Configure printers
Open Operations Studio → Printers. Use a clear location-based name such as Packaging Line 2 so operators can select the correct physical destination.
Create a printer
- Add a printer and select its paired Print Bridge.
- Enter the printer's local IP address and TCP port. The usual raw-print port is 9100; use the value configured on the actual device.
- Select ZPL or TSPL, the installed printhead DPI, and the stock dimensions in millimetres.
- Set the gap and, where required, the maximum copies and job lifetime.
- Save, check the connection and print a test label.
Use a stable address, for example a DHCP reservation agreed with IT. A job selects this printer's registered ID; it cannot override the address.
| Setting | Check |
|---|---|
| Bridge | The host can reach the printer network and belongs to this environment. |
| Language | Supported by the printer firmware or its enabled emulation. |
| DPI | Matches the printhead; a different DPI changes physical dimensions. |
| Width, height and gap | Match the loaded stock and printer calibration. |
| Copies | Within the configured printer limit and the platform limit of 100. |
| Job lifetime | Short enough to avoid stale labels after an outage; default 15 minutes. |
Interpret the connection
Saving an address does not establish a connection. The bridge must receive the current configuration, permit it under the local policy and report its check.
- Unchecked: the current configuration has not been verified.
- Blocked: the local policy does not permit the destination or connection.
- Reachable: the bridge opened the configured TCP connection.
- Unreachable: the latest attempt could not reach the endpoint.
Reachability is separate from bridge connectivity and physical printer readiness. A socket can be reachable while the printer has no stock or the wrong stock. Refresh after a check and inspect the latest observation.
Validate a real label
Inspect alignment, clipping, orientation, text and codes on the actual stock. Scan QR codes and barcodes with the device used in the workflow. ZPL selects UTF-8 with ^CI28; TSPL selects CODEPAGE UTF-8. The printer firmware and selected font must support the required characters, so include umlauts and other non-ASCII text in physical acceptance.
ZPL supports validated inline bitmap images. Missing, corrupt or remote image sources fail a physical job; preview placeholders are never substituted in production. TSPL image output is not supported by the current text-based adapter and is rejected. Use a compatible template. A transport success does not complete physical acceptance.
Change or retire a printer
Each configuration change creates a new revision. A previous check does not validate a new destination. Jobs created for an older configuration must not silently move to a new printer endpoint; inspect affected jobs and create a reviewed replacement where needed.
If another administrator changes the printer while you edit, saving reports a conflict and keeps your draft. Reload the current configuration before applying the intended changes.
Archive a printer to stop new work. Review jobs already handed to the bridge before physically replacing equipment. Archiving cannot recall bytes already sent. For reconnecting a bridge, see Print Bridge installation.