GEK-99044
Chapter 3 Operating the Printer
3-5
Explanation of the Top Print Ref
The
Top Print Ref
feature is used mainly with preprinted forms.
Certain application programs immediately start printing data on the
first form with no consideration for where the form is positioned. In
the past, the person loading paper was responsible for positioning the
form so that the first printed line fell in the correct place on the form
(perforation 2.5 inches above the alignment pointers in the upper
tractors for the green forms, 1 inch above the alignment pointers for
paychecks, etc.).
Using the top print ref allows loading all forms and paper with the
perforation at the alignment pointers.
The host program will print the first form and then move the paper to
the same position on the next form using vertical move commands
(line feed, form feed, etc.). This will continue through the box of forms
to be printed.
The
Top Print Ref
is used to position the string of forms to the first
print line on the first form. The host is then responsible for advancing
the paper to the next form’s first print line with form feed commands.
Example
To print standard data listings, the operator selects an 11-inch form at
6 lpi, with no top or bottom margins. The date, which is the first
printed data on each page, is supposed to land 1 inch below the top
of the form (perforation). TOF has been set with the perforation at the
alignment pointers.
When the application program starts, the date is printed on the first
line of the form, not 1 inch from the perforation. The program prints
the first page and advances the forms to the second page. The second
page is also printed with the date at the perforation.
This cannot be compensated for with a top margin, since a margin
affects every form by subtracting from the printable area. A top
