A thermal receipt printer produces receipts, order dockets and kitchen tickets by applying heat to special paper, which darkens where heated. Because it needs no ink, ribbon or toner, it is fast, quiet and cheap to run, and is the standard printer at tills and in kitchens.
Printers connect to the POS by USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the POS sends them print commands. Direct thermal paper is the usual type, in common widths of 58 mm and 80 mm. Many models include an auto-cutter and a cash drawer port, and kitchen versions may be built to cope better with heat and grease.
Retailers use them for customer receipts, returns slips and gift receipts. Hospitality venues use them for bar, grill and pass dockets, so network-connected printers placed around a venue are a core part of order flow, though many are being supplemented by kitchen display screens.
Check that the printer and POS software are compatible, choose Ethernet for fixed locations since it is more reliable than Wi-Fi, and use quality paper. Thermal paper fades with heat and light, so receipts that must be kept are better stored digitally. Keep spare paper and a spare printer.
A printer failing during service stops orders reaching the kitchen, so it deserves attention in support planning.