# PrintNode

## Connection

When you're setting up your first workflow with PrintNode, you will need to create a [Connection](https://docs.getmesa.com/going-further/credentials) in order to connect MESA with PrintNode.

<figure><img src="https://3425906282-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1H6u1HQc3Iew7ATmmiCi%2Fuploads%2FiiZvaPGhEgiuAgMPdUvN%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5745d7cf-1784-4cec-afc1-f49292b05846" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To create your connection, login or create your PrintNode account and navigate to the [API Keys tab](https://api.printnode.com/app/apikeys). Once there, enter your account's password and click Next.

Enter "MESA" in the Create New API Key field and then click Create.

<figure><img src="https://3425906282-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1H6u1HQc3Iew7ATmmiCi%2Fuploads%2F7FVwya68K8uJp8PIErb8%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9f4b8008-dfdc-47cf-a29f-c8570f0e93b3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Copy the newly created API Key and paste it into the PrintNode API Key field of the PrintNode step in your MESA worfklow and click Add Connection to complete the connection.

<figure><img src="https://3425906282-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1H6u1HQc3Iew7ATmmiCi%2Fuploads%2FLwKvNTkzY6iDtMjsl46k%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=47f26b35-40c8-46a1-8dbf-0b003d0ae3f6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3425906282-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1H6u1HQc3Iew7ATmmiCi%2Fuploads%2FF3vlyLA4n7WgjWOLRcMS%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=67e8453f-f711-4be7-955d-ba0984cbe3d2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Configure

You will need to install the PrintNode software to your computer and connect your printer to the same network.

Install the PrintNode software from [this page](https://www.printnode.com/en/download).

<figure><img src="https://3425906282-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1H6u1HQc3Iew7ATmmiCi%2Fuploads%2F6HuKen9RMlCmyUMx7LQE%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1fc47db4-f604-42d9-8d0e-886303e331b9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

After installation, when you open the PrintNode app you will be required to login to your account. From there, you can verify the connected printers on the network and select them from the required Printer ID field of your PrintNode action in your workflow.

The File URL field in your action will need to be populated with an accessible URL or a base64 encoded string.

<figure><img src="https://3425906282-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1H6u1HQc3Iew7ATmmiCi%2Fuploads%2F0UU21ym0PL4r19XhAmCY%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=08efe2a5-f63a-4cbb-9134-8c7e7c26fc6a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Technical Notes

* When MESA sends print jobs to PrintNode, the service communicates with your computer to initiate the printing process. Your computer and printer must be turned on for printing to work.


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