Setting up your Zebra kiosk

Your rented Zebra check-in kiosk arrives ready to be assembled on-site. This article walks you through the full setup from unboxing to your first test print, paired with the setup video below.

Plan for two to three hours of total setup time across all your kiosks. Start at least three hours before check-in opens to give yourself a buffer in case anything needs troubleshooting.

This article covers physical setup only. For Dashboard configuration before your equipment arrives (badge templates, staff members, kiosk profiles), see the linked articles in each section. For diagnostics during the event, see Zebra Printer Not Working? Step-by-Step Help 

Quick Note: Printer looks different than one displayed in video? Check out our article here: Updated ZD621 Printer Model

Contents

• What's in the box
• Power and internet requirements
• Connecting the printer
• Loading badge stock
• Setting up your iPads
• Entering kiosk mode and test printing

1. What's in the box

Each rented Zebra kiosk includes:

• 1 Zebra printer
• 1 Zebra power cable
• 2 iPads
• 2 iPad cases
• 2 iPad chargers
• 2 iPad stands
• 1 kiosk checklist (includes the iPad password)
• 1 return shipping label

Important: Keep the return shipping label and the original cardboard shipping box in a safe place. Both are required to return your equipment after the event. If you misplace the return label, email logistics@pheedloop.com for a digital replacement.

For details on returning your kiosk after the event, see Packing Up Your Rented Check-in Kiosks from PheedLoop 

2. Power and internet requirements

Each kiosk needs:

• 3 power outlets — one for the Zebra printer, two for the iPads.
• 1 hardwired Ethernet drop for the printer.

Important: The Ethernet connection must be "clean" — no splash pages, password walls, firewalls, or MAC/IP filtering. If you're not sure whether your venue's network meets these requirements, ask the venue's internet technician before setup.

For full network guidance, see Understanding Internet Requirements for On-Site Success 

3. Connecting the printer

1. Connect the power cable and Ethernet cable to the back of the Zebra printer.
2. Turn the printer on.
   1. A green light means the printer has successfully connected to the network.
   2. A red light means there's an issue with the Ethernet line and your connection was unsuccessful.
3. From the Event Dashboard, navigate to OnSite > Badges & Printers.
   1. The printer should appear with a status of Online.
   2. If it shows Offline after refreshing the page (and your printer connection light is green), the Ethernet line likely has restrictions. Contact the venue's internet technician.

4. Loading badge stock

PheedLoop Zebra printers support two types of badge stock. The loading process differs slightly between them.

Badge Label Rolls

1. Open the printer by pulling on the yellow tabs on either side.
2. Place the roll between the holders inside the printer, with the stickers facing up.
3. Feed the labels through the front of the printer, with about 1 inch of label sticking out past the front edge.
4. Tuck the labels underneath the yellow holders on either side of the feed.
5. Close the top of the printer.
6. Press the pause button to unpause the printer and let it calibrate.

Direct Thermal Badges

1. Open the printer.
2. Lay the stack of badges behind the printer, with the design facing up. Check the Feed Direction listed on the underside of the badge to ensure they’re oriented correctly.
3. Feed the badges through the back of the printer, with the black bar on the front edge of each badge.
   1. Make sure the printer's sensor doesn't sit directly over any hole punches in the badge — this will cause misalignment.
4. Pull 1 to 2 inches of badge through the front of the printer.
5. Tuck the badges under the yellow arms on either side of the feed.
6. Close the printer.
7. Press the pause button to unpause and let the printer calibrate.

For badge template design, see Setting Up Your Badge Label Template for Badge Printing

5. Setting up your iPads

1. Power on the iPads.
2. Unlock each iPad using the password listed on your kiosk checklist.
3. Connect each iPad to the venue's Wi-Fi network.
4. Open the PheedLoop OnSite app (black icon).
5. Enter your Event Code.
   1. Your Event Code is in the Event Dashboard under General > Details.
6. Log in using your Staff or Team Member credentials.
   1. Staff Members must be created in advance. See Creating staff members for PheedLoop OnSite

6. Entering kiosk mode and test printing

1. In the PheedLoop OnSite app, tap Check-in.
2. Select a Kiosk Profile to apply to this iPad.
   1. For details on what kiosk profiles control, see Customizing Your Check-In Experience with Kiosk Profiles
3. Select the printer you want this iPad to use.
4. Tap Enter Kiosk Mode on the bottom banner.
5. From kiosk mode, search for a test attendee by name.
6. Select the attendee and confirm the check-in.
7. The Zebra printer should produce a badge. Check it for:
   1. Alignment — content sits within the badge margins.
   2. Content — name, ticket info, and any custom fields appear correctly.
   3. Cut — badges separate cleanly at the perforation.

If the test print succeeds, your kiosk is event-ready.