Is anyone successfully using the newer model Zebra direct thermal printer (ours is ZD621) to print spine labels from Sierra without using print templates? How are they connected–USB? Network?
If not Zebra, what other spine label printers work with native/legacy Sierra printing without needing print templates? We are quite willing to switch brands.
We have successfully used the older model Zebra to do this for many years, but a recent Windows 10 update caused it to fail. So we purchased a newer model only to be told that it will only work with print templates. We do not have the technical skills on staff to figure out print templates even with the documentation provided by Innovative and the example templates from Minuteman. And the Help Desk does not support printing processes.
We are frustrated to say the least! Any and all suggestions welcome.
Hey Lori. We are using older Zebra printers for spine label printing without print templates.
It was finicky to get it all working. One thing about Windows 10 for all printing in Sierra is that it automatically saves printer settings in a directory that gets cleaned up regularly, but there is a setting either in your shortcut or in the iiirunner.lax file that can help with this. You might want to search the listserve for old notes on this in case that fixes everything.
I’m at IUG but happy to share what I figured out when I get back home next week.
Hey Lori, I was hoping to get into the office to look at the printer and its setup to refresh my memory, but I broke my wrist so I’m hanging out at home these days. Are you on discord and/or slack so that we could have a chat?
We have also begun to have an issue with Zebra ZD421 on just one computer where printer drivers were reinstalled. Print template for login works fine at the same library for another Zebra ZD421 printer. Thanks for any insights.
I’m sorry, but I don’t have any insights to share. 2 years later and we are still limping along with one Zebra ZD421 using the direct-from-Sierra printing with a Windows 10 PC. We’ve recently been told by our IT department that we will need to give up the ghost very soon due to security issues.
Two years ago when this issue first came up for us–through much trial and error–I was able to copy and adapt some print templates using Jaspersoft and a Zebra ZD621 that might suffice for our basic spine label needs. But without the ability to preview and edit the label before printing, the print templates are less than useful for the numerous special cases we have. I believe I recall reading that as Jaspersoft develops and advances versions, Innovative has no intention of developing print templates to accommodate that. So once again it is left to customers–many who lack the technical knowledge–to figure out how to print from Sierra. I must say we’ve been highly disappointed by their support in this area.