How to configure RAW printing mode in macOS and OSX
Published 12/20/2016 Updated 10/22/2020 Author Neodynamic
Overview
Learn how to setup a printer for RAW printing mode in macOS abd OSX. (Instructions for Linux/Raspbery Pi and Windows 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:
- Open a Terminal window and type: sudo cupsctl WebInterface=yes
- Open Safari or any other web browser and navigate to http://localhost:631
- Click on the Administration tab and then click Add Printer. You might be required to enter a username and password. If this results in a "forbidden" error, you may need to be logged in as an administrator.
- Depending on the printer communication...
- For IP/Ethernet Network Printers
- Check AppSocket/HP JetDirect option and click Continue
- Enter the IP address and port (if required) e.g. socket://192.168.254.254:9100
- For USB Printers
- Check the Printer Name and click Continue
- (Optional) Modify the Name, Description and Location. Click Continue
- Set the Make to Raw and click Continue
If the Make is already set to another option, then click on Select Another Make/Manufacturer
- For IP/Ethernet Network Printers
- Set Starting Banner and Ending Banner to "none" and click Set Default Options
- Now Add a Printer Class by following these steps:
- Click on the Administration tab and then click Add Class
- Enter just the Name for the new class. DO NOT specify anything for Description and Location.
Be sure that the class Name is NOT the same to the Printer Name just created!
For example, you could name it to Raw_[PrinterName] - In the Members list, please select the Printer Name (the one created in the step #4)
- Click Add Class. Now the new printer should appear in the System Preferences > Print & Scan / Printers & Scanners dialog!
That's it! The new printer setting should allow you to send RAW Printer Commands from our products.