Receipt Printers Key Terms

Learn the receipt printers key terms to decide on a printer for your business

Receipt printers are necessary for all types of businesses that sell products. If you're starting to look at different printers for your business, you may be surprised by the many different styles. You need to decide if you want an impact receipt printer or a thermal receipt printer. If you process checks, consider a multifunction receipt printer. Whatever your needs, it's helpful to learn some of the words associated with these printers. Get started with the following key terms.

 

Impact receipt printer

An impact, or dot matrix, receipt printer prints receipts with small pens that hit against an ink ribbon. This style of receipt printer is loud and slow, but it is one of the cheapest options.
Try: See an impact receipt printer at Hallogram.

Thermal receipt printer

A thermal receipt printer uses heat to print the receipts. It prints receipts quickly and does not make a lot of sound when printing. However, it does require purchasing special thermal paper that responds to the heat.
Try: Epson offers a thermal printer for point of sale systems.

Multifunction receipt printer

Multifunction receipt printers don't only print receipts. They also process checks and print credit card receipts for the customers to sign. This is a great solution for businesses that accept many different types of payments.
Try: Consumers Choice POS shows an example of a multifunction receipt printer.

Portable receipt printers

A portable receipt printer allows you to print receipts wherever you go. Select this model if you sell goods outside of your store, such as at a flea market or craft show.
Try: National Technology Services shows its portable receipt printer.

Drop-in paper loading

Drop-in paper loading is a technique for loading a new roll of paper in a receipt printer. It can be inconvenient for customers to have to wait for a cashier to change the printer paper. Drop-in paper is easy to reload -- you simply drop it in the machine and it's ready to use. You can find this feature in both impact and thermal printers.
Try: See a printer that offers drop-in paper loading at Discount Till Rolls.

Auto-cut

Some machines have an auto-cut feature, which cuts the receipt as it is finished printing. This eliminates the error of a cashier accidentally tearing the customer's receipt.
Try: NuRol shows a receipt printer than has an auto-cut feature.

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