> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://helping.alive-pic.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Printing Overview — How It Works

There's something about a physical print that digital sharing can't replace. Guests love walking away from a booth with a photo in hand. ALIVE makes printing seamless — from the booth to the printer in seconds.

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## How Printing Works in ALIVE

1. Your iPad discovers a **print server** on the local network
2. When a guest taps **Print** on the share screen, the photo is sent to the print server
3. The print server queues the job and sends it to the printer
4. The photo prints in seconds

[screenshot: Print button on share screen]

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## What You Need

* **A photo printer** — Dye-sublimation printers are the industry standard for photo booths
* **A print server** — The ALIVE Magic Print app (running on a computer) or a compatible print server
* **A local network** — The iPad and print server must be on the same Wi-Fi network
* **Paper** — Matching the template size (2x6, 4x6, or 6x4)

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## The Print Flow

```
iPad (ALIVE app) → Wi-Fi → Print Server (ALIVE Magic Print) → USB → Printer
```

The iPad sends the print-ready image over the network. The print server receives it, manages the queue, and sends it to the physical printer.

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## Supported Paper Sizes

| Size | Format | Common Use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2x6 inches | Photo strip | Classic booth strips |
| 4x6 inches | Portrait card | Photo cards, invitations |
| 6x4 inches | Landscape card | Wide layouts, group shots |

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## Key Features

* **Auto-discovery** — ALIVE automatically finds print servers on your network
* **Print queue** — Jobs are queued and processed in order
* **Multiple copies** — Print more than one copy per session
* **Auto-print** — Automatically print when guests reach the share screen (no tap needed)
* **Duplicate strips** — Print two identical 2x6 strips on a single 4x6 sheet
* **Print preview** — See what the print will look like before it goes to paper

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## Getting Started

1. [Set up your print server](/en/article/what-is-alive-magic-print-yw1w91)
2. [Connect ALIVE to the printer](/en/article/discovering-printers-on-your-network-1oo7sk6)
3. [Configure your print settings](/en/article/enabling-disabling-printing-1qpzd47)
4. Do a test print
5. You're ready!

| Always do a test print before every event. Paper alignment, color accuracy, and connectivity should all be verified before the first guest walks up.

| **Next step:** [What is ALIVE Magic Print?](/en/article/what-is-alive-magic-print-yw1w91)