adaptronic_label-printer/old_code/SIMPLE_SETUP_GUIDE.md

# Simple Label Printer Setup Guide

## 🎯 The Correct Workflow

### How It Works:
1. **GUI monitors** text file for changes (`C:\Users\Public\Documents\check.txt`)
2. **When file changes**, reads data: `COMANDA;NR_ART;SERIAL` 
3. **Replaces variables** in SVG template (`conf/label_template.svg`):
   - `{Article}` → COMANDA value
   - `{NrArt}` → NR_ART value
   - `{Serial}` → SERIAL value
4. **Converts SVG → PDF** at exact 35mm x 25mm size
5. **Prints PDF** to configured printer
6. **Saves backup** in `pdf_backup/` folder

### Template Customization:
- Edit `conf/label_template.svg` to change label layout
- Move text positions, add graphics, change fonts
- Keep placeholders: `{Article}`, `{NrArt}`, `{Serial}`
- No code changes needed!

---

## 🚀 ONE-TIME Setup (5 Minutes)

### Step 1: Configure Printer (REQUIRED)
```powershell
.\setup_printer.ps1
```

**What this does:**
- Opens printer preferences dialog
- Guides you to set:
  - Paper Size: **35mm x 25mm** (custom)
  - Orientation: **Landscape**
  - Quality: **BEST/600 DPI**
- Tests printing

**This is CRITICAL** - without correct paper size, you'll get:
- ❌ 1 meter roll printing
- ❌ Wrong label size
- ❌ Portrait instead of landscape

---

## ✅ Daily Use

### Start the Application:
```powershell
python label_printer_gui.py
```

### What You'll See:
1. GUI opens with monitoring controls
2. Select printer: "Labels"
3. Click "Start Monitoring" (or auto-starts)
4. GUI watches the file for changes

### Trigger Printing:
- Application writes to `C:\Users\Public\Documents\check.txt`
- Format: `COM-2024-002;ART-67890;SN-20260212`
- GUI detects change → Prints label automatically
- File is cleared after printing

---

## 📝 Data Format

### Input File: `check.txt`
```
COM-2024-002;ART-67890;SN-20260212
```

### Separator: Semicolon (`;`)

### Breakdown:
- **Field 1**: Nr. Comanda (Order Number)
- **Field 2**: Nr. Art. (Article Number)  
- **Field 3**: Serial No. (Serial Number)

### Example Data:
```
ORDER-123;PART-456;SN-2026-001
COM-2024-100;ART-55555;SERIAL-123456
COMANDA-X;ARTICLE-Y;SN-Z
```

All fields are printed on the label as entered.

---

## 🔧 Troubleshooting

### Problem: 1 Meter Roll Printing
**Cause**: Printer paper size not configured
**Fix**:
```powershell
.\setup_printer.ps1
```
Set paper size to **35mm x 25mm custom**

### Problem: Dotted/Pixelated Text
**Cause**: Print quality too low
**Fix**:
1. Open printer preferences
2. Set quality to **BEST** or **600 DPI**
3. Disable dithering
4.Run `.\setup_printer.ps1` again

### Problem: Label Wrong Orientation
**Cause**: Orientation not set to landscape
**Fix**:
1. Open printer preferences
2. Set orientation to **LANDSCAPE**
3. Save and test

### Problem: Template Not Working
**Cause**: SVG template issues
**Check**:
```powershell
# Verify template exists
dir conf\label_template.svg

# Check console for errors when printing
# Should see: "Using SVG template: conf\label_template.svg"
```

### Problem: Variables Not Replaced
**Cause**: Template placeholders wrong
**Fix**:
- Open `conf\label_template.svg`
- Verify placeholders are exactly:
  - `{Article}`
  - `{NrArt}`
  - `{Serial}`
- Case-sensitive!

---

## 📊 Quality Settings Summary

| Setting | Value | Why |
|---------|-------|-----|
| PDF DPI | 1200 | Sharp text & images |
| Paper Size | 35mm x 25mm | Correct label size |
| Orientation | Landscape | Horizontal layout |
| Print Quality | 600+ DPI | No dotted text |
| Font Size | 8pt | Readable at 35mm width |
| Compression | Disabled | No quality loss |

---

## 📁 Important Files

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `label_printer_gui.py` | Main GUI application |
| `conf/label_template.svg` | Label layout template |
| `conf/accepted.png` | Checkmark image |
| `pdf_backup/` | PDF backups of all labels |
| `logs/` | Print history logs |
| `C:\Users\Public\Documents\check.txt` | Monitored input file |

---

## 🎨 Customizing Label Layout

### Edit the Template:
1. Open `conf\label_template.svg` in:
   - Inkscape (free SVG editor)
   - Adobe Illustrator
   - Any SVG editor

2. Modify:
   - Text positions
   - Font sizes/colors
   - Add graphics/logos
   - Change layout

3. Keep placeholders:
   ```xml
   <text>{Article}</text>
   <text>{NrArt}</text>
   <text>{Serial}</text>
   ```

4. Save as **35mm x 25mm** document

5. Test:
   ```powershell
   python test_quality.py
   ```

**No code changes needed!** Template is reloaded each time.

---

## ✅ Verification Checklist

After setup, verify:

- [ ] Printer configured (35mm x 25mm, landscape, high quality)
- [ ] Test label prints correctly (one label, right size)
- [ ] Text is sharp (not dotted)
- [ ] GUI starts without errors
- [ ] Monitoring detects file changes
- [ ] Variables are replaced in output
- [ ] PDF backup is created
- [ ] Log entry is saved

If all checked ✅ → **System working correctly!**

---

## 🆘 Quick Reference Commands

```powershell
# Initial setup
.\setup_printer.ps1

# Start application
python label_printer_gui.py

# Test print
python test_quality.py

# Check printer config
.\configure_printer_quality.ps1

# View latest PDF
cd pdf_backup
ls | sort LastWriteTime | select -last 1
```

---

## 📞 Support

If problems persist:

1. **Check printer driver**: Update from manufacturer website
2. **Verify label stock**: Correct thermal labels loaded
3. **Test printer**: Print self-test page
4. **Review logs**: Check `logs/print_log_*.csv`
5. **Check PDFs**: Open latest PDF in `pdf_backup/` to verify content

---

**Version**: 3.0 - Simplified & Fixed  
**Last Updated**: February 13, 2026  
**Status**: ✅ Ready for Production