FORWARD ZERO - How To Print Custom Films - Android & PC

Please note the process of printing custom films is currently only available on Andriod and PC.

You will need a printer with a flat feed. At iParts4U, we have used a Cannon G1520 printer.

Ensure the printer you have chosen to use is set up correctly and switched on.

If you are struggling with the setup of your printer then please consult your printer user guide.

PLEASE NOTE: The printing preferences used in this guide are based on the Canon G1520 and may differ depending on what printer you’re using.

Once your printer is installed correctly you will need to set it up for printing on the Forward Back films.

To do this you would need to open the settings for your PC, select "devices", and click "devices and printers" on the right hand side.

This should open a list of all devices and printers connected to your PC. Right Click the printer you wish to use to print out your custom films and select printing preferences.

In the "Devices and Printer" window, ensure the printer you wish to use is selected, and click the "Print Server Properties" which can now be seen below the search bar along the top.

Within the Print Server Properties window, you will need to check the "Create a new form" box. This will allow you to set a name for the new form, set it as something appropriate for the cut. In this case we will call it 120x185, to represent the size of the Forward blank films.

Under the "form description (measurements) section we will need to change the units to metric, following this please set the paper size to 12.00cm Width and 18.50cm Height to match that of the Forward blank films.

You would also need to set each area of the "printer area margins" to 0.41cm.

Once this is done click "Ok" at the bottom which will close the window.

Reopen the "Print server properties" window as shown in the previous step and ensure the form we just created is selected. Press "Ok" to close again.

Within the printing preferences, you need to ensure the paper size and type are correct. So select "Photo Printing" within the "Commonly Used Settings" (this would be on standard by default)

Within the "additional features" uncheck the "Borderless Printing" check box.

Ensure the drop down for the "Printer Paper Size" is set to the 120x185 preset we made and set to portrait. You can close this window and head back to the "Devices and Printers" window.

This step may not be required for you. With the settings for the Canon G1520 we found that rotating the page 180 degrees allowed for a better print.

At the top of the printing preferences page select the "Page Setup" tab to take you to the page setup.

Within the page setup settings, check the "Rotate 180 degrees" checkbox and click "Apply".

Download the "Printserver" application Here and extract it to its own folder. (you will need an extraction application that can open Rar files such as WinRAR)

Also ensure the Zero Plotter App is installed on your mobile device. Please note you will need to open this link on your phone to download the app.

This step will assume you have followed other guides , can log into your account and can find the device you wish to cut for.

Once you have found the device you wish to cut a custom back film for, click the "Customized back film" button and choose "PC Print Server" on the next prompt.

Please insert the Forward Zero Cutter Key into the USB port on your PC, this is a key to activate the print server software downloaded in step 6.

Launch the Print Server application on your PC, a prompt will appear letting you know which version of the compiler it was built with; this is irrelevant to us so just click ok. Once you have clicked OK, the print server will be running as a QR code on your screen. The application is represented by a JB logo on your taskbar.

On your mobile device, click the + symbol in the top right corner of the app and scan the QR code on your computer with your mobile device and pair your device to the print server.

You would need to be connected to the same network with both your mobile device and pc for the connection to work.

This is where you select the imagery you wish to use for the custom cover. You can either take a real time photograph or upload one from your camera roll.

You will have two options, they are "Photo" and "Camera". "Camera" will give you the option to take a real time photo and "Photo" will give you the option to choose an existing image form your image gallery.

If you are taking a real time photo, simply take the photo, and once you are happy with it, click "OK" in the top right corner, you can then select the photo from your camera roll.

If the image you wish to use is already in your camera roll, simply select the camera roll and choose the image required.

Once it has been selected you can resize the image using your fingers and rotate the image using the rotate button in the bottom right corner. You can also turn the cut preview off and on in order to better position the design on the device.

There are two types of films in your blank sublimation back film. It's important to know the difference between both films. One of the films is to be used for printing and the other is to be applied after printing.

The film that is applied AFTER printing has a thin strip at the top. The film to be used FOR printing does not have a thin strip at the top. This is the easiest way to differentiate the two.

Load the printer with the blank film into your printer. Place the film so that the matte side would be the side printed on.

If you make a mistake and print on the wrong side, don't worry, take a dry cloth or tissue and wipe it off. You may need to apply a bit of pressure.

Adjust your printer to support the films as necessary.

Once you are happy click the print picture button found in the bottom left which will take you to the printing page.

Here you would need to select the image you wish to use again, if you select "choose" it will give you the option to choose the image you had prepared in the previous steps.

Once you have confirmed your printer in the top drop down you can select the "printing" option on print.

Once you have selected "Printing" on the Zero Plotter App, your film will begin printing.

Once the film has been printed, please handle with care, the ink will remain wet until you place the protective film over the top.

Grab your second film with the thin strip at the top. (Refer to Step 15 if unsure).

Peel the top layer of the protective film.

Take the thin sticky strip end and position it over the top of the printed film, this would need to be at the top as the cutting of the film naturally is lower down the sheet.

Firmly press the thin strip into place with your finger, then grab a Large Application Tool and prepare to apply the film.

Using a flat surface and a Large Application Tool firmly press the film into place.

Proceed to our guide here to learn how to cut the films with a Forward cutter.

Once cut you can remove the outer layer of the film.

You can now apply the back film to your phone.