Slips & printing
Compatible printers
Which thermal printers work with Todebaran, and what to look for when buying one.
Todebaran prints to ESC/POS thermal receipt printers (and StarPRNT for Star models). This page lists the printer models it knows about and offers advice on choosing one. For setup, see Setting up a printer.
Recommended#
The Epson TM‑T20III and TM‑T20IV are reliable, widely available 80 mm printers and are a safe default — the TM‑T20III is Todebaran's out‑of‑the‑box model choice.
Supported models#
Choosing one of these in Settings → Printer → Model applies the right command language, paper width and cutting behavior for that printer.
| Brand | Models |
|---|---|
| Epson | TM‑m30II, TM‑m30III, TM‑P20II, TM‑T20II, TM‑T20III, TM‑T20IV, TM‑T70, TM‑T70II, TM‑T88II–TM‑T88VII |
| Star | mC‑Print2, mPOP, SM‑L200, TSP100III, TSP100IV, TSP650, TSP650II |
| Bixolon | SRP‑350, SRP‑350III |
| Citizen | CT‑S310II |
| Fujitsu | FP‑1000 |
| HP | A779 |
| Xprinter | XP‑N160II, XP‑T80Q |
| Generic | Metapace T‑1, MPT‑II, POS‑5890, POS‑8360, Youku 58T |
Model not listed?
Most inexpensive receipt printers are ESC/POS‑compatible and clone a common
model. If yours isn't in the list, pick the closest model from the same
brand, or a generic entry (POS‑8360 for 80 mm, POS‑5890 for 58 mm),
and run a Test print to confirm.
Paper width#
The model you choose sets the paper width — there's no separate width control. The two common sizes are:
- 80 mm (about 48 characters per line) — the standard receipt size. Most Epson
TM‑T20 and TM‑T88 models, and the generic
POS‑8360. - 58 mm (about 32 characters per line) — smaller and cheaper. Generic models
like
POS‑5890andYouku 58T.
Pick the model that matches the paper roll your printer actually uses; a mismatch prints too narrow or runs off the edge.
Connection support#
| Connection | Supported |
|---|---|
| Network (Ethernet / Wi‑Fi) | Yes — the most flexible |
| USB | Yes |
| Serial | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Only if the printer exposes a serial port (add it as Serial) |
See Setting up a printer for the details of each.
Cutting#
Most listed models cut the paper automatically after each slip. A few basic 58 mm
models (Youku 58T, MPT‑II) have no cutter — they simply feed the paper for you
to tear off.
Buying advice#
If you're buying a printer for Todebaran:
- Look for “ESC/POS” in the specs (Star printers use StarPRNT — also fine).
- 80 mm is the safer choice — roomier layout and the most common paper.
- Network is the most flexible for a shared printer; USB is simplest for one Mac.
- When in doubt, an Epson TM‑T20III/T20IV just works.
A note on thermal paper
Thermal paper is coated with a developer; some contains BPA/BPS. If the printer is handled often, consider phenol‑free (BPA/BPS‑free) rolls.