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Installing the Zebra Printers

Learn how to install and configure Zebra printers for use with Bravo, including driver setup and printing preferences.

Prerequisites for Printer Installation

WARNING!! These install steps are only compatible with the Zebra TLP 2824 PLUS (ZPL) Product ID 2829-101510-000 Ver.2014

Before you being installing printers you will need to make that your internal network configuration is also set up correctly. As a brief over view follow the following steps. These steps are designed to be for a small to medium sized stores.

  1. Obtain a modem from your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  2. Obtain a Router: Standard Linksys, NetGear, or Cisco small business Routers are preferred.
  3. Obtain an 8, 16, or 24 port switch depending on the size of your store. 16 Port switches are best for stores with 3 workstations.
  4. Connect the Modem into the router’s WAN port. This will be a standalone port.
  5. Connect the Router to the switch. This can be done by putting an Ethernet cable from port 1 of the router to port 1 of the switch.
  6. Connect all Bravo workstations and Bravo printers into the switch via Ethernet cables. This could require the store to request the help of a certified network technician to run Ethernet cables from the switch to the device.
    1. Most Business networks today use switches to connect computers, printers, and servers within their building. A switch serves as a controller, enabling networked devices to talk to each other efficiently. Through information sharing and resource allocation, switches save businesses money and resources and increase employee productivity.
    2. A switch will work right out of the box and does not require additional configuration. Switches create the network, while routers connect you to the internet. The switch is responsible for forwarding necessary data to the correct devices and for managing the network. Routers act like a dispatcher choosing the best path for information to travel so it’s received quickly.

How-To Install Any Zebra Printer Video:

Duration: 9 minutes - Detailed instructions are provided below the article.

Installing the Zebra Printers step by step

  1. Start by acquiring the IP address for the Zebra printers. The following lists the possible ways to obtain the IP addresses from the printer:
    • Power on the printer.
    • Connect the printer to the network.
      • If the printer has DHCP enabled, wait for printer to fully power up.  A GREEN light will mean printer is active and ready.
      • If you don't have DHCP enabled on your network, contact your Network Administrator before continuing.
      • Hold down the GREEN BUTTON until the printer flashes once and release.  This will produce a test page that will contain the IP address assigned to the printer.
NOTE: You will only be able to see the IP address on regular labels. The IP Address will not appear if you are using the jewelry tag labels.
      • If you do not see an IP Address, and instead you see 0.0.0.0 then the printer did not obtain an IP address. You will then need to do a network reset on the Zebra printer to try and obtain a DHCP IP Address. (Please refer to Troubleshooting the Zebra TLP 2824 to learn how to do a network reset)
    • <OR>You can also log into your router and view all the connected network devices and look for the "ZDesigner" devices in that list. They will be show you the IP Addresses.
    • <OR> Open the advanced IP scanner and scan the network for the printers. Once you see the Zebra printers you will be able to copy the IP addresses, paste them into the URL field of a web browser and use a feed command to help identify which printer is which. Here you will also want to set the IP addresses parameters to be permanent (static) and add in the name and description to the general information of the printer. This will help you identify it later as well.

Once you have found the IP Addresses for the printers you will then need to create a Port for the printers. You can do this by running the Bravo Zebra Installer.exe file that is at the bottom of this article.

  1. When you run that file, an extractor will open and extract all the necessary files you will need to install your printer. This will be followed by the initial printer installation program. A prompt will open asking if you would like the following program to make changes to your computer. Click yes, the printer installation window will then appear.
  2. The install window opens, click NEXT to proceed in the install. When the installation options appear click “INSTALL PRINTER”. The next screen you will have to select the printer. Click next and if a printer has already been installed a question window will appear. If the window does not appear then this is the first time you are installing a zebra printer; if not then proceed to step 2-2.
    1. Select “ADD NEW PRINTER” to be taken to the next screen.
    2. You will then be prompted to enter the Printer name and to create the communications port for the printer. Type “Labels” for the regular GM label printer and “ATags” for the jewelry label printer; these names are case sensitive.
    3. Click “CREATE A NEW PORT” to create a port for the printer. If a window opens stating “THE DRIVER IS LOCKED BY ANOTHER PROCESS” click next. The ADVANCED TCP/IP PORT CONFIGURATION window will appear. For the name, enter the name of the printer you are installing (Labels or ATags). Then enter in the printer's IP Address. Click OK to continue.
  3. Click "FINISH" to complete the install. If the install lags or looks like it might not be working, give it a minute and it should continue.
  4. After the install completes then navigate to the "Devices and Printers" option inside the control panel.
  5. Find the Labels or ATags printer in the list, then right click on the printer. Click on "Printing Preferences" A window will then open.
    1. Click on the "IMPORT/EXPORT SETTINGS" tab.
    2. Click on the "IMPORT" button
    3. Navigate to C:\Bravo Printer Settings.
    4. Select either the ATags.drs or Labels.drs files depending on the printer you are installing. This will import all the settings that you will need your label printers to be at to work properly with Bravo. Click "OPEN" and the settings will be applied to your printer.
  6. You can now log into Bravo, navigate to inventory management and begin testing your label printer by printing Bravo labels.
  7. Once that is done you can calibrate the printer.  To do this, hold the "FEED" button down until you see the light flash progressively 7 times. (Light will flash 1, then 1-2, then 1-2-3, etc... wait until you count 7 flashes). Once you get to the 7th progressive flash, let go of the "FEED" button.  The printer should now print measurement labels. When it is done printing tap the "FEED" button one more time to return to regular operation mode.
  8. Once the printer has been calibrated to the correct labels then you are ready to begin your testing. It is important to test and prove functionality of all hardware and printers. If there is no inventory in the store to test, create a fake item to be used exclusively to print test labels. When the testing is done, the item can be written off with the reason "Return to Vendor."  You will want to print both types of labels at this time to test both Labels and ATags.

If you have more Zebra printers to set up, follow these steps

  1. Navigate to C:\Bravo Printer Settings.
  2. Click on PrnInst.exe.
  3. Follow 2-1 from the earlier steps

 

Related Links:

Troubleshooting the Zebra TLP 2824

Printer Installation

Reports and PawnTickets Printer Installation Information

Installing the Star TSP 100 Printer

Setting Up a Dual Tray Printer