Explore the complete guide to purchasing and setting up check-in devices and printers with this comprehensive article from Breeze ChMS. Gain insights into selecting the right hardware, including barcode scanners and printers, and follow step-by-step instructions to ensure seamless integration with your check-in system. Whether you're starting from scratch or upgrading your equipment, this guide provides valuable insights to streamline the purchasing and setup process. Dive in now to optimize your check-in experience with Breeze ChMS.
Breeze gives you the option to check in and print name tags from Mac/Windows Computers, from Apple iOS devices such as iPads or iPhones, or even a combination of computers, printers, and tablets by setting up “print stations.”
Supported Printers by Check in Device
| LAPTOP/DESKTOP (MAC/WINDOWS) | iPAD/iPHONE (iOS)1 | ANY MOBILE DEVICE(S) + LAPTOP/DESKTOP2 |
|---|---|---|
| DYMO Label 450 (Wired) |
Brother Printer (Wireless) |
DYMO Label 450 (Wired)2 |
| DYMO Label 450 Turbo (Wired) | DYMO Label 450 Turbo (Wired)2 | |
| DYMO Label Writer (Wireless)3 | DYMO LabelWriter (Wireless)3 | |
| *DYMO LabelWriter 5504 | *DYMO LabelWriter 5504 |
1Please note that the Brother Printer will only print from iOS devices.
2In this set-up, printers must be connected to a Laptop/Desktop (Mac/Windows) and Shared via Breeze Print Station (see below) with any mobile device(s) or other computers.
3DYMO Wireless printers should not be plugged into a computer. You'll set them up using the Print Station instructions listed below.
4DYMO LabelWriter 550 is now being offered in a limited Beta. Please reach out to our Support team to ensure this option will work for you before purchasing.
Important Notice for Mac Users: We're aware of an issue affecting the DYMO Connect web service on Mac, particularly with newer downloads of the DYMO Connect software. If you're experiencing this problem, don't worry. We've outlined a workaround later in this article to help you get back up and running smoothly.
Discover the DYMO Printer Set-up
Our DYMO printer is our most common option, as it allows churches to use a single computer, multiple computers, or a combination of computers and tablets set up as print stations.
Printers: DYMO LabelWriter 450 (Purchase on Amazon), DYMO LabelWriter 450 Turbo (Purchase on Amazon), or DYMO LabelWriter Wireless Printer (Purchase on Amazon), DYMO LabelWriter 550 (Purchase on Amazon)
Labels: Our printers have been designed to work with DYMO LabelWriter Shipping Labels, White, 2-5/16" x 4" (Purchase on Amazon). You can use any compatible off-brand label, with the exception of the Dymo LabelWriter 550, which requires Dymo Labels. However, please note that using a non-DYMO label may void the warranty on your printer.
Cleaning Cards: DYMO's cleaning cards safely and effectively remove contamination from printheads. It Improves print quality and extends the life of any Dymo LabelWriter. (Purchase on Amazon)
- Install DYMO Label Software version 8.7.4 (Windows), 8.7.4 (Mac)1
The Dymo Software Download Center allows you to search and download the software needed.
If you are on a Mac and experience trouble, please see the Important Notice for Mac Users: DYMO Connect Web Service Issue at the bottom of this article. - Connect your printer. After the printer has been set up, ensure that the printer successfully prints from the DYMO Labelwrtiter software.
- With the printer connected, open Breeze in a web browser.
- Create a new event or edit an existing event. Select the checkbox relating to printing name tags (see Event Settings for more details).
- Open the check in page for the event and check a person in. The first time you load the Check In page the browser will ask for permission to access the DYMO Label Framework. Grant it permission (you won't need to do this again).
- The printer should print the name tag automatically when you check the person in.
3 Breeze is not compatible with DYMO's "Connect for Desktop" software offered on their website, use the link above for the LabelWriter software.
- Install DYMO Label Software version 8.7.4 (Windows), 8.7.4 (Mac)1
The Dymo Software Download Center allows you to search and download the software needed. - Plug the DYMO Wireless printer into a power source (do not plug USB into computer)
- Ensure the computer is connected to a wireless network (Set-up will not work on a wired network)
- Connect to your DYMO Wireless Printer's WIFI network (it will look something like this: DYMOLWWxxxxxx)
- In your web browser, enter the following URL: http://192.168.58.1 The DYMO Web Configuration utility will open in your browser displaying the login page.
- Log in to the LabelWriter Web Configuration utility using the following:
- Username: admin // Password: admin
- Follow the wizard to connect the printer to your wireless network.
- Printer name - You have the option of changing the default printer name to something that is more meaningful on your network.
- Connection method - DHCP is recommended. If you choose Static, you will need to have all of the network details to configure the printer on your network.
- Wireless network - Click “Connect” next to the wireless network that you want to connect the printer to. You will need to enter in your network credentials (SSID password).
- When the printer is successfully connected to your wireless network, the Wireless status light on the side of the printer is solid on.
- Make a note of the IP address assigned to the printer so that you can access the Web Configuration utility in the future.
- Once the printer is connected to your wireless network, your computer’s wireless connection to the printer is dropped and your computer should automatically reconnect to your wireless network. If you encounter connection issues, check to make sure your computer has reconnected to your wireless network.
- Ensure the printer successfully prints from the DYMO Labelwriter software.
- Continue setting this printer up as a Breeze print station with the next article section, “Using Your DYMO Printer to Print From Mobile Devices (Print Stations)”
3 Breeze is not compatible with DYMO's "Connect for Desktop" software offered on their website, use the link above for the LabelWriter software.
- Connect with our Support team to discuss joining the limited beta testing group for the 550. Do not purchase a 550 before talking with our team as there are certain instances where this option may not be available.
Breeze allows you to print to a computer-connected printer from any web browser device. This includes iPhones, iPads, Android tablets, Android phones, Kindles, Nooks, laptops, desktops, and more.
Note: Before following the directions found here, you'll have to set up your DYMO Printer. Please see the section above on setting up your DYMO printers before going forward.
-
Start on your host computer (with DYMO Labelwriter software downloaded):
- Navigate to the "Events" page
- Select the gear icon next to "Add Event" at the top of the page
- Select "Print Station" from the dropdown menu.
- Pull up as many print station tabs as you have printers in your set up. Print station tabs must remain open as long as you wish to print.
- Now switch to your mobile devices & tablets. Load the check in page for the event. You’ll want to ensure that tag printing is enabled in your Event Settings.
- When the check in page loads, you should be automatically presented with a list of available Print Stations to print to. If your list does not automatically appear, click the gear icon and select “Printers”.
Note: While this method is compatible with the Breeze Check In App, keep in mind that the Check In App is only compatible with iOS devices. Use the Breeze app or an internet browser with this method if you have a non-iOS device.
Click on the options below to reveal the answers to some commonly asked questions about the DYMO set-up:
Depends on your printer! There is not a limit as to how many DYMO printers that can be connected in your set-up but it’s important to be aware of a few of these scenarios:
- For DYMO Label 450 / Turbo 450’s - We suggest that you connect 1 wired printer per computer.
- For DYMO Wireless - have as many wirelessly connected as you want, as long as you have the print station tabs open for each printer.
- We recommend not having a DYMO 450 AND a DYMO wireless connected to the same computer. This will cause both printers to print out labels at the same time.
While it is possible to use Breeze on a Chromebook, it should be noted that certain functions, such as printing name tags, cannot be performed directly from a Chromebook due to Chromebook's inability to install the print driver needed to print name tags. (Using Breeze on a Mac, PC, or Both)
Discover the Brother Printer Set-up
Our Brother printer set-up is an alternative check in set-up that connects the Brother printers, iOS devices and our Breeze Check-in app (iOS devices only) for a simple and easy check in experience.
Printer: Brother QL-820NWB Professional, Ultra Flexible Label Printer (Purchase on Amazon)
Labels: Breeze supports the following labels for the Brother Ql-820NWB: DK-2205 Continuous Paper Label Roll, 2.4” x 100 Feet (Purchase on Amazon)
Check In App: Breeze has designed a separate app to use for check in. You can download the Breeze Check In App on iOS devices that are running, iOS 12.1 or later here. Learn how to use the app here.
Setting Up Your Brother Printer
Before you begin, you'll need to set up your Brother Printer. Follow the directions found in this article to learn how to do that: Setting up the Brother QL-820NWB Printer
Important: Brother Wireless Connection
Your Brother machine operates exclusively on the 2.4 GHz wireless band and does not support connection to the 5 GHz band of your router. Please be aware that the Brother machine will not detect or connect to networks operating on the 5 GHz frequency. For further information regarding the compatibility of Brother machines with 5 GHz, dual-band wireless routers, or mesh networks, please refer to the official Brother support article here.
How To Use The Check In App:
You can download the Breeze Check In App on iOS devices here.
The first time you use the Breeze Check In App you'll be prompted to enter your subdomain.
Your subdomain is part of the URL that you use to log in. For instance, if you log in at cornerstone.breezechms.com, your subdomain is cornerstone. If you don't know your subdomain, please contact your church.
After entering in your correct subdomain, you'll be prompted to enter in your login information.
This will now bring you to an Events calendar within your Breeze account! From here, you're able to view the current events or select a different date from the calendar. After selecting the desired date, you are presented with all the events for that day.
Select the event for which you'd like to track attendance and you'll be brought into the Check In screen. From here, you can select the Gear Icon to change the Mode, Add Headcount, Add Filters, etc.
From this page, you are now free to begin checking people in! After selecting to check someone in, a popup will appear asking which Brother Printer you would like to use. This popup will only appear once per check-in session.
From this popup you will select your desired, AirPrint-supported printer and your name tags will immediately begin printing!
Click on the options below to reveal the answers to some commonly asked questions about the Brother set-up:
Nope! Brother printers connect through a wireless network through its Airprint technology. Compared to the DYMO set-up that requires print stations for tablets, the Brother printers connect directly to an iPad.
Important Notice for Mac Users: DYMO Connect Web Service Issue
If you are experiencing issues with the DYMO Connect web service on your Mac, please be aware that newer downloads of the DYMO Connect software may not function as expected due to compatibility issues. DYMO has acknowledged this problem and recommends a specific workaround for Mac users who need to utilize the web service for Breeze.
Recommended Solution:
To resolve the web service issue on Mac, follow these steps:
- Uninstall your current version of DYMO Connect from your Mac. This ensures that the installation of the older version is clean and free from potential conflicts.
-
Download DYMO Connect version 1.4.3, which is an original release that retains compatibility with the web service required by Breeze.
Use the link provided by DYMO for the download: Download DYMO Connect 1.4.3
Please note: The provided link directs to the Windows version of the software. DYMO has not provided a separate link for Mac users. We are currently seeking clarification from DYMO regarding the correct version for Mac users and will update this article once more information is available. - Install DYMO Connect 1.4.3 on your Mac following the standard installation process.
- Test the web service with Breeze to confirm that the issue has been resolved and that you can print labels as needed.