How to Send Zebra Media Darkness Custom Command

Problem

How can the Media Darkness be controlled via a device in Design 32, rather than on an individual label basis?

Explanation

Currently in Design 32, the Media Darkness is a setting that is only available in Label A label is a design area on the computer screen where a label format is created or edited. Specific Options, and not in Device Specific Options.

Solution

A Custom Command can be set at the Device level in Design 32 to send the Media Darkness setting to the printer. To change the Darkness setting on a specific Zebra printer, you'll need to send the Media Darkness (^MD) command as a "Custom ZPL Command" using the following steps: 

Note: The ^MD command adjusts the darkness relative to the current darkness setting of the printer.

1. Open Design 32 and press F6 to bring up your list of printers.
   
   
   
2. Select the desired Zebra printer and then press the Options button.
   
   
   
3. In the Custom Command, ZPL command, section of the printer options place this command in the ZPL command box: ^MD4 (this will add 4 to the current darkness setting of the printer).
   
   
   
4. In the Send Command drop down list, select "After ZPL Control Strings".
   
   
   
5. Click OK to close the printer option and device configuration screen.
   
   

The range for the ^MD command is from -30 to 30 (i.e. ^MD-30 or ^MD30 Reducing the number will lighten the print, while increasing it will darken the print.