Add printer

Before orders can be printed, at least one printer must be set up. The usual way is to use automatic device detection; if it finds nothing, a network printer can also be added manually using its IP address.

Find and configure printers

Open Overview → Settings → Printers. You will see a list of all configured printers. Tap the plus icon in the upper right corner: The search will start immediately and list the found devices. Each entry shows how it was found—this will help with troubleshooting later. Tap the desired printer, select the printer type, give it a name, and define the print destinations—that is, which article groups this printer will handle. Then save the printer settings.

Which printer type?

When creating a profile, you choose between two types. The search function suggests the appropriate one; however, you can still change it.

Epson — for Epson receipt printers. The printer series is also mandatory here (e.g., TM-m30 or TM-T88 Series), because it tells the printer which command set to receive. Only this type can be connected via Bluetooth and USB, and only it reports back whether a receipt has actually been printed.

Network printers (ESC/POS) — for devices from all other manufacturers, such as Sunmi, Star Micronics, Citizen, or Bixolon. Instead of a series, you select the paper width here (58 or 80 mm). The prerequisite is that the printer is connected to the network and supports the ESC/POS standard via port 9100 — this applies to almost every network-enabled receipt printer.

What is found

The search runs via three methods simultaneously: Epson's own search protocol (finding Epson devices on the network, via Bluetooth, and via USB), the network service announcement (Bonjour), and a direct call to all addresses on the local network on port 9100. The last method is the most important in restaurant networks: many routers and access points filter broadcasts, and in such cases, only this method can find the printer. For a network printer to be found, the iPad and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi subnet.

If nothing is found

If the list remains empty, the screen at the bottom offers "Add printer via IP." Tap this and enter the address that the printer prints during its self-test when powered on. After that, proceed as with a discovered device. This method is particularly helpful in networks with client isolation, where devices must not be able to see each other.