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Setting up your receipt printer with USB connection

Receipt printers are not currently supported in Lightspeed Hub for Retail POS (X-Series). Currently, only Zebra label printers are supported.

This article covers:

  • Setting up an Epson TM-m30III (recommended), TM-m30II, TM-m30II-NT, or TM-T82II receipt printer using a USB connection.
  • Setting up a Star TSP100 / 100III, TSP143 / 143IV, mC-Print2, or mC-Print3 receipt printer using a USB connection.

USB-connected printers can only be connected to one POS device at a time.

The USB connection type connects your printer directly to your computer or iPad with a USB cable. Some receipt printers can also be set up using a LAN cable, WLAN connection, or Bluetooth connection.

What you’ll need

USB-enabled receipt printer

Star printers are not compatible with setups using Windows IoT Enterprise.

Epson TM-m30III

Windows

Mac

iPad

Epson TM-m30III

Epson TM-m30II / TM-m30II-NT

Windows

Mac

Epson TM-m30II

Epson TM-T82II

Windows

Epson TM-T82II

Star TSP100 / 100III, 143 / 143IV

Windows

Mac

Star TSP100

Star mC-Print2 / mC-Print3

Windows

Mac

iPad

Star mC-Print3

Printer accessories

Power cable

Power cable with AC adapter

Star printer models may not require an AC adapter.

USB-C / USB cable

USB cable

Older generation iPads may use a Lightning-to-USB cable (not included).

Paper roll (80mm)

  • Test roll included
  • Full rolls sold separately

Paper roll

This article’s steps are primarily based on the Lightspeed-supported Epson TM-m30III receipt printer. Steps may differ for other compatible printers.

Setting up your USB receipt printer

  1. Pop off the back and bottom panels of your printer.

    Removing printer panels

  2. Connect the power cable into the power adapter, then plug the cable head into a wall outlet.

    Connecting the power cable

  3. Plug the end of the power adapter into the port on the back of the printer.

    Plugging the power cable into the printer

  4. Connect the USB-C or USB cable to your printer and computer. If prompted, allow the device access to the computer.

    Plugging the USB cable into the printer

  5. Reattach the printer panels, starting with the bottom panel.
  6. Turn on your printer. The first LED light (circle icon) will blink and then turn solid when your printer is ready.

    Solid printer power light

Inserting a paper roll

  1. Lift the cover release (located next to the printer lights).

    Cover release next to the printer lights

  2. Insert the paper roll so the paper feeds from under the roll and drapes over the top of the paper feed slot. While inserting, make sure the paper roll stays taut and doesn’t unroll.

    Inserting a paper roll into the printer

  3. Before closing the cover, pull the paper out past the cutter at the front of the printer. Press the cover into place to snap it shut.

    Snapping the printer cover into place

If the exclamation mark light turns on (orange), the cover is still open. If the paper roll light turns on (orange), the paper roll is missing or may need to be adjusted.
The paper roll issue indicator light

Downloading required printer drivers for Windows and Mac

Drivers are specialized software that help the printer run correctly on your computer.

Printer drivers aren’t required for iPad setups.

  1. Find your printer’s model name. This should be located on the box and behind the printer panels.

    The printer information sticker with the model name

  2. On the printer brand’s website, search for your printer’s model, then click its name.
  3. Find the recommended driver package for your operating system, then click Proceed to download or Download.

    The Drivers page with the Proceed to download button

  4. Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions of the software license agreement, then click Download.

    The Drivers page with terms and conditions

  5. In your Downloads folder, right-click the downloaded file > Extract all > open the .exe file (Windows), or double-click the downloaded file > open the .pkg file (Mac) to run the installation wizard.
  6. Follow the installation guide instructions to install the driver. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the installation.

    If a pop-up appears stating the printer isn’t connected via USB, check the Connect printer via network box, then click Continue to finalize the installation.

Connecting your USB receipt printer

Make sure your printer is turned on and you’re following networking best practices before attempting to connect your receipt printer.

  • Connecting your USB receipt printer on Windows

    1. After installing the drivers, you’ll be brought to the printer setup screen. If not, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & Scanners.
    2. Select the printer in the list of installed printers.
    3. In the printer setup screen:
      1. Click the Model dropdown and select the printer’s model name.
      2. (Optional) Update the printer Name.
      3. Click the Port Type dropdown and select USB.
      4. (If applicable) Confirm that Port is set to Auto setup.
    4. Click Save Settings > Next to complete the setup.
  • Connecting your USB receipt printer on Mac

    1. On your Mac, navigate to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
    2. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax…

      The Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax button on Mac

    3. Click the Use dropdown > Select Software…
    4. Search for the printer’s brand (Epson), then select the printer model name (EPSON TM Thermal (203dpi)) > OK. The listed name may differ slightly from the printer’s model name.
    5. Click Add.

    Some printer models may require you to enable CUPS, a network printing service used by Macs. You can also enable automatic receipt cutting in CUPS, if needed.

  • Connecting your USB receipt printer on iPad

    1. On your iPad, open the Retail (X) app and click Menu > Settings > Hardware.
    2. Under Receipt printers, click Add printer.

      The Add printer button

    3. In the Add a printer window, click Find a printer that’s ready to add, then click your printer’s name under Connected printers.

      If your printer isn’t listed:

      1. Click Follow steps to connect and add a printer > Next.
      2. Follow the instructions to perform a hardware self-test, then click Next.
      3. Select the Printer brand and Printer model from the dropdowns, then click Next.
      4. Select your connection type (USB), then click Next.
      5. Follow the on-screen instructions, then click Add printer.
    4. Under Connected printers, click the printer, then click Next.
    5. Your printer is now paired with Retail POS. You can choose to rename your printer and perform a Test print or click Finish.

Printing a test receipt

  1. In Retail POS, navigate to Sell (computer) or Menu (iPad) > Sales history.
  2. Click a sale row to expand it.
  3. Click Print receipt.

    The Print receipt button

  4. If prompted, select the printer and receipt template.
  5. Click Print.

Connecting a cash drawer (optional)

Cash drawers connect to your receipt printer and can be configured to open when you finish a cash or check sale before a receipt is printed.

For steps to connect a cash drawer, refer to Setting up your cash drawer.

What’s next?

Supported hardware

Learn more about supported printers, scanners, and terminals.

Learn more

Networking best practices

Networking best practices, terminology, and troubleshooting for common issues.

Learn more

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