Android library for ESC/POS Thermal Printer

Useful library to help Android developers to print with (Bluetooth, TCP, USB) ESC/POS thermal printers.

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Table of contents

• Android version
• Tested printers
• Test It !
• Installation
• Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth permission
  • Bluetooth code example
• TCP
  • TCP permission
  • TCP code example
• USB
  • USB permission
  • USB code example
• Charset encoding
• Formatted text : syntax guide
• Class list
  • BluetoothPrintersConnections
  • UsbPrintersConnections
  • EscPosPrinter
  • PrinterTextParserImg
  • EscPosCharsetEncoding
• Projects using this library
• Contributing

Android version

Developed for SDK version 16 (Android 4.1 Jelly Bean) and above.

Tested printers

1. HOIN HOP H58 Thermal Printer ESC/POS.
2. XPRINTER XP-P300.
3. MUNBYN IMP001.
4. JP-Q2 POS Terminal PDA (Embedded printer is configured as Bluetooth device)
5. MUNBYN ITPP047 (tested over USB)

Test it !

To test this library, it’s pretty simple !

• Create a directory and open a terminal inside
• Run git clone https://github.com/DantSu/ESCPOS-ThermalPrinter-Android.git .
• Open the directory with Android Studio
• Test it !

Installation

Step 1. Add the JitPack repository to your build file. Add it in your root /build.gradle at the end of repositories:

allprojects {
    repositories {
        ...
        maven { url 'https://jitpack.io' }
    }
}

Step 2. Add the dependency in /app/build.gradle :

dependencies {
    ...
    implementation 'com.github.DantSu:ESCPOS-ThermalPrinter-Android:3.3.0'
}

Bluetooth

Bluetooth permission

Be sure to have <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH" ></uses-permission>, <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN" ></uses-permission>, <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT" ></uses-permission>, <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN" ></uses-permission> in your AndroidManifest.xml.

Also, you have to check the bluetooth permission in your app like this :

if (android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.S && ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
    ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH}, MainActivity.PERMISSION_BLUETOOTH);
} else if (android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.S && ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
    ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADMIN}, MainActivity.PERMISSION_BLUETOOTH_ADMIN);
} else if (android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.S && ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
    ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT}, MainActivity.PERMISSION_BLUETOOTH_CONNECT);
} else if (android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.S && ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
    ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN}, MainActivity.PERMISSION_BLUETOOTH_SCAN);
} else {
    // Your code HERE
}

Bluetooth code example

The code below is an example to write in your activity :

EscPosPrinter printer = new EscPosPrinter(BluetoothPrintersConnections.selectFirstPaired(), 203, 48f, 32);
printer
    .printFormattedText(
        "[C]<img>" + PrinterTextParserImg.bitmapToHexadecimalString(printer, this.getApplicationContext().getResources().getDrawableForDensity(R.drawable.logo, DisplayMetrics.DENSITY_MEDIUM))+"</img>\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]<u><font size='big'>ORDER N°045</font></u>\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]================================\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[L]<b>BEAUTIFUL SHIRT</b>[R]9.99e\n" +
        "[L]  + Size : S\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[L]<b>AWESOME HAT</b>[R]24.99e\n" +
        "[L]  + Size : 57/58\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]--------------------------------\n" +
        "[R]TOTAL PRICE :[R]34.98e\n" +
        "[R]TAX :[R]4.23e\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]================================\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[L]<font size='tall'>Customer :</font>\n" +
        "[L]Raymond DUPONT\n" +
        "[L]5 rue des girafes\n" +
        "[L]31547 PERPETES\n" +
        "[L]Tel : +33801201456\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]<barcode type='ean13' height='10'>831254784551</barcode>\n" +
        "[C]<qrcode size='20'>https://dantsu.com/</qrcode>"
    );

Below a picture of the receipt printed with the code above :

TCP

TCP permission

Be sure to have <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"></uses-permission> in your AndroidManifest.xml.

TCP code example

The code below is an example to write in your activity :

new Thread(new Runnable() {
    public void run() {
        try {
            EscPosPrinter printer = new EscPosPrinter(new TcpConnection("192.168.1.3", 9300, 15), 203, 48f, 32);
            printer
                .printFormattedText(
                    "[C]<img>" + PrinterTextParserImg.bitmapToHexadecimalString(printer, getApplicationContext().getResources().getDrawableForDensity(R.drawable.logo, DisplayMetrics.DENSITY_MEDIUM)) + "</img>\n" +
                    "[L]\n" +
                    "[C]<u><font size='big'>ORDER N°045</font></u>\n" +
                    "[L]\n" +
                    "[C]================================\n" +
                    "[L]\n" +
                    "[L]<b>BEAUTIFUL SHIRT</b>[R]9.99e\n" +
                    "[L]  + Size : S\n" +
                    "[L]\n" +
                    "[L]<b>AWESOME HAT</b>[R]24.99e\n" +
                    "[L]  + Size : 57/58\n" +
                    "[L]\n" +
                    "[C]--------------------------------\n" +
                    "[R]TOTAL PRICE :[R]34.98e\n" +
                    "[R]TAX :[R]4.23e\n" +
                    "[L]\n" +
                    "[C]================================\n" +
                    "[L]\n" +
                    "[L]<font size='tall'>Customer :</font>\n" +
                    "[L]Raymond DUPONT\n" +
                    "[L]5 rue des girafes\n" +
                    "[L]31547 PERPETES\n" +
                    "[L]Tel : +33801201456\n" +
                    "[L]\n" +
                    "[C]<barcode type='ean13' height='10'>831254784551</barcode>\n" +
                    "[C]<qrcode size='20'>https://dantsu.com/</qrcode>"
                );
        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
}).start();

USB

USB permission

Be sure to have <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.usb.host" ></uses-feature> in your AndroidManifest.xml.

You have to check the USB permission in your app like this :

private static final String ACTION_USB_PERMISSION = "com.android.example.USB_PERMISSION";
private final BroadcastReceiver usbReceiver = new BroadcastReceiver() {
    public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
        String action = intent.getAction();
        if (MainActivity.ACTION_USB_PERMISSION.equals(action)) {
            synchronized (this) {
                UsbManager usbManager = (UsbManager) getSystemService(Context.USB_SERVICE);
                UsbDevice usbDevice = (UsbDevice) intent.getParcelableExtra(UsbManager.EXTRA_DEVICE);
                if (intent.getBooleanExtra(UsbManager.EXTRA_PERMISSION_GRANTED, false)) {
                    if (usbManager != null && usbDevice != null) {
                        // YOUR PRINT CODE HERE
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
};
public void printUsb() {
    UsbConnection usbConnection = UsbPrintersConnections.selectFirstConnected(this);
    UsbManager usbManager = (UsbManager) this.getSystemService(Context.USB_SERVICE);
    if (usbConnection != null && usbManager != null) {
        PendingIntent permissionIntent = PendingIntent.getBroadcast(
            this,
            0,
            new Intent(MainActivity.ACTION_USB_PERMISSION),
            android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.S ? PendingIntent.FLAG_MUTABLE : 0
        );
        IntentFilter filter = new IntentFilter(MainActivity.ACTION_USB_PERMISSION);
        registerReceiver(this.usbReceiver, filter);
        usbManager.requestPermission(usbConnection.getDevice(), permissionIntent);
    }
}

USB code example

The code below is an example to write in your activity :

EscPosPrinter printer = new EscPosPrinter(new UsbConnection(usbManager, usbDevice), 203, 48f, 32);
printer
    .printFormattedText(
        "[C]<img>" + PrinterTextParserImg.bitmapToHexadecimalString(printer, this.getApplicationContext().getResources().getDrawableForDensity(R.drawable.logo, DisplayMetrics.DENSITY_MEDIUM))+"</img>\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]<u><font size='big'>ORDER N°045</font></u>\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]================================\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[L]<b>BEAUTIFUL SHIRT</b>[R]9.99e\n" +
        "[L]  + Size : S\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[L]<b>AWESOME HAT</b>[R]24.99e\n" +
        "[L]  + Size : 57/58\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]--------------------------------\n" +
        "[R]TOTAL PRICE :[R]34.98e\n" +
        "[R]TAX :[R]4.23e\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]================================\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[L]<font size='tall'>Customer :</font>\n" +
        "[L]Raymond DUPONT\n" +
        "[L]5 rue des girafes\n" +
        "[L]31547 PERPETES\n" +
        "[L]Tel : +33801201456\n" +
        "[L]\n" +
        "[C]<barcode type='ean13' height='10'>831254784551</barcode>\n" +
        "[C]<qrcode size='20'>https://dantsu.com/</qrcode>"
    );

Charset encoding

To change charset encoding of the printer, use EscPosCharsetEncoding class :

EscPosPrinter printer = new EscPosPrinter(deviceConnection, 203, 48f, 32, new EscPosCharsetEncoding("windows-1252", 16));

escPosCharsetId may change with printer model.
Follow this link to find escPosCharsetId that works with many printers

Formatted text : syntax guide

New line

Use \n to create a new line of text.

Text alignment and column separation

Add an alignment tag on a same line of text implicitly create a new column.

Column alignment tags :

• [L] : left side alignment
• [C] : center alignment
• [R] : right side alignment

Example :

• [L]Some text : One column aligned to left
• [C]Some text : One column aligned to center
• [R]Some text : One column aligned to right
• [L]Some text[L]Some other text : Two columns aligned to left. Some other text starts in the center of the paper.
• [L]Some text[R]Some other text : Two columns, first aligned to left, second aligned to right. Some other text is printed at the right of paper.
• [L]Some[R]text[R]here : Three columns.
• [L][R]text[R]here : Three columns. The first is empty but it takes a third of the available space.

Font

Size

<font></font> tag allows you to change the font size and color. Default size is normal / black.

• <font size='normal'>Some text</font> : Normal size
• <font size='wide'>Some text</font> : Double width of medium size
• <font size='tall'>Some text</font> : Double height of medium size
• <font size='big'>Some text</font> : Double width and height of medium size
• <font size='big-2'>Some text</font> : 3 x width and height
• <font size='big-3'>Some text</font> : 4 x width and height
• <font size='big-4'>Some text</font> : 5 x width and height
• <font size='big-5'>Some text</font> : 6 x width and height

• <font size='big-6'>Some text</font> : 7 x width and height

• <font color='black'>Some text</font> : black text - white background

• <font color='bg-black'>Some text</font> : white text - black background
• <font color='red'>Some text</font> : red text - white background (Not working on all printer)
• <font color='bg-red'>Some text</font> : white text - red background (Not working on all printer)

Bold

<b></b> tag allows you to change the font weight.

• <b>Some text</b>

Underline

<u></u> tag allows you to underline the text.

• <u>Some text</u> text underlined
• <u type='double'>Some text</u> text double-strike (Not working on all printer)

Image

<img></img> tag allows you to print image. Inside the tag you need to write a hexadecimal string of an image.

Use PrinterTextParserImg.bitmapToHexadecimalString to convert Drawable, BitmapDrawable or Bitmap to hexadecimal string.

• <img>hexadecimal string of an image</img>

⚠ WARNING ⚠ : This tag has several constraints :

• A line that contains <img></img> can have only one alignment tag and it must be at the beginning of the line.
• <img> must be directly preceded by nothing or an alignment tag ([L][C][R]).
• </img> must be directly followed by a new line \n.
• You can’t write text on a line that contains <img></img>.
• Maximum height of printed image is 256px, If you want to print larger bitmap. Please refer to this solution: #70

Barcode

<barcode></barcode> tag allows you to print a barcode. Inside the tag you need to write the code number to print.

• <barcode>451278452159</barcode> : (12 numbers)
  Prints a EAN13 barcode (height: 10mm, width: ~70% printer width, text: displayed below).
• <barcode type='ean8'>4512784</barcode> : (7 numbers)
  Prints a EAN8 barcode (height: 10mm, width: ~70% printer width, text: displayed below).
• <barcode type='upca' height='20'>4512784521</barcode> : (11 numbers)
  Prints a UPC-A barcode (height: 20mm, width: ~70% printer width, text: displayed below).
• <barcode type='upce' height='25' width='50' text='none'>512789</barcode> : (6 numbers)
  Prints a UPC-E barcode (height: 25mm, width: ~50mm, text: hidden).
• <barcode type='128' width='40' text='above'>DantSu</barcode> : (string)
  Prints a barcode 128 (height: 10mm, width: ~40mm, text: displayed above).

⚠ WARNING ⚠ : This tag has several constraints :

• A line that contains <barcode></barcode> can have only one alignment tag and it must be at the beginning of the line.
• <barcode> must be directly preceded by nothing or an alignment tag ([L][C][R]).
• </barcode> must be directly followed by a new line \n.
• You can’t write text on a line that contains <barcode></barcode>.

QR Code

<qrcode></qrcode> tag allows you to print a QR code. Inside the tag you need to write the QR code data.

• <qrcode>https://dantsu.com/</qrcode> :
  Prints a QR code with a width and height of 20 millimeters.
• <qrcode size='25'>123456789</qrcode> :
  Prints a QR code with a width and height of 25 millimeters.

⚠ WARNING ⚠ : This tag has several constraints :

• A line that contains <qrcode></qrcode> can have only one alignment tag and it must be at the beginning of the line.
• <qrcode> must be directly preceded by nothing or an alignment tag ([L][C][R]).
• </qrcode> must be directly followed by a new line \n.
• You can’t write text on a line that contains <qrcode></qrcode>.

Class list

Class : com.dantsu.escposprinter.connection.bluetooth.BluetoothPrintersConnections

Static Method : selectFirstPaired()

Easy way to get the first bluetooth printer paired / connected.

• return BluetoothConnection

Method : getList()

Get a list of bluetooth printers.

• return BluetoothConnection[]

⚠️ If the arrray returned by getList() does not contain you printer or if selectFirstPaired() does not return your printer. Read this issue : https://github.com/DantSu/ESCPOS-ThermalPrinter-Android/issues/80#issuecomment-729759832

Class : com.dantsu.escposprinter.connection.tcp.TcpConnection

Constructor : TcpConnection(String address, int port[, int timeout])

• param String address : Targeted ip address
• param int port : Targeted tcp port
• param int timeout (optional) : Connection timeout (default : 30)

Class : com.dantsu.escposprinter.connection.usb.UsbPrintersConnections

Static Method : selectFirstConnected()

Easy way to get the first USB printer connected.

• return UsbConnection

Method : getList()

Get a list of USB printers.

• return UsbConnection[]

Class : com.dantsu.escposprinter.EscPosPrinter

Constructor : EscPosPrinter(DeviceConnection printer, int printerDpi, float printingWidthMM, int nbrCharactersPerLine [, EscPosCharsetEncoding charsetEncoding])

• param DeviceConnection printer : Instance of a connected printer
• param int printerDpi : DPI of the connected printer
• param float printerWidthMM : Printing width in millimeters
• param int printerNbrCharactersPerLine : The maximum number of medium sized characters that can be printed on a line.
• param EscPosCharsetEncoding charsetEncoding (optional) : Set the charset encoding.

Method : disconnectPrinter()

Close the connection with the printer.

• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : getNbrCharactersPerLine()

Get the maximum number of characters that can be printed on a line.

• return int

Method : getPrinterWidthMM()

Get the printing width in millimeters

• return float

Method : getPrinterDpi()

Get the printer DPI

• return int

Method : getPrinterWidthPx()

Get the printing width in dot

• return int

Method : getPrinterCharSizeWidthPx()

Get the number of dot that a printed character contain

• return int

Method : mmToPx(float mmSize)

Convert the mmSize variable from millimeters to dot.

• param float mmSize : Distance in millimeters to be converted
• return int : Dot size of mmSize.

Method : useEscAsteriskCommand(boolean enable)

Active “ESC *” command for image printing.

• param boolean enable : true to use “ESC *”, false to use “GS v 0”
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : printFormattedText(String text)

Print a formatted text and feed paper (20 millimeters). Read the “Formatted Text : Syntax guide” section for more information about text formatting options.

• param String text : Formatted text to be printed.
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : printFormattedTextAndCut(String text)

Print a formatted text, feed paper (20 millimeters) and cut the paper. Read the “Formatted Text : Syntax guide” section for more information about text formatting options.

• param String text : Formatted text to be printed.
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : printFormattedText(String text, float mmFeedPaper)

Print a formatted text and feed paper (mmFeedPaper millimeters). Read the “Formatted Text : Syntax guide” section for more information about text formatting options.

• param String text : Formatted text to be printed.
• param float mmFeedPaper : Millimeter distance feed paper at the end.
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : printFormattedTextAndCut(String text, float mmFeedPaper)

Print a formatted text, feed paper (mmFeedPaper millimeters) and cut the paper. Read the “Formatted Text : Syntax guide” section for more information about text formatting options.

• param String text : Formatted text to be printed.
• param float mmFeedPaper : Millimeter distance feed paper at the end.
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : printFormattedTextAndOpenCashBox(String text, float mmFeedPaper)

Print a formatted text, feed paper (mmFeedPaper millimeters), cut the paper and open the cash box. Read the “Formatted Text : Syntax guide” section for more information about text formatting options.

• param String text : Formatted text to be printed.
• param float mmFeedPaper : Millimeter distance feed paper at the end.
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : printFormattedText(String text, int dotsFeedPaper)

Print a formatted text and feed paper (dotsFeedPaper dots). Read the “Formatted Text : Syntax guide” section for more information about text formatting options.

• param String text : Formatted text to be printed.
• param int dotsFeedPaper : Distance feed paper at the end.
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : printFormattedTextAndCut(String text, int dotsFeedPaper)

Print a formatted text, feed paper (dotsFeedPaper dots) and cut the paper. Read the “Formatted Text : Syntax guide” section for more information about text formatting options.

• param String text : Formatted text to be printed.
• param int dotsFeedPaper : Distance feed paper at the end.
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : printFormattedTextAndOpenCashBox(String text, int dotsFeedPaper)

Print a formatted text, feed paper (dotsFeedPaper dots), cut the paper and open the cash box. Read the “Formatted Text : Syntax guide” section for more information about text formatting options.

• param String text : Formatted text to be printed.
• param int dotsFeedPaper : Distance feed paper at the end.
• return Printer : Fluent interface

Method : bitmapToBytes(Bitmap bitmap, boolean gradient)

Convert Bitmap object to ESC/POS image.

• param Bitmap bitmap : Instance of Bitmap
• param boolean gradient : false Black and white image, true Grayscale image
• return byte[] : Bytes contain the image in ESC/POS command

Class : com.dantsu.escposprinter.textparser.PrinterTextParserImg

Static Method : bitmapToHexadecimalString(Printer printer, Drawable drawable [, boolean gradient])

Convert Drawable instance to a hexadecimal string of the image data.

• param Printer printer : A Printer instance that will print the image.
• param Drawable drawable : Drawable instance to be converted.
• param boolean gradient (optional) : false Black and white image, true Grayscale image (Default : true)
• return String : A hexadecimal string of the image data. Empty string if Drawable cannot be cast to BitmapDrawable.

Static Method : bitmapToHexadecimalString(Printer printer, BitmapDrawable bitmapDrawable [, boolean gradient])

Convert BitmapDrawable instance to a hexadecimal string of the image data.

• param Printer printer : A Printer instance that will print the image.
• param BitmapDrawable bitmapDrawable : BitmapDrawable instance to be converted.
• param boolean gradient (optional) : false Black and white image, true Grayscale image (Default : true)
• return String : A hexadecimal string of the image data.

Static Method : bitmapToHexadecimalString(Printer printer, Bitmap bitmap [, boolean gradient])

Convert Bitmap instance to a hexadecimal string of the image data.

• param Printer printer : A Printer instance that will print the image.
• param Bitmap bitmap : Bitmap instance to be converted.
• param boolean gradient (optional) : false Black and white image, true Grayscale image (Default : true)
• return String : A hexadecimal string of the image data.

Static Method : bytesToHexadecimalString(byte[] bytes)

Convert byte array to a hexadecimal string of the image data.

• param byte[] bytes : Bytes contain the image in ESC/POS command.
• return String : A hexadecimal string of the image data.

Static Method : hexadecimalStringToBytes(String hexString)

Convert hexadecimal string of the image data to bytes ESC/POS command.

• param String hexString : Hexadecimal string of the image data.
• return byte[] : Bytes contain the image in ESC/POS command.

Class : com.dantsu.escposprinter.EscPosCharsetEncoding

Constructor : EscPosCharsetEncoding(String charsetName, int escPosCharsetId)

• param charsetName Name of charset encoding (Ex: ISO-8859-1)
• param escPosCharsetId Id of charset encoding for your printer (Ex: 6)

Projects using this library

• AllInOneYT/react-native-thermal-printer : A React Native bridge
• paystory-de/thermal-printer-cordova-plugin : A Cordova / Ionic bridge
• asukiaaa/react-native-escpos-android : A React Native bridge
• android_bluetooth_printer : A Flutter bridge

Contributing

Please fork this repository and contribute back using pull requests.

Any contributions, large or small, major features, bug fixes, are welcomed and appreciated but will be thoroughly reviewed