Thermal printer setup for your billing counter (step by step)
A thermal printer is the cheapest upgrade that makes digital billing feel professional — one button, instant receipt. Here's how to choose and set one up without the usual head-scratching.
58mm or 80mm?
The number is the paper width. 58mm printers are cheaper and fine for a small shop's short receipts. 80mm gives a wider, clearer receipt with room for more columns and a logo — better for busier counters and GST invoices. If in doubt, 80mm ages better.
How will it connect?
- USB — simplest and most reliable for a fixed counter PC or laptop.
- Bluetooth — good for a tablet or phone counter; pair it once.
- LAN/Wi-Fi — best when several billing devices share one printer.
Pick based on your counter device, not the spec sheet. Most shops are happiest with plain USB.
Step 1 — Load the roll the right way
Thermal paper only prints on one side. If your receipts come out blank, the roll is in upside down — flip it. (Don't worry, you'll do this once and never forget.)
Step 2 — Connect and set as default
Plug in USB (or pair Bluetooth), let the driver install, and set the printer as your device's default. For ESC/POS printers, Pride POS can talk to them directly for crisp, fast receipts — no fiddly driver dialog each time.
Step 3 — Match the paper size in print settings
In Pride POS's Print setup, choose the Thermal format and set 58mm or 80mm to match your printer. Toggle which fields show (logo, GSTIN, UPI QR) so the receipt looks exactly how you want.
Step 4 — Wire the cash drawer (optional)
Most cash drawers connect to the printer with an RJ11/RJ12 cable and pop open on a "kick" signal when a receipt prints. Pride POS sends the ESC/POS drawer-kick automatically — so cash sales open the till hands-free.
Common gotchas
- Blank receipts → paper roll upside down.
- Faded print → cheap or old thermal paper; buy better rolls.
- Wrong width / cut-off text → printer set to 80mm but receipt formatted for 58mm (or vice-versa).
- Drawer won't open → it's powered from the printer; check the RJ-cable and that kick is enabled.
That's it
Once it's set up, billing becomes one tap → receipt → drawer opens. Pride POS supports ESC/POS thermal printing with a cash-drawer kick out of the box. Start a free trial →