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The BMIC team will be unable to assist with printer setup & label design until the below has been accomplished & gather by the research team:

(1) Selecting / Ordering

Initial Considerations

It’s important to select / order a printer based on

lab needs

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.

Consider the brand and age of printer:

  • Zebra or Brady is recommended

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

    Machine & Label needs:

    DPI: “dots per inch” is a way of measuring an image

    's original

    labels 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.

    Label size and type

    • Will you utilize Side and/or cap labels?

      1. Label size is dependent upon the tube on which it will be applied. Feel free to search the internet for companies which have the products to meet your specific needs.

        1. https://www.labtag.com/ is an example of a helpful site, however there are many more you can use to research your needs.

    Printer brand and age:

    • Recommended brands: Zebra or Brady

    InfoNOTE:

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

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    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.

    (2) Capture printer details & Test:

    (work

    The Process

    Note

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

    Before submitting a Support Ticket, ensure you have the following information and completed local testing with success as described in step 4 below: (Expand each section to view specifics)

    (1) MODEL NUMBER:

    Expand

    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)

    Expand

    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

    LOCAL TESTING:

    (4) Calibrate printer and test label printing locally

    Expand

    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)

    The Process

    Once the research team and their department IT contact has ensured the above is completed with success, submit a BMIC Printer support ticket:

    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

      relevant details for your request

      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. Select printer support:New Machine setup/Relocation

    5. 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)

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

    7. Research team tests label printing & adjusts as needed

      8. Research team confirms design

      Once a firewall connection is established, the OpenSpecimen Navigator will contact study team within a new help ticket to proceed with label design & testing.

    Note

    All OpenSpecimen inquires or help support requests should be submitted to the helpdesk