Ink Ribbons for Kitchen Printers and Tills: ERC Codes Explained

Kitchen printers and older tills that print on plain bond paper need an ink ribbon, and each printer takes a specific cassette. The most common is the ERC-30/34/38 ribbon, used by the Epson TM-U220 kitchen printer. Star SP700 printers take their own SP700 ribbon. The code is printed on the old cassette, so the quickest way to reorder is to read it off the one you are replacing.

Here is what the codes mean, which printers use which ribbon, and when a black and red ribbon is worth it.

In this guide

• Why does my printer need a ribbon?
• Which ribbon fits which printer?
• Should I buy black or black/red ribbons?
• How often should I change the ribbon?
• Which paper goes with the ribbon?
• FAQ

Why does my printer need a ribbon?

There are two kinds of receipt printer:

• Thermal printers print with heat on coated thermal paper. No ribbon. Most counter receipt printers and all card machines work this way.
• Impact printers strike an ink ribbon against plain bond paper, like a typewriter. Kitchen printers are usually impact printers because the paper does not blacken in the heat of a kitchen, and they can print on 2 ply and 3 ply paper.

If your printer uses bond paper, it needs a ribbon. More on this in kitchen printer rolls: impact vs thermal.

Which ribbon fits which printer?

Ribbon	Commonly used in	Colour	Pack of 5, ex VAT
ERC-30/34/38	Epson TM-U220 and similar kitchen printers	Black/red	€32.50
ERC-30/34/38	Epson TM-U220 and similar kitchen printers	Black	€32.50
Star SP700	Star SP700 series kitchen printers	Black/red	€32.50
ERC-09	Small cash registers and some taxi and meter printers	Black	€22.50
ERC-23	Some Epson, Panasonic and Sharp registers	Black/red	€32.50
ERC-27	Some cash registers and small printers	Black	€37.50
ERC-22	Some cash registers	Black	€22.50
ERC-05	Small printer mechanisms	Black	€22.99
Citizen IR91	Citizen mini printers	Black	€37.50
TEC MA-1450/1650	Toshiba TEC MA-1450 and MA-1650 registers	Black	€32.50

"Commonly used in" is a guide only. Always check the code on your old cassette or in your printer manual.

Should I buy black or black/red ribbons?

• Black only is fine for most kitchens and tills.
• Black/red lets the EPOS system print certain lines in red. Kitchens use it to highlight allergens, modifiers such as "no onion", or rush orders. It only works if your EPOS is set up to use red.

If you already buy black/red, stay with it. Switching to black-only on a system that uses red will turn those lines black, and your chefs may miss them.

How often should I change the ribbon?

Change it when print starts to look grey or patchy, not when it has disappeared. Faint dockets are a common cause of misread orders in a busy kitchen.

• Keep a spare ribbon beside every kitchen printer.
• Swap the ribbon when you notice fading across a full service, not just one docket.
• Store spare ribbons in their sealed packs, away from heat, so they do not dry out.

If a new ribbon still prints faint, check it is seated properly and that you are using bond paper. See receipt printer printing blank.

Which paper goes with the ribbon?

Impact printers use bond paper, usually 76mm wide. We stock 1 ply, 2 ply and 3 ply rolls.

For multi-part dockets, see the 2 ply and 3 ply rolls guide. We also stock indelible laundry ribbons for dry cleaners, in our laundry ink ribbons range.

Frequently asked questions

What ribbon does an Epson TM-U220 take?

The Epson TM-U220 takes the ERC-38 ribbon, which is sold as ERC-30/34/38. It comes in black or black/red.

What ribbon does a Star SP700 use?

The Star SP700 series uses its own SP700 ribbon, available in black/red.

How do I find my ribbon code?

Read it off the old ribbon cassette, or check the printer manual. The code is usually moulded or printed on the cassette.

Do thermal printers need ink ribbons?

No. Thermal printers print with heat on thermal paper. Only impact printers that use bond paper need a ribbon.

What is a black and red ribbon for?

It lets the EPOS print selected lines in red, such as allergens or modifiers, so they stand out on the docket.