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Connect a printer to your point of sale

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Who is this article for?
  • Sellers with the account and settings permission to configure hardware settings. Set permissions in the Square Dashboard.

    • About printers

    Connect your printer to your device or Square hardware to print the following:

    • Receipts

    • In-person order tickets

    • Online & kiosk order tickets

    • Order ticket stubs

    • Void tickets

    • Barcode Labels

    You can use default settings to quickly set up and connect your printer to print, then assign printer profiles later to customize the settings to better fit your printing needs.

    Before you begin

    Before you can connect a printer to a device using the Square Point of Sale app, the Square Retail POS app, or the Square Appointments POS app, you need to set up printer profiles. Learn to set up printer profiles.

    You have two options when connecting a printer to a device using the Square Restaurants POS app:

    • Use default settings: Automatically set up your printer with default settings to print all items, ticket types, and receipts. You are not able to edit the default settings. The default settings have the following print settings enabled:

      • Receipts: On

      • In-person order tickets: On

        • Single item per ticket: Off

        • Print kitchen names: On

        • Compact ticket: Off

        • Categories to print: All categories

      • Online & kiosk order tickets: On

        • Single item per ticket: Off

        • Print kitchen names: On

        • Automatically Print New Orders: On

        • Categories to print: All categories

      • Void tickets: On

    • Use a custom profile: Manually set up your printer with custom settings by using a printer profile. You can create a printer profile before or during the setup process.

    If you assign a printer profile to a printer with default settings, the default settings will be removed.

    There are five printer connection types:

    • Ethernet printer

    • Wi-Fi printer

    • USB printer

    • Bluetooth printer

    • AirPrint printer

    To connect a printer, you need to use a compatible device. You may also need a Wi-Fi or Ethernet internet connection. To connect a printer to Square Terminal, you need Hub for Square Terminal.

    For iOS devices, Square needs access to your local network in order to connect to network printers. Go to your device Settings > Square > toggle ON Local Network, then relaunch the Square POS app.

    Option 1: Connect an Ethernet printer

    Ethernet printers plug into your router or switch using an Ethernet cable. Once connected to your router via the Ethernet cable, your hardware accessories will connect to your POS device through the Wi-Fi connection. You won’t be able to use an Ethernet connection with Offline payments. 

    Square Point of Sale, Square Retail POS app, and Square Appointments POS app

    1. Make sure your printer is connected to wall power using the cable supplied by the manufacturer.
    2. Turn on the printer using the power switch located on the back or underside of the device.
    3. Locate the ethernet port you want to connect your printer to. You can use an open ethernet port on your router or switch, or may want to plug directly into an ethernet port installed in your store.
    4. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable into the rear panel of the printer, and plug the other end of the cable into the selected ethernet port.
    5. Open the Square POS app.
    6. Tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Printers. If your ethernet printer is properly connected to the same network as your POS device you should see it listed.
    7. Set up or assign a printer profile.
    8. Tap Save and then tap Assign printer.
    9. Select the printer from the list of connected printers and follow the prompts to connect.
    10. Tap Save.

    Square Restaurants POS app

    Once you plug in your printer, you should see a pop-up on your screen to automatically connect your printer with default or custom profile settings.

    To manually connect your printer:

    1. Make sure your printer is connected to wall power using the cable supplied by the manufacturer.
    2. Turn on the printer using the power switch located on the back or underside of the device.
    3. Locate the ethernet port you want to connect your printer to. You can use an open ethernet port on your router or switch, or may want to plug directly into an ethernet port installed in your store.
    4. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable into the rear panel of the printer, and plug the other end of the cable into the selected ethernet port.
    5. Open the Square Restaurants POS app.
    6. Tap Account > Printers. If your ethernet printer is properly connected to the same network as your POS device you should see it listed.
    7. Select your printer and choose a setup option:
      • To auto-setup, select Set to default > Done.
      • To set up and assign a printer profile, select Use a custom profile > choose an existing printer profile or Create printer profile > Done.

    Option 2: Connect a Wi-Fi printer

    Wi-Fi printers connect wirelessly to your router. Make sure your device and hardware accessories are connected to the same network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If they are on different networks, the connection will not be successful.

    Square Point of Sale, Square Retail POS app, and Square Appointments POS app

    1. Make sure your printer is connected to wall power using the cable supplied by the manufacturer.
    2. Turn on the printer using the power switch located on the back or underside of the device.
    3. Move your printer close to your router to establish a strong Wi-Fi signal.
    4. Follow the instructions provided by the printer manufacturer to connect your printer to the same Wi-Fi network that your POS devices operate on.
    5. Open the Square POS app.
    6. Tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Printers.
    7. Tap the Printers tab if it has not already been selected. If your Wi-Fi printer is properly connected to the same network as your POS device you should see it listed.
    8. Set up or assign a printer profile.
    9. Tap Save and then tap Assign printer.
    10. Select the printer from the list of connected printers and follow the prompts to connect.
    11. Tap Save.

    Square Restaurants POS app

    Once you plug in your printer, you should see a pop-up on your screen to automatically connect your printer with default or custom profile settings.

    To manually connect your printer:

    1. Make sure your printer is connected to wall power using the cable supplied by the manufacturer.
    2. Turn on the printer using the power switch located on the back or underside of the device.
    3. Move your printer close to your router to establish a strong Wi-Fi signal.
    4. Follow the instructions provided by the printer manufacturer to connect your printer to the same Wi-Fi network that your POS devices operate on.
    5. Open the Square Restaurants POS app.
    6. Tap Account > Printers. If your Wi-Fi printer is properly connected to the same network as your POS device you should see it listed.
    7. Select your printer and choose a setup option:
      • To auto-setup, select Set to default > Done.
      • To set up and assign a printer profile, select Use a custom profile > choose an existing printer profile or Create printer profile > Done.

    Option 3: Connect a USB printer

    USB printers plug directly into the compatible POS device. If you are using Square Stand, Square Register, or Square Terminal, you can plug your USB accessory directly into the USB hub on the power cord. For Android devices, you’ll need to connect through a USB OTG (On-The-Go) adaptor. Check that your Android device supports USB OTG or USB Host mode. Connecting a printer into an iOS device directly via a Lightning or USB-C is not supported.

    USB printers are hardwired to one POS device and only that POS can print to the USB printer.

    Square Point of Sale, Square Retail POS app, and Square Appointments POS app

    1. Open the Square POS app.
    2. Tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Printers.
    3. Tap the Printers tab if it has not already been selected. If your USB printer is properly connected to the USB hub you should see it listed.
    4. Set up or assign a printer profile.
    5. Tap Save and then tap Assign printer.
    6. Select the printer from the list of connected printers and follow the prompts to connect.
    7. Tap Save.

    Square Restaurants POS app

    Once you plug in your printer, you should see a pop-up on your screen to automatically connect your printer with default or custom profile settings.

    To manually connect your printer:

    1. Open the Square Restaurants POS app.
    2. Tap Account > Printers. If your USB printer is properly connected to the USB hub you should see it listed.
    3. Select your printer and choose a setup option:
      • To auto-setup, select Set to default > Done.
      • To set up and assign a printer profile, select Use a custom profile > choose an existing printer profile or Create printer profile > Done.

    Option 4: Connect a Bluetooth printer

    Bluetooth printers connect to your device wirelessly using the Bluetooth connection. Bluetooth works best in close proximity (within 10ft.).

    Due to poor performance, we do not recommend using Bluetooth printers.

    Bluetooth printers can only be wirelessly connected to one POS device at a time and only that POS can print to the Bluetooth printer.

    Square Point of Sale, Square Retail POS app, and Square Appointments POS app

    1. Connect your printer to a grounded power outlet using the cable supplied by the manufacturer. Some Bluetooth printers operate on battery power, in which case make sure your printer is charged.
    2. Turn on the printer using the power switch located on the back or underside of the device.
    3. Move your printer close to your device to establish a strong Bluetooth connection.
    4. For iOS devices, Square needs Bluetooth access in order to connect to Bluetooth printers. Toggle Bluetooth ON in your device Settings > Square > Bluetooth to enable access, then relaunch the Square POS app.
    5. Put your printer into Bluetooth pairing mode by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
    6. From the Square POS app, tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Printers.
    7. Select Connect printer > Select printer > Connect to Bluetooth printer.
    8. Follow the steps on how to connect a Bluetooth printer:
      • Turn the printer on.
      • Go to your device’s Settings > Bluetooth > toggle Bluetooth ON.
      • Select the printer.
      • If prompted for a PIN, enter 1234.
      • Return to the previous page.
    9. Once your printer is paired, return to the Square POS app and a “Printer Connected” message will appear.
    10. Add a Printer name.
    11. Set up or assign a printer profile.
    12. Tap Save and then tap Assign printer.
    13. Select the printer from the list of connected printers and follow the prompts to connect.
    14. Tap Save.

    Square Restaurants POS app

    Once you plug in your printer, you should see a pop-up on your screen to automatically connect your printer with default or custom profile settings.

    To manually connect your printer:

    1. Connect your printer to a grounded power outlet using the cable supplied by the manufacturer. Some Bluetooth printers operate on battery power, in which case make sure your printer is charged.
    2. Turn on the printer using the power switch located on the back or underside of the device.
    3. Move your printer close to your device to establish a strong Bluetooth connection.
    4. For iOS devices, Square needs Bluetooth access in order to connect to Bluetooth printers. Toggle Bluetooth ON in your device Settings > Square > Bluetooth to enable access, then relaunch the Square Restaurants POS app.
    5. Put your printer into Bluetooth pairing mode by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
    6. Tap Account > Printers.
    7. Select your printer and choose a setup option:
      • To auto-setup, select Set to default > Done.
      • To set up and assign a printer profile, select Use a custom profile > choose an existing printer profile or Create printer profile > Done.

    Option 5: Connect an AirPrint printer

    AirPrint support helps the integration with any printer that uses AirPrint protocol. You can connect to popular AirPrint enabled printers from the POS, such as Brother QL-1110 and StarTSP847II.

    Square Point of Sale, Square Retail POS app, and Square Appointments POS app

    1. Connect your printer to a grounded power outlet using the cable supplied by the manufacturer.
    2. Turn on the printer using the power switch located on the back or underside of the device.
    3. If your printer supports an Ethernet connection: Locate the ethernet port you want to connect your printer to. You can use an open ethernet port on your router or switch, or may want to plug directly into an ethernet port installed in your store.
    4. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable into the rear panel of the printer, and plug the other end of the cable into the selected ethernet port.
    5. If your printer supports a Wi-Fi connection, and an Ethernet cable is not in use: Follow the instructions provided by the printer manufacturer to connect your printer to the same Wi-Fi network that your POS devices operate on.
    6. From the Square POS app, tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Printers.
    7. Select Connect printer > Select printer > Connect to AirPrint printer.
    8. Choose your printer and tap Save.
    9. Set up or assign a printer profile.
    10. Tap Save and then tap Assign printer.
    11. Select the printer from the list of connected printers and follow the prompts to connect.
    12. Tap Save.

    Square Restaurants POS app

    Once you plug in your printer, you should see a pop-up on your screen to automatically connect your printer with default or custom profile settings.

    To manually connect your printer:

    1. Connect your printer to a grounded power outlet using the cable supplied by the manufacturer.
    2. Turn on the printer using the power switch located on the back or underside of the device.
    3. If your printer supports an Ethernet connection: Locate the ethernet port you want to connect your printer to. You can use an open ethernet port on your router or switch, or may want to plug directly into an ethernet port installed in your store.
    4. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable into the rear panel of the printer, and plug the other end of the cable into the selected ethernet port.
    5. If your printer supports a Wi-Fi connection, and an Ethernet cable is not in use: Follow the instructions provided by the printer manufacturer to connect your printer to the same Wi-Fi network that your POS devices operate on.
    6. Open the Square Restaurants POS app.
    7. Tap Account > Printers. If your Wi-Fi printer is properly connected to the same network as your POS device you should see it listed.
    8. Select your printer and choose a setup option:
      • To auto-setup, select Set to default > Done.
      • To set up and assign a printer profile, select Use a custom profile > choose an existing printer profile or Create printer profile > Done.

    Edit printer settings

    If you connect a printer without assigning a printer profile, the printer status will show as Not configured and you can only do a print test, rename the printer, and manage the paper size printer setting.

    1. Open your Square POS app.

    2. Tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Printers.

    3. Select the entire printer row by tapping the printer under the Name column.

    4. Tap Print test to perform a test, which will print a fake receipt.

    5. Tap Rename to rename your printer.

    6. Tap Change next to Paper size to manage the paper size settings.

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