How to use Fast Printing (Printing from a Barcode)

Fast Printing is a mode on the Ramp Print app that allows you to use a barcode scanner to automatically load and print an RFID tag for the SKU or item.

The workflow is simple.

Get a product which is not RFID tagged, but has a regular label with a barcode on it.
Plug in a barcode scanner into your laptop (e.g. a Zebra DS2278).
On Fast Printing in the Ramp Print app, scan the product's barcode.
One RFID tag will be printed.

This method is best to use when you have a large quantity of stock to tag up with a variety of SKUs, because it ensures that the correct SKU is used to print the tag. It is also useful when replacing damaged tags, or preparing items for sale.

Please contact Ramp Support to help with configuring the Ramp Print app and barcode scanner.

Prerequisites

Barcode Scanner connected via USB cable (e.g. a Zebra DS2278)
Computer with Ramp Print installed
Ramp RFID printer

Setting up the Barcode Scanner

A USB barcode scanner can send information to your computer in two ways: USB CDC and Keyboard Wedge. The right choice depends on how you use the scanner.

Not sure which to pick? If you only use the scanner with Ramp Print and want scans kept separate from anything else running on your computer, USB CDC is a safer choice - scans only go to the dedicated port Ramp Print is watching. If you use the same scanner across multiple applications (including custom Ramp Print setups), Keyboard Wedge is more flexible, since it simply types the barcode into whatever window you've clicked into - no need to reconfigure anything when you switch between apps.

	USB CDC (Virtual COM Port)	Keyboard Wedge
How it works	The scanner plugs into a USB port, but instead of acting like a keyboard, it creates a virtual serial (COM) port on your computer. When you scan a barcode, the number is sent to that specific port. The Ramp Print app is configured to watch the port and print tags for any barcode numbers that are scanned.	When you scan a barcode, it types the number into whichever text box or window you clicked into last - just like typing on a keyboard. E.g. if you open Notepad and click it, you can scan the barcode number straight to the Notepad. If you click the Ramp Print Fast Printing screen and scan a barcode, it will print a tag.
Works across multiple apps?	No - dedicated to Ramp Print	Yes
App must be open and selected	Open only	Open and selected
Benefits	This method is very reliable.	This method is the quickest to set up. Once the barcode scanner has been configured, you don't need to modify the Ramp Print settings. You also can configure the settings to handle special characters e.g. Tab, if you want to use the barcode scanner for other purposes.
Downsides	You need to manually select the COM port in Ramp Print Settings, and it may require installing a driver to appear as a virtual COM port.	You need to have the Ramp Print app open and selected (last clicked on).
What versions is this available for?	Available for all versions of Ramp Print	Available for Ramp Print v5.2.16.0 onwards (released 12/05/2026).

Check your version of Ramp Print by logging in and hovering over the Ramp Print icon in the Windows taskbar.

How to configure a barcode scanner for USB CDC Mode

Plug the barcode scanner into your computer.
Find the user manual for your barcode scanner model. It will either come in the packaging or it will be available online.
In the manual, find the instructions for how to configure the barcode scanner for USB CDC Mode.
1. For a Zebra DS2208, scan the barcode on page 53 (Set Factory Defaults) and page 107 (Enable USB Static CDC) in the manual, which is linked here.
2. For a Zebra DS2278, scan the barcode on page 63 (Set Factory Defaults) and page 155 (Enable USB Static CDC) in the manual, which is linked here.
On your computer, open Device Manager. Click Ok if you get a warning that you can only view device settings.
Expand Ports.
Find the COM port number for the barcode scanner. If you are not sure, unplug the barcode scanner and check which COM port disappears.
In the Ramp Print App, navigate to the Printer Settings.
Configure the following settings under Scanner Setup.
1. Scanner Type: Serial
2. COM Port: Select the COM port number found in step 6.

How to configure a barcode scanner for Keyboard Wedge

Plug the barcode scanner into your computer.
Find the user manual for your barcode scanner model. It will either come in the packaging or it will be available online.
In the manual, find the instructions for how to configure the barcode scanner for USB HID Mode with an Enter character.
1. For a Zebra DS2208, scan the barcode on page 53 (Set Factory Defaults) and page 77 (Add Enter Key (Carriage Return/Line Feed) in the manual, which is linked here.
2. For a Zebra DS2278, scan the barcode on 63 (Set Factory Defaults) and page 89 (Add Enter Key (Carriage Return/Line Feed) in the manual, which is linked here.
In the Ramp Print App, navigate to the Printer Settings
Configure the following settings under Scanner Setup.
1. Scanner Type: Wedge
2. Click Reset button, then click the text box and hit your keyboard's enter key.

How to Fast Print

Plug the barcode scanner into your computer's port.
Log in to the Ramp Print app.
Select Fast Printing from the Main Menu.

If Fast Printing is not available, you will need to enable it in Settings -> Visible Print Menus.

4. Scan the barcode.

5. Click Play to start printing.

Troubleshooting

Scanner not detected

Confirm the scanner is firmly connected to the USB port
Try a different USB port
Check that the correct drivers are installed
Restart the Ramp Print App after plugging in the scanner

Barcode scan does not enter into the Ramp Print App

USB CDC: Verify the correct COM Port is selected in Ramp Print Settings
Wedge Scanner: Test the scanner in Notepad to ensure it outputs text correctly