Technical Reference - KYOCERA Document Solutions

Chapter 1
Introduction to PRESCRIBE
PRESCRIBE is the native language of the Kyocera printing systems including copiers
(collectively referred to as printing systems hereafter). Consisting of easily remembered
commands, such as ‘SLM’ for Set Left Margin, and ‘BOX’ to draw a box, it gives you
the capability to control line and character spacing, adjust margins, change fonts, position
text, draw graphics, and print multiple copies of each page. PRESCRIBE also gives
freedom to control device settings including selection of paper source, output stack, and
finishing operations such as sorting, stapling, etc.
Most application software controls printing systems by means of codes and escape
sequences that are built into the program and are not directly visible to the user. In contrast,
PRESCRIBE commands are made of ordinary characters that you can type in yourself
and see on the computer screen. This makes it easy for you to customize printing and
add features that may not be supported by your application.
This chapter presents an introduction to PRESCRIBE starting with an explanation of the
commands by which you start and exit PRESCRIBE. It is followed by an introduction to
some basic concepts of PRESCRIBE, then a discussion of the command format and
command parameters.