PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C PTX PRM PGL P7 253642C

PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C

PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C

PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C

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IGP®/PGL® Emulation for Line Matrix Printers
Printronix Graphics Language
Programmer’s Reference Manual

IGP/PGL Emulation for Line Matrix Printers
Printronix Graphics Language
Programmer’s Reference Manual

253642-001C

Printronix, Inc. makes no representations or warranties of any kind regarding
this material, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Printronix, Inc. shall not
be held responsible for errors contained herein or any omissions from this
material or for any damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental or
consequential, in connection with the furnishing, distribution, performance or
use of this material. The information in this manual is subject to change
without notice.
This document contains proprietary information protected by copyright. No
part of this document may be reproduced, copied, translated or incorporated
in any other material in any form or by any means, whether manual, graphic,
electronic, mechanical or otherwise, without the prior written consent of
Printronix, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2007, 2011 PRINTRONIX, INC.
All rights reserved.

Trademark Acknowledgements
IBM and IBM PC are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corp.
IGP, LinePrinter Plus, LaserLine, PGL, ThermaLine and Printronix are
registered trademarks of Printronix, Inc.
This product uses Intellifont Scalable typefaces and Intellifont technology.
Intellifont is a registered trademark of Agfa Division, Miles Incorporated
(Agfa).
CG Triumvirate are trademarks of Agfa Division. CG Times, based on Times
New Roman under license from The Monotype Corporation Plc is a product of
Agfa.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction........................................................... 13
About This Manual..................................................................................13
Warnings And Special Information ...................................................13
Related Documentation....................................................................13
The IGP/PGL Emulation .........................................................................13
Features ...........................................................................................14
How The IGP/PGL Operates............................................................15
Modes Of Operation .........................................................................16
Alphanumeric Data...........................................................................23
Incremental Data ..............................................................................23
Configuring The IGP/PGL With The Control Panel ..........................23
Flash Memory Storage ...........................................................................24
Flash Memory Utilization ..................................................................24
Cartridge Capable Printer.................................................................24
Non-Cartridge Capable Printer.........................................................25

2 Commands ........................................................... 27
IGP/PGL Command Standards ..............................................................27
Special Function Control Code (SFCC) ...........................................27
Semicolon (;) ....................................................................................27
Uppercase ........................................................................................27
Inline Commands .............................................................................28
Line Terminator ................................................................................28
Printable Character ..........................................................................28
Spaces .............................................................................................29
Command Parameters .....................................................................29
Form Name ......................................................................................29
Prompt..............................................................................................29
Numeric Values ................................................................................30
Comments In Command Lines.........................................................30
Storing Data .....................................................................................30
Uncompressed And Packed Bits Compression................................30
Character Position.Dot Position (CP.DP) Format.............................31

Table of Contents

Command Codes.................................................................................... 32
Data Fields For Alphanumeric And Incremental Data ...................... 32
Alphanumerics ................................................................................. 33
Alphanumerics, Incremental Fields ..................................................38
Alphanumerics, Incremental: Fixed Data Fields...............................41
Alphanumerics, Incremental: Dynamic Data Fields ......................... 44
Boxes ...............................................................................................47
Cancel .............................................................................................. 50
Circle ................................................................................................ 51
Compressed Print (Density) ............................................................. 52
Clock Element Format...................................................................... 52
Configuration.................................................................................... 54
Corners ............................................................................................ 58
CREATE........................................................................................... 60
Dark Printing .................................................................................... 61
Define Month Names ....................................................................... 62
Delete Font....................................................................................... 63
Delete Form ..................................................................................... 64
Delete Logo...................................................................................... 64
Diagonal ........................................................................................... 65
Directory ........................................................................................... 66
Duplication, Horizontal .....................................................................66
Duplication, Vertical ......................................................................... 68
Ellipse...............................................................................................69
Emulation Switching ......................................................................... 70
End................................................................................................... 70
Enquiry ............................................................................................. 70
Execute Form Mode ......................................................................... 71
Execute Form: General Format........................................................72
Execute Form: Electronic Vertical Format Unit ................................ 75
Execute Form: Dynamic Alphanumeric Data ................................... 76
Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code Data .......................................... 77
Execute Form: Dynamic Logo.......................................................... 78
Execute Form: Incremental Dynamic Data ...................................... 79
Execute Form: Overlay Data ............................................................ 81
Expanded Print................................................................................. 82
Font .................................................................................................. 83
Font Load .........................................................................................87
Form Length..................................................................................... 89
Hex Character Encoding .................................................................. 90
Ignore Sequence.............................................................................. 90
Line Spacing .................................................................................... 91

Table of Contents

Lines, Horizontal ..............................................................................91
Lines, Vertical...................................................................................92
Link...................................................................................................94
Listen................................................................................................97
Logo Call ..........................................................................................97
Logo Mode, Create ..........................................................................99
Normal Mode..................................................................................102
Optimize .........................................................................................102
Page Number .................................................................................103
Paper..............................................................................................104
Paper Instruction - Data Bit 8 .........................................................107
Paper Instruction (PI) Enable/Disable ............................................108
PCX Logo .......................................................................................108
PNG Logo ......................................................................................111
Print File .........................................................................................113
Printer Alert ....................................................................................114
Printer Identification .......................................................................117
Printer Mode...................................................................................118
Printer Status .................................................................................121
Quiet...............................................................................................122
Recall .............................................................................................123
Repeat............................................................................................123
Reset ..............................................................................................124
Reverse Print .................................................................................124
RFID ...............................................................................................125
RFWTAG........................................................................................125
RFRTAG ........................................................................................136
Scale ..............................................................................................139
Scaling ...........................................................................................140
Select Format .................................................................................142
Set The Time or Date .....................................................................143
Setup ..............................................................................................143
Special Function Control Code Change .........................................145
TIFF Logo.......................................................................................146
VERIFY ..........................................................................................148

Table of Contents

3 Bar Codes ........................................................... 153
Overview............................................................................................... 153
User-Defined Variable Ratios for Standard Barcodes.................... 155
User-Defined Variable Ratios for Postal Barcodes ........................ 155
PDF Character Sizes [PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]] .................................. 156
Magnification Specifications ........................................................... 161
Bar Codes.............................................................................................166
Australian 4-State........................................................................... 166
Aztec Barcode ................................................................................172
BC412 BARCODE ......................................................................... 177
Codabar ......................................................................................... 181
Code 35.......................................................................................... 186
Code 39.......................................................................................... 189
Code 93.......................................................................................... 197
Code 128A, 128B and 128C ......................................................... 204
EAN 8 .............................................................................................216
EAN 13........................................................................................... 222
FIM ................................................................................................. 229
GS1-128......................................................................................... 235
GS1 Databar .................................................................................. 249
GS1 Datamatrix.............................................................................. 258
HIBC Barcode ................................................................................268
Intelligent Mail 4-State Barcode ..................................................... 270
Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and ITF-14 .......................... 274
Matrix .............................................................................................280
Maxicode........................................................................................ 286
MSI................................................................................................. 292
PDF417 .......................................................................................... 298
Planet .............................................................................................306
Plessey........................................................................................... 312
POSTNET ...................................................................................... 318
PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX) ........................................................ 324
QR Barcode ................................................................................... 328
Telepen .......................................................................................... 333
UPC-A ............................................................................................ 340
UPC-E and UPC-E0 ....................................................................... 346
UPCSHIP .......................................................................................354
UPS 11........................................................................................... 360

Table of Contents

Incremental Bar Code Fields ................................................................365
Incrementing Bar Code Data..........................................................365
Incremental Bar Code Fixed Data Fields .......................................368
Incremental Bar Code Dynamic Data Fields ..................................370
Duplicating Incremental Bar Code Fields .......................................371

4 Form Examples And Exercises .......................... 373
Form Examples.....................................................................................373
CREATE Mode (Allowed – no SFCC required)..............................373
NORMAL Mode (Not Allowed – SFCC required) ...........................373
EXECUTE Mode (Not Allowed – SFCC required)..........................373
Example: Create Commands .........................................................375
Example: Using The Setup Command ...........................................377
Example: Dynamic Data.................................................................377
Example: Auto Increment Fields ....................................................384
Form Exercise.......................................................................................387
Creating A Box And Corners ..........................................................388
Adding Horizontal And Vertical Lines .............................................390
Adding Fixed Alphanumeric Text ...................................................391
Adding A Bar Code ........................................................................393
Logo Exercise .......................................................................................395
Creating A Logo .............................................................................397
Form Design .........................................................................................399
Page Layout Considerations ..........................................................399
Planning The Form Layout .............................................................399
Creating A Form And Adding Form Components...........................403
Directory Command..............................................................................407
Example .........................................................................................407
Delete Command..................................................................................408
Example .........................................................................................408
Solving Program Errors ........................................................................409
Example .........................................................................................409

5 Multinational And International Character Sets .. 411
Multinational Character Sets.................................................................411
Supported Character Sets..............................................................411
Character Addresses .....................................................................412
Making Character Substitutions .....................................................412
Accessing Characters and Character Sets...........................................415
OCR Character Sets ......................................................................415
Extended Character Sets ...............................................................415
Data Bit 8 .......................................................................................415
Power-Up Character Set Selection ................................................416

Table of Contents

User-Defined Set Command (USET) ............................................. 416
Character Set Selection Command (ISET) .................................... 418
Downloading A Block Character .................................................... 421
Downloading A User-Defined Overlay Set ..................................... 421
Activating A User-Defined Overlay Set .......................................... 422
Disabling An Overlay Set ............................................................... 423
Examples for Downloaded Block Characters & Overlays .............. 423
Setting The Expanded Font Menu Option ...................................... 424
Downloaded Font Menus ............................................................... 425
Downloaded Fonts And Character Sets – Line Matrix ................... 426
Downloaded Fonts And Character Sets Menu – T5xxx ................. 427
Multinational Character Set Charts ................................................428
International Character Sets .......................................................... 432

6 Error Codes ........................................................ 435
IGP/PGL Emulation Error Codes .......................................................... 435
Horizontal Line Errors .................................................................... 436
Vertical Line Errors......................................................................... 437
Box Errors ...................................................................................... 438
Corner Errors ................................................................................. 439
Alpha Errors ................................................................................... 440
Logo Errors .................................................................................... 441
Create Errors.................................................................................. 442
Execute Errors ............................................................................... 443
Miscellaneous Errors...................................................................... 445
Bar Code Errors ............................................................................. 446
Reverse Print Errors....................................................................... 448
Miscellaneous Errors...................................................................... 448
Incremental Fields Errors ............................................................... 449
Miscellaneous Errors...................................................................... 449
Multinational Character Set Errors ................................................. 450
Font Errors ..................................................................................... 451
Bar Code Errors ............................................................................. 452
Miscellaneous Errors...................................................................... 452

A Standard ASCII Character Set ........................... 455
B Grid Programs And Samples.............................. 457

Table of Contents

C Page Boundaries ............................................... 461
Paper Selection And Maximum Values ................................................461
Create Form Mode .........................................................................461
Execute Form Mode .......................................................................461
Setting Top/Bottom Margins...........................................................462
Setting Left Margins .......................................................................463

D Vertical Paper Motion......................................... 467
Introduction ...........................................................................................467
Paper Motion Using Line Feeds And Form Feeds................................467
Paper Motion Using The PI Line (Relative Line Slewing) .....................468
Paper Motion Using The EVFU ............................................................470
General EVFU Programming .........................................................470
EVFU Programming Sequence ......................................................470
Using The EVFU ............................................................................472
Clearing The EVFU Memory ..........................................................474
EVFU Example...............................................................................475

E PTX_SETUP Option........................................... 479
Overview...............................................................................................479
The PTX_SETUP Commands ..............................................................479
Commands (Non-Platform Specific)...............................................480
Impact Commands .........................................................................487
Thermal Commands.......................................................................488

F Typefaces........................................................... 491
Standard Typefaces..............................................................................491
SL5000r/T5000r And SL4M/T4M ...................................................491
L7032 .............................................................................................492
SL5000e/T5000e............................................................................492
Line Matrix......................................................................................492

G PGL-DBCS ........................................................ 493
PGL-DBCS Series ................................................................................493
Command Syntax...........................................................................494

H PGL Command Support on L7032 Printers ....... 499
I Contact Information ............................................. 501
Printronix Customer Support Center.....................................................501
Printronix Supplies Department ............................................................502
Corporate Offices..................................................................................502

Table of Contents

1

Introduction

About This Manual
This manual explains how to use the IGP®/PGL® (Intelligent Graphics
Printing/Printronix Graphics Language). Use this manual in conjunction with
your printer's User's Manual for complete printer-IGP/PGL compatibility.

Warnings And Special Information
Information requiring special attention is highlighted under special headings.
Always read and comply with this information. The heading reveals the nature
of the information:

WARNING
CAUTION
IMPORTANT

WARNING tells you of conditions that could cause you physical harm.
CAUTION tells you of conditions that could damage the printer or
related equipment.
IMPORTANT gives you information vital to proper IGP/PGL operation.
NOTE: Provides information affecting IGP/PGL operation considered
important enough to emphasize.

Related Documentation
For RFID commands, refer to the RFID Labeling Reference Manual.

The IGP/PGL Emulation
IGP/PGL is the Intelligent Graphics Printing software for the Printronix
Graphics Language, which is designed for Printronix printers. The IGP/PGL
provides on-line forms, bar codes, and many alphanumeric text-generation
capabilities and is compatible with earlier versions of Printronix IGP protocol
and programming. IGP/PGL graphics processing features are detailed below.

13

Chapter

1

The IGP/PGL Emulation

Features
On-Line Form and Label Generation makes it easy to create forms or labels
with a “preprinted” look for each application. IGP/PGL programs control all
graphic functions, dramatically reducing host computer programming and
processing time.
Graphic capabilities include boxes, vertical and horizontal lines with userselectable thickness, logos, and special alphanumeric print features. Forms
and graphic designs can be duplicated horizontally and vertically.
Alphanumeric data can appear as prepositioned “fixed” information (entered
when the form is created), can be overlayed onto the form (positioned in a
specific location after the form is created), or may be dynamically merged with
the form.
Selectable Bar Codes provide you with the appropriate bar code for your
application using standard wide-to-narrow ratios. A wide selection of bar
codes are available: Australian 4-State, Codabar, Code 39, Code 93, Code
128 Subset A, B and C, Data Matrix, EAN 8, EAN 13, FIM, Interleaved 2 of 5,
German I-2/5, ITF 14, Matrix, Maxicode, MSI A through D, PDF-417, Planet,
Plessey, POSTNET, USPS Intelligent Mail, PostBar, Royal Mail,
UCC/EAN-128, UPC-A, UPC-E, UPCSHIP, and UPS 11. UPC and EAN bar
codes can also specify add-on data. See Table 10 on page 154 for a
complete list of bar codes.
Expanded and Compressed Character Print attract attention where
needed. Alphanumeric height and width are controlled independently for a
wide range of character sizes up to 139 times the standard character size (up
to 13.9 inches wide and tall). Compressed print sizes of 10 to 30 characters
per inch (cpi) are available.
Rotated Alphanumerics permit new concepts in form design. Normal,
expanded, and compressed character strings can be rotated 90 degrees
clockwise or counterclockwise, or they can be printed upside down.
Logos are easily created using alphanumeric commands and add a variety of
print and shading features for a “customized” appearance to forms, reports,
and labels. You can define the format of the logo using TIFF files and PCX
raster data as well as the standard IGP/PGL dots. Logos can also be
dynamically merged with the form.
Reversed Print permits highlighting and contrasting by printing white
characters on a dark background.
Automatic Increment/Decrement Capability allows batch form processing.
You can identify individual numeric and bar code data fields, which includes
automatic increment or decrement functions.

14

How The IGP/PGL Operates

The following list summarizes the new features included in the current
release:

•

PGL Normal Control allows the user to select whether text printed in
IGP/PGL Normal Mode uses attributes defined under the IGP/PGL Mode
menu or the line matrix printer LinePrinter Plus® Mode menu.

•

IGP-100 Compatible allows the user to force the output to correspond
with IGP-100 printer output in cases where there may be differences.

•

International Symbol Set Mapping allows the user to select a symbol
set mapping from pre-defined sets from a host command or front panel
selections.

•

Plessey Bar Code uses the same bar/space ratio and magnification as
the MSI barcode.

How The IGP/PGL Operates
IGP/PGL is an emulation that allows you to print sophisticated graphics and
bar codes.
The printer is always in a particular mode, which is transparent to the user.
When the printer is receiving text or printing text, it is in Normal mode. Any
time the printer is on and is not processing IGP/PGL commands, it is in
Normal mode.
When a Create Form command is issued, the printer moves from the Normal
mode to the Create Form mode. During this phase, the user sends text,
images, and bar code data to the IGP/PGL. All of this data is stored in
memory. An END statement terminates the IGP/PGL data string. The printer
returns to Normal mode.
You can create as many forms as you wish and store them on your host. You
can also save forms in the printer's flash memory.
All forms have filenames. You may want to print the form, label it, and store it
for future reference. Or, you can devise another method for easy retrieval.
These forms can then be downloaded from your host to the printer.
When you Execute a form, you can print it as many times as you wish. This
saves you time from downloading the form each time you want to print it.
Printer Operating Mode
What It Means
Printer receives data
and prints text/graphics.

Normal Mode

Create Form Mode

Execute Form Mode

Normal Mode

You send IGP commands
to the printer.
Printer prints the form designed in
Create Form mode.
Printer returns to Normal mode.

Figure 1. IGP/PGL Modes

15

Chapter

1

The IGP/PGL Emulation

Modes Of Operation
The IGP/PGL has six modes of operation that use specific command
sequences to control the IGP/PGL.

•
•

In Quiet mode all IGP/PGL commands (except LISTEN) are ignored.

•

In the Create Logo and Create Form modes, the printer produces
graphics such as forms, logos, bar codes, and alphanumeric data.

•

The Configuration mode allows you to select specific IGP/PGL operations
for running IGP/PGL files on your printer.

•

The Execute mode is the IGP/PGL printing mode, which controls when
the actual printing of the bar codes and graphics occurs.

In the Normal mode, the printer waits for an SFCC in order to perform
IGP/PGL functions.

Quiet Mode
In this mode, the host passes all data to the LinePrinter+ emulation without
any IGP/PGL interpretation. The IGP/PGL is disabled and all IGP/PGL
commands are ignored. The IGP/PGL looks only for the LISTEN command.

Normal Mode
Normal mode commands print data in a line printer format until a Special
Function Control Code (SFCC) is detected.
Commands accessible in the Normal mode are summarized in Table 1 and
fully described on the referenced pages. Some Normal mode commands can
also be used in other modes: Compressed Print, Expand, Ignore, Select
Format, and Vertical Line Spacing, which are Normal mode commands, can
also be used in the Execute Form mode; the Multinational Character Set
command can be used in the Normal or Create modes. Carriage Return,
Form Feed, Line Feed, and Paper Slew commands also operate in the
Normal mode.
NOTE: All IGP/PGL commands must be entered in UPPERCASE, and each
command line must be followed immediately by a line feed (or
carriage return with line feed terminator), a paper motion command,
or an inline command.

16

Modes Of Operation

Table 1. Normal Mode Commands
Command

Mnemonic

Description

Page #

Cancel

CANCEL

Cancels the print job immediately as soon as the
command is sent to the printer during the print job.

50

Change SFCC

SFCC

Changes the Special Function Control Code character.

145

Compressed Print

DENSITY

Defines the horizontal print density in characters per inch
(cpi).

52

Configuration

CONFIG

Reconfigures IGP/PGL parameters.

54

Create

CREATE

Places the IGP/PGL in the Create Form mode where all the
Create Form mode commands are available to design form
elements.

60

Create Logo

LOGO

Places the IGP/PGL in the Create Logo mode, where logos
can be defined using the appropriate dot placements.

99

Delete Font

DELETE
FONT

Deletes the font identified by the font name which resides
in flash memory only.

63

Delete Form

DELETE
FORM

Deletes a selected form name from the directory and
IGP/PGL memory.

64

Delete Logo

DELETE
LOGO

Deletes a selected logo name from the directory and
IGP/PGL memory.

64

Directory

DIRECTORY

Provides a list of all defined forms and logos, logo
assignments to forms, and memory usage and availability.

66

Emulation Switch

EMULATION

Switch emulation from IGP/PGL to IGP/VGL (if VGL is
present).

70

Enquiry

ENQUIRY

Sends information about the printer state to the host
through the serial port.

70

Execute

EXECUTE

Executes a previously created form.

71

Expanded Print

EXPAND

Expands fonts vertically and horizontally.

82

Font

FONT

Selects a specific typeface, bold, slant (italic) factor, and
symbol set.

83

Font Load

FONTLOAD

Load binary TrueType Font or Intellifont into RAM or Flash
memory.

87

Hex Sequence
On/Off

HEXON
HEXOFF

Enables the IGP to interpret all data as hex characters 0-9,
A-F. Any data not sent as hex digits is ignored until the
HEXOFF command is sent.

90

Ignore Sequence
On/Off

IGON
IGOFF

Enables the IGP/PGL to ignore all characters after the
Ignore Sequence On command is sent until the Ignore
Sequence Off command is sent. See Note on page 21.

90

Line Spacing,
Vertical

LPI

Defines the lines per inch (lpi) printing format.

91

17

Chapter

1

The IGP/PGL Emulation

Table 1. Normal Mode Commands (continued)
Command

Mnemonic

Description

Page #

Link

LINK

Prints forms created in the CREATE mode, used
exclusively for XML driven forms.

94

Listen

LISTEN

Removes IGP/PGL from the Quiet state and enables
IGP/PGL operation.

97

Month Name

MONTH

Allows the creation of user–defined strings to be used as
full and abbreviated month strings in the clock elements.

62

Multinational
Character Set

USET
ISET

Use a multinational character set or create a custom userdefined character set.

Chap. 5

Normal Mode

NORMAL

Places the IGP/PGL in the Normal mode, where it does not
change the data stream but awaits the SFCC followed by
an IGP/PGL command.

102

Optimize

OPTIMIZE

Optimizes the flash file in memory and then reboots.

102

Paper

PAPER

Controls printer paper options, such as page orientation,
intensity and ribbon use.

104

Paper Instruction
Enable/Disable

EN-PI
DIS-PI

Enables or disables use of the PI line with a parallel
interface.

108

Paper Instruction
On/Off for Data Bit 8

PION
PIOFF

Enables or disables Data Bit 8 as the paper instruction
signal in a serial interface.

107

Print File

PRINT

Prints a file from the flash memory.

113

Printer Identification

IDENTITY

The printer identification command.

117

Printer Status

STATUS

Requests the printer status.

121

Quiet

QUIET

IGP/PGL operation is disabled until a Listen command is
received. Any data sent to the LinePrinter Plus Emulation is
unaffected by IGP/PGL commands.

122

Recall

RECALL

Recalls forms or logos from memory.

123

Reset

RESET

Deletes all forms and logos from the IGP/PGL memory or
the printer flash memory.

124

Set Clock

SETCLOCK

Sets the internal printer–clock to the current time and date.

143

Select Format
On/Off

SFON
SFOFF

Ignores all host-generated paper movement commands.
See Note on page 21.

142

Set Up

SETUP

Automatically executes and loads the IGP/PGL commands
into the printer at power-up or after a RESET command is
sent.

143

18

Modes Of Operation

Create Form Mode
Create Form mode commands design forms, all form components, and bar
codes. The forms are not printed in the Create Form mode; forms are printed
in the Execute Form mode after all form design is completed. To begin form
design, access the Create Form mode using the Create command. The
Create command is always used to enter the Create Form mode to begin form
design. Remember that the CREATE command must be entered in
UPPERCASE.
Each element has its own specific set of commands and parameters that
determine size, location, and content. Listed in alphabetical order, Create
Form mode commands are summarized in Table 2 and fully described on the
referenced pages.
The following commands are included for compatibility, and are not
recommended for use: CUT, ENQUIRY, SMODE, and XON.

Print Boundaries
Print area boundaries exist for the paper size selected. All Create Form mode
commands require you to identify the location for the components in your
form. Boundary checking for form elements is performed only when the form
length is specified. This ensures that forms can be created regardless of the
type of paper you have loaded or margins you have set. The IGP/PGL checks
the boundaries before the form is executed to assure that it fits on the loaded
paper size. If the debug option is used in the create statement, the boundaries
are checked against the current paper size. Refer to Appendix C for more
information regarding page boundary guidelines.

Table 2. Create Form Mode Commands
Command

Mnemonic

Description

Page #

Alphanumerics

ALPHA

Defines size, location, and content of alphanumeric
characters and dynamic alphanumeric data fields.

33

Alpha,
Incremental

ALPHA

Defines starting data and increment amount for fixed autoincrement fields.

38

Bar Codes

BARCODE

Each bar code type has its own command to define size,
location, orientation, and data as described in the “Bar
Codes” chapter.

Boxes

BOX

Defines size, location, and thickness of boxes.

47

Circle

CIRCLE

Produces a circle on the printed table.

51

Corners

CORNER

Defines vertical and horizontal length, location, and
thickness of a set of four corners.

60

Duplication,
Horizontal

HDUP

Defines the number of horizontal duplications of an element
and the spacing between duplications.

66

Duplication,
Vertical

VDUP

Defines the number of vertical duplications of an element
and the spacing between duplications.

68

Chap. 3

19

Chapter

1

The IGP/PGL Emulation

Table 2. Create Form Mode Commands (continued)
Command

Mnemonic

Description

Page #

Ellipse

ELLIPSE

Produces an Ellipse.

69

End

END

Terminates the Create Form mode.

70

Font

FONT

Selects a specific typeface, bold, slant (italic) factor, and
symbol set.

83

Form Length

LFORM

Specifies form length by total number of lines at 6 or 8 lpi.

89

Ignore Sequence
On/Off

IGON
IGOFF

Enables the IGP/PGL to ignore all characters after the
Ignore Sequence On command is sent until the Ignore
Sequence Off command is sent. See Note on page 21.

90

Lines, Horizontal

HORZ

Defines the location, size, and thickness of horizontal lines.

91

Lines, Vertical

VERT

Defines the location, size, and thickness of vertical lines.

92

Logo Call

LOGO

Specifies the location of a previously defined logo.

97

Logo Mode, Create

LOGODEF

Defines vertical and horizontal length and dot placement for
logos.

99

Multinational
Character Set

ISET

Use a multinational character set or create a custom userdefined character set.

Page Number

PAGE

Defines the location for automatically incremented page
numbers.

103

Printer Mode

PMODE

Selects the print mode of the printer for the next set of data
and allows different print modes to be specified for use
within the form.

118

Reset

RESET

Deletes all forms and logos from the IGP/PGL memory or
the printer flash memory.

124

Reverse Print

REVERSE

Defines the location for white-on-black printing and selects
the background shade.

124

RFWTAG

RFWTAG

Specifies the RFWTAG command.

125

RFRTAG

RFRTAG

Specifies the RFRTAG command.

136

Scale

SCALE

Defines the vertical spacing and horizontal pitch for data
positioning in character or dot columns and rows.

139

Scaling

SMODE

Permits graphic elements (such as corners or boxes) to
retain their physical shapes and sizes when printed in a
horizontal and vertical density other than the base density of
60 x 72 dpi.

140

Select Format
On/Off

SFON
SFOFF

Ignores all host-generated paper movement commands.
See Note on page 21.

142

VERIFY

VERIFY

The command to verify data of a dynamic field.

148

20

Chap. 5

Modes Of Operation

Create Logo Mode
The Create Logo mode is used in the Create Form mode. The Create Logo
mode creates a logo design; this predefined logo is then “called” into a form in
the Create Form mode. (The logo must be defined before it is “called.”)

Execute Form Mode
The Execute Form mode prints forms created in the Create Form mode.
Execute Form mode commands are summarized in Table 3 and fully
described on the referenced pages. Carriage Return, Form Feed, and Line
Feed commands also operate in the Execute Form mode. Remember that the
EXECUTE Form command must be entered in UPPERCASE, and that a
single line spacing (or a line containing overlay data) must separate an
EXECUTE command from a NORMAL command.
NOTE: Some systems pad the data stream with characters and spaces. If the
IGP/PGL file on your system contains padded characters or spaces
before the SFCC, this data must be ignored before the IGP/PGL can
operate. The Ignore Sequence (IGON/IGOFF) command, discussed
on page 90, is provided for this purpose.
Similarly, at times you may also need the IGP/PGL to ignore hostoriginated paper movement commands (carriage return, line feed,
form feed, etc.) in lengthy data streams. Select Format (SFON/
SFOFF), discussed on page 142, is provided for this purpose. In
addition, the Quiet command, (page 122), can be used to pass data
unchanged to the printer.

21

Chapter

1

The IGP/PGL Emulation

Table 3. Execute Form Commands
Command

Mnemonic

Description

Page #

Compressed Print

DENSITY

Defines the horizontal print density in characters per inch
(cpi).

52

Dynamic
Alphanumeric Data

AFn

Executes the dynamic alphanumeric data provided after
the (cc) EXECUTE command.

76

Dynamic Bar Code
Data

BFn

Executes the dynamic bar code data provided after the
(cc)EXECUTE command.

77

Dynamic Logo

GFn

Executes the dynamic logo data provided after the
(cc)EXECUTE command.

78

Expanded Print

EXPAND

Expands fonts vertically and horizontally.

82

Font

FONT

Selects a specific typeface, bold, slant (italic) factor, and
symbol set.

83

Hex Sequence
On/Off

HEXON
HEXOFF

Enables the IGP to interpret all data as hex characters 0-9,
A-F. Any data not sent as hex digits is ignored until the
HEXOFF command is sent.

90

Ignore Sequence
On/Off

IGON
IGOFF

Enables the IGP/PGL to ignore all characters after the
Ignore Sequence On command is sent until the Ignore
Sequence Off command is sent. See Note on page 21.

90

Incremental
Alphanumeric
Dynamic Data

IAFn

Executes the incremental dynamic alphanumeric data
provided after the (cc) EXECUTE command.

80

Incremental Bar
Code Dynamic Data

IBFn

Executes the incremental dynamic bar code data provided
after the (cc)EXECUTE command.

80

Line Spacing,
Vertical

LPI

Defines the lines per inch (lpi) printing format.

91

Multinational
Character Set

ISET

Selects one of the multinational character sets.

Chap. 5

Normal Mode

NORMAL

Places the IGP/PGL in the Normal mode, where it does not
change the data stream but awaits the SFCC followed by
an IGP/PGL command.

102

Paper

PAPER

Controls printer paper options, such as page orientation,
intensity and ribbon use.

104

Reset

RESET

Deletes all forms and logos from the IGP/PGL memory or
the printer flash memory.

124

Repeat

EXECUTE

Repeats a form a given number of times including all the
dynamic data.

123

Select Format
On/Off

SFON
SFOFF

Ignores all host-generated paper movement commands.
See Note on page 21.

142

22

Alphanumeric Data

Alphanumeric Data
Based on the requirements of a specific application, you can use one of three
methods to print alphanumeric data on a form: Fixed data, Overlay data, and
Dynamic data. These methods are described in more detail in the
“Commands” chapter.

•

Fixed data prints on each form in the same “prepositioned” location,
unless the location changes in the form definition. Company name,
address, logo, and phone number are typical examples of alphanumeric
data that can be “fixed” onto the form.

•

Overlay data is variable alphanumeric data positioned on the page with
line feeds and spaces to fit into exact locations. For example, specific
data can be “overlayed” onto a blank form as if you were typing data into
the appropriate blanks on a preprinted form. Customer names,
addresses, and order numbers are examples of data overlayed onto a
form.

•

Dynamic data is variable data entered into specific locations on each
form. Each time the form prints, a command enters new data in those
locations. Customer names, addresses, or any type of variable
alphanumeric or bar code data can be provided dynamically.

Incremental Data
The incremental data feature allows you to update alphanumeric and bar
code data fields in an alphabetical or numeric manner automatically with just
one set of data sent from the host computer.
Alphanumeric and bar code incremental fields can be used with fixed (static)
data input as part of the Create Form mode or with dynamic data supplied in
the Execute Form mode.
The incremental fields can be increased or decreased, repeated at specified
intervals before updating, and reset to the starting value after a specified
number of increments.

Configuring The IGP/PGL With The Control Panel
Matching certain printer operational settings to those of the host computer is
known as printer configuration. The settings, or configuration parameters,
such as selecting the host interface, active emulation, and printer control
options, are adjusted according to the printer function switch descriptions in
your printer's User's Manual. Configure the IGP/PGL in the same way you
would configure the printer for other features.
You can select IGP/PGL default parameters directly from the control panel as
explained in your User's Manual, or by control codes as explained in the
“Commands” chapter. Your User's Manual also contains detailed
configuration menus and diagrams, as well as descriptions of each
configuration parameter available with your printer.

23

Chapter

1

Flash Memory Storage

Flash Memory Storage
Flash Memory Utilization
Certain models of Printronix printers can be ordered with a removable flash
memory cartridge called Expanded Memory Cartridge (EMC) to be used for
permanent data storage. Printer models without the EMC option utilize
onboard, non-removable flash memory on the main controller board for
permanent storage. Models with the EMC option allow for permanent storage
on the EMC and within the onboard flash memory.
Printers which allow EMC are called cartridge capable printers, and those that
do not allow EMC are called non-cartridge capable printers.
Since cartridge capable printers allow files to be placed on both removable
and permanent storage (allowing the same file name to exist on both types of
storage), a hierarchy (search order) is required for finding/reading/writing/
deleting files and is described below. This hierarchy is not needed for noncartridge capable printers since there is only one location allowed for
permanent data storage.

Cartridge Capable Printer
For printers that support EMC, files can exist on one or more memory types
(EMC, Flash, and DRAM). A hierarchy for finding/reading/writing/deleting files
is necessary and is described below.

Read
NOTE: For commands including EXECUTE, LOGO in create mode, PRINT,
RECALL, DIRECTORY, FONT, and XML data stream.
When the external cartridge is installed, the printer automatically searches the
file from DRAM, Expanded Memory Cartridge, and PCB Flash (PC board
Flash) regardless of the parameter EMC and DISK. EMC stores forms in the
printer’s Expanded Flash Cartridge. DISK stores forms in the printer’s flash
memory. The search stops at the first occurrence when the file is found. If the
file is not found, print an error message.
When the cartridge is not installed, the printer automatically searches the file
from DRAM and PCB Flash regardless of the parameter EMC and DISK. The
search stops at the first occurrence when the file is found. If the file is not
found, print an error message.

24

Non-Cartridge Capable Printer

Write
NOTE: For commands including CREATE, LINK, LOGO in normal mode for
PCX and TIFF, SETUP, and FONTLOAD.
When the cartridge is installed, EMC will write to both DRAM and EMC.
DISK will write to both DRAM and EMC (or PCB Flash) based on the front
panel menu "STORAGE SELECT". If no EMC or DISK is specified, write to
DRAM only.
When the cartridge is not installed, EMC prints an error message. DISK will
write to both DRAM and PCB Flash regardless of the "STORAGE SELECT"
menu setting. If no EMC or DISK is specified, write to DRAM only.

Delete
NOTE: For commands including DELETE FONT, DELETE FORM, DELETE
LOGO, DELETE LINK, RESET, and OPTIMIZE.
When the cartridge is installed, EMC deletes the file from both DRAM and the
Expanded Memory Cartridge. DISK deletes the file from both DRAM and the
Expanded Memory Cartridge (or PCB Flash) based on the front panel menu
"Storage Select". If no EMC or DISK specified, the file is deleted from DRAM
only.
When the cartridge is not installed, EMC causes an error message to print.
DISK deletes the file from both DRAM and PCB Flash regardless of the
"Storage Select" menu setting. If no EMC or DISK specified, the file is deleted
from DRAM only.

Non-Cartridge Capable Printer
NOTE: Non SL4M™/T4M™ printers which includes L7032, SL5000r/T5000r,
and impact printers are non-cartridge capable printers.
When the XML parameter is included with a PGL command, non-cartridge
capable printers (SL5000r/T5000r, P7000), will access onboard flash instead
since the EMC is not supported on these printers.

25

Chapter

26

1

Flash Memory Storage

2

Commands

IGP/PGL Command Standards
IGP/PGL commands have many options and a specific format that you must
follow to obtain the desired results. Certain elements are standard for all
IGP/PGL commands. These command standards are described in the
following sections. Familiarize yourself with the meaning and use of these
standards before operating the IGP/PGL.

Special Function Control Code (SFCC)
The SFCC identifies a command directed to the IGP/PGL to enable a specific
IGP/PGL function. Based on the host computer interface requirements,
various characters can be selected as the SFCC, such as the caret (^) or a
tilde (~). The SFCC must be placed before a command or data is entered.
The examples in this manual use the tilde as the SFCC; always substitute the
actual SFCC required by your system wherever the tilde is shown. In the
general command formats, the SFCC is represented by (cc).
You can select the SFCC using the CONFIG command (page 54), the Special
Function Control Code Change command (page 145) or the control panel
(see the User's Manual).

Semicolon (;)
Each parameter (alpha data, options, etc.) on the command line is separated
by a semicolon. Blank spaces between the semicolon and the next parameter
are not allowed. A missing or misplaced semicolon causes an error message.

Uppercase
The IGP/PGL is “case sensitive.” ALL commands must be entered in
uppercase.

27

Chapter

2

IGP/PGL Command Standards

Inline Commands
The SFCC, usually a “~”, was required to be the first character on a new line.
It may now appear anywhere on the command line. There is a configuration
option that determines whether any data preceding a command is printed or
ignored.
All IGP/PGL commands begin with the Special Function Control Code
(SFCC) and end with a valid line terminator. When the command does not
end with a valid line terminator, it must end with the SFCC to form an inline
command line. This syntax applies only to the commands in Normal mode.
Example:
~DIRECTORY~~DELETE LOGO;*ALL~~DIRECTORY
Another inline command syntax is to replace the valid line terminator with the
inline terminator command (~CR, ~LF, ~FF, or ~LT), and to enclose the entire
command line with the SFON/SFOFF command. This syntax applies to all
PGL commands.
Example:
~SFON~DIRECTORY~LF~DELETE LOGO;*ALL~LF~DIRECTORY~LF~SFOFF
The following example is to use no motion line terminator, ~LT, to print two
Normal mode texts on the same line with the different font.
~SFON~FONT;FACE 93952;POINT 12~LT~FONT;FACE
92250~LTabcdefg~LT~SFOFF

Line Terminator
Each command line must be terminated by a line feed (or a carriage return
with a line feed), or a paper motion command. When an inline command is not
followed by a valid line terminator, it must also end with the SFCC. The
command line will not be accepted if not properly terminated. Refer to your
system User's Manual for your system keyboard and your printer
configuration codes to determine which key(s) (such as ENTER, LINE FEED,
RETURN, etc.) perform a line feed, carriage return with line feed, or form feed
function.

Printable Character
To print, alphanumeric and bar code data must be enclosed by a printable
character (a delimiter). This delimiter is represented by (D) in the command
format. In this manual, an asterisk (*) is used in most examples as the
printable character. (The parentheses are not entered.) Any printable
character can be used as this delimiter except a slash (/) or the SFCC. The
same printable character must be used at both the beginning and end of the
text to be printed and cannot be used within the text.

28

Spaces

Spaces
Spaces are used in the general command formats to visually separate
individual command parameters. Supply the appropriate information for the
command parameter, but do not enter the spaces in the command sequence;
they are shown simply as a visual aid to illustrate where one command
parameter ends and another begins.

Command Parameters
Most commands include a number of parameters. Some are optional, and
some are required. Each parameter must be separated by a semicolon (;)
unless noted otherwise. Throughout this manual, actual commands required
for input are shown exactly as they must be entered and all parameters
associated with that command are shown in italics. Optional parameters are
enclosed in brackets [ ], but do not enter the brackets.
Parentheses indicate variable data. You have a choice of what to enter, but
you must enter something. Do not enter the parentheses themselves.

Form Name
You must use alphanumeric characters to identify the document (form or logo)
you are creating (a maximum of 15 alphanumeric characters). The Form
Name is also used to identify the form during the Execute Form mode. The
valid Form Name characters are listed below and also apply to Logo Name.
The SFCC can also be used in the Form Name. No spaces are allowed
between any of the Form Name characters.

Table 4. Valid Form Name Characters
A through Z (upper and lowercase)

Left and right parentheses ( )

0 through 9

Tilde ~

Dollar sign $

Single quotes ‘ ’

Percent sign %

Exclamation Point !

Dash -

Pound sign #

At sign @

Ampersand &

Left and right braces { }

Prompt
The prompt is the symbol (e.g., a dollar sign, period or greater than symbol)
used to indicate that the host computer is ready for data input. In this manual,
the prompt is shown as a period (.).

29

Chapter

2

IGP/PGL Command Standards

Numeric Values
In this manual, a lowercase n in the command represents a numeric value. If
a command parameter includes a lowercase n, it must be substituted with an
appropriate numeric value. If the lowercase n is part of an optional parameter
and the option is not selected, a value for n is not required.

Comments In Command Lines
To aid in maintenance of a form or logo, comments can be added to many
command lines within the CREATE or CREATE LOGO mode. Comments
must be preceded by a slash (/). Do NOT use the /comment feature on lines
containing an SFCC (e.g., commands used within NORMAL or EXECUTE
mode). Throughout this manual, comments are provided in parenthesis
beside most command lines for better understanding of IGP/PGL operation
but should not be included in your IGP/PGL files. See “Form Examples” on
page 373 for some examples.

Storing Data
To send data to the IGP/PGL, use a system command, such as PRINT.
(Entering data through the keyboard does not store data in nonvolatile
IGP/PGL memory.) Once stored in memory, the data remains until deleted,
the IGP/PGL is reset with the RESET command, or until the printer is turned
off.
IGP/PGL files can be permanently stored to, deleted from, and retrieved from
the printer’s flash memory by ending CREATE, CREATE LOGO, DELETE
FORM, DELETE LOGO, EXECUTE, and DIRECTORY commands with
;DISK.
For example, the following command creates a form named ORDER and
stores it in the printer’s flash memory:
(cc)CREATE;ORDER;DISK
Executing a form or calling a logo will access the flash memory automatically
if the object is not found in RAM.
NOTE: While the printer does not contain a floppy disk drive, the ;DISK
command has been retained to provide backward compatibility with
earlier printer models and command syntax.

Uncompressed And Packed Bits Compression
PGL logos support uncompressed and packed bits compression methods.
CCITT and LZR (used for color) compression methods are not supported.
Refer to your application's documentation about TIFF files.

30

Character Position.Dot Position (CP.DP) Format

Character Position.Dot Position (CP.DP) Format
The CP.DP format is a special parameter available with the IGP/PGL
commands. CP.DP format allows two elements plotted at nearly the same
character location to be offset to eliminate overlapping. Specifying starting
and ending rows and columns is its most frequent use.
Each character location is a cell. Each cell is a grid 12 dot rows high by 6 dot
columns wide (printing at 6 lpi and 10 cpi). The CP.DP format allows a
character cell position (CP) and a specific dot position (DP) within the cell to
be identified as shown in Figure 2. The DP portion of the CP.DP format
specifies a location down (in reference to rows) and to the right (in reference
to columns) within the character cell position.
For example, refer to Figure 2. Suppose a line runs along character position
column 13 (CP = 13). At the same time, an alphanumeric string must begin in
column 13. With CP.DP format, the alphanumeric string can be offset 2 dot
positions (DP = 2) in column 13 to avoid overlap. Specify 13.2 (CP = 13,
DP = .2) for the starting column of the alphanumeric string. Similarly, to place
a horizontal line 8 dot rows beneath another horizontal line in character row
position 11, specify row 11 for one line and row 11.8 for the other line.
12.5 13.1 13.3 13.5 14.1
12.4 13.0 13.2 13.4 14.0

11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0
10.9
10.0

10.10
10.11
11.0
11.1

11.0

11.2
11.3
11.4

12.0

11.5
11.6
11.7
11.8

13.0

11.9
11.10
11.11
12.0

Figure 2. CP.DP Format Example

31

Chapter

2

Command Codes

Command Codes
Data Fields For Alphanumeric And Incremental Data
Based upon the requirements of a specific application, three methods are
used to print alphanumeric data on the form: fixed (or prepositioned) data,
overlay data, and dynamic data.

Fixed Data
Fixed data is entered during the Create Form mode as part of the form
definition. It appears as prepositioned information similar to other form
elements. The fixed data is printed on each form in the same location and can
only be changed by changing the form definition. Your company's name,
address, logo, or phone number are typical examples of alphanumeric data
that can be fixed onto the form.

Overlay Data
Overlay data is variable alphanumeric data entered during the Execute Form
mode by positioning the information with line feeds and spaces into an exact
location. In general, a page of data is overlaid onto a form similar to typing
data in the appropriate blanks of a preprinted form. Each page of overlay data
is separated by form feeds to correspond to each form printed. Customer
names, addresses, and order numbers are examples of variable data that can
be overlaid onto the form.

Dynamic Data
Dynamic data is variable data entered by command during the Execute Form
mode. The dynamic data is entered into a location previously defined in the
Create Form mode. Any number of locations can be identified during the
Create Form mode as part of the form definition. A command during the
Execute Form mode enters new data in the identified location(s) each time
the form prints. Dynamic data is the most efficient method of supplying
variable data to the form. Again, customer names, addresses, or any type of
logo, variable alphanumeric, or bar code data can be provided dynamically.
When data is encoded in UTF-8 format, the length of the UTF-8 string must
be represented as bytes, not the actual string length on the printed form.

Incremental Data Fields
The incremental data fields feature allows alphanumeric (and bar code) data
fields to automatically update numerically or alphabetically with just one set of
data sent from the host computer. A maximum of 65,535 fields can print with
incremental fields automatically updated. Alphanumeric incremental fields can
be used with fixed (static) data input as part of the Create Form mode or with
dynamic data supplied in the Execute Form mode. Incremental data fields
cannot be used with Overlay data.

32

Alphanumerics

Alphanumerics
Purpose

Defines and positions alphanumeric data on a “preprinted” static
data field or as a dynamic data field.

Mode

CREATE

Format

ALPHA
[R;] [E;] [Cn;] [AFn;L;] [T;] [RJUST; or CJUST;] [NLZ;] [DIR;] [UC;]
[DARK;] [POINT;] [HSn; or HSDn;] SR; SC; VE; HE; (D)text(D)
STOP
ALPHA

The Alphanumeric command; enter ALPHA.

R

The optional reverse printing (white on black)
parameter. Enter R to specify a black background.

NOTE: The D parameter, used in earlier IGP/PGL versions, is ignored in
IGP/PGL. In addition, the L parameter, also used in earlier IGP/PGL
versions to specify a long reverse field for descending characters in
dynamic alphanumeric data, is now provided automatically in
IGP/PGL. The IGP/PGL ignores these parameters if found in a
command line.
E

The optional elongated character parameter. Enter
E to specify elongated character printing.
Elongated characters are double height and single
width. If used, the VE and HE parameters must be
set to 0, or an error message will result. Elongated
character printing is also available with rotated
alphanumerics.

Cn

The optional horizontal compression parameter.
Enter C. n = any number between 10 and 30,
specifying the number of horizontal characters per
inch (cpi). 10 cpi is the default value. 10A = 10 cpi
OCR-A. 10B = 10 cpi OCR-B. If used, the VE and
HE parameters must be set to 0, or an error
message will result.

AFn;L

The optional dynamic data field parameters for
identifying the alphanumeric string location on a
form and for designating the length of the
alphanumeric string. If these parameters are used,
the actual text cannot be entered during the Create
Form mode; it must be entered dynamically during
the Execute Form mode. Dynamically entering data
during the Execute Form mode permits changes to
the alphanumeric text without redefining or recreating the form. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter AF.

33

Chapter

2

Command Codes

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the alphanumeric
string location on the form. The SR and SC
parameters are used to specify the exact
location of the alphanumeric field identified by
n.

c.

Replace L with a number equal to the number
of characters in the dynamic alphanumeric
string ranging from 0 through 255. If the data
is encoded in UTF-8 format, enter the number
of byes in the data, not the resulting string
length.

d.

Dynamically enter the alphanumeric string
itself in the Execute Form mode. The length of
the alphanumeric string must be equal to or
less than the value assigned to the length (L)
parameter. Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic
Alphanumeric Data” on page 76.

e.

If the dynamic data field is used, do not enter
the text parameter.

T

Optional parameter which truncates the dynamic
data field when it exceeds the maximum length
defined by the L parameter. When T is not used, a
data length error is printed instead.

RJUST

Right text alignment where the starting column
(SC) points to the right end of the text string. If
RJUST is not specified, the default is left alignment.

CJUST

Center text alignment where the starting column
(SC) points to the center of the text string. If CJUST
is not specified, the default is left alignment.

NLZ

Supresses the leading zero.

DIR

Optional parameter for rotating a character string.
Use the following codes to indicate the direction of
character rotation and to specify an uppercase-only
character string:
a.

Enter CW for 90 degree clockwise rotation.

b.

Enter CCW for 90 degree counterclockwise
rotation.

c.

Enter INV for inverted characters (180 degree
rotation).

The default orientation prints character strings in
the standard horizontal format.
NOTE: Alpha rotation parameters (CW, CCW, INV) require more memory to
implement than the default orientation. Thus, characters selected for
rotation may appear in the default orientation. Selecting a smaller font
will correct the problem.

34

Alphanumerics

UC

Enter UC to specify uppercase-only characters.
When uppercase-only is specified, all lowercase
alpha character codes are converted automatically
to uppercase. Consequently, do not specify
uppercase-only characters if lowercase characters
are required.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce bolder text. Enter
DARK or D. (D is also allowed in the ALPHA
command only.) More information about dark
printing is provided on page 61.

POINT

Optional parameter that changes the units for the
vertical and horizontal expansion values. Enter
POINT. When the POINT parameter is present the
VE value defines the font height in 1/72 of an inch
(i.e. points). If the HE value is non-zero, it defines
the character width in 1/72 of an inch, otherwise the
character width is the standard width for the chosen
height. Cannot be used with elongated (E) and
compressed (Cn) parameters.

HSn or HSDn Horizontal Spacing. The value n indicates the
number of extra dots to add between each
character.
HS = the value is in 60 DPI dots
HSD = the value is in printer dots.
This parameter is used only for proportional fonts.
SR

Defines the starting row of the alphanumeric data.
Enter a value ranging from row 1 through one less
than the length of the form. Character row or dot
row is specified based on the Scale command
(page 139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the alphanumeric
data. Enter a value ranging from column 1 through
one less than the width of the form. Character
column or dot column is specified based on the
Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

VE

Defines the vertical expansion factor to enlarge
characters vertically. Enter a value from 0 through
139. Zero specifies the standard font (no
expansion). A VE value must be entered. Use
vertical expansion with 12 point font size only.
Elongated (E) and compressed (Cn) characters
cannot be used with a vertical expansion other than
zero.

35

Chapter

2

Command Codes

HE

Defines the horizontal expansion factor to enlarge
characters horizontally. Enter a value from 0
through 139. Zero specifies the standard font (no
expansion). An HE value must be entered. Use
horizontal expansion with 12 point font size only.
Elongated (E) and compressed (Cn) characters
cannot be used with a horizontal expansion other
than zero.

(D)

The printable character identifying the start and
finish of the alphanumeric string. Enter any
printable character other than a slash (/), the
SFCC, or a character used within the alphanumeric
string itself. You must use the same character at
both ends of the alphanumeric string, but it will not
print with the data.

text

The group of ASCII characters (the alphanumeric
string) to print. Enter any of the standard ASCII
printable characters (except the character used to
delimit the string in the (D) parameter). The data
appears as “prepositioned” information on the form
beginning at the location specified by SR and SC.
This is the “fixed” or static alphanumeric data; once
defined on the form, it is changed only by redefining
the form using the Alphanumerics command.

STOP

Stop indicates the end of the Alphanumeric
command; enter STOP, and the IGP/PGL will wait
for a new command. If not entered, the IGP/PGL
will wait for another set of Alphanumeric command
parameters.

Comments
As dynamic data, the location of the alphanumeric field is
established in the Create Form mode and the actual
alphanumeric data is continuously redefined before placement on
the form in the Execute Form mode. You can also rotate and
reverse print the alphanumeric string using this command.
Example

36

The following program and example in Figure 3 illustrates the
Alphanumeric command capabilities. To illustrate positioning,
starting row and column are indicated on the example but do not
necessarily reflect actual location on the page. Notice the same
starting row is used for all “EXAMPLE” characters, and they are
all aligned on the same baseline (or bottom), regardless of
expanded or compressed parameters. The string rotates around
the point of intersection of the starting row and columns shown by
the “pinwheel” E. A rotated 10 cpi character establishes the
baseline for all character sizes.

Alphanumerics

ALPHA
36;37;4;4;*E*
36;41;2;3;*X*
36;44;2;2;*A*
36;46;1;1;*M*
(Single-size character, expanded font)
C13;36;47;0;0;*P*
C15;36;48;0;0;*L*
C17;36;49;0;0;*E*
CW;36;60;2;2;*CLOCK*
CW;42;60;4;4;*WISE*
CCW;58;26;2;3;*COUNTER*
CCW;45.5;26;2;2;*CLOCK*
CCW;39.2;26;1;1;*WISE*
INV;54.5;58;0;0;*INVERTED*
R;INV;54.5;49;0;0;*REVERSE PRINT*
45;48;0;0;*E*
CW;UC;45;48;0;0;*e*
(Lowercase converted to uppercase)
CCW;45;48;0;0;*E*
INV;45;48;0;0;*E*
STOP

ROW 36

ROW 39.2

COLUMN 37

COLUMN 49

COLUMN 48

ROW 45

COLUMN 60
ROW 54.5

COLUMN 58

ROW 58

alph
COLUMN 26

Figure 3. Alphanumeric Example

37

Chapter

2

Command Codes

Alphanumerics, Incremental Fields
Purpose

The incremental fields feature updates alphanumeric (and bar
code) data fields in a numeric or alphabetical manner
automatically using just one set of data sent from the host
computer. Incremental alphanumeric data fields can be applied to
fixed (static) data (page 41), or dynamic data (page 44).

Mode

CREATE (for fixed data) or EXECUTE (for dynamic data)

NOTE: Throughout the discussion of incremental fields, the term “increment”
or “incremental” means the field is automatically updated by a
specified amount (or increment). The field can actually be
increased/decreased in specified increments/decrements within the
command.
Comments
Incremental fields can increase or decrease, repeat at specified
intervals before updating, and reset to the starting value after a
specified number of increments. A maximum of 65,535 fields can
be defined.

Using Incremental Alphanumeric Data
Incrementing is controlled with the STEPMASK and STARTDATA command
parameters as described in Table 5. The parameters are part of the
Incremental Alphanumeric Fixed Data command or part of the Execute
command when using incremental alphanumeric dynamic data.
The STEPMASK parameter performs the following three functions:
1. It defines the increment amount (step);
2. It defines the number of characters allowed in the data field
(STARTDATA); and
3. It provides a “mask” to link or unlink subfields of the data to be
incremented independently. The data provided in the STEPMASK field
combined with the data in the STARTDATA field determine the result of
these functions.
The increment amount is defined by the numeric value of the STEPMASK
data. For example, a STEPMASK value of 1 increments the STARTDATA by
1; a STEPMASK value of 2 increments the STARTDATA by 2.
The maximum number of characters allowed in the STARTDATA field is
defined by the number of characters in the STEPMASK field; the
STARTDATA field cannot contain more characters than used in the
STEPMASK field.
Linked and unlinked masking of subfields within the STARTDATA is defined
by the L value in the STEPMASK field. L indicates linked but non-incremental
data in the corresponding position of the STARTDATA field; any alpha
character other than L in the STEPMASK field indicates a non-incremental,
non-linked STARTDATA subfield.

38

Alphanumerics, Incremental Fields

Table 5. Increment Alphanumeric
STEPMASK

START DATA

Character Type and Function

0-9

A-Z

Alpha characters incremented by
amount in STEPMASK field

0-9

0-9

Numeric characters incremented
by amount in STEPMASK field

0-9

Space

Same character type as character
in the next right adjacent, linked
increment position. Character
type will be numeric if in least
significant position.

0-9

Not A - Z or 0 - 9

Error

Not 0 - 9 or L

Any

Non-incrementing alphanumeric
character

L

Any

Linked, non-incrementing
alphanumeric character

The examples on the following pages illustrate incremental alphanumeric data
fields. All cases in the examples use a repeat count parameter value of 1 and
a reset count parameter value of 0. The three vertical dots illustrate the
natural progression for each column and unit of data based on the
incremental count and its impact on linked and unlinked data fields.

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

ABC123
000001

Printed Results:

ABC123
ABC124
......
......
......
ABC999
ABD000
......
......
......
ZZZ999
AAA000

Linked subfields: ABC and 123
RPT = 1
RST = 0

39

Chapter

40

2

Command Codes

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

1ABC123
0LLL001

Printed Results:

1ABC123
1ABC124
.
...
.
...
.
...
1ABC999
2ABC000

Two separate but linked numeric
subfields: 1 and 123, while fixed data
ABC is non-incrementing
RPT = 1
RPT = 0

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

ABC123
001XX1

Printed Results:

ABC123
ABD124
. .
. .
. .
ABI129
ABJ120

Two separate unlinked subfields:
ABC and 3, while fixed data 1 and 2
is non-incrementing
RPT = 1
RPT = 0

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

___1
0001

Printed Results:

___1
___2
....
....
....
__10

Single numeric field with leading
spaces (_)
RPT = 1
RPT = 0

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

_AA98
0LL01

Printed Results:

_AA98
. ..
. ..
. ..
1AA00

Two separate but linked numeric
subfields: AA and 98, with leading
space (_); fixed data AA is nonincrementing
RPT = 1
RST = 0

Alphanumerics, Incremental: Fixed Data Fields

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

_42AR
0LL01

Printed Results:

_42AR
_42AS
. ..
. ..
. ..
_42ZZ
A42AA

Two separate but linked alpha
subfields: A and R, with leading
space (_); fixed data 42 is nonincrementing
RPT = 1
RST = 0

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:
Printed Results:

Value

Description

9AA02
-XXX01

Single numeric field decremented by
1, while fixed data 9 and AA are nonincrementing.

9AA02
9AA01
9AA00
9AA99
..
..
..
9AA03

Alphanumerics, Incremental: Fixed Data Fields
Purpose

To automatically increment/decrement fixed alphanumeric data
fields.

Mode

CREATE

NOTE: In the command format below, incremental alphanumeric command
parameters are shown in boldface type; standard alphanumeric
command parameters and optional non-incremental parameters are
shown in italics. Due to space constraints, the command parameters
are separated into two lines. During actual IGP/PGL input, DO NOT
separate command parameters.
Format

ALPHA
[R;] [E;] [Cn;] I; [DIR;] [UC;] [DARK;] [POINT;] [HSn or HSDn;]
SR; SC; VE; HE;[idir] STEPMASK; [RPTn;] [RSTn;]
(D)STARTDATA(D)
STOP
I

Identifies this alphanumeric command as an
Incremental Alphanumeric command; enter I.

idir

The optional increment direction parameter to
specify an increment (add) or decrement (subtract)
to the data. Enter a plus sign (+) or leave the field
blank to increment (the default). Enter a minus sign
(-) to decrement.

41

Chapter

2

Command Codes

STEPMASK Defines the increment amount (step), the number
of character positions in the data field, and provides
a mask to control the increment function on specific
parts of the data. Enter the appropriate value. Refer
to Table 5 on page 39 for complete information on
STEPMASK parameter values.
RPTn

The optional incremental repeat count parameter to
specify the number of times a particular field value
is repeated before it is incremented. A repeated
field value is useful when printing multiple
rows/columns of identical labels before increasing
to the next value.
To use the repeat count parameter, enter RPT and
replace n with a numeric value ranging from 1
through 65535 to specify the repeat count. The
default repeat count parameter is 1, which will
increment the field value each time it prints.

RSTn

The optional incremental reset count parameter to
specify the number of times an incremented field is
printed (on one or more forms) before it is reset to
the starting value. A reset count is useful when
printing a hierarchy of fields where a low-level field
generates a sequence of numbers, is reset, and the
next higher field level is incremented (such as in a
unit/box/carton application). To use the reset count
parameter, enter RST and replace n with a number
ranging from 1 through 65535 to specify the reset
count. The default reset count value is 0.

STARTDATA
Defines the starting value of the incrementing field.
Enter the appropriate value. Refer to “Using
Incremental Alphanumeric Data” on page 38 for
complete information on STARTDATA and
STEPMASK parameter values.
The maximum amount of STARTDATA characters
must be equal to or less than the number of
characters in the STEPMASK field. If the number of
data characters is less than the number used in
STEPMASK, the data will print right justified with
preceding spaces. Characters allowed for
incrementing fields (STEPMASK values of 0 - 9)
are numeric 0 - 9 and alpha A - Z (uppercase only).
Any printable character is allowed in nonincrementing fields (STEPMASK values not 0 9).The STARTDATA must be enclosed within
standard printable character delimiters just as a
standard alphanumeric data field is enclosed within
delimiters.

42

Alphanumerics, Incremental: Fixed Data Fields

Comments
The Incremental Alphanumeric Fixed Data Fields command is a
revised version of the standard IGP/PGL alphanumeric
command, but it does not replace the standard alphanumeric
command.
~CREATE;TEST;288
(Enters Create Form mode)
VDUP;3;6
(Repeat alpha string)
ALPHA
(Alpha command)
I;6;5;4;4;-00001;*12345*
STOP
(Ends Alpha command)
VDUP;OFF
END
(Terminates Create Form mode)
~EXECUTE;TEST
(Prints form)
~NORMAL

43

Chapter

2

Command Codes

Alphanumerics, Incremental: Dynamic Data Fields
Purpose

Automatically increments/decrements dynamic alphanumeric
data fields. Specifies the location and size of the incremental
dynamic data field during the Create Form mode; STEPMASK
and STARTDATA parameters are supplied in the Execute
command during the Execute Form mode.

Mode

CREATE

NOTE: In the command format below, incremental alphanumeric command
parameters are shown in boldface type; standard alphanumeric
command parameters and optional non-incremental parameters are
shown in italics.
Format

ALPHA
[R;] [E;] [Cn;] IAFn;L;[T;] [DIR;] [UC;] [DARK;] [POINT;]
[HSn or HSDn;] SR; SC; VE; HE
STOP
IAFn;L

44

Identifies this alphanumeric command as an
Incremental Alphanumeric Dynamic Data Field
command. The command parameter string
identifies the incremental dynamic data field
location on the form and defines the length of the
alphanumeric data. If these parameters are used,
the STEPMASK and STARTDATA parameters
cannot be entered in the Create Form mode; they
are entered dynamically during the Execute Forms
mode. To use the incremental dynamic data field,
perform the following steps:
a.

Enter IAF to specify an incremental
alphanumeric dynamic data field.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the alphanumeric
string location on the form. The standard
alphanumeric SR and SC command
parameters specify the exact location of the
field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equal to the number
of characters in the dynamic alphanumeric
string (STARTDATA) ranging from 1 through
255.

d.

Dynamically enter the STEPMASK and
STARTDATA parameters in the Execute Form
mode. The length of the data must be equal to
or less than the value assigned to the length
(L) parameter. Refer to “Execute Form:
Incremental Dynamic Data” on page 79 for
more information.

Alphanumerics, Incremental: Dynamic Data Fields

Comments
The Incremental Alphanumeric Dynamic Data Fields command is
a variation of the standard IGP/PGL Alphanumeric command, but
does not replace the standard alphanumeric command.
As with standard dynamic data fields, incremental dynamic data
fields allow the starting data to be changed without changing the
form definition program. Increment parameters can also change
with each new job without changing the form definition program.
Duplicating Incremental Alphanumeric Fields — Incremental
alphanumeric fixed and dynamic data fields are duplicated
horizontally using the HDUP command and vertically using the
standard VDUP command. Duplicated incremental fields
increment in left-to-right, top-to-bottom order. The following
examples illustrate the results of duplicated incremental fields.

Description

Value
STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

Single numeric field (01)
RPT = 1
RST = 0
HDUP = 3
VDUP = 2

01
01

Printed Results:
Page #1:

01
04

02
05

03
06

Page #2:

07
10

08
11

09
12

Field A
STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

Unlinked subfields, alpha (A),
numeric (01)
RPT = 3
RST = 9
HDUP = 3
VDUP = 3

A01
X01

Field B
STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

Unlinked subfields, alpha (B),
numeric (01)
RPT = 1
RST = 0
(No HDUP or VDUP)

B01
X01

Printed Results:
Page #1:

A01
A02
A03

A01
A02
A03

A01
A02
A03

B01

Page #2:

A01
A02
A03

A01
A02
A03

A01
A02
A03

B02

45

Chapter

2

Command Codes

Example

The following program will produce the Incremental Alphanumeric
data example above. The program elements are also defined.
(Refer to the command format on page 41.)

ALPHA
I;1;1;0;0;001;RPT3;RST9;*A01*
I;3;1;0;0;001;RPT1;RST0;*B01*
STOP
where:
I;1;1;0;0;001;RPT3;RST9;*A01*
Incremental alphanumeric command;
SR of 1; SC of 1;
VE and HE are 0;
001 stepmask increments by 1;
RPT3 repeats each field value 3 times;
RST9 prints and increments each field 9 times
before resetting;
* identifies the start and finish of the alphanumeric
string;
A01 is the starting value.
I;3;1;0;0;001;RPT1;RST0;*B01*
Incremental alphanumeric command;
SR of 1; SC of 1;
VE and HE are 0;
001 stepmask increments by 1;
RPT1 repeats each field value once;
RST0 prints and increments each field 0 times
before resetting;
* identifies the start and finish of the alphanumeric
string;
B01 is the starting value.
~CREATE;TEST;288
VDUP;3;6
ALPHA
IAF1;5;6;5;4;4
STOP
VDUP;OFF
END
~EXECUTE;TEST
~IAF1;+00002;*45678*
~NORMAL

46

(Enters Create Form mode)
(Repeats alpha string)
(Alpha command)
(Ends Alpha command)
(Terminates Create Form mode)
(Prints form)

Boxes

Boxes
Purpose

Produces any variety of rectangular boxes.

Mode

CREATE

Format

BOX
LT;SR;SC;ER;EC[;RD]
STOP
BOX

The Box command; enter BOX. Boxes expand
down and to the right from the given row and
column.

LT

Defines the line thickness, measured in dots. Line
thickness is based on dot dimensions of 1/72” both
horizontally and vertically, so that line thickness is
equal in both directions. Enter a value of 1 or
greater.

SR

Defines the starting row of the box. Enter a value
ranging from row 1 through one less than the length
of the form. Character row or dot row in millimeters
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the box. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 through one less than
the width of the form. Character column or dot
column in millimeters is specified based on the
Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

ER

Defines the ending row of the box. Enter a value
ranging from row 2 through the last row of the form.
The ending row must be greater than the starting
row. Character row or dot row in millimeters is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

EC

Defines the ending column of the box. Enter a
value ranging from column 2 through the last
column of the form. The ending column must be
greater than the starting column. Character column
or dot column in millimeters is specified based on
the Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

RD

Optional parameter. Defines the degree of
corner–rounding. Accept values from 0 (no
rounding) to 8 (heaviest rounding). The default
value is 0. This option is currently applicable for
non-impact printers only.

47

Chapter

2

Command Codes

STOP

Example

Stop indicates the end of the Box command; enter
STOP, and the IGP/PGL will wait for a new
command. If not entered, the IGP/PGL will wait for
another set of Box command parameters.

The following program and example in Figure 4 defines two
boxes. To illustrate positioning, the starting row and column are
indicated on the example but do not necessarily reflect actual
location on the page. (Note the position of the ending row and
column; line thickness is not included.)

BOX
3;24;16;51;63
2;44;48;46;58
STOP

(One box three dot rows thick)
(One box two dot rows thick)

COLUMN 16

ROW 24

COLUMN 48

ROW 44
ROW 46

COLUMN 58

ROW 51
COLUMN 63

Figure 4. Box Example

48

box.e

Boxes

49

Chapter

2

Command Codes

Cancel
Purpose

To cancel the print job immediately as soon as the command is
sent to the printer during the print job.

NOTE: The Cancel command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc) CANCEL
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

CANCEL

The cancel command. Enter CANCEL.

Comment 1. The cancel command will take effect only when a snooper
(preparser) is enabled. Any of the following commands will
enable the snooper for all ports. You can also enable preparser
by using the front panel. Send the following command to the
printer before sending the job.
~CONFIG
SNOOP;CANCEL;PAR
END
~CONFIG
SNOOP;CANCEL;ETH
END
~CONFIG
SNOOP;CANCEL;SER
END
The CANCEL command works if it is received from any port.
PAR, ETH, and SER are listed as compatible with old PGL
commands.
To disable a snooper, send the following command to the printer
before sending the job.
~CONFIG
SNOOP;OFF
END
2. After the snooper is enabled, the cancel command can be sent
to the printer during the print job through any port.
Example

50

The following example shows the format of cancel command.
~CANCEL

Circle

L7032,
THERMAL

Circle
Purpose

Produces a circle on the printed table.

Mode

CREATE

Syntax

CIRCLE
LT; SR; SC; DA
STOP
CIRCLE

The Circle command.

LT

Defines the border thickness, measured in vertical
IGP dots (1/72 inch increments).

SR

Defines the starting row of the circle (CP.DP
format, dot rows, or direct measurement in
millimeters based on the SCALE command).

SC

Defines the starting column of the circle (CP.DP
format, dot rows, or direct measurement in
millimeters based on the SCALE command).

DA

Defines circle diameter, measured in vertical IGP
dots. Circle diameter is based on dot dimensions of
1/72 inch both horizontally and vertically. The circle
diameter is equal in both directions. Enter a value
greater than the border thickness.

NOTE: The CIRCLE command is currently applicable for non-impact printers
only.

Figure 5. Circle Example

51

Chapter

2

Command Codes

Compressed Print (Density)
Purpose

Defines the horizontal print density in characters per inch (cpi).

Mode

NORMAL, EXECUTE

Format

(cc) DENSITY;n
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

DENSITY

The Density command; enter DENSITY.

n

Selects the density in cpi, OCR-A, or OCR-B; enter
a value of 10, 12, 13, 15, 17 or 20 to specify the
density in characters per inch (the default is 10 cpi),
or 10A to select 10 cpi OCR-A or 10B to select 10
cpi OCR-B.

Comments
Print density formats of 10, 12, 13, 15, 17 or 20 cpi are available.
If you need to print at 30 cpi, use the Alphanumerics command
Cn parameter, as described on page 33. Standard print density is
10 cpi. After a Density command is entered, all subsequent
alphanumerics print at the specified density until another Density
command, a Normal mode command, or a Reset command is
entered. The Density command also permits the standard printer
editing function (carriage return editing). After the Density
command is entered, data in the print buffer can be edited as
described in your printer User's Manual.
Example

The following command selects 15 cpi printing format until
another Density command, a Normal mode command, or a Reset
command is entered.

~DENSITY;15

Clock Element Format
Purpose

Embeds Realtime Clock information in an ALPHA and/or
BARCODE data field.

NOTE: The Clock Element Format command is not supported on L7032
printers.
Format

52




The Clock Indicator character, as defined by the
CLOCK parameter in the ALPHA and/or
BARCODE commands. See the ALPHA and
BARCODE command descriptions for details.



Sign for the offset, can be “+” to add or “-” to
subtract.



Offset to the selected clock type. This is an amount
of time to add to or subtract from the selected clock
element value. Also referred to as “Sell-By” Date.

Clock Element Format


The “.” character indicates that this sequence will
be printed, and the given offset will be used.
The comma (,) indicates that this sequence will not
be printed. It will only be used to specify the offset.
TYPE

The clock element to display. See the following
table for available elements.

Table 6. Clock Element Types
Type

Description

Range

d

Day of the month

01..31

n

Month number

01..12

M

Full Month name

January..December

A

Abbreviated month name

Jan..Dec

y

2–digit Year number

00..99

Y

4–digit Year number

0000..9999

h

Hour, 12hr clock

01..12

H

Hour, 24hr clock

00..23

p

AM/PM designation

AM/PM

m

Minute

00..59

s

Second

00..59

When the CLOCK parameter is not specific in the BARCODE/ALPHA
command, the Clock Format is treated as text.
The offset is the total of all offsets in the data field.
Adding months or years that result in days beyond the end of the new month
will roll over into the following month. For instance, adding one year to Feb 29
will result in Mar 1st. Or, adding 1 month to Jan 31 2002 will result in Mar 3.
(Jan 31 + 1 Month = Feb 31, Feb 2002 only has 28 days).
NOTE: By default, the time stamp on the label reflects the time the label
(bitmap page) is drawn, not the time when the label prints from the
engine. As a result, there is a time lapse between when the label is
drawn and when the label is printed. Only in Tear Off and Peel Off
mode does the time stamp on the label reflect the time when the label
is printed by the engine.

53

Chapter

2

Command Codes

Example
~MONTH;F (define a new name for January)
___JANUARY_ (the rest of the months use default)
END
~CREATE;CLOCK;0
ALPHA
CLOCK%;AF1;60;3;2;1;1 (these Dynamic Alpha fields will)
CLOCK%;AF2;60;4;2;1;1 (be scanned for Clock data)
CLOCK%;AF3;60;5;2;1;1 (which must start with a % sign)
STOP
END
(Set clock to Jan/31/2002, 23 hr, Minutes & Seconds don’t
change)
~SETCLOCK;DA 31;MO 01;YE 2002;HO 23;
~EXECUTE;CLOCK
~AF1;*Today = %+0.M / %+0.d / %+0.Y*
(Add 1 Hr to current time, but don’t print the hours)
~AF2;*1 Hr later = %+0.M / %+0.d / %+0.Y %+1.H*
(Add 1 month)
~AF3;*1 Month Later = %+1.A / %+0.d / %+0.y*
Result
Today

= ___JANUARY_/31/2002

1 Hr Later

= February / 01 / 2002

1 Month Later

= March / 03 / 02

Configuration
Purpose

Places the IGP/PGL in the Configuration mode, where changes
to any or all of the IGP/PGL configuration parameters via
software control can be made instead of from the printer control
panel.

NOTE: The Configuration command is partially supported on L7032 printers.
See Table 7 on page 55.
Mode

NORMAL

NOTE: A separate line is required for the CONFIG command, the parameters
and values, and the END command.
Format

(cc)CONFIG
parameter; value
END
(cc)

The SFCC.

CONFIG

The Configuration command; enter CONFIG.

parameter; value
The parameter for which a configuration change is
desired, and the value associated with that
parameter. The available parameters and the
values associated with these parameters are listed
in Table 7.
END

54

Terminates the CONFIG command; enter END.

Configuration

NOTE: All CONFIG parameters except RESET must be followed by a
semicolon (;). Any CONFIG parameters not entered in UPPERCASE
and exactly as listed in Table 7 will result in an Error 156. (Refer to
the “Error Codes” chapter.)

Table 7. Configuration Parameters
Configuration Parameter
AI 00 SPACES

L7032, AUTO EJECT
THERMAL (L7032 and Thermal only)
AUTO WRAP

IMPACT BLOCK FONTS

Value
0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled
0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled
0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled
0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

BOUNDARY CHECK

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

C39 COMPATBL

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

CARRIAGE RETURN DEF

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

CHECK DYNAMIC BCD

0 = Off; 1=On

IMPACT COMPRESSED CPI

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

CR EDIT

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

DISK STORAGE

0 = PCB Flash
1 = EMC (Expanded Memory Cartridge)

ERROR REPORT

0 = Off; 1 = On; 2 = Debug;
3 = Fault

EXT EXECUTE COPY

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

L7032, FF AT TOF
THERMAL (L7032 and Thermal only)

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

FORM HANDLING

0 = Disabled;
1 = Auto Eject;
2 = Auto TOF

HANGUL (Hangul products
only)

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

HOST FORM LENGTH

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

I-2/5 SELECTION

1 = Trailing Spaces
2 = X2DPD
3 = Modulo 7 CD
any other value = Leading Zero

IGNORE CHAR

0-255 = the selected ignore char;
any other value = ignore mode off

IGNORE TEXT

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

INFO

N/A

IGP100 COMPATBL

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

55

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Command Codes

Table 7. Configuration Parameters (continued)
Configuration Parameter
LINE FEED DEF

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

LPI

1-1000

LEFT MARGIN

Horz. IGP Dots (60 dpi)

IMPACT, OPTIMIZED RATIO
THERMAL

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

PGL NORMAL

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

POWER ON IGP/PGL

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

IMPACT POWER ON S-MODE

0 = Disabled; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for different
printer mode (refer to the table for printer
mode)

IMPACT PRINT QUALITY

0 = Data Processing;
1 = High;
2 = Best

IMPACT PRINTER PI LINE

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

PRINTER TYPE

IMPACT, PTX SETUP
THERMAL
THERMAL, REPEAT FORM OPT
L7032

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled
N/A
0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

RESET

N/A

SFCC

1-255

IMPACT, SLEW RANGE
THERMAL

0 = 15; Non-Zero = 16

SKIP PREFIX

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

SLASH ZERO

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

THERMAL SNOOP

“STATUS” or “CANCEL” = enabled
“OFF” = disabled

SO CHAR

0 - 255

TOP/BOTTOM MARGIN

Vert. IGP Dots (72 dpi)

IMPACT TRUE FORM SLEW

56

Value

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

TRUNC DYN DATA

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

UPC DESCENDERS

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

UPPERCASE

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

UPCASE DOT 0

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

USER-DEF RATIO

0 = Disabled; Non-Zero = Enabled

VAR FORM ADJUST

0, 1, ..., 30

Configuration

Table 7. Configuration Parameters (continued)
Configuration Parameter
VAR FORM TYPE

Value
0 = Add Nothing
1 = Add; 0
2 = Add; X

Comments
The IGP/PGL configuration parameters available are defined in
your User's Manual.
Any or all parameters can be used within one CONFIG
command, and they can be listed in any order. List each
parameter;value on a separate line, terminating with the END
command. Default configuration values can be reset using the
CONFIG command.
Parameters not followed by a value, and parameters followed by
any non-zero value are interpreted as “true” or “enabled” values.
For carriage return and line feed definitions, a zero value does
not change the data stream. However, for non-zero values, a
carriage return character or line feed character will be interpreted
as a carriage return plus a line feed.
Parameters not listed in this command remain unchanged. If a
parameter error is detected for parameters other than 0 or 1
(i.e., SFCC, Top/Bottom Margin, Left Margin), the value will
default to the current configuration from flash memory.
Example 1 The following command enables IGP/PGL Auto Wrap, disables
Auto Eject, and selects 6 lpi printing.
~CONFIG
AUTO WRAP;1
AUTO EJECT;0
LPI;6
END
Example 2 The following command resets all control panel IGP/PGL
configuration parameters back to default values.
~CONFIG
RESET
END

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Command Codes

Corners

58

Purpose

Defines corner sets.

Mode

CREATE

Format

CORNER
LT;SR;SC;ER;EC;VL;HL
STOP
CORNER

The Corner command; enter CORNER. Corners
expand down and to the right from the given row
and column.

LT

Defines the line thickness, measured in dots. Line
thickness is based on dot dimensions of 1/72” both
horizontally and vertically, so that line thickness is
equal in both directions. Enter a value of 1 or
greater.

SR

Defines the starting row of the corner. Enter a value
ranging from row 1 through one less than the length
of the form. Character row or dot row in millimeters
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the corner. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 through one less than
the width of the form. Character column or dot
column in millimeters is specified based on the
Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

ER

Defines the ending row of the corner. Enter a value
ranging from row 2 through the last row of the form.
The ending row must be greater than the starting
row. Character row or dot row in millimeters is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

EC

Defines the ending column of the corner. Enter a
value ranging from column 2 through the last
column of the form. The ending column must be
greater than the starting column. Character column
or dot column in millimeters is specified based on
the Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

VL

Defines the length of the vertical arm (including the
line thickness) of each corner in the set. Enter a
value of 1 or greater specified in character or dot
rows based on the Scale command (page 139), or
use the CP.DP format (page 31).

Corners

Example

HL

Defines the length of the horizontal arm (including
the line thickness) of each corner in the set. Enter a
value of 1 or greater specified in character or dot
columns based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

STOP

Stop indicates the end of the CORNER command;
enter STOP, and the IGP/PGL will wait for a new
command. If not entered, the IGP/PGL will wait for
another set of Corner command parameters.

The following program specifies a corner set as shown in Figure
6. To illustrate positioning, the starting row and column are
indicated on the example but do not necessarily reflect actual
location on the page. (Note the position of the ending row and
ending column; they do not include the line thickness.)

CORNER
5;27;27;42;55;4;6
STOP

COLUMN 27

(Each corner in the set is 5 dot rows
thick, 4 character rows high, 6 character
columns wide)

HORIZONTAL LENGTH
6 COLUMNS

ROW 27
VERTICAL
LENGTH
4 ROWS

ROW 42

COLUMN 55

Figure 6. Corner Example

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Command Codes

CREATE

60

Purpose

Places the IGP/PGL in the Create Form mode, where forms and
form elements can be defined using the appropriate commands.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)CREATE; [/]formname [;FL] [;NOMOTION] [;DISK]
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

CREATE

The Create Form mode command; enter CREATE.

/

The optional debug character to check the program
line by line for incorrect parameters and print
boundaries using the current page size; enter the
slash symbol (/) to debug the program. No checks
are made until the completed program is sent to the
IGP/PGL for storage (when the form is executed by
printing the file with the IGP/PGL program). Then
the form name is entered into the directory, and the
program is evaluated. If errors are detected, the
program will print, line by line (including the error on
the line where the error occurs), followed by the
error-free sections of the form. Correct all errors
and delete the slash. Refer to “Solving Program
Errors” on page 409.

formname

Defines the form name of the form being created.
The form name should be no more than 15
characters in length. Refer to page 29 for a list of
allowable form name characters. If a form is
created with the same name as a form already
existing in memory, the newly created form will
replace the existing form. All future reference to the
form (editing, executing, or deleting the form from
the directory) must be made using the assigned
name.

FL

The optional forms length parameter to specify the
length of the form in IGP dot rows. (Form length
cannot exceed the physical length of the page.
Refer to Appendix C). Specify the form length in
one of four ways:
a.

Enter 0 to define a form of unspecified length.
The form ends after the longest element
specified in CREATE mode.

b.

Enter a value for the form length ranging from
1 through 65535 to specify the forms length in
IGP dot rows.

c.

Do not specify this parameter. A default of 792
IGP dots (11 inches) is then selected.

Dark Printing

d.

Enter X to define the form length of
undetermined length Upon EXECUTE mode,
the form’s length is determined by the physical
page length setting (which depends on the
paper orientation).

NOMOTION The optional parameter that tells the printer not to
move the paper after execution of the form if the
form does not print anything on the paper. If the
form has commands such as Alpha or Barcode
commands that require printing, this parameter will
have no effect and the paper will always move. By
default, PGL will always move the paper with or
without the print graphic command.
NOTE: NOMOTION is primarily used in RFID applications to program RFID
tags.
DISK

Example

Optional parameter to store the form in the printer’s
flash memory. Enter DISK. For XML driven forms,
use the DISK option to store the form in flash
memory. See “Link” on page 94 for a description
and example on XML forms. Enter EMC to store
the form in the printer’s External Flash Cartridge.
See “Flash Memory Storage” on page 24.

The following command creates a form named ORDER with the
default forms length:

(cc)CREATE;ORDER

Dark Printing
A DARK parameter, available in the Alpha, Reverse, and Bar Code
commands, is like the double-strike feature in impact printers which produces
bolder, darker text, denser black backgrounds for reverse print, and extradark, more readable bar codes.
Reverse and Bar Code commands automatically print in the DARK mode in
L7032 and thermal printers; therefore, a DARK parameter in the command
line is ignored. However, a DARK parameter used with alphanumeric text in
the ALPHA command will print using a bold font. In any event, print speed is
not reduced when using the DARK parameter with L7032 or thermal printers.
For barcodes, the Dark parameter fills in the space between two adjacent
dots in the horizontal direction. The DARK parameter will take affect if there is
more than one dot in the horizontal direction. The DARK parameter will not
take affect if there is only one dot on the horizontal direction.
For example, the Intelligent Mail 4-State barcode contains a bar only one dot
wide. In the horizontal rotation (0 or 180 degrees), the DARK option will not
take affect since there is only one dot for each bar in the horizontal direction.
However, in the vertical rotation (90 or 270 degrees), the DARK option will
take effect since there is more than one dot for each bar in the horizontal
direction. For barcodes such as EAN, whose bar is more than one dot wide,
the DARK option will take affect in both vertical and horizontal rotations since

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in both rotations, there is more than one dot for each bar in the horizontal
direction.

Define Month Names
Purpose

Allows the creation of user-definable strings to be used as full
and abbreviated month strings in the clock elements. This allows
users to create these names in any language.

NOTE: The Define Month Names command is not supported on L7032
printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc) MONTH;F or A;
Name01
Name02
..
Name12
END
MONTH

The define Month Names command.

F

Define Full Month Names (Translations for clock
element “M”)

A

Define Abbreviated Month Names (Translations for
clock element “A”)

END

Ends the command.

Comments
Every Month Name to be defined must be entered on it’s own
line, terminated by a line terminator.
Empty Names will be set to their full default value. Defaults for “F”
are the English month names (January–December). For the “A”
parameter, the defaults are the 3–letter abbreviated English
month names (Jan–Dec).
The command may be ended without defining all 12 names, the
non–defined names will not change.
Example

62

See “Clock Element Format” on page 52.

Delete Font

Delete Font
Purpose

Deletes the font identified by the font name which resides in flash
memory or RAMDISK memory.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc) DELETE FONT;fontname;[DISK]
(cc)

The Special Function Control.

DELETE FONT
The Delete Font Command; enter DELETE FONT.
fontname

Identifies the font to be deleted. Enter the name of
the font exactly as it was created.

DISK

Optional parameter. Enter DISK to delete the font
from the printer’s on board Flash Memory.
Enter EMC to delete the font from the printer’s
External Flash Cartridge. When DISK is not
specified, the font is deleted from RAMDISK.
See “Flash Memory Storage” on page 24.

Comment When loading fonts to RAMDISK, the printer files will not be
saved to RAMDISK when the printer is powered off. When
loading fonts to flash memory, the printer files will be saved when
the printer is powered off. Both RAMDISK and flash memory
support file operations such as saving, reading, and deleting files.
Removing all font files with *ALL as fontname is not currently
supported.
Example

The following example deletes a downloaded true type font
named Times New Roman.ttf from flash memory.

~DELETE FONT;Times New Roman.ttf;DISK
NOTE: The space of files deleted from flash are not reclaimed for general
use within the flash file system until an Optimize and Reboot
operation is performed. It is not recommended to frequently store or
delete files to flash. The Optimize and Reboot operation is not
required on L7032 printers since the deleted files are reclaimed by
the printer for general use.

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Command Codes

Delete Form
Purpose

Deletes the form identified by the form name from memory.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)DELETE FORM;formname [;DISK]
DELETE FORM
The Delete Form command.
formname

Identifies the form to be deleted. You can delete all
forms by entering *ALL as the form name.

DISK

If applicable, the form deletes from both RAM and
FLASH.
Enter DISK to delete the form from the printer’s on
board Flash Memory.
Enter EMC to delete the form from the printer’s
External Flash Cartridge. See “Flash Memory
Storage” on page 24.

NOTE: The space of files deleted from flash are not reclaimed for general
use within the flash file system until an Optimize and Reboot
operation is performed. It is not recommended to frequently store or
delete files to flash. The Optimize and Reboot operation is not
required on L7032 printers since the deleted files are reclaimed by
the printer for general use.

Delete Logo
Purpose

Deletes the logo identified by the logo name from memory.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)DELETE LOGO;logoname [;DISK]
DELETE LOGO
The Delete Form command.
logoname

Identifies the logo to be deleted. You can delete all
logos by entering *ALL as the logo name.

DISK

If applicable, the logo deletes from both RAM and
FLASH.
Enter DISK to delete the logo from the printer’s on
board Flash Memory.
Enter EMC to delete the logo from the printer’s
External Flash Cartridge. See “Flash Memory
Storage” on page 24.

NOTE: The space of files deleted from flash are not reclaimed for general
use within the flash file system until an Optimize and Reboot
operation is performed. It is not recommended to frequently store or
delete files to flash. The Optimize and Reboot operation is not
required on L7032 printers since the deleted files are reclaimed for
general use.

64

Diagonal

Diagonal
Purpose

Produces a diagonal line.

Mode

CREATE

Syntax

DIAG
LT; SR; SC; ER; EC
STOP
DIAG

The Diagonal command.

LT

Defines the border thickness, measured in vertical
IGP dots (1/72 inch increments).

SR

Defines the starting row of the diagonal line
(CP.DP format, dot rows or direct measurement in
millimeters based on SCALE command).

SC

Defines the starting column of the diagonal line
(CP.DP format, dot rows or direct measurement in
millimeters based on SCALE command).

ER

Defines the ending row of the diagonal line
(CP.DP format, dot rows or direct measurement in
millimeters based on SCALE command).

EC

Defines the ending column of the diagonal line
(CP.DP format, dot rows or direct measurement in
millimeters based on SCALE command).

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Command Codes

Directory
Purpose

Prints the following information: (1) all defined forms and logos,
(2) logo assignment to forms, and (3) memory usage and
availability.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)DIRECTORY[;DISK]
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

DIRECTORY The Directory command; enter DIRECTORY.
DISK

Optional parameter to specify the forms and logos
stored in the printer’s flash memory. Enter DISK.

Comments
As many forms and logos as printer memory allows may be
stored in IGP/PGL memory. If the memory is full, the form will not
print; available space in the memory must be at least the size of
the form being executed.
For more information, refer to the Directory Example on page
407.

Duplication, Horizontal

66

Purpose

Defines both the number of times form elements are duplicated
horizontally and the spacing between each duplication.

Mode

CREATE

Format

HDUP;dup#;offset#
elements to be duplicated
HDUP;OFF
HDUP

The Horizontal Duplication command; enter HDUP.

dup#

Specifies the duplication number, which is the
number of times the entered form element(s) will
repeat horizontally. Enter a value ranging from 1
through 255.

offset#

Specifies the horizontal offset to establish the
horizontal spacing between each duplication of the
form element(s) specified in the body of the
command. Enter a value in terms of dot or
character columns based on the Scale command
(page 139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).
The offset is from starting column to starting
column.

HDUP;OFF

Terminates the Horizontal Duplication command;
enter HDUP;OFF. If not entered, the IGP/PGL
expects another form element to be defined for
duplication. A single HDUP command can define
different types of elements for duplication.

Duplication, Horizontal

Example

The following example is a horizontal duplication of a series of
vertical lines. To illustrate positioning, starting row and column
are indicated on the example but do not necessarily reflect actual
location on the page.

HDUP;14;4
VERT
1;10;59;59.6
1;10.3;58.9;59.9
1;11;58.6;60
1;11.3;58.3;60.3
1;12;58;60.6
1;12.3;58.3;60.3
1;13;58.6;60
1;13.3;58.9;59.9
STOP
HDUP;OFF

(14 dupes with 4-character column spacing)
(Command to duplicate horizontally)
(Note CP.DP format: 59.6)

(Stops the command to duplicate element)
(Terminates the horizontal duplication)

COLUMN 10
COLUMN 11
COLUMN 12
COLUMN 13
ROW 58

DUPLICATING THE SET HORIZONTALLY 14 TIMES
ROW 60.6
COLUMN 13.3
COLUMN 12.3
COLUMN 11.3
COLUMN 10.3

hdup.ex

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Command Codes

Duplication, Vertical
Purpose

Defines both the number of times elements are duplicated
vertically and the spacing between each duplication.

Mode

CREATE

Format

VDUP; dup#;offset#
elements to be duplicated
VDUP;OFF

Example

VDUP;3;2
HORZ
1;52;15;65
STOP
VDUP;OFF

COLUMN 15

ROW 52
ROW 54
ROW 56

68

VDUP

The Vertical Duplication command; enter VDUP.

dup#

Specifies the duplication number, which is the
number of times the entered form element(s) will
repeat vertically. Enter a value ranging from 1
through 255.

offset#

Specifies the vertical offset to establish the vertical
spacing between each duplication of the form
element(s) specified in the body of the command.
Enter a value in terms of dot or character columns
based on the Scale command (page 139), or use
the CP.DP format (page 31). The offset is from
starting row to starting row.

VDUP;OFF

Terminates the Vertical Duplication command;
enter VDUP;OFF. If not entered, the IGP/PGL
expects another form element to be defined for
duplication. A single VDUP command can define
different types of elements for duplication.

The following example is a vertical duplication of one horizontal
line. The line is duplicated three times. To illustrate positioning,
the starting row and column are indicated on the example but do
not necessarily reflect actual location on the page.
(3 duplications with 2-char. row spacing)
(Command to duplicate vertically)
(Stops the command to duplicate element)
(Terminates the vertical duplication)

COLUMN 65

Ellipse

L7032,
THERMAL

Ellipse
Purpose

Produces an Ellipse.

Mode

CREATE

Syntax

ELLIPSE
LT; SR; SC; ER; EC
STOP
ELLIPSE

The Ellipse command.

LT

Defines the line thickness, measured in vertical IGP
dots (1/72 inch increments).

SR

Defines the starting row of the ellpse (CP.DP
format, rows, or direct measurement in millimeters
based on the SCALE command).

SC

Defines the starting column of the ellpse (CP.DP
format, dot rows or direct measurement in
millimeters based on the SCALE command).

ER

Defines the ending row of the ellipse (CP.DP
format, dot rows, or direct measurement in
millimeters based on the SCALE command).

EC

Defines the ending column of the ellipse (CP.DP
format, dot rows, or direct measurement in
millimeters based on the SCALE command).

NOTE: This command is currently applicable to non-impact printers only.

Figure 7. Ellipse Example

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Command Codes

Emulation Switching
Purpose

To switch the active emulation from IGP/PGL to the emulation
selected.

NOTE: The Emulation Switching command is not supported on L7032
printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)EMULATION; emulation
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

EMULATION The Emulation Switch command.
emulation

Specifies the emulation to activate. Enter V to
switch to VGL and P to switch to ZGL.

Comments
The switching of emulations causes IGP/PGL to perform a soft
reset. Therefore, front panel selections return to their saved state,
and all forms and logos resident in RAM memory are deleted.
Enter V to select VGL and P for ZGL.

End
Purpose

Terminates the current mode of operation and must be used
before entering a new mode command (EXECUTE, LOGO,
NORMAL, or even CREATE).

Mode

CREATE

Format

END

Comments
After the End command is received, the IGP/PGL flushes
program errors, stores the error-free portions of the form program
just completed, and then returns to the Normal mode. If the
debug slash (/) is included in the Create command, the program
prints with any corresponding error messages.

Enquiry
Purpose

To send information (a status byte) about the printer state to the
host through the serial port. This command is ignored if the
current host interface is not the serial port. This is an online
command and is not required to be followed by a terminator.

NOTE: The Enquiry command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL, CREATE, or EXECUTE

Format

(cc) ENQUIRY
ENQUIRY

70

The Enquiry command. Enter ENQUIRY.

Execute Form Mode

Execute Form Mode
How to Use the Execute Command
Forms are printed in the Execute Form mode. In addition to printing the form
in the Execute Form mode, variable data can also be entered onto the form
“dynamically” during the Execute Form mode. This dynamic data input during
the Execute Form mode includes page numbers, alphanumeric data fields,
and bar code data fields. Pagination, described on page 103, is performed in
the Execute Form mode. Dynamic alphanumeric and bar code data require
additional commands within the Execute Form mode.
The fastest method for repeated forms printing is to use the form feed
character. Rather than sending a series of Execute/Normal commands, which
slows the process by performing an open-print-close form sequence, the form
feed character instructs the IGP/PGL to start a new page with new EVFU,
dynamic and overlay data using the existing Execute commands for the form.
The EVFU Data-Dynamic Data-Overlay Data-Form Feed Character sequence
can be repeated indefinitely while maintaining the optimum print speed within
the original Execute command.
Remember, when a form count is not specified, a single line spacing (or a line
containing overlay data) must always separate an EXECUTE command from
a NORMAL command.

To Execute Forms Rapidly
In order to save reloading time, the IGP/PGL remembers the last form
executed. However, a form must be loaded if it was not the last form
executed, if it was used with a CREATE command since the last EXECUTE,
or if any logo has been created.
When the form to be executed is found in memory, it is loaded and execution
resumes; otherwise, the “FORM NOT FOUND” error is printed.

Print Formats in the Execute Form Mode
The Execute Form mode has two print formats. The standard execute
command format, shown on page 72, is used for executing non-incremental
data and incremental fixed data. An incremental Execute command format,
containing two additional parameters, is used for executing incremental
dynamic data and is discussed on page 79.
During the Execute Form mode, the IGP/PGL responds to regular print format
commands such as 8 lpi, and elongated characters. Some commands can be
used in other modes in addition to the Execute Form mode. For example,
Compressed Print, Expanded Print, Execute, Ignore, Select Format, and
Vertical Line Spacing, which are also Normal mode commands, can be used
in the Execute or Create Form modes. The IGP/PGL alternate character set
can also be used in the Execute Form mode.

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Execute Form: General Format

72

Purpose

Prints forms created in the CREATE mode.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)EXECUTE ;formname [;SAVEDYN] [;PAGE n] [;FC] [;ICNTn]
[;FCNTn] [;IRSTn] [;DISK]
[;DISK] [EVFU Data]
[(cc)AFn; (D)ASCII text(D)]
[(cc)BFn; (D)data(D)]
[(cc)DFn; (D)data(D)]
[(cc)AFn; ]
[(cc)BFn; ]
[(cc)GFn; (D)logoname(D)]
[(cc)IAFn; [idir] STEPMASK;[RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)]
[(cc)IBFn; [idir] STEPMASK;[RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)]
[(cc)IDFn; [idir] STEP;[RPTn;][RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)]
[Overlay Data]
[Form Feed character]
(cc)NORMAL
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

EXECUTE

The Execute Form command; enter EXECUTE.

formname

Identifies a previously defined form by name. Enter
the form name exactly as used when created.

SAVEDYN

The optional command to have dynamic fields
saved across forms that are separated with a form
feed character.

PAGE n

The optional Pagination command; enter PAGE, a
space, and replace n with the decimal number of
the starting page in a sequence of multiple pages.
The number may be eight digits long and range
between 0 and 99999999. The next page after
99999999 is 0. Be sure to leave a blank space
between the PAGE command and the n value. The
page number will print on the form in the location
defined by the Page Number command in the
Create Form mode. If the location of the pagination
field was not specified in the Create Form mode,
the page field is printed in the upper left corner of
the form.

FC

The optional form count parameter specifies the
number of copies of the form to print. Enter the
appropriate number. When the last page prints, the
IGP/PGL returns to the Normal mode automatically.
Do not use the form count parameter if dynamic
data (AFn and BFn parameters), incremental data
(FCNT, ICNT, or IRST parameters), overlay data,
or EVFU data are used in the Execute command.

Execute Form: General Format

FCNTn

The optional incremental form count. Enter FCNT
(functions the same as ICNT and the form count
value). However, with FCNT, both incremental
dynamic data (IAF or IBF) and non-incremental
dynamic data (AF or BF) will be printed on each
page. With ICNT, only incremental dynamic data
will be printed on each page and non-incremental
dynamic data will only be printed on the first page.

ICNTn

The optional incremental form count. Enter ICNT
and the Incremental value as described in the
Execute Incremental Dynamic Data command
described on page 79.

IRSTn

The optional incremental reset count parameter.
Enter IRST and the reset value as described in the
Execute Incremental Dynamic Data command
described on page 79.

DISK

Optional parameter that specifies to recall the form
from the printer’s flash memory. Enter DISK.
To recall the form from the Expanded Memory
Cartridge, enter EMC. This option is not required
since the printer automatically searches DRAM, the
Expanded Memory Cartridge, and Flash. See
“Flash Memory Storage” on page 24.

EVFU Data

Optional parameter to use the EVFU to overlay
data onto the form. (“EVFU Data” is not part of the
Execute command. It is shown in the command
sequence to indicate that actual EVFU data can be
entered following the Execute command.) Enter
EVFU data as described in Appendix D and on
page 75.

(cc)AFn;(D)ASCII text(D)
The Execute Dynamic Alphanumeric Data
command. Enter the dynamic alphanumeric data
during the Execute Form mode as described in
“Execute Form: Dynamic Alphanumeric Data” on
page 76.
(cc)BFn;(D)data(D)
The Execute Dynamic Bar Code Data command.
Enter the dynamic bar code data during the
Execute Form mode as described in “Execute
Form: Dynamic Bar Code Data” on page 77.
(cc)DFn;(D)data(D)
Refer to “RFWTAG” on page 125.
(cc)AFn;
Prints RFID tag data as ALPHA TEXT, refer to
“RFWTAG” on page 125 for an example.
(cc)BFn;
Prints RFID tag data as Barcode data. Refer to
“RFWTAG” on page 125 for an example.

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(cc)GFn;(D)logoname(D)
The Execute Dynamic Logo Command. Enter the
name of the logo during the Execute Form mode as
described in “Execute Form: Dynamic Logo” on
page 78.
(cc)IAFn; [idir] STEPMASK; [RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)
The Execute Incremental Dynamic Alphanumeric
Data command. Supply the data as described on
page 80.
(cc)IDFn; [idir] STEP; [RPTn;][RSTn;](D)STARTDATA(D)
Refer to “RFWTAG” on page 125.
(cc)IBFn; [idir] STEPMASK; [RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)
The Execute Incremental Dynamic Bar Code Data
command. Supply the data as described on page
80.
Overlay Data Overlay data can be entered during the Execute
Form mode. (The words “Overlay Data” are not part
of the Execute command. They are shown in the
command sequence to indicate that actual overlay
data can be entered following the Execute
command.) Refer to “Execute Form: Overlay Data”
on page 81.
Form Feed Character
Optional command instructing the IGP/PGL to start
a new page with new EVFU, dynamic, and overlay
data using the existing Execute commands for the
current form. This EVFU Data-Dynamic Data and
Overlay Data-Form Feed Character sequence can
be repeated indefinitely, while maintaining the
optimum print speed, within the original Execute
command.
(cc)NORMAL The Normal mode command. If the form count
parameter was not used in the Execute command,
enter the SFCC and NORMAL to return the
IGP/PGL to the Normal mode. The Normal mode
command is input following all other Execute
commands to enter variable data. (Refer to the
following sections.) Input a line terminator to leave
a blank line before entering the Normal command.

74

Execute Form: Electronic Vertical Format Unit

Execute Form: Electronic Vertical Format Unit
Purpose

Provides an efficient method of automatically skipping to a
specified print line during repetitive printing tasks.

NOTE: The Execute Form: EVFU command is not supported on L7032
printers.
Mode

EXECUTE

Format

See Appendix D.

Comments
The Electronic Vertical Format Unit (EVFU) is used as overlay
data within the Execute Form mode. Detailed EVFU information
is provided in Appendix D.
The EVFU must be loaded while in the Execute Form mode and immediately
following the Execute command. After executing the form and returning to
Normal mode, the EVFU information is automatically deleted from printer
memory. To print the form again, re-send the EVFU command.
Several key points to operating the EVFU are listed below.

•

Send EVFU commands immediately following the Execute command or
the format form feeds.

•
•

The EVFU can be unloaded by issuing an END LOAD command only.

•

In those circumstances where the EVFU is being used to control the
forms length only, the IGP/PGL forms length parameter can be used in
place of the EVFU.

•
•

The maximum number of EVFU channels is 192.

The number of lines slewed is dictated by the current line spacing (lpi)
setting.

Changing the LPI unloads the EVFU.

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Execute Form: Dynamic Alphanumeric Data
Purpose

Incorporates the dynamic alphanumeric data into a previously
identified location of a form.

Mode

EXECUTE

Format

(cc)AFn;(D)ASCII text(D)
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

AFn

Indicates a dynamic alphanumeric field (AF) and its
data (n). Enter AF and replace n with the number of
the data field corresponding to the number used to
identify the field when it was defined with the
Alphanumeric command in the Create Form mode.

(D)

The printable character identifying the start and
finish of the alphanumeric data. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field but will
not be printed with the data.

ASCII text

The group of ASCII characters (the alphanumeric
string) to print. Enter any of the standard ASCII
printable characters (except the character used as
delimiters described in the (D) parameter). The
data appears on the form at the location identified
by n.

NOTE: Commands can appear anywhere in the overlay text with IGP/PGL,
but it is recommended they are placed at the beginning.
Comments
The location for the Dynamic alphanumeric data must have been
previously identified using the AFn;L parameters of the
alphanumerics command in the Create Form mode. Inputting
individual commands enters the new data into the identified
location each time the form is printed.
You can repeat the (cc)AFn;(D)ASCII text(D) sequence to
complete as many data fields as you defined on the form in the
Create Form mode. You can also combine the Execute Dynamic
Bar Code Data command in the same Execute command
sequence. Each “page” of dynamic data (the dynamic fields,
data, and overlay data) for the form must be separated from the
next page of new dynamic data by a form feed.

76

Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code Data

Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code Data
Purpose

Incorporates the dynamic bar code data into a previously
identified location of a form.

Mode

EXECUTE

Format

(cc)BFn;(D)data field(D)
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

BFn

Indicates a dynamic bar code field (BF) and its data
(n). Enter BF and replace n with the number of the
data field corresponding to the number used to
identify the field when it was defined with the bar
code command during the Create Form mode.

(D)

The printable character (quotation marks for
example) identifying the start and finish of the bar
code data. Enter any printable character other than
a slash (/), the SFCC, or a character used within
the data. The same character must be used at both
ends of the data field but will not be printed with the
data.

data field

Enter the characters for the bar code data. The
type of characters allowed in the data varies with
the type of bar code. Refer to the data field
descriptions for the selected bar code types. The
data appears on the form at the location identified
by n.

NOTE: Commands can appear anywhere in the overlay text with IGP/PGL,
but it is recommended they are placed at the beginning.
Comments
The bar code location must have been previously identified using
the BFn;L parameters of a bar code command in the Create Form
mode. Then use the appropriate bar code command to enter the
bar code data in that location. Inputting individual commands
enters new bar code data into the identified location each time
the form is printed.
You can repeat the (cc)BFn;(D)data field(D) sequence to
complete as many bar code data fields as were defined on the
form in the Create Form mode. You can also combine the
Execute Dynamic Alphanumeric Data command in the same
Execute command sequence. Each “page” of dynamic data (the
dynamic fields, data, and overlay data) for the form must be
separated from the next page of new dynamic data by a form
feed.

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Command Codes

Execute Form: Dynamic Logo
Purpose

Incorporates the dynamic graphic logo into a previously identified
location of a form.

Mode

EXECUTE

Format

(cc)GFn;(D)logoname(D)
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

GFn

Indicates the dynamic logo field. Enter GF and
replace n with the number of the field
corresponding to when it was defined with the Logo
Call command during the CREATE form mode.

(D)

The printable character identifying the start and
finish of the alphanumeric data. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field but will
not be included in the logo name.

logoname

Enter the logo name. If the logo is not found in
DRAM, the flash memory is searched.

Comments
The logo location must have been previously identified using the
GFn parameters of a logo command in the Create Form mode.
Then use the appropriate logo command to enter the logo data in
that location. Inputting individual commands enters new logo data
into the identified location each time the form is printed.
You can repeat the (cc)GFn;(D)logoname(D) sequence to
complete as many logo data fields as were defined on the form in
the Create Form mode. You can also combine the Execute
Dynamic Alphanumeric Data command in the same Execute
command sequence. Each “page” of dynamic data (the dynamic
fields, data, and overlay data) for the form must be separated
from the next page of new dynamic data by a form feed.
NOTE: There are no incremental logos.

78

Execute Form: Incremental Dynamic Data

Execute Form: Incremental Dynamic Data
Purpose

Incorporates incremental/decremental capability to dynamic
alphanumeric or bar code data supplied as a part of the Execute
Form mode.

Mode

NORMAL

NOTE: In the command below, incremental Execute parameters are shown
in boldface type; standard Execute command parameters are shown
in italics. The general Execute format is shown on page 72.
Format

Example

(cc)EXECUTE; formname [;PAGEn] [;FC] [;ICNTn] [;IRSTn]
ICNTn

Identifies the incremental form count to specify the
number of forms to generate with the incremental
fields automatically updated. Enter ICNT and
replace n with a value ranging from 1 through
65535 to specify the number of forms.

IRSTn

The optional incremental reset count parameter to
specify the number of forms to generate before
resetting all incremental fields to their starting
values. The reset count parameter is useful in
dividing the total number of forms generated into
multiple groups of identical copies. To use this
parameter, enter IRST and replace n with a value
ranging from 1 through 65535 to specify the reset
count (how many forms generated before resetting
the incremental fields). If the reset count value is
equal to or greater than the incremental count
value, the reset will never occur.

The following forms were generated from ICNT6, IRST2. (To
duplicate incremental fields within a form, refer to page 44.)

0
1
2

3
4
5

0
1
2

3
4
5

0
1
2

3
4
5

form1

form2

form3

form4

form5

form6

= ICNT6

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Supplying Dynamic Data for Incremental Fields
Incremental dynamic data fields are created in the Create Form mode using
the incremental alphanumeric or bar code commands. The incremental
dynamic data itself is supplied during the Execute Form mode at the top of the
form prior to any overlay data. The incremental dynamic data (either
alphanumeric or bar code data) can be changed with each new batch of
forms. Incremental dynamic data fields specified in the Create Form mode will
not appear on the form if corresponding incremental dynamic data is not
supplied in the Execute Form mode.
Format

For incremental dynamic alphanumeric data:
(cc)IAFn; [idir] STEPMASK; [RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)
For incremental dynamic bar code data:
(cc)IBFn; [idir] STEPMASK; [RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

IAF

Identifies the command as an incremental
alphanumeric dynamic data; enter IAF.

IBF

Identifies the command as an incremental bar code
dynamic data; enter IBF.

n

Identifies the field number of the dynamic data field
as entered in the Create Form mode. Replace n
with the number used to identify the field when it
was defined.

idir

The optional increment direction parameter to
specify an increase or decrease of the data. Enter a
plus sign (+) or leave the field blank to increment
(the default). Enter a minus sign (-) to decrement.

STEPMASK Defines the increment amount (step), the number
of character positions in the data field, and provides
a mask to control the increment function on specific
parts of the data. Refer to “Incremental Bar Code
Fields” on page 365 or “Alphanumerics,
Incremental Fields” on page 38 for complete
information on STEPMASK parameter values.
RPTn

80

The optional incremental repeat count parameter to
specify the number of times a particular field value
is repeated before it is incremented. A repeated
field value is useful when printing multiple
rows/columns of identical labels before
incrementing to the next value. To use the repeat
count parameter, enter RPT and replace n with a
numeric value ranging from 1 through 65535 to
specify the repeat count. The default repeat count
parameter is 1, which will increment the field value
each time it is printed.

Execute Form: Overlay Data

RSTn

The optional incremental reset count parameter to
specify the number of times an incremented field is
printed (on one or more forms) before it is reset to
the starting value. A reset count is useful when
printing a hierarchy of fields where a low-level field
generates a sequence of numbers, is reset, and the
next higher field level is incremented (such as in a
unit/box/carton application). To use the reset count
parameter, enter RST and replace n with a number
ranging from 1 through 65535 to specify the reset
count. The default reset count value is 0.

STARTDATA Defines the starting value of the incrementing field.
The maximum amount of STARTDATA characters
must be equal to or less than the number of
characters in the STEPMASK field. If the number of
data characters in dynamic alphanumeric data
commands only is less than the number used in
STEPMASK, the data will print right justified with
preceding spaces. (Leading spaces are not
provided for bar code data.) For dynamic bar code
data, the type of characters allowed for
incrementing fields is based on the type of bar
code. Refer to the individual bar code descriptions
in the “Bar Codes” chapter for information on valid
type and quantity of data characters. The
STARTDATA must be enclosed within standard
printable character delimiters just as a standard
data field is enclosed within delimiters.

Execute Form: Overlay Data
Overlay data is variable alphanumeric data entered onto a predefined form.
The form is completed by positioning the data in the exact location it will
appear on the form when printed. The data is placed horizontally using tabs
and spaces, and vertically using line feeds, form feeds, and the EVFU.
For example, if the serial number field on the form begins at character row 22,
and column 14, enter 22 line feeds, space over 14 columns, and input serial
number overlay data. An entire form can be completed with a page of overlay
data in this manner. Overlay data at the end of a form is printed on a new form
until all overlay data is used. Then, to advance to the next form, use a form
feed.
The IGP/PGL Electronic Vertical Format Unit can be used to control vertical
spacing of the overlay data. In place of line feed commands input individually,
the EVFU can be programmed (during the Execute Form mode) to slew the
overlay data page to the predetermined lines with a single command.
NOTE: When using the IGP/PGL, the Dynamic Data command and Overlay
IGP/PGL commands may be issued on the same line as the overlay
text to synchronize the printer with systems that count lines (e.g.,
I.B.M.). See the IGP/PGL command standard for inline command
format on page 28.

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Expanded Print
Purpose

Selects font sizes other than the default font.

Mode

NORMAL, EXECUTE

Format

(cc)EXPAND;VE;HE
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

EXPAND

The Expanded Print command; enter EXPAND.

VE

Specifies the vertical expansion factor; enter a
value ranging from 0 through 139. Use vertical
expansion with 12 point font size only.

HE

Specifies the horizontal expansion factor; enter a
value ranging from 0 through 139. Use horizontal
expansion with 12 point font size only.

NOTE: Both VE and HE parameters must be zero or non-zero. One
expansion value cannot be specified as 0 if the other is not. A VE or
HE setting of 1 expands the appropriate plane but produces singlesize characters. A VE and HE setting of 0 produces standard-size
characters.
Comments
The Expanded Print command uses the 0.10-inch, 10 cpi Gothic
typeface as the default base value from which alphanumeric
characters are expanded. (Refer to the Font command on page
83 for more information about available typefaces and styles.)
The character height can be up to a maximum of 13.9 inches,
which means if a page is 13.9 inches high, you can print a
character that fills the entire height of the page.
After an Expanded Print command is entered, all subsequent
alphanumerics print at the specified expansion until another
Expanded Print command, a Normal mode command, or a Reset
command is entered. An Expanded Print command with VE and
HE set to 0 selects standard character printing.
Example

The following command results in character printing at 25 times
its vertical and 40 times its horizontal size.

~EXPAND;25;40

82

Font

Font
Purpose

Selects typefaces other than the default Gothic font.

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE, EXECUTE

Format

(cc)FONT [;FACE #] [;NAME #] [;BOLD #] [;BLOCK #] [;SLANT #]
[;SYMSET #] [;POINT #] [;SPACE #] [;ZERO #] [WIDTH#]

NOTE: The font is activated according to the changed options upon receipt of
the font command.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code. (If you are
using the Font command in the CREATE mode, do
not enter the SFCC.)

FONT

The Font command; enter FONT.

FACE #

Identifies the specific typeface. Enter FACE, a
space, and the 5 digit typeface number
representing the selected typeface.
For example, 93779 = Letter Gothic Bold.
Do not use this command to select OCR-A and
OCR-B. Instead, use either the Cn parameter in the
Alphanumerics command (C10A or C10B) or use
the DENSITY command.

NAME #

Selects a font by its file name. Enter NAME, a
space, and the file name of the font, including its
extension. The maximum length of the name is 8
characters and the maximum length of the
extension is 3 characters.
For example, “93952.sf” specifies Courier New
Bold (Intellifont), and “arial.ttf” would represent Arial
(TrueType). If these fonts are not installed, then this
parameter will generate an error.
If this parameter is used, then the FACE parameter
should not be used.

BOLD #

Selects a bold attribute. Enter BOLD, a space, and
ON or 1 to turn bold on, or OFF or 0 for no bold
attribute.

BLOCK #

Is used to select block fonts. A value of zero turns
the block fonts off and uses scalable fonts (the
default). A value of 1 uses the block font set, and a
value of 2 uses the first alternate block font set.

SLANT #

Selects a slanting factor. (Slant is similar to italic,
but also offers a backward slant.) Enter SLANT, a
space, and RIGHT or 1 for a typical italic slant,
LEFT or -1 for a backward slant, or OFF or 0 for no
slant attribute.

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SYMSET #

Selects a font symbol set other than the default
ASCII symbol set. Enter SYMSET, a space, and
‘UTF8’ to select the UTF8 character set or enter a
number following the space to select the
corresponding symbol set.

POINT #

Selects the point size for the current typeface.
Enter POINT, a space, and a point size ranging
from 4 through 999. Point sizes are available in
quarter-point increments. Horizontal pitch is
automatically adjusted based on the point size
selected unless the WIDTH parameter is used.
NOTE: For line matrix, there are limitations for point
values less than 24.
A POINT value of 12 produces text that is 12 points
high. The characters are plotted at a density of 10
characters per inch.
POINT values less than 12 will produce text that is
12 points high. Smaller POINT values are plotted
closer together horizontally, but the height is 12
points.
POINT values that are between 13 and 24 produce
text that is 24 points high. The width of the
characters and their horizontal spacing is
proportional, but the height is 24 points.
For POINT values beyond 24, the POINT
parameter is the height in points, and the width is
porportional to the height.
The POINT parameter cannot be used when in
CREATE mode. Use the point parameter of the
ALPHA command for the text in CREATE mode.

SPACE #

Selects a spacing alignment scheme, where
applicable. Enter SPACE, a space, followed by a
value 0 through 3.

ZERO #

It is used to select the slash zero option. A value of
0 turns off the slash zero, and a non-zero value
turns on the slash zero. All ALPHA commands and
text printer are affected.

WIDTH #

Selects the character width for the current typeface.
Enter WIDTH, space, and a width size (from 4 to
999). Width sizes are available in quarter point
increments.
The WIDTH parameter cannot be used when in
CREATE mode. Use the point parameter of the
ALPHA command for the text in CREATE mode.

84

Font

NOTE: The standard fonts available depends on the printer:
SL5000r/T5000r and SL4M/T4M
Letter Gothic Bold (#93779), Courier New Bold (#93952), CG
Triumvirate Bold Condensed (#92250), OCR-A (#90993), OCR-B
(#91409), CG Times New Roman (#92500), GC Triumverate
(#92244), and CG Triumverate Bold (#92248)
L7032
Letter Gothic Bold (#93779), Courier New Bold (#93952),
OCR-A (#90993), OCR-B (#91409), CG Times New Roman (#92500)
SL5000e/T5000e
Letter Gothic Bold (#93779), Courier New Bold (#93952), CG
Triumvirate Bold Condensed (#92250), OCR-A (#90993), OCR-B
(#91409), *CG Times New Roman (#92500), *CG Triumverate
(#92244), and *CG Triumverate Bold (#92248).
(* Not included with all emulations.)
Line Matrix
Letter Gothic Bold (#93779).
Comments
Font parameters in Normal and Execute modes do not affect the
fonts that have already been established and saved on a form.
Font commands issued in the Create mode affect only the current
form being created and not any of the fonts on other forms or for
Execute or Normal mode text.
You can use any or all Font parameters, listed in any order, in a
single Font command. (Do not list font parameters on separate
lines.) Parameters and symbol sets not specified retain the
previously selected value. Parameters incorrectly specified retain
the previously selected value.
All Font command parameters are reset to default values upon
receiving a NORMAL, RESET, CONFIG;RESET, or new
CREATE command. Multiple font commands within a single form
will save the last font command parameters specified. Symbol
sets can also be selected using the ISET or USET commands.
(Refer to the “Multinational and International Character Sets”
chapter 5.)
To change font width and height, use the Compressed Print
(Density) or Expanded Print commands described on page 52
and page 82, respectively.

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Example

The following command selects the Letter Gothic font (#93779)
with a right slant. This font will continue to print until another Font
command, a Normal mode command, or a Reset command is
entered.

~FONT;FACE 93779;SLANT RIGHT
The FONT;NAME command also supports Andalé fonts from four
different Andalé cartridges (Traditional Chinese, Simplified
Chinese, Korean, and Japanese). All Andalé fonts support
UTF-8, ASCII, and DBCS data which cover most of the
characters in Unicode 3.0.
To select an Andalé font with the FONT;NAME command, use
one of the following commands:
FONT;NAME anmdt.ttf (Traditional Chinese Andalé)
FONT;NAME anmds.ttf (Simplified Chinese Andalé)
FONT;NAME anmdk.ttf (Korean Andalé)
FONT;NAME anmdj.ttf (Japanese Andalé)

86

Font Load

Font Load
Purpose

Load binary TrueType Font (.ttf) or Intellifont (.sf) into RAMDISK
or Flash memory.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)FONTLOAD; name; size [;DISK] 
data
END
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

FONTLOAD The Font Load command; enter FONTLOAD.
name

Specify associated binary TrueType font or
Intellifont data by name. Enter the name of the font,
including its extension. The maximum length of the
name is 8 characters and the maximum length of
the extension is 3 characters. For example,
93952.sf specifies Courier New Bold (Intellifont)
and arial.ttf would represent Arial (TrueType).

size

Enter the size, in bytes, of the binary TrueType font
or Intellifont data.

DISK

Optional parameter to store the binary data in PCB
Flash or EMC. Enter DISK for flash memory and
Enter EMC for External Memory Cartridge. When
DISK is not specified, the font is stored on
RAMDISK. Refer to “Flash Memory Storage” on
page 24.



Terminator (e.g., line feed)

data

The binary TrueType font or Intellifont data to be
stored in memory.

END

Ends the FONTLOAD command. Enter END after
the data, with no space or terminator before END.

Comment When loading fonts to RAMDISK, the printer files will not be
saved when the printer is powered off. When loading fonts to
flash memory, the printer files will be saved when the printer is
powered off. Both RAMDISK and flash memory support file
operations such as saving, reading, and deleting files.

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Example 1 The following command loads the Arial TrueType font (arial.ttf)
into Flash or EMC based on the front panel menu STORAGE
SELECT (SL4M/T4M only) with 10489 bytes of binary data.
NOTE:  represents a line terminator.
~FONTLOAD;arial.ttf;10489 
END
Example 2
~FONTLOAD;arial.ttf;10489;DISK 
END
Example 3
~FONTLOAD;arial.ttf;10489;EMC 
END

88

Form Length

Form Length
Purpose

Sets the length of the form to a specific number of lines at 6 or 8
lpi.

Mode

CREATE

Format

LFORM6;n or
LFORM8;n
LFORM6

The Form Length command for 6 lpi forms; enter
LFORM6.

LFORM8

The Form Length command for 8 lpi forms; enter
LFORM8.

n

Specifies the forms length in total number of lines
allowed per form. The range depends on the paper
size used and the top/bottom margin setting. Table
8 shows the appropriate form lengths for the paper
size used when the top and bottom page margin
settings are zero. An error message will result if the
maximum line values are exceeded.

Table 8. Paper Sizes and Maximum Page Length

Paper Size

Dimensions
(inches)

Maximum Lines Per Page
(when top/bottom margins = 0)
6 lpi

8 lpi

Letter

8.5 x 11

66

88

Legal

8.5 x 14

84

112

A4

8.268 x 11.693

70

93

B5

6.929 x 9.842

59

78

AIAG Label

4x6

36

48

AIAG Label

6x5

30

40

Odette Label

8x5

30

40

Computer

14 x 11

66

88

NOTE: This command affects only printed text inside of IGP/PGL forms, not
the printer lpi. The LFORM8 command considers a line as 9 dot rows;
the LFORM6 command considers a line as 12 dot rows. The 9 and 12
dot rows per line matches the dot rows of the printer in the DP mode if
set to 8 or 6 lpi, respectively.

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2

Command Codes

Example

The following example establishes a forms length of 8 inches (48
lines at 6 lpi):

LFORM6;48
NOTE: Additional information about page boundaries can be found in
Appendix C.

Hex Character Encoding
Purpose

Enables the IGP to process the data in the hex character format,
which only accepts characters 0-9 and A-F. This format is useful
when the user needs to send down binary data in an ASCII
format and does not want control codes such as line feed or
carriage return to be part of the binary data. The command
HEXOFF will disable this feature and return the IGP to normal
data processing.

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE, and EXECUTE

Format

(cc)HEXON or (cc)HEXOFF

NOTE: A line terminator is not required in the Hex Character Encoding
Sequence.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

HEXON

Hex character encoding enabled; enter HEXON.

HEXOFF

Hex character encoding disabled; enter HEXOFF.

Comments HEXON and HEXOFF can be used anywhere in the data stream.

Ignore Sequence
Purpose

Enables the IGP/PGL to ignore all characters after the Ignore
Sequence On (IGON) command is entered. All characters are
ignored until the Ignore Sequence Off (IGOFF) command is
entered.

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE, or EXECUTE

Format

(cc)IGON or (cc)IGOFF

NOTE: A line terminator is not required in the Ignore Sequence.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

IGON

Ignore Sequence On command. Enter IGON.

IGOFF

Exits Ignore Sequence. Enter IGOFF.

Comments
IGON and IGOFF can also be used anywhere in the data stream.
NOTE: Commands in PTX_SETUP are not ignored.

90

Line Spacing

Line Spacing
Purpose

Defines the lines per inch (lpi) printing format.

Mode

NORMAL, EXECUTE

Format

(cc)LPI;n
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

LPI

The Vertical Line Spacing command; enter LPI.

n

Selects the line spacing in lpi; enter a value from 1
through 1000. The accuracy of the line spacing is
limited to the resolution of the target printer.

Comments
Standard line spacing is 6 lpi. After a Vertical Line Spacing
command is entered, all subsequent alphanumerics print at the
specified lpi until another Vertical Line Spacing command, a
Normal mode command, or a Reset command is entered.
Example

The following command selects 9 lpi printing format until another
Line Spacing command, a Normal mode command, or a Reset
command is entered.

~LPI;9

Lines, Horizontal
Purpose

Defines horizontal lines.

Mode

CREATE

Format

HORZ
LT;R;SC;EC
STOP
HORZ

The Horizontal Line command; enter HORZ.

LT

Defines the line thickness, measured in 1/72-inch
dots. Enter a value of 1 or greater. Horizontal line
thickness expands downward from the given row.

R

Defines the row to draw the horizontal line. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 through one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the horizontal line.
Enter a value ranging from column 1 through one
less than the width of the form. Character column
or dot column is specified based on the Scale
command (page 139), or use the CP.DP format
(page 31).

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Command Codes

Example

EC

Defines the ending column of the horizontal line.
Enter a value ranging from column 2 through the
last column of the form. The ending column must
be greater than the starting column. Character
column or dot column is specified based on the
Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

STOP

Stop indicates the end of the HORZ command;
enter STOP. If not entered, the IGP/PGL will expect
another set of Horizontal Line command
parameters.

The following example specifies 2 horizontal lines. The first line
uses the character row in the R parameter, and the second line
uses CP.DP format. To illustrate positioning, the starting row and
column are indicated on the example but do not necessarily
reflect actual location on the page.

HORZ
1;60;15;65
1;60.5;15;65
STOP
COLUMN 15

COLUMN 65

ROW 60
ROW 60.5

Lines, Vertical

92

Purpose

Defines vertical lines.

Mode

CREATE

Format

VERT
LT;C;SR;ER
STOP
VERT

The Vertical Line command; enter VERT.

LT

Defines the line thickness, measured in 1/60-inch
dots. Enter a value of 1 or greater. Vertical line
thickness expands to the right from the starting
column.

C

Defines the column where the vertical line begins.
Enter a value ranging from column 1 through one
less than the width of the form. Character column
or dot column is specified based on the Scale
command (page 139), or use the CP.DP format
(page 31).

Lines, Vertical

Example

SR

Defines the starting row of the vertical line. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 through one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

ER

Defines the ending row of the vertical line. Enter a
value ranging from row 2 through the last column of
the form. The ending row must be greater than the
starting row. Character row or dot row is specified
based on the Scale command (page 139), or use
the CP.DP format (page 31).

STOP

Stop indicates the end of the VERT command;
enter STOP. If not entered, the IGP/PGL expects
another set of Vertical Line command parameters.

The following program specifies 4 vertical lines. To illustrate
positioning, the starting row and column are indicated on the
example but do not necessarily reflect actual location on the
page.

VERT
2;36;53;61
2;50;53;61
2;60;53;61
2;70;53;61
STOP

COLUMN 36

COLUMN 50

ROW 53

ROW 61

v

93

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Command Codes

Link
Purpose

Prints forms created in the CREATE mode, used exclusively for
XML driven forms.

NOTE: The Link command is not supported on L7032 printers.

94

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)LINK;formname[;PAGEn][;IRSTn];DISK
[EVFU Data]
[(cc)AFn; (D)ASCII text(D)]
[(cc)BFn; (D)data(D)]
[(cc)DFn; (D)data(D)]
[(cc)AFn; ]
[(cc)BFn; ]
[(cc)GFn; (D)logoname(D)]
[(cc)KFn; (D)DBCS data(D)]
[(cc)IAFn; [idir] STEP; [RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)]
[(cc)IBFn; [idir] STEP; [RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)]
[(cc)IDFn; [idir] STEP; [RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)]
[Overlay Data]
[Form Feed character]
(cc)NORMAL
LINK

Enter LINK. The rest of the parameters are exactly
the same as the one listed for ~EXECUTE except
for the incremental data; use STEP instead of
STEPMASK. This command is exclusively for XML
driven forms. When the LINK command is used, the
command line ~LINK and the data following it up to
~NORMAL will be saved into flash memory under
the same file name with the extention .Ink. When
XML data stream prints the form with the same
name, the files (.nol, .frm, and .Ink) of the same
corresponding name will be retrieved from flash
memory and executed in this order. *.nol includes
all the command in NORMAL mode, *.frm includes
all the command in CREATE mode, and *.Ink
includes all the command in EXECUTE mode. *.nol
is an optional file for printing XML forms, but both
*.frm and *.Ink are required for printing XML forms.
See the ~SETUP command on how to save .nol
files into flash memory. See the ~CREATE
command on how to save .frm files into flash
memory.

formname

Identifies a previously defined form by name. The
form name is not case sensitive.

PAGEn

PAGEn is the same as the one listed in the
~EXECUTE command. Refer to the ~EXECUTE
command for a parameter description.

IRSTn

IRSTn is the same as the one listed in the
~EXECUTE command. Refer to the ~EXECUTE
command for a parameter description.

Link

DISK

Enter DISK to save the LINK file into FLASH. This
parameter is required for the LINK command.

[(cc)AFn; (D)data(D)]
[(cc)BFn; (D)data(D)]
[(cc)CFn; (D)data(D)]
data

The data will be the tag name defined in XML data
file, which will be replaced with the tag value
defined in XML data file and be printed as print data
on the label.

For incremental dynamic alphanumeric data:
(cc)IAFn;[idir] STEP[idir]step;[RPTn;] [RSTn;]
(D)STARTDATA(D)
For incremental dynamic barcode data:
(cc)IBFn;[idir] STEP[idir]step;[RPTn;] [RSTn;]
(D)STARTDATA(D)
For incremental dynamic radio frequency identification data:
(cc)IDFn;[idir] STEP[idir]step;[RPTn;] [RSTn;]
(D)STARTDATA(D)
STEP

Define the step increment or decrement. Use this
parameter for incremental dynamic data used in an
XML driven form.

STARTDATA
The data will be the tag name defined in XML data
file, which will be replaced with the tag value
defined in XML data file and be printed as print data
on the label. The tag value will increment.
Comments The form count option FC/ICNT/FCNT used in the EXECUTE
command is ignored in the LINK command. The form count of
XML driven forms is determined by the _QUANTITY attribute in
XML data stream.
For XML driven forms, since both SETUP (*.nol) and LINK file
(*.Ink) are stored only in FLASH, the user can delete the flash
files through the front panel option. (See the SETUP command
for a description.)
Example 1 The following is an example of how the ~LINK command works
with XML driven forms.
~SETUP;ROLL
// saved in FLASH as ROLL.nol
~CONFIG
TOP/BOTTOM MARGIN;0
SLASH ZERO;0
HOST FORM LENGTH;0
END
~PAPER;CUT 0;INTENSITY 0;ROTATE 0;SPEED IPS 4;LABELS 2;WIDTH
41
~SETUPEND

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Command Codes

~CREATE;ROLL;432;DISK
//saved in FLASH as ROLL.fm
ALPHA
IAF1;10;5;5;3;3
AF2;10;10;5;3;3
15;5;3;3;*This is an XML driven form*
STOP
END
~LINK;ROLL;DISK
~IAF1;STEP+1;”employee”
~AF2;*company*

//Saved in FLASH as ROLL.Ink

~NORMAL
The following is a complete XML data stream which will print three copies of
the above form, where “employee” and “company” are the tag names. The tag
names will be replaced with the tag value “1234567” and “IBM”. The tag value
will print as print data.





Example 2 The following is an example of how the ~LINK command works
with XML driven forms for RFID label.
~CREATE;EPC;144;DISK
SCALE;DOT;203;203
RFWTAG;64
64;IDF1;H
STOP
RFRTAG;64
64;DF2;H
STOP
ALPHA
POINT;90;60;16;8;“EPC:”
IAF1;16;POINT;90;160;16;8
STOP
END
~LINK;EPC;DISK
~IDF1;STEP+1;“employee”
~IAF1;
~NORMAL
The following is a complete XML data stream which will print three copies of
the above form, where “employee” is the tag name. The tag name will be
replaced with the tag value “1000000007788506”. The XML tag value is also
the RFID tag write data in this example. The RFID read data will print on
paper as ALPHA field.

96

Listen







Listen
Purpose

Disables the IGP/PGL from the “quiet” state and enables the
IGP/PGL for standard operation. (The Quiet command is
explained on page 122.)

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)LISTEN
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

LISTEN

The Listen command; enter LISTEN.

NOTE: When the IGP/PGL is in the quiet state, the currently selected line
printer emulation commands are active. Refer to your printer's
LinePrinter Plus Emulation Programmer's Reference Manual for a
description of these commands.

Logo Call
Purpose

Selects and positions previously defined logo(s). (The logo itself
is actually defined separately in the Create Logo mode.) The logo
may be defined using TIFF files, PCX raster data, or IGP/PGL
dots.

Mode

CREATE

Format

LOGO
[GFn;]SR;SC;logoname[;ROT] [;DISK]
STOP
LOGO

The Logo Call command; enter LOGO.

GFn

The optional dynamic field for identifying the logo
location on the form. If this parameter is used, the
actual logo name cannot be entered here; it must
be entered dynamically in Execute Form mode (see
page 78). Dynamically entering the logo name
permits changes to the graphics without redefining
the form. To use this field, perform the following
steps:
a.

Enter GF.

b.

Replace n with a number from 0 through 512
to identify the logo location on the form. The
SR and SC parameters are used to specify the
exact location of the logo identified by n.

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2

Command Codes

SR

Defines the starting row of the logo. The SR (and
SC) parameter specifies the location for the logo
based on the upper left corner of the grid in which
the logo was defined. Enter a value ranging from
row 1 through one less than the length of the form.
Character row or dot row is specified based on the
Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the logo. The SC
(and SR) parameter specifies the location for the
logo based on the upper left corner of the grid in
which the logo was defined. Enter a value ranging
from column 1 through one less than the width of
the form. Character column or dot column is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

logoname

Identifies a previously defined logo by name for use
on the form. Enter the logo name exactly as used to
define and store the logo. This logo name is not
entered when the GFn parameter is used.

ROT

Optional parameter for images scanned in
orientations other than upright. Either CW (for 90
degree clockwise rotation), CCW (for 90 degree
counterclockwise rotation), or INV (for Inverted
characters; 180 degree rotations), or NOR (for
normal rotation). If not specified, the rotation will be
the rotation when it is defined in NORMAL mode.
When specified, this option will override the rotation
option specified in NORMAL mode (with ~LOGO
command).

DISK

Optional parameter to retrieve the logo from the
printer’s flash memory. Enter DISK. The DISK
parameter is not needed for dynamic logos (GFn).
The flash memory is automatically searched when
the logo name is specified in Execute Form mode.
To retrieve the logo from the Expanded Memory
Cartridge, enter EMC. See “Flash Memory Storage”
on page 24.

STOP

Stop indicates the end of the LOGO command;
enter STOP, and the IGP/PGL will wait for a new
command. If not entered, the IGP/PGL will expect
another set of Logo Call command parameters.

Logo Mode, Create

Example

The following sample program specifies three logo calls placing
the same logo at three different locations. (The logo was
previously defined and stored.) The starting row and column
specify the upper left corner of the grid in which the logo was
defined. To illustrate positioning, the starting row and column are
indicated on the example but do not necessarily reflect actual
location on the page.

LOGO
56;35;HAND
56;50;HAND
56;65;HAND
STOP

SR 56

SC 50

SC 35

SC 65

logocall

NOTE: When the logo to be executed is not found in memory, the “LOGO
NOT FOUND” error is printed.

Logo Mode, Create
Purpose

Places the IGP/PGL in the Create Logo mode, where logos can
be defined using the appropriate dot placements. (See TIFF
Logo, page 146, and PCX Logo, page 108, commands to define
logos using TIFF or PCX data.)

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE

Format (NORMAL)
(cc)LOGO; logoname; VL; HL [;DOT] [;DISK]
row#;dot;dot1-dot2;dot
END
Format (CREATE)
LOGODEF;logoname;VL;HL(T)]
row#;dot;dot1-dot2;dot
END
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

LOGO

The Logo command; enter LOGO.

LOGODEF

The CREATE mode Logo command; enter
LOGODEF.

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Command Codes

logoname

Enter a maximum of 15 alphanumeric characters
for the name of the logo. (Refer to page 29 for a list
of allowable Logo Name characters.) All future
references to this logo (Delete Logo or Logo Call
commands) must use this name. If a logo is defined
with the same name as a logo already existing in
memory, the newly defined logo will replace the
existing logo.

VL

Defines the vertical length of the logo grid in dot
rows; enter a value sufficient for the vertical size of
the logo, not exceeding 252. The dot rows are
vertically spaced 1/72-inch apart.

HL

Defines the horizontal length of the logo grid in dot
columns; enter a value sufficient for the horizontal
size of the logo, not exceeding 240. On each row,
the dots are horizontally spaced 1/60-inch apart.

DOT

Optional parameter. Enter DOTS. If used, the logo
description and dimensions VL;HL are given in
printer dots, which are based on the printer DPI.
Otherwise, the DOT default is 60x72. Also, when
the DOT parameter is used, there is no limit on the
size of the logo as there is when using IGP dots.

(T)

A line terminator (i.e., LF, FF) must separate the
LOGO line from the beginning of the TIFF raster
data.

DISK

In NORMAL mode use this parameter to store the
logo in the printer’s flash memory. Enter DISK. Do
not use this parameter in CREATE mode. To store
the logo in the Expanded Memory Cartridge, enter
EMC. See “Flash Memory Storage” on page 24.

row#

Identifies the row number for each row of dots in
the logo. Enter each row number on a separate
command line. Rows are numbered sequentially
from top to bottom.

dot

Identifies a single dot position in the row. Enter
each dot number used. Dots are numbered
sequentially from left to right.

dot1-dot2

Identifies a series of dot positions within the row,
including dot1 on the left end and dot2 on the right
end. Enter the series of dot rows. Series of dot rows
can be combined with single dot positions in the
same command line.

END

Terminates the Create Logo mode; enter END.

STOP

Ends the Create Logo command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Logo Mode, Create

Comments
The logo is defined by specifying the overall size and the rows of
data used. The actual number of logos you can create and store
depends on the memory required for each logo.
The maximum logo size allowed is 252 rows high (3.5 inches)
and 240 columns wide (4 inches). Values exceeding either of
these dimensions will produce an error. To maximize memory
space, do not define the vertical and horizontal length of the logo
grid larger than is required to capture the design.
The printer produces a grid with 72 dots per inch vertically and 60
dots per inch horizontally. Consequently, a logo must be
designed using this scale.
The Logo Call command (page 97) in the Create Form mode
brings the predefined logo into a form. The starting row and
column parameters refer to the upper left corner of the logo grid.
Once created, the logo is ready to be used in any form and will
print at the size shown.
Example

The following program produced the tape holder logo.

~LOGO;TAPEHOLD;36;40
1;12-18
2;10-20
3;9-22
4;8-24
5;7-25
6;6-26
7;5-26
8;4-25
9;4-25
10;3-24
11;3-24
12;2-23
13;2-23
14;2-14;17-23
O.EX
15;1-12;19-22;38-39
16;1-12;20-23;37-40
17;1-11;20-23;37-40
18;1-11;20-23;36-40
19;1-11;20-23;36-40
20;1-11;20-23;35-40
21;1-12;20-24;35-40
22;1-12;19-24;34-39
23;1-14;17-25;33-39
24;1-28;31-39
25;1-39
26;2-38
27;2-38
28;2-37
29;3-37
30;3-36
31;3-36
32;4-35
33;5-34
34;6-33
35;7-32
36;9-30
END

VL 36

HL 40

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Command Codes

Normal Mode
Purpose

Places the IGP/PGL in the Normal mode of operation, where the
data stream is not changed but monitored for a Special Function
Control Code followed by an IGP/PGL command.

Mode

NORMAL, EXECUTE

Format

(cc)NORMAL
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

NORMAL

The Normal mode command; enter NORMAL.

Comments
Normal mode is entered automatically when the printer is
powered on with IGP/PGL. In Normal mode, the IGP/PGL uses
the default font and line spacing values, unless otherwise
configured with explicit commands.
A blank line or overlay data must always separate an EXECUTE
command from a NORMAL command, unless a form count is
given for the EXECUTE.

Optimize
Purpose

Performs the same function as the front panel menu
“Optimize&Reboot.” Optimizes the flash file in memory and then
reboots.

NOTE: The Optimize command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc) OPTIMIZE

Example

(cc)

The Special Function Control Code

OPTIMIZE

The optimize command. Enter OPTIMIZE.

The following example shows the format of optimize command.
~OPTIMIZE

102

Page Number

Page Number
Purpose

Defines where a page number is placed on a form and
automatically increases the page number on each page.

Mode

CREATE

Format

PAGE;SR;SC
PAGE

The Page Number command; enter PAGE.

SR

Defines the starting row of the page number. Enter
a value ranging from row 1 through one less than
the length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the page number.
Enter a value ranging from column 1 through one
less than the width of the form. Character column
or dot column is specified based on the Scale
command (page 139), or use the CP.DP format
(page 31).
If the SR or SC extends beyond the page
boundaries, an Error 76 will occur in the Execute
Form mode, and default page number SR SC
values (row 1, column 1) are used.

Comments
To begin automatically incrementing the page numbers, the
starting page number must be specified during the Execute
command.
Example

The following command places the page numbers at row 60
column 70 on the form.

PAGE;60;70

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Command Codes

Paper
NOTE: The PAPER command was known as the CASSETTE command in
previous versions.
Purpose

Controls printer paper options, such as page orientation, intensity
and ribbon use.

NOTE: The Paper command is partially supported on L7032 printers. Refer
to the descriptions below.
Mode

NORMAL, EXECUTE, CREATE

NOTE: More than one option may follow the paper command.
Format

(cc)PAPER[;option[ #]]

NOTE: Not all options may be available with your printer. Consult your User's
Manual to determine which options are available. If an option is not
available, the emulation will ignore the corresponding command.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

NOTE: SFCC should not be used in the CREATE mode.

THERMAL,
IMPACT

PAPER

The PAPER command; enter PAPER.

ABORT

Stops printing all remaining pages in the engine
and flushes all partial job in progress.

THERMAL

CALIBRATE Calibrates the paper, allowing the printer to detect
the notch, gap, or black stripe, depending on the
paper type being used. You should run this option
every time there is a change in paper type. Consult
your User’s Manual for more information on paper
types. Enter CALIBRATE.

THERMAL

CLEAR REPORT
Clears the validator data report which are shown on
a few menu option under VALIDATOR. Enter
CLEAR REPORT.

THERMAL

CONT MODE #
Sets continuous mode. Same as the “Continuous
Mode” menu. Enter CONT MODE, a space, and 0
for standard, or 1 for tear off.
CUT #

Sets the printer to cut a page after a specified
number of pages. Enter CUT, a space, and a
number from 0 through 256 (0 = no cutting).

CUTONCE

Sets the printer to cut only once at the end of the
job. Enter CUTONCE. The command should be
sent to the printer after the job, (in NORMAL after
~EXECUTE).
When the CUTONCE command is used, the menu
option Media Handling needs to be set to
“Continuous” mode.

EJECT

104

Prints all pages that are in the buffer. Enter EJECT.

Paper

THERMAL

ERROR RECOVERY
Changes the error recover option from the front
panel. Allows creation of common PGL label
formats. Syntax: ~ PAPER;ERROR RECOVER 1[0]

THERMAL

FEED #

THERMAL

FEED SHIFT #
Adjusts the Tear-off position in hundredths of an
inch. Enter FEED SHIFT, a space, and a number of
-100 to 1280 for SL5000r/T5000r or -50 to 20 for
SL4M/T4M. For SL5000r/T5000r printers, the
maximum positive shift is limited to the smaller
value of either 1280 or the Label Length setting.

THERMAL

INTENSITY #Specifies the darkness of the dots. Enter
INTENSITY, a space, and a number in the range of
-15 through 15. This parameter varies the amount
of energy sent to the printhead. Actual darkness is
determined by a combination of print media type,
ribbon type, and platen pressure.

Feeds the media in tenths of an inch. Enter FEED,
a space, and a number in the range of -100 to 100
for SL5000r/T5000r and -11 to 100 for SL4M/T4M.
A positive value will move the media forward, a
negative value will retract the media.

THERMAL

INVERT

Set the printer to print texts in inverted image.
Enter INVERT.

THERMAL

LABELS #

Specifies the label sensor. Enter LABELS, a
space, and 0 for no sensor, 1 for mark, 2 for gap,
3 for advanced gap, or 4 for advanced notch.
NOTE: 3 and 4 are not supported on SL4M/T4M
printers.

LANDSCAPE Prints in landscape mode. Enter LANDSCAPE.

THERMAL

LENGTH #

Specifies the length of the form in tenths of an inch.
Enter LENGTH, a space, and number from 1
through 9999.

MEDIA #

Specifies the type of media handling. Enter MEDIA,
a space, and either 0 for continuous mode, 1 for
tear-off strip, 2 for tear-off mode, 3 for peel-off
mode, 4 for cut mode (paper is cut after printing
each page), 5 for rewind.
NOTE: 2 is not supported on SL4M/T4M printers.
5 is not supported on SL5000r/T5000r
printers.

THERMAL

MIRROR

Set the printer to print texts in mirror image.
Enter MIRROR.

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THERMAL

NUM CODES #
Sets the number of the barcodes per page for the
validator. Same as the “Number of Codes” menu.
Enter NUM CODES, a space, and 0 for auto detect
mode. 1 through 99 specifies the number of
barcodes on the page.

THERMAL

PAPOUT SENS#
Sets paper out sensor. Same as the “Paper Out
Sensor” menu. Enter PAPOUT SENS, a space,
and 0 for Transmittive, or 1 for Reflective.

THERMAL

PAUSE #

Sets the printer to pause (offline) after a specified
number of physical pages printed. Enter PAUSE, a
space, and a number from 0 through 9999. (0 = no
pause)

PORTRAIT

Prints in portrait mode. Enter PORTRAIT.

THERMAL

PRINT DIR # Sets the printer print direction. Enter PRINT DIR, a
space, and 0 to select Head First, or 1 to select
Foot First.

THERMAL

REV SLEW IPS
Specifies the slew speed in inches per second to
allow the user to set the slew speed for reverse
paper motion. Enter REV SLEW IPS, a space, and
number from 1 to 10.
ROTATE #

Specifies the page rotation. Enter ROTATE, a
space, and either 0 (default) for portrait, 180 for
inverted portrait, 90 for landscape, and 270 for
inverted landscape.

THERMAL

SLEW IPS # Specifies the slew speed in inches per second.
Enter SLEW IPS, a space, and number from 1 to
10.

THERMAL

SPEED IPS # Specifies the print speed in inches per second.
Enter SPEED IPS, a space, and a number from
1 to 10.
NOTE: The range for the SLEW IPS, REV SLEW IPDS, and SPEED IPS
options depend on the thermal printer being used. If the value
specified is less than the minimum or greater than the maximum
allowed by your printer, the command is ignored.

THERMAL

TEAR #

Sets the printer to tear-off media handling and
forces the printer to pause after a specified number
of pages. The paper must be completely torn
before the printer can resume normal operation.
Enter TEAR, a space, and a number from 0
through 256 (0 = no tear).
NOTE: This option is not supported for SL4M/T4M
printers.

106

Paper Instruction - Data Bit 8

THERMAL

TYPE #

Specifies the type of paper being used. Enter
TYPE, a space, and 0 for thermal transfer paper or
1 for direct thermal paper.

WIDTH #

Specifies the width of the form in tenths of an inch.
Enter WIDTH, a space, and number from 1 to 9999.

Comments
You can use any or all Paper parameters, listed in any order, in a
single Paper command. (Do not list any parameters on separate
lines.) Parameters not specified or specified incorrectly retain the
previously selected value. All Paper command parameters are
reset to default values upon receiving a RESET command.
Multiple paper commands within a single form will save the last
paper command parameters specified.
Changing orientation between Portrait and Landscape may
cause previously defined forms to produce boundary error
messages when the form is executed because width and height
values are switched.
Example

Based on power-up printer defaults, the following command
selects the inverted portrait orientation.

~PAPER;ROTATE 180

Paper Instruction - Data Bit 8
Purpose

Enables or disables data bit 8 as the paper instruction signal
when the IGP/PGL is configured for a serial interface. (This
command has no effect on a parallel interface.)

NOTE: The Paper Instruction command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)PION or (cc)PIOFF
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

PION

The Data Bit 8 Paper Instruction On command;
enter PION. When this command is sent, 7 data
bits are allowed; data bit 8 is enabled as the paper
instruction.
When data bit 8 is set high, the PION command
skips to a specified print line. When data bit 8 is set
low, the PION command prints data characters.

PIOFF

The Data Bit 8 Paper Instruction Off command;
enter PIOFF. When this command is sent, 8 data
bits are allowed for character data because data bit
8 is disabled as the paper instruction. Subsequent
occurrences of data bit 8 in the data stream cause
printing from the extended character set.

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Paper Instruction (PI) Enable/Disable
Purpose

Enables or disables use of the PI line using a parallel I/O device.
(This command does not enable/disable PI line sensing; it
enables or disables use of the “sensed” PI line.)

NOTE: The Paper Instruction (PI) command is not supported on L7032
printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)EN-PI or (cc)DIS-PI
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

EN-PI

The Enable PI command; enter EN-PI. When this
command is enabled, the IGP/PGL senses PI line,
the 8 bits of data are interpreted as a paper
instruction command, and the PI line itself is
ignored.

DIS-PI

The Disable PI command; enter DIS-PI. When the
Disable PI command is sent, the 8 bits of data are
interpreted as printable characters, and not as a
paper instruction command.

PCX Logo
Purpose

Places the IGP/PGL in the Create Logo mode, where logos can
be defined using the PCX file format.

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE

Format (NORMAL)
(cc)LOGO;logoname;PCX[;TRIM][;ROT][;DISK]
PCX raster data (cc)RASTEREND
END
Format (CREATE)
LOGODEF;logoname;PCX[;TRIM][;ROT] (T)
PCX raster data (cc)RASTEREND
STOP
NOTE: The logos defined in CREATE mode are independent of the forms
being defined at the same time. The logo can be used by other forms,
and must be deleted by using the ~RESET or ~DELETE LOGO
command.

108

(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

LOGO

The Logo command; enter LOGO.

LOGODEF

The CREATE mode LOGODEF command; enter
LOGODEF.

PCX Logo

logoname

Enter a maximum of 15 alphanumeric characters
for the name of the logo. (Refer to page 29 for a list
of allowable Logo Name characters.) All future
references to this logo (Delete Logo or Logo Call
commands) must use this name. If a logo is defined
with the same name as a logo already existing in
memory, the newly defined logo will replace the
existing logo.

PCX

The command denoting raster data in PCX format;
enter PCX.

TRIM

Optional parameter that removes extra white space
bounding the image, which saves memory inside
the printer. Also helps position the image in an
IGP/PGL form. Enter TRIM.

ROT

Optional parameter for images scanned in
orientations other than upright. Enter either CW (for
90 degrees clockwise rotation), CCW (for 90
degree counterclockwise rotation), or INV (for
inverted characters; 180 degrees rotations.) (This
parameter is not for printing rotated logos but rather
for handling scanned rotated images. Logos are
rotated automatically to match the current page
orientation when they are called from an IGP/PGL
form being executed.)

DISK

Optional parameter to store the logo in the printer’s
flash memory. Enter DISK. Do not use this
parameter in CREATE mode. To store the logo in
the Expanded Memory Cartridge, Enter EMC. See
“Flash Memory Storage” on page 24.

(T)

A line terminator (i.e., LF, FF) must separate the
LOGO line from the beginning of the PCX raster
data.

PCX raster data
Scanned data in PCX format; data must be black
and white. Grey scales or color PCX files are
currently not supported. Both uncompressed and
compressed formats are supported.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

RASTEREND Denotes the end of the PCX raster data. Enter
RASTEREND.
END

Terminates the PCX logo; enter END.

STOP

Ends the Create Logo command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

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Comments
The size and number of raster image logos are bounded by
printer memory. Also note that each rotation used requires a copy
of the image; therefore, the number of rotations used affects the
printer memory available.
The logo call command in the Create Form mode brings the
predefined logo into a form. The starting row and column
parameters refer to the upper left corner of the logo grid. Once
created, the logo is ready to be used in any form.
Raster images may contain data that is interpreted by your host
as control codes. This may affect the way the host sends data to
the printer. Consult your host's User's Manual for sending binary
data.
Be careful when editing PCX output files because most TEXT
editors insert carriage returns and line feeds. If a PCX file must
be edited, use a binary or hex editor.
NOTE: The LOGO line must be terminated with an LF (hex 0A) or FF (hex
0C), and then immediately followed by the PCX raster data. The
IGON and IGOFF commands can be used with the PCX raster data
to ignore extraneous control or ASCII characters.

110

PNG Logo

PNG Logo
Purpose

Places the IGP/PGL in the Create Logo mode, where logos can
be defined using the PNG file format.

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE

Format (NORMAL)
(cc)LOGO;logoname;PNG[;TRIM][;ROT][;DISK]
PNG raster data (cc)RASTEREND
END
Format (CREATE)
LOGODEF;logoname;PNG[;TRIM][;ROT] (T)
PNG raster data (cc)RASTEREND
STOP
NOTE: The logos defined in CREATE mode are independent of the forms
being defined at the same time. The logo can be used by other forms,
and must be deleted by using the ~RESET or ~DELETE LOGO
command.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

LOGO

The Logo command; enter LOGO.

LOGODEF

The CREATE mode LOGODEF command; enter
LOGODEF.

logoname

Enter a maximum of 15 alphanumeric characters
for the name of the logo. (Refer to page 29 for a list
of allowable Logo Name characters.) All future
references to this logo (Delete Logo or Logo Call
commands) must use this name. If a logo is defined
with the same name as a logo already existing in
memory, the newly defined logo will replace the
existing logo.

PNG

The command denoting raster data in PNG format;
enter PNG.

TRIM

Optional parameter that removes extra white space
bounding the image, which saves memory inside
the printer. Also helps position the image in an
IGP/PGL form. Enter TRIM.

ROT

Optional parameter for images scanned in
orientations other than upright. Enter either CW (for
90 degrees clockwise rotation), CCW (for 90
degree counterclockwise rotation), or INV (for
inverted characters; 180 degrees rotations.) (This
parameter is not for printing rotated logos but rather
for handling scanned rotated images. Logos are
rotated automatically to match the current page
orientation when they are called from an IGP/PGL
form being executed.)

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DISK

Optional parameter to store the logo in the printer’s
flash memory. Enter DISK. Do not use this
parameter in CREATE mode. To store the logo in
the Expanded Memory Cartridge, Enter EMC. See
“Flash Memory Storage” on page 24.

(T)

A line terminator (i.e., LF, FF) must separate the
LOGO line from the beginning of the PNG raster
data.

PNG raster data
Scanned data in PNG format; data must be black
and white. Grey scales or color PNG files are
currently not supported.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

RASTEREND Denotes the end of the PNG raster data. Enter
RASTEREND.
END

Terminates the PNG logo; enter END.

STOP

Ends the Create Logo command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Comments
The size and number of raster image logos are bounded by
printer memory. Also note that each rotation used requires a copy
of the image; therefore, the number of rotations used affects the
printer memory available.
The logo call command in the Create Form mode brings the
predefined logo into a form. The starting row and column
parameters refer to the upper left corner of the logo grid. Once
created, the logo is ready to be used in any form.
Raster images may contain data that is interpreted by your host
as control codes. This may affect the way the host sends data to
the printer. Consult your host's User's Manual for sending binary
data.
Be careful when editing PNG output files because most TEXT
editors insert carriage returns and line feeds. If a PNG file must
be edited, use a binary or hex editor.
NOTE: The LOGO line must be terminated with an LF (hex 0A) or FF (hex
0C), and then immediately followed by the PNG raster data. The
IGON and IGOFF commands can be used with the PNG raster data
to ignore extraneous control or ASCII characters.

112

Print File

Print File
Purpose

Prints files from the printer’s flash memory. Print File can be used
to show the SETUP functions that exist.

NOTE: The Print File command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)PRINT;filename
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

PRINT

The Print File command; enter PRINT.

filename

The filename to be printed.

Comments
Do not use wildcard characters because the Print File command
will attempt to print any file in the printer’s flash memory.
Example

Example of how to print SETUP.PTR:

~PRINT;SETUP.PTR

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Printer Alert
Purpose

To set the printer alert condition. After the alert condition is set
and the condition event occurs, the printer responds immediately
with an alert message for the corresponding condition. The alert
message is sent back to the host.

NOTE: The Printer Alert command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc) ALERT; TYPE n; DEST n; SET n; CLEAR n
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

ALERT

The printer alert command. Enter ALERT.

TYPE n

The condition type. Enter TYPE, a space, and a
letter from the following list:
A = paper out
B = ribbon out
C = printhead over-temp
D = printhead under-temp
E = head open
F = power supply over temp
G = ribbon-in warning (direct thermal mode)
H = rewind full
I = defaulted printer
J = cut error
K = printer paused
L = batch job completed
M = label take
N = head element out
O = runtime error
P = forced error
b = binary flags

DEST n

The destination to route alert to. Enter DEST, a
space, and a letter:
A = serial port
B = ethernet data port
C = ethernet status port
R = Return Status Port (return port determined by
FP setting)

SET n

Enable condition set alert. Enter SET, a space, and
1 to enable or 0 to disable.

CLEAR n

Enable condition clear alert. Enter CLEAR, a
space, and 1 to enable or 0 to disable.

Comment Currently, only the condition type L (batch job completed) and b
(binary flags) are supported.

114

Printer Alert

Example 1
The following example shows the format of printer alert
command, where the printer responds with an alert message
“BATCH JOB NOT COMPLETED” before the job is completed,
and an alert message “BATCH JOB COMPLETED” when the
batch job is completed. The alert message is sent back to the
host through Serial.
~ALERT; TYPE L; DEST A; SET 1; CLEAR 1
Example 2
The following example shows the alert command format in which
the printer will respond with an alert message whenever one of
the supported states change. The alert message is sent to the
host through the port selected by the ‘Ret. Status Port’ FP setting.
NOTE: The CLEAR setting will have no effect on this alert type.
The response send will always be 10 bytes long. The
meaning of the status bytes is explained in the table
below.
~ALERT;TYPE b;DEST R;SET 1;CLEAR 0

Status
Byte

Bit

Status

Description

Byte 0

7..0

Response Start Marker

STX character

Byte 1

7

Online

1 = printer online, 0 = printer offline

6

Error

1 = error , 0 = no error

5

Not Used

Always 1

4

Processing

1 = processing, 0 = not processing

3

Printing

1 = printing, 0 = not printing

2

Power Save

1 = in power save mode,
0 = not in power save mode

1

Warning

1 = warning state, 0 = no warning state

0

FEXP

For Future Expansion

7

Print Head Open

1 = print head open,
0 = print head closed

6

Paper

1 = paper out, 0 = no paper out

5

Not used

Always 1

4

Ribbon Out

1 = ribbon out, 0 = no ribbon out

3

Cutter Fault

1 = cutter fault, 0 = no cutter fault

2

ODV max retry fail

1 = max retry fail, 0 = no max retry fail

Byte 2

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Status
Byte

Bit

Command Codes

Status

Description

Byte 2
(cont’d)

1

RFID max retry fail

1 = max retry fail, 0 = no max retry fail

0

TOF Detect Fault

1 = TOF detect fault, 0 = no TOF detect fault

Byte 3

7

Ribbon Low

1 = ribbon low, 0 = no ribbon low

6

FEXP

For Future Expansion

5

Not used

Always 1

4

FEXP

For Future Expansion

3

FEXP

For Future Expansion

2

FEXP

For Future Expansion

1

FEXP

For Future Expansion

0

FEXP

For Future Expansion

7

Label Fed

1 = label fed, 0 = no label fed

6

Label OK

1 = label OK, label not OK

5

Not used

Always 1

4

Label Failed

1 = label failed, 0 = label not failed

3

Label Present

1 = label present, 0 = label taken

2

Label Cut

1 = label cut, 0 = no label cut

1

FEXP

For Future Expansion

0

FEXP

For Future Expansion

Byte
5..8

7..0

FEXP

Bit 5 always 1

Byte 9

7..0

Response End Marker

ETX character

Byte 4

116

Printer Identification

Printer Identification
Purpose

To request the printer identification. When the command is sent
to the printer, the information containing the printer identification
is sent back to the host. The information contains the model,
software version, dots per millimeter setting, and memory size.

NOTE: The Printer Identification command is not supported on L7032
printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc) IDENTITY
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code

IDENTITY

The printer identification command. Enter
IDENTITY.

Command When the printer receives this command it will return the
information to the host as such:
T53060,V1.16K,12,512KB
T53060 = printer model
V1.16K = software version
12

= dots/mm

512KB = memory
Example

The following example shows the format of printer identification
command.
~IDENTITY

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LINE MATRIX

Command Codes

Printer Mode
Purpose

Selects the print mode of the printer for the next set of data and
allows different print modes to be specified for use within the
form.

Mode

CREATE

Format

PMODE; type [;width][;rmode]
MODE;SR
......
STOP
PMODE

The Printer Mode command. Enter PMODE. The
PMODE command must be the first command
entered following the CREATE command.

type

Indicates the type of printer used with the IGP/PGL.
Enter L to specify L150 or L150B printers, enter S
to specify standard MVP and MVP 150B printers, 3
to specify P3000 printers, 6 to specify P6000
printers, and 9 to specify P9000 printers.

width

An optional parameter specifying a forms width of
136-character columns. Currently, this parameter is
not supported; the default value forms width is 132
character columns.

rmode

An optional parameter specifying the “return mode”
of the printer following the Execute Form Mode.
Enter 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to specify printer modes 1
through 5, respectively. If this mode is not
specified, the printer remains in the mode effective
at the end of the Execute Form Mode. The return
print mode is effective when new data is received
following the Execute Form Mode.

MODE

Specifies up to 8 different print modes to be used
within the form beginning on the row defined by the
SR parameter. Enter the appropriate print mode
number. This mode will remain effective within the
form until a new print mode is defined by another
MODE;SR sequence or the end of form is reached.
As described in your printer User's Manual, print
densities and maximum line lengths vary with each
print mode. Form elements such as boxes or
vertical lines may be printed at varying densities or
suffer horizontal compression due to a print mode
change in the body of the form.

SR

118

Defines the starting row of the print mode used
within the form. The row number can range from 1
to one less than the length of the form. Character
row or dot row is specified based on the Scale
command, which refers to the SMODE command
table of densities (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

Printer Mode

Comments The PMODE command is useful for ensuring the printer is set for
the proper print mode to print bar codes or alphanumeric data. Up
to eight MODEs can be specified within one PMODE command.
Horizontal compression of elements occurs when the print mode
is changed to a mode with a different density. For example, on an
L150 printer, a box is constructed using print mode 2 (density of
60 dpi/10 cpi horizontal) for standard data processing
applications. The SR and SC parameters of the box command
produce a box 6 inches wide (6 inches at 60 dpi = 360 dots, or 6
inches at 10 cpi = 60 character spaces). If the same box is
generated in print mode 4 (density of 72.5 dpi/12.1 cpi horizontal)
for a bar code application, the box will be compressed to an
approximate width of 4.9 inches due to the higher dot density of
print mode 4 (360 dots at 72.5 dpi = 4.9 inches).
To compensate for the compression, modify the program
generating the form elements to accommodate the dot density of
the new print mode. To produce the 6-inch wide box at the 72.5
dpi horizontal print mode, the box SR and SC parameters must
be modified to accommodate 435 dots (6 inches at 72.5 dpi = 435
dots, or 6 inches at 12.1 cpi = 72.6 character spaces). Starting
and ending row and column data must be calculated in terms of
character or dot scaling, based on the IGP/PGL Scale command
(page 139). This type of horizontal compression is illustrated in
Example 2, below.

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Example 1
The following sample program places an L150 printer in Mode 4 beginning on
form line number 1 (to print bar codes, for example) and places the printer in
Mode 2 upon receipt of new data after the form is executed.
~CREATE;EXAMPLE
PMODE;L;2
4;1

STOP
Example 2 In the following horizontal compression examples, starting and
ending row and column information is provided for reference and
does not reflect the exact location on the page. Character scaling
is used. The example below illustrates a 6-inch wide box in L150
Mode 2; the next example illustrates the same box (compressed)
in L150 Mode 4; and the last example illustrates a modified box
command to produce a 6-inch wide box in L150 Mode 4.
~CREATE;BOX
PMODE;L;2
2;1
STOP
BOX
2;20;5;22;65
STOP
END

(Create Mode command)
(PMODE command for L150, return to Mode 2)
(Begin Mode 2 at form line 1)
(Stop PMODE command)
(Box command)
(6-inch box, 60 characters at 10 cpi)
(Stop box command)
(End Create Mode)

~EXECUTE;BOX

~CREATE;BOX
PMODE;L;2
4;1
STOP
BOX
2;20;5;22;65
STOP
END

(Create Mode command)
(PMODE command for L150, return to Mode 2)
(Begin Mode 4 at form line 1)
(Stop PMODE command)
(Box command)
(60 char. spaces, but now in Mode 4, 12.08 cpi)
(Stop box command)
(End Create Mode)

~EXECUTE;BOX

~CREATE;BOX
PMODE;L;2
4;1
STOP
BOX
2;20;5;22;77.5
STOP
END

~EXECUTE;BOX

120

(Create Mode command)
(PMODE command for L150, return to Mode 2)
(Begin Mode 4 at form line 1)
(Stop PMODE command)
(Box command)
(6-inch box, 72.5 characters at 12.08 cpi)
(Stop box command)
(End Create Mode)

Printer Status

Printer Status
Purpose

To request the printer status. When the printer status command is
sent to the printer, data containing the printer status is sent back
to the host.

NOTE: The Printer Status command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc) STATUS
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

STATUS

The printer status command. Enter STATUS.

Comments
1. The printer status command will take effect when a snooper
(preparser) is enabled. Any of the following commands will
enable the snooper for all ports. You can also enable preparser
by using the front panel. Send the following command to the
printer before sending the job.
~CONFIG
SNOOP;STATUS;PAR
END
~CONFIG
SNOOP;STATUS;ETH
END
~CONFIG
SNOOP;STATUS;SER
END
The STATUS command works if it is received from any port.
PAR, ETH, and SER are listed as compatible with old PGL
commands.
To disable a snooper, send the following command to the printer
before sending the job.
~CONFIG
SNOOP;OFF
END
2. After the snooper is enabled, the printer status command can
be sent to the printer through any port.
3. When the printer status command is sent to the printer, a data
string is sent back to the host through the serial port in the
following format:
~STATUS
BUSY;n

(n=0 no data in buffer, n=1 data in buffer)

PAPER;n

(n=0 paper not out, n=1 paper out)

RIBBON;n

(n=0 ribbon not out, n=1 ribbon out)

PRINT HEAD;n (n=0 print head down, n=1 print head up)

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COUNT;n

(n = the number of pages that remains to be
printed)

END
Currently, only BUSY and COUNT are supported. Other status
return 0.
Example

The following example shows the format of the printer status
command.
~STATUS

Quiet
Purpose

Places the IGP/PGL in the Quiet mode, where all data passed to
the LP+ emulation is unaffected by IGP/PGL commands except
for the LISTEN, SFON/SFOFF, IGON/IGOFF and PTX_SETUP
commands, or another QUIET command.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)QUIET
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

QUIET

The Quiet command; enter QUIET. The IGP/PGL
remains in the quiet state until the Listen command
is received.

Comments
In the Quiet mode IGP/PGL ignores all commands except
LISTEN, SFON/SFOFF, IGON/IGOFF, PTX_SETUP or another
QUIET command. All commands for the currently selected
protocol in the LinePrinter+ will be interpreted. See the
LinePrinter Plus Programmer's Reference Manual for details.
The IGP/PGL remains quiet until the LISTEN command (page
97) enables standard IGP/PGL operation. The Quiet command is
ignored if the IGP/PGL is in the Execute Form mode. The Quiet
command is not necessary or supported on L7032 printers since
non-PGL data is printed as text by PGL and not by LP+.

122

Recall

Recall
Purpose

Loads the user pre-stored program setup file, SETUP.PTX, from
the printer’s flash memory into the printer. This is done without
sending a system reset.

NOTE: The Recall command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)RECALL[;filename]
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

RECALL

The Recall command; enter RECALL.

filename

The name of the file to recall. This parameter is
optional. If not present, the default file SETUP.PTX
is loaded.

Comments
The file SETUP.PTX is also automatically recalled into the printer
upon a RESET command.

Repeat
Purpose

Used during EXECUTE mode to repeat a form a given number of
times including all the dynamic data. This command is ignored if
the Form Count or incremental parameter is used in the
EXECUTE command.

Mode

EXECUTE

Syntax

(cc)REPEAT;n
REPEAT

The REPEAT command. Enter REPEAT.

n

The number of times to repeat the form with the
same dynamic data.

Comments
When a REPEAT command is encountered in EXECUTE mode,
PGL will store the repeat count. Actual printing of the form will not
be initiated by the REPEAT command. The form will be printed
repeatedly (depending on the repeat count) with the same
dynamic data after a NORMAL (or FF) command is encountered.
Incremental data will be automatically incremented/decremented
after each form. There are no limits to the number of times the
REPEAT command can be used within any given EXECUTE
sequence. Overlay text will not be repeated.

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Reset
Purpose

Deletes all forms and logos from IGP/PGL memory. The Reset
performs the following tasks:

•
•
•
•
•
•

Prints any objects in the current page
Selects the portrait orientation
Deletes all forms and logos resident in memory
Sets the font to the default Gothic 12 point/10CPI
Releases all user-defined character mappings
Runs the SETUP.PTX file if present

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE, or EXECUTE

Format

(cc)RESET
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

RESET

The Reset command; enter RESET.

Reverse Print

124

Purpose

Defines an area of the form where form elements are reverse
printed (white on black).

Mode

CREATE

Format

REVERSE
[DARK;]SR;SC;ER;EC
STOP
REVERSE

The Reverse Printing command; enter REVERSE.

DARK

Optional parameter to select a denser black
background. Enter DARK, or D, to select the
denser background. More information about dark
printing is provided on page 61.

SR

Defines the starting row of the reverse print field.
Enter a value ranging from row 1 through one less
than the length of the form. Character row or dot
row is specified based on the Scale command
(page 139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the reverse print
field. Enter a value ranging from column 1 through
one less than the width of the form. Character
column or dot column is specified based on the
Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

ER

Defines the ending row of the reverse print field.
Enter a value ranging from row 2 through the last
row of the form. The ending row must be greater
than the starting row. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

RFID

EC

Defines the ending column of the reverse print field.
Enter a value ranging from column 2 through the
last column of the form. The ending column must
be greater than the starting column. Character
column or dot column is specified based on the
Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

STOP

Stop indicates the end of the REVERSE command;
enter STOP, and the IGP/PGL will wait for a new
command. If not entered, the IGP/PGL will expect
another set of Reverse Print command parameters.

Comments
You can use reverse print with all form elements (alpha, lines,
boxes, etc.). The IGP/PGL can also reverse print bar codes, but
reverse printed bar codes are unreadable by bar code scanning
devices.

RFID
IMPORTANT

For all examples make sure Label Length in the QUICK SETUP menu
matches the physical length of the installed media.

RFWTAG
Purpose

The RFWTAG command is used to program an RFID tag
(embedded in a smart label) using structured data format. The
data structure of an RFID tag can consist of one or more bit
fields. Each bit field specifies its own field length, the data format,
the field type plus additional options if the type is incremental,
and finally the field value.

NOTE: The RFWTAG command is supported only on Thermal printers.
Mode

CREATE

Format

RFWTAG[;LOCKn[;format]];size[;mem bank]
(Bit Field)+
STOP
RFWTAG

Specifies the RFWTAG command, enter
RFWTAG;

LOCKn[;format] or PERMALOCKn[;format]
Optional parameter to lock the data block to
prevent it from being overwritten. By default, the
data are not locked initially. n is the passcode. The
acceptable values for n are 1 to FFFFFFFF in hex,
a 4 bytes data. When the LOCKn option is used to
lock any memory bank, which at the same time is
programmed with the write data, the same
passcode will be written on ACS memory bank. The
ACS memory bank will also be locked if ACS is not
locked at the time of the operation. If ACS is

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already locked at the time of the operation, the
passcode needs to match the current content of
ACS so that the memory bank lock takes effect.
The passcode (n) can also be in dynamic format.
For dynamic format, enter LOCK, where
DFn is the dynamic field defined in EXECUTE
mode. Both LOCK and PERMALOCK share the
same syntax. For differences in functionality, see
Note 12 on page 129.
format

An optional parameter to specify the format for the
passcode data. Enter B for binary, D for decimal,
and H for hexadecimal. The default is decimal if
format is not specified.

size

A decimal number specifying the overall bit length
of the memory bank.

mem bank

Specifies which tag logical memory area that this
command will be applied. If omitted, it defaults to
the EPC memory area. Other areas include
Identification, User Data, Access area and Kill area.
Enter one of the following values:
‘EPC’ – EPC 12 bytes data area (default)
‘TID’ – Tag identification 8 bytes area (currently not
applicable for RFWTAG)
‘USR’ – User 32 bytes area
‘ACS’ – 4 bytes access code area
‘KIL’ – 4 bytes kill code area
‘PC’ – 2 bytes PC code area (Gen 2 tags only)

NOTE: New tags, such as RSI IN47 Crkscr, support 240 bits of EPC memory
and 512 bits of USR memory.
Bit Field

A line description of a bit field and must have one of
the following syntax formats:
1. For non-incremental data (both static and
dynamic)
length;[DFn;]format;(D)datafield(D)
2. For incremental fixed data
length;I;format;STEP[idir]step;[RPTn;]
[RSTn;](D)startdata(D)
3. For dynamic incremental data
length;IDFn;format;

length

126

A decimal number specifying the bit length of a field
within a tag. The maximum length for each DFn
field of NON-HEX format is 64 bits. For
hexadecimal format, the bit length can be up to the
maximum bit length specified for the corresponding
memory bank.

RFWTAG

DFn

Optional parameter to indicate this field has
dynamic data. Replace n with a number ranging
from 1 to 512 to identify the field number of this
particular field. If this option is used, datafield is
ignored, and dynamic data must be entered via the
DF command in the EXECUTE mode.

IDFn

Enter IDF to indicate this field is a bit field with
dynamical assignment of increment (or decrement)
data. The step and startdata parameters will be
supplied by the IDF command in the EXECUTE
mode. Replace n with a number ranging from 1 to
512 to identify the field number of this bit field.
Dynamically enter the step and startdata
parameters using the IDF command in the
EXECUTE mode.

NOTE: 1. The same field number cannot be used in both DFn and IDFn.
2. If a field is defined as IDFn, it must be referenced as IDFn later for
consistency. The same applies for DFn.
3. If  syntax is used for merging data into AFn or BFn, neither
DFn, AFn, or BFn will be incremented. The increment only takes
place in the ~DFn command where the STEP is specified.
format

A letter specifying the format of the data field.
B – binary, D – decimal, H – hexadecimal

(D)

Delimiter designating the start and end of static data for this bit
field. Replace (D) with any printable character, except the SFCC
and the slash character (/).

datafield

The static data of this static field. It is a mandatory parameter of
bit field with static data.

I

Identifies this field is an incremental bit field.

STEP

Specifies that the incremental data field will use the step method.
Enter STEP;. The STEP option replaces the STEPMASK option
that is used in Alpha and Barcode.

idir

Enter a plus sign (+) or leave the field blank to increment
(default). Enter a minus sign (–) to decrement.

step

A decimal number specifies the amount to increment/decrement
each time the form is executed. The increment is at bit level and
will automatically wrap based on the field size.

RPTn

The optional incremental repeat count parameters to specify the
number of times a particular field value is repeated before it is
incremented. The default repeat count parameter n is 1, which
will increment the field value each time it prints. The repeat count
can range from 1 to 65535.

RSTn

The optional incremental reset count parameter to specify the
number of times an incremented field is printed before it is reset
to the starting value. By default, there is no reset count. The reset
count parameter n can range from 1 to 65535.

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startdata

Defines the value of the field or the starting value of the
incremented field. If the field is dynamic, the value will be
specified later in the EXECUTE mode. The data must be
specified within a pair of delimiters (D). The delimiter (D) cannot
be a “/” or SFCC character since the “/” will comment out the rest
of the line and SFCC is reserved for PGL commands. If “R” or “S”
is used as delimiters, the data pattern must not comprise of the
keywords in the incrementing options. Since the delimiters could
be different from one value to another, proper care must be taken
to avoid one of the letters mentioned above.

NOTE: 1. The RFWTAG command cannot be mixed with RFWRITE in the
same form.
2. Each field structure must be specified in a single line and in the
order it appears in the RFID tag from MSB bits to LSB bits (left to
right). The sum of all the field lengths must match the size of the tag.
3. The host data are read in as ASCII characters. They would be
converted to binary representation for the base field on the field
format. Therefore, if the converted value is larger than the maximum
value that a field can hold, an error will be reported. If the data vaue is
smaller than the specified field length, on the other hand, the field will
be padded to the left with zero bits.
4. Unlike the Alpha and Barcode command which use STEPMASK
for incremental data, RFWTAG uses the STEP which will increment
or decrement at bit level.
5. 432 IGP dots in the ~CREATE line specifies a 6 inch label. 6
inches = 432 (IGP dots)/72 (dpi)
Use 144 for 2 inch labels and 288 for 4 inch labels.
6. ACS and KIL are similar to other memory banks. ACS contains the
passcode which is used for LOCK and UNLOCK operations. KIL
contains the killcode which is used to kill a tag. The user can write to
or read from KIL memory bank, but the functionality of killing a tag is
not currently applicable. Also, once ACS and KIL are locked, both
cannot be written to or read from. For other memory banks, EPC,
USR, and TID, once locked, they can be read from but not written to.
7. There are two ways to program the ACS memory area. One is to
write to the ACS memory area directly with RFWTAG. The other is to
use the LOCK option while writing to other memory banks. If ACS is
not previously locked, then LOCk option will lock the memory bank
and also write the passcode to ACS and lock ACS. When write to
ACS with RFWTAG, ACS is not automatically locked. To lock ACS,
use LOCKn with RFWTAG, where the passcode (n) should be the
same as the write data to ASC.
8. There is only one passcode, the content of ACS memory bank, for
each tag. The same passcode is used to lock or unlock any memory
bank in that tag.

128

RFWTAG

9. For LOCKn and UNLOCKn, the passcode (n) (which includes the
dynamic format ) does not accept incremental data. This also
applies to the ACS and KIL memory banks. The write data to the ACS
and KIL memory banks do not accept incremental data because the
ACS memory bank contains passcodes for LOCK and UNLOCK
operations, and the KIL memory bank contains a killcode to kill a tag.
Incremental data do not apply to passcodes or killcodes.
10. When LOCK and UNLOCK are used in the same
form with the same dynamic data (the passcode), the dynamic format
 needs to be a different dynamic number for LOCK and
UNLOCK since it is designed with a unique dynamic number that can
be linked to only one object type. In this case, LOCK is linked to
RFWTAG object and UNLOCK is linked to RFRTAG object. Although
both options use the same passcode, the dynamic format needs to be
in a different dynamic number in the same form.
11. Because PC field is related to EPC field, when PC RFWTAG is
used in the form, it must be followed immediately by EPC RFWTAG,
or else an error will be reported. Also, by specification, the first 5 bits
of PC data need to comply with the length of EPC data, or else an
error will be reported. For example, for 96 bits EPC, the 5 bits of PC
data is 00110. For 64 bits EPC, the first 5 bits of PC data is 00100.
Also, LOCK option is not and will not be supported for PC field, since
PC field works with EPC field (which already supports LOCK option).
12. Both LOCK and PERMALOCK requires the user to enter the
password. Once the tag is permanently locked with the PERMALOCK
command, it cannot be unlocked again; the tag can only be read from
and never be written to once it is permanently locked. On the other
hand, after the tag is locked with the LOCK command, it can be
unlocked again with the same password.
For PERMALOCK (ex, EPC), the password must match the current
content of ACS bank for PERMALOCK to work. If the current content
of ACS bank is null (0x0) which could be the case for the brand new
tag, the password for PERMALOCK EPC will be 0x0. If you use a
different password for PERMALOCK, you need to write (RFWTAG)
the new content (password) to ACS first, and then use this new
password to PERMALOCK EPC.
For LOCK (ex, EPC), the password may be different from the current
content of ACS. When a new password is used to lock EPC where
ACS is not locked, this new password is written to ACS and locks
ACS at the same time while locking EPC. For new tags where ACS is
not locked and has all null data, you can lock EPC with a new
password directly without writing to ACS first.

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Example 1
The following example programs an SGTIN–64 value into the
RFID tag that is embedded in a 4x6 smart label. Assume that the
SGTIN–64 value is provided as a single number.
~CREATE;SGTIN–64;432
RFWTAG;64
64;H;*87D0034567ABCDEF* /EPC number
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;SGTIN–64;1
~NORMAL
Example 2
Same as Example 1, except the EPC number is broken into its
component parts. Assume that the SGTIN–64 value has the
Header = 2d, Filter Value = 5d, EPC Manager Index = 15383d,
Object Class = 703710d or 0xABCDE, and the Serial Number =
0123456d.
~CREATE;SGTIN–64;432
RFWTAG;64
2;B;*10*
3;D;*5*
14;D;*15383*
20;H;*ABCDE*
25;D;*0000123456*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;SGTIN–64;1
~NORMAL

/Header
/Filter Value
/EPC Manager Index
/Object Class
/Serial Number

Example 3
Same as Example 2, except it uses a dynamic method. This
example also shows how to program another RFID tag without
redefining the data structure of the SGTIN–64.
~CREATE;SGTIN–64;432
RFWTAG;64
2;DF1;B
3;DF2;D
14;DF3;D
20;DF4;H
25;DF5;D
STOP
ALPHA
AF1;18;10;5;3;3
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;SGTIN–64
~DF1;*10*
~DF2;*5*
~DF3;*15383*
~DF4;*ABCDE*
~DF5;*0000123456*
~AF1;

130

/Header
/Filter Value
/EPC Manager Index
/Object Class
/Serial Number

/Header
/Filter Value
/EPC Manager Index
/Object Class
/Serial Number
/Print serial number on

RFWTAG

label
~NORMAL
~EXECUTE;SGTIN–64
~DF1;*10*
~DF2;*5*
~DF3;*15383*
~DF4;*ABCDE*
~DF5;*0000123456*
~AF1;

/Header
/Filter Value
/EPC Manager Index
/Object Class
/Serial Number
/Print serial number on
label

~NORMAL
Example 4
This example shows how to program a roll of 1500 smart labels
with SGTIN–64 values, where the Header = 2d, Filter Value = 5d,
EPC Manager Index = 15383d, Object Class = 703710d or
0xABCDE, and the Serial Number starting from 0000000 to
0001499d.
~CREATE;SGTIN–64;432
RFWTAG;64
2;B;*10*
/Header
3;D;*5*
/Filter Value
14;D;*15383*
/EPC Manager Index
20;H;*ABCDE*
/Object Class
25;I;D;STEP1;*0*
/Serial Number
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;SGTIN–64;ICNT1500
~NORMAL
Example 5
This example shows how to program a 96 bit RFID tag. A
SGTIN–96 format is used and the EPC number is broken into its
component parts. Assume that the SGTIN–96 value has the
Header = 48, Filter Value = 5d, EPC Manager Index = 123456d,
Object Class = 777777d or 0xBDE31, and the Serial Number =
123456d.
NOTE: 96 bit tags must be broken up as in Examples 2, 3, and 4, and no field
can be more than 64 bits in length if the format is binary or decimal.
There is no restriction on the bit length if the format is hexadecimal.
~CREATE;SGTIN–96;432
RFWTAG;96
8;B;*00110000*
3;D;*5*
3;D;*6*
20;D;*123456*
24;D;*777777*
38;D;*123456*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;SGTIN–96;1
~NORMAL

/Header
/Filter Value
/Partition
/EPC Manager Index
/Object Class
/Serial Number

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Example 6
This example shows memory bank usage, where multiple
RFWTAG and RFRTAG can be used.
~CREATE;SGTIN;216
SCALE;DOT;203;203
RFWTAG;96;EPC
96;IDF1;H
STOP
RFRTAG;96;EPC
96;DF3;H
STOP
RFWTAG;256;USR
256;IDF2;H
STOP
RFRTAG;256;USR
256;DF4;H
STOP
ALPHA
IAF1;24;POINT;90;60;16;6
IAF2;64;POINT;130;60;16;4
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;X1;IBF1;64;170;60
PDF
STOP
VERIFY;DF1;H;*EPC
VERIFY;DF3;H;*EPC
VERIFY;DF2;H;*USR
VERIFY;DF4;H;*USR

W= *;*\r\n*
R= *;*\r\n*
W= *;*\r\n*
R= *;*\r\n*

END
~EXECUTE;SGTIN;ICNT4
~IDF1;STEP+1;*313233343536373839414243*
~IDF2;STEP+1;*3132333435363738394142434445464748494A
4B4C4D4E4F*
~IAF1;
~IAF2;
~IBF1;
~NORMAL

132

RFWTAG

Example 7: This example shows memory bank usage with LOCK and
UNLOCK option, where multiple RFWTAG and RFRTAG can be
used, and the passcode for lock and unlock can be in dynamic
format.
~CREATE;SGTIN;432
SCALE;DOT;203;203
RFWTAG;LOCK;D;96;EPC
96;DF1;H
STOP
RFRTAG;UNLOCK;D;96;EPC
96;DF2;H
STOP
RFWTAG;LOCKA1B2C3;H;32;KIL
32;DF3;H
STOP
RFRTAG;UNLOCKA1B2C3;H;32;KIL
32;DF4;H
STOP
RFWTAG;LOCK;H;32;ACS
32;DF6;D
STOP
RFRTAG;UNLOCK;H;32;ACS
32;DF8;H
STOP
ALPHA
AF1;24;POINT;400;60;16;6
AF2;7;POINT;600;60;16;6
AF3;6;POINT;800;60;16;6
AF4;8;POINT;1000;60;16;6
STOP
VERIFY;DF1;H;*DF1 = *;*\r\n*
VERIFY;DF2;H;*DF2 = *;*\r\n*
VERIFY;DF4;H;*DF4 = *;*\r\n*
VERIFY;DF5;H;*DF5 = *;*\r\n*
VERIFY;DF6;H;*DF6 = *;*\r\n*
VERIFY;DF7;H;*DF7 = *;*\r\n*
VERIFY;DF8;H;*DF8 = *;*\r\n*
END
~EXECUTE;SGTIN;FCNT3
~DF1;*313233343536373839414243*
~DF3;*3435363738*
~DF6;*3224115*
~DF7;*A1B2C3*
~AF1;
~AF2;
~AF3;
~AF4;
~NORMAL

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Example 8: This example shows the usage of RFWTAG with PC field which
needs to be followed immediately by RFWTAG with EPC field.
There is not restriction for RFRTAG with PC filed.
~NORMAL
~CREATE;TEST1;432
RFWTAG;16;PC
16;H;*3000*
STOP
RFWTAG;96;EPC
96;H;*313233343536373839414243*
STOP
RFWTAG;256;USR
256;H;*3132333435363738394142434445464748494A4B*
STOP
RFRTAG;16;PC
16;DF1;H
STOP
RFRTAG;96;EPC
96;DF2;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF1;H;*DF1 = *;*\r\n*
VERIFY;DF2;H;*DF2 = *;*\r\n*
END
~EXECUTE;TEST1
~NORMAL
Example 9: This example shows the usage of PERMALOCK.
~NORMAL
~CREATE;RFID;432
ALPHA
IAF1;24;POINT;4;5;10;10
STOP
RFWTAG;32;ACS
32;H;*ABC*
STOP
RFWTAG;PERMALOCKABC;H;96;EPC
96;IDF1;H
STOP
RFRTAG;96;EPC
96;DF2;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF2;H;* *
END
~EXECUTE;RFID;ICNT5
IDF1;STEP+1;*222222222222222222220011*
IAF1;
~NORMAL

134

RFWTAG

Example 10: This example shows the access of 240 bits EPC and 512 bits
USR.
~CREATE;TEST;X;NOMOTION
RFWTAG;LOCK0C0D0E0F;H;240;EPC
240;I;H;STEP+1;*0102030405060708091011121314
15161718192021222324252627282930*
STOP
RFWTAG;LOCK0C0D0E0F;H;512;USR
512;I;H;STEP+1;*0102030405060708091011121314
151617181920212223242526272829303132333435
363738394041424344454647484950515253545556
5758596061626364*
STOP
RFWTAG;LOCK0C0D0E0F;H;32;KIL
32;H;*08090A0B*
STOP
RFRTAG;UNLOCK0C0D0E0F;H;32;ACS
32;DF31;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF31;H;*#ACS=*;“\r\n”
RFRTAG;UNLOCK0C0D0E0F;H;32;KIL
32;DF22;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF22;H;*KIL=*;“\r\n”
RFRTAG;UNLOCK0C0D0E0F;H;240;EPC
240;DF1;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF1;H;*EPC=*;*\r\n
RFRTAG;UNLOCK0C0D0E0F;H;512;USR
512;DF7;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF7;H;*USR=*;*\r\n*
END
~EXECUTE;TEST;10
~NORMAL

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RFRTAG
Purpose

To read the content of an RFID tag (embedded in a smart label)
into a dynamic field. This command cannot be mixed with the
RFREAD command.

NOTE: The RFRTAG command is supported only on Thermal printers.
Mode

CREATE

Format

RFRTAG[;UNLOCKn[;format]];size[;mem bank]
(Bit Field)+
STOP
RFRTAG

Specifies the RFRTAG command, enter RFRTAG;

size

A decimal number specifying the overall bit length
of the RFID tag memory bank.

UNLOCKn[;format]
Optional parameter to unlock the data block so it
can be overwritten later. n is the passcode. The
acceptable values for n are 1 to FFFFFFFF in hex,
a 4 bytes data. The value of n should be the same
passcode used for the LOCK option to unlock the
protected data block. When the UNLOCKn option is
used to unlock any memory bank, which at the
same is programmed to read the tag, the operation
UNLOCKn will not unlock ACS memory area. The
passcode (n) can also be in dynamic format. For
dynamic format, enter LOCK, where DFn is
the dynamic field defined in EXECUTE mode.
format is the optional parameter to specify the
format for the passcode data. Enter B for binary,
D for decimal, and H for hexadecimal. The default
is decimal if format is not specified.
mem bank

136

Specifies which tag logical memory area that this
command will be applied. If omitted, it defaults to
the EPC memory area. Other areas include
Identification, User Data, Access area, and Kill
area. Enter one of the following values:
‘EPC’ – EPC 12 bytes data area (default)
‘TID’ – Tag identification 8 bytes area
‘USR’ – User 32 bytes area
‘ACS’ – 4 bytes access code area
‘KIL’ – 4 bytes kill code area
‘PC’ – 2 bytes PC code area (Gen 2 tags only)

RFRTAG

Bit Field

A line description of a bit field; must have one of the
following syntax formats:
length;DFn;format
length

A decimal number specifying the bit
length of a field within a tag. The
maximum length is 64 bits for binary
or decimal format. For hexadecimal
format, the bit length can be up to
the maximum bit length specified for
the corresponding memory bank.

DFn

Indicate dynamic data field to store
the read result. Replace n with a
number ranging from 1 to 512 to
identify the field number of this
particular field.

format

A letter specifying the
representation format of
the field data.
B – binary, D – decimal,
H – hexadecimal

NOTE: 1. Multiple RFRTAG commands are allowed in the same form but the
same DFn field cannot be defined multiple times.
2. The DF field length is restricted to 64 bits for binary or decimal
format and must be a multiple of 8 bits. The sum of all field lengths
must be equal to the tag size.
3. The first field always start at the MSB bit. The bit length of a field
dictates the start bit of the next field, etc. As a result, DF fields will not
overlap each other.
4. RFRTAG does not allow incremental fields (with the “I” prefix).
5. 432 IGP dots in the ~CREATE line specifies a 6 inch label. 6
inches = 432 (IGP dots)/72 (dpi)
Use 144 for 2 inch labels and 288 for 4 inch labels.

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Example
Same as Example 4 on page 131, except the increment is
dynamic and the result is merged into Alpha to print on the smart
label.
~CREATE;SGTIN–64;432
RFWTAG;64
2;B;*10*
/Header
3;D;*5*
/Filter Value
14;D;*15383*
/EPC Manager Index
20;D;*123456*
/Object Class
25;IDF1;H
/Serial Number
STOP
RFRTAG;64
64;DF2;H;
STOP
ALPHA
IAF1;16;3;12;0;0
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;SGTIN–64;ICNT1500
~IDF1;STEP+1;*0*
~IAF1;
~NORMAL
NOTE: 1. The  usage does not increment the DF1 field. It merges the
DF1 content into the AF1 field, keeping the same representation
previously defined for IDF1.
2. The use of IAF1 is to print alpha on every label. If AF1 is used
instead, only the first label is printed. The AF1 field is not incremented
either since it is using the result from the DF1 merge.

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Scale

Scale
Purpose

Defines the vertical line spacing and the horizontal pitch of the
form for data positioning specified by character row and column
or dot row and column.

Mode

CREATE

Format

SCALE;DOT[;horz;vert]
or
SCALE;CHAR[;lpi] [;cpi] or SCALE;MM
SCALE

The Scale command; enter SCALE.

DOT

Specifies the dot scale. Enter DOT.

horz/vert

Gives resolution for the dot parameter. Default is 60
dpi (horizontal) by 72 dpi (vertical).

CHAR

Specifies the character scale. Enter CHAR.

MM

Specifies the scale will be in millimeters. Enter MM.

lpi

The optional vertical line spacing parameter (in
lines per inch) for character scaling. Enter: any
integer value from 1 through 1000. The default is 6
lpi. For line matrix printers, enter 6, 8, 9, or 10.

cpi

The optional horizontal pitch parameter (in
characters per inch) for character scaling. Enter 10,
12, 13, 15, 17, or 20. The default is 10 cpi.

Comments
If the character scale is selected, starting row/column or ending
row/column parameters are specified by character row and
column. The lines per inch (lpi) value for a character scale form
can be set to any integer value from 1 through the target DPI.
Characters per inch (cpi) horizontally can be either 10, 12, 13, 15,
17, or 20. For example, on a printer with a maximum print width of
80 columns, an 8-1/2 x 11-inch form at the 6 lpi 10 cpi default has
66 rows and 80 columns in the character scale. (Refer to your
printer User's Manual to determine your maximum print
boundaries.)
If the dot scale is selected, the parameters are specified in dot
row and column. For example, based on a 60 dpi horizontal and
72 dpi vertical dot scale, a form of 8-1/2 x 11 inches has 792 rows
(72 dpi x 11 inches) and 510 columns (60 dpi x 8-1/2 inches), and
a form of 8 x 11 inches has 792 rows and 480 columns. Refer to
Appendix C for more information about maximum values with
other paper sizes.
The default scale factor uses character row and column (6 lpi and
10 cpi). Anytime CP.DP format (page 31) is used, the scale
assumes 6 lpi and 10 cpi and a 60 x 72 dpi format.

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You can change the Scale at any time during forms creation by
using either of the Scale commands. Elements designed before
the scale change will print at the former scale, while those
elements following the scale change will print at the current scale.
NOTE: Scale affects data position, not the printed data itself. For example,
alphanumeric data printed at 10 cpi will still print at 10 cpi after a
Scale change; however, where the data is placed on the page is
affected. Also, Scale affects line thickness if dot scale and
horizontal/vertical scaling are given.

LINE MATRIX

Scaling
Purpose

Permits graphic elements (such as corners or boxes) to retain
their physical shapes and sizes when printed in a horizontal and
vertical density other than the base density of 60 x 72 dpi (60
horizontal x 72 vertical dots per inch). This command allows
IGP/PGL programs developed for other printers to be
automatically scaled for execution on MVP and P3000 Series
printers so that the printed output appears the same as the
original output.

NOTE: The Scaling command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

CREATE

Format

SMODE; pt; sm [;em]
SMODE

The Scale command; enter SMODE.

pt

Defines the printer type. Enter one of the Printer
Type codes shown in Table 9 to select the type of
printer.

sm

Defines the scale mode. Enter one of the Scale
Mode codes shown in Table 9 to select the scaling
mode and corresponding dot density.

em

Optional parameter to define the exit mode. This
optional parameter is useful when the normal print
mode is different from the print mode used for
IGP/PGL graphics. The exit mode returns the
IGP/PGL to a specified printer mode after the form
is printed. Enter a new Scale Mode code (according
to the printer type selected) from Table 9.

Comments Dot density varies by printer mode. Selecting a different printer
mode selects a different horizontal and vertical dot density. This
varying density can affect graphic elements created in one
particular mode but printed in a different mode. Be sure that
graphic elements designed in the IGP/PGL Create Form Mode
are defined using a base density of 60 x 72 dpi so that the
SMODE command will produce the desired results.

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Scaling

The following application rules must be considered when using
SMODE:
a.

When used in the Create Form mode, the
SMODE command must be the first command
on the line, or an error will occur.

b.

All input parameters of the element being
defined (starting/ending row, line thickness,
bar code height, etc.), will be scaled according
to the dot density of the scale mode selected.

c.

All graphic elements (such as vertical,
horizontal, boxes, etc.), except for logos, will
be scaled.

d.

All alphanumeric strings with expanded
characters (not normal 10 cpi characters) will
be scaled.

e.

All input parameters of a bar code, except
horizontal span, will be scaled.

Table 9. Printer Modes and Densities
Printer Type
Code

Printer Type
Selected

Scale Mode
Code

Printer
Mode

S

Dot Density
(H x V dpi)

MVP and
MVP 150B

1
2
3
4
5

1
2
3
4
5

100 x 96
60 x 72
60 x 64
50 x 48
100 x 72

L

L150

1
2
3
4
5

1
2
3
4
5

100 x 96
60 x 72
60 x 64
72.5 x 72
80 x 72

3

P3000

1
2
3
4
5

1
2
3
4
5

90 x 96
60 x 72
60 x 48
72.5 x 72
80 x 72

6

P6000

1
2
3
4
5

1
2
3
4
5

60 x 144
60 x 72
60 x 48
60 x 72
60 x 72

9

P9000

1
2
3
4
5

1
2
3
4
5

90 x 96
60 x 72
60 x 48
60 x 72
60 x 72

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NOTE: MVP and MVP 150B printers must be in Scale Mode 2 and Printer
Mode 2 to produce readable bar codes. L150 printers must be in
Scale Mode 4 and Printer Mode 4 to produce readable bar codes,
except for UPC-A, EAN 8 and EAN 13, which require Mode 5 to
produce readable bar codes.
Example

The following scaling command selects a P9000 printer (printer
type = 9), a 60 x 72 scale mode (scale mode = 2), and a 60 x 48
exit mode (scale mode = 3). The Create Form command is used
to enter the Create Form Mode using a form name of SCALE.

~CREATE;SCALE
SMODE;9;2;3
(form elements defined here)
END
~EXECUTE;SCALE;1

Select Format
Purpose

Enables the IGP/PGL to ignore all host-generated paper
movement commands (hex 00-1F).

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE or EXECUTE

Format

(cc)SFON
or
(cc)SFOFF

NOTE: A line terminator is not required in the Select Format Sequence.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

SFON

The Select Format On command. Enter SFON.

SFOFF

Exits Select Format. Enter SFOFF.

Comments
During Select Format, you may enter the following IGP/PGL
paper movement commands. All the commands must be entered
in UPPERCASE. These commands can only be used with the
Select Format command. If used at any other time, an error
condition may result.
Command

Paper Movement Function

(cc)CR

Sends a carriage return (hex 0D)

(cc)LF

Sends a line feed (hex 0A)

(cc)FF

Sends a form feed (hex 0C)

(cc)LT

Sends a no motion line terminator (hex 03)

Although the Select Format command enables the IGP/PGL to
ignore all host-generated paper movement commands, you can
input IGP/PGL paper movement commands with Select Format
on.
SFON/SFOFF cannot be used during Ignore Sequence (page
90).

142

Set The Time or Date

Set The Time or Date
Purpose

To set the internal printer clock to the current time and date. All
the parameters are optional.

NOTE: Since this command sets time, it is important that it is received and
processed by the printer quickly. This command should be sent when
the printer is online and no other data is in the buffer.
The Set Time or Date command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)SETCLOCK;[DA nn;] [MO nn;] [YE nnun;] [HO nn;] [MI nn;]
[SE nn;]
SETCLOCK The Set Clock command

Example

DA

Sets the day of the month. Enter DA followed by a
space then a two–digit value from 00–31.

MO

Sets the month. Enter MO followed by a space then
a two–digit value from 01–12.

YE

Sets the year. Enter YE followed by a space than a
four digit value from 0000–9999.

HO

Sets the hour. Enter HO followed by a space then a
two–digit value from 00–23.

MI

Sets the minutes. Enter MI followed by a space
then a two–digit value from 00–59.

SE

Sets the seconds. Enter SE followed by a space
then a two–digit value from 00–59.

See “Clock Element Format” on page 52.

Setup
Purpose

The SETUP command can be used in two different ways, with the
formname and without the formname. When the formname is not
entered, the given data under SETUP will be stored into FLASH
under the name setup.ptx. This file is then loaded from FLASH
and processed as host data whenever printer power is applied or
when the RESET or RECALL command is sent. When the
formname is entered, SETUP is currently being used in XML
driven form to save all commands in NORMAL mode into a
FLASH file with the extension .nol, and later to be processed
along with two other FLASH saved files, *.frm and *.Ink to print an
XML form.

NOTE: The Setup command is not supported on L7032 printers.
Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)SETUP [;formname] [;DISK]
host data
(cc)SETUPEND
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

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SETUP

The Setup command; enter SETUP.

formname

This is a parameter used exclusively for XML driven
form. When the formname is entered, the host data
following ~SETUP and up to ~SETUPEND will be
saved into FLASH under the same formname with
the extension, *.nol. The data following SETUP can
be only the commands in NORMAL mode. When
XML data stream comes in to print the form under
the same formname, the file with the same name
and extension, .nol will be retrieved from the
FLASH and executed along with two other FLASH
file of the same name, *.frm (CREATE form) and
.Ink (LINK form). See the description and example
listed for the ~LINK command, on page 94. The
form name is not case sensitive.

DISK

Optional parameter to store the file into FLASH.
Enter DISK to store the file into PCB Flash. Enter
EMC to store the file into the Expanded Memory
Cartridge. When the option is not specified, it stores
the file into PCB Flash by default. See “Flash
Memory Storage” on page 24.

host data

When the parameter formname is not entered, the
host data can be any IGP/PGL command, form
definition, text, etc. to be stored and executed at
power-up. However, when the parameter
formname is entered, the host data can only be any
IGP/PGL command in NORMAL mode.

SETUPEND Finishes storing host data and returns the printer to
the NORMAL mode. Enter SETUPEND.
Comments
When SETUP is used for non–XML driven form, the forname is
not given because the RESET command causes the setup
routine to be executed, the RESET command cannot be in the
SETUP information or an infinite loop will occur.
If IGP/PGL commands have not been added between the SETUP
and SETUPEND commands, the SETUP.PTX file on the printer’s
FLASH memory automatically deletes, and no IGP/PGL SETUP
commands execute upon printer power-up.
SETUP.PTX is automatically created by the IGP/PGL when the
~SETUPEND command is received. When the SETUP.PTX file is
not in the printer’s FLASH memory, no extra IGP/PGL commands
are performed on power-up.
When SETUP is used for XML driven form (the formname is
given), the DELETE FORM command (*.frm) used under SETUP
to delete both FLASH or DRAM form cannot be the same name
as the formname used in SETUP. *ALL cannot be used because
XML form relies on the successful execution of *.frm which
happens after the execution of the SETUP file (*.nol).

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Special Function Control Code Change

For XML driven form, since both SETUP (*.nol) and LINK file
(*.Ink) are stored only in FLASH, the users can delete the flash
files through the front panel option. See the LINK command on
page 94 for a description and example.
Example 1 (for XML form)
~SETUP;TESTXML
~DELETE LOGO;epc300.tif
~DELETE LOGO;PCXLOGO
~LOGO;PCXLOGO;PCX
~RASTEREND
END
~SETUPEND
~CREATE;TESTXML;432;DISK
SCALE;DOT;100;100
LOGO
40;40;PCXLOGO
STOP
LOGO
40;292;epc300.tif
STOP
ALPHA
AF1;16;POINT;140;180;14;11
STOP
END
~LINK;TESTXML;DISK
~AF1;$BUSINESS_PARTNER$
~NORMAL

Special Function Control Code Change
Purpose

Changes the current Special Function Control Code (SFCC).

Mode

NORMAL or EXECUTE

Format

(cc)SFCC; n
or
(cc)SFCC; ‘n’
(cc)

The current Special Function Control Code.

SFCC;

Specifies the Special Function Control Code
change command. Enter SFCC; (the semicolon is
required.)

n

Represents the ASCII numeric value for the new
SFCC. Replace n with an ASCII value from 0
through 255.

‘n’

Represents the hexadecimal value for a printable
character as the new SFCC. Replace ‘n’ with a
hexadecimal value from 20 through 7F. If
representing the new SFCC in hexadecimal, it must
be enclosed in single quotes.

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Comments
When the SFCC is changed using the SFCC command, the
change is effective immediately and the old SFCC is no longer
recognized.
When printer power is turned off and on, the SFCC returns to the
configuration default. The configuration default SFCC can also be
re-selected by sending the command: (cc)SFCC; ‘ ’
Example

The following example, using both the ASCII and hexadecimal
values, changes the SFCC from the tilde (~) to the caret (^).

~SFCC;94 or
~SFCC;’5E’

TIFF Logo
Purpose

Places the IGP/PGL in the Create Logo mode, where logos can
be defined using a Tagged Image File Format (TIFF).

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE

Format (NORMAL)
(cc)LOGO;logoname;TIFF[;TRIM][;ROT][;DISK](T)
TIFF raster data (cc)RASTEREND
END
Format (CREATE)
LOGODEF;logoname;TIFF[;TRIM][;ROT] (T)
TIFF raster data (cc)RASTEREND
STOP

146

(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

LOGO

The Logo command; enter LOGO.

logoname

Enter a maximum of 15 alphanumeric characters
for the name of the logo. (Refer to page 29 for a list
of allowable Logo Name characters.) All future
references to this logo (Delete Logo or Logo Call
commands) must use this name. If a logo is defined
with the same name as a logo already existing in
memory, the newly defined logo will replace the
existing logo.

TIFF

The command denoting raster data in TIFF format;
enter TIFF.

TRIM

Optional parameter that removes extra white space
bounding the image, which saves memory inside
the printer. Also helps position the image in an
IGP/PGL form. Enter TRIM.

ROT

Optional parameter for images scanned in
orientations other than upright. Enter either CW (for
90 degrees clockwise rotation), CCW (for 90
degree counterclockwise rotation), or INV (for
inverted characters; 180 degrees rotations.)

TIFF Logo

DISK

Optional parameter to store the logo in the printer’s
Flash memory. Not allowed for logos defined in
CREATE mode. When defining a logo in NORMAL
mode, enter DISK to store the logo in PCB Flash,
or enter EMC to store the logo in the Expanded
Memory Cartridge. See “Flash Memory Storage” on
page 24 for details.

(T)

A line terminator (i.e., LF, FF) must separate the
LOGO line from the beginning of the TIFF raster
data.

TIFF raster data
Scanned data in TIFF format; data must be black
and white. Grey scales or color TIFF files are
currently not supported. Both uncompressed and
packed-bits compression formats are supported.
(cc)

The Special Function Control Code.

RASTEREND Denotes the end of the TIFF raster data. Enter
RASTEREND.
END

Terminates the TIFF logo; enter END.

STOP

Ends the Create Logo command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Comments
The size and number of raster image logos are bounded by
printer memory. Also note that each rotation used requires a copy
of the image; therefore, the number of rotations used affects the
printer memory available.
The logo call command in the Create Form mode brings the
predefined logo into a form. The starting row and column
parameters refer to the upper left corner of the logo grid. Once
created, the logo is ready to be used in any form and will print at
the size shown.
Raster images may contain data that is interpreted by your host
as control codes. This may affect the way the host sends data to
the printer. Consult your host's User's Manual for sending binary
data.
Be careful when editing TIFF output files because most TEXT
editors insert carriage returns and line feeds. If a TIFF file must
be edited, use a binary or hex editor.
NOTE: Be careful sending TIFF data. The LOGO line must be terminated
and then the TIFF data must follow immediately (with no extra
CR/LF's). Otherwise, improper operation will result.

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VERIFY
Purpose

Request the printer to send to the host the ASCII representation
of a dynamic field. The dynamic field could be one of AFn, BFn,
or DFn, but cannot be RFn.

NOTE: The Verify command is supported only on Thermal printers.
Mode

CREATE

Format

VERIFY;field;format;(D)ASCIIheader(D);(D)ASCIITrailer(D)
VERIFY

The command to verify data of a dynamic field,
enter VERIFY;

field

The dynamic field AFn, BFn, or DFn that contains
the data to be sent to the host.

format

A letter specifying the format of the outgoing data to
be sent to the host.
B – binary, D – decimal, H – hexadecimal, S –
string
Based on the incoming format of the data field, a
format conversion may be performed if the
outgoing format is not the same. The AFn and BFn
format is always S type. The DFn format could be
either B, D, or H. Due to the possible conversion
the outgoing data stream could be longer than the
incoming one. The maximum length for the
outgoing data is 512 bytes. If the format request will
result in a data stream exceeding the maximum
length, an error would be reported.

ASCIIheader
A mandatory parameter to specify an ASCII string
of characters, which is followed by the RFID data,
to be sent by the printer to the host.
ASCIItrailer

An optional parameter to specify an ASCII string of
characters, which will follow the RFID data, to be
sent by the printer to the host.

(D)

Delimiter designating the start and end of a
character string. Replace (D) with any printable
character, except the SFCC and the slash
character (/). The string could be empty, i.e. there
are not headers preceeding the field data.

NOTE: 1. The DFn field must be defined previously in the CREATE mode
before it can be specified in the VERIFY command otherwise it will be
considered as a syntax error and the VERIFY command will abort.
2. All RFID Read/Write commands are executed first in the order they
appear in CREATE mode, followed by Alpha and Barcode
commands, and finally VERIFY commands. The VERIFY commands
are always executed last although they may appear before other
commands in the CREATE mode. The reason for this is to make sure
the data are sent back to the host only if other commands are

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VERIFY

completed and the form is not aborted.
3. If the data comes from a DFn field, the DFn format is the original
format before any conversion. If the VERIFY command specifies a
different format, the data would then be converted to the new format.
If the data comes from an AFn or BFn, the original format is S format.
4. Below is the possible syntax for header and trailer string,
1, VERIFY;DF2;H;*Head = *
2, VERIFY;DF2;H;*Head = *; *Tail*
3, VERIFY;DF2;H;**;*Tail*
4, VERIFY;DF2;H;*Head = *;**

//Header only
//Header & trailer
//Trailer only
//Header only

To insert the CR/LF character, add “\r” and “\n” as CR/LF characters,
such as
VERIFY;DF2;H;*Head=*; *Tail\r\n*
//this will display
“Head=Tail”
If the user wants to display “\r” or “\n” as normal text character, do the
following:
VERIFY;DF2;H;*Header\\r\\n*

//this will display “Header\r\
n” on the screen, where
double back slash “\\” (0x5C
0x5C) will be replaced with
one back slash ‘\’ (0x5C).

The characters \r and \n can be inserted anywhere in the header
string and tailer string.
To summarize,
\r –> 0x0D
\n –> 0x0A
\\ –> \

//CR
//LF
//one back slash

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Example 1
This example requests the printer to send to the host the content
of the RFID tag, in hexadecimal format, both before and after the
RFWTAG command writes data to the tag. Also, the label is not
moved.
~CREATE;VERIFY;432;NOMOTION
RFRTAG;64
64;DF1;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF1;H;*TagBefore=*
RFWTAG; 64
2;B;*01*
6;D;*29*
24;H;*466958*
17;H;*ABC*
15;D;*1234*
STOP
RFRTAG;64
64;DF2;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF2;H;*TagAfter=*
END
~EXECUTE;VERIFY;1
~NORMAL
TagBefore=A5A500005D055E04
TagAfter=5D466958055E04D2

<== Whatever data inside
the tag before
<== Should match with
RFWTAG command

Example 2
This example reads a roll of 1500 pre-programmed smart labels.
~CREATE;READONLY;432
RFRTAG;64
64;DF1;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF1;H;**
END
~EXECUTE;READONLY;1500
~NORMAL
A5A500005D055E04

A5A50000000550D4

150

<== Whatever data....
another 1498 lines of RFID
data.................
<== Whatever data

VERIFY

Example 3
This example requests the printer to program a roll of 2000 smart
labels using the RFWTAG command with incremental field. Then,
it sends the actual data from each of the 2000 tags to the host.
~CREATE;SIMPLE;432;NOMOTION
RFWTAG;64
2;B;*01*
6;D;*29*
24;H;*466958*
17;H;*ABC*
15;I;D;STEP+1;*0000*
STOP
RFRTAG; 64
64;DF1;H
STOP
VERIFY;DF1;H;*Data=*
END
~EXECUTE;SIMPLE;ICNT2000
~NORMAL
Data=5D466958055E0000
Data=5D466958055E0001
Data=5D466958055E07CE
Data=5D466958055E07CF

<== Should be the newly
programmed data.
....another 1996 lines of
RFID data .................
<== Should be the newly
programmed data.

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3

Bar Codes

Overview
A bar code is a graphic representation of alphanumeric characters. Bar codes
are produced by entering bar code data in the Create Form Mode. The IGP
bar codes are listed in Table 10, with detailed bar code information provided
on the referenced pages. All parameters must be separated by a semicolon
(;) unless noted otherwise. Throughout this chapter, actual commands
required for input are shown exactly as they must be entered, while all
parameters associated with that command are shown in italics. Optional
parameters are enclosed in brackets. Spaces are used only to visually
separate the command parameters, but do not enter these spaces in your
command.
The single most important consideration when printing a bar code is to ensure
the bar code will be scanned properly. Incorporating a bar code quality
procedure in the printing process is the best way to ensure that bar codes are
being printed correctly. A properly implemented validation procedure will
increase overall bar code quality, reduce waste from misprinted bar codes,
and achieve high first-time read rates, which is an increasingly important
factor in newer, more efficient systems where manually entered data is not
acceptable as a backup function. Validation also minimizes the costs of
returned products due to poor reading or unaccountable bar codes. For more
information on bar code validation, contact your Printronix representative or
visit our web site at www.printronix.com.

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Table 10. Available Bar Codes
Bar Code

Mnemonic

Symbol Length

Code Set

Page
No

Australian 4-State

AUSTPOST

Variable

Alphanumeric

166

Aztec

AZTEC

Variable

Alphanumeric

172

BC412

BC412

Variable

Alphanumeric

177

Codabar

CODABAR

Variable

Alphanumeric

181

Code 35

C35

Variable

Alphanumeric

186

Code 39

C3/9

Variable

Alphanumeric

189

Code 93

CODE93

Variable

Alphanumeric

197

Code 128 A, B or C

C128A
C128B
C128C

Variable

Alphanumeric

204

EAN8

EAN8

7 digits

Numeric

216

EAN13

EAN13

12 digits

Numeric

222

FIM

FIM

n/a

A, B, C or D

229

German I-2/5

I25GERMAN

11 or 13 digits

Numeric

274

GS1-128, formerly
UCC/EAN-128

UCC-128

Variable

Alphanumeric

235

GS1 Databar,
formerly RSS14

RSS14

Variable

Alphanumeric

249

GS1 Datamatrix,
formerly Datamatrix

DATAMATRIX

Variable

Alphanumeric

258

Intelligent Mail 4-State

INTMAIL

20, 25, 29, or 31 digits

Alphanumeric

270

Interleaved 2/5

I-2/5

Variable

Numeric

274

ITF-14

ITF14

13 digits

Numeric

274

Matrix

MATRIX

Variable

Numeric

280

Maxicode

MAXICODE

Variable

Alphanumeric

286

MSI

MSI

13 or 14 digits

Numeric

292

PDF417

PDF417

Variable

Alphanumeric

298

Planet

PLANET

11 digits

Numeric

306

Plessey

PLESSEY

Variable

Alphanumeric

312

POSTNET

POSTNET

5, 9, or 11 digits

Numeric

318

PostBar

POSTBAR

Variable

0-3

324

154

User-Defined Variable Ratios for Standard Barcodes

Table 10. Available Bar Codes (continued)
Bar Code

Mnemonic

Symbol Length

Code Set

Page
No

QR Code

QRCODE

Variable

Alphanumeric

328

Royal Mail

ROYALBAR

Variable

Alphanumeric

324

Telepen

TELEPEN

Variable

Alphanumeric

333

UPC-A

UPC-A

11 digits

Numeric

340

UPC-E and
UPC-E0

UPC-E
UPC-E0

11 or 6 digits

Numeric

346

UPCSHIP

UPCSHIP

13 digits

Numeric

354

UPS11

UPS11

10 digits

Alphanumeric

360

User-Defined Variable Ratios for Standard Barcodes
The user-defined variable ratio for bar codes is an optional parameter. The
default ratios shown in Table 14 are overridden by the variable ratio feature.
Four- and eight-digit ratios can be used, depending upon the bar code
selected. Ratio data must be decimal values greater than 0. Enter R, followed
by the actual bar code ratio. A colon must separate each element of the ratio.
Like standard bar code ratios, user-defined ratios are also interpreted from left
to right, measuring the size of each bar or space, in dot width, in the following
pattern: narrow bar : narrow space : wide bar : wide space. See Table 14 for
the number of values needed. If the D parameter is specified, the ratios are
represented in printer dots instead of IGP dots (60 x 72 dpi).

User-Defined Variable Ratios for Postal Barcodes
The user-defined variable ratio can also be used for Postal barcodes including
Postnet, Planet, Australian 4-State, PostBar, Royal Mail, and Intelligent Mail
4-State.
The user-defined ratio follows the same general syntax rules but with the
following pattern: bar width: space width: short bar height: full bar height.
The D parameter can also be used for printer dots.
User-defined ratios can be disabled from the front panel menu. See your
User’s Guide for details.
NOTE: The IGP does not verify that ratio data creates acceptable
wide/narrow element relationships for bar code readability. When
designing unique ratio data, carefully plot wide and narrow ratios to
conform to readable bar codes.

155

Chapter

3

Overview

Variable Ratio Sample
~CREATE;TEST
(Enters Create Form mode)
SCALE;CHAR
ALPHA
(Alpha command)
2;5;1;1;1;*Std. Ratio*
STOP
(Ends Alpha command)
BARCODE
(Bar code command)
C3/9;X1;H7;3;5
“CODE39”
PDF;B;N
(Printable data field)
STOP
(Ends bar code command)
/
/
/
/
/
ALPHA
(Alpha command)
2;30;1;1;*Var. Ratio*
STOP
(Ends bar code command)
BARCODE
(Bar code command)
C3/9;XRD2:2:5:5;H7;3;30
“CODE39”
PDF;B;N
(Printable data field)
STOP
(Ends bar code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form mode)
~EXECUTE;TEST;1
(Prints the form)
~NORMAL

PDF Character Sizes [PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
For UPC and EAN bar codes, a smaller Letter Gothic font will be substituted
for OCR-A or OCR-B when the bar code symbol is not large enough to
accommodate a 10 CPI font.
For all other bar codes, OCR-A and OCR-B will print at 10 CPI. However,
when using the Normal font, the PDF will be automatically sized to fit the
length of the bar code symbol, if necessary.

IMPACT

156

NOTE: Vertical bar codes print only in standard 10 cpi font because OCR
fonts cannot be rotated. If an OCR-type font is selected with a vertical
bar code command, the standard 10 cpi font is substituted
automatically.

PDF Character Sizes [PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]

IMPACT
Table 11. IGP/PGL Bar Code Specification Summary for 12-Mil Tip Impact Printers
Description

Magnification
Parameter

Average Narrow
Element Width
(mils)

Character
Density (cpi)

Ratio

Codabar

X1

16.7

5.4

4:3:2:1

Code 39

X1
X1A
X1B
X2
X3
X4

13.8
13.8
13.8
31.0
44.8
58.6

4.5
5.5
5.0
2.3
1.5
1.2

3:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2.4:1

Code 128A
Code 128B
Code 93
UPS 11

X1
X1.5
X2
X3
X4

13.8
20.7
27.3
41.4
55.2

6.5
5.0
3.3
2.2
1.7

4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1

Code 128C
UCC/EAN-128
GS1-128, formerly
UCC/EAN-128

X1
X1.5
X2
X3
X4

13.8
20.7
27.3
41.4
55.2

13.2
9.9
6.5
4.4
3.3

4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1

EAN 8 and 13

default

13.8

1.05 MAG

4:3:2:1

Interleaved 2/5
German I-2/5
ITF-14
Matrix

X1
X1A
X1B
X2
X2A
X3
X4

13.8
17.2
13.8
31.0
27.6
44.8
58.6

8.1
7.1
10.4
4.2
5.2
2.8
2.2

3:1
2.6:1
2:1
2.3:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.4:1

MSI-A
MSI-B
MSI-C
MSI-D
Plessey

X1
X2
X3
X4

13.8
20.7
27.6
34.5

7.6
5.0
3.8
3.0

3:1
2.5:1
2.3:1
2.3:1

UPC-A and E

default

13.8

1.05 MAG

4:3:2:1

PostBar
Royal Mail
Australian Post

X1
X1A

n/a

n/a

n/a

Planet
POSTNET

Per U.S. Postal Service Publication 25: A Guide to Business Mail Preparation (USPS Certified)

157

Chapter

3

Overview

Table 12. PGL Bar Code Specification Summary for 16-Mil Tip Impact Printers
Description

Magnification
Parameter

Average Narrow
Element Width

Character
Density (cpi)

Ratio

Codabar

X1

16.7

5.4

4:3:2:1

Code 39

X1
X1A
X1B
X2
X3
X4

16.7
16.7
16.7
37.5
54.2
70.8

3.75
4.6
4.2
1.9
1.3
1.1

3:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2.4:1

Code 128A
Code 128B
Code 93
UPS 11

X1
X1.5
X2
X3
X4

16.7
25.0
33.0
50.0
66.7

5.4
4.1
2.7
1.8
1.4

4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1

Code 128C
UCC/EAN-128

X1
X1.5
X2
X3
X4

16.7
25.0
33.0
50.0
66.7

10.9
8.2
5.4
3.6
2.7

4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1

EAN 8 and 13

default

16.7

1.28 MAG

4:3:2:1

Interleaved 2/5
German I-2/5
ITF-14
Matrix

X1
X1A
X1B
X2
X2A
X3
X4

16.7
20.8
16.7
37.5
33.2
54.2
70.8

6.7
5.7
8.5
3.5
4.3
2.3
1.8

3:1
2.6:1
2:1
2.3:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.4:1

MSI-A
MSI-B
MSI-C
MSI-D
Plessey

X1
X2
X3
X4

16.7
25.1
33.4
41.7

6.1
4.1
3.0
2.4

3:1
2.5:1
2.3:1
2.3:1

UPC-A and E

default

16.7

1.28 MAG

4:3:2:1

PostBar
Royal Mail
Australian Post

X1
X1A

n/a

n/a

n/a

Planet
POSTNET

158

Per U.S. Postal Service Publication 25: A Guide to Business Mail Preparation (USPS Certified)

PDF Character Sizes [PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]

Table 13. IGP/PGL Bar Code Specification Summary, L7032 Printers
Barcode Type

Code 39
Interleaved 2/5
(4 values)

Magnftn.
Parameter

Avg. Narrow/
Element Width

Wide:Narrow
(Ratio)

Barcode Character Density
(cpi)

X1 = X1
X1A
X1B
X1C = X1A
X1D
X1E = X1B
X1F
X1G = X1C

16.7
16.7
13.7
13.6
13.7
10.6
10.7
7.4

2.95:1
2.13:1
2.82:1
2.40:1
2.09:1
2.70:1
2.38:1
2.62:1

C39
3.8
4.5
4.7
5.1
5.5
6.2
6.7
7.9

I–2/5
5.7
7.1
7.4
8.3
9.0
10.2
11.4
12.5

X2
X3
X4

33.4
50.1
66.8

2.95:1
2.95:1
2.95:1

1.9
1.2
0.9

2.8
1.9
1.4

X2A
X3A
X4A

33.4
50.1
66.8

2.13:1
2.13:1
2.13:1

2.2
1.5
1.1

3.5
2.3
1.8

X2B
X3B
X4B

27.4
40.8
54.4

2.82:1
2.82:1
2.82.1

2.3
1.5
1.2

3.7
2.4
1.8

X2C = X2B
X3C
X4C

27.2
40.8
54.4

2.40:1
2.40:1
2.40:1

2.5
1.7
1.3

4.1
2.7
2.1

X2D
X3D
X4D

27.4
41.1
54.4

2.09:1
2.09:1
2.09:1

2.7
1.8
1.4

4.5
3.3
2.2

X2E
X3E
X4E

21.2
31.8
42.4

2.70:1
2.70:1
2.70:1

3.1
2.0
1.5

5.1
3.4
2.5

X2F
X3F
X4F

21.4
32.1
42.8

2.38:1
2.38:1
2.38:1

3.3
2.2
1.7

5.7
3.8
2.8

159

Chapter

3

Overview

Table 13. IGP/PGL Bar Code Specification Summary, L7032 Printers
Barcode Type

Magnftn.
Parameter

Avg. Narrow/
Element Width

Wide:Narrow
(Ratio)

Barcode Character Density
(cpi)
CODE 93

Code 93
Code 128
C128
UCC-128
(8 values)

UPC, EAN
UPC-E0
(8 values)

MSI
(4 values)

CODABAR

160

C128B

X1
X1.5
X2
X3
X4
X5
X1A
X2A
X3A
X4A

13.0
16.7
26.0
39.0
52.0
66.7
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0

4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1

3.8
2.3
1.9
1.2
0.9
0.5
4.4
2.2
1.5
1.1

X1
X1.5
X2
X0.5

13.0
16.7
26.0
10.0

4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1
4:3:2:1

10.9
8.5
5.4
13.6
5.9
4.7
2.9
2.3
1.9
1.5
1.4
1.1

X1
X2
X3
X4
X5
X6
X7
X8

13.7
16.7
27.4
33.4
41.1
50.1
54.8
66.8

2.09:1
2.13:1
2.09:1
2.13:1
2.09:1
2.13:1
2.09:1
2.13:1

X1
X1A
X1B
X1C
X2A
X4A
X2B
X4B

16.7
13.6
10.6
7.4
27.2
54.4
21.2
42.4

2.95:1
2.40:1
2.70:1
2.62:1
2.40:1
2.40:1
2.70:1
2.70:1

UCC-128
/C128C
7.6
4.6
3.8
2.5
1.9
1.1
8.8
4.4
3.0
2.2

Magnification Specifications

Magnification Specifications
The magnification specifications for each bar code differ whether the bar code
is printed horizontally or vertically, and whether it is printed on a 203 dpi or
300 dpi printer. Table 14 summarizes the specifications for each bar code.

Table 14. IGP Bar Code Specification Summary

Magnification
Parameter

Avg. Narrow Element Width
(in 0.0001 inches)

Wide:Narrow (ratio)

Barcode Character Density
(cpi)

203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.

Code 39 and Telepen
X1
X2
X3
X4

196
344
492
738

199
350
501
600

183
367
550
667

200
283
416
550

2.1:1
2.7:1
3:1
2.2:1

2.8:1
1.9:1
2:1
2.4:1

2.6:1
2.5:1
2.5:1
2.7:1

2.5:1
2.8:1
2.7:1
2.9:1

3.9
1.9
1.3
1

3.3
2.3
1.6
1.2

3.7
1.9
1.3
1

3.5
2.3
1.6
1.2

X1A
X1B
X1C
X1D
X1E
X1F
X1G
X1H

320
172
98
98
98
98
48
99

149
199
98
100
99
100
77
98

150
183
133
133
99
99
66
98

151
182
133
133
100
100
95
96

1.9:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.5:1
3.1:1
3.1:1

2.7:1
3.3:1
2.6:1
2:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
3.1:1

2.6:1
2.1:1
2.8:1
2.3:1
2.7:1
2.4:1
2.6:1
3.1:1

2.5:1
3.8:1
2.8:1
2.2:1
2.7:1
2.3:1
2.2:1
3.2:1

4.7
4.2
7.1
7.9
7.1
7.1
12.8
6.3

4.5
3
7
7.8
7
7.8
8.8
6.3

4.6
4.1
5
5.5
6.7
7.2
10.4
6.3

4.6
3
5
5.5
6.8
7.2
7.8
6.3

X2A
X2B
X2C
X2D
X2E
X2F

344
344
196
196
196
197

299
399
198
200
199
200

367
366
267
267
200
200

299
365
266
266
534
467

1.9:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.5:1

2.7:1
3.3:1
2.6:1
2:1
2.5:1
2:1

2.5:1
2.1:1
2.8:1
2.3:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

2.6:1
3.8:1
2.8:1
2.3:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

2.3
2.1
3.5
3.9
3.5
3.5

2.2
1.5
3.5
3.9
3.5
3.9

1.9
2.1
2.5
2.8
3.4
3.6

2.3
1.5
2.5
2.8
3.4
3.6

X3A
X3B
X3C
X3D
X3E
X3F

517
516
295
295
295
295

449
598
299
301
300
300

450
550
400
400
300
300

451
549
400
401
300
301

1.9:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.5:1

2.7:1
3.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2:1

2.6:1
2.1:1
2.7:1
2.3:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

2.6:1
3.7:1
2.8:1
2.3:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

1.6
1.4
2.4
2.6
2.4
2.4

1.5
1
2.3
2.6
2.3
2.6

1.5
1.4
1.7
1.8
2.3
2.4

1.5
1
1.7
1.8
2.2
2.4

X4A
X4B
X4C
X4D
X4E
X4F

689
689
393
394
393
393

599
801
399
400
399
400

600
716
534
533
401
400

598
732
533
533
400
400

1.9:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.5:1

2.7:1
3.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2:1

2.6:1
2.1:1
2.7:1
2.3:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

2.6:1
3.7:1
2.8:1
2.3:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

1.2
1.1
1.8
2
1.8
2.8

1.1
0.8
1.7
1.9
1.7
1.9

1.2
1.1
1.3
1.4
1.7
1.8

1.2
0.8
1.2
1.4
1.7
1.8

161

Chapter

3

Overview

Table 14. IGP Bar Code Specification Summary (continued)

Magnification
Parameter

Avg. Narrow Element Width
(in 0.0001 inches)

Wide:Narrow (ratio)

Barcode Character Density
(cpi)

203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.

Interleaved 2/5, ITF-14, German I-2/5, Matrix, and UPCSHIP
X1
X2
X3
X4

196
344
493
591

199
302
498
600

182
367
550
667

184
282
416
551

2.3:1
2.7:1
2.7:1
3.2:1

2.5:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1

2.6:1
2.5:1
2.5:1
2.7:1

2.8:1
2.7:1
2.7:1
2.8:1

6.8
3.4
3.4
2.8

6.2
4.1
2.8
2.1

6.6
3.4
2.3
1.8

6.3
4.2
2.9
2.1

X1A
X1B
X1C
X1D
X1E
X1F
X1G

246
147
98
98
98
98
48

150
150
100
100
98
101
78

198
165
133
133
100
99
66

168
169
135
133
100
101
94

2:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.5:1
3.1:1

2.7:1
2.7:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.6:1
2:1
2.5:1

2.7:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.8:1
2.7:1
2.4:1
2.5:1

2.2:1
2.2:1
2.5:1
2.7:1
2.7:1
2.3:1
2.2:1

5.8
8.8
12.7
14.5
12.7
12.7
22.6

8
8
12.5
14.2
12.5
14.2
15.9

6
8.6
9.4
8.8
12
13
18.9

8.1
8.1
9.4
8.8
12
13
14.4

X2A
X2B
X2C
X2D
X2E
X2F

320
295
196
196
196
196

274
300
200
200
200
200

333
333
267
267
199
198

232
332
267
267
199
200

2.2:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.5:1

2.1:1
2.7:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2:1

2.1:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.7:1
2.7:1
2.4:1

2.7:1
2.2:1
2.5:1
2.7:1
2.7:1
2.4:1

4.3
4.4
6.3
7.3
6.3
6.3

5
4
6.2
7.1
6.2
7.1

4.2
4.3
4.7
4.4
6
6.5

5.1
4
4.7
4.4
6
6.5

X3A
X3B
X3C
X3D
X3E
X3F

738
443
295
296
295
295

449
450
300
304
300
302

602
501
401
400
300
298

499
499
400
398
299
300

2:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.5:1

2.7:1
2.7:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2:1

2.7:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.8:1
2.7:1
2.4:1

2.2:1
2.2:1
2.5:1
2.8:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

1.9
2.9
4.2
4.8
4.2
4.2

2.7
2.7
4.1
4.7
4.1
4.7

1
2.9
3.1
2.9
4
4.3

2.7
2.7
3.1
2.9
4
4.3

X4A
X4B
X4C
X4D
X4E
X4F

984
591
394
393
394
394

602
601
400
402
401
401

801
667
534
533
401
400

666
668
533
534
399
401

2.1:1
2.3:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.5:1

2.7:1
2.7:1
2.5:1
2:1
2.5:1
2:1

2.7:1
2:1
2.5:1
2.8:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

2.2:1
2.2:1
2.5:1
2.8:1
2.7:1
2.3:1

1.3
2.2
3.2
3.6
3.2
3.2

1
1
3.1
3.5
3.1
3.6

1.5
2.1
2.3
2.2
3
3.3

2
2
2.3
2.2
3
3.3

162

Magnification Specifications

Table 14. IGP Bar Code Specification Summary (continued)

Magnification
Parameter

Avg. Narrow Element Width
(in 0.0001 inches)

Wide:Narrow (ratio)

Barcode Character Density
(cpi)

203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.

Code 93, Code 128, and UCC/EAN-128
X1
X1.5
X2
X3
X4
X5

148
246
311
492
644
810

158
150
285
413
569
803

165
265
300
468
635
798

135
135
285
398
568
705

X1A
X2A
X3A
X4A

128
257
385
513

100
200
301
402

165
330
500
663

132
267
400
535

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

6.2
3.7
2.9
1.8
1.4
1.1

6
6
3.2
2.2
1.6
1.1

5.4
3.6
2.9
1.9
1.4
1.1

6.8
6.8
3.2
2.2
1.6
1.3

7.1
3.5
2.4
1.8

9
4.5
3
2.3

5.4
2.7
1.8
1.4

6.8
3.4
2.3
1.7

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

UPC and EAN
X0.5
X1
X1.5
X2

100
195
146
395

100
152
163
299

165
163
168
295

138
133
140
268

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

163

Chapter

3

Overview

Table 14. IGP Bar Code Specification Summary (continued)

Magnification
Parameter

Avg. Narrow Element Width
(in 0.0001 inches)

Wide:Narrow (ratio)

Barcode Character Density
(cpi)

203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.

UPS 11
X0.5
X1
X1.5
X2
X3
X4
X5

148
174
246
348
523
696
870

150
150
148
301
452
602
750

167
167
252
333
500
668
835

131
132
131
264
396
528
660

X1A
X2A
X3A
X4A

147
295
443
590

150
301
452
603

167
333
500
668

131
264
396
528

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

6.2
5.2
3.7
2.6
1.7
1.1
0.9

6.1
6
6.1
3
2
1.5
1.1

5.5
5.4
3.6
2.7
1.8
1.2
1

6.9
6.9
6.9
3.4
2.3
1.7
1.2

6.2
3.1
2.1
2.5

6
3
2
1.5

5.5
2.7
1.8
1.2

6.9
3.4
2.3
1.7

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1
4:3:2:
1

2.4
2.5
2.3
2.6
2.3
2.4
2.3
2.5

1.8
2
1.9
1.7
2
1.9
1.8
1.9

4.7
3.1
2.3
1.8
1.4
1.2
1.1
0.9

5.5
2.7
1.8
1.3
1.1
0.9
0.7
0.6

4.7
3.1
2.3
1.8
1.4
1.2
1.1
0.9

5.6
2.8
1.8
1.3
1.1
0.9
0.7
0.6

2.4
2.2
2.5
2.8
2.2
2.5
2.2
2.5

2.7
2.2
2.5
2.8
2.2
2.5
2.2
2.5

4
6.2
7.1
9.1
3.1
3.5
1.5
1.8

4.8
8.9
4.2
8.9
4.4
2.1
2.2
1

3.9
5.7
6.7
6.4
2.8
3.3
1.4
1.6

4.8
5.7
6.8
6.5
2.9
3.3
1.4
1.7

MSI
X1
X2
X3
X4
X5
X6
X7
X8

146
221
320
415
517
591
689
738

125
300
425
575
726
853
954
1153

149
215
300
347
450
517
602
651

148
283
422
628
696
885
1053
1154

2.4
2.5
2.2
2
1.9
2
1.9
2

2.4
1.8
2
1.9
1.9
2
2.1
1.9
Codabar

X1
X1A
X1B
X1C
X2A
X2B
X4A
X4B

246
147
122
98
294
246
591
492

164

199
100
198
99
200
399
400
802

233
166
133
133
333
267
668
533

180
164
131
131
327
263
659
527

2.1
2.3
2.6
2.5
2.3
2.6
2.3
2.6

2.1
2.5
2.8
2.5
2.5
2.8
2.5
2.8

Magnification Specifications

Table 14. IGP Bar Code Specification Summary (continued)

Magnification
Parameter

Avg. Narrow Element Width
(in 0.0001 inches)

Wide:Narrow (ratio)

Barcode Character Density
(cpi)

203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi 203 dpi 203 dpi 300 dpi 300 dpi
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.
horiz.
vert.

Australian 4-State, PostBar, and Royal Mail
X1
X1A

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

BC412, FIM, PDF417, and Maxicode
X1

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Planet and PostNet
X1
X1A
X1B
X1C

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

165

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

Bar Codes
The rest of this chapter describes each of the bar codes available with the
IGP emulation.

Australian 4-State
The Australian 4-State structure is shown in Figure 8 and described on the
following pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

CW

CCW

DATA
FIELD

GUARD
BAND

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

START
CODE

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

GUARD
BAND

HEIGHT

SR, SC
POSITION
GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD

SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

GUARD BAND

Figure 8. Australian 4-State Structure

166

Australian 4-State

The Australian 4-State bar code supports the Australian Postal Service.
Australian 4-State bar codes are similar to POSTNET in terms of bar space
and width, but have four different types of bars (Full Height, Ascender,
Descender, and Tracker), whereas POSTNET only has two bar types (Tall
and Short).
The Australian 4-State symbology converts alphanumeric characters into
patterns of four bars, using combinations of Full Height, Ascender,
Descender, and Trackers. It also adds start and stop bar codes as well as
Reed-Solomon parity information.

Quiet Zone
Quiet zones extend on both ends of the bar code to permit the scan to begin
and end in a blank area. The quiet zones should be at least 0.25 inches wide
and completely blank to ensure accurate reading of the start/stop codes and
to prevent adjacent bar codes from overlapping. You are responsible for
providing sufficient space on the form for the quiet zones.

Start/Stop Code
The start and stop bars identify the orientation of the bar code. The start bar
consists of an ascender bar, and is positioned at the left-most end of the bar
code. The stop bar consists of a full height bar, and is positioned at the rightmost end of the bar code adjacent to the check digit.

Data Field
Australian 4-State bar codes use four types of bars to encode its data: Full
Height, Ascender, Descender, and Tracker. Each Full Height bar is 0.198 inch
± 0.030 inch. The Ascender and Descender bars are about 62.5% of the Full
Height bar in length, while the Tracker bar is about 25% of the Full Height bar.
Each bar width is equal, and must be .020-inch ± .005-inch. Horizontal
spacing between bars (pitch) must be 22 bars ± 2 bars per inch over any
0.50-inch portion of the bar code.
The Australian 4-State bar code data field consists of four different sections:
the FCC, Sorting Number, Customer Data, and Reed-Solomon parity
information. The FCC is a two-digit code specifying the format of the barcode
(see Table 15). The Sorting Number is an 8-digit code used to sort the mail
item. Customer Data is optional and is only allowed on certain formats (as
indicated by the FCC selected). The IGP emulation automatically generates
the Reed-Solomon parity information and includes it in the barcode.

Check Digit
No check digit is calculated for the Australian 4-State bar code. The ReedSolomon parity information is automatically included.

167

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

Australian 4-State Command Format
BARCODE
AUSTPOST;[FCCn;][INFOn;][DIR;][NLQ;][MAG;][BFn;L;][DARK;]
SR;SC
(D) [data field] (D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

AUSTPOST Designates bar code type Australian 4-State; enter
AUSTPOST.
FCCn

Specifies the FCC code, which defines the format
of the barcode and its size. If no value is specified,
the FCC defaults to a value of 11. Enter FCC, then
one of the values shown in Table 15.

INFOn

Specifies the format of the customer information
field. If no value is specified, the information field
defaults to a value of 1. Enter INFO, then one of the
values shown in Table 15.

Table 15. FCC Codes, Customer Information Fields
and Maximum Bar Code Lengths
Customer
Information
(INFOn)

FCC (FCCn)

Valid Data

Maximum Length
(Sorting Number +
Customer Data)

11, 87, 45, or 92

n/a

Any

8+0

59

1

A-Z, a-z, 0-9, space, #

8+5

59

2

0-9

8+7

59

3

0-3

8 + 15

44, 62

1

A-Z, a-z, 0-9, space, #

8 + 10

44, 62

2

0-9

8 + 15

44, 62

3

0-3

8 + 30

NOTE: For an INFOn value of 3, the digits 0 through 3 represent the
following bars: 0 = Full Height; 1 = Ascender; 2 = Descender;
3 = Tracker. Since this is a proprietary encoding, the Customer Data
is not included in the optional readable data field.
DIR

168

Optional parameter to orient the bar code structure
vertically. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

Australian 4-State

NLQ

Optional parameter optimized to print barcodes at
NLQ print density (180x96). This may cause line
matrix printers to do reverse motion when the form
is printed. This parameter is ignored for other
printer types.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined in
“User-Defined Variable Ratios for Postal Barcodes”
on page 155

BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

169

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it is
not printed with the data.

data field

Contains the bar code characters. See “Data Field”
on page 167 for a description of the Australian 4State bar code data field.

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field is specified.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

170

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Australian 4-State

Australian 4-State Example
~CREATE;TEST
(Enter Create Form mode)
BARCODE
(Bar code command)
AUSTPOST;FCC62;INFO1;9;8 (Australian 4-State bar code, FCC=62,
INFO=1, SR 9, SC 8)
*00141544adc0gre117*
(Data Field; 8-digit Sorting Number +
10 alphanumeric customer data)
PDF;A
(Printable data field above bar code)
STOP
(Ends bar code command)
BARCODE
(Bar code command)
AUSTPOST;VSCAN;9;50
(Vertical Australian 4-State bar code,
FCC=11, INFO=1, SR 9, SC 50)
*00540171*
(Data Field; 8-digit Sorting Number)
PDF
(Printable data field)
STOP
(Ends bar code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form mode)
~EXECUTE;TEST;1
(Execute the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SC 8

SR 9

SC 50

SR 9

171

Chapter

3

THERMAL

Bar Codes

Aztec Barcode
Aztec barcode is a 2-D matrix symbology designed to combine the best
characteristics of several 1st generation symbologies, with special attention
paid to ease of printing, ease of finding in any orientation, allowance for field
distortion, high data security with user-selected redundancy, and efficient
storage orver the range from small to large data messages. Aztec symbols
are made up of an array of square cells with square bullseye in the center.

Command Format
BARCODE
AZTEC; [DIR;] [X[D]n;] [Hn;] [FORMATx,y;] [APPENDx,y;] [INIT;][BFn;L;]
[DARK;] SR; SC
[(D)Data Field(D)]
STOP

Parameter Description
X[D]n

Optional parameter that designates the x-dimension width of a
single square data module in IGP dots, or printer dots if the option
[D] is used. Values range from 1 to 1000 printer dots. The
y-dimension is calculated by converting the printer dots in the
x-direction to printer dots in the y-direction. This parameter is
overridden by the H parameter below.

Hn

Optional paramter that selects the target height of the entire
symbol. When the H parameter is used, the y-dimension of the
single square module is computed by dividing the target height by
the number of symbol rows. Thus, both the x and y dimension of
the square data module will be overridden by this value.

FORMATx,y
Optional parameter that specifies the format x (includes error
correction), and number of layers y in the symbol as shown in the
table below. Note that in formats with x = 0, 1-99, and 102, the
number of layers is optimally chosen by PGL.

Format x

172

Description

Layers y

0

Default with Error Correction of 23% +
3 codewords.

0

1–99

Fixed Error Correction Percentage of
1–99

0

100

Compact format

1–4

101

Full–range format

1–32

102

Rune format

0

Aztec Barcode

APPENDx,y
Optional parameter that specifies that invokes message append
(multiple symbols linked together) across x number of symbols.
The minimum value of x is 1 and the maximum is 26. The
paramater y specifies the length of the Message Append ID
string, which is the first y bytes in the data field. Since the
Message Append ID string is included with the data, it should be
part of the L parameter when dynamic data BF parameter is
used.
INIT

Optional parameter that specifies that the symbol is a Reader
Initialization symbol.

Quiet Zone
The minimum quiet zone is one module width on all four sides.

GuardBand
There are no guardbands for Aztec.

PDF
There is no PDF allowed for the Aztec barcode.

Data Field
The format of the data is as follows:
[Message Append ID String][Message Encode String]
The length of the Message Append ID string is based on the values given with
the APPEND parameter. If there is no Message Append ID string, then the
data is simply the Message Encode string. There is no delimiter between the
Message Append ID string and the Message Encode string. For example, if
the Message Append ID string is “ABC” and defined to be 3 bytes long while
the Message Encode string is “12345”, then the complete data field would be
“ABC12345”.
The Message Encode string can consist of any 8-bit data. The maximum
number of data depend on three things: (1) format selected (which includes
error correction level), (2) number of layers (only valid for Compact and FullRange formats), and (3) type of data.

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ESC signals FNC1 and Extended Channel Escape Character
In the data stream, an ESC character signals the presence of a non-data
characters such as FNC1 or Extended Channel Escape characters. To
encode a true ESC character, the data stream should have an ESC followed
by a second ESC character. Otherwise, the values following ESC have the
meaning shown below:

ESC n

Required Data
Following

Description

ESC ESC

Represents an ESC character

N/A

ESC 0

Represents a FNC1 character

N/A

ESC1

ECE character

1 digit

ESC 2

ECE character

2 digits

ESC 3

ECE character

3 digits

ESC 4

ECE character

4 digits

ESC 5

ECE character

5 digits

ESC 6

ECE character

6 digits

ESC ??

Invalid

N/A

Symbol Characteristics
The following tabless illustrate the maximum data capacities for the Aztec
barcode for the Compact and Full-Range Format with all possible layer
values.

Table 16. Compact Format Characteristics (Layers 1–4)
Symbol Size

Codeword
Count x Size

1

15 X 15

17 x 6

13

12

6

2

19 X 19

40 x 6

40

33

19

3

23 X 23

51 x 8

70

57

33

4

27 X 27

76 x 8

110

89

53

Layers

174

Max Text

Max Text

Max 8–Byte

Aztec Barcode

Table 17. Full Format Characteristics (Layer 1–32)
Symbol Size

Codeword
Count x Size

1

19 X 19

21 x 6

18

15

8

2

23 X 23

48 x 6

49

40

24

3

27 X 27

60 x 8

84

68

40

4

31 X 31

88 x 8

128

104

62

5

37 X 37

120 x 8

178

144

87

6

41 X 41

156 x 8

232

187

114

7

45 X 45

196 x 8

294

236

145

8

49 X 49

240 x 8

362

291

179

9

53 X 53

230 x 10

516

414

256

10

57 X 57

272 x 10

516

414

256

11

61 X 61

316 x 10

601

482

298

12

67 X 67

364 x 10

691

554

343

13

71 X 71

416 x 10

793

636

394

14

75 X 75

470 x 10

896

718

446

15

79 X 79

528 x 10

1008

808

502

16

83 X 83

588 x 10

1123

900

559

17

87 X 87

652 x 10

1246

998

621

18

91 X 91

720 x 10

1378

1104

687

19

95 X 95

790 x 10

1511

1210

753

20

101 X 101

864 x 10

1653

1324

824

21

105 X 105

940 x 10

1801

1442

898

22

109 X 109

1020 x 10

1956

1566

976

23

113 X 113

920 x 12

2116

1694

1056

24

117 X 117

992 x 12

2281

1826

1138

25

121 X 121

1066 x 12

2452

1963

1224

26

125 X 125

1144 x 12

2632

2107

1314

27

131 X 131

1224 x 12

2818

2256

1407

28

135 X 135

1306 x 12

3007

2407

1501

Layers

Max Text

Max Text

Max 8–Byte

175

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Table 17. Full Format Characteristics (Layer 1–32)
Symbol Size

Codeword
Count x Size

29

139 X 139

1392 x 12

3205

2565

1600

30

143 X 143

1480 x 12

3409

2728

1702

31

147 X 147

1570 x 12

3616

2894

1806

32

151 X 151

1664 x 12

3832

3067

1914

Layers

Aztec Example
~CREATE AZTEC;792
BARCODE
AZTEC;FORMAT100,4;10;5
*ABCDE511111*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;AZTEC;1

176

Max Text

Max Text

Max 8–Byte

BC412 BARCODE

BC412 BARCODE
The BC412 barcode was invented by IBM in 1988 to meet the needs of the
the semiconductor wafer identification application. The word BC stands for
binary code (presence or absence of a bar) and 412 means 4 bar modules in
a total of 12 module positions in every character. It is a one dimensional
barcode that meets the following requirements: small space, easy scribing,
and robust decoding even if the barcode symbols are under poor light
contrast. It can achieve a density of 23 characters in less than an inch with a
3.3 mil bar width.

Command Format
BARCODE
BC412; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
[(D)Data Field(D)]
[PDF [;LOC][;F][;FONT[VE:HE]]]
STOP

Start Code
The start code is bar,space,space" in all cases.

Termination Code
The stop code is bar,space,bar" in all cases.

THERMAL

Data Field
BC412 can accommodate 35 characters, 0 - 9 and A - Z. The number 0 is
used in place of the letter O. The following table lists the character with it's
module sequence and the character value.
I = Bar
- = Space

Character

Module
Sequence

Character
Value

0

I-I-I-I-----

00

1

I-I-I--I----

15

2

I-I-I---I---

17

3

I-I-I----I--

29

4

I-I-I-----I-

11

5

I-I--I-I----

33

6

I-I--I--I---

19

7

I-I--I---I--

21

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Character

178

Module
Sequence

Character
Value

8

I-I--I----I-

08

9

I-I---I-I---

02

A

I-I---I--I--

07

B

I-I---I---I-

25

C

I-I----I-I--

20

D

I-I----I--I-

22

E

I-I-----I-I-

09

F

I--I-I-I----

30

G

I--I-I--I---

03

H

I--I-I---I--

06

I

I--I-I----I-

27

J

I--I--I-I---

16

K

I--I--I--I--

24

L

I--I--I---I-

04

M

I--I---I-I--

34

N

I--I---I--I-

12

P

I--I----I-I-

32

Q

I---I-I-I---

18

R

I---I-I--I--

01

S

I---I-I---I-

14

T

I---I--I-I--

13

U

I---I--I--I-

26

V

I---I---I-I-

05

W

I----I-I-I--

31

X

I----I-I--I-

28

Y

I----I--I-I-

23

Z

I-----I-I-I-

10

Start

I--

Stop

I-I

BC412 BARCODE

Check Code
The BC412 has a mod 35 check character. The check character is placed in
the second position behind the first data character. The check code is
automatically included in the bar structure; however, it is not included in the
PDF. The check digit computation is shown below:
Let D = D1D2....Dn be a string of n data characters and C = C1C2....Cn+1 be
a string value of n+1 encoded characters.
V1 = Character value of C1. ( refer to the table above)
Fo = (Sum of Odd V1) Mod 35.
Fe = (Sum of Even V1) Mod 35
F = (Fo + 2Fe) Mod 35
The second character is the check character. Hence, designate the second
character of C1C2.... to be the check character of D.
Set C2 = 0. Therefore C1C3C4....Cn+1 = D1D2D3....Dn
Calculate Fo, Fe, and F
C2 = the character that has the check character value 17F Mod 35
Example:
Assume that the data character string is AQ1557
Form the character string C = A0Q1557
Fo = (7 + 18 + 33 + 21) Mod 35
= 79 Mod 35
=9
Fe = (0 + 11 + 19) Mod 35
= 34 Mod 35
= 34
F = (9 + 2*34) Mod 35
= 77 Mod 35
=7
Character value of the check character is = 17*7 Mod 35
= 119 Mod 35
= 14
Cross reference in the table above, 14 is the character value of character 'S'.
Hence the check character is ’S’.

GuardBand
Normally, there are guardbands 0.10 inches both above and below the bars of
the barcode. However, if it is a non-rotated barcode with the PDF below, then
the bottom guardband is reduced to 0.07 inches (1/14 inch). The difference
(0.03 inches) is then subtracted from the overall height of the barcodes. This
is done to provide compatibility with IGP-X00 products.

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Magnification
There is only one pre-defined magnification for BC412, X1 which is the default
magnification. Pre-defined magnifications for horizontal and vertical barcodes
are listed in Table 6.13.
There are two values that comprise the dot ratio: bar and a space. Therefore,
user-defined ratios for this barcode should have these two values defined, in
the order previously specified.

Height
The barcode can range from 0.3 - 9.9 inches tall. Default is 0.9 inches. If the
minimum height of 0.3 inch is selected, the PDF is not allowed.
NOTE: the maximum VE allowed in the PDF is dependant on the height of
the entire barcode.

PDF
The PDF is not included unless requested. If included, it is separated from the
bars by a guardband. The default font type used for the PDF is N. The check
character is not included in the PDF.

~CREATE;TEST
BARCODE
BC412;H10;5;5
*12345ABCDE*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;TEST
~NORMAL

Figure 9. BC412 Barcode

180

Codabar

Codabar
The Codabar structure is shown in Figure 10 and described on the following
pages.
QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 10. Codabar Structure

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Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. Be sure to provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
The start/stop code is a unique character identifying the leading and trailing
end of the bar code. The start/stop code is automatically produced with each
bar code. The start/stop code structure permits bidirectional bar code
scanning.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of wide and narrow bars and spaces to
represent standard alphanumeric characters. Each wide or narrow bar or
space is one element; each character in the data field has nine elements. The
structure is three wide elements (bars or spaces) out of the nine total
elements which compose one character.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
The optional modulo-43 check digit can be inserted into the bar code to verify
accurate scanning.

Codabar Command Format
BARCODE
CODABAR [CD];[DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR;SC
(D) [data field] (D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

CODABAR CD
Designates bar code type Codabar; enter
CODABAR. To calculate and plot the optional
modulo-43 check digit with the bar code symbol
automatically, enter CD.
DIR

182

Optional parameter to orient the bar code structure
vertically. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

Codabar

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined on
page 155.

NOTE: You must specify four digits for MAG for User Defined variable ratio.
There are four values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, wide bar, and wide space. User-defined ratios for this barcode
should have these four values defined in the order specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9 inch.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.
BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

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Bar Codes

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it is
not printed with the data.

data field

Contains the bar code characters. A null data field
(no characters) is permitted. The data field can
contain any of the characters listed in Table 18
except the SFCC, and the first character and the
last character in the data field must be either A, B,
C, or D. The length of the data field is variable;
however, the maximum length is usually limited to
32 characters to minimize potential reading errors.

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field is specified.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

Codabar

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Table 18. Codabar Character Set
Character

Hex

Character

Hex

0

30

-

2D

1

31

$

24

2

32

:

3A

3

33

/

2F

4

34

.

2E

5

35

+

2B

6

36

A

41

7

37

B

42

8

38

C

43

9

39

D

44

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Codabar Example
~CREATE;TEST;288
(Enter Create Form mode)
BARCODE
(Bar code command)
CODABAR;VSCAN;X1;H7;5;20 (Vertical Codabar bar code, MAG 1,
SR 5, SC 20)
*A12345B*
(Data Field)
PDF;B;N
(Printable data field)
STOP
(Ends bar code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form mode)
~EXECUTE;TEST
~NORMAL
SC 20

SR 5

Code 35
The Code35 barcode is used in high speed processing and postal
automation. The bar structure to be composed is simple and the safety of the
barcode is excellent. Print speed is fast, so it is suitable for high speed reader
of optical character. Each number in the data field contains the bar that
indicates the start, so self-search is possible. The barcode is good for the
error check.

Command Format
BARCODE
C35; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
[(D)Data Field(D)]
STOP

Start Code
Each number in the data field contains the bar that indicate the start.

186

Code 35

Data Field
Code 35 can accommodate 10 characters, 0 - 9. The following table lists the
character with it’s module sequence. Each character is composed of 6 bars
of same kind which include 2 empty bars ( bars removed from their place) and
one start bar. Data Field is written form left to right, but barcode symbol is
composed in an order of left to right which starts with the rightmost character
in the data field to the leftmost character.
I = Bar
E = Empty Bar
S = Start Bar
– = Space

Character

Module Sequence

0

I–I–I–E–E–S–

1

E–E–I–I–I–S–

2

E–I–E–I–I–S–

3

I–E–E–I–I–S–

4

E–I–I–E–I–S–

5

I–E–I–E–I–S–

6

I–I–E–E–I–S–

7

E–I–I–I–E–S–

8

I–E–I–I–E–S–

9

I–I–E–I–E–S–

Check Code
The Code 35 has a mod 10 check character. The check character is
automatically calculated and inserted in the end of barcode symbol. The
check character verifies accurate scanning. The start bar is included in the
check character.

GuardBand
Normally, there are guardbands 0.10 inches both above and below the bars of
the barcode.

Magnification
There is only one pre-defined magnification for Code 35, X1, which is the
default magnification.
NOTE: The User Defined variable ratio is not allowed for this barcode.

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Height
The barcode can range from 0.3 - 9.9 inches tall. Default is 0.3 inches.

PDF
PDF is not included for Code 35.

C35 Example
~CREATE;TEST
BARCODE
C35;X1;H4;10;10
*137130*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;TEST;1

188

Code 39

Code 39
The Code 39 structure is shown in Figure 11 and described on the following
pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 11. Code 39 Structure

189

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3

Bar Codes

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. Be sure to provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
The start/stop code is a unique character identifying the leading and trailing
end of the bar code. The start/stop code is automatically produced with each
bar code. The start/stop code structure permits bidirectional bar code
scanning.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of wide and narrow bars and spaces to
represent standard alphanumeric characters. Each wide or narrow bar or
space is one element; each character in the data field has nine elements.
The structure is three wide elements (bars or spaces) out of the nine total
elements which compose one character.
For HIBC barcode, the data field is a variable length field consisting of only
the following characters: 1-9, A-Z, -, ., $, /, +, %, and space.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
The optional modulo-43 check digit can be inserted into the bar code to verify
accurate scanning.
For HIBC barcode, a mandatory modulo-43 checkdigit is inserted at the end
of the data.

PDF
Unless requested, the PDF is not included. If included, it is separated from the
bars by a guardband. The default font type used for PDF is N. Non-printable
characters are printed as spaces. The check digit is included in the PDF.
For HIBC barcode, PDF is preceded with ‘+’, a Flag Character which is an
identifier used to differentiate HIBC symbols from other non-healthcare
related barcode symbols. A pair of asterisks (*) encloses the human readable
field, including the check digit.

190

Code 39

Code 39 Command Format
NOTE: Although commonly referred to as Code “39”, you must enter the
command as “C3/9” (including the slash) during IGP input.
BARCODE
C3/9 [CD]; [HIBC;] [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;]
SR;SC
[(D) [data field] (D)[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

C3/9 CD

Designates bar code type C39; enter C3/9. To
calculate and plot the optional modulo-43 check
digit with the bar code symbol automatically, enter
CD.

HIBC

The Health Industry Bar Code (HIBC) is encoded in
either Code 128 or Code 39 symbology. Enter
HIBC. In a global setting, HIBC identifies health
industry products, in any quantity, of any lot or
serial number, with any expiration date. HIBC
represents two kinds of information: Primary and
Secondary Identifcation. Primary Identification
represents product identity and Secondary
Identification represents the attributes of Lot or
Batch Code, Serial Number, and Expiration date.
When encoding HIBC barcode in UCC-128, HIBC
is essentially a UCC-128 barcode. The encoding
uses the same module 10 check digit and data
format. The only addition is an Application Identifier
(AI) parameter. For Primary Data Structure use
AI (01), and for Secondary Data Structure use
AI (22) or AI (240). To use UCC-128 to encode
HIBC, be sure to use the correct AI parameter to
obtain the desired results.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined on
page 155.

NOTE: You must specify four digits for MAG for User Defined variable ratio.
There are four values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, wide bar, and wide space. User-defined ratios for this barcode
should have these four values defined in the order specified.

191

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Bar Codes

Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments plus
dots; enter H and a value from 3 through 99 to
select height adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9
inches. The default value is 0.9 inch. [.m] is an
additional number of dots for the bar code height.
(Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.
BFn;L

192

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

Code 39

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it is
not printed with the data.

data field

Contains the bar code characters. A null data field
(no characters) is permitted. The data field can
contain any of the characters listed in Table 20
except the SFCC. The length of the data field is
variable; however, the maximum length is usually
limited to 32 characters to minimize potential
reading errors.

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field is specified.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

193

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Bar Codes

Code 39 Symbology
Listed below are the Narrow Element Widths (N.E.W.) and Wide to Narrow
(W:N) ratios at various magnification factors when printed on the thermal
printer at 203 dp.
NOTE: The resulting ratios occur with or without using the scale.dot
command.

Table 19. Narrow Element Widths And Wide To Narrow Ratios
Mag
Factor

N.E.W.
(PRM)

W:N
(PRM)

W:N
(Actual)

X1

16.7

19.0

2.95:1

2.5:1

A

16.7

17.2

2.13:1

1.9:1**

B

13.7

17.2

2.82:1

2.3:1

C

13.6

9.8

2.4:1

2.5:1

D

13.7

19.7

2.09:1

2.0:1**

E

10.6

9.3

2.70:1

2.6:1

F

10.7

9.8

2.38:1

2.5:1

G

7.4

4.8

2.62:1

3.2:1**

**W:N out of spec

194

N.E.W.
(Actual)

Code 39

Table 20. Code 39 Character Set
ASCII
NUL
SOH
STX
ETX
EOT
ENQ
ACK
BEL
BS
HT
LF
VT
FF
CR
SO
SI
DLE
DC1
DC2
DC3
DC4
NAK
SYN
ETB
CAN
EM
SUB
ESC
FS
GS
RS
US

CODE 39
%U
$A
$B
$C
$D
$E
$F
$G
$H
$I
$J
$K
$L
$M
$N
$O
$P
$Q
$R
$S
$T
$U
$V
$W
$X
$Y
$Z
%A
%B
%C
%D
%E

ASCII
SP
!
"
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
*
+
,
—
.
/
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
:
;
<
=
>
?

CODE 39
Space
/A
/B
/C
/D
/E
/F
/G
/H
/I
/J
/K
/L
—
.
/O
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
/Z
%F
%G
%H
%I
%J

ASCII
@
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
[
\
]
^
__

CODE 39
%V
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
%K
%L
%M
%N
%O

ASCII
`
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
{
|
}
~
DEL

CODE 39
%W
+A
+B
+C
+D
+E
+F
+G
+H
+I
+J
+K
+L
+M
+N
+O
+P
+Q
+R
+S
+T
+U
+V
+W
+X
+Y
+Z
%P
%Q
%R
%S
%T %X
%Y %Z

NOTE: Character pairs /M, /N, and /P through /Y are reserved for future
control character pairs.

195

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3

Bar Codes

Code 39 Example
Figure 12 illustrates a horizontal and vertical Code 39 bar code generated by
the following program:
~CREATE;C39
BARCODE
C3/9;DARK;40;15
*SAMPLE C3/9*
PDF
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;VSCAN;H14;DARK;27;58
*SAMPLE C3/9*
PDF
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;C39;1

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code Command)
(Dark Code 39 at SR 40, SC 15)
(Data Field)
(Printable Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code Command)
(New Bar Code Command)
(Vert Dark Code 39, H 1.4, at SR 27,
SC 58)
(Data Field)
(Printable Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code Command)
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
(Execute the form, form count of 1)

~NORMAL
SC 58

SR 27

SC 15

SR 40

Figure 12. Sample Code 39 Bar Codes

196

Code 93

Code 93
The Code 93 structure is shown in Figure 13 and described on the following
pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 13. Code 93 Structure

197

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. Be sure to provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
The start/stop code is a unique character identifying the leading and trailing
end of the bar code. The start/stop code is automatically produced with each
bar code. The start/stop code structure permits bidirectional bar code
scanning.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of varying width bars and spaces to
represent an extensive character set. The bars and spaces vary in width from
one through four modules. Each character consists of three bars and three
spaces that total 11 modules.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
Two modulo-47 check digits are automatically calculated and inserted in the
bar code symbol. The check digit verifies accurate scanning. The start code is
included in the check digit algorithm.

198

Code 93

Code 93 Command Format
BARCODE
CODE93; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;][DARK;] SR;SC
(D) [data field] (D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

CODE93

Designates bar code type Code 93; enter CODE93.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. Increasing the magnification
adjusts printed character density as shown in Table
14 on page 161. You can also use XR or XRD as
defined on page 155. (You must specify 8 digits for
MAG for variable ratio.)

NOTE: There are eight values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, 2x narrow bar, 2x narrow space, 3x narrow bar, 3x narrow
space, 4x narrow bar, and 4x narrow space. User-defined ratios for
this barcode should have these eight values defined in the order
specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9 inch.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.

199

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

BFn;L

200

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

Code 93

data field

Enter the data for the bar code. A null data field (no
characters) is permitted. The length of the data field
is variable; however, the maximum length is usually
limited to 32 characters to minimize potential
reading errors. The data field can contain any of the
characters listed in Table 21, except the system
SFCC.

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field was specified.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

201

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Bar Codes

Table 21. Code 93 Character Set
Character

202

Hex

Character

Hex

0

30

P

50

1

31

Q

51

2

32

R

52

3

33

S

53

4

34

T

54

5

35

U

55

6

36

V

56

7

37

W

57

8

38

X

58

9

39

Y

59

A

41

Z

5A

B

42

—

2D

C

43

.

2E

D

44

SPACE

20

E

45

$

3F

F

46

/

2F

G

47

+

2B

H

48

%

25

I

49

S1

N/A

J

4A

S2

N/A

K

4B

S3

N/A

L

4C

S4

NA

M

4D

Start

N/A

N

4E

Stop

N/A

O

4F

Code 93

Code 93 Example
The illustration below shows a horizontal Code 93 bar code generated by the
following program:
~CREATE;TEST;288
BARCODE
CODE93;X1;H7;10;20
*ABCD5678*
PDF;B;N
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;TEST

(Enters Create Form mode)
(Bar code command)
(Code 93 bar code, MAG 1,
H 0.7 inches, SR 10, SC 20)
(Data Field)
(Printable data field, 10 cpi font)
(Ends bar code command)
(Terminates Create Form mode)
(Prints form)

~NORMAL

SC 20
SR 10

203

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

Code 128A, 128B and 128C
The Code 128 structure is shown in Figure 14 and described on the following
pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 14. Code 128 Structure

204

Code 128A, 128B and 128C

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. Be sure to provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
The start/stop codes identify the leading and trailing end of the bar code. Each
of the Code 128 subsets uses a unique start code and a common stop code,
both automatically provided by the IGP. The start/stop code structure permits
bidirectional bar code scanning.

Code 128A Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of varying width bars and spaces to
represent an extensive character set (64 ASCII characters and 32 control
characters). The bars and spaces vary in width from one through four
modules. Each character consists of three bars and three spaces that total 11
modules.

Code 128B Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of varying width bars and spaces to
represent an extensive character set (96 ASCII characters and seven control
characters). The bars and spaces vary in width from one through four
modules. Each character consists of three bars and three spaces that total 11
modules.

Code 128C Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of varying width bars and spaces to
represent 100 pairs of numeric digits (00 through 99) and 3 control
characters. The bars and spaces vary in width from 1 through 4 modules.
Each character consists of three bars and three spaces that total 11 modules.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

205

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

Data Field
For HIBC barcode, the data filed is a variable length consisting of only the
following characters: 1-9, A-Z, -, ., $, /, +, %, and space.
NOTE: The Health Industry Bar Code (HIBC) is encoded in either Code 128
or Code 39 symbology. In a global setting, HIBC identifies health
industry products, in any quantity, of any lot or serial number, with
any expiration date. HIBC represents two kinds of information:
Primary and Secondary Identifcation. Primary Identification
represents product identity and Secondary Identification represents
the attributes of Lot or Batch Code, Serial Number, and Expiration
date.

Check Digit
The modulo-103 check digit is automatically calculated and inserted in the bar
code symbol. The check digit verifies accurate scanning. The start code is
included in the check digit algorithm.
For HIBC barcode, a mandatory modulo-43 checklist is inserted at the end of
the data.

Code 128 Command Format
BARCODE
C128A or C128B or C128C; [HIBC;] [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];]
[BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC (D) [data field] (D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT] [;MAX]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

C128A, C128B or C12BC
Designates bar code type Code 128; enter C128A,
C128B or C128C.
HIBC

The Health Industry Bar Code (HIBC) is encoded in
either Code 128 or Code 39 symbology. Enter
HIBC. In a global setting, HIBC can uniquely
identify any health industry product, in any quantity,
of any lot or serial number, with any expiration date.
HIBC represents two kinds of information: Primary
and Secondary Identifcation. Primary Identification
represents product identity and Secondary
Identification represents the attributes of Lot or
Batch Code, Serial Number, and Expiration date.
When encoding HIBC barcode in UCC-128, HIBC
is essentially a UCC-128 barcode. The encoding
uses the same module 10 check digit and data
format. The only addition is an Application Identifier
(AI) parameter. For Primary Data Structure use
AI (01), and for Secondary Data Structure use
AI (22) or AI (240). To use UCC-128 to encode
HIBC, be sure to use the correct AI parameter to
obtain the desired results.

206

Code 128A, 128B and 128C

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. Increasing the magnification
adjusts printed character density as shown in Table
14 on page 161. You can also use XR or XRD as
defined on page 155. (You must specify 8 digits for
MAG for variable ratio.) There are eight values that
comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow space,
2x narrow bar, 2x narrow space, 3x narrow bar,
3x narrow space, 4x narrow bar, and 4x narrow
space. User-defined ratios for this barcode should
have these eight values defined in the order as
specified.

Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9 inch.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.
BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps.
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

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d.

208

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

data field

Enter the data for the bar code. A null data field (no
characters) is permitted. Whenever a string of 6 or
more contiguous numeric digits are detected, the
IGP automatically inserts a Code C at the start of
the numeric string and outputs numeric digit pairs
packed into single bar code characters. When the
string is broken (non-numeric data or an unpaired
numeric digit occurs), the IGP automatically inserts
a Code B and returns to normal C128B symbols.
The length of the data field is variable; however, the
maximum length is usually limited to 32 characters
to minimize potential reading errors. The data field
can contain any of the characters listed in Table
Table 22 through Table 24, except the system
SFCC.

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field was specified.

Code 128A, 128B and 128C

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
MAX

Optional parameter to specify the maximum
number of data printed in the PDF. If all data should
be printed, do not use this parameter. Valid values
are from 1 through 128. For example, if the barcode
data is “12345” and a MAX value of 3 is specified,
the PDF would print “123”.

STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP.
If STOP is not entered, an error message results.

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Table 22. Code 128A Character Set

Character Hex
NUL

00

SOH
STX
ETX

01
02
03

EOT
ENQ

04
05

ACK

06

BEL

Character Hex
SUB
ESC
FS

Character Hex

Character

Hex

N

4E

O
P

4F
50

Q

51

4
5

34
35

GS

1A
1B
1C
1D

6
7

36
37

RS

1E

52

1F
20

38
39

R

US
SP

8
9
:

S

53

3A

T

54

!
"
#

21
22
23

;

BS
HT

07
08
09

<
=

3B
3C
3D

U
V
W

55
56
57

LF

0A

$

24

>

3E

X

58

VT

0B

%

25

Y

59

0C

&

26

?
@

3F

FF

40

Z

5A

CR

0D

27

A

41

[

5B

SO

0E

'
(

28

B

42

SI

0F

)

29

C

43

\
]

5C
5D

DLE
DC1

10
11

2A
2B

D
E

44
45

^

5E
5F

DC2

12

*
+
,

2C

F

46

FNC 3

23

See NOTE

DC3
DC4

13
14

.

2D
2E

G
H

47
48

FNC 2

22

See NOTE

SHIFT

28

See NOTE

NAK

15

I
J

49
4A

27

See NOTE

16

2F
30

CODE C

SYN

/
0

FUNC 4

24

See NOTE

ETB

17

1

31

K

4B

CODE B

26

See NOTE

CAN
EM

18
19

2

32

L

4C

FNC 1

21

See NOTE

3

33

M

4D

START A
STOP

(N/A)
(N/A)

NOTE: Access for the alternate set of control function characters is by using
SO (Shift Out, hex 0E). The SO control code identifies the next
character as the control function character, and must be inserted
before each alternate character required. The SO character is
selectable from the printer's front panel (see your User's Guide).

210

Code 128A, 128B and 128C

Table 23. Code 128B Character Set

Character Hex

Character Hex

Character Hex

Character

Hex

SP

20

:

3A

T

54

n

6E

!

21

;

3B

U

55

o

6F

"

22

<

3C

V

56

p

70

#

23

=

3D

W

57

q

71

$

24

>

3E

X

58

r

72

%

25

?

3F

Y

59

s

73

&

26

@

40

Z

5A

t

74

'

27

A

41

[

5B

u

75

(

28

B

42

\

5C

v

76

)

29

C

43

]

5D

w

77

*

2A

D

44

5E

x

78

+

2B

E

45

-

5F

y

79

,

2C

F

46

`

60

z

7A

-

2D

G

47

a

61

{

7B

.

2E

H

48

b

62

|

7C

/

2F

I

49

c

63

}

7D

0

30

J

4A

d

64

~

1

31

K

4B

e

65

7E
7F

2

32

L

4C

f

66

FNC 3

23

See NOTE

3

33

M

4D

g

67

FNC 2

22

See NOTE

4

34

N

4E

h

68

SHIFT

28

See NOTE

5

35

O

4F

i

69

CODE C

27

See NOTE

6

36

P

50

j

6A

FUNC 4

24

See NOTE

7

37

Q

51

k

6B

CODE A

25

See NOTE

8

38

R

52

l

6C

FNC 1

21

See NOTE

9

39

S

53

m

6D

START B

(N/A)

STOP

(N/A)

NOTE: Access for the alternate set of control function characters is by using
SO (Shift Out, hex 0E). The SO control code identifies the next
character as the control function character, and must be inserted
before each alternate character required. The SO character is
selectable from the printer's front panel (see your User's Guide).

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Table 24. Code 128C Character Set

Character

Hex

Character

Hex

Character

Hex

Character

Hex

00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09

30 30
30 31
30 32
30 33
30 34
30 35
30 36
30 37
30 38
30 39

27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

32 37
32 38
32 39
33 30
33 31
33 32
33 33
33 34
33 35
33 36

54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63

35 34
35 35
35 36
35 37
35 38
35 39
36 30
36 31
36 32
36 33

81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90

38 31
38 32
38 33
38 34
38 35
38 36
38 37
38 38
38 39
39 30

10
11
12
13
14

31 30
31 31
31 32
31 33
31 34

37
38
39
40
41

33 37
33 38
33 39
34 30
34 31

64
65
66
67
68

36 34
36 35
36 36
36 37
36 38

91
92
93
94
95

39 31
39 32
39 33
39 34
39 35

15
16
17
18
19

31 35
31 36
31 37
31 38
31 39

42
43
44
45
46

34 32
34 33
34 34
34 35
34 36

69
70
71
72
73

36 39
37 30
37 31
37 32
37 33

96
97
98
99
CODE B

39 36
39 37
39 38
39 39
26 See NOTE

20
21
22
23
24
25
26

32 30
32 31
32 32
32 33
32 34
32 35
32 36

47
48
49
50
51
52
53

34 37
34 38
34 39
35 30
35 31
35 32
35 33

74
75
76
77
78
79
80

37 34
37 35
37 36
37 37
37 38
37 39
38 30

CODE A
FNC 1
START C
STOP

25 See NOTE
21 See NOTE
(N/A)
(N/A)

NOTE: Access for the alternate set of control function characters is by using
SO (Shift Out, hex 0E). The SO control code identifies the next
character as the control function character, and must be inserted
before each alternate character required. The SO character is
selectable from the printer's front panel (see your User's Guide).
NOTE: There are three subsets of the C128 barcode. Subset A contains
numbers, punctuation, uppercase letters and control characters.
Subset B contains numbers, punctuation, uppercase and lowercase
letters. Subset C encodes pairs of numbers as a single character.
Each printed character is three bars and three spaces. One given
character may be interpreted as, for example, a carriage return, the
letter "m" or the two numbers "77", depending on the subset that is
active at the time. Each subset has a start code character which sets

212

Code 128A, 128B and 128C

the initial subset, and a switch code character which changes the
subset. Start code is embedded in the barcode symbology to tell the
barcode reader how a character should be interpreted. Switch code is
the user input data, 0x25 (to subsetA), 0x26 (to subsetB), and 0x27
(to subsetC), which needs to be preceded with the SO (Shift Out,
0x0E) characer to tell which subset to switch to, and will be replaced
with the corresponding start code during the data parsing.
There are three different commands to invoke a C128 barcode in
PGL. They are C128A, C128B and C128C. However, these
commands do not set the initial subset as you might expect. Instead,
the default behavior is that the subset is automatically switched, so
that the number of printed characters is minimized by using subset C
to print pairs of numerals as a single character, and by avoiding
unnecessary subset changes.
The default behavior is called "automatic mode". In automatic mode,
no switch codes are included in the data by the user to force one of
the subsets to be active. The starting subset as well as any subset
switching are selected by the printer automatically. Manual mode is
started if the subset switching codes are inserted in the data sent to
the printer.
In automatic mode, the starting subset selection criteria are: long
strings of number pairs will cause a start in set C; a letter,
punctuation, or an unpaired number will cause a start in set B, and a
control character will cause a start in set A. After starting in one set, a
switch will be automatically be made by PGL if the number of printed
characters can be reduced (i.e. a switch to set C to print pairs of
numbers with a single character), or if the data cannot be found in the
current subset. The printer will switch from A to B for a lowercase
letter, from A to C for a long string of paired numbers, from B to A for
a control character, from B to C for a long string of paired numbers,
from C to A for a control character, and from C to B for an unpaired
number or any letter or punctuation. In automatic mode, the printer
puts the start codes into the barcode itself; they are not part of the
user input data in the PGL barcode command.
If a subset switch code is inserted in the barcode data to start the
desired subset, the printer leaves automatic mode and enters
"manual mode". However, in manual mode, automatically subset
switches can still take place when the data cannot be found in the
current subset. Once a different subset is automatically switched due
to the data cannot be found in the current specified subset, the
switched subset will stay until the end of the data or the encounter of
another subset switch code.
If a subset switch code is inserted as the first character in the data
string, the barcode will start in that subset. No effort is made to
minimize the barcode character count. That means sending the PGL
barcode command C128C with data starting with the switch to A code
(shiftout and %) followed by ten numerals, will result in barcode
characters of Start-A followed by ten numeral characters using
subset A.

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If a subset switch code is the first character and the next character is
not in that character set, the printer may start in the commanded set
and then immediately switch to the set that includes the second
character. For example, sending a Switch-to-C code followed by a
carriage return and 10 numerals may result in a data field of Start-C,
Switch-to-A, and ten numerals using subset A. In other words, once
manual mode is entered by using a switch code, the user is
presumed to be selecting the desired data field; the printer will
automatically switch subsets when required to print the correct data
characters, but is not required to optimize the barcode length. There
is no way to exit manual mode and re-enter automatic mode in the
same data stream.

Code 128B Example
Figure 15 illustrates a horizontal and vertical Code 128B bar code generated
by the following program:
~CREATE;128B
BARCODE
C128B;DARK;40;15
*SAMPLE CODE 128B*
PDF;A
STOP
BARCODE
C128B;VSCAN;H12;DARK;31;55
*SAMPLE CODE 128B*
PDF
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;128B;1

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(Dark Code 128B at SR 40, SC 15)
(Data Field)
(Upper Printable Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(New Bar Code command)
(Vert. Dark C128B, H 1.2 at SR 31,
SC 55)
(Data Field)
(Printable Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(Terminate Create Form Mode)
(Execute the form, form count of 1)

~NORMAL
SC 55

SR 31

SC 15

SR 40

Figure 15. Sample Code 128B Bar Codes

214

Code 128A, 128B and 128C

Code 128C Example
Figure 16 illustrates a horizontal and vertical Code 128C bar code generated
by the following program:
~CREATE;128C
BARCODE
C128C;DARK;35;15
*1234567890*
PDF
STOP
BARCODE
C128C;VSCAN;H12;DARK;27;50
*1234567890*
PDF
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;128C;1

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(Dark Code 128C at SR 35, SC 15)
(Data Field)
(Printable Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(New Bar Code command)
(Vert. Dark C128C, H 1.2 at SR 27,
SC 50)
(Data Field)
(Printable Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
(Execute the form, form count of 1)

~NORMAL

SC 50

SR 27

SC 15

SR 35

Figure 16. Sample Code 128C Bar Codes

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EAN 8
The EAN 8 bar code structure is shown in Figure 17 and described on the
following pages.

SR, SC
POSITION

START CODE

LEFT DATA
FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

Normal

CENTER CODE

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

RIGHT DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL READABLE
DATA FIELD

SR, SC
POSITION

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

INV

STOP CODE

QUIET
ZONE

QUIET
ZONE
RIGHT DATA
FIELD

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

CENTER CODE

CCW

START CODE

QUIET
ZONE
START
CODE

CW

QUIET
ZONE
LEFT
DATA
FIELD

STOP
CODE
OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

RIGHT
DATA
FIELD

CENTER
CODE

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

LEFT
DATA
FIELD

CENTER
CODE

RIGHT
DATA
FIELD
CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD
STOP
CODE
QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE
QUIET
ZONE

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

Figure 17. EAN 8 Structure

216

HEIGHT

LEFT DATA
FIELD

SR, SC
POSITION

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

HEIGHT

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

STOP CODE

SR, SC
POSITION

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

EAN 8

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure have blank quiet zones. The quiet zones
must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure accurate
reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes from
overlapping. The IGP automatically produces the left quiet zone; you must
provide sufficient space on the form for the right quiet zone.

Start/Center/Stop Codes
The start/center/stop codes are special character codes marking those
portions of the bar code. These codes are automatically provided.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of varying width bars and spaces to
represent a limited character set (numbers 0-9 and Special Characters Start,
Center, and Stop). The bars and spaces vary in width from one through four
modules. Each character consists of two bars and two spaces that total seven
modules. The symbol coding of the left data field is different from the right
data field to permit read direction sensing.
The optional 2- or 5-digit add-on data, placed within the quotes at the end of
the bar code, typically identifies a periodical issue number or price,
respectively.

Readable Data
The human readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can either be suppressed or printed below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
The modulo-10 check digit is automatically calculated and inserted in the bar
code symbol. The check digit verifies accurate scanning.

217

Chapter

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Bar Codes

EAN 8 Command Format
BARCODE
EAN8 [+n]; [DIR;] [SCB;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

EAN8

Designates bar code type EAN 8; enter EAN8.

+n

Optional parameter to provide a 2- or 5-digit add-on
code at the end of the bar code data field. Enter a
plus sign (+) and a value of 2 or 5. The first bar of
the add-on code is separated by nine modules from
the last bar of the EAN symbol and a left guard
pattern. No center or right guard pattern exists.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

SCB

This option shortens the length of the center guard
bars, which are normally full length. Enter SCB.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. Increasing the magnification
adjusts printed character density as shown in Table
14 on page 161. You can also use XR or XRD as
defined on page 155. You must specify 8 digits for
MAG for variable ratio.

NOTE: There are eight values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, 2x narrow bar, 2x narrow space, 3x narrow bar, 3x narrow
space, 4x narrow bar, and 4x narrow space. User-defined ratios for
this barcode should have these eight values defined in the order
specified.
Hn[.m]

218

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 4 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.4 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 1.3 inches.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

EAN 8

BFn

Optional parameter for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form. With this
parameter, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

The length of the data field need not be
specified since it is fixed at seven digits, plus
any add-on data.

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it is
not printed with the data.

data field

The characters of the bar code data are restricted
to exactly seven digits. If the 2- or 5-digit add-on
data option is used, include this data at the end of
the data field. The characters available for the data
field are 0 through 9 (hex 30 through 39).

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PDF

Optional parameter to print the human readable
data field. The data field prints automatically unless
the PDF-suppress command is specified in the
FONT parameter. The human readable data field
can be printed above or below the bar code
symbol. This parameter is not allowed if a null data
field is specified. If no PDF command is entered,
the data field will print automatically in the default
OCR-B font.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

220

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

EAN 8

EAN 8 Example
Figure 18 illustrates a horizontal and vertical EAN 8 bar code generated by
the following program:
~CREATE;EAN8
BARCODE
EAN8+2;H9;DARK;33;15

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(Dark Code EAN 8, 2-digit add-on,
H 0.9, SR 33, SC 15)
*123456722*
(Data Field + 2-digit add-on Data Field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE
(New Bar Code command)
EAN8+2;VSCAN;H10;DARK;33;55
(Vertical Dark EAN 8, 2-digit add-on,
H 1.0, SR 33, SC 55)
*123456722*
(Data Field + 2-digit add-on Data Field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;EAN8;1
(Execute the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL
SC 55
SC 15

SR 33

SR 33

Figure 18. Sample EAN 8 Bar Codes

221

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EAN 13
The EAN 13 bar code structure is shown in Figure 19 and described on the
following pages.

SR, SC
POSITION

START CODE

LEFT DATA
FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

Normal
NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

CENTER CODE

STOP CODE

RIGHT DATA
FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

N

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

OPTIONAL READABLE
DATA FIELD

SR, SC
POSITION

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

N

INV

QUIET
ZONE

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

QUIET
ZONE
RIGHT DATA
FIELD
STOP CODE

HEIGHT

LEFT DATA
FIELD
START CODE

CENTER CODE
SR, SC
POSITION
NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

N
QUIET
ZONE
START
CODE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE
LEFT
DATA
FIELD

STOP
CODE
CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

CCW

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

RIGHT
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

CENTER
CODE

LEFT
DATA
FIELD

CENTER
CODE

RIGHT
DATA
FIELD

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD
STOP
CODE
QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE
QUIET
ZONE
N

NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

HEIGHT

222

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE
HEIGHT

Figure 19. EAN 13 Structure

CW

HEIGHT

EAN 13

Quiet Zone
Quiet zones extend on both ends of the bar code to permit the scan to begin
and end in a blank area. The IGP automatically produces an 11-module wide
left quiet zone; you are responsible for providing sufficient space (minimum of
seven modules) on the form for the right quiet zone. The number system
character is also printed automatically in the left quiet zone.

Start/Center/Stop Codes
The start/center/stop codes are special character codes marking those
portions of the bar code. These codes are automatically provided.

Number System Character
The number system character field allows you to provide a code to a class or
type of item. The first character in the data field is used as the number system
character.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of varying width bars and spaces to
represent a limited character set (numbers 0-9 and Special Characters Start,
Center, and Stop). The bars and spaces vary in width from one through four
modules. Each character consists of two bars and two spaces that total seven
modules. The symbol coding of the left data field is different from the right
data field to permit read direction sensing.
The optional 2 or 5-digit add-on data field is placed within the quotes at the
end of the bar code data and typically identifies a periodical issue number or
price, respectively.

Readable Data
The human readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can either be suppressed or printed below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
The modulo-10 check digit is automatically calculated and inserted in the bar
code symbol. The check digit verifies accurate scanning. The number system
character is included in the check digit algorithm.

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Bar Codes

EAN 13 Command Format
BARCODE
EAN13 [+n]; [DIR;] [SCB;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;] [DARK;]SR;SC
(D)data field(D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

EAN13

Designates bar code type EAN 13; enter EAN13.

+n

Optional parameter to provide a 2- or 5-digit add-on
code at the end of the bar code data field. Enter a
plus sign (+) and a value of 2 or 5. The first bar of
the add-on code is separated by nine modules from
the last bar of the EAN symbol and a left guard
pattern. No center or right guard pattern exists.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

SCB

This option shortens the length of the center guard
bars, which are normally full length. Enter SCB.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. Increasing the magnification
adjusts printed character density as shown in Table
14 on page 161. You can also use XR or XRD as
defined on page 155. (You must specify 8 digits for
MAG for variable ratio.)

NOTE: There are eight values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, 2x narrow bar, 2x narrow space, 3x narrow bar, 3x narrow
space, 4x narrow bar, and 4x narrow space. User-defined ratios for
this barcode should have these eight values defined in the order
specified.
Hn[.m]

224

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 4 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.4 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 1.3 inches. [.m] is an additional
number of dots for the bar code height. (Dots are in
the current dot scale.)

EAN 13

BFn

Optional parameter for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form. With this
parameter, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

The length of the data field need not be
specified, since it is fixed at 12 digits, plus any
add-on data.

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it is
not printed with the data.

225

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data field

Enter the characters of the bar code data, restricted
to exactly 12 digits. If the 2- or 5-digit add-on data
option is used, include this data at the end of the
data field. The characters available for the data
field are 0 through 9 (hex 30 through 39). The first
character is interpreted as the number system
character.
The left side of the data field (or lower side on
vertically oriented symbols) can be encoded in
either format A or format B as determined by the
value of the number system character. (A bar code
character is not produced for the number system
character.) The number system character is
derived from the left side data field encoding. The
right side of the data field (or upper side on
vertically oriented symbols) and check digit are
always encoded in format C. Table 25 defines the
left side data field format based on the number
system character.

PDF

Optional parameter which affects printing of the
human readable data field. The data field will print
automatically in the OCR-B font (default) unless the
PDF-suppress command is specified in the FONT
parameter. The human readable data field can be
printed above or below the bar code symbol. This
parameter is not allowed if a null data field is
specified.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a

226

EAN 13

barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Table 25. Left Side Data Field Format
Format for Left Side Data Field Positions
Number System
Character Value

12

11

10

9

8

7

0

A

A

A

A

A

A

1

A

A

B

A

B

B

2

A

A

B

B

A

B

3

A

A

B

B

B

A

4

A

B

A

A

B

B

5

A

B

B

A

A

B

6

A

B

B

B

A

A

7

A

B

A

B

A

B

8

A

B

A

B

B

A

9

A

B

B

A

B

A

227

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Bar Codes

EAN 13 Example
Figure 20 illustrates a horizontal and vertical EAN 13 bar code generated by
the following program:
~CREATE;EAN13
BARCODE
EAN13+5;DARK;28;15

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code Command)
(Dark Code EAN 13, 5-digit add on,
at SR 28, SC 15)
*12345678987655555*
(Data Field + 5-digit add-on Data Field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE
(New Bar Code command)
EAN13+5;VSCAN;H12;DARK;27;39
(Vertical Dark EAN 13, 2-digit add on,
H 1.2, at SR 27, SC 39)
*12345678987655555*
(Data Field + 5-digit add on Data Field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;EAN13;1
(Execute the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SC 39

SC 15
SR 27
SR 28

Figure 20. Sample EAN 13 Bar Codes

228

FIM

FIM
The FIM (Facing Identification Mark) bar code structure is shown in Figure 21
and Figure 22 and described on the following pages. The left boundary must
begin 3 inches from the right edge of the mail piece. The right-most bar must
be 2 inches ± 1/8-inch from the right edge of the mail piece. Bars must be 5/8inch ± 1/8-inch tall; the top of the bars must be no lower than 1/8-inch from
the top edge of the mail piece (and may touch the top edge of the mail piece).
The bar code baseline must be within 1/8-inch from the bottom edge of the
clear zone.

SR, SC
POSITION

3"

NOTE: Illustration is not to scale
1-1/4"

2"- 1-7/8"
1-3/4"

1/8"

Return Address Area
5/8"

(Optional Line)
(Top Line)
(Optional Line)
(Line Above Last)
(Last Line)

Clear
Zone

NON-ADDRESS DATA
NAME OF RECIPIENT
INFORMATION/ATTENTION LINE
DELIVERY ADDRESS
POST OFFICE STATE ZIP

Figure 21. FIM Structure

229

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

1-3/4"

Clear
Zone

1-1/4" 1/8"

Return Address Area

NOTE: Illustration is not to scale

(Optional Line)
(Top Line)
(Optional Line)
(Line Above Last)
(Last Line)

5/8"

NON-ADDRESS DATA
NAME OF RECIPIENT
INFORMATION/ATTENTION LINE
DELIVERY ADDRESS
POST OFFICE STATE ZIP

SR, SC
POSITION

3"

Figure 22. FIM Structure (VSCAN or CCW)
NOTE: Additional information regarding FIM bar code requirements can be
obtained from the U.S. Postal Service's Publication 25: A Guide to
Business Mail Preparation.

230

FIM

Clear Zone
The bar code structure requires a completely blank, 1/4-inch wide, 5/8-inch
tall clear zone, reserved for only the appropriate FIM pattern. You must
provide sufficient space for this zone.

Start/Stop Code
The start/stop code is a unique character identifying the leading and trailing
end of the bar code. The start/stop code is automatically produced with each
bar code. The start/stop code structure permits bidirectional bar code
scanning.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a nine-position bar/no-bar pattern of tall (full) bars
of uniform height. Minimum height must be 5/8-inch ± 1/8-inch. (Bar height
may be longer to wrap around the top of the envelope.) Minimum bar width is
.031-inch ± .008-inch. Spacing (pitch) between each bar/no-bar must be 1/16inch. Bar tilt (slant) can vary ± 5 degrees (relative to a line perpendicular to the
top edge of the envelope).

FIM Command Format
BARCODE
FIM; [DIR;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;] [DARK;] SR;SC
(D)data field(D)
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

FIM

Designates bar code type FIM; enter FIM.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 6 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.6 to 9.9 inches. The default
value is 0.6 inches.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

BFn

Optional parameter for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form. With this
parameter, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:

231

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3

Bar Codes

a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn
parameters are used. Refer to the data field
description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value 1/8-inch from the top edge of the mail piece.
Character row or dot row is specified based on the
Scale command (page 139), or use the CP.DP
format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it is
not printed with the data.

data field

A single-character data field to designate one of
four available FIM patterns: A, B, C, or D. Based on
your application (check with your Postal Service for
more information), enter one of the following FIM
types:
A Used only on courtesy reply envelopes bearing a
preprinted POSTNET bar code (page 318); it
requires a luminescent stamp or meter mark to be
accepted in the facer/canceler.
B Used on Business Reply Mail, Penalty Mail, and
Franked Mail without a preprinted POSTNET bar
code, and does not require luminescent indicia.
C Used on Business Reply Mail, Penalty Mail, or
Franked Mail bearing a preprinted POSTNET bar
code (page 318).

232

FIM

D Used on OCR readable mail (usually courtesy
reply window envelopes) without a preprinted
POSTNET bar code.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

FIM Example
Figure 23 below illustrates a horizontal FIMB bar code generated by the
following program without the POSTNET preprinted bar code (POSTNET is
discussed on page 318.)
~CREATE;FIMB
(Enter Create Form Mode)
ALPHA
(Alpha command)
23;11;0;0;*ACME MOTOR, INC.*
25;11;0;0;*ATTN: CUSTOMER SERVICE*
27;11;0;0;*P.O. BOX 200*
29;11;0;0;*USCITY, CA 12345-6789*
STOP
(Ends Alpha command)
BARCODE
(Bar Code command)
FIM;DARK;15;22
(Dark FIM Bar Code at SR 15, SC 22)
*B*
(Data field selecting FIMB Bar Code)
STOP
(Ends FIMB Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;FIMB;1
(Executes the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SR 15

SC 22

Figure 23. Sample FIMB Bar Code
Figure 24 illustrates a horizontal FIMC bar code generated by the following
program and bears the preprinted POSTNET bar code.
233

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~CREATE;FIMC
(Enter Create Form Mode)
ALPHA
(Alpha command)
23;11;0;0;*ACME MOTOR, INC.*
25;11;0;0;*ATTN: CUSTOMER SERVICE*
27;11;0;0;*P.O. BOX 2000*
29;11;0;0;*USCITY, CA 12345-6789*
STOP
(Ends Alpha command)
BARCODE
(Bar Code command)
FIM;DARK;17;25
(Dark FIM Bar Code at SR 17, SC 25)
*C*
(Data field selecting FIMC Bar Code)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE
(New Bar Code command)
POSTNET;DARK;33.3;15 (Dark POSTNET Bar Code at SR 33.3, SC 15)
*927149559*
(POSTNET data field)
STOP
(Ends POSTNET Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;FIMC;1
(Executes the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SR 17

SC 25

SC 15

SR 33.3

Figure 24. Sample FIMC Bar Code

234

GS1-128

GS1-128
NOTE: GS1-128 is formerly known as UCC/EAN-128.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 25. GS1-128 Structure

235

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

UCC/EAN-128 uses the same bar code and character set as Code 128.
However, in UCC/EAN-128, the Function 1 character FNC1 immediately
follows the start code. The FNC1 character has been reserved exclusively for
UCC/EAN-128.
The UCC/EAN-128 data structure requires an Application Identifier (AI) at the
beginning of bar code data. Each AI determines the format and length of the
data which follows. Refer to Table 26 for more details. Each AI field in the
barcode data needs to be separated with !, where  is the default
OxE.

Table 26. UCC/EAN-128 Application Identifiers
Application
Identifier (AI)

Content

Format

00

Serial Shipping Container Code

n2+n18

01

Global Trade Item NumberTM

n2+n14

02

Item Num. of Goods Within Another Unit

n2+n14

10

Batch or Lot Number

n2+an..20

11 (*)

Production Date (YYMMDD)

n2+n6

12

Due Date (YYMMDD)

n2+n6

13 (*)

Packaging Date (YYMMDD)

n2+n6

15 (*)

Sell By Date (Quality) (YYMMDD)

n2+n6

17 (*)

Expiration Date (Safety) (YYMMDD)

n2+n6

20

Product Variant

n2+n2

21

Serial Number

n2+an..20

22

HIBC = Quantity, Date, Batch and Link

n2+an..29

23 (**)

Lot Number (Transitional Use)

n3+n..19

37

Quantity of Units Contained (For Use With AI 02 Only)

n2+n..8

240

Additional Product ID Assigned By Manufacturer

n3+an..30

241

Customer part number

n3+an..30

242

Made-to-Order Variation Number

n3+n..6

250

Secondary Serial Number

n3+an..30

251

Reference to source entity

n3+an..30

253

Global Document Type Identifier (GDTI)

n3+n13+n..17

254

GLN Extension Component

n3+an..20

30

Quantity

n2+n..8

310 (***)

Net Weight, Kilograms

n4+n6

311 (***)

Length or 1st Dimension, Meters

n4+n6

312 (***)

Width, Diameter or 2nd Dimension, Meters

n4+n6

313 (***)

Depth, Thickness, Height or 3rd Dimension, Meters

n4+n6

236

GS1-128

Table 26. UCC/EAN-128 Application Identifiers (continued)
Application
Identifier (AI)

Content

Format

314 (***)

Area, Square Meters

n4+n6

315 (***)

Volume, Liters

n4+n6

316 (***)

Volume, Cubic Meters

n4+n6

320 (***)

Net Weight, Pounds

n4+n6

321 (***)

Length Or 1st Dimension, Inches

n4+n6

322 (***)

Length Or 1st Dimension, Feet

n4+n6

323 (***)

Length Or 1st Dimension, Yards

n4+n6

324 (***)

Width, Diameter, or 2nd Dimension, Inches

n4+n6

325 (***)

Width, Diameter, or 2nd Dimension, Feet

n4+n6

326 (***)

Width, Diameter, or 2nd Dimension, Yards

n4+n6

327 (***)

Depth, Thickness, Height, or 3rd Dimension, Inches

n4+n6

328 (***)

Depth, Thickness, Height, or 3rd Dimension, Feet

n4+n6

329 (***)

Depth, Thickness, Height, or 3rd Dimension, Yards

n4+n6

330 (***)

Gross Weight-Kilograms

n4+n6

331 (***)

Length or 1st Dimension, Logistics

n4+n6

332(***)

Width, Diameter, or 2nd Dimension, Meters, Logistics

n4+n6

333 (***)

Depth, Thickness, Height or 3rd Dimension, Meters,
Logistics

n4+n6

334 (***)

Area, Square Meters, Logistics

n4+n6

335 (***)

Gross Volume, Liters

n4+n6

336 (***)

Gross Volume, Cubic Meters

n4+n6

337 (***)

Kilograms Per Square Meter

n4+n6

340 (***)

Gross Weight, Pounds

n4+n6

341 (***)

Length Or 1st Dimension, Inches, Logistics

n4+n6

342 (***)

Length Or 1st Dimension, Feet, Logistics

n4+n6

343 (***)

Length Or 1st Dimension, Yards, Logistics

n4+n6

344 (***)

Width, Diameter, or 2nd Dimension, Inches, Logistics

n4+n6

345 (***)

Width, Diameter, or 2nd Dimension, Feet, Logistics

n4+n6

346 (***)

Width, Diameter, or 2nd Dimension, Yards, Logistics

n4+n6

347 (***)

Depth, Thickness, Height or 3rd Dimension, Inches,
Logistics

n4+n6

348 (***)

Depth, Thickness, Height or 3rd Dimension, Feet, Logistics

n4+n6

349 (***)

Depth, Thickness, Height or 3rd Dimension, Yards, Logistics

n4+n6

350 (***)

Area, Square Inches

n4+n6

351 (***)

Area, Square Feet

n4+n6

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Table 26. UCC/EAN-128 Application Identifiers (continued)
Application
Identifier (AI)

Content

Format

352 (***)

Area, Square Yards

n4+n6

353 (***)

Area, Square Inches, Logistics

n4+n6

354 (***)

Area, Square Feet, Logistics

n4+n6

355 (***)

Area, Square Yards, Logistics

n4+n6

356 (***)

Net Weight, Troy Ounce

n4+n6

357 (***)

Net Volume, Ounces

n4+n6

360 (***)

Volume, Quarts

n4+n6

361 (***)

Volume, Gallons

n4+n6

362 (***)

Gross Volume, Quarts

n4+n6

363 (***)

Gross Volume, Gallons

n4+n6

364 (***)

Volume, Cubic Inches

n4+n6

365 (***)

Volume, Cubic Feet

n4+n6

366 (***)

Volume, Cubic Yards

n4+n6

367 (***)

Gross Volume, Cubic Inches

n4+n6

368 (***)

Gross Volume, Cubic Inches

n4+n6

369 (***)

Gross Volume, Cubic Inches

n4+n6

390 (n)

Amount payable-single monetary area

n4+n..15

391 (n)

Amount payable with ISO currency code

n4+n3+n..15

392 (n)

Amount payable for a Variable Measure Trade Item single
monetary unit

n4+n..15

393 (n)

Amount payable for a Variable Measure Trade Item - with
ISO currency code

n4+n3+n..15

400

Customer's Purchase Order Number

n3+an..30

401

Consignment Number

n3+an..30

402

Shipment Identification Number

N3+n17

403

Routing code

N3+an..30

410

Ship To (Deliver To) Location Code Using EAN-13

n3+n13

411

Bill To (Invoice To) Location Code Using EAN-13

n3+n13

412

Purchase From (Location Code of Party From Whom Goods
Are Purchased)

n3+n13

413

Ship For UCC/EAN Location Code

n3+n13

414

EAN Location Code For Physical Identification

n3+n13

415

EAN.UCC Global Location Number of the invoicing party

n3+n13

420

Ship To (Deliver To) Postal Code Within a Single Postal
Authority

n3+an..20

238

GS1-128

Table 26. UCC/EAN-128 Application Identifiers (continued)
Application
Identifier (AI)

Content

Format

421

Ship To (Deliver To) Postal Code With 3-Digit ISO Country
Code Prefix

n3+n3+an..9

422

Country of originof a trade item

n3+n3

423

Country of initial processing

N3+n3+n..12

424

Country of processing

n3+n3

425

Country of disassembly

n3+n3

426

Country covering full process chain

N3+n3

703(s)****

Approval number of processor with ISO country code

n4+n3+an..27

7001

NATO stock number

n4+n13

7002

UN/ECE meat carcasses and cuts classification

n4+an..30

7003

Expiration Date and Time

n4+n10

8001

Roll Products-Width, Length, Core Diameter, Direction and
Splices

n4+n14

8002

Electronic serial identifier for cellular mobile telephones

n4+an..20

8003

UPC/EAN Number and Serial Number Or Returnable Asset

n4+n14+an..16

8004

UCC/EAN Serial Identification

n4+an..30

8005

Identifies the Price Per Unit of Measure

n4+n6

8006

Component of an Article

n4+n14+n2+n2

8007

International Bank Account Number

n4+an..30

8008

Date and time of production

n4+n8+n..4

8018

Service Relation Number

n4+n18

8020

Payment Slip Refence Number

n4+an..25

8100

Coupon Extended Code-Number System Character and
Offer

n4+n1+n5

8101

Coupon Extended Code-Number System Character, Offer
and End of Offer

n4+n1+n5+n4

8102

Coupon Extended Code-Number System Character
Preceded by Zero

n4+n1+n1

8110

Coupon Code Identification for Use in North America

n4+an..30

90

Mutually Agreed, Between Trading Partners

n2+an..30

91

Intra-Company (Internal)

n2+an..30

92

Intra-Company (Internal)

n2+an..30

93

Intra-Company (Internal)

n2+an..30

94

Intra-Company (Internal)

n2+an..30

95

Internal-Carriers

n2+an..30

96

Internal-Carriers

n2+an..30

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Table 26. UCC/EAN-128 Application Identifiers (continued)
Application
Identifier (AI)

Content

Format

97

Intra-Company (Internal)

n2+an..30

98

Intra-Company (Internal)

n2+an..30

99

Internal

n2+an..30

(*) To indicate only year and month, DD must be filled with “00”
(**) Plus one digit for length indication
(***) Plus one digit for decimal point indication
(****) The fourth digit of this AI, “s,” indicates the sequence of the processors in the supply chain.
Data Value Representation:
a - alphabetic characters
an - alpha-numeric characters
an..3 - up to 3 alpha-numeric characters

n - numeric characters
n3 - 3 numeric characters, fixed length
n..3 - up to 3 numeric characters

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. You must provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
The start and stop codes identify the leading and trailing ends of the bar code.
UCC/EAN-128 uses unique start codes for character subsets B and C, and a
stop code common to both. An automatic mode switching feature is used to
generate the correct start code based on the first four data field characters.

Data Field
UCC/EAN-128 bar codes require a special character called “Function 1”
(FNC1) to immediately follow the start code. IGP automatically supplies this
character, so it must not be included in the data field by the user.
A character is made up of three bars and three spaces, each varying in width
from 1 through 4 modules, for a total of eleven modules. The number of
modules making up the bars is even. The stop code has four bars and is 13
modules wide.
The character set for UCC/EAN-128 is the same as the character set for Code
128. Every character is interpreted according to the currently active character
subset. UCC/EAN-128 uses subset B and subset C only. Subset B, shown in
Table 23 (page 211), includes all standard alphanumeric keyboard
characters, lowercase alphabetical characters, and special characters.
Subset C interprets the characters as pairs of numbers 00 through 99, along
with some special characters, as shown in Table 24 (page 212). The start
code or subset switch code determines whether a particular bar code
character is decoded as one character or as a pair of numbers.

240

GS1-128

Readable Data
The optional printed data field (PDF) provides a human-readable
interpretation of the bar code data. When the printed data field is enabled by
use of the “PDF” parameter, the overall height of the bars is reduced to make
room for a guard band and the human-readable characters. The printed data
field will be formatted with spaces or parentheses denoting particular data
fields such as the application identifier. Special characters such as start, stop,
subset switch, modulo-103 check digit, and FNC1 do not appear in the
human-readable data.
The readable data is oriented along the bar code from start code to stop code.
It may be positioned above or below a bar code, and the bar code may be
horizontal, vertical, or inverted.

Modulo-103 Check Digit
A modulo-103 check digit is automatically calculated and inserted in the bar
code symbol immediately in front of the stop code, in the same manner as the
Code 128 bar code. The check digit verifies accurate scanning. The start
code is included in the check digit algorithm. The modulo-103 check digit is
not displayed in the readable data field.

Modulo-10 Data Field Check Digit for SSCC-18 and SCC-14
AI 00 (called the Serial Shipping Container Code, or SSCC-18) takes
eighteen additional numerical data bytes. The last data byte is a modulo-10
check digit on the preceding seventeen data bytes. Counting the two zeros of
the application identifier, the modulo-10 check digit is the twentieth byte in the
data field.
AI 01 (called the Shipping Container Code, or SCC-14) takes fourteen
additional numerical data bytes. The last data byte is a modulo-10 check digit
on the preceding thirteen data bytes. Counting the zero and the one of the
application identifier, the modulo-10 check digit is the sixteenth byte in the
data field.
The modulo-10 data field check digit for both SSCC-18 and SCC-14 is printed
in the bar code as the second half of the last number pair using subset C. It is
displayed in the human-readable data field as the twentieth byte for SSCC-18
or the sixteenth byte for SCC-14.
IGP automatically calculates the modulo-10 check digit for SSCC-18 if only 17
data digits are provided following the application identifier of 00. This is also
true for SSCC-14 if only 15 digits are supplied. For concatenated barcodes,
an FNC1 must be inserted for the checkdigit character so that PGL will
calculate it.

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GS1-128 Command Format
BARCODE
UCC-128; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR;SC
(D)data field(D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

UCC-128

Designates bar code type Code UCC-128; enter
UCC-128.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify the bar code symbol
by increasing the width of the bars and spaces. The
magnification default value is X1. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density as
shown in Table 14 on page 161. You can also use
XR or XRD as defined on page 155.

NOTE: A valid UCC/EAN-128 bar code can be no larger than 165 mm
(6.5 inches) wide.
NOTE: There are eight values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, 2x narrow bar, 2x narrow space, 3x narrow bar, 3x narrow
space, 4x narrow bar, and 4x narrow space. User-defined ratios for
this barcode should have these eight values defined in the order
specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height of
the bar code symbol (including the upper and lower
0.1 inch guard bands and any human-readable
data). Height adjustments are made in 0.1 inch
increments; enter H and a value from 3 through 99
to select height adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9
inches. The default value is 0.9 inch. [.m] is an
additional number of dots for the bar code height.
(Dots are in the current scale).

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.

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GS1-128

BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with the maximum number of
characters in the field. The actual data
provided dynamically during the Execute Form
Mode can be less than L. It is permitted to
supply no data at all.

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters
to use during Execute Form Mode.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command, or use the
CP.DP format.

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command, or use
the CP.DP format.

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used on both ends of the data field. It will
not print with the data.

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data field

The bar code data. The data field for UCC/EAN128 consists of an “application identifier” (AI) of two
to four numbers, followed by data of appropriate
length (variable or fixed) and type (numeric or
alphanumeric). See Table 26 for a list of application
identifiers and their associated data fields.
The FNC1 character is required as the first
character after the start code for UCC/EAN-128 bar
codes, and IGP will always generate it
automatically. It will appear in the bar code but not
in the human-readable field. Do not supply FNC1 in
the data field.
The start code and subset switching is done
automatically by IGP based on the data field
contents so that the bar code length is minimized.
Subset C encodes each pair of numbers as a single
bar code character, providing a higher character
density. If the first four data digits are numbers, the
bar code starts in subset C; otherwise it starts in
subset B. The subset will switch from B to C at any
point in the data field if the next four characters are
numbers, and will switch from C to B if the next two
characters are not numbers or only one character
remains.
The data field can contain any of the characters
listed in Table 26 except the system SFCC and the
character used as a delimiter.

244

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If this parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above the bar code.
The height of the bar code body is reduced to
compensate for the human readable field and the
guard bands.

GS1-128

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

Ends the bar code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not encountered, an error message
results.

Code UCC/EAN-128 Examples
The following example generates the SSCC-18 variant of a UCC/EAN-128
bar code in horizontal orientation at the default ratio, and vertically at a user
defined ratio of double normal size.
NOTE: The fields of AI=00 are seen here separated by spaces. By default,
the AI is separated from the rest of the data by parenthesis. This is
controlled by the front panel option “AI 00 Spaces” in the IGP menu
(see your User's Guide).
~CREATE;UCCTEST
/ Horizontal bar code is dark, nominal width, start row 35,
start column 15.
/ Human-readable field is below the bar code in OCR-B font.
BARCODE
UCC-128;DARK;35;15
*0034567890123456789*
PDF;X
STOP
/ Vertical bar code is dark, double width, start row 35, start
column 50.
/ Human-readable data field is above the bar code in normal 10
cpi font.
BARCODE
UCC-128;VSCAN;XR2:2:4:4:6:6:8:8;H12;DARK;35;50
*0034567890123456789*
PDF;A
STOP
END

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~EXECUTE;UCCTEST
~NORMAL

Figure 26. UCC/EAN-128 Example 1
The program below illustrates incremental UCC/EAN-128 barcodes.
Incremental UCC/EAN-128 barcode syntax for non-impact printers requires
that the STARTMASK be exactly as wide as the data field.
~CREATE;UCCINC;140
BARCODE
UCC-128;I;DARK;3;20
+XXXXXXXXX00001;*400P0119600001*
PDF;B
STOP
ALPHA
DARK;1;20;0;0;*PURCHASE ORDER NUMBER*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;UCCINC;3
~NORMAL

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GS1-128

Figure 27. UCC/EAN-128 Example 2

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The following example shows the use of dynamic data. The ship-to-postal
code, AI 420, is used to encode 5 digit ZIP Codes.
~CREATE;UCCDYN;140
BARCODE
UCC-128;BF1;8;3;20
PDF;X
STOP
ALPHA
DARK;1;20;0;0;*SHIP TO POSTAL*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;UCCDYN
~BF1;*42092614*
~NORMAL
~EXECUTE;UCCDYN
~BF1;*42090210*
~NORMAL
~EXECUTE;UCCDYN
~BF1;*42090028*
~NORMAL

Figure 28. UCC/EAN-128 Example 3

248

GS1 Databar

THERMAL

GS1 Databar
NOTE: GS1 Databar is formerly known as RSS14 Barcode.
The GS1 Databar barcode is a linear symbology that encodes the primary
data in UCC/EAN-128 format. In addition, the RSS14 barcode can have an
optional 2-D composite portion that encodes any secondary data the user
wants to include (such as additional AI element information).
This primary data portion follows the UCC/EAN-128 format. For all RSS14
variations except RSS-Expanded, the primary data portion is restricted to the
AI (application identifier) of “01”. Given a maximum of 15 digits, it drops the AI
of “01” and encodes a 13 digit identification number for use on small items.
The symbol consists of five regions, namely the left guard, the left data
character, the check character, the right data character and the right guard.
The mod-10 checkdigit is not encoded in the actual barcode, but is included in
the PDF data automatically by PGL.

RSS-14 Databar
The RSS14 Databar barcode type uses AI of 01 and must come with 13 digits
following the AI. The symbol consists of a left guard, 1st data character, left
finder pattern, 2nd data character, 4th data character, right finder pattern, 3rd
data character, and finally the right guard. The height of the bars for the
symbol is 33x the vertical element supplied in the MAG parameter.

RSS-14 Databar Truncated
The RSS14TRU barcode type is the same as the RSS-14 Databar barcode
except that the height of the bars for the symbol is only 13x the vertical
element supplied in the MAG parameter.

RSS-14 Databar Stacked
The RSS14STK barcode type is a RSS-14 Databar Truncated format in which
the symbol is split into two rows. The top row is 5x the vertical element
supplied in the MAG parameter, a row separator is 1x the vertical element,
and the bottom row is 7x the vertical element in height. RSS-14 Stacked is
used when the available space is too narrow for RSS Limited.

RSS-14 Databar Stacked Omnidirectional
The RSS14OMNI barcode type is a full height RSS-14 Databar in which the
symbol is split into two rows. The top row is thus 33x the vertical element
supplied in the MAG parameter, a row separator is 3x the vertical element,
and the bottom row is 33x the vertical element in height. RSS-14
Omnidirectional is used when the available space is too narrow for
RSS-14 Databar.

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RSS-14 Databar Limited
The RSS14LIM is also an RSS-14 Databar barcode type but cannot be read
by omnidirectional scanners and and has a height that is only a fraction of
what is used for the full height RSS-14 Databar symbol.
The symbol consists of a left guard, left data character, check character, right
data character, and finally the right guard. The height of the bars for the
symbol is 10x the vertical element supplied in the MAG parameter. The item
number that follows the AI of “01” must be within a range of 0 to
1999999999999.

RSS-14 Databar Expanded
The RSS14EXP is a superset of the RSS-14 Databar barcode type because it
is not restricted to just an AI of “01”. The RSS14EXP barcode can encode up
to 74 numeric or 41 alphabetic characters, including multiple (concatenated)
AI formats. The height of the bars for the symbol is 34x the vertical element
supplied in the MAG parameter.

RSS-14 Databar Expanded Stacked
RSS-14 Expanded Stacked uses the same identifier RSS14EXP in the PGL
command but also uses the SEG parameter to determine the maximum
number of segments to use per row. RSS-14 Databar expanded is capable of
encoding 22 segments of data and by default the barcode will encode the
entire 22 segments in one row (SEG parameter equivalent of 22). However,
the SEG paramater can be used to limit the number of segments per row
(2 segments per row minimum without composites, 4 minimum with
composites) such that the barcode will be stacked from 1-11 rows. The height
of each row of the symbol is 34 times the vertical element supplied in the
MAG parameter. When stacking, a row separator of 3 times the vertical
element supplied is used between each set of rows. Since the number of
segments in the barcode might not be a multiple of the value selected, all
rows of the RSS Expanded barcode might not be the same width.

UPC–A, UPC–E, EAN–8 and EAN–13
These types (UPCACOMP, UPCECOMP, EAN8COMP, EAN13COMP)
combine a linear barcode of the EAN/UPC symbology (EAN–13, EAN–8,
UPC–A or UPC–E), with a 2D Composite Component.

UCC/EAN–128 & Composite Component A or B
UCC/EAN–128 & Composite Component C
These RSS types (UCCACOMP and UCCCCOMP) encode the linear
barcode in UCC/EAN–128 format just like RSS Expanded, and are not
restricted to an IA of “01”. The linear barcode portion can encode up to 48
characters.

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GS1 Databar

Left & Right Guard
All RSS-14 variations always starts with a left guard which is space followed
by a bar. It ends with a right guard which is a space followed by a bar. The left
& right guards are automatically added.

Command Format
BARCODE
RSS14 or RSS14LIM or RSS14STK or RSS14TRU or RSS14OMNI or
RSS14EXP or UPCACOMP or UPCECOMP or EAN8COMP or EAN13COMP
or UCCACOMP or UCCCCOMP;
[DIR;] [MAG;][SEGn;][BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
[(D)Data Field(D)]
[PDF [;LOC][;F][;FONT[VE:HE]]]
STOP

Parameter Description
SEGn

Optional parameter that designates the maximum number of
segments of data to encode in a row for RSS-14 Expanded
(RSS14EXP). This parameter is ignored for all other RSS types.

Data Field
Format of the Data Field: “primary data | 2–D composite data”
NOTE: 2–D composite data is included by putting a “|” character after the
primary data. This character must be included when counting data for
the L parameter within the dynamic data declaration BFn;L.
The sections below list the specific format requirements for each individual
RSS–14 subtype:

Data Field for RSS-14 Limited
The item number for AI of “01” must be less than 1999999999999 or an error
flagging invalid data will be printed.

Data Field for RSS-14 Expanded
Format of the Data Field: “primary data”
For RSS-14 Expanded, multiple sets of UCC/EAN-128 AI values and their
data can be included in the primary data, up to 74 digits or 41 alphabetic
characters. The data field can also include FNC1 characters, encoded the
same way as done for PGL Code 128 and UCC/EAN-128 barcodes. If the
data field is using an AI of “00” and/or AI of “01” and the mod-10 checkdigit
character is not included, then the data field must include a FNC1 character in
its place so that PGL inserts the checkdigit character at the right position. If
the mod-10 checkdigit character, it will be used and not overwritten by PGL.

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Table 27. Various Encoding Methods and Characteristics for RSS–14
Expanded
AI Element Strings

252

Description

(01) and other AIs

Used for leading AI of (01) with supplementary
AIs.

any AIs

Used for encoding data that does not lead with
an AI of (01).

(01) and (3103)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (3103) variable weight element must
have a weigth of 0-32, 767 kilograms.

(01) and (3202)/(3203)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (3202) weight field must have a weight
of 0-99,999 pounds. The AI (3203) must have
a weight of 0-22,767 pounds.

(01) and (392x)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (392x) price may only have from zero
to three digits to the right of the decimal point
(x=0 to 3).

(01) and (393x)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (393x) price may only have from zero
to three digits to the right of the decimal point
(x=0 to 3).

(01), (310x), and (11)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (310x) metric weight must be 0-99,999.
The AI (11) production date has no limitations.

(01), (320x), and (11)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (320x) english weight must be
0-99,999. The AI (11) production date has no
limitations.

(01), (310x), and (13)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (310x) metric weight must be 0-99,999.
The AI (13) packaging date has no limitations.

(01), (320x), and (13)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (320x) english weight must be 099,999. The AI (13) packaging date has no
limitations.

(01), (310x), and (15)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (310x) metric weight must be 0-99,999.
The AI (15) “best before” date has no
limitations.

GS1 Databar

Table 27. Various Encoding Methods and Characteristics for RSS–14
Expanded
AI Element Strings

Description

(01), (320x), and (15)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (320x) english weight must be
0-99,999. The AI (15) “best before” date has
no limitations.

(01), (310x), and (17)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (310x) metric weight must be 0-99,999.
The AI (17) expiration date has no limitations.

(01), (320x), and (17)

The AI (01) must have an indicator digit of 9.
The AI (320x) english weight must be
0-99,999. The AI (17) expiration date has no
limitations.

Data Field for other RSS-14 Variations
Format of the Data Field: “primary data”
All other RSS-14 types (not including RSS-14 Expanded) have primary data
that is restricted to a maximum of 15 digits from 0 through 9. The first two
digits MUST be “01” or an error is returned. The value “01” is not encoded in
the barcode data, nor is the mod 10 checkdigit that is used for UCC/EAN-128
symbols with AI of “01”. However, they show up in the printable data field. If
less than 15 is encoded, the leading zeros (following the 2-digit AI of “01”) are
encoded to make a 15-digit barcode. A check digit mod 89 is autaomatically
added. The data characters are positioned in the barcode as the left data
character and the right data characters.

Data Field for Composite UPC–A
Encodes a UPC–A linear barcode, up to 11 digits are accepted, the check
digit will be added by the printer. If less than 11 digits are supplied, the printer
will left-pad the data with zeros. Sending data longer than 11 digits can result
in an incorrect barcode.

Data Field for Composite UPC–E
Encodes a UPC–E linear barcode, up to 10 digits are accepted, which should
comply with the UPC–E standards or an error will generate.

Data Field for Composite EAN–13
Encodes an EAN13 linear barcode, up to 12 digits are accepted, the check
digit will be added by the printer. If less than 12 digits are supplied, the printer
will left-pad the data with zeros.

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Data Field for Composite EAN–8
Encodes an EAN8 linear barcode, up to 7 digits are accepted, the check digit
will be added by the printer. If less than 7 digits are supplied, the printer will
left-pad the data with zeros. Sending data longer than 7 digits can result in an
incorrect barcode.

Data Field for Composite UCC/EAN–128 & Composite
Component A/B or C
Encodes a UCC/EAN–128 linear barcode, up to 48 characters are accepted
for the primary data. Similar to RSS–14 Expanded, these types can combine
multiple Application Identifiers in the primary data. Type UCCACOMP uses
Composite Component A or B, and UCCCCOMP uses Composite
Component C as 2D Barcode. See the following descriptions of the 2D
Composite Components.

2D Composite Component Data Field
The type of 2D Composite Component is chosen based on the selected linear
component, and on the amount of supplementary data to be encoded.

Composite Component –A
You can encode up to 56 digits of alphanumeric data. It is designed for
efficient encoding of supplemental appication identifier data. CC–A can be
combined with any of the EAN.UCC System symbols except for ITF–14. This
code is based on MicroPDF417.

Composite Component–B
You can encode up to 338 digits of alphanumeric data. CC–B can be
combined with any of the EAN.UCC System symbols except for ITF–14. This
code is based on MicroPDF417. It is only used if the data string is too long to
be encoded in CC–A.

Composite Component–C
You can encode up to 2361 digits of alphanumeric data. It can only be
combined with UCC/EAN–128 (type UCCCCOMP). This code is based on
PDF417 and has multiple widths to match the UCC/EAN–128 width and can
have from 3 to 90 rows.

Check Code
The RSS family has a mod 89 check character with respect to the primary
data. This check digit is not implicitly added, but is calculated from digits 2-15
of the data entered. The check digit is positioned between the left data
character and the right data character.

GuardBand
There is no guardband for RSS-14 barcodes.

254

GS1 Databar

Magnification
The default magnification is X1, which is about 10 mils for a narrow element
width. Pre-defined magnifications for horizontal and vertical barcodes are
defined for X0.5 and X1. The ratio format is narrow bar element: vertical
height element. The narrow space element is the same as the narrow bar
element. The user-defined ratios for this barcode should have these two
values defined in the order specified.

Height
The height command is not included as a valid parameter for the RSS-14
barcode because the height is determined by the declared barcode type. The
height of the barcode is directly affected by the second parameter in the
magnification ratio.
The height of the linear portion of the barcode however can be specified, but
only for types UCCACOMP and UCCCCOMP. This height is to be specified
as a required third ratio element for the user-defined magnification parameter
XR[D].
narrow bar element:vertical height element:linear height element
NOTE: The linear height element is also affected by second parameter. For
example, when specifying a user-defined ratio of XRD4:4:6, the
vertical height element is 4, so the height of the linear portion of the
barcode will be 24 (4 x 6).

PDF
The PDF is not included unless requested. It only represents the primary data
of the barcode and not the 2-D composite portion. If included, it is separated
from the bars by a guardband of 0.10 inches. It can be printed above or below
the barcode. The default font type used for the PDF is N. The format of the
PDF is identical as for UCC/EAN-128 symbols. Thus, the mod-10 check
character is included in the PDF as well. The mod 89 checkdigit is not
included in the PDF.
The PDF is automatically resized to the smallest available font when the PDF
selected does not fit within the width of the barcode. Because RSS-14 is
designed to be narrow, it is likely that the PDF size selected will result in a
smaller PDF. Since OCR fonts must be printed at 10 CPI, a Gothic (type N)
might be used in its place if the PDF needs to be resized.
If the PDF (with the smallest font) does not fit within the width of a RSS-14
barcode, the PDF will be the widest element of the barcode and thus the
position SR;SC of the barcode will be with respect to the PDF, not the bars.
For this reason, it might be more efficient to suppress the PDF and use
ALPHA commands to position the PDF independently of the BARCODE
command to avoid shifting the starting position of the barcode. Using an
ALPHA command will also prevent the PDF to being reduced to an undesired
size.
NOTE: Please refer to the AIM Specification document for detailed
information about this barcode.

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RSS14 Example 1
~CREATE;RSS14;792
BARCODE
RSS14LIM;XRD8;8;10;5
*011234567890123*
PDF;A
STOP
BARCODE
RSS14STK;XRD10:10;20;5
*011234567890123*
PDF;A
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;RSS14;1

RSS14 Example 2
~CREATE;RSS;432
ALPHA
3;3;2;2;* UPC/EAN COMPOSIT *
04;3;1;1;* UPCACOMP *
11;3;1;1;* UPCECOMP *
20;3;1;1;* UCCACOMP *
04;22;1;1;* UCCCCOMP *
11;22;1;1;* EAN13COMP *
20;22;1;1;* EAN8COMP *
STOP
BARCODE
UPCACOMP;X0.5;5;3
*12345678901|Composite data for UPCA barcode*
STOP
BARCODE
UPCECOMP;12;3
*1230000045|Composite data for UPCE barcode*
STOP

256

GS1 Databar

BARCODE
UCCACOMP;XRD2:2:50;21;3
*12345678901|Composite data
Height*
STOP
BARCODE
UCCCCOMP;5;22
*12345678901|Composite data
Height*
STOP
BARCODE
EAN13COMP;12;22
*12345678901|Composite data
STOP
BARCODE
EAN8COMP;21;22
*1234567|Composite data for
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;RSS;1
~NORMAL

for UCCA barcode, userdef Linear

for UCCC barcode, Default Linear

for EAN13 barcode*

EAN8 barcode*

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GS1 Datamatrix
NOTE: GS1 Datamatrix is formerly known as Datamatrix.
Datamatrix is a two-dimensional barcode containing small dark and light
square data modules. It has a finder pattern of two solid lines and two
alternating dark and light lines on its perimeter. This barcode is capable of
storing up to 3116 numeric digits, 2335 alphanumeric in a symbol 144
modules square. It is also capable of encoding in a number of different
schemes.
Two main subsets for Datamatrix exist, which differ in terms of error
correction. The first subset uses ECC-000 through ECC-140 and uses
convolution coding for error correction. The second subset is ECC-200, which
uses Reed-Solomon error correction techniques. ECC-200 format is
recommended.

Quiet Zone
The minimum quiet zone is one module width on all four sides.

Readable Data
There is no printable data field allowed for the Datamatrix barcode.

Data Field
The data allowed within the data field depends on the error correction subset
you are using. See the data field description on page 260 for details.

Data Matrix Command Format
BARCODE
DATAMATRIX; [DIR;] [X[D]n;] [Y[D]n;] [Cn;] [Rn;] [ECCn;] [IDn;]
[BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC (D)data field(D)
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

DATAMATRIX Designates bar code type Data Matrix; enter
DATAMATRIX.

258

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

X[D]n

Optional parameter designating the x-dimension
width of a single square data module in IGP dots, or
printer dots if the D option is used. Enter X, then the
optional D parameter if necessary, then a value
from 1 through 1000 printer dots. If the y-dimension
is not specified, it is calculated by converting the
printer dots in the x-direction to printer dots in the
y-direction.

GS1 Datamatrix

Y[D]n

Optional parameter designating the y-dimension
width of a single square data module in IGP dots, or
printer dots if the D option is used. Enter Y, then the
optional D parameter if necessary, then a value
from 1 to 1000 printer dots. If the x-dimension is not
specified, it is calculated by converting the printer
dots in the y-direction to printer dots in the
x-direction.

Cn

Optional parameter that sets the number of
columns in the symbol. A value of 0 (the default)
automates this process. See Table 31 through
Table 37 for the combination of columns and rows
allowed and the maximum amount of data that can
be encoded.

Rn

Optional parameter that specifies the number of
rows in the symbol. A value of 0 (the default)
automates this process. See Table 31 through
Table 37 for the combination of columns and rows
allowed and the maximum amount of data that can
be encoded.

ECCn

Optional parameter that specifies the error
correction level. Enter ECC, then one of the
following values: 0, 50, 80, 100, 140, or 200. Levels
0 through 140 use increasing levels of
convolutional error coding. Level 200 (the default)
uses Reed-Solomon block error correction and is
the recommended level of error correction.

IDn

Optional parameter that specifies the format ID.
This field only has meaning for ECC-000 through
ECC-140 and is ignored for ECC-200. This
specifies the type of data that is encoded in the
symbol. Enter ID, then a value from 1 through 6.
The default value is 3. Table 28 shows the type of
data encoded for the various format IDs.

BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

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c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

data field

For ECC-000 through ECC-140, the data allowed
within the data field depends on the format ID
parameter. The allowed data for these ECC types
are given in Table 28. For Format ID #5 which
accepts control characters and Format ID #6 which
accepts codes greater than 127, you can enter
these values using a SO character followed by an
identifier. When encoding special characters, you
must enter a SO character followed by at least one
other identifier and its field (i.e., ASCII 254 =
^d254). This is only considered to be one
character, even though the data field holds 5
characters (^d254). If you intend to code the SO
character by itself (no special encoding), then the
SO character should be followed by another SO
character. Table 29 illustrates how to use these
special characters.

GS1 Datamatrix

Table 28. Data Field for ECC-000 through ECC-140
Format ID #

Data

1

Numeric 0-9, Space

2

Uppercase A-Z, Space

3

Uppercase A-Z, Numeric 0-9, Space

4

Uppercase A-Z, Numeric 0-9, Space, Period, Comma,
Minus, Forward Slash

5

Full 128 ASCII set (0-127)

6

User defined (0-255)
For ECC-200, format ID has no meaning and is
ignored. Instead, you can enter data of any type
(ASCII 0-255) and it will be automatically optimized
into the proper encoding scheme. See the “Special
Characters Using SO” section for examples of
methods to enter special characters such as FNC1
into the data stream.
The maximum number of data depend on three
factors: (1) size of the matrix, (2) ECC level, and (3)
type of data. The size of the matrix is automatically
chosen by IGP unless the parameters of row and/or
column are supplied (see Cn and Rn parameters).
The maximum number of data can then be found
by finding the proper table based on ECC type. For
each different valid matrix combination, the
maximum number of data are given for numeric,
alphanumeric, and full 8-byte data. You do not have
to enter the maximum: a pad character is
automatically inserted into the barcode when
necessary.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

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NOTE: Line Matrix printers produce less square modules for small module
dimensions because of its non-square resolution. However, when
properly selecting the X and Y module dimensions for a specific
resolution, the resulting barcode is reliably and consistently read by
2D barcode readers.

Special Characters Using SO
Table 29 and Table 30 illustrate the methods of encoding special characters,
and shows the special characters supported. These special characters are
identified by using SO. The default value for the SO character is hex 0E, but
this value can be changed using the printer's front panel (see User's Guide for
details). Examples are given with the SO character represented by “^” for
clarity.

Table 29. Special Character Encoding (All ECC Levels)
Special Characters

Method

Example

Control Characters 0-31

 + @ ...  + _

NUL = ^@, BEL = ^G

Any ASCII value 0 - 255

 + d + 3 digit

ASCII 10 = ^d010

ASCII value SO

 + 

^^

Table 30. Special Character Encoding (ECC-200 Only)
Special Characters

Method

Example

FNC1

 + 1. If FNC1 is 2nd
codeword, previous data must be
A-Z, a-z, or 01-99

01^1

Structured Append

 + 2 + 3 digit number
representing symbol sequence
and file identifier

^2042

Reader Programming

 + 3
Must be first in the data field

^3

MH10.8.3 Abbreviated
Format 05 Header

 + 5
Must be first in the data field

^5

MH10.8.3 Abbreviated
Format 06 Header

 + 6
Must be first in the data field

^6

Extended Channel
Interpretation

 + 7 + 6 digit EC
(000000-999999)

^7112233

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GS1 Datamatrix

Symbol Characteristics
The following tables illustrate the maximum data capacities for the Data
Matrix barcode as a function of symbol size (column x row) and data type.
Note that all ECC-000 through ECC-140 symbols are square and always have
an odd number of rows and columns. ECC-200 symbols have square or
rectangular sizes and have an even number of rows and columns.
Table 31. ECC-000 Characteristics
(Row x Column)

9X9
11 X 11
13 X 13
15 X 15
17 X 17
19 X 19
21 X 21
23 X 23
25 X 25
27 X 27
29 X 29
31 X 31
33 X 33
35 X 35
37 X 37
39 X 39
41 X 41
43 X 43
45 X 45
47 X 47
49 X 49

Maximum
Numeric

3 characters
12 characters
24 characters
37 characters
53 characters
72 characters
92 characters
115 characters
140 characters
168 characters
197 characters
229 characters
264 characters
300 characters
339 characters
380 characters
424 characters
469 characters
500 characters
560 characters
596 characters

Maximum
Alphanumeric

2 characters
8 characters
16 characters
25 characters
35 characters
48 characters
61 characters
76 characters
93 characters
112 characters
131 characters
153 characters
176 characters
200 characters
226 characters
253 characters
282 characters
313 characters
345 characters
378 characters
413 characters

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

1 character
5 characters
10 characters
16 characters
23 characters
31 characters
40 characters
50 characters
61 characters
73 characters
86 characters
100 characters
115 characters
131 characters
148 characters
166 characters
185 characters
205 characters
226 characters
248 characters
271 characters

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Table 32. ECC-050 Characteristics
(Row x Column)

11 X 11
13 X 13
15 X 15
17 X 17
19 X 19
21 X 21
23 X 23
25 X 25
27 X 27
29 X 29
31 X 31
33 X 33
35 X 35
37 X 37
39 X 39
41 X 41
43 X 43
45 X 45
47 X 47
49 X 49

Maximum
Numeric

1 character
10 characters
20 characters
32 characters
46 characters
61 characters
78 characters
97 characters
118 characters
140 characters
164 characters
190 characters
217 characters
246 characters
277 characters
310 characters
344 characters
380 characters
418 characters
457 characters

Maximum
Alphanumeric

1 character
6 characters
13 characters
21 characters
30 characters
41 characters
52 characters
65 characters
78 characters
93 characters
109 characters
126 characters
145 characters
164 characters
185 characters
206 characters
229 characters
253 characters
278 characters
305 characters

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

not supported
4 characters
9 characters
14 characters
20 characters
27 characters
34 characters
42 characters
51 characters
61 characters
72 characters
83 characters
95 characters
108 characters
121 characters
135 characters
150 characters
166 characters
183 characters
200 characters

Table 33. ECC-080 Characteristics
(Row x Column)

13 X 13
15 X 15
17 X 17
19 X 19
21 X 21
23 X 23
25 X 25
27 X 27
29 X 29
31 X 31
33 X 33
35 X 35
37 X 37
39 X 39
41 X 41
43 X 43

264

Maximum
Numeric

4 characters
13 characters
24 characters
36 characters
50 characters
65 characters
82 characters
100 characters
120 characters
141 characters
164 characters
188 characters
214 characters
242 characters
270 characters
301 characters

Maximum
Alphanumeric

3 characters
9 characters
16 characters
24 characters
33 characters
43 characters
54 characters
67 characters
80 characters
94 characters
109 characters
125 characters
143 characters
161 characters
180 characters
201 characters

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

2 characters
6 characters
10 characters
16 characters
22 characters
28 characters
36 characters
44 characters
52 characters
62 characters
72 characters
82 characters
94 characters
106 characters
118 characters
132 characters

GS1 Datamatrix

Table 33. ECC-080 Characteristics
(Row x Column)

45 X 45
47 X 47
49 X 49

Maximum
Numeric

333 characters
366 characters
402 characters

Maximum
Alphanumeric

222 characters
244 characters
268 characters

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

146 characters
160 characters
176 characters

Table 34. ECC-100 Characteristics
(Row x Column)

13 X 13
15 X 15
17 X 17
19 X 19
21 X 21
23 X 23
25 X 25
27 X 27
29 X 29
31 X 31
33 X 33
35 X 35
37 X 37
39 X 39
41 X 41
43 X 43
45 X 45
47 X 47
49 X 49

Maximum
Numeric

1 character
8 characters
16 characters
25 characters
36 characters
47 characters
60 characters
73 characters
88 characters
104 characters
121 characters
140 characters
159 characters
180 characters
201 characters
224 characters
248 characters
273 characters
300 characters

Maximum
Alphanumeric

1 character
5 characters
11 characters
17 characters
24 characters
31 characters
40 characters
49 characters
59 characters
69 characters
81 characters
93 characters
106 characters
120 characters
134 characters
149 characters
165 characters
182 characters
200 characters

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

not supported
3 characters
7 characters
11 characters
15 characters
20 characters
26 characters
32 characters
38 characters
62 characters
53 characters
61 characters
69 characters
78 characters
88 characters
98 characters
108 characters
119 characters
131 characters

Table 35. ECC-140 Characteristics
(Row x Column)

17 X 17
19 X 19
21 X 21
23 X 23
25 X 25
27 X 27
29 X 29
31 X 31
33 X 33
35 X 35

Maximum
Numeric

2 characters
6 characters
12 characters
17 characters
24 characters
30 characters
38 characters
46 characters
54 characters
64 characters

Maximum
Alphanumeric

1 character
4 characters
8 characters
11 characters
16 characters
20 characters
25 characters
30 characters
36 characters
42 characters

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

1 character
3 characters
5 characters
7 characters
10 characters
13 characters
16 characters
20 characters
24 characters
28 characters

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Table 35. ECC-140 Characteristics
(Row x Column)

37 X 37
39 X 39
41 X 41
43 X 43
45 X 45
47 X 47
49 X 49

Maximum
Numeric

73 characters
84 characters
94 characters
106 characters
118 characters
130 characters
144 characters

Maximum
Alphanumeric

49 characters
56 characters
63 characters
70 characters
78 characters
87 characters
96 characters

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

32 characters
36 characters
41 characters
46 characters
51 characters
57 characters
63 characters

Table 36. ECC-200 Square Characteristics
(Row x Column)

10 X 10
12 X 12
14 X 14
16 X 16
18 X 18
20 X 20
22 X 22
24 X 24
26 X 26
32 X 32
36 X 36
40 X 40
44 X 44
48 X 48
52 X 52
64 X 64
72 X 72
80 X 80
88 X 88
96 X 96
104 X 104
120 X 120
132 X 132
144 X 144

266

Maximum
Numeric

Maximum
Alphanumeric

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

6 characters
10 characters
16 characters
24 characters
36 characters
44 characters
60 characters
72 characters
88 characters
124 characters
172 characters
228 characters
288 characters
348 characters
408 characters
560 characters
736 characters
912 characters
1152 characters
1392 characters
1632 characters
2100 characters
2608 characters
3116 characters

3 characters
6 characters
10 characters
16 characters
25 characters
31 characters
43 characters
52 characters
64 characters
91 characters
127 characters
169 characters
214 characters
259 characters
304 characters
418 characters
550 characters
682 characters
862 characters
1042 characters
1222 characters
1573 characters
1954 characters
2335 characters

1 character
3 characters
6 characters
10 characters
16 characters
20 characters
28 characters
34 characters
42 characters
60 characters
84 characters
112 characters
142 characters
172 characters
202 characters
278 characters
366 characters
454 characters
574 characters
694 characters
814 characters
1048 characters
1302 characters
1556 characters

GS1 Datamatrix

Table 37. ECC-200 Rectangular Characteristics
(Row x Column)

8 X 18
8 X 32
12 X 26
12 X 36
16 X 36
16 X 48

Maximum
Numeric

10 characters
20 characters
32 characters
44 characters
64 characters
98 characters

Maximum
Alphanumeric

6 characters
13 characters
22 characters
31 characters
46 characters
72 characters

Maximum 8-Byte
Data

3 characters
8 characters
14 characters
20 characters
30 characters
47 characters

Data Matrix Example
Figure 29 illustrates a Data Matrix bar code generated by the following
program:
~CREATE;DATAMATRIX
(Enters Create Form mode)
BARCODE
(Bar Code command)
DATAMATRIX;XD8;C18;R18;ECC200;ID5;10;10
(Data Matrix barcode, x-dimension
width of 8 printer dots, 18 columns
and 18 rows, Error Correction level
200, SR 10, SC 10)
*A1B2C3D4E5F6G7H8I9J0*
(Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form mode)
~EXECUTE;DATAMATRIX;1
(Execute the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SC 10
SR 10

Figure 29. Data Matrix Example

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HIBC Barcode
The Health Industry Business Communications (HIBC) has developed a
barcode called HIBC (Health Industry Bar Code). In a global setting, HIBC
identifies health industry products, in any quantity, of any lot or serial number,
with any expiration date. HIBC represents two kinds of information: Primary
and Secondary Identifcation. Primary Identification represents product identity
and Secondary Identification represents the attributes of Lot or Batch Code,
Serial Number, and Expiration date. Each structure has its own barcode data
format. HIBC can be encoded in Code 128, Code 39, or UCC 128 symbology.

HIBC Barcode Command Format
BARCODE
C3/9 or C128A or C128B or C128C;HIBC;[DIR;][MAG]...

PDF...
STOP
HIBC

Enter HIBC to print HIBC encoded barcode.

Check Digit
A mandatory modulo-43 check digit is inserted at the end of data for both
Code 39 and Code 128 symbology.

Data Field
The data field is a variable length consisting of only the following characters:
1-9, A-Z, -, ., &, /, +, %, and space.
For HIBC barcode, PDF is preceded with ‘+’, a Flag Character which is an
identifier used to differentiate HIBC symbols from other non-healthcare
related barcode symbols. A pair of asterisks (*) encloses the human readable
field, including the check digit. For example, if the user enters PDF
“+123BJC5D6E71” the barcode data will print as “*+A123BJC5D6E71G*”.

HIBC Encoded in UCC128
When encoding HIBC barcode in UCC-128, HIBC is essentially a UCC-128
barcode. The encoding uses the same module 10 check digit and data format.
The only addition is an Application Identifier (AI) parameter. For Primary Data
Structure use AI (01), and for Secondary Data Structure use AI (22) or
AI (240). To use UCC-128 to encode HIBC, be sure to use the correct AI
parameter to obtain the desired results.

268

HIBC Barcode

HIBC Barcode Example
~CREATE;XYZ;432
BARCODE
C128B;HIBC;X1;H10;5;5
“+A123BJC5D6E71“
PDF;B
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;HIBC;X1;H10;15;5
“+A123BJC5D6E71“
PDF;B
STOP
END
HIBC BARCODES
~NORMAL

Figure 30. HIBC Barcodes

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Intelligent Mail 4-State Barcode
Intelligent Mail 4-state is a barcode symbology, introduced by USPS to
support the US Mail 4-state customer barcode. It is also known as the USPS
OneCode Solution or USPS 4-State Customer Barcode. This barcode is
identified by four different types of bars:

•
•
•

Full Height - fixed height

•

Descender - extends from the top of the Tracker Limit to the bottom of
the Full Height limit.

Tracker - a small center section
Ascender - extends from the top of the Full Height limit to the bottom of
the Tracker limit.

Full Bar

Ascender

Tracker

Descender

Ascending
Region
Tracking
Region
Descending
Region

Figure 31. Intelligent Mail Barcode Bar Types
Customer Data must be in numeric format only. PDF is not allowed for
Intelligent Mail Barcode.
Additional information regarding use of this barcode can be obtained from the
USPS publication Intelligent Mail Barcode Technical Resource Guide.

Intelligent Mail 4-State Command Format
NOTE: Parameter names are italicized.
Square brackets enclose optional parameters; do not type the
brackets.
Parenthesis enclose bariable data; do not type the parenthesis.
Other text is type as shown.
BARCODE
INTMAIL;[DIR;] [NLQ;] [MAG;] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
[(D)Data Field(D)]
STOP
INTMAIL

270

Intmail has a predefined magnification (width). The
height of the Full Height bar is 0.145 inches with
0.020 inch margin and cannot be adjusted by the
user. Human-readable data field is not allowed.

Intelligent Mail 4-State Barcode

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

NLQ

Optional parameter optimized to print barcodes at
NLQ print density (180x96). This may cause line
matrix printers to do reverse motion when the form
is printed. This parameter is ignored for other
printer types.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined in
“User-Defined Variable Ratios for Postal Barcodes”
on page 155

BFn;L

DARK

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the barcode data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from
0 to 512 to identify the barcode field. The SR
and SC parameters specify the exact location
of the barcode field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equal to the total
number of characters in the field. The data
field must be numeric and contain exactly 20,
25, 29, or 31 digits. An empty field is also
allowed.

d.

The information for Data Field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use Data Field to
enter data when the BFn;L parameters are
used. Refer to the Data Field description for
available characters.

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. This has no affect on horizontally oriented
barcodes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

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SR

Defines the starting row for the barcode. Enter a
value within the range of the 4-inch vertical address
block. Character row or dot row is specified based
on the Scale command (page 139), or use the
CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the barcode. Enter a
value between the 1/2-inch left and right margins of
the mail piece. Character column or dot column is
specified based on the SCALE command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D) Data Field (D)
Delimiters (D) can be any character not present in
the data field. The leading delimiter must be
identical to the trailing delimiter. All Data Field
characters are numeric.
Table 38 shows the valid parameters for the all the
fields. The Tracking Code is 20 digits in length. The
Routing Code is optional, but if it is included, it must
be 5, 9 or 11 digits in length. The maximum total
input data is 31 numeric digits. PGL encodes any
length of input data into a 4-state customer barcode
string consisting of 65 bars.

Table 38. Data Field Parameters
Type

Field

Tracking
Code

Routing Code

Barcode Identifier

2
Second digit must be 0 - 4.

Service Type Identifier

3

Mailer Identifier

6 or 9

Serial Number

9 when Mailer ID is 6 digits
6 when Mailer ID is 9 digits

Delivery Point Zip Code

0, 5, 9, 11

Total

20 minimum, 31 maximum
STOP

272

Digits

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message will result.

Intelligent Mail 4-State Barcode

Intelligent Mail 4-State Barcode Example
~CREATE;INTELBARCODE;432
BARCODE
INTMAIL;5;5
*01234567094987654321012345678*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;INTELBARCODE
~NORMAL

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Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and ITF-14
The structure for the I-2/5, German I-2/5 and ITF-14 bar codes is shown in
Figure 32 and described on the following pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 32. I-2/5, German I-2/5 and ITF-14 Structure

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Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and ITF-14

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure have blank quiet zones. The quiet zones
must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure accurate
reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes from
overlapping. You must provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
Unique start and stop codes permit bidirectional scanning. Both start and stop
codes contain bars and spaces. They are automatically produced.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of wide and narrow bars and spaces to
represent numeric characters. The structure is 2 wide elements (bars or
spaces) and 3 narrow elements. In the bar code, two characters are
interleaved (paired); bars are used to represent the first character in the pair
and spaces are used to represent the second character in the pair.
German I-2/5 and ITF-14 are special cases of Interleaved 2/5 bar codes.
While Interleaved 2/5 has a variable data field, German I-2/5 is restricted to 11
or 13 digits, and ITF-14 is restricted to 13 digits.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
The modulo-10 check digit can be inserted into the bar code to verify accurate
scanning.
Interleaved 2/5 can be printed with or without a check digit, but German I-2/5
and ITF-14 have the check digit automatically included.

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I-2/5, German I-2/5, and ITF-14 Command Format
BARCODE
I-2/5 [CD]; or
I25GERMAN; or
ITF14; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

I-2/5 CD

Designates bar code type Interleaved 2/5; enter
I-2/5. To calculate and plot the optional modulo-10
check digit with the bar code symbol automatically,
enter CD.

I25GERMAN Designates German Interleaved 2/5; enter
I25GERMAN. The mod-10 check digit is
automatically included.
ITF14

Designates ITF-14; enter ITF14. The mod-10 check
digit is automatically included.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined on
page 155.

NOTE: You must specify four digits for MAG for User Defined variable ratio.
There are four values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, wide bar, and wide space. User-defined ratios for this barcode
should have these four values defined in the order specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9-inch.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.

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Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and ITF-14

BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

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data field

Interleaved 2/5: Enter the characters for the bar
code data. A null data field (no characters) is
permitted. The length of the data field is variable;
however, the maximum length is usually limited to
32 characters to minimize potential reading errors.
An even number of characters are required for the
interleaving process. Consequently, if an odd
number of characters are entered in the data field,
a leading zero is added automatically. The
characters available for the data field are 0 through
9 (hex 30 through 39).
German I-2/5: The data field must be 11 or 13
digits exactly.
ITF-14: The data field must be 13 digits exactly.

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data is not printed. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field was specified. For
German I-2/5, fields of the data are separated by
dots and spaces.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1-inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.

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Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and ITF-14

STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

I-2/5 Example
Figure 33 illustrates a horizontal and vertical I-2/5 bar code generated by the
following program:
~CREATE;I25
(Enter Create Form Mode)
BARCODE
(Bar Code command)
I-2/5;DARK;49;27
(Dark Code I-2/5, at SR 49, SC 27)
*24688642*
(Data Field)
PDF;A
(Upper Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE
(New Bar Code command)
I-2/5;VSCAN;H12;DARK;44;52
(Vertical Dark I-2/5, H 1.2 at
SR 44, SC 52)
*24688642*
(Data Field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;I25;1
(Execute the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SC 52

SR 44

SC 27

SR 49

Figure 33. Sample I-2/5 Bar Codes

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Matrix
The structure for the Matrix bar code is shown in Figure 34 and described on
the following pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 34. Matrix Structure

280

Matrix

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure have blank quiet zones. The quiet zones
must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure accurate
reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes from
overlapping. You must provide sufficient space on the form for quiet zones.

Start/Stop Codes
Unique start and stop codes permit bidirectional scanning. Both start and stop
codes contain bars and spaces. They are automatically produced.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of wide and narrow bars and spaces to
represent numeric characters. The structure is 2 wide elements (bars or
spaces) and 3 narrow elements. In the bar code, each character encoded is
separated by a narrow space.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
The modulo-10 check digit can be inserted into the bar code to verify accurate
scanning.

Matrix Command Format
BARCODE
MATRIX [CD]; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D) [data field] (D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

MATRIX CD Designates bar code type Matrix; enter MATRIX.
To calculate and plot the optional modulo-10 check
digit with the bar code symbol automatically, enter
CD.
DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

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MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined on
page 155.

NOTE: You must specify four digits for MAG for User Defined variable ratio.
There are four values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, wide bar, and wide space. User-defined ratios for this barcode
should have these four values defined in the order specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9-inch.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.
BFn;L

282

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

Matrix

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

data field

Enter the characters for the bar code data. A null
data field (no characters) is permitted. The length of
the data field is variable; however, the maximum
length is usually limited to 32 characters to
minimize potential reading errors. An even number
of characters are required for the interleaving
process. Consequently, if an odd number of
characters are entered in the data field, a leading
zero is added automatically. The characters
available for the data field are 0 through 9 (hex 30
through 39).

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data is not printed. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field was specified.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1-inch.

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FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

284

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Matrix

Matrix Example
Figure 35 illustrates a horizontal and vertical Matrix bar code generated by the
following program:
~CREATE;MATRIX
(Enter Create Form Mode)
BARCODE
(Bar Code command)
MATRIX;DARK;49;27
(Dark Code Matrix, at SR 49, SC 27)
*24688642*
(Data Field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE
(New Bar Code command)
MATRIX;VSCAN;H12;DARK;44;52
(Vertical Dark Matrix, H 1.2
at SR 44, SC 52)
*24688642*
(Data Field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;MATRIX;1
(Execute the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL
SC 52
SC 27

SR 49

SR 44

Figure 35. Sample Matrix Bar Codes

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Maxicode
The Maxicode bar code is a fixed size matrix symbology made up of an offset
of rows of hexagonal elements arranged around a unique finder pattern.
Maxicode is suitable for high speed scanning applications, and is capable of
encoding all of the 256 ASCII characters.

Readable Data
The Maxicode bar code does not support a human readable form.

Data Field
The data field of a Maxicode bar code is divided into a primary message and a
secondary message. The primary message has a fixed structure, while the
secondary message has a free format. The maximum number of characters
encoded in the message depends on the error correction mechanism used.
When the Standard Error Correction (SEC) method is in use (see the Mn
definition, below) a maximum of 84 symbol characters can be encoded. Each
segment in the secondary message is 21 characters long.

THERMAL

Maxicode Command Format
BARCODE
MAXICODE [Mn;] [Z;] [DIR;] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

MAXICODE Designates bar code type Maxicode; enter
MAXICODE.
Mn

286

Parameter that specifies the bar code mode. Valid
values are 2, 3, 4, 6, and D. Default value is 2.
Table 39 defines the modes supported.

Maxicode

Table 39. Maxicode Bar Code Modes
Mode

Definition

2

Primary and secondary messages employ SEC. Primary
message is a structured carrier message with a numeric
postal code.

3

Primary and secondary messages employ SEC. Primary
message is a structured carrier message with an
alphanumeric postal code.

4

Primary and secondary messages together encode up to
93 characters.

6

Primary and secondary messages together encode up to
93 characters. For reader configuration purposes only.

D

Optional parameter that allows for postponing the
definition of the mode until form execution. When used, the
first character of the dynamic barcode data is used as the
mode. The character is extracted and not used as barcode
data. This mode should be used with BFn.
Z

Specifies the zipper option. Enter Z.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

BFn;L

Optional parameter for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

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d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. This parameter is ignored.

D

Optional parameter that allows for postponing the
definition of the mode until form execution. When
used, the first character of the dynamic barcode
data is used as the mode. The character is
extracted and not used as barcode data. This mode
should be used with BFn.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

data field

There are two different ways the Maxicode data
field can be formatted:
Standard Data Field
The modes 2 and 3 have their primary message
structured as shown in Table 40. The data following
the primary message is the secondary message
and has a free format.

288

Maxicode

Table 40. Standard Data Fields
Character
Positions

Title

Data

0-2

Class of Service

Numeric

3-5

Country Code

Numeric

6 - 14

Postal Code

9 Digit Numeric for US
OR
6 Digit Alphanumeric for Canada

15, 16

Separator

'>A'

17 - ...

Secondary Message

Free Format

UPS Shipping Data Field
This syntax begins with seven encoded data
characters followed by a date (yy). The first four
characters are the Message Header and the next
five are the Transportation Data Format Header.
The format of the Message Header is “[)>Rs”. The
Transportation Data Format Header is “01Gs”
where  is the year, and “G's” and “R's” are
control characters. The structure is shown in Table
41.
Table 41. UPS Shipping Data Fields
Character
Positions

Title

Data

0-3

Message Header

[)>Rs

4-8

Transportation Data Format
Header

01Gs

9 - 17

Postal Code

9 Digit Numeric for US or
6 Digit Alphanumeric for
Canada

18

Separator

Gs

19 - 21

Country Code

Numeric

22

Separator

Gs

23 - 25

Class of Service

Numeric

26

Separator

Gs

27 - ...

Secondary Message

As per the UPS Guide To
Barcoding

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STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Maxicode Control Characters
The non-printable control characters can be generated by using the switch
characters defined in Table 42.
NOTE:  = Shift Out Character
Table 42. Maxicode Control Characters
Control Character

290

Alternate Character

NUL

SP

SOH

!

STX

"

ETX

#

EOT

$

ENQ

%

ACK

&

BEL

'

BS

(

HT

)

LF

*

VT

+

FF

,

CR

-

SO

.

SI

/

DLE

`

DC1

a

DC2

b

DC3

c

DC4

d

NAK

e

SYN

f

ETB

g

CAN

h

EM

i

SUM

j

ESC

k

FS

l

GS

m

RS

n

US

o

Maxicode

Maxicode Examples
Figure 36 illustrates a Maxicode bar code generated by the following program:
NOTE: “|” in the bar code represents the Shift Out Character.
~CREATE;MAXI
BARCODE
MAXICODE;32;37
*999840068107317|;This
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;MAXI;1

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(Dark Bar Code MAXICODE at SR 32, SC 27)
is a secondary message.* (Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
(Execute the form, form count of 1)

~NORMAL

Figure 36. Sample MAXICODE Bar Code
Figure 37 illustrates a MAXICODE bar code generated by the following
program:
NOTE: “|” in the bar code represents the Shift Out Character.
~CREATE;MAXI
(Enter Create Form Mode)
BARCODE
(Bar Code command)
MAXICODE;32;54
(Dark Bar Code MAXICODE at SR 32, SC 54)
*[)>|n01|m96841706672|m840|m001|m1Z12345675|mUPSN|m12345E|m089|
m|m1/1|m10.1|mY|m|m|mUT|n|$* (Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;MAXI;1
(Execute the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

Figure 37. Sample MAXICODE Bar Code

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MSI
The MSI bar code structure is shown in Figure 38 and described on the
following pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 38. MSI Structure

292

MSI

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25-inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. You must provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Code
Unique start and stop codes permit bidirectional scanning. Both start and stop
codes contain bars and spaces. They are automatically produced.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of wide and narrow bars and spaces to
represent each numeric character. The structure is four wide elements (bars
or spaces) and four narrow elements. Each character contains four data bits,
with each 0-bit made up of a narrow bar/wide space arrangement and each 1bit made up of a wide bar/narrow space arrangement.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
If specified, the modulo-10 or modulo-11 (or both) check digit is automatically
calculated and inserted in the bar code symbol. The check digit verifies
accurate scanning.

MSI Command Format
BARCODE
MSI n; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D) [data field] (D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

MSI

Designates bar code type MSI; enter MSI.

n

Designates the type of check digit combinations for
the bar code. Replace n with one of the following
codes to specify the check digit.
A single-digit modulo-10 followed by a second
modulo-10 digit
B single-digit modulo-11 followed by a single
modulo-10 digit
C single-digit modulo-10
D single-digit modulo-11

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DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined on
page 155.

NOTE: You must specify four digits for MAG for User Defined variable ratio.
There are four values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, wide bar, and wide space. User-defined ratios for this barcode
should have these four values defined in the order specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9-inch.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.
BFn;L

294

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

MSI

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

data field

Enter the characters for the bar code data. A null
data field (no characters) is permitted. The length of
the data field is variable; however, a maximum of
14 data characters are allowed if a one-character
check digit field is specified; a maximum of 13 data
characters are allowed if a two-character check
digit field is specified. The characters available for
the data field are 0 through 9 (hex 30 through 39).

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above the bar code.
To compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data,
the height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1-inch.

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FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

MSI Example
Figure 39 illustrates a horizontal and vertical MSI bar code generated by the
following program:
~CREATE;MSI
(Enter Create Form Mode)
BARCODE
(Bar Code command)
MSIA;DARK;32;27
(Dark Bar Code MSIA at SR 32, SC 27)
*24688642*
(Data Field)
PDF;X
(Printable Data Field, OCR-B)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE
(New Bar Code command)
MSIB;VSCAN;X2;H12;DARK;32;54
(Vertical Dark MSIB, Mag 2, H 1.2 at
SR 32, SC 54)
*24688642*
(Data Field)
PDF;A
(Upper Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;MSI;1
(Execute the form, form count of 1)

296

MSI

~NORMAL
SC 27

SR 32

SC 54

SR 32

Figure 39. Sample MSI Bar Codes

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PDF417
The PDF417 structure is shown in Figure 40 and described on the following
pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE
START
CODE

STOP
CODE

CCW

CW
DATA
FIELD

START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

DATA
FIELD

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

UPPER GUARD BAND

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

LOWER GUARD BAND

SR, SC
POSITION

INV

QUIET
ZONE

LOWER GUARD BAND

STOP
CODE

UPPER GUARD BAND

Figure 40. PDF417 Structure

298

PDF417

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. Be sure to provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
The start/stop codes identify the leading and trailing end of the bar code.

Data Field
PDF417 provides twelve modes to encode data. The first three are preestablished (the remaining nine are user modes, which can be defined by
users or industry associations according to specific applications):
1. Extended Alphanumeric Compaction mode (EXC). Comprised of four
sub-modes, this mode offers encodation of all printable ASCII characters.
This is the default mode; the IGP uses shift or latch characters to enable
other modes.
2. Binary/ASCII Plus mode. This offers encodation for all uppercase ASCII
characters only, printable or not, and binary values.
3. Numeric Compaction mode. This offers encodation for numeric values to
a density of almost 3 digits per code word.
4. The IGP will automatically switch between modes to provide the smallest
encodation for the data.

Security Level
PDF417 can detect and correct errors. Each label has 2 code words of error
detection. You can select the error correction capacity based on application
needs. Specify a security level in the range of 0 - 8, at the time of printing.
PDF417 can also recover from omissions and misdecodes of code words.
Since it requires two code words to recover from a misdecode, one to detect
the error and one to correct for it, a given security level can support half the
number of misdecodes that it can of undecoded words.

PDF
Print Data Field is not offered due to the large amount of data that can be
encoded.

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PDF417 Command Format
BARCODE
PDF417; [MICRO;] [DIR;] [X[D]n;] [Y[D]n;] [(Hn)| (Wn);]
[ASPECTh:w;] [(Rn) | (Cn);] [BIN;] [S[%]n;][BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR;
SC [(D)data field(D)]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

PDF417

Designates bar code type PDF417; enter PDF417.

MICRO

Selects Micro-PDF417. See Table 43 on page 304.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

X[D]n

Optional parameter that designates the width of a
narrow element in IGP dots, or printer dots if option
[D] is used. The default is one IGP dot. For
horizontal barcodes, this results in 2/72 inch. For
rotated barcodes, this equal 3/120 inch. Values
range from 1 to 1000 printer dots.

Y[D]n

Optional parameter that designates the height of
the narrow element in IGP dots, or printer dots if
option [D] is used. The default is one IGP dot. For
horizontal barcodes, this results in 2/72 inch. For
rotated barcodes, this equals 3/120 inch. Values
range from 1 to 100 printer dots.

Hn

Optional parameter to adjust the maximum height
of the bar code symbol. Height adjustments are
made in 0.1-inch increments; enter H and a value
from 4 through 99 to select height adjustments from
0.4 through 9.9 inches.

NOTE:

The default aspect ratio will be used until the
resulting barcode height exceeds the specified
maximum.
Parameters Wn, Rn, Cn or ASPECT cannot be
entered if this parameter is used.

NOTE:

The Micro-PDF417 values range from 1 to 99.

Wn

Optional parameter to adjust the maximum width of
the symbol based on the narrow element width.
Enter Wn; where n is the overall width in tenths of
an inch.

NOTE:

The default aspect ratio will be used until the
resulting barcode width exceeds the specified
maximum.
Parameters Hn, Rn, Cn or ASPECT cannot be
entered if this parameter is used.

300

PDF417

ASPECTh:w Optional parameter for specifying the symbol
height-to-width ratio where h is the height and w is
the width, both expressed as integers. The default
is 1:2. Parameters Hn, Wn, Rn, or Cn cannot be
entered if this parameter is used. This parameter is
not applicable to Micro PDF417.
Rn

Optional parameter that specifies the number of
rows the symbol will have. Enter R followed by the
number of rows in the range of 3 through 90 in
multiples of 3. Parameters Hn, Wn, Cn or ASPECT
cannot be entered if this parameter is used.
Micro-PDF417 only allows for a certain predefined
combination of Rows and Columns. Therefore both
R and C parameters can be specified to select a
valid combination. See See Table 43 on page 304
for allowed combinations.

NOTE:

When these parameters are omitted, the printer
automatically determines the smallest possible
values.

Cn

Optional parameter that specifies the number of
columns the symbol will have. Enter C followed by
the number of columns in the range of 1 through
90. Parameters Hn, Wn, Rn or ASPECT cannot be
entered if this parameter is used. Micro-PDF417
only allows for a certain predefined combination of
Rows and Columns. Therefore both R and C
parameters can be specified to select a valid
combination. See See Table 43 on page 304 for
allowed combinations.

NOTE:

When these parameters are omitted, the printer
automatically determines the smallest possible
values.

BIN

Force Micro-PDF417 to encode the data using
byte-compaction mode. This provides the best
encoding for 8-bit binary data.

S[%]n

Optional parameter that specifies the security level.
Enter S followed by the security level in the range
of 0 through 8. The default is 2. If [%] is included,
the security level is specified as a percentage. Valid
values range from 0 to 100. Changing the security
level can affect the amount of data in the barcode
symbol, hence its size. This parameter is not
applicable to Micro-PDF417

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BFn;L

302

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

PDF417

data field

Enter the data for the bar code. A null data field (no
characters) is not permitted. The data field can
contain any uppercase ASCII characters including
carriage returns and line feeds. The length of the
data field is variable; however, the maximum length
is usually limited to 1024 bytes to minimize
potential reading errors.

NOTE: New lines (i.e. carriage returns/line feeds) are allowed in the PDF417
data field and as PDF417 dynamic data field input.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

PDF417 Example
Figure 41 illustrates a horizontal PDF417 bar code generated by the following
program:
~CREATE;PDF417
BARCODE
PDF417;XD3;YD9;S0;37;21

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(PDF417; width; height, security
level, SR 37, SC 21)
*ACME MOTOR SUPPORTS PRINTING OF PDF417 TWO-DIMENSIONAL BAR
CODE SYMBOLOGY 123456789012345678901234567890123456789*
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminate Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;PDF;1
(Execute the form)
~NORMAL

SC 21

SR 37

Figure 41. Sample PDF417 Bar Code

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Micro-PDF417
Micro-PDF417 is a multi-low symbology which may be utilized by applications
needing to encode a moderate amount of data in a two-dimensional symbol
(up to 150 bytes, 250 to alphanumeric characters, or 366 numeric digits), and
when minimizing symbol size is a primary concern. Micro-PDF417 is identical
to PDF417 in terms of its encodation modes, error correction method, and
symbol character sets. However, Micro-PDF417 replaces PDF417’s 17
module wide start/stop patterns and left/right row indicators with a unique set
of 10-module wide Row Address Patterns, which were designed both to
reduce overall symbol width and to facilitate linear scanning at row heights as
low as 2X.
Unlike PDF417, Micro-PDF417 may only be printed in certain defined
combinations of r (number of rows), c (number of columns), and k (number of
error correction codewords), up to a maximum of four data columns by 44
rows.
See Table 43 on page 304. for the possible combinations of rows and
columns, the maximum allowed data amount, and the error-correction level
for each combination.

Table 43. Micro-PDF417 Combinations
Number of
Data
Columns
1

2

3

304

Number of
Data Rows

% of
Codeworks
for Error
Correction

Max
Uppercase
Alpha
Characters

Max Digits

Max 8-bit
Characters

11

64

6

8

3

14

50

12

17

7

17

41

18

26

10

20

40

22

32

13

24

33

30

44

18

28

29

38

55

22

8

50

14

20

8

11

41

24

35

14

14

32

36

52

21

17

29

46

67

27

20

28

56

82

33

23

28

64

93

38

26

29

72

105

43

6

67

10

14

6

PDF417

Table 43. Micro-PDF417 Combinations
Number of
Data
Columns

4

Number of
Data Rows

% of
Codeworks
for Error
Correction

Max
Uppercase
Alpha
Characters

Max Digits

Max 8-bit
Characters

8

58

18

26

10

10

53

26

38

15

12

50

34

49

20

15

47

46

67

27

20

43

66

96

39

26

41

90

132

54

32

40

114

167

68

38

39

138

202

82

44

38

162

237

97

4

50

14

20

8

6

50

22

32

13

8

44

34

49

20

10

40

46

67

27

12

38

58

85

34

15

35

76

111

45

20

33

106

155

63

26

31

142

208

85

32

30

178

261

106

38

29

214

313

128

44

28

250

366

150

305

Chapter

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Bar Codes

Planet
The Planet bar code was introduced by the U.S. Postal Service under the
product name “Confirm.” Planet is a 12-digit bar code used to track mail
electronically, both inbound and outbound. Under the “Confirm” process, the
first two digits of the Planet data field defines the service expected. The next
nine digits are customer information, and the last digit is the check digit.
The Planet bar code structure is illustrated in Figure 42 and Figure 43 and
described on the following pages. The Planet code can be a part of the
address block and appear anywhere within a vertical 4-inch area across the
length of the mail piece.

Return Address Area

Postage Area

ADDRESS BLOCK BAR CODE READ AREA
1/2"

1/2"
4"

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET ZONE
QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

STOP
CODE

BAR CODE DATA FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

QUIET ZONE
CHECK DIGIT

NOTE: Illustration is not to scale

Figure 42. Planet Structure
NOTE: Additional information regarding Planet bar code requirements can be
obtained from the U.S. Postal Service's Publication 25: A Guide to
Business Mail Preparation.

306

Planet

Postage Area

1/2"

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

ADDRESS BLOCK BAR CODE READ AREA

CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION

BAR
CODE
DATA
FIELD

START
CODE

Return Address Area

4"

QUIET
ZONE

1/2"

NOTE: Illustration is not to sc

Figure 43. Planet Structure (VSCAN or CCW)

307

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Quiet Zone
The bar code structure requires a completely blank quiet zone which extends
4.75 inches from the right edge of the mail piece. In addition, a minimum quiet
zone of 0.040-inch above and below the bar code data must also be provided.
You must provide sufficient space for this zone.

Start/Stop Code
The start and stop codes are referred to as “framing bars” in Planet. The start
and stop codes are each one tall bar, one identifying the leading and trailing
end of the bar code. The start/stop code is automatically produced with each
bar code. The start/stop code structure permits bar code scanning in a left-toright direction only.

Data Field
The bar code data produces a single field of 60 bars for an 11-digit data field.
The bars are grouped in sets of five. Each set of five bars (comprised of three
tall bars and two short bars) represents one of the five digits of the zip code,
plus the four-digit zip code extension. If the Advanced Bar Code is used, an
additional two-digit code is also added to make an 11-digit data field.
Each bar width is equal, and must be .020-inch ± .005-inch. Each bar height is
either a tall (full) or short (half) bar, representing a 1 or 0, respectively. Each
tall bar must be .125-inch ± .010-inch; each short bar must be .050-inch ±
.010-inch. Horizontal spacing between bars (pitch) must be 22 bars ± 2 bars
per inch over any 0.50-inch portion of the bar code. Horizontal spacing at 24
and 20 bars per inch is 0.0416-inch and .050-inch, respectively, with a clear
vertical space ranging from 0.012-inch to 0.040-inch between bars.

Check Digit
The twelfth digit represents the automatic check digit character. The check
digit is added automatically to verify accurate scanning.

308

Planet

Planet Command Format
BARCODE
PLANET; [DIR;] [NLQ;] [MAG;] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

PLANET

Designates bar code type Planet; enter PLANET.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

NLQ

Optional parameter optimized to print barcodes at
NLQ print density (180x96). This may cause line
matrix printers to do reverse motion when the form
is printed. This parameter is ignored for other
printer types.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined in
“User-Defined Variable Ratios for Postal Barcodes”
on page 155

BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. The data
field must be numeric and contain exactly 11
digits. (The actual data provided dynamically
during the Execute Form Mode can be less
than L.)

309

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d.

310

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value within the range of the 4-inch vertical address
block. Character row or dot row is specified based
on the Scale command (page 139), or use the
CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value between the 1/2-inch left and right margins of
the mail piece. Character column or dot column is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/) the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field but it will
not print with the data.

data field

The bar code data. Enter 11 digits. The available
characters for the data field are 0 through 9 (hex 30
through 39).

STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message will result.

Planet

Planet Example
Figure 44 illustrates a horizontal and vertical Planet bar code generated by
the following program:
~CREATE;TEST
BARCODE
PLANET;DARK;11;15
*01675433738*
STOP
BARCODE
PLANET;VSCAN;DARK;5;48
*01858022199*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;TEST;1

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar code command)
(Dark Planet bar code at SR 11, SC 15)
(11-digit data field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(Bar code command)
(Dark Vertical bar code Planet at
SR 5, SC 48)
(11-digit data field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
(Execute the form, with form count of 1)

~NORMAL
SC 48

SR 5

SC 15

SR 11

Figure 44. Sample Planet Bar Codes

311

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Plessey
The Plessey bar code structure is shown in Figure 45 and described on the
following pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 45. Plessey Structure

312

Plessey

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25-inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. You must provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Code
Unique start and stop codes permit bidirectional scanning. Both start and stop
codes contain bars and spaces. They are automatically produced.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of wide and narrow bars and spaces to
represent each character. The structure is four wide elements (bars or
spaces) and four narrow elements. Each character contains four data bits,
with each 0-bit made up of a narrow bar/wide space arrangement and each
1-bit made up of a wide bar/narrow space arrangement.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
If specified, a “logical division” check digit is automatically calculated and
inserted in the bar code symbol. The check digit verifies accurate scanning.

313

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Plessey Command Format
BARCODE
PLESSEY;[DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
[(D)data field(D)]
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

PLESSEY

Designates bar code type Plessey; enter
PLESSEY.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.

NOTE: You must specify four digits for MAG for User Defined variable ratio.
There are four values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, wide bar, and wide space. User-defined ratios for this barcode
should have these four values defined in the order specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9-inch. The [.m] provides an
additional number of dots for the bar code height.
(Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.
BFn;L

314

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form mode. To use this field:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

Plessey

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

data field

Enter the characters for the bar code data. A null
data field (no characters) is permitted. The length of
the data field is variable; however, a maximum of
16 data characters is allowed. The characters
available for the data field are 0 through 9 and
A through F (hex 30 through 39).

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above the bar code.
To compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data,
the height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1-inch.

315

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FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

316

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP/PGL
continues in the Create Form mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

Plessey

Plessey Example
Figure 46 illustrates a horizontal and vertical Plessey bar code generated by
the following program:
~CREATE;PLESSEY(Enter Create Form mode)
BARCODE(Bar Code command)
PLESSEY;DARK;32;27(Dark Bar Code PLESSEY at SR 32, SC 27)
*24688642*(Data Field)
PDF;X(Printable Data Field, OCR-B)
STOP(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE(New Bar Code command)
PLESSEY;VSCAN;X2;H12;DARK;32;54
(Vert. Dark PLESSEY, Mag 2, H 1.2 at
SR 32, SC 54)
*24688642*(Data Field)
PDF;A (Upper Data Field)
STOP (Ends Bar Code command)
END(Terminates Create Form mode)
~EXECUTE;PLESSEY;1(Execute the form, form count of 1)

SC 54

SC 27

SR 32

SR 32

Figure 46. Sample Plessey Bar Codes

317

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3

Bar Codes

POSTNET
The POSTNET bar code structure is illustrated in Figure 47 and Figure 48 and
described on the following pages. The POSTNET code can be a part of the
address block and appear anywhere within a vertical 4-inch area across the
length of the mail piece.

Return Address Area

Postage Area

ADDRESS BLOCK BAR CODE READ AREA
1/2"

1/2"
4"

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET ZONE
QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

BAR CODE DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

QUIET ZONE
CHECK DIGIT

NOTE: Illustration is not to scale

Figure 47. POSTNET Structure
NOTE: Additional information regarding POSTNET bar code requirements
can be obtained from the U.S. Postal Service's Publication 25: A
Guide to Business Mail Preparation.

318

POSTNET

Postage Area

1/2"

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

ADDRESS BLOCK BAR CODE READ AREA

CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION

BAR
CODE
DATA
FIELD

START
CODE

Return Address Area

4"

QUIET
ZONE

NOTE: Illustration is not to scale
1/2"

NOTE: Illustration is not to scale

Figure 48. POSTNET Structure (VSCAN or CCW)

319

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

Quiet Zone
The bar code structure requires a completely blank quiet zone which extends
4.75 inches from the right edge of the mail piece. In addition, a minimum quiet
zone of 0.040-inch above and below the bar code data must also be provided.
You must provide sufficient space for this zone.

Start/Stop Code
The start and stop codes are referred to as “framing bars” in POSTNET. The
start and stop codes are each one tall bar, one identifying the leading and
trailing end of the bar code. The start/stop code is automatically produced
with each bar code. The start/stop code structure permits bar code scanning
in a left-to-right direction only.

Data Field
The bar code data produces a single field of 30 bars for a 5-digit field, 50 bars
for a 9-digit data field, or 60 bars for an 11-digit data field. The bars are
grouped in sets of five. Each set of five bars (comprised of two tall bars and
three short bars) represents one of the five digits of the zip code, plus the
four-digit zip code extension. If the Advanced Bar Code is used, an additional
two-digit code is also added to make an 11-digit data field.
Each bar width is equal, and must be .020-inch ± .005-inch. Each bar height is
either a tall (full) or short (half) bar, representing a 1 or 0, respectively. Each
tall bar must be .125-inch ± .010-inch; each short bar must be .050-inch ±
.010-inch. Horizontal spacing between bars (pitch) must be 22 bars ± 2 bars
per inch over any 0.50-inch portion of the bar code. Horizontal spacing at 24
and 20 bars per inch is 0.0416-inch and .050-inch, respectively, with a clear
vertical space ranging from 0.012-inch to 0.040-inch between bars.

Check Digit
The sixth, tenth or twelfth digit represents the automatic check digit character
for the 5, 9 or 11-digit data field, respectively. The check digit is added
automatically to verify accurate scanning.

320

POSTNET

POSTNET Command Format
BARCODE
POSTNET; [DIR;] [NLQ;] [MAG;] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

POSTNET

Designates bar code type POSTNET; enter
POSTNET.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

NLQ

Optional parameter optimized to print barcodes at
NLQ print density (180x96). This may cause line
matrix printers to do reverse motion when the form
is printed. This parameter is ignored for other
printer types.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined in
“User-Defined Variable Ratios for Postal Barcodes”
on page 155

BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. The data
field must be numeric and contain exactly 5, 9
or 11 digits. (The actual data provided
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode
can be less than L.)

321

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d.

322

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value within the range of the 4-inch vertical address
block. Character row or dot row is specified based
on the Scale command (page 139), or use the
CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value between the 1/2-inch left and right margins of
the mail piece. Character column or dot column is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/) the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field but it will
not print with the data.

data field

The bar code data. Enter 5 digits (for zip code), 9
digits for a nine-digit zip code, or 11 digits (for the
Delivery Point Bar Code format). The available
characters for the data field are 0 through 9 (hex 30
through 39).

STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message will result.

POSTNET

POSTNET Example
Figure 49 illustrates a horizontal and vertical POSTNET bar code generated
by the following program:
~CREATE;POSTNET
(Enter Create Form Mode)
BARCODE
(Bar code command)
POSTNET;DARK;10;40
(Dark POSTNET bar code at SR 10, SC 40)
*601159912*
(ZIP + 4 data field 60115-9912)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~CREATE;POSTNET
(Enter Create Form Mode)
BARCODE
(Bar code command)
POSTNET;VSCAN;DARK;10;20
(Dark Vertical bar code POSTNET at
SR 10, SC 40)
*601159912*
(ZIP + 4 data field 60115-9912)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;POSTNET;1
(Execute the form, with form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SC 20

SR 10

SR 10

SC 40

POSTNET.EX

Figure 49. Sample POSTNET Bar Code

323

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Bar Codes

PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX)
PostBar and Royal Mail bar codes, like POSTNET, are used for mailing
applications. However, these bar codes can encode full addresses on labels.
These bar codes are similar to POSTNET in terms of bar space and width, but
have four different types of bars (Full Height, Ascender, Descender, and
Tracker), whereas POSTNET only has two bar types (Tall and Short).
The Royal Mail symbology converts alphanumeric characters into patterns of
four bars, using combinations of Full Height, Ascender, Descender, and
Trackers. It also adds start and stop bar codes as well as a check digit, except
with the KIX format (see below).
PostBar allows you complete flexibility to specify the individual bar types that
comprise the bar code. For PostBar, you are responsible for encoding the
address, adding the start and stop codes, and supplying the appropriate
check digit.

Quiet Zone
The bar code structure requires a completely blank quiet zone which is a 2mm
border on each side of the bar code.

Start/Stop Code
The start and stop bars identify the orientation of the bar code.

Data Field
For PostBar, a variable length data field of digits “0” through “3” are allowed to
represent the bars: Full Height (0), Ascender (1), Descender (2), and Tracker
(3). For Royal Mail, the data is restricted to alphanumeric characters “A”
through “Z” and “0” through “9”. If using the KIX format for Royal Mail,
lowercase characters “a” through “z” are also valid.
Each bar width is equal, and must be .020-inch ± .005-inch. Horizontal
spacing between bars (pitch) must be 22 bars ± 2 bars per inch over any 0.50inch portion of the bar code. The height of the bars (Full Height) has a
maximum of 0.230 inches and a minimum of 0.165 inches.

Check Digit
For PostBar, you are responsible for encoding and check digit. For Royal
Mail, a modulo-6 check digit is inserted at the end of the data field.

KIX Format
The KIX format for Royal Mail does not include the start/stop code or the
check digit.

324

PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX)

PostBar and Royal Mail Command Format
BARCODE
POSTBAR or ROYALBAR; [KIX;][NLQ;][MAG;][BFn;L;][DARK;]
SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

POSTBAR or ROYALBAR
Designates bar code type PostBar or Royal Mail;
enter POSTBAR or ROYALBAR.
KIX

Optional parameter to specify the KIX format for
Royal Mail bar codes only; enter KIX.

NLQ

Optional parameter optimized to print barcodes at
NLQ print density (180x96). This may cause line
matrix printers to do reverse motion when the form
is printed. This parameter is ignored for other
printer types.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value to increase the magnification.
Increasing the magnification adjusts printed
character density. X1A uses shorter bars to reach
the minimum height specification that allows it to fit
on a 6 LPI line. You can also use XR or XRD as
defined on “User-Defined Variable Ratios for Postal
Barcodes” on page 155.

BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is provided dynamically during the Execute
Form mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

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d.

326

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Character
row or dot row is specified based on the Scale
command (page 139), or use the CP.DP format
(page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code.
Character column or dot column is specified based
on the Scale command (page 139), or use the
CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/) the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field but it will
not print with the data.

data field

The bar code data. For PostBar, enter values 0
through 3 to represent the four different types of
bars. For Royal Mail, enter alphanumeric data (A
through Z and 0 through 9). If using the KIX format
for Royal Mail, lowercase characters a through z
are also valid.

STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message will result.

PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX)

PostBar and Royal Mail Examples
Figure 50 illustrates a horizontal Royal Mail bar code generated by the
following program:
~CREATE;ROYALBAR
BARCODE
ROYALBAR;X1A;10;40
*SN34RD1A*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;ROYALBAR;1

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(Royal Mail bar code at SR 10, SC 40
with MAG 1A)
(Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
(Execute the form, with form count of 1)

~NORMAL
SC 40

SR 10

Figure 50. Sample Royal Mail bar code (X1A Magnification)

Figure 51 illustrates a horizontal PostBar bar code generated by the following
program:
~CREATE;POSTBAR
BARCODE
POSTBAR;10;40

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(PostBar bar code at SR 10, SC 40
with default MAG 1)
*10303023123102301031230123210212112210* (Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;POSTBAR;1
(Execute the form, with form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SC 40

SR 10

Figure 51. Sample PostBar bar code (X1 Magnification)

327

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QR Barcode
The QR code is a two dimensional general purpose matrix bar code. QR
encodes Kanji characters and is a popular symbology in Japan. QR code
symbols are square and can be identified by their finder pattern of nested
alternating light and dark squares. The QR code is omni-directional and is
designed for high speed reading. This bar code is capable of storing up to
7,089 numeric digits, 4,296 alphanumeric characters, 2,953 binary
characters, or 1817 Kanji characters in Automatic mode. The data limit may
be less if Manual mode is used. If the data to encode is too large to fit in one
bar code, the data can be split up and encoded in up to 16 QR bar codes.

Command Format
BARCODE
QRCODE; [DIR;] [X[D]n;] [Tn;] [En;] [Mn;] [In;] [Cn;[Pn; Nn; Rn;]] [BFn;L;]
[DARK;] SR; SC
[(D)Data Field(D)]
STOP

Parameter Description
QRCODE

Designates bar code type QR Code

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a bar code.
Enter CW for clockwise rotation.
Enter CCW or VSCAN for counter clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation.
If DIR is not entered, the bar code is horizontally oriented.

X[D]n

Optional parameter that designates the x dimension width of a
single square data module in IGP dots, or printer dots if option [D]
is used. Values range from 1 to 1000 printer dots.
The y dimension is calculated by converting the printer dots in the
x direction to printer dots in the y direction. The default value is 4.

Tn

Optional parameter that designates the QR code model. There
are three models of QR code: Model 1 is the original model
developed. Model 2 is an enhanced form of the symbology.
Model 3 or Micro QR is a compact version of the symbology.
Set T to the following variables depending on the selected model:
1 = Model 1
2 = Model 2 (default)
3 = Micro QR

328

QR Barcode

En

Optional parameter that designates the error correction
capabilities of the bar code. There are four levels of error
correction available.
0 = High density (Level L) which provides 7% error correction
capability.
1 = Standard (Level M) which provides 15% error correction
capability.
2 = High reliability (Level Q) which provides 25% error correction
capability.
3 = Super high reliability (Level H) which provides 30% error
correction capability.
The default error correction capability is standard (Level M) which
provides 15% error correction capability.

Mn

Optional parameter that designates the masking pattern to apply
to the bar code data. Applying a masking pattern to the data can
improve the readability of the bar code because it can help create
a more evenly balanced number of light and dark cells. Valid
settings for the masking patterns are as follows:
0 = No Mask (default)
1 = Mask Pattern 1
2 = Mask Pattern 2
3 = Mask Pattern 3
4 = Mask Pattern 4
5 = Mask Pattern 5
6 = Mask Pattern 6
7 = Mask Pattern 7
8 = Mask Pattern 8

In

Optional parameter that designates the data entry method. There
are two data entry methods: Automatic and Manual.
The following values specifies the data entry method:
0 = Automatic (default)
1 = Manual
In automatic data entry mode, the data type is automatically
determined along with the appropriate block division. The
maximum block division is 200 characters. In manual data entry
mode, the user must specify the data type and each data block
must contain 200 characters or less. Multiple data blocks must be
separated by a comma character (“,”). To use manual data entry
mode, perform the following steps:
1. Enter I1
2. In the bar code data section, enter the bar code data with one
of the following type preface:

•
•
•

A = Alphanumeric

•

K = Kanji character

N = Numeric
Bxxxx = Binary. The total number (a decimal of 4 columns) of
binary characters must specified.

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Example
AAC-42, N0123456, B0006qrcode
The above data is parsed as follows:

•

3 data blocks

•

First data block is alphanumeric: AC-42

•

Second data block is numeric: 0123456

•

Third data block is binary: qrcode (6 bytes)

Cn

Optional parameter that designates the use of concatenation.
If the data to be encoded is too large to fit in one bar code, the
data can be split up and encoded in multiple bar codes. Up to 16
QR bar codes can be used to store a single data. When data is
split among multiple QR codes, the total number of bar codes or
partitions must be specified, along with the sequence number of
each partition. A parity data is provided to ensure that the data
has been properly concatenated. The valid values for
concatenation mode are as follows:
0 = Normal, no concatenation (default)
1 = Concatenation

330

Nn

Required parameter for concatenation mode that specifies the
partition sequence number for this bar code. The valid value for
this parameter is 1 to 16.

Pn

Required parameter for concatenation mode that specifies the
total number of bar code partitions. The valid value for this
parameter is 1 to 16.

Rn

Required parameter for concatenation mode that specifies the
parity data for the original bar code data. The value is a single
byte hex number ranging from 0x00 to 0xFF. Enter the hex
number using 2 ASCII characters. Enter the hex number using 2
ASCII characters.

Example:

The parameters C1;N1;P5;R0f specify that concatenation mode
is enabled. This bar code is the first one in the sequence of 5 bar
codes and the original data has a parity of 0x0F.

QR Barcode

BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar code data field
location on a form and for designating the length of the data field.
With these parameters, the actual data for the bar code data field
is dynamically provided during the Execute Form Mode; the data
is not specified during the Create Form Mode. To use this field,
perform the following steps:
a. Enter BF.
b. Replace n with a number ranging from 0 through 512 to
identify the bar code field. The SR and SC parameters
specify the exact location of the bar code field identified
by n.
c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total number of
characters in the field. (The actual data provided
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode can be less
than L.)

d. The information for the data field is entered dynamically
during the Execute Form Mode. Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L parameters are
used. However, refer to the data field description for
available characters.
DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar codes. Enter
DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a value ranging
from row 1 to one less than the length of the form. Character row
or dot row is specified based on the Scale command or the
CP.DP format.

SC

Defines the start column of the bar code. Enter a value ranging
from column 1 to one less than the width of the form. Character
column or dot column is specified based on the Scale command,
or use the CP.DP format.

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the start and finish
of the data field. Enter any printable character other than a slash
(/), the SFCC, or a character used within the data. The same
character must be used at both ends of the data field, it will not
print with the data.

Quiet Zone
In the minimum quiet zone is four cells width on all four sides.

GuardBand
There are no guardbands for QR Code.

PDF
There is no PDF allowed for the QR Code.

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Data Field
This bar code is capable of storing up to 7,089 numeric digits,
4,296 alphanumeric characters, or 2,953 binary characters in Automatic
mode. The maximum data block division is 200 characters. Multiple data
block must be separated by a comma character (“,”). In manual data entry
mode, a data type identifier must precede each data block. If the data type is
binary, a four digit length value must follow immediately after the data type
identifier. The following are valid data type identifiers:

•
•
•

A = Alphanumeric
N = Numeric
B = Binary.

The maximum character size for the different barcode models is listed in the
table below. This limit is based on Automatic mode. In Manual mode, the
maximum character size may be less.

Type

QR code Model 1

QR Code Model 2

MicroQR

Numeric

Max. 1167 characters

Max. 7089 characters

Max. 35 characters

Alphanumeric

Max. 707 characters

Max. 4296 characters

Max. 21 characters

Binary 8-bit bytes

Max. 486 characters

Max. 2953 characters

Max. 15 characters

332

Telepen

Telepen
The Telepen structure is shown in Figure 52 and described on the following
pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 52. Telepen Structure

333

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Bar Codes

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. Be sure to provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
The start/stop code is a unique character identifying the leading and trailing
end of the bar code. The start/stop code is automatically produced with each
bar code. The start/stop code structure permits bidirectional bar code
scanning.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of wide and narrow bars and spaces to
represent standard alphanumeric characters. Each character is represented
by a different series of bars and spaces, both wide and narrow, but is always
16 units in width (for a wide to narrow ratio of 3). Each character starts with a
bar and ends with a space.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
A mandatory modulo-127 check digit is inserted into the bar code to verify
accurate scanning.

334

Telepen

Telepen Command Format
BARCODE
TELEPEN; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;L;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D) [data field] (D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

TELEPEN

Designates bar code type Telepen; enter
TELEPEN.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined on
page 155.

NOTE: You must specify four digits for MAG for User Defined variable ratio.
There are four values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, wide bar, and wide space. User-defined ratios for this barcode
should have these four values defined in the order specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments plus
dots; enter H and a value from 3 through 99 to
select height adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9
inches. The default value is 0.9 inch. [.m] is an
additional number of dots for the bar code height.
(Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.
BFn;L

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

335

Chapter

336

3

Bar Codes

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equaling the total
number of characters in the field. (The actual
data provided dynamically during the Execute
Form Mode can be less than L.)

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it is
not printed with the data.

data field

Contains the bar code characters. A null data field
(no characters) is permitted. The data field can
contain any of the characters listed in Table 44
except the SFCC. The length of the data field is
variable; however, the maximum length is usually
limited to 32 characters to minimize potential
reading errors.

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field is specified.

Telepen

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

337

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Bar Codes

Table 44. Telepen Character Set
ASCII
NUL
SOH
STX
ETX
EOT
ENQ
ACK
BEL
BS
HT
LF
VT
FF
CR
SO
SI
DLE
DC1
DC2
DC3
DC4
NAK
SYN
ETB
CAN
EM
SUB
ESC
FS
GS
RS
US

Telepen
%U
$A
$B
$C
$D
$E
$F
$G
$H
$I
$J
$K
$L
$M
$N
$O
$P
$Q
$R
$S
$T
$U
$V
$W
$X
$Y
$Z
%A
%B
%C
%D
%E

ASCII
SP
!
"
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
*
+
,
—
.
/
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
:
;
<
=
>
?

Telepen
Space
/A
/B
/C
/D
/E
/F
/G
/H
/I
/J
/K
/L
—
.
/O
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
/Z
%F
%G
%H
%I
%J

ASCII
@
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
[
\
]
^
__

Telepen
%V
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
%K
%L
%M
%N
%O

ASCII
`
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
{
|
}
~
DEL

NOTE: Character pairs /M, /N, and /P through /Y are reserved for future
control character pairs.

338

Telepen
%W
+A
+B
+C
+D
+E
+F
+G
+H
+I
+J
+K
+L
+M
+N
+O
+P
+Q
+R
+S
+T
+U
+V
+W
+X
+Y
+Z
%P
%Q
%R
%S
%T %X
%Y %Z

Telepen

Telepen Example
Figure 12 illustrates a horizontal and vertical Telepen bar code generated by
the following program:
~CREATE;TELEPEN
BARCODE
TELEPEN;5;5
"SAMPLE#1"
PDF;B
STOP
BARCODE
TELEPEN;VSCAN;10;5
"AB12&%*"
PDF;B
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;TELEPEN;1

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code Command)
(Telepen barcode at SR 5, SC 5)
(Data Field)
(Printable Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code Command)
(New Bar Code Command)
(Vertical Telepen barcode at SR 10, SC 5)
(Data Field)
(Printable Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code Command)
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
(Execute the form, form count of 1)

~NORMAL

SC 5

SR 5

SR 10

Figure 53. Sample Telepen Bar Codes

339

Chapter

3

Bar Codes

UPC-A
The UPC-A bar code structure is shown in Figure 54 and described on the
following pages.

SR, SC
POSITION

START CODE

LEFT DATA
FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

Normal
NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

CENTER CODE

STOP CODE

RIGHT DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL READABLE
DATA FIELD

SR, SC
POSITION

RIGHT DATA
FIELD

STOP CODE
CHECK DIGIT
CHARACTER

QUIET
ZONE C

LEFT DATA
FIELD

HEIGHT
N

START CODE

CENTER
CODE

CHECK DIGIT FIELD

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

SR, SC
POSITION

CHECK DIGIT
CHARACTER

CHECK DIGIT FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

C

CCW

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE N

START CODE

NUMBER SYSTEM
CHARACTER

NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER
NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER
FIELD

CHECK
DIGIT
CHARACTER

STOP CODE

LEFT
DATA
FIELD

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD
OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

RIGHT
DATA
FIELD
OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

CENTER CODE

CENTER
CODE

RIGHT
DATA
FIELD
CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

LEFT
DATA
FIELD
STOP CODE
NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER
FIELD

START CODE
QUIET
ZONE N

NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

QUIET
ZONE
C
2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE
HEIGHT

HEIGHT

Figure 54. UPC-A Structure

340

HEIGHT

NUMBER SYSTEM
CHARACTER FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE
C

N

NUMBER SYSTEM
CHARACTER FIELD

INV

QUIET
ZONE

CHECK
DIGIT
CHARACTER

CW

UPC-A

Quiet Zone
Quiet zones extend on both ends of the bar code to permit the scan to begin
and end in a blank area. The IGP automatically produces an 11-module wide
left quiet zone; you are responsible for providing sufficient space (minimum of
seven modules) on the form for the right quiet zone. The number system
character is also printed automatically in the left quiet zone.

Start/Center/Stop Codes
The start/center/stop codes are special character codes marking those
portions of the bar code. These codes are automatically provided.

Number System Character
The number system character field allows you to provide a code to a class or
type of item. The first character in the data field is used as the number system
character.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of varying width bars and spaces to
represent a limited character set (numbers 0-9 and Special Characters Start,
Center, and Stop). The bars and spaces vary in width from one through four
modules. Each character consists of two bars and two spaces that total seven
modules. The symbol coding of the left data field is different from the right
data field to permit read direction sensing.
The optional 2- or 5-digit add-on data field is placed at the end of the bar code
and typically identifies a periodical issue number or price, respectively.

Readable Data
The human readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can either be suppressed or printed above or below the bar code
symbol.

Check Digit
The modulo-10 check digit is automatically calculated and inserted in the bar
code symbol. The check digit verifies accurate scanning. The number system
character is included in the check digit algorithm.

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UPC-A Command Format
BARCODE
UPC-A [+n];[DIR;] [SCB;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

UPC-A

Designates bar code type UPC-A; enter UPC-A.

+n

Optional parameter to provide a 2- or 5-digit add-on
code at the end of the bar code data field. Enter a
plus sign (+) and a value of 2 or 5. The first bar of
the add-on code is separated by nine modules from
the last bar of the UPC symbol and a left guard
pattern.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

SCB

This option shortens the length of the center guard
bars, which are normally full length. Enter SCB.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. Enter a magnification value
from Table 14 on page 161 to increase the
magnification. Increasing the magnification adjusts
printed character density. You can also use XR or
XRD as defined on page 155. You must specify 8
digits for MAG for variable ratio.

NOTE: There are eight values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, 2x narrow bar, 2x narrow space, 3x narrow bar, 3x narrow
space, 4x narrow bar, and 4x narrow space. User-defined ratios for
this barcode should have these eight values defined in the order
specified.
Hn[.m]

342

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 4 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.4 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 1.3 inches.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

UPC-A

BFn

Optional parameter for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form. With this
parameter, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

The length of the data field need not be
specified, since it is fixed at 11 digits, plus any
add-on data.

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. (It will not print with
the data.) Use the same character at both ends of
the data field.

data field

Enter the characters for the bar code data,
restricted to exactly 11 digits. If the 2- or 5-digit
add-on data option is used, include this data at the
end of the data field. The first digit is interpreted as
the number system character. The remaining 10
digits are the data field characters. The characters
available for the data field are 0 through 9 (hex 30
through 39).

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PDF

Optional parameter which affects printing of the
human readable data field. The data field will print
automatically unless the PDF-suppress command
is specified in the FONT parameter. UPC-A data
fields can be printed above or below the bar code
symbol. This parameter is not allowed if a null data
field is specified. If the PDF command is not
entered in the UPC-A command format, the data
field automatically prints in OCR-B.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1-inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

344

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

UPC-A

UPC-A Example
Figure 55 illustrates a horizontal and vertical UPC-A bar code generated by
the following program:
~CREATE;UPCA
BARCODE
UPC-A+5;H9;DARK;39;15

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(Dark Code UPC-A, 5-digit add-on,
H 0.9, SR 39, SC 15)
*1234567887655555*
(Data Field + 5-digit add-on data field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE
(New Bar Code command)
UPC-A+5;VSCAN;H12;DARK;39;50
(Vertical Dark UPC-A, 5-digit add-on,
H 1.2, SR 39, SC 50)
*1234567887655555*
(Data Field + 5-digit add-on data field)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;UPCA;1
(Executes the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SC 50

SC 15

SR 39

SR 39

UPC-A.EX

Figure 55. Sample UPC-A Bar Codes with Add-on Data

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UPC-E and UPC-E0
The UPC-E and UPC-E0 bar code structure is shown in Figure 56 and
described on the following pages.

START
CODE

SR, SC
POSITION

Normal
HEIGHT

STOP
CODE

DATA
FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

QUIET
ZONE

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

N

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

C

NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

OPTIONAL
NUMBER SYSTEM READABLE
CHARACTER FIELD DATA FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA FIELD

CHECK
DIGIT
CHARACTER

SR, SC
POSITION

INV

HEIGHT

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

C

CHECK DIGIT
CHARACTER
2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE

CCW

N

NUMBER SYSTEM
CHARACTER FIELD

NUMBER SYSTEM
CHARACTER
N

SR, SC
POSITION

C
SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE
DATA
FIELD

QUIET
ZONE

CHECK
DIGIT
CHARACTER

QUIET
ZONE

NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

START CODE

CW

NUMBER SYSTEM
CHARACTER FIELD

STOP CODE
CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

CHECK
DIGIT
FIELD
STOP CODE

NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER
FIELD

START CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

N

NUMBER
SYSTEM
CHARACTER

QUIET C
ZONE

2- or 5DIGIT
ADD-ON
CODE
HEIGHT

Figure 56. UPC-E and UPC-E0 Structure

346

CHECK
DIGIT
CHARACTER

UPC-E and UPC-E0

Quiet Zone
Quiet zones extend on both ends of the bar code to permit the scan to begin
and end in a blank area. The IGP automatically produces an 11-module wide
left quiet zone. You must provide sufficient space (minimum of seven
modules) on the form for the right quiet zone. The number system character is
also printed automatically in the left quiet zone.

Start/Stop Codes
The start/stop codes are special character codes marking those portions of
the bar code. These codes are automatically provided.

Number System Character
The number system character field for all UPC-E and UPC-E0 bar codes must
be zero.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of varying width bars and spaces to
represent a limited character set (numbers 0-9 and Special Characters Start
and Stop). The bars and spaces vary in width from one through four modules.
Each character consists of two bars and two spaces that total seven modules.
For UPC-E, eleven digits are expected, which are compressed down to the
six encoded symbol characters. For UPC-E0, six compressed digits are
expected.
The optional 2- or 5-digit add-on data field is placed at the end of the bar code
and typically identifies a periodical issue number or price, respectively.

Readable Data
The human readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can either be suppressed or printed above or below the bar code
symbol.

Check Digit
The modulo-10 check digit is automatically calculated and inserted in the bar
code symbol. The check digit verifies accurate scanning. The number system
character is included in the check digit algorithm.

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UPC-E and UPC-E0 Command Format
BARCODE
type [+n]; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

type

Designates bar code type UPC-E or UPC-E0; enter
UPC-E or UPC-E0.

+n

Optional parameter to provide a 2- or 5-digit add-on
code at the end of the bar code. Enter plus (+) and
a value of 2 or 5. The first bar of the add-on code is
separated by nine modules from the last bar of the
UPC symbol and a left guard pattern.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. Enter a magnification value
from Table 14 on page 161 to increase the
magnification. Increasing the magnification adjusts
printed character density. You can also use XR or
XRD as defined on page 155. You must specify 8
digits for MAG for variable ratio.

NOTE: There are eight values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, 2x narrow bar, 2x narrow space, 3x narrow bar, 3x narrow
space, 4x narrow bar, and 4x narrow space. User-defined ratios for
this barcode should have these eight values defined in the order
specified.
Hn[.m]

348

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 4 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.4 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 1.3 inches.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

UPC-E and UPC-E0

BFn

Optional parameter for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form. With this
parameter, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

The length of the data field need not be
specified, since it is fixed at 6 or 11 digits, plus
any add-on data.

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field but it will
not print with the data.

data field

The characters available for the data field are 0
through 9 (hex 30 through 39).
For UPC-E, eleven digits are expected: Enter the
number system character first by entering 0;
followed by the five-digit Manufacturer Number;
ending with the five-digit Item Number. The
Manufacturing Number and Item Number
sequences must conform to one of the number
pattern sequences shown in Table 45.

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The IGP will compress the 11 characters of data
down to the six encoded UPC-E symbol characters.
Include the 2- or 5-digit add-on data within the
quotes at the end of this data field.
For UPC-E0, six digits are expected. These six
digits must be a valid compressed UPC-E number.
Otherwise, Error 96 will be generated.
PDF

Optional parameter which affects printing of the
human readable data field. The data field will print
automatically unless the PDF-suppress command
is specified in the FONT parameter. UPC-E data
fields can be printed above or below the bar code
symbol. This parameter is not allowed if a null data
field is specified. If the PDF is not entered in the
UPC-E command format, the data field
automatically prints in OCR-B.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1-inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

350

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

UPC-E and UPC-E0

Table 45. Eleven-Digit Compression
1. Manufacturer’s Number

Product Numbers that can be used 00000-00999

X
X
X

(
)
first two digits of
manufacturer’s
number

X
X
X

0
1
2

0
0
0

0
0
0

(
)
last three digits of
the product
number

( )
third digit of the
manufacturer’s
number, use 0
through 2 only

2. Manufacturer’s Number

Product Numbers that can be used 00000-00999

X
X

(
)
first three digits of
manufacturer’s
number

X
X

3
9

0
0

0
0

(
)
last two digits of
the product
number; use 00-99
only

( 3 )
depends on how
many digits appear
in the
manufacturer’s
number

3. Manufacturer’s Number

Product Numbers that can be used 00000-00999

X

(
)
first four digits of
manufacturer’s
number

X

X

X

0

( )
last digit of product
number, use 0
through 9 only

( 4 )
depends on how
many digits appear
in the
manufacturer’s
number

4. Manufacturer’s Number

Product Numbers that can be used 00000-00999

X

(
)
all five digits of
manufacturer’s
number

X

X

X

X

( )
last digit of product
number, use 5-9
only

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Table 46. Six-Digit Zero Expansion
if the 6 digit number ends
with:

then the MFPS number is:

and the Product Number is:

0
Example: 124560

the first 2 digits (of the zero
suppressed number) plus 000
12000

00 plus the THIRD, FOURTH
and FIFTH digit (of the zero
suppressed number)
00456

1
Example: 275831

the first two digits plus 100
27100

same as above
00583

2
Example: 412022

the first two digits plus 200
41200

same as above
00202

3
Example: 876543

the first three digits plus 00
87600

000 plus the FOURTH and
FIFTH digit
00054

4
Example: 753774

the first four digits plus 0
75370

0000 plus the FIFTH digit
00007

5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Examples:
213756
517019

the first five digits of the zero
suppressed number
21375
51701

0000 plus the SIXTH digit

352

00006
00009

UPC-E and UPC-E0

UPC-E and UPC-E0 Example
Figure 57 illustrates a horizontal and vertical UPC-E bar code generated by
the following program:
~CREATE;UPCE
BARCODE
UPC-E+2;H9;DARK;34;15

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(Dark Code UPC-E, 2-digit add-on,
H 0.9, at SR 34, SC 15)
*0927400000522*
(Data Field + the 2-digit add-on)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
BARCODE
(New Bar Code command)
UPC-E0+2;VSCAN;H10;DARK;34;50
(Vertical Dark UPC-E0, 2-digit add-on,
H 1.0, at SR 34, SC 50)
*92745422*
(Data Field plus the 2-digit add-on)
PDF
(Printable Data Field)
STOP
(Ends Bar Code command)
END
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
~EXECUTE;UPCE0;1
(Executes the form, form count of 1)
~NORMAL

SC 50
SC 15

SR 34

SR 34

UPC-E

UPC-E0

UPC-E.EX

Figure 57. Sample UPC-E Bar Codes

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UPCSHIP
The structure for the UPCSHIP bar code is shown in Figure 58 and described
on the following pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 58. UPCSHIP Structure

354

UPCSHIP

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure have blank quiet zones. The quiet zones
must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure accurate
reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes from
overlapping. You must provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
Unique start and stop codes permit bidirectional scanning. Both start and stop
codes contain bars and spaces. They are automatically produced.

Data Field
The bar code symbol uses a series of wide and narrow bars and spaces to
represent numeric characters. The structure is 2 wide elements (bars or
spaces) and 3 narrow elements. The UPCSHIP barcode must contain exactly
13 digits of numeric data.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
The modulo-10 check digit is inserted automatically into the bar code to verify
accurate scanning.

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UPCSHIP Command Format
BARCODE
UPCSHIP; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;] [DARK;] SR; SC
[(D)data field(D)]
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

UPCSHIP

Designates bar code type UPCSHIP; enter
UPCSHIP.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. As required for scanning, enter
a magnification value from Table 14 on page 161 to
increase the magnification. Increasing the
magnification adjusts printed character density.
You can also use XR or XRD as defined on
page 155.

NOTE: You must specify four digits for MAG for User Defined variable ratio.
There are four values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, wide bar, and wide space. User-defined ratios for this barcode
should have these four values defined in the order specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9-inch.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.

356

UPCSHIP

BFn

Optional parameter for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form. With this
parameter, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps:
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

The length of the data field need not be
specified, since it is fixed at 13 digits, plus any
add-on data.

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

DARK

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

data field

The barcode data. The UPCSHIP barcode requires
exactly 13 characters of data. The available
characters are 0 through 9 (hex 30 through hex 39).
The modulo-10 check digit is automatically included
in the barcode.

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Bar Codes

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data is not printed.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1-inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the
PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

358

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

UPCSHIP

UPCSHIP Example
~CREATE;UPCSHIP
BARCODE
UPCSHIP;H12;9;8
*0014154401171*
PDF
STOP
BARCODE
UPCSHIP;VSCAN;3;45
*1141281029432*
PDF;A
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;UPCSHIP;1

(Enter Create Form Mode)
(Bar Code command)
(UPCSHIP Bar Code, height 1.2 inches,
at SR 9, SC 8)
(Data Field)
(Print Data Field)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(New Bar Code command)
(Vertical UPCSHIP Bar Code at SR 3, SC 45)
(Data Field)
(Print Data Field above the bar code)
(Ends Bar Code command)
(Terminates Create Form Mode)
(Execute the form, form count of 1)

~NORMAL

SC 45

SR 3

SC 8

SR 9

Figure 59. Sample UPCSHIP Bar Codes

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UPS 11
The UPS 11 structure is shown in Figure 60 and described on the following
pages.

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

QUIET
ZONE

SR, SC
POSITION

STOP
CODE

START
CODE

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT

CCW

CW

DATA
FIELD

DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
READABLE
DATA
FIELD

OPTIONAL
CHECK
DIGIT
START
CODE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

STOP
CODE

LOWER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

UPPER
GUARD
BAND

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

HEIGHT

OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT
SR, SC
POSITION
UPPER GUARD BAND

Normal

QUIET
ZONE

START
CODE

DATA FIELD

STOP
CODE

QUIET
ZONE

HEIGHT

LOWER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
SR, SC
POSITION
OPTIONAL READABLE DATA FIELD
LOWER GUARD BAND

HEIGHT

INV

QUIET
ZONE

STOP
CODE

DATA FIELD

START QUIET
CODE ZONE

UPPER GUARD BAND
OPTIONAL
CHECK DIGIT

Figure 60. UPS 11 Structure

360

UPS 11

Quiet Zone
Both ends of the bar code structure require blank quiet zones. The quiet
zones must be at least 0.25 inches wide and completely blank to ensure
accurate reading of the start/stop codes and to prevent adjacent bar codes
from overlapping. Be sure to provide sufficient space on the form for the quiet
zones.

Start/Stop Codes
The start/stop codes identify the leading and trailing end of the bar code. Each
of the UPS 11 subsets uses a unique start code and a common stop code,
both automatically provided by the IGP.

Data Field
UPS 11 is a special case of Code 128 (page 204). This bar code is restricted
to 10 data characters. The first character must be 0 through 9 or A through Z.
The remaining nine digits must be 0 through 9.

Readable Data
The optional readable data field provides a readable interpretation of the bar
code data. It can be printed above or below the bar code symbol.

Check Digit
The modulo-103 check digit is automatically calculated and inserted in the bar
code symbol. The check digit verifies accurate scanning. The start code is
included in the check digit algorithm.

UPS 11 Command Format
BARCODE
UPS11; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];] [BFn;] [DARK;] SR; SC
(D)data field(D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
BARCODE

The Bar Code command; enter BARCODE.

UPS11

Designates bar code type UPS 11; enter UPS11.

DIR

Optional parameter that allows for rotating a
barcode. Enter CW for clockwise rotation. Enter
CCW or VSCAN for counter-clockwise rotation.
Enter INV for inverted rotation. If DIR is not
entered, the barcode is horizontally oriented.

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MAG

Optional parameter to magnify (horizontally
expand) the bar code symbol. The magnification
default value is X1. Increasing the magnification
adjusts printed character density as shown in Table
14 on page 161. You can also use XR or XRD as
defined on page 155. You must specify 8 digits for
MAG for variable ratio.

NOTE: There are eight values that comprise the dot ratio: narrow bar, narrow
space, 2x narrow bar, 2x narrow space, 3x narrow bar, 3x narrow
space, 4x narrow bar, and 4x narrow space. User-defined ratios for
this barcode should have these eight values defined in the order
specified.
Hn[.m]

Optional parameter to adjust the overall height
(vertical expansion) of the bar code symbol
(including the upper and lower 0.1-inch guard
bands and any human readable data). Height
adjustments are made in 0.1-inch increments; enter
H and a value from 3 through 99 to select height
adjustments from 0.3 through 9.9 inches. The
default value is 0.9 inch.
[.m] is an additional number of dots for the bar code
height. (Dots are in the current dot scale.)

NOTE: If 0.3 inches is the selected height, the PDF cannot be included.
BFn;

DARK

362

Optional parameters for assigning a dynamic bar
code data field location on a form and for
designating the length of the data field. With these
parameters, the actual data for the bar code data
field is dynamically provided during the Execute
Form Mode; the data is not specified during the
Create Form Mode. To use this field, perform the
following steps.
a.

Enter BF.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code field. The
SR and SC parameters specify the exact
location of the bar code field identified by n.

c.

The length of the data field need not be
specified, since it is fixed at10 digits.

d.

The information for the data field is entered
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode.
(Refer to “Execute Form: Dynamic Bar Code
Data” on page 77.) Do not use the data field
parameter to enter data when the BFn;L
parameters are used. However, refer to the
data field description for available characters.

Optional parameter to produce darker looking bar
codes. Enter DARK. Refer to “Dark Printing” on
page 61 for more information.

UPS 11

SR

Defines the starting row for the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from row 1 to one less than the
length of the form. Character row or dot row is
specified based on the Scale command (page 139),
or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

SC

Defines the starting column of the bar code. Enter a
value ranging from column 1 to one less than the
width of the form. Character column or dot column
is specified based on the Scale command (page
139), or use the CP.DP format (page 31).

(D)

The printable character (delimiter) identifying the
start and finish of the data field. Enter any printable
character other than a slash (/), the SFCC, or a
character used within the data. The same character
must be used at both ends of the data field, but it
will not print with the data.

data field

Enter the data for the bar code. This bar code is
restricted to 10 data characters. The first character
must be 0 through 9 or A through Z. The remaining
nine digits must be 0 through 9.

PDF

Optional parameter to enable printing of the human
readable data field. Enter PDF to print the data
field. If the parameter is not used, the human
readable data will not print. This parameter is not
allowed if a null data field was specified.

LOC

Optional parameter to identify the location of the
printable data field. The default value is B, locating
the human readable data below the bar code. A
locates the printable data field above bar code. To
compensate for printing the 0.1-inch high data, the
height of the bar code body is reduced 0.1 inch.

FONT

Optional parameter to select the font for the human
readable data field. Enter O to select OCR-A font;
enter X to select OCR-B font; enter N to select 10
cpi; enter P to select 12 cpi; enter Q to select 13
cpi; enter R to select 15 cpi; enter T to select 17 cpi;
enter V to select 20 cpi.
To select a scaleable font with user-defined size,
enter Nh:w or F;Nh:w. The parameters h (height)
and w (width) can each range from 1 to 96, and are
expansion factors of a 10 cpi character. Nh:w prints
in Letter Gothic (font 93779) regardless of the
current active font. By default F;Nh:w uses the
Letter Gothic as the current font selection. You can
change the default by using the FONT command.

NOTE: Nh:w and F;Nh:w will not print the PDF wider or taller than the
barcode. If the height parameter h causes the PDF to print above the
horizontal barcode start row or vertical barcode start column, a
barcode font Error will occur. If the width parameter w causes the

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PDF to exceed the barcode width, the PDF width factor w will
automatically reduce to fit within the barcode width without causing
an error.
STOP

IMPACT

Ends the Bar Code command while the IGP
continues in the Create Form Mode. Enter STOP. If
STOP is not entered, an error message results.

UPS 11 Example
Figure 61 illustrates a vertical UPS 11 bar code generated by the following
program:
~CREATE;UPS11
BARCODE
UPS11;VSCAN;H9;34;15
*01234567895*
PDF
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;UPS11;1
~NORMAL

Figure 61. Sample UPS Bar Code

364

Incrementing Bar Code Data

Incremental Bar Code Fields
With the incremental bar code fields feature, you can update bar code (and
alphanumeric) data fields in a numeric or alphabetical manner automatically
with just one set of data sent from the host computer. You can print up to
65,535 forms with incremental fields automatically updated.
NOTE: Throughout the discussion of incremental fields, the term “increment”
or “incremental” means the field is automatically updated by a
specified amount (or increment). You can actually increment the field
by a positive amount (added) or a negative amount (subtracted) as
specified within the command.
You can use bar code incremental fields with fixed (static) data input as part
of the Create Form Mode, or with dynamic data supplied in the Execute Form
Mode. New formats and parameters are required in the bar code commands
for static and dynamic incremental fields. In addition, the Execute Form
command requires a new format and parameters when you use incremental
fields with dynamic data. You can increment or decrement incremental fields,
repeat at specified intervals before updating, and reset to the starting value
after a specified number of increments.

Incrementing Bar Code Data
Incrementing is controlled with the STEPMASK and STARTDATA command
parameters as described in Table 47. The parameters are part of the bar code
command or part of the Execute command when using the Incremental Bar
Code Dynamic Data command.
The STEPMASK parameter performs three functions:
1. It defines the increment amount (step);
2. It defines the number of characters allowed in the data field
(STARTDATA); and
3. It provides a “mask” to link or unlink subfields of data for individual
incremental activity. The data provided in the STEPMASK field combined
with the data in the STARTDATA field determine the result of these
functions.

Table 47. Incremental Bar Code Data
STEPMASK

STARTDATA

Character Type and Function

0-9

A-Z

Alpha characters are incremented by
amount in STEPMASK field.

0-9

0-9

Numeric characters are incremented by
amount in STEPMASK field.

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Table 47. Incremental Bar Code Data
STEPMASK

STARTDATA

Character Type and Function

0-9

Space

Same character type as character in the
next right adjacent, linked increment
position. Character type is numeric if in
the least significant position.

0-9

Not A-Z or
0-9

Error

Not 0-9 or L

Any

Non-incrementing alphanumeric
character.

L

Any

Linked, non-incrementing alphanumeric
character.

The increment amount is defined by the numeric value of the STEPMASK
data. For example, a STEPMASK value of 1 increments the STARTDATA by
1; a STEPMASK value of 2 increments the STARTDATA by 2.
The maximum number of characters allowed in the STARTDATA is defined
by the number of characters in the STEPMASK field and depends on the
specific type of bar code; the STARTDATA field cannot contain more
characters than used in the STEPMASK field and can only contain the
number and type of characters allowed by the bar code.
Linked and unlinked masking of subfields within the STARTDATA is defined
by using the L value in the STEPMASK field. L indicates linked but
non–incrementing data in the corresponding position of the STARTDATA
field. Any alphanumeric character other than L in the STEPMASK field
indicates a non–incrementing, non-linked STARTDATA subfield.
The following examples illustrate incrementing of bar code data fields. All
cases in the examples use a repeat count parameter value of 1 and a reset
count parameter value of 0. Incremental bar code data is generated identically
to incremental alphanumeric data except the IGP does not add leading
spaces to bar code data.
NOTE: In the following bar code examples, the value of the data is shown
automatically incrementing. In practical applications, the bar code
itself would print corresponding to the incremented data as shown in
the Auto Increment Fields Example in Chapter 2.

366

Incrementing Bar Code Data

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

ABC123
000001

Printed Results:

ABC123
ABC124
......
......
......
ABC999
ABD000
......
......
......
ZZZ999
AAA000

Linked subfields: ABC and 123
RPT = 1
RST = 0

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

1ABC123
0LLL001

Printed Results:

1ABC123
1ABC124
.
...
.
...
.
...
1ABC999
2ABC000

Two separate but linked numeric
subfields: 1 and 123, while fixed data
ABC is non–incrementing
RPT = 1
RPT = 0

Value

Description

STARTDATA:
STEPMASK:

ABC123
001XX1

Printed Results:

ABC123
ABD124
. .
. .
. .
ABI129
ABJ120

Two separate unlinked subfields:
ABC and 3, while fixed data 1 and 2
is non–incrementing
RPT = 1
RPT = 0

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Incremental Bar Code Fixed Data Fields
The Incremental Bar Code Fixed Data Fields command is a variation of the
standard IGP bar code commands. Use this command with the appropriate
parameters from the standard bar code command when automatic
incrementing of fixed bar code data fields is required. The Incremental Bar
Code Fixed Data Fields command format is shown and defined below.
(Incremental command parameters are shown in boldface type; standard bar
code command parameters and optional non–incremental parameters are
shown in italics.)
BARCODE
type; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn;m] I; [DARK;] SR; SC
[idir] STEPMASK; [RPTn;] [RSTn;] (D)STARTDATA(D)
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
I

Identifies this bar code command as an
Incremental Bar Code command; enter I.

idir

The optional increment direction parameter to
specify an increment (add) or decrement (subtract)
to the data. Enter a plus sign (+) or leave the field
blank to increment (the default). Enter a minus sign
(-) to decrement.

STEPMASK Defines the increment amount (step), number of
character positions in the data field, and provides a
mask to control the increment function on specific
parts of the data. Refer to “Incrementing Bar Code
Data” on page 365 for complete information on
STEPMASK parameter values.

368

RPTn

The optional incremental repeat count parameter to
specify the number of times a particular field value
will repeat before it is incremented. A repeated field
value is useful when printing multiple rows/columns
of identical labels before increasing to the next
value. To use the repeat count parameter, enter
RPT and replace n with a numeric value ranging
from 1 through 65535 to specify the repeat count.
The default repeat count parameter is 1, which will
increment the field value each time it is printed.

RSTn

The optional incremental reset count parameter to
specify the number of times an incremented field is
printed (on one or more forms) before it is reset to
the starting value. A reset count is useful when
printing a hierarchy of fields where a low-level field
generates a sequence of numbers, is reset, and the
next higher field level is incremented (such as in a
unit/box/carton application). To use the reset count
parameter, enter RST and replace n with a number
ranging from 1 through 65535 to specify the reset
count. The default reset count value is 0.

Incremental Bar Code Fixed Data Fields

STARTDATA Defines the starting value of the incrementing field.
The maximum amount of STARTDATA characters
must be less than or equal to the number of
characters in the STEPMASK field. Characters
allowed for incrementing fields is based on the type
of bar code; refer to the individual bar code
descriptions for information on valid type and
quantity of data characters. The STARTDATA must
be enclosed within standard printable character
delimiters just as a standard bar code data field is
enclosed within delimiters.
~CREATE;TEST;288
VDUP;3;6
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;I;6;5
-00001;*12345*
PDF
STOP
VDUP;OFF
END
~EXECUTE;TEST

(Enters Create Form mode)
(Bar code command)
(Printable data field)
(Ends bar code command)
(Terminates Create Form mode)
(Prints form)

~NORMAL

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Incremental Bar Code Dynamic Data Fields
The Incremental Bar Code Dynamic Data Field command specifies the
location and size of the incremental dynamic data field during the Create
Form Mode. STEPMASK and STARTDATA parameters are supplied in the
Execute command during the Execute Form Mode. As with standard dynamic
data fields, incremental dynamic data fields allow you to change the starting
data without changing the form definition program. Additionally, you can also
change the increment parameters with each new job without changing the
form definition program.
The Incremental Bar Code Dynamic Data Fields command is a variation of
the standard IGP bar code commands. Use this command with the
appropriate parameters from the standard bar code command when
automatic incrementing of dynamic bar code data fields is required. The
Incremental Bar Code Dynamic Data Fields command format is shown and
defined below. (Incremental command parameters are shown in boldface
type; standard bar code command parameters and optional non–incremental
parameters are shown in italics.)
BARCODE
type; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn;m] IBFn;L [DARK;] SR; SC
[PDF [;LOC] [;FONT]]
STOP
IBFn;L

370

Identifies this bar code command as an
Incremental Bar Code Dynamic Data Field
command. The command parameter string
identifies the incremental dynamic data field
location on the form and defines the length of the
bar code data. If these parameters are used, do not
enter the STEPMASK and STARTDATA
parameters in the Create Form Mode; enter them
dynamically during the Execute Form Mode. To use
the incremental dynamic data field:
a.

Enter IBF to specify an incremental bar code
dynamic data field.

b.

Replace n with a number ranging from 0
through 512 to identify the bar code string
location on the form. The standard bar code
SR and SC command parameters specify the
exact location of the field identified by n.

c.

Replace L with a number equal to the number
of characters in the dynamic bar code string.
The number of characters and type of
characters depends on the type of bar code
used. Refer to the individual bar code
descriptions for information on type and
quantity of data allowed for the specific bar
code type.

Duplicating Incremental Bar Code Fields

d.

Dynamically enter the STEPMASK and
STARTDATA parameters in the Execute Form
Mode. The length of the data must be less
than or equal to the value assigned to the
length (L) parameter. Refer to “Execute Form:
Incremental Dynamic Data” on page 79 for
more information.

Duplicating Incremental Bar Code Fields
Fixed and dynamic incremental bar code data fields are duplicated
horizontally and vertically in the same way that incremental alphanumeric
fixed and dynamic data fields are duplicated. Refer to Chapter 2 for more
information on duplicating incremental data.
~CREATE;TEST;288
VDUP;3;6
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;IBF1;6;6;5
PDF
STOP
VDUP;OFF
END
~EXECUTE;TEST
~IBF1;+000001;*123459*

(Enters Create Form mode)
(Bar code command)
(Ends bar code command)
(Terminates Create Form mode)
(Prints form)

~NORMAL

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4

Form Examples And
Exercises

Form Examples
NOTE: To aid in maintenance of a form or logo, comments can be added to
many command lines within the CREATE or CREATE LOGO mode.
Comments must be preceded by a slash (/). Do NOT use the
/comment feature on lines containing an SFCC (e.g., commands
used within NORMAL or EXECUTE mode). Throughout this manual,
comments are provided in parenthesis beside most command lines
for better understanding of IGP/PGL operation but should not be
included in your IGP/PGL files. Below are some examples of when
comments are allowed and NOT allowed.

CREATE Mode (Allowed – no SFCC required)
BOX
1;6;15;11;37
STOP
FONT;BOLD ON
BARCODE
C128A;X1;H10;BF1;10;11;2
STOP

/Create Box
/Turn on Bolding
/C128A barcode

NORMAL Mode (Not Allowed – SFCC required)
~NORMAL
~DENSITY;10
~PAPER;PORTRAIT
~CREATE;XYZ;792

EXECUTE Mode (Not Allowed – SFCC required)
~EXECUTE;XYZ
~AF1;*Data For Alpha*

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NOTE: Using a different type of printer or a different configuration could
affect the appearance of your printed samples compared to those
shown in this manual. Additionally, depending on the paper, top-ofform setting and initial print position, the positioning of your printed
samples on the page may vary compared to the examples shown
here; these samples have been positioned on the page to correspond
with the related text.
The example on the following page demonstrates how to use Create
commands in the Create Form mode using the CP.DP format. The printed
output for this program is shown in Figure 62 on page 376. (The Hand logo
used in this example was previously defined and stored and, thus, is not
shown in the form program.) The box surrounding the form represents the
paper size.

374

Example: Create Commands

Example: Create Commands
~CREATE;BASICFRM
BOX
/LT;SR;SC;ER;EC
1;1;1;25;25
STOP
ALPHA
/[R;][E;][Cn;][AFn;L;][DIR;][UC;][DARK;][POINT;][HSn;]SR;SC;VE;
/HE;(D)ASCIITEXT(D)
3;3;0;0;*STATIC ALPHA DATA*
AF1;18;4;3;0;0
/DIR;SR;SC;VE;HE
CW;8;4;1;1;*PRINTRONIX*
R;15;5;2;2;*IGP*
STOP
CORNER
/LT;SR;SC;ER;EC;VL;HL
1;18;2;23;7;2;2
STOP
HDUP;5;1
VERT
/LT;C;SR;ER
1;17;18;22
STOP
HDUP;OFF
VDUP;5;1
HORZ
/LT;R;SC;EC
1;18;17;21.1
STOP
VDUP;OFF
LOGO
10;13;HAND
/(PREVIOUSLY DEFINED AND STORED)
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;BASICFRM
~AF1;*DYNAMIC ALPHA DATA*

OVERLAY DATA
~NORMAL

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Form Examples

Figure 62. Basic Create Form Example

376

Example: Using The Setup Command

Example: Using The Setup Command
The following example demonstrates how the margins, landscape orientation,
8LPI and double wide font are automatically SETUP at power-up.
~SETUP
TOP/BOTTOM MARGIN;1
LEFT MARGIN;10
END
~PAPER;ROTATE 90
~LPI;8
~EXPAND;1;2
~SETUPEND

Example: Dynamic Data
The process of executing dynamic alphanumeric and bar code data fields is
explained in the following exercises. Each stage includes printing the
program; however, the total program may be entered as one unit. Each stage
offers the option of choosing features applicable to specific needs.

Basic Design
The SAMPLE program below, shown in Figure 63, is a basic design in CP.DP
format and defined by standard Create Form mode command sequences.
The label is duplicated twice horizontally on an approximate form size of
8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (390 dots), with three bar code locations specified per
label. The result is two “forms”: two labels per form, four labels printed on one
8 1/2 x 11 inch “page”. On the next few pages, you will add bar code data,
dynamic alphanumeric data, and dynamic bar code data. Then you will
execute and print the complete form (Figure 64).
When entering command lines, remember to correctly terminate each line
with a line feed or carriage return with line feed. Use your system commands
to open a file for the label program. When you have finished, exit the file (if
necessary for your system) and print.

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Form Examples

~CREATE;SAMPLE;390
(Create Form; form length is 390 dots)
HDUP;2;37
(2 horizontal dupes, 37 columns apart)
BOX
(Box command)
2;3.5;9;30;35
STOP
(Stop the Box command)
HORZ
(Horizontal Line command)
1;14.5;9;35
1;19.5;9;35
1;24.5;9;35
STOP
(Stop the Horizontal Line command)
CORNER
(Begin Corner command)
2;4;11;9;33;1.2;2
2;9.6;11;13.6;33;1.2;2
STOP
(Stop the Corner command)
ALPHA
(Begin Alphanumeric command)
4.8;12;0;0;*FROM:*
(This is fixed text on the form)
6.3;12;2;2;*ACME INC.*
C15;7.3;16;0;0;*17500 CARTWRIGHT RD.*
C15;8.1;16;0;0;*IRVINE , CA 92714*
10;12;0;0;*TO*
14.8;11;0;0;*S.O.*
19.8;11;0;0;*S/N:*
24.8;11;0;0;*P/N:*
STOP
(Stop the Alphanumerics command)
HDUP;OFF
(Stop the horizontal duplication)
END
(End the Create Form mode)
~EXECUTE;SAMPLE;1
(Execute form)
~NORMAL
~EXECUTE;SAMPLE;1
~NORMAL
~FF

378

(Execute again to print second form)

Example: Dynamic Data

ACME INC.

ACME INC.

14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

ACME INC.

ACME INC.

14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

dyn1.ex

Figure 63. Sample Form

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Bar Code Fields
Identify the location of the data fields for each of the six bar codes (one
location at each S.O., S/N, and P/N field on the form). The type of bar code
and the human readable data information is also specified within the bar code
commands. (Refer to Chapter 3 for detailed bar code information.)
Each bar code must be designated separately. The bar code commands are
part of the Create Form mode; therefore, they must be entered in the Create
Form mode before the END command. However, because each dynamic field
is assigned a unique number, the commands should not be duplicated.
Reopen the file and input the following commands before the END command
line but after the HDUP;OFF command.
NOTE: The IGP/PGL will horizontally or vertically duplicate dynamic bar code
or alphanumeric data fields if required. This will also duplicate the n
parameter identifying the dynamic data fields. If unique data fields are
required, do not duplicate the commands.
BARCODE
(First bar code command)
C3/9;H7;BF1;8;DARK;15.1;10.4
(Upper left S.O. field, assigned #1)
C3/9;H7;BF1;8;DARK;15.1;10.4
PDF;O
(Print the data field in OCR-A font)
STOP
(Stop the first bar code command)
BARCODE
(New bar code command)
C3/9;H7;BF2;8;DARK;20;10.4
(Upper left S/N field, assigned #2)
PDF;O
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;BF3;8;DARK;25.5;10.4
(Upper left P/N field, assigned #3)
PDF;O
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;BF4;8;DARK;15.1;47.4
(Upper right S.O. field, assigned #4)
PDF;O
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;BF5;8;DARK;20;47.4
(Upper right S/N field, assigned #5)
PDF;O
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;BF6;8;DARK;25.5;47.4
(Upper right P/N field, assigned #6)
PDF;O
STOP
(Stop the bar code command)

380

Example: Dynamic Data

Dynamic Alphanumeric Fields
Identify the location of the dynamic alphanumeric fields using the
alphanumerics command. Input the following alphanumeric command lines
after the HDUP;OFF command and before the Create Form mode END line.
A separate alphanumerics command sequence is used in order to assign
unique numbers to each dynamic data field. (If unique identifying numbers
were not required, these alphanumeric commands would be added to the
existing alphanumeric commands being duplicated to produce the fixed form
alphanumeric data.)
NOTE: Before the following dynamic data commands can be entered, delete
the form count parameter from the existing Execute command line
(the ;1 at the end of the Execute command line shown on the program
on page 378). The Form Count parameter cannot be used when data
is supplied dynamically. The Execute command line should now read
~EXECUTE;SAMPLE and must be correctly terminated. This is the
Execute command for the first page of dynamic data.
ALPHA
AF1;20;10.8;12;0;0
AF2;20;11.8;12;0;0
AF3;20;12.8;12;0;0
AF4;20;10.8;49;0;0
AF5;20;11.8;49;0;0
AF6;20;12.8;49;0;0
STOP

(Begin alpha command for dynamic
(AF1 - 1st line of upper left TO
(AF2 - 2nd line of upper left TO
(AF3 - 3rd line of upper left TO
(AF4 - 1st line of lower left TO
(AF5 - 2nd line of lower left TO
(AF6 - 3rd line of lower left TO
(Stop the alphanumerics command)

data)
area)
area)
area)
area)
area)
area)

Dynamic Alphanumeric and Bar Code Data
Enter the following dynamic data following the Execute command. These
dynamic data commands will supply the variable data to the bar code and
alphanumeric fields previously identified in the Create Form mode. After
entering the data, exit the file (if necessary with your system) and print. The
completed form is shown in Figure 64.

381

Chapter

4

Form Examples

~EXECUTE;SAMPLE
~AF1;*B AND C CO.*
(Upper left label addressee)
~AF2;*P.O. BOX 212*
~AF3;*LOS ANGELES, CA 90051*
~AF4;*M. H. INC*
(Upper right label addressee)
~AF5;*101 BEACH RD*
~AF6;*MALIBU, CA 97772*
~BF1;*S05995*
(Upper left label S.O.)
~BF2;*011233*
(Upper left label S/N)
~BF3;*190204*
(Upper left label P/N)
~BF4;*S05996*
(Upper right label S.O.)
~BF5;*000535*
(Upper right label S/N)
~BF6;*104523*
(Upper right label P/N)
~FF
(Completes 1st form-upper labels)
~AF1;*ABC CORPORATION* (Lower left label addressee)
~AF2;*1234 ANYWHERE ST*
~AF3;*YOUR TOWN, MA 03498*
~AF4;*XYZ COMPUTERS*
(Lower right label addressee)
~AF5;*845 N. ALLEN ST*
~AF6;*WEST BEND, OR 97601*
~BF1;*S05997*
(Lower left label S.O.)
~BF2;*456789*
(Lower left label S/N)
~BF3;*102245*
(Lower left label P/N)
~BF4;*S05999*
(Lower right label S.O.)
~BF5;*567890*
(Lower right label S/N)
~BF6;*103764*
(Lower right label P/N)
~NORMAL

(Completes 2nd form-lower labels)

Multiple page documents must be separated by a form feed. (The “page” of
data includes the Execute command, the dynamic data commands, and the
Normal command.) Using the SFON command (described on page 142), a
~FF (form feed) command will allow as many forms as required to print with
the appropriate new data supplied dynamically. When the SFOFF command
is used, send a hex 0C instead of ~FF to print multiple pages with new
dynamic data.

382

Example: Dynamic Data

ACME INC.

ACME INC.

14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

ACME INC.

ACME INC.

14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

dyn2.ex

Figure 64. Dynamic Data Example

383

Chapter

4

Form Examples

Example: Auto Increment Fields
The following program, designed in accordance with current specifications for
AIAG-B-3 shipping label standards, creates four automatically
incrementing/decrementing AIAG labels with alphanumeric and bar code
data. The printed output of this program is shown on page 386.
~CREATE;AIAG
BOX
1;31.2;1;55.2;66.5
STOP
HORZ
1;38.5;1;66.5
1;44.9;1;40
1;49.10;1;40
STOP
VERT
1;26;38.5;44.9
1;40;44.9;55.2
STOP
ALPHA
C15;31.8;2;0;0;*PART NO*
C15;32.6;2;0;0;*(P)*
I;34.3;9;4;4;00000000001;*A0000000001*
C15;38.9;2;0;0;*QUANTITY*
C15;39.6;2;0;0;* (Q)*
40.5;8;4;4;*100*
C15;41.9;28;0;0;*SPECIAL*
C15;42.6;28;0;0;* (C)*
I;43.9;34;4;4;-00001;*A20UG*
C15;45;2;0;0;*SUPPLIER*
C15;45.10;2;0;0;* (V)*
45.7;7;2;2;* 040898755*
C15;50.4;2;0;0;*SERIAL*
C15;51.2;2;0;0;* (S)*
50.8;7;2;2;* 0002110*
C15;54.5;4;0;0;*ACME MOTOR, INC IRVINE CA 92713 (714) 863-1900*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;I;DARK;34.7;5.5
X000000002;*A000000002*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;DARK;40.9;5.5
*Q100*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;I;DARK;38.1;33
-X00002;*CA2OUF*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;DARK;45.11;5.5
*V040898755*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;DARK;50.9;5.5
*S0002110*
STOP
BOX
1;1.2;1;25.2;66.5
STOP
HORZ

384

Example: Auto Increment Fields

1;8.4;1;66.5
1;14.9;1;40
1;19.6;1;40
STOP
VERT
1;26;8.4;14.9
1;40;14.9;25.2
STOP
ALPHA
C15;1.8;2;0;0;*PART NO*
C15;2.6;2;0;0;*(P)*
I;4.3;9;4;4;00000000002;*A0000000001*
C15;8.9;2;0;0;*QUANTITY*
C15;9.6;2;0;0;* (Q)*
10.5;8;4;4;*100*
C15;11.9;28;0;0;*SPECIAL*
C15;12.6;28;0;0;* (C)*
I;13.9;34;4;4;-00002;*A2OUG*
C15;15;2;0;0;*SUPPLIER*
C15;15.10;2;0;0;* (V)*
15.6;7;2;2;* 040898755*
C15;20;2;0;0;*SERIAL*
C15;21;2;0;0;* (S)*
20.5;7;2;2;* 0002110*
C15;24.5;4;0;0;*ACME MOTOR,INC. IRVINE CA 92713 (714) 863-1900*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;I;DARK;4.7;5.5
X000000002;*A000000001*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;DARK;10.9;5.5
*Q100*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;I;DARK;8.1;33
-X00002;*CA20UG*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;DARK;15.7;5.5
*V040898755*
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H7;DARK;20.8;5.5
*S0002110*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;AIAG;2
~NORMAL

385

Chapter

4

Form Examples

ACME MOTOR,

ACME MOTOR,

ACME MOTOR,

ACME MOTOR,

Figure 65. Auto Increment Fields Example

386

Example: Auto Increment Fields

Form Exercise
In the following example, you will create and execute a form. Using character
scaling (discussed in detail on page 139) on a 60 x 72 dot per inch (dpi) grid,
your form will include the following:

•
•
•
•
•
•

a box
a set of corners
vertical lines
alphanumeric data
horizontal lines
a bar code

This exercise will help you become familiar with the IGP/PGL by taking you
through 14 steps to build a complete form. Detailed command descriptions for
producing forms, bar codes, and logos are described in the “Commands”
chapter.
All the data and commands for the form are entered into a file in the host
computer. The filename used in this exercise is PRACTC.FRM, and the form
name used is PRACTICE. If another form named PRACTICE already exists, it
will be deleted by this exercise.
Begin each step by reading the explanation. The information you input is
listed under the word Enter. The parameters of each command have a
specific order for data entry; input the data exactly as shown, but always use
the actual SFCC required by your system where the ~ is shown. The general
command format is listed under the word Format next to each example. The
SFCC is represented by (cc) in the general format.
Use the standard commands on your system to open, close, or print the file
with the form data where your system format is required.
NOTE: Do not forget to terminate each command line with a line feed (or
carriage return with line feed), or a paper motion command. Enter all
commands in uppercase. Make sure the printer power is on and the
printer is READY, ON-LINE.

387

Chapter

4

Form Exercise

Creating A Box And Corners
1. On your host computer, open/create a file for your practice form. For
example:
Enter
PRACTC.FRM

Format
(system format)

2. Enter the Create Form mode, and specify a form name. This is the first
input for every new form. Use the Create command and PRACTICE as
the form name.
Enter
~CREATE;PRACTICE

Format
(cc)CREATE[/];formname[;FL][;DISK]

3. The IGP/PGL is now ready for Create Form mode commands. Design a
box with a line thickness (LT) of 2 dots, a top left corner at starting row
(SR) 35, starting column (SC) 16, and a bottom right corner at ending row
(ER) 53, ending column (EC) 61. The STOP command must be entered
to inform the IGP/PGL that the Box command is complete.
Enter
BOX
2;35;16;53;61
STOP

Format
BOX
LT;SR;SC;ER;EC
STOP

4. Use the Corner command to set the box off with corners having a line
thickness (LT) of 3 dots, a top left corner at row (SR) 30, column (SC) 13,
a bottom right corner at row (ER) 57, column (EC) 64, a vertical length
(VL) 5 character spaces long, and a horizontal length (HL) 7 character
spaces long. The STOP command must be entered to stop the Corner
command and END must be entered to terminate the Create Form mode
to prepare for printing.
Enter
CORNER
3;30;13;57;64;5;7
STOP
END

Format
CORNER
LT;SR;SC;ER;EC;VL;HL
STOP
END

5. Now use the Execute command and form name to prepare for printing.
Enter a blank line using a terminator and then the Normal command to
instruct the IGP/PGL to return to the Normal mode after executing the
form.
Enter
~EXECUTE;PRACTICE

Format
(cc)EXECUTE;formname
[;PAGE n][;FC]

~NORMAL

(cc)NORMAL

6. To print the form, exit the file (if necessary for your system) and use the
system print command to print the file. For example, after exiting the file
and your system prompt returns:
Enter
.PRINT PRACTC.FRM

388

Format
(System Format)

Creating A Box And Corners

The form should look like the one shown in Figure 66. When it was printed,
the form program was stored in the IGP/PGL memory. If errors are detected in
the program, error messages are printed and only the error-free portions of
the program are stored in the IGP/PGL memory. (Refer to “Solving Program
Errors” on page 409.)

SR 30

SC 13

SC 16
SR 35

ER 53

EC 61
ER 57

EC 64

Figure 66. Box and Corner Example

389

Chapter

4

Form Exercise

Adding Horizontal And Vertical Lines
7. Now return to the file. When the file reopens, the existing program (the
contents of the file) is displayed. Use your system commands to reopen
the file. For example:
Enter
.PRACTC.FRM

Format
(System Format)

8. All Create Form mode commands must be entered into the program
before the End command line. Add three horizontal lines, each with a
thickness (LT) of 1, at rows (R) 40, 45, and 49 and each ranging from
column (SC) 16 to column (EC) 61.
Enter
HORZ
1;40;16;61
1;45;16;61
1;49;16;61
STOP

Format
HORZ
LT;R;SC;EC

STOP

9. Add two vertical lines, each with a thickness (LT) of 1, both in column (C)
49, one ranging from row (SR) 40 to row (ER) 45 and the other ranging
from row (SR) 49 to row (ER) 53.
Enter
VERT
1;49;40;45
1;49;49;53
STOP

Format
VERT
LT;C;SR;ER
STOP

The last two commands have added to the form definition. PRACTICE now
looks like Figure 67.

COLUMN
COLUMN
49 49

ROWROW
40 40

ROWROW
45 45

ROWROW
49 49

Figure 67. Box/Corner Example with Horizontal and Vertical Lines

390

Adding Fixed Alphanumeric Text

Adding Fixed Alphanumeric Text
10. Use the Create Form mode Alpha command to add some fixed
alphanumeric text to the form. Specify some compressed print (Cn), the
starting row (SR) and starting column (SC) for each alphanumeric string,
any vertically (VE) or horizontally (HE) expanded strings, and the
alphanumeric string itself which must be within the printable character
(quotation marks or asterisks, for example). Substitute your own name,
address, etc. in the appropriate areas. If you do not want to include some
of the data on your form, do not enter the complete line.
Enter
Format
ALPHA
ALPHA
31;22;0;0;*ACME, INC*
[R;][E;][Cn;][AFn;L;][T;][DIR;][UC;][DARK;]
[POINT;][HSn;]SR;SC;VE;HE;(D)text(D)
32;22;0;0;*17500 CARTWRIGHT ROAD*
33;22;0;0;*IRVINE, CA 92714*
35.9;17;0;0;*SERIAL NUMBER*
40.3;17;0;0;*PART NUMBER*
40.3;50;0;0;*MFG. DATE*
45.3;17;0;0;*DESCRIPTION*
49.3;17;0;0;*INTERFACE*
49.3;50;0;0;*VERSION*
C13;31;16;0;0;*FROM:*
C15;54;26;0;0;*Call PRINTRONIX for more information.*
C15;55;34;0;0;*(714)863-1900*
STOP
STOP
NOTE: The sample data entered above uses CP.DP format (such as 35.9,
40.3, etc.) in the starting row (SR) parameters. This precisely
positions the data to avoid overlapping the alphanumeric data with
the box and horizontal line data previously entered. For complete
information on CP.DP format, refer to the “Commands” chapter.
At this point, the PRACTC.FRM file should contain the following form program
data:
~CREATE;PRACTICE
BOX
2;35;16;53;61
STOP
CORNER
3;30;13;57;64;5;7
STOP
HORZ
1;40;16;61
1;45;16;61
1;49;16;61
STOP
VERT
1;49;40;45
1;49;49;53
STOP
ALPHA
31;22;0;0;*ACME, INC.*
32;22;0;0;*17500 CARTWRIGHT ROAD*
33;22;0;0;*IRVINE, CA 92714*

391

Chapter

4

Form Exercise

35.9;17;0;0;*SERIAL NUMBER*
40.3;17;0;0;*PART NUMBER*
40.3;50;0;0;*MFG. DATE*
45.3;17;0;0;*DESCRIPTION*
49.3;17;0;0;*INTERFACE*
49.3;50;0;0;*VERSION*
C13;31;16;0;0;*FROM:*
C15;54;26;0;0;*Call ACME for more information.*
C15;55;34;0;0;*(714)863-1900*
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;PRACTICE
~NORMAL
.PRINT PRACTC.FRM
Notice that the END, EXECUTE;PRACTICE and NORMAL statements are
still in the file. These are always necessary to end the storage of the form in
the IGP/PGL and cause it to print. Remember, a blank line must always
separate the EXECUTE and NORMAL commands. Print the file
PRACTC.FRM. The PRACTICE form should look like Figure 68, except for
any alphanumeric data substitutions you made. Again, if error messages
occur, refer to “Solving Program Errors” on page 409.
COLUMN 16
COLUMN 22

ACME, INC
14600 Myford Road P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559

ROW 31
ROW 32
ROW 33

ROW 35.9
COLUMN 50
COLUMN 17

ROW 40.3

ROW 45.3

ROW 49.3

ROW 54

ACME MOTOR for more information.
ROW 55

COLUMN 26
COLUMN 34

practc1.ex

Figure 68. Practice Form Example

392

Adding A Bar Code

Adding A Bar Code
11. Change the form definition by adding bar code type Code 39 (C39), one
of the codes available on the IGP/PGL. First, reopen the file. Bar codes
are defined in the Create Form mode; therefore, the Bar Code command
must be entered before the End command line. In the Bar Code
command, specify type C39 and 0.8 inch height (Hn). Use a dynamic bar
code data field (BF) identified by the number (n) 1 with a length (L) of 5.
The actual data will be provided dynamically in the Execute Form mode.
Specify the starting row (SR) 35.7 and starting column (SC) 39, and stop
the command.
Enter
BARCODE
C3/9;H8;BF1;5;DARK;35.7;39
STOP

Format
BARCODE
C3/9[CD]; [DIR;] [MAG;] [Hn[.m];]
[BFn;L;][DARK;] SR;SC
STOP

12. To dynamically input alphanumeric data fields, first identify the locations
for the data in the Create Form mode as part of the form definition. Enter
the locations in the existing Alpha command sequence (or use a new
Alpha command). In the Alpha command sequence, enter the
alphanumeric field (AF), the field number (n), length (L), starting row (SR)
and column (SC), and any vertical (VE) or horizontal (HE) expansion. To
enter this alphanumeric data in the existing Alpha command sequence,
the data must be entered before the existing Alpha command STOP line.
Enter
AF1;7;38.7;19.3;3;3
AF2;11;43;20;2;2
AF3;31;47.3;20;2;1
AF4;33;51.3;20;2;1

Format
[R;] [E;] [Cn;][AFn;L;][T;][DIR;][UC;][DARK;]
[POINT;][HSn;]SR;SC;VE;HE;(D)text(D)

13. Supply the dynamic data during the Execute Form mode (following the
EXECUTE;PRACTICE line). Use the SFCC, specify the dynamic
alphanumeric field (AF), bar code field (BF), the field number
(corresponding to those just entered in the form definition), and the data
itself. (This method can be repeated to supply new data to each form
printed by separating the pages of data with a form feed. Refer to
“Execute Form: Dynamic Alphanumeric Data” on page 76.)
Enter
Format
~AF1;*49114*
(cc)AFn;(D)data(D)
~AF2;*106772-902*
~AF3;*INTELLIGENT GRAPHICS PROCESSOR*
~AF4;*PARALLEL - CENTRONICS*
~BF1;*49114*
(cc)BFn;(D)data(D)
14. Now the PRACTC.FRM file contains all the following information (the
complete form program). Print the form by printing the file. The completed
form is shown in Figure 69.
~CREATE;PRACTICE
BOX
2;35;16;53;61
STOP
CORNER
3;30;13;57;64;5;7

393

Chapter

4

Form Exercise

STOP
HORZ
1;40;16;61
1;45;16;61
1;49;16;61
STOP
VERT
1;49;40;45
1;49;49;53
STOP
ALPHA
31;22;0;0;*ACME, INC.*
32;22;0;0;*17500 CARTWRIGHT ROAD*
33;22;0;0;*IRVINE, CA 92714*
35.9;17;0;0;*SERIAL NUMBER*
40.3;17;0;0;*PART NUMBER*
40.3;50;0;0;*MFG. DATE*
45.3;17;0;0;*DESCRIPTION*
49.3;17;0;0;*INTERFACE*
49.3;50;0;0;*VERSION*
C13;31;16;0;0;*FROM:*
C15;54;26;0;0;*Call ACME for more information.*
C15;55;34;0;0;*(714)863-1900*
AF1;7;38.7;19.3;4;3
AF2;11;43;20;2;2
AF3;31;47.3;20;2;1
AF4;33;51.3;20;2;1
STOP
BARCODE
C3/9;H8;BF1;5;DARK;35.7;39
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;PRACTICE
~AF1;*49114*
~AF2;*106772-902*
~AF3;*INTELLIGENT GRAPHICS PROCESSOR*
~AF4;*PARALLEL - CENTRONICS*
~BF1;*49114*
~NORMAL
.PRINT PRACTC.FRM

394

Adding A Bar Code

ACME, INC
14600 Myford Road P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559
COLUMN 19.3

COLUMN 39
ROW 35.7

ROW 38.7

ROW 43

ROW 47.3

ROW 51.3

ACME for more information.

practc2.e

Figure 69. Completed Practice Form Example

Logo Exercise
In this exercise, you will generate a logo. The following sample uses a hand
logo. Using dot scaling (discussed in detail on page 139) on an 8-1/2 x 11inch form, a hand was drawn on a grid, with each dot tabulated by row and
column position. If a grid coordinate occupies half or more of a dot position,
include that position in your logo program. (Grid samples are located in
Appendix B.)
Each dot position used must be identified individually. However, you can use
a hyphen between the starting and ending columns to indicate a section of
consecutive dots. For example, this hand logo requires dots in row 1, columns
40-42, shown in Figure 70 below. A sequential row order is not required.

395

Chapter

4

Logo Exercise

A logo is created and stored as an element in the definition of a form. For
example, to use a logo, first design it in the Create Logo mode; then add it to
a form in the Create Form mode; then execute the form (with the logo) in the
Execute Form mode. The following logo exercise includes all three of these
steps.

DOT POSITIONS
Row
Column
1
40-42
2
35-42
3
36-42
4
35-42
5
33-41
6
31-40
7
30-38
8
29-36
9
28-35
10
27-34;52-54
11
24-33;48-54
12
22-31;45-54
13
19-30;41-54
14
16-29;38-53
15
13-29;36-51
16
11-29;33-48
17
9-44
18
7-42
19
6-39
20
4-36
21
1-34
22
1-34
23
1-34
24
1-60
25
1-60
26
1-60
27
1-60
28
1-59
29
1-59
30
1-35

DOT POSITIONS
Row
Column
31
1-36
32
1-39
33
1-58
34
1-58
35
1-58
36
1-58
37
1-58
38
1-57
39
4-24
40
7-23
41
8-23
42
9-23
43
11-24
44
12-25
45
14-27
46
15-30
47
17-32
48
18-35
49
22-34
50
25-35
51
26-36
52
28-37
53
30-37
54
32-37
55
33-37
56
35-36

Figure 70. Sample Logo

396

Creating A Logo

Creating A Logo
1. Use your system commands to open a file for the logo program with the
filename HNDLGO.FOM. For example:
Enter
HNDLGO.FOM

Format
(System Format)

2. Input the Special Function Control Code and Logo mode command to put
the IGP/PGL in the Create Logo mode. Include HAND as the logo name;
specify a vertical length (VL) of 56 (column length) and a horizontal length
(HL) of 60 (row length).
Enter
~LOGO;HAND;56;60

Format
(cc)LOGO;logoname;VL;HL[;DISK]

3. Enter each row of dot positions as tabulated from the grid and shown in
Figure 70. The format is Row;Column (for example, 15;13-29;36-51).
Each row is entered on a separate line. After all the dot positions are
entered, terminate the Create Logo mode by entering an End command
line.
4. Use the Special Function Control Code and Create command to create a
form with the form name LEFTHAND. To add the logo to the form, input a
Create Form mode Logo Call command, identify the logo starting row
(SR) 45 and starting column (SC) 33, and specify the logo to use by its
name (HAND). Stop the Logo command and end the Create Form mode.
Enter
~CREATE;LEFTHAND
LOGO
45;33;HAND
STOP
END

Format
(cc)CREATE;[/]formname[;FL][;DISK]
LOGO
SR;SC;logoname[;DISK]
STOP
END

5. Input the Special Function Control Code and Execute command for the
LEFTHAND form just created. Input a blank line, the Special Function
Control Code, and the Normal command to instruct the IGP/PGL to return
to the Normal mode after execution.
Enter
~EXECUTE;LEFTHAND
~NORMAL

Format
(cc)EXECUTE;formname[;PAGE n]
[;FC] [;DISK]
(cc)NORMAL

6. Use system commands to exit the HNDLGO.FOM file and print. The
finished program and logo should look like the following sample. If error
messages occur, refer to “Solving Program Errors” on page 409.
~LOGO;HAND;56;60
1;40-42
2;38-42
3;36-42
4;35-42
5;33-41
6;31-40
7;30-38
8;29-36
9;28-35
10;27-34;52-54

397

Chapter

4

Logo Exercise

11;24-33;48-54
12;22-31;45-54
13;19-30;41-54
14;16-29;38-53
15;13-29;36-51
16;11-29;33-48
17;9-44
18;7-42
19;6-39
20;4-36
21;1-34
22;1-34
23;1-34
24;1-60
25;1-60
26;1-60
27;1-60
28;1-59
29;1-59
30;1-35
31;1-36
32;1-39
33;1-58
34;1-58
35;1-58
36;1-58
37;1-58
38;1-57
39;4-24
40;7-23
41;8-23
42;9-23
43;11-24
44;12-25
45;14-27
46;15-30
47;17-32
48;18-33
49;22-34
50;25-35
51;26-36
52;28-37
53;30-37
54;32-37
55;33-37
56;35-36
END
~CREATE;LEFTHAND
LOGO
45;33;HAND
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;LEFTHAND
~NORMAL

398

ROW 45

HANDLOGO.EX
COLUMN 33

Page Layout Considerations

Form Design
In this exercise, you will produce a complete form by sketching it out on a grid
in the same way the logo was designed. Again, this exercise uses character
scaling on an 8-1/2 x 11-inch (60 x 72 dpi) page. (Refer to page 139 in the
“Commands” chapter, where character scaling is discussed in detail.)

Page Layout Considerations
At 6 lines per inch (lpi) and 10 characters per inch (cpi) printing, a standard 81/2 x 11-inch sheet of paper has a print area of 66 lines (rows) and 85
characters (columns). (The printable area will vary if you are not printing at 6
lpi and 10 cpi.) Thus, the grid used to design an 8-1/2 x 11-inch form should
accommodate this 66 x 85 area. (Appendix C discusses the printable area for
different form sizes in more detail.)
Using the grids provided in Appendix B, sketch out the form layout and
identify the starting and ending values. These values will be used to input
IGP/PGL command parameters.

Planning The Form Layout
In this example, assume you work for the HandCraft Boat Company. Your
slogan is “Quality boats crafted by hand,” and the owner, Mr. Handcraft, has
asked you to design a simple form that his salespeople can use for special
orders. On the form, he wants a logo, the slogan, the customer's name,
spaces for other particulars of the order, and a bar code to distinguish the
sales region and boat division from other HandCraft enterprises. Begin this
12-step task as described below.
1. First, design the form on the Standard Grid provided in Appendix B.
Figure 71 shows the locations of the various form components.
Compensate for expanded characters and plan for the logo.
2. Define the logo and then return to the form to add all the form
components. Modify the hand logo already on file as the HandCraft logo.
Use the Logo Grid in Appendix B, and refer to Figure 72, which shows the
dot positions of the hand logo with a boat added to the hand. When dot
positions (or a range of dot positions) are not specified, the boat image in
the hand emerges.
3. Open a file named HNDCFT.FOM to contain all the form information. As
shown in the following example, use the Create Logo mode command,
name the logo HANDCRFT, specify the logo height (VL) and width (HL),
enter the dot positions used, and end the Logo command.
Enter
HNDCFT.FOM
~LOGO;HANDCRFT;56;60
1;40-42
2;38-42
3;36-42
4;35-42
5;33-41

Format
(System Format)
(cc)LOGO;logoname;VL;HL[;DISK]
row#;dot;dot1-dot2;dot

399

Chapter

4

Form Design

6;31-40
7;30-38
8;29-36
9;28-35
10;27-34;52-54
11;24-33;48-54
12;22-31;45-54
13;19-30;41-54
14;16-29;38-53
15;13-17;19-29;36-51
16;11-17;20-29;33-48
17;9-17;21-44
18;7-17;22-42
19;6-17;22-39
20;4-17;23-36
21;1-17;24-34
22;1-17;25-34
23;1-17;26-34
24;1-17;27-60
25;1-17;28-60
26;1-17;29-60
27;1-17;30-60
28;1-17;31-59
29;1-17;19-59
30;1-17;19-35
31;1-4;33-36
32;1-5;33-39
33;1-6;33-58
34;1-7;33-58
35;1-58
36;1-58
37;1-58
38;1-57
39;4-24
40;7-23
41;8-23
42;9-23
43;11-24
44;12-25
45;14-27
46;15-30
47;17-32
48;18-33
49;22-34
50;25-35
51;26-36
52;28-37
53;30-37
54;32-37
55;33-37
56;35-36
END

400

END

Planning The Form Layout

Figure 71. Sample Form Design

401

Chapter

4

Form Design

Figure 72. Logo Design

402

Creating A Form And Adding Form Components

Creating A Form And Adding Form Components
4. Now create the form and start adding the form components from the
layout grid. (Refer to Figure 71). Use the Special Function Control Code
and Create command to define a form named HCBOATS. Use the Box
command to define the outer border with a line thickness (LT) 3, top left
corner at row (SR) 11 column (SC) 10, and bottom right corner at row
(ER) 55, column (EC) 70. In the same Box command sequence, define
another box with a line thickness of 2, top left corner at row 28 column 14,
and bottom right corner at row 44.9 column 66. After defining the boxes,
stop the Box command.
Enter
~CREATE;HCBOATS
BOX
3;11;10;55;70
2;28;14;44.9;66
STOP

Format
(cc)CREATE;[/]formname[;FL][;DISK]
BOX
LT;SR;SC;ER;EC
STOP

5. Mr. Handcraft would like corners around the slogan. Use the Corner
command to define a line thickness (LT) of 2, top left corner at row (SR)
48 column (SC) 24, and bottom right corner at row (ER) 52 column (EC)
56. Make the vertical (VL) corner piece 4 spaces long and the horizontal
(HL) corner piece 5 spaces long. Then stop the Corner command.
Enter
CORNER
2;48;24;52;56;4;5
STOP

Format
CORNER
LT;SR;SC;ER;EC;VL;HL
STOP

6. To make the columns for the special order items, add two vertical lines
each with a line thickness (LT) of 1, one line in column (C) 22 and the
other line in column 58. Each line will start at row (SR) 28 and end at row
(ER) 44.9.
Enter
VERT
1;22;28;44.9
1;58;28;44.9
STOP

Format
VERT
LT;C;SR;ER
STOP

7. To add the horizontal lines, define one line and then duplicate that line
using the Vertical Duplication command. The line will have a single line
thickness (LT), be in row (R) 30.4, starting in column (SC) 14 and ending
in column (EC) 66. With vertical duplication, the line will be duplicated
(dup#) 6 times with 2.5 row offset (offset#) spacing between each
duplication. The Vertical Duplication command must be input, the
horizontal line being duplicated must be input, and the Vertical
Duplication command must be turned off.
Enter
VDUP;6;2.5
HORZ
1;30.4;14;66
STOP
VDUP;OFF

Format
VDUP;dup#;offset#
HORZ
LT;R;SC;EC
STOP
VDUP;OFF

403

Chapter

4

Form Design

8. All the text shown on the grid is fixed into position on the form with a
single Alpha command sequence. The starting row, starting column, and
text can be taken right from the grid and put into the program.
Enter
Format
ALPHA
ALPHA
14;31;3;2;*HandCraft Boats* [R;][E;][Cn;][AFn;L;][T;][DIR;][UC;][DARK;]
18;14;0;0;*CUSTOMER:*
[POINT;][HSn;]SR;SC;VE;HE;(D)text(D)
18;51;0;0;*PHONE:*
20;14;0;0;*HULL NO:*
20;49;0;0;*RIGGING:*
22;14;0;0;*COLOR:*
22;43;0;0;*DELIVERY DATE:*
25;31;1;1;*SPECIAL ORDER ITEMS*
27;17;0;0;*ITEM*
27;34;0;0;*DESCRIPTION*
27;60;0;0;*PRICE*
50;26;1;1;*Quality Boats Crafted By Hand*
C17;48;14;0;0;*HandCraft Boats*
C17;48.10;14;0;0;*123 Boat Way*
C17;49.8;14;0;0;*Boat Town, CA*
C17;50.6;19;0;0;*333444*
C17;51.4;14;0;0;*(714)555-0011*
STOP
STOP
9. HandCraft Boats uses bar code type Code 128B (C128B) in many
applications. Use bar code C128B, height (Hn) of .5-inch, starting at row
(SR) 49, column (SC) 59, code the West Coast Sales Region as *WC*,
and print the data field (PDF) below the symbol.
NOTE: Due to space constraints, the C128B command below is separated
into two lines. During actual input, do not separate the command
parameters.
Enter
BARCODE
C128B;H5;49;59
*WC*
PDF
STOP

Format
BARCODE
C128B;[DIR;][MAG;][Hn[.m];][BFn;L;]
[DARK;]SR;SC
[(D)datafield(D)]
[PDF[;LOC][;FONT][;MAX]]
STOP

NOTE: The decimal point is not entered in the height parameter (H5) above
because values are expected in .10-inch increments. Values from 4
to 99 (.4-inch to 9.9 inches) are accepted.
10. Add the logo and end the Create Form mode. Use the Logo Call
command, specify the starting row (SR) at 12 and column (SC) at 18 as
shown on the grid and call the logo by name (HANDCRFT). (The starting
row and column of the logo refer to the upper left corner of the grid used
in the logo design.)
Enter
LOGO
12;18;HANDCRFT
STOP
END

404

Format
LOGO
SR;SC;logoname[;DISK]
STOP
END

Creating A Form And Adding Form Components

11. Execute the form (HCBOATS), return to the Normal mode (remember the
blank line before the NORMAL command), exit the file using your system
commands (if necessary), and print the document.
Enter
~EXECUTE;HCBOATS
~NORMAL
.PRINT HNDCFT.FOM

Format
(cc)EXECUTE;formname[;PAGE n]
[;FC][;DISK]
(cc)NORMAL
(System Format)

NOTE: Always separate the EXECUTE and NORMAL commands by a line.
Figure 73 shows the finished form. If Mr. Handcraft would like to rearrange the
words, change line thickness of a box, etc., simply reopen the file and change
the appropriate command lines. Otherwise, his salespeople have a new form
for notes on custom orders.

405

Chapter

4

Form Design

hcform.ex

Figure 73. Completed Sample Form

406

Example

Directory Command
The Directory command lists the contents of the IGP/PGL directory on the
host system. The directory command provides the following information:

•
•
•
•
•

All form names currently defined
All logo names currently defined
The association of logos to forms
The amount of memory used for form storage
The amount of dynamic storage space used and available

Example
A form will not execute unless enough room exists in the memory as indicated
in the Dynamic Memory Available portion of the directory listing. To print the
directory, open a file, input the directory command, exit the file, and print. For
example:
Enter
DIRECT.FOM
~DIRECTORY
.PRINT DIRECT.FOM

Format
(System Format)
(cc)DIRECTORY
(System Format)

The Directory command can only be used when the IGP/PGL is in the Normal
mode. Upon completion of the directory listing, the IGP/PGL returns to the
Normal mode. If the IGP/PGL is not in the Normal mode, input the Normal
mode command before the Directory command. Figure 74 shows a sample
directory.

Figure 74. Directory Example

407

Chapter

4

Delete Command

Delete Command
The Delete command deletes any individual form or logo from the printer’s
flash memory. The deletion of a form includes its directory entry and any
alphanumeric or vector information associated with it. The Delete command is
used only when the IGP/PGL is in the Normal mode.
Deletion of a logo includes its directory entry and its data in the logo storage
area. Deletion of a valid logo which is still combined with a form will not cause
an error at the time it is deleted; however, an error will occur if you execute a
form that contains a previously deleted logo.

Example
From the directory printed in the preceding section, delete the practice form,
the HandCraft Logo, and the HandCraft Boats form. Similar to the format used
with other command sequences, the procedure is as follows: open a file, input
the commands, exit the file, and print. For example:
Enter
DELETE.FRM
~DELETE FORM;PRACTICE
~DELETE FORM;HCBOATS
~DELETE LOGO;HANDCRFT
.PRINT DELETE.FRM

Format
(System Format)
(cc)DELETE FORM;formname
(cc)DELETE LOGO;logoname
(System Format)

NOTE: List the directory again to verify that the forms and logos were
deleted.
To delete a form or logo from the printer’s flash memory, add the DISK
parameter to the above DELETE FORM or DELETE LOGO command:
~DELETE FORM;formname;DISK
~DELETE LOGO;logoname;DISK
A form cannot execute if insufficient space exists in the IGP/PGL memory.
The directory Dynamic Memory Available must be greater than the total size
(in bytes) of the form. Delete older forms or logos to allow memory space for
new forms and logos, or include the Delete command as the last statement in
a logo or form program to immediately delete the data after it is processed.
Creating a form (or logo) with the same name as an existing IGP/PGL form (or
logo) will automatically delete the existing form (or logo).

408

Example

Solving Program Errors
If you make an error in the program to create a form or an element in the form,
a coded error message and program line containing the error will print when
the form is executed. These error codes are defined in the “Error Codes”
chapter.
To solve program errors, perform the following steps:
1. Locate the error message in the listing provided in the “Error Codes”
chapter for a description of the error.
2. Analyze the related portion of the program to find the error.
3. Correct the error and reprint the file containing the program.
4. If the error persists or you cannot locate it in the program, use the debug
parameter [/] in the Create command as described in the “Error Codes”
chapter. Print the file with the IGP/PGL program. The debug parameter
lists the program, line by line (including the error on the line where the
error occurs), followed by the error-free sections of the form. Correct the
error and print the file again. When the error has been corrected, delete
the debug parameter.

Example
Assume you made two errors in the Box and Corner commands input in steps
3 and 4 of the Form and Bar Code Example on page 387. Using the debug
parameter in the Create command produces the following sample listing:
/PRACTICE
BOX
2;35;16:53;61
*** ERROR 24 : BOX format or delimiter error in input parameters
STOP
CORNER
3;300;13;57;64;5;7
*** ERROR 35 : CORNER vertical length VL out of bounds
*** ERROR 31 : CORNER starting row SR out of bounds
*** ERROR 39 : CORNER starting row SR > ending row ER
STOP
END
From the description of the error messages and the incorrect line identified by
the error message, the errors are easily located and corrected. Notice a colon
was accidentally input in the Box command where a semicolon was required
(error number 24).
/PRACTICE
BOX
2;35;16:53;61
*** ERROR 24 : BOX format or delimiter error in input parameters
STOP

409

Chapter

4

Solving Program Errors

In the Corner command, the starting row was too large. This single input error
caused the vertical length of the corner to extend beyond the form boundaries
(error number 35), the starting row to begin outside the form boundaries (error
number 31), and the starting/ending row parameters to be out of order (error
number 39).
CORNER
3;300;13;57;64;5;7
*** ERROR 35 : CORNER vertical length VL out of bounds
*** ERROR 31 : CORNER starting row SR out of bounds
*** ERROR 39 : CORNER starting row SR > ending row ER
STOP
END

410

5

Multinational And
International Character
Sets

Multinational Character Sets
The Multinational Character Set accesses one of 32 international character
sets. Each character set is 96 characters long and can be accessed by
configuration selection or IGP/PGL command. Individual characters in the font
can be accessed with the use of data bit 8. There are also 32 extended
character sets which are available in bitmap fonts, but are not expandable.

Supported Character Sets
The Multinational Character Set provides the PGL with space for 32 character
sets, 96 characters each.The character sets and their corresponding set
values are listed in Table 48 along with the single extended character set.

Table 48. Multinational Character Sets and Set Values
Character Set

Value

Character Set

Value

U.S. ASCII

0

Spanish

9

German

1

Italian

10

Swedish

2

Turkish

11

Danish

3

CP 437

12

Norwegian

4

CP 850

13

Finnish

5

Reserved

14-23

English

6

User-Defined Sets

24-31

Dutch

7

French

8

411

Chapter

5

Multinational Character Sets

Sets 0 through 13 are resident character sets. Sets 14 through 23 are
reserved spaces in font memory for future resident character sets. If a value
from 14 through 23 is called when attempting to choose a character set, the
character font will default to ASCII. The last eight addressable character set
values, 24 through 31, are reserved for user-defined sets. You can create
custom character sets from existing characters in font memory. If you select a
set value from 24 to 31 when no new character set has been created or
assigned that value, the character font will default to ASCII.
Refer to page 428 for printouts of the primary and extended character sets
and their corresponding values.
To select one of these sets using the “SYMSET” option of the font command
or the ISET command, use the appropriate value as stated above.

Character Addresses
Both the ASCII and multinational character sets have hex values for each
character and symbol. The primary character set (ASCII characters) resides
at hex addresses ranging from 00 through 7F. The extended character set,
which contains the multinational characters, resides at hex addresses ranging
from 80 through FF. Table 50 shows each multinational character substitution
hex value and the applicable ASCII hex values. To access the extended
character set, the IGP/PGL must be configured with the data bit 8 option
enabled.

Making Character Substitutions
Multinational character sets are created by substituting the multinational
character values for the standard ASCII values. Each of the 12 multinational
character sets allows up to 16 character substitutions (located at hex 21, 22,
23, 24, 25, 26, 40, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 60, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E). The most
common character substitutions specific to a particular country are provided
in each set and shown in Table 50.
For example, when the Danish character set is selected, calling character
address cell 5B substitutes the Danish character residing at C6 (Æ) from the
Multinational Character Set (page 428); when the Spanish character set is
selected, calling character address cell 7C substitutes the Spanish character
residing at F1 (ñ) from the Multinational Character Set.These substitutions are
automatically performed when a particular Multinational Character Set is
selected.

412

Making Character Substitutions

Table 49. Multinational Character Sets and Set Values
0XX
Standard

1XX
Arabic

2XX
Cyrillic

3XX
European

4XX
Greek

5XX
Hebrew

6XX
Turkish

7XX
Misc. 1

NOTE:

1

00

US ASCII

ASMO 449

Cyrillic 866

Latin 2
8859-2

DEC 256
Greek

Hebrew
Old

Data Gen.
Turk

Block-Set
10cpi

01

German

ASMO
449+

Cyrillic CP
437

Latin 2 852

ELOT 928
Greek

Hebrew
New

DEC
Turkish

Italics Set

02

Swedish

ASMO 708

Cyrillic 113

Mazovia

Greek 3

Hebrew
DEC

IBM
Turkish

Scanblock
10cpi

03

Danish

ASMO
708+

Cyrillic
8859-5

Kamenicky

ABY
Greek

Latin-1
Hebrew

Siemens
Turkish

PGL Thai
Sets

04

Norwegian

MS DOS
CP710

ISO 915

Roman 8

ABG
Greek

Win. CP
1255

PTT
Turkish

05

Finnish

MS DOS
CP720

Code
Page 855

PC-437
Slavic

ELOT 927
Greek

IBC
Turkish

06

English

Sakr
CP714

7-bit
Cyrillic

Slavic
1250

Greek 851

Bull
Turkish

07

Dutch

Aptec
CP715

Ukrainian

Code Page
865

Greek 437

AS400
Turkish

08

French

CP 786

Bulgarian

Code Page
860

Greek
8859-7

Unisys
Turkish

09

Spanish

Arabic
CP 864

Win. CP
1251

Latin 1
8859-1

Win. CP
1253

NCR
Turkish

10

Italian

Arabic
CP 1046

Latvian
866

Latin 5
8859-9

Greek 813
Euro

PST
Turkish

11

Turkish

Arabic
Lam 1

CP 1048

Latin 9
8859-15

Greek 869
Euro

Unis-1
Turkish

12

CP 437

Arabic
Lam 2

Polish
POL1

Code
Page 853

13

CP 850

Win. CP
1256

Win. CP
1250

Info
Turkish

14

Reserved

Farsi 1

Win. CP
1252

Win. CP
1254

15

Reserved

Farsi 2

Win. CP
1257

Code
Page 857

16

Reserved

1098 Farsi
1285

CP 858
Euro

Azeri

Applies to Line Matrix printers only.

413

Chapter

5

Multinational Character Sets

Table 49. Multinational Character Sets and Set Values (continued)
0XX
Standard

1XX
Arabic

2XX
Cyrillic

3XX
European

17

Reserved

Lith. CP
773

18

Reserved

Serbo
Croatic 1

19

Reserved

Serbo
Croatic 2

20

Reserved

CP 774

21

Reserved

CP 775

22

Reserved

ISO 8859-4

23

Reserved

24-31

User
Defined
Sets

4XX
Greek

5XX
Hebrew

7XX
Misc. 1

6XX
Turkish

Table 50. Substitution Set Hex Values
Character
Set
U.S. ASCII

Substitution Hex Value
21

22

23

24

25

26

40

Danish
Dutch

A3

English

A3

Finnish

5B

5C

5D

C6

D8

C5

5E

60

7B

7C

7D

B0

E6

F8

E5

80

A4

7E

81

C4

D6

C5

F6

E5

FC

E9

F9

E8

EE

E4

F6

FC

DF

F9

E0

F2

E8

EC

E9

E6

F8

E5

FC

E3

F1

F5

BF

French

E0

FB

E7

A7

German

A7

C4

D6

DC

Italian

A7

B0

E9

83

C9

C6

D8

C5

DC

C3

D1

D5

A1

C4

D6

C5

DC

E9

E4

F6

E5

FC

86

D6

DC

87

88

89

F6

FC

8A

Norwegian

A4

Spanish

82

Swedish
Turkish

414

A4
84

C7

E7

85

C9

F4

E4
EA

OCR Character Sets

Accessing Characters and Character Sets
OCR Character Sets
Purpose

Access OCR-A and OCR-B character sets.

Mode

CREATE, NORMAL and EXECUTE

Format

See Comments

Comments In the Create mode, you can access OCR fonts using the
alphanumeric command. Use the Cn parameter in the ALPHA
command (“Commands” chapter, page 33) for more information.
In the Normal and Execute modes, you can access OCR fonts
using the Compressed Print (Density) command (“Commands”
chapter, page 52).
NOTE: OCR fonts are only available in 10 cpi.

LINE MATRIX

Extended Character Sets
Purpose

Access extended character sets.

Mode

CREATE, NORMAL and EXECUTE

Format

See Comments

Comments In the Normal and Execute modes, you can access extended
fonts using the ISET Command, page 418. Character sets 32
through 64 are extended character bitmap fonts which are not
expandable.
NOTE: The extended character sets are bitmapped fonts and can not be
expanded beyond 2 x 2. They are also limited to the portrait
orientation.

Data Bit 8
You can access individual characters using data bit 8 addressing. The
primary character set is ASCII. These character values reside at hex
addresses 20 through 7F. The Multinational or extended character sets reside
at hex addresses 80 through FF and are accessible without reconfiguration.
NOTE: Data bit 8 must be set high so that Multinational or extended
character sets are accessible without reconfiguration. However, the
PION/PIOFF command (page 107) must also be set OFF to access
these character sets in the hex 80-FF range. A PION setting will
cause data in the hex 80-FF range to be interpreted as PI line data
instead of extended character set data.

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Power-Up Character Set Selection
You can select any one of the 14 resident multinational character sets shown
in Table 48 (0 through 13) or any of the International Sets shown in Table 53
as the default character set at printer power-up. The IGP/PGL configuration
settings determine which character set is the default character set at powerup. Refer to your User's Manual to configure the IGP/PGL for a specific
character set. (See Select Font in the configuration menu.)
The character font selected at power-up will remain active until either the
ISET or SYMSET command is selected or the configuration is changed. OCR
and user-definable character sets cannot be configured as the default
character set at printer power-up.

User-Defined Set Command (USET)
Purpose

Creates custom character sets (except OCR fonts) from existing
characters stored on the flash memory.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)USET n
ca;fa
END
(cc)

Represents the Special Function Control Code.

USET

The User Set command; enter USET.

n

Selects USET character set number; enter a value
ranging from 1 through 8.

ca

Represents the ASCII character cell hex address
which will have its contents replaced with the
character located in the font address (fa). The ca
value must be one of the 16 hex values specified in
Table 50 on page 414.

fa

Represents the hexadecimal value for the font
address of a specified character in the Multinational
character set (page 428) which will replace the
current contents of ca. The fa value is the character
substitution for the cell address (ca). The value of
fa may range from hex 20 through FF.

END

Ends the USET command.

Comments
You can define up to 16 character substitutions for each of the
eight user-definable character sets. It is not necessary to address
all 16 spaces available for character substitutions with a single
USET command.
The character sets in the USET command are numbered 1
through 8. The character set values in the Character Set
Selection (ISET) command (page 418) are numbered 24 through
31 and correspond to User Sets 1 through 8. The ISET command
accesses and prints that custom character set.

416

User-Defined Set Command (USET)

The USET and ISET commands are related as shown in Table
51. Therefore, ISET;24 selects the substitution set defined as
USET1, ISET;29 selects USET6, etc.

Table 51. USET-ISET Relationship
USETn

corresponds
to

ISET;n

n=1

n = 24

n=2

n = 25

n=3

n = 26

n=4

n = 27

n=5

n = 28

n=6

n = 29

n=7

n = 30

n=8

n = 31

Example

The following example defines User Set 1 to contain the
Multinational font addresses B1 (±), A1 (¡), and BF (¿) at the hex
cell addresses 23, 24, and 25, respectively. Therefore, if ca = 23
and fa = B1, each time that cell address 23 is received, it will
select the character located at font address B1 (±).
~USET1
23;B1
24;A1
25;BF
END
User Set 1 now contains the following: the plus or minus sign ±
(hex B1) in place of the number sign # (hex 23); the upside down
exclamation point ¡ (hex A1) in place of the dollar sign $ (hex 24);
and the upside down question mark ¿ (hex BF) in place of the
percent sign % (hex 25). To print User Set 1, you must use the
ISET command discussed on page 418.

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Accessing Characters and Character Sets

Character Set Selection Command (ISET)
Purpose

Accesses one of the multinational (Table 48) or international
(Table 53) character sets. Use this command to access a
different character set from the configured power-up default
character set.

Mode

NORMAL, CREATE, and EXECUTE

Format

In Normal and Execute modes: (cc)ISET; n or (cc)ISET;‘UTF8’
or ISET;’xx’
In the Create mode (SFCC not required): ISET; n or ISET;‘UTF8’
or ISET;’xx’
(cc)

Represents the Special Function Control Code.

ISET

The Multinational Character Set command; enter
ISET.

n

The character substitution set number; enter a
value from the multinational (Table 48) or
international (Table 53) character set tables.
Character sets 0 through 23 represent resident
character sets. Values from 24 through 31
correspond to the customized USET character sets
1 through 8, respectively.
For example, refer to Table 51 on page 417. If you
want to use the User Set 1 created in the example
on page 417, call ISET;24. Similarly, if you want
User Set 5 that you had previously defined, call
ISET;28 to select and print the User Set 5
substitution set.

‘UTF8’

Enter UTF8 enclosed with a single quote to select
the UTF-8 character set, which is an encoding of
Unicode.

‘xx’

To select the alternate character sets, enter a
two-byte string (listed in Table 52 on page 419)
enclosed within single quotes.
NOTE:

The two-byte string listed in Table 52 on
page 419 depends on the font selected.
For example, to select the Wingdings
Character set, ISET;’WD’, the wingding
font needs to be selected with a FONT
command.

Comments
You can issue the ISET command as many times within a form as
needed. The character set selected will remain active until a new
character set is selected. If you choose an incorrect character set
value or make a syntax error, an error message will result. If a
value for n is not specified, an error message will print.

418

Character Set Selection Command (ISET)

Using the ISET command in the Execute mode declares the
character set for use in conjunction with the dynamic data within
that Execute command. Fixed form data specified in the Create
mode is not affected by an ISET command in the Execute mode.
The character set selected will remain in effect until another
character set is selected.
NOTE: See the Fonts section in the “Commands” chapter, page 83, for
information on the SYMSET command.

Table 52. Alternate Character Sets
Character Set Name

IF
(Intelligent)

TT
(TrueType)

Windows Symbol

AS

ATMType1

AT

ITC Zapf Dingbats/100

D1

ITC Zapf Dingbats/200

D2

ITC Zapf Dingbats/300

D3

ISO 60: Danish/Norweigan

DN

PS ITC Zapf Dingbats

DS

DeskTop

DT

DT

ISO 8859/1 Latin 1 (EC94)

E1

E1

ISO 8859/2 Latin 2

E2

E2

ISO 8859/9 Latin 5

E5

E5

ISO 8859/10 Latin 6

E6

E6

ISO 69: French

FR

FR

ISO 21: German

GR

GR

ISO 15: Italian

IT

IT

Wingdings

L$

WD

Legal

LG

LG

Math–8

M8

M8

Macintosh

MC

MC

PS Math

MS

MS

Microsoft Publishing

PB

PB

PC–8, Code Page 437

PC

PC

DN

419

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Table 52. Alternate Character Sets
Character Set Name

IF
(Intelligent)

PC–8 D/N, Code Page 437N

PD

PD

PC–852 Latin 2

PE

PE

Pi Font

PI

PI

PC–850 Multilingual

PM

PM

PC–8 TK, Code Page 437T

PT

PT

PC–775 Baltic

PV

PV

Non-UGL, Generic Pi Font

PY

Roman–8

R8

R8

ISO 17: Spanish

SP

SP

ISO 11: Swedish

SW

SW

Symbol

420

TT
(TrueType)

SY

PS Text

TS

TS

ISO 4: United Kingdom

UK

UK

ISO 6: ASCII

US

US

Ventura International

VI

VI

Ventura Math

VM

VM

Ventura US

VU

VU

Ventura 3.1 Latin 1

W1

W1

AgfaTidbits

WD

Windows 3.1 Latin 2

WE

WE

Windows 3.0 Latin 1

WO

WO

Windows 3.1 Latin 5

WT

WT

Downloading A Block Character

Downloading A Block Character
Purpose

The BLOCKLOAD command allows the user to replace a built-in
block character with a user-defined downloaded block character.

Mode

PGL NORMAL mode

Format

NORMAL
(cc)BLOCKLOAD[;DISK]
dest;data
END
(cc)

Represents the Special Function Control Code
(SFCC).

BLOCKLOAD
The download/load Block character command.
DISK

Optional parameter to store the downloaded
character to the printer’s non-volatile memory
(FLASH) as well as its volatile memory (RAM). If
the DISK parameter is not included, then the
character would only be saved in RAM.

dest

The location (or address space) in which the
character is to be saved. The location can be a
used or unused location in the Character Table.
The range is from 33 to 65,535 decimal. Locations
0 through 32 are control characters and the space
character, which are non-replaceable characters.

data

The data in Block format represents the shape of
the Block character. Only hexadecimal characters
are allowed. The data must contain exactly 48
hexadecimal characters. The data must be followed
by a line terminator.

END

Ends the BLOCKLOAD command.

Downloading A User-Defined Overlay Set
Purpose

The OSET command allows the user to create a user-defined
overlay character set.

Mode

PGL NORMAL mode

Format

(cc)OSETn
ca;fa
END
(cc)

Represents the Special Function Control Code
(SFCC).

OSET

The user-defined Overlay Set command.

n

Selects the overlay character set number. The
range is from 1 to 8. The overlay set number 1
through 8 corresponds to the ISET character set
selection 16 through 23.

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ca

The ASCII character cell address in the current
character set that will have its contents replaced by
the character located in the font address (fa). The
range is 33 through 255 decimal. Locations 0
through 32 are control characters and the space
character, which are non-replaceable characters.

fa

The decimal address of the character (code point)
in the character table that will replace the current
contents of ca. The value may range from 33 to
65,535. Refer to the Character Table (Appendix C)
in the LP+ Programmer’s Reference Manual to
determine which locations are used or unused.
Addresses 0-32 are not allowed to avoid confusion
between control characters and printable
characters. Multiple ca;fa lines can be defined with
a single OSET command.

END

Ends the OSET command.

NOTE: Only printable locations can be replaced. Control codes and the
space character cannot be replaced. If the value of the cell address
(ca) points to a control code or a space, then an error will print.

Activating A User-Defined Overlay Set

422

Purpose

An overlay set cannot be accessed until it is requested. Once a
user-defined overlay set (Substitution Table) is created, the ISET
command can be used to activate it. The ISET command can
also be used to access regular (non-overlay) sets such as
multinational or international character sets. If an overlay set
selected has not been created, then the ISET command would
have no effect on the currently selected character set.

Format

(cc)ISET;n
(cc)

Represents the Special Function Control Code
(SFCC).

ISET

The character set command.

n

The character set number. The valid values are 0
through 31. Overlay sets reside within sets
numbered 16 through 23. All other values
correspond to non-overlay sets.

Disabling An Overlay Set

Disabling An Overlay Set
The PGL overlay set is activated by the ISET command. It remains active until
another character set is selected. When the character set is changed, all
overlay sets will be disabled even if the selected set is the same as the
previous base character set.

Examples for Downloaded Block Characters &
Overlays
This section provides the available block patterns for creating a block
character. Each character is composed of 24 bytes (NERF is 32 bytes), which
is 48 nibbles of block patterns.

Available Block Patterns:

Example of Block Character ‘A’:

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

Figure 75. Using Block Patterns to Print Block Character A
The following example shows how to download, select, and print a
user-defined block character (such as block character ‘A’ shown in Figure 75).
It also shows a common error the user might encounter when creating overlay
sets.
~NORMAL
~BLOCKLOAD;DISK

NOTE: Puts PGL in Normal mode (default mode)
NOTE: Download the Block ‘&’ character to RAM and
Flash
5000;0FB02F0B4FD200FFF000CCC000333000FFF000FFF000000
~END
~CONFIG
BLOCK FONTS;1
END

NOTE: Set Expanded Font menu option to Block

~OSET1
65;5000

NOTE: Define overlay set #1
NOTE: Overlay an ‘A’ character with the downloaded
‘&’ character.

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13;5000
END

ERROR: Cannot replace a Control Code.

~CREATE;Overlay
~ISET;16
ALPHA
5;5;2;3;”A”

NOTE: Create a PGL form
NOTE: Enable overlay set #1
NOTE: This prints out a ‘&’ character instead of an
‘A’.

STOP
ISET;0

NOTE: Selects U.S. ASCII character set. This
command disables the overlay set #1.

ALPHA
5;7;2;3;”A”
NOTE: Prints an ‘A’ character (U.S. ASCII)
STOP
END
~EXECUTE;Overlay;1

Setting The Expanded Font Menu Option
Purpose

To access Block fonts in PGL, user needs to set the Expanded
Font menu to Block. This can be done through the front panel or
by using the configuration command BLOCK FONTS.

Format

(cc)CONFIG
BLOCK FONTS;value
END
(cc)

Represents the Special Function Control Code
(SFCC).

CONFIG

The configuration command.

BLOCK FONTS
The configuration item.
value

0 to disable, non-zero to enable.

If an overlay set is active and the Expanded Font option is set to Block, the
printer first checks the overlay set. The overlay characters have precedence
over the base characters, except for control codes and the space character. If
an overlay character exists for a particular cell, then that character will print in
place of the character in the base character set.

424

Downloaded Font Menus

Downloaded Font Menus
The Downloaded Font menu applies to both LP+ Bitmaps and IGP Block
downloaded characers. For example, performing a Delete from Flash option
deletes both Bitmap and Block downloaded characters from the flash
memory.

Line Matrix
P5000 – Under MAINT/MISC -> Downloaded Fonts
P5000PPC and P7000 – Under Advanced User -> Downloaded Fonts

Char Operation Menu

•

Delete from Flash – Delete all downloaded characters (LP+ Bitmaps and
PGL Block characters) from Flash.

•

Load from Flash – Load all downloaded characters from Flash to RAM.
Characters previously stored in RAM will be erased, and will be replaced
with characters stored in Flash.

NOTE: If no characters were stored in Flash, characters previously stored in
RAM will be erased after this operation.

•
•

Delete from RAM – Delete all downloaded characters from RAM.
Ld Char at PwrUp – Disabled by default. When enabled and save as
power-up config., all downloaded characters (LP+ Bitmap and PGL Block
characters) will be copied from Flash to RAM at power up.

Set Operation Menu

•
•
•
•

Delete from Flash – Deletes all overlay sets from Flash memory.
Load from Flash – Loads all overlay sets from Flash to RAM.
Save to Flash – Saves All overlay sets from RAM to Flash.
Ld Set at PwrUp – Disabled by default. When enabled and save as
power-up config, all downloaded overlay sets (LP+ and PGL) will be
copied from Flash to RAM at power up.

NOTE: Overlay sets in RAM are not active until the ISET command is
invoked for a particular overlay set.
All submenus under Char Operation and Set Operation apply to both
LP+ downloaded Bitmaps/Overlays and PGL downloaded Block
characters/Overlay.

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LINE MATRIX

Downloaded Fonts And Character Sets – Line Matrix

Downloaded
Fonts

Char
Operation
Delete from Flash
Load from Flash
Save to Flash
Delete from RAM

Ld Chars at
Pwrup
Enable
Disable

Set
Operation
Delete from Flash
Load from Flash
Save to Flash
Delete from RAM

Ld Set at
Pwrup
Enable
Disable

Figure 76. Menu Structure For Downloaded Fonts and Character Sets – Line Matrix

Thermal (T5xxx) – Under Printer Control
•

Del Char frm Fls – Deletes all downloaded PGL Block characters from
Flash.

•

Ld Char From Fls – Loads all downloaded PGL Block characters from
Flash to RAM. Characters previously stored in RAM will be erased and
replaced with characters stored in Flash.

•

Save Char to Fls – Saves all downloaded PGL Block characters from
RAM to Flash. Characters previously stored in Flash will be deleted and
replaced with characters currently stored in RAM.

•

Del Char frm RAM – Deletes all downloaded PGL Block characters from
RAM.

•

Ld Char at PwrUp – Disabled by default. When enabled and save as
power-up config, all downloaded PGL Block characters will be copied
from Flash to RAM at power up.

•
•
•
•

Del Set frm Fls – Deletes all overlay sets from Flash memory.
Ld Set from Fls – Loads all overlay sets from Flash to RAM.
Save Set to Fls – Saves all overlay sets from RAM to Flash.
Del Set from RAM – Deletes all overlay sets from RAM.

NOTE: All the menus for Set Operation on Thermal apply to both LP+ and
PGL downloaded overlays.

426

Downloaded Fonts And Character Sets Menu – T5xxx

THERMAL

Downloaded Fonts And Character Sets Menu – T5xxx

Printer
Control

Del Char Frm
Fls

Ld Char From
Fls

Save Char to
Fls

Del Char frm
RAM

Ld Char at
PwrUp
Disable
Enable

Del Set Frm
Fls

Ld Set From
Fls

Save Set to
Fls

Del Set from
RAM

Ld Set at
PwrUp

Disable
Enable

Figure 77. Menu Structure For Downloaded Fonts and Character Sets – Thermal Series
NOTE: Downloaded fonts and character sets menus are not supported on
L7032 printers.

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Multinational Character Set Charts

428

Multinational Character Set Charts

SWEDISH Set

NORWEGIAN Set

DANISH Set

FINNISH Set

429

Chapter

430

5

Accessing Characters and Character Sets

ENGLISH Set

DUTCH Set

FRENCH Set

SPANISH Set

Multinational Character Set Charts

ITALIAN Set

TURKISH Set

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International Character Sets
The International Character Sets supported are listed in Table 53. Select
these sets from the configuration menu “Select Font” option, or through the
SYMSET option of the “FONT” command or the ISET command.
See Table 53 for a list of the Multinational Character Sets and their
corresponding set values.

Table 53. International Character Sets
Character Set

Set Value

Standard Sets
US ASCII
German
Swedish
Danish
Norwegian
Finnish
English
Dutch
French
Spanish
Italian
Turkish
CP 437
CP 850

00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13

432

Character Set
Arabic Sets
ASMO 449
ASMO 449+
ASMO 708
ASMO 708
MS DOS CP 710
MS DOS CP 720
Sakr CP 714
Aptec CP 715
CP 786
Arabic CP 864
Arabic CP 1046
Arabic Lam 1
Arabic Lam 2
Win CP 1256
Farsi 1
Farsi 2
1098 Farsi 1285

Set Value
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116

International Character Sets

Table 53. International Character Sets (continued)
Character Set

Set Value

Cyrillic Sets
Code Page 866
Cyrillic CP 437
Cyrillic 113
Cyrillic 8859-5
ISO 915
Code Page 855
7-bit Cyrillic
Ukranian
Bulgarian
Win CP 1251
Latvian 866
CP 1048

200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211

Greek Sets
DEC 256 Greek
ELOT 928 Greek
Greek 3
ABY Greek
ABG Greek
ELOT 927 Greek
Greek 851
Greek 437
Greek 8859-7
Win CP 1253
Creek 813 EURO
Greek 869 EURO

400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411

Character Set

Set Value

European Sets
Latin 2 8859-2
Code Page 852
Mazovia
Kamenicky
Roman 8
PC-437 Slavic
Slavic 1250
Code Page 865
Code Page 860
Latin 1 8859-1
Latin 5 8859-9
Latin 9 8859-15
Polish Pol 1
Win CP 1250
Win CP 1252
Win CP 1257
CP858 EURO
Lith CP773
Serbo Croatic1
Serbo Croatic2
CP 774
CP 775
ISO 8859-4

300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322

Hebrew Sets
Hebrew Old
Hebrew New
Hebrew DEC
Latin-1 Hebrew
Win CP 1255

500
501
502
503
504

433

Chapter

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Table 53. International Character Sets (continued)
Character Set
Turkish Sets
Data General Turkish
DEC Turkish
IBM Turkish
Siemens Turkish
PTT Turkish
IBC Turkish
Bull Turkish
AS400 Turkish
Unisys Turkish
NCR Turkish
PST Turkish
Unis-1 Turkish
Code Page 853
INFO Turkish
Win CP 1254
Code Page 857
Azeri

434

Set Value
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616

Character Set

Set Value

6

Error Codes

IGP/PGL Emulation Error Codes
The IGP/PGL provides coded error messages to assist in “debugging”
programs. The printer will print an error message number and the program
line which contains the error when an error is detected. To help determine
exactly where the error occurred, use the following debug command
sequence:
(CC)CREATE;/FORM NAME
The slash (/) places the IGP/PGL in a debug mode, and the program prints,
line by line, with the error number and message printed below the specific
error in the program. The error-free portions of the form will print following the
program. After correcting the error(s), print the file again. When the errors
have been corrected, delete the slash. (A sample debug listing is shown in
“Solving Program Errors” on page 409.)
In the Execute mode, that part of the form which was correctly defined and
stored during the Create mode will print, including any dynamic data and
overlay text which was accepted before the error occurred. (Sections
containing errors must be corrected before storage in the Directory can take
place.) Any error messages will print following the printed form, and
processing will continue in the Normal mode.
In the Create Form or Create Logo mode, any error messages will print first,
followed by that part of the form/logo which was correctly defined. Incorrectly
defined elements are excluded from the form/logo.
The error codes are broken down into categories. In each category, the
number preceding each error message is the actual error code reported by
the printer, and the error shown in bold is the error message printed.

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IGP/PGL Emulation Error Codes

Horizontal Line Errors
01

HORiZontal line starting row SR out of bounds
The row specified by the second parameter in the horizontal line
command places the horizontal line outside the boundaries of the
form.

02

HORiZontal line starting column SC out of bounds
The left (starting) column of the horizontal line specified by the
third parameter in the horizontal line command places the
horizontal line outside the boundaries of the form.

03

HORiZontal line ending column EC out of bounds
The right (ending) column of the horizontal line specified by the
fourth parameter in the horizontal line command places the
horizontal line outside the boundaries of the form.

04

HORiZontal line format or delimiter error
Some type of format or delimiter error was detected in the
parameters of the horizontal line command. This error is usually
caused by one or more of the following:
a. A missing semicolon;
b. A colon in place of a semicolon;
c.

Too many or too few parameters in the command string;

d. Alpha characters instead of numeric characters in the
parameters.

436

05

Insufficient memory to store the HORiZontal line
No more room in the IGP/PGL memory exists for another
horizontal line. The rest of the horizontal line commands are
flushed until the Stop command is found. Processing will then
continue normally. To create space in the IGP/PGL memory,
delete forms with horizontal line elements that are no longer
required.

06

HORiZontal line starting column SC > ending column EC
The left (starting) column parameter of the horizontal line
command is greater than or equal to the right (ending) column
parameter.

07

HORiZontal line thickness LT error
The thickness of the horizontal line specified by the first
parameter in the horizontal line command is incorrect. This error
is usually caused by specifying a thickness of zero.

08-09

Not defined.

Vertical Line Errors

Vertical Line Errors
10

VERTical line starting column SC out of bounds
The column specified by the second parameter in the vertical line
command places the vertical line outside the form boundaries.

11

VERTical line starting row SR out of bounds
The upper (starting) row of the vertical line specified by the third
parameter in the vertical line command places the vertical line
outside the boundaries of the form.

12

VERTical line ending row ER out of bounds
The lower (ending) row of the vertical line specified by the fourth
parameter in the vertical line command places the vertical line
outside the boundaries of the form.

13

VERTical line format or delimiter error
Some type of format or delimiter error was detected in the
parameters of the vertical line command. This error is usually
caused by one or more of the following:
a. A missing semicolon;
b. A colon in place of a semicolon;
c.

Too many or too few parameters in the command string;

d. Alpha characters instead of numeric characters in the
parameters.
14

Insufficient memory to store the VERTical line
No more room in the IGP/PGL memory exists for another vertical
line. The rest of the vertical line commands are flushed until the
Stop command is found. Processing will then continue normally.
To create space in the IGP/PGL memory, delete forms with
vertical line elements that are no longer required.

15

VERTical line starting row SR > ending row ER
The upper (starting) row parameter of the vertical line command
is greater than or equal to the lower (ending) row parameter.

16

VERTical line thickness LT error
The thickness of the vertical line specified by the first parameter
in the vertical line command is incorrect. This error is usually
caused by specifying a thickness of zero.

17-19

Not defined.

437

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Box Errors
20

BOX starting column SC out of bounds
The left (starting) column specified by the third parameter in the
box command places the box outside the form boundaries.

21

BOX starting row SR out of bounds
The upper (starting) row of the box specified by the second
parameter in the box command will place the box outside the
boundaries of the form.

22

BOX ending column EC out of bounds
The right (ending) column specified by the fifth parameter in the
box command places the box outside the form boundaries.

23

BOX ending row ER out of bounds
The lower (ending) row of the box specified by the fourth
parameter in the box command will place the box outside the
boundaries of the form.

24

BOX format or delimiter error in input parameters
Some type of format or delimiter error was detected in the
parameters of the box command. This error is usually caused by
one or more of the following:
a. A missing semicolon;
b. A colon in place of a semicolon;
c.

Too many or too few parameters in the command string;

d. Alpha characters instead of numeric characters in the
parameters.

438

25

Insufficient memory to store the BOX
No more room in the IGP/PGL memory exists for another box.
The rest of the box commands are flushed until the Stop
command is found. Processing will then continue normally. To
create space in the IGP/PGL memory, delete forms with box
elements that are no longer required.

26

BOX starting column SC > ending column EC
The left (starting) column parameter of the box command is
greater than or equal to the right (ending) column parameter.

27

BOX starting row SR > ending row ER
The upper (starting) row parameter of the box command is
greater than or equal to the lower (ending) row parameter.

28

BOX line thickness LT error
The thickness of the box specified by the first parameter in the
box command is incorrect. This error is usually caused by
specifying a thickness of zero.

29

Box radius index out of range. The optional parameter, round
corner radius index, specified by the last parameter in the box
command is out of range.

Corner Errors

Corner Errors
30

CORNER starting column SC out of bounds
The left (starting) column specified by the third parameter in the
corner command places the corner outside the form boundaries.

31

CORNER starting row SR out of bounds
The upper (starting) row of the corner specified by the second
parameter in the corner command will place the corner outside
the boundaries of the form.

32

CORNER ending column EC out of bounds
The right (ending) column specified by the fifth parameter in the
corner command places the corner outside the form boundaries.

33

CORNER ending row ER out of bounds
The lower (ending) row of the corner specified by the fourth
parameter in the corner command will place the corner outside
the boundaries of the form.

34

CORNER horizontal length HL out of bounds
The length of the horizontal arms of the corner specified by the
seventh parameter in the corner command will cause parts of the
corner to extend outside the form boundaries.

35

CORNER vertical length VL out of bounds
The length of the vertical arms of the corner specified by the sixth
parameter in the corner command will cause parts of the corner
to extend above or below the boundaries of the form.

36

CORNER format or delimiter error in input parameters
Some type of format or delimiter error was detected in the
parameters of the corner command. This error is usually caused
by one or more of the following:
a. A missing semicolon;
b. A colon in place of a semicolon;
c.

Too many or too few parameters in the command string;

d. Alpha characters instead of numeric characters in the
parameters.
37

Insufficient memory to store the CORNER
No more room in the IGP/PGL memory exists for another corner.
The rest of the corner commands are flushed until the Stop
command is found. Processing will then continue normally. To
create space in the IGP/PGL memory, delete forms with corner
elements that are no longer required.

38

CORNER starting column SC > ending column EC
The left (starting) column parameter of the corner command is
greater than or equal to the right (ending) column parameter.

39

CORNER starting row SR > ending row ER
The upper (starting) row parameter of the corner command is
greater than or equal to the lower (ending) row parameter.

439

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IGP/PGL Emulation Error Codes

Alpha Errors
40

ALPHA leading and trailing delimiters mismatched
The leading delimiter (printable character) of the actual text string
was not matched with an ending delimiter before the line
terminator was found.

41

ALPHA starting row SR out of bounds
The starting row parameter in the Alpha command will cause the
text string to print either above or below the limits of the form.

NOTE: Expanded print text strings expand up from the specified row. This
could cause an attempt to print the text string above the top of the
form and generate the error message.
42

ALPHA starting column SC out of bounds
The starting column parameter in the Alpha command is either
extending the alpha string beyond the left margin of the form or
the starting column parameter, plus the actual length of the text is
extending the string beyond the right margin of the page.

43

ALPHA string length > 255 characters
The string contains more than 255 characters.

44

ALPHA format or delimiter error in input parameters
Some type of format or delimiter error was detected in the
parameters of the alpha command. This error is usually caused
by one or more of the following:
a. A missing semicolon;
b. A colon in place of a semicolon;
c.

Too many or too few parameters in the command string;

d. Alpha characters instead of numeric characters in the
parameters.

440

45

Insufficient memory to store the ALPHA string
No more room in the IGP/PGL memory exists for another alpha
string. The rest of the Alpha commands are flushed until the Stop
command is found. Processing of the form will then continue
normally. To create space in the IGP/PGL memory, delete forms
with alpha string elements that are no longer required.

46

ALPHA X expansion HE and Y expansion VE must be zero
When the expanded character parameters VE and HE are used
within the ALPHA command, both values must be either zero or
non-zero values. Use vertical expansion and horizontal
expansion with 12 point font size only. If the elongated characters
parameter [E] or the compressed characters parameter [Cn] is
used in the ALPHA command, the VE and HE values must be set
to 0.

47

ALPHA X expansion factor HE out of bounds
The horizontal expansion factor is greater than the maximum
allowed.

Logo Errors

48

ALPHA Y expansion factor VE out of bounds
The vertical expansion factor is greater than the maximum
allowed.

49

ALPHA compression factor Cn or Density error (10, 10A,
10B, 12, 13, 15, 17, 20)
The optional compression parameter (Cn) which defines the
horizontal pitch of the text was specified incorrectly. The pitches
currently available are 10, 10A, 10B, 12, 13, 15, 17, and 20 cpi.

Logo Errors
50

LOGO horizontal width HL > 240 or dot col> HL
a. The horizontal width of the logo is equal to zero or greater than
240. The IGP/PGL automatically reverts to Normal mode when
this occurs.
b. A dot position specified in the logo program exceeds the
specified horizontal width of the logo. When this occurs, the
buffer is flushed until a line terminator is found, and then logo
construction continues normally.

51

LOGO vertical length VL > 252 or dot row n > VL
a. The vertical length of the logo is equal to zero or greater than
252. The IGP/PGL automatically reverts to Normal mode when
this occurs.
b. A dot row specified in the logo program exceeds the specified
vertical length of the logo. When this occurs, the buffer is flushed
until a line terminator is found, and then logo construction
continues normally.

52

LOGO hyphen syntax error in input parameters
The beginning or ending dots are out of order, or a parameter is
missing. The buffer is flushed until a line terminator is found, and
then logo construction continues normally.

53

Insufficient memory to create the LOGO
No more room exists in IGP/PGL memory to construct a logo for
the size specified. When this occurs, the IGP/PGL automatically
reverts to Normal mode. To create space in IGP/PGL memory,
delete forms with logo elements (including the logos) that are no
longer required.

54

LOGO format or delimiter error
Some type of format or delimiter error was detected in the Logo
command. If this occurs while specifying the size and name of the
logo, the IGP/PGL automatically reverts to the Normal mode. If
this occurs during the actual construction of the logo, the buffer is
flushed until a line terminator is found, and then logo construction
continues normally.

441

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IGP/PGL Emulation Error Codes

55

LOGO call not previously defined
An attempt was made in the Create Form mode to incorporate an
undefined logo into a form. This error is not generated during the
Logo Form mode. When this error occurs, the buffer is flushed
until a line terminator is found, and then forms creation continues
normally.

56

Insufficient memory for another LOGO call
IGP/PGL memory cannot store another logo call. To create space
in the IGP/PGL memory, delete forms with logo elements
(including the logos) no longer required.

57

LOGO call starting row SR out of bounds
During form creation, the parameter specifying the row position of
a logo places the logo outside the form boundaries. The buffer is
flushed until a line terminator is found, and then processing
continues normally.

58

LOGO call starting column SC out of bounds
During form creation, the parameter specifying the column
position of a logo places the logo outside the form boundaries.
When this occurs, the buffer is flushed until a line terminator is
found, and then processing continues normally.

59

LOGO error found in DISK/FLASH file
When the logo was loaded dynamically in Execute Form mode
from disk or flash, there was an error in processing the logo.

Create Errors

442

60

Directory full - cannot CREATE the form or LOGO
The directory is full, or no more room exists in the IGP/PGL
memory for another form. When this occurs, the IGP/PGL
automatically reverts to the Normal mode. To create space in the
IGP/PGL memory, delete forms that are no longer required.

61

CREATE function unrecognized
An unrecognizable command is entered during the Create Form
mode. At this point, the buffer is flushed until a Stop command is
found, and then processing continues.

62

CREATE horizontal duplication parameter HDUP error
Either a format error was detected or a parameter was exceeded.
The duplication number must be no greater than 255, and the
offset must be no greater than 792 (dot scale). If this error occurs,
the Horizontal Duplication command is ignored, and forms
processing continues.

63

CREATE vertical duplication parameter VDUP error
Either a format error was detected, or a parameter was
exceeded. The duplication number must be no greater than 255
and the offset must be no greater than the specified length of the
form. If this error occurs, the Vertical Duplication command is
ignored, and forms processing continues.

Execute Errors

64

CREATE scale factor parameter SCALE invalid
Either a format error was detected, or a parameter was specified
incorrectly. The vertical lines per inch can be specified as 1 to the
target DPI. The horizontal characters per inch can be specified
only as 10, 12, 13, 15, 17 or 20 cpi. If this error occurs, the Scale
command is ignored and forms processing continues.

65

CREATE page starting row PAGE SR out of bounds
When you specify the position of the page parameters with the
Page command in the Create Form mode, the row position
specified will place the page number above or below the
boundaries of the form. When this error occurs, the IGP/PGL will
automatically revert to the Normal mode.

66

CREATE page starting column PAGE SC out of bounds
When you specify the position of the page parameters in the
Create command, the column position specified will place the
page number outside the form boundaries. When this error
occurs, the IGP/PGL will automatically revert to the Normal
mode.

67

CREATE STOP command missing
This error occurs when the IGP/PGL receives a new function
command, an End command, or a mode command without
receiving a Stop command. The IGP/PGL will continue to process
subsequent commands correctly.

68

Insufficient memory to store the SETUP program
No more room in the IGP/PGL memory exists for storing the
SETUP routine.

69

Insufficient memory to store the form
The directory is full, or no more room exists in the IGP/PGL
memory for another form. When this occurs, the IGP/PGL
automatically reverts to the Normal mode. To create space in the
IGP/PGL memory, delete forms that are no longer required.

Execute Errors
70

EXECUTE form count parameter FC error
This error occurs when the parameter specifying the number of
blank forms to print was entered incorrectly. When this error
occurs, the IGP/PGL will automatically revert to the Normal
mode. Form count can be from 1 through 65,535.

71

EXECUTE/DELETE form or file not found in the directory
An attempt was made to execute or delete a form which does not
exist in the forms directory. When this error occurs, the IGP/PGL
reverts to the Normal mode.

72

EXECUTE EVFU load error
This error is generated only during the Execute Form mode while
programming the EVFU. If more channels than lines per physical
page are specified during a load sequence, this error is
generated, and the IGP/PGL automatically reverts to the Normal
mode.

443

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73

EXECUTE EVFU terminator invalid
This error is generated only during the Execute Form mode. The
EVFU LOAD is missing an END LOAD code. If the line terminator
cannot be deciphered, an error is generated, and the IGP/PGL
reverts to the Normal mode.

74

Missing delimiter - must be a single quotation mark
When issuing an SFCC change command, the new SFCC
character must be contained within two single quotation marks. If
the new SFCC character is being identified by the ASCII value,
no quotation marks are required.

75

Not defined.

76

EXECUTE page number error
An error was made while specifying the page number used with
the form being executed. This error can be generated because of
incorrect format or a page number that is too large. The specified
page number can range from 0 through 99,999,999. Since the
page number is part of the Execute command, the IGP/PGL will
automatically revert to the Normal mode.

77

EXECUTE format or delimiter error
A format or delimiter error was detected in the Execute
command; the IGP/PGL will automatically revert to the Normal
mode. This error is usually caused by one or more of the
following:
a. A missing semicolon;
b. A colon in place of a semicolon;
c.

Too many or too few parameters in the command string;

d. Alpha characters instead of decimal digits in the parameters;
e. Page command misspelled when specifying the page
number.

444

78

Insufficient memory to EXECUTE the form
Insufficient memory was available to recall and execute a form.
The IGP/PGL will automatically revert to the Normal mode.

79

Not defined.

Miscellaneous Errors

Miscellaneous Errors
80

Special function must be called from the NORMAL mode
This special function must be called from the Normal mode and
not the Create Form or Execute Form mode. This error is
generally due to a missing End command in the Create Form
mode. For example, an attempt to enter the Create Form mode
while executing a form will cause the IGP/PGL automatically to
revert to the Normal mode.

81

No such special function
The special function call was unrecognizable. The IGP/PGL will
automatically revert to the Normal mode.

82

Numeric value expected in input parameter
Characters other than numeric digits (0-9) are encountered
where digits are expected.

83

Decimal input error in input parameter
The parameter expected was a decimal number. Either the
number was not there, or it was too large (greater than 65,535).
This error can also be caused by entering an alpha character
instead of a numeric character.

84

Missing or wrong delimiter - must be a semicolon ;
The delimiter is either wrong or missing. The delimiter expected is
a semicolon.

85

Missing or wrong delimiter - must be a colon :

86

DENSITY param error - 10, 10A, 10B, 12, 13, 15, 17, or 20
The parameters of the Density command are improperly
specified. The densities currently implemented are 10, 10A, 10B,
12, 13, 15, 17, and 20 characters per inch. The command is
ignored and processing continues.

87

LPI parameter error
The parameters of the LPI command are improperly specified.
The allowable range is from 1 through 1000. The command is
ignored and processing continues.

88

BARCODE type not supported
The bar code type selected is a valid IGP/PGL bar code, but is
not supported by this type of printer.

89

EXPAND parameters out of bounds or format error
The parameters of the Expand command are improperly
specified. Either the parameters are out of bounds, or some type
of format error was detected. The command is ignored, and
processing continues.

445

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Bar Code Errors
90

Insufficient memory to store the BARCODE
No more room exists in the IGP/PGL memory for another bar
code. The rest of the bar code commands are flushed until the
Stop command is found. Processing will then continue.

91

ALPHA/BARCODE syntax error
Some type of syntax (format) error was detected in the
parameters of the bar code command. This error is usually
caused by one or more of the following:
a. Misspelled keywords;
b. Lowercase used;
c.

A missing semicolon;

d. A colon in place of a semicolon;
e. An ending delimiter for the data field was not found;
f.

Too many or too few parameters in the command string.

The rest of the command line is flushed until the Stop command
is found. Processing will then continue.

446

92

BARCODE magnification factor MAG out of bounds or not
allowed
The magnification factor specified in the bar code command is
out of bounds. Refer to the applicable section in the “Bar Codes”
chapter to determine the acceptable magnification values for the
bar code symbol being used.

93

BARCODE starting row SR out of bounds
The starting row parameter in the bar code command will cause
the bar code symbol to print either above or below the limits of
the form.

94

BARCODE starting column SC out of bounds
The starting column parameter in the bar code command will
cause the bar code symbol to print either beyond the left margin
or the right margin of the form.

95

BARCODE height Hn out of bounds - must be 3 through 99
The height parameter specified in the bar code command is out
of bounds. Acceptable values are 3 through 99.

96

BARCODE data field has illegal character/format
A character in the data field was not recognized as an acceptable
character. Refer to the applicable section in the “Bar Codes”
chapter to determine the acceptable characters for the bar code
symbol being used. The missing ending delimiter also causes this
error.

97

BARCODE data field too short or too long
The data field in the bar code command has too few or too many
data characters. Refer to the applicable section in the “Bar
Codes” chapter to determine the acceptable number of data
characters for the bar code symbol being used.

Bar Code Errors

98

BARCODE symbol(s) exceeds the form length
The bar code command causes a bar code symbol to print below
the limits of the form. This error occurs on the data field line of the
bar code.

99

BARCODE symbol(s) exceeds the form width
The bar code command causes a bar code symbol to print
beyond the right margin. This error occurs on the data field line of
the bar code.

100

BARCODE variable ratio 0 or not ascending

101

BARCODE PDF not allowed or error - LOC: A or B - FONT: N,
P, Q, R, T, V, O, X or S
Either the alternate font was selected for a bar code or an invalid
parameter was used. Acceptable parameters must be “N” for the
normal font, “O” for the OCR-A optional font, “X” for the OCR-B
optional font, or “S” to suppress printing of the data field, “P” for
12 cpi, “Q” for 13 cpi, “R” for 15 cpi, “T” for 17 cpi, “V” for 20 cpi.

102

Dynamic BARCODE symbol exceeds the form length
The bar code command with a dynamic data field exceeds the
limits of the current form length.

103

Dynamic data must be inserted at Top-of-Form
Dynamic data must immediately follow the EXECUTE command
before any overlay data.

104

Dynamic BARCODE data field BFn not previously defined
Dynamic data field designated in the Execute Form mode was
not defined in the Create Form mode.

105

Dynamic ALPHA/BARCODE/LOGO field
AFn/BFn/GFn error - must be 0-512
Dynamic alpha field number (AFn), bar code field number (BFn),
or logo field number (GFn) must range from 0 through 512.

106

Dynamic BARCODE symbol exceeds the form width

107

Dynamic ALPHA data field AFn not previously defined
The dynamic alpha field number called for was not previously
defined in the Create Form mode.

108

BARCODE symbol check digit CD out of bounds

109

Dynamic Alpha/BARCODE field longer than previously
defined
The BARCODE data provided exceeds the maximum length for
the bar code selected.

110

SFCC decimal input error - must be 01 - 255
The hexadecimal value on the ASCII chart for the Special
Function Control Code is not valid. Refer to page 145 to select a
valid SFCC.

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Reverse Print Errors
111

REVERSE format error in input parameters
Re-enter the command with proper format.

112

REVERSE starting row SR/ending row ER out of bounds
Exceeds the value specified to reverse the element.

113

REVERSE starting SC/ending column EC out of bounds
Exceeds the value specified to reverse the element.

114

Insufficient memory to store the REVERSE element
Insufficient memory space available for reversed print
requirements.

Miscellaneous Errors

448

115

PDF417 barcode sizing parameter illegal or too small for
data.

116

PDF417 security level has illegal value or format

117

Unusable or illegal raster data

118

Unsupported raster image type

119

Unsupported raster compression type

120

Dynamic LOGO data field GFn not previously defined.
Dynamic logo field designated in the Execute Form mode was not
defined in the Create Form mode.

121

Not defined.

122

EXECUTE form too wide for current page setting
The form was defined in one orientation while sent to print in
another orientation. Use the debug slash (/) when creating a form
to show which element is out of bounds (see page 461).

123

EXECUTE form too long for current page setting
The form was defined in one orientation while sent to print in
another orientation. Use the debug slash (/) when creating a form
to show which element is out of bounds (see page 461).

124-125

Not defined.

126

LFORMx form length parameter n error
The number of lines exceeds 66 (for 6 lpi) or 88 (for 8 lpi) lines
when using the LFORMx command.

127

Not defined.

128

FORM/LOGO name is not a legal file name
The file name exceeds the 15-character limitation, or an invalid
character was used in the file name. Refer to IGP/PGL Command
Standards in the “Commands” chapter.

129

Not defined.

Incremental Fields Errors

Incremental Fields Errors
130

Not defined.

131

Incremental STEPMASK parameter error
A semicolon is missing after the STEPMASK data.

132

Incremental REPEAT/RESET parameter error
An illegal RPT or RST parameter value was found in the
incremental command. The value must range from 1 through
65,535.

133

Incremental STEPMASK/STARTDATA length error
The dynamic stepmask exceeded created field length or start
data exceeded stepmask.

134

Incremental EXECUTE command error
An illegal IRST or ICNT parameter value was found in the
Execute command. The value must range from 1 through 65,535.

135

Not defined.

136

Incremental STEPMASK/STARTDATA mismatched
The STARTDATA value must be A-Z or 0-9, when the
STEPMASK value is a value from 0-9.

Miscellaneous Errors
137

Data Matrix barcode sizing parameter illegal or too small for
data

138

Data Matrix barcode format ID parameter is illegal

139

Data Matrix barcode ECC type is illegal

140

PMODE or SMODE not the first command in the CREATE
mode

141

PMODE or SMODE syntax error

142

PMODE or SMODE printer type PT parameter error

143

PMODE or SMODE scaling parameter error

144

PMODE or SMODE exit mode (EM) parameter error

145

PMODE entries exceeded - maximum = 8

146 - 149

Not defined.

449

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Multinational Character Set Errors

450

150

ISET character selection parameter n error
An ISET character set selection parameter value between 0 and
31 was expected. Error was caused possibly by an invalid
numeric value or an alpha character. See Chapter 5.

151

USET decimal input error in input parameter
The USET command was expecting a decimal parameter and
either received none or received an alpha character.

152

USET character set n parameter error
A USET character set selection parameter value between 1 and 8
was expected. Error was caused possibly by an invalid numeric
value or an alpha character.

153

USET substituted character illegal - must be 1 of 16
During character substitution in the USET command, the hex
value for the character being replaced must be one of the
specified 16 hex values. Only the following hex values (ca) can
be replaced by another hex value (fa): 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 40,
5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 60, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E.

154

USET defined character illegal - must be hex 20-FF
During the USET command, the hex value for the substituted
character (fa) must range between hex 20 and hex FF. The value
given may be out of bounds.

155

USET syntax error - END command is expected
An END command is expected when the USET character set
definition is completed.

156

No such CONFIGURATION option

157

Left or Top/Bottom margin too large for the current page size

158

Invalid CONFIG parameter error - out of range

159

Download Data into Memory Module Failed

160

FONT command, FONTLOAD command, or DELETE FONT
command parameter error

161

Illegal FONT typeface value - must be resident

162

Illegal FONT bolding factor - must be ON(1) or OFF(0)

163

Illegal FONT slant - must be LEFT(-1), OFF(0) or RIGHT(1)

164

Illegal FONT point size - must be 4 - 999

165

Illegal FONT symbol set value

166

Illegal FONT space value - must be 0, 1, 2, or 3

167

Illegal FONT Block setting - must be 0, 1, 2, or 3

168–169

Not defined

170

PAPER/CASSETTE command syntax error

171

Invalid PAPER parameter error - out of range

172

Illegal FONT name format, too long or not found

Font Errors

173

Insufficient memory for font download

174

Parameter out of bounds

175–179

Not defined

180

Australian 4-state barcode invalid FCC (2 digits)

181

Australian 4-state barcode invalid Sorting number (8 digits)

182

Australian 4-state barcode invalid Customer Data

183

Aztec barcode invalid parameters or data

184

RSS barcode composite data or parameters are invalid

Font Errors
160

FONT command or FONTLOAD parameter error
The FACE # parameter or FONTLOAD command is either
missing a space between the parameter and its value, or a
semicolon is missing between font parameters.

161

Illegal FONT typeface value - must be resident
An illegal FONT typeface value was used. FONT typeface values
range from 90000 through 99999, or 0 through 9999.

162

Illegal FONT bolding factor - must be ON(1) or OFF(0)
An illegal FONT bolding value was used. ON (or 1) or OFF (or 0)
must be entered.

163

Illegal FONT slant - must be LEFT (-1), OFF (0) or RIGHT (1)
An illegal FONT slant value was used. LEFT (or -1), OFF (or 0),
or RIGHT (or 1) must be entered.

164

Illegal FONT point size - must be 4-999
An illegal FONT point size was used. Valid values range from 4
through 999.

165

Illegal FONT symbol set value
An invalid SYMSET parameter value was used. Valid parameter
values are 0 through 31.

166

Illegal FONT space value - must be 0, 1, 2 or 3
An illegal FONT space value was used. Only 0, 1, 2 or 3
constitute valid values.

167

Illegal FONT Block setting - must be 0, 1, 2, or 3

168-169

Not defined.

170

PAPER/CASSETTE command syntax error

171

Invalid PAPER parameter error - out of range or not
supported

172

Illegal FONT name format, too long or not found

173

Insufficient memory for font download

174

Parameter out of bounds

175-179

Not defined.

451

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IGP/PGL Emulation Error Codes

Bar Code Errors
180

Australian 4-state barcode invalid FCC (2 digits)

181

Australian 4-state barcode invalid Sorting number (8 digits)

182

Australian 4-state barcode invalid Customer Data

183

Aztec barcode invalid parameters or data

184

RSS barcode composite data or parameters are invalid

185

Not defined

186

Not defined

187

Not defined

188

Not defined

189

Not defined

Miscellaneous Errors

452

190

RFID Command Syntax Error

191

Invalid RFID Data Length or tag field not supported

192

Out of Memory for RFID

193

Dynamic RFID data field RFn not previously defined

194

Non-hexadecimal digit in HEX or EPC data field

195

Invalid Data Length for EPC

196

Writing RFID data on write-protected tag

197

Writing RFID data beyond tag size

198

Dynamic RFID data longer than previously defined

199

Invalid RFID Data

200

Logo Length is longer than form length

201

Dynamic data field DFn not previously defined

202

VERIFY Command Syntax Error

203

Insufficient memory to store the VERIFY element

204

Dynamic data field DFn previously defined

205

CIRCLE format or delimiter error in input parameters

206

ELLIPSE format or delimiter error in input parameters

207

ELLIPSE/CIRCLE starting column SC out of bounds

208

ELLIPSSE/CIRCLE ending column EC out of bounds

209

ELLIPSE/CIRCLE starting row SR out of bounds

210

ELLIPSE/CIRCLE ending row ER out of bounds

211

ELLIPSE/CIRCLE border thickness LT error

212

Insufficient memory to store the ELLIPSE

213

Insufficient memory to store the CIRCLE

Miscellaneous Errors

214

XML data stream element error

215

XML data stream attribute error

216

XML data stream data error

217

XML data stream syntax error

218

DIAGONAL format or delimiter error in input parameters

219

DIAGONAL starting column SC out of bounds

220

DIAGONAL ending column EC out of bounds

221

DIAGONAL starting row SR out of bounds

222

DIAGONAL ending row ER out of bounds

223

DIAGONAL border thickness LT error

224

Insufficient memory to store the DIAGONAL

225

QRCode: Invalid Barcode Model

226

QRCode: Invalid Error Correction Level

227

QRCode: Invalid Mask Number

228

QRCode: Invalid Data Entry Method

229

QRCode: Invalid Concatenatation Mode

230

QRCode: Invalid Partition Number

231

QRCode: Invalid Total Partition Number

232

QRCode: Invalid Parity Data

233

Expanded Memory Cartridge (EMC) is not installed or Insufficient
memory

234

Illegal PC value not complying with EPC length

235

RFWTAG PC field needs to be followed immediately by EPC field

236

The command is not supported.

453

Chapter

454

6

IGP/PGL Emulation Error Codes

A

Standard ASCII Character
Set
B7

B6

BITS

KEY

0
B5

0

1

B4 B3 B2 B1
1 0

1

ESC

1

OCTAL
DECIMAL
HEX

33
27
1B

ASCII CHARACTER
B7

B6

0
B5

BITS

0

0
0

0

0

1

1

0

1

0

1

0

1

1

0

0

1
1

1

1

1

0

1

COLUMN

0

B4 B3 B2 B1 ROW

1

0 0 0 0

0

NUL

0
0
0

0 0 0 1

1

SOH

1
1
1

0 0 1 0

2

STX

2
2
2

0 0 1 1

3

ETX

3
3
3

0 1 0 0

4

EOT

0 1 0 1

5

0 1 1 0

DLE
DC1
(XON)

2
20
16
10
21
17
11

SP
!

3
40
32
20
41
33
21

4

0

60
48
30

1

61
49
31

5

6

@

100
64
40

P

120
80
50

A

101
65
41

Q

121
81
51

a

7
140
96
60

p

160
112
70

141
97
61

q

161
113
71

22
18
12

"

42
34
22

2

62
50
32

B

102
66
42

R

122
82
52

b

142
98
62

r

162
114
72

(XOFF)

23
19
13

#

43
35
23

3

63
51
33

C

103
67
43

S

123
83
53

c

143
99
63

s

163
115
73

4
4
4

DC4

24
20
14

$

44
36
24

4

64
52
34

D

104
68
44

T

124
84
54

d

144
100
64

t

164
116
74

ENQ

5
5
5

NAK

25
21
15

%

45
37
25

5

65
53
35

E

105
69
45

U

125
85
55

e

145
101
65

u

165
117
75

6

ACK

6
6
6

SYN

26
22
16

&

46
38
26

6

66
54
36

F

106
70
46

V

126
86
56

f

146
102
66

v

166
118
76

0 1 1 1

7

BEL

7
7
7

ETB

27
23
17

47
39
27

7

67
55
37

G

107
71
47

W

127
87
57

g

147
103
67

w

167
119
77

1 0 0 0

8

BS

10
8
8

CAN

30
24
18

(

50
40
28

8

70
56
38

H

110
72
48

X

130
88
58

h

150
104
68

x

170
120
78

1 0 0 1

9

HT

11
9
9

EM

31
25
19

)

51
41
29

9

71
57
39

I

111
73
49

Y

131
89
59

i

151
105
69

y

171
121
79

1 0 1 0

10

LF

12
10
0A

SUB

32
26
1A

*

52
42
2A

:

72
58
3A

J

112
74
4A

Z

132
90
5A

j

152
106
6A

z

172
122
7A

1 0 1 1

11

VT

1 1 0 0

12

FF

1 1 0 1

13

CR

1 1 1 0

14

SO

16
14
0E

RS

36
30
1E

.

56
46
2E

>

76
62
3E

N

116
78
4E

^

136
94
5E

n

156
110
6E

1 1 1 1

15

SI

17
15
0F

US

37
31
1F

/

57
47
2F

?

77
63
3F

O

117
79
4F

_

137
95
5F

o

157
111
6F

13
11
0B
14
12
0C
15
13
0D

DC2
DC3

ESC
FS
GS

33
27
1B
34
28
1C
35
29
1D

'

+
,
-

53
43
2B
54
44
2C
55
45
2D

;
<
=

73
59
3B
74
60
3C
75
61
3D

K
L
M

113
75
4B
114
76
4C
115
77
4D

[
\
]

133
91
5B
134
92
5C
135
93
5D

k
l
m

153
107
6B
154
108
6C
155
109
6D

{
|
}

~
DEL

173
123
7B
174
124
7C
175
125
7D
176
126
7E
177
127
7F

455

Appendix A

456

B

Grid Programs And
Samples

The Standard Grid. The standard grid is used for form design. The program
for the standard grid is listed below, and a sample of the standard grid follows
on the next page. Photocopy the grid provided or enter the grid program and
make your own printout.

457

The Logo Grid. The program for a logo grid is listed below and the sample
grid follows. It is not the full size logo grid; the grid can measure up to 240
columns wide by 252 rows high for a logo 4 x 3.5 inches. Photocopy the grid
or enter the grid program to obtain a printout.

459

C

Page Boundaries

Paper Selection And Maximum Values
Most Create Form mode commands require you to identify specific form
boundaries using the SR, SC, ER, EC parameters. This appendix addresses
the page boundaries affecting IGP/PGL products for both cut-sheet page
printers and continuous form printers.
All printers have maximum print boundaries according to the printer type and
paper size selected. Refer to your printer User's Manual for the specific page
boundaries associated with your printer. Table 54 shows the print boundaries
for page printers using several different widths and lengths.
Note that while both cut-sheet page printers and continuous form printers
have specific maximum width values based on paper size, continuous form
printers are not bound by the same maximum page length values; on a
continuous form printer, if you specify a page length exceeding the actual
paper size, the form will continue to print until it is completed.
The maximum dot values such as those shown in Table 54 are necessary to
determine the maximum printable area on your form for your printer when
modifying top/bottom margin settings or offsetting the values for left margin
print positions. The following pages explain how to determine the Top/Bottom
Margin and Left Margin requirements for your printer.

Create Form Mode
In the Create Form mode, both the form's length and width used for boundary
checking may be specified by the user. However, if the form size is not
specified, the form length defaults to 11” and the width is not checked.
Boundary checking for form elements is performed only when the form length
is specified.

Execute Form Mode
In the Execute Form mode, use the following guidelines to determine if a form
will print on the current page size.

Not User-Defined
If the form's length/width is not user-defined, and the minimum length/width is
greater than the current page length/ width, minus the margins, then the result
will be error 74 or 75.

461

Appendix C

Paper Selection And Maximum Values

User-defined
If the form's length/width is user-defined greater than the current page length/
width, minus the margins, then the result will be error 74 or 75.

Not-defined
If the form's length/width is not-defined and the minimum length/width is less
than or equal to the current page length/width, minus the margins, then the
form length/width will equal the page length/width, minus the margins.

Table 54. Paper Sizes and Maximum Print Area
Maximum Dot Value*
Paper Size

Dimensions
(inches)

Page Width

Page Length

Letter

8.0 x 11

481

793

Letter

8.5 x 11

511

793

Legal

8.5 x 14

511

1009

A4

8.268 x 11.693

497

842

B5

6.929 x 9.842

416

709

AIAG Label

4x6

241

433

Odette Label

8x5

481

361

*How to calculate Maximum Dot Values:
1. Page Length x 72 dpi minus Top and Bottom Margin Values + 1 = maximum height value;
2. Page Width x 60 dpi minus Left Margin Value + 1 = maximum width
value.
Values exceeding maximum values will produce an error message.

Setting Top/Bottom Margins
Using dot values to identify maximum vertical print positions, the page
boundary parameter of an 11-inch form has 792 dot rows at n/72-inch vertical
resolution (72 dpi X 11 inches). (See Figure 78.)
With no Top/Bottom Margin configuration setting on an 11-inch form, the first
print position is Starting Row 1, Starting Column 1 (A). However, if a Top/
Bottom Margin value is set at 10, then Starting Row 1 is adjusted down by 10
dot rows (B), and the Ending Row is adjusted up 10 dot rows (C), thereby
reducing the maximum vertical printable area to 773 dots (793 - [10 + 10]).
The greater the top/bottom margin setting, the smaller the printable area on
the form.

462

Setting Left Margins

NOTE: The Top/Bottom margins are set under the LinePrinter+ configuration
menu, or from the host by sending the PGL CONFIG command. See
the “Commands” chapter.

Maximum Character Column
Maximum Horizontal Dot 511
A
B

Maximum Vertical
Print Area (772 dots)

C

Maximum Character Row 67
Maximum Vertical Dot 793

Figure 78. Top/Bottom Margin Example

Setting Left Margins
Using dot values to identify maximum horizontal print positions, the page
boundary parameter of an 8-1/2-inch wide form (85 character columns) has
510 dot columns (1-511) + n/60-inch horizontal resolution (60 dpi X 8.5
inches). (See Figure 78.) Setting a Left Margin value repositions the Starting
Column 1 position by the degree of offset required. This offset can be a 0, a
positive, or negative value. The following examples explain how setting the
Left Margin affects printed output:
No Left Margin Setting. When the Left Margin configuration setting is 0 on
an 8-1/2-inch form, the Starting Column is 1, and the Ending Column is 511 (,
A and B, respectively).
Positive Left Margin Setting. When the Left Margin setting is 20 on an 8-1/2inch form, the left margin is offset by 20 dots, and that 20th dot position
becomes Starting Column 1 in IGP/PGL memory (A, Figure 80). This 20 dots
also offsets the Ending Column by 20 dots, thus narrowing the maximum print
width on the form from 511 to 491 dots (B, Figure 80).

463

Appendix C

Paper Selection And Maximum Values

Negative Left Margin Setting. With a Left Margin setting of -20 on an 8-1/2inch form, the left margin is offset -20 dots, and that -20 becomes the Starting
Column 1 in IGP/PGL memory (A, Figure 81). This -20 offset appears to
expand the horizontal printable area to 531 dots (B, Figure 81); however, the
expanded area is actually beyond the addressable range of the 8-1/2-inchwide form containing the -20 offset position and is, therefore, not accessible.
Column 21 is the left-most addressable area on the page.
NOTE: Negative Left Margin configuration is a method of offsetting and
printing an existing IGP/PGL file which may otherwise require
modification in order to orient the output on the page properly. Use
this option if your IGP/PGL file was written for applications where the
leftmost printable area is not designated as the first printable
character column on the form.

B
A

Maximum Horizontal
Print Area (510 dots)

Figure 79. Left Margin Example - No Setting

464

Maximum Character Column
Maximum Horizontal Dot 511

Setting Left Margins

A Dot Column 20
Becomes Column 1

B

Maximum Horizontal Dot Column
(511) becomes 491 due to
+20 offset

Maximum Horizontal
Print Area (490 dots)

Figure 80. Left Margin Setting +20 Example

A Dot Column -20
Becomes Column 1

B

Maximum Horizontal Dot
Column 531

Nonprintable area due
to -20 left margin
offset

Maximum Horizontal Printable Area
(510 dots)

Figure 81. Left Margin -20 Setting Example

465

Appendix C

466

Paper Selection And Maximum Values

D

Vertical Paper Motion

Introduction
NOTE: Vertical Paper Motion is not supported on L7032 printers.
There are three methods of advancing the print position with the IGP/PGL
which are explained in this appendix:
1. Using line feeds or form feeds;
2. Using the paper instruction (PI) line; or
3. Using the Electronic Vertical Format Unit (EVFU).
In impact printers, print position is adjusted by vertical paper motion down the
page. Because no paper motion occurs during forms creation in non-impact
printers, advancing the print position refers to cursor movement down the
page according to positioning commands received by the host. Throughout
this appendix, the term advancing the print position will be used to generically
refer to this concept of cursor movement/vertical paper motion.

Paper Motion Using Line Feeds And Form Feeds
The most common method of advancing the print position with IGP/PGL is
through the use of line feeds and form feeds. A line feed moves the print
position down a distance determined by the current line spacing (lpi). In the
Normal mode, a form feed character advances the print position to the top of
the next page; in the Execute mode, a form feed advances the print position
to the top of the next form. Form length is determined by the CREATE
command.

467

Appendix D

Paper Motion Using The PI Line (Relative Line Slewing)

Paper Motion Using The PI Line (Relative Line Slewing)
The method of moving the print position using the PI line results in vertical
slews of a specified number of lines relative to the current print position
(rather than slewing to a specific line). For this to occur, the following criteria
must be met:
1. The PI line must be enabled and set high; and
2. Data bit 5 must be 1 (set).
When a number of blank lines will be skipped on a form, (called “paper
slewing”) another method of paper motion may be used. The PI signal can be
detected by the IGP/PGL as the 8th data bit in a serial interface, or a separate
input line in a parallel interface. (Refer to the EN-PI/DIS-PI command and the
PION/PIOFF command on page 107 and page 108 in the “Commands”
chapter, respectively.) When the PI signal is used, bits 6 and 7 are interpreted
as 0 values, and characters hex 10 through 1F are interpreted as binary slew
commands.
The binary slew commands can skip from 1 through 15 or 1 through 16 lines
on the form, depending on how the Slew Range configuration option is
configured. Refer to Table 55 which illustrates how lines are skipped for each
value. (Note that the state of data bit 5 is the difference between line slewing
and using the interface lines as EVFU channel codes.) This type of vertical
paper motion occurs whenever the line slewing command is used regardless
of whether the EVFU memory is loaded or not.

468

Table 55. Line Slewing

Hex

ASCII
Dec
Code

8*

10

16

DLE

11

17

12

Data Bits
4
3

7

6

5

1

X

X

1

0

DC1

1

X

X

1

18

DC2

1

X

X

13

19

DC3

1

X

14

20

DC4

1

15

21

NAK

16

22

17

Slew Range
Configuration
0
1

2

1

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

1

2

1

1

0

0

1

0

3

2

X

1

0

0

1

1

4

3

X

X

1

0

1

0

0

5

4

1

X

X

1

0

1

0

1

6

5

SYN

1

X

X

1

0

1

1

0

7

6

23

ETB

1

X

X

1

0

1

1

1

8

7

18

24

CAN

1

X

X

1

1

0

0

0

9

8

19

25

EM

1

X

X

1

1

0

0

1

10

9

1A

26

SUB

1

X

X

1

1

0

1

0

11

10

1B

27

ESC

1

X

X

1

1

0

1

1

12

11

1C

28

FS

1

X

X

1

1

1

0

0

13

12

1D

29

GS

1

X

X

1

1

1

0

1

14

13

1E

30

RS

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

0

15

14

1F

31

US

1

0

0

1

1

1

1

1

16

15

X = Undefined, 0 or 1

1 = High

0 = Low

NOTE: *The ASCII values in Table 55 assume that all undefined bits are set
to 0. When the PI line is enabled, data bit 8 is the PI line on a serial
interface, and data bit 8 is undefined on a parallel interface.

469

Appendix D

Paper Motion Using The EVFU

Paper Motion Using The EVFU
The Electronic Vertical Format Unit (EVFU) is an efficient method of skipping
to a specified print position during repetitive printing tasks. The EVFU affects
the vertical placement of overlay data produced in the Execute Form mode.

General EVFU Programming
The general EVFU programming procedure is as follows:
1. Design a form, determining spacing and channel assignments for each
line.
2. Send the programming sequence to the printer.
The following information applies when programming and using the EVFU:
PI Line. The PI signal can be detected by the IGP/PGL as the 8th data bit in a
serial interface, or a separate input line in a parallel interface. (Refer to the
EN-PI/DIS-PI command and the PION/PIOFF command on page 107 and
page 108 in the “Commands” chapter, respectively.)
Elongated Characters. Elongated (double high) characters can be used
within EVFU programs. The EVFU automatically counts one line of elongated
characters as two normal character lines.
Paper Runaway Protection. If the EVFU is selected but not loaded when an
EVFU command is sent from the host computer, the printer moves the paper
a single line feed. If the EVFU is selected and the memory is loaded, a
channel code sent from the host, which is not a part of the assigned sequence
currently in memory, moves the paper a single line feed.
Line Spacing. The printer can use any line spacing with the EVFU. The
EVFU determines the forms length according to the program specifications
and the currently selected line spacing. For example, 14-inch paper with 10 lpi
line spacing would yield a 140-line form which can be defined by the EVFU.
Mixing line spacing on the same form unloads the EVFU.

EVFU Programming Sequence
The EVFU provides 16 channels to identify up to 192 lines. An error results if
the EVFU form length exceeds the physical length of the page, and the IGP/
PGL returns to the Normal mode. The number of channels in an EVFU
overrides the length of the form as it was defined in the CREATE mode;
therefore, the EVFU must be equal to or longer than the form being used.
The EVFU programming sequence is listed below and explained in the
following sections.
1. Start load code;
2. Line identification codes; and
3. End load code.

470

EVFU Programming Sequence

Start Load Code - Hex 1E or 6E
The Start Load code clears and initializes the EVFU memory for channel
assignment storage. Refer to Table 56 or Table 57 on page 473 and page
474, respectively, for the appropriate start load code.

Channel Assignment
The EVFU memory has the capacity for 192-line forms. The first line
identification code (channel code) in the EVFU load data defines the first line
on the form; the second line identification code defines the second line on the
form, etc. Each line must have a line identification code.
A single channel code is used repeatedly throughout a form to reserve blank
lines between defined channel codes and to maintain the correct forms
length. These “filler” channels can be any channel number except channel
code 1 (which is reserved for the top-of-form) and channel code 12 (which is
reserved as the vertical tab channel). In the EVFU example which begins on
page 475, filler channels are represented by a hex 11 code. Calls are rarely
made to filler channels because they do not specify a unique print position on
the form.
Channel 1. The top-of-form code, reserved as the first line on the form. The
operating program sends the channel 1 code to advance to the top of the next
form. After the memory is loaded, a Form Feed code (FF, hex 0C) moves the
paper to the next channel 1 (top-of-form).
Channels 2 through 11, 13 and 14. Used as general channel codes (also
referred to as line identification codes) or as filler channels. Each line on the
form must be identified by a channel code. When the operating program
sends the channel code, the print position moves to the line identified by the
channel code.
Channel 12. Reserved as the vertical tab channel. The vertical tab code (VT,
hex 0B) rapidly advances the print position to the next line identified by the
channel 12 code. If channel 12 is not loaded in the EVFU memory, a single
line feed is executed when a VT code is sent.

471

Appendix D

Paper Motion Using The EVFU

End Load - Hex 1F or 6F
The end load code terminates the channel storage and saves the EVFU in
memory. Refer to Table 56 or Table 57 on page 473 and page 474,
respectively, for the appropriate end load code. Channel codes in excess of
92 channels received prior to the end load code cause an error.

Using The EVFU
Sending the appropriate EVFU channel code to the printer causes any data in
the buffer to print and move the print position to the next line on the form
having the specified channel number assigned in EVFU memory.
To recognize a data byte as an EVFU instruction, one of the following sets of
criteria must be met:
1. The PI line must be enabled and set high;
2. Bits 7 and 6 can be set to 1 or 0; and
3. Data bit 5 must be 0 (not set).
OR:
1. The PI line must be disabled or low;
2. Bits 7 and 6 must be 0 (not set); and
3. Data bit 5 must be 1 (set).
Given these conditions, the lower four bits of a byte specify the EVFU channel
number. Table 56 lists the EVFU channels and their equivalent data bytes
when the PI line is enabled; Table 57 lists the EVFU channel and their
equivalent data bytes when the PI line is disabled.

472

Using The EVFU

Table 56. EVFU Codes - PI Line Enabled

ASCII
Hex
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
0A
0B
0C
0D
6E
6F

Dec
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
110
111

Data Bits
Code
NUL
SOH
STX
ETX
EOT
ENQ
ACK
BEL
BS
HT
LF
VT
FF
CR
n
o

X = Undefined, 0 or 1

8*
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

7
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
1
1

6
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
1
1

5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1 = High

4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Channel
3
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

2
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

1 (TOF)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 (VT)
13
14
Start Load
End Load
0 = Low

NOTE: *The ASCII values in Table 56 assume that all undefined bits are set
to 0. When the PI line is enabled, data bit 8 is the PI line on a serial
interface, and data bit 8 is undefined on a parallel interface.

473

Appendix D

Paper Motion Using The EVFU

Table 57. EVFU Codes - PI Line Disabled or Not Used
ASCII
Hex
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
1A
1B
1C
1D
1E
1F

Dec
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Data Bits
Code
DLE
DC1
DC2
DC3
DC4
NAK
SYN
ETB
CAN
EM
SUB
ESC
FS
GS
RS
US

8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

X = Undefined, 0 or 1

5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

3
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

1 = High

Channel
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

1 (TOF)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 (VT)
13
14
Start Load
End Load
0 = Low

NOTE: Do not use your SFCC as a channel code when using the EVFU.

Clearing The EVFU Memory
The following actions reset (clear) the EVFU memory:
1. Sending only the start load code.
2. Sending a start load code followed immediately by an end load code.
3. A second start load code is received, resulting in re-initialization of the
EVFU. (This restarts the EVFU load sequence.)
When the EVFU memory is cleared, the forms length returns to the previously
set value.

474

EVFU Example

EVFU Example
The following EVFU example is a 2-inch form at 6 lpi line spacing. Thus, 12
lines on the form must be defined. The form is repeated 3 times. Paper
instructions are disabled.

Assign Line Identification Codes
Line ID Code
Start Load
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Line 4
Line 5
Line 6
Line 7
Line 8
Line 9
Line 10
Line 11
Line 12
Stop Load

Description
Start EVFU
Top of Form
Filler
Filler
Filler
Vertical Tab
First channel stop
Filler
Filler
Second channel stop
Filler
Third channel stop
Filler
End EVFU

Assigned Hex Code
1E
10
11
11
11
1B
13
11
11
12
11
15
11
1F

EVFU Format in Execute Mode
The Execute command shown on page 476, derived from the Execute
command format on page 72, illustrates how the EVFU data above is
incorporated into the Execute command. All other Execute command
parameters are shown in italics. (Optional parameters are shown in brackets
[ ].) Figure 82 illustrates the printed output from this data.
The boldface line below the EXECUTE command represents the hexadecimal
EVFU load sequence which identifies the channel codes at which overlay
data will be placed on each form. The example hex values correspond to the
line identification codes listed above. Channel codes not described above as
Filler channels are assigned unique hex codes. Calls to these channels will
print overlay data at specific positions on the form.
The two ~AF lines, also shown in italics, represent the dynamic data. While
the EVFU does not affect dynamic data positioning (data placement is defined
by the ALPHA statement when the form was created), the commands are
shown to specify where they would occur in relation to the EXECUTE
command, the EVFU load sequence, and the overlay data.
The four lines of EVFU overlay data (shown in boldface type) follow the two
lines of dynamic data. This overlay data is positioned on the form according to
the specified channel codes called. The superscript hexadecimal numbers
enclosed in < > symbols represent calls to the four unique EVFU channel
codes.

475

Appendix D

Paper Motion Using The EVFU

(cc)EXECUTE; formname [;PAGE n] [;FC] [;ICNTn] [;IRSTn] [;DISK]
1E 10 11 11 11 1B 13 11 11 12 11 15 11 1F
~AF1;*DYNAMIC DATA #1*
~AF2;*DYNAMIC DATA #2*
<13>DATA FOR LINE 6<17>
<10><12>DATA FOR LINE 9
<1B>DATA FOR VERTICAL TAB CHANNEL
<15>DATA FOR LINE 11
[Form Feed character]
(cc)NORMAL
When the IGP/PGL receives a channel call, it searches for that channel from
the current print position in the EVFU load sequence to the end of the EVFU
load sequence. If that channel is found, the current print position becomes
that channel on the same form. If the channel is not found, the search
continues from the beginning of the EVFU load sequence to the current print
position. If this search is successful, the current form is printed, the next form
is called, and the current print position becomes the channel position in the
EVFU. If the channel called is not found in either search, the channel call is
treated as if it were a line feed.

476

EVFU Example

Form
#1

Form
#2

Form
#3

EVFU Channel
Code Sent

Line No.

1E

Start Load

Form Output

10
11
11
11
1B
13
17
11
12
11
15
11

1 (TOF)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

(top of form, Form #1)

10
11
11
11
1B
13
11
11
12
11
15
11

1 (TOF)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

(top of form, Form #2)

10
11
11
11
1B
13
11
11
12
11
15
11

1 (TOF)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

(top of form, Form #3)

1F

DATA FOR LINE 6
(undefined hex 17 causes single line feed)

DATA FOR LINE 9

DATA FOR VERTICAL TAB CHANNEL

DATA FOR LINE 11

End Load

Figure 82. Sample EVFU Form

477

Appendix D

478

Paper Motion Using The EVFU

E

PTX_SETUP Option

Overview
NOTE: PTX_SETUP commands are not supported on L7032 printers.
The PTX_SETUP commands are a superset of commands which allow the
printer to perform several tasks by parsing commands either stored in flash or
sent to the printer by the host. Commands range from re-routing debug
statements to downloading complete printer configurations.
This appendix describes the PTX_SETUP commands specific to line matrix,
laser (not L7032), and thermal printers, as well as the commands which are
not platform specific.

The PTX_SETUP Commands
The PTX_SETUP commands were originally designed for the disk-based
laser and thermal printers with IGPs. As a result, many of the original
PTX_SETUP commands have no meaning on a flash-based line matrix
printer. However, the line matrix printers can benefit from some of the
functionality provided by the PTX_SETUP commands. As a result, a
non-platform specific PTX_SETUP library has been added to line matrix
printers.
Some concepts to keep in mind are as follows:
1. PTX_SETUP commands are not emulation specific. In a system with an
IGP, the IGP level emulation will process the PTX_SETUP commands. In
a system without an IGP, the PTX_SETUP commands will be processed
by the base emulation. The CTHI emulation will not process PTX_SETUP
commands.
2. Since there is no disk on a flash-based printer, DISK_IO commands are
now called FILE_IO. However, for backwards compatibility DISK_IO and
FILE_IO are synonymous.
3. The PTX_SETUP command set is case sensitive; all PTX_SETUP
commands are in upper case characters only.
4. The white space separating commands may be any number of spaces
and tabs. This allows a PTX_SETUP file to be formatted for easier
readability.
5. Any unknown command will terminate the PTX_SETUP processing. The
offending command will be the first line of printed text.

479

Appendix E

The PTX_SETUP Commands

6. Although the original implementation of PTX_SETUP allowed for only a
single parameter, separated from the sub-command by a single
semicolon (;) character, the new PTX_SETUP command set allows for
multiple parameters separated by commas, semicolons, spaces or tabs.

Commands (Non-Platform Specific)
The original PTX_SETUP commands were implemented on the disk-based
legacy laser printers; however, many commands are also supported for line
matrix and thermal printers. This section describes the existing commands
which work across all three platforms, and provides a general description of
how commands are formed.
Each emulation has modes in which the PTX_SETUP commands could get
missed. For this reason, it is highly recommended that all PTX_SETUP
commands be placed between print jobs, rather than attempting to imbed
them within jobs.
PTX_SETUP commands have the following format:
(SFCC)PTX_SETUP
Command–Sub Command;Value
PTX_END
For example, if the SFCC assigned to PTX_SETUP is the default value of the
exclamation mark (!, hex 21), and you wanted to load configuration number 4
and capture all incoming data to a file named “BIN”, you would use the
following command:
!PTX_SETUP
CONFIG–LOAD;4 FILE_IO–CAPTURE;BIN
PTX_END
Table 58 lists all the command, sub-command, and parameter combinations
and gives a brief description of the command. This section documents the
existence of PTX_SETUP commands which work across all three platforms
(line matrix, thermal and legacy laser). The following sections document
commands which are specific to each platform.
NOTE: When a file system error occurs, a message will be displayed on the
front panel indicating the error, and the action needed to take to
correct the error.

480

Commands (Non-Platform Specific)

Table 58. PTX_SETUP Commands (Non-Platform Specific)
Command
CONFIG

Sub-Command

Parameter

Description

LOAD

Cfg

Cfg can be 0-8. The PTX_SETUP
will load configuration Cfg. If
configuration Cfg was not previously
saved, the operator panel will
display an error message and the
current configuration will be kept.

SAVE

Cfg

Cfg must be 1-8. This command will
save the current configuration as
configuration Cfg. If Cfg is not in the
range of 1-8, the command is
ignored.

SETMENU

Value;Menu_tag

Menu_tag is the name of the menu
as defined in the menu file. Value is
the value to which the menu is to be
set.

POWERUP

Cfg

Sets the power-up configuration to
Cfg and loads Configuration Cfg.
Cfg can be any value from 0-8,
where 0 is the factory default.

PRINT

Cfg

Print Configuration Cfg. Cfg can be
a number 1-8, or one of four predefined configurations. The four
non-numeric configurations are
requested using the first character
for the CURRENT, FACTORY,
POWERUP, or ALL configuration(s).

DELETE

Cfg

Deletes Configuration number Cfg.
Cfg must be in the range of 1-8.

UPLOAD

Port;Cfg

This command uploads the
configuration stored in location Cfg
to the port specified by Port. Port
must either be 1284 or SERIAL. Cfg
may be 1-8 or ALL.

DOWNLOAD

Cfg

This command saves the
configuration data that follows as
configuration Cfg. Cfg must be 1-8
or END.

481

Appendix E

The PTX_SETUP Commands

Table 58. PTX_SETUP Commands (Non-Platform Specific) (continued)
Command
CONFIG

Sub-Command
OVERLAY

Parameter
Cfg

RESET

This command overlays the
configuration data that follows on
existing configuration Cfg. Cfg must
be 1-8 (or END). If Cfg does not
exist then command is treated the
same as DOWNLOAD.
Reboots the printer.

GET_NAMES

“Port”

This command uploads the names
of the configurations to the port
specified by Port. Port must either
be “1284” or “SERIAL”.

SET_NAME

Cfg

This command downloads a name
for the configuration specified by
Cfg. Cfg must be 1-8.

CLEAR_NAMES

482

Description

This command resets all of the
configuration names to their default
values.

MPI_SELECT

MPI

This command selects the active
Management Protocol Interface
(MPI). Currently there are two
selections “UCP” and “PXML”.

PNE_PORT

Port

This command selects the port that
the PNE will use to communicate to
the printer.
The valid ports are:

•
•

DISABLE

•
•

DEBUG_SERIAL

•

ADAPTER
If there is no Adapter option, try
Ethernet if it is installed.

HOST_SERIAL
If Host I/O is set to Auto
Switching or Serial, the port
defaults to Debug Serial.
ETHERNET
If there is no Ethernet option, try
Adapter, if it is installed.

Commands (Non-Platform Specific)

Table 58. PTX_SETUP Commands (Non-Platform Specific) (continued)
Command
CONFIG

LP MODE
NOTE: Not
applicable for
SL4M/T4M
printers.

Sub-Command
PANEL

Parameter

Description

LOCK

This command locks the operator
out of the printer’s configuration
menu.

UNLOCK

This command unlocks the printer’s
configuration menu and allows the
operator access to the menus. By
default, the menu is unlocked.

PNE_PORT_NUM

Port Number

This command sets the Port
Number the PNE uses to
communicate to the printer if the
PNE Port was set to Ethernet or
Adapter. This command causes the
printer to automatically reboot.

PXML_PORT_NUM

Port Number

This command sets the Port
Number the PXML and UCP will use
to communicate to the printer if the
PXML Port is set to Ethernet or
Adapter. This command causes the
printer to automatically reboot.

n/a

Protocol

Protocol must be 0-4. This
command resets the software
protocol, and is selected as follows:
0 - P-Series
1 - P-Series XQ
2 - Serial Matrix
3 - Proprinter III XL
4 - Epson FX-1050

483

Appendix E

The PTX_SETUP Commands

Table 58. PTX_SETUP Commands (Non-Platform Specific) (continued)
Command
FILE_IO
(DISK_IO)

484

Sub-Command

Parameter

Description

CAPTURE

Filename

Captures all incoming data into a file
named Filename. Receipt of a
FILE_IO–CAPTURE command
without the Filename parameter will
force the file data to be written to
flash, and will end the file capture.

DRIVE

Letter

This command is parsed for
backwards compatibility. However,
since the flash file system is a single
device, the drive letter will be
ignored.

PROPS

File;Prop

The PROPS command will set the
file properties of a given file. The file
properties are a four letter, case
sensitive file descriptor. The
properties field can be used to
ensure that a file is used for its
intended purpose. Once properties
have been associated with a file,
they can not be changed.

DEL

Filename

The DEL command will mark a file
as deleted. The space the file
occupied will be freed the next time
the printer is powered up.

Commands (Non-Platform Specific)

Table 58. PTX_SETUP Commands (Non-Platform Specific) (continued)
Command
FILE_IO
(DISK_IO)

Sub-Command

Parameter

Description

RUNFILE

File;Prop

The RUNFILE command will open
the file named File for printing. After
the PTX_END command is
processed, the contents of File will
get printed before any more data is
read from the host. If the Prop field
is present, RUNFILE will verify that
Prop matches the saved file
properties. Any mismatch will cause
the command to be ignored.

UPLOAD

File;Port

Reads the file named File out of the
flash file system and sends it to a
host computer via the Port I/O port.
Port is either 1284 (for reverse
nibble or byte mode transfer using
the parallel port), or SERIAL.
NOTE: if the Ethernet option is
installed, 1284 is used to upload
across the network.

MAXSIZE

Kb

For backwards compatibility.

MINSIZE

Kb

For backwards compatibility.

OPTIMIZE

(none)

(none)

Causes the printer to optimize the
Flash File System. The printer
automatically reboots during this
process.

PTX_END

(none)

(none)

Exits the PTX_SETUP.

485

Appendix E

The PTX_SETUP Commands

Summary of the CONFIG Command
The UPLOAD and DOWNLOAD command can be used for uploading and
downloading complete printer configurations. If a customer needs to configure
50 printers identically, the customer needs only configure one printer and
UPLOAD the configurations. The UPLOADed configurations may then be
DOWNLOADed to other printers eliminating the necessity for the operator to
configure each printer manually.
The UPLOAD command will always place a header and a footer into the
uploaded data. This header will be the DOWNLOAD command followed by
the configuration number. The footer will be the DOWNLOAD END command.
The operator should be aware that the UPLOAD and DOWNLOAD
commands use a secondary copy of the menu structure which does not affect
the printer's active configuration. This allows the UPLOAD and DOWNLOAD
commands to operate without affecting the printer's current configuration. If
the operator intends to use one of the DOWNLOADed configurations, the
operator should reboot the printer to ensure proper operation. This can be
accomplished by adding the RESET command as the last command in your
setup file. This is necessary because the printer caches the active
configuration. Rebooting the printer ensures that the desired configuration is
correctly read from Non-Volatile RAM.
NOTE: While an upload or download is in progress, the Front Panel will be
unavailable.
The Configuration Save and Delete commands from the front panel can be
blocked by using the Protect Configurations feature. This is intended to
prevent someone from inadvertently reconfiguring a printer. The PTX_SETUP
commands, however, will override the protect configurations feature. All
PTX_SETUP commands will be honored regardless of the value of the
Protect Configurations feature.

Operation of the FILE_IO Command
When a file is opened for writing with the FILE_IO–CAPTURE;filename
command, the system will allocate RAM for file control blocks and 1 Kbyte for
data. If the file already exists on the Flash File System and the Overwrite
Enable feature in the Flash File System menu is set to disable, a warning will
be displayed on the front panel. After clearing the warning, the file data will be
printed. To overwrite the existing file, set the Overwrite Files option to enable.
Due to the nature of writing to flash, any data intended to be stored
permanently in flash must first be copied into RAM. As a result, the ability to
manipulate files in the Flash File System is dependent upon the printer having
sufficient RAM. None of the captured file data will be committed to flash until
the entire file is loaded. The PTX_SETUP parser will interpret the command
“FILE_IO–CAPTURE” as an end of file marker. Receipt of the command
will cause all file data to be written to flash. The file system allocates RAM for
temporary data storage in 1 Kbyte blocks. If at any time during the file
download the printer runs out of RAM, a warning will be displayed on the front
panel and as much of the file as possible will be saved in flash. To download
larger files you may need to add additional RAM to the printer.

486

Impact Commands

Three things can limit the ability to save a file: insufficient RAM, insufficient
Flash, and lack of empty file system entries. Flash can only be written once
before it needs to be “optimized”. As a result, the maximum file size is limited
to the largest unwritten block of Flash. If any of these problems occur, the
printer will display an error message and will attempt to provide the operator
with a description of what steps to take to correct the error. Normally, the
solution will involve optimizing the Flash File System. This can be
accomplished by selecting the Optimize & Reboot function in the Flash File
System menu under MAINT/MISC.
NOTE: After selecting the Optimize & Reboot function, do not shut off the
printer's power until after the printer returns to the power-on state.
Loss of power during the optimize process may corrupt the printer's
program. If this occurs, first attempt to repeat the downloading
process. If that fails, contact an authorized service representative.

Impact Commands
Table 59 lists PTX_SETUP commands which apply to line matrix printers
only.

Table 59. PTX_SETUP Commands (Line Matrix Only)
Command
ENGINE

Sub-Command

Parameter

EJECT

Description
Performs a page eject.

LENGTH

Value

Sets the page length.

WIDTH

Value

Sets the page width.

487

Appendix E

The PTX_SETUP Commands

Thermal Commands
Table 60 lists PTX_SETUP commands which apply to thermal printers only.

Table 60. PTX_SETUP Commands (Thermal Only)
Command
ENGINE

488

Sub-Command

Parameter

Description

ALM_WIDE

wide width

Set the Auto Label Mapping wide
width (in units of 1/1000”; e.g., a
wide width value of 1000 = 1”),
which represents the width of the
image in the file sent from the host
which is to be auto label mapped
into several labels, each of which
will have a width of narrow width.
# of labels=wide width/narrow width
(rounded down)

ALM_NARROW

narrow width

Set the Auto Label Mapping narrow
width, which represents the width of
one auto mapped label (in units of
1/1000”; e.g., a narrow width value
of 1000 = 1”). This width should be
set prior to the wide width. In
addition, it can never exceed the
physical width of the printer. If it
does, the narrow width will be
automatically reduced to the Page
Width value set in the configuration
menu.

Thermal Commands

Table 60. PTX_SETUP Commands (Thermal Only)
Command
ENGINE

Sub-Command
ALM_ENABLE

Parameter
N/W/*

EJECT

RFID

Description
Set Auto Label Mapping to Narrow,
Wide, or Off. Enter N for Narrow, W
for Wide, or any other letter to
disable ALM. By default, only the
Narrow option is implemented.
Performs a page eject.

IMAGE_SHFT_H

Value

Shifts the image Value horizontally
in 1/1000” units. If Value is out of the
specified range (-1” to +1”), the
command will be ignored.

IMAGE_SHFT_V

Value

Shifts the image Value vertically in
1/1000” units. If Value is out of the
specified range (-1” to +6”), the
command will be ignored.

LENGTH

Value

Sets the page length in 1/1000”
units.

MEDIA_HANDLING

Value

Sets the type of media handling:
0 - Continuous
1 - Tear-Off Strip
2 - Tear-Off
3 - Peel-Off
4 - Cut

MIRROR

Value

Value of 0 turns mirroring off,
non-zero turns mirroring on.

MODE

X

Sets the print mode to Thermal
Transfer.

D

Sets the print mode to Direct
Thermal.

WIDTH

Value

Sets the page width in 1/1000” units.

XYZ

XValue;
YValue;
ZValue

Sends commands to an external
motor to move to the X position
XValue, Y position YValue, and Z
position ZValue.

OVERSTRIKE_REPO
RT

ON/OFF

Enables/disables reporting of RFID
overstrikes to the host. The default
is OFF (disabled).

STATISTICS_REPOR
T

ON/OFF

Enables/disables reporting of RFID
statistics to the host. The default is
OFF (disabled).

STATISTICS_CLEAR

Clears the RFID statistics.

489

Appendix E

The PTX_SETUP Commands

Table 60. PTX_SETUP Commands (Thermal Only)
Command
PRINTJOB

490

Sub-Command

Parameter

Description

START

jobID

Start of job marker. Results in a
“start of job” message sent back to
host through the PPM port when a
job starts printing.

END

jobID

End of job marker. Results in a “end
of job” message sent back to host
through the PPM port when the job
finishes printing.

F

Typefaces

This appendix illustrates standard typefaces available with IGP/PGL.

Standard Typefaces
The standard fonts available depends on the printer. Beside each typeface is
the 5-digit value required in the FACE # parameter of the FONT command
(see page 83).

SL5000r/T5000r And SL4M/T4M
Table 61. Standard Fonts for SL5000r/T5000r and SL4M/T4M Printers
Font Name

Font Face Number

Letter Gothic Bold

93779

Courier New Bold

93952

CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed

92250

CG Times

92500

CG Triumverate

92244

CG Triumverate Bold

92248

OCR-A

90993

OCR-B

91409

491

Appendix F

Standard Typefaces

L7032
Table 62. Standard Fonts for L7032 Printers
Font Name

Font Face Number

Letter Gothic Bold

93779

Courier New Bold

93952

CG Times

92500

OCR-A

90993

OCR-B

91409

SL5000e/T5000e
Table 63. Standard Fonts for SL5000e/T5000e Printers
Font Name

Font Face Number

Letter Gothic Bold

93779

Courier New Bold

93952

CG Times*

92500

CG Triumverate*

92244

CG Triumverate Bold*

92248

CG Triumverate Bold Condensed

92250

OCR-A

90993

OCR-B

91409

* Not included with all emulations.

Line Matrix
Table 64. Standard Fonts for Line Matrix Printers
Font Name
Letter Gothic Bold

492

Font Face Number
93779

G

PGL-DBCS

This appendix describes the additional and unique commands for Printronix
Thermal/Line Matrix PGL-DBCS Printers (which includes PGL-Hangul KS,
PGL-Hanzi GB, and PGL-Kanji Shift-JIS emulation software).

PGL-DBCS Series
PGL-DBCS is an extension to existing PGL (ASCII) supporting Korean KSC,
Chinese GB, Japanese Shift-JIS character printing respectively. The
differences among those printers are as follows:

•

For T5000/Line Matrix printers, there are three different emulation
software: PGL-Hangul KS, PGL-Hanzi GB, and PGL-Kanji Shift-JIS. For
the SL4M/T4M printer, there are three different DBCS cartridges: GB,
Hangul, and SJIS. There are also four different Andale cartridges:
Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Each of
these support Unicode/UTF-8 encoding in PGL, not DBCS encoding.

•

PGL-Hangul KS supports KSC code table for Korean character code
points used only in South Korea.

•

PGL-Hanzi GB supports GB code table for simplified Hanzi character
code points used in People’s Republic of China (for thermal printers).
It also supports GB18030 encoding, but the resident font is GB2312
character set. For line matrix printers, the resident font is GBK.

•

PGL-Kanji Shift-JIS supports Shift-JIS code table for Kanji character code
points used in Japan.

The above differences only affect the DBCS code points but the command
syntax and the behavior are similar.
Thermal DBCS-PGL printers have a default (embedded for T5000 printers
and a cartridge for SL4M/T4M printers) DBCS scalable font with supported
code table. For example, a PGL-Hangul printer has a Hangul scalable font
with KSC code table. Users are able to download additional DBCS scalable
fonts into printers by using the FONTLOAD command in the normal mode. If
there exists more than one DBCS scalable font, users may select a different
DBCS font by using the FONT command in the create mode to print DBCS
characters with TWOBYTE command. Also, you can use FONT command to
choose a DBCS font, and the ~ISET command to select the UTF8 set to print
DBCS characters with ALPHA commands. For T5000 Thermal printers,
please refer to PGL Programmer’s Reference Manual for the FONTLOAD
and FONT command syntax.

493

Appendix G

PGL-DBCS Series

Command Syntax
(A) Create Form : TWOBYTE Command
Purpose

THERMAL

Defines and positions DBCS data on a “pre-printed” static field or
as a dynamic data field.

TWOBYTE
[R;] [E;] [Cn;] [KFn;L]; [DIR;] [POINT;]SR; SC; VE;
HE;(D)DBCS/SBCS TEXT(D)
STOP

LINE MATRIX

TWOBYTE
[R[D];[E;][Fn;][Pn;][kFn;L][DIR;]SR;SC;VE;HE;(D)DBCS DATA(D)
STOP

TWOBYTE The DBCS characters command; enter TWOBYTE.

THERMAL

R

The optional reverse printing (white on black) parameter. Enter R
to specify a black background.

E

The optional elongated character parameter. Enter E to specify
elongated character printing. Elongated characters are double
height and single width. If used, the VE and HE parameters must
be set to 0, or an error message will result. Elongated character
printing is also available with rotated DBCS characters.

Cn :

The optional horizontal CPI parameter for DBCS character pitch.
Where n can be the following:
7.5 CPI, n = 75
6.7 CPI, n = 67
6.0 CPI, n = 60
5.0 CPI, n = 50
n specifies the DBCS character pitch, expressed in CPI. If used,
the VE and HE parameters must be set to zero, or an error
message will result.

LINE MATRIX

LINE MATRIX

494

Fn:

Pn:

The optional font size parameter, use the following select font
size (default F16):
A)

F16 selects 16x16 matrix font cells (physics size
is 8).

B)

F24 selects 24x24 matrix font cells (physics size
is 12).

Optional parameter for pitch between characters. If n is not
specified, one default n is automatically assigned based on the
actual horizontal expansion factor. When Menu “Compatbl Mode”
is set to None on the front panel, n=12*HE. When Menu
“Compatible Mode” is not set to None, n=12*(HE-1)*2.

Command Syntax

KFn:L

The optional dynamic DBCS data field parameter for identifying
the DBCS string’s dynamic number assignment and designating
the number of DBCS characters allowed. If these parameters are
used, the actual text cannot be entered during the Create Form
mode; it must be entered dynamically during the Execute Form
mode. Dynamically entering data during the Execute mode
permits changes to the DBCS text without redefining or recreating the form. To use this field, perform the following steps:
a. Enter KF.
b. Replace n with a number ranging from 1 through 512 to
identify DBCS string location on the form. The SR and
SC parameters are used to specify the exact location of
the DBCS data field identified by n. Since the TWOBYTE
command and the ALPHA command share the same
differentation number, therefore do not set the same
number for the two commands in one form.
c.

Set the length of the dynamic DBCS characters in L
ranging from 1 to 127. The actual number of DBCS
characters supplied in the EXECUTE mode must be the
same or less than this value. In UTF8 mode L should be
the same or more than the number of bytes supplied in
EXECUTE mode.

d. The DBCS data is not allowed to enter, it can only be
supplied in the EXECUTE mode.
DIR

Optional parameter for rotating a DBCS character string. Use the
following codes to indicate the direction of character rotation:
CW
CCW
INV

THERMAL

90 degree clockwise rotation.
90 degree counter clockwise rotation.
Inverted characters (180 degree rotation)

POINT

Optional parameter that changes the units for the vertical and
horizontal expansion value. When the point parameter is present
the VE value defines the font height in point size where 1 point is
1/72 of an inch. If the HE value is non-zero, it defines the
character width in 1/72 of an inch, otherwise the character width
is the same as the height. Cannot be used with elongated (E) and
compressed (Cn) parameters.

SR

Defines the starting row of the DBCS character data field.
1 ≤ SR < Form Length

SC

Defines the starting column of the DBCS character data field.
1 ≤ SC < Form Width

495

Appendix G

PGL-DBCS Series

VE

Defines the vertical expansion factor to enlarge DBCS characters
vertically. The factor must ensure that the characters after
expansion do not exceed the form boundary limit. The largest
value is 63. 0 and 1 specifies the stand font (no expansion),
Elongated (E) characters can not be used with a vertical
expansion factor other than 0.

HE

Defines the horizontal expansion factor to enlarge DBCS
characters horizontally. The factor must ensure that the
characters after expansion do not exceed the form boundary
limit. The largest value is 63. 0 and 1 specifies the stand font (no
expansion), Elongated (E) characters can not be used with a
horizontal expansion factor other than 0.

(D)

The printable character identifying the start and finish of the
alphanumeric string. Enter any printable character other than a
slash (/), the SFCC, or a character used within the alphanumeric
string itself. You must use the same character at both ends of the
alphanumeric string, but it will not print with the data.

DBCS/SBCS TEXT
The group of DBCS/SBCS characters (the alphanumeric string)
to print. Enter any of the standard DBCS/SBCS printable
characters (except the character used to delimit the string in the
(D) parameter). The data appears as “pre-positioned” information
on the form beginning at the location specified by SR and SC.
This is the “fixed” or static DBCS/SBCS data; once defined on the
form, it is changed only by redefining the form using the
TWOBYTE command.
STOP

Indicates the end of the TWOBYTE command.

Comments The DBCS TrueType font used by the TWOBYTE command is
determined by the current selected font face based on the
following three conditions:

• If the selected font is found and it is a DBCS font, PGL will
use the selected font.

• If the selected font is found but it is not a DBCS font, PGL
will automatically use the first found DBCS font in memory.
If PGL cannot find any DBCS font in memory, the
TWOBYTE command will be ignored.

• If the selected font is not found, then PGL will automatically
use the first found DBCS font in memory. If PGL cannot
find any DBCS font in memory, the TWOBYTE command
will be ignored.

496

Command Syntax

(B) EXECUTE Form: General Format
Purpose

Prints forms created in the CREATE mode.

Mode

NORMAL

Format

(cc)EXECUTE; formname [;PAGE n] [; FC] [;ICNT n]
[;IRST n]
[;DISK] [ EVFU Data]
[(cc)AF n; (D)ASCII text(D)]
[(cc)KF n; (D)DBCS/SBCS text(D)]
[(cc)BF n; (D)data(D)]
[(cc)GF n; (D)logoname(D)]
[(cc)IAF n; [ idir] STEPMASK;[RPT n;] [RST n;]
(D)STARTDATA(D)]
[(cc)IBF n; [ idir] STEPMASK;[RPT n;] [RST n;]
(D)STARTDATA(D)]
[Overlay Data]
[Form Feed character]
(cc)NORMAL

NOTE: This document only describes the command syntax usage for
(cc)KFn. Please refer to PGL Programmer’s Reference Manual for
other command parameters.

(cc)KFn
Purpose

Incorporates the dynamic DBCS data into a previously identified
location of a form.

Mode

EXECUTE

Format

[(cc)KF n; (D)DBCS/SBCS text(D)]
(cc)

KFn

Indicates a dynamic DBCS data field (KF) and its identification
number n which was defined with the TWOBYTE command in the
Create form mode.

(D)

The separation symbol for identifying the starting and ending of
DBCS data. The requirement for this parameter is the same as
that for D in the ALPHA command.

DBCS DATA
The group of DBCS characters to be printed. The DBCS string
appears as the pre-positioned information on the form beginning
at the location identified n.

497

Appendix G

498

PGL-DBCS Series

H

PGL Command Support on
L7032 Printers

The following table lists partially supported and non-supported commands on
the L7032 printer. For more information on each command, refer to the
corresponding page number.

Table 65. L7032 Printers - Partially Supported and Non-Supported Commands
PGL Command

Support Level

Description

Page

CANCEL

Not Supported

Cancels the print job immediately as soon
as the command is sent to the printer during
the print job.

50

CLOCK

Not Supported

Embeds Realtime Clock (RTC) information
in an ALPHA and/or BARCODE data field.

52

CONFIGURATION

Partial

Sets various menu items under PGL Setup
on the front panel.

54

MONTH

Not Supported

User-defined month string. Depends on
RTC accessibility.

62

EMULATION

Not Supported

Switches the active emulation from
IGP/PGL to the emulation selected.

70

ENQUIRY

Not Supported

Sends printer state information to the host
through the serial port.

70

LINK

Not Supported

Prints forms created in the CREATE mode,
used exclusively for XML driven forms.

94

OPTIMIZE

Not Supported

Optimizes the flash file in memory and then
reboots. Removes deleted files.

102

PAPER

Partial

Controls printer paper options, such as
page orientation, intensity and ribbon use.
Supports only CUT, CUTONCE,
PORTRAIT, EJECT, WIDTH, ROTATE,
LENGTH, and LANDSCAPE. These
commands interact with the control panel.

104

499

Appendix H

Table 65. L7032 Printers - Partially Supported and Non-Supported Commands
PGL Command

Support Level

Description

Page

PION/PIOFF

Not Supported

Enables or disables data bit 8 as the paper
instruction signal when IGP/PGL is
configured for serial interface.

107

EN-PI/DIS-PI

Not Supported

Enables or disables use of the PI line using
a parallel I/O device.

108

ALERT

Not Supported

Sends printer alert to the host.

114

IDENTITY

Not Supported

Sends printer identification to the host.

117

PMODE

Not Supported

Selects the print mode of the printer for the
next set of data.

118

STATUS

Not Supported

Returns printer status to the host.

121

RECALL

Not Supported

Loads the user pre-stored program setup
file. Requires PTX Setup.

123

RFWTAG

Not Supported

Programs an RFID tag (embedded in a
smart label) using structured data format.

125

RFRTAG

Not Supported

Reads the content of an RFID tag
(embedded in a smart label) into a dynamic
field.

136

SMODE

Not Supported

Permits graphic elements (such as corners
or boxes) to retain their physical shapes
and sizes when printed in a horizontal and
vertical density other than the base density
of 60 x 72 dpi.

140

SETCLOCK

Not Supported

To set the internal printer clock to the
current time and date.

143

SETUP

Not Supported

Ignores XML and EMC parameters, can be
used to print a file at power up.

143

VERIFY

Not Supported

Returns dynamic data to the host.

148

PTX_SETUP

Not Supported

A superset of commands which allow the
printer to perform several tasks by parsing
commands either stored in flash or sent to
the printer by the host.

479

500

I

Contact Information

Printronix Customer Support Center
IMPORTANT

Please have the following information available prior to calling the
Printronix Customer Support Center:

•

Model number

•

Serial number (located on the back of the printer)

•

Installed options (i.e., interface and host type if applicable to the problem)

•

Configuration printout:
Thermal Printer
See “Printing A Configuration” in the Quick Setup Guide.
Line Matrix Printer
Press PRT CONFIG on the control panel, then press Enter.
L7032 Printer
a. Press the Menu button.
b. Press the Left or Right arrow button until Test Print displays.
c.

Press the Down arrow button to select the menu.

d. If necessary, press the Left or Right arrow button until Configuration
displays.
e. Press Shift + Down arrow to select the menu option and print the
current configuration.

•

Is the problem with a new install or an existing printer?

•

Description of the problem (be specific)

•

Good and bad samples that clearly show the problem (faxing of these
samples may be required)

Americas

(714) 368-2686

Europe, Middle East, and Africa

(31) 24 6489 410

Asia Pacific

(65) 6548 4114

China

(86) 800-999-6836

http://www.printronix.com/support.aspx

501

Appendix I

Printronix Supplies Department

Printronix Supplies Department
Contact the Printronix Supplies Department for genuine Printronix supplies.
Americas

(800) 733-1900

Europe, Middle East, and Africa

33 (0) 1 46 25 19 07

Asia Pacific

(65) 6548 4116
or (65) 6548 4182

China

(86) 400-886-5598

http://www.printronix.com/supplies-parts.aspx

Corporate Offices
Printronix, Inc.
14600 Myford Road
P.O. Box 19559
Irvine, CA 92623-9559
Phone: (714) 368-2300
Fax: (714) 368-2600
Printronix, Inc.
Nederland BV
P.O. Box 163, Nieuweweg 283
NL-6600 Ad Wijchen
The Netherlands
Phone: (31) 24 6489489
Fax: (31) 24 6489499
Printronix Schweiz GmbH
42 Changi South Street 1
Changi South Industrial Estate
Singapore 486763
Phone: (65) 6542 0110
Fax: (65) 6546 1588
Printronix Commercial (Shanghai) Co. Ltd
22F, Eton Building East
No.555, Pudong Av.
Shanghai City, 200120, P R China
Phone: (86) 400 886 5598
Fax: (86-21) 5138 0564
Visit the Printronix web site at www.printronix.com

502

Index

A
Accessing characters and character sets

B
Bar Code

Data Bit 8, 415

Australian 4-State, 166

Extended Character Sets, 415

Aztec Barcode, 172

Power-Up character set selection, 416

BC412 Barcode, 177

Accessing characters and character sets,

Codabar, 181

Multinational Character Sets, 415

Code 128A, 128B, and 128C, 204

Activate user-defined overlay set, 422

Code 35, 186

Adding a Bar Code, Bar Code, ading, 393

Code 39, 189

Advancing the print position, introduction, 467

Code 93, 197

Alpha errors, 440

Duplicating Incremental Bar Code Fields, 371

Alphanumeric Command, 391

EAN 13, 222

Alphanumeric Data, 23

EAN 8, 216

Dynamic data, 23

errors, 446, 452

Fixed data, 23

fields, 380

Overlay data, 23

FIM, 229

Alphanumerics, 33

German I-2/5, 274

Alphanumerics, incremental

GS1 Data Matrix, 258

dynamic data fields, 44

GS1 Databar, 249

fixed data fields, 41

GS1-128, 235

Alphanumerics, incremental fields, 38
using incremental alphanumeric data, 38
Australian 4-State, 166

HIBC, 268
Incremental Bar Code Dynamic Data
Fields, 370

command format, 168

Incremental Fields, 365

example, 171

Intelligent Mail 4-State, 270

Auto Increment Fields, example, 384

Interleaved 2/5, 274

Automatic Increment/Decrement Capability, IGP/

ITF-14, 274

PGL Emulation features, 14

I-2/5, 274

Aztec Barcode, 172

Matrix, 280
Maxicode, 286
MSI, 292
overview, 153
PDF-417, 298
Planet, 306

503

Plessey, 312

Check Digit

PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX), 324

Code 128A, 128B, and 128C, 206

POSTNET, 318

Code 93, 198

QR, 328

EAN 13, 223

specification summary, 161

EAN 8, 217

Telepen, 333

Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and

UPC-A, 340

ITF-14, 275

UPC-E, 346

Matrix, 281

UPC-E0, 346

MSI, 293

UPCSHIP, 354

Planet, 308

UPS 11, 360

PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX), 324

Basic Design, 377

POSTNET, 320

BC412 Barcode, 177

Telepen, 334

Check Code, 179

UPC-A, 341

Command Format, 177

UPC-E, 347

Data Field, 177

UPCSHIP, 355

GuardBand, 179

UPS 11, 361

Height, 180

Check Digit, Codabar, 182

Magnification, 180

Circle, 51

PDF, 180

Clear Zone, FIM, 231

Start Code, 177

Clearing EVFU memory, 474

Termination Code, 177

Clock Element Format, command codes, 52

Block character, download, 421

Codabar, 181

Box and Corners, creating, 388

Check Digit, 182

Box errors, 438

command format, 182

Boxes, 47

Data Field, 182

C

example, 186
Quiet Aone, 182

Cancel, 50

Readable Data, 182

Channel assignments, EVFU, 471

Start/Stop Codes, 182

Character address, Multinational Character

Code 128 Command Format, Code 128A, 128B,

Sets, 412

and 128C, 206

Character Position.Dot Position (CP.DP), 31

Code 128A Data Field, Code 128A, 128B, and

Character set selection command (ISET),

128C, 205

Multinational Character Sets, 418

Code 128A, 128B, and 128C, 204

Character sets

Check Digit, 206

line matrix, 426

Code 128 Command format, 206

thermal, 427

Code 128A Data Field, 205

Character Sets, extended, 415

Code 128B Data Field, 205

Character sizes, PDF, 156

Code 128C Data Field, 205

Character substitutions, Multinational Character

Data Field, 206

Sets, 412

Quiet Zone, 205

Check Code, BC412 Barcode, 179

504

Readable Data, 205

Define Month Names command, 62

Start/Stop Codes, 205

Delete Font, 63

Code 128B Data Field, Code 128A, 128B, and

Delete form, 64

128C, 205

Delete logo, 64

Code 128B, example, 214

Diagonal, 65

Code 128C Data Field, Code 128A, 128B, and

Directory, 66

128C, 205

Duplication, horizontal, 66

Code 128C, example, 215

Duplication, vertical, 68

Code 35, 186

Ellipse, 69

Code 39, 189

Emulation switching, 70

command format, 191

End, 70

example, 196

Enquiry, 70

Code 93, 197

Execute Form mode, 71

Check Digit, 198

Execute form, dynamic alphanumeric data, 76

command format, 199

Execute form, dynamic bar code data, 77

Data Field, 198

Execute form, dynamic logo, 78

example, 203

Execute form, electronic vertical format unit, 75

Quiet Zone, 198

Execute form, general format, 72

Readable Data, 198

Execute form, incremental dynamic data, 79

Start/Stop Codes, 198

Execute form, overlay data, 81

Command

Expanded print, 82

Delete, 408

font, 83

Directory, 407

Font load, 87

operation of FILE_IO, 486

Form Length, 89

Command codes, 32

Ignore Sequence, 90

Alphanumerics, 33

Line Spacing, 91

Alphanumerics, incremental dynamic data

Lines, horizontal, 91

fields, 44

Lines, vertical, 92

Alphanumerics, incremental fields, 38

Link, 94

Alphanumerics, incremental fixed data

Listen, 97

fields, 41

Logo call, 97

Boxes, 47

Logo mode, create, 99

Cancel, 50

Normal mode, 102

Circle, 51

Optimize, 102

Clock Element Format, 52

Page number, 103

Compressed print (density), 52

Paper, 104

Configuration, 54

Paper Instruction - Data Bit 8, 107

Corners, 58

Paper Instruction (PI) Enable/Disable, 108

CREATE, 60

PCX Logo, 108

Dark printing, 61

PNG Logo, 111

Data fields for alphanumeric and incremental

Print File, 113

data, 32

Printer Alert, 114

505

Printer Identification, 117

Execute Form Mode, 388

Printer Mode, 118

Execute Forms, 22

Printer Status, 121

Hex Character Encoding, 90

Quiet, 122

Horizontal Line, 390

Recall, 123

impact, 487

Repeat, 123

Normal mode, 17

Reset, 124

Plessey, 314

Reverse Print, 124

PostBar, 325

RFID, 125

PTX_SETUP, 479

Scale, 139

Royal Mail, 325

Scaling, 140

thermal, 488

Select Format, 142

Vertical Lines, 390

Set the Time or Date, 143

Comments in command lines, 30

Setup command, 143

Compressed print (density), 52

Special Function Control Code Change, 145

Compression, 30

TIFF Logo, 146

CONFIG command, summary, 486

Command format

Configuration, command codes, 54

German I-2/5, 276

Contact information, 501

Incremental Bar Code Fixed Data Fields, 368

Control characters, Maxicode, 290

ITF-14, 276

Control panel, configure IGP/PGL, 23

I-2/5, 276

Corner Command, 388

Matrix, 281

Corner errors, 439

Maxicode, 286

Corners, command codes, 58

MSI, 293

Create commands, example, 375

PDF417, 300

Create errors, 442

Planet, 309

Create Form Command, 388

PostBar and Royal Mail, 325

Create Form Mode, 19, 388

POSTNET, 321

Create Form Mode commands, 19

Telepen, 335

Create Form mode, Paper selection and maximum

UCC/EAN-128, 242

values, 461

UPC-A, 342

Create Logo Mode, 21

UPC-E, 348

Create Mode, form examples, 373

UPCSHIP, 356

CREATE, command codes, 60

UPS 11, 361

Creating a Box and Corners, 388

Command Format, BC412 Barcode, 177

Creating a logo, 397

Command parameters, 29

Customer Support Center, 501

Command standards, IGP/PGL, 27
Command Support, L7032 printers, 499
Commands
alphanumerics, 391
Corner, 388
Create Form Mode, 19, 388

506

D

Debugging Programs, 435
Define Month Names command, 62

Dark printing, 61
Data Bit 8, Accessing characters and character

Delete command, 408
example, 408

sets, 415

Delete Font, 63

Data Field

Delete form, 64

Code 128A, 128B, and 128C, 206

Delete logo, 64

Code 93, 198

Design, form, 399

Data Matrix, 258

Diagonal, 65

EAN 13, 223

Directory, 66

EAN 8, 217

Directory command, 407

FIM, 231
Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and ITF14, 275

example, 407
Disable overlay set, 423
Download

Matrix, 281

block character, 421

Maxicode, 286

user-defined overlay set, 421

MSI, 293

Downloaded block characters, examples, 423

PDF-417, 299

Downloaded font menus, 425

Planet, 308

Downloaded fonts

PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX), 324

line matrix, 426

POSTNET, 320

thermal, 427

Telepen, 334

Duplicating Incremental Bar Code Fields, 371

UCC/EAN-128, 240

Duplicating Incremental Bar Codes, 371

UPC-A, 341

Duplication, horizontal, 66

UPC-E, 347

Duplication, vertical, 68

UPCSHIP, 355

Dynamic Alphanumeric and Bar Code Data, 381

UPS 11, 361

Dynamic Data

Data fields for alphanumeric and incremental

Bar Code Fields, 380

data, 32

Basic Design, 377

dynamic data, 32
fixed data, 32
incremental data fields, 32
overlay data, 32

Dynamic Alphanumeric and Bar Code
Data, 381
Dynamic Alphanumeric Fields, 381
Dynamic data, 32

Data Field, BC412 Barcode, 177

Dynamic data, Alphanumeric Data, 23

Data Field, Codabar, 182

Dynamic Data, example, 377

Data Matrix

E

command format, 258
Data Field, 258

EAN 13, 222

example, 267

Check Digit, 223

Quiet Zone, 258

command format, 224

Readable Data, 258

Data Field, 223

special characters using SO, 262

example, 228

symbol characteristics, 263

Number System Character, 223

507

Quiet Zone, 223

programming sequence See EVFU, 470

Readable Data, 223

start load code, 471

Start/Center/Stop Codes, 223
EAN 8, 216
Check Digit, 217
command format, 218
Data Field, 217

EVFU example, 475
Example Forms, 373
Examples
EVFU, 475
Royal Mail, 327

example, 221

Example, downloaded block characters &

Quiet Zone, 217

overlays, 423

Readable Data, 217

Execute errors, 443

Start/Center/Stop Codes, 217

Execute Form Command, 388

structure, 216

Execute Form commands, 22

Electronic Vertical Format Unit, 470

Execute Form Mode, 21, 388

Ellipse, 69

Execute Form mode, 71

Emulation switching, 70

Not User-Defined, 461

End load code, 472

Not-defined, 462

EVFU, 472

User-defined, 462

End, command codes, 70

Execute Form mode, Paper selection and

Enquiry, command codes, 70

maximum values, 461

Error codes, 435

Execute form, dynamic alphanumeric data, 76

Errors

Execute form, dynamic bar code data, 77

alpha, 440

Execute form, dynamic logo, 78

bar code, 446, 452

Execute form, electronic vertical format unit, 75

box, 438

Execute form, general format, 72

corner, 439

Execute form, incremental dynamic data, 79

create, 442

Execute form, overlay data, 81

execute, 443

Execute Mode, form examples, 373

font, 451

Exericse, Logo, 395

horizontal line, 436

Expanded and Compressed Character Print, IGP/

incremental fields, 449

PGL Emulation features, 14

logo, 441

Expanded font menu option, set, 424

miscellaneous, 445, 448, 449

Extended Character Sets, Accessing characters

multinational character set, 450

and character sets, 415

F

reverse print, 448
vertical line, 437
Errors, solving, 409
EVFU, 470

FIM, 229
Clear Zone, 231

channel assignment, 471

command format, 231

clearing memory, 474

Data Field, 231

end load code, 472

example, 233

General programming information, 470

Start/Stop Code, 231

memory, clearing, 474

Fixed alphanumeric text, adding, 391
Fixed data, 32

508

Fixed data, Alphanumeric Data, 23

Horizontal line errors, 436

Flash Memory Storage, 24

Horizontal lines, adding, 390

I

cartridge capable printer, 24
flash memory utilization, 24
non-cartridge capable printer, 25
Flash Memory Utilization, 24

Ignore Sequence command, 90
IGP/PGL

Font command, 83

Alphanumeric Data, 23

Font errors, 451

configure with control panel, 23

Font load command, 87

Incremental Data, 23

Font menus, download, 425

modes of operation, 16
operation, 15

Form Design, 399
Form Layout, planning, 399
page layout considerations, 399

IGP/PGL command standards, 27
Character Position.Dot Position (CP.DP)
format, 31

Form Examples
Create mode, 373

command parameters, 29

Execute mode, 373

comments in command lines, 30

Normal mode, 373

form name, 29
Inline commands, 28

Form Exercise, 387
Adding fixed alphanumeric text, 391

line terminator, 28

Adding horizontal and vertical lines, 390

numeric values, 30

Bar Code, adding, 393

printable character, 28

Creating a Box and Corners, 388

prompt, 29

Form feeds, paper motion, 467

semicolon, 27

Form length command, 89

spaces, 29

Form name, 29

Special Function Control Code (SFCC), 27

G
German I-2/5, command format, 276
Grid

storing data, 30
uncompressed and packed bits
compression, 30
uppercase, 27

logo, 459

IGP/PGL Emulation, 13

standard, 457

error codes, 435

GS1 Data Matrix, 258

features, 14

GS1 Databar, 249

IGP/PGL Emulation features

GS1-128, 235

Automatic Increment/Decrement Capability, 14

GuardBand, BC412 Barcode, 179

Expanded and Compressed Character

H

Print, 14
IGP-100 Compatible, 15

Height, BC412 Barcode, 180

International Symbol Set Mapping, 15

Hex Character Encoding Command, 90

Label Generation, 14

HIBC, 268

Logos, 14

Horizontal Line Command, 390

On-Line Form, 14

Horizontal Line Errors, 436

PGL Normal Control, 15
Plessey Bar Code, 15

509

Reversed Print, 14

Line feeds, paper motion, 467

Rotated Alphanumerics, 14

Line Spacing command, 91

Selectable Bar Codes, 14

Line terminator, 28

IGP-100 Compatible, IGP/PGL Emulation

Lines, horizontal command, 91

features, 15

Lines, vertical command, 92

Impact commands, 487

Link, 94

Incremental Bar Code Dynamic Data Fields, 370

Listen command, 97

Incremental Bar Code Fields, 365

Logo

Incrementing bar code data, 365
Incremental Bar Code Fixed Data Fields, command

creating, 397
exericse, 395

format, 368

Logo call command, 97

Incremental Data, 23

Logo errors, 441

Incremental data fields, 32

Logo grid, 459

Incremental dynamic data, supplying, 80

Logo mode, create command, 99

Incremental fields errors, 449

Logos, IGP/PGL Emulation features, 14

Incrementing bar code data, 365

L7032 Printers, command support, 499

M

Inline commands, 28
Intelligent Mail 4-State, 270
Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and ITF-14

Magnification specifications, 161

Check Digit, 275

Magnification, BC412 Barcode, 180

Data Field, 275

Manual, about, 13

Quiet Zone, 275

Matrix, 280

Readable Data, 275

Check Digit, 281

Start/Stop Codes, 275

command format, 281

International character sets, 432

Data Field, 281

International Symbol Set Mapping, IGP/PGL

example, 285

Emulation features, 15

Quiet Zone, 281

ITF-14, command format, 276

Readable Data, 281

I-2/5

Start/Stop Codes, 281

command format, 276

Maxicode, 286
command format, 286

example, 279

K
KIX Format, PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX), 324

L

Control characters, 290
Data Field, 286
example, 291
Readable Data, 286
Memory, flash, 24

Label Generation, IGP/PGL Emulation features, 14

Miscellaneous errors, 445, 448, 449

Left margins, setting, 463

Mode

Line errors
horizontal, 436
vertical, 437

510

Create Form, 388
Execute Form, 388

Modes of operation

Number System Character

Create Form Mode, 19

EAN 13, 223

Create Logo Mode, 21

UPC-A, 341

Execute Form Mode, 21

UPC-E, 347

Normal mode, 16

Numeric Values, 30

O

Quiet mode, 16
Modes of operation, IGP/PGL, 16
Modulo-10 Data Field Check Digit for SSCC-18 and

OCR character sets, Multinational Character

SCC-14, UCC/EAN-128, 241

Sets, 415

Modulo-103 Check Digit, UCC/EAN-128, 241

On-Line Form, IGP/PGL Emulation features, 14

MSI, 292

Operation of FILE_IO command, 486

Check Digit, 293

Operation, IGP/PGL, 15

command format, 293

Optimize command, 102

Data Field, 293

Overlay data, 32

example, 296

Overlay data, Alphanumeric Data, 23

Quiet Zone, 293

Overlay set, activate, 422

Readable Data, 293

Overlay set, disable, 423

Start/Stop Code, 293

Overlays, examples, 423

P

structure, 292
Multinational character set charts, 428
Multinational character set errors, 450
Multinational Character Sets, 411
accessing characters and character sets, 415
Character address, 412
Character set selection command (ISET), 418
character substitutions, 412
International character sets, 432
multinational character set charts, 428
OCR character sets, 415
Supported Character Sets, 411
User-Defined set command (USET), 416

N
Non-platform specific commands, 480

Page layout considerations, 399
Page number command, 103
Paper command, 104
Paper Instruction - Data Bit 8 command, 107
Paper Instruction (PI) Enable/Disable
command, 108
Paper motion
form feeds, 467
line feeds, 467
PI Line (Relative Line Slewing), 468
Paper selection and maximum value
setting left margins, 463
setting top/bottom margins, 462
Paper selection and maximum values, 461

Normal mode command, 102

Create Form mode, 461

Normal mode, commands, 17

Execute Form mode, 461

Normal Mode, form examples, 373

PCX Logo command, 108

Not User-Defined, Execute Form mode, 461

PDF character sizes, 156

Not-defined, Execute Form mode, 462

PDF, BC412 Barcode, 180
PDF, PDF-417, 299

511

PDF-417, 298
command format, 300

Quiet Zone, 320
Start/Stop Code, 320

Data Field, 299

Power-Up character set selection, Accessing

example, 303

characters and character sets, 416

PDF, 299

Print boundaries, 19

Quiet Zone, 299

Print File command, 113

Security Level, 299

Printable character, 28

Start/Stop Codes, 299

Printer Alert command, 114

structure, 298

Printer Identification command, 117

PGL Normal Control, IGP/PGL Emulation

Printer Mode command, 118

features, 15

Printer Status command, 121

PGL-DBCS Series, 493

Printronix_SETUP Option, overview, 479

command index, 494

Program errors, solving, 409

PI Line (Relative Line Slewing), paper motion, 468

Prompt, 29

Planet, 306

PTX_SETUP commands, 479

Check Digit, 308

non-platform specific, 480

Q

command format, 309
Data Field, 308
example, 311

QR, 328

Quiet Zone, 308

Quiet command, 122

Start/Stop Code, 308

Quiet mode, 16

Plessey, 312

Quiet Zone

command format, 314

Code 128A, 128B, and 128C, 205

example, 317

Code 93, 198

structure, 312

Data Matrix, 258

Plessey Bar Code, IGP/PGL Emulation features, 15

EAN 13, 223

PNG Logo command, 111

EAN 8, 217

PostBar and Royal Mail

Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and

command format, 325
example, 327
PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX), 324

ITF-14, 275
Matrix, 281
MSI, 293

Check Digit, 324

PDF-417, 299

Data Field, 324

Planet, 308

KIX Format, 324

PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX), 324

Quiet Zone, 324

POSTNET, 320

Start/Stop Code, 324

Telepen, 334

POSTNET, 318

UCC/EAN-128, 240

Check Digit, 320

UPC-A, 341

command format, 321

UPC-E, 347

Data Field, 320

UPCSHIP, 355

example, 323

UPS 11, 361
Quiet Zone, Codabar, 182

512

R
Readable Data

S
SAVEDYN, 72

Code 128A, 128B, and 128C, 205

Scale command, 139

Code 93, 198

Scaling command, 140

Data Matrix, 258

Security Level, PDF-417, 299

EAN 13, 223

Select Format command, 142

EAN 8, 217

Selectable Bar Codes, IGP/PGL Emulation

Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and

features, 14

ITF-14, 275

Semicolon command, 27

Matrix, 281

Set expanded font menu option, 424

Maxicode, 286

Set the Time or Date command, 143

MSI, 293

Setup command, 143

Telepen, 334

Solving program errors, 409

UCC/EAN-128, 241

example, 409

UPC-A, 341

Spaces, 29

UPC-E, 347

Special Function Control Code Change, 145

UPCSHIP, 355

Special Function Control Code (SFCC), 27

UPS 11, 361

Special information, 13

Readable Data, Codabar, 182

Specifications, magnification, 161

Recall command, 123

Standard grid, 457

Related documentation, RFID, 13

Standard typefaces, 491

Repeat, 123

Start Code, BC412 Barcode, 177

Repeat command, 123

Start load code, 471

Reset command, 124
Reverse Print command, 124

EVFU, 471
Start/Center/Stop Codes

Reverse print errors, 448

EAN 13, 223

Reversed Print, IGP/PGL Emulation features, 14

EAN 8, 217

RFID, 13

UPC-A, 341

RFID command, 125

Start/Stop Code

RFTAG PGL command code, 136

FIM, 231

RFWTAG PGL command code, 125

MSI, 293

Rotated Alphanumerics, IGP/PGL Emulation

Planet, 308

features, 14

PostBar and Royal Mail (KIX), 324

Royal Mail
command format, 325
example, 327

POSTNET, 320
Start/Stop Codes
Code 128A, 128B, and 128C, 205
Code 93, 198
Interleaved 2/5 (I-2/5), German I-2/5, and
ITF-14, 275
Matrix, 281
PDF-417, 299
Telepen, 334

513

UCC/EAN-128, 240

Check Digit, 341

UPC-E, 347

command format, 342

UPCSHIP, 355

Data Field, 341

UPS 11, 361

example, 345

Start/Stop Codes, Codabar, 182

Number System Character, 341

Storage, flash memory, 24

Quiet Zone, 341

Storing data, 30

Readable Data, 341

Summary, CONFIG command, 486

Start/Center/Stop Codes, 341

Supplies Department, 502
Supported Character Sets, 411

T

UPC-E, 346
Check Digit, 347
command format, 348
Data Field, 347

Telepen, 333

example, 353

Check Digit, 334

Numer System Character, 347

command format, 335

Quiet Zone, 347

Data Field, 334

Readable Data, 347

example, 339

Start/Stop Codes, 347

Quiet Zone, 334

UPC-E0, 346

Readable Data, 334

example, 353

Start/Stop Codes, 334

structure, 346

structure, 333

UPCSHIP, 354

Termination Code, BC412 Barcode, 177

Check Digit, 355

Thermal commands, 488

command format, 356

TIFF Logo command, 146

Data Field, 355

Top/bottom margins, setting, 462

example, 359

Typefaces

Quiet Zone, 355

standard, 491

Readable Data, 355

U
UCC/EAN-128
application identifiers, 236
command format, 242
Data Field, 240
example, 245
Modulo-10 Data Field Check Digit for SSCC-18
and SCC-14, 241
Modulo-103 Check Digit, 241
Quiet Zone, 240
Readable Data, 241
Start/Stop Codes, 240
Uncompressed and packed bits compression, 30
Unicode, 418
UPC-A, 340

514

Start/Stop Codes, 355
structure, 354
Uppercase, 27
UPS 11, 360
Check Digit, 361
command format, 361
Data Field, 361
example, 364
Quiet Zone, 361
Readable Data, 361
Start/Stop Codes, 361
structure, 360
User-defined overlay set, activate, 422
User-defined overlay set, download, 421

User-Defined set command (USET), Multinational
Character Sets, 416
User-defined variable ratios postal barcodes, 155
User-defined variable ratios standard
barcodes, 155
User-defined, Execute Form mode, 462
Using the Setup command, example, 377
UTF-8, 418

V
Variable postal barcode ratios, user-defined, 155
Variable ratio, sample, 156
Variable standard barcode ratios, user-defined, 155
VERIFY PGL command code, 148
Vertical line errors, 437
Vertical Lines Command, 390
Vertical lines, adding, 390
Vertical paper motion, introduction, 467

W
Warnings, 13

515

516

*253642-001*
253642-001C



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XMP Toolkit                     : Adobe XMP Core 4.0-c321 44.398116, Tue Aug 04 2009 14:24:39
Format                          : application/pdf
Title                           : PTX_PRM_PGL_P7_253642C.book
Creator                         : ly_ju
Create Date                     : 2011:06:08 14:46:21Z
Creator Tool                    : FrameMaker 8.0
Modify Date                     : 2011:06:08 14:46:21Z
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Author                          : ly_ju
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