The Beta version of Label Writer 5xx Driver only package is ready.
This release adds support for the Label Writer 5xx series printers, The beta version of Driver can be download from here
Please check the DYMO Technical Reference document for how driver is working.
About the LabelWriter 550 Series Printers
The LabelWriter 550 series printers (LabelWriter 550, 550 Turbo, 5XL) are high-performance, low-cost printers used for printing mailing labels, postage, file folder labels, bar code labels, and more. The LabelWriter 550 and LabelWriter 550 Turbo printers have a 57 mm wide print head. The LabelWriter 5XL has a 101 mm wide print head. All printers have 300-dpi print head.
The 57 mm wide thermal print head uses 672 individually addressable dots to form individual raster lines of data at 300 dots per inch across the print head—the 101 mm wide print head uses 1248 dots. Both use 300 dots per inch in the travel direction as directed by the print control data. Because they use specially treated, heat-activated paper, the printers require no ink, toner, or other refills.
All 550 series printer models connect to a host computer through a standard full-speed USB 2.0-compatible interface. There are no built-in fonts. The host computer is responsible for sending commands and data to the printer to form each individual raster line of data. This is generally performed by printer drivers in the host computer that convert the image of the label into the proper command and data stream required by the printers.
LabelWriter 550 Turbo and 5XL printers can connect to a host through a 10M/100M Ethernet LAN connection.
Print Data
Print data is encoded in strings of 8-bit bytes.
The default value for LabelWriter 550 and LabelWriter 550 Turbo printers is 84 bytes per line (84 * 8 = 672, the number of dots in the print head)—for LabelWriter 5XL, 156 bytes (156*8=1248, the number of dots in the print head). The host‑computer can send fewer bytes than the maximum within the <esc> D command. The control electronics do not check the validity of the new value. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the host‑software to send only those values which are valid for the width of the print head.
The Bytes-Per-Line variable is held by the control electronics until they are changed by a new command sequence, is reset to default values by a power-on reset, a software reset command, or after the end of a print job.
Print Job Structure
The print job structure consists of the following parts:
- Print Job Header
- Label Structure
- Label Header
- Label Data
- Label Trailer
- Print Job Trailer
Print Job Header
The Print Job Header is the beginning of a print job structure. It is mandatory to have <ESC s> to let the printer know the start of the print job.
The table below shows the mandatory command for the header section along with optional commands that can be placed in this section.
| Mandatory Commands | |
| Start of Print Job | <ESC s> |
| Optional Commands | |
| Set Maximum Label Length | <ESC L> |
| Select Text Output Mode or Select Graphics Output Mode | <ESC h> or <ESC i> |
| Select Energy Setting | <ESC C> |
| Set Output Tray * (will be supported by LW550 Twin Turbo) | <ESC q> |
| Select Content Type | <ESC T> |
Label Structure
The Label structure has the following 3 parts:
- Label Header
- Label Data
- Label Trailer
The structure must be present for each label that is to be printed in a single print job.
Label Header
The Label Header is the beginning of the label structure. It is mandatory to have <ESC n> to indicate the label index and <ESC D> to indicate the start of the label print data. See the “Printer Commands” later in this document for more details.
The table below shows the mandatory command for the header section along with optional commands that can be placed in this section.
| Mandatory Commands | |
| Set Label Index | <ESC n> |
| Start of Label Print Data & Label Print Data | <ESC D> |
Label Data
The Label Data is the data that will be printed out onto the labels. It is an array of binary data bytes. It’s size equals width*height. ‘0’ means a dot is not printed; ‘1’ means a dot is printed. The most significant bit of the first print data byte represents the lower pixel of the first line. See the <ESC D> command in the “Printer Commands” section later in this document for more details.
Bytes per line= roundup( (height * Bytes Per Pixel) / 8)
Label Trailer
The Label Trailer is end of the label structure. It moves the label to either the print head of the next label or to the tear position. It is mandatory that <ESC G> (Feed to Print Head) or <ESC E> (Feed to Tear Position) be used in this section.
| Mandatory Commands | |
| Feed to Print Head | <ESC G> |
| Feed to Tear Position | <ESC E> |
Print Job Trailer
The print Job Trailer is the final part of the print job structure. It is mandatory to use the <ESC Q> command to end the print job.
Data Synchronization
After the printer receives a Lock Request from the host, the printer will respond. (See Print Status Response section for details.) The host (Host‑A) will be granted a lock only if the printer is not printing. Once the lock is granted, the Host‑A will begin to send the print data for the current print job with the <ESC s> command. (See “Print Job Structure” section above for additional details). If another host (Host‑B) requests the printer’s status, the printer will respond that it is printing. No other host can interrupt the print job of Host-A.
The data goes into a buffer and the printer sorts through the various commands applying the print job settings.
The data between the height value in the <ESC D> command and before <ESC G> or <ESC E> is the data that will be printed, also referred to as print data.
Label Positioning
A motor-driven platen, which acts as a pinch roller, controls label movement within the printer. The control electronics track label travelling positions. An infrared LED photocell detects the top-of-form sense hole that is located between labels. The absolute positions of the label and the tear bar are calculated based up the reading of an infrared LED photocell sensor.
Top-of-Form Sync
At power up, label position is always assumed to be correct. If an Out of Paper condition is detected at power up, user requires to press form feed button and the stepper motor will advance until label load to Top-of-Form tear bar position.
Label Length
The label length is determined by the SKU data found on the NFC Tag.
If the roll has continuous form paper the Form Feed command (<esc> E) is changed to feed enough dot lines to allow for the last line of print data to extend past the printer tear-bar.
The host can use <esc> L to Set Length to Continuous Stock. See more details in the “Printer Commands” section later in this document. Only authentic Dymo labels with a valid NFC Tag can be used for printing.
Label-Movement Commands
There are two label-movement commands implemented in the LabelWriter 550 Series: Form Feed, Short Form Feed. These commands operate as follows.
Form Feed Command (<esc> E)
This command advances the most recently printed label to a position where it can be torn off. This positioning places the next label beyond the starting print position. Therefore, a reverse-feed will be automatically invoked when printing the next label. Use Feed to Print Head (Short Form Feed) to optimize print speed and to eliminate the reverse feeding when printing multiple labels.
Short Form Feed Command (<esc> G)
This command feeds the next label into print position (die-cut labels). The most recently printed label might still be partially inside the printer and cannot be torn off or cut. This command is meant to be used between labels on a multiple label print job.
Use this command when printing multiple labels. The normal Form Feed command also works for this purpose. However, using the Short Form Feed command optimizes the printer and minimizes print time by eliminating the need to reverse feed after advancing the top-of-form mark to the tear bar, as the normal Form Feed command does. The Short Form Feed command advances the printed label just far enough to place the next label in position for printing. Because of the mechanics of the printer, the preceding label will still be partially within the label exit slot. For a label to be in tear-off position, you must use the normal Form Feed command (<esc> E).
Print Status Response
The LabelWriter 550 series responds to status request with 32 bytes dedicated to reporting its current state.
The host requests the status from the printer by issuing an <ESC A> command (See the “Printer Command” section later in the document for more details).
Self-Test Capability
The printers include a self-test capability in the form of canned print patterns. To activate the self-test, press the form-feed button and power button together and hold it down for approximately 10 seconds. The self-test will start printing a repeating series of test patterns. To stop the self-test, press the form-feed button a second time.
Print Mode
The LabelWriter 550 series features the following print modes:
- Text
- Barcode and Graphics
The LabelWriter 550 and LabelWriter 550 Turbo has the additional print mode:
- High Speed ***NOTE: Not all label rolls have the high-speed feature***
| Printer Model | Print Mode | ||
| Text | Barcode and Graphics | High Speed | |
| DYMO LabelWriter 550 | ü | ü | ü |
| DYMO LabelWriter 550 Turbo | ü | ü | ü |
| DYMO LabelWriter 5XL | ü | ü | N/A |
For better accuracy of dot placement and sizing, the LabelWriter 550 series printers incorporate a feature which allows the host computer to specify a 300 x 300 dpi Barcode and Graphics print mode. In Barcode and Graphics mode, the print quality is improved by a reduction in print speed which provides smooth and even printing, resulting in greater regularity of dot darkness and size. This mode may improve print quality of smaller barcodes and some graphic images. This creates more precise dots for better image quality.
Low Power Mode
The LabelWriter 550 series includes an automatic power saving feature. After 30 seconds of inactivity the printer will shut down its unused internal peripherals and dim its LEDs. Pressing the power button while the printer is in this state will cause it to resume normal operation rather than feeding a label. If print data is sent to the printer while it is in Low Power mode it will automatically resume full operation.
Power Requirements
The LabelWriter 550 series printers are normally supplied with an external, universal (100 – 240 VAC) AC power adapter. For OEM applications, a DC voltage can also be supplied to the main printed circuit board (PCB) of the printer using the JP2 connector.
Note: The printers have been tested and certified for EMC and safety requirements using the supplied AC adapter. Supplying a non-DYMO power source may change the EMC and safety certifications.
Input power is variable based on the amount of information printed and the duty cycle of the label printing.
The printer driver (print commands from the host computer) controls some printing parameters and will change maximum power usage.
AC Adapter
| LabelWriter 550 | |
| Model | DSA-42PFC-24 2 240175 (42.0W) |
| Input voltage | 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1.2 Amps |
| Output voltage | 24 VDC, 1.75Amps |
| LabelWriter 550 Turbo | |
| DYMO part number | DYS865-240250W (60.0W) |
| Input voltage | 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1.5 Amps |
| Output voltage | 24 VDC, 2.5Amps |
| LabelWriter 5XL | |
| DYMO part number | DSA-96PFB-24 2 240375 (90.0W) |
| Input voltage | 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1.5 Amps |
| Output voltage | 24 VDC, 3.75Amps |
Connectors
JP2:
DC jack, 5.5 mm O.D. x 2.5 mm I.D. Center Positive
USB Printer Interface
The LabelWriter 550 series printers all communicate with the host computer using a full-speed USB 2.0 interface. This interface also operates with USB Version 1.1 or later. The printers implement the standard USB Printer Class Device interface for communications (see http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass/).
While it is not the purpose of this section to define how to write a USB driver for a printer device, this section provides some product specific information that is required for any USB device.
Each USB device provides plug-and-play information when it is connected to a host computer. This information includes a manufacturer specific, or Vendor, ID (VID) and a product specific ID (PID). These identifiers, when combined with the class type provided during USB enumeration, are sufficient to identify the driver to load.
USB Vendor ID
The USB Vendor ID (VID) assigned to DYMO by the USB Implementers Forum is 0x0922h (2338 Decimal).
USB Product IDs
Each printer has a unique Product ID, as shown in the table below.
| Printer Model | Product ID (Hex) |
| DYMO LabelWriter 550 | 0x0028 |
| DYMO LabelWriter 550 Turbo | 0x0029 |
| DYMO LabelWriter 5XL | 0x002A |
LAN Printer Interface
The LabelWriter 550 Turbo and LabelWriter 5XL printers are also able to communicate with the host computer using 10M/100M Ethernet LAN connection.
The printer will auto-connect upon ethernet cable plugin into the RJ45 connector.
IP Address
IPv4 protocol is supported.
By default, IP address of the LabelWriter 550 Turbo and LabelWriter 5XL printers will be obtained by DHCP. Communication will be enabled upon successful assignment of IP address.
mDNS
The mDNS protocol is used to discover printer on the network and conforms with mDNS protocol (RFC 6762/6763) specifications. The port used for this service is 5353.
Below are the mDNS strings used for printers with a LAN interface:
| Printer | Supported Profiles & protocols |
| DYMO LabelWriter 550 Turbo | DYMO LabelWriter 550 Turbo on DYMOLW550T<6 digit MAC Address>E |
| DYMO LabelWriter 5XL | DYMO LabelWriter 5XL on DYMOLW5XL<6 digit MAC Address>E |
Printer Commands
All LabelWriter 550 series printers implement the same basic commands.
Commands Sent to the Printer
The commands implemented by the LabelWriter printer are as follows. Note that each command is listed with its mnemonic (<ESC> s as well as its hexadecimal representation (1B 73). Parameter values are specified as “n” for single byte values or “n1 n2” for two-byte values.
ESC s Start of Print Job
1B 73
Indicates a new print job. A unique job ID is passed along with this command.
Format:
| BYTE | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| ‘ESC’ | ‘s’ | Job ID |
ESC L Set Maximum Label Length
1B 4C
Sets the print engine mode between normal label stock and continuous label stock. Normal label stock is the default mode for the print engine.
ESC h Select Text Output Mode
1B 68
Tells the print engine that the label shall be printed with the print settings which are ideal for text. Text mode is the default printer setting.
ESC i Select Graphics Output Mode
1B 69
Tells the print engine that the label shall be printed with the print settings which are ideal for graphics and barcodes. The print speed might be reduced in this mode.
ESC T Content Type
| BYTE | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| ‘ESC’ | ‘T’ | Speed Mode |
1B 74
Sets the speed of the printer. Default is Normal Speed (0x10).
| Byte Value | Meaning |
| 0x10 | Normal Speed |
| 0x20 | High Speed |
ESC n Set Label Index
1B 6E
Sets the label index. The same label index is returned int eh print status providing the host the possibility to track which label is being printed.
Default value is 0.
| BYTE | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| ‘ESC’ | ‘n’ | Label Index |
ESC D Start of Label Print Data & Label Print Data
1B 44
Indicates the start of the label print data and notifies the print engine about the label’s height and width. The height is defined in dots while the width specifies the number of lines. The width does not include the leader and trailer.
Format:
| BYTE | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | … | n |
| ‘ESC’ | ‘D’ | BPP | Align | Width | Height | Print Data |
| Byte | Name | Description |
| 2 | BPP | Default value is 1. |
| 3 | Alignment | Print Alignment 2: Bottom |
| Byte 4 to Byte 7 | Width | Number of lines Range: 0 to 232 |
| Byte 8 to Byte 11 | Height | Number of dots Range: 0 to 232 |
| Byte 12 to Byte n | Print Data | The data that will be printed onto the label(s) |
ESC G Feed to Print Head (Short Form Feed)
1B 47
Feeds the next label into print position. The most recently printed label might still be partially inside the printer and cannot be torn off. This command is meant to be used between labels on a multiple label print job.
ESC E Feed to Tear Position (Long Form Feed)
1B 45
Advances the most recently printed label to a position where it can be torn off by the automatic cutter. This positioning places the next label beyond the starting print position. Reverse-feed will be automatically invoked when printing the next label.
ESC Q End of Print Job
1B 51
Indicates the end of a print job. Upon reception of this command the print engine will release the connection and start accepting other print jobs.
ESC A Request Print Engine Status
1B 41
Requests the current printer status, such as errors and label size of inserted label printers. It takes a lock byte as parameter. When this lock byte contains a value other than zero, the print engine will attempt to reserve the interface for printing for the maximum duration of 10 seconds or until useful commands are received (any print jobs from other sources are rejected during this period). If useful data activity lapses for 10 seconds or more at any point during the connection, the connection shall be closed by the print server. Printer driver uses ESC A 0, 1 and 2 to query printer’s status.
Print Status Response:
| Byte | Bits | Name | Description |
| Byte 0 | b7…b0 | Print status | The actual print engine status. Type: predefined values Default value: 0 Range: 0 = idle: 1 = printing 2 = error 3 = cancel 4 = busy 5 = Unlock 0-3: Once lock is granted to active host, status replies by active host 4: after printer wakes up from standby 5: Status reply before lock is granted to active host |
| Byte 4… Byte 1 | b31…b0 | Print job ID | The Job ID of the ongoing print process. Type: u32 Default value: 0 Range: 0 = printer idle 1…232 = Job ID |
| Byte 6… Byte 5 | b15…b0 | Label index | The index of the label/page currently being printed. Type: u16 Default value: 0 Range: 0…216 = index |
| Byte 7 | b7…b0 | Reserved | Default value: 0 |
| Byte 8 | b7…b0 | Print head status | The actual thermal print head status. Type: predefined values Default value: 2 Range: 0 = ok 1 = overheated 2 = status unknown |
| Byte 9 | b7…b0 | Print density | The actual print density setting in %. Type: u8 Default value: 100 Range: 0 = disable printing 1…200 = density in % |
| Byte 10 | b7…b0 | Main bay status | The status of the main bay. Type: predefined values Default value: 0 Range: 0 = bay status unknown 1 = bay open; media presence unknown 2 = no media present 3 = media not inserted properly 4 = media present – media status unknown 5 = media present – empty 6 = media present – critically low 7 = media present – low 8 = media present – ok 9 = media present – jammed 10 = media present – counterfeit media |
| Byte 22… Byte 11 | B95…b0 | SKU Info | The SKU of the inserted consumable Type: char Default value: 0 (empty) XXXXXXXX = SKU |
| Byte 26… Byte 23 | b31…b0 | Error ID | The ID of the present error. Type: u32 Default value: 0 Range: 0 = no error present 1…232 = error codes |
| Byte 28 Byte 27 | B15…b0 | Label count | Remaining count of inserted consumable Type: u16 Default value: 0 (empty) |
| Byte 29 | b3…b0 | EPS Status | The status of the external power supply. 1 = EPS present |
| b7…b4 | Reserved | Default value: 0 | |
| Byte 30 | b3…b0 | Print Head Voltage | Print Head Voltage Type: predefined values Default value: 0 Range: 0 = unknown 1 = ok 2 = low 3 = critically low 4 = too low for printing |
| b7…b4 | Reserved | Default value: 0 | |
| Byte 31 | b7…b0 | Reserved | Default value: -1 |
ESC C Set Print Density
1B 43
Sets the strobe time of the printer to a given percentage of its standard duty cycle. A lower value results in lighter printouts while a higher value leads to darker printouts. Default value is 100. Duty range is 0-200%.
| BYTE | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| ‘ESC’ | ‘C’ | Duty |
ESC e Reset Print Density to Default
1B 65
Resets the print density to default value of 100%.
ESC U Get SKU Information
1B 55
Used to retrieve the inserted LW550 Consumable SKU information from NFC.
The following is the 63-Byte response to ESC U:
| Byte | Bits | Name | Description |
| Byte 1… Byte 0 | b15…b0 | Magic number | 0xCAB6 |
| Byte 2 | b7…b0 | Version | Current version is ‘0’ |
| Byte 3 | b7…b0 | Length | |
| Byte 7… Byte 4 | b15…b0 | CRC | |
| Byte 19… Byte 8 | b95…b0 | SKU # | The SKU # of inserted Type: char Default value: 0 Range: 1…12 = SKU # |
| Byte 20 | b7…b0 | Brand ID | Type: predefined values Default value: 0x00 0x00 = DYMO 0x01-0xFF = Undefined |
| Byte 21 | b7…b0 | Region | Type: predefined values Default value: 0xFF 0xFF = Global 0x00-0xFE = Undefined |
| Byte 22 | b7…b0 | Material Type | The type of label material Type: predefined values Range: 0x00 = Card 0x01 = Clear 0x02 = Durable 0x03 = Paper 0x04 = Permanent 0x05 = Plastic 0x06 = Removable 0x07 = Time exp. 0x08 – 0xFF = Undefined |
| Byte 23 | b7…b0 | Label Type | Label Type Type: predefined values Range: 0x00 = Continuous 0x01 = Die 0x02 = Card 0x03 – 0xFF = Undefined |
| Byte 24 | b7…b0 | Label Color | Label Color Type: predefined values Range: 0x00 = Clear 0x01 = White 0x02 = Pink 0x03 = Yellow 0x04 = Green 0x05 = Blue 0x06 – 0xFF = Undefined |
| Byte 25 | b7…b0 | Content Color | Content Color Type: predefined values Range: 0x00 = Black 0x01 = Red/Black 0x02 – 0xFF = Undefined |
| Byte 26 | b7…b0 | Marker Type | Marker Type Type: predefined values Range: 0x00 = Marker 1 front edge indicates offset to cut location and offset to start of label 0x01 = Marker 1 front edge indicates offset to cut location and Marker 1 rear edge indicates offset to start of label 0x02 = Marker 1 front edge indicates offset to start of label and Marker 1 rear edge indicates offset to cut location 0x03 = Marker 1 front edge indicates cut location and Marker 2 front edge indicates offset to start of label 0x04 – 0xFF = Undefined |
| Byte 27 | b7….b0 | Reserved | |
| Byte 29 … Byte 28 | b15…b0 | Marker Pitch | Marker Pitch Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 31 … Byte 30 | b15…b0 | Marker1 width | Marker1 width Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 33 … Byte 32 | b15…b0 | Marker1 to start of label | Marker1 to start of label Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 35 … Byte 34 | b15…b0 | Marker2 width | Marker2 width Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 37 … Byte 36 | b15…b0 | Marker2 offset | Marker2 offset Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 39 … Byte 38 | b15…b0 | Vertical offset | Vertical offset Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 41 … Byte 40 | b15…b0 | Label length | Label length Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 43 … Byte 42 | b15…b0 | Label width | Label width Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 45 … Byte 44 | b15…b0 | Printable area horizontal offset | Printable area horizontal offset Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 47 … Byte 46 | b15…b0 | Printable area vertical offset | Printable area vertical offset Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 49 … Byte 48 | b15…b0 | Liner width | Liner width Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 51 … Byte 50 | b15…b0 | Total label count | |
| Byte 53… Byte 52 | b15…b0 | Total Length | Length of roll Type: u16 1 – 2^16 = length in mm |
| Byte 55 … Byte 54 | b15…b0 | Counter Margin | Used to determine remaining labels on roll or limit usage |
| Byte 56 | b7…b0 | Counter Strategy | Type: predefined values Range: 0x00 = Counting up from 0x0000 to “amount of labels” + “counter margin” 0x01 = Counting up from 0xFFFF – “amount of labels” – “Counter margin” to 0xFFFF 0x02 – 0xFF = Undefined |
| Byte 59, Byte 57 | b23…b0 | Reserved | |
| Byte 61, Byte 60 | b15…b0 | Production date | DDYY format |
| Byte 63, Byte 62 | b15…b0 | Production time | HHMM format |
ESC V Request Print Engine Version
1B 56
Used to retrieve version information of the print engine.
Format:
| BYTE | 0 | … | 15 | 16 | … | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| HW Version | FW Version | Product ID |
HW Version:
Byte 0 to 15
This is the hardware version as a 16-character UTF-8 encoded string.
FW Version:
Byte 16 to 31
This is the firmware version as a 16-character UTF-8 encoded string.
| Byte | Meaning |
| 16 to 19 | Application FW Version: “FWAP” Boot Loader FW Version: “FWBL” |
| 20 to 23 | Major Release Version |
| 24 to 27 | Minor Release Version |
| 28 to 31 | Release Date Format: MMYY |
PID:
Byte 32 to 33
Two bytes of USB PID
ESC @ Restart Print Engine
1B 40
Reboots the print engine.
ESC * Restore Print Engine Factory Settings
1B 24
Restores all the factory settings of the printer.
ESC o Set Label Count
Sets label count.
| BYTE | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| ‘ESC’ | ‘o’ | Count |
