HP PCL/PJL reference (PCL 5 Printer Language) - Technical Reference Manual Part I

EN Introduction 12-1
12
Macros
Introduction
A Macro is a group of PCL and H”P-GL/2 commands and/or data
created by the user that is downloaded and stored in the printer.
Once stored in the printer, a macro can be invoked upon request
(using the assigned macro ID number), using a single command.
When printing letters, for example, which include a company
letterhead, the letterhead is repeated for each letter. This
letterhead can be created as a macro and stored in the printer.
Thus, whenever the letter is printed a macro command, sent to
the printer, initiates the command sequence to print the
letterhead.
Note HP-GL/2 commands are not supported within macros on all
HP LaserJet printers. Refer to the “PCL Feature Support Matrix”
in Chapter 1 of the PCL 5 Comparison Guide for specifics.
Macros eliminate the need to download the same information
repeatedly, thus saving transmission time. However, the trade-off
is that they consume user memory. If memory usage is a
concern, a possible solution might be an HP custom macro
cartridge.
Custom macros can be written and stored in ROM (read only
memory), such as font-type cartridges or SIMM modules. When
ROM-based macros are installed in the printer, they become
available for selection. There is no need to download the macro
and no user memory is consumed.