Microcom 438 - Manual (Page 75)

Printer Commands Chapter 5
5-28 438 Operator’s Manual - 880052-0100
3. The printer will report back the image size back to the Host as an
indication that the printer is ready to receive the image.
Example: size[CR][LF]
4. The host then sends the converted image to the printer.
This image print protocol has a 5 second inter-character timer that starts as
soon as the printer sends back the size of the image. If the 5 second times
out, the download will fail. The printer will report >FAIL TIMEOUT<, the status
light will turn RED, and the printer will not respond to any commands until
receiving the Image mode clear command.
Image Mode Clear command:
ETBYKFNR
or in hex
45 54 42 59 4b 46 4e 52
The protocol will also fail if the image data is larger than the value entered
after the ^D149 command. The printer will report >FAIL SIZE<, the status light
will turn RED, and the printer will not respond to any commands until receiving
the image mode clear command.
The graphic needs to be downloaded each time it is to be printed as reprints
are not available in the D149 Image print mode. However, the format needs to
be downloaded only once. The label will print based on the last format that
was sent to the printer.
5.4.3 Contrast Adjustment Commands
These commands are used to adjust the darkness of the label print. Print quality will vary
not only with different label stocks, sometimes even in different batches of the same label
stock. It is highly recommended that contrast adjustments be maintained at minimum
settings to achieve desired print quality. Higher contrast settings will reduce the life of the
print head.
5.4.3.1
Adjust Contrast Window (Volatile - ^D35)
This command is useful for adjusting contrast for specific label formats where different label
media is used on a single printer. The command can be entered into specific label formats
rather than affecting print contrast on all label formats.
^A ^D COMMAND
XX 35 Adjust Contrast Window: This is a volatile command used to adjust the
contrast window. The range is 1 to 9 of the base (^D36).
5.4.3.2
Adjust Contrast Base (Non-volatile - ^D36)
This command is used to adjust overall contrast on all formats.
XX 36 Adjust Contrast Base: This non-volatile command is used to skew the entire
contrast window (^D35). Contrast settings above 150 reduce the overall life of
the printer. This command has a ^A range of 10 to 200%.