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Direct USB Printing

Printing with just a USB cable from iPad/Mac to the Printer

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Written by Tim Carr

Starting with iOS app version 1.57.0 you can print straight from the iPad to a supported printer, without a print server or computer. You must meet all of these requirements:

iPad Requirements

  1. Your iPad must have an M-series chip (M1 or newer). This is a limitation from Apple, not from us. Only iPad Pro and iPad Air currently have M-series chips at the time this article was written:

    1. 2021 iPad Pro (5th generation 12.9-inch and 3rd generation 11-inch) or newer

    2. 2022 iPad Air (5th generation)

  2. Your iPad must be running iPadOS 18.4 or newer; iPadOS 26 or newer is recommended

  3. You must use a powered USB-C hub: you must provide power over the USB connection (you'll want to do this to power the iPad anyways), with an AC adapter providing at least 45W of power (60W or more is recommended, especially for HiTi printers). See our Recommended Hardware page for hub recommendations. Splitter-cables may also work but we have not tested these.

Printer Requirements

  • DNP printers supported: DNP-DS620A, RX1, RX1HS, DS40, QW-410. Other DNP printers may function correctly but have not been tested

  • Citizen printers supported: CX-02, CY, CZ-01. Other Citizen printers may function correctly but have not been tested.

  • HiTi printers supported: P525L / SwiftColor SCC-3000

We do not support any other printers at this time.

iPad-only: How to Enable USB Printing in the Booth.Events App

By default USB printing is disabled by Apple, you must enable it using these steps:

  1. Update the app in the App Store

  2. Plug in the supported printer from the list above to your powered USB-C hub

  3. Go to the Settings App -> Apps -> Booth.Events

  4. Toggle on the "USB Printer Drivers" switch shown below - you only need to do this once per iPad. If it is not there then verify your iPad meets the requirements above.

Next, add the printer in the app (you must launch the event first):

Touch the printer row to add it:

Touch the printer row in the list to open its settings:

In the settings popup, make sure only the templates that should print to this printer are selected, and, if necessary customize the cut/double options.

Note that the cut/double options are automatically detected for each template (the app's best guess), depending on which paper you have loaded. If you change the paper in your printer (say from 4x6 paper to 5x7), this won't be updated until you do another print with the new paper loaded.

Mac Requirements

  • To print over a USB cable you must download the app from our website - you cannot use the App Store version to print over USB.

  • Your Mac must be running macOS 14.2 (Sonoma) or newer. Macs with Apple silicon and Macs with an Intel processor both work.

  • You may need to use a powered USB-C hub, especially for HiTi printers: if the printer doesn't appear or occasionally disconnects, connect a powered hub to the Mac to ensure the printer can draw power from the hub.

There is no printer driver to install or turn on. Connect the printer to your Mac with a USB cable, then add it from the printer list.

On a MacBook with Apple silicon, macOS may ask "Allow accessory to connect?" the first time you plug in the printer. Click Allow.

Use your own ICC Profiles

An ICC profile is what tells the printer how to print colors: without one, the printer may print inaccurate colors.

The DNP and Citizen printers listed above as supported use automatic ICC profiles that are included in the app. You can use your own if you want to, for example because you are printing on metallic paper.

HiTi printers have no automatic ICC profile support, you must upload the ICC profile from your printer manufacturer for the paper you are using.

How to Upload your ICC Profiles

ICC profiles are uploaded on the web dashboard for your whole account. Follow these steps:

Go to your web dashboard's Devices page and hit the "ICC Profiles" button:

In the popup, upload the ICC file you downloaded from your printer manufacturer. You must upload an .icc or .icm file - if you downloaded a ZIP file, unzip it first

Note that iPads / Macs make their own copies of these ICC profiles when they are chosen, so removing an ICC requires you to unselect it on the iPad as well as deleting it from the web.

How to Use an Uploaded ICC Profile in the App

Your iPad must be connected to the internet to change ICC profiles. You can be offline and still use the ICC profile once it is selected.

Uploaded ICC profiles are not automatically used, you must pick them. Follow these steps:

First tap the printer row to open its settings.

Then, tap "Automatic" (in screenshot above) to open the ICC profile picke, and tap the ICC profile you want to user:

Troubleshooting

  • If your printer occasionally disconnects, it's likely your USB-C hub or the AC adapter you are using to power it. Check your AC adapter is at least 45 watts (60 watts or higher recommended)

  • If you can't see the option to enable the USB printer drivers on iPad Settings app, confirm your iPad + printer meet the requirements above

  • If the colors look wrong, upload an ICC profile for your printer + paper (see above)

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