By: Nathan Lewis
Thermal printers are not always the best choice for a receipt printer. You could not tell that by the number of thermal printers sold. But it is a true statement that a thermal printer is not always the best possible choice as a receipt printer.
I know that this goes against contemporary thinking but when you look closer at what a receipt printer can be used for, it becomes clear that a dot matrix printer is a much better choice in certain applications.
When Duplicate Receipts are Necessary
Dot matrix printers can run single, double or even triple copy paper through the printer at once. This paper is known as NCR paper or no carbon required. This special paper will make an exact duplicate for 1 or 2 copies of the receipt. You can use this for:
- Credit card receipts
- Layaway receipts
- House accounts where a signature is required
- Gift certificates
- Food preparation tickets
- Drink order receipts
- Claim tickets
Journal Printers
There are times when you need a journal receipt tape for security purposes. An electronic journal is not the best possible solution if you need to reproduce a physical copy of the day’s transactions. In those cases there is no substitute for a printed journal tape.
The only way to get a printed journal tape is with a journal printer. Problem is, there aren’t thermal journal printers. The only way to get a journal printer is to have a dot matrix printer, double copy paper and a journal take up spool.
Ticket or Check Validation
Validation takes place when you slide a document into a special slot on the printer and the printer then prints on the document. Most often this is a ticket or a check. Thermal printers cannot do validation as the documents being validated are not printed on thermal paper.
On the ticket you generally print a single line validating that the transaction was properly completed. The date, time, cashier name and amount are generally what is printed for validation purposes.
Validating a check can be more than a single line. Generally check validation will be multiple lines and take the place of a deposit stamp. It can include deposit information such as verbiage for “Deposit Only” and the account number.
Long Lasting Receipts Needed
Ever see what happens to a thermal receipt in the summer sun? They turn brown just before they turn black. Not good for customers who want to see what they bought or return for store credit or refund.
Another problem with thermal paper is that it does turn brown over time. The print fades and becomes nearly impossible to read. This is without excess summer heat.
This is another reason people don’t use thermal printers for a journal tape. The printed receipts just don’t last for years. If you need to keep records for tax purposes you will not want to keep thermal paper receipts.
Don’t be mesmerized by thermal printers spitting our receipts at 30+ lines per second. Speed is important but sometimes the quality of the receipt must be considered. In addition you must think of how you are going to use the receipt. In those cases a dot matrix printer may be the best possible choice for you and your customer.
Nathan Lewis has earned a solid reputation helping small to medium sized businesses expand their reach through niche market websites such as
My POS Printer. New receipt printers from
Epson Dot Matrix Receipt Printers and
Star Micronics Dot Matrix Receipt Printers.
