updated

.gitignore

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ label/
 build/
 logs/
 pdf_backup/
+conf/ghostscript/
 venv/
 .venv/
 __pycache__/

LabelPrinter.spec

@@ -1,12 +1,70 @@
 # -*- mode: python ; coding: utf-8 -*-
+#
+# LabelPrinter PyInstaller spec file.
+#
+# GhostScript bundling
+# --------------------
+# Run build_windows.bat (or prepare_ghostscript.bat) BEFORE pyinstaller.
+# That script copies the following directories from the system
+# GhostScript installation into conf\ghostscript\:
+#
+#   conf\ghostscript\bin\   <- gswin64c.exe + gsdll64.dll
+#   conf\ghostscript\lib\   <- all .ps init files
+#
+# This spec detects those directories automatically and adds them to the
+# bundle under ghostscript\bin\ and ghostscript\lib\ inside _MEIPASS so
+# that print_label.py can find and launch the bundled executable.
+# If the directories are absent the build still succeeds (prints will fall
+# back to SumatraPDF on the target machine).
 
+import os
+import glob as _glob
+
+# ── GhostScript: collect binaries and lib init files ──────────────────────
+_gs_bin_src = os.path.join('conf', 'ghostscript', 'bin')
+_gs_lib_src = os.path.join('conf', 'ghostscript', 'lib')
+
+gs_binaries = []  # (src_path, dest_folder_in_bundle)
+gs_datas    = []  # (src_path, dest_folder_in_bundle)
+
+if os.path.isdir(_gs_bin_src):
+    for _fn in ['gswin64c.exe', 'gsdll64.dll', 'gswin32c.exe', 'gsdll32.dll']:
+        _fp = os.path.join(_gs_bin_src, _fn)
+        if os.path.exists(_fp):
+            # Put executables/DLLs in binaries so PyInstaller handles deps
+            gs_binaries.append((_fp, 'ghostscript/bin'))
+    print(f'[spec] Bundling GhostScript binaries from: {_gs_bin_src}')
+else:
+    print('[spec] WARNING: conf/ghostscript/bin not found.'
+          ' GhostScript will NOT be bundled in the exe.')
+
+if os.path.isdir(_gs_lib_src):
+    for _fp in _glob.glob(os.path.join(_gs_lib_src, '*')):
+        if os.path.isfile(_fp):
+            gs_datas.append((_fp, 'ghostscript/lib'))
+    print(f'[spec] Bundling GhostScript lib from: {_gs_lib_src}')
+
+# ── Base data files ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+base_datas = [
+    ('conf\\SumatraPDF.exe',           '.'),
+    ('conf\\SumatraPDF-settings.txt',  'conf'),
+    ('conf\\label_template_ok.svg',    'conf'),
+    ('conf\\label_template_nok.svg',   'conf'),
+    ('conf\\label_template.svg',       'conf'),
+]
 
 a = Analysis(
     ['label_printer_gui.py'],
     pathex=[],
-    binaries=[],
+    binaries=gs_binaries,
-    datas=[('conf\\SumatraPDF.exe', '.'), ('conf\\SumatraPDF-settings.txt', 'conf'), ('conf\\label_template_ok.svg', 'conf'), ('conf\\label_template_nok.svg', 'conf'), ('conf\\label_template.svg', 'conf')],
+    datas=base_datas + gs_datas,
-    hiddenimports=['kivy', 'PIL', 'barcode', 'reportlab', 'print_label', 'print_label_pdf', 'svglib', 'cairosvg', 'watchdog', 'watchdog.observers', 'watchdog.events', 'pystray', 'win32timezone'],
+    hiddenimports=[
+        'kivy', 'PIL', 'barcode', 'reportlab',
+        'print_label', 'print_label_pdf',
+        'svglib', 'cairosvg',
+        'watchdog', 'watchdog.observers', 'watchdog.events',
+        'pystray', 'win32timezone',
+    ],
     hookspath=[],
     hooksconfig={},
     runtime_hooks=[],

build_exe.py

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """
 PyInstaller build script for Label Printer GUI
-Run this to create a standalone Windows executable
+Run this to create a standalone Windows executable.
 
 IMPORTANT: This script MUST be run on Windows to generate a Windows .exe file.
 If run on Linux/macOS, it will create a Linux/macOS binary that won't work on Windows.
@@ -10,73 +10,133 @@ To build for Windows:
 2. Install dependencies: pip install -r requirements_windows.txt
 3. Run this script: python build_exe.py
 4. The Windows .exe will be created in the dist/ folder
+
+GhostScript bundling
+--------------------
+If GhostScript is installed on this build machine the script will
+automatically copy the required files into conf\\ghostscript\\ before
+calling PyInstaller so they are embedded in LabelPrinter.exe.
+The target machine then needs NO separate GhostScript install.
 """
 
 import os
 import sys
 import subprocess
+import shutil
 
 # Get the current directory
 script_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
 
-# PyInstaller arguments
+
-args = [
+def prepare_ghostscript():
-    'label_printer_gui.py',
+    """
-    '--onefile',  # Create a single executable
+    Find the system GhostScript installation and copy the minimum files
-    '--windowed',  # Don't show console window
+    needed for bundling into conf\\ghostscript\\.
-    '--name=LabelPrinter',  # Executable name
+
-    '--distpath=./dist',  # Output directory
+    Files copied:
-    '--workpath=./build',  # Work directory (was --buildpath)
+        conf\\ghostscript\\bin\\gswin64c.exe  (or 32-bit variant)
-    '--hidden-import=kivy',
+        conf\\ghostscript\\bin\\gsdll64.dll
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.core.window',
+        conf\\ghostscript\\lib\\*.ps          (PostScript init files)
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.core.text',
+
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.core.image',
+    Returns True if GhostScript was found and prepared, False otherwise.
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.uix.boxlayout',
+    """
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.uix.gridlayout',
+    import glob
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.uix.label',
+
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.uix.textinput',
+    gs_exe = None
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.uix.button',
+    gs_dll = None
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.uix.spinner',
+    gs_lib = None
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.uix.scrollview',
+
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.uix.popup',
+    for pf in [r"C:\Program Files", r"C:\Program Files (x86)"]:
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.clock',
+        gs_base = os.path.join(pf, "gs")
-    '--hidden-import=kivy.graphics',
+        if not os.path.isdir(gs_base):
-    '--hidden-import=PIL',
+            continue
-    '--hidden-import=barcode',
+        # Iterate versions newest-first
-    '--hidden-import=reportlab',
+        for ver_dir in sorted(os.listdir(gs_base), reverse=True):
-    '--hidden-import=print_label',
+            bin_dir = os.path.join(gs_base, ver_dir, "bin")
-    '--hidden-import=print_label_pdf',
+            lib_dir = os.path.join(gs_base, ver_dir, "lib")
-    '--hidden-import=svglib',
+            if os.path.exists(os.path.join(bin_dir, "gswin64c.exe")):
-    '--hidden-import=cairosvg',
+                gs_exe = os.path.join(bin_dir, "gswin64c.exe")
-    '--hidden-import=watchdog',
+                gs_dll = os.path.join(bin_dir, "gsdll64.dll")
-    '--hidden-import=watchdog.observers',
+                gs_lib = lib_dir
-    '--hidden-import=watchdog.events',
+                break
-    '--hidden-import=pystray',
+            if os.path.exists(os.path.join(bin_dir, "gswin32c.exe")):
-    '--hidden-import=win32timezone',
+                gs_exe = os.path.join(bin_dir, "gswin32c.exe")
-]
+                gs_dll = os.path.join(bin_dir, "gsdll32.dll")
+                gs_lib = lib_dir
+                break
+        if gs_exe:
+            break
+
+    if not gs_exe:
+        print("  WARNING: GhostScript not found on this machine.")
+        print("  The exe will still build but GhostScript will NOT be bundled.")
+        print("  Install GhostScript from https://ghostscript.com/releases/gsdnld.html")
+        print("  then rebuild for sharp vector-quality printing.")
+        return False
+
+    dest_bin = os.path.join("conf", "ghostscript", "bin")
+    dest_lib = os.path.join("conf", "ghostscript", "lib")
+    os.makedirs(dest_bin, exist_ok=True)
+    os.makedirs(dest_lib, exist_ok=True)
+
+    print(f"  GhostScript found: {os.path.dirname(gs_exe)}")
+
+    shutil.copy2(gs_exe, dest_bin)
+    print(f"  Copied: {os.path.basename(gs_exe)}")
+
+    if os.path.exists(gs_dll):
+        shutil.copy2(gs_dll, dest_bin)
+        print(f"  Copied: {os.path.basename(gs_dll)}")
+
+    count = 0
+    for ps_file in glob.glob(os.path.join(gs_lib, "*.ps")):
+        shutil.copy2(ps_file, dest_lib)
+        count += 1
+    print(f"  Copied {count} .ps init files from lib/")
+
+    print(f"  GhostScript prepared in conf\\ghostscript\\")
+    return True
+
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     print("=" * 60)
     print("Label Printer GUI - PyInstaller Build")
     print("=" * 60)
-    print("\nBuilding standalone executable...")
-    print("This may take a few minutes...\n")
 
-    # Change to script directory
+    # Change to script directory so relative paths work
     os.chdir(script_dir)
 
-    # Run PyInstaller directly with subprocess for better error reporting
+    # Step 1: Prepare GhostScript for bundling (Windows only)
+    if sys.platform == "win32":
+        print("\n[1/2] Preparing GhostScript for bundling...")
+        prepare_ghostscript()
+    else:
+        print("\n[1/2] Skipping GhostScript prep (non-Windows build machine)")
+
+    # Step 2: Build with PyInstaller using the handcrafted spec file.
+    # The spec's Python code auto-detects conf\\ghostscript\\ and includes it.
+    print("\n[2/2] Building standalone executable via LabelPrinter.spec...")
+    print("This may take a few minutes...\n")
+
     try:
-        result = subprocess.run(['pyinstaller'] + args, check=True)
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ['pyinstaller', 'LabelPrinter.spec',
+             '--distpath=./dist', '--workpath=./build', '-y'],
+            check=True,
+        )
 
         print("\n" + "=" * 60)
         print("Build Complete!")
         print("=" * 60)
         print("\nExecutable location: ./dist/LabelPrinter.exe")
+        print("\nBundled components:")
+        print("  - GhostScript (vector-quality printing)")
+        print("  - SumatraPDF  (fallback printing)")
+        print("  - SVG templates, conf files")
         print("\nYou can now:")
-        print("1. Double-click LabelPrinter.exe to run")
+        print("  1. Double-click LabelPrinter.exe to run")
-        print("2. Share the exe with others")
+        print("  2. Copy the dist\\ folder to target machines")
-        print("3. Create a shortcut on desktop")
+        print("  3. No extra software installation required on target machines")
         print("\nNote: First run may take a moment as Kivy initializes")
     except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
         print("\n" + "=" * 60)
@@ -88,3 +148,4 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     except Exception as e:
         print(f"\nFatal error: {e}")
         sys.exit(1)
+

build_windows.bat

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ if errorlevel 1 (
 echo.
 
 REM Install dependencies
-echo [3/5] Installing dependencies...
+echo [3/6] Installing dependencies...
 echo Installing: python-barcode, pillow, reportlab, kivy, pyinstaller, pywin32, wmi, watchdog, svglib, cairosvg, pystray...
 pip install python-barcode pillow reportlab kivy pyinstaller pywin32 wmi watchdog svglib cairosvg pystray
 if errorlevel 1 (
@@ -48,6 +48,11 @@ if errorlevel 1 (
 )
 echo.
 
+REM Copy GhostScript binaries for bundling (optional but strongly recommended)
+echo [4/6] Preparing GhostScript for bundling...
+call prepare_ghostscript.bat
+echo.
+
 REM Check that SumatraPDF.exe exists before building
 if not exist "conf\SumatraPDF.exe" (
     echo ERROR: conf\SumatraPDF.exe not found!
@@ -59,43 +64,20 @@ if not exist "conf\SumatraPDF.exe" (
 echo conf\SumatraPDF.exe found - will be bundled into executable.
 echo.
 
-REM Clean old build
+REM Clean old build (keep the spec file - it's handcrafted)
-echo [4/5] Cleaning old build artifacts...
+echo [5/6] Cleaning old build artifacts...
 if exist "dist" rmdir /s /q dist
 if exist "build" rmdir /s /q build
-if exist "*.spec" del *.spec
 echo.
 
-REM Build with PyInstaller
+REM Build with PyInstaller using the spec file.
-echo [5/5] Building executable with PyInstaller...
+REM The spec (LabelPrinter.spec) contains Python code that detects whether
+REM conf\ghostscript\ was prepared and includes those files automatically.
+echo [6/6] Building executable with PyInstaller...
 echo This may take 5-15 minutes, please wait...
 echo.
 
-pyinstaller label_printer_gui.py ^
+pyinstaller LabelPrinter.spec --distpath=./dist --workpath=./build -y
-    --onefile ^
-    --windowed ^
-    --name=LabelPrinter ^
-    --distpath=./dist ^
-    --workpath=./build ^
-    --hidden-import=kivy ^
-    --hidden-import=PIL ^
-    --hidden-import=barcode ^
-    --hidden-import=reportlab ^
-    --hidden-import=print_label ^
-    --hidden-import=print_label_pdf ^
-    --hidden-import=svglib ^
-    --hidden-import=cairosvg ^
-    --hidden-import=watchdog ^
-    --hidden-import=watchdog.observers ^
-    --hidden-import=watchdog.events ^
-    --hidden-import=pystray ^
-    --hidden-import=win32timezone ^
-    --add-data "conf\SumatraPDF.exe;." ^
-    --add-data "conf\SumatraPDF-settings.txt;conf" ^
-    --add-data "conf\label_template_ok.svg;conf" ^
-    --add-data "conf\label_template_nok.svg;conf" ^
-    --add-data "conf\label_template.svg;conf" ^
-    -y
 
 if errorlevel 1 (
     echo.
@@ -129,7 +111,8 @@ echo Next steps:
 echo   1. Copy the entire dist\ folder to the target machine
 echo      (it contains LabelPrinter.exe AND the conf\ folder)
 echo   2. Run LabelPrinter.exe from the dist folder
-echo   3. Ensure conf\SumatraPDF.exe is present for printing to work
+echo   3. GhostScript is bundled inside the exe for sharp vector printing
+echo   4. SumatraPDF (conf\SumatraPDF.exe) is also bundled as fallback
 echo.
 echo Note: First run may take a moment as Kivy initializes
 echo.

prepare_ghostscript.bat

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+@echo off
+REM ============================================================
+REM  prepare_ghostscript.bat
+REM  Finds the system GhostScript installation and copies the
+REM  files needed for bundling into conf\ghostscript\
+REM
+REM  Files copied:
+REM    conf\ghostscript\bin\gswin64c.exe  (or gswin32c.exe)
+REM    conf\ghostscript\bin\gsdll64.dll   (or gsdll32.dll)
+REM    conf\ghostscript\lib\*.ps          (PostScript init files)
+REM
+REM  Run this ONCE before building the exe with build_windows.bat.
+REM  Only the two executables + the lib/ folder are needed (~15-20 MB).
+REM  The full GhostScript fonts/Resources are NOT bundled to keep
+REM  the exe size manageable; Windows system fonts are used instead.
+REM ============================================================
+
+setlocal enabledelayedexpansion
+
+set GS_FOUND=0
+set GS_BIN_SRC=
+set GS_LIB_SRC=
+set GS_EXE=
+
+echo.
+echo ============================================================
+echo   GhostScript Bundle Preparation
+echo ============================================================
+echo.
+
+REM ---- Search for GhostScript in both Program Files locations ----
+for %%P in ("%ProgramFiles%" "%ProgramFiles(x86)%") do (
+    if exist "%%~P\gs" (
+        for /d %%V in ("%%~P\gs\gs*") do (
+            if exist "%%~V\bin\gswin64c.exe" (
+                set GS_BIN_SRC=%%~V\bin
+                set GS_LIB_SRC=%%~V\lib
+                set GS_EXE=gswin64c.exe
+                set GS_DLL=gsdll64.dll
+                set GS_FOUND=1
+                echo Found GhostScript (64-bit): %%~V
+            )
+            if !GS_FOUND!==0 (
+                if exist "%%~V\bin\gswin32c.exe" (
+                    set GS_BIN_SRC=%%~V\bin
+                    set GS_LIB_SRC=%%~V\lib
+                    set GS_EXE=gswin32c.exe
+                    set GS_DLL=gsdll32.dll
+                    set GS_FOUND=1
+                    echo Found GhostScript (32-bit): %%~V
+                )
+            )
+        )
+    )
+)
+
+if %GS_FOUND%==0 (
+    echo.
+    echo WARNING: GhostScript is NOT installed on this machine.
+    echo.
+    echo  The exe will still build successfully, but GhostScript will
+    echo  NOT be bundled.  On the target machine the app will fall back
+    echo  to SumatraPDF for printing (which may produce dotted output).
+    echo.
+    echo  To get sharp vector-quality printing, install GhostScript:
+    echo    https://ghostscript.com/releases/gsdnld.html
+    echo  Then re-run this script before building.
+    echo.
+    exit /b 0
+)
+
+REM ---- Create destination folders ----
+set GS_DEST_BIN=conf\ghostscript\bin
+set GS_DEST_LIB=conf\ghostscript\lib
+
+if not exist "%GS_DEST_BIN%" mkdir "%GS_DEST_BIN%"
+if not exist "%GS_DEST_LIB%" mkdir "%GS_DEST_LIB%"
+
+REM ---- Copy executable and DLL ----
+echo.
+echo Copying GhostScript binaries...
+copy /y "%GS_BIN_SRC%\%GS_EXE%" "%GS_DEST_BIN%\%GS_EXE%" >nul
+if errorlevel 1 ( echo ERROR copying %GS_EXE% & exit /b 1 )
+echo   + %GS_EXE%
+
+copy /y "%GS_BIN_SRC%\%GS_DLL%" "%GS_DEST_BIN%\%GS_DLL%" >nul
+if errorlevel 1 ( echo ERROR copying %GS_DLL% & exit /b 1 )
+echo   + %GS_DLL%
+
+REM ---- Copy lib/ (PostScript init files .ps) ----
+echo.
+echo Copying GhostScript lib (PostScript init files)...
+for %%F in ("%GS_LIB_SRC%\*.ps") do (
+    copy /y "%%F" "%GS_DEST_LIB%\" >nul
+)
+echo   + *.ps copied from %GS_LIB_SRC%
+
+REM ---- Report ----
+echo.
+echo ============================================================
+echo   GhostScript prepared successfully in conf\ghostscript\
+echo ============================================================
+echo.
+
+REM Show size summary
+set BIN_COUNT=0
+set LIB_COUNT=0
+for %%F in ("%GS_DEST_BIN%\*") do set /a BIN_COUNT+=1
+for %%F in ("%GS_DEST_LIB%\*") do set /a LIB_COUNT+=1
+echo   bin\  : %BIN_COUNT% file(s)
+echo   lib\  : %LIB_COUNT% file(s)
+echo.
+echo GhostScript will be embedded into LabelPrinter.exe at build time.
+echo.
+
+endlocal
+exit /b 0

print_label.py

@@ -308,9 +308,13 @@ def configure_printer_quality(printer_name, width_mm=35, height_mm=25):
             except:
                 pass
             
-            # Set orientation to landscape
+            # Set orientation to PORTRAIT (1 = no rotation).
+            # For a 35mm × 25mm thermal label, Portrait means "print across the
+            # 35mm print-head width without rotating".  Landscape (2) would
+            # rotate the output 90° CCW, which is exactly the reported
+            # "rotated-left" symptom – so we must NOT use Landscape here.
             try:
-                devmode.Orientation = 2  # Landscape
+                devmode.Orientation = 1  # Portrait = no rotation
             except:
                 pass
             
@@ -343,6 +347,101 @@ def configure_printer_quality(printer_name, width_mm=35, height_mm=25):
         return False
 
 
+def find_ghostscript():
+    """
+    Find GhostScript executable.  Search order:
+      1. Bundled inside the PyInstaller .exe  (ghostscript/bin/ in _MEIPASS)
+      2. System-level installation            (C:\\Program Files\\gs\\...)
+    Returns the full path to gswin64c.exe / gswin32c.exe, or None.
+    """
+    # 1 ── Bundled location (PyInstaller one-file build)
+    if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False) and hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS'):
+        for exe_name in ['gswin64c.exe', 'gswin32c.exe']:
+            bundled = os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, 'ghostscript', 'bin', exe_name)
+            if os.path.exists(bundled):
+                print(f"Using bundled GhostScript: {bundled}")
+                return bundled
+
+    # 2 ── System installation (newest version first)
+    for program_files in [r"C:\Program Files", r"C:\Program Files (x86)"]:
+        gs_base = os.path.join(program_files, "gs")
+        if os.path.exists(gs_base):
+            for version_dir in sorted(os.listdir(gs_base), reverse=True):
+                for exe_name in ["gswin64c.exe", "gswin32c.exe"]:
+                    gs_path = os.path.join(gs_base, version_dir, "bin", exe_name)
+                    if os.path.exists(gs_path):
+                        return gs_path
+    return None
+
+
+def print_pdf_with_ghostscript(pdf_path, printer_name):
+    """
+    Print PDF via GhostScript mswinpr2 device for true vector quality.
+    GhostScript sends native vector data to the printer driver, avoiding
+    the low-DPI rasterisation that causes dotted/pixelated output.
+
+    Returns True on success, False if GhostScript is unavailable or fails.
+    """
+    gs_path = find_ghostscript()
+    if not gs_path:
+        print("GhostScript not found – skipping to SumatraPDF fallback.")
+        return False
+
+    # Build environment: if running as a bundled exe, point GS_LIB at the
+    # extracted lib/ folder so GhostScript can find its .ps init files.
+    env = os.environ.copy()
+    if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False) and hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS'):
+        bundled_lib = os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, 'ghostscript', 'lib')
+        if os.path.isdir(bundled_lib):
+            env['GS_LIB'] = bundled_lib
+            print(f"GS_LIB → {bundled_lib}")
+
+    try:
+        # -sDEVICE=mswinpr2     : native Windows printer device (vector path)
+        # -dNOPAUSE / -dBATCH   : batch mode, no user prompts
+        # -r600                 : 600 DPI matches typical thermal-printer head
+        # -dTextAlphaBits=4     : anti-aliasing for text
+        # -dGraphicsAlphaBits=4
+        # -dNOSAFER             : allow file access needed for fonts
+        # -dDEVICEWIDTHPOINTS  \
+        # -dDEVICEHEIGHTPOINTS  : explicit label size (35mm x 25mm in pts)
+        # -dFIXEDMEDIA          : do not auto-scale/rotate to a different size
+        # 35mm = 35/25.4*72 ≈ 99.21 pt,  25mm = 25/25.4*72 ≈ 70.87 pt
+        cmd = [
+            gs_path,
+            "-dNOPAUSE",
+            "-dBATCH",
+            "-sDEVICE=mswinpr2",
+            "-dNOSAFER",
+            "-r600",
+            "-dTextAlphaBits=4",
+            "-dGraphicsAlphaBits=4",
+            "-dDEVICEWIDTHPOINTS=99.21",   # 35 mm
+            "-dDEVICEHEIGHTPOINTS=70.87",  # 25 mm
+            "-dFIXEDMEDIA",
+            f"-sOutputFile=%printer%{printer_name}",
+            pdf_path,
+        ]
+        print(f"Printing with GhostScript (vector quality) to: {printer_name}")
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            cmd,
+            check=True,
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=60,
+            env=env,
+            creationflags=subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW if os.name == "nt" else 0,
+        )
+        print(f"✅ Label sent via GhostScript: {printer_name}")
+        return True
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
+        print(f"GhostScript print failed (exit {e.returncode}): {e.stderr.strip() if e.stderr else ''}")
+        return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"GhostScript error: {e}")
+        return False
+
+
 def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path):
     """
     Print file to printer (cross-platform).
@@ -375,6 +474,13 @@ def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path):
                     import win32print
                     import win32api
 
+                # Configure printer DEVMODE BEFORE sending any job.
+                # This is critical: it sets Portrait orientation (no rotation)
+                # and maximum print quality so the 35mm×25mm PDF maps
+                # directly to the physical label without being auto-rotated
+                # by the driver (which caused the 90° "rotated left" symptom).
+                configure_printer_quality(printer_name)
+
                 if file_path.endswith('.pdf'):
                     # Try silent printing methods (no viewer opens)
                     import os
@@ -382,7 +488,19 @@ def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path):
                     
                     printed = False
 
-                    # Method 1: SumatraPDF (bundled inside exe or external)
+                    # Method 1: GhostScript (best quality – true vector path).
+                    # Tried first regardless of whether we are running as a
+                    # script or as the packaged .exe, because GhostScript is
+                    # a system-level installation and will be present on the
+                    # machine independently of how this app is launched.
+                    # If GhostScript is not installed it returns False
+                    # immediately and we fall through to SumatraPDF.
+                    printed = print_pdf_with_ghostscript(file_path, printer_name)
+
+                    if printed:
+                        return True
+
+                    # Method 2: SumatraPDF (bundled inside exe or external)
                     sumatra_paths = []
                     
                     # Get the directory where this script/exe is running
@@ -418,11 +536,14 @@ def print_to_printer(printer_name, file_path):
                             try:
                                 print(f"Using SumatraPDF: {sumatra_path}")
                                 print(f"Sending to printer: {printer_name}")
-                                # IMPORTANT: The PDF is already landscape (35mm wide x 25mm tall).
+                                # The printer DEVMODE has already been configured
-                                # Do NOT add "landscape" to print-settings — it would rotate an
+                                # above (Portrait, 35mm×25mm, high quality).
-                                # already-landscape PDF 90° again, printing it portrait.
+                                # "noscale" tells SumatraPDF to send the PDF
-                                # "noscale" alone tells SumatraPDF to honour the PDF page size
+                                # at its exact size without any shrink/fit.
-                                # exactly and not fit/stretch it to the printer paper.
+                                # Do NOT add "landscape" here: the DEVMODE
+                                # Portrait setting already matches the label
+                                # orientation; adding landscape would tell the
+                                # driver to rotate 90° again and undo the fix.
                                 result = subprocess.run([
                                     sumatra_path,
                                     "-print-to",