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Printer Settings

The Printer Settings category lets you build an inventory of the printers you have on site, then assign each one to the jobs it should handle. A single device can fill more than one role.

The page has two parts: a Printer inventory where you add and configure each physical printer, and Job assignments where you choose which printer prints each type of receipt.

Printer inventory

Use Add printer to create a new entry. Each printer has a name (for example Kitchen, Bar Counter, Reception) and a connection type. Use the trash icon to delete a printer. Deleting a printer clears any role assigned to it, and HandyCafe asks for confirmation first.

Connection

The Connection dropdown sets how HandyCafe reaches the device. There are three options.

  • Disabled: The printer is kept in the inventory but does no printing. No further fields are shown.
  • Network (TCP): A network printer reached over the LAN. You provide a Printer IP (for example 192.168.1.100) and a Port (default 9100, range 1 to 65535).
  • System printer: A printer installed on the server's operating system through CUPS. You pick the device from the Installed printer list.

System printer options

When the connection is set to System printer, HandyCafe enumerates the printers installed through CUPS. Use Refresh list to reload the list after installing or changing printers. If CUPS is not installed on the machine, install libcups2 (or your distribution's equivalent) so HandyCafe can read the installed printers.

The Print format dropdown controls how the receipt is rendered for a system printer.

  • Plain text (driver font): The printer's own font renders the receipt and QR codes are embedded as a raster image. This is the right pick for most USB thermal printers (ZJ58/ZJ80, Epson TM, Star TSP).
  • Raw thermal (ESC/POS bitmap): Use this if the driver ignores text-mode commands.
  • Image (laser / inkjet): Use this for a laser or inkjet page printer.

Paper width

For any enabled printer you set the Paper width: 80 mm (standard thermal roll) or 58 mm (compact thermal roll). Match the physical roll loaded in the printer. The wrong width either clips text on the right edge or wastes half the paper in a blank margin.

Header, footer, and notes

Three text fields print on the receipt.

  • Header text: The top line printed on every receipt (for example the cafe name).
  • Description: Free-form notes printed under the access code on table-code receipts (for example opening hours or scan instructions).
  • Footer text: The bottom line (for example a thank-you message).

The Cut paper after print toggle tells the printer to cut the roll once the receipt is complete.

Test print

Each enabled printer has a Test print button that sends a sample receipt to confirm the connection and settings are correct. Only one test runs at a time. The result (sent or failed) appears next to the button.

Job assignments

Under Job assignments you pick which printer in your inventory handles each job. The same printer can serve multiple roles, and any role can be left as Not assigned.

  • Cafeteria bill: The customer-facing bill handed to the guest with the check.
  • Cafeteria kitchen ticket: The order ticket sent to the kitchen for preparation.
  • Walk-in ticket receipt: Printed when a walk-in ticket is created. Leave unassigned to skip printing.

Assignments are stored by printer, so renaming a printer keeps its role assignment intact.