convert simple alpha-numeric text to barcode for printing

[Marc Ahrendt]

basically wondering if anyone has suggestions as to how to make the follow work:

echo 123abc | | lp

my goal is to print out some basic text to the printer, but the printed job results in the text converted into a barcode. (running HP-ux 11.11 and using a HP network printer)

[A. Clay Stephenson]

The are some DIMM's for Laserjets that will supply barcode fonts:

http://www.hp.com/sbso/product/printing/laserjetfonts/barcodefonts.html

but the product I use for any of this plus producing outstanding output from UNIX (barcodes, color, images, multiple fonts, duplex, ... ) is a product called UnForm.

www.unform.com