Compatible printers

Almost always yes, it works. La Comanda does not talk to the printer directly: it sends the commands to your operating system, so any printer your computer already knows how to use works for us too. We do not require a particular brand or model, we do not sell hardware and you do not have to buy the printer from us.

Will it work with my printer?

Works:

• Any ESC/POS-compatible thermal printer, any brand.
• Printers already installed on macOS, Windows or Linux.
• USB connection.
• Network or Ethernet connection.
• Bluetooth already paired with the operating system.
• 58 mm and 80 mm paper.
• A single printer, or one for receipts and one for the kitchen.

Does not work:

• Tablets and phones: thermal printing needs a computer.
• Printers with no driver installed on the operating system.
• Direct IP and port 9100 connections with no driver: install the driver and it works.
• Laser or inkjet printers for tickets.

The short rule: if your computer can already print a test page on that printer, La Comanda can too.

Does it work over USB, network or Bluetooth?

All three. La Comanda prints through your operating system, so any printer already installed there works the same no matter how it is connected. There is no IP address, port, brand or model to enter in La Comanda: the printer list under Settings → Point of sale comes from the printers the system already has installed. If your network printer is only reachable "raw" by IP and port 9100, install the manufacturer's driver and it will show up in the list.

Do I need a separate printer for the kitchen?

Not required. You can use a single printer for both receipts and kitchen tickets, or set up a second one dedicated to the kitchen if you want them separated. It is chosen under Kitchen printer in the Printer card; if you leave it on Same as receipt, kitchen tickets come out of the receipt printer. Separate them when the kitchen is far from the register. More in Set up your printer.

Can I print from a tablet or a phone?

No. Thermal printing needs QZ Tray, which only exists for computers running macOS, Windows or Linux. The usual setup is taking orders on the tablet and letting the register's computer print: auto-print comes out of the computer where the order is sent or the payment is completed, and from the kitchen display on that computer you can print any ticket with Print ticket.

What hardware you need

• Hardware: computers only. To take orders and charge, any computer, tablet or phone with a browser and internet works; thermal printing is the only thing that needs a desktop computer.
• System: macOS, Windows or Linux.
• Time: about 10 minutes to get the printer working.
• Repeats: once per computer. Every computer that prints needs QZ Tray, the certificate and its own printer selection.

If you already have equipment that works, it works. We do not sell hardware and we do not require a specific terminal.

How the ticket reaches the printer

There is a piece in the middle you may not know: QZ Tray, a free application that installs on the computer and is what can actually talk to the printer. The browser alone cannot.

1. La Comanda builds the ticket in your browser.
2. QZ Tray receives the ticket inside the same computer.
3. Your operating system sends it to the printer you picked.
4. Your printer cuts the paper and you are done.

None of this goes out to the internet. La Comanda hands the ticket to QZ Tray inside your own computer.

58 or 80 mm paper

Both sizes work; what matters is picking the one that matches your roll under Paper size. 58mm prints 32 characters per line and 80mm prints 48. Pick the wrong one and the text overflows or falls short, so the ticket comes out cut off or with overlapping text.

The Test print in the Printer card produces a ticket with the LA COMANDA header, the line Prueba de impresion, the printer and its number of columns, the date and time, a sample of normal, bold, centered and right-aligned text, a product table with prices and a total, and Impresion exitosa! at the end. If the text comes out aligned and the paper is cut at the end, you are done.

Next step

Install QZ Tray and authorize La Comanda following Install QZ Tray. If something fails, find your case in Printing troubleshooting.