Setup: Sato CUPS Printer Driver for Linux CG2 Series CG208 DT-TT User Manual

Overview

The CUPS Printer Driver for Linux CG2 Series CG208 DT-TT enables Linux computers to print labels on the SATO CG208 DT or CG208 TT printer through the Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS). It is intended for administrators, developers, and everyday Linux users who need reliable label printing through USB, LAN, Bluetooth, serial, or parallel connections.

The driver converts the raster image generated by CUPS into SATO Barcode Printer Language (SBPL), then sends the resulting print commands and selected printer options to the device. The same driver package also supports a wide range of other SATO printer families, but the CG208 DT and CG208 TT are the focus of this guide.

Specifications

• Supported printer: SATO CG208 DT/TT in the CG2 Series.
• Supported CPU architectures: x86, x64, ARMv7, and ARMv8 installation methods.
• Supported Linux packaging formats: DEB, RPM, and TAR.GZ packages for applicable systems.
• Minimum CUPS version: CUPS 1.5 or later.
• Supported Linux families: DEB-based distributions such as Ubuntu 11.10 or later and RPM-based distributions such as Fedora 16 or RHEL 8 or later.
• Connection types: LAN, USB, Bluetooth, LPT, RS232, and other serial connections supported by the Linux CUPS configuration.
• Bluetooth requirement: The blue-cupz package is required for Bluetooth printing.
• Printer options: Media size, sensor type, image conversion, print method, resolution, speed, darkness, print mode, cutter settings where available, and horizontal or vertical offsets.

Detailed Description

The SATO Linux driver uses several CUPS components to manage a print job. CUPS creates and monitors the printer queue, filters convert the job into a suitable format, and the backend communicates with the selected printer. The raster filter supplied with the driver changes the CUPS raster output into SBPL commands that the CG208 DT or CG208 TT can process.

This design hides printer-language commands and connection details from most users. After the queue is created, applications generally print to the configured CUPS printer in the same way they print to other Linux printers.

Available Printer Options

• Media Size: Defines the label or media dimensions in inches.
• Sensor Type: Selects the transparent sensor or reflection sensor used by the printer.
• B&W Conversion: Provides image conversion choices. Dither is the default; Threshold settings at 25%, 50%, and 75% can produce lighter, standard, or darker high-contrast output.
• Print Method: Selects the applicable thermal printing method, including thermal and direct thermal modes.
• Resolution: Sets the available print density for the selected model.
• Print Speed: Controls how quickly the printer advances and prints media.
• Darkness Range: Provides six density choices labeled A through F.
• Darkness Level: Provides five intensity levels labeled 1 through 5.
• Print Mode: Selects operating modes such as continuous, tear-off, cutter, or dispenser when supported.
• Cutter: Configures cutter behavior on models equipped with a cutter. A compatible cutter operation mode must also be selected.
• Vertical Offset: Corrects the vertical starting position in inches.
• Horizontal Offset: Corrects the horizontal starting position in inches.

Safety and Preparation

• Use an account with root privileges, or prefix installation commands with sudo or su.
• Install the package that matches the Linux distribution and processor architecture. Using the wrong architecture can prevent the filter from working.
• Confirm that the CG208 printer is connected and powered on before selecting it or printing a test page.
• Pair the printer with the computer before attempting Bluetooth configuration.
• Use the correct media, sensor selection, print method, and resolution for the installed printer configuration.
• Changing CUPS configuration files requires administrative access. Keep a backup of important configuration files before editing them.

System Requirements

Use an IBM-compatible computer running a supported Linux distribution with CUPS 1.5 or newer. The computer must be able to connect to at least one supported SATO printer. For Bluetooth communication, install the blue-cupz package and verify that the Linux distribution supports the required Bluetooth components.

The screens and menu labels can differ between Ubuntu, Fedora, RHEL, and other Linux distributions. The underlying CUPS workflow remains substantially similar.

Setup and Operation

Installing on x86 or x64 Linux

1. Sign in as root, or prepare to use sudo or su for administrative commands.
2. Open a terminal.
3. Change to the folder containing the downloaded driver package. For example:

cd ~/Documents/SATO

4. Install a DEB package with:

dpkg -i package-name.deb

5. Install an RPM package with:

rpm -i package-name.rpm

6. For a TAR.GZ package, extract the archive into a local directory and run the included satodriver.install installer.
7. If an existing installation must be replaced, use the installer’s force option as appropriate for the package supplied with the driver.
8. Wait for the installation to complete before adding the printer queue.

Installing on ARMv7 or ARMv8

1. Open a terminal and run uname -a to identify the processor architecture.
2. Download the driver and the matching PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files for the detected architecture.
3. Extract the downloaded files into a local folder.
4. Copy the supplied rastertosbpl file into the CUPS filters directory.
5. If another rastertosbpl file already exists there, remove the old file before copying the replacement.
6. Assign the required executable permissions to the new filter file.
7. Add the printer using the PPD selection method in Printer Administration or the CUPS web interface.

Adding the Printer Through Linux Printer Settings

1. Open the operating system’s Printer Settings or Printer Administration utility.
2. Select Add Printer.
3. Choose the detected CG208 device and continue.
4. If the device is not detected, select a suitable network or other connection type and enter the printer’s device URI or host information.
5. For Bluetooth, pair the CG208 with the computer first.
6. When the driver database appears, choose SATO as the manufacturer.
7. Select the CG208 DT or CG208 TT model that matches the installed printer.
8. If the model is not listed, select the supplied PPD file or use the manually installed driver.
9. Review the queue information and apply the configuration.
10. Choose Print Test Page and verify that the printer is online and the label output is correctly aligned.

Adding the Printer Through the CUPS Web Interface

1. Open a web browser and enter the local CUPS administration address.
2. Select Administration, then choose Add Printer.
3. Select the detected printer, or choose an appropriate network printer option if automatic discovery fails.
4. Enter the device URI or host information when prompted.
5. For Bluetooth, use the Bluetooth device address after pairing the printer with the computer.
6. Review the printer name, description, location, and connection details.
7. Choose the SATO CG208 driver from the detected model list, or manually select the correct PPD file.
8. Complete the setup and open the printer’s default options to configure media and print behavior.

Changing Printer Properties

In Linux Printer Settings, select the configured CG208 queue, open its properties, change the required values, and apply the changes. In the CUPS interface, open printer administration, select the queue, choose the printer modification option, update the settings, and save the new configuration.

Set media size, sensor type, print method, resolution, speed, darkness, print mode, and offsets to match the physical printer and label stock. Incorrect media or sensor settings can cause skipped labels or inaccurate positioning.

Setting Default Options in CUPS

1. Open the local CUPS administration interface.
2. Choose Administration, then Manage Printers.
3. Select the CG208 printer queue.
4. Open the administration menu and choose Set Default Options.
5. Change the default values and save them.

Default options apply to future print jobs unless an application or individual job overrides them.

Removing the Driver

To remove the x86 or x64 package, open a terminal with administrative privileges and run:

dpkg -r satodriver

Remove the printer queue separately through Linux Printer Settings or the CUPS administration interface before uninstalling the driver if the queue is no longer needed.

Troubleshooting

Printer Is Not Detected

• Confirm that the CG208 is powered on and connected to the intended USB, LAN, Bluetooth, serial, or parallel interface.
• For Bluetooth, verify that pairing was completed before adding the queue.
• Use the manual device URI or host entry when automatic discovery cannot find the printer.
• Check that the selected printer model and installed PPD match the CG208 DT or CG208 TT.

Jobs Remain in the Queue

• Verify that CUPS is running and that the printer queue is enabled.
• Check whether the correct architecture-specific driver was installed.
• On ARM systems, confirm that rastertosbpl is in the CUPS filters directory and has suitable permissions.
• Review the connection path and confirm that the selected backend matches the printer interface.

Labels Print Too Light, Dark, or Misaligned

• Adjust the darkness range or darkness level.
• Verify the print method and resolution.
• Select the correct transparent or reflection sensor.
• Confirm the media size and adjust horizontal or vertical offsets when the start position requires correction.
• Use Threshold conversion for sharp text and barcode edges, or Dither for image-oriented output.

Using CUPS Debug Logs

1. Open the CUPS daemon configuration file with administrative privileges.
2. Set the logging directive to:

LogLevel debug

3. Restart the CUPS service using the service command appropriate for the Linux distribution.
4. Send a test print to reproduce the problem.
5. Inspect the CUPS error log in the system’s CUPS log directory, commonly located under /var/log/cups/.
6. After troubleshooting, return logging to its normal level if extended debug logging is no longer required.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Supports the CG208 DT and CG208 TT, integrates with standard CUPS queues, works across several Linux architectures, and provides control over media, sensors, density, speed, print mode, and positioning.
• Pros: Offers graphical printer administration, a browser-based CUPS interface, and command-line management options.
• Cons: ARM installation requires manual placement and permission changes for the raster filter.
• Cons: Correct output depends on matching the driver, PPD, media, sensor, and print settings to the specific CG208 configuration.
• Cons: Bluetooth printing requires an additional package and prior device pairing.

The CUPS Printer Driver for Linux CG2 Series CG208 DT-TT is best suited to Linux environments that need centrally managed SATO label printing. Once the correct package, queue, connection method, and media settings are configured, CUPS provides a consistent workflow for applications and command-line print jobs.