OSIT-AE-App-Svelte/documentation/GUIDE__AE_Events_Badges_Onsite.md

Aether Events — Onsite Badge Printing

Notes on setup, process, hardware, and browser behavior for onsite badge printing at events.

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Overview

Aether badge printing uses the browser's native window.print() — no special software or print server needed. The badge render page (/events/[event_id]/badges/print/[badge_id]) outputs print-ready HTML/CSS, and the browser sends it directly to the connected printer via CUPS (Linux) or the OS print system (macOS/Windows).

Chrome (Chromium) is the recommended browser for onsite kiosk stations. Firefox is a solid alternative, especially for Save-to-PDF workflows.

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Recommended Workflow — Onsite Kiosk

1. Open the event's badge printing page: /events/[event_id]/badges
2. Search for the attendee (name, badge ID, or QR scan)
3. Open the badge print page — review the rendered badge
4. Click Print Badge in the controls panel (or use keyboard shortcut)
5. In the browser print dialog:
   • Set Margins to None (Chrome) or leave defaults (Firefox)
   • Confirm paper/card size matches the stock loaded in the printer
   • Print
6. print_count increments automatically on each print via the Print Badge button

For high-volume events, consider the rapid QR scan mode in the Leads module or using a dedicated kiosk session where the operator only handles physical card handoff.

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Browser Settings

Chrome / Chromium (Recommended for kiosk use)

Chrome is recommended for onsite badge printing stations. Key print dialog settings:

Setting	Correct value	Notes
Margins	None or Minimum	Default margins add URL/date headers — breaks badge centering
Paper size	Match card stock (e.g. 3.5" × 5.5")	Zebra driver may override this automatically
Background graphics	On	Required for colored header/footer stripe to print
Pages	1	PVC single-sided — only front should print

Important: Chrome ignores CSS @page { size } for Save to PDF — it defaults to letter/A4. For physical printer output, the printer driver controls paper size. This is expected behavior.

To lock Chrome settings for a kiosk, set Margins to "None" once and Chrome remembers per-printer.

Firefox

Firefox honors CSS @page { size } which makes it ideal for PDF generation. For physical printing, Firefox generally "just works" without margin adjustments.

Setting	Notes
Paper size	Can be set in dialog, but CSS @page { size } is honored
Margins	Default is usually fine; remove headers/footers if they appear
Background graphics	Enable for colored stripes and header images to print

General Notes

• Background graphics must be enabled in any browser — otherwise header images, footer color stripes, and tonal backgrounds will not print.
• Private/incognito mode blocks PWA install prompts — use normal browser sessions for kiosk.
• For highest reliability, set the kiosk machine to auto-login and open Chrome to the event URL.

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Linux / CUPS Setup

For Linux workstations and dedicated kiosk machines running Linux:

1. Install CUPS if not already present: sudo pacman -S cups (Arch) or equivalent
2. Start the CUPS service: sudo systemctl enable --now cups
3. Open the CUPS web UI: http://localhost:631
4. Add the printer and install the appropriate driver (see per-printer sections below)
5. Print a test page from CUPS to confirm card feed and quality
6. In Chrome: select the CUPS printer name under Destination in the print dialog

On macOS and Windows, use the vendor-provided driver installer.

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Printers

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Zebra ZC10L — PVC Card Printer

Card stock: 3.5" × 5.5" PVC cards (CR80 extended) Tested: 2026-03-17 (rental test day, Arch Linux) Status: Working. Confirmed suitable for Axonius NYC (mid-April 2026).

Physical Setup

• Connect via USB (the ZC10L supports USB and Ethernet)
• Load PVC card stock per the Zebra loading instructions — cards face-up, landscape
• The ZC10L prints one side (single-sided dye-sub thermal); do not attempt duplex on PVC stock

Linux Driver

• Download the Zebra ZC10L CUPS driver from zebra.com (ZC Series Linux support)
• Install the .deb or extract the PPD file and add to CUPS manually
• In CUPS (http://localhost:631), add the printer and select the ZC10L PPD
• Set default paper size to 3.5" × 5.5" (or CR80 Extended if listed)
• Print a blank test page from CUPS before using Chrome

Note: Driver version tested: (update here after confirming) CUPS printer name used: (update here after setup)

Chrome Print Settings (ZC10L)

Setting	Value
Destination	Zebra ZC10L (CUPS name)
Paper size	3.5 × 5.5 in (or as set in CUPS)
Margins	None
Background graphics	On
Pages	1 (front only)

CSS Layout

The ZC10L uses the badge_3.5x5.5_pvc layout. The PVC layout CSS is at: src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/print/badge_layout_zebra_zc10l_pvc.css

This layout hides .badge_back in @media print — only the front face prints. @page { size: 3.5in 5.5in; margin: 0; } is set in the CSS.

Known Behaviors / Watch-outs

• Chrome with Default margins: inserts URL/date headers, offsets badge — use None
• Chrome with None or Minimum margins: correct output
• Firefox: works correctly out of the box with this layout
• Physical card alignment: if the badge appears offset on the card, a CSS margin tweak may be needed in the PVC layout file — note the offset and adjust print_margin_cfg once that field is wired to the UI
• Font sizes: if name/affiliation text appears too small at physical scale, adjust via the font size controls (+ / −) in the print controls panel; note the preferred values for this event's template

Test Results (2026-03-19)

• Card feeds and prints without jam: ✅
• Single-sided PVC confirmed (back does not print): ✅
• Chrome margins None/Minimum: correct output ✅
• Firefox: correct output ✅
• QR code scannable from printed card: ✅
• Print tracking (print_count increment): ✅
• Font sizes / visual quality: tested; specific calibration pending client design direction
• Driver version: (record here)
• Physical offset needed: (record if any)

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Epson ColorWorks C3500 — Fan-Fold Label Printer

Card stock: 4" × 6" fan-fold paper label stock Layout code: badge_4x6_fanfold Status: Configured. First live use: Axonius Adapt DC — June 9, 2026.

The C3500 is a color inkjet label printer — it prints continuous fan-fold paper stock, not individual cards. Badges are separated along the perforation after printing.

Physical Setup

• Connect via USB or Ethernet
• Load 4" × 6" fan-fold stock per Epson instructions
• The C3500 is single-sided — only the front face prints. Back section is suppressed in CSS.
• The badge has a lanyard hole punch: 5/8" × 1/8", centered, 1/4" from the top. Most fan-fold stock for badge use includes a pre-punched lanyard slot — verify stock matches.

Driver

• Epson ColorWorks C3500 CUPS driver available from epson.com (ColorWorks section)
• On Linux/CUPS: install the provided PPD and add the printer at http://localhost:631
• Set default paper size to 4" × 6" in CUPS
• Print a test page from CUPS before going live

Chrome Print Settings (C3500)

Setting	Value
Destination	Epson C3500 (CUPS name)
Paper size	4 × 6 in (set in CUPS driver)
Margins	None
Background graphics	On
Pages	1 (single-sided)

CSS Layout

The C3500 uses the badge_4x6_fanfold layout. CSS file: src/lib/ae_events/badges/css/badge_layout_epson_4x6_fanfold.css

Created 2026-05-15 for Axonius Adapt DC. Key specs:

• badge_front 4" × 6", portrait orientation
• badge_header max-height 1.5in
• Lanyard hole: 5/8" × 1/8", centered, 1/4" from top
• @page { size: 4in 6in; margin: 0; } set in the print page dynamically
• .badge_back suppressed in @media print (single-sided)

Known Behaviors

• Same Chrome margin rules apply: Margins → None prevents URL/date header clipping
• Firefox honors @page { size: 4in 6in } for PDF proofing — use it to verify layout
• Fan-fold stock separates along the perforation — no cutting needed, but verify the perforation lands outside the badge content area

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Print Tracking

The badge print page tracks print counts per badge:

• print_count — increments on each Print Badge button click
• print_first_datetime — timestamp of first print
• An amber "Printed N×" chip appears in the print page header after the first print

The reprint shortcut (trusted access + edit mode) does not increment the count. Only the Print Badge button path increments the count. This is intentional — reprints for alignment or quality checks should not inflate the print count.

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Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause	Fix
White border around printed badge	Chrome Default margins	Change to None or Minimum
URL / date printed at top or bottom	Chrome Default margins	Change to None
Header image / stripe not printing	Background graphics disabled	Enable in print dialog
Badge appears on wrong-size output	Paper size mismatch	Set correct size in CUPS and/or print dialog
Card jams	Card stock misloaded	Re-seat cards per printer manual; check stock orientation
Badge content clipped	Layout overflow	Check font size — use − control to reduce if needed
Second blank card ejected	Duplex triggered on PVC	Confirm .badge_back { display: none } in print CSS for this layout