PCL Font Support Document

This document describes how to print PCL (HP's Printer Command Language) fonts to a PCL compatible printer. PCL fonts can be used on any operating system that can send files to a PCL compatible printer in binary mode. In MS DOS, this is performed by using the COPY command with the /B switch. More information about PCL issues may also be obtained in IDAutomation's PCL Support & Tutorial document.

VERTICAL INDEX

When using PCL fonts, an adjustment to the vertical motion index (a number of 1/48" inch increments between rows; default value is 8) may be necessary to close gaps between rows. To set the vertical motion index, issue the command before printing with the PDF417 font. The code for the vertical motion index command is escape "<Ec>" + "&" + lowercase L "l" + Number Index + Capital "C". The number may be adjusted as necessary.

PCL font point size (N=3)	Vertical motion index command to use
12	<Ec> &7.8C
10	<Ec> &l6.5C
8	<Ec> &l5.2C
6	<Ec> &l3.9C

FONT NAMING

All IDAutomation PCL fonts are 300 DPI. The syntax for naming the PCL fonts is as follows:
Font Type (IDA2D) + point size (02 - 20) + .SFP"

PCL FONT PRINTING EXAMPLE

The example provided below is only one method of printing with PCL fonts. We provide this example for you to test the PCL fonts and ensure they are compatible with your printer. Your application will need to perform similar commands to copy the escape sequences and fonts to the printer as a single string of data. We cannot perform consulting services to help you with the implementation in your application because it is beyond what is documented at IDAutomation's PCL Support & Tutorial and the scope of our support policy.

In the example below, <Esc> represents the escape character. To create the <Esc> command in DOS Edit, hold down the CTRL key and press the letter "P", then release both keys and then press the ESC character.

The following commands will download a font to the PCL printer and assign it an ID number of 70:

<Esc>*c70D tells the printer it will receive a soft font and to assign it an ID of 70 (provided in file c70D.txt)
Copy the font file to the printer
<Esc>*c5F tells the printer to make this a permanent font (provided in file c5F.txt)
<Esc>(70X selects the font (provided in file data.txt)
<Esc>&l0H prints the page (provided in file data.txt)

To test these commands from a Windows command prompt, run the ??.BAT file provided.

More Information:

PCL defines a standard set of commands that enable programs to communicate with PCL or PCL compatible printers. If you need further information about PCL commands, you may want to obtain the Technical Reference Manual set, part number 5021-0377. Order the manual set from HP's Support Materials Organization.