Brother QL-720NW User Manual

Software Developer's Manual

P-touch Template Command Reference

QL-720NW

Version 1.0

The Brother logo is a registered trademark of Brother Industries, Ltd. Brother is a registered trademark of Brother Industries, Ltd.

© 2012 Brother Industries, Ltd. All rights reserved.

BarStar Pro Encode Library (DataMatrix, MaxiCode, PDF417, RSS) Copyright (c) 2007 AINIX Corporation. All rights reserved.

QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED in Japan and other countries. QR Code Generating Program Copyright © 2008 DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED

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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.

Condition of Use

You may use and reproduce the Documentation to the extent necessary for your own use of your Printer Model (“Purpose”). Unless expressly permitted in the Documentation, you may not;

(i)copy or reproduce the Documentation for any purpose other than the Purpose,

(ii)modify, translate or adapt the Documentation, and/or redistribute it to any third party,

(iii)rent or lease the Documentation to any third party, or,

(iv)remove or alter any copyright notices or proprietary rights legends included within the Documentation.

No Warranty

a.Any updates, upgrades or alteration of the Documentation or Printer Model will be performed at the sole discretion of Brother. Brother may not respond to any request or inquiry about the Documentation.

b.THIS DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. BROTHER DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THIS DOCUMENTATION IS FREE FROM ERRORS OR DEFECTS.

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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

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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

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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.)

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

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

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.

(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.

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P-touch Template Command Reference

1. Using P-touch Template

P-touch Template Command Reference

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

(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 character setting (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)	Closes the tool.
through (18) to the printer.

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

- 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

P-touch Template Command Reference

(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

-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

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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		Closes the Communication		Returns the four parameters
to the printer.		Settings dialog box.		to their default settings.

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

PRINT

\09

\0D

\\

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

Tab control code

Line feed control code

\

- 8 -

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

P-touch Template Command Reference

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.

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

P-touch Template Command Reference

Step 2: Transfer the template to Transfer Manager.

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

Assigned number

Stored template

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

Click [Transfer] button.

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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

P-touch Template Command Reference

(3) Initialize P-touch Template

Entered command

^II

(4) Print Start

Entered command

^FF

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

- 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	The text object size is fixed, and the text size is changed depending on the text
		length.
	Clip Text	The text object size is fixed, and the text size is fixed. If the text is too long, the text
		is not printed.
	Long Text	The text object width is fixed, and the text size is fixed. If the text is too long, the text
		object height is increased.
	Automatic	The text object height is fixed, and the text size is fixed. If the text is too long, the
	Length	text object width is increased.
	Free Size	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	1 to 64 characters
	I-2/5	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	1 to 64 characters
	(UCC/EAN-128)
	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

P-touch Template Command Reference

4.2.3 2D barcodes

		The version setting for a QR Code specified in P-touch Editor is invalid. The
		version setting must be turned off.
	QR Code	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
	PDF417	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	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.
	Maxi Code	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

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4. P-touch Template Limitations

P-touch Template Command Reference

5. Precautions

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

P-touch Editor setting							Printer image
	Text options										Printed
					Width			Height
(Text Layout settings)
											image
Text		Details-		Wrap	Frame Size		Text Size	Frame Size		Text Size
Layout		Options		Text
					Fixed			Fixed			1
					If the text is too			If the text is too
		Clip Text					Fixed			Fixed	(See
					long, the overflow			long, the overflow
											below.)
					text is not printed.			text is not printed.
Fixed
		Shrink to Fit
Frame Size					Fixed			Fixed
							Auto			Auto
		Clip Text		Selected
					If the text is too			If the text is too
							The text is			The text is
					long, even with			long, even with			2
		Shrink to					automatically			automatically
				Selected	the minimum text			the minimum text			(See
		Fit					maximized to			maximized to
					size, the overflow			size, the overflow			below.)
							fit the frame			fit the frame
Fixed					text is printed			text is printed
							size. *			size.
		-			outside the frame.			outside the frame.
Frame Size
(Wrap)
					Fixed
		-			The overflow text			Even the overflow			3
Long Text					is automatically		Fixed	text is printed		Fixed *	(See
					sent to the new			outside the frame.			below.)
					line.
								Fixed		Auto
								If the text is too
										The text is
					Even the overflow			long, even with			4
Automatic		-								automatically
					text is printed		Fixed *	the minimum text			(See
Length										maximized to
					outside the frame.			size, the overflow			below.)
										fit the frame
								text is printed
										size.
								outside the frame.
		-			Even the overflow			Even the overflow			5
Free Size					text is printed		Fixed *	text is printed		Fixed	(See
					outside the frame.			outside the frame.			below.)

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

Printed image
1	2	3	4	5

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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.

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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

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6. Control Code Lists