For a smaller business, a manual credit card machine is ideal for tracking transactions in an inexpensive manner. A manual credit card machine will create an imprint of the person’s credit card information in order to process payments.

Browse different manual credit card machine types and styles in order to determine the best option for your business. You can choose one of these models as either your main transaction recording method or as a back up in case you are experiencing problems with your processing terminal.

1. Decide if a manual credit card machine is the right choice for your business. If you are using the machine as the main source of record keeping, you should not be a company that performs more than 10 to 15 credit card sales a week.

2. Look at the different manual credit card machine types and styles. The three main types include standard flatbed, portable and pump handle manual credit card machines.

3. Compare the features of each style manual credit card machine. Usually your business type will help you determine the features you need. For example, mobile companies will probably want a portable credit card imprinter.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider a standard flatbed manual credit card machine

A standard flatbed credit card machine is an easy to use device that can be placed anywhere within your place of business. You will need carbon paper along with this type to make an imprint of the person's card. To operate, simply place the paper onto the machine with the card on top and slide the handle over the credit card.

I recommend: You can browse the different flatbed credit card imprinters on the Discount Credit Card Machine website. If you choose to purchase one of the machines, you can buy the supplies for the flatbed machine through the site as well. For additional flatbed printer model types, go to the POS Supply site.

Use a portable manual credit card machine

A portable credit card machine is easy to take place to place. The portable models are good for food delivery companies, in home sales, flea markets, taxis, mall kiosks and more. These imprinters will be light and not take up much space.

I recommend: El Metal Ergoprint 1001 Handheld Portable Manual Imprinter is a featured product on Imprinter Plates. The metal base will ensures durability when bringing the portable credit card machine place to place. POS Paper.com retails a low cost Portable 505 Imprinter that makes mobile transaction a cinch.

Look at a versatile pump handle manual credit card machine

If you are looking for better quality imprints from your manual credit card machine, you may want to look at the pump handle style. They are simple to operate and are preferred by companies that make more frequent credit card transactions. You will just need to place the card and pump the handle in order to make your credit card impressions.

I recommend: The POS Register has two types of pump handle credit card machines available with a merchant plate option. You can also view PDF information about the models. Mitra International provides photos, dimensions and specifications of the 4470 Pump Handle Imprinter.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A manual credit card machine is a good backup to keep handy in case your power or phone connection goes down.

Connectivity issues like power outages and phone company problems are reasons why businesses that accept credit cards should consider purchasing a manual credit card machine. Manual credit card machines, also known as manual imprinters, are economical, lightweight and portable. This makes them a great backup to a card processing terminal or computer.

Selecting the appropriate manual credit card machine provider depends on a variety of different factors, including your budget and your type of business. Consider the following when selecting a manual credit card machine:

1. Are you getting the best price for the manual credit card machine you are considering?

2. Do you have all the equipment necessary to operate and process transactions using a manual credit card machine?

3. Can the manual credit card machine operate in the environment where you conduct business?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Negotiate a better price on a manual credit card machine with a merchant account

Many companies will provide a discount off the price of the manual credit card machine if you sign up for a merchant account. Once your account is set up, all credit card transactions will go through them.

I recommend: Advanced Merchant Services offers an extremely low price on one of its best selling models when you sign up for a merchant account. Discount Credit Card Machine offers free credit card machines when you sign up.

Make sure you have everything you need to conduct transactions with your manual credit card machine.

Some items that cannot be left off any manual credit card machine list of must-haves are sales slips and a nameplate. Consider killing two birds with one stone and find a manual credit card machine that can be bought with these items.

I recommend: POSpaper sells manual credit card machines as well any items you need to conduct a transaction. The Electronic Payments' USA Merchant Solutions website provides some background manual credit card machine information, as well as a sizable inventory of imprinters and kits that come complete with a machine, sales slips and a nameplate.

Evaluate if a portable manual credit card machine makes sense for your business

Merchants with mobile businesses often prefer portable manual credit card machines to provide flexibility to customers who want to pay using a credit card. Portable manual imprinters are often lighter to carry and come with a handle for transportability. If you'd like to provide credit card transactions 'on the road,' then look for a portable model when scanning any manual credit card machine directory.

I recommend: Credit-Card-Imprinters has five different portable manual credit card machines to choose from -- all designed to be small and convenient to transport. Terminal Outlet also carries a variety of portable units.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure the credit card machine you purchase is durable, especially if it needs to withstand frequent travel or you work in rougher workplaces like construction sites or repair shops.
• •  Manual credit card machines are also perfect for small businesses with light volumes of weekly transactions that use a more economical dial pay phone service to process them.