Manual Datamax

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Welcome to the Programmer’s On-line Manual. This manual explains in detail
the Datamax Programming Language (DPL), how to write programs that will
enable Datamax label printers to create label formats (designs), and allow the
user to control the operation of the printer. Label formats that have been created
can be printed, stored, and edited. ‘Hyperlinks’ are available throughout the
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Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and

does not represent a commitment on the part of Datamax
Corporation. No part of this manual may be reproduced or
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than the purchaser’s personal use, without the expressed written
permission of Datamax Corporation.
© 1998 by Datamax Corporation
Part Number: 88-2051-01

Revision: D2
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Contents
Chapter I
Introduction ................................................................................1
Chapter II
Control Codes .......................................................................................3
Chapter III
Immediate Commands <SOH>....................................................5
SOH # Reset......................................................................................6
SOH A Send ASCII Status String.......................................................6
SOH B Toggle Pause .........................................................................7
SOH C Stop/Cancel............................................................................7
SOH D SOH Shutdown ......................................................................8
SOH E Send Batch Quantity ..............................................................8
SOH F Send Status Byte....................................................................9
Chapter IV
System-Level Commands <STX>...............................................11
STX A Time and Date......................................................................13
STX a Enable Feedback Characters ..............................................14
STX B Printer Time and Date Information.......................................14
STX b Set Cutter Signal Time .........................................................15
STX C Copy Module ........................................................................16
STX c Continuous Paper Length ....................................................17
STX D Memory Dump (Test Mode Only).........................................18
STX d Double Buffer Mode .............................................................19
STX E Label Quantity ......................................................................20
STX e Select Edge Sensor .............................................................20
STX F Form Feed............................................................................22
STX f Form Stop Position (Backfeed Command) .........................22
STX G Print Last Label Format........................................................23
STX g Internal Batch Software Mode..............................................23
STX H Cutter Signal Time ...............................................................24
STX I Input Image Data..................................................................25
STX I Downloading Scalable Fonts................................................26
STX J Pause For Each Label..........................................................27
Prodigy Request Memory Module Status..........................28
i
STX K Extended System Commands .............................................29
STX k Test RS-232 Port .................................................................29
STX L Enter Label-Formatting ........................................................29
STX M Maximum Label Length........................................................30
STX m Metric Mode .........................................................................30
STX N Enter Internal Batch Mode (Prodigy) ....................................31
STX n Set Printer To Inches ...........................................................31
STX O Start Of Print Position...........................................................31
STX o Cycle Cutter..........................................................................33
STX P Character (HEX) Dump Mode..............................................33
STX p Controlled Pause..................................................................33
STX Q Clears All Modules ...............................................................34
STX q Clear Module........................................................................35
STX R Ribbon Saver on/off .............................................................36
Prodigy Remove Graphic Image .......................................36
STX r Select reflective sensor ........................................................37
STX S Feed Rate ............................................................................38
STX s Test Module Memory (Prodigy only) ....................................38
STX S Single Buffer Mode...............................................................38
STX T Printhead Dot Pattern Test Label.........................................39
STX t Test RAM Memory Module ..................................................39
STX U Label Format Field Replacement.........................................40
STX V Software Switch Settings .....................................................41
STX v Printer's Firmware Version Information................................43
STX W Request Memory Module information ..................................43
STX w Test Flash Memory Module..................................................44
STX X Set Default Module...............................................................46
STX x Delete File from Module .......................................................47
STX Y Output Sensor Values ..........................................................48
STX y Select Font Symbol Set........................................................48
STX Z Print Internal Information and Dot Pattern............................49
STX z Pack Module ........................................................................49
ii
Chapter V
Extended-System Commands <STX>K ......................................51
STX K Offset Distance, Top-of-Form ..............................................51
STX KD Configuration........................................................................52
STX Kf Set Present Distance ...........................................................53
STX KI GPIO Input ...........................................................................54
STX KM Memory Configuration..........................................................55
STX KO GPIO Output ........................................................................57
STX KQ Query Memory Configuration ...............................................59
STX KR Reset Memory Configuration ...............................................61
STX Kr Resettable Counter Reset....................................................61
STX KS Scalable Cache Configuration..............................................61
STX KW Width Label Memory Configuration......................................61
Chapter VI
Label-Formatting Commands .....................................................63
: Set Cut By Amount .....................................................................64
A Set Format Attribute ...................................................................65
C Set Column Offset Amount.........................................................67
c Set Cut By Amount .....................................................................67
D Set Width and Height Dot Size ...................................................68
E Terminate Label Formatting Mode and Print Label ....................69
G Place Data In Global Register ....................................................69
H Enter Heat Setting ......................................................................70
M Select Mirror Mode .....................................................................71
m Set Metric Mode..........................................................................72
n Set Inch Mode.............................................................................72
P Set Print Speed...........................................................................73
p Set Label Backup Speed ............................................................74
Q Set Quantity Of Labels To Print ..................................................75
R Set Row Offset Amount ..............................................................75
r Recall Stored Label Format........................................................76
S Set Slew Rate .............................................................................77
s Store Label Format In Module ....................................................78
T Set Field Data Line Terminator...................................................79
U Make Previous Field A String Replace Field ..............................80
W Wait Mode (Prodigy only) .......................................................81
iii
X Terminate Label-Formatting Mode .............................................81
yS Select Font Symbol Set ..............................................................82
Z Zip Mode (Prodigy only)..............................................................82
z Zero (Ø) Conversion to "0" .........................................................83
+ (>) Make Last Field Entered Increment Numeric (Alphanumeric)....83
- (<) Make Last Field Entered Decrement Numeric (Alphanumeric) .84
^ Set Count By Amount .................................................................85
Special Label-Formatting Commands.......................................86

STX S Recall Global Data And Place In Field .................................86
STX T Print Time and Date .............................................................87
Chapter VII
Font-Loading Commands <ESC> ..............................................89
*c###D Assign Font ID Number........................................................89
)s###W Font Descriptor.....................................................................90
*c###E Character Code....................................................................90
(s#W Character Download Data....................................................90
Chapter VIII
Generating Label Formats ..........................................................91
Generating Records ..............................................................................93
The Structure of a Record.....................................................................93
The Header Fields.................................................................................94
Record Structure Types ........................................................................99
Internal Bit-Mapped Font.......................................................................99
Smooth Font, Modules, Downloaded Bit-Mapped Fonts.....................100
Scalable Font ......................................................................................101
Barcode...............................................................................................102
Images........ ........................................................................................103
Graphics..............................................................................................104
Lines and Boxes..................................................................................104
Polygons and Circles ..........................................................................105
Image Loading ....................................................................................111
iv
Appendix A
ASCII Control Chart ............................................................................113
Appendix B
Sample Programs ...............................................................................115
Appendix C
Available Fonts....................................................................................119
Appendix D
Error Codes.........................................................................................127
Appendix E
Single Byte Symbol Sets .....................................................................129
Appendix F
Valid Barcode Font ASCII Characters................................................143
Appendix G
Available Barcodes .............................................................................145
UPC-A and EAN-13: Variable Prince or Weight Bar Code .................171
Appendix H
Font Mapping, Single and Double Byte (Kanji) Characters.................173
Appendix I
Symbol Sets, Code Pages, and Character Maps................................177
Appendix J
General Purpose I/O Signals ..............................................................181
Appendix K
Font Cartridges Names and Sizes ......................................................185
v
Appendix L
Module Identifiers by Product and Maximum Label Format Fields .....189
Appendix M
Printer Speed Ranges and Defaults....................................................193
Appendix N
Commands by Function ......................................................................195
Appendix O
Bar Code Symbology Information Sources .........................................199
vi
Introduction
This manual is designed for users who wish to create their own label
production software. Operators without programming experience may
prefer to use a label-creation software package.
This manual explains in detail the Datamax Programming Language

(DPL), how to write programs that will enable Datamax label printers to
create label formats (designs), and allow the user to control the operation
of the printer. Label formats that have been created can be printed, stored,
and edited.
Notes: This manual refers to IBM-PC based keyboard command

characters for access to the ASCII character set. Systems based
on different formats, (i.e., Apple’s Macintosh), should use the
appropriate keyboard command to access the desired ASCII
character. Appendix A contains the entire ASCII character set.
<CR> is used to identify the line termination character. Other
strings placed between <> in this document represent the
character of the same ASCII name.

1
There are four main command types used to create labels and control the
printer:
1. Immediate Commands
2. System-Level Commands
3. Label-Formatting Commands
4. Font-Loading Commands.
Immediate Commands: Interrupts the printer to perform a

particular action, then the printer
resumes normal operations.
System-Level Commands: Are performed in the sequence that

they are received and generally
control the printer’s hardware. In
addition, system-level commands
allow memory configuration, and
scalable font and image
downloading.
Label-Formatting Commands: Are used to control the position of

text and images. The label format
termination commands can
selectively store and print the
label and end the formatting
process.
Font-Loading Commands: Are used to download font data in

PCL-4 compatible bit-maps.

2
Control Codes
In order to be ready for a command sequence, the printer must first
receive a special character called an “attention getter”, this informs the
printer that it is about to receive a command and the type of command it
will be. Immediate commands, system-level commands, and font-loading
commands each have their own attention getter. The attention getter
character is followed by a command character that tells the printer what
action to take. Most system-level command characters are followed by
parameter values.
ASCII Decimal HEX

Printer Attention Getter For
Char. Value Value
Dump
SOH 1 01 Â Immediate Commands
STX 2 02 ^B System-Level Commands
ESC 27 1B ^[ Font-Loading Commands
Table 1-1 Control Codes
Note: The attention getters (e.g., “SOH”) are standard ASCII

control labels that represent a one character control
code,(i.e., Â or Ctrl A). Appendix A contains the
entire ASCII Control Code Chart. An alternate set of
attention getters is shown in the table below.
Depending on the printer, this set may be selected via a
dip switch, menu selection, or the system command
<STX>KD.
Control Character Standard Main Frame

SOH 0x01 0x5E
STX 0x02 0x7E
CR 0x0D 0x0D
ESC 0x1B 0x1B
“Count By”1 0x5E 0x40
1
See Label-Formatting Commands, ^set count by amount.
Table 1-2 Alternate Control Codes

3

4
Immediate Commands <SOH>
When the printer receives an immediate command it will stop whatever

it is doing and perform that command. Immediate commands may be
issued before or after system commands; however, immediate commands
may not be issued among label-formatting commands. Immediate
commands consist of:
1. Attention Getter
2. Command Character
3. Parameters (if any).
Command Printer Command Function

Character Response
# Y Reset
A Y Send ASCII Status String
B N Toggle Pause
C N Stop/Cancel
D N SOH Shutdown
E Y Send Batch Quantity
F Y Send Status Byte
Table 2-1 Immediate Commands

5
SOH # Reset
This command resets the printer. Resetting the printer returns all
settings to default and clears both the input and print buffers. The
command also clears the internal RAM memory. See Appendix L.
Sample: <SOH>#
The printer will now reset.
Printer Response: T <XON>;
The T may come after the <XON>
SOH A Send ASCII Status String

This command allows the host computer to check the printer for its
current status. The printer returns a string of eight characters to the
host computer, followed by a carriage return. Each character is
either a Y or N indicating whether the associated condition is true or
false (Y=true). Byte 1 is the first character transmitted by the printer.
Sample: <SOH>A
Printer Response: abcdefgh<CR>
Byte Character Y/N Condition

1 a = Y/N Y = Interpreter busy
2 b = Y/N Y = Paper out
3 c = Y/N Y = Ribbon out
4 d = Y/N Y = Printing batch
5 e = Y/N Y = Busy printing
6 f = Y/N Y = Printer paused
7 g = Y/N Y = Label presented
8 h=N Always No
Table 2-2 ASCII Status

6
SOH B Toggle Pause
This command toggles the printer’s paused state between on and off.
This is the same function that is achieved when the pause button on
the printer's front panel is pressed.
Sample: <SOH>B
This command will illuminate the pause/stop light, suspend printing,

and wait until one of the following happens.
The SOH B Command is sent to the printer.

The STX p Command is sent to the printer.
The pause button is pressed on the front panel of the printer.
Upon which it will turn the pause/stop light off and resume
operation from where it was interrupted. On some printers if the RX
Buffer is not full a <XON> character will be transmitted from the
printer.
SOH C Stop/Cancel
This command performs the same function as pressing the
stop/cancel button on the printer's front panel. The stop/cancel
function clears the current label format from the print buffer. It will
also pause the printer and turn the pause/stop light on.
Sample: <SOH>C
The pause condition is terminated as described under <SOH>B.

7
SOH D SOH Shutdown
This command causes the printer to ignore immediate commands
(Â). The SOH shutdown command must be sent before loading
graphic images or fonts since some graphic images or fonts may
contain data sequences that could be interpreted as an immediate
command.
Sample: <SOH>D
After the SOH shutdown command is sent, immediate commands
can be turned back on by sending the SOH B command three times
with a one second delay between each command, or by manually
resetting the printer. It is good practice to check batch quantities
<SOH>E to verify that the SOH commands are working.
SOH E Send Batch Quantity

This command causes the printer to send back a 4-digit number
indicating the quantity of labels left to print in the current batch,
followed by a carriage return. Communications latency may cause
this value to be higher than actual on some printers.
Sample: <SOH>E
From the Printer: 0000<CR>

8
SOH F Send Status Byte
This command instructs the printer to send a single status byte where
each bit (1 or 0) represents one of the printer's status flags, followed
by a carriage return. If an option is not available for a printer the
single bit will always be 0.
Sample: <SOH>F
From the Printer: X<CR>
Bit Value Condition

8 0 Always zero
7 1 or 0 Label presented
6 1 or 0 Printer paused
5 1 or 0 Busy printing
4 1 or 0 Printing batch
3 1 or 0 Ribbon out
2 1 or 0 Paper out
1 1 or 0 Command interpreter busy
Table 2-3 Status Byte
Note: One is the least significant bit (LSB).

9

10
System-Level Commands
<STX>
The most commonly used commands are the system-level commands,
these commands are used to load and store graphic information and to
control the printer. System-level commands may be used before or after
immediate commands but cannot be issued among label-formatting
commands. System-level commands can be used to override default
parameter values, (fixed and selectable). Selectable-parameter value
defaults may be assigned via switch setting or menu selection. Menu
selectable parameters are shown in the printer’s operator’s manual.
System commands consist of:
1. Attention Getter
2. Command Character
3. Parameters (if any).
Command Command Function

Character
A Set Time and Date
a Enable Feedback Characters
B Get Printer Time and Date Information
b Set Cutter signal time
C Copy Module
c Set Continuous Paper Length
D Memory Dump (Test Mode Only)
d Set Printer to double buffer mode
E Set Quantity for Stored Label
e Select Edge Sensor
F Form Feed
f Set Form Stop Position
G Print Last Label Format
g Internal Batch Software Mode
I Input Graphics Data
i Download Scalable Font
J Set Pause for each label
Table 3-1 System-Level Commands (continued)

11
Command Command Function
Character
K Extended System Commands
k Test RS-232 Port, With a Y if ok
L Enter Label Formatting Mode
M Set Maximum Label Length
m Set Printer to Metric
N Enter Internal Batch
n Set Printer to Inches
O Set Start of Print Position
o Cycle Cutter
P Enter Character Dump Mode
p Controlled Pause
Q Clears all Modules
q Clear Module
R Ribbon Saver
r Select Reflective Sensor
S Set Feed Rate
s Set Printer to single buffer mode
T Printhead Dot Pattern Test Label
t Test RAM Memory Module
U Label Format Field Replacement
V Software Switch Settings
v Printer's Firmware Version Information
W Request Memory Module Information
w Test FLASH Memory Module
X Set Default Module (Special Dump Mode)
x Delete Module File
Y Output Sensor Values
y Select Font Symbol Set
Z Print Internal Information and Dot Pattern
z Pack Module
Table 3-1 System-Level Commands (concluded)

12
STX A Set Time and Date
This command sets the time and date. The first time the date is set it
will be stored in the printer's internal inch counter. This date can be
verified by printing a configuration label.
<STX>AwmmddyyyyhhMMjjj
where:
w 1 digit for day of week; 1 = Monday
mm 2 digits for month
dd 2 digits for day
yyyy 4 digits for year
hh 2 digits for hour in 24 hour format
MM 2 digits for minutes
jjj 3 digits for Julian date *
Figure 3-2 Time and Date
Sample: <STX>A1020319960855034
Prints: Mon. Feb 3rd., 1996, 8:55AM, the 34th day of the year.
Notes: * When this value is set to 000, the Julian date is

automatically calculated. If a value other than 000 is sent to
the printer, the Julian date will print as that number, and
will not increment daily.
Printers with operators panels may also set the time via the
panel.
Ovation printers without the Time/Date Option lose the
time/date when power is removed.
This command is not available on the Prodigy.

13
STX a Enable Feedback Characters
This command enables the feedback ASCII HEX characters 07, 1E
and 1F to be returned from the printer after specific events. The
printer returns character 07 after an invalid command, 1E after each
label is printed, and 1F after each batch of labels. For printers
without an LCD/keypad front panel, the default value is ‘off’
Sample: <STX>a
Event Printer's Response

Invalid (BEL) 0x07
character
Label printed (RS) 0x1E
End of batch (US) 0x1F
STX B Get Printer Time and Date Information

This command instructs the printer to retrieve the s time and date
information.
Sample: <STX>B
Printer Response: wmmddyyyyhhMMjjj <CR>
Where:
w 1 digit for day of week; 1 = Monday
mm 2 digits for month
dd 2 digits for day
yyyy 4 digits for year
hh 2 digits for hour in 24 hour format
MM 2 digits for minutes
jjj 3 digits for Julian date
Sample: 1020319960855034 <CR>

Prints: Mon. Feb 3rd., 1996, 8:55AM, the 34th day of the year.
Note: See <STX>A for restrictions.

14
STX b Set Cutter Signal Time
Prodigy/Prodigy Plus
<STX>bnnnn
Where: nnnn = 4 digits, msec * 24, low/delay time

Default = 3125 (75 msec)
This command sets the signal time, (external signal @ port J4) and
will determine the low pulse length and delay time setting to the
specified value. To set a 50 msec. delay and low pulse, first calculate
the four-digit time (0.050/0.000024 = 2083.33.)
For the example above, the following signal will be sent out of J4
Pin 2 located on the back panel of the printer.
At this point the printer will

continue to print
PIN Connected To J4 Pin out

1 Ground
2 Cutter signal
3 24V 1.5 Amp Fused
4 Not Used
5 Not Used
6 Not Used
7 9V 1.0 Amp Fused
Shield Chassis

15
STX C Copy Module
Prodigy
The copy module command will halt all operation of the printer
until the module copy is complete. Be sure that the new module's
write protect switch is off and the original module has the write
protect switch on. Because there is only one module slot available,
the following procedure must be followed for a module to be
copied:
1. The pause light should begin blinking after the command is

sent to the printer.
2. Insert the module to be copied at this time, (if it is not
already installed).
3. Press pause to copy the module or the cancel button to abort.
4. When the pause light blinks again remove the original
module and insert the new module that you want the data to
be copied to. If the paper/ribbon light is on, note that it
indicates the data of the original module is now being held
on the main board of the Prodigy.
5. Press the pause button again and the data will be copied to
the newly installed module.
6. While the module is being copied, the pause light will stop
blinking and stay off, the paper/ribbon light will go out for a
few seconds and then re-illuminate. When the paper/ribbon
light is back on, the new module will contain the same
information that the original one did.
Note: The printer can copy a module without the use of this
command. If you wish to copy a group of modules it can be
done by directly controlling the printer through the front
panel. You can do this by first pressing the stop/cancel
button and then pressing the feed button at the same time.
Next release both buttons and look for the blinking pause
light. Now go to step one listed above.

16
Prodigy Plus
Copies from module B (lower slot) to module A (upper slot). Both

modules must be flash modules. When the data is being copied,
the pause and the paper/ribbon LED's will toggle back and forth.
After the copy is complete the paper/ribbon LED will stay on. This
command will abort if there is data in the module A. Be sure that
module A is formatted before using this command and that the
write protect switch on module A is in the off position.
Sample: <STX>qA
<STX>C
This sample will first clear and format the module, then the data
from module B will be copied to module A.
STX c Set Continuous Paper Length

This command is intended for applications that use continuous
forms. It disables the label-edge sensor and sets a page length for the
printer to feed. The sensor will continue to detect paper-out
conditions.
<STX> cnnnn
Where: nnnn- Is inches/100 or millimeters/10 (see STX m),

the length of the paper to feed for each label
format. It must be set to zero for edge or
reflective top-of-form operation.
Sample: <STX>c0100
The above sample sets a page length of 100, which equals 1.00”,
assuming metric mode has not been enabled; see <STX m>

17
STX D Memory dump (Test Mode Only)
Prodigy
Dumps selected memory to RS-232 port in hex-dump format, and
<ESC> terminates the mode. There are several tables that provide
the necessary address, this is for engineering purposes only, (refer
to Appendix E). Test mode can be enabled via the DIP switch or
menu selection, see the printer’s operator manual for additional
information.
<STX>Dbbaaaa
Where: bb = System bank address

aaaa = Memory address, from 4000 to 7999
Sample: CR>
<STX>D074000
Printer Response: A07 4000
0 4000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ....... .......
0 4010 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ....... .......
0 4020 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ....... .......
0 4030 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ....... .......
Prodigy Plus / Allegro / Allegro 2

<STX>D bb(mm)aaaa
Where: bb = System bank address

mm = Module bank address if selected by system
bank address. This is optional and not used
with EPROM or internal RAM.
aaaa = Memory address
This must be between 4000 to 7FFF
Note: The difference between the Prodigy Plus and the

Allegro is in selecting the module bank and the
configuration of the EPROM.

18
Sample: <CR>
<STX>D074000
The sample above will let you view data in RAM #1 Bank 7 and the
data will be displayed in a debug format. When you hit Enter more
data will be transmitted out the RS-232 port. You should use a
program like PC Batch version 5.0 or greater, which has a dumb
terminal mode, or uses a dumb terminal to view the data. You must
enter Esc to leave this mode and regain control of the printer.
STX d Set Printer to Double Buffer Mode

This command instructs the printer to enter the double buffer mode.
In this mode, when printing labels with incrementing fields (see
label-formatting commands) the printer will only erase and format
those incremental fields, leaving the rest of the label format
untouched. This in turn increases the printer's through-put. This
feature is only active when the labels being printed are less than half
the maximum size of the printer's print buffer, (see <STX>S).
Sample: <STX>d
Note: This command is not available on the Prodigy.
DMX 600, DMX 800, Prodigy Max, PE42, PE43, Titan

6200, Ovation and Ovation 2
The <STX>d command is not generally used on these printers
since fast formatting is the normal mode of operation when the
number of variable print fields, (see label-formatting commands
+, -, <,>,u) is less than, or equal to 1/3 of the total print field
count. The <STX>d command forces fast formatting even when
the proportion of variable print fields is greater than 1/3 the total.
The maximum label size is not effected by this command, <STX>s
restores normal fast formatting.

19
STX E Set Quantity For Stored Label
This command sets the number of labels to print for the label format
currently stored in the print buffer. The most recent label sent to the
printer will automatically remain stored in the buffer until the printer
is reset or turned off, (this command is also used in conjunction with
the STX G command, which will print the labels).
<STX>Ennnn
Where: nnnn - A four-digit quantity, including leading zeros.
Sample: <STX>E0025
<STX>G
The above sample will print 25 labels of the current label format in
memory. This command may be issued prior to a label format not
containing a specified quantity (Qnnn).
STX e Select Edge Sensor

This command is used for "see-through" media sensing such as die
cut labels or tags with sensor holes. This command sets the printer to
sense a minimum gap of 0.1 inches (2.54mm) between labels. Labels
must be at least .5 inches (12.7mm) between each top-of-form,
which is the point where printing of the new label will begin. To line
up the top-of-form with the printhead, use the label offset command
STX O.

20
For printers without LCD/keypad front panels, this is the default
setting when the printer is powered up or reset.
Sample: <STX>e
Notes: This command will override the LCD display or switch

settings.
This command is ignored when STX cnnnn has been issued
with a non-zero value for nnnn.
Use the STX r command to change the printer from edge
sensing to reflective sensing.

21
STX F Form Feed
This command feeds one label. After a reset condition for the first
label out, if the physical label length is less than the label offset
value (see <STX>O), the printer will feed more than one label until
a top-of-form is sensed, or when the label edge offset is reached.
Sample: <STX>F
STX f Set Form Stop Position (Backfeed

Command)
This command is used to adjust the stop position. This command
causes the label stock to stop at a position past the start of print.
When the next label format is sent to the printer, it will
automatically backfeed to the start-of-print position. If a quantity of
more than one label is to be printed, the printer will operate without
backfeeding. Label backfeed will then only occur when the printer
has stopped printing for a few seconds.
<STX>fnnn
Where: nnn- Is a three-digit distance from the sensor in inches

100 or mm/10. Distance is independent of the
start-of-print position, yet must be greater than
the start of print position to have any effect.
Sample*: <STX>f230
* The above sample sets a stop position distance of 230, which

equals 2.3" from the label sensor unless the printer is in metric
mode (see <STX>m).

22
STX G Print Last Label Format
This command prints a previously formatted label and restarts a
canceled batch job after the last processed label. This command is
used when there is a label format in the buffer. The STX E command
is used to enter the quantity. (If the STX E command is not used
only one label will print.)
Sample: <STX>G
STX g Internal Batch Software Mode

This command instructs the printer to enter the Internal Batch
Software Mode. There are two ways of entering the printer’s Internal
Batch Software Mode; first, enabling Internal Batch Mode via the
operator’s panel (printers with LCD/keypad front panels), or
enabling the appropriate DIP switch, (some printers without
LCD/keypad front panels). The second method is to send an ‘Enter
Internal Batch Command’. This has the same effect as the first,
except that a printer reset will return the printer to the default mode
of operation.
Sample: <STX>g
Notes: This command is available for printers that support the

Internal Batch Software, see the Internal Batch Operator’s
Manual for additional information.

23
STX H Set Cutter Signal Time
Prodigy / Prodigy Plus
<STX>Hnnnn
Where: nnnn = 4 digits. usec. * 24 delay time

Default = 3125 (75 msec)
Set cutter signal time (external signal @ port J4). This command
will result in a 5 usec. low pulse and setting the cutter signal on
delay time.
Example:
To set a 50 msec. delay and low pulse you must
first calculate the 4 digit time.
0.050/0.000024 = 2083.33
<STX>H2083
The following signal will be sent out of J4 Pin 2 located on the

back panel of the printer.
-At this point the printer

will continue to print
PIN Connected To J4 Pin out

1 Ground
2 Cutter signal
3 24V 1.5 Amp Fused
4 Not Used
5 Not Used
6 Not Used
7 9V 1.0 Amp Fused
Shield Chassis

24
STX I Input Image Data
This command precedes the download of image data from the host to
the printer. The data that immediately follows the command string
will be image data. If any of the 8-bit input formats are to be used, it
is necessary to disable the immediate level command interpreter by
executing a SOH D command before issuing this command. To print
an image, select font type Y, (see ‘Generating Label Formats’).
Horizontal and vertical magnification may be used with human-
readable fonts. Data sent to this field is also used as the name of the
defined graphic image.
<STX>labfnnnnnnnn<CR>data
Where:
a- Memory Module Bank Select, A-E (see Appendix L)
b- Data Type (optional), A or omit
b Value Image Data Value Range

A ASCII Characters 0-9, A-F, (7bit)
omitted 00-FF, (8 bit)
f- Format Designation, F,B,B, I, I, P, p

Designator Format
F 7-bit Datamax image load file
B .BMP 8-bit format (image will be flipped), 256
color1 or B&W
b .BMP 8-bit format (save image as received), 256
color1 or B&W
I .IMG 8-bit format (image will be flipped), B&W
i .IMG 8-bit format (save image as received), B&W
P .PCX 8-bit format (image will be flipped), B&W
p .PCX 8-bit format (save image as received), B&W
1
- Available on DMX600, DMX800, Prodigy Max, PE42, PE43, Ovation! and
Titan 6200.

25
nnnnnnnn- Up to 8 characters used as an image name, must be
terminated by <CR>.
data- Image data
Sample: <SOH>D
<STX> I Ap Test <CR>
data...data <CR>
The above sample instructs the printer to receive an 8-bit .PCX
image sent by 8-bit data, named ‘Test’, and to store it in memory
module A.
STX i Downloading Scalable Fonts

The command structures for downloading both IntelliFont (.CDI)
and True Type (.TTF) scalable fonts are as follows. Font files may
be single byte or double byte character systems.
Syntax: <STX>imtnnName<CR>xxxxxxxxdata...
Where:
m Module ID to save this font to ('A', 'B', ‘C’, 'E')
t Type of scalable font being downloaded:

'I' - IntelliFont
'T' - True Type
nn Two digit font reference id. Valid range is 50-99, 9A-
9Z, 9a-9z, base 62 numbers)
Name The for this font. Up to 16 characters.
<CR> 0x0d Terminates the name.

26
xxxxxxxx Digit size of the font data, number of bytes,
hexidecimal, padded with leading zeros.
data The scalable font data.
Example:
<STX>iET52Tree Frog<CR>000087C2data...
This command downloads a true type font to module 'E' and
assigns it the font ID of 52 and the name "Tree Frog". The size
of the font data is 0x87C2 bytes long.
Notes: Available on printers supporting the scalable font

technology.
Double byte font files are only compatible with
printer systems that are appropriately equipped.
STX J Sets Pause For Each Label

This command is intended for use with the Peel and Present
Mechanism Option or with a tear bar when the present sensor is not
installed. This command causes the printer to pause between each
label. After removing the printed label, the pause button must be
pushed in order to print the next label. (The printer must be reset to
clear the <STX > J command.)
Sample: <STX>J
Note: This command is not available on the Prodigy

or Prodigy Plus.

27
Prodigy Request Memory Module Status
This command requests the memory module status response from

the printer. This command will send back the memory module
configured in the Prodigy.
Printer Response Format: x-btn<CR>
Where: x = Y or N for bank checksum

b = Bank partition being reported
t = G graphics bank
L label format bank
X not formatted bank
n = Name of bank followed by a carriage return
Sample: <STX>J
Printer Response: Y-AGPRODIGY

Y-BGSERVICE

28
STX K Extended System Commands
This command allows for expansion of the DPL-system commands.
See page 51 for the Extended-System Commands.
STX k Test RS-232 Port

This command instructs the printer to transmit the character Y from
the printer’s RS-232 port. Failure to receive a Y could indicate an
interfacing problem.
Sample: <STX>k
Printer Response: Y
STX L Enter Label-Formatting Command

This command switches the printer to the label-formatting command
input mode. Once in this mode, the printer expects to receive field
record definition and label-formatting commands until command E,
s or X is received. Immediate, system-level commands, and font-
loading commands will be ignored until the label formatting is
terminated with E, s, or x. See label-formatting commands for
additional information.
Sample: <STX>L

29
STX M Set Maximum Label Length
This command will instruct the printer of the maximum distance to
search for a label’s edge (registration hole/mark) before declaring a
paper fault. This condition can occur when this command is set to a
value close to the physical length of the label (within 0.1in.,
2.54mm). It is good practice to set this command to 2.5 to 3 times
the actual length of the label used. The minimum position value
should be at least 5" (127mm).
<STX>Mnnnn
Where: nnnn- 4-digit length, 0000-9999, in/100 or mm/10

Maximum setting is 9999 (99.99in. or 2540mm).
Printer Default (Length)

Prodigy Plus, Prodigy, 400, 12in./304.8mm.
430, Allegro, Allegro 2,
Ovation, and Ovation 2
Prodigy Max, PE42, PE43, 16in./406.4mm.
600, 800 and 6200
Sample: <STX>M0500
The above sample sets a maximum label length of 5 inches unless
printer is in metric mode (see <STX>m).
STX m Set Printer To Metric

This command sets the printer to measure in metric. When this
command is sent, all measurements will be interpreted as metric
values, (e.g., <STX>c0100 will be interpreted as 10.0mm.). See
STX n.
Sample: <STX>m
Default setting: Inches

30
STX N Enter Internal Batch Mode (Prodigy)
With this command you can enter directly into the Internal Batch
Software without using any of the dip switches at the rear of the
printer. To return to the standard operating mode, go to the ALT-S
screen and enter 8 to return to the RS-232 mode. See <STX> g for
other printers.
Sample: <STX>N
STX n Set Printer To Inches

This command sets the printer to interpret measurements in inches,
(e.g., <STX>c0100 will be interpreted as 1.00in.). See STX m.
Sample: <STX>n
Default setting: Inches
STX O Set Start Of Print Position

This command sets the point where printing starts, relative to the
top-of-form position. Top-of-form is the point where a label edge is
detected by the label edge sensor. The printer will feed from the top-
of-form to the offset point specified in this command, and begin
printing there. To set the top-of-form exactly at the label’s leading
edge of the printhead, use a value of 220 +/- 5. (This value may vary
from printer to printer due to the distance between the edge sensor
and the printhead). This offset value is independent of the STX f, set
form stop position command.

31
<STX>Onnnn
Where: nnnn- Is a 4-digit offset value. The "zero" setting is

default. Settings below 50 are adjusted back to default.
Printer Default Start of Print

Inches Metric
Prodigy 0250 0635
Prodigy Plus, 62002 0110 0279
Prodigy Max1 110/250 0279/0635
All others2 0220 0559
1
DIP switch selectable
2
Menu selectable, if equipped
Sample: <STX>O0300
The above sample sets a start of print position of 3 inches unless

printer is in metric mode. (See <STX>m).

32
STX o Cycle Cutter
When this command is sent, the (optional) cutter mechanism will
immediately make a cut. The Cutter Option must be enabled and the
cutter motor cover must be in place for the cutter to operate.
Sample: <STX>o
Notes: This command is not available on the Prodigy.
The Prodigy Plus requires firmware version 1.18
or greater.
STX P Character (HEX) Dump Mode

This command instructs the printer to begin the Character Hex
Dump Mode, also known as the ASCII Dump or "monitor" mode.
Any data sent afterwards to the printer will be printed on the labels.
Labels must be at least 4 in./101.6 mm) long and as wide as the
printer’s width. This command has the same effect as turning the
printer on while holding the feed button; however, two test labels
will be printed. To return to normal operations the printer must be
manually reset.
Sample: <STX>P
STX p Controlled Pause

This command causes the printer to pause and has the same effect as
the immediate command, Pause (SOH B); however, the controlled
pause command will cause the printer to pause only after all
previously received commands are executed. This pause is often
useful between batches of labels.
Sample: <STX>p

33
STX Q Clears All Modules
This command instructs the printer to clear all of the Flash, RAM,
and Internal Modules, (see your operator's manual for Flash, RAM
and Internal Module options).
Sample: <STX>Q
Prodigy Clear 32K SRAM module
<STX>QaCLEAR
Where: a = Memory bank

A = A bank 16K
B = B bank 16K
C = Both banks 32K
This command will clear out the desired memory bank of the
Prodigy printer. After the module has been cleared it will need to
be formatted for graphics or label formats; see the STX Xatnn.
command.
Sample: <STX>QACLEAR
<STX>XAGTEST
The above command will clear and format bank A of the 32K
SRAM module on a Prodigy.
Notes: This command is not available on the Prodigy Plus,

Allegro, or Allegro 2.

34
STX q Clear Module
This command clears the selected memory module (Flash or RAM).
Turn off the write protect switch on flash memory modules before
using this command. If a module becomes corrupt during normal
operations it must be cleared. A corrupt module is identified when
the printer responds with a ‘No Modules Available’ message to a
<STX>W, request memory module information command. If a flash
module is corrupt it cannot be cleared with this command; to clear
and reformat a corrupted module, place it in the slot and cycle the
printer's power off and then on. If an image file is loaded
improperly, or it is bad, the entire module may appear corrupt. The
flash module is at the end of its life cycle after it has been cleared
approximately 100,000 times. If a module directory intermittently
returns the message ‘No Modules Available’, or data continuously
becomes corrupt with the write protect switch on, the module is at
the end of its life and must be replaced. Before concluding that a
module is defective, cycle the printer's power and test the module.
<STX>qa
Where: a = Memory module bank select, A-E

Sample: <STX>qA
The above sample clears memory module A.

See Appendix L for additional information.

35
STX R Ribbon Saver on/off
<STX>Rx
Where: x = Y= Enabled (default*)
N = Disabled
This is the only command that is used for the ribbon saver. This
command is not used to tell the ribbon saver when to lift or go down,
rather it turns the option completely on or off. The ribbon saver will
operate automatically and lift when the minimum amount of white
space is exceeded. Ribbon saver operation will work continuously
when it is on.
Sample: <STX>RN
The sample above will turn the ribbon saver off.
Default: DIP switch or operator panel selection.
Note: This command is ignored on printer's not equipped

with the ribbon saver option.
Prodigy Remove Graphic Image
<STX>Rnn...n
Where: nn...n = Image name, 8 characters maximum.
With this command an individual graphic image can be removed
from the memory module. This function is only available on the
standard Prodigy printer.
Sample: <STX>RLOGO<CR>

36
STX r Select Reflective Sensor
This command selects the reflective sensor for label detection. Used
for "black-stripe" media sensing such as continuous tags or butt-cut
labels. A black stripe must be printed on the back side of the media.
The sensor will sense the end of the black mark determining the top-
of-form, (the point where printing will begin). Labels must be at
least 0.5" (13mm) between each top-of-form. To line up the top-of-
form with the printhead, use the label offset command STX O. The
reflective sensor on the printer can be moved left/right to line up
with a mark on the underside of the labels, (the STXe command
changes the printer from reflective sensing back to edge sensing).
Sample: <STX>r
Default setting: Edge sensing

37
STX S Set Feed Rate
This command sets the speed that the printer will feed media when
the feed button is pressed.
<STX>Sn
Where: n - Is a letter value from A to S, (see Appendix M).
STX STEST Test Module Memory (Prodigy only)

<STX> STEST
This command will cause a test of the 32K RAM module for the
Prodigy printer and overwrite any information stored on the module.
Sample: <STX>STEST
Printer Response: Good: MODULE OK!!<CR><BEL>
Bad: MODULE BAD!! <CR><BEL>
STX s Set Printer To Single Buffer Mode

This command instructs the printer to use single buffer mode. In this
mode, the printer will erase and format all fields. This in turn
decreases the printer's through-put when incremental or replacement
fields (see label-formatting commands) are used. (See <STX>d
double buffer mode).
Sample: <STX>s

38
STX T Printhead Dot Pattern Test Label
This command instructs the printer to print a dot pattern test label.
This command prints the same dot pattern test label as powering up
the printer with the ‘Feed’ button held down (self-test mode), except
that the printer will not print a configuration label and will not enter
Character Hex Dump Mode. To view the full test pattern use the
media as wide as the print width and at least 2 in. (50.8 mm) long.
Sample: <STX>T
STX t Test RAM Memory Module

This command tests all RAM modules; however, the printer must be
in test mode for the command to function. The printer returns a one-
line message stating whether the module is good or bad, (no message
is returned if a module is not available). Test Mode can be enabled
via the DIP switch or menu selection, see the printer’s operator
manual for additional information.
Sample: <STX>t
DMX 400 / 430 / Allegro / Allegro 2 / Prodigy Plus

From the Printer: a xxxK MODULE GOOD<CR>
Where: a - 1 or 2 to specify the slot (memory module).

1= Slot (Top) 2 = Slot B (Bottom)
Allegro = 2 (B slot - left side)
xxx - States size of module in Kbytes (256 or 512)

39
All other Printers
From the Printer: Module A: xxxxK Ram Tested results<CR>
Module B: xxxxK Ram Tested results<CR>
Module D: xxxxK Ram Tested results<CR>
Module e: xxxxK Ram Tested results<CR>
Where: xxxx States size of module in Kbytes

Results: Module test results, ‘good’ or ‘bad’
STX U Label Format Field Replacement

This command places new label data into format fields. Format fields
are used to build a label. The new data string must equal the original
string length and contain valid data. To easily keep track of fields put
all of the fields to be updated with the command at the beginning of
the label format. A maximum of 99 format fields can be updated.
Fields are numbered consecutively 01 to 99 in the order in which they
are received.
<STX>Unnss..s<CR>
Where: nn - Is the format field number, 2 digits.

ss..- Is the new string data followed by a <CR>

40
Sample: <STX>L
161100001000100data field1<CR>
161100001100110data field2<CR>
161100001200120data field 3<CR>
00001
E
<STX>U01New data F1<CR>
<STX>U02New data F2<CR>
<STX>E0002
<STX>G
The sample above results in three printed labels, the first is formatted
with the commands between <STX>L and E. The next two labels
print with the replacement data contained in the STX U commands,
(see STX E and STX G).
STX V Software Switch Settings

Printer options are set by entering selections through the front panel
menu or DIP switch settings, (depending on the model of printer).
The software switch setting command allows three of these option
settings to be modified without having to enter the front panel menu
routine or change DIP switch settings. Choosing the appropriate
values allow any or all of the options to be turned on or off. Each
option has a corresponding bit whose value is 1 when the option is
enabled. The bit value tables indicate the appropriate command value
for the desired bit.
<STX>Vn
Where: n- Is a single digit ASCII numeric value from 0-F.

The value of n is used to override the power up
option settings. Reset or power-up cancels the
override and returns the printer to the original
settings.

41
DIP Switch: Bit Assignment By Printer
Bit 400, Prodigy Prodigy Allegro, Prodigy DIP
Assignment 600, Plus Allegro 2 Max, Switch
800, and Ovation,
6200 Ovation2,
PE42
and PE43
0 Cutter Cutter Cutter Cutter Cutter 8
1 Internal Insert Invert Internal 7
Batch Ribbon Ribbon Batch
Sense Saver
2 Label Label Label Label 6
Present Present Present Present
3 Internal 5
Batch
Use the bit assignment table listed above to determine the command value
n in the binary table below.
Bit Value: Command Value

Bit Bit
n 3 2 1 0 n 3 2 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 8 1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 1 9 1 0 0 1
2 0 0 1 0 A 1 0 1 0
3 0 0 1 1 B 1 0 1 1
4 0 1 0 0 C 1 1 0 0
5 0 1 0 1 D 1 1 0 1
6 0 1 1 0 E 1 1 1 0
7 0 1 1 1 F 1 1 1 1

42
Sample: <STX>V5
The sample above corresponds to setting Bits 0 and 2, which for a

DMX400, set the printer to the following:
“Label present ‘on’; Internal Batch ‘off’; and cutter enabled.”
The DIP switch, mounted on the rear of the printer, is read on
power-up or with the SOH # command. The position of switches 6
through 8 can be modified by this command.
STX v Printer's Firmware Version Information

This command causes the printer to respond by sending a version
string. The version may be different from printer to printer, (this data
is the same as that on the test label).
Sample: <STX>v
From the Printer: VER DA - 01.01 12/21/93<CR>
STX W Request Memory Module information

This command requests a directory listing for memory module(s).
Although a module can store font, graphics and format data together,
it can display only one type of information at a time. If the module
contains all three types of data, it will be necessary to check the
directory three times, using each of the control parameters, F, G, and
L, to determine its contents.
<STX>Wa
Where: a-F = Font data

G = Graphic data
L = Format data
Sample: <STX>WG

43
Printer response*: MODULE: A<CR>
AVAILABLE BYTES IN MODULE:
00049083<CR>
MODULE: B<CR>
LOGO<CR>
CAM<CR>
AVAILABLE BYTES IN MODULE:
00257919<CR>
*The response shows Module A contains no graphic data
and has 49083 bytes of free space. Module B contains two
graphic image files, LOGO and CAM, and has 257919
bytes free.
STX w Test Flash Memory Module

This command performs a test sequence on flash memory modules;
however, the time for each test will vary (20 seconds to two minutes),
depending on the size of the module. The module must have the write
protect switch ‘off’ for testing; all data in the flash module will be
destroyed.
DMX 400/430 / Allegro / Allegro 2 / Prodigy Plus

The printer responds with a list of 32 characters representing the
programming and verification of 16 banks of 16K of data. If only
p's and v's are returned all programmed data has been verified and
the Flash Module is good; e indicates a definite memory error; and
? indicates that a hardware problem exists. The problem could be a
module or the interfacing hardware.

44
Printer response: aaaaaaaabbbbbbbb
Where: any ‘a’ may be:
P - program success
? - hardware problem
e - module error
and any ‘b’ may be:

v - verify success
? - hardware problem
e - module error
Sample: <STX>w
Printer Response: ppppppppvvvvvvvv =Good or
???????????????? =Hardware problem or
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee =Memory error
All Other Printers

The printer responds with a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ message results for
each module tested. No modules present will result in no printer
response.
Printer response format: Module a: xxxxK Flash Tested results
Where: a - module = lot A or B

xxxx - module size in Kilobytes
results - test results, Good, Bad

45
STX X Set Default Module
The default module command is used when downloading
information to module memory and is designed to allow the user to
select between memory modules. If C is entered to select a memory
bank, the data will go to whichever bank was set by the set default
module bank command. If the printer uses only one bank, this
command is not necessary.
<STX>Xa
Where: a = A,B, C, D, E memory module (bank) name (See
Appendix L)
Sample: <STX>XB
The above sample sets the printer's default module to memory

module B.
The default module is one of the following:
1. The first alpha designator of existing modules if 2 or 3 have

not occurred.
2. The most recent module to be inserted into the printer while
power is on.
3. The module selected by this command.
Note: This is typically used prior to font loading of PCL-4-

bit-mapped fonts, (see font-loading commands).

46
STX x Delete File from Module
This command removes a specific file from the specified module.
The file name is removed from the module directory and thus the file
cannot be accessed. The actual storage space occupied by the file is
not released. The pack command can be issued to reclaim all deleted
file storage space, (see STX z).
Sample: <STX>xmtnn...<CR>
Where: x ASCII x (0x78)
m The module identification character, A - E, see

Appendix
t The file type identification code.
'G' Graphic (Image) file type
'L' - Label Format file type
'F' Bit Mapped file type
'S' Smooth Scalable Font file type
nn...n The file name to delete. Up to 16 characters for
graphic (Image) or label format files. Three
digits for bit-mapped Font files and two digits
for smooth scalable Font files.
Note: This command is only available on the DMX 600 (version

2.01 or greater), DMX 800, Prodigy Max, Ovation,
Ovation2, 6200, PE42 and PE43.

47
STX Y Output Sensor Values
This command causes the printer to respond with the sensor value
status. The printer must be in test mode, controlled from the
operator’s panel, or DIP switch (depending on model printer). When
STXY is received, the printer will respond with the printer sensor
values. To repeat the display of values, send the printer a ‘SPACE’
(20 hexadecimal). Send <ESC> to terminate the function.
Sample: <STX>Y
From the Printer:
Thermistor ADC: 0071 Reflective ADC:0000 Transmissive ADC

0179 Paperout ADC: 0225 Battery Level: GOOD <CR>
Where:
Paperout ADC: 0225 indicates paper is present, 0000
indicates paper is not present.
Battery level: Good indicates battery is sufficiently
charged, ‘low’.
indicates battery is insufficiently
charged.
Note: This format is somewhat different for all printers. Some

printers require printer controlled paper movement for
the paperout sensor to indicate meaningful value.
STX y Select Font Symbol Set

This command selects the scalable font’s symbol set. The selected
symbol set is active until another symbol set is selected. See
Appendix’s E and I, in addition to STX KS for additional
information.
Command: <STX>ySxx
Where: S = single byte symbol sets
xx = Symbol set selection.

48
Example: <STX>ySPM
Selects PC-850 multilingual set
Note: This command is only available on printers that support

scalable fonts.
STX Z Print Internal Information and Dot Pattern

This command prints the human-readable test data and the dot
pattern test labels. The results are similar to performing the power
up self-test, but the printer does not enter Character Hex Dump
Mode. In order to be sure all of the information will fit, use the
labels as wide as the print width and at least 4 in. (101.6mm) long.
Sample: <STX>Z
STX z Pack Module

This command causes the printer to reclaim all storage space
associated with all deleted files on the specified module. A flash
module cannot be packed.
Sample: <STX>zm
Where: m The module identification character, A-E. (see
Appendix L, <STX>X and <STX>x for additional
information.
Note: This command is only available on the DMX 600

(version 2.01 or greater), DMX 800, Prodigy Max,
6200, Ovation, Ovation 2, 6200, PE42and PE43.

49

50
Extended-System Commands
<STX>K
Extended-system commands are additional system-level commands that

provide extra printer control and are issued in contexts the same as
system-level commands.
Command Character Command
- Top-of-Form, Offset Distance
f Set Present Distance
D Database Configuration
I GPIO Input
M Configure Internal Memory Module Size
O GPIO Output
Q Query Memory Configuration
R Reset Memory Configuration
r Reset Internal Counters
S Configure Scalable Font Cache Size
W Configure Print Width Size
Table 4-1 Command Characters
STX K Offset Distance, Top-of-Form

(Prodigy Plus only)
This system-level command allows the start-of-print to be fine tuned.
Values less than 0 cause print to begin earlier, at a position lower on
the label. Large negative values may cause start of print to begin on
the preceding label. This value is stored in non-volatile memory for
subsequent power-ups.
<STX>Ksnn
Where: s= Minus sign (-) for negative values, Not included for
positive values
nn = 00 to 64 inches/100, in metric mode mm/10.

51
STX KD Configuration (Ovation and Ovation2 only)
The configuration command (<STX>KD) controls the printer’s
environment and operates like a pseudo DIP switch in that the
command is stored in non-volatile memory and is retained for future
power-ups.
Syntax: <STX>KDxyz<CR>
x,y, and z are binary values with respective bit settings
are defined in the following tables. Bit 0 is least
significant.
Where x:
Bit # Function Value - Meaning
0-2 Baud Rate 0=9600, 1=600, 2=2400, 3=19200, 4=4800,
5=300, 6=1200, 7=9600 Test Mode
3 Word Length and 0=8 bits and no parity, 1=7 bits and even parity
parity
4&5 Unused Set to 0
6 Always 1 Set to 1
7 Always 0 Set to 0
Where: y
Bit # Function Value
0 Print Method 0=direct, 1=transfer
1 Present Sensor 0=not equipped, 1=equipped
2 *Control Character 0=standard, 1=main frame
3 Cutter 0=disabled, 1=enabled
4&5 Unused Set to 0
6 Always 1 Set to 1
7 Always 0 Set to 0
* Selects the control character’s value(s), see the Control Character Sets
Table on the following page. See Chapter 1 ‘Control Codes’

52
Where: z
Bit # Function Value
0&1 Paper Type 0=gap (edge), 1= reflective,
2=continous 3” default, (see <STX>c
2 Linerless 0=not equipped, 1=equipped
3-5 Unused Set to 0
6 Always 1 Set to 1
7 Always 0 Set to 0
STX Kf Set Present Distance (Ovation, Ovation 2,

PE42 and PE43)
This command specifies the additional amount to advance the label
after print. This command has the same effect as the set form stop
position (STX f) command but specifies the distance to advance
relative to the start of print of the next label. The label’s advanced
position, when set with <STX>Kf, is effected by the set start of print
position (STX O) command.
<STX>Kf nnnn
Where: nnnn = a four-digit present distance, in/100

or mm/10
Sample: <STX>Kf 0100
The above sample represents a one-inch label advance

unless the printer is in metric mode, (see <STX>m).

53
STX KI GPIO Input DMX600 / 800, PE42, PE43,
Prodigy Max, 6200
This system-level command is used to configure the general purpose
I/O input channels. It provides for external control of the printer via
discrete lines. User input controls labeled I1 through I8 are for use in
conjunction with the Software Developer’s Kit (SDK), Applications
Program Interface (API). The PS, PRINT_START input allows the
user to determine when label printing (paper movement) begins,
(label formatting generally begins when formatting data is received).
A Signal name is attached to a selected pin and given a signal
characteristic as per the command syntax.
<STX>KIff;p;s;a;www
where:
ff - 2-character function name (not case sensitive):
PS - PRINT_START
for DPL / API Users

I1 - USER_INPUT1
I2 - USER_INPUT2
I3 - USER_INPUT3
...
I8 - USER_INPUT8
p 1 character pin number, 1..8
s 1 character signal type, not case sensitive
L - Level input, www = minimum time signal present, else
ignore
P - Positive Pulsed input
N - Negative Pulsed input
& - AND inputs (pin number field specifies a bit mask)
+ - OR inputs (pin number specifies a bit mask)
a 1 character active polarity
0 - Active Low
1 - Active High
www 3-digit pulse width 000..999

54
Sample:
<STX>KIps;5;L;0;020<cr>
Start of print occurs when input pin #5 remains low for at least 20 mS.
Notes: All user I/O occurs at a fixed periodic rate of one sample
every 5ms.
This command is only available on the DMX 600, 800,
PE42, Prodigy Max and 6200.
The pin number field bit masks are expressed in ASCII
decimal numeric representation. Each bit represents an
input pin I1, I2, I3,... I8. All pins used in the bit mask will
have the same signal characteristics.
STX KM Memory Configuration

DMX 600, 800, Prodigy Max, Ovation, Ovation 2, PE42 and PE43
This system-level command specifies the configuration of the

printer's available internal DRAM memory. The internal DRAM
memory is inclusive of the standard DRAM and any additional
optional DRAM installed. This command provides a method for
managing internal memory configuration of the printer. Memory can
be assigned to specific entities or functions in units of 4KB blocks.
The configuration is stored in non-volatile memory and is reinstated
upon a power-up or reset of the printer. If the total requested
memory allocation exceeds the configurable memory available, the
command will be rejected and the printer will assume its previous
memory configuration.
A memory configuration command that contains no fields causes the
memory configuration to be left as is. Any internal memory
configurations not specified by the command results in ‘No
Changes’ to those configurations. The memory configuration
specified by the command is executed by the printer during the next
idle period following receipt of the command.
The query memory configuration command STX KQ will provide
the label print buffer space-available information. The memory
allocation(s), as set by this command, draw from the same memory
pool inevitably effecting maximum print length, as well as
throughput.

55
Syntax:
<STX>Kix[:jy][:kz]<CR>
Where: i, j, k are M, S, or W as described in the following

paragraphs, x, y, z are four-digit maximum number of 4K
byte blocks or in/100 or (mm/10) as described below.
Any of the three fields is optional and are separated by the
colon. Brackets indicate optional fields.
M This represents the start of a sequence (up to five

characters), that assigns memory to the internal
memory module. If this field does not appear, then
the internal memory module is not affected. If no
internal memory module exists, it will be created
and formatted. If the internal memory module
already exists, it will be erased, re-sized and
formatted. The number that follows the M is a
decimal number (up to four digits) that specifies the
size of memory in 4KB blocks, to assign to the
internal memory module. A value of "0000" will
delete the internal memory module, (see Appendix L
for additional information).
S Represents the start of a sequence (up to five-
characters), that assigns the amount of internal
memory allocated to the smooth scalable font
processor. This field is optional and if it does not
appear, the current amount of memory assigned to
the smooth scalable font processor is left
unchanged. This must be at least 15 to print scalable
fonts, 60 for Kanji fonts. The number that follows
the S is a decimal number (up to four digits) that
specifies the size of memory, in 4 KB blocks, to
assign to the smooth scalable font processor. The
minimum requirement is 0015 (60KB). Any value
less than this results in the amount of memory
assigned to be zero (0000) and disables the printing
of smooth scalable fonts. The recommended value is
0025 (100KB).

56
W Represents the start of a sequence, (up to five-
characters), that sets the printable label width.
Setting a width smaller than the natural (maximum)
width of the printer effectively extends printable
label length. This field is optional and if it does not
appear, the current printable label width is left
unchanged. The number that follows the W is a
decimal number (up to four digits) that specifies the
printable label width in either 100th's of inches or
millimeters, depending on the current units setting
of the printer (English or Metric). If the value
specified exceeds the natural (maximum) width of
the printer, the printable label width is set to its
maximum. If the value specified is less than the
minimum value allowed, then the printable label
width is set to the minimum allowed value. The
minimum allowed value is 200 and maximum value
is the maximum printer width.
Only one field M, S, or W is required, any two
fields are separated with a colon as shown.
Label printing requirements may be computed as
bytes (label print length * width allocation*
printhead resolution/8). For maximum throughput
the memory allocated should allow for three times
the computed requirement. Or available label length
as determined by <STX>KQ should be three times
label print length.
STX KO GPIO Output DMX600 / 800, PE42,

Prodigy Max
This system-level command is used to configure the general purpose
I/O output channels. It provides for external signals from the printer
via discrete lines. User output controls labeled O1 through O8 are
used in conjunction with the Software Developer’s Kit (SDK),
Applications Program Interface (API).

57
Other signal names provide the information the signal names imply
and may be attached to the selected pin, with a selected signal type
per the command syntax. See Appendix J for detailed a hardware
description.
Sample:
<STX>KOff;p;s;a;ddd;ppp;ttt;www
where:
ff 2-character function, not case sensitive
CF CUTTER_FAULT
CO COVER_OPEN
CS CUT_SIGNAL
LC LABEL_COMPLETE
LM LABEL_MOVEMENT
LO LABEL_OUT
LW LABEL_WAIT
PC PERIODIC_CLOCK
PJ PAPER_JAM
PO PEEL_OFF_COMPLETE
RF RIBBON_SAVER_FAULT
RO RIBBON_OUT
RS RIBBON_SAVER
for DPL / API Users

O1 USER_OUTPUT1
O2 USER_OUTPUT2
O3 USER_OUTPUT3
...
O8 USER_OUTPUT8
p- 1 digit pin number 1..8

s- 1 character signal type not case sensitive
L - Level output
P - Pulsed output
a- 1 digit active polarity
0 = Active Low
1 = Active High
ddd 3-digit TRUE delay time 000..999
ppp 3-digit TRUE pulse width 000..999
ttt 3-digit FALSE delay time 000..999
www 3-digit FALSE pulse width 000..999

58
Sample:
<STX>KOLC;2;L;1;020;000;050;000<cr>
Label complete on output pin 2 will go high 20 mS after the label
completes printing. 50 mS after a new label starts printing, the
label complete output will go low.
Note: All user I/O occurs at a fixed periodic rate of 5 mS per tic.
This command is available only on the DMX 600, DMX
800, PE42, Prodigy Max and 6200.
STX KQ Query Memory Configuration

DMX 600, 800, Prodigy Max, Ovation, Ovation 2, PE42, PE43 and
6200
This system-level command causes the printer to transmit its internal

DRAM memory configuration to the host device. The transmitted
data provides information as to the total amount of internal DRAM
memory installed, the total amount available for configuration and
the amounts of memory currently assigned to specific functions or
entities.
Syntax: <STX>KQ
Printer Response Format:
INTERNAL MEMORY<CR>
VER: ab-cdd.ee mm/dd/yy<CR>
INSTALLED: iiii<CR>
AVAILABLE: vvvv<CR>
MODULE: X:xxxx<CR>
SCALABLE: ssss<CR>
LABEL MEM: LLLL<CR>
LABEL SIZE: wwww:gggg:oo<CR>

59
Where:
<CR>ab ASCII Carriage Return (0x0D) record delimiter.
aa-cdd.ee ASCII string sequence that represents the

mm/dd/yy firmware version number string.
iiii The number of 4KB blocks of installed internal
DRAM memory.
vvvv The number of 4KB blocks of internal DRAM

memory available for configuration.
X: ASCII character identifying memory module,

followed by an ASCII colon ":". If no internal
DRAM memory module is present, then this field
and it's associated legend will not appear
xxxx The number of 4KB blocks of internal memory

allocated for the internal DRAM memory module.
ssss The number of 4 KB blocks of internal memory

assigned to the smooth scalable font processor
cache.
LLLL The number of 4 KB blocks assigned to label print

buffers.
wwww Current maximum printable label width (in 100ths

of inches or millimeters).
gggg Current printable length (in 100ths of inches or

millimeters). 200 min. / 640 max.
oo Current label dimension unit's designation. "IN" for

inches and "MM" for millimeters.

60
STX KR Reset Memory Configuration
DMX 600, 800, Prodigy Max, Ovation, Ovation 2, PE43, PE43 and
6200
This system-level command resets the printer's internal DRAM

memory configuration to its default settings. See STX KM
Syntax: <STX>KR
STX Kr Resettable Counter Reset (Ovation)

This command resets the internal counters. The internal
counters require the time and date option.
Syntax: <STX>Kr
STX KS Scalable Cache Configuration

See STX KM
STX KW Width Label Memory Configuration

See STX KM

61

62
Label-Formatting Commands
An STX L command switches the printer from the system level to the
label- formatting command processor. All commands after STX L are
interpreted as label-formatting commands. Label-formatting
command can be used to override default parameter values.
Selectable parameter value defaults may be assigned via the menu
selection on printers so equipped. Menu-selectable parameters are
shown in the printer’s operators manual. Label formats do not contain
commands overriding printer default values will assume the defaults.
Command Description
Character
: Sets cut by amount (4-Digit)
+ Makes last field entered increment numeric
- Makes last field entered decrement numeric
> Makes last field entered increment alphanumeric
< Makes last field entered decrement alphanumeric
^ Sets count by amount
A Sets format attribute
C Sets column offset amount
c Sets cut by amount (2-Digit)
D Sets width and height dot size
E Terminates label formatting mode and print label
G Places data in global register
H Enters the heat setting
M Sets mirroring mode
m Sets metric mode
n Sets inch mode
P Sets speed for print cycle
p Sets label backup speed
Q Enters quantity of labels to print
R Sets row offset amount
r Recalls stored label format
Table 5-1 Label-Formatting Commands (continued)

63
Command Description
Character
S Sets slew rate speed for feeding labels
s Stores label format in module
T Sets field data line terminator
U Makes previous field a string - replaces the field
W Wait mode (Prodigy only)
X Terminates label formatting mode
y Selects font symbol set
Z Zip mode (Prodigy only)
z Zero (0) conversion to "O" to eliminate slash (/)
<STX>S Recall global data
<STX>T Print time and date
Table 5-1 Label-Formatting Commands (concluded )
: Set Cut By Amount

This command allows a predetermined number of labels to be printed
before a cut is made. This feature is useful when it is necessary to
print an uncut strip of labels. Between 0001 and 9999 labels may be
printed before a cut is made. The amount must be smaller than the
quantity of labels printed.
:nnnn
Where: nnnn- is a four digit decimal number indicating the number of
labels to be printed before a cut is made.
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
:0005
141100001000100SAMPLE LABEL<CR>
Q0021
E
The above sample instructs the printer to make cut after labels 5, 10,
and 20 have been printed. Label 21 will be cut at the start of a
subsequent label format (batch) unless a default (cut by amount)
greater than one (1) has been entered via the operator’s panel.
Note: The cutter must be enabled and the cutter shield in place before
the cutter will operate.

64
A Set Format Attribute
This command specifies the type of format operation and remains in
effect until another format command is specified or another label
format has begun (<STX>L). Each label format defaults to attribute 1
- XOR.
An
Where: n- is either a 1, 2, 3 or 5
\
1 = XOR Mode: This is the default mode regions, where text

strings, images, or barcodes intersect will not
be printed, (an odd number of overlapping
objects will print).
2 = Transparent Mode: This optional mode allows the

intersection of text strings, images, and
barcodes to print. This allows the user to
print fields on top of one another. (i.e.,
the letter I printed on top of a dash would
combine to show a plus).
3 = Opaque Mode: Interacting text is obliterated by the text

formatted last, each character cell is treated
as opaque.
5 = Inverse Mode: This mode allows inverse (white on black)

printing. A proportionally sized border and
background are printed as in a photographic
negative.
Sample: <STX>L
A2
141100001000100DATAMAX<CR>
141100001100110DATAMAX<CR>
E
The above sample sets the printer to transparent mode and prints one
label showing overlapping text..

65
Default setting: XOR for all printers except the DMX 600/800,
which is set via the operator’s panel.
Note: This command is not valid on the Prodigy, Prodigy Plus,
Allegro, or Allegro 2.
Examples of attributes:
Inverse Mode
Opaque Mode
Transparent Mode
XOR Mode

66
C Set Column Offset Amount
This command allows horizontal adjustment of the point where
printing begins. This feature is useful when a single format must be
printed on several different types of labels that already have printed
information. If the pre-printed data does not appear in the same place
on every label, the new data may overlap the pre-printed data. The
‘C’ command instructs the printer to print label formats nnnn units to
the right of the position that the format specifies.
Cnnnn
Where: nnnn- is a four-digit number for the column offset, in/100
or mm/10. The printer default is 0 for offset.
Sample: <STX>L
C0050
141100001000100DATAMAX<CR>
The above sample will shift all format data .5 inches to the right,
unless the printer is in metric mode, (see label-formatting
command M).
c Set Cut By Amount

This command is the same as the ‘:’ command except that only a two-
digit value can be entered. This command allows a predetermined
number of labels to be printed before a cut is made. This feature is
useful when it is necessary to print an uncut strip of labels, you may
print 01 to 99 labels before a label is cut.
cnn
Where: nn- is a two-digit number indicating the number of
labels to be printed before a cut is made. The
printer default is one.

67
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
c07<CR>
Q0021<CR>
E
The above sample instructs the printer to make a cut after labels 7,
14, and 21 have been printed. See label-formatting command: set cut
by amount.
Note: The cutter must be enabled and the cutter shield in place
before the cutter will operate.
This option is not available on Prodigy.
D Set Width and Height Dot Size

This command is used to change the size of a printed dot, hence the
print resolution, {dots per inch (dpi)} of the printer. By changing the
height of a dot, the maximum length of a label can be increased or
decreased. The table below lists the step sizes available.
Dwh
Where: w- is Dot Width multiplier 1 or 2.
h-is Dot Height multiplier 1, 2, or 3.
Dot Size
Printhead Resolution Inches Millimeters
(DPI)
203 . 049 .13
300 .0033 .08
152 .0065 .16
289 (DMX 430) .0035 .09
Default setting: D22 for all printers except the DMX 600/800.
Is set via the operator’s panel for the DMX
600/800.

68
E Terminate Label Formatting Mode and Print
Label
When the printer is processing label-formatting commands and
receives an ‘E’ command, it will immediately print a label based on
the data it has received. Even if no printable data has been received,
the printer will generate and feed a label, (other termination
commands are ‘X’ and both ‘s’ label-formatting commands).
Commands sent to the printer after a terminate label command must
be of either immediate, system, or font download.
E
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
121100000000000Testing<CR>
E<CR>
The above label format will print a label.
G Place Data In Global Register

The ‘G’ command is sent to the printer following a print format
record and the print data in the format record is placed in a global
register, (temporary storage). This data may be retrieved and copied
in another record in the same label format by using the special label-
formatting command STX S. Global registers are named in the order
received, beginning with register A and ending at register P,
incrementing for each instance of the G command.
G
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
121100000000000Testing<CR>
G<CR>
1A2210001000000<STX>SA<CR>
E<CR>
The above sample stores, retrieves and prints the data in global
register A. One label is printed containing “testing” in two locations.

69
H Enter Heat Setting
This command changes the "on time" of dots on the printhead. The
printer powers up with a default setting of 10, except in the case of
printers with LCD/keypad front panels where the default setting can
be changed through the front panel. Varying this number changes the
amount of time the dots are "turned on" which in turn changes the
amount of heat transferred from the printhead to the media. The range
of valid settings is 00 to 20*.
This command is helpful when the printer is used with several
different media types. When a label format is sent to the printer and
the media requires more or less heat than the amount set by the
default temperature, the host device can send a command before or
after the format to correct the heat setting for the media being used.
Hnn
Where:
nn- is a two-digit heat value (00-20)
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
H15<CR>
E
The above sample sets the printer for a heat value of 15 and prints
one label.

70
Notes: The darker potentiometer on printers without LCD/keypad front
panels and the darkness menu function on printers with
LCD/keypad front panels is intended for matching replacement
printheads to the printer after a head replacement procedure. It
has very little control over the actual burn temperature used for
imaging.
*The Prodigy Max, Ovation, Ovation 2, PE42 PE43 and 6200
have a maximum value of 30. The printer automatically
compensates for varying print speed by internally adjusting
heat. Higher speeds result in the maximum heat even with heat
settings less than 30, depending on the darkness setting and the
direct-thermal setting.
M Select Mirror Mode

This command instructs the printer to "mirror" all subsequent print
field records. This command toggles the mirroring mode.
Mirrored fields are transposed visually as if the object is viewed in a
mirror.
<STX>L
Sample: 161100003200010 NOT MIRRORED<CR>

M<CR>
161100003000400 MIRRORED<CR>
E
Results Printed:
Note: This command is only available on the DMX 600 (version

2.01 or greater), 800, Prodigy Max, PE42, PE43, Ovation,
Ovation 2 and 6200.

71
m Set Metric Mode
This command sets the printer to measure in metric. When this
command is sent, all measurements will be interpreted as metric
values, (e.g., a column offset of 0010 will be interpreted as 1.0mm
while in metric mode, and as 0.10in while in inches mode). All
printers default to English units.
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
m
E
The above sample will result in the text “sample label” printed at
starting location coordinates 10.0mm, 10.0mm.
n Set Inch Mode

This command sets the printer to measure in inches. When this
command is sent all measurements will change to inches. All
printers default to English units.
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
n
:
E
The above sample will result in the text, “sample label”, printed at
starting location coordinates 1.00in, 1.00in.
Note: This command is not available on the Prodigy, Prodigy Plus,

Allegro and Allegro 2 printers.

72
P Set Print Speed
This command is used to set a print speed for a label or batch of
labels where the command is issued.
Pa
Where: a- is a single character (A to P) representing a speed,
see Appendix O.
Sample: <STX>L
PC
141100001000100LABEL1<CR>
E
<STX>L
141100001000100LABEL2>CR>
E
The above sample prints two labels, the first at speed 3.0ips/76mms
and the second at the printer default.
Note: See Appendix M for print speed ranges.

73
p Set Label Backup Speed
This command is used for Peel and Present and Cut Label Operations.
It allows the user to specify the rate at which the printer will rewind
the label to align with the start of print position, (this is used if the
peel-off offset is specified), see <STX>f. Backup speed set via this
command remains in effect until another backup speed command is
received, the backup speed is modified via the LCD keypad, or when
the printer is reset.
pa
Where: a- is a single character (C to I) setting a particular backup
speed, see Appendix M.
Sample: <STX>L
pF
:
The above sample sets the printer to a backup speed of 3.5 ips.
Notes: This command is not available on the Prodigy, Allegro, or

Allegro 2 label printers.
See Appendix M for backup speed ranges.

74
Q Set Quantity Of Labels To Print
This command is used to set the number of the label copies to be
printed. All printers default to 1.
Qnnnn
Where: n- is a four-digit value setting for the number of
labels to be printed.
Sample: <STX>L
121100000000000Testing<CR>
Q0020<CR>
E<CR>
The above sample will print 20 identical labels.
R Set Row Offset Amount

This command allows vertical adjustment of the point where
printing begins. This feature is useful when a single format must be
printed on several different types of labels that already contain
printed information. If the pre-printed data does not appear in the
same place on every label, new data may overprint the pre-printed
data. The ‘R’ command instructs the printer to print label formats
nnnn increments above the position the format specifies. Valid input
values are numbers between 0000 and 9999, (refer to the C, Set
Column Offset Amount Command.)
Rnnnn
Where: nnnn = is a four-digit offset 0000-9999, in/100 or
mm/10

75
Sample: <STX>L
R0037<CR>
E
The above sample sets the printer's offset row amount to 37
hundredths of an inch, unless the printer is in metric mode.
r Recall Stored Label Format

This command is used to retrieve entire label formats that have been
stored on a memory module.
rnn...n <CR>
Where: nn...n- is a label name up to 16 characters long, followed
by a <CR>
The following examples show how to recall label formats. To view a

list of available label formats, use the memory module directory
(STX WL) command.
String Sent Printer
to Printer Interpretation
Sample 1: <STX>L<CR> Begin label format
TEST<CR> Retrieve format named test
Q0002<CR> Quantity requested=2
E<CR> Terminate formatting and print
rTEST<CR> Retrieve format named test
X<CR> Terminate formatting
<STX>G<CR> Print
D11<CR> Dot size =1x1
PO<CR> Print speed 0
SO<CR> Slew speed 0
rTEST<CR> Retrieve format named test
E<CR> Terminate formatting and print

76
S Set Slew Rate
This command sets the rate for the printer to feed un-printed labels,
and the rate blank portions of label will be advanced through the
printer. The slew rate remains unchanged unless another slew rate
command is sent, the printer is reset or the rate is set via the
LCD/keypad.
Sa
Where: a= is a one character value (C to S) which sets a
maximum speed for label feeding. See Appendix M
and N.
Sample: <STX>L
SE
141100001000100LABEL1<CR>
E
<STX>L
1411000010001000LABEL2<CR>
E
The above sample sets the printer's slew rate to 3.0 ips (76mms) and
prints two labels. The slew rate for the second label is the same as the
first.

77
s Store Label Format In Module
This command stores a label format in a specified module. Supplying
module name A, B, D or E will store the label to that module, while
using C will cause the label format to be stored in whichever module
has been set as the default module, (refer to the Set Default Module
Command, STX X). The store label-formatting command terminates
label-formatting command.
sann...n
Where: a= A-E, represents a single character module name
(Appendix L)
nn...n= represents the label name (maximum 16
characters).
The following example stores a label called ‘Test’ in memory module

A. To recall the label format from the module, use the label-
formatting command ‘r’.
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
D11<CR>
191100501000000123456789012<CR>
1911005020000001234567<CR>
191100500000000Sample<CR>
1X1100000000000B250250002002<CR>
Q0001<CR>
sATEST<CR>

78
T Set Field Data Line Terminator
This command is valid only for the next format record, after which
the terminator defaults to a carriage return. This allows the user to
embed special binary control codes (i.e., carriage returns) into the
data to be printed. It is intended to be used with record types, (e.g.,
PDF417), that will accept binary data.
Tnn
Where: nn = is an ASCII two-character representation of a

HEX code to be used for the end of data
terminator.
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
T00<CR>
191100200000000TEST<NULL>
141100001000100TERMIATOR<CR>
Q0001<CR>
E<CR>
The above sample sets the terminator code to use a NULL terminator
(ASCII NULL, DEC 0, HEX 00) for the end of data line. The
terminator is immediately restored to a carriage return <CR> as seen
in the format record containing the text ‘TERMINATOR’.
Note: This command is not available on the Prodigy, Allegro,

Allegro 2.

79
U Make Previous Field A String Replace Field
This command is not necessary to use an updated field (register
loading), the command only controls the way the bit-mapped data is
formatted. If the command is used, only the changing data will be
reformatted; if this command is not used the entire label will be
formatted. The U command is used in conjunction with the system
command STX U to reformat only portions of a label. This results in
faster label generation.
Notes: The data string length of any register is set by the length of
the string when it is created. A new string must be the same
length as the old string.
Sample: <STX>L
D11
121100001000000123456789012<CR>
U<CR>
1211000020000001234567<CR>
U<CR>
161100000000000Sample<CR>
1X1100000000000B250250002002<CR>
Q0001
E
<STX>U01ABCDEFGHIJKL<CR>
<STX>U028901234<CR>
<STX>G
The above sample sets up the label format for register loading and
prints two labels. The fist two of the four format records have been
designated replacement (or update fields). The second label is
generated with system commands for field replacement and print last
label.

80
W Wait Mode (Prodigy only)
The wait mode is the default formatting mode for the Prodigy
printer. In this mode the printer will format 560 dot rows into bit-
mapped RAM before the first dot row is printed on the media. Once
the printer starts printing it will print until the bit-mapped buffer is
empty and then it will automatically jump into zip mode until the
entire label is printed out. The entire process will start over with the
next label. The other formatting mode is the zip mode Z.
The Prodigy printer has only enough on board RAM to format 560
dot rows.
Sample: <STX>L
W
121100000000000Testing<CR>
E
X Terminate Label-Formatting Mode

When the printer is in label-formatting mode and receives an X
command, it will immediately switch to the system-command mode
and generate a label format based on whatever data it has already
received. However, unlike the ‘E’ command, it will not print a label.
(Other termination commands are the ‘E’ and ‘s’ label-formatting
commands.)
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
141100001000100SAMPLE<CR>
X<CR>
The above sample will result in label formatting, but no label will be
printed. The system command STX G will cause the label to print.

81
yS Select Font Symbol Set
Same as a system command with "STX", (see STX y). Symbol
sets are used only with scalable fonts, (see Generating Label
Formats; see <STX> I, Symbol Sets, Code Pages and Character
Maps in Appendix E and I, also see <STX> KS).
Sample: <STX>L
ySSW<CR>
:
The example above selects the Swedish symbol set for use with all
succeeding format records that use scalable fonts.
Z Zip Mode (Prodigy only)

The Zip Mode is only available for the Prodigy printer. In this mode
the printer will format ten dot rows into bit-mapped RAM before the
first dot row is printed on the media. Once the printer starts printing
it will print until the bit-mapped buffer is empty and then it will
automatically adjust the print speed until some more bit-mapped area
can be formatted. If there is a lot of formatting to be done the printer
will stop and wait before it continues. This mode of formatting can
cause noise to be generated by the changing speeds of the printer.
Sample: <STX>L
Z
121100000000000Testing<CR>
E

82
z Zero (Ø) Conversion to "0"
This command removes the slashes from zeros in fonts 0 to 8 and
barcodes. The command is effective only for the label format in
which it appears, and applies to all format records containing fonts 0
through 8 or barcodes A through Z. None of the smooth fonts (font
9) have a slash in the zero.
Sample: <STX>L
z
121100000000000Test0000<CR>
E
+ (>) Make Last Field Entered Increment Numeric

(Alphanumeric)
The printer is capable of automatically incrementing fields on each
label of a batch printed. This command is useful to print labels
numbered in sequence. The data in the field will increment by the
value after the + sign each time a label is printed. The + character
may be replaced by a > character to make the field increment
alphabetically rather than numerically. This command has effect only
on the label-format record that it follows. It is intended to be used in
conjunction with the label batch quantity Q or the system commands
for quantities and reprint, STX E, STX G.
*pii
Where: * - Is + for numeric increment, or > for alphanumeric

increment.
p - Is the fill character for the far left-hand characters of
the field.
ii - Is the amount to increment the field by.

83
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
13220000000000012345<CR>
+01<CR>
Q0003<CR>
E<CR>
The above sample will generate a single field label format that prints
the initial label with a value of 12345 and then increments by one for
the next two labels.
- (<) Make Last Field Entered Decrement Numeric

(Alphanumeric)
The printer is capable of automatically deincrementing fields on each
label of a batch printed. This command is useful when printing labels
that are numbered in reverse sequence. The data in the field will
decrement by the value after the minus sign each time a label is
printed. The minus character may be replaced by a < character in
order to make the field decrement alphabetically rather than
numerically. This command has effect on only the format record that
it follows. It is intended to be used in conjunction with the label batch
quantity Q, or the system commands for quantity and reprint, STX E,
STX G.
*pii
Where: * - Is for numeric decrement, or < for alphanumeric

decrement.
p - Is the fill character for the far left-hand characters of
the field.
ii - Is the amount to decrement the field by.

84
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
13220000000000012345<CR>
-01<CR>
Q0003<CR>
E<CR>
The above sample will generate a single field label format that prints
the initial label with a value of 12345 and then decrements by one for
the next two labels.
^ Set Count By Amount

An application using incrementing or deincrementing fields (+, -, >,
<) will occasionally require that more than one label be printed with
the same values before the field data is updated. This situation is
handled with the ^nn command. All printers default to 1.
^nn
Where: nn- is a two-digit value that specifies the number of labels

to be generated before the incrementing or
deincrementing fields on the label.
Note: This command can only be sent once per label
format.
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
13220000000000012345<CR>
-01<CR>
^02<CR>
Q0006<CR>
E<CR>
The above sample prints two labels with the same field value before
deincrementing the field. Six labels are printed.

85
Special Label-Formatting Commands
There are two special commands used by DMX printers, the STX S
(recall global data) and the STX T (print date and time) commands.
Unlike the other label-formatting commands, these special
commands are entered directly into the data field of format records.
These should not be confused with system commands, although the
same control character is used.
Character Description
<STX>S Recall global data and place in field
<STX>T Print time and date
Table 5-2 Special Label-Formatting Commands
STX S Recall Global Data And Place In Field

Once a global register has been defined, its contents can be used as
data in other fields. When the printer receives the command STX Sn
in a format record data field, it will place data from the specified
global register into the data field, (see label-formatting command G).
Global registers contain the data in the first A through P format
record data fields.
<STX>Sn
Where: n= specifies the global register containing the data to

copy into the data field, A P.
Sample: <STX>L<CR>
121100000000000DMX<CR>
G<CR>
1A2210001000000<STX>SA<CR>
E<CR>

86
In the sample on the previous page, the label-formatting command
‘G’ (line 3) places the string “DMX” into the next available global
register (in this case register A). The <STX>SA (line 4) is
effectively replaced by the data from global register A.
STX T Print Time and Date

Time and date string data is selected by choosing the string characters
A through Z, and a through f to retrieve data from the printer's
internal clock. The date string characters are not printed, instead the
printed label will show the corresponding print values, shown in the
table below.
<STX> T string<CR>
where: string is any set of characters A through Z or a through f.
String Print Values String Print Values
Characters Markers
A Day of the week; (1 = Mon.) VW hour in 24 hour format
BCD Day of week name XY hour in 12 hour format
EF Month number Za minutes
GH...O. Month name bc AM or PM
PQ Day def Julian date
RSTU year
Sample: Assuming the current printer date is December 21, 1998.

<STX>L<CR>
121100001000100<STX>TBCD GHI PQ, TU<CR>
E<CR>
The printed label will show: SUN DEC 21, 98
Note: This command is not available on the Prodigy .

87

88
Font-Loading Commands
<ESC>
The commands used for font loading are usually generated by font
creation software; however, the assign font ID number command
must be sent to the printer before the font file. Font-loading
commands are listed in Table 5-1. All font-loading commands begin
with <ESC>. <ESC> represents the ASCII control character 27.
The downloaded Font will be stored in the "default" Module, (refer to
the STX X command.)
Command Description
*c###D Assign Font ID Number
)s#Wnn...n Font Descriptor
*c#E Character Code
(s#W Character Download Data
Table 6-1 Font-Loading Commands

The commands in the table above are listed in their order of
appearance, top to bottom, during font downloading, see SOH D.
*c###D Assign Font ID Number

This command is the first command required for downloading a font
to either RAM or flash memory modules. Esc represents the ASCII
control character 27.
<ESC>*c###D
Where: ###- is the font ID number 100-999, (000-099) are
reserved for resident fonts.

89
)s###W Font Descriptor
This command, (typically first data in a font file), contains all of the
information about the font contained in the file. Different font
generation software will create different length header information,
but the initial 64 bytes will remain consistent with the PCL-4 (HP
LaserJet II) format.
<ESC>)s###Wddd...d
Where: ### = Is the number of bytes of font descriptor data
from 1 to 3 ASCII decimal digits.
ddd...d = Is the descriptor.
*c###E Character Code

This code is the ASCII decimal value corresponding to the next
downloaded character.
<ESC>*c###E
Where: ### = Is the ASCII value of the character, three digits
maximum, 0 to 999.
(s#W Character Download Data

This command contains all of the information for one downloaded
character.
<ESC>(s###Wnn...n
Where: ### = Is the number of bytes of bit-mapped data, three
digits maximum, 1 to 999.
nn...n = Is the bit-mapped data.
When a label format record data field calls for the letter A to be
printed, the A is used to index the downloaded bit map font data
with character code 65.

90
Generating Label Formats
This section explains how to use the fields in a print format record.
Figure 7-1 is an example of a label format as the printer sees it.
Figure 7-2 is a label generated from that format. The printer receives
the data sequentially, left to right, top to bottom.
Strings Sent to Printer Printer Interpretation

<STX>L<CR> Begin label format
D11<CR> Set dot size
121100000050005HOME POSITION<CR> Format text
191100602000200ROTATION 1<CR> Format text
291100602000200ROTATION 2<CR> Format text
391100602000200ROTATION 3CR> Format text
491100602000200ROTATION 4CR> Format text
1A3104003000260123456<CR> Format barcode with text
4a6210002500140123456<CR> Format barcode
1X1100000000000B400400003003<CR> Format box
1X1100002000000L400001<CR> Format line
1X1100000000200L001400<CR> Format line
121100004100010The Printer is here<CR> Format text
Q0002<CR> Number of labels
E<CR> End formatting, begin print
Table 7-1 Sample Label Format
Note: This example assumes that the printer was in ‘inch’ mode,
(see <STX>m and <STX>n), when printing the label on the
following page.

91
THE PRINTER IS HERE
Direction of
paper
movement

123456

HOME POSITION
Figure 7-1 Printed Label
The first line in the sample format (Figure 6-1) is the system-level
command directing the printer to begin label formatting. Other
system-level commands may precede the <STX>L for printer setup.
Lines 2, 14, and 15 are label-formatting commands (explained in
label-formatting commands and special label-formatting commands).
Line 15 is the exit and print command. The remaining lines (3-13) are
print format records, explained in this chapter.
A record is a data string that contains the information to be printed on

the labels. Records are the building blocks of label formats. Every
record must end with a termination character (usually a carriage
return, <CR>). Omitting termination characters will result in the
concatenation of records. Omitting the carriage return that precedes
the termination character E, which is necessary to complete the label
formatting and begin printing, will cause the printer to continue
interpreting all subsequent data as label print format records.

92
Generating Records
Every record is made of three parts: (1) A header that is 15 bytes in
length, (2) the data to be printed, and (3) a termination character (e.g.,
<CR>) that marks the end of the field. The header is used to select the
appearance of the data when printed by choosing rotation, font type,
size, and position options. Every header contains similar information,
but this information may be used in different ways by different types
of records.
There are six types of records:
1. Internal Bitmapped Font 4. Barcode
2. Smooth Font 5. Images
3. Scalable font 6. Graphics
The Structure of a Record

The basic structure of the record is described below. Details for the
various interpretations of the six types begin on page 99.
The third line of the label format example in Figure 6-1 consists of
the following:
121100000050005HOME POSITION<CR>
This string forms the complete record divided into its three basic
components as shown below:
Header Data Termination Character

121100000050005 HOME POSITION <CR>
The record conforms to the following fixed field format (spaces have
been added for visual clarity). Identifying lower case letters have
been placed below field values for reference in the following
sections:
1 2 1 1 000 0005 0005 HOME POSITION <CR>
a b c d eee f f f f gggg [ hhhh i i i i ] j...

93
Where:
Location Field Name

a Rotation
b Font, Barcodes, Graphic &
Image
c Width Multiplier
d Height Multiplier
eee Barcode Height (font size/ID)
ffff Row Position
gggg Column Position
hhhh Optional Scalable Font height
iiii Optional Scalable Font width
j... Data String
This scalable font field example shows the scalable font height and
width fields:
1911S5001000100P010P020 SCALABLE<CR>
The Header Fields

Each of the fields in the record header are described below. The field
names are preceded with a reference letter from the preceding table.
All characters within the header fields are ASCII, alphanumeric.
a: Rotation
The first field of a header is a single ASCII character that selects
the degree of rotation for the data to be printed on a label. Valid
rotation values are 1 (0º), 2 (90º), 3 (180º), and 4 (270º). Figure
6-2 shows the direction and amount of rotation clockwise,
relative to the label feed direction.

94
b: Fonts, barcodes, graphic and image
The second character determines how the rest of the fields are
interpreted as shown in the table below. Values 0 through 9 select
human-readable fonts. Values A through z select barcode fonts. 0
through 8 will select standard Datamax fonts, value 9 selects the
CG Triumvirate smooth font (internal), *CG Triumvirate Bold
Condensed smooth scalable font (internal), or a cartridge
(module) font (external). When 9 is used to select a cartridge font
or scalable, the font size (font I.D. number) is chosen by entering
a value in the barcode height field
(-eee-).
Values A through T, (uppercase) will print barcodes with human-

readable interpretations. Values a through z, (lowercase), will
print barcodes only. The postnet font, because it is not capable of
printing human readable data, may only be entered as p
(lowercase), likewise Maxicode u, and PDF417z.
A font field value X selects a drawing object (line, box, circle or

polygon), and value Y is used to print an image stored in a
module.
Font Field Value Interpretation

0-9 Font
A-T Barcode with human readable text.
a-z Barcode without human readable
text.
X Line, box, polygon, circle
Y Image
Note: Circle and polygon are not legal drawing objects for Allegro,
Allegro 2, Prodigy, or Prodigy Plus.

95
c: Width Multiplier
Values 1-9 and A-O represent multiplication factors (base 25
numbers).
For human-readable fonts, the width multiplier represents the
number of times the selected font dot tables are multiplied and
has no effect on the character height. For barcodes, this character
specifies the wide bar width or ratio. Values 1 through 9 and A
through O will give a wide bar width of from 0.0033" (0.085mm)
to 0.792" (2.011mm) at a resolution dependent on the printer
model.
d: Height Multiplier
The height multiplier has the same range and function as the
width multiplier, but vertical. When used in the context of
barcodes, this field is the ratio denominator, or the small bar
(module) width.
Values 1 through 9 and A through O will give a narrow bar width
of from 0.0033" (0.085mm) to 0.792" (2.011mm) at a resolution
dependent on the model printer.
Resolution
Printer D.P.I DOTS/mm
400 / Prodigy Max / Ovation / 203 8.0
Ovation2/ PE42 / PE43 / 6200
430 289.56 11.4
*Prodigy Max / 600 / 800 /Ovation 300 11.8
* With optional 300 D.P.I. printhead

96
eee: Barcode Height (Font Size/Selection)
This field has interpretations dependent on the value of the fonts
b field as shown in the following table.
Font Field Barcode Height Field

Value Interpretation
0-8 Not used
9 Font height, font selection
A-T Barcode height with text
a-z Barcode height
X,Y Not used
For barcode fonts, this field represents the barcode height. The
valid range is from 001 to 999, which translates to bar heights
ranging from 0.01in. (0.254mm) to 9.99in. (253.7mm).
For graphics, lines, boxes and human-readable fonts 0 through 8,
the barcode height segment (-eee-) must be entered as 000.
When the font field -b- is set to 9 (to select internal smooth fonts,
internal scalable fonts or external cartridge fonts), the barcode
height field should be set to a number between 001 and 999.
Values from A04 to A72 select a font size for the CG Triumvirate
smooth font. Values S00 to S9z, (s00 to s9) and U00 to U9z (u00
to u9z), select a scalable font, either internal or downloaded.
Values 100 through 999 select individual fonts stored on RAM,
Flash, or ROM font memory modules. See Table 6-3 and
Appendix G.
ffff: Row Position

The lower left corner of a label is considered the “home
position”. The row position field is a vertical coordinate that
determines how far above the home position the data is to be
printed. Field data is interpreted in hundredths of an inch or
tenths of millimeters.

97
gggg: Column Position
This field is a horizontal offset that determines how far to the
right of home position the data will be printed.
hhhh: Optional Scalable Font Height

The height of a scalable font can be specified in two ways, points
and dots. To specify the height in points the first character of the
field is a 'P' followed by the number of points, 004 to 999 points.
To specify in dots, use only digits.
iiii: Optional Scalable Font Width

The width of a scalable font can be specified in two ways, points
and dots. To specify the width in points , the first character of the
field is a ‘P’ followed by the number of points, 004 to 999 points.
To specify in dots, use only digits.
Note: To ensure that the data stream is portable to different

Datamax printers, specify the font size in points. If the
font is specified in dots, it will output differently on
printers with different dpi/mmpi resolutions.
There are 72, 307 points per 1 inch.
jj..j: Data Field

The final field contains the data that will actually be printed on
the label. A string of data can be up to 255 characters in length,
(except when using the PDF 417 font, which may be up to 3000
characters long) ending with a carriage return. Characters placed
in the data field will be printed so long as they fall within the
physical range of the printhead. For example, on 4-inch wide
media if the printer is directed to print "HELLO WORLD" in
rotation 1, font 6, magnified 2x in both the horizontal and vertical
dimensions, the characters "HELLO W" and part of the "O" will
appear at the bottom of the label. The "RLD" will not appear on
the label since it is outside the limits of the printhead.

98
The DMX 600 and 800 will accept up to 10,000 characters in o
400 fields per label, the DMX 400 and 430 will accept up to 5000
characters in 200 fields per label.
When the last field is sent to the printer, the formatting session
is ended by sending one of the terminator label formatting
commands, E, X, s.
Record Structure Types

Each of the six record types has its own field structure and they are
described in the following tables. These record types allow for
quick reference to the field types and their valid data inputs for the
field. There are similar, but unique, record structures for each:
internal, bit-mapped fonts, internal smooth fonts, font modules,
downloaded bit-mapped fonts, scalable fonts, barcodes, images, and
graphics.
1. Internal Bit-mapped Font
Field Valid Inputs Meaning

a 1, 2, 3 and 4 Rotation
b 0 to 8 Font
c 1 to 9 and A to O Dot width
d 1 to 9 and A to O Dot height
eee 000 N/A
ffff Row Height 0000 to 9999 Row
gggg Dependent on printer. See Table 6-2 Column
jj..j Valid ASCII character string up to 255 Data
characters followed by a termination
character.
Table 7-1 Internal Bit-mapped Font Record Structure

99
The width of the gggg field is dependent on the model printer being used.
Table 6-2 lists the gggg field maximum value by printer.
Printer D.P.I Maximum Column Value
Inch / Metric
Allegro, 203 0410 / 1041
Allgero 2
Prodigy 203
Prodigy Plus 152 0410 / 1041
Prodigy Plus 203 0410 / 1041
400 203 0410 / 1041
430 289.56 0398 / 1011
Prodigy Max, 203 and 300 0410 / 1041
PE42 and PE43
600 300 0640 / 1625
800 300 0860 / 2184
6200 203 0661 / 1680
Table 7-3 gggg Field Maximum Values
2. Smooth Font, Modules, Downloaded Bit-mapped Fonts
Using internal smooth fonts (CG Triumvirate), an external font

module, or a bitmapped font downloaded to a memory module.
(Appendix K identifies the different font cartridges and their
sizes.)

b 9 Fixed value
eee 001 to 999 (001 to 099 Reserved), A04 to Font/size
A72
ffff 0000 to 9999 Row
character.
Table 7-4 Smooth Font Record Structure

100
When 9 is entered in field -b-, the barcode height field (-eee-)
determines the font size. The internal smooth font (CG Triumvirate)
has up to 13 font sizes. The available font sizes are listed in the Table
6.4.
Font 9 bitmapped fonts specifications (barcode height) Point Sizes by

Printer
Points MAX300dpi 600 / Ovation! PE42 430 and All

800 and Max 6200
4 A04 A04 A04 - A04 -
5 A05 A05 A05 - A05 000
6 A06 A06 A06 A06 A06 001
8 A08 A08 A08 A08 A08 002
10 A10 A10 A10 A10 A10 003
12 A12 A12 A12 A12 A12 004
14 A14 A14 A14 A14 A14 005
18 A18 A18 A18 A18 A18 006
24 A24 A24 A24 A24 A24 007
30 A30 A30 A30 A30 A30 008
36 A36 A36 A36* A36 A36 009
48 A48 A48 A48* A48 A48 010
72 - A72 - - - -
*legal font size specifies, printer multiplies dots for A36 and A48 from smaller fonts
Table 7-5 Smooth Font Point Size Chart
3. Scalable Font
The Smooth Scalable Font Technology has been licensed from
AGFA. Both IntelliFont (.CDI) and True Type (.TTF) Scalable
Font file formats are supported.
The eee field identifies the scalable font, and data type, normal
(binary) or hex ASCII. Uppercase S or U - binary, lowercase s, u -
Hex ASCII. See Appendix H for additional information.
Note: Smooth scalable font technology is available on the

DMX 600, (version 2.01 or greater), DMX 800,
Prodigy Max, PE42, PE43 and 6200.

101
b 9 Fixed value
eee S00 to Szz, s00-szz, U00-Uzz, u00-uzz Font data type
hhhh P004-P999, 0016-4163* Character height,
points, dots
iiii P004-P999, 0014-4163* Character width,
points, dots
character.
* Character size specifications are printhead resolution dependent as
shown in the following table.
Table 7-6 Scalable Font Record Structure
Printhead Width Height

Resolution
203 16-2817 16-2817
289.56 16-4018 16-4018
300 14-4163 16-4163
Note: Scalable font cache must be allocated to print. Minimum cache

size is 15, (see extend-system command <STX> KS for syntax).
Kanji option requires 5 additional units of cache.
4. Barcode
Valid inputs for the font field ( -b- ) are letters. Uppercase letters
will print a human-readable text below the barcode. Lowercase
letters will print the barcode only. Entering a p in the font
position segment sets the postnet barcode. Because the postnet
font does not provide human-readable data the uppercase P is not
valid. Other barcodes without a human-readable counterpart
include u-Maxicode, and z-PDF417. For module-based barcodes
field c is a fixed value of 1.

102
For ratio-based barcodes field C is the wide bar width in dots;
field d is the narrow width in dots. See Appendix G for specific
barcode information and variations in record format field usage.
A zero in both c and d causes the printer, (except Prodigy Plus),
to use a default ratio or module size. The barcode default height
can be printed by using 000 in the height field.
b [bb] A to Z and a to z (except P, u,v,z), or Wna Barcode
where n is 1 to 9 and a is A to S and a to s.
No n is an implied 1.
c 1 to 9 and A to O Ratio numerator/
Fixed 1
d 1 to 9 and A to O Ratio
denominator/
module size
eee 001 to 999 Symbol height
gggg See Table 6-2 Column
character.
Table 7-7 Barcode Record Structure
5. Images
An image record is necessary to print an image that is stored in a
memory module. Images can be printed only in rotation 1, (see
Input Image Data, <STX>I).
a 1 Fixed Value
b Y Image
eee 000 Fixed value
jj..j ASCII string, up to 8 characters followed by Image name
a termination character.
Table 7-8 Image Fields

103
6. Graphics
Lines, boxes, polygons, and circles can be produced by using
graphics. This function is selected by entering an X in field -b-.
The values entered in the data field determine the sizes and
shapes of the objects to be drawn.
Lines and Boxes
Lines and boxes are drawn by values that determine column and row
sizes, length, size, wall thickness, and position of the line or box, (see
Table 6-8). All measurements are interpreted as inches (100) or
millimeters (10), depending on the printer’s mode, (see <STX>m).
Segment Valid Inputs Meaning

a 1 Fixed value
b X Line box
c 1 Fixed value
d 1 Fixed value
eee 000 Fixed value
jj..j Lhhhvvv - Line Drawing Line *
lhhhhvvvv - Line Drawing Line **
Bhhhvvvtttsss - Box Drawing Box ***
bhhhhvvvvttttssss - Box Drawing Box ****
Table 7-9 Line and Box Parameters

104
* LINES: Lhhhvvv
Where: L = "L" and specifies line drawing,
hhh = horizontal width of line,
vvv = vertical height of line.
** LINES: lhhhhvvvv
Where: l = "l" and specifies line drawing,

hhhh = horizontal width of line,
vvvv = vertical height of line.
*** BOXES: Bhhhvvvbbbsss
Where: B = "B" and specifies box drawing,
hhh = horizontal width of box,
vvv = vertical height of box,
bbb = thickness of bottom and top box edge,
sss = thickness of sides of box.
**** BOXES: bhhhhvvvvbbbbssss
Where: b = "b" specifies box drawing,
hhhh = horizontal width of box,
vvvv = vertical height of box,
bbbb = thickness of bottom and top box edges,
ssss = thickness of sides of box.
Polygons and Circles

Polygons are created by defining the positions of the corners. Circles
are created by defining the center and radius. Polygons and circles
may be filled with a variety of different patterns. Using the drawings
field, the programmer can easily create forms with shaded boxes,
complex logos, or even a simple diagonal line without the need to
download a graphics file to the printer.
Notes: The DMX 400 with firmware revision levels below 2.01
do not support polygon and circle commands.
Not available on Allegro, Allegro 2, Prodigy, Prodigy
Plus.

105
Polygons
A polygon is an object that can be defined by specifying a number of
data points that represent the vertices of the object, which can range
from a simple line (two points), or a triangle (three points), to any
free-form outline. All row/column specifies are interpreted as
inches/100 or millimeters/10 depending on the printer mode, (see
<STX>m).
Record structure for a polygon

1 X 11 ppp rrrr cccc P ppp bbbb rrrr cccc rrrr cccc ... <CR>
1 rotation (must be 1) ppp line fill pattern # - must be 1
X graphic field ID bbbb line brush patt. # - must be 1
1 multiplier (must be 1) rrrr row of point 2
1 multiplier (must be 1) cccc column of point 2
ppp fill pattern # rrrr row of point 3
rrrr row of point 1 cccc column of point 3
cccc column of point 1 ...... continue listing points
P Polygon ID <CR> termination character
Table 7-10 Polygon Record Structure
Note: The points must be specified in the order that they are to
be drawn. The last point specified is automatically
connected to the first point specified, thereby closing the
polygon. If only two points are specified, a single line will
be drawn. See label-formatting commands A.

106
Circles
A circle is defined by its center point and its radius. Row, column,
and radius are interpreted as inches (100) or millimeters (10 )
depending on printer mode.
Record structure for a circle.
1 X 11 ppp rrrr cccc C ppp bbbb rrrr <CR>
Explanation of field segments:
1 rotation (must be 1) cccc column of the center point
X graphic field C Circle ID
1 multiplier (must be 1) ppp line fill pattern # -must be 1
1 multiplier (must be 1) bbbb line brush pattern-must be 1
ppp fill pattern # rrrr radius of the circle
rrrr row of the center point <CR> termination character
Table 7-11 Circle Record Structure

107
The following 12 fill patterns are currently available.
0 no pattern
1 solid black
2 6% black
3 12% black
4 25% black
5 38% black
6 50% black
7 little diamonds
8 little circles
9 right diagonal lines
10 left diagonal lines
11 small grid
Figure 7-2 Fill Patterns

108
Graphic Examples:
1. Triangle
The record:
1 X 11 000 0010 0010 P 001 0001 0040 0025 0010 0040<CR>
produces a triangle with no fill pattern:
(row 40, column 25)
(row 10, column 10) (row 10, column 40)
2. Rectangle with Fill

The record:
1 X 11 004 0010 0010 P 001 0001 0050 0010 0050 0200 0010 0200 <CR>
produces a rectangle filled with pattern 4 (25% black):
(row 10, column 10) (row 10, column 200)

109
3. Circle
The field:
1 X 11 000 0100 0100 C 001 0001 0025 <CR>
produces a circle centered at row 100, column 100 with a radius of
.25 and no fill pattern:
4. Circle with Fill

The field:
1 X 11 009 0100 0100 C 001 0001 0025 <CR>
produces a circle centered at row 100, column 100 with a radius
of .25 and filled with pattern 9 (right diagonal lines):

110
Image Loading
The printer will accept four types of image files: .BMP, .IMG, .PCX
and a special Datamax 7-bit ASCII file (as defined in this section).
Using the Datamax 7-bit ASCII format will require at least twice as
much data transmission time as the other formats, see STX I. The
Datamax ASCII image file format is made up of a set of records, with
identical formats, each representing a dot row of the image, the last of
these records is followed by a terminator.
dot-row record

dot-row record
terminator
Each dot-row record has the following format: 80nndd...d<CR>
Where: nn = number character pairs in dd...d, represented in

ASCII hex.
dd...d = dot data, character pairs, ASCII hex, 00-FF
Duplicate records may be encoded using a repeat data record

following the data record that needs duplicating. The repeat data
record format is: 0000FFnn<CR>
Where: nn = is the number of duplicates, ASCII hex, 00-FF

The terminator, last record, at the image download is:
FFFF<CR>

111
^BqA(CR)
^BIAAFLOGO(CR)
8030FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFC00000007FFC0003FFFFC001FC0001FC0003FFFFC0018000FFC001FF8000C0003FFFFE000000FFFFE0001FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFC00000000FFC0003FFFFC001FC0001FC0003FFFFC0018000FFC001FF800040001FFFFE0000007FFFC0001FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFC000000003FC0001FFFFC001FC0001FC0001FFFFC0018000FFC001FF800040001FFFFE0000003FFFC0001FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFC000000000FC0001FFFFC001FE0001FE0001FFFFC00180007FC000FF800060001FFFFE0000003FFFC0003FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFE0000000007E0001FFFFC001FE0001FE0001FFFFC00180007FC000FFC00060000FFFFE0000001FFFC0003FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFE0000000003E0000FFFFC001FE0000FE0000FFFFC00180007FC0007FC00020000FFFFE0000001FFF80003FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFE0000000001E0000FFFFC001FE0000FF0000FFFFC001C0007FC0007FC00030000FFFFE0010000FFF80003FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFE0000000000F0000FFFFC001FE0000FF0000FFFFC001C0007FC0007FC00030000FFFFE00180007FF80007FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFE0000000000700007FFFC001FF0000FF80007FFFC001C0007FC0003FC000380007FFFE00180007FF80007FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF0000000000380007FFFC001FF0000FF80007FFFC001C0003FC0003FE000380007FFFE001C0003FF80007FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF0000000000380007FFFC001FF0000FF80007FFFC001C0003FC0003FE000380007FFFE001E0003FF80007FFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF0000000000180003FFFC001FF00007FC0003FFFC001C0003FC0001FE0001C0003FFFE001E0001FF0000FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF00000000001C0003FFFC001FF00007FC0003FFFC001E0003FC0001FE0001C0003FFFE001F0000FF0000FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF00007C00000C0003FFFC001FF00007FE0003FFFC001E0003FC0000FF0001E0003FFFE001F0000FF0000FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF80007F80000E0001FFFC001FF80007FE0001FFFC001E0003FC0000FF0001E0001FFFE001F80007F0000FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF80007FC0000E00000000001FF80007FE00000000001E0001FC0000FF0001E00000000001FC0007F0000FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF80007FE0000600000000001FF80003FF00000000001E0001FC00007F0000F00000000001FC0003F0001FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF80003FF0000700000000001FF80003FF00000000001F0001FC00007F0000F00000000001FE0001E0001FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFF80003FF0000700000000001FF80003FF00000000001F0001FC00007F8000F00000000001FE0001E0001FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFC0001FFC0003C0000000001FFE0001FFE0000000001F8000FC00000FC0007E0000000001FFE00000003FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFE0001FFC0001E0000000001FFE0001FFE0000000001F8000FC00000FC0007E0000000001FFF00000003FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFE0001FFC0001E0000000001FFE0001FFE0000000001F8000FC00000FC0007F0000000001FFF00000007FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFE0000FFC0001F0000000001FFE0000FFF0000000001F8000FC000007C0003F0000000001FFF80000007FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFE0000FFC0001F0000000001FFE0000FFF0000000001FC0007C000007E0003F0000000001FFF80000007FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFE0000FFE0001F0001FFC001FFE0000FFF8001FFC001FC0007C000003E0003F8000FFE001FFFC0000007FFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFE0000FFE0000F8001FFC001FFF0000FFF8000FFC001FC0007C000003E0003F8000FFE001FFFE000000FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF0000FFE0000F8000FFC001FFF0000FFF8000FFC001FC0007C000003E0003F8000FFE001FFFE000000FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF0000FFE0000F8000FFC001FFF00007FFC000FFC001FC0007C000001F0001FC000FFE001FFFF000000FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF00007FE0000FC000FFC001FFF00007FFC0007FC001FE0007C002001F0001FC0007FE001FFFF000000FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF00007FF0000FC0007FC001FFF00007FFE0007FC001FE0003C002001F0001FE0007FE001FFFF800000FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF00007FF0000FE0007FC001FFF80007FFE0007FC001FE0003C003000F0001FE0007FE001FFFFC00001FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF80007FF00007E0007FC001FFF80007FFE0003FC001FE0003C003000F0001FE0003FE001FFFFC00001FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF80007FF00007E0003FC001FFF80003FFF0003FC001FE0003C00300078001FF0003FE001FFFFE00001FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF80003FF00007F0003FC001FFF80003FFF0003FC001FE0003C00380078000FF0003FE001FFFFE00001FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF80003FF80007F0003FC001FFF80003FFF0001FC001FF0003C00380078000FF8001FE001FFFFE00001FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFF80003FF80007F0001FC001FFF80003FFF8001FC001FF0001C003C0038000FF8001FE001FFFFE00001FFFFFFF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFC0000000007FFC000001F80000000000FC000001FFF0000003FFE0000007FFC000001FFFC0003F80007FFF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFE000000000FFFC000001F80000000000FE000001FFF8000003FFE0000007FFE000001FFFC0003FC0003FFF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFF000000000FFFE000001F80000000000FE000001FFF8000003FFF0000007FFE000001FFFC0003FC0003FFF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFC00000000FFFE000001FC0000000000FE000001FFF8000003FFF0000007FFE000001FFFC0003FE0001FFF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFE00000000FFFE000001FC00000000007F000001FFF8000003FFF0000007FFF000001FFFC0003FE0001FFF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFF00000001FFFF000001FC00000000007F000001FFF8000003FFF8000007FFF000001FFF80003FF0000FFF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFFC0000001FFFF000001FC00000000007F000001FFF8000003FFF8000003FFF800001FFF80007FF0000FFF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFFE0000003FFFF800001FC00000000007F800001FFFC000003FFF8000003FFF800001FFF80007FF80007FF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFFF0000007FFFF800001FC00000000007F800001FFFC000003FFFC000003FFF800001FFF80007FF80007FF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFFF800000FFFFF800001FE00000000003FC00001FFFC000003FFFC000003FFFC00001FFF00007FFC0003FF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFFFE00001FFFFFC00001FE00000000003FC00001FFFC000003FFFE000003FFFC00001FFF00007FFC0003FF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFFFF00007FFFFFC00001FE00000000003FC00001FFFC000003FFFE000003FFFE00001FFF00007FFE0001FF0000(CR)
8030FFFFFFFFFF8003FFFFFFC00001FE00000000003FE00001FFFC000003FFFF000003FFFE00001FFF00007FFE0001FF0000(CR)
FFFF(CR)
^BL(CR)
1Y1100000000000LOGO(CR)
E(CR)
Figure 7-3 Sample Datamax 7-bit ASCII File Image
Figure 7-4 Sample Label

112
Appendix A
ASCII Control Chart (continued)

Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex
Ctrl @ NUL 0 00 32 20 @ 64 40 ` 96 60
Ctrl A SOH 1 01 ! 33 21 A 65 41 a 97 61
Ctrl B STX 2 02 Ò 34 22 B 66 42 b 98 62
Ctrl C EXT 3 03 # 35 23 C 67 43 c 99 63
Ctrl D EOT 4 04 $ 36 24 D 68 44 d 100 64
Ctrl E ENQ 5 05 % 37 25 E 69 45 e 101 65
Ctrl F ACK 6 06 & 38 26 F 70 46 f 102 66
Ctrl G BEL 7 07 Ô 39 27 G 71 47 g 103 67
Ctrl H BS 8 08 ( 40 28 H 72 48 h 104 68
Ctrl I HT 9 09 ) 41 29 I 73 49 i 105 69
Ctrl J LF 10 0A * 42 2A J 74 4A j 106 6A
Ctrl K VT 11 0B + 43 2B K 75 4B k 107 6B
Ctrl L FF 12 0C , 44 2C L 76 4C l 108 6C
Ctrl M CR 13 0D - 45 2D M 77 4D m 109 6D
Ctrl N SO 14 0E . 46 2E N 78 4E n 110 6E
Ctrl O SI 15 0F / 47 2F O 79 4F o 111 6F
Ctrl P DLE 16 10 0 48 30 P 80 50 p 112 70
Ctrl Q DC1 17 11 1 49 31 Q 81 51 q 113 71
Ctrl R DC2 18 12 2 50 32 R 82 52 r 114 72
Ctrl S DC3 19 13 3 51 33 S 83 53 s 115 73
Ctrl T DC4 20 14 4 52 34 T 84 54 t 116 74
Ctrl U NAK 21 15 5 53 35 U 85 55 u 117 75
Ctrl V SYN 22 16 6 54 36 V 86 56 v 118 76
Ctrl W ETB 23 17 7 55 37 W 87 57 w 119 77
Ctrl X CAN 24 18 8 56 38 X 88 58 x 120 78
Ctrl Y EM 25 19 9 57 39 Y 89 59 y 121 79
Ctrl Z SUB 26 1A : 58 3A Z 90 5A z 122 7A
Ctrl [ ESC 27 1B ; 59 3B [ 91 5B { 123 7B
Ctrl \ FS 28 1C < 60 3C \ 92 5C | 124 7C
Ctrl ] GS 29 1D = 61 3D ] 93 5D } 125 7D
Ctrl ^ RS 30 1E > 62 3E ^ 94 5E ~ 126 7E
Ctrl _ US 31 1F ? 63 3F _ 95 5F 127 7F

113
ASCII Control Chart (concluded)
Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex
Ç 128 80 á 160 A0 192 C0 Ó 224 E0
ü 129 81 í 161 A1 193 C1 ß 225 E1
é 130 82 ó 162 A2 194 C2 Ô 226 E2
â 131 83 ú 163 A3 195 C3 Ò 227 E3
ä 132 84 ñ 164 A4 196 C4 õ 228 E4
à 133 85 Ñ 165 A5 197 C5 Õ 229 E5
å 134 86 ª 166 A6 ã 198 C6 µ 230 E6
ç 135 87 ° 167 A7 Ã 199 C7 þ 231 E7
ê 136 88 ¿ 168 A8 200 C8 Þ 232 E8
ë 137 89 ® 169 A9 201 C9 Ú 233 E9
è 138 8A 170 AA 202 CA Û 234 EA
ï 139 8B 1/2 171 AB 203 CB Ù 235 EB
î 140 8C 1/4 172 AC 204 CC ý 236 EC
ì 141 8D ¡ 173 AD 205 CD Ý 237 ED
Ä 142 8E 174 AE 206 CE 238 EE
Å 143 8F ¯ 175 AF 207 CF 239 EF
É 144 90 176 B0 ð 208 D0 240 F0
æ 145 91 177 B1 Ð 209 D1 ± 241 F1
Æ 146 92 ² 178 B2 Ê 210 D2 242 F2
ô 147 93 ³ 179 B3 Ë 211 D3 3/4 243 F3
ö 148 94 ´ 180 B4 È 212 D4 244 F4
ò 149 95 Á 181 B5 213 D5 245 F5
û 150 96 Â 182 B6 Í 214 D6 ÷ 246 F6
ù 151 97 À 183 B7 Î 215 D7 ¸ 247 F7
ÿ 152 98 © 184 B8 Ï 216 D8 º 248 F8
Ö 153 99 ¹ 185 B9 217 D9 ¨ 249 F9
Ü 154 9A 186 BA 218 DA · 250 FA
ø 155 9B » 187 BB 219 DB 251 FB
£ 156 9C 188 BC 220 DC 252 FC
Ø 157 9D ¢ 189 BD 221 DD 253 FD
x 158 9E ¥ 190 BE Ì 222 DE 254 FE
ƒ 159 9F 191 BF 223 DF 255 FF
Notes: For the hardware handshake XON/XOFF commands

XON = Ctrl Q (DC1)
XOFF = Ctrl S (DC3)

114
Appendix B
Sample Programs
The following sample basic language program is included for
reference. Values are assigned to the variables in the main section and
sent to the printer in the section titled ‘Send Data’. The sample below
shows the output generated by this program.
START:
OPEN "COM1:9600,N,8,1,FOR RANDOM" AS #1
MAIN:
CLS
PRINT "DMX Printer Test Program (press any key)"
WHILE I$= ""
I$=INKEY$
WEND
desc$="10K OHM 1/4 WATT"
pcs=590
SENDDATA:
CR$ = CHR$(13)
PRINT #1, CHR$(2);"L"; CR$;
PRINT #1,"H07";CR$;
'set burn time to 7
PRINT #1,"D11";CR$;
'set for 300 DPI
PRINT #1,"191100801000025";desc$;CR$;
'send description line
PRINT #1,"1a6210000000050";pcs; CR$;
'send barcode
PRINT #1,"E";CR$;
' end of format and print
GOTO MAIN

115
The following C language program will also generate a label. This
program will send data through the COM1 port only.
Note: With C++ be sure to add the following line: # include

<string.h>)
/* DMX SERIES Sample C program.

Program written under QuickC. */
# include <stdio.h>
main()
{
int d;
int e;
char pcs[10] = "590";
char desc[21] = "10K OHM 1/4 WATT";
char dataout[500];
printf("DMX Printer Test Program\n");
strcpy(dataout,"\x02L\x0d");
strcat(dataout,"H07\x0d");
strcat(dataout,"D11\x0d");
strcat(dataout,"191100801000025");
strcat(dataout,desc);
strcat(dataout,"\x0d");
strcat(dataout,"1a6210000000050");
strcat(dataout,pcs);
strcat(dataout,"PCS\x0d");
strcat(dataout,"E\x0d");
e = strlen(dataout);
for (d=0; d<=e-1; d++)
putc(dataout [d],stdaux);
}

116
This ASCII text file will also generate the label shown in Figure B-1.
^BL
H07
D11
19110080100002510K OHM 1/4 WATT<CR>
1a6210000000050590PCS<CR>
E<CR>
10K OHM 1/4 WATT
Figure B-1 Sample Label

117

118
Appendix C
Available Fonts
All character bit-mapped fonts available on the DMX printers are
described in this section. Each font has a name (font I.D.) associated
with it for use in programming. Human-readable fonts have numeric
names.
Fonts 0 through 8 use the slash zero (Ø) conventions for

distinguishing between the zero and the alphabetic O. The slash can
be removed with the label-formatting command Z. These fonts are
non-proportional (monospaced); therefore, all of the characters take
up the same amount of space when printed. This is helpful when
using variable data in a fixed area. The sizes of these fonts are
shown on the following pages.
The triumvirate font number 9 is a proportional font, each character

will take up a different amount of space when printed. For example,
the letter W will be larger than the letter I.

119
Human-Readable Fonts
Font Valid ASCII Characters
0 32-127
1 32-168, 171, 172, 225
2 32-168, 171, 172, 225
3 32, 35-38, 40-58, 65-90, 128, 142-144, 146, 153, 154,
156, 157, 165, 168, 225
4 32, 35-38, 40-58, 65-90, 128, 142-144, 146, 153, 154,
156, 157, 165, 168, 225
5 32, 35-38, 40-58, 65-90, 128, 142-144, 146, 153, 154,
156, 157, 165, 168, 225
6 32, 35-38, 40-58, 65-90, 128, 142-144, 146, 153, 154,
156, 157, 165, 168, 225
7 32-126
8 32, 48-57, 60, 62, 67, 69, 78, 83, 84, 88, 90
9 32-126, 128-169, 171-173, 181-184, 189, 190, 198, 199,
208-216, 222, 224-237, 241, 243, 246-250
Scalable Dependent on selected symbol set.
font (see Appendix F)
Table C-1 Valid Human-Readable Font ASCII Characters

120
Font sizes are dependent upon the model printer being used. Table C-3
lists the font sizes by printer. All dimensions are in dots.
Allegro, Allegro 2, Prodigy, Prodigy Plus 152 dpi

FONT HEIGHT WIDTH SPACING
Font 0 7 5 1
Font 1 13 7 2
Font 2 18 10 2
Font 3 27 14 2
Font 4 36 18 3
Font 5 52 18 3
Font 6 64 32 4
Font 7 32 15 5
Font 8 28 15 5
DMX 400 / Prodigy Max / 6200 203dpi

Font 0 7 5 1
Font 1 13 7 2
Font 2 18 10 2
Font 3 27 14 2
Font 4 36 18 3
Font 5 52 18 3
Font 6 64 32 4
Font 7 32 15 5
Font 8 28 15 5
DMX 430 289.56 dpi

Font 0 10 7 1
Font 1 18 10 3
Font 2 26 14 3
Font 3 39 20 3
Font 4 52 26 4
Font 5 75 26 4
Font 6 92 46 6
Font 7 46 22 7
Font 8 40 22 7
Table C-2 Font Sizes (continued)

121
DMX 600 / 800 and Prodigy Max 300dpi
Font 0 10 7 1
Font 1 19 10 3
Font 2 27 15 3
Font 3 40 21 3
Font 4 53 27 4
Font 5 77 27 4
Font 6 95 47 6
Font 7 47 22 7
Font 8 41 22 7
Table C-2 Font Sizes (concluded)
Internal Bitmapped Font 9 Point Size Specifiers by Printer

Label format records with font code 9 can specify any of the following
bitmapped font sizes with the associated specification in the font size/selection
(barcode height) field. The associated printer, as shown in the table below,
will produce the printed string “four point font” using a 4pt bitmapped font on a
Prodigy Max 300DPI, DMX 600, DMX 800, Ovation!, Ovation! 300DPI, and
DMX 430 printer.
e.g., 1911A0400100010four point font<CR>
Font 9 bitmapped fonts specifications (barcode height) point sizes by

Printer
Printer Model
Points MAX300dpi 600 / 800 Ovation! PE42 and 430 All
6200 Max
4 A04 A04 A04 - A04 -
5 A05 A05 A05 - A05 0001
6 A06 A06 A06 A06 A06 001
8 A08 A08 A08 A08 A08 002
10 A10 A10 A10 A10 A10 003
12 A12 A12 A12 A12 A12 004
14 A14 A14 A14 A14 A14 005
18 A18 A18 A18 A18 A18 006
24 A24 A24 A24 A24 A24 007
30 A30 A30 A30 A30 A30 008
36 A36 A36 A36* A36 A36 009
48 A48 A48 A48* A48 A48 010
72 - A72 - - - -
*Legal font size specifies, printer multiplies dots for A36 and A48 from smaller fonts.
1 = Except Allegro, Allegro 2 and Prodigy Plus.
Table C-3 Internal Bitmapped Font 9 sizes

122
0: Identifies a 96-character alphanumeric font, uppercase and
lowercase.
1: Identifies a 145-character uppercase and lowercase

alphanumeric font that includes desenders and ascenders.
2: Identifies a 138-character alphanumeric upper and lowercase

font.

123
3: Identifies a 62-character alphanumeric uppercase font.
5: Identifies a 62-character alphanumeric upper case font.

124
7: Identifies a font that prints OCR-A, size I.

125
8: Identifies a font that prints OCR-B, size III.
9: Identifies the internal Triumvirate font. Point sizes are selected

by the number in the barcode height. See page C-3.

126
Appendix D
Error Codes
The most common error codes that could be transmitted by the Datamax
printers are described below.
Lowercase "c"
The printer received a data byte from the host computer that
contained a framing error (corrupted data) usually due to noise.
Lowercase "v"
There is an input buffer overflow situation. This is caused when an
overflow of data is sent to the printer.
Uppercase "I"
An invalid command sequence was sent to the printer. The printer
did not understand the command sequence and terminated the
command interpreter.
Uppercase "R"
This code is sent every time the printer is turned on signaling that
there was a hardware reset.
Uppercase "T"
This code signals there was a software reset. A software reset is
made by sending the command sequence to the printer or by doing a
front panel reset.
BELL HEX "07"

This code is usually returned on a corrupt image download, or if you
try to load an image that already resides in the module.

127

128
Appendix E
Single Byte Symbol Sets

(US) ISO 6: ASCII Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , · . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
40 @ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ -
60 ‘ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
(DN) ISO 60: Danish / Norwegian Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Æ Ø Å ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z æ ø å ¯

129
(IT) ISO 15: Italian Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " £ $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
40 § A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z º ç é ^ _
60 ù a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o
70 p q r s t u v w x y z à ò è ì
(GR) ISO 21: German Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Ä Ö Ü ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z ä ö ü ß
(FR) ISO 69: French Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " £ $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
40 à A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z º ç § ^ _
60 µ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o
70 p q r s t u v w x y z é ù è ¨

130
(E5) ISO 8859/5 Latin 5 Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ -
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80
90
A0 ¡ ¢ £ ¤ ¥ ¦ § ¨ ª « ¬ - ¯
B0 º ± ² ³ ´ µ ¶ · ¸ ¹ º » ¼ ½ ¾ ¿
C0 À Á Â Ã Ä Å Æ Ç È É Ê Ë Ì Í Î Ï
D0 Ñ Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö × Ø Ù Ú Û Ü ß
E0 à á â ã ä å æ ç è é ê ë ì í î ï
F0 ñ ò ó ô õ ö ÷ ø ù ú û ü I ÿ
(E2) ISO 8859/2 Latin 2 Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ -
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80
90
A0 ° ƒ ¤ § ¨ Š · Z
B0 º ´ · ¸ ¹ š ” z
C0 Á Â Ä Å Ç É Ë Í Î
D0 Ð Ó Ô Ö × Ø Ú Ü Ý ß
E0 á â ä ç é ë í î
F0 ó ô ö ÷ ú ü ý

131
(E1) ISO 8859/1 Latin 1 Symbol Set. Font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ -
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80
90
A0 ¡ ¢ £ ¤ ¥ ¦ § ¨ © ª « ¬ - ® ¯
B0 ° ± ² ³ ´ µ ¶ · » ¼ ½ ¾ ¿
D0 Ð Ñ Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö × Ø Ù Ú Û Ü Ý Þ ß
F0 ð ñ ò ó ô õ ö ÷ ø ù ú û ü ý þ ÿ
(DT) DeskTop Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ -
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80
90
A0 ¶ § † ‡ © ® ¢ – — … fi fl
B0 “ ” µ ‰ o • • ’ ¬ ¦ =
C0 – ± × ¼ ½ ¾ ¹ ² ³ /
D0 ( ) « » ‚ „ ’ ¡ ¿ Pt l £ ¥ ƒ ß
E0 ª º æ Æ ð Ð ij IJ œ Œ ø Ø þ Þ
F0 ‘ ’ ˆ ¨ ˜ ¯ , l

132
(LG) Legal Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; = ?
40 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ ] ^ _
60 ° a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o
70 p q r s t u v w x y z § ¶ † ™
(R8) Roman-8 Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ -
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80
90
A0 À Â È Ê Ë Î Ï ’ ‘ ˆ ¨ ˜ Ù Û £
B0 - Ý ý º Ç ç Ñ ñ ¡ ¿ £ ¥ § ƒ
C0 â ê ô û á é ó ú à è ò ù ä ë ö ü
D0 Å î Ø Æ å Í ø æ Ä ì Ö Ü É Ï ß Ô
E0 Á Ã ã Ð ð Í Ì Ó Ò Õ õ Š š Ú Ÿ ÿ
F0 Þ þ · µ ¶ ¾ — ¼ ½ ª « » ±

133
(PT) PC-8 TK, Code Page 437T Symbol Set, font code S00*
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10 ¶ §
20 ! # $ % & ' ( ) * + ‚ - · /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
60 ` a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80 Ç ü é â ä à å ç ê ë è ï î ì Ä Å
90 É æ Æ ô ö ò û ù Ö Ü £ ¥
A0 á í ó ú ñ Ñ ¿ ½ ¼ ¡ « »
B0

C0 ! "
D0 # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . / 0 1 2
E0 a ß 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = >
F0 ? @ A B C D E F G H I J K L M
* New Default
(PM) PC-850 Multilingual Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10 ¶ §
20 ! # $ % & ' ( ) * + ‚ ¨ · /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
90 É æ Æ ô ö ò û ù ÿ Ö Ü ø £ Ø ƒ
A0 á í ó ú ñ Ñ ª ° ¿ ½ ¼ ¡ « »
B0 Á Â À G ¥
C0 ã Ã !
D0 ð Ð Ê Ë È Ì Í Î Ï , - . / 0 1 2
E0 Ó ß Ô Ò õ Õ þ Þ Ú Û Ü ý Ý ¯ ´
F0 - @ = ¾ ¶ § E ¸ º " I ¹ ³ L M

134
(WT) Windows 3.1 Latin 5 Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! # $ % & ' ( ) * + ‚ - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80 , ƒ „ … † ‡ ˆ ‰ Š ‹ Œ
90 ‘ ’ “ ” – — ˜ ™ š › œ Ÿ
A0 ¡ £ ¤ ¥ ¦ § ¨ © ª « ¬ - ® ¯
B0 ° ± ² ³ ´ µ ¶ · ¸ ¹ º » ¼ ½ ¾ ¿
D0 Ñ Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö × Ø Ù Ú Û Ü ß
F0 ñ ò ó ô õ ö ÷ ø ù ú û ü l ÿ
(PE) PC-852 Latin 2 Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10 ¶ §
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80 Ç ü é â ä ç ë î Ä
90 É ô ö Ö Ü ×
A0 á í ó ú « »
B0 Á Â
C0 ¤
D0 Ð Ë Í Î
E0 Ó ß Ô Š š Ú ý Ý ´
F0 " ¸ § ÷ ° ¨ ´

135
(W1) Windows 3.’ Latin 1 Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80 ‚ ƒ „ … † ‡ ˆ ‰ Š ‹ Œ
90 ‘ ’ “ ” • – — ˜ ™ š › œ Ÿ
A0 ¡ £ ¤ ¥ ¦ § ¨ © ª « ¬ - ® ¯
B0 ° ± ² ³ ´ µ ¶ · ¸ ¹ º » ¼ ½ ¾ ¿
(PD) PC-8 D/N, Code Page 437N Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10 !! ¶ §
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
90 É æ Æ ô ö ò û ù ÿ Ö Ü ø £ Ø ×
A0 á í ó ú ñ Ñ õ Õ ¿ ã Ã ¡ ³ ¤
B0

C0
D0 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
E0 ß 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
F0 : ; < = > ? ÷ @ ° A B C D E , F

136
(PC) PC-8 Code Page 437 Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10 !! ¶ §
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
90 É æ Æ ô ö ò û ù ÿ Ö Ü £ ¥ Pt ƒ
A0 á í ó ú ñ Ñ õ Õ ¿ ½ ¼ ¡ « »
B0

C0 ! "
D0 # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . / 0 1 2
E0 ß 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; <
F0 = > ? @ A B ÷ C ° D E F G H
(MC) Macintosh Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80 Ä Å Ç É Ñ Ö Ü á à â ä ã å ç é è
90 ê ë í ì î ï ñ ó ò ô ö õ ú ù û ü
A0 † º ¢ £ § • ¶ ß ® © ™ ´ ¨
Æ Ø
B0 : ± ? @ I µ 4 J K 8 L ;
C0 M ¡ ¬ F N C « » … À Ã Õ Œ œ
D0 – — “ ” ‘ ’ ÷ ÿ Ÿ / ¤ O P fi fl
E0 ‡ ` ‚ „ ‰ Â Ê Á Ë È Í Î Ï Ì Ó Ô
F0 Ò Ú Û Ù ˆ ˜ ¯ E º ¸ ¨

137
(VU) Ventura US Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80
90
•
A0 „ ™
B0 ‰ “ ” º § ¢
C0
D0
E0
F0 ¶ † ‡ — – …
(VI) Ventura International Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80
90
•
A0 „ À Â È Ê Ë Î Ï ™ Û Ú
B0 ‰ “ ” º Ç ç Ñ ñ ¡ ¿ ¤ £ ¥ § ƒ ¢
C0 â ê ô û á é ó ú à è ò ù ä ë ö ü
D0 Å î Ø Æ å í ø æ Ä ì Ö Ü É ï ß Ô
E0 Á Ã ã Í Ì Ó Ò Õ õ Š š Ú Ÿ ÿ
F0 Œ œ ¶ † ‡ — – ª º « » …

138
(SW) ISO 11: Swedish Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # ¤ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
40 É A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Ä Ö Å Ü _
60 é a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o
70 p q r s t u v w x y z ä ö å ü
(SP) ISO 17: Spanish Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " £ $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z ¡ Ñ ¿ ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z º ñ ç ~
(UK) ISO 4: United Kingdom Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " £ $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~

139
(TS) PS Text Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " £ $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80
90
A0 ¡ ¢ £ / ¥ ƒ § ¤ ' “ « ‹ › fi fl
B0 - † ‡ · ¶ • , „ ” » … ‰ ¿
C0 ` ´ ˆ ˜ ¯ · ¨ ° ”
D0 —
E0 Æ ª Ø Œ º
F0 æ ø œ ß
(WE) Windows 3.1 Latin 2 Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~
80 ‚ „ … † ‡ ‰ Š ‹
90 ’ “ ” – — ™ š ›
A0 ¤ ¦ § ¨ « ¬
B0 º ± ´ µ ¶ · » ”
C0 Á Â Ä Ç É Ë Í Î
D0 Ð Ó Ô Ö × Ú Ü Ý ß
E0 á â ä ç é ë í î
F0 ó ô ö ÷ ú ü ý

140
(WO) Windows 3.0 Latin 1 Symbol Set, font code S00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . /
30 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ?
50 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _
70 p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ˜
80
90 `
A0 ¡ ¢ £ ¤ ¥ ¦ § ¨ ª « ¬ - ¯
B0 ° ± ² ³ ´ µ ¶ · ¸ ¹ º » ¼ ½ ¾ ¿
(PI) PI Font Symbol Set, font code S00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00
10
20 „ ‚ “ ” ‘ ’ SM

30 ¯ § ¶
40 :: F L
50 P p ‹ ›
60

•
70

80

141

142
Appendix F
Barcodes Summary Data (continued)

Barcode fonts have alpha names. Uppercase alpha names will print
barcodes with human-readable interpretations. Lowercase alpha names
will print barcodes only.
Font Type Length Cksum Valid ASCII Characters, decimal
value representation
A Code 3 of 9 Varies No 32, 36, 37, 42, 43, 45-57, 65-90
B UPC-A 11 Yes 48-57 Numeric only.
Option V used in the 6th & 7th position
C UPC-E 6 Yes 48-57 Numeric only
D Interleaved 2 of 5 (I Varies No 48-57 Numeric only
2 of 5)
E Code 128 Varies M-103 32-127
F EAN-13 12 Yes 48-57 Numeric only. Option V used in
the 7th & 8th position
G EAN-8 7 Yes 48-57 Numeric only
H HBIC Varies M-43 32, 36-39, 42, 43, 45-57, 65-90
I Codabar Varies No 36, 43, 45-58, 65-68
J Interleaved 2 of 5 Varies M-10 48-57 Numeric only
with a modulo 10
checksum
K Plessey Up to 14 M-10 48-57 Numeric only. Option + is Last
Character for Second M-11 Checksum
L Interleaved 2 of 5 13 M-10 48-57 Numeric only
with a modulo 10
checksum &
shipping bearer
bars
M 2 digit UPC 2 Yes 48-57 Numeric only
addendum
N 5 digit UPC 5 Yes 48-57 Numeric only
addendum
O Code 93 Varies No 35-38, 42-58, 65-90, 97-122
p Postnet Varies Yes 48-57 Numeric only

143
Barcodes Summary Data (concluded)
Font Type Length Cksum Valid ASCII Characters, decimal
value representation
Q UCC/EAN Code 19 Yes 48-57 Numeric only
128
R UCC/EAN Code 18 Yes 48-57 Numeric only
128
K-Mart NON EDI
barcode
S UCC/EAN Code 34 + Yes 48-57 Numeric only
128 Random
Weight
T Telepen Varies Yes Alphanumeric
U UPS Maxicode 84 Yes Alphanumeric
v FIM 1 No A, B, C, D
z PDF-417 Varies Yes All
W1C Datamatric Varies Yes All 8-bit values

144
Appendix G
Barcode Details
All barcode symbols shown here were printed using the ratio/module
values of 00 causing the printer to print symbols with default bar widths.
The barcode height fields are also 000 causing default heights to be
used.
A: Code 3 of 9
Valid Characters: 0-9, A-Z, -. *$/+% and the space character.

Variable Length.
Valid bar widths: The expected ratio of wide to narrow bars
can range from 2:1 to 3:1.
The following example prints out a code 3 of 9 barcode with a wide to

narrow bar ratio of 3:1.
<STX>L
D11
1A00000001501000123456789<CR>
121100000000100Barcode A<CR>
E

145
B: UPC-A
Valid Characters: 0-9

Length: 12 digits. If the user provides 11 digits, the
printer will compute the checksum. If the user
provides the checksum, the printer will check
that it matches the expected checksum. If it
does not match, the printer will print out all
zeros and the expected checksum.
Valid bar widths: The fourth character of record is the width of
the narrow bar in dots. All other bars are a
ratio of the narrow bar (2 times the narrow bar
width, 3 times the narrow bar width, and 4
times the narrow bar width).
The following example prints out a UPC-A barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1B000000015010001234567890<CR>
121100000000100Barcode B<CR>
E

146
C: UPC-E

Length: Seven digits. If the user provides six digits,
he printer will compute the checksum. If the
user provides the checksum, the printer will
check that it matches the expected
checksum. If it does not match, the printer
will print out all zeros and the expected
checksum.
Valid bar widths: The fourth character of record is the width
of the narrow bar in dots. All other bars are
a ratio of the narrow bar (2 times the narrow
bar width, 3 times the narrow bar width, and
4 times the narrow bar width).
The following example prints out a UPC-E barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1C0000000150100012345<CR>
121100000000100Barcode C<CR>
E
D: Interleaved 2 of 5 (I 2 of 5)

Variable Length.

147
The following example prints out a interleaved 2 of 5 barcode with a
wide to narrow bar ratio of 3:1. Bar codes J and L also print out different
forms of the I 2 of 5 barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1D000000015010001234567890<CR>
121100000000100Barcode D<CR>
E
E: Code 128
Valid Characters: The entire 128 ASCII character set.

Variable Length:
This printer supports the Code 128 subsets
A, B, and C. You can select the printer to
start on any code subset and switch to
another within the data stream. The default
code subset is B, otherwise the first
character (A, B, C) of the data field
determines the subset. Subset switching is
only performed in response to code switch
command. These commands are placed in
the data to be encoded at appropriate
locations, see table on Special ASCII
Commands, page 149.
Code 128 Subset A: Includes all of the standard uppercase

alphanumeric keyboard characters plus the

148
control and special characters. To select
Code 128 Subset A, place an ASCII A (DEC
65, HEX 41) before the data to be encoded.
Code 128 Subset B: Includes all of the standard uppercase
alphanumeric keyboard characters plus the
lowercase alphabetic and special characters. To
select Code 128 Subset B, place an ASCII B (DEC
66, HEX 42) before the data to be encoded. If no
start character is sent for the 128 font, Code 128
Subset B will be selected by default.
Code 128 Subset C: Includes the set of 100 digit pairs from 00 through
99 inclusive, as well as special characters. Code
128 Subset C is used for double density encoding
of numeric data. To select Code 128 Subset C,
place an ASCII C (DEC 67, HEX 43) before the
data to be encoded. Subset C can only encode an
even number of numeric characters. When the
data to be encoded includes an odd number of
numeric characters, the last character causes the
printer to automatically generate a ‘switch to
subset B’ and encode the last character
appropriately in subset B.
Note: It is recommended to use a B as the first character to prevent an

A or C from changing the subset.
Special Character Handling: Characters with an ASCII value greater

than 95 are considered special
characters. To access these values, a
two-character reference table is built
into the printer. Table B-4 describes this
table.
ASCII 2 CHAR CODEA CODEB CODEC

96 &A FNC3 FNC3 -NA-

149
97 &B FNC2 FNC2 -NA-
98 &C SHIFT SHIFT -NA-
99 &D CODEC CODEC -NA-
100 &E CODEB FNC4 CODEB
101 &F FNC4 CODEA CODEA
102 &G FNC1 FNC1 FNC1
As an example, to encode FNC2 into a Code 128 Subset A barcode, send

the ASCII & (DEC 38, HEX 26) followed by an ASCII B (DEC 66,
HEX 41). Code FNC2 will be encoded.
Example:
ATEST&B123 Data Encoded: TEST<FNC2>123
Control Codes: Control characters can be encoded into Code 128

Subset A by sending control codes;
` = NUL
a through z = 1 - 26
{ = ESC
| = FS
} = GS
~ = RS
ASCII 127 = US
The following example prints out a Code 128 barcode.

<STX>L
D11
1E000000015010001234567890<CR>
121100000000100Barcode E<CR>
E
F: EAN-13

150
printer will compute the checksum. If the
user provides the checksum, the printer will
check that it matches the expected
checksum.

4 times the narrow bar width), see page
171.
The following example prints out a EAN-13 barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1F0000000150100012345678901<CR>
121100000000100Barcode F<CR>
E

151
G: EAN-8

printer will compute the checksum. If the
user provides the checksum, the printer
will check that it matches the expected
checksum.
of the narrow bar in dots. All other bars
are a ratio of the narrow bar (2 times the
narrow bar width, 3 times the narrow bar
width, and 4 times the narrow bar width).
The following example prints out a EAN-8 barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1G00000001501000123456<CR>
121100000000100Barcode G<CR>
E

152
H: Health Industry Bar Code (HBIC) (Code 39 barcode with a
modulo 43 checksum).
Valid Characters: 0-9, A-Z, -$ /. %

Variable Length.

The host must supply leading "+"'s
The following example prints out a HBIC barcode with a wide to

<STX>L
D11
1H0000000150050+0123456789<CR>
121100000000100Barcode H<CR>
E

153
I: Codabar
Valid Characters: 0-9, A-D, -, ., $, :, /, +, (comma is not
valid).
Variable Length: Must have at least three characters.
Valid codabar symbols require start and stop characters, (characters A-

D). These characters should be placed in the data field along with other
data to be included in the symbol. The following example prints out a
Codabar barcode with a wide to narrow bar ratio of 3:1.
Internal Batch Fields:

1I63040001501000A1234567890D
121100000000100Barcode I
Barcode I
J: Interleaved 2 of 5 with a modulo 10 checksum.

Variable Length.
modulo 10 checksum added with a wide to narrow bar ratio of 3:1. Bar
codes D and L also print out different forms of the I 2 of 5 barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1J000000015010001234567890<CR>
121100000000100Barcode J<CR>
E

154
K: Plessey

Length: 1 to 14 digits
If a + character is the last data character, an additional MSI
checksum will be added to the barcode in place of the +
character.
The following example prints out a Plessey barcode with a wide to
<STX>L
D11
1K000000015010001234567890<CR>
121100000000100Barcode K<CR>
E

155
L: Interleaved 2 of 5 with a modulo 10 checksum and shipping
bearer bars.

Variable Length For the bearer bars to be printed, 14
characters are required.
modulo 10 checksum and bearer bars with a wide to narrow bar ratio
of 3:1. Bar codes J and L also print out different forms of the I 2 of 5
barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1L00000001501000123456789012<CR>
121100000000100Barcode L<CR>
E

156
M: 2-digit UPC addendum

Length: 2 digits.
The following example prints out a 2 digit UPC barcode addendum.
<STX>L
D11
1M000000015010042<CR>
121100000000100Barcode M<CR>
E

157
N: 5-digit UPC addendum

Length: 5 digits.
Valid bar widths: The width multiplier is the width of the
narrow bar in dots. All other bars are a ratio
of the narrow bar (2 times the narrow bar
The following example prints out a 5 digit UPC barcode addendum.
<STX>L
D11
1N000000015010001234<CR>
121100000000100Barcode N<CR>
E

158
O: Code 93
Valid Characters: 0-9, A-Z, -.$/+% and the space character.

Variable Length.
Valid bar widths: The width multiplier is the width of the
narrow bar in dots. All other bars are a ratio
of the narrow bar (2 times the narrow bar
The following example prints out a code 93 barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1O0000000150100Datamax42<CR>
121100000000100Barcode O<CR>
E
p: Postnet

Length: 5, 9, 11 digits
Valid bar widths: The width and height multiplier values of
00 will produce a valid postnet symbol.
Usage: The barcode height filed is ignored since the
symbol height is U.S.P.S specific. This
barcode is to display the zip code on a letter
or package for the US Postal Service.
The following example prints out a postnet barcode:
<STX>L
D11
1p000000015010032569<CR>
121100000000100Barcode p<CR>
E

159
Q: UCC/EAN Code 128

Length: 1 9 digits.
The printer spreads a weighted, module 103, check sum.

The following example prints out a UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1Q00000001501000123456789012345678<CR>
121100000000100Barcode Q<CR>
E

160
R: UCC/EAN Code128 K-MART NON EDI barcode.

Length: 18 digits
bar width, 3 times the narrow bar width, and 4
This barcode is set up according to K-MART specifications.
The following example prints out a KMART barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1R0000000150100012345678901234567<CR>
121100000000100Barcode R<CR>
E

161
S: UCC/EAN Code 128 Random Weight

Length: At least 34 digits.
This barcode is commonly used by the food and grocery industry.
The following example prints out a UCC/EAN Code 128 Random

Weight barcode.
Note: Not available on Allegro, Allegro 2, Prodigy

or Prodigy Plus.
<STX>L
D11
1S00000001500500110073675029260119304203202001800211
0123456<CR>
121100000000100Barcode S<CR>
E

162
T: Telepen
Valid Characters: All 128 ASCII characters.
Variable Length
Note: Not available on Allegro, Allegro 2, Prodigy

or Prodigy Plus.
The following example prints out a Telepen barcode.
<STX>L
D11
1T0000000150100ABCDEF<CR>
121100000000100Barcode T<CR>
E
u: UPS MaxiCode
The following examples illustrate the various label format record
message syntax’s for encoding data as MaxiCode. The UPS 3.0
Message data formats and special characters are defined by UPS.
Please refer to specifications Guide to Bar Coding with UPS,
Version 3.0, appendix 3 or Uniform Symbology Specification -
MaxiCode, AIM.
In the following examples special formatting is used to denote
special ASCII characters as shown in the table:
Symbol Hexadecimal Value

R
S 1E
G
S 1D
E
OT 04 printer message syntax allows for EOT
to be substituted with <CR> or the
use of both EOT<CR>.

163
Datamax MaxiCode fixed field format:
example:
1u0000001000100327895555840666THIS PACKAGE
IS GOING TO DATAMAX CORP.<CR>
where:
32789 5 digit ASCII, Zip code
5555 4 digit ASCII, +4 Zip code
840 3 digit ASCII, country code
666 3 digit ASCII, class of service
THIS... 84 maximum ASCII characters, data string
In the UPS 3.0 protocol examples that follow, Primary Message

control characters GS will not be encoded in the MaxiCode symbol.
All characters, with the exception of the leading GS, in the Secondary
Message are encoded.
The UPS 3.0 zip + 4 with Message data format and message header:
example:
1u0000001200120[)>RS01GS96841706672GS840GS001GS1Z12345675GSUPSN
G G G G G G G G R E
S12345E S089G S1/1 S10.1 SY S S SUT S OT
where:
[)>RS01GS96 message header

164
The UPS 3.0 international zip “V6C3E2” with Message data format and
message header:
example:
1u0000001200120[)>RS01GS96V6C3E2GS068GS001GS1Z12345675GSUP
SNGS12345EGS089GGS1/1GS10.1GSYGSGSGSUTRSEOT
where:
[)>RS01GS message header
96
V6C3E2 maximum 6 alphanumeric ASCII, Primary
International Zip code message
068 country code
001 class
G
S1Z1... Secondary
Message
...TRSEOT
The UPS 3.0 international zip “V6C3E2” without Message data format
and message header:
example:
1u0000001200120V6C3E2GS068GS001GS1Z12345675GSUPSNGS12345
EGS089GGS1/1GS10.1GSYGSGSGSUTRSEOT
where:
V6C3E2 maximum 6 alphanumeric ASCII, Primary
International Zip code message
068 country code
001 class
G
S1Z1... Secondary
Message
...TRSEOT

165
The UPS 3.0 zip + 4 “32707-3270” without Message data format and
message header:
example:
1u0000001200120327073270GS068GS001GS1Z12345675GSUPSNGS123
45EGS089GGS1/1GS10.1GSYGSGSGSUTRSEOT
where:
32707 5 digit ASCII, Zip code Primary
message
3270 4 digit ASCII, +4 Zip code (not
required)
068 country code
001 class
G
S1Z1... Secondary
Message
...TRSEOT
Note:: Not available on the Prodigy, Prodigy Plus, Allegro or Allegro

2.
v: FIM
Valid Characters: A, B, C, or D
Length: 1 character
Valid bar widths: The width and height multiplier work the
same as for fonts on this barcode.
Usage: This barcode is to display the Facing
Identification Mark (FIM) that is used on
certain types of letter mail for the U S
Postal Service.
FIM A : Courtesy reply mail with postnet.
FIM B: business reply, penalty or franked mail
without postnet.
FIM C: Business reply, penalty or franked mail with
postnet.
FIM D: OCR readable mail without postnet (usually
used on courtesy reply window envelopes).

166
Note: Not available on Allegro, Allegro 2, Prodigy or
Prodigy Plus.
The following example prints out a FIM A barcode:

<STX>L
D11
1v0000000150100A<CR>
121100000000100Barcode v<CR>
E
z: PDF-417
Valid Characters: All ASCII characters. This is a 2

dimensional barcode that is capable of
holding large amounts of data in a small area.
It provides a high level of redundancy and
error checking if requested.
Variable Length
The barcode's data stream consists of six different sections:

1. 1 character specifying a normal or truncated barcode, (T to
truncate, F for normal).
2. 1-digit security level ranging from 0 to 8.
3. 2-digit aspect ratio. This is specified as a fraction with the first
digit being the numerator and the second being the denominator.
Use “00” for the default of 1:2. Valid range is from "00" to "99."
4. 2-digit number specifying the number of rows requested. Use
“00” to let the printer find the best fit. Valid range is from “03”
to “90”. Values less than 3 are set to 3, and values greater than
90 are set to 90.
5. 2-digit number specifying the number of columns requested. Use
“00” to let the printer find the best fit. Valid range is from “01”
to “30”. Values greater than 30 are set to 30.
6. A data stream to be encoded.

167
Note: Not available on the Allegro, Allegro 2, Prodigy, or Prodigy Plus
prior to Version 3.2.
The following example prints out a PDF-417 barcode, not truncated,

a security level of 1, a default aspect ratio, and the best fit rows and
columns:
<STX>L
D11
1z0000000150100F1000000PDF417<CR>
121100000000100Barcode z<CR>
E
Wc: DATAMATRIX
Valid Characters: Any 8-bit byte data

Variable Length
both ‘1c’, and ‘c’ can be used to encode data using the Data Matrix
symbology.
Data Matrix is a two-dimensional variable length matrix symbology

which is made up of square modules arranged within a perimeter
finder pattern. There are two types of Data Matrix symbols, ECC
000-140 and ECC 200.
ECC 000 - 140 symbols:

These square symbols can be any odd sizes from 9x9 to 49x49,
which may be specified in fields iii, and jjj. If an ECC 000-140
symbol is specified with even numbers of rows or columns, the
next largest odd value will be used. Input values greater than 49
or less than 9 will cause the symbol to be automatically sized for
the input character stream. The record format is shown here,
expanded with spaces.
a W b[b] c d eee ffff gggg hhh i jjj kkk ll..l

168
a 1,2,3, and 4 Rotation
W W Fixed value, extended barcode set
b[b] c, 1c Selects Datamatrix Barcode - the two differing
values have no other significance.
c 1 to 9 and A to O module size horizontal multiplier
d 1 to 9 and A to O module size vertical multiplier
eee 000 to 999 No Effect; Must be numeric
ffff 0000 to 9999 label position, row
gggg 0000 to 9999 label position, column
hhh 000, 050, 080, 100, 140 A 3 digit convolutional error correction level
If any number other than one of these options is
entered then the nearest lesser value from the
valid entries is used.
Example: selecting an ECC value of 099 will
cause the actual ECC value of 080 to
be used.
i 0-6 1 digit format identification
0 -Automatically choose the encodation scheme
based on the characters to be encoded.
1 - Numeric data.
2 - Upper-case alphabetic.
3 - Upper-case alphanumeric and punctuation
characters (period, comma, hyphen, slash).
4 - Upper-case alphanumeric.
5 - ASCII, the full 128 ASCII character set.
6 - any 8-bit byte.
If a format identifier is selected which will

not encode the input character stream then
the barcode symbol will not be printed.
It is recommended to use the auto-
encodation format identification since it will
select the best possible encodation scheme
for the input stream.

169
ECC 200 symbols:
There are 24 square symbol sizes available, with both row and
column dimensions, which may be specified in fields iii, and jjj,
measured in modules as indicated in the following list - 10, 12,
14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 64, 72, 80, 88,
96, 104, 120, 132, and 144. If an ECC 200 symbol is specified
with odd numbers of rows or columns, the next largest even
value will be used. Input values greater than 144 or less than 10
will cause the symbol to be automatically sized for the input
character stream. The record format is shown here, expanded
with spaces.
a W b[b] c d eee ffff gggg hhh i jjj kkk ll..l

a 1,2,3, and 4 Rotation
W W Fixed value, extended barcode set
b[b] c, 1c Selects DataMatrix Barcode - the two differing
values have no other significance.
c 1 to 9 and A to O module size horizontal multiplier
d 1 to 9 and A to O module size vertical multiplier
eee 000 to 999 No Effect; Must be numeric
ffff 0000 to 9999 label position, row
gggg 0000 to 9999 label position, column
hhh 200 ECC 200 uses Reed-Solomon error correction..
i 0 Fixed value, not used
jjj 10, 12, 14, ..., 26, 32, A 3 digit even number (or 000) of rows requested.
36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 64, 000 causes rows to be automatically determined.
72, 80, 88, 96, 104, The symbol will be sized to a square if the rows and
120, 132, and 144. columns do not match by taking the larger of the
two values.
kkk 10, 12, 14, ..., 26, 32, A 3 digit even number (or 000) of columns
36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 64, requested.
72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 000 causes columns to be automatically determined.
120, 132, and 144. The symbol will be sized to a square if the rows and
columns do not match by taking the larger of the
two values.
ll...l 8-bit data Data to be encoded in the symbol

170
Note: The Datamatrix barcode is only available on printer’s
equipped with Datamatrix.
Rectangular symbols or concatenation are not
supported. If the data to be encoded does not fit within
the symbol specified, no barcode will print.
UPC-A and EAN-13: Variable Price or Weight Bar Code
The EAN/UPC standard allows for an additional checksum to be

generated in the middle of the barcode based on the data. This is used
when the price or weight of an item is embedded into the barcode data
(this is commonly used in the food industry.)
For the printer to generate this checksum, a ‘V’ must be placed in the
data stream in the position the checksum is requested. If the ‘V’ is
placed in the 6th position for UPC-A or the 7th position for EAN-13, a
checksum will be generated using the next 5 digits in the data stream. If
the ‘V’ is placed in the 7th position for UPC-A or the 8th position for
EAN-13, a checksum will be generated using the next 4 digits in the data
stream. The checksum is generated as per the EAN/UPC barcode
standard.
Examples:
1B110000200020012345V01199
Prints a UPC-A barcode with the variable price checksum in the 6th
position.
1B1100002000200123456V0150
Prints a UPC-A barcode with the variable price checksum in the 7th
position..
1F1100002000200123456V01199
Prints a EAN-13 barcode with the variable price checksum in the 7th
position.
1F11000020002001234567V0150
Prints a EAN-13 barcode with the variable price checksum in the 8th
position.

171

172
Appendix H
Font Mapping, Single Byte and Double Byte (Kanji)

Characters
Label format records with font code 9 can specify any of the following
bitmapped or scaleable fonts with the associated specification in the font
size/selection (barcode height) field, as shown in the tables on the following
pages.
Example: 191109600100010A0215134<CR>
The example above will produce a printed string consisting of the two Kanji
characters referenced by the two HEXASCII pairs A0, 21, and 51, 34, on
appropriately equipped printers.
Example: 1911U4001000100P012P012<0x38><0x77><0x00>
The above example will produce a printed string consisting of the one 12
point Kanji character referenced by the byte pair with hex values 38 and 77
on appropriately equipped printers. Note that double byte hex
representations for Kanji character strings terminate with a null byte.
The alphanumeric portion (nn) of the scaleable font specifiers, Snn, snn,
Unn, unn, numbering system is a base 62 numbering system,
0,1,2,...8,9,A,B,C,...X,Y,Z,a,b,c,...x,y,z. For scaleable fonts the S
designation signifies single byte characters and U designates double byte.
Their lower case counterparts signify that print data in the label format
record is in a hex-ASCII format. A Hex-ASCII format for a single byte with
hex value 0xFF would be two ASCII character bytes FF (0x4646). Fonts that
have been downloaded with designators of the form nn, where nn are
alphanumeric, as seen in the font size specifier (barcode height) column
below, may be referenced in label format records by their upper or lower
case specifies as needed. However, fonts created for double-byte access
cannot be accessed using Snn or snn as the font designator, and vice versa,
single-byte fonts cannot be accessed using Unn or unn.

173
Font 9, Fonts Specifications (Bar Code Height) and Associated
Characteristics
Font Name Character Font Size Point Size
Mapping Specifier
(barcode height)
Font 9 Bitmapped Resident fonts specifications
CG Triumvirate Single Byte 000 - 010 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14,
Bold 18, 24, 30, 36, 48
respectively
CG Triumvirate Single Byte A04, A05, A06, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12,
Bold A08, A10, A12, 14, 18, 24, 30, 36,
A14, A18, A24, 48, 72 respectively
A30, A36, A48,
A72
Gothic Kanji Double Byte, 096 6 (16x16 dots)
Scaleable (HEXASCII)
Gothic Kanji Double Byte 098 6 (16x16 dots)
Scaleable (Binary)
Scaleable (Binary)
Font 9 Bitmapped Cartridge fonts specifications
CG Triumvirate Single Byte B04 - B72 4-72 respectively
Italic
CG Triumvirate Single Byte C04 - C72 4-72 respectively
Bold
CG Triumvirate Single Byte D04 - D72 4-72 respectively
Bold Condensed
CG Times Single Byte E04 - E72 4-72 respectively
CG Times Bold Single Byte F04 - F72 4-72 respectively
Futura Extra Bold Single Byte G04 - G72 4-72 respectively
Condensed

174
Font 9 Bitmapped Downloaded fonts specifications
User downloaded Single Byte 100 - 999 user defined
Bitmapped typeface
Font 9 Scaleable Resident fonts specifications
CG Triumvirate Single Byte S00 scaleable
Bold Condensed
Scaleable
CG Triumvirate Single Byte s00 scaleable
Bold Condensed (HEXASCII)
Scaleable
Gothic B Kanji Double Byte U40 scaleable

Scalable (Binary)
Gothic B Kanji Double Byte u40 scaleable
Scalable (HEXASCII)
Gothic B Kanji Double Byte UK0 scaleable
Scalable (Binary)
Gothic B Kanji Double Byte uK0 scaleable
Scalable (HEXASCII)
Gothic E Kanji Double Byte UK1 scaleable
Scalable (Binary)
Gothic E Kanji Double Byte uK1 scaleable
Scalable (HEXASCII)
Font 9 Scaleable Cartridge fonts specifications
CG Times Family Single Byte SA0 - SAz scaleable
Scaleable
CG Times Family Single Byte sA0 - sAz scaleable
Kanji Gothic, Single Byte UA0 - UAz scaleable
Family Scaleable (Binary)
Kanji Gothic, Single Byte uA0 - uAz scaleable
Family Scaleable (HEXASCII)

175
Font 9 Scaleable Downloaded fonts specifications 1
User downloaded Single Byte S50 - S5z... scaleable
Scaleable typeface (Binary) S90 - S9z
User downloaded Single Byte s50 - s5z... scaleable
Scaleable typeface (HEXASCII) s90 - s9z
User downloaded Double Byte U50...,U5z...,...U scaleable
Scaleable typeface (Binary) 90...,U9z
User downloaded Double Byte u50...,u5z...,...u9 scaleable
Scaleable typeface (HEXASCII) 0...,u9z
Downloading scaleable fonts requires specifying the font ID, a two

character alphanumeric. The S, s or U, u used in referencing the font
within label format records is not used in the download specification.
Attempting to utilize a scaleable font with an inappropriate byte-size
designation, (e.g. S, s, on double byte or U, u) on single byte will have
unpredictable results.
The DMX 400 and DMX 430 can be purchased with an option for fixed-
pitched Kanji fonts (bitmapped resident). The Datamax printer language
commands, used on the DMX 400 and DMX 430, for printing the Kanji
characters are supported by the optional Scaleable Kanji firmware on the
DMX 600 and DMX 800. In particular the font selections 096 through
099 used on DMX 400/430 printers can be used on DMX 600/800
printers. The DMX 600/800 printers will utilize a scaleable Kanji font to
generate characters of the sizes implied by the font selection number.

176
Appendix I
Symbol Sets, Code Pages, and Character Maps

Symbol Set Selection
Scalable fonts are mapped through a symbol set sometimes referred to as
a ‘code page’. This mapping allows the host application to select a
variety of characters to match the application. For example in the code
page (CP), character code 0xE4 causes character to be printed. In CP
E7 the character code 0xE4 causes to be printed. Each of the code
pages allow the host application to “emulate” a character set for their
application.
Datamax printers that support scalable fonts contain either a standard
group or an enhanced group of code pages (symbol sets) as defined
below. The CP (symbol set) is selected using a DPL Command,
<stx>ySxx, where xx is the two letter CP Identifier.
Note: Not all fonts contain an entire compliment of character codes for
a given code page (symbol set).
Single Byte Code Pages

Code page Datamax Code Font format
identifier page family
Data- HP* Std** Enhanced Intellifont True Description
max ** Type
AR Arabic-8
CP Cyrillic
DN ISO 60 Danish / Norwegian
DT 7J DeskTop
D1 11L ITC Zapf Dingbats/100
DS 10L PS ITC Zapf Dingbats
E1 0N ISO 8859/1 Latin 1

177
max ** Type
E7 ISO 8859/7 Latin/Greek
EG ISO 8859/7 Latin/Greek
EH ISO 8859/8 Latin/Hebrew
ER ISO 8859/5 Latin/Cyrillic
FR ISO 69: French Symbol Set
G8 Greek-8
GK PC-8 Greek
GR ISO 21: German
H0 Hebrew-7
H8 Hebrew-8
IT ISO 15: Italian
LG 1U Legal
M8 8M Math-8
MC 12J Macintosh
MS 5M PS Math
PB 6J Microsoft Publishing
PC 10U PC-8, Code Page 437
PD 11U PC-8 D/N, Code Page
437N
PE 17U PC-852 Latin 2
PG PC-851 Latin/Greek
PH PC-862 Latin/Hebrew
PI 15U Pi Font
PM 12U PC-850 Multilingual
PR PC-864 Latin/Arabic
PT 9T PC-8 TK, Code Page 437T
PU 9J PC-1004
PV 26U PC-775 Baltic
PX PTXT3000
R8 8U Roman-8
SP ISO 17: Spanish
SW ISO 11: Swedish
SY Symbol
TS 10J PS Text
TK Turkish-8
UK ISO 4: United Kingdom

178
max ** Type
US ISO 6: ASCII
VI 13J Ventura International
VU 14J Ventura US
VM 6M Ventura Math
W1 19U Windows 3.1 Latin 1
WA Windows Latin/Arabic
WD AgfaTidbits
WE 9E Windows 3.1 Latin 2
WG Windows Latin/Greek
WL 19L Windows 3.1 Latin 5
WN Windows
WO 9U Windows 3.0 Latin 1
WR Windows Latin/Cyrillic
WT 5T Windows 3.1 Latin 5
* HP - Hewlett Packard PCL-5 Comparison Guide, Edition 1, Internal Symbol Set
Charts, Chart B, for comparison.
** Standard and Enhanced Code Page Families are printer configuration respective.
Double-Byte Symbols, Kanji Symbol Sets

Character Map Selection:
Double byte scalable fonts are mapped through a ‘character map’. This
mapping allows the host application to select a variety of characters to
match the application. Each of the CPs allow the host application to
emulate a character set for their application.
The character map is selected using a DPL command, <stx>ySxx, where
xx is the two letter character map identifier.
Note: Not all fonts contain an entire compliment of character codes for
a given character map.

179
Double Byte Character Map
Character Map Code page family Font format
Identifier Standard Intellifont True Type Description
EU EUC
JS JIS (Japanese Industry

Standard) (default)
SJ Shift JIS
UC Unicode
The double-byte Kanji symbol set is selected using <STX>ySxx

command. The single-byte non-Kanji symbol set selection set is
selected using the same command <STX>ySxx. Each effects an
independent database selection, and has no impact on the other.
Note: Availability of Kanji fonts and their symbol sets are respective
of the appropriate printer configuration.

180
Appendix J
General Purpose I/O Signals

DMX 600 & DMX 800 GPIO Signal Descriptions
Pin # Input / GPIO Description
Output Number
1 N/A Signal ground
2 Output Not connected
3 Output Output 2 TTL open collector output with 4.7K pull-up.
5 Output Output 4 TTL open collector output
8 Output +5VDC, fused @ 1AMP
9 Input Input 4 TTL (74HCT14) input with 22 K pull-up resistor
10 Input Input 6 TTL (74HCT14) input with 22 K pull-up resistor.
12 NC +9VDC, unregulated, fused @1 AMP
13 N/A Analogue ground
14 Output Output 1 TTL open collector output with 4.7K pull-up
20 Output +12VDC, fused @1 AMP
24 NC On board jumper selectable to +35 VDC or +24 VDC
fused @1 AMP
25 NC Not connected

181
Titan 6200 GPIO Signal Descriptions
Pin Input GPIO Description
# Output Number
1 Signal ground
3 Output Output 2 TTL open collector output with 4.7K pull-up
4 Not connected
5 Not connected
6 Not connected
7 Not connected
11 Not connected
12 Output +9VDC, unregulated, fused @1 AMP
13 Analogue ground
14 Output Output1 TTL open collector output with 4.7K pull-up
15 Not connected
16 Not connected
17 Not connected
18 Not connected
19 Not connected
20 Not connected
21 Not connected
24 Output On board jumper selectable to +35 VDC or +24
VDC, fused @1 AMP
25 Input Input1 TTL (74HCT14) input with 22 K pull-up resistor

182
Prodigy MAX GPIO DIN (J14) Signal Descriptions
# Output Number
1 N/A Signal ground
2 Output Connected through a 100 resistor to the
collector of a 2N2222A transistor which is pulled
to Vcc through a 4.7K resistor
3 Output +24 VDC, unregulated, fused @ 1.5AMP
4 Input Input 7 Input to 74HCT541 via 100 series resistor and
10K pullup resistor
5 Output Output 7 Connected through a 100 resistor to the
collector of a 2N2222A transistor which is pulled
to Vcc through a 4.7K resistor
6 Input Input 8 Input to 74HCT541 via 100 series resistor and
270K pulldown resistor.
7 Output +9 VDC, unregulated, fused @ 1.5AMP
PE 42 / 43 GPIO Signal Descriptions

# Output Number
4 Output Output3 TTL open collector output
9 n/a Analog ground

183

184
Appendix K
Font Cartridge Names and Sizes
Font cartridges available for the DMX 430 are pre-loaded with 13 sizes
of each typeface in both portrait and landscape orientations. To print a
particular size, specify a "name" by which that size was stored on the
cartridge. The DMX 400's font cartridges; in addition to the Allegro,
Allegro 2, and Prodigy Plus, only work with the old numbering system
and only contain 10 sizes of each type face. A portrait font can be used
with rotation filed values 1 and 3, landscape fonts can be used with
rotation field values 3 and 4.
The following are the names of each font and size available for all
Datamax Bar Code Products Font Cartridges:
CG Triumvirate Italic
New Numbering Old Numbering system
system
Point Portrait / Landscape Portrait Landscape
Size Font ID Font ID Font ID
4 B04
5 B05
6 B06 101 111
8 B08 102 112
10 B10 103 113
12 B12 104 114
14 B14 105 115
18 B18 106 116
24 B24 107 117
30 B30 108 118
36 B36 109 119
48 B48 110 120
72 B72

185
CG Triumvirate Bold
system
4 C04
5 C05
6 C06 121 131
8 C08 122 132
10 C10 123 133
12 C12 124 134
14 C14 125 135
18 C18 126 136
24 C24 127 137
30 C30 128 138
36 C36 129 139
48 C48 130 140
72 C72
CG Triumvirate Bold Condensed

system
4 D04
5 D05
6 D06 141 151
8 D08 142 152
10 D10 143 153
12 D12 144 154
14 D14 145 155
18 D18 146 156
24 D24 147 157
30 D30 148 158
36 D36 149 159
48 D48 150 160
72 D72

186
CG Times
system
4 E04
5 E05
6 E06 201 211
8 E08 202 212
10 E10 203 213
12 E12 204 214
14 E14 205 215
18 E18 206 216
24 E24 207 217
30 E30 208 218
36 E36 209 219
48 E48 210 220
72 E72

187
CG Times Bold
system
4 F04
5 F05
6 F06 221 231
8 F08 222 232
10 F10 223 233
12 F12 224 234
14 F14 225 235
18 F18 226 236
24 F24 227 237
30 F30 228 238
36 F36 229 239
48 F48 230 240
72 F72
Futura Extra Bold Condensed

system
4 G04
5 G05
6 G06 301 311
8 G08 302 312
10 G10 303 313
12 G12 304 314
14 G14 305 315
18 G18 306 316
24 G24 307 317
30 G30 308 318
36 G36 309 319
48 G48 310 320
72 G72

188
Appendix L
Module Identifiers by Product and Maximum Label

Format Fields
Module ID Allegro Prodigy Prodigy 600/800 Prodigy

400/430 Plus Max
(Memory Bank) PE42, PE43
Ovation &
Ovation 2
6200
A Internal plug-in1 plug-in plug-in RAM3
RAM
B plug-in plug in1 plug-in plug-in plug-in
C Default Default Default Default Default
D N/A N/A NVRAM2,5 NVRAM2,4
E N/A N/A N/A RAM3 N/A
1 - Physically the same module

2 - Internal 128K non-volatile
3 - Internal configurable
4 - Internal optional JA Prodigy Max only
5 - Scalable font supported in PCB 51-2170 and 51-2221
Maximum Label Format Fields

Printer Name Fields Characters per Field
Allegro 200 5,000
Allegro 2 200 5,000
Prodigy 100 3,000
Prodigy Plus 200 5,000
DMX400 199 5,000
DMX430 399 10,000

189
Maximum Label Format Fields (concluded)
Printer Name Fields Characters per Field
DMX600 399 10,000
DMX800 399 10,000
PE42 319 7,000
PE43 319 7,000
Prodigy Max 319 7,000
Print & Apply 319 7,000
Ovation 2 319 7,000
Ovation! 319 7,000
Titan 6200 399 10,000
Notes: When the product of fields and characters per filed exceed the
available printer memory, the memory size is the limiting
factor. Exceeding these limits may cause portions of the label
to not print.
Printer Resolution and Size (continued)
Printer Name Head x Print Width (inches)

Gearing, dpi
Allegro 200 x 200 4.1
Allegro2 200 x 200 4.1
Prodigy 203 x 203 4.1
Prodigy 152 152 x 152 4.15
Prodigy Plus 200 x 200 4.1
Prodigy Plus 152 152 x 152 4.21
DMX 400 200 x 200 4.1
DMX 430 289 x 289 1.0
DMX 600 300 x 300 6.4
DMX 800 300 x 300 8.64 (Kyocera)
8.53 (TDK)
Prodigy Max 203 203 x 203 4.1
Prodigy Max 300 300 x 300 4.16

190
Printer Resolution and Size (concluded)
Printer Name Head x Print Width (inches)

Gearing, dpi
PE 42 203 x 203 4.1
PE 43 300 x 300 4.16
Ovation! 203 x 203 4.1
Ovation!2 203 x 203 4.256
Ovation! 300 300 x 300 4.16
Titan 6200 203 x 203 6.62

191

192
Appendix M
Printer Speed Ranges and Defaults
Command Value Speed Command Value Speed

ips / mms ips / mms
A* 1.0 / 25 K 6.0 / 152
B* 1.5 / 38 L 6.5 / 165
C 2.0 / 51 M 7.0 / 178
D 2.5 / 63 N 7.5 / 191
E 3.0 / 76 O 8.0 / 203
F 3.5 / 89 P 8.5 / 216
G 4.0 / 102 Q 9.0 / 227
H 4.5 / 114 R 9.5 / 241
I 5.0 / 127 S 10.0 / 254
J 5.5 / 140
* For Prodigy and Ovation only

193
Printer Speed Ranges and Defaults
Print Slew Backup
Pinter Name Range Default Range Default Range Default
Allegro C C C C C C
Allegro 2 C-E C C-E C C-E C
Prodigy A-G E A-G G N/A E
Prodigy Plus C-O K C-O K C-I E
DMX400 C-G G C-I K C-I E
DMX430 C-K G C-K K C-I E
DMX600 C-O K C-S O C-I E
DMX800 C-I G C-K K C-I E
Prodigy Max 203 C-S K C-S O C-I I
Prodigy Max 300 C-O K C-O O C-I E
PE-42 C-S K C-S O C-I E
PE-43 C-O K C-O M C-I E
Ovation! A-C C A-C C A-C C
Ovation! 300dpi A-C C A-C C A-c C
Ovation!2 A-C C A-C C A-C C
Titan 6200 C-K G C-K K C-G C

194
Appendix N
Commands by Function
Function Command
Assign font ID number <ESC>*cnnnD
Backup speed pa
Batch Quantity Request <SOH> E
Cancel <SOH> C
Character bitmapped data <ESC>(snnnWdata
Character code <ESC>*cnnnE
Character dump mode <STX> P
Column offset amount Cnnnn
Config label and dot pattern Print <STX> Z
Continuous paper length <STX> cnnnn
Count by ^nn
Cut <STX> o
Cut by :nnnn
Cut by cnn
Cutter signal time and equal print delay time <STX> bnnnn
Cutter signal 5sec & slected delay time <STX> Hnnnn
Database Configuration Bits Set <STX>KDwxyz
Decrement Alphanumeric tag <fii
Decrement Numeric tag - fii
DIP switch, Host controlled settings <STX> Vn
Dot Buffer Clear <STX> N
Dot Size Height and width Dwh
Double buffer mode enable <STX> d
Dump module B in Motorola format <STX>j
Edge sensor enable <STX> e
Feed rate <STX> Sa
Feedback Characters Enable <STX> a
Field data line terminator Tnn
File Delete from module <STX>xmfname
Firmware Version Request <STX> v
Font descriptor <ESC>)snnnW
Form feed <STX> F
Form Stop Position, head print line relative <STX>Kfnnnn
Form stop position, present distance <STX> fnnn
Format 32K SRAM Module <STX> Xm
Format attribute An

195
Function Command
Graphic Image Remove <STX> Rx
Graphics Image Download <STX> Iabfnamecr
Heat setting Hnn
Inches <STX>n
Increment Alphanumeric tag >fii
Increment Numeric tag +fii
Internal Batch <STX> N
Internal batch software mode <STX> g
Label format field replacement <STX> Unnstring
Label Formatting Start <STX> L
Label Length Maximum <STX> Mnnnn
Memory Dump <STX>Dbb[mm]aaaa
Memory dump <STX>xbbtsssseeee
Memory query <STX>KQ
Memory reset internal <STX>KR
Memory set configuration <STX>Kix[:jy][:kz] cr
Metric <STX> m
Metric m
Mirror M
Module Clear <STX> qm
Module Compress <STX>zm
Module Copy <STX> C
Module Directory Request <STX> Wa
Module Request status <STX> J
Module Set default (special dump mode) <STX> Xm
Module, FLASH memory Test <STX> w
Module, Memory Test <STX>STEST
Module, RAM memory Test <STX> t
Modules Clear all <STX> Q
None h
None l
None u
Offset distance, Top of Form distance <STX>Ksnn
Pause for each label <STX> J
Pause Toggle <SOH> B
Pause, Controlled <STX> p
Place data in global register G
Print last label format <STX> G
Print speed Pa
Print time and date <STX> Tstring
Printhead dot pattern test label <STX> T
Quantity labels printed <STX> Ennnn
Quantity of labels Qnnnn
Recall global data and place in field <STX> Sa
Recall stored label rname

196
Function Command
Reflective Sensor Select <STX> r
Replacement Field tag U
Reset <SOH> #
Resettable Counters reset <STX>Kr
Ribbon Saver <STX> Rx
Row offset amount Rnnnn
RS-232 port Test <STX> k
Scalable Font Download <STX>imtaabbb...bcrxxxxxxxxfff...f
Sensor Values Request <STX> Y
Single buffer mode <STX> s
Slew rate Sa
SOH shutdown <SOH> D
Start of print position (TOF) <STX>Onnnn
Status ASCII String Request <SOH> A
Status Byte Request <SOH> F
Store label in module & Terminate formatting smname
Symbol Set select <STX> ySaa
Symbol Set select ySaa
Terminate formatting - print label format E
Terminate label format, do not print label X
Time and Date Request <STX> B
Time and Date Set <STX>AwMMddyearhhmmjjj
Wait mode W
Zero (Ø) conversion to "0" Z
Zero (Ø) conversion to "0" z
Zip mode Z

197

198
Appendix O
Bar Code Symbology Information Sources

AIM International, Inc.
11860 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 101
Reston, VA 22091 USA
Tel: 703-391-7621 Fax: 703-391-7624
AIM JAPAN
Aios Gotanda Bldg. 6F
1-10-7 Higashigotanda
Shinagawa-ku Tokyo 141 Japan
Tel: 03-3440-9085 Fax: 03-3440-9086
AIM EUROPE
The Old Vicarage
Haley Hill, Halifax HX3 6DR
West Yorkshire, England
Tel: 44-1422-359161 Fax: 44-1422-3556904
AIM UK
The Old Vicarage
Haley Hill, Halifax HX3 6DR
United Kingdom
Tel: 44-1422-359161 Fax: 44-1422-355604

199
AIM USA
634 Alpha Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238-2802
Tel: 412-963-8588 Fax: 412-963-8753
American National Standards Institute

Tel: 212-642-4900
Automotive Industry Action Group

26200 Lahser Road
Suite 200
Southfield, MI 48034
Tel: 313-358-3570 Fax: 313-358-3253
Computing Technology Industry Association

450 E. 22 Street Suite 230
Lombard, IL 60148-6158
Tel: 630 268-1818 Fax: 630 278-1384
Health Industry Business Communications Council

PO Box 53528
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Tel 602-318-1091
International Article Numbering Association (EAN)

Rue Royal 29
B-1000 Bruxelles
Belgium
Tel: 32-22-187674 Fax: 32-22-187585
Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC)

8163 Old Yankee Rd. Suite J
Dayton OH 45458
Tel: 513-435-3870 Fax: 513-435-4749
U.S. Government Printing Office

Tel: 202-783-3238

200

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Programmers Manual

Navigating the Manual

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Asia-Pacific Datamax International

Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and

© 1998 by Datamax Corporation

Part Number: 88-2051-01

Special Label-Formatting Commands.......................................86

This manual explains in detail the Datamax Programming Language

Notes: This manual refers to IBM-PC based keyboard command

Immediate Commands: Interrupts the printer to perform a

System-Level Commands: Are performed in the sequence that

Label-Formatting Commands: Are used to control the position of

Font-Loading Commands: Are used to download font data in

ASCII Decimal HEX

Table 1-1 Control Codes

Note: The attention getters (e.g., “SOH”) are standard ASCII

Control Character Standard Main Frame

When the printer receives an immediate command it will stop whatever

Command Printer Command Function

SOH A Send ASCII Status String

Byte Character Y/N Condition

Table 2-2 ASCII Status

This command will illuminate the pause/stop light, suspend printing,

The SOH B Command is sent to the printer.

SOH E Send Batch Quantity

Bit Value Condition

Table 2-3 Status Byte

Note: One is the least significant bit (LSB).

Command Command Function

Notes: * When this value is set to 000, the Julian date is

Event Printer's Response

STX B Get Printer Time and Date Information

Sample: 1020319960855034 <CR>

Note: See <STX>A for restrictions.

Where: nnnn = 4 digits, msec * 24, low/delay time

At this point the printer will

PIN Connected To J4 Pin out

1. The pause light should begin blinking after the command is

Copies from module B (lower slot) to module A (upper slot). Both

STX c Set Continuous Paper Length

Where: nnnn- Is inches/100 or millimeters/10 (see STX m),

Where: bb = System bank address

Prodigy Plus / Allegro / Allegro 2

Where: bb = System bank address

Note: The difference between the Prodigy Plus and the

STX d Set Printer to Double Buffer Mode

Note: This command is not available on the Prodigy.

DMX 600, DMX 800, Prodigy Max, PE42, PE43, Titan

Where: nnnn - A four-digit quantity, including leading zeros.

STX e Select Edge Sensor

Notes: This command will override the LCD display or switch

STX f Set Form Stop Position (Backfeed

Where: nnn- Is a three-digit distance from the sensor in inches

* The above sample sets a stop position distance of 230, which

Note: This command is not available on the Prodigy.

STX g Internal Batch Software Mode