my $zip_1 = '';
#...
printf ">%12.12s<\n", $zip;
printf ">%12.12s<\n", '123456789012';

##</code><code>##

>            <
>123456789012<

##</code><code>##

my @lines;

push @lines, 'Address line 1';
push @lines, ''; # Second line of address skipped
push @lines, 'no zip stupid form';
push @lines, 'My beloved country';
push @lines, 'The %35.35s syntax will truncate this is a long line.';

printf "%-35.35s\n", $_ for @lines;

##</code><code>##

Address line 1                     
                                   
no zip stupid form                 
My beloved country                 
The %35.35s syntax will truncate th