If you would like to print tickets for your attendees using the BoxOffice app, you can configure a Boca printer to do that. To buy a Boca printer, visit our kit page (coming soon), or Boca’s website. We are also compatible with Star Printers as an alternative to Boca.
What you Need
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Boca printer
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Thermal ticket stock
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iOS device running the Universe BoxOffice app
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WiFi network - connect the Boca printer to the network router with an ethernet cable, and connect the iOS devices running Universe BoxOffice to this same network over WiFi.
Purchasing Your Printer
If you’re purchasing or looking to use an existing Boca printer, it must have the following features to be compatible with our BoxOffice scanning app:
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FGL 46
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Ethernet
Tip: We recommend the Boca Lemur (as seen below), as it is the printer we use most commonly ourselves.
When purchasing, you can provide the following text to Boca in order to get exactly the same printer as we have used and tested with our app:
Lemur (46) (display, cutter, BT LE, ethernet, 300dpi, RADJW-3.25, 100 - 240V, std opto, horizontal)
Purchasing Ticket Stock
BoxOffice supports concert size Boca thermal ticket stock - 2” x 5.5”. Here’s a printed ticket on generic stock:
You may purchase blank white (generic) stock at a variety of places, such as directly from Boca. Custom designed stock is also possible. If you would like to use your own custom printed thermal ticket stock, contact us to request additional details.
Setting Up Your Printer
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Using an ethernet cable, connect your Boca printer into your router.
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Turn on your printer.
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Feed in the ticket stock.
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By default, Boca printers should request an IP address from your router. (Technical note: your router should have DHCP enabled to use a Boca printer). After waiting a couple of minutes for the printer to get its IP, press the hardware “test” button on the side of the printer. This should print a test ticket.
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Look at the test ticket, and find the field with “IP ADD=”. This is your printer’s IP address, which you will need later. (Technical note: If the IP address is “010.000.000.192” it’s likely that the printer still hasn’t gotten an IP address from your router, and you may need to wait a bit longer, restart your printer or router, or contact network support that can help ensure DHCP is enabled on your network’s router.)
Connecting to BoxOffice
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Ensure your BoxOffice device is connected to the same network as your Boca printer.
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Open BoxOffice, navigate to Settings -> Configure Printer, then tap “Boca printer over WiFi”.
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Enter the “IP ADD=” field from the printed test ticket, tap Done.
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To verify the connection to your printer, tap the Test button in the top-right of the Configure Printer screen. Select any type of test ticket - printed test tickets can be scanned in BoxOffice, and show a state of valid, invalid or previously checked in with a watermark.
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If the connection is solid, a test ticket will print.
Printing When a Ticket is Sold
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By default, when a Boca printer is connected, all tickets will print automatically when sold.
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Navigate to the Sell tab, build an order, and go through the checkout payment flow.
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When the confirmation screen is shown, the ticket will be printed.
Printing From the Guest List
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Go to the Guest List tab and search to find the attendee you want.
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Tap the three dots in the attendee’s row to see their details.
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Tap “More Options”, then “Print Ticket”.
Boca Printer FAQ / Troubleshooting
My Boca printer seems to be disconnected.
- Make sure the network cables are plugged into the Boca and the router.
- Check that the network activity lights are blinking on the router.
- Turn the Boca off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
- Print a test ticket from the Boca and verify that its IP address matches what is configured in BoxOffice. When the printer or router is rebooted, it’s possible for it to receive a new IP, which needs to be configured in the app.
Is it possible to connect to the Boca over Bluetooth?
We don’t support connection over Bluetooth, because connecting more than one device causes all devices to be unable to print. Configuring your printer over a network is much more reliable.
I have an existing Boca printer, but it’s not a Lemur, will my printer work with BoxOffice?
BoxOffice supports the Boca Lemur configuration above. Other configurations may be totally fine, but you’ll want to test your particular printer with BoxOffice before relying on it. Some printers don’t have the ethernet option, and may only be connected by USB, WiFi, or Bluetooth. USB and Bluetooth are not supported. Connecting your printer to your network over WiFi is possible - once your printer is on the network, follow the steps in “Connecting to BoxOffice” to make sure everything works.
Printing fails with an error.
- Out of paper - Feed more ticket stock into the printer and try again.
- Paper jam - Pull out the jammed ticket and try again.
- Cutter jam - Fix the cutter, then pull out the jammed ticket and try again.
- Any other error - Wait 30 seconds, press the “Test” button. If printing doesn’t resume normally, restart the printer. Repeat this process until printing resumes.
Additional Resources
Boca Ethernet configuration guide: http://www.bocasystems.com/ethernet.html