Every retail business needs a printer for their receipts. It’s a must-have regulated by law. Besides receipts, these printers can also make bills and kitchen orders. They can be very helpful and a great addition to every retail business. They improve workflow efficiency making both the seller and the customer happier.

How to Choose a Receipt Printer

This device is the one that prints the receipts you receive for your transactions as a customer. There’s also the term “POS printers” which is more encompassing. It refers to any type of printer that’s connected to a POS system. However, when you mention the word “POS printer” many people think about an ordinary printer for receipts.
Among all of them, the most efficient and practical receipt printer is the thermal one. It stands out because of its efficiency, quality and speed. There are many types of printers and they all have their unique features and are made for a specific purpose, retail stores, hotels, restaurants, gas stations and much more.

Think About Your Needs

It’s important to consider your unique printing needs when choosing a printer for your company. A desktop printer is suitable for traditional installations where the printer is located at the checkout counter. However, a portable printer becomes necessary if your company is mobile or if you frequently set up temporary advertising stations outside or in malls.
It’s also critical to understand the information on your receipts. An 80mm printer would be ideal if you’re creating thorough receipts with store QR codes, reward points, promotional information, and more. On the other hand, a 58mm thermal printer ought to be good enough for simpler printing requirements, like product names, prices per unit, and quantities.

The Printer’s Performance

When choosing a printer, the most important things to consider are printing quality and printing speed because they will have a direct effect on productivity and customer satisfaction. Printing speed is crucial in supermarkets and beverage stores where there’s a lot of people flowing constantly.
Regarding print quality, it’s expected that the writing on the receipt is readable, well-structured, character-free, and well-aligned. An 80mm Bluetooth thermal printer has an automatic cutter, plus a wide range of typefaces and symbols that allow it to print characters and languages from all over the world. This is convenient for cashiers because it reduces the need for manual typing and it’s saving time.

Connectivity Options

These printers are available in a wide range of connectivity options. This way they can suit the needs of every business that needs them. The most common connections are USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet. More traditional, or older stores, work with Ethernet and USB connections because of their stability and uninterrupted connection. The other connections, on the other hand, will give you more flexibility.
Businesses usually prefer a mobile receipt printer in busy retail settings where mobility is key. If you own a pop-up shop or own a business that constantly changes locations and rearranges the store, you’ll benefit the most from a Bluetooth or a wireless printer.

POS Compatibility

One thing that many business owners forget about is the compatibility of the printer with their POS system. More modern printers will work with a variety of cashier terminals, order-placing systems, checkout kiosks and even touchscreen cash registers. If the printer doesn’t match the POS, it can cause operational problems and impact the customer service experience.

Durability & Price

Retail settings can be harsh. Because of this, your printer needs to be able to handle regular use. It should have a minimal malfunctioning rate which will reduce potential problems and component damage. The price also matters. Printers range in price and you can find something that matches your budget. In some cases, the price may go up if the printer has more features.

Size & Design

Some businesses don’t have a lot of space around the checkout area. If this is your case, then you should choose a small and compact POS receipt printer. Don’t try to go bigger because it can overwhelm the space and make it look crowded. The design is also important, especially if it’s very visible to customers. Modern printers usually have a more modern look and a seamless design. They often feature LED lights and can fit into every business decor.

Benefits of Using It

Improve Checkout Efficiency

In the quick-paced retail industry, every second matters. Receipt printers—which are famous for their rapid output—are essential to improving checkout efficiency. The fast functioning of these devices guarantees that clients won’t have to wait around and waste their time. The combination of their reliability and speed is what makes them an invaluable tool in any retail store. Another way to speed up customer service and cut down their waiting time is to use mobile printers.

Custom Receipts

Printers provide a plethora of opportunities for companies to interact with their customers besides printing basic product information. Businesses can include their logo anywhere on the receipt and increase brand recognition with every transaction. They can also add a QR code that will lead the customers to their products, special deals or loyalty programs.

Durability and Lower Maintenance Expenses

Printers, especially thermal ones, are known to be very durable and strong. They will work without any ink or toner. This minimises the maintenance costs. These printers have a robust design that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. There are even models that are water-resistant if you’re working in those kinds of environments.

Managing Inventory & Tracking Finance

Besides being important for the customers, receipts also have an important role in the business as well. They are a very detailed record of every sale that’s ever been made. It can tell you how many products you’ve sold, what’s the transaction time, how much everyone spent at your business etc. This is valuable data for improving and developing your business and working environment. By closely following the customers’ purchases you can easily figure out what to improve and what to eliminate.