Brother RuggedJet RJ-4030 Quick start guide

Software Developer's Manual
ESC/P Command Reference
RJ-4030/4040
Version 1.0

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Note
This documentation (“Documentation”) provides information that will assist you in controlling your Printer
RJ-XXXX (where “XXXX” is the model name).
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ESC/P Command Reference
- i -
Contents
Introduction ··········································································································1
What is ESC/P? ····································································································2
1. Using ESC/P Commands·················································································3
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands ·························································· 5
3. ESC/P Command Limitations········································································ 10
3.1 Print area.............................................................................................................10
3.2 Characters...........................................................................................................12
3.1.1 Character sizes.........................................................................................12
3.1.2 Character pitches .....................................................................................13
3.3 Print position........................................................................................................14
3.3.1 Characters................................................................................................14
3.3.2 Bitmaps, barcodes and downloaded images ............................................14
3.3.3 Same line .................................................................................................14
3.4 Line feed amount.................................................................................................15
4. Control Code List ···························································································16
5. Control Command Details ·············································································20
5.1 Character/style selection commands...................................................................20
ESC R Select international character set ..................................................20
ESC q Select character style ....................................................................21
ESC k Select font......................................................................................22
ESC t Select character code set ..............................................................22
5.2 Text printing commands.......................................................................................23
ESC 4 Apply italic style .............................................................................23
ESC 5 Cancel italic style...........................................................................23
ESC E Apply bold style .............................................................................24
ESC F Cancel bold style ...........................................................................24
ESC G Apply double-strike printing ...........................................................25
ESC H Cancel double-strike printing .........................................................25
ESC P Apply pica pitch (10 cpi).................................................................26
ESC M Apply elite pitch (12 cpi).................................................................27
ESC p Specify proportional characters .....................................................28
ESC W Specify double-width characters....................................................28
SO Specify auto-canceling stretched characters .................................29
ESC SO Specify auto-canceling stretched characters .................................29
SI Specify compressed characters.....................................................30
ESC SI Specify compressed characters.....................................................30
DC2 Cancel compressed characters .....................................................31
DC 4 Cancel auto-canceling double-width characters ............................31
ESC – Apply/cancel underlining................................................................32
ESC ! Global formatting ...........................................................................33
ESC SP Specify character spacing..............................................................34
ESC X Specify character size....................................................................35
5.3 Line feed commands ...........................................................................................36
ESC 0 Specify line feed of 1/8 inch...........................................................36
ESC 2 Specify line feed of 1/6 inch...........................................................36
ESC 3 Specify minimum line feed.............................................................37
ESC A Specify line feed of n/60 inch.........................................................37
5.4 Horizontal movement commands ........................................................................38
ESC l Specify left margin .........................................................................38
ESC Q Specify right margin .......................................................................40

ESC/P Command Reference
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CR Carriage return ..............................................................................41
ESC D Specify horizontal tab position .......................................................42
HT Perform horizontal tab ...................................................................43
ESC $ Specify absolute horizontal position...............................................44
ESC \ Specify relative horizontal position.................................................44
ESC a Specify alignment ..........................................................................45
5.5 Vertical movement commands ............................................................................46
LF Line feed........................................................................................46
FF Page feed ......................................................................................46
ESC J Forward paper feed .......................................................................47
ESC B Specify vertical tab position ...........................................................48
VT Perform vertical tab........................................................................49
ESC (V Specify absolute vertical position...................................................50
ESC (v Specify relative vertical position.....................................................51
5.6 Paper formatting commands ...............................................................................52
ESC (c Specify page format.......................................................................52
ESC (C Specify page length .......................................................................53
5.7 Printer control commands....................................................................................54
ESC @ Initialize..........................................................................................54
5.8 Graphics commands ...........................................................................................55
ESC * Select bit image.............................................................................55
ESC K 8-dot single-density bit image ........................................................59
ESC L 8-dot double-density bit image.......................................................60
ESC Y 8-dot double-speed double-density bit image................................61
ESC Z 8-dot quadruple-density bit image .................................................61
5.9 Advanced commands ..........................................................................................62
ESC i B Barcode .........................................................................................62
ESC i Q 2D barcode (QR Code)..................................................................66
ESC i P QR Code version ...........................................................................69
ESC i V 2D barcode (PDF417) ...................................................................70
ESC i D 2D barcode (DataMatrix) ...............................................................73
ESC i M 2D barcode (MaxiCode).................................................................76
ESC i F Print downloaded data...................................................................78
ESC i a Switch command mode .................................................................82
ESC i S Status information request .............................................................83
ESC i L Specify landscape orientation ........................................................85
ESC i C Specify cutting ...............................................................................86
5.10 Advanced static commands...............................................................................87
ESC iXQ2 Select default character style.........................................................87
ESC iXQ1 Retrieve default character style .....................................................88
ESC iXk2 Select default font..........................................................................89
ESC iXk1 Retrieve default font ......................................................................90
ESC iXX2 Specify default character size........................................................91
ESC iXX1 Retrieve default character size ......................................................92
ESC iX32 Specify default line feed.................................................................92
ESC iX31 Retrieve default line feed...............................................................93
ESC iXA2 Select default alignment ................................................................93
ESC iXA1 Retrieve default alignment.............................................................94
ESC iX(2 Specify default page length............................................................95
ESC iX(1 Retrieve default page length..........................................................95
ESC iXL2 Select default landscape orientation..............................................96
ESC iXL1 Retrieve default landscape orientation ..........................................96
ESC iXj2 Select default international character set.......................................97
ESC iXj1 Retrieve default international character set ...................................98
ESC iXm2 Select default character code set ..................................................99

ESC/P Command Reference
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ESC iXm1 Retrieve default character code set ...............................................99
Appendix A: Character Code Tables ······························································100
Character code tables .............................................................................................100
International character set table ..............................................................................103
Appendix B: Introducing the Brother Developer Center······························ 104

ESC/P Command Reference
- 1 -
Introduction
Introduction
This material provides the necessary information for directly controlling RJ-4030/4040.
This information is provided assuming that the user has full understanding of the operating system being used
and basic mastery of RS-232C or USB in a developer's environment.
Read the model names that appear in the screens in this manual as the name of your printer.
We accept no responsibility for any problems caused by programs that you develop using the information
provided in this material, affecting software, data or hardware, including the RJ-4030/4040, and any problems
resulting directly or indirectly from them. Use this material only if you accept these terms.
This material shall not be reproduced, in part or in full, without prior approval. In addition, this material shall
not be used as evidence in a lawsuit or dispute in a way that is unfavorable towards our company.
These ESC/P commands have been adapted specifically for this company.

ESC/P Command Reference
- 2 -
What is ESC/P?
What is ESC/P?
ESC/P is one type of control codes used for printers. With the codes introduced in this document, various
labels can be created and printed. In this document, ESC/P codes are provided as both ASCII and binary
codes.
When sending codes to the printer, make sure that the binary codes are used, otherwise the printer cannot
parse the codes.

ESC/P Command Reference
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1. Using ESC/P Commands
1. Using ESC/P Commands
Below is a description of the flow for creating documents.
Also refer to “2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands”.
(1) Start ESC/P
1. Switch the command mode.
2. Initialize
- Switch command mode (ESC i a)
- Initialize (ESC @)
(2) Format settings
1. Select the orientation. - Specify landscape orientation (ESC i L)
2. Specify the page size. - Specify page length (ESC ( C)
3. Specify print area. - Specify page format (ESC ( c)
- Specify left/right margins (ESC I, ESC Q)
4. Specify the line feed amount. - Specify line feed amount (ESC 0, ESC 2, ESC 3, ESC A)
5. Specify tab positions. - Specify horizontal tab position (ESC D)
- Specify vertical tab position (ESC B)
(3) Print operations
1. Specify the print position. - Specify the vertical position (ESC ( v, ESC ( V, VT, ESC J)
- Specify the horizontal position (ESC $, ESC \, HT, ESC a)
2. Transfer the print data
(one line).
- Transfer necessary text operation codes (see (4)), bit images,
barcodes, and downloaded data (see (5))
3. End of the line. - Feed the paper (CR, LF)
4. Repeat 1–3 above.
5. End of the page. - Specify cutting (ESC i C)
- Feed the page (FF)
6. Repeat 1–6 above.
7. End of the document.

ESC/P Command Reference
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1. Using ESC/P Commands
(4) Text operations
1. Specify the character set. - Select font (ESC k)
- Select character code (ESC t)
- Select international character set (ESC R)
- Specify character size (ESC X)
- Specify the character spacing (ESC P, ESC M, ESC SP)
2. Specify the character style. - Specify character style
(ESC 4, ESC 5, ESC E, ESC F, ESC G, ESC H, ESC W, SO,
ESC SO, SI, ESC SI, DC2, DC4, ESC -, ESC !)
3. Specify character codes.
Repeat 1–3 above as necessary.
(5) Image data
1. Specify bit images. - (ESC *, ESC K, ESC L, ESC Y, ESC Z)
2. Specify barcodes. - (ESC i B)
3. Specify 2D barcodes. - (ESC i Q, ESC i V, ESC i D, ESC i M)
4. Print the downloaded data - (ESC i F)
Downloaded image data must first be downloaded and saved on
the printer.

ESC/P Command Reference
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2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
This is the label that will be made.
4 inches
1 inch
1.8 inches
Step 1:
Landscape
Step 2:
Page length
Step 3:
Horizontal position
Step 4:
Vertical position
Step 5:
Font type: Helsinki
(proportional pitch)
Step 6:
Character size: 100 dots
In order to make this label, the following six steps are required after entering ESC/P mode.
Step 1: Select the landscape orientation.
Entered command
ESC i L 01h
nL

ESC/P Command Reference
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2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
Step 2: Specify the page length.
4 inches
*The page length does not include the margins.
For the margins, subtract 6 mm (48 dots) from the page length.
nL nH mL mH
ESC ( C 02h 00h FCh 02h
Entered command
4 inches=812 dots
812 dots–48 dots=764 dots
Page length=mL+mH*256=764
==
2
02h
==
252
FCh
Step 3: Specify the horizontal position.
1 inch
1 inch=203 dots
Horizontal position=n1+n2*256=203
ESC $ CBh 00h
nL nH
Entered command
= =
203
CBh
0
00h
= =

ESC/P Command Reference
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2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
Step 4: Specify the vertical position.
1.8 inches
1.8 inch=365 dots
Vertical position=n1+n2*256=365
==
109
6Dh
==
0
01h
ESC ( V 02h 00h 6Dh 01h
nL nH mL mH
Entered command
Step 5: Select the font type.
Entered command
ESC k L 0Bh
n
n=11=0Bh
Font type: Helsinki
(proportional pitch)

ESC/P Command Reference
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2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
Step 6: Specify the character size.
Character size=n1+n2*256=100 dots
Character size: 100 dots
ESC X 00h 64h 00h
m nL
nH
Entered command
==
100
64h
==
0
00h

ESC/P Command Reference
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2. Examples of Using ESC/P Commands
All commands together will make the example label shown below.
ESC i a 00h
ESC @
ESC i L 01h
ESC ( C 02h 00h FCh 02h
ESC $ 2Bh 00h
ESC ( V 02h 00h 6Dh 01h
ESC k 0bh
ESC X 00h 64h 00h
At your side
FF
Select ESC/P mode
Binary command: 1B 69 61 00
Initialize ESC/P mode
Binary command: 1B 40
6 steps explained above
Print start command
Binary command: 0C
Text to be print
Binary command: 41 74 20 79 6F 75
72 20 73 69 64 65
However, these commands should be converted to binary data before sent to the printer, as shown below.
Here is the captured converted binary data.
When the printer receives above binary commands, the label shown below is printed.

ESC/P Command Reference
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3. ESC/P Command Limitations
3. ESC/P Command Limitations
3.1 Print area
The printing media are die-cut labels and continuous length tape.
The area that can physically be printed on depends on the size and type of the print media.
Die-cut labels
Unprintable area
Left margin
Right margin
Top margin
Top margin position
(TOF position)
Bottom margin
Unprinted area
Print area
Unprintable area

ESC/P Command Reference
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3. ESC/P Command Limitations
The print area for each media is described below.
Print area
Printable area
Left margin Right margin
Length of printable area
Bottom margin
Top margin
Label length
Label width
Height of printable area
No.001
No.832
Label
spacing
Thermal head
* To specify media settings, use the Custom Label Tool.

ESC/P Command Reference
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3. ESC/P Command Limitations
3.2 Characters
This system uses single-byte character codes and is installed with two bitmap fonts (Letter Gothic Bold and
Helsinki) and 2 outline fonts (Letter Gothic and Helsinki).
Fixed pitch or proportional pitch (PS pitch) can be specified for any of the fonts.
However, there are fonts that are better with a fixed pitch and fonts that are better with a proportional pitch (PS
pitch).
The fonts that are better with a fixed pitch are: Letter Gothic and Letter Gothic Bold.
The font that is better with a proportional pitch is: Helsinki.
Each bitmap font has three sizes: 16 dots, 24 dots, and 32 dots.
3.1.1 Character sizes
Each font is available in full size, compressed size (half width), double width, double height and half width,
double height, and quadruple size.
Full size Double width Double height Quadruple sizeHalf width Double height
and half width
The actual character size is slightly smaller than the nominal size (the parameter value received with the size
command). This varies depending on the font.
Nominal (dots) 16 24 32
Height (dots) 15 21 28
Width (dots) 8 10 14
The above example is for Letter Gothic Bold (full size, no character styles applied).
The line-drawing characters (┘└ ┤─ ├│┼┬┐┌ , etc.) and shaded characters have the Brougham font
applied regardless of the specified font and pitch (proportional or fixed) settings.

ESC/P Command Reference
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3. ESC/P Command Limitations
3.1.2 Character pitches
Pitch refers to the spacing between neighboring characters.
When characters are arranged with a fixed pitch, they will be evenly spaced.
If characters extend over several lines, they will align in straight rows.
Fixed spacing
c ab c b
a
Fixed spacing
When characters are arranged with a proportional pitch, the spacing will vary depending on the character.
(For example, “W” is wide but “I” is narrow.)
As a result, the excess space between characters is eliminated and the text appears more compact.
W
Variable spacing
CI
W
Variable spacing
CI
If a fixed pitch is applied to a font that is better with a proportional pitch, all characters are given the same
width as the widest character in the font.
W
Variable spacing
C
I
W
Fixed spacing
C
I
Variable spacing
W
Fixed spacing
C
I W CI
This makes it possible to evenly space the characters of a proportional-pitch font without having to change the
font.
If a proportional pitch is applied to a font that is better with a fixed pitch, all characters are given the same
width, appearing the same as with a fixed pitch.

ESC/P Command Reference
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3. ESC/P Command Limitations
3.3 Print position
The print position is the standard position for printing characters, bitmaps, and barcodes.
There is a horizontal print position and vertical print position, which are the reference points for vertical
position movement and horizontal position movement.
3.3.1 Characters
Characters are arranged with their top edges aligned with the print position.
The baseline of each character is the bottom edge of the character, regardless of size, font, etc.
A
Print position
Baseline position
All characters on a single line are printed with a baseline positions that is the same for each character.
If a single line consists of characters with different heights, the characters are aligned with the baseline of
the tallest character on the line.
A
Print
p
osition
A
A
Baseline position
Underlines are drawn 4 dots below the baseline position.
3.3.2 Bitmaps, barcodes and downloaded images
These types of image data are treated in the same way as characters and are printed with the bottom
edge of the image aligned with the baseline.
3.3.3 Same line
Characters and images are considered to be on the same line, even if they are separated by tabs.
Horizontal movement to the right between characters or images is regarded as being on the same line;
however, horizontal movement to the left is regarded as being on separate lines if wrapping occurs.