Configure printers for label printing

Benchling supports label printing to keep track of inventory items, such as boxes, plates, containers, and vials. There are a few different ways printers can be configured to communicate with Benchling.

Option 1 (Preferred): Configure printers using Zebra Browser Print Application

Set up the printer using the Zebra Browser Print application. For instructions, please visit this tutorial.

Option 2: Configure printers manually

Printers can also be manually configured. For both options 2a and 2b below, you will need to work with your IT team to set up a firewall rule to allow Benchling to send print messages to a public IP address, which will be forwarded to your internal printer IP (see image below). Please contact your main Benchling point of contact or Benchling Support for assistance in completing this step.

2a: Network Based Remote Print Application Setup

Each printer needs an IP and port number. Printers are considered unique by the IP and port. This printer configuration is entered in Benchling UI.

• Setup server to receive traffic from Benchling
  Could be a DMZ Server or some other application already setup to receive external traffic.

• Setup mechanism to authenticate request is coming from Benchling
  Options are username/password or signed certificate.

• Route print requests to printer
  Take inbound print request from Benchling, format it, and send directly to Zebra Printer.

2b: Connecting IP-based Printers to Benchling

• Navigate to your registry settings (you can click the gear icon next to an open registry), and select the “Label Printing” section.

• Click on the “Printers” tab and click “Create.”

• Fill out the form provided. There are four fields: 

• Name: The name of the printer. Use a descriptive name (e.g. location) so that users can pick it out of the list.

• Address: The IP address to which Benchling will send print requests. As described above, this must be a publicly-accessible IP that is in a range that has been whitelisted by Benchling. Any IP address that starts with 10., 172., or 192. will not be a public address.

• Port: The port that Benchling will use to send the print request to the IP address.

• Description (optional): An extra description about the printer. This is only surfaced in the printer settings page. 

Once a printer is added here, you will be able to select it when printing labels.

WARNING: Connectivity option 2b opens you and your network to an increased risk of cyber attack. By choosing to implement this option, you need to accept the security risk. Benchling strongly recommends consulting with your organization’s security, security compliance, and/or IT team before implementing this. If you have questions, please feel free to email trust@benchling.com.

Comparing Different Printer Configurations In Benchling