QZ Tray with Brother QL-1110NWB

[Bernardo Gago]

Hi,

I'm looking to purchase the Brother QL-1110NWB printer; this way I can print directly to this thermal printer connected through "bluetooth" using my iPhone app integrated with Brother's iOS SDK.

1. This QL-1110NWB printer allows me to connect to it from Windows 10 either via bluetooth or wi-fi.  With my current setup I use a basic Zebra thermal printer connected to my Windows 10 PC and I print using QZ Tray by calling the printer name.

Would the same setup work if I connect my QL-1110NWB thermal printer via bluetooth or wi-fi as long as I call the correct printer name?

2. https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Continuous-Length-Paper-DK2243/dp/B000KPZTBK

From researching this thermal printer I see that I can use a continuous label roll that will allow me to print different size labels with a single roll.  The way this works is it uses an auto cutter to cut the labels to each size. 

I know with the Brother iOS SDK, I'm able to tell the thermal printer to cut the label at a specific length in the API request.  My question about QZ Tray is if I print out multiple PDF labels that are 4x4 and I specify the WxH in my QZ Tray API request will each label get auto-cut correctly?  Or is there a QZ Tray API element that I need to include in my request so QZ Tray tells the thermal printer to cut the label at specific lengths?

Thank you,

Bernie

[Tres Finocchiaro]

it uses an auto cutter to cut the labels to each size.

... 

I specify the WxH in my QZ Tray API request will each label get auto-cut correctly? 

It only seems logical that the driver would handle the cutting in its driver settings.  For CUPS, there's generally a "Set default options" in the web interface that exposes these advanced options to cut after page end.  In Windows, there's usually a proprietary device driver to instruct the printer to do the same.

We have experience with these in Zebra and Epson printers, but not as much experience with Brother.

Generally speaking, using { size: { width: ..., height: ... } } will accomplish what you're requesting.  Whether or not the Brother printer honors these depends on the flexibility of the driver as well as which operating system you're using as a print-server.

- Tres.Fin...@gmail.com

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[Bernardo Gago]

Hi Tres,

Thank you for the quick reply!

Ok, once I purchase this QL-1110NWB thermal printer I'll test this out to see how it works.

Regarding my first question, regardless if I connect my thermal printer through "bluetooth" or "wi-fi" with my Windows PC as long as I still call the correct printer name it will still print properly with QZ Tray; right?

Thank you,

Bernie

[Tres Finocchiaro]

as long as I still call the correct printer name it will still print properly with QZ Tray; right?

It should work the same as any other printer.  Have you already successfully used QZ Tray on an iOS device? 

- Tres.Fin...@gmail.com

[Bernardo Gago]

Oh ok, great; I'll test this out as well.

No, I haven't; based on my previous post I originally was going to try using QZ Tray to integrate with my ReactNative iOS app but I decided maybe it would be easier to just use Brother SDK for iOS print integration.

Unless, do you think it would be better if I use QZ Tray in my ReactNative iOS app print integration?  My goal is to be able to print a label after I check-in a package directly from my RN iOS app without needing to rely on a PC workstation running QZ Tray software; is this possible? 

If not, would I be able to set up 1 workstation with QZ Tray software that would act as a print server and I can connect to this thermal printer with my RN iOS app via "bluetooth" or "wi-fi" to print?

Thank you,

Bernie

[Tres Finocchiaro]

QZ Tray does not play well with iOS devices unless a print-server is present.  Brother SDK is the way to go if you have control over the printer hardware and plan to target a "native" iOS app.

There are ways to print using raw web bluetooth standards, but they're quite difficult without an SDK to send it in the data for the particular printer and the workflow is undesirable, so the SDK route will likely be best.

If you use iOS with QZ Tray, not only do you need the dedicated print-server, but you also need to install a device profile into iOS to allow it to connect to the print-server, so it's generally only desired in specific environments where this device profile is not cumbersome to install.

- Tres.Fin...@gmail.com

[Bernardo Gago]

Hi Tres,

Ok, thank you...this is helpful.  Yes, trying to figure out the best and easiest route to take with my RN iOS app; so I guess I will just try using Brother SDK and see how this works. 

And I'll continue to use QZ Tray with my website and Windows PC setup.

Regards,

Bernie