print from VB.NET

  • Thread starter Thread starter Trapulo
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Trapulo

Is there any way I can print from windows mobile 5 to a bluetooth printer (I
think on a zebra rw 420) a simple document (an invoice)? It seems to me
quite difficult..

thanks
 
Considering it would take weeks to implement yourself, $500 seems cheap to
me. But then I do this as a profession, not a hobby.

-Chris
 
Trapulo said:
Is there any way I can print from windows mobile 5 to a bluetooth printer (I
think on a zebra rw 420) a simple document (an invoice)? It seems to me
quite difficult..
Click to expand...

Trapulo,

Zebra printers (and Barcode printers in general) have a very simple
protocol that you can use to print neat labels very quickly through a
serial connection.

I've seen an application abusing a Zebra printer by using a special
intermediate Windows Printer Driver that simulated a normal laser
printer. The application generated a bitmap by using TTF barcode fonts
(that the customer had to buy separately) and then sent it to the
printer. Label printing was very slow.

I think you could simply use a serial-port class (such as the excellent
one included in OpenNETCF, or the one included in CF 2.0) to open a
serial port to the printer using BlueTooth as your transport.
Printing should be very easy and very quick.

If this is indeed your printer:

http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/products/printers/mobile/rw420.html

select your model here and check "Programming manuals":

http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/resource_library/manuals.html

then, depending on your printer's firmeware, you will be able to choose
between CPCL, EPL2 or the oldest ZPL II.

I have worked with Zebra and Toshiba-TEC printers and their protocol is
very easy to learn.

Marcantonio
 
Thank you, this is the idea I had reading abount zebra printers, so I think
this is the best way to have my goal.

thank you
 
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