LabelVision
Classic: Technical Notes
This note describes the following features:
- The Form Edge Offset
is an unprintable area at the bottom of each label. By default,
the Fargo series of printers will not print on the bottom 1/8"
of the label. Through escape sequences, you can reduce this unprintable
region.
- Backfeed, which
pulls the label back into the printer mechanism after the label
is printed. Usually, you will enable backfeed to position the
label over the tear-off bar or over the optional label cutter.
- The Label Cutter
is an optional mechanism that connects to the front of your printer,
and allows you to use continuous, uncut stock.
Changing Escape Sequences
Each of these features will require you to enter escape sequences
in the LabelVision Designer. These escape sequences are entered
using the Print | Select Printer command, and typing
the data into the Special Escape Codes box.
Before printing with any of these changes, you must edit the
Printer Setup for your printer in the print program, and check the
One Way Communication option.
These escape codes must be entered for the first label that will
be printed on your printer. Since the Fargo and DATAMAX printers
cannot store these settings in memory, any settings you change will
not apply the first time you print a label on the printer. However,
once a label with the proper escape codes has been printed, then
all subsequent labels will use those settings.
If you are printing only one label on your printer, you should
set the escape codes for that label. If you print more than one
label on the printer, you should set the codes in a blank label
(perhaps called RESET.LAB) that you print once each time the printer's
power is turned on. The sole purpose of this label is to send the
escape codes to the printer.
Setting the Form Edge Offset
Decreasing the Form Edge Offset will move the entire printed label
closer to the bottom edge of the label stock. Changing the Form
Edge Offset changes only how the print appears on the label; not
the position of the label at the tear-off bar. To change the Form
Edge Offset, use the following escape codes:
\002Onnnn\010
Note that this escape sequence is a backslash, followed by two
zeros, followed by a two, followed by a capital letter "O",
etc.
In the above escape code, nnnn is the new form edge offset,
and must be exactly four digits long. On the Fargo Prodigy and Fargo
Prodigy Plus printers, the default value for nnnn is 0110, on the
Fargo Allegro and DATAMAX printers, the default value for nnnn is
0220. You should start with about 10 less that the default. For
example, on the Fargo Prodigy Plus, you might enter:
\002O0100\010
After making your escape code changes, be sure to test them by
printing multiple copies of the same label.
Setting a Backfeed
Setting a backfeed advances the label after it is printed, and
pulls it back into the printer once printing begins again. This
is used to position the label over the tear-off bar or cutter.
To set the backfeed to position at the tear-off bar on the Prodigy
and Prodigy Plus printers, use the following escape code:
\002f138\010
To set the backfeed to position at the tear-off bar on the Fargo
Allegro and DATAMAX printers, use the following escape code:
\002f252\010
If you are also changing the Form Edge Offset with the commands
described in the prior section, you should note that the number
following the "f" in the above boxes (138 or 252) must
be greater than the nnnn value you entered for the Form Edge
Offset.
If you are printing with a ribbon, using a backfeed could leave
deposits on your label.
After making your escape code changes, be sure to test them by
printing multiple copies of the same label.
Using a Cutter
To enable the Cutter on a Fargo or DATAMAX printer, you must first
install the cutter and turn on printer DIP switch 8 (enable cutter).
Next, enter the following escape codes (to enter additional lines
in the Special Escape Codes box press the CTRL+ENTER
keys at the end of any line):
\002L\010caa\010
\002fbbb\010
Where aa are two digits that indicate the number of labels
that will be printed before cutting, and bbb are three digits
that indicate the backfeed amount (see topic entitled "Setting
a Backfeed" above). On the Fargo Allegro and DATAMAX printers,
bbb should be 295. On the Fargo Prodigy printers, you should
experiment with different values of bbb to produce a properly
aligned cut.
For example, to cut after every other label on a DATAMAX DMX 400
printer, use the following escape codes:
\002L\010c02\010
\002f295\010