Walkthrough
How To
- Connect The AirPrint Dongle To The iPad
- Connect The AirPrint Dongle To The Internet
- Connect The AirPrint Dongle To Fiesta
- Adjust Print Size
What To Know
- What Is AirPrint?
- Connecting The AirPrint Dongle
- Printing Multiple Photo Templates
- Using Alternative Media Sizes
- AirPrint Connection Issues
- FAQ
Walkthrough
How To Print Using AirPrint
In this video, you will learn how to:
- Connect an AirCastPro 3 or another compatible AirPrint dongle to your printer and iPad
- Connect the Fiesta iOS App to your printer through the AirPrint dongle
- Configure AirPrint and select the correct print size in Fiesta
Note: Printing is only available with a Fiesta Pro subscription.
What To Know
What Is AirPrint?
AirPrint is an Apple wireless printing technology that allows an iOS device to print without a direct USB connection. For printers that do not have AirPrint built in, such as the DNP DS620A, an AirPrint-compatible wireless print server—commonly called an AirPrint dongle—acts as the bridge between the printer, the iPad, and Fiesta.
AirPrint is the only compatible printing method for Salsa 1 and Salsa 2 Photo Booths. It can also be used with Guac for wireless printing when Chips is unavailable.
For the most reliable setup, PBSCO recommends pairing the DNP DS620A with an AirCastPro 3. Other printers and AirPrint dongles may work, but compatibility and success can vary.
What To Know
Connecting The AirPrint Dongle
Whenever possible, set up and test AirPrint before arriving at the event.
The setup process has three main stages: connect the AirPrint dongle to the printer and iPad, connect the dongle to Wi-Fi if you want to use digital sharing, and then select the printer in the Fiesta iOS App.
After connecting the printer, select the printer option that matches the Photo Template’s print size.
Note: The steps in this article use the AirCastPro 3. Other AirPrint dongles may use different network names, addresses, or settings.
IMPORTANT: Internet access is not required for printing. To print and use digital sharing during the event, connect the AirPrint dongle to an external Wi-Fi network.
Note: When printing without internet access, shares will not send and captures will not upload until the iPad reconnects to the internet.
How To
Connect The AirPrint Dongle To The iPad
- Plug the printer into power
- Connect the AirPrint dongle to your printer via the provided USB cable
- Plug the AirPrint dongle into power
- Check the AirPrint dongle for a light to confirm it is receiving power
Note: Most AirPrint dongles have a light located near the USB port to indicate power - Turn on your iPad
- Navigate to the iPad Settings app
- Select Wi-Fi from the left navigation menu
- Select your AirPrint dongle from the Network menu
- Once connected, navigate to your iPad’s internet browser app
- Enter the AirPrint dongle’s address in the browser
Note: For the AirCastPro 3, the address is aircastpro.local
How To
Connect The AirPrint Dongle To The Internet
Skip this section if you only need to print. Complete these steps if you also want to use digital sharing during the event.
- Ensure the AirPrint dongle is connected to the iPad
- Navigate to the AirPrint dongle’s address through the iPad’s internet browser app
- Select the AirPrint dongle's internet settings
Note: For the AirCastPro 3, the internet settings are located in the upper left - Select the Wi-Fi network you wish to connect to from the list
- Input the password if prompted
For the best performance, reconnect the iPad to the same external Wi-Fi network after connecting the AirPrint dongle. You can also leave the iPad connected to the AirPrint dongle, but printing and share delivery may take longer, as the AirPrint dongle acts as a Wi-Fi passthrough device.
Note: AirPrint dongles can sometimes have trouble connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots or networks with certain security settings. When possible, test the connection before the event or use Fiesta’s Offline Mode.
How To
Connect The AirPrint Dongle To Fiesta
- Ensure your AirPrint dongle is connected to your iPad
- Launch the Fiesta iOS App
- Select the event you wish to AirPrint from
- Select Configure Event
- Select the Printing tab
- Select Select A Printer
- Select your printer from the window that appears
Note: Depending on the AirPrint dongle being used, multiple printer options may appear. Select the printer option that matches the required print size, such as 2x6-2 or 4x6.
Note: If the capture size is 4x6 but that size is not shown next to the printer name, select the printer option that does not list a size.
How To
Adjust Print Size
AirCastPro 3 automatically creates one printer option for 4x6 prints and another for double 2x6 strips. You do not need to change the print size in the AirCastPro 3 settings. Select the printer that matches the required print size from Fiesta’s Printing tab.
Note: Other AirPrint dongles may use different printer names or print-size settings.
How To Select The Print Size In Fiesta:
- Open the Fiesta iOS App
- Select your event
- Select Configure Event
- Select the Printing tab
- Select Select A Printer
- Select the printer with the appropriate print size from the list that appears
- DNP DS620 should be selected for 4x6 prints
- DNP DS620 2x6-2 should be selected for 2x6 prints
Note: Double-check that the selected printer matches the Photo Template’s print size.
What To Know
Printing Multiple Photo Templates
AirPrint can only print one size at a time. If an event uses multiple Photo Templates, all selected templates must use the same print size.
If the selected Photo Templates use different print sizes — for example, one 2x6 template and one 4x6 template — prints may be stretched or shrunk.
Note: Multiple Photo Templates are only available on the Fiesta Pro subscription tier.
Note: Chips is able to accommodate multiple print sizes per event.
Learn more about Chips Printing
What To Know
Using Alternative Media Sizes
The recommended dye-sub media size for printing in Fiesta is 4x6. This media size can be used for both 2x6 and 4x6 Photo Templates.
Most DNP printers also support 6x8 paper and ink, which can be used for 2x6 and 4x6 printing in Fiesta.
When printing 2x6 Photo Templates with 6x8 media, make sure the Photo Template Printing Options are set to Double 2x6.
Note: Using larger printer media can result in higher paper usage, especially for 2x6 prints.
Disclaimer: We do not recommend printing 6x6 Photo Templates on any media size, as the template will be stretched or compressed in print.
What To Know
AirPrint Connection Issues
If you are experiencing issues connecting the AirPrint dongle, or if it is connected but Fiesta will not print, see the AirPrint Troubleshooting Guide.
What To Know
FAQ
Can I use a different AirPrint dongle with Fiesta?
- Yes. The official recommendation is the AirCast Pro 3, but some customers have also used alternative dongles such as the AirCastPro 2 or DNP WCM-Plus.
Can I AirPrint without Wi-Fi?
- Yes. Connect the iPad to the AirPrint dongle and use Fiesta in Offline Mode.
- Without Wi-Fi, printing will remain available, but shares will not send and captures will not upload until the iPad reconnects to the internet.
Why am I unable to load the AirPrint dongle's address in a web browser?
- If the dongle's address isn't loading, double-check that the iPad is connected to the dongle's network in the iPad's Wi-Fi settings.
- You may need to restart the AirPrint dongle in order for its network to be shown in the Wi-Fi settings.
Can I connect my AirPrint dongle to a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot?
- Yes, you can use a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot to provide internet connectivity to an AirPrint dongle.
- Wi-Fi hotspot network names or passwords containing special characters, such as punctuation marks and symbols, may cause connection issues.