Label Printing

Sporeline generates QR code labels for every block. Each label links directly to the block detail page when scanned. This guide covers the three printing paths: single-block labels, batch labels, and the print queue for high-volume print runs.

Supported Print Methods

Printing a Single Block Label

1. Navigate to the block detail page (via Blocks list or by scanning its QR code).
2. In the Identity card, locate the QR code on the right side.
3. Click Print Label. Sporeline generates a PDF label and shows it in a preview inside Sporeline, so you stay on the block page.
4. Print from the preview’s print control (the printer button in the PDF viewer’s toolbar) and pick your printer in the print dialog.

The preview has two more buttons. Open in new tab opens the same PDF in its own browser tab, which is handy if you prefer printing from there; if your browser blocks the tab, a link to the label appears in the preview instead. Download saves the PDF to your device. Close the preview with the X or the Escape key.

Additional Label Options

Click More options below the Print Label button for additional formats:

• Open Label PDF — opens the PDF straight in a new tab, skipping the preview
• Download PDF — downloads the PDF file to your device
• Download ZPL — downloads a ZPL file for direct Zebra thermal printer use

Printing Labels for an Entire Batch

1. Navigate to the batch detail page (Batches → click a batch).
2. Click Print All (N) in the page header. Sporeline generates a PDF with one label per block and opens it in a new tab.
3. Print from the browser dialog.

Selective Batch Printing

To print only some blocks in a batch:

1. Check the boxes next to the blocks you want to print in the blocks table on the batch detail page.
2. Click Print Selected (N) that appears in the page header.

Using the Print Queue

The Print Queue is a persistent list you build up over time, then print in one batch. This is useful when labels for multiple batches or individual blocks accumulate throughout a work session.

Adding Labels to the Queue

From a block detail page:

1. Open any block.
2. In the Identity card, click Add to Queue. The block is added to the print queue immediately.

From a batch detail page:

1. Open any batch.
2. Click Add All to Queue. All blocks in the batch are staged in the queue.

Printing from the Queue

1. Navigate to Print Queue in the sidebar.
2. The page shows all pending and previously printed labels.
3. Click Print All (N) to print every pending label. Each label opens as a PDF in a new browser tab.
4. To print a subset, check the boxes next to the items you want, then click Print Selected in the selection toolbar.

Managing the Queue

• Mark Printed — select items and mark them as printed without generating a new PDF (use this if you printed outside the app).
• Remove — remove selected items from the queue.
• Clear Printed — remove all items with “Printed” status from the queue to clean up the list.

The print queue persists in your browser’s local storage, so it survives page refreshes and tab closures.

Label Templates

Label templates let you customize the layout and content of your labels. Templates are managed under Label Templates in the sidebar.

Creating a Template

1. Navigate to Label Templates in the sidebar.
2. Click New Template.
3. Choose a template type:
   • Product — for individual block or product labels
   • Batch — for batch-level labels
   • Shelf — for location or shelf labels
   • Shipping — for delivery and shipping labels
4. Select a canvas size that matches your label media (for example, 2×1 in. for a Brother QL or 4×6 in. for a Zebra GK420d).
5. Design the label using the drag-and-drop editor. You can add text elements that reference dynamic fields like block ID, recipe name, batch name, inoculation date, and the QR code.
6. Click Save.

Setting a Template as Default

Each template can be set as the default for a specific label media type. From the Label Templates list:

1. Find the template card.
2. In the Set as default for row at the bottom of the card, click the media type you want to assign this template to (for example, “Brother 2×1”).
3. A gold star appears on the template card to confirm it is the default for that media.

When Sporeline generates a label, it looks up the default template for the requested media type. If no template is set as default, the label will use the system default layout.

Testing a Template

From the Label Templates list, click the printer icon on any template card to generate a test print PDF. This lets you verify the layout before printing a full batch.

Printer Setup Recommendations

Brother QL Series (thermal roll)

• Use 2×1 inch or 1.1×2.4 inch die-cut labels.
• Download the ZPL file option is not applicable here — use the PDF print path.
• Install Brother iPrint&Label on mobile, or use AirPrint from iOS.
• On desktop, open the PDF in your browser and print at 100% scale (no scaling).

Zebra GK420d / ZD Series (thermal desktop)

• Use 4×6 inch die-cut or continuous label stock.
• For direct thermal printing, download the ZPL file and send it to the printer via its network IP on TCP port 9100.
• Set your label template canvas to the 4×6 in. preset for correct sizing.
• Changed the roll? Recalibrate. A Zebra keeps the label length it measured last, so after loading a different size it prints at the old length (and the Sporeline app says the wrong labels are loaded) until it measures again.
  • GK420d / GX420d: hold the feed button; the light flashes once, then twice. Let go while it flashes twice. The printer feeds a few labels and stops calibrated.
  • ZD411 / ZD421 / ZD621: with the printer idle, hold PAUSE and CANCEL together for 2 seconds.
  • From a computer that sends ZPL, ~JC^XA^JUS^XZ calibrates and saves it.
  • In the Sporeline iPhone app, Settings > Printer > Test Connection shows what the printer reports and has a Calibrate button.

AirPrint (iOS / macOS)

• Use the Open Label PDF option and print from Safari or another PDF viewer.
• Any AirPrint-capable printer (including desktop printers with network cards) works.
• Label sizing is controlled by the template canvas size — match your stock.

What’s Next

• Scan labels on the go with the Move Blocks guide.
• Manage your team’s access to printing — see the Team Setup guide for role permissions.