Dot Matrix Printer Page alignment issue

Shobana Ravisankar

Summary

Dot Matrix Printer Page alignment issue

Content

Hi All,

We have to print our report in a pre-printed stationer into a dot matrix printer. We have created RTF template. We download the report in dekstop and print it in dot matrix printer. However while printing we notice that not all pages start and end at the same point.

RTF template view looks perfect, but in dot matrix, there is always few mms up and down all over the print. Below is the example where u nothie that 00007634 comes neatly but 00007635 moves up by few mm. This happens in many of the fields making the report very inconsistent.

All the contents are in a table. No Split by page break used rather for each section is used.

Any advice on how to fix pre-printed stationery from jumping up and down for dot matrix printer.

Regards,

Shobana

timdexter

Hi Shobana

Couple of points:

1. What are the for-each fields at the bottom of the template for?

2. I think I would try extending the table rows to the bottom of the page in the template, This will fill the page completely.

3. Are you generating RTF output and sending that to print? RTF is a flow based layout ie not based on a page output like PDF. Does the dot matrix need a txt file to print or can it handle PDF?

4. You might consider using a pure XSL template to generate a txt output and have the server print it directly to save you some manual steps. Its a bit more involved to develop but it will make the process more streamlined.

Tim

Shobana Ravisankar

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the feedback and please find my response for the questions

1. What are the for-each fields at the bottom of the template for?

for-each is at the beginning of the table and end for each is at the bottom. For checking alignment, I have made the full table start from the top pushing the for-each down. I had move the for each at the beginning but no change in the outpit.

2. I think I would try extending the table rows to the bottom of the page in the template, This will fill the page completely.

Yes. Tried. But alignment issue continues.

3. Are you generating RTF output and sending that to print? RTF is a flow based layout ie not based on a page output like PDF. Does the dot matrix need a txt file to print or can it handle PDF?

When we used XSL-FO or RTF and printed the result as a PDF, the output in dot matrix was totally jumbled. even a normal pdf text printing in dot matrix is out of sequence.

4. You might consider using a pure XSL template to generate a txt output and have the server print it directly to save you some manual steps. Its a bit more involved to develop but it will make the process more streamlined.

Are you referring to eText here. I have tried eText, the only challenge here.

• eText is saved as .txt when opened in notepad and printed, the margin always goes to default A4
• Ideally I need to do Page Setup in the size of the pre-printed stationery. Is it correct.
• Is there a way to save eText as excel or any other format where there is no margin.

Regards,
Shobana