The Star mC-Print3 receipt printer connects to your network with a LAN cable, or to your iPad with a USB cable. To set up the Star mC-Print3, you’ll need to insert paper into the printer, connect the printer to your network or iPad, and add the printer to the Back Office. The specific setup steps will vary depending on whether you choose to set up a LAN or USB connection.

What you'll need

• Star mC-Print3 printer
• Power cable
• LAN cable (for LAN setup)
• Lightning to USB cable (for USB setup)
• Paper roll (57 x 40 mm)
  • Test roll included
  • Full rolls sold separately

Inserting the paper roll

1. Pull the lever on the left-hand side on the front of the printer to open the printer’s cover.
2. Insert the paper roll so the paper feeds over the top, while making sure the roll remains tight.
3. Pull the paper out past the cutter at the front of the printer.
4. Push the cover to snap the lever shut.

Once you’ve inserted paper into your printer, you’re ready to connect your printer to your network.

Connecting the Star mC-Print3 to your network or iPad

The Star mC-Print3 can be set up using a LAN cable to connect to your network, or a USB cable to connect to your iPad. The specific setup steps will vary depending on whether you choose to connect to your network or iPad.

• Connecting the Star mC-Print3 LAN to your network

  1. Remove the back cover of your printer.
  2. Plug the LAN cable into the LAN port of your printer.
  3. Plug the other end of the LAN cable into the LAN port of your router.
  4. Connect the power cable to your printer.
  5. Plug the other end of the power cable into an electrical outlet.
  6. Reattach the back cover of your printer.
  7. Push the power button to turn on your printer. You’ll know you’ve correctly turned on your printer when the LED light flashes green.

  Once your printer is connected to your network, you’re ready to print a self-test page.

  Printing a self-test page

  The self-test page lists your printer’s Hardware address and IP address, which you'll need to add your printer to the Back Office later on.

  1. Turn off your printer.
  2. Hold down the feed button and press the power button until the self-test page prints.
  3. Release the feed button to stop printing.
  4. Hold onto the self-test page, as the information will be important for the next section.

  Once you’ve printed the self-test page, you’re ready to add your printer to the Back Office.

• Connecting the Star mC-Print3 USB to your iPad

  1. Remove the back cover of your printer.
  2. Connect the lightning cable to your iPad.
  3. Connect the USB end of your lightning cable to your printer's USB port.
  4. Plug the power cable of your printer into an electrical outlet.
  5. Reattach the back cover of your printer.
  6. Push the power button to turn on your printer. You’ll know you’ve correctly turned on your printer when the LED light flashes green.

  Once your printer is connected to your iPad, you’re ready to add your printer to the Back Office.

Adding the Star mC-Print3 to the Back Office

Adding the the Star mC-Print3 allows you to setup a connection between the printer and your POS device. The specific setup steps will vary depending on whether you choose to connect to your network or iPad.

• Adding the Star mC-Print3 LAN to the Back Office

  1. Log in to the Back Office.
  2. From the navigation menu, go to Configuration > Printing > Printers.
  3. Select +Add printer.
  4. Name the printer Star mC-Print3 LAN.
  5. Enter the IP address as written on your self-test page.
  6. Enter the Hardware address as written on your self-test page.
  7. Select Star mC-Print3 LAN from the Driver drop-down menu.
  8. Click the checkbox for Disable status check for this printer (useful for old printers).
  9. Click Save.

  Once you’ve added your printer to the Back Office, you’re ready to start printing tickets and receipts from your POS device.

• Adding the Star mC-Print3 USB to the Back Office

  1. Log in to the Back Office.
  2. From the navigation menu, go to Configuration > Printing > Printers.
  3. Select +Add printer.
  4. Name the printer after its model, function, or location (e.g., Star mC-Print, Kitchen Printer...).
  5. Select Star mC-Print3 USB from the Driver drop-down menu.
  6. Click the checkbox for Disable status check for this printer (useful for old printers).
  7. Click Save.

  Once you’ve added your printer to the Back Office, you’re ready to start printing tickets and receipts from your POS device.

Troubleshooting

• Your wireless printer and POS device need to be connected to the same network to communicate properly.

  A static IP address is a unique fixed number that you can assign to a wireless printer to ensure it remains constant on your network. When setting up a static IP, choose an IP address outside the DHCP reservation range to reduce the risk of IP conflicts. For more information about DHCP reservations and static IP addresses, consult our Understanding basic networking guide.

  1. Connect your iPad or computer to the same network as your printer.
  2. On your wireless device, open a web browser.
  3. In the URL, enter your printer’s IP address.
  4. Log into the Star Network Utility using these credentials:
     User: root.
     Password: public
  5. It may prompt you to change the password but that’s not necessary, press Cancel.
  6. On the left-hand side menu, navigate IP Parameters > Static. The current IP Address and subnet mask should autofill. If the current IP Address and Subnet mask do not autofill, then manually type in the network configuration obtained from the printer.
  7. Click Submit
  8. On the left-hand side menu, navigate Save > Save.
  9. Click Execute. The receipt printer should then restart and print a new configuration report with Static next to the IP address instead of DHCP.

• The LED display on the Star mC-Print3 has three lights: Power, Bluetooth, and Network. Each light indicates status or error information. The tables below illustrate some of the most common light patterns, their meanings, and how to troubleshoot them. If your error light pattern is not listed below, check out the Star troubleshooting guide for more information.

  Power light codes

  The Power light lights up or blinks blue, red, or purple according to the power status, warning, or error information of the printer.

  Bluetooth light codes

  The Bluetooth light lights up blue according to the Bluetooth connection status.

  Network light codes

  The network light lights up or blinks green according to the network connection status.