Badge printing is the part of the kiosk most likely to fail on a Tuesday morning with a queue at the desk. Configure it properly and have a fallback.
Before you start
Have these ready.
- A supported badge printer, powered and connected.
- Badge media loaded.
- 01
Connect the printer
Connect it to the kiosk using the method it supports, and confirm the tablet can see it before configuring anything in the app.
- 02
Configure it in the kiosk settings
Select the printer in the kiosk's admin settings and set the badge format.
- 03
Print a test badge
Print one and look at it. Check the name is legible at arm's length and that whatever identifies it as a visitor badge is unmistakable.
Confirm it workedA test badge prints correctly, aligned, and readable across a room.
- 04
Plan the fallback
Decide in advance what reception does when the printer fails: hand-written badges from a stock of blanks, and sign the visitor in on the kiosk regardless.
Never skip the sign-in because the badge did not print. The record is what puts the visitor on the roll call.
- 05
Keep spare media
Keep spare badge stock at the desk. Running out is the most common failure and the easiest to prevent.
Troubleshooting
When it does not go to plan.
| Symptom | Usual cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing prints. | Printer offline, out of media, or not selected in kiosk settings. | Check power and connection first, then media, then the app setting. |
| Badges print misaligned. | Wrong media size or badge format. | Match the badge format in settings to the media actually loaded. |
| Printing is very slow. | Connection quality between tablet and printer. | Move to a wired or more reliable connection if the printer supports it. |
Good to know
Small details that prevent big confusion.
- The badge is a visible safeguarding control. A visitor without one is not identifiable to staff.
- Sign-in and badge printing are independent. Never make one conditional on the other.
- Test the printer weekly. It fails silently between uses.
Was this guide clear?