There are many models of printers in the market to look
for. The most common are the dot matrix
or also known as impact printers, thermal printers and multi-functional
printers. However, before you decide to
buy a printer for your POS system, you must consider the software requirements,
hardware compatibility, device drivers, and option of receipt cutting feature
in the printer, cable interfaces, environmental restrictions and added
benefits.
Some of the printers will work only with specific device
drivers and software applications. You
wouldn't want to buy a printer that has limited use in your business. Assuming that one of your receipt printer
breaks down at one of the many POS systems you have, your printer must have the
ability to fill in the place of the printer that broke down. The printer must also be compatible with the
Operating System that you are currently using.
It is a wise choice to opt for a printer that is compatible with
multiple OS.
Even though most of the printers can work with Windows
drivers, some printers will require OLE or
OPOS drivers to print the receipts. Ask
you dealer about the compatibility issues that you might have with the printers
and your POS.
You can replace your existing printer with a printer from
any brand. Most of them are manufactured
in such a way to emulate most of the other brands. However, asking your dealer about the options
to replace the existing printer will be a good decision.
The receipt printer can connect to your POS system through a
cable interface, which can be serial, parallel, USB or Ethernet
connection. All the printers will
support at least the basic type of interface, i.e. the serial and parallel
interface. In some of the printers, the USB interface is an option. If you think a particular printer fits your
requirements perfectly, but doesn't have an interface that you are for, ask the
dealer about adding an additional interface.
They usually can do it but at an extra cost.
Another feature to look for in the printer is the option of
receipt cutting. There are two types of
receipt cutting: partial and full. If
you do not want a receipt cutter option in your printer, go for a manual receipt
cutting option. If you run a huge
business that has a streamline of customers at the checkouts, it is better to
have an auto-receipt cutter option since it will save time. However, for places like a small grocery
store or any other business establishments that do not have a heavy inflow of
customers, you can opt for the manual receipt-cutting printer.
The printers come with the option of single color printing and 2-color
printing. Printers with the option of
two-color printing come with black and red color for printing purposes. Usually the logo of your company is printed in
red and the remaining details of the transaction in black. You can use the red color to highlight any
special deals, discounts and privileges received by the customer.
One thing you must bear in mind before purchasing the
printer is the environment it will be used in.
Will you use the printer in the kitchen, POS, hospital, temperature
controlled settings etc. There are
different printers that fit into the above categories. If you end up buying a printer that doesn't
suit the environment, your printer will not work properly.
Ask these questions before you buy a printer: Do you need a
printer with 2-color? Do you need auto receipt cutting option? Do you need a
printer that can handle the printing of receipts, labels and barcodes? What is
the speed of the printer you expect to have? Do you want your printer to
accommodate huge printing rolls? Do you
want a drop-in paper loading mechanism?
Do you want a printer that can print 2-ply and three-ply receipts? Do you want to endorse checks and read MICR
codes using your printer?
As you read the above questions, more questions will pop
up. Make sure that you address all the
questions with the dealer before making the purchase.
How many types of printers are there?
Basically there are 3 types of printers: Impact, Thermal and
Multifunctional.
1. Impact Printers: Impact printers are also known by the name of Dot-Matrix
printers. These printers are not only
less expensive but also flexible. They
use pins and ribbons to print on the paper.
The printers can print two-ply receipts, one for the customer and the
other for the vendor. These printers are
resistant to heat and make an ideal choice for use in the kitchen. The printer can print two colors - black and
red. However, you must purchase the
required ribbons to print the above said colors.
Where can Impact printers be used?
Kitchens, POS checkouts, manufacturing units that have too
much heat, places that require 2-ply receipts printed in 2 colors.
2. Thermal Printers: Thermal receipt printers as the name
suggests, use heat to print the image on the paper. They do not use ribbons and pins to print the
images. You require special receipt
paper to use with your Thermal printer.
The paper has a special heat sensitive coating that is activated on
coming in contact with the printer head.
The printer does not require you to replace ribbons and are cost less to
own and maintain. You can upload the
logo directly to the firmware to increase the speed of printing. These printers
must not be used at places like the kitchen or any other environment that is
prone to heat.
3. Multifunctional printers: These printers are used to carry out multiple functions
apart from printing receipts. The multifunctional printers are used to endorse
checks, read MICR codes, and print slips.
These printers are more expensive than the previously mentioned ones due
to their versatility. These printers can
be used at checkouts to print receipts or in concurrence with POS set-ups.
