<chapter>
<title>ESC/P2</title>
<para>
This is a description of the ESC/P2 raster commands used by the
Gimp-Print printer driver, which is a subset of the complete
command set. The full documents are found on <ulink
url="http://www.ercipd.com/isv/edr_docs.htm">
<citetitle>http://www.ercipd.com/isv/edr_docs.htm</citetitle></ulink>.
Note that these are <emphasis>not</emphasis> always correct, and
are certainly not complete.
</para>
<para>
All ESCP/2 raster commands begin with the <literal>ESC</literal>
character (0x1b), followed by either one or two command characters
and arguments where applicable. Older commands generally have one
command character. Newer commands usually have a
‘<literal>(</literal>’ (left parenthesis) followed by
a command character and a byte count for the arguments that
follow. The byte count is a 16-bit (2 byte) binary integer, in
little endian order.
</para>
<para>
All arguments listed here are of the form
<literal>name[bytes]</literal> where <literal>[bytes]</literal> is
the number of bytes that comprise the argument. The arguments
themselves are usually one, two, or four byte integers, always
little endian (the least significant bits come first). Presumably
this is to match Intel processors.
</para>
<para>
In some cases, the same command sequence identifies different
versions of the same command, depending upon the number of bytes
of arguments.
</para>
<sect1>
<title>Standard commands</title>
<variablelist>
<title>ESC/P2 Commands</title>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC @</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Reset the printer. Discards any output, ejects the
existing page, returns all settings to their default.
Always use this before printing a page.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (G <varname>BC</varname>=1
<varname>ON1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Turn on graphics mode. <varname>ON</varname> should be
<constant>1</constant> (turn on graphics mode).
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (U <varname>BC</varname>=1
<varname>UNIT1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set basic unit of measurement used by printer. This is
expressed in multiples of 1/3600". At 720 DPI,
<varname>UNIT</varname> is <constant>5</constant>; at
360 DPI, <varname>UNIT</varname> is
<constant>10</constant>.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (U <varname>BC</varname>=5
<varname>PAGEUNITS1</varname> <varname>VUNIT1</varname>
<varname>HUNIT1</varname>
<varname>BASEUNIT2</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set basic units of measurement used by the printer.
<varname>PAGEUNIT</varname> is the unit of page
measurement (for commands that set page dimensions and
the like). <varname>VUNIT</varname> is the unit of
vertical measurement (for vertical movement commands).
<varname>HUNIT</varname> is the unit of horizontal
movement (for horizontal positioning commands). All of
these units are expressed in
<varname>BASEUNIT</varname>, which is in reciprocal
inches. Typically, <varname>BASEUNIT</varname> is
<constant>1440</constant>. In 720 DPI mode,
<varname>PAGEUNIT</varname>, <varname>VUNIT</varname>,
and <varname>HUNIT</varname> are all
<constant>2</constant>; in 1440×720 DPI mode,
<varname>PAGEUNIT</varname> and <varname>VUNIT</varname>
are normally set to <constant>2</constant>;
<varname>HUNIT</varname> is set to
<constant>1</constant>.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (K <varname>BC</varname>=2
<varname>ZERO1</varname>
<varname>GRAYMODE1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set color or grayscale mode, on printers supporting an
explicit grayscale mode. These printers can be
identified because they are advertised as having more
black nozzles than nozzles of individual colors.
Setting grayscale mode allows use of these extra nozzles
for faster printing. <varname>GRAYMODE</varname> should
be <constant>0</constant> or <constant>2</constant> for
color, <constant>1</constant> for grayscale.
<varname>ZERO</varname> should always be
<constant>0</constant>.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (i <varname>BC</varname>=1
<varname>MICROWEAVE1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
If <varname>MICROWEAVE</varname> is
<constant>1</constant>, use microweave mode. On older
printers, this is used to turn on microweave; on newer
printers, it prints one row at a time. All printers
support this mode. It should only be used at 720 (or
1440×720) DPI. The Epson Stylus Pro series
indicates additional modes:
</para>
<variablelist>
<varlistentry>
<term><constant>2</constant></term>
<listitem>
<para>
“Full-overlap”
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><constant>3</constant></term>
<listitem>
<para>
“Four-pass”
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><constant>4</constant></term>
<listitem>
<para>
“Full-overlap 2”
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>
<para>
Any of these commands can be used with the high four
bits set to either <constant>3</constant> or
<constant>0</constant>.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC U
<varname>DIRECTION1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
If <varname>DIRECTION</varname> is
<constant>1</constant>, print unidirectionally; if
<constant>0</constant>, print bidirectionally.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (s <varname>BC</varname>=1
<varname>SPEED1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
On some older printers, this controls the print head
speed. <varname>SPEED</varname> of
<constant>2</constant> is 10 inches/sec;
<varname>SPEED</varname> of <constant>0</constant> or 1
is 20.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (e <varname>BC</varname>=2
<varname>ZERO1</varname>
<varname>DOTSIZE1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Choose print dotsize. <varname>DOTSIZE</varname> can
take on various values, depending upon the printer.
Almost all printers support <constant>0</constant> and
<constant>2</constant>. Variable dot size printers
allow a value of <varname>16</varname>. Other than the
value of <varname>16</varname>, this appears to be
ignored at resolutions of 720 DPI and above.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (C <varname>BC</varname>=2
<varname>PAGELENGTH2</varname></literal></term>
<term><literal>ESC (C <varname>BC</varname>=4
<varname>PAGELENGTH4</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set the length of the page in “pageunits”
(see <literal>ESC (U</literal> above). The second form
of the command allows setting of longer page lengths on
new printers (these happen to be the printers that
support variable dot size).
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (c <varname>BC</varname>=4
<varname>TOP2</varname>
<varname>LENGTH2</varname></literal></term>
<term><literal>ESC (c <varname>BC</varname>=8
<varname>TOP4</varname>
<varname>LENGTH4</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set the vertical page margins of the page in
“pageunits” (see <literal>ESC (U</literal>
above). The margins are specified as the top of the
page and the length of the page. The second form of the
command allows setting of longer page lengths on new
printers (these happen to be the printers that support
variable dot size).
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (S <varname>BC</varname>=8
<varname>WIDTH4</varname>
<varname>LENGTH4</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set the width and length of the printed page region in
“pageunits” (see <literal>ESC (U</literal>
above).
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (v <varname>BC</varname>=2
<varname>ADVANCE2</varname></literal></term>
<term><literal>ESC (v <varname>BC</varname>=4
<varname>ADVANCE4</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Feed vertically <varname>ADVANCE</varname>
“vertical units” (see <literal>ESC
(U</literal> above) from the current print head
position.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (V <varname>BC</varname>=2
<varname>ADVANCE2</varname></literal></term>
<term><literal>ESC (V <varname>BC</varname>=4
<varname>ADVANCE4</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Feed vertically <varname>ADVANCE</varname>
“vertical units” (see <literal>ESC
(U</literal> above) from the top margin.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC ($ <varname>BC</varname>=4
<varname>OFFSET4</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set horizontal position to <varname>OFFSET</varname>
from the left margin. This command operates on printers
of the 740 class and newer (all printers with variable
dot size).
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC $
<varname>OFFSET2</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set horizontal position to <varname>OFFSET</varname>
from the left margin. This command operates on printers
of the 740 class and newer (all printers with variable
dot size).
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (\ <varname>BC</varname>=4
<varname>UNITS2</varname>
<varname>OFFSET2</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set horizontal position to <varname>OFFSET</varname>
from the previous print head position, measured in
<varname>UNITS</varname>. <varname>UNITS</varname> is
measured in inverse inches, and should be set to 1440 in
all cases. This operates on all 1440 dpi printers that
do not support variable dot size.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (/ <varname>BC</varname>=4
<varname>OFFSET4</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set horizontal position to <varname>OFFSET</varname>
from the previous print head position, measured in
“horizontal units” (see <literal>ESC
(U</literal> above). This operates on all variable dot
size printers.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC \
<varname>OFFSET2</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set horizontal position to <varname>OFFSET</varname>
from the previous print head position, measured in basic
unit of measurement (see <literal>ESC (U</literal>
above). This is used on all 720 dpi printers, and can
also be used on 1440 dpi printers in lower resolutions
to save a few bytes. Note that
<varname>OFFSET</varname> may be negative. The range of
values for this command is between
<constant>-16384</constant> and
<constant>16383</constant>.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC r
<varname>COLOR1</varname></literal></term>
<term><literal>ESC (r <varname>BC</varname>=2
<varname>DENSITY1</varname>
<varname>COLOR1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set the ink color. The first form is used on four-color
printers; the second on six-color printers.
<varname>DENSITY</varname> is <constant>0</constant> for
dark inks, <constant>1</constant> for light.
<varname>COLOR</varname> is
</para>
<table>
<title>Colors</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="id"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="color"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry><varname>COLOR</varname></entry>
<entry>Color name</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>0</constant></entry>
<entry>Black</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1</constant></entry>
<entry>Magenta</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>2</constant></entry>
<entry>Cyan</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>4</constant></entry>
<entry>Yellow</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
This command is not used on variable dot size printers
in softweave mode.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC . <varname>COMPRESS1</varname>
<varname>VSEP1</varname> <varname>HSEP1</varname>
<varname>LINES1</varname> <varname>WIDTH2</varname>
data...</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Print data. <varname>COMPRESS</varname> signifies the
compression mode.
</para>
<table>
<title>Compression modes</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="id"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="compression"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry><varname>COMPRESS</varname></entry>
<entry>Compression mode</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>0</constant></entry>
<entry>No compression</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1</constant></entry>
<entry>
TIFF compression (incorrectly documented as
“run length encoded”)
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>2</constant></entry>
<entry>
TIFF compression with a special command set.
</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
<varname>VSEP</varname> depends upon resolution and
printer type. At 360 DPI, it is always
<constant>10</constant>. At 720 DPI, it is normally
<constant>5</constant>5. On the ESC 600, it is
<constant>40</constant> (8 × 5}). On some other
printers, it varies.
</para>
<para>
<varname>HSEP1</varname> is <constant>10</constant> at
360 DPI and <constant>5</constant> at 720 or 1440 DPI
(1440 DPI cannot be printed in one pass; it is printed
in two passes, with the dots separated in each pass by
1/720").
</para>
<para>
<varname>LINES</varname> is the number of lines to be
printed. It should be <constant>1</constant> in
microweave and 360 DPI. At 720 DPI softweave, it should
be the number of lines to be actually printed.
</para>
<para>
<varname>WIDTH</varname> is the number of pixels to be
printed in each row. Following this command, a carriage
return (<constant>13</constant> decimal,
<literal>0A</literal> hex) should be output to return
the print head position to the left margin.
</para>
<para>
The basic data format is a string of bytes, with data
from left to right on the page. Within each byte, the
highest bit is first.
</para>
<para>
The TIFF compression is implemented as one count byte
followed by one or more data bytes. There are two
cases:
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem>
<para>
If the count byte is <constant>128</constant> or
less, it is followed by ([count] + 1) data bytes.
So if the count byte is <constant>0</constant>, it
is followed by 1 data byte; if it is
<constant>128</constant>, it is followed by 129 data
bytes.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
If the count byte is greater than 128, it is
followed by one byte. This byte is repeated (257 -
[count]) times. So if [count] is 129, the next byte
is treated as though it were repeated 128 times; if
[count] is 255, it is treated as though it were
repeated twice.
</para>
</listitem>
</orderedlist>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC i <varname>COLOR1</varname>
<varname>COMPRESS1</varname> <varname>BITS1</varname>
<varname>BYTES2</varname> <varname>LINES2</varname>
data...</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Print data in the newer printers (that support variable
dot size), and Stylus Pro models.
<varname>COLOR</varname> is the color.
</para>
<table>
<title>Extended Colors</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="id"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="color"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry><varname>COLOR</varname></entry>
<entry>Color name</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>0</constant></entry>
<entry>Black</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1</constant></entry>
<entry>Magenta</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>2</constant></entry>
<entry>Cyan</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>4</constant></entry>
<entry>Yellow</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>5</constant></entry>
<entry>Alternate black (Stylus C70/C80)</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>6</constant></entry>
<entry>Alternate black (Stylus C70/C80)</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>16</constant></entry>
<entry>Gray (“light black”)</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>17</constant></entry>
<entry>Light magenta</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>18</constant></entry>
<entry>Light cyan</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
<varname>COMPRESS</varname> signifies the compression
mode:
</para>
<table>
<title>Compression modes</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="id"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="compression"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry><varname>COMPRESS</varname></entry>
<entry>Compression mode</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>0</constant></entry>
<entry>No compression</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1</constant></entry>
<entry>
TIFF compression (incorrectly documented as
“run length encoded”)
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>2</constant></entry>
<entry>
TIFF compression with a special command set, or
“run length encoding 2” on some
printers.
</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
<varname>BITS</varname> is the number of bits per pixel.
</para>
<para>
<varname>BYTES</varname> is the number of bytes wide for
each row (ceiling(BITS × width_of_row, 8)}). Note
that this is different from the <literal>ESC .</literal>
command above.
</para>
<para>
<varname>LINES</varname> is the number of lines to be
printed. This command is the only way to get variable
dot size printing. In variable dot mode, the size of
the dots increases as the value (<constant>1</constant>,
<constant>2</constant>, or <constant>3</constant>)
increases.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (D <varname>BC</varname>=4
<varname>BASE2</varname> <varname>VERTICAL1</varname>
<varname>HORIZONTAL1</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set printer horizontal and vertical spacing. It only
applies to variable dot size printers in softweave mode
(and possibly other high end printers).
</para>
<para>
<varname>BASE</varname> is the base unit for this
command; it must be <constant>14400</constant>.
</para>
<para>
<varname>VERTICAL</varname> is the distance in these
units between printed rows; it should be
((separation_in_nozzles × <varname>BASE</varname>
÷ 720).
</para>
<para>
<varname>HORIZONTAL</varname> is the horizontal
separation between dots in a row. Depending upon the
printer, this should be either (14400 ÷ 720) or
(14400 ÷ 360). The Stylus Pro 9000 manual
suggests that the settings should match the chosen
resolution, but that is apparently not the case (or not
always the case) on other printers.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC (R <varname>BC</varname>=8 00 R E M O T E
1</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Enters “remote mode”. This is a special,
undocumented command set that is used to set up various
printer options, such as paper feed tray, and perform
utility functions such as head cleaning and alignment.
It does not appear that anything here is actually
required to make the printer print. Our best
understanding of what is in a remote command sequence is
described in a separate section below.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>ESC 01 @EJL [sp] ID\r\n</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Return the printer ID. This is considered a remote mode
command, although the syntax is that of a conventional
command. This returns the following information:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>@EJL ID\r
MFG:EPSON;
CMD:ESCPL2,BDC;
MDL:[printer model];
CLS:PRINTER;
DES:EPSON [printer model];
\f</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
After all data has been sent, a form feed byte should be
sent.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>
<para>
All newer Epson printers (STC 440, STP 750) require the
following command to be sent at least once to enable printing
at all. This command specifically takes the printer out of the
1284.4 packet mode communication protocol and enables normal
data transfer. Sending it multiple times is is not harmful, so
it is normally sent at the beginning of each job:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>ESC 01@EJL[space]1284.4[newline]@EJL[space][space][space][space]
[space][newline]ESC@</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
The proper sequence of initialization commands is:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>magic command
ESC @
remote mode if needed
ESC (G
ESC (U
ESC (K (if appropriate)
ESC (i
ESC U (if needed)
ESC (s (if appropriate)
ESC (e
ESC (C
ESC (c
ESC (S
ESC (D (if needed)
ESC (V (optional -- this can be accomplished with ESC (v)</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
For printing, the proper sequence is:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>ESC (v</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
and repeat for each color:
</para>
<!-- This needs better formatting... -->
<informalexample>
<screen>ESC ($ or ESC (\ or ESC \
ESC (r or ESC r (if needed---not used with "ESC i" and not needed if the color
has not changed from the previous printed line)
ESC . or ESC i ...data... [return] (0A hex)</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
To terminate a page:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>[formfeed] (0C hex)
ESC @</screen>
</informalexample>
</sect1>
<sect1>
<title>Remote Mode Commands</title>
<para>
The following description of remote commands comes out of an
examination of the sequences used by the printer utilities
bundled with the Windows drivers for the ESC740, and from other
sources (some Epson manuals, experimentation, analysis of print
files). It is largely speculative as these commands are not all
documented in the Epson documentation we have access to.
Generally, newer manuals provide more thorough documentation.
</para>
<para>
Remote command mode is entered when the printer is sent the
following sequence:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>ESC (R BC=8 00 R E M O T E 1</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
Remote mode commands are then sent, and terminated with the
following sequence:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>ESC 00 00 00</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
All remote mode commands must be sent before the initial
<literal>ESC (G</literal> command is sent.
</para>
<para>
This introductory sequence is then followed by a sequence of
commands. Each command is constructed as follows:
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem>
<para>
Two ASCII bytes indicating the function
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
A byte count (two bytes, little-endian) for the parameters
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Binary parameters, if any
</para>
</listitem>
</orderedlist>
<para>
This is a list of all remote commands we have seen:
</para>
<variablelist>
<title>ESC/P2 Remote Mode Commands</title>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>NC <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
00</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Print a nozzle check pattern.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>VI <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
00</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
On my 740, prints the following, probably “version
information”:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>W01286 I02382\r\n</screen>
</informalexample>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* AI <varname>BC</varname>=3 00 00 00</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Prints a “printer ID”. On one 870, prints the
following:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>51-51-50-51-49-48\r\n</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
The Windows driver has a text entry field where this
number can be entered, but its purpose is unknown.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* LD <varname>BC</varname>=0</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Load printer defaults from NVRAM, DIP switches, and/or
ROM. This apparently does not load factory defaults per
se, but any settings that are saved. This is commonly
used right at the end of each print job after the
<literal>ESC @</literal> printer reset command.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* CH <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Perform a head cleaning cycle. The heads to clean are
determined by parameter <varname>xx</varname>:
</para>
<table>
<title>Head cleaning parameters</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="id"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="description"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry><varname>xx</varname></entry>
<entry>Description</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>00</constant></entry>
<entry>Clean all heads</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>01</constant></entry>
<entry>Clean black head</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>02</constant></entry>
<entry>Clean color heads</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
While <varname>xx</varname> = <constant>00</constant> is
likely supported by all printers, <varname>xx</varname>
= <constant>01</constant> and <constant>02</constant>
are not.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* DT <varname>BC</varname>=3 00
<varname>xx</varname> 00</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Print an alignment pattern. There are three patterns,
which are picked via the choice of
<varname>xx</varname>. Pattern <constant>0</constant>
is coarse, pattern <constant>1</constant> is medium, and
pattern <constant>2</constant> is fine.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* DA <varname>BC</varname>=4 00
<varname>xx</varname> 00
<varname>yy</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set results for the alignment pattern.
<varname>xx</varname> is the pattern
(<constant>1</constant>--<constant>3</constant>);
<varname>yy</varname> is the best choice from the set
(<constant>1</constant>--<constant>7</constant> or
<constant>1</constant>--<constant>15</constant>). This
does not save to NVRAM, so when the printer is powered
off, the setting will be lost.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* SV <varname>BC</varname>=0</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Save the current settings to NVRAM.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* RS <varname>BC</varname>=1
01</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Reset the printer.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* IQ <varname>BC</varname>=1
01</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Get ink quantity. This requires direct access to the
printer port. The return looks like
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>IQ:KKCCMMYY</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
or
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>IQ:KKCCMMYYccmm</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
(for 4-color and 6-color printers respectively), where
each pair of digits are hexadecimal representations of
percent.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>
<para>
The following two commands have been observed on an STP 870.
</para>
<variablelist>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* IR <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
<emphasis>Function unknown</emphasis>. This command has
been observed on an STP 870 with
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>03</constant> at the start
of a job and <varname>xx</varname>=<constant>02</constant>
at the end of a job (where it is followed by an
<literal>LD</literal> command). When in roll mode, the
values change to
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>01</constant> at the start
of a job and <varname>xx</varname>=<constant>00</constant>
at the end of a job.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* FP <varname>BC</varname>=3 00
<varname>pos</varname>[2]</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Specify the horizontal left margin in units of 1/360 inch.
The default value for <varname>pos</varname> is
<constant>0</constant>. For borderless printing on
printers that support it, a value of
<constant>-80</constant> (<constant>FFB0h</constant>)
should be used.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>
<para>
The commands below are partially documented in the Stylus Pro
9000 manual. Much of this information is interpreted; none is
tested.
</para>
<variablelist>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* SN <varname>BC</varname>=3 00
<varname>xx</varname> <varname>yy</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Select Mechanism Sequence. <varname>xx</varname>
controls which sub-operation is performed.
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>00</constant> selects
the “Feed paper sequence setting”.
<varname>yy</varname> can take on the following values
(on the STP 870, at any rate):
</para>
<table>
<title>Media types</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="id"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="description"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry><varname>yy</varname></entry>
<entry>Media type</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>0</constant></entry>
<entry>Default</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1</constant></entry>
<entry>Plain paper</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>2</constant></entry>
<entry>Postcards</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>3</constant></entry>
<entry>
Film (photo quality glossy film, transparencies)
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>4</constant></entry>
<entry>Envelopes</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>5</constant></entry>
<entry>Plain paper (fast load)</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>6</constant></entry>
<entry>
Back light film (although this has been observed
with heavyweight matte paper)
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>7</constant></entry>
<entry>
Matte paper (observed with 360 dpi inkjet paper,
and photo quality inkjet paper)
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>8</constant></entry>
<entry>Photo paper</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
Experimentation suggests that this setting changes
details of how the printers' cut sheet feeder works,
presumably to tune it for different types of paper.
</para>
<para>
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>01</constant> controls
the platen gap setting;
<varname>yy</varname>=<constant>00</constant> is the
default, <varname>yy</varname>=<constant>1</constant> or
<constant>2</constant> are higher settings.
</para>
<para>
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>02</constant> controls
paper loading speed
(<varname>yy</varname>=<constant>0</constant> is normal,
<constant>1</constant> is fast, <constant>2</constant>
is slow). It appears that <constant>1</constant> is
used when printing on “plain paper”,
“360dpi ink jet paper” or “ink jet
transparencies”, and
<varname>yy</varname>=<constant>00</constant> for all
other paper type settings.
</para>
<para>
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>07</constant> controls
duplex printing for printers with that capability
(<varname>yy</varname>=<varname>0</varname> is default,
for non-duplex printing; <constant>1</constant> is front
side of the paper, and <varname>2</varname> is back
side).
</para>
<para>
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>09</constant> controls
zero margin printing on the printers with the capability
of printing zero-margin on all sides (Stylus Photo
780/790, 890, and 1280/1290).
<varname>yy</varname>=<constant>0</constant> is the
default; <constant>1</constant> enables zero margin
printing.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* PP <varname>BC</varname>=3 00
<varname>xx</varname>
<varname>yy</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set Paper Path.
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>2</constant> indicates
manual feed,
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>3</constant> is for roll
paper. <varname>yy</varname> selects “paper path
number”.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* AC <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set Auto Cutting State.
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>0</constant> selects
auto cutting off,
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>1</constant> selects
auto cutting on, and
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>2</constant> indicates
horizontal print page line on. It appears that with
auto cutting on, roll paper is cut automatically at the
point a formfeed character is sent. The formfeed
character is normally used to eject a page; with this
turned on, it also cuts the roll paper. Horizontal
print page line on prints a narrow line of black dots at
the position the paper should be cut manually.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* DR <varname>BC</varname>=4 00 xx
<varname>DT2</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set Drying Time.
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>00</constant> sets the
drying time “per scan” (per pass?);
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>01</constant> sets the
drying time per page. <varname>DT</varname> indicates
the drying time, which is in seconds if page mode is
used and in milliseconds if scan mode is used.
<varname>DT</varname> must not exceed 3600 seconds in
per-page mode and 10000 milliseconds in per-scan mode.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* IK <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Select Ink Type.
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>00</constant> selects
dye ink. Pigment ink is apparently selected by
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>01</constant>. This
probably does not apply to the consumer-grade printers.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* PZ BC=2 00 xx</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set Pause After Printing.
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>00</constant> selects no
pause after printing;
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>01</constant> selects
pause after printing. If turned on, the printer is
paused after the page is ejected (by the FF byte). If
cutting is turned on, the printer is paused
<emphasis>after</emphasis> the cutting or printing of
the horizontal cut line.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* EX <varname>BC</varname>=6 00 00 00 00 0x14
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set Vertical Print Page Line Mode.
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>00</constant> is off,
<varname>xx</varname>=<constant>01</constant> is on. If
turned on, this prints vertical trim lines at the left
and right margins.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* EX <varname>BC</varname>=6 00 00 00 00 0x05
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set Roll Paper Mode. If <varname>xx</varname> is
<constant>0</constant>, roll paper mode is off; if
<varname>xx</varname> is <constant>1</constant>, roll
paper mode is on.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* EX <varname>BC</varname>=3 00
<varname>xx</varname> <varname>yy</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Appears to be a synonym for the <literal>SN</literal>
command described above.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* PH <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Select Paper Thickness. Set the paper thickness
<varname>xx</varname> in .1 mm units. This must not
exceed <constant>0x10</constant> (1.6 mm). If the
thickness is set “more than” .6 mm (which
probably means “at least” 0.6 mm, since the
other case reads “less than 0.5 mm”), the
platen gap is set high irrespective of the
<literal>SN</literal> command.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* PM <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
00</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
<emphasis>Function unknown</emphasis>. Used on the STC
3000 at least when using roll feed, and on the STP 870
in all print files analysed to date.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* ST <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Epson's STP 750/1200 programming guide refers to the
<literal>ST</literal> command as “Set printer
state reply”. If <varname>xx</varname> is
<constant>0</constant> or <constant>2</constant>, the
printer will not send status replies. If
<varname>xx</varname> is <constant>1</constant> or
<constant>3</constant>, the printer will send status
replies. The status replies consist of state, error
codes, ink leve, firmware version, and warning status.
</para>
<para>
The actual reply is documented as
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>@BDC ST\r
ST: xx;
[ER: yy;]
IQ: n1n2n3n4;
[WR: w1,w2...;]
RV: zz;
AI:CW:02kkccmmyy, MI:mm
[TC:tttt;]
INK:...;
\f</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
(<literal>\r</literal> is carriage return;
<literal>\n</literal> is newline; <literal>\f</literal>
is formfeed.)
</para>
<para>
<literal>ST</literal> is the printer status:
</para>
<table>
<title>Printer status codes</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="status"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="description"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Status code</entry>
<entry>Description</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>00</constant></entry>
<entry>Error</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>01</constant></entry>
<entry>Self-test</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>02</constant></entry>
<entry>Busy</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>03</constant></entry>
<entry>Waiting while printing</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>04</constant></entry>
<entry>Idle</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>07</constant></entry>
<entry>Cleaning/filling ink heads</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>08</constant></entry>
<entry>Not yet initialized/filling heads</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
<literal>ER</literal>, if provided, is the error status:
</para>
<table>
<title>Printer error codes</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="error"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="description"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Error code</entry>
<entry>Description</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>00</constant></entry>
<entry>Fatal Error</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>01</constant></entry>
<entry>Interface not selected</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>04</constant></entry>
<entry>Paper jam</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>05</constant></entry>
<entry>Out of ink</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>06</constant></entry>
<entry>Paper out</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>0D</constant></entry>
<entry>Paper gap error</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>10</constant></entry>
<entry>Maintenance request</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>11</constant></entry>
<entry>Tear-off mode selected</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>12</constant></entry>
<entry>Double feed error</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1C</constant></entry>
<entry>Cutter position error</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1D</constant></entry>
<entry>Cutter jam</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1E</constant></entry>
<entry>Ink color error</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>23</constant></entry>
<entry>Ink combination error</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
<literal>IQ</literal> is the amount of ink left, as a
(decimal!) percentage expressed in hexadecimal. The
values are black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. 6 and 7
color printers usually specify two or three additional
values for light cyan, light magenta, and gray.
However, some low end 6-color printers specify only four
values.
</para>
<para>
For printers with different ink cartridge options, the
following additional values may appear:
</para>
<table>
<title>Printer additional ink codes</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="code"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="description"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Ink code</entry>
<entry>Description</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>NA</constant></entry>
<entry>Ink cartridge is not inserted</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>RE</constant></entry>
<entry>
Ink cartridge information cannot be read
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>WE</constant></entry>
<entry>
Ink cartridge information cannot be written
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>CI</constant></entry>
<entry>
Ink cartridge is inserted, but has not been read
</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
<literal>WR</literal>, if provided, is the warning status:
</para>
<table>
<title>Printer warning codes</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="warning"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="description"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Warning code</entry>
<entry>Description</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>10</constant></entry>
<entry>
Black ink low (Photo black on printers using
UltraChrome® ink)
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>11</constant></entry>
<entry>Cyan</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>12</constant></entry>
<entry>Magenta</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>13</constant></entry>
<entry>Yellow</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>14</constant></entry>
<entry>Light cyan (presumably)</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>15</constant></entry>
<entry>Light magenta (presumably)</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>17</constant></entry>
<entry>
Gray (with UltraChrome-compatible printers)
</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>18</constant></entry>
<entry>Matte black 1 (UltraChrome)</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>19</constant></entry>
<entry>Matte black 2 (UltraChrome)</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
<literal>RV</literal> is the firmware revision (one byte
ASCII).
</para>
<para>
<literal>AI</literal> is actuator information. These
are two byte ASCII codes that indicate ``ink weight rank
ID'' of KCMY, respectively.
</para>
<para>
<literal>TC</literal>, if provided, is the total time of
cleaning or ink filling (?).
</para>
<para>
<literal>RC</literal>, if provided, is the firmware
revision.
</para>
<para>
<literal>INK:</literal> and <literal>MI</literal> are
<emphasis>not documented</emphasis>.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* SM <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
<varname>xx</varname></literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Set Status Reply Rate. <varname>xx</varname> is the
repeat interval in seconds. If <varname>xx</varname> is
<constant>0</constant>, the status is returned only when
the printer's state changes.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* ST <varname>BC</varname>=1
01</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Reply Printer Status. The reply is formatted as follows:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>@BDC PS\r\nST:<varname>xx</varname>;\f</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
<literal>\r</literal> is carriage return;
<literal>\n</literal> is newline; <literal>\f</literal> is
formfeed). If <varname>xx</varname> (the reply value) is
<constant>0</constant> or <constant>2</constant>,
automatic status update is disabled; if
<constant>1</constant> or <constant>3</constant>, it is
enabled.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* SM <varname>BC</varname>=1
01</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Reply Printer Status Rate. The reply is formatted as
follows:
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>@BDC PS\r\nST:xx;\f</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
<literal>\r</literal> is carriage return;
<literal>\n</literal> is newline; <literal>\f</literal> is
formfeed). See <literal>SM
<varname>BC</varname>=2</literal> above for the meaning of
the return value.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* ??
<varname>BC</varname>=<varname>xx</varname>
<varname>y</varname>[1] …
<varname>y</varname>[xx]</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Echo Parameters (perhaps better described as Echo
Commands). The command string is executed (it would
appear from the documentation), and the string sent is
returned using a sequence similar to that described in
the <literal>ST <varname>BC</varname>=1</literal> and
<literal>SM <varname>BC</varname>=1</literal> commands.
Note that in this case the number of bytes is variable!
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* SM <varname>BC</varname>=2 00
02</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
<emphasis>Function unknown</emphasis>. Used on the STC
3000 at least when using roll feed.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* JE <varname>BC</varname>=1
00</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
<emphasis>Function unknown</emphasis>. On new printers
(STC 740 or newer), this command should be sent after
all data has been sent. If this command is not sent,
and the printer is connected to a Windows system, the
last page of the job will not print completely. The
most likely explanation for for this is that the Windows
driver typically puts the printer in 1284.4 packet mode,
and this command has the effect of flushing the buffer
in the printer.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><literal>* CO <varname>BC</varname>=8 00
<varname>cutter</varname>[1] <varname>page</varname>[1]
<varname>unit</varname>[1]
<varname>position</varname>[4]</literal></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Specify paper cutting on Stylus Photo 2200 (and perhaps
some other printers). <varname>cutter</varname> must be
0. <varname>page</varname> should be one of the
following:
</para>
<table>
<title>Paper cutting codes</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="code"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="description"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Code</entry>
<entry>Description</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>0</constant></entry>
<entry>All pages</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1</constant></entry>
<entry>First page only</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>2</constant></entry>
<entry>Last page only</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
<varname>unit</varname> should be one of the following:
</para>
<table>
<title>Paper cutting units</title>
<tgroup cols="2" align="left">
<colspec colnum="1" colname="code"/>
<colspec colnum="2" colname="description"/>
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Code</entry>
<entry>Description</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry><constant>0</constant></entry>
<entry>1/360 in.</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>1</constant></entry>
<entry>1/720 in.</entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry><constant>2</constant></entry>
<entry>1/1440 in.</entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<para>
This command should be used twice. The first
<literal>CO</literal> command specifies where the page
will be cut at the top, and the second specifies where
the page will be cut at the bottom. This permits
cutting both the top and the bottom of the page.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>
</sect1>
<sect1>
<title>Appropriate Remote Commands</title>
<para>
All of the remote commands described above are wrapped up with
the usual boilerplate. The files always start with
<literal>00 00 00</literal> and the “magic”
command described above, then two <literal>ESC @</literal>s to
reset the printer. The remote command sequences come next; if
they print anything that is usually followed by a
<literal>FF</literal> (<literal>0C</literal> hex) character to
feed the page, then the file ends with another two
<literal>ESC @</literal>s to get back to the ground state.
</para>
<para>
An alignment sequence goes like this:
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem>
<para>
Host uses <literal>DT</literal> to print an alignment
sheet.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
User eyeballs the sheet to see which is the best aligned
pattern.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Host sends a <literal>DA</literal> command indicating
which pattern the user chose.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
If the user said “realign”, meaning he isn't
done yet, go to step 1.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
We are done: host sends a <literal>SV</literal> command
and exits.
</para>
</listitem>
</orderedlist>
<para>
The sequence used (by the STC 3000, at least) to print from
the roll feed is (with byte count omitted):
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>PM 00 00
SN 00 00 00
EX 00 00 00 00 05 01
ST 00 01
SM 00 02</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
The sequence used by the STP 870 to print on plain paper is
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>PM 00 00
IR 00 03
SN 00 00 01
SN 00 01 00
SN 00 02 01
EX 00 00 00 00 05 00
FP 00 00 00</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
and the job finishes with
</para>
<informalexample>
<screen>IR 00 02
LD</screen>
</informalexample>
<para>
For different paper type settings on the STP 870, the
arguments to <literal>SN</literal> vary. The arguments to the
first and third <literal>SN</literal> commands are as outlined
in the description of the <literal>SN</literal> command above;
the arguments to the second (“platen gap”) are
<literal>00 01 01</literal> for thick papers (“matte
paper—heavyweight”, “photo paper” and
“premium glossy photo paper”) and <literal>00 01
00</literal> for all others.
</para>
<para>
For roll-mode printing, the STP 870's sequence changes as
follows. <literal>IR</literal>'s arguments become <literal>00
01</literal> in the header, and <literal>00 00</literal> after
the job, and <literal>EX</literal>'s last argument changes
from <constant>00</constant> to <constant>01</constant>.
</para>
<para>
For zero-margin printing on the STP 870, the arguments to
<literal>FP</literal> become <literal>00 0xb0 0xff</literal>.
This moves the origin about 5.5mm to the left, to a point one
tenth of an inch to the left of the left-hand edge of the
paper, allowing printing right up to (and beyond) the edge of
the paper. Some printers (at least the STP 870) include white
absorbent pads at the left margin position and other positions
(89mm and 100mm on the STP 870) to soak up ink which misses
the edge of the paper. Printing off the edge of paper of a
width not aligned with a pad could result in making a mess of
the inside of the printer and ink getting on the reverse of
the paper.
</para>
</sect1>
</chapter>