lwrogers
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Need help getting a Zebra QL420 PLUS printer working on Redhat 5.2
We have purchased several Zebra QL420 PLUS (wireless) hip printers to print barcode labels from an application that runs on our Redhat 5.2 server. We've tried setting up the printer using the Zebra driver that comes with Cups v1.2 and as a "raw" printer. As a raw printer the all we get is a form feed when we attempt to print to it. No text at all. As a "Zebra" printer we get control codes with the embedded text. I guess I need any pointers on how to fix this. Is there a way to create a ZPLII file that can be piped directly to the printer? I'd like to isolate that the application is or is not the problem.
ASKER
Based on my test the printer is setup correctly on the Linux side. When we print to the printer from our application we are getting a form feed with no text. If we send a CPCL file to the printer it prints the label correctly. If we send a ZPL file to the printer all I get is a form feed. We know that the application is creating a ZPL label. We found some instructions on how set the command language on the printer to ZPL by sending a text file via Label Vista. In the text file is the following command
! U1 setvar "device.languages" "ZPL"
However this does not seem to fix the problem. What was not specified is what this text file should be named.
! U1 setvar "device.languages" "ZPL"
However this does not seem to fix the problem. What was not specified is what this text file should be named.
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Glad to hear you fixed it, and posted the answer for others who may have the same problem.
You can get your points refunded by clicking the Request Attention link
Regards,
tfewster
You can get your points refunded by clicking the Request Attention link
Regards,
tfewster
ASKER
Solved
ASKER
Fixed it myself
- If you're driving it "raw", you need to include all the Zebra setup codes. The format is unique, but straightforward and covered in their programming guide. I managed to get an Access database running on Windows 95 to send "reports" to the printer embedding the codes for what I wanted. It was only 2 barcodes & the corresponding clear-text, so nothing fancy.
- If you're using supplied drivers (never tried that!), that should take care of the setup but I'm not sure about the content - barcode-type selection, fontsize & positioning etc. Something has to tell the printer "change font for the next bit of data" - the Zebra probably supports a number of standard graphics file formats.
Your current plan, to create a test file that can be sent to the printer using `lp` is a good first step to prove the printer is working, either "raw" or using the drivers. The ZPL II programmers Guide has some simple examples that would do.
Next, you can intercept what the app is sending to the printer (print to a file instead), then use that file as the basis for testing, by adding the Zebra codes if needed.
Finally, you need to get the app to embed the codes in the output. If you can't change the app, you'll have to sent it through a custom lp filter that converts the control codes the app inserts into Zebra codes