ⓘ This article is for Event Organizers
Looking to leverage your own badge printing equipment for your next event?
If you’re planning to use your own badge printing equipment, you can do so through our BYOE (Bring Your Own Equipment) model.
With BYOE, you provide and are fully responsible for the equipment, and Expo Pass provides the badges and the software. That means you’ll be using your own:
iPads
Zebra Printers
Router (hotspot or venue-provided connection)
Below are the minimum requirements for each component and best practices to help your event run smoothly.
What Expo Pass Supports (and What We Don’t)
❗ Important: Expo Pass supports the Expo Pass software and Expo Pass badges only. We do not troubleshoot, configure, repair, or diagnose equipment we did not provide, before or during your event.
If an issue could be caused by your equipment or network, resolving it is the responsibility of the Event Organizer and/or venue AV team, even if the issue appears to affect the Expo Pass software.
Expo Pass Supports | You and/or Your Venue AV Team Are Responsible For |
The Expo Pass app and platform (check-in, badge design, data sync, printing from within the app) | iPads: hardware, iPadOS updates, charging, repairs, replacements |
Expo Pass badge stock | Zebra Printers: hardware, drivers, calibration, firmware, jams, printheads, ribbons, repairs |
Confirming your equipment meets the minimum requirements in this article (when provided in advance) | Routers, hotspots, and Wi-Fi: setup, connectivity, speed, outages, venue network restrictions |
| Power, cabling, and any other onsite equipment |
If You Run Into an Equipment Issue
Contact your equipment manufacturer (Apple, Zebra) or your venue AV team.
Use our Troubleshooting Badge Printing Equipment article as a self-service reference. It is a guide, not a request for support.
If you believe you’ve found a bug in the Expo Pass software, contact Expo Pass Support with your device and printer information. We’ll confirm whether the issue is on our end. If it isn’t, you’ll need to resolve it with your equipment provider.
💡 Want hands-on equipment support at your event? Equipment leasing with Expo Pass is a great option. Contact your Expo Pass representative and see Equipment Leases: Organizer Checklist & Best Practices.
iPads
To ensure the Expo Pass app runs smoothly and your event graphics render optimally, your devices must meet the following hardware and software specifications:
❗ Important: Expo Pass does not provide support for iPad hardware, iPadOS, or device settings. Contact Apple or your IT team.
Operating System: iOS Only. Android devices are not supported.
Software Version: Your iPads must be updated to the latest version of iPadOS. Keeping your operating system up to date ensures seamless compatibility with the most current version of the Expo Pass app.
Screen Size: Between 9.7" and 10.9" for optimal image and layout rendering on-site.
Supported Models: The specific model number or generation of your iPad does not matter, as long as the hardware is capable of running Apple’s latest iPadOS operating system.
💡 Not sure if your iPad is compatible? You can verify which operating system your specific model supports directly on Apple’s official iPad User Guide.
❗ Important: The iPads and Printers must be connected to the same network when utilizing the Expo Pass App for BYOE Badge Printing, via a router or hotspot. Setting up and maintaining this network is your responsibility.
Printers
When it comes to direct thermal printers, we understand that there are numerous options on the market.
To ensure the best results with Expo Pass badge printing, Expo Pass software supports direct thermal and thermal transfer printers from Zebra with either 203 or 300 DPI resolution.
❗ Important: Printer setup is the Event Organizer’s responsibility. The Zebra Printer Settings article is provided as a reference only. Expo Pass cannot configure, verify, or troubleshoot your printer for you. For printer hardware, calibration, or firmware issues, contact Zebra or your printer vendor.
Identifying the exact Zebra printer version can be challenging due to their extensive product numbering system. Below is a list of printers that we are confident are compatible because Expo Pass currently uses or has used them in the past.
Recommended Zebra Models:
Zebra ZD621 Direct Thermal Printer, with attached Cutter
Model #ZD6A143-321L01EZ
Model #ZD6A142-321L01EZ
Model #ZD6AH43-301F00EZ
Model #ZD6AH42-301L01EZ
Model # ZD6A143-D21L01EZ (this is a smaller version)
Model # ZD6A142-D41L01EZ (this is a smaller version)
💡 Tip: Cutters are strongly recommended to speed up badge handling and avoid jams or tears, though they are not required.
📌 If you are not sure what model of Zebra printer you own, use Zebra’s Product Warranty Lookup to check your model by serial number.
This search result will indicate the Product Name (Product Model #):
From here, we recommend you search this Product Name HERE to get more information on your printer to determine if it is compatible (203 or 300 DPI).
Discontinued Models
We acknowledge that Zebra regularly updates their product line, and over time, they have discontinued certain models.
The following printer is no longer supported by Expo Pass:
ZD620 – Discontinued 9/30/21, support ended 12/31/24
Router Requirements
The router plays a vital role in two critical aspects of your badge printing process:
Connecting your iPads and Printers to the same network
Providing internet access to sync with the Expo Pass platform and keep your data up-to-date
Your choice of router is entirely up to you.
❗ Important: Expo Pass cannot set up, configure, or troubleshoot routers, hotspots, or venue networks we did not provide. This includes connectivity problems, slow speeds, and venue network restrictions. If issues arise, contact your router manufacturer or the venue AV team.
💡 Expo Pass-provided routers (supporting Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular) are available as part of an equipment lease. Contact your Expo Pass representative for details.
Internet Requirements
The method you choose to establish an internet connection is your decision, as long as it has:
Minimum internet speed:
Minimum download and upload speed is that of 5 Mbps.
Anything >5 Mbps is great!
Any stable connection method is acceptable, including:
Ethernet
Wi-Fi
Cellular
Badge Stock
While you may bring your own hardware, we highly recommend using Expo Pass badges for optimal print quality and reliability.
Expo Pass Badges:
Are designed for notched (not black-marked) sensing
Are produced in-house using state-of-the-art technology, guaranteeing top-notch print quality.
Are pre-printed with double-sided color graphics
Are fully compatible with Zebra printer calibration settings
Using Expo Pass-provided badges ensures the reflective sensor calibration works properly and prevents jams or misalignment.
Testing Before Your Event
We strongly recommend testing your equipment with the Expo Pass app well before your event. Testing confirms the software works with your setup. It does not mean Expo Pass will configure or troubleshoot your equipment. Any issues found during testing related to your equipment must be resolved by you, your equipment provider, or your venue AV team.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Android tablets: Expo Pass only supports iPads on the latest iPadOS.
Printer not compatible with 203 or 300 DPI: These are the only resolutions supported.
No cutter on printer: Leads to jams and a slower attendee experience.
Contacting Expo Pass Support for hardware or network issues: We cannot assist with iPad, printer, or router problems on BYOE events. Contact the manufacturer or your venue AV team.
Assuming a printing problem is a software problem: Most onsite printing issues (blank labels, misaligned badges, offline printers, jams) are caused by printer settings, calibration, or networking. Check these first.
Mixing different networks: iPads and printers must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Waiting until onsite to test: Test your full setup ahead of time so equipment issues are resolved before attendees arrive.