Streamlining Label Printing on the Shop Floor with Plex Mobile

 

In fast-paced manufacturing environments, every second counts. Whether you're tracking inventory, , or printing part labels, the ability to print quickly and accurately from the shop floor is essential. That’s where Plex Mobile  come together to deliver a seamless, efficient solution.

Why Label Printing Matters

Labeling isn’t just about identification—it’s about traceability, compliance, and operational clarity. When operators can print directly from mobile devices to nearby ZPL label  printers, it eliminates bottlenecks and empowers real-time action.

Benefits of Controlling and Managing Default Printers for Shop Floor Users

Setting up default printers for shop floor users—especially those printing from scanners—offers tangible advantages:

Improved Workflow Efficiency

  • Streamlined Printing Process: No need to select a printer each time—just tap and print.

  • Reduced Errors: Automatically routing to the correct printer avoids misprints and wasted materials.

Increased User Satisfaction

  • User-Friendly Experience: Operators focus on tasks, not troubleshooting.

  • Mobile Printing Advantages: Print directly from handheld devices to the nearest printer—no detours required.

Advantages of Mobile Printing

  • Flexibility: Print from anywhere on the shop floor.

  • Time Savings: No need to walk to a designated station.

  • Integration with Scanners: Scan and print in one fluid motion.

How to Print ZPL Labels Using Plex Mobile

Plex Mobile supports ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) labels via IP printing. To print:

  1. Tap the Print icon at the bottom of the screen (only appears when print options are available).

  2. Ensure the label format is ZPL.

  3. Confirm the printer is IP-enabled and connected to Plex.

How to add a Printer for Plex Mobile usage

Printers are setup via the Physical Printers screen 

  1. Go to Physical Printers screen.

  2. Click Add.

  3. Add the Name, Building, Path (IP Address of the printer) and IP Port. (Port is usually 9100)

  4. Make sure the Mobile checkbox is checked if this is printer will be use with Plex Mobile

  5. Add a Note. This could be the location of the printer or other information that can be valuable as an internal reference.

  6. Click OK.

How to Set Up a Default Printer

Default printers are assigned per user—not per device. Here’s how:

  1. Go to User Default Physical Printer screen.

  2. Search for the employee name and click Search.

  3. Select the employee in the grid.

  4. Click Edit on the Action Bar.

  5. Choose the default printer and click OK.

How to Override a Default Printer

Need to use a different printer temporarily? You can override the default for the current session:

  1. On the Mobile Home screen, tap the menu.

  2. Tap Label Printer Setup.

  3. Select the Override Printer radio button.

  4. Tap to view available printers.

  5. Select the desired printer.

Note: Overrides are session-based and reset upon logout.

How to Set Up a Default Printer for the Company 

If this makes sense for your environment you can setup a default printer for all Plex Mobile users printing labels use with caution

  1. Go to User Default Physical Printer screen.

  2. Click the Company Defaults checkbox.

  3. Click Search.

  4. Select the Company and click Add on the Action Bar.

  5. Choose the default printer and click OK.

 By managing default printers and enabling mobile printing, manufacturers can reduce waste, improve accuracy, and empower operators to act quickly—right where the work happens.

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