Operator`s manual

CHAPTER 4: DESIGNING LABELS USING LDS

Label Design Software (LDS) refers to the software resident in the printer used to decipher label

formats sent by the host computer. All fonts, character sets and barcodes symbologies are resident

in the printer.

A label format is produced by a series of 5 steps:

1: Control commands to define printer operation

2: A header to define label height, width, print speed, etc..

3: Field data to define placement of text, barcode, graphic or line

4: Actual text data to place in the above text or barcode fields

5: Control commands to initiate printing

4.1 CONTROL CHARACTERS

Throughout this manual there are references to control characters. In order to print them in this

manual, they have been written using standard characters and icons. Escape characters are

represented by <ESC> and a carriage return is represented by the 5 symbol. It is important to note

that all printer functions, unless otherwise noted, must be followed with a carriage return5.

4.2 GETTING STARTED

There are many different machines that can send information to the 465 printer: For example -

main frames, mini-computers, special purpose computers and PC's. However, if you are using the

printer for the first time, the easiest way to start is with a PC and a terminal emulation software

program. This will allow two-way, serial communication with the printer. You will be able to quickly

upload files and access label-sizing and other features that will help considerably in formatting your

first labels.

4.2.1 PC CONNECTION (SERIAL)

Items required:

- A computer with at least one unused serial communications port. (COM1,COM2...)

- A serial interface cable. (See section 3.2 for cable information)

- A terminal emulation program. (Procomm, Telix, Windows terminal...)

Note: This communications test assumes that you have a standard serial 465 printer.

Set the communication parameters in the PC terminal software program to 9600 baud, no parity, 8

data bits and 1 stop bit. Unless modified by the user, this is the printers' communication

configuration out of the box. Depress ^C (ASCII or control code) on the PC keyboard. If the printer

prints a label, proper PC to printer communications have been confirmed. Depress ^E to verify

printer to PC communication. You will receive a text response from the printer.