Or you can consider using Perl6::Form instead of format.[a]
This works for me: 

use warnings;
use strict;
use Perl6::Form;

my @systems = qw(SERVER1 SERVER2 SERVER3);
foreach my $system (@systems) {
    print form "Now powering on : {|||||}     {||||||}", 
                                  $system, "[DONE]";
}

[download]
[a] Though I am with LanX on using printf if your initial script doesn't work like you want. Update

If you tell me, I'll forget.
If you show me, I'll remember.
if you involve me, I'll understand.
--- Author unknown to me

In reply to Re: Question about oddities when printing a tab by 2teez
in thread Question about oddities when printing a tab by walkingthecow

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