Brother networked label printers library for Python
This was developed for the QL-580N but I've heard it also works for the following:
- QL-720NW
The easiest way to install this package is with pip.
pip install brotherprint
This library supports two printing modes. ESC/P commands, and templates. I highly recommend using templates, because it is easier to manage, and offers more features. I will, however, go over both. You should review the official Brother documentation here (ESCP Docs) and here (Template Command Docs), to know what is available.
Regardless of which mode you are using, you need to intialize and connect a socket object, and pass the resulting socket object to the BrotherLabel object instantiator.
from brotherprint import BrotherPrint
f_socket = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
f_socket.connect((<ip_address>,<port (9100 by default for QL580N)>))
printjob = BrotherPrint(f_socket)
Invoke escp commands through certain BrotherLabel object methods (see actual file for method descriptions) Make sure to end with the print page command, signifying the end of a label.
printjob.command_mode()
printjob.initialize()
printjob.bold('on')
printjob.send(<text>)
printjob.print_page(<cut_setting>)
Create your template and upload it to the printer. After creating a BrotherLabel object, call template_mode() to set the printer to template mode, and then use the template commands to fill in your label.
printjob.template_mode()
printjob.template_init()
printjob.choose_template(<template_number>)
printjob.select_and_insert(<field_name>, <data>)
printjob.select_and_insert(<field_name2>, <data2>)
printjob.select_and_insert(<field_name3>, <data3>)
printjob.template_print()