adaptronic_label-printer/old_code/WORKFLOW_CORRECTED.md

Label Printing Workflow - Corrected & Restored

📋 Complete Workflow

✅ Correct Process (Now Working)

1. File Monitoring
   ↓
   txt file changes detected (e.g., "COM-2024-002;ART-67890;SN-20260212")
   ↓
2. Parse Data
   ↓
   Split by semicolon: 
   - Value 1 (Article/Comanda): "COM-2024-002"
   - Value 2 (Nr. Art.): "ART-67890"
   - Value 3 (Serial No.): "SN-20260212"
   ↓
3. Load SVG Template
   ↓
   Read: conf/label_template.svg
   ↓
4. Replace Variables in Template
   ↓
   {Article} → "COM-2024-002"
   {NrArt} → "ART-67890"
   {Serial} → "SN-20260212"
   ↓
5. Convert SVG → PDF
   ↓
   CairoSVG converts to high-quality PDF @ 1200 DPI
   Saves to: pdf_backup/final_label_TIMESTAMP.pdf
   ↓
6. Print PDF
   ↓
   SumatraPDF sends to configured printer
   ↓
7. Done! ✓

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🎯 Key Features

1. Customizable Layout (SVG Template)

• Location: conf/label_template.svg
• Users can edit this file to change:
  • Position of text fields
  • Font size and style
  • Graphics/images
  • Label dimensions
• No code changes needed!

2. Variable Placeholders

The template uses curly braces for variables:

• {Article} - First value (Nr. Comanda)
• {NrArt} - Second value (Nr. Art.)
• {Serial} - Third value (Serial No.)

User can move these anywhere in the SVG template.

3. Automatic File Monitoring

• Watches: The configured txt file
• On change: Automatically reads and prints
• No manual intervention needed

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🔧 What Was Fixed

Problem 1: SVG Template Was Disabled ❌

Before: Code was using fallback PDF generation (hardcoded layout) Now: SVG template is properly enabled and used

Problem 2: Poor SVG Rendering ❌

Before: svglib was failing with many errors, causing fragmentedoutput Now: CairoSVG is used first (better font/rendering support)

Problem 3: Extra Conversion Steps ❌

Before: GhostScript was re-converting already good PDFs Now: Direct SVG → PDF → Print (no extra conversions)

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📝 Data Flow Example

Input File Content:

COM-2024-002;ART-67890;SN-20260212

Parsing:

parts = text.split(';')
article = parts[0]  # "COM-2024-002"
nr_art = parts[1]   # "ART-67890"
serial = parts[2]   # "SN-20260212"

Template Before Replacement:

<text>Nr. Comanda:{Article}</text>
<text>Nr. Art.:{NrArt}</text>
<text>Serial No.:{Serial}</text>

Template After Replacement:

<text>Nr. Comanda:COM-2024-002</text>
<text>Nr. Art.:ART-67890</text>
<text>Serial No.:SN-20260212</text>

Output:

• PDF file: pdf_backup/final_label_20260213_HHMMSS.pdf
• Print: Sent to configured printer
• Log: Entry added to logs/print_log_20260213.csv

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🎨 How to Customize the Label Layout

1. Open the template:

   conf/label_template.svg
   

2. Edit in any SVG editor:

   • Inkscape (free)
   • Adobe Illustrator
   • CorelDRAW
   • Or any text editor

3. Keep the variable placeholders:

   • {Article}
   • {NrArt}
   • {Serial}

4. Save the file

5. Next print will use the new layout!

Example Changes:

• Move text to different positions
• Change font size in the SVG
• Add company logo
• Change colors
• Adjust spacing

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🚀 Testing the Workflow

Test 1: Verify Template is Used

.\venv\Scripts\python.exe label_printer_gui.py

Watch console output - should see:

Using SVG template: conf\label_template.svg
Converting SVG to PDF using CairoSVG (high quality)...
✅ PDF created from SVG template: pdf_backup\final_label_...pdf

Test 2: Check the Generated PDF

# Open latest PDF to verify content
$latest = Get-ChildItem pdf_backup\*.pdf | Sort-Object LastWriteTime -Desc | Select-Object -First 1
Start-Process $latest.FullName

Verify you see:

• ✅ Three lines of text (Nr. Comanda, Nr. Art., Serial No.)
• ✅ Values filled in correctly
• ✅ Checkmark image (if template has it)

Test 3: Print Test

Put sample data in your monitored file:

COM-TEST-001;ART-7777;SN-20260213

Should automatically print with correct values.

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⚙️ Configuration Files

1. Label Template (conf/label_template.svg)

• Purpose: Defines layout, positions, fonts
• Editable: Yes - by user
• Format: SVG (XML-based vector graphics)

2. App Configuration (conf/app.conf)

• Purpose: Stores GUI settings
• Contains:
  • File path to monitor
  • Selected printer
  • Preview settings

3. Images (conf/*.png)

• accepted.png: Checkmark/approval image (embedded in template)
• refused.png: Rejection image (if needed)

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🔄 Complete Print Quality Settings

The system now maintains quality through:

1. SVG Template → Vector graphics (scalable, sharp)
2. CairoSVG Conversion → Renders @ 1200 DPI
3. PDF Output → Uncompressed, high quality
4. Printer Configuration → Set to 600 DPI minimum
5. Direct Printing → No extra conversions

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📊 Workflow States

Step	Status	Output
File changed	✅ Working	Triggers processing
Parse data	✅ Working	Splits by ;
Load template	✅ Working	Reads SVG file
Replace variables	✅ Working	Substitutes {...}
SVG→PDF	✅ Working	CairoSVG @ 1200 DPI
Print	✅ Working	SumatraPDF direct

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🐛 Troubleshooting

Issue: "SVG template not found"

Solution: Check that conf/label_template.svg exists

Issue: "CairoSVG conversion failed"

Solution:

.\venv\Scripts\pip.exe install --upgrade cairosvg

Issue: Wrong values printed

Solution: Verify data format in txt file: value1;value2;value3

Issue: Printer prints blank/partial

Solution: Run printer configuration:

.\configure_label_size.ps1

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📖 Summary

The workflow is now fully restored and working correctly:

✅ SVG template enabled for customizable layouts
✅ Variable replacement working ({Article}, {NrArt}, {Serial})
✅ High-quality PDF generation via CairoSVG
✅ Direct printing without extra conversions
✅ User can modify template without code changes

No more hardcoded layouts!

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Last Updated: February 13, 2026
Status: ✅ Workflow Restored & Working