Kitchen Printer Rolls: Impact vs Thermal Docket Printers Explained
The DiscountTillRolls.ie TeamKitchen docket printers come in two types. Impact printers, such as the Epson TM-U220 and Star SP700, use 76mm bond paper and an ink ribbon. Thermal kitchen printers use 80mm thermal rolls and no ribbon. Impact printers are the traditional choice in hot kitchens because bond paper does not darken near grills and fryers, and it can give 2 or 3 carbonless copies. Thermal printers are faster and quieter, but their dockets can turn grey if they sit in the heat.
If you already have a printer, the only question is which roll it takes. If you are choosing one, the heat and copies question matters more than the price tag.
In this guide
- Which roll does my kitchen printer take?
- Impact or thermal: which is better in a kitchen?
- 1, 2 or 3 ply: how many copies do I need?
- How do I change the ink ribbon?
- How do I keep a kitchen printer running?
- FAQ
Which roll does my kitchen printer take?
Open the cover. If you see an ink ribbon cassette, it is an impact printer and takes 76mm bond rolls. If there is no ribbon, it is thermal and takes 80mm thermal rolls. Still unsure? Do the fingernail test from our thermal vs bond guide on the old roll.
| Printer | Type | Roll | Ribbon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson TM-U220 | Impact | 76x70mm bond, 1, 2 or 3 ply | ERC-30/34/38 |
| Star SP700 | Impact | 76x70mm bond, 1, 2 or 3 ply | SP700 |
| Epson TM-T20, TM-T88, TM-M30 used in a kitchen | Thermal | 80x70mm thermal | None |
| Star TSP143, TSP654 used in a kitchen | Thermal | 80x70mm thermal | None |
White and yellow carbonless bond paper for impact kitchen printers.
Impact or thermal: which is better in a kitchen?
| Impact (bond) | Thermal | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat near grills | Dockets stay readable | Dockets can turn grey |
| Copies | 1, 2 or 3 ply | One copy |
| Red print | Yes, with a black/red ribbon | No |
| Noise | Loud chatter, which many chefs like as an order alert | Near silent |
| Speed | Slower | Fast |
| Consumables | Rolls and ribbons | Rolls only |
Put simply: if the printer lives near the heat, or you need copies or red print for allergies, impact still wins. If the printer sits somewhere cool and you only need one docket, thermal is simpler.
1, 2 or 3 ply: how many copies do I need?
- 1 ply: one docket for the kitchen. Cheapest per roll.
- 2 ply: one for the chef, one for the pass or expeditor. The most common choice.
- 3 ply: three copies, for busy kitchens with separate stations, or where front of house keeps a copy too.
More about how carbonless copies work is in our carbonless paper guide.
How do I change the ink ribbon?
- Open the printer cover and find the ribbon cassette sitting across the print head.
- Pull the old cassette straight out.
- Turn the knob on the new cassette in the direction of the arrow to tighten the ribbon.
- Push the new cassette in so the ribbon sits between the print head and the paper, and click it into place.
- Turn the knob again to take up any slack, close the cover, and print a test.
If print is fading, change the ribbon before service rather than during it. Keep a spare in the drawer next to the printer.
€6.50 per ribbon. Fits the Epson TM-U200, TM-U210 and TM-U220.
How do I keep a kitchen printer running?
- Mount it away from direct heat and steam where you can, even an impact printer lasts longer that way.
- Keep rolls in a sealed box off the line, so grease and moisture do not get into the paper.
- Wipe the cover and cutter with a dry cloth at close. Grease build-up causes jams.
- Keep a backup. A pad of restaurant order pads means service carries on if the printer goes down.
- Reorder when you open the last box, not the last roll.
Frequently asked questions
What size paper does a kitchen printer use?
Impact kitchen printers use 76mm bond rolls, usually 76x70mm. Thermal kitchen printers use 80mm thermal rolls.
Do kitchen printers need ink?
Impact kitchen printers need an ink ribbon. Thermal printers need no ink at all.
Why do restaurants use impact printers in the kitchen?
Bond paper stays readable near grills and fryers, gives 2 or 3 carbonless copies, and can print allergies in red with a two-colour ribbon.
What ribbon does an Epson TM-U220 take?
The ERC-38 ribbon, which is the same as the ERC-30 and ERC-34. It comes in black or black and red.
Keep the kitchen printing.
Bond rolls, thermal rolls and ribbons, dispatched same day from Dublin 12 when you order before 1pm.
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