What is Receipt Printer
A receipt printer, known in English as a “Receipt Printer,” is a printing device used to create printed materials like receipts.
It is primarily used in retail stores and restaurants to provide receipts detailing the purchase items and payment amounts when goods or services are offered. Customers can use these receipts as proof of payment and purchase history. These printers often use technologies such as thermal printers to perform fast and durable printing.
Providing receipts allows customers to use their purchase history as proof for product warranties or insurance claims. Additionally, receipts can be printed with promotional information, thus encouraging repeat purchases. The ability to customize the content makes it possible to add designs or logos in line with corporate branding.
Applications of Receipt Printers
Receipt printers are used for various business purposes. Here are some examples of their applications:
1. Retail
Widely used in retail, these printers issue receipts containing purchase details and payment information when customers buy products. Often integrated with POS systems, they help in streamlining inventory management.
2. Food and Beverage Industry
In restaurants and fast-food outlets, receipt printers are used to communicate orders to the kitchen, ensuring clear communication and swift service delivery.
3. Self-Service
In self-service terminals like ticket vending machines and ATMs, receipt printers provide receipts, allowing purchasers to keep a record of their transactions and sellers to track sales.
4. Event Ticket Sales
In event ticket sales for concerts or cinemas, receipt printers are used to issue tickets, facilitating smooth entry by providing receipts and tickets simultaneously.
Principles of Receipt Printers
Receipt printers operate on various principles, with thermal printers being more common nowadays, though dot matrix printers were used previously.
1. Dot Matrix Printer
A dot matrix printer prints dot patterns on paper using small pins. The pins, located on the print head, apply pressure at specific points on the paper to create dot-shaped characters.
2. Thermal Printer
A thermal printer uses heat-sensitive paper for printing. It utilizes a special thermal print head that generates heat to create prints. The print head gets very hot, transferring the ink from a special thermal coating on the paper to create images or text.
Choosing a Receipt Printer
Selecting a receipt printer involves considering several key factors. Here are some elements to consider:
1. Interface
The interface of a receipt printer indicates how it connects to computers or POS systems. Common connections include USB, Ethernet, and Bluetooth.
USB is the most common, compatible with many POS systems and computers. Ethernet is beneficial for large-scale environments as it allows multiple printers to be networked and centrally controlled. Wireless connections like Bluetooth offer greater flexibility in placement due to the absence of communication cables.
2. Paper Size
Paper size refers to the size of receipts the printer supports. Common sizes include widths of 80mm and 57mm. While 57mm paper suits smaller shops, larger retail stores typically use 80mm paper.
3. Font
Font support affects the appearance of printed text. Many receipt printers allow the selection of various font sizes and types. Ensure the printer can select fonts that suit the aesthetics of the receipts.
4. Additional Features
Various additional features are available in receipt printers, such as automatic cutters, image printing, and QR code printing. Consider these features based on your requirements.