Printer Setup is used to set up printers for use in the Drake program. To access this option, go to Setup > Printing > Printer Setup. Select the desired printer and follow the step-by-step instructions listed below.


General Setup Tab (F5)


This tab displays the current default printer for Tax forms, Reports, Labels, and Checks. For each default printer; the tray, copies, duplex, and show dialog selections can be set. 

    • Tray – Most printers print from the main paper source tray. If the main paper source is not what is wanted, select the tray you want from the available options.
    • # Copies – Set the default number of copies to print.  This option is only available for tax forms.
    • Duplex – Select this option if you want to print duplex and the printer handles this option. Only forms that are approved for duplex are printed as duplex..
    • Show Dialog – To display the "Print" dialog box before each print job, select this option.


Sets Setup Tab (F6)


This tab displays the current default printer for the different types of sets that can be printed.  For each default printer; the tray, duplex, duplex all, and print set selections can be set.

    • Tray – Most printers print from the main tray. If the main paper source is not what is wanted, select the tray you want from the available options.
    • Duplex – Select this option if you want to print duplex and the printer handles this option. Only forms approved for duplex print as duplex.
    • Duplex All – Select this option to print all forms (approved or not) to duplex. This option is not available for sets mailed to the IRS or State.
    • Print Set – To print this set each time Print Sets is selected in Print Mode, select this option.
    • Watermark Text – For client and preparer sets, a watermark can be added to the background of the printed text. If there is text entered in the Watermark Text entry box, the text prints on every set. To prevent a watermark from printing, clear this box.


Options Tab (F7)


This tab is used to set up advanced printing options not related to a specific printer.

    • PCL Soft Font Option – Many printers require soft fonts to be downloaded to the printer before the tax forms can properly print.  Select the desired downloading option.  Only laserjet printers have the option to use PCL to print tax forms.
    • Shading Options – If the GDI shading method does not produce acceptable quality with your printer, select this box. If possible the program prints forms using a solid gray background. If selecting this option does not resolve your issue, you may want to troubleshoot the printer software or update fonts.


Edit Printer Settings Tab (F8)


To edit a printer setting, the printer must first be selected from the drop list of printers.

    • Printer Type – If the printer type is different then the selected type, choose another printer type from the available drop list.
    • DPI Override – If the dots per inch (DPI) on the printer are too small or large for the printed form, enter the number of dots to print.
    • Adjust Margin – If the printed forms are running off the lower edge of the paper, select this option.
    • Check Adjustment – Vertical – If the checks are printing too high or too low, the placement can be adjusted here. Whole numbers are interpreted as 1/4 inch by the printer. Positive numbers move the placement down; negative numbers move the placement up.
    • If the printer selected is not a PCL printer, you can assign paper source trays. Select your choice from the items provided in the drop lists for:  Main paper source, Alternate paper source, Opt. large paper source, and Manual feed.
    • After making changes to the settings click Update, or click Cancel to discontinue changes.