Question: How can I squeeze the data stream by 50 percent in Y direction and print on each page a copy on the second half of the A4 page

The pure ELP_COMMAND looks like that:

ELP_Command=R1;C1A26D0I1S0M0PS100F28309,1,4200;

R#; command is used to print copies of each page 111 222 333 etc for R3; The disadvantage of that command is, that between each copy ELP does insert a form feed, which should not be the configuration case.

Now to get the page twice on the this trick can be used:
The ELP R#; does wrap the data stream of a page into a printer form with the number 28309. So using R1; does only generate one copy of each page, but wrapped in that form number, which is still available to be reused.

 

R1; Ensures that each page is printed using the form number 28309
C1 Assures that the coming setting is used for each page as well
A26
D0
I1
S0
M0
Each page is defined like this: A4
Portrait
Printed on plain paper
Simplex
output paper tray is default upper tray
Those commands are predefined, to avoid, that the printer performs a form feed by itself. Which is the case as one of the commands are received within the data stream. If the copy 1 (original) and 2 are still printed on different pages you may have this problem.
PS100 The scaled data stream by 50% might be printed outside of the printable area. So this Command does move the stream a little down. You may change that move page coordinates number as needed. 720 deci dot units are one inch or 2.54 cm. Notes:
  • If the command would end here, the regular stream will be printed squeezed on every page. Then just the PCL_Y_Scaling=50 command would have been enough!
  • You need in any case the PS command  with minimum PS1 (not zero) to reset the next command page coordinates
  • You also can use negative values to move the print up.
F28309,1,4200 The command recalls after the page was printed the using the R1; "reprint" process the page data stream. Remember it was automatically stored by ELP in the form 28309!
But this second time with a moved coordinative system to 1 decidot in X direction to the right and 4200 deci dots in Y printing direction down the page.

Here the complete configuration:

[Global]

; Squeeze page by 50%

PCL_Y_Scaling=50

; And advice ELP to print 2 copies on one page

ELP_Command=R1;C1A26D0I1S0M0PS100F28309,1,4200;

 

Related articles: Printing 2 A4/A4 pages on one A3/A4 page