This article provides general instructions for setting up compatible receipt and ticket printers and connecting them to your Lightspeed Restaurant POS. Before proceeding, check out our Supported hardware article to see if your particular printer has its own article with specific instructions. The necessary steps to set up your printer may vary depending on what model it is.

Hardware requirements

To set up a printer, you first need to unpack it and make sure you have all of the necessary hardware, cables, and power cords on hand. Generally, you will need the following:

Installing the printer hardware

There are several key steps to get your printer physically ready to use. This section will guide you through picking a setup location, plugging in the power cable, loading a paper roll, and connecting the printer to a device or network.

Choosing a setup location

When deciding where to set up your printer, first consider whether you have a thermal or impact printer. With thermal printers, you'll want to pick an area away from heat sources because excessive heat can discolor the printer's special paper.

The ideal location will also depend on factors related to the printer's connection type:

• LAN - You'll need an Ethernet cable long enough to reach from your router to the desired printer location. LAN printers can be shared between multiple POS devices.
• Bluetooth - Set up your printer less than 10 meters, or 33 feet, from the iPad it will connect to. Physical obstructions and other real-world conditions can affect the range of Bluetooth printers. Bluetooth printers connect to a single POS device. They are not recommended for kitchen use due to the potential for wireless interference.
• USB - You'll need a USB cable long enough to reach from your iPad to the desired printer location. USB printers connect to a single POS device and cannot be shared.
• Wi-Fi - Set up your printer less than 45 meters, or 150 feet, from your router. Wi-Fi printers can be shared between multiple POS devices. They are not recommended for kitchen use due to the potential for wireless interference.

Plugging in to power

Connecting the printer to a power source is the next step in installing your printer. Follow these instructions to ensure your printer is properly connected so it can be powered on later in setup.

1. If your printer has a separate power cord and AC adapter, connect them together.

   

2. Plug the AC adapter into the power port on your printer.

   

3. Plug the power cord into an electrical power supply, such as a wall outlet. Wait to turn on your printer until instructed later in setup.

Loading a paper roll

Loading the paper roll in the correct orientation for your printer will ensure it prints properly. If you have a thermal printer, it will use special paper that reacts to heat and is different from normal paper.

1. Open the paper cover on your printer.

2. Insert the paper roll in the correct orientation specified by your printer's manual. While doing so, ensure the paper roll stays tight and doesn’t unspool.

   

3. Pull the paper out past the cutter at the front of the printer.
4. Push the cover down to snap it shut.

Connecting to a device or network

Whether you connect your printer directly to a POS device or to your network depends on what type of printer you have. This section outlines the steps for connecting via LAN, Bluetooth, USB, and Wi-Fi for printers that support those connection types.

• Connecting an Ethernet (LAN) printer

  To connect your printer and POS with a wired network connection, you need an Ethernet cable.

  The printer must be plugged into the same router that provides internet access for your POS device so that the printer and POS are on the same network.

  1. Connect one end of your Ethernet cableto the port on your printer, sometimes labeled LAN.
  2. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into a numbered port on your router.

  Next, learn how to find your printer's IP address so you can add it to Restaurant Manager.

• Connecting a Bluetooth printer

  Connecting a printer via Bluetooth requires a printer with Bluetooth capabilities. Additionally, you need to ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your iOS device. Using this connection method means your printer can only be linked to a single POS at a time.

  1. On your iOS device, go to Settings.
  2. Select Bluetooth.
  3. Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled. If it isn't, toggle it on.
  4. Put your printer into "discovery" mode to allow it to be detected by other Bluetooth devices. Consult your device's manual for instructions on how to do this, as it can vary depending on the printer.
  5. On your iOS device, look in the My Devices section for the name of your printer and tap on it to initiate the pairing process.

  

  Next, learn how to add your printer to Restaurant Manager.

• Connecting a USB printer

  To connect your printer with a direct wired connection, you need a Lightning or USB-C cable and a compatible printer that supports a USB connection. Using this connection method means your printer can only be linked to a single POS at a time.

  1. Connect the USB end of the cable to the USB port back of the printer.
  2. Connect the other end of the cable to the charging port on your iOS device.

  Next, learn how to add your printer to Restaurant Manager.

• Connecting a Wi-Fi printer

  A popular way of connecting Wi-Fi enabled printers is via Wi-Fi Protected Setup, or WPS. If your printer and router support WPS, you can connect the printer with just a couple of button presses.

  Using an Epson or Star Wi-Fi printer? Download the Epson TM Utility app or Star Quick Setup Utility for an interactive guide to setting up your specific model.
  1. Ensure your printer and router both support WPS. Check the hardware documentation or the manufacturer's website to confirm that they support this feature.

  2. Press the WPS button on your router. This button is typically labeled with the WPS symbol and may be located on the back or side of the router.

     Note: The printer must be connected to the same router that provides internet access for your POS device so that the printer and POS are on the same network.

  3. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your printer. This button may be labeled with the WPS symbol, or it may be labeled as Pair or Connect.

  Next, learn how to find your printer's IP address so you can add it to Restaurant Manager.

Finding the printer's IP address

To add a LAN or Wi-Fi printer to Restaurant Manager and complete its setup, you need to locate its IP address. This section explains how to print a self-test page to find this information and how to decide which address to use.

If you're using a Bluetooth or USB printer, skip this section and go directly to adding a printer to Restaurant Manager.

Printing a self-test page

Here are common steps for producing a self-test page on most printers. If you encounter any issues, check your printer's manual for its specific instructions.

1. Turn the printer off.
2. Hold down the Feed button.
3. While continuing to hold the Feed button, turn the printer back on.

4. Wait for the device to start printing the self-test page, then release the Feed button.

   The self-test page should show the printer's current IP address and its MAC address (hardware address). Hang on to this information, as you'll need it later to add the printer to Restaurant Manager.

If the IP address is 0.0.0.0, the printer couldn’t establish a network connection. Check that the Ethernet cable securely connects your printer and router, or try a different Ethernet port on your router and repeat the steps above. If your printer uses a wireless network connection, consult the manufacturer's documentation and repeat any steps to connect it using WLAN.

Dynamic vs. static IP addresses

All printers can be added to Restaurant Manager using their IP address. However, it requires more technical knowledge to set up properly for a stable connection. You'll need to either create a DHCP reservation or set up a static IP address to ensure the printer's IP address remains constant and unique on your network.

Creating a DHCP reservation

A DHCP reservation ensures your printer always receives the same IP address from your router. This provides stability without requiring changes to the printer's settings. Contact your network administrator or consult your router's manual for specific instructions on setting up a DHCP reservation on your network hardware.

Setting up a static IP address

A static IP address is a unique fixed number that you can assign to a network printer to ensure it remains constant. When setting up a static IP, choose an IP address outside the DHCP range to reduce the risk of IP conflicts. The specific steps to set up a static IP address will vary based on your printer manufacturer.

• To set a static IP on an Epson printer:
  1. Connect your iPad or computer to the same network as your printer.
  2. Open a web browser.
  3. In the URL, enter your printer’s IP address with /webconfig at the end. For example, if the IP address that prints out is 192.168.0.25 you would enter http://192.168.0.25/webconfig.

  4. Log in to the Web Configuration page.

     For older Epson printers:

     • Username: epson
     • Password: epson

     For newer Epson printers:

     • Username: epson
     • Password: the serial number located on the sticker of the printer
  5. Click TCP/IP.
  6. Under Get IP Address, click Manual.
  7. Enter the printer’s IP address in the IP Address field.
  8. Click Submit.
  9. On the next page, click Reset.
  10. Connect your iPad or computer to the same network as your printer.
• To set a static IP on a Star printer:
  1. Connect your iPad or computer to the same network as your printer.
  2. Open a web browser.
  3. In the URL, enter your printer’s IP address.
  4. Log into the Star Network Utility using these credentials:
     • User: root
     • Password: public
  5. It may prompt you to change the password but that’s not necessary, press Cancel.
  6. On the left-hand side menu, navigate IP Parameters > Static. The current IP Address and subnet mask should autofill. If the current IP Address and Subnet mask do not autofill, then manually type in the network configuration obtained from the printer.
  7. Click Submit
  8. On the left-hand side menu, click Save > Save.
  9. Click Execute. The printer should then restart and print a new configuration report with Static next to the IP address instead of DHCP.

Configuring a printer in Restaurant Manager

Once your printer is physically set up, you'll need to configure it in Restaurant Manager so it can be used at the POS. This involves adding your printer to the system and creating printer templates. These settings control where and how your receipts or order tickets will print.

Adding your printer to Restaurant Manager

Add your printer to Restaurant Manager so that you can connect to it from your POS devices.

1. Log in to Restaurant Manager with your Lightspeed Restaurant credentials.
2. From the navigation menu, select Printing > Printers.
3. Select the Add New Printer button at the top-right of the screen.
4. Give the printer a name based on its function (e.g., Receipt printer).
5. Select the type and model from the drop-down menus.

6. Enter the IP address your printer is connected to. The correct IP address will be on the status sheet printed during the previous section of this article.

   For Lightspeed Restaurant to connect with your printer, the printer's assigned IP address (obtained from a status sheet) must always match the IP address listed on Restaurant Manager.

7. Select the Save button at the top-right of the screen.

Setting up printer templates

After adding a printer to Restaurant Manager, you have to decide whether it'll be used for receipts or tickets. Do this by assigning the printer to a printer template and configuring the template according to your business needs.

1. Log in to Restaurant Manager with your Lightspeed Restaurant credentials.
2. From the navigation menu, select Printing > Printer Templates.
3. Create or select an existing printer template.
4. In the Edit Printer Template pop-up, beside the setting Printer, choose Select a Printer.
5. Select the new printer by name.
6. Select Ok to save.

Linking templates to POS devices or floors

For restaurants with multiple floors, POS devices, and/or prep stations, printer templates can be assigned to select POS devices or floors.

To learn how to assign printer templates, visit our Creating printer templates article.

Printing a test receipt

It's a good idea to perform a print test and confirm a connection between the Restaurant POS device and printer. To perform a print test:

1. From the User screen on the POS, select Tools.
2. Tap Print test.
3. All printers configured in Restaurant Manager will show.
   • Green: The printer is connected.
   • Red: The printer is not connected.
4. If the printer is connected (green), tap it to perform a quick print test.

Once you’ve printed a test receipt, you’re ready to start printing tickets and receipts from your POS device.