> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.florists.digital/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Receipt Printers > Star Micronics and Epson thermal receipt printers that work with Digital Florists Connect. These are the **thermal receipt printers** we've tested with Digital Florists Connect — **Star Micronics** (recommended) and **Epson** (supported), the two industry-standard brands for hospitality and retail. Connect picks the right way of talking to each printer automatically, and you can override it in settings if a network printer misbehaves. For receipt content, logos, and fonts, see [Receipts](/get-started/connect-receipts). ## 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](#star-usb-windows)). **Check the listing before you pay — or let us check it for you.** Star and Epson sell the same-looking printer in Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB-only, and Bluetooth versions on nearly identical listings. The one you want lists **LAN** or **Ethernet** as a connection; if the model number ends in **BI** or **BI2**, or Bluetooth is the only connection mentioned, it won't work with Connect. If you're not certain, [send us your basket](/guides/hardware/send-us-your-basket) before you pay and we'll confirm it's the right version. Every model in the [supported list](#supported-models) below works — the Epson TM-T20IV (Ethernet) is the usual alternative if you already own one. For where to buy, see [Tested kit](/guides/hardware/tested-kit#uk-suppliers). ## 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. | Brand | Model | Paper | Best for | | ------------------ | --------- | ----- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Star Micronics** | TSP143IV | 80mm | The all-rounder. Built-in Ethernet and auto-cutter. | | **Star Micronics** | mC-Print3 | 80mm | Premium compact printer. Ethernet and USB. | | **Epson** | TM-T20IV | 80mm | The budget pick. Simple Ethernet setup. | | **Epson** | TM-m30III | 80mm | Small cube shape for tight counters. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB-C. | | **Epson** | TM-T88VII | 80mm | High-volume shops. Fast and heavy-duty. | 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. **Need 58mm paper?** The Star **mC-Print2** is the only 58mm model Connect is set up for. Most florists want 80mm, which every model in the table uses. ## Connection methods Receipt printers can be connected four ways. Connect treats them the same once they're set up. | Method | How it works | | ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Network (Ethernet/Wi-Fi)** | Printer plugs into your router or joins your Wi-Fi. Connect finds it on your network, or you can type the IP address in manually. | | **USB direct** | Printer plugs straight into the computer's USB port. On Windows, Star printers need a one-time driver step (see [Star USB on Windows](#star-usb-windows)). | | **Via Windows or macOS** | Connect prints through your computer's own printer list, using the driver you've installed. | | **Star virtual COM port** | For Star printers paired over a Star-specific virtual COM port (often `COM5` or similar). Enter the port name when prompted, or use `default` to let Connect pick. Rare, and only if Connect couldn't detect your Star another way. | 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](#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. The same chooser appears in the setup wizard when you enter a network printer manually. If your receipt prints but the cash drawer stays shut, check the command set first — see [Cash drawer](/get-started/connect-cash-drawer#troubleshooting). ## Cash drawer support Cash drawers fire through the receipt printer's DK port. See [Cash drawer](/get-started/connect-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**. 1. **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](#whats-not-supported). No amount of setup will fix this one. 2. **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. 3. **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](#star-usb-windows) for USB Star printers. 4. **Still stuck?** Email a photo of the sticker and a photo of the cables plugged into the back to **[hello@digitalflorists.com](mailto: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](/get-started/connect-printers#when-a-printer-needs-review) 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](/guides/hardware/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](/guides/hardware#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. There are also two receipt-specific cases. **Star USB printers on Windows** won't print until the driver helper is installed — see [Star USB on Windows](#star-usb-windows). And **Bluetooth-only printers aren't supported**: we haven't tested them, and Connect prints over network or USB. If yours can still be returned, swap it for the Ethernet version of the same model. ## 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](/get-started/connect-receipts) for the full walkthrough, including paper-width specifics. ## Common questions Yes, if it's on the network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Install Connect on each computer and point each at the same printer IP address. 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](mailto:hello@digitalflorists.com)** before buying. 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. 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](mailto:hello@digitalflorists.com)** before buying anything else, and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth trying. ## What's next? Receipt content, logo, and font customisation. Wire your drawer through the receipt printer. What to buy, approximate prices, UK suppliers.