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Label Printer - Getting Started
Label Printer - Getting Started
Miles Dinsmore avatar
Written by Miles Dinsmore
Updated over a year ago

This article will go through the steps to install a label printer on a Windows computer. Your printer must be ZPL-enabled, as MJ Platform uses ZPL to interface with printers. These setup steps assume you are using a recommended printer. See Recommended Hardware for a list of recommended printer models. If you want to modify your labels, see Labels.

Only printers purchased from our third-party PLS site are tested and recommended. If you purchase a printer from another source, it may also be compatible, but we often will not be able to help with issues for non-recommended hardware.

If you are experiencing printer issues and your printer is already setup, see Troubleshooting - Printer Issues.

Setting up a label printer for the first time involves the following software:

  • QZ Tray - Required for MJ Platform to communicate with the printer

  • Java - Required for QZ Tray to run

  • Printer driver (Windows) or CUPS (Mac) - Required for the computer to communicate with the label printer

If you try to complete this procedure using an account on your computer that doesn't have administrative privileges, you may encounter issues with setup and/or printing.

You can't install QZ Tray for Chromebooks or iOS devices such as iPads.

Install Java

  1. In Google Chrome, go to the Java download page.

  2. Click Agree and Start Free Download. The download starts at the bottom of the window.

  3. Click the arrow next to the program being downloaded and click Open When Done.

  4. When the installer finishes, you can download any updates by double clicking it.

Install QZ Tray

  1. Download QZ Tray from the QZ website. Select the Windows or Mac download accordingly.

  2. Run the installer.

  3. After QZ Tray is installed, right-click its green icon in the taskbar and ensure Automatically start is selected.

Set up your computer - Windows

You can skip to the Mac section below if you're using a Mac.

Windows - Download and install the latest driver for the printer

  1. Go to the Zebra Downloads page and enter your model number into the field. A list of relevant links will appear below the field.
    ​

  2. Click DESKTOP PRINTER SUPPORT to go to the support page for your printer model.

  3. Click Drivers to automatically scroll to the Drivers section.

  4. Click the download link on the right side of the first applicable driver.

  5. Download the file and run it to start the installer. Follow the prompts on the installer to finish the initial install.

  6. On the PrnInst window that appears after the initial install, do the following:

    1. On the Welcome page, click Next.

    2. Click Install Printer, then wait a few moments for the Select Printer window to appear.

    3. From the Printers menu, select the printer that matches the model of your printer and click Next to complete the installation. If there are multiple potential matches, select one that either includes "(ZPL)" or has no parentheses. Do not select one containing (EPL) as this will not work with MJ Platform.

Windows - Set up your workstation

  1. Load your printer with a label roll. Refer to the Quick Start Guide that comes with the printer for more information.

  2. Plug in the printer, connect it to your computer with the USB cable, and turn the printer on.

Windows - Configure the installed printer driver

  1. On the keyboard, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, then type control printers into the field and click OK. This opens the Devices and Printers window.

  2. If you have not done so already, connect the printer to your computer. Your printer is displayed on the Devices and Printers window after a moment.

  3. Right-click the newly installed printer and click Printing preferences

  4. On the Options tab, in the Size section, enter the width and height of the labels in inches, then click Apply.

  5. On the Advanced Setup tab, select the Use printer settings checkbox, then click Apply.

  6. On the Dithering tab, set the dithering type to None, then click Apply.

  7. Ensure the selected preferences are correct, then click OK to close the window.

  8. Right-click the newly installed printer again and click Printing properties

  9. On the Printer Settings tab, in the Override Application Default Settings section, select the Always use drivers settings checkbox. Click Apply.

  10. Optionally, to print a test page, go to the General tab and click Print Test Page.

Set Up Your Computer - Mac

You can skip to "Start the Printer in MJ Platform" if you're using Windows.

Mac - Enable CUPS

You need to be logged in as an administrator to do this.

  1. Press cmd⌘ + space on the keyboard.

  2. Enter Terminal into the field and press return on the keyboard.

  3. Enter cupsctl WebInterface=yes into the terminal and press return on the keyboard.

Mac - Install the printer

  1. Open Google Chrome, and in the address bar enter localhost:631

  2. Under the Administration tab, in the Printers section, click Add Printer.

  3. In the Other Network Printers category, select AppSocket/HP JetDirect and click Continue.

  4. Clear the Connection field.

  5. Get the usb printer path:

    1. Connect the printer to the computer if you have not already done so.

    2. Open the terminal again.

    3. Enter lpinfo -v |grep usb into the terminal and press return on the keyboard, then wait a moment for the command to execute.

    4. Copy the usb path that appears after the word "direct".

  6. Go back to the Add Printer page on Google Chrome and paste the path into the Connection field.

  7. Click Continue.

  8. Enter information about the printer that will make it easy to identify when it's time to select it.

    • Name: The recommended name is the model name of the printer

    • Description: Enter any description that makes the printer easy to identify.

    • Location: Enter any description that makes it easy to tell where the printer is in your facility.

  9. Clear the Share This Printer checkbox, then click Continue.

  10. From the Make menu, select Raw, then click Continue and select Raw Queue (en).

  11. Click Add Printer, leave the Banner options as they are, and click Set Default Options.

Mac - Set up your workstation

  1. Load your printer with a label roll. Refer to the Quick Start Guide that comes with the printer for more information.

  2. Plug in the printer, connect it to your computer with the USB cable, and turn the printer on.

Start the printer in MJ Platform

  1. Restart the computer.

  2. After the computer restarts, ensure the printer is turned on and connected to your computer, and that QZ Tray is running.

  3. Open the App Drawer and click Inventory.

  4. Click an item in the list to expand its row, then click Label. This opens the Printing window.

  5. Click the Click to Connect link if it is displayed, then click Select A Printer.

  6. Select the label printer and the correct DPI setting for it, then close the window.

    • If the printer doesn't show up, restart your computer and try again.

  7. Back on the Printing window, pick a label and click Load for Printing.

  8. Enter the number of copies and click Print
    If successful, MJ Platform will communicate with the printer through QZ tray and print the label. The label printer is now set up for use with MJ Platform.

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