Managing Printer Configuration with ZPL Programming

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P1052685-001 GC420d™ User Guide 5/23/2012
Managing Printer Configuration with ZPL Programming
The printer is designed to allow you to change printer settings dynamically for fast first label
out printing. Printer parameters that are persistent, will be retained for following formats to
use. Those settings will remain in effect until they are changed by subsequent commands, the
printer is reset, power is cycled, or when you restore a parameter that has a factory default by
using the Feed Button Mode four (4) flash routine. The ZPL Configuration Update command
(^JU) saves and restores printer configurations to initialize (or re-initialize) the printer with
pre-configured settings.
• To keep settings after a power cycle or printer reset, a ^JUS can be sent to the printer
to save all current persistent settings.
• The values are recalled with a ^JUR command to restore the last saved values to you
printer.
ZPL stores all parameters at once with a single command discussed above. The legacy EPL
programming language (supported by this printer) changes and saves individual commands
immediately. Most configuration and settings are shared between ZPL and EPL. For example,
changing the speed setting with EPL will also change the speed set for ZPL operations. The
changed EPL setting will persist even after a power cycle or reset issued by either printer
language.
To assist the developer, the printer has a listing of the operating parameters, a Printer
Configuration Label. It can be accessed by using the printer’s Feed button and the Printing a
Test (Printer Configuration) Label onpage 15. The Zebra Setup Utility and the
ZebraDesigner™ Windows driver also print this label and other printer status labels to help
you manage your printer.

ZPL Printer Configuration Format

Managing more than one printer can be done creating a printer configuration programming file
to send to one or more printers or ZebraNet™ Bridge can be used to clone a printer’s setup.
Figure 1 below shows the basic structure of a ZPL programming configuration file.
See the ZPL programmer’s guide and the ZPL Configuration Status to Command Cross-
referenc e on page 83 to create a programming file. The Zebra Setup Utility (ZSU) can be used
to send programming files to the printer. Windows Notepad (text editor) can be used to create
programing files.
Figure 1 • Configuration Parameter Format Structure