How to install a printer driver in CalderaRIP?

This article explains how to get, install, and configure the connection of a printer driver. Continue reading the step-by-step guide, or watch this video:

Prerequisites

• Have CalderaRIP already installed.

• A valid up-to-date software license, including the assigned driver to be installed. 

    Info

  The drivers of CalderaRIP are classified by categories that require different licensing options. Find out the category of your printer in the list of Supported Devices.

  Your license must have the specific printer's manufacturer and model assigned in the Caldera account, otherwise, you will get a "No Key" error message when trying to use the printer driver.

Step 1: Download the driver

• The driver can be downloaded from CalderaDock (Drivers tab) or WorkSpace (Main dashboard > "Access the drivers").

    Good to know

  Printer drivers can also be selected and installed during CalderaRIP's installation if you use the “full” installer.

• Select the Manufacturer and Machine (model of the printer).
• Click on the Download button (  ).

CalderaDock WorkSpace

  Warning

Since WorkSpace shows you the complete list of all drivers, please download the driver version that matches the version of CalderaRIP you have installed.

 

Step 2: Install the driver

• Locate the printer driver, which is a file with the extension *.calpatch, in the download folder of your operating system:
  
   

• Double-click on the file. Your computer will prompt you for the administrator username and password to start the installation:

• Once the installer window is open, click Next (  ) two times to install the driver:

• Then, click on the thumbs up and confirm to start the installation:

• (Optional) If it is not the first time you install the driver, you may get a message like the following. We recommend that you click “Yes Always” so that the new data will replace the old one:
  
   
• The installation wizard will indicate the progress of the installation:
  
   
• Once finished, click OK to close the installation window:
  
   
• When you relaunch CalderaRIP, a window will inform you about the new printer driver added to the software.

(Optional) Step 3: Configure the connection

• Open CalderaRIP.
• Go to the Settings tab and click on the ServerAdmin icon:
  
• In Server Administration, select the newly installed printer and click Configure. 
• The configuration window opens in the Connection tab. Review the default settings and adjust them if needed, for example to change the printer host name or IP address. 
• (Optional) If your device supports it and your production requires it, you can change the connection type. Each connection type has its own parameters. For example, the file connection also includes a separate Files tab. Refer to the dedicated section for details. 
• When you are finished, click Proceed and enter your administrator password (usually caldera) to save the changes.

(Optional) Step 4: Test the connection

• To test the connection, double-click on the printer driver to open the Print Module. If the interface opens successfully, it already indicates proper initialization.
• Click on the Printer settings (wrench icon).
• If available, as it depends on the printer model, go to the Status tab. If the status shows ink levels, then you know that the printer connection is configured correctly.

Next steps

After installing and configuring the printer driver, you can send a test file to confirm that the printer is working correctly.

• In the Print module, drag and drop a test image.
• Click Print using the appropriate action.

The file is then sent according to the configured connection:

• For most connection types, the file is sent directly to the printer.
• For printers using a File connection, CalderaRIP opens the destination folder configured in ServerAdmin > Configure > Files.