CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++printingserial-port
Nate
Nate

Reputation: 28384

How do I connect to a Zebra printer over RS232?

I purchased a Zebra LP 2844 label printer and would like to send ZPLII print jobs to it from a C++ program. I am able to connect to the printer and print test labels using the Zebra Setup Utilities software, but am unable to connect to it using a serial monitor. I tried using different serial monitors but all of them gave some sort of COM port error when I tried to connect.

Am I wrong in thinking that I can simply connect to the printer over the COM port and send the ASCII data to it?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 3403

Answers (2)

Nate
Nate

Reputation: 28384

Apparently, because the printer was installed as, well, a printer (lol), Windows wouldn't let me open the COM port. After disassociating the printer in control panel from the COM port, I was able to open it!

Upvotes: 3

Drew Chapin
Drew Chapin

Reputation: 7989

If you don't know how already, you'll need to learn how to use Serial/Comm communication in C++ on Windows, or whatever platform you're planning on using. As far as printing ASCII data to it, most barcode printers use some sort of protocol over serial that defines how the label is formatted. I don't know enough Zebra barcode printers to tell you what that protocol is. Many of them even support multiple protocol types.

If you can tell me what the model number of the printer you're working with is, I'll see if I can find any information on the protocol it uses/supports.

Upvotes: 0

Related Questions