Pool distribution
The rule used to choose the next printer.
Software
Printing with one printer or a printer pool
Any photo printer with a Windows driver can be used. For busy events several printers share the jobs, and photos and photo strips come out of the same device.
One printer or a pool
The usual setup is a single printer. When it gets busy, or a paper change should not stop the evening, a printer pool takes over: several printers share the jobs, and the booth shows which device is ready, which reports an error and what is waiting in the queue.
| Single printer | Printer pool | |
|---|---|---|
| Meant for | the usual setup | events with lots of printing |
| Paper change | printing waits | another printer carries on |
| Distribution | everything to one device | by rule, preferred printer first |
| Large jobs | one device | can be split across printers |
Setting up the printer pool
The pool settings decide how jobs are spread across the devices.
Preferred printer
The device served first. After a fallback round the booth can return to it.
Switch after prints
After a fixed number of prints the next device takes over, so consumables wear evenly.
Split jobs
Large jobs, such as several copies for a group, run on several devices at once above an adjustable number.
One printer per task
Each task can have its own printer, and each can run single, as a pool or be switched off. A device that is unplugged for the moment stays in the list, so the setting is not lost.
Photo printer
The photos from the session, in the format set in the printer driver, usually 4 × 6 inches.
Photo strips
Two 2 × 6 inch strips from one sheet, from the same printer as the photos or from a second one.
Prize slip
Slips from the prize draw, optionally from a receipt printer at the booth.
Photo mosaic
The tiles for the photo mosaic, ideally from a label printer with labels in tile size.
Photos and photo strips from one printer
The cut for photo strips is a setting in the printer driver. RAWCaptureBooth sets it for every strip job itself, so both formats run through one device at the same time.
Set up once
An assistant names the setting for known devices, opens the driver and prints a test sheet with a cut line if you like.
Per device in the pool
A list shows for each printer whether the cut is set up. If a driver update changes the setting, it shows up there.
Two queues
If you set up the same printer twice in Windows, once with and once without the cut, that keeps working unchanged.
The image sits right on the paper
Hardly any printer hits the paper exactly. There are two levels for that.
- Correction per printer: evens out the device's quirks in steps from 0.1 mm and applies to all events.
- Calibration sheet: a ruler on every edge; the values you read become the correction with one click.
- Output per role: moves or enlarges the image for photos and photo strips, for example for a wider border.
- Automatic orientation: every image is rotated to match the paper, in the pool as well.
Paper and ribbon at a glance
A bar shows the supply for each printer. Three warning thresholds give notice in time, and what happens when the media runs out is up to you.
Media counter
For printers without their own report: enter the pack size and the booth subtracts every sheet. After changing the roll, "new pack inserted" is enough, also in the quick settings.
Visible everywhere
The level appears in the printer status, in the status email and in the portal.
Counters and limits
Count prints per event, limit them or charge for them with pay-per-use.
Also: DNP printers connected directly
From version 3.27, DNP photo printers work with the booth without extra software or setup. Identical Citizen printers work as well; the CY-02 is confirmed.
DS-RX1DS-RX1HSDS620DS820QW410
Media level
The printer reports its supply itself, no counter needed.
Total prints
The booth reads the device's print counter directly.
Photo strip cut
The cut is set for every strip automatically, without touching the driver.
Paper finish per event
Glossy, matte, fine matte or luster, to suit the occasion.