Escape sequences for 7305/6 printers

[vbcoen]

Looking for documentation source for Escape sequences to change font, size and lines per inch as well as reset to default etc for this printer as have a need to add headings on plain paper for various fields when printing pay slip and other  documents .

[Deep_World]

Hi @vbcoen,
 
Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

To assist you better with the escape sequences for your printer, could you kindly confirm the exact printer model you are using ( Is it a HP Smart Tank 7305 All-in-One Printer )? 

Additionally, If I may ask:

1. What software or application are you currently using to print the documents?
2. When you print, you usually get a preview page before the job is sent to the printer are you looking to make changes directly in that preview stage, or do you want the printer itself to handle formatting through escape sequences?
3. Could you please brief us on your setup for instance, whether you are printing from Windows, Linux, or a custom application, and how the headings need to appear on plain paper?

With these details, we’ll be able to guide you with the appropriate documentation that you are looking for . 

I hope this helps. 

[vbcoen]

Printer is 7305/6 but could be others using PCL3.

Software is written in Cobol (using the GnuCobol compiler) and there are 6 fields in a (parameter record) that can hold escape sequences for :

1.  Reset Font

2. Change font size - Small

3. Change font size - Normal

4. Reset colour.

5. Change to colour 1.

6. Change to colour 2.

Others could be added later if needed such as 

7. Change line depth (from 6 to 8 per inch).

I am the programmer for this application which in this instance is Payroll and when printing Fed or state reports using plain paper.

Change of font size is to support headings using smaller fonts and/or colour.

I have tried to locate documents that detail these escape groups but could only find one doc dated 1995.

A tad out of date for modern printers 🙂

[Deep_World]

Hi @vbcoen,
 

Thanks for your response. 

I understand you’re working with COBOL and PCL3 escape sequences for your payroll application and printing reports. Upon checking our support resources, I can confirm that for the HP Smart Tank 7305 All-in-One, the official driver and software package is available on the HP Support website. This driver ensures compatibility with modern operating systems and provides the necessary printing functionality.
 

While HP does not publish detailed PCL3 escape sequence documentation for newer consumer printers (as these are generally managed through the driver rather than direct programming), the driver package is the recommended way to handle font, size, and color changes. For custom escape sequences, you may need to refer to the PCL3 reference guides (though older) or use the driver’s built-in capabilities to manage formatting.

I hope this helps.

[vbcoen]

Forgot to mention that I personally use Linux (Mageia, a Redhat variant) for development and testing also the entire accounting system is now O/S (Open Source) available at sourceforge.net as ACAS.

This makes any possible use of HP drivers not a working solution but in any event these drivers are not available with programming documentation to create what ever escape sequences or similar are needed.

The 7305/6 printer is the one I use for my own use and for testing so if it will not work on that then there is no hope for any other printer of the inkjet/tank type as I assume the majority of ACAS users would use those and not a laser printer but those as well use PCL processes although can be PCL3 or 5/6.

It is a pity that HP does not document these processes as I am sure there are many other programmers out there that would like the extra flexibility such can provide for such printers as against use a matrix or line printer with continuos stationary etc.

These issues all relate to printing out for preprinted forms or the lack of them so that reduced fonts can be used for field headings as well as may be colour.

Again the drivers do not come with any information to program for the equivalent of escape sequences to change font sizing on a line by line basis.

[ferRX]

Hi @vbcoen 

You may need to check that information on HP Developers Portal in the next link:

>> https://developers.hp.com/hp-printer-command-languages-pcl

• 

• PCL Implementor's Guide (Archived in 1995)

• Spoiler

  Attachments:

  PCL Implementors Guide-00-table of contents.pdf (108.13 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-0-glossary.pdf (94.86 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-01-goals and guidelines.pdf (104.67 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-02-job setup .pdf (104.02 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-03-PCL page.pdf (123.97 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-04-escape command syntax.pdf (198.94 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-05- text processing.pdf (224.8 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-06-printer control.pdf (309.85 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-07-page control.pdf (293.73 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-08-CAP movement.pdf
  
  

  PCL Implementors Guide-09-font selection.pdf

  PCL Implementors Guide-10-downloading fonts.pdf

  PCL Implementors Guide-11-downloading characters.pdf (195

  PCL Implementors Guide-12-unbound fonts and symbol sets.pdf (155.98 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-13-raster graphics.pdf (213.25 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-14-color.pdf (654.95 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-15-configure raster data.pdf (258.18 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-16-color print model.pdf (415.84 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-17-vector graphics.pdf (347.25 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-18-macros.pdf (89.55 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-19-status readback.pdf (107.09 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-20-obsolete codes.pdf (270.56 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-21-Index by subject.pdf (45.24 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-22-Index by command.pdf (59.57 KB)

  PCL Implementors Guide-23-Index by esc sequence.pdf (60.04 KB)

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Best regards,

ferRX.

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