Till and POS equipment for shops, cafés, beauty salons and other places that need to print a receipt or a label. The category holds over 15 products, and the main brands are BIXOLON and CITIZEN, both known for thermal printers.
You can compare models from the two makers by connectivity, print width and speed.
How to choose till and POS equipment
Purpose. Decide first whether you will print receipts or labels. Receipt printers usually take thermal paper 80 mm or 58 mm wide, while a label printer needs to suit your label size and have a gap sensor.
Connections. USB suits a single till, Ethernet lets the printer work on a network, and Bluetooth or Wi-Fi helps when you print from a tablet or phone. Many receipt printers also have a port for a cash drawer, so check that it is there if you need one.
Speed and workload. In a café or shop with a queue, a slow printer holds up service. If you print only a few receipts a day, a simpler model is enough.
Paper cutting. An automatic cutter speeds up the work, while a manual tear bar is fine when receipts are few. Also look at how the paper roll is loaded: drop-in loading from the top is usually quicker.
Compatibility. Before buying, check that your till software supports the printer and that drivers exist for your operating system. Most receipt printers use ESC/POS commands, but it is worth confirming with your software supplier.
Brands in our range
- BIXOLON: a South Korean manufacturer known for thermal receipt, label and mobile printers. Our range includes over 10 of its products.
- CITIZEN: a Japanese group that also makes watches, and its thermal printers are used at tills and for label printing. Our range includes over 5 of its products.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a 58 mm and an 80 mm receipt printer?
The difference is the width of the paper roll. An 80 mm receipt fits more text, so these printers are more common in shops and restaurants. A narrower 58 mm model takes up less space and is often used for mobile tills.
Which connection should I choose for a till printer?
USB is usually enough for a single till. If the printer must serve several devices or sit away from the till, choose Ethernet. For printing from a phone or tablet, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is convenient.
Does a thermal printer need ink or toner?
A direct thermal printer needs no ink or toner, because the image is created by heat-sensitive paper. Thermal transfer label printers do use an ink ribbon, so confirm the printing method before you buy.
Can a receipt printer be connected to a cash drawer?
Many receipt printers can, because they have a dedicated cash drawer port and open the drawer on a command sent by the printer. Check the description of the specific model and the drawer's compatibility before buying.
