Jomablue CX and Name Badge (Zebra Printer Set-Up)
Zebra printers are used when printing on continuous or fan-fold Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer paper stock. Use Direct Thermal stock in printers without a ribbon, and Thermal Transfer stock in printers with a ribbon.
Specifications
Printer model
- Zebra ZD421, ZD621 or ZD500
- For further information on model derivatives, please see the article: Jomablue Event Kit
- See instructions below regarding setup and connectivity
Media
Note: To estimate how many badges a Thermal Transfer ribbon prints, divide the ribbon length by the badge length plus the 2mm notch between badges (148mm + 2mm = 150mm). Butterfly badges are about twice as long, so a ribbon prints about half as many, even when only one side is printed.
Double-sided Name Badges
Name Badge stock can be pre-printed with artwork on both sides. Jomablue CX prints attendee information on one side of this stock only, so leave space for it in that side’s artwork.
To print attendee information on both sides of a badge, see the article Jomablue CX and Butterfly Name Badges.
Sustainability and disposal
Both Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer badge stock include recycled content, as shown in the specifications table above. Badges can be recycled through standard paper/plastics recycling streams according to the recycling code listed for your stock type.
Note: Remove the lanyard before recycling, as it is a separate material and is not covered by the badge's recycling code.
Security setup for EU and UK printers
This section applies only to printers supplied in the EU or UK. All other printers skip to "Using a Zebra ZD421 or ZD621 Printer with Jomablue CX" below.
EU and UK printers are locked under the EU Radio Equipment Directive (EU RED) and will not connect until you complete a one-time security setup in the Zebra Nucleus Connector app. Install the app, then complete the setup before setting up your printer.
iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/zebra-nucleus-connector/id6733730721
Android (from Zebra, not the Play Store): https://www.zebra.com/gb/en/software/printer-software/zebra-nucleus-connector.html
Using a Zebra ZD421 or ZD621 Printer with Jomablue CX
Download the configuration app for your printer:EU or UK printers:
- Zebra Nucleus Connector, already installed during Security setup for EU and UK printers above
- All other printers: Zebra Printer Setup Utility
- iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zebra-printer-setup-utility/id1454308745
- Android (Play Store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zebra.printersetup&hl=en
Set up a Zebra ZD421 or ZD621 printer
Note: Images are of the ZD421 model for reference purposes.
- Unbox and plug into power. Only the power cable is needed (no need for USB)
- Push one of the yellow plastic adapter rolls into the ribbon roll. Place it onto the lower rung, ensuring it clicks into place.
- Put one of the brown cardboard rolls onto the top rung, ensuring it clicks into place.
- Unstick the silver part of the ribbon roll and stick it very precisely across the higher cardboard roll. Twist the plastic toggle so that the system rolls through until you can no longer see any silver.
- Feed the paper into the printer, you will need to adjust the yellow guides so they sit on each side of the paper and apply the locking switch. Also, ensure the notch sensor is positioned in the middle.
Note: Insert the badge stock so the printable side (where the attendees’ information will go) is facing upward. The printer will take badges from the bottom of the stack. - Turn the printer on by pressing the Power button on the front of the printer
- Navigate to Bluetooth settings on the printer, then follow setup instructions in the section Bluetooth for a Zebra ZD421 or ZD621 printer.
Using a Zebra ZD500 Printer with Jomablue CX
Set up a Zebra ZD500 Printer
- Connect the printer
- Select a Location for the Printer where it will be stable and level, and be within range of your WLAN
- Ensure the printer’s power switch is in the off position (down) and insert the AC power cord into the power supply
- Turn the printer’s power switch to the on position (up)
- Using the printer control panel to set the printer’s PRINT METHOD to DIRECT THERMAL or THERMAL TRANSFER
- Load the fan-fold media
- Open the top cover
- Adjust the media guide stop position with the green thumb wheel. Use a piece of the fanfold media to set the stop position. Rotate the wheel toward you to open the guides wider. Rotate the wheel away from you to make the media guide narrower.
- Insert the media through the slot at the rear of the printer
- Run the media between the media guide and roll holders
- Close the top cover
- Open the top cover
Bluetooth for a Zebra ZD421 or ZD621 printer
Note: Bluetooth allows for one device connection only (one IOS device to one printer)
- Use the Zebra configuration app called "Nucleus Connector” to connect to the printer on the first run. Ensure that the iPad is already connected to the printer in the iPad’s Bluetooth settings. To put the printer into pairing mode, hold the external middle button grey button (roll icon) until it flashes green.
Note: This initial connection is done over Bluetooth low-energy - Select Connect New Printer, then Bluetooth and then Search Printers. Select the Printer when it appears. If it doesn't appear, check that you have Bluetooth active.
Note: Depending on the printer configuration, a confirmation prompt may appear on the printer display. Acknowledge the prompt before continuing. - A notification will appear stating ‘Printer Is In Protected Mode’. This needs to be turned off so that we can edit the settings appropriately. To do this, press Adjust Settings, then Begin Security Settings Wizard.
- Enter your admin password and confirm it.
- Toggle the Protected Mode to ‘Protected Mode Off’.
- Toggle on all Additional Security Settings and enter your Printer Webpages Password.
- Hit Apply Settings. You should then see the main printer status screen. The status should say ‘ready’. Ensure the media type is correct under Settings > Media. Make sure you know what type of badge you are using, eg using a black mark as the badge divider vs notches in the badge.
- Press Next
The printer will then go through a restart process. After reset, the paper might be fed through the printer a few times. - On your IOS device, locate the Bluetooth printer in iOS Settings -> Bluetooth under 'other devices'.
- After connecting to the printer, launch Jomablue CX
- Go to Settings > Badge Printing
Note: When opening the Badge Printing screen, the page automatically refreshes and temporarily disables interaction while printers are being detected. This is indicated by the refresh icon in the top-right corner. - Select your printer
- Continue to Configure and calibrate in CX section below
Notes:
- If the printer is not available, hold the feed button on the printer for 4 seconds until you see a flashing LED. This enters the printer into pairing mode.
- One World Rental Zebra ZD621 printers do not include the Bluetooth chipset required to connect directly to iPads. Therefore, connecting via Bluetooth to an iPad is not supported.
Wi-fi for a Zebra ZD621 or ZD500 printer
- The first step is to ensure your iOS Device has the latest version of Jomablue CX
- Ensure your Laptop device has the Zebra set-up utilities app. If not, you can download it from the link below.
https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/eula/unrestricted-eula.7b8a235653193b4c72c440110c25661656f56f5180957c98e7c0bc2144149cd156a1bc6e684725abae8eaa3b64ee1090eb44d0c7df0abb7f8ed97b5b3f7c9a5376e9eb05b8b828d41d895371710557b9df8c658334af4c4984af9fa0bacf3ac345653285136f43b7.html - Connect the printer to a network via Ethernet. This can include a TOPS (Netgreat) device, router, modem, or managed event network.
- Ensure the device is connected to the same network as the printer
- Ensure your Wi-Fi is functioning and ready to go
- Next, plug in the power cord for the ZD500 Zebra printer. Keep the device off at this point.
The power plugs into the back of your Zebra printer device - Ensure your guides (orange arms) for the badges are set to the right width
- To adjust the width of the guides, pull the two yellow tabs on the side of the printer and lift upward
- Using the yellow wheel in the centre of the printer, adjust the guides to meet the width of your badge
- Feed your badge through the back of the printer and ensure your first badge sits on the edge of the roller
- Next, connect your laptop device to the Zebra ZD500 printer using the USB-A cable
- Open the Zebra Set-up Utilities app on your Windows laptop device and specify the USB port. Once done, select Next.
- Turn on the Zebra Printer
- You will see the homepage of the Zebra Utilities App, and your printer should now be displayed in the printer list
- Select the printer by clicking on it, and while selected, press the Configure Printer Connectivity button
- A display will appear where you will select the wireless option and then select Next
- On the next page, leave it as it is (which is DHCP) and select Next
- Ensure the band stays the same (which is 2.4 and 5 gigahertz) and select Next
- Change the WLAN Country to Australia/NZ
- Next, for the wireless settings, put the name of your wireless Network in the ESSID field. For this example, it will be (./JOMA). Also, set your security mode to WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK and select Next.
- For the Security settings, select String as your PSK type, and enter your PSK name, which is the password to your wifi. Once done, select Next.
- Leave the advanced wireless settings as is and select Next
- Leave the Final stream page as is and select Next
- On the send data page, ensure that Printer is selected and once done, select Finish
- Once finished, the printer will restart itself and connect to the network. Once the wireless is connected, you can unplug your USB cord from the printer.
- On your iOS device, you want to ensure you are connected to the same wireless network your Printer is now connected to.
- Open the Jomablue CX App and log in to your instance.
- Once logged in, open Settings in the top right-hand corner and select Badge printing
- In the printer tab, it should indicate that 1 printer is found. Open the tab and select the printer. You want to ensure that the name of the printer matches the address displayed on the printer display.
- Select the printer and select Save
- Continue to Configure and calibrate in CX section below
- Once you’re happy with the test print, ensure your event is downloaded, and you can now begin checking people into your event with Wi-Fi using the Zebra ZD500 printer.
Configure and calibrate in CX
Once your printer is connected in CX, set the badge options and calibrate before printing. These steps apply whether you connected by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
- Open Settings > Badge Printing and select your printer
- Under Printer and paper, set the options to match the stock you loaded, then select Save.
- Under Advanced, select Calibrate. It runs immediately without opening a menu, letting the printer find the badge edges so prints line up correctly.
- Select Print Test Badge and check the alignment.
Note: The ZD421 and ZD621 models also calibrate when you close the print head. Close it and press Pause to resume; the printer calibrates, feeds a few badges and stops at the tear-off point. If you calibrate from CX instead, press Pause afterwards to resume printing. If the printer does not calibrate, run SmartCal: hold Pause and Cancel for two seconds.
Name Badge Layout Options
Follow these steps to configure the layout of your Name Badge:
- Log into the Jomablue CX app
- From the Events list, select the Cog icon to access Settings (top right)
- Select Badge Printing
- Pair your printer via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (see setup instructions above)
- Configure the layout of the badge, including the QR Code print option
- Print Test Badge
Note: For configuring Job Title, Company, or Custom Fields on a Name Badge, see Add Custom Fields to Name Badges and Name Labels in the Jomablue CX article.
