Before you start
Before connecting your kiosk to your printer, you first need to:
- Create a badge pass template
- Create a kiosk profile including selecting your iPad printing method. See below for more details on these options
- Install your printer on the wireless network or pair using Bluetooth
- Download and install the OnLocation Kiosk on your iPad
Configure the kiosk printing settings in OnLocation
There are four possible methods for printing from your iPad:
- Brother Printer using WiFi
- Brother Printer using Bluetooth
- Other AirPrint Compatible Printer
- Other Printer using Manual IP Address
The iPad printing method is set up in your sign in/out kiosk printing settings from the desktop application of OnLocation. You need the Administrator user role to access these settings.
- Go to Locations, then select your location from the drop-down menu.
- Select Sign In/Out Kiosks.
- Click View next to your kiosk.
- Select the Printing tab.
- Select the iPad Printing Mode.
- Click Save & Close.
The method selected will depend on your printer, connection type, and network:
Brother Printer using WiFi
This method requires a Brother QL series printer with AirPrint capabilities. To use this, connect your Brother printer to the same WiFi network as your iPad and select the printer from the kiosk settings.
This method uses the Brother SDK to connect your printer to the iPad. If you have issues connecting using this method, try connecting via the printer IP Address instead.
Brother Printer using Bluetooth
This method requires a Brother QL-820NWB or QL-820NWBc printer. To use this, enable Bluetooth on your printer and iPad, then pair the printer from the kiosk settings.
This method uses the Brother SDK to connect your printer to the iPad.
Other Airprint Compatible Printer
This method allows you to use a non-Brother printer that uses AirPrint to connect to an iPad for printing. While we don’t specifically support the use of non-Brother printers with OnLocation Kiosk at this stage, this method allows for new printers that are released with AirPrint to be used without any delay which may come from requiring further development.
Other Printer using Manual IP Address
This method allows you to set up a printer on the same WiFi network as your iPad and connect by entering the IP Address directly. This makes finding the printer simpler because you tell your kiosk exactly where the printer is instead of having the app search for it on your network. This method is especially useful if you have a restricted network meaning you cannot connect easily using the normal AirPrint method.
Manual IP Address printing still requires an AirPrint-capable printer.
Learn more about manual printing using an IP Address.
Update the printing settings on your kiosk
Once completed, you are ready to connect your kiosk and printer:
- Open OnLocation Kiosk on your iPad.
- Log in using your kiosk email and password.
- Tap the Kiosk Menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Kiosk Settings.
- Enter your PIN and tap Continue.
- Set Print Badge Passes? To Yes.
- Select the printer according to your printing mode. See below for examples.
If using IP Address printing, the IP Address should already be selected.
- Tap Test Print Label to test the connection.
- Tap Return to Kiosk.
Select Your Printer
Brother Printer using WiFi
Tap Search for Printers and the Brother printer connected to your WiFi will automatically connect. If you have more than one possible printer, you can tap on the dropdown menu below the button to select the correct printer.
Brother Printer using Bluetooth
Tap Pair Bluetooth Printer and select the Brother printer from the selection menu.
If you cannot find the printer in the options, go to the iPad Bluetooth settings and connect the printer, then go back to OnLocation Kiosk and it should be automatically connected.
AirPrint Compatible Printer
Tap Select Printer and select the printer from the selection menu.
Printer using Manual IP Address
There is no need to take any further action, if you go to the kiosk settings, the IP Address will already be entered and available to print to automatically.