Avery Dennison MONARCH 9416 XL User manual

Packet Reference Manual
©1998 Avery Dennison Corp. All rights reserved.
TC941XPM Rev. AF 10/09
28028 28028
0 0
®
Monarch Printers
• 9416
• 9416 XL
®
® ®
,1 A R E 0 2 0 FM{F , ,, ,20 , 0 ," T-1"¦
2 F 9 4 , ,2,6 , ,L,0
B,1,1 , ,9,7155¦
C7,3 , , ,1B , F h n ckle, 4 6,0 1 1 , ,L,0,0 " is ig Ta "¦
C , 1 , ,1 BL,$ 0 ",54 7 ,0,1 1 ,, ,0,0" 4 .00 ¦}
,1 N 1{B, , ¦
1 2 4 7 9 1 }
,"1 3 5680”¦
,1 A R E 0 2 0 FM{F , ,, ,20 , 0 ," T-1"¦
2 F 9 4 , ,2,6 , ,L,0
B,1,1 , ,9,7155¦
C7,3 , , ,1B , F h n ckle, 4 6,0 1 1 , ,L,0,0 " is ig Ta "¦
C , 1 , ,1 BL,$ 0 ",54 7 ,0,1 1 ,, ,0,0" 4 .00 ¦}
,1 N 1{B, , ¦
1 2 4 7 9 1 }
,"1 3 5680”¦
4 6
25
3
1
90
78
Th ac
Fis gleink
0.0
$40
46
253
80
791
e
hic
Fn Ta
i kl
sg
$0.
40
0
46
25
3
80
791
e
hic
F n Ta
ikl
sg
$0.4 0
0
4 6
25
3
8
70
91
e
hi c
FnT
i ak
sgl
$0. 0
40

Each product and program carries a respective written warranty, the only warranty on which the
customer can rely. Avery Dennison Corp. reserves the right to make changes in the product, the
programs, and their availability at any time and without notice. Although Avery Dennison Corp.
has made every effort to provide complete and accurate information in this manual, Avery
Dennison Corp. shall not be liable for any omissions or inaccuracies. Any update will be
incorporated in a later edition of this manual.
©1998 Avery Dennison Corp. 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 Avery Dennison Corp.
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®, 9416, and 9416 XL are trademarks of Avery Dennison Retail Information Services
LLC.
Avery Dennison® is a trademark of Avery Dennison Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, and NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Novell and NetWare are trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Centronics is a registered trademark of Centronics Data Computer Corporation.
Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
UFST, Monotype, the Monotype logo, and CG Triumvirate are trademarks of Monotype Imaging,
Inc.
Avery Dennison Printer Systems Division
170 Monarch Lane
Miamisburg, OH 45342

TABLE OF CONTENTS
GETTING STARTED ..............................................................1-1
Creating an MPCLII Format Packet .............................................1-2
Starting with a Design ........................................................1-3
Determining Format Contents ..................................................1-3
Determining the Print Area ....................................................1-3
Drawing Rough Sketches .....................................................1-4
Using Supply Layout Grids ....................................................1-4
Considering Field Types ......................................................1-5
Considering Fonts...........................................................1-5
Interchanging Packets .......................................................1-5
Using the Format Worksheet ..................................................1-5
Filling in the Format Worksheet ..........................................1-5
CONFIGURING THE PRINTER ......................................................2-1
Using Parallel Communications ................................................2-2
Using MPCLII Conventions....................................................2-2
MPCLII Punctuation ...................................................2-2
Standard Syntax Guidelines .............................................2-2
Using Online Configuration Packets .............................................2-3
Configuration Syntax Guidelines..........................................2-5
Making Print Adjustments .....................................................2-5
Defining the System Setup Packet ..............................................2-6
Defining the Supply Setup Packet ..............................................2-7
Defining the Print Control Packet ...............................................2-8
Defining the Monetary Formatting Packet.........................................2-9
Defining the Control Characters Packet .........................................2-10
Resetting Control Characters ...........................................2-11
Using Immediate Commands .................................................2-11
Enabling Immediate Commands .........................................2-11
Sending Immediate Commands .........................................2-11
Defining the Communication Settings Packet ...........................................2-13
Clearing Packets from Memory................................................2-14
Using the Font Packet.......................................................2-14
Uploading Format Header Information ..........................................2-16
i

DEFINING FIELDS................................................................3-1
Defining the Format Header ...................................................3-2
Defining Text Fields..........................................................3-3
Defining Bar Code Fields .....................................................3-6
300 DPI Bar Code Densities ............................................3-12
Defining Constant Text Fields .................................................3-14
Defining Non-Printable Text Fields .............................................3-17
Defining Line Fields ........................................................3-17
Line Types..........................................................3-17
Defining Box Fields .........................................................3-19
DEFINING FIELD OPTIONS ........................................................4-1
Option 1 (Fixed Data) ........................................................4-2
Option 4 (Copy Data) ........................................................4-3
Merging Fields........................................................4-3
Sub-Fields ...........................................................4-4
Option 30 (Pad Data) ........................................................4-4
Sample Use for Padding ................................................4-4
Option 31 (Calculate Check Digit) ..............................................4-4
Option 42 (Price Field) .......................................................4-5
Option 50 (Bar Code Density)..................................................4-5
Option 51 (PDF417 Security/Truncation) .........................................4-6
Option 52 (PDF417 Width/Length) ..............................................4-6
Option 60 (Incrementing/Decrementing Fields) ....................................4-7
Fixing the First Number in the Incrementing Sequence ........................4-7
Option 61 (Re-image Field)....................................................4-8
Using Check Digits ..........................................................4-9
Sum of Products Calculation............................................4-10
Sum of Digits Calculation ..............................................4-11
CREATING GRAPHICS ............................................................5-1
Overview of Bitmapped Images ................................................5-2
Determining a Method..................................................5-2
Designing Bitmapped Images ..................................................5-2
Special Considerations .................................................5-3
Using the Hex Method..................................................5-3
Using the Run Length Encoding Method ...................................5-5
Determining How to Store the Image ............................................5-6
Using Volatile RAM ....................................................5-6
Using Temporary Storage ...............................................5-6
Using a Memory Card ..................................................5-6
Creating a Graphic Packet ....................................................5-6
Positioning the Graphic Image ...........................................5-7
ii

Defining the Graphic Header ..................................................5-8
Creating Bitmap Fields .......................................................5-9
Creating Next-Bitmap Fields ...................................................5-9
Creating Duplicate Fields ....................................................5-10
Sample Hex Graphic Packet ..................................................5-11
Sample Run Length Graphic Packet............................................5-12
Placing the Graphic in a Format ...............................................5-13
Defining the Graphic Field ...................................................5-13
Sample Bitmap Graphic Image ................................................5-14
PRINTING.......................................................................6-1
Downloading Files...........................................................6-2
Defining the Batch Header ....................................................6-2
Defining the Batch Control Field ................................................6-3
Defining Batch Data Fields ....................................................6-4
Using Special Characters in Batch Data ..........................................6-4
Merged or Sub-Fields ..................................................6-4
Incrementing Fields....................................................6-4
Downloading Methods .......................................................6-5
Sequential Method ....................................................6-5
Batch Method ........................................................6-5
Batch Quantity Zero Method .............................................6-5
Modifying Formats ..........................................................6-6
Optional Entry Method .................................................6-6
STATUS POLLING ................................................................7-1
Inquiry Response .....................................................7-1
ENQ Reference Table - Byte #2 ................................................7-2
ENQ Reference Table - Byte #3 ................................................7-4
Job Request ...............................................................7-5
Job Response ........................................................7-6
Job Status 0, 1, 2 Response Table (Status 1 Codes) ..........................7-8
Job Status 0, 1, 2 Response Table (Status 2 Codes) ..........................7-9
DIAGNOSTICS AND ERRORS ......................................................8-1
Printing a Test Label .........................................................8-2
Reading a Test Label ........................................................8-2
Using Data Dump ...........................................................8-2
Resetting Printers ...........................................................8-3
If You Receive an Error Message ...............................................8-3
If the PC and Printer Are Not Communicating .....................................8-3
Calling Technical Support .....................................................8-4
Additional Diagnostics Information ..............................................8-4
iii

Data Errors ................................................................8-4
Format Errors ........................................................8-4
Batch Errors .........................................................8-6
Option Errors.........................................................8-7
Online Configuration Errors..............................................8-8
Check Digit Errors .....................................................8-9
Graphic Errors........................................................8-9
Communication Errors ................................................8-10
Data Formatting Failures.....................................................8-11
Machine Faults ............................................................8-12
Hard Printer Failure Errors ...................................................8-14
PRINTER OPTIMIZATION ..........................................................9-1
Adjusting the Print Quality.....................................................9-2
Reducing Imaging Time ......................................................9-2
General Format Tips and Hints ................................................ 9-3
SAMPLES ......................................................................A-1
Sample UPCA Format Packet .................................................A-2
Sample MaxiCode Packets ...................................................A-2
Mode 0 (Obsolete) Sample..............................................A-3
Mode 2 Sample.......................................................A-3
Mode 3 Sample.......................................................A-4
Sample Data Matrix Packets ..................................................A-4
Square Data Matrix Packet ..............................................A-4
Rectangular Data Matrix Packet ..........................................A-5
Sample Data Matrix with Function 1 .......................................A-5
Sample Quick Response Packets ..............................................A-5
Entering Batch Data for QR Code.........................................A-6
QR Code Packet......................................................A-6
Structured Append Mode ...............................................A-7
Structured Append QR Code Packet ......................................A-7
HangTag Example ..........................................................A-8
Tag Example...............................................................A-8
Label Example .............................................................A-8
Receipt Format Example .....................................................A-9
Label Sample 2.............................................................A-9
Label Sample 3.............................................................A-9
iv

FONTS .........................................................................B-1
Bitmap Font Information ......................................................B-4
Monospaced Font Magnification................................................B-4
Proportional Font Magnification ................................................B-5
CG TriumvirateäTypeface (9 pt.) 300 DPI..................................B-7
CG TriumvirateäTypeface (11 pt.) 300 DPI .................................B-8
CG TriumvirateäTypeface (15 pt.) 300 DPI.................................B-8
Scalable Font Information.....................................................B-9
TrueType Font Information ...................................................B-10
Downloading TrueType Fonts.................................................B-10
Using International Fonts....................................................B-10
Selecting a Symbol Set................................................B-11
International Font Sample..............................................B-11
Licensing Your Fonts .......................................................B-12
Locating the Font Number in a Font Packet ......................................B-12
SYMBOL SETS/CODE PAGES......................................................C-1
Selecting a Symbol Set or Code Page .....................................C-1
Using Code 128 Function Codes ...............................................C-2
Entering Extended Characters .................................................C-2
Using International Character Sets/Code Pages ...................................C-2
Internal Symbol Set ...................................................C-3
ANSI Symbol Set .....................................................C-3
Bold Character Set ....................................................C-4
OCRA Character Set ..................................................C-4
Code Page 437 (Latin U.S.) .............................................C-5
Code Page 850 (Latin 1) ...............................................C-5
Code Page 852 (Latin 2) ...............................................C-6
Code Page 855 (Russian) ..............................................C-6
Code Page 857 (IBM Turkish) ...........................................C-7
Code Page 860 (MS-DOS Portuguese) ....................................C-7
Code Page 1250 (Latin 2) ..............................................C-8
Code Page 1251 (Cyrillic)...............................................C-8
Code Page 1252 (Latin 1) ..............................................C-9
Code Page 1253 (Greek) ...............................................C-9
Code Page 1254 (Turkish) .............................................C-10
Code Page 1255 (Hebrew).............................................C-10
Code Page 1256 (Arabic) ..............................................C-11
Code Page 1257 (Baltic)...............................................C-11
Code Page 1258 (Vietnamese) .........................................C-12
v

ASCII to Hexadecimal Conversion Chart ........................................C-12
Binary to Hex Conversion Chart...............................................C-15
Dot to Run Length Encoding Chart ............................................C-19
ON (Black) Dots .....................................................C-19
OFF (White Dots) ....................................................C-19
FORMAT DESIGN TOOLS .........................................................D-1
Online Configuration Worksheet ...............................................D-2
Batch Worksheet ...........................................................D-3
Check Digit Worksheet.......................................................D-4
GLOSSARY .....................................................................G-1
vi

GETTING STARTED 1
This manual provides the necessary information to design, write and print a
Monarch® Printer Control Language II (MPCLII) format on a Monarch® 9416®
or 9416® XL® printer. These printers support both thermal direct and thermal
transfer printing. Before you read this manual, review the printer information in
the Quick Reference or Equipment Manual.
About This Manual
You do not need to be a programmer to use this manual, but you must be
familiar with creating text files and using basic MS-DOS® commands. This
chapter describes how to
¨create and download a sample MPCLII packet.
¨use the Supply Layout Grid and Format Worksheet.
¨categorize data into field types and select fonts to use in your format.
See "Defining Text Fields" in Chapter 3 for a list of available fonts for your
printer. See Chapter 4, "Defining Field Options," for a list of available field
options for your printer.
About the Printers
The following features are standard on the printer.
Feature 9416*9416XL
Scalable font V1.33 software or greater Version 2.0 or greater
International fonts No Version 2.0 or greater
Prints 2D bar codes PDF417, MaxiCode, and
Quick Response
PDF417, MaxiCode, Quick Response, and
Data Matrix using Version 2.1 or greater
Memory Card No Yes
*Formats created for the 9416 printer print on the 9416XL printer. However, formats created for the 9416XL
printer may not print correctly on the 9416 printer.
Before You Begin
1. Connect the printer to the host. Refer to the Equipment Manual for more
information.
2. Load supplies in the printer. Refer to the Equipment Manual for more
information.
3. Turn on the printer.
4. Set the communication parameters and configure the printer. The
communication parameters at the printer must match those at the host. See
Chapter 2, “Configuring the Printer,” for more information.
5. Design your format. See “Starting with a Design” for more information.
6. Download your format to the printer. See Chapter 6, “Printing,” for more information.
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® Printer Control Language II (MPCL).
This section describes how to create a sample MPCLII format packet.
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 6, “Printing.”
1. Type the following format header in any text editor:
{F,25,A,R,E,200,200,"FMT-25" p
2. Type the following constant text field:
C,140,40,0,1,2,1,W,C,0,0,"SAMPLE FORMAT",1 p
3. Type the following bar code field:
B,1,12,F,85,40,1,2,40,5,L,0 p
4. Type the following text field:
T,2,18,V,50,50,1,3,1,1,B,L,0,0,1 p}
You have created a format packet for your MPCLII printer. Now, a batch packet must be created
before you can print the format.
5. Type the following batch header, after the text field line:
{B,25,N,1 p
6. Type the following bar code data:
1,"02802811111" p
7. Type the following text field data:
2,"TEXT FIELD" p}
8. Save your file as SAMPLE.FMT.
9. Type MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1 at the DOS prompt if you are using serial communications.
This sets the communication parameters at your host. These communication parameters
must match those at your printer. See “Setting Communication Parameters,” in Chapter 2 or
your host’s documentation for more information.
10. Type COPY SAMPLE.FMT COM1. The following 2 inch by
2 inch label prints.
1-2GETTING STARTED

Starting with a Design
Before you create a format packet, you must design your label. There are several steps to
designing a custom label:
1. Decide which fields should appear on your label. See “Determining Format Contents” for
more information.
2. Determine your label size. Labels are available from us in a wide variety of sizes. Your
application and the amount of data you need to print determines the supply size. Contact
your Sales Representative for more information.
3. Draw a rough sketch of your label. You may want to draw several variations to see what
works best. See “Drawing Rough Sketches” for more information.
4. Identify the field types that appear on your label. See “Considering Field Types” for more
information.
5. Decide which fonts you want to use. See “Considering Fonts” for more information.
6. Fill out your Format Worksheet. See “Using the Format Worksheet” for more information.
At this point, you are ready to use your format.
7. Create a format packet, based on how you filled out your worksheet. See Chapter 3,
“Defining Fields,” for more information.
Determining Format Contents
Before you lay out your format, answer these questions. How large is your supply, which fonts
do you want to use, do you want to include a bar code, and do you want to include graphics?
Determining the Print Area
The “bottom” is the edge that exits the printer first. The 0,0 point is at the bottom left corner of
the label. The print area varies, depending on the size of your supply. Below are the maximum
and minimum print areas. When designing formats, the following non-print zone is
recommended: 0.04 inches at the top and bottom of the label.
Unit of Measure Minimum Supply
Size (WxL)
Maximum Supply
Size (WxL)
Maximum Print
Area (WxL)
English (1/100") 25 x 75 425 x 1000 400 x 1000
Metric (1/10mm) 63 x 191 1080 x 2540 1016 x 2540
Dots (1/203 dots) 51 x 152 864 x 2030 812 x 2030
Dots (1/300 dots) 75 x 225 1275 x 2700 1200 x 2700
The minimum label feed length for peel mode is 0.75 inches (19 mm).
Note: For exact print area measurements of your supply, see the supply layout grids in
Appendix D, "Format Design Tools."
Use the following formulas to convert inches to dots and metric:
Dots = inches x 203 or (x 300 for 300 dpi)
Metric (1/10mm) = inches x 254
English (1/100 inch) = 100 x (dots/203) or (dots/300)
Dots = Metric (1/10 mm) x (799/1000) or (1181/1000)
300 dpi depends on your printer.
GETTING STARTED 1-3

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:
¨English
The English grid is measured in 1/100 inches.
¨Metric
The Metric grid is measured in 1/10 millimeters (mm).
¨Graphic
The printer uses dots to print images on a label. The
printhead has 203 dots per inch (dpi) or 300 dots per
inch.
Choose English or Metric units when designing formats
to use with different printers. English or Metric units
allow more direct use of formats on printers with different
density printheads.
If you want to use the supply layout grids, a copy of each
is in Appendix D, “Format Design Tools.”
1-4GETTING STARTED
Supply Layout (dpi)
0.0
0.0
102 203 305 406 508 609 711 812 853
508
406
305
203
102
609
711
812
914
1015
1117
1218
1624
1523
1421
1320
203 300
0.0
750
600
450
300
150
900
1050
1200
1350
1500
1650
1800
2400
2250
2100
1950
0.0
150 300 450 600 750 900 1050 12001275
203
300

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.
item number, item description, department
number, price, date
Non-Printable
Text
Holds data for use later, such as for merging into
another field. The printer does not print
non-printable text fields.
city, state, and zip code to be included in a bar
code
Bar Code Used for printing bar codes that can be scanned. item or serial numbers, zip codes, information
you don’t want to have visible to customers
Constant Text Prints fixed characters that print without
changing.
company name, company address
Line or Box Highlights or separates items. line marking out the regular price, border around
the supply
Graphic Contains a bitmap image or a compliance label
overlay.
logos
All of the above field types except graphics are discussed in Chapter 3. See Chapter 5,
“Creating Graphics” for information on including graphics in your format.
Considering Fonts
When working with fonts, you have three considerations: font appearance, font size (scalable or
bitmapped), and font spacing (monospaced or proportional). See Appendix B, “Fonts,” for
samples of each font.
Interchanging Packets
You can use an MPCLII format that was designed for another MPCLII printer on a 9416 printer.
The format may appear smaller (fields will be shorter), because the 9416 printers use a 203 dpi
printhead. However, an optional 300 dpi printhead is available. If you use a 203 dpi format on a
300 dpi printer, it may appear almost 50 percent smaller.
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.
1. Make a copy of the Format Worksheet.
2. Define the Format Header.
3. Define options as you require them. See Chapter 4, “Defining Field Options” for more
information.
GETTING STARTED 1-5

1-6 GETTING STARTED

CONFIGURING THE PRINTER 2
This chapter discusses how to
¨set communication parameters.
¨upload the printer’s configuration or font information.
¨configure the printer using online configuration packets.
¨use immediate commands to control the printer’s operation at any time.
Setting Communication Parameters
Use the following information if you are connecting to the printer’s 9-pin serial
port.
The communication parameters at the printer must match those at the host, or
you will not be able to communicate.
You can use the communication settings packet to set communication
parameters for your printer.
On MS-DOS computers, you can use the MODE command to set communication
values on your PC. For example
MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1
This command sets your host to these communication values:
¨a baud rate of 9600
¨no parity
¨8 bit word length
¨1 stop bit
CONFIGURING THE PRINTER 2-1

Using Parallel Communications
If your printer supports parallel communications, the parallel port is Centronics® mode. The
communication settings are automatically configured for you. There are no operator settings
required.
We recommend waiting at least two seconds (or longer) when switching between the serial and
parallel ports to send data, because data may be lost. Be careful when using print spoolers,
because data transmission occurs in the background of the operating system. This makes data
transmission completion difficult to determine when switching between ports.
Using MPCLII Conventions
Here are some guidelines to follow when using MPCLII.
MPCLII Punctuation
Use the following symbols when creating MPCLII packets:
Character Decimal
Value Description
{ (left bracket) 123 start of header
} (right bracket) 125 end of header
p(vertical bar) 124 field separator*
, (comma) 044 parameter separator
“ABC”
(quotation marks)
034 Quotation marks enclose character strings. Empty quotes (“”) identify null strings or unused
fields.
'comment'
(single quotation
marks)
039 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.
*The field separator is the split vertical bar, which we are representing as p in this manual. The decimal value is 124. To enter
this character, use the Shift key plus the Split Vertical Bar key on your computer’s keyboard. Depending on your text editor, it
may appear as a solid vertical bar or as a split vertical bar.
Note: These MPCL characters are the default.
Standard Syntax Guidelines
When creating MPCLII packets:
¨Begin each packet with a start of header ({).
¨End each packet with an end of header (}).
¨Define no more than1000 fields in a format. Each pindicates one field. However, options
are not counted as fields. The actual number of fields a format can have may be less,
because the number of fields is limited by the available memory.
¨The field number (0 to 999) must be unique. We recommend starting at 1, instead of 0.
¨Do not use a field number more than once per format.
¨Define all fields in the order you want to image/print them. The printer does not print in field
number order.
¨Separate all parameters with a Parameter Separator (,).
¨End each field with a Field Separator ( p).
¨Enter all information in CAPITAL letters, except words or phrases within quotation marks.
2-2CONFIGURING THE PRINTER

¨Include all parameters for a field unless documented as optional.
¨Define non-printable text fields before the filed to which they apply.
¨Define options immediately after the field to which they apply.
¨Multiple options can be used with most fields. Options can be used in any combination
except as noted with each definition. Options are processed in the order they are received.
¨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.
¨Do not place a new line (return) or any other non-printing character within a field definition.
However, a carriage return or line break after each pmakes 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
¨Spaces are ignored, except within character strings.
¨Indenting options improves readability of your formats.
T,1,18,V,30,30,1,1,1,1,B,C,0,0,0 p
R,42,1 p
¨Use a tilde (~) followed by a 3-digit ASCII code in a quoted string to send function codes or
extended characters or send the 8-bit ASCII code.
You can modify formats and fields with the optional entry method. See “Optional Entry Method”
in Chapter 6 for more information.
Using Online Configuration Packets
Use online configuration packets to change the printer’s settings. You can send an individual
configuration packet or a single packet containing all the configuration packets. Supply all
parameters for each packet. Leave the parameters blank that you do not need to change. For
example,
{ I,A,,,,1 p}
prints a slashed zero and uses the last sent online System Setup parameters.
Make a copy of the online configuration worksheet in Appendix D, “Format Design Tools,” and
save the original. Packets A-F are listed on the worksheet.
When you turn off the printer, all the information in the online configuration packets is saved and
used when the printer is turned back on. After you change printer configurations, you must
resend the format, batch, or graphic to the printer before the changes take effect.
Always include an I, immediately after the left bracket { and before the packet identifier (A, B,
C, etc.). The I parameter identifies the data stream as a configuration packet.
Note: Include the I parameter with each packet if you are sending them individually. Include it
only at the beginning of a data stream if you are sending multiple packets.
CONFIGURING THE PRINTER2-3

This is the syntax to use when you create online configuration packets:
Syntax
{Start of Header
I,Configuration Header
1 - 8 optional records
A, parameter 1...parameter 5 pSystem Setup
B, parameter 1...parameter 5 pSupply Setup
C, parameter 1...parameter 5 pPrint Control
D, parameter 1...parameter 3 pMonetary Formatting
E, parameter 1...parameter 9 pControl Characters
F, parameter 1...parameter 5 pCommunication Settings
}End of Header
Syntax for single packet
{Start of Header
I,Configuration Header
A, parameter 1...parameter 5 System Setup
}End of Header
You can also add a configuration to RAM or specify units for supply, print, margin, and cut
positions. If you use the optional parameters with the Ipacket, any online configuration
packets following the split vertical bar ( p) must specify distances using the selected units.
However, the test labels display the units in dots, even if you entered them in English or Metrics
units.
Syntax {header,ID#,action,device p}
1. header Constant I.
2. ID# ID. Use 0.
3. action Action. Options:
AAdd configuration.
U Upload User Configuration.
4. device Storage Device. Use R(Volatile RAM).
Example {I,0,A,N,E p
C,0,25,0,0,0 p}
Adds a configuration to non-volatile RAM and specifies English units. It also uses the default
contrast, moves print 0.25 inches closer to the bottom of the supply and does not change the
margin adjustment, prints at the default print speed, and uses the default printhead width.
If you do not use the optional parameters, the syntax for the online configuration packets does
not change. For example,
{I,C,0,50,0,0,0 p}
uses the default contrast, moves print 50 dots (0.25) inches closer to the bottom of the supply
and does not change the margin adjustment, prints at the default print speed, and uses the
default printhead width.
2-4CONFIGURING THE PRINTER

Example {I,0,U,R p}
Uploads the printer configuration from volatile RAM and returns the following to the host.
A,0,0,0,0,1 p
B,2,0,0,0,0 p
C,0,0,0,0,0,0 p
D,1,0,2 p
E,"~123~044~034~124~125~126","","~013~010" p
F,3,1,0,0,1 p
The parameters for each packet (A-F) are displayed. See each packet description later in this
chapter for more information.
Configuration Syntax Guidelines
When creating a printer configuration packet:
¨Follow the “Standard Syntax Guidelines” listed at the beginning of this chapter.
¨The first character after the start of header ({) is the configuration header (I).
¨Download multiple configuration packets within one packet or download a single
configuration packet.
¨If you change any of the online configuration packets, resend the format packet to the
printer, so the configuration changes take effect.
¨Include the first five ANSI codes, at a minimum, in the control characters packet.
¨Send configuration packets once per session (each time the printer is turned off and then
back on), not with every format or batch packet.
¨Make sure the communication settings at the host match those at the printer.
Making Print Adjustments
You can adjust where the printer prints on your supply by adjusting the supply, print, or margin
positions. However, keep in mind the following:
¨Supply adjustments across the width of your supply, such as the margin position, are based
in dots. The printhead can be 203 or 300 dots per inch.
¨Supply adjustments for the length of your supply, such as supply position or print adjustment,
are measured in ½03 of an inch, regardless of your printhead density.
CONFIGURING THE PRINTER 2-5

Defining the System Setup Packet
Use the system setup packet (A) to select the power up mode, display language, print
separators between batches, print a “slashed zero,” and select the symbol set.
Syntax {I,A,powup_mode,language,sep_on,slash_zero,symbol_set p}
A1. A System Setup Packet
A2. powup_mode Online Mode. Enter 0.
A3. language Display Language. Enter 0.
A4. sep_on Batch Separators. Enter 0.The printer does not print batch separators.
A5. slash_zero Slash Zero. Enter 0. The printer does not print a zero with a slash through it.
A6. symbol_set Symbol Set. Options:
0Internal (default)
1ANSI
2Code Page 437 (Latin U.S.)
3Code Page 850 (Latin 1)
4Code Page 1250 (Latin 2)
5Code Page 1251 (Cyrillic)
6Code Page 1252 (Latin 1)
7Code Page 1253 (Greek)
8Code Page 1254 (Turkish)
9Code Page 1255 (Hebrew)
10 Code Page 1256 (Arabic)
11 Code Page 1257 (Baltic)
12 Code Page 1258 (Vietnamese)
13 Code Page 852 (Latin 2)
14 Code Page 855 (Russian)
15 Code Page 857 (IBM Turkish)
16 Code Page 860 (MS-DOS Portuguese)
19 Unicode
The Standard, Reduced, Bold, OCRA and HR fonts only support the Internal Symbol Set (0). The
CG Triumvirateätypefaces support only the ANSI and DOS Code 437 and 850 symbol sets. The
scalable font (font 50) does not support Code Page 1256 (Arabic). Code pages 852-860 and
1250-1258 are for downloaded TrueType fonts or the scalable font. Symbol Set 19 (Unicode)
requires a downloaded International TrueType font (stored on a memory card). TrueType fonts are
designed to be regionally specific; therefore, all code pages may not be supported in a given font.
See Appendix C, "Symbol Sets/Code Pages" for more information.
Example {I,A,0,0,0,1,0 p}
Powers up the printer in the online mode, displays prompts in English, does not print a
separator after each batch, prints zeros with slashes through them, and uses the internal symbol
set.
2-6CONFIGURING THE PRINTER