Programming ESC/P (Epson FX800)

[swensont]

A Google search found an online version of the FX800+ User Guide. This did not list any of the ESC/P information, but it did mention that there was a Reference Manual on the CD-ROM that came with the printer. Do you have that? I tried a Google Search on the Reference Manual and no joy.

Now a search of ESC/P came up with a Wikipedia article which linked to an online manual:
http://support.epson.ru/upload/library_ ... /esc-p.pdf
The earlier linked reference is from 1997. This one is from 2004. I'd suggest giving this one a short. Between the two you should get most of what you need.

[Cristian]

Thank you very much for the updated manual Swensont
To avoid possible misunderstanding, I have to specify that the "(fx800)" in the subject refers to the type of command set accepted by my printer, not to the printer model itself (Brother HL-5240).
From a first reading of my printer technical manual, it seems some ESC codes are not accepted from Basic... I'll do a deeper study of the manual in order to be 100% sure

[RWAP]

Ah if the printer is a non-Epson model, it will only offer some Epson emulation and possibly not all ESC/P codes. My printed manual is a variant on the online version (mine is possibly older)....

[dilwyn]

It looks like the Brother HL 5240 is a laser printer with HP LaserJet PCL6 (Hewlett Packard code set). You can get manuals at http://support.brother.com/g/b/manualto ... hl5240_all

It looks like it has Epson FX850 emulation and IBM ProPrinter XL emulation.

A summary of FX850 codes can be found at https://files.support.epson.com/pdf/fx850p/fx850ppg.pdf

It looks as though this printer has an "automatic emulation" - is it possible that the codes sent are being interpreted as an emulation other than intended. Does the manual list a way of "forcing" it to a given emulation, for example? It's possible that it resets each time it detects a new emulation session. Also, being a laser printer, it might not actually print anything until printing reaches bottom of page or a form feed occurs.

Bear in mind that the Epson emulation is Esc/P not Esc/P2 (ESC/P stands for Epson Standard Code for Printers).

I have no experience of using this printer, so a lot of the above is guesswork based on looking up on the web, I hope at least something in there helps.

[Cristian]

Does the manual list a way of "forcing" it to a given emulation, for example?

Yes, I've already switched the printer to te Epson mode only

Bear in mind that the Epson emulation is Esc/P not Esc/P2 .

So should I "discard" any Esc/P2 manual?

I hope at least something in there helps.

Surely your suggestions are always helpful.
By the way, many compliments for your astonishing website and your wonderful softwares!

[dilwyn]

Bear in mind that the Epson emulation is Esc/P not Esc/P2 .

So should I "discard" any Esc/P2 manual?

I hope at least something in there helps.

Surely your suggestions are always helpful.
By the way, many compliments for your astonishing website and your wonderful softwares!

Esc/P2 - no don't throw it away, but be aware there may be SOME Esc/P2 codes which your printer might not understand. Probably the only way to know is to use a manual specific for that level of emulation.

Thank you for the compliments about my website

[Cristian]

So I found the EpsonFX850 commands list for my printer (see links here below). But the typeface section only is marked "PCL".
So this is the proof that there is no way to change typeface via Superbasic, am I right?

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/397 ... ce-PCL.gif
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3974809/FX850.gif

[dilwyn]

So I found the EpsonFX850 commands list for my printer (see links here below). But the typeface section only is marked "PCL".
So this is the proof that there is no way to change typeface via Superbasic, am I right?

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/397 ... ce-PCL.gif
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3974809/FX850.gif

Looking at an Epson (LQ 510) manual, it looks like fonts are selected with the ESK k n command sequence (27,107,n where n is the number of the font, usually a number from 0 to about 15).

From your list, it does indeed look like this command is not supported, I'm afraid.

[Cristian]

From your list, it does indeed look like this command is not supported, I'm afraid.

I agree. Fortunately this is not a real problem for me.
Thank you for your attention and helpful replies