WiFiLabelShare a label printer between computers
Windows can share a USB printer with other Windows PCs. A Mac can share with another Mac or a UNIX computer. The computer that owns the USB cable has to stay on. Phones are outside both articles. Bridge support for sharing without that host is in testing.
| Option | Works for | Host computer stays on | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows printer sharing | Other Windows PCs. Add the share as \\pc\share. | Yes | Free | Microsoft, share a printer as a network printer |
| Mac Printer Sharing | Another Mac, or a UNIX computer. | Yes | Free | Apple, share your printer on Mac |
| iPhone or iPad | Not from these two sharing articles. | No | n/a | Apple, share your printer on Mac |
Sharing uses the computer that already has the driver. It does not turn the printer into a network device. Rollo's wireless article says the USB printer can be shared this way. Zebra desktops use the same Windows and Mac features.
If the queue looks offline after you add the share, start with Zebra printer offline on Windows or Zebra printer offline on a Mac.
Windows#
Microsoft's article, which we read:
- Use a private network.
- Turn on network discovery, and turn on file and printer sharing.
- Share the printer from the PC that has the USB cable.
- On the other PC, add
\\pc\share. - Leave the first PC powered on and connected. Microsoft says that host has to stay up. This path is Windows only, and it does not include phones.
Mac#
Apple's article, which we read:
- Open System Settings, then General, then Sharing.
- Turn on Printer Sharing.
- Other Macs, or a UNIX computer, can use that share. The article does not mention iPhone or iPad.
- Leave the Mac powered on and connected to the network.
Driver choice before you share a Zebra, Rollo, or DYMO is set up a label printer on a Mac.
What sharing does not do#
The host stays on. A phone is not a client of these two articles. A printer with its own Ethernet or Wi-Fi port is a different setup: make a USB label printer wireless. The Rollo X1038 and LabelWriter 4XL pages say what each maker lists.
Still to check#
Two Windows PCs and a Mac printing to one printer, including jobs that wait their turn. That check is open.
FAQ
Can two computers use one USB label printer?
Yes. Share it from Windows to other Windows PCs, or from a Mac to another Mac or a UNIX computer. The computer with the USB cable stays on.
Can a phone print to a printer shared from a Mac?
Apple's article does not say that. It names another Mac or a UNIX computer.
Does the shared computer have to stay on?
Yes. Microsoft says the host PC must be powered on and connected to the network. The Mac has to be on for Printer Sharing as well.
Will a Windows 11 share always connect?
This page does not claim that. There are reports of a shared Rollo failing on Windows 11. That report was not re-tested here.