What is a POS Printer?

It's not overstating it to say that in today’s society, POS (point of sale) printers are omnipresent. In fact, it’s difficult to name a single aspect of personal or professional life that isn’t touched in some way by POS printing. Buying coffee. Getting gas. Lunching with friends. Seeing the doctor. Whenever money changes hands, there’s usually a POS printer involved. A POS printer is typically part of a much larger POS system, which includes numerous tightly integrated components, including a cash drawer, pole display and scanner (barcode reader). The terms POS printer and receipt printer are often used interchangeably because they produce hardcopy records (receipts) of specific transactions at specific points of sale.

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Receipt printing technologies

Most POS printers fall into two categories: thermal and impact. Thermal printers use a heated print head to imprint information onto special, heat-sensitive (thermal) POS printer paper. This method does not require ink or ribbons. Impact printers, by comparison, use traditional paper rolls and leave a printed impression by striking an ink-infused ribbon with tiny metal pins.

Each technology offers distinct advantages. Thermal POS printers produce clean, crisp, highly readable receipts, quickly—without the cost of ribbons. However, thermal POS paper can discolor over time or when exposed to high heat, such as in a kitchen. Impact printers, while noisier and more susceptible to mechanical issues, produce a more durable receipt for harsh environments and can be more economical when multi-ply receipts are required.

Regardless of your industry or application, Citizen offers a POS printer to suit your needs and budget. Click here to see more.