Hi everyone:

The usual response to this question with Adagio is "use a laser".

However we have a potential client who would like to use a dot matrix for their Picking Slips. They are OK with the laser for Invoices, Order Confirmations, cheques, reports etc. But their orders are 2 or more pages in length and they like the 3-part tractor feed forms. The forms stay together, stay in the correct sequence and the shipper's notes carry through to copies 2 and 3. Effective and proven.

Question:
Can anyone comment on their experiences using a dot matrix printer as described above? Other alternatives? Comments from both dealers and users are welcome.

Thank you.

Hi Bruce,

You left out an important piece of information: What is the form length?

If the form length is 7 inches, you may have a problem finding a Windows printer driver that supports it.

The good news is the form length is 11".

I'm wondering about real-life experiences with issues like:
-How difficult was it to design the layout?
-What is the print speed like?
-Did the same layout work equally well on different dot matrix printers?

Hi Bruce

In real life, I have had success with 11" dot matrix forms. There are certain fonts that print "invisible" and I wouldn't suggest putting any special characters, such as boxes or graphics, on the spec. Following these rules, the speed is fine, and without too much trial and error it is possible to design a spec that works.

I can't answer your third question about multiple dot matrix printers. I wouldn't count on it, though.

Steve

Brude,

Sometimes you can obtain the best print speed and quality by coosing fonts that are resident in the printer. (They usuually show a printer beside them in Windows.)

However, because we are dealing with Windoze, that is not always the case. It is, however, worth trying first.

I do this all of the time.

It is a very fiddly job to get it working correctly.

I will only do it if the client is using Okidata DOT Matrix or something equivalent.

You definitely want to use a font that is built into the printer.

Speed is not a problem unless you try to print special characters or graphic images (in other words keep it to plain text).

I would never do it if I had to get one specification to work on two totally different DOT Matrix printers.

Hi,

My suggestion would be to use the 'Generic /Text Only' printer driver when attempt to print to a dot matrix.

When using this printer driver you need to make sure the printer form length is set correctly.

Also don't try to print within 1/4" of the top of bottom margins.

Chris

Thank you to everyone for your answers.

You have given us hope that we can use our client's dot matrix for Picking Skips and arrive at the other end relatively unscarred emotionally!

Hi Chris:

I've used your suggestion to use the "Generic/Text Only" printer driver. I see how to insert escape codes on the printer Properties to indicate 10, 12 and 17 cpi.

What font should be selected in the Adagio Form Designer? The list of fonts does not change to match the selected printer so the full list remains.

Thank you.

Hi Bruce,

You want to find something like "printer resident font" if you want the picking slips to print at a reasonable speed. Otherwise, WIndows will try and "draw" the font you've selected by pushing the printer into graphics mode.

If there is any kind of Windows driver for the printer, it will install the appropriate font into Windows.

Hi Andrew:

I tried that without much success, though I now realize what I was doing wrong.

At the same time, "Generic/Text Only" seems to offer a different approach.

When I tell Word to print to the "Generic/Text Only" printer, there are only 3 fonts available: "Device Font" for 10, 12 and 17 cpi. I need 2 of those. I'm hoping Chris knows what those map to in Adagio.

Ideally I want to try both approaches on-site to see what works best.

Thank you.

Hi Bruce,
When using the 'Generic/Text Only' printer it will not matter what font you choose in the designer as it will use the printer default font and font size.
I have never attempt to change the font size when using that driver.
You might try using 'Courier' and selecting a range of font sizes to test with the printer.
The only other though would be to have a label before/after where you want the font change that has the escape sequences to change the font size. Not sure that would work as I have never attempted it.
If you want multiple font sizes you might have to use the correct windows printer driver.