Virtual printers are a useful developer and testing tool as they allow you to see the final output of your label without having to waste any label stock or ink ribbons. Virtual printers emulate the printing of any label type or size and the printing is done within seconds.

To begin, you will need to install a virtual printer emulator. The printer emulator you will install can be found on GitHub called Virtual Zpl Printer offered. To download, simply follow the hyperlink. https://github.com/porrey/Virtual-ZPL-Printer

Once the application is downloaded, do the following:

1. Navigate to Windows Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and add a Printer using an IP address or hostname.

2. Select the TCP/IP device in Device Type.

a. To find the Hostname, open the Virtual Zpl Printer emulator.

b. Click on “Edit” in the top right corner, the IP Address is displayed in the IP Address section.

c. The IP address you want to copy into the printer set up window will be the first option: 127.0.0.1
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d. The port name will be the TCP Port found below the IP Address section.
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3. Press next, windows will be looking for your printer, however, you should be prompted to provide additional port information.

4. In Device Type, select Custom > Settings.

5. Make sure the IP Address (Hostname) and the Port Number correspond to the ones in your Virtual Zpl Printer, and the RAW protocol must be selected.

6. Click OK, then Next.

7. When prompted to install printer drivers, select Generic > Generic/Text Only driver. If you already have printer driver downloaded, given they are for your physical Zebra compatible printers, these drivers will work fine as well.

8. Click Next > keep the recommended option > Click Next.

9. Name your printer > Click Next.

10. Regarding printer sharing, that will depend on your preference.

11. Click Finish.

You've completed the set up of the virtual printer. All that is left is connecting the printer to your DeviceHub or the Asgard Cloud Print.