Set Up Printers in Windows

Before you start to print documents in ShipStation, you must ensure the printers are configured correctly for the documents you wish to print (labels, packing slips, etc).

Printer Setup for MacOS

If you need to set up printers for MacOS, please see our Set Up Printers in MacOS article.

The setup process for printers in Windows includes four general steps:

  1. Connect the printer via USB to the Windows machine you want to use as your printer workstation.

  2. Download the appropriate printer driver (not required for all printer models).

  3. Add the printer to your Devices and Printers Control Panel.

  4. Configure the printer preferences. 

The exact steps to set up your printer will vary depending on the printer's make and model. This article provides setup instructions for the most common thermal label printer brands - Zebra, DYMO, Brother, Citizen, and Rollo - as well as the basic steps for a standard desktop printer like an inkjet or laser printer.

You do not need to add your printers in ShipStation. Once your printer is added to your Windows device, the printer will be visible in ShipStation settings and available to send print jobs to.

Connect & Configure Printers for Windows

Click the tab for the type of printer you wish to configure.

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Notes about Windows Printer Setup

Review these notes to ensure you optimally configure your printer:

ShipStation support can assist in getting your printer(s) set up and help address questions and issues you may have in your printing process. If any printing issues are traced to hardware or driver-related problems, ShipStation support will provide the information you need to get further assistance from the printer manufacturer's support team.

  • The options available in a printer's preferences and properties will depend on the printer model and the driver it requires for installation.

    Beyond paper size, some printers have additional settings for graphics, darkness, offset, and speed. To address print quality issues, adjust these settings in the printer's preferences (and sometimes, properties) using a trial-and-error method to find which settings produce the best results for your specific setup.

  • USB Port energy settings can sometimes cause printer hardware to lose connection with ShipStation Connect. If you find ShipStation Connect intermittently cannot communicate with your printer, disable your Windows Selective Suspend setting.

  • The print format and dpi selected in ShipStation's Label Document Options should always match the paper size and dpi of the printer used to print labels. If these values do not match, the label could print too large or too small.

  • ShipStation is not compatible with tabbed labels. Labels must be a single, continuous sheet to work properly with ShipStation. Because part of the postage label will print on the detachable portion, paper labels that include detachable tabs will not print correctly.

  • For printer troubleshooting guidance, please review our Printer Troubleshooting help articles.

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