor settings and the printer image

Printer image P-touch Editor setting

Text options

(Text Layout settings)

Text

Layout

Details-

Options

Wrap

Text

Frame Size Text Size Frame Size Text Size

Width Height

P-touch Template Command Reference

Printed

image

Clip Text

Fixed
Frame Size

Fixed
Frame Size
(Wrap)

Long Text -

Automatic
Length

Shrink to Fit

Clip Text Selected

Shrink to
Fit

Selected

-

-

Fixed
If the text is too
long, the overflow
text is not printed.

Fixed
If the text is too
long, even with
the minimum text
size, the overflow
text is printed
outside the frame.

Fixed
The overflow text
is automatically
sent to the new
line.

Even the overflow
text is printed
outside the frame.

Fixed

Auto
The text is
automatically
maximized to
fit the frame
size. *

Fixed

Fixed *

Fixed
If the text is too
long, the overflow
text is not printed.

Fixed
If the text is too
long, even with
the minimum text
size, the overflow
text is printed
outside the frame.

Even the overflow
text is printed
outside the frame.

Fixed
If the text is too
long, even with
the minimum text
size, the overflow
text is printed
outside the frame.

Fixed

Auto
The text is
automatically
maximized to
fit the frame
size.

Fixed *

Auto
The text is
automatically
maximized to
fit the frame
size.

1

(See

below.)

2

(See

below.)

3

(See

below.)

4

(See

below.)

Free Size -

Even the overflow
text is printed
outside the frame.

Fixed *

Even the overflow
text is printed
outside the frame.

(* If continuous length tape is used, the print length is increased to fit the text.)

Printed image

1

2

3

4

- 21 -

Fixed

5

5

(See

below.)

5. Precautions

P-touch Template Command Reference

5.2 Making a template in order to save time before starting to print

 Perform the following operation to convert permanent objects into images.

- In the Text Properties dialog box, select the Expanded tab, and then select the “Text Cannot Be Edited”

check box.

- If the Expanded tab of the Text Properties dialog box is not displayed, click [Options] on the Tools menu,

and then select the “Display Expanded Tabs of Object Properties” check box on the General tab.

 Specify the text options (Text Layout settings) so that the text size is fixed.

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5. Precautions

P-touch Template Command Reference

6. Control Code Lists

6.1 Setting and retrieving commands for P-touch Template mode

ASCII Code Binary Code Static/Dynamic Description

^PT 5E 50 54 Dynamic Select print start trigger

^FF 5E 46 46 Start printing

^PS 5E 50 53 Dynamic Specify print start command text string

^PC 5E 50 43 Dynamic Specify print start received character count

^SS 5E 53 53 Dynamic Specify delimiter

^TS 5E 54 53 Dynamic Select template

^CO 5E 43 4F Dynamic Select printer settings (cut options)

^LS 5E 4C 53 Dynamic Specify line spacing with line feed

^CC 5E 43 43 Dynamic Change prefix character

^RC 5E 52 43 Dynamic Specify line feed command text string

^CN 5E 43 4E Dynamic Specify number of copies

^NN 5E 4E 4E Dynamic Specify number of Numbering copies

^ID 5E 49 44 Initialize template data

^QS 5E 51 53 Dynamic Select print options

^QV 5E 51 56 Dynamic Specify QR Code version

^FC 5E 46 43 Dynamic FNC1 replacement setting

^II 5E 49 49 Initialize

^OP 5E 4F 50 Perform printer operation (feed)

^SR 5E 53 52 Status request

^VR 5E 56 52 Retrieve version information

^CR 5E 43 52 Line feed in object

^OS 5E 4F 53 Select object (object number)

^ON 5E 4F 4E Select object (object name)

^DI 5E 44 49 Directly insert object

ESC ia 1B 69 61 Dynamic Select command mode

Note

* The commands listed above must be used in P-touch Template mode.

* These commands (except ESC ia) cannot be used in raster mode or ESC/P mode.

* With dynamic commands, settings specified with a command are temporarily saved and applied

until the printer is turned off.

- 23 -

6. Control Code Lists

P-touch Template Command Reference

6.2 Setting and retrieving commands for raster mode

ASCII Code Binary Code Static/Dynamic Description

ESC iXT2 1B 69 58 54 32 Static Select print start trigger

ESC iXP2 1B 69 58 50 32 Static Specify print start command text string

ESC iXr2 1B 69 58 72 32 Static Specify print start received character count

ESC iXD2 1B 69 58 44 32 Static Specify delimiter

ESC iXa2 1B 69 58 61 32 Static Specify non-printed text strings

ESC iXi2 1B 69 58 69 32 Static Select command mode

ESC iXn2 1B 69 58 6E 32 Static Select template

ESC iXf2 1B 69 58 66 32 Static Change prefix character

ESC iXc2 1B 69 58 63 32 Static Select printer settings (cut options)

ESC iXy2 1B 69 58 79 32 Static

Specify printer settings (cut options–specifying
number of labels)

ESC iXm2 1B 69 58 6D 32 Static Select character code set

ESC iXj2 1B 69 58 6A 32 Static Select international character set

ESC iXR2 1B 69 58 52 32 Static Specify line feed command text string

ESC iXC2 1B 69 58 43 32 Static Specify number of copies

ESC iXN2 1B 69 58 4E 32 Static Specify number of Numbering copies

ESC iXF2 1B 69 58 46 32 Static FNC1 replacement setting

ESC iXq2 1B 69 58 71 32 Static Select print options

ESC iXT1 1B 69 58 54 31 Retrieve print start trigger setting

ESC iXP1 1B 69 58 50 31 Retrieve print start command setting text string

ESC iXr1 1B 69 58 72 31 Retrieve print start received character count

ESC iXD1 1B 69 58 44 31 Retrieve delimiter

ESC iXa1 1B 69 58 61 31 Retrieve non-printed text strings

ESC iXi1 1B 69 58 69 31 Retrieve command mode setting

ESC iXn1 1B 69 58 6E 31 Retrieve number of selected template

ESC iXc1 1B 69 58 63 31 Static Retrieve printer settings (cut options)

ESC iXy1 1B 69 58 79 31 Static

Retrieve printer settings (cut options–specifying
number of labels)

ESC iXm1 1B 69 58 6D 31 Retrieve character code set setting

ESC iXj1 1B 69 58 6A 31 Retrieve international character set setting

ESC iXf1 1B 69 58 66 31 Retrieve prefix character

ESC iXR1 1B 69 58 52 31 Retrieve line feed command setting text string

- 24 -

6. Control Code Lists