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Setting up a receipt printer

This article provides generic instructions for setting up compatible receipt and ticket printers and connecting them to your Lightspeed Restaurant POS. Before proceeding, check out our Supported hardware article to see if your particular receipt printer has its own article with specific instructions. The necessary steps to set up your printer may vary depending on your device model.

We recommend using printers with an Ethernet connection to support a sturdy and reliable connection. Should you choose to purchase a Bluetooth or USB printer, be aware that they can only be linked to a single iOS device at a time.

Hardware requirements

To set up a receipt printer, you first need to unpack the printer and make sure you have all the necessary cables and power cords, and then connect them to your device. The hardware you need will change depending on the connection type. See below for some hardware examples:

Receipt printer

Thermal-Printer.png

Power cable

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Ethernet (LAN) or Lightning (LAN) cable

lightning-cable.png

Ink ribbon cassette

(Impact dot matrix printers only. Thermal printers do not use Ink ribbons).

Bixilon-Ink-Ribbon.jpeg

Paper roll

 

paper-roll.jpeg

Installing the printer hardware

There are several key steps to get your receipt printer physically ready to use. This section will guide you through picking a setup location, plugging in the power cable, loading a paper roll, and connecting the printer to a device or network.

Choosing a setup location

When deciding where to set up your printer, first consider whether you have a thermal or impact printer. With thermal printers, you'll want pick an area away from heat sources because excessive heat can discolor the printer's special paper. 

The ideal location will also depend on factors related to the printer's connection type:

  • LAN - You'll need an Ethernet cable long enough to reach from your router to the desired printer location. LAN printers can be shared between multiple POS devices. Optimize your network for best results when using a LAN printer. 
  • Bluetooth - Set up your printer less than 10 meters, or 33 feet, from the iPad it will connect to. Physical obstructions and other real-world conditions can affect the range of Bluetooth printers. Bluetooth printers connect to a single POS device. They are not recommended for kitchen use due to the potential for wireless interference.
  • USB - You'll need a USB cable long enough to reach from your iPad to the desired printer location. USB printers connect to a single POS device and cannot be shared.
  • Wi-Fi - Set up your printer less than 45 meters, or 150 feet, from your router. LAN printers can be shared between multiple POS devices. They are not recommended for kitchen use due to the potential for wireless interference. Optimize your network for best results when using a Wi-Fi printer. 

Plugging in to power

Connecting the printer to a power source is the next step in installing your receipt printer. Follow these instructions to ensure your printer is properly connected so it can be powered on later in setup.

  1. If your printer has a separate power cord and AC adapter, connect them together.

    Power cord and AC adapter connected.

  2. Plug the AC adapter into the power port on your printer.

    TM-m30II printer with annotation highlighted power cable plugged in.

  3. Plug the power cord into an electrical power supply, such as a wall outlet. Wait to turn on your printer until instructed later in setup.

Loading a paper roll

Loading the paper roll in the correct orientation for your receipt printer will ensure it prints properly. If you have a thermal printer, it will use special paper which reacts to heat and is different from normal paper.

  1. Open the paper cover on your ptiner.
  2. Insert the paper roll in the correct orientation specified by your printer's manual. While doing so, ensure the paper roll stays tight and doesn’t unspool.

    TM-m30II printer with paper loaded and cover open.

  3. Pull the paper out past the cutter at the front of the printer.
  4. Push the cover down to snap it shut.

Connecting to a device or network

Whether you connect your printer directly to a POS device or to your network depends on what type of receipt printer you have. This section outlines the steps for connecting via LAN, Bluetooth, USB, and Wi-Fi for printers that support those connection types.

  • Connecting a network printer via an Ethernet cable

    To connect your printer and POS with a wired network connection, you need an Ethernet cable.

    The printer must be plugged into the same router that provides internet access for your POS device so that the printer and POS are on the same network.
    1. Connect one end of your Ethernet cable to the port on your printer, sometimes labeled "LAN."
    2. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into a numbered Ethernet port on your router.

    Your printer should now be on your network. Before you can connect your printer to Back Office, you will need to find the printer’s IP address.

  • Connecting a printer via Bluetooth

    Connecting a printer with Bluetooth requires a printer with Bluetooth capabilities. Additionally, you need to ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your iOS device. Note: Using this connection method means your printer can only be linked to a single iOS device at a time.

    1. On your iOS device, go to Settings.
    2. Select Bluetooth .
    3. Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled. If it isn't, toggle  it on.
    4. Put your printer into "discovery" mode to allow it to be detected by other Bluetooth devices. Consult your device's manual for instructions on how to do this, as it can vary depending on the printer.
    5. On your iOS device, look in the "My Devices" section for the name of your device and tap its name to initiate the pairing process.

    bluetooth-settings.png

    Next, learn how to add your printer to Back Office.

  • Connecting a printer via USB

    To connect your printer with a wired connection, you need a Lightning cable and a compatible printer that supports a USB connection. Note: Using this connection method means your printer can only be linked to a single iOS device at a time.

    1. Connect the USB end of your Lightning cable to the USB port back of the printer.
    2. Connect the lightning cable to the available port on your iOS device.

    Next, learn how to add your printer to Back Office.

  • Connecting a wireless network printer

    A popular way of connecting Wi-Fi enabled printers is via Wi-Fi Protected Setup, or WPS. If your printer and router support WPS, you can connect the printer with just a couple of button presses.

    Using an Epson Wi-Fi printer? Download the Epson TM Utility app for an interactive guide to setting up your specific model.
    1. Ensure your receipt printer and router supports WPS. Check the hardware documentation or the manufacturer's website to confirm that they support this feature.
    2. Press the WPS button on your router. This button is typically labeled with the WPS symbol and may be located on the back or side of the router.

      Note: The printer must be connected to the same router that provides internet access for your POS device so that the printer and POS are on the same network.

    3. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your receipt printer. This button may be labeled with the WPS symbol, or it may be labeled as "Pair" or "Connect."

    The printer should now be on your network. Before you can connect your printer to Back Office, you will need to find the printer’s IP address.

Finding your printer's IP address

Finding the printer’s IP address

To connect your printer and POS, you will need the IP address of the printer on your network. To find the IP address, print the self-test page. Below are common steps for producing self-test pages on most receipt printers. Instructions may vary depending on your device. Refer to your printer's manual if the following steps do not work:

  1. Turn the printer off.
  2. Hold down the feed  button.
  3. While continuing to hold feed, turn the power on.
  4. Wait for the device to start printing, then release feed.

The self-test page generally shows the IP Address. Hang on to this page and note the IP Address, which will be used later. Continue the setup by adding your printer to Back Office.

If the IP address is 0.0.0.0, the printer couldn’t establish a network connection. Check that the Ethernet cable securely connects your printer and router, or try a different Ethernet port on your router and repeat the steps above. If your printer uses a wireless network connection, consult the manufacturer's documentation and repeat any steps to connect it using WLAN.

Setting up a static IP address

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 range to reduce the risk of IP conflicts. The specific steps to set up a static IP address will vary based on your printer manufacturer.

  • To set up static IP on Epson printers:

    1. Connect your iPad or computer to the same network as your printer.
    2. Open a web browser.
    3. In the URL, enter your printer’s IP address with /webconfig at the end. For example, if the IP address that prints out is 123.456.0.789 you would enter http://123.456.0.789/webconfig.

    4. Log in to the Web Configuration page.
      For older Epson printers:

      Username: epson
      Password: epson

      For newer Epson printers:
      Username: epson
      Password: the serial number located on the sticker of the printer

    5. Click TCP/IP.
    6. Under Get IP Address, click Manual.
    7. Enter the printer’s IP address in the IP Address field.
    8. Click Submit.
    9. On the next page, click Reset.
    10. Connect your iPad or computer to the same network as your printer.

  • To set up static IP on Star printers:

    1. Connect your iPad or computer to the same network as your printer.
    2. 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.

Adding your printer to Back Office

Once you've finished with the physical setup of your printer, add your printer to Back Office so that you can connect to it from your POS device.

  1. Log in to Back Office using your Lightspeed Restaurant credentials.
  2. From the navigation menu, select Configuration > Printing > Printers.
  3. Select Add Printer.
  4. Enter the printer's name (we recommend naming it after its function or location, e.g., "Kitchen Printer").
  5. From the Driver drop-down menu, select your printer's driver from the list.
    • Note: If you do not see your printer in the list of drivers, it's possible that your printer can be used with drivers intended for another printer. These drivers are marked "(or compatible)," such as the TM-U220 matrix printer, or the TM-T88 thermal printer

      select-printer-driver.png

  6. (For network printers) Enter the printer’s IP address into the IP Address field.
    • Note: For Lightspeed Restaurant to connect with your printer, the printer’s assigned IP address (obtained in Finding the printer’s IP address) must always match the IP address entered in Back Office.
  7. Click Save to finish.

Printing a test receipt

With the above steps complete, log in to the Lightspeed Restaurant app, reload your configuration, and print a test receipt to ensure your printer is connected.

  1. In the Restaurant POS App, tap the Status Preview tab (four dots on the navigation bar).
  2. Tap the reload icon to sync the device with the latest Back Office configuration.
    reload-setting-status-preview.png
  3. From the main screen, select your user profile.
  4. Tap Settings on the navigation bar.
  5. Select Printing center. 
  6. Tap the newly-setup Printer to perform a print test.

    test-print-Lightspeed-kitchen-printer.png

Congratulations! Your Printer can now print tickets and receipts from your Restaurant POS devices.

What’s next?

Learn how to assign this printer to your kitchen, bar, or front of house by visiting our article About printing profiles.

Visit Adding and editing receipt templates to learn how to customize the layout of your receipts and production tickets.

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