Due to many questions we have received about Printer Control Language (PCL) Forms we have compile the following list of PCL FAQ's.  If you have a question about PCL Macros that is not covered here, please submit it via the Feedback Form.

Q. What is PCL?
A. PCL stands for Printer Control Language, which is a simple programming language that can control the features available from your printer.

Q. What are PCL Macros?
A. PCL Macros are a series of PCL commands that provide specific instructions to the printer. For the context of this bulletin, a PCL macro is a series of PCL commands that produce an entire form, such as an invoice. This form could even look the same as your existing preprinted form, other than that it will be created by the printer on plain paper.

Q. What types of printers can use PCL Macros?
A. Almost all printers support PCL commands to some extent. However, for the purpose of creating complete forms your printer must support at least PCL Level 3. This is limited to page printers such as the HP Laserjet and compatibles.

Q. How can I tell if my printer is compatible with PCL Macros?
A. Check the download section of this site for the PCL Test Files, as well as instructions for using these on your printer.

Q. What printer do you recommend?
A. Since PCL was created by Hewlett Packard, we recommend the HP Laserjet series of printers. Most laser printers are however compatible with the HP Laserjet, and PCL. Some lower priced laser printers may have problems printing PCL forms.

Q. Can these macros be printed using an ink-jet printer?
A. Many ink-jet printers now support PCL, but are not recommended due to their slower speed, and higher cost per page.

Q. What are the advantages of using PCL macros?
A. The advantages are many. The biggest is possibly cost, since forms printed on plain paper are much less per form than custom pre-printed forms. Another advantages are that changes can be made at any time without wasting existing forms inventory. Forms produced by PCL macros are professional looking, at first glance you would think that it was a custom pre-printed form. PCL macros also allow you to use a single printer for all your forms without the need to change paper.

Q. What are the disadvantages of using PCL macros?
A. Most laser printers only print in a single colour. This means that your forms are also limited to that colour., although in 256 different shades.

Q. How do I create a PCL Macro?
A. A PCL Macro can be created using a simple text editor. There are also programs designed for this purpose that can create even complex forms with an easier to use interface. The scope of creating a PCL macro that will print a form is beyond the scope of this bulletin, and is best left to someone with PCL programming experience.

Q. Can a PCL Macro contain elements other than text?
A. A PCL Macro can only contain PCL commands. This means before a graphic can be included in a PCL macro it first must be converted to a PCL format. As with PCL form design, there are programs available that can do this.

Q. How do I download a PCL Macro to my printer?
A. Simply by copying them to the proper printer port. They are then stored in the printers memory, and available as needed.

Q. What happens when the printer is turned off?
A. The macros are lost. PCL macros need to be copied to the printer each time it is turned on. This can usually be automated by adding the proper commands to the TRAC.BAT file that is used to load and execute Shop Trac™. Some printer manufactures provide expansion memory, into which PCL macros can be programmed eliminating the need to always copy the macros to the printer.

Q. How do I setup Shop Trac™ to use PCL Macros?
A. Each PCL macro is assigned an ID number when it is created. The Setup | Forms | PCL Macros is used to assign these ID's to a specific form. An ID of zero indicates that this form does NOT use a PCL macro.

Q. How do I get multiple copies of a form, since my laser printer only prints a single copy at a time?
A. Some of the forms in the Setup | Forms | PCL Macro option support multiple pages. Simply add a PCL macro ID for each copy required.

Q. Can multiple copy forms be different on each copy?
A. Multiple page forms can have a different PCL macro for each page. i.e.) The invoice form could say 'File Copy' on the first page, and 'Customer Copy' on the second page. The third copy could be designated as a 'Packing List' and have the price area blacked out. All of this is accomplished by using a different PCL macro for each page.

Q. Can you print cheques using PCL macros?
A. Printing cheques using PCL macros is no different than printing any other form. To insure that the MICR bank coding is machine readable, a printer resolution of at least 600 dots per inch (DPI) is required, and the cheque needs to be printed using a special toner that adds magnetic particles to the page. The first item is not a problem, since most laser printers today offer a resolution of al least 600 DPI. The magnetic toner is also readily available, but it is expensive and unless you are printing large quantities of cheques this is usually not worth the effort. Printing cheques on plain paper also does not address any security issues with the actual paper being used.