Printer set up - Brother QL-720NW

Learn how to set up your Brother QL-720NW

Updated over a week ago

This article outlines how to pair and manage your printer. To learn more about the basics of device management, please read our About device management article; to learn more about which printers are supported, please read our Supported hardware guide.

Wired via Ethernet

Step 1: Unbox and configure printer

  1. Unbox your printer. You won’t need the Brother instruction book, just follow along with these steps. You can also discard the gray USB cable, but you will need an Ethernet cable.

  2. Assemble and insert the roll of badges into the printer. You can find step-by-step photo instructions here.

    1. Note: Envoy badges come with a reusable black plastic frame. When replacing a badge roll, save this for the next roll. Other brands may come affixed to the plastic frame. In this case, the frame is not reusable.

  3. Plug the black power cord into the printer and a power socket.

  4. Plug the Ethernet cable into the printer. Depending on your setup, you’ll plug the other end into your desk, wall, or directly into your router.

  5. Press the power button to turn on the printer.

  6. Wait about one minute while the printer configures. When it’s ready, the status light will turn green.

Step 2: Find the IP address

  1. Press and hold the cut button until the badges begin printing. Five badges will print out. Discard the first three.

  2. On the fourth badge, look for the IP address line. It will be a series of numbers separated by periods (for example: 192.168.1.44 or 10.0.1.23).

    1. Note: if your IP address starts with 169.254, the printer was unable to provide a working IP address. If this happens, please refer to the troubleshooting guide. You’ll need to troubleshoot before you proceed.

Step 3: Pair the printer with Envoy

  1. On your computer, log into Envoy.

  2. Type your IP address into the field. 

  3. Click “Save”.

    1. Note: If you have multiple visitor types, you’ll configure this setting per visitor type.

  4. Select Badge from the sidebar. Toggle Badge printing to the “on” position.

  5. Turn on your iPad, open the Envoy app and sign yourself in as a test visitor.

    1. Your badge will print automatically. If it does not, please consult our troubleshooting guide.

At this stage in set up, we recommend having your IT team set up a static IP address. Using a static IP address will provide you with continuous connectivity to your printer. In other words, you’ll never have to worry about your IP address getting reset.

Wireless via Mac

Step 1: Unbox and configure the printer

  1. Unbox your printer. You won’t need the Brother instruction book, just follow along with these steps. You will need the gray USB cable.

  2. Assemble and insert the roll of badges into the printer. You can find step-by-step photo instructions here.

    1. Note: Envoy badges come with a reusable black plastic frame. When replacing a badge roll, save this for the next roll. Other brands may come affixed to the plastic frame. In this case, the frame is not reusable.

  3. Plug the black power cord into the printer and a power socket; plug the grey USB cable into your printer and computer.

  4. Press the power button to turn on the printer. Make sure the green status light comes on.

  5. Next, you’ll need to download the Brother wireless connection software onto your computer. Visit the Brother support page for the QL-720NW.

  6. Select your operating system, and click the “Search” button.

  7. Download the Wireless Device Setup Wizard tool. 

  8. Open the tool when it has downloaded.

  9. When prompted about USB connection, select “Yes,” and click “Next.

  10. If you do not have Java installed on your computer, you will be prompted with a popup. Visit java.com/download to download the required software.

  11. Once Java has been installed, return to the Wireless Device Setup Wizard and continue following the steps.

  12. You’ll be prompted to select your Wi-Fi network. Select the network your iPad is connected to. 

    1. Note: The Brother printer only supports connections to 2.4 GHz wireless band. If you are using a dual-band router, your iPad(s) can remain connected to the 5 GHz band and your printer can connect to the 2.4 GHz band.

  13. When asked for a “Network Key,” enter your Wi-Fi password. 

  14. Check the “Wi-Fi” light on the printer. If it’s green, it means you’ve connected to the Wi-Fi.

  15. Disconnect the gray USB cable when prompted, and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Step 2: Find the IP address

  1. Press and hold the cut button until the labels begin printing. Five labels will print out. Discard the first three.

  2. On the fourth label, look for the IP address line. It will be a series of numbers separated by periods (for example: 192.168.1.44 or 10.0.1.23).

    1. Note: if your IP address starts with 169.254, the printer was unable to connect to provide a working IP address. If this happens, please refer to the troubleshooting guide. You’ll need to troubleshoot before you proceed.

Step 3: Pair the printer with Envoy

  1. On your computer, log into Envoy.

  2. Type your IP address into the field. 

  3. Click “Save”.

  4. Select the visitor type you wish to edit.

  5. Select Badge from the top navigation.

  6. Toggle Badge printing to the “on” position.

  7. Turn on your iPad, open the Envoy app, and sign yourself in as a test visitor.

    1. Your badge will print automatically. If it does not, please consult our troubleshooting guide.

At this stage in set up, we recommend having your IT team set up a static IP address. Using a static IP address will provide you with continuous connectivity to your printer. In other words, you’ll never have to worry about your IP address getting reset (if you get a new router or you have a power outage at your office).

Wireless via PC

Step 1: Unbox and configure the printer

  1. Unbox your printer. You won’t need the Brother instruction book, just follow along with these steps. You will need the gray USB cable.

  2. Assemble and insert the roll of badges into the printer. You can find step-by-step photo instructions here.

  3. Plug the black power cord into the printer and a power socket; plug the gray USB cable into your printer and computer.

  4. Press the power button to turn on the printer. Make sure the green status light comes on.

  5. Next, you’ll need to download the Brother printer driver and wireless connection software onto your computer. Visit the Brother support page for the QL-720NW.

    1. Select your operating system and click the “Search” button.

    2. Download the printer’s driver first.

      1. Install the printer’s driver.

      2. After you’ve installed the driver, download the Printer Setting Tool. 

  6. Run the Printer Setting Tool. 

  7. Locate and open the Printer Setting Tool. 

  8. Open Communication Settings.

  9. Select the “Wireless LAN” tab, and click on “Wireless Settings.” 

  10. You’ll be prompted to select your Wi-Fi network.

    1. Note: The Brother printer only supports connections to 2.4 GHz wireless band. If you are using a dual-band router, your iPad(s) can remain connected to the 5 GHz band and your printer can connect to the 2.4 GHz band.

  11. When the driver asks for a “Passphrase,” enter your Wi-Fi password. 

  12. Check the “Wi-Fi” light on the printer. If it’s green, it means you’ve connected to the Wi-Fi.

  13. Disconnect the gray USB cable when the installation is complete.

Step 2: Find the IP address

  1. Press and hold the cut button until the badges begin printing. Five badges will print out. Discard the first three.

  2. On the fourth badge, look for the IP address line. It will be a series of numbers separated by periods (for example: 192.168.1.44 or 10.0.1.23).

    1. Note: if your IP address starts with 169.254, the printer was unable to connect to provide a working IP address. If this happens, please refer to the troubleshooting guide. You’ll need to troubleshoot before you proceed.

Step 3: Pair the printer with Envoy

  1. On your computer, log into Envoy.

  2. Type your IP address into the field.

  3. Click “save”.

  4. Select the visitor type you wish to edit.

  5. Select Badge from the top navigation.

  6. Toggle Badge printing to the “on” position.

  7. Turn on your iPad, open the Envoy app, and sign yourself in as a test visitor.

    1. Your badge will print automatically. If it does not, please consult our troubleshooting guide.

At this stage in set up, we recommend having your IT team set up a static IP address. Using a static IP address will provide you with continuous connectivity to your printer. In other words, you’ll never have to worry about your IP address getting reset (if you get a new router or you have a power outage at your office).

Reset factory settings

  1. Turn the printer off.

  2. Press and hold the cut button while simultaneously pressing the power button.

  3. Wait for the Wi-Fi light to flash and the status light to go orange.

  4. Press the cut button twice while still holding the power button. Release the power button.

  5. All network settings are reset.

Did this answer your question?