Before getting started, make sure that all other apps are closed and no app is open other than Meadow.
Next, let's make sure that your iPad successfully pairs with any hardware you are using with that iPad. First, open the Menu.
You will see the Menu below:
From here you can select the hardware that iPad will use. Under Manage Devices you will see three items:
Receipt Printer: print receipts and connect to a locking cash draw that opens only for recorded transactions like sales or shift closings.
Label Printer: print scannable labels for your products from the iPad. This can only be used for non-Metrc products like accessories.
Barcode Scanner: scan product barcodes at POS or customer IDs for verification at intake.
To get started, make sure that the devices are turned on and Bluetooth is on in the iPad's settings.
The barcode scanner and printer use Bluetooth to connect to the iPad.
The cash drawer is connected to the receipt printer by a cable.
Pairing the receipt printer (we use Star Micronics)
Make sure you turn on the receipt printer and connect it to the cash drawer using a cable. Put in a roll of printer paper.
If you are using a USB printer, connect the USB cable to the iPad. If you are using a Bluetooth printer, continue with the instructions below.
Open Bluetooth in the iPad's Settings and make sure it's on.
Hold down the small red pair button on the back of the printer for 6 seconds (it can seem pretty slow sometimes).
Now press the printer's name (displayed under Bluetooth devices in iPad's Settings as above) and you're all set!
Check Manage Devices in the Meadow app Menu. You will see the printer.
Once the printer is paired it will look like this. Try a "Test Print."
Note: if the register drawer is not popping open at the end of a transaction, you most likely need to reset the printer. The printer sends the signal to the cash drawer.
Pairing the scanner (we use a Socket Scanner S740)
To use the socket scanner, plug it in to charge. The battery will perform better if you allow it to fully charge for several hours before using it for the first time.
Once it's plugged in or fully charged, scan the barcode on page 18 of the paper manual to set the scanner to iOS app mode.
Otherwise you can scan the barcode below directly from your screen (this can be difficult).
The scanner will beep when it successfully reads the barcode.
Next, open the iPad's Settings, then Bluetooth, to pair the scanner.
Now you can select the scanner under Manage Devices in the app. The scanner beeps when it's connected and a Bluetooth icon will be visible in Customer Intake.
Tips: The scanner works best held a few inches above the bar code. It also helps to use a marker or stickers to distinguish between multiple scanners (paired to separate iPads).
To unpair an iPad and scanner, hold down the power button and scan buttons at the same time. You will hear 3 descending beeps.
Setting up your label printer (We use a Zebra ZD410)
Using label printing you can create scannable labels for any product you sell. This is essential in a Metrc world - make sure you are pulling from the correct package when selling a product with multiple packages in Meadow.
Label Size
Meadow supports printing two sizes of labels. You have the option to choose between smaller and longer label options:
Small labels are 1 inch wide by 0.5 inches tall.
Longer labels are 1.5 inches wide by 0.5 inches tall.
Only the large labels have room to include the Brand name and/or Price on the label. Small labels only contain the product name, option and Metrc package information (if you are currently using Metrc).
To set up the label printer on a Mac (Print from Chrome, Firefox)
Open your computer's System Preferences —> Open Printers & Scanners —> Click the (+) button to Add a printer
You will see the window below. Click on Zebra ZD410 in the list.
Click on the "Choose a driver" dropdown at the bottom and then "Select Software". Search for "EPL2" and the correct driver will show up.
Select the Zebra EPL2 drive and click "OK."
It will now show up in the Printers & Scanners list and you can print from your computer using the Zebra.
If the labels print off-center or run over the edge, you may need to calibrate the label printer
Hold down the left and right buttons on the top of the label printer for 2-3 seconds to calibrate. This will adjust the printer head to your paper alignment. It may take a few seconds and print out some blank labels while calibrating.
