We're trying to compile the Datamatrix barcode to the printer. But it doesn't print. The manual says: "Datamatrix, This 2D barcode can currently only be used in documents that will be printed using either the Optimized
Postscript or Windows Printing mode (printer centric mode will be added in a future release)."

You can search the manuals and it has a lot of places that it talks about "Optimized Postscript" but it never says what it is or how you set it anywhere. When you send the form to the printer there is no option. Only if you Manually print records. (which is no good when you need to print 80,000 pieces) Can we get a better explanation and why do we have barcodes in Planet Press that can't compile to the printer?

thanks

cpamc,

If you are sending your form to the printer, this is Printer-Centric. Optimized PostScript Stream is a datastream sent to the printer from PlanetPress Design or Workflow after it has compiled the form itself, so it does not use the form on the printer.

Optimized PostScript requires more network bandwidth than printer-centric because the form information needs to be re-sent every time the document prints, but there are functionalities (such as datamatrix) that are only available in this mode.

I am not sure exactly why the DataMatrix barcode won't compile to the printer but I'm assuming it's because the code required for it to work would be unwieldy or is simply not possible using PostScript on the printer due to language limitations. Someone else could possibly confirm this for me.

Regards,
Eric.

Hi Cpamc,

The documentation is partly right... While the full range of options can't be implemented in printer-centric mode, DataMatrix can still work, but it doesn't support all error correction levels. Depending on the contents of your data, you may have to boost the error-correction level. Start at something like 8 or 10, test it, then lower the value gradually. Once you find the threshold, increase the error-correction level by a couple of notches to make sure it works everytime.

Let us know how it goes.

What few pieces we have printed have scanned okay and that's at level 1. The barcode data is just a letter and a sequence number. So if we have problems getting it to scan you're suggestion we turn up the error level, correct?

Also the manual does say that a future version of Planet Press will have Datamatrix as a printer centric barcode, is that still in the works?

thanks

Let me rephrase my earlier post:
It works in printer-centric, but you'll have to increase the error-correction level.

So if it works in Optimized PostScript with Level 1 Error correction, try it in printer-centric with Level 8. If that works, decrease the level progressively.

Increasing the Error correction also increases the size of the barocde, so you may have to adjust your document.

And I guess the future is already here, since the pritner-centric mode is (partly) supported! :-)

Okay, that makes sense. We will test it and let you know. Cool! Thanks