A "TCP printer" typically refers to a network printer that uses the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) for communication. In this context, a TCP printer is a printer that is connected to a local network or the internet and can receive print jobs sent to it over a TCP/IP network. Here are the key characteristics and aspects of a TCP printer:

1. Network Connectivity: A TCP printer is equipped with network connectivity features, such as an Ethernet port or Wi-Fi, allowing it to connect to a local area network (LAN) or the internet. This enables multiple users to access and print to the same printer.

2. TCP/IP Protocol: TCP printers use the TCP/IP protocol suite for communication. The TCP protocol ensures reliable data transmission by providing error checking and data integrity verification, which is important for printing documents accurately.

3. IP Address: Like any network-connected device, a TCP printer is assigned an IP address on the network, which allows other devices to locate and communicate with it.

4. Print Job Reception: TCP printers are designed to receive print jobs from client devices over the network. These jobs can be sent from computers, smartphones, tablets, or other devices connected to the same network.

5. Printer Language: TCP printers typically support standard printer languages such as PostScript, PCL (Printer Command Language), or a proprietary language specific to the printer model. This allows them to interpret and print documents formatted in these languages.

6. Printer Management: Network administrators can manage and configure TCP printers remotely through web interfaces or management software. This includes tasks like setting up print queues, monitoring printer status, and updating firmware.

7. Print Queues: In a network with multiple users and printers, print queues can be set up to manage print jobs. These queues prioritize and schedule print jobs to ensure efficient use of the printer.

8. Security: Security features are essential for TCP printers to protect against unauthorized access and ensure the confidentiality of printed documents. This can include features like user authentication and data encryption.

TCP printers are commonly used in office environments and large networked settings where multiple users need to print documents. They provide the convenience of centralizing printing resources, allowing users to send print jobs from their devices to a shared printer on the network. This eliminates the need for individual, locally connected printers and promotes efficiency in document management and printing tasks.

TCP Printer Configuration 

• Host: The hostname or ip address of the printer to connect to

• Port: The port to connect to

• Status Command: The printer command string to use to query the printer status. When not provided, a simple connection test is performed instead.

• Status Response Parser: A JSONata transformation which receives the status response from the printer status command as the payload, and is expected to return an object with ok, message, and info properties. When not provided, any response from the printer is assumed to indicate an OK status, and the response is returned as the message.

Device Functions

Once you have created the tcp printer device to represent your printer you will be able to issue device function requests to it. The relevant Device function are

Print

This function would be used to print binary files like PDFs.

• fileName (Optional): This optional parameter will be what the device gateway uses as the name of the temporary file that you wish to print is written to disk. If it is not provided a random name will be used.

• data (Required): The contents of the file to print, base64-encoded.
  

Print Raw

This function would be used to print raw string data like plain text files or zpl labels.

• fileName (Optional): This optional parameter will be what the device gateway uses as the name of the temporary file that you wish to print is written to disk. If it is not provided a random name will be used.

• data (Required): The string contents of the file to print.

Print File

This would be used to print a file stored in the Fuuz Files.

• fileId (Required): The ID of the file in Fuuz

Testing

ZPL Printer Emulator

This ZPL printer emulator is useful for testing printer integrations 

https://github.com/MrL0co/ZplPrinter/releases/tag/v2.0.0

 .

The Chrome extension is no longer supported, but desktop app version can still be downloaded

Running the printer application should open up a window that will allow you configure the setting and view what is sent to the printer.

Once a zpl is sent to the printer you will see the rendered zpl show up in this window.

By default the printer will be running on localhost on port 9100.

Zebra - PDF Configuration

If having difficulty printing a PDF to your zebra brand printer (barcode printer) - refer to your Zebra Tech support, or the Zebra website.

Zebra Support Community

Generally you need to make sure you have updated Firmware installed, and then be sure that your printer is configured to work with PDF files:

! U1 setvar “apl.enable” “pdf”