Choose the right working surface.
Use a suitable tablet or computer for the visitor and crew workflow, with the screen size, mounting, camera, browser, network, and permissions required at the gangway.
Vessel choiceSetup & hardware
A gangway station that is ready before the first arrival.
Use suitable existing equipment, connect local printing safely, choose the correct badge profile, and prove the complete path on the vessel.
Windows · Mac · LinuxCamera or scannerPrinter choice remains yours
Illustrative gangway stationFinal hardware may vary
01StationTablet or computer
02ConnectionLocal Bridge or direct host
03BadgePrinter and media profile
04ProofPhysical print and scan test
Start with what is already onboard
Four decisions, not a prescribed hardware bundle.
Deckpass separates the visitor station from the printer connection. That gives the vessel room to use suitable existing devices while keeping the final badge route deliberate and testable.
Camera, hardware scanner, or both.
Test QR reading and optional visitor-photo capture at the real mounting distance. Keep manual search available when the physical environment works against the lens.
ConfigurableUse an installed local queue.
The printer computer must already see and successfully use the printer. Deckpass then discovers that operating-system queue through Local Bridge or uses direct host access.
Required for printingMatch composition to real stock.
Save the printer family, exact dimensions, orientation, photo treatment, and media notes so the preview and every replacement badge follow the same profile.
Profile controlledLocal printing, in plain English
The website creates the job. The printer computer prints it.
A browser cannot inspect printers installed on another computer. Deckpass Local Bridge makes that narrow connection without turning Deckpass into remote-control software.
- No terminal commands are needed for the normal guided installation.
- The helper pairs to one vessel workspace and starts automatically.
- It sees the printer queues exposed by that computer's operating system.
- It downloads authorised badge output and returns the result to Deckpass.
- It cannot browse personal files or provide remote desktop access.
01Deckpass workspaceAuthorised badge job
→02Local BridgePaired printer computer
→03Printer queueWindows, Mac, or Linux
→04Physical badgeTested onboard
Guided setup order
A clear path from workspace to physical badge.
The scanner comes before badge composition so the crew can make an informed decision about visitor photos and prove the actual scan path before go-live.
- 01
Save the vessel workspace
Set the vessel identity and operating workspace before pairing equipment or composing the badge.
- 02
Connect the printer computer
Create a one-use installation code, download the guided package on the Windows, Mac, or Linux printer computer, and open it normally.
- 03
Test camera and scanning
Choose the device camera, a hardware wedge scanner, or both, then test at the real station distance before deciding how photos are used.
- 04
Choose printer and stock
Select a discovered operating-system printer queue or enter the exact queue name, then pair it with the correct supported media profile.
- 05
Approve the badge preview
Review the exact photo-on or photo-off composition, identity hierarchy, QR size, orientation, and label dimensions.
- 06
Complete a physical test
Print the badge on the vessel’s real equipment and scan it from the intended operating distance before the first live shift.
A proven recommendation
Brother QL-570 with DK-11202 badge stock.
This is the combination Deckpass recommends when a vessel wants a known starting point: direct thermal output, compact operation, and a practical 62 x 100 mm portrait visitor label.
PrinterBrother QL-570
MediaDK-11202
Label62 x 100 mm
LayoutPhoto on or off
Remote assistance included
We can guide the configuration. The vessel proves the physical path.
Deckpass can help configure the workspace, installer, scanner posture, printer profile, photo treatment, badge preview, and first operator workflow remotely.
Workspace and pairing
Vessel identity, one-use installation code, Local Bridge pairing, visible queue review, and saved printer route.
Badge composition
Printer family, stock size, orientation, identity hierarchy, QR placement, photo-on and photo-off preview.
Physical validation
Installed driver, loaded media, final print, real QR scan distance, camera focus, spares, and operator handover.
Setup & hardware FAQ
Clear answers before equipment is purchased.
The safest buying decision is based on the vessel’s real station, operating system, existing printer queue, chosen stock, and intended badge workflow.
01Does Deckpass require a Brother QL-570 printer?
No. The Brother QL-570 with Brother DK-11202 62 x 100 mm die-cut labels is a proven Deckpass recommendation because that combination has worked well in testing. It is not mandatory. Other supported Brother QL and Zebra printer and media profiles can be configured and physically tested for the vessel.
02What is Deckpass Local Bridge?
A normal website cannot inspect printer queues installed on another computer. Local Bridge is the restricted helper installed on the Windows, Mac, or Linux computer connected to the badge printer. It pairs to one Deckpass workspace, reports the printer queues visible to that computer, dispatches authorised badge jobs locally, and returns the print result. It is not remote-desktop software and cannot browse personal files.
03Will Deckpass discover printers on Windows, Mac, and Linux?
Local Bridge is designed for Windows, macOS, and Linux printer computers. It can list the printer queues that the operating system already exposes to that computer. The printer must first be installed and working in the operating system. When automatic identification is incomplete, the operator can select the queue or enter its exact name and choose the matching profile manually.
04Can the visitor station be an iPad or tablet?
Yes. The browser-based visitor and crew workflow can run on a suitable tablet or computer with the required camera and browser permissions. When the badge printer is attached elsewhere, Local Bridge runs on the Windows, Mac, or Linux printer computer and handles the local print dispatch.
05Is a separate QR scanner required?
No. Deckpass can use a supported browser camera, a hardware wedge scanner, or both. A hardware scanner can provide faster and more repeatable reads at a fixed gangway station, while manual search remains available as an operational fallback.
06Why is a physical badge test still required?
The on-screen preview confirms the saved composition, but only a physical test confirms the installed driver, printer queue, orientation, stock dimensions, print density, QR readability, camera focus, and real station distance. Deckpass therefore keeps the first physical print and scan test in the go-live path.
Plan before purchasing
Bring the equipment you already have. We will map the cleanest route.
Review the station device, camera or scanner, operating system, printer queue, badge stock, Local Bridge path, and physical test plan before the first live arrival.