Brother RJ-4030 User Manual

Software Developer's Manual

Raster Command Reference
RJ-4030/4040

Version 1.02

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IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Note

This documentation (“Documentation”) provides information that will assist you in controlling your Printer
RJ-XXXX (where “XXXX” 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,

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DOCUMENTATION.

Raster Command Reference

Contents

Introduction ······························································································ 1
About Raster Commands ············································································ 2

1. Printing Using Raster Commands ································ ····························· 3

2. Print Data ······························································································ 5

2.1 Print data overview ························································································ 5

2.2 Sample (analyzing the print data of the test page) ················································ 7

2.2.1 Preparation ........................................................................................................... 7

2.2.2 Checking the print data ......................................................................................... 7

2.2.3 Explanation of print data for the test page .......................................................... 10

2.3 Page data details·························································································· 12

2.3.1 Resolution .......................................................................................................... 12

2.3.2 Page size ............................................................................................................ 12

2.3.3 Feed amount ...................................................................................................... 14

2.3.4 Maximum and minimum lengths ......................................................................... 14

2.3.5 Raster line .......................................................................................................... 15

3. Print Command List ··············································································· 17

4. Printing Command Details ······································································ 18

NULL Invalidate ................................................................................................... 18

ESC i S Status information request ......................................................................... 18

ESC @ Initialize ...................................................................................................... 23

ESC i U Additional media information command ..................................................... 23

ESC i d Specify margin amount (feed amount) ....................................................... 25

ESC i a Switch dynamic command mode ............................................................... 26

g Raster graphics transfer ............................................................................ 26

ESC i B Specify baud rate ....................................................................................... 27

Z Zero raster graphics ................................................................................... 27

FF Print command........................................................................................... 27

Control-Z Print command with feeding ...................................................................... 27

ESC i z Print information command ........................................................................ 28

M Select compression mode ......................................................................... 29

5. MCR Command Specifications ································································ 31

5.1. Command details ························································································ 31

ESC #1 MCR on command ..................................................................................... 31

ESC #0 MCR off command ..................................................................................... 31

5.2. Response ·································································································· 32

6. Flow Charts··························································································· 34

6.1 Normal flow for USB connection ······································································ 34

6.2 Error flow for USB connection (when feeding at the end of the page) ······················ 35

6.3 Error flow for USB connection (with a concurrent printing error such as end of tape) ··· 36

6.4 Cooling flow for USB connection ······································································ 37

6.5 Flow for setting serial connection baud rate ······················································· 38

6.6 Normal flow for serial connection ····································································· 39

6.7 Error flow for serial connection ········································································ 40

6.8 Cleaning flow for serial connection ··································································· 41

Appendix A: USB Specifications ································································· 42
Appendix B: Introducing the Brother Developer Center ·································· 43

- i -

Raster Command Reference

Introduction

This material provides the necessary information for directly controlling the Brother printer RJ-XXXX (where
“XXXX” is the model name).
This information is provided assuming that the user has full understanding of the operating system being used
and basic mastery of USB and networks in a developer's environment.
Details concerning the USB interface are not described in this material. If a USB interface is being used, refer
to “Appendix A: USB Specifications” to prepare the interface.

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 Brother printer RJ-XXXX, and any
problems resulting directly or indirectly from them. These materials are provided in their current condition, and
we assume no responsibility for their content. 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

Raster Command Reference

About Raster Commands

Using raster commands an RJ-XXXX printer (where “XXXX” is the model name) can be used to print without
using our printer driver.
This operation is useful in the following situations.
 When printing from an operating system other than Windows

(Example: When printing from a Linux computer or mobile terminal)
 When adding print functions to an existing system
In addition, printing can be performed with advanced settings.

In this material, “raster” refers to binary bitmap data (collection of dots).
Refer to this material to print by sending initialization commands and control codes together with raster data to
the RJ-XXXX printer (hereafter, referred to as “printer”).
This manual describes the procedure for adding these codes and sending the data.

- 2 ­About Raster Commands

Raster Command Reference

(2) Send the status

(Confirm the printer status.)

(1) Open the port

(5) Send the status

(Confirm that printing is completed.)

(6) Close the port

Port

(4) Print

At your side

(3) Send the print data

Your printer

Computer, mobile
terminal, etc.

1. Printing Using Raster Commands

The printing procedure is described below. For detailed flow charts, refer to “6. Flow Charts”. For details on
each command, refer to “4. Printing Command Details”.

In addition, descriptions of the commands for the MCR (magnetic card reader) are provided. For details, refer
to “5. MCR Command Specifications”.

- 3 -

1. Printing Using Raster Commands

Raster Command Reference

(1) Open the USB/serial/network port

Open the USB/serial/network port in the operating environment. The procedure for opening the
USB/serial/network port is not described in this material.
The network port can only be used with the RJ-4040.

(2) Confirm the printer status sent from the printer

The “status information request” command is sent to the printer, the status information received from the
printer is analyzed, and then the status of the printer is determined.

For details on the “status information request” command and on the definitions of “status”, refer to “Status
information request” in “4. Printing Command Details”.

(3) Send the print data

If the status analysis confirms that media compatible with the print data is loaded into the printer and that
no error has occurred, the print data is sent.
The structure of the print data is explained in the next section, “2. Print Data”.

Note:
No command can be sent to the printer after the print data is transmitted and until the completion
of printing is confirmed.
Even the “status information request” command cannot be sent during printing.

(4) Print the data

(5) Confirm that printing is completed

When printing is completed, the status is received from the printer.
If this status is analyzed to confirm that printing is completed, printing one page is considered finished.
If the print job has multiple pages, (2) through (4) are repeated.

(6) Close the USB/serial/network port

After all printing is finished, close the USB/serial/network port.

Note:
In order to print at high speed when a USB port is used to send uncompressed raster data, the
Brother RJ-XXXX starts printing when it starts to receive print data, instead of waiting for a print
command (concurrent printing).
For the processing flow, for example when managing errors, refer to “6. Flow Charts”.

- 4 -

1. Printing Using Raster Commands

Raster Command Reference

Sequence

Command Name

Description/Example

1

Invalidate

Sends a 350-byte invalidate command, and then resets the printer
to the receiving state.

2

Initialize

Initializes for printing.
1Bh, 40h (Fixed)

Sequence

Command Name

Description/Example

1

Switch dynamic
command mode

1Bh, 69h, 61h, 01h

2

Additional media
information
command

1Bh, 69h, 55h, 77h, 01h, 127 bytes of media information

Note
If the media information is the same as when printing was
last performed, it is unnecessary to send the additional
media information command.

3

Print information
command

Sets the print information for the printer.
For 102-mm-wide continuous length tape:
1Bh, 69h, 7Ah, 86h, 0Ah, 66h, 00h, 09h, 07h, 00h, 00h, 00h, 00h

4

Specify margin
amount

Specifies the amount of the margins.
For 3 mm margins:
1Bh, 69h , 64h, 23h, 00h

5

Select compression
mode

Selects the compression mode for raster graphics.
To send the data compressed to TIFF format:
4Dh, 02h

2. Print Data

2.1 Print data overview

The print data is constructed of the following: (1) initialization commands, (2) control codes, (3) raster data,
and (4) print commands. If the print job consists of multiple pages, (2) through (4) are repeated.

(1) Initialization commands

Specified only once at the beginning of the job.

(2) Control codes

Added at the beginning of each page and sent for each page.

- 5 -

2. Print Data

Sequence

Command Name

Description/Example

-

Raster graphics
transfer

Sends a raster line that contains data with pixels set to “ON”.

-

Zero raster graphics

Sends a raster line with all pixels set to “0”.
5Ah (Fixed)

Sequence

Command Name

Description/Example

-

Print command

Specifies at the end of a page that is not the last page.
0Ch

-

Print command with
feeding

Specifies at the end of the last page.
1Ah (Fixed)

(3) Raster data

Repeated for each page in the print job.

(4) Print commands

Specified at the end of the page.

Raster Command Reference

- 6 -

2. Print Data

Raster Command Reference

Test page

Printer Properties

2.2 Sample (analyzing the print data of the test page)

The print data created by the printer driver is described here.
As an example, we will check the print data created when the [Print Test Page] button in the printer
Properties dialog box is clicked to print the test page.
Since the print data differs depending on the print settings of the printer, refer to this procedure and try
creating print data with various print settings.
Furthermore, this procedure is for the Windows® 7 operating environment. A similar procedure can be
performed if you are using a different operating system.

2.2.1 Preparation

Install the two listed below.

・ Printer driver of the Brother RJ-XXXX
・ Binary file editor

The data that we will analyze in this sample is a binary file.
Therefore, use a binary file editor to display and check the contents of the binary file.

2.2.2 Checking the print data

The procedure for checking the print data is provided below.

Step 1: Change the port of the printer to “FILE:”.
Step 2: Print the desired item (in this case, the test page), and then specify the file name.
Step 3: Open the created file in the binary file editor to check it.

- 7 -

2. Print Data

Raster Command Reference

Step 1: Change the port of the printer to “FILE:”.

Open the Printers and Faxes folder, and then right-click the printer (in this case, RJ-4030) to display
the Properties dialog box. In the Properties dialog box, click the [Ports] tab, select the “FILE:” check
box, and then click the [Apply] button.

[Ports] tab of the printer Properties dialog box

Step 2: Print the item (in this case, the test page), and then specify the file name.

For this sample, print the test page with the default print settings, which were specified immediately
after the printer driver was installed.

Default settings immediately after installation of the printer driver

- 8 -

2. Print Data

Raster Command Reference

(1) Initialization
commands

(2) Control codes

(4) Print commands

(3) Raster data

When the test page is printed with the printer, a dialog box appears so that the file name can be
specified. (Refer to the illustration below.)
After a file name is typed in and the [OK] button is clicked, the printer driver creates the print data and
saves it in a file with the specified name.

Dialog box for specifying the file name

Step 3: Open the print data in the binary file editor.

Open the saved file in the binary file editor. The rows of numbers that appear are the print data. (Refer
to the illustration below.)
The print data is constructed of the following: (1) initialization commands, (2) control codes, (3) raster
data and (4) print commands, which were described in “2.1 Print data overview”. For details on the print
data, refer to “2.2.3 Explanation of print data for the test page”.

Print data

- 9 -

2. Print Data

Raster Command Reference

：

：

1
2

3

4

5
6

7

8

9

2.2.3 Explanation of print data for the test page

The print data for the test page outputted in the previous section is described below.
The following illustration shows the print data created in section “2.2.1 Preparation” opened in the binary file
editor.

Print data

- 10 -

2. Print Data

Raster Command Reference

No.

Command Name

Description

１

Invalidate

A 350-byte invalidate command is sent.

2

Initialize

The “initialize” command is sent.

3

Switch dynamic
command mode

The printer is switched to raster mode.
Send this command before sending raster data to the printer.

4

Additional media
information command

Additional media information on the media size is sent.
This is the command for “4" × 6" (102 mm × 152 mm)”.

5

Print information
command

Media size information for the print data is sent.
This is the command for “4" × 6" (102 mm × 152 mm)” die-cut
labels.

6

Various mode settings

(1Bh+69h+4Dh+00H)

This is the command for specifying settings such as cut options.
Since there are no cut options with this model, it is unnecessary
to send this command.

7

Specify margin amount

Since a margin amount cannot be specified with die-cut labels,
this command is sent with a margin amount of 0.

8

Select compression
mode

TIFF compression mode is selected.

9

Raster data

Raster data continues.

10

Print command with
feeding

Since one page will be printed, this is sent at the end of the first
page.

Descriptions for the numbers in the print data on the previous page are provided in the following table.
For details on each command, refer to “4. Printing Command Details”.

- 11 -

2. Print Data

Resolution

Height-to-Width Proportion

203 dpi high, 203 dpi wide

1:1

Feeding direction

6

5

Landscape

3

1 4 2

Print area

6

5

3

1 4 2

Portrait

Feeding direction

Print
area

ID

Tape Size

Designation

1 2 3 4 5

6

415

102 mm

102 mm
4"

101.6 mm
812 dots

--> 2.3.4.

98.6 mm
764 dots

-->2.3.4.

1.5 mm
12 dots

--> 2.3.3.

2.3 Page data details

2.3.1 Resolution

2.3.2 Page size

(a) Continuous length tape

Raster Command Reference

Number 1 Width 2 Length
3 Print area width (maximum printing width) 4 Print area length
5 Width offset 6 Length offset

- 12 -

2. Print Data

Print area

1

6

2

5

3

4

ID

Label Size

1 2 3 4 5

6

423

RD 102 mm x 26 mm
RD 4" x 1"

101.6 mm
812 dots

25.6 mm
195 dots

98.6 mm
788 dots

20.5 mm
156 dots

1.5 mm
12 dots

3.0 mm
24 dots

419

RD 102 mm x 50 mm
RD 4" x 2"

101.6 mm
812 dots

49.9 mm
399 dots

98.6 mm
788 dots

43.9 mm
351 dots

1.5 mm
12 dots

3.0 mm
24 dots

424

RD 102 mm x 76 mm
RD 4" x 3"

101.6 mm
812 dots

76.2 mm
609 dots

98.6 mm
788 dots

70.2 mm
561 dots

1.5 mm
12 dots

3.0 mm
24 dots

425

RD 102 mm x 102 mm
RD 4" x 4"

101.6 mm
812 dots

101.6 mm
812 dots

98.6 mm
788 dots

95.6 mm
764 dots

1.5 mm
12 dots

3.0 mm
24 dots

420

RD 102 mm x 152 mm
RD 4" x 6"

101.6 mm
812 dots

152.4 mm

1218dots

98.6 mm
788 dots

140.5 mm

1123 dots

1.5 mm
12 dots

6.0 mm
48 dots

(b) Die-cut labels

Raster Command Reference

Number 1 Width 2 Length
3 Print area width (maximum printing width) 4 Print area length
5 Width offset 6 Length offset

- 13 -

2. Print Data

Type

Minimum Margin Setting

Maximum Margin Setting

Continuous length tape

3 mm

0.12"
24 dots

127 mm
5"
1020 dots

Die-cut labels

The length offset indicated in “(b) Die-cut labels” of “2.3.2 Page size”
is used.
However, set “0” as the value of the “specify margin amount”
command.

Type

Minimum Length

Maximum Length

Device Capabilities
Value of DC_MINEXTENT

25.4 mm
204 dots

3000 mm
24094 dots

Continuous length tape

25.4 mm
204 dots

3000 mm
24094 dots

Die-cut labels

Fixed

Fixed

2.3.3 Feed amount

The feed amount (left and right margins) is defined below.

2.3.4 Maximum and minimum lengths

The maximum and minimum lengths are defined below.

Raster Command Reference

- 14 -

2. Print Data

Raster Command Reference

Feeding direction

Print area

Rasterized

Feeding direction

Print area
Print head

Expansion direction

RasterLine 3

RasterLine 2

RasterLine 1

Zero Raster 1

Zero Raster 1

RasterLine 4

MSB LSB

1stB

MSB LSB

MSB LSB

MSB LSB

2ndB

3rdB

4thB ...

2.3.5 Raster line

As shown below, the parts with data to be printed are converted with “raster graphics transfer”, and the
parts with no data are converted with “zero raster graphics”. On the actual tape, margins (feed) are
added specified with “various mode settings” at the beginning and the end.

The following shows the relationship between the raster graphics parameters and the pixels.

- 15 -

2. Print Data

0 pin

First byte

Left and right margins

Last byte

Raster line

Feeding direction

Print area

Pins on print head

Number of
print area
pins

Number of pins
for right margin

Total number
of pins

Number of pins
for left margin

Tape Size

Number of Pins

for Left Margin

Number of Print

Area Pins

Number of Pins

for Right Margin

Number of Bytes for

Raster Graphics Transfer

102 mm

22

788

22

104

Label Size

Number of Pins

for Left Margin

Number of Print

Area Pins

Number of Pins

for Right Margin

Number of Bytes for

Raster Graphics Transfer

102 mm x 25 mm

22

788

22

104

102 mm x 51 mm

22

788

22

104

102 mm x 76 mm

22

788

22

104

102 mm x 102 mm

22

788

22

104

102 mm x 152 mm

22

788

22

104

Total number of pins: 832 pins

Raster Command Reference

Continuous length tape:

Die-cut labels:

- 16 -

2. Print Data

ASCII Code

Binary Code

Description

NULL

00

Invalidate

ESC i S

1B 69 53

Status information request

ESC @

1B 40

Initialize

ESC i U w 1

1B 69 55 77 01

Additional media information command

ESC i d

1B 69 64

Specify margin amount (feed amount)

ESC i a

1B 69 61

Switch dynamic command mode

g

67

Raster graphics transfer

ESC i B

1B 69 42

Specify baud rate

Z

5A

Zero raster graphics

FF

0C

Print command

Control-Z

1A

Print command with feeding

ESC i z

1B 69 7A

Print information command

M

4D

Select compression mode

3. Print Command List

Raster Command Reference

- 17 -

3. Print Command List

Raster Command Reference

4. Printing Command Details

NULL Invalidate

ASCII: NULL
Hexadecimal: 00

Description

 Skipped
 If data transmission is to be stopped midway, send the “initialize” command after sending the “invalidate”

command for the appropriate number of bytes to return to the receiving state, where the print buffer is
cleared.

ESC i S Status information request

ASCII: ESC i S
Hexadecimal: 1B 69 53

Description

 Send a request to the printer for status information. For details on the status, refer to the previous section.
 The size is fixed at 32 bytes.

Note
Before sending print data to the printer, this command should be sent once. Since error
information is automatically sent by the printer during printing, do not send this command while
printing.

- 18 -

4. Printing Command Details

Raster Command Reference

Number

Offset

Size

Name

Value/Reference

1 0 1

Print head mark

Fixed at 80h

2 1 1

Size

Fixed at 20h

3 2 1

Reserved

Fixed at “B” (42h)

4 3 1

Series code

Fixed at “7” (37h)

5 4 1

Model code

RJ-4030: Fixed at “1” (31h)
RJ-4040: Fixed at “2” (32h)

6 5 1

Reserved

Fixed at “0” (30h)

7 6 1

Battery level

Refer to table (8) below.

8 7 1

Reserved

Fixed at “00h”

9 8 1

Error information 1

Refer to table (1) below.

10 9 1

Error information 2

Refer to table (2) below.

11

10

1

Media width

Refer to table (3) below.

12

11

1

Media type

Refer to table (4) below.

13

12

1

Reserved

Fixed at 00h

14

13

1

Reserved

Fixed at 00h

15

14

1

Reserved

Fixed at 3Fh

16

15

1

Mode

Value specified where the “various
mode settings” command
00h if not specified

17

16

1

Reserved

Fixed at 00h

18

17

1

Media length

Refer to table (3) below.

19

18

1

Status type

Refer to table (5) below.

20

19

1

Phase type

Refer to table (6) below.

21

20

1

Phase number
(higher order bytes)

22

21

1

Phase number
(lower order bytes)

23

22

1

Notification number

Refer to table (7) below.

24

23

1

Reserved

Fixed at 00h

25

24

8

Reserved

Fixed at 00h

- 19 -

4. Printing Command Details

Flag

Mask

Definition

Bit 0

01h

“No media” error

Bit 1

02h

“End of media” error (only for die-cut labels)

Bit 2

04h

Cutter jam (not used)

Bit 3

08h

(Not used)

Bit 4

10h

Printer in use

Bit 5

20h

Printer turned off

Bit 6

40h

High-voltage adapter (not used)

Bit 7

80h

Fan motor error (not used)

Flag

Mask

Definition

Bit 0

01h

“Replace media” error (with a serial connecting)

Bit 1

02h

“Expansion buffer full” error

Bit 2

04h

Communication error

Bit 3

08h

“Communication buffer full” error (not used)

Bit 4

10h

“Cover open” error

Bit 5

20h

Cancel key (not used)

Bit 6

40h

Media cannot be fed
(also when the media end is detected)

Bit 7

80h

System error

(1) Error information 1

(2) Error information 2

Raster Command Reference

- 20 -

4. Printing Command Details

Media

Media Width

Media Length

102 mm

102

00

Media

Media Width

Media Length

102 mm x 26 mm

102

26

102 mm x 50 mm

102

50

102 mm x 76 mm

102

76

102 mm x 102 mm

102

102

102 mm x 152 mm

102

152

Media Type

Value

Description

No media

00h

Used as print information when the
media type is not indicated.

Continuous length tape

4Ah

Used for both paper and film.

Die-cut labels

4Bh

Used for both paper and film.

Status Type

Value

Description

Reply to status request

00h

Printing completed

01h

Error occurred

02h

Turned off

04h

Notification

05h

Phase change

06h

(Not used)

08h to 20h

(Reserved)

21h to FFh

(3) Media width and length

The media width and length is described in millimeters. 0～255 (0 to FFh)
(a) Continuous length tape
* Media Width: The tape width is indicated in millimeters.
* Media Length: Fixed at 00h

(b) Die-cut labels
* Media Width: The width of the die-cut section is indicated.
* Media Length: The length of the die-cut section is indicated.

Raster Command Reference

(4) Media type

(5) Status type

If an error occurred during printing, the printer returns the error status.

- 21 -

4. Printing Command Details

Phase State

Phase Type

Receiving state

00h

Printing state

01h

Phase

Value (Dec.)

Higher Order Bytes

Lower Order Bytes

Waiting to receive

0

00h

00h

Phase

Value (Dec.)

Higher Order Bytes

Lower Order Bytes

Printing

0

00h

00h

Notification

Value

Not available

00h

Cooling (started)

01h

Cooling (finished)

02h

Battery Level

Value

Full

00h

Half

01h

Low

02h

Charging required

03h

AC adaptor in use

04h

(6) Phase type and phase number

If the phase number is not used, both are fixed at 00h.

Receiving state

Printing state

Raster Command Reference

 When the printer is turned on, it is in the receiving state. When printing begins, it changes to the “printing”

phase (phase type: printing state; phase number: printing), and the printer sends that phase status to the

computer. When printing has finished, the printer sends the “receiving state” phase status (phase type:

receiving state; phase number: waiting to receive) to the computer. Unless an error occurs during printing,
the printer sends the “printing completed” status.

 With concurrent printing, printing starts even if a print command has not been sent from the computer in

order to print at high speed. At this time, care should be taken since the “printing” and “waiting to receive”
phase statuses will be sent. (Refer to “6. Flow Charts”.)

(7) Notification number

(8) Battery level

- 22 -

4. Printing Command Details

ESC @ Initialize

ASCII: ESC @
Hexadecimal: 1B 40

Description

 Initializes mode settings.
 Also used to cancel printing.

ESC i U Additional media information command

ASCII: ESC i U w 1 {d1...d127}
Hexadecimal: 1B 69 55 77 01 {d1...d127}

Raster Command Reference

Description

 Updates the media information for the printer.
 Send to the printer the commands outputted with the “Save Paper Size Commands” function of Paper Size

Setup.

Note
If the media information is the same as when printing was last performed, it is unnecessary to
send the additional media information command.

“Save Paper Size Commands” function of Paper Size Setup

1. Preparation
Install the two listed below.

・Printer driver of the Brother RJ-XXXX
・Binary file editor.

The data outputted with the “Save Paper Size Commands” function of Paper Size Setup will be a

binary file. Therefore, use a binary file editor to display and check the contents of the binary file.

- 23 -

4. Printing Command Details

Raster Command Reference

Open the [Devices and Printers] window, right-click the printer, and then display the Printing
Preferences dialog box. Click the [Paper Size Setup] button on the [Basic] tab to display the
Paper Size Setup dialog box. （Refer to the illustration below.）
Click [Save Paper Size Commands] button to display a dialog box for creating a file for saving the
paper size commands, and then save them in a file with the specified name.

2. Open the saved file in the binary file editor. The rows of numbers that appear are the command
data.(Refer to the illustration below.)

In the command data that appeared, the part marked with the red box is the additional media
information command.

Of this, the 127 bytes underlined in orange are the media information.
Use this when adding media information.

- 24 -

4. Printing Command Details

Print area

Margin amount

Tape

Paper

Cut line

Margin amount
(only “0” is available)

Print area

Label

Paper

Cut line

ESC i d Specify margin amount (feed amount)

ASCII: ESC i d {n1} {n2}
Hexadecimal: 1B 69 64 {n1} {n2}

Description

 Specifies the amount of the margins.
 Margin amount (dots)=n1+n2*256
 With die-cut labels, the margin amount at the ends of the printed area is 0.

(a) Continuous length tape

Raster Command Reference

(b) Die-cut labels

- 25 -

4. Printing Command Details

Raster Command Reference

ESC i a Switch dynamic command mode

ASCII: ESC i a {n1}
Hexadecimal: 1B 69 61 {n1}

Parameters

Definitions of {n}:
0: ESC/P mode (default)
1: Raster mode (Be sure to switch to this mode.)
3: P-touch Template mode

Description  Dynamically switches between the printer's command modes. A printer that receives this command

operates in the specified command mode until the printer is turned off.

 The printer must be switched to raster mode before raster data is sent to it. Therefore, send this command

to switch the printer to raster mode.

g Raster graphics transfer

ASCII: g {s} {n} {d1} ... {dn}
Hexadecimal: 67 {s} {n} {d1} ... {dn}

Parameters

{s} 00h
{n} Number of bytes of raster data (d1 to dh)

However, use the following value if no compression is specified as the compression mode.
n=104
{d1~dn} Raster data.

- 26 -

4. Printing Command Details

Raster Command Reference

ESC i B Specify baud rate

ASCII: ESC i B {n1} {n2}
Hexadecimal: 1B 69 42 {n1} {n2}

Parameters

Setting=n1+n2*256
Setting: 96=9600 bps, 576=57600 bps, 1152=115200 bps

Description  Changes the communications baud rate for the printer. The manufacturer’s default setting is 9600 bps.

Z Zero raster graphics

ASCII: Z
Hexadecimal: 5A

Description  Fills raster line with 0 data.

FF Print command

ASCII: FF
Hexadecimal: 0C

Description  Used as a print command at the end of pages other than the last page when multiple pages are printed.

Control-Z Print command with feeding

ASCII: Control-Z
Hexadecimal: 1A

Description  Used as a print command at the end of the last page.

- 27 -

4. Printing Command Details

Raster Command Reference

{n1}:

Valid flag; Specifies which values are valid
#define PI_KIND 0x02 // Media type
#define PI_WIDTH 0x04 // Media width
#define PI_LENGTH 0x08 // Media length
#define PI_QUALITY 0x40 // Priority given to print quality
#define PI_RECOVER 0x80 // Printer recovery always on

{n2}:

Media type
Continuous length tape: 0Ah
Die-cut labels: 0Bh

{n3}:

{n3}: Media width (mm)
{n4}: Media length (mm)
For the media of width 102 mm × length 152 mm, specify as n3=66h and n4=98h.

{n4}:

{n5-n8}:

Raster number = n8*256*256*256 + n7*256*256 + n6*256 + n5
If the media is not correctly loaded into the printer when the valid flag for PI_KIND,
PI_WIDTH and PI_LENGTH are set to “ON”, an error status is returned (Bit 0 of “(2)

Error information 2” is set to “ON”.)

{n9}:

Starting page: 0
Other pages: 1

{n10}:

Fixed at 0

ESC i z Print information command

ASCII: ESC i z {n1} {n2} {n3} {n4} {n5} {n6} {n7} {n8} {n9} {n10}
Hexadecimal: 1B 69 7A {n1} {n2} {n3} {n4} {n5} {n6} {n7} {n8} {n9} {n10}

Description

 Specifies the print information.
 Definitions of {n1} through {n10}

- 28 -

4. Printing Command Details

Raster Command Reference

0

No-compression mode (Enabled)

1

Reserved (Disabled)

2

TIFF (Enabled)

Without compression:

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 00 22 22 23 BA BF A2 22 2B……

With compression:

ED 00 FF 22 05 23 BA BF A2 22 2B …
a b c

a.

Since “00h” is repeated for 20 bytes, 20d -> 19d -> 13h changed into a negative number is EDh.
Therefore: ED 00

b.

Since “22h” is repeated for 2 bytes, 2d -> 1d -> 1h changed into a negative number is FFh.
Therefore: FF 22

c.

The following 6 bytes remain unchanged. 6d -> 5d -> 5h
Therefore: 05 23 BA BF A2 22 2B

Continue for the remaining number of bytes for the uncompressed data. Even if 00h continues until the
end, it cannot be omitted.

M Select compression mode

ASCII: M {n}
Hexadecimal: 4D {n}

Parameters

Definitions of {n}

Description  Selects the compression mode. Data compression is available only for data in raster graphic transfer.

[TIFF(Pack Bits)]

 1-byte units
 If the same data is repeated, the number of data units and that 1 byte of data are specified.

If different data is in a series, the number of data items and all of the different data are specified.

 If the same data is repeated, the number of data units is specified as the actual number minus 1,

expressed as a negative number.
If different data is in a series, the number of data units is specified as the number of bytes minus 1,
expressed as a positive number.

 If the above process results in more than 162 bytes of compressed data, the data is treated as being all

different. As a result, the data will be 163 bytes, including the 1 byte that specifies the data length.

Example
1 raster of raster graphics transfer:

- 29 -

4. Printing Command Details

Raster Command Reference

0 pin

Last byte

First byte

Tape margin

Raster line with
compression

Feeding direction

Print area

Pins on print head

Number of
print area
pins

Number
of offset
pins

Total
number
of pins

Number
of unused
pins

Raster line with
no compression

Explanation of “TIFF compression mode”

With compression, the data for the “raster graphics transfer” command is based on 104 bytes of the total

number of pins (832). As shown below, with no compression, the sum of the number of offset pins and the
number of pins within the print area is the byte data. However, with compression, the number of unused pins
is also added to the data. In other words, with compression, this becomes 104 bytes when it is expanded by
the printer, regardless of the tape width.

- 30 -

4. Printing Command Details

{n1}:

Set read/response mode

00h:

Continuous reading mode

01h:

Single reading mode (Reading ends even if it failed)
*Does nothing if none of the above

{n2}:

Timeout setting (seconds, 1 (min.) to 255 (max.)); 0 (00h) indicates no timeout.

{n3}:

Read track setting

{n3}

Read track

Track3

Track2

Track1

1 (01h) - - ○ 2 (02h) - ○ - 3 (03h) - ○ ○ 4 (04h) ○ -

-

5 (05h) ○ -

○

6 (06h) ○ ○ - 7 (07h) ○ ○

○

*7 (07h) if other than 1 through 7

5. MCR Command Specifications

5.1. Command details

ESC #1 MCR on command

ASCII: ESC # 1 {n1} {n2} {n3}
Hexadecimal: 1B 23 31 {n1} {n2} {n3}

Description

 Turns on MCR. Does nothing if it is already on.
 Definitions of {n1} through {n3}

Raster Command Reference

ESC #0 MCR off command

ASCII: ESC # 0
Hexadecimal: 1B 23 30

Description  Turns off MCR. Does nothing if it is already off.

- 31 -

5. MCR Command Specifications

Condition

Successful Reception Response (When there is data)

Response

Hex

54h

[track]

3Ah

[data]

0Dh

0Ah

ASCII T [track]

:

[data]

CR

LF

Track number

Multiple bytes

Delimiter

Description

Response that returns the read card data
[track]: Track number (ASCII, ‘1’ to ‘3’)
Track1: 31h, Track2: 32h, Track3: 33h
[data]: Read data string (ASCII)
SS start code and FC, AS, ES, SS, etc. symbols are not included.

Condition

Successful Reception Response (When there is no data)

Response

Hex

54h

[track]

3Ah

[“empty”]

0Dh

0Ah

ASCII T [track]

:

[“empty”]

CR

LF

Track number

Character string

“empty”

Delimiter

Description

Response indicating that there was no data on the track specified with the MCR on command
This response is returned if the specified track does not exist on the card.

[track]: Track number (ASCII, ‘1’ to ‘3’) Track1: 31h, Track2: 32h, Track3: 33h
[“empty”]: The character string “empty” is entered.

Hex

65h

6Dh

70h

74h

79h

ASCII e m p t

y

5.2. Response

Raster Command Reference

- 32 -

5. MCR Command Specifications

54h

31h

3Ah

[data]

0Dh

0Ah

54h

32h

3Ah

[data]

0Dh

0Ah T 1 : [data]

CR

LF T 2 : [data]

CR

LF Condition

Failed Reception Response (Timeout)

Response

Hex

54h

30h

3Ah

[“timeout”]

0Dh

0Ah

ASCII T 0 : [“timeout”]

CR

LF

Character string

“timeout”

Delimiter

Description

Response indicating that it returned to the MCR off status due to a timeout
[“timeout”]: The character string “timeout” is entered.

Hex

74h

69h

6Dh

65h

6Fh

75h

74h

ASCII t i m e o u

t

Condition

Failed Reception Response (Read Error)

Response

Hex

54h

30h

3Ah

[“can not read”]

0Dh

0Ah

ASCII T 0 : [“can not read”]

CR

LF

Character string “can

not read”

Delimiter

Description

Response indicating that an error occurred while reading
[“can not read”]: The character string “can not read” is entered.

Hex

53h

41h

4Eh

20h

4Eh

4Fh

54h

20h

52h

45h

41h

44h

ASCII

c a n n o t r e a d Space Space

Reading multiple tracks

Data in the above-mentioned format is combined for the specified number of tracks and sent.

Example: Reading Track 1 and Track 2

Raster Command Reference

- 33 -

5. MCR Command Specifications

Raster Command Reference

Computer (host)

Printer

Status information request

Status (response to status information request)

Printing

Display ing printing

Printing of the 1st
page is actually not
finished, but the

“Printing
completed” status
and “Waiting to
receive” phase are

sent.

Sending control codes

Sending raster data

Initialize

The printer is
initialized.

Status

(Phase change:

“Printing”)

Sending a print command (print command with feeding (1A)
for the last page or print command (0C) for other pages)

Phase change

“Printing” received.

“Printing completed”

received.

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Status (“Printing completed”)

Status (Phase change:

“Waiting to receive”)

Sending control code/print data

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Finishing process for
printing page 1

Sending data for page 2

Printing 1st page

Printing 2nd page

Sending raster data

READ

The status of the
printer (media, etc.)
is checked and a
response is sent.

If there are no
problems with the
printer status (media,
etc.), the data is
transmitted. If there
is a problem, an error
appears.

Displaying sending

READ

Data received.

Beginning printing
without waiting for
a print command

Status

(Phase change:

“Printing”)

6. Flow Charts

6.1 Normal flow for USB connection

- 34 -

6. Flow Charts

Raster Command Reference

Computer (host)

Status information request

Status (response to status information request)

The status of the
printer (media, etc.)
is checked and a
response is sent.

Data received.

Beginning printing
without waiting for a
print command

Printing

Displaying printing

Displaying sending

Sending control codes

Sending raster data

Initialize

The printer is
initialized.

Status

(Phase change:

“Printing”)

Sending a print command (print command with feeding (1A)
for the last page or print command (0C) for other page)

“Printing completed”
received.

Sending raster data

Status (Phase change: “Waiting to receive”)

Sending control code/raster data

Status

(“Error occurred”)

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Sending a print command (print command with feeding (1A)
for the last page or print command (0C) for other pages)

“Error Occured” received.

Initialize

If there are no
problems with the
printer status (media,
etc.), the data is
transmitted. If there is
a problem, an error
appears.

Printing of the 1st
page is actually not
finished, but the

“Printing completed”
status and “Waiting
to receive” phase are

sent.

An error appears.
When restarted, data is
resent starting with the
1st page since “Printing”
for the 2nd page is not
received.

If an error occurs, all
data read from the
computer is cleared.

Reprinting 1st page

READ

READ

READ

Printer

Phase change

“Printing” received.

Status (“Printing completed”)

Finishing process
for printing page 1

Sending data for page 2

Error occurred

Resending process
for data of 1st page

Displaying printing

Displaying printing

6.2 Error flow for USB connection (when feeding at the end of the page)

- 35 -

6. Flow Charts

Raster Command Reference

Computer (host)

If there are no
problems with the
printer status (media,
etc.), the data is
transmitted. If there is
a problem, an error
appears.

The status of the printer
(media, etc.) is checked
and a response is sent.

Data received.

Beginning printing
without waiting for a
print command

Printing

Printing of the 1st page
is actually not finished,

but the “Printing

completed” status and

“Waiting to receive”

phase are sent.

Finishing process for
printing page 1

Sending data for page 2

The printer is initialized.

Sending a print command (print command with feeding (1A)
for the last page or print command (0C) for other pages)

If an error occurs, all
data read from the
computer is cleared.

Displaying printing

Sending a print command (print command with feeding (1A)
for the last page or print command (0C) for other pages)

Reprinting 2nd page

An error appears.
When restarted, data is resent
starting with the 2nd page
since “Printing” for the 2nd
page is received.

READ

READ

Any jobs with errors
remaining in the printer
are cleared.

Status information request

Status (response to status information request)

Sending control codes

Sending raster data

Initialize

Status

(Phase change :

“Printing”)

Sending raster data

Status (“Printing completed”)

Status (Phase change: “Waiting to receive”)

Sending control code/raster data

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Status

(Phase change :

“Printing”)

Phase change

“Printing” received.

“Printing completed” received.

Phase change
“Waiting to receive” received.

Initialize

Status

(“Error Occurred”)

Phase change

“Printing” received.

“Error Occured” received.

Printer

Printing 1st page

Printing 2nd page

Error occurred

Resending process for
data of 2nd page

READ

Displaying sending

Displaying printing

6.3 Error flow for USB connection (with a concurrent printing error such as end of tape)

- 36 -

6. Flow Charts

Raster Command Reference

Computer (host)

Printer

If there are no
problems with the
printer status
(media, etc.), the
data is transmitted.
If there is a
problem, an error
appears.

The status of the printer
(media, etc.) is checked
and a response is sent.

Data received.

Beginning printing
without waiting for a
print command

Printing

Displaying sending

The printer is initialized.

Status

(Notification:

“Cooling (started)”)

Returned “NAK” from
cooling

Repeating reading of
maximum and
transmission timeout
times. If the
transmission timeout is
exceeded, reading,
and displaying the
cooling status if a high­temperature error is
returned.

Failed

Status (Notification: “Cooling (finished)”)

Resuming printing

Continuing reading.
0 packets are returned
while cooling.

0 packet

When cooling is finished,
Notification: “Cooling
(finished)” is returned.

READ

READ

Any jobs with errors
remaining in the printer
are cleared.

Status information request

Status (response to status information request)

Sending control codes

Sending raster data

Initialize

Status

(Phase change:

“Printing”)

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

0 packet

0 packet

0 packet

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Cooling occurred

6.4 Cooling flow for USB connection

- 37 -

6. Flow Charts

Computer (host)

Specify baud rate

“Specify baud rate completed” status (normal status)

Old baud rate

New baud rate

Printer waiting to
recover from 3000 ms
Sleep

Status information request

* The request/response at the new baud rate are

simply to verify that communication is possible and
may be omitted.

Printer

Status (response to status information request)

6.5 Flow for setting serial connection baud rate

Raster Command Reference

- 38 -

6. Flow Charts

Raster Command Reference

If there are no
problems with the
printer status (media,
etc.), the data is
transmitted. If there is
a problem, an error
appears.

Data received.

Printing

Displaying printing

Displaying sending

Finishing process for
printing 1st page

Sending data for
2nd page

The printer is
initialized.

Phase change

“Printing” received.

“Printing completed”

received.

Phase change
“Waiting to receive” received.

Printing 1st page

Printing 2nd page

Status information request

Status (response to status information request)

Sending control codes

Sending raster data

Initialize

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Sending raster data

Sending a print command (print command with feeding (1A)

for the last page or print command (0C) for other page)

Status

(“Printing completed”)

Status

(Phase change: “Waiting to receive”)

Sending control codes

Sending raster data

Printer

Computer (host)

The status of the
printer (media, etc.)
is checked and a
response is sent.

Sending raster data

READ

READ

Status

(Phase change: “Printing”)

6.6 Normal flow for serial connection

- 39 -

6. Flow Charts

Computer (host)

Status information request

Data received.

Printing
Displaying printing

Displaying sending

Sending control codes

Sending raster data

Initialize

The printer is
Initialized.

Sending a print command (print command with feeding (1A)
for the last page or print command (0C) for other page)

Phase change
“Printing” received.

Status (“Error Occurred”)

READ

Printer

If there are no
problems with the
printer status
(media, etc.), the
data is transmitted.
If there is a problem,
an error appears.

READ

Status (response to status information

request) or an error is displayed

Status

(Phase change: “Printing”)

Error occurred

The status of the
printer (media, etc.)
is checked and a
response is sent.

6.7 Error flow for serial connection

Raster Command Reference

- 40 -

6. Flow Charts

Raster Command Reference

Status (response
to status request)

Data received.

Printing

Displaying printing

Displaying sending

The printer is
initialized.

Phase change
“Printing” received.

Phase change “Waiting
to receive” received.

Printing 1st page

Printing 2nd page

Status

(Notification: “Cooling (started)”)

Printing

Cooling

* “Cooling (standard)”

and “Cooling (finished)”
may be repeated
multiple times during
one printing operation.

Computer (host)

Status information request

Sending control codes

Sending raster data

Initialize

Sending a print command (print command with feeding (1A)
for the last page or print command (0C) for other page)

Status

(Printing completed)

Status

(Phase change: “Waiting to receive”)

Sending control codes

Status

(Phase change :“Printing”)

“Printing completed”
received.

Status

(Notification: “Cooling (finished)”)

Sending raster data

Printer

Sending raster data

If there are no
problems with the
printer status
(media, etc.), the
data is transmitted.
If there is a problem,
an error appears.

READ

Status (response to status

information request)

READ

End process for
printing 1st page

Sending data for 2nd
page

6.8 Cleaning flow for serial connection

- 41 -

6. Flow Charts

Item

Description

Vendor ID

0x04F9

Product ID

RJ-4030:2045
RJ-4040:2046

Class

Printer
Mass storage

Character string for

manufacturer

Character string descriptor: 0x01
0x0409: “Brother”

Character string for

product

Character string descriptor: 0x02
0x0409: “RJ-4030”
0x0409: “RJ-4040”

Character string for

serial number

Character string descriptor: 0x03
0x0409: “000000001”
Last nine digits of the printer’s serial number

Device speed

Full speed

Number of interfaces

1 (No alternate interfaces)

Power supply

Self-powered (As a printer class, Bus power is also set to “ON”.)

End point 1

In bulk (Sends the status from the printer to the computer.)
Maximum packet size: 16 bytes

End point 2

Out bulk (Sends print commands and data from the computer to the printer.)
Maximum packet size: 64 bytes

Appendix A: USB Specifications

USB specifications 1.1

Raster Command Reference

- 42 ­Appendix A: USB Specifications

Raster Command Reference

Appendix B: Introducing the Brother Developer Center

Useful information for developers, such as applications, tools, SDKs as well as FAQs, are provided in the
Brother Developer Center.

http://www.brother.com/product/dev/index.htm

- 43 -

Appendix B: Introducing the Brother Developer Center