SATO E series User Manual

Section 1. Programming Concepts
Page 1-6 SATO Programming Reference
1. Media Size Command. Use the <ESC>A1 Media Size Command. This command
specifies the width and length of the label. The printer will automatically calculate
the correct offsets for printing labels of that size. However, if you specify a label
size with this command, the labels loaded should match the size specified to cor-
rectly position the label.
2. Base Reference Point Command. Send the <ESC>A3 Base Reference Point
command as part of your data to the printer to set a new base reference point for
your label.
Calculate the distance (in dots) from the normal base reference point to the clos-
est edge of the label.
For an M-8400RVe 8 dpmm printer , this would be:
LABEL WIDTH = 2" X 25.4 MM/IN X 8 DPMM = 406 DOTS
The new Base Reference Point then becomes:
NEW BASE REFERENCE POINT = MAXIMUM PRINT WIDTH - LABEL WIDTH
= (832 DOTS) - (406 DOTS) = 426 DOTS
Issue the Base Reference Point command <ESC>A3 after the Start command in
your data stream.
<ESC>A<ESC>A3H0426V0001. . . . . .
This resets the reference point for all the following data.
3. Add the correct offset to all horizontal commands. Use the normal base refer-
ence point from the print area and use the horizontal position for each field to
properly locate it on the label.
Calculate the distance (in dots) from the normal base reference point to the clos-
est edge of the label.
For an M-8400RVe 8 dpmm printer:
Label Width = 2" x 25.4 mm/in x 8 dpmm = 406 dots
New Base Reference Point = Maximum Print Width - Label Width
= (832 dots) - (406 dots) = 426 dots
Each <ESC>H command would have the value “426” added to it to correctly posi-
tion each field.
Note: The <ESC>A3 Base Reference Point command can also shift the reference
point in a negative direction (toward the outside edge of the label).
The Command Code subsection contains a sample label output for each command
code. These samples reflect how the printed information would appear on a five inch
wide label. If you want to test any of the sample label outputs and are using labels
less than five inches in width, we suggest that you add the Base Reference Point
command to the data stream in order for the images to print on your labels.
You must be careful not to print off the label surface as the label provides a heat sink

SATO E series Specifications

General

Print Method	Thermal Transfer / Direct Thermal
Max. Print Speed	6 ips (inches per second)
Max. Print Width	4.09 inches (104 mm)
Interfaces	USB, Ethernet
Media Type	Labels, Tags, Ticket
Ribbon Length	Up to 984 ft (300 m)
Power Supply	AC 100-240V, 50/60 Hz
Print Resolution	203 dpi