Lexmark 249x, 248X Technical Reference

Forms Printer 248x/249x

Technical Reference

October 2000

www.lexmark.com

Third Edition (October 2000)
The following paragraph does not apply to the United Kingdom or any country

where such provisions are inconsistent with local law: LEXMARK INTERNA-

TIONAL, INC. PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION “AS IS” WITHOUT WAR­RANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states do not allow disclaimer of
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may not apply to you.

This publication could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.
Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be
incorporated in later editions of the publication. Improvements and/or changes
in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication may be
made at any time.

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should be made to your point of purchase.

A form for reader's comments is provided at the back of this publication. If the
form has been removed, comments may be addressed to Lexmark International,
Inc., Department F95/035-3, 740 New Circle Road N.W., Lexington, Kentucky
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Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

© Copyright Lexmark International, Inc. 1993, 2000.
All rights reserved.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

This software and documentation are pr ovided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use,
duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth
in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software
clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 and in applicable F AR pr ovisions: Lexmark Interna­tional, Inc., Greenwich, CT 06836.

Contents

Section 1 - Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Available Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Physical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Print Speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Printhead Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

248x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

249x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Printhead Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Optimum Temperature Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Vibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Clearances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Power Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Alternating Current Line Voltage Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Power Cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Noise Emission Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Paper Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2480/2490 (Narrow Carriage Models). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2481/2491 (Wide Carriage Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Ribbon Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Power-On Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Printer Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Programming Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Section 2 - Set Initial Conditions (SIC) Command. . 21

SIC Command Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Section 3 - IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands 27

Control Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Escape Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Printer Command Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Command Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Example of IBM Emulation Mode Printer Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Printer Command Quick Reference (IBM Emulation Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Selecting a Character Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Select Character Set 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

iii

Select Character Set 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Select Code Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Print From Code Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Continuously Print Characters from a Code Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Print One Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Download a Character Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Select Global Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Select 12 cpi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Select Print Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Select Print Type Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Emphasized (Bold) Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Double-Strike Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Superscript or Subscript. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Set Print Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Continuous Double-wide Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Score Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Continuous Underline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Continuous Overscore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Set Print Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Graphics Print Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Normal Density Bit Image Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Mode and Horizontal Density (249x Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Dual-Density Bit Image Graphics (Half Speed) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Dual-Density Bit Image Graphics (Normal Speed). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

High-Density Bit Image Graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Horizontal Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Set Horizontal Tabulation Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Set Default Tabulation Stops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Set Horizontal Margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Move Current Print Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Line Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Automatic Line Feed (LF). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Reverse Line Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Move Paper Vertically. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Set Vertical Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Vertical Tabulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Set Vertical Tabulation Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Line Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Set Line Spacing to 1/8 Inch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Set Line Spacing to 7/72 Inch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Activate Line Spacing for Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Set Line Spacing for Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Set Line Spacing for Graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Porportional Space Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Set Top of Form and Page Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Set Top of Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

iv

Set Page Length in Inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Set Page Length in Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Set Skip Perforation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Cancel Skip Perforation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Printer Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Deselect Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Setup Barcode Parameter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Setup Barcode Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Section 4 - Epson Mode Printer Commands . . . . . . 65

Font Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Text Print Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Graphics Print Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Horizontal Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Vertical Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Line Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Page Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Printer Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Other Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Section 5 - OKI Microline Mode Printer Commands 79

Character Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Character Size and Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Character Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Custom Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Graphics Print Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Horizontal Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Vertical Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Other Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Section 6 - Using the Printer Interface . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Parallel Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Parallel Interface Voltage Levels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Computer to Printer Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Serial Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Serial Interface Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

How to Connect the RS-232C Serial Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Serial Cable Pin Assignments (RS-232C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Serial Interface Cable (RS-232C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Using an IBM AT Personal Computer (RS-232C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Universal Serial Bus Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Serial Communication Parameters (RS-232C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

v

Serial Computer Configuration Recommendations (RS-232C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Section 7 - Downloading Characters and Fonts . . 105

248x Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Designing Draft and NLQ Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Designing Fast Draft Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Designing NLQ II Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Downloading Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Designing and Downloading the Draft/NLQ Copyright (©) Symbol . . . . . . . . . . . 113

249x Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Designing and Downloading Characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Managing the Download Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Designing Monospaced Fast Draft Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Designing Monospaced Draft Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Designing Proportionally Spaced Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Designing Enhanced Letter Quality Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Section 8 - Barcodes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Barcode Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Data Transfer Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Barcode Symbologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Notes For Barcode Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Section 9 - Code Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Code Page 437 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

Code Page 437G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Code Page 813 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Code Page 850 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Code Page 851 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Code Page 853T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Code Page 857 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Code Page 858 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Code Page 860 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Code Page 861 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Code Page 863 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Code Page 865 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Code Page 869 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Code Page 920 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Code Page 1004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Code Page 1053 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Printing a Code Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

Set Font Global, ESC [I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Character Sets 1 and 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

vi

Character Set 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

Character Set 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

vii

viii

Introduction

Section

Your dot-matrix printer is an easy-to-use desktop printer that provides low­cost, high-quality output from your personal computer. It handles cut forms,
document-on-demand, and continuous form applications.

Your printer is a wire-matrix printer. The printer makes impressions by forcing
a hardened wire against an ink ribbon to transfer ink to the paper on impact. A
dot is printed each time the wire strikes the ribbon against the paper. This
impact printing technology has unique capabilities. The information in this
manual enables you to fully use the capabilities of dot-matrix impact printing.

This book applies to the Lexmark Forms Printer 2400 Series dot-matrix family
of printers. Differences that occur between printer models are noted.

The information in this manual is intended primarily for hardware and
software programmers, engineers, technicians, and others who require in­depth technical information. If you need information to operate your printer,
see your User’s Guide.

1

Section 1: Introduction

7

Available Options

Options Part Number

1329605 (10 ft.),

Parallel Cable

Serial interface

• Internal RS-232

• Serial cable

Auto Sheet Feeder­Narrow Carriage

Auto Sheet Feeder­Wide Carriage

Tractor 2 Feeder­Narrow Carriage

Tractor 2 Feeder­Wide Carriage

USB cable 12A2405 Yes Yes Yes Yes
248x OKI emulation 12T0155 Yes Yes No No
Cut Sheet Output

Support Stand

1427498 (20 ft.),
or equivalent

12T0154
1038693 (50 ft), or
equivalent

12T0150 Yes No Yes No

12T0151 No Yes No Yes

12T0152 Yes No Yes No

12T0153 No Yes No Yes

12T0014 Yes Yes Yes Yes

2480 2481 2490 2491

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Physical Characteristics

Width Height Depth Weight

8

2480/2490

2481/2491

Section 1: Introduction

491.5 mm
(18.75 in.)

633.5 mm
(24.35 in.)

195 mm
(7.36 in.)

195 mm
(7.36 in.)

290 mm
(11.28 in.)

290 mm
(11.28 in.)

8.0 kg
(14.8 lb)

9.8 kg
(18.7 lb)

Print Speeds

Your printer supports the following burst print speeds in characters per
second (cps).

Mode 2480/2481 2490/2491

Fast Draft

• 10 cpi

• 12 cpi

Draft

• 10 cpi

• 12 cpi

Near Letter Quality ­Gothic, Courier

• 10 cpi

• 12 cpi

Letter Quality ­Prestige, Presentor,
Orator, and Script

• 10 cpi

• 438 cps

• 510 cps

• 309 cps

• 304 cps

• 77 cps

• 76 cps

N/A 91 cps

• 409 cps

• 465 cps

• 274 cps

• 328 cps

• 91 cps

• 109 cps

Printhead Description

Your printer uses dot-matrix impact technology to generate characters. The 248x
has a 9-wire printhead. The 249x has a 24-wire printhead.

248x

The 248x printhead has nine wires arranged in a single vertical column. The
diameter of each wire is 0.30 mm (0.012 in.). The center-to-center distance
between wires is 0.353 mm (1/72 in.). The printhead has an impact force
sufficient to generate readable copies on multipart forms and envelopes up to
and including 6-ply forms (original plus 5 copies).

249x

The 249x printhead has twenty-four wires arranged in two parallel vertical
columns of twelve wires each. The diameter of each wire is 0.22 mm (0.009 in.).
The wires in each of the rows are vertically separated to produce a 0.141 mm (1/
180 in.) space between the centers of adjacent dots. The printhead has an impact
force sufficient to generate readable copies on multipart forms and envelopes
up to and including 4-ply forms (original plus 3 copies).

Section 1: Introduction

9

Printhead Movement

The printhead moves by a direct-current stepper motor.
The printhead can print while moving in both directions (bidirectional print).

When the printhead is printing in both directions, it automatically finds the
shortest path to print the next line.

The maximum velocity of the printhead is 1117.6 mm (44 in.) per second for the
248x and 1041.4 mm (41 in.) per second for the 249x.

Environmental Conditions

Optimum Temperature Ranges

Condition Operating Stored Shipping

Ambient air
temperature
range

Humidity range 8.0% to 90% 5.0% to 100% 5.0% to 100%

+10° to +40.6°C
(+50° to +105°F)

Vibration

Although this desktop printer is portable and durable, do not operate or place
the printer in vibration-prone areas. For best results, operate the printer on a
level surface.

Clearances

Printer operation produces natural convection, or airflow. To allow sufficient
airflow, make sure there is 50.8 mm (2 in.) of space around all exposed surfaces.

Power Requirements

+1° to +60°C
+34° to +140°F

-40° to +60°C
(-40° to +140°F)

Power Consumption

• 38 W average operating power

• 7 W average idle power

10

Section 1: Introduction

Alternating Current Line Voltage Power

Your printer uses one of the following alternating current (ac) line voltage
power values.

Note: Input voltage value varies with the country where the printer was pur-

chased.

• 90-137 V ac, 50/60 Hz

• 180-265 V ac, 50/60 Hz

Power Cord

Printers for the United States and Canada have a 1.83 m (6.0 ft) power cord.
Printers for all other countries have a 2.74 m (9.0 ft) power cord, with the correct
plug to match the country requirements.

Noise Emission Value

The following are noise emission values for your printer.

Noise Emission Values 248x-001 249x-001

Operating 4 Mic Average, Draft
Operating Front Mic Average, Draft
Operating 4 Mic Average, NLQ
Operating Front Mic Average, NLQ
IDLE (standby mode)

All measurements were made in accordance with ISO 7779.

57 dB(A) N/A
56 dB(A) N/A
54 dB(A) 55 dB(A)
53 dB(A) 53 dB(A)

0 dB(A) 0 dB(A)

Section 1: Introduction

11

Paper Specifications

2480/2490 (Narrow Carriage Models)

Cut Forms Continuous Forms

Paper

2

2

Multiple
part

297 mm

(11.7 in.)

See Note

N/A 241 mm

76 mm

(3.0 in.)

Page Length

559 mm

(22.0 in.)

76 mm

(3.0 in.)

N/A 90 g/m

N/A 56 g/m

See Note 0.058 mm

Single

Width

254 mm

(10 in.)

(9.5 in.)

76 mm

(3.0 in.)

(2.5 in.)

559 mm

(22.0 in.)

3.2 mm

(0.125 in.)

Weight

(24 lb.)

(15 lb.)

(0.0023 in.)

Dimensions

Maximum 297 mm

Maximum
Hole to Hole

Minimum 76 mm

Minimum
Hole to Hole

Note: When the optional Auto Sheet Feeder or Tractor 2 Feeder is installed, the max­imum width of a cut form is 215 mm (8.5 in.) for manual loading.

Maximum 559 mm

Minimum 76 mm

Maximum 90 g/m

Minimum 60 g/m

Note: Thickness up to 0.512 mm (0.0202 in.) for 2480/2481 printers; up to0.36 mm
(0.015 in.) for 2490/2491 printers.

Single

(11.7 in.)

See Note

N/A

See Note

(3.0 in.)

N/A N/A 63 mm

(22.0 in.)

(3.0 in.)

(24 lb.)

(16 lb.)

Thickness - Multiple Part Forms of 45 g/m2 (12 lb.) paper

0.058 mm

(0.0023 in.)

Multiple
part

254 mm

(10 in.)

241 mm

(9.5 in.)

76 mm

(3.0 in.)

63 mm

(2.5 in.)

559 mm

(22.0 in.)

3.2 mm

(0.125 in.)

2

2

N/A 90 g/m

N/A 75 g/m

See Note 0.042 mm

Envelopes

241 mm

(9.5 in.)

152 mm

(6.0 in.)

152 mm

(6.0 in.)

110 mm

(4.1 in.)

(0.017 in.)

N/A

N/A

2

(24 lb.)

2

(20 lb.)

12

Section 1: Introduction

2481/2491 (Wide Carriage Models)

Cut Forms Continuous Forms

Paper
Dimensions

Single

Multiple
part

Single

Width

Maximum 420 mm

(16.5 in.)

Maximum

N/A N/A 393 mm

Hole to Hole

Minimum 76 mm

(3.0 in.)

Minimum

N/A N/A 63 mm

Hole to Hole

420 mm

(16.5 in.)

76 mm

(3.0 in.)

406 mm

(16.0 in.)

(15.5 in.)

76 mm

(3.0 in.)

(2.5 in.)

Page Length

Maximum 559 mm

(22.0 in.)

Minimum 76 mm

(3.0 in.)

559 mm

(22.0 in.)

76 mm

(3.0 in.)

559 mm
(22.0 in)

3.2 mm

(0.125 in.)

Weight

(24 lb.)

(16 lb.)

2

N/A 90 g/m

(24 lb.)

2

N/A 56 g/m

(15 lb.)

Maximum 90 g/m

Minimum 60 g/m

Thickness - Multiple Part Forms of 45 g/m2 (12 lb.) paper

0.058 mm

(0.0023 in.)

See Note 0.058 mm

(0.0023 in.)

Note: Thickness up to 0.512 mm (0.0202 in.) for 2480/2481 printers; up to0.36 mm
(0.015 in.) for 2490/2491 printers.

Multiple
part

406 mm

(16.0 in.)

393 mm

(15.5 in.)

76 mm

(3.0 in.)

63 mm

(2.5 in.)

559 mm

(22.0 in.)

3.2 mm

(0.125 in.)

2

2

N/A 90 g/m

See Note 0.053 mm

Envelopes

241 mm

(9.5 in.)

N/A

152 mm

(6.0 in.)

N/A

152 mm

(6.0 in.)

110 mm

(4.1 in.)

(24 lb.)

75 g/m

(20 lb.)

(0.021 in.)

2

2

Section 1: Introduction

13

Pap er Size Narrow carriage (2480/2490) Wide carriage (2481/2491)
Automatic Feed Mode (single-part form)

Length 139.7 mm (5.5 in.)

minimum

355.6 mm (14.0 in.)
maximum

Width 105 mm (4.13 in.)

minimum

215.9 mm (8.5 inch)
maximum

Tractor Feeder (continuous forms)

Length 76 mm (3.0 in.)

minimum
N/A

maximum

Width 76 mm (3.0 in.)

minimum
254 mm (10 in.)

maximum

Notes:

1

For paper width greater than 8.5 inches.

139.7 mm (5.5 in.)
minimum

355.6 mm (14.0 in.) (See Note 1)
maximum

558.8 mm (22 in.) (See Note 2)
105 mm (4.13 in.)

minimum
364 mm (14.3 in.)

maximum

76 mm (3.0 in.)
minimum

N/A
maximum

76 mm (3.0 in.)
minimum

406 mm (16.0 in.)
maximum

2 For paper width up to 8.5 inches.

Manual Feed (cut sheets)

Length 76.2 mm (3.0 in.)

minimum

558.8 mm (22.0 in.)
maximum

Width 76.2 mm (3.0 in.)

minimum

279.4 mm (11.0 in.)
maximum

Paper Weight 16 ~ 24 lbs (60 ~ 90 g/m

76.2 mm (3.0 in.)
minimum

558.8 mm (22.0 in.)
maximum

76.2 mm (3.0 in.)
minimum

420 mm (16.5 in.)
maximum

2

)

14

Section 1: Introduction

Ribbon Specifications

The life expectancy of the 2300/2400 series standard re-inking ribbon is
approximately 4 million characters in 10 characters per inch (cpi) draft mode.
For replacement ribbon, order ribbon number 11A3540.

Length: 1.8 m (6.0 ft)
Width: 8 mm (0.315 in.)
Fabric: Nylon

High yield re-inking ribbon is available for the 2400 series printer. It has a life
expectancy of approximately 8 million characters in 10 cpi draft mode. For
replacement ribbon, order ribbon number 11A3550.

Length: 2.5 m (8.3 ft)
Width: 8 mm (0.315 in.)
Fabric: Nylon

Diagnostics

This section discusses diagnostics at power-on and how to do the printer test.

Power-On Diagnostics

The following tests are performed when the printer is turned On.

• RAM Test

• Font ROM/Microcode Sum Test

• Timer/Interrupt Controller Test

• NVRAM Test

• Switch Scan Test of the operator panel

• Carrier Initialization

• Paper Feed Initialization
If any errors occur during the tests, a combination of blinking LEDs indicate

which test failed.

Printer Test

You can run a Printer Test to aid in problem determination. In addition to the
normal power-on internal tests (see “Power-On Diagnostics” on page 15), the
printer test generates a sample printout.

This test printout can be printed either with or without connecting the printer to
your computer.

Section 1: Introduction

15

To run the printer test, follow these steps:

Make sure the paper and ribbon are installed.

1

Turn the printer Off.

2

Press Line Feed while you turn the printer On.

3

After a few seconds, release Line Feed.

4

To stop or interrupt the printer test:

Press Start/Stop. The test stops after a complete line of characters has

1

printed.
Press Start/Stop to continue the printer test.

2

Programming Examples

Examples in this manual have been formatted to be processed by a simple
BASIC program. The BASIC program reads an input file and writes data to an
output file. Printer commands may be entered into the input file in a
hexadecimal format and enclosed with opening and closing delimiters.

The opening delimiter is a less-than symbol, ’<’, followed by an ’x’. The ’x’ may
be either upper or lower case. The closing delimiter is a greater-than symbol,

’>’.

Within the delimiters, hexadecimal data must be presented in two-digit pairs.
White space, blanks, carriage returns and line feeds may be used between the
pairs. In addition, a comment may be added to the end of a line by using a
minus sign, ’-’, at the start of the comment. All data after a minus sign is ignored
until a carriage return or line feed is encountered.

The example format used in this book is shown below:

<x
1B36
1B5B0400000001B5
1B5B640100A0
1B5B4905000055007801
>

All of the examples use this encoding method and have been tested using the
following BASIC program:

1000 INPUT "Enter file name to be printed"; FILENAME$
1010 OPEN FILENAME$ FOR INPUT AS #1
1020 OPEN "prtrout.bin" FOR OUTPUT AS #2
1030 WHILE EOF(1) = 0
1040 I$ = INPUT$(1, #1)

-

select character set 2

-

select code page 437

-

set print quality to letter quality

-

set font global to Courier 12

16

Section 1: Introduction

1050 IF(I$ <> "<")THEN PRINT #2,I$;: GOTO 1090
1060 I$ = INPUT$(1, #1)
1070 IF(I$ = "x")OR (I$ = "X") THEN GOSUB 1130: GOTO 1090
1080 IF(I$ = "<")THEN PRINT#2,I$;: GOTO 1090 ELSE GOTO 1290
1090 WEND
1100 CLOSE #1: CLOSE #2:
1110 SHELL "copy prtrout.bin/b lpt1 >nul"
1120 END
1130 '--------------------process hex mode data------------­1140 WHILE EOF(1) = 0
1150 I$ = INPUT$(1, #1)
1160 IF(I$ = " ")OR(I$ = CHR$(10))OR(I$ = CHR$(13))THEN GOTO 1230
1170 IF(I$ = "-")THEN GOSUB 1300: GOTO 1230
1180 IF(I$ = ">") THEN RETURN
1190 GOSUB 1250: N1 = N
1200 IF EOF(1) GOTO 1290
1210 I$ = INPUT$(1,#1): GOSUB 1250
1220 PRINT #2,CHR$((N1 * 16) + N);
1230 WEND
1240 RETURN
1250 '--------------------hex digit conversion-------------­1260 IF(I$ >= "0") AND (I$ <= "9")THEN N= ASC(I$)-48:RETURN
1270 IF(I$ >= "A") AND (I$ <= "F") THEN N= ASC(I$)-55:RETURN
1280 IF(I$ >= "a") AND (I$ <= "f")THEN N= ASC(I$)- 87: RETURN
1290 PRINT "Invalid hexadecimal data - [" + I$ + "]": STOP
1300 '----------------comments bypass subroutine-----------­1310 WHILE EOF(1) = 0
1320 I$ = INPUT$(1, #1)
1330 IF (I$ = CHR$(10)) OR (I$ = CHR$(13)) THEN RETURN
1340 WEND
1350 GOTO 1100

Section 1: Introduction

17

18

Section 1: Introduction

Set Initial
Conditions (SIC)
Command

The SIC command sets the printer to the default values that were set at the
factory or to user-defined defaults.

SIC Command Format

Use the following format:

Format ESC [ K Ln Hn init ID p1...p22
Decimal 27 91 75 Ln Hn
Hex 1B5B4BLnHn

Ln is the number of parameters plus 2. Hn is 0.
The decimal and hexadecimal digits for the printer command appear below the

printer command format.

Section

2

Section 2: Set Initial Conditions (SIC) Command

21

init sets the printer to user-defined or factory settings. The value for init can be:

Initial Values Description

Initializes printer to user-defined settings. The download font
remains unchanged. If parameters are specified, they over­write the default settings. If the emulation mode is changed,

0

1

4

the download font is initialized. This command only copies
data from the selected macro, add parameter changes, if any,
and store in working RAM; the data stored in the macro’s non­volatile RAM is not affected.

Initializes printer to user-defined settings. The download font
is initialized. If parameters are specified, they overwrite the
default settings. This command only copies data from the
selected macro, add parameter changes, if any, and store in
working RAM; the data stored in the macro’s non-volatile
RAM is not affected.

Initializes printer to factory settings. The download font
remains unchanged. If parameters are specified, they over­write the default settings. If the emulation mode is changed,
the download font is initialized. This command only copies the
default settings from ROM, add parameter changes, if any, and
store in working RAM; the data stored in the macro’s non-vol­atile RAM is not affected.

5

254

255

Initializes printer to factory settings. The download font is ini­tialized. If parameters are specified, they overwrite the default
settings. This command only copies the default settings from
ROM, add parameter changes, if any, and store in working
RAM; the data stored in the macro’s non-volatile RAM is not
affected.

Initializes printer to user-defined settings. The download font
is initialized. If parameters are specified, they overwrite the
default settings. This command changes data stored in the
selected macro. It copies data from the selected macro, add
parameter changes, if any, and store in working RAM and in
the selected macro. It also changes the default macro to the
value of parm 3.

Initializes printer to default settings. The download font is ini­tialized. If parameters are specified, they overwrite the default
settings. This command changes data stored in the macro’s
non-volatile RAM. It copies default settings from ROM, add
parameter changes, if any, and store in working RAM and all
macros. It also sets the default macro to Disable.

22

Section 2: Set Initial Conditions (SIC) Command

Use the following parameters (parms) with SIC commands that use the printer
ID of C5 and C6:

Printer

2480
2481
2490
2491

Parm Description Selection Dec Hex

1 Emulation 0=No Change

2 Panel Disable

(see Note 1)

3 Macro

(see Note 2)

Dec Hex

197 C5
197 C5
198 C6
198 C6

1=PPDS
2=Epson

0=No Change
1=Panel Disabled
2=Panel Enabled

0=No Change
1=Macro 1
2=Macro 2
3=Macro 3
4=Macro 4
255=Disable Macro

0
1
2

0
1
2

0
1
2
3
4
255

00
01
02

00
01
02

00
01
02
03
04
FF

Notes:

1

You can disable specific buttons on the operator panel. The upper 6 bits of parm 2
represent the different buttons on the operator panel. The lower 2 bits are reserved
to enable or disable the panel.

Bit Off On

7. Font Disabled Enabled

6. Pitch Disabled Enabled

5. Micro

4. Micro

3. LF Disabled Enabled

2. Macro Disabled Enabled

Bits 0 and 1 allow for existing panel disable functions.
To disable the panel or any of the buttons, bit 0 must be On.
The Start/Stop button and the Form Feed button are always enabled.

In the following example the Micro

Format ESC [ K Ln Hn init ID P1 P2
Decimal 27 91 75 04 00 254 197 00 49
Hex 1B5B4B0400FEC50031

Ç
È

Disabled Enabled
Disabled Enabled

and Micro È buttons are enabled:

Ç

Section 2: Set Initial Conditions (SIC) Command

23

Parm Description Selection Dec Hex

Notes (cont.):

2 If Parm 3 has no value (macro has not been supplied), the printer default macro is

used to store the change.
When init=04H or 05H is specified, parm3 is ignored.

When init=00H, 01H, FEH, FFh are specified, parm3 value is used as Macro No.
instead of Default Macro setting No.

When init=FEH, FFh are specified parm3 value is overwritten to Default Macro
setting in NVRAM. When the disable(=255) is set to parm3 Macro No.1 setting is
used to initialize.

4 Font 0=No Change

1=Fast Draft
2=Draft

3=Gothic
4=Courier
5=Download Font
6=Prestige
(249x Plus only)
7=Presentor
(249x Plus only)
8=Orator
(249x Plus only)
9=Script
(249x Plus only)

5 Pitch 0=No Change

1=10 Pitch
2=12 Pitch
3=15 Pitch
4=17.1 Pitch
5=20 Pitch
6=PS
7=24 Pitch
(249x Plus only)

0
1
2
3
4
5
6

7

8

9

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

00
01
02
03
04
05
06

07

08

09

00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07

24

Section 2: Set Initial Conditions (SIC) Command

Parm Description Selection Dec Hex

6 Code Page 0=No Change

1=437
2=850

3=860
4=863

5=865
6=437G
7=813
8=851
9=853T
10=857
11=869
12=920
13=1053
14=861
15=1004
16=858

7 Form Length 0=No Change

1=1 to 176 Lines

8 Lines Per Inch 0=No Change

1=3
2=4
3=6
4=8

9 Left Margin 0=No Change

1=0 Inch
2=1 Inch
3=2 Inches

4=3 Inches

10 Right Margin 0=No Change

1=4 Inches
2=5 Inches
3=6 Inches
4=7 Inches
5=8 Inches

6=13.6 Inches
(2491 models only)

11 Bottom Margin 0=No Change

1=0 Inch
2=1/2 Inch
3=1 Inch
4=2 Inches
5=3 Inches

12 Alarm 0=No Change

1=Disable Alarm
2=Enable Alarm

13 Auto CR 0=No Change

1=On
2=Off

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

0
1

0
1
2
3
4

0
1
2
3
4

0
1
2
3
4
5
6

0
1
2
3
4
5

0
1
2

0
1
2

00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
0A
0B
0C
0D
0E
0F

00
01

00
01
02
03
04

00
01
02
03
04

00
01
02
03
04
05
06

00
01
02
03
04
05

00
01
02

00
01
02

Section 2: Set Initial Conditions (SIC) Command

25

Parm Description Selection Dec Hex

14 Auto LF 0=No Change

1=On
2=Off

15 Slash Zero 0=No Change

1=Slashed Zero
2=Normal Zero

16 Character Set 0=No Change

1=Set 1
2=Set 2

17 Print Direction 0=No Change

1=Unidirectional
2=Bidirectional

18 Sheet Feeder 0=No Change

1=Disable
2=Enable

19 Lock 0=No Change

1=Font Lock
2=Pitch Lock
3=Font and Pitch Lock
4=Font and Pitch Unlock
254=SIC Command Lock
254=SIC Command
Unlock

20 FF Enable

(2480 only)

21 TOF Read 0=No Change

22 Tractor 0=No Change

23 Tear Off 0=No Change

0=No Change
1=Ignore FF
2=Honor FF

1=TOF Read Disable
2=TOF Read Enable

1=Tractor 1
2=Tractor 2

1=On
2=Off
3=One Second

0
1
2

0
1
2

0
1
2

0
1
2

0
1
2

0
1
2
3
4
5
6

0
1
2

0
1
2

0
1
2

0
1
2

00
01
02

00
01
02

00
01
02

00
01
02

00
01
02

00
01
02
03
04
05
06

00
01
02

00
01
02

00
01
02

00
01
02

26

Section 2: Set Initial Conditions (SIC) Command

IBM Emulation
Mode Printer
Commands

This section provides a detailed description of IBM emulation mode
commands you can use with your printer.

Control Codes

Control codes are one-character printer commands that are used to:

• Manage the printing of a job.

• Control the movement of the cursor, which changes the current print
position.

• Control primary and secondary font selection.

The first 32 characters of the Standard ASCII table are control codes. This
printer uses the following control codes.

Code
Name

Null NUL Null character. 0 00

Symbol Description

Section

Value
(Dec)

3

Value
(Hex)

Sound
Beeper

Backspace BS Causes the printer to move the current

Horizontal
Tab

Line Feed LF Advances the paper one line on the page. 10 0A
Vertical TabVT Moves the paper to the next vertical

Form Feed FF

BEL Sounds the printer beeper for

HT Moves the printhead to the horizontal

approximately 1 second.

print position one character position to the
left.

tabulation stops.

tabulation stop set with the printer
command Set Vertical Tabulation Stops
(ESC B).

Advances the paper to the top of the next
page and does a carriage return.

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

707

808

909

11 0B

12 0C

27

Code
Name

Symbol Description

Value
(Dec)

Value
(Hex)

Carriage
Return

Double­Wide
Printing by
Line

Condensed
Printing

Select
Printer

Select 10
cpi

Deselect
Printer

Cancel
Double­Wide
Printing by
Line

Cancel
Data

CR Moves the current print position to the left

margin of the current line.

SO Prints all characters in double-width

mode.

SI Condenses printing from 10 characters per

inch (cpi) to 17.1 and 12 cpi to 20.

DC1 Selects the printer. 17 11

DC2 Returns condensed printing to normal (10

cpi)

DC3 Signals the printer to stop accepting data

from the computer. This control code has
no effect on the parallel interface.

DC4 Cancels double-width printing mode and

returns printing to normal.

CAN Clears current line buffer of data already

received to print on the current line since
last Form Feed, Line Feed, Carrier Return,
or Cancel.

13 0D

14 0E

15 0F

18 12

19 13

20 14

24 18

Space SP

Moves the print position one character
space to the right.

Escape Sequences

An escape sequence (two or more characters of information) lets you change the
way the printer is currently printing. Like a control code, it gives you control
over the printed output. The escape sequence begins with the character ESC
(decimal 027, hexadecimal 1B). The printer recognizes this character as the
beginning of a printer command signalling that the information that follows is
control information and not data to be printed.

Printer Command Parameters

A command parameter sets the value for a command. This value stays constant
until either a different value resets the command or a command resets the
printer to its default values. For example, after the printer receives a command

32 20

28

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

that selects a right margin beginning at column 63, the right margin of each
printed page begins at column 63. The margin remains constant until a right
margin command with a different value resets the margin, or the printer is reset.

In this section, command parameters are indicated by a lowercase n. Usage
Notes explain how to compute this parameter.

Command Structure

The printer commands use ASCII; the decimal and hexadecimal digits are
shown for your convenience.

Most commands have the following structure (spaces have been added for
readability; do not include spaces when you type the command):

ESC & a n C data

& Parameterized character from ASCII table range 33-47 decimal.
a Group character from ASCII table range 96-126 decimal that

specifies a group type of control.

n Value within specified numeric range, from ASCII table range

48-57, 45, 46 decimal. If a value is not specified, a value of 0
is assumed.

C Termination character fr om ASCII table range 64-90

(47-122 w/chaining) decimal.

data Binary 8-bit data (from graphics, and so on). The value field

specifies the number of bytes of binary data.

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

29

Example of IBM Emulation Mode Printer Command

Select Code Page (

(A short description of the command follows)
This command placed before the first character changes the active code page.
(The printer command format follows with the decimal and hexadecimal values).

Format ESC [ T 4 0 0 0 Hc Lc
Decimal 27 91 84 4 0 0 0 Hc Lc
Hex 1B 5B 54 04 00 00 00 Hc Lc

name of command

)

Usage Notes

The digits 4 0 0 0 (decimal), 04 00 00 00 (hexadecimal) are constants.
To calculate Hc Lc for a code page that is not shown:

• Divide the code page number, such as 437, by 256.
— The whole number result is the Hc value.
— The remainder is the Lc value.

• If your code page has an alphabetic character, such as 437G, add 10,000 to
the code page number, then divide by 256.

• Code page information begins on page 188.

Related commands list other commands that can or should be used with the
printer command being described.

Usage Notes give additional information for that command, such as:

• how the command reacts with other commands

• any other command that is required, or that supplements the command

• how the datastream is affected by the command

Pay attention to the uppercase (capital letter) and the lowercase letters. If the
format shows an uppercase letter, enter the command with an uppercase letter.
If the letter in the command format is lowercase, enter it as lowercase. The
printer looks at the uppercase and lowercase letters as separate command
instructions.

The uppercase letter O is different from the numeral 0 (zero). Notice that the
uppercase O is wider and rounder than the zero. To help you with this distinc­tion, the text that describes the command shows the numeral 0 and also spells
out zero.

30

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Printer Command Quick Reference (IBM
Emulation Mode)

For more
information

Function Command Dec Hex

Begin/End
Continous Underline

Set Line Space to 1/8 inch ESC 0 27 48 1B 30 page 57
Set Line Space to 7/72 inch ESC 1 27 49 1B 31 page 57
Activate Line Spacing for

Text
Set Line Spacing for

Graphics
Set Top of Form ESC 4 27 52 1B 34 page 59
Automatic Line Feed ESC 5 27 53 n 1B 35 n page 55
Select Character Set 2 ESC 6 27 54 1B 36 page 33
Select Character Set 1 ESC 7 27 55 1B 37 page 33
Select 12 cpi ESC : 27 58 1B 3A page 40
Download a Character Set ESC = 27 61 1B 3D page 35
Set Line Spacing for Text ESC A 27 65 n 1B 41 n page 57
Set Vertical Tab Stops ESC B 27 66 n,n1,n2... 1B 42 n,n1,n2... page 56
Set Page Length in Lines ESC C 27 67 n 1B 43 n page 59
Set Page Length in Inches ESC C 0 27 67 0 n 1B 43 00 n page 59
Set Horizontal Tab Stops ESC D 27 68 n,n1,n2... 0 1B 44 n,n1,n2... 00 page 53
Begin Emphasized (Bold)

Print
End Emphasized (Bold)

Print
Begin Double-Strike Print ESC G 27 71 1B 47 page 44
End Double-Strike Print ESC H 27 72 1B 48 page 44
Select Print Mode ESC I 27 73 1B 49 page 40
Move Paper Vertically ESC J 27 74 n 1B 4A n page 55
Normal Density Bit Image

Graphics
Dual-Density Bit Image

Graphics (Half-Speed)
Set Skip Perforation ESC N 27 78 n 1B 4E n page 60
Cancel Skip Perforation ESC O 27 79 1B 4F page 60
Proportional Space Mode ESC P 27 80 1B 50 page 58
Deselect Printer ESC Q 27 81 1B 51 page 61
Set Default Tab Stops ESC R 27 82 1B 52 page 53
Begin Subscript/

Superscript
End Subscript/Superscript ESC T 27 84 1B 54 page 45

ESC _ 27 45 n 1B 2D n page 47

ESC 2 27 50 1B 32 page 57

ESC 3 27 51 n 1B 33 n page 58

ESC E 27 69 1B 45 page 44

ESC F 27 70 1B 46 page 44

ESC K 27 75 Ln Hn data 1B 4B Ln Hn data page 49

ESC L 27 76 Ln Hn data 1B 4C Ln Hn data page 51

ESC S 27 83 n 1B 53 n page 45

see...

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

31

For more
information

Function Command Dec Hex

Set Print Direction
Continuous Double-Wide

Printing

Set Horizontal Margins ESC X 27 88 n1,n2 1B 58 n1,n2 page 54

Dual-Density Bit Image
Graphics (Normal Speed)

High-Density Bit Image
Graphics

Score Select
(249x only)

Select Print Type Style ESC [ @ 27 91 64 4 0 m1 0 m3

Set Initial Condition ESC [ K 27 91 75 Ln Hn 1B 5B 4B Ln Hn page 21
Select Global Font ESC [ I 27 91 73 2 0 Hf Lf 1B 5B 49 02 00 Hf Lf page 36
Select Code Page ESC [ T 27 91 84 4 0 0 0 Hc

Set Vertical Units
(249x only)

Set Print Quality ESC [ d 27 91 100 1 0 m 1B 5B 64 01 00 n page 48
Setup Barcode Parameter ESC [ f 27 91 102 6 0 k m s... 1B 5B 66 06 00 k m s...
High Resolution Graphics

(249x only)
Setup Barcode Data ESC [ p 27 91 112 Ln Hn

Continuously Print Char­acters from Code Page

Reverse Line Feed ESC ] 27 93 1B 5D page 55
Print One Character ESC ^ 27 94 n 1B 5E n page 35
Begin/End Continuous

Overscore
Move Current Print

Position

ESC U 27 85 1B 55 page 45
ESC W 27 87 1B 57 page 46

ESC Y 27 89 Ln Hn data 1B 59 Ln Hn data page 52

ESC Z 27 90 Ln Hn data 1B 5A Ln Hn data page 52

ESC [ - 27 91 45 2 0 loc type 1B 5B 2D 02 00 loc

type

1B 5B 40 04 00 m1 00

m4

Lc

ESC [ \ 27 91 92 4 0 0 0 Lu Hu1B 5B 5C 04 00 00 00

ESC [ g 27 91 103 Ln Hn

mode data

data

ESC \ 27 92 Ln Hn n1,n2... 1B 5C Ln Hn n1,n2... page 34

ESC _ 27 95 n 1B 5F n page 47

ESC d 27 100 Ln Hn 1B 64 Ln Hn page 54

m3 m4

1B 5B 54 4 0 0 0 Hc Lc page 49

Lu Hu

1B 5B 67 Ln Hn mode
data

1B 5B 70 Ln Hn data page 63

see...

page 46

page 42

page 56

page 50

32

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Selecting a Character Set

Select Character Set 1

Character set 1 contains characters and symbols that are used in the English
language.

Format ESC 7
Decimal 27 55
Hex 1B 37

See pag e216 for more information.

Select Character Set 2

Character set 2 contains characters and symbols that are used in English and
non-English languages.

Format ESC 6
Decimal 27 54
Hex 1B 36

See pag e217 for more information.

Select Code Page

Use this printer command to change the active code page.

Format ESC [ T 4 0 0 0 Hc Lc
Decimal 2791844 0 0 0HcLc
Hex 1B 5B 54 04 00 00 00 Hc Lc

Usage Notes

The digits 4 0 0 0 (decimal), 04 00 00 00 (hexadecimal) are constants.
To calculate Hc Lc for a code page that is not shown:

• Divide the code page number, such as 437, by 256.
— The whole number result is the Hc value.
— The remainder is the Lc value.

• If your code page has an alphabetic character, such as 437G, add 10,000 to

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

33

the code page number, then divide by 256.

• Code page information begins on page 188.

Print From Code Page

Continuously Print Characters from a Code Page

Use this command to print characters from the all Characters Chart of a Code
Page (see “Printing a Code Page” on page 204).

Format ESC \ Ln Hn n1.....nn

Decimal 27 92 Ln Hn n1.....nn

Hex 1B 5C Ln Hn n1.....nn

Ln Hn

Ln (low number) and Hn (high number) identify the number of characters that
you want to print.

See below for ways to calculate this variable.

n1 n2 n3......nn

The variables, n1 n2 n3 and so on, are the number of characters that you want to

print. For example, for each character, n1 n2 n3...., that you want to print, you

substitute the decimal or hexadecimal digit for that character.
Use the code page tables for the decimal or the hexadecimal digit (see “Code

Pages” on page 187).

• Locate the character on the code page table.

• Use the decimal or hexadecimal digit for that character in the printer com­mand format.

Usage Notes

To print less than 256 characters:

• Hn is 0.

• Ln is the number of characters you want to print.

To print more than 256 characters:

• Divide the number of characters you want to print by 256.
— The result is Hn.
— The remainder is Ln.
You must input a decimal or hexadecimal digit for each character

(n1.....nn) you want to print. The decimal and hexadecimal digits are

34

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

located in the code page tables beginning on page 188.

Print One Character

Use this command to print a character from the All Characters Chart of a Code
Page (see “Code Pages” on page 187).

Format ESC ^ n
Decimal 27 94 n
Hex 1B 5E n

Usage Note

Substitute the decimal or hexadecimal digit of the character you want to print
for the variable n.

Download a Character Set

This command downloads a character set to the printer and starts a character
font image download. Up to 256 consecutive characters can be downloaded in
each ESC = sequence.

To download fonts, download must be enabled in the Setup menu.

Format ESC = count low/high id start low/high data
Decimal 27 61 count low/high id start low/high data
Hex 1B 3D count low/high id start low/high data

Usage Notes

count low/count high
The number of bytes of data being downloaded starting with the printer id byte.
id

A 1-byte number identifying the printer.

Printer

2480 Plus
2481 Plus
2490 Plus
2491 Plus

Dec Hex

182 B6
184 B8
183 B7
185 B9

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

35

start low/start high

When character data is downloaded, the start address is the absolute address of
the start of the character data. When the lookup table data is downloaded, the
start address is the address of the new entry in the lookup table.

data

Character data from the character design, or lookup table data.

Select Global Font

This command allows you to vary the font and pitch typestyle within a file.

Format ESC [ I 2 0 Hf Lf Hs Ls Sm Nul Hc Lc
Decimal27 9173 2 0HfLfHsLsSmNulHcLc
Hex 1B 5B 49 02 00 Hf Lf Hs Ls Sm Nul Hc Lc

Usage Notes

• The digits 2 and 0 are constants.

• If Font Lock and Pitch Lock are active, this command is ignored.

• The Hf and Lf variables identify the pitch and font typestyle you want to
print. Tables 1 and 2 on page 37 describe the Hf and Lf variables. To use
the tables:

1 Locate the type style (pitch and font) you want in the left column (Pitch).
2 For the decimal digits for Hf Lf, look across the row to the second

through fifth columns (depending on the typestyle you want to print).

3 For the hexadecimal digits for Hf Lf, look across the row to the sixth

through ninth columns (depending on the typestyle you want to print).

4 Substitute these digits for Hf Lf in the printer command syntax.

• The size parameters (Hs, Ls and Sm) are valid when the pitch and font
typestyle variables (Hf and Lf) are not valid and the size modifier parame­ter (Sm) is 1 (decimal) or 01 (hexadecimal). Table 3 on page 39 specifies the
pitch for valid size parameters. Other valid sizes for Sm include:

1 00 - No change
2 01 - Width is measured in 0.018 mm (1/1440 in.)
3 02, 03 - Font is porportional
4 All other values are regarded as 0.

• The Hc and Lc variables identify the Code Page you want to use. (See
Table 4 on page 39.)

36

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Table 1. 248x: Select Global Font

Pitch

Normal Bold Italic Bold/Ital Normal Bold italic Bold/Ital

5 0 244 0 245 00 F4 00 F5
10 0 11 0 46 0 18 0 57 00 0B 00 2E 00 12 00 39
12 1 235 0 108 0 92 0 116 01 EB 00 6C 00 5C 00 74
15 1 236 0 214 0 215 0 216 01 EC 00 D6 00 D7 00 D8
17 1 237 0 253 01 ED 00 FD
20 1 238 01 EE
PS 0 171 0 184 0 172 0 185 00 AB 00 B8 00 AC 00 B9

5 0 241 0 242 00 F1 00 F2
10 0 36 0 39 00 24 00 27
12 1 143 0 110 0 109 01 8F 00 6E 00 6D
15 1 142 0 110 0 109 01 8E 00 6E 00 6D
17 1 141 0 220 01 8D 00 DC
20 1 140 01 8C
PS 0 174 0 157 0 162 00 AE 00 9D 00 A2

Decimal Hf Lf Hex Hf Lf

Courier

Gothic

Table 2. 249x: Select Global Font

Pitch

Normal Bold Italic Bold/Ital Normal Bold italic Bold/Ital

5 0 244 0 245 00 F4 00 F5
10 0 11 0 46 0 18 0 57 00 0B 00 2E 00 12 00 39
12 1 235 0 108 0 92 0 116 01 EB 00 6C 00 5C 00 74
15 1 236 0 214 0 215 0 216 01 EC 00 D6 00 D7 00 D8
17 1 237 0 253 01 ED 00 FD
20 1 238 01 EE
24 1 30 01 1E
PS 0 171 0 184 0 172 0 185 00 AB 00 B8 00 AC 00 B9

5
10 0 12 00 60 00 0C 00 3C
12 1 239 0 111 0 112 01 EF 00 6F 00 70
15 1 240 01 F0
17 1 201 01 C9
20 1 202 01 CA
24 1 31 01 1F
PS 1 164 01 A4

Decimal Hf Lf Hex Hf Lf

Courier

Prestige

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

37

Table 2. 249x: Select Global Font (Continued)

Pitch

Normal Bold Italic Bold/Ital Normal Bold italic Bold/Ital

5 0 241 0 242 00 F1 00 F2
10 0 36 00 24
12 1 143 0 110 0 109 01 8F 00 6E 00 6D
15 1 142 01 8E
17 1 141 01 8D
20 1 140 01 8C
24 1 32 01 20
PS 0 174 0 157 0 172 0 185 00 AE 00 9D 00 A2

10 0 25 00 19
12 1 208 01 D0
15 1 209 01 D1
17 1 210 01 D2
20 1 211 01 D3
24 1 35 01 23
PS 0 199 00 C7

10 0 5 00 05
12 1 203 01 CB
15 1 204 01 CC
17 1 205 01 CD
20 1 206 01 CE
24 1 33 01 21
PS 0 198 00 C6

10 0 212 01 D4
12 1 213 01 D5
15 1 214 01 D6
17 1 215 01 D7
20 1 216 01 D8
24 1 36 01 24
PS 0 200 00 C8

Decimal Hf Lf Hex Hf Lf

Gothic

Presentor

Orator

Script

38

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Table 3. Global Font and Size Parameters

Pitch Dec (Hs, Ls) Hex (Hs, Ls)

24 CPI Subscript (249X only) 0 00 - 0 65 00 00 - 00 41
20 CPI Subscript 0 66 - 0 77 00 42 - 00 4D
17 CPI Normal 0 78 - 0 89 00 4E - 00 59
15 CPI Normal 0 90 - 0 107 00 5A - 00 6B
12 CPI Normal 0 108 - 0 131 00 6C - 00 83
10 CPI Normal 0 132 - 0 155 00 84 - 00 9B

8.5 CPI (17 CPI double-wide 0 156 - 0 179 00 9C - 00 B3

7.5 CPI (15 CPI double-wide 0 180 - 0 215 00 B4 - 00 D7
6 CPI (12 CPI double-wide 0 216 - 0 254 00 D8 - 00 FF
5 CPI (10 CPI double-wide 0 255 - 0 256 01 00 - FF FF

Table 4. Global Font and Code Page

Code Page

437 1 181 01H B5H
850 3 82 03H 52H
860 3 92 03H 5CH
863 3 95 03H 5FH
865 3 97 03H 61H

437G 40 197 28H C5H

813 3 45 03H 2DH

851 3 83 03H 53H
853T 42 101 2AH 65H
857 3 89 03H 59H
869 3 101 03H 65H
920 3 152 03H 98H
1053 4 29 04H 1DH
861 3 93 03H 5DH
1004 3 236 03H ECH
858 3 90 03H 5AH

Decimal Hex

Hc Lc Hc Lc

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

39

Select 12 cpi

This command sets the pitch at 12 cpi.

Format ESC :
Decimal 27 58
Hex 1B 3A

Select Print Mode

This command selects the normal font or the download font in Draft , NLQ
(248x only) or LQ (249x only).

Format ESC I n
Decimal 27 73 n
Hex 1B 49 n

Usage Note

• This command cancels any print combinations that conflict with ESC I.

• The following table shows valid values for n for the 248x and 249x print-

ers:

40

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

248x 249x

Dec Hex Print Mode Dec Hex Print Mode

0 00 Draft - Resident 0 00 Normal (Draft) 10 cpi
1 01 Fast DP (12 cpi) -

Resident

202NLQ Gothic -

Resident

303NLQ Courier -

Resident

4 04 Draft - Download 10 0A Normal (LQ) 12 cpi -

5 05 Fast DP (12 cpi) -

Download

606NLQ - Download 303Normal (LQ)

707NLQ - Download 404Downloaded 10 cpi

8 08 Draft - Download 12 0C Downloaded 12 cpi

9 09 Fast DP (12 cpi) -

Download

8 08 Normal (Draft) 12 cpi

16 10 Normal (Draft) 17 cpi

2 02 Normal (LQ) 10 cpi -

Courier

Prestige

18 12 Normal (LQ) 17 cpi -

Courier

Porportional

Draft

Draft

20 14 Downloaded 17 cpi

Draft

10 0A NLQ Gothic -

Download

11 0B NLQ Courier Italic -

Download

12 0C Draft - Download 22 16 Downloaded 17 cpi

13 0D Fast DP (12 cpi) -

Download
14 0E NLQ - Download
15 0F ALT NLQ II -

Download

6 06 Downloaded 10 cpi

LQ

14 0E Downloaded 12 cpi

LQ

LQ

7 07 Downloaded Porpor-

tional LQ

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

41

Select Print Type Style

This command is used for varying the type style of the character and the
number of line spacing. Use this printer command for:

• Single-high character

• Double-high character

• Single-wide character

• Double-wide character

• Single line feed

• Double line feed

• Italic print (for 249x only)

• Shadow (for 249x only)

• Outline (for 249x only)

Format ESC [ @ 4 0 0 0 m3 m4
Decimal 27 91 64 4 0 0 0 m3 m4
Hex 1B 5B 40 04 00 0 00 m3 m4

Usage Note

• You may combine these selections; for example, italic print with double­high, double-wide character, and double line feed.

See the following table for m1, m3, and m4 selections.

42

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

m1

Dec Hex

Selection

0

1

2

4

8

16

32

m3

Dec Hex

0

1

2

16

No Change

Start Italic Print (249x only)

Stop Italic Print (249x only)

Start Outline Print (249x only)

Stop Outline Print (249x only)

Start Shadow Print (249x only)

Stop Shadow Print (249x only)

Height Line Space

No Change No Change

Single No Change

Double No Change

No Change Single

17

18

32

33

34

m4

Dec Hex

0

1

2

Single Single

Double Single

No Change Single

Single Double

Double Double

Width

Unchanged

Single

Double

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

43

Emphasized (Bold) Print

Use this command for bold print.
To begin bold print:

Format ESC E
Decimal 27 69
Hex 1B 45

To end bold print:

Format ESC F
Decimal 27 70
Hex 1B 46

Double-Strike Print

Double-strike print results in a darker print because the printhead strikes the
character twice.

To begin double-strike print:

Format ESC G
Decimal 27 71
Hex 1B 47

To end double-strike print:

Format ESC H
Decimal 27 72
Hex 1B 48

44

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Superscript or Subscript

To begin superscript:

Format ESC S n
Decimal 27 83 0
Hex 1B 53 00

To end superscript:

Format ESC T
Decimal 27 84
Hex 1B 54

To begin subscript:

Format ESC S n
Decimal 27 83 1
Hex 1B 53 01

To end subscript:

Format ESC T
Decimal 27 84
Hex 1B 54

Set Print Direction

This command sets the printer to print either unidirectionally or bidirectionally.

Format ESC U n
Decimal 27 85 n
Hex 1B 55 n

Usage Note

The value of n can be any of the following:

Decimal Hex Direction

0 00 bidirectional (both directions)
1 01 Unidirectional (left to right)

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

45

Continuous Double-wide Printing

This command selects or cancels a double-wide printing mode that is not
canceled by line feed terminators.

Format ESC W n
Decimal 27 87 n
Hex 1B 57 n

Usage Note

The value of n can be any of the following:

Decimal Hex Direction

0 00 Cancels double-wide printing mode
1 01 Sets double-wide printing mode.

Score Select

For 249x printers only.
This command selects several forms of overscore, underscore, and

strikethrough.

Format ESC [ - 2 0 loc type
Decimal 27 91 45 2 0 loc type
Hex 1B 5B 2D 02 00 loc type

To select loc:

Underscore Strikethrough Overscore

Decimal
Hex

1 2 3
01 02 03

46

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

To select type:

Cancel Single Double

Decimal
Hex

Usage Note

To cancel this command, designate type as Dec 255 or Hex FF.

Continuous Underline

This command begins and ends continuous underline of spaces and characters.
To begin Continuous Underline:

Format ESC - n
Decimal 27 45 1
Hex 1B 2D 01

0 1 2

00 01 02

To end Continuous Underline:

Format ESC - n
Decimal 27 45 0
Hex 1B 2D 00

Continuous Overscore

This command prints a line above spaces and characters.
To begin Continuous Overscore:

Format ESC _ n
Decimal 27 95 1
Hex 1B 5F 01

To end Continuous Overscore:

Format ESC _ n
Decimal 27 95 0
Hex 1B 5F 00

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

47

Set Print Quality

This command sets the print quality to draft or letter quality.

Format ESC [ d 1 0 n
Decimal 27 91 100 1 0 n
Hex 1B 5B 64 01 00 n

Usage Notes

• For 2480 printers, the value of n can be any of the following:

Decimal Hex

000No Change
1 to 63 01 to 3F Fast Draft
64 to 127 40 to 7F Draft
128 to 254 80 to FE Near Letter Quality
255 FF Default Quality

• For 2490 printers, the value of n can be any of the following:

Decimal Hex

000No Change
1 to 63 01 to 3F Fast Draft
64 to 127 40 to 7F Draft
128 to 191 80 to BF Letter Quality
192 to 254 CO to FE Enhanced Letter Quality
255 FF Default Quality

48

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Graphics Print Modes

Normal Density Bit Image Graphics

Use this command to print normal density bit images at 60 dots per inch (dpi)
horizontally and 72 dpi vertically.

Format ESC K Ln Hn data
Decimal 27 75 Ln Hn data
Hex 1B 4B Ln Hn data

Usage Notes

• Ln and Hn identify the number of bytes in data.
To print less than 256 bytes:
— Hn is 0.
— Ln is the number of bytes you want to print.
To print more than 256 bytes:
— Divide the number of bytes you want to print by 256.
— The result is Hn.
— The remainder is Ln.

• data is the bit-mapped graphics information.

Each vertical dot column can have 8 rows of dots. To print bit image graphics,
the printer uses either the first 8 (248x) or 20 (249x) wires of the printhead to
map the eight bits of data. The following table shows how the print wires are
mapped for the 249x printer:

Bit Number Binary Value Print Wires

7128

6 64

5 32

4 16

3 8

1, 2
If dots 7 and 6 print, wire 3 is also used

4, 5

6, 7
If dots 5 and 4 print, wire 8 is also used.

9, 10

11, 12
If dots 3 and 2 print, wire 13 is also used.

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

49

Bit Number Binary Value Print Wires

2 4

1 2

0 1

14, 15

16, 17
If dots 1 and 0 print, wire 18 is also used.

19, 20

Mode and Horizontal Density (249x Only)

For 249x printers only.
Use this command to select the mode and horizontal density for dot matrix

graphics.

Format ESC [ g Ln Hn mode data
Decimal 27 91 103 Ln Hn mode data
Hex 1B 5B 67 Ln Hn mode data

Usage Notes

• Ln and Hn identify the number of bytes in mode and data.
To print less than 256 bytes:
— Hn is 0.
— Ln is the number of bytes you want to print, plus 1 for the mode byte.
To print more than 256 bytes:
— Divide the number of bytes you want to print (plus 1 mode byte) by

256.

— The result is Hn.
— The remainder is Ln.

• mode is the vertical wire count and the horizontal density in dots per inch.
Select mode from the following table.

Mode

Hex

0 00 60 8
1 01 120 8
2 02 120 8

Horizontal Density WiresDec

3 03 240 8

50

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Mode

Hex

8 08 60 24
9 09 120 24
11 0B 180 24
12 0C 360 24
13 0D 120 24
14 0E 180 24
16 10 360 48

Horizontal Density WiresDec

• data is the bit-mapped graphics information. The printhead moves at half
the speed of mode 2, giving better resolution.

Dual-Density Bit Image Graphics (Half Speed)

Use this command to print normal density bit images at 120 dpi horizontally
and 72 dpi vertically.

Format ESC L Ln Hn data
Decimal 27 76 Ln Hn data
Hex 1B 4C Ln Hn data

Usage Notes

• Ln and Hn identify the number of bytes in data.
To print less than 256 bytes:
— Hn is 0.
— Ln is the number of bytes you want to print.
To print more than 256 bytes:
— Divide the number of bytes you want to print by 256.
— The result is Hn.
— The remainder is Ln.

• data is the bit-mapped graphics information.

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

51

Dual-Density Bit Image Graphics (Normal Speed)

Use this command to print dual-density bit images at 120 dpi horizontally and
72 dpi vertically.

Format ESC Y Ln Hn data
Decimal 27 89 Ln Hn data
Hex 1B 59 Ln Hn data

Usage Notes

• Ln and Hn identify the number of bytes in data.
To print less than 256 bytes:
— Hn is 0.
— Ln is the number of bytes you want to print.
To print more than 256 bytes:
— Divide the number of bytes you want to print by 256.
— The result is Hn.
— The remainder is Ln.

• data is the bit-mapped graphics information.

High-Density Bit Image Graphics

Use this command to print high-density bit images at 240 dpi horizontally and
72 dpi vertically.

Format ESC Z Ln Hn data
Decimal 27 90 Ln Hn data
Hex 1B 5A Ln Hn data

Usage Notes

• Ln and Hn identify the number of bytes in data.
To print less than 256 bytes:
— Hn is 0.
— Ln is the number of bytes you want to print.
To print more than 256 bytes:
— Divide the number of bytes you want to print by 256.
— The result is Hn.
— The remainder is Ln.

• data is the bit-mapped graphics information.

52

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Horizontal Movement

Set Horizontal Tabulation Stops

This command sets up to 28 tabulation stops to be used with the printer
command HT, Horizontal Tabulation.

Format ESC D tab stops 0

Decimal 27 680 n1.....n28 0

Hex 1B 44 n1.....n28 00

Usage Notes

n1.....n28 is used to set the tabulator stop positions.

• ESC D is terminated by a 0 entry.

• The first tabulation stop is at the leftmost column.

• Input the tabulation stops (n1.....n28) in ascending numerical order.

• ESC D 0 clears all existing horizontal tab stops.

• The printer command ESC R resets to the default horizontal tabulation
stops, which are set at every eight positions beginning at column 9 (9, 17,
25, and so on).

• The printer command HT, Horizontal Tabulation, activates the tabulation
stops set by this printer command.

Set Default Tabulation Stops

This command sets the tabulation stops to the default settings. The default
tabulation stops are set to every 8 columns, beginning at column 9 (9, 17, 25, and
so on).

Format ESC R
Decimal 27 82
Hex 1B 52

Usage Notes

• ESC R clears all vertical tabulation stops.

• To set user-defined tabulation stops, use printer command ESC D.

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

53

Set Horizontal Margins

This command sets the left and right margins.

Format ESC X n1 n2
Decimal 27 88 n1 n2
Hex 1B 58 n1 n2

Usage Notes

• Use n1 to select the left margin position.

• Use n2 to select the right margin position.

• Margins are specified in the character positions at the current pitchand ar e
stored in absolute displacement from the left edge of the paper.

• The values for n1 and n2 must be between 0 and 255. If the value is set at 0,
the margin is left unchanged.

Move Current Print Position

This command moves the current print position to the right in increments of
1/120 inch.

Format ESC d increment
Decimal 27 100 Ln Hn
Hex 1B 64 Ln Hn

Usage Notes

To move less than 256 increments:

• Hn is 0.

• Ln is the increment you want to move.

To move more than 256 increments:

• Divide the number of increments you want to move by 256.
— The result is Hn.
— The remainder is Ln.

54

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Line Control

Automatic Line Feed (LF)

Executes an automatic line feed when a carriage return is received.
To begin automatic line feed (LF) on carriage return (CR):

Format ESC 5 Begin
Decimal 27 53 1
Hex 1B 35 01

To end automatic line feed (LF) on carriage return (CR):

Format ESC 5 End
Decimal 27 53 0
Hex 1B 35 00

Reverse Line Feed

Causes a reverse line feed; the paper is reversed according to the current line
spacing.

Format ESC ]
Decimal 27 93
Hex 1B 5D

We do not recommend using this command.

Move Paper Vertically

Advances the paper in a vertical movement a distance of n/216 inches relative
to the current print position.

Format ESC J n
Decimal 27 74 n
Hex 1B 4A n

Usage Notes

• n is a value from 0 to 255 (decimal) or 0 to FF (hex).

• n must be a multiple of 3 to advance exactly n/216 inch.

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

55

Set Vertical Units

For 249x printers only.
This command lets you set the size of the increments for the following

commands:

• Set Line Spacing for Graphics (ESC 3)

• Move Paper Vertically (ESC J).

Format ESC [ \ 4 0 0 0 m3 m4
Decimal 27 91 92 4 0 0 0 m3 m4
Hex 1B 5B 5C 04 00 00 00 m3 m4

Usage Notes

• 4 0 0 0 (decimal), 04 00 00 00 (hex) are constant digits.

• m3 and m4 designate the denominator (the lower number) of a two-part
fraction. The fraction can be 1/180, 1/216, or 1/360, and indicates the frac­tion of an inch at which line feed spacing increments .

m3 (Hex) m4 (Hex) Denominator

D8H 00H 216

B4H 00H 180

68H 01H 360

Vertical Tabulation

Set Vertical Tabulation Stops

Sets as many as 64 tabulation stops by line number.

Format ESC B tab settings 0

Decimal 27 66 n1.....n64 0

Hex 1B 42 n1.....n64 00

Usage Notes

• Use ESC B to set the tabulation stops and to advance paper to the next ver­tical tabulation stop (VT) to activate them.

56

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

• ESC R (Set Default Tabulation Stops) and ESC B 0 will clear all vertical tab
stops.

• Set the tabulation stops in ascending order (n1.....n64).

• The last digit in the sequence must be a 0 to terminate the command.

Line Spacing

Set Line Spacing to 1/8 Inch

This command (ESC zero) sets the line spacing at 1/8 inch between each line,
which is 8 lines per inch (lpi).

Format ESC 0
Decimal 27 48
Hex 1B 30

Set Line Spacing to 7/72 Inch

This command sets the line spacing at 7/72 inch between each line, which
is 10.3 lpi.

Format ESC 1
Decimal 27 49
Hex 1B 31

Activate Line Spacing for Text

This command activates the line spacing designated by the Set Line Spacing for
Text (ESC A) printer command.

Format ESC 2
Decimal 27 50
Hex 1B 32

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

57

Set Line Spacing for Text

This command sets line spacing in n/72 inch increments. To activate the line
spacing, use the printer command Activate Line Spacing for Text (ESC 2).

Format ESC A n
Decimal 27 65 n
Hex 1B 41 n

Usage Note

The value for n must be between 1 and 85.

Set Line Spacing for Graphics

This command sets line spacing to n/216 inches. It does not cause the form to
move. It changes the vertical distance moved when a line feed command is
received.

Format ESC 3 n
Decimal 27 51 n
Hex 1B 33 n

Usage Notes

• The number can be from 0 to 255 (decimal), 00 to FF (hexadecimal).

• n must be a multiple of 3 to advance exactly n/216 inches.

Porportional Space Mode

This command turns porportional space mode on and off.

Format ESC P n
Decimal 27 80 n
Hex 1B 50 n

Usage Notes

• Porportional spacing is ON when n is set to 0 (decimal) or 00 (hexadeci­mal).

• Porportional spacing is OFFwhen n is set to 1 (decimal) or 01 (hexadeci­mal).

58

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Set Top of Form and Page Length

Set Top of Form

This command sets the first line of printing on each page to the current paper
position.

Format ESC 4
Decimal 27 52
Hex 1B 34

Set Page Length in Inches

This command sets the page length to a specified number of inches.

Format ESC C 0 inches
Decimal 27 67 0 n
Hex 1B 43 00 n

Usage Notes

• The value of n is the number of inches you want to set as the page length
and must be between 1 and 255.

• When the command is sent, the current vertical position becomes the new
top of form.

• If the printer command Set Skip Perforation (ESC N) is active, or if "skip
over perforation" is On in the printer setup, this printer command deacti­vates it.

Set Page Length in Lines

This command sets the page length to a specified number of lines.

Format ESC C lines
Decimal 27 67 n
Hex 1B 43 n

Usage Notes

• The value of n is the number of lines you want to set as the page length and
works in conjunction with the current line spacing (ESC A).

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

59

• When the command is sent, the current vertical position becomes the new
top of form.

• If the printer command Set Skip Perforation (ESC N) is active, or if "skip
over perforation" is On in the printer setup, this printer command deacti­vates it.

Set Skip Perforation

This command specifies the number of lines to be skipped at the bottom of each
page, which creates a bottom margin.

Format ESC N lines
Decimal 27 78 n
Hex 1B 4E n

Usage Notes

• This command remains in effect until:
— Cancel Skip Perforation (ESC O) printer command is received.
— Set Page Length in Lines (ESC C) printer command is received.
— Set Page Length in Inches (ESC C 0) printer command is received.

• Valid values for n are 1 through 255 (decimal), 01 through FF
(hexadecimal).

• To cancel this printer command, use Cancel Skip Perforation (ESC O).

Cancel Skip Perforation

This command cancels Set Skip Perforation (ESC N).

Format ESC O
Decimal 27 79
Hex 1B 4F

60

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Printer Control

Deselect Printer

When this command is sent, the printer ignores all data except DC1 .

Format ESC Q n
Decimal 27 81 n
Hex 1B 51 n

The following values of n are valid:

Model Dec Hex

2480

2481

Mode
Setting

303ON

182 B6 OFF

22 16 ON

184 B8 OFF

2490

2491

Setup Barcode Parameter

This command sets the barcode parameters to the printer.

Format ESC [ f 6 0 k ms v1v2c
Decimal 27 91 102 6 0 k ms v1v2c
Hex 1B 5B 66 06 00 k ms v1v2c

Usage Note

The printer must receive this command prior to the barcode data command.

23H

B9H

24H

B7H

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

61

The barcode type is denoted by k. The following values are valid for k:

k

Barcode Type

Dec Hex

177 B1

178 B2

179 B3

180 B4

181 B5

182 B6

183 B7

184 B8

185 B9

186 BA

<reserved>

EAN-13

EAN-8

CODE 39

<reserved>

INTERLEAVED 2 of 5

UPC-A

<reserved>

POST-NET (barcode)

CODE 128

Module width is denoted by m. When m is 1, the barcode prints by
1/360 or 1/240 full dot method. For all other values, the barcode prints by half
dot method. The suggested values for m are as follows:

62

m

Dec Hex 24 wire 9 wire

0 00 0.015 in. 0.021 in.

1 01 0.012 in. 0.017 in.

2 02 0.015 in. 0.021 in.

3 03 0.021 in. 0.030 in.

4 04 0.026 in. 0.038 in.

Unit Module
Dots

The variable s denotes the space width adjustment and affects the barcode
printing width. The value for s may range from 3 (03 hex) to -3 (FD hex),
however, 0 is the default value. The adjustment unit for 24 wire printers is
1=1/360 in. and for 9 wire printers the unit is 1=1/240 in.

The variables v1 and v2 control the bar length. The minimum value of v1, v2 is
288 dec (24 wire) and 270 (9 wire).

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Width

The variable c denotes the control code. The control is made up of 8 bits
(b1 - b8). The 8 bits are defined as follows:

b1 Check Digit
b2 Human Readable Character (0: print On, 1: print Off)
b3 EAN-13, UPC-A flag character position (0: Center, 1: Under)
b4 -b8 Not used

Setup Barcode Data

This command sets the barcode data on the current printing position. .

Format ESC [ p n1 n2 d1 d2
Decimal 27 91 112 n1 n2 d1 d2
Hex 1B 5B 70 n1 n2 d1 d2

Usage Notes

• The printer must receive the ESC [ f command prior to the ESC [ p com­mand.

• The barcode prints after the printer receives the LF line feed command.

Command length is denoted by n1 and n2. The following values are valid for
n1 and n2 when the automatic check digit generation flag is on and when it is
off:

Automatic Check Digit Generation Flag Off

n1 (low byte) n2(high byte)

Barcode Type

Dec Hex Dec Hex

13 0D 0 00

808000

1 to 255 01 to FF 0 00

1 to 255 01 to FF 0 00

12 0C 0 00

10 0A 0 00

2 to 255 02 to FF 0 00

EAN-13

EAN-8

CODE 39

INTERLEAVED 2 of 5

UPC-A

POST-NET (barcode)

CODE 128

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

63

Automatic Check Digit Generation Flag On

n1 (low byte) n2(high byte)

Dec Hex Dec Hex

Barcode Type

12 0C 0 00

707000

1 to 255 01 to FF 0 00

1 to 255 01 to FF 0 00

11 0B 0 00

909000

2 to 255 02 to FF 0 00

EAN-13

EAN-8

CODE 39

INTERLEAVED 2 of 5

UPC-A

POST-NET (barcode)

CODE 128

64

Section 3: IBM Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Epson Emulation
Mode Printer
Commands

This section provides tables describing Epson mode commands you can use
with your printer.

Font Selection

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC % 27 37 n 1B 25 n

ESC ( - 27 40 45 3 0 1 d1 d2 1B 28 2D 03 00 01 d1 d2

Section

Select User-defined Set

n=0 Selects the resident set.
n=1 Selects the user-defined set.

Select Score (249x only)

d1=1 Underline
d1=2 Strike-through
d1=3 Overscore

d2=0 Cancel d1 selection
d2=1 Single continuous line
d2=2 Double continuous line
d2=5 Single broken line
d2=6 Double broken line

4

ESC I 27 73 n 1B 49 n

Printable Code Area Expansion
(248x only)

n=1 Allows non-printable codes
to be used for user-defined
characters.

n=0 Cancels n=1 selection.

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

65

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC R 27 82 n 1B 52 n

Select an International
Character Set

n=0 USA
n=1 France
n=2 Germany
n=3 U.K.
n=4 Denmark 1
n=5 Sweden
n=6 Italy
n=7 Spain 1
n=8 Japan
n=9 Norway
n=10 Denmark 2
n=11 Spain 2
n=12 Latin America
n=13 Korea (249x only)
n=64 Legal (249x only)

66

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC k 27 107 n 1B 6B n

ESC q 27 113 n 1B 71 n

248x: Select Near-Letter­Quality Font

Selects the font to be used in
NLQ mode.

n=0 Courier
n=1 Gothic

249x: Select Letter-Quality Font

Selects the font to be used in LQ
mode.

n=0 Prestige
n=1 Gothic
n=2 Courier
n=3 Prestige
n=4 Script
n=5 Gothic
n=6 Gothic
n=7 Orator
n=8 Presentor

Select Character Style
(249x only)

ESC t 27 116 n 1B 74 n

ESC x 27 120 n 1B 78 n

n=0 Normal
n=1 Outline
n=2 Shadow
n=3 Outline with shadow

Select Character Tables

Selects italic or character graphics
as the extended character.

n=0 Italics Character table
n=1 Epson Extended Graphics

table
n=2 User-defined Character table
(249x only)

248x: Select Near Letter Quality
or Draft

n=0 Selects Draft mode
n=1 Selects NLQ mode

249x: Select Letter Quality or
Draft

n=0 Selects Draft mode
n=1 Selects LQ mode

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

67

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC (t 27 40 116 3 0 d1 d2 d31B 28 74 3 0 d1 d2 d

Assign Character Tables

3

Parameter range

d1 ≤ 1, 48 ≤ d1 ≤ 50

≤

0
0

d2 ≤ 255

≤

d

= 0, 16

3

Function

Assigns the d

and d3 registered

2

character table to the d
table according to the following
values (the d

character table is

1

one of the four tables selectable
with the ESC t command):

d

2d3

0
1
1
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
7
8
9
11
15
24

Table/Code Page

Italic table

0

Graphic table/437

0

Graphic table/437G

16

Graphic table/813

16

Graphic table/850

0

Graphic table/858

16

Graphic table/851

0

Graphic table/920

16

Graphic table/853T

0

Graphic table/1053

16

Graphic table/1004

16

Graphic table/860

0

Graphic table/863

0

Graphic table/865

0

Graphic table/857

0

Graphic table/869

0

Graphic table/861

0

character

1

68

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Text Print Mode

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC M 27 77 1B 4D Print 12 Characters per Inch
ESC P 27 80 1B 50 Print 10 Charaters per Inch
ESC SP 27 32 n 1B 20 n

ESC ! 27 33 n 1B 21 n

DC2 18 12 Cancel Condensed Mode
ESC 4 27 52 1B 34 Start Italic Printing
ESC 5 27 53 1B 35 Stop Italic Printing
ESC – 27 45 n 1B 2D n

ESC E 27 69 1B 45 Begin Emphasized Printing
ESC F 27 70 1B 46 End Emphasized Printing
ESC G 27 71 1B 47 Begin Double-Strike Printing
ESC H 27 72 1B 48 End Double-Strike Print

Set Variable Character Spacing

Sets additional space to the right of each
character, which is added to the original
space alloted to the character cell, n/120
inch. n can be a value of 0 to 127.

Select Print Style

Selects the print style as indicated in the
n parameter. See the table on page 70 for
the print styles available.

Begin or End Continuous Underline

n=0 End
n=1 Begin

ESC p 27 112 n 1B 70 n

ESC S 27 83 n 1B 53 n Begin Superscript or Subscript

ESC T 27 84 1B 54 End Superscript or Subscript

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Proportional Spacing Mode

n=0 End
n=1 Begin

n=0 Superscript
n=1 Subrscript

69

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC a 27 97 n 1B 61 n

ESC w 27 119 n 1B 77 n

DEL 127 7F Delete Text

Select Justification

n=0 prints the line of characters against

the left margin.

n=1 centers the line of characters

between the left and right margins.

n=2 prints the line of characters against

the right margin.

n=3 causes lines of characters to be

printed evenly along both the left
and right edges when the buffer
becomes full.

Begin or End Double-high Printing

n=0 End
n=1 Begin

Deletes the text character at the end of a
print line.

The following table lists the n parameters for the ESC ! command.

n= On Off

0NoYes

Yes No
1YesNo
2YesNo
3YesNo
4YesNo
5YesNo
6YesNo
7YesNo

Dec Hex Print Style

0 00 10 cpi
1 01 12 cpi
202Proportional
404Condensed
8 08 Emphasized
16 10 Double-Strike
32 20 Double-Wide
64 40 Italic
128 80 Underscore

70

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Graphics Print Modes

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC ^ 27 94 m Ln

Hn data

ESC ? 27 63 n1 n2 1B 3F n1 n2

ESC K 27 75 Ln

Hn data

1B 5E m Ln
Hn data

1B 4B Ln Hn
data

9-Pin Graphics Mode (248x only)

Prints 9-pin bit-image graphics.

m=0 Normal density (60 dpi)
m=1 Dual density (120 dpi)
m=2 High speed dual density (120 dpi)
m=3 Quadruple density (240 dpi)

Change Graphics Mode Command

Changes the graphic mode assigned to a graphics
mode command.

n1=K Normal density
n1=L Dual density
n1=Y High speed, dual density
n1=Z Quadruple density
n2 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 32, 33, 38, 39, and 40

(Decimal)

Selects the graphic mode number to be assigned to
the graphics mode command specified by the
ESC * command. See the ESC * command on page

72.

Normal Density Bit Image Graphics

Prints normal density bit images at 60 dpi
horizontally and 72 dpi vertically.

ESC L 27 76 Ln

Hn data

ESC Y 27 89 Ln

Hn data

ESC Z 27 90 Ln

Hn data

1B 4C Ln Hn
data

1B 59 Ln Hn
data

1B 5A Ln Hn
data

Dual Density Bit Image Graphics

Prints normal density bit images at 120 dpi
horizontally and 72 dpi vertically.

Dual Density Bit Image Graphics (HighSpeed)

Prints dual density bit images at 120 dpi
horizontally and 72 dpi vertically.

Quadruple Density Bit Image Graphics

Prints high density bit images at 240 dpi
horizontally and 72 dpi vertically.

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

71

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC * 27 42 n Ln

Hn data

1B 2A n Ln
Hn data

Set Graphics Mode

Prints bit-image graphics in the mode specified
by n.

See the following tables for modes that can be
specified by parameter n.

248x Graphic Modes that can be specified by parameter n in the ESC *
command:

Dots per Inch

n=

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Density

Normal
Dual
Dual (High speed)
Quadruple
CRT-I Screen
Plotter (1:1)
CRT-II Screen
Dual Plotter

(dpi)

60 ESC K
120 ESC L
120 ESC Y
240 ESC Z
80 None
72 None
90 None
144 None

Equivalent Command

249x Graphic Modes include 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 from the 248x table above and the
following additional values of n in the ESC * command:

Dots per Inch

n=

32
33
38
39

40

Density

High resolution for ESC K
High resolution for ESC L
CRT-III Screen
High resolution, triple

density
High resolution, hex

density

(dpi)

60 None

120 None
90 None
180 None

360 None

Equivalent Command

72

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Horizontal Movement

Name Dec Hex Description

BS 8 08 Backspace

HT 9 09 Horizontal Tab

Moves left one space, based on pitch setting.

Moves right to the next horizontal tab stop. Tab is
set with the ESC D command.

ESC D 27 68 0 n1

n2...n32 0

ESC $ 27 36 n1 n2 1B 24 n1 n2

CR 13 0D Carriage Return

SP 32 20 Space

ESC I 27 108 n 1B 6C n

ESC Q 27 81 n 1B 51 n

ESC \ 27 92 n1 n2 1B 5C n1 n2

1B 44 0 n1,
n2...n32 00

Set Horizontal Tab Stops

Sets up to 32 tabs by column number (n1...n32) in
ascending order. The sequence ends with 0.

Set Absolute Print Position

Offsets the print position by an absolute distance
from the left margin. The formula for calculating
offset is: (n1 + (n2 x 256))/60 (inch).

Moves print position horizontally to the left
margin.

Moves print position one print column to the right.

Set Left Margin

Sets the left margin in character positions at the
current pitch.
Left margin=n (character) x cpi

Set Right Margin

Sets the right margin in character positions at the
current pitch.

Set Relative Position

Offsets the print position by the relative distance
from the current position.
Offset=(n1 + (n2 x 256))/120 (inch).

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

73

Vertical Movement

Name Dec Hex Description

LF 10 0A Line Feed

VT 11 0B Vertical Tab

Advances the form one line.

Advances the paper to the next vertical tab stop.

ESC B 27 66 0 n1

n2...n16 0

FF 12 0C Form Feed

ESC J 27 74 n 1B 4A n

ESC j 27 106 n 1B 6A n

ESC b 27 98 m

n1...n8 0

ESC Q 27 81 n 1B 51 n

ESC / 27 47 n 1B 2F n

1B 42 0 n1,
n2...n16 00

1B 62 m
n1...n8 00

Set Vertical Tab Stops

Sets up to 16 tab stops. The sequence ends with 0.

Advances the paper to the top of the next page.

Relative Move Base Line

Advances the paper by n/216 inches on 248x
printer; n/180 inches on 249x printer.

Reverse Relative Move Base Line

Feeds the paper by n/216 inches in the reverse
direction on 248x printer; n/180 inches in the
reverse direction on 249x printer.

Set Vertical Tabs in Channel

Sets vertical tab stops in specified channel by m.
m must be a one-byte decimal value from 0 to 7.

Set Right Margin

Sets the right margin in character positions at the
current pitch.

Select Vertical Tab Channel

Line Spacing

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC + 27 43 1B 2B Set n/360 Line Spacing - 249x only
ESC 0 27 48 1B 30 Set 1/8 Inch Line Spacing

ESC 1 27 49 1B 31 Set 7/72 Inch Line Spacing - 248x only

ESC 2 27 50 1B 32 6 Lines Per Inch

74

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Sets line spacing to eight lines per inch.

Sets line spacing to 7/72 lines per inch.

Sets line spacing to six lines per inch.

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC 3 27 51 n 1B 33 n

ESC A 27 65 1B 41 Set n/72 Inch Line Spacing

ESC b 27 98 m

n1...n16 0

Page Format

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC C 0 27 67 0 m 1B 43 00 m
ESC C 27 67 n 1B 43 n

1B 62 m
n1...n8 00

Set Graphics Line Spacing - 248x only

Use a line spacing of 24/216 for bit-image graphics
using 8 bits. n must be a 1-byte decimal value from
0 to 255. To move exactly n/216 inch per line, n
must be an integer multiple of 3.

Set Graphics Line Spacing - 249x only

Sets line spacing to n/180 inches per line.

Sets line spacing to n/72 inch for subsequent line
feed command. The value of n must be between 0
and 85.

Set Vertical Tabs in Channel

Sets vertical tab stops in specified channel by m.
m must be a one-byte decimal value from 0 to 7.

Set Page Length to m Inches
Set Page Length to n Lines

ESC N 27 78 n 1B 4E n Set Skip Perforation

ESC O 27 79 1B 4F Cancel Skip Perforation

Printer Control

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC s 27 115 1B 73 Turn Half Speed Mode On/Off -248x only
ESC EM 27 25 n 1B 19 n

ESC B 27 66 0 n1

n2...n16 0

FF 12 0C Form Feed

1B 42 0 n1,
n2...n16 00

Creates a bottom margin by skipping n lines. Valid
values of n are 0 through 255.

Cancels the skip perforation function.

Auto Sheet Feeder On/Off

n=0 Off
n=4 On
n=R Eject

Set Vertical Tab Stops

Sets up to 16 tab stops. The sequence ends with 0.

Advances the paper to the top of the next page.

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

75

Name Dec Hex Description

BEL 7 07 Beeper

Sounds the printer beeper for approximately 1
second.

DC1 17 11 Select Printer (XON)

The host sends this command to signal the printer
to begin printing data.

DC3 19 13 Null (XOFF)
CAN 24 18 Cancel Data

Clears data received since the last buffer
terminator.

NUL 0 00 Null
ESC U 27 85 n 1B 55 n

ESC @ 27 64 1B 40 Initialize Printer

ESC [K 27 91 75 1B 5B 4B Set Initial Condition

ESC K 27 91 75 1B 5B 4B String Descriptor Download Command

Other Commands

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC 6 27 54 1B 36 Printable Code Area Expansion

Set Print Direction

n=0 bidirectional
n=1 unidirectional

Clears all data stored in the printer buffer.

Resets the printer to its original state. (This
command is the same as ESC [K command in IBM
mode. See page 32.)

Resets the printer to user default settings after
downloading the string descriptor to the printer.
(This command is the same as ESC K command in
IBM mode. See page 32.)

ESC 7 27 55 1B 37 Cancel Printable Code Area Expansion
ESC 8 27 56 1B 38 Disable Paper-out Sensor (248x only)

ESC 9 27 56 1B 38 Disable Paper-out Sensor (248x only)

ESC # 27 35 1B 23 Disable Control of MSB

76

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Turns off the paper-out sensor to allow printing to
the end of a paper.

Cancels ESC 8.

Disables the control of the MSB value set by ESC =
or ESC >.

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC & 27 38 0 n1

n2 d1 data

ESC : 27 58 0 n 0 1B 3A 00 n

ESC < 27 60 1B 3C Select Left-to-Right Printing

ESC = 27 61 1B 3D Set MSBs to Zero

ESC > 27 62 1B 3E Set MSBs to One

ESC W 27 87 n 1B 57 n

ESC [f 27 91 102 1B 5B 66 Setup Barcode Parameter

ESC [f 27 91 112 1B 5B 70 Setup Barcode Data

1B 26 0 n1

n2 d1 data

00

Define Download Characers

Copy Normal Characters from ROM to RAM

Sets the MSBs of all data sent to the printer to 0.

Sets the MSBs of all data sent to the printer to 1.

Begin or End Continuous Double-Wide Printing

n=0 End
n=1 Begin

This command is the same as the ESC [f command
in the IBM mode. (See page 32.)

This command is the same as the ESC [p command
in the IBM mode. (See page 32.)

SI 15 0F Start 17 cpi printing
SO 14 0E Begin Double-Wide Printing by Line
ESC SO 27 14 1B 0E Select Double-Wide
ESC SI 27 15 1B 0F Select Condensed Mode
DC2 18 12 Cancel Condensed Mode
DC4 20 14 End Double-Wide Printing by Line
ESC : 27 58 1B 3A Set 12 Pitch Font

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

77

78

Section 4: Epson Emulation Mode Printer Commands

OKI Microline
Emulation Mode
Printer Commands

This section provides tables describing OKI Microline mode commands you
can use with your printer.

Character Set

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC ! 0 27 33 48 1B 21 30 Select Standard Character Set
ESC ! 1 27 33 49 1B 21 31 Select Block Graphics Character

ESC ! 2 27 33 50 1B 21 31 Select Line Character Set
ESC ! n 27 33 n 1B 21 n

Section

Set

Select an International
Character Set

n

Hex

Dec

64 40 USA
65 41 USA 2
66 42 British
70 46 Danish
72 48 Dutch
68 44 French
74 4A Fr. Canadian
67 43 German
73 49 Italian
76 4C Latin Am.
71 47 Norway
90 5A Publisher
75 4B Spaini
69 45 Swedish

Character Set

5

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

79

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC [ T 27 91 84 L

cp Lcp

0

H

n Hn

0 0

1B 5B 54 L

04

L

cp

n Hn

0 0 Hcp

Print from Code Page

If printing less than 256
characters:
L

= # characters to be printed

n

H

= 0

n

If printing more than 256
characters, divide the total
number of characters by 256:

= whole number of quotient

L

n

H

= remainder of quotient

n

H

cp Lcp

Code Page Set

Decimal

1 181 USA
2 82 Multilingual
3 92 Canadian French
3 95 Portugal
3 97 Norway
4 16 BRASCII
4 17 Abicomp

H

cp Lcp

Code Page Set

Hexadecimal

01 B5 USA
02 52 Multilingual
03 5C Canadian French
03 5F Portugal
03 61 Norway
04 10 BRASCII
04 11 Abicomp

80

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Character Size and Spacing

Name Dec Hex Description

RS 30 1E Print 10 Characters per Inch
FS 28 1C Print 12 Charaters per Inch
ESC g 27 103 1B 67 Print 15 Charaters per Inch
GS 29 1D Print 17.1 Charaters per Inch
ESC # 3 27 35 51 1B 23 33 Print 20 Charaters per Inch
ESC J 27 74 1B 4A Start Superscript Printing
ESC K 27 75 1B 4B Stop Superscript Printing
ESC L 27 76 1B 4C Start Subscript Printing
ESC M 27 77 1B 4D Stop Subscript Printing
ESC US 31 1F Begin Double-Width Printing
ESC US 1 27 31 49 1B 1F 31 Begin Double-Height Printing
ESC US 0 27 31 48 1B 1F 30 End Double-Height Printing
ESC & 27 38 n1 n2

n3 n4 58

ESC Y 27 89 1B 59 Select Porportional Spacing

ESC Z 27 90 1B 5A Cancel Porportional Spacing
ESC N 27 78 n 1B 4E n

1B 26 n1 n2
n3 n4 3A

Select Print Features

Selects print quality, character pitch and
other print features. See the Table 1 on
page 82 for the features applicable to
each variable and the value of each. To
calculate the total value of a variable,
add the values (column 1) of each
feature you want to use, and then add
that sum to the variable factor (bottom
row).
Note: You may enter any combination of
the variables (n1 to n4) in any order.

Adjusts the space between letters to
compensate for the varying widths of
individual characters.
Note: Available only with Near Letter
Quality (NLQ) and Draft printing.

Select Intercharacter Spacing

Adds additional spacing to the right of
each character. Valid values for n must
be between 0 and 11.

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

81

Table 1. Variable Values and Factors for Combined Print Features Command

Value

1 10 cpi Cancel super/

2 12 cpi Subscripts NLQ N/A
4 17.1 cpi Superscripts DLL Underlining
8 20 cpi Emphasized

16 Double Width Enhanced N/A N/A

Factor 32 64 96 112

Character Style

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC # 0 27 35 48 1B 23 30 Select Fast Draft Print Mode
ESC 0 27 48 1B 30 Select Draft Print Mode
ESC 1 27 49 1B 31 Select NLQ Font
ESC 3 27 51 1B 33 Select Near Letter Quality Gothic Font

Variable/Feature

n1 n2 n3 n4

Utility HSD

subscripts

Italics Double Height

(Bold)

ESC ! / 27 33 42 1B 21 2A Select Italics Printing
ESC ! * 2 7 33 47 1B 21 2F Cancel Italics Printing
ESC T 27 84 1B 54 Select Emphasized (Bold) Printing
ESC H 27 72 1B 48 Select Enhanced Printing
ESC I 27 73 1B 49 Cancel Emphasized (Bold)/Enhanced Printing
ESC C 27 67 1B 43 Select Underline Printing
ESC D 27 68 1B 44 Cancel Underline Printing

82

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Custom Characters

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC $ 27 36 1B 24 Copy ROM Character Set to RAM Character Set

Copies a complete set of the characters resident in
the printer to the area of its memory reserved for
custom characters.

ESC % A 27 37 65 m

n1...n11

ESC % D 27 37 68 m

n1...n11

ESC 2 27 50 1B 32 Set DLL in Draft Mode

ESC 7 27 55 1B 37 Select DLL NLQ mode

1B 25 41 m

n1...n11
1B 25 44 m

n1...n11

Graphics Print Modes

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC P 27 80 1B 50 Single Density Graphics
ESC Q 27 81 1B 51 Single Density Graphics
ESC R 27 82 1B 52 Double Density Graphics
ESC # Q 27 35 81 1B 23 51 Double Speed and Quadruple Density Graphics

Down Line Load Ascender Characters

Begins downloading an ascender character.

Down Line Load Descender Characters

Begins downloading an descender character.

Switches custom character printing on when the
printer is set for the Draft print mode.

Switches custom character printing on when the
printer is set for the NLQ print mode.

ESC * 27 42 n1 n2 581B 2A n1 n2

3A

ETX 3 03 Select Graphics Print Mode
ETX STX 3 2 03 02 Cancel Graphics Print Mode
ETX LF 3 10 03 0A Graphics Line Feed with Carriage Return (Text)
ETX SO 3 14 03 0E Graphics Line Feed with Carriage Return

ETX DC2 3 18 03 12 Graphics Line Feed without Carriage Return

ETX DC4 3 20 03 14 Graphics Line Feed without Carriage Return

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Select Graphics Mode

Selects the density and defines the speed and
"word size." For more information, see Table 2 and
Table 3 on page 84.

(Graphics)

(Text)

(Graphics)

83

Name Dec Hex Description

ETX ETX 3 3 03 03 Stored graphics data in one dot column buffer

Determines the graphics setting. In 7-bit mode, the
graphic setting is 14/144"; in 8-bit graphics mode,
it is 16/144"

Table 2. Density

n1

1

2

4

8

16

Dots per inch/Density

60 dpi

72 dpi

Single density

Double density

Quadruple density

To calculate the density (value for n1),

1 Locate the dpi and density you want from the above table.
2 Select the corresponding n1 values for each.
3 Add the values selected in step 2.
4 Add 96 to the total.

Example: For 60 dpi printing at quadruple density, calculate the value of n1 as
follows: n1=1+16+96=113

Table 3. Speed and Word Size

84

n2

0

8

0

16

Speed/Word Size

Normal speed

Double speed

7-bit graphics

8-bit graphics

To calculate the speed and word size (value for n2),

1 Locate the speed you want from the above table.
2 Select the corresponding n2 value.
3 Locate the word size (7 or 8-bit graphics).
4 Select the corresponding n2 value.

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

5 Add the values selected in steps 2 and 4.
6 Add 64 to the total.

Example: For double speed, 8-bit graphics, calculate the value of n2 as follows:
n2=8+16+64=88

Horizontal Movement

Name Dec Hex Description

BS 8 08 Backspace
CR 13 0D Carriage Return.
ESC % C 27 37 67 n1

n2 n3

ESC % R 27 37 82 n1

n2 n3 n4

ESC HT 9 09 Execute Horizontal Tab

ESC HT ... CR27 9 x1 y1

z1...x16 y16
z16 13

1B 25 43 n1,
n2, n3

1B 25 52 n1
n2 n3 n4

1B 09 x1 y1
z1...x16 y16
z16 0D

Set Left Margin

If the value for the left margin is less than 3 digits,
use zeros for the first digit(s). Maximum margin
value is 899 (2480 printer model) or 999 (2481
printer model). Units are set at 1/120".

Set Right Margin

The right margin must be at least 60 units greater
than the left margin. If the value for the right
margin is less than 4 digits, use zeros for the first
digit(s). Maximum margin value is 0960 (2480
printer model) or 1632 (2481 printer model). Units
are set at 1/120".

Advances the printhead 8 columns to the right
before printing the next character.

Set Horizontal Tabs by Characters

Sets tab stops for up to 16 positions. The values for
x, y and z must be entered as three-digit ASCII
numbers (use leading zeros if necessary),
separated by commas, and in ascending order.
Maximum values are as follows:

Pitch

10 cpi 080 136
12 cpi 096 163
15 cpi 120 204

17.1 cpi 137 233
20 cpi 160 272

2480

2481

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

85

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC ETX ... CR27 3 x1 y1

z1 w1...x16
y16 z16
w16 13

1B 03 x1 y1
z1 w1...x16
y16 z16 w16

0D

Set Horizontal Tabs by Dot Columns

Sets tab stops for up to 16 positions. The character
pitch determines the distance represented by the
tab (distance from the center of one dot to the
center of the next dot).

Pitch

Shift Increment

10 cpi 1/120
12 cpi 1/144
15 cpi 1/180

17.1 cpi 1/206
20 cpi 1/240

The values for x, y, z and w must be entered as
four-digit ASCII numbers (use leading zeros if
necessary), separated by commas, and in
ascending order.

To calculate the value, multiply the position for
which you want to set a tab by the pitch increment
of shift, and then subtract one from the product.
For example, to set a tab for 2" from the left margin
using 12 cpi pitch, multiply 2 by 144, and then
subtract 1. The value would be 0287.

Maximum values are as follows:

Pitch

2480

2481

10 cpi 959 1631
12 cpi 1151 1956
15 cpi 1339 2447

17.1 cpi 1643 2795
20 cpi 1917 3261

86

ESC HT CR27 9 13 1B 09 0D ESC HT CR

Clears horizontal tabs set by character spacing.

ESC % B 27 37 66 n1

n2 n3 n4

1B 25 42 n1
n2 n3 n4

Indent from Left Margin

See the command ESC ETX ... CR on page 86 for
instructions on calculating the value for n1...n4.
(Use the same pitch increment of shift values as the
ESC ETX ... CR command.)

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC DLE @ 27 16 64 pN

a1 a2 p1 p2
p3 p4

1B 10 40 pN
a1 a2 p1 p2
p3 p4

Set Multiple Print Positions

Moves the print position to the right or left, as an
absolute or relative print position.

pN=0 to 127
a1=0 (absolute print position)
a1=1 (relative print position)
a2=0 (move to the left (backward))
a2=1 (move to the right (forward))

The character pitch determines the distance
represented by the tab (distance from the center of
one dot to the center of the next dot).

Pitch

Shift Increment

10 cpi 1/120
12 cpi 1/144
15 cpi 1/360

17.1 cpi 1/411
20 cpi 1/480
The values for p1, p2, p3 and p4 must be entered as
four-digit ASCII numbers (use leading zeros if
necessary), separated by commas, and in
ascending order.

To calculate the value, multiply the position for
which you want to set a tab by the pitch increment
of shift, and then subtract one from the product.
For example, to set a tab for 2" from the left margin
using 12 cpi pitch, multiply 2 by 144, and then
subtract 1. The value would be 0287.

Maximum values are as follows:

Pitch

2480

2481

10 cpi 959 1631
12 cpi 1151 1956
15 cpi 1339 2447

17.1 cpi 1643 2795
20 cpi 1917 3261

ESC % F 27 37 70 n1

n2 n3 n4

1B 25 46 n1
n2 n3 n4

Move to the Left

See the command ESC ETX ... CR on page 86 for
instructions on calculating the value for n1...n4.
(Use the same pitch increment of shift values as the
ESC ETX ... CR command.)

ESC % E 27 37 69 n1

n2 n3 n4

1B 25 45 n1
n2 n3 n4

Move to the Right

See the command ESC ETX ... CR on page 86 for
instructions on calculating the value for n1...n4.
(Use the same pitch increment of shift values as the
ESC ETX ... CR command.)

ESC - 27 45 1B 2D Begin Uni-directional Printing
ESC = 27 61 1B 3D End Uni-directional Printing

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

87

Vertical Movement

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC G 27 71 H

1B 47 Hn Ln

n Ln

Set Page Length in Inches

Sets the page length in increments of 1/2" x the

n Ln

.

and L

n

should be between 00

n

= 0.

n

ESC F 27 70 H

1B 46 Hn Ln

n Ln

values of H
The values for H
and 99. For lengths less than 4.5", H

Set Page Length in Lines

Sets the page length in increments of
line pitch x the values of H
The values for H

and L

n

and 99. For values less than 10, H

.

n Ln

should be between 00

n

= 0.

n

ESC % S 1 27 37 83 49 1B 25 53 31 Select Skip Over Perforation

Skips an inch from the bottom of one page to the
top of the next.

ESC % S 0 27 37 83 48 1B 25 53 30 Cancel Skip Over Perforation
FF 12 0C Form Feed (with carriage return)

Advances the paper to the top of the next page.

LF 10 0A Line Feed (with carriage return)

Advances the form one line.

ESC DC2 27 18 1B 12 Graphics Line Feed (without carriage return)

Advances the form one line without returning to
the left margin. Allows you to overstrike a line of
printing and to create special effects like double
underlines.

88

ESC ? n : 27 63 n 58 1B 3F n 3A Carriage Return/Feed Selection

Value of n Operation

33 Carriage return only
34 Forward line feed, no carriage return
35 Forward line feed w/carriage return
48 Reverse line feed, no carriage return
49 Reverse line feed w/carriage return

ESC % 5 n 27 37 53 n 1B 25 35 n

Perform n/144" Line Feed

0 < n < 127

ESC VT 27 11 H

n Ln

1B 0B H

Skip Down Select Number of Lines

n Ln

ESC LF 27 10 1B 0A Reverse Line Feed
ESC 6 27 54 1B 36 Set Line Spacing to 1/6"
ESC 8 27 56 1B 38 Set Line Spacing to 1/8"
ESC % 9 27 37 57 n 1B 25 39 n

Set Line Spacing to n/144"

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Name Dec Hex Description

DC4
SP...SP n...
SP...SP n...?

VT 11 n 0B n

ESC 5 27 53 1B 35 Set Top of Form

20 32...32

n... 32...32
n... 63

14 20...20 n...

20...20 n... 3F

Set Vertical Format Unit (VFU)

Programs up to 12 sets (channels) of vertical tabs.
The maximum tab stops in one set (channel) is 27.
This command works in conjunction with the VT
command followed by a channel code (n). When
the VT command is received, the printer skips to
the next tab stop in that channel.
To set your tabs, follow the DC4 code with one SP
code for each line to be skipped in order to
advance to the line where you want your first tab
stop. For example, the command

DC4 32 32 32 5 32 12 32 32 20 32 32 32 32....32 63

causes the printer to skip 3 lines, enters a tab stop
at 5, skips 1 line, enters a tab stop at 12, skips 2
lines, enters a tab stop at 20, and then skips
however many lines remain on the page.

Vertical Tab

Advances the paper to the next vertical tab stop.
Valid channel codes are 49 through 60.

Other Commands

Name Dec Hex Description

CAN 24 18 Cancel Data

ESC { 27 123 n 1B 7B n

ESC CAN 27 24 1B 18 Initialize Printer

ESC < 27 60 1B 3C Select Half-speed Printing
ESC > 27 62 1B 3E Cancels Half-speed Printing
ESC E 0 27 69 0 1B 45 00 Select Paper-out Sensor
ESC E 1 27 69 1 1B 45 01 Cancel Paper-out Sensor
DC3 19 13 Select Print Suppress Mode

Clears all data from the print buffer, but does not
reset printing features.

Change Emulation

When n=2 the emulation changes to IBM
Proprinter.
When n=65 the emulation changes to Epson.

Clears all data from the print buffer, and returns
the printer to the current menu settings.

DC1 17 11 Cancel Print Suppress Mode
ESC { NUL 27 125 0 1B 7D 00 Software-Prime

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

89

Name Dec Hex Description

ESC V 27 86 1B 56 Eject Page

90

Section 5: OKI Microline Emulation Mode Printer Commands

Using the
Printer Interface

The printer interface is the physical connection point between the printer and
other devices, such as a computer. The 2400 series printer offers a choice of
three printer interfaces: parallel, Universal Serial Bus (USB), or serial.

Use the parallel interface and parallel cable if you are attaching the printer to a
personal computer’s parallel port.

Use the USB interface and USB cable when you are attaching the printer to a
personal computer’s USB port.

Use the serial interface and serial cable when you:

• share the printer using a printer sharing device.

• need to connect the printer to a computer that does not have a parallel
port, or to a computer that does not have an available parallel port.

Parallel Interface

Use Lexmark parallel cable 1329605 (3 m or 10 ft.) or 1427498 (6.1 m or 20 ft.).

Section

6

The parallel cable must be IEEE 1284-compliant and must support two-way
(bidirectional) communications printing

The parallel interface sends 8 bits (one byte) of data at one time and is
transistor-transistor logic (TTL) compatible.

Parallel Interface Voltage Levels

The maximum voltage level for control or data lines is +5.2 volts.
A control or data line is:

• High, if the voltage is greater than +2.4 volts.

• Low, if the voltage is less than +0.8 volts.

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

91

Computer to Printer Communication

The parallel interface transfers data from computer to printer. The data path is 8
bits wide. The printer and the computer synchronize data transfer with the
interface signals STROBE*, ACKNLG*, and BUSY.

When the computer is ready to send a byte of data to the printer, the computer
puts the byte of data on the data lines. Then the computer sends a STROBE*
(low) pulse to the printer. The printer responds with a BUSY (high) signal.

After the printer receives the data, the printer pulses the ACKNLG* (low) line.
This signals the computer that the printer has read the byte of data into printer
memory. If the printer buffers are not full and the printer can receive more data,
the printer removes the BUSY (low) signal.

92

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

Pin Connections

The following illustration shows the pin assignments for connecting the 25-pin
connector to the 36-pin connector.

Lexmark Parallel Cables

P/N 1329605 (10 ft.)
P/N 1427498 (20 ft.)

Computer

STROBE

DATA 0
DATA 1
DATA 2
DATA 3
DATA 4
DATA 5
DATA 6
DATA 7

ACKNLG*

BUSY

PE

SLCT

AUTO FEED

ERROR*

INIT*

SLCTIN*

GROUND
GROUND

GROUND
GROUND
GROUND
GROUND
GROUND
GROUND

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

18
19

20
21
22
23
24
25

Shield

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Printer

1

STROBE

2

DATA 0

3

DATA 1

4

DATA 2

5

DATA 3

6

DATA 4

7

DATA 5

8

DATA 6

9

DATA 7

10

ACKNLG*

11

BUSY

12

PE

13

SLCT

14

AUTO FE ED

15

N/C

16

0 VOLTS

17

N/C

18

N/C

19

GROUND

20

GROUND

21

GROUND

22

GROUND

23

GROUND

24

GROUND

25

GROUND

26

GROUND

27

GROUND

28

GROUND

29

GROUND

30

GROUND

31

INIT*

32

ERROR

33

GROUND

36

SLCTIN*

Lexmark compliant cables are supported up to 20 feet.

Shield

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

93

Parallel Pin Assignments

Pin Line Description

1 STROBE* When the printer receives the STROBE* low from the

computer, the printer reads the data from the interface and
sets the BUSY line high. STROBE* must not occur when the
BUSY line is high; otherwise, unpredictable results may occur.

2-9 DATA These signals are the 8 bits of parallel data sent from the

computer. A high level indicates a logical 1. A low level
indicates a logical 0. The printer reads data from the DATA
lines when a STROBE* pulse is received.

10 ACKNLG* The ACKNLG* pulse tells the computer that the data from the

previous STROBE* pulse has been read. An ACKNLG* pulse
is also generated when the printer is turned on, or at the
completion of the printer initialization by an INIT* requested
from the computer.

11 BUSY When the printer sets BUSY high, it cannot receive data. The

BUSY line goes high in response to a STROBE* pulse. This line
remains high until the data is read. BUSY is also high when:

• The receive buffer is full.

• An out-of-paper condition occurs.

• The printer receives an INIT* signal.

• Start/Stop is pressed to go offline.

• A printer error condition has occurred.

• The printer is initializing.

12 PE The printer sets Paper End (PE) high when approximately

12.7 mm (0.5 in.) of paper remains in the printer. PE remains
high until the operator loads paper and presses Start/Stop.

13 SLCT When the printer is ready, it sets the SLCT line high.

The SCLT lines go low when:

• Start/Stop is pressed to go offline.

• There is an error or out-of-paper condition.

• The printer receives an ESC Q. It ignores all incoming data
except DC1, which returns the printer to a select state.

14 AUTO

FEED XT
15 Not used.
16 GND Logic ground.
17 CHASSIS

GROUND
18 +5 volts Maximum 300 mA.
19-30 GND Ground level.
* Inverted logic (signal is active when low).

The printer executes one line feed when this signal,

in Epson** mode

Ground level.

, is low.

valid only

94

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

Timing

Pin Line Description

31 INIT* INIT* from the system resets the printer to its initial power-

on-state. The BUSY line goes high, and any received data is
printed. When INIT* goes low, the printer resets to the power­on default state. If data is in the USB buffer, the USB FIFO is
not reset.

32 ERROR* The printer sets the ERROR* line low if the printer detects an

error or out-of-paper condition.
A critical error condition exists when both ERROR* and PE

are low.
33 GND Ground level.
34-35 Not used.
36 SELECT IN The printer does not respond to the DC1/DC3 code when this

signal,
* Inverted logic (signal is active when low).

valid only in Epson mode

, is low.

The following chart shows the timing in microseconds of these signals.

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

95

Universal Serial Bus Interface

The USB interface, with a signaling bit rate of 12 Mb/s (full speed), is in full
compliance with the Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 1.0. It has a
USB Function Controller with two FIFO-based Endpoints:

• One bidirectional Control Endpoint 0 (8 bytes)

• One receive Endpoint 1 (1*64 bytes)

Serial Interface

You may want to use the serial interface when you need to use a cable more
than 6 m (20 ft.) in length, share the printer using a printer sharing device, if you
need to connect the printer to a computer that does not have a parallel port, or
to a computer that does not have an available parallel port.

Use the RS-232C protocol if the printer is more than 6 m (20 ft.) from the
computer.

Serial Interface Option

The Lexmark serial interface, part number 12T0154, supports the RS-232C
protocol. All serial interface parameters can be selected by the operator panel.
The serial interface installs internally into the back of the printer, and connects
to the serial cable, part number 1038693.

How to Connect the RS-232C Serial Interface

To connect the serial interface, use the following cable:

• Lexmark Part Number 1038693 (15.24 m or 50 ft.)

96

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

Serial Cable Pin Assignments (RS-232C)

The following illustration shows the RS-232C serial cable:

25-Pin
Male

13

1

Serial Adapter Side Computer Side

RS-232C Serial Connector Pin Assignments

Pin Signal Description

2 TXD

(Transmit Data)

25

14

This line transmits data from the printer to the host. The data
characteristics are specified by the function menu settings which are
read only during a Power On Reset (POR). The only data
transmitted are XON (x’11’) and XOFF (x’13’) signals. Transmission
occurs only when CTS is high.

25-Pin
D-shell
Female

14

25

13

1

3RXD

(Receive Data)

4RTS

(Request to Send)

5CTS

(Clear to Send)

6DSR

(Data Set Ready)

20 DTR

(Data Terminal Ready)

This line receives data from the host. The serial interface accepts
data only when DSR is On.

This line is set high and remains high even after the serial interface
finishes its POR.

This line is monitored only if the XON/XOFF protocol is selected
because transmission occurs only when CTS is high.

DSR is another method of providing data integrity. Data is accepted
only when DSR is high.

This line is set high after the serial interface finishes its POR
sequence. However, if you select DTR pacing handshake protocol,
this line is used to indicate to the host whether or not the printer is
ready to receive any more data.

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

97

Serial Interface Cable (RS-232C)

The recommended RS-232C serial cable is 50 feet long. This cable works with
the IBM PS/2 series and other compatible host systems using a 25-pin male
connector. The maximum total capacitance of the cable and the connector
should be less than 2500 pF, or it will delay the signal transition by more than
4%.

Following is a diagram of the serial cable (Lexmark part number 1038693 (15.24
m or 50 ft.)).

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Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

Using an IBM AT Personal Computer (RS-232C)

If you are using an IBM AT or compatible computer, use a 9-pin to 25-pin EIA
RS-232C cable.

We recommend one of the following for a 9-pin to 25-pin cable:

• IBM P/N 6450242 (254 mm or 10 in.)

• IBM P/N 6450217 (3 m or 10 ft.)
The following illustration shows the pin assignments for the 9-pin to 25-pin

RS-232C serial cable.

IBM 9-Pin to 25-Pin Adapters Lexmark Null Modem Serial Cable

6450242 (254 mm or 10 in.) 1038693 (15.24 m or 50 ft.)

6450217 (30.4 m or 10 ft.)

DCD
RXD
TXD
DTR
GND
DSR
RTS
CTS

RI

9 (F)

Shield

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
20
22

25 (M)

TXD
RXD
RTS
CTS
DSR
GND
DCD
DTR

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
20

25 (F)

Shield

Serial Communication Parameters (RS-232C)

The acceptable values for serial communications parameters follow.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

20

25 (M)

F. GN D
TXD

RXD
RTS
CTS
DSR
L. GND

DTR

Voltage Level Range

The maximum voltage level range for control lines or data lines is from
± 25 positive V dc to ± 25 negative V dc.

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface

99

The voltage reference point is the signal ground on pin 7. A timing or control
line is active if the voltage is more than +3 V, or inactive if the voltage is less
than -3 V.

A data signal more than +3 V means that the bit is a logical 0; less than -3 V
means that the bit is a logical 1.

For additional information, refer to the Interface between Data Terminal Equipment
and Data Communications Equipment Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange,
published by the Electronic Industries Association, publications EIA RS-232C
and EIA\TIA-232-E.

Serial Data Frame Considerations (RS-232C)

The computer sends serial data in data frames (also known as packets). You can
create 10-bit, 11-bit, or 12-bit data frames and set the serial data transfer
parameter so that each data frame contains 7 or 8 data bits. However, the
printer is an 8-bit printer; characters, controls, and APA graphics need 8 bits of
data. If you select 7-bit data transfer, some unexpected characters might print.

Data Transmission

Data transfer rates (in bits per second):

• 300 bps

• 600 bps

• 1200 bps

• 2400 bps

• 4800 bps

• 9600 bps

• 19200 bps

Start and Stop Bits

The printer receives data with 1 start bit and either 1 or 2 stop bits. The printer
always sends 1 start and 2 stop bits.

Parity

There are four possible parity settings: Even, Odd, No, and Ignore.
When Even parity is selected, the printer expects to receive data frames with an

even number of logical 1’s per byte. The printer transmits data with even parity.
When Odd parity is selected, the printer expects to receive data frames with an

odd number of logical 1’s per byte. The printer transmits data with odd parity.

100

Section 6: Using the Printer Interface