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Printer Setup

Writer: Andrew Thomas
Andrew Thomas
Aug 13
4 min read

Updated: Oct 1

GneissFox can print sample labels directly from your Android device using a thermal label printer. This guide explains how to configure your printer.

You only need to set up your printer once — GneissFox remembers your settings for every future label print.

Choosing a Print Method

GneissFox offers two print paths. Tap the one that matches your setup:


Printer Setup with Bluetooth ESC/POS selected

Bluetooth ESC/POS

  • Best for budget thermal label printers.

  • Connects directly via Bluetooth — no WiFi or network needed.

  • Ideal for fieldwork where there's no internet connection.

Android System Print

  • Best for professional WiFi printers.

  • Uses the manufacturer's free Android app from the Play Store.

  • Once the manufacturer app is installed, the printer appears in Android's print dialog automatically.

  • Also lets you save labels as PDF if no printer is available.

Setting Up Bluetooth ESC/POS

If you've chosen Bluetooth ESC/POS, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select Your Printer Brand

Choose your printer brand from the searchable dropdown — type to filter the list. This automatically sets the correct print language (the commands your printer understands). The available brands are:

  • Phomemo — uses ESC/POS

  • Toshiba TEC — uses TPCL

  • TSC — uses TSPL

  • Zebra ZT/ZD/ZP series — uses ZPL

  • Zebra Mobile QLn/ZQ series — uses CPCL

  • Munbyn — uses ESC/POS

  • Other — defaults to ESC/POS

Why does the brand matter? Different printer manufacturers use different command languages. Selecting the correct brand ensures GneissFox sends commands your printer understands. If you pick the wrong brand, the printer may produce blank labels or garbled output.

Step 2: Set Your Label Size

Configure two measurements:

Item

Description

Across printer (mm)

The width of the label as it sits in the printer, measured across the print head.

Feed length (mm)

The length of each label in the feed direction.

The print direction is set automatically based on your label dimensions. If the across measurement is larger than the feed length, content prints across the label; otherwise, it prints down.

Available sizes range from 30 mm to 100 mm in 1 mm increments.

Step 3: Set Default Copies

Choose how many labels to print each time (1 to 5). You can always change this on a per-print basis later.

Step 4: Pair and Select Your Printer

Important: You must pair your printer in your Android Bluetooth settings before scanning in GneissFox.

  • Open Android Settings and go to Bluetooth.

  • Turn on your printer and put it in pairing mode (check your printer manual).

  • Pair the printer in Android Settings.

  • Return to GneissFox and tap Scan for paired printers.

  • Your printer will appear in the list — tap it to select.

Once selected, you'll see a green confirmation showing the printer name and Bluetooth address.

Step 5: Test Print

Tap Send test print to send a simple test label to your printer. This confirms the connection is working and your settings are correct.

If the test print doesn't work, a Troubleshooting card appears with a Copy debug info button. Tap it and paste the details into an email to GneissFox support. The log isn't shown on screen because it includes your printer's Bluetooth address.

Setting Up Android System Print

If you've chosen Android System Print:


Printer Setup with Android System Print selected

  • Install your printer manufacturer's app from the Play Store (e.g. Zebra Print Service, Brother iPrint&Label, DYMO Connect).

  • Once installed, your printer will automatically appear in Android's print dialogue when GneissFox sends a label.

  • No additional configuration is needed in GneissFox — just set your label size and default copies.

Which Printers Work?

We have tested and confirmed that the Phomemo M110 (Bluetooth ESC/POS) and the Toshiba TEC B-FP3D (Bluetooth TPCL) work with GneissFox. These are the only printers we have physically verified at this time.

The printers listed below are ones we have aimed to work with based on their advertised protocol, but they have not been individually tested. Results may vary, and we cannot guarantee they will work.

Always run a test print before relying on any printer in the field.

Brand/Model

Type

Status

Phomemo M110

Bluetooth ESC/POS

Tested & Confirmed

Toshiba TEC B-FP3D

Bluetooth TPCL

Tested & Confirmed

Phomemo (other)

Bluetooth ESC/POS

Not Tested

Toshiba TEC (other)

Bluetooth TPCL

Not Tested

TSC

Bluetooth TSPL

Not Tested

Zebra (ZPL)

Bluetooth ZPL

Not Tested

Zebra (CPCL)

Bluetooth CPCL

Not Tested

Munbyn

Bluetooth ESC/POS

Not Tested

Brother

Android System Print

Not Tested

Epson

Android System Print

Not Tested

HP

Android System Print

Not Tested

Known Not to Work

Niimbot series — Uses a fully proprietary Bluetooth protocol. There is no ESC/POS mode and no Android print service available for these printers.

Tips

  • If you change printers, just come back to Printer Setup and scan for the new device.

  • For Phomemo printers, GneissFox automatically adjusts for the 1 mm non-printable margin on each side of the print head.

  • Toshiba TEC printers are recognised automatically from their model name (e.g. B-FP3D). On Toshiba printers, GneissFox currently supports gapped (die-cut) label rolls.

  • If your Bluetooth printer isn't appearing in the scan, make sure it's paired in Android Settings first — GneissFox scans for paired devices, not unpaired ones.

  • The debug log from a failed test print is invaluable for troubleshooting — always copy it before trying something else.

  • If your printer isn't listed above, it may still work — run a test print and let us know the results so we can update this guide.

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