# Cove: Setting Up and Troubleshooting Badge Printers

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Source: https://support.cove.is/hc/en-us/articles/41822477984660-Setting-Up-and-Troubleshooting-Badge-Printers

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## Captured source text (untrusted evidence)

> Visitor badges are an important part of Visitor Management, allowing guests to be easily identified and providing a quick way to confirm check-in using QR codes, barcodes, or logos. With badge printing enabled, visitors receive a physical pass when they arrive on site, making the check-in process more secure and streamlined.
> This article provides step-by-step instructions for setting up a badge printer within Visitor Management, along with detailed troubleshooting tips to help resolve the most common issues.
> In this article:
> 
> Setting Up Your Badge Printer
> 
> Visitor Management Check-in, Badge, and Photo Settings
> 
> Troubleshooting Badge Printing Issues
> 
> When to Involve Your Building/Tenant IT Team
> 
> Setting Up Your Badge Printer
> 
> Connect and install the printer
> 
> Plug in your badge printer and connect it to your workstation.
> 
> Install the correct printer drivers. (Note: Your building/tenant  IT team may need to be involved here if installation permissions are restricted.)
> 
> Enable badge printing in Visitor Management
> 
> Go to Visitor Settings > Check-in, Badge, and Photo Settings.
> 
> Toggle Enable visitor badge printing at this site to Yes.
> 
> Select a badge format
> Badge formats determine what appears visually on each printed badge:
> 
> QR Code – prints a scannable code for quick check-in and access (recommended).
> 
> Barcode – prints a linear barcode, often used with legacy scanning systems (code 39 or code 128).
> 
> Logo Only – prints only the building or property logo. (Note: requires the property logo to be uploaded under Property Info.)
> 
> Choose a visitor pass method
> This setting controls how visitor passes are generated in the system:
> 
> Random – the system generates a unique random code for each visitor.
> 
> Linear – a sequential number is assigned, one per day.
> 
> Range – allows you to set a specific range of codes that badges will pull from.
> 👉 In most cases, “Random” is the best choice for security and consistency.
> 
> Adjust badge format and size
> 
> Measure your physical badge using a ruler.
> Example: standard badges are often 4.00 in (width) x 2.30 in (height).
> 
> Enter these dimensions into the Badge Width and Badge Height fields.
> 
> Save your settings and run a test print.
> 
> ⚡ Fine-tuning badge layout
> If the badge elements (photo, QR code, logo, text) don’t look aligned, you can fine-tune placement:
> 
> Spacing between photo and QR code – In some cases, the image and QR code may appear too far apart. Try narrowing the overall badge width slightly (e.g., from 4.00 in → 3.95 in) to pull elements closer together.
> 
> Cut-off edges – If text or images are cut off, adjust custom margins in the printer settings (especially the left margin).
> 
> Centered layout – Make sure the badge orientation is landscape, not portrait, so all elements appear in the intended layout.
> 
> Scaling – Leave scaling at default. If you’re tempted to shrink/enlarge via scaling, double-check badge dimensions and paper type first, as scaling usually introduces inconsistencies.
> 
> Visitor Management Check-in, Badge, and Photo Settings
> In the same panel (Visitor Settings > Check-in, Badge, and Photo Settings), you’ll find additional options that affect how visitor credentials and badges behave. These are important to review when setting up your badge printer:
> Activate Visitor Credential on Check-in
> 
> Yes: A visitor’s pass only activates when they check in on-site.
> 
> No: Passes are active immediately when created.
> 👉 Best practice: set to Yes for tighter security.
> 
> Treat a Multi-day Visit as a Single Pass
> 
> Yes: One pass covers the entire duration of a multi-day visit.
> 
> No: The visitor must check in daily.
> 👉 Recommended: choose No unless you need continuous access for long-term visitors.
> 
> Take Visitor Photo on Check-in
> 
> Yes: The system will prompt staff to capture a photo when the visitor checks in.
> 
> This photo will automatically be printed onto the visitor badge alongside the QR code, barcode, or logo.
> 
> Once enabled, this is not optional — all badges will include a photo.
> 
> No: No photo is taken, and the badge will only display the selected format (QR code, barcode, or logo).
> 
> Use Check Out Feature
> 
> Check-in only: Visitors are logged on arrival but not departure.
> 
> Check-in and Check-out: Tracks both entry and exit, creating a more detailed visitor log.
> 👉 Use for compliance-heavy or high-security environments.
> 
> Enable Visitor Badge Printing at this Site
> 
> Must be Yes for badge printing to function.
> 
> Unlocks Badge Format, Width/Height, and Visitor Pass Method fields described above.
> 
> Troubleshooting Badge Printing Issues
> 
> Badge prints, but size is incorrect
> 
> Paper type
> 
> Most issues are caused by the wrong paper type being selected.
> 
> In printer settings, confirm the paper type. Look for a name that includes Badge Printing.
> 
> Note: This may differ from the “recommended” paper size found online for your printer model.
> 
> Margins
> 
> Use custom margins to pull in the left margin so badge text isn’t cut off.
> 
> Adjust the right margin if needed, but usually the left side is the main issue.
> 
> Orientation
> Make sure the printer is set to landscape, not portrait.
> 
> Scaling
> Keep scaling at default. If the correct paper type is selected, scaling changes should not be necessary.
> 
> Badge Settings
> If a badge is printing across two pages, re-check height and width in Visitor Management settings. Ensure values are not swapped.
> 
> Badge is not printing at all
> 
> Printer selection
> Confirm the correct badge printer is selected. Some stations have multiple printers—try each available option.
> 
> Paper check
> If the printer is making noise but not printing, ensure it has paper loaded.
> 
> Printer hardware
> Open the printer and check for debris or badge fragments that may cause smudges or jams.
> 
> Additional troubleshooting notes
> 
> Brother badge printers do not work well with Safari. Use Google Chrome for best results.
> 
> Having a photo on the badge vs. only a QR code does not affect badge size or printing.
> 
> If scaling appears to help but the badge looks inconsistent, re-check that the correct paper type is selected instead of relying on scaling adjustments.
> 
> When to Involve Your Building/Tenant IT Team
> 
> During initial installation (driver downloads and setup may require admin access).
> 
> If you cannot adjust printer settings or device settings due to security restrictions.

## Source media references

- https://support.cove.is/hc/article_attachments/41823346681620
- https://support.cove.is/hc/article_attachments/41823339114388
- https://support.cove.is/hc/article_attachments/41823346686228