SATO E series,Pro series Programming Manual

AND

SERIES PRINTERS

PROGRAMMING

REFERENCE

SATO Group of Companies

BARCODE SATO INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD

438A Alexandra Road #05-01/ 02,

Alexandra Technopark,

Singapore 119967

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.barcodesato.com

Email: [e-mail]

SATO UK LTD

Valley Road, Harwich, Essex England

Co12 4RR, United Kingdom

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.satouk.com

Email: [e-mail]

SATO POLSKA SP Z O.O.

Ul Okolna 2, 50-422 Wroclaw

Poland

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.sato-europe.com

Email: [e-mail]

SATO EUROPE NV

Leuvensesteenweg 369,

1932 Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, Brussels, Belgium

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.sato-europe.com

Email: [e-mail]

SATO DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

Schaberweg 28, 61348

Bad Homburg, Germany

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.sato-deutschland.de

Email: [e-mail]

SATO AMERICA INC.

10350 Nations Ford Road Suite A,

Charlotte, NC 28273

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.satoamerica.com

Email: [e-mail]

SATO SHANGHAI CO, LTD

11 Floor, D, Pudong South Road 1111,

Pudong New Area, Shanghai,

China 200120

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.barcodesato.com

Email: [e-mail]

SATO BAR CODE & LABELLING SDN BHD

Suite B-08-11&12, Block B Plaza Mont'

Kiara, No.2, Jalan Kiara Mont' Kiara,

50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.barcodesato.com

Email: [e-mail]

BAR CODE SATO ELECTRONICS (S) PTE LTD

438A Alexandra Road #05-01/02,

Alexandra Technopark, Singapore 119967

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.barcodesato.com

www.satosingapore.com

Email: [e-mail]

BARCODE SATO (THAILAND) CO., LTD

370/8 Supattra Building, 5th Floor, Rama9

Road, Bangkapi, Huay Kwang

Bangkok 10320, Thailand

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Website: www.barcodesato.com

Email: [e-mail]

SATO M-84PRO ii

Programming Manual

iii e & Pro Series

Warranty and Copyright

SATO Europe NV makes no guarantee of any kind with regard to this material, including,
but not limited to, the implied guaranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose.

SATO Europe NV shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for any incidental con­sequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this mate­rial.

This document contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright.

All rights are reserved.

No part of this document may be reproduced or issued to third parties in any form what­soever without the express permission of SATO Europe NV.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

© Copyright 2003 SATO Europe NV.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1. PROGRAMMING CONCEPTS

The SATO Programming Language............................................................................... 1-1

Selecting Protocol Control Codes ..................................................................................1-2

Using Basic ....................................................................................................................1-2

The Print Area ................................................................................................................1-4

Rotated Fields ................................................................................................................1-8

Command Default Settings ............................................................................................1-9

Opposite Hand “Se” Printers ........................................................................................ 1-10

SECTION 2. COMMAND CODES

Bar Codes ......................................................................................................................2-2

Bar Codes, Expansion ................................................................................................... 2-7

Bar Codes, Variable Ratio ............................................................................................. 2-8

Base Reference Point .................................................................................................2-10

Characters,Custom-Designed...................................................................................... 2-12

Character Expansion.................................................................................................... 2-14

Character, Fixed Spacing............................................................................................. 2-15

Character Pitch ........................................................................................................... 2-16

Character, Proportional Spacing .................................................................................2-18

Clear Print Job(s) & Memory ....................................................................................... 2-19

Continuous Forms Printing .......................................................................................... 2-20

Copy Image Area ........................................................................................................2-21

Cut ............................................................................................................................... 2-23

Cut Job ........................................................................................................................2-24

Cut Last .......................................................................................................................2-25

Fonts U, S, M, OA, OB, XU, XS & XM ........................................................................2-26

Font, Raster ................................................................................................................. 2-28

Font, Vector..................................................................................................................2-29

Fonts WB, WL, XB & XL .............................................................................................. 2-31

Form Feed ................................................................................................................... 2-33

Form Overlay, Recall ................................................................................................... 2-34

Form Overlay, Store ....................................................................................................2-35

SATO Programming Reference v

Table of Contents

Graphics, Custom ....................................................................................................... 2-36

Graphics, BMP............................................................................................................. 2-38

Graphics, PCX ............................................................................................................. 2-39

Job ID Store ................................................................................................................. 2-40

Job Name .................................................................................................................... 2-41

ournal Print .................................................................................................................. 2-42

Lines and Boxes ......................................................................................................... 2-43

Line Feed .................................................................................................................... 2-45

Media Size ................................................................................................................... 2-46

Mirror Image ................................................................................................................ 2-47

Off-Line/Pause ............................................................................................................ 2-48

Postnet ........................................................................................................................2-49

Print Darkness ............................................................................................................ 2-50

Print Length, Expanded .............................................................................................. 2-51

Print Position................................................................................................................ 2-53

Print Quantity .............................................................................................................. 2-55

Print Speed .................................................................................................................. 2-56

Repeat Label................................................................................................................ 2-57

Replace Data (Partial Edit) ......................................................................................... 2-58

Reverse Image ............................................................................................................ 2-60

Rotate, Fixed Base Reference Point ........................................................................... 2-62

Sequential Numbering ................................................................................................ 2-64

Start/Stop Label ........................................................................................................... 2-66

SECTION 3. CALENDAR COMMANDS

Increment .......................................................................................................................3-2

Print ............................................................................................................................... 3-4

Set ................................................................................................................................. 3-6

SECTION 4. EXPANDED MEMORY

Clear Expanded Memory ............................................................................................... 4-2

Fonts, TrueType Recall.................................................................................................. 4-3

Fonts, TrueType Store .................................................................................................. 4-4

Format/Field Recall........................................................................................................ 4-5

Format/Field Store ........................................................................................................ 4-6

Form Overlay Recall ..................................................................................................... 4-7

vi SATO Programming Reference

Form Overlay Store .......................................................................................................4-8

BMP Graphics Recall .....................................................................................................4-9

BMP Graphics Store ................................................................................................... 4-10

Graphics, Custom Recall ............................................................................................. 4-11

Graphics, Custom Store .............................................................................................. 4-12

Graphics, PCX Recall ..................................................................................................4-14

Graphics, PCX Store....................................................................................................4-15

Initialize ....................................................................................................................... 4-16

Memory Area Select..................................................................................................... 4-17

Status .......................................................................................................................... 4-18

SECTION 5. TWO-DIMENSIONAL SYMBOLS

Data Matrix, Data Format...............................................................................................5-2

Data Matrix, Print Data...................................................................................................5-5

Data Matrix, Sequential Numbering ...............................................................................5-6

Table of Contents

Maxicode........................................................................................................................5-8

TPDF417......................................................................................................................5-10

QR Code ......................................................................................................................5-12

SECTION 6. CONFIGURATION COMMANDS

Custom Protocol Command Codes Download............................................................... 6-2

Printer Setting ............................................................................................................... 6-4

Pitch Offset.....................................................................................................................6-7

Print Mode .....................................................................................................................6-8

Print Type ...................................................................................................................... 6-9

Sensor Type ................................................................................................................6-10

Serial Interface Parameters ........................................................................................ 6-11

CR/LF Delete ............................................................................................................... 6-12

Zero Slash....................................................................................................................6-13

Auto Online .................................................................................................................. 6-14

Online Feed.................................................................................................................. 6-15

Test Print......................................................................................................................6-16

SECTION 7. BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

ENQUIRE/ACK/NAK ......................................................................................................7-2

Status Response............................................................................................................7-2

SATO Programming Reference vii

Table of Contents

COMMAND CODE QUICK REFERENCE

Basic Commands...........................................................................................................A-1

Calendar Commands ...................................................................................................A-10

Expanded Memory Commands ...................................................................................A-11

Configuration Commands ............................................................................................A-14

Legacy Commands ......................................................................................................A-15

APPENDIX B. BAR CODE SPECIFICATIONS

Codabar .........................................................................................................................B-2

Code 39 .........................................................................................................................B-3

Interleaved Two of Five (I 2/5) .......................................................................................B-4

UPC-A/EAN-13 ..............................................................................................................B-5

EAN-8 ............................................................................................................................B-7

Industrial Two of Five.....................................................................................................B-8

Matrix Two of Five..........................................................................................................B-9

Code 128 .....................................................................................................................B-10

MSI...............................................................................................................................B-11

Code 93 .......................................................................................................................B-12

UPC-E..........................................................................................................................B-13

Bookland (UPC/EAN Supplements).............................................................................B-14

UCC-128 ......................................................................................................................B-15

Postnet.........................................................................................................................B-17

Data Matrix...................................................................................................................B-18

Maxicode......................................................................................................................B-20

PDF417........................................................................................................................B-22

Code 128 Character Table...........................................................................................B-23

APPENDIX C. CUSTOM CHARACTERS AND GRAPHICS

Custom Designed Character Example...........................................................................C-1

Custom Designed Graphics Example ............................................................................C-4

PCX Graphics Example .................................................................................................C-8

viii SATO Programming Reference

APPENDIX D. CUSTOM PROTOCOL COMMAND CODES

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

Download Command Structure ..................................................................................... D-2

Reset............................................................................................................................. D-2

Download Procedure..................................................................................................... D-3

Table of Contents

SATO Programming Reference ix

SATO Programming Reference Page 1-1

SECTION 1.

PROGRAMMING CONCEPTS

INTRODUCTION

This section presents the commands that are used with the SATO Series “e” and PRO
printers to produce labels with logos, bar codes and alphanumeric data. All of the
SATO Programming Language commands use the same syntax. Some commands
reference a physical point on the label using horizontal and vertical dot reference
numbers. The allowable range for these references is dependent upon the particular
printer to accomodate different print widths and resolutions. These differences are
noted in tables under the commandsaffected

The following information is presented in this section:

• The SATO Programming Language

• Selecting Protocol Control Codes

• Using Basic

• The Print Area

• Command Codes

THE SATO PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

A programming language for a printer is a familiar concept to most programmers. It is
a group of commands that are designed to use the internal intelligence of the printer.
The commands, which are referred to as SATO Command Codes, contain
non-printable ASCII characters (such as <STX>, <ETX>, <ESC>) and printable
characters. These commands must be assembled into an organized block of code to
be sent as one data stream to the printer, which in turn interprets the command codes
and generates the desired label output. The programmer is free to use any
programming language available to send the desired data to the printer.

The command codes used by the printers are based upon “Escape” (1B
hexadecimal) sequences. Typically there are four types of command sequences:

<ESC>{Command}

These commands generally tell the printer to perform a specific action, like “clear the
memory.”

<ESC>{Command} {Data}

Commands with this format tell the printer to perform a specific action which is
dependent upon the following data, like “print X labels”, where the value for X is
contained in the data.

<ESC>{Command} {Parameter}

Section 1. Programming Concepts

Page 1-2 SATO Programming Reference

These commands set the operational parameters of the printer, like “set the print
speed to 3.”

<ESC> {Command} {Parameter} {Data}

Some commands can contain both Parameter and Data elements, such as “print a
Code 39 symbol containing the data.”

SELECTING PROTOCOL CONTROL CODES

Protocol codes are the special control characters that prepare the printer to receive
instructions. For example, the <ESC> character tells the printer that a command code
will follow and the <ENQ> character asks for the printer status. There are two
pre-defined different sets of Protocol Control codes to choose from. Each set is made
up of six special characters. The Standard Protocol Control codes are non-printable
characters, and the Non-Standard Protocol Control codes are printable characters.
The Non-Standard set may be useful on host computers using protocol converters or
in an application where non-printable ASCII characters cannot be sent from the host.
This manual uses the Standard Protocol Control codes for all of the examples.
Alternately, the user may define and download a set of custom Protocol Control
Codes (see Appendix E).

The Protocol Control codes are selected by DIP switch DSW2-7.

USING BASIC

It may be useful to test your printer using a BASIC program on a PC. You may also
write your actual production programs in BASIC. Whatever the reason, if you will be
working in BASIC, some of the following hints may help you get started:

1. Set the WIDTH of the output device to 255 characters to avoid automatically
sending <CR> and <LF> characters after every line. The command string should
be continuous and uninterrupted by <CR> and/or <LF> commands. The examples
given in this manual are printed on separate lines because they will not fit on one
line and do not contain any <CR> and/or <LF> characters. If these characters are
needed, they are explicitly noted by the inclusion of <CR> and<LF> notations.

CONTROL

CHARACTER

STANDARD

DSW2-7 OFF

NON-STANDARD

DSW2-7 ON

DESCRIPTION

STX 02 Hex 7 B Hex = { Start of Data

ETX 03 Hex 7 D Hex= } End of Data

ESC 1B Hex 5 5 E Hex = Command code to follow

ESC 1B Hex 5E Hex = ^ Command code to follow

ENQ 05 Hex 40 Hex = @ Get printer status, Bi-Com mode

CAN 18 Hex 21 Hex = ! Cancel print job, Bi-Com mode

Off-Line 40 Hex 5D Hex = ] Take printer Off-Line

Section 1. Programming Concepts

SATO Programming Reference Page 1-3

2. If you are using the printer’s RS232C interface, it is necessary to set the COM
porton on the PC such that the CTS and DSR signals will be ignored. Send your
OPEN “COM” statement in the following way:

OPEN “COM1:9600,E,8,1,CS,DS”AS #1

This sets the RS232C communication parameters of the host PC’s COM1 port for
9600 baud, Even parity, 8 Data bits, 1 Stop bit and directing the port to ignore the
CTS and DSR control signals.

3. You may want to minimize keystrokes and program size by assigning the
<ESC>character to a string variable since this character is used quite often.

The following two examples in BASIC show a typical example using thesehints. Both
of these examples use the Standard Protocol codes.

PRINTING WITH THE PARALLEL PORT

PRINTING WITH THE RS232C PORT

5 REM CL612 Parallel Example Identifies the program as a CL612 parallel

port print label. The “REM” prevents this
data from being sent to the printer and
displays it only on thescreen.

10 E$=CHR$(27) Sets the “E$” string as an <ESC>character

20 WIDTH “LPT1”255 Sets the width of the output to 255

characters

30 LPRINT E$;"A"; Sends an “<ESC>A” command code tothe

LPT1 parallel port

40 LPRINT E$;"H400";E$;"V100";E$;"XL1SATO"; Sends the data “SATO” to be to be placed

400 dots horizontally and 100dots
vertically on the label and printed in the
“XL” font.

50 LPRINT E$;"Q1"; Instructs the printer to print one label.

60 LPRINT E$; “Z”; Tells the printer that the last commandhas

been sent. The printer can nowcreate and
print the job.

REM CL612 RS232 Example Identifies the program as a CL612e

RS232C port print label. The “REM”
prevents this data from being sent to
the printer and displays it only on the
screen.

10 E$=CHR$(27) Sets the“E$”string as an

<ESC>character.

Section 1. Programming Concepts

Page 1-4 SATO Programming Reference

THE PRINT AREA

The maximum print area for the different printer models is listed in Table 1. Many of
your label applications may not require labels that fill the entireprint area, therefore it
is important to understand how to work with labelsthat do not use the entire print area.
The goal is to help you avoid printing where no label exists, which may lead to print
head damage, not to mentionfrustration when you cannot see the printed output.

The diagram below illustrates the maximum print area and a sample 2 inch wide by 3
inch long label placed within this area. As can be seen, your label will be oriented
against the inside left edge of the printer as viewed from the front of the printer. The
normal reference point is located at the H1, V1 position of the print area in the normal
print orientation (no rotation).

OPEN COM1:9600,N,8,1,CS,DS AS #1 Opens the COM1 port for output and

sets the parameters as 9600 baud, No
parity, 8 Data bits, 1 Stop bit and
instructs the port to ignore the CTS and
DSR control signals.

30 PRINT #1,CHR$ (2); Sends an <STX> (ASCII Code a

decimal “2”) to the printer instructing it
to prepare to receive a message.

50 PRINT #1,E$;"A"; Sends an “<ESC>A” command code to

Print Port #1 opened by statement 20
above.

60 PRINT #1,
E$;"H400";E$;"V100";E$;"XL1SATO";

Sends the data “SATO” to be placed
400 dots horizontally and 100 dots
vertically on the label and printed in
the“XL” autosmoothed font.

50 PRINT #1, E$;"Q1"; Instructs the printer to print a quantity of

one label.

60 PRINT #1, E$; “Z”; Tells the printer that the last

commandhas been sent. The printer
can nowcreate and print the job.

70 PRINT #1,CHR$ (3); Sends an <ETX> (ASCII Code decimal

“3”) to the printer telling it that this is the
end of the message.
Identifies the program as a CL612e
RS232C port print label. The “REM”
prevents this data from being sent to
the printer and displays it only on the
screen.

Section 1. Programming Concepts

SATO Programming Reference Page 1-5

l

There are three methods available to make sure your printed output will appear
correctly on your label. They are as follows:

Table 1: Print Area

CL412e

M-84 Pro-3

CL612e

M-10e

M-8490Se

M-84 Pro-6

M-5900RVE

M-8459E

M-8485Se

CL608e

M-8460Se

CL408e

M-8400RVe

M-84 Pro-2

Resolution
dpi/dpmm

305

12

305

12

305

12

305

12

609

24

203

8

203

8

203

8

203

8

Max Print Width
(Hmax)
dots/inches/mm

1248

4.1

104

1984

6.5

165

6400

10.5

266.7

1344

4.4

112

2496

4.1

104

896

4.4

112

1024

5.0

128

1216

6.0

152

832

4.1

104

Std Print Length
(Vmax)
dots/inches/mm

2136

7.0

178

2136

7.0

178

3600

11. 8
300

2136

7.0

178

4272

7.0

178

2136

7.0

178

1424

7.0

178

1424

7.0

178

1424

7.0

178

Expanded Print
Length
(Vmax Expanded)
dots/inches/mm

9999

32.8
833

9999

32.8
833

10080

16.5
420

9999

32.8
833

9999

16.4
416

9999

49.2

1249

9999

49.2

1249

9999

49.2

1249

9999

49.2

1249

Section 1. Programming Concepts

Page 1-6 SATO Programming Reference

1. Media Size Command. Use the <ESC>A1 Media Size Command. This command
specifies the width and length of the label. The printer will automatically calculate
the correct offsets for printing labels of that size. However, if you specify a label
size with this command, the labels loaded should match the size specified to cor­rectly position the label.

2. Base Reference Point Command. Send the <ESC>A3 Base Reference Point
command as part of your data to the printer to set a new base reference point for
your label.

Calculate the distance (in dots) from the normal base reference point to the clos­est edge of the label.

For an M-8400RVe 8 dpmm printer , this would be:

LABEL WIDTH = 2" X 25.4 MM/IN X 8 DPMM = 406 DOTS

The new Base Reference Point then becomes:

NEW BASE REFERENCE POINT = MAXIMUM PRINT WIDTH - LABEL WIDTH

= (832 DOTS) - (406 DOTS) = 426 DOTS

Issue the Base Reference Point command <ESC>A3 after the Start command in
your data stream.

<ESC>A<ESC>A3H0426V0001. . . . . .

This resets the reference point for all the following data.

3. Add the correct offset to all horizontal commands. Use the normal base refer-
ence point from the print area and use the horizontal position for each field to
properly locate it on the label.

Calculate the distance (in dots) from the normal base reference point to the clos­est edge of the label.

For an M-8400RVe 8 dpmm printer:

Label Width = 2" x 25.4 mm/in x 8 dpmm = 406 dots

New Base Reference Point = Maximum Print Width - Label Width

= (832 dots) - (406 dots) = 426 dots

Each <ESC>H command would have the value “426” added to it to correctly posi­tion each field.

Note: The <ESC>A3 Base Reference Point command can also shift the reference
point in a negative direction (toward the outside edge of the label).

The Command Code subsection contains a sample label output for each command
code. These samples reflect how the printed information would appear on a five inch
wide label. If you want to test any of the sample label outputs and are using labels
less than five inches in width, we suggest that you add the Base Reference Point
command to the data stream in order for the images to print on your labels.

You must be careful not to print off the label surface as the label provides a heat sink

Section 1. Programming Concepts

SATO Programming Reference Page 1-7

for the print head elements. Doing so will cause irrepairable damage to the head. This
damage is not covered under the print head warranty. The addition of the Base
Reference Point command to the sample data stream may help to adjust the print for
your labels. See the following two examples or refer to the Base Reference Point
command description.

For example, the following illustrates a sample data stream for a M-8400RVe printer
and the resulting label assuming a 4 inch wide label:

<ESC>A
<ESC>H0050<ESC>V0100<ESC>L0303<ESC>XMSATO
<ESC>H0050<ESC>V0200<ESC>B103100*SATO*
<ESC>H0070<ESC>V0310<ESC>L0101<ESC>XUSATO
<ESC>Q1<ESC>Z

If you are using a 2 inch wide label, the entire image may not appear on your label. By
adding the following Base Reference Point command to the second line of the data
stream, the base reference point will be changed, causing theimage to be shifted over
toward the inside of the printer where it can beprinted on the narrower label.

<ESC>A

<ESC>A3H0406V0001
<ESC>H0050<ESC>V0100<ESC>L0303<ESC>XMSATO
<ESC>H0050<ESC>V0200<ESC>B103100*SATO*
<ESC>H0170<ESC>V0310<ESC>L0101<ESC>XUSATO
<ESC>Q1
<ESC>Z

The image is moved horizontally to the right 2 inches (406 dots) so that itcan be
printed on a 2 inch wide label. For more information, see the Base Reference Point
command description.

Section 1. Programming Concepts

Page 1-8 SATO Programming Reference

ROTATED FIELDS

The M-8400RVe printer can rotate each print field in 90° increments using the Rotate
command.

• <ESC>% - The field rotates, but the base reference point for the field remains

the same.

The following data stream will rotate the print field but will not change the base
reference point of the field:

<ESC>A<ESC>%1<ESC>V800<ESC>H200<ESC>L0202<ESC>XB1E<ESC>Q1<ESC>Z

Section 1. Programming Concepts

SATO Programming Reference Page 1-9

COMMAND DEFAULT SETTINGS

There are some types of commands that must have a value specified before a label
can be printed. If the data stream does not contain these commands, a default value
is assumed. The commands and the corresponding default values are:

COMMAND DEFAULT NOTE

Print Rotation 0° (1)

Vertical Reference Point 0 (1)

Horizontal Reference Point 0 (1)

Character Pitch 2 ( 1)

Base Reference Point H=0, V=0 (2)

Character Expansion 1 (1)

Print Darkness - (1)(3)

Print Speed (DSW2-8 = On) - (2)(3)

Print Speed (DSW2-8 = Off) - (2)(3)

Proportional Spacing Enabled (1)

Cutter Command Disabled (1)

Section 1. Programming Concepts

Page 1-10 SATO Programming Reference

NOTES:

1. The settings for these commands will revert to the default value when the printer
receives an <ESC>Z or an <ESC>*.

2. The values transmitted with these commands will remain in effect until a new
command is received.

3. This default setting is printer dependent.

OPPOSITE HAND”SE” PRINTERS

The standard “Se” print engine is referred to as a“right-hand”printer (i.e., when facing
the Control Panel, the label comes out from left to right). The M-8485Se, M-8460Se
and M-8490Se are also available in a “left-hand” (i.e., the label comes out right-to-left)
version. The M-8459Se is only available in the standard Right-Hand configuation.

The only difference in the print area is the horizontal base reference point for the
label.With the standard “Se” printer, the reference point is the first print position

nearest the inside frame. With the “left-hand” version, the reference point is the first
print position away from the frame. The same command stream sent to both printers
should print an identical label except the image may be shifted because of the relative
positioning of the label under the print head.

SECTION 2.

COMMAND CODES

This section contains the basic Command Codes for the SATO “e” and PRO Series
printers. Commands for the oprions and specialized functions are provided in the
following sections. Commands must be sent to the printer in an organized fashion in
order for the label(s) to print.

The purpose of this section is to:

• Explain the different commands and provide examples of their usage.

• To provide a detailed reference for programming the printers.

Each command begins on a separate page with its own heading. A uniform layout is
used to help you find key information about each command. For each Command
Code in this section, there will be a sample data input stream to the printer and the
expected print output. By studying the examples, you can learn how to use the
particular command within a whole block of printer code. Pay particular attention to
the “Special Notes” with each command to learn other important information.

The subject commands are highlighted in bold letters in the Reference Sheets. There
are two parts of most, but not all, commands. The first is the command character
which immediately follows the <ESC> code. It is always an upper case alpha or a
special character (such as an “&” or a “%”). It is never a lower case alpha character. If
the command requires additional variable information, it is represented by a group of
lower case alpha characters immediately following the command character. For
example, if an aaaabb is listed following the basic command, the printer will look for
six characters immediately following the command. The first four would represent the
value of aaaa and the next two the value of bb.

The maximum number of characters defined in a parameter is represented by the
number of characters shown in the command structure. For example, a command
followed by an aaaa can have up to four characters. In general, commands with only
one parameter following the command can be entered without the leading zeroes.
However, certain commands require the exact number of matching characters. A
command with two parameters listed following the command code without a comma
delimiter, such as aaaabbbb require the exact number of digits to be entered. If the
value of aaaa is “800” and the value of bbbb is “300”, then the parameters must be
entered as “08000300”. It is recommended that you make it a practice to always enter
leading zeros to prevent any mistakes.

NOTE: These examples assume the use of the Standard Protocol Command

Codes, a parallel interface and a 5 inch wide label in a M-8400RVe printer.
The labels for all other printers will be similar, but, because of different
resolutions and print widths may be larger or scaled differently.

An alphabetical listing of the command codes is contained in Appendix A:Command
Code Quick Reference.

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Section 2: Command Codes

Bar Codes

Command Structure 1:3 narrow/wide bar ratio: <ESC>Babbcccd

2:5 narrow/wide ratio: <ESC>BDabbcccd

1:2 narrow/wide bar ratio: <ESC>Dabbcccd

a= 0 Codabar

1 Code 39
2 Interleaved 2 of 5 (I 2/5)
3 UPC-A / EAN-13
4 EAN­5 Industial 2 of 5
6 Matrix 2 of 5
7 reserved
8 reserved
9 reserved
A MSI
B reserved
C Code 93
D reserved
E UPC-E
F Bookland
G Code 128
I UCC 128

bb = Number of dots (01-12) for narrow bar and narrow

space

ccc = Bar height in dots (001-999)

d = UCC 128 only. Not used for other bar code types

0 No human readable text
1 Human readable at top
2 Human readable at bottom

Example: <ESC>BD103200

Placement: Immediately preceding data to be encoded

Default: None

Command Function To print bar code images on a label. With this command, there are 14

standard bar code symbologies available to be printed and three two
dimensional symbols (see Section 5. Two Dimensional Symbols). Each of
the bar code symbologies are unique, and it is important to know the
differences. See Appendix B for specific information on using each
individual bar code symbol.

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Section 2: Command Codes

Input to Printer

<ESC>A
<ESC>H0025<ESC>V0025<ESC>B103100*CODE 39*
<ESC>H0155<ESC>V0130<ESC>XS*CODE 39*
<ESC>H0025<ESC>V0200<ESC>BD20210045676567
<ESC>H0075<ESC>V0310<ESC>XM45676567
<ESC>H0025<ESC>V0375<ESC>BD30215001234567890
<ESC>H0025<ESC>V0600<ESC>BD50210012345
<ESC>H0175<ESC>V0710<ESC>XS12345
<ESC>H0025<ESC>V0775<ESC>BD60210012345
<ESC>H0105<ESC>V0885<ESC>XS12345
<ESC>H0025<ESC>V0950<ESC>BA03100123455
<ESC>H0095<ESC>V1060<ESC>XS12345
<ESC>H0025<ESC>V1125<ESC>BC03100081234ABCD
<ESC>H0080<ESC>V1240<ESC>XS1234ABCD
<ESC>H0525<ESC>V0025<ESC>B002100A12345B
<ESC>H0565<ESC>V0135<ESC>XS12345
<ESC>H0475<ESC>V0200<ESC>BD303100123456789012
<ESC>H0525<ESC>V0375<ESC>BD4031001234567
<ESC>H0525<ESC>V0550<ESC>DE03100123456
<ESC>H0500<ESC>V0600<ESC>OB0
<ESC>H0533<ESC>V0655<ESC>OB123456
<ESC>H0350<ESC>V0725<ESC>D30315009827721123
<ESC>L0101<ESC>H0320<ESC>V0800<ESC>OB0
<ESC>H0365<ESC>V0878<ESC>OB98277
<ESC>H0505<ESC>V0878<ESC>OB21123
<ESC>H0665<ESC>V0760<ESC>BF0313021826
<ESC>H0680<ESC>V0730<ESC>OB21826
<ESC>H0425<ESC>V1125<ESC>D30315000633895260
<ESC>L0101<ESC>H0395<ESC>V1200<ESC>OB0
<ESC>H0440<ESC>V1278<ESC>OB06338
<ESC>H0580<ESC>V1278<ESC>OB95260
<ESC>H0730<ESC>V1155<ESC>BF0314024
<ESC>H0745<ESC>V1125<ESC>OB24
<ESC>H0325<ESC>V0950<ESC>BG03100>GAB>B789>C123456
<ESC>H0435<ESC>V1055<ESC>XSAB789123456 <ESC>Q1<ESC>Z

Note: Carriage Returns and Line Feeds have been added to the command listing for

clarity and should not be included in the actual data stream.

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Section 2: Command Codes

Printer Output

SATO Programming Reference PN 9001096 Rev. A Page 2-5

UCC-128 Without Incrementing

<EXC>A<EXC>H0100<EXC>V0100
<EXC>B107150101234567000000001
<ESC>Q2<ESC>Z

Section 2: Command Codes

With Incrementing

<ESC>A<ESC>H0100<ESC>V0100
<ESC>F001+001<ESC>B107150101234567000000001
<ESC>Q2<ESC>Z

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Section 2: Command Codes

Special Notes 1. UPC and EAN bar codes are not affected by the different types of

narrow to wide ratios. Instead, the <ESC>D command adds
descender bars to these codes where needed to meet UPC specifi­cations. The <ESC>BD command puts desender bars and human
readable text below the symbol.

2. The Code 128, UCC 128, MSI, and Code 93 bar codes are not
affected by the narrow to wide ratios.

3. The Codabar, Code 39, Industrial 2 of 5, and Matrix 2 of 5 bar codes
are affected by the Character Pitch command. This command must
be placed before the Bar Code command.

4. Because of their unique characteristics, two-dimensional (2D) sym­bols are covered separately.

5. For UCC128, the FNC1 code is automatically inserted and the Mod
10 and Mod 103 check digits are automatically calculated. For the
MSI bar code, the check digit is not automatically calculated.

6. The <ESC>D and <ESC>BD commands are not valid for the MSI,
Code 128, Code 93, UPC-E, Bookland, UCC128 and Postnet sym­bologies.

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Section 2: Command Codes

Bar Codes, Expansion

Command Structure <ESC>BWaabbb

aa = Expansion factor by which the width of all bars and

spaces will be increased (01-12)

bbb = Bar height by dot (004-999 dots)

Example: <ESC>BW02100

Placement: Immediately follows the <ESC>BT command and

precedes data to be encoded.

Default: None

Command Function This command works together with the <ESC>BT command to specify an

expansion factor and the bar code height for the particular symbol being
printed.

Input to Printer

Printer Output

Special Notes 1. This command must be preceded by the Variable Ratio Bar Codes

<ESC>A

<ESC>H0050<ESC>V0050<ESC>BT101030103
<ESC>BW04100*1234*
<ESC>Q1<ESC>Z

<ESC>BT command.

2. The following bar codes will be affected by the Character Pitch com­mand: Codabar, Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, Matrix 2 of 5.

Page 2-8 SATO Programming Reference

Section 2: Command Codes

Bar Codes, Variable Ratio

Command Structure <ESC>BTabbccddee

a = Bar Code Symbol:

bb = Narrow space in dots (01-99)

cc = Wide space in dots (01-99)

dd = Narrow bar in dots (01-99)

ee = Wide bar in dots (01-99)

0 Codabar
1 Code 39
2 Interleaved 2 of 5
5 Industrial 2 of 5
6 Matrix 2 of 5

Example: <ESC>BT101030103

Placement: Following print position commands and preceding

<ESC>BW

Default: Current setting

Command Function To print a bar code with a ratio other than those specified through the

standard bar code commands (B,BD, and D). This is done through
individual control of each of the bar code elements (bars, spaces) as
shown above. Remember that this command only applies to the five bar
code types shown.

Input to Printer <ESC>A

<ESC>H0050<ESC>V0050<ESC>BT101030103
<ESC>BW03100*1234*
<ESC>Q1<ESC>Z

Printer Output

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Section 2: Command Codes

Special Notes 1. This command must be immediately followed by the <ESC>BW Bar

Code Expansion command.

2. You may use only one variable ratio bar code per label.

3. If the data specified in this command is incorrect, the command is
ignored and the ratio used will be based on the previous setting.

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Section 2: Command Codes

Base Reference Point

Command Structure <ESC>A3H-aaaa-Vbbbb

-

aaaa

bbbb

Example:

Placement: Preceding all images that are based on the new base

Default: Current V and H offset setting in the printer

Command Function To establish a new base reference point for the current label. The base

reference point is the top left corner or ìoriginî from where all print position
commands are based. This command may be very helpful when using
labels less than four inches wide to place images on the printable label
surface. It may also be used to move images past preprinted fields on a
label.

Input to Printer <ESC>A<ESC>L0202

<ESC>H0025<ESC>V0025<ESC>WB0MNORMAL REFERENCE POINT
<ESC>A3H0300V0075
<ESC>H0100<ESC>V0050<ESC>WB0MNEW REFERENCE POINT
<ESC>Q1<ESC>Z

This character is optional. When present, it specifies

=

that The horizontal offset is in the negative direction. If
it is left out the offset direction is positive.

Horizontal Print Offset (-Hmax to +Hmax)

=

Vertical Print Offset (-Vmax to +Vmax)

=

<ESC>A3H100V0050

reference point

configuration

Printer Output

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Section 2: Command Codes

Special Notes 1. Use of this command will set the Vertical/Horizontal Offset setting of

the printer configuration until a new Base Reference Point command
is issued or the setting is changed from the operator panel.

2. This command may be used more than once in a print job.

3. An alternative to using this command is to make changes to your cur­rent Horizontal and Vertical Print Position commands.

Example: Let us say the current base reference point is H=1, V=1 and
you wish to move all the fields on your label downward vertically by
150 dots. You could either (1) add the Base Reference Point
command or (2) change all the vertical position commands by an
additional 150 dots.

4. For a more detailed example of the Base Reference Point command,
see Section 1. Print Area.

5. The "Se" print engines can print as close as 2 mm to the inside edge
of the label.

6. The printers will not “wrap” (i.e. if any part of a character or image
extends beyond the last print dot position, it will disappear and not be
visible on any part of the label).

7. See Table 1 in Section 1. Programming Concepts for values of Hmax
and Vmax.

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Section 2: Command Codes

Characters,Custom-Designed

Command Structure Store Command: <ESC>Tabcc

Recall Command: <ESC>Kab90cc

a = 1 16x16 matrix

2 24x24 matrix

b= Specifies the character encoding method for the data

stream
H Hexadecimal characters
B Binary characters

cc = Memory location to store/recall the character. Valid

memory locations are 21 to 52 (counting in Hex) or “!”
or “R” in Binary.

(data) = Data to describe the character

Example: <ESC>T1H3F

<ESC>K1H903F
See Appendix C for a more detailed explanation

Placement: The Store command is typically sent in its own data

stream to the printer, between the Start/Stop
commands. The Recall command is sent in a
secondary data stream to print the character, and
follows any necessary position or size commands.

Default: None

Command Function To allow for the creation, storage, and printing of custom characters, such

as special fonts or logos. Up to 50 individual characters may be stored in
the custom character volatile memory.

Printer Input See Appendix C for a detailed explanation.

<ESC>A <ESC>T1H3F0100038007C00FE01FF03FF87FFCFFFE

07C007C007C007C007C007C007C007C0

<ESC>Z

<ESC>A <ESC>H150<ESC>V100<ESC>L0505<ESC>K1H903F
<ESC>H350<ESC>V100<ESC>L1010<E SC>K1H903F <ESC>Q1
<ESC>Z

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