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A practical guide for printing

Dive into Touchpix printing possibilities and how to work with it

Introduction

Printing at photo booth events adds an instant, tangible element to the fun. While digital sharing is popular, physical photo prints create lasting keepsakes that guests can take home immediately. They serve as both souvenirs and personalized event memorabilia.

Printing advantages

  • Instant Gratification: Guests love receiving printed photos instantly, it captures the excitement of the moment.

  • Personalized Souvenirs: Prints can include event branding, logos, dates, or custom designs, making them unique mementos.

  • Increased Engagement: Printing encourages guests to interact more with the booth and share their experiences.

  • Marketing Value: For corporate events, branded photo prints act as take-home promotional materials, extending brand visibility beyond the event.

  • Sentimental Value: Printed photos often end up on fridges, desks, or in albums, keeping the event’s memory alive for years.


Printing possibilities

Printing with Touchpix is easily-integrated, allowing the user and guests to print in a very simple way, with a few different set-ups. Normally, printers and its drivers give the users a hard time to connect and work, but here, in Touchpix, we have the right solution for you.

As direct printing is limited to certain printers on M-series iPads or Android devices, it is better in certain situations to use a print server that provides connection and controls the printer. Whether it's digital or a physical box, we will explore all the different options to print with Touchpix app.

Direct printing

Direct USB drives the printer straight from the iPad, without the need of a print server in between.

Requirements

  • iOS: M-series iPad on iPadOS 16 or later (A-series iPads and iPhone can't run the driver)

  • Android: Any compatible Android device

  • Printer on a powered USB hub or connected directly

This printing method is only available for the iPad models mentioned above, as it runs the necessary driver. The option is avaible for Touchpix version 5.14.8 or newer only.

  1. Enable Touchpix printer driver in the device Settings > Apps > Touchpix > Touchpix Printer Driver

  2. After enabling, connect the printer either via powered USB hub or direct connection

  3. In the event settings, find "Printing"

  4. Choose "Print"

  5. In the printing connection type, choose "Direct USB"

  6. Your printer will be listed in the available printers list

Compatible printers and sizes for direct printing (iOS)

  • DNP: DS40, DS-RX1, DS620, DS80, DS80DX, DS820, QW410

  • Citizen: CW-02, CX-02, CW-01, CX-02W, CZ-01

  • Hiti: P525L, P520L, P630L, P310

  • SwiftFoto: KSF-10R

  • Paper sizes: 6x4, 6x4 split, 5x3.5, 5x7, 6x6, 6x8

Compatible printers and sizes for direct printing (Android)

  • DNP: DS40, DS-RX1, DS620, DS622, QW410

  • Citizen: CW-02, CX-02, CZ-01

  • HiTi: P310L, P310W, P520L, P525L, P630L

  • Canon: Selphy CP1300, Selphy CP1500

  • Paper sizes: 6x4, 6x4 split, 5x3.5, 5x7, 6x6, 6x8, depending on the printer.


Printing with a digital server

On Touchpix, every little detail counts, and we wanted to integrate seamless printing with every user. That's why we developed two different digital print servers, that work exclusively with Touchpix app, for both iOS and Windows users.

The connection is simple, your main device or sharing station can be connected to a laptop (easier to carry), which will serve as the base for the printing server.

Connecting the printer to a laptop

Regarding the connection between the laptop and printer, there are some important steps to take into account:

  1. Make sure to use the proper cables, labelled as "data transfer" cables. Most printers usually come with a compatible cable.

  2. Check that the printer shows up in your laptop.

  3. Install the correct drivers for each printing model, they're fundamental for the connection and printing handling.

Touchpix Print Server

This small piece of software developed by Touchpix allows you to print using a Windows OS system as a base for installation. This option is valid for both iOS and Android devices.

Requirements

  • Windows PC (10 and superior)

  • Installed drivers for the printer

  • Compatible printer with your Windows system

  • Firewall and antivirus exceptions

  • Local network permissions enabled on main device / sharing station

Firewall and antivirus exceptions

In order for this app to work correctly, they must surpass Windows security measures, which can detect this as a risky software.

Firewall

First, we will adda a rule for Windows firewall:

  1. Open control panel in Windows

  2. Click Windows Defender Firewall

  3. Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall (left panel)

  4. Change settings

  5. Find "touchpix print server.exe" and allow them in private and public networks

  6. Save the changes and exit

Antivirus

The most commonly used antivirus is Windows Defender, which is the Windows built-in antivirus. If using any third app antivirus, allow this app on it as well or disable while using Touchpix Print Server.

  1. Find Windows settings in your computer

  2. Update and Security

  3. Windows Security

  4. Virus & threat protection

  5. Under "virus & threat protection settings", click "manage settings"

  6. Under "exclusions", click on "add or remove exclusions"

  7. Click on "add exclusion" and then "file"

  8. Allow "Touchpix Print Server.exe", typically found in the following route: User\AppData\Local\Programs\Touchpix Print Server

The folder "AppData" is a hidden folder, so you can either enable hidden folders view by changing the settings in Windows' file explorer or you can directly open it by click Windows key and searching for %appdata%

Auto printing

Touchpix Print Server is a seamless option for printing. It works with a regular log in screen, to log in your Touchpix account and sync your event galleries with your computer for printing. The steps are the following:

  1. Download Touchpix Print Server (see below)

  2. Make sure that your printer is connected and showing in your connected devices

  3. Log into your Touchpix account from the server

  4. Select your event, and close the login screen

  5. Select a printer

  6. (Optional) Enable auto-print

  7. Click on "start sync"

Now all the files from the web gallery will go to the print queue and automatically sync.

Manual printing

  1. Open Touchpix app and access printing settings

  2. Select "print"

  3. Enter de Manual IP you can find in your Touchpix print server (IP Address)

  4. Switch the type of connection to Network

The IP will turn green and available printers will show. Your device is ready to print on demand.

Download Touchpix Print Server

Duplicated printer with 2-inch

It is possible to set up a duplicated printer with 2-inch cut enabled. This is the only way to configure it, and the steps are:

  1. Find the route Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers

  2. Right-click your printer > printer properties > Ports

  3. Note the USB port that it's being used (usually as "USB001" or similar, the port checkbox that is marked with a tick will let you know which port is used)

  4. Under "advanced", make sure the driver is correct and coincides with your printer model

  5. Close the window and click "add a printer"

  6. Click "the printer that I want isn't listed"

  7. Select "add a local printer or network printer with manual settings"

  8. Click next and choose the existing port you noted in step 3

  9. Click next and select the appropriate manufacturer and printer model driver

  10. Click next and then select "use the driver that is currently installed"

  11. Next, in the printer name, it must be labelled as "2-inch [printername]". An example with a DS80 would be 2-inch DS80

  12. Click next and select "share this printer so that other on your network can find and use it", then next

  13. Finish and the window will be closed

Lastly, some steps to enable the two inch cut:

  1. In the printer, right-click > printing preferences > click the duplicated 2-inch printer (2-inch [printername])

  2. Click "advanced"

  3. Under "printer features", change the "2 inch cut" to "enable"

  4. Now your two options for regular or 2 inch printer will show in Touchpix Print Server

Buttons

  • Reset: Reset the total prints to 0

  • Start sync: Initialize the synchronization

  • Reload: Refresh the sync and search for new files

  • Stop listening: Disable sync completely and unlink the event from the print server

  • Save received images to Documents/TPPrinterServer

  • Automatically boot on start: Runs Touchpix Print Server when starting the computer

  • Stop Server: Stops the server connection and listening with the printing port

Manage queue

On this software, you can manage the queue with the following options:

  • Pause (pause the printing queue)

  • Clear done (remove completed prints)

  • Win Queue (to see the Windows' queue)

  • Force clear

Mac Print Server (iOS only)

This is one of the newest Touchpix products for printing. Similar to Windows Print Server, this file creates a digital print server on macOS based systems. Likewise, the connection can be done via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.

Key features

  • Automatic paper selection

  • Built-in print counter right in the interface

How to install

  1. Make sure your printer is installed with the appropiate drivers

  2. Download the attached zip file and run the software

  3. Make sure both your laptop and iPhone/iPad are on the same network

  4. Open Touchpix, navigate to Printing and select the Print tab

  5. Ensure connection handling is set to Auto and Connection Type, network

  6. At this point, you should see one client connected in the Print server

  7. Ready to print!

Download Mac Print Server


Printing with a physical print server

By going one step further, we can find physical boxes, small print servers that allow a smoother and simpler connection, and even easier to transport, connect, and fit in the booth.

Printpix

Touchpix user's favorite for printing. This small box developed, built by and exclusively for Touchpix is the number one in connection and practicality. Either via Wi-Fi or cable, this is the easiest way to print from Touchpix.

Some features that make it the greatest method are:

  • Flawless connection and handling: Since this product is developed by us, and exclusively for Touchpix, it is secured to be fully compatible and provide an easy connection.

  • Network bridging: With a USB antenna, it is possible to detect close networks, and connect the box to them. This feature makes printing and digital sharing possible.

  • Wired connection: Printpix box includes an Ethernet port, useful for wired connections between the device and the box, giving a more stable and fast communication.

  • Support: The customer experience after purchase is a priority, and our support is committed to assist users with troubleshooting, punctual issues fixing, and updating to new Printpix versions.

Shop and consult more information 👇

WCM by DNP

Wireless Connect Module is a physical print server box, developed by DNP, one of the most known printer manufacturer. With similar features as Printpix, WCM is integrated with Touchpix.

We have significantly simplified the printing process for our users by introducing faster connections, automated configurations, and native network support. You can effortlessly utilize these new features for an enhanced printing experience.

WCM help article 👇

Airprint modules (iOS only)

Some other manufacturers have created similar modules, which in this case work via Airprint. Touchpix also offers the chance to connect these modules via Airprint, which require enabling "manual airprint selection". Although they're similar, the difference resides in a different IP address, which each model specifies for the connection.

Note: Due to the different brands and models, we cannot list a compatible chart.


Automatic Print on Sync

Integrate automatic printing in your roaming photography systems. Allow every new photo to be printed automatically. The app will make a print after every successful photo synched with Scanpix, Online sync or Sender/Receiver.

  1. Open the event settings, and find "Printing"

  2. Whether on "Print" or "Printpix", enable "Auto Print Every New Sync"

  3. Connect a printer to a sharing station

  4. Activate online sync


FTP Printing

An FTP server (File Transfer Protocol server) is a simple system that allows your photo booth to send photos directly to another computer over a network. It works like a shared folder that both your booth and your printing computer can access, making the process of transferring images fast, organized, and automatic.

The good news is that FTP works on any machine (Windows, Mac, Linux...). Each system can easily connect to an FTP server using built-in tools or small free apps. This means your photo booth and your sharing station can communicate regardless of what type of machine you’re using.

How to enable

  1. Open your event settings (app)

  2. Find "Printing" tab, then select "Print"

  3. Select "FTP" as "Printing Connection Type"

  4. Input your FTP server IP, username, and password

The server will have a specific folder—usually called something like “incoming” or “print”—where images are uploaded. Your printing computer then watches that folder, and as soon as a new photo appears, it automatically processes and sends it to the printer. This keeps the workflow smooth, fast, and hands-free.


Compatible printers

The common type of printer used in photo booths are called dye-sublimation printers. These printers have a very quick printing time (around 10 seconds per photo), professional image quality, and lower cost per copy. Some of the popular brands are DNP or HiTi, but there are thousands of more compatible printers. Printpix is not compatible yet with ink printers.

However, for photo mosaic, any printer that can be installed on a Mac or PC is compatible.

Paper sizes

Among the different available paper sizes, here we can find a list of those supported by Touchpix:

Portrait

  • 1240×1844 px (4"x6")

  • 1050x1500 px (3,5"x5")

  • 1500x2100 px (5"x7")

  • 1800x2400 px (6"x8")

  • 620x1240 px (2"x4")

Square

  • 1844×1844 px (6"x6")

  • 620x620 px (2"x2")

Landscape

  • 1844×1240 px (6"x4")

  • 1500x1050 px (5"x3,5")

  • 2100x1500 px (7"x5")

  • 2400x1800 px (8"x6")

  • 1240x620 px (4"x2")

Jumbo prints

This new addition to Touchpix printing, elevates this feature to the next level. Presenting jumbo prints, now it is possible to print bigger copies, maintaining the image quality and upgrading photo booth events.

Jumbo print sizes

  • 6"x18"

  • 6"x20"

  • 6"x24"

  • 6"x32"

Compatible printers

  • Citizen CX-02

  • Citizen CX-02W

  • Mitsubishi CP-D70DW

  • Mitsubishi CP-D707DW

  • Sinfonia S3 (CHC-S2245)

  • Sinfonia CS-2 (CHC-S6145)


Lenticular printing

Find more about this stunning printing style in the article below 👇


Keynotes

Printing has never been easier on a photo booth, but there are still some things to keep into account when trying to do so:

  • Subscription: An active subscription is required for printing with Touchpix

  • Use quality cables: Not all cables can transfer the necessary data for printing. It is important to check if these cables bought apart are labelled as data transfer, printing, or similar.

  • Wired over Wi-Fi: Although Wi-Fi is more practical, since it does not need specific cables and avoids the tedious cable management, crowded networks or certain spots may weaken the network signal.

  • Internet access: When going wireless for the connection, your main recording device will lose the internet connection, unless the network has internet access. This is important to note to comply with media uploading and digital sharing.

  • Testing: As everything in photo booth business, testing is key. Make sure to try printing with enough time before the event to correctly adjust margins, padding, brightness, color, contrast, cut, size and some other aspects of this feature.

  • Compatibility: MacOS, so far, is more limited than other platforms. In some aspects due to features in progress, or just incompatibility.

    • MacOS: Printpix is not supported yet for macOS mirror systems, but as a laptop, printing direct with the proper printers and drivers are supported, as well as WCM.

  • Android: Is compatible at this moment with Printpix, WCM and Touchpix Print Server.

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