LLM User Guide
LLM User Guide
Version 11.0
User's Guide
2016.February. All rights reserved. Version 11.0
Loftware, LLM, Loftware Label Design, Loftware Print Server, LPS, Loftware Connector, Global Marking Solutions, I-Push, and I-Pull are all registered
trademarks of Loftware, Inc. Loftware WebAccess, LWA, and Loftware Web Services are trademarks of Loftware, Inc. SAP is a registered trademark of SAP
AG in Germany and in several other countries. Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. All other marks are the property of
their respective owners.
Loftware Documentation 9
Contact Loftware 10
Technical Support 11
Licensing, Warranty, and Support 12
License Information and Registration 12
System Requirements 16
Opening Programs in Different Window Environments 17
Connecting Devices 19
Designing Labels 68
References 552
ASCII Code 39 Reference Table 552
Code 128 Character Sets 553
Wedge Reader Conversion Chart 555
IBM ASCII Chart 556
IBM ASCII Chart (Extended) 557
Language Properties Wizard Flowchart 559
Loftware Label Manager is a suite of software applications for designing and printing barcode
labels.Loftware's stand-alone printing modules, On-Demand and Range Print, can be used with
Loftware Label Manager for non-automated/low-volume barcode label printing.New printer drivers are
continually being added; please contact [email protected] for availability of new drivers for printers
and RFID devices.
The Loftware Label Manager applications are included with all licensing models of the Loftware Print
Server. The LPS includes the tools necessary for high volume / automated printing.
Loftware Documentation
Loftware Label Manager
The Loftware Label Manager Users Guide describes label creation and printing using Loftware Label
Manager, including:
l Label design
l Barcodes
l Device Connections
l RFID Field Encoding, and Smart Label Printing
l On-Demand Printing
l Templates and Wizards
l Double-byte Character Sets
Note: You must purchase and license the Loftware Print Server separately from the Loftware Label Manager.
Loftware.com
Visit www.loftware.com for the latest revisions of the Loftware Print Server and Loftware Label Manager
user guides. Also, visit the Loftware Knowledge Base at www.loftware.com/help for additional information
and tips on a variety of subjects.
Contact Loftware
Loftware, Inc.
249 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth NH 03801
U.S.A.
Professional Services
For consultation, implementation services, training or product optimization please contact Loftware's
Professional Services Group.
Technical Support
For installation and configuration questions, please contact Loftware's Technical Support department.
Visit www.loftware.com for Loftware's technical support policies.
Customer Service
For licensing, product information, and ordering questions, please contact Loftware's Customer Service
department. Please have your Serial Number and Registration information available, so we can provide
service to you quickly and efficiently.
Technical Support
Software licenses purchased directly from Loftware include the first year of Technical Support. This
initial 12-month support period starts on the day the product is shipped and invoiced from Loftwares
factory. When needed, support recipients during this period are eligible to receive unlimited telephone
support, access to software upgrades and enhancements and speak with our Systems Analysts.
During the one-year Support Contract period, Contract Subscribers have access to the following services:
1. Your product is registered. If you have not registered your software, you may do so at
http://loftware.com or via fax by using the form included with your software.
2. There is a Support Contract in place that covers the specific license in question.
3. You have checked the users guide(s) for your answer. If you do not have the Users Guides, both
of the guides can be downloaded in PDF format from our web site or read on-line. User manuals
are also on the Loftware CD.
4. You have checked the Loftwares Knowledge Base articles on our http://loftware.com. Hundreds of
frequently asked questions and typical problems are documented there in easy to read articles.
5. If you suspect that your problem is hardware related, try to first determine if it is a problem with
your computer, Network, or printer and contact the appropriate company. Loftware does not sell
or service any hardware products.
6. Have your serial number and version number of the product you are using ready. These numbers
can be obtained by accessing the Help|About menu of the label design mode.
7. Think about how you are going to efficiently explain the problem prior to speaking with a
technician. The better the description, the quicker the solution and/or resolution to your problem.
8. If this is a follow up call to a previous incident, please have the incident number ready.
Fax 603-766-3635
E-mail [email protected]
l Hardware key A US key that has a fixed license. Loftware recommends only using hardware
keys when software keys are not an option.
placeholder for options that are not turned on. The following table explains settings that may be found in
a license string.
EN - M: Multi-Threaded
- S: Remote Status
- N: Notification Agent
- R: Remote Notification
SW-LLM-291872455
System Requirements
Consider these requirements the minimum to run the Loftware Label Manager. Medium and high-
volume systems may require more or faster processors and higher available RAM and disk space in
order to achieve desired performance and throughput. LLM will perform best when not limited by
available RAM, disk space, or processor speed.
Component Requirement
Computer Processor
2.0 GHz Dual Core
Speed
Operating System Note: Mobile devices running Windows 10 are not supported.
For example, to open Design 32, the navigation and opening step was described as follows:
1. Open Loftware Label Manager (Start | All Programs |Loftware Labeling | Design 32).
Windows 10 offers a much more flexible user interface that you can customize. You can access programs
by using the Start | All Apps listing of applications as one option.
Or you can use the Search option or place the Loftware applications on your customized Desktop for
easy access, or even address the application from a hand held tablet.
So, to avoid confusion, the procedures in this guide, will only refer to opening an application. For
example, to open Design 32 in a procedure, step 1 will state:
We assume you are familiar with how to access your applications on the specific Windows operating
system you are running. When necessary, for log files or special files that need editing and are not
applications, we will continue to describe their folder location.
l Port
l Windows Sockets (TCP/IP)
l Print Manager/Spooling
l Web User
These sections describe each of these connection types and the considerations when using each of
them.Your connection configuration depends on:
This connection is mainly used for stand-alone printing with Loftware Label Manager and with On-
Demand Print. With this type of connection, the print engine maintains a communication session with
the printer via a serial, parallel or USB port. If this is the connection your setup dictates, proceed to the
Device Configuration section of this section.
Note: If you want to connect more than 2 printers, use Connection Type 2 or 3.
TCP/IP is the recommended method for network printing if your printer is TCP/IP Addressable. It is a
very fast method for sending a print job directly to a printer via an IP Address/Raw Port
Address.Typically, a printer is connected to a print server device that may have one or more serial,
parallel, or USB ports. The Print Server has an IP Address assigned to it, and each port on the device has
a Raw Port Address. Both addresses are required to configure the printer in Loftware Label Manager.
Note: Some printers have built-in Network Interface Cards (NIC) that eliminate the need for print servers. In this
case, the TCP/IP address can be specified without a raw port.
When this option is used, Loftware Label Manager queues print jobs to multiple printers via the
Windows Print Manager instead of sending them directly to the printer. The print engine is occupied
with the job only for as long as it takes to pass it to Print Manager, which is substantially faster than
sending it to the printer via a serial, parallel, or USB connection. As soon as the job has been passed, the
Operating System takes over the task of sending the job to the printer.
The Generic/Text Only printer driver is used as a pass-through driver. This means that the native printer
language generated by Loftware is sent to the printer without modification. To implement Print Manager
Spooling, install the Generic Text only driver, and then, in the LLM Device Configuration dialog box,
choose the name of the driver that you installed.
In certain circumstances, it may be useful to use Print Manager/Spooling if the printer is connected
directly to a local port or to a print server device on the network.
Example
You are printing through a USB port using the On-Demand Print Application and your label has large or
complex graphics. Print Manager/Spooling returns user control to the application much faster than printing
directly to the COM/LPT port.
Example 2
Another program under Windows takes control of the COM Port, preventing Loftware from accessing it directly.
Using Print Manager/Spooling with a generic text driver resolves this.
When this option is used, the printer connected to the client PC receives print jobs from the Loftware
Print Server via an Internet Connection using the Web Client, Web Listener, or the ActiveX Internet
Application.
Note: For more specific information on the Loftware Web Listener, refer to the Loftware Print Server User
Guide.
Note: Any printer driver that's name does not begin with "Loftware" may be a third-party Windows driver.
Always use Loftware drivers when available. Use third-party drivers only when Loftware does not offer a native
driver for that printer. All Windows printers, for example LaserJets, use third-party drivers.
Device Configuration
Configuring your device(s) before creating your label allows you to be ready to print to it when you have
completed your media setup.
When you design a label or tag, you pick the target device for which you want to design the label or tag.
Loftware Label Manager uses the selected printer information to make the correct fonts, symbologies, and
properties of the printer available. You can design a label or tag for any device, whether you have
configured the device or not. However, before you can print labels or write to tags, you must configure
the device. The following sections outline several ways to configure devices.You may wish to
experiment with several of the methods to see which method works best in your situation.
Note: The number of devices you can configure depends on the product that you have purchased. The
Loftware Label Manager supports up to 4 printer queues; the Loftware Print Server may be upgraded to an
unlimited number of Device queues.
The following characters are not allowed when choosing an Alias name.
, ! * ; < >
An _ (underscore) may be used anywhere but at the start of the name.
Duplicate Alias names are not allowed. Spaces are ignored when determining duplication. For example, Zebra
123 and Zebra123 are considered the same Alias.
5. Click Options to set up label and other options for this device. For printers, this is only necessary
if you are using a cutter or stock type other than the default for example.
6. Set the Device options (if necessary), click OK and Next. Step 2 of the Configuration Wizard is
displayed.
Related Information
For information on configuring RFID Devices, refer to the RFID section of this guide.
Available Ports
Port Description
Port connections that utilize serial (COM), parallel (LPT), or USB (Universal
Serial Bus) ports generally involve a communication session between
Loftware Label Manager and the printer. The session ends when the entire
Local Port print job has been sent to the printer. Local connections work well for
stand-alone computers with the printers connected directly to the
computer. They are not appropriate for network printing. If a COM port is
chosen, the Configuration Wizard displays Step 3.
Enter an IP address and a Port. This is the preferred method for Loftware
TCP/IP Print Server systems. Your printer must be connected to an IP addressable
Print Server or have an internal Network Interface (NIC) card.
When this Port is chosen, Manage Users is shown and an LPS User can be
configured or chosen.
Web User
Note: For more specific information on the Loftware Web Listener,
refer to the Loftware Print Server User Guide.
Choose a defined printer from the drop down list. Any printer that exists in
your Printer Control Panel or Printer folder is listed. Any generic drivers that
Windows Spooler
have been added are also listed. The Windows Print Manager is utilized for
queuing requests.
Related Information
For a discussion on the purpose, benefits and drawbacks of each choice, refer to the Device Connection Types
section of this guide.
For more information, read the Thin Client Modules section in the Loftware Print Server Users Guide.
l Baud Rate
l Data bits
l Parity
l Stop bits
Flow Control
Select one of the following options.
Option Description
This setting is the most common type of software flow control. The printer
sends an XOFF character when it cannot receive any more data and an XON
Xon/Xoff (default)
character when it is ready for more data. Minimum Null Modem cable is
required.
Clear to Send / Ready to Send hardware flow control. The printer and
computer use special pins in the serial cable to control the flow of data. If you
Hardware CTS/RTS
choose CTS/RTS flow control, you must have a Full Null modem cable that
supports the necessary pins.
Data Set Ready / Data Terminal Ready hardware flow control. The printer and
computer use special pins in the serial cable to control the flow of data. If you
Hardware DSR/DTR
choose DSR/DTR flow control, you must have a Full Null modem cable that
supports the necessary pins.
Loftware Label Manager sends the data out the port and the printer cannot
None
stop the flow of data.
l Select File | Devices menu or press F6.Alternatively, select File | Test Print from the menu and
the Devices button from the Test Print dialog box.
The LLM Device Configuration window is displayed.If there are no configured devices, the Device
Configuration Wizard opens automatically.You can use the Wizard, or click Cancel and continue
configuring devices in the grid.
Note: If you have previously configured devices in Loftware, your configured devices are populated in the
grid.Otherwise, the grid is blank.
Edit Menu
The Edit menu is located in the left corner of the configuration grid window.
Status When enabled, this allows you to get information on the state of the device.
If a device (printer) has been selected (highlighted), this option allows you to
delete the device from the grid.A message (M1346) is displayed before the
device is deleted, making sure that you want to delete this device. When you
Delete (a device) select YES, the printer is deleted.
You also have the option of highlighting one or more devices on the grid and
then hitting the Delete key on your keyboard. The same message displays,
allowing you to confirm or cancel your delete action.
Restore Grid Defaults This restores the default width and placement of the columns.
Column Description
The name of a Loftware supported device. These are listed by manufacturer, for
example, SATO, Zebra, Imtec.
Family
Note: A Family must be chosen before any of the other columns can be
defined.
Column Description
Port The Connection Type used by the device, such as an IP address, USB, or COM 3.
An alternative name given the device, such as Shipping Printer or Warehouse 20.
This setting is optional.
An alias allows you to give a device a more descriptive name than the
default.When you assign an alias:
n You may use *DeviceName instead of *DeviceNumber when using the file
interface of the Loftware Print Server (LPS).
n The LPS Status view uses the alias instead of the default name.
Error messages use the alias.
Alias n Notifications from the Notification Agent use the alias.
The following characters are not allowed when choosing an Alias name.
, ! * ; < >
An _ (underscore) may be used anywhere but at the start of the name.
Duplicate Alias names are not allowed. Spaces are ignored when
determining duplication. For example, Zebra 123 and Zebra123 are
considered the same Alias.
The attributes of the selected device are displayed once the device is configured.
The column holds 5 values separated by commas.
n 8 - Timeout in seconds
n 300 - Jobwait in seconds
n Y- Shared Network Printing (Y=Yes or N=No.)
n N- Force Extended Mode (Y=Yes or N=No)
Attributes
n N- Disable Status Checking
n Right-click the row containing the device you wish to change, click
Connection.
n Click in the Port column, then click the browse button (...).
n Click Connection at the bottom of LLM Device Configuration Grid.
Text that can help identify a printer's type, location, model number, or purpose.
Identifies the "Print Group" of this printer. A Print Group allows printers to be
Group managed more efficiently across a site or across an entire global enterprise. Refer
to "Managing LPS Print Groups" on page 63 for more information.
Right-Click Menu
Right clicking a device row opens the right-click menu with the following options:
n Reassign allows you to change the device number, by either swapping it with another device number or
overwriting an existing device.
n Connection opens Device Connections.
n Options opens Device Options. For a printer, label stock, forms control, and advanced options can be set.
See the Device Options section
Related Information
For more information on printing over the Internet, see the Internet Printing section of the Loftware Print Server
User Guide.
For more information on these settings, refer to the Advanced Settings section in this guide.
For more information on configuring RFID devices, refer to the RFID section of this guide.
2. Click the down arrow to display a drop-down list of Device Families.Choose from the list.
3. Select a device model from the Model column. At this point, the Options and the Connection
buttons become active.If you attempt to choose a Model without first identifying the Family, a
message is displayed.
4. Click in the Port column, and then click the browse button (...).Alternatively, click Connection.
This displays the configuration dialog for the selected device.
5. Type an optional device alias in the Alias column.
The following characters are not allowed when choosing an Alias name.
, ! * ; < >
An _ (underscore) may be used anywhere but at the start of the name.
Duplicate Alias names are not allowed. Spaces are ignored when determining duplication. For example, Zebra
123 and Zebra123 are considered the same Alias.
6. Type an optional description in the Description column. Descriptions have the same rules as
Alias'.
7. Select an optional Group (Print Group) for this printer. Refer to "Managing LPS Print Groups" on
page 63 for more information on this feature.
8. Click OK when you are finished updating device information.The Attributes for the device are
displayed in the last column of the grid the next time it is opened. Add as many devices as you
are licensed for in this manner, or highlight any one of them and change the device options.
Related Information
For information on limiting the Device Families list, refer to the Device Families section of this guide.
Enter an IP address and a Port. This is the preferred method for Loftware Print Server systems. Your
TCP/IP device must be connected to an IP addressable Print Server or have an internal Network Interface
(NIC) card.
When this Port is chosen, the browse button (...) becomes active, and an LPS User is chosen.
Web User Note: For more specific information on the Loftware Web Listener, refer to the Loftware Print
Server User Guide.
Print Choose a defined printer from the drop down list. Any printer that exists in your Printer Control Panel
Manager, or Printer folder is listed. Any Generic Drivers that have been added are in this list as well. The
Spooling Windows Print Manager is utilized for queuing requests.
Note: USB is not displayed as an option in the Port list unless a USB printer is connected to the computer, the
printer is powered on, and its USB Drivers are installed.Upon USB Port selection, the selected printer is queried
for its device path and the syntax displayed may be something like USB002: DeviceName/Type, USB002:
Unknown, or USB002: ??, depending on the printer information the manufacturer included in the device
hardware.
Setting Description
This is the amount of time the program waits for a device to respond to input while printing/writing
Timeout natively. Timeout using a TCP/IP connection defaults to 8 seconds. Larger values give the device
more time to catch up. Larger values also increase the delay before a device error is reported.
This is the amount of time the program waits for a device to respond to input when it is running a
Job Wait
batch of labels (in Extended Mode).
Disable
Checking this option disables status checking of the device. This checkbox has no effect on devices
Status
that do not support status checking.
Checking
Force Checking this option forces the data for each label to be sent to the device individually. This occurs
Extended when the device cannot create the data, such as in alphanumeric incrementing, so the data is
Mode created and sent by the subsystem (Loftware).
Asynchrono This check box becomes available by selecting LPT as the Port and then pressing F2. When enabled,
us (LPT) the print job is immediately cancelled if the printer is in an error state.
Log files are stored in the Loftware Labeling Logs folder which varies by operating system. Select Start |
Loftware Labeling | System Folders | Logs to open the Logs folder.
The LPS Subsystem log files use a prefix BP_ plus the printer number.
For example
A log file for printer number 3, from October 1, 2011 at 9:00 AM will be named BP_003_20111029_09.log.
For more information on the logging features of the Loftware Print Server, see the Logging section of the
Loftware Printer Server User Guide.
Setting Description
Select to turn on LPS Subsystem Logging for this printer. The Log Level field
Enable
becomes available.
Setting Description
Select the amount of detail that you want in error messages.
n DEBUG
Log Level n INFO
n WARNING
n ERROR
Unassigned devices are in the Unassigned range that is the gray-shaded section of the grid. Only devices
in the Assigned Range are visible in the device drop down lists in Design and On Demand Print.
If you only have 12 device seats, for example, the grid rows are shaded blue and white for the first 20
devices. The rest of the numbered device rows (12 and up) are shaded gray. The gray-shaded rows may
be filled with configured devices, but they are considered unassigned - not available for printing.
You may also consider using the reassign feature in the following situations:
Figure 3.7: Assigned and Unassigned Area of LLM Device Configuration Grid
For example
If you have 8 print seats, and your # 8 printer usually uses Continuous stock but occasionally uses Die Cut
stock, you can configure this same printer twice - as Device 8 and Device 9. Set the Device Option under
Stock Type to Continuous for Device 8 and Die Cut for Device 9.When you need to use the printer with the
Die Cut stock, right-click the row for Device 9, click Reassign, and swap Device 8 (Continuous Stock) with the
Device 9 (Die-Cut Stock).
Reassign a Device
Use this procedure to move a device from one row to another.
1. Right click on the device that you want to reassign, and select Reassign. The Reassign Device
Number window opens.
2. Enter the number of the row where you want to move the selected device in the To field.
3. Select Swap or Replace.
l Swap - Switch the device number of the selected device with the number entered in the To
field.
l Replace - Replace the device entered in the To field with the selected device.
4. Click OK.
In order to use an RFID printer, you must have an RFID Printer License. You may view your license
from the Help|About screen in Label Design Mode. License settings are described in the License
Information and Registration section of the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation
Guide.The following list shows the pertinent settings for using the Loftware RFID Solution.
RL- LPS[10/5/2] [2] [1] [1] P{MSNRCBODX}2358847639
Version: 9.0.2.0
Serial Number: RL- LPS[10/5/2] [2] [1] [1] P{MSNRCBODX}2358847639
Printer Seats: 10
RFID Printers: 5
RFID Enabled: Yes
l LPS Premier Plus RFID is required to print RFID smart labels.RFID Enabled will indicate Yes if
RFID functionality is available.
l To print smart labels, there must be at least 1 RFID Printer licensed seat.You may use an RFID
Printer license to drive a non-RFID Printer, but not vice versa.
Example 1
With this license, when you configure one RFID printer, the total number of devices left available to configure
would be 9, a maximum 4 could be RFID printers.
Example 2
With this license, when you configure 2 RFID Printers, then the total number of devices left available would be
8, a maximum 3 of which could be RFID printers and the remaining 5 seats can only be used for non-RFID
printers.
l Please contact Loftware's Customer Service department at (603)-766-3630 to purchase the RFID
module or additional RFID device seats.
If you have a valid license but do not have the RFID module
Any number of RFID devices can be configured up to the number of available device seats (non-gray
area in the configuration grid). They will be shown in red instead of black, which indicates that you
cannot print/write to these devices. Attempting to print or write to an RFID label or tag in this case will
result in an error message. This scenario with LPS will result in the job being routed to Critical Failure
which can be viewed from the Status Client. Non-RFID jobs in the LPS will still function normally.
Note: To use your RFID printer as a normal barcode printer, choose the model that does not have RFID in its
name model designation. In this case, the printer will work just like any other printer without the RFID
capability.
You can use the Family Driver to design labels and drive printers that use one of the supported printer
languages even if that printer is not listed among the Loftware supported printers. For example, you may
have a new Intermec printer that has not yet been added to Loftware's supported printers. You can select
IPL as the model and successfully drive your new printer.
Using a Family Driver to drive different models from the same printer family may allow you to reduce the
number of labels and label templates that you use. For example, a single label configured with the ZPLII
Family Driver could be used with any model of Zebra printer that uses the ZPLII Printer Language.
You may have printers from different manufacturers that all speak a common printer language. If you
configure each with the same printer family driver, you may be able to reduce label redundancy and
increase consistency among labels.
Note: Family drivers, provided by printer manufacturers, provide the most recent font metrics and this may
result in slight font property changes if the labels were designed using earlier drivers. Normally, there is no
change in the desired output.
Supported Languages
The following Printer Family Drivers can be used. See the Supported Printers and Drivers topic for a list of
the family drivers available per manufacturer.
You can use the ZPL II Family Driver to design labels and drive printers that use the ZPL II Printer
Language even if that printer is not listed among the Loftware supported printers.
ZPLII - For printers that use the Zebra Programming Langauge II (ZPL II)
EPL2 - For printers that use Zebra's EPL2 or Intermec's ESIM printer language
Direct Protocol - For printers that use Intermec Fingerprint or Direct Protocol language
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
See Loftware Device Configuration Wizard for more information on using the Device Wizard to configure
printers.
Figure 3.8: Example Family Driver Selection using Device Configuration Wizard
See Configuring Devices from the Grid for more information on using the device configuration grid to create
or modify printers.
1. Select File | Devices, or press F6. The LLM Device Configuration grid opens.
2. With a Family selected, select the appropriate family printer driver from the Model field.
See Creating a New Label for more information on using the New Media Wizard to create a label.
Figure 3.9: Example Family Driver Selection using New Media Wizard
See Label Setup and Properties for more information on using the Media Setup tabs to modify a label.
Figure 3.10: Example Family Driver Selection using Label Setup and Properties
Note: If you are working in an environment with multiple LPS installations and versions, be aware that sharing
LLM / LPS version 9.5 or later Windows printer configuration files with a pre-9.5 version will wipe out any
Windows printer configuration settings made in Version 9.5. Windows printer settings made in 9.5 or later are
not supported in pre-9.5 versions.Refer to Sharing Windows Printer Configuration Across LPS Versions in the
Upgrade and Import section of the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation Guide for a best-
practice solution.
Loftware Label Manager can print to all of your computer printers. This includes standard Windows
printers such as LaserJet, dot matrix, and bubble jets. It also includes third-party Windows drivers
purchased for barcode label applications.
Note: Choose 300 or 600 dpi for LaserJet resolution.Higher values affect download times; lower values
adversely affect label quality.Barcodes do not require higher resolution.
Fonts
Some Windows Drivers map TrueType fonts that are sent to them as native printer fonts. If this
happens, printing is much faster, but the font style may not exactly match the font displayed in Loftware
Label Manager Label Design.
A scenario in which this causes problems is as follows: If a variety of print jobs are being sent directly to
an Intermec printer on LPT 1, the Loftware Label Manager is sending these jobs faster than the printer is
able to print, and the printer gets into a busy state.If a Windows printer such as a LaserJet is also
configured to print to that same LPT port, Windows redirects the jobs to the spooler of the LaserJet
printer.This results in lost print jobs, as the printer never receives the redirected data.
Devices can be configured with the Loftware Print Server running.This allows you to use the LPS on a
24/7 basis - you can configure devices while continuing to print labels.The LPS monitors device
changes, and when a change is detected, the device list is updated and notification is sent to the
connected On-Demand Print Clients, the Status Clients, and the Notification Agents.There are no
messages displayed, but the list of devices is updated on-the-fly.
Note: A slight delay of processing may occur during the configuration update process; this is normal as the
print engine is updating its settings accordingly.
For example
An ODP Client attempting to print to the deleted device would receive a message that states No device
configured.
Also, when the list of devices is updated because of a configuration change, if more than one device of
the same make and model device exists, the default is to the first device in the list that matches the
loaded label.
For example
Zebra 170XiIII printers are configured as Device #s 1, 5 and 7.The client user is printing to Device 5, and the
device configuration is changed.The default device then becomes Device 1.This may create a problem for a
user who is attempting to print and does not notice that the device list has changed.The label that was
previously printing without any problems is then not able to print.This is another case where a Device Alias can
be very helpful, as the client user will more likely notice a change in the alias of the device, as opposed to just a
number.
Device Options
In addition to device model and connection information, a configured device also contains setup
information or Printer Specific Options (PSOs) / Device Specific Options (DSOs) and Label Specific
Options (LSOs).
These settings apply to all media printed or written to this configured device.
Note: The options you see in the dialog box depend on the selected device in the LLM Device
Configuration window.
Related Information
See the Printers and Labels section of this guide for information about printer-specific and label-specific options
for your device.
Related Information
For more information on media setup, refer to the Designing Labels section of this guide.
For descriptions of options specific to each device family, refer to the Printers and Labels section of this guide.
For more information on Symbol Sets, refer to the International Printing section in this guide.
For more information on the custom command, refer to the Printers and Labels section of this guide.
Related Information
For more information on network printing, refer to the Network Printing section of this guide.
Device Status
This section provides information about how devices respond with status information when the various
types of connections are used. Understanding the different types of device status messages under various
connection scenarios is the key to being able to print your labels successfully. You are encouraged to read
the following information carefully.
Query Status Requests with Serial Printers are a two-way communication query between Loftware Label
Manager and any printer that supports status sending. Checking the status determines if Loftware Label
Manager is communicating correctly with the printer, whether or not the printer is on-line or in an error
state, and other hardware information such as firmware version and available memory.
To check device status, select File | Device Status or press F7.A Device Status dialog box is displayed.
l Click Status. Loftware Label Manager sends a status request to the device and, if successful,
returns a message box.
If the device is in an error state, an error code is displayed in the message box.
Related Information
Refer to your device manual for information on error messages.
Serial
A serial connection is one that has been configured in Loftware Label Manager using a COM Port. This
is a two-way communication between the computer and the device providing more detail than other
types of connections.For example, if your printer is out of stock, you may get a specific error message:
A Recoverable Device Error means that, when the error is corrected, the print job continues. This is true
for USB as well as Parallel printing.
Drawbacks
Parallel
Stand-alone parallel printing involves a connection from a computers parallel port (LPT) to a Centronix
(parallel) port on the printer. Most new printers have a parallel port; many older or less expensive
printers may not. If the printer is in an error state, a message is displayed after an attempt to print the
label. With this type of connection, it may take from 1 second to 5 minutes to display the message
depending on the type of error. When no power is supplied to the printer, the error message is displayed
instantaneously.
In other cases, such as the printer being in a pause or stock/ribbon-fault mode, error messages may not
be received until the printers memory buffer is full. The amount of time this takes depends on the size of
your label and how many requests were made. When the fault condition is corrected, the labels print (as
long as the printer has not been shut off).
Drawbacks
Note: Loftware does not recommend using parallel or USB ports with the Loftware Print Server.
Spooling
Print Spooling uses the Windows Print Manager to queue requests to the device. In stand-alone printing
to a spooler, if the device is in an error state, an error message is displayed after an attempt to print the
label. When using a Generic Text Driver for example, if an error occurs, Windows displays information
about the status of the device. Many times, if the problem with the device is corrected and you click
Retry, the label prints (assuming there are no other errors).
Benefits of Spooling
Drawbacks
USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a protocol used for connecting computer peripherals to a computer. USB
provides an expandable, hot-pluggable Plug and Play serial interface that ensures a standard, low-cost
connection for peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice, joysticks, printers, scanners, storage devices,
modems, and video conferencing cameras. Migration to USB is recommended for all peripheral devices
that use legacy ports such as the PS/2, serial, and parallel ports. Up to 127 USB devices can be
connected to one computer. A main feature of the USB standard is that it allows many computer
peripherals to be easily swapped for another without having to turn off the computer. However, this is
not recommended for configured Windows or Loftware USB printers because the printers are configured
for the given Port assignment when the printer is connected to the USB Port. USB 1.1 currently supports
a data transfer rate of 12 megabits per second.
This high speed gives USB quite an edge over standard serial and parallel connections. USB 2.0
supports even higher data transfer rates of up to 480 megabits per second for connection to high-
performance peripherals.
Benefits of USB
Drawbacks of USB
l Troubleshooting may be more difficult; behaviors under error conditions vary a great deal.
The USB 1.1 communication architecture connects a computer to a USB printer via a simple four-wire
cable.Many label printers are now available with USB port capability, and Loftware Applications now
have the ability to print to these printers through their USB port.
TCP/IP
An IP connection involves configuring the LPS to print directly to the IP address of the device. When an
IP address in stand-alone printing is used, error messages are displayed after an unsuccessful attempt to
print the label.
For example
If Loftware is connecting to a device that has an IP address but the device is not powered on, the connection
fails and an error message is displayed. In this scenario, when the device is powered back up, the label does
not print; it has to be resent to the device and is then printed. The Loftware Print Server recovers and prints the
label in this case. In another scenario where the device is powered up but is in pause (stock/ribbon fault) mode,
an error message is not created until the devices memory is full, and then the error message is displayed.When
the fault condition is corrected, the labels that are in the devices memory are printed, as long as the device was
not shut off.
Note: TCP/IP is the preferred connection for the Loftware Print Server.
Drawback
l Device requires a network TCP/IP address that involves extra setup.See your network
administrator for more information on this.
Related Information
If you are driving the devices from your application using the Loftware Print Server, one way to get
acknowledgement that your print request is successful is to use the TCP/IP interface to the LPS that is described
in The Loftware Print Server section of the Loftware Print Server Users Guide.
As you are reading this section, you may need to refer back to the section on device connections for more
information on serial, parallel USB, spooling, and TCP/IP connections.
Requirements
Force Extended Mode and Disable Status Checking are selected when you enable Detailed Status. These
settings are required for the Loftware Print Server to retrieve detailed status.
Detailed status is only supported on printers with internal Network Interface Cards (NICs). External
print servers such as a the Zebra ZebraNet PrintServer II are not supported.
4. Click Enabled, and select the Status Types and Behaviors to check.
5. Click OK to save the configuration, click OK again to save the connection settings.
Status Description
Check the state of a printer before sending a print job - single label or many labels
Pre-Job Status
in a pass, csv, or xml file.
Pre-Label Status Check the state of the printer before a label is sent.
Post-Job Status Check the state of the printer after the print job is complete.
Set per status. Select to discontinue printing if there is a problem with the printer.
Fail Job on Errors Note: If you select Fail Job on Errors and you have enabled device
notifications for only Device Errors on the Notification's Dialog, you will
NOT receive notifications.
Behavior Section
Behavior Description
Select Wait on Errors to have the system wait and retry a job until a printer error
is fixed. For example, if a printer's head was lifted you would have the chance to
Wait On Errors fix the problem before the error was reported. This may be useful in an on-
demand situation where an operator could easily see that there is a problem with
the printer.
Select Diagnostic Flag Mask if you set a printer to Diagnostics mode and you
Diagnostic need to print to it for testing. This will allow the Detailed Status check to ignore
FlagMask the Diagnostic Flag Mask entirely if the printer reports this.
Note: This option is only for printers that report the Diagnostic Flag mask.
Select Cutter Error Mask to ignore any cutter errors reported by printers that
Cutter Error Mask
report cutter errors.
Select Verify Label Length to compare the printer's reported label length with
Verify Label Length the label that is about to print. Enter the percentage of allowed difference
between the actual printer value and the expected value for the label.
Snapshot Retry Set the number of times to attempt to retrieve a valid status (success or critical
Count error) from the printer.
The Printer Error Retry setting allows you to configure the number of Milliseconds the Loftware Print
Server waits to retry sending a print job after an error.
Returns the Detailed Status Configuration window to its default state (disabled).
Requirements
Force Extended Mode and Disable Status Checking are selected when you enable Detailed Status. These
settings are required for the Loftware Print Server to retrieve detailed status.
Detailed status is only supported on printers with internal Network Interface Cards (NICs). External
print servers such as Intermec EasyLan are not supported.
4. Click Enabled, and select the Status Types and Behaviors to check.
5. Click OK to save the configuration, click OK again to save the connection settings.
Status Description
Check the state of a printer before sending a print job - single label or many labels in
Pre-Job Status
a pass, csv, or xml file.
Pre-Label Status Check the state of the printer before a label is sent.
Post-Job Status Check the state of the printer after the print job is complete.
Status Description
Set per status. Select to discontinue printing if there is a problem with the printer.
Fail Job on Note: If you select Fail Job on Errors and you have enabled device
Errors notifications for only Device Errors on the Notification's Dialog, you will
NOT receive notifications.
Behavior Section
Behavior Description
Select Wait on Errors to have the system wait and retry a job until a printer error is
fixed. For example, if a printer's head was lifted you would have the chance to fix the
Wait On Errors
problem before the error was reported. This may be useful in an on-demand situation
where an operator could easily see that there is a problem with the printer.
Select Diagnostic Flag Mask if you set a printer to Diagnostics mode and you need
Diagnostic to print to it for testing. This will allow the Detailed Status check to ignore the
FlagMask Diagnostic Flag Mask entirely if the printer reports this.
Note: This option is only for printers that report the Diagnostic Flag mask.
Cutter Error Select Cutter Error Mask to ignore any cutter errors reported by printers that report
Mask cutter errors.
Select Verify Label Length to compare the printer's reported label length with the
Verify Label
label that is about to print. Enter the percentage of allowed difference between the
Length
actual printer value and the expected value for the label.
Snapshot Retry Set the number of times to attempt to retrieve a valid status (success or critical error)
Count from the printer.
The Printer Error Retry setting allows you to configure the number of Milliseconds the Loftware Print
Server waits to retry sending a print job after an error.
Returns the Detailed Status Configuration window to its default state (disabled).
Loftware is continually adding support for new devices (and device families).Changes in the device list
are automatically reflected anytime you install or upgrade Loftware Label Manager.
Select Options | Device Families from Loftware Design Mode menu to select device families to show or
hide.
Note: All device families begin with "Loftware" so as not to be confused with third party drivers of the same
name.
Related Information
For more information on Loftwares supported devices, refer to the Printers and Labels section of this guide.
Test Printing
In label design mode:
Choose which of the assigned printers you want to print from in the Test Print dialog box.
l Click Label Options displays the label specific options dialog box for this label.
l Click Devices to open the LLM Device Configuration dialog that lets you configure devices and
set up device specific options.
Related Information
For more information on error and warning messages, refer to the Test Printing Labels section, and the device-
specific error eessages in the Printers and Labels section.
Fields on your label are merged to the new printer type. Fonts and barcodes convert to the nearest field
correlation on the new printer type. If the two printers are very dissimilar, or if the printer resolutions are
different, you have to make some minor adjustments to the label format.
Related Information
For more information on error and warning messages, refer to the Designing Labels section of this guide.
Network Printing
It used to be that Loftware users connected their thermal transfer barcode printers directly to their
computers through a serial, parallel or USB port. Today, connecting the printers directly to the network is
more the norm. There are several benefits to connecting the printers directly to the network:
l Devices do not rely on computers and are therefore more likely to be online.
The figure above shows a typical printer network setup with printers connected to the network backbone
using print servers. Print Servers typically resolve network data directed to a particular IP address into
Serial, Parallel or USB output.Printers can also be connected as shared devices by attaching them to
computers on the network. One problem with this technique is that the computer must be turned on in
order to access the printer.
The discussions below describe how you can configure Loftware to drive printers that are attached to
your network in various ways. The preferred method depends on whether you are running the Loftware
Print Server or the Loftware Print Server Premier Edition.
Note: The printer is only available as long as the computer it is connected to is turned on and connected to the
network.
A print server is a device that is connected as a node on the network and has one or more serial, USB
and/or parallel ports. Some print servers also have buffer memory, which allows them to queue print
data if it is being received faster than the printer is able to handle.Using a print server allows the setup
of numerous network printers that are not dependent upon any computers resources.Print servers
essentially give the printer an IP address that can be accessed by Loftware Label Manager via Print
Manager/Spooling or Windows Sockets.
Related Information
For more information on sharing printers, refer to Sharing a Local Printer in this guide.
Note: Consult your Network Administrator before adding or removing any device on your Network.
l The setup program installs the appropriate drivers onto your computer.
l A configuration utility allows you to search your network for print servers, and assign each of
them a unique IP Address and Name as well as other various settings.
l If you are going to use the Print Server with Print Manager/Spooling, when adding your Generic
Text printer, choose either Local Printer or My Computer. When you are prompted to choose a
port, you should see a choice that corresponds to the Print Server driver that you previously
installed.
l If you are going to use the Print Server with Windows Sockets (WOSA), Loftware Label Manager
requires two pieces of information: the IP Address and the Raw Port Address. In the Device
Connection dialog box, type in the IP Address of your print server and the Raw Port address of
the actual port on the print server where the printer is connected. The table below illustrates two
examples of Raw Port Addresses for two different manufacturers network print servers:
Port 1 9100
Port 2 9101
Port 3 9102
Port 4 9103
Intel (3 port)
Port 1 3101
Port 2 3102
Port 3 2501
Note: The Raw Port address can be obtained from your Print Server documentation or manufacturer.
Warning! Each Loftware Label Manager installation on the network that will be connected to a shared printer
must enable the Shared Network Printing option. If it is not enabled, unpredictable results and possible loss
of label formats and images may occur.
Related Information
If you want to print to a printer that is installed elsewhere on the network, refer to Network Printing in this guide.
Note: If a dialog box appears explaining that a driver is already installed for this printer, choose the Keep
existing driver option. Click Next.
For example
Rename it using the Device Manufacturer and Model Number. Do not use LPT1, COM1, or USB as your name.
Choose No when asked to use this printer as the default printer.
7. If you wish to share the printer, select Share Name and type in a name.Click Next.
8. Optionally describe the location of the printer and add comments in the next dialog.Click Next.
9. Choose No when asked to print a test page. Click Finish.
10. At this point, you may be required to insert the CD-ROM with the appropriate driver(s) on it or
point to the drive or directory where the driver(s) is located. Complete the instructions in the
dialog boxes.
11. If you chose a COM port, you should also complete the next steps, as you may need to configure
the communication settings for the port.
a. In the Printers folder, select the printer that you have just added.
b. Select File | Properties, verify that the correct port is selected.
c. Click the Ports tab. Click Configure Port.
d. Verify that the settings for baud rate, parity, stop bits, and flow control match the printers
settings.
e. After making any necessary changes, click OK. Click Close.
Note: The printer is actually shared by the operating system, not Loftware Label Manager.
l Each printer may be set for a specific label type (For example, dimension and specialty stock) and
allow multiple personnel to print a range of print jobs without the need to change the media (label
stock) or ribbon.
l Eliminate specialty equipment: Communication boards (multi-port parallel, USB and serial), print
servers, and connectivity modules by connecting the printers locally to workstations then sharing
them.
l Fewer printers: Multiple personnel can print to the same printer by spooling jobs to a shared
printer.
Note: Printer sharing is available only to printers that are added locally.
The printer is now successfully shared. If desired, leave the Printer dialog box up to monitor files as
they are spooled to the printer.
The benefits of connecting to a network/shared device are the combination of Spooling and Sharing.
Note: Printer sharing is available only to printers that are added locally.
1. From Printers and Faxes, select Add Printer. The Add Printer Wizard appears, and click Next
from its Welcome screen.
2. Select the Network printer option. Click Next.
3. Specify the printer either by browsing for it or by entering its name.
4. Complete instructions in the dialog boxes.
Note: A Network Printer is a printer that is either connected to a server, to a workstation, to a network as a
node, or to a print server.
You may be required to insert the disk with the appropriate driver(s) on it or point to the drive or
directory where the driver(s) is located.
To better manage label printers across a local, campus, or a global network, you can assign printers to an
LPS "print group". Grouping LPS printers allows you to better manage your label print jobs, whether
dealing with volume, diverse printer types, or geographical distances. For example, you can assign all
printers in a single building, say "Building 24" to a group called "Print24", or all the printers in the
Chicago facility to a group called "ChicagoPrinters".
You can also use print groups to identify unique environments, where the printers may require specific
settings or drivers that differ from other printers across your enterprise. For example, you may decide to
have a "CabPrinters" group to differentiate those printers from the "ZebraPrinters" group.
You can assign printers to a group based on any number of logical factors that reflect your
organization's needs. For example, groups can be arranged by:
l Location
l Printer Type
l Label types or label volume
l Or any other logical grouping that helps you with printer management or label printing
1. From the File drop down menu, select Manage Groups... to display the LPS Groups dialog.
The first group in the dialog is the Loftware Default Group where all your printers are currently
assigned initially.
2. Click the Add button, and the cursor will jump to the Name field.
3. Enter a Name for the Printer Group (no spaces are allowed) and press Tab.
4. Enter a Description for the group.
5. Click the Apply button, and the new group should display in the Group Selection grid.
6. Click OK to close the dialog.
To edit, delete, or enable/disable an LPS group, follow the steps in the table.
Action Instructions
1. Highlight the print group in the Group Selection grid.
2. Edit the Name and/or Description of the print group.
Edit
3. Click the Apply button.
4. Click OK.
1. Highlight the print group in the Group Selection grid.
Delete 2. Click the Delete button.
3. Click OK.
Action Instructions
1. Highlight the print group in the Group Selection grid.
Enable/Disable 2. Click the Enable or Disable button.
3. Click OK.
Note: Clicking the Cancel button stops any editing in progress and closes the dialog.
1. Click on the Import button to display the Printer Configuration Consolidation dialog.
2. Navigate to the server directory where the LPS printer configuration files you want to import are
located.
(Default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\Loftware Labeling\LPSPrinters.)
3. Select the Print Group where these printers are to be assigned.
4. Click on the OK button to continue or Cancel to stop the import.
5. Close and then restart the Design32 to complete the import process.
Note: After importing printers, you must close and restart LLM/Design32 to ensure the new imported printers
and group assignments are properly configured.
In Loftware Label Manager, a label is a design area on the computer screen where a label format is
created or edited.
A label contains one or more fields. A field is a specific object within a label selected for editing.For
example, you can select and edit a barcode field, a text field, a graphics field, a line field, a box field, or a
paragraph field.
In Loftware Label Manager, you can add new fields to a label by using the Toolbox or Insert on the
menu bar. To change a fields properties (the appearance of a field) you must first select it by clicking on
it. When a field is selected, selection handles are displayed around the field and its properties/attributes
are displayed in the Properties box, as long as the Properties box is visible.
This section describes designing labels with Loftware Label Manager.At its core, label designing is the
process of adding fields to a label and setting the properties to match your label specifications.It covers:
l Using the Label Wizard in design view and changing the label options
l Creating a new label and understanding the Properties box
l Configuring label presentation and orientation
l Saving the newly created label to a label file
l Test printing the newly created label
l Viewing the On-Demand Print Form that corresponds to the label
l Completing a simple On-Demand print job for the new label
Figure 3.17: Freely mix Text, Barcodes, Boxes, Lines, Paragraphs, and Image fields on the label
The New Media Wizard guides you through the process of creating a label or an RFID Smart Label.It
provides the option of starting with a blank label or selecting from a list of industry-specific label
templates.
You will first choose the media type you want to create in the Select Media section of the wizard.
l New Label Allows you to create a blank label ready for design.
l New RFID Label Allows you to create an RFID Smart Label ready for design.
l Open an Existing Label - Allows you to open an existing Loftware document and edit the settings.
Note: Open an Existing Label is available the first time you use the New Media Wizard. By default the next
time you open Loftware Label Manager design, the label that you last used will be opened. You can change this
behavior in Options | Preferences | Design Options.
The next windows that appear depend on the type of media you had selected to create.
Note: If you select a printer that has not been configured, you will be reminded later when you select label
options from File | Media Setup.
9. Select a field list from the Field and Media Selection field.
Note: In the Field List Selection field, the default None is the only choice unless there are any LLMFIELD
[.lst] files in the main Loftware folder. LST files provide a means of constraining the field names on a label to a
pre-defined list. The LST file can also specify the maximum number of characters allowed for any of the fields. If
.lst files are available, these are listed in the drop-down list.
10. Enter the Width and Height of the label stock in the target printer.
Note: As you change the dimensions of the label, the changes are reflected in the Preview section.
A summary of your selections is displayed. If satisfied with your settings, click Finish. If you need to
make changes, click Back.
Related Information
For information on .lst files, refer to Customizing your Labels in this guide.
For information on print orientation, refer to On-Screen Label Presentation in this guide.
For information on family drivers, refer to About Printer Family Drivers in this guide.
1. Continuing from the Select Media section of the New Media Wizard, select New Label.Click
Next.
2. Select a Template Type. From the Template Type Selection dialog, select Compliance Template
Label.Click Next.
3. Select a Target Device. The Device Selection dialog prompts you to select the target device for the
new label.Select the printer Manufacturer and Model from the drop-down lists, and then click
Next.
Note: If you select a printer that has not been configured, you will be reminded later when you select label
options from File | Media Setup.
4. Select a Label Template. In the Select Template section, select the industry-specific label template
you want to use from the list.When a selection is made, a preview and a description of the
template are displayed. Click Next.
Figure 3.18: New Media Wizard dialog box with General Motors label template preview.
5. A summary of your selections is displayed.If satisfied with your settings, click Finish.If you need
to make changes, click Back.
Note: If you have not configured the target printer for this label, when you access Media Setup (F5), a
reminder is displayed.
Note: Since all Loftware Label Manager toolbars are dockable, their positions are given as the default relative
position when you start the program.
Menu Description
n Create, open, close, and save label files, smart labels, or industry-specific label
templates.
n Test-print labels.
n Import labels designed with LLM.
n Import hardware data streams (Intermec IPL, Monarch MPCL II and Zebra ZPL).
File
n Open the Device Wizard.
n Obtaining Device Status.
n Manage LPS users.
n Manage LPS Groups (Printer Groups)
n Set default properties for fields that will be added to the current label using.
n Undo an operation.
n Cut, copy, paste, or delete fields.
Edit
n Edit field attributes or field data sources.
n Rotate fields or rotate the entire label.
n Display or hide Loftware Label Manager on-screen components, for example, the
Properties box, the Toolbar or the Toolbox.
View n Switch views between Label Design and the On-Demand Print Form.
n Activate the grid display.
n Change zoom levels.
Menu Description
n Fixed text
n Text (variable input)
n Paragraph (variable input)
n Line (graphic element)
n Box (graphic element)
Insert
n Images
n Bar Code
n Text Box (variable text and sizing)
n Border
n When enabled, an RFID field.
Position Align, center, and evenly space two or more selected fields.
n Change the application Language.
n Preferences allow you to change default configurations within the Loftware Label
Manager system.
n Open the RFID Calculator.
n Audit Setup.
n You can select File Locations, Layouts, and Device Families.
Options
n Use Find Script to locate the field that contains a script.
n Select screen displays (such as Lock Tool, Align to Grid or Grid Settings)
n Set the Units of measurement.
n Set the Toolbox position.
n Launch programs from other certified Loftware integration partners.
n Use Sort Properties to set the display order of fields on the Properties box.
Window Arrange window displays when working on two or more label files at the same time.
Information regarding Loftware Label Manager operations and specific help on a topic.
Help The Loftware Label Manager version, serial number, license type and service pack number
are found under Help | About Loftware Label Manager.
Button/Control Description
Cut Cuts or deletes the selected field or fields from the label.
Switches views between the Label design screen and the On-
Switch Views
Demand Print Form.
Choose from one of the preset zoom levels. Custom zoom levels
Zoom Level
are added by using the View | Zoom menu command.
Fine-tune label formats quickly with Loftware Label Managers
horizontal and vertical rulers, which graphically display field
Rulers
movement and placement with complete accuracy.Click the ruler
intersection (Label) icon to display the Label Setup dialog box.
To identify a toolbar icon, position the mouse arrow on the icon without clicking and hold it for
approximately one second.A tool identifier is displayed. The toolbar display can be toggled on or off
with the View | Toolbar menu command.
Figure 3.20: Rulers graphically display field movement and placement of objects
Screen Odometer
The screen odometer is located at the bottom of the design screen to the right of the license key
information. The odometer pinpoints the precise location of the mouse pointer whenever you are
designing or editing a label. When the mouse is moved, the reading on the odometer changes. When a
field is moved by dragging it with the mouse, the odometer displays the position of the upper left corner
of the field.
The first number indicates the mouse's pointer position on the label's horizontal axis (reading from the
left); the second number reveals the arrow position on the vertical axis (reading from the top).
The odometer helps to place fields in precise locations on the label, an important consideration if
industry-specific labels are being produced. The Loftware Label Manager grid function can also help
align label elements for industry-specific labels.
The default reading for the screen odometer is in inches.The default may be changed to centimeters,
millimeters or screen pixels by selecting a unit of measure from the Options | Units menu.
Resize Indicator
The resize indicator box is displayed on the status bar.Whenever you resize a field, for example, a text
or barcode field, the box identifies the resizing parameters, usually height and width, as well as the
current measurements of the field.
As with the screen odometer, the default reading is in inches, but you are able to change to centimeters,
millimeters or screen pixels by selecting a unit of measure from the Options | Units menu.
Related Information
For information on the license string, refer to the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation Guide
section of this guide.
For more information on Label Setup, refer to the Label Setup and Properties section of this guide.
Tool Description
Aligns 2 or more selected fields with the field that is farthest to
Align Left the left on the label.
The Undo icon cancels the last action performed, if the file has
not been saved. The design application supports multiple levels
Undo
of Undo.
A positioning toolbar icon may be identified by placing the cursor over the icon, (without clicking the
icon) and holding it for about one second.A tool tip is displayed. Information about the icon is
displayed in the Status Bar on the lower left side as well.
The position toolbar display can be toggled on or off with the View | Position Bar menu command.
Tool Description
(Fixed Text) Add a text field that remains unchanged for all labels in a
Label given print run, for example, a return address label.
(Variable) Add a text field in which the text changes from label to label
Text during the print run, for example, a Customer Name field for an
address label.
Add variable text fields that are automatically split and justified at
Paragraph appropriate word breaks.
Note: To identify a Loftware Label Manager Toolbox icon, place the cursor over the icon (without clicking the
icon) and hold it for about one second. A Tool identifier is displayed in the status bar at the lower left side of
the window.
Language Options
Selection of the default language for Loftware applications (For example, Design, On-Demand, Range) is
made during the original installation.However, there may be cases where the default language of
Loftware applications needs to change with different users.
Example
The application language is set to English during installation. This has worked well for the person doing the
installation, User A, the next logged in user, User B, and the third logged in user, User C.However, Users D, E,
and F would like the language of the Loftware applications to be displayed in their native language, French. To
change this setting for User D and the subsequent users, E and F in this case, perform the following steps:
This changes the default application language for Users D, E, and F to French, but it does not affect Users
A, B, and C, whose application language remains English.This setting may be changed as often as
needed, but each previous logged in users settings are retained unless subsequently changed in the
Options | Language menu.
About Properties
Properties are characteristics that define the appearance and behavior of the fields on a label.Properties
that affect the appearance of fields include
l Font
l Point Size
l Barcode symbology
l Bar Height
l Input Prompt.
Properties, which affect the behavior of fields, include the data source (operator entry, database,
incrementing field) and the data entry rules (must fill, numeric only).
Loftware Label Manager makes it easy to design and edit properties with the use of the Properties box.
Field Names
The name of the selected field is always at the top of the Properties box. If multiple fields are selected for
editing, this space is blank. You can also select a field for editing by clicking the drop down arrow on the
right side of the field name window and choosing the name of the field you wish to edit.
l Names must start with a letter (Alpha). Subsequent characters can be alphanumeric. Non-alpha
first characters are converted to the letter A.
l Non-alphanumeric characters (including spaces) after the first character are converted to
underscores (_)
l A name can start with "$$" as long as the third character is an alpha.
l Names may contain dots (for example, customer.big); however, field names with dots cannot be
used in formulas. For more information, refer to the Data Sources section.
The following field names are reserved and will have the first character replaced with the letter A.
jobname mod212
The following field name prefixes are used to identify fields with special functions.
Note: There are other special function field names available to Loftware Technical Support and Loftware
Professional Services.
DMFixSize - Used with Datamatrix symbols and Zebra printers. See the Loftware Knowledge Base or
Loftware Technical Support for more information.
ptfield - Used for Pass Through fields. See Pass Through Fields in this guide for more information.
l Field name
l Field height and width
l Barcode symbology
l Font category
l Font size
l Viewing the properties of the selected field(s) in the Label Design area.
l Directly editing the properties of the selected field(s).
l Editing multiple fields simultaneously, even fields of different types (for example, a text field and
a barcode field).
l Editing is reflected instantly on your label.
l View the current values for all the properties of the selected field and common properties when
you select multiple fields.
l Edit the values of properties, one field at a time, or several fields simultaneously.
The Properties box is useful because you view changes on your label as you enter them in the Properties
box.For example, if you change the height of a barcode in the Properties box, Loftware Label Manager
adjusts the height of the barcode on your screen immediately after you press Enter or press Tab to move
to the next property.
When you use the Edit functions (on the Edit Toolbar) or Design Tools to change the location or
appearance of a field, the Properties box immediately displays the results of your changes.
Figure 3.25: Selected Variable Text Field and corresponding Properties box
The Properties box is printer aware. The entries in the Properties box and the values that can be entered
into those properties depend on the selected printer for the label.The Properties box reflects the
capability of the printer for which you have chosen to design a label.
Example
If your printer supports character rotation, the Character Rotate property is displayed in the Properties box.
If the printer does not support rotated characters, the property is not displayed in the Properties box.
The available sizes at which you can print barcodes match the resolution (dpi) of the selected printer.
Use the View | Properties menu command to display (or hide) the Properties box.
l The Properties box window is displayed wherever it was last positioned, even after exiting
Loftware Label Manager and returning for another session.
l To move the Properties box, click the window title bar and drag the box to the desired location.
l To re-size a Properties box, move the cursor along the frame of the Properties box until the resize
cursor is displayed, click and drag the edge in the direction indicated by the resize cursor.This
can bring properties that have been truncated into full view.
The field selection drop down changes the order fields are listed.
Figure 3.26: Left: Field list sorted by Name | Data Source | Type Right: Field list sorted by Data Source | Type |
Name
When you are working in a text field or a barcode field, a bold horizontal line is displayed roughly in the
middle of each Properties box. This line separates the independent properties from the dependent
properties.
The properties displayed above the first bold line describe independent data.These properties are
common among all text fields.Note that the last entry above the line is Font Category.
The properties displayed below the fourth bold line describe dependent data.These properties are
dependent solely upon the font style listed above the line and describe characteristics that are unique to
that particular font.When you select a different font, the dependent properties change automatically to
Figure 3.27: Examples of Independent and Dependent properties in a text field for Native or True Type fonts.
The properties displayed above the bold line are common among all barcode fields. Note that the last
entry above the line is Symbology.
The properties displayed below the line are dependent upon the barcode symbology that is selected from
the Symbology field.Dependent properties are unique to a particular symbology.When you select a
different symbology, the dependent properties change automatically to match the characteristics of the
new symbology.
Figure 3.28: Properties Box for a Barcode field with Dependent Properties Outlined
Note: The horizontal line is displayed only in Properties boxes for text fields and barcode fields. Lines, boxes
and images do not have dependent properties.
Non-Printing Fields
At times, you may want to create a field that does not print on the label, but is seen by a user in the On-
Demand-Print Form.
Example 1
You have certain label printing instructions that you want seen by the operator keying in the label information,
but this information is not printed out on the label.
Example 2
You have a key field that draws from a database, but does not need to be printed on the label.
Example 3
You are printing labels and want to switch the Input Prompt to be displayed in an international language to
assist the operator.
l You may select No from the Printing Field property in the Properties box.
l Fields created in the On-Demand Print Form Window are non-printing fields.
Related Information
For more information and examples of non-printing field use, refer to the On-Demand Printing section of this
guide.
Properties box with browse button, edit field, and drop-down field selected
Loftware Label Manager Design provides the Padding setting in the Properties box for adjusting the
location of the information in the text field on the label.
Setting Description
None Default option, whereby the characters begin on the left side of the field.
Zeros fill in all unused character spaces before the first character of the field.
Example
Leading zeros
The Max # Chars in the Ship_To_Name field equals 22, and the entry name for
this field is 6 characters long. With the Leading Zeros option chosen, there are 16
zeros printed before the 6 character company name.
Setting Description
The result is the same as outlined above, only instead of zeros, there are spaces before
Leading spaces
the name in the field.
The result is similar to the previous option, except that the spaces are inserted after the
Trailing spaces
name rather than before.
Center with spaces This option centers the text in the field.
When printed, this field is centered on the label; however, there are some finer points to keep in mind.
In the example, the maximum number of characters (Max # Chars) for this field is 22, and the Ship_To_
Name for this label has only six letters (ABCDEF).
Loftware Label Manager subtracts the number of characters in the field (6) from the Max # Chars, (22),
and divides the remainder (16) by 2 (8). Thus, in this case, the field is printed with 8 spaces, followed by
the Ship_To_Name (6 letters), followed by 8 more spaces. The Ship_To_Name is centered precisely in
the field. This works great if the result of the subtraction of the Max # Chars from the number of
characters in the field is an even number. However, if the result of the subtraction is an odd number,
then the division by 2 results in a remainder. Since Loftware Label Manager does not adjust text in half-
space increments, an odd number creates a centered field that is one space off. The next figure displays
the printed results of two labels with an odd and an even number of characters.
Note: The information in the field is not shown as centered when displayed in Print Preview; however, it does
print as specified.
More about Centering
The centering of text is dependent upon the type of font chosen, and the printer you are using. Some
fonts are Proportional, while others are Monospace.
Proportional Fonts A Proportional font is one in which each character is a different size. The spacing
is proportional to the character size. For example, five Ws take up much more space than five i's.
WWWWW
iiiii
Monospace Fonts All Monospace fonts are evenly spaced. Using the previous example, the Ws and
the i's take up the same amount of space.
The Center with spaces option in Padding only works with any accuracy with Monospace Fonts. Since
the Center with spaces option is based upon the number of characters as opposed to the physical width
of the field and characters, attempting to use centering with Proportional Fonts creates unpredictable
results. The only way to know for sure whether or not a font is Proportional or Monospace is to print
with it. (Do not rely on the view on your screen.) Even though you may be able to choose one of these
options from the Spacing property in the Properties box, the font itself or the printer may not support
the option you have chosen. Thermal Transfer printers generally have proportional fonts. A visual
example follows using TrueType fonts:
Courier New is a Monospace Font. In the figure below, the top field has 20 Max # Chars, Padding set to
None, and 20 Ws typed into the On-Demand Print Form. The next field also has 20 Max # Chars,
Padding set to Center with spaces, and 4 Ws typed into the On-Demand Print Form. The results are
seen as quite accurate; as the text in the second field is well centered:
Figure 3.31: Courier New font with Center with Spaces Padding Option in 2 nd Field
If the font is changed to Arial; a Proportional Font, and the same Padding options as well as the same
typing is used, the result is a field that is not centered correctly:
Figure 3.32: Arial font with Center with Spaces Padding Option in 2 nd Field
It is to your advantage to experiment with centering using your particular printers, and using various
fonts, to see what combinations work best in your application.
Note: Before proceeding with the example, make sure the Properties box is visible.If it is not visible, use View
| Properties to show it.
1. Click the Page Icon to open a new blank Loftware Label Manager label screen.
2. Select the barcode icon from the Loftware Label Manager Toolbar.
3. Position the mouse indicator near the upper left-hand corner of the label.
4. Click and drag in the label design area (down and to the right) until the field outline box is
approximately 1/2" high and 2" wide, release the left mouse button
Note: A Code 39 barcode (the default symbology) is displayed on the label.All dependent properties (below
the bold line) are thus characteristics of Code 39.
The selection handles show that the new barcode is selected automatically.
This sets the barcodes maximum number of characters to 15. Both the barcode itself and the adjacent
human-readable text reflect this change.
Note: Changing the X-Dimension also changes the Line Width property.Line Width and X-Dimension are
two different ways of viewing the same property.For UPC/EAN barcodes, the Properties box also features
Line: % Nominal, another way to view the line width of the barcode.
Note: If the barcode you have created does not fit on the label, try setting the rotation to 90.
1. Move the human-readable text field away from the barcode to provide more room while you edit
the field.
2. Select the human-readable text field.
3. When the movement cursor is displayed, while holding the left mouse button, drag the field to a
new position (slightly below its original position).Release the mouse button.
Note: You can also use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move fields.Multiple fields may be selected by
holding down the Ctrl key on the keyboard as you select.
You can magnify the width of the human readable field using the double-click function (a Loftware
Label Manager shortcut feature). This option depends on your font selection.
Once you are familiar with the basic purpose, layout, and editing capabilities of the Properties box, it is
easy to customize your labels.
Loftware recommends you practice manipulating fields using a variety of methods, including the
Properties box as a way to develop a method that best fits your label design style.
If you click OK and the chosen device has not been configured for the label or tag, a warning message
gives you the option of configuring the device. If you choose not to configure the device at this time, the
Label Setup and Properties dialog box closes.If you choose to configure the device now, the LLM Device
Configuration dialog box is immediately displayed.
History Section
The History grid is not user modifiable.It provides a general record of who changed the label and
when.A list of what was changed is not available.
Option Description
Ver The label revisions by number.
User Name The name of the logged in user who created the label version.
Date The date and time that the label version was created.
Instance The installation environments that this label has been configured for.
This column displays any system comments or comments entered upon saving a label when
Comments
Allow Label Comments is selected.
Note: Label Names are always saved with the created label. If you select File | Save As and change the name of
the label, the history information of this label is removed and a message stating "New label created from old" is
added in the Comments line.
Option Description
Select a Layout Allows you to select a Page Layout from a drop-down list.
Accesses the Manage Layouts dialog box, where a page layout may be added, edited,
Layouts
or deleted.
Advanced Tab
Select the Advanced tab to select a field list, if you have created any LST files, and change Legacy
Settings for Installed Fonts, Memory, and X and Y coordinates.
Installed This drop-down box reflects any additional memory that has been installed. The default is
Memory named Default, and the choices available depend on the printer selected above.
Setting Description
Adjusts the horizontal printed position of the label fields in pixels
Label Home
Adjusts the vertical printed position of the label in pixels.
Y (pixels)
Show
Rounded When checked, this option displays the label stock with rounded corners in Design Mode.
Corners
Note: The label fields do not change in design view, only in the printing of the label.
Related Topics
For more information on label options specific to Loftware-supported printers, refer to the Printers and Labels
section in this guide.
For information on creating label fields, refer to Field List Creation in this guide.
For more information on creating LST files and constraining Label Design Mode, refer to Customize in this guide.
For complete information on adding or customizing page layouts, refer to the Page Layouts section in this
guide.
l Press F5
l Right-click on the label, and select Media Setup.
l Select File | Media Setup from the menu bar
l Click the label icon located at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical rulers.
l Set the Print Orientation in the Label Setup and Properties window or Media Wizard.
Orientation Options
In the previous example, the label is designed right-side up, but printed clockwise at 90.When would
you use this option?
Example
If you are using a label with a color bar on one side of your label or a pre-printed label with a return address or
logo, you may want to utilize the print orientation option in order to make designing the label easier, while
printing it the way your stock dictates.Loftware Label Manager allows you to view the label with the fields such
as text in a normal, readable position as you design, and print the label in a variety of orientations.
Note: At 0, the label prints the same orientation as shown on your computer screen. Setting Print Orientation
to 90 rotates the label clockwise 90 for printing.
Note: Clicking the Rotate Media icon does NOT change label print orientation; it only changes the label view,
aiding in designing a label right side up. See example below.
Orientation Example
As described above, a pre-printed label is more easily designed right-side up and then printed rotated at
90 using the Print Orientation option. See following figure:
Each time you save a label a new version number is created. Your comments are associated with this
version number.
When you save an existing label as a new label (Save As), a new label is created at version 1. The
comment "New label created from old file "file.lwl"" is automatically associated with the new version.
You can enter an additional comments when you save an existing label as a new label.
Entering Comments
When comments are enabled, each time you save a label, the Label Comments window opens. Unless
you have made comments optional, you must enter a comment before being able to save the label.
Promoting Labels
If you are using Label Versioning, the Label Comments window opens when you promote a label to a
new instance. You can use the comments to describe the changes made to this version of the label.
Previous comments will not be saved with the promoted label.
Auditing
When you use Global Auditing, you can include comments, version, user, and date/time information in an
audit record.
3. Select Allow Label Comments, and clear the Allow Empty Label Comments checkbox.
4. Click OK, and click OK again to dismiss the restart message.
5. Restart Design to activate the changes.
Label commenting is enabled and required. Each time you save a label, the Label Comments window
appears. You must enter a comment in the Label Comment field to enable the OK button, and save the
label.
Note: If the Allow Empty Label Comments option is selected, but Allow Label Comments is not
selected, you will NOT be prompted to enter comments when saving labels.
Label commenting is enabled and optional. Each time you save a label, the Label Comments window
appears. You are not required to enter a comment.
Prerequisites
l Enable label comments.
2. Enter comments on the changes made to this version of the label in the Label Comment field, and
click OK.
The label is saved, and the comment is recorded along with a new version number for the label.
Test-Printing Labels
In most cases, it is best to test-print a label after creating it.This allows you to check its accuracy and
general appearance.
Note: The following test-print procedures assume that you have completely installed the program and chosen a
target printer.You print the sample label on the target printer.
To test-print a label
1. Verify that the target printer is ON.
2. Select the File | Test Print menu command or click Test Print from the standard toolbar.
Alternatively, press F9 or Ctrl+P on the keyboard.
3. View the Test Print dialog box that includes information regarding other methods of printing
with Loftware Label Manager. Notice that your target device is identified in the Device box.
4. Select OK.
Your printer should produce your printed sample label exactly the way you designed it.
If you wish to view the On-Demand Print Form for the label you just created, do not close the file or exit
Loftware Label Manager.Proceed directly to the On-demand Print section.
Note: Fields with check digit, formula fields, and database fields are not evaluated during a Test Print.Use On-
Demand Print to get a true label with all data sources filled in.
Related Information
For information on how to configure printers, refer to the Device Connections section of this guide.
A description of the type of error or warning is displayed following the title.Some of the warnings are
primarily informational, such as the TRUETYPE warning that is displayed whenever a label with
TrueType fonts is saved or test printed.This warning does not prevent the label from being printed, but
it does let you know that the label is being printed as a bitmap, which means the printing of this label is
slower.Some of the warnings may prevent printing of the label, and must be corrected before the label
prints at all, or corrected before the label prints correctly.A common example of this is the
FIELDOFFLABEL message.When designing the label, make sure that the entire field is on the label,
including the blue selection handles. An example of an Error may be an error in a datasource formula
field, such as a circular reference, which must be corrected in order for the label to print.
USB Errors
If the USB Printer is connected but the port cannot be written to, a Recoverable printer error dialog is
displayed.A printer running out of stock or out of ribbon creates this error.Once the printer error has
been cleared, click Retry to continue printing.
On-Demand Print
Some Loftware Label Manager applications require materials-handling or operations personnel to enter
label-specific data prior to a print run, usually at a data entry station.Loftware Label Manager makes
data entry easy because the system automatically:
l Creates an On-Demand Print Form each time you design and save a label file.
l Updates the On-Demand Print Form each time you edit and save an existing label file.
Thus, if you successfully designed and saved the label file, you have already created a corresponding
On-Demand Print Form.
Related Information
A Client-Server version of On-Demand-Print as well as a web-enabled version is also available. Refer to the
Loftware Print Server Users Guide for more details.
The format for this On-Demand Print Form represents the Loftware Label Manager default settings. You
can customize On-Demand Print Forms to meet the requirements of your applications.
l Select View | Label Design to return to the label design view or you can use the Switch Views tool
from the standard toolbar to toggle back and forth between the Label Design View and the On-
Demand Print Form view of the label.
l Perhaps you are printing this label in a country outside the U.S. but shipping to the U.S.You may
need to have the field name in one language and the Input Prompt in another language to
facilitate ease of data input with non English-speaking employees.
Related Information
For examples of prompting and printing in international languages, refer to the International Printing section of
this guide.
To learn more about customizing On-Demand Print Forms, refer to the On-Demand Printing section of this
guide.
Production Printing
Now that you have created a label file (label1.lwl), saved the file, test-printed it and viewed it in On-
Demand Print Form View, you are ready to print a shipping label.
l On-Demand
l Range
This allows virtually unlimited flexibility for your barcode label printing requirements.
We continue our example by printing Label1.LWL as a simple On-Demand Print job for one
customer.On-Demand printing is where an operator uses the On-Demand Print Form we have created to
type in data and print labels as needed in the On-Demand-Print Application.
Designing a Label
This section describes designing an example label.The tutorial explains how to create a basic shipping
label, including a shipping address, a return address and a part number encoded in a barcode.The
finished sample label looks like the following:
Text Fields
Fixed vs. Variable Text Fields
Your sample label features two types of text fields: fixed text fields and variable text fields.
Fixed text is text that does not change.An example of a fixed text field is the return address on a
shipping label or the "SHIP TO:" descriptor just above a customer's name and address.
A Variable text field is essentially a place-holder.When creating a variable text field, you do not enter the
text that is displayed on a printed label. Instead, you set parameters (for example the number of
characters) for a field in which the text can vary from label to label. An operator may enter actual text
later or text can be inserted from a database, ActiveX Control, or LPS pass file.
Examples of variable text fields include place-holders for Customer name, Company name, Street
Address, City, State and Zip on a customer shipping label.
Tool Description
Label (fixed text) Adds a text field that is a permanent part of the label,
such as a return address.
Insert | Fixed Text
Adds a text field in which the text changes from label
Variable Text
to label during the print run, such as a Customer
Insert | Text Name field for an address label.
Moving Fields
Fields may be moved by these methods:
2. Move the mouse arrow to the upper left-hand corner of the blank label and left click
3. Type the following:
n "Loftware, Inc.," then press Enter
n "249 Corporate Drive," then press Enter
n "Portsmouth, NH 03801," then press Enter twice
Notice that after you type the first fixed text field and press Enter, Loftware Label Manager automatically
moves the cursor down to the next line so that you can enter additional fixed text fields.The font also
changes to the default font for the particular printer that you are set for.When you finish entering text,
press Enter on a blank line to end the automatic repeat function.You can also end the repeat function by
clicking on a blank area of the label or double-clicking.
Note: Fixed text fields cannot be changed to variable text fields. To do this, delete the fixed field and replace it
with a new variable one.
Figure 3.46: Step 1 - Add fixed text fields for return address
Note: Loftware Label Manager displays fonts that are available on the selected printer. Depending on your
printers font sizes, your label may look different from the samples. You may also have to adjust the positions of
fields slightly by moving them.
2. When positioning the next fixed text field, use the screen odometer to guide. Notice how the
descriptors in the screen odometer change as you move the mouse. Position the mouse so that the
screen odometer reads approximately .5, 1.0 ( inch from the left edge; 1 inch from the top)and
left click.
Note: The position does not need to be precise. You can always reposition the text field later.
(2) ADDRESS 1
(3) ADDRESS 2
(4) CITY
(5)STATE
(6)ZIP
(7)COUNTRY
In this example, you can quickly create all variable text fields using a Loftware Label Manager shortcut
feature.
2. Position the cursor just beneath and to the right of the SHIP TO: text and click.
The text 12345678 is a place-holder, which shows you that the field is currently 8 characters long.The
blue boxes surrounding the field are called selection handles. They indicate that the field is selected and
may be edited by using the Properties box or mouse.
Note: After you enter the text, Loftware Label Manager changes the name to Ship_To_Company.Spaces are
not allowed in field names, and so Loftware Label Manager adds underscores in the place of spaces.Also, note
that the Input Prompt in the Properties box is identical to the Field Name you just typed.The Input Prompt
(which is displayed on the On-Demand Print Form) usually echoes the Field Name.
The default setting for maximum number of characters in a text field is 8.Because the names of
addressees usually consist of more than 8 characters, you must edit the field to ensure that customer's
names are displayed correctly on your labels.
Change other properties like font type and size, if needed.You now have completed your first variable
text field and your label looks like the following:
The next step demonstrates using Loftware Label Manager copy function to create additional variable
text fields.
1. Select the second variable field (it is below Ship_To_Company) by clicking.Change the Field
Name property to Address1 and assign a Max # Chars of 20 characters.
2. Select the third variable field, change its name to Address2 and assign it a Max # Chars of 18
characters.
3. Select the fourth variable field, change its name to City and assign it a Max # Chars of 16
characters.
l Address1
l Address2
l City
To complete the text on our label, we will create the State and Zip Code fields.
When you have completed these edits, your label looks like the following:
2. Position the cursor about 1/2 inch below and 2 inches to the right of the Country field, and click
the left mouse button.
3. Change the barcodes Field Name property to PartNo.
Note: When a new barcode field is added to the label, a human readable interpretive field is also shown.These
fields are treated as separate fields as far as label design is concerned but always automatically reflect the data
that goes into the barcode field. If the data for the human readable field needs to be formatted differently from
the barcode data, choose None in the barcodes Human Readable property and create a normal text field in
its place.You may then use a Formula data source to format the barcode data.
1. Place the cursor over the top center selection handle of the barcode field. When the cursor is
positioned properly, a resize cursor is displayed.
2. Press and hold the left mouse button.
3. Drag the resize cursor straight up, about 1/4-inch; release the left mouse button.
1. Place the cursor over the right center selection handle of the barcode field.When the cursor is
positioned properly, the resize cursor is displayed.
2. Press and hold the left mouse button.
3. Drag the resize cursor to the right until the resize rectangle jumps to the next available size;
release the left mouse button.
Note:The resize rectangle grew smoothly when you changed the height of the barcode but jumped to the next
available size when you changed the width.In each case, Loftware Label Manager displays the next available
size for the field.Code 39 barcodes grow continuously in their height but discreetly in their width (jumping to
the next available line width or X-dimension).Loftware Label Manager always reflects on the label the way the
selected field behaves in the printer.
The last change we are making to our label is to add a line to the label. Lines enhance the appearance
and functionality of a label by separating the label into different sections.In the sample label, add a line
between the ship to address and the part number barcode field.
1. Select the Line tool from the Loftware Label Manager toolbox .
2. Position the cursor inside the left edge of the label, between the bottom line of variable text fields
and the top of the barcode. Press and hold the left mouse button.
3. Drag the cursor directly from left to right across the label.
4. Release the mouse button when the cursor is just inside the right edge of the label.
5. Set the Line Thickness in the Properties box to 0.050.
6. You can also add a box to define the Ship to label fields.Select the Box tool, and use the mouse to
drag a box around the label fields.
Figure 3.50: Completed label with line separating barcode from address area
All of the fields on the label above may be re-sized by selecting a handle, and dragging the handle until
the field looks the way you would like.
You may enter numeric values for the field in the Property box. This automatically re-sizes the label as
well.
Note: When you save a label file, Loftware Label Manager may display an error message listing errors that may
have occurred during the creation or editing of label fields.The most common error message informs you that a
field is partly off the label. The label may not print correctly until the errors are corrected, although you can still
save the label in its current form. If Loftware Label Manager detects one or more errors on your sample label,
check the appropriate fields.Either delete the faulty fields, and create new fields following the steps described
earlier; or edit the fields.
This section describes techniques for customizing your label, to ensure that it meets with your design
and industry standards.Advanced barcode information is also included.
l Create a field.
l Copy the field.
l Edit the properties of both fields simultaneously.
Note: This examples in this section use barcodes, but the process is the same for fields, shapes, and images.
1. On a new blank Loftware Label Manager label, select the barcode icon from the Loftware Label
Manager Toolbox.
2. Select a starting point near the upper left-hand corner of the label.
3. Click and drag the cursor in the label design area (down and to the right) to make a barcode, and
release the left mouse button. A barcode field with its associated human readable text field
appears.
Note: Loftware includes a Barcode Wizard that is useful in adding a variety of symbologies to your
label.Information on the Barcode Wizard may be found in the Templates and Wizards section in this guide.
4. With the original field selected (selection handles visible), move the cursor over the field until the
movement cursor is shown.
5. While holding the Ctrl key, drag the mouse away from the original barcode field.
6. Release the left mouse button and the Ctrl key.
A duplicate barcode field appears below and to the right of the original.
1. Select the first barcode (not the adjacent human readable field) to select the barcode.
2. While holding the Ctrl key, click the duplicate barcode field (not the adjacent human readable text
field). Both barcode fields are selected simultaneously, independent of their accompanying human
readable text fields.
The Properties box displays all properties that are shared by both fields.
Example
Select two barcodes and two text fields. You may see that the only properties you can change simultaneously
are:
l Pos:Top
l Pos:Left
l Printing Field
l Rotation
If the selected fields have the same value for a specific property, the value is shown in the Properties
box; otherwise, the value is blank. If the Properties box is not visible, select View | Properties from the
menu bar.
Example
If bar heights for 2 selected barcodes are not identical, the Bar Height entry in the Properties box is blank. If
you enter a new value in the bar height property, the Properties box displays the new value, and both fields
change.
Both barcodes click into place simultaneously. The left edges of both fields are aligned at the .5-inch
position on the label.You may also use the left-alignment tool to accomplish this task.
1. With two or more fields selected, select Ratio in the Properties box.
2. Choose a different ratio from the list.
Note: The ratio automatically advances to the chosen setting for both barcodes.
With fonts, different printers cause the Loftware Label Manager to display different properties and
available fonts. For example, standard Windows printers, such as a LaserJet printer, normally support
TrueType fonts. TrueType fonts are sized by selecting a point size and are also horizontally scalable. The
higher the point size, the larger the font.
Note: When you design labels with Loftware Label Manager, the characteristics of the printer determine font
capabilities in the label designer.
l Dot fonts
l TrueType fonts
l Hybrid fonts
l Flexible fonts
In Loftware Label Manager, dot fonts, hybrid fonts and flexible fonts can be accessed by selecting Native
Fonts as the Font Category in the Properties box drop-down menu.To select Windows TrueType Fonts,
choose True Type Fonts as the Font Category.
Note: When resizing text fields, note that different types of fonts behave differently. This is because different
types of fonts have different resize rules. The design window is reflecting the capabilities of the selected
printer. It is strongly suggested that you familiarize yourself with the different types of fonts your printer
supports. You may discover that some fonts are more useful than others are, depending on the nature of your
label.
Dot fonts
Characters printed in dot fonts are displayed as a series of dots.Dot fonts are a predetermined size and
cannot be resized.Many printers have the ability to magnify dot fonts.
In Loftware Label Manager, Dot fonts usually have names which indicate their size, such as 7 x 9 or
16 x 22. Dot fonts have Font Height, Magnify Height and Magnify Width properties.When you select
a dot font, you can magnify the height and the width independently of the font using the Magnify
Height and Magnify Width properties in the Properties box or by resizing the text field with the mouse.
As you change the size of the font, Loftware Label Manager updates the Font Height property to display
the height of the font. If you change the Font Height property, Loftware Label Manager automatically
changes both the height and the width of the characters to provide a normal aspect ratio.
If you want to create tall-skinny characters in a dot font, adjust the Magnify Height and Magnify Width
properties.If you want to make the text larger, but preserve its proportion, use the Font Height property.
TrueType Fonts
TrueType fonts are scalable printer fonts and standard Windows fonts.You can increase or decrease the
size of the characters by selecting the size of the font (Points). You can also change the width by
horizontally scaling the font.
In Loftware Label Manager, TrueType fonts can be resized using Points or Horizontal Scale properties.
These fonts always print with smooth edges, regardless of the degree of magnification.
For printer TrueType Refer to the Loftware Label Manager User Guide under your specific printer make for
support information on downloading TrueType fonts to your printer.
To change font size in Edit the Points (and optionally the Horizontal Scale) property or resize the field by
Loftware Label Manager clicking and dragging the field outline to a new size.
Look under specific printer type being used for information on downloading TrueType
Online Help
fonts.
Hybrid fonts
Hybrid fonts are associated with thermal transfer printers and are a cross between TrueType and Dot
fonts. Like point fonts, hybrid fonts are available in a predetermined set of point sizes. Like dot fonts,
each point size can also be magnified.
In Loftware Label Manager, hybrid fonts feature Font Height, Point Size, Magnify Height, and Magnify
Width properties. As with dot fonts, use the Magnify Height and Magnify Width properties to
independently size character height and width or use the Font Height property to change the size of the
characters while maintaining the proper aspect ratio.
Note: Most printers have an internal scalable font that resembles a TrueType san serif font. Use this font
instead of a TrueType font whenever possible. Your labels print much faster this way.
Flexible fonts
Flexible fonts (also called vector fonts or outline fonts) can be scaled to any size and are native to most
printers.These are the best choice for quality and speed. Usually, you can size the character height and
width independently in a flexible font. Use these fonts whenever possible to achieve a balance between
download speed and print quality.
In Loftware Label Manager, flexible fonts have Character Height, Character Width and Point Size
properties.Choosing a point size sets both the height and width to a preset aspect ratio. To create tall-
skinny characters, make appropriate edits to both the Char Height and Char Width properties.When
printed, flexible font characters retain their smooth edges regardless of their size.
To change character size in LLM, edit the Magnify Height and/or Magnify Width properties
independently.
Note: When working with fonts, note the Spacing property.Some fonts are Monospace and some are
Proportional. In Monospace fonts, all characters are the same width. Proportional fonts have a different width
for every character. TrueType fonts are usually proportional. Proportional fonts read better on the printed
label. It is harder to predict envelope size, as it varies with the data.
If you use any of the Justify properties, it is best to use Monospace fonts.
Related Information
For information about printing symbols and international characters, refer to the International Printing section in
this guide.
For more information and examples on Monospace and Proportional Fonts and spacing, refer to Creating a Label
in this guide.
Gross_Weight
Total_pieces
Native
Font Category Type of fonts that are currently displayed.
True Type Fonts
The text on the label and in the Label Text property is updated to the new text.
Gross_Weight
Total_pieces
Native
Font Category Type of fonts that are currently displayed.
True Type Fonts
Paragraph text fields maintain the same set of field attributes supported by traditional Loftware Label
Manager text fields:
l Rotation
l Max # characters
l Position
l Font Category
l Font
l Interline spacing
l Justify
l Max # lines
Figure 4.1: Paragraph Text field with the Properties Box displayed
Interline Spacing
This property determines the spacing size between lines of paragraph text.The values for interline
Spacing are: Single, Double, Triple, or Quadruple.
Loftware Label Manager determines this value from the size of the font, which is the character height in
addition to the envelope that includes the ascender (height above the character) and descender (height
below the character) spacing. For example, the total height of the envelope for the character a would
be the same for the character P or the character g.
Justify
This property determines what justification the paragraph is going to exhibit at print time. The
justification values are as follows: left, right, and center. As stated in the preceding font section,
Monospace fonts justify much better than Proportional fonts.
Note:Justification for Paragraph text fields is determined from the context of the size of the field, not the
context of the size of the label. Fields within the label can be accurately justified if you know the approximate
amount of data you are going to send at print time.
Max # Lines
This property determines the maximum number of lines that a paragraph can span. This property is tied
to the Max # Chars property. It is important to determine a workable value for these two properties. For
example, if you choose 100 for the Max # Chars and 4 for the Max # Lines, Loftware Label Manager
automatically splits your data input into a maximum of 4 lines with up to 25 characters each. If there
are wide discrepancies, or variations in the amount of data sent, select the value that takes into
consideration the maximum amount. This alleviates situations where too much data is sent, causing
possible data truncation.
Note:Paragraph Text fields maintain the same set of data sources available to Loftware Label Manager Text
fields. Please refer to the Data Sources section for complete information.
Paragraph Properties
In addition to the properties for a Fixed Text field, text or variable fields have the following properties.
The prompt that will appear on the operator data entry screen.
n For Example
Input Prompt Text
n Part Number
n Item Description
Max # Chars If this field is filled in at print time, this is the maximum number of Number
characters that the operator will be able to enter in the data entry
screen.
l Click the Paragraph Tool from the Loftware Label Manager Toolbox, and then drop a paragraph
text field on your label.
l Change the Paragraph attribute in the Loftware Label Manager Properties box for a variable text
field to Yes.
Note: Field position is important to understand for paragraph text fields since the justification attributes (left,
right, and center) should be considered for all applications that utilize paragraphs.
Not all printers supported by Loftware Label Manager have internal paragraphing capabilities.
Therefore, Loftware Label Manager automatically parses the data input at print time and splits the text
into appropriate sub-fields. These sub-fields are then justified and sent to the printer.
Loftware Label Manager parses data input at print time, automatically splits, justifies and re-sizes the
font (Dynamic Point Size property) at the appropriate word breaks. This is useful for warning or
informational messages coming from a file or database that you want to automatically wrap within a
limited space on the label.
TextBox Properties
TextBox fields have the following properties.
Pos: Left Distance from the left edge of the label to the left edge of this field. Number
Pos: Top Distance from the top edge of the label to the top edge of this field. Number
Allows the creation of a non-printing field. Non-printing fields are
Printing Field Yes/No
commonly used in formula fields.
0
90
Rotation The direction of this field relative to the top of the label.
180
270
Size: Height Specify the size of the TextBox. Number
Size: Width Specify the width of the TextBox. Number
Expand Tabs Maintain tabs within the entered text. (Default =No) Yes/No
Dynamic Point Size Also adds the following properties that are described in this table: Yes/No
l Maintain Aspect Ratio
l Minimum Point Size
l Maximum Point Size
True Type Fonts
Font Category Type of fonts that are currently displayed.
only
Select the available True Type font. Note that the properties below
Font Available Fonts
this property may change depending on the selected font.
Configures the printing of selected languages on a per field basis.
Lanuguage Opens the Language
Character Sets, Byte Order and Data Format for the field can also be
Properties Properties Wizard
set using the Language Properties Wizard.
Paragraph Converts the TextBox field from being a single line or multi-line. Yes/No
Bold Sets the text to bold formatting. (Bold) Yes/No
Maintain Aspect Adjusts the point size to fit the Textbox envelope. Will not exceed
Yes/No
Ratio Minimum or Maximum point size setting.
Allow RTF formatting. This is required if any part of the text requires
Formatter None/RTF
Character Level Formatting.
Specify the percentage of horizontal width that you want to
compress or extend the characters in the field. Can be entered in the
Horizontal Scale Properties box field or resized using a mouse. 100.0
Note: This parameter is only available for TrueType Fonts.
Truncate on overrun
Do Not Truncate
Truncate Text Allow different truncating options for the text within the TextBox.
Warn on Truncation
To add a TextBox on your labels from the Loftware Label Manager designer, click the TextBox Tool
from the Loftware Label Manager Toolbox or from the Insert drop down menu, and then position the
TextBox field on your label.
000000000000 000000000000
Note: Field position is important to understand for TextBox fields since the justification attributes (left, and
top) should be considered for all applications that utilize TextBoxes.
Textbox fields are printed as TrueType images, and have a limit of 15,999 characters.
Not all printers supported by Loftware Label Manager have internal TextBox capabilities. If TextBox
fields are not supported by a particular printer, Loftware Label Manager automatically parses the data
input at print time and still sends the data to the printer as a TrueType image.
For example, if you need to print a label where only specific words need to be emphasized, you can
target individual words and make them bold, superscript, underlined, italic, without affecting the
remaining text in the label.
In this example, the words soy, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, and raisins have been emphasized (bold text)
to call the reader's attention to these specific ingredients within the product. The red dye No 2 ingredient
has also been emphasized using bold, color, italic, and superscript CLF modifiers.
Feature capabilities
Using this feature you can apply the following modifications to letters, words, symbols, phrases or
paragraphs, or any combination of these elements:
Character level formatting is applied by embedding a subset of the available RTF formatting commands,
which we refer to as CLFmodifiers. You can apply the CLF modifiers to fixed and variable text through
any of the following methods:
CLF Requirements
To apply CLF modifiers, the following requirements must be met:
When applying the CLF feature, if you need to use a single byte High ASCII Extended character, for
example in a language that uses letters with an accent such as French or German, you will need to set
the Language Properties of that label field to the following, using the Language Properties wizard.
You also need to update the following setting in the Llmwdn32.ini file:
l TranslateFormData=0
Refer to the "Language Properties Wizard" on page 255 section for a description of the procedure. This
also applies to any fields that may be part of a Formula or other data source that concatenates High-
ASCII data from other fields.
6. Set the Force Max # Chars setting to Do Not Force Max # Chars.
7. Enter the appropriate beginning and ending CLF modifiers around any letters or words you want
to format. For example, in the image above, the beginning modifier for bold (\b) is placed before
the word wheat*, with a space between the modifier and word and the ending modifier after the
word, also with a space after the modifier, which results in bolding only the word wheat* within
this fixed text field.
8. Proceed with the rest of the label design and Print to confirm.
Note: The syntax of CLF modifiers (subset of RTF commands) requires a space immediately after each
beginning and ending modifier (e.g., \b and \b0 ).
For a list and descriptions of the available CLF modifiers, refer to "Character Level Formatting Modifiers"
on page 152.
For a description of creating both Fixed and Variable text fields, refer to "Creating Text Fields" on page
113.
As depicted in this illustration, the \b, plus a space (begin bold) and \b0, plus a space (end bold)
modifiers can be entered from the keyboard entry of the ODP screen for any variable field. In this
example, the following word would be bolded:
wheat*
Refer to "Character Level Formatting Modifiers" on page 152, for a complete list and descriptions of the
available CLF modifiers.
For a complete description of using a Keyboard Data Source and creating both Fixed and Variable text
fields, refer to the following information:
As depicted in the illustration, the bold and italic (\b, \i) modifiers would print the following:
N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide
The file would be saved to the WDDrop or other scan directory and the file submission would be the
same as any other file submission.
For a complete list and descriptions of the available CLF modifiers, refer to "Character Level Formatting
Modifiers" on page 152.
For a complete description of the file submission process, refer to the following topic sections in the
Loftware Print Server User's Guide (and LPS online help).
With this example, the end result prints as follows, with the "O" in the abbreviation of number in
superscript and underline format, along with the entire field description in bold.
For a complete list and description of the available CLF modifiers, refer to "Character Level Formatting
Modifiers" on page 152.
Refer to for a complete description of adding a formula, refer to the section "Formula Data Source" on
page 320.
Note: Within a Script, the CLF modifiers need to be doubled (\\) to support the Javascript syntax.
For a complete list and description of the available CLF modifiers, refer to "Character Level Formatting
Modifiers" on page 152.
For a complete description of a Script Data Source, refer to "Script Data Source" on page 333.
For the procedure to create a Script Data Source, refer to "Creating a Script Data Source for a Field" on
page 340.
Note: CLF modifiers require a space immediately after each beginning and ending modifier ((e.g., \b plus
space and \b0 plus space).
CLF Modifier Description Example Result
\b Turn bolding on.
\b TEST\b0 TEST
\b0 Turn bolding off.
\i Turn italics on.
\i TEST\i0 TEST
\i0 Turn italics off.
\ul Turn underlining on. \ul Test\ul0 Test
l The\blShiftN modifier is used with \fs, and only if \fs is smaller than the largest font, otherwise it
is ignored.
l If used with \super or \subscript, the modifiers are ignored and the size and offset of the text is the
one used by super and subscript. N can be a positive point number, shifting down or a negative
point number (-N) shifting up. The point baseline shifts are measured from the largest font.
l To be be able to display it in a word or word path, a modifier needs to be put in brackets and
used with \* as in {\*\blshift0}.
l If \fs is smaller than the largest font used, and no shift is given, the default is to the base line
alignment. (\blshift0).
Example
This example uses the the following Keyboard Data Source entry to address the baseline shifting of the
cents portion of the $12.79 price.
\b $12\blshift-3 \fs22 \i 79\blshift0 \fs0 \i0 \b0
Where:
Reminder: CLF modifiers require a space immediately after each beginning and ending modifier (e.g., \b
plus space and \b0 plus space).
Color Support
If the entire field is to be one color, use the color property for the field . However, if you want multiple
colors (including black) for specific letters, characters or words, then you need to add a color table (array)
to the beginning of your input, whether Keyboard, Formula, or Script Data Source, followed by the
CLFmodifiers that reference the table and the color changes you want to make.
l \colortbl; starts the table and is element number 0 (index) in the table (\cf0).
l The index of group values associated with the \red#, \green#, \blue# modifiers specify the
intensity color byte (0-255), and are followed by a semicolon for each index grouping.
Note: If no values are set, the default intensity for the red, green,and blue colors are typically 0, 0, 0, which is
black.
l The semicolon and braces are important syntax elements of the color table.
You specify the color from the table using the \cf# modifier where # is an index into the color table. Cf0 is
the default.
{\colortbl;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green77\blue187;\red0\green176\blue80;}
Using this table, the CLF modifiers that you would add to the field input for Red, Blue, Green colors
could be:
For example, to change the price on this label to the most intense red, the modifiers specifiy red255,
which is in the first index group of the color table (cf1). The \cf0 returns the color to the default value of
the color table, which is usually black.
\b \cf1 $12\blshift-3 \fs22 \i 79\blshift0 \fs32 \i0 \cf0 \b0
If you wanted to mix fonts, and not just change the font size, you would have to include a font table at
the beginning of your input, whether Keyboard, Formula, or Script Data Source, followed by the
CLFmodifiers that reference the table and the font changes you want to make.
l The \ fonttbl modifier starts the table; \fN refers to the index into the table, used in both the table
and in the body text.
l The \fscharset modifier is the character set to use for that font.
l The \fxxxxx modifier sets the font family, where xxxx is a font family and pqrN sets the pitch.
l The \f-1 modifier in the text body specifies the font set within Design32. This is the default if no
font is defined.
The following example describes three indexed fonts, with font family, pitch and font face name.
Note: Brackets ({}) and the semicolon (;) are required within the font table for each font.
Where:
Note: No font table is required to change font size on the same font. Use \fsN where N is the size in half
points. 12 point = 48 half points, 33 point = 66 half points etc.
Examples of color and font modifiers referencing both the color and font tables:
{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red204\green0\blue204;\red255\green0\blue0;}
Example 1
\b \f2 \fs36 \cf3 Allergy advice!\b0 \fs28 \f0 \cf0 Contains \b sulphites\b0.
Where:
Example 2
\b \f3 \fs32 \cf3 WARNING: UV Light Hazard! \f2 \fs28 \cf0 Avoid looking directly at light. \b0
Where:
Important: If the currently selected printer does not support graphic images, the graphics creation and editing
functions are disabled.
Targa TGA
GIF GIF
MacPaint PNT
WordPerfect WPG
LEAD CMP
PhotoShop PSD
Considerations
l Labels with embedded images have a larger file size than those that simply reference images.
l For each version of a label, a copy is saved on your computer or server. Embedding images could
substantially increase the file space needed.
Note: You are not required to use Label Versioning to embed images within labels.
The following options determine what happens when fixed images are embedded in a label.
l Do Not Save - Use this when you want the label to always use the latest image.
l Always Update - Automatically update the image embedded in the label if the image has been
updated on the file system.
l Prompt Before Update - Display a prompt asking if the embedded image should be updated with
the latest image on the file system.
l Never Update - Do not update the embedded image with the latest image on the file system.
Note: If Always Update or Prompt Before Update are selected and a new image is updated, you must save
the label before the embedded image will be updated.
Important: To use embedded images with Label Versioning, you must also Enable Label Versioning.
4. Click OK. You must restart Design 32 before your changes will take affect.
Image Properties
Property Description Values
The Data Source property specifies
Total_pieces
Item Description
Distance from the left edge of the label to the left edge
Pos: Left
of this field.
Distance from the top edge of the label to the top edge
Pos: Top
of this field.
0
90
Rotation The direction of this field relative to the top of the label.
180
270
Note: Loftware has some stock images in the images folder which may be used freely. If you need other
images, add them to the folder for easy access.Loftware does not provide additional images.
5. Select OK. The graphic image snaps into place on the label.
Note: The default Max # Chars for images is 12. You must increase this attribute if you plan to specify full path
names for your variable images.
The use of fixed UNC paths (\\server\location\file) to set a fixed image's data source may cause performance
issues in Loftware Label Manager Design if the path becomes unavailable.
Note: The Loftware Label Manager edit functions allow you to change the basic dimensions (height, width,
rotation) of a graphic image field. To edit the image itself, use a graphic editing program such as Windows
Paint or Paint Shop Pro.
Note: The default screen display for images is monochrome. If you want to display color, enable Show
Images in Color in the Options | Preferences | Design Options tab.
Two properties that are unique to image fields require special attention:
Filler Image
A filler image is a representation of an image that is displayed on the screen. If the data source for the
image is fixed, then the filler image is the image that prints. For other data sources, where the actual
printed image is determined at print time, the filler image acts as a place-holder which defines the size
of your image, the dithering method and other properties.
When you select the image icon and click the label, the Loftware Label Manager displays a list of
currently available image files.
Under the system default, when an image other than the original is selected, the new image is displayed
in the same filler image area on the label. Loftware Label Manager automatically resizes the new image
to fit the dimensions of the image box. When sized to fit, however, the new image may be stretched so
that normally smooth lines are jagged. The image may be so compressed that it becomes illegible. For
example, a circle may become an oval or a square may become a rectangle.
When you select Image Size Rule in the Properties box and select the options button in the text box,
Loftware Label Manager displays three options.
Option Description
This option automatically resizes a new image to fit the image box, as
described above.The dimensions of the place-holder always remain the
Allow Resizing
same, but the critical aspects of an image (for example, the roundness of a
circle) may be distorted.
This option gives you the best available rendering of an image while
keeping it within the original image box, although the image may not
Preserve Aspect Ratio (default) necessarily fill out the available space in the image box When you choose
this option, a circle always remains a circle (its circular shape is never
distorted). The image keys off the upper left-hand corner of the image box.
This option ignores the size of the filler image and prints the image to its
original file size, keying off the upper left-hand corner of the image box. At
Preserve Image Size
print time, a large image could spill over outside the image area and
obscure other fields.
Dither Method
Loftware Label Manager automatically matches the color depth of any images you print to the target
printer; that is, you can send color images to a thermal transfer printer. For most applications, the
automatic conversion performed by Loftware Label Manager provides the best results and there is no
need to dither the image. The default Dither Method is none.
However, there are cases where you may want to specify a dither method:
l If you are using an image with more than 256 colors. Try different dithering algorithms to obtain
the best results.
l If your image is shown as a black box or is not shown. Some images may disappear when their
color depth is adjusted. Dithering may allow these images to be used with Loftware Label
Manager.
Fixed Images
When you place an image on the label, the default Data Source in the Properties dialog is Fixed Image,
which means the image is constant. Fixed images are typically used for logos, icons to identify certain
types of fields (e.g. an hourglass for an expiration date), regulatory markings (e.g. UL), etc.
A Fixed Image Data Source is not applicable when there is a need to change an image based on the label
data the alternative is that you would need to create individual labels with new images for each
change in data.
Note: By default, when printing a label the image stored on the file system is the image that is printed. Please
refer to "Saving Fixed Images in a Label" on page 159 for alternate ways of managing fixed images.
Note: If the name of the image file, including the extension (i.e., .jpg or .png) is longer than 12 characters,
then you must update the Max # Chars field in the Properties dialog.
Variable Images
Variable images offer you the flexibility to change images based on any one of the following Data
Sources:
l Keyboard
l Formula
l Database-Data
l Script
The advantage is that images can be updated from several types of data sources and applied to labels
without changing any other property of the label design. Data Sources are selected from the Images'
Property dialog.
If you need to change images on a label dynamically at print time, such as changes in parts or logos,
setting the Data Source to Keyboard provides you with the flexibility to change the images from On-
Demand Print clients.
This requires the image name to be entered at print time, as well as requiring the user to know the
appropriate image file name for every image to be printed.
Another option is to use an image as a component of a Formula Data Source, where a label is using the
image name as data, and where the image field name is just one part of the formula equation.
For example, the following is a formula for a cell phone battery identification image where the formula
combines the following:
In this case , the formula components contribute to identify the image, 55523TZphone_2000.jpg:
You can also specify a path or folder location within the formula if the image is not in the default
location for Images.
If your image file names are stored within a database, your Data Source can use the Database-Data
option for record retrieval. For example, in an On-Demand print situation, the correct image will be
selected from the database value once you enter the required Database key.
The following example is an image file defined as Database-Data using just the image file name.
For a Database or any Data Source application, you must allow enough characters for passing the
location of the image file. In many cases the image file name is stored with a folder or a complete drive
and path location.
The following example is an image file defined as Database-Data with the location appended to the front
of the image file.
Make sure your Max # Chars property is large enough to accommodate the full name of how the image
is stored.
In addition to the previous methods of printing variable images, you also have the following options:
l Using a Script Data Source. This requires a knowledge of JavaScript and is covered in more detail
in the section "Script Data Source" on page 333.
l Using the file-drop method of the Loftware Printer Server (LPS). Refer to the Loftware Printer Server
User's Guide for more information.
Figure 4.3: Label with lines, boxes and a border placed around the edge
Line Properties
Property Description Values
The name of the field. Names must start with a letter. Other
characters can be numbers, letters, periods, or underlines. It
is important to give your fields meaningful names.
Field Name
Field Name For Example
Conditions
Gross_Weight
Total_pieces
Distance from the left edge of the label to the left edge of this
Pos: Left
field.
Distance from the top edge of the label to the top edge of this
Pos: Top
field.
0
90
Rotation The direction of this field relative to the top of the label.
180
270
Box Properties
Property Description Values
The name of the field. Names must start with a letter. Other
characters can be numbers, letters, periods, or underlines. It is
important to give your fields meaningful names.
Field Name
Field Name For Example
Conditions
Gross_Weight
Total_pieces
Line Thickness The width of the lines that define the sides of the box.
Distance from the left edge of the label to the left edge of this
Pos: Left
field.
Distance from the top edge of the label to the top edge of this
Pos: Top
field.
0
90
Rotation The direction of this field relative to the top of the label.
180
270
1. Select a starting point on the label and press the left mouse button.
2. Drag to create the desired size of the line or box.
3. Release the left mouse button to snap the line or box into place.
4. Select appropriate properties in the Properties box to change length, thickness, width, position, or
rotation.
Barcode Properties
This table describes the properties that affect all barcode symbology.
The name of the field. Names must start with a letter. Other
characters can be numbers, letters, periods, or underlines. It
is important to give your fields meaningful names.
Gross_Weight
Total_pieces
For Example
Input Prompt Text
Part Number
Item Description
Distance from the left edge of the label to the left edge of this
Pos: Left
field.
Distance from the top edge of the label to the top edge of this
Pos: Top
field.
0
90
Rotation The direction of this field relative to the top of the label.
180
270
Related Information
Toolbar buttons and their function are described in the Design Mode - Menu Bar, Toolbars, and the Toolbox
section of this guide.
Moving Fields
l Keyboard arrow method - Select a field using your mouse cursor and move it by using the arrow
keys on the keyboard.To move multiple fields, hold the Ctrl button down, click the additional
fields, and move them by using the arrow keys.
l Point-and-click method - Use the mouse to resize and move fields by using a click and drag
method. You can use this method to copy or delete fields as well.
Regardless of the editing method you choose, changes in field properties are always reflected in the
Properties box. In other words, the Properties box automatically gives youup-to-the-minute information
about the characteristics of every field regardless of the editing technique.
Modifying Fields
Loftware Label Manager provides several convenient methods for manipulating fields on your labels
that allow you to:
In most cases, it is more efficient to use the editing capabilities of the Properties box to manipulate your
fields. Options in the Properties box allow you to make very precise edits as well as see the property
choices available for a selected field.
As you become comfortable with Loftware Label Manager, you may discover a few convenient shortcuts
using other editing methods, all of which adhere to basic Windows conventions. These methods include:
Deleting a Field
Loftware Label Manager provides four methods for deleting a field from a label:
l Select the field you wish to delete, and click Cut in the Loftware Label Manager toolbar.
l Select the field you wish to delete; right click, and then select Cut from the Edit menu.
l Select the field you wish to delete; press the Delete key on the keyboard.
l Select the field you wish to delete; select Delete from the Edit menu on the menu bar.
For example
Name,14
Address1
Address2
City
State,2
Zip
Part_Number,8
Part_Description
Part_Color
Part_Weight
Note: The maximum field length specified in the LST file cannot be changed in the Properties dialog.
When the maximum field length is included, the field name and the maximum field size must be separated by a
comma; spaces are not allowed.
3. Save the file in the Loftware Labeling directory with an LST extension (For Example: a_field2.lst).
4. If you are using Notepad, select All Files in the Save as Type section.
5. Click Save.
When you click the New Label icon in LLM design, the following is displayed if there is more than one
field list available. If there is only one field list, new labels will automatically default to using it, unless
None is selected.
For Example
If you are using Times New Roman, the sequence is Alt-0174 for the Registered Trademark symbol.
Note: If you are using a database to store your information, you may be able to use the same ALT sequence to
store the desired character.Be aware that some database formats do not store or retrieve High ASCII characters
reliably.
Note: For more information on International Character Sets, International Keyboards and configuring Loftware
Label Manager parameter settings, refer to the International Printing section.
The trademark symbol () is used in many applications. This symbol is generally not included in
extended character sets resident on thermal printers. It can be added to your label by using a Windows
TrueType Font sent as a bitmap to the printer.
Note: If your printer is connected to a serial (COM) port, it must be set to 8 data bits in order to access the
extended character sets.
Many applications require the registered trademark () symbol to be displayed on a label.You can add
the symbol by creating a graphical image in Windows Paintbrush or other graphic software. With some
thermal printers, this symbol is part of an extended character set.
Lines, boxes, and barcode and RFID human readable fields configured as Pass Through fields will be discarded
(not printed) from the label.
Set Force Max # Chars to Do Not Force Max # Chars to avoid having Pass Through commands truncated.
Supplying Data
There are no restrictions on how you populate fields with the printer commands that you want to pass
through. You could use fixed data, pass commands as part of a script, or get commands from a file. You
can even enter commands in the text of a label.
XMLFiles
When passing data to a Pass Through field with an XML file, you must use escape encoding, (#xhh;)
when inserting low ASCII characters. See ASCII Characters in this guide for more information.
Supported Drivers
You can use Pass Through fields on labels using the following drivers/printer languages. Consult the
Programming or Printer Language guide for your printer for information on printer commands.
l IPL
l PCL5 and PCL5c
l ZPLII
Note: Sample labels for each supported language are included in the <Program Files Folder>\Loftware
Labeling\Labels\Samples\Passthrough folder.
Note: Using the PCL Simple Color Command via PCL5c Pass Through will result in unintended consequences
due to the nature of the command as it replaces the palette for the entire label.
Loftwares Professional Services Group can help you determine if Pass Through fields might help you
solve a particular business problem, and they can create customized Pass Through fields based on your
Loftware Print Server implementation and available hardware.
Note: Sample labels for each supported language are included in the <Program Files Folder>\Loftware
Labeling\Labels\Samples\Passthrough folder. You can start by opening one of the sample labels, or by creating
a new label.
Note: Pass Through fields are supported on printers that use IPL, PCL5, PCL5c and ZPLII.
When passing data to a Pass Through field with an XML file, you must take two additional steps when
inserting low ASCII characters in the XML.
l Use the Loftware escape encoding, (#xhh;) around the ASCII character. See ASCII Characters in this
guide for more information on using the escape sequence.
l Create a field with a script data source on the label referenced in your XML. The script field does
not need to be visible or have an actual script.
Loftwares Professional Services Group can help you determine if Pass Through fields might help you
solve a particular business problem. They can help you create customized Pass Through fields based on
your Loftware Print Server implementation and available hardware.
Audit Files
All Loftware modules have the ability to capture label information that is requested and printed. Audit
Files are set up in Design Mode. The information gathered can be useful for tracking label production
information.
All printing activity is recorded and placed in a Loftware Label Manager subdirectory Audit. File
locations can be changed by selecting the Options | File Locations | Audit Files.
Option Description
If you have recently upgraded from a version prior to 6.1 and used Auditing, all
Legacy Auditing
your settings for Audit Files have been carried over automatically.
The remaining sections of this window are used with Loftwares Global Auditing function.
All printing activity is recorded and saved to a Loftware Labeling subdirectory named Audit. You can
change the default location by selecting the Options | File Locations | Audit Files. Audit files are
generated for each print job.
If you have selected Global Auditing in the Audit Mode section, then the other sections of this dialog
box must be configured as well.
Available List
This section contains a list of the system fields.System fields are those fields that are not usually part of
the printed fields common to most labels but are part of the systems tracking.
Information Description
Application The application that printed label: For example, On-Demand, Design.
ComputerName The network name of the computer, not the operator name
JobName The name of the job, only applicable for LPS users.
Label.DateTime The date and time that the label was saved.
Information Description
Label.Instance The installation environment (instance) that the label is configured for.
LabelName The file name of the label file, for example gm.lwl.
PrinterNumber The number of the printer from the Device Configuration list window.
If you create list files (LST) to constrain the available fields in Design Mode, the content of these files are
listed in alphabetical order in the Available List in Options | Audit Setup. Multiple LST fields that have
identical field names are listed only once.The LST file can be helpful in that it prevents a misspelled
field name from being added via the Enter Field Name box, and it speeds up the creation of auditing in
general.Taking a little time up front to create these lists can time-saver in the long run.
To move System fields or LST fields from the Available List to the Audited List, highlight one or more
items on the left column, and click the right-arrow button, or double-click the field(s). See the following
example:
Figure 4.8: Global Auditing System and LST fields listed and added to the Audited List.
Audited List
This list represents the actual fields which are to be audited in chronological order.You have four
movement options available for fields displayed in this list.
Action Response
Moves the System field(s) back to the Available List. Only system fields are
Click the left arrow moved, not fields that you have added via the Enter Field Name section.Any
selected user-added fields are deleted.
Moves the selected field(s) up one line, allowing control of the order of fields in
Click Up
the Audit File.
Clears All the fields from the available list.The System Fields are moved back in
Click Clear All
to the Available List, and the User-added fields are deleted.
Key
Description
code
Key
Description
code
WW week no. (Loftware uses the first 4-day week as week 01. Weeks start on Monday)
JJJ day no. (Julian calendar, for example, Jan 1 = Day 001)
d-mmm 13-Nov
d-mmmm-yyyy 13-November-2003
ddmmyy 131103
h:mm:ss 4:15:55
m*d*yy 11*13*03
Hour Format
Option Description
If this option is chosen, a new audit file is created every day.This is the default
Daily option and may be a viable choice for those who are trying to monitor what
products, companies or labels are being generated on a daily basis.
This option allows continuation of the file until a user-defined size has been
reached.Perhaps 1MB is approximately 1 weeks worth of labels, and you want to
Size over
keep a weekly count (more or less) of labels, then this choice may work well for
you.
This option creates a single audit file which is added to every time a label is
Single File
created.
Note: Use caution with these options, so the Audit File does not grow too large.
For Example
If you have selected Daily in the Create New File Section, and typed in the naming convention Shipping.CSV,
the resulting file name is Shipping_13NOV03.CSV.
If you chose the Size over option , the resulting file name is Shipping_001.CSV.
If Include Header is selected, then a header containing the names of the audited fields is written at the top of
the audit file. Including a header in your CSV files is most helpful when reviewing your audit files, especially if
you are importing your files into a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel.
Delimiter Section
The are three options in this section. The choice made determines how the data in the Audit File is
separated. Comma delimited is the default and is the most commonly used delimiter; however, you
may choose Tab, or create a delimiter by choosing Other and typing in the desired symbol.
The previous example displays printed automotive labels. The header of the audit file displays the name
of the fields that have been added to the Audited List. The list below the header displays the data within
each of the named fields. In this case, each of the labels have some similar fields, but not all the fields
are found on each label. If a field designated for auditing is not a part of a label, a comma is added as a
placeholder. The audit file can easily be transferred into an Excel spreadsheet, and in a future version of
Loftware, the file may be written to an ODBC datasource as well.
Images Use image file name instead of image data itself, for example, csa300.pcx
You do have the ability to include Non-Printing fields in your Audit File.
Non-Printing Fields Adding an operator name, for example, would help in keeping track of
that individuals daily part production.
Option Description
Fixed fields may also be added to the audit file list. Perhaps a fixed
division number is printed on a particular label, and adding this field
Fixed Fields
would keep a per-division count of labels and the included pertinent
data.
Related Information
For other auditing options, refer to Global Auditing in this guide.
If you are using the LPS, see the Housekeeping Tab section of the Loftware Print Server Users Guide for
information on managing the size of audit files.
Review the CSV rules found in the Loftware Print Server section of the Loftware Print Server Users Guide.
Legacy Auditing
To use Loftwares audit function as it was before version 6.1, then select Legacy Auditing.
Why would you use Legacy Auditing?Perhaps you have already set up a program to parse the data
from your auditing setup, and things are working well.
l Audit file names are in the format mmmdd_yy.txt (The .txt extension ensures easy file import into
spreadsheet and database applications.)
l Barcode fields have two Audit file entries, one for the barcode data and the second (fieldname.
HR) for the human readable data.
Example 1
Default Audit settings in the Audit File: name is Jan22_03.TXT
Wed Jan 22 08:45:17 2003,RL00001048,App:ODP,C:\AUDIT.LWL:PRINT
DATA:,Barc0000=12312312,Barc0000.HR=12312312
Example 2
Show Print Requests and Show Print Status enabled in the Legacy Options dialog box ; name is Apr22_02.TXT
Wed Apr 22 08:52:34 2003,RL00001048,App:ODP,C:\AUDIT.LWL: REQUEST: Printer:1
Quantity:1 Duplicates:1
Note: The Show Non-Printing Data in Audit Files only shows non-printing data for Zebra labels.
Label Versioning
If Label Versioning is turned on in your system, changes made to individual labels are numbered and
tracked.
Label Comments
Label comments can be used to communicate changes made to a specific version of a label. While not
required, label comments can be used with Label Versioning to help with change tracking. You can
require comments or make them optional when you enable label comments.
Note: If you were using Label Comments previous to using Label Versioning, any comments you made prior to
enabling Label Versioning will not be visible from the Open dialog. You can view previously entered comments
from the Label Setup and Properties dialog.
Fixed Images
While images are not separately version tracked in LPS or LLM, you can chose to embed fixed images with
a label file.
Promotion
Promotion is the act of moving a label from one versioning-enabled instance to another versioning-
enabled instance. One example is moving a new label into a Production environment (LPS) from a
Development environment (Design).
In order to promote a label, you must be logged into the system you are promoting from as a user with
access to the folder to which you are promoting. Typically this means that the user promoting should be
a member of the Loftware_Group user group on the system to which the label is being promoted.
See the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation and Configuration Guide for information on
configuring Instances to use when promoting labels.
Prerequisites
Enable Label Versioning
Note: Label versions created prior to Label Versioning being enabled are not available.
3. A message will appear indicating that you are opening a version controlled label. Click Yes to
open a read-only copy of the label.
Prerequisites
l Enable Label Versioning on both systems.
See the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation and Configuration Guide for more information on
configuring instances.
See the Loftware Print Server User Guide for information on promoting labels using a command line utility,
LWVersionUtility.
Loftware's RFID resource offers the ability to design and create EPC RFID Smart Labels, enabling
implementation of mandates set forth by Wal-Mart and the Department of Defense. It provides the most-
commonly used EPC encoding schemes for transparently programming RFID inlays embedded in label
substrates. Loftware allows encoded smart labels to be driven to many supported UHF RFID printers.
Loftware extends its RFID solution to utilize RFID tag block data structures and support EPC and DoD
data constructs for both HF and UHF schemes. Memory on RFID smart labels is segmented into blocks.
Depending on the tag type, blocks can vary in number and size. Loftware addresses these differences by
providing access to each block to accommodate additional data. Data can be written for supported UHF
and HF labels on a block by block basis.
With businesses poised to tackle migration to Generation 2 tag types while maintaining a multi-protocol
RFID environment, Loftware extends support for UHF Class 1 Generation 2 tags (C1G2). Loftware
provides access to C1G2s expanded block structure that includes a higher level of security. It has added
several RFID printers that support the C1G2 protocol to its device line.
This section guides you through creating RFID smart labels. It demonstrates block configuration using
EPC or DoD construct. It includes many examples with sample data to help you through the learning
curve and to get you up and running quickly.
Keep the following in mind as you expand your tracking system to include RFID:
l Loftware supports creating RFID Smart Labels and will continue to support legacy barcode labels.
l Labels can be designed in such a way that no new data is necessary for EPC codes to be generated
from existing data. Changes to your label are required, but changes to your print time system
may not be necessary.
l In general, although familiarity with the EPC or US Department of Defense tag specifications is
encouraged, specific knowledge is not needed. All EPC/DoD intricacies are handled
automatically.
l Although normal barcode labels can be printed on any printer with any license, the Loftware
Premier Plus RFID is required to enable the programming of RFID Smart Labels.
l You must have a Loftware-supported RFID printer to print a programmed RFID smart label.
In order to encode data on RFID labels, an RFID device must support specific RFID commands.Some
RFID devices exclusively support UHF tag types. Some printers support only HF tag types; a few
support HF and UHF tag types.
Most RFID systems in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band operate between 868 and 930 MHz.
Loftware supports tags that comply with EPCglobal and DOD coding standards for UHF. They include
UHF 64-bit Class 1, UHF 96-bit Class 1, UHF 96-bit Class 0+, UHF UCODE EPC 1.19, or UHF ISO 18000-
6B.Loftware also supports UHF Class 1 Generation 2 tags. Tag types differ in the block layout as shown
in the table below.
2 blocks:
PC- (Pass Code) - block size = 1 byte
UHF 64-bit Class 1
(Refer to Block Configuration for more information on the PC block.)
EPC - block size = 8 bytes
2 blocks:
PC- (Pass Code) - block size = 1 byte
UHF 96-bit Class 1
(Refer to Block Configuration for more information on the PC block.)
EPC - block size = 12 bytes
3 blocks:
KC - (Kill Code) - block size=3 bytes
UHF 96-bit Class 0+
EPC- block size=12 bytes
USR - block size=13 bytes
1 block
UHF UCODE EPC 1.19
#0 - block size = 12 bytes
1 block
UHF ISO 18000-6B
#0 - block size = 200 bytes
4 blocks
AP 4-byte Access Password
UHF Class 1 Gen 2 KP 4-byte Kill Password
EPC 12 bytes
USR 32 bytes
In addition, the C1G2 specification allows for expanded data structures in a user-defined memory bank.
C1G2 tags have four banks of non-volatile memory: Reserved Memory, EPC Memory, TID Memory, and
User Memory.
Reserved Memory holds the tags passwords: a 32-bit Kill password that allows a tag to be
permanently disabled, a 32-bit Access password that allows a tag to transition to a secured state.
EPC Memory contains a 16-bit CRC, a 16-bit Protocol Control, and an EPC.
TID Memory Tag ID memory contains the tag manufacturer, model number, and other information
added by the manufacturer (for example, the tag serial number).
Loftware allows access to C1G2 tags Kill Password (KP), Access Password (AP), and EPC memory
blocks.
RFID labels can be created in Loftware using the following tag types.
Tag types available depend on whether these are supported by the target RFID device.
Supported High Frequency (HF) tag types include the Philips HF I-Code, Philips HF I-Code ISO 15693, TI
HF Tag-it, and TI HF Tag-it ISO 15693.
11 blocks:
blocks 5 to 15
Philips HF I-Code Lock Tag After Writing, Overflow, EAS, AFI
block size = 4 bytes
each
28 blocks:
Philips HF I-Code ISO blocks 0 to 27 Lock Tag After Writing, Overflow, EAS, AFI,
15693 block size = 4 bytes DSFID
each
8 blocks:
blocks 0 to 7
TI HF Tag-it Lock Tag After Writing, Overflow
block size = 4 bytes
each
64 blocks:
blocks 0 to 63
TI HF Tag-it ISO 15693 Lock Tag After Writing, Overflow, AFI, DSFID
block size = 4 bytes
each
Related Information
Refer to the section on RFID Devices and Tag Types in the Printers and Labels section.
RFID Standards
Several organizations are involved in drafting specifications for RFID applications. EPCglobal has
focused its work primarily in the UHF range. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has mandated that
its suppliers encode RFID tags using EPCglobal or DoD tag constructs.
EPCglobal US standards and the equipment used to produce the RFID labels are still evolving.The next
table lists the standards that were followed during the development of the Loftware RFID
functionality.We strongly recommend that you obtain a copy of the specifications associated with these
standards for your reference.As the standards evolve and new equipment becomes available, Loftware
remains committed to providing service packs and new releases to keep up with these changes.Please
check the online documentation on the Loftware Web site often for the latest changes.
Standard Source
Table 5-5: Specifications used by Loftware for calculating EPC RFID codes
Standard Location
http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/r_suppliers_
DoD Suppliers Passive RFID Information Guide
guide.html
The DoD Guide explains how suppliers can encode tags using either the EPCglobal tag data construct or
the DoD tag data construct. The choice depends on whether or not a supplier is a member of EPCglobal
(or plans to join EPCglobal). Refer to the DoD Encoding Type section for additional information.
ISO Standards
ISO/IEC 15693 was originally intended to define the way RFID Contactless Integrated Vicinity Cards look
and communicate. The standard has been adopted by major RFID companies as a guideline for
transponders. The specifications it describes include transmission parameters and protocol. Its command
set covers reading, writing, and locking data for single and multiple blocks.
ISO 18000 deals only with air interface protocol, the rules that govern how tags and readers
communicate. Where EPC defines coding structure, Object Naming Service, physical implementation of
tags and readers, and air interface, ISO 18000 is not concerned with data content or structure or the
physical implementation of tags and readers. Tags made according to ISO 18000 are simply able to carry
EPC data.
The ISO/IEC 15693 and ISO 18000 standards are available from the ISO Web site.
To reiterate important RFID license information about using the Loftware RFID functionality:
l You must have the Loftware Print Server Premier edition with the RFID option.
l You must have an RFID Printer license to print RFID Smart Labels. You may use an RFID Printer
license to drive a non-RFID printer, but not vice versa.
Please contact Loftware's Customer Service at (603) 766-3630 to purchase the RFID Solution or additional
RFID printer seats.
Related Information
Refer to the Loftware End User License Agreement for more information. A PDF of this document is available at
the root level of your installation CD or download package.
You must have a Loftware-supported RFID printer in order to print a working RFID Smart label. A list of
supported RFID devices can be found in the Printers and Labels section of this guide, as well as on the
Tech Support section of the Loftware Web site.
l Make sure that the label stock that you choose is approved by your device manufacturer.
l Be sure you understand how your device handles tag programming errors and bad tags.For
example, most manufacturers have several settings for retry or overstrike.
l Familiarize yourself with how to set up your device for RFID. Take any training courses that you
can to better familiarize yourself with the hardware.
l The Printers and Labels section of this manual has more information on specific RFID settings
that can be set via the software for the target RFID device. However, the documentation that
comes with your device should be your primary source of information.
l The Printers and Labels section also has information on Loftware RFID Devices and the Tag
Types each supports.
1. Select File | New. This launches the New Media Wizard which will guide you through the step-
by-step process of creating a new label or an RFID label.
2. From the Welcome screen, click Next.This opens the Media Type Selection page of the New
Media Wizard.
3. From the Select Media section of the New Media Wizard, select New RFID Label. Click Next.
Note: The Manufacturer list is limited to Loftware-supported RFID printer families. Selecting a Manufacturer
further limits the list of RFID printers to Models belonging to the selected printer family.
Note: You can change the tag display after the label is created from the RFID fields property sheet.
4. Enter the height and width of the label stock for the target printer.As you change the dimensions
of the label, they are reflected in the Preview section.
5. Set the orientation for this label.The default is 0. Click Next. Information on print orientation is
found in the On-Screen Label Presentation section.
Note: Compliance templates provide a quick starting point for designing a label. Loftware includes a number of
pre-built templates that you can use as is or as a starting point for your new label.You can customize your own
template and add it to the template selections.
An RFID antenna icon is automatically dropped on the label. If you selected to use a compliance
template, there may be other fields on the label.
The antenna icon is merely a placeholder for the RFID field. This allows you to view its approximate
location on the label, making it easier to design other fields around it. Check its location on the label as
you may need to move it up or down, depending on your particular label stock.You may also change
the Tag Display property to better reflect the physical characteristics of your label stock.
You can now set properties and define the data source for the RFID field. You can also add other fields
on the label.
Note: If you have not configured the target printer for this label, when you specify label settings in Media Setup
(F5), a warning is displayed.
The example below shows a label with the normal address fields and a barcode that has a GS1 (UCC)
assigned Company Prefix and an Item Reference Code. The combination of the Company Prefix and Item
Reference Code forms the basis for GTIN (Global Trade Identification Number) product identification.
GTIN, together with the Serial Number, is used in the SGTIN (Serialized GTIN) specification. You will
need serial number information to convert the barcode label to an RFID smart label using SGTIN
encoding.
1. Use File | Open to bring up the label in Design mode. It may look similar to the following figure:
2. Before you can add an RFID field to the label, you must specify the target RFID printer. Right click
the label and select Media Setup from the popup menu (or press F5).
3. Select a target printer Manufacturer and an RFID printer Model from the Label Setup dialog. Click
OK.
4. If the selected printer has not been configured, you will be alerted and given the choice of doing so
or of configuring it at a later time. A warning message may also tell you of changes to the label
needed for the selected target printer.
5. Add the RFID field by selecting the antenna tool button and then click its location on the label.
The following examples demonstrate deriving data values from sources other than the keyboard.
Note: This field automatically gets the 5 digit ItemReference field starting at position 7 in the ProductCode
barcode field. If the ProductCode value is 09401234567894, the extracted ItemReference value would be
34567.
Note: This value automatically increments the 8-digit Serial Number, starting at 10029343 for every label you
produce.
1. Create and populate a database that include fields for the 5-digit ItemReference and 8-digit
SerialNumber.Set the ItemReference field as the primary key field. This will serve as the look-up
field for the database.
2. Set an ODBC connection to the database.
3. Using the label you just created above or a similar label with the same fields, select the
ItemReference field. Click the Data Source browse button (...) to access the Data Source
dialog.Change its data source to Database-Key.
a. Select the ODBC Data Source name of the database you just set up in steps 1 & 2.Select the
table containing the values, if there is more than one table in the database.
b. From Field, select the ItemReference field.
c. Click OK.
4. Follow the same steps to set up the data source for the SerialNumber field, but set its data source
to Database-Data.
These are just a few ways you can obtain values for fields on your RFID Smart Label.
Related Information
Refer to the Data Sources section for more information.
For information on how to connect to your database using ODBC, refer to the ODBC section if needed.
Total_pieces
Item Description
Note: Any field available on the toolbox, except another RFID field, can be added to an RFID smart label.In
addition, you can utilize data sources other than the Keyboard to obtain values for the text fields.
Block Configuration
From the Block Configuration dialog, data source and the data that will be encoded can be specified for
each block.
Tag Type
This lists the HF/UHF tag protocols supported by the target RFID device.
Block #
This shows the block type or block number. The number and type of blocks available depend on the
selected Tag Type, as shown in the table below.
UHF Gen 1
UHF Class 1 HF
Class Class UCODE EPC ISO 18000- Gen 2 Tags
1 0+ 1.19 6B
PC
KC
AP
KP
EPC
USR
#X # X to
Block # 0 Block # 0
to n n
Tag
Description
Type
Used for a 64-bit and 96-bit Class 1 Gen 1 tags, this is the Pass Code, a 1-byte value used
to deactivate the tag and render it unresponsive to reader commands.
PC
The Pass Code is required to lock the EPC block and/or to enable Lock Tag After Writing.
The Lock setting of the PC block is disabled.
KC Used for a Class 0+ tag, this is the Kill Code, a 3-byte value that deactivates the tag.
Used for a Class 1 Gen 2 tag, this is the Access Password, a 4-byte value that allows access
AP commands to be executed, including writing to locked blocks, and sets the tag in secure
state. To lock the EPC or the KP block of a Class 1 Gen 2 tag, AP must first be set.
For a Class 1 Gen 2 tag, this is the Kill Password, a 4-byte value that will be used to
KP
deactivate the tag.
EPC Used to select an EPC or DOD encoding from the Data Source column.
For a Class 0+ tag, this block can be used for 13 bytes of user data. For a C1G2 tag, this
USR
block can be used for 32 bytes of user data.
For the HF tag type, this column lists the configurable block number (from X to n).
Data Source
Setting Description
Unused No data will be sent to this block.
Fixed When selected, data for this block can be directly entered in the Data column.
When selected, an existing field on the label can be chosen from a drop down list in the
Field Data column. The list is limited to variable text and barcode fields for labels. For tags,
this is limited to variable text fields.
Setting Description
New When selected, a field name can be entered in the Data column that does not yet exist on
Field the label but will be specified later.
Available for the EPC block; when selected, you can launch the EPC Configuration dialog
from the Data column. Refer to the EPC Encoding Types section for information. Once
EPC
the EPC portion has been configured, the Data column for this row will show the EPC
Encoding Type.
DoD When selected, you can launch the DOD Configuration dialog from the Data column.
When selected, you can launch the URI Configuration dialog from the Data column.
Note: There can be only one block with an EPC, DoD, or URI data source for a
URI label. Once you have a block configured using URI of any of the EPC or DoD
encoding types, other blocks that you wish to configure must use any of the other
data sources (Unused, Fixed, New Field, or Field).
The format of the data input. Selections include ASCII, Decimal, and Hexadecimal.
Input
Depending on the requirements of the device and the selected option, conversions may
Type
be applied to the data being passed to the device.
When data for a block is smaller than the data allocated for the block, the Bytes value is
Padding shown in red. You must select whether the padding should be added to the Left or to the
Right of the data. None, for no padding, is the default.
When Left or Right padding is selected for a block that requires data padding, the
Pad Char
character that will be used for padding can be selected Zero or Space.
This is the size in bytes of the data for this block. This is filled in once the block has been
Bytes configured and depends on the selected Data Source and the Data being sent to the
device. If this is shown in red, the data value is either too small or too big for the block.
Block The maximum size (in bytes) of the block. If data defined for the block is too small or too
Size large for the block, a warning message is displayed. See Padding and Overflow settings.
For the above tags (UHF 64-bit, UHF 96-bit Class 1 Gen 1, UHF 96-bit Class 0+), the Lock box is an L (on)
or OFF setting. When Lock Tag After Writing is enabled for these tags, the Lock state of the EPC or the
USR block cannot be changed without first turning Lock Tag After Writing off.
l UHF ISO 18000-6B, UHF UCODE EPC 1.19 Each has only one block and its Lock box is
disabled. However, Lock Tag After Writing can be set.
l HF - Lock can be set for each block. Lock Tag After Writing can be set.
l UHF Class 1 Gen 2 - To set the Lock setting to anything other than Off for the KP or the EPC
block, the Access Password (AP) must be set. The available Lock options depend on the target
device:
Overflow
If data defined for a block exceeds the size assigned to the block, this allocates additional space from the
next undefined adjacent blocks. For example, if block #5 requires 12 bytes for its data but it only has 4
bytes allocated to it, if Overflow is enabled and the next adjacent blocks (blocks 6 and 7) are unused, the
allocated bytes for these blocks will be assigned to accommodate the data in block #5.The rows used for
the overflow are shaded and cannot be configured.Note that only HF tags support Overflow allocation.
EAS
Electronic article surveillance, an item-tagging system that, when turned on, sounds an alert when an
item that the EAS tag is attached to leaves an area.This is currently supported by the Philips HF tag
types.
Related Information
Refer to the Printers and Labels section's sections on Tag Configuration and RFID Devices and Tag Types.
EPC Configuration
Note: There can be only one block with an EPC, DoD, or URI data source for a label.Once you have a block
configured using any of the EPC, DoD, or URI encoding types, other blocks that you wish to configure will be
limited to the other data sources (Unused, Fixed, New Field, or Field).
The options available on the EPC Configuration grid depend on the EPC Encoding Type selected.
Field Description
This lists the available EPC encoding schemes that can be used to create an EPC label.
EPC
Currently, the choices are: GIAI-64 GIAI-96, GIAI-96 ALT, GID-96, GRAI-64, GRAI-96, GRAI-96
Encoding
ALT, SGLN-64, SGLN-96, SGLN-96 ALT, SGTIN-64, SGTIN-96, SGTIN-96 ALT, SSCC-64, SSCC-
Type
96, and SSCC-96 ALT. Refer to the EPC Encoding Types section for more information.
This lists EPC fields based on the selected EPC Encoding Type. These fields are described in the
EPC Field
specific sections on the EPC Encoding Type.
When Field is selected, an existing field on the label can be chosen from a drop down list in the Data
Field column.For labels, the list of fields is limited to variable text and barcode fields.For tags, only variable
text can be used.
When Choice is selected, a drop down list in the Data column restricts values for this EPC field to a
Choice
predefined list.
Data
Description
Source
New When New Field is selected, a field name can be entered in the Data column that does not yet exist on
Field the label but will be specified later.
Click OK when all EPC fields have been defined.A warning is displayed if there are missing entries in
any EPC field.
DoD Configuration
Note: There can be only one block with an EPC, DoD, or URI data source for a label. Once you have a block
configured using any of the EPC, DoD, or URI encoding types, other blocks that you wish to configure will be
limited to the other data sources (Unused, Fixed, New Field, or Field).
The options available on the DoD Configuration grid are similar for both 64-bit and 96-bit DoD Encoding
Types. They differ in data size allowed.
The following table describes the DoD fields available from the DoD Configuration dialog.
Filter Value This specifies packaging level and identifies a pallet, case, or item (0, 1, 2).
Government This field uses a unique Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) alphanumeric code
Managed assigned to a supplier by the DoD. See the next section, DoD Encoding Type, for more
Identifier information.
This is a number assigned by the supplier (the holder of the CAGE code) to uniquely identify
Serial Number
the item.
Data
Description
Source
When Field is selected, an existing field on the label can be chosen from a drop down list in the Data
Field column.For labels, the list of fields is limited to variable text and bar code fields.For tags, only variable
text can be used.
When Choice is selected, a drop down list in the Data column restricts values for this DOD field to a
Choice
predefined list.
New When New Field is selected, a field name can be entered in the Data column that does not yet exist
Field on the label but will be specified later.
URI Configuration
Note: There can be only one block with an EPC, DoD, or URI data source for a label. Once you have a block
configured using EPC, DoD, or URI encoding, other blocks that you wish to configure will be limited to the
other data sources (Unused, Fixed, New Field, or Field).
A Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is a character string representation that is used to identity a
resource.A Uniform Reference Name (URN) is a URI that identifies a resource by name within a
namespace.Loftware uses the urn:epc namespace. The resource name includes the data type, the
encoding type, followed by the encoding fields:
urn:epc:type:EncName:EncodingFields
where type is the data type, EncName is the encoding type used, and EncodingFields are the data fields
required by the encoding type, separated by dot marks.
urn:epc:tag:gid-96:6289.11800.4058
In this example, the GID-96 encoding fields part of the URI are entered in the format
GeneralManagerNumber.ObjectClass.SerialNumber
GID-96 Example
General Manager Number 6289
SerialNumber 4058
urn:epc:tag:gid-
URI
96:6289.11800.4058
One way to determine the URI representation of your data and how it is formatted for use with Loftware
is through the Loftware RFID Calculator.
To encode a DoD tag, the following fields are placed in the proper order within the 64 bits or 96 bits of
the tag:
l DoD header value This specifies whether the data is encoded as a DOD-64 or a DOD-96 tag
construct.
l Filter value This identifies a pallet, a case, or a UID item. The values are the same for DOD-64
and DOD-96.
l CAGE Code This is a unique Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code assigned to the
supplier by the DoD. To encode the alphanumeric 5-character CAGE code, a simple algorithm is
used. For DoD-64 constructs, it is compressed by truncating the two most significant bits of the 8-
bit ASCII representation of the characters. For DoD-96, an ASCII space char is prepended to the
CAGE code. The mapped values are listed in the DOD document referenced above. The result is
the Government Managed Identifier value.
l Serial Number This uniquely identifies the tagged item.
The 64-bit or 96-bit binary (base 2) number is then converted into hexadecimal (base 16) format for
encoding. The result is a unique number that can be written to the tag.
The table below shows the hex result of the two examples given in the DoD Guide referenced above. We
can use the values in the DoD encoding examples that follow.
Encoding CA Filter
Serial # Hex Result
Type GE Value
1D38
DoD-64 1 16522293 CE71133E31FC1C35
1
Example 1 - DoD-96
In this example, a supplier with an assigned CAGE code is encoding a 96-bit tag on a case of
goods.Note that the steps to create a DoD-64 tag are very similar. The DoD fields are the same but differ
in the data size.Note, however, that DoD-64 encoding cannot be used with Class 1 Generation 2 tag
types, which require a 96-bit EPC identifier.
Note: The Data Source dialog shows a summary of the configured block.
Creating a tag or label using DoD-64 encoding is very similar to the example above. It uses the same
DoD fields for encoding the data. The difference is the size of the data that can be written to the block.
Note: For all examples in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator application to help you verify
the encoded data.
All EPC encodings are designed to produce a unique number. In addition to a header, EPC encodings
include one or more value fields that contain a unique EPC identifier and an optional Filter value. The
EPC encoding type you use may depend on a number of things, including specified requirements, the
type of data you include or have available to identify objects or classes.
Note: All 96-bit examples included in this section can be used for Class 1 Generation 2 (C1G2) tag
types.Because C1G2 tags require a 96-bit EPC identifier, 64-bit encodings cannot be used with C1G2 tags.
To apply the 96-bit encoding examples to Class 1 Generation 2 tags, verify that the label is configured for
a device that supports C1G2 tag types.
Related Information
For tag types that each Loftware RFID device supports, refer to the Printers and Labels section of this guide.
GID-96 EPC
Description
Field
This number, which must be unique within each General Manager Number domain,
Object Class
identifies a class or type of thing.
GID-96 EPC
Description
Field
Serial Number This number must be unique within each Object Class.
GID-96 is encoded by concatenating the following fields, from most significant to least significant:
Header, General Manager Number, Object Class, and Serial Number.
Note: All 96-bit examples included in this section can be applied to Class 1 Generation 2 tag types. Because
Generation 2 tags require a 96-bit EPC identifier, 64-bit encoding cannot be used with them.
In this example, the General Manager Number and the Object Class fields have fixed values.The Serial
Number obtains its value from a Serial Number data source, for an RFID smart label.
1. Load (or design) the RFID smart label.Refer to Creating RFID Smart Labels, if needed.
2. Using the tool, add a variable text field for the Serial Number field.
3. Specify the data source for the Serial Number:
a. Double click the Serial-Number field to access the Data Source dialog.
b. Select Serial-Number data source, and click Edit.
c. Leave the defaults unchanged for Increment, Numeric Only, and By Value=1. Change the
Length to 4, and type a Start Value of 4058.
d. Click OK to each of the dialogs to return to the label design form.
4. Double click the RFID antenna icon. Alternatively, select and then right click the RFID antenna
icon. From the popup menu, select Edit Data Source.
5. From the Data Source dialog, select Block Configuration and then click Configure. This launches
the Block Configuration dialog.
6. For the EPC block, select EPC from the Data Source column. Leave the Tag Type at UHF 96-bit
Class 1.
7. Click in the Data cell to reveal the browse button (...). Click the browse button (...) to access the
EPC Configuration dialog.
8. Set the EPC Encoding Type property to GID-96. Refer to the General Identifier (GID-96) section for
a description of EPC fields on this dialog.
9. On the grid, set the Data Source for General Manager Number to Fixed. Type your EPCglobal-
assigned company or organization number in its Data cell. If you are simply following along,
enter 6289.
10. Select a Fixed data source for the Object Class field, and enter 11800 in its Data box.
11. Set the Data Source for Serial Number to Field, and select its field name from its Data drop-down
list. This is the field created in step 2. If you are simply following along, select a Fixed Data
Source, and enter 4058 in its Data box.
12. Click OK on the EPC Configuration and the Block Configuration dialogs.
Note: The Data Source dialog now shows a summary of the configured block.
The sample data and the encoded result are shown in the following table.
General Manager
6289
Number
350001891002E18000000FD
Result
A
Related Information
For all examples given in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to help you verify the encoded
data.Encoding and decoding examples of using this tool are provided in this section.
You can add other fields to the label, as described in the Designing the New Label section of this guide.
The combination of the Company Prefix and the Item Reference is preceded by an Indicator Digit and
followed by a Check Digit. These data elements are used as the basis for the SGTIN specification.
GTIN is normally stored as 14 digit numbers and can be derived from data that you probably already
have by left padding it with 0s as shown in the following table.
Barcode GTIN
GTIN
Symbology Structure
0061414100044
UPC-12 (UPC-A)
9
0940123456789
EAN-13
4
l The leftmost digit is the Indicator Digit, which can be changed (by you, the supplier) to denote
various packaging levels.
l The rightmost digit is the Check Digit, which you may already have or you may have relied on
the label printer to calculate. This check digit is dropped during the EPC encoding.
l The middle 12 digits consist of your GS1 assigned Company Prefix and the Item Reference Code.
The breakpoint between the two varies with the length of your assigned prefix.
Where GS1 barcodes have traditionally been used, the SGTIN specification can be used beyond the Item
Reference right down to the exact serial number of the item.
If you are already printing GS1 barcodes, most likely you already have the basis for forming a GTIN,
especially if you are involved in the Sunrise 2005 Initiative. In addition to the GTINs, you, as the
managing entity, will need to assign serial numbers to individual objects.With this information,
Loftwares flexible architecture allows you to create an RFID SGTIN code with relative ease.
There are 3 ways to set an RFID label to create an SGTIN code.Each of these methods is sufficiently
different to warrant describing them separately.
l Calculate SGTIN from existing GTIN and Serial Number data.This scenario for 96 bit labels is
demonstrated in Example 3.
l Calculate SGTIN from existing Company Prefix, Item Reference, and Serial Data.This technique
can be used for both 96 and 64 bit tags and is demonstrated in Example 4.
l Send literal SGTIN data (in hexadecimal format) directly to the field (96 or 64 bit).This is
demonstrated in Examples 8 and 9.
Not part of the GTIN, as such. Used for pre-selection of basic logistics types, such
Filter Value
as items, cases, and pallets
Length of the GS1 Company Prefix. The lengths of the GS1 Company Prefixes
Company Prefix Length
assigned to companies vary.
SGTIN-96 ALT
Description
EPC Field
Not part of the GTIN, as such. Used for pre-selection of basic logistics types, such as items,
Filter Value
cases, and pallets
A unique number assigned to an individual object by the managing entity (the holder of the
Serial Number
Company Prefix).
A single digit number that can be used to increase the numbering capacity to identify the
Indicator Digit
packaging level of a product, as in the GS1-14.
SGTIN-64 EPC
Description
Field
Not part of the GTIN, as such. Used for pre-selection of basic logistics types, such as
Filter Value
items, cases, and pallets
An index into a table that provides the Company Prefix as well as an indication of the
Company Prefixs length. An index is assigned to companies that need to use the 64 bit
Company Prefix Index tags, in addition to their existing GS1 Company Prefixes.
For information on Company Prefix Index and the Object Naming Service, refer to the
EPCglobal's web site.
Number assigned by the managing entity (the holder of the Company Prefix) to a an
Item Reference
object class
Serial Number A unique number assigned to an individual object by the managing entity.
In the example below, the GTIN data is already specified in a UCC barcode. You combine it with the
Serial Number data to obtain the SGTIN.
6. Click in the Data cell to reveal a browse button (...). Click the browse button (...) to access the EPC
Configuration dialog.
7. Set the EPC Encoding Type to SGTIN-96.
8. Set the Filter Value to denote packaging level. In this example, select the Choice Data Source, and
select 3 from the Data drop-down list.
9. The Company Prefix Length depends on the length of your UCC-assigned Company Prefix.For
purposes of this example, select Choice for its Data Source, and type in 6 in the Data column.
10. Set the GTIN Data Source to Field, and select the Barc001 barcode field on the label or the GTIN_1
field on the tag from the Data column.
11. Set the Serial Number Data Source to Field, and select the serial number field.
The configured grid for the example label may look like the following.
12. Click OK to each of the dialogs to return to the label design area.Note that the Data Source dialog
now shows a summary of the configured block.
You have just set up your RFID Smart Label to obtain its GTIN and Serial Number from existing fields
on the label.They could also derive their data from other data sources like a database.
l Instead of supplying the Serial Number, its data source could be set to Serial-Number where the
starting number can be pulled from a file.
l The barcode in this example could be UPC-A, EAN-8, EAN-13, ITF-14, Code 128, or GS1 DataBar
Omnidirectional.
l The data for this example could be supplied using On-Demand Print. It could just as well come
from an LPS .pas file, .xml, .csv, ActiveX Control, .Net Control, WebX Control, or Socket
Integration.
l The Serial and Barcode fields could be made as invisible data placeholders by setting their
Printing Field property to No or by placing the data placeholders in the On-Demand Print Form
rather than on the label itself.
l Your label will be different from the one previously shown.You need to apply these concepts to
your own situation.
l This example can be extended to use the SGTIN-96 ALT encoding.
Related Information
For all examples given in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to help you verify the encoded
data. Encoding and decoding examples of using this tool are provided in this guide.
Refer to the Serialized Global Trade Identification Number (SGTIN) section for explanation of the EPC fields on
this dialog.
Note: This example cannot be used with Class 1 Generation 2 (C1G2) tag types. Generation 2 tags require a 96-
bit EPC identifier. Use 96-bit encoding examples with C1G2 tags.
In this example, you must supply a Company Prefix Index.This is assigned to you by GS1 as described
in the specifications. This prefix is static and does not change. The Item Reference and Serial Number
fields are set to obtain their data from fields that are on the label. Sample data is included if you wish to
just follow along with the example.
Rather than creating placeholders for data, you may simply send the appropriate data to the fields using
the Keyboard data source. You can also enter the values directly into the Data column after selecting a
Fixed data source from the EPC Configuration dialog, and this is also demonstrated in this example.
10. Set the Data Source for Company Prefix Index to Fixed. You can type in your GS1-assigned
Company Prefix Index. If you are simply following the tutorial and do not have a Company Prefix
Index number, type in 10301.
11. Set the Data Source for Item Reference to Field, and select the item field from the Data column.
12. Set the Serial Number Data Source to Field, and select the serial number field from the Data
column.
13. Click OK to each of the dialogs to return to the label.Note that the Data Source dialog now shows
settings summary for the configured block.
The table below shows the RFID tag value calculated from specific supplied values.These values can be
supplied via the On-Demand Print application, LPS .pas file, .xml, .csv, ActiveX Control, .Net Control,
WebX Control, or any Socket Integration method.
With the values used in the example above and shown in the table below, the calculated 64 bit encoding
result = 8507A2B61A99091F.
Filter Value 0
The following LPS pas file syntax demonstrates the equivalent print request using the Loftware Print
Server.
*FORMAT, rfidLabel_sgtin64.lwl
*JOBNAME, SampleJob002
*QUANTITY, 1
*PRINTERNUMBER, 1
Item, 88845
SerialNumber,10029343
CompanyIndex, 10301
Filter, 0
*PRINTLABEL
The following figure shows the printed label (with other added fields). Although you cannot see the data
for the RFID tag, it is there and is set to the value shown in the table above (8507A2B61A99091F).This
example uses sample data; you will obtain different results by supplying your own data.
l No changes in the data required to originally print this label without the RFID tag were made.
You can use your existing method of printing without modification and the EPC encoded data
will be correct.
l The Check Digit is not included in the data; the printer automatically calculates it.
l The Company Prefix data cannot be used because 64 bit encoding does not allow for it.This
example is for 64 bit tags only.
l Your label will be different. You need to apply these concepts to your own situation.
l The data for the label example can come from the On-Demand Print application, an LPS .pas file,
.xml, .csv, ActiveX Control, .Net Control, WebX Control, or Socket Integration.
l You can hard-code the Company Prefix Index into the label as a non-printing field. You could
also set its data source to Keyboard. If this is done, 1031 (your actual value will be different)
would have to be sent with each label request.
Related Information
For all examples given in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to help you verify the encoded
data.Encoding and decoding examples of using this tool are provided in this guide.
For information on Company Prefix Index and the Object Naming Service, refer to the EPCglobal's web site.
If you already have an existing SSCC label, it is a simple matter to convert it to an EPC SSCC RFID
Smart Label. The biggest difference between the technique used for encoding SSCC from that used for
SGTIN is that in SSCC, the serial number is usually already present.Because of this, all data for the RFID
smart label can be automatically extracted from the barcode. This is what makes the following example
so simple. Example 5 is very similar to that of Examples 2 and 3 in the SGTIN section.
Figure 5.13: Typical SSCC pallet label with a GS1-128 (UCC-128) SSCC Barcode
SSCC-96 EPC
Description
Field
Filter Value Used for pre-selection of basic logistics types, such as items, cases, and pallets
Company Prefix Length of the GS1 Company Prefix. The lengths of the GS1 Company Prefixes
Length assigned to companies vary.
SSCC-96 ALT
Description
EPC Field
Filter Value Used for pre-selection of basic logistics types, such as items, cases, and pallets
SSCC-96 ALT
Description
EPC Field
Number assigned uniquely by the managing entity (the holder of the GS1
Serial Reference
Company Prefix) to a specific shipping unit.
Extension Digit Used to increase the capacity of the Serial Reference number within the SSCC
SSCC-64 EPC
Description
Field
Filter Value Used for pre-selection of basic logistics types, such as items, cases, and pallets
An index into a table that provides the Company Prefix as well as an indication of
Company Prefix
the Company Prefixs length. An index is assigned to companies that need to use
Index
the 64 bit tags, in addition to their existing GS1 Company Prefixes.
Number assigned uniquely by the managing entity (the holder of the GS1
Serial Reference
Company Prefix) to a specific shipping unit.
1. Load (or design) the label that you want to use. This is a label that has a GS1-128 (UCC-128)
barcode field.
2. Double-click the RFID antenna icon.Alternatively, select and then right click the RFID antenna
icon.From the popup menu, select Edit Data Source.
3. From the Data Source dialog, select Block Configuration and then click Configure.This launches
the Block Configuration dialog.
4. Set the Tag Type to UHF 96 bit Class 1.
5. Set the Data Source for the EPC block to EPC.Click the browse button (...) in the Data column to
display the EPC Configuration dialog.
6. Set the EPC Encoding Type to SSCC-96.
7. For the Filter Value, set the Data Source to Choice and its Data value to 4. This value is suggested
by Wal-Mart for pallet loads.Check your application or with your customer, as they may require a
different value.
8. For the Company Prefix Length, choose the Choice Data Source and 7 for its Data value.
9. For the SSCC field, set the data Source to Field.For its Data value, select the GS1-128 (UCC-128)
barcode field.
10. Click OK from each of the dialogs to return to the design area.
l This sample is valid for 96 bit RFID Smart Labels containing a GS1-128 (UCC-128) SSCC barcode
field.
l The Extension Digit, Company Prefix, and Serial number are automatically derived from the data
in the barcode field.
l You may use the SSCC-96 ALT encoding if you do not have an SSCC barcode from which to
derive the data.The ALT encoding allows you to send your data as Company Prefix, Serial
Reference, and Extension Digit. This can be set up in your label similar to Example 6.
Related Information
For all examples given in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to help you verify the encoded
data.Encoding and decoding examples of using this tool are provided in this guide.
Refer to the Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) section for a description of the fields on this dialog.
This means that you will still have to supply the data to the barcode as you normally would and use
non printing fields and formulas to derive the Serial Reference and the Company Prefix Index
fields.This example is similar to Example 3 in the SGTIN section.This is a bit more complicated to set
up than Example 5, but you still do not have to supply any extra data at print time.
SSCC-64 - Concatenates the following bit fields from most significant to least significant: Header, Filter
Value, Company Prefix Index, and Serial Reference.
Note: This example cannot be used for Class 1 Generation 2 (C1G2) tag types.Generation 2 tags require a 96-
bit EPC identifier.
1. Load or create the RFID Smart Label. This is a label that has a GS1-128 (UCC-128) SSCC barcode
field from which the SSCC value will be derived.In addition, it has a Serial Number field which,
for this example, has the following properties:
a. Printing Field is set to No.
b. Data Source is set to Formula using the Mid-String operation with the SSCC Barcode field, 11,
and 9 values.The formula will be similar to "mid(Barc0001,11,9)." This will automatically grab
9 digits from the barcode starting at position. If your serial number is embedded differently,
adjust the formula accordingly.
2. Double-click the RFID antenna icon.Alternatively, select and then right click the RFID antenna
icon. From the popup menu, select Edit Data Source.
3. From the Data Source dialog, select Block Configuration, and click Configure.
4. Set the Tag Type to UHF 64 bit Class 1.
5. Set the Data Source for the EPC block to EPC.Click the browse button (...) in the Data column to
display the EPC Configuration dialog.
6. Set the EPC Encoding Type to SSCC-64.
7. For the Filter Value, select Choice for its Data Source and its Data value to 4. This value is
suggested by Wal-Mart for pallet loads.Check your application or with your customer, as they
may require a different value. At the time of this writing, the filter values are still loosely defined.
8. For the Company Prefix Index, select Fixed for its Data Source and set its Data value to
14286.You may substitute your own Company Prefix Index here.
9. For the Serial Number, select Field for its Data Source and set its Data value to the Serial
Number field set up in step 1.
10. Click OK from the dialogs to return to the design area.
The following table shows the EPC encoding for the sample data provided above.The 64 bit encoding of
"089BE700003AA8E0" breaks down into the following constituent EPC components:
Filter Value 4
Related Information
For all examples given in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to help you verify the encoded
data.Encoding and decoding examples of using this tool are provided in this guide.
subsidiary within a company, a buyer), or functional entities (for example, an accounting department, a
ward).The GLN is a 13-digit number that consists of a GS1 assigned Company Prefix, a self-assigned
Location Reference, and a check digit.At this time, the Serialized portion of the specification is reserved
for future use and should not be used.
The SGLN encodings are very similar to those described for the SGTIN encodings above.You can encode
an SGLN by following the SGTIN example 3 and example 4 in this section.Substitute SGLN for SGTIN
and Location Reference for Item Reference. Serial Number is not used at this time.
Not part of the GLN but used for fast filtering and pre-selection
Filter Value
of basic location types
Not part of the GLN but used for fast filtering and pre-selection of basic
Filter Value
location types
Serial Number A unique number assigned to an individual object by the managing entity.
Not part of the GLN but used for fast filtering and pre-selection of basic
Filter Value
location types
GIAI 64 EPC
Description
Field
Used for pre-selection of basic asset types. These are the same for both 64-bit and 96-
Filter Value
bit GIAI.
An index into a table that provides the Company Prefix as well as an indication of the
Company Prefixs length.An index is assigned to companies that need to use the 64 bit
Company Prefix tags, in addition to their existing GS1 Company Prefixes.
Index
(For information on Company Prefix Index and the Object Naming Service, refer to the
EPCglobal's web site.)
Asset Reference A number assigned by the holder of an GS1 Company Prefix to an individual asset.
GIAI 96 EPC
Description
Field
Used for pre-selection of basic asset types.These are the same for both 64-bit and 96-bit
Filter Value
GIAI.
Company Prefix Length of the GS1 Company Prefix.The lengths of the GS1 Company Prefixes assigned
Length to companies vary.
A unique identifier assigned by the managing entity to a specific asset. It includes the
GIAI
Company Prefix and the individual asset reference.
GIAI 96 Alt
Description
EPC Field
Variable length number within a GIAI assigned by the holder of an GS1 Company Prefix to
Asset Reference
uniquely identify an individual asset.
3. Doubl- click the RFID antenna icon. Alternatively, select and then right click the RFID antenna
icon. From the popup menu, select Edit Data Source.
4. From the Data Source dialog, select Block Configuration and then click Configure.This launches
the Block Configuration dialog.
5. Set the Tag Type to UHF 96 bit Class 1.
6. Set the Data Source for the EPC block to EPC.Click the browse button (...) in the Data column to
display the EPC Configuration dialog.
7. Set the EPC Encoding Type to GIAI-96 ALT.
8. For the Filter Value, set the Data Source to Choice and its Data value to 0.
9. For the Company Prefix, choose the Fixed Data Source and type in 12345 for its Data value.You
may substitute your own Company Prefix here.
10. For the Asset Reference field, set the Data Source to Field.For its Data value, select AssetRef.
11. Click OK from each of the dialogs to return to the design area.
Related Information
For all examples given in this section, you can use the Loftware RFID Calculator to help you verify the encoded
data. Encoding and decoding examples of using this tool are provided in this guide.
Number assigned uniquely by the managing entity (the holder of the GS1
Asset Type
Company Prefix) to a particular class of asset
Serial Number A unique number assigned to an individual object by the managing entity.
Length of the GS1 Company Prefix. The lengths of the GS1 Company
Company Prefix Length
Prefixes assigned to companies vary.
Number assigned uniquely by the managing entity (the holder of the GS1
Asset Type
Company Prefix) to a particular class of asset
Note: This technique works for all types of EPC encoding including GID-96, SGTIN, SSCC, and SGLN, as well as
DOD encoding. Essentially, ease of setup is traded for more complex data calculations on the application side.
For example
the following field values for a SGTIN 64 would result in the hex value 84E60027760003E8.
Filter Value = 0
This is the value that will be encoded on the RFID label. When you print your label using any Loftware
printing method, supply the pre-calculated data in hex format as shown in the above example.
To print the label, follow the instructions for sending a pas file to the LPS.
To print the label, you can use any printing method, for example, drop the file to a scan directory.
Note: In addition to the decoded result, the decoded URI value is also displayed.
The purpose of this example is to verify the values using the Loftware RFID Calculator. In this example,
SGTIN-96 ALT encoding was used with the following values:
Filter Value 3
Indicator Digit 0
To obtain the URI value, cut and paste the Encoded Result value into the HEX Value box of the Decode
section, and then clickDecode.Conversely, to encode a URI value, click Enter URI, type in the URI, and
then click Encode.
Related Information
Refer to the Loftware Print Server User's Guide for more information.
With an increasing need to have goods and services delivered in a timely manner to all corners of the
globe, todays businesses need to have the ability to print labels in many natural languages easily and
quickly.Loftware provides this functionality, from prompting operators in their natural language to
printing in both single and double byte character sets and utilizing Unicode.
Loftware supports international fonts native to the various Printer Families that are able to support this,
as well as support for sending a bitmap of the font to the printer when the printer does not support
double-byte characters.While the latter method is slower, it does allow these fonts to be printed.Again,
this can be used on a per printer, per label, and even a per-field basis.This means that different Asian
(double-byte) fonts can be printed on the same label.A section describing in detail the per printer, per
label and per field concepts follows.
While no keyboard entry of Unicode or Double byte fonts is supported, you can connect Loftware to a
Unicode database field or pass the data through one of the following:
l .pas file
l .csv file
l .xml file
l Loftware's ActiveX Client Control
Definitions
The following are terms and definitions related to International Printing.
Term Definition
ANSI code page is a generic term used in Windows to describe a
ANSI Code Pages collection of code pages used for character encoding in graphical
Win32 applications and fonts.
ASCII is a code for representing English characters as numbers, with
each letter assigned a number from 0 to 127. For example, the ASCII
ASCII Characters code for uppercase M is 77. Most computers use ASCII codes to
represent text, which makes it possible to transfer data from one
computer to another.
Refers to which bytes are most significant in multi-byte data types. In
Big-Endian architectures, the leftmost bytes (those with a lower
address) are most significant.Swapping integer data between
Big Endian
computers of different types (see Little Endian) is a difficult problem
unless you convert the information into ASCII characters.Many
mainframe computers use a Big-Endian architecture.
A collective term referring to the common features of Chinese,
CJK
Japanese, and Korean writing systems.
A character set is only a collection of characters. Characters from
different language systems are conventionally divided into different
Character Set
character sets. For example, a font for use in Russia includes glyphs
representing the Cyrillic character set.
Term Definition
A code page, or character set, defines a collection of characters,
numbers, punctuation, symbols, and special characters for a particular
language. Using a process called encoding, each character in the code
Code Pages page is assigned a numeric value called a code point. Computer
hardware, software, and operating systems can then exchange
information for a particular language or for a collection of languages
using these code points.
Double Byte Character Set. DBCS pages may be a mixture of single
DBCS
byte and double byte characters.
Double byte is usually used in reference to a character set which
supports more than 256 characters. Consisting of 16 bits, two bytes
Double byte
(or octets) can support numbers ranging from 0 (zero) to 65,535, i.e.
65,536 unique numeric values.
A glyph is a representation of a character. The character Capital Letter
Glyph A is represented by the glyph A in Tempus Sans ITC Bold. A font is a
collection of glyphs.
Refers to which bytes are most significant in multi-byte data types. In
Little-Endian architectures, the rightmost bytes are most significant.
Swapping integer data between computers of different types (see Big
Little Endian
Endian) is a difficult problem unless you convert the information into
ASCII characters. Most modern computers, including computers, use
the Little-Endian system.
A natural language is a term to describe the various human languages
Natural Language
spoken on the planet.
The term OEM code page refers to code pages used in MS-DOS that
have built-in hardware support to allow rapid display of characters on
OEM Code Pages
the computer console. The first 128 characters in OEM code pages are
defined by the ASCII standard.
Also known as a byte, an octet consists of 8 bits, and can represent
Octet
numeric values ranging from 0 (zero) to 255.
Random Access Memory, a type of computer memory that can be
accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed
RAM
without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type
of memory found in computers.
Read Only Memory, computer memory on which data has been
ROM prerecorded. Unlike main memory (RAM), ROM retains its contents
even when the computer is turned off. Fonts are often stored in ROMs.
The Chinese ideographic writing system as used in the Peoples
Simplified Chinese
Republic of China and Singapore.
Single byte is usually used in reference to a character set, which
supports a maximum of 256 characters.Consisting of 8 bits, one byte
Single byte
(or octet) can support numbers ranging from 0 (zero) to 255, i.e. 256
unique numeric values.
Symbol Set A set of glyphs.
Originally devised by Apple Computers and later extended by
TrueType format Microsoft, TrueType is a font format, which can support a large
number (max 65,536) of characters.
Term Definition
A standard for representing characters as integers. There are seven
character encoding schemes in Unicode: UTF-8, UTF-16, UTF-16BE,
UTF-16LE, UTF-32, UTF-32BE and UTF-32LE. UTF-16, for example,
uses 16 bits per character, which means that it can represent more
Unicode than 65,000 unique characters. This number has become necessary
for some languages, such as Greek, Chinese and Japanese. Many
analysts believe that as the software industry becomes increasingly
global, Unicode may eventually replace ASCII (which uses 8 bits for
each character) as the standard character coding format.
l Per-Printer When you configure a printer in Loftware Label Manager Design Mode, if you set a
particular Character Set in Printer Options (F6 or File | Devices) and print the label, the label is
printed per-printer, which means that all labels printed with this printer use this character set.
l Per-Label If you change the Character Set in Label Options, this overrides the printers (per-
printer) setting for the Character Set, and the label is printed per-label, for this label ONLY.
l Per-Field If you open a label, click a field, and use the Language Properties Wizard, you can
override the multi-byte character set in BOTH Printer and Label Options for that field only; make
sure the Override box is checked.Or, if printing a TrueType Font sent as a bitmap, this bitmap is
basically set per field as any other bitmap would be.
Hierarchy Example
The printing hierarchy example below is with a Zebra 170xiIII printer. You can test any printer by
completing the following.
Look at the Device Options (LLM Device Configuration Options button).The default Character Set is
USA 1,and the default DB (Double-byte) Character Set is Unicode, as seen in the following
figure:Changes to the Character Set here are per printer.
When the label options for this printer are opened, the following defaults for Character Sets (single and
double-byte) are displayed:
The default Label Options (in this particular printer) for both double and single character sets are set to
Use Printer Option in the figure. This means that the Character Set seen in Device Options is used when
printing the label. If you wanted to change this default character set, per label, meaning for this label
only, select a different character set.The choices vary for each family of printers.
l Click OK, and the character set is changed, thus overriding the Device Option, for this label
ONLY.
Related Information
To override both the Device and Label Options Character Set, and set these options per field, follow the
instructions in the Language Properties Wizard section of this guide.
When chosen in the Device Options dialog box, this sets the Character Set, Symbol Set, or Language
(these are synonymous terms depending on the Printer Family to which you are printing) for any labels
that are printed to that Printer. The method described in the following section outlines how to create an
Operator Input Prompt in an international language.
The single byte characters are also available on a per label basis through Media Setup/Label Options in
Design Mode. This presents a great time-saver to companies wishing to send labels to the same printer,
but print them in a variety of languages.An example of per-label printing of international characters
follows the next section.
The figure below is an example of a customized On-Demand Print Form displaying the operator inputs
in Spanish, while the actual data fields the operator has entered are in English.
Figure 6.5: Sample K-Mart Compliance Template with Operator Input in Spanish.
Loftware has developed some sample templates and labels that have operator input prompts and/or
field names in French, German and Spanish. These may be found on the Loftware Web site,
www.loftware.com under the Support Section or on your Loftware CD.
Note: Creating an Operator prompt with international character sets is NOT the same as printing labels with
international character sets. More information on printing these labels follows.
Related Information
For information on adding input prompts in an international language, refer to Creating International Language
Input Prompts in LLM ODP in this guide
2. Open the operator input screen (On-Demand Print Form) by clicking the switch icon .
The On-Demand Print Form and its accompanying Properties box are displayed. For the following
example, the Properties box is used to change the Input Prompt for the 3rd line, top section Company
Name field to the Spanish equivalent, which is Nombr de la Compaa.
Figure 6.6: Properties Box with Spanish Input prompt for the operator
Note: Numerals must be entered by using the numeric keypad and with NumLock on.
3. Continue typing as in the previous steps, and when an international character is needed, add it in
the same manner.
You may have to try different fonts to get the desired result.
It is important to understand that prompting the operator is not the same thing as printing labels using
international characters.Prompting is what you see on the screen that facilitates data entry, while
printing what you see on a label to a printer is a much more complicated endeavor.
Related Information
For more information, refer to the Designing Labels and On Demand Print sections of this guide.
A more complete extended ASCII table is found in Reference Tables section of this guide.
In your day-to-day operation, it is not feasible to have your input operator look up characters in tables
and convert them.Creating a database that utilizes these characters is time saving; an example of how
to do this follows:
Note: The following examples assume the use of the U.S. English Version of Windows, as well as a U.S. English
Keyboard.
1. Create a database using any database utility. The database below is a sample included on the
CD.
2. Enter international characters by following the steps from the previous section and the Extended
IBM ASCII Chart.
3. Connect the database to the fields on your label, and save the label. See the Data Sources section
in this Users Guide if you are not sure how to do this.
4. Click the ODP icon, and use the browse feature to choose the data you want to print.
See Filtering and Browsing a Database for a more detailed description of browsing.
5. Print the label using the print icon, or File | Print from the menu bar.
Example: A label is created for an Intermec EasyCoder PX4i in which the character is to be used (as
in the term Franais). This character is not found on an U.S. ASCII Keyboard, but it can be added in
the following manner, as can other printers with similar options:
5. Choose France from the Language drop-down list in the Advanced Options section.
6. Save the label, enter a fixed or variable text field, enter:
Fran\ais
7. Print the label. The character \ is displayed as , thus adding the desired character.
A portion of the advanced character table from an Intermec Manual is displayed below to visualize what
has transpired between Loftware and the Intermec printer, that is the conversion of characters from one
character set to another. The top row contains various characters in the (Extended) U.S. ASCII character
set, while the fourth row contains the French counterpart, or what is displayed upon completion of the
first example. On a U.S. keyboard, type the character in the top row, and the corresponding character in
the selected character set is printed for the corresponding language.
U.K. ASCII $ @ [ \ ] ^ ` { | }
Germany # $ ^ `
France $ ^ `
Norway/Denmark # $ @ ^ `
Sweden/Finland #
Spain $ ^ ` ~
Switzerland # $ ^
Italy $ ^
Note: What you see on your screen in Loftware Design Mode or On-Demand Print is the \ character, and what
is printed when Language is set to France is the .
For example, if the same label is slightly altered, such as the second line in the From section is changed
to read [email protected]. When this line is printed using the Intermec Printers Advanced
Character Table and language in the Loftwares Devices | Options | Language section set to France, the
symbol @ is changed to . See the Intermec Advanced Character Table to understand this conversion.
Note: This same method may also be used for .pas files with the Loftware Print Server.
Related Information
For the extended chart, refer to the Reference Tables section of this guide.
Suppose you are designing a label that you would like to be able to send to several different countries,
and you would like to use the same printer for this label. With the per-label method, you can design the
label as a template, and then configure the label in different languages, changing the Character Set for
each label to meet the language requirements.
The methods used in this section are quite similar to those used in the Per-Printer section, with some
minor differences, as listed below:
Using either method, the options are sent to the printer for the label being printed.However, when
setting the single byte character set, a check is made to see if a setting in Label Options has been made,
and if it has, this setting overrides any value set in the Printer Options.
Is a Character Set the same as a Font?No.A Character Set may include several fonts, for example the
Asian Character Set Chinese Big 5 has at least four fonts.
In order to print a certain character set, you need to have it on your computer. Most character sets have
certain fonts associated with them, as well. In order to print these fonts, you must have this font on your
Operating System.
Note: Most of the double-byte character set files have fonts with them. If you install a character set, but you
have no font on your system to support it, you have to get the appropriate font.
Most fonts are readily found on the Internet.
No additional steps, beyond changing the operating system language/keyboard should be necessary to
enable right-to-left printing and display.
For example
@Arial Unicode MS.
Related Information
More information on Vertical Writing and Printing is available on the Microsoft Web site's Global Development
section.
Figure 6.11: On-Demand Print view of a sample label with 8 different character sets attached
4. From the Welcome page of the Language Properties Wizard, click Next. The Font Language
Selection page appears.
Related Information
A flow chart of the Language Properties Wizard logic is found in the Reference Tables section.
Note: Single-byte Character Sets such as Thai and Vietnamese are included in the Non-Asian Section rather
than with the Double-byte Character Sets such as Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.
If your printer is capable of printing double-byte fonts natively, the following is displayed.
Note: You still may choose to print the double-byte font as a bitmap by clicking True Type Font.
If your printer is not capable of printing the double-byte font natively, the following is displayed:
If the above dialog is displayed, this font (character set) is printed as a TrueType font bitmap. Follow the
instructions in the Printing with TrueType Fonts section.
Consultation with Printer Manufacturer and Manual Little if no consultation with Printer Manufacturer or
involved. Manual
If you chose Native Font in the Font Category dialog box, the following dialog is displayed:
This selection allows you to change the printer character set at the field level,
overriding any setting in the PSO or LSO (Printer or Label Options).This list is
only enabled when Override is selected. This option only works if your printer
supports different character set encodings for any particular DBCS font.
SATO, UBI, and Printronix can only accept one type of data for any of their
fonts, meaning that the font chosen implies the data encoding.
Data Input for Unicode This section sets the data format and byte order.This gives information on how
Character Set Section the data is coming to Loftware; that is, what form it is in.
This is the format that you wish to use to send data for the field.
n Single Byte: In this case, Loftware does not transform the data format,
the code page for that character set is used.
Data Format
n Unicode UTF-16: Choose this data format if your data is represented in
this manner, especially if linking to a Unicode field in a database
n Unicode UTF-8: 8-bit transformation - use this setting if your data format
is set to UTF-8 encoded Unicode.
The byte order by default is Auto. When this is set to Auto, Loftware looks for a
marker before the data, and interprets the data as Big or Little Endian according
to the marker.
Byte Order If you know the specific byte order, you may set this manually as Big Endian or
Little Endian. If you are not sure, leave this setting at the default (Auto),
except in the case of database data files, in which case you must specify Big or
Little Endian.
The following figure displays the drop-down list for Non-Asian characters. This screen is displayed if:
TrueType Fonts are useful if you wish to use different character sets, or if you want to use Unicode Data
for a single-byte language such as Greek or Hebrew.
The edit controls (data entry) and input prompts displayed in the On-Demand Print Form (Label
Design), the On-Demand Print Application, the On-Demand Print Client, and the Web Client for newly
created TrueType font fields inherit the characteristics of the selected TrueType font. Labels containing
pre-existing TrueType font fields are not affected unless modified. By default, the applications listed
above use the character set based on the system locale. For example, if the system locale is English, the
character set that is used is ANSI. Selecting a different character set in the Language Properties Wizard
sets that same character set for the input prompt, the edit control and the printed field. If the user desires
that specific characters print, it is important to ensure that the characters are supported in a particular
font.There are several utilities available that examine a computer for font and character availability,
such as CharMap (standard on Windows computers), BabelMap, TTE (TrueType Explorer) and ListFont.
l Choose the type of character set that you would like to print from the Font Character Set list, and
click Next. If you do not have a font for the selected font character set on your system, an error
message is displayed, forcing you to go back and make another choice.Otherwise, the Font
Selection dialog is displayed:
Figure 6.18: Selecting the True Type font and Data Input
TrueType Font
This list is filtered based on the previous selection, and displays the TrueType fonts that are associated
with that character set.
Why is the TrueType Font I want to print not visible in this list?
You must have the font you wish to print installed on your computer. Loftware populates the drop-
down list based on a query of your computer, and if an installed font does not support the chosen
Character Set, it is not displayed in the list.
Vertical Fonts
The @ symbol preceding some fonts signifies that these fonts print rotated 90 left, for vertical printing.
The fonts do not appear rotated in Loftware Label Manager, but they do print vertically.
When creating a field in Design that is utilizing these fonts, you should rotate this field on your label, so
an appropriate space is created on the label. This is useful for Asian Fonts that are normally printed in
vertical columns, right to left.
The Latin character H for a visual example, would look something like: if rotated.
If this field is not rotated, it prints horizontal.
Option Description
This is the format that you wish to use to send data for the field, which is also
Data Format
dependent on whether or not the printer supports Unicode.
In this case, Loftware does not transform the data format, the code page for that
Single Byte
character set is used.
Choose this data format if your data is represented in this manner, especially if
Unicode UTF-16
linking to a Unicode field in a database.
8-bit transformation - use this setting if your data format is set to UTF-8 encoded
Unicode UTF-8
Unicode.
Option Description
The byte order by default is Auto.When this is set to Auto, Loftware looks for a
marker before the data, and interprets the data as Big or Little Endian according
to the marker. If you know the specific byte order, you may set this manually as
Byte Order
Big Endian or Little Endian. If you are not sure, leave this setting at the
default (Auto), except in the case of UTF-16 database data files, in which case
you must specify Big or Little Endian.
Note: Some programs such as Microsoft Access encode the data as Unicode (UTF-16) but they may need to
be re-encoded as UTF-8 using the Language Properties Wizard in Loftware in order to print.
l Click Next when finished with your choices. A summary of the Language Properties for the field
is displayed:
l Click Finish to set this fields properties, Back to change properties, or Cancel to revert to the
default properties.
Intermec-UBI
Fonts may be downloaded to the printer memory, or may be added through PCMCIA cards.
Printronix
Double byte support in Printronix printers requires special printer firmware. Four different models may
be ordered:
When ordered, each of these firmware packages includes a default DBCS font.
l Supported Printers in Loftware: Printronix 5204, 5206, 5208, 5304, 5306, 5308, IBM_4400-004
(203 dpi) IBM_4400-004 (300 dpi), IBM_4400-006 (203 dpi), IBM_4400-006 (300 dpi), IBM_4400-
008 (203 dpi), IBM_4400-008 (300 dpi).
l Fonts Added to the Properties Box: TwoByte This font selection is used for all of the DBCS
settings. The printer includes the DBCS Font itself; there is no ability or need to differentiate
between them in Design Mode.
l PSO DBCS Option This allows you the ability to set a default double-byte character set for use
ONLY in test print mode in Loftware Design. LLM Design generates appropriate test print data
for the printer firmware you are using.
Note: Loftware does not convert the data from UTF-8 to DBCS at this time.
SATO
The following fonts have been added to the SATO driver for Loftware:
These fonts are bitmapped, meaning that representative glyphs reside in the SATO printer and may be
selected as you would select any other font in the Properties box. Remember to enable the use of DBCS
under Options | Preferences in Loftware Design mode.
Since SATO only supports the previously mentioned double-byte fonts, they may be chosen under the
fonts section rather than in Device Specific Options.
Note: The choice of JIS and Shift-JIS is included in the font (rather than on the PSO/LSO) because Japanese is
the only DBCS language SATO supports, and only JIS and Shift-JIS are supported. When one of these fonts is
selected, the Language Properties Wizard opens. Also, the SATO driver does not currently use the "character
set" option from the PSO at all, as the other printers do.
Note: The SATO manual also lists a 22x22 Kanji JIS font, but in testing with a CL408e this does not work so it
has not been enabled through Loftware.
Hardware
The SATO fonts are supplied on a small printed-circuit board (PCB) containing an EPROM chip. This
PCB is swapped for one already in the printer.
Other Properties
l Bold - Bold property may be set YES/NO. (The SATO manual refers to this as emphasis.)
l Spacing - Spacing property may be set to Smoothing or Non-Smoothing.
The following SATO printers have the Kanji fonts available in Loftware:
Zebra
Zebra supports a number of DBCS fonts, via several media. Loftware has focused on those Printer
Models that support PCMCIA Cards, primarily the XiII and XiIII models, as well as Z4M and Z6M.
4. Click Apply. If you wish to change Preference settings, use the Language Bar and the Key Settings
buttons.Language Bar preferences include showing additional language bar icons on the taskbar.
5. Click OK.
The file is now saved in the encoded txt format and can no longer be opened nor viewed in Word, but it
does have the correct raw data to be sent to the printer in Shift-JIS format.
Related Information
For more information on Data Sources, refer to the Data Sources section of this guide.
Data Sources
Adding a DBCS font field with data sources is very similar to using any database or file datasource with
Loftware.
Note: Asian Characters are not displayed in Design View at this time, but are printed.ASCII characters are
displayed in the Design View.
The data source must contain the double-byte encoded data (GB, BIG5, JIS, Unicode).
Note: You MUST select a byte order for data sources. See the Language Properties Wizard for information on
how to do this.
For example:
3. Click OK.
When the file (or data source) is sent to the printer, it is displayed exactly as it was created.
Note: Read the Data Sources section for more information on Database File Data Sources.
The Database-File Data Source is used to connect a field on a label with a field in the database, similar to
the Database-Data datasource. The difference is that the Database-File assumes that the matching
database field contains the name of a file that contains the data for the field.
Example
A manufacturer of time-dated materials might have several message labels in different languages.Rather than
repeating this information for every product in the database, the user could create a set of Message Label text
files in different encoded data and tell Loftware Label Manager to use the database to look up and retrieve an
appropriate file in response to a number or code entered by the user. That is, the database file may be named
korean.txt or spanish.txt, and contain different encodings appropriate for the country to which the label is sent.
Related Information
For more information on database connections refer to the Data Sources section in this guide.
Note: The data format MUST be set to UTF-16 in the Language Wizard for Unicode fields to be displayed in the
field selection dialog.
If the characters are not displaying correctly, verify that you are using the correct font in your text editor.
Japanese characters, for example, might display using MS Gothic or MS Mincho.
To use DELINKFILESRC
l Include command *DELINKFILESRC in the .PAS file (see example).
l Specify the data file for a field by the command: fieldname, dataFileName.
Note: In this case, the Database File Field has a File datasource!
Example
.PAS File with DELINKFILESRC
*FORMAT,fileSrc_zeb_KOR_3ENC.lwl
*JOBNAME,zeb_korean1
*QUANTITY,1
*PRINTERNUMBER,22
Note: In this example, the Korean data file was given a .dat extension to distinguish it from the ASCII text files
with .txt extensions, but this is not required.
Related Information
For more information on Pass files, refer to the Loftware Print Server User's Guide.
For more information on Data Sources, refer to the Data Sources section of this guide.
l If you are trying to print double-byte fonts natively, make sure that you have read information
regarding how your printer stores double byte fonts and that you have the appropriate firmware,
PCMCIA card or module to print the characters you need. Loftware does not support any Printer
Firmware issues.
l Check Printer Options and Label Options to ensure that the correct language has been chosen in
Loftware.
l Go through the steps for the Language Properties Wizard a few times to thoroughly understand
how the wizard works.
Note: The paragraph feature in Loftware Label Manager (Design) was designed for single-byte character sets,
and as currently implemented, does not work consistently with the double-byte data used for DBCS fonts.
In some cases, doubling the size of the paragraph fields on your label may work, if the data is consistently
double-byte. However, many "double-byte character sets" may have both single-byte and double-byte
characters, as listed below:
A printer manufacturer may support these in slightly different ways, so it is best to review the actual code pages
from that manufacturer.
This section describes Loftwares pre-designed label templates used to create production printing labels
in less time and with less potential errors. It provides guidance to users who routinely produce
customized labels for production printing - unique labels with barcode, text, lines, boxes and graphics.
This section also contains information on creating custom templates.
Loftware has many templates to choose from, including a template for the 1724-A label for General
Motors Suppliers, as well as a wizard that creates the complex PDF-417 barcode that accompanies this
label.This section explains how to customize your labels, how to open a template, and how to use some
of Loftwares Wizards, specifically the GS1 Barcode, the General Motors (GM), the GS1 Code 128, and
the UPN Healthcare Barcode Wizards. The wizards help you to create a custom formula that becomes a
part of the barcode, helping you to comply with labeling standards the world over, as well as saving you
time and effort. Using a template and a wizard together makes production label printing a far easier
task than it has ever been.
The following is the default directory for Templates created during a new installation:
What is a Template?
A label template is a master copy for labels of a certain type. A template can include the boilerplate
fields you want to be displayed in each label of that type. You can select from the templates provided
with Loftware Label Manager or design your own.
Figure 7.1: New Label Wizard dialog box displaying a thumbnail preview of UPS Template
If you select the normal (default) template, Loftware Label Manager displays the default label size (4x6);
otherwise, the size stored in the template is used. With other templates, such as the Kmart or JCPenney
template, you need to adjust the format and field data sources to fit your particular application.
Note: Not finding the Template you are looking for? Be sure that the correct path to the Templates has been
chosen by selecting Options | File Locations, and verifying that the path to Templates is correct.
or
Note: You may have to change the extension of the label from lwl to lwt manually.
The template is available as a useful starting point the next time the File | New is selected; however, it is
necessary to save the template as a label, using the .lwl extension
Related Information
For information on using the New Media Wizard to create a new label based on a compliance template, refer to
the Using an Industry-Specific Label Template in this guide.
Barcode Wizards
A barcode wizard is a program that builds a barcode based on a particular specification, and includes a
list of the symbologies available for that specification. Using a wizard, you can build the barcode step by
step by choosing which components to add as you respond to each dialog box presented to you.
The next sections describe three of the barcode wizards available in Loftware Label Manager, the GM
Wizard, the GS1 Code 128 and the UPN Wizard. By following this tutorial, see how the wizard helps
you to:
It may be helpful to review the GS1 at http://www.gs1us.org before using the wizard to understand when
and where different symbologies or data carriers are used.
2. From the Barcode Wizard Selection page, expand the list of wizards by clicking the + symbol to
open the tree view.
3. Select a Data Carrier or Wizard from the expanded list, and then click Next.
A preview at the bottom of the list displays a graphical representation of the selected Barcode.
example of a required element string and a composite delimiter that divides a linear and a 2-D
symbology is displayed in the following figure. (The 2-D portion of the formula has not been added yet)
Field Name
A default Field Name is assigned. This name can be changed.If the label to which you are adding the
barcode uses LST files a drop-down list is displayed from which the field name may be chosen.
The list of possible element strings is dependent upon the chosen data carrier. An example of possible
choices for the previously chosen barcode follows.
Figure 7.4: Partial List of Element Strings for the GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional Composite Barcode
1. Select an Element String from the list, and click Add. The string is added to the Element Strings
for this field list in the center of the dialog and to the Formula section at the bottom of the dialog.
Note: If the selected Element String's application ID displays an "n", the spin control is enabled, allowing you
to choose the appropriate value for the "n" position in the Application Identifier. When the value is changed,
the formula is updated. The following figure displays the element string (310n) Net Weight in
Kilograms.Listed below this element string is the Implied Decimal Position (6). See the General
Specification sheet for more information on the meaning of the "n".
2. Highlight an Element String and click Remove, Up or Down to remove or move the string.
Note: The formula is automatically updated when any of these buttons are clicked.
Why move an Element String up or down? Element strings that are variable in length (and some fixed
length strings), such as a Serial Number, require a terminator character (FNC1[]) at the end of the data, unless
they are placed as the last field in the data carrier.It is recommended that these fields be placed at the end of
the formula when possible to save the extra space that the terminator character takes. Also, some applications
require that the strings be placed in a specific order.See the barcode standard or label specification for your
barcode to determine the appropriate placement of the element strings.
Why modify an Element String's Source? The default source for each element string is a new, non-
printing field.The term Modify applies to the source of the data.If you would like to change the source of the
element string's data to come from an existing field on the label, or a fixed string, then click Modify.
Fixed Data This allows the data to be added to the data carrier as a fixed string in the resulting
formula. As an example, in the figure displayed above, the source for element string called "Country of
Initial Processing" is changed to fixed data named "840" in the formula, which is the ISO code number
for the United States.
Existing Field This indicates the data is going to be taken from an existing field on the label.
New Field This is the default datasource, which creates a new non-printing field.Note that if this label
has been constrained using an LST file, those fields are displayed in a drop-down list just as the field
name was.
l Click OK when you are finished modifying the Element String, or Cancel to exit without
modifying the element string.
Formula The complete formula as created in Parts 1 and 2. The formula displayed here is not directly
editable.
Data Carrier The title of the Data Carrier as chosen in Part 1, along with a visual representation of the
chosen barcode below.
Additional Information
If you add the same element string twice, the Wizard lets you know that another instance of this element
string exists, and that you may remove one if you did this in error.Duplicate field names are not
permitted in the GS1 Barcode Wizard.For example, if an SSCC element string is added when there is an
existing field named SSCC, a message is displayed which states that the default name for the second
element string "SSCC" has been changed to "SSCC_2".
1. Double-click the barcode in design view.A warning message informs you that the formula you
are about to edit was created with the Barcode Wizard, and therefore, any changes you may make
to it may render the barcode nonfunctional.
2. Click OK to open the Data Source dialog.
3. Edit the formula directly, or make changes to the formula using the Fields, Operations, or
Functions columns.
4. Click OK when finished, or Cancel to exit without making any changes to the formula.
Related Information
For more information on non-printing fields, refer to the Designing a Label section in this guide.
GM Barcode Wizard
Introduction
In 1999, General Motors adopted a uniform global parts labeling template that enables suppliers to use a
common label for shipment to all GM facilities worldwide. All suppliers shipping production parts to
GM facilities were required to begin using the label by March 2000.Loftware developed both a template
and a Barcode Wizard for the GM1724 Label Specification in 1999 to meet this requirement, as well as
updates as changes to this standard were made.
The wizard guides you in creating the complex PDF417 2D Barcode formula for the label.
Requirements
In order to utilize the powerful components of the GM Wizard, note the following:
1. The Security Level is set to 5 by default and must remain at 5 in order to print the PDF417
barcode with GM's compliance standards.
2. You will need a printer that has the ability to natively print PDF417 Barcodes.
l See Printers on the Tech Support section of the Loftware Web site to view the supported
models.
l Of the supported Printer Families, be aware that not all models within these families are
capable of printing the PDF417 Barcode.
l Of the models that are capable of printing the PDF417 Barcode, not all of them have the correct
firmware to print the PDF417 Barcode correctly. In some cases, firmware upgrades or changes
may need to be made. Check with your hardware manufacturer for details.
l Fonts: Loftware does NOT recommend the use of TrueType Fonts for labels, as these are
downloaded as images which can significantly decrease the throughput time. GM does NOT
require you to use TrueType fonts at this time; however, any Native Fonts utilized must be
equivalent.
l Please check with the Printer Manufacturer for this information regarding your printers ability
to print the PDF417 barcode before calling Loftware for support.
3. A PDF417 scanner or viewer is not required but is recommended in order to view the accuracy of
your design and formula prior to submission to GM. GM mentions laser raster scanners and
viewers in its documentation.
Specifications
Figure 7.9: GM label 1724-A created using the GM Barcode Template and Wizard
You may find current specification information including contacts and telephone numbers by visiting
the GM Supplier Web site.Link to the GM Supplier site that contains pertinent information about format
and font specs, data sources, and data layouts. Templates and layover information are also displayed.
The GM1724 was replaced with the new standard as in the following table:
Standard Description
Individual Containers: a label for productive parts used on containers of
like part numbers. (Sequenced parts, modular parts, and non-
GM1724-A
productive parts are not currently covered under this standard, but
service parts are included).
Master Label: Suppliers are notified if this label is required by their
GM1724-B
customers.
Mixed Label: Suppliers are notified if this label is required by their
GM1724-C
customers.
Note: Please read these specifications completely before proceeding with the GM Barcode Wizard.
To ensure compliance, Loftware advises you to design your label and submit it to GM for approval
before printing production labels. The GM Supplier Site has label submission information.
Warning! If you delete any fields created with the wizard, all the data and any formulas you have designed are
lost. If you change the formula for this label after you have designed it, then the label may not print correctly,
and may not be in compliance.
4. Select the template for the GM label you want to design, and click Next.
5. Click Finish when the summary screen is displayed, or click Back to change any selection.
Note: Some of the library of templates listed have printer names associated with them. Choose a template from
the template list that matches the printer previously chosen.
1. Select PDF417 from the Symbology List, and click OK. The first dialog box, regarding Kanban
information, is displayed.
Note: Kanban is a term used to describe the flow process in Production Ordering. Kanban specifies the item and
the production quantity, the materials required, where to find them, and where to store the finished item.
Note: If you make an error in selection, click the Back button on the GM Barcode Wizard, and make the correct
choice.
Note: What is Container Type? Container type information is a descriptor of the actual container that holds the
parts. The descriptor should match the designated container type within the GM Plant(s).
After you have entered a name for the label and clicked Finish, the field is placed on the label in the
upper left corner. Use the cursor or the keyboard arrows to move the barcode field into place at the upper
right corner of the label (for GM1724-A labels, as shown in this section).
You can print this label using Loftware technology such as:
Note: You may have to make changes on the On-Demand Print Form to configure any non-printing fields you
may have.
Advanced Information
GM Formula Data
Double clicking the newly created barcode displays the formula created by the Loftware GM Wizard:
Data Fields
The following data fields are included in the PDF417 symbol on the GM-1724-A label:
Note: * Indicates a required field, however, this is subject to change by General Motors without notice. As
suggested previously, verify all GM specifications with GM.
Part Number*
Part Quantity*
Kanban
Reference
Purchase Order
Plant/Dock*
License Plate*
Material Handling Code*
Container Type (Recommended)
Weight (Recommended)
Note: The License Plate field is a combination of the supplier ID, combined with the supplier generated ship
pack serial number.
GM - Additional Components
In addition to the data fields, there are additional components that are required by GM for processing of
the label. These components are detailed in the following table:
Fixed
Component Function Variable Data Field Name
Data
*Format Header 06
*Quantity Data ID Q
Kanban Reference
Reference Data ID K
Reference Reference
Weight Data ID 7Q
Weight Weight
Fixed
Component Function Variable Data Field Name
Data
*Weight Qualifier GT
The functions from the table above result in the encoding of the following characters into the symbol:
GS() 1D 29
RS() 1E 30
EOT() 04 04
Related Information
Refer to the printing sections in this guide, and The Loftware Print Server, Clients, and Internet Printing in the
Loftware Print Server Users Guide to review how to print this label.
This section walks you through the entire barcode creation process using Loftwares Barcode Wizard.
Instructions include how to:
l Create Primary, Secondary, or Combined barcodes for your label file that require UPN (Universal
Product Number) barcodes.
l Create other sophisticated barcodes using the Loftware Barcode Wizard.
Option Description
Labeler Identification Code, Manufacturer ID, Product/Catalog Number, and Unit of
Primary
Measure.
Combined Combines the Primary and Secondary information into one barcode.
The questions you answer automatically create a formula that produces the barcode for your label.
Note: If you do not see the Properties Box, use the View | Properties menu command to display it. If you do
not see a blank label, select the File | New menu commands and create a new label. To adjust the label size,
use the File | Media Setup menu command.
If this is the first time this symbology has been selected, the following screen is displayed:
3. Type in a New Entry, (Example: A234), and the Entry Description (Example: Flag Character),
and click OK.
4. Select the Labeler Identification Code from the box, and click Next.
Note: To add another identification code, click Add New Entry and follow the instructions on the screen.To
delete a code, select the Identification Number and then Click Delete Entry. Warning! Once you delete the ID,
you cannot undelete!
3 = carton 8 = reserved
11. Enter a name for the Primary barcode, and click Finish.
Note: If data is entered from a keyboard or database for non-printing fields, select On-Demand Print Form from
the View menu, or click the Customize On-Demand Print icon from the toolbar. Then, DOUBLE-Click each field
to change its data source.
You may see the following screen (after adjusting the fields) depending on your choices:
You can create a LIC or a GS1 Secondary Barcode containing information such as Lot Number, Quantity,
and/or Date. This example allows you to:
UPN Wizard, Part 5: Create a Barcode with Julian Date and Lot Only
Creating an Expiration Date in Julian format and a Lot/Batch number in the bar-
code:
1. Select the Symbol to encode, Only the Julian Date and Lot Number (+), and click Next.
2. Enter a field name for the date.
3. Enter the number of days until the product expires, and click Next.
Example
If the product expires in one year, enter 365. The date printed on the label is one year from the day the label is
printed.)
4. Enter a field name and length for the Lot, and click Next.
Note: If data is entered from a keyboard or database for non-printing fields, select On-Demand Print Form from
the View menu, or click the Customize On-Demand Print icon from the toolbar. Then, DOUBLE-Click each field
to change its data source.
The Secondary Barcode is placed on the upper left corner of the label. Use the mouse cursor, the
Properties Box, or the arrow keys to move the new barcode and the human readable field into place
below the Primary Barcode.
UPN Wizard, Part 6: Create LIC Secondary Barcode with Lot Only
Note: If data is entered from the keyboard or database using non-printing fields, select the On-Demand Data
Entry form from the View menu, or click the Switch Views icon from the toolbar. Then, double click each field
to change its data source.
UPN Wizard, Part 7: Creating LIC Secondary Barcode Using Other Data Formats
1. Select +$$(to encode other data structures) from the HIBC LIC Secondary Barcode Creation dialog
box, click Next.
2. Selecting +$$allows you to include Quantity, Date and/or Lot and Batch Number on your
Secondary Label. First, decide if you want to include a Quantity on your label by choosing Yes or
No.
3. Select Yes or No and click Next.
l If No is selected, go to Step 5.
l If Yes is selected, continue with Step 4.
4. Select the 2 or 5 digit quantity format you want, and click Next.
l Select 5-digits (QQQQQ) if you are not sure which format you want.
5. Enter a name for Quantity, and click Next.
Note: If you did not select Quantity, then the references to that field are not in the Formula, Description, and
Non-Printing Fields boxes.
Example
If the product expires in one year, or 365 days, enter 365. The date printed on the label is one year from the
day the label is printed.
Note: If you did not select Quantity or Date, then the references to those fields are not in the Formula,
Description, and Non-Printing Fields boxes.
9. Enter a name for the Lot and a field length, and click Next.
10. Enter a name for the Secondary barcode, and click Finish.
Warning! Barcodes and human readable fields are not validated on the WYSIWYG screen. TEST print does not
show your actual encoded data. You must go to a Loftware Label Manager printing application such as On-
Demand or Range Printing to encode and validate your actual data.
The Loftware Label Manager allows you to extract data from a variety of sources, including external
databases, to help you produce labels exactly the way you want them.
Note: Block Configuration data source for RFID fields and Keyboard data source, as it applies to RFID fields, are
discussed in the RFID section.
Data Sources can be assigned to any variable field on the label including text, barcode and image fields.
Data sources cannot be assigned to fixed text fields, and RFID field values can only be assigned using
the Keyboard or the Block Configuration data source. In addition, while fields added to an RFID label,
other than the RFID field represented by the antenna icon, can obtain values from the data sources
described in this section, variable text fields added to an RFID tag can obtain their values only from the
Keyboard data source.
This section explains how to get the most out of the Loftware Label Managers data source functionality.
Specify its Data Source, and then set its Printing Field
Non-printing fields
property to No.
Block Configuration
RFID fields
Keyboard
l Identify the source (for example database) from which the Loftware Label Manager obtains the
data that is included on a label.
l Control what a user can enter on a label when preparing a print run using an On-Demand Print
form.
Data sources can be defined for any variable field, text, barcode or image. The default data source for all
fields other than image is Keyboard, which assumes direct user input for the data at print time, for
example, a data entry station on the shop floor. The default data source for an image is Fixed.
Related Information
For more on data concepts, refer to the About Data Push section of the Loftware Print Server Users Guide.
For information on RFID fields, refer to the RFID section of this guide .
l Select the field for which you want to define the data source.
l Right click the field and select Edit Data Source from the pop-up menu.
l Click the browse button (...) next to the Data Source property in the property box.
This displays the Data Source dialog box which lists available data sources. The right side contains the
information to set up the selected data source. As you select different Data Sources, the information on
the right side changes to display information specific to the selected Data Source.
Note: By default Force Max # Chars is set to Do Not Force Max # Chars. This may impact keyboard data
entry for labels designed in or prior to version 9.6. For example, if you previously limited operators to entering
10 characters for a phone number, after upgrading to version 9.6, operators may now be able to enter 11 or
more characters. To restore the Max # Chars enforcement on all fields, enable Force Max #Chars globally.
Force Max # Chars The field will truncate to the setting for Max # Chars for the field.
The field will display the full value entered or retrieved for the
Do Not Force Max # Chars
field.
Note: For RFID fields using the Keyboard data source, data must be in hexadecimal format.
Entry Type
Define the entry as Optional, Must Fill or Mandatory.
Option Description
Optional (default) Allows the user to make an entry in the field or bypass the field.
Option Description
Requires the user to make an entry in the field that matches the
Must-Fill maximum number of characters specified in the properties box
for that field.
Requires the user to make an entry in the field but allows any
Mandatory number of characters up to and including the maximum
number of characters specified in the properties box.
Option Description
Clears the field after a label is printed. The field is cleared to
whatever is in the Clear Value field. By default, the field is
cleared (set to blank), but you can assign a Clear Value (for
Clear (default)
example, you may want to have a Pack Quantity field clear to a
standard pack quantity of 100). The Clear Value field is only
active if the Update Method is set to Clear.
Retains the user input data for successive print runs of the same
label. For example, if the packer number is displayed on a label
Remember and the same packer is responsible for several print runs of the
same label, there is no need for the packer to re-enter Packer
Number.
Retains the user input data across successive print runs of the
same or different labels. If the packer number is displayed on
Remember Across
several different labels and the same packer is responsible for
Labels
printing these labels over time, there is no need for the packer
to re-enter Packer Number for each print run.
l Each label to be printed must have a field with the same name, for example, Packer.
l Assign a Keyboard data source for each field.
l Set the field as Remember Across Labels on each label format.
Mask Description
None (default) Enter any keyboard character.
Mask Description
Enter upper or lower case alphabetical characters (A through Z,
Alpha Only
a through z) only.
You have a production line field for which the valid values are 1, 2, 3 or 4. To create the appropriate
character mask:
You want to let the user type a decimal point and a number anywhere in the field, for example 1.235 or
123.5. To create the appropriate Character Mask:
Note: The Custom Mask field is only active if the Character Mask is set to Custom.
Help Text - The Help Text field allows you to enter a customized prompt that is displayed in the Status
Bar on On-Demand Print Form. This assists the user in data entry.
For Example
For a User ID field, you might want to add the following help text:
Whenever the cursor is moved to this field in On-Demand printing, this customized help string is
displayed in the status bar.
Related Information
Block Configuration data source for RFID fields and the fields available on the Block Configuration dialog are
discussed in the RFID section of this guide.
Important: The print date and time reflect your computer systems current date and time at the time of
printing, which is tracked by your systems internal clock/calendar. Thus, if you plan to print Expiration Date
using the Date/Time function, you must calculate the expiration date based on the date the item is labeled and
shipped. You may also use keyboard entries in a variable text field to enter any date desired on your labels.
d day
h hour
ss second
yy year
Custom Format ... LLM prints the date and/or time as...
d-mmm 27-Mar
d-mmm-yy 27-Mar-00
ddmmyy 270300
h:mm:ss 3:01:03 PM
m/d/yy 3/27/00
Note: You can also add literal text to a format by enclosing text in quotation marks.
m/d/y 11/27/02 B/ R/ 2
Using text files to store these warning messages allows you to update an external text file and have it
reflected in the next print run without having to change every label that contains the message.
To use the File data source, type in the name of the text file to use or use the Browse button to search for
the file. The File data source is used primarily for importing large amounts of data into a single field on
your label.
The File data source works very well with paragraph fields since paragraphs can automatically wrap
data to the next line. Two-dimensional barcodes are also examples of fields that may require a file data
source.
l Use formulas that use the results of other formulas. Loftware Label Manager automatically
calculates all dependent fields first.
Loftware Label Manager uses spreadsheet-like syntax for its formulas. If you are an experienced
spreadsheet user, you can type formulas in manually. However, to make it easier to use Loftware Label
Managers formulas, the Formula data source dialog box has a Formula Assistant.
This section provides a general overview of how to take advantage of Loftware Label Manager formula
features. It is useful to experiment and practice with your own formula combinations to discover the
functions that work best for your own applications.
Example1
The formula (Gross_Weight Tare Weight) / Piece_Weight is much easier to understand than (TXT0000
BAR0001) / BAR0002.
Example2
Building a complete name string out of three input fields is easier to read as: FirstName & & Middle Initial &
& LastName
Creating a Formula
Loftware Label Manager provides two basic methods for creating formulas:
l Type the formula directly into a text box. This is similar to typing a formula into a spreadsheet.
l Use Loftware Label Managers Formula Assistant capability. This allows you to build your
formulas from lists of field names, operations (for example, mathematical calculations) and
functions.
l Fields: A list of all of the variable fields on the label that you can include in the formula. Any
non-printing fields that you may have dropped on the custom operator input screen also show up
in this list.
l Operations: The mathematical operators and string functions you use in conjunction with fields.
l Functions: A list of special barcode functions, check digits and system values.
Using the Formula Assistant, you can build a formula by pointing and clicking on Field Names,
Operations and Functions.
2. In the list of Operations, click the plus button (+). (It is displayed in the text box, following the
name of the first field.)
3. Return to the list of Fields and click the next field that you wish to include in the formula.
You can use point-and-click methods to create virtually any combination of fields and calculation for a
formula.
Note: Loftware Label Manager does not require you to use point-and-click techniques to create formulas. If you
wish, type your formulas directly into the text box using regular keystrokes.
Formula Examples
The following table provides four examples of Loftware Label Managers Formula Assistant capabilities:
Combine text from two or Select each field by name and separate field
FirstName & " " & LastName
more fields names with the Combine operator (&).
Copy data from another Enter the field name of the field you want to Copy from the PackType field.
field copy from in the formula. Example: PackType
Mathematical Operators
Operators Description
* Multiplies the values of two selected fields.
/ Divides one field by another.
+ Adds the values of two selected fields.
- Subtracts the value of a field from the value of the previous field.
() Parenthesis is used to override normal math precedence.
String Functions
Function Description
Pads stated character onto the beginning (or leftmost side) of the field.
Example: Pad the character L onto the leftmost side of the field
TEXT0000, making the printed field eight characters long. LPAD
(L,8,Text0000)
Returns the first (or leftmost) character or characters from the selected field.
Example: Returns the first (or leftmost) four characters from the
selected field TEXT0003. LEFT(Text0003,4)
Removes stated characters from the beginning (or left most side) of the
field.
Function Description
Inserts a set of parentheses into the formula. You can move the cursor
Parenthesis inside the parenthesis to enter more operations into the parenthesis. Note
the text cursor auto positions inside the parenthesis.
Pads stated character onto the end (or rightmost side) of the field.
Returns the last (or right most) character or characters from the selected
field right (the field to extract data from, the number of characters to copy)
Example: Returns the last (or right most) three characters from the
selected field TEXT0004. RIGHT(Text0004,3)
Removes stated characters from the end (or rightmost side) of the field.
Special Functions
Loftware Label Manager contains some special functions for advanced applications.
Function Description
Function Description
ASCII CRLF Inserts a carriage return line feed (Decimal and Hex values)
ASCII SO Inserts a Shift Out character to extend the graphic character set
Code 128: Shift Inserts a Code 128 Shift character for switching subsets
Composite Delimiter Inserts a character that separates the composite data portion
Inserts a Link check character into the barcode. Both the HIBC
Link check character LIC Standard data structures and the HIBC UCC/EAN Primary
field employ a Link Character for additional data security
Function Description
Examples
*Inserts the specified Code 128 function into a barcode field. Text fields ignore this function. The function
commands behave differently for different printers. Consult Loftware Label Manager Online Help for specific
information pertaining to your printer and examples of different Code 128 applications.
In practice, it may help you to use the UPN Healthcare Barcode Wizard. The Wizard builds the formula
for you as it guides you through the specification.
Related Information
For information on Wizards if you are using GM, UPN, HIBC or GS1 barcodes, refer to Templates and Wizards in
this guide.
In the previous example, the label format contains two barcodes that are linked by a check digit
character. These barcodes can be set up as either Code 39 or Code 128 symbology. These example labels
(HIBC_128.LWT and HIBC_39.LWT) are provided in the Loftware Label Manager general template
directories. To use this feature:
Related Information
For more information about creating variable fields and variable non-printing fields, refer to the Designing Labels
and On-Demand Printing sections of this guide.
Characters Description
Is a fixed string containing your information. (This data could be taken from
+M34YAH1289J3
variable field using a non-printing field.)
Characters Description
Is a fixed string containing your information. (This could be taken from a variable
+97048A123456B
field using a non-printing field).
Takes the rightmost character of PRIMARY (which is the check digit) and adds it to
right(PRIMARY,1) SECONDARY. You can access this string function by double-clicking the right-
string function.
mod43() Calculates the modulus 43 checkdigit for this barcode (the secondary barcode).
The printing subsystem evaluates the nature of your increment/decrement request to see if the printer is
able to handle it internally. If the answer is yes, the job is sent to the printer and the printer is told to
increment between labels. This scenario is called Native Mode. If it is determined that the printer cannot
handle the request, the printing subsystem performs the incrementing for the printer and sends the new
data for each label. This is called Extended Mode and is slower than Native Mode.
Rule of Thumb: If a formula is a copy-from field and is incr/decr or serial, it is printed natively.If you have a
formula which is concatenated with an incr/decr or serial field, it is printed in Extended Mode.
Note: Using the L-Trim formula function may force the printer into the slower Extended Mode.
Type allows you to select Increment (count up) or Decrement (count down).
Mode
This function allows you to specify the character set used to Increment or Decrement.
Custom Sequence
If you choose to create a Custom increment/decrement sequence, you must enter the allowed characters
in the Custom Sequence field.
Example
(Custom Inc/Dec Definition)
If you want to feature an alphanumeric field without the letters I, O, S and Z (to avoid possible confusion with
the numerals 1, 0 and 5). Select Custom; type in the desired custom sequence in the Custom Sequence text
box:
0123456789ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRTUVWXY
By Value
Sets the interval by which the field increments or decrements at print time.
The Update Method instructs Loftware Label Manager what to do after a label is printed.
Option Behavior
Clears the field after a label is printed. The field is cleared to whatever is in the
Clear Value field. By default, the field is cleared (set to blank), but you can
assign a Clear Value later in the dialog box. The Clear Value field is only active if
the Update Method is set to Clear.
Clear (default)
Example
Create a box counter (1 of x, 2 of x) that always starts at 1.
Use the Clear update method and set the Clear Value to 1.
Sets the field to the next available value in the sequence. Use this option to
Update to Next Value
create a continuing series of labels.
Reset to Original Value Resets the counter to the starting value entered by the user.
The Help Text field allows you to enter a custom prompt that is displayed in the Status Bar at the
bottom of an On-Demand Print Form to assist the user in data entry.
Most thermal transfer printers have the capability of serializing data in the printers firmware. This
allows the printers to print much faster than having to send a different label request (with the
incremented value) each time a field has to be incremented. The Loftware Label Manager Design mode
allows you to set up many serial number schemes. For example, the serialization scheme may be
alphanumeric, or may be embedded in a formula. The printing subsystem evaluates the nature of your
serial number request to see if the printer can handle it internally. If the answer is yes, the job is sent to
the printer and the printer is told to increment between labels. This scenario is called Native Mode. If it
is determined that the printer is not able to handle the request, the printing subsystem must perform the
incrementing for the printer and send the new data for each label. This is called Extended Mode and is
significantly slower than Native Mode.
The Serial Number option is similar to the Increment/Decrement option, but the serial number offers
these additional features:
l Serial numbers are stored in files and remembered from one print session to another.
l Serial numbers when used in conjunction with the LPS are never repeated; however, if a job does
not print or is restarted, the serial numbers that did not print are skipped.
Example
Serial number starting at 000. If 50 labels are printed and the job is restarted after 25 labels, the LPS
restarts printing with serial number 076.
l Serial numbers can be attached to more than one label, i.e., several labels can share a common
sequence.
l Serial numbers can be local; specific to the computer that is being used to print labels or shared by
multiple users on a network.
l Serial file names may be specified in a database so that you can select which Serial file pertains to
which part number.
Related Information
Read and understand the Extended vs. Native Mode and When the Number Wraps sections from the
Increment/Decrement data source. This information applies to Serial data sources as well.
1. Create a serial number file containing the router blade production lot number, call it ROUTER.
2. Design the wholesaler label and attach it to the ROUTER serial number.
3. Design the retail label and attach it to the ROUTER serial number.
You assign the same serial number file to each label and Loftware Label Manager begins each print run
with the next available value regardless of how many print runs occur and how many different labels
use this serial number.
Note: Using the L-Trim formula function may force the printer into the slower extended mode.
1. Select the field on a label that is attached to the Serial Number file.
2. Edit the Data Source; select the Serial-Number data source.
3. In the Serial File section, click New. The Serial Number File window opens.
4. Enter a File Name for the Serial Number file (for example FORD).
5. Tab to the Description field and type a brief description of the file.
6. Specify the Type, Mode, Custom Sequence (if applicable) and By Value. These attributes are the
same for the Incr/Decr fields.
7. Set the Length of the serial number.
8. Enter a Start Value, and then click OK.
Note: If you need to create more than one Serial File, follow this procedure multiple times.
Warning! Changing an existing serial number file affects any subsequent printing for all labels which reference
that serial number. Changes to serial number definitions should be done with extreme caution. Also, the
Loftware Sample Serial Files are samples only, and are not intended for a production label. Problems when
upgrading can occur if they are used in a production environment.
If you are moving your Loftware Label Manager installation from one computer to another, make sure to
either move the serial file or set up the serial number file on the new computer.
Note: If several users are centrally sharing a serial number using a network, the current value of the serial
number may change before labels are printed (if another user prints labels after the label is loaded but before it
is printed). If this happens, the user is notified that the starting value has changed.
The Script data source can be used for Variable Text, Paragraph, Barcode, and Image fields. It is not
currently supported for RFID fields.
Note: Loftware does not support changing fixed images via a script.
Considerations
l Only one script is allowed on a label - Because the value of a scripted field can depend on the
values of other fields on the label, it is necessary to first resolve the values of fields that a scripted
field is dependent on.
l Layouts are not supported.
l While Design allows different unit setting options, the Script data source only supports field
positions set in inches.
l Changing the Human Readable property to / from Free floating, Fixed below, or None is not
currently supported using scripts.
Syntax
JavaScript is the scripting language currently supported by the Script data source.The JavaScript engine
utilized for LLM's Script data source conforms to ECMA-262 Edition 5 specification
Note: While the JavaScript environment provides some functionality similar to the Formula data source, the
syntax is not exactly the same.
where 'xxxxxxxx' is the name of the field on which the script will be applied. Field, font, and barcode
properties must be preceded by the at sign (@), as shown in the example above. This script will set the
left position of the label field 'xxxxxxxx' to 3 inches.
There are field, font, and barcode properties that can be accessed and modified, and there are also field,
font, and barcode properties that can be accessed but not modified.
Note: Case and punctuation are significant.Keywords must be lower case. The use of parentheses, quotation
marks, and semicolons is governed by the ECMAScript specification.
Keywords
The following keywords are used to access the label fields. Keywords must be lower case and use the dot
notation as shown in the examples provided below.
l label
l fields
l field
l font
l barcode
Field Properties
Field properties must be preceded by the at sign (@).
The following is a list of the available field properties and corresponding values.These are the properties
that can be modified by the script:
The following field properties are used to reference the field, but cannot be modified by the script.With
the exception of name, modifications to these properties will be ignored.
Font Properties
Font properties must be preceded by ".font.@" to designate a font property. For example, to specify the
bold property:
labels.fields.field.(@name=="fieldname").font.@bold;
The following is a list of the available font properties and corresponding values.These are the properties
that can be modified by the script.
charHeight
Floating point value
Note: Not for TrueType fonts.
charWidth
Floating point value
Note: Horizontal scaling for TrueType fonts.
Note: Not all the additional font properties listed above are supported by all printers and fonts.
The following is a sample of the font types and additional properties supported, and describes the order
that the additional properties will be processed for the different font types:
Point Font
For example: Avery 6404, Native Font - Scalable Times Roman. Additional properties supported:
l pointSize
l height
Dot Font
For example: Datamax Prodigy Max, Native Font 12x18. Additional properties supported:
l magHeight
l magWidth
TrueType Font
For example: Zebra 140xIII TrueType Fonts, Courier New, and Arial. Additional properties supported:
l magHeight
l magWidth
l pointSize
Flexi Font
For example: Zebra 105 Native Fonts - Scalable. Additional properties supported:
l charHeight
l charWidth
l pointSize
Hybrid Font
For example:Datamax I-4206 Native Fonts - Smooth. Additional properties supported:
l height
l magHeight
l magWidth
l pointSize
Barcode Properties
Barcode properties must be preceded by ".barcode.@" to designate a barcode property. For example, to
specify the barHeight property:
labels.fields.field.(@name=="fieldname").barcode.@barHeight;
l Properties that are available for a barcode depend on the selected symbology and printer.These
are displayed below the bold line in the Properties box for the selected barcode symbology (the
value just above the bold line).
l Some properties are dependent on other properties for their values.For example, if you change the
line Width (barLineWindth) property on a barcode, the X-Dimension value and % Nominal value
(if available) change automatically.
l The % Nominal property is available for some barcode symbologies. For example, the EAN and
UPC series.
l Some printers can only print values that fall within a specified range. For example, 37%, 75%,
113%, 150% of nominal.
The following table lists barcode properties that can be modified by a script:
Note: For barcodes that support the Ratio property, if the string value specified in the script for barRatio does
not match any of the values shown above, the default of 3.0:1 is used.
Note: Loftware converts Upper ASCII characters, so they can be included in a script without the escape
sequence.
l #x - start sequence
For example
#x08;
ENQ Enquiry 5 5
ACK Acknowledgement 6 6
BEL Bell 7 7
BS Backspace 8 8
HT Horizontal Tab 9 9
LF Line Feed 10 A
VT Vertical Tab 11 B
FF Form Feed 12 C
CR Carriage Return 13 D
SO Shift Out 14 E
SI Shift In 15 F
CAN Cancel 24 18
EM End of Medium 25 19
SUB Substitute 26 1A
ESC Escape 27 1B
FS File Separator 28 1C
GS Group Separator 29 1D
RS Record Separator 30 1E
US Unit Separator 31 1F
Note: See the Scripting section of the Loftware Knowledge Base for some specific examples of how to use
scripts on a label.
Verify a Script
You can test the syntax of your script.
l After entering a script, click Verify Script. The result of the verification appears in the Results
field.
If the syntax is correct, the Results field will display "Script verification completed successfully."
If the syntax is invalid, the Results field will display the first error encountered
For example
Line 2: ReferenceError: x is not defined"
Clear a Script
You can clear the text from the Enter Script and Results fields.
l Click Clear Script to remove the text from the Enter Script field.
l Click Clear All to remove the text from both the Enter Script and Results fields.
l With a label open, select Options | Find Script, or right-click on the label, and select Find Script.
The Data Source configuration window opens, and the field that contains the script is selected on the
label.
Data Source configuration window after locating script using Find Script
The ISBT 128 standard (International Society of Blood Transfusion) is used in the healthcare industry for
transferring information on identifying, labeling, and processing human blood.It mandates that ISBT
barcodes conform to a specific layout.
Technical specification on ISBT barcode data structure (data identifiers and content) used to deliver ISBT
28 data structures is published on the ICCBBA Web site (ISBT 128 Standard Technical Specification
V3.1.0).Other requirements, including additional Code 128 barcode rules, barcode dimensions and
visual representation of data on the label quadrants, are also described in this document. Also available
on the Web site is a link to a program that will calculate the mod 37-2 check character required with
some ISBT 128 data structures to help verify the accuracy of the input (http://iccbba.org/tech_tools.html).
The LLM Script data source provides a means for applying the ISBT 128 standard to your barcode labels.
For example, you can enter a script to compute the checksum character based on the mod 37-2
algorithm. Appendix D of the ICCBBA technical specification document describes the steps in this
process and includes a sample C language function that can guide you in creating a JavaScript for the
Script data source.
In the sample ISBT 128 label below, barcodes 1 to 4 are required. These and their recommended
positioning on the label are also described in the ICCBBA technical specifications document.
For every database table that is connected to a label, one field (and only one) must be identified as the
key field. This means that the key field is used to look up data information from the database.
In order to use a database with Loftware Label Manager, you must first register it with ODBC
Related Information
For help on registering databases with ODBC, refer to the Windows Control Panel, the ODBC section of this
guide or the Loftware Knowledge Base.
For examples and details of using multiple databases with your labels, refer to Help or the Knowledge Base .
l Do Not Save - Use this when you want the label to always use the latest image.
l Always Update - Automatically update the image embedded in the label if the image has been
updated on the file system.
l Prompt Before Update - Display a prompt asking if the embedded image should be updated with
the latest image on the file system.
l Never Update - Do not update the embedded image with the latest image on the file system.
Note: If Always Update or Prompt Before Update are selected and a new image is updated, you must save
the label before the embedded image will be updated.
l Database-Key
l Database-Data
l Database-Serial
l Database-File
If you wish to include image names for a variable image field in your database, you must specify the
name and extensions (for example, BOLT.BMP). Do not specify a path because the default Images
directory is assumed. Select Options | File Locations to change the default image directory.
The sample screen that follows depicts a database calling out an image file name:
Database-Key
Note: The Loftware Label Manager subsystem uses ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) to access external
databases.
When you want to retrieve information from a database, Loftware Label Manager requires a key
connection. This connection is a look-up command that instructs Loftware Label Manager to locate the
appropriate record for the required data.
In Loftware Label Manager, select the Database-Key option from the Data Source dialog box to identify
your data key.
To better understand Database-Key and its look-up function, think of searching for a telephone number.
In a telephone listing, Name is the key connection. That is, you locate a telephone number by searching
for the name first. An individuals name provides the key to other pieces of data, such as a street
address and telephone number.
Loftware Label Managers ODBC works the same way. When you identify the look-up key, for example,
Part Number, you are providing the user with the key that allows Loftware Label Manager to retrieve
critical data for your labels. The Database-Key is unique because even though the data source is
Database, it also requires keyboard input from the user. It is both a keyboard entry field and the look up
key for the database.
Every label that is attached to a database must have one field that is designated as the Database-Key.
The Database-Key field is a dual-purpose field:
The Database Connection section of the Database-Key setup dialog defines the connection to the
database. Database-Key / Data Source fields have the following options:
Key Description
Select the name of the database to which you want to connect. This is the data source
name (DSN) you assigned to the database in the ODBC Control Panel. For some ODBC
Data Source
drivers, this name is the name of a single database. For other ODBC drivers, such as the
.DBF driver, this name is the name of a group of databases.
Select the name of the specific table in the database to which you want to connect. For
relational databases, like Microsoft Access, this is the name of a table in the selected
Table database. For flat-file databases, like .DBF files, this is the name of the specific database.
For Microsoft Excel workbooks, this field contains the name of the specific worksheet in
the workbook.
Select the name of the field in the database that you want to associate with this field on
Field
the label.
The On-Demand Print Form Setup section of the Database-Key setup dialog defines how this field is set
up on the On-Demand Print Form. The options are:
Option Description
The Get Value From field defines from where the key field entry comes. For simple
Get Value From
database connections, this is always Keyboard (the default).
Check this option if you want to allow the user to bypass the look-up function and omit
Entry is Optional
database data from selected labels.
Disable Browse Select Disable Browse to prevent users from selecting from multiple database values.
The Help Text field allows you to enter a custom prompt that is displayed in the Status
Help Text
Bar (at the bottom of an On-Demand Print Form) to assist the user in data entry.
Related Information
For information on how to connect to your database using ODBC, refer to the ODBC section of this guide.
Database-Data
Note: Variable images can be useful if you wish to have a different picture of each of your products on their
corresponding label. Variable images may be specified as coming from a database or the keyboard.
The Database-Data data source directs Loftware Label Manager to retrieve data for the field from a
specified field in the database. This is the most common type of look-up.
Returning to the telephone directory example, assuming that you have defined some other field as
Database-Key (Name field in the telephone database), we could then attach the Database-Data to the
Phone Number field in the telephone book database. At print time, whenever you type a Name in the
associated Database-Key field and press Enter, the telephone number is automatically entered into the
field associated with the Database-Data.
The top part of the Database-Data setup dialog defines the connection to the database. This connection is
the same as described above for Database-Key.
Important Note: If you want to link to a Unicode Field, you must set up the field via the Language Properties
Wizard and set the data format to UTF-16.
Option Description
Select the name of the database you want to connect to through ODBC. This is the
Data Source
data source name (DSN) you assigned to the database in the ODBC Control Panel.
Table Select the name of the specific table in the database to which you want to connect.
Field Select the name of the field in the database from which you want to retrieve data.
Note: If you have previously made a database connection, Loftware Label Manager remembers the last
database and table selected. If you are setting up a number of fields from the same database, the database and
table are automatically pre-set for you. You need only specify which field in the database contains the
information for the field on your label.
The bottom part of the Database-Data dialog box defines how this field is set up on the On-Demand
Print Form. The options are:
Display on Form
Defines if the retrieved data is displayed on the On-Demand Print Form and if the user is able to
override the retrieved data.
Option Description
Dont Display Retrieves and prints the data, but it is not displayed on the On-Demand Print Form
Display, Do Not Retrieves and displays the data in the On-Demand Print Form so the user can verify that
Allow Changes the correct data has been retrieved. The user, however, cannot change the data.
Retrieves and displays the data in the On-Demand Print Form so the user can verify that
Display And Allow
the correct data has been retrieved, as well as allowing the user to make changes to the
Changes
retrieved data.
The Help Text field allows you to enter a customized prompt that is displayed in the Status Bar (at the
bottom of an On-Demand Print Form) to assist the user in data entry.
Related Information
For more information on connecting database data to your labels, refer to Database Key in this guide.
Example
A manufacturer of cleaning solvents might have several different In-case-of-contact warnings. Rather than
repeating this information for every product in the database, the user could create a set of Warning Label text
files and tell Loftware Label Manager to use the database to look up and retrieve an appropriate file in response
to a number or code entered by the user.
The Database-File setup dialog defines the connection to the database. This connection is the same as
described previously for Database-Data.
Option Description
Select the name of the database to which you want to connect. This is the data
Data Source source name (DSN) you assigned to the database in the ODBC Control Panel.See
Database Key for notes on Data Source Name.
Table Select the name of the specific table in the database to which you want to connect.
Select the name of the field in the database that contains the name of the file from
which you want to retrieve data.
Field Note: Loftware Label Manager checks the Data subdirectory for the file if you
do not specify a full pathname. You can change the default directory using the
Options | File Locations | Text Data Files menu.
Note: Fixed data does not show up on the On-Demand Print Form but does show up on the printed label.
Database-Serial Number
The Database-Serial data source is used to connect a field on a label with a field in the database, similar
to Database-Data. The difference is Database-Serial assumes that the matching database field contains
the name of a Serial Number file to use for this field.
Note: You may not specify a full path name or extension for your serial file names in the database. The
subsystem checks the Serial subdirectory for the file. If you wish to use a different directory, you may change it
using Options | File Locations. Make sure that all of your serial number files exist in this directory before trying
to use your system!
Using this advanced technique, you could set up one AIAG label for all your automotive customers, but
have FORD part numbers use a FORD serial number sequence, and GM part numbers use a GM serial
number sequence. Loftware Label Manager can look up which serial number to use from the database.
You must create all serial files specified in your database before you can do any printing. Refer to the
section below for a technique for creating multiple serial files.
The Database-Serial setup dialog defines the connection to the database. This connection is the same as
described above for Database-Data.
Key Description
Select the name of the database to which you want to connect. This is the data source
Data Source name (DSN) you assigned to the database in the ODBC Control Panel. See Database-
Key notes on Data Source Name.
Table Select the name of the specific table in the database to which you want to connect.
Select the name of the field name in the database that contains the name of the serial
number file that you want to retrieve data from for this field on the label. Note: Full
Field
pathnames should be supplied if other than the default. Not all serial files specified in
the database contain extensions.
The following example shows a sample section of a database that calls out serial file names in the
Serial_Num column.
Once configured, Loftware Label Manager uses the new value derived from your database for every print
run of labels, regardless of the value shown in the Quantity field on the printing screen.
There are three ways to print labels On-Demand with Loftware Products.This section describes the
method of prompting the operator for label data and making label requests.
The On-Demand Print Client works as a client to the Loftware Print Server and has most of the
functionality of On-Demand Print.The Thin Client does not require that LPS be installed on the Client
computer and can be far easier to maintain if you have several print stations.
The WebClient is similar to the traditional On-Demand Print but runs across the Internet to print labels
on-demand.
To print from within Loftware Label Manager using Loftware's On-Demand printing module, enter data
into the On-Demand Print Form generated from the label that you designed.On-Demand printing allows
labels to be printed on an as needed basis.You can produce a single label or several identical copies of
the same label.All data sources, serial numbers, formulas, check digits, and calculations are evaluated
on-the-fly based on the data requested at print time.
Every time you create a label, Loftware Label Manager automatically creates a default On-Demand Print
Form for use in the On-Demand Print Module and the Thin Client Module.
For more information about on-demand printing options, refer to the Loftware Print Server Users Guide.
On-Demand Printing
Starting On-Demand Printing
1. Choose one of the following methods to start On-Demand printing:
a. Click the On-Demand printing icon in Loftware Label Managers design view.
b. Open On-Demand Print 32. The On-Demand application is displayed with the file open
dialog box. The listed labels are those in the labels directory specified in Options | File
Locations. The default is the Loftware Labeling\Labels subdirectory.
2. Select the label you wish to print from the list of files and click OK. The On-Demand Print Form
for the selected label is displayed.
3. Enter data in the fields displayed on the On-Demand Print Form, or select fields from a database.
Press Enter or Tab to move to the next field; press Shift+Enter or Shift+Tab to move to the
previous field.
4. Click the active printer icon to print labels, or use the File | Print menu command, F9.
5. The Print Labels dialog box lets you specify the number of labels you want to print, as well as a
default quantity of labels.This dialog box is not displayed when you use the printer icon to
request a print.
6. Click OK to print labels.
7. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to print additional labels or use the File | Open menu command to load
and print a new label. The On-Demand Print application with a sample On-Demand Print Form
is displayed.
Figure 9.2: The On-Demand Print application with a sample On-Demand Print Form
Entering Data
When you first load a label, the top left data entry field is selected - it contains a flashing cursor.Type
data into the selected field and edit the data using the cursor keys, backspace key, or standard copy, cut,
and paste operations. If your label is connected to a database, the cursor defaults to the field defined as
the Database-Key.A browse button (...) is also displayed when a label is connected to a database. See the
next section for more information on browsing in a database.
l When performing data entry prior to printing, Loftware Label Manager allows you to select the
desired quantity of labels and duplicate copies.
l The Quantity value specifies the number of labels you want to print.The Duplicates value
specifies how many duplicates you want of each label.The following examples clarify the
difference.
Assume a label has an incrementing numeric Serial Number attached to it (a counter).The starting
number for the following examples is 1.
There are five sets of two labels numbered 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4 and 5, 5. There are 5 (Quantity) of labels with a
duplicate of each.
If your label does not have a Serial Number or an incrementing or decrementing counter field, changing either
Quantity or Duplicates has the same effect.
l Click in the Quantity or Duplicates box, type in the new value, and press Enter.
l Alternatively, enter the Quantity and Duplicates in the Print Label Reset dialog box if you use the
File | Print menu command to print.Default Quantity and Duplicates are also entered into this
dialog box.
Note: You may specify Quantity and/or Duplicate amounts directly from a database.
After all of the data for a label have been entered, the operator can click the appropriate printer icon.You
can also press ALT+1 to print to Printer 1, ALT+2 to print to Printer 2, ALT+3 to print to Printer 3 or
ALT+4 to print to Printer 4.
Note: You may use this same technique to associate .lwl files with other Loftware applications such as Range
Print.
l When you attach your label to a database, you must designate one input field as a key field. This
is the field that the operator enters data into or chooses from the Database Browse window that
tells On-Demand Print which record to retrieve from the database.
l In On-Demand printing, when you type a value into a key field and press Enter or Tab, On-
Demand printing retrieves the associated record and displays the data from that record.
l If you type in a database key and multiple matching records exist for the key, Loftware Label
Manager displays a list of possible matching fields.Select the appropriate record from the list.
Note: It is possible to override a key field value by enabling Allow Empty Records During Database Retrieval in
the Options | Preferences | Options tab or setting AllowEmptyRecordSet=1 in the LLMWDN32 Configuration file
(Start | All Programs | Loftware Labeling | System Folders | Configuration).
The following sections describe how to gather data from a database for a label using a variety of
timesaving methods.
Filtering a Database
If you have a large database, you can save time by using LLMs filtering option. If you type in one or
more characters, you can select only a part of the database and specific records.
1. Open the desired label; place the cursor in the key field.
2. Type one or more characters into the text box, click the browse button (...),
or press Ctrl + B.
To find the key field at print time, you can perform a browse of available database records by:
Loftware Label Manager displays a Database Browse window that contains a full list of the records in
the database.
Retrieving a Record
The list speed searches to the area of the database you are seeking. For example, if you type in T in
the Search Key box, the database scrolls to the first instance of the parameter T; in this case, T100.
Figure 9.5: The Database Browse Window with a parameter in the Search Key Box.
The ellipses buttons that enable browsing a database are displayed by default in On-Demand
Print.These buttons as well as the Edit | Browse option in the Menu Bar may be hidden or disabled in
On-Demand Print. To do this,
1. Navigate to Loftware Labeling | System Folders | Configuration, and open the LLMWDN32
Configuration file in a text editor.
2. Scroll to the [Options] Section, and add the following:
HideBrowse=1
3. Save the Configuration file, and re-open Loftware. All Database browse buttons (...) as well as the
menu option are disabled or hidden.
If you have given the fields meaningful names, the default On-Demand Print Form allows you to begin
printing labels immediately. There are three choices when using On-Demand Print:
Many users of Loftware Label Manager find that the default On-Demand Print Forms are satisfactory for
their applications and may never use the On-Demand Print Form editing functions.
Related Information
For examples of ODP customization in international languages, refer to the International Printing section.
Important: Fields which are seen on the On-Demand Print Form but which cannot be changed (display only)
have their field name displayed on a grayed out background.
In the Loftware Label Manager, data is always entered from top left to bottom right.If you need to set the
order that data is entered, you must move fields so that they are sorted from top left to bottom right.
In the figure, Address_2 is not in the natural place in the entry order. Fields are added to the On-
Demand Print Form in the order that they are created on the label. To illustrate our point about
customizing On-Demand Print Forms, we added this field last as an after thought.
The rearranged layout, with French input prompts added, looks like the following:
Take a simple mailing label for example.The way it is usually designed, the city name, state and zip
code are separate fields.Consequently, the spacing on the printed labels is inconsistent.
For example
RyeNH03870
West ChesterfieldNH03466
Rye, NH 03870
As an alternative, consolidate the City, State and Zip fields on the label into one long field named City_
State_Zip.
Figure 9.10: Revised label with consolidated City, State and Zip fields
Making this change removed the State and Zip Code entry fields from the On-Demand Print Form.
3. The field is shown when you click the form. Do not worry about the location right now. Name
the field City, change its max chars to 32 and change its input prompt to City, State, Zip.
4. Create another non-printing field by placing another variable field on the Print Form. Do not
worry about the location right now. Name the field State, change its max chars to 2 and delete its
input prompt.
5. Create a third non-printing field. The location is not important right now. Name the field Zip_
Postal_Code, change its max chars to 5 and delete its input prompt.
Now set up our formula so the City_State_Zip field on the printed label gets its data from our new City,
State and Zip/Postal Code non-printing fields.
Note: Notice that the City_State_Zip data entry field disappears from the On-Demand Print Form.Because it is
derived from a formula, this field no longer needs a users input.To edit this field, you must toggle back to
Label Design.
3. Move and resize the data entry fields associated with our new non-printing fields so that our On-
Demand Print Form looks the way it should.
This simple example demonstrates the basic technique for using non-printing fields. As the Loftware
Label Managers features, such as the formula data source are used, the use of non-printing fields
increases.
Note: Non-printing fields may be defined using the Properties box instead of using the switch-view approach
on the label design screen.This technique is more confusing since you actually see the field on the label design
screen. Future designers may not understand what you have done and accidentally delete the field.
l Print Preview
l Command Line Parameters
Figure 9.12: LLM On-Demand Print Window showing Print Preview option.
The Force Preview on Print is not enabled by default.When it is selected, a preview of the label is
displayed each time you click the print icon, or you choose File | Print. The check box is only visible
when you choose File | Print Preview.
Related Information
For more information on Padding, refer to the Designing a Label section.
Parameter Description
Optional. The specified label is opened automatically. The dialog box that prompts
{label}
you to select a label is not displayed. Example: mylabel.lwl
-N# Set the default quantity to the specified number. Example: -N5
-D# Set the default duplicates to the specified number. Example: -D2
When running non-interactively, specifies the number times each page is printed.
-G# Only applicable if a layout is associated with the label or using a printer installed
through control panel.
Creates a report file containing the tab Order for the fields on the label. If this is used,
you must specify a label. The label name with a .tab extension is created in the
directory where the label is located. The tab order of the label is changed by
-T
customizing the operator-input screen in label design mode. You may only generate
a .tab file with a command line call, the syntax of which is: LLMWOD32 -T -
Llabelname.
Do not provide the Warning Message Box if in demo mode. This should only be used
E
when giving a demo of the product
The following table represents a text file with the tab order for a label with three fields (a variable text
field, a variable barcode field, and a variable image field).The descriptive text provides field name field
length, tab order, and field type:
Barc0001 6 1 507
Text0002 8 2 503
Imag0003 12 3 506
Related Information
Information on Audit Files is found at the end of the Customize section of this guide.
A page layout refers to a single sheet of labels or the number of labels produced before the label stock is
ejected or advanced.
A page layout describes both the dimensions of your label stock and the number of labels printed on one
page.
Labels that are ejected are typical of Windows printers such as the LaserJet, and labels that are advanced
to the next page or group of labels are typical of thermal transfer or Windows printers such as
continuous laser or dot matrix.
In the Loftware Label Manager design module, you attach or reference this layout description to your
label format by using the File | Media Setup menu.
Loftware Label Manager provides a comprehensive set of tools for convenient management of your page
layouts.For example, you can easily add new layouts, change existing ones or delete layouts that are no
longer relevant.
l Two or more labels on a single sheet of label stock on a Windows printer, such as a LaserJet,
DeskJet, bubblejet, dot matrix printer or any other Windows printer listed in the Control Panel.
l Multi-across labels on a roll of thermal or thermal transfer label stock.
Layouts are particularly useful if each label contains a serialized field or a field that contains unique
database information. In these cases, you are able to use the full power of the Loftware Label Manager to
obtain information from several, dissimilar sources of data, including:
For example, assume you need to create a small, narrow label used to serialize electrical circuit boards
and you need to print a 4-up layout on a 3 by 4 inch section of thermal transfer label stock.
In this example, each label contains a single barcode field consisting of a serial number that has a prefix
and two incrementing numbers side by side. Other typical layouts include matrix-style layouts such as
the popular 8.5" x 11" sheets of 14-Up or 30-Up labels.
The Loftware Label Manager print modules (On-Demand Printing, Database Range Printing) can print
labels in either row order (default) or column order.
Figure 10.2: 30-Up label stock printing in row order, 14-Up label stock printing in column order
Labels similar to those shown here are typically found in office environments, but are increasingly used
in applications requiring specific barcode information.
The page layout description is stored in layout files that feature the LWY extension. For example, a
layout file for a barcoded shelf label might be named BCSHELF.LWY. If the correct layout subdirectory is
not chosen, or it cannot be found by the printing module, the following error message is displayed:
Unable to load layout associated with label. No layout used.
Figure 10.3: Label Setup dialog box with label format attached to Avery 5162 (14 up) labels
l From the Loftware Label Manager design module, click the Page Layout tab under File | Media
Setup. Alternatively, press F5, or select Options | Layouts from the Loftware Label Manager
menu bar.
Note: Do not make a 1-up layout for your label. It is not necessary and causes the printer to go into extended
mode at print time.
You can reference the starting label of a print job by using Loftware Label Manager printing applications
(On-Demand, Database Range). Any subsequent page layout editing, however, must be done in the
Loftware Label Manager design mode.
Note: The default page layout is NONE. Therefore, if you do not reference a page layout with your label,
Loftware Label Manager prints just one label per page at print time. For most printing applications, this is the
standard.
Figure 10.5: Selecting a Layout from Label Setup and Properties Page Layout Tab
If there are no layouts that apply for this label format, select the Layouts button and proceed to either
add a new layout or change an existing one.
Layout Identification
Name of the layout file using standard file names. Note: Loftware Label Manager automatically adds
Layout Name
the LWY file extension
Layout
Provides a brief description of the layout used in the Manage Layout and Label Setup dialog box
Description
Layout Detail
Width of label in default units (inches, centimeters, pixels, millimeters - these can be set in the
Label Width
Options | Units menu).
Horizontal
Horizontal spacing between labels.
Gap
Layout Detail
Multi-Up On/Off toggle for printing multiple labels on a single page or on a sheet of label stock.
Use Column Orders labels through a row of columns that start from top left and proceed to bottom right. The
Order default value is Row Order.
Top Margin Margin from the top of label stock to the top of the first row of labels.
Left Margin Margin from left of label stock to the left edge of first column of labels.
Labels
Number of labels across one page of label stock.
Across
Figure 10.7: Page Layout Toolbar with Clear Print Queue and Eject Page Buttons
The layout toolbar provides valuable information about printing labels that use layouts. For example, at
the far right of the toolbar, there is a queue counter, which tells you how many labels are currently in the
print queue. This number is helpful when printing small labels up to large multi-up sheets of label stock.
As you enter label data and select Print (by pressing F9 or clicking Print), the queue counter reflects the
change. As soon as a complete page of labels is in the queue, the page is automatically ejected from the
printer.
l Use the Clear Print Queue button to erase labels that are in the print queue but have not yet been
printed.
l Use the Eject Page button to eject a partially printed page of labels.
These icons are identical to actions within the Options | Layouts menu.
Current Label
As mentioned in the previous section, the layout toolbar includes the print counter that references the
current label on your layout. You can change the value by clicking the mouse pointer into the editing box
or by pressing F4.
l You may find that a print job uses several sheets of label stock and finishes on the last sheet, but
several labels on that sheet are unused. To re-use the label stock and print to the remaining labels,
change the current label to reflect the label number you want to start printing. This number takes
into consideration whether you are printing labels in row or column order. If you are queuing
labels to print in an on demand mode, the current label counter increments to reflect the current
position on your page of labels.
l Suppose you are printing to a sheet of label stock with 30 labels per sheet. You queue 15 and then
realize that labels 12 through 15 contain incorrect information. By resetting the current label
counter to 12, you effectively clear labels from 12 on. This allows the operator to re-key the label
data for these labels.
Note: Clicking No results in clearing the queue of all labels that have not been printed.
Note: This option is available only when your label is attached to a layout.
The concept of pages is especially relevant to on-demand, thermal printers. When a page value is used,
Loftware Label Manager print modules image the entire multi-up label, send it to the printer once, and
specify to the printer x-amount of pages.
l Open a new label in Design and keep printing. The software keeps track of which box you are
printing to and whether the page needs to be ejected.
l The label must be the same size as the label size specified in the layout.
l Do NOT mix label formats on a layout if you are using a thermal transfer printer.
Range Printing extracts data for printing from another source. You must create a query that instructs
Loftware Label Manager to print a selected group of records from a database. In addition, Range Printing
is used only with labels that are attached to a database.
l Use the Query Assistant to select a range without using SQL queries.
l Create an SQL query and print a selected range of labels.
l Save queries for frequently printed ranges.
l Create an icon on the Windows desktop to run frequently used queries.
l Launch Range Printing from your own application, using command line parameters to control the
printing process.
l Launch Range Printing remotely from Loftwares LPS utility program.
Related Information
For additional information regarding integrating the Loftware Print Server with your own applications, refer to
The Loftware Print Server section of the Loftware Print Server Users Guide.
You want to print a series of inventory labels for selected locations (for example Rows A through H),
sorted by part number.
4. Define the Query in the Define Query dialog box following these steps:
a. Click Select From in the Range group box.
b. Set the Select From field to ROW.
c. Set the Starting Value to A and the End Value: to H.
d. Set the Field to PARTNO. Click OK.
5. Print labels by selecting File | Print or click the printer icon for the printer to which you want to
print.
Related Information
For more information on attaching a database to a label and creating a Database-Key, refer to the Data Sources
section in this guide.
Creating a Query
Loftware Label Manager uses standard SQL queries to retrieve information from a database. Fortunately,
you do not have to know anything about SQL to use Range Printing. Using the Query Assistant, you just
specify the records you want to select and which field you want to sort on (if any) and the Query
Assistant creates the SQL statements for you.
Range Section
Select the range of labels you wish to print. The default value is All Records. If you accept the default,
Loftware Label Manager prints all of the records in the database. You can, however, select a discrete
range for printing by choosing the Select From option. When you select this option, Loftware Label
Manager allows you to define a range from a selected field on the label.
Ordering Section
The Ordering function allows you to arrange the sequence of your print run. For example, by part
number in ascending or descending order. The default value (None) prints the records in the order that
occur in the database.
l Select the appropriate Field that orders the print run from the list of available fields.
l Select Ascending or Descending, depending on how you wish your labels to print.
Advanced Section
Using a Custom Where Clause
If you have special needs, you can define your own SQL statements to determine which records are
selected for printing.
l If you check the Use Custom Where Clause check box, the Select From range definition (in the
Range group box) is not used.
l In this case, you can type a SQL statement into the Where Clause edit window, if you are familiar
with the SQL language.
The following are examples of possible syntaxes of a Custom Where Clause written in Range Print when
defining a specific query, using the Custom Where Clause option.
The database table used for this example is called Lesson2.database and it has a label with a database
key field attached to the STOCKNUM column in the database.The following table displays the operators
that could be used in the query and what they mean.
Operator Comparison
= Exactly Equal
WHERE PARTNUM=A100 OR
Prints record A100 and A300
PARTNUM=A300
Saving a Query
It is always a good idea to save your queries to avoid the need to reconstruct them again if you need to
reprint the same labels in the Range Printing mode.
l Click Open in the Define Query dialog box; select the appropriate file name from the list of .lwq
files.
When you run Range Printing from your application or from a Windows program icon, the Command
line parameters are specified after the program name.
Runs the specified label and query and then exits the range printing application.
The range print application (LLMWRP32.EXE) recognizes the following command line parameters:
Command Line
Definition
Parameter
Command Line
Definition
Parameter
Assign range to printer n, where n is the printer number (for example, -P2
-Pn
assigns the job to Printer No. 2).
Sets the Quantity value to n (for example, -N3 produces three copies of the
-Nn
label).
Sets the Duplicates value to n (for example, -D2 produces two duplicates of
-Dn
the label).
Manual printing. Loads the label and the query and then waits for the operator
-M
to initiate printing.
-Rn (non-interactive) Job Repeat count (for example, -R3 means job runs 3 times).
Tells Range Print not to re-download formats and graphics. This saves
-J throughput time when making back-to-back calls to Range Print modules with
the same label format.
Example 2
LLMWRP32 invtag.lwl -Qinvtag.lwq -P1 -N2 -D1
Would load the invtag.lwl label and invtag.lwq query, set the selected printer to Printer 1, set Quantity to 2 and
Duplicates to 1, print the entire selected range and then exit back to the calling program.
For Example
Create a shortcut to Range Print that the operator double clicks to print a range of inventory labels.In this
example the name of the label to print is INVTAG.LWL and the name of query is INVTAG.LWQ.
Note: Both a label name and query must be specified in the Target field of the shortcut's Properties.
Related Information
To enable Audit Files, see the Audit Files section of the Customize section of this guide.
Runs the specified label and query and then exits the range printing application.
The range print application (LLMWRP32.EXE) recognizes the following command line parameters:
Command Line
Definition
Parameter
Sets the Quantity value to n (for example, -N3 produces three copies of
-Nn
the label).
Sets the Duplicates value to n (for example, -D2 produces two duplicates
-Dn
of the label).
Manual printing. Loads the label and the query and then waits for the
-M
operator to initiate printing.
(non-interactive) Job Repeat count (for example, -R3 means job runs 3
-Rn
times).
Tells Range Print not to re-download formats and graphics. This saves
-J throughput time when making back-to-back calls to Range Print
modules with the same label format.
Example 2
LLMWRP32 invtag.lwl -Qinvtag.lwq -P1 -N2 -D1
Would load the invtag.lwl label and invtag.lwq query, set the selected printer to Printer 1, set Quantity to 2 and
Duplicates to 1, print the entire selected range and then exit back to the calling program.
For Example
Create an icon that the operator double clicks to print a range of inventory labels.The name of the label to print
is INVTAG.LWL and the name of query is INVTAG.LWQ.
Related Information
To enable Audit Files, see the Audit Files section of the Customize section of this guide.
Note: If you are using the LPS, you may not need ODBC.Please refer to the Loftware Print Server User Guide for
more information.
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) is Microsofts strategic interface for accessing data in an
environment of relational and non-relational database management systems (DBMSs).ODBC allows
applications to access multiple data sources without having to understand the underlying format of the
data being read. It is through this mechanism that the Loftware system is able to access your data.
The standard Loftware setup program installs Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) which
includes the following ODBC drivers: Microsoft Access, dBASE, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft FoxPro,
Paradox, Text (CSV and Fixed Length), SQL Server, and Oracle.16-bit drivers are not included.If your
data is in a different format, such as DB2, Sybase, or Btrieve you must obtain a 32-bit ODBC driver that
is compliant with your database. You can often find these drivers by contacting your provider or by
searching on the Internet.
Note: During installation of a Loftware upgrade, the schema.ini file located in the <Program Files
Folder>\Loftware Labeling\dbases\ folder is overwritten. The schema.ini file is used by ODBC for connectivity
to text files.Several text files can share one schema.ini file, but there can only be one such ini file per
folder.Because Loftware supplies sample text files for ODBC, the upgrade installation must update, and
therefore overwrite, the schema.ini file located in the <Program Files Folder>\Loftware Labeling\dbases\
folder.It is therefore recommended that if you are using text files with ODBC, use a folder other than the
<Program Files Folder>\Loftware Labeling\dbases\ folder.
ODBC manages databases through the use of registered data sources.A data source consists of a specific
set of data (for example, a database), the information required to access that data, and the location of the
data source.
Connecting to a data source means establishing communications with a DBMS in order to access that
data sources data.When you connect to a data source from an application through an ODBC driver, the
driver makes the connection for you, either locally or across a network.
Before you can use a database as a data source in Loftware Label Manager, you must set up an ODBC
data source for the data. The Loftware setup program creates 4 sample data sources for you, each of
which points to sample databases in the <Program Files Folder>\Loftware Labeling\dbases
directory.These datasources can be viewed and changed from the ODBC control panel applet as
described below.
l Loftware dBase Sample Sample Data Source for dBase IV and V files
l Loftware Access Sample Sample Access database
l Loftware Excel Sample Sample Excel database
l Loftware Text Sample Sample ASCII text databases
Related Information
If you are using the Loftware Print Server (LPS), data from your database is usually pushed to the LPS. Refer to
the Data Push section in the Loftware Print Server Users Guide.
There are several different categories of data sources: User, System, and File.
Note: The following figure displays the Administrator dialog box after several User Data Sources have been
added.
Related Information
For information on how to configure data sources, refer to Adding a Data Source section of this guide.
Option/Button Description
User Data A list of all user DSNs that includes the name of each DSN and the driver associated with the
Sources List DSN. Double-clicking a user DSN displays the driver-specific data source setup dialog box.
Displays the driver-specific data source setup dialog box that enables you to change the
Configure configuration of an existing user data source. You must select the name of a user data source
from the list before clicking Configure.
Adds a new user data source.If you click Add, the Create New Data Source dialog box is
Add displayed with a list of drivers. Choose the driver for which you are adding a user data source.
After you click Finish, a driver-specific setup dialog box is displayed.
Removes an existing user data source. You must select the name of the user data source you
Remove
want to remove from the list before choosing the Remove button.
Option/Button Description
Closes the Administrator dialog box.OK does not have to be pressed to accept changes to the
OK User Data Sources list.Changes to the list have already been accepted once OK in the data
source setup dialog box has been pressed.
Closes the Administrator dialog box. Note that changes to the User Data Sources list are not
Cancel
rejected if Cancel is clicked.
Option/Button Description
System Data A list of all system DSNs that includes the name of each DSN and the driver associated with the
Sources List DSN.Double-clicking a system DSN displays the driver-specific data source setup dialog box.
Displays the driver-specific data source setup dialog box that enables you to change the
Configure configuration of an existing system data source.You must select the name of a system data
source from the list before the Configure.
Adds a new system data source. If you choose this button, the Create New Data Source dialog
Add box is displayed with a list of drivers.Choose the driver for which you are adding a system data
source.After you Finish, a driver-specific setup dialog box is displayed.
Removes an existing system data source. You must select the name of the system data source
Remove
you want to remove from the list before choosing Remove.
Closes the Administrator dialog box. OK does not have to be pressed to accept changes to the
OK System Data Sources list.Changes to the list have already been accepted once OK in the data
source setup dialog box has been clicked.
Closes the Administrator dialog box.Note that changes to the User Data Sources list are NOT
Cancel
rejected if Cancel is clicked.
Option Description
Displays the name, version, company, file name, and file
ODBC Drivers List creation date of each ODBC driver installed on the
computer.
Tracing Tab
Enables you to specify how the ODBC Driver Manager traces calls to ODBC functions. The Driver
Manager can trace calls all of the time, for one connection only; dynamically; or can allow tracing to be
performed by a custom trace DLL.
Note: Tracing is typically only used for troubleshooting ODBC connections. Most Loftware Label Manager users
do not need to enable tracing.
Option/Button Description
Machine-wide
If selected, tracing is automatically performed at all times, for all connections on the
tracing for all
machine.
user identities
Enables dynamic tracing that is performed as long as the ODBC Administrator dialog
box is displayed. Dynamic tracing can be enabled whether a connection has been
Start Tracing
made or not. After it is clicked, Start Tracing Now is replaced by Stop Tracing
Now
Now.When Stop Tracing Now is clicked, or the ODBC Administrator dialog
box is closed, dynamic tracing is disabled.
Displays the path and file name for the file that stores the tracing information.The
default path and file name (sql.log) are taken from the system information, but a
Log file path
new file is specified by either entering a new path and file name, or choosing the
Browse button and selecting a directory and file.
Allows you to select the path and file name for the log file by browsing machine
Browse
directories.
This control allows the user to select a trace DLL other than odbctrac.dll to perform
Custom Trace tracing. The odbctrac.dll file that is shipped with the ODBC SDK can be replaced by a
DLL custom DLL of the users choice. Enter the path and file name of the custom DLL, or
click Custom Trace to browse the directories for the custom DLL.
Allows the user to browse the directory structure for a custom trace DLL. When a DLL
Custom Trace has been chosen, the path and file name of the DLL are entered in the Custom
Trace DLL text box.
Option/Button Description
OK Accepts changes to tracing and closes the Administrator dialog box.
Cancel Closes the Administrator dialog box without accepting changes to tracing.
Accepts any changes that have been made to tracing without closing the
Apply Administrator dialog box. The Apply button is grayed if no changes have been
made.
l If you are using the Database-Image datasource and you get a message saying that the image is
not found, try making the field length property of the image field 12 or more characters.
l DOUBLE database fields are rounded to six decimal places.
See the Loftware Knowledge Base at www.loftware.com for information regarding ODBC, such as error
messages, reserved words and more troubleshooting hints.
Loftware supports the following bar code symbology. Not all symbology are supported on all printers. If
Loftware Label Manager does not support a symbology, it will not appear in the Symbology drop-down
field.
See the documentation for your printer for information on native symbology support.
Note: The bar code properties described in this section are provided as a supplement to your printer's user
guide or programming manual and the specification for the bar code.
EAN 8
EAN 8 and EAN 13 Properties
EAN 13
Available on Intermec
HIBC Primary (Code 39)
HIBC Primary and Secondary printers using IPL
Properties Available on Intermec
HIBC Secondary (Code 39)
printers using IPL
l Interdependent Properties: Some properties are dependent on other properties for their values.
For example, when you change the Line Width property on a barcode, the X-Dimension value and
% Nominal value (if available) change automatically.
l % Nominal: For some barcode symbologies, (For example, the EAN and UPC series), a %
Nominal property is available.Some printers can only print values that fall within a specified
range (For example, 37%, 75%, 113%, 150% of nominal).
For more information on your printers print density or dot size, refer to your printer documentation.
Term Description
American National Standards Institute, a non-governmental organization
ANSI responsible for the coordination of voluntary national (United States)
standards.
Term Description
An array of parallel rectangular bars and spaces arranged according to the
encodation rules of a particular symbol specification in order to represent data
in machine-readable form. For the purposes of this guideline the term bar
Barcode
code includes linear (for example, Code 39 and Code 128), two-dimensional
(for example, Data Matrix and MicroPDF417), and composite (for example CC-
A linked to GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional) machine-readable symbols.
A single group of bars and spaces that represent an individual letter, number,
Barcode Character
punctuation mark or other symbol.
Bar Height The bar dimension perpendicular to the bar width. Also called bar length.
The perpendicular distance across a bar measured from a point on one edge to
a point on the opposite edge. Each point will be defined as having a
Bar Width
reflectance that is 50 percent of the difference between the background and
bar reflectance.
Character
Term Description
Data Character A letter, digit, or other member of the ASCII character set.
A unique bar and/or space pattern, or a dark and light cell pattern, which is
defined for a specific symbology. There is not necessarily a one-to-one unique
Symbol Character
correlation between symbol characters and data characters. Depending on the
symbology, symbol characters may have a unique associated symbol value.
A digit or character calculated from the data and appended as part of the data
Check Character
string to insure that the data is correctly composed and transmitted.
Term Description
COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Codes. A 10-character coding structure
maintained by Telcordia Technologies that identifies communications
CLEI Code equipment, in a concise, uniform feature-oriented language, describing
product type, features, source document and associated drawings and
vintages.
Data element separator A specified character used to delimit discrete fields of data.
A specified character string which defines the specific intended use of the data
that immediately follows. The identifier shall be an alphabetic character or an
Data Identifier (DI)
alphabetic character preceded by up to three numeric characters as defined by
ANSI.
The Global Trade Item Number is used in GS1 System for the unique
identification of trade items.A trade item is any item (product or service) upon
Global Trade Item Number which there is a need to retrieve pre-defined information that may be priced,
(GTIN) ordered or invoiced at any point in any supply chain. This includes individual
items as well as their different types of packages.The GTIN is defined as a 14-
digit number to accommodate the different structures.
Those characters included within a symbol that are not data characters, for
Overhead characters example, start, stop, error checking, concatenation, and field identifier
characters.
The way in which data is put together to form messages.Syntax also includes
rules governing the use of appropriate identifiers, delimiters, separator
Syntax
character(s), and other non-data characters within the message.Syntax with
Barcodes and RFID Tags is the equivalent to grammar in spoken language.
Term Description
A series of alphanumeric characters which consists of two segments, the
manufacturer identification segment and the serial number segment.The
Unique Serial Identification combination of these two segments ensures uniqueness within a company.See
the TCIF document TCIF-98-005, Product Serialization Guideline, for
additional information.
X Dimension The specified width of the narrow element (bar or space) in a bar code symbol.
At this time, Loftware supports sending non-native barcode symbologies as bitmaps to all printer
families.The ability to send certain barcode symbologies natively is supported in some Printer Families.
Printing may be slower when sending barcodes as bitmaps, but the barcode symbology can be printed to
any printer despite the lack of printer support.
Data entered in this field will be encoded in the barcode but will not print
in the human readable text field for the barcode.
Data Identifiers are used to help the scanner identify the field.
The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in printer pixels (dots).
This property is related to: 1-20
Line: Width
n Line: X-Dim Pixels
n Line %-Nominal
The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in thousandths of an inch. 003.3 to
This property is related to: 165.0 mil
Line: X-Dim in set
n Line: Width. incremen
n Line:%-Nominal ts
Line: X-Dim This property is related to: 003.3 to 066.0 mil in set increments
n Line: Width.
n Line:%-Nominal
Specifies if the Start/Stop character is to be
Show Start/Stop displayed in the human readable text for the Yes/No
barcode.
n Auto: Printer selects subset Code
A Uppercase letters, numbers and
control characters.
n Start A: ASCII characters 00 to 95
(0-9, A-Z and control codes),
special characters, and FNC 1-4
n Start B: ASCII characters 32 to
Specify the subset for the Code 128 barcode. 127 (0-9, A-Z, a-z), special
Start Code
characters, and FNC 1-4
n Start C: 00-99. Code C is a double
density barcode and produces the
smallest barcode.
n Start UCC: Inserts Function 1
(FNC1). Numbers only, leaves
parentheses and spaces in human
readable.
GS1 Barcode
To build other GS1 barcodes, such as the SCC-14, Loftware Label Manager provides Code-128 attributes
available in the Properties box in Loftware Label Manager.These attributes provide the tools to build a
GS1 barcode for any printer defined in Loftware Label Manager that includes both the barcode data and
human readable interpretation with one set of entered data.However, Loftware recommends that you
Note: Like all Code 128 barcode symbologies, the Mod 103 Check Digit is automatically added to the end of
the barcode field.
3. Select Start UCC from the Start Code field.This option prefixes the Code 128 barcode with a Start
Code C option and a FNC1 character.
Related Information
For information on the Barcode Wizard, refer to the Templates and Wizards section of this guide.
DataMatrix Properties
Note: Not all of the properties described in the table will be available to all printers.
ECC 0
ECC 50
n Line: X-Dim
n Line:Width
The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in thousandths
of an inch. 003.3 to
This property is related to: 066.0 mil in
Line: X-Dim
set
n Line: Width. increments
n Line:%-Nominal
Note: HIBC Primary (Code 39) and HIBC Secondary (Code 39) symbology are only available on certain
Intermec printers.
The ratio of the wide bar to the narrow bar. The ratio can be
used to create 'in between' sizes between different X-
dimensions. 2.0:1 to
Ratio For Example 3.0:1 in .1
increments
For Ratio 3:1, the wide bars are three times the size of
the narrow bars.
None
Bearer bars are used to reduce the chance that a non-fixed
Bearer Bars Top/Bottom
length symbol is incorrectly read.
Rectangle
n Line:%-Nominal
The ratio of the wide bar to the narrow bar. The ratio can
be used to create 'in between' sizes between different X-
2.0:1
dimensions.
Ratio 2.5:1
For Example
3.0:1
For Ratio 3:1, the wide bars are three times the size of the
narrow bars.
n Line:%-Nominal
1-4 columns
Micro PDF417 The discreet size of the symbol expressed as columns x rows vary
Size rows. depending on
columns used.
Row Height The symbol's row height in printer pixels (dots). dots
Auto
QR Code Properties
Note: Not all of the properties described in the table will be available to all printers.
Note: The current Loftware implementation of QR Code does NOT support FNC1 modes.
The current Loftware implementation of QR Code does NOT support Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI)
mode.
0-7
This option is only used when QR Codes are printed
Mask None
natively to Toshiba TEC or Zebra printers.
Auto Selection
1For Datamax "class" models, the max value for Row Height is 61. You can enter a higher value, but the actual printed row height is
limited to 61 pixels. Class models include: A-4212, A-4310, A-4408, A-4606, A-6212, A-6310, E-4203, E-4204, E-4304, H-4212X, H-
4310X, I-4206, I-4208, I-4210, I-4212, I-4308, I-4406, I-4604, M-4206, M-4306, W-6208, W-6308, W-8306, DPL (Family Driver).
For other Datamax models, the max value is 24. You can enter a higher value, but the actual printed row height is limited to 24 pixels.
Other Datamax models include: Allegro, Allegro 2, Ovation, Ovation 2/3, PE4X, Prodigy, Prodigy 6.5, Prodigy Plus, Prodigy MAX, Prodigy
MAX 300, ST-3210, ST-3306, Titan 6200, XL.
However, certain Zebra printers have the ability to print QR Codes natively.
If you were printing native QR Codes to Zebra printers before installing or upgrading to the Loftware
Print Server or Label Manager version 10.0, you may notice a decrease in performance when printing
labels with QR Codes. Switching QR Codes back to native mode for your Zebra printers should restore
your previous performance.
Note: Another reason to print native QR Codes is to solve an encoding problem where a trailing character, such
as a tilde (~), is not being recognized when printed as a bitmap.
Requirements
l Identify the printer models that will be used to print the QR Code symbols natively.
For Example
Find the entries for the Zebra 130 and 140
"Loftware Zebra 130",3040,"ZEBRA32.DLL",1,9600,8,2,1,0,6
"Loftware Zebra 140",3041,"ZEBRA32.DLL",1,9600,8,2,1,0,6
"Loftware Zebra 140xi",3042,"ZEBRA32.DLL",1,9600,8,2,1,0,6
"Loftware Zebra 140xiII",3074,"ZEBRA32.DLL",1,9600,8,2,1,0,6
"Loftware Zebra 160S",3057,"ZEBRA32.DLL",1,9600,8,2,1,0,6
"Loftware Zebra 170xi",3043,"ZEBRA32.DLL",1,9600,8,2,1,0,6
3. Note the 4-digit numbers after the printer model. This is the Loftware Printer ID.
"Loftware Zebra 130",3040,"ZEBRA32.DLL",1,9600,8,2,1,0,6
"Loftware Zebra 140",3041,"ZEBRA32.DLL",1,9600,8,2,1,0,6
For Example
[NativeOverride]
QRCode=3040,3041
Note: The NativeOverride setting will apply to all printers of the model that you add to the INI file.
numeric, alphanumeric, 8-bit byte, and Kanji data.Depending on the data encoding mode, a QR Code
symbol can include up to 6743 characters.
There are 39 QR Code symbol versions ranging from 21 x 21 (Version 1) to 173 x 173 (Version 39)
modules per side. Each higher version increases by 4 modules per side.
In LLM, you can use a Keyboard or a Formula data source for the QR Code data. You can pass the data
using a .pas, a .csv. or an .xml file.
Note: Auto mode is not the correct mode if you have alphanumeric or mixed inputs. For example, if you
have input data that is alphanumeric, select Alpha (for Alphanumeric).
l Manual mode - With one of the Manual data input options selected, you can control character
mode switching (Numeric, Alphanumeric, Binary, Kanji).You can use a formula with the
necessary ZPL data commands embedded. Kanji data must be passed as Shift JIS. For
information on ZPL programming, refer to the Zebra ZPL II Programming Guide.
4. Select an Error Correction level. Error Correction is used to restore data and improve reading if
the code is partially damaged. There are four levels of Error Correction.
5. Select a Mask pattern.This is used to balance the light and dark modules and minimize patterns
that may interfere with processing.Auto Selection applies the most appropriate masking pattern.
6. Select a Model number.Model refers to the QR Code specification.Model 1 is the original
specification.
7. Select a Symbol Size.
Related Information
QR Code is established as an ISO (ISO/IEC18004) standard and defined in the document ISO/IEC 18004:
Automatic identification and data capture techniques Barcode symbology QR Code. This is available from
the ISO Web site.
Refer to AIM International Symbology Specification 97-001 for more information. Model 2 is the enhanced QR
Code symbology.
Refer to the ISO/IEC FCD 18004 specification for more information.
n GS1 DataBar
The ratio of the barcode height compared to the Omnidirectional
narrow line width. 33x
This property can not be explicitly set, it is n GS1 DataBar
calculated from the bar height and line width Truncated 13x
Bar Height Ratio
properties and displayed for informational
n GS1 DataBar
purposes.
Limited 10x
For the stacked GS1 DataBar types, the ratio is
n GS1 DataBar
fixed and cannot be changed.
Stacked 13x
n GS1 DataBar
Stacked
Omnidirectional
69x
GS1 Databar
Omnidirectional
TLC39 Properties
Note: Not all of the properties described in the table will be available to all printers.
2.0:1
The ratio of the wide bar to the narrow bar in the Code 39
Code 39 Ratio 2.5:1
portion of the TLC39 symbol.
3.0:1
4 columns
Micro PDF417 Size The discreet size of the symbol expressed as columns x rows
4-44 rows
The first 6 characters must be numeric and include the ECI number.The 7th character is a delimiter
between the linear data portion and the composite data portion, typically a comma, but other delimiters
are allowed. The next piece of data is a mandatory unique Serial Number.
There can be other data fields after the Serial Number, usually either AppIDs or DataIDs, which are
governed by whether or not there are alpha characters in the serial number.Country Of Origin is another
typical data field that is included in this symbology.
Loftware supports the native printing of this symbology to both Zebra and Datamax; however, this
ability is firmware dependent.Contact Zebra or Datamax to find out more information. Loftware is able
to print this symbology as a bitmap to all of our supported printers.
n Line: X-Dim
n Line:Width
The barcode's module (or narrow bar) width in thousandths
of an inch. 003.3 to
This property is related to: 066.0 mil in
Line: X-Dim
set
n Line: Width. increments
n Line:%-Nominal
MaxiCode is a two-dimensional symbology that can encode about 100 characters of data in a one square
inch. Within this small space are two MaxiCode components; black and white hexagons that pack
information in two directions, and a target-like central pattern that allows the symbol to be easily located
at high speeds.A MaxiCode symbol is displayed in the template below.
MaxiCode has been recommended by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as the two-
dimensional symbol most appropriate for the sortation and tracking of unit loads and transport
packages. MaxiCode has high information density and can be read at high speeds in a large field of
view.MaxiCode can be decoded in any orientation and offers the security of high data integrity even if
the symbol is damaged. Because of their small size, MaxiCodes are easily incorporated into label
designs.In fact, many printer manufacturers have the capability to print MaxiCodes on
labels.MaxiCode is the best symbology to use any time a large field of view is required, a label is
moving, the label orientation is random, or if label space is limited.
MaxiCode is supported in all Loftware printer families, including Windows printers. The templates are
included in the Loftware product and are available for download from the Loftware Web site.
Note: A sample label named MaxiCodeCompressionTest.lwl has been added to the ..\labels\samples\maxicode
directory in Loftware. The label has 2 maxicode symbols, each with compression properties turned on and a
clear value set. One of the symbols is not compressed; the other is compressed. It may be used as a
troubleshooting tool to test compression.
3. Select New Label, and then Compliance Template in the New Label Wizard.
4. Select the Target Device, Manufacturer, and Model.
5. Select the UPS Template you wish to use from the list. The template you choose contains the
MaxiCode Symbol.
6. Click Next and Finish.
Related Information
For more information on Templates, refer to the Templates and Wizards section of this guide.
MaxiCode Compression
Compression is a means to allow more data to be included in the MaxiCode symbol. The following
fields are present in a non-compressed UPS MaxiCode symbol:
On-Demand Printing
Loftware has included templates for each label in the Label Examples by Service section of the UPS GUIDE
TO LABELING document, February 2001 Edition. Contact UPS for this document. The MaxiCode
formulas on each of these templates are constructed to conform to the UPS Compression Tool
requirements.The easiest way to implement MaxiCode compression is to use the template that matches
your specific labeling requirement. Information on how Loftware implements the UPS Compression Tool
follows.
UPS Compression is found in the MaxiCode Properties box. Note that the options in the drop-down list
are either None or Version 1.If you select None, then no compression takes place.This is the default
setting. If the MaxiCode Template is used, the default is Version1.If you select Version 1, then Loftware
runs the compression tool if possible. Loftware calls the UPS Compression Tool Version 1 as this tool
may be revised by UPS at a future date.
Another advantage to using the Version 1 setting is that the same data structure is utilized for all
printers; therefore the same formula works for all the different printer families that Loftware supports.
Use one formula and Loftware takes care of the rest. Loftware's UPS templates are designed using a
formula datasource for the MaxiCode symbol. The formula is constructed so that you can supply your
data as separate, individual fields, using any of the Loftware label printing methods (For example, ODP,
ActiveX). The formula then formats the data into the correct ANSI compliant string (ACS). (More on the
ANSI compliant string follows.) Alternatively, if you are using the LPS, you can change the data source
to Keyboard and supply the entire ACS via a PAS, CSV, etc.It is NOT possible to print a MaxiCode
Mode 2 or Mode 3 symbol correctly in On-Demand Print using the Keyboard Data Source, as the non-
printable ASCII characters such as GS, RS and EOT cannot be added in the input screen.
*PRINTLABELModes - Modes are set in the Properties box. The compression option should only be
used for Mode 2 (domestic shipping) and Mode 3 (international shipping). If you have chosen Mode 3
in the Properties box, the data is not compressed; however, it is formatted for the specific printer family .
With Mode 2, the data is both compressed and formatted, and then sent to the printer.
l Data is supplied in the correct ANSI Compliant String (ACS) format, and it is a Mode 2 symbol.
l It is a Mode 3 Symbol
l It is a Mode 2 Symbol and the UPS Compression Tool fails to compress the data.
l The Symbol is not Mode 2 or 3, and the data supplied is not in the correct format for the printer
l The first 9 characters of the data do not match the header ([)>Rs01Gs96 ) in the formula and the
data supplied is not in the correct format for the printer.
l Any of the fields that cannot be truncated have too much data.
l The Symbol is Mode 2 and the data could not be compressed and; either the Postal Code has non-
numeric characters, or is not a valid length (5 or 9 characters).
l The data is not compressed (either because the UPS Compression Tool fails to compress the data,
or it is not a Mode 2 Symbol) and the data length is greater than the allowable character amount
(99 for Mode 2, 96 for Mode 3).
Note: In general, the UPS Compression Tool fails to compress the supplied data if one of the fields contains
invalid data. For instance, an alpha character in the Postal Code field (Mode 2) or 3 characters in the State
field.
ANSI-Compliant String
The following table shows the fields for the MaxiCode symbol and the maximum allowable size for each
field.
Ship To Postal Code * Mode 2, 9N Mode 3, 6AN This field should be populated as left justified.
Ship To ISO
3N
Country Code *
Class of Service * 3N
Shipper ID * 6AN
Julian Date of Pickup Indicates the date the package was labeled. This field
N3
* contains the numerical day of the year (0-999).
Ship To State * A2
*CASS - Coding Accuracy Support System certification by the United States Postal Service
l Barcode Identifier
l Service Type Identifier
l Mailer Identifier
l Serial Number
l Deliver Point ZIP Code
See the USPS Intelligent mail Barcode (4-State Customer Barcode) specification for complete information on
encoding USPS Intelligent Mail barcodes:
https://ribbs.usps.gov/intelligentmail_mailpieces/documents/tech_guides/USPSB3200IntelligentMailBarcode4State.pdf
Symbol Size Changes the relative height and width of all the bars in the symbol. Medium
Large
This section describes Loftware-supported standard barcode and RFID printers. It also includes block
and tag configuration information on the RFID HF and UHF tags available for supported RFID devices.
Printer
Supported Options Family Driver Supported
Family
Avery Avery Options ZPLII, EPL2
SATO Options, Datamax Options, Zebra Options, ZPLII (ZSim), IPL, Direct
Fox IV
Intermec Options, Printronix Options Protocol
InfoPrint
Printronix Options ZPLII (ZGL), IPL (IGL)
Solutions
Printer
Supported Options Family Driver Supported
Family
Zebra Zebra Options ZPLII, EPL2, IPL
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Avery Dennison also owns the Paxar and Monarch brands of printers. Refer to the following sections for
information on these printers.
l Paxar (Monarch) MPCL1 Printers
64-04 ALT ALX 925 TTK ALT AP 5.4 DPM 5 TDI ALT S-362
AP 7.t
64-05 ALT TTX 1050 ALT
textile
TTX 450
TTX 650
TTX 674
TTX 675
TTX 950
64-08 RFID
l ZPLII
l EPL
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Avery Denison
RFID printers.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(standard interface) and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
Serial Interface Check with manufacturer for cable information.The hardware license key is not part of
(standard interface) the serial interface since it must always be plugged into an LPT parallel port.
Interface Description
USB Interface
Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or optional
either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the computer.
interface)
Network Port Included or optional on some printers.
The range of available print speed varies with the selected printer type. This
setting controls the speed at which the stock moves during printing. The
Print Speed
combinations of print speed and head temperature control the print quality of
the label.
This setting affects the speed at which the paper is fed when advancing over
Feed Speed
non-printing areas. This setting may affect printer throughput.
Head Temp This allows you to control the darkness of the print.
When this option is set, the last label printed in a batch is longer than the
Job End Flag Label
previous labels, signifying that it is the last label of the batch.
Label Inverse Inverts the entire label, black prints as white, white space prints as black.
These settings override the Print Options Section in Printer Specific Options.
n Batch Mode - The whole surface of the label is printable.
n Normal 1:1 Mode - The first 18 mm of the label is not printable. The
Print Mode printing on the label is automatically shifted past the empty space.
n Real 1:1 Mode - Total surface of the label is printable, and the label is
retracted after each label.
Several printer languages are available that can print international characters
that are not available in the U.S. character set. See the appendix section of
Character Set
your printer guide to find the corresponding hex codes used to select the
desired character
This command is for determining the beginning of the label when labels are
Gap Offset
printed with irregular gaps.
Cut Interval This sets the number of labels to be printed before the stock is cut.
Dispense Position This adjusts the distance the label is fed after printing.
Use
This setting determines whether to use the options set in this section or those set in the
Label or
Avery RFID Printer Specific Options. From this dialog, label setup options can be set
Printer
when the Use Label RFID Options setting is selected.
Options
RFID Tag Select one of the supported tag types: Autodetect, EPC Class 0, Alien EPC Class 1, and
Type Philips UCODE EPC 1.19 tags.
Note: If you are using an Avery RFID printer to print your label, from the Avery RFID PSO dialog, set RFID Tag
Type to Autodetect which automatically determines the tag type. Otherwise, you must set the tag type from the
Avery PSO dialog to match what is set in the Block Configuration dialog.
Tag Position From Start of This is the distance of the chip from the leading edge. This defaults
Label to 60 mm.
Number of Write Retries per This setting determines the number of times to retry in case of initial
Label failure.
Number of Labels to Retry in This setting determines the number of retries before displaying an
Case of Tag Access Failure error message and requiring user intervention.
This command determines the beginning of the label when printing labels with
Gap Offset
irregular gaps.
For continuous stock, this setting is used to add space between printed labels.
Gap Length
The settings are in increments of 1 mm.
This sets the number of labels to be printed before the stock is cut. This setting
may yield poor results if you use a value that is not an even multiple of the
Quantity and/or Duplicates value. For example: If Quantity = 2, Duplicates = 3,
and Cut Interval = 2, your labels may print/cut in the following sequence:
Label 1 Duplicate 1
Label 1 Duplicate 2
Cut Interval <CUT>
Label 1 Duplicate 3
Label 2 Duplicate 1
<CUT>
Label 2 Duplicate 2
Label 2 Duplicate 3
<CUT>
When this is checked, Loftware does not send any Printer Specific Options or
Do Not Send Options
Label Specific Options to the printer.
Print Mode n Normal 1:1 Mode - The first 18 mm of the label are not printable. The
printing on the label is automatically shifted past the empty space.
n Real 1:1 Mode - Total surface of the label is printable, and the label is
retracted after each label.
Several printer languages are available to print international characters that
are not available in the U.S. character set. See the appendix section of your
Character Set
printer guide to find the corresponding hex codes used to select the desired
character.
n Batch Mode - The entire label is not printable; the label is not retracted
Dispense Mode after feeding to the Dispense position.
n 1:1 Mode - The entire label is printable since the label is retracted
before printing the next label.
Dispense Position Adjusts the distance the label is fed after printing.
Only one label is printed at a time. Printing is then suspended until the
correct action has been taken. The required action depends on the settings of
Use Single Start function
the printer, and is either the removal of the presented label or the use of a
foot pedal.
This setting overrides the normal image behavior and always stores all
Store Images
images.
Images as Binary All images are sent to the printer in binary format.
The Custom Command option is used when a non-typical printing function is required.Refer to the printer's
programming manual for commands that may be used.
Send to Printer This button is used to send a command to the printer immediately.
This selection determines at which point in the print stream that the
custom command will be inserted.
n After #!A1
n After #ER
Command Location
n After #Q
n Before #ER
n Before #Q
n Do Not Send
Related Information
Commands are printer model and firmware specific.Contact the appropriate printer representative for
programming language questions.
C.Itoh Printers
This section provides information specific to the C.Itoh family of printers.
T4
C4 TT S4 Plus
300dpi
S4
400dpi
These C.Itoh printers use the same language as Datamax-O'Neil Printers.Please refer to the Datamax-
O'Neil Printers section for error messages and other information.
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
CLP CLP
6401 7201E
CLP
7202E
CLP
7401
Citizen Systems printers use the same language as Datamax printers. The CLP 1001 can also use the
same language as Zebra printers. See the appropriate printer section for options, error messages, and
other information regarding Citizen printers.
l ZPLII
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Datamax-O'Neil Printers
This section provides information specific to the Datamax-O'Neil family of printers.
430 Allegro 2 A-4310 E-4204 H-4310X I-4208 M-4208 Ovation 2/3 ST-3306
Prodigy+
A-6310 RFID
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Datamax
RFID printers.
l ZPLII (PL-Z)
l EPL2 (PL-E)
l IPL (PL-I)
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface
Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(optional
and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
interface)
Serial Interface Use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of the serial
(standard interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may
interface) require other serial configurations.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
optional interface) computer.
Supported Features
Feature Description
Images are downloaded and stored in the printers image memory.Loftware Label
Image Support Manager remembers images that are sent to the printer and only resends an image if the
image is changed.
Datamax printers support a variety of native fonts and certain printers support TrueType
Supported Fonts fonts as well. Consult your printer manual for the specific native and TrueType font
information.
Printer Control and The Loftware Label Manager Design application allows you to configure printer settings
Configuration that are saved in the label format using File | Media Setup.
Individual workstation printer settings may be configured using File | Devices from within the Design
or any of the Print applications: On Demand, Range.
Many of the settings in the printer do not take effect until the printer is re-booted. In the device Options
dialog box, pushing the Send To Printer button sends the currently selected options to the printer. All
Label-Specific options are sent to the printer every time a label is printed.
Datamax Options
Datamax options may be label-specific or printer-specific.
The range of available print speed varies with the selected printer
type.This setting controls the speed at which the stock moves when
Print Speed
printing. The combinations of print speed and head temperature
control the print quality of the label.
This setting affects the speed at which the paper is fed when advancing
Slew Rate
over non-printing areas.This setting may affect printer throughput.
This controls the rate of label movement during backup positioning for
Backup Speed
start of print, cutting, or present distance.
This section contains options used for Cutters, Label Presentation, and Symbol Sets.
Double-byte Symbol This option allows you to choose a variety of Double-byte symbol
Set sets, if your printer has the capability.
WARNING! Printing Blank Labels? If you are printing labels in thermal transfer mode, and blank labels are
advancing out of the printer, try increasing the head temperature in Label Options (F5) and test print your label
again.This symptom may occur if the ribbon being used requires hotter head temperatures to transfer the ink
from the ribbon onto the paper substrate.
This feature is only active when the labels being printed are less than half the maximum
size of the printers print buffer.
This command turns the ribbon saver feature on in supported printers. The command is
ignored by printers that do not support this feature. When the ribbon saver feature is
Ribbon Saver
turned on, the ribbon saver automatically lifts when the minimum amount of white space
is exceeded.
Note: Settings for Tear Off, Form Edge, and Label Gap are in dots. Use the dots per inch (dpi) for your printer
to find the proper value.Datamax settings increment each 1/100 of an inch.
Present Distance This specifies an additional amount to advance the label after printing.
The Tear Off control enables the label retract feature of the printer.The printer advances
the label tear off dots after the label is printed so the label can be torn off.It
Tear Off (Label automatically retracts the label back to the proper start position before printing the next
Retract) label.
The length should be set longer than the form edge.
The Form Edge control determines where printing begins on your label. If you want the
Form Edge (Top of printer to print nearer to the leading edge of the label, decrease the form edge offset. If
Form) you want to move the start of print position away from the leading edge of the label (into
the body of the label), increase the form edge offset.
Note: In order for the form edge settings to take effect, you must download the format 2 or 3 times. This is an
idiosyncrasy of Datamax printers.
For continuous stock, this setting is used to add space between printed labels. The
Label Gap
settings available are in increments of 1/100 of an inch.
This command allows horizontal adjustment of the point where printing begins. This
Column Offset feature is useful when a single format must be printed on several different types of labels
that already have printed information.
This command allows vertical adjustment of the point where printing begins. This feature
Row Offset is useful when a single format must be printed on several different types of labels that
already have printed information.
Enables integration with equipment that picks the label from the printer and places it on a
Label Applicator
package.
The printer presents each label and waits for the label to be removed before continuing.
While in label present mode, Loftware Label Manager receives status information from
Label Present
the printer indicating that a label is being sensed by the sensor and the printer does not
print labels if a label is detected.
Internal batch mode enables communication between the Datamax printers and a dumb
Internal Batch Mode terminal When internal batch mode is enabled, the Datamax printer directly sends
information that is displayed on the terminal.
This option turns the cutter on or off. Consult your printer manual for hardware
Cutter Engaged
availability.
This option instructs Loftware Label Manager to download TrueType fonts to the Datamax
printers memory module. If this option is not enabled (or is not available for your model)
and a TrueType font is selected, the TrueType font is sent to the Datamax printer in the
form of a graphic. To download TrueType fonts into the printers memory, you must have
the appropriate memory module and firmware versions, which are 2.01 or higher. Consult
your manufacturers manuals for details.
Note: The Download TrueType Fonts function, when enabled in Printer Setup, does
not download TrueType fonts into the printers memory module when test-printing
label formats from Loftware Label Manager. When this feature is enabled and
TrueType fonts are defined on your label, test printing is extremely slow. Loftware
Download Truetype suggests disabling the Download Truetype Fonts feature temporarily while
Fonts designing and test printing labels.This downloads TrueType fonts as images,
speeding up the test printing process.
Once the label format is designed and you are ready to start using Loftwares On-
Demand or Range Printing modules, go back into the printer setup dialog box and
enable TrueType fonts.The very first time you print a label format using TrueType
fonts in one of these modules, the initial download time is extended while fonts are
downloaded to the printers memory module.Subsequent downloading of these
fonts does not occur again until a new label format is requested.
Note: Refer to your printer manual to determine whether a specific printer has native
TrueType font downloading capabilities.
When enabled, the label length is sent to the printer.The length of the label is the height
Set Label Length or width value specified in Label Specifications section of the Label Setup dialog box.
Whether height or width is used is dependent on print orientation.
Changes in firmware affect the commands that the printer accepts.Line properties
Pre 2.01 Firmware
including boxes and borders are affected.Check this box if your Firmware is Pre 2.01.
Send Options
When enabled, all label and printer options set are sent to the printer.
(Label/Printer)
The Memory Module option is used to specify which memory module(s) to download
formats, graphics, and fonts to.The choices are: None, Module A, Module B, or Module C
(Emulation Mode) Prodigy Plus Printers, for example, have an A or B Memory Module Card
Slot in the front of the printer.Citizen Printers have an internal Memory Module C.If you
Memory Module
have a Citizen Printer that you are running in Prodigy Plus Emulation, you would choose
Module C (Emulation Mode) from the drop down list. Consult your printer manual or
representative for more information about what modules are available for each printer
model.
When checked, the memory module is cleared each time a label format is sent. If
unchecked, this prevents the memory module from being cleared before each label format
Clear Memory Module
is sent, thus potentially saving time.This option should only be used if enough memory is
present to allow the module remain uncleared when a format is sent.
The Symbol Set option selects the scalable fonts symbol set. Consult the appendix section
Symbol Set
of your printer manual for a description of the character set.
Double-byte Symbol This option allows you to choose a variety of Double-byte symbol sets, if your printer has
Set the capability.
This allocates scalable font processor memory on the printer, but only if the option send
Scalable Font
to printer is checked. This option works with the XL, Ovation 2, Datamax Prodigy Max,
Processor
Datamax Prodigy Max 300dpi, DMX 300, 800 and PE42.
Note: The Custom Command option is used when a non-typical function is required when printing. Refer to
the printers programming manual for commands that may be used.
DPL Command
Send Command
Note: Commands are printer model and firmware specific. Contact the appropriate printer representative for
programming language questions.
Retry Attempts This setting determines the number of times to retry in case of initial failure.
It is possible to define a combination of attributes, such as line width and ratio that
the printer cannot produce, or might print in one orientation but not another. Under
Printed Barcode Does Not these conditions, the printer may print the closest possible barcode.This usually
Match the Design occurs when you define a barcode with line width 1. The printer sometimes promotes
this to a line width 2 barcode, resulting in a printed barcode that is twice as long as
desired.
Capability Description
When the printer is capable of doing the incrementing/decrementing internally, it is
instructed to do so. This is called Native Mode. When printing in Native Mode, control
returns to the computer almost immediately.
Datamax
Incrementing/Decrementin Loftware Label Manager does incrementing/decrementing in software when the
g Fields printer cannot do it internally and sends down a different set of data for each
label.This is called Extended Mode. In Extended Mode, the Printing dialog box
shows the line Printing Label x of y and control does not return to the computer
until the entire series of labels is printed.
The label size is used as a frame of reference. When you rotate your label, or when
Datamax: Label Size you rotate the printing of a label, it is imperative that Loftware Label Manager Design
knows the exact size of the stock on which you are printing.
Spooled
No error message. No error message. No error message. No error message.
to
Prints the labels when Prints the labels when Prints the labels when Prints the labels when
PrintServ
the error is corrected. the error is corrected. the error is corrected. the error is corrected.
er
Eltron Printers
This section provides information specific to the Eltron family of printers.
2622 Strata
2642 Transport
2722
2742
2746
2824
2844
l ZPLII
l EPL2
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com.See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface
Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(optional
and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
interface)
Interface Description
Serial Interface Use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of the serial
(standard interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may
interface) require other serial configurations.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
optional interface) computer.
Supported Features
Feature Description
Images are downloaded and stored in the printers image memory. Loftware
Image Support Label Manager remembers images that are sent to the printer and only
resends an image if the image is changed.
Some of the native fonts supported by Eltron printers:
n 8X12
n 10X16
Supported Fonts
n 12X20
n 14X24
n 32X48
TrueType fonts are
downloaded as graphics
on the Eltron printers.
Individual workstation printer settings may be configured using File | Devices | Options from within
the Design or any of the Print applications: On Demand, Range.
Many of the settings in the printer do not take effect until the printer is re-booted.In the Device Options
dialog box, clicking Send To Printer sends the currently selected options to the printer.All Label Options
are sent to the printer every time a label is printed.
Eltron Options
Eltron Options may be label-specific or printer-specific.
The range of available print speeds varies with the selected printer type. This setting controls the
Print Speed speed at which the paper is fed when printing. The combinations of print speed and head
temperature control the print quality of the label.
This setting affects the orientation at which the label is printed. The Eltron printers can internally
Print
rotate the label 180 degrees. When Top is selected, the printer begins printing at the top of the label.
Direction
When bottom is selected, the label is rotated 180 degrees and printing begins at the bottom.
Head Allows you to control the darkness of the print. 5 is nominal, setting the temperature higher than 5
Temperatu causes the label to print darker. Setting the temperature to lower than 5 causes the label to print
re lighter. Values from 0 to 7 for 2122/2142 and 0 to 15 for 2242/2044/2046/2642.
Form Eltron printers have the ability to store multiple forms in memory. In order to store multiple forms, a
Number unique name must be generated for each form. This option is used to provide a unique form name.
WARNING! Printing Blank Labels? In some instances while printing labels in thermal transfer mode, blank
labels advance out of the printer. If this happens, try increasing the head temperature in Label Specific Options
(F5) and test print your label again. This symptom may occur if the ribbon being used requires hotter head
temperatures to transfer the ink from the ribbon onto the paper substrate.
Use Printer Cut Options uses Cut Options set in the Printer Specific Options section.When
Cutter enabled, an optional label cutter is set to cut a label after printing using settings specified
in this dialog.
Cut Every Allows the cutter to skip a given quantity of labels before cutting.
Cut Position This command is sent to a printer to provide precise cut placement. The default is 100 dpi.
Custom EPL
Command You can enter printer commands otherwise not available in the Loftware Label Manager dialog
Field boxes.
The printer options available will vary based on the printer model selected. Certain options are only
available with the EPL2 Family Driver.
Settings are in dots.Use the dots per inch (dpi) for your printer to find the proper value.For example, if
your printer has 203 dpi and you want to set a skip distance of 1 inch, specify a value of 203 for the skip
distance.
This is a setting found on Butterfly Labels. It sets the length between the top edge
Offset Length of the label, and the indented portion of the label. The Offset Length is set in dots
per inch.
These values are measured in dots. This command is used to move the reference
X Coordinate / point for the X and Y-axes. The reference point command functions similarly to the
Y Coordinate Label Home command found in File | Media Setup. Default reference points vary
depending upon whether the selected print direction is top or bottom.
These values are measured in dots. This command is used to move the reference
X Coordinate / point for the X and Y-axes. The reference point command functions similarly to the
Y Coordinate Label Home command found in File | Media Setup. Default reference points vary
depending upon whether the selected print direction is top or bottom.
The space in between labels. When printing on continuous stock, this setting can
Gap Length
be used to add space between printed labels.
This is a setting found on Butterfly Labels. It sets the length between the top edge
Offset Length of the label, and the indented portion of the label. The Offset Length is set in dots
per inch.
Media Feed Adjustment The amount of stock to advance after printing measured in dots.
Options Section
This command should be set on when labels narrower than the print head are
Set Label Width printed. If the label width equals the print head width, you may leave Set Label
Width off and the printer automatically centers the printing of the label.
Tear Off Mode The tear off mode is the default mode.
Form Backup This command instructs the printer to retract the label before printing.
This option reverses the Through Sensor Operation, which interprets a blockage of
Sensor Reverse light as a gap. This option allows the through sensor to be used when printing
transparent labels with a black stripe backing.
When enabled, the printer presents each label and waits for the label to be removed
Dispense Sensor before continuing. On the P2242 printer, the feed button must be pressed to print
the next label. Available on Orion, Strata, and P2242 only.
When enabled, the printer presents each label and waits for the feed switch to be
Dispense Tap pressed before printing the next label. This mode is commonly used when printing
multiple copies of liner-free labels. Available only on the P2242.
When enabled, this option uses the Print Quantity and Copies values to control the
Batch Print & Cut cutter operations.The cut instruction is executed when a batch of jobs has
completed printing.
When enabled, the printer is set in diagnostic dump mode. Available on the P2242
Enable Dump Mode
only.
IRDA Interface Enables optional IRDA Interface. This option is only available on the P2242.
When selected the following options are sent to the printer with each label.
n Label Options
n Print Adjustment
n Options
Send Options
n Cut Options
n Advanced Options
When send options is not selected, only Custom Commands and if Memory
Allocation | Send Command is selected, Memory Allocation options are sent to the
printer
Enables an optional label cutter. When enabled, the cutter is set to cut a label after
Label Cutter
printing.
The Cut Every settings range from 1 label to 250 + labels.The label is cut after the
Cut Every
number specified. For example, if "2" is specified, the label is cut after every 2 labels.
This command is sent to the printer to provide precise cut placement.The default is
Cut Position
100 dpi.
Select Send Command to enable the Memory Allocation options, and send them to
Send Command
the printer when a label is printed.
If you have a very large number of fields on your label, you may need to increase this
Formats
value; otherwise, the default of 5k should be fine.
In printers that support sending images directly to the image buffer, selecting Write
Graphics to Image Buffer may improve print speed. If this setting is not selected,
Write Graphics to
images are saved to the printer's memory, and recalled in the label format. Contact
Image Buffer
your printer manufacturer to find out if your printer supports sending images directly
to the image buffer.
To use images on your labels, you may need to increase the memory allocated for
Graphics. This allows the printer to store the image files sent to it by Loftware Label
Graphics
Manager. If the value set is too small, Loftware Label Manager displays an error
message.
The image buffer memory is the area where the active print image is temporarily
stored. To calculate the exact memory needed using the following formula:
Image Buffer
Printer Width = 2 - Label height in inches x 12 KB
Printer Width = 4 - Label height in inches x 22 KB
Note: You cannot allocate more memory than is installed in the printer.
This command selects a character set for printing.Consult your printer manual for a
Character Set
more complete description of supported character sets.
The custom command option sends printer commands otherwise not available in the Loftware Label Manager
dialog boxes.
It is possible to define a combination of attributes, such as line width and ratio that the
Printed Barcode printer cannot produce, or might print in one orientation but not another.Under these
Does Not Match the conditions, the printer may print the closest possible barcode.This usually occurs
Design when you define a barcode with line width 1. The printer sometimes promotes this to a
line width 2 barcode, resulting in a printed barcode that is twice as long as desired.
Capability Description
When the printer is capable of doing the incrementing / decrementing internally, it is
instructed to do so. This is called Native Mode. In Native Mode, control returns to the
computer almost immediately.
Eltron
Incrementing/ Loftware Label Manager does incrementing/decrementing in software when the printer
Decrementing fields cannot do it internally and sends down a different set of data for each label. This is
called Extended Mode. In Extended Mode the Printing dialog box shows the line
Printing Label x of y and control does not return to the computer until the entire
series of labels is printed.
The label size is used as a frame of reference. When you rotate your label, or when you
Label Size rotate the printing of a label, it is imperative that Loftware Label Manager design knows
the exact size of the stock on which you are printing.
Error message. Does Error message. Does Error message. Does Error message. Allows
LPT not let you retry, the not let you retry, the not let you retry, the you to retry, the label
label is not printed. label is not printed. label is not printed. prints.
EXE Printers
Supported Printer Models
Loftware supports the following EXE printer models.
l MR400
l MR400e
l MR410
l MR410e
Related Information
These printers use the same language as SATO Printers.Please refer to the SATO Section for error messages and
other information regarding EXE printers.
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Note: Refer to the Datamax Options section or the Eltron Options section depending on the model.
Datamax Eltron
FM403 PPLA FM402 PPLB
FM4402 PPLA FM403 PPLB
FM4602 PPLA FM4402 PPLB
FM4603 PPLA FM4602 PPLB
FM6602 FM4603 PPLB
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Fox IV Information
This section provides information specific to the Fox family of printers.These printers use SATO, Zebra,
Datamax, Intermec and Printronix Printer Languages, the following table identifies which printer section
RFID Printers
SATO OEM Datamax OEM Zebra OEM Intermec OEM
Printronix OEM
FOXIV Model FOXIV Model 2000 FOXIV Model FOXIV Model 4051
FOXIV SLPA 7304e RFID)
6160 300dpi 5143 406dpi
FOXIV Model
FOXIV Model 7003
6270
l ZPLII (ZSim)
l IPL
l Direct Protocol
Related Information
See Printronix Options page for LSO and PSO settings.
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the FOXIV RFID
printers.
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
l ZPLII (ZGL)
l IPL (IGL)
Related Information
These printers use the same language as Printronix Printers.Refer to the Printronix Section for printer-specific
options, error messages and other information regarding InfoPrint printers.
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com.See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the IBM RFID
printers.
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com.See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Easy Coder PM4i (IPL) Easy Coder PX4i (FP) Easy Coder PX4i (IPL)
UBI Printers
This section provides information specific to the UBI family of printers.
Note: The following printers are in End-Of-Service status with Intermec. See the The Intermec End-of-Life
(EOL) Process Web page for more information and a list of replacement printers.
l ZPLII (ZSim)
l EPL2 (ESim)
l IPL
l Direct Protocol
into a label field and pass IPL commands through the Loftware native driver directly to your printer.
This may allow you greater control over a barcode, and give you the ability to include options that may
not be supported by Loftware's native driver.
See Pass Through Fields in the Customizing Labels section of this guide for more information and
instructions on creating Pass Through fields.
Related Information
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Intermec RFID
printers.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface
Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(optional
and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
interface)
Serial Interface Use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of the serial
(standard interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may
interface) require other serial configurations.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
optional interface) computer.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface
Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(optional
and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
interface)
Serial Interface Use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of the serial
(standard interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may
interface) require other serial configurations.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
optional interface) computer.
Supported Fonts
Name Notes
Pointable (4) Point sizes 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24; Magnify 1 to 20 times
Notes: (1) The 5x7 font is not available for the 4400 and 4406 printers.(2) For the 3400 printer, firmware
version 1.2 or higher and extended memory are required to access the Outline Swiss font.For the 4100 printer,
firmware version 2.4 or higher and extended memory are required to access the Outline Swiss font.(3) The
Outline Swiss Bold and Dutch Roman fonts are currently not available with the 3100 printer. (4) The Pointable
and Pointable Bold fonts are currently available for the 4400C, 3400B, 3600 and 3240 printers.
Supported Fonts
Most Direct Protocol printers come standard with scalable fonts.Consult your printer manual for
available fonts.TrueType fonts are downloaded to the Intermec Direct Protocol printers as graphics.
Individual workstation printer settings may be configured using File | Devices from within the Design
or any of the Print applications: On Demand, Range.
Many of the settings in the printer do not take effect until the printer is re-booted.In the device options
dialog box, clicking Send Options sends the currently selected options to the printer.All label-specific
options are sent to the printer every time a label is printed.
For 4400 / 4400A / 4400B 4400C / 4400D / 4400E users, the File | Media Setup | Label Specific Options
duplicate some of the functionality of the printers control panel.For 3400 and 4100 users, Loftware Label
Manager provides the only way to configure many of the settings in the printer.
Option Description
Format
Specifies the areas of RAM in which the label format is to be stored.
Number
The range of available print speeds varies with the selected printer type. Note that the
Print Speed printer may user a slower print speed than you specify in order to maintain print quality.
Certain Intermec printers allow print speeds in .5 IPS increments.
Head Temperature allows you to control the darkness of the print.Zero (0) is nominal,
Head
setting the temperature higher than 10 causes the label to print darker.Settings lower
Temperature
than 10 cause the label to print lighter.
This number specifies the amount of heat required by the printhead to image a label.
Media Look at the sensitivity label located on the label stock, and check the last three digits of
Sensitivity the 15-digit number. These three numbers stamped on the label give you the number
you use for this setting.
Option Description
This value is used to determine how many labels to print before cutting. This option is
only used when Use Label Specific Options Cut Interval is enabled.
Note: Loftware Label Manager defaults to using the Cut Immediate command
(<SO>) in conjunction with disabling the cutter (<SI>c0) per Intermec
recommendations. Example: The cutter is enabled, (<SI>c1) and the printer
prints a quantity of 5. The job is native, and the printer cuts after each label. The
Cut Interval only way to enable the cutter to cut after a certain number of labels is to either:
Set [INT44xx]CutImmediate=0
Using #2 and unchecking Force Extended should allow the cutter to cut after the
print job.
The custom command field allow you to enter and send label commands otherwise not
Custom
available in the Loftware Label Manager dialog boxes.This command is sent to the
Command
printer regardless of the state of the Printer Specific Option Custom Command.
Use Label
Enabling this feature disables any cutting options enabled in the Printer Options section
Specific
under Label Handling. All cutter system information is overridden and stored directly in
Options Cut
the label format.
Interval
Enables Direct Graphics mode on printers that support this option. The download time
of the image is reduced, but images are sent for each label. This eliminates the graphic
Use Direct size limitations that are normally encountered when storing graphics in non-volatile
Graphics RAM. The only size limitation when using direct graphics is the amount of memory
installed on the printer.
Use Direct Graphics is selected by default.
Media The sensitivity for a particular type of media and ribbon is critical to achieving high quality
Sensitivity printing. If the Media Type you are using is listed, select it, and then click Apply to
Guide achieve the recommended sensitivity setting.
The printer options available will vary based on the printer model selected. Certain options are only
available with the IPL Family Driver.
Several printer languages are available to print international characters that are not
Language available in the U.S. character set. See the appendix section of your printer guide to find
the corresponding hex codes used to select the desired character.
Enable IBM Enabling IBM Translation allows IBM compatible characters to replace standard ASCII
Translation characters based on the current printer language selected.
Print Mode Displays Use Label Setup Resolution to set printer Emulation.
The custom command option sends printer commands otherwise not available in the
Custom
Loftware Label Manager dialog boxes. For example, to switch an advanced printer to 86xx
Command
mode, send the custom command: <ESC>c
Send Options When enabled, all label and printer options set are sent to the printer. Disable this option
(Label/Printer) to retain the settings set at your printer.
Batch Normal printing mode; labels are continuously printed and fed out of the printer.
A specialty device that is integrated with the printer that allows labels to be picked up from the
Applicator
printer and placed on a product. Typical for assembly line production.
Self-strip handling requires that the stock in the printer be properly fed through the self-strip
attachment on the printer. Consult your Intermec manual or service technician for further
Self-Strip
assistance. While in self-strip mode, the printer presents each label and waits for it to be
removed before continuing. The printer does not print labels if there is a label at the strip pin.
These options require that a cutter be installed on the printer. With some Intermec
Cut or Label
printers, specifically the Intermec 4400, you may have to set certain options on the
Cutter
printer.
Cut Every Allows the cutter to skip a given quantity of labels before cutting.
Settings are in dots.Use the dots per inch (dpi) for your printer to find the proper value. For example, if
your printer has 203 dpi and you want to set a skip distance of 1 inch, specify a value of 203 for the skip
distance.
This setting determines how close to the leading edge of the label printing occurs.
Valid values are -20 to 4000, with 20 as the default setting. If you need to move the
Top of Form printing closer to leading edge of the printer, lower the value. If you need to move the
printing away from the leading edge of the printer, choose a higher value. This setting
is usually only critical when you are using small labels.
Maximum label length increases the allowed printing length of the label. Valid values
Max Label are 200 to 4800 dots. For example, a 203 dpi printer allows you to set a value from .5"
Length to 24". Setting maximum label length to 2400 allows you to print a 12" label on an
advanced Intermec printer. The default for maximum label length is 1000 dots.
The Image band setting is used by the printer to decide how much of the label's format
to "image" before starting to print.If the image bands are set correctly, they can
greatly improve printer throughput. However, if they are set incorrectly, they can
Image Bands degrade performance.The number of image bands available is determined by the
amount of memory installed in your printer. Consult your printer manual for the
available range of image bands.If this parameter is set to 0, the LLM uses the current
printer setting.
If this value is a non-zero value (try 1 or 2), the label is ejected this many dots after
printing.The printer retracts, or backfeeds, before printing the next label. This is useful
for advancing labels to the tear bar or cutter.Depending on your version of printer
firmware, the label may only advance/retract a set amount when you are using die cut
Retract Distance or mark stock, regardless of the value specified in the Retract parameter.Consult
Intermec for information on possible firmware upgrades.
Note: If you are using die cut stock or mark stock and have a 3400 or 4100
printer, you must also check the Feed After Print option to enable the retract
feature.
Skip Distance
This setting is the distance to advance the label after all the fields have been
(Continuous
printed.This setting is used to create white space between labels.
Stock Only)
Label rest point adjusts the point at which the printer presents the labels for
removal.This command is commonly used with the self-strip option.Label retract is
Label Rest Point
available to retract the label back to the correct starting position for the next printed
label.
Enable Label This feature causes the printer stock to move back into the printer under the printer
Retract head, print the label, then feed the label out to the tear off bar.
Feed After print instructs the LLM to add a Form Feed (<FF>) after the label is
Feed After Print
printed.Generally, this is not necessary but it may be required for certain applications.
(440x printers only) The 440x printers have a centered paper path so the label width is
Set Label Width
used to position the printing on the label.This option should be enabled in most cases.
This allows you to choose a unique format number for storage in the printer's memory.Read the
Format
Owner's Manual as all files in the printer may be permanently erased by using this instruction.
Print Speed The rate that the printer prints. The range is 50-400 millimeters per second. See the documentation
(mm/s) for your printer to find the allowed values.
Performan The performance range varies with the selected printer type. In this case, the choices are Normal,
ce High, or Ultra High.
Cut Choose Printer Cut Options (as set in PSOs, which is the default setting) or the Label Cut Options which
Option may be chosen along with the following setting.
Feed
Zero is the default, but the Cut Interval may be set to cut after any number of labels.
Length
Character Set Allows you to choose from a list of Character Sets or use the Character Set from the PSOs.
The following sections are available when designing RFID tags for Intermec Fingerprint (FP) language
RFID printers.
Note: The Intermec PM4i RFID (FP) Printer is created with UBI printer language.
Printer Options
Use Label or Printer This allows you to use either the Intermec Label Specific Options or the options set in
Options Printer Specific Options (PSOs).
Void Text This is the text that will be printed across the label after write retries fail.
The position of the label will, if necessary, be adjusted before trying to write data to the tag.
Tag Adjust
The Unit of Measure is Dot Rows.
The printer options available will vary based on the printer model selected. Certain options are only
available with the Direct Protocol Family Driver.
This can be a negative or a positive number of dots.A positive Start Adjust value will feed out the
Start
specified length of media before the printing starts.A negative value will pull back the specified
Adjust
length of media before the printing starts.
This can be a negative or a positive number of dots. A positive Stop Adjust value will increase the
Stop
normal media feed by the specified value after printing is finished. A negative value will decrease the
Adjust
normal media feed by the specified value after printing is finished.
Label
Taken This detects if the printed label has been removed before the next one is printed.
Sensor
Disable
This disables the <Print> key requiring the key to be pressed to print a label.
Print Key
Ribbon
This turns the ribbon saver "auto economy" feature on in supported printers.
Saver
EasySet
This uses the optional EasySet barcode wand or scanner. Certain printer options are disabled.
System
Feed Length Zero is the default, but this may be set to cut after any number of labels.
Enable Cutter Enables an optional label cutter.When enabled, the cutter is set to cut a label after printing.
Material Displays the Material type based on the selected Media Type.
Select one of the following options to change the available settings in the Media Sensitivity
Guide.
Media Settings
n Material
Type
n Media Codes
n Media Values
The sensitivity for a particular type of media and ribbon is critical to achieving high quality printing. If the Media
Type you are using is listed, select it, and then click Apply to set the recommended sensitivity setting. The
corresponding settings in the Media Settings section will be refreshed. Change the way you select the Media type by
selecting a different option from the Media Settings Type field.
If a memory card is attached to the printer, you can select it. This option is not sent to the printer when
Memory
labels are printed, nor is it sent when Send Options is clicked. The value you select is stored, so it can
Module
be used for informational purposes.
Charact Several printer languages are available that can print international characters that are not available in the
er Set U.S. character set. If your printer supports it, select a different Character Set.
Ext Font
Locatio Specify the source of additional fonts.
n
Specify printer commands otherwise not available in the Loftware Label Manager dialog boxes. Click
Custom Send To Printer to send the commands to the printer.
Comman
d Note: These commands are NOT sent when labels are printed. This is different behavior than other
Loftware drivers that allow custom commands.
When enabled, all label and printer options set are sent to the printer. Disable this option to retain the
Send settings set at your printer. Advanced Options are always sent to the printer.
Options
Note: This option is only available with Direct Protocol printers.
Command Description
Send to Printer Send commands to the printer.
Beep Sends a command to the printer telling it to make a sound (A 1/4 second beep).
Sends a command to the printer telling it to restart. This has the same effect as turning the printer
Reboot Printer
off and on.
Printer Options
This allows you to use either the Intermec Label
Use Label or Printer Options Specific Options or the options set in Printer
Specific Options (PSOs).
Void Text This is the text that will be printed across the label after write retries fail.
The position of the label will, if necessary, be adjusted before trying to write data to the
Tag Adjust
tag. The Unit of Measure is Dot Rows.
Labels to Retry on Tag This sets the number of attempts to write to the label after an unsuccessful try.Settings
Access Failure range from 0 to 10.
Maximum Number of The maximum number of fields per label format is between 40 and 200, but this
Fields varies between printer models.
The maximum size of any image varies among printers. The physical size of the
image depends on the resolution of your printer. For 203 dpi printers, this is roughly
Maximum Image Size
3" by 3".Note that the actual size of images that your printer can handle is
determined by the amount of RAM installed in your printer.
If images are displayed in Loftware Label Manager label design but do not print, the
printer probably does not have enough memory to store the image.If you are using
a 440x printer, a "Memory Overflow" message is displayed on the control panel. If
Images Do Not Print
you are going to be working with large images, you may need to add additional UDC
RAM to the printer. Contact Intermec for information on memory upgrades for your
printer.
It is possible to define a combination of attributes, such as line width, ratio, etc, that
the printer cannot produce, or might print in one orientation, but not another.
Printed Barcode Does Under these conditions, the printer may print the "closest possible" barcode. This
Not Match the Design usually occurs when you define a barcode with line width 1.The printer sometimes
"promotes" this to a line width 2 barcode, resulting in a printed barcode that is twice
as long as desired.
The Advanced printers do not print any field with an invalid definition. For example,
if you define a UPC-A barcode, which requires exactly 11 digits, and then provide
Disappearing Fields alphabetic data at print time, the printer does not print the field. If your label test
prints correctly but fields do not print in production printing, check your data
carefully to make sure it is valid.
The Intermec Advanced printers use auto-discriminating Code 128 logic. This
means that the printer decides which subset of Code 128 to use based on the data
for the barcode.The printer automatically shifts subsets if necessary. While this
technique produces the densest possible barcodes, it makes it difficult to implement
Using CODE 128 a specification that requires explicit control of subsets or shifts between various
subsets.
Capability Description
The label size is used as a frame of reference when you rotate your label or when you
Label Size rotate the printing of a label. It is imperative that Loftware Label Manager Design
knows the exact size of the stock on which you are printing.
Note: Contact Intermec for information regarding your printers capability of storing fonts and for the latest
version of PrintSet.
Loftware Label Manager takes advantage of font re-map by substituting native fonts in the printer and
re-mapping them to pre-downloaded TTF fonts. You may re-map and define up to two different fonts in
the printer by choosing Options | Preferences | Intermec tab.
Note: The Loftware Label Manager Font Re-Map capability is in addition to the True-Type font category
selection in the Loftware Label Manager Design mode Properties Box.
Important: Do an Options | Test Print from PrintSet to verify that the font is successfully downloaded to the
printer.
An example of available options is shown to the right in the Preferences dialog box.
4. Type in a number from the list, a comma, and the location in the printer where you want the
custom font to be stored.
5. Click Load Defaults, choose OK or Cancel.
Error message. Does Error message. Does let Error message. Does let Error message. Does let
LPT not let you retry, the you retry so the label you retry so the label you retry so the label
label does not print. prints. prints. prints.
Error message. Does let Error message. Does let Printer stock error. Print head error. Does
COM you retry, the label you retry, the label Does let you retry, the let you retry, the label
prints. prints. label prints. prints.
No error message. The No error message. The No error message. The No error message. The
Spooled
labels print when the labels print when the labels print when the labels print when the
to Shared
error is corrected. error is corrected. error is corrected. error is corrected.
Spooled
No error message. The No error message. The No error message. The No error message. The
to
labels print when the labels print when the labels print when the labels print when the
PrintServ
error is corrected. error is corrected. error is corrected. error is corrected.
er
Cable
Printer Turned Off No Stock Print Head Up
Disconnected
No error message. The No error message. The No error message. The No error message. The
Direct IP labels print when the labels print when the labels print when the labels print when the
error is corrected. error is corrected. error is corrected. error is corrected.
Error message, no retry; Error message, no retry; Error message, no retry; Error message, no retry;
LPT
the label is not printed. the label is not printed. the label is not printed. no label is printed.
No error message. All No error message. All No error message. All No error message. All
Direct IP labels print after the labels print after the labels print after the labels print after the
printer is turn back on. printer is reconnected. printer is re-stocked. print head is put down.
Meto Information
This printer guide section provides information specific to the Meto family of printers.These printers are
created with Datamax language; therefore, see the Datamax section for error messages and other
information regarding Meto printers.
mi-4212 mi-6308
mi-4308
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com.See Printers on the
Technical Support page. The supported printers include:
Novexx Printers
This section provides information specific to the Novexx family of printers. The Novexx printer family is
now part of Avery Dennison. Most of these printers are being manufactured by Avery Dennison using
new model numbers. See the Avery Dennison section for information on the Avery Dennison versions of
theses printers.
Barcode Printers
ALX 924 Chess 4 Cobra OFL DPM 4 Lion Ocelot Puma Texxtile Tiger Xxtreme
Lion
ALX 925 Chess 5 Cobra ONL DPM 5 Puma Plus Tiger XXL
Plus
Chess 8
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel
(standard interface) port, and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
Check with manufacturer for cable information.The hardware license key is not
Serial Interface
part of the serial interface since it must always be plugged into an LPT parallel
(standard interface)
port.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug
(standard or optional in either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
interface) computer.
Network Port Included or optional on some printers.
Novexx Options
Novexx Options may be label-specific or printer-specific.
The range of available print speed varies with the selected printer type. This setting
Print Speed controls the speed at which the stock moves when printing. The combinations of print
speed and head temperature control the print quality of the label.
This setting affects the speed at which the paper is fed when advancing over non-printing
Feed Speed
areas.This setting may affect printer throughput.
Head Temp This allows you to control the darkness of the print.
Job End Flag When this option is set, the last label printed in a batch is longer than the previous labels,
Label signifying that it is the last label of the batch.
Label Inverse Inverts the entire label, black prints as white, white space prints as black.
Note: These settings override the Print Options Section in Printer Specific Options.
Several printer languages are available that can print international characters that are not
Character Set available in the U.S. character set. See the appendix section of your printer guide to find the
corresponding hex codes used to select the desired character.
This command is for determining the beginning of the label when printing labels with irregular
Gap Offset
gaps.
Cut Interval Sets the number of labels to be printed before the stock is cut.
Dispense
Adjusts the distance the label is fed after printing.
Position
Note: This section overrides the Printer Specific Options for Gap Offset, Cut Interval, and Dispense Position.
This command is for determining the beginning of the label when printing
Gap Offset
labels with irregular gaps.
Cut Interval Sets the number of labels to be printed before the stock is cut.
Dispense Position Adjusts the distance the label is fed after printing.
Note: These settings override the Print Options Section in Printer Specific Options.
Several printer languages are available to print international characters that are not available in
Character Set the U.S. character set. See the appendix section of your printer guide to find the corresponding
hex codes used to select the desired character.
Stock n Die Cut - Stock that has gaps between each label.
Type n Continuous - No gaps, notches, or perforations between labels.
Gap
This command determines the beginning of the label when printing labels with irregular gaps.
Offset
Gap For continuous stock, this setting is used to add space between printed labels. The settings are in
Length increments of 1mm.
This sets the number of labels to be printed before the stock is cut. This setting may yield unexpected
results if you use a value that is not an even multiple of the Quantity and/or Duplicates value. For
example: If Quantity = 2, Duplicates = 3, and Cut Interval = 2, your labels may print/cut in the
following sequence:
Label 1 Duplicate 1
Label 1 Duplicate 2
Cut <CUT>
Interval
Label 1 Duplicate 3
Label 2 Duplicate 1
<CUT>
Label 2 Duplicate 2
Label 2 Duplicate 3
<CUT>
Do Not
When this is checked, Loftware does not send any Printer Specific Options or Label Specific Options to
Send
the printer.
Options
Use Single Only one label is printed at a time. Printing is then suspended until the correct action has been taken.
Start The required action depends on the settings of the printer, and is either the removal of the presented
function label, or the use of a foot pedal.
These settings are mutually exclusive; they cannot both be set at the same time.
This setting overrides the normal image behavior and always stores all
Store Images
images.
Images as Binary All images are sent to the printer in binary format.
The Custom Command option is used when a non-typical printing function is required. Refer to the
printer's programming manual for commands that may be used.
This instructs the Loftware Label Manager system on
Send to Printer
when to send the EasyPlug Command.
Note: Commands are printer model and firmware specific. Contact the appropriate printer representative for
programming language questions.
Note:Paxar was formerly known as Monarch. Both brands are now owned by Avery Dennison. These printers
are listed under the Monarch family in LLM.
l 9425
l 9445
l 9474
l ZPLII
l EPL2
Driver Features
Loftware Label Manager takes full advantage of the sophisticated features of the Paxar line of printers.
The fixed portions of the label format are stored in the printers memory to increase printing
performance.
In Label Design, when you are test printing, the label format is downloaded every time. However, during
Label Printing, the label format is only downloaded the first time.Afterwards, only the variable fields
and any new variable images are sent to the printer.If you print the same variable image on two labels
in a row, it is stored in the printer for the first label and not downloaded for the second. The image is
deleted from the printers memory if the image field is left blank for a printed label.
When doing a range print, or printing incrementing/decrementing fields, there may be a slight pause
between labels while the printer images the new label. When the printer is capable of doing the
incrementing/decrementing internally, it is instructed to do so. If not, all variable data for each label is
sent to the printer each time and Loftware Label Manager does all of the incrementing/decrementing.
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com.See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface
Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(optional
and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
interface)
Serial Interface Use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of the serial
(standard interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may
interface) require other serial configurations.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
optional interface) computer.
Example
"Printer returned: DATA ERROR, error 571"
Error 571 means that a UPC or EAN barcode received data whose length is invalid. You should check the length
of your data.
Supported Features
Image Support
Images are downloaded and stored in the printers image memory.Loftware Label Manager remembers
images that are sent to the printer and only resends an image if the image is changed.
Individual workstation printer settings may be configured using File | Devices from within the Design
or any of the Print applications: On Demand, Range.
Many of the settings in the printer do not take effect until the printer is re-booted. All Label-Specific
options are sent to the printer every time a label is printed.
Cut/Take-Up n Cut each label, except last - This option only works with labels 4 to 8 inches in
length.
n Cut each label, including last - This option only works with labels 4 to 8 inches in
length.
n No Cut/No Rewind - When enabled, does not allow label to be cut, nor does it
rewind after printing.
The number of the Monarch Printer Control Language (MPCL) format to use. Refer to
Format Number
your MPCL documentation for more information.
Note: There are extensive differences in the cut behavior between Extended and Native Modes with the 98XX
Series Printer. Information regarding the expected behaviors for each is found in Loftwares Knowledge Base.
Label Mode n Double Length Separator - A double length separator (typically used
for 924 or 925 stacker) prints between batch jobs. On the 920
stacker, a 3mm extra length tag prints between batch jobs.
n Extra Length Tag A 3mm extra length tag with 6mm stripe prints
between batches.
Note: The user must enter an extra character of data when an extension is enabled. This extracharacter is
ignored by the printer. For example, using UPC-E with the +2 extension, the user must enter 9 characters of
data, the first 6 of which are encoded in the barcode and the last 2 are encoded in the extension. The 7th
character of data is ignored and replaced with the barcode check digit.
This printer guide provides information specific to the Paxar printers.The Paxar/Monarch printers
include:
9412/13E 9825
9414E 9830
9414M 9835
9416 9840
9433 9850
9446 9855
9460 9856
9490 9860
9494
l ZPLII
l EPL2
Driver Features
Loftware Label Manager takes full advantage of the sophisticated features of the Paxar/Monarch line of
printers.The fixed portions of the label format are stored in the printers memory to increase printing
performance.
In Label Design, when you are test printing, the label format is downloaded every time.However, in
Label Printing, the label format is only downloaded the first time.Afterwards, only the variable fields
and any new variable images are sent to the printer.If you print the same variable image on two labels
in a row, it is stored in the printer for the first label and not downloaded for the second. The image is
deleted from the printers memory if the image field is left blank for a printed label.
When doing a range print or printing incrementing/decrementing fields, there may be a slight pause
between labels while the printer images the new label. When the printer is capable of doing the
incrementing/decrementing internally, it is instructed to do so. If not, all variable data for each label is
sent to the printer each time and Loftware Label Manager does all of the incrementing / decrementing.
This function can be a valuable tool.If there is a problem communicating with the printer, a
corresponding error message is displayed.
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com.See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Monarch (Paxar)
RFID printer.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface
Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(optional
and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
interface)
Serial Interface Use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of the serial
(standard interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may
interface) require other serial configurations.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
optional interface) computer.
For all other Paxar printers, use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of
the serial interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port.
Example
Printer returned: DATA ERROR, error 571
Error 571 means that a UPC or EAN barcode received data whose length is invalid. You should check the length
of your data.
Related Information
Refer to your printer documentation to reference these error codes.
Supported Features
Image Support
Images are downloaded and stored in the printer's image memory.Loftware Label Manager remembers
images that are sent to the printer, and only resends an image if the image is changed.
Supported Fonts
The following are the standard fonts provided in the 9446, 9490, and 9494:
On the 9490 and 9494, the following additional fonts are available:
Name Features
Pointable Vector height and width values in points from 4 to 90
Individual workstation printer settings may be configured using File | Devices from within the Design
or any of the Print applications: On Demand, Range.
Many of the settings in the printer do not take effect until the printer is re-booted.In the Printer Options
dialog box, clicking Send To Printer sends the currently selected options to the printer. All Label-Specific
options are sent to the printer every time a label is printed.
Option Description
The range of available print speeds varies with the selected printer type. This
setting controls the speed at which the paper is fed when printing. The
Print Speed
combinations of print speed and head temperature control the print quality of the
label.
This allows you to control the darkness of the print. 0 is nominal; setting the
Head Temperature temperature higher than 0 causes the label to print darker. Temperature settings
lower than 0 cause the label to print lighter. Values from 390 to 156.
Option Description
n Use PSO - Uses the cut option selected in the device Options dialog box.
Setting the cut option in the Label Options dialog box provides label specific
cutting options. Whereas, setting the cut option in the device Options dialog
box produces the same behavior for all labels printed on that specific printer.
n Cutter Off - Disables the cut mechanism on the printer.
n Cut After Every Tag - Cuts before first tag, cuts each tag and cuts after last
tag.
Cut Options n Cut After Every Batch -Cuts before first tag, cuts after batch. Cuts in strips,
not each tag.
n Cut After Last Tag in Batch Cuts before first tag, cuts each tag, cuts after
the last tag and feeds one or two tags past the printhead when it cuts the last
tag in the last batch.
n Cut Every Tag and After Batch Does not cut before the first tag in a batch,
but cuts between each tag and after the last tag in the batch. The feed key
must be pressed to feed the last tag out far enough to be cut.
Note: When using the cutter with 98x Printers, please review Loftware Knowledge Base Article
#2009218 for information regarding different behaviors in Modes, Versions, and Cut Intervals.
n Use PSO Backfeed - Uses the backfeed option selected in the device Options
dialog box. Selecting a Backfeed Options setting in the Label Options dialog
box applies label specific backfeeding behavior to each label, that is, all
labels printed on that specific printer.
Horizontal Adjust Horizontal offset (in printer dots) used during printing.
Supply Position Supply (label) position at beginning of print job (-99 to 99).
Vertical Adjust Vertical offset (in printer dots) used during printing.
Adjusts where the tag is cut. The printer adjusts the cut position according
Cut Adjust to the black marks on the supply. You may need to adjust for aperture
supplies. Increase to move the cut up, decrease to move the cut down.
Does not send new firmware options if checked. If you are having
difficulty communicating with the printer, try selecting this option. By
choosing this option, you disable status checking and other commands
Old Firmware that are only supported in newer versions of the printer firmware. If using
this option allows you to print, you may wish to consider purchasing a
printer firmware upgrade. After your printer firmware upgrade is installed,
you should uncheck this option.
Note: The Paxar 9403, 9805, and 9856 printers do not support backfeed.
Use Backfeed Control to enable or disable the backfeed option, set the dispense position and the backfeed
distance.Backfeed works by advancing each printed label to the desired dispense position.Once that label is
removed, the next label to be printed is backed up underneath the printhead.In continuous mode, only the last
label in the batch is advanced to the dispense position.You may need to adjust the dispense position to allow labels
to be removed, die cut labels to be removed easily, or to prevent them from falling off.
The dispense position and backfeed distance are optional parameters and do not have to be specified.However,
they allow for greater precision when positioning the supply.You cannot change the backfeed distance while the
printer is active.
Extended Backfeed
Backfeed
Disable Backfeed
The backfeed distance should equal the dispense position. An exception is if you are tearing instead of peeling.
Then, the backfeed distance must be 30 dots (.150 inches) less than the dispense position. However, the result is a
30 dot non-print zone on your supply.
The font and its envelope are opaque and blot out any lines or other fields that it
Opaque
overlaps.
The font and its envelope are transparent, and any lines or other fields that it
Transparent
overlaps are visible.
Language Selects the language of the country chosen. Defaults to United States.
Note: If the graphic is larger than .5 by .5 inches, the graphic is stored in Temporary Storage in the printer
buffer, regardless of the PSO selected. The image is held only until it is sent.
Note: Commands are printer model and firmware specific.Contact the appropriate printer representative for
programming language questions.
Incrementing/Decrementing Fields
When the printer is capable of doing the incrementing/decrementing internally, it is instructed to do so.
This is called Native Mode. In Native Mode, control returns to the computer almost immediately.
Loftware Label Manager does incrementing/decrementing in software when the printer cannot do it
internally and sends down a different set of data for each label. This is called Extended Mode. In
Extended mode, the Printing dialog box shows the line Printing Label x of y and control does not
return to the computer until the entire series of labels is printed.
Label Size
The label size is used as a frame of reference.When you rotate your label or when you rotate the printing
of a label, it is imperative that Loftware Label Manager Design knows the exact size of the stock on
which you are printing.
Example
Using UPC-E with the +2 extension, the user must enter 9 characters of data. The first 6 characters are
encoded in the barcode and the last 2 are encoded in the extension. The 7th character of data is ignored and
Communications Settings
The communications settings for the Paxar 9490 and 9494 are controlled by software instead of switch
settings.
To set the printers communications parameters, use the Send Settings button in the Device Connection
dialog box. Setting the printers communications parameters is only possible immediately after turning
on the printer.
To print out the current communication settings of these printers shut the printer off, press the printer
feed button, turn the printer on, and immediately release the feed button when the yellow LED light on
top of the printer blinks. A label feeds out of the printer showing current settings.
For more information, see the Configuring the Printer section of your printer manual.
Example: $19.68 Define field as variable and preface the name of the field with $$.
Example: $$Price To have $19.68 printed on the label, supply 1968 as data.
No error No error
message. message.
Error message.
Behaves as if the Behaves as if the
Does not let Error message. Does not let
labels are labels are
LPT you retry, the you retry, the label does not
printing. Press printing. Press
label does not print.
feed to get the feed to get the
print.
first two labels; first two labels;
press feed again. press feed again.
Error message
Error message Error message
comes up when Error message comes up
comes up right comes up right
you restart the when you reconnect the
COM away. Allows away. Allows
printer. Allows printer. Allows retry, labels
retry, the labels retry, the labels
retry, labels print.
print. print.
print.
No error
No error
No error message. Labels
Spooled to No error message. All labels message. Labels
message. All print after the
Shared print. print after stock
labels print. print head is put
is added.
down.
No error No error
No error
Spooled to No error message. All labels message. Labels message. Labels
message. All
PrintServer print. print after stock print after print
labels print.
is added. head is down.
No error
No error
No error message. Labels
No error message. All labels message. Labels
Direct IP message. All print after print
print. print after stock
labels print. head is put
is added.
down.
The native PCL fonts enabled for PCL5 and PCL5c are Univers, CG Times, Courier, and Arial. Univers is
the default font for the driver.
Note: The "c" in PCL5c indicates that this printer is capable of color printing.
The PCL driver also supports True Type fonts, with standard attributes including inverse printing.
See Pass Through Fields in the Customizing Labels section of this guide for more information and
instructions on creating Pass Through fields.
The Custom page size option allows printing on custom paper size page stock to a PCL 5 Printer that
supports the custom size.
l A label can be designed with specified dimensions and then printed on a target PCL 5 printer that
supports the custom size and has been set up with the custom-sized paper. (These configuration
settings are made from the printers configuration interface (Control Panel).) The label dimensions
should correspond to the custom paper size.
l A label can also be configured with a page layout of specified label / page width and height, and
then printed on a target PCL 5 printer that supports the custom size and has been set up with the
custom-sized paper. The layout dimensions should correspond to the custom paper size.
Paper Source
Because of the variety of PCL5 and PCL5c supported page sizes, this setting allows you to configure the
paper source (tray) at the label level.By default, the Paper Source is set to the selection in the printer's
PSO (Use Printer Setup), but you can select any of the other options described in the PCL5 Printer
Specific Options section below.If a different option is selected and saved in the label format, then that
option is used whenever that label is printed, UNLESS a job containing a *TRAY command is submitted
through LPS.The *TRAY command overrides both the printer setting and the label setting.
Note: Different manufacturers printers may implement the handling of the Paper Source selection differently.
For example, one manufacturer may map the Lower Tray command to the printer's Lower Tray while another
manufacturer may map the same command to its Optional Tray. Additionally, these mappings may be
configurable, again depending upon the manufacturer.
When driving printers with PCL5 or PCL5c, note that there is typically a margin on all sides of the
page that is not printable. Additionally, along the top of the page, the unprintable margin area can have
label elements (text, lines) positioned within it, creating a clipping effect. For this reason, it may be best to
define the label or page layout size in Loftware to be (2 x ) less than the physical paper size. For
example, a label designed for a Letter sized page would be 8 x 10.
The optimal settings and dimensions for different PCL5 printer models may vary.
Option Description
n Simplex Simplex mode prints images and characters on one side of a sheet / page.
n Duplex Long Edge Prints images and characters on two sides of a sheet/page. Long
Duplex
means that the duplexed pages are bound along the length of the physical page.
Printing
n Duplex Small Edge - Prints images and characters on two sides of a sheet/page. Short
means that the duplexed pages are bound along the width of the physical page.
Printers that support this feature provide a means of identifying one print job from others by
slightly offsetting the first label of each print job.
Jogging n First Label in Job When a print request is initiated, the paper tray is shifted slightly or
jogged before the first label or page prints.
n No Jogging Jogging is disabled. There is no print job separation even for printers
that support this feature.
n Upper The default output bin for paper.
Output Tray n Lower - Prints to the lower output bin. If this command is received by a printer that
does not contain the dual-bin feature, it is ignored.
n Auto This option feeds paper from a printer-specific tray.
n Current Prints the current page from the location last used.
n Envelope Feeder This option prints using stock from an optional envelope feeder
tray.
Paper Source n Envelope Manual Prints the envelope as manually inserted on the top of the tray.
n Lower Tray Prints using stock from the lower tray.
n Manual This option allows manual insertion of paper.
n Optional Source This allows insertion of stock from an optional location that may
exist on a specific printer.
If this is checked, Loftware uses the PCL5 Macro commands to store fixed fields, lines and
Use Macros boxes. Depending on your labels, this may significantly speed printing throughput,
especially when there are large fixed images, text, or barcode fields on your label.
Option Description
n Simplex Simplex mode prints images and characters on one side of a sheet / page.
n Duplex Long Edge Prints images and characters on two sides of a sheet/page. Long
Duplex
means that the duplexed pages are bound along the length of the physical page.
Printing
n Duplex Small Edge - Prints images and characters on two sides of a sheet/page. Short
means that the duplexed pages are bound along the width of the physical page.
Printers that support this feature provide a means of identifying one print job from others by
slightly offsetting the first label of each print job.
Jogging n First Label in Job When a print request is initiated, the paper tray is shifted slightly or
jogged before the first label or page prints.
n No Jogging Jogging is disabled. There is no print job separation even for printers
that support this feature.
n Upper The default output bin for paper.
Output Tray n Lower - Prints to the lower output bin. If this command is received by a printer that
does not contain the dual-bin feature, it is ignored.
Option Description
n Auto This option feeds paper from a printer-specific tray.
n Current Prints the current page from the location last used.
n Envelope Feeder This option prints using stock from an optional envelope feeder
tray.
Paper Source n Envelope Manual Prints the envelope as manually inserted on the top of the tray.
n Lower Tray Prints using stock from the lower tray.
n Manual This option allows manual insertion of paper.
n Optional Source This allows insertion of stock from an optional location that may
exist on a specific printer.
n Black and White Uses the PCL's default monochrome color space. The color image
data is converted to monochrome and compressed with the selected compression
method (See Compression row in this table) before printing.
n Gray Scale Uses the RGB color space, but converts each color to a grayscale
equivalent before printing.
Color Mode n RGB Uses the Device-Dependent Red Green Blue (RGB) color space defined in the HP
PCL5 Color Technical Reference Manual.
Note: Device-dependent color is relative to the physical properties of a device and its
ability to print certain colors. As a result, the same color specification may produce
different shades on different printers.
n Auto Performs an analysis to determine the most efficient compression method and
may send a print stream using a mix of compression encoding methods. Auto may
invoke one or more of the following compression methods:
n Delta Row (Default)
n Tag Image
n Unencoded
n Delta Row Compresses image data by sending only the bytes for a given row of
image data that are different from the corresponding byte positions in the previous
Compression
row.
n Run Length Encoding Compresses image data by specifying where consecutive
repetitions of the same bit (0 or 1) occur. This encoding method is efficient for
monochrome data, but is not recommended for color.
n Tagged Image File Format Encoding Compresses image data by specifying where
consecutive repetitions of the same byte occur.
n Unencoded Sends uncompressed print stream containing raw image data.
Option Description
n PCL Command Sends printer commands otherwise not available in the
Loftware Label Manager dialog boxes. Refer to the HP PCL 5 Color Technical
Reference Manual and the HP PCL 5 Printer Language Technical Reference
Manual for specific command information.
Note: Using the PCL Simple Color Command via PCL5c Pass Through will result in
Custom unintended consequences due to the nature of the command as it replaces the palette
Commands for the entire label.
Loftware Applications are designed to open, write, and then close the USB Printer port when processing
a print request.As long as the USB Printer allows this to happen, printing continues without incident. If
the printer is not connected or is turned off, the Loftware application cannot open the port; a message is
displayed or an error condition is created which states Error Opening Port (printer name).If the printer
is out of stock and it shuts the USB port down, the Loftware application cannot write to the port. A
message is displayed, or an error condition is created stating Error Writing to Port (printer name).If
the printer is out of stock but the printer has a buffer, an error message may not display until the buffer
is full.
It is important to read all available printer manufacturer information on USB Printing with your printer
before attempting to print using Loftware applications. Remember to install any USB Drivers before
connecting, configuring or printing in Loftware.
Please refer to the appropriate printer section for the printer specific options, error messages, and other
information.
406-400+ 408
F-422 412-64
F-428 610-64
F-438 808-64
F-446 TX408
F-464 XT-10
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com.See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Printronix Information
This printer guide provides information specific to the Printronix printers, and IBM OEM Printronix
printers.See the InfoPrint Solutions (formerly IBM) Section for a list of IBM printers.
SLPA5204r
L1024 LPA8204r P5005B SL4M SLPA5204r T4M T4M RFID
RFID
SLPA5304r T5204
L1524 LPA8304r P5010 SL5204 SLPA5304r T5204
RFID RFID
SLPA8204r T5208r
L5035 P5210 SL5204r SLPA8204r T5206r
RFID RFID
SLPA8304r
L5520 P5220 SL4M RFID SLPA8304r T5208
RFID
SL5204
L5535 T5208r
RFID
SL5304 T5304
T5304
RFID RFID
SL5304r T5304r
T5304r
RFID RFID
SL5204r
T5306
RFID
SL5306r T5306r
T5306r
RFID RFID
T5308
T5308r
T5308r
RFID
l ZPLII (ZGL)
l IPL (IGL)
Related Information
To view updated Printronix information, go to Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See the section on
Printers on the Technical Support page.
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Printronix RFID
printers.
Printer Status
This function can be a very valuable tool when printers are connected using the Serial Interface.If there
is a problem communicating with the printer, an error message is displayed.By default, Printer Status is
disabled for Printronix printers.To enable Printer Status, you must first enable One Char Enquiry on the
printer via the menu controls, and then uncheck the Disable Status Checking check box in the Device
Connection dialog box in Loftware.
Printronix Options
Printronix Options may be label-specific or printer-specific.
The range of available print speeds in inches per second (IPS) varies with the
Print Speed (IPS) selected printer type. Note that the printer may use a slower print speed than you
specify in order to maintain print quality.
This setting affects the speed in inches per second (IPS) at which the paper is fed
Slew Rate (IPS) when advancing over non-printing areas. This setting may affect printer
throughput.
This allows you to control the darkness of the print. -3 is nominal; setting the
Darkness temperature higher than -3 causes the label to print darker. Temperature settings
lower than -3 cause the label to print lighter. The valid values range from -15 to 15.
Specifies the areas of RAM in which the label format is to be stored. The valid
Format Number
values are 1-100.
This setting only applies to the P5000 Series line matrix printers and is somewhat
similar to the darkness control on the thermal transfer printers.
This allows you to use either the Label Specific Options settings or those set
Use Label or Printer Options
in Printer Specific Options (PSO).
Changes in firmware affect the commands that the printer accepts. Check
Single Protocol Firmware
this box if your firmware is single protocol.
Send Options to Printer This will use the currently selected options.
Tag Type Auto Detect determines the tag type. Select No Tags if none is available.
Since none of the printer options are sent from Loftware, the Printer must be properly configured through
its front panel for this to work.Be sure to enable HOST FORM LENGTH on the printer.
Media Type n Direct - Direct Thermal type of printing (no ribbon) requires special heat
(Print Mode) sensitive media.
n Transfer - Thermal Transfer type of printing (ribbon installed).
n Continuous operation - Printer prints on the media and sends it out the front.
n Cut Each Label - Media is cut after printing each page (requires optional
cutter).
n Peel-Off - Prints and peels die-cut labels from the liner without assistance. The
printer waits for you to take away the label before printing the next one. The
label backing is rewound on the internal rewinder. A LABEL
Media Handling PRESENT/Remove Label message reminds you to remove the label before the
next one can be printed.
n Tear-Off - After each label is printed, the printer positions the label over the
tear-off bar and waits for you to tear-off the label before printing the next one.
A LABEL PRESENT/Remove Label message reminds you to remove the label
before the next one can be printed.
n Tear-Off Strip - Printer prints on the media and sends it out the front until the
print buffer is empty, then positions the last label over the tear-off bar for
removal.
Sets the printer to cut after the specified number of pages (requires optional
Cut Interval
cutter).
Sets the printer to pause after the specified number of pages. The paper must
Tear Off Pause Count
be completely torn before the printer resumes normal operation.
Sets the printer to pause (offline) after the specified number of physical pages
Offline Pause Count
printed.
Send Cut Command Include the cut command in the print stream.
Specifies whether the printer ejects the last page of a job if the page is not full.
When this setting is checked, the printer ejects the last page after the entire job
has been processed and printed.
Auto Eject Labels
By default, this setting is deselected; the printer does not eject the last page
unless you send a Page Eject command or until the printer receives another
print job.
Specifies whether the printer performs a Form Feed when a Form Feed
command is received and the printer is already at the Top of Form.
When this setting is checked, the printer advances media from the present Top
of Form position to the next Top of Form position upon receipt of a Form Feed
Form Feed at Top of Form
command, causing a blank form. The factory default is Enable.
When this setting is deselected, the printer does not advance media from the
present Top of Form position to the next Top of Form position upon receipt of
a Form Feed command.
The physical label length changes to match the form length (defined in CREATE mode). The physical label
size remains at the new setting until another EXECUTE command is received, or the PRINTER CONTROL menu
settings are changed. The factory default is Enable.
Forms printed in EXECUTE mode do not change the physical label size. Therefore, the size of the form
(defined in CREATE mode) must fit within the current label dimensions, or errors may occur.
Note: Changing the form length via the EXECUTE command changes the ASCII Emulation logical dimensions.
This parameter allows you to print barcode descenders when human readable data is
not present in the UPC/EAN barcodes
Print UPC Descenders n Always - UPC/EAN barcodes are printed with descenders, even if there is no
human readable data.
n With HR Enabled - UPC/EAN barcodes are printed with descenders only when
the Human Readable text field is enabled.
When checked, any lower case data supplied for text fields are converted to
Force Uppercase uppercase. When unchecked, lower case data supplied for text fields print in
lowercase.
This option applies to all character sets except OCR A and OCR B. When checked,
Slashed Zeros
zeros are printed with a slash. When unchecked, zeros are printed without a slash.
Symbol Set Accesses one of the printers internal multinational or international character sets.
The error must be cleared before the printer can resume normal operation.
The PPM/PMU is a program that provides status and control of multiple printers of
the associated type on a network.
To use this Loftware feature, enter the IP Address of the computer where the
PPM/PMU PPM/PMU is running, and click the Browse button.This feature assumes you have a
browser on your system and that the PPM/PMU is running on the computer whose
IP Address is displayed.If you are successful, a login screen is displayed where you
can enter your credentials and configure the system. Refer to your Printronix Manual
for information on the actual workings of the PPM/PMU. The IP Address is persistent
across all IBM/Printronix printers; each time you enter any IBM / Printronix PSO
dialog, the display reflects whatever was typed in that box the last time the
IBM/Printronix PSO dialog was closed.
When this is checked, Loftware does not send any PSOs or LSOs to the printer. This
Dont Send Options is useful if you have an older printer or a printer with an older emulation that does
not support one or more of the current commands that Loftware sends.
The Custom Command field allows you to add additional commands to the data
Custom Command stream that is sent to the printer. Please consult your IGP/PGL manual for custom
command syntax.
Note: The custom command is sent after the ~CONFIG command and before the ~CREATE command.
Use Label or Printer This allows you to use either the Label Specific Options settings or those set in Printer
Options Specific Options (PSO).
Single Protocol Changes in firmware affect the commands that the printer accepts. Check this box if
Firmware your firmware is single protocol.
Send Options to
This will use the currently selected options.
Printer
Tag Type Auto Detect determines the tag type. Select No Tags if none is available.
Passcode Write
Number of passcode write retries.
Retries
Error Message.
Error message: Printer Error Message lets
Error Message. Lets you Lets you retry so
LPT not Initialized No retry you retry so you
retry to Print label. you can print
allowed can print Label.
label.
No error message. Labels No error Message. Labels No Error Message. No error Message.
Spooled To
print when error is print when error is Label Prints when Label Prints when
Shared
corrected. corrected. error is Corrected. error is corrected
QuickLabel Information
Supported Printer Models
Loftware supports the following QuickLabel printer models.
l Pronto 442
l Pronto 472
l Pronto 474
l Pronto 843
Related Information
QuickLabel printers use the same language as Datamax Printers; therefore, pertinent information regarding
printer options, label options, and error messages may be found in the Datamax section in this section.
SATO Information
This section of the printer guide provides information specific to the SATO family of printers. RFID
Printers are italicized in shaded cells.
Barcode Printers
M84 Pro
CL408 CT400 CX200 GT408e M10e M5900 XL400
203, 305, 609 dpi
CL608 M8400S
CL608e M8450
CL612 M8459S
CL612e M8459Se
M8480S
M8485S
M8485Se
M8490S
M8490Se
M8485Se RFID
l ZPLII (ZGL)
l IPL (IGL)
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the SATO RFID
printers.
Printer Status
If the printer reports that everything is OK, the level of firmware in the printer is displayed. This
function can be a useful. If there is a problem communicating with the printer, a corresponding error
message is displayed.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface
Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(optional
and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
interface)
Serial Interface Use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of the serial
(standard interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may
interface) require other serial configurations.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
optional interface) computer.
Note: Make sure that the printer is powered off any time you plug in or remove a parallel cable from a SATO
printer.This prevents Parallel ports from malfunctioning.
SATO Options
SATO Options may be label-specific or printer-specific.
Print Speed The range of available print speeds varies with the selected printer type.
Print Darkness Allows you to control the darkness of the print. 1 is the nominal setting.
Send Command This command instructs Loftware Label Manager when to send the custom command.
Settings are in dots.Use the dots per inch (dpi) for your printer to find the proper value. For example, if
your printer has 203 dpi and you want to set a skip distance of 1 inch, specify a value of 203 for the skip
distance.
Note: The M-84XX printers have two choices for maximum label length: 7" (187mm) or 14" (356mm).
When using the 8450 printer at 300 dpi, the printer has a maximum print length of 7" and it ignores this
setting.
Expanded memory requires the use of a PCMCIA card. Using a PCMCIA card
does not add on to existing memory, it replaces it. You must also select the
Expanded Memory Memory Slot in which the card is located.The length of the label that can be
printed varies by printer and resolution.Consult a SATO Technical Reference
Manual (not available for some models).
Print/Cut
This is useful for aligning labels to the cut position.
Offset
This determines how frequently labels are cut a cut interval of 2 cuts every two labels, a cut
Cut Interval
interval of 1 cut every label.
The base reference point is the Horizontal and Vertical setting on the label where fields (lines, text, barcodes and
graphics) may start printing.
Specifies a fields location in the X direction from the current base reference point
Horizontal
measured in number of dots at 0 degree orientation.
Specifies a fields location in the Y direction from the current base reference point
Vertical
measured in number of dots at 0 degree orientation.
Start, End, and Escape commands (STX, ETX, and ESC) are not required at the start and end of the commands.
Example
For a base reference point of 10 Horizontal and 10 Vertical, you would only enter the following command:
A3H010V001
To enable Printer Status capabilities, this box must be checked and the proper dip
Bi-Com Mode
switch must be set on the printer.
Send to Printer Button When using Custom Commands, press this button to send them to the printer.
Use Old RFID Command When selected, the old read and write commands for the printer are used.
Tag Type Select from: EPC Class 0 +, EPC Class 1, EPC 1.19, EPC Class 1 Gen 2.
Number of Retries Per This setting determines the number of times to retry writing to the label in case of
label initial failure.
Transponder Position This is the distance of the chip from the leading edge. This defaults to 26 mm.
Dot Fonts can be magnified up to 9X horizontally and 9X vertically. The Vector font can be scaled to any
size between .05" to 4.88" high.
If the printer reports a receive buffer overflow, you have to reduce the number of fields on the label. The
best way to assure that your label does not exceed the printer's buffer size is to do test printing while you
are designing the label.When you test print, variable data fields are printed at their maximum length. If
you are able to test print a label, it should to fit in the printer's receive buffer.
If your label becomes too large to print, you must reduce the number of fields on the label.
Performance Considerations
No Loftware error
No Loftware error No Loftware error No Loftware error
message. A
message. A Windows message. A Windows message. A Windows
Windows error
error message is error message is error message is
Spooled Locally message is
displayed. Lets you displayed. Lets you displayed. Lets you
displayed. Lets you
retry, the label retry, the label retry, the label
retry, the label
prints. prints. prints.
prints.
No Loftware error
No Loftware error No Loftware error No Loftware error
message. A
message. A Windows message. A Windows message. A Windows
Windows error
Spooled to error message is error message is error message is
message is
Shared displayed. Lets you displayed. Lets you displayed. Lets you
displayed. Lets you
retry, the label retry, the label retry, the label
retry, the label
prints. prints. prints.
prints.
B-482 B-SX8T
B-492
B-SX5 RFID
Related Information
Updated printer information is available on Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com.See Printers on the
Technical Support page.See also the Toshiba section for supported Toshiba printers.
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Toshiba TEC
RFID printers.
Connections
These printers usually have a serial interface.A parallel interface is available as an option. Generally,
newer models support USB, but this may or may not be standard.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel
(standard interface) port, and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
Check with manufacturer for cable information.The hardware license key is not
Serial Interface
part of the serial interface since it must always be plugged into an LPT parallel
(standard interface)
port.
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug
(standard or optional in either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
interface) computer.
Network Port Included or optional on some printers.
TEC Options
TEC Options may be label-specific or printer-specific.
The range of available print speeds in inches per second (IPS) varies with the
selected printer type.
Note: The printer may use a slower print speed than you specify in order
Print Speed to maintain print quality.
Note: The actual maximum value supported by the printer varies among
different models & different print speeds. Consult your printer manual
for further information.
Adjusts the print density, on some printers, this is known as darkness, or head
Print Density temperature. The valid range is from 10 to 10. When the value exceeds the
range, the printer automatically corrects it to the maximum value.
n Bottom First The bottom edge of the label is the leading edge as it is
fed out of the printer.
n Top First The top edge of the label is the leading edge as it is fed out of
the printer.
Tag Rotation
n Bottom First Mirrored The bottom edge of the label is the leading edge
as it is fed out of the printer, the entire label is printed as a mirror image.
n Top First Mirrored The top edge of the label is the leading edge as it is
fed out of the printer, the entire label is printed as a mirror image.
Media Options, Issue Settings, Backfeed Settings, and Fine Position Adjustments each have label overrides. This
means that the Label Options settings are used instead of the Printer Options.
Gap Length When die cut stock is used, this specifies the size (in .1mm) of the gap between each label.
Override Printer If this is checked, the Gap Length value is used; otherwise, the Printer Options setting is
Setup used.
n After Every Job Cutting occurs after all labels from each print request are done
printing.
Cutter
n After Every Label Cutting occurs after every label that prints.
n Disabled No cutting occurs
n Use Cut Interval Uses the value that is selected in the Cut Interval.
Note: When using the LPS, note that each occurrence of a *PrintLabel command constitutes a print request.
Designates the number of pieces to be printed before the label is cut. The range is 000
Cut Interval
to 100 (no cutting occurs when set at 000)
The Cut Interval setting may yield unexpected results if you use a value that is not an even multiple of
the Quantity and/or Duplicates value.
For example
If Quantity = 2, Duplicates = 3, and CutInterval = 2, your labels may print/cut in the following sequence:
Label 1 Duplicate 1
Label 1 Duplicate 2
<CUT>
Label 1 Duplicate 3
<CUT>
Label 2 Duplicate 1
Label 2 Duplicate 2
<CUT>
Label 2 Duplicate 3
<CUT>
Note: When using the LPS, note that each occurrence of a *PrintLabel command constitutes a print request.
Dont Send
No Fine Position Adjust commands are sent to the printer.
Settings
Use this setting for making fine adjustments(in .1mm increments) in the Feed Distance, Cutting
Send Settings or Stripping Position, or Backfeed Distance. Consult your printer manual for further information
on setting these values
Use Printer
Use the setting from the device Options dialog box.
Setup
Use Printer Setup This is the default setting and applies the setting selected in the Printer Setup dialog.
OR Drawing example
You may enter a custom TPCL command string here. You must include the
Command
command prefix and terminators ({and |}).
This command is sent when printing a label and when clicking Send To Printer. It is sent immediately prior to the
buffer clear command.
Override
When checked, the Tag Position setting on this dialog will be used, overriding the selection made
Printer
from the Printer Specific Options dialog.
Setup
This sets the feed amount to adjust the RFID tag position before data is written to it. Tag Position
Tag Position
can be adjusted in units of 0.1 mm. Feed direction: + : forward, - : backward
When Mark Stock is used, the black mark provided on the back of the stock is
automatically sensed by the reflective sensor and the paper position is finely
Threshold Set
adjusted for every piece, according to the value set by the threshold setting.
(Consult your printer manual for further information on setting the threshold.)
Note: On some printers, the required non-print area is different; consult your printer manual for more
information.
n After Every Job Cutting occurs after all labels from each print request are done
printing.
Cutter
n After Every Label Cutting occurs after every label that prints.
n Disabled No cutting occurs.
n Use Cut Interval Uses the value that is selected in the Cut Interval.
This designates the number of pieces to be printed before the label is cut.
The range is 000 to 100 (no cutting occurs when set at 000).
This setting may yield unexpected results if you use a value that is not an even
multiple of the Quantity and/or Duplicates value.
For example
If Quantity = 2, Duplicates = 3, and CutInterval = 2, your labels may print/cut
in the following sequence:
Label 1 Duplicate 1
Cut Interval Label 1 Duplicate 2
<CUT>
Label 1 Duplicate 3
<CUT>
Label 2 Duplicate 1
Label 2 Duplicate 2
<CUT>
Label 2 Duplicate 3
<CUT>
When this check box is enabled, printer backfeeds the stock prior to the printing of
Backfeed
the next label a specified distance from 30 to 2000 dpi.
Note: When using the LPS, note that each occurrence of a *PrintLabel command constitutes a print request.
Enable When checked, the adjustments listed below become active, and can be set.
OR Drawing
Overwrite Drawing is the default PSO setting. Graphic data is drawn, overwriting data in the
Overwrite image buffer.
Drawing
You may enter a custom TPCL command string here. You must include
Command
the command prefix and terminators ({and |}).
This command is sent when printing a label and when clicking Send To Printer. It is sent immediately prior to the
buffer clear command.
This sets the feed amount to adjust the RFID tag position before data is written to it. Tag Position
can be adjusted in units of 0.1 mm. Feed direction:
Tag Position
+ : forward
- : backward
Loftware Label Manager does incrementing/decrementing in software when the printer cannot do it
internally and sends down a different set of data for each label. This is called Extended Mode.
In Extended mode, the Printing dialog box shows the line Printing Label x of y and control does not
return to the computer until the entire series of labels is printed.
Image Support
Images are downloaded and stored in the printers image memory. Loftware Label Manager remembers
images that are sent to the printer and only resends an image if the image is changed.
Code93 CODABAR
DataMatrix QRCODE
PostNet ROYALMAIL
PostNet KIX
Start/Stop Codes
The default Start/Stop Codes for Codabar are A and D. To change the default Start/Stop Code, from
Design Mode, choose Options | Preferences, click the + symbol beside the TEC folder, and follow the
instructions to the right to customize the Start/Stop Codes.
Windows Printers
Windows printers can be configured from the Loftware Label Manager Device Configuration grid -
Options button or from a label's LSO page.
Note: If you are working in an environment with multiple LPS installations and versions, be aware that sharing
LLM / LPS version 9.5 or later Windows printer configuration files with a pre-9.5 version will wipe out any
Windows printer configuration settings made in Version 9.5. Windows printer settings made in 9.5 or later are
not supported in pre-9.5 versions.Refer to Sharing Windows Printer Configuration Across LPS Versions in the
Upgrade and Import section of the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation Guide for a best-
practice solution.
Windows printer settings available when you select File | Print | Properties from Microsoft Office
applications and other popular programs can be set from LLM. This includes settings for Orientation,
Page Size, and Paper Source. The default for each of the settings is the setting selected in the Printers
and Faxes control panel. However, these can be overridden at the label level (LSO) or at the application
level (PSO).
A configuration setting that will be used to print a label depends on where the setting is enabled.
l Label Level: When set from a label's LSO page, a print setting for the specific label supersedes any
setting selected at the application level (PSO) or system level.
l Application Level: When set from the printer's PSO page, a Windows printer setting applies to all
Loftware label printing and supersedes the system level setting unless a specific label's LSO page
specifies a different selection.
l System Level: When set from the printer's Properties page accessed from the system's Printers and
Faxes, a Windows printer setting applies to all printing, not just to Loftware labels, unless a
different setting is specified from the printer's PSO or a label's LSO page.
To summarize, configuration settings for a Windows printer apply to printing in the following sequence:
1. If the LSO setting is enabled and valid for the printer, #1 (the Label Level setting) is used to print
the label. Otherwise, the Application Level setting is used.
2. If the LSO setting is disabled and the PSO setting is enabled and valid for the printer, #2 (the
Application Level setting) is used. Otherwise, the System Level setting is used.
3. System Level setting is used if both #1 and #2 (LSO and PSO settings) are disabled.
4. If a job containing a *TRAY command is submitted through LPS, the *TRAY command Paper
Source setting overrides the label setting. (Refer to the *TRAY command section of the "Print
Request Data Structures" topic in the LPS guide.)
Validation
Internally, the selected Paper Size and Paper Source PSO configuration items, when saved, are identified
by both a string and an ID value. The following steps are taken to validate the configuration setting
with the capabilities of the printer.
1. If the saved ID matches one of the IDs in the printers list, then the saved string is compared to
the printers string for that ID. If the strings match, then that ID is used. Otherwise, see #2 below.
2. If the saved string matches one of the strings in the printers list, then the printers ID for that
string is used. Otherwise, see #3 below.
3. If a matching ID is found in #1 but the saved string does not match the printers string for that ID,
then that ID is used. Otherwise, see #4 below.
4. Validation failed; the setting is not applied (the printers control panel configuration is used).
Note: Different printer drivers are not necessarily in synch with these strings and IDs. The table below and the
validation scenarios that follow provide an example:
Leave the settings unchecked if you wish to use Windows Printer settings to print the label.
Configuring a Windows Printer from the label's LSO page will apply the settings to the specific label
only. The settings are applied for all printing of this label until changed. To set an option, click the
check box, and then select from the drop-down list.
Print settings specified for a label from the LSO page supersede settings selected from the system
(Printers or Faxes) or from the PSO page. Note that because the settings from the LSO page apply to the
label and not to the printer, the Printer Control Panel button that is accessible from the PSO page is not
available.
Refer to the Windows Printers topic for information on how configuration settings are applied to print a
label when these settings are specified from different properties pages.
Note: Loftware Label Manager Design ignores the margins set in Windows printer drivers. This may result in the
fields on your label shifting by the size of the margin. You can reposition the label fields by the size of the
margin to properly position the fields on the printed label.
Note: If you are working in an environment with multiple LPS installations and versions, be aware that sharing
LLM / LPS version 9.5 or later Windows printer configuration files with a pre-9.5 version will wipe out any
Windows printer configuration settings made in Version 9.5. Windows printer settings made in 9.5 or later are
not supported in pre-9.5 versions.Refer to Sharing Windows Printer Configuration Across LPS Versions in the
Upgrade and Import section of the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation Guide for a best-
practice solution.
Leave the settings unchecked if you wish to use the system's Windows Printer settings to print the label.
From the printer's PSO page, you can configure settings for this Windows printer that affect printing at
the application level.The settings are applied not just to the specific label but for all label printing,
unless a specific label has a different label level setting specified in its LSO page. To set an option, click
the check box, and then select from the list.
Clicking Printer Control Panel takes you to the Windows printer properties box after you respond to the
warning message.Windows printer configuration changes are applied at the system level. This will
affect all printing on this printer, not just Loftware label printing.
System printer settings apply if PSO or LSO settings are not set for the label.PSO options when set
supersede the system settings and will be used to print the label and all labels, unless a label's LSO
printer settings are specified. When LSO settings are specified, they will be used to print the specific
label.
Related Information
Refer to the Windows Printers section for information on how configuration settings are applied to print a label
when these settings are specified from different properties pages.
Zebra Printers
This printer guide provides information specific to the Zebra family of printers.
EPL
ZPL Language Printers Language
Printers
S4M
90A 105 170PAX4 A300 R110PAX3 Z4000 2443 Orion
(DPL)
S4M
90xi 105S 170xi DA402 R110PAX4 Z4M 2684
(EPL)
S4M
90xiII 105SE 170xiII HT-146 R110XiIIIPlus Z4M Plus 2722
(IPL)
90xiII S4M
105SL 170xiIII Px400 R110Xi Z6000 2742
600dpi (ZPL)
170xiIII Stripe
90xiIII 110PAX3 QL220 R140 Z6M 2746
Plus 300
90xiIII Stripe
110PAX4 17XPAX QL320 R170Xi Z6M Plus 2746e
Plus 400
110xiIII Stripe
91 17XPAX2 QL420 R2844-Z ZM400 2824
Plus 500
Stripe
95 130 220xi R402 ZM600 2844
600
96xiIII
140xi 220xiIII RW420 TA402 3742
Plus
220xiIII
140xiII 3842
Plus
140xiIII
Plus
160S
R110XiIIIPlus RFID
R110Xi RFID
R170Xi RFID
l ZPLII
l EPL2
l IPL
Note: Zebra printers that use the ZPLII language can take advanted of the Recall True Type Font options to
improve printing speed and reduce network bandwidth.
See Pass Through Fields in the Customizing Labels section of this guide for more information and
instructions on creating Pass Through fields.
Related Information
Updated printer information is available at Loftwares Web site, www.loftware.com. See Printers on the
Technical Support page.
Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag Types section for information on tag types supported by the Zebra RFID
printers.
Interface Description
Parallel Interface
Using a standard parallel cable, plug the hardware license key into a LPT parallel port,
(optional
and connect the cable between the key and the printer.
interface)
Serial Interface Use an RS232-C null modem cable.The hardware license key is not part of the serial
(standard interface since it must always be plugged into a LPT parallel port. Some Datamax may
interface) require other serial configurations.
Interface Description
USB Interface Use a standard USB cable between the printer and computer (or server), and plug in
(standard or either a USB or Parallel hardware license key to one of the other ports on the
optional interface) computer.
Supported Features
Image Support
Images are downloaded and stored in the printers image memory.Loftware Label Manager remembers
images that are sent to the printer and only resends an image if the image is changed.
Supported Fonts
Most Zebra printers come standard with 8 bitmapped fonts, and 1 scalable font.Additional
downloadable fonts are also available. Consult your printer manual for available fonts. TrueType fonts
are downloaded to the Zebra printers as graphics.
1. Navigate to the Label Setup and Properties dialog, using the function key, F5, or from Media
Setup....
2. Then click the Label Options... button.
This option allows the user to vary the speed at which the label prints. The range of
Print Speed
available print speeds varies with the selected printer type.
Darkness Darkness allows you to control the darkness of the print. 0 is the nominal setting.
This command moves the entire label format up or down from its current position.
Label Top Inputting a negative value moves the format toward the top of the label. Inputting
a positive number moves the format away from the top of the label.
Flip Label 180 Degrees This command prints a label that has been inverted 180 degrees.
Print Mirror Image of This command instructs the printer to print the entire label as a mirror image. The
Label image is flipped from left to right.
Print Label as White on This instruction reverses the printing of all fields on the label format. The fields are
Black printed as white on a black background.
Default is set to using the Character Set specified in Printer Options (PSOs) but the
Character Set
list displays other Character Sets that may be chosen.
Double Byte Character Default is set to using the Character Set specified in Printer Options (PSOs) but the
Set list displays other Double Byte Character Sets that may be chosen.
The ZPL command option sends printer commands otherwise not available in the
ZPL Command
Loftware Label Manager dialog boxes.
This command instructs Loftware Label Manager when to send a ZPL command.
n After Label
n After ZPL Control Strings
Send Command
n Before Label
n Last Command After ^PQ
n Last Command Before ^PQ
Cut Option Choose Printer Cut Options (as set in PSOs which is the default setting)
Cut Interval Zero is the default but the Cut Interval may be set to cut after any number of labels
n Use Global Setting - Select to use the setting for Zebra printers set in Options |
Preferences.
DataMatrix Field Origin
n Use Default Setting - Select to use the default location for DataMatrix fields (top-
left).
n Use Bottom Left - Select to cause DataMatrix fields to be located on the bottom left
corner of the field in relation to the field's true rotation.
The printer options available will vary based on the printer model selected. Certain options are only
available with the ZPLII Family Driver.
The Print Mode instruction determines the action the printer takes after a label or
group of labels has been printed. There are five different modes of operation:
n Cutter - The web separating the printed label and the next blank label to be
printed is extended into the cutter mechanism. The label is cut; the blank
label is then retracted into the printer so that it can be printed.
n Peel Off After printing, the label is partially separated from the backing.
Printing stops until the label is completely removed. Peel off handling
requires that the stock in the printer be properly fed through the peel off
attachment on the printer. Select only if printer is equipped with an internal
rewind spindle.
n Rewind - Label and backing are rewound on an optional internal rewind
PrintMode device. The next label is positioned under the printhead.
n Tear Off - After printing, the label is advanced so that the web is over the
tear bar. Label, with backing attached, can then be torn off manually.
n Applicator After printing, the label may be mechanically removed and
applied to an object.
n Don't Send - The PrintMode instruction is not sent to the printer. Select this
option if you want to retain the printer's PrintMode setting.
Note: The Don't Send option is only available if you select the ZPLIIfamily
driver as the printer Model.
If the Label Cut Option, Cut Option, is set to Use Label Cut Options, the
Print Mode setting IS sent to the printer
Note: The Don't Send option is only available if you select the ZPLIIfamily
driver as the printer Model.
The default is the default for the selected Print Mode. Other options include:
n After Print - causes the printer to backfeed (retract) between each label
that is printed.
n Before Print - causes the printer to backfeed (retract) before each label that
is printed.
n Suppress - causes the printer to suppress the backfeeding or retracting
action before print and after print.
Backfeed
n Suppress Except Last Label - causes the printer to suppress the
backfeeding or retracting action before print and after print, except before or
after the last label has printed.
n Don't Send - The Backfeed instruction is not sent to the printer. Select this
option if you want to retain the printer's Backfeed setting.
Note: The Don't Send option is only available if you select the ZPLIIfamily
driver as the printer Model.
Note: The Don't Send option is only available if you select the ZPLIIfamily
driver as the printer Model.
Default is set to using the Character Set specified in Printer Options (PSOs) but the
Character Set
list displays other Character Sets that may be chosen.
Double Byte Character Default is set to using the Character Set specified in Printer Options (PSOs) but the
Set list displays other Double Byte Character Sets that may be chosen.
n DRAM The default location for graphic storage is the printers internal
memory. This is volatile memory; if the printer is powered off, the graphics
are lost.
Download Graphics To
n EEPROM - This is a battery-backup type memory.If the printer is powered
off, the graphics remain in memory.
n PCMCIA - This is a memory card which can be removed from the printer.
Number of printed labels between cuts.If the cutter is enabled, and the cut interval
Cut Interval
is set to 0 (zero), then the printer cuts the label after the batch.
Adjusts the rest point of the media after a label is printed, which changes the
position at which the label can be torn off or cut.By default, the Tear Off settings
Tear Off are sent to the printer. If you do not want any Tear-Off settings sent to the printer,
this may be disabled in Preferences. In LLM Design Mode: Options | Preferences |
Zebra.
Always Download Instructs the Loftware Label Manager system to send the label format with every
Format print request.
This overrides the Paused Count setting, which is controlled by the Cut Interval
Override Pause Count
selection.
Enable Zebra Network This setting enables the printer to connect with the Zebra Network.
When this option is enabled, data is sent directly to the printer without checking
Ignore Printer Status the printer's status.In this mode, the Loftware Label Manager system does not get
messages back from the printer in the event an error occurs.
This function enables the use of ZPL II commands. ZPL II is enabled by default.
Use ZPL II
See the ZPL II Programming Guide for information on commands.
This function enables the use of Z64 compression. Z64 Compression is enabled by
Z64 Compression
default. See the ZPL II Programming Guide for information on Z64 compression.
When enabled, all label and printer options set are sent to the printer. Disable this
option to retain the settings set at your printer.
Send Options Note:If you are using the ZPL II family driver as the printer model, you can
[Label/Printer] selectively not send certain options (PrintMode, Media, Backfeed, and Stock
Type) by selecting Send Options (Label/Printer) and selecting Don't
Send for the options that you do not want to sent to the printer.
Checking this box turns on the ability to print using existing fonts residing
in the printer's physical memory, replacing True Type fonts specified for
Recall True Type Fonts the label. The Default is OFF (do not use Recall Fonts).
Note: This option is limited to printers using Zebra's ZPLII printer language.
This button opens the True Type Font Recall Options dialog, where you
can Add, Update or Delete a True Type Font you wish to recall and
replace with fonts from the printer's memory.
Recall Options
Note: This button is only enabled when the Recall True Type Fonts option
is enabled (checked box).
Several printer languages are available to print international characters that are not
Character Set available in the U.S. character set.See your printer guide to find the corresponding
hex codes used to select the desired character.
DB Char Set The list displays options for Double Byte Character Set.
The ZPL command option sends printer commands otherwise not available in the
ZPL Command Loftware Label Manager dialog boxes. See the ZPLII Programming Guide for printer
commands.
Send Command instructs the Loftware Label Manager system when to send the ZPL
Send Command
Command.
Send To Printer Click to immediately send the ZPL Custom Command to the printer.
This displays options for the current clock date/time. Select AM, PM, or Military time
Set Date/Time
format.
This displays options for the secondary and tertiary clocks.Time and date are
determined by adding the offsets to the primary clock reading.The Language selection
determines the language to use for the days and the months.
Set Clock Offset
In Start Time mode, the time printed on the label is the Real Time Clock time when
label formatting begins. In Time Now mode, the time printed on the label is the Real
Time Clock time when label is placed in the print queue.
Real Time Clock can be set either in the printer's LCD or from the printer's PSO dialog. Fields that will be
using Real Time Clock should be defined as fixed fields in Loftware.The fields must use the reserved
field name of ZtimeFieldxxx, where x allows for unique identification. Only the first 10 characters of
the reserved field name are evaluated, and so the field can be uniquely defined after the reserved portion.
The fixed fields must provide the date formatting as data.
As a minimum, the Field Clock Indicator should contain a % for use with the primary clock.If all three
clocks are used the suggested syntax for the Field Clock Indicators might look like: %,#,@
Note: The symbols ^ and ~ are excluded from use. Any symbol not expected to be used in the printed output
may be used.
Sample data in the fixed field may be as follows based on the above field indicator settings:
Field Name (in Properties dialog) ZtimeFieldCurDate
Primary clock data: %A, %B %d, %Y %I:%M
Printed result: Monday, January 01, 2001 01:06
Note: This option is currently limited to Zebra model ZPLII printers only.
1. From the File menu, navigate to Devices, then select the Zebra ZPLII printer you want to
configure.
2. Double-click or select the Options button to display the Options dialog.
3. To enable the option, in the Recall True Type Font area of the dialog, make sure that Recall True
type Font box is checked.
4. Use the Recall Options button to display the True Type Font Recall Options dialog.
From this dialog, you can Add Recall Fonts to automatically replace True Type fonts specified for
a label. You can also Update or Delete existing Recall Fonts that you have previously added.
Notes:
Use a naming convention that allows you to easily identify the recall font, and any variations of that font. For
example: Arial-1R, then Arial-2RBold if you required an additional recall Arial font, only in bold.
Caution: If you are updating a Recall Font and you change the Face Name, the old name will be replaced and
no longer recognized as a Recall Font.
Deleting Fonts
1. From the Options: Device dialog, navigate to the True Type Font Recall Options dialog.
2. From the Configured Fonts area, select the existing Recall Font you want to Delete. Once selected,
the fields should populate with the font information.
3. Click the Delete button to Delete an existing Recall Font.
4. Click the OK button to confirm your deletion and return to the Options:Device dialog.
Use Label or Printer This allows you to use either your settings in the Label Specific Options or those set in
Options the Printer Specific Options.
Auto-detect automatically determines the tag type by querying the tag. Select None
if no tags are available. If the printer supports it, select from: EPC Class 0, EPC Class 0
Plus, EPC Class 1 64-bit, EPC Class 1 96-bit, ISO 18000-06B, EPC Gen2, Philips HF I-
Tag Type
Code, Philips HF I-Code ISO 15693, TI HF Tag-it, or TI HF Tag-it ISO 15693. (Note
that not all tag types are supported by all printers. Refer to the RFID Devices and Tag
Types section.)
The position in Dot Rows from the top of the label to the RFID Transponder embedded
Transponder Position
in the label. The default position is 8 Dot Rows from the top of the label. '0' dot rows
From Top of Label
means that the Transponder is not to be moved from its default position.
This lets you determine how much of the label is printed with a "VOID" warning when
Length of Void Printout the encoding or reading of the RFID tag fails. The default of "0" prints the VOID
message the entire length of the label.
Number of Labels to Retry This setting allows you to determine how many retries are allowed after a failure while
in Case of Read/Encode encoding the RFID tag or label. As the cost of RFID smart labels and tags is still fairly
Failure high, setting this to a low number may be advisable.
This setting determines the number of times to retry writing to the tag in case of initial
Number of Times to Retry
failure. The default setting is 0.
Feed Label After Writing When checked, the label is fed from the printer for removal and use after writing.
By default, labels automatically print at the end of the format. When deselected, the
label is not moved when it reaches the program position. Note that this setting must
Enable RFID Motion
be specified for each label; it is not automatically carried over from one label to the
next.
When checked, the data written to the tag is protected and the tag may not be written
Write Protect to again. This could be used for example, as a pre-emptive step to prevent a label in
transit from being altered, thus rendering the original encoding to the tag invalid.
This setting determines the number of times to retry writing to the tag in case of initial
Number of Times to Retry
failure. The default setting is 0.
By default, labels automatically print at the end of the format. When deselected, the
label is not moved when it reaches the program position. Note that this setting must
Enable RFID Motion
be specified for each label; it is not automatically carried over from one label to the
next.
When this is checked, the label is fed from the printer for removal and use after
Feed Label After Reading
reading.
This is set to Auto-Detect, by default, which automatically determines the tag type by
Tag Type querying the tag. Other choices are None (no tags available), Texas Instruments Tag-
it, and Philips I-Code.
The position in Dot Rows from the top of the label to the RFID transponder embedded
in the label. The default position is 8 Dot Rows from the top of the label. '0' dot rows
Transponder Position
means that the media should not to be moved from its default position. This setting
From Top of Label
may be particularly important if you are not using Zebra RFID label stock in your
printer, as the transponder position may be quite different.
This lets you determine how much of the label is printed with a "VOID" warning when
the encoding or reading of the RFID tag fails. The default of "0" prints the VOID
message the entire length of the label. This may or may not be helpful, as the VOID
Length of Void Output
printing would use up more of the printer's ribbon, but on the other hand, it would
make the failure of the tag's encoding or reading more visible and therefore more
evident.
This setting determines the number of times to retry writing to the tag in case of initial
Number of Times to Retry
failure. The default setting is 0.
By default, labels automatically print at the end of the format. When deselected, the
label is not moved when it reaches the program position. Note that this setting must
Enable RFID Motion
be specified for each label; it is not automatically carried over from one label to the
next.
When checked, the data written to the tag is protected, and the tag may not be
written to again. This could be used, for example, as a pre emptive step to prevent a
Write Protect
label in transit from being altered thus rendering the original encoding to the tag
invalid. The default setting is not checked.
This setting determines the number of times to retry reading the tag data in case of
Number of Times to Retry initial failure. The default setting is 0. This setting only applies if you have set the
Human Readable property of the RFID field to "Read Tag.
By default, labels automatically print at the end of the format. When deselected, the
label is not moved when it reaches the program position. Note that this setting must
Enable RFID Motion
be specified for each label; it is not automatically carried over from one label to the
next.
This check box is available for multi-protocol printers (R4M Plus RFID, R110Xi3 Plus
RFID and RPAX3 RFID Zebra printers). When selected, the old Write Tag and Read Tag
Use Old RFID Firmware
commands (^WT & ^RT) for the printer are used, instead of the new Zebra command
set.
The maximum size of any image is 600 dots x 600 dots. The physical size of the
image depends on the resolution of your printer. Note that the actual size of
Maximum Image Size images the printer is able to handle is determined by the amount of RAM installed
in your printer If images are displayed in Loftware Label Manager label design but
do not print, the printer may not have enough memory to store the image.
The Advanced printers do not print any field with an invalid definition For
example, if you define a UPC-A barcode, which requires exactly 11 digits, and
Disappearing Fields then provide alphabetic data at print time, the printer does not print the field. If
your label test prints correctly but fields do not print in production printing,
check your data carefully to make sure it is valid.
Using CODE 128 Refer to the section on building Code 128 or GS1-128 (UCC-128) symbologies.
The label size is used as a frame of reference. When you rotate your label, or when
Set Label Size you rotate the printing of a label, it is imperative that Loftware Label Manager
Design knows the exact size of the stock on which you are printing.
Note: Contact Zebra or your printer's documentation to determine if your printer can store fonts.
1. Select Options | Preferences from the menu. The Preferences window opens.
2. Expand Zebra.
3. Enter the font information in one of the DBCS# Ext Scalable Font fields. Use the following
information to construct the font reference.
The following is the structure of the font reference you must enter in the DBCS# Ext Scalable Font field
to reference a TTF stored on the printer.
R=DRAM
B=Memory
Font Storage Device The storage location, in the printer, where the font is saved Card
E=Eprom
Z=Built In
Extension
Types
Font Name The name of the font as it is stored in the printer FNT
TTF
TTE
14-Default
15=ShiftJI
S
16=EUC-
Encoding Type The encoding type
JIS
17=Unico
de
28=UTF-8
The storage location, in the printer, where the encoding table is R=DRAM
saved. B=Memory
Encoding Table Storage
Card
Device Note: When referencing TTF fonts, this name should be E=Eprom
left blank. Z=Built In
For Example
When referencing a TTF font, the Encoding Table Storage Device and the Encoding Table Name are not
required.
Error message. All Error message. When Error message. Error message. When
labels print when the the printer is re- When the stock is the print head is
LPT
printer is turned back connected, all labels added, all labels down, all the labels
on. print. print. print.
No error msg.
No error msg. When No error msg. When No error msg. When
Spooled to When stock is
the printer is on, all reconnected, the head is down, the
PrintServer added, all labels
labels print labels print. labels print.
print.
Tag Configuration
This section outlines relevant block configuration of the RFID tags supported by Loftware RFID devices.
HF RF tagging system uses the 13.56 MHz frequency range.Currently, HF tag types are supported by
some Loftware RFID printers. See the next section on RFID Devices and Tag Types.
The higher blocks 0 to 27 are used for user data, each with a block size
of 4 bytes. RF interface is defined by the ISO 15693 standard.
(32 blocks total; the lowest blocks (-4 to -1), which are not user-accessible,
Philips HF I-Code ISO 15693
contain the unique identifier, write access conditions, and other special
data.)
Supports Lock Tag after Writing, Overflow, EAS, AFI, and DSFID features.
The following UHF tag types are supported by Loftware.See also the next section on RFID Devices and
Tag Types.
The tables below list current Loftware RFID printers and the tag types each supports.
*The Datamax I-4210 RFID, I-4212 RFID, I-4308 RFID, I-4406 RFID, I-4604 RFID, and the SATO CL408e
RFID also support HF encoding. See Table B-3 below.
RFID HF Printers
The table below shows Loftware RFID HF printers for RFID smart labels and the HF tag types that each
supports. Note that the Datamax printers on this table also support UHF tags. The SATO printer also
supports UHF tags. (These are listed in the tables above and/or below.)
TI
Philips HF HF TI HF Tag-it
Philips HF I-Code ISO 15693
I-Code Tag- ISO 15693
it
*The Datamax I-4210 RFID, I-4212 RFID, I-4308 RFID, I-4406 RFID, I-4604 RFID, and the SATO CL408e
RFID also support UHF encoding. See Table B-3 below.
UHF Class 1
UHF Gen 1 HF Gen 1
Gen 2
TI
96-
64- 96- UCO Impi Phillips TI Tag-
bit ISO TI Philli
bit bit DE nj I-Code Ta it
Cla 1800 Dall ps I-
Cla Cla EPC Monz ISO1569 g- ISO
ss 0-6B as Code
ss 1 ss 1 1.19 a 3 it 1569
0+
3
Datama
x I-
X X X X X X X X
4210
RFID
Datama
x I-
X X X X X X X X
4212
RFID
Datama
x I-
X X X X X X X X
4308
RFID
Datama
x I-
X X X X X X X X
4406
RFID
Datama
x I-
X X X X X X X X
4604
RFID
SATO
X X X X X X X X X
CL408e
The following section contains tables to use as reference when creating labels.
l ASCII Code 39 Reference Table
References
The following sources were referenced for this section. See these sources for more information.
http://www.w3schools.com/charsets/ref_html_ascii.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_ASCII
NUL %U SP SPACE @ %V a +A
S0H $A ! /A A A b +B
STX $B /B B B c +C
ETX $C # /C C C d +D
EOT $D $ /D D D e +E
ENQ $E % /E E E f +F
ACK $F & /F F F g +G
BEL $G /G G G h +H
BS $H ( /H H H i +I
HT $I ) /I I I j +J
LF $J * /J J J k +K
ASCII Code39
ASCII CODE39 ASCII CODE39 ASCII CODE39 ASCII CODE39
VT $K + /K K K l +L
FF $L , /L L L m +M
CR $M - - M M n +N
SO $N . . N N o +O
SI $O / /O O O p +P
DLE $P 0 0 P P q +Q
DC1 $Q 1 1 Q Q r +R
DC2 $R 2 2 R R s +S
DC3 $S 3 3 S S t +T
DC4 $T 4 4 T T u +U
NAK $U 5 5 U U v +V
SYN $V 6 6 V V w +W
ETB $W 7 7 W W x +X
CAN $X 8 8 X X y +Y
EM $Y 9 9 Y Y z +Z
SUB $Z : /Z Z Z { %P
ESC %A ; %F [ %K | %Q
FS %B < %G \ %L } %R
GS %C = %H ] %M ~ %S
US %E ? %J _ %O ' %W
0 NUM+ NUL
I NUMLOCK SOH
4 INS EOT
5 DEL ENQ
7 N/A BEL
8 ALT GR BS
9 TAB RIGHT HT
10 CAPS LOCK LF
11 TAB LEFT VT
12 ALT FF
13 CR/ENTER CR
14 CTRL SO
15 SHIFT SI
16 F1 DLE
17 F2 DC1
18 F3 DC2
19 F4 DC3
20 F5 DC4
21 F6 NAK
22 F7 SYN
23 F8 ETB
24 F9 CAN
25 F10 EM
26 HOME SUB
27 ESC ESC
28 PAGE UP FS
29 PAGEDOWN GS
30 PRINT SCREEN RS
31 END US
32 SPACE SP
123 CURSOR UP {
@ 0 00 Null NUL 32 20 SP 64 40 @ 96 60 `
A 1 01 SOH 33 21 ! 65 41 A 97 61 a
B 2 02 STX 34 22 " 66 42 B 98 62 b
C 3 03 ETX 35 23 # 67 43 C 99 63 c
D 4 04 EOT 36 24 $ 68 44 D 100 64 d
E 5 05 ENQ 37 25 % 69 45 E 101 65 e
H 8 08 BS 40 28 ( 72 48 H 104 68 h
I 9 09 HT 41 29 ) 73 49 I 105 69 i
J 10 0a LF 42 2a * 74 4a J 106 6a j
K 11 0b VT 43 2b + 75 4b K 107 6b k
L 12 0c NP 44 2c , 76 4c L 106 6c l
M 13 0d CR 45 2d - 77 4d M 109 6d m
N 14 0e SO 46 2e . 78 4e N 110 6e n
C C C C C
D H D H D H D H
h o h h h
Ctrl e e e e e e e e
a d a a a
c x c x c x c x
r e r r r
O 15 0f SI 47 2f / 79 4f O 111 6f o
P 16 10 DLE 48 30 0 80 50 P 112 70 p
Q 17 11 DC1 49 31 1 81 51 Q 113 71 q
R 18 12 DC2 50 32 2 82 52 R 114 72 r
S 19 13 DC3 51 33 3 83 53 S 115 73 s
T 20 14 DC4 52 34 4 84 54 T 116 74 t
U 21 15 NAK 53 35 5 85 55 U 117 75 u
V 22 16 SYN 54 36 6 86 56 V 118 76 v
W 23 17 ETB 55 37 7 87 57 W 119 77 w
X 24 18 CAN 56 38 8 88 58 X 120 78 x
Y 25 19 EM 57 39 9 89 59 Y 121 79 y
Z 26 1a SUB 58 3a : 90 5a Z 122 7a z
[ 27 1b ESC 59 3b ; 91 5b [ 123 7b {
/ 28 1c FS 60 3c < 92 5c \ 124 7c
] 29 1d GS 61 3d = 93 5d ] 125 7d }
30 1e RS 62 3e > 94 5e ^ 126 7e ~
_ 31 1f US 63 3f ? 95 5f _ 127 7f
Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char Dec Hex Char
In versions 9.5 or later, Windows printers can be configured from the Loftware Label Manager Device
Configuration grid. Before Version 9.5, Windows printers could not be configured within Loftware.
Clicking on a Windows printer's Options button from the LLM Device Configuration grid would direct
you to the Windows Control Panel's Printer dialog.
Note: If you are working in an environment with multiple LPS installations and versions, be aware that sharing
LLM / LPS version 9.5 or later Windows printer configuration files with a pre-9.5 version will wipe out any
Windows printer configuration settings made in Version 9.5. Windows printer settings made in 9.5 or later are
not supported in pre-9.5 versions.Refer to Sharing Windows Printer Configuration Across LPS Versions in the
Upgrade and Import section of the Loftware Print Server and Label Manager Installation Guide for a best-
practice solution.
This problem can occur when the sequence of LLM / LPS usage is Version 9.5 to Version pre-9.5, back to
Version 9.5, or upgrade, downgrade, upgrade. When you configure a Windows printer in Version 9.5 or
later and then open the printer grid in LLM / LPS Version pre-9.5, the Windows printer configuration
settings you had set in Version 9.5 are lost. When you re-open the Windows PSO dialog in Version 9.5,
you will have to re-configure the printer.
To work around this problem, back up 9.5 printr32.cfg and printr32.ini printer configuration files so that
they can be restored when needed, as demonstrated below:
1. In Version 9.5 and later, configure your Windows printer options (from its PSO page) to the
desired settings.
2. Click OK.
3. Go to the Loftware Labeling folder in Windows Explorer. Sort the list on Date Modified.
Note: The printr32.cfg and the printr32.ini files had just been updated.
4. Back up these files copy and paste them to another folder, for example, \9.5 Win_Printer Config
Files.
The next time you switch back and forth between 9.5 and a pre-9.5 version, simply copy the backed up
9.5 printr32.cfg and the printr32.ini files to the 9.5 Loftware Labeling folder.
Note: Windows printer configuration settings that you select from a label's options page (LSO) in Version 9.5
are not affected by version switch-overs.Any of the Windows LSOs configured in 9.5 will not have an effect in
versions before 9.5.
Alternatively, you can perform a mass convert of these data files by creating an icon or running the
Loftware Label Manager designer with a special command line argument using these switches:
Switch Description
-e Printer Type Data Extension
-c Originating Directory
.rad Radley...Raduform
When converting hardware specific data streams, you are asked to select the target printer and
resolution.
Note: Loftware Label Manager does not convert graphical images embedded into these hardware data streams.
An exception to this is the importing of LLM-DOS labels.
Conversion Log
There is a file called CONVERT.LOG located in the labels subdirectory of Loftware Label Manager. It
contains a history of all the labels that have been imported along with any associated error messages.
This is a flat file edited with any text editor such as Notepad or Edit. This file may contain important
information regarding certain aspects of your label that may not have come forward in the conversion
process.
The following tables list various messages that the LPS posts to the Application Event Log.The log can
be accessed from the Control Panel, under Administrative Tools, and then Event Viewer. LPS entries are
listed in the Application log.
Note: Many of these messages are only visible if Event Logging is enabled in the Logging section of the LPS
Configuration Utility.
You can also refer to the different log files generated by the Loftware Label Manager or the Loftware Print
Server. Much of the information in these files is informational and lists a history of application tasks on
the machine.
Example
[02 Mar 2007, 07:03:47] This user has the required permissions to launch and access
the Batch Print OLE Server.
105 The service was started. Date and time of service start
108 The service was stopped. Date and time of service stop
Passed Batch File: <name> to Named file passed. This is logged if Log Jobs is enabled in LPS
110
Batch Print Configuration Utility
Passed Pas File:<name> to Named file passed. This is logged if Log Jobs is enabled in LPS
111
Batch Print Configuration Utility
Batch Print has issued Job Batch Print assigns a job number to each job passed to it if Job
112
Number: <number> Numbers is enabled in LPS Configuration Utility
Failed to create scan thread System could not allocate the requested resources to create a
114
due to low memory resources. thread.Check resources, correct, reboot, and retry.
115 Failed to create scan thread. Failure on startup; reboot (power off) and retry.
Failed to initialize the OLE Error initializing OLE libraries (dlls); usually caused by a
116
libraries. [separate] install that incorrectly overwrites one of the OLE DLLs.
120 File <name> already exists! Renamed to <name> before call to BatchPrint.
Invalid directory/Cannot If the OLEBP directory does not exist off the scan folder, an
122 create for <name>, Dir name: attempt is made to create it. Invalid access rights to the path or
<name>. an incorrect scan path can cause it to fail.
Cannot determine path to Usually occurs when there are no printers configured. From LLM,
123
ConfigPrinters. configure a printer and then restart the LPS.
Passed Csv File: <name> to Named file passed. This is logged if Log Jobs is enabled in LPS
127
Batch Print Configuration Utility
130 Failed to create poll thread.. Failure on startup; reboot and retry.
Failed to create poll thread due System could not allocate the requested resources to create a
131
to low memory resources. thread. Check resources, correct, reboot, and retry.
Passed Xml File: <name> to Named file passed. This is logged if Log Jobs is enabled in LPS
150
Batch Print Configuration Utility
There are <number> day(s) Displays number of days left on a temporary LPS license. Contact
177
remaining on this LPS license. Loftware.
614 The Loftware Web Listener has Detected a Configuration Change! Restarting Threads...
615 The Loftware Web Listener was Denied Login by the Servlet!
616 The Loftware Web Listener Disconnected due to a response from the Web Server!
The Loftware Web Listener Failed to Create the Printer Threads. Please Verify that at Least One Printer
620
is Currently Configured.
The Loftware Web Listener Failed to Start because WinInet is Enabled! You may NOT use WinInet
621
while trying to run the Loftware Web Listener as a Service.
The Loftware Web Listener Failed to retrieve the Print Stream due to the Main Thread being
622
disconnected!
409 User <name> has modified the configuration settings for Loftware Agent Service.
410 There was an error connecting/logging in to the Loftware Print Server '<name>'.
412 Agent Logon to Server '<name>' is authorized, but remote logon is not.
414 There are no configured recipients, please configure Loftware Notification Agent before starting!
This version of the Loftware Notification Agent has not been successfully installed! Please rerun
415
setup.
Loftware has detected that Hotmail is the default mail client.User interaction is required with Hotmail
which will cause the Notification Agent to lock up. Email Notifications have been disabled for this
424 session.
Avoid using Hotmail as a mail client with the LNA.
Loftware has detected that Eudora is the default mail client. Eudora cannot be reliably run from the
425 Loftware Notification Agent Service. Email Notifications have been disabled for this session.
Avoid using Eudora as a mail client with the LNA.
Other common messages shown in the LPS Status Client or written to log files include:
Labels designed for one printer may not work for a printer from a
Label not designed for selected device
different family or is a different model number within the same
<devicenumber>
printer family. See Knowledge Base Article 2009021.
There are many possible causes for this error, but the most
Error opening port common cause is that a driver is already using the same port that
Loftware is trying to use.
Reasons could be that the label format does not exist in the
specified path, that one of the files needed for the LPS to print a
Failed to open specified Label Format label is missing, that the LPS user does not have access to the
<format>
directory specified under Options | File Locations. See Knowledge
Base Articles 2009229 and 2009230.
This may occur when LPS tries to send a job to a printer that has
not been set up in the LLM Device Configuration.It may also recur
Selected Device Not Configured
if the LPS does not have permission to use.See Knowledge Base
Article 2009053.
If you are receiving this error when your printer is clearly not busy,
Printer is busy
it is most likely due to a connection problem.
Invalid Device Name <name> used No printer is configured using the alias specified in the job.