I write software for Windows and need to know what code to send to a Dell Laser Color printer (Model 3100cn) to have it select the multipurpose tray instead of the main tray so it will print envelops from that tray.

Anyone know the code to accomplish this?

Well it really depends on what printer language you are using. As in PCL5e, PCLXL, PJL, ASCII.

Give me a hint please. :)

Bob,

I'm still waiting the language you are using for the printer code. As soon as you get me that, I can get the answer for you.

The printer language I use is ASCII.

Bob,

ASCII, is just code pages with code points that identify the character face. It is not a printer control or escape sequence to make the printer do something.

For example to move the printer's cursor over 300 pixels and down 300 pixels would be: 0x1B*p+300x+300Y. That's what a PCL 5e command will look like.

I'll take a quick look at the Dell site and see if I can get a look at the Technical Reference for this printer.

Bob,

I did some quick scratching around and I found that the 3100cn supports the following language emulations: HP PCL5e, HP PCL XL (or PCL 6) and Postscript 3.

By far the easiest of the languages is PCL 5e.

You need to send two command sequences. One to select the input source and one to set the paper size as follows:

<esc>&l6h81A Since you are using pure ASCII you must send the escape command as ASCII code point /027.

Please note that I have linked the two commands into one string if you were to send separate strings it would be <esc>&l6H and <Esc>&l81A to select the commercial envelope # 10.

Bob,

I was just wondering if that escape sequence worked for you?

As HP added paper handling features to their higher end printers, they expanded their command operands. If the #6 failed, I could pull one of my newer Lexmark manuals and give you some other options.