I wanted to share my method for printing EPL files from the client's browser. I had a hard time figuring out how I would do this, and didn't see much information on it at the time, so hopefully this is helpful to someone. My application has a requirement
to send EPL files directly to the Zebra printer. As you might imagine there are browser security settings that prevent this. My web server is remote so it is not on the same network as the Zebra printer. Also, my web app will be deployed at many different
sites.
My method is to cheat, and use UPS printer drivers and their Browser plug-in. This is how UPS lets users print labels from their website. Both downloads be found here: http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/create/labels/technical.html.
The client needs to install the UPS driver onto their computer and get it working with their printer. Then download and install the Thermal Printer Plug-in or Active-X Control Program.
On your page you will need an embed tag for the EPL file. <embed type="application/epl2" runat="server" id="embedEPL" src="yourfile.epl"></embed> As soon as the client's browser sees that embed tag it will send the EPL data directly to the printer.
This does not just work with UPS label files. I've tested it with FedEx label files as well. Additionally, I use Neodynamic's Thermal Label SDK to generate my own EPL files and send to the printer.
There are some drawbacks to this method. UPS's driver only works on 32-bit systems. The plug-in only works with Internet Explorer as far as I know. I'd love to purchase an independant plug-in/driver, but I haven't been able to find one. So I hope thats
helpful. If you have any other ideas on how to do this I'd be interested to hear them.
Hello, I am working on something similiar and wondering if this was still your recommended method. I, too, haven't been able to find much information and appreciate any input.
lizlee00
0 Points
1 Post
Printing EPL files from the Client's Browser
Feb 22, 2011 09:10 PM|LINK
I wanted to share my method for printing EPL files from the client's browser. I had a hard time figuring out how I would do this, and didn't see much information on it at the time, so hopefully this is helpful to someone. My application has a requirement to send EPL files directly to the Zebra printer. As you might imagine there are browser security settings that prevent this. My web server is remote so it is not on the same network as the Zebra printer. Also, my web app will be deployed at many different sites.
My method is to cheat, and use UPS printer drivers and their Browser plug-in. This is how UPS lets users print labels from their website. Both downloads be found here: http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/create/labels/technical.html. The client needs to install the UPS driver onto their computer and get it working with their printer. Then download and install the Thermal Printer Plug-in or Active-X Control Program.
On your page you will need an embed tag for the EPL file. <embed type="application/epl2" runat="server" id="embedEPL" src="yourfile.epl"></embed> As soon as the client's browser sees that embed tag it will send the EPL data directly to the printer.
This does not just work with UPS label files. I've tested it with FedEx label files as well. Additionally, I use Neodynamic's Thermal Label SDK to generate my own EPL files and send to the printer.
There are some drawbacks to this method. UPS's driver only works on 32-bit systems. The plug-in only works with Internet Explorer as far as I know. I'd love to purchase an independant plug-in/driver, but I haven't been able to find one. So I hope thats helpful. If you have any other ideas on how to do this I'd be interested to hear them.
aarongwood
Member
2 Points
1 Post
Re: Printing EPL files from the Client's Browser
Aug 29, 2011 10:15 PM|LINK
Hello, I am working on something similiar and wondering if this was still your recommended method. I, too, haven't been able to find much information and appreciate any input.
thanks,
aaron