The Chit Chats platform is optimized for use with ZPL thermal printers. When getting ready to set up your printer, we recommend following our printer setup steps by first installing Java 8 or higher on your computer. 

Next, we recommend downloading the Chit Chats Printer App in order to get your printer set up. Find instructions here. If you are unable to connect to the Chit Chats Printer App or it is not compatible with your computer/printer, keep reading to learn more.

You will need to download the latest 2.x version of QZ Tray.  You can check out the minimum system requirements here. Once downloaded, open the file and follow the default installation steps for the program. After completing the printer setup, you are now ready to add your printer. 

If you are unable to add your printer using the above guides or our tips on troubleshooting, you may need our advanced instructions. Please follow the correct instructions for your operating system below:

Advanced Setup for Windows

  1. Navigate to the Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Click ‘Add a printer’ or ‘Add a printer or scanner’ depending on your operating system. For Windows 8, use ‘Advanced Printer Setup’
  2. Click ‘Add local printer’ and ignore the USB message.
    • Network Printers
      1. Enter the IP address and uncheck "Query the Printer..."
      2. DO NOT click "Add a Wireless, Bluetooth or Network Printer." Always use the local port option for Network Printers.
    • Serial or Parallel Printers (e.g. COM or LPT)
      1. Click Use Existing Port. Then, Select the appropriate COM or LPT port.
    • USB Printers
      1. Click Use Existing Port. Find the matching USB00x port that was installed with the device driver.
      2. If unsure of the port, cancel the Wizard. Right Click the USB Printer > Printer Properties > Port. (Reminder: In Windows 7, it's called "Printer Properties, not "Properties"). 
      3. Note: For USB to operate properly, the device driver should already be installed. This is automatic in Windows 7 when connected to the internet. Windows XP may need a device driver installed manually. Download from manufacturer if needed.
    • Virtual Printers (FILE)
      1. Click Use Existing Port. Then, Select FILE:For printer driver, select Generic > Generic/Text Only > Next.
      2. Note: Some print drivers, such as Zebra ZDesigner or CUPS Zebra driver have dual-mode drivers capable of accepting Raw commands as well as PostScript commands. If Raw printing works with the vendor supplied driver, chose that over the Generic/Raw driver.
      3. If prompted to replace the current driver, click "Replace the Current Driver."
      4. Name the printer (ie. "Zebra") > Next.
      5. Uncheck "Set as Default Printer" Recommended as to not override default printer settings.

Advanced Setup for Mac

  1. Open a Terminal window: ⌘(Option)+space > Terminal > Enter
  2. Enable CUPS web interface by entering this into the Terminal: sudo cupsctl WebInterface=yes
  3. Load Safari to the CUPS web interface https://localhost:631 and click the Administration tab > Add Printer  
  4. If you see your USB raw printer in the listing, DO NOT select it.
  5. Click AppSocket/HP JetDirect > Continue 

  6. You will be prompted for a port.

    • For USB Printers

      1. Type: (example) usb://Zebra/LP2844

      2. Get this port by issuing the command: lpinfo -v |grep. Note: You do not need the "?location=1a200000" information.

    • For Network Printers

      1. Type: (example) socket://192.168.254.254:9100

      2. The IP address may be configured to use a different address, which is outside the scope of this tutorial.

      3. Enter an appropriate Name, Description, and Location for your printer. Note: If you encounter issues searching for your printer, please see #131

  7. Leave the "Share This Printer" box unchecked and hit Continue.
  8. Under Make select Raw, then click Continue and Add Printer. Note: Some print drivers, such as Zebra ZDesigner or CUPS Zebra driver have dual-mode drivers capable of accepting Raw commands as well as PostScript commands. If Raw printing works with the vendor supplied driver, choose that over the Generic/Raw driver. 
  9. Select: Starting Banner - None, Ending Banner - None. Click Set Default Options
  10. You may now print to your printer. Continue to the next section Adding a Printer Class to make the printer appear in System Preferences, Print & Scan.

Optional - Adding a Printer Class

Adding a printer class is purely optional and allows the raw device to be listed in the System Preferences, Print & Scan area of the desktop. Without a printer class, the printer will function properly but will not be listed in the Print & Scan area.

  1. From the CUPS web interface, click Administration > Add Class
     
  2. Enter an appropriate Name, Description, and Location for your class. It must differ from the raw printer name chosen previously. Note: If you encounter issues searching for your printer, please see #131.
  3. In Members, select the raw printer name chosen previously > Add Class
  4. In System Preferences > Print & Scan, your new printer class will be listed. You may use this to monitor print jobs.

Advanced Setup for Linux

  1. Open System Settings > Printers
  2. Click +Add
  3. Set up the printer/port settings:
    • USB Printers

      • Under ‘Devices’: Enter URI e.g. usb://Zebra/LP2844

      • Get this port by issuing the command lpinfo -v |grep usb: Note: You don't need the "? location=1a200000" information.

    • Network Printers

      • Devices: AppSocket/HP JetDirect

      • Host: 192.168.254.254 (example) 

      • Port: 9100. The Host IP address may be configured to use a different address, which is outside of the scope of this tutorial. If AppSocket is not listed, close and relaunch the Wizard and it should appear.

    • Serial Printers

      • Devices: Enter Device URI: serial:/dev/ttyS0 (or serial:/dev/ttyUSB0, etc)

      • For USB serial, issue the command dmesg |grep tty

      • Insufficient permissions fix: This command grants the logged in user write permission to all serial ports: sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER; 

      • Note: 12.04 users may also need to remove ModeManager due to a specific bug, ttylUSB devices don't seem writable by CUPS, so try printToFile('/dev/ttyUSB0'); instead.

      • Click Forward

      • Driver: Select printer from Database > Generic > Forward

      • Models: Raw Queue

      • Drivers: Generic Raw Queue > Forward

      • Note: Some print drivers, such as Zebra ZDesigner or CUPS Zebra driver have dual-mode drivers capable of accepting Raw commands as well as PostScript commands. If Raw printing works with the vendor supplied driver, choose that over the Generic/Raw driver.

  4. Printer Name: (i.e.: Zebra)
  5. Description: Raw Zebra Printer
  6. Location: Ubuntu PC
  7. You may now print to your printer. Note: If you receive a message "Printer 'Zebra' not found", completely close and restart your web browser so that Java can see the newly added printer.