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This document describes how to print PCL (HP's Printer Command Language) fonts to a PCL compatible printer. PCL fonts can be used on any operating system that can send files to a PCL compatible printer in binary mode. In MS DOS, this is performed by using the COPY command with the /B switch.
DEMO NOTICE: The demo version of this font is only provided in the XS and L sizes and contains a watermark. If you purchase a license to the font, you will receive all of the PCL font sizes according to the chart below.
The syntax for naming the PCL fonts is as follows: Font Type (UNI) + height (see chart below) + point size (8, 12, 16, 20 or 24) + .SFP". All Universal PCL fonts are 300 DPI.
Font height | Font height @12 points* | Notes |
XXS | .10" or .254 CM | |
XS | .20" or .508 CM | Includes Postnet at normal intensity |
S | .35" or .889 CM | Includes Postnet narrow by 10% |
M | .50" or 1.27 CM | Includes Postnet narrow by 20% |
L | .60" or 1.46 CM | |
XL | .75" or 1.90 CM | |
XXL | 1" or 2.54 CM |
The example provided below is only one method of printing with PCL fonts. We provide this example for you to test the PCL fonts and ensure they are compatible with your printer. Your application will need to perform similar commands to copy the escape sequences and fonts to the printer as a single string of data. We cannot perform consulting services to help you with the implementation in your application because it is beyond the scope of our support policy.
In the example below, <Esc> represents the escape character. To create the <Esc> command in DOS Edit, hold down the CTRL key and press the letter "P", then release both keys and then press the ESC character.
The following commands will download a font to the PCL printer and assign it an ID number of 70:
To test these commands from a Windows command prompt, run the TEST.BAT file provided. The TEST.BAT file assumes you have a PCL printer attached to the LPT1 port. View the files c70D.txt, c5F.txt and data.txt with a standard text editor to view the commands in the files.
You may type the copy commands manually from the prompt, for example:
copy /B c70D.txt +UNIS12.SFP +c5F.txt +data.txt LPT1
The files may also be copied to a printer on a network, for example:
copy /B c70D.txt +UNIS12.SFP +c5F.txt +data.txt \\server1\printer1
More Information:
PCL defines a standard set of commands that enable programs to communicate with PCL or PCL compatible printers. If you need further information about PCL commands, you may want to obtain the Technical Reference Manual set, part number 5021-0377. Order the manual set from HP's Support Materials Organization.
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