Buyer's Guide for POS Receipt Printers

How Do Receipt Printers Work?

Receipt printers, when connected to a computer via a cable interface, receive data from the point of sales software application running on the computer. The data is interpreted through the printer's device driver and subsequently printed.

What Kind of Receipt Printer Do I Buy?

There are a variety of important considerations to factor in when considering what type of receipt printer will work best for your POS needs. These considerations include software requirements & device drivers, cable interfaces, receipt cutting, environment restrictions & additional functionality, and type of receipt printer.

Software Requirements & Device Drivers:

Some software applications only work with specific receipt printer drivers, so it is advisable to check with the software manufacturer to determine the compatibility of a specific receipt printer with your software. Some point of sale applications will require OLE for Point of Sale, OPOS, drivers to properly print receipts, while others may use generic Windows drivers. If your software require OPOS drivers, an Epson or POS-X receipt printer is a fine choice.

If you are replacing an existing POS receipt printer, you don't necessarily have to purchase the same brand because many printers, such as POS-X receipt printers, are made to emulate other brands. Changing emulations, however may require advanced manufacturer support.

Cable Interfaces:

A receipt printer will connect to your PC via a Serial, Parallel, USB, or Ethernet connection. It is important to know the types of cable interfaces available and what they look like. Use the following diagram to determine which connections are available on your computer so you can select the type of interface for your receipt printer.

Receipt Cutting:

Most receipt printers are available with options for either a manual tear bar or an auto cutter for delivering the paper receipt. This is purely a personal preference.

Environment Restrictions & Additional Functionality:

Consider the environment where the receipt printer will be used- at a pos register, in a kitchen, in a quiet setting like a library or waiting room. Different printing methods are suitable or unsuitable for varying locations. For example, impact receipt printers are recommended for kitchens because the receipts they produce are not heat sensitive. Here are some questions to ask why choosing your printer.

Is speed a factor? Do you need color? Will your printer travel with a mobile sales force processing orders in the field? Would you like your receipt printer to also read MICR codes and endorse checks? Do you need to print duplicate receipts?

Answering these questions will prepare you for selecting from the main types for receipt printers on the market, as described in the next section of this guide.

Receipt Printer Types:

Impact Receipt Printers: Impact receipt printers are the most flexible and economical of all receipt printers on the market. They use ink ribbons to impact the receipt like a standard dot matrix printer. They can print 2-ply receipt, copies for both vendor and customer. Most impact receipt printers have the option to print up to two colors- the standard colors are black and red, but this requires purchase of separate ribbons. Receipt are not affected by heat.

Recommended Use: Kitchens/heat-intensive environments; in any retail pos environment where duplicate receipts or two-color printing are required.

Models to Try: POS-X Xr200 or Epson TM-U220

Direct Thermal Receipt Printers: Direct thermal receipt printers use heat to create an image on paper. A direct thermal receipt printer does not use a ribbon to print the image on the paper- it uses special paper. The printer head activates the heat-sensitive coating on this paper to create the image. Direct thermal printers offer low total cost of ownership, with no ribbon to replace, and are our most popular type of receipt printer. Direct thermal printers are fast, quiet, and you can even upload image, such as logos, directly to the firmware for increase printing speed.

Recommended Use: Any point of sale environment where exposure to heat not a factor.

Models to Try: POS-X Xr500 or Epson TM-T88IV

Ink Jet Receipt Printer: Ink jet receipt printers are fast and quiet, and typically offer two-color printing, black and red. They provide an avenue for graphic-intensive designs, which can be used for printing coupons and logos for a one-of-a-kind look.

Recommended Use: Any point of sale environment where direct marketing on receipts is desired.

Models to try: Ithaca POSJet 1000 or KitchenJet 1000

POS Multi-function Receipt Printer: Multifunction POS receipt printers offer combined features such as receipt printing, slip printing, MICR font reading and check endorsement. These feature combinations vary by model, and the print methods range from thermal and inkjet to impact. Combination receipt printers are more expensive than single-function receipt printers.

Recommended Use: In point of sale set ups were slip printing or validation of checks or other documents is required and not handled by existing POS hardware. Models to try: Epson TM-H6000II or TM-J7100

Portable Receipt Printer: Portable POS receipt printers are mobile units that run on rechargeable batteries. Depending on the model, a portable POS printer will print receipts using BlueTooth wireless technology, or will attach directly to a PDA-style handheld device to receive the printable data. The technology and mobility advantages of these devices dictate their higher price.

Recommended Use: Mobile sales force taking orders on PDA devices in the field; busy or large-scale floor sales environment; outdoor environments. Models to try: Epson Mobilink or Datecs PP-55

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