---
title: "Complete Guide: Connecting a Thermal Printer to Meezi"
excerpt: "Connect any ESC/POS WiFi printer to Meezi in 4 steps — customer receipts, kitchen slips, auto-print, end-of-shift reports, and every print feature explained."
date: "2025-08-11"
author: "Meezi Team"
category: "Guides & Tutorials"
tags: ["printer", "setup", "receipt", "kitchen"]
---

One of the first questions cafe owners ask when setting up Meezi is: "Can I connect my existing printer?" Short answer: **Yes — as long as it's ESC/POS and supports WiFi or LAN.**

This guide walks you through connecting your printer, customizing customer receipts and kitchen slips, and using every printing feature Meezi offers.

---

## Supported Printers

Meezi works with any thermal printer that supports the **ESC/POS** protocol and network connectivity (WiFi or LAN). Most common models:

| Model | Width | Connection |
|-------|-------|-----------|
| Epson TM-T88VI/VII | 80mm | WiFi / LAN |
| Epson TM-T20III | 80mm | WiFi / LAN |
| XPrinter XP-58IIH | 58mm | WiFi |
| XPrinter XP-80C | 80mm | WiFi / LAN |
| Bixolon SRP-350plusV | 80mm | LAN |
| Star TSP143IV | 80mm | LAN / CloudPRNT |
| Any ESC/POS on port 9100 | 58 / 80mm | WiFi / LAN |

---

## Step 1: Find the printer's IP address

**Method 1 — Self-test page:**
On most printers, holding the Feed button while powering on (or pressing it for 5 seconds) prints a self-test page showing the IP, Subnet, and Gateway.

**Method 2 — Printer's WiFi settings panel:**
Some models (like Epson TM-T88VII) broadcast a temporary access point. Open `http://192.168.192.168` in a browser and configure your cafe's WiFi.

**Method 3 — Manufacturer software:**
Use EpsonNet Setup for Epson, or XPrinter Config Tool for XPrinter.

> **Important:** The printer must be connected to the same WiFi network as the device running the Meezi dashboard.

---

## Step 2: Enter the IP in Meezi dashboard

1. Log into your Meezi dashboard
2. Click **Settings** in the sidebar
3. Open the **Printer** section
4. Under **Receipt Printer**, enter the IP and port:

```
IP:    192.168.1.105   (your printer's actual IP)
Port:  9100             (default for most ESC/POS)
```

If you have a separate kitchen printer, repeat for **Kitchen Printer**.

---

## Step 3: Test print

Click **Test Receipt Print** or **Test Kitchen Print**.

✅ If a test page with the Meezi logo prints — you're connected.

❌ If nothing prints:
- Verify the IP is correct
- Check that the printer and dashboard device are on the same network
- Try port 9100 (some models use 6101)
- Temporarily disable Windows/Mac firewall and try again

---

## Step 4: Customize your receipts

In the printer settings page you can configure:

### Customer receipt:
- **Paper width** — 58mm or 80mm
- **Header** — cafe name, address, phone number
- **Footer** — thank you message, opening hours
- **WiFi password** — SSID and password printed as a QR code
- **Auto-cut** — on/off

### Kitchen slip:
- Separate IP for the kitchen printer
- Larger font for better kitchen readability
- No prices (items and quantities only)
- Per-item notes (e.g. "less sugar", "no onion")

---

## All Printing Features

### 🖨️ Auto-print on order
The moment an order is submitted — via QR menu or the POS — the kitchen slip **automatically** prints. No waiter action required.

### 🍳 Kitchen station printer
For larger cafes and restaurants with multiple stations:
- **Cold station (bar):** cold drinks, desserts
- **Hot station (grill):** hot food items
- Each station has its own IP and only receives its relevant items

### 🧾 Bill splitting
When guests want to pay separately:
- Split the bill between 2 or more guests
- Each portion prints as a separate receipt
- Each portion has its own payment method (cash/card)

### 📊 End-of-shift report
When a cashier shift is closed, a summary receipt prints automatically:
- Total cash sales
- Total card sales
- Total number of orders
- Total void (cancelled item) amount

### 📱 Reprint from waiter app
Lost a receipt? Customer needs a copy?
1. Waiter opens the Meezi mobile app
2. Finds the order
3. Taps "Reprint"

### ❌ Void slip
When an item is voided, a dedicated slip prints to the kitchen telling the chef **not to prepare** that item.

---

## FAQ

**Q: Does USB printing work?**
Yes, but it requires the printer driver to be installed on the device running the dashboard. We recommend a network printer (WiFi/LAN) which works from any device.

**Q: Can I have two different printers — one for customer receipts and one for the kitchen?**
Yes. Meezi supports one receipt printer + one kitchen printer, each with a separate IP address.

**Q: Can I print my cafe logo on the receipt?**
Logo printing on thermal printers requires bitmap memory stored in the printer. This is possible on Epson TM-T88VI and later models via EpsonNet Config.

**Q: What happens if the power goes out and the printer disconnects?**
Once the connection is restored, Meezi automatically reconnects. Any orders that were placed during the outage can be reprinted using the "Reprint" button.

---

Have more questions? Open a support ticket from the dashboard — our team responds within 24 hours.
