Using the Command Summary

The commands listed in the Command Summary consist of various combinations of ASCII codes. You can use either the ASCII characters or their decimal or hexadecimal equivalents. For example, the command to turn on subscript is ESC S1 in ASCII characters. The decimal format for this command is 27 83 01, and the hexadecimal format is 1B 53 01.

In the Command Summary, commands are grouped by the printer functions they control, such as character width and print enhancement. You can also look up commands in the list of software commands in numerical order that immediately precedes the Command Summary in your printer manual. This list gives you page number references for all the commands.

Some commands include a variable, such as the letter n. For example, the command for selecting or cancelling double-high mode is ESC w n. When n = 1, double-high printing is turned on, and when n= 0, double-high is turned off. In your Command Summary variables are printed in italics to distinguish them from ASCII characters.

Sending commands from your software program

How you format commands depends on the software program you are using. Some software programs accept only the decimal format, while others have certain punctuation you must use. Some programs don’t let you insert codes at all.

If your software does allow you to send commands to the printer, use the Command Summary to find the command you want to send. Your software manual should explain exactly what format and punctuation are required.