POS Receipt Printers
Thermal Receipt Printers
Software & Compatibility
The most important consideration when buying a receipt printer is checking compatibility with your EPOS software and platform (iOS, Mac, Android, Windows, etc.) Without compatibility, you won’t be printing anything!
Using iPad or Android for your POS? Give us a call, as we’ve built an exhaustive compatibility database and will be able to help. If not, try us or ask your software vendor.
Interfaces
Once you know which receipt printers will work with your software, you can now choose which interface suits your setup best. The interface describes how the printer communicates with your POS. Each type has different properties, pros, cons and affects how you’ll need to arrange your store so it’s critical to get the choice right.
Name | Type | How it works | Limitations | Best for |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bluetooth | Wireless | The printer is connected to your POS device wirelessly via Bluetooth. You can also use other Bluetooth accessories (e.g. a card reader) at the same time. | You can only connect one EPOS device to one printer and vice versa | One printer to one EPOS device setups. Mobile locations where there's no local network. |
Ethernet (LAN) | Wired | The printer is plugged into your WiFi router or network switch with an ethernet cable. It's then available to print from other devices on the network (cabled or over WiFI) | You'll need a local area network (LAN). | Multi-printer and multi-EPOS setups, e.g. printing receipts from multiple tablets to one printer. |
USB | Wired | The printer is connected to your EPOS device with a USB cable. | You can only connect to one EPOS device from the printer | |
Lightning | Wired | The printer is connected to your iPad or iPhone EPOS device with a USB to Lightning cable. | You can only connect one EPOS device to one printer and vice versa. We recommend a maximum length of 5m for the Lightning cable | iPad EPOS setups where you have one receipt printer per iPad |
WiFi (WLAN) | Wireless | The printer is connected wirelessly to your WiFi network with it's built in WiFi radio. It will then be available as a network printer | Tricky to setup and may cause problems | We don't recommend WiFi printers unless you can't use another option. |
AirPrint | Wireless | |||
Cloud / Intelligent | Wireless | These printers have built-in web-servers allowing you to print directly to the printer from a web application. | You'll always need an internet connection to print, if it goes down you won't be able to print | For when you aren't printing from a device in the same location, e.g. printing new orders from your online ordering platform |
Features & Performance
After you’ve narrowed down your choice to compatible models and your chosen interface, you can consider the feature specification differences.
Print Speed: How fast receipts pop out can be an important consideration, especially for quick service restaurants and fast-paced retail stores.
Paper Width: Most stationary printers will print on the universal 80x80mm size paper you find in every high-street store. However, you do have choices if you have particular needs like printing large format receipts/invoices or prefer the paper-saving, inexpensive smaller width rolls.
Economy: Some printer models, in particular, the Star TSP143ECO have built-in features to help save paper and power. Auto-switch off and margin reduction features help reduce the environmental impact of printing.
Durability:
Warranty: Typically the printers we sell will come with a decent warranty period of 3-4 years, although this does not apply to every model. Warranties are provided by the manufacturer, typically under RTB (Return to base) terms. That means you’ll be responsible for shipping a faulty unit back to the manufacturer.
Working with Cash Drawers
The most common way for a cash drawer to
Consumables & Accessories
Depending on the type of receipt printer you plan to use, you’ll need to consider the consumables you’ll need to actually print and optionally add accessories to your setup.
Splash Guards: If your printer will be in the kitchen, the bar or anywhere where there’s a chance it could get wet, a splash guard is the best investment you can make to prolong the life of your printer. A simple, inexpensive moulded plastic attachment, it will help cover exposed parts to prevent water damage.
Buzzers: When it’s critical to hear new orders come through as they print out, add a plug-in buzzer to your printer. You’ll plug this into the RJ11 port on the back of the printer, so you won’t be able to also use a cash drawer.
Interfaces: Some printer models allow for swapping out the interface card. This means you can upgrade your printer from serial to Ethernet (LAN) connectivity buying just a new interface rather than a whole new printer. Typically easy to install, you’ll just need a screwdriver and 5 minutes. Shop our printer interface boards here.
Power Supplies: Some models use external power supplies – meaning you’ll have a power brick similar to a laptop charger rather than just a cable. We don’t like bad surprises so every printer listed on StoreKit will always come with the power supply included, but if you need a replacement you can find ours here.
Paper: All receipt printers will need paper, at least for now! You’ll need to check both the printing technology type (thermal vs impact) and the paper sizing (width and diameter, e.g. 80x80mm). You’ll find our paper here.
Ribbons: Impact / dot-matrix printers use ink to print out so you’ll need to buy new ink ribbons over time. Always buy branded ribbons to prevent wear-and-tear to the printers mechanisms.
Mounting: Most of the stationary printers we sell include wall mounting kits in the box, but not all of them so do check first. You’ll also find vertical stands for some models, and belt clips for mobile printers.
-
Star Micronics mPOP Bluetooth Printer and Cash Drawer
POS Receipt Printers, Front Opening, Cash Drawers, POS PrintersA best seller, the Star mPOP combines both a cash drawer and receipt printer into a Bluetooth-enabled, compact unit. The mPOP is perfect for low-mid volume vendors who are looking for a simple, integrated point of sale solution.
- Small footprint saves counter space (308 x 300 x 100mm)
- 4 upright note holders and 6 coin slots
- Free dual tablet stand included
- Software controlled cash drawer lock with emergency release
- Optional 1D CCD Barcode Scanner
- Integrated with 30+ POS software solutions (Check yours here)
Star mPOP POS Integrations
AirPOS
Cash Or Card POS
CloudPOS
Eirpoint
Reply
Eskimo POS
Hike POS
Intelligent POS
Inventorum
iZettle POS
Kobas
iVend Retail
Medoc
Meza
MobiPOS
Nova POS
Pay desk
PayPal POS
PCS Technology
Quetzal POS
Retail Cloud
Salon Iris
Shopbox
ShopKonnect
ShopTill-e
Shopwave
Sumup
SWOOPOS
TicketingHub
Totelier
Treat well
Vend
Wirecard POS
-
Star TSP143LAN Ethernet Printer
POS Receipt Printers, POS PrintersThe Star Micronics TSP143iiiLAN printer is a fast, efficient and compact thermal receipt printer. You’ll connect this printer directly into your WiFi router or network switch so you can print from your WiFi or LAN connected POS system.
- 22 Receipts/minute
- Wired Ethernet/LAN (Cable included)
- Internal power supply
- Wall mount and bracket included
- Autocutter enabled
-
Star TSP654IIBI Bluetooth Printer
POS Receipt Printers, POS PrintersThe Star TSP654 BT printer is a fast, reliable, thermal receipt printer. Connects directly to your Bluetooth enabled tablet or phone for cable-free printing.
- 300mm / minute printer speed
- Auto connects to the last device
- “Drop-In & Print” Paper Loading
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Power supply and cable included
- Wall mount and bracket included
Note: This model is no longer supported by Uber Eats. For Uber Eats you’ll need the TSP143IIIBI
-
Star TSP143IIIU USB iOS Printer
POS Receipt Printers, POS PrintersThe Star TSP143iiiU is a great value, USB thermal receipt printer. Connect to your Windows, Mac or uniquely your iOS device (iPad, iPhone) to print customer receipts with the included printer drivers. Connect print data and charge your iPad at the same time.
- USB Connection (Cable included)
- “Drop-In & Print” Paper Loading
- Wall mount and bracket included
- Autocutter enabled