Unicode Printing using the free Swiss 721 Font for Zebra ZPL Printers

Details

Topic or Information

Unicode compatibility and printing examples using the Swiss 721 Font available from Zebra.com.

Applies To

Zebra ZPL compatible printers printing Roman, Cyrillic, Eastern European, Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew.

Note: Unicode Support was implemented starting with version X.14 and later.

Details

Unicode capability can be used or tested by downloading the free Swiss Font file from the Zebra Web Site. Downloading the 77849_002.ZSU font file to the printer allows you to assign and use the font for printing Unicode text. The font file will be loaded in non-volatile E: memory and appear as either TT0003M_.FNT or TT0003M_.TTF (depending on your printer)

The Swiss 721 font is available from the Zebra Web Site.

• How to locate and download the Swiss 721 Font Read More>>
• Swiss 721 Character List (pdf document)  Read More>>

Procedure

1. Check to see if the Swiss 721 font is loaded on the printer by viewing the flash memory files on the printer. Print a "List Fonts" label and note if the file has been loaded. (TT0003M_.xxx) 

Note: If your printer does not support a Font List Display use one of the methods described here Read More>>

2. Download this zipped Unicode test file Swiss721_UTF-8.zip for printing Unicode UTF-8 characters in multiple languages. Read More>>

3. Extract the Zipped file to a known location. You should see Swiss721_UTF-8.txt where the file was extracted.

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Important: To avoid corrupting the UTF-8 encoding do not view and save the file. However, you can use applications such as Notepad but make sure you have it configured to use the Swiss 721 font. (i.e.Open Notepad and on the Menu Bar select Format|Font. 



You will then see the Swiss 721 fonts in your format in Notepad. If you choose to edit or modify the content assure you select the correct encoding. For this example it is UTF-8
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4. Use the  Zebra Setup Utility or the Zebra Designer Driver Tools "Send File" feature to download the Unicode test file to the printer. - Any method of sending the file can be used as long as it does not corrupt the encoding.

- How to use the ZebraDesigner Driver Tools, Action, Send File Feature Read More>>

- How to use the Zebra Setup Utility Send File Feature Read More>>

The resulting label will print as shown here. 

Note: Languages that have character shaping or are multi-directional may need to have the Advanced Text command parameters properly configured so glyphs are properly positioned. The Arabic text in the above example required ^PA (Advanced Text) settings to print correctly. 

Enabling the advanced text option - PA Command Details Read More>>  

Additional Information

Unicode Font Details Read More>>

Creating a Unicode compatible test file using Windows Notepad Read More>>