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Compatibility

This guide covers Raw printer setup for printing ZPL labels with DHL, FedEx, and UPS.

Compatible with Mac OS X 10.9 and later.

Overview

These steps will allow a USB or Network attached printer to receive raw commands (ZPL) through Java on Apple OS X.

Note: Serial and Parallel printers are no longer supported in macOS.

Setup Steps

1. Open Terminal

⌘(Command)+Space → Type "Terminal" → Enter

2. Enable CUPS web interface

Enter this command into the Terminal and press Enter:

sudo cupsctl WebInterface=yes

If prompted for Mac OS Password: Enter your Mac login password (the password won't be displayed as you type).

3. Access CUPS administration

Open Safari (or any browser) and navigate to:

http://localhost:631

Click the Administration tab → Add Printer

4. Select printer type

If you see your USB raw printer in the listing, do NOT select it.

Click AppSocket/HP JetDirect → Continue

5. Enter connection information

Enter the appropriate connection details based on your printer type:

For USB Printers:

Connection: Enter in this format (example):

usb://Zebra/LP2844

Get this information by running this command in Terminal:

lpinfo -v | grep usb

Note: You do not need the "?location=1a200000" information.

For Network Printers:

Connection: Enter in this format (example):

socket://192.168.1.100:9100

The IP address will depend on your printer's network configuration.

6. Name the printer

  • Name: Enter a printer name (e.g., "zebra_raw") Important: You will use this exact name in Ship&co's settings. Remember it accurately.
  • Description: Enter a description (optional)
  • Location: Enter a location (optional)

Click Continue

7. Printer sharing

Leave the "Share This Printer" box unchecked → Continue

8. Select driver

Make: Select Raw → Continue → Add Printer

Note: Some print drivers, such as Zebra ZDesigner or CUPS Zebra driver have dual-mode drivers capable of accepting Raw commands as well as PostScript commands. If Raw printing works with the vendor supplied driver, choose that over the Generic/Raw driver.

9. Banner settings

  • Starting Banner: Select None
  • Ending Banner: Select None

Click Set Default Options

10. Complete setup

Your Raw printer setup for Mac OS is now complete.

Next step: Continue to ZPL Printing Setup in Ship&co, step 3.

Optional: Adding a Printer Class

Adding a printer class is purely optional and allows the raw device to be listed in System Preferences, Print & Scan area of the desktop. Without a printer class, the printer will function properly but will not be listed in the Print & Scan area.

To add a printer class:

  1. From the CUPS web interface, click Administration → Add Class
  2. Enter an appropriate Name, Description, and Location for your class. It must differ from the raw printer name chosen previously.
  3. In Members, select the raw printer name you created earlier → Add Class
  4. In System Preferences → Print & Scan, your new printer class will be listed. You may use this to monitor print jobs.

Troubleshooting

Cannot access CUPS web interface

  • Verify you entered the terminal command correctly
  • Confirm the browser URL is http://localhost:631

Printer not found

  • Verify the printer is powered on and properly connected to your Mac
  • For USB printers, run lpinfo -v | grep usb to check if the printer is recognized in Terminal

Cannot print

  • Verify the printer name in Ship&co exactly matches the name you set in CUPS
  • Check that labels are loaded in the printer

Print quality issues

  • Check your printer's darkness/density settings
  • Verify you're using the correct label size

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