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DNP Hot Folder Printing

Updated 5 days ago · 3 min readBeginner

DNP Hot Folder Printing is a built-in option in FMX that routes prints to DNP's Hot Folder Print (HFP) software instead of going through the standard Windows print spooler. It's the recommended workflow on ARM-based devices like the Surface Pro 11 (where standard drivers behave differently), and it's also a reliable fallback whenever you run into driver issues on a regular Windows machine. With HFP in the loop, your prints stay fast, reliable, and perfectly sized.

Before You Start

To get everything running smoothly, make sure you have the following ready:

  • FMX version: 1.0.249.0 or later (this version includes a key fix for 2x6 strips).
  • DNP Hot Folder Print: Installed and running. You can download it from the DNP Hot Folder Print page.
  • Hardware: Your DNP printer (e.g., RX1HS) connected via USB.

How the Workflow Works

With Hot Folder enabled, FMX doesn't send the file directly to the printer. Instead:

  1. FMX drops the photo into a specific folder on your device.
  2. The DNP Hot Folder software picks up the new file.
  3. DNP Hot Folder sends it to the printer for you.

Because of this, you won't select your printer by name inside FMX — instead, you'll just point FMX toward the right folders.

Step 1: Setting Up the Printer Driver

Even though we're using a Hot Folder, the printer driver still needs to know what to do with the paper.

  • Match your settings: Open your DNP printer preferences in Windows. If you plan on printing 2x6 strips, make sure the 2x6 cut setting is enabled in the driver.
  • Cloud layouts: Double-check your event in FMX Cloud. The layout dimensions you've designed must match the physical paper size (e.g., a 4x6 layout for a 4x6 print) for the Hot Folder to process it correctly.

Step 2: FMX Configuration

  1. Open FMX and head to Global Settings → Devices → Printers.
  2. Under Printer Type, select DNP Hot Folder.
  3. Map your print sizes to the folders created by the DNP software. We recommend keeping the default folder names provided by DNP:
    • 4x6 prints: Map to the 4x6 Default folder.
    • 2x6 strips: Map to the 2x6 Default (DriverCut) folder.

ℹ️ Info: The 2x6 "Cut" Bug

In earlier versions of FMX, there was a known issue where 2x6 layouts were occasionally flattened into a 4x6 image before reaching the printer, which prevented the automatic cut.

The fix: This has been fully resolved in version 1.0.249.0. If your strips aren't cutting, the first step is to make sure you've updated to this version.

Testing for Success

Before the guests arrive, always run two quick tests:

  • Test a 4x6: Confirm the photo appears in the folder and prints immediately.
  • Test a 2x6: Confirm the printer triggers the cutter and gives you two separate strips.

💡 Tip: Keep the DNP Hot Folder app open in the background. If it's closed, the "handshake" between FMX and your printer won't happen.

Quick Troubleshooting

  • Nothing is printing? Check that the DNP Hot Folder Print app is actually open, and that the folder paths in FMX match your computer's folders exactly.
  • Wrong print size? Verify that your FMX Cloud layout matches the folder you've selected (don't send a 2x6 layout to a 4x6 folder).
  • "Save/Print" button is greyed out? This usually means FMX can't find the folders you mapped. Re-check your paths in the Printer settings.

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