If you're using a colored printer for your event, you will need PrintNode to print from an iPad. Before proceeding, check if your printer is compatible with PrintNode.
Please set up a meeting with your Account Manager weeks before your event to test PrintNode with your computer, printer and iPad. Testing will allow us to determine whether the devices are compatible and additional drivers/installers are needed.
If you're having difficulty connecting your printer to the Admin App or want to print colored badges, downloading PrintNode to your laptop may be your answer to be able to print badges through an iPad.
How it Works
PrintNode is needed to be able to print in color and for other printers that are not compatible with Accelevents. Currently, only Zebra thermal printers can print directly without any extra drivers / applications. Printers such as Zebra ZC10L, Epson C3500 and C4000 are colored printers, and the only way that this can print badges through an iPad is by connecting PrintNode.
The printer is connected to the laptop through the same network. Then, PrintNode is downloaded and installed on the laptop. Next, PrintNode is integrated into the event through an API key. On the iPad, select the printer connected to the laptop from the PrintNode menu, then you can start printing from the iPad.
Notes:
For colored printers connected through PrintNode, depending on the model of the printer and the badge's design, it may take 20 seconds or more to print a badge. We recommend pre-printing your colored design on the badges to reduce print time. On the event day, you can print the attendee information in black through a thermal printer during check-in. This way, printing would be faster.
This can work with iPad and mobile.
Sample Print from a ZC10L Printer
The GIF below is about 33 seconds to get a ZC10L printer to print 3 lines in black and white through an iPad with PrintNode installed in Windows PC.
Notes for ZC10L:
Your badge design should be 3.47 x 5.51 inches
Paper size should be 88 x 140 mm
The print orientation should be Portrait
Zoom-in/out should be at 100%
Step 1: Connect The Printer to the Computer
You must connect the printer to a computer instead of directly to the iPad. The printer should be connected to the same network as the computer or directly to the computer.
Step 2: Install PrintNode to the Computer
Go to the PrintNode website and sign up for an account.
Download and install PrintNode on your computer. Click here to go to PrintNode's Download Page.
For Epson C3500 and C4000, PrintNode should be downloaded to a Mac
For ZC10L, PrintNode should be downloaded to Windows
After downloading, open the file and log in to your PrintNode account.
You should see PrintNode's icon at the top of your screen. Click that to check if the printer is now connected to PrintNode.
Step 3: Create a PrintNode API Key
Login to your PrintNode account through a browser
Click API Keys
Enter your password and click Next
Enter your API key description and click Create
Copy the generated API Key
Step 4: Integrate PrintNode with Accelevents
In your event's admin console, go to Settings > General Settings
Turn on the toggle to "Enable Print Node"
Paste the API Key
Step 5: Select the Printer and File Format in the iPad Admin App
Open the event in the admin app
Click the "Choose from available printers" menu at the bottom of the page, then select the printer.
Click "Send command as" and choose the format - Raw or PDF
If the connected computer is Windows, it will only work with PDF
If the connected computer is a Mac, PDF is recommended. Raw will also work, provided that the printer driver settings are correct.
Step 6: Print from the iPad Admin App
Go to the admin app's check in page or kiosk to check in an attendee
Click Print Badge
This can also work from a mobile phone instead of an iPad.
If you cannot make PrintNode work, contact your Account Manager to arrange a meeting with our product team a few weeks before the event to test PrintNode with your computer and printer. Testing will allow us to determine whether the devices are compatible and additional drivers/installers are needed.
Recommended Internet Speed When Printing Badges Onsite
While onsite, the recommended minimum internet speed per device is:
Download: 10 Mbps
Upload: 5 Mbps
Wired Ethernet is highly preferred for stability and speed for printers.If using Wi-Fi, ensure:
Strong signal strength at each kiosk
Dedicated network with minimal interference
No bandwidth-sharing with other high-traffic activities (like livestreams)
Each kiosk device should have dedicated bandwidth, so if you’re using 5 kiosks, you should ideally have at least 50 Mbps down and 25 Mbps up available in total.