Communicating with the Printer

Setting the Communication Parameters

When using the printer’s serial port to transfer data, you will need to make sure that the printer and the computer have identical communication parameter settings. To initialize the communication parameters for the printer: Press and hold the Feed button until the Error LED flashes once, then twice, then three times. Release the button. The baud rate for the printer will be reset to 9600 baud, 8 bits per charac- ter, no parity, and 1 stop bit using software handshaking (XON/ XOFF). Then set the communication parameters on your computer to match this. Some computer programs use different settings than the default modes (for example, computers operating in MS-DOS use hardware handshaking instead of XON/XOFF). To use different settings than the defaults and save these settings permanently, refer to your label preparation software user’s manual.

IR Communications

Printers equipped with the IR (infrared) option can establish wireless communications between the printer and an IR equipped host terminal using the industry standard IrDA communications protocol. IR units can also communicate with a cable as detailed above, how- ever, IR functions are disabled when the cable is plugged in.

IrDA compliant terminals will automatically initiate communications to the printer. First insure that there is a direct line of sight between the printer and the terminal that will be sending data. The IR window on the front of the printer must face the corresponding window on the terminal and the distance between the communicating units should not exceed 39” (1 m) to properly send and receive signals (see Figure 21). An IrDA compliant terminal will seek out any linkable devices and establish communications with them.

Setting Up the Software

In order to create labels, you must decide whether you will use ZPL

IIor a commercial label preparation system. To use ZPL II, refer to the ZPL II Programming Guide. If you choose to use a label preparation system, follow the installation instructions included in the package.

Adjusting the Print Width

Print width must be calibrated when you are using the printer for the first time and whenever there is a change in the width of the media you are using. Print width can be set via the software (consult your label preparation software user’s manual) or refer to “Feed Button Modes” in “Troubleshooting”.

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PA/PT400 & PA/PT 403 User’s Guide