PCL compatibility

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  • Geezer
    #1

    [Misc] PCL compatibility

    Hi all,

    My company creates software solutions for document management. We supply our software to customers.

    We have a bespoke piece of software that outputs PCL5C files which we send to various of the customer's printers. There are over 200 printers of various models, HP Ricoh, Canon etc.

    The PCL files are standard A4 prints like invoices etc. These contain the company logo in the top left corner plus various dynamic data.

    We send the data file directly to the printers and most of the printers print the file without problems. However, we seem to have an issue with some of the Ricoh printers where the logo does not printer properly and just comes out as random characters. The dynamic data is fine. Some of the Ricoh printers are fine though, as are all the HP printers.

    One where the print is fine is :-
    Aficio MP C2500
    System:1.68
    NIB:5.17
    Web image monitor:1.12
    Automatic language switching:17.05
    Customized PJL:17.05
    RPCS:3.3.22.3.4
    PCL 5c emulation:1.13
    PCL XL Emulation:1.13


    One where the print is not good is :-
    Aficio MP 5500
    System:3.05
    NIB:5.59
    Web image monitor:2.04
    Automatic language switching:17.05
    Customized PJL:17.05
    RPCS:3.3.22.7.4
    PCL 5c emulation:1.15
    PCL XL Emulation:1.15


    As the software vendor, we checked and doubled checked our PCL output and consider it to be fine and good and it does work on most of the printers, including some Ricohs. Of course our customer wants a solution and he is caught in the middle between software and hardware. So what I need is someone who knows if there are any firmware versions that are know to have PCL issues or if anyone knows of any other reasons why my logos are not working of Ricoh printers.

    I'm trying to help the customer here as I think the onus is not on him but I want to try to reach a solution if I can. I can tell him to go and get HP printers but he won't be happy I guess :-)

    Thank you

    Graham
    Tags: None
    • skynetto
      Trusted Tech

      250+ Posts
      • Sep 2012
      • 257
      #2
      Re: PCL compatibility

      Here it is what Ricoh tells about it's latest firmware upgrade on printer subsystem for the MP5500
      RB246009l.doc
      Hope you will find some clues on what is going on.

        Comment

        • rthonpm
          Field Supervisor

          2,500+ Posts
          • Aug 2007
          • 2847
          #3
          Re: PCL compatibility

          Instead of looking at the firmware, have you looked to see if there are updated drivers on the Ricoh website? Keep in mind as well, that the MP 5500 is a black and white model and uses a PCL 5E driver; the 5C is just for colour machines. For the most part, PCL is PCL so it should work. Is the software also working on the same application set and operating system on the machines that don't work?

            Comment

            • Geezer
              #4
              Re: PCL compatibility

              Hi guys,

              Thanks for the input so far, it is useful.

              Regarding the printer drivers, we are not using Windows printer drivers. We are creating the PCL code ourselves and sending directly to the printer.

              There may be something in what you have said about any colour elements within the file that we are producing but this works on other black and white printers and "should" work on any other printer, just come out in black. Also, the PCL versions I listed about say PCL 5C, so I would have thought that would be ok...

              All good info though and thank you guys...

              Graham

                Comment

                • blackcat4866
                  Master Of The Obvious

                  Site Contributor
                  10,000+ Posts
                  • Jul 2007
                  • 22929
                  #5
                  Re: PCL compatibility

                  I would have thought that you would have selected PCLXL as your print emulation. PCL5e/PCL5c are specifically for monochrome/color printing. PCLXL is universal.

                  It surprised me that you made no mention of conflicts with Kyocera products. All Kyocera printers and MFP's are native PreScribe machines, so the first dozen lines of code are in PreScribe language before PCL code starts. Many applications that print directly to the IP print PostScript errors to Kyocera products, unless a few lines of PreScribe and PJL code are prepended. =^..^=
                  If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
                  1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
                  2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
                  3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
                  4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
                  5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

                  blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

                    Comment

                    • Dhearn
                      Technician
                      • Jul 2013
                      • 24
                      #6
                      Some of the newer ricoh machine deff do not like the pcl5 driver. I would try to print the doc using a pcl6 driver just for testing purposes. If that is possible. Also what program are these docs created in. I would try to i update all the firmware to the latest version, never had much luck with firmware fixing issues like this though. Alwa he s been the driver.

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