How To Set Up Automatic Label Printing with the Windows Printer Agent

The FreightExchange Printer Agent sends your labels straight to your chosen printer, so you don't have to download and print each one by hand.

Note: This guide is only for printers connected to a Windows computer. If you use cloud printing, follow the cloud printing guide instead.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have

• a FreightExchange account with administrator priveledges
• access to Settings > Manage Printers in the portal
• a Windows computer you have permission to install software on
• your label printer installed and connected to that computer
• a free port number for the agent (your IT team can confirm one)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Turn on automatic printing in the portal

1. Log in to the FreightExchange Portal.
2. Go to Settings > Manage Printers.
3. Switch "Enable Automatic Printing" on.
4. In "Printer Port", enter the port number you'll use for the Printer Agent.

Note: Automatic printing only works when the Printer Agent is installed, its status shows Running and a default printer is selected.

2. Download the Printer Agent

1. Go to Settings > Manage Printers.
2. Click "Download Installer".

The installer (.exe file) saves to your Downloads folder.

3. Install the Printer Agent

1. Open File Explorer and go to your Downloads folder.
2. Double-click the installer. If Windows asks for permission, click "Run".
3. On the welcome screen, click "Next".
4. On the Configure Application Port screen, check the port matches the one you entered in the portal. If another program already uses it, enter a different port and update the portal to match. Click "Next".
5. On the Select Destination Folder screen, keep the default location or click "Change" to pick another folder. "Disk Cost" shows how much space you have. Click "Next".
6. Click "Install".

On any wizard screen, "Back" takes you to the previous step and "Cancel" stops the install.

Once it finishes, you'll see a FreightExchange Printer Agent shortcut on your desktop and the agent icon in your system tray, at the bottom right of your screen. Can't see the icon? Click the ^ arrow in the system tray to show hidden icons.

4. Choose your printer and label settings

Open the Printer Agent from your system tray. It has three tabs, with "Start Agent", "Stop Agent" and a status indicator along the bottom.

• Printers lists every printer on your computer. Tick "Default" next to the one you want, and every label will print there. You can only have one default printer at a time.
• Page Settings lets you change label width and height (inches) and top, bottom, left and right margins (points). Click "Save" to apply your changes. "Restore Defaults" puts everything back to the original settings.
• Activity Logs records every action with a timestamp, including agent start and stop, printer changes, print jobs and server connection updates. It's the first place to look if a label doesn't print.

5. Start the agent

Click "Start Agent" from any tab. The status changes to Running and your labels will now print automatically. Click "Stop Agent" whenever you want to pause printing.