WARNING: This project is not actively maintained, use at your own risk. Seeking new maintainer

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
from socket
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. Be sure to download the P-Touch Template Tools from support.brother.com under utilities of your label printer. It has a wealth of information.

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>)
# For QL-720NW with barcodes on label, turn on:
# printjob.select_priority_print_option('on')
printjob.template_print()