label_printer/GETTING_STARTED.md

Getting Started with Label Printer GUI

Overview

Your Label Printer application now has a modern Kivy-based GUI interface! This guide will help you get started.

Quick Start (3 Steps)

Option 1: Python Script (Recommended)

python3 setup_and_run.py

This handles everything - checks dependencies, installs packages, and starts the GUI.

Option 2: Bash Script

chmod +x start_gui.sh
./start_gui.sh

Option 3: Manual

pip install -r requirements_gui.txt
python3 label_printer_gui.py

What You'll See

Main Window Layout

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Label Printer Interface                   │
├──────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│   Input Column   │      Preview Column                       │
│   (40%)          │      (60%)                                │
│                  │                                           │
│ ✓ SAP-Nr. Input │      ╔════════════════════╗               │
│   [________]    │      ║   Live Preview     ║               │
│                  │      ║   11.5cm x 8cm     ║               │
│ ✓ Quantity      │      ║                    ║               │
│   [________]    │      ║  [Barcode]         ║               │
│                  │      ║   SAP | QTY | ID   ║               │
│ ✓ Cable ID      │      ║                    ║               │
│   [________]    │      ╚════════════════════╝               │
│                  │                                           │
│ ✓ Printer ▼     │                                           │
│   [PDF    ▼]    │                                           │
│                  │                                           │
│ [PRINT LABEL]   │                                           │
│                  │                                           │
└──────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features Explained

Left Column - Data Entry

1. SAP-Nr. Articol

   • Enter the SAP article number or identifier
   • Example: A012345
   • Updates preview automatically

2. Cantitate (Quantity)

   • Numbers only
   • Example: 100
   • Numeric input only

3. ID rola cablu (Cable Reel ID)

   • Cable reel identifier
   • Example: REEL-001
   • Updates preview automatically

4. Printer Selection

   • Dropdown menu with available system printers
   • Shows all CUPS-configured printers
   • Default: PDF printer (if no others available)

5. Print Label Button

   • Green button at bottom
   • Triggers printing to selected printer
   • Shows status notifications

Right Column - Live Preview

• Shows exactly what will print
• Updates in real-time as you type
• Label dimensions: 11.5 cm × 8 cm
• Displays:
  • Barcode (Code128 format)
  • SAP number, quantity, and cable ID combined
  • High quality 300 DPI rendering

Workflow Example

1. Start the application:

   python3 setup_and_run.py
   

2. Enter data:

   • SAP-Nr: A456789
   • Cantitate: 50
   • ID rola cablu: REEL-042

3. Check preview (automatically updates on right)

4. Select printer (use dropdown)

5. Click PRINT LABEL button

6. Confirm when notification appears

Printer Setup

Check Available Printers

lpstat -p -d

Add a Printer (if needed)

# Use CUPS web interface
http://localhost:631

Common Printer Names

• PDF - Virtual PDF printer (for testing)
• Brother_HL_L2350DW - Brother laser printer
• Canon_PIXMA - Canon printer
• Check your system for exact name

Troubleshooting

"No Printers Found"

# Start CUPS service
sudo systemctl start cups

# Check status
sudo systemctl status cups

# List printers
lpstat -p -d

Preview Not Updating

• Check Python console for errors
• Verify all dependencies installed: pip list | grep -E 'kivy|barcode|pillow'
• Try restarting the application

Print Fails

# Test print command manually
echo "test" | lp -d PDF

# Check printer status
lpstat -p -l

Kivy Window Issues

• If window doesn't open, check X11 display:

  echo $DISPLAY
  

• Resize window manually if elements overlap

File Guide

• label_printer_gui.py - Main GUI application
• print_label.py - Core printing functions
• setup_and_run.py - Automatic setup script
• start_gui.sh - Bash launcher script
• requirements_gui.txt - Python dependencies
• README_GUI.md - Complete documentation

Tips & Tricks

1. Fast Printing:

   • Preset SAP number as most common value
   • Just change quantity/ID for each label

2. Batch Printing:

   • Print one label at a time
   • Small UI makes it quick

3. Testing:

   • Use "PDF" printer to save test labels
   • Check output files to verify format

4. Keyboard:

   • Tab between fields
   • Enter in printer dropdown to confirm selection
   • Alt+P might activate Print button (Kivy dependent)

Next Steps

• Learn More: See README_GUI.md
• Customize: Modify label_printer_gui.py for your needs
• Integrate: Use functions in other Python applications
• Support: Check console output for detailed error messages

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Ready to print? Start with: python3 setup_and_run.py