How to Install and Configure a USB Receipt Printer

How to Install and Configure a USB Receipt Printer

This guide will walk you through installing a USB thermal receipt printer on your Windows computer and configuring it to print receipts using ChecKmate POS.

SECTION 1: Installing the USB Receipt Printer

Step 1: Connect the Printer and Insert the Paper Roll

1. Connect the printer to a power outlet using its power adapter.
2. Open the printer's paper compartment by lifting the cover.
3. Insert the thermal receipt paper roll into the compartment, ensuring the paper unwinds from the bottom of the roll toward the front of the printer.
4. Pull a small portion of the paper over the front edge of the printer and close the cover securely, leaving a small piece of paper extending outside.
5. Connect the USB cable from the printer to your computer.
6. Turn on the printer using its power switch.

Note: Ensure the paper is facing the correct direction. Thermal paper will only print on its coated side.

Step 2: Install the Printer Driver

1. Search online for the printer driver using your printer's exact brand and model number.
2. Visit the printer manufacturer's official website and locate the appropriate driver.
3. Download the driver compatible with your operating system (Windows 10, Windows 11, or macOS, if supported).
4. Open the downloaded driver installer and right click it to extract all.
5. Follow the installation instructions and select USB as the connection type.
6. Select your operating system version if prompted.
7. When prompted to select a USB port, click Check USB Port to detect the port connected to your receipt printer.
8. Confirm that the correct USB port has been detected and assigned to the printer.
9. Click Install and follow the remaining instructions to complete the driver installation.

Important: Do not skip the Check USB Port step. This allows the installer to detect and assign the correct USB port to your receipt printer.

Note: The installation screens may vary depending on the printer manufacturer. Some drivers automatically detect the USB connection.

Step 3: Verify the Printer Installation

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
3. Click Printers & scanners.
4. Locate and select your receipt printer from the list.
5. Open Printer properties.
6. Click Print Test Page.
7. Confirm that the printer successfully prints the Windows test page.

If the test page prints successfully, your printer has been installed correctly.

✅ Installation Complete! Your USB receipt printer is now installed on your computer.

SECTION 2: Configuring the USB Receipt Printer

After installing the printer, you must configure its settings to ensure receipts print correctly.

Step 1: Open the Printer Preferences

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Navigate to Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
3. Select your installed receipt printer.
4. Click Printing preferences.
5. Locate the paper size setting.
6. Leave the paper width at its default 80mm setting for a standard 80mm receipt printer.

Note: If your printer uses a different paper width, select the size that matches your printer.

Step 2: Configure the Printer Preferences

While in Printing preferences, configure the following settings.

A. Graphics Properties

1. Select the Graphics tab.
2. Locate Graphics Properties.
3. Select Adaptive Threshold.

B. Paper Cutter Settings

1. Select the Printer Settings tab.
2. Locate Paper Cutter.
3. Select Cut Per Job.

This ensures the printer automatically cuts the receipt after each completed print job, provided the printer supports automatic cutting.

C. Printer Density

1. Select the Printer Density tab.
2. Locate the print density setting.
3. Set the Printer Density to 7.

This helps produce clear, readable receipts.

D. Save Printer Preferences

1. Review the settings.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click OK to save your changes.

Step 3: Verify the USB Printer Port

1. Return to Printers & scanners in Windows Settings.
2. Select your receipt printer.
3. Open Printer properties.
4. Select the Ports tab.
5. Locate USB001 (Virtual Printer Port for USB).
6. Confirm that the correct USB port is selected for your receipt printer.

Important: The port may have a different USB number depending on your computer. Select the port assigned to your printer during driver installation if it was not already auto selected.

Test the Printer

1. While in Printer properties, select the General tab.
2. Click Print Test Page.
3. Confirm that the printer prints successfully using the configured settings.

✅ Your printer is now configured in Windows and ready to be connected to ChecKmate POS.

SECTION 3: Configuring the Printer in ChecKmate POS

Step 1: Open ChecKmate Printer Settings

1. Launch the ChecKmate POS Windows application.
2. Navigate to Settings.
3. Select Operations.
4. Click Printers.
5. Select the option to add a new printer.

Step 2: Add Your USB Receipt Printer

Enter the printer information using the following settings:

Detect the USB Printer

1. Select USB Printer as the printer type.
2. Click Detect USB Printer.
3. Wait for ChecKmate to detect the connected printer.
4. Select the detected printer.

Important: If the printer is not detected on the first attempt, click Detect USB Printer again.

Step 3: Select the Printer Role

Choose how the printer will be used in ChecKmate POS.

• Receipt Printer: Prints customer receipts.
• Order Printer: Prints order tickets.
• Both: Prints customer receipts and order tickets.

Select the option that best suits your business operations.

Step 4: Save the Printer

1. Confirm that the printer name is correct.
2. Verify that USB Printer is selected.
3. Confirm the printer has been detected.
4. Select the appropriate printer role.
5. Set the paper width to 80mm, unless your printer uses a different size.
6. Enable Default Printer if applicable.
7. Click Add Printer to save the configuration.

Step 5: Perform a Test Print

1. Locate the newly added printer in ChecKmate POS.
2. Select Test Print.
3. Confirm that the printer successfully prints the test receipt.
4. Check that the receipt is properly aligned and the text is clear.
5. Verify that the printer automatically cuts the receipt after printing, if supported.

✅ Setup Complete!

Your USB receipt printer is now installed, configured, and ready to use with ChecKmate POS.

Troubleshooting

Printer Not Detected in ChecKmate

Ensure the printer is powered on and properly connected to your computer. Click Detect USB Printer again. If the issue persists, verify that the printer is installed correctly in Windows.

Printer Not Printing

Open Windows Printers & scanners → Printer properties and perform a test print. If the test page fails, check the driver installation and USB port assignment.

Receipt Not Cutting Automatically

Open Printing preferences → Printer Settings → Paper Cutter and ensure Cut Per Job is selected.

Receipt Printing Too Light

Open Printing preferences → Printer Density and confirm that the density is set to 7.

Incorrect Paper Alignment

Verify that the paper width is set to 80mm for an 80mm printer and that the receipt paper is correctly positioned.

Incorrect USB Port

Open Printer properties → Ports and verify that the selected USB port matches the port assigned during installation.

ChecKmate POS | Printer Installation & Configuration Guide