A printer configuration system (10) with a radio frequency device (12) with memory (18) for storing a plurality of printer device custom parameter data and a signal pathway (22) for communicating with the radio frequency device (12). The system further comprises a host (20) capable of accessing the radio frequency device (12) through the signal pathway (22) for obtaining the printer device parameter data stored in the radio frequency device (12) which is read by the host (20) via the signal pathway (22) and used by a printer (30) associated with the host (20) to configure printer related functions. The signal pathway (22) can comprises either a direct wired connection or a radio frequency reader (40) on the printer (30) may be used to interrogate the radio frequency device (12) via a wireless connection (42).