Data security is more critical than ever. Protecting sensitive information during the printing process is essential for maintaining overall data security. NeoCatalog’s secure printing feature, using end-to-end encryption, offers a robust solution to protect your data from the moment a print job is sent until it is printed. By following this guide, you can make certain that your sensitive print jobs are securely encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.


What is Secure Printing with End-to-End Encryption

Secure printing with end-to-end encryption means that your print jobs are encrypted at the source and remain encrypted until they reach the printer. This prevents unauthorized individuals from intercepting or accessing sensitive information during transmission or while waiting to be printed. Encrypting the print data safeguards confidential files, making sure that only authorized personnel can access them.


Setting Up Secure Printing in neoCatalog

Before utilizing secure printing, it’s essential to verify that your non-file-based printer is properly configured in neoStampa and that the Print Server queue is started.


Configuring neoCatalog

  1. Access neoCatalog using the IP or Host Name (not localhost) and log in with an administrator account.
  2. In the advanced preferences section, create the following settings:
    • Set neo_print_quality to Best.
    • Set neo_enable_quickprint_notifications to Yes.
    • Set neo_custom_server_url to the same URL (http://IP:Port) as your current session.
  3. Navigate to Administration > Management > Utilities > Print Servers Management in neoCatalog. Here, you can create and add the Print Server connection.
  4. Verify the connection by clicking 'Check the connection' and save the configuration by clicking 'Save'.
  5. Confirm that the 'Secure Printing' checkbox is automatically enabled, allowing encrypted print jobs.



Using Secure Printing

With the setup complete, you can now proceed to create and print secure print jobs.

  1. In neoCatalog, navigate to the Design or Colorways view and select a multichannel PSD file (note that PDF and Illustrator files are not supported).
  2. Click on the 'Print...' button and choose 'Send to neoStampa' as the destination, selecting your printer's Print Server. Verify the 'Secure Printing' checkbox is enabled before sending the job.
  3. After selecting your printer scheme, click 'Send to neoStampa'. You should see a 'Processing in background QuickPrint' message, followed by 'Added to the printer queue'.
  4. To manage your print queue, click on the 'View queue' button next to the printer name in the Print dialog. This action will open a new web browser tab displaying the 'Printing History' page.
  5. Add the Print Server to the queue by clicking on 'Print Server Queues' on the left and using the '+' button. Confirm that the Print Server shows an 'Idle' status.
  6. In the printing queue card, verify that your job appears on the 'Print Server Queue Detail' page with a secure shield icon next to the job name, indicating its encrypted status.
  7. When ready to print, check the job to initiate printing and observe the 'Printing...' message along with the progress bar. This is when the print job is decrypted. Remember, attempting to reprint the job will result in a "Sorry, cannot be printed again" message, as encrypted jobs cannot be reprinted.