Creating an MPCLII Format Packet
A format defines which fields appear and where the fields are printed on the label. The printer
requires this information in a special form, using Monarch® Printer Control Language II
(MPCL). This section describes how to create a sample MPCLII format packet.
Make sure supplies are loaded, the printer is connected to the host and is ready to receive
data. Refer to the Operator’s Handbook for more information.
For detailed information about the format header, text, constant text, and bar code fields, see
Chapter 3, "Defining Fields
." For information about batch packets, see Chapter 6, “Printing.”
1. Type the following format header in any text editor:
{F,25,A,R,E,200,200,"FMT-25" |
2. Type the following constant text field:
C,140,40,0,1,2,1,W,C,0,0,"SAMPLE FORMAT",0 |
3. Type the following bar code field:
B,1,12,F,85,40,1,2,40,5,L,0 |
4. Type the following text field:
T,2,18,V,50,50,1,1,1,1,B,L,0,0,1 | }
You have created a format packet for your MPCLII printer. Now, a batch packet must be
created before you can print the format.
5. Type the following batch header, after the text field line:
{B,25,N,1 |
6. Type the following bar code data:
1,"02802811111" |
7. Type the following text field data:
2,"TEXT FIELD" | }
8. Save your file as SAMPLE.FMT.
9. Type MODE COM1:9600,N,8,1 at the DOS prompt if you are using serial communications.
This sets the communication parameters at your host. These communication parameters
must match those at your printer. See “Setting Communication Parameters
,” in Chapter 2,
or your hosts documentation for more information.
10. Type COPY SAMPLE.FMT COM1. The following 2 inch by 2 inch label prints:
{F,25,A,R,E,200,200,"Fmt 25" |
C,140,40,0,1,2,1,W,C,0,0,"SAMPLE FORMAT",0 |
B,1,12,F,85,40,1,2,40,5,L,0 |
T,2,18,V,50,50,1,3,1,1,B,L,0,0,0 | }
1-2 Packet Referen
ce Manual
Sample Batch Packet
{B,25,N,1 |
1,"02802811111" |
2,"TEXT FIELD" | }
See “Starting with a Design” to design your format and Chapter
3, "Defining Fields
" to create text, bar code, and line fields.