Patent ID: 7275881

Claim:
A printing system comprising: a printing device having first and second similar printing mechanisms; first and second similar holding means for holding respective first and second rolls of label stock in a position to pass the first and second printing mechanisms respectively; and a local processor connected to supply print data to a selected one of said first and second printing mechanisms and comprising means for receiving print data and a command for supplying said print data to the selected one of said first and second printing mechanisms to print an image on a label of the respective associated one of said first and second rolls of label stock, based on said command; and a host computer connected to the printing system and arranged to execute a common printer driver for supplying said print data and command to the printing device, regardless of which printing mechanism is selected; and wherein the local processor is arranged to read an automatic code in the command received with said print data, and is configured on receipt of said automatic code to direct print data to the second printing mechanism when the first roll of label stock has expired.