LabelMaker

A simple Linux label maker application for Brother P-touch label printers.

Version

Current version is defined in labelmaker/version.py. The version is displayed in:

• Window title
• stdout on startup

Version numbering follows commits - increment version with each commit.

Installation

Dependencies

# System packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt install python3-pyqt6 python3-pil

# Or via pip (if in a venv)
pip install PyQt6 pillow

Running

python3 main.py

On startup, you'll see:

LabelMaker v0.1.0

Documentation

• Printer Subsystem - Direct USB communication via libusb
• GUI System - GTK4/Cairo framework for pixel-accurate preview

Supported Printers

• Brother P-touch P700 (primary target)
  • USB VID:PID: 04f9:2061
  • Resolution: 180 DPI
  • Maximum print width: 128 pixels
  • Tape widths: 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 18mm, 24mm

Technical Specifications

P-touch P700 Details

Specification	Value
Print Resolution	180 DPI
Max Print Width	128 pixels
Max Label Length	~300mm (11.8")
Print Speed	30 mm/s
Technology	Thermal Transfer
Connection	USB

Tape Widths and Pixel Counts (at 180 DPI)

Tape Width	Printable Pixels	Margins
6mm	32 px	~1.0mm
9mm	52 px	~1.0mm
12mm	76 px	~2.0mm
18mm	120 px	~3.0mm
24mm	128 px	~3.0mm

Printing Framework

Direct USB via libusb (Selected Approach)

Pros:

• Direct control over the printer
• No CUPS installation required
• Well-documented protocol from existing projects
• Automatic tape width detection

Cons:

• Requires udev rules for non-root access
• Need to handle USB communication directly

Dependencies:

• libusb-1.0
• libgd (for image processing)

Reference implementations:

• ptouch-print - CLI tool with libusb
• ptouch-770 - P700-specific implementation

See PRINTER_SUBSYSTEM.md for complete protocol implementation details.

P700 Special Notes

1. PLite Mode: The P700 may start in "PLite" mode (green LED on). Hold the PLite button for ~2 seconds to switch to standard mode for computer control.

2. Flags Required: PT-P700 requires RASTER_PACKBITS and P700_INIT flags in the protocol.

3. Image Requirements: Input images should be:

   • 2-color (black and white)
   • PNG format preferred
   • Width matching tape pixel count
   • Height = label length in pixels (length_mm * 180 / 25.4)

GUI Framework

PyQt6 + QGraphicsView (Selected Approach)

• MSPaint-style editor with movable text/image blocks
• Dual-view design: 500% zoomed editor + 1:1 actual-size preview
• Built-in features: Draggable items, selection, undo/redo
• Pixel-perfect: Snap-to-grid, no antialiasing, 1-bit rendering

See GUI_SYSTEM.md for detailed implementation.

Application Design Goals

1. WYSIWYG Preview: Display labels at actual 180 DPI resolution
2. Simple Interface: Text input, font selection, basic alignment
3. Direct Print: Send raster data directly to printer via libusb
4. Pixel-Perfect: What you see is exactly what prints

Resources

• Brother P-touch P700 Product Page
• ptouch-print on Linux Guide
• P-Touch Protocol Documentation