Prerequisite Skills

Event Mobile Passes & Badges

On-demand Badge Printing is a comprehensive, self-service solution that eliminates the need for pre-printing or outsourcing to third-party event technology companies. Our system supports efficient configuration of event badges with a polished, professional look.

Customize your event badges using liquid markup, merge fields, and conditional logic. Our event badge service also lets you scan and print badges on-site, which will automatically update a registrant’s status to “Attended”.

We designed the system to ensure badges are crafted to meet your precise specifications. Here's an example, which we used for guests and staff at Summit 2022 in Nashville:

How It Works

1. The e-ticket, using the same QR codes already available for scanning in the Slate app, can be scanned using a wireless barcode scanner that doesn't require Wi-Fi. The scanner connects wirelessly to its docking station via USB to the tablet or via Bluetooth.

   

2. Within less than a second, printing begins using either internal stock inside the printer or fanfold stock (for the poly badges) from outside the printer.

   

3. Within about three seconds, you'll have a fully-printed name badge in full color. A live-enqueuing process ensures scanning continues and the printers are fed data in a single-document, variable-pages approach that provides continued output during the peak of check-in.

   

Slate can run on any Windows laptop, desktop, or tablet, such as a Surface tablet. Download the registration data for the event locally (to ensure fast printing even if the network connection is spotty) and connect to the hardware peripherals to bring this together.

Step 1: Purchasing the Required Hardware

Printer & Ink

Badge printing requires a specific printer and its own particular ink.

Epson ColorWorks CW-C4000 Color Inkjet Label Printer

Locate participating retailers on Epson's website. They can also be found at:

• TexasLabelPrinters

• Dell Technologies, and others.

The CW-C4000 printer uses SJIC41P ink cartridges.

Available at Amazon, TexasLabelPrinters, Jet City Label, and others (you can purchase additional cartridges).

• Epson SJIC41P Ink Cartridges:

  • Black – SJIC41P-MK

  • Cyan – SJIC41P-C

  • Magenta – SJIC41P-M

  • Yellow – SJIC41P-Y

Epson TM-C3500 Color Label Printer

The TM-C3500 is an old model that is no longer available.

The TM-C3500 printer uses SJIC22P ink cartridges.

Available at Amazon, TexasLabelPrinters, Jet City Label, and others (you can purchase additional cartridges).

• Epson SJIC22P Ink Cartridges:

  • Black – C33S020577

  • Cyan – C33S020581

  • Magenta – C33S020582

  • Yellow – C33S020583

Hand Scanner (Zebra DS2278)

Available at Amazon, Barcode Factory, POSGuys, and others.

Tablet or Laptop

These can be Surface Tablets or Windows Laptops. Must run Windows 10+ with a 64-bit Intel processor. We recommend keeping this device up to date with the latest software versions and badge printing configurations.

Name Badges

Technolutions partners with KLEERTECH to offer name badges that can be used for on-site badge printing. This partnership allows us to provide timely shipment and a discount in price, as we have purchased in bulk. While multiple sizes and formats of badge stocks will eventually be supported, this partnership currently offers the following style and format:

• 4”x 11”

• Matte poly ELC synthetic badge

• Fold at 5.5”

• Scan mark on back every 11”

• 2 slots

Step 2: Downloading the Required Software

The following software applications and drivers are required for badge printing:

• Printer Drivers:

  • C3500 Printer Driver v2.6.0.1

    • Additional C3500 Downloads (not required)

  • C4000 Printer Driver v1.1.0.4

    • Additional C4000 Downloads (not required)

      • Check here for the most up to date firmware.

• Scanner Drivers

• Slate Desktop

• Microsoft .NET 6.0

• Scan to Connect Utility for Windows (required for Bluetooth scanners only)

Step 3: Purchasing the Badges

Before you can start printing badges, you'll need to purchase the blank labels. We provide a form in your database to purchase labels using our existing Slate Credits system:

... and so on, up to ten boxes of labels at a time. Shipping costs are included in the total.

To purchase boxes of labels:

1. From the main navigation in your database, click Database.

2. Under Communications, click Deliver Configurations.

3. At the top right, click Order Paper.

4. Complete the form. Verify a mailing or shipping address before submission.

   

🔔 Important!

All orders are final and non-refundable. Processing will not begin unless orders are paid in full.

Step 4: Printing at the Event

Printer Setup

Before you can start printing, you must perform some initial physical setup, configure the printer settings on your Windows device, then reset the printer's media name.

Initial setup

1. Remove the roll of paper that was sent with the printer.

2. Open the front of the printer and remove the roll.

3. Open the back flap, remove the round piece, and snap it into the front. The round part follows the contour of the printer.

4. Close the printer. Leave the printer on.

5. Connect the Printer to your Windows device.

6. If you haven't already, install the appropriate Printer Driver from Epson.

Setup specific to the EPSON CW-C4000

Configure printer properties: Printer Utilities for the EPSON CW-C4000

1. On your Windows device, open the Start Menu > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

2. Select EPSON CW-C4000u, then click Manage.

3. Click Printer Properties.

4. In the General tab, enter the name "EPSON CW-C4000" (without quotes).

5. Click OK.

6. From the Start menu, navigate to CW-C4000 Printer Setting.

   1. Navigating to the Printer Utilities this way provides additional options.

7. Click OK or Close until you reach the PrinterSetting screen.

8. If settings were previously configured, click Detailed settings > Initialize Printer.

   1. Click Reset.

   2. Click Erase.

   3. This will erase and reset your printer to the factory settings.

9. Close out of this and restart your printer.

10. Repeat Step 6 to navigate back to the Printer Utilities.

11. Update the following:

    1. Media settings:

       1. Media source: Rear Feed(Fanfold)

       2. Media form (detention): Continuous paper (black mark detection)

       3. Media coating type: Matte or Synthetic

       4. Print Quality: Normal or Speed

       5. Click Apply Settings.

    2. Detailed Settings > Printer settings

       1. Power on action: No feed

       2. Paper replacement action: No feed

       3. Click Apply Settings.

    3. Detailed Settings > Operating Time Settings

       1. Power Saving Transition Time: 1 min

       2. Media Hold Fan stop time: 1 sec

       3. Click Apply Settings.

    4. Detailed Settings > Nozzle check settings

       1. Trigger to Head Maintenance: 10 Clogged Nozzles

       2. Nozzle Check Interval: 3000 labels

       3. Cleaning after self-check: Disable

       4. Dot Substitution: Enable

       5. Operation at unrecoverable clogged nozzle: Ignore and continue

       6. Click Apply Settings.

    5. Detailed Settings > Advanced settings

       1. Click New / Delete / Edit ...

       2. Click New...

       3. Name: Badge

       4. Width: 101.6

       5. Length: 279.4

       6. Gap: 0.0

       7. Media source: Rear Feed(Fanfold)

       8. Media form (detention): Continuous paper (black mark detection)

       9. Media coating type: Matte or Synthetic

       10. Print Quality: Normal or Speed

       11. Click Set.

       12. Click Close.

12. Close out of Printer Utilities.

Configure printer properties: Printing Preferences for the EPSON CW-C4000

1. In Printer Properties, click the General tab.

2. Under Media Settings, from the Media Name list, select Custom.

3. Click Media Definition > New...

4. Configure the following settings:

   • Name: Badge

   • Dimensions:  

     • Width: 4

     • Length: 11

   • Media Form: Continuous paper (black mark detection)

   • Media Coating Type: Synthetic

   • Print Quality: Speed

   • Settings For Paper Handling After Print: Cut (after printing last label)

5. Click OK.

6. Select Media Name: Badge

7. Click Media Detection…:

   • Media Source: Rear Feed(Fanfold)

   • Media Detection: Black mark detection

   • Click OK

8. Click Save as Favorite Setting…

9. Give these settings a name. Click Add.

10. Click Save/OK.

Reset the media name

1. Open the printer under its new name.

2. Click Edit Preferences.

3. Reset Media Name as Badge.

Calibrate the sensor

1. Menu] -> [Maintenance] -> [Calibration] -> [Simple Media Detect].

2. Menu] -> [Maintenance] -> [Calibration] -> [Media Detect].

✨ Tip

In Printing Preferences, selecting Print Preview lets you test the process. Deselect this setting on the day of the event, or whenever you want to print on the name badges.

Setup specific to the EPSON TM-C3500

Configure printer properties: Printer Utilities for the EPSON TM-C3500

1. On your Windows device, open the Start Menu > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

2. Select EPSON TM-C3500 V2, then click Manage.

3. Click Printer Properties.

4. In the General tab, enter the name "EPSON TM-C3500" (without quotes).

5. Click Preferences... > Printer Utilities > Printer Setting Utility

6. Configure the following Media Settings:

   • Media Source: Fanfold paper

   • Media Detection: Continuous paper (blackmark)

7. Make sure the printer is closed, then click Apply Settings.

8. Follow on-screen directions to move the paper feed guide as shown in the diagram.

9. Turn the printer off, wait 5 to 10 seconds, then turn the printer back on.

10. With the printer completely closed, configure the following settings:

    • Printer Operation Setup:

      • Nozzle Check Mode: No missing dot detection mode

      • Click Apply Settings.

    • Advanced Settings > Panel Button Settings:

      • Enable/Disable the Cleaning Button: Disable (Recommended because it prevents the printer from starting a cleaning routine that disables the printer for its duration).

      • Click Apply Settings.

    • Advanced Settings > Operating Time Settings:

      • Platen Vacuum Operation Pause Time: 1 Hour

      • Data Standby Time: 15 seconds

      • Click Apply Settings.

11. Click Save/OK until you have exited Printer Utilities.

Configure printer properties: Printing Preferences for the Epson TM-C3500

1. In Printer Properties, click the General tab.

2. Under Media Settings, from the Media Name list, select Custom.

3. Click Media Definition > New...

4. Configure the following settings:

   • Name: Badge

   • Dimensions:

     • Width: 4

     • Length: 11

   • Media Form: Continuous Paper(BlackMark)

   • Media Coating Type: Synthetic

   • Print Quality: Speed

   • Settings For Paper Handling After Print: Auto Cut(After Every Page)

5. Click OK.

6. Select Media name: Badge

7. Click the Options tab. Make sure borderless printing is selected.

8. Click the Driver Utilities tab.

9. Click View Preferences. Configure the following setting:

   • Import/Export Settings: You can export the settings you've configured and save them to your Windows device. This can then be used to import the settings to another device.

10. Click Save/OK.

Calibrate the sensor

1. On the operation panel of the printer, select Menu → Maintenance → Calibration -> Simple Media Detect.

2. If it is still not detecting then do the other option, Menu -> Maintenance -> Calibration -> [Media Detect].

Scanner Setup

Performing a factory reset for each scanner

To configure a Zebra DS2278 barcode scanner for Slate, scan the following barcode once for each scanner. This barcode triggers a factory reset of the barcode scanner and will adjust the settings necessary for compatibility with Slate.

Configuring scanner settings on your Windows device

1. If you haven't already, install the required Scanner Drivers.

2. Click Install > Next > Complete > Finish.

✨ Tip

Physically label your hardware to know which scanner, base, and Windows device are connected.

The Scanning Process and Badge Printing at the Event

In your event, make sure to configure your Mobile Pass. This pass should include the QR code that will be scanned at your event.

Click on any individual registration on the event management page to view the merge fields/design of the Badge or Mobile Pass.

Launching the Scanner

The Launch Scanner button is on the event management page. Clicking this button for the first time prompts you to download the Slate Desktop app, if you have not done so already.

Clicking Launch Scanner again downloads all of your badges and stores them on your local device. When the Launch Scanner page opens, click the Refresh icon to pull in new registrations.

The Search icon on the Launch Scanner page will enable you to manually print a badge without scanning. To search:

1. Type the name of the registration.

2. Select their name from the results.

3. Click Print.

The name badge then prints on demand.