What to buy
Buying new? Buy the Star TSP143IV UE, around £200-270. It’s the current Star flagship with built-in Ethernet and an auto-cutter, and the printer we test first and set up most often. Listings describe it as LAN, Ethernet, or E+U. It plugs into your router with a network cable, Connect finds it on your network, and you skip the driver step a USB printer needs on Windows (see Star USB on Windows). Every model in the supported list below works — the Epson TM-T20IV (Ethernet) is the usual alternative if you already own one. For where to buy, see Tested kit.Supported models
The two picks above suit almost every shop. The rest of this list is for specific setups, like a very busy counter or a cramped one. Connect recognises each model by name and sets the correct paper width and cash-drawer behaviour automatically. These are the current, in-production models we test end-to-end.
Other generic thermal receipt printers may print fine, but only the models above are tested and set up automatically.
Already own an older model? Earlier Star and Epson generations (previous TSP143 and TSP100 models, and older Epson TM-T20, TM-T88, and TM-m30 versions) often still print, as long as they connect with a network or USB cable — Connect detects them the same way. The exception is Bluetooth-only models, which aren’t supported; see the question at the bottom of this page. Older models aren’t tested, so buy a current model for a new till.
Connection methods
Receipt printers can be connected four ways. Connect treats them the same once they’re set up.
If Connect can’t auto-detect your printer, use Manual printer entry to type the IP address and port directly. It appears as a fallback inside the setup wizard. Printers installed on your computer show up automatically, so only search the network if yours isn’t listed.
Star USB on Windows
Use Ethernet, not USB, on Star printers where you can. A USB Star receipt printer on Windows needs a one-time driver swap (via a tool called Zadig) before Connect can talk to it directly, and a Windows Update can occasionally undo it. The Ethernet variant of the same model plugs into your router and avoids all of this. If USB is your only option, Connect prompts you to install the driver helper on the receipt printer card and walks you through it the first time. The setup wizard warns you if the printer needs switching to ESC/POS mode. Once it’s installed, leave the Receipt command set on Automatic unless the printer misbehaves.Windows driver compatibility mode
Most florists never need this, but some Windows printer queues refuse the raw data Connect normally sends. Older Star models and Epson queues installed without the Epson APD driver work this way. The test print fails with a message that the queue “does not accept raw receipt data”. When that happens, turn on Windows driver compatibility mode and Connect prints receipts through the Windows driver instead, the same way any Windows program prints. The tick-box lives in two places in Connect — under the gear icon on the printer card during setup, and in Settings > Printers once the printer is saved. Receipts look the same in this mode, but the printer driver takes over two jobs from Connect:- Cutting and the cash drawer are set in the driver’s Printing preferences in Windows. For Star TSP100 printers, open the TSP100 configuration utility (futurePRNT) and set the document cut at the end of each job and the cash drawer to fire at the start.
- The Open cash drawer button in Connect can’t fire the drawer on these printers. The drawer opens with each printed receipt instead.
Receipt command set
Receipt printers understand one of two command languages: ESC/POS (used by Epson printers, and by Star printers set to ESC/POS mode) or Star Line (Star’s own). Connect picks the right one automatically. For network receipt printers, and Star USB printers on Windows, an amber Receipt command set panel in Settings > Printers lets you override it.- Automatic — Connect chooses based on the printer model. The right choice for almost everyone.
- Star Line — pick this when a Star network printer prints the text but doesn’t cut the paper or open the cash drawer.
- ESC/POS — pick this for Epson printers, or for Star printers set to ESC/POS mode.
Cash drawer support
Cash drawers fire through the receipt printer’s DK port. See Cash drawer for wiring and which printers can drive a drawer.Printer not detected, or the test print fails
Before changing any settings, turn the printer over and look at the sticker on the bottom or back.- Check the model number. If it ends in BI or BI2, it’s a Bluetooth-only model and Connect can’t drive it — see What’s not supported. No amount of setup will fix this one.
- Check the cables. A working setup has either a network cable running to your router, or a USB cable running to the till computer. If the only lead is the power cable, the printer has nothing to talk to Connect through.
- Run the setup wizard again. If the printer is wired in and still isn’t found, use Manual printer entry in the wizard to type the IP address, or see Star USB on Windows for USB Star printers.
- Still stuck? Email a photo of the sticker and a photo of the cables plugged into the back to hello@digitalflorists.com. Those two photos are the first thing we’ll ask for, so sending them up front saves a round trip.
If a printer needs review
If a saved printer stops matching what your computer reports, Connect shows a “This printer setup needs review” banner in Settings > Printers. Run the setup wizard again and re-select the working printer before trusting test prints. See Hardware overview for what the wizard’s warnings mean.What’s not supported
- Bluetooth-only printers — Connect prints over your network or a USB cable, not Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is the only connection a listing mentions, or the Star model number ends in BI or BI2, it won’t work with Connect. If one is already on your counter, see Existing hardware.
- iPads and Android tablets as the till — Connect runs on Mac and Windows only, so a tablet can’t drive a receipt printer, cash drawer, or label printer. See Tablets as a till.
- Inkjet, laser, and consumer photo printers (HP DeskJet/OfficeJet, Canon PIXMA, Epson WorkForce, Brother HL/MFC) — Connect is built for thermal receipt and label printers.
- Chromebooks — Connect doesn’t run on ChromeOS. Use a Mac or Windows PC.
- 32-bit Windows — Connect needs 64-bit Windows. Any machine sold in the last five years is 64-bit by default.
- Intel Macs — Connect is Apple Silicon only (M1 or newer). Intel Macs sold before late 2020 won’t run it.
Receipt content and customisation
Once a receipt printer is connected, you can upload a logo, pick a font, and tailor what appears on the receipt. See Receipts for the full walkthrough, including paper-width specifics.Common questions
My printer isn't on the list — will it work?
My printer isn't on the list — will it work?
It might. Most generic thermal receipt printers print fine, but only the models above are tested. If you’re unsure, email the model number to hello@digitalflorists.com before buying.
What paper do I need?
What paper do I need?
Standard thermal receipt rolls, 80mm × 80mm, which is what every model in the table uses. Make sure they’re thermal rolls, not bond or ink.
I already own a Bluetooth Star printer — can I use it?
I already own a Bluetooth Star printer — can I use it?
Bluetooth printers aren’t supported, and we haven’t tested them. If the printer can still be returned, swap it for the Ethernet (LAN) version of the same model — that’s the version Connect is built for, and it’s usually a similar price. If it can’t be returned, email a photo of the model-number sticker to hello@digitalflorists.com before buying anything else, and we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s worth trying.
What’s next?
Receipts
Receipt content, logo, and font customisation.
Cash drawer
Wire your drawer through the receipt printer.
Tested kit
What to buy, approximate prices, UK suppliers.