Print Tasks

The Print dialog is where you turn the current column or selection into printable task tickets. It is separate from Print Settings: the dialog controls what to print now, while Print Configuration controls which printer or output mode Colonnes uses.

Open the Print dialog from a column menu, from a day menu in Calendar, from a selection context menu, or from the Command Menu.

Every print mode uses the same core choices:

  • What to Print: choose the current column or the current selection.
  • Print Options: choose individual task tickets or grouped selection tickets, with or without recursive folder traversal.
  • Print Breadcrumb: include the full hierarchy path before each individual task ticket.
  • Print Finished Tasks: include tasks that are already complete.
  • Mark as Finished After Print: automatically mark printed tasks as finished once the print job succeeds.

These choices are managed by the Print dialog and can be adjusted for the current print job before sending it.

System Print

System Print uses the browser or operating-system print dialog. It is the most universal option and does not require receipt-printer hardware.

The preview shows the actual item layout used for browser printing. When you click Print, Colonnes opens the system print dialog so you can choose a regular printer, PDF output, paper size, and operating-system options.

In System Print mode, Colonnes uses selection-style output. Separators are printed as visual dividers instead of cutting the output into separate receipt tickets.

Use this mode when you want a standard paper printout, a PDF, or a printer that is already managed by your operating system.

Receipt Printer

Receipt Printer mode sends tasks to a USB or network thermal printer configured in Print Settings.

Receipt printers can use Direct or Image output:

  • Direct is very fast because Colonnes sends printer commands and text directly. It is best when your printer language and character encoding support your content.
  • Image generates a PNG first, then prints that image. It is slower but supports more characters and gives more control over size, padding, and layout.

Image output shows generated page previews in the Print dialog. Direct output may not match the final receipt perfectly on screen because the printer firmware controls some layout details.

If the printer, model, or required configuration is missing, the Print dialog shows an error with a button that opens Print Settings.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth mode sends tasks to a connected Bluetooth thermal printer.

The task choices are the same as receipt-printer mode: scope, ticket type, recursive traversal, breadcrumb, finished tasks, and mark-as-finished behavior.

Bluetooth printing can also use Direct or Image output depending on the configured printer mode. Image output gives the most reliable character support; Direct output is faster when the printer language is compatible.

If no Bluetooth printer is connected, the Print dialog asks you to open Print Settings so you can scan and connect before printing.

Mac Alternative / CUPS

The Mac Alternative mode sends generated images through the operating system print queue, also known as CUPS. It is useful when a printer is installed in macOS but does not work reliably with direct receipt-printer commands.

The Print dialog generates image previews and then sends the selected output to the configured CUPS printer. The final result can still depend on driver behavior, margins, and printer hardware.

Use this mode for Star Micronics printers on recent macOS versions, or for printers that work in system settings but fail in direct receipt-printer mode.

MQTT

MQTT mode publishes generated task images to an MQTT broker. It is designed for remote, networked, or IoT-style printer bridges.

The Print dialog still controls the task scope and ticket structure. When you print, Colonnes generates images and publishes a configured JSON payload to the broker topic.

Use MQTT when your printer is controlled by a bridge, kiosk, automation server, or custom device that subscribes to print jobs.

If the broker URL or topic is missing, the Print dialog shows a configuration error and opens Print Settings.

Errors and Recovery

When printing fails, Colonnes shows the error code, message, and timestamp. You can copy the error details for support, retry the print job, or dismiss the error and adjust settings.

For printer setup details, see Print Configuration. For common hardware issues, see Troubleshooting.