pbmtoepson

Convert a PBM image to an Epson printer graphic

$ pbmtoepson [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.epson]

$ pbmtoepson [[-pr|-protocol]] [escp9|escp] [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.epson]

$ pbmtoepson [[-d|-dpi]] [60|72|80|90|120|144|240] [path/to/image.pbm] > [path/to/output.epson]

pbmtoepson [options] [pbmfile]

-t
    Enable text mode. Sends text data rather than graphics commands.

-x cols
    Specify horizontal resolution in dots per inch (DPI). Default is often 120.

-y rows
    Specify vertical resolution in dots per inch (DPI). Default is often 72.

-p
    Enable proportional printing mode, if supported by the printer.

-q
    Quiet mode. Suppress status messages and warnings.

-u
    Enable unidirectional printing, which can sometimes be faster or more consistent.

-e
    Force Epson LQ-850 emulation mode for compatibility with specific printer models.

pbmtoepson is a utility from the Netpbm package, designed to convert a Portable BitMap (PBM) image file into a format suitable for printing on Epson dot-matrix printers. It takes a PBM file as input, either from a specified file or standard input, and produces Epson-compatible escape sequences and graphics data to standard output. This output can then be piped directly to a printer or saved to a file for later printing. It's particularly useful in environments where direct image printing to older Epson printers is required, often as part of a larger script or workflow, enabling command-line driven monochrome image printing.

Output is always sent to standard output, so it must be redirected to a printer (e.g., using lpr) or a file. It is designed for older Epson dot-matrix printers and may not be compatible with modern inkjet or laser printers. It assumes a monochrome (black and white) PBM input, as Epson dot-matrix printers typically handle only monochrome graphics.

To print a PBM image directly to the default printer:
pbmtoepson image.pbm | lpr

To convert and save the printer data to a file:
pbmtoepson image.pbm > printer_data.eps

The command reads the PBM image from the specified pbmfile or from standard input if no file is provided. The Epson-compatible printer data, consisting of escape sequences and graphics commands, is then written to standard output.

pbmtoepson is an integral part of the Netpbm package, a collection of graphics utilities that originated from the Portable Pixmap (PPM) format and its associated tools. Its development dates back to the early 1990s, aiming to provide flexible conversion capabilities for various image formats, including the simple PBM, into forms suitable for common output devices of the era like Epson dot-matrix printers, reflecting the need for robust command-line image manipulation and printing in Unix-like environments.

pbm(5), lpr(1), netpbm(1)