Printronix ThermaLine Series manual Dark Printing, Incremental Data Fields, Thermal Printers

Incremental Data Fields

The incremental data fields feature allows alphanumeric (and bar code) data fields to automatically update numerically or alphabetically with just one set of data sent from the host computer. A maximum of 65,535 forms can print with incremental fields automatically updated.

Alphanumeric incremental fields can be used with fixed (static) data input as part of the Create Form mode or with dynamic data supplied in the Execute Form mode. Incremental data fields cannot be used with Overlay data.

Dark Printing

A DARK parameter, available in the Alpha, Reverse, and Bar Code commands, is a double±strike feature which produces bolder, darker text, denser black backgrounds for reverse print, and extra±dark, more readable bar codes. The application of the dark feature differs between line-matrix and thermal printers, as described in the following paragraphs.

Thermal Printers

Reverse and Bar Code commands automatically print in the DARK mode in thermal printers; therefore, a DARK parameter in the command line is ignored. However, a DARK parameter used with alphanumeric text in the ALPHA command will print using a bold font. In any event, print speed is not reduced when using the DARK parameter with thermal printers.

Line-Matrix Printers

The extra darkness provided by the DARK parameter improves the Print Contrast Ratio (PCR) and effectively extends the life of the ribbon. For bar codes, the PCR describes the difference in light reflection between the bars and spaces as a measurement of light/dark contrast in order to judge when a printed bar code will not be dark enough to be read with accuracy by a scanner.

The extra dots used to produce the darker bar code do not change the overall width of the wide bars. Figure 4±2 illustrates how the DARK parameter adds two extra dot columns to wide bar code bars without increasing bar width.

4±10 Commands