If you’ve seen Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, you may remember hearing Qui-Gon Jinn say, “There’s always a bigger fish.” Well, when you’re in the market for a new receipt printer, chances are that you want to know what the “biggest fish” actually is before you complete your purchase.
Below are some of the most important attributes to consider when choosing a new receipt printer. Hopefully this article will help you avoid the hassle of figuring out which printer will be best for you.
1. Interface Options
You need to make sure that your printer will connect to your computer or network. Here’s another blog post on printer interface options if you’d like to learn more.
2. Thermal vs. Impact
“He’s holding a thermal…printer!” Ok, maybe this doesn’t sound as urgent as C-3PO’s warning about thermal detonators in the Return of the Jedi, but thermal receipt printers (direct thermal) do pack a powerful punch. They are faster and quieter – plus you don’t have to bother with ink cartridges or ribbons. Thermal printers are the most popular type of receipt printers used these days. The choice is clear. Thermal is the way to go.
3. Tear Bar vs. Auto-Cutter
If you need to print multiple receipts or tickets at a time, consider whether you want the receipts to print individually or so that they’re still slightly attached? The serrated edge of a tear bar allows the receipt to be easily torn from the printer, while an auto-cutter slices almost all the way across a receipt, leaving just a little bit uncut. If you have multiple print orders or duplicate credit card receipts, auto-cutter is your best bet. If you don’t need a signature after every transaction, then tear bar is probably a good option.
4. Accessories
Before ordering a receipt printer, read the description thoroughly to make sure you’re getting the accessories that you need. Some printers come standard with a power supply cord or interface cable, while others do not. You’ll want to be sure to have all the parts you need to start using the printer immediately once it is shipped to you.
There is a lot to think about when ordering a receipt printer, but I hope this information has taught you well. If you are still unsure about what to purchase, please contact us before ordering. Wouldn’t you prefer to have the features you want and accessories you need to get up and running upon delivery? May the force be with you.