Question

How to print a ZPL file to a local (Windows) Zebra labelprinter

  • 29 April 2024
  • 3 replies
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Related to the ZPL paragraph in this topic:


In our current application (WIndows GUI) we address Zebra label printers by posting a ZPL file to the IP address of the printer. The printing is done by Indicium (running as a service) from an application server, the user just creates a record in a queue table when pressing ‘print'.
 

The configured address syntax for the printer in our application is for example:  http://192.168.1.240:9100.  This bypasses any Windows printer driver (which is preferred).

Now, we also need to offer the possibility to print ZPL files to a local Zebra printer; meaning a printer connected to a PC by USB, and using a Windows printer driver. This printer can be shared (UNC path) to make it accessible to Indicium on the application server.

That also means that two Windows printer drivers will be used; the printer driver on the application server and the printer driver on the local PC with the printer. Although this scenario is not preferred (because it is easy to have incorrect (margin) settings in one of these drivers) we need to support this situation.

How can we print a ZPL file from a ThinkWise application using Indicium to print, to a UNC shared Zebra printer?

3 replies

Mark Jongeling
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Hi Wilfred,

We asked around in the company but it seems that your situation is unique. I hope I can help out with this.

The Print file process action uses a printer specified in the model, but since 2023.2 does have a parameter that allows you to ad-hoc change the printer. The printer name parameter can be used for this: 2023.2 | Thinkwise Documentation (thinkwisesoftware.com)

However, as Indicium is the actor that start the printing process for system flows in combination with the Windows GUI, the printers need to be available to Indicium.

If you use a process flow that the Windows GUI does itself, e.g. using the Start report or Start table report process action, then Windows GUI itself will start the printing process. This is an unique situation with the Windows GUI.

Hope this helps!

"Wake me up before you low-code"
Mark Jongeling
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Hi @Wilfred Bossenbroek,

Has your question been answered or do you need more assistance?

"Wake me up before you low-code"
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Hi @Mark Jongeling , our problem (printing a ZPL to a network shared printer from the Indicium service) has not been solved yet. We tried to print a PDF (converted from ZPL) to the printer but that results in a print of low quality, strangely changed fonts and a barcode which can't be scanned- very odd. While printing that same PDF to the same printer(driver) from Foxit PDF reader produces the desired result.

it seems in general a ZPL txt file can be copied to a Zebra printer driver (COPY ZPL.TXT \\sharedpc\printershare) , it will accept this as ‘RAW’ and print it OK. However, we are not sure if such an action can be done through the Indicium service. See related from our programmer: 

 

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