Printers are the backbone of any Point of Sale (POS) system. From printing receipts to sending kitchen tickets, having a properly configured printer ensures smooth operations. This guide will walk you through setting up your CAKE Epson Thermal or Impact printer step-by-step.
Table of Contents
- Physical Setup
- Retrieve the Printer's IP Address
- Configure the Printer on the POS
The first step in setting up your printer is to ensure it is physically connected to your network. Follow these steps to confirm the hardware setup is correct:
- Connect the Printer to the CAKE Network: Ensure the printer is directly connected to the CAKE router (ZyXEL) using an ethernet cable.
- If using a network switch, confirm the switch is connected to the CAKE router.
- Power Up: Plug in and turn on the printer. Confirm the status light is steady, indicating it's ready to use.
To link your printer to the CAKE POS, you’ll need its IP address. There are two easy ways to find it:
- Method 1: Use the Receipt Slip
- New printers come with a receipt slip that includes the IP address (e.g., 10.10.10.XX).
- Method 2: Reprint the Slip
- If you don’t have the original slip, follow these steps:
- Power Cycle the Printer: Turn it off, then back on.
- Wait for the Slip: A receipt will print, displaying the IP address.
With the physical setup complete and the IP address in hand, the next step is to configure the printer in the CAKE POS system. This process ensures the printer is ready to handle specific tasks, such as printing receipts or kitchen tickets.
To begin the setup:
- Log into your CAKE POS system.
- Go to: Main Menu > Settings > Device Manager > Printers.
- Locate your register or orderpad on the left-hand side of the screen.
Once in the Printers tab, follow these steps to assign the printer to the appropriate device and customize its settings:
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Select a Device:
- On the left-hand side of the screen, choose the register or orderpad you’d like to set up a printer for.
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Choose the Printer:
- For a receipt printer, select the default Receipt Printer listed.
- For other printers (e.g., kitchen or expo), click Add Printer at the bottom left of the screen.
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Enter Printer Details:
Fill out the fields in the Add Printer menu:
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Printer Field:
- Assign the IP address for the printer by following these steps:
- Select Manually Assign IP Address.
- Enter the IP address retrieved from the slip.
- Click the magnifying glass icon to confirm the connection.
- Once connected, the icon will change to a printer. Click it to send a test print.
- Press Next to return to the Add Printer Menu.
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Station Name:
Select the printer’s name from the dropdown menu.
(Tip: Add printer names in Menu Admin under the “Stations” tab to populate this field.)
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Receipt Copies:
Set the number of receipt copies you want to print.
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Print from This Register:
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Toggle ON for direct printing from this register.
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Toggle OFF to create a phantom printer (used for logging, but it won't print).
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Print Backup To:
Assign a backup printer in case of printer malfunctions.
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Print Duplicates To:
Select a printer to receive duplicate tickets (e.g., kitchen tickets also print to the expo station).
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Printer Type:
Choose Thermal for receipt printers or Impact for kitchen printers.
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Save Your Configuration:
Once all fields are completed, click Save to finalize the setup.
Pro Tip: Setting Up Printers for Multiple Devices
If multiple registers or orderpads need to print to the same printer, repeat the setup process for each device via the Printers tab in Device Manager.
With your printers configured, your CAKE POS system is ready to handle all your printing needs!
Suggested Articles:
Troubleshooting and FAQ for CAKE POS Setup
Getting Started With CAKE: V4 Installation Guide
Printer Paper and Ribbon Specifications for Your Epson Printer
