Prep Label App Support

Prep Label App Support

Prep Label is a free iOS app for commercial kitchens to print prep labels with use-by dates, batch printing, and optional Bluetooth printing to a Bixolon label printer. Your product catalog and printer settings are stored only on your iPhone or iPad — no account required.

Requirements: iPhone or iPad with iOS 17 or later.

Questions? Email ahansalia@piecodirect.com — include your device model, iOS version, and printer model if applicable.

Quick links


Order Labels and Accessories Order labels and accessories
Download Link for Prep Label Application

Getting started

  1. Install Prep Label from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. On first launch, a starter product catalog may load automatically if your list is empty.
  3. Open the Products tab to add categories and products, or import your list (see Import / export below).
  4. Open the Printer tab and choose AirPrint or Bixolon (Bluetooth).
  5. Print a test label from the Label tab before running a large batch.

For step-by-step guides, open the Help tab inside the app.

Using the app

Label tab

Print one label at a time.

  1. Tap Order Labels and Accessories at the top if you need label stock from Pieco Direct.
  2. Choose a category and saved product, or type a custom name.
  3. Select label size: 2×1 in or 2×2 in.
  4. Set prep date & time, shelf life, and optional prepared by or notes. Tap Now for the current time.
  5. Review the live preview, then tap Print Label.

Info and Receive categories use a simplified screen (no shelf life). Dough shows an adjustable Ready after prep time (hours).

Products tab

Build and manage your kitchen catalog.

  • Tap + to add a custom category (name, icon, optional ready time).
  • Open a category to see products A–Z; tap + to add a product with default shelf life and notes.
  • ⋯ menu: Import products (JSON or CSV), export JSON/CSV, or reload the bundled starter catalog.
  • Swipe left on an empty custom category to delete it. Built-in categories cannot be deleted.
  • CSV columns: name, category, shelf_life_value, shelf_life_unit, notes

Batch tab

Print many labels in one job.

  1. Set shared prep date, prepared by, and label size.
  2. Tap Choose products — filter, search, or Select all shown.
  3. Set quantity (1–99) per product.
  4. Tap Print N Labels.

Help tab

In-app instructions for every tab, category label formats, label sizes, and data backup.

Category label formats

Category

What prints on the label

Meat, Vegetable, Cheese, Other

Product name, PREP time, USE BY (with weekday), optional notes

Dough

Above plus READY time (hours after prep, adjustable); use-by = prep + shelf life

Makeline

IN USE: instead of PREP

Info

Product name and default notes only (no dates)

Receive

Product name and today’s date at print time

Printing

AirPrint

  1. In Printer tab, select AirPrint.
  2. On Label or Batch tab, tap print — the iOS print sheet opens.
  3. Choose your AirPrint or network printer and match paper size to your label stock (2×1 or 2×2).

Works on Simulator for UI testing; use a real device for actual printing.

Bixolon Bluetooth (SLP-DX220BG)

Prep Label supports the Bixolon SLP-DX220BG (and similar MFi Bixolon label printers) using SLCS commands at 203 dpi.

Printer specifications

Detail

Value

Model

SLP-DX220BG

Type

2-inch direct thermal desktop label printer

Resolution

203 dpi

Max print width

54 mm (2.13 in)

Print speed

Up to 6 ips

iOS pairing

Settings → Bluetooth · default PIN 0000

Prep Label sizes

2×1 in and 2×2 in

Setup steps

  1. Turn on the printer.
  2. On iPhone/iPad: Settings → Bluetooth → pair the printer (PIN 0000 if prompted).
  3. Open Prep Label → Printer tab → select Bixolon (Bluetooth).
  4. Tap Refresh paired printers and select your device.
  5. Tap Print test label to confirm.
  6. Print labels from Label or Batch tab.

Tips

  • Pair in iOS Settings before opening Prep Label.
  • Use 2-inch (58 mm) thermal labels — order from Pieco Direct.
  • If printing fails: power-cycle the printer, forget and re-pair in Bluetooth, refresh in the app, and run Print test label again.
  • Bixolon Bluetooth requires a physical iPhone or iPad (not the Xcode Simulator).

Label sizes

  • 2×1 in — compact prep labels
  • 2×2 in — same width, taller label for more content

Label artwork is rendered at 203 dpi. Match your printer media settings to the stock you use.

Import and export

Import: Products tab → ⋯ → Import products — choose JSON or CSV from Files, iCloud, email, or AirDrop.

Export: Export JSON or Export CSV for backup or editing in a spreadsheet.

Replace vs merge: Import lets you replace the full catalog or merge with existing products (in-app prompt).

Order labels and accessories

Inside the app (Label and Batch tabs), tap Order Labels and Accessories to open:

https://piecodirect.com/collections/prep-label

Troubleshooting

App will not print (AirPrint)

  • Confirm an AirPrint or network printer is on the same Wi‑Fi network.
  • In the iOS print dialog, set correct paper size (2×1 or 2×2).
  • Try printing a single label from the Label tab first.

Bixolon not listed or will not print

  • Printer is paired under Settings → Bluetooth (not only inside the app).
  • PIN 0000 when pairing.
  • Printer tab → Bixolon → Refresh paired printers.
  • Run Print test label before batch printing.
  • Use supported SLP-DX220BG (or MFi Bixolon with SLCS).
  • Restart printer and iPhone/iPad.

Wrong dates on label

  • Check prep date and shelf life on Label tab.
  • Dough: use-by is from prep + shelf life, not from ready time.
  • Receive: date is today when you tap print.

Lost product list

  • Data is stored on the device only. If you deleted the app or erased the device, restore from an exported JSON/CSV backup if you have one.
  • Use Load bundled catalog from the Products ⋯ menu to reload the starter list (does not restore custom edits unless you imported them).

Bluetooth permission

  • Allow Bluetooth when iOS asks — required to discover paired Bixolon printers.

Privacy

Prep Label does not require an account. Product catalogs and printer preferences are saved on your device only. The app does not upload your product list to our servers. Bluetooth is used only to communicate with your label printer.

For the full privacy policy, see: PRIVACY POLICY Page

Contact

Email: ahansalia@piecodirect.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm ET
Include when contacting us: Device model, iOS version, Prep Label app version, printer model (if using Bixolon), and a short description of the issue.

Prep Label is designed for kitchen prep labeling. Pieco Direct sells compatible label stock; printer hardware is manufactured by Bixolon. App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc.