The vPQM™ (Veonics Print Queue Manager) is a self-contained desktop executable that seamlessly integrates into the Veonics Portal to securely release print jobs to the user's local printer.
Veonics Print Queue Manager setup and configuration is an Administrative Level User feature.
Defining vPQM Attributes
- A system-assigned ID
- A free-text name is assigned to identify the queue
- An organization is assigned that determines the “scope” of the queue
- Users at a “lower” level can send jobs to a queue set “above” them
- Only users at the same queue level or higher can be “operators” of that queue and print from it
- The queue type (either proofing or not)
- Zero or more informational custom fields to help operators identify the capabilities of printers printing from this queue
- A list of vPQM-authorized Users who can send or release print jobs to a defined print queue
- The list of cards currently awaiting printing on that card
- To print, the card must be in the approved state
Multiple Print Queues
- An organization may create as many queues as needed
- It is essential that, while it is not (and cannot be) enforced, two vPQM™ stations should never be printing simultaneously from the same queue as it may result in duplicate printouts
- It is recommended to have at least one queue for each physical printer in the organization
- Possibly additional ones to hold cards with special requirements, such as pre-printed, security seal, RFID, and Magnetic card stock, and other variations
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- You can always reassign groups of cards from one queue to another
Station Configuration
- Before setting up the vPQM, a Station must be assigned to users to enable printing
- Configured from the “Admin” menu, with type “vPQM”
- Each station is assigned to a single user, who must have the “VPQM System User” role
- It is also a best practice to assign VCDB System User rights.
- Each station is assigned to a single user, who must have the “VPQM System User” role
- This allows the portal to identify the operator who printed a specific card
- Configured from the “Admin” menu, with type “vPQM”
Printer Configuration
- Each printer may produce slightly different results
- The “Settings” screen permits adjustments to printer properties to obtain the best possible results and are saved for future executions
- Current settings include
- X/Y (horizontal/vertical) offset in pts (1/72th of an inch, default 0)
- X/Y zoom factor (default, 100%)
- One common reason for adjusting printer properties is achieving full-bleed in printers that support it
- The “Test” button prints a sample grid pattern to help in the adjustment of these parameters
“Automatic” Printing
- Enable automatic printing to release print jobs from the queue without user intervention
- It is also possible to run in automatic mode by specifying “-a” as a command-line argument
- When printing automatically, vPQM™ periodically polls the server to see if new cards have been sent to the queue, and if so, selects them and starts to print them
- This enables the vPQM to run in the background
- It is recommended that the operator periodically check the status of the printer and vPQM™ regarding hardware or connectivity issues that require human intervention and prevent operation
One vPQM™ Executable, Multiple Configurations
- The user is given the ability to save multiple configurations of vPQM™ for the same actual executable
- This saves the default username, server, station, printer, queue, and printer options, with a name assigned by the user
- It also creates a desktop shortcut to run vPQM™ with the specified configuration
- This enables the user to control multiple printers, from multiple queues, from a single computer, all working in parallel
- Examples
- vPQM - Duplex Color Black
- vPQM - Duplex Color Color
- vPQM - Duplex Color Black
- vPQM - Single-side Color
- vPQM - Duplex Color Black wLam
Debug Mode
- Create a root vPQM folder and save the vPQM
- Create a shortcut in the same folder and edit the target properties by appending a space then “-d” as a parameter
- "C:\Users\user.name\Desktop\VPQM-1.7.1.exe" -d
- Upon releasing the print job, a log file is generated along with copies of individual image files that are sent to the printer driver to be printed
- They are saved in the same folder where the VPQM executable file resided
- This information is useful to diagnose any issues with printing
- Sample debug text captured
- 1/2/2023 2:22:43 PM : No plugins loaded
- 1/2/2023 2:23:07 PM : No plugins loaded
- 1/2/2023 2:23:17 PM : Refreshing queue with 1 entries
- 1/2/2023 2:23:19 PM : printing VID
- 1/2/2023 2:23:19 PM : driver print (no plugin)
- 1/2/2023 2:23:20 PM : Printing front in color
- 1/2/2023 2:23:20 PM : Printing front. x:-2, y:-2, zx:100, zy:100
- 1/2/2023 2:23:21 PM : Printing back in black
- 1/2/2023 2:23:21 PM : Printing back. x:-2, y:-2, zx:100, zy:100
- 1/2/2023 2:23:22 PM : Marking entry 2032792 as processed
- 1/2/2023 2:23:23 PM : Refreshing queue with 0 entries
Printing Black-Only In the Back
- First, make sure the design’s back is marked as “Print as Black”
- Design should contain only pure black or white elements
- Text, barcode, QR code, rectangle
- Avoid images
- Make sure VPQM’s settings uncheck the option to print back in grayscale
- Zoom should be set to 100%
- Set printer to use CMYKO-K ribbon
- The image sent to the printer will not be anti-aliases
- Pumped-up contrast to prevent dithering of grays