Starting with iOS app version 1.58.0 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
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:
2021 iPad Pro (5th generation 12.9-inch and 3rd generation 11-inch) or newer
2022 iPad Air (5th generation)
Your iPad must be running iPadOS 18.4 or newer; iPadOS 26 or newer is recommended
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
New: Liene PixCut S1 is supported for sticker printing with cutting. Please see our help article for this
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:
Update the app in the App Store
Plug in the supported printer from the list above to your powered USB-C hub
Go to the Settings App -> Apps -> Booth.Events
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.
Each template row has:
a checkmark to indicate yes it can be printed
either Auto or Manual selected: to override the automatic settings, choose Manual. This should not be necessary: you may get cropped prints or other unexpected results if you use manual mode
In the example above you can see a 2x6 template was automatically doubled and then cut to 2" strips, and, a 4x7 template does not fit the loaded paper so will not print.
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:
Jumbo Prints
You can print jumbo prints on the DNP DS620 and DS820, and the Citizen CX-02 and CX-02w. There's nothing special you have to do, but:
make sure you have the right paper size loaded: on the DS620/CX-02 you need a 6x8" roll, and on the DS820/CX-02w you need a 8x10" or 8x12" roll
make sure your template is created at the correct size - use our presets to make sure:
Advanced: Adding Multiple USB Printers
You can add multiple supported USB printers to the same iPad using your USB hub. You'll likely be limited by what your hub can support - test your setup carefully before your event!
Printers are automatically selected at print time in a round-robin fashion, per-job (not per-page). This means that if Guest A prints 3 copies, and immediately afterwards Guest B prints 5 copies, and you have two printers connected, then Printer 1 will print 3 copies from Guest A (and none from Guest B) and Printer 2 will print 5 copies from Guest B (and none from Guest A)
If one of the printers has a problem (for example, it runs out of paper), it will stop printing, and other printer(s) will pick up the jobs; as soon as you fix the problem (for example, load more paper), it will automatically resume taking print jobs as available
Troubleshooting
Printer not showing up, or the "USB Printer Drivers" switch missing? Follow the full checklist in Troubleshooting: Direct USB Printing. The most common fixes are:
Restart the iPad (power it off and back on). This fixes most cases where the switch or the printer does not appear.
Check your iPad has an M-series chip. iPads with an A-series chip (for example iPad 10th generation or an A16 iPad) cannot use direct USB printing.
On iPad, only one app can use the printer at a time. Turn off the USB printer drivers for other photo booth apps (for example LumaBooth or Curator), force-quit them, then restart the iPad.
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 the colors look wrong, upload an ICC profile for your printer + paper (see above)
Common questions
Do I still need a print server, WCM or PC?
No. With direct USB printing the printer plugs into your powered USB-C hub (or straight into the iPad) and no print server or PC is needed. You can still use your existing print server setup on other devices if you prefer.
Why does my iPad need an M-series chip?
This is a limitation from Apple, not from us. Other photo booth apps that print over USB from an iPad have the same requirement.
Can I print to a Canon Selphy, Epson or Mitsubishi printer over USB?
No. Only the printers listed under Printer Requirements above work with direct USB printing. Mitsubishi printers are not supported because we need access to Mitsubishi's printer code, which is private. A Canon Selphy can still be used over AirPrint: see How to: Add a Printer in the App.
Printing 2x6 strips and 4x6 prints at the same event? See How to: Print Different Sizes at the Same Event.