Knowledge Base
Deviking Order Autoprint

Using RAW ESC/POS Mode

RAW ESC/POS mode is intended for compatible thermal printers that support ESC/POS commands.

It can be useful when you need more direct control over thermal printing features than standard Windows printing provides.

1. What Is ESC/POS?

ESC/POS is a command system commonly supported by receipt and thermal printers.

Compatible printers can use ESC/POS commands for functions such as:

  • Text formatting
  • Paper feed
  • Alignment
  • Cutting
  • Other printer-specific functions

2. When to Use RAW ESC/POS

RAW ESC/POS is mainly intended for:

  • 80mm thermal printers
  • 58mm thermal printers
  • Receipt printers
  • Kitchen printers
  • ESC/POS-compatible devices

It is not normally required for standard A4 or A5 printers.

3. Enable RAW ESC/POS

In your WordPress dashboard, go to:

Deviking Order Autoprint → Print Rules

Edit the rule that uses the thermal printer.

Inside the printer settings, enable:

RAW ESC/POS

The print job will then use the thermal printer’s compatible raw printing mode.

4. Printer Compatibility

Not every thermal printer supports ESC/POS.

Before enabling RAW ESC/POS, check the printer documentation or manufacturer specifications.

Look for terms such as:

  • ESC/POS
  • Epson ESC/POS compatible
  • POS command compatible
  • Raw command printing

If the printer does not support ESC/POS, use the standard Windows printing mode instead.

5. Standard Windows Printing vs RAW ESC/POS

Standard Windows Printing

Uses the Windows printer driver.

Recommended when:

  • You are unsure whether the printer supports ESC/POS
  • You use a standard office printer
  • The normal thermal output already works correctly

RAW ESC/POS

Uses a more direct printing method for compatible thermal printers.

It may be useful when you need thermal-specific functionality supported by the device.

6. Auto-Cut

RAW ESC/POS may be used together with:

Auto-Cut

on compatible printers.

This allows the printer to receive the appropriate cutting instruction after printing.

The printer must have a physical cutter and support the required ESC/POS command.

7. Printer Drivers

Even when using RAW ESC/POS, the printer should still be correctly installed and available in Windows.

The Deviking Print Agent must be able to identify the printer before it can send jobs to it.

8. If RAW Printing Does Not Work

If the printer produces incorrect output, unreadable characters or no output at all:

  1. Disable RAW ESC/POS
  2. Save the Print Rule
  3. Test again using standard Windows printing

Also verify that the printer actually supports ESC/POS.

9. Use It Only When Needed

RAW ESC/POS is an advanced thermal printing option.

If your printer works correctly using the standard printing mode, there is no need to enable it.

10. Test Before Production Use

After enabling RAW ESC/POS, run a test print and verify:

  • Text prints correctly
  • Alignment is correct
  • Paper feeds properly
  • Auto-Cut works, if enabled
  • No unexpected characters are printed

Once the output is correct, the rule can be used normally.