Specifying printer capabilities

On the Printer Capabilities tab, you can specify the printer description language. For printers that support the Zebra printer language, you can also specify settings for printing radio frequency identification (RFID) labels and tags.

Specifying the language supported by a printer

All XDC files must specify the language that the target printer supports. In general, this language is predefined in the XDC file that you use as a starting point for your XDC file.

Configure device options

  1. Select and open an XDC file. (See Opening an XDC file .)

  2. At the bottom of the XDC Editor panel, click the Printer Capabilities tab.

  3. For an XDC file that is based on the PCL language, specify the language and the language level. For an XDC file that is based on the PostScript language, specify the manufacturer, model, language, and language level.

    For example, the hp4530ps.xdc file specifies the Manufacturer as HP , the Model as HP LaserJet 4350PS , the Language as ps , and the Language Level as 3 . Change any of the preset values to match the physical characteristics of your printer.

  4. (PCL supported printers) Specify whether the printer supports logical operations. Select true if the printer supports the Logical Operations command that applies logical functions such as AND, OR, and XOR to the basic PCL print model operations.

  5. (PostScript supported printers) Specify the encoding formats that are used for font encoding. To access characters that are not in StandardEncoding in the PostScript language, applications must re-encode fonts.

  6. Save your changes.

Specifying RFID characteristics (for printers that support ZPL only)

On the Printer Capabilities tab, you can specify settings that are used with RFID printers/encoders. Such RFID printers/encoders simultaneously encode an integrated circuit chip and print barcodes and text. The encoding is accomplished by using radio frequency waves.

RFID stands for radio frequency identification . It is an automatic identification technology whereby digital data that is encoded in an RFID tag or smart label is captured by a reader by using radio waves. That is, RFID is similar to barcode technology but uses radio waves to capture data from tags rather than optically scanning the barcodes on a label. RFID does not require the tag or label to be visible in order to read its stored data.

Preparing to print forms to an RFID printer involves the following:

  • Verifying that your form specifies barcodes that support RFID

  • Obtaining information about the RFID labels and tags being encoded

  • Obtaining characteristics about the RFID printer/encoder.

To verify that your form specifies barcodes that support RFID, see Designing Forms for AEM forms Output 11 . This document also provides guidance on designing a form for printing to an RFID printer or encoder.

Determine characteristics of RFID labels or tags

  1. Identify the brand or standard of the RFID labels or tags. Examples of tag brands include Texas Instruments Tag-it, Phillips I•Code, and Inside Technologies Picotag 2K. Examples of tag standards include EPC Class 0, EPC Class 1 96-bit, and ISO 15693.

  2. Determine the distance (in vertical dot-rows) between the RFID transponder (the antenna and microchip embedded in the label or tag) and the leading edge of the label or tag.

Determine characteristics of the target RFID printer/encoder

  1. Obtain a copy of your printer manual. (See Finding documentation for your printer .)

  2. Verify that your printer supports RFID printing and the RFID labels or tags you plan to print.

  3. Determine the integer for the tag type you plan to print. Typically, this information appears in the printer manual in the description of RFID Setup, which corresponds to the ZPL command ^RS .

  4. If possible, verify your RFID settings by using the printer’s LCD display to initiate a test print.

    Some RFID printers/encoders have an LCD display that lets you test your ability to write and read to the RFID transponder. Passing this test means that your printer is set up correctly and you are ready to print/encode RFID label or tags.

Specify print setup for an RFID printer/encoder

  1. Select and open an XDC file. (See Opening an XDC file .)

  2. At the bottom of the XDC Editor panel, click the Printer Capabilities tab.

  3. Select the RFID block retries field and enter the number of read/write retries before the printer declares the transponder defective. This value must be an integer, typically between 0 and 10.

  4. Select the RFID label retries and enter the number of failed labels or tags that cause the print job to be terminated. The accepted values for this option is between 0 to 10.

  5. Select the RFID tag type and enter the printer-specific digit for the label or tag type that is installed in the printer. (See Determine characteristics of the target RFID printer/encoder .)

  6. Select the RFID transponder position and enter the distance (in vertical dot-rows) between the RFID transponder and the leading edge of the label (see Determine characteristics of RFID labels or tags ). Accepted values are between 0 to the length of the label. If the transponder is located on the leading edge of the label, set this option to 0.