In this article you will learn how to set up and install a BOCA Ticket Printer for use with Spektrix. To connect a BOCA Printer to Spektrix, work through each step in the article, adhering closely to the instructions. Please allow some time to complete the installation.
You will need:
- A PC with the latest version of the Spektrix Box Office App
- A BOCA Ticket Printer
- Ticket Stock
Before you read this article make sure you’re familiar with:
- Introduction to Hardware and Spektrix
- Introduction to Ticket Printers and Spektrix
- Installing the Spektrix Box Office App
WARNING: Mistakes made during installation can be time-consuming to rectify. Even if you’ve installed a printer before, we recommend following this article closely, observing any changes to the process since you last completed an installation.
Getting Started
Setting up your BOCA printer will cover three main stages:
- Installing the printer on your PC
- Configuring the printer to work with your ticket stock
- Adding the printer to the Spektrix Box Office App
Before you start, it’s important that you don’t connect your printer just yet. You’ll first need to download and install the printer’s driver - a component that the computer uses to be able to communicate with your printer properly.
TIP: You will need Administrator privileges on the PC. Without these, you may not be able to install new drivers or software. If you’re unsure, please check with your IT team before proceeding.
Installing the Printer on your PC
Download the BOCA Printer Installation Guide and follow the steps in the Windows Driver Installation Guide and USB INTERFACE ONLY sections. Then, proceed to the steps for the Windows Test Page.
If you're not sure which model of BOCA you have, please visit the BOCA Systems website for details of current models. If your model isn't listed, or you need further advice, contact your IT team or the printer’s manufacturer for help before proceeding.
Once you have completed the driver installation, you can connect your printer.
The following video shows how to connect a BOCA Lemur Printer. Your printer model may vary.
Configuring a BOCA Printer to Work with your Ticket Stock
After completing the driver installation process and connecting your printer, set the dimensions of your ticket stock.
Click the Windows symbol in the bottom-left corner of your desktop. In the Search Bar, type and then select Control Panel.
Underneath the category Hardware and Sound, click View devices and printers (this may look different on your version of Windows).
An icon for your newly installed printer should now appear in this list.
Creating a Ticket Stock Form in Print Server Properties
With your ticket printer installed and connected, next, create a Ticket Stock Form. This is created in the Devices and Printers > Print Server Properties tab:
- Highlight the printer and select Print Server Properties from the top menu bar.
- Tick the Create a new form check box in the Forms tab.
- Create a new form name, for example, Spektrix Ticket.
- Measure your ticket stock, including any stub. Choose Metric (centimetres) or English (inches) as preferred and set the Width (short edge) and Height (long edge). Leave all Printer area margins at 0.
- Click OK to save the new form.
You can watch these steps in the following video:
Note: This video uses Windows 10 Pro. Your screen layout may vary depending on which version of Windows you use. Change this as appropriate to your version of Windows.
Choosing the New Ticket Stock Form in Printing Preferences
Once you have created a New Ticket Stock Form, return to the Devices and Printers window and follow these steps:
- Right click the printer icon and select Printing Preferences.
- Click the Advanced button on the bottom right.
- Select your newly-created Ticket Stock Form from the Paper Size drop-down menu.
- Click OK to save the Advanced Options.
- Click OK to save the Printing Preferences.
You can watch these steps in the following video:
Note: This video uses Windows 10 Pro. Your screen layout may vary depending on which version of Windows you use. Change this as appropriate to your version of Windows.
TIP: If your new Ticket Stock Form does not appear in the drop-down list, you may have entered dimensions incorrectly. In this case, repeat the steps in Creating a Ticket Stock Form in Print Server Properties.
Setting Printing Defaults in Printer Properties
Once you have selected your new Ticket Stock Form, set Printing Defaults by following these steps from the Devices and Printers window:
- Right-click the printer icon and select Printer Properties.
- Click on the Advanced tab.
- Click on Printing Defaults followed by the Advanced button.
- Select your newly created form size from the Paper Size drop-down menu then click OK to save the Advanced Options.
- Click OK to save the Printing Defaults then click OK to save the Printer Properties.
You can watch these steps in the following video:
Note: This video uses Windows 10 Pro. Your screen layout may vary depending on which version of Windows you use. Change this as appropriate to your version of Windows.
Adjusting a BOCA Printer to fit Ticket Stock
Once you have configured your Ticket Stock size, adjust the guide rail inside the printer so that your tickets can pass through. This process is shown below for a BOCA Lemur printer. You should always disconnect your printer from mains power before removing the cover.
Once you have adjusted the guide rail, close the printer and reconnected the power lead. Next, continue to Adding a BOCA Printer to the Spektrix Box Office App.
Adding a BOCA Printer to the Spektrix Box Office App
If you don’t currently have Box Office App installed, please read Installing the Spektrix Box Office App. Once you have installed the App, please follow these steps to add your BOCA Printer:
- Right-click on the Box Office App icon in the system tray and click Open. You will see a Printers screen, with a list of available printers on the left hand side.
- Select the ticket printer under Available printers on the left side.
- Click the > (right arrow) button to add it to Spektrix printers on the right side. An Add/Edit Printer screen will automatically pop up.
- Add a printer name so that you can identify the printer when you come to select it in Spektrix. This cannot be left blank. In this example the printer has been named Box Office BOCA 1.
- Check Print Using FGL if printing using FGL (see below).
- Click OK to add the printer then click OK to finish.
You can watch these steps in the following video:
Note: This video uses Windows 10 Pro. Your screen layout may vary depending on which version of Windows you use. Change this as appropriate to your version of Windows.
Printing using FGL
FGL is a print language mainly used by BOCA printers. When creating ticket designs in Spektrix, you can choose between three printing modes:
- FGL Basic
- FGL Extended
- Generic
Using either of the FGL options means you will only be able to use a small number of predetermined fonts. The Extended mode has the most to choose from of the two, but if you are using an older model of BOCA you may find that this mode isn’t supported.
When using FGL with BOCA printers, they may print more quickly, and you will have more control over when the printer physically cuts tickets as they are being printed.
With the Generic print mode you may see slightly slower printing, but will have a much wider range of fonts and formatting choices.
You can double-check your ticket designs in the Spektrix Admin Interface > Document Designs > Tickets. Click the Edit button next to one of your current designs, and then click the Document Properties button:
If the Printing Mode is set to either FGL Basic or FGL Extended you will need to tick the Print Using FGL check box in the Box Office App for the printer you are installing. If the Printing Mode is set to Generic, leave this box un-ticked.
WARNING: A BOCA Ticket Printer can print QR codes but only in Generic mode and not while using FGL.
Loading tickets into the Printer
Once you've correctly configured the Ticket Printer, you can load your ticket stock.
- First, make sure the Ticket Printer is switched on. On the BOCA Lemur, the screen will display 'PAPER OUT!'. This indicates that the printer is waiting for you to insert ticket stock.
- Check the orientation of your tickets. Tickets should be inserted with the black notch or band nearest to the printer.
- Tickets should be inserted thermal side up (the side you will print on).
The process of loading tickets is shown in the following video:
Running a Test Print on a BOCA Printer
Once you have added a BOCA Printer to the Spektrix Box Office App, you can run a Test Print. Follow these steps:
- Restart the Box Office App by either restarting your PC or resetting the Box Office App itself – read Troubleshooting the Spektrix Box Office App for more information).
- Right click on the Box Office App icon and select Open.
- Click Test printer in the bottom left corner.
A successful test print will print the word “TEST” on the ticket stock.
Printing Tickets from Spektrix
Once you have successfully printed a test ticket, your BOCA printer is ready to print tickets from Spektrix.
- Log into Spektrix and select Control Panel > Change local settings.
- On the Select BoxOffice App screen (shown below), under Select your printer, highlight the printer you would like to print from, then click OK. This will make it the default printer for that Spektrix account.
- Log in to each user's Spektrix account and repeat these steps to change the default printer in the local settings.
TIP: You can only install BOCA Ticket Printers on a PC running the Box Office App. However, once you’ve installed a printer, anyone in your organization can print to it from wherever they log into Spektrix. You just need to keep the App running on the PC the printer is connected to.
You can now print tickets from Spektrix on your BOCA Printer.