Quick Guide: How To Choose The Right Restaurant Receipt Printer

Restaurants are changing, fast. Digital ordering and delivery has grown 300% faster than dine-in traffic since 2014. Even as restaurants evolve in the digital age, one hardware component remains a focal point: receipt printers.Receipt printers play an integral role in a seamless operation, whether a restaurant is running on legacy systems or has adopted a modern point of sale (POS) and reservation solution. Not only do they provide important transactional information to customers, but they can also act as label printers for take-out orders, table management chit printers, and more. But what are the key considerations when selecting a restaurant receipt printer? It’s important to make an informed decision when purchasing a receipt printer; you want a piece of hardware that will stand the test of time in terms of durability, connectivity, aesthetics, and more. To help you out, we’ve listed the top five factors to keep in mind when choosing a receipt printer.1. Quality

Connectivity & Compatibility

Today’s restaurants run on today’s technology, and connectivity options should be at the top of your checklist when considering a receipt printer. Be sure the printer is compatible with your device and operating system of choice. Choosing a receipt printer with modern Bluetooth iOS, Android, and Windows connectivity options means it will serve you over the long run and create a futureproof backbone for your restaurant.Integrations are also of utmost importance. Choosing a receipt printer (and other POS and reservation management platform components) that features robust integrations and partnerships is truly priceless and will help you create a more seamless operation. Make a list of your booking channels, payment providers, SMS providers, and POS applications, and ensure your printer is compatible with them all for the best experience.3. Aesthetics & Ambiance

They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s face it: looks matter, especially at restaurants. At the front-of-house of your restaurant, it’s crucial to choose a stylish printer, as this is where customers get their first impression of your brand.Today’s thermal receipt printers – or printers that use heat to transfer characters and images to receipt paper – are designed to be quiet, compact, and sleek. By taking up less space on the counter, a modern receipt printer eliminates the look of electronic clutter.Select a printer that complements your restaurant’s ambiance – there are many sleek options on the market that not only look great, but match your other modern POS and restaurant management hardware, like guest check-in tablets, cash drawers, and more. 4. Branding & Marketing

Receipt printers provide so much more than transactional data – they can also be used for branding and marketing. Choose a printer that can help build your brand and increase customer engagement. This includes being able to print promotions on the bottom of receipts that direct diners to loyalty programs, social media accounts, customer surveys, special discounts, and more.POS marketing capabilities extend well beyond the receipt printer, too. For example, you can choose a reservation platform that connects directly to marketing channels, creates segmented marketing lists, sends personalized automated emails, and more. 5. Environmentally Responsibility

The Receipt Printer: A Hub for the Modern Restaurant

Choosing a receipt printer that’s fast, reliable, and connected enables a restaurant to not only process online and in-store transactions, but boost marketing practices, enrich its ambiance and do its part to take care of the environment. Following these quick tips will help you select a printer that’s bound to serve you for years to come.Just like your receipt printer, your restaurant reservation system can enrich and streamline your restaurant’s operation. Take, for example, SevenRooms, which facilitates data and guest profiles, guest engagement, marketing, and more. Get a demo today!