CLP 521, CLP 621 and CLP 631- VuePrint Menu System

(Also compatible with CL-S700 Series Printers)

Configuration By Software Commands

We have a small utility program which allows you to easily change the configuration of the printer. It is called our "Citizen CLP Printer Configurator" and can be downloaded as follows:

		citizen-configurator.exe (160Kb - right click on the link and choose "Save As....")
		citizen-configurator.zip (45Kb - ZIP file.)

Our utility supports most of the common settings that can be changed in the printer. It uses the VuePrint commands described in full below. So, if you need more detail of how to change the printer's settings, please read on!:

What does this command do?

The VuePrint menu system on the CLP 521, 621 and 631 is a very powerful tool for configuring the printer's settings.

All previous Citizen label printers have an LCD control panel making configuration quick and easy using the on-screen menus. With the 521 / 621 / 631, which do not have LCDs, we use the VuePrint print-out menu system.

Due to the printer's complexity, there are many possible settings. It can become difficult and time-consuming to change multiple settings, especially on a batch of printers. Therefore Citizen have developed a software command to automatically define one or more settings and cause them to become the default settings.

Firmware versions supporting this command.

The functions are fully implemented in the CLP 621 and 631.

Current supplies of CLP 521 fully support this command. Only the earliest machines do not have this and they can be easily upgraded. (CLP 521 ROM version CM000601, released 4th June 2004 is the earliest fully supported version. Contact your supplier for details of how to upgrade the firmware.)

How to use the command.

Once you have "assembled" a suitable file (as described below), you can send the file to the printer using a number of methods. However, we recommend you use our printer driver as the most effective method:

Ensure you have a Citizen printer driver installed for the printer you want to configure - or at least a suitable driver connected to the port where the printer is located. Open the printer's "Properties" page and choose Tools form the tabs at the top.   From the Start Menu in Windows, choose "Settings" then "Printers & Faxes". Then find the printer driver installed and connected to the printer you want to reprogram. Right-click on the printer icon and choose "Properties...". From the tabs along the top, click on "Tools" and you can then see the screen shown below.

From the Action button, choose "Send File To Printer...". Then you must locate the file you have "assembled" and then click "Open" which sends it to the printer. There is no need to push any buttons on the printer. The LEDs flash briefly, the printer bleeps and then resets. The printer is now re-configured.

Examples of command files

The example below sets the serial port parameters to “9600, 8n1, Xon” protocol. Also, the tear bar function is enabled, 4ips at darkness 10 is selected, the printer is set to metric (mm) mode and the Settings Lock function is switched on:

You can download a ZIP file containing a few example files. These include the following:

• 521reset.prn - resets a CLP 521 to 'factory default' parameters
• 621reset.prn - resets a CLP 621 to 'factory default' parameters (same as above but TT mode)
• servicecounter reset.prn - resets the service counter (print distance counter) to 0.0Km

To create a file “from scratch”, for example, if you cannot download a file from the web site, please refer to the section at the end of the document.

• Note: if “Metric/Inch” is not set correctly to “INCH” or “MM” based on your software commands used, you may get unpredictable results when using the “Settings Lock: On” function. The settings lock function also blocks the selection using the “m” and “n” commands in DPL language.

Further examples of possible command layout:

[02][1B]~A

function[SPACE]select,tear

end

[02][1B]~A

function[SPACE]select[TAB]:[TAB]Tear

end

[02][1B]~A

function[SPACE]select:tear

end

[02][1B]~A

RS-232C[SPACE]LENGTH:8,bits

end

[02][1B]~A

RS-232C[SPACE]LENGTH:8[TAB]bits

end

Understanding the command's format

Below is the 'official' description of the command, but an example might be easier to understand.

• [FUNCTION] Menu specify the menu item by text (ascii)
• : separator for menu and setting
• Setting specify the value for each menu item by text (ascii)
• Unit specify the unit (if required)
• [0D] separator for one menu item
• END ‘END’ text shows save & exit of this command

The printer restarts automatically.

• “Menu” and “Setting” are human-readable text fields
• Capital and lower case letters are treated the same.
• A <space> character [20HEX] code is treated as one character
• The menu item names are almost same as VuePrint Message
• · Separators are: Colon(:) Tab(9HEX) and Comma(,)
• · A <space> is NOT a separator character
• A semicolon (;) at the beginning of a line is a comment line
• A separator (colon, tab or comma) is required between a value and unit (where required) such as ‘mm’ ’inch’ ’V’ or ’dots’. Spaces are not separators
• Correct: 1.00[TAB]inch
• Wrong: 1.00[SPACE]inch
• Menu descriptions must be entered correctly!
  • Correct: ‘Peel On’
  • Correct: Function Select
  • Wrong: ‘Peel On’ (too many spaces)
  • Wrong: Function Select

Detailed list of all menu parameters

Load Current Settings First?

If the word “LOADMACRO” is not specified at the top of the list of parameters, the ‘power-on’ values of the VuePrint menu settings are used as the basis for the new configuration.

· Do not confuse “Power On” with Factory Default. Power On defaults are the current values of the VuePrint menu settings just after switching the printer on.

If the “LOADMACRO” command is specified within the parameter listing, the current printer’s settings are used as a basis for the new VuePrint menu settings.

• Current settings may have been adjusted since power on.
• If a label had just been printed at 2 ips, and head heat 4, then sending an STX ESC ~A command with “Loadmacro” at the top, use 2 ips and heat 4 as the basis for the new VuePrint menu settings

Example. Sending the following to the printer:

[02][1B]~A

LOADMACRO

END

… would effectively cause the current printer’s specification to be stored as the VuePrint menu defaults.

[02][1B]~A

LOADMACRO

PRINT SPEED :4 IPS

END

… would effectively cause the current printer’s specification to be stored as the VuePrint menu defaults, but 4IPS would be selected as well.

How to create the special command files “from scratch”

If you do not have access to some pre-configured files containing the STX and ESC characters, it is possible for you to generate them yourself.

This is our recommended way to generate a suitable file.

Please press exactly the keystrokes described.

Start a “DOS Prompt” on your system. Depending on your version of Windows, this may be called “Command Prompt” from the Start Menu. Alternatively, choose “Start” then “Run…” then enter “cmd” and press enter.

Type the following text, pressing the combination keys where indicated:

Command to enter 'as is'	Key presses to make	Action
c:		Then press enter
cd\		Then press enter
copy con ctz.prn		Then press enter
	CTRL B CTRL [ ~ A	Then press enter
function select,tear		Then press enter
end		Then press enter
	CTRL Z	Then press enter

You should now have a file on disk, hopefully in C:\ called CTZ.PRN. This file can then be edited in NOTEPAD in Windows.
The file will have the two block characters at the beginning. Do not be tempted to edit them, just the main text!