Using Multiple Printer Setup Configurations

Description

Is it possible to have a single printer set up with two different sets of configuration settings, such that I can "toggle" between the two configurations?

Solution

Often times in a production environment, it may be desirable to be able to change a printer's configuration settings "on the fly", without having to enter the Printer Setup Options dialog and change the options manually. The following article demonstrates how to configure Loftware for such a situation. This example describes setting up an Intermec 3440 printer that can be toggled between printing with and without a ribbon.

1. Select File | Printers from LLM Design Mode or one of the Print Modules; Configure Printers opens.
2. Select Loftware Intermec Easy Coder 3440 from the list of Available Printers; click Add New Printer; "Configuring New Printer Connection" opens.
3. Enter a meaningful name for the printer In the box labeled "Alias"; "Intermec 3440 (Direct Thermal)" for example. Select the appropraite connection settings and then click OK. The printer is added to the list of "Configured Printers".
4. Click Printer Setup to bring up the "Intermec Printer Options" dialog.
5. Select direct thermal and then click OK to return to the "Configure Printers" dialog.
6. Select an available printer number from the list; with the printer selected in the "Configured Printers" list, and click Assign To Printer X.

Repeat these steps to add another Intermec 3440 printer, this time using a different alias ("Intermec 3440 (Thermal Transfer)" for example), setting the "Media Type" to "Thermal Transfer", and assigning it to a different printer seat. Once completed, you can select the appropriate printer alias when printing to toggle between different configurations.

An alternative solution would be:

1. Press F6 or File > Printers. The Printer Configuration Grid is displayed.
2. Add the alternate Printer Setup to the Non-Active (grayed-out) Printer section below your last active printer.
3. Swap the 2 configured printers as needed.

More information on the Printer Configuration Grid can be found in the Loftware Label A label is a design area on the computer screen where a label format is created or edited. Manager User's Guide, the online or PDF version on this website.