Format Creation - Microcom 438TC Operator's Manual

Designing Labels Using LDS
Figure 4-1
4.2.1

Format Creation

Special Control code functions (see Chapter 5, Special Control Codes) and/or label formats
may be entered directly through the keyboard but this is not the most efficient method if
entering a large amount of data or numerous commands. Large formats and/or numerous
commands should be entered in an ASCII text editor and then uploaded to the printer.
Microsoft® Notepad has been used for the creation of label designs in this manual because
it is simple to use and does not add formatting characters.
The LDS programming language uses thermal dots as the unit of measure. All commands
and parameters, unless noted otherwise, should be entered using dots. The printer is
capable of being fitted with a 203 dpi or a 300 dpi head. The examples contained in this
document discuss a 300 dpi printer.
The conversion values for the 300dpi print head:
Dots/mm
EXAMPLE: A label that is 2" in length would be (2 x 300) = 600 dots.
The printer can accept either the one-character control code ("Ctrl + E" (HEX05)) or the two-
character caret (^) plus alpha character ("^E"). In other words, for a PC keyboard, the same
command can be generated either by holding down the "Ctrl" key and pressing the alpha
character or by entering the two characters; the "^" (the character generated when you
press the "Shift" key and the "6") plus the alpha character. See Chapter 5 for additional
information regarding control codes and printer commands.
There are some special features offered by the printer that assist in label design. For
example, the auto-size command (^A2^D39 <CR>) provides most of the header format
4-2
HyperTerminal™ Window Example
Inch/Dot
12 0.0033 (1/300)
438TC Operator's Manual - 880050-0100
Chapter 4