> ## 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.

# Split Printing

> Route storekit order items to different printers based on menu category. Send drinks to the bar printer and food to the kitchen for faster service.

Split printing sends different parts of an order to different printers. This is essential for venues where drinks are prepared at the bar and food is prepared in the kitchen.

## How It Works

When an order comes in containing items from multiple categories:

* **Drinks** print at the bar printer
* **Food** prints at the kitchen printer
* **Desserts** print at the pastry station

Each printer only receives the items relevant to that station, reducing confusion and speeding up preparation.

<Note>
  Split printing requires two or more connected printers. See [Printer Setup](/guides/printing/printer-setup) to connect additional printers.
</Note>

## Setting Up Split Printing

### Step 1: Connect Multiple Printers

Before configuring split printing, ensure you have at least two printers connected:

1. Open your [storekit dashboard](https://dashboard.storekit.com)
2. Select your store
3. Go to **Settings** → **Printers**
4. Verify you have two or more printers showing as **Online**

If you only have one printer, [add another printer](/guides/printing/printer-setup) first.

### Step 2: Assign Categories to Printers

1. Go to **Menu** in your dashboard
2. Click on a category (e.g., "Drinks")
3. Select the **Printing** tab
4. Tick the printer(s) that should receive orders from this category
5. Click **Save changes**
6. Repeat for each category

### Example Setup

| Category         | Printer |
| ---------------- | ------- |
| Starters         | Kitchen |
| Mains            | Kitchen |
| Desserts         | Kitchen |
| Soft Drinks      | Bar     |
| Alcoholic Drinks | Bar     |
| Coffee           | Bar     |

## Default Behaviour

**No printers assigned to category:** The category prints to **all** printers. Every printer receives items from that category.

**Printers assigned to category:** The category **only** prints to the assigned printer(s).

<Tip>
  You only need to configure categories you want to route to specific printers. Leave other categories unconfigured and they'll continue printing to all printers.
</Tip>

## Common Setups

### Restaurant (Kitchen + Bar)

| Category             | Printer         |
| -------------------- | --------------- |
| All food categories  | Kitchen Printer |
| All drink categories | Bar Printer     |

### Cafe (Kitchen + Coffee Station)

| Category                | Printer         |
| ----------------------- | --------------- |
| Food, Pastries          | Kitchen Printer |
| Hot Drinks, Cold Drinks | Coffee Station  |

### Large Kitchen (Multiple Stations)

| Category         | Printer        |
| ---------------- | -------------- |
| Starters, Salads | Cold Station   |
| Mains, Sides     | Hot Station    |
| Desserts         | Pastry Station |
| Drinks           | Bar            |

## Printing to Multiple Printers

A category can be assigned to multiple printers. This is useful when:

* You want a **master copy** at a pass/expediting station
* Multiple stations prepare items from the same category
* You need backup copies for busy periods

To print a category to multiple printers, simply tick multiple printers in the category's Printing settings.

## Tips

<Tip>
  **Start simple.** Begin with two printers (kitchen + bar) and add more stations as needed. It's easier to add complexity than to debug a complicated setup.
</Tip>

* **Label your printers clearly** - Use descriptive names like "Kitchen" and "Bar" rather than "Printer 1" and "Printer 2"
* **Test after setup** - Place a test order with items from different categories to verify routing
* **Check all categories** - Make sure every category is assigned to at least one printer
* **Consider expediting** - Some venues assign all categories to a "Pass" printer for the expeditor