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ladyjn13 · August 24th, 2009

When setting up one of more computers to print images to be pressed on blanks, one limitation when deciding how to set everything up is the length of the USB cable, max of 16', connecting the printer to the computer. If you want to have two people sending jobs to the printer, that creates a whole other host of issues.

So how does one get around this issue? This is especially a concern, if you want the computer in a nice comfortable space and the printer next to the heat press in the production space somewhere else, far away. I suggest looking into the use of a USB Print Server.

As our space was already wired with Cat 5 network cable, this was an ideal solution. We are using an Epson 1400 printer, with a bulk ink system, and a Geo Knight heat press. The distance between the computers and the printer, sitting right next to the heat press, is approximately 50 feet. We use a print server by IOGEAR model GPSU21. The key to setting this up, is first physically connecting the Epson printer to each computer, installing the Epson drivers, and then connecting the computers to the GPSU21 print server.

There are other print servers on the market but getting one that works for less than $50 from IOGEAR is a great deal.

joejcr · August 24th, 2009

You do not have to connect the printer to each computer you want to be able to print to it, in fact with the print server you do not have to connect it to ANY computer to get it to work.

In the install for the 1400 you have a choice to go direct or network, select network and it will search for the printer. As long as you have the print server set up, addresses and can see it through your network neighborhood the install will find the printer and continue with the install through the network.

ladyjn13 · August 24th, 2009

What you say is true of the Epson 1400, however the IOGEAR print server is very particular. The printer drivers need to be installed and the IOGEAR software needs to be installed and configured, once on a WinXP computer, prior to subsequent connections.

joejcr · August 24th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjn13


	What you say is true of the Epson 1400, however the IOGEAR print server is very particular. The printer drivers need to be installed and the IOGEAR software needs to be installed and configured, once on a WinXP computer, prior to subsequent connections.

This is true to a point, but, if you setup the print server on your network, give it an ip address instead of dhcp, something like 192.168.1.50 you will be able to actually see the print server on your network, your printer will automatically have that same address, you will be bypassing the limitations of the IOGEAR processing by using the actual address instead of their software.

Can you see the print server on your network?

If you can, open a browser and type in the address of the print server, it will open a configuration page. You will be able to set an ip address.

IOGear really are not be best print servers or routers, they are very low end and low cost, but will work. I use a lot of Cisco & Linksys for my customers, as well as at home.

Computers are my main business, been running my own company for 10 years, the printing is mainly just a hobby business but is something I love doing.

If you still have problems, go to my website, my number is listed on the left and give me a call. Just tell me you from the forum.
tcsco dot com. Not trying to promote my business or anything like that, but your into an area I have over 20 years experience at.

ladyjn13 · August 24th, 2009

Actually Joe, I wasn't having a problem at all, just making a suggestion. We looked for a resonably priced print server that would fill our needs and I'm simply reporting what we discovered. Cisco and such are rock solid but extemely expensive. The IOGEAR was less than $45.00 from Amazon. It works and you cannot beat the price.

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