Setting up ArcGIS Print service for ArcGIS Online account?

Level Up Your ArcGIS Online Maps: Setting Up a Custom Print Service

So, you’re using ArcGIS Online, and you need to print maps. Simple, right? Well, the built-in printing options are fine for basic stuff, but what if you need something more… you? Something with your branding, your layouts, and that extra oomph that makes your maps stand out? That’s where a custom print service comes in. Think of it as giving your ArcGIS Online maps a serious printing upgrade.

Why bother with a custom print service anyway? Good question! ArcGIS Online’s default print service is okay, but it’s like using a generic template when you really need a custom-tailored suit. A custom print service lets you do things like:

• Show off your brand: Use your own map templates, complete with logos and that special design flair that screams “you.”
• Get the details right: Make sure those fancy symbols and layer effects actually look fancy when printed. We’re talking accurate representation, people!
• Handle secure stuff: Print maps that include those layers locked down tighter than Fort Knox.
• Automate those reports: Generate dynamic reports by utilizing output data sources.

Basically, it’s about having the power to create truly professional, high-quality printed maps.

Now, how do you actually do this? There are generally two main paths you can take:

Keep in mind: you can’t just publish a print service directly to ArcGIS Online. Nope. You need an ArcGIS Server (either on its own or linked to ArcGIS Enterprise) and then point ArcGIS Online to that service. It’s a middleman situation.

Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Here’s how to build your own custom print service, assuming you’ve got ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Server handy:

1. Design Your Dream Layouts in ArcGIS Pro:

• Fire up ArcGIS Pro and design those map layouts. Think about page size, how it’s oriented, and where everything goes.
• Add some “dynamic text” – things like the title, your name, the date – so the map automatically fills itself in.
• If you’re feeling fancy and have multiple map frames, name one “WEBMAP_MAP_FRAME” (exactly like that, case matters!). This tells the web tool which frame to update.
• Save those layouts as .pagx files. These are your blueprints.

2. Publish That Print Service!

• In ArcGIS Pro, find the “Export Web Map” tool (it’s in the Printing toolbox). This gets your web map ready for printing.
• Run the “Get Layout Templates Info” script tool. This adds info about your layouts to the print service.
• Publish the whole thing as a geoprocessing service to your ArcGIS Server. Make sure it’s set to “Synchronous” if you want to use it with Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS.
• Tweak the service settings, pointing it to the folder with your layout templates.
• Give the ArcGIS Server account access to that folder! This is super important, or the print service won’t be able to find your layouts.

3. Hook Up ArcGIS Online:

• Log into ArcGIS Online as the big cheese (administrator).
• Head to Organization Settings, then Utility Services.
• In the Printing section, paste in the URL of your print service. Make sure it includes the “Export Web Map” part.
• If your print service is locked down, create a secure service item in ArcGIS Online to store the login details.

4. (Optional) Tweak Those Templates in ArcGIS Online:

• ArcGIS Online lets you mess with the print templates even further. You can create new ones, edit existing ones, or delete the ones you don’t like. Just remember, these changes only live in ArcGIS Online, they don’t change the underlying print service.

5. Share Layout Template Items (June 2024 Update and later):

• As of June 2024, you can now publish layout template items straight to ArcGIS Online from ArcGIS Pro! This is a game changer!
• Create a group in ArcGIS Online and share your layout template items with it.
• Tell ArcGIS Online to use that group for layout templates in the Utility Services settings.
• Now, anyone with a Professional or Professional Plus user type can print using those layouts without needing their own print server. Pretty sweet, huh?

A Few Pro Tips:

• Security is key: Protect your print service, especially if it’s dealing with sensitive info.
• Speed matters: Optimize your layouts and service settings so printing doesn’t take forever.
• Layouts are dynamic: If you register your layout templates folder with ArcGIS Server, updates to the layouts will be immediately available. If you add a new layout, you’ll need to restart the printing service.
• HTTPS or bust: The print service URL must use HTTPS for ArcGIS Online to accept it. No exceptions!
• Legends can be tricky: Legends don’t always play nice with certain layer settings. If your legend’s acting up, consider a custom print template.
• User Types: Printing from custom layout items published directly to ArcGIS Online requires users to have a Professional or Professional Plus user type .

What’s New?

ArcGIS Online is always getting better. Here are a couple of recent highlights:

• November 2024: You can now browse for print templates right from the print tool and save your prints as ArcGIS Online items.
• June 2024: Printing from layout template items published directly to ArcGIS Online is now a thing! This means you might not even need your own print server anymore (it’s still in beta, though).

Wrapping Up

Setting up a custom print service for ArcGIS Online might seem a little daunting at first, but trust me, it’s worth it. You’ll get maps that look exactly the way you want them to, with your branding, your layouts, and that extra touch of awesome. So go ahead, give it a try! Your maps (and your users) will thank you for it.