UPS Thermal Printer with Leopard

BradM · #1 June 11th, 2008, 01:52 PM

We replaced our office machines with iMacs this week to try to lower user errors and such.

We discovered that we can print our UPS labels via LP2844 printer now but we have an issue. The label doesn't FIT correctly. I remove margins when printing to the thermal and set the label size. But when it prints there is a good inch or more on each side of white space and the label won't fit to the sides. Even clicking "Fit to ..." doesn't work.

Anyone have any tips or ideas on how to get this to work? It's becoming quite frustrating.

MisterMe · #2 June 11th, 2008, 06:37 PM

Which software are you using?
Which version of the driver are you using?
Have you done File>Page Setup...?
Are you using the proper orientation for your labels?

macassemble.com · #3 July 8th, 2008, 11:10 AM

I am using a UPS supplied Eltron 2844 (UPS PRINTER) along with the standard web shipping. When you right click to download the label (GIF image) and try to print using the UPS Printer (Preview.app) in MAC OS 10.5 Leopard (built-in driver now YAY!) the prints are either too small and of poor quality or way to large an span 2 labels. I played with all the printer page setup and specific printer settings to no avail. I even tried using Pixelmator (AKA Photoshop clone) to adjust resolution and size, but still the same output! Anyone figure this out yet?

mxlpxl · #4 July 9th, 2008, 04:43 PM

Hello. My experience is that with Endicia software, the labels print flawlessly, but when I grab the image from the UPS page or eBay and try and print from Preview, the image is of poor quality and UPS guy tells me it is unscannable.

I haven't tried right-clicking the image and printing yet. That might work.

Another weird thing is that when I grab and print from Preview on an HP 5740 or 2210 the image comes out with parts that are green-- also unscannable. The image is also cut off on the bottom and left side in portrait mode. I was beginning to suspect Preview as being the culprit, but really need more data from you other users before drawing any conclusions.

Third-party solutions exist, but are pricey, ranging from $250 for one driver to $749/year for a shipping software solution that integrates with UPS, etc. Both out of scale and overpriced due to lack of competition.

As for formatting the image, that has not been a problem. I select 4"x6" paper in landscape mode and then either "scale to fit" or an appropriate reduction percentage with "center image".

To summarize, Endicia's software prints great labels, printing from eBay or UPS's site has not been satisfactory thus far. I'm hoping that someone of you will open my eyes to a new possibility.

Best,

mxlpxl

MaryMary · #5 November 15th, 2008, 08:04 AM

NRGSoft has a software that is about $299. This is a lot cheaper than the $749 price. In the latest OSX you can manually install that Thermal 2844 with the Zebra EPL 1.3 driver. However, you will experience a epl2 warning. I am taking my 2844 today to some friends that are pretty good with software to see if they can create some work around for me. If we can figure out anything I will let you know. I used the trial version of NRGSoft and I personally did not like it as it could not recognize two of my customer's addresses. I refuse to pay $299 for software then pay more money for their validation software to validate my addresses. That is almost the price of a cheap windows laptop that will do the work for free.

I am using Parallels which I think is a good financial investment. The problem I am running into is that Parallels is not recognizing this device. It recognizes all other USB devices except this 2844. If you can get it to work on Parallels, I am sure they have a demo version out, I suggest buying Parallels as you can use it for other things ALWAYS!

MaryMary · #6 November 17th, 2008, 12:34 AM

This weekend I found a fix with VMware. I am using their trial. Parallels did not recognize the Zebra LP 2844 when I connected it. However, it recognized all other USB devices...weird. The only thing is... I also use Endicia (there may be a driver conflict from the two operating systems...read on to understand). Endicia still prints well in OSX. VMware recognized the Zebra and the labels print perfect. I use the UPS Internet site (not Worldship). The only thing is... I have to print a Test Page first in VMware first then the UPS label will print correctly. Originally we uninstalled Endicia to troubleshoot so there was no conflict of interest. VMware printed the UPS labels flawlessly without having to print the test page. Then AFTER the Endicia install VMware starting printing the shipping label on two instead of one.

We worked on this all day and got tired of troubleshooting this issue. For now I am wasting a label before every print job. This sucks but it is the only work around I have found. I don't know if that helps you or not. Good luck.