How to Set Up Automatic Order Printing for Your Restaurant (No POS Required)
Most restaurants assume they need an expensive POS system to print kitchen orders automatically. That's no longer true. With a QR code ordering system and a thermal printer, orders go straight from the customer's phone to your kitchen - no POS terminal, no middleware, no monthly POS fees.
Why Automatic Order Printing Matters
Eliminate Handwriting Errors
Handwritten orders are the biggest source of kitchen mistakes. Illegible handwriting, missed modifiers, and forgotten items cost restaurants thousands per year in wasted food and unhappy customers.
Speed Up Service
When a customer places an order on their phone, it prints in the kitchen within seconds. No waiting for the waiter to walk to the kitchen, no queue at the POS terminal.
Reduce Staff Workload
Waiters no longer need to take orders to the kitchen manually. They can focus on customer service, table management, and upselling instead of running back and forth.
What You Need to Get Started
- A thermal receipt printer (58mm or 80mm) - these cost between £30-£120 and are available from Amazon or any restaurant supply store
- A WiFi or Ethernet network connection - the printer needs to be on the same network as the internet
- An EnuMenu account with the Starter plan or above - this includes the automatic printing feature
- QR codes on your tables - customers scan to view the menu and place orders
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Step 1: Connect Your Printer
Connect your thermal printer to your WiFi network or via Ethernet cable. Most modern thermal printers have built-in WiFi - check your printer's manual for network setup. Once connected, note the printer's IP address (usually found in the printer's settings menu or by printing a test page).
Step 2: Add the Printer in EnuMenu
Go to your EnuMenu admin panel, navigate to the Printers section, and click "Add Printer". Enter the printer's IP address and give it a name (e.g., "Kitchen Printer" or "Bar Printer"). Test the connection to make sure it works.
Step 3: Set Up Print Routing
Print routing lets you send different items to different printers. For example, food orders go to the kitchen printer while drink orders go to the bar printer. Assign menu categories to the appropriate printer in the admin panel.
Step 4: Customise Your Receipt Template
Choose what information appears on each printed ticket: table number, customer name, order items with modifiers, special instructions, timestamps, and order number. You can also adjust font sizes and add your restaurant logo.
Step 5: Test and Go Live
Place a test order by scanning a QR code on your phone. The order should print automatically at the assigned printer within seconds. Check that all items, modifiers, and special instructions appear correctly.
Print Routing: Send Orders to the Right Printer
Print routing is the most powerful feature for multi-printer setups. Here are common configurations:
Restaurant with Bar
Food items print at the kitchen printer. Drinks print at the bar printer. Both locations get exactly the orders they need to prepare.
Multi-Station Kitchen
Starters and desserts print at the cold station. Main courses print at the hot station. Each station only sees their relevant orders.
Front of House Receipt
A copy of every order also prints at the front desk or waiter station, so staff can track what has been ordered without checking a screen.
Customising Receipt Templates
EnuMenu supports both 58mm and 80mm thermal paper widths. Your printed tickets can include:
- Restaurant name and logo at the top
- Table number and customer name (large and clear for busy kitchens)
- Order items with quantities, modifiers, and special instructions
- Course grouping (starters, mains, desserts) for course-paced service
- Timestamps and sequential order numbers
- Allergen warnings highlighted on the ticket
Why You Don't Need a POS System
Traditional POS systems cost £50-£200 per month plus hardware costs for terminals. With QR code ordering, the customer's phone becomes the ordering terminal. Orders flow directly from phone to printer via the cloud - the POS middleman is eliminated entirely.
For a typical restaurant, this saves £600-£2,400 per year in POS fees alone, not counting the hardware investment you avoid.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
- Printer not printing? Check that the printer and your router are on the same WiFi network. Restart both if needed.
- Text too small? Adjust the font size in the receipt template settings. Kitchen tickets should use large fonts for readability.
- Paper jamming? Use high-quality thermal paper. Cheap paper causes more jams and fades faster.
- Orders printing at wrong station? Double-check your print routing rules and make sure each menu category is assigned to the correct printer.
Start Printing Orders Automatically Today
EnuMenu's Starter plan includes automatic order printing with print routing and customisable receipt templates. Set up your first printer in under 15 minutes.