What Is a Receipt Printer? Thermal vs Impact

What is a receipt printer?

A receipt printer is a small device that prints out customer and credit card receipts. Receipt printers are most commonly used in retail shops, gas stations and restaurants. Food service settings may have both a front-of-house receipt printer for credit card payments and a back-of-house receipt printer for order tickets. The two most common types of receipt printers are impact printers and thermal printers.

Impact printer

An impact printer, or dot matrix printer, works by physically striking the paper with ink, similarly to how a typewriter works. Impact printers have small pins placed on the printhead, which moves across the page and pushes the ink ribbon against the paper to form letters.

Impact printers are appealing because of their relatively low cost. They are also reliable and can work effectively in high heat, which is especially crucial in some business settings, like when dealing with back-of-house restaurant tickets in an overheated kitchen.

Thermal printer

A thermal printer works via direct contact between the thermal head — which contains small, heated elements — and heat-sensitive thermal paper. The thermal paper coating turns black where it is heated, producing the letters or images.

Although thermal printers cost more than impact printers, they do not require ink or toner, which can save money over time. However, because thermal printers are heat-sensitive, they may not be as effective in hot climates.

What are the differences between thermal and impact receipt printers?

Although both types of printers do the same job, there are several important distinctions.

Impact printer vs. thermal printer

The biggest difference between impact printers and thermal printers is the way they print. Impact models, also known as dot matrix printers, are the more traditional variety. A dot matrix printer has a printhead covered in precisely placed pins, which work in conjunction with an ink ribbon to form letters via a series of tiny dots. Most models can print in black and red. Some can also print graphics.

Thermal printers, assuming they’re used in the right environment, produce high-quality prints at a fast pace, with minimal noise. This type of printer doesn’t use ink and toner. Instead, it uses a thermal head in conjunction with thermal paper that’s responsive to heat. The heat-generating thermal head makes contact with the heat-sensitive paper to create printed documents. Many models print only in black, but higher-end products offer multicolor and double-sided printing.

Why receipt printers are vital for restaurants

Though digital receipts and mobile payments are nearly ubiquitous today, receipt printers still play an important role for restaurants. “Regulatory compliance often necessitates physical receipts for tax reporting and legal documentation and many customers still prefer printed receipts for tracking expenses or handling returns,” explained Tony Venice, director of product marketing at Toshiba. “For the kitchen and order management, receipt printers improve communication between staff, minimizing errors and boosting efficiency.”

Receipt printers are also vital when customers pay in cash, during digital system outages or in any instance when immediate proof of purchase is needed, Venice added.

What to look for in your receipt printer

When you’re determining which type of printer is best for your business, consider these factors.

Performance in everyday environments

Impact printers are known for their reliability but are noisier and slower than thermal printers. However, they are the better choice for use in a hot environment. Because the paper in thermal printers is, by necessity, sensitive to heat, the performance of these printers suffers when they’re exposed to the high temperatures and humidity levels of certain spaces. Therefore, if you’re — for example — choosing a POS printer for your kitchen staff to pick up orders, an impact printer is the better option.

Noisiness and efficiency

If you need a printer to print out customer receipts and card transaction slips, a thermal printer may be the right choice. These printers have a fast output, at up to 20 lines per second, compared with the average of three lines per second for impact printers. Venice noted that this fast printing is a must during peak hours to reduce wait times and improve efficiency. Thermal models are considerably quieter than their dot matrix counterparts. 

Color capability, features and cost

To get the right printers for your business, you should also consider whether you need single-color or multicolor printing and single- or double-sided capabilities. Some receipt printers also include customizable features for branding, such as the ability to add logos and quick response codes to receipts, according to Venice.

Your budget will also factor into your decision. If your company is concerned with being environmentally friendly, opt for eco-conscious printers and receipt rolls, which can also result in significant cost savings over the life of the printer. “Cost considerations should balance upfront expenses with long-term savings through durability and efficiency, including consumables like paper rolls,” said Venice.

Additional software and connectivity options

Before you make your purchase, check whether the printer you want has the right interface to match your computer system and make sure you have enough spare ports to accommodate them. Your system will have RS-232 serial, parallel or USB interfaces. 

Although most receipt printers are universal, you need to ensure the ones you choose are compatible with your type of POS system; otherwise, they are essentially useless. Venice recommended looking for systems that include connectivity with USB, Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi, which allow for seamless integration with POS systems and other devices. 

What costs might you incur?

As far as initial costs, impact printers are more budget-friendly than thermal printers. However, ongoing costs tend to be higher for impact printers because you must purchase ink or toner regularly, whereas thermal models don’t use ink or toner. Impact printer cartridges can run from $10.99 for a pack of six to as much as $64.74 depending on brand, device type and other factors.

Thermal printers have fewer moving parts than dot matrix units do so, in theory, they may require less maintenance and part replacements. However, because there are fewer moving and easily replaceable parts, if something goes wrong with a thermal receipt printer, it’s more likely that you’ll have to replace the whole unit. Thermal printer costs can vary dramatically, with a simple fix like a paper jam requiring $50 to $150 in labor and more involved repairs like the replacement of a motherboard running $500 or more. [Read more about common POS charges and fees you may incur.]

Best receipt printers to consider

There are a variety of high-quality thermal and impact receipt printers for a range of budgets. Toshiba, Epson, HP, Zebra and Star Micronics are among the top brands for receipt printers of all kinds. While some are simple and offer basic features, others feature double-sided printing and grayscale graphic printing.

Thermal

• Epson TM-T88VI (starts at $320)
• Toshiba HSP200L (suggested retail price of $530)
• Star Micronics TSP (starts at $230)

Impact

• Bixolon SRP-275III (starts at $185)
• Epson FX-890II (starts at $363)
• POS-X EVO Impact (starts at $340)

Common issues with receipt printers

Receipt printers are prone to breaking down because they are continually used in technically demanding environments. Venice identified three broad types of issues and their solutions:

• Poor printing performance, including paper jams and poor print quality. Paper jams can be resolved with regular cleaning and the use of printer-compatible materials, while print quality can be maintained with timely replacement and adjustments.
• Connectivity issues, including unstable network links or outdated drivers. These issues can be avoided with adherence to information technology best practices, such as secure connections and regular firmware updates. 
• Overheating and supply depletion, which can be mitigated by investing in high-duty cycle printers, designating cooling periods and minimizing unnecessary printing.

Appropriate training, regular maintenance and vendor support are all critical in ensuring smooth operation and high levels of customer satisfaction at the POS, according to Venice.

Danielle Fallon-O’Leary contributed to this article.