Best Practices for Printers & Cash Drawers

This guide is designed to help you care for and get the most out of your printer and cash drawer. From proper cleaning procedures to tips for avoiding potential issues, check out our suggestions below for keeping your hardware in the best possible condition.

Table of Contents

Printers

Epson TM-m10 & TM-m30 Receipt Printers

Epson’s receipt printers are compact enough to fit the smallest of counters. Follow the tips in this section to keep your ethernet or Bluetooth TM-m10 or TM-m30 printing for years to come.

  1. Set up the printer away from heat, moisture, dust, and direct sunlight.
  2. Place the printer on a level surface and do not put any objects underneath it.
  3. Change the printer's orientation if it better suits your business.

    The printer can print from the front or top. Visit Epson support to learn how to change the direction.

  4. Clean the outside of the printer with a lint-free cloth. Do NOT use alcohol or other solvents.
  5. Use the correct type of paper for your printer model.

    The TM-m10 uses 2-inch thermal paper and the TM-m30 uses 3-inch thermal paper.

  6. Do NOT open the cover or touch the paper roll while printing or feeding.
  7. If debris enters the printer, turn the printer off and unplug it from power before removing the debris.
  8. Power the printer off before clearing a paper jam.
  9. To avoid paper jams, feed the paper at least 1 mm before printing for the first time.
  10. Never touch the printer’s thermal head when clearing a paper jam.

    Doing so can dirty the thermal head and degrade print quality.

  11. Clean the inside of the printer every three months to help preserve print quality.

    Visit Epson support to learn how to safely clean the printer.

  12. Unplug the printer from power when not using it for an extended period.
  13. Keep the printer away from microwaves and other devices that can obstruct Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals.

Star TSP100 & TSP650II Receipt Printers

Whether using the ethernet TSP100 or Bluetooth 650II, keep your Star Micronics printer printing with the tips in this section.

  1. Set up the printer away from heat, moisture, dust, and direct sunlight.
  2. Place the printer on a level surface and do not put any objects underneath it.
  3. Clean the outside of the printer with a lint-free cloth. Do NOT use alcohol or other solvents.
  4. Use only 3-inch thermal paper.

    Other paper types can cause jams or damage.

  5. If debris enters the printer, turn the printer off and unplug it from power before removing the debris.
  6. Power the printer off before clearing a paper jam.
  7. Do NOT open the cover or touch the paper roll while printing or feeding.
  8. To avoid paper jams, feed the paper at least 1 mm before printing for the first time.
  9. Never touch the printer’s thermal head when clearing a paper jam.

    Doing so can dirty the thermal head and degrade print quality.

  10. Clean the inside of the printer every three months to help preserve print quality.

    Visit Star support to learn how to safely clean the printer:

  11. Keep the printer away from microwaves and other devices that can obstruct Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals.
  12. Unplug the printer from power when not using it for an extended period.

Epson U220B & Star SP700 Ticket Printers

Use the Epson U220B or Star SP700 ticket printers for printing tickets in high-heat kitchen environments.

  1. Avoid setting the printer up in a dusty or damp environment.
  2. Place the printer on a level surface and do not put any objects underneath it.
  3. Use only one-ply or two-ply bond paper.
  4. Replace the printer's ink ribbon when tickets begin printing faintly.
  5. Clean the outside of the printer with a lint-free cloth. Do NOT use alcohol or other solvents.
  6. Do NOT open the cover or touch the paper roll while printing or feeding.
  7. If debris enters the printer, turn the printer off and unplug it from power before removing the debris.
  8. Power the printer off before clearing a paper jam.
  9. Keep the printer away from microwaves and other devices that can obstruct Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals.
  10. Unplug the printer from power when not using it for an extended period.

DYMO LabelWriter 450

Keep your DYMO LabelWriter 450 printing by following the suggestions below.

  1. Do not use the included CD to set up the printer.

    Visit our setup guide for help connecting the printer and downloading the most recent DYMO drivers.

  2. Use only DYMO branded labels with the label printer.
  3. Before cleaning the printer, disconnect it from power and remove the power cord.
  4. Clean the outside of the printer with a lint-free cloth or diluted dish detergent.
  5. Clean the inside of the printer by removing the labels and brushing away any debris.
  6. Load labels only after connecting the power cable.
  7. Periodically clean the label path with a LabelWriter cleaning card.
  8. Unplug the printer from power when not using it for an extended period.

Cash Drawers

Use the following section to learn how to care for your cash drawer.

  1. Place the drawer on a sturdy, level surface.
  2. To reduce stress on the drawer, switch tills when the drawer becomes too full.
  3. Clean and lubricate the drawer slides every six months.

    DO NOT use water or any liquid cleaner. Refer to the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions for help.

  4. Do NOT force the drawer open when using the included keys to open it.
  5. Contact us to order a set of replacement drawer keys.

Have questions? Visit our Hardware FAQ. If you run into an issue with your printer or cash drawer, check out one of our troubleshooting guides for help.