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

EN Bitmap Fonts and Scalable Typefaces 7-9
Bitmap Fonts and Scalable Typefaces
There are two basic formats of fonts used by HP PCL 5 printers:
bitmap (Figure 7-11) and scalable (Figure 7-12). Earlier HP LaserJet
printers supported only bitmap fonts. Bitmap fonts have a fixed
bit-pattern for each character. The size of the character is fixed,
depending on the bit-pattern. Scalable typefaces, on the other hand,
provide an “outline” for the characters. This “outline” can be scaled by
the PCL 5 printers to produce a large range of character sizes.
There is a difference, between a scalable typeface and a scalable
font. A bound, scalable font is a group of “outline” characters limited
to one specific symbol set. For a scalable font, the symbol set,
spacing, style, stroke weight, and typeface characteristics are all
fixed, and size is variable (since it is scalable). A scalable typeface,
on the other hand, is a grouping of “outline” characters of a specific
typeface which can produce multiple symbol sets. For a scalable
typeface, spacing, style, stroke weight, and typeface characteristics of
the font are all fixed, symbol set and size are variable.
Note Scalable fonts and scalable typefaces are selected for printing in the
same manner as bitmap fonts; no additional selection is required
(refer to Summary of Font Selection by Characteristic for font
selection information).
Some scalable typefaces are provided with the printer (for example:
CG Times and Univers). Additional scalable typefaces can be
obtained on disk, cartridge or SIMM modules.