*print-escape*

a generalized boolean.

true.

If false, escape characters and package prefixes are not output when an expression is printed.

If true, an attempt is made to print an expression in such a way that it can be read again to produce an equal expression. (This is only a guideline; not a requirement. See *print-readably*.)

For more specific details of how the value of *print-escape* affects the printing of certain types, see Section 22.1.3 (Default Print-Object Methods).

 (let ((*print-escape* t)) (write #\a)) 
⊳ #\a 
→ #\a 
 (let ((*print-escape* nil)) (write #\a)) 
⊳ a 
→ #\a

princ, prin1, format

write, readtable-case

princ effectively binds *print-escape* to false. prin1 effectively binds *print-escape* to true.