How does a receipt printer differ from a label printer?
A receipt printer prints the receipt or the order ticket on a roll of thermal paper, at the till or in the kitchen. A label printer prints labels and barcodes on roll or fan-fold media. The table compares the two models in the G4POS catalogue.
| Characteristic | MG80 (receipts) | G4POS RT1500 (labels) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Thermal | Direct thermal, no ribbon |
| Width | 80 mm paper | Prints up to 108 mm (4.25 in), media from 25.4 to 116 mm |
| Speed | 260 mm/s | Up to 152 mm/s (6 ips) |
| Interfaces | Serial (RS-232), USB, Ethernet | USB, Ethernet (LAN) |
| Language | ESC/POS (Epson) | TSPL, ZPL, EPL, DPL |
| Drivers | Windows and Linux (CUPS), downloadable from the product page | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome OS |
| Power | 24 V DC, 2.5 A | 24 V DC, 2.5 A |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty (1 year) | Manufacturer warranty (1 year) |
What should you check before choosing a receipt printer?
Four points matter: paper width, interface, printer language and the cash drawer. The MG80 prints on 80 mm paper, connects over serial (RS-232), USB or Ethernet, understands ESC/POS commands and cuts the paper automatically. Its 24 V DC output opens the cash drawer.
- The roll width must match the driver setting: set to 80 mm on a 58 mm roll, the printer cuts off the end of each line.
- The interface depends on the station: USB next to the till, Ethernet for a printer shared by several stations, serial (RS-232) when the software or the station requires it.
- ESC/POS is the printer language that most point-of-sale software expects.
- The MG80 Windows and Linux (CUPS) drivers can be downloaded from its product page, with their SHA-256 checksum.
G4POS also sells 80 mm thermal paper, in 200 ft rolls that fit the MG80, in packs of 50 rolls.
When should you add a label printer?
Add the G4POS RT1500 when the store prints its own labels or barcodes. It prints in direct thermal, with no ribbon, at 203 dpi and up to 152 mm/s. It understands the TSPL, ZPL, EPL and DPL languages: check that the client’s labelling software produces one of them.
It prints common 1D codes such as Code 128, EAN-13 and UPC-A, and the QR, Data Matrix, PDF417, MaxiCode and Aztec 2D codes. It takes media from 25.4 to 116 mm wide: continuous, gap, black mark, fan-fold or perforated.
Product page:
Does thermal paper work everywhere?
Thermal paper reacts to heat, since the heat of the print head is what produces the image. At the counter, it is the usual technology. In the kitchen, install the printer away from the cooktops and the steam: near them, the paper turns grey and the text fades.