Retro-Printer

Retro-Printer It has been developed by RWAP Software, a business which has been supporting retro computers since 1986.

A small module from Retro-Computer specialist, RWAP Software, which works together with a Raspberry Pi to provide an easy to use, low cost replacement for centronics dot matrix printers Designed as a plug in module for the Raspberry Pi computer, the Retro-Printer is designed to provide a low cost means for vintage computers and industrial equipment to connect easily to the latest USB and network p

rinters on the market, rather than being limited to a small number of expensive dot-matrix printers or top end laser printers. It forms a hardware alternative to the software based DOS Application Printers which rely on DOS being run inside a dos box under Microsoft Windows; thus providing a solution for computers and equipment on which Microsoft Windows is not the operating system.

04/08/2026

v3.37 Software Released Today

This has quite a few changes - please note that Handshaking values may need to be updated if you upgrade to this version. 2 or 6 provide much more accurate timing.

- Updated Raspberry Pi OS to "Trixie"
- Changed the network device settings to work with updated Windows security settings - username is now retroprinter1 password is rootroot
- Added optional ability to write captured data to the console window
- Added support for Epson+Graftrax in the Emulation mode - supports the Epson Graftrax 80 ROM - supports Apple II+ and TRS-80 plus more.
- Updated GhostPCL to v10.07.0
- Started Emulation for Diablo 630 Printer
- Improved handling of file position for when unit is restarted where streaming incoming data - it prevents the same data being parsed again
- Added wsdd package so the retro-printer shows in the network list on Win10/11 machines
- Added support for /root/config/timeout of -2 (always wait until end of job text or other end of job indication is received)
- Added support for /root/config/ff_end_of_job for ALL emulations (except HP, PS and QT-2100). This also now supports "Always" which will ignore the timeout setting and just assume the end of a print job is signified by a Form Feed (USE WITH CAUTION).
- Rewritten the handling of EXCHANGE_CODES, IGNORE_CODES, PJL Wrappers and other byte processing to speed up the process and help with multiple matches when processing the same file - tested with over 100 EXCHANGE strings.
- Altered support for saving to USB memory sticks, so that if the USB stick is not inserted, then the software writes everything to a temporary folder - everything is then moved over to the USB memory stick on insertion.
- Added optional code for Options using the module with Visual Field Analysers, so that the data is parsed to automatically add the name of the patient and which eye has been tested to the filename.
- Improved handling of ESC i raster printing in Epson convertor.
- Added new Offline_switch setting of EXCHANGE_STRINGS to allow you to swap between /root/config/exchange_strings1 and /root/config/exchange_strings2 if you have some complex reports to use.
- Added support for ZX Spectrum 48 and ZX Spectrum+128 Tokens in the printer output

Still relying on legacy printers and outputs that simply won’t behave with modern setups? Our Legacy Output Modernisatio...
12/07/2026

Still relying on legacy printers and outputs that simply won’t behave with modern setups? Our Legacy Output Modernisation Guide walks through a practical, engineering-led approach to upgrading without breaking workflows—handling protocol quirks, connectivity gaps, and those “obsolete-but-still-essential” printing issues. You’ll get dependable strategies for preserving printed records, reducing downtime, and making long-term support realistic in hard-to-service environments. If you’re maintaining older systems that can’t be replaced on a whim, this is the guide built for your reality.

https://www.retroprinter.com/legacy-output-modernisation-guide/

Keeping legacy print capture working isn’t just about “making it connect” — it’s about matching the original hardware be...
10/07/2026

Keeping legacy print capture working isn’t just about “making it connect” — it’s about matching the original hardware behaviour, interfaces, and protocols so records don’t go missing when the printer or driver ecosystem moves on. In our latest guide, we break down the best hardware options for legacy setups, including what to choose when you’re dealing with discontinued parts, limited connectivity, or stubborn serial/parallel constraints. If your workflow depends on older machinery and you can’t afford downtime or a full replacement, this is the engineering-led checklist you’ll want on hand.

https://www.retroprinter.com/best-hardware-for-legacy-print-capture/

If you’re still running DOS printing in a legacy workflow, you’ll know how quickly it can fall apart—driver mismatches, ...
08/07/2026

If you’re still running DOS printing in a legacy workflow, you’ll know how quickly it can fall apart—driver mismatches, connectivity changes, and “obsolete” printer parts that never quite behave. This engineering-led guide breaks down what keeps DOS printing working reliably, from the underlying protocol/connection realities to the practical ways to stabilise outputs without rewriting your whole system. It’s written for UK and international teams that need printed records to keep flowing, not another half-finished workaround. If your printer setup is unusual or hard to service, this is the dependable, problem-solving approach you’ll want.

https://www.retroprinter.com/how-to-keep-dos-printing-working/

If you’re keeping legacy equipment running, “just use an adapter” rarely cuts it—especially when parallel interfaces, le...
06/07/2026

If you’re keeping legacy equipment running, “just use an adapter” rarely cuts it—especially when parallel interfaces, legacy printer behaviour, and old drivers don’t behave as expected. Choosing a parallel data capture solution is about engineering choices that preserve data integrity, maintain compatibility with real-world workflows, and give you long-term support when vendors stop supplying parts. In our latest article, we break down what to look for at the protocol level so your printed records don’t disappear when hardware changes. Worth a read if you’re dealing with discontinued consumables or connectivity gaps and need a solution that’s built to work, not just to claim.

https://www.retroprinter.com/choosing-parallel-data-capture-solution/

Keeping legacy medical devices printing reliably isn’t just a parts problem—it’s a protocol, interface, and workflow cha...
05/07/2026

Keeping legacy medical devices printing reliably isn’t just a parts problem—it’s a protocol, interface, and workflow challenge. In our Medical Device Printing case study, we break down how we approached a difficult, hard-to-service environment with dependable, engineering-led problem solving, focused on continuity and long-term support. If you’re dealing with obsolete hardware, discontinued consumables, or compatibility issues with modern printers, this is the kind of practical insight you can apply immediately to protect critical printed records.

https://www.retroprinter.com/medical-device-printing-case-study/

If you’re keeping legacy equipment running, a “printer protocol emulator” isn’t just a gadget—it’s the missing layer tha...
04/07/2026

If you’re keeping legacy equipment running, a “printer protocol emulator” isn’t just a gadget—it’s the missing layer that translates old printer expectations into something modern systems can understand. In our latest article, we break down what these emulators actually do at the protocol level, why they help with obsolete interfaces and discontinued hardware, and how they protect the reliability of critical printed records. For UK and international teams dealing with serial/parallel constraints or awkward compatibility issues, it’s a practical guide to solving problems mainstream adapters can’t touch.

https://www.retroprinter.com/what-a-printer-protocol-emulator-does/

Machine printouts are still business-critical records on a lot of legacy systems, but scanning everything isn’t always r...
03/07/2026

Machine printouts are still business-critical records on a lot of legacy systems, but scanning everything isn’t always reliable or consistent. This article breaks down practical ways to store print output electronically—keeping formats, traceability, and retrieval aligned with how your machines actually work. If you’re dealing with obsolete printer hardware, awkward interfaces, or discontinued consumables, this engineering-led approach helps you preserve what you’ve already got without rebuilding your entire workflow. It’s a dependable guide for long-term continuity in unusual, hard-to-service environments.

https://www.retroprinter.com/store-machine-printouts-electronically/

Still running legacy machines that were designed for “proper” printer hardware? The big question is whether they can rel...
02/07/2026

Still running legacy machines that were designed for “proper” printer hardware? The big question is whether they can reliably print to modern network printers without breaking records, workflows, or timing-sensitive operations. We break down the engineering reality—interfaces, protocols, and the workarounds that make old systems dependable in today’s print environments. If you manage legacy equipment and can’t afford downtime, this is the practical, protocol-level perspective you’ll want in your toolkit.

https://www.retroprinter.com/can-legacy-machines-use-network-printers/

Migrating legacy printers doesn’t have to mean downtime or guesswork—especially when you’re dealing with ageing drivers,...
30/06/2026

Migrating legacy printers doesn’t have to mean downtime or guesswork—especially when you’re dealing with ageing drivers, discontinued consumables, and old interfaces that modern replacements just don’t understand. This guide walks through proven migration steps that keep your existing workflows stable while bridging the gap to workable new printing methods, without risking critical records. If you’ve ever had a serial/parallel setup refuse to behave or been forced into a costly replacement, this is the engineering-led, practical playbook you’ll want on hand.

https://www.retroprinter.com/legacy-printer-migration-steps-that-work/

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