Epson ActionPrinter 5500 - ActionPrinter-5500 Impact... Dimensions

EPSON AMERICA INC.

EPSON

Product Support Bulletin

Subject:

Understanding and Using

ESCP/2

Commands and Syntax

Date: 12/4/91

Page(s): 1 of 14

PSB No: P-0082

Originator: JW

This bulletin provides detailed explanations and illustrations for some of the more

commonly used printer commands used in ESC/P2 Listed below are the

commands discussed in this bulletin.

Command Command Name PSB Page

ESC X m n1 n2

Select Pitch and Point Size

ESC ( C m1 m2 n1 n1

Set Page Length in Defined Units 5

ESC(vm1 m2 n1 n2

Set Relative Vertical Position 6

ESC(Vm1 m2 n1 n2

Set Absolute Vertical Position 8

ESCtn

Select Character Table

ESC ( t n1 n2 d1 d2 d3

Assign Character Table

ESC( ^ n1 n2 d1...d2

Print Data as Characters

PSB No: P-0082

Page: 2 of 14

ESC X m n1 n2

(Select Pitch and Point Size)

C X m n1 n2 is the command for selecting pitch and point size where m, n1 and

n2 are variables. The variable "m" is used to select the pitch which is the character

spacing. The variable "n1" selects the point size and the variable “n2”, at this time,

will always be 0 (zero). The variables "m" and "n1" are explained below.

The values used for ’m’ are 0,1,18,21,24,30,36,42,48,60, and 72. If "0" is

used as the value for ”m”, there will be no change in pitch. If "1" is used as the

value for "m", the character pitch will be proportional spacing. To determine the

character pitch for all other values of "m", divide 360 by "m".

For example, if m=60

then 360 divided by 60 equals 6 and the character pitch is 6 characters per inch. If

m=30, the character pitch is 12 characters per inch.

For the Roman and Sans Serif fonts, the values used for "n1" are 0,16,20,21,24,

28,32,36,40,42,44,48,52,56,60 and 84. For all other fonts, the values used for

"n1" are 0,21, and 42. The actual point size that will print is n1 divided by 2. For

example, if n1=20, the point size is 10. If n1=48, the point size is 24.

NOTE:

When selecting a point size larger than 24 (the value for n1 is greater than 48)

select proportional spacing (m=1) for the character pitch.

In the Basic programming language, the command would look like this.

LPRlNT CHR$(27);"X";CHR$(1);CHR$(48);CHR$(0);”This is 24 point proportional

spaced”

Chr$(27) is ESC, chr$(1) selects proportional spacing, chr$(48) selects 24 point

character size. At this time, n2 is always zero (0).

PSB No: P-0082

Page: 3 of 14

10 INPUT “Point Size”;A$

B=VAL(A$)*2

RESTORE 70

22 FOR X=1 TO 16

23 READY

IF B=Y THEN GOTO 30

25 NEXT X

26 CLS

27 PRINT A$ ” is not a valid point size choice.”

20 GOTO 10

30 C=VAL(A$)

40 LPRINT CHR$(27);“X”;CHR$(1);CHR$(B);CHR$(0);”These are “;A$;” point

characters”

LPRINT CHR$(27);“(v”;CHR$(2);CHR$(C);CHR$(C);CHR$(0)

GOTO 10

70 DATA 0,16,20,21,24,28,32,36,40,42,44,48,52,56,60,64

Line 10 -

allows you to specify the point size desired.

Line 20 -

computes the value for “n1” in the ESC X command.

tine 21 -

check to ensure that a valid point size was input

If the point size is

valid, the program jumps to line 30. If the point size is not valid, the

program prints a message on the screen and starts over again.

Line 30 - computes the value for “n1” for advancing paper using the ESC ( v

command.

Line 40 - sends the “Set Pitch and Point Size” command to the printer. (Note: The

pitch is set for proportional spacing for all point sizes to ensure proper

character spacing regardless of the point size.)

Line 50 -

sends the “Set Relative Vertical Position” command to the printer. This

command advances the paper in preparation for printing the next line.

Line 60

causes the program to start again at the beginning.

NOTE: To halt the program, hold down the “Ctrl” key and press the “C” key.

PSB No: P-0082

Page: 4 of 14

These are 8 point characters

These are 10 point characters

These are 10.5 point characters

These are 12 point characters

These are 14 point characters

These are 16 point characters

These are 18 point characters

These

are 20 point characters

These are 21 point characters

These are 22 point characters

These are 24 point characters

These are 26 point characters

These are 28 point characters

These are 30 point characters

These are 32 point characters

PSB No: P-0082

Page: 5 of 14

ESC ( C m1 m2 n1 n2 (Set Page Length in Defined Units

ESC ( C m1 m2 n1 n2 is the command for setting the page length in units where ml,

m2, n1 and n2 are variables. The “unit’ is usually 1/360 of an inch unless defined

otherwise by the “ESC ( U" command. Currently, the values for m1 and m2 MUST be

m1=2 and m2=0.

To determine the values for n1 and n2 perform the following steps.

Determine the desired page length in inches.

Multiply the page length by 360.

Divide the result by 256 using long division.

The remainder in the quotient from step 3 is the value for n1.

The whole number in the quotient from step 3 is the value for n2.

EXAMPLE

The page length is 8.5

inches.

8.5 x 360 = 3060

3060 divided by 256 =

11 with

remainder of 244.

n1=244

n2=11

In the Basic programming language, the command would look like this.

This command, as listed in the line above, will set the page length to 8.5 inches.

NOTE: The current line becomes the top of form. This command cancels any

previously set top and bottom margin settings. If you wish to set the top and bottom

margins via software command, the commands must be issued AFTER the “Set Page

Length in Defined Units” command. The proper page length setting can be confirmed

by issuing a “Form Feed” command, chr$(12), or by pressing the “FF button on the

control panel while the printer is “Off Line”.

PSB No: P-0082

Page: 6 of 14

ESC ( v m1 m2 n1 n2 (Set Relative Vertical Position

ESC (v m1 m2 n1 n2 is the command for advancing the print position vertically in

units where m1, m2, n1 and n2 are variables. The "unit" is usually 1/360 of an inch

unless defined otherwise by the “ESC ( U" command. Currently, the values for ml

and m2 MUST be m1=2 and m2=0.

To determine the values for n1 and n2 perform the following steps.

Determine the desired vertical motion distance in inches.

Multiply the distance by 360.

Divide the result by 256 using long division.

The remainder in the quotient from step 3 is the value for n1.

The whole number in the quotient from step 3 is the value for n2

EXAMPLE

The desired distance is 1 inch.

21x360=360

360 divided by 256=1 with a remainder of 104.

n1=104

n2=1

In the Basic programming language, the command would look like this.

This command, as listed in the line above, will feed the paper up 1 inch from the

current line. The current print column (horizontal position) IS NOT changed.

‘Reverse” paper feed less than 1/2 inch can be performed with this command. To

accomplish "reverse" paper feeding requires the following steps.

Determine the desired vertical motion dice in inches.

Multiply the distance by 360.

Divide the result by 256 using long division.

Subtract the remainder in the quotient computed in step 3 from 256.

The result from step 4 is the value for n1.

The value for n2 will always be 255.

PSB No: P-0082

Page: 7 of 14

EXAMPLE

The desired distance is 1/4 inch.

1/4 x 360 = 90

90 divided by 256

with

remainder

90.

256-90=166

n1=166

n2=255

In the Basic programming language, the command would look like this.

LPRlNT CHR$(27);“(v”;CHR$(2);CHR$(0);CHR$(166);CHR$(255)

This command, as listed in the line above, will feed the reverse feed the paper 1/4 inch

from the current line. The current print column (horizontal position) IS NOT changed.

PSB No: P-0082

Page: 8 of 14

(V m1 m2 n1 n2 is the command for changing the print position vertically (with

respect to the Top of Form position) in units where m1, m2, n1 and n2 are variables.

The "unit” is usually 1/360 of an inch unless defined otherwise by the ”ESC(U"

command.

Currently, the values for m1 and m2 MUST be m1=2 and m2=0.

To determine the values for n1 and n2 perform the following steps.

Determine the desired vertical distance from the Top of Form in inches.

2 Multiply the distance by 360.

Divide the result by 256 using long division.

The remainder in the quotient from step 3 is the value for n1.

The whole number in the quotient from step 3 is the value for n2

EXAMPLE

The desired dice from the Top of Form is 1 inch.

21x360=360

360 divided by 256=

with a remainder of 104.

n1=104

n2=1

In the Basic programming language, the command would look like this.

This command, as listed in the line above, will position the paper 1 inch from the

current Top of Form setting. For example, if the Top of Form setting is the top edge

of the paper, the paper will be positioned so that the printer is ready to print 1 inch

down from the top edge of the paper.

PSB No: P-0082

Page: 9 of

ESC t n is the command for selecting a character table to be used for printing where

n is a variable. The following table lists the values for n and the character table

associated with the value.

Table

3I PC437 (US)

Table 1

NOTE: 1. Character tables other than those listed above can be assigned by using

the ESC ( t command (Assign Character Table).

The value used for n can be either the ASCII value OR the ASCII character

(i.e. chr$(1) or “1”).

In the Basic programming language, the command would look like this.

LPRlNT CHR$(27);"t";CHR$(0);

CHR$(27) is ESC and CHR$(0) selects table #0 (italic).

PSB No: P-0082

Page:

ESC ( t n1 n2 d1 d2 d3 (Assign Character Table)

ESC (t n1 n2 d1 d2 d3 is the command for assigning character tables where n1, n2,

d1,d2, and d3 are variables. Currently, variables, n1, n2 and d3 MUST be n1=3,

n2=0, and d3=0. Variable d1 is a number corresponding to one of the four tables

selectable with the ESC t n command. This is the table that will be replaced. Valid

values for d1 are 0,1,2, and 3 (see Table 1 below). Variable d2 is a number

corresponding to a registered table. This is the table that will replace the table

indicated by Variable d1. Valid Values for d2 are 0, 1,3,7,8, and 9 (see Table 2

below).

Table 1

Table 2

After using the ESC ( t command, the ESC t n command MUST be sent to select the

table before printing from the new table.

For example, the command ESC ( t 3 0 1 3

0 is sent (assign Registered Table 3 (PC850) to Selectable Table 1 (PC437). In order

to print the

character (ASCII 245), the command ESC t 1 must be sent. In the Basic

programming language, the sequence would be as follows:

LPRINT CHR$(27);“(T);CHR$(3);CHR$(0);CHR$(1);CHR$(3);CHR$(0);

LPRINT CHR$(27);"t";CHR$(1);

LPRINT CHR$(245)

Some ESC/P2 documentation may illustrate as many as 22 different Registered

Tables. The Registered Tables are a part of the character set, therefore, they are

contained in the Character Generator ROM. The CG ROM differs based upon the

destination country. For this reason, only the above Registered Tables are available

on LQ-570, LQ-1070, LQ-870 and LQ-1170 printers sold for the U.S. market. Foreign

Character Generator ROMs ARE NOT available in the United States. The following

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