ESC/P

ESC/P

ESC/P logo

ESC/P (Epson Standard Code for Printers) is a printer control language developed by Epson Corporation. It was first introduced in 1980 and has since become a widely used standard for controlling dot matrix printers.

History

ESC/P was initially developed to provide a standardized way of controlling dot matrix printers manufactured by Epson. Before the introduction of ESC/P, each printer manufacturer had its own proprietary control language, making it difficult for software developers to create printer drivers that were compatible with multiple printer models.

Epson recognized the need for a universal printer control language and introduced ESC/P as a solution. The first version, ESC/P, was released in 1980 and supported basic printing functions such as character and line spacing, font selection, and paper handling.

Over the years, Epson continued to enhance and expand the ESC/P language to support new printer features and capabilities. This led to the introduction of ESC/P2, ESC/P2S, and ESC/P Raster, each offering improved functionality and compatibility with newer printer models.

Features

ESC/P provides a comprehensive set of commands that allow software applications to control various aspects of the printing process. Some of the key features of ESC/P include:

Text Formatting

ESC/P supports a wide range of text formatting options, including font selection, character and line spacing, bold and italic styles, and underline. These formatting commands enable software applications to create visually appealing printed documents.

Graphics Printing

ESC/P allows for the printing of graphics and images, including line drawings and simple logos. It supports commands for specifying the size, position, and density of the printed graphics, allowing for precise control over the output.

Paper Handling

ESC/P includes commands for controlling paper handling functions, such as paper feed, paper cut, and paper alignment. These commands enable software applications to automate the printing process and handle different paper sizes and types.

Usage

ESC/P is widely supported by various operating systems and software applications. It is commonly used in environments where dot matrix printers are still in use, such as retail, logistics, and manufacturing industries.

To use ESC/P in a software application, developers need to send the appropriate ESC/P commands to the printer. These commands can be embedded in the print data or sent separately as control codes. Many programming languages provide libraries or APIs that simplify the generation of ESC/P commands.

Templates

Templates can be used to simplify the usage of ESC/P commands in software applications. By creating reusable templates for common printing tasks, developers can save time and effort in generating the necessary ESC/P commands.

Some commonly used ESC/P templates include:

These templates encapsulate the ESC/P commands required to achieve specific formatting or printing tasks, making it easier for developers to incorporate ESC/P functionality into their applications.

Conclusion

ESC/P has played a significant role in standardizing printer control languages and enabling compatibility between software applications and dot matrix printers. Its rich set of commands and wide support make it a popular choice for developers working with Epson printers.

By providing a standardized way of controlling printers, ESC/P has simplified the development of printer drivers and allowed for greater interoperability between different printer models. Its continued evolution and support ensure that ESC/P remains a reliable and versatile printer control language in the ever-changing world of printing technology.

References

Epson ESC/P Official Website ESC/P - Wikipedia