Support & Downloads

Choosing a Command to Use

A command that suits your system is available. Please browse the features of each command and choose the one appropriate for your system.

P-touch Template Command

After a template file is stored in the main unit, only the replacement data such as text and barcode data is sent and printed by this command.
Create a template using P-touch Editor and transfer it in advance to the main unit. Then, send data of texts and barcode that are laid out in the template and split by delimiters to the main unit so that the data is inserted into the template and printed on a label. The template allows importing of CSV format database. Related printing can also be performed.
Please see the P-touch Template Manual for usage and other details.
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of this command.

P-touch Template Command

Advantages

  • Easy printing by use of P-touch Template tool
  • Short data transmission time realized by sending only the data of changed portion
  • Easy creation of complex-layout templates by use of P-touch Editor
  • High quality printing by use of built-in high-resolution fonts of the host device instead of using built-in fonts of a computer or a terminal

Disadvantages

  • A template needs to be transferred in advance to the main unit.
  • Only the templates that are transferred to the main unit can be printed.
  • When changing a template used in common by multiple printers to another template, the new template needs to be re-transferred to all of those printers.
  • It may not be possible to print undefined length data such as receipt data on continuous roll tape due to layout restrictions.

List of supported models and download

ESC/P Command

By sending texts (character codes) to the main unit, a label is printed with built-in fonts of the main unit.
This command is compatible with general ESC/P commands. Please see the ESC/P command reference for usage and other details.
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of this command.

ESC/P Command

Advantages

  • When printing only texts or simple ruled lines, data is processed quickly on the main unit and short data transmission time is needed.
  • A barcode can be printed just by sending data and without using any special library.
  • By transferring background images, such as logos, in advance to the built-in memory of the main unit, the images can be overlaid and printed with text data received from a host device.

Disadvantages

  • It is difficult to print complex layouts that contain images, ruled lines, tables and texts because they make the coding codes complicated and make it difficult to have them printed precisely at a desired position on the label.
  • Font sizes and types are limited by the built-in fonts of the printer.
  • Since print images are created after the data is received from a host device, the total print time may become long depending on the data content.

List of supported models and download

ZPL®/CPCL Command

Certain models are equipped with the ZPL®/CPCL emulation function.
Please see the P-touch Template Manual for supported commands and other information.

List of supported models and download

Raster Command

Printing is performed with a command consisting of bitmap data (Raster data) converted from all print contents.
This command allows creation and control of print contents by dot but requires creation efforts.

Advantages

  • Any kind of print can be made because the printing face data is converted into command by dot

Disadvantages

  • Data of entire printing surface needs to be converted into command by dot.
  • Printing may take time due to large volume of data.

List of supported models and download

For Developers

  • Choose from Purposes

    Label printing, printer setup and management information.

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    Information on application development tools for Windows

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    Information on application development tools for mobile terminals

  • Command Reference

    Information on control command reference for label printers and mobile printers

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    Information on versatile software provided by Brother

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