How to Choose a Thermal Receipt Printer for Your Business
The DiscountTillRolls.ie TeamFor most shops, cafes and takeaways, an 80mm thermal receipt printer with an auto-cutter is the right choice. Check first that it connects to your till in the way your EPOS system supports, whether that is USB, Ethernet, serial or Bluetooth. After that, look at speed, reliability and the cost of paper, since rolls are the only ongoing cost.
A receipt printer is one of those things you only notice when it stops working. Picking a solid one up front saves a lot of Saturday night stress.
In this guide
58mm or 80mm?
| Paper width | Good for | Roll to buy |
|---|---|---|
| 80mm | Most tills, kitchens and delivery order printers | 80x70mm thermal rolls |
| 58mm (57mm) | Small counters and compact printers | 57x55mm thermal rolls |
80mm gives room for your logo, item names and a clear total, so it is what most EPOS systems expect. Our till roll size chart covers the rest.
Which connection do I need?
- USB: simple, for a printer beside a single till.
- Ethernet: best for kitchen printers and shared printers, as any till on the network can use it.
- Serial (RS232): still needed by some older till systems.
- Bluetooth or Wi-Fi: handy for tablet tills. Check your app supports the printer model.
Always check your EPOS provider's list of supported printers before you buy. That one step avoids most headaches.
80mm printer with Ethernet, USB and RS232 connections.
Features worth paying for
- Auto-cutter: cuts each receipt cleanly. Hard to live without once you have it.
- Drop-in loading: open the lid, drop the roll in, close. Fewer jams and faster changes.
- Cash drawer port: lets the printer kick open the drawer on each sale.
- Splash resistance: worth having in kitchens and bars.
- Print speed: matters at busy tills and in kitchens at peak time.
An 80mm thermal receipt printer for tills and kitchens.
What does it cost to run?
Thermal printers need no ink or ribbons, so thermal paper rolls are the only running cost. Buying rolls by the box brings the price per roll down, and our till roll price guide shows what to expect. Keep the print head clean and use decent paper, and a good printer will last for years. If yours is already acting up, see why a receipt printer prints blank.
Frequently asked questions
What size paper does a receipt printer use?
Most use 80mm wide thermal rolls. Smaller printers use 57mm or 58mm rolls.
Do thermal printers need ink?
No. They print with heat on thermal paper, so there is no ink or ribbon to replace.
Is Ethernet or USB better?
USB is fine for one till. Ethernet is better for kitchen printers or printers shared by several tills.
Will any printer work with my till?
Not always. Check your EPOS provider's list of supported printers first.
Printers and the rolls to feed them.
Receipt printers and thermal rolls, dispatched from Dublin 12.
Shop printers →Order before 1pm for same-day dispatch. Call 01 443 3964 for advice.