A Zebra Printer can only be used with a Mac/Windows computer and must be plugged in using a USB cord.
Caution
We recommend using Zebra printers with Windows OS.
Zebra does not provide a driver for use on Linux/Unix or Mac OS X operating systems but instead suggests using the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) driver. Because of the lack of a native driver, printing to Zebra from a Mac computer will not have the same clarity and sharpness as printing to other printer/OS combinations.
Check out this training on how to print from a computer.
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Printers: Technically, most Zebra printer models should work fine. However, through conversations with our customers, we've tested the following printers to determine if they are compatible with Check-Ins. If you have any other printer model and would like to test it, please let us know what you've found so we can add it to our list!
Compatible
Not Compatible
GX420d
LP2844Z
GK420d
ZSB Series
GK420t
ZQ510
ZD420/421
ZD620/621
ZQ320
You must have firmware V60.14, V50.14, or later for some of the alignment to work properly. To find if your printer is compatible, check Zebra's download and support page and make sure you have the latest firmware.
Tip
Windows 11 Users: If you have the ZDesigner version 8 driver, and you are not seeing your printer on your system's "Printers and Scanners" page, open up the Zebra Setup Utilities tool to manage the printer from there.
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Labels: We designed our templates to work only with the 3x2 labels.
Notice
Straight-Line Solutions can provide you with consistently great prices for these supported printers and labels. You can order them from their website at Straight-Line Solutions or call them at 916-681-6805.
Setting up a Zebra Printer is very involved. Plan for at least 30 minutes in order to set it up correctly.
Windows: Type your model number into here and download the appropriate drivers: https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads.html
MacOS Catalina: Install a generic Zebra printer driver from the Printers & Scanners area:
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Plug your printer into the computer.
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Tap + to add a printer.
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Select your Zebra printer model from the list.
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Click Use to choose a driver.
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Click Select Software from the dropdown.
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Choose Zebra ZPL Label Printer from the list.
MacOS before Catalina: Since Zebra doesn't officially support MacOS, you'll need to install CUPS by following the steps below.
Once you've followed those steps, go back to the Zebra Printer Setup to follow the next two steps.
Tip
If you already have a Zebra printer on your computer, uninstall and delete it then start with a fresh install.
To enable CUPS, you need to install it on your computer. From the Utilities folder in Applications, go to your Terminal.
Open up Terminal and type sudo cupsctl WebInterface=yes
You may also be prompted to enter your password. Once you've entered those two items, go to http://localhost:631/ where you can add the printer and class.
First, make sure the printer is plugged into your computer and turned on. From http://localhost:631/, go to the Administration tab and select Add Printer.
Notice
If you ever need to remove the Zebra printer, click Manage Printers to delete the Zebra printer.
You may be asked to input your administrator name and password to move forward.
Select AppSocket/HP JetDirect then Continue.
Next, you need to add a connection.
Find the connection by going back into Terminal and typing lpinfo -v | grep usb
Wait a couple seconds for your device to communicate with your printer If your printer is not plugged in, you will get no results.
Copy the connection information from usb://Zebra to the ?.
Paste this into the Connection box, replacing any information already in the box, and choose Continue.
Enter an appropriate Name, Description and Location for your printer. Uncheck Share This Printer then select Continue.
From the Make list, select Raw then select Add Printer.
The only option for Model is already selected, so select Add Printer.
For both Starting and Ending Banner, select none then choose Set Default Options.
You've finished adding your printer! Now, you need to add the class to finish the setup process.
Go to the Administration page and select Add Class.
Enter an appropriate Name, Description and Location for your class. It must differ from the Printer name chosen previously and include the word Zebra.
Select the printer you just created and add it to the class by choosing Add Class.
In order for Check-ins to be able to recognize your Zebra printer, the name of the printer must have "Zebra" in it.
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Open Devices and Printers in your Control Panel or the Zebra Setup Utilities tool if you don't see the printer in that Printers page.
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Right-click the Zebra printer, and then click Printer properties.
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Select the General tab, and add "Zebra" to the name
Tip
If you are on a Mac and you went through the CUPS setup, you have already renamed your printer, so you should be able to skip this step!
We don't have direct access to the hardware on your computer. In order to gain access, we need to use either a plugin or widget of some sort that can communicate and translate our code to the printer. Our printing widget is called the Check-Ins Printing App.
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Download the latest Check-Ins App which comes with the Check-Ins Printing App.
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Install and open the Check-Ins app.
Tip
If using Windows, make sure to right-click and select "Run as Administrator"
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Select 'Remember this decision' and then tap Allow, when prompted for the Check-Ins Printing App.
If you see this message, you may need to follow the steps below to delete the printing app's certificate from your computer and reconfigure the permissions.
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Look for the Check-Ins Printing App in your System Tray or Menu bar. It looks like a box with a checkmark. It might be in your hidden icons.
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Tap the Check-Ins Printing app icon, and then select Advanced Site Manager in the drop-down menu.
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In the Site Manager modal, select the Blocked tab and delete any entries.
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Select the Allowed tab and delete the Planning Center entry and any other entries.
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Tap Close, and then restart the Check-Ins app.
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Check Remember this decision and then tap Allow.
If you do not see this prompt or tap Remember this decision the first time, you must follow the steps above to delete the current certificate and get the prompt again.
To make sure your printer is working correctly, send a test print to the printer.
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From the Check-Ins app menu, go to Window > Printer Check.
Tip
If you are in Kiosk mode, use a keyboard shortcut to access the Printer Check page (Ctrl+2 for Windows; Cmd+2 for Mac).
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Click Send Test Print.
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If testing custom labels, click Test Custom Labels, and then click Send Test Print on the next page.
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The label will print.
First, make sure the word "Zebra" is in your printer name in your computer's printer settings.
If it is, the next step is to check that all your apps are up to date! After installing any updated versions, make sure to restart your computer.
If your issue isn't listed here, chat with other people in our communities on Slack and Facebook or contact support using the ? in the app.
Here are the current latest versions:
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Check-ins App: v1.10.0 (Download Here)
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Check-ins Printing: v2.1.4 (Mac Download, Windows Download)
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Java: Adoptium [Eclipse Temurin v 17+] (Download Here)
Tip
Adoptium v17 will only work if you have also updated Check-Ins Printing app to v2.1.4+
If your versions are up to date, try the following options:
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Make sure there is only one of the printers installed and that it's set to be your default printer.
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Make sure the physical connection to your computer is sound by unplugging the printer power cord for a full 10 seconds then plugging it back in.
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Use the Desktop app instead of using a browser.
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Restart your device.
If those steps still don't allow you to print, contact the Planning Center Support Team.