> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://storekit.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Set up a Star Micronics cloud printer
> Set up Star Micronics CloudPRNT receipt printers with storekit over WiFi or ethernet to print kitchen and order tickets automatically.
storekit integrates with Star Micronics cloud printers to print order tickets automatically or on-demand. Printers connect to your network via WiFi or ethernet (hardwired is recommended for reliability) and receive jobs from the cloud - no cables to your computer required.
## When to Use Direct Printing
Connect a printer if:
* **You're not POS-integrated** - Orders need to reach your kitchen somehow
* **You want fallback reliability** - Print orders automatically when your POS integration fails (see [Fallback Printing](/guides/printing/fallback-printing))
If you're POS-integrated, your POS typically handles printing. But connecting a storekit printer as a fallback ensures you never miss an order if the POS connection drops.
## Supported Printers
| Model | Type | Notes |
| ------------------- | ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Star TSP100IV** | Thermal | Recommended - fast, reliable, easy setup |
| **Star MC Print 3** | Thermal | Compact design, front-loading paper |
| **Star MC Print 2** | Thermal | Budget-friendly option |
| **Star SP742** | Dot matrix | Kitchen printer - heat/splash resistant (CloudPRNT model only) |
You can buy pre-configured printers ready for storekit from [Commandear](https://commandear.com/products/storekit-configures-star-tsp143iv-receipt-printer).
## What You'll Need
Before starting, make sure you have the following:
1. **A Star Micronics printer** — one of the supported models listed above
2. **An ethernet (LAN) cable** — for connecting the printer to your router
3. **A router with internet access** — the printer connects to storekit via the cloud
4. **The Star Quick Setup Utility app** on your phone or tablet:
* [iOS (iPhone/iPad)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/star-quick-setup-utility/id1549088652)
* [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.starmicronics.starquicksetuputility)
## Before You Start
Run through this checklist to avoid common setup problems:
Connect one end of the ethernet cable to the printer's LAN port and the other end to a spare port on your router (or network switch).
Plug in the power cable and switch the printer on. You should see a blue or green light on the front panel.
Make sure the device running the Star Quick Setup Utility is connected to the same WiFi network that your router provides — not a guest network or mobile data.
If your router is far from where you want the printer, use a long ethernet cable, a network switch, or a 4G router with a LAN port placed near the printer.
## Setup Steps
Your Star printer must be connected to your router via an ethernet (LAN) cable for reliable cloud printing. WiFi-only setups are not recommended and may fail to connect. Ensure you have a LAN cable available before starting setup. If your router is not near the printer, use a long LAN cable, network switch, or a 4G router with a LAN port.
### Step 1: Connect Printer via Ethernet (LAN Cable)
1. Plug one end of the ethernet cable into the **LAN port** on the back of your printer
2. Plug the other end into a spare port on your router
3. Power on your printer — wait for the light to turn blue or green
4. Open the **Star Quick Setup Utility** app on your phone or tablet
5. Select your printer model from the list
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the network connection
The printer must be on the same WiFi network as your venue's internet connection. Guest networks or networks with client isolation may not work.
### Step 2: Get the MAC Address
The MAC address is a unique identifier for your printer. You'll need it to register the printer with storekit.
**To perform a self-print test:**
1. Turn off the printer
2. Hold down the **FEED** button
3. While holding FEED, turn the printer back on
4. Release the button when the test page starts printing
The MAC address is printed on the test page in the format `00:11:62:XX:XX:XX`.
For detailed self-print instructions for your specific model, see the [Star Micronics documentation](https://www.star-m.jp/products/s_print/mcprint3/manual/en/basicOperations/testPrint.htm).
### Step 3: Add Printer in storekit
1. Open your [storekit dashboard](https://dashboard.storekit.com)
2. Select your store from the list
3. Go to **Settings** → **Printers**
4. Click **Connect new printer**
5. Select your printer model
6. Enter a name (e.g., "Kitchen Printer", "Bar Printer")
7. Enter the MAC address from the test print
8. Configure your print settings (see below)
9. Click **Add printer**
The printer will appear as "Pending confirmation" until it successfully connects to storekit's cloud print service.
### Step 4: Confirm Connection
Once the printer connects:
1. Click **Connect printer** next to the pending printer
2. The printer will print a confirmation receipt
3. Status will change to **Online**
You can click the printer icon anytime to send a test print.
## Printer Settings
| Setting | Options | Description |
| ------------------------ | -------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Name** | Text | Display name shown in dashboard |
| **Text size** | Medium / Large | Font size on printed tickets |
| **Print item prices** | On / Off | Show prices for each item |
| **Print admin comments** | On / Off | Include internal notes on tickets |
| **Auto / Manual print** | Auto / Manual | When to print (see below) |
| **Copies** | 1-4 | Number of copies per order |
| **Buffer** | 0-720 minutes | Delay for pre-orders |
## Auto vs Manual Printing
### Auto Print
Orders print automatically as soon as they're accepted. Best for:
* High-volume venues
* Kitchens that work from printed tickets
* Reducing manual steps in order flow
### Manual Print
Orders only print when you click the print button in the dashboard. Best for:
* Low-volume venues
* When you prefer to review orders on screen first
* Venues using tablets as the primary order display
## Pre-Order Buffer
The buffer setting delays printing for pre-orders until closer to the collection/delivery time.
**Example:** A customer places an order at 10am for 2pm collection.
* **Buffer = 0**: Prints immediately at 10am
* **Buffer = 30**: Prints at 1:30pm (30 minutes before collection)
* **Buffer = 60**: Prints at 1pm (60 minutes before collection)
A 30-60 minute buffer works well for most kitchens - long enough to prepare the order, short enough that tickets don't pile up.
If pre-orders aren't printing as expected, see the [Pre-Order Printing troubleshooting guide](/guides/printing/troubleshooting#pre-order-printing) for common issues and solutions.
## Printer Status
The dashboard shows real-time printer status:
* 🟢 **Online** - Printer connected and ready
* 🔴 **Offline** - Printer not reachable
If a printer shows offline:
1. Check the printer is powered on
2. Verify it's connected to WiFi (check printer's network light)
3. Ensure the printer is on the same network as when it was set up
4. Try power cycling the printer
## Common Issues
| Problem | What to Check |
| ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Printer not found in the app** | Ensure the ethernet cable is firmly plugged in at both ends (printer and router). Confirm your router has internet — try loading a webpage on your phone. Make sure your phone is on the same network as the router. |
| **Test receipt not printing** | Check that paper is loaded correctly and the paper cover is fully closed. Open the cover, reseat the roll, and close until it clicks. |
| **Printer showing a red light** | A steady red light means the cover is open; a flashing red light means out of paper. Paper jams can also cause a red light. Open the cover, clear any jammed paper, reload the roll, and close the cover firmly. |
| **Printer stuck on "Pending confirmation"** | The printer hasn't reached storekit's cloud yet. Verify the ethernet cable connection and that your router has internet access. Power cycle the printer and wait 2 minutes. |
For more advanced troubleshooting — including LED status codes, network diagnostics, and pre-order printing issues — see the full [Printer Troubleshooting Guide](/guides/printing/troubleshooting).
## Need Help?
If you've tried the steps above and your printer still isn't working, our support team can walk you through it over the phone.
Call **020 3318 9890** — available 8 AM – 1 AM GMT, 7 days a week.