Instruction manual

Overview of Bitmapped Images
A printed image is formed through a series of dots. Each square on the grid below represents a
dot on the printhead. The graphic image is created by blackening dots in a specific pattern.
You can print varying shades of gray according to the concentration of dots on the image. When
the dots are printed together, the end result is a graphic image.
Determining a Method
You can use one of two methods to map out your graphic image:
Hex Method The dot sequences are segmented into binary numbers and then converted
to hex numbers.
A graphic using gray-scaling, several slanted lines, or several vertical lines
typically translates more efficiently with hex representation.
Run Length
Encoding Method
The dot sequences are segmented into black and white strings within a row.
The total count of each white string is converted to a lower-case letter,
corresponding to numeric value. The total count of each black string is
converted to an uppercase letter, corresponding to numeric value. This
method can reduce imaging time for graphics that contain repetitive rows of
dots. A graphic with horizontal lines or very few white-to-black borders
typically translates more efficiently with run length encoding.
The most efficient encoding method depends on how complicated your graphic image is and
whether or not imaging time is a concern. You may want to experiment with both encoding
methods to get optimal performance.
Designing Bitmapped Images
Once you determine the encoding method to use, you can begin mapping out your graphic
image.
Note: The image that you map must be an upside down mirror image of the final result.
5-2 CREATING GRAPHICS