Generate ZPL II from JavaScript
^FX No more Printer Commands!
const text = new Text();
label.content.push(text);
text.text = 'Hello World!';
text.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
text.verticalAlignment = new Alignment(AlignmentValue.Center);
text.horizontalAlignment = new Alignment(AlignmentValue.Center);
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FO10,205^AD,N,,
//^FB780,1,0,C,0
//^FDHello World!^FS
//^XZ
WARNING: This is not a complete implementation of the ZPL II standard. For all elements not implemented or elements with implementations that do not fit your needs, please make use of the Raw component. If you believe there is a problem with a specific component, feel free to create an issue describing the problem.
In a browser:
<script src="dist/jszpl.bundle.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
const label = new Label();
label.printDensity = new PrintDensity(PrintDensityName['8dpmm']);
label.width = 100;
label.height = 50;
label.padding = new Spacing(10);
const text = new Text();
label.content.push(text);
text.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
text.text = 'Hello World!';
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FO10,10^AD,N,,
//^FB780,1,0,L,0
//^FDHello World!^FS
//^XZ
</script>
Using npm:
$ npm i jszpl
In Node.js:
const { Label, PrintDensity, PrintDensityName, Spacing, Text, FontFamily, FontFamilyName } = require('jszpl');
const label = new Label();
label.printDensity = new PrintDensity(PrintDensityName['8dpmm']);
label.width = 100;
label.height = 50;
label.padding = new Spacing(10);
const text = new Text();
label.content.push(text);
text.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
text.text = 'Hello World!';
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FO10,10^AD,N,,
//^FB780,1,0,L,0
//^FDHello World!^FS
//^XZ
Most of the properties are defined in their own object types, which provides the ability to view the property constructor name, instead of just String, Number, or Object.
Size is used by width, height, column definition, and row definition properties. Size takes a number and SizeType as constructor parameters.
SizeType has the following definition:
const SizeType = {
Absolute : 0, // exact size
Fraction : 1, // size as fraction of parent
Relative : 2, // size together with siblings as part of parent
}
Usage examples:
grid.width = new SizeType(250, SizeType.Absolute);
grid.columns.push(new SizeType(1, SizeType.Relative));
Alternatively, if only a number is applied to the width or height properties, or a single value supplied to the constructor, the value is interpreted as being an absolute value.
The lines in the example below have the same effect:
grid.width = 250;
grid.width = new Size(250);
grid.width = new Size(250, SizeType.Absolute);
Using SizeType.Fraction requires input number to be smaller than 1.
PrintDensity is only used by the Label element. It denotes the dot density of the output label. The Label element is also the only element whose width and height properties are measured in millimeters rather than dots.
PrintDensityName has the following definition:
const PrintDensityName = {
'6dpmm' : 6,
'8dpmm' : 8,
'12dpmm' : 12,
'24dpmm' : 24,
}
Usage example:
const label = new Label();
label.printDensity = new PrintDensity(PrintDensityName['8dpmm']);
FontFamily is only used by the Text element. It denotes the font matrix to use for the element text. Only fonts A-F are implemented.
FontFamilyName has the following definition:
const FontFamilyName = {
A : 'A',
B : 'B',
D : 'D',
E : 'E',
F : 'F',
//G : 'G',
//H : 'H',
//P : 'P',
//Q : 'Q',
//U : 'U',
//V : 'V',
}
Font names G to V are not implemented. Usage will result in an error.
Usage example:
const text = new Text();
text.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
Alignment is only used by the the Text element. It is applied to the horizontalAlignment and verticalAlignment properties to align the text within its parent container.
AlignmentValue has the following definition:
const AlignmentValue = {
Start: 'Start',
Center: 'Center',
End: 'End',
}
Usage example:
const text = new Text();
text.verticalAlignment = new Alignment(AlignmentValue.Center);
text.horizontalAlignment = new Alignment(AlignmentValue.Center);
Spacing is used by margin and padding properites. It contains sub-properties for left, top, right, and bottom numeric values.
Spacing constructor supports 0, 1, 2, and 4 parameters.
Usage examples:
// 0 parameters
// default values of 0 for all sides
label.padding = new Spacing();
// 1 parameter
// 10 for all sides
label.padding = new Spacing(10);
// 2 parameters
// 10 for left and right, 20 for top and bottom
label.padding = new Spacing(10, 20);
// 4 parameters
// 10 left, 20 top, 30 right, 40 bottom
label.padding = new Spacing(10, 20, 30, 40);
GridPosition is used by all elements except for the Label. GridPosition has a column and row property which places the component in a specific column and row if its direct parent element is a Grid.
Usage example:
const grid = new Grid();
label.content.push(grid);
grid.columns.push(new Size(1, SizeType.Relative));
grid.columns.push(new Size(1, SizeType.Relative));
grid.rows.push(new Size(1, SizeType.Relative));
grid.rows.push(new Size(1, SizeType.Relative));
grid.columnSpacing = 2;
grid.rowSpacing = 2;
grid.border = 2;
grid.padding = new Spacing(10);
const text00 = new Text();
grid.content.push(text00);
text00.text = '(0, 0)';
text00.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
const text10 = new Text();
grid.content.push(text10);
text10.text = '(1, 0)';
text10.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
text10.grid.column = 1;
const text01 = new Text();
grid.content.push(text01);
text01.text = '(0, 1)';
text01.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
text01.grid.row = 1;
const text11 = new Text();
grid.content.push(text11);
text11.text = '(1, 1)';
text11.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
text11.grid.column = 1;
text11.grid.row = 1;
BarcodeType is only used by the Barcode element. It denotes the barcode type to use.
BarcodeTypeName has the following definition:
const BarcodeTypeName = {
Code11: 'Code11',
Interleaved25: 'Interleaved25',
Code39: 'Code39',
PlanetCode: 'PlanetCode',
PDF417: 'PDF417',
EAN8: 'EAN8',
UPCE: 'UPCE',
Code93: 'Code93',
Code128: 'Code128',
EAN13: 'EAN13',
Industrial25: 'Industrial25',
Standard25: 'Standard25',
ANSICodabar: 'ANSICodabar',
Logmars: 'Logmars',
MSI: 'MSI',
Plessey: 'Plessey',
QRCode: 'QRCode',
DataMatrix: 'DataMatrix',
PostNet: 'PostNet'
}
Usage example:
const barcode = new Barcode();
barcode.type = new BarcodeType(BarcodeTypeName.Code11);
Content is an array property on elements which can contain children. Child elements are positioned relative to their parent, if the parent element is moved, all child elements will also be moved.
Container elements:
Usage example:
const label = new Label();
const text = new Text();
label.content.push(text);
GraphicData is used by Graphic to display image data. GraphicData.data contains the original image binary data. GraphicData.width and GraphicData.height contains the original image width and height.
GraphicData has the following definition:
class GraphicData {
constructor(width, height, data) {
this.data = data || [];
this.width = width || 0;
this.height = height || 0;
}
}
An image processor must be defined for each platform. The purpose of an image processor is to convert an image into a black and white array representation (consisting of 1s and 0s). Below is an example of a processor for a web browser:
const graphic = new Graphic();
const image = new Image();
image.onload = function() {
const canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
canvas.width = image.width;
canvas.height = image.height;
const context = canvas.getContext('2d');
context.drawImage(image, 0, 0);
const imageData = context.getImageData(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
let index = 0;
const imageBits = [];
for (let y = 0; y < imageData.height; y++) {
for (let x = 0; x < imageData.width; x++) {
const red = imageData.data[index++];
const green = imageData.data[index++];
const blue = imageData.data[index++];
const opacity = imageData.data[index++];
let value = 0;
if (opacity != 0) {
value = (((red + green + blue) / 3) < 180) ? 1 : 0;
}
imageBits.push(value);
}
}
graphic.data = new GraphicData(image.width, image.height, imageBits));
};
image.src = data;
For a usage example within NodeJS, please refer to the unit test labeled 'add image to a label' within the graphic component unit tests (graphics.test.js).
Label is the base container element within which other elements can be placed.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| printDensity | PrintDensity | Dot density of the label (6 dpmm, 8 dpmm, 12 dpmm, 24 dpmm) |
| width | Number | Sets the width of the label based on printDensity.value |
| height | Number | Sets the height of the label based on printDensity.value |
| padding | Spacing | Sets the padding of the label element, makes child elements consume less space |
| content | Array | Child elements |
Usage example:
The example creates a 100mm x 50mm label with a print density of 8 dpmm. The label has a padding of 10 dots and contains a text field.
const label = new Label();
label.printDensity = new PrintDensity(PrintDensityName['8dpmm']);
label.width = 100;
label.height = 50;
label.padding = new Spacing(10);
const text = new Text();
label.content.push(text);
text.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
text.text = 'Hello World!';
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FO10,10^AD,N,,
//^FB780,1,0,L,0
//^FDHello World!^FS
//^XZ
Text displays characters on the label.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fontFamily | FontFamily | Font family matrix to use |
| verticalAlignment | Alignment | Vertical alignment, default AlignmentValue.Start |
| horizontalAlignment | Alignment | Horizontal alignment, default AlignmentValue.Start |
| fixed | Boolean | If set, positions the element with relation to the label rather than parent |
| invert | Boolean | Invert color values |
| grid | GridPosition | Configure element placement within grid |
| margin | Spacing | Configure space around element |
| width | Size / Number | Sets the width of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| height | Size / Number | Sets the height of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| left | Size / Number | Sets the left offset of the element |
| top | Size / Number | Sets the top offset of the element |
| lineSpacing | Number | Sets the vertical space between lines |
| text | String | Sets the text of the element |
| characterWidth | Number | Overrides the default character width, uses font family default if omitted |
| characterHeight | Number | Overrides the default character height, uses font family default if omitted |
Usage example:
const text = new Text();
label.content.push(text);
text.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
text.text = 'Hello World!';
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FB780,1,0,L,0
//^FDHello World!^FS
//^XZ
Displays a rectangular shape.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fill | Boolean | Fill the shape content with a solid color |
| cornerRadius | Number | Shape corner radius |
| fixed | Boolean | If set, positions the element with relation to the label rather than parent |
| invert | Boolean | Invert color values |
| grid | GridPosition | Configure element placement within grid |
| margin | Spacing | Configure space around element |
| padding | Spacing | Configure space inside element |
| width | Size / Number | Sets the width of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| height | Size / Number | Sets the height of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| left | Size / Number | Sets the left offset of the element |
| top | Size / Number | Sets the top offset of the element |
| border | Number | Sets the border thickness of the element, ignored if fill is set |
| content | Array | Child elements |
Usage example:
const box = new Box();
label.content.push(box);
box.fill = true;
box.width = 150;
box.height = 150;
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FO0,0^GB150,150,150,,0^FS
//^XZ
Displays a line.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fixed | Boolean | If set, positions the element with relation to the label rather than parent |
| invert | Boolean | Invert color values |
| grid | GridPosition | Configure element placement within grid |
| margin | Spacing | Configure space around element |
| left | Size / Number | Sets the left offset of the element |
| top | Size / Number | Sets the top offset of the element |
| x1 | Number | X coordinate of first point in line |
| y1 | Number | Y coordinate of first point in line |
| x2 | Number | X coordinate of second point in line |
| y2 | Number | Y coordinate of second point in line |
| thickness | Number | Thickness of the line to draw |
Usage example:
const line1 = new Line();
label.content.push(line1);
line1.x1 = 50;
line1.y1 = 50;
line1.x2 = 150;
line1.y2 = 150;
line1.thickness = 5;
const line2 = new Line();
label.content.push(line2);
line2.x1 = 50;
line2.y1 = 150;
line2.x2 = 150;
line2.y2 = 50;
line2.thickness = 5;
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FO50,50^GD100,100,5,B,L^FS
//^FO50,50^GD100,100,5,B,R^FS
//^XZ
Displays a circular shape.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fill | Boolean | Fill the shape content with a solid color |
| fixed | Boolean | If set, positions the element with relation to the label rather than parent |
| invert | Boolean | Invert color values |
| grid | GridPosition | Configure element placement within grid |
| margin | Spacing | Configure space around element |
| padding | Spacing | Configure space inside element |
| width | Size / Number | Sets the width of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| height | Size / Number | Sets the height of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| left | Size / Number | Sets the left offset of the element |
| top | Size / Number | Sets the top offset of the element |
| border | Number | Sets the border thickness of the element, ignored if fill is set |
| content | Array | Child elements |
Using a different width and height values, will result in an ellipse.
Usage example:
const circle = new Circle();
label.content.push(circle);
circle.fill = true;
circle.width = 150;
circle.height = 150;
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FO10,10^GC150,150,B^FS
//^XZ
Displays a grid.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fixed | Boolean | If set, positions the element with relation to the label rather than parent |
| invert | Boolean | Invert color values |
| grid | GridPosition | Configure element placement within grid |
| margin | Spacing | Configure space around element |
| padding | Spacing | Configure space inside element cells |
| columnSpacing | Number | Horizontal space between cells |
| rowSpacing | Number | Vertical space between cells |
| width | Size / Number | Sets the width of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| height | Size / Number | Sets the height of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| left | Size / Number | Sets the left offset of the element |
| top | Size / Number | Sets the top offset of the element |
| border | Number | Sets the border thickness of the element cells |
| columns | Array<Size> | Element column definitions |
| rows | Array<Size> | Element row definitions |
| content | Array | Child elements |
Usage example:
const grid = new Grid();
label.content.push(grid);
grid.columns.push(new Size(150, SizeType.Absolute));
grid.columns.push(new Size(1, SizeType.Relative));
grid.rows.push(new Size(150, SizeType.Absolute));
grid.rows.push(new Size(1, SizeType.Relative));
grid.border = 2;
grid.columnSpacing = 2;
grid.rowSpacing = 2;
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
//^XA
//^FO10,10^GB780,380,2,,0^FS
//^FO14,14^GB152,152,2,,0^FS
//^FO168,14^GB618,152,2,,0^FS
//^FO14,168^GB152,218,2,,0^FS
//^FO168,168^GB618,218,2,,0^FS
//^XZ
Displays a barcode.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fixed | Boolean | If set, positions the element with relation to the label rather than parent |
| grid | GridPosition | Configure element placement within grid |
| margin | Spacing | Configure space around element |
| width | Size / Number | Sets the width of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| height | Size / Number | Sets the height of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| left | Size / Number | Sets the left offset of the element |
| top | Size / Number | Sets the top offset of the element |
| type | BarcodeType | Sets the barcode type to use |
| data | String | Text to encode into barcode |
| maxLength | Number | Additional parameter to use for sizing of 2D barcodes. Populate with expected maximum data length. |
| subset | String | Additional parameter to indicate barcode subset information. Populate with 'A', 'B', or 'C' for Code128 barcodes. |
| interpretationLine | Boolean | Indicates whether the output barcode should include an interpretation line, defaults to 'true' |
Displays an image on the label.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fixed | Boolean | If set, positions the element with relation to the label rather than parent |
| invert | Boolean | Invert color values |
| grid | GridPosition | Configure element placement within grid |
| margin | Spacing | Configure space around element |
| width | Size / Number | Sets the width of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| height | Size / Number | Sets the height of the element, uses parent size if omitted |
| left | Size / Number | Sets the left offset of the element |
| top | Size / Number | Sets the top offset of the element |
| border | Number | Sets the border thickness around the image |
| data | GraphicData | Image data |
Example of image:
Serial Number displays incremental numbers on the label.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fontFamily | FontFamily | Font family matrix to use |
| horizontalAlignment | Alignment | Horizontal alignment, default AlignmentValue.Start |
| grid | GridPosition | Configure element placement within grid |
| prependText | String | Sets the text that displays before the number |
| startValue | String | Include any leading zeroes, default "1" |
| increment | Number | The number to increment for each label, use negative to decrease, default 1 |
| leadingZeroes | Boolean | If leading zeroes should be used, default false |
| characterWidth | Number | Overrides the default character width, uses font family default if omitted |
| characterHeight | Number | Overrides the default character height, uses font family default if omitted |
Usage example:
const serialNum = new SerialNumber();
label.content.push(serialNum);
serialNum.fontFamily = new FontFamily(FontFamilyName.D);
serialNum.prependText = 'Label ';
const zpl = label.generateZPL();
// ^XA
// ^FO10,10^AD,,,
// ^FB780,1,0,L,0
// ^SNLabel 1,1,N^FS
// ^XZ
Adds raw ZPL data to the output. Note that Raw inherits from BaseComponent, and thus has no layout options available.
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| data | String | Raw ZPL data to add to the label |
Usage example:
const raw = new Raw();
label.content.push(raw);
raw.data = `
^FO50,50^GB100,100,100^FS
^FO75,75^FR^GB100,100,100^FS
^FO93,93^GB40,40,40^FS
`;
const zpl = label.generateZpl();
//^XA
//^FO50,50^GB100,100,100^FS
//^FO75,75^FR^GB100,100,100^FS
//^FO93,93^GB40,40,40^FS
//^XZ
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Invert | Not implemented correctly by all controls |
| Grid Columnspan | Pending implementation |
| Grid Rowspan | Pending implementation |
| Rotation | Pending implementation |
| Fonts | Fonts A-F are implemented, G-V not implemented |
| Multi-line text alignment | Text alignment is not implemented to align text that spans multiple lines |
| Grid border property | The graphical designer does not display the border property for grid components |
| Text size override | The graphical designer does not support text size overriding. Text layout does not take size override into account when positioning the text. |
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Stack | Stack elements based on set size or minimum size. Direction horizontal or vertical. |
FAQs
ZPL II generation from JavaScript
The npm package jszpl receives a total of 1,801 weekly downloads. As such, jszpl popularity was classified as popular.
We found that jszpl demonstrated a not healthy version release cadence and project activity because the last version was released a year ago. It has 1 open source maintainer collaborating on the project.
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