# Understand virtual and direct QZ printer workflows

Use only the offered qualified local workflow and preserve the PrintStation boundary.

Source: https://help.smartfact.ai/manuals/labels/direct-qz-workflow

Review edition: 25 October 2026

Roles: owner, author, reviewer, operator, supervisor

LabelRules' printer page can expose retained virtual and direct QZ workflows when that mode is enabled for the installation. These controls are separate from the shared PrintStation route. Follow the mode actually configured for the site; do not switch modes to avoid a held label, uncertain output or missing qualification.

## Identify the current route first

Open **Set up your printer** and read its current driver, station and qualification. For shared PrintStation printing, use [PrintStation setup](/manuals/labels/printer-setup) and its separate workstation/destination procedures.

A virtual station is a non-physical workflow. Its result cannot establish that a real label printed. The direct QZ path instead binds an enrolled browser to a specific queue and reviewed local workflow. If the page does not offer that path, do not call its underlying routes or assume a hidden control is available.

## Review the workflow before direct enrolment

Where **Review the workflow for your printer** is offered, Owner prepares and approves the direct-QZ workflow review. Reviewer performs the candidate verification. Reading the common candidate/proof page also needs Author or Reviewer, so an Owner using its approval control needs one of those reading roles as well. Do not assume Owner alone can open the candidate page. Compare either the original manufacturing baseline or the published workflow against the current runtime. Use the corresponding **Review baseline refresh** or **Review published workflow for QZ** page.

Read the independent expectations, supply the required review note and acknowledgements, then create the appropriate candidate. Inspect and approve every required proof through the candidate workflow. A candidate or approval does not change the active virtual release, enrol a browser or qualify a physical device.

Resolve outstanding physical output before a requested return to virtual mode or a new review. Never make an uncertain earlier copy disappear by changing its printing mode.

## Enrol the actual browser and queue

Owner completes the offered direct-QZ setup on the real printing workstation. Start QZ Tray, review signing readiness and use discovery to obtain the exact queue. Discovery itself does not print a label. Server signing configuration and workstation trust are separate responsibilities; have the responsible technical administrator resolve missing signing configuration.

Select **Workflow for this printer**, checking the retained approval and proofs rather than choosing a convenient name. Enter the actual device, driver and media details required by the page and enrol that browser. If the workflow, station or runtime changed, obtain a current review rather than reusing an older approval.

## Calibrate and follow production output

Each enrolment needs a new physical calibration. The permitted floor user prints the calibration run, scans its actual label, records the measured horizontal/vertical distances and confirms the physical observations. Setup authority alone does not confer production printing authority; use the roles and controls actually offered for the task.

Inspect the resulting qualification before preparing production labels. A changed workstation, printer, driver, firmware, media or QZ environment requires the current setup/qualification checks. Revoke enrolment or use a virtual mode only through its offered procedure after accounting for outstanding work.

Direct-QZ copy uncertainty is retained with its own attempts. Have a Supervisor use the applicable LabelRules investigation controls, while PrintStation output is investigated in PrintStation. Neither a successful calibration nor a mode change proves what happened to an earlier uncertain production copy.