Planning Center Check-ins and Printers

Which Printers Work with Check-ins?

Several types of printers work with Planning Center Check-ins. The printer you choose will generally depend on the type of station you are using. Users of desktop or kiosk stations with Windows or Macintosh Operating Systems will want to look at the Dymo and Zebra printers. A USB cable is needed to connect these printers and they can be shared with other stations, such as mobile device-based stations. If you use mobile devices such as iPads or Android tablets for your stations, you will want to look at Brother printers or the mobile Citizen printers. These printers can be connected wirelessly with wifi or Bluetooth connection. These printers are also capable of being shared with other station types.

Dymo Printers

A Dymo Printer can be used with a Windows/Mac computer and must be plugged in using a USB cable. If you want to print to a Dymo printer from an Android/iOS station, use the Print to Another Station feature. This feature allows printers/stations to be shared with other stations.

Dymo Printers that work with Planning Center: LabelWriter 550, LabelWriter 450 Turbo, LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo, or LabelWriter Wireless, which has to be USB-connected at this time. The LabelWriter Wireless Printer is only available as a USB-connected printer for Desktop. To learn how to set it up, follow the steps in the Dymo Wireless User Guide. For more information about setting up the Dymo printers with Planning Center Check-ins, check out Planning Center’s guide here.

Zebra Printers

Zebra printers work with Windows/Mac stations and must also be connected by a USB cable. One thing to note about Zebra printers is the lack of a native printer driver for Macintosh computers. Zebra does not provide a driver for use on Linux/Unix or Mac OS X operating system but instead suggests using the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) driver. Because of the lack of a native driver, printing to Zebra from a Mac computer will not have the same clarity and sharpness you see with the other printer/OS combinations. If you want to print to a Zebra printer from an Android/iOS station, just like with the Dymo printers, you can use the Print to Another Station feature. This feature allows printers/stations to be shared with other stations.

Zebra printer models that have been tested to work with Check-ins are listed below and provided by Planning Center’s support documentation

You must have firmware V60.14, V50.14, or later for some of the alignment to work properly. To find out if your printer is compatible, you can check Zebra's download and support page and make sure you have the latest firmware.

For more information about setting up the Zebra printers with Planning Center Check-ins, check out Planning Center’s guide here.

Brother Printers

If you use iPads or Android tablets for your check-in stations, you will want to use a Brother label printer. These printers are connected over Wifi or Bluetooth, and some models can even use a battery, which allows you to have a mobile check-in station that doesn’t need to be connected to a power source to check people in and print labels. Brother printers have become the standard for using iOS or Android mobile devices (iPads/Tablets) as check-in stations.

Compatibility and Connection

Brother printers work exclusively with Android/iOS mobile devices over WiFi or Bluetooth and they cannot connect directly to a desktop or laptop when using Check-ins.

Printer Models: The Brother models that work well with Check-Ins include QL810W, QL820NWB, QL1110NWB, and older models like QL710W and QL720NW. Some of these models can also run on batteries, which offer flexibility in setup and placement in your lobby when power outlets aren’t easily accessible​​.

Labels

Using the right labels is crucial. Recommended types include:

62 mm Continuous (DK-2205), which is suitable for all models.

Other sizes like 60 mm x 86 mm (DK-1234), 62 mm x 100 mm (DK-1202), and various large sizes like DK-1247, DK-1241, and DK-1240 are also compatible. However, it's important to note that Check-Ins does not print in red, and using labels like the 62 mm Black/Red Continuous (DK-2251) can result in slower printing​​.

Wireless Setup Process

Connecting to WiFi or Bluetooth: The setup process varies depending on the model and whether you are connecting via WiFi or Bluetooth. For WiFi, ensure the printer is connected to the same WiFi network as your iOS or Android stations. Brother printers should connect to a primary WiFi on a 2.4Ghz channel​​.

Renaming Printers (Optional): If using multiple printers, you may want to rename them for easier identification. This can be done through the printer’s IP address and Network Configuration settings​​.

Connecting with the Check-Ins App: Usually, checking a person in will automatically connect to a printer. However, there might be instances where you need to access the Printer Settings and adjust them manually. Ensure the printer is turned on and fully discoverable on your network before launching the Check-Ins app​​.

Naming your printers and stations

Take time to name your printers and stations and keep them bundled together. If you have a printer you use with a particular station, label them similar so that they can be kept together if ever moved around within your lobby or building. So if you have iPad Station #1, then label the printer connected to that station Printer #1 and do this with all of your printers and stations. Put a label on the tablet or station and on the printer to keep things straight. This will help other staff members or volunteers if having to move stations for special events.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues: Ensure that the printer is loaded with the correct label size. Wrong label type or misaligned cartridges can lead to errors. Also, check that the Check-Ins app is updated to its latest version​​.

Network Settings: Keep in mind that Brother printers can only connect on a 2.4Ghz network channel. Adjust your network settings accordingly to avoid connectivity issues. Also, ensure that there’s no interference with other devices or printers on the same channel​​.

Testing on Another Network: If you need to test a printer on a different network, remember that you'll have to reset and reconfigure the printer settings once testing is complete and the printer is back on the campus network​​.

Conclusion

Whether you have existing printers or plan to purchase new ones, hopefully, this information on printers and Check-ins has given you insight into which printers will fit your needs best.

If you’re new to Planning Center or have been using it for years and want to use the apps at a higher level, Threefold Solutions can help get you there. We provide coaching and training to maximize and streamline your Planning Center processes. If you need help getting your database cleaned up, reach out to info@threefold.solutions. We would love to help you become Planning Center experts!

Jason Silbernagel
Co-founder, Threefold Solutions