How to configure RAW printing mode in Windows
Published 12/20/2016 Updated 12/20/2016 Author Neodynamic
Overview
Learn how to setup a printer for RAW printing mode in Windows OS. (Instructions for Linux/Raspbery Pi and macOS/OSX are also available)
What's Raw Printing?
Raw Printing (a.k.a. "Raw Data Printing", "DOS-Mode Printing", "Line-Mode Printing") is the process of sending a stream of bytes (sometimes simple ASCII characters) directly to the target printer hardware. Those bytes are expressed by following the syntax and rules of the Command Language (a.k.a. Programming Language) supported by the target printer. Some Raw Printing Languages are composed of human-readable ASCII characters (like Zebra ZPL, EPL, etc) while others combine them with non-printable characters like is the case of the famous ESC/P, Postscript and PCL languages.
Follow up these steps:
- Go to Control Panel > View Devices and Printers > Add Printer
For Windows 8, type "Advanced Printer Setup"
- Click "Add a local printer"
Please ignore the USB message
- Depending on the printer communication...
- For IP/Ethernet Network Printers
- Click Create New Port > Standard TCP/IP Port
- Enter the IP address and uncheck "Query the Printer..."
- For RS232 COM Serial or LPT Parallel Printers
- Click Use Existing Port. Then, select the correct COM or LPT port.
- For USB Printers
- Click Use Existing Port by selecting the USB00x port that was installed with the device driver.
To know the correct USB port, close the Wizard dialog. Then right click the USB Printer and select "Printer Properties" and the Port will be diplayed.
- Click Use Existing Port by selecting the USB00x port that was installed with the device driver.
- For IP/Ethernet Network Printers
- For the printer driver, select "Generic" in the Manufacturer list and "Generic/Text Only" in the Printers list
Some printer brands provide drivers capable of accepting RAW commands as well as GDI Windows Printing. In this case, then prefer the driver from the manufacturer instead of the "Generic" driver shipped with Windows!
- Click "Replace the Current Driver." if needed.
- Give a name to the printer.
Avoid using spaces or special characters!
That's it! The new printer setting should allow you to send RAW Printer Commands from our products.