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Initial Considerations

It’s important to select / order a printer based on your labs specific needs, consider the below:

Ethernet connectivity:(required)

The printer used to create labels or manifests must be able to physically connect to the campus network. This physical connection occurs through an ethernet cable (*not* via bluetooth).

It is critical the printer is equipped with an ethernet output, as OpenSpecimen must communicate with the printer in your laboratory through the secure campus network.

Machine & Label needs:

DPI: “dots per inch” is a way of measuring an image's original intended size and its resolution, or quality.

  • If QR codes are printed on small labels, such as cryovials, a higher resolution (DPI) is recommended.

  • Higher DPIs produce higher resolution image quality.

  • Will you utilize Side and/or cap labels?

    1. Label size is dependent upon the tube on which it will be applied

Printer brand and age:

  • Recommended brands: Zebra or Brady

  • Outdated printers often have drivers that are not compatible with current computer operating systems

Info

Printing method: (2 options below)

  • If you are printing cryovial labels on tubes to be stored at -80 or below, it is highly recommended that you use the Thermal Transfer method of printing.

Direct Thermal:

  • A Direct Thermal printer can be used if you are printing manifests (paper) or other primary sample labels, such as blood tubes, that will not be placed in deep freeze.

Thermal Transfer:

  • This method uses a thermal method to transfer ink from a ribbon directly to the label. Ink applied using thermal transfer will not degrade or flake off under ultra-low temperature conditions, such as liquid nitrogen.

    • An uptake core is required for this method, however the core can typically be reused.

    • Ribbons are required to utilize this print method.

The Process

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Work with your IT department contact to confirm the below information!

Once the research team and their department IT contact has ensured the below printer information is captured, and local testing is completed with success, proceed to submit your help ticket as described below.

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1) MODEL NUMBER:

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Depending the printer, the model name could be found on the corners or the center of the front-facing cover. If it is on the front of the machine, it is usually close to the control panel.

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The printer model number could also be located on the back of the machine.

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(2) MAXIMUM DPI: (dots per inch)

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How to find printer machines DPI:

  1. Your printer will have a ‘driver’ that is installed when the printer is setup

  2. Go to the Printer driver

  3. Click ‘Printing Preferences’ > ‘Advanced’

  4. Click ‘Printer Features’ > Max. Application Resolution

If using a Zebra printer, you can identify the DPI of the Printhead Using the Printer Part Number:

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(3) IP ADDRESS:

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How to find on MAC:

  1. Select the Apple icon in the top toolbar

  2. Click ‘System Preference’

  3. Open ‘Printers & Scanners’

  4. In the ‘Printers & Scanners’ menu, select the correct printer from the left side list.

  5. Next to the word ‘Location’ should be the printer's IP address

How to find on Windows:

  1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners

  2. Find your printer in the list, click on it, and select Manage

  3. Click on Printer Properties

  4. In the General tab, find the Location field. Your printer's IP address will be located in it

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LOCAL TESTING:

Calibrate printer and test label printing locally

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The IT team that services your department or building is responsible for setting up the IP address and confirming printer connectivity on the campus ethernet.

Department IT Team is to ensure:

  1. The printer receives a local signal before the BMIC can proceed to setup the printer with OpenSpecimen

  2. The printer detects the correct label positioning (i.e. height, width, and gaps)

Now it’s time to submit your help ticket:

  1. Navigate to: https://utahctsi.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/4/group/23/create/124

  2. Provide a 1 sentence summary

  3. In the ‘description’ box provide the below details of your printer:

    1. Model Number

    2. IP Address

    3. Maximum DPI

  4. Submit ticket

    1. BMIC team will respond via help ticket to gather required information needed to begin your Printer setup with OpenSpecimen:

      1. BMIC team obtains firewall exception (est. 2-3 weeks)

      2. BMIC team configures printer connection to OpenSpecimen (est. 1 week)

  5. OpenSpecimen Navigator aligns with research team on label design in testing environment (link to separate document): concurrent with above process

    1. Research team tests label printing & adjusts as needed

    2. Research team confirms design