Hardware
Raw printers on macOS

Set up a raw printer on macOS

Follow these steps to add a label or receipt printer to your Mac. This setup sends commands straight to the printer, using a connection called a raw queue.

Before you start

  • Turn on your printer and connect it by USB or to the same network as your Mac.
  • For a network printer, find its hostname or IP address in the printer's network settings or setup guide.
  • Have your Mac administrator username and password ready.

Your printer needs to support raw printing, such as ZPL or ESC/POS. Check its manual if you're unsure.

1. Open printer setup

You'll use CUPS, the printer settings built into your Mac.

Open Terminal using Spotlight (Command + Space), then run:

sudo cupsctl WebInterface=yes

Enter your Mac password when asked. You won't see the password as you type.

Open http://localhost:631 (opens in a new tab) in your browser. Choose Administration, then Add Printer. Sign in with your Mac administrator account if asked.

Printer administration page with Add Printer highlighted.
1Choose Add Printer.

2. Choose the connection

Select AppSocket/HP JetDirect, then Continue. Choose this option for both network and USB printers.

Add Printer wizard with AppSocket/HP JetDirect selected.
1Select AppSocket/HP JetDirect.2Continue to the connection field.

Network printer

Enter your printer's hostname or IP address. You can usually find this in its network settings or setup guide.

If your printer provides a hostname, use it—for example, socket://label-printer.local:9100. Otherwise, use its IP address, as shown below:

socket://192.168.1.50:9100

Replace 192.168.1.50 with your printer's IP address. Keep :9100 unless your printer's manual specifies a different port.

If you use an IP address, ask whoever manages your network to make sure it stays the same.

Connection field containing the example address socket://192.168.1.50:9100.
1Enter your printer's address.

USB printer

In Terminal, run:

lpinfo -v | grep 'usb://'

Copy your printer's address, starting with usb://, into Connection. For example:

usb://Zebra/LP2844

Use the address from your own Mac, not the example above.

Click Continue.

3. Name your printer

Give the printer a name you'll recognise:

FieldExample
NameShipping_Labels
DescriptionShipping Label Printer
LocationPacking station

Don't use spaces in Name. Leave Share This Printer unchecked, then click Continue.

Shipping_Labels queue named Shipping Label Printer at Packing station, with sharing unchecked.
1Choose a recognisable printer name.2Leave sharing unchecked.

4. Choose Raw

Choose Raw in the Make list, then click Continue.

Make list with Raw selected and Continue highlighted.
1Select Raw.2Click Continue.

Select Raw Queue (en) in the Model list and click Add Printer.

Raw Queue (en) selected in the Model list, ready to add the printer.
1Select Raw Queue.2Add the printer.

If Raw isn't listed, check your printer manufacturer's setup instructions.

5. Save the settings

Set Starting Banner and Ending Banner to none, then click Set Default Options. This prevents extra pages being added to print jobs.

Starting Banner and Ending Banner both set to none.
1Keep both banners set to none.2Save the default options.

Your printer is added. Its page should show Idle, Accepting Jobs, Not Shared.

Shipping_Labels is idle, accepting jobs, and not shared, using the Local Raw Printer driver.
1Your printer is ready to accept jobs.

Optional: add a printer class

If your printer doesn't appear in System Settings > Printers & Scanners, you can add a printer class. This gives you another way to find the printer and view its jobs.

  1. In CUPS, choose Administration > Add Class.
  2. Give the class a different name, such as Shipping_Labels_Class. Add a description and location to help you recognise it.
  3. In Members, select Shipping_Labels, then click Add Class.
  4. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners to find the class and view its print queue.

Your printer will still work if you skip this step.

PrintingScanning