Brother QL-720NW Software Developer's Manual ESC/P Command Reference
Software Developer's Manual
ESC/P 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, CODE93, POSTNET)
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
Each owner whose software title is mentioned in this document has a Software License Agreement specific to
its proprietary programs.
Any trade names and product names of companies appearing on Brother products, related documents and
any other materials are all trademarks or registered trademarks of those respective companies.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Note
This documentation (“Documentation”) provides 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.
c. IN NO EVENT SHALL BROTHER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL,
SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, ARISING OUT OF
THE USE, INABILITY TO USE, OR THE RESULTS OF USE OF THE DOCUMENTATION OR ANY
SOFTWARE PROGRAM OR APPLICATION YOU DEVELOPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
DOCUMENTATION.
ESC/P Command Reference
Contents
Introduction ··········································································································1
What is ESC/P? ····································································································2
1. Using ESC/P Commands·················································································3
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands ··························································5
3. ESC/P Command Limitations········································································10
3.1 Print area ................................................................................................10
3.2 Characters ..............................................................................................13
3.2.1 Character sizes.........................................................................................13
3.2.2 Character pitches .....................................................................................15
3.3 Print position ...........................................................................................16
3.3.1 Characters................................................................................................16
3.3.2 Bitmaps, barcodes and downloaded images ............................................17
3.3.3 Same line .................................................................................................17
3.4 Line feed amount ....................................................................................18
4. Control Code List ··························································································· 19
5. Control Command Details ············································································· 23
5.1 Character/style selection commands......................................................23
ESC R Select international character set ..................................................23
ESC q Select character style ....................................................................24
5.2 Text printing commands ..........................................................................25
ESC 4 Apply italic style.............................................................................25
ESC 5 Cancel italic style...........................................................................25
ESC E Apply bold style .............................................................................26
ESC F Cancel bold style...........................................................................26
ESC G Apply double-strike printing ...........................................................27
ESC H Cancel double-strike printing ......................................................... 27
ESC P Apply pica pitch (10 cpi).................................................................28
ESC M Apply elite pitch (12 cpi).................................................................29
ESC g Apply micron pitch .........................................................................30
ESC p Specify proportional characters .....................................................31
ESC W Specify double-width characters....................................................31
SO Specify auto-canceling stretched characters .................................32
ESC SO Specify auto-canceling stretched characters .................................32
SI Specify compressed characters.....................................................33
ESC SI Specify compressed characters.....................................................33
DC2 Cancel compressed characters .....................................................34
DC4 Cancel auto-canceling double-width characters ............................34
ESC – Apply/cancel underlining................................................................35
ESC ! Global formatting ...........................................................................36
ESC SP Specify character spacing..............................................................37
ESC X Specify character size....................................................................38
5.3 Line feed commands...............................................................................39
ESC 0 Specify line feed of 1/8 inch...........................................................39
ESC 2 Specify line feed of 1/6 inch...........................................................39
ESC 3 Specify minimum line feed.............................................................40
ESC A Specify line feed of n/60 inch .........................................................40
5.4 Horizontal movement commands ...........................................................41
ESC l Specify left margin .........................................................................41
ESC Q Specify right margin .......................................................................43
CR Carriage return ..............................................................................44
- i -
ESC/P Command Reference
ESC D Specify horizontal tab position .......................................................45
HT Perform horizontal tab ...................................................................46
ESC $ Specify absolute horizontal position...............................................47
ESC \ Specify relative horizontal position.................................................47
ESC a Specify alignment ..........................................................................48
5.5 Vertical movement commands................................................................49
LF Line feed........................................................................................49
FF Page feed......................................................................................49
ESC J Forward paper feed .......................................................................50
ESC B Specify vertical tab position ...........................................................51
VT Perform vertical tab........................................................................52
ESC (V Specify absolute vertical position...................................................53
ESC (v Specify relative vertical position.....................................................54
5.6 Paper formatting commands................................................................... 55
ESC (c Specify page format.......................................................................55
ESC (C Specify page length .......................................................................56
ESC U Specify minimum margin ...............................................................57
5.7 Printer control commands.......................................................................58
ESC @ Initialize..........................................................................................58
5.8 Graphics commands............................................................................... 59
ESC * Select bit image.............................................................................59
ESC K 8-dot single-density bit image ........................................................65
ESC L 8-dot double-density bit image.......................................................66
ESC Y 8-dot double-speed double-density bit image................................67
ESC Z 8-dot quadruple-density bit image .................................................67
5.9 Chinese character commands ................................................................ 68
FS & Specify Chinese character mode...................................................68
FS . Cancel Chinese character mode ...................................................68
FS J Specify vertical writing ...................................................................69
FS K Specify horizontal writing...............................................................69
FS S Specify size of space for full size characters ................................. 70
FS T Specify size of space for half size characters................................70
FS U Space adjustment between half size characters............................71
FS V Cancel space adjustment between half size characters ................71
FS W Select double height and width characters ....................................72
FS Y Specify Chinese character size......................................................73
FS r Specify quarter square characters .................................................74
FS - Apply Chinese character underlining.............................................75
FS ! Global Formatting for Chinese character.......................................76
FS SI Specify half-width characters .........................................................76
FS DC2 Cancel half-width characters .........................................................77
FS SO Specify auto-canceling double-width character..............................77
FS DC4 Cancel auto-canceling double-width character..............................77
5.10 Advanced commands............................................................................78
ESC i B Barcode .........................................................................................78
ESC i Q 2D barcode (QR Code)..................................................................82
ESC i P Specify QR Code version ..............................................................85
ESC i V 2D barcode (PDF417) ...................................................................86
ESC i D 2D barcode (DataMatrix) ...............................................................89
ESC i M 2D barcode (MaxiCode).................................................................92
ESC i F Print downloaded data...................................................................94
ESC i a Switch command mode .................................................................98
ESC i S Status information request.............................................................99
ESC i L Specify landscape orientation......................................................101
ESC i C Specify cutting .............................................................................102
- ii -
ESC/P Command Reference
5.11 Advanced static commands ................................................................ 103
ESC iXQ2 Select default character style.......................................................103
ESC iXQ1 Retrieve default character style ................................................... 104
ESC iXX2 Specify default ANK character size..............................................105
ESC iXX1 Retrieve default ANK character size............................................106
ESC iX32 Specify default line feed...............................................................106
ESC iX31 Retrieve default line feed.............................................................107
ESC iXA2 Select default alignment ..............................................................107
ESC iXA1 Retrieve default alignment...........................................................108
ESC iX(2 Specify default page length..........................................................109
ESC iX(1 Retrieve default page length........................................................ 109
ESC iXL2 Select default landscape orientation............................................ 110
ESC iXL1 Retrieve default landscape orientation ........................................ 110
ESC iXj2 Select default international character set..................................... 111
ESC iXj1 Retrieve default international character set .................................112
ESC iXU2 Specify default minimum margin..................................................113
ESC iXU1 Retrieve default minimum margin ................................................ 113
Appendix A: Specifications············································································· 114
Appendix B: Character Code Tables······························································ 115
Character code tables................................................................................. 115
International character set table.................................................................. 116
Chinese character catalog (based on GB18030)........................................ 117
Appendix C: Introducing the Brother Developer Center······························ 149
- iii -
ESC/P Command Reference
Introduction
This material provides the necessary information for directly controlling 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 or USB 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.
These ESC/P commands have been adapted specifically for this company.
- 1 Introduction
ESC/P Command Reference
What is ESC/P?
ESC/P is one type of control codes used for printers. With the codes introduced in this document, various
labels can be created and printed. In this document, ESC/P codes are provided as both ASCII and binary
codes.
When sending codes to the printer, make sure that the binary codes are used, otherwise the printer cannot
parse the codes.
- 2 -
What is ESC/P?
1. Using ESC/P Commands
Below is a description of the flow for creating documents.
ESC/P Command Reference
Also refer to “2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
”.
(1) Start ESC/P
1. Switch the command mode.
2. Initialize
- Switch command mode (ESC i a)
- Initialize (ESC @)
(2) Format settings
1. Select the orientation. - Specify landscape orientation (ESC i L)
2. Specify the page size. - Specify page length (ESC ( C)
3. Specify print area. - Specify page format (ESC ( c)
- Specify left/right margins (ESC I, ESC Q)
4. Specify the line feed amount. - Specify line feed amount (ESC 0, ESC 2, ESC 3, ESC A)
5. Specify tab positions. - Specify horizontal tab position (ESC D)
- Specify vertical tab position (ESC B)
(3) Print operations
1. Specify the print position. - Specify the vertical position (ESC ( v, ESC ( V, VT, ESC J)
- Specify the horizontal position (ESC $, ESC \, HT, ESC a)
2. Transfer the print data
(one line).
- Transfer necessary text operation codes (see (4)), bit images,
barcodes, and downloaded data (see (5))
3. End of the line. - Feed the paper (CR, LF)
4. Repeat 1–3 above.
5. End of the page. - Specify cutting (ESC i C)
- Feed the page (FF)
6. Repeat 1–5 above.
7. End of the document.
- 3 -
1. Using ESC/P Commands
ESC/P Command Reference
(4) Text operations
1. Specify the character set. - Select international character set (ESC R)
- Specify character size (ESC X)
- Specify the character spacing (ESC P, ESC M, ESC g, ESC SP)
2. Specify the character style. - Specify character style
(ESC 4, ESC 5, ESC E, ESC F, ESC G, ESC H, ESC W, SO,
ESC SO, SI, ESC SI, DC2, DC4, ESC -, ESC !)
3. Specify character codes.
4. Specify the ANK mode/
- (FS &, FS .)
Chinese character mode.
5. Specify the character set for
Chinese characters.
6. Specify the character style
for Chinese characters.
7. Specify character codes for
- Specify character size (FS Y)
- Specify the character spacing (FS S, FS T, FS U, FS V)
- Specify character style (FS J, FS K, FS W, FS r,
FS -, FS ! , FS SI, FS DC2, FS SO, FS DC4)
Chinese characters.
Repeat 1–7 above as necessary.
(5) Image data
1. Specify bit images. - (ESC *, ESC K, ESC L, ESC Y, ESC Z)
2. Specify barcodes. - (ESC i B)
3. Specify 2D barcodes. - (ESC i Q, ESC i V, ESC i D, ESC i M)
4. Print the downloaded data - (ESC i F)
Downloaded image data must first be downloaded and saved on
the printer.
- 4 -
1. Using ESC/P Commands
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
This is the label that will be made.
ESC/P Command Reference
Step 1:
Landscape
4 inches
1 inch
Step 2:
Page length
Step 4:
Vertical position
0.5 inch
Step 3:
Horizontal position
Step 5:
Character size: 64 dots
In order to make this label, the following six steps are required after entering ESC/P mode.
Step 1: Select the landscape orientation.
Entered command
ESC i L 01h
n
- 5 -
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
Step 2: Specify the page length.
4 inches=1200 dots
1200 dots–72 dots=1128 dots
Page length=mL+mH*256=1128
==
==
104
04h
68h
4
ESC/P Command Reference
4 inches
*The page length does not include the margins.
For the margins, subtract 6 mm (72 dots) from the page length.
Entered command
ESC ( C 02h 00h 68h 04h
nL nH mL
mH
Step 3: Specify the horizontal position.
0.5 inch=150 dots
Horizontal position=n1+n2*256=150
= =
150
96h
= =
0
00h
0.5 inch
Entered command
ESC $ 96h 00h
n1 n2
- 6 -
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
Step 4: Specify the vertical position.
ESC/P Command Reference
1 inch
1 inch=300 dots
Vertical position=mL+mH*256+18 dots=300
==
26
1Ah
01h
==
1
Entered command
ESC ( V 02h 00h 1Ah 01h
nL nH mL mH
- 7 -
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
Step 5: Specify the character size.
ESC/P Command Reference
Character size: 64 dots
Character size=nL+nH*256=64 dots
==
64
40h
00h
==
0
Entered command
ESC X 00h 40h 00h
m nL nH
- 8 -
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
All commands together will make the example label shown below.
ESC/P Command Reference
ESC i a 00h
ESC @
ESC i L 01h
ESC ( C 02h 00h 68h 04h
Select ESC/P mode
Binary command: 1B 69 61 00
Initialize ESC/P mode
Binary command: 1B 40
5 steps explained above
ESC $ 96h 00h
ESC ( V 02h 00h 1Ah 01h
ESC X 00h 40h 00h
At your side
FF
However, these commands should be converted to binary data before sent to the printer, as shown below.
Here is the captured converted binary data.
Text to be print
Binary command: 41 74 20 79 6F 75
72 20 73 69 64 65
Print start command
Binary command: 0C
When the printer receives above binary commands, the label shown below is printed.
- 9 -
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
ESC/P Command Reference
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
3.1 Print area
The printing media are die-cut labels and continuous length tape.
The area that can physically be printed on depends on the size and type of the print media.
Die-cut labels
Space left of
physically printable
area
Left margin
Right margin
Top margin
Unprintable area
Bottom margin
Space above
physically printable
area
Top margin position
(TOF position)
Physically printable
area
Unprintable area
- 10 -
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
The print area for each media is described below.
Print area
ESC/P Command Reference
(2) Label length
(1) Label width
printable area
(7) Height of
(3) Top margin
(9) Label
spacing
Thermal head
No.720
Printable area
(4) Bottom margin
(5) Left margin (6) Right margin (8) Length of printable area
No.001
The maximum length of continuous length label is 1 meter.
Head-
Standard Address 1 No 29mm 90.3mm 1.5mm 3mm 25.92mm 83.94mm 408 - 713
Sensor
No.
Applied
Forced
segmenting
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Drive
Head No.
Large Address 2 No 38mm 90.3mm 1.5mm 3mm 34.98mm 83.94mm 295 - 707
Small Address 3 No 62mm 28.93mm 1.5mm 3mm 58.95mm 22.95mm 012 - 707
Sipping 4 No 62mm 100.36mm 1.5mm 3mm 58.95mm 93.93mm 012 - 707
Multi purpose 5 No 17mm 54.32mm 1.5mm 3mm 13.98mm 47.94mm 555 - 719
File Folder 6 No 17mm 87.13mm 1.5mm 3mm 13.98mm 80.97mm 555 - 719
CD/DVD (MKP) 7 Yes 58.29mm 58.29mm 3mm 3mm 52.34mm 52.34mm 051 - 668
Die Cut Labels
29mmx42mm
Die Cut Labels
29mmX52mm
Continuous Length
Paper 62 Postage
Print
(only for U.S.A)
Square Paper
(23mm)
Die Cut Labels
39mmX48mm
8 No 29mm 42.1mm 1.5mm 3mm 25.92mm 36mm 408 - 713
10 No 52mm 28.93mm 1.5mm 3mm 48.96mm 22.95mm 142 - 719
11 No 62mm - 1.5mm 3mm 58.95mm - 012 - 707
12 No 23.0mm 23.03mm 1.5mm 3mm 19.99mm 17.11mm 443 - 678
13 No 39mm 47.98mm 1.5mm 3mm 36mm 41.93mm 289 - 713
(continued to the next page)
- 11 -
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
(continued from the previous page)
Sensor
No.
Head-
Applied
Forced
segmenting
ESC/P Command Reference
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Drive
Head No.
Postage Print
(only for U.S.A)
Round Paper 17 No 12.0mm 12.0mm 2mm 2mm 7.96mm 7.96mm 513 - 606
Round Paper 18 No 24.0mm 24.0mm 2mm 2mm 19.99mm 19.99mm 442 - 677
Continuous Length
Paper (38mm)
Continuous Length
Paper (29mm)
Continuous Length
Paper (62mm)
Continuous Length
Film-White (29mm)
Continuous Length
Film-White (62mm)
Continuous Length
Film-Yellow (62mm)
Continuous Length
Film-Clear (62mm)
14 No 32.9mm 47.62mm 1.5mm 3mm 29.9mm 41.59mm 325 - 677
19 No 38mm - 1.5mm 3mm 34.98mm - 295 - 707
20 No 29mm - 1.5mm 3mm 25.92mm - 408 - 713
21 No 62mm - 1.5mm 3mm 58.95mm - 012 - 707
22 Yes 29mm - 1.5mm 3mm 25.92mm - 408 - 713
23 Yes 62mm - 1.5mm 3mm 58.95mm - 012 - 707
24 Yes 62mm - 1.5mm 3mm 58.95mm - 012 - 707
25 Yes 62mm - 1.5mm 3mm 58.95mm - 012 - 707
Continuous Length
Paper (12mm)
Continuous Length
Paper (50mm)
Continuous Length
Non-Adhesive
Paper (54mm)
26 No 12mm - 1.5mm 3mm 8.98mm - 584 - 689
27 No 50 mm - 1.5mm 3mm 46.92mm - 154 - 707
28 Yes 54mm -
2.5mm/
1.5mm
3mm 49.97mm - 130 - 719
- 12 -
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
ESC/P Command Reference
3.2 Characters
The character codes vary depending on ANK mode or Chinese character mode.
ANK mode 1Byte character codes are available.
1 bitmap font with 15 sizes: 16, 24, 32, 48, 64, 96, 128, 144, 192, 240,
256, 288, 320, 336, 384 dots
Chinese character mode * 2 or 4 Bytes character codes are available.
1 bitmap font with 15 sizes: 16, 24, 32, 48, 64, 96, 128, 144, 192, 240,
256, 288, 320, 336, 384 dots
*1 ANK(Alphabets and number) is available in the Chinese character mode but it is specified by different code
from ANK mode.
*2 GB18030 is available for the Chinese character mode.
3.2.1 Character sizes
ANK mode
Each font is available in full size, compressed size (half width), double width, double height and half width,
double height, and quadruple size.
Full size
Chinese character mode
Each font is available in full size, half width, double height, double width, double height and width,
superscript and subscript quarter square character. These sizes are able to be used together.moreover
verticall or horizontal writing can be chosen.
Double width
and half width
Double heightHalf width Double height
Double height
and width
If the half width and the quarter square character are used together, half width specification is ignored.
- 13 -
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
ESC/P Command Reference
Full size
A
Superscript
quarter square
quarter square
Example of a combination
1) When vertical writing
Full size
A
Subscript
Double width
Double width
Double heightHalf width
Double height
and width
Double heightHalf width
Double height
and width
A
A
Superscript
quarter square
Subscript
quarter square
2) When horizontal writing
Full size
A
A
Superscript
quarter square
Subscript
quarter square
Double width
and half width
Double width
and half width
Double heightHalf width Double height
Double height
and width
- 14 -
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
3.2.2 Character pitches
Pitch refers to the spacing between neighboring characters.
When characters are arranged with a fixed pitch, they will be evenly spaced.
If characters extend over several lines, they will align in straight rows.
ESC/P Command Reference
a
c
b
Fixed spacing
When characters are arranged with a proportional pitch, the spacing will vary depending on the character.
(For example, “W” is wide but “I” is narrow.)
As a result, the excess space between characters is eliminated and the text appears more compact.
W
Variable spacing
If a fixed pitch is applied to a font that is better with a proportional pitch, all characters are given the same
width as the widest character in the font.
W
I
C I
C
a
b
Fixed spacing
W
Variable spacing
I
W
c
C I
C
Variable spacing
W
Variable spacing
This makes it possible to evenly space the characters of a proportional-pitch font without having to change the
font.
If a proportional pitch is applied to a font that is better with a fixed pitch, all characters are given the same
width, appearing the same as with a fixed pitch.
C I
Fixed spacing
I
Fixed spacing
W
C
- 15 -
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
ESC/P Command Reference
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
3.3 Print position
The print position is the standard position for printing characters, bitmaps, and barcodes.
There is a horizontal print position and vertical print position, which are the reference points for vertical
position movement and horizontal position movement.
3.3.1 Characters
When horizontal writing
Characters are arranged with their top edges aligned with the print position.
The baseline of each character is the bottom edge of the character, regardless of size, font, etc.
All characters on a single line are printed with a baseline positions that is the same for each character.
If a single line consists of characters with different heights, the characters are aligned with the baseline of
the tallest character on the line.
Underlines are drawn 4 dots below the baseline position.
When vertical writing
Start position
A
A
Print position
Baseline position
Baseline position
When vertical writing, a center of a character is placed onto the middle of the height of a line.
When vertical writing, an underline starts from a print position and a character starts 4dots blow from the
underline.
Start position
A
- 16 -
Baseline position
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
ESC/P Command Reference
3.3.2 Bitmaps, barcodes and downloaded images
These types of image data are treated in the same way as characters and are printed with the bottom
edge of the image aligned with the baseline.
3.3.3 Same line
Characters and images are considered to be on the same line, even if they are separated by tabs.
Horizontal movement to the right between characters or images is regarded as being on the same line;
however, horizontal movement to the left is regarded as being on separate lines if wrapping occurs.
- 17 -
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
ESC/P Command Reference
3.4 Line feed amount
The amount of line feed is the amount of vertical movement from the print position of one line to the print
position of the next line.
HHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHH
The line feed amount is specified with ESC 0, ESC 2, ESC A, and ESC 3.
Within a single line of text, the tallest character is determined, and the baseline is moved so that the top
edge of that character is at the vertical print position.
The tallest character within a line becomes the line height.
Line feed amount
If characters are underlined, 4 dots are added to the line height.
The underline is placed underneath of the characters when horizontal writing and above of the characters
when vertical writing.
When underline for both horizontal and vertical characters are existing in the same line, 8 dots are added
for the heght of the line.
If the line height is greater than the specified line feed amount, the line height is used as the actual line
feed amount.
In this way, even if the specified line feed amount is small, the upper and lower lines will not overlap.
- 18 -
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
ESC/P Command Reference
4. Control Code List
Character/style selection commands (Refer to section 5.1 Character/style selection commands.)
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
ESC R 1B 52 Select international character set
ESC q 1B 71 Select character style
Text printing commands (Refer to section 5.2 Text printing commands
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
ESC 4 1B 34 Apply italic style
ESC 5 1B 35 Cancel italic style
ESC E 1B 45 Apply bold style
ESC F 1B 46 Cancel bold style
ESC G 1B 47 Apply double-strike printing
ESC H 1B 48 Cancel double-strike printing
ESC P 1B 50 Apply pica pitch (10 cpi)
ESC M 1B 4D Apply elite pitch (12 cpi)
ESC g 1B 67 Apply micron pitch
ESC p 1B 70 Specify proportional characters
ESC W 1B 57 Specify double-width characters
SO 0E Specify auto-canceling stretched characters
ESC SO 1B 0E Specify auto-canceling stretched characters
SI 0F Specify compressed characters
.)
ESC SI 1B 0F Specify compressed characters
DC2 12 Cancel compressed characters
DC4 14 Cancel auto-canceling double-width characters
ESC - 1B 2D Apply/cancel underlining
ESC ! 1B 21 Global formatting
ESC SP 1B 20 Specify ANK character spacing
ESC X 1B 58 Specify ANK character size
- 19 -
4. Control Code List
ESC/P Command Reference
Line feed commands (Refer to section 5.3 Line feed commands
.)
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
ESC 0 1B 30 Specify line feed of 1/8 inch
ESC 2 1B 32 Specify line feed of 1/6 inch
ESC 3 1B 33 Specify minimum line feed
ESC A 1B 41 Specify line feed of n/60 inch
Horizontal movement commands (Refer to section 5.4 Horizontal movement commands
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
ESC l 1B 6C Specify left margin
ESC Q 1B 51 Specify right margin
CR 0D Carriage return
ESC D 1B 44 Specify horizontal tab position
HT 09 Perform horizontal tab
ESC $ 1B 24 Specify absolute horizontal position
ESC \ 1B 5C Specify relative horizontal position
.)
ESC a 1B 61 Specify alignment
Vertical movement commands (Refer to section 5.5 Vertical movement commands
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
LF 0A Line feed
FF 0C Page feed
ESC J 1B 4A Forward paper feed
ESC B 1B 42 Specify vertical tab position
VT 0B Perform vertical tab
ESC ( V 1B 28 56 Specify absolute vertical position
ESC ( v 1B 28 76 Specify relative vertical position
Paper formatting commands (Refer to section 5.6 Paper formatting commands
.)
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
ESC ( c 1B 28 63 Specify page format
ESC ( C 1B 28 43 Specify page length
ESC U 1B 55 Specify minimum margin
.)
- 20 -
4. Control Code List
ESC/P Command Reference
Printer control commands (Refer to section 5.7 Printer control commands
.)
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
ESC @ 1B 40 Initialize (defaults)
Graphics commands (Refer to section 5.8 Graphics commands
.)
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
ESC * 1B 2A Select bit image
ESC K 1B 4B 8-dot single-density bit image
ESC L 1B 4C 8-dot double-density bit image
ESC Y 1B 59 8-dot double-speed double-density bit image
ESC Z 1B 5A 8-dot quadruple-density bit image
Chinese character Commands (Refer to section
5.9 Chinese character commands.)
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
FS & 1C 26 Specify Chinese character mode
FS . 1C 2E Cancel Chinese character mode
FS J 1C 4A Specify vertical writing
FS K 1C 4B Specify horizontal writing
FS S 1C 53 Specify size of space for full size characters
FS T 1C 54 Specify size of space for half size characters
FS U 1C 55 Space adjustment between half size characters
FS V 1C 56
Cancel space adjustment between half size
characters
FS W 1C 57 Select double height and width characters
FS Y 1C 59 Specify Chinese character size
FS r 1C 72 Specify quarter square characters
FS - 1C 2D Apply Chinese character underlining
FS ! 1C 21 Global Formatting for Chinese character
FS SI 1C 0F Specify half-width characters
FS DC2 1C 12 Cancel half-width characters
FS SO 1C 0E Specify auto-canceling double-width character
FS DC4 1C 14 Cancel auto-canceling double-width character
- 21 -
4. Control Code List
ESC/P Command Reference
Advanced commands (Refer to section 5.10 Advanced commands
.)
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
ESC i B 1B 69 42 Barcode
ESC i Q 1B 69 51 2D barcode (QR Code)
ESC i P 1B 69 50 Specify QR Code version
ESC i V 1B 69 56 2D barcode (PDF417)
ESC i D 1B 69 44 2D barcode (DataMatrix)
ESC i M 1B 69 4D 2D barcode (MaxiCode)
ESC i F 1B 69 46 Print downloaded data
ESC i a 1B 69 61 Switch command mode
ESC i S 1B 69 53 Status information request
ESC i L 1B 69 4C Specify landscape orientation
ESC i C 1B 69 43 Specify cutting
Advanced static commands (Refer to section 5.11 Advanced static commands
ASCII Code Binary Code Description
.)
ESC iXQ2 1B 69 58 51 32 Select default character style
ESC iXQ1 1B 69 58 51 31 Retrieve default character style
ESC iXX2 1B 69 58 58 32 Specify default ANK character size
ESC iXX1 1B 69 58 58 31 Retrieve default ANK character size
ESC iX32 1B 69 58 33 32 Specify default line feed
ESC iX31 1B 69 58 33 31 Retrieve default line feed
ESC iXA2 1B 69 58 41 32 Select default alignment
ESC iXA1 1B 69 58 41 31 Retrieve default alignment
ESC iX(2 1B 69 58 28 32 Specify default page length
ESC iX(1 1B 69 58 28 31 Retrieve default page length
ESC iXL2 1B 69 58 4C 32 Select default landscape orientation
ESC iXL1 1B 69 58 4C 31 Retrieve default landscape orientation
ESC iXj2 1B 69 58 6A 32 Select default international character set
ESC iXj1 1B 69 58 6A 31 Retrieve default international character set
ESC iXU2 1B 69 58 55 32 Specify default minimum margin
ESC iXU1 1B 69 58 55 31 Retrieve default minimum margin
- 22 -
4. Control Code List
5. Control Command Details
5.1 Character/style selection commands
ESC R Select international character set
ASCII: ESC R n
Decimal: 27 82 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 52 n
Parameters
0≤n≤13, 64
ESC/P Command Reference
Description
Selects the character set, and switches some of the character codes in the code table according to the
value of n.
n=0: U.S.A.
n=1: France
n=2: Germany
n=3: U.K.
n=4: Denmark I
n=5: Sweden
n=6: Italy
n=7: Spain I
n=8: Japan
n=9: Norway
n=10: Denmark II
n=11: Spain II
n=12: Latin America
n=13: South Korea
n=64: Legal
The following 12 codes are switched.
23h, 24h, 40h, 5Bh, 5Ch, 5Dh, 5Eh, 60h, 7Bh, 7Ch, 7Dh, 7Eh
The default setting is n=0 (U.S.A.)
Example
Code: 5Ch ESC R 08h 5Ch FF
Print result: \ ￥
- 23 -
5. Control Command Details
ESC q Select character style
ASCII: ESC q n
Decimal: 27 113 n
Hexadecimal: 1B 71 n
Parameters
0≤n≤3
ESC/P Command Reference
Description
Selects the character style.
n=0: None (normal characters)
n=1: Outline
n=2: Shadow
n=3: Shadow and outline
Example
Code: ABC ESC q 03h ABC ESC q 00h ABC FF
Print result: ABC
BC
A
ABC
- 24 -
5. Control Command Details
Loading...