Labels on dot matrix printer from VB.Net

  • Thread starter Thread starter gina
  • Start date Start date
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gina

I don't think my problem is specific to VB.NET, so I'm posting
here...I have a customer who needs to print addresses on single-column
2.5"WX1"H labels on a dot matrix printer. I'm working with Windows XP
SP2.

I used Printers & Faxes to define a custom form with those
measurements, set that form as the default paper type for the printer
and set the printer as the default printer.

Problem is when I print, I either get nothing or the print head
advances across the label with nothing printed. When I increase the
height in the custom form to 4", I get my label printed, but for
labels measuring 4". It's as if windows cannot handle a label smaller
than that.

In case it matters...In my VB.NET form I'm using this code at the top
of my label-printing form:
Private WithEvents m_pdoc As New PrintDocument
Private m_strReader As System.IO.StringReader ' to print

Then I call m_doc.Print to do the printing.

Thanks for anything.
 
I don't think my problem is specific to VB.NET, so I'm posting
here...I have a customer who needs to print addresses on single-column
2.5"WX1"H labels on a dot matrix printer. I'm working with Windows XP
SP2.

I used Printers & Faxes to define a custom form with those
measurements, set that form as the default paper type for the printer
and set the printer as the default printer.

Problem is when I print, I either get nothing or the print head
advances across the label with nothing printed. When I increase the
height in the custom form to 4", I get my label printed, but for
labels measuring 4". It's as if windows cannot handle a label smaller
than that.

In case it matters...In my VB.NET form I'm using this code at the top
of my label-printing form:
Private WithEvents m_pdoc As New PrintDocument
Private m_strReader As System.IO.StringReader ' to print

Then I call m_doc.Print to do the printing.

Thanks for anything.
Click to expand...


What program are you using to make the address. Can't you print out of that?

Why use VB?

Do you need a driver for the particular printer so it runs from within
XP???

If you are say using MS Word etc it has templets within to print labels.
or Avery have a program download from there site.
 
...I have a customer who needs to print addresses on single-column
2.5"WX1"H labels on a dot matrix printer. I'm working with Windows XP
SP2.

I used Printers & Faxes to define a custom form with those
measurements, set that form as the default paper type for the printer
and set the printer as the default printer.

Problem is when I print, I either get nothing or the print head
advances across the label with nothing printed. When I increase the
height in the custom form to 4", I get my label printed, but for
labels measuring 4". It's as if windows cannot handle a label smaller
than that.
Click to expand...

I don't know if it's related, but, from my experience with printing
labels in a dot matrix printer, I have had that happen when the font
is too big for the size allocated for printing. But then my experience
has been in Windows 3.1.


Geo
 
I don't think my problem is specific to VB.NET, so I'm posting
here...I have a customer who needs to print addresses on single-column
2.5"WX1"H labels on a dot matrix printer. I'm working with Windows XP
SP2.

I used Printers & Faxes to define a custom form with those
measurements, set that form as the default paper type for the printer
and set the printer as the default printer.
Click to expand...

I found that if the printer's configuration defines a minimum height
page, any forms that are smaller are not used. When you try to set
that form it's ignored. I use an Epson LQ590 printer and found I had
to modify its configuration file to allow for a small enough minimum
CUSTOM form size to work with my smallest (0.66") label. The Epson
file on XP is at
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3 and is named ESCP5RN.GPD.
This is a text file. Look for the section around "CUSTOM" and modify
the minimum size. The Epson is defined in units of 180 dots per inch -
here's hoping your printer has a similar configuration method.

I have to distribute the modified ESCP5RN.GPD file with my application
to make my label printing work.

David Tosh
 
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