From 96d2af4c3f8a0bdf94f546795261b60c849a9829 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Joe Lothan <joe@lothan.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2026 17:12:25 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] better rotation

---
 print_tape.py | 31 ++++++++++++++++---------------
 1 file changed, 16 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)

diff --git a/print_tape.py b/print_tape.py
index a768139..f3aa2d6 100644
--- a/print_tape.py
+++ b/print_tape.py
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 Reads a CSV of trades (timestamp, symbol, lots, price) and generates
 ESC/POS commands with 90° rotated text to emulate an old stock ticker tape.
 
-When the receipt paper is turned sideways:
-  - Symbol appears at the top of the tape
-  - Price (and lot count) appears at the bottom
+Each character gets its own printed row. When the receipt paper is turned
+sideways, symbol characters read across the top and price characters read
+across the bottom — just like a real ticker tape.
 """
 
 import csv
@@ -18,21 +18,23 @@ from escpos.printer import Dummy
 LINE_WIDTH = 42
 
 
-def format_trade(symbol, lots, price):
-    """Format a trade line for the ticker tape.
-
-    Symbol is placed at the start of the line, price info at the end.
-    With 90° rotation, start-of-line = top of tape, end-of-line = bottom.
-    """
+def print_trade(p, symbol, lots, price):
+    """Print a single trade as ticker tape characters, one per row."""
     if lots > 1:
         price_str = f"{lots}s{price:.2f}"
     else:
         price_str = f"{price:.2f}"
 
-    padding = LINE_WIDTH - len(symbol) - len(price_str)
-    if padding < 1:
-        padding = 1
-    return symbol + " " * padding + price_str
+    # Symbol characters at the top (left-aligned)
+    for ch in symbol:
+        p.text(ch + "\n")
+
+    # Price characters at the bottom (right-aligned)
+    for ch in price_str:
+        p.text(" " * (LINE_WIDTH - 1) + ch + "\n")
+
+    # Blank line separator between trades
+    p.text("\n")
 
 
 def main():
@@ -50,8 +52,7 @@ def main():
             _timestamp, symbol, lots_str, price_str = row
             lots = int(lots_str)
             price = float(price_str)
-            line = format_trade(symbol, lots, price)
-            p.text(line + "\n")
+            print_trade(p, symbol, lots, price)
 
     p.cut()