Paxar TC6035PR User Manual

MONARCH

DOS-based

PATHFINDER

System





Ultra



TC6035PR Rev. BA 6/01 ©2001 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Each product and program carries a respective written warranty, the only
warranty on which the customer can rely. Monarch reserves the right to make
changes in the product, the programs, and their availability at any time and
without notice. Although Monarch has made every effort to provide complete
and accurate information in this manual, Monarch shall not be liable for any
omissions or inaccuracies. Any update will be incorporated in a later edition of
this manual.

©1998 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system, or
translated into any language in any form by any means, without the prior
written permission of Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.

WARNING

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential
area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct
the interference at his own expense.

CANADIAN D.O.C. WARNING

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Réglement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique édicte par le ministère des Communications du Canada.

Trademarks

Monarch, Pathfinder, and Ultra are registered trademarks of Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
6035 is a trademark of Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft in the U.S. and other countries.
TrueType is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company.
CG Triumvirate and CG Triumvirate Bold are trademarks of AGFA Corporation.
Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated which may be registered in certain
jurisdictions.

Monarch Marking Systems
P.O. Box 608
Dayton, Ohio 45401

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED

About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Standard Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Creating an MPCLII Format Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Using MPCLII Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

MPCLII Punctuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Standard Syntax Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

DESIGNING A FORMAT

Starting with a Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Determining Format Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Determining the Print Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Drawing Rough Sketches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Using Supply Layout Grids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Considering Field Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Considering Fonts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Using the Format Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Filling in the Format Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

DEFINING FIELDS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Defining the Format Header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Defining Text Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Defining Bar Code Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Defining Constant Text Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Defining Line Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

Line Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

Defining Box Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18

i

DEFINING FIELD OPTIONS

Applying Field Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Combining Field Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Option 1 (Fixed Data). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Option 4 (Copy Data) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Merging Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Sub-Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Option 31 (Calculate Check Digit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Option 50 (Bar Code Density) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Option 51 (PDF417 Security/Truncation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Option 52 (PDF417 Width/Length) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Option 61 (Re-image Field) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Using Check Digits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Sum of Products Calculation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Sum of Digits Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

PRINTING

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Defining the Batch Header. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Defining the Batch Control Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Defining Batch Data Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Merged or Sub-Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Downloading Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Sequential Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Batch Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Batch Quantity Zero Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Defining the Print Control Packet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Clearing Packets from Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

CREATING GRAPHICS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Overview of Bitmapped Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Determining a Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Designing Bitmapped Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

ii

Special Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Using the Hex Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

Using the Run Length Encoding Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Determining How to Store the Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Using RAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Using Temporary Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Creating a Graphic Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

Positioning the Graphic Image. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

Defining the Graphic Header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

Creating Bitmap Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13

Creating Next-Bitmap Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14

Creating Duplicate Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15

Sample Hex Graphic Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

Sample Run Length Graphic Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17

Placing the Graphic in a Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19

Defining the Graphic Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-19

Sample Bitmap Graphic Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21

TROUBLESHOOTING

Troubleshooting Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

If You Receive an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Calling Technical Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Data Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Format Errors (1 - 99) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Batch Errors (100 - 199) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6

Rule Errors (200 - 249) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6

Online Configuration Errors (250 - 299) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8

Check Digit Errors (300 - 324). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9

Graphic Errors (325 - 399) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9

General Packet Errors (300 - 324). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10

Data Formatting Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12

Machine Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

iii

PRINTER OPTIMIZATION

Adjusting the Print Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

Reducing Imaging Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

General Format Tips and Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

SAMPLES

FONTS

SYMBOL SETS/CODE PAGES

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Sample UPCA Format Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Sample Fixed Character Format Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

Standard Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Monospaced Font Magnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

Proportional Font Magnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

Using Font Numbers in Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17

Locating the Font Number in a Font Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-17

Supported Symbol Sets and Code Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Selecting a Symbol Set or Code Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Selecting the Internal Symbol Set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Selecting the 437 Code Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

Using Code 128 Function Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

ASCII Symbol Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

Code Page 437 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-4

Dot to Run Length Encoding Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

ON (Black) Dots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

OFF (White Dots) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

iv

FORMAT DESIGN TOOLS

Batch Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2

Check Digit Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

GETTING STARTED

Before you read this manual, review the printer information in the
Equipment Manual.

About This Manual

This manual is for the developer creating the application for the
printer.

You must develop an application that uses the packets

you create. Refer to the Programmer Manual for

information about developing an application.

Use this manual to design and print your own custom formats on
the Monarch® 6035 printer. This chapter creates a sample
MPCLII packet.

Standard Features

The following features are standard on the 6035 printer: 192 dots
per inch (DPI) printhead, 2 inch by 4 inch maximum print image,

1.8 inches per second (IPS) maximum print speed, baud rate up to
115K, center-justified printing, 4-line display, alphanumeric keypad,
scanner, and 1 Meg memory with an additional 2 Meg flash ROM.

1

Getting Started

1-1

Creating an MPCLII Format Packet

A format defines which fields appear and where the fields are
printed on the label. The printer requires this information in a
special form, using Monarch
This section describes how to create a sample MPCLII format
packet.

Make sure supplies are loaded, you have a fully charged battery,
and you have an application in the printer. Refer your Equipment
Manual for more information.

For detailed information about the format header, text, constant
text, and bar code fields, see Chapter 3, "Defining Fields." For
information about batch packets, see Chapter 5, "Printing."

Type the following format header, in any text editor:

1.

{F,25,A,R,M,508,508,"FMT-25" p

Type the following constant text field:

2.

C,250,80,0,1,1,1,W,C,0,0,"MONARCH MARKING:",0 p

Type the following bar code field:

3.

®

Printer Control Language II (MPCL).

1-2

Getting Started

B,1,12,F,110,115,1,2,120,5,L,0 p

Type the following text field:

4.

T,2,18,V,30,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p }

You have created a format packet for your MPCLII printer. Now, a
batch packet must be created before you can print the format.

Type the following batch header, after the text field line:

5.

{B,25,N,1 p

Type the following bar code data:

6.

1,"12345678901" p

Type the following text field data:

7.

2,"DAYTON, OHIO" p }

8.

Save your file as SAMPLE.FMT.

For your application to use the format, use the

PCL library functions in

the Programmer Manual.

Getting Started

1-3

Using MPCLII Conventions

Here are some guidelines to follow when using MPCLII.

MPCLII Punctuation

Use the following symbols when creating MPCLII packets:

{ start of header

} end of header

p field separator. Depending on the character

set you are using, this character may appear
differently, but it should always be hex 7C.

, parameter separator

"ABC" Quotation marks enclose character strings.

Empty quotes ("") identify null strings or
unused fields.

‘comment‘ Grave accents enclose comments. Any data

enclosed in grave accents is ignored. Do not
embed comments within a quoted string.
Grave accents are also used to reject
mainframe data.

1-4

Getting Started

These MPCL characters are the default.

Standard Syntax Guidelines

When creating MPCLII packets:

N

Begin each packet with a start of header ({).

N

End each packet with an end of header (}).

N

Define no more than 50 fields in a format. Each p indicates
one field. However, options are not counted as fields.

N

The field number (0 to 999) must be unique. Monarch
recommends starting at 1, instead of 0.

N

Do not use a field number more than once per format.

N

Define all fields in the order you want to image/print them.

N

Separate all parameters with a Parameter Separator (,).

N

End each field with a Field Separator ( p ).

N

Enter all information in CAPITAL letters, except words or
phrases within quotation marks.

N

Include all parameters for a field unless documented as
optional.

N

Define non-printable text fields before the field to which they
apply.

N

Define options immediately after the field to which they apply.

N

Multiple options can be used with most fields. Options can be
used in any combination except as noted with each definition.

N

Keep in mind that proportionally spaced fonts need wider fields
than monospaced fonts. For variable field data, use a letter
"W" to determine the maximum field size.

N

Do not place a new line (return) or any other non-printing
character in a character string. However, a carriage return or
line break after each p makes your formats easier to read.
T,1,20,V,30,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p
T,2,10,V,50,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p

N

Spaces are ignored, except within character strings.

Getting Started

1-5

1-6

Getting Started

DESIGNING A FORMAT

This chapter describes how to

N

determine what kind of information to use in your format.

N

use the Supply Layout Grid and Format Worksheet.

N

categorize data into field types.

N

select fonts to use in your format.

2

Designing a Format

2-1

Starting with a Design

Before you create a format packet, you must design your label.
There are several steps to designing a custom label:

Decide which fields should appear on your label. See

1.

"Determining Format Contents" for more information.

Determine your label size. Labels are available from Monarch

2.

in a wide variety of sizes. Your application and the amount of
data you need to print determines the supply size. Contact
Monarch Marking for more information.

Draw a rough sketch of your label. You may want to draw

3.

several variations to see what works best. See "Drawing
Rough Sketches" for more information.

Identify the field types that appear on your label. See

4.

"Considering Field Types" for more information.

Decide which fonts you want to use. See "Considering Fonts"

5.

for more information.

Fill out your Format Worksheet. See "Using the Format

6.

Worksheet" for more information.

2-2

Designing a Format

At this point, you are ready to use your format.

Create a format packet, based on how you filled out your

7.

worksheet. See Chapter 3, "Defining Fields," for more
information.

For your application to use the format, use the PCL library

8.

functions in the Programmer Manual.

Execute your application.

9.

Determining Format Contents

Before you lay out your format, you need to make a few decisions.
For example:

N

How large is your supply?

N

Which fonts do you want to use?

N

Do you want to include a bar code?

N

Do you want to include graphics?

Determining the Print Area

The print area varies, depending on the size of your supply. Below
are the maximum and minimum print areas. Notice that the top
edge of the supply exits the printer first.

Unit of
Measure

English
(1/100")

Metric
(1/10mm)

Dots
(1/203 dots)

Maximum
Supply Size

200 x 400 183 x 365 120 x 55 109 x 46

508 x 1016 465 x 927 305 x 140 277 x 117

384 x 768 352 x 701 230 x 106 208 x 88

Maximum
Print Area

Minimum
Supply Size

Minimum
Print Area

For exact print area measurements of your

supply, see the supply layout grids in

Appendix D.

Use the following formulas to convert inches to dots and metric:

Dots = inches x 192
Metric (1/10mm) = inches x 254
English (1/100 inch) = 100 x (dots/192)
Dots = Metric (1/10 mm) x 756/1000

Designing a Format

2-3

Drawing Rough Sketches

After you decide what information you want to
print, sketch how you want the information to
appear on the label. Note any areas that are
preprinted on the label, such as a logo.

As soon as you know what information to include
on the label, and you have a rough sketch, you
can use a supply layout grid to help you layout
and size your label. If you do not want to use a
grid, go to "Considering Field Types" to choose
what information you want on your label.

Using Supply Layout Grids

A supply layout grid contains measurement markers. These
markers help you accurately position information on your label.

Decide whether you want to design formats using English, Metric,
or Dot measurements. Choose from the following grids:

N

English

The English grid is measured in
1/100 inches.

N

Metric

The Metric grid is measured in 1/10
millimeters (mm).

N

Graphic

The printer uses dots to print images
on a label. The printhead has 192 dots
per inch (DPI).

Supply Layout
(dpi)

192

768

672

576

480

384

288

192

96

0.0

192

0.0

384

192

96

288

768

672

576

480

384

288

192

96

0.0

2-4

Designing a Format

If you want to use supply layout grids, a copy of each is in
Appendix D, "Format Design Tools."

Considering Field Types

After you select a supply size, the next step in designing a format
is to decide what information you want to print on the label. For
example, you may want to print your company name, price of an
item, and a bar code that combines information from other places.
Everything you want to print falls into one of the following
categories.

Field Type Description Examples

Text Contains letters, numbers, or

symbols you want to print.

Bar Code Used for printing bar codes

that can be scanned.

Constant Text Prints fixed characters that

print without changing.

Line or Box Highlights or separates items. line marking out the regular

Graphic Contains a bitmap image or a

compliance label overlay.

item number, item
description, department
number, price, date

item or serial numbers, zip
codes, information you don’t
want to have visible to
customers

company name, company
address

price, border around the
supply

logos

All of the above field types except graphics

are discussed in Chapter 3. See Chapter 6,

"Creating Graphics" for information on

including graphics in your format.

Designing a Format

2-5

Considering Fonts

When working with fonts, you have three considerations:

N

font appearance

N

font size (bitmapped)

N

font spacing (monospaced or proportional)

See Appendix B, "Fonts," for samples of each font.

Using the Format Worksheet

The Format Worksheet is divided into sections that list the field
types. Each section has boxes to fill in with parameters that
define your format. A format worksheet is included in Appendix D,
"Format Design Tools."

Filling in the Format Worksheet

Decide what type of field to use on your label.

Make a copy of the Format Worksheet.

1.

2-6

Designing a Format

Define the Format Header.

2.

Define options as you require them. See Chapter 4, "Defining

3.

Field Options" for more information.

DEFINING FIELDS

This chapter provides a reference for defining

N

the format header

N

text and constant text

N

bar code fields

N

line and box fields.

3

Defining Fields

3-1

Defining the Format Header

A Format Header begins a format file.

Syntax

{F,format#,action,device,measure,length,
width,"name" p

F1. F Format Header.

F2. format# Unique number from

F3. action Enter A to add a new format to the printer.

F4. device Format storage device. R is the only valid value.

F5. measure Unit of measure. Options:

English, measured in 1/100 inches

E

Metric, measured in 1/10 mm

M

Graphic, measured in dots

G

F6. length Supply length, top to bottom, in selected units.

English
Metric
Dots

F7. width Supply width, from left to right, in selected units.

English
Metric
Dots

F8. "name" Format name (optional),

quotation marks.

55 - 400
140 - 1016
106 - 768

120 - 200
305 - 508
230 - 384

to identify the format.

0-999

characters, enclose within

0-8

3-2

Defining Fields

Example:

{F,1,A,R,E,300,200,"TEXTILES" p

Format 1 ("TEXTILES") uses a three inch long by two inch wide
label.

Defining Text Fields

Create a separate definition for each text field. If text falls on two
lines, each line of text requires a separate definition.

Syntax

T,field#,# of char,fix/var,row,column, gap,font,hgt mag,wid
mag,color,alignment, char rot,field rot,sym set

p

T1. T Text Field.

T2. field# Unique number from

T3. # of char Maximum number of printed characters (

to identify this field.

0-99

0-2710

) in the field.

T4. fix/var Fixed or variable length field. Options:

Fixed length

F

Variable length

V

T5. row For monospaced fonts, distance from bottom of print area to

the pivot point. The pivot point varies depending on how text
is justified.

0 (TOP)

3 (RIGHT)

2 (BOTTOM)

1 (LEFT)

End-Justified

1 (LEFT)

0 (TOP)

2 (BOTTOM)

3 (RIGHT)

Left/Center/Right-Justified

2 (BOTTOM)

0 (TOP)

3 (RIGHT)

1 (LEFT)

Balanced

For proportionally spaced fonts, distance from bottom of print
area to baseline of characters in field.

English
Metric
Dot

0 - 365
0 - 927
0 - 701

Defining Fields

3-3

T6. column Distance from the left edge of the print area to the pivot point

to find the column location.

English
Metric
Dots

T7. gap Number of dots between characters (192 dots per inch).

Range:

NOTE:

Any number other than 0 or the default number affects your
field width. Default spacing:

Letter Gothic Bold 6pt.
Letter Gothic Bold 9pt.
Reduced
All other fonts

T8. font Style of font. Options:

CG Trium Bold CG Trium Bold Cond

1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005

0 - 183
0 - 465
0 - 352

.

0-99

For monospaced fonts, the additional spacing is
added to the existing inter-character gap. This is
also true for proportionally spaced fonts, but
remember that the inter-character gap varies with
character combinations.

1 dot
2 dots
1 dot
varies with each letter

6.5 pt
8 pt

10 pt

12 pt
18 pt
22 pt

1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011

6.5 pt
8 pt
10 pt
12 pt
18 pt
22 pt

3-4

Defining Fields

Letter Gothic Bold Reduced

1012
1013

NOTE:

6 pt
9 pt

Point sizes greater than 12 include only the following
special characters:
0123456789#$%&(),./@DFKLMPS\kprö¢£¥.
All other point sizes use the whole symbol set. This
information may not apply to optional fonts.

Internal Font

2

T9. hgt mag Height magnifier,

proportionally spaced fonts, because characters lose
smoothness at higher magnifications.

(times). Use a magnifier of 1 with

1-7

T10. wid mag Width magnifier,

not have a set width. To estimate the size of your field, use
the letter "W" for the widest field or an "L" for an average
width field. Find your selected font and the desired width in
Appendix B, "Fonts."

T11. color Options for standard printer fonts:

Opaque, Normal, Black, Normal

B

Opaque, Normal, White, Normal

D

Transparent, Normal, Black, Normal

O

Transparent, Normal, White, Normal

R

Opaque, Normal, White, Normal

W

NOTE:

There are two types of field color overlay attributes:
Transparent The overlay field (text or constant text) does

Opaque The overlay field blocks out (or "erases")

Solid black print should not exceed 30% on a given
square inch of the label, or the printhead life may be
decreased.

(times). Proportionally spaced fonts do

1-7

not block out (or "erase") existing fields.

existing fields.

Line field
blocked out by
opaque field
using attribute B

Line field not
blocked out by
transparent field
using attribute O

Field placement in the packet is an important consideration
when using field color attributes. If a line field is defined
before the overlay (text or constant text) field, the line field is
blocked out by the overlay field, depending on the overlay
field’s color attribute. If a line field is defined after the overlay
field, the line field is not blocked out by the overlay field,
regardless of the overlay field’s color attribute.

Defining Fields

3-5

T12. alignment Options:

Align on left side of field.

L

Center text within field (monospaced fonts only)

C

Align on right side of field (monospaced fonts only)

R

Align at midpoint of field

B

Align at endpoint of the field

E

Use L, B, or E for any font.

T13. char rot Character rotation. The field or supply does not rotate, only

T14. field rot Field rotation. Field rotation rotates the whole field, not just

T15. sym set Symbol set. Use 1 (ASCII Symbol Set)

the characters do. Options:

Top of character points to top of field

0

Top of character points to left of field

1

Top of character points to bottom of field

2

Top of character points to right of field

3

the characters. Rotation is affected by the pivot point, which
varies depending on how text is justified. Lower left corner of
field is the pivot point. Options:

Top of field points to top of supply

0

Top of field points to left of supply

1

Top of field points to bottom of supply

2

Top of field points to right of supply

3

See Appendix C, "Symbol Sets/ Code Pages" for more information.

3-6

Defining Fields

Example:

T,2,10,V,250,50,0,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p

Defines a text field (field #2) with a variable length of up to 10
characters. The field begins at row 250, column 50. There is no
additional gap between characters, and the Standard font is used
without any additional magnification. The printing is black on
white and centered. No field or character rotation is used. The
internal symbol set is used.

Defining Bar Code Fields

Each bar code field requires a separate definition.

Syntax

B,field#,# of char,fix/var,row,column,
font,density,height,text,alignment,
field rot p

B1. B Bar Code Field.

B2. field# Unique number from

B3. # of char Maximum number of characters. If the bar code uses a check

digit, allow an extra character for the check digit. The actual
maximum number of characters is limited by the size of the
label and bar code density. Range:

B4. fix/var Fixed (F) or variable (V) length field.

Bar Code Number of Characters Fixed or

UPCA

UPCA+2

UPCA+5

UPCA+Price CD

UPCE or LAC

UPCE+2

UPCE+5

EAN8

EAN8+2

EAN8+5

EAN13

EAN13+2

EAN13+5

EAN13+Price CD

Interleaved 2 of 5
or
Interleaved I 2 of 5 with Barrier Bar

Code 39 or MOD43

to identify this field.

0-99

0-2710

12 F

14 F

17 F

12 F

7F

9F

12 F

8F

10 F

13 F

13 F

15 F

18 F

13 F

0 to 2710 F or V

0 to 2710 F or V

.

Var iable

Defining Fields

3-7

Bar Code Number of Characters Fixed or

Codabar (NW7)

Code 128

Code 93

Code 16K

MSI

Maxicode

PDF417

POSTNET

Var iable

0 to 26 F or V

0 to 2710 F or V

0 to 2710 V

0 to 2710 V

0 to 14 F or V

15 to 99 F

0 to 2710 F or V

0 to 11 F

B5. row Distance from bottom of the print area to the pivot point of the

field. The pivot point varies, depending on how the field is
justified. Pivot points:

Left/Center/Right-Justified Fields

Balanced Fields

Remember to include text or numbers that may appear with
the bar code for the row measurement.

English
Metric
Dots

0 - 365
0 - 927
0 - 701

End-Justified Fields

3-8

Defining Fields

B6. column Distance from the lower left edge of the print area to the pivot

point.

English
Metric
Dots

NOTE:

B7. font Bar code. Options:

UPCA

1

UPCE

2

Interleaved 2 of 5

3

Code 39 (no check digit)

4

Codabar

5

EAN8

6

EAN13

7

Code 128

8

MSI

9

UPCA +2

10

UPCA +5

11

UPCE +2 check digit)

12

UPCE +5

13

0 - 183
0 - 465
0 - 352

Allow a minimum of
of bar code and label edges or other data.
Two-dimensional barcodes cannot be scanned
(MaxiCode, PDF417, Code 16K and POSTNET).

inch between the scan edge

1/10

14
15
16
17
21
22
23
31
32
33
40

41
44
50

EAN8 +2
EAN8 +5
EAN13 +2
EAN13 +5
LAC
POSTNET
Code 93
Code 16K
PDF417
Maxicode
Code 39 (MOD 43

UPCA & Price CD
EAN13 & Price CD
Interleaved 2 of 5 with
Barrier Bar

B8. density Bar code density. Use the following table for the bar code

density.

Defining Fields

3-9

Barcode

Ty pe

UPCA
+2/+5

Price CD
UPCE
+2/+5 4 120% 3/15.6 9/12
EAN8
+2/+5 4 120% 3/15.6 10/13
EAN13
+2/+5

Price CD
Interleaved 1 1.0 21/109.4 1:3.0 0 to
2 of 5 2 2.0 12/62.5 1:2.5

or I 2 of 5 4 4.0 6/31.3 1:2.5
with 5 5.3 4/20.8 1:3.0
Barrier Bar 6 6.0 4/20.8 1:2.5

Code 39 1 1.3 10/52.1 1:2.5 0 to
or MOD 43 2 1.7 8/41.7 1:2.5 $%*+-./

Codabar 2 2.0 8/41.7 1:3.0 0 to
(NW7) 3 2.9 6/31.3 1:2.5 0 to 9

Code 93 3 3.6 6/31.2 N/A 0 to

Density

Selector

2

4 120% 3/15.6 14/17

2

2

2

4 120% 3/15.6 15/18

3 3.0 7/36.5 1:3.0

7 7.1 3/15.6 1:3.0
8 8.3 3/15.6 1:2.3
9 9.1 3/15.6 1:2.0
10 10.6 2/10.4 1:3.0
11 10.6 2/10.4 1:3.0

12

13 13.7 2/10.4 1:2.0

3 3.3 4/20.8 1:2.5 0 to 9
4 4.0 3/15.6 1:3.0 A to Z
6 6.0 2/10.4 1:3.0

7

11 3.7 4/20.8 1:2.0
12 12.0 1/5.2 1:3.0
20 2.8 5/26.0 1:2.2

4 4.3 4/20.8 1:2.5 :
5 4.7 4/20.8 1:2.0 a to d
7 7.7 2/10.4 1:3.0

8

9 9.6 2/10.4 1:2.0

4 4.3 5/26.0
5 5.3 4/20.8

7

10 10.7 2/10.4

Density

(% or cpi)

80% 2/10.4 N/A 11 or 12 1,5,6 0 to 9

80% 2/10.4 N/A 6 or 7 1,5,6 0 to 9

80% 2/10.4 N/A 7 or 8 1,5,6 0 to 9

80% 2/10.4 N/A 12 or 13 1,5,6 0 to 9

12.0 2/10.4 1:2.5

6.6 2/10.4 1:2.5

8.4 2/10.4 1:2.5

7.1 3/15.6

Narrow

Element

(dots/mils)

Narrow to

Wide

Ratio

Data

Length

2710

2710

26

2710

Appearance

Codes

Available

or 8

7

or 8

7

or 8

7

or 8

7

8

8

8

8

Char

0 to 9

SPACE

$%*+-./

00H to
FFH

Set

3-10

Defining Fields

Barcode

Ty p e

Code 128 20 3.5/7.0 5/26.0 N/A 0 to
or 4 4.4/8.7 4/20.8
CODE 16K 6 5.8/11.7 3/15.6

MSI 4 4.0 4/20.8 1:2.0 0 to

Density

Selector

8

5 5.3 3/15.6 1:2.0 14

7

Density

(% or cpi)

8.7/17.5 2/10.4

6.9 2/10.4 1:2.5

Narrow

Element

(dots/mils)

Narrow
toWide

Ratio

2710

Data

Length

Appearance

Codes

Available

8

8

Char

Set

00H to
7FH

0 to 9

Barcode

Ty p e

POSTNET

Barcode

Ty p e

PDF417

(Security
Levels 1 to

8)

Maxicode 7 N/A N/A N/A 15-99 8 00H to

Density

Selector

0

(fixed at

4.3 cpi)

Density

Selector

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Narrow

Element

(dots/mils)

24/125.0 10/52.1 4/20.8

Element

Width

(dots/mils)

2/10.4
2/10.4
2/10.4
3/15.6
3/15.6
3/15.6
4/20.8
4/20.8
4/20.8

NOTE:

Values in bold indicate the default.

Short

Element

(dots/mils)

Row

Height

(dots/mils)

2/10.4
4/20.8
6/31.3
3/15.6
6/31.3
9/46.9
4/20.8
8/41.7
12/62.5

(dots/mils)

(5 dot gap)

1:1
1:2
1:3
1:1
1:2
1:3
1:1
1:2
1:3

Element

Width

Aspect

Ratio

Data

Length

0,5,6,9
or 11

Data

Length

0 to
2710

Appearance

Codes

Available

8

Appearance

Codes

Available

8

Char

Set

0 to 9

Char Set

00H to FFH

FFH

B9. height Bar code height, in 1/100 inches, 1/10 mm, or dots. Minimum

values:
English
Metric
Dots

1
2
1

B10. text Appearance of text with bar code. For UPC and EAN only use

. For all others, use 8. Options:

1-7

No check digit or number system

1

Number system at bottom, no check digit

5

Check digit at bottom, no number system

6

Check digit and number system at bottom

7

No text, bar code only

8

Defining Fields

3-11

B11. alignment Choose L, R, C, B or E to align the bar code data correctly in

B12. field rot Field rotation. Field rotation rotates the whole field, not just

the field. For I2 of 5, Code 39 (Mod 43), Codabar, and MSI,
you can use L, R, C, B or E. For all other bar codes, use L.

the characters. Rotation is affected by the pivot point, which
varies depending on how text is justified. Lower left corner of
field is the pivot point. Options:

Top of field points to top of supply

0

Top of field points to left of supply

1

Top of field points to bottom of supply

2

Top of field points to right of supply

3

NOTE:

Example:

Serial bar codes printed at speeds greater than 2.5
IPS may not scan properly.

B,3,12,V,150,40,1,2,80,7,L,0 p

Defines a bar code field (field #3) with 12 characters of variable
length starting at row 150, column 40. A UPCA bar code with a
density of 2 and a height of 80 is used. The check digit and
number system are shown at the bottom. The bar code is left
aligned without any field rotation.

Defining Constant Text Fields

A constant text field is a set of fixed characters that prints on all
labels. Define each constant text field separately. This field is not
assigned a field number, but is counted as a field (keep this in
mind, as the printer allows a maximum of
The characters in this field cannot be changed by batch data.
Field options do not apply to constant text fields.

Determine the height and the maximum width of the characters,
using the tables in Appendix B, "Fonts." If you’re using
proportionally spaced fonts, use the average size of the
characters. Mark the pivot point of your field. This will vary,
depending on how your field is justified.

fields per format).

100

3-12

Defining Fields

Syntax

C,row,column,gap,font,hgt mag,
wid mag,color,alignment,char rot,
field rot,"fixed char",sym set p

C1. C Constant Text Field.

C2. row For monospaced fonts, distance from bottom of print area to

C3. column Distance from the lower left edge of the print area to the pivot

C4. gap Number of dots between characters. Range:

C5. font Style of font. Options:

the pivot point. For proportionally spaced fonts, distance from
bottom of print area to baseline of characters in the field.
(Bottom exits the printer first.)
English
Metric
Dots

point.
English
Metric
Dots

Any number other than 0 or the default number affects your
field width. Default spacing:
Letter Gothic Bold 6pt.
Letter Gothic Bold 9pt.
All other fonts

CG Trium Bold CG Trium Bold Cond

1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005

6.5 pt
8 pt

10 pt

12 pt
18 pt
22 pt

0 - 365
0 - 927
0 - 701

0 - 183
0 - 465
0 - 352

1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011

.

0-99

1 dot
2 dots
varies with each letter

6.5 pt
8 pt
10 pt
12 pt
18 pt
22 pt

Letter Gothic Bold Reduced

1012
1013

NOTE:

C6. hgt mag Height magnifier,

proportionally spaced fonts, because characters lose
smoothness at higher magnifications for all fonts.

6 pt
9 pt

Point sizes greater than 12 include only the following
special characters:
0123456789#$%&(),./@DFKLMPS\kprö¢£¥.
All other point sizes use the whole symbol set. This
information may not apply to optional fonts.

Internal Font

2

(times). Use a magnifier of 1 with

1-7

Defining Fields

3-13

C7. wid mag Width magnifier,

not have a set width. To estimate the size of your field, use
the letter "W" for the widest field or an "L" for an average
width field.

(times) Proportionally spaced fonts do

1-7

C8. color Options for standard printer fonts:

C9. alignment Alignment of constant text in the field. Options:

Opaque, Normal, Black, Normal

B

Opaque, Normal, White, Normal

D

Transparent, Normal, Black, Normal

O

Transparent, Normal, White, Normal

R

Opaque, Normal, White, Normal

W

NOTE:

There are two types of field color overlay attributes:
Transparent The overlay field (text or constant text) does

Opaque The overlay field blocks out (or "erases")

Field placement in the packet is an important consideration
when using field color attributes. If a line field is defined
before the overlay (text or constant text) field, the line field is
blocked out by the overlay field, depending on the overlay
field’s color attribute. If a line field is defined after the overlay
field, the line field is not blocked out by the overlay field,
regardless of the overlay field’s color attribute.

L
C
R
B
E

Solid black print should not exceed 30% on a given
square inch of the label, or the printhead life may be
decreased.

not block out (or "erase") existing fields.

existing fields.

Align on left side of field.
Center text within field (for monospaced fonts only)
Align on right side of field (for monospaced fonts only)
Align at midpoint of field
Align at end of field.

3-14

Defining Fields

Use L, B, or E for any font.

C10. char rot Character rotation. Options:

Top of character points to top of field

0

Top of character points to left of field

1

Top of character points to bottom of field

2

Top of character points to right of field

3

C11. field rot Field rotation. Lower left corner of field is the pivot point.

Options:

Top of overlay points to top of supply

0

Top of overlay points to left of supply

1

Top of overlay points to bottom of supply

2

Top of overlay points to right of supply

3

NOTE:

C12. "fixed char" Fixed characters to appear in the field. Maximum

characters. Enclose in quotation marks.

C13. sym set Symbol set. Use 1 (ASCII Symbol Set). (0, 437).

Rotation is affected by the pivot point, which varies
depending on how text is justified.

2710

See Appendix C, "Symbol Sets/ Code Pages" for more information.

Example:

C,30,10,0,1,1,1,B,L,0,0,"MADE IN USA",0 p

Defines a constant text field starting at row 30, column 10. It does
not have any additional inter-character gap. The Standard font is
used without any additional magnification. The printing is black on
white and left justified. No field or character rotation is used.
"MADE IN USA" is printed in this field. The internal symbol set is
used.

Defining Line Fields

Use lines to form borders and mark out original prices. Define
each line separately. This field is not assigned a field number, but
is counted as a field (keep this in mind, as the printer allows a
maximum of 50 fields per format). You can define any line length
and a thickness up to 99 dots, as long as the solid black print does
not exceed 30 percent of any given square inch of the label.

Defining Fields

3-15

Line Types

You can create horizontal and vertical lines. There are two ways
to define lines.

Segments

Vectors

You choose the starting point and ending point.

You choose the starting point, the angle, and
the length of the line.

Syntax

L1. L Line Field.

L2. type Type of line. Only vertical and horizontal lines are

L3. row Distance from bottom of print area to the starting point.

L4. column Distance from left edge of the print area to line origin.

L,type,row,column,angle/end row,length/
end col,thickness,"pattern" p

supported. Options:

Segment. You choose the starting point and

S

ending point.

Vector. You choose the starting point, angle,

V

and length.

English
Metric
Dots

English
Metric
Dots

0 - 365
0 - 927
0 -701

0 - 183
0 - 465
0 - 352

3-16

Defining Fields

L5. angle/end row If Using Segments:

Row location of ending point. Measure from bottom of print
area. Ranges same as row above. On horizontal lines, this
value must match item L3.

, or

Vec tors:

.

270

Segments:

0 - 200
0 - 508
0 - 384

0 - 400
0 - 1016
0 - 768

If Using
Angle of line. Options: 0, 90,

180

L6. length/end col If Using

Column location of end point. Measure from left edge of print
area. Ranges same as column above. On vertical lines, this
value must match parameter L4.

If Using Vector s :
Length of the line in selected units.

Ranges for horizontal lines:
English
Metric
Dots

Ranges for vertical lines:
English
Metric
Dots

L7. thickness Using the chart below for reference, write the line thickness

(1 to 99) in box L7. Measured in dots.

NOTE:

Line thickness fills upward on horizontal lines, or to
the right on vertical lines.

Defining Fields

3-17

L8. "pattern" Line pattern. Enter "".

Example:

L,S,110,30,110,150,10,"" p

Defines a horizontal line field as a segment starting at row 110,
column 30 and ending at row 110, column 150. The line thickness
is 10 dots.

Defining Box Fields

Use boxes to form borders or highlight items of interest. Define
each box field separately. This field is not assigned a field
number, but is counted as a field (keep this in mind, as the printer
allows a maximum of 50 fields per format). You can define any
line length and a thickness up to 99 dots, as long as the solid
black print does not exceed 30 percent of any given square inch of
the label.

Syntax

Q1. Q Box (Quadrilateral) Field.

Q2. row Distance from bottom of print area to lower left corner of box.

Q,row,column,end row,end col,thickness,
"pattern" p

English
Metric:
Dots:

0 - 365
0 - 927
0 - 701

3-18

Defining Fields

Q3. column Distance from left edge of print area to lower left corner of box.

English
Metric:
Dots:

0 - 183
0 - 465
0 - 352

Q4. end row Distance from bottom of print area to upper right corner of

Q5. end col Distance from left edge of print area to upper right corner of

Q6. thickness Using the chart below for reference, write the desired line

box. Ranges same as row.

box. Ranges same as column.

thickness (

1 to 99

) in box Q6. Measure in dots.

NOTE:

Q7. "pattern" Line pattern. Enter "".

Example:

Line thickness fills upward on horizontal lines, or to
the right on vertical lines.

Q,240,30,270,150,3,"" p

Defines a box field starting at row 240, column 30. It ends at row
270, column 150. It has a thickness of 3 dots.

Defining Fields

3-19

3-20

Defining Fields

DEFINING FIELD OPTIONS

This chapter provides a reference for defining

N

field options in formats

N

check digit packets.

4

Defining Field Options

4-1

Applying Field Options

Field options further define text and bar code fields. The text,
constant text, or bar code field must be previously defined before
you can apply any field option to it. Define options immediately
after the field to which they apply.

Combining Field Options

You can use more than one option with most fields. When you use
multiple options for the same field, you must place the options in
the order you want to apply them to your format.

Restrictions

Some options cannot be used together. See the following sections
addressing individual options for specific combinations to avoid.

Example:

Syntax

R1. R Indicates field option header.

R2. option# Option number:

R3. parameter(s) Varies per option. See the following option descriptions.

R,1,3,1,3,1,1 p

R,option#,parameter...parameter p

Define fixed characters

1

Copy data

4

Calculate check digit

31

Define bar code densities

50

Define security and truncation of PDF417 bar codes

51

Define width or length of PDF417 bar codes

52

4-2

Defining Field Options

Option 1 (Fixed Data)

Fixed data is information (a company name or store number) you
want to print on all labels. You can define fixed characters for an
entire field or for part of a field.

Syntax

R1. R Option Header.

R2. 1 Option 1.

R3. fixed char Characters to insert. Enclose in quotation marks. If you are

R,1,"fixed char" p

defining fixed characters for part of a field, place underscores
(_) in non-fixed positions. Any spaces in the phrase are fixed
characters. Range: 0 -

2710

.

Underscore characters are stripped out and

the data is compressed if no data is supplied

by the batch and the field length is variable.

Example:

R,1,"_ _ _%$_ _ _ _ _" p

Uses fixed characters (%$) in positions four and five. The other
positions are variable.

Example:

R,1,"MONARCH" p

"MONARCH" appears as a fixed field in this example.

Defining Field Options

4-3

Option 4 (Copy Data)

You can create a field that uses data from another field. This is
useful for creating merged fields or sub-fields. You can copy the
information from multiple fields into one field by applying the copy
procedure more than once. Copy data is the only option you can
apply to a field more than once.

The maximum number of characters defined in box T3 or B3 must
allow for the number of characters you will place in the field,
including any price, check digit, or fixed characters inserted by the
printer. The maximum number of characters in the field into which
data is copied cannot exceed
characters permitted by the

bar code

When copying from more than one field, copy

into the destination field from left to right.

or the maximum number of

2710

.

Syntax

R1. R Field Option Header.

R2. 4 Option 4.

R3. src fld Field number from which data is copied. Range: 0 to

R4. src start Position number in the source field of the first character to be

R5. # to copy Number of characters to copy. Range: 1 to

R6. dest start Position number where copied characters are to begin printing

4-4

Defining Field Options

R,4,src fld,src start,# to copy,dest
start,copy code p

copied. Character positions are numbered 1 to
from the left.

2710

in the destination field. Range: 1 to

2710.

2710

.

999

, starting

R7. copy code Copy Method.

Copy field as is (including price symbols,
pad characters, check digits, etc.).

Copy unformatted data (without price characters,
pad characters, etc.).

Example

1

2

R,4,3,1,3,1,1 p

Copies data from field #3, starting at the first position and copying
three characters. In the destination field, the information is placed
in position 1 and copied as formatted data.

Merging Fields

You can copy data to merge the contents of fields. Use the copy
data option as many times as necessary to copy all the
appropriate fields into the merged field.

In the following example, two text and two non-printable fields are
shown. Data from these fields is merged to form field 5, and is
then printed as a bar code.

Field Data Field Type

1 203 Non-printable
2 339 Non-printable
38 Text
4BLUE Text
5 2033398BLUE Bar Code

To create this sequence:

Define fields 1, 2, 3, and 4.

1.

Define field 5 as a bar code. Allow enough characters in the

2.

bar code field to hold all the copied characters.

Apply Option 4 to field 5 once for every source field.

3.

Defining Field Options

4-5

Sub-Fields

You can copy a segment of data from one field into a new location,
called a sub-field. For example, extract part of the data in a bar
code and display it in text form in a sub-field. Then, use the copy
data option.

Option 31 (Calculate Check Digit)

The printer generates a check digit if you apply Option 31 to the
field. You cannot use this option if the field contains a UPC, EAN,
or Code 39 (with the MOD43 check digit) bar code.

Syntax

R1. R Option Header.

R2. 31 Option 31.

R3. gen/ver Enter G to generate a check digit.

R4. check digit # Specifies a check digit scheme. Enter a number that

Example

R,31,gen/ver,check digit # p

identifies a check digit scheme that has been defined. For
more information, see "Using Check Digits." Range: 1 - 10.

R,31,G,5 p

Generates a check digit using the previously defined check digit
scheme 5.

Option 50 (Bar Code Density)

You can apply this option to bar code fields when you want to
create custom densities. When you apply this option, it overrides
the density value in the bar code field.

When using this option, set the density parameter in your bar code
field to the default value. You can only use this option once for
each bar code field. This option overrides the density selected in
the bar code field.

4-6

Defining Field Options

Bar codes produced using Option 50 may not be scannable. The
additional character gap, narrow space, and wide space
parameters are valid

with Code 39 and Codabar. If these

only

parameters are specified for any other bar codes, they will be
ignored by the printer. Do not use Option 50 with UPC or EAN bar
codes.

Syntax

R1. R Field Option Header.

R2. 50 Option 50.

R3. narrow Dot width of the narrow element. Range:

R4. wide Dot width of the wide element. Range:

R5. gap Additional dot space between characters. Enter a value of

R6. nar_space Additional dot width of the narrow bar code space. (Code 39

R7. wide_space Additional dot width of the wide bar code space. (Code 39

Example:

R,50,narrow,wide,gap,nar_space,wide_space
p

.

1-99

.

1-99

to

. (Code 39 and Codabar only.)

99

and Codabar only). Range:

and Codabar only). Range:

R,50,4,8,5,1,1 p

1- 99

1- 99

.

.

1

Creates a custom bar code density with a narrow element of 4
dots, a wide element of 8 dots, a gap of 5 dots, and one additional
dot width for the narrow and wide bar code space (if this is a Code
39 or Codabar bar code).

Option 51 (PDF417 Security/Truncation)

You can define a security level and choose whether or not to
truncate a PDF417 bar code. Higher security levels add data to a
bar code, improving scan reliability. Some damaged bar codes
may still be scannable if the security level is high enough. You
can use this option to create standard PDF417 bar codes or use
the truncated option to create a narrower bar code. This option
can appear only once per PDF417 field, in any order, following the
bar code field.

Defining Field Options

4-7

As the security level is increased, so is the size of your PDF417
bar code. For each level increased, the bar code will double in
size.

Syntax

R1. R Option Header.

R2. 51 Indicates Option 51.

R3. security Security level ranges from

R4. stand/def Truncation selector. Valid values:

Example

R,51,security,stand/default p

is the default).

0-8 (0

Higher security levels add data to a bar code, improving scan
reliability. Some damaged bar codes may still be scannable if
the security level is high enough.

(default) a standard PDF417 bar code

S

truncated

T

R,51,2,S p

Defines a security level of 2 for a standard PDF417 bar code.

Option 52 (PDF417 Width/Length)

This option defines the image width or length of a PDF417 bar
code. If you define a fixed number of columns (width), the bar
code expands in length. If you define a fixed number of rows
(length), the bar code expands in width.

Column value does not include start/stop or left/right indicator
columns.

If this option does not immediately follow the PDF417 bar code
field, the default settings are used. You can only use this option
once per PDF417 bar code field.

Syntax

R1. R Option Header.

R2. 52 Indicates Option 52.

4-8

Defining Field Options

R,52,row/column,dimension p

R3. row/column Indicates if you are defining the number of rows or columns.

Row

R

Column

C

If you specify rows, the bar code expands in columns,
or vice versa.

R4. dimension The number of rows or columns defined for the bar code. The

Example:

default is 4. Valid values:

for rows

3-90

for columns

1-30

R,52,C,10 p

Defines the column width of 10, which expands the PDF417 bar
code length by 10.

Option 61 (Re-image Field)

If you have a constant field that appears on top of a non-constant
field, apply this option to the constant field. For example, you may
create a tag for an item on sale. The tag shows both the old and
the new prices, but has a line drawn through the old price.

The constant field can be a line, a box, a graphic, or constant text.
This option redraws the constant field when the other field
changes. If you do not use this option, the field may appear
broken.

Syntax

R,61 p

Using Check Digits

Check digits are typically used to ensure that a text or bar code
field scans correctly. If you apply Option 31, the printer calculates
a check digit. A check digit scheme determines how the printer
calculates a check digit. When you define a check digit scheme,
you assign a number to identify it. This number is later entered in
box R4 when you apply Option 31 to a field. You can use check
digits with text or bar code fields. Check digit calculations are
performed on numeric data only.

Defining Field Options

4-9

Do not use check digits with price fields. Do not define a check
digit scheme for these bar codes, because they have predefined
check digits: UPC, EAN, Code 39 (with the MOD43 check digit),
and Code 93.

Syntax

{A,selector,action,device,modulus,
fld_length,D/P,"weights" p }

A1. A Check Digit Header.

A2. selector Assign a number from

A3. action Adds a check digit scheme. Enter A.

A4. device Device. Use R.

A5. modulus Number from

A6. fld_length The maximum number of characters the field will contain.

A7. D/P Algorithm. The algorithm determines how the check digit is

A8. "weights

Example:

products or the sum of digits.

Range:

calculated.Options:

D
P

String of digits used for calculation. A weight string is a group

"

of two or more numbers that is applied to a field. The number
of digits in this string should equal the number in fld_length.
Enclose in quotation marks. Range:

0 - 2710

sum of digits
sum of products

{A,1,A,R,10,5,P,"65432" p }

. The modulus is used to divide the sum of

2-11

.

to this check digit formula.

1-10

0 - 2710

.

Adds check digit scheme number 1 to the printer’s memory. The
modulus is 10, the maximum number of characters in the field is 5.
The check digit is calculated by using the Sum of Products and the
string of digits used in the calculation is "65432."

Sum of Products Calculation

This is an example of how the printer uses Sum of Products to
calculate a check digit for this data:

4-10

Defining Field Options

5 2 3 2 4 5 2 1 9

Weights are applied to each digit, starting with the last digit in

1.

the weight string. They are applied right to left, beginning at
the right-most position of the field. Remember, a weight string
must contain at least two different numbers. This example has
a weight string of

1,2,3,4

:

field:
weight string:

Each digit in the field is multiplied by the weight assigned to it:

2.

field:
weight string:
products:

Next, the product of each digit is added together. This is the

3.

5 2 3 2 4 5 2 1 9

4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

5 2 3 2 4 5 2 1 9

4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

20 2 6 6 16 5 4 3 36

sum of the products.

20 + 2 + 6 + 6 + 16 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 36 = 98

Divide the sum of the products by the modulus (10 in this

4.

case), only to the whole number. The balance is called the
remainder.

9

10 98

90

8

Subtract the remainder from the modulus.

5.

The result becomes the check digit. In this case, the check
digit is 2.

10 - 8 = 2

Defining Field Options

4-11

Sum of Digits Calculation

This is an example of how the printer uses Sum of Digits to
calculate a check digit for this data:

5 2 3 2 4 5 2 1 9

Weights are applied to each digit, starting with the last digit in

1.

the weight string. They are applied right to left, beginning at
the right-most position of the field. Remember, a weight string
must contain at least two different numbers. This example has
a weight string of

1,2,3,4

:

field:
weight string:

Each digit in the field is multiplied by the weight assigned to it:

2.

field:
weight string:
products:

Next, the digits of the products are added together. Two-digit

3.

products are treated as two separate digits.
This is the sum of the digits.

2 + 0 + 2 + 6 + 6 + 1 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 6 = 44

Divide the sum of the digits by the modulus (10 in this case),

4.

only to the whole number. The balance is called the
remainder.

4

10 44

40

4

5 2 3 2 4 5 2 1 9

4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

5 2 3 2 4 5 2 1 9

4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

20 2 6 6 16 5 4 3 36

4-12

Defining Field Options

Subtract the remainder from the modulus.

5.

The result becomes the check digit. In this case, the check
digit is 6.

10 - 4 = 6

Defining Field Options

4-13

4-14

Defining Field Options

PRINTING

This chapter describes how to

N

define the batch header, batch control, and batch data files

N

create a Print Control Packet.

5

Printing

5-1

Defining the Batch Header

Batch data is the actual information printed on the supply. Batch
data fills in the format’s text, bar code, and non-printable text
fields.

A batch packet contains three parts:

batch header identifies the format and how many labels to

print.

batch control defines the print job.

batch data
(optional)

defines the actual information printed on the
label.

A batch header begins the file. It tells which format the batch uses
and how many labels to print. To record batch data, make a copy
of the worksheet in Appendix D, "Format Design Tools."

Syntax

B1. B Batch Header.

B2. format# Format number (0-999) to use.

B3. N/U Controls how image is generated.

{B,format#,N/U,quantity p

N New. Erase image and re-image all fields using

online data. Any missing fields will be blank.

U Update last image with 1 or more fields.

All other fields remain the same as the last
queued batch.

5-2

Printing

B4. quantity Quantity to print (0-24).

Using 0 pre-images the field to reduce the

imaging time for labels. See "Batch Quantity

Zero Method" for more information.

Example:

{B,1,N,1 p

Defines a batch header that uses format #1 and reimages all fields
using the online data. One label is printed with this batch.

Defining the Batch Control Field

The batch header must precede this field. The batch control field
defines the print job and applies only to the batch that immediately
follows.

Syntax

E1. E Batch Control Field.

E2. feed_mode Feed Mode. Options:

E3. batch_sep Batch Separator. Use 0.

E4. print_mult Number of tags with the same image. Use 1.

E5. multi_part Number of identical parts on one tag. Use 1.

Example:

E,feed_mode,batch_sep,print_mult,
multi_part p

0 Continuous Feed (default)
1 On-Demand

E,0,0,1,1 p

Defines a batch control field. Continuous feed mode is used and
no separator prints between batches.

Printing

5-3

Defining Batch Data Fields

Batch data fields should be sent in field number order. Use
continuation fields for large amounts of data. If you are using N
(New) in the batch header, you must list all fields with your data in
sequence. If you are using U, you need to list only those fields
and data that changes from the last printed batch.

Syntax

field# Identifies the text, bar code, or non-printable text field in

"data string" Provides the actual information to appear in fields. Enclose in

C Identifies information to be appended to the data string. (This

"continuation" Provides the actual information to be added to the batch

Example:

field#,"data string" p
C,"continuation" p

which to insert the following data. Range: 0 - 999.

quotation marks. Range: 0 - 2710.

parameter is optional.)

packet. Enclose in quotation marks. Use this option to break
up longer fields. (This parameter is optional.)

1,"Size 12" p
2,"" p
3,"Blue" p
C,"and this would be appended." p

Defines a batch data field. "Size 12" prints in field #1, a blank line
appears in field #2, "Blue and this would be appended" prints in
field #3.

Merged or Sub-Fields

5-4

If a field is completely filled by data copied from other fields, use
quotation marks without spaces between them for the "data string"
parameter.

Printing

Downloading Methods

You can use pclOpen or pclWrite to write the packet to the printer,
or you can download the format and batch data using one of three
methods: sequential method, batch method, batch quantity zero
method. Refer to the Programmer Manual for more information.

Sequential Method

Using the sequential method, you send all your format and batch
data at one time. Use this method when your application does not
require operator intervention to input data. All data is sent down
at one time, and the printer then images each field. As soon as
the last field is imaged, your labels begin to print.

Example:

{Format}
{Batch Packet}

Batch Method

This is similar to the sequential method, but it is used when you
want to send multiple batches. All data for the first batch is sent at
one time, and the printer then images each field. As soon as the
last field for the first batch is imaged, labels begin to print. This
process is repeated for each subsequent batch.

Example:

{Format}
{Batch Packet}
{Batch Packet}

Batch Quantity Zero Method

You may use the batch quantity zero method when your
application requires operator intervention to enter data. While the
operator is entering data, the previous field is sent with a batch
quantity of zero. The printer images the field, but does not print it.
After the operator enters the data for the last field, the batch
quantity can be specified. The last remaining field is imaged, and
the label prints almost immediately.

Printing

5-5

To use the batch quantity zero method:

Send the format and a batch header in one file. The first time

1.

you send the batch header, use the parameter N (new batch),
and the parameter 0 for (zero quantity). This ensures the
label is properly positioned.

The printer images constant text, line, and box fields, but does
not print them.

Input data for each field, and send it with a batch header using

2.

the parameter U (batch update) and a quantity of zero. When
the printer receives the data, it immediately images the field,
but does not print it.

At this time, the printer is imaging all associated fields,
including fields that copy from other fields.

Repeat step 2 for each field except the last one.

3.

For the last field, input data and send a batch header with the

4.

quantity of labels you want printed. When the printer receives
input for the last field, it immediately prints the labels. See
"Reducing Imaging Time" in Chapter 8 for an example using
the batch quantity zero method.

5-6

Printing

Defining the Print Control Packet

Use the print control packet (C) to set the contrast, print, and
margin adjustment, print speed, and printhead width.

Syntax

C1. C Print Control Packet

C2. contrast -390 to 156. 0 is the default for all printers.

C3. print_adj -99 to 99 in 1/192 inch. 0 is the default for all printers.

{I,C,contrast,print_adj,margin_adjust,
speed_adj,ph_width p }

Adjusts where data prints vertically on the supply. Increase
the print position to move print up, decrease to move print
down.

C4. margin_adj -99 to 99 in 1/192 inch. 0 is the default for all printers.

C5. speed_adj Print speed in inches per second (IPS). Options:

C6. ph_width Width of the printhead in dots. Use 0 for these printers.

Adjusts where data prints horizontally on the supply. Increase
the margin position to move print to the right, decrease to
move print to the left. Margin and print position are format
adjustments. They will not affect the supply position,
dispense position, or backfeed distance.

0 Default value

Example

{I,C,0,-20,-10,0,0 p }

Uses the default contrast, moves print 0.1 inch closer to the
bottom of the supply (20/192 inches) and .05 inch to the left on the
supply (10/192 inches), prints at 1.8 inches per second, and uses
the default printhead width.

Clearing Packets from Memory

You may want to remove packets from the printer to increase
memory storage capacity or if the formats/fonts are no longer
needed. In some cases, turning the printer off may clear the
packets from memory. If not, send a format clear packet.

Syntax

1. header Identifies the packet. Options:

2. packet# Identification number of the packet to clear (1-999) or font

3. action Enter C to clear the packet.

{header,packet#,action,device p }

A Check Digit Scheme
F Format
G Graphic
W Font

number (0-9999). 0 is for all fonts.

4. device Storage device. Options:

Example

N Nonvolatile RAM
R Volatile RAM

{F,1,C,R p }

Clears Format #1 from volatile RAM.

Printing

5-7

5-8

Printing

CREATING GRAPHICS

This chapter provides information on how to

N

map out the graphic image using the hexadecimal (hex) or
run length method.

N

create a graphic packet using a graphic header, bitmap,
duplicate, next-bitmap, text, constant text, line, and box
Fields.

N

place a graphic image into a format.

You can use graphic packets to create compliance labels or
bitmapped images. To include a graphic packet within your format,
your format must contain a graphic field. See "Placing the Graphic
in a Format" for more information.

6

Creating Graphics

6-1

Overview of Bitmapped Images

A printed image is formed through a series of dots. Each square
on the grid below represents a dot on the printhead. The graphic
image is created by blackening dots in a specific pattern. You can
print varying shades of gray according to the concentration of dots
on the image. When the dots are printed together, the end result
is a graphic image.

Determining a Method

You can use one of two methods to map out your graphic image:

Hex Method The dot sequences are segmented into binary

numbers and then converted to hex numbers.

A graphic using gray-scaling, several slanted
lines, or several vertical lines typically
translates more efficiently with hex
representation.

6-2

Creating Graphics

Run Length
Encoding Method

The most efficient encoding method depends on how complicated
your graphic image is and whether or not imaging time is a
concern. You may want to experiment with both encoding methods
to get optimal performance.

The dot sequences are segmented into black
and white strings within a row. The total count
of each white string is converted to a
lower-case letter, corresponding to numeric
value. The total count of each black string is
converted to an uppercase letter,
corresponding to numeric value. This method
can reduce imaging time for graphics that
contain repetitive rows of dots. A graphic with
horizontal lines or very few white-to-black
borders typically translates more efficiently
with run length encoding.

Designing Bitmapped Images

Once you determine the encoding method to use, you can begin
mapping out your graphic image.

The image that you map must be an upside

down mirror image of the final result.

Special Considerations

Solid black print cannot exceed 30% of any given square inch of
the supply. If the black print exceeds this limit, you may lose data
or damage the printhead.

In the first label, the large "M" logo and thick black line exceed the
allowed black to white print ratio. In the second label, the large
"M" logo does not exceed the black to white print ratio.

Exceeds
Limit

Exceeds
Limit

2 inches

0.5"
Does not

exceed
limit

Does not
exceed
limit

2 inches

Using the Hex Method

The following steps explain how to derive a hex character string
from a bitmapped graphic.

0.5"

Creating Graphics

6-3

Each square on the grid represents a dot. A black square
indicates the dot is ON, and a white square indicates the dot is
OFF. A sequence of binary numbers, called a bit pattern or
bitmap, determines what dots are on and off. The numbers "0"
and "1" are used for this purpose. The number "1" turns a dot on
and "0" turns a dot off.

Assign 1 to every black square and 0 to every white square.

1.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000111111111111111111111111110000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111000000000000000000000000001111111110000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000001111100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001111110000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000011110000000000000000111111111111111111111111110000000000000001111000000000
00000000000000000000000001111100001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110000111110000
00000000000000000000000110000011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111000001100
00000000000000000000000110001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110
00000000000000000000000111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110
00000000000000000000000111111111111111111111111111111000000000000000000011111111111111111111111111111110
00000000000000000000000111111111111111111111000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111111111111100
00000000000000000000000001111111100000000000000000000111111111111111111100000000000000000011111111110000
00000000000000000000000000011111110000000000000000000111111111111111111100000000000000000001111111000000
00000000000000000000000000011100000000111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111100000000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000000001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000
00000000000000000000000000011111110000000000000000000111111111111111111100000000000000000001111111000000
00000000000000000000000000011100000000111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111100000000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000000001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000
00000000000000000000000000011111110000000000000000000111111111111111111100000000000000000001111111000000
00000000000000000000000000011100000000111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111100000000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000000001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000
00000000000000000000000000011111110000000000000000000111111111111111111100000000000000000001111111000000
00000000000000000000000000011100000000111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111100000000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000000001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000
00000000000000000000000000011111110000000000000000000111111111111111111100000000000000000001111111000000
00000000000000000000000000011100000000111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111100000000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000000001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110000111000000
00000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000
00000010000000000000000000011111110000000000000000000111111111111111111100000000000000000001111111000000
00000011000000000000000000011100000000111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111100000000111000000
00000001111000000000000000000000001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110000111000000
00000000111000000000000000000011111111111111000000000000000000000000000000000000011111111111111000000000
00000000111111000000000000011100000000111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111100000001111000000
00000000111111100000000000000000001111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110001111000000

Section off the grid in columns of eight. If any rows are not

2.

divisible by 8, add enough 0’s to complete a column.

00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001 11111111 11000000 00000000 00000000 00001111 11111000 00000000 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111110 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000111 11100000 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11110000 00000000 00011110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 01111100 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11110000
00000000 00000000 00000001 10000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00001100
00000000 00000000 00000001 10001111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110
00000000 00000000 00000001 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110
00000000 00000000 00000001 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111000 00000000 00000000 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110
00000000 00000000 00000001 11111111 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111111 11111100
00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 10000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00111111 11110000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000010 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000011 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000001 11100000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 11100000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 11111100 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000011 11000000
00000000 11111110 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100011 11000000

6-4

Creating Graphics

One row at a time, convert each group of eight binary digits to

3.

hex.

starting at position 49 ...

00111111 = 3F
11111111 = FF
11111111 = FF
11110000 = F0

Write the hex values for each row as a continuous string.

4.

row 1, position 49 = 03FFFFFF00000

Repeat steps 3 through 4 for each row on the grid.

5.

Insert the hex values in syntax format.

6.

Using the Run Length Encoding Method

The following steps explain how to derive a run length character
string from a bitmapped graphic.

Each square on the grid represents a dot. A black square
indicates the dot is ON, and a white square indicates the dot is
OFF.

For visual clarity, the following example shows

"1" to indicate when a square is ON, and "0"
to indicate when a square is OFF. You do not
have to convert your dots when using the run

length method.

Creating Graphics

6-5

00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001 11111111 11000000 00000000 00000000 00001111 11111000 00000000 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111110 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00001111 11000000 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11110000 00000000 00011110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 01111100 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11110000
00000000 00000000 00000001 10000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00001100
00000000 00000000 00000001 10001111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110
00000000 00000000 00000001 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110
00000000 00000000 00000001 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111000 00000000 00000000 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110
00000000 00000000 00000001 11111111 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111111 11111100
00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 10000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00111111 11110000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000010 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000 00000000 00000111 11111111 11111111 00000000 00000000 00011111 11000000
00000011 00000000 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000001 11000000
00000001 11100000 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100001 11000000
00000000 11100000 00000000 00000011 11111111 11110000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 01111111 11111110 00000000
00000000 11111100 00000000 00011100 00000011 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 00000011 11000000
00000000 11111110 00000000 00000000 00111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 11100011 11000000

Count the number of consecutive OFF or ON dots in a row.

1.

Write the number of consecutive dots in sequence for the first
row on the grid. Write "ON" or "OFF" after each number to
indicate ON or OFF dots.

(row 1, position 50) 26 on
(row 2, position 39) 11 on, 26 off, 9 on
(row 3, position 34) 5 on, 45 off, 6 on.

Replace each number you have written with its corresponding

2.

code from the Dot to Run Length Encoding Chart provided in
Appendix C, "Symbol Sets/Code Pages." Be sure to use
CAPITAL letters for black dots and lower-case letters for white
dots.

6-6

Creating Graphics

26 on (Z)
11 on (K), 26 off (z), 9 on (I)
.
.

If the number is greater than 26, write z, followed by the letter
corresponding to the amount over 26. For example, to represent
45 off dots, write zs.

5 on (E), 45 off (zs), 6 on (F)
.
.

Write the letter codes in sequence, uninterrupted, for each row.

3.

(row 1,position 50) Z
(row 2,position 39) KzI
(row 3,position 34) EzsF
(row 4,position 30) DpZoD
.
.

If the end of the line specifies OFF dots
(lower-case letters), the ending lower-case
letters can be omitted. For example, uZFu

can be written as uZF.

Repeat steps 1 through 5 for each row on the grid.

4.

Insert the code values in syntax format.

5.

Determining How to Store the Image

Once you have mapped out your graphic image, determine how
you want to store it. You have two options:

N

RAM

N

Temporary Storage

Creating Graphics

6-7

Using RAM

You should use RAM when the graphic image is used by several
formats, because you only have to send the graphic image once.
This eliminates the need to send the graphic image repeatedly.
See "Placing the Graphic in a Format," for more information about
using the graphic packet in a format. Graphics smaller than
approximately 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch can be stored in printer RAM
and referenced by the graphic ID number.

Graphics are stored in the image buffer and

remain there until another format is sent or the

printer is turned off.

Using Temporary Storage

You should use temporary storage when the graphic image is used
only in one format or your graphic image is very large. Graphic
data in temporary storage is held in the image buffer until another
format is used for printing. You can use the same graphic image
multiple times on a format. Send the graphic image to the printer
after the format to which it applies.

6-8

Creating Graphics

If a graphic is stored in temporary storage, do not place a graphic
field in the format. This will cause an error. Instead, position the
graphic image by using the row and column locations in the
graphic packet header.

Graphic images remain in temporary storage until the image buffer
is cleared (a new format is sent). Image memory (temporary
storage) will accept a graphic packet 701 rows long with 352 dots
per row.

Creating a Graphic Packet

Your graphic packet can contain

N

bitmapped fields (for bitmapped images)

N

constant text fields

N

lines

N

boxes.

Images using hex representation or run length encoding are
bitmapped images. See "Designing Bitmapped Images" to design
your bitmapped image.

Once you design your graphic image, you are ready to define a
graphic packet. This packet generates the graphic image you use
in a format.

Positioning the Graphic Image

This section explains how to position the graphic image within a
graphic packet header, a field of a graphic packet, or within a
format.

Within the Graphic Packet Header

When you are using RAM, the row and column parameters in the
graphic header are usually 0,0, because placement is controlled
by the graphic field in your format. This is especially true when
designing a compliance label overlay.

When you are using temporary storage, these parameters control
the placement of the graphic image on the supply.

Creating Graphics

6-9

The area enclosed within the dotted lines
represents the graphic image starting at
0,0 (as defined in the graphic header).

If you want a fixed amount of white space
around your graphic image, use
something other than 0 for row and/or
column.

The area enclosed within the dotted lines represents the graphic
image starting at 0,0 with a fixed amount of white space (10,10)
around the graphic image.

Within the Field

6-10

Creating Graphics

In a bitmap, constant text, line, or box
field, the row and column parameters
control where an individual field or
bitmapped row begins in relation to the
coordinates defined in the graphic header.

The bottom of the triangle in this example
represents the first field of the graphic
packet starting at 10,0.

Within a Format

When you define the graphic field within your format, the row and
column parameters represent where on the format to place the
graphic image.

If you are doing a compliance label, these numbers are usually
0,0, because your compliance label covers the entire supply. See
"Placing the Graphic in a Format" for a sample compliance label.

If you are placing a graphic (a logo, for example) within a certain
area on your supply, enter the starting position (bottom left corner)
of the graphic image.

This label shows the triangle "logo" beginning (the bottom left
corner) at 155, 33 as defined in the graphic field.

Defining the Graphic Header

Every graphic packet must contain a graphic header. This is the
first thing you enter. It identifies and provides important
measurement and formatting information for the graphic. Bitmap,
duplicate, next-bitmap, constant text, line, and box fields follow the
graphic header, if they are used.

Creating Graphics

6-11

Syntax

{G,graphID,action,device,units,row,col,
mode,"name" p

G1. G Graphic Header.

G2. graphID Unique number from 0 to 999 to identify the graphic image.

G3. action Enter A to add the graphic to the printer.

G4. device Graphic storage device:

G5. units Unit of measure. Options:

G6. row Distance between the bottom of the graphic image area and

G7. column Distance between the left edge of the graphic image area and

R Volatile RAM (format must contain a graphic field)
T Temporary storage

E English, measured in 1/100 inches
M Metric, measured in 1/10 mm
G Graphic, measured in dots. For bitmapped graphics, G is
the only valid option.

the first bitmap line. This is usually 0, unless you want a fixed
amount of white space around the graphic image. See
"Positioning the Graphic Image," for more information.

English 0 - 365

Metric 0 - 927

Dot 0 - 701

the left edge of first bitmap line. This is usually 0, unless you
want a fixed amount of white space around the graphic image.
See "Positioning the Graphic Image," for more information.

English 0 - 183

Metric 0 - 465

Dot 0 - 352

6-12

Creating Graphics

G8. mode Imaging mode. Enter 0.

G9. "name" Graphic name (optional), 0-8 characters, enclose within

Example

quotation marks.

{G,99,A,R,G,0,0,0,"99Wire" p

Adds a graphic image identified by number 99 to volatile RAM.
The graphic uses dot measurement. The image will be placed
according to the row and column parameters in the graphic field.
The imaging mode is 0 and the image is called 99Wire.

Creating Bitmap Fields

This defines one row of dots, starting at a specific row and column
within the graphic image. Each unique row of dots requires a
bitmap field. A bitmap field can later be repeated by using a
duplicate field.

Syntax

B1. B Bitmap Field.

B2. row Distance (in dots) from the graphic image’s bottom margin to

B,row,column,algorithm,"data" p

the bitmap line.

English 0 - 365
Metric 0 - 927
Dot 0 - 701

B3. column Distance (in dots) from the graphic image’s left edge to the

B4. algorithm Coding method for bitmap data:

B5. data Character string made up of hex or run length encoding. Do

Example

bitmap line.

English 0 - 183
Metric 0 - 465
Dot 0 - 352

H Hex Representation
R Run Length Encoding

not put spaces or any other character between the numbers.
Range: 0 - 2710.

{B,39,56,H,"3FFFFFF0" p

Creating Graphics

6-13

Defines a bitmapped graphic field. The image begins 39 dots from
the bottom and 56 dots from the left edge of the graphic area.
Hex representation is used.

Creating Next-Bitmap Fields

This field uses the previous field’s row and column locations. It
allows you to use the bitmap or duplicate field data without having
to recalculate row and column locations. This field represents one
row of dots on the image.

Syntax

N1. N Next-Bitmap Field.

N2. adjdir Increments or decrements the row count. Inserts the

N3. adjamt Amount of row adjustment in dot rows. Using 0 overwrites the

N4. algorithm Coding method for bitmap data:

N5. "data" Character string made up of hex or run length encoding. Do

Example

N,adjdir,adjamt,algorithm,"data" p

duplicate line after or before the current row.

0 Increments (inserts after)
1 Decrements (inserts before)

For example:
B,50,35,R,"GsSsG"
N,0,R,"DpZoD"
prints a next-bitmap field on row 51 at column 35.

same line. Range: 0 - 99.

H Hex Representation
R Run Length Encoding

not put spaces or any other character between the hex
numbers or run length code letters. Range: 0 - 2710.

p

p

B,39,56,H,"3FFFFFF0" p
N,0,1,H,"000000E00000" p

Defines a next-bitmap graphic field beginning on row 40. The row
count increments by 1. Hex representation is used.

6-14

Creating Graphics

Creating Duplicate Fields

If a line of data is identical to a previous bitmap or next-bitmap
field, the duplicate field allows you to repeat the dot sequence
without retyping the data. A duplicate field represents one row of
dots on the image.

Duplicate fields are useful when you have a

graphic with a lot of repetition.

Syntax

D1. D Duplicate Field.

D2. adjdir Increments or decrements the row count. Inserts the

D3. adjamt Amount of row adjustment in dot rows. Range: 0 - 99. The

D4. count Number of times to duplicate the line. Range: 0 - 99.

Example

D,adjdir,adjamt,count p

duplicate line after or before the current row.

0 Increments (inserts after)
1 Decrements (inserts before)

For example:
B,50,35,R,"GsSsG"
D,0,20,2
inserts row 50 again at row 70 and row 90. Rows
70 and 90 do not have to be defined later.

above example adjusts the duplicate field to image on row 70
and 90 (adding 20 to the current row count).

B,117,24,H,"03FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFC" p
D,0,1,2 p

p

p

Defines a duplicate field that is imaged after the bitmap line. This
field duplicates the preceding bitmap line twice (at row 118 and

119).

You can use constant text, line, or box fields in a graphic packet to
create a compliance label overlay. See Chapter 3, "Defining
Fields," for more information about these fields.

Creating Graphics

6-15

Sample Hex Graphic Packet

{G,99,A,R,G,0,0,0,"99WIRE"
B,39,48,H,"3FFFFFF0" p
B,40,32,H,"01FFC000000FF8" p
B,41,32,H,"3E00000000000FC0" p
B,42,24,H,"03C0003FFFFFF0000F" p
B,43,24,H,"7C3FFFFFFFFFFFFFE1F0" p
B,44,16,H,"0183FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF06" p
B,45,16,H,"018FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFE" p
B,46,16,H,"01FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFE" p
B,47,16,H,"01FFFFFF80001FFFFFFFFE" p
B,48,16,H,"01FFFFF0000000007FFFFC"
B,49,24,H,"7F800007FFFF00003FF0" p
B,50,24,H,"1FC00007FFFF00001FC0" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,51,24,H,"1C03FFFFFFFFFFFE01C0" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,52,32,H,"3FFFFFFFFFFFFFE1C0" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,53,24,H,"03FFF0000000007FFE" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,70,0,H,"0400001FC00007FFFF00001FC0" p
B,71,0,H,"0600001C03FFFFFFFFFFFE01C0" p
B,72,0,H,"030000003FFFFFFFFFFFFFE1C0" p
B,73,0,H,"01000003FFF0000000007FFE" p
B,74,8,H,"FC001C03FFFFFFFFFFFE00C0" p
B,75,8,H,"FE00003FFFFFFFFFFFFFE0C0" p
B,76,8,H,"1FF803FFF0000000007FFE" p
B,77,8,H,"0FFFCFFC00000000000001C0" p
B,78,16,H,"FFDF000FFFFFFFFF8003C0" p
B,79,16,H,"7FFFC00007FFFF00001FC0" p
B,80,24,H,"1C03FFFFFFFFFFFE01C0" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,81,32,H,"3FFFFFFFFFFFFFE1C0" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,82,24,H,"03FFF0000000007FFE" p
D,0,4,3 p
B,83,24,H,"1FC00007FFFF00001FC0" p
D,0,4,3 p
B,98,24,H,"03FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF0" p
B,99,24,H,"07FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFC" p
B,100,24,H,"1FF9FFFFFFFFFFFFFF" p
B,101,24,H,"3FFE0007FFFF8000FF80" p
B,102,24,H,"391E0027FFFF803FFFC0" p
B,103,24,H,"1C7FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFC0" p
B,104,24,H,"1FC1FFFFFFFFFFFF1FC0" p
B,105,24,H,"0FFDFFFFFFFFFFE0FF" p
B,106,24,H,"FFFFFFFFFFFFFFF8" p

p

6-16

Creating Graphics

B,107,32,H,"3FFFFFFFFFFFFFE0" p
B,108,32,H,"03FFFFFFFFFFFF" p
B,109,48,H,"07FFFF80" p
D,0,1,2 p
B,111,48,H,"FFFFFFFF" p
B,112,32,H,"FFFF00000000FFE0" p
B,113,24,H,"078000FFFFFFFF001F" p
B,114,24,H,"78FFFFFFFFFFFFFFE060" p
B,115,16,H,"0187FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFC18" p
B,116,16,H,"027FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF2" p
B,117,16,H,"03FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFC" p
D,0,1,2 p
B,120,16,H,"01FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF8" p
B,121,24,H,"FEFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFE0" p
B,122,24,H,"07FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFC" p
B,123,32,H,"FFFFFFFFFFFFFFC0" p
B,124,32,H,"01FFFFFFFFFFF8" p }

Sample Run Length Graphic Packet

{G,99,A,R,G,0,0,0,"99WIRE" p
B,39,50,R,"Z" p
B,40,39,R,"KzI" p
B,41,34,R,"EzsF" p
B,42,30,R,"DpZoD" p
B,43,25,R,"EdZZEdE" p
B,44,23,R,"BeZZMeB" p
B,45,23,R,"BcZZW" p
B,46,23,R,"ZZZA" p
B,47,23,R,"ZDsZE" p
B,48,24,"TzkU" p
B,49,25,"HtRqJ" p
B,50,27,"GsSsG" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,51,27,"ChZWgC" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,52,34,R,"ZZEdC" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,53,30,R,"NzkN" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,70,5,R,"AuGsSsG" p
B,71,5,R,"BtChZWgC" p
B,72,6,R,"DxZZEdC" p
B,73,7,R,"CtNzkN" p
B,74,8,R,"FmChZWhC" p
B,75,8,R,"GsZZEdC" p
B,76,11,R,"JiNzkN" p
B,77,12,R,"NbJzzeC" p

Creating Graphics

6-17

B,78,16,R,"JaElZKmD" p
B,79,17,R,"QsSsG" p
B,80,27,R,"ChZWgC" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,81,34,R,"ZZEdC" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,82,30,R,"NzkN" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,83,27,R,"GsSsG" p
D,0,4,4 p
B,98,30,R,"ZZJ" p
B,99,29,R,"ZZM" p
B,100,27,R,"JbZZE" p
B,101,26,R,"MnToI" p
B,102,26,R,"CbHnTiP" p
B,103,27,R,"CcZZC" p
B,104,27,R,"GeZWcG" p
B,105,28,R,"JaZReH" p
B,106,32,R,"ZZI" p
B,107,34,R,"ZZE" p
B,108,38,R,"ZQ"
B,109,53,R,"T" p
D,0,1,2 p
B,111,48,R,"ZF" p
B,112,33,R,"PzfK" p
B,113,29,R,"CpZBoE" p
B,114,25,R,"DcZZGfB" p
B,115,23,R,"BdZZMeB" p
B,116,22,R,"AbZZVbA" p
B,117,22,R,"ZZZB" p
D,0,1,2 p
B,120,23,R,"ZZZ" p
B,121,25,R,"ZZV" p
B,122,29,R,"ZZM" p
B,123,32,R,"ZZF" p
B,124,39,R,"ZT" p }

p

6-18

Creating Graphics

Placing the Graphic in a Format

To include a graphic within a format:

Design the graphic image as shown in "Designing Bitmapped

1.

Images."

If you are using RAM, place a graphic field in the format file to

2.

reference the graphic. See the following section, "Defining the
Graphic Field," for more information.

If you are using temporary storage, you do not

need a graphic field in your format to

reference the graphic image.

Download all the necessary packets (check digit, format, etc.).

3.

Send the graphic file to the printer, if you have not already

4.

done so. See "Creating a Graphic Packet" for more
information.

Defining the Graphic Field

The graphic field in a format references the graphic image by the
graphID in the graphic header.

This field is required only if the graphic

will be stored in RAM.

Syntax

G1. G Graphic Field.

G2. graphID Unique number from 0 to 999 to identify the graphic image.

G,graphID,row,col,mode,rotation p

Creating Graphics

6-19

G3. row Distance between the bottom of the print area on the supply to

the bottom of the graphic image. Measured in selected units.

English 0 - 365
Metric 0 - 927
Dot 0 - 701

The row specified in the constant text, bitmap, line, or box
field is added to the row value above to determine the actual
position in the format.

G4. column Distance between the left edge of the print area on the supply

G5. mode Imaging mode. Enter 0.

G6. rotation The orientation of the graphic on the supply. Enter 0.

Example

and the left edge of the graphic. Measured in selected units.

English 0 - 183
Metric 0 - 465
Dot 0 - 352

The column specified in the constant text, bitmap, line, or box
field is added to the col value above to determine the actual
position in the format.

G,57,0,0,0,0 p

Defines a graphic field that is identified by the number 57. The
image begins at 0,0. The imaging mode is 0 and there is no
rotation.

6-20

Creating Graphics

Sample Bitmap Graphic Image

The following format shows the graphic packets (hex and run
length) in a sample format.

{F,2,A,R,E,200,200,"FMT2"| p
G,99,132,30,0,0 p
Q,146,30,198,95,5,"" p
T,1,5,V,175,100,0,1004,1,1,B,L,0,0,0 p
T,2,5,V,150,100,0,1004,1,1,B,L,0,0,0 p
T,3,15,V,120,25,0,1003,1,1,B,L,0,0,0 p
T,4,15,V,95,35,0,1003,1,1,B,L,0,0,0 p
L,S,84,15,84,195,10," " p
B,5,12,F,30,65,1,2,40,1,L,0 p
}

Creating Graphics

6-21

6-22

Creating Graphics

TROUBLESHOOTING

This chapter explains how to reset the printer, call Technical
Support, and gives explanations of your printer’s errors. The errors
are classified by type and are listed in order. Call Technical
Support if you receive any error message not listed in this chapter.

If you have trouble loading supplies or performing maintenance,
refer to your Operator’s Handbook.

7

Troubleshooting

7-1

Troubleshooting Information

If you experience problems using your printer, refer to this section.

If You Receive an Error Message

Any time you receive a message that is not described in this
manual, or the recommended action does not solve the problem,
call Technical Support.

Calling Technical Support

Technical support representatives are available Monday through
Friday during regular business hours at 1-800-543-6650. Follow
these steps before you call:

Make sure your PC and printer are properly connected.

1.

Record any error messages that occurred.

2.

Try to recreate the problem, if you can.

3.

Check your port settings. Your problem may corrected simply

4.

by changing the communication settings.

7-2

Troubleshooting

List any changes that have recently been made to the system.

5.

Try to record what you did when the problem occurred.

Reset your printer. For information on resetting your printer,

6.

see "Resetting Printers."

Reboot your computer. Refer to your computer documentation

7.

for specific instructions.

If these steps do not solve the problem, call Technical Support.

Have the following information ready before you call:

N

computer brand name and model

N

version of DOS

N

Monarch printer model

N

other peripheral devices on your system

N

support agreement, contract number, or invoice information

N

customer number

N

printer serial number

Data Errors

Errors 001 to 499 are data errors. A data error indicates that
incorrect data was received from the host, causing the printer to
ignore the entire print job. After checking the packet and
correcting the problem, transmit the print job again.

The following is a list of data errors. These errors occur because
data in the format, batch, check digit, font, or graphic packet is
invalid.

Format Errors (1 - 99)

Error
Code

001 Format ID number must be 1 to 99.

002 Name must be 1 to 8 characters inside quotes or a

003 Action must be A (add) or C (clear).

004 Supply length is invalid (maximum is 4"). See "Defining

005 Supply width is invalid (maximum is 2"). See "Defining

Description

printer-assigned name ("").

the Format Header" in Chapter 3 for valid lengths.

the Format Header" in Chapter 3 for valid widths.

Troubleshooting

7-3

006 Storage device must be R (volatile RAM).

007 Unit of measure must be E (English), M (Metric), or G

(Dots). See "Defining the Format Header" in Chapter 3
for information.

010 Field ID number is outside the range 0 to 999.

011 Field length exceeds 2710.

012 Row field position is greater than the maximum stock

dimension. See "Defining Text Fields" in Chapter 3 for
valid row lengths.

013 Column field position is greater than the maximum stock

dimension. See "Defining Text Fields" in Chapter 3 for
valid column widths.

014 Font style is invalid. See "Defining Text Fields" in

Chapter 3 or Appendix B, "Fonts," for more information.

015 Character rotation must be 0 (0 degree), 1 (90 degree),

2 (180 degree), or 3 (270 degree). See "Defining Text
Fields" in Chapter 3 for information.

7-4

Troubleshooting

016 Field rotation must be 0 (0 degree), 1 (90 degree), 2

(180 degree), or 3 (270 degree). See "Defining Text
Fields" in Chapter 3 for information.

017 Field restriction must be V (variable) or F (fixed).

018 Code page selection defined in the field must be 1

(ASCII).

020 Vertical magnification must be 1 to 7.

021 Horizontal magnification must be 1 to 7.

022 Color must be B, D, O, R, or W. See "Defining Text

Fields" in Chapter 3 for more information.

023 Intercharacter gap must be 0 to 99 dots.

024 Field justification must be B (balanced), C (centered), E

(end), L (left), or R (right). See "Defining Text Fields" in
Chapter 3 for more information.

025 Data length is too long.

030 Bar code height must be at least 1 (English), 2 (Metric),

1 (Dots), or is not within the supply dimensions.

031 Human readable option must be

1 no CD or NS
5 NS at bottom, no CD
6 CD at bottom, no NS
7 CD and NS at bottom
8 no text

032 Bar code type is invalid. See "Defining Bar Code Fields"

in Chapter 3 for valid options.

033 Bar code density is invalid. See "Defining Bar Code

Fields" in Chapter 3 for the bar code density chart.

040 Line thickness must be 0 to 99 dots.

041 Line direction must be 0, 90, 180, or 270.

042 End row is invalid. Line segment or box end row is

defined outside of printable area.

043 End column is invalid. Line segment or box end column

is defined outside of printable area.

044 Dot pattern for line or box must be "".

045 Line length is defined beyond the maximum length of

3.72". See "Defining Line Fields" in Chapter 3 for valid
lengths.

046 Line type must be S (segment) or V (vector).

051 Imaging mode in the graphic header must be 0.

Troubleshooting

7-5

Batch Errors (100 - 199)

Error
Code

101 The format referenced by batch is not in memory.

102 Print quantity is outside the range 0 to 25.

104 Batch mode must be N (new) or U (update).

105 Batch separator in a batch control field must be 0 (Off).

106 Print multiple is not 1.

108 Multiple part supply is outside the range 1 to 5.

Description

Rule Errors (200 - 249)

Error
Code

200 Option number must be 1, 4, 31, 50, 51, or 52.

201 Copy length is outside the range 0 to 255.

202 Copy start position must be 1 to 255.

Description

7-6

Troubleshooting

203 Destination start position must be 1 to 255.

204 Source field must be 0 to 999.

205 Copy type must be 1 (copy after rules) or 2 (copy before

rules).

210 Security value for a PDF417 bar code must be 0 to 8.

Correct the value and resend the format to the printer.

211 Narrow element value is less than 1 or greater than 99.

Correct the value and resend the format to the printer.

212 Wide element value is less than 1 or greater than 99.

Correct the value and resend the format to the printer.

213 Dimension must be 1 to 30 for a column or 3 to 90 for a

row on a PDF417 bar code.

214 Truncation code must be S (standard) or T (truncated

bar code).

215 Aspect code must be C (columns) or R (rows).

216 Option definition must be S (set) or T (template).

217 Input device must be D (Default), H (Host), K

(Keyboard), N (None), or S (Scanner).

220 Check digit selection must be G to generate check digit.

221 Primary or secondary price format is outside the range 1

to 15.

222 Data type restriction is outside the range of 1 to 6.

223 Option is not valid for the field.

224 Bar code Intercharacter gap must be 0 to 99 dots. (This

is also known as the additional character gap when
using Option 50, Defining Bar Code Densities.)

Troubleshooting

7-7

Online Configuration Errors (250 - 299)

Error
Code

251 Power up mode must be 0 (online).

252 Language selection must be 0 (English) or 4 (other).

253 Batch separator code in a supply setup packet must be

254 Slash zero selection must be 0 (standard zero).

255 Supply type must be 0 (black mark) or 1 (die cut).

256 Ribbon selection must be 0 (direct) or 1 (transfer).

257 Feed mode must be 0 (continuous) or 1 (on-demand).

258 Supply position is outside the range.

259 Contrast adjustment must be -390 to 156 dots.

260 Print adjustment must be -99 to 99 dots.

261 Margin adjustment must be -99 to 99 dots.

Description

0 (off).

7-8

Troubleshooting

262 Speed adjustment must be 0 (1.0 IPS).

263 Primary monetary symbol is invalid.

264 Secondary symbol selection must be 0 (none) or 1 (print

secondary sign).

265 Monetary decimal places must be 0 to 3.

272 Internal code page selection must be 1 (ASCII).

273 Cut adjustment must be -99 to 99 dots.

282 RS232 Trailer string is too long. Use a maximum of 3

characters.

283 ENQ Trailer string is too long. Use a maximum of 3

characters.

284 The buffer type must be T (Transmit), R (Receive), I

(Image), F (Format), or D (Downloadable Fonts).

285 The storage device type in the memory configuration

packet must be R (volatile RAM).

286 The buffer size is invalid.

287 The printhead width must be 244 to 812 dots.

288 The battery voltage must be 0 (15-volt battery) or 1

(12-volt battery).

289 The printer address specified in the communication

settings packet must use exactly six characters.

Check Digit Errors (300 - 324)

Error
Code

310 Check digit scheme number must be 1 to 10.

311 Modulus must be 2 to 11.

314 Check digit algorithm must be D (sum of digits) or P

Description

(sum of products).

Graphic Errors (325 - 399)

Error
Code

325 Duplicating direction must be 0 (insert after) or 1 (insert

327 Amount of row adjustment must be 0 to 999 dots in

Description

before) in duplicate fields for graphics.

duplicate fields for graphics.

Troubleshooting

7-9

328 Duplicate count must be 0 to 999.

340 Bitmap line encoding must be H (hex) or R (run length).

350 Font selector must be 1 to 9999.

351 Font data length must be 68 to 16384.

352 Insufficient font memory is available for the downloaded

font.

360 Prompt name is invalid.

362 Prompt number is invalid.

363 Prompt string is invalid.

General Packet Errors (300 - 324)

Error
Code

400 The character immediately following { is invalid.

401 Internal data error. Call Technical Support.

402 Field separator is not in the expected location.

403 Field separator was not found.

404 The number or string that is currently being processed is

405 Too many fields exist in the format. You cannot have

406 Packet is incomplete, attempted to delete or overwrite a

407 Parser timed out- no data. Resend packet to the printer.

Description

too long.

more than 50 fields in the format. Lines, boxes, and
constant text fields count as fields.

format used by the current batch, or attempted to load a
graphic while the printer was busy.

7-10

Troubleshooting

408 No data. Resend packet to the printer.

409 The printer memory is full. Delete unnecessary formats

or graphics from memory. If you are using a graphic file
that is very large, consider using another mapping
method (such as run length encoding) to reduce the
required memory.

415 The buffer size you defined exceeds the total available

in your machine.

420 Internal software error relating to list sync. Call

Technical Support.

421 Internal software error relating to location name. Call

Technical Support.

422 Internal software error relating to duplicate name. Call

Technical Support.

423 Internal mailbox error. Call Technical Support.

424 Item in use. Call Technical Support.

425 Item already checked out. Call Technical Support.

426 Item not checked out. Call Technical Support.

427 Format name is invalid. Valid name is 1 - 8 characters

inside quotes or "" for a printer-assigned name. If the
error reappears, call Technical Support.

Troubleshooting

7-11

428 Batch name is invalid or graphic not found. If the error

reappears, call Technical Support.

429 A field number appears more than once in a format.

430 The format uses a graphic file that cannot be found.

431 The format file cannot be found.

432 The graphic file cannot be found.

433 The batch references a field number that does not exist

in the format.

434 Internal software error caused by a downloaded task

that is not executable. Turn off the printer. Wait two
seconds and turn it back on. If the error persists, call
Technical Support.

435 Internal software error caused by a downloaded task

that already exists. Turn off the printer. Wait two
seconds and turn it back on. If the error persists, call
Technical Support.

7-12

Troubleshooting

Data Formatting Failures

Formatting errors indicate that a field will print incorrectly. After
you have checked the data stream and corrected the data,
retransmit the format and batch.

For errors 571-619, the batch will still print,

but the field, font, bar code, or density may be

incomplete, missing or contain

incorrect data.

571 UPC or EAN bar code data length is invalid. The bar code

data length in the batch does not fit the format.

573 Price field length is invalid. The price field length in the

batch does not fit the format or the field contains blanks.

574 No CD scheme or room for CD. The CD scheme in the

batch does not fit the format or the field contains blanks.

575 The graphic included in your format could not be found.

580 Out of memory. Try to reallocate memory. Resend the

packet. If the error persists, call Technical Support.

603 Internal software error caused by the batch not being

held. Turn off the printer. Wait two seconds and turn it
back on. If the error persists, call Technical Support.

611 Font, bar code or density is invalid. The font, bar code

or density in the batch does not fit the format.

612 The data in this line of the batch is either missing or

does not match the format.

613 Reference point off tag.

614 Portion of field off tag. There may be an invalid

character in the packet. Make sure you did not enter O
for Ø.

615 Bar code width is greater than 16 inches or the number

of keywords for your PDF 417 bar code exceeds 928.
Decrease the density or shorten the amount of data to
print the bar code.

616 Dot shifting failed. A bad dot falls on a bar code that

cannot be shifted. Call Technical Support.

618 Magnification must be 1 to 7.

Troubleshooting

7-13

Machine Faults

Errors 700 to 799 occur when there is a problem with the printer.

703 The printer sensed a calibration of different-sized black

marks. Make sure the correct supply is loaded.

704 Printer has not sensed a supply mark within the

specified number of inches or out of supplies.
Check the supply tracking

supply marks

✦

black mark sensor position

✦

supply roll for binding.

✦

If the error continues to appear, change the supply.

730 A memory allocation error occured during initialization.

750 Printhead is overheated. Turn off the printer to let the

printhead cool. If the error persists, call Technical
Support.

751 Printer did not sense a black mark when expected. The

supply may be jammed.

7-14

Troubleshooting

For errors 751-753, Check the

supply tracking

✦

supply marks

✦

black mark sensor position

✦

supply roll for binding.

✦

If the error continues to appear, change the supply.

752 Printer sensed a mark in the wrong place.

753 Printer sensed a mark that is too long.

755 Printhead is open. Close the printhead before

continuing. If the error persists, call Technical Support.

756 The printer is out of supplies. Load supplies.

757 Load supplies. The calibrated supply length differs by

plus or minus .25 inches from the format.

758 Check supply. Either the On-Demand sensor is broken,

or the supply is not seen. Adjust the On-Demand sensor
so it is over a white area on the supply, or set the unit to
continuous mode.

762 Low battery. Recharge the battery.

763 Waiting to dispense label. Press the trigger.

765 Printhead failure. You need a new printhead. Call

Technical Support.

770 The print motor is not ready. Call Technical Support.

771 The format specified by the application was not found.

Reload your application and format, and try again. If the
problem continues, call Technical Support.

790 The printer is busy. Turn off the printer. Wait two

seconds and turn it back on. Resend the packets. If the
problem continues, call Technical Support.

791 The printer has an error pending. Turn off the printer.

Wait two seconds and turn it back on. Resend the
packets. If the problem continues, call Technical
Support.

792 The printer is not initialized. Call Technical Support.

793 The printer job queue is full. Turn off the printer. Wait

two seconds and turn it back on. Resend the packets.
If the problem continues, call Technical Support.

Errors numbered 900-999 are hard printer failures. Call Technical
Support if you receive these messages.

Troubleshooting

7-15

7-16

Troubleshooting

PRINTER OPTIMIZATION

This appendix provides information on how to improve your printer’s
performance by

N

adjusting the print quality.

N

reducing the imaging time for printing.

N

providing general tips and hints for designing formats.

This printer uses "smart imaging" to image and print fields on
supplies. Smart imaging remembers the exact boundaries and
locations of each field and places a boundary box (white space)
around each field. When a field changes that particular boundary
box is cleared and the new field data is imaged. However, the new
field data may require a larger boundary box than the previous field
did. In some cases, neighboring fields that do not change may be
covered with white space from the changing field’s boundary box.

8

Printer Optimization

8-1

Adjusting the Print Quality

Many factors affect print quality: type of supplies, print
contrast, and the type of printer’s application. The type
of supply should match the printer’s application.

N

Using premium supplies reduces smudged
images, hard to read labels, and faded print.
Supply type, print speed, and print contrast work
together to improve the print quality of labels.
Contact your Monarch Representative for more
information.

N

If the print quality is too light or too dark, adjust the print
contrast. The correct contrast setting is important because it
effects how well your bar codes scan and how long the
printhead lasts.

Be sure to check the print quality of bar codes with a bar code
verifier or scanner. If you do not have a verifier or scanner,
check the bar code visually. A bar code that is IN SPEC will
have complete bars and clear spaces. Small alphanumeric
characters will look complete. A bar code that is IN SPEC may
not look as good as one that is too dark, but it will have the
highest scan rate.

8-2

Printer Optimization

For highest scan rates, make sure there is

adequate white space before and after the bar

code. Also, a darker bar code does not mean

it will scan better.