6a11cf3d8d
- Remove build artifacts from git tracking (build/, dist/, __pycache__/, *.spec) - Updated .gitignore to properly exclude generated files - Added old_code/ documentation folder - Updated sample_data.txt to show new 5-field format - Exclude user-specific conf/app.conf from tracking
154 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
154 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
# Adaptronic Label Printer
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Thermal label printing application with customizable SVG templates for 35mm x 25mm labels.
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## Features
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- 🎨 **Customizable Layouts** - SVG template system for flexible label design
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- 📄 **High-Quality PDFs** - 1200 DPI output with automatic backup
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- 🖨️ **Silent Printing** - SumatraPDF integration for automatic printing
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- 📊 **Variable Support** - Dynamic text replacement ({Article}, {NrArt}, {Serial})
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- 💾 **Automatic Backup** - All labels saved to pdf_backup/ with timestamps
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- 🔍 **File Monitoring** - Watches check.txt for automatic label generation
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## Quick Start
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### Install Dependencies
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```powershell
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# Activate virtual environment
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venv\Scripts\activate
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# Install requirements
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pip install -r requirements_gui.txt
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```
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### Run the Application
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```powershell
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python label_printer_gui.py
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```
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## Label Specifications
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- **Size**: 35mm × 25mm (landscape)
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- **Format**: Thermal labels (Citizen CTS-310, Zebra ZD420/ZD421)
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- **Template**: `conf/label_template.svg`
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- **Data Format**: Semicolon-separated (COMANDA;NR_ART;SERIAL)
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## File Structure
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```
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adaptronic_label-printer/
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├── label_printer_gui.py # Main GUI application
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├── print_label.py # Printing logic
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├── print_label_pdf.py # PDF generation with SVG support
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├── requirements_gui.txt # Dependencies
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├── conf/
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│ ├── label_template.svg # Customizable label layout
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│ └── app.conf # Application settings
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├── pdf_backup/ # Auto-saved label PDFs
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├── logs/ # Print logs
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└── old_code/ # Legacy scripts (archived)
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```
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## Customizing Labels
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Edit `conf/label_template.svg` to change the layout. Use these variables:
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- `{Article}` - Article/Command number
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- `{NrArt}` - Article number
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- `{Serial}` - Serial number
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After editing the SVG, labels will automatically use the new layout.
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## Printing
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### Silent Printing (Recommended)
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Labels print automatically using SumatraPDF. No dialogs or manual steps required.
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**SumatraPDF Locations Checked:**
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1. Bundled with exe (for deployments)
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2. `SumatraPDF/` folder in project directory
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3. System installations (`C:\Program Files\SumatraPDF\`)
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### PDF Printer Testing
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Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" or similar PDF printer to test label generation without physical printing.
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### Printer Configuration
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For thermal printers, configure in Windows Printer Preferences:
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- **Media Type**: LABELS (enables gap sensor)
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- **Paper Size**: 35mm x 25mm or Custom
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- **Orientation**: Landscape
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- **Darkness**: 10-15 (medium)
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- **Speed**: Medium (4-6 in/sec)
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## Dependencies
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Core:
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- `reportlab` - PDF generation
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- `svglib` - SVG to PDF conversion
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- `cairosvg` - Alternative SVG renderer
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- `watchdog` - File monitoring
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GUI:
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- `kivy` - Cross-platform interface
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Optional:
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- `pywin32` - Windows printer enumeration
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- `pycups` - Linux printing support
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## Troubleshooting
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### Labels Print on Continuous Roll
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**Cause**: Printer Media Type set to "Continuous" instead of "LABELS"
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**Fix**: Change to "LABELS" in printer preferences
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### Dotted or Pixelated Text
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**Cause**: Low darkness setting or draft mode
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**Fix**: Increase darkness to 12-15, ensure quality mode enabled
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### PDF Not Printing Automatically
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**Cause**: SumatraPDF not found
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**Fix**: Install SumatraPDF or place in project folder
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## Technical Details
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### PDF Generation
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- **Resolution**: 1200 DPI
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- **Compression**: None (maximum quality)
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- **Font Size**: 8pt (optimized for 35mm labels)
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- **Format**: ReportLab with SVG embedding
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### Print Workflow
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1. Monitor `C:\Users\Public\Documents\check.txt` for changes
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2. Parse semicolon-separated data
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3. Replace variables in SVG template
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4. Convert to high-quality PDF (35mm × 25mm)
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5. Auto-save to `pdf_backup/`
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6. Silent print via SumatraPDF
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## Building Executable
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```powershell
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python build_exe.py
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```
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Output: `dist/LabelPrinter.exe`
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## Support
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- Tested on Windows 10/11
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- Compatible with Citizen CTS-310, Zebra ZD420/ZD421
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- Based on proven label printer architecture
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---
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**Status**: Production Ready ✅
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**Last Updated**: February 2026
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