How to Print, Email, and Text at the Same Time
You don’t need to sacrifice immediate email and text messaging shares when using AirPrint for your events.
With the right set up, you can offer it all and provide an amazing experience.
Table of Contents
What To Know
Setup Requirements
There are two essential requirements to allow for both printing and immediate digital shares (email and texting):
AirPrint dongle
Access to the venue Wi-Fi or a personal hotspot
Learn more about our recommended printers and AirPrint dongles
Note: You do not need Wi-Fi to print. Wi-Fi is only required if you want shares to be sent out immediately at your event.
IMPORTANT: You cannot use the cellular data on an iPad to allow for printing and sharing digitally. Cellular iPads will only allow for sharing digitally when Wi-Fi is not available.
Step One
Connect the iPad to AirPrint Dongle's Wi-Fi Network
Following your AirPrint dongle’s set up steps (or our AirPrint Guide) you will first want to connect the iPad to the AirPrint dongle via Wi-Fi.
Once connected, you will be able to load the AirPrint dongle’s portal where you’ll find the control panel and settings for the dongle and printer.
Step Two
Connect the AirPrint Dongle to the Venue Wi-Fi or Personal Hotspot
From the AirPrint dongle’s portal, you can connect to the venue’s Wi-Fi network or a personal hotspot.
If you’re using the DNP Wireless Connect Module or AirCastPro, you can tap the Edit button next to Wifi: No Connection in the top bar.
Select the external network (either venue Wi-Fi or personal hotspot), enter in the network password, and tap Save.
After connecting, make sure to check that all of your settings on the AirPrint dongle are correct.
Note: Each dongle may have a different process for connecting to an external network. Please refer to your device’s manual for specific instructions.
Step Three (Optional)
Connect the iPad to the Same Wi-Fi Network
Note: Not all AirPrint dongles support this functionality and remaining connected to the AirPrint dongle’s network is required.
A third optional step is to disconnect the iPad from the AirPrint dongle network and reconnect it to the venue or personal hotspot network. This allows for faster internet speeds for uploading captures.
With the AirPrint dongle successfully set up and connected to the venue Wi-Fi or a personal hotspot, open the iPad’s Settings app, tap Wi-Fi, and connect to the same network that you connected the AirPrint dongle to.
Print speeds will remain about the same, however you will not be able to access the AirPrint dongle’s portal in the case you need to make any changes to the printer’s settings.
If you need to make any changes to the printer’s settings, disconnect from the venue or personal hotspot Wi-Fi and reconnect to the AirPrint dongle’s network.
IMPORTANT: A recent change to the WCM2 and iOS prevents the iPad from connecting to a printer if it is not directly connected to the WCM2’s WiFi network.
To print and share at the same time, connect the WCM2 to the external WiFi network and keep the iPad connected to the WCM2.
Step Four
Check Event Settings
Now that everything is connected, launch the Salsa iOS app, select your event, and check to make sure that the correct Default Printer is listed.
If your printer name is not appearing, tap the field and select your printer from the pop-up list.
You can also check other settings at this time, such as the event’s photo template and other sharing options.
Step Five
Test Sharing and Printing
Finally, you will want to test to make sure that the printer is properly connected and able to print, and that you’re able to share via email and/or text.
Start the event, take a photo, print, and share. If successful, then you’re set! Your event is ready to start.
What To Know
If You Cannot Connect the AirPrint Dongle to the Venue Wi-Fi or Personal Hotspot
In some cases you might not see the venue’s Wi-Fi network listed from the AirPrint dongle’s portal. If you experience this, try some of these steps:
Refresh the AirPrint dongle portal and tap Edit again to reload the list
Manually type in the network’s name (SSID) and password
Tap Disconnect on the Wi-Fi SSID and Password screen and tap Edit again to reload the list
Try connecting to another network
If you are still unable to connect, you may need to reach out to the AirPrint dongle manufacturer for further assistance.
